Date At Start Of Game: 10/21/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 17th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

The Temple – Level 1

After unlocking the concealed door the PC carefully enter a set of underground chambers. The walls are carved but roughly hewn. The first room is a large natural cavern with a stone bridge. The drop is quite far so Bilby climbs to the roof with a rope. He ties one end to himself and the other to Cillian. When Cillian gets part way across Po notices something shadowy moving under the bridge and alerts the PC. Cillian runs back seconds before a monstrous centipede attacks! When the centipede closes Oren dishes it a blow. Bilby jumps down on it’s head killing it with a deadly strike. When the insect dies it changes into a shadow and dissipates. The PC have seen this effect from creatures that Narduhl has summoned.

With that the PC head down the rough hallways. They venture into one room where they find a strange onyx dais and a statue of a woman with a raven head. In the room is a horrific looking chain golem. The PC are lucky that the golems first strike misses them. When Cillian and Oren strike their blows glance off! Po’s curse spell also seems to have no effect! Bilby strikes the golem with an assassin’s blow dealing some damage but is then grabbed by chains and is quickly knocked unconscious. Leaving himself open after the grab Oren strikes home felling the foul creature. After destroying the creature the PC examine the statue and find that the head has been recently carved onto the statue.

In the next area they PC discover a stairway with a strange raven head rune on the stairwell entrance. Po detects that it is magic and that there is a command word to bypass it. He tries several Dark Lord chants and one of them turns the rune another color and he is allowed to pass. The other PC repeat the chant and are also allowed to pass.

The Temple – Level 2

In the second level of the temple the hallways are constructed of fitted stones. Carefully Cillian investigates the area using his stone sight. He finds a room with strange ferns and many ravens, a room with a strange cesspool channel, a small library, a mess hall, and a small room for prayer. The prayer room concerns Cillian as it is filled with 8 to 10 rooks. Venturing further down one hallway he finds a large room with a forge and a Pit Bull Kin smith! Once he finds the room the PC sneak down the hall and walk into the room. Oren takes the lead into the room. Once the party has entered the room Po closes the door. Oren begins to speak to the Pit Bull Kin smith explaining the situation. The Pit Bull Kin is immediately put on the defensive but eventually starts to listen to Oren. Oren explains that they have a magic sword that must be destroyed. Upon hearing the story of the sword the Pit Bull Kin smith asks how they were able to get Crimson Tears. He eyes Po and seems surprised when the PC tell him that they are NOT minions of the Dark Lord. The smith then asked to see the sword. Bilby comes out of the shadows and displays the blade. The Pit Bull Kins eyes widen and he tells the PC that instead of destroying it that they should sell it to Malotoch! He will arrange the deal for a 50% cut. The PC rebuff the Pit Bull and again confirm that they want his help to destroy it. The Pit Bull Kin smith eyes the sword one more time then blinded by greed swings his mighty hammer at Bilby. Bilby dodges out of the way. Next the smith calls forth flaming dogs from the furnace! The four dogs all process to move towards Bilby so that they can attack him. Using dodges and masterful two sword fighting techniques the cagey Bat Kin spy avoids his attackers while the rest of the PC move in to help. Cillian and Po start using ranged attacks while Oren closes and swings his hammer. Oren takes a blow from the hounds and finds that their teeth are very painful! The Pit Bill Kin smith then calls forth the power of Granite Head forge which causes his maul to alight in flames! When things start to get rough for the party Po calls for the power of the Dark Lord and throws several surged heals at Oren. Cillian who is standing next to Po seems to be affected by the power from these spells as well. Eventually the Pit Bull Kin falls after a pulled blow from Oren strikes home. The dogs attack one more time then retreat to protect the body of the smith. When they attack one nearly rips into Bilby but Oren manages to ball him up to take the blow. In the effort Oren is knocked unconscious with Bilby rolled up inside of him. With only Po and Cillian to face the dogs Cillian decides to act. He utters for power from the Dark Lord and a huge earthquake rocks the entire temple complex! The dogs, Oren, the smith, and Bilby are now unconscious but not dead. (Note that only Po and the dogs saw what Cillian actually did although Bilby swears that he heard Cillian NOT Po call for the power of the Dark Lord moments before the earthquake hits.)

Before healing their friends Po and Cillian looks down at the body of the Pit Bull Kin smith. If they kill him now then they may not have to destroy the sword. Po draws a knife and nears the body but Cillian stops him at the last moment. Cillian reminds Po that their friends would think ill of them if the Pit Bull Kin was found dead. This taint of evil has cursed Po and Cillian in a very potent and powerful fashion…the pair can only hope that they will soon find a cure to their dangerous sickness…

Date At End Of Game: 10/21/206

Date At Start Of Game: 10/21/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 16th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

The Way Up

After defeating the monstrous crab the avatars of the Great Tree proceed up Granite Head. Po and Bilby take to the air to survey the rocky outcropping. Near the top of the 300′ peak is a landing with a tower that appears to be roughly four floors tall. On top of the tower are two smaller lookout towers. The main tower looks like it has been in a siege as there is a large hole in the wall near the top floor. On top of one lookout tower is a metal flagpole with a body lashed to the top. The body is a skeleton wrapped in a green and blue banner.

After Oren and Cillian reach 2/3 of their climb they are surprised when crossbow bolts come out of the wall with a loud screeching sound! The bolts tear into Oren but he manages to ball over Cillian to protect them both. After the first volley the PC hear movement and crossbows being loaded. Cillian attempts to look through the wall but he cannot see any light. After a second volley Oren blocks the holes why Cillian finds the concealed door and picks the lock. When the door slides open the PC find a group of skeletons armed with crossbows. Oren charges into them destroying three in one arcing blow! Bilby lands with an acrobatic roll and strikes a couple of blows. The skeletons are defeated without much effort once the door is opened.

Eventually Oren and Cillian reach the landing below the tower. At this point the party considers running a rope from the hole in the 3rd floor and climbing inside that way. So that Cillian can get a better look inside Bilby throws a torch into the hole. When Bilby makes this move four Raven headed mutated creatures attack! Two assault Bilby who dodges to avoid getting hit. The other two swoop down to attack the rest of the party. When these two see Po they hesitate. A male speaking in Raven Kin beckons to a female that, “He is not the Dark Lord…we should attack!” Po tries to calm down the Rooks but this act seems to convince them that he is not the Dark Lord and they attack. Bilby lands near the party and quickly draws two blades with a deft acrobatic roll. Po then lands and draws Crimson Tears from his sheath! This surprises the PC as they thought Cillian had the blade. The male Rook seems frenzied and attacks Po. The female hesitates then caws in a booming fashion that sends chills down the spines of the PC! As the Rooks approach Oren downs one with a couple strikes. Cillian fires with his bow then quick draws his sword. Bilby starts landing blows as well. When Bilby takes a heavy blow Po calls for the Dark Lord then does a healing spell of immense strength. After all of the other Rooks have fallen the female flies back to the hole in the wall.

When the female Rook enters the hole in the tower Oren confronts Po about the sword. Oren is upset that Cillian is not carrying Crimson Tears and asks that Po gives it to Bilby. When Po tries to explain Oren gets angry and says he will take it away forcefully is needed. Po then hands Crimson Tears to Bilby. The PC then take a moment to rest then decide to enter the tower through the main door.

The Tower

After bashing down the door the PC start to explore the tower. They first proceed up the stairs to the top floor. At the top floor they then proceed up the tower to retrieve the body. The body appears to be wrapped in a blue and green banner from House Gunard. Oren relays that House Gunard is the name of the noble house that once ran the keep. Symbols on the man’s clothing tells Oren that he was the Captain Of The Guard. Cillian carefully searches his clothing and finds a key. Oren bags the chainmail. On the way down the tower the PC search some of the rooms. In one room they find a knocked over bedstand that has a blast mark in front of it. Po detects a damaging spell on the bedstand. Cillian carefully unlocks the drawer then stands back and opens it using his wind power. A blast goes out but does not hit anyone. With that the PC search the drawer. Inside is a velvet pouch with four magical arrowheads and a piece of paper. Po detects that the arrowheads are magical and can deduce how they are used. The paper has ramblings from the former resident of the room with clues about the last days of the Siege Of Sorrows.

On the lower tower levels that touch the base of the rock the PC look for concealed doors. Eventually they find one on the bottom floor of the tower. The lock on the concealed door is opened using the key from the Captain Of The Guard. After opening the door the PC venture forward very carefully…

Date At End Of Game: 10/21/206

I recently updated three of the Spirit Storm (Fantasy Hero) files.

• Spirit Storm Campaign Document – Version 1.8 – Very minor change to clarify knockdown rules for the campaign.
• Spirit Storm HD3 Templates – 5th Edition – Updated with my latest working copy. This copy includes Luck cost changes.
• Spirit Storm HD3 Templates – 6th Edition – First draft of templates for Hero 6th Edition.

Head over to the File Downloads area of the site to find the files.

Date At Start Of Game: 10/02/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 15th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

Escaping The Temple And Returning To Raftport

After the Scarlet Scorpion falls into the lava forge the mountain starts to shake. Fire spirits dart into the volcano after her in a swarm of choatic fury! The PC and the still grogy Elephant Kin, Ember Firenose, make haste out of the inner temple across the large natural cavern dodging falling rocks as they move. After emerging from the temple they find Grattle Skrak waiting with the freed slaves and his Stone Mountain avatar compatriot Bucky. The PC then lead everyone back to Raftport where they are met by villagers who are excited to see family members who they thought lost. The party then gets a room at the only inn in Raftport called the Rusty Tiller. Although Oren is anxious to speak with Ember he asks for some time to shake off whatever drugs he was given by the Scarlet Scorpion. In the meantime Cillian and Po head upstairs to examine the sword, Crimson Tears, while the rest of the PC start celebrating their victory.

Examining Crimson Tears

The blade is thin and slightly tapered. It feels delicate and light to the touch. The blade is marbled gray and black like current day Damascus steel. Po does a detect spirit spell and senses incredibly strong fire and earth magic. He also senses a transformation spell like that found earlier on the tile. Along both sides of the thin blade are a set of strange symbols that look just like those found on the tile. Po can read them and translates them as follows:

Blood and hate forge an arm of black,
Incomplete yet corrupting in its touch,
The enemy strives for illumination,
But darkness falls on wave and rock,
Swelling a rise in iniquitous power,
The Dark Lord has his storm.

After translating the text the PC discuss it as a group with Grattle Skrak. Their first conclusion is that the “arm of black” is Crimson Tears. During this time Oren notices that Po smells like festering meat and comments on his lack of feathers. The taint from the tile seems to be covering his entire right arm. After talking about it for a bit Kanga comes to the conclusion that “arm of black” refers not to the sword but to Po and his infection. These revealations set the PC on edge and tests their trust in their Raven Kin shaman.

Bar Talk With Grattle Skrak And Ember Firenose

Grattle Skrak tells the PC about some of the terrible things that the slavers did during their imprisonment. When one of the workers tired they would take them away to be killed. It was done slowly and painfully. After the act Ant Kin slavers would return sucking on limbs from their slain comrades. He realized the wheel was some type of lava pump but it took over a week for him to realize that the purpose was to fuel a forge. Grattle then says that he plans to nurse Bucky back into travelling shape then the pair will return to the Great Stone Mountain to retrieve the rest of their team. He also lets the PC know that he will handle the kidnappers that they spied in the woods.

After a couple of hours Ember comes back downstairs looking more refreshed. He orders some food then answers Oren. He says that he knows of only one other spirit forge that would be powerful enough to unmake Crimson Tears. Ember describes a rocky fortress called Granite Head near a place called Once-Romu. This place is now considered haunted. Ember says that a swift and strong blow to a blade heated by the full fury of the Granite Head spirit forge should destroy it.

Oren knows more about Granite Head and proceeds to tell the following story. Granite Head was used as a fortress and smithy by a noble family that lived in the area during the Spirit War. During the war Granite Head was assaulted many times but it never fell. Always the fortress survived and was able to distribute arms made in their forges. Finally one shrewd Albion Horse Kin commander, General Damacles, decided to starve out the inhabitants. He used spirit mages to cast spells that would destroy the food and potable water inside the fortress. The result was not exactly what the General intended. The inhabitants decided that in lieu of surrendering that they would cast their lot with the Dark Lord. General Damascus was victorious but he was not willing to claim Granite Head due to a proliferation of angry spirits that now haunted the fortress. This battle became known as the Siege Of Sorrow due to the wails of the dead and dying that rang from the fortification during the final days of the siege.

After listening to Oren’s story Po uses the stick. It points due west confirming their destination, Once-Romu and Granite Head. The next morning the PC head off on a their journey to Granite head. They decide to take passage on a merchant ship to speed their journey. As they are boarding the ship Po comes on board with a rapier painted black. This again gives Kanga more fuel for his theory that Po is the “black arm” in the sword text.

Spirit Storm Session Log: Epic Tale #7 – Aerie Of The Dark Lord – Session #15

Ill Met In Granite Head

As the merchant ship carrying the PC nears Once-Romu the weather takes a turn for the worse. The captain decides to let the PC off about 2 hours north of the city as the shoreline and tides are less trecherous. After leaving the skiff the PC head towards Once-Romu with Po and Bilby leading the way. As they come over a ridge that leads into the city they met with a fantastic sight. A huge storm rages over a rocky coastline. Out in the inlet a rocky spire justs out of the water. On the top of the spire is a cylindrically shaped tower. The ruins of Once-Romu sit on the rugged coastline in front of the spire. The city is decimated by rock pillars and deep crevasses that criss-cross the area. Carefully the PC make their way down towards the ruins.

As they reach the outskirts of the city they are surprised to find a small wooden house with a light on and smoke coming out of the chiminey. They knock on the door and are answered by an older Ape Kin man and his son. Oren explains that they are cold from the rain and wish to enter. The armed man seems wary and first asks why they are venturing to Once-Romu. Oren explains that they are here to rid the Granite Head forge of the evil that has infested it. With that the man lowers his sword and allows the PC to enter. When Po enters the small cottage the boy lowers his sword and yells out, “Why is there a Raven travelling with you!?! You are NOT welsome here!” After calming the boy the PC learn that recently a group of Raven like humanoids have been killing their sheep. These fouls creatures emerge from Granite Head to fly around at night. Also in the cottage the PC find several shields hung on the walls from various noble house that once ruled the area. When Oren prompts them about the shields the father explains that they are the only known survivors of Romu. They want to carry on the traditions of the city as it is the only place that they have ever called home. For the past several years they have been eeking out an existance. Slowly they are exploring the ruins to recover anything of value that might remain. They also tell the PC that there are stairs up the spire that lead to the tower. These stairs are entered through a grotto near the waterline. They ask the PC to stay in the ruined city of Once-Romu for the night as they are still wary of them. As the PC leave Po mocks them by telling them that he hopes they receive the same welcome that he has received.

That night the PC hear the caws of Ravens from the rocky spire. Po says that he wants to investigate but the rest of the PC are not sure it is a good idea to go out at night. Oren then suggests that Po should not be left on watch alone. Kanga agrees to stay up with him. Po takes offense at the comment from Oren and argues. Oren then grabs Po shouting that he will tie him up for the night! After giving his word to stay in the shelter Oren release Po. The PC spend a tense night in Once-Romu.

The next morning the PC head out to to Granite Head on a small rowboat. When they reach the grotto the waves are rough but with Bilby’s help they are able to lead the rowboat into the grotto. Inside the grotto is a set of wet stairs leading out of the cave up the spire. When the boat nears the stairs Bilby and Po spy a large shape moving under the boat. Out of the water in front of the PC erupts a huge crab. Bilby stabs the crab in the eye dealing a massive blow. Po starts cursing the crab with his powerful spirit magic. Balancing on the boat Kanga takes aim at the other eye and start shooting. Oren takes a hit from on of the pincers then jumps over the crab to the stairs before the PC manage to fell the beast. As the crab sinks into the grotto the PC head up the wet stairs into the storm…and the unknown…

Date At End Of Game: 10/21/206

Date At Start Of Game: 10/01/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 14th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

The Temple Of Dark Lady

After a brief planning session the group decides on their normal plan…a frontal assault! Oren takes the lead with the rest of the party right behind. Although Oren gets momentarily trapped in a whip he breaks out then smashes the Ant Kin slavers. Bilby cuts up others while Po and Cillian work in tandem to take down the remaining. After the slavers fall Po goes to work healing the sick and injured. Bucky is very hurt and is quickly healed. Oren and Bilby push the wheel so that others can rest. After arming the freed slaves Po and Cillian lead the survivors to the main cave where Bucky and Grattle Skrak then lead them out of the temple.

At this point the PC try to decide how to proceed. Po detects that the pipe has protection magic. Oren and Cillian think the device is some type of pump that is likely being used to pump lava up to the room above. When Cillian looks up to see where the pupe leads his vision seems to be magnified. In the room above the stone wheel he sees a horrific sight. There is a massive Elephant Kin smith pounding on a thin long sword blade. To his left is a masked woman who appears to be casting a spell at the sword. While all of this is happening other Ant Kin warriors in the room are pouring buckets of blood onto the blade! With that the PC decide to stop turning the wheel and to face off against anyone who is alerted. After a minute or so three Ant Kin warriors emerge from a hallway to attack the PC. Although the PC dispatch them quickly one manages to alert guards in a nearby room. With a few brief hits the PC fell the remaining Ant Kin guards. Thinking fast Oren decides to cave in the tunnel so that others cannot approach. While Oren digs Cillian watches the forge room. He spies the masked woman speaking to the air. In a flash Narduhl appears! She says something to him then he starts to cast a spell and shrink again. Thinking quick Cillian puts a cloth on the doorjam and watches for it to move. He is hoping to see it move when Narduhl goes under the door then he can attack. After seeing the cloth move he attacks but with due to Narduhl’s tiny size he cannot hit him. After missing the tiny mage with their surprise attach the PC decide they better beat him back to the forge. They fling open the door and start running forward at top speed lest they lose the element of surprise.

In the forge room the PC find the large Ant Kin smith which Oren recognizes as Ember Firenose, the woman with the mask who has a scorpion tail, and a single Ant Kin warrior who is covered in golden jewelry. The woman and Ember are trying to work on the blade even though the lava has receeded from their forge. The woman seems to be spirit surging to boost the effects of her spells. Cillian sees flame and earth spirits flying from the walls into the blade where they vanish. As they move to attack Oren taunts Ember Firenose. To his surprise the smith does not react at all…it is as if he does not hear the comment! Oren deduces that the smith might be under some type of enchantment. With that Oren closes the gap on the woman in the mask. She laughs saying that Narduhl told her about the PC. After this she throws a bag of powder on Oren which blinds him. She then tries to sting Oren with her tail but the barb bounces off of his tough atmored hide. Po curses the Scorpion Kin spirit mage from a high vantage. Bilby and Cillian moves in closer. As the PC near behind them two shadow praying mantis traps spring! These are Narduhl’s handywork. With that the Scorpion Kin woman tells Ember to stop working on the blade and to crush the party! He looks up with glassy eyes and moves around the forge. When Ember drops the blade Cillian grabs it and moves it closer using his air spirits which are surprisingly very difficult to summon. When the thin blades reaches his hand Cillian lights up his fire spirit hand and holds the blade. The effect is nearly blinding as fire bursts from the blade! Cillian can feel a sense of power and control that distorts his thoughts but he holds on tightly. The woman screams when Cillian grabs the blade claiming that it was made from “crimson tears of blood in the Dark Priestesses name”. As she is yelling Oren manages to take a bead on her and do some damage but a tough defensive spell protects her from harm. Bilby leaps to the fray but has trouble getting a square hit on the nefarious spirit mage. As Po casts he feels a sense of power and surges his spells while remaining airborne. The Ant King jumps up the wall and manages to smash into Po sending them both crashing to the ground. When Ember reaches Cillian he starts to swing his massive hammer! Cillian dodges the attacks not wanting to feel their effect. When Oren’s eyes clear he swings a massive strike felling both the Scarlet Scorpion and the Ant King! The Scorpion Kin falls into the lava forge where the magma seems to reach up and pull her under. Po recognizes a huge spirit whim backlash taking place and tells the PC that they better leave the area immediately! Cillian briefly considers throwing the sword into the lava but decides that it should instead be investigated once they leave the forge. As they run from the temple Ember, now clear headed, says that the sword cannot be destroyed in the fires of the forge where it was created…he also relays that he only knows of one other place where it might be undone but that reaching this place with be a dangerous and deadly journey…

Date At End Of Game: 10/02/206