Latest revision as of 21:09, 2 November 2025

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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Current Chapter

Strennun goes Swimming

So we're still on the way to this Elven island somewhere down south-south-east. Can't see shit tho because there's thick fog all around. Not even I can see anything and usually I don't have any problem seeing through all kinds of stuff. Weird...

Anyway, i scout out the area underwater, but can't see shit either. When I get back, somebody yells something about a whirlpool and everybody loses their minds. The ship is on the verge of falling in and the Captain doesn't seem to know if she should steer in or out of the thing. I, for myself, know what I'll be doing, I'm gonna jump in and see what's on the other side. I mean, what's the worst that can happen right??

Strennun yeets himself into the building whirlpool, just as Kylin manages to get a hold of the ship and slowly but surely steer it out of the pool. She does so by jamming her sword into a gap of the steering wheel and with some help from another crew-member and Square.

Meanwhile, Rof saw Strennun jump overboard, but thought that this act of sheer stupidity was not done voluntarily (Because who in their right minds would even THINK of doing such a thing?? What he failed to consider is that Strennun is not even remotely close to being in his right mind...) and made it his mission to go save him. He rappelled himself down the side of the ship into the whirlpool - where Strennun more less happily goes merry-round. He manages to catch him, but gets socked in the face by Strennun and lets him be before getting pulled up to the ship again by Square.

So I get pulled down and over and down and over and down and over and... you get the picture. At some point I get spit out somewhere underwater?

It's pitch-black but I can still see some stuff and can also breathe underwater, so I go and see what's up and also where's up. I swim and swim and swim... and get to the sea-floor. I turn around and swim and swim and swim... and get to some weird structure? Metal? I think? I go along it and get to some pillars that go all the way down to the sea-floor and frame a passage. I continue until I get out of the passage and am in open water.

Meanwhile, Strennun's absence has been noticed on the Devil's Fall and Square is up and ready to replace him with a (more less) trained dolphin - The idea is not met with a lot of enthusiasm. Kylin excuses herself to the Captain's Quarter and lights a candle for Strennun.

So I'm in the water, I don't know where, I don't know why and I don't really know how. I reach out to the dragon-turtle but get ignored for some reason. Maybe I offended it somehow?? But wait! There's a faint light in the distance! I swim towards it and when I reach it, a huge mouth opens with teeth as big as my forearm! I get the fuck out of there and swim up and up and up and up.... for more than an hour. Gotta dodge some big sharks on the way up but I make it. It's open water and I have no idea where I am. Probably not too far off where I jumped into that whirlpool. So if my kalkulatins are correct, this Elven island should be somewhere South-South-East. Gotta reach it at some point I suppose, and I'm faster than the ship anyway, so let's go. I reach out to the dragon-turtle again, but only silence. Welp, swimming in silence it is then.

On the Devli's Fall, Darfin adds the newly 'discovered' whirlpool to the map while Square is trying to teach Ballast how to swim. This is accomplished by rappelling her down the side of the ship (that's moving at 50 knots at the time) and waterboarding her until she starts paddling, before pulling her up shortly before she drowns.

To let off some steam, Ballast goes off to slap Rof, who's had enough and escalates this issue to the Captain. A stern discussion is had and Ballast is sent off to scrub the deck with Rof and will not be allowed to slap any more people. Furthermore, she will be spending half-days with other members of the crew to learn useful skills:

Rashesh: Cooking
Darfin: Reading / Writing / Speaking
Jack: Carpenting / Handiwork
Brovara: Religion / Morality
Rof: Humility / Survival
Kylin: Leadership
Kurwash: Music and Arts

While Kylin and Square are having this discussion, Rof is under deck and gets jumped by crew-members that are planning a mutiny, because he doesn't want to be part of this mutiny. A tussle ensues and Kylin, Darfin and Square are on scene. The mutineers attempt to frame Rof of starting the mutiny and the Captain is inclined to believe them. The leadership retreats to the Captain's quarters and Square manages to persuade her that this mutiny couldn't have been started by Rof because why would he? He promptly gets promoted to First Mate (Square's role so far) and Square gets delegated to 'Chief Slappening Officer', meaning she'll be responsible for training and security of the crew.

The crew-members who instigated the mutiny are being thrown onto the skiff with rations for three days (not enough to reach the shore) and sent out to sea. One of the mutineers - Rushk'all - hides and grovels in front of the captain and gets sent to the brig instead, where he will be overturned to the authorities in the next port.

Meanwhile, Darfin finally gets to talk with Sulla. He can convince them to agree to a talk with the rest of the leadership - but Sulla only agrees under the condition that they're tied together, so Sulla can't be thrown overboard. They also know that Death itself sent Kylin that strange vision of the Gods fighting against other Gods that she had some nights ago.

Strennun Almost Drowns

Today is Roftag's first day as an officer. Angrily he wakes up Steve and starts scrubbing the deck with him as a habit. I tell someone to fetch me all the officers to have a chat with Sulla in my room. As promised, I tie them in chair form to my buttocks, sitting on them for further safety. Sulla knows that they have to convince the crew with insider knowledge that only an elder god might know.

As soon as everyone is here Sulla introduces themselves as the god of fighting. They also talk about Mortius, the god of death and one of the old ones, who gave the vision to Kylin. She asks about the new gods, and Sulla explains that they were commoners who got more and more powerful, until they challenged the old gods themselves. After they won, they limited the powers of the peasants, which coincidentally was the same thing the old gods wanted to do. Some of the new gods are the Ghostly Lady, who has a brother with a gun, and Milil, a narcissist who cannot take criticism and mocks people to death. The new gods are on Sullas list of enemies.

Lyn asks Sulla about the Dragon Turtle. It seems to predate Sulla and is also more powerful. Lyn then asks if the Dragon Turtle is on Sullas list. Sulla tried to hunt it in the past, but never succeeded. Inspired by this Lyn asks what might happen if you kill a god. Sulla tells us that if you are able to kill a god, you might as well become one yourself.

Square then tells Sulla that she wants to be thought by Sulla and offers them the head of a new god. They tell her that she has to kill to get stronger anyways. Square then agrees and says that she will inform Sulla when she killed people. It was a very strange but fitting conversation all the way.

Sulla then explains that they need crystals filled with souls of those who fell in battle to be able to break the curse that is upon them. This can only be done in a temple that is devoted to Sulla like a big arena, and there seems to be one of those on Conder Isle.

Brovara chimes in by asking why we should help Sulla. They tell us that the can help us and give us power. "This seems kind of contradictory", I think to myself, "they tried to limit commoners powers back in the day, why should they just give it away?" It seems like this needs to be talked about further with the crew only.

After all the questions are asked and all the answers are given Square asks if Sulla wants to stay in her room. Sulla is in favour of this idea, because there is more blood in her room. I'm okay with this, as long as people trust Sulla and get along with them.

The first lesson with Ballast goes smoothly, but not as fast as I hope to. To motivate her I tell her about magic, and how she can learn it too, but only if she starts speaking soon. To prove my point further I firebomb the table that’s standing in my room. Ballast does not seem motivated, but at least she participated in the writing exercises.

During this lesson Roftag visits the captain, and asks her about the Elfo-Dwarven War as he didn't hear about anything while in the underworld. She tells him that the last two months it has been stale around Marymar.

Later that day I meet Square, and she asks me about the lesson. I tell her how it went, but also tell her that for Ballasts psychological development it is of most importance that she is convinced about the advantages of reading an writing as soon as possible, and by everyone around her. Including Square. Reluctantly she agrees.

While having a walk on the upper deck I stumble across Roftag. He asks me if the crow's nest he's building is good enough. I have a look at it, and realize that its only 80cm tall. Nicely I tell him that for taller people it might need to be slightly taller as well.

Meanwhile Strennun is swimming through the sea, restless and exhausted. On the fifth day he gets picked up by a trader's ship. The captain is a well-dressed woman with a black panther, who looks very similar to Kylin. It turns out that she actually is her sister who thinks that Kylin is dead. Strennun has to parlay his way out of the situation to not get thrown overboard.

Later in the week we cross a trader's boat, which turns out to be steered by Kylin's sister. We dock with them, and they reconnect. Turns out they don't seem to like each other. Kylin's sister mentions that their father left in search of Kylin and went missing ever since. She also shouldn’t be using the name Nelson anymore, as she brought shame to her family. Before they leave they bring us Strennun and a small cask. We're all quite surprised to see Strennun again, but not surprised when we learn that they were thinking about throwing him back in the water.

After some more days we finally arrive on Conder Isle, my beloved home country. I announce to the port master that I will guarantee for the foreigners, and he lets us dock for 200g. As I'm looking to see my family again after all these years I cannot wait and motivate the captain that we go and rent a coach, to make our way inlands towards Alse Edhil.

Psych Session with a gaslighting faerie

The cart starts rolling towards Alse Edhil. On the road Roftag turns to me and asks what it entails to be the first mate. I reply that firstly he is second in command to me. That he takes over if I am not around or busy. That he reports to me and that he enforces and hands on my orders to the crew. These instructions seemed to have helped him to know what his job is. The first days journey through these dense woods go past smoothly.

In the evening we arrive at camp site and Darfin instructs us to stay within the camp site, due there being fairies, pixies and willowisps around that are out to kidnap travelers. We settle down for the night with Strennun being still utterly exhausted from his swim. I take over the first watch and see from atop the carriage a bunch of lights in the forest, probably stemming from faeries. Afterwards I hand over the watch to Roftag.

Roftag diligently takes over his watch. As Kylin had pointed out there are some lights in the forest. Curiosity takes over him and he goes off and explores. He then stumbles upon a lone faerie. Roftag also plants his axe into the ground to help indicate to him where the campsite is. The faerie is very inquisitive, and asks for Roftag to follow it. Roftag declines and asks about their nature and about the tricks they play. This leads to philosophical discussion on what are good pranks to play, while the faerie tries to gaslight Roftag on where the campsite is. Luckily Roftag is adamant on where he has to go to return and finds himself back at the site to finish his watch.

The next day we set off on the next leg of our journey. Suddenly Strennun points out that there is the ocean to our left. Embarrassingly I also see this illusion with also the Devils Fall burning. I say embarrassingly because this was and illusion. At the time I did not know and ordered us to head to the beach immediately, which would take us off the safe path through the woods. Despite Roftag not seeing what I saw he begun to try and enforce the order as Strennun and Darfin were not following it. Luckily through some discussion and persuasion we stuck to the path and after a while the convincing illusion disappeared.

The following day saw us faced with another illusion which was a fork in the road. Through some clever magic from Darfin we managed to finish navigating throuh the forest and arrive in Alse Edhil.

Darfins house is as expected elegant and built into a tree. There we were greeted by Elanor, his very charming wife. Over a cup of tea Darfin inquires how his two children Nessa and Orian are doing. Both are doing well in the Ulentil. I send an eagle to Jack, to tell him that we will be staying an additional week.

We then decide to use the rest of the day to go and visit the university where Darfin used to work. The security there were the most uptight elves I have ever encountered, and that's saying something. But as the saying goes: Money rules the world. Once inside we head to the room with the talking furniture in hopes of getting more information on Sulla. There Feylin, a very cozy armchair advised us to head to the library to look for a certain book. Darfin then leads us further through the halls to the library. Here we find out that Darfins nemesis, Aran Silvaris borrowed the book 5 years ago and has not returned it yet. Well I guess we have to pay this nemesis a visit.

Global Anomalities Detection and Analysis Society

We learned that Darfin's Nemesis, an Elf called Arune Silvaris is still borrowing the book about the old gods. Before we fetch the afforementioned book, Darfin wants to rectify his deceased status. He leads us down strange corridors where some paths seem to lead into the nothingness and other things Darfin calls "pranks by students". I just hear Darfin's voice in my head "do not leave the path". When we arrive in the administration room, Darfin tells the lady that he is in fact alive, but doesn't not intend to stay. He also requests the papers that allow us to enter the academy freely. We all tell her our names: Foreman "Besm", Captain Kylinn Nelson, Kella the square, Roftag Deerrunner. On our way out we pass a small creek where the water flows up instead of down, it creeps me out.

Arune's House looks very noble, with a fenced in garden. Some of us try to shortcut over the fence and are quickly stopped by forces of nature removing them from the property. The main entrance seems to work way better and after passing a fountain with an enormous gem sitting on it, we get to the door. A servant greets us and we promply invite ourselves in. After serving us some tea in the lounge, Arune makes it clear that he still needs the book and is in his right to keep it. The captains has none of this and casts hold person on him, which he tries to counterspell, which the captain then counterspells, which triggers a magical trap in the room that also casts hold person on the captains. Now both unable to move the other party members spread out to search the home. Square takes the rooms on the right where she is slowed down by statues that startet to move. Brovara tries to go downstairs until the stairs turn into a slide that loops around, now she is only trying to get out of there. Darfin takes the path to the left and eventually finds the study, where he goes through piles of books. Square destroys the statues and I can see one of their heads rolling into the room. Brovara manages to get out of the stairs and joins Darfin on the left, adding wood splintering to all the other noise.

After waiting for the captain to snap out of it, I start to gag and tie up Arune so he shouldn't be able to use magic when the spell wears off. Just about when I finish, Arune disappears. I don't hear him reappearing anywhere so I try to pick up the Captain to follow the rest of the group, but her being frozen in motion only lets me drag her, being too unwieldy to carry. Brovara finds the book and Darfin confirms it. Knowing that Arune disappeared and is probably not sitting around somewhere we hurry outside. Before leaving the property the captain takes out the bag of holding and steals the large crystal from the fountain. We barely make it out without being followed and Darfin leads us to the Mutation guild.

Again another tree. Vespera also called Verspa lets us in, an old friend of Darfin. Downstairs we meet more people, a Dwarf called Dorum how is working on a battle machine, reminding us of the one we fought in mighttown. The guild is technically called Global anomalies detection and analysis society, but I will forget that name anyway. Darfin is led to another room where Vespera shows him a leaf that is oozing a moving black substance. "A fight is going on in the forest, and we believe a mutation to have caused it", Vespa explains.

A nice older lady brings me a sweet brown milky drink that reminds me of home, peaceful times, familiar mountains. I wonder how much has changed. When we finally get out of here I will ask the captain how I can work harder to be relieved out of service sooner.

An angry knock on the door disrupts what we're doing and we all go hide in the cellar.

An angry female voice enters the guild and we are quickly discovered. Elora (Darfin's wife) shows us wanted letters and demands an explanation. Brovara blurts out "Are these papers about our break in?", escalating the situation further. Elora lays out our option: go into the forest and solve the trouble, Bangon first ranger will help us out. She hands Darfin a letter and tells Darin to give the letter to Bangon and don't he dare open it. Darfin also hands Elora a letter that adressed to his daughter.

Before we leave the guild Kylin takes a quick peek into the captains logbook.

"Interesting choice, maybe we can explore this more next time" - Tavia

Of Elves, Hags And Other Ugly Creatures

So I was walking around in this nice, quaint forest when I was suddenly yoinked away by an odd lady dressed in all dark colors. She seemed weird. I was then handed off (or rather grabbed) by Darfin's wife, who shoved a package in my hand and shoved me further through a tree. Meanwhile she yelled something about "tell him to reach out next time". Beats me what she meant by that.

Anyway, I fall on my ass in the middle of a forest, surrounded by pretty well hidden elves. There's one elf that's not hidden. He looks old and like a ranger. Rof finally reaches out his hand and greets him. He greets back and leads us somewhere - pretty sure it's east (*Narrator: It was not east*). After a bit we get to a camp and Brovara goes to offload Darfin and Square in the medical tent. They're still passed out. No idea why. We're then led into a big tent. Probably the leader's.

Apparently these folks are the 27th ranger department - apparently the other 26 are also still around, but not here, as the leader told me in a very impatient voice - and they're here to fight the cursed area. We're supposed to help them. It's spreading and within some weeks it will probably have cursed the whole island. The leader shows us a map where we are and where the cursed area is. There's also a big clearing in there, which is most likely Sulla's Arena where we're supposed to do some occult magic involving killing people.

The cursed area spews out humanoid creatures that abduct people from the surrounding villages who are then never seen again. There's also creepy half-spider/half-human creature crawling around. Most likely there's also a hag in the middle that's kinda responsible for it? Maybe not, but she's certainly up to no good, so we ought to kill her.

I attempt to reach out to my patron to request help on how to kill a hag. I suddenly find myself at the beach surrounded by ugly creatures. There's also a horrid creature that blasts towards me and screeches in my face. I'm horribly scared, wake up from my trance and bolt it into the woods. Roftag and Kylin follow me and Roftag catches up to me at the edge of the forest. We have a talk about fear and how it also affected one of his mates in the nine hells. He gives me his big shield to feel safer. It doesn't really work but he was nice about it, so I'll keep it around for now and see what happens. Back at the tent I go to the medical tent to ask for help because I also feel very drained. Apparently I'm not the only one but the only solution is to send us off to the capital where there's more decent healers than here. That won't do, so the healer here gives me some chocolate. That's good but doesn't really help. I watch Brovara and Rof put up the tents with some help of Kylinn. After the tents are up, Rof comes over and I offer him some chocolate, but he doesn't want any. He asks me if I want to be anywhere else to which I reply not really because there's not really anywhere else to go. I have my friends here. Maybe back to my family at some point, but not now because I dont feel like leading my father's company. He then asks me how he could pay off his debts faster, to which I don't know any answer and tell him to go talk to the Captain. I also reassure him that he's a good crewmate and full member of the party and pulls his weight. After that he goes off to get some pastry.

In the evening, Kylinn also talks to Sulla and asks her how to best defeat a hag. Sulla's advice boils down to "She will use lots of Illusions and hags are usually immune to non-magical damage".

During the night, Brovara dreams of hordes of orcs coming at her wave after wave, which she then kills with wide strokes of her morning-star (*The hag tried to curse her like she did with Strennun but her mind was too strong*)

Next day we head out - without Darfin or Square as they're still passed out. After about half a day we hear a weird buzzing in the distance, which turn out to be fairies in a full-on war. After probably committing some war-crimes by blindly firing spells into the fray, we decide to just mow through them because we can't leave the path. Towards the evening, we come to the cursed part of the forest, which is shown by slumped branches and black gooey leaves everywhere.

As the party makes camp in the evening, Lynn tries to reach out to her patron, but also gets pulled into an evil vision by the hag. In her case it is her swimming in the ocean while her ship sails away over the horizon before she finally drowns.

Over night everybody's watch is just plain shit and we're lucky we don't get killed overnight. Next day, we get to a huge chasm in the floor. Kylinn being Kylinn, she throws a lightning at it, which is promptly directed back at her. She also drops a pebble down and it takes... a long time to reach the bottom. That means the chasm is... uhm, very deep. Brovara grabs into it and almost gets pulled in. Rof then has the brilliant idea to hit the edge of the chasm and it actually retreats! I also have the brilliant idea to throw a spell at it and suddenly tentacles come out and try to pull me into the chasm! Brovara is there luckily and manages to pull me away. After tireless hacking and hitting the edge of the chasm, it finally narrows enough for us to jump over it and we continue on.

More Than One Way In

After being shoved into a portal tree by my wife I wake up in some kind of medical tent, next to square. "How did I get here?" I wonder. Square wants to leave the tent and join the others as soon as possible. We walk outside and search for someone to talk to. Many heavily armoured elves are around the campsite, and by the lack of rust I deduct that this must be the elven army. We enter one of the most important looking tents, and an officer greets us. While square nonchalantly starts eating from the fruit bowl the officer tells us what happened around the region and with our friends. Seemingly the forest around us was cursed, and some hag took that as a chance for a new home. "Very interesting" I say to the officer, trying not to sound sarcastic. He commands some younglings to show us the path the rest of the crew have taken. They lead us some minutes into the forest and show me an old trail which even I struggle to really notice. To inform the captain I send off my trusty hawk with a message for the captain.

In the meantime the others continue their path and decide to set up camp at sundown. My hawk reaches them in good health and delivers the message. When it leaves the curiosity overwhelms Brovara, and unseen by the others she shoots the hawk out of the air, thinking that it must be some kind of magical illusion.

As we travel further into the forest the leaves get darker and darker, looking beyond unhealthy. Out of nowhere it feels like the trees are trying to grab us, without them actually doing it. I tell Square that I can make someone fly for a short time, and she gets really excited about it. As I want to leave this option open for dangerous situations I have to disappoint her, promising her that she would be able to fly by the end of the day. She makes some snide remarks about me not looking so good anymore which I don’t understand why, and we continue.

The others set up camp in a forest clearing. Roftag knows how to set up a tent, but not quite where and places them inside some bushes. Suddenly they feel like something is shadowing them. A tar-like person approaches Strennun. He tries to touch it and screams in agony. No longer curious he hellish rebukes the creature, exploding it into little pieces. The leftovers don’t burn, which is quite strange as tar would surely burn. Brovara senses that more of those creatures must be around them. The shoot all of them down on sight.

As the day continues we hear familiar explosions from afar. We reach the rest of the crew at the campsite they just built up. As this is the end of today I give Square the power to fly. She does some superhero landings, kicks and flies up into the sky like a bird. At the height of 30 meters she is over the treeline and has a good look at the surrounding forest. There still seems to be a good distance between us and the hag, so we should get a good night's sleep. We distribute shifts for our watches and go to bed.

I'm not quite able to sleep, as I am haunted by nightmares. I am woken up from my sleep by an explosion in our tent. There is tar-like substance everywhere, I clean it up with prestidigitation. As I cannot sleep anyways I decide to stay up. I hear Kylinn outside shooting at something. "There must be more of them" I think, and wake up Brovara, who is still snoring in a deep sleep. A tar-like person crashes into our tent and Brovara and I get hit by it. The creature starts dragging Brovara out and towards the forest. "That’s it, now I have to intervene" I think and step outside the tent. The tar creatures try to drag Brovara towards the forest, where tentacles grapple her and pull her even further. The same also happens to Roftag. Thankfully they are both able to free themselves from these vile creatures. We fight the remaining creatures while Square skilfully kills many of them, but Strennun is nowhere to be seen, as he's probably still asleep.

The next day we pack up the campsite and start our days journey further into the forest. Around the afternoon we reach a big burial mound, maybe 40 meters high. It has marble doors with primordial writing on it. Each entrance is guarded by a statue with a certain race, with some funeral prayer in the corresponding language. Square and Roftag decide to climb atop the burial mound to have a look at it, and it seems to have a light shaft. Roftag is suddenly affected by some kind of spell, and feels like jumping in the hole seems like a good idea. He asks for Strennuns shield, sits on it, and slides down into the shaft. As this seems to be out signal to enter as well Brovara starts running into the mound, taking the damage from all the traps on the way.

Roftag falls deep into the mound, landing in a pitch black hall. The only thing he senses is someone cackling while his eyes are still adjusting to the darkness.

The Bag of Holdn't

I ran straight into that tomb, silly traps firing around me, to aid Rof. He stood in the middle of a large room, bewitched by a big ugly cackling hag. I chased her but she made it to the door leading to a winding staircase before I caught her. Nasty old crone. The others caught up and we looked around. A big statue loomed in the middle of the room. Apart from the statue, eight exits (or entrances, as it actually depends which way you look) and Rof. And a magical crown on Rof’s head.

It turned out, Rof was cursed. His eyes glew with madness, just like his wolf pelt’s eyes when he’s in the heat of a battle. We never asked him about that wolf, have we? The crown grew some teeth and Rof tried to wrestle me down. Silly Rof. I commanded him - and the crown - to stop whatever they were doing and continued the chase. There was clearly no time to plan.

Me and Square ran down the stairs. Darfin followed closely and Lynn was dragging behind, trying to catch up. Rof - still controlled by the mad crown - tried to catch the Captain using a piece of rope as a lasso. Lynn magicked herself away, leaving Rof alone with Square, who yeeted (yote?) a hammer at him. The bewitched dwarf then caught Darfin but luckily - luckily for Darfin that is - he came back to senses and the crown with teeth disappeared.

By the time we reached the main chamber, we were pissed. We saw the hag behind a stone altar, doing magic. A big crystal - one that we need for the stupid chair - was floating in front of her. Now, since we arrived at a balcony, we had the high ground and used strategy to our advantage. Khella jumped off, landing firmly on her feet and ran towards the hag, grabbing a sausage from the table on the way. Rof also jumped but landed firmly on his head instead. In the meantime, I silently ran around to ambush the hag, my footsteps masked by the sound of Rof falling off the balcony.

Seconds later I heard a familiar slapping sound. Rof and Square were attacked by the weird creatures we saw outside the tomb and on the way here and they fought back. They were waiting for us, hidden below the balcony. As I got around the corner, I saw Kylin flying over the skirmish, fire and lightning bursting out of her hands, and pinning down the creatures. Slapping was soon joined by the sound of plates and cutlery, thrown by Rof. I assume Darfin was also there somewhere. I ran and plunged towards the hag’s back to pin her down, only to be pushed away by a magical wave. I was lucky to land on a bed. The bed was less lucky with a 150kg half-human landing on it and breaking it.

Using pure strength clearly had no effect, so we changed the approach and tried using other means. Rof picked up a bench and hit the hag with it, splinters flying all over the altar. I tried tossing Kylin close to the hag but I lost my grip and she tripped and fell instead. In the background, Square beat the tarry creatures as if they were her punching bags. I think I also heard Darfin shouting from the balcony so I still assume he was somewhere around.

Lynn took her Bag of Holding and tried to put the crystal in it. The crystal did not fit and went through the fabric with a loud pop. A moment later, Roftag finally managed to grab the witch and push her to the ground. Square joined a moment later, ready to beat the crap out of her. Kylin took out her double-ended trident and mocked the hag. The witch looked at Kylin, nasty smile on her face, and uttered Bold of you to say as a captain with no ship. What a stupid thing to say in such circumstances, especially since we just were on the ship several days ago. Afterwards, Kylin’s double-blade trident - there has to be a better name for it - went through the hag’s skull. Good riddance.

A moment later Darfin appeared and discussed the broken bag with Kylin. They said that everything from it was lost. Not sure what they meant exactly but I saw nothing falling out so I assume they’ll find it sooner or later. Those magic adepts always overreact, eh?

We went through the hag’s lair, finding some rations and other useful items and continued further into the tomb. All we found were sarcofph.. sarfophag.. tombs so we came back out of the haunted place, leaving it behind forever…

A Tempting Offer

After a well deserved rest we headed back to the main room with the mummy. The room was better lit than the last time we where there, hence why we decided to have a quick look outside before exploring the rest of the tomb. Outside it has also become lighter, just with still most of the colour drained. Back in the mummy room someone noticed that the room has pictures on the walls, each segment in the style of the races which then seamlessly fades over to the next style.

We then head down the South Western tunnel which lead to a similar room that we found after the hags lair. Here there were further signs of corruption trying to settle in. After convincing especially Darfin and Brovara to not commit grave-robbery we headed back and took the South Eastern path. This path lead to another room full of sarcophagi and a hole with stairs heading down into darkness. Strennun reads something about water and we decide to head down the steps. The darkness starts to engulf us. Even my new found dark vision can not see far. Darfin then comes with an idea to tie a rope to the top to help us navigate and Strennun heads off to do so. After 15 minutes we decide to follow and try and find him.

"Meanwhile Strennun out of frustration jumped down the center to find a cave at the bottom with a monolith in the center. On the walls he reads: Do not release! Out of morbid curiosity he reaches out and talks with the entity trapped inside the monolith. The entity promises him power, riches, world domination and possibility to take over the crew. Strennun though, being a simple person, declines and just asks for a way out for him and the rest of the crew. The entity shows himself as a white figure and mentions how many are evil and hurt people. So its normal in the world."

Meanwhile we still try and find a way to find Strennun. After not beeing able to find the exit we head back down. Suddenly the steps start falling away and out of nowhere I start falling. One after another the others fallow. Strennun then tells us about the entity who has introduced themselves as Anathar. We ask Zula, whether they know the place and a person named Anathar. He know decides to tell us not to head down here, like an hour too late that stupid chair. In the back we find a hidden room and Brovara begins to try and find a way through. Suddenly Strennun turns on us possessed and start trying to destroy the crystal monolith. We manage to knock him out. Out of caution, I order us to find a way out which is probably just head back up the stairs. Darfin and I successfully confirm this theory and jump back down to get the others. Meanwhile they have made some progress on the door and I compromise that we can wait 2 hours more before we leave this dangerous place.

This idea was short lived though as suddenly Brovara gets possessed by Anathar and starts taking damage from an invisible source. Again we can do nothing aside from supporting her and then just knocking her out to end the possession. Now its an order: We leave!. While rushing up the stairs and can not keep wondering, what would have happened if Anathar tried to tempt me. Or someone else who would be more willing to accept an offer like Darfin.

Chair à Maze

After the stairs we passed the entrance room with the large THING in the middle. The desire to leave is stronger than the memory of any traps. Together we run and breathe fresh air faster than strennung could spot water.

Even from afar the forrest is visibly brighter, healthier; we needn't worry anymore about our trip back. Having fullfilled our obligations to the elves the only thing keeping us on this cursed island is an offer from our chair. After marching onwards not long and we spot something strange is the distance. Approaching, some of us notice a group of people led by a hooded creature. Before we get close enough to recognise any faces, the sand and rock inf front of us are replaced by a massive, at least twenty meter tall wall. Walking into the structure it is quickly concluded that the fastest way to explore the maze would be from on top of the walls, this way if the group would reveal themselves as enemies we would also hold the advantage. The captain and Darfin make their way up using their magic, helping the rest using a rope. Square rushes ahead, the rest makes their way to the center of the maze by either jumping from wall to wall or by flying. After arriving in the middle and spotting some kind of altar together with Brovara I climb down to the ground level. While the captain and Darfin engage the group from above, Brovara plays with some contraption that allows her to move the walls. Following the trail of blood Brovara and I find Square slapping her way through the enemies' minions. We help out. Meanwhile Darfin creates a path of fire and finds the enemies leader: Wormtongue. After not much consideration, Darfin drops the purple stick and just hears an audible "#!%& his will take some time" before Wormtongue and anything in a 5m radius around him disappears. Seeing the wall Darfin was just standing on I rush to his aid, just to watch him slowly hover to the ground.

Square starts to build one of her famous gardens around the altar and blood starts to float from the corpses towards the altar. A sphere of flesh starts to grow above the labyrinth collecting all the blood. Before the sphere could burst, it disappears. Everyone gathers in the middle. "Did it work?". I hear a familiar voice in my head, Sulla's voice. He presents himself in front of us, tall and powerful.

Each of us he offers a rewards for freeing him from his wooden cage. Darfin asks him about magic but is shot down immediately "Do I look like a mage?". I ask him for a shield but get laughed at for being a coward. The only items Sulla wants to offer seem to be tools to spill more blood, this is music in Squares ears. Not only does she pledge to follow Sullas teachings, but also to spread his name in the only language he seems to speak - violence. Sulla pronounces Kella his arch priestess (todo please replace with correct title) and grants her a mean looking weapon. I get a bad feeling about this god of war thing and decline his offer. Everyone else accepts their gifts.

List of gifts: (todo please write down a name of your gift)

Are we… Pirates?

Sulla gifts us lions on which we ride back towards the port city. From afar we see a magical beam getting closer and closer. We arrive at a forest clearing, where the lions suddenly stop. As we get of they magically vanish. Strennuns lion pukes up some noble clothes, and Squares lion transforms into a necklace. Very weird, but I've seen worse.

As we walk towards the city walls an older elf in a white robe and hat steps out behind a tree. I get the feeling that he is a servant of one of the High Lords, but by his clothing he is also a high priest of the Wailing Widow. He doesn’t want to tell us his name, but he says that we travelled with one of their sons. Kylin says something about a Varis Alloro, probably a son of the Alloro family.

The priest also tells us that Varis Valorian, one of the more conservative high lords, issued an arrest warrant for Kylin Nelson for deserting the army. The ship is seized at port and the crew in prison. I never heard about this, and I always thought that Kylin is an honourable captain with a hard but good heart. Was she forced into servitude, or is she a traitor?

The priest offers to help us to get into the city to free the crew, we should meet him at dawn at the keep. We agree and give ourselves a little rest before. There is a lot of talk about burning down the city or burning down certain buildings, but I'm not fully present as I'm trying to process the new information I just got.

Towards the evening, we approach the city gate. Roftag rips out a massive spike log from the moat. Brovara steps onto Roftags shoulders and hippity hoppity over the walls. She gets attacked by some guards, but easily splatters them over the walls. The rest of us also climb over the walls, and we enter the keep. As I am the last one, I close the door. We silently kill all the guards on our way, and easily cheese through a laser maze. We reach a break room where we can hear shanties through a door, where the crew must be held prisoners. We reach the cells, where some of the crew are petrified, among others also Steve. Jack is still "alive". He tells us that they defended the ship for three days, until the elven army seized it successfully for the democracy. Half the crew was lost during the battles or were petrified. He requests to be allowed to kill the prison commander himself. Kylin grants his wish, and he leaves with two men.

We hand over some of our weapons to the members who are able to fight and leave the cells. Square and two other crewmates slap the rest of the guards to death. We hear a loud thump, as the dead body of the commander lands on the floor in front of us. Up on the tower we see Jack in the window. Outside of the keep we hear a commotion. It seems like the priest rallied up the townsfolk to protest the actions of the guards. Three rows of guards stand in front of the gate, forming a shield wall. We sneakily open the doors, and Kylin kills two rows of guards with just one spell. The townspeople flee in fear, causing an even bigger chaos. We leave towards our ship and set sails immediately.

I'm leaned against the railing and fire some firebolts towards the elven ships, setting them all aflame. I remember being a young boy, visiting the ports with my father and looking at the elven fleet in awe. boom. It was then when the wish to leave the isle and explore the world started I assume. boom. Why didn't I just do it when I first felt ready to? Why did I have to spend my best years hidden in some libraries?. boom. Am I still a good person, being associated with a war criminal?. boom. Will I ever be able to return as a respected member of society?. boom. Where is my life even going? Is this what I want for myself?. boom. I don’t even notice what's happening around me, as my mind keeps digging deeper and deeper into self-doubt. boom. We sail into the sunset, leaving the elven isle behind us.

Just Keep Swimming

It was a good call from Kylin to start firing back. The silly sods stationed at that Falloren fort should have started clearing up the city instead of firing at us. After all, we helped them with Sulla, Wyrmtongue and lifted whatever curse there was on the city.

If the troops weren’t enough, a huge ship appeared out of the fog in front of us. My sailor companions called it a flagship, which I thought was a stupid name until I noticed five flags on the masts. A rather interesting feature of the ship was the galeon’s figure depicting what elvish women definitely did not look like in reality (they only looked like this in some sailor’s songs I’ve heard from the crew and dare not repeat here).

The battle started with us approaching the flagship. There was nothing else we could have done as it was blocking our way, challenging us. Strennun immediately jumped in to the water, which is good as he is more useful swimming around the ship than in the battleground. A crewmember I have not seen before was the first to jump - a dwarf with black skin and a missing ear. Captain followed directly after, Rafiki jumping of her shoulder and grabbing one of the lines going up the mast. It stands to reason the enemy crew would try jumping onto our ship so I stayed and waited for them. Rof does not share my view and tosses a wooden pole onto the enemy ship, planning to use it to fend off the foreign sailors.

A firestorm broke out on the flagship, possibly started by Kylin, and a couple of sailors jumped over to Devilsfall. Just where I expected them. I tossed them overboard, grabbing a ribbon out of an important-looking one. Strennun later told me that after they fell into the water, he was noticed by them and they tried to attack and drown him. Silly sods should have noticed something was fishy about him. (that was a play on words, because he is a bit like a fish.)

As the fire started spreading, we cut down or drowned more and more enemy sailors. I heard a loud splash as Jack unfastened the galeon’s figure and started hauling it towards the Devilsfall. I looked up and saw Rafiki carrying two flags stolen or perhaps bitten away, from the tops of the masts. We slowly came back to our ship, regrouped and sailed away from the no-longer-flagship, leaving the remainder if its crew trying to put out the fire. It might be for good - if they weren’t able to defend themselves from us, they wouldn’t have been safe on these waters. What with all the pirates around.

We lined up all our recruits and tried to teach them some discipline. Three of them stood out. A young elf called Falaria (or Falafel? the elvish names all sound the same to me). A lizard-looking man called Danam, which emanated an aura of chill, and Nori, the dwarf who was first-in-line in the abordage. The dwarf tried mocking me so I tossed him overboard, Strennun jumped after him to save him. Nori has to learn his place in the crew. Until he does, he’ll be taking a swim regularly.

We continued sailing towards the meeting point with Tavia. Kylin immediately took to the timid Falalel and started mentoring her. Jandalf appeared and brought some of our ordered gear. Apart from that, not much happened for a couple of days until we heard Strennun shouting that he sees a ship with Thanate flag far away. We decided to approach.

As the ship grew nearer, we noticed what looks like a captain and a handful of guards standing next to each other. Kylin grabbed my arm and teleported us to negotiate. The guards started behaving aggressively so I grabbed an important-looking one and held him hanging overboard. The rest of them charged but got pacified quickly. We tell Nori to disarm the guard leader, which he does by cutting off his hand with his steel axe. Someone said this was ironic except I don’t think there was any iron involved and Nori should think twice instead of taking the words so literally.

The captain of the encountered ship claimed they are shipping grain and beer but we quickly saw through his disguise and know he was a supplies-smuggling pirate. He should be happy we left him and his crew alive. We recruited two of them though. The captain of the guard did not want to join us though. His loss. We did acquire their galeon’s figure. I wonder where Strennun keeps those.

After two weeks of uneventful sailing we approached a ship with a Draconic League flag. Strennun’s mission to swim up and check what’s on the ship ended in a failure but Captain recognized the ship and teleported aboard. Kylin later said she had a lengthy discussion about her sister and told the crew to deliver her a bottle of whisky and a letter. They also presented Kylin with a bottle of whisky and she came back, telling us to leave the ship be. She was also told that she should visit Dragon’s Inn in the capital and it has something to do with her parents. We set sail once again.

After another week of smooth sailing - interrupted only by a huge school of tuna passing by - we finally arrived at the designated meeting place. In the meantime, Falafel became quite a sailor and Nori seems to understand now that mocking me results in being thrown overboard. The third new crew member is a bit of a mystery though.

In any case, we approach the ship of Tavia and other captains. Good we did not get caught by any of the pirates on our way here.

Fuck you, and thank you!

I wake up in the morning to see the grand fleet a few hours out. What a weird dream last night. I felt like I should check on Darfin before we join the others so I head down to his room and find lost in thought.

We sit down he tells me off his thoughts and doubts and how he feels isolated as he no longer can return home as he is a fugitive there. I try and comfort him, hoping he understands that the Devilsfall would be happy to be his home. We go on and talk about our deeds. Darfin then says that we should start owning up to what we are. We are Pirates! There is no denying that anymore. Darfin the blurts out:” Fuck you and thanks you!” He then elaborates that he hates the situation but also enjoys the freedom from society. Like really fuck society. Why should we have to dress a certain way, marry, only speak one’s mind when asked or have to run a business.

By the way. Was that the first time Darfin has sworn? Surely not, but I can not remember when he has. Either way we talk a little more with me also opening up a little how cornered I felt at home. Before leaving I hand over a box which was addressed to Darfin.

When I head up back on deck, I find Roftag sparing with Nori and Brovara trying to round up the crew to do a workout. I painfully watch how she fails to engage with the crew. I do later take her to the side and try and give her some advice. Mental note, I may have to do a full workshop with her soon to help her improve her people skills.

We then arrive at the fleet and are greeted by people of Tavias crew who invite me to Tavias ship. That’s very friendly and nice of her. I appoint Roftag to take command and make sure the ship is securely docked and take Falaria with me to Tavias. Maybe Falaria can open up a little there.

Tavia welcomes us and then leads me to the dining room which is nicely decorated and set with a nice feast. During the feast we talk about what happened. I tell her of our adventures and the stupid event which lead to me loosing the logbook. She explains that Teolgrug and Greybeard have secured the Draconic Isles. Teolgrug has not arrived yet. Meanwhile Tavias crew encountered some of Hogens men on a seemingly empty island where they weird resupplying. It seems the enemy has weird means to travel. We continue chatting about random interests and are hitting it off really well.

Meanwhile Roftag and Darfin have a heart to heart about how the consequences of our actions are catching up. Darfin admits that he feels like that violence is faster and often more fun. After their talk Darfin finally decides to open the box and finds pipeweed, incense and a note from his wife.

Darfin then decides to look for a doctor to get his condition checked. The doctor does try and hint at the fact that he is probably undead, which does stir some doubt in Darfin that maybe the captain was right when she told him that he has been affected by the curse.

Strennun went off to scout out other Crowsnest to find ideas on how to improve ours. He finds one with a drunk guy who has attached himself with a rope. Strennun does not understand why one would do this as then one cannot jump into the ocean. Strennun proceeds to untie the poor guy and jump into the ocean with him. He later on finds out that the guy cannot swim.

Brovara is spending a nice evening taking a bath in Strennuns room.

Roftag is looking after the ship when he suddenly gets attacked by Falaria. Luckily Brovara and the rest of the crew comes to aid and find that its actually a Rakshasa. Roftag and Brovara then decide to warn the captain, as they are not sure if the Falaria that went with her to Tavias was actually real.

While taking a sip of some nice wine the doors to the dining room get flung open with a guard and Brovara saying we are needed. Tavia takes her hand off my arm and we both stand up to find out what the commotion was. Rof tells us of the Rakshasa attack. We quickly check that it was alone and make sure that there is no widespread panic.

Once that handled, I send Rof and Brovara back to the ship, as Tavia invited me to stay the night. I also send Falaria to hang out with the rest of Tavias crew. In her cabin she

The next morning, I happily and rejuvenated walk back to the Devilsfall. After regrouping with everyone Darfin pulls out a stack of papers with our names on them with the new bounties. Mine has gone up a little, but really by only 50 gp? I guess they are not really interested in capturing me anymore. Oh, btw here are the new bounties:

Captain Kylin Nelson: 800gp
Professor Darfin Elehni: 600gp
Mr Woodenglory: 450gp
Brovara the Tall: 350gp
Roftag Deerunner: 300gp
Rafiki: 50gp

4+1 Captains

In the morning an iron clad ship approaches the wooden isle waving Greybeard’s flag, as well as another heavily damaged ship belonging to Teolgrag. Greybeard’s ship docks and a procession of royal proportions enters the wooden isle, with Greybeard in shining armor and two giants flanking him on both sides. Judging by Darfins reaction there is a lot of magic in the air.

The Captain being escorted by Brovara and I takes place at a giant round table on one of the central ships. We take our positions close to her and stand there waiting for the other captains. Tavia takes her seat close to the captain. Greybeard makes his way to the other seat next to the captain and his guard walks right through Brovara and me. I swallow my pride and take the disrespect without causing trouble for the captain. The last two seats are filled with Teolgrag who is showing some recent battle injuries and Arokshax who clearly doesn’t voluntarily attend.

«Neutrality, not good for business eh?» - Teolgrag

Teolgrag starts to explain why he is in such a rough shape: I followed Hogan and Ondas and Wormtongue to the Deadlands. Hogans men are trying to create a new world order and talked about corruption. Hogan cut a deal with the devils, hopefully they are as trustfully as the rakshashas.

«Burnt world ain’t good for anyone» -Teolgrag

Three options are stated:

- Strike the orcs

- Find allies in Thanate Empire

- Attack Hogan directly in the deadlands

There is not much debate, Tavia and Greybeards are quickly on board, only Arokshax remains hesitant. The circle is dismissed. Brovara voices her complaints about Greybeard’s guards and challenges whoever dares to a duel. A foolish dwarf volunteers and believes his hammer stands a change against our half-human. A couple painfull looking blows are exchanged and Brovara stands on top of the table staring down on the dwarf being embedded in said table. Greyboard calls the win and offers Brovara a reward of her choosing. Brovara chooses the dwarf’s hammer as a trophy. Everyones attitute towards her changes immediately.

Greyboard repeats his offer from when we met near Mighttown, this time I don’t decline the shield. Visiting his ship I find a real smithy on the lower deck where a nice smith advises me what to pick, a wooden shield with a steel rim and spikes on the other side, decorated with a painted wolf baring his teeth.

In the evening Kylinn visits Teolgrag. He asks her about his contract with «god». [ redactet ].

Tealgrag says that he approached the edge of the stream (nobody who has gone further has ever returned). Some of his sailors swear by their mother that they saw land in the distance, but there is nothing to prove the hersay.

Teolgrag: "Kylinn, I want to retire; Be my heir, or go exploring."

Kylinn does not decide yet.

In the morning Kylinn pays Arokshax a visit, trying to get him to help the cause .. Arokshax is drunk.

Arokshax: «Can you guarantee my safety?»

Kylinn: «To be completely honest .. you will most likely die if you stay close to me .. like many others.»

Arokshax: «We both know Teolgrag, if I help you my family is save … if I don’t they will still be save but I will never see them again»

Arokshax hands Kylinn a waterskin with Grog.

DRINK

After my morning clean I fetch the Flags from Rafiki as the captain ordered. Soon after, Tavia arrives and tests out the Devilfall’s curse on one of her guards (fortunately only once) and disappears in the captains quarters. I fetch my shield from Greybeard’s shipand return to find Brovara banging on the Captain’s door.

We kill some time trying out my new shield. It does have some magical properties as Brovara’s heavy blow feels more like a child’s punch.

Kylin learns that Tavia’s Cutlass is called «Iron price»

Tavia leaves a wine bottle as a gift and the wooden isle slowly disappears.

Kylin sends one of the crewmembers out with an elvish wine in return.

"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb."

Before leaving, we were doing some shopping. Roftag got a new shield that seems to have some magic. Darfin got some elven chainmail made that looks very pretty. I myself tried to get the rust off my weapons and a nice dwarf gave me some goop to smear on my weapons. That seemed to work.

While we were out shopping, Brovara tested her new hammer, by beating the ever-loving shit out of Square's old punching bag. On the way back to our ship, she also 'picked up some rope' - which turned out to belong to another ship. But as it started to wither the second she came onto the Devil's Fall, she decided to just leave it on deck, because more rope is clearly always more better!

The Captain gave orders to set sails. We are going to the deadlands to deal with the Orc-problem there. As it is basically on the way, we will also stop by the Thanate Empire on the way. My home! I will get to see my father again!

The other captains will be doing the following meanwhile:

Greybeard: Try and get the support of the dwarves empire by any means necessary
Arokshax: Get a supply chain up and running to supply us in the deadlands
Tavia: Take over the transport of the goods of said supply-chain
Taelgrog: Who knows? He's not the most talkative one...

After some days of sailing, I see cliffs in the distance. My home! I yell down to the ship that there's land. Soon enough, we see smoke in the distance. This is the main city. It is built in a cavern. This means that ships can be very easily inspected and it is not easy to smuggle stuff in like that. That's why we anchor outside of the cavern and transport us and our stuff along the passages along the cliffs (there are treacherous 'passageways' built into the cliffs, which are essentially just planks on the side of the bluffs, with nothing but pistons and prayers holding them up. They are heavily used by smugglers and other folks who are not exceptionally keen on their wares or ships being inspected by the harbourmaster and his staff).

Brovara does not trust her weight with the armour on to hold the planks. Rof and I take her armour and she just walks like that. That seems to work because we get to the city pretty soon. Before that, we are being inspected by the guards. Brovara takes this opportunity to put on her armour again. I have to empty my bag and lay my weapons out. I have collected quite a number of weapons because they are neat. That seems to amuse the guards because they laugh when I lay out my longsword, my club, my scimitar, my dagger, my backup dagger, the backup dagger of that dagger, the great axe, the handaxe, the rapier, the short bow and the whip. After that I have to repack everything again. While I'm at it anyway, I try to make myself presentable for my father by taking off my armour and putting on some fine clothes (they were not that fine anymore, considering what they've gone through in the past couple years, but Strennun did not seem to care all that much).

It's nice to be back in my hometown! We pass a tavern that I used to go to a lot back then. I drag my friends in there and Gunther, the bouncer greets me and shows me my usual table. It's a lot stuffier than I remember. We order stuff and then the bill comes. It's... I don't know the number but it's higher than I can count and that means it's a LOT! I don't even know if I have that much gold! So I take my bottle of wine and run out with Brovara. The others don't follow for some reason. Brovara drags me back in. We eat and drink and in the end Darfin pays - Thank you Darfin! After that we go to my father's house.

When we get there I try to enter, but for some reason the door is locked?!. Frederick, the old guard, opens a little window in the door and looks at me like I just resurfaced after seven years gone. To be fair, that is what happened, but that is not the point here. He doesn't want to let my friends in at first but I convince him and we all wait in the courtyard while he goes and does... something. Things have changed. There are strange guards in the courtyard. After a long while I go into the house and the guards don't stop me. I look for my father and find Frederick coming out of his office and come back with me to the courtyard. He keeps asking me questions about myself. Like he doesn't know me?? (Meanwhile, Brovara keeps counting seconds in the courtyard, as Strennun said he'd be back in 15min. As she gets bored of that, she tries to interact with the guards, who ignore her, provoking her ire.) After some more minutes, my father comes to the courtyard. At least I think it's my father? I can hardly recognise him. He's so old and weak and ugly? He doesn't believe that I am Strennun until I show him our signet ring. Then he finally invites us to dinner - even though we just ate before. During dinner I try to tell him everything that happened in these seven years that I was gone. Kylinn asks him for his support against the orcs in the deadlands. My father wants to speak to me in my office. Back in his office he tells me what has been happening here. There's a fight going on between the guilds but also within the guilds. This is also why he was so wary of me. Because he thinks someone could be impersonating me to harm him. I don't know why anybody would do that, but then again, I am not very smart, so I just leave it be. He wants me to burn down the warehouse of his former friend and ally - apparently he has been stealing my father's wood. If I can, I can take the wood back, but that doesn't really matter. After that, I should go to the Seahorse tavern and execute Duran in public. He apparently killed Nana! (Strennun's old maid, who was a mother-figure to him, as he never really knew his mother). He also asks to speak to Kylinn. I go back and tell my friends and fetch Kylinn. On the way back to the office, she asks me if I want to do what my father is asking - or rather ordering - of me. I tell her that I don't like it but I might do it because of family.

Kylinn has a conversation with Vodan Woodenglory, where he thanks her for 'taking care' of Strennun and ask to pay her for her time and troubles. As Strennun wants to take the crew with him to burn down the warehouse and kill Duran, he also asks her for their daily rates, just like bartering for simple hired muscle. He also tells her that he's not going to directly help her with her quest of finding support, but suggest, they make some noise and make a name of themselves to get 'the right kind of people' aware of them, before maybe being able to plead their issue in the city-hall and get support that way. Kylinn categorically refuses and tears into him, shaming him for treating his long lost and returned son like a commodity. Vodan then asks her why she left her family (He is familiar with the Nelson family) and also asks of her what she would do in his shoes. They talk about Strennun's past - he was your average rich kid who only thought about partying and spending his father's money. He does have fond memories of Strennun as a small child, but not so much when he grew older. The two continue on to discuss if leaving a legacy is important or not and in the end agree to disagree, as Vodan thinks it is the ultimate goal of life to leave something behind that your children can continue building upon and Kylinn does heavily disagree on that train of thought.

In the end, she reiterates her refusal to be hired goons for him and also refuses his hospitality.

After a while, Kylinn comes out of the office and seems very angry. She tells us that we're leaving. I am not sure because I now have to choose between long lost family and new found family. In the end I choose my new found family and we leave for a cheaper tavern. There, Kylinn and I discuss us leaving our families a bit more and Darfin also tries to help with his wisdom, but he does not really help all that much.

In the end, we decide that we will not burn down the warehouse, but I still want to get to the bottom of Nana's killing. We will capture Duran and Darfin will probe his mind to see if he did kill Nana or not. After that, Kylinn's idea is to unite the fighting guilds by posing a bigger, external threat to the trade in the Thanate empire to force them to unite against us. We then hop onto the Devil's fall to lead them directly to the orcs, where they will hopefully help us deal with them.

"The Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings"

As we sat at the round table in the tavern, we started discussing the new bounties. They increased a bit, which is a good sign, pirates and wrongdoers clearly dreading us. While Darfin and Strennun disappeared somewhere, we ordered another round. When asked what he wants, Rof said "I don't care" and was served a chesse-flavoured drink. Apart from that the place smelt like piss and barkeep was rude.

After spending the night in a tavern, we set out to find influential humans to find us in our cor-age-uhs en-dev-or. The streets were difficult to navigate, with thousands of people going about their business, flowing in and out of buildings and between the levels of the city.

In search of a shortcut we stumbled upon a shop with a sign saying "Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings". We went inside and indeed found a ton of fascinating fings. We approached the shopkeeper, who turned out to be a looney. She stuttered, avoided answers and asked suspicious questions. Kylin bought some magic sticks and found an intricate dagger. The dagger captures the attention of whoever looks at it. The person only realizes that when someone talks to them, otherwise they can stand and look at that weapon. It does not work on me, thought. I only look at it for a second and hear someone speaking to me. Must be my paladin training finally showing its value.

Kylin buys the dagger. She later said she sacrificed some of her good luck to get it. I also found an addition to the museum I set up on the ship. A stachoo of a face, made of rock and wood. I can already see people flocking to see it when we open. I also bought a gargoyle which I named Helmut - it is good with simple commands but very stoopid. The shopkeeper said I can buy with my darkvision ability and I happily did it as I can see very well in the dark and don't need it.

Roftag gave her his blood to learn the name. His name is Roftag Deerunner. He seems to remember something about his past because of that. Funny thing about the shopkeeper: I swear she changed her skin and hair colour while we were there.

After leaving the shop and a stroll through the city, we found a major plaza with great view on the ships and many, many stalls and little shops. We found the Trader's guild where - being welcomed by a Head Welcomer Thanani - we were asked to meet a certain Cinan Korman for a dinner. Apparently known for spice trade. The meeting was boooring and there was diplomasee and long words so I paid no attention.

We paid a visit at the Flavia's shop too. She sells us a scroll that offers some kind of protection against some type of creatures, the price being Captain's "ambition to take over a friend's legacy". I wonder how she still keeps her shop running, selling her wares for next-to-nothing and silly phrases.

Finally, we head for the ship, Helmut not being as helpful with getting us down the cliffs as I thought, hurting mister Deerunner along the way. We found Salarus on the deck playing cards. He was not happy that we visited the shop. To make up for it, Captain adds him to a list of welcome guests for the Scroll of Some Kind of Protection. We decide to wait for Strennun and Darfin before we take our next steps.

The captain, with the dagger in the office

On the ship we find the person who I need, Salarus. But first I hand over the protection spell for the ship to Jack. He seems to be very unnerved when he finds out we got it from a fey. I have never seen him this tense, but after telling us off for being reckless he heads off to incorporate the spell into the ships defences.

In the captains’ quarters I tell Salarus, that I want to know the details of the ship and if there are any other powers that it holds that we are not aware off. He does not know himself and says we would have to speak to a Demon Prince for this information. This though may come at a price. I guess we put a pin into this for later, as there is a stupid party this evening.

On deck the crew seems oddly on edge. Then Roftag comes over and asks if it is okey if they could visit a fighting pit that Strennun has mentioned. It seems that they thought I would not approve. Seriously? They should know by now that I am not against some fun. While we are talking, I ask Strennun to have a look at the inscribing on my new dagger. His vast knowledge of different runes and languages comes in handy again as he deciphers: "I do sacrifice to Rakdos, whomever I touch, I may hold a soul for your entertainment." Sounds fun. Strennun is not a fan of the dagger though. Ehhh its mine anyways. We also talk about his feeling about what has transpired so far. He mentions how he is tired of being treated like a commodity by his Dad. Very understandable. My parents were annoying, but they never would have tried to pull off something like that.

Before heading back to the ship Darfin went to FFFF. He is trying to find out what happened to him. He tells her his name and about the Devils Fall. Flavia then clears his mind so that he realizes he is undead and that he died weeks ago in the Crowsnest. Emboldened by his new condition he asks for where he could find a phylactery to become a lich. He gets a hint that he will find one to the west of here. This all he was given for the price of his moral compass.

Shortly afterwards we must get going so to make it to dinner, which we were invited too by Sinan. His mansion is as predictably ugly and pompous as someone compensating for something. We are guided by one of his servants through the courtyard and numerous hallways to the ballroom. Noticeably this place is very heavily guarded.

The ballroom is full of rich people and politicians of this city. This is going to be a very painful evening. To prepare myself I head to the nearest waiter, chug 2 glasses of alcohol that they are serving and take a third to go. Before initiating with the politicians of the room I decide to gather some intel and dirt on these people to try and find out more who is here. Apparently, he has multiple mistresses and makes a habit of ruining women’s lives. Meanwhile everyone else here seems to have also plenty of dirt on them too.

Finally, it was time to talk with Sinan. After pleasantries he invites me into his office which is right next to the ballroom. Apparently, Sinan is in a tough spot, as Woodenglory has also entered the spice trade which is putting him under pressure. That why he wants me to guard and protect his ships while sabotaging other ships. I brought up that we are here to speak with the council for mor important matters which will generally affect his trade. Upon this information Sinan admits he has already talked with Wormtongue, who was very convincing. Sinan then has the audacity to subtly hint that he could just have us arrested or killed by the guards and handed over to Wormtongue which would give him a nice price. This guy is in way over his head.

As standard diplomacy did not seem to be working with this waste of flesh, I decided to switch things up and try to use my feminine charm to win him over. So, I started throwing in a few compliments while trying not to throw up on the carpet. This seemed to get the slightest reaction out of him so I doubled down and painted him a picture of how we could rule trade and eventually the city together with our expertise while being partners. He then tests me how he will still want to mess around with other mistresses and that while I am gone at sea, I have to promise him that I would have to stay pure for him. I still have no idea how I had the strength of not slitting his throught right then and there.

With this hypothetical deal agreed upon I moved in as if I wanted to seal the deal with making out, and that idiot fell for it. Seriously who could fall for that narcistic pile of barnacles. In a quick motion I pull out my new dagger out and him close to be able to hold the dagger to his throat. I order him then to write a letter of recommendation to the council, which he does like an obediant little pet. I realize then that I cannot keep him alive, as he will he send his guards after me as soon as I am out the door. Apologizing I plant a kiss on his cheek, I guess the kiss of death, as I then slit his throat killing him on the spot.

But no blood spilled. The blood got absorbed by the dagger. Huh I guess luck is still on my side. Soo now I must get out of here before people find him dead. First, I decided to put him back into his armchair and face it away from the door towards the fireplace. While moving him I noticed how his pants seemed to wet. This guy really was all bark and no bite.

And now how do I exit alone? I admit, here I panicked a little and decided to just act to be one of his side chicks that is trying to leave quickly. In the process of leaving, I decided I should lock the door to slow down the process of finding him. Well, my act did seem to work as one of the servants quickly came to help me and assist me in finding an exit. On the way out of the ballroom, I whisper to Roftag that too leave now sneakily. At the exit I thank the maid and tell her she should find a better employer, and then I head to the inn that we stayed the night before in the hopes that the rest of our group would come up with the same idea.

Turns out they understood leave by head to the ship.

Convincing the council

In the morning the captain Nelson leaves her room and meets a gnome in the bar, a gnome of few words, a few words of mostly insults.

Brovara, Darfin and I leave the ship and start looking for the captain. We look at the places where we've been before and eventually end up talking to a rude Bouncer. Standing in our way of meeting the captain the bouncer earns a punch. Inside the captain is talking to the gnome who seems interested in working on our ship. After we join the captain at her table a short interview takes place, with Darfin casting a spell to poke any secrets the gnome may hold.

There are no secrets, the gnome wants money and changes sides quickly when more money is offered. His name - Tandyr Melebokk, short Melek.

After telling the captain about the instructions we left for Jack, she quickly writes down new instructions:

We met up
we are fine
we head to council
we will be in touch
just stand by

Darfin happily calls out his Hawki and sends it off with the message.

Together with the Melek we make our way to the large square and enter the council building. A small army is guarding this place. We are greeted by Tanani and lead to a room with desks, here the captain shows her letter of recommendation and requests an audience.

We are allowed to enter a large room with poorly made floor. Tanani announces the death of Master Sinnan. Only half the council is here, but enough to make decisions. After a break, 7 members assemble in colorful clothing, standing on a stage that elevates them above us. Sensing some magic in this room, Melekk tries to cast some detection spell which is interrupted by a familiar crooked creachure - Wormtongue. Wormtongue is introduces as "the ambassador". The captain gets to speak and states what Ondas alliance's goals are, she requests support from the humans - half their army. Together with the dwarfs they shall fight to secure our livelyhood.

The council listens and sometimes takes note, but otherwise does not show approval or rejection of Ms Nelsons proposal.

"Are you deaf?", Shouts Brovara.

"Don't you like money", Darfin remarks.

Captain adresses Wormtongue with snide remarks. Wormtongue tries to approach her but is stopped by the guards.

A bell rings and the council members retreat behind the stage.

"Did you go into cave?", Darfin asks.

Wormtongue asks us about the desert, he was looking for an ancient tomb.

5 minutes later, the bell rings and the council members return.

One member holding a paper stands up and presents the councils decision. "We have heard your plea, but also the ambassadors. Some Question your honesty. "Ambassador will not burn world, will cleanse it". He wants us to do nothing. "Ambassador of what?", I shout. "Wolf barbarian has point", the council member says. "Ambassador of Blaiddegyr (?) - master wizards", Wormtongue explains. Everyone in our crew feels the relieve after the council rules unanimously in our favor. "This does not mean we send troops, this means we talk". The council welcomes us as guests in the city and tells the ambassador (Wormtongue) to leave the city.

The council member looks at me. "Councilmember Karrak wishes to test your strength and invites you to the arena in the lower levels". The audience concludes and we leave the building. Hawki returns with a message from Jack: "understood, keem crew onboard".

As we head towards the fightclub it is apparent how people treat us nicer.

"I'll have a Nelson please"

After the crew (except Strennun) went to the "upper-class" fighting ring and won big, they were invited to a celebratory feast at some other bigwig's house. Our captain - obviously - did not let that opportunity pass to listen around in hopes of getting some gossip about her latest soul-heist. But apart from the usual things, there was not much news to be had. Darfin, on the other hand, found out, that his newly won book is apparently written in archaic elvish, a language that he can actually understand (with some trouble). After making an early exit, the crew stumbles upon their last missing member by pure chance.

"Give me my fucking money, you cheap bastard" I yell, while being slightly pummelled by the swarthy sailor who bet money that he didn't have at the underground fighting-pit. From the corner of my fading vision I see my crew pushing through the onlookers and all of a sudden my opponent is engulfed in a dark haze - Captain Nelson is helping me! I am not really appreciating that, but it's too late anyway, might as well take the chance. I quickly take the cheapskate in a chokehold and wave to the onlookers. Said cheapskate takes his chance and barrels me into Brovara's considerable chest. She throws me back rather unceremoniously and I can use that momentum to finally finish that scuffle once and for all! Turns out the fucker wasn't lying and he actually does not have any money! Three coppers is all I find! Well, I start stripping him and taking everything he has (apart from his drawers, probably for the better of both of us). My crewmates are mocking me, but it is not about the money, it is about the PRINCIPLE OF NOT BETTING MONEY YOU DO NOT HAVE!! I am ready to go down to the indebted sailor's ship, but the Captain says no... guess it was his lucky day.

Instead, we head to the tavern where I believe we can find Dunan. On the way there I get some new clothes, because mine have seen better days. The captain gets some new boots and Darfin is looking for a leather mask for himself. At that moment, Rod mumbles something about helping Jack to prepare the ship for leaving tomorrow and skedaddles off.

In the tavern, we are led to Dunan's table where he sits and laughs with four of his friends. Seems like a fair fight to me. Lynn and Darfin both order a Nelson Whiskey and I get an Ale. After some initial banter, where Dunan boasts about the murder of my precious Nana, I give him the Strennu's special: A chilly testicle-twist and a headbutt to the table. Turns out he does not appreciate that and stabs me with some fancy magical dagger.

An all-out brawl starts in the tavern, much to the shock of the other guests and staff who screamingly run out and leave us more room. Darfin really comes in clutch by doing some magic mumbo-jumbo that lets tentacles sprout out of the floor and holds them down and crushes them slowly. Everything starts out well, but then I get cocky and go in up and close... and promptly get my ass handed to me by a bloodied Dunan and his last friend. I am already at death's door and basically through it with one foot when Darfin comes swaggering in with a glass of the finest Nelson Whiskey in his hand (which he paid for at the unmanned bar)- since when does he drink whiskey?? and starts blasting the last two survivors with blasts of fire. Brovara is also unconscious on the floor, still bloodied from her last fight. Im the last moment, the captain stands up, yells something about thunder and teleports to the bar with a loud BANG. That "Bang" is in fact so loud and thunderous, that Dunan and his last friend get splattered across the opposite wall.

Darfin and Lynn quickly go about reviving their downed crewmates before I start looting everything and everybody in sight. It's the least I can do after they almost looted my life... Meanwhile the captain goes towards the kitchen and cautiously tries to open the door to let the staff know that it's safe now. She is met with every single knife and cleaver that the kitchen has to offer, as she quickly slams the door shut again. After the cooks ran out of knifes, the opens the door again and does let them know that it's safe to come out now. She also hands the interim-owner 50 GP for the trouble and cleanup. And does also complain that she ordered a Nelson Whiskey, which she never received. The interim-owner sends for the whiskey and we leave the tavern - with Dunan's dead body over Brovara's shoulders. Outside the guards are waiting for us, but the captain quickly waves them off by claiming that they attacked us first and that we are also under special protection of the council.

After a brief debate whether it's worth it or not, we decide to go to Dunan's family home to check if he did murder my precious Nana out of his own volition or if he was maybe hired? We try to gain entry by claiming to wanting to bring Dunan's dead body to his parents, but the guards won't let us. During a brief heated discussion between the guards and the captain, I sneak off and turn invisible. When Brovara dumps the body on the floor and the guards pick it up to bring it in, I sneak into the door with them and go to his room to hopefully find some interesting documents. Sadly I only find sticky magazines with naked women on them. I take them with me, because maybe they're worth something, and try to sneak out. Sadly, there are also guards on the inside of the door - what paranoid ass does something like that?? I am still invisible so I try to just open the door, which is immediately slammed shut again. So I go back to the guard's quarters and rattle with Dunan's chain mail I took off him and chuck that in a corner. One of the guards comes to check it out. The last guard I distract by throwing Dunan's longsword in some bushes. Sad, these things probably would have fetched a pretty penny at the market! Anyway, I meet up with the rest of the crew at the agreed upon tavern and have a well-deserved night's sleep.

The next morning, we head to the market and I get rid of half of my collected arsenal of weapons I don't need anymore before heading off to the ship. Darfin is weirdly insistent that we burn down the warehouse that my dad 'ordered' me to, but none of us really wants that, so in the end we do go off to the ship to leave Quarate behind us and sail towards the Orc Diarchy.

Turtle slavers

Do not tickle a swimming Mage's testicles!

After a not very comfortable - and not very long - night in my room, I was now standing on deck with all my fellow officers, while the Captain was holding trial over the captured slavers. They have to be punished for sure, but the Captain is not certain how to do it, so she tries to see what the crew wants. The mood is very changeable but in the end, it seems that the most popular choice is to have them fight to the death and the last man standing goes free.

The three men are encircled by the crew and someone throws in one axe (it was probably Nori, let's be honest here). Of course, everybody runs towards the axe but the Captain gets there first. But instead of killing them, he slits his own throat?!?! The remaining two fight for the axe, after one of them tries to steal a sword from a bystander and loses the hand. The other guy still has two hands and therefore wins the fight for the axe and kills his fellow slaver. While yelling about his Victory, the cursed ship works its magic and the second slaver comes back to life, killing the other guy twice, making him stay dead. This means the still standing slaver won the fight, even though he's technically dead. Funny how that works... Anyway, the Captain basically throws him overboard to maybe walk on land or I don't know. I currently have more pressing issues, my trial is coming up.

I plead guilty to insob... insuob... ins... disobeying orders because there was no point in pleading not guilty. The captain is somewhat lenient and made me scrub the deck and help Rajesh in the kitchen for a month. Also I am demoted to normal sailor for this time as well. Considering I could have been sentenced to death or sent ashore wherever we land, that could have ended worse.

After three days at sea (I think I left the kitchen about four times in this time, and two times of that was to scrub the deck), the new lookout yelled something about a ship. Darfin is fetched from his chamber and sends out his hawk to scout it out. They almost shoot it down, but it appears to be an elven military ship. Captain smells good loot, so I am sent to hack holes in the ship from the bottom. Finally I get to do some swimming again! Nori kindly gives me one of his axes and I take off. While I'm underway to the ship, I see one of their people swim towards us. I am way below water, so he does not see me, and I stupidly cast a spell on him. He still doesn't see me, but now obviously knows that he has been seen. I telepathically inform the captain of what I saw and continue. When I start hacking at the bottom of the ship, some sailors drop in and try to stop me. I throw some of my force-rays on them, but they are not very impressed. In the end, I have to dive deep down out of their view and turn invisible before shooting up again and surrounding myself in a sphere of darkness, so they cannot see me. It still takes absolute ages to hack four holes into the ship because these bastards keep trying to shoot me, so I have to evade all the time. I manage after a while tho, and swim back. When I come back to good ole Bessi I hear two big explosions....

While Strennun is hacking away at the boat, Darfin casts Water Breathing on himself, Rof, the Captain, Nori and six other people and they go to confront the mage. The mage dispels Darfin's Water Breathing but luckily the others are not affected. He does the same to Nori and Lynn. After an underwater fight, Lynn kills the mage with some magic and Nori shoots up from underneath and disembowels his dead body. Everybody heads back to the ship when more sailors are seen following Strennun back to the Devil's Fall. As soon as Strennun is inside, Lynn casts two big Lightning Bolts in the midst of the swimming sailors under water - these are the two explosions Strennun hears. Two of the sailors survive and enter the ship after Strennun.

As soon as I turn around, there are two sailors attacking me. I manage to fight one off and kill him. while screaming bloody murder. Darfin and Rof come to help me. After I kill the first one, Rof just grabs the remaining one and jumps out of the ship! That would be very bad, but I am currently kinda busy not dying, because the guy I killed obviously gets up again. Darfin tries to hold him off a bit, but I fall unconscious anyway.

When Strennun falls unconscious, Nori runs down and kills the second sailor, again, making him fully dead. Beforehand, he shoves a Healing Potion down Strennun's gullet before killing the second guy with Darfin.

Meanwhile, Rof clubs his guy to death with his shield while floating underwater. Then he swims up to the surface and threads water until the Devil's fall can circle back.

After I get so rudely woken up by having a glass bottle shoved down my throat, I get up and stumble out of the room to maybe find some more healing potions. I find my way to the kitchen, but there's only curry leaves, so I stumble on deck. The Captain tells me and Darfin to go take a nap so we don't die. Meanwhile she keeps the other ship engaged with some fireballs and other magical hijinks. We'll see how that continues, but first I really do need that nap....

Thinking about Fighting Gods

After consulting with the crew the captain finally decided to give up on trying to capture the elven battleship. As we leave the crew starts singing a shanty, answered by more sophisticated elvish songs, but our crew sings louder. I for one feel proud of Kylin, as I thought she would never be able to know her limits and give up on a project.

After travelling for some days, I finally finish deciphering the ancient spell book that I got by betting on our crew. There seem to be some useful spells in the spell book, but not many. And certainly not any spells that I haven't seen or heard of before. As soon as I finish the last quill stroke, I hear a knock on the door. It's Rajesh, whom I happily show my findings. He doesn't seem particularly impressed and tells me about some fish that the others are trying to catch. He asks if it would be better to kill them outside of the ship. "Undead fish would be kind of funny" I think to myself as I tell him that it would be a good idea to kill them outside. By the joy in his voice, they seem to be catching some very big fish. Seems like we will be eating fish for the next few weeks… I spend the rest of my morning copying some of the spells into my own spellbook.

In the meantime, the crew catches three big ass tuna, weighting approximately 1.8 tons.

Feeling young again after having learned some new spells I decide to try out my newly acquired invisibility spell. I sneak out of my room and onto the deck. I find Kylin on the upper deck. I sneak up behind her and scare the shit out of her with a loud scream. She pulls out her new dagger and has a stab at the air behind her. "Why haven't I gotten this spell much sooner" I think to myself and sneak away, giggling to myself.

With favourable weather on our side, we continue our journey towards the east. I make great progress translating the book about the cataclysm I got from Flavia. I gather the information that there used to be unlimited magic before the cataclysm, which could be accessed using lifeforce. Probably it's the same as Wormtongue used when people around him died when he cast spells. "Could it still be possible to use such forbidden forms of magic? " I think to myself, "Maybe I should share this information with other trusted magic users onboard?"

During one of the nights Kylin has a weird vision, in which she gets the impression that the Dragon Turtle is trying to get revenge on her for interfering with its will.

The next morning I leave my office to share my findings with Kylin. Leaving the hull I see that we made great progress, and finally arrived at the location described to me by Flavia. The beach is made of bright sand, which stretches miles into the land. The closer we get the more it becomes clear that this is not only the beach, but also the land around the tower, fully devoid of life. This strikes me as odd, as it seems to match exactly what I just read about forbidden magic.

On deck I find Kylin and ask her to speak with her privately. In her captains' quarters she offers me a glass of the horrid whiskey she usually drinks. "This is what pirates do, and it seems to be an acquired taste it seems" I think and accept. I tell her about my findings, and she agrees that the officers should know about it as well. We decide that it would be smart when I first finish translating my book, while Roftag and Brovara look for a good landing from where the tower can be reached the fastest. Then we would approach the tower and try to spy into it from a distance.

While the others leave to execute their part of the plan Kylin asks me to stay behind. She tells me about her vision and thoughts about the dragon turtle. "What does this have to do with me, I have ancient words to translate!" I think while I offer her my advice: Maybe we should try not to piss off the dragon turtle further on. She doesn't seem to understand that ancient gods are not to be fucked with, but with many words I can convince her.

We head towards a town on the shore, which seems to be a ghost town. Here we set anker out in the waters, just outside the "death zone". I try to finish the translation of my book.

Meanwhile Roftag is trying to find out the mystery of fish guts appearing all over the deck. Strennun tells him that he keeps finding them on deck and brings them to Rajesh. Rajesh tells him that Strennun keeps bringing them to him, despite being told to throw them overboard. Strennun tells him that Rajesh told him to throw them overboard, but he still brings them to Rajesh. Confused Roftag waits on deck, observing everything and everyone. After some hours of waiting, he sees Nori walking on deck, sneakily throwing fish guts onto the floor. "Come here Strennun, you forgot a spot" he shouts. Roftag seems happy with this conclusion.

Having two more days to waste Kylin asks Rajesh to catch her a rat. She tries casting some spells, using the rats lifeforce as power source. She does not seem to succeed but instead grows another strain of white hair. During the night she wakes up in cold sweat and get a visit from the ghost of Falaria. She tells Kylin that she died during the battle against the false dragon turtle. Someone told her that Kylin shouldn't be here. Kylin is scared and confused by this message but tells Falaria that she is welcome to stay on the ship. Falaria leaves the captains quarters and causes a big commotion of scared sailors, who think that this must be a banshee. People are being woken up and rush on deck. Kylin steps outside and clears the confusion by introducing the ghost of Falaria.

Almost finished with the last page I suddenly hear a commotion outside my study. "Three in the morning is quite early for fooleries to take place" I think, but I have more pressing matters at hand. Someone storms into my room, "Professor, we need your help with a ghost" they say. "A ghost? I have more important matters at hand than a ghost" I tell them, "only interrupt me when there are at least three ghosts". Only some minutes later I get a visit from Kylin, who tells me that she doesn't feel good about this tower, and that maybe we shouldn't try to enter it. We agree that the rest of the book might give some more insight into what's expecting us, to make a well-informed decision.

The next morning Brovara wakes up with a sleeping ghost in her room, and Roftag makes Strennun clean the deck even harder.

I have finally translated the whole book. It tells the tale of a group of people, called "the society", who was able to use the forbidden magic. They had discussions about limiting magic which lasted for decades. Some individuals tried to test the limits of their limitless magic, and in the process the "northern bridge" was destroyed. Whatever that means. Many people who were not able to use this magic, derogatorily called lowborn, were against the society and their use of limitless magic. They started hunting the members of the society.

Six lowborn adventurers succeeded and killed them off one by one. The got stronger and stronger, and their might went to their heads. There was a battle, where everyone (including the old gods) fought them, and they were banished (except for one). Some lowborn worshipped them for their deeds, which in turn made them even stronger. Then there was another fight in the planes of Marymar, in which the bay of Marymar was created.

This is where the book end. It seems to have been written by someone of the society. Therefore, we can assume that this last fight is somewhat related to the cataclysm, where the society was disbanded. The six adventurers probably are the new gods, which are well known around the continent. The ancient gods were probably members of the society or somehow connected to it.

"It's not unreasonable to assume that the new gods are still able to use the forbidden magic and prohibit us from using it by limiting our knowledge about it. Maybe Kylin wasn't that wrong about picking fights with gods."

Old Friends, New Frontiers and Screw the Orcs

It was another boooring day on the ship. Strennun was cleaning the deck with his mage hand spell, me playing fetch with Helmut and Rof sitting at the bow of the ship. Kylin and Darfin probably minding their business in their offices. Little did we know, the lazy day was about to get exciting.

As we continued, Strennun caught a glimpse of a ship following us. He also spotted that the unexpected company was flying familiar colours - the Nelson's cask. Everyone started shuffling around preparing for the imminent arrival of the ship. Everyone except for Roftag, who - after a closer analysis - turned out to be Roftag's wolf pelt with the owner missing.

The ship approached us and we welcomed Turlain - Kylin' father's good old friend. He greeted us with some Nelson's whisky and steadily entered our ship crossing the plank - his long white hair falling over his shoulders. We introduced ourselves, set up a table and let the Captains discuss their matters.

He was visibly annoyed at Kylin using the Nelson family name despite her - in his words - behaving like a buccaneer. A bold claim, given the Devilsfalls crew's commitment to fighting pirates ever since I joined. He recommended not landing in the Orcish Diarchy directly but sailing to a nearby mountain fortress and contacting Thanin - a gnome merchant who could help us out.

We discussed the logistics of navigating the Diarchy at length and began wrapping up the meeting. We also explained our plans and goals, raising some eyebrows. Do you think it wise to dance with the devil who kissed death himself? - he asked as he left.

The barren tundra of the Nomansland slowly disappeared on the horizon and gave way to forests, flatlands and faraway mountains of the Orc's domain. We sailed along the coast until we approached a fishing village. Strennun swam to make contact, which, unsurprisingly, resulted in all kinds of confusion and misunderstanding. He did however learn that the slaves belonged to Gor'Kank - a minor warlord ruling these parts.

After his return, I stepped in to explain the savage ways of the orcs. Their hideous war culture, raids, slavery. Their hatred and beastly recklessness causing them to destroy, burn and raze to the ground any human settlements they encountered. How prowess in arms and brutality elevated the current warlords - Dur'Kan and Tar'Nok - to their positions.

Having reached the docks of the fortress, we were subjected to a cold welcome. A certain Thai-Rain greeted us and immediately started questioning our presence and honesty. Thankfully, the tense moment was diffused by the Captain. We left Danaan, Nori and several more crewmembers on the ship and set out to search for Thanin.

The gnome turned out to be a gnomess! We also got invited to a banquet and seated at an honourary table. We learned that the fortress has been coping with an increasing number of orcish foraging parties and the garrison is slowly wearing thin. They even started forcing the ships arriving at the port to bolster the local defence with volunteers from the crews.

Our dining abruptly came to an end as we were informed about another foiled orcish attack. This time, the defenders managed to catch a prisoner! We rushed out to assess the situation only to find Nori, who for some reason decided to leave on an orc hunt during our absence, guarding an orc scout. The scout - heavily beaten up and barely sitting up on his own - did not recognize my name or yield any useful information. To end his worthless life, Kylin stabbed him with a dagger. (Wasn't it one of the rumoured cursed daggers she owned? Guess I'll never know).

We went to sleep afterwards. Much remains to be done and I cannot wait to face the orcs in a skirmish again.

Explosive Revelations

To head to Thinin we organize a guide to lead us up the mountain to the fort. Our guide is Delin, a slender elven women clad in a black cloak. She seems kinda pissed with us and leads us through Mountain past a stunning Waterfall. From there we can even spy some Warbands in the plains below.

After a climb next to the Waterfall we arrive at a massive lake. The lake has an unseemingly strong current as Strennun soon discovers, norrowly avoiding falling down the waterfall. Past the beatifully lake we arrive a huge staircase, where we pass the Dwarves heading to work. At the top we realize there was actually and elevator to the fort that we missed.

At the castle we are lead to Thinin's quarters. He is a small male grey gnome. We chat a little about the nearby politics of orcs and come to the conlusion that if we support Durkan we can destabalize the orcs which gives the dwarves time to help us out. After a scheming session Thinin leads us to his experiments to show us a cilindrical device pointed at a mountain hundreds of meters away. With some assistance the device is loaded and fires with an ear shattering bang at the mountain takeing a chunk of rock with it. I need this on my ship! Like maybe smaller cause not sure how well it would handle the weight. While chatting about logistics and slowly realizing that having my own boom box is not possible, Thanin mentions black powder. Didnt Rigalis call his powder that too?

Anyway I decide to mention Rigalis and that seems to stir something up. Apparently Thanin also knows Rigalis..... from books 1300 years ago. But from description it sounds like the same one. Thanin hands us the old diaries and we flick through and find a map that leads to something that the Rigalis from 1300 years ago hid during the Calamity. Through soem crossreferences with maps and what we knew of the continent back then we pinpoint the location near Marymar. Now we know our next destination after dealing with the orcs.

So I head back down while Brovara and Strennun goofed around in the fort for a few days. As soon as they arrive back we plot to take the initiative and hit a few orc camps near by. With a small crew and 2 day treck we locate one of their camps... but it was an ambush. The orcs run away while attacking us from the shadows killing some. Some crew also fall for the traps set up. Meanwhile Strennun, Borvara and I do our best to hunt down the orcs. For fear I also use a couple of fireballs to torch down the forest and incinerating a couple of orcs in the process. Saddly despite them fleeing this was clearly a loss, and we head back while the forest fire rages on.

Burning the camp

The crew approaches the gate, Rof joins the crew chasing a wolf like creature. The crew discusses how to discern orc leaders - tusks, skulls, etc. Tyrane disrespects the captain which prompts a hold person and threatening words. Tyrane tells us to find another port. Strennung scouts port.

Brovara and Rof gather the crew. Strennungs Patreon is pissed. The ships leaves the port. There are several sightings of Rof's cape on deck. The crew decides to raid the next orc camp at nightfall. At nightfall Strennun follows a slave to find a camp. The fighters of the crew assemble and prepare for the storm. Strennun turns invisible and enters the camp, killing several guards. Hearing fighting sounds, Brovara the captain and Rof also enter the fray killing several orcs and burning tents. It quickly becomes very clear that the orc warriors have left the camp and only the women, children and elderly are still here.

Leaving the embers

Brovara is collecting orc ears. We camp at the hill. The warriors went south. We take watch shifts. The captain wakes up to rabbit carcasses and cape. The captain adopts a slave without a name. Raschesh gets help by 'slaves' in his kitchen, which upsets him. Strennun walks through the camps remains. Captain orders to burn the corpses and we bake a big fire. Orc survivors leave the camp and we follow after them. The captain approaches the survivors and demands to challenge Thur'kan - Brovara helps intimidating the orcs. One of the orcs walks towards the captain, cuts off his ear and tosses it at Brovara. Strennun saw the orc approach the captain with a knife and casts a spell, immediately killing the orc. "We need both ears" - Brovara An older orc lady steps forward and tells the captain to go south to the great tree, then east hill and follow the stream, upon that hill you will find his fire. The captain and the elder orc meet later and sit down with a fire between them. What do you want? peace … for myself. There will be a decision that breaks you, you will find peace, your friend will make sure of it. Meet him at the oak, then he cannot refuse. The ork lady leaves to fetch Thur'kan.

After the ritual the captains tells Rof the plan. A ghostly lady hugs the captain, Rof tries to pull the captain out. Ghost disappears. The captain tells Rof about the wolf. Strennun, who was following the tracks of the ork lady suddenly loses track as if she disappeared. Raschesch is mad about the salves taking his job.

Meeting Thur'kan

Before leaving for the big oak-tree, we go over the plan again:

Offer Thur'kan to ally himself with us. We will support his claim to be one half of the Diarchy and in turn he agrees to not bother the dwarves or humans that are bordering his lands.
For him to ally himself with us, we need to challenge him. There are essentially two ways for that to happen
- If from inside the tribe: Challenge the leader to a duel - either to first blood or to the death
- If from outside the tribe: Both leaders choose a champion, who will then fight either to first blood or to the death.

As we are not from Thur'kan's tribe, only the second way works for us. But that's only a last resort. We will first talk to him and see where it gets us.

The next morning, the Captain orders everybody else to pack up camp and get back to the ship to be ready to sail off once we come back. We packed rations for ten days and march off towards the big oak tree. After about half a week, we reach it and I scout ahead. It is located in the middle of a depression and there is a powerful aura of magic surrounding the entire area.

While I am crawling through the high grass to get a closer look, I suddenly get greeted as a 'Servant of the Turtle'. The one greeting me turns out to be Ga'alak, the Shaman of Thur'kan. He greets me and tells me to go fetch 'my friends'. I do so, too baffled to say anything else.

When returning to the place with the Shaman, he is suddenly gone - that is until I basically run into him and he seemingly materializes out of thin air. He then greets the rest of the crew too. The Captain as 'Lady of Death', Rof as 'One who dances with the wolf', and Brovara as 'One who is driven by revenge'. He talks about how 'the crone' has announced their coming and he is to lead us to Thur'kan. Before leaving, he warns us, that The Tree is watching and no blood must be spilled on this holy ground.

Once we reach the tree itself, it is surrounded with six permanent huts, and about 30 orcs that attempt to intimidate us with a loud and rhythmic dance and shouting. The Shaman demands we leave our weapons with him before meeting the Tribe-Leader, who is awaiting in the sixth hut. It is dark in there, safe for a hearth with glowing embers. At the hearth, Thur'kan and another Orc are waiting for us

                    Strennun       Lynn
                   -----------------------
                  |                      |
         Brovara  |                      |  Thur'kan
                  |                      |
                  ------------------------
                   Roftag        Other Orc

Lynn offers Thur'kan the deal, but he insists of breaking bread first, which we do. After that, the Captain offers the deal again. Thur'kan is interested in theory, but wants one of us to complete a challenge for him to show him we're serious about it and that we can even support him in his claim. One of the following challenges needs to be completed:

A gift of a pelt from a great wolf from Rof
A treasure from the depths of the ocean from Strennun
A feast with his Orcs and Brovara that does not end in violence

The captain moves to our backup plan and offers trial by combat, which Thur'kan declines. Rof volunteers to do his challenge.

Outside again, the Shaman tells Rof to grab his weapons and follow him on top of a big boulder, where he gives him a bowl to drink, which appears to be blood (to Rof it tastes like Ale). Rof starts to feel dizzy and is pushed off the boulder by the shaman....

... and wakes up in his old camp in the nine hells with an unnatural urge to hunt. He finds paw-prints in his camp and follows the trail to a magically darkened cave with a huge wolf inside. An epic battle ensues, where Rof kills the wolf in the end after much deliberation. During the fight, he calls upon his crew-members to give him advice

Brovara: Get your revenge, kill the big wolf
Strennun: Look around you and kill the minions of the wolf first
Lynn: Trust in your instincts.

After killing the wolf, Rof drags the huge beast out of the cave and suddenly appears in the Orc-camp again, bloody and wounded.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 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]].
-== 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.
-=== 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.
-“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.
-''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.
-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.
-''Hand over to [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]]''
+The fight was tough and resulted in the death of Alloro.
-[[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]]
-''Perception role from [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]]''
+= Rebellion in Goblin Town =
-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.
-=== 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.
-[[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.
-[[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.
-=== 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.
-[[Aluwyn]] has to dodge an incoming fireball and rolls down the hill onto the battlefield.
+= An Excursion to the Hells =
-[[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.
-----
+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.
-=== Recap ===
+[[An Excursion to the Hells|Read all recaps]]
-After a tough and indecisive skirmish between the [[Democracy of Cahemelle]] and [[Dwarven Republic]], the party emerges still living.
-[[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].
+= The Breaking of the Council =
-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.
+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.
-[[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.
+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.
-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.
+Fighting to liberate the city the party makes a new friend Captain Tavia.
-== New Lands ==
+[[A Broken Council|Read all recaps]]
-{{#spoiler:[[Aluwyn]] und [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] (Passive Perception), they might notice that [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] has been visited in his mind.
-----
-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.
-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.
+= Current Chapter =
-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].}}
+== Strennun goes Swimming ==
-=== First Home ===
+So we're still on the way to this Elven island somewhere down south-south-east. Can't see shit tho because there's thick fog all around. Not even I can see anything and usually I don't have any problem seeing through all kinds of stuff. Weird...
-{{#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.
-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.}}
-=== Proving their Steel ===
+Anyway, i scout out the area underwater, but can't see shit either. When I get back, somebody yells something about a whirlpool and everybody loses their minds. The ship is on the verge of falling in and the Captain doesn't seem to know if she should steer in or out of the thing. I, for myself, know what I'll be doing, I'm gonna jump in and see what's on the other side. I mean, what's the worst that can happen right??
-{{#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.
-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.}}
 ----
-=== Recap ===
-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.
-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.
+Strennun yeets himself into the building whirlpool, just as Kylin manages to get a hold of the ship and slowly but surely steer it out of the pool. She does so by jamming her sword into a gap of the steering wheel and with some help from another crew-member and Square.
+Meanwhile, Rof saw Strennun jump overboard, but thought that this act of sheer stupidity was not done voluntarily (Because who in their right minds would even THINK of doing such a thing?? What he failed to consider is that Strennun is not even remotely close to being in his right mind...) and made it his mission to go save him. He rappelled himself down the side of the ship into the whirlpool - where Strennun more less happily goes merry-round. He manages to catch him, but gets socked in the face by Strennun and lets him be before getting pulled up to the ship again by Square.
+----
-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]].
+So I get pulled down and over and down and over and down and over and... you get the picture. At some point I get spit out somewhere underwater?
-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.
-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.
+[[File:Arath Underwater-Dome.jpg|frameless|800px|Rough Sketch Strennun's Underwater Dome]]
-[[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|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.
+It's pitch-black but I can still see some stuff and can also breathe underwater, so I go and see what's up and also where's up. I swim and swim and swim... and get to the sea-floor. I turn around and swim and swim and swim... and get to some weird structure? Metal? I think? I go along it and get to some pillars that go all the way down to the sea-floor and frame a passage. I continue until I get out of the passage and am in open water.
-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.
+----
-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.
+Meanwhile, Strennun's absence has been noticed on the Devil's Fall and Square is up and ready to replace him with a (more less) trained dolphin - The idea is not met with a lot of enthusiasm. Kylin excuses herself to the Captain's Quarter and lights a candle for Strennun.
-== The Sea Hags Lair ==
-{{#spoiler:[[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] have to roll a stealth check to see how good their disguise is for this session.
 ----
-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.}}
-=== The Cave ===
+So I'm in the water, I don't know where, I don't know why and I don't really know how. I reach out to the dragon-turtle but get ignored for some reason. Maybe I offended it somehow?? But wait! There's a faint light in the distance! I swim towards it and when I reach it, a huge mouth opens with teeth as big as my forearm! I get the fuck out of there and swim up and up and up and up.... for more than an hour. Gotta dodge some big sharks on the way up but I make it. It's open water and I have no idea where I am. Probably not too far off where I jumped into that whirlpool. So if my kalkulatins are correct, this Elven island should be somewhere South-South-East. Gotta reach it at some point I suppose, and I'm faster than the ship anyway, so let's go. I reach out to the dragon-turtle again, but only silence. Welp, swimming in silence it is then.
-{{#spoiler:As they travel north they will find a cave at the shore that gets flooded by night.
-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.}}
-==== The Ship Wreck ====
-{{#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.
-As they investigate the wreck they find:
-* 1 Bag of Holding
-** 2 Potion of Healing (2d4 + 2)
-** 1 Small Barrel of old Whiskey
-* 100 Gold Pieces
-* 2 Platinum Pieces (DC 25)}}
 ----
-=== Recap ===
-[[File:Group-Map-Session-3.png|400px|thumb|A map of what the group thinks their surrounding looks like, after session 3.]]
-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.
-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]] and a mad man is trying to make salt out of water.
+On the Devli's Fall, Darfin adds the newly 'discovered' whirlpool to the map while Square is trying to teach Ballast how to swim. This is accomplished by rappelling her down the side of the ship (that's moving at 50 knots at the time) and waterboarding her until she starts paddling, before pulling her up shortly before she drowns.
+To let off some steam, Ballast goes off to slap Rof, who's had enough and escalates this issue to the Captain. A stern discussion is had and Ballast is sent off to scrub the deck with Rof and will not be allowed to slap any more people. Furthermore, she will be spending half-days with other members of the crew to learn useful skills:
+* Rashesh:           Cooking
+* Darfin:            Reading / Writing / Speaking
+* Jack:              Carpenting / Handiwork
+* Brovara:           Religion / Morality
+* Rof:               Humility / Survival
+* Kylin:             Leadership
+* Kurwash:           Music and Arts
+While Kylin and Square are having this discussion, Rof is under deck and gets jumped by crew-members that are planning a mutiny, because he doesn't want to be part of this mutiny. A tussle ensues and Kylin, Darfin and Square are on scene. The mutineers attempt to frame Rof of starting the mutiny and the Captain is inclined to believe them. The leadership retreats to the Captain's quarters and Square manages to persuade her that this mutiny couldn't have been started by Rof because why would he? He promptly gets promoted to First Mate (Square's role so far) and Square gets delegated to 'Chief Slappening Officer', meaning she'll be responsible for training and security of the crew.
+The crew-members who instigated the mutiny are being thrown onto the skiff with rations for three days (not enough to reach the shore) and sent out to sea. One of the mutineers - Rushk'all - hides and grovels in front of the captain and gets sent to the brig instead, where he will be overturned to the authorities in the next port.
+Meanwhile, Darfin finally gets to talk with Sulla. He can convince them to agree to a talk with the rest of the leadership - but Sulla only agrees under the condition that they're tied together, so Sulla can't be thrown overboard. They also know that Death itself sent Kylin that strange vision of the Gods fighting against other Gods that she had some nights ago.
+== Strennun Almost Drowns ==
+Today is [[Roftag Deerrunner|Roftag's]] first day as an officer. Angrily he wakes up Steve and starts scrubbing the deck with him as a habit. I tell someone to fetch me all the officers to have a chat with Sulla in my room. As promised, I tie them in chair form to my buttocks, sitting on them for further safety. Sulla knows that they have to convince the crew with insider knowledge that only an elder god might know.
+As soon as everyone is here [[Sulla]] introduces themselves as the god of fighting. They also talk about [[Mortius]], the god of death and one of the old ones, who gave the vision to [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]]. She asks about the new gods, and Sulla explains that they were commoners who got more and more powerful, until they challenged the old gods themselves. After they won, they limited the powers of the peasants, which coincidentally was the same thing the old gods wanted to do. Some of the new gods are the [[Ghostly Lady]], who has a brother with a gun, and [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Milil Milil], a narcissist who cannot take criticism and mocks people to death. The new gods are on Sullas list of enemies.
+Lyn asks Sulla about the [[Dragon Turtle]]. It seems to predate Sulla and is also more powerful. Lyn then asks if the Dragon Turtle is on Sullas list. Sulla tried to hunt it in the past, but never succeeded. Inspired by this Lyn asks what might happen if you kill a god. Sulla tells us that if you are able to kill a god, you might as well become one yourself.
+[[Square]] then tells Sulla that she wants to be thought by Sulla and offers them the head of a new god. They tell her that she has to kill to get stronger anyways. Square then agrees and says that she will inform Sulla when she killed people. It was a very strange but fitting conversation all the way.
+Sulla then explains that they need crystals filled with souls of those who fell in battle to be able to break the curse that is upon them. This can only be done in a temple that is devoted to Sulla like a big arena, and there seems to be one of those on [[Conder Isle]].
+[[Brovara]] chimes in by asking why we should help Sulla. They tell us that the can help us and give us power. "This seems kind of contradictory", I think to myself, "they tried to limit commoners powers back in the day, why should they just give it away?" It seems like this needs to be talked about further with the crew only.
+After all the questions are asked and all the answers are given Square asks if Sulla wants to stay in her room. Sulla is in favour of this idea, because there is more blood in her room. I'm okay with this, as long as people trust Sulla and get along with them.
+The first lesson with Ballast goes smoothly, but not as fast as I hope to. To motivate her I tell her about magic, and how she can learn it too, but only if she starts speaking soon. To prove my point further I firebomb the table that’s standing in my room. Ballast does not seem motivated, but at least she participated in the writing exercises.
+''During this lesson Roftag visits the captain, and asks her about the [[Elfo-Dwarven War]] as he didn't hear about anything while in the underworld. She tells him that the last two months it has been stale around Marymar.''
+Later that day I meet Square, and she asks me about the lesson. I tell her how it went, but also tell her that for Ballasts psychological development it is of most importance that she is convinced about the advantages of reading an writing as soon as possible, and by everyone around her. Including Square. Reluctantly she agrees.
+While having a walk on the upper deck I stumble across Roftag. He asks me if the crow's nest he's building is good enough. I have a look at it, and realize that its only 80cm tall. Nicely I tell him that for taller people it might need to be slightly taller as well.
+''Meanwhile [[Strennun]] is swimming through the sea, restless and exhausted. On the fifth day he gets picked up by a trader's ship. The captain is a well-dressed woman with a black panther, who looks very similar to Kylin. It turns out that she actually is her sister who thinks that Kylin is dead. Strennun has to parlay his way out of the situation to not get thrown overboard.''
+Later in the week we cross a trader's boat, which turns out to be steered by Kylin's sister. We dock with them, and they reconnect. Turns out they don't seem to like each other. Kylin's sister mentions that their father left in search of Kylin and went missing ever since. She also shouldn’t be using the name Nelson anymore, as she brought shame to her family. Before they leave they bring us Strennun and a small cask. We're all quite surprised to see Strennun again, but not surprised when we learn that they were thinking about throwing him back in the water.
+After some more days we finally arrive on Conder Isle, my beloved home country. I announce to the port master that I will guarantee for the foreigners, and he lets us dock for 200g. As I'm looking to see my family again after all these years I cannot wait and motivate the captain that we go and rent a coach, to make our way inlands towards [[Alse Edhil]].
+== Psych Session with a gaslighting faerie ==
+The cart starts rolling towards [[Alse Edhil]]. On the road [[Roftag Deerrunner|Roftag]] turns to me and asks what it entails to be the first mate. I reply that firstly he is second in command to me. That he takes over if I am not around or busy. That he reports to me and that he enforces and hands on my orders to the crew. These instructions seemed to have helped him to know what his job is. The first days journey through these dense woods go past smoothly.
+In the evening we arrive at camp site and [[Darfin]] instructs us to stay within the camp site, due there being fairies, pixies and willowisps around that are out to kidnap travelers. We settle down for the night with [[Strennun]] being still utterly exhausted from his swim. I take over the first watch and see from atop the carriage a bunch of lights in the forest, probably stemming from faeries. Afterwards I hand over the watch to Roftag.
+''Roftag diligently takes over his watch. As Kylin had pointed out there are some lights in the forest. Curiosity takes over him and he goes off and explores. He then stumbles upon a lone faerie. Roftag also plants his axe into the ground to help indicate to him where the campsite is. The faerie is very inquisitive, and asks for Roftag to follow it. Roftag declines and asks about their nature and about the tricks they play. This leads to  philosophical discussion on what are good pranks to play, while the faerie tries to gaslight Roftag on where the campsite is. Luckily Roftag is adamant on where he has to go to return and finds himself back at the site to finish his watch.''
+The next day we set off on the next leg of our journey. Suddenly Strennun points out that there is the ocean to our left. Embarrassingly I also see this illusion with also the Devils Fall burning. I say embarrassingly because this was and illusion. At the time I did not know and ordered us to head to the beach immediately, which would take us off the safe path through the woods. Despite Roftag not seeing what I saw he begun to try and enforce the order as Strennun and Darfin were not following it. Luckily through some discussion and persuasion we stuck to the path and after a while the convincing illusion disappeared.
+The following day saw us faced with another illusion which was a fork in the road. Through some clever magic from Darfin we managed to finish navigating throuh the forest and arrive in Alse Edhil.
+Darfins house is as expected elegant and built into a tree. There we were greeted by Elanor, his very charming wife. Over a cup of tea Darfin inquires how his two children Nessa and Orian are doing. Both are doing well in the Ulentil. I send an eagle to Jack, to tell him that we will be staying an additional week.
+We then decide to use the rest of the day to go and visit the university where Darfin used to work. The security there were the most uptight elves I have ever encountered, and that's saying something. But as the saying goes: Money rules the world. Once inside we head to the room with the talking furniture in hopes of getting more information on Sulla. There Feylin, a very cozy armchair advised us to head to the library to look for a certain book. Darfin then leads us further through the halls to the library. Here we find out that Darfins nemesis, Aran Silvaris borrowed the book 5 years ago and has not returned it yet. Well I guess we have to pay this nemesis a visit.
+== Global Anomalities Detection and Analysis Society ==
+We learned that Darfin's Nemesis, an Elf called Arune Silvaris is still borrowing the book about the old gods. Before we fetch the afforementioned book, Darfin wants to rectify his deceased status. He leads us down strange corridors where some paths seem to lead into the nothingness and other things Darfin calls "pranks by students". I just hear Darfin's voice in my head "do not leave the path". When we arrive in the administration room, Darfin tells the lady that he is in fact alive, but doesn't not intend to stay. He also requests the papers that allow us to enter the academy freely. We all tell her our names: Foreman "Besm", Captain Kylinn Nelson, Kella the square, Roftag Deerrunner. On our way out we pass a small creek where the water flows up instead of down, it creeps me out.
+Arune's House looks very noble, with a fenced in garden. Some of us try to shortcut over the fence and are quickly stopped by forces of nature removing them from the property. The main entrance seems to work way better and after passing a fountain with an enormous gem sitting on it, we get to the door. A servant greets us and we promply invite ourselves in. After serving us some tea in the lounge, Arune makes it clear that he still needs the book and is in his right to keep it. The captains has none of this and casts hold person on him, which he tries to counterspell, which the captain then counterspells, which triggers a magical trap in the room that also casts hold person on the captains.
+Now both unable to move the other party members spread out to search the home. Square takes the rooms on the right where she is slowed down by statues that startet to move. Brovara tries to go downstairs until the stairs turn into a slide that loops around, now she is only trying to get out of there. Darfin takes the path to the left and eventually finds the study, where he goes through piles of books. Square destroys the statues and I can see one of their heads rolling into the room. Brovara manages to get out of the stairs and joins Darfin on the left, adding wood splintering to all the other noise.
+After waiting for the captain to snap out of it, I start to gag and tie up Arune so he shouldn't be able to use magic when the spell wears off. Just about when I finish, Arune disappears. I don't hear him reappearing anywhere so I try to pick up the Captain to follow the rest of the group, but her being frozen in motion only lets me drag her, being too unwieldy to carry. Brovara finds the book and Darfin confirms it. Knowing that Arune disappeared and is probably not sitting around somewhere we hurry outside. Before leaving the property the captain takes out the bag of holding and steals the large crystal from the fountain. We barely make it out without being followed and Darfin leads us to the Mutation guild.
+Again another tree. Vespera also called Verspa lets us in, an old friend of Darfin. Downstairs we meet more people, a Dwarf called Dorum how is working on a battle machine, reminding us of the one we fought in mighttown. The guild is technically called Global anomalies detection and analysis society, but I will forget that name anyway. Darfin is led to another room where Vespera shows him a leaf that is oozing a moving black substance. "A fight is going on in the forest, and we believe a mutation to have caused it", Vespa explains.
+A nice older lady brings me a sweet brown milky drink that reminds me of home, peaceful times, familiar mountains. I wonder how much has changed. When we finally get out of here I will ask the captain how I can work harder to be relieved out of service sooner.
+An angry knock on the door disrupts what we're doing and we all go hide in the cellar.
+An angry female voice enters the guild and we are quickly discovered. Elora (Darfin's wife) shows us wanted letters and demands an explanation. Brovara blurts out "Are these papers about our break in?", escalating the situation further. Elora lays out our option: go into the forest and solve the trouble, Bangon first ranger will help us out. She hands Darfin a letter and tells Darin to give the letter to Bangon and don't he dare open it. Darfin also hands Elora a letter that adressed to his daughter.
+Before we leave the guild Kylin takes a quick peek into the captains logbook.
+"Interesting choice, maybe we can explore this more next time" - Tavia
+== Of Elves, Hags And Other Ugly Creatures ==
-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.
+So I was walking around in this nice, quaint forest when I was suddenly yoinked away by an odd lady dressed in all dark colors. She seemed weird. I was then handed off (or rather grabbed) by Darfin's wife, who shoved a package in my hand and shoved me further through a tree. Meanwhile she yelled something about "tell him to reach out next time". Beats me what she meant by that.
-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.
+Anyway, I fall on my ass in the middle of a forest, surrounded by pretty well hidden elves. There's one elf that's not hidden. He looks old and like a ranger. Rof finally reaches out his hand and greets him. He greets back and leads us somewhere - pretty sure it's east (*Narrator: It was not east*). After a bit we get to a camp and Brovara goes to offload Darfin and Square in the medical tent. They're still passed out. No idea why. We're then led into a big tent. Probably the leader's.
-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.
+Apparently these folks are the 27th ranger department - apparently the other 26 are also still around, but not here, as the leader told me in a very impatient voice - and they're here to fight the cursed area. We're supposed to help them. It's spreading and within some weeks it will probably have cursed the whole island. The leader shows us a map where we are and where the cursed area is. There's also a big clearing in there, which is most likely Sulla's Arena where we're supposed to do some occult magic involving killing people.
-== Tax Evasion? ==
+The cursed area spews out humanoid creatures that abduct people from the surrounding villages who are then never seen again. There's also creepy half-spider/half-human creature crawling around. Most likely there's also a hag in the middle that's kinda responsible for it? Maybe not, but she's certainly up to no good, so we ought to kill her.
-{{#spoiler:Now that the coast is clear the salt production can start.}}
-=== Meeting Rigalis ===
-{{#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.
-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]].}}
+I attempt to reach out to my patron to request help on how to kill a hag. I suddenly find myself at the beach surrounded by ugly creatures. There's also a horrid creature that blasts towards me and screeches in my face. I'm horribly scared, wake up from my trance and bolt it into the woods. Roftag and Kylin follow me and Roftag catches up to me at the edge of the forest. We have a talk about fear and how it also affected one of his mates in the nine hells. He gives me his big shield to feel safer. It doesn't really work but he was nice about it, so I'll keep it around for now and see what happens. Back at the tent I go to the medical tent to ask for help because I also feel very drained. Apparently I'm not the only one but the only solution is to send us off to the capital where there's more decent healers than here. That won't do, so the healer here gives me some chocolate. That's good but doesn't really help. I watch Brovara and Rof put up the tents with some help of Kylinn. After the tents are up, Rof comes over and I offer him some chocolate, but he doesn't want any. He asks me if I want to be anywhere else to which I reply not really because there's not really anywhere else to go. I have my friends here. Maybe back to my family at some point, but not now because I dont feel like leading my father's company. He then asks me how he could pay off his debts faster, to which I don't know any answer and tell him to go talk to the Captain. I also reassure him that he's a good crewmate and full member of the party and pulls his weight. After that he goes off to get some pastry.
-=== 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.}}
 ----
-=== Recap ===
+In the evening, Kylinn also talks to Sulla and asks her how to best defeat a hag. Sulla's advice boils down to "She will use lots of Illusions and hags are usually immune to non-magical damage".
-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.
+During the night, Brovara dreams of hordes of orcs coming at her wave after wave, which she then kills with wide strokes of her morning-star (*The hag tried to curse her like she did with Strennun but her mind was too strong*)
+-----
+Next day we head out - without Darfin or Square as they're still passed out. After about half a day we hear a weird buzzing in the distance, which turn out to be fairies in a full-on war. After probably committing some war-crimes by blindly firing spells into the fray, we decide to just mow through them because we can't leave the path. Towards the evening, we come to the cursed part of the forest, which is shown by slumped branches and black gooey leaves everywhere.
+--------
+As the party makes camp in the evening, Lynn tries to reach out to her patron, but also gets pulled into an evil vision by the hag. In her case it is her swimming in the ocean while her ship sails away over the horizon before she finally drowns.
+---------
-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.
+Over night everybody's watch is just plain shit and we're lucky we don't get killed overnight. Next day, we get to a huge chasm in the floor. Kylinn being Kylinn, she throws a lightning at it, which is promptly directed back at her. She also drops a pebble down and it takes... a long time to reach the bottom. That means the chasm is... uhm, very deep. Brovara grabs into it and almost gets pulled in. Rof then has the brilliant idea to hit the edge of the chasm and it actually retreats! I also have the brilliant idea to throw a spell at it and suddenly tentacles come out and try to pull me into the chasm! Brovara is there luckily and manages to pull me away. After tireless hacking and hitting the edge of the chasm, it finally narrows enough for us to jump over it and we continue on.
-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).
+== More Than One Way In ==
-== A Fightfull Day ==
+After being shoved into a portal tree by my wife I wake up in some kind of medical tent, next to square. "How did I get here?" I wonder. Square wants to leave the tent and join the others as soon as possible. We walk outside and search for someone to talk to. Many heavily armoured elves are around the campsite, and by the lack of rust I deduct that this must be the elven army.
-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.
+We enter one of the most important looking tents, and an officer greets us. While square nonchalantly starts eating from the fruit bowl the officer tells us what happened around the region and with our friends. Seemingly the forest around us was cursed, and some hag took that as a chance for a new home. "Very interesting" I say to the officer, trying not to sound sarcastic. He commands some younglings to show us the path the rest of the crew have taken.
+They lead us some minutes into the forest and show me an old trail which even I struggle to really notice. To inform the captain I send off my trusty hawk with a message for the captain.
-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.
+''In the meantime the others continue their path and decide to set up camp at sundown. My hawk reaches them in good health and delivers the message. When it leaves the curiosity overwhelms Brovara, and unseen by the others she shoots the hawk out of the air, thinking that it must be some kind of magical illusion.''
-After entering the tavern [[Aluwyn]] recognises the dwarves as part of the Engineering Corp and tells the elves to hide in the forest.
+As we travel further into the forest the leaves get darker and darker, looking beyond unhealthy. Out of nowhere it feels like the trees are trying to grab us, without them actually doing it. I tell Square that I can make someone fly for a short time, and she gets really excited about it.  As I want to leave this option open for dangerous situations I have to disappoint her, promising her that she would be able to fly by the end of the day. She makes some snide remarks about me not looking so good anymore which I don’t understand why, and we continue.
-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.
+''The others set up camp in a forest clearing. Roftag knows how to set up a tent, but not quite where and places them inside some bushes. Suddenly they feel like something is shadowing them. A tar-like person approaches Strennun. He tries to touch it and screams in agony. No longer curious he hellish rebukes the creature, exploding it into little pieces. The leftovers don’t burn, which is quite strange as tar would surely burn. Brovara senses that more of those creatures must be around them. The shoot all of them down on sight.''
-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.
+As the day continues we hear familiar explosions from afar. We reach the rest of the crew at the campsite they just built up. As this is the end of today I give Square the power to fly. She does some superhero landings, kicks and flies up into the sky like a bird. At the height of 30 meters she is over the treeline and has a good look at the surrounding forest. There still seems to be a good distance between us and the hag, so we should get a good night's sleep. We distribute shifts for our watches and go to bed.
-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.
+I'm not quite able to sleep, as I am haunted by nightmares. I am woken up from my sleep by an explosion in our tent. There is tar-like substance everywhere, I clean it up with prestidigitation. As I cannot sleep anyways I decide to stay up. I hear Kylinn outside shooting at something. "There must be more of them" I think, and wake up Brovara, who is still snoring in a deep sleep. A tar-like person crashes into our tent and Brovara and I get hit by it. The creature starts dragging Brovara out and towards the forest. "That’s it, now I have to intervene" I think and step outside the tent. The tar creatures try to drag Brovara towards the forest, where tentacles grapple her and pull her even further. The same also happens to Roftag. Thankfully they are both able to free themselves from these vile creatures. We fight the remaining creatures while Square skilfully kills many of them, but Strennun is nowhere to be seen, as he's probably still asleep.
-== At Deaths Door ==
+The next day we pack up the campsite and start our days journey further into the forest. Around the afternoon we reach a big burial mound, maybe 40 meters high. It has marble doors with primordial writing on it. Each entrance is guarded by a statue with a certain race, with some funeral prayer in the corresponding language. Square and Roftag decide to climb atop the burial mound to have a look at it, and it seems to have a light shaft. Roftag is suddenly affected by some kind of spell, and feels like jumping in the hole seems like a good idea. He asks for Strennuns shield, sits on it, and slides down into the shaft. As this seems to be out signal to enter as well Brovara starts running into the mound, taking the damage from all the traps on the way.
-[[File:Group-Map-Session-6.png|400px|thumb|The group found a crudely drawn map in the goblin camp.]]
-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]].
-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.
+''Roftag falls deep into the mound, landing in a pitch black hall. The only thing he senses is someone cackling while his eyes are still adjusting to the darkness.''
-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.
+== The Bag of Holdn't ==
-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.
+I ran straight into that tomb, silly traps firing around me, to aid Rof. He stood in the middle of a large room, bewitched by a big ugly cackling hag. I chased her but she made it to the door leading to a winding staircase before I caught her. Nasty old crone. The others caught up and we looked around. A big statue loomed in the middle of the room. Apart from the statue, eight exits (or entrances, as it actually depends which way you look) and Rof. And a magical crown on Rof’s head.
-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.
+It turned out, Rof was cursed. His eyes glew with madness, just like his wolf pelt’s eyes when he’s in the heat of a battle. We never asked him about that wolf, have we? The crown grew some teeth and Rof tried to wrestle me down. Silly Rof. I commanded him - and the crown - to stop whatever they were doing and continued the chase. There was clearly no time to plan.
-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.
+Me and Square ran down the stairs. Darfin followed closely and Lynn was dragging behind, trying to catch up. Rof - still controlled by the mad crown - tried to catch the Captain using a piece of rope as a lasso. Lynn magicked herself away, leaving Rof alone with Square, who yeeted (yote?) a hammer at him. The bewitched dwarf then caught Darfin but luckily - luckily for Darfin that is - he came back to senses and the crown with teeth disappeared.
-== A new Friend ==
+By the time we reached the main chamber, we were pissed. We saw the hag behind a stone altar, doing magic. A big crystal - one that we need for the stupid chair - was floating in front of her. Now, since we arrived at a balcony, we had the high ground and used strategy to our advantage. Khella jumped off, landing firmly on her feet and ran towards the hag, grabbing a sausage from the table on the way. Rof also jumped but landed firmly on his head instead. In the meantime, I silently ran around to ambush the hag, my footsteps masked by the sound of Rof falling off the balcony.
-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.
-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.
+Seconds later I heard a familiar slapping sound. Rof and Square were attacked by the weird creatures we saw outside the tomb and on the way here and they fought back. They were waiting for us, hidden below the balcony. As I got around the corner, I saw Kylin flying over the skirmish, fire and lightning bursting out of her hands, and pinning down the creatures. Slapping was soon joined by the sound of plates and cutlery, thrown by Rof. I assume Darfin was also there somewhere. I ran and plunged towards the hag’s back to pin her down, only to be pushed away by a magical wave. I was lucky to land on a bed. The bed was less lucky with a 150kg half-human landing on it and breaking it.
-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.
+Using pure strength clearly had no effect, so we changed the approach and tried using other means. Rof picked up a bench and hit the hag with it, splinters flying all over the altar. I tried tossing Kylin close to the hag but I lost my grip and she tripped and fell instead. In the background, Square beat the tarry creatures as if they were her punching bags. I think I also heard Darfin shouting from the balcony so I still assume he was somewhere around.
-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.
+Lynn took her Bag of Holding and tried to put the crystal in it. The crystal did not fit and went through the fabric with a loud pop. A moment later, Roftag finally managed to grab the witch and push her to the ground. Square joined a moment later, ready to beat the crap out of her. Kylin took out her double-ended trident and mocked the hag. The witch looked at Kylin, nasty smile on her face, and uttered ''Bold of you to say as a captain with no ship''. What a stupid thing to say in such circumstances, especially since we just were on the ship several days ago. Afterwards, Kylin’s double-blade trident - there has to be a better name for it - went through the hag’s skull. Good riddance.
-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.
+A moment later Darfin appeared and discussed the broken bag with Kylin. They said that everything from it was lost. Not sure what they meant exactly but I saw nothing falling out so I assume they’ll find it sooner or later. Those magic adepts always overreact, eh?
-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.
+We went through the hag’s lair, finding some rations and other useful items and continued further into the tomb. All we found were sarcofph.. sarfophag.. tombs so we came back out of the haunted place, leaving it behind forever…
-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.
+==A Tempting Offer==
-== Nightmares and Fiends ==
+After a well deserved rest we headed back to the main room with the mummy. The room was better lit than the last time we where there, hence why we decided to have a quick look outside before exploring the rest of the tomb. Outside it has also become lighter, just with still most of the colour drained. Back in the mummy room someone noticed that the room has pictures on the walls, each segment in the style of the races which then seamlessly fades over to the next style.
-[[File:Bearded Devil.jpeg|400px|thumb|One of the creatures [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] bested with ease]]
-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.
-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.
+We then head down the South Western tunnel which lead to a similar room that we found after the hags lair. Here there were further signs of corruption trying to settle in. After convincing  especially Darfin and Brovara to not commit grave-robbery we headed back and took the South Eastern path. This path lead to another room full of sarcophagi and a hole with stairs heading down into darkness. Strennun reads something about water and we decide to head down the steps. The darkness starts to engulf us. Even my new found dark vision can not see far. Darfin then comes with an idea to tie a rope to the top to help us navigate and Strennun heads off to do so. After 15 minutes we decide to follow and try and find him.
-The group walks on, pretty shook from this experience and sets up camp in the evening.
+"Meanwhile Strennun out of frustration jumped down the center to find a cave at the bottom with a monolith in the center. On the walls he reads: Do not release! Out of morbid curiosity he reaches out and talks with the entity trapped inside the monolith. The entity promises him power, riches, world domination and possibility to take over the crew. Strennun though, being a simple person, declines and just asks for a way out for him and the rest of the crew. The entity shows himself as a white figure and mentions how many are evil and hurt people. So its normal in the world."
-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.
+Meanwhile we still try and find a way to find Strennun. After not beeing able to find the exit we head back down. Suddenly the steps start falling away and out of nowhere I start falling. One after another the others fallow. Strennun then tells us about the entity who has introduced themselves as Anathar. We ask Zula, whether they know the place and a person named Anathar. He know decides to tell us not to head down here, like an hour too late that stupid chair. In the back we find a hidden room and Brovara begins to try and find a way through. Suddenly Strennun turns on us possessed and start trying to destroy the crystal monolith. We manage to knock him out. Out of caution, I order us to find a way out which is probably just head back up the stairs. Darfin and I successfully confirm this theory and jump back down to get the others. Meanwhile they have made some progress on the door and I compromise that we can wait 2 hours more before we leave this dangerous place.
-[[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.
+This idea was short lived though as suddenly Brovara gets possessed by Anathar and starts taking damage from an invisible source. Again we can do nothing aside from supporting her and then just knocking her out to end the possession. Now its an order: We leave!. While rushing up the stairs and can not keep wondering, what would have happened if Anathar tried to tempt me. Or someone else who would be more willing to accept an offer like Darfin.
-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.
-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.
+== Chair à Maze ==
-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.
+After the stairs we passed the entrance room with the large THING in the middle. The desire to leave is stronger than the memory of any traps. Together we run and breathe fresh air faster than strennung could spot water.
-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.
+Even from afar the forrest is visibly brighter, healthier; we needn't worry anymore about our trip back. Having fullfilled our obligations to the elves the only thing keeping us on this cursed island is an offer from our chair. After marching onwards not long and we spot something strange is the distance. Approaching, some of us notice a group of people led by a hooded creature. Before we get close enough to recognise any faces, the sand and rock inf front of us are replaced by a massive, at least twenty meter tall wall. Walking into the structure it is quickly concluded that the fastest way to explore the maze would be from on top of the walls, this way if the group would reveal themselves as enemies we would also hold the advantage. The captain and Darfin make their way up using their magic, helping the rest using a rope. Square rushes ahead, the rest makes their way to the center of the maze by either jumping from wall to wall or by flying. After arriving in the middle and spotting some kind of altar together with Brovara I climb down to the ground level. While the captain and Darfin engage the group from above, Brovara plays with some contraption that allows her to move the walls. Following the trail of blood Brovara and I find Square slapping her way through the enemies' minions. We help out. Meanwhile Darfin creates a path of fire and finds the enemies leader: Wormtongue. After not much consideration, Darfin drops the purple stick and just hears an audible "#!%& his will take some time" before Wormtongue and anything in a 5m radius around him disappears. Seeing the wall Darfin was just standing on I rush to his aid, just to watch him slowly hover to the ground.
-== The Cursed Treasure ==
+Square starts to build one of her famous gardens around the altar and blood starts to float from the corpses towards the altar. A sphere of flesh starts to grow above the labyrinth collecting all the blood. Before the sphere could burst, it disappears. Everyone gathers in the middle. "Did it work?". I hear a familiar voice in my head, Sulla's voice. He presents himself in front of us, tall and powerful.
-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.
-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 goblin, so devastating that the worm in its eye turns back in shame and eats the brain.
+Each of us he offers a rewards for freeing him from his wooden cage. Darfin asks him about magic but is shot down immediately "Do I look like a mage?". I ask him for a shield but get laughed at for being a coward. The only items Sulla wants to offer seem to be tools to spill more blood, this is music in Squares ears. Not only does she pledge to follow Sullas teachings, but also to spread his name in the only language he seems to speak - violence. Sulla pronounces Kella his arch priestess (todo please replace with correct title) and grants her a mean looking weapon. I get a bad feeling about this god of war thing and decline his offer. Everyone else accepts their gifts.
-The party can finally rest.
+List of gifts:
+(todo please write down a name of your gift)
-[[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.
+== Are we… Pirates? ==
-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.
+[[Sulla]] gifts us lions on which we ride back towards the port city. From afar we see a magical beam getting closer and closer. We arrive at a forest clearing, where the lions suddenly stop. As we get of they magically vanish. [[Strennun|Strennuns]] lion pukes up some noble clothes, and [[Kella|Squares]] lion transforms into a necklace. Very weird, but I've seen worse.
-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 storm clouds and a ship inside. She recognizes the ship as the legendary "[[Devilsfall]]" 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 [[Glaive Suffering|Suffering]]. After regaining control, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] explains how [[Glaive Suffering|Suffering]] is talking to him and wants him to go east to the lake.
+As we walk towards the city walls an [[older elf in a white robe and hat]] steps out behind a tree. I get the feeling that he is a servant of one of the [[High Lords]], but by his clothing he is also a high priest of the [[Wailing Widow]]. He doesn’t want to tell us his name, but he says that we travelled with one of their sons. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] says something about a [[Varis Alloro]], probably a son of the Alloro family.
-[[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.
+The priest also tells us that [[Varis Valorian]], one of the more conservative high lords, issued an arrest warrant for Kylin Nelson for deserting the army. The ship is seized at port and the crew in prison. I never heard about this, and I always thought that Kylin is an honourable captain with a hard but good heart. Was she forced into servitude, or is she a traitor?
-< a lot of head puns later >
+The priest offers to help us to get into the city to free the crew, we should meet him at dawn at the keep. We agree and give ourselves a little rest before. There is a lot of talk about burning down the city or burning down certain buildings, but I'm not fully present as I'm trying to process the new information I just got.
-[[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 the headless Pirate|Jack]] and served on the [[Devilsfall]]. [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] enters the cave and quickly finds the secret button but is confused why he could not find his ship among the treasures.
+Towards the evening, we approach the city gate. [[Roftag Deerrunner|Roftag]] rips out a massive spike log from the moat. [[Brovara]] steps onto Roftags shoulders and hippity hoppity over the walls. She gets attacked by some guards, but easily splatters them over the walls. The rest of us also climb over the walls, and we enter the keep. As I am the last one, I close the door. We silently kill all the guards on our way, and easily cheese through a laser maze. We reach a break room where we can hear shanties through a door, where the crew must be held prisoners. We reach the cells, where some of the crew are petrified, among others also Steve. [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] is still "alive". He tells us that they defended the ship for three days, until the elven army seized it successfully for the [[Democracy of Cahemelle|democracy]]. Half the crew was lost during the battles or were petrified. He requests to be allowed to kill the prison commander himself. Kylin grants his wish, and he leaves with two men.
-[[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 the headless Pirate|Jack]] owes the party a favour. After [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] hands the ship to [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] he goes to [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] and shows it to him. [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] announces that the one who finds the [[Devilsfall]], shall be its captain, making [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] the new captain of the [[Devilsfall]]. The group decides to use the ship to intercept their dwarven brothers in Marymar.
+We hand over some of our weapons to the members who are able to fight and leave the cells. Square and two other crewmates slap the rest of the guards to death. We hear a loud thump, as the dead body of the commander lands on the floor in front of us. Up on the tower we see Jack in the window. Outside of the keep we hear a commotion. It seems like the priest rallied up the townsfolk to protest the actions of the guards. Three rows of guards stand in front of the gate, forming a shield wall. We sneakily open the doors, and Kylin kills two rows of guards with just one spell. The townspeople flee in fear, causing an even bigger chaos. We leave towards our ship and set sails immediately.
-The following roles have been assigned to/picked by the party members:
+I'm leaned against the railing and fire some firebolts towards the elven ships, setting them all aflame. I remember being a young boy, visiting the ports with my father and looking at the elven fleet in awe. '''boom'''. It was then when the wish to leave the [[Conder Isle|isle]] and explore the world started I assume. '''boom'''. ''Why didn't I just do it when I first felt ready to? Why did I have to spend my best years hidden in some libraries?''. '''boom'''. ''Am I still a good person, being associated with a war criminal?''. '''boom'''. ''Will I ever be able to return as a respected member of society?''. '''boom'''. ''Where is my life even going? Is this what I want for myself?''. '''boom'''. I don’t even notice what's happening around me, as my mind keeps digging deeper and deeper into self-doubt. '''boom'''. We sail into the sunset, leaving the elven isle behind us.
-* First Mate: [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]]
-* Navigator: [[Varis Alloro|Marco ]]
-* Gunner: [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]]
-* Crow’s nest: [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]]
-* Captain: [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]
-* Quartermaster: [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]]
-== Running in Circles ==
+== Just Keep Swimming ==
-After an uneventful night the group, except [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] who is still sleeping, starts to discuss about their plan again, and conclude that they will the lake first. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] wants to test the reaction of one of the hags to the cursed treasure, so she throws a gem at the cage which somehow gives the hag the power to rip the cage open. She laughs and flees from the cave.
+It was a good call from Kylin to start firing back. The silly sods stationed at that Falloren fort should have started clearing up the city instead of firing at us. After all, we helped them with Sulla, Wyrmtongue and lifted whatever curse there was on the city.
-[[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] concludes that the treasure’s curse cannot be that bad, puts on a shiny ring and fills her pockets with gold. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] starts cooking the remaining bunny and gives its skin to [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] while waiting for [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] to stop his meditation. [[Aluwyn]] still wants to experiment with the treasure and puts on a glove to touch the treasure. A warm feeling crawls into her arm, and she wants someone else to give the treasure to the remaining hag. [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] starts filling up a bag with gold and throws a coin to [[Aluwyn]] who then directly throws it to the hag. The hag seems to not be affected at all and inspects the coin. She starts to turn from blue to pale and back. She also mentions that she does not need money while scarying [[Aluwyn]].
+If the troops weren’t enough, a huge ship appeared out of the fog in front of us. My sailor companions called it a flagship, which I thought was a stupid name until I noticed five flags on the masts. A rather interesting feature of the ship was the galeon’s figure depicting what elvish women definitely did not look like in reality (they only looked like this in some sailor’s songs I’ve heard from the crew and dare not repeat here).
-[[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] wakes up and first asks why they changed the plan again. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] explains it and then lets [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] inspect his glaive. It seems to be some sort of host for a soul of a female.
+The battle started with us approaching the flagship. There was nothing else we could have done as it was blocking our way, challenging us. Strennun immediately jumped in to the water, which is good as he is more useful swimming around the ship than in the battleground. A crewmember I have not seen before was the first to jump - a dwarf with black skin and a missing ear. Captain followed directly after, Rafiki jumping of her shoulder and grabbing one of the lines going up the mast. It stands to reason the enemy crew would try jumping onto our ship so I stayed and waited for them. Rof does not share my view and tosses a wooden pole onto the enemy ship, planning to use it to fend off the foreign sailors.
-After another discussion about the second sea hag they decide to keep their word and let her free. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] tries to break the cage but fails. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] wants to have a go at the cage as well and gets pushed back by some force when he tries to break it. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] inspects the cage and realizes that there are runes all over it. He destroys one of them with his sword, which starts to glow magically while cutting. This allows [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] to finally SMASH the cage.
+A firestorm broke out on the flagship, possibly started by Kylin, and a couple of sailors jumped over to Devilsfall. Just where I expected them. I tossed them overboard, grabbing a ribbon out of an important-looking one. Strennun later told me that after they fell into the water, he was noticed by them and they tried to attack and drown him. Silly sods should have noticed something was fishy about him. (that was a play on words, because he is a bit like a fish.)
-The sea hag holds her word as well and tells the group about the treasure. It does not seem to be cursed, but marked with a location spell. If the group steals the treasure the hag will probably follow them and try to get it back. After harassing some members of the group, the sea hag finally leaves.
+As the fire started spreading, we cut down or drowned more and more enemy sailors. I heard a loud splash as Jack unfastened the galeon’s figure and started hauling it towards the Devilsfall. I looked up and saw Rafiki carrying two flags stolen or perhaps bitten away, from the tops of the masts. We slowly came back to our ship, regrouped and sailed away from the no-longer-flagship, leaving the remainder if its crew trying to put out the fire. It might be for good - if they weren’t able to defend themselves from us, they wouldn’t have been safe on these waters. What with all the pirates around.
-After a long discussion guided by greed they split up the treasure between the members who have touched it. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] is asked to inspect the gems to be able to take the most valuable with them. He instinctively grabs the gem presented to him, making him affected as well. [[Aluwyn]] empties out her bag of gold, which [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] tries to avoid by jumping around. They replace all the gold with the most valuable gems.
+We lined up all our recruits and tried to teach them some discipline. Three of them stood out. A young elf called Falaria (or Falafel? the elvish names all sound the same to me). A lizard-looking man called Danam, which emanated an aura of chill, and Nori, the dwarf who was first-in-line in the abordage. The dwarf tried mocking me so I tossed him overboard, Strennun jumped after him to save him. Nori has to learn his place in the crew. Until he does, he’ll be taking a swim regularly.
-Finally, they start their journey to the lake, passing by a burnt down tree. They walk a day’s worth of distance and then set up their camp. After a failed attempt to train [[Ryo I of Direwoods|Ryo]] and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] laughing about it they go to sleep. During the second watch something big seems to build up on the horizon. It collapses immediately after the sound of a big explosion.
+We continued sailing towards the meeting point with Tavia. Kylin immediately took to the timid Falalel and started mentoring her. Jandalf appeared and brought some of our ordered gear. Apart from that, not much happened for a couple of days until we heard Strennun shouting that he sees a ship with Thanate flag far away. We decided to approach.
-The next morning there still is a visible dust cloud in the east. They continue their travels to the west. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] were teaching [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] how to navigate on land which after a while turned into [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] arguing about mountains vs hills.
+As the ship grew nearer, we noticed what looks like a captain and a handful of guards standing next to each other. Kylin grabbed my arm and teleported us to negotiate. The guards started behaving aggressively so I grabbed an important-looking one and held him hanging overboard. The rest of them charged but got pacified quickly. We tell Nori to disarm the guard leader, which he does by cutting off his hand with his steel axe. Someone said this was ironic except I don’t think there was any iron involved and Nori should think twice instead of taking the words so literally.
-In the evening [[Aluwyn]] tries to find out more about the treasure’s curse by identifying [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin's]] ring, and is somehow able to cure her by using a stone she found in the night hag’s lair. She decides to check out everyone in one of the tents in a pretty rapey manner. She does not find anything on [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]], [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]].
+The captain of the encountered ship claimed they are shipping grain and beer but we quickly saw through his disguise and know he was a supplies-smuggling pirate. He should be happy we left him and his crew alive. We recruited two of them though. The captain of the guard did not want to join us though. His loss. We did acquire their galeon’s figure. I wonder where Strennun keeps those.
-She then moves on to check out [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and his glaive, which turns out to be harder than expected. She tries to touch his glaive which starts to glow, lighting up the whole tent. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] puts his glaive outside of the tent, but somehow is not able to. He thinks he did but he did not and gets pretty pissed about everything. [[Aluwyn]] decides to inspect [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] first, but he struggles to get his shirt off with his glaive in his hand. He gets more and more pissed and accidentally cuts a hole in the tent. [[Aluwyn]] finally gets to inspect him, but his glaive starts glowing again slowly taking over his whole arm. [[Aluwyn]] charms [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] as she thinks it’s the only way to get him to put his glaive outside. The whole process repeats and he still has his glaive in his hand. The people around the tent are visibly confused. [[Aluwyn]] tries to inspect him again, ignoring the glow and the force which pushes her back. An ethereal halfling woman start to grow out of [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]. [[Aluwyn]] tries to touch the ethereal woman but gets pushed back hard. At this point the whole group interferes and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] tries to hold down the ethereal woman. [[Aluwyn]] shifts into the ethereal plane and asks the woman what’s wrong, to which she replied “get off of me”. [[Aluwyn]] then shifts back and gets hit by the woman’s ethereal glaive. The woman then pushes back [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and gets back into [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], who is still pissed. The woman’s last words mentioned that the group was going for the wrong lake, and that the correct one is further to the west.  “On the other side of the lake, across the tundra, across two rivers and the last hill”.
+After two weeks of uneventful sailing we approached a ship with a Draconic League flag. Strennun’s mission to swim up and check what’s on the ship ended in a failure but Captain recognized the ship and teleported aboard. Kylin later said she had a lengthy discussion about her sister and told the crew to deliver her a bottle of whisky and a letter. They also presented Kylin with a bottle of whisky and she came back, telling us to leave the ship be. She was also told that she should visit Dragon’s Inn in the capital and it has something to do with her parents. We set sail once again.
-The group expect for [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] discussed the situation and decided to change the plan again and go north to the mountain chain, waiting for their brothers.
+After another week of smooth sailing - interrupted only by a huge school of tuna passing by - we finally arrived at the designated meeting place. In the meantime, Falafel became quite a sailor and Nori seems to understand now that mocking me results in being thrown overboard. The third new crew member is a bit of a mystery though.
-== A Leap Into the Ocean ==
+In any case, we approach the ship of Tavia and other captains. Good we did not get caught by any of the pirates on our way here.
-Waking up the next day the party realize that [[Aluwyn]] has gone missing. Deciding to go looking for her and go hunting at the same time the two humans and the two elves split up in different directions. They agreed on meeting up again within an hour. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] tries to make the hunting a competition starts a bet, that the elves do not seem to take to seriously. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] find in the north a lot of rabbit holes. The two humans split up and cover as many holes as possible. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] fires a series of magic missile to kill 3 rabbits while [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] almost scores a home run by kicking a rabbit over a large distance.
+== Fuck you, and thank you! ==
-Meanwhile [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]]come across some tracks that later get identified as warg tracks. Upon this discovery the returned back to camp which has been guarded so far by [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]]. After relaying the threat and agreeing to immediately head to the beach the party gets ready to leave. [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] is still quick to point out that the humans won this round of hunting making the score 1:0 to the humans. Regarding [[Aluwyn]] disappearance the party agrees that she either will meet up at the beach or she will find her own way.
+I wake up in the morning to see the grand fleet a few hours out. What a weird dream last night. I felt like I should check on Darfin before we join the others so I head down to his room and find lost in thought.
-[[File:Flying_Dutchman.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The [[Devilsfall]]]]
-At the beach the party meet up again with the dwarves. Swiftly the three sailors [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]],[[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] jump into the ocean and swim out for about 500 ft. The dwarves just watch on in amusement of how crazy they are. Once far enough out [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] opens up the bottle. After a brief second the ship slowly pushes itself magically through the opening of the bottle with numerous thunderclouds. Once the boat is fully afloat the sailors board the ship where [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]]and [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] immediately get assaulted by a monkey. After inspecting the ship and anchoring the rest of the party get picked up from the beach. On the ship the group decide on spending a day anchored to teach the inexperienced in the hopes of having an easier journey to the land of the goblins.
-== The Dust Cloud ==
+We sit down he tells me off his thoughts and doubts and how he feels isolated as he no longer can return home as he is a fugitive there. I try and comfort him, hoping he understands that the Devilsfall would be happy to be his home. We go on and talk about our deeds. Darfin then says that we should start owning up to what we are. We are Pirates! There is no denying that anymore. Darfin the blurts out:” Fuck you and thanks you!” He then elaborates that he hates the situation but also enjoys the freedom from society. Like really fuck society. Why should we have to dress a certain way, marry, only speak one’s mind when asked or have to run a business.
-After [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] goes for a swim in the morning (and makes a habit of it as the group stays anchored), the sailors try to teach the dwarves the basics of sailing. While Torball, Numbnumb and Hardel learn rather quickly, [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and Marduk have a hard time because they are too busy puking over the reeling. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] has a few herbs that would remedy the puking, but he is reluctant to hand them over, which leads to [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] puking in his hammock at night. Due to [[Aluwyn]] missing, [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] gets ‚promoted‘ to engineer.
+By the way. Was that the first time Darfin has sworn? Surely not, but I can not remember when he has. Either way we talk a little more with me also opening up a little how cornered I felt at home. Before leaving I hand over a box which was addressed to Darfin.
-In the evening, everybody goes swimming and it ends in a water fight between the dwarves and the rest of the crew. After [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] casts enlarge on [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], this fight ends rather quickly though.
+When I head up back on deck, I find Roftag sparing with Nori and Brovara trying to round up the crew to do a workout. I painfully watch how she fails to engage with the crew. I do later take her to the side and try and give her some advice. Mental note, I may have to do a full workshop with her soon to help her improve her people skills.
-On the way to the village north of [[Marymar]], the group encounters a big dust-cloud, probably coming from what used to be [[Marymar]]. They sail around it and arrive at the village some three days later. As they are sailing under no flag, the group is met with distrust and the [[Leopold major of Eastwach|major]] of the village, [[Eastwatch]], refuses to trade with them. However, he agrees to trade if they escort a messenger, the 15 year old [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]], to [[Direward]]. [[Leopold major of Eastwach|Leopold]], the major, tells the group that [[Marymar]] one day rose into the sky before plummeting down on the ground again. A few days later, a black ship with undead creatures landed on the beach and raided the village. All messengers sent to [[Direward]] never returned, therefore we should escort [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]].
+We then arrive at the fleet and are greeted by people of Tavias crew who invite me to Tavias ship. That’s very friendly and nice of her. I appoint Roftag to take command and make sure the ship is securely docked and take Falaria with me to Tavias. Maybe Falaria can open up a little there.
-While the group waits on the beach for the travel-preparations to [[Direward]] to finish, [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]] invites [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] to show him part of the path they would be travelling. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] decides to join them. The boy suddenly attacks [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] with a dagger. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] swings his battle axe, but the ‚boy‘ seems to be resistant to all his efforts and transforms into a cat-like creature. On the other hand, [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] with his magic sword does not seem to have this problem. The creature charms [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] into attacking [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]], but the spell vanishes after [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] hits [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] once. Due to [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] axe not making any damage, he decides to incapacitate and gag the creature while [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] fights him with his magic sword. The claws of the creature almost kill both of them, making [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] unconscious. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] just barely manages to kill it with a spell after it turned invisible and tried to run away.
+Tavia welcomes us and then leads me to the dining room which is nicely decorated and set with a nice feast. During the feast we talk about what happened. I tell her of our adventures and the stupid event which lead to me loosing the logbook. She explains that Teolgrug and Greybeard have secured the Draconic Isles. Teolgrug has not arrived yet. Meanwhile Tavias crew encountered some of Hogens men on a seemingly empty island where they weird resupplying. It seems the enemy has weird means to travel. We continue chatting about random interests and are hitting it off really well.
-After the rest of the group finds their badly wounded companions and they are returning to the village, [[Leopold major of Eastwach|Leopold]] denies knowing anything about these creatures, but he is clearly horrified. Also, [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]] was with him at all times, so the attacking creature could not have been [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]]. After taking everything from the creature, including two vials, two daggers and a handwritten note, it is buried.
+''Meanwhile Roftag and Darfin have a heart to heart about how the consequences of our actions are catching up. Darfin admits that he feels like that violence is faster and often more fun. After their talk Darfin finally decides to open the box and finds pipeweed, incense and a note from his wife.''
-The group returns to the ship for the night, where [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] regains his consciousness again. [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] can shed light on the ominous note the creature had on him and informs the group that it was most likey a [https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/rakshasa Rakshasa] and the note is a death-note. This note usually has a name on it and the [https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/rakshasa Rakshasa] will not rest until either itself or the creature whos' name is written on the note is dead.
-During the night, neither [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] nor [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] can get any rest, because they have horrible nightmares. This will continue in the following nights as well, leaving them exhausted and not rested in the morning.
+''Darfin then decides to look for a doctor to get his condition checked. The doctor does try and hint at the fact that he is probably undead, which does stir some doubt in Darfin that maybe the captain was right when she told him that he has been affected by the curse.''
-The next morning, the group and [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]] start their journey towards [[Direward]]. While they are talking to [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]], he mentions that [[Rigalis]], whom the group met before in [[Marymar]], is now a refugee from there, but [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]] hasn't seen him for several days now.
+''Strennun went off to scout out other Crowsnest to find ideas on how to improve ours. He finds one with a drunk guy who has attached himself with a rope. Strennun does not understand why one would do this as then one cannot jump into the ocean. Strennun proceeds to untie the poor guy and jump into the ocean with him. He later on finds out that the guy cannot swim.''
-The closer the group gets to the dust cloud surrounding what used to be [[Marymar]], the deader the nature gets. During the night watches, the group spots humanoid figures walking around in the dust, but they‘re never getting any closer to their camp.
-Once the group is nearing the dust cloud, [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] notices that the cloud seems to expand, and not for natural reasons.
+''Brovara is spending a nice evening taking a bath in Strennuns room.''
-The group gets swallowed by the cloud soon after and all the light sources they have prepared (a fire, several torches and several magic light orbs) die and the visibility is very poor. The only light source seemingly unimpressed by the dust is an elvish light [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] has on him.
+''Roftag is looking after the ship when he suddenly gets attacked by Falaria. Luckily Brovara and the rest of the crew comes to aid and find that its actually a Rakshasa. Roftag and Brovara then decide to warn the captain, as they are not sure if the Falaria that went with her to Tavias was actually real. ''
-The humanoid figures spotted earlier, now approach them. Their movement is stiff and slow. The group assumes they are [https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/zombie zombies] and attack them. The battle is won quickly and with little damage taken. Though they are still lost in the dust cloud with no sense of direction and wander around in it, seemingly aimlessly searching for [[Direward]]. The only reason they don‘t lose themselves is because they have tied themselves together with a long rope.
+While taking a sip of some nice wine the doors to the dining room get flung open with a guard and Brovara saying we are needed. Tavia takes her hand off my arm and we both stand up to find out what the commotion was. Rof tells us of the Rakshasa attack. We quickly check that it was alone and make sure that there is no widespread panic.
-== The Source of the Cloud ==
+Once that handled, I send Rof and Brovara back to the ship, as Tavia invited me to stay the night. I also send Falaria to hang out with the rest of Tavias crew. In her cabin she {{#spoiler: fetches a bottle of wine and two glasses and invites me on her bunk. There…… Really perv. I see you were hoping to read some spicy smut here in my diary. Respect my fucking privacy! What happened is between me, Tavia and the woodlice. I hope you feel ashamed of yourself. Maybe sit down and think about your own miserable life and why you would want to invade someone’s privacy. If I catch you again, I will fucking slice your dick off and make you eat it unseasoned. You got that? Right back to the story. }}
-The party was still trapped inside the dustcloud, their vision limited to only a few meters, no way to tell north from south and limited food and water. Any fire they try to make gets slowly extinguished by the dust, the only thing keeping the darkness away are [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin's]] dancing lights. After drifting around for countless hours, the party decides to rest. While everyone is sleeping, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] hears how more of the previous encountered creatures walk into the camp. The creatures seem to ignore [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] whose loudest noise is his heartbeat. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] is less subtle in his approach and uses his greataxe to make quick work of the first creature he sees. As the combat sounds seem to leave the camp, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] checks the rope that was supposed to connect the party members, just to realize that [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast's]] end has been cut. Now everyone is awake but there is nothing the party can do. They only find a few dismembered creatures with blue skin, long nails and teeth.
+The next morning, I happily and rejuvenated walk back to the Devilsfall. After regrouping with everyone Darfin pulls out a stack of papers with our names on them with the new bounties. Mine has gone up a little, but really by only 50 gp? I guess they are not really interested in capturing me anymore. Oh, btw here are the new bounties:
+* Captain Kylin Nelson: 800gp
+* Professor Darfin Elehni: 600gp
+* Mr Woodenglory: 450gp
+* Brovara the Tall: 350gp
+* Roftag Deerunner: 300gp
+* Rafiki: 50gp
-The rest of the night passes eventless.
-On the next day, the party finds that the dust is less dense in one direction. Following this direction, the party arrives at a steep cliff. Hesitating but after seeing that the dust is less dense downwards the party descends into the unknown. The theory emerges that this crater, which was not on any map, might be where Marymar used to be. Arriving at the bottom the party sees a familiar crooked man, Wormtongue. He seems to be chanting something, only [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] or [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]], not sure anymore] recognized the language as black speech. Wormtongue does not make a welcoming impression and talks about his master Blaidd Drwg (bad wolf). [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] try to play it cool and walk away from this but Wormtongue has other plans. A large spherical creature with a large eye in the middle and four tentacles growing out of it rises from the dust and attacks the party. Wormtongue turns away from the party and walks through a portal that opens in front of him. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] proclaims that the portal must lead to a place in the far west by how the other side looks. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] unleash a barrage of brutal attacks on the creature but it does not seem to feel pain. Hit by a beam from one of the tentacles [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] runs from the creature, towards Eggbert and throws him on the ground. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] is chopping off one tentacle after another but before the last tentacle has been cut a bright beam hits him and reduces him to a pile of ash. After finishing off the creatures the party gathers around the pile of ash that used to be [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]].
+== 4+1 Captains ==
-[[Porof Dakun|Porof]] collects [[Varis Alloro|Alloro's]] ashes inside the bottle of the [[Devilsfall]]. Next to where the portal was the party finds six bodies, 3 elves with green, blue and yellow robes, a human in purple, a dragonborn in gray garment and a gnome wearing something that looks similar to what Alluwyn wore. The dragonborn is the only alive, even though barely. In his dying breaths he wispers: “I’m sorry for it”. The bodies show signs of torture, but the cause of death seems to be exhaustion. With Wormtongue’s disappearing the dustcloud also started to settle. Now finally being able to see, the party can make out that they are indeed inside a crater. After burning the Beholder’s body, the party leaves the crater westwards where they find the sea where they put up camp. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] playing with [[Ryo I of Direwoods|Ryo]] manages to teach him how to [disengage] from combat.
-During the first guard shift Eggbert wakes up the group claiming to have spotted a wolf. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] takes out a javelin and throws his glaive, missing the wolf by a few meters. After further inspection [[Astreus|the wolf]] looks more like a sheep. As the sheep approaches the party it starts turning into a human. The human introduces himself as [[Astreus|Astreus]], a traveller and spellcaster. [[Astreus|Astreus]] carries a rusty greatclub and a sling with stones. [[Astreus|Astreus]] explains to [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] that the stones are magical and after a disbelieving look promptly demonstrates them and convinces him that they really contain magic. [[Astreus|Astreus]] also displays his magic skills showing the party that he can handle himself in combat.
+In the morning an iron clad ship approaches the wooden isle waving Greybeard’s flag, as well as another heavily damaged ship belonging to Teolgrag. Greybeard’s ship docks and a procession of royal proportions enters the wooden isle, with Greybeard in shining armor and two giants flanking him on both sides. Judging by Darfins reaction there is a lot of magic in the air.
-Together with [[Astreus|Astreus]] the party follows the path to [[Direward|Direward]]. Except for the ferry station missing, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]  being visible unsettled by Direwoods and [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] spending the evening teaching [[Ryo I of Direwoods|Ryo]], nothing noteworty happens before the party arrives at [[Direward|Direward]].
-With their banishment in mind the party wants to send [[Astreus|Astreus]] with Eggbert so they don’t have to enter [[Direward|Direward]], but seeing it completely deserted they enter anyway to further investigate what is going on. As the party visits the tavern, they get confronted by a small group of warriors whose leader calls himself Rasputin. Rasputin tells the party that warforged attacked the village and Putin died an honourable death protecting the villagers who fled into the forest. Rasputin wants to talk to Eggbert alone and tells the party to wait in the tavern in the meantime. [[Astreus|Astreus]] turns into a rat after he enters the tavern and tries to eavesdrop on Rasputin, but a guard throws his javelin at him as he leaves the tavern and turns him right back into his human form. [[Astreus|Astreus]] explains that he only wanted to find a barn to make himself comfortable.
+The Captain being escorted by Brovara and I takes place at a giant round table on one of the central ships. We take our positions close to her and stand there waiting for the other captains. Tavia takes her seat close to the captain. Greybeard makes his way to the other seat next to the captain and his guard walks right through Brovara and me. I swallow my pride and take the disrespect without causing trouble for the captain. The last two seats are filled with Teolgrag who is showing some recent battle injuries and Arokshax who clearly doesn’t voluntarily attend.
-== The Party Forks Up ==
+«Neutrality, not good for business eh?» - Teolgrag
-Druid ([[Astreus]]) wants to stay in [[Direward]] to fill up potions. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] argues that they should leave now to return to the village with [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]] for the message.
+Teolgrag starts to explain why he is in such a rough shape: I followed Hogan and Ondas and Wormtongue to the Deadlands. Hogans men are trying to create a new world order and talked about corruption. Hogan cut a deal with the devils, hopefully they are as trustfully as the rakshashas.
-They agree to help the [[Astreus|Druid]] find his ingredients.
+«Burnt world ain’t good for anyone» -Teolgrag
-When they leave the tavern, [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] bolts into the tavern, apparently being chased by a [https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/bugbear Bugbear] ([[Fork]]). The bear is accompanied by a mechanical panda with spoons for ears.
+Three options are stated:
-[[Astreus]] casts growing spiky plants out of the floor around [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and the [[Fork|Bugbear]]. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] tries to tackle [[Astreus]] but hilariously fails.
-[[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Fork]] are being chased by weird [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Barbazu tentacle beard creatures].
+-	Strike the orcs
-As the group is reunited, a third [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Chain_devil creature] bursts into the tavern through the backdoor. It is all chained up and is wielding two chains. Meanwhile, two of the bearded devils are breaking through the door despite the effort of [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] kills the chain devil with two arrows (they break).
+-	Find allies in Thanate Empire
-After the group finally killed the two devils and the chained devil, yet another big ass, 18ft creature appears and attacks [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]], almost killing her, while she‘s floating outside the tavern.
+-	Attack Hogan directly in the deadlands
-She teleports back to the tavern and they unanimously decide to get the fuck out of there. [[Fork]] teleports the whole group (and [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]]) to the [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Shadowfell Shadowfell].
+There is not much debate, Tavia and Greybeards are quickly on board, only Arokshax remains hesitant. The circle is dismissed. Brovara voices her complaints about Greybeard’s guards and challenges whoever dares to a duel. A foolish dwarf volunteers and believes his hammer stands a change against our half-human. A couple painfull looking blows are exchanged and Brovara stands on top of the table staring down on the dwarf being embedded in said table. Greyboard calls the win and offers Brovara a reward of her choosing. Brovara chooses the dwarf’s hammer as a trophy. Everyones attitute towards her changes immediately.
-Thanks to a magic coin [[Fork]] got from his mentor, the group manages to return to the material plane again, inside a halfling‘s hut. The halfling woman apparently remembers fork (both think Balthasar, [[Fork|Forks]] mentor, is either a wanker or a piss-wizard).  After a bit, [[Fork]] remembers that the woman was an old friend of his mentor, Bree.
+Greyboard repeats his offer from when we met near Mighttown, this time I don’t decline the shield. Visiting his ship I find a real smithy on the lower deck where a nice smith advises me what to pick, a wooden shield with a steel rim and spikes on the other side, decorated with a painted wolf baring his teeth.
-Apparently, the coin that brought the group there is linked to a coin Bree has in her possession. By chance, Bree lives in [[Eastbreak]], the village where they set off with [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]]. [[Eggbert the Messenger|Eggbert]] is pretty shaken from this ordeal.
+In the evening Kylinn visits Teolgrag. He asks her about his contract with «god». [ redactet ].
-Bree asks the group to hitch a hike from the group. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] (quite unsucessfully) tries to convince the [[Leopold_major_of_Eastwach|major of Eastbreak]] that they fulfilled their side of the contract and they should trade with them.
+Tealgrag says that he approached the edge of the stream (nobody who has gone further has ever returned). Some of his sailors swear by their mother that they saw land in the distance, but there is nothing to prove the hersay.
-Bree interrupts the argument and asks the group to wait inside the hut while she discusses something with the [[Leopold_major_of_Eastwach|major]]. The group notices some magic happening happening and when [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] tries to retrieve his Great Axe he left outside, they notice Bree trashing the village guard. Afterwards, she vanishes.
+Teolgrag: "Kylinn, I want to retire; Be my heir, or go exploring."
-The [[Leopold_major_of_Eastwach|major]] agreed to restock the groups supplies and while the group waits for the supplies on the beach, a dwarven soldier approaches [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and respectfully addresses him as a captain. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]], taking aback from this unexpected sign of respect considering his rather unhonourable ‚discharge‘ from the army, fucks up this encounter in every way humanly (or, dwarvenly) possible. The soldier tells [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] to just get outta here and take Bree with them.
+Kylinn does not decide yet.
-== Heading for new Shores ==
+In the morning Kylinn pays Arokshax a visit, trying to get him to help the cause .. Arokshax is drunk.
-Note by the transcriber: Those pages have been exposed to fluids and cannot be recovered. Sorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
+Arokshax: «Can you guarantee my safety?»
-----
+Kylinn: «To be completely honest .. you will most likely die if you stay close to me .. like many others.»
+Arokshax: «We both know Teolgrag, if I help you my family is save … if I don’t they will still be save but I will never see them again»
+Arokshax hands Kylinn a waterskin with Grog.
+DRINK
+''
+After my morning clean I fetch the Flags from Rafiki as the captain ordered. Soon after, Tavia arrives and tests out the Devilfall’s curse on one of her guards (fortunately only once) and disappears in the captains quarters. I fetch my shield from Greybeard’s shipand return to find Brovara banging on the Captain’s door.
+''
+We kill some time trying out my new shield. It does have some magical properties as Brovara’s heavy blow feels more like a child’s punch.
+Kylin learns that Tavia’s Cutlass is called «Iron price»
+Tavia leaves a wine bottle as a gift and the wooden isle slowly disappears.
+Kylin sends one of the crewmembers out with an elvish wine in return.
+== "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb." ==
+Before leaving, we were doing some shopping. Roftag got a new shield that seems to have some magic. Darfin got some elven chainmail made that looks very pretty. I myself tried to get the rust off my weapons and a nice dwarf gave me some goop to smear on my weapons. That seemed to work.
+While we were out shopping, Brovara tested her new hammer, by beating the ever-loving shit out of Square's old punching bag. On the way back to our ship, she also 'picked up some rope' - which turned out to belong to another ship. But as it started to wither the second she came onto the Devil's Fall, she decided to just leave it on deck, because more rope is clearly always more better!
+The Captain gave orders to set sails. We are going to the deadlands to deal with the Orc-problem there. As it is basically on the way, we will also stop by the Thanate Empire on the way. My home! I will get to see my father again!
+------
+The other captains will be doing the following meanwhile:
+* '''Greybeard:''' Try and get the support of the dwarves empire by any means necessary
+* '''Arokshax:''' Get a supply chain up and running to supply us in the deadlands
+* '''Tavia:''' Take over the transport of the goods of said supply-chain
+* '''Taelgrog:''' Who knows? He's not the most talkative one...
+-----
+After some days of sailing, I see cliffs in the distance. My home! I yell down to the ship that there's land. Soon enough, we see smoke in the distance. This is the main city. It is built in a cavern. This means that ships can be very easily inspected and it is not easy to smuggle stuff in like that. That's why we anchor outside of the cavern and transport us and our stuff along the passages along the cliffs (there are treacherous 'passageways' built into the cliffs, which are essentially just planks on the side of the bluffs, with nothing but pistons and prayers holding them up. They are heavily used by smugglers and other folks who are not exceptionally keen on their wares or ships being inspected by the harbourmaster and his staff).
+Brovara does not trust her weight with the armour on to hold the planks. Rof and I take her armour and she just walks like that. That seems to work because we get to the city pretty soon. Before that, we are being inspected by the guards. Brovara takes this opportunity to put on her armour again. I have to empty my bag and lay my weapons out. I have collected quite a number of weapons because they are neat. That seems to amuse the guards because they laugh when I lay out my longsword, my club, my scimitar, my dagger, my backup dagger, the backup dagger of that dagger, the great axe, the handaxe, the rapier, the short bow and the whip. After that I have to repack everything again. While I'm at it anyway, I try to make myself presentable for my father by taking off my armour and putting on some fine clothes (they were not that fine anymore, considering what they've gone through in the past couple years, but Strennun did not seem to care all that much).
+It's nice to be back in my hometown! We pass a tavern that I used to go to a lot back then. I drag my friends in there and Gunther, the bouncer greets me and shows me my usual table. It's a lot stuffier than I remember. We order stuff and then the bill comes. It's... I don't know the number but it's higher than I can count and that means it's a LOT! I don't even know if I have that much gold! So I take my bottle of wine and run out with Brovara. The others don't follow for some reason. Brovara drags me back in. We eat and drink and in the end Darfin pays - Thank you Darfin! After that we go to my father's house.
+When we get there I try to enter, but for some reason the door is locked?!. Frederick, the old guard, opens a little window in the door and looks at me like I just resurfaced after seven years gone. To be fair, that is what happened, but that is not the point here. He doesn't want to let my friends in at first but I convince him and we all wait in the courtyard while he goes and does... something. Things have changed. There are strange guards in the courtyard. After a long while I go into the house and the guards don't stop me. I look for my father and find Frederick coming out of his office and come back with me to the courtyard. He keeps asking me questions about myself. Like he doesn't know me?? (Meanwhile, Brovara keeps counting seconds in the courtyard, as Strennun said he'd be back in 15min. As she gets bored of that, she tries to interact with the guards, who ignore her, provoking her ire.)
+After some more minutes, my father comes to the courtyard. At least I think it's my father? I can hardly recognise him. He's so old and weak and ugly? He doesn't believe that I am Strennun until I show him our signet ring. Then he finally invites us to dinner - even though we just ate before. During dinner I try to tell him everything that happened in these seven years that I was gone. Kylinn asks him for his support against the orcs in the deadlands. My father wants to speak to me in my office.
+Back in his office he tells me what has been happening here. There's a fight going on between the guilds but also within the guilds. This is also why he was so wary of me. Because he thinks someone could be impersonating me to harm him. I don't know why anybody would do that, but then again, I am not very smart, so I just leave it be. He wants me to burn down the warehouse of his former friend and ally - apparently he has been stealing my father's wood. If I can, I can take the wood back, but that doesn't really matter. After that, I should go to the Seahorse tavern and execute Duran in public. He apparently killed Nana! (Strennun's old maid, who was a mother-figure to him, as he never really knew his mother). He also asks to speak to Kylinn. I go back and tell my friends and fetch Kylinn. On the way back to the office, she asks me if I want to do what my father is asking - or rather ordering - of me. I tell her that I don't like it but I might do it because of family.
+-------
+Kylinn has a conversation with Vodan Woodenglory, where he thanks her for 'taking care' of Strennun and ask to pay her for her time and troubles. As Strennun wants to take the crew with him to burn down the warehouse and kill Duran, he also asks her for their daily rates, just like bartering for simple hired muscle. He also tells her that he's not going to directly help her with her quest of finding support, but suggest, they make some noise and make a name of themselves to get 'the right kind of people' aware of them, before maybe being able to plead their issue in the city-hall and get support that way.
+Kylinn categorically refuses and tears into him, shaming him for treating his long lost and returned son like a commodity. Vodan then asks her why she left her family (He is familiar with the Nelson family) and also asks of her what she would do in his shoes. They talk about Strennun's past - he was your average rich kid who only thought about partying and spending his father's money. He does have fond memories of Strennun as a small child, but not so much when he grew older. The two continue on to discuss if leaving a legacy is important or not and in the end agree to disagree, as Vodan thinks it is the ultimate goal of life to leave something behind that your children can continue building upon and Kylinn does heavily disagree on that train of thought.
+In the end, she reiterates her refusal to be hired goons for him and also refuses his hospitality.
+-------
+After a while, Kylinn comes out of the office and seems very angry. She tells us that we're leaving. I am not sure because I now have to choose between long lost family and new found family. In the end I choose my new found family and we leave for a cheaper tavern. There, Kylinn and I discuss us leaving our families a bit more and Darfin also tries to help with his wisdom, but he does not really help all that much.
+In the end, we decide that we will not burn down the warehouse, but I still want to get to the bottom of Nana's killing. We will capture Duran and Darfin will probe his mind to see if he did kill Nana or not. After that, Kylinn's idea is to unite the fighting guilds by posing a bigger, external threat to the trade in the Thanate empire to force them to unite against us. We then hop onto the Devil's fall to lead them directly to the orcs, where they will hopefully help us deal with them.
+== "The Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings" ==
+As we sat at the round table in the tavern, we started discussing the new bounties. They increased a bit, which is a good sign, pirates and wrongdoers clearly dreading us. While Darfin and Strennun disappeared somewhere, we ordered another round. When asked what he wants, Rof said "I don't care" and was served a chesse-flavoured drink. Apart from that the place smelt like piss and barkeep was rude.
+After spending the night in a tavern, we set out to find influential humans to find us in our cor-age-uhs en-dev-or. The streets were difficult to navigate, with thousands of people going about their business, flowing in and out of buildings and between the levels of the city.
+In search of a shortcut we stumbled upon a shop with a sign saying "Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings". We went inside and indeed found a ton of fascinating fings. We approached the shopkeeper, who turned out to be a looney. She stuttered, avoided answers and asked suspicious questions. Kylin bought some magic sticks and found an intricate dagger. The dagger captures the attention of whoever looks at it. The person only realizes that when someone talks to them, otherwise they can stand and look at that weapon. It does not work on me, thought. I only look at it for a second and hear someone speaking to me. Must be my paladin training finally showing its value.
+Kylin buys the dagger. She later said she sacrificed some of her good luck to get it. I also found an addition to the museum I set up on the ship. A ''stachoo of a face'', made of rock and wood. I can already see people flocking to see it when we open. I also bought a gargoyle which I named Helmut - it is good with simple commands but very stoopid. The shopkeeper said I can buy with my darkvision ability and I happily did it as I can see very well in the dark and don't need it.
+Roftag gave her his blood to learn the name. His name is Roftag Deerunner. He seems to remember something about his past because of that. Funny thing about the shopkeeper: I swear she changed her skin and hair colour while we were there.
+After leaving the shop and a stroll through the city, we found a major plaza with great view on the ships and many, many stalls and little shops. We found the Trader's guild where - being welcomed by a Head Welcomer Thanani - we were asked to meet a certain Cinan Korman for a dinner. Apparently known for spice trade. The meeting was boooring and there was diplomasee and long words so I paid no attention.
+We paid a visit at the Flavia's shop too. She sells us a scroll that offers some kind of protection against some type of creatures, the price being Captain's "ambition to take over a friend's legacy". I wonder how she still keeps her shop running, selling her wares for next-to-nothing and silly phrases.
+Finally, we head for the ship, Helmut not being as helpful with getting us down the cliffs as I thought, hurting mister Deerunner along the way. We found Salarus on the deck playing cards. He was ''not'' happy that we visited the shop. To make up for it, Captain adds him to a list of welcome guests for the Scroll of Some Kind of Protection. We decide to wait for Strennun and Darfin before we take our next steps.
+== The captain, with the dagger in the office ==
+On the ship we find the person who I need, Salarus. But first I hand over the protection spell for the ship to Jack. He seems to be very unnerved when he finds out we got it from a fey. I have never seen him this tense, but after telling us off for being reckless he heads off to incorporate the spell into the ships defences.
+In the captains’ quarters I tell Salarus, that I want to know the details of the ship and if there are any other powers that it holds that we are not aware off. He does not know himself and says we would have to speak to a Demon Prince for this information. This though may come at a price. I guess we put a pin into this for later, as there is a stupid party this evening.
+On deck the crew seems oddly on edge. Then Roftag comes over and asks if it is okey if they could visit a fighting pit that Strennun has mentioned. It seems that they thought I would not approve. Seriously? They should know by now that I am not against some fun. While we are talking, I ask Strennun to have a look at the inscribing on my new dagger. His vast knowledge of different runes and languages comes in handy again as he deciphers: "I do sacrifice to Rakdos, whomever I touch, I may hold a soul for your entertainment." Sounds fun. Strennun is not a fan of the dagger though. Ehhh its mine anyways. We also talk about his feeling about what has transpired so far. He mentions how he is tired of being treated like a commodity by his Dad. Very understandable. My parents were annoying, but they never would have tried to pull off something like that.
+-------
+Before heading back to the ship Darfin went to FFFF. He is trying to find out what happened to him. He tells her his name and about the Devils Fall. Flavia then clears his mind so that he realizes he is undead and that he died weeks ago in the Crowsnest. Emboldened by his new condition he asks for where he could find a phylactery to become a lich. He gets a hint that he will find one to the west of here. This all he was given for the price of his moral compass.
+-------
+Shortly afterwards we must get going so to make it to dinner, which we were invited too by Sinan. His mansion is as predictably ugly and pompous as someone compensating for something. We are guided by one of his servants through the courtyard and numerous hallways to the ballroom. Noticeably this place is very heavily guarded.
+The ballroom is full of rich people and politicians of this city. This is going to be a very painful evening. To prepare myself I head to the nearest waiter, chug 2 glasses of alcohol that they are serving and take a third to go. Before initiating with the politicians of the room I decide to gather some intel and dirt on these people to try and find out more who is here. Apparently, he has multiple mistresses and makes a habit of ruining women’s lives. Meanwhile everyone else here seems to have also plenty of dirt on them too.
+Finally, it was time to talk with Sinan. After pleasantries he invites me into his office which is right next to the ballroom. Apparently, Sinan is in a tough spot, as Woodenglory has also entered the spice trade which is putting him under pressure. That why he wants me to guard and protect his ships while sabotaging other ships. I brought up that we are here to speak with the council for mor important matters which will generally affect his trade. Upon this information Sinan admits he has already talked with Wormtongue, who was very convincing. Sinan then has the audacity to subtly hint that he could just have us arrested or killed by the guards and handed over to Wormtongue which would give him a nice price. This guy is in way over his head.
+As standard diplomacy did not seem to be working with this waste of flesh, I decided to switch things up and try to use my feminine charm to win him over. So, I started throwing in a few compliments while trying not to throw up on the carpet. This seemed to get the slightest reaction out of him so I doubled down and painted him a picture of how we could rule trade and eventually the city together with our expertise while being partners. He then tests me how he will still want to mess around with other mistresses and that while I am gone at sea, I have to promise him that I would have to stay pure for him. I still have no idea how I had the strength of not slitting his throught right then and there.
+With this hypothetical deal agreed upon I moved in as if I wanted to seal the deal with making out, and that idiot fell for it. Seriously who could fall for that narcistic pile of barnacles. In a quick motion I pull out my new dagger out and him close to be able to hold the dagger to his throat. I order him then to write a letter of recommendation to the council, which he does like an obediant little pet. I realize then that I cannot keep him alive, as he will he send his guards after me as soon as I am out the door. Apologizing I plant a kiss on his cheek, I guess the kiss of death, as I then slit his throat killing him on the spot.
+But no blood spilled. The blood got absorbed by the dagger. Huh I guess luck is still on my side. Soo now I must get out of here before people find him dead. First, I decided to put him back into his armchair and face it away from the door towards the fireplace. While moving him I noticed how his pants seemed to wet. This guy really was all bark and no bite.
+And now how do I exit alone? I admit, here I panicked a little and decided to just act to be one of his side chicks that is trying to leave quickly. In the process of leaving, I decided I should lock the door to slow down the process of finding him. Well, my act did seem to work as one of the servants quickly came to help me and assist me in finding an exit. On the way out of the ballroom, I whisper to Roftag that too leave now sneakily. At the exit I thank the maid and tell her she should find a better employer, and then I head to the inn that we stayed the night before in the hopes that the rest of our group would come up with the same idea.
+Turns out they understood leave by head to the ship.
+== Convincing the council ==
+In the morning the captain Nelson leaves her room and meets a gnome in the bar, a gnome of few words, a few words of mostly insults.
+Brovara, Darfin and I leave the ship and start looking for the captain. We look at the places where we've been before and eventually end up talking to a rude Bouncer. Standing in our way of meeting the captain the bouncer earns a punch. Inside the captain is talking to the gnome who seems interested in working on our ship. After we join the captain at her table a short interview takes place, with Darfin casting a spell to poke any secrets the gnome may hold.
+There are no secrets, the gnome wants money and changes sides quickly when more money is offered. His name - Tandyr Melebokk, short Melek.
+After telling the captain about the instructions we left for Jack, she quickly writes down new instructions:
+<blockquote>
+We met up
+we are fine
+we head to council
+we will be in touch
+just stand by
+</blockquote>
+Darfin happily calls out his Hawki and sends it off with the message.
+Together with the Melek we make our way to the large square and enter the council building. A small army is guarding this place. We are greeted by Tanani and lead to a room with desks, here the captain shows her letter of recommendation and requests an audience.
+We are allowed to enter a large room with poorly made floor. Tanani announces the death of Master Sinnan. Only half the council is here, but enough to make decisions. After a break, 7 members assemble in colorful clothing, standing on a stage that elevates them above us. Sensing some magic in this room, Melekk tries to cast some detection spell which is interrupted by a familiar crooked creachure - Wormtongue. Wormtongue is introduces as "the ambassador". The captain gets to speak and states what Ondas alliance's goals are, she requests support from the humans - half their army. Together with the dwarfs they shall fight to secure our livelyhood.
+The council listens and sometimes takes note, but otherwise does not show approval or rejection of Ms Nelsons proposal.
+"Are you deaf?", Shouts Brovara.
+"Don't you like money", Darfin remarks.
+Captain adresses Wormtongue with snide remarks. Wormtongue tries to approach her but is stopped by the guards.
+A bell rings and the council members retreat behind the stage.
+"Did you go into cave?", Darfin asks.
+Wormtongue asks us about the desert, he was looking for an ancient tomb.
+minutes later, the bell rings and the council members return.
+One member holding a paper stands up and presents the councils decision. "We have heard your plea, but also the ambassadors. Some Question your honesty. "Ambassador will not burn world, will cleanse it". He wants us to do nothing. "Ambassador of what?", I shout. "Wolf barbarian has point", the council member says. "Ambassador of Blaiddegyr (?) - master wizards", Wormtongue explains. Everyone in our crew feels the relieve after the council rules unanimously in our favor. "This does not mean we send troops, this means we talk". The council welcomes us as guests in the city and tells the ambassador (Wormtongue) to leave the city.
+The council member looks at me. "Councilmember Karrak wishes to test your strength and invites you to the arena in the lower levels". The audience concludes and we leave the building. Hawki returns with a message from Jack: "understood, keem crew onboard".
+As we head towards the fightclub it is apparent how people treat us nicer.
+== "I'll have a Nelson please" ==
+After the crew (except Strennun) went to the "upper-class" fighting ring and won big, they were invited to a celebratory feast at some other bigwig's house. Our captain - obviously - did not let that opportunity pass to listen around in hopes of getting some gossip about her latest soul-heist. But apart from the usual things, there was not much news to be had. Darfin, on the other hand, found out, that his newly won book is apparently written in archaic elvish, a language that he can actually understand (with some trouble). After making an early exit, the crew stumbles upon their last missing member by pure chance.
-After leaving Bree’s house the group heads towards the [[Devilsfall|ship]]. On their way the group splits up, [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]], [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] and [[Astreus]] head straight to the [[Devilsfall|ship]], while [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] want to check out [[Eastbreak]]. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] get stopped by a small group of battle-hardened looking dwarves. The one leading the group acts condescending towards [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] sends [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] away and tells him that he will handle this himself. The dwarf who is Havarast’s nephew is asking him to rescue his sister who got abducted by goblins and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] replies that he was going to kill all those goblins either way and he will keep an eye open for her. Meanwhile [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]], [[Astreus]] and [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] board the [[Devilsfall]], finding hungry and displeased dwarves that have been waiting for a good meal for quite some time now, expecting a much sooner return of the group. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] decides to serve some of the expensive alcohol they still have in the barrel and hand out good gold to appease the crew.
+"Give me my fucking money, you cheap bastard" I yell, while being slightly pummelled by the swarthy sailor who bet money that he didn't have at the underground fighting-pit. From the corner of my fading vision I see my crew pushing through the onlookers and all of a sudden my opponent is engulfed in a dark haze - Captain Nelson is helping me! I am not really appreciating that, but it's too late anyway, might as well take the chance. I quickly take the cheapskate in a chokehold and wave to the onlookers. Said cheapskate takes his chance and barrels me into Brovara's considerable chest. She throws me back rather unceremoniously and I can use that momentum to finally finish that scuffle once and for all! Turns out the fucker wasn't lying and he actually does not have any money! Three coppers is all I find! Well, I start stripping him and taking everything he has (apart from his drawers, probably for the better of both of us). My crewmates are mocking me, but it is not about the money, it is about the PRINCIPLE OF NOT BETTING MONEY YOU DO NOT HAVE!! I am ready to go down to the indebted sailor's ship, but the Captain says no... guess it was his lucky day.
-After [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] have caught up with the group, the [[Leopold_major_of_Eastwach|major]] arrives with a pie his wife baked to thank the adventurers. The adventurers tell the [[Leopold_major_of_Eastwach|major]] everything that happened, what happened to [[Marymar]], how they lost [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]], what caused the dust cloud, how [[Direward]] got raided and about the encounter with the demonic gigantic creature. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] make a quick shopping trip and return with some herbs and a flute.
+Instead, we head to the tavern where I believe we can find Dunan. On the way there I get some new clothes, because mine have seen better days. The captain gets some new boots and Darfin is looking for a leather mask for himself. At that moment, Rod mumbles something about helping Jack to prepare the ship for leaving tomorrow and skedaddles off.
-After some more drinking and feasting, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] asks for a moment of silence, to commemorate their fallen comrade [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]]. After holding a short speech [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] puts [[Varis Alloro|Alloros]] ashes on a plank together with an elven charm that shines a light to guide [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] in the dark. Before leaving their view, a small cloud in the shape of [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] rises from the sea and bids the group a last farewell. The new crew member [[Astreus]] is given the role of the ship’s medic.
+In the tavern, we are led to Dunan's table where he sits and laughs with four of his friends. Seems like a fair fight to me. Lynn and Darfin both order a Nelson Whiskey and I get an Ale. After some initial banter, where Dunan boasts about the murder of my precious Nana, I give him the Strennu's special: A chilly testicle-twist and a headbutt to the table. Turns out he does not appreciate that and stabs me with some fancy magical dagger.
-The next day, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] now also in charge of navigation besides training the dwarves and her regular duties as first mate is staring to take longer and longer shifts, and the steadily decreasing reserve of alcohol does not make the situation any better. A weird devil in a suit appears on the ship and introduces himself as [[Salarus]], a businessman who could not care less about the [[Devilsfall]] and is only in for the money. Not many trusting him, the crew declines his offers but keeps his “businesscard” just in case. [[Salarus]] says that whenever they need him they can call him with it, but he’s not a mercenary. He also informs the crew that there is a bounty on their heads, which leads to some banter.
+An all-out brawl starts in the tavern, much to the shock of the other guests and staff who screamingly run out and leave us more room. Darfin really comes in clutch by doing some magic mumbo-jumbo that lets tentacles sprout out of the floor and holds them down and crushes them slowly. Everything starts out well, but then I get cocky and go in up and close... and promptly get my ass handed to me by a bloodied Dunan and his last friend. I am already at death's door and basically through it with one foot when Darfin comes swaggering in with a glass of the finest Nelson Whiskey in his hand (which he paid for at the unmanned bar)- since when does he drink whiskey?? and starts blasting the last two survivors with blasts of fire. Brovara is also unconscious on the floor, still bloodied from her last fight. Im the last moment, the captain stands up, yells something about thunder and teleports to the bar with a loud BANG. That "Bang" is in fact so loud and thunderous, that Dunan and his last friend get splattered across the opposite wall.
-* [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] 2500 gold
+Darfin and Lynn quickly go about reviving their downed crewmates before I start looting everything and everybody in sight. It's the least I can do after they almost looted my life... Meanwhile the captain goes towards the kitchen and cautiously tries to open the door to let the staff know that it's safe now. She is met with every single knife and cleaver that the kitchen has to offer, as she quickly slams the door shut again. After the cooks ran out of knifes, the opens the door again and does let them know that it's safe to come out now. She also hands the interim-owner 50 GP for the trouble and cleanup. And does also complain that she ordered a Nelson Whiskey, which she never received. The interim-owner sends for the whiskey and we leave the tavern - with Dunan's dead body over Brovara's shoulders. Outside the guards are waiting for us, but the captain quickly waves them off by claiming that they attacked us first and that we are also under special protection of the council.
-* [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] 1000 gold
-* [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] 800 gold
-* [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] 600 gold
-After seeing [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] going away from the group and starting to talk to himself, [[Astreus]] tries eavesdrop on him. He hears how [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] is talking to someone while holding his glaive, making a deal that for one hour she can do what she wants but won’t require any more praising. After this strange encounter, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] starts exercising and jumping around, climbing the mast and other weird stuff. [[Astreus]] going back to his hobby continues brewing potions under deck.
+After a brief debate whether it's worth it or not, we decide to go to Dunan's family home to check if he did murder my precious Nana out of his own volition or if he was maybe hired? We try to gain entry by claiming to wanting to bring Dunan's dead body to his parents, but the guards won't let us. During a brief heated discussion between the guards and the captain, I sneak off and turn invisible. When Brovara dumps the body on the floor and the guards pick it up to bring it in, I sneak into the door with them and go to his room to hopefully find some interesting documents. Sadly I only find sticky magazines with naked women on them. I take them with me, because maybe they're worth something, and try to sneak out. Sadly, there are also guards on the inside of the door - what paranoid ass does something like that?? I am still invisible so I try to just open the door, which is immediately slammed shut again. So I go back to the guard's quarters and rattle with Dunan's chain mail I took off him and chuck that in a corner. One of the guards comes to check it out. The last guard I distract by throwing Dunan's longsword in some bushes. Sad, these things probably would have fetched a pretty penny at the market! Anyway, I meet up with the rest of the crew at the agreed upon tavern and have a well-deserved night's sleep.
-After a few days of traveling westwards [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] calls “Land ahead”, in front of a huge cliff the ship stops, and the adventurers leave to climb the big wall. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] is all to eager to finally set foot on land again and leads the climb. Arriving at the top [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] finds some goblin tracks and off goes [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] in the direction [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] was pointing. The charge is stopped by an arrow flying towards the group from the brushes and six goblins standing in front of [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] requesting them to pay toll. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] avoids paying any toll by cutting them down in one single swoop of his glaive. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] shoots a firebolt in the brush from where the arrow came flying, and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] quickly charges into the brush. Further following the tracks and leaving a bloody trail behind the adventurers arrive at a cave with even more goblins.
+The next morning, we head to the market and I get rid of half of my collected arsenal of weapons I don't need anymore before heading off to the ship. Darfin is weirdly insistent that we burn down the warehouse that my dad 'ordered' me to, but none of us really wants that, so in the end we do go off to the ship to leave Quarate behind us and sail towards the Orc Diarchy.
-== Gobblin' up them Enemies ==
+== Turtle slavers ==
-Note by the transcriber: I vaguely remember them entering some cave?
+== Do not tickle a swimming Mage's testicles! ==
-As they spot the first hobgoblins, they start to attack them like animals while being escorted by a group of crocodiles. The [https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/hobgoblin hobgoblins] form a strong shield wall with tower shields that can't be broken. [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]], the hero he is, jumps right over it, ignoring the danger of being enclosed by a shield wall with the enemy. Shortly after Porof drops to 0hp the crocodiles are able to bash through the wall, leaving a small opening in the middle. The party kills two of the goblins, forcing the rest to flee. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] charges after them, running straight onto the bridge the goblins just lit on fire. He crashes through it into the stream below that leads out of the cave. He run then runs back to the group, straight through the magical spikes laid down just moments before by [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]].
+After a not very comfortable - and not very long - night in my room, I was now standing on deck with all my fellow officers, while the Captain was holding trial over the captured slavers. They have to be punished for sure, but the Captain is not certain how to do it, so she tries to see what the crew wants. The mood is very changeable but in the end, it seems that the most popular choice is to have them fight to the death and the last man standing goes free.
-After a discussion as usual they decide to follow through with their genial plan to observe the cave for the following hours. They leave the cave in the direction they came from, making a huge circle around the entrance to the other side, all while hiding their tracks. But the plan did not yield the results they expected. After a whole day and night of observing they conclude that the entrance will probably not be used anymore in the near future. As their goal seems to be on the top of the mountain anyways, they decide to walk back in direction of their brothers, the rest of the dwarves, and look for another way up the hill.
+The three men are encircled by the crew and someone throws in one axe (it was probably Nori, let's be honest here). Of course, everybody runs towards the axe but the Captain gets there first. But instead of killing them, he slits his own throat?!?! The remaining two fight for the axe, after one of them tries to steal a sword from a bystander and loses the hand. The other guy still has two hands and therefore wins the fight for the axe and kills his fellow slaver. While yelling about his Victory, the cursed ship works its magic and the second slaver comes back to life, killing the other guy twice, making him stay dead. This means the still standing slaver won the fight, even though he's technically dead. Funny how that works... Anyway, the Captain basically throws him overboard to maybe walk on land or I don't know. I currently have more pressing issues, my trial is coming up.
-On the way back [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] tells [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] to tell Porof that they were ambushed by the goblins. Finally reunited with the dwarves they decide to race to the top of the next hill where the smoke seems to come from. [[Astreus]] transforms into a warhorse and offers to Kylin to take her with him on his back. She thankfully accepts but struggles a little bit without a saddle. Porof gives [[Glaive Suffering|Suffering]] 20 more minutes of taking over time, to beat the rest in the race, in exchange for 20 less minutes the next day. (which was kinda dumb from the start if you ask me, you can’t beat a warhorse).
+I plead guilty to insob... insuob... ins... disobeying orders because there was no point in pleading not guilty. The captain is somewhat lenient and made me scrub the deck and help Rajesh in the kitchen for a month. Also I am demoted to normal sailor for this time as well. Considering I could have been sentenced to death or sent ashore wherever we land, that could have ended worse.
+----------
+After three days at sea (I think I left the kitchen about four times in this time, and two times of that was to scrub the deck), the new lookout yelled something about a ship. Darfin is fetched from his chamber and sends out his hawk to scout it out. They almost shoot it down, but it appears to be an elven military ship. Captain smells good loot, so I am sent to hack holes in the ship from the bottom. Finally I get to do some swimming again! Nori kindly gives me one of his axes and I take off. While I'm underway to the ship, I see one of their people swim towards us. I am way below water, so he does not see me, and I stupidly cast a spell on him. He still doesn't see me, but now obviously knows that he has been seen. I telepathically inform the captain of what I saw and continue. When I start hacking at the bottom of the ship, some sailors drop in and try to stop me. I throw some of my force-rays on them, but they are not very impressed. In the end, I have to dive deep down out of their view and turn invisible before shooting up again and surrounding myself in a sphere of darkness, so they cannot see me. It still takes absolute ages to hack four holes into the ship because these bastards keep trying to shoot me, so I have to evade all the time. I manage after a while tho, and swim back. When I come back to good ole Bessi I hear two big explosions....
-On top of the hill [[Astreus]], the winner of the race, is the first one to catch sight of an [[Refugee Camp|unknown village]]. A village inhabited by goblins and dwarves, seemingly built in the last few years out of wood and strongly defended. The rest of the group arrives out of breath on the top as well, and after a short rest they decide to talk with one of the guards first, before killing everyone.
+-----------
-== Refugee’s Village ==
+<blockquote>While Strennun is hacking away at the boat, Darfin casts Water Breathing on himself, Rof, the Captain, Nori and six other people and they go to confront the mage. The mage dispels Darfin's Water Breathing but luckily the others are not affected. He does the same to Nori and Lynn. After an underwater fight, Lynn kills the mage with some magic and Nori shoots up from underneath and disembowels his dead body. Everybody heads back to the ship when more sailors are seen following Strennun back to the Devil's Fall. As soon as Strennun is inside, Lynn casts two big Lightning Bolts in the midst of the swimming sailors under water - these are the two explosions Strennun hears. Two of the sailors survive and enter the ship after Strennun.</blockquote>
-The group I joined is more aggressive then I expected. They seem to hate goblins especially. Know we stand in front of a simple [[Refugee_Camp|camp]] with many goblin villagers. What could go wrong?
+-------------
-The [[Refugee_Camp|camp]] is protected with a simple wooden wall and the entrance is missing a gate. It seems they don’t like new comers but let us in after we offer our help.
+As soon as I turn around, there are two sailors attacking me. I manage to fight one off and kill him. while screaming bloody murder. Darfin and Rof come to help me. After I kill the first one, Rof just grabs the remaining one and jumps out of the ship! That would be very bad, but I am currently kinda busy not dying, because the guy I killed obviously gets up again. Darfin tries to hold him off a bit, but I fall unconscious anyway.
-After we enter the [[Refugee_Camp|camp]] our alcoholics realise there is no bar. But at least they have a barrack with alcohol.
-Our first goal is to talk to the leader of this [[Refugee_Camp|refugee camp]]. He reigns from an old impressive Temple.
+-------------
-After a short discussion with the guards in front of the temple we were granted entrance. The leader is called captain whit the name [[Stort]]. Clearly, he has rage issue.
-I tried to calm him down whit a spell, but [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] stopped me but still I am not sure way. After an unpleasant discussion [[Stort]] agreed to give us an opportunity to earn his trust.
+<blockquote>When Strennun falls unconscious, Nori runs down and kills the second sailor, again, making him fully dead. Beforehand, he shoves a Healing Potion down Strennun's gullet before killing the second guy with Darfin.</blockquote>
+<blockquote>Meanwhile, Rof clubs his guy to death with his shield while floating underwater. Then he swims up to the surface and threads water until the Devil's fall can circle back.</blockquote>
-The first quest we earned was to kill a goblin king scout camp. We sneak up to the camp and tried to kill them whit my wolf. The goal was to make it look like a normal wolf attack and lets hope it worked.
+------------
-On the way to the scout camp we meet some other scouts. It’s looks like they are on our sit so we let them go.
-Information’s we acquired from our new hopefully allays.
+After I get so rudely woken up by having a glass bottle shoved down my throat, I get up and stumble out of the room to maybe find some more healing potions. I find my way to the kitchen, but there's only curry leaves, so I stumble on deck. The Captain tells me and Darfin to go take a nap so we don't die. Meanwhile she keeps the other ship engaged with some fireballs and other magical hijinks. We'll see how that continues, but first I really do need that nap....
-The goblin King has 5 armies:
-# The Kings guard
-# [[Bluct]] the mercyless
-# [[Preed]] the sneaky. The scout camp we wiped out was a part of his army.
-# [[Xurt]] the fearless
-# [[Glin]] the tactician
-== Forging Aliances ==
+== Thinking about Fighting Gods ==
-The attack on the goblins was a complete success all thanks to little [[Ryo_I_of_Direwoods|Ryo]] covering up for either [[Porof_Dakun|Porofs]] or [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarst]] oversight. After having to urge the group on to keep up the disguise of a wolf attack.
+After consulting with the crew the captain finally decided to give up on trying to capture the elven battleship. As we leave the crew starts singing a shanty, answered by more sophisticated elvish songs, but our crew sings louder. I for one feel proud of [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]], as I thought she would never be able to know her limits and give up on a project.
-Without any issues we made it back to the [[Refugee_Camp|rebel camp]]. There we offered to help on an urgent issue of getting supplies. So as quickly as possible we pack up and head north with a friendly warning that the canyon is ideal for ambushes.
+After travelling for some days, I finally finish deciphering the ancient spell book that I got by betting on our crew. There seem to be some useful spells in the spell book, but not many. And certainly not any spells that I haven't seen or heard of before. As soon as I finish the last quill stroke, I hear a knock on the door. It's [[Rajesh]], whom I happily show my findings. He doesn't seem particularly impressed and tells me about some fish that the others are trying to catch. He asks if it would be better to kill them outside of the ship. "''Undead fish would be kind of funny''" I think to myself as I tell him that it would be a good idea to kill them outside. By the joy in his voice, they seem to be catching some very big fish. Seems like we will be eating fish for the next few weeks… I spend the rest of my morning copying some of the spells into my own spellbook.
-Within the same day we arrive at said canyon the stupidest asset of the group i.e. [[Porof_Dakun|Porofs]] weapon decides to pick a fight with a griffin and some harpies fainting in the process and keeping here track record of victories near zero. I swear once I get the chance I will throw her into a damn volcano someday. Either way after saving the two brutes arses we decide to climb the small canyon to sleep for the night. Funny how they all struggled to get up that small cliff. Even took the good boi up the mountain with me without a sweat.
+''In the meantime, the crew catches three big ass tuna, weighting approximately 1.8 tons.''
-== Shinies ==
+Feeling young again after having learned some new spells I decide to try out my newly acquired invisibility spell. I sneak out of my room and onto the deck. I find Kylin on the upper deck. I sneak up behind her and scare the shit out of her with a loud scream. She pulls out her new dagger and has a stab at the air behind her. "''Why haven't I gotten this spell much sooner''" I think to myself and sneak away, giggling to myself.
-After barely surviving again, I hear [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylins]] words in my head.
+With favourable weather on our side, we continue our journey towards the east. I make great progress translating the book about the cataclysm I got from [[Flavia]]. I gather the information that there used to be unlimited magic before the cataclysm, which could be accessed using lifeforce. Probably it's the same as [[Hooded Adversary|Wormtongue]] used when people around him died when he cast spells. "''Could it still be possible to use such forbidden forms of magic? ''" I think to myself, "Maybe I should share this information with other trusted magic users onboard?''"
-''Your glaive threatened me!''
+''During one of the nights Kylin has a weird vision, in which she gets the impression that the [[Dragon Turtle]] is trying to get revenge on her for interfering with its will.''
-''It wasn’t an ambush, you she massacred those goblins!''
-''You will die if this continues!''
-[[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] is a strong weapon, and I thought if I gave her some freedom, we could become a team. Maybe I must become stronger, I can’t let [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] command me around. I tell everyone about [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]], about the lake in the west and about our deal. I don’t want to leave [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] here, but I must show her that this cannot continue.
+The next morning I leave my office to share my findings with Kylin. Leaving the hull I see that we made great progress, and finally arrived at the location described to me by Flavia. The beach is made of bright sand, which stretches miles into the land. The closer we get the more it becomes clear that this is not only the beach, but also the land around the tower, fully devoid of life. This strikes me as odd, as it seems to match exactly what I just read about forbidden magic.
-“I want to put [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] in the magical bag, can you help me with that? She can control my body and will try to stop me.”
+On deck I find Kylin and ask her to speak with her privately. In her captains' quarters she offers me a glass of the horrid whiskey she usually drinks. "''This is what pirates do, and it seems to be an acquired taste it seems''" I think and accept. I tell her about my findings, and she agrees that the officers should know about it as well. We decide that it would be smart when I first finish translating my book, while [[Roftag Deerrunner|Roftag]] and [[Brovara]] look for a good landing from where the tower can be reached the fastest. Then we would approach the tower and try to spy into it from a distance.
-Everyone gathers around, [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] holds open the magical bag and I try to put [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] into it. As expected, a familiar voice speaks in my head and my body freezes up. [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] grab [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]]. I tell [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] that after what she did, she needs a timeout and should reconsider her actions. She asks me, if I didn’t want to know about my father, but I call it a bluff. [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] she blames everyone else for what happened and even promises me power, she seems to know me even less than I thought. With one last pull [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] separate me from [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]]. The voice goes silent and I can move again.
+While the others leave to execute their part of the plan Kylin asks me to stay behind. She tells me about her vision and thoughts about the dragon turtle. "''What does this have to do with me, I have ancient words to translate!''" I think while I offer her my advice: Maybe we should try not to piss off the dragon turtle further on. She doesn't seem to understand that ancient gods are not to be fucked with, but with many words I can convince her.
-[[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] seems different, his expression changed to pure terror. He holds [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] and it looks like he is offering her to me. [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] is my brother and I don’t know what she is doing to him. I also start having doubts, how does she know about my father? I never told her about him. I try to take [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] back, but [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] stops me with one of her spells.
+We head towards a town on the shore, which seems to be a ghost town. Here we set anker out in the waters, just outside the "death zone". I try to finish the translation of my book.
-[[Astreus]], [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] and [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] start discussing what to do and decide on knocking out [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and letting [[Astreus]] put [[Glaive_Suffering|Suffering]] in the bag. I tried to resist [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin’s]] magic, but they seem to have a plan and now I shall be the one to trust them. With one precise hit [[Astreus]] knocks out [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and they manage to put Suffering in the magical bag.
-We can’t stay here forever, so I carry [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]]. We continue our journey to the supply trader. After a long march we finally arrive at a cave and our kobold companion confirms that this is the right entrance. After 40 minutes of walking through the narrow cave we arrive at a hall with many kobolds. They Are captivated by [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylins]] dancing lights and after some haggling where [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] gives them her diamond and some parts of the cursed treasure, a kobold leads us to a large hall with mountains of weapons. They tell us about another entrance where they can’t go anymore, and we promise them to clear it. From the mountains of weapons, I fetch a greatsword for [[Astreus]], a scimitar for [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]], and another greatsword, three daggers and a halbert for myself. All those weapons look in dire need of maintenance but have a silvery shine. I also get a bow with some ordinary arrows and [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] promises me to help me with technique.
+''Meanwhile Roftag is trying to find out the mystery of fish guts appearing all over the deck. Strennun tells him that he keeps finding them on deck and brings them to Rajesh. Rajesh tells him that Strennun keeps bringing them to him, despite being told to throw them overboard. Strennun tells him that Rajesh told him to throw them overboard, but he still brings them to Rajesh. Confused Roftag waits on deck, observing everything and everyone. After some hours of waiting, he sees [[Nori]] walking on deck, sneakily throwing fish guts onto the floor. "''Come here Strennun, you forgot a spot''" he shouts. Roftag seems happy with this conclusion.''
-''[[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] buys a magical ring and puts it on instantly.''
+''Having two more days to waste Kylin asks Rajesh to catch her a rat. She tries casting some spells, using the rats lifeforce as power source. She does not seem to succeed but instead grows another strain of white hair. During the night she wakes up in cold sweat and get a visit from the ghost of [[Falaria]]. She tells Kylin that she died during the battle against the false dragon turtle. Someone told her that Kylin shouldn't be here. Kylin is scared and confused by this message but tells Falaria that she is welcome to stay on the ship. Falaria leaves the captains quarters and causes a big commotion of scared sailors, who think that this must be a banshee. People are being woken up and rush on deck. Kylin steps outside and clears the confusion by introducing the ghost of Falaria.''
-''[[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] tries to teach [[Ryo_I_of_Direwoods|Ryo]] [help].''
+Almost finished with the last page I suddenly hear a commotion outside my study. "''Three in the morning is quite early for fooleries to take place''" I think, but I have more pressing matters at hand. Someone storms into my room, "''Professor, we need your help with a ghost''" they say. "''A ghost? I have more important matters at hand than a ghost"'' I tell them, "''only interrupt me when there are at least three ghosts"''. Only some minutes later I get a visit from Kylin, who tells me that she doesn't feel good about this tower, and that maybe we shouldn't try to enter it. We agree that the rest of the book might give some more insight into what's expecting us, to make a well-informed decision.
-The kobold leads us to a vertical tunnel filled with cobwebs and [[Astreus]] turns into a spider and descends into the darkness below.
+''The next morning Brovara wakes up with a sleeping ghost in her room, and Roftag makes Strennun clean the deck even harder.''
-''[[Astreus]] encounters multiple spiders and the deeper he goes the larger they are. The larger ones appear to be intelligent and whisper about a queen. [[Astreus]] bails and makes his way back to the surface. On his way up he casually eats some of the smaller spiders. This turns out to have been a grave mistake, as he now isn’t the only spider crawling up.''
+I have finally translated the whole book. It tells the tale of a group of people, called "the society", who was able to use the forbidden magic. They had discussions about limiting magic which lasted for decades. Some individuals tried to test the limits of their limitless magic, and in the process the "northern bridge" was destroyed. Whatever that means. Many people who were not able to use this magic, derogatorily called lowborn, were against the society and their use of limitless magic. They started hunting the members of the society.
-== The Lair of the Spider Queen ==
+Six lowborn adventurers succeeded and killed them off one by one. The got stronger and stronger, and their might went to their heads. There was a battle, where everyone (including the old gods) fought them, and they were banished (except for one). Some lowborn worshipped them for their deeds, which in turn made them even stronger. Then there was another fight in the planes of [[Marymar]], in which the bay of Marymar was created.
-And again, the humans decide to go heads first into a situation without any plan. I see [[Astreus]] in his spider form crawling out of the shaft, followed by masses of spiders eager to paralyse and kill us. They try to fight off some of them, but each dead spider gets replaced by ten new ones. After all those stupid situations in the past few weeks, this one breaks the straw. I can even hear bigger spiders further away… That’s a no thanks for me, I don’t see myself dead on a cavern floor.
+This is where the book end. It seems to have been written by someone of the society. Therefore, we can assume that this last fight is somewhat related to the cataclysm, where the society was disbanded. The six adventurers probably are the new gods, which are well known around the continent. The ancient gods were probably members of the society or somehow connected to it.
-I try to hide [[Ryo_I_of_Direwoods|Ryo]] and myself and leave the cave. Where do I go to now? The whole region should be explored, especially the peaks to see further into the western lands. But first I need to return to the Democracy to find the [[Varis_Alloro#Family|Alloro]] family and return what is left of [[Varis_Alloro|Varis]]. I kind of feel bad for leaving the dwarves behind, but hey, they decided to adventure with some out of control humans.
+"''It's not unreasonable to assume that the new gods are still able to use the forbidden magic and prohibit us from using it by limiting our knowledge about it. Maybe Kylin wasn't that wrong about picking fights with gods.''"
-''[[Astreus]] causes an area on the ground to grow spikes, many spiders crawling through drop dead. He hands out some of his magic pebbles to [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]. They throw them at full force while [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] casts her usual favourites. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] wants to collapse the shaft but before the whole proceeding is thoroughly discussed through [[Astreus]] creates a moonbeam which kills most of the spiders crawling up. One of the bigger spiders that made its way through throws a web on all the party members, restraining them on the spot. The attack and kill some more spiders, [[Astreus]] calls for help, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] rush to help and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] steals the kill. They both rush again, this time to the last spider and [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] can secure a kill for himself as well.''
+== Old Friends, New Frontiers and Screw the Orcs ==
-''They inspect the cave and the shaft, no spider is left, finally silence. They spend the night (if It even really is night) in the smaller cave before entering the shaft, for security reasons. Next morning, well rested and with a fresh portion of curious and stupid [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] casts mage armour onto herself and jumps down the shaft. Well rested and with a fresh portion of courageous and stupid [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] jumps straight after her, trying to save thy lady. Well rested and with a shitload of spells [[Astreus]] transforms himself into a spider again and jumps onto [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] just before he jumps. Followed by the climbing [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] they all arrive down in the shaft, ready with dancing lights to explore the [[Vierala|Spider Queens]] Lair. After not too long they find something moving entangled in spider webs.''
+It was another boooring day on the ship. [[Strennun]] was cleaning the deck with his mage hand spell, me playing fetch with Helmut and Rof sitting at the bow of the ship. [[Kylin]] and [[Darfin]] probably minding their business in their offices. Little did we know, the lazy day was about to get exciting.
-Where am I? Who are these people? Why is my mouth so dry? I try to open my eyes and only see three bright spheres around me. “Let’s kill him anyways” I hear. Finally, my eyes adapt to the light and I see four strangers around me. I tell them about the research I did, how I got into this cave, and how I do not work with the spiders. The female human tells me about the cave and asks me if I have a map of them. I look for my spellbook, its still around my torso, but I only find a map of the region. How long have I been in here? I need to observe the stars to find out as soon as possible.
+As we continued, Strennun caught a glimpse of a ship following us. He also spotted that the unexpected company was flying familiar colours - the Nelson's cask. Everyone started shuffling around preparing for the imminent arrival of the ship. Everyone except for [[Roftag]], who - after a closer analysis - turned out to be Roftag's wolf pelt with the owner missing.
-They introduce themselves as [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]], [[Astreus]] and [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]], the last one being the dwarf who wanted to kill me just minutes earlier. Why is he so aggressive, where does all this hate come from? They say that they will find an exit out of the cave, so following them for now is probably the best decision.
+The ship approached us and we welcomed [[Turlain]] - Kylin' father's good old friend. He greeted us with some Nelson's whisky and steadily entered our ship crossing the plank - his long white hair falling over his shoulders. We introduced ourselves, set up a table and let the Captains discuss their matters.
-We go through some tunnels, and while the Dwarf geeks out about the different stones used the spiderwebs on the walls get thicker every few steps. On our way we find more spider snack bags, supposedly this is how I looked only some time ago.  The brave soldiers cut them all open, but sadly nothing could be saved. Among the other victims no mutations could be found, which could mean that they do not eat other creatures with mutations.
+He was visibly annoyed at Kylin using the Nelson family name despite her - in his words - behaving like a buccaneer. A bold claim, given the Devilsfalls crew's commitment to fighting pirates ever since I joined. He recommended not landing in the Orcish Diarchy directly but sailing to a nearby mountain fortress and contacting Thanin - a gnome merchant who could help us out.
-[[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] starts burning away the spider webs on the wall, and many burnt small spiders fall out. [[Astreus]] starts eating them as snacks, joined by [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]]. We make our way into a bigger cave, and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and I start blasting away to burn all the spiderwebs. Suddenly the Queen announces herself in elvish and tells us to leave. But we must stay and kill her, else I will never get to investigate how this mutation happened.
+We discussed the logistics of navigating the Diarchy at length and began wrapping up the meeting. We also explained our plans and goals, raising some eyebrows. ''Do you think it wise to dance with the devil who kissed death himself?'' - he asked as he left.
-[[Porof Dakun|Porof]] tries to talk to her about the weather, [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] somehow tries to get into her pants and I try to get to the root of it all. How did she get this way? “My family did this” she says. I must follow this clue if nothing else comes out of this. Then she shows herself in all her glory, upper body of a drow, lower body of a spider. A true queen of a mutant. I shall propose to index her as “queen mutant”. Some smaller mutations number 7 show up behind us and before we can do anything they start to attack.
+The barren tundra of the Nomansland slowly disappeared on the horizon and gave way to forests, flatlands and faraway mountains of the Orc's domain. We sailed along the coast until we approached a fishing village. Strennun swam to make contact, which, unsurprisingly, resulted in all kinds of confusion and misunderstanding. He did however learn that the slaves belonged to Gor'Kank - a minor warlord ruling these parts.
-With one mighty spell the Spider Queen instantly paralyzes [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]], [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]. [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] can free himself from the effects immediately, but the rest isn’t that lucky. In the corner of my eyes I see [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] as he hits the floor. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] is the next one to fall, still paralyzed. Then one of these number 7 things bites me straight into the leg…
+After his return, I stepped in to explain the savage ways of the orcs. Their hideous war culture, raids, slavery. Their hatred and beastly recklessness causing them to destroy, burn and raze to the ground any human settlements they encountered. How prowess in arms and brutality elevated the current warlords - [[Orc Warlords|Dur'Kan]] and [[Orc Warlords|Tar'Nok]] - to their positions.
-''[[Astreus]] and [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]], now in a helpless situation, continue fighting. With the help of [[Astreus|Astreus’]] wolfs and [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast’s]] burning rage they can decimate the spiders pretty decently. [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast]] has some weirdly sexual exchanges with the Spider Queen, including her biting off one of his nipples. At that moment [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] comes back from the dead and cleans up the rest of the spiders. The [[Vierala|Spider Queen]] climbs to the top of the cave out of [[Havarast_Stoneaxes|Havarast’s]] reach, finally fleeing from the cave.''
+Having reached the docks of the fortress, we were subjected to a cold welcome. A certain Thai-Rain greeted us and immediately started questioning our presence and honesty. Thankfully, the tense moment was diffused by the Captain. We left Danaan, Nori and several more crewmembers on the ship and set out to search for Thanin.
-== Escape the Lair of the Spider Queen and the Army of Xuart==
+The gnome turned out to be a gnomess! We also got invited to a banquet and seated at an honourary table. We learned that the fortress has been coping with an increasing number of orcish foraging parties and the garrison is slowly wearing thin. They even started forcing the ships arriving at the port to bolster the local defence with volunteers from the crews.
-We pocked the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]]!  We need to do something about it, but first wee need to rest. We try to escape through the entrance we came from. But the ground is wet?  It wasn’t wet before! [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] as careful as he is tries the water and realises it was a stupid idea. His tongue gets numb. So we call it Num-Num water.   This water is clearly not natural. So we search another exit.
+Our dining abruptly came to an end as we were informed about another foiled orcish attack. This time, the defenders managed to catch a prisoner! We rushed out to assess the situation only to find Nori, who for some reason decided to leave on an orc hunt during our absence, guarding an orc scout. The scout - heavily beaten up and barely sitting up on his own - did not recognize my name or yield any useful information. To end his worthless life, Kylin stabbed him with a dagger. (Wasn't it one of the rumoured cursed daggers she owned? Guess I'll never know).
-Whit no choice left we go back where we fought the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]]. We need to find an exit.
+We went to sleep afterwards. Much remains to be done and I cannot wait to face the orcs in a skirmish again.
-We start to inspect the 6 exits from the cave. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] tells us this is an old Dwarfen fort. I actually do not care but maybe we find an exit with this information.
-Note: A strange spider. When you use spells on the Spider it grows. Good for plug and collapse caves.
-As it always is the case dwarfs have different rooms whit different usages. Luckily for us they were named (Barracks, Rich, Posh, Throne room, slums and the entrance). This cave had as well an fresh are connection but not all of us could climb as god as a spider or file like [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]].
+== Explosive Revelations ==
+To head to Thinin we organize a guide to lead us up the mountain to the fort. Our guide is Delin, a slender elven women clad in a black cloak. She seems kinda pissed with us and leads us through Mountain past a stunning Waterfall. From there we can even spy some Warbands in the plains below.
-After an unnecessary discussion, we just need to take a direction, we chose to go in the direction of the barracks. We walked and walked always in direction of the barracks until we found a way without a name. We hoped it’s an exit and it was.
+After a climb next to the Waterfall we arrive at a massive lake. The lake has an unseemingly strong current as Strennun soon discovers, norrowly avoiding falling down the waterfall. Past the beatifully lake we arrive a huge staircase, where we pass the Dwarves heading to work. At the top we realize there was actually and elevator to the fort that we missed.
-Finally we took our long-needed rest. In the morning the other decided to go out of the cave but I know we pocked the spider so the spider is going to change it’s behaviour. It could attack the village or the kobold hideout. But I know we did this. We need to fix it.
+At the castle we are lead to Thinin's quarters. He is a small male grey gnome. We chat a little about the nearby politics of orcs and come to the conlusion that if we support Durkan we can destabalize the orcs which gives the dwarves time to help us out. After a scheming session Thinin leads us to his experiments to show us a cilindrical device pointed at a mountain hundreds of meters away. With some assistance the device is loaded and fires with an ear shattering bang at the mountain takeing a chunk of rock with it. I need this on my ship! Like maybe smaller cause not sure how well it would handle the weight. While chatting about logistics and slowly realizing that having my own boom box is not possible, Thanin mentions black powder. Didnt Rigalis call his powder that too?
-I have to say it was a good decision to go back to the camp. Then without us the village would have been destroyed. With out hesitation we fought of the Goblin king’s men. I think it was the army of [[Xurt]].
+Anyway I decide to mention Rigalis and that seems to stir something up. Apparently Thanin also knows Rigalis..... from books 1300 years ago. But from description it sounds like the same one. Thanin hands us the old diaries and we flick through and find a map that leads to something that the Rigalis from 1300 years ago hid during the Calamity. Through soem crossreferences with maps and what we knew of the continent back then we pinpoint the location near Marymar. Now we know our next destination after dealing with the orcs.
-We then had 2 options to give the final blow to [[Xurt]] army or kill the spiders. For me it is clear we need to fight the spider, then walls are useless agents spiders and so we decided.
-Other things that happened:
+So I head back down while Brovara and Strennun goofed around in the fort for a few days. As soon as they arrive back we plot to take the initiative and hit a few orc camps near by. With a small crew and 2 day treck we locate one of their camps... but it was an ambush. The orcs run away while attacking us from the shadows killing some. Some crew also fall for the traps set up. Meanwhile Strennun, Borvara and I do our best to hunt down the orcs. For fear I also use a couple of fireballs to torch down the forest and incinerating a couple of orcs in the process. Saddly despite them fleeing this was clearly a loss, and we head back while the forest fire rages on.
-* [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] tried to fight [[Xurt]] but it looks like he is very strong. The just barely escaped.
-* [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] threw all weapons in the bag of holding on the ground. Including [[Porof Dakun|Porof’s]] glaive.
-* [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] saved the live of the guard caption so he offered his live in return.
-* We Call us "Infernal Storm"
-After the battle we met up with the king of this [[little camp|Refugee Camp]]. He was great full and gave us 2 options to kill [[Xurt]] or the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]]. Clearly, we chose the bigger threat the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]].
+==Burning the camp==
-Meanwhile [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] searched for his glaive and he found it.  I don’t understand how he could touch that glaive again? But he did. The glaive offered him information about his father and tried to deceive us but I know whit this glaive comes nothing god. That is not even the worst part it seems like the glaive got more power. Maybe  by the reduced distance to it’s lacked?
-== Spinning of Plans ==
+The crew approaches the gate, Rof joins the crew chasing a wolf like creature. The crew discusses how to discern orc leaders - tusks, skulls, etc.
+Tyrane disrespects the captain which prompts a hold person and threatening words. Tyrane tells us to find another port. Strennung scouts port.
-[[Porof Dakun|Porof]] returns with his glaive in his hands and [[Glaive Suffering|Suffering]] is having control over his body. After arguing with [[Glaive Suffering|Suffering]], where she couldn't rub two bitchy brain cells together to realise that a compromise might actually benefit us all she surprisingly puts herself into the bag. Good for her, as had she of carried on I would have made sure she either spends some horrific months by her self or have killed that selfish, presumptuous whore.
+Brovara and Rof gather the crew. Strennungs Patreon is pissed.
+The ships leaves the port.
+There are several sightings of Rof's cape on deck. The crew decides to raid the next orc camp at nightfall.
+At nightfall Strennun follows a slave to find a camp. The fighters of the crew assemble and prepare for the storm. Strennun turns invisible and enters the camp, killing several guards. Hearing fighting sounds, Brovara the captain and Rof also enter the fray killing several orcs and burning tents. It quickly becomes very clear that the orc warriors have left the camp and only the women, children and elderly are still here.
-After a night of celebrating our victory we decide on securing the supply rout through the mountains by exterminating the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]]. So we head back to the caves and finding out along the way that there is also a slave shipment near coming by in a couple of days. I guess we will have a lot to do in the next couple of days. Luckily I no longer have to take on multiple responsibilities as a week or so ago as we are no longer on the ship and the Bitch will not take [[Porof Dakun|Porofs]] body and just be a pile of useless shit that will get herself killed.
-== The Parting of Porof and the Huge Fucking Thing ==
-As we had decided to deal with the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]] first (who still owes me my nipple), we stopped for the night at the entrance to the cave-system. However, we had an unexpected visitor; a small goblin by the name [[Tabberit]] brought us a message from [[Xurt|Xurt the Fearless]] - He challenged [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] to a duel (and didn't even have the courage or courtesy to show up himself). [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] was suspiciously delighted with the prospect of this duel, as he put it 'causing some collateral'. Despite several, probably unsuccessful, appeals to his honour and honesty and the sacredness of a duel, I am not convinced that he will not die while trying to murder an entire Goblin-battalion by himself. At least he didn't take this cursed blade with him. Thanks to this I now have ''two'' beautifully silvered greatswords, as our [[Astreus|Druid]] so foolishly decided to pick up the cursed blade instead.
+==Leaving the embers==
-Anyway, so we made our way into the caves to confront the spider-queen. Instead of directly heading towards the center-cavern where the last battle with the queen and her underlings, we decided to go through the barracks. Before us stood a marvellously crafted dwarven-gate, a true pinnacle of dwarven craftsmanship. Sadly, it was completely breached by what must have been an enormous battering ram of a dimension that is completely unheard of. Considering these caverns are overrun with huge spiders, it could very well have been an extraordinarily big spider. This suspicion was confirmed later on, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. As we followed a big hole in the wall, we stumbled upon an old mass and armoury. The armoury was stocked full with excellently made dwarven-steel weapons, but time has not been kind to them, so we let them be. Instead, we climbed up the stairs of the barracks. At all times, we were swarmed by hundreds upon hundreds of spiders. [[Astreus]] tried to keep them at bay by casting spiked vines, but that did not hinder them in any meaningful way. Instead I hacked my way up the stairs through spiders and vines alike.
+Brovara is collecting orc ears. We camp at the hill. The warriors went south. We take watch shifts. The captain wakes up to rabbit carcasses and cape. The captain adopts a slave without a name. Raschesh gets help by 'slaves' in his kitchen, which upsets him. Strennun walks through the camps remains. Captain orders to burn the corpses and we bake a big fire. Orc survivors leave the camp and we follow after them.
+The captain approaches the survivors and demands to challenge Thur'kan - Brovara helps intimidating the orcs. One of the orcs walks towards the captain, cuts off his ear and tosses it at Brovara. Strennun saw the orc approach the captain with a knife and casts a spell, immediately killing the orc. "We need both ears" - Brovara
+An older orc lady steps forward and tells the captain to go south to the great tree, then east hill and follow the stream, upon that hill you will find his fire.
+The captain and the elder orc meet later and sit down with a fire between them.
+What do you want? peace … for myself.
+There will be a decision that breaks you, you will find peace, your friend will make sure of it.
+Meet him at the oak, then he cannot refuse. The ork lady leaves to fetch Thur'kan.
-On the second level of the barracks, I was met with spiders too big to reasonably handle. That's when we heard it - THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. We had found the aforementioned 'extraordinarily big spider'. It was around 9 ft tall and thrice as long. With loud 'THUMP' sounds, it crawled towards us and was soon met with fire and flames from the spell casters in our party. It apparently did not care that much and kept getting nearer. Once in reasonable range, [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] had the bright idea to teleport herself and me ''on the back of that damn thing''. That worked well for about 3/4 of a second, until the spider reared up and I fell back to the ground floor again. Luckily I was too angry already to care that much. While I mercilessly hacked away at the hind legs of the cursed creature (with varying success rates), [[Astreus]], [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] bombarded it with flames, stones and lightning.
+After the ritual the captains tells Rof the plan. A ghostly lady hugs the captain, Rof tries to pull the captain out. Ghost disappears. The captain tells Rof about the wolf.
+Strennun, who was following the tracks of the ork lady suddenly loses track as if she disappeared.
+Raschesch is mad about the salves taking his job.
-[[Astreus]] soon fell victim to a bite of the spider and was paralysed and later unconscious. Meanwhile, [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and a shrilly screaming [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] kept on weakening the spider, until I was finally able to deliver a last, devastating blow to split the fucker's head open. Was a damn mess but well worth it. While [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] was oddly curious about all kinds of fluids of the creature and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] tended to [[Astreus]], I had not seen enough spider-blood yet and took off after the - now fleeing - smaller spiders. Afterwards we all took a well-deserved rest in the now cleared second story of the barracks.
+== Meeting Thur'kan ==
-== Xurt's Challenge ==
+Before leaving for the big oak-tree, we go over the plan again:
+* Offer Thur'kan to ally himself with us. We will support his claim to be one half of the Diarchy and in turn he agrees to not bother the dwarves or humans that are bordering his lands.
+* For him to ally himself with us, we need to challenge him. There are essentially two ways for that to happen
+** If from inside the tribe: Challenge the leader to a duel - either to first blood or to the death
+** If from outside the tribe: Both leaders choose a champion, who will then fight either to first blood or to the death.
-{{#spoiler:
+As we are not from Thur'kan's tribe, only the second way works for us. But that's only a last resort. We will first talk to him and see where it gets us.
-The [[Tabberit|goblin]] leads me further east, into the forest. It’s taking quiet some time and the goblin seems afraid of something. After seeing nothing but trees for hours, a body dangling from a tree disturbs the scenery. The corpse is too small to be human, too slim for a dwarf and it bears the insignia of the rebels. My first guess would be that it’s [[Xurt|Xurts]] doing. The goblin vehemently denies that this was done by [[Xurt|Xurt’s]] men. I ask him if there is someone else inhabiting the lands besides [[Xurt|Xurts]] minions and the rebels. The goblin denies this again, but as [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] would have said, something is fishy. I won’t take his lies anymore and remind him that the person he should be most afraid of here is me. While pinning him down and trying to squeeze some answers out of him, an arrow digs into my skin and two more graze me. Before running for cover I grab the traitor at his throat and hold him up as a shield, trying to make out where and how many enemies there are. I notice three, one with heavy steps coming straight at me and two trying to encircle me. The next arrow flying at me ends the goblins life and I quickly dispose of him. A short fight ensues with multiple goblins shooting each other. I let the one that looks like their leader live, to get some answer. Who sent them and why does he want me dead? Where is their camp? But before I can get any answers, a group of hooded, also small creatures appears. At least this time they don’t try to shoot me and try talking instead. I’ve been betrayed enough and demand to see their face. A young-looking halfling woman reveals her face and tells me that my party needs me. They promise to interrogate the hobgoblin for me and one of them leads me back to the cave. Not having [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] or a tinderbox, it takes some time and effort to light a torch. Following loud noises and rumbling, I descend into the dark.
-}}
-== We Should Never Have Come Here ==
+The next morning, the Captain orders everybody else to pack up camp and get back to the ship to be ready to sail off once we come back. We packed rations for ten days and march off towards the big oak tree. After about half a week, we reach it and I scout ahead. It is located in the middle of a depression and there is a powerful aura of magic surrounding the entire area.
-After following combat noises and rumbling in this dark hell, I finally see light and hear familiar voices. The group is taking a short rest and tending to their wounds. [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] is taking samples from all the spider specimen. The spiders are clearly not normal, with malformed shells. [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] proceeds to cut up the spiders and extract their poison, not sure where to put it he first uses a cooking pot. [[[[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] Stoneaxes|[[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]]]] strolls around the cantine and barracks but returns before he gets lost or attacked in these giant halls. after [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] returns, [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] tries to clean him with a spell but it hass no effect. [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] spot me in the dark and approach me, first prepared to fight but a bit more friendly after recognizing me. Meanwhile [[Astreus]] pulls out some odd vessels and helps [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] safely contain the poison. [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] and [[Astreus]] still suspect me of being [[Glaive Suffering|Suffering]] and demand [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] back, but I deny everything.
+While I am crawling through the high grass to get a closer look, I suddenly get greeted as a 'Servant of the Turtle'. The one greeting me turns out to be Ga'alak, the Shaman of Thur'kan. He greets me and tells me to go fetch 'my friends'. I do so, too baffled to say anything else.
-[[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] starts leading the group down the maze, stopping at every intersection to read the signs and taking the path towards the throneroom. We arrive at a room that looks like some battle took place a long time ago, with makeshift barricades out of wooden furniture. After breaking down the rotten wood we enter a giant stonehall with several cobwebs, fallen over pillars, statues of dwarves and a large throne. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] identifies one of the statues as Dane Ingotfeet who lived 500-600 years ago. [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] and [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] start burning down the spider nests and killing all the spiders escaping. Every time a nest goes ablaze we hear a rumble in the distance. I approach the throne and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] follows me.
+When returning to the place with the Shaman, he is suddenly gone - that is until I basically run into him and he seemingly materializes out of thin air. He then greets the rest of the crew too. The Captain as 'Lady of Death', Rof as 'One who dances with the wolf', and Brovara as 'One who is driven by revenge'. He talks about how 'the crone' has announced their coming and he is to lead us to Thur'kan. Before leaving, he warns us, that The Tree is watching and no blood must be spilled on this holy ground.
-Hobgoblins approach from all directions holding giant tower shields and blocking every entrance. We see multiple large spiders coming from a shaft in the ceiling. An enraged [[Vierala|Spider Queen]] starts shooting us and targeting [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] . While the spiders are still at the ceiling I grab the dwarven crown and put it on my head. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] had it and charges me, even tho I try to stop him, there is no stopping this furious dwarf. He takes me down and the crown goes flying towards one of the large spiders. A fight ensues and [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] goes down multiple times. [[Astreus]] summons multiple large reptiles, [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] torches the spiders. But all our efforts are not enough, and after [[Astreus]] is hurt too badly and the creatures disappear, he also loses consciousness. After being hit by a full volley, I also go down with a large puddle of blood forming around me. [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] uses his last energy to create a shield to stop the incoming arrows but can't hold this for long and goes down. [[Astreus]] body starts moving again and runs over to my unconscious body to grab the bow and shoots the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]] in a last effort attempt to help [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]], but another volley drops him with large bleeding wounds. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] takes one last shot at the [[Vierala|Spider Queen]] before even he can't hold up anymore and collapses.
+Once we reach the tree itself, it is surrounded with six permanent huts, and about 30 orcs that attempt to intimidate us with a loud and rhythmic dance and shouting. The Shaman demands we leave our weapons with him before meeting the Tribe-Leader, who is awaiting in the sixth hut. It is dark in there, safe for a hearth with glowing embers. At the hearth, Thur'kan and another Orc are waiting for us
-== The not so Great Escape and Parting of Friends ==
-With a very bad headache I wake up to hear goblins making a massive row. I am in a very small cage with [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] who is still unconscious. Biding my time for an opportune moment I look around but don’t make out anything aside from the front of rows of partying goblins having [[Astreus]], [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porofs]] dead corpse hung up on poles. The goblins are showing around their fallen and captured enemies. Later [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] wakes up and points out, that the goblins are from [[Xurt]] and [[Glin]]. We arrive at the remains of the [[Refugee Camp|rebel camp]]. Apparently, they have been overrun and burnt down. The night we spent restless, constantly being poked awake by the vermin goblins. The next day the procession goes on. Around mid-day the goblins get ambushed by a big group of dwarves being led by [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and my dwarven brethren. They make quick work of the goblins causing them to flee. [[Thorbold]] opens the cage letting us two mages out to help fight a little, even though the battle is won. One of the vermin fleeing I shot in the head, just as he was thinking he was safe from the battle.
+                     Strennun       Lynn
+                    -----------------------
+                   |                      |
+          Brovara  |                      |  Thur'kan
+                   |                      |
+                   ------------------------
+                    Roftag        Other Orc
-After the battle the dwarves and I start digging the graves for [[Astreus]], [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] in silence. Meanwhile [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] finds all of our stuff in the cart holding the prisoners cage. There we choose weapons to be laid out to the fallen members of the party. Due to dwarven custom there is initial thought of what was the last weapon [[Astreus]] used and whether that was the [[Glaive Suffering|glaive]]. In hopes of finding either [[Porof Dakun|Porofs]] soul or be able to confront Suffering I grab the glaive. Surprisingly [[Astreus]] resides in the glaive. After some talk he explains he wants a human, halfling or elven body that is reasonably strong. I did not know he was the picky. After [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] checking that it is actually [[Astreus]] in the glaive we are updated on what happened in the last few days by [[Hardel]], the eldest and current leader of the group. Firstly, the spiders are being sealed into the mountain as a precaution. Secondly, [[Bluct|Blucts]] men joined [[Xurt]], which explains why [[Xurt]] still has so many men.
-[[Wiscar]] joins in later on the discussion to try and find out where the remaining rebels could hide out. I suggest that we could hide on the ship and use it to resupply and gather allies before lancing a full-scale invasion. While he relays this to his people, [[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] and I have another idea of giving [[Astreus]] a body, by handing a dead body the glaive. After some persuasion and establishing that I [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] have great taste in good looking men we find a suitable vessel for [[Astreus]].
+Lynn offers Thur'kan the deal, but he insists of breaking bread first, which we do. After that, the Captain offers the deal again. Thur'kan is interested in theory, but wants one of us to complete a challenge for him to show him we're serious about it and that we can even support him in his claim. One of the following challenges needs to be completed:
-We then head back to the graves and commence with the burial. [[Astreus]] meanwhile takes his own body and buries it himself in the woods. While putting dirt over the dead bodies the dwarves said words describing the person they were burying.
+* A gift of a pelt from a great wolf from Rof
+* A treasure from the depths of the ocean from Strennun
+* A feast with his Orcs and Brovara that does not end in violence
-To [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] I said: Best drinking buddy, warrior and creepy
+The captain moves to our backup plan and offers trial by combat, which Thur'kan declines. Rof volunteers to do his challenge.
-To [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] I said: Naive, kindhearted and loyal
+Outside again, the Shaman tells Rof to grab his weapons and follow him on top of a big boulder, where he gives him a bowl to drink, which appears to be blood (to Rof it tastes like Ale). Rof starts to feel dizzy and is pushed off the boulder by the shaman....
-Later everyone said a couple of words to each fallen comrade. These were mine to [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]:
+... and wakes up in his old camp in the nine hells with an unnatural urge to hunt. He finds paw-prints in his camp and follows the trail to a magically darkened cave with a huge wolf inside. An epic battle ensues, where Rof kills the wolf in the end after much deliberation. During the fight, he calls upon his crew-members to give him advice
-You were always a loyal and good friend to me, who I could rely on. Sometimes you were to kindhearted for your own good, giving some people evenen to many second chances. I hope you are in a peaceful place, worthy of your kind nature.
-These were the words given to [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]]:
+* Brovara: Get your revenge, kill the big wolf
-You were always the creepy ass drunk uncle who everyone loves. Hope we get to do another drinking contest sometime in whatever happy place you are right now.
+* Strennun: Look around you and kill the minions of the wolf first
+* Lynn: Trust in your instincts.
-[[Darfin Elehni|Darfin]] meditates and prays. I never considered him to be religious person but I guess experiences make even scholars religious. After paying respect to the dead we all head to the ship, which was considered for all as a good idea. On the way Hardel mentions that the dwarves would nominate me being the captain, which caught me off guard due to what has transpired in the last couple of days. At the cliff [[Numnum]] throws down a ladder to climb down the rock safely. [[Astreus]] and [[Maruk]] go ahead with the dwarf riding [[Astreus]] in an undead lizard form to warn [[Jack the headless Pirate|Jack]] that a bunch of new people are coming while I make sure everyone gets down safely.
+After killing the wolf, Rof drags the huge beast out of the cave and suddenly appears in the Orc-camp again, bloody and wounded.

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The Imminent Doom: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:09, 2 November 2025

The Fall of Marymar

Rebellion in Goblin Town

An Excursion to the Hells

The Breaking of the Council

Current Chapter

Strennun goes Swimming

Strennun Almost Drowns

Psych Session with a gaslighting faerie

Global Anomalities Detection and Analysis Society

Of Elves, Hags And Other Ugly Creatures

More Than One Way In

The Bag of Holdn't

A Tempting Offer

Chair à Maze

Are we… Pirates?

Just Keep Swimming

Fuck you, and thank you!

4+1 Captains

"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb."

"The Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings"

The captain, with the dagger in the office

Convincing the council

"I'll have a Nelson please"

Turtle slavers

Do not tickle a swimming Mage's testicles!

Thinking about Fighting Gods

Old Friends, New Frontiers and Screw the Orcs

Explosive Revelations

Burning the camp

Leaving the embers

Meeting Thur'kan

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