Session Log

Session 66 (19/01/2026)

T.B.D Byron

Session 65 (12/01/2026)

ok so I got back just in time to do some excellent and high quality surgery to forth and also kish and everyone was pleased then we wnet through the gate and DAHAK WAS THERE AND DOING FIREY THINGS and that SUCKED but we managed to escape and we got into the desert and found a dead gnome and I looked back in time and he fell from the sky but he had letters for katapesh so we were probably in katapesh and so we ignored the big black obelisk and wandered to the town and saved the townsfolk from the big scary dust devil things and then we went into the main town hall that is somehow a basin which doesn't make sense because its a building not a basemen t but the important thing is that we met the SOOKMASTER and that is the best title ever and the old sookmaster finderplain did 11 months of governmental non-interference and was a bit of a scrooge but we have to go save him and whatys actually important is SOOKMASTER
- Scrunch

Session 64 (06/01/2026)

Following our victory over the dragon, the party took several weeks of earned downtime to recover and sharpen our skills. During this respite, I acquired a companion currently named Fuzzbutt. While I am strongly considering a more respectable name, I have however discovered that her fez is an excellent add, it distracts strangers from her fangs for a first impressions.

Our journey resumed at Gate 4, the domain of Findeladlara, the Elven goddess of art and architecture. Upon trying to leave we where attacked by animated artworks. While their attempts to paint us were harmless, they were detonating in a wave of volatile spirit energy when destroyed.

The chamber was a grand cross-shaped hall. To our rear lay the entry gate, while the path ahead toward the exit portal was choked with sand. A third passage remained a mystery, so we followed the "stick to the left" axiom and entered a room dominated by a massive mural. This mural, depicting the birth, life, and death of an elf, acted as a powerful magical lure. It beckoned me forward, thrusting my consciousness into a vision that spanned 700 years of elven existence in a matter of seconds. I am still grappling with the disorientation of this experienc balancing the sudden weight of a phantom past against my identity. i know the irony but i think i need time..

Our exploration eventually led us through a side passage connecting the mural room to the sandy exit hall. I attempted to scout the area while invisible, but I was quickly intercepted by an Animated Sand Elemental. The creature was as greedy as it was strong; it utilized a combination of brute force and engulfing maneuvers, showing a specific, frustrating interest in stealing expensive and prized heirloom axes.

Once the elemental was finally defeated, we searched the area and uncovered a collection of fine art supplies. Additionally, Byron successfully identified a scroll we recovered as a Scroll of Bless, a fitting reward from the goddess of the Guiding Hand.
- Fourth

Session 62 (22/12/2025) & Session 63 (29/12/2025)

Let us some time to meditate on the sphere of an apex predator, and the void left when it is felled. The great magma wyrm Veshumirix, roosting upon a hoard, plans for centuries, with many ignorable underlings. A dwarf, Embermead, makes a deal that either accelerates the original plans, or enrages Veshumirix enough to spur him to action. A city to conquer and a region to control. A shard from the Orb of Gold Dragon Kind thought to be in the possession of Veshumirix but now nowhere to be found. Frustration and anger before the final encounter. Final words which imply a knowledge of and concurrence with the goals of a soon-to-be-arriving Dahak.

As an entity, Veshumirix has many admirable qualities, the least of which being lethal skills and ruthless instincts. Perhaps behind that façade of fury was a deep knowledge about the machinations of Dahak and at least some ancillary role; in the same way I admire Veshumirix’s power, he admired Dahak’s embodiment of destruction. Was it just a coincidence that the Triad continued to be entangled with sympathisers and agents of Dahak?

What we know for certain is that the influence of the Triad has been thwarted in Kovlar, and with dragon Veshumirix gone and the undead dwarven King Harol laid to rest, it would be in Kovlar’s interest to request assistance in securing the region against new encroaching threats. Our destiny is to proceed through the next gate and perhaps finally meet the torch casting the actors of this shadow play. And as for the void left behind – the dragon might be gone, but there will always be an apex predator.

- Veshumirix the orc
(Editor's note: AKA Kish)

Session 61 (16/12/2025)

Dear Grandma,

We survived, I do apologise if I scared you with my last letter, the situation was dire however we did persevere, however with this perseverance we also came to an impasse, with a new key the dragon unlikely to attack the city and the second in command of the scarlet triad dead by our hand we stumbled with what the next course of action would be. 

Scrunch met up with us in Kovlar and while we had these discussions, breaking down what we had discovered over our many interactions with the scarlet triad, we took this time to also gear up, returned Algera Kord’s family heirloom who was quite grateful and gave us a reward and do a bit of personal shopping.

Through our discussion the questions raised were why was the second in command interested in this location? What did the scarlet triad have to gain? Who is this secret benefactor that Embermead spoke of in Laslunn’s letters? Why are they trying to gather all the shards of the golden dragon? What did the duergar give Embermead?

We decided we wanted to at least speak to the dragon to find out more information about the scarlet triad and their agreement and at best defeat it and gain the golden shard.

We returned to the temple of gods clearing the remaining rooms, each had spirits or creatures that have materialised due to the horrific tragedy from when the orcs attacked. One was in a room with urns full of ashes and was a Warsworn which was formed from 100s of victims of a battle. The other was in a jail which contained spirits where an angry female dwarf spirit was encouraging others to start a brawl. However both yielded when they saw Fourth with King Harral’s cape.

We found a door behind a pillar which had stairs that descended over 700ft. At the bottom we opened a door to face dragon-scarred undead, they are known to be brought to life by necromancers who were impressed with the dragon slayers and raised them once more to serve the dragon in their undeath. This uses a fraction of the dragon’s power and allows these creatures to use similar abilities.

We quickly dispatched them before heading in deeper towards the dragon who knows what is waiting for us in the deep below.

Sending my love always,
- Carwen Valeria

Session 60 (08/12/2025)

there once was a dwarf named embermead
who lived a life of crime.
and though she fought well,
this foe we did fell.
she was imprisoned for the rest of her time

(chatted a bit but soon knocked out embermead, took her to kovlar but they didnt have the facilities to imprison her, so she was executed)

there once was an orc named kish
who was cursed on our recent miss(ion)
but byron has such will
and healing skill
they were cleansed a la magical wish

(some pretty cool magic afflicted kish, a spiritual epidemic, would have caused us significant grief if it had gone undetected, took a day of very high grade magic and the finest armor rune i have ever forged to dispel)

there once was key
and now we have it
thats right
the guiding chisel bby

(i believe we are going to clear out the rest of the temple of all gods next? but we also got the next gate key!!)
(we chatted to the regents, having uncovered many of the shenanigans in kovlar, and having traced them all back to the triad. we mention also the shards of the orb of gold dragon kind, and the threat of veshumerix, but they cant explain either)
- Durgim

Session 59 (01/12/2025)

WHEN WE LAST LEFT OUR CREW…

They made quick work of five scarlet scoundrels and found themselves face to face with EMBERMEAD.

Embermead was in no hurry to attack the party, trying to cut some kind of deal. The overwhelming majority of the party did not fall prey to what was very likely to be a one-sided deal and refused to reveal any information to Embermead. Communications broke down rapidly, and Embermead struck.

A devastating battle followed, as Embermead’s iron golems pummelled the party, but the party were able to defeat her without killing her.

Embermead alive, and more compliant, the party now ponders what to do. We agree that, for now, she is under arrest…
- Byron

Session 58 (24/11/2025)

A simple map made by forth with notes scribbled in the margins,

A) Entry to the temple of all gods , locked, trivial to me
A1) big centipede with 3 heads
B) 3 Duergar who had bows and axes, They ran to Cc to get friends to help in the fight , carwin thinks they are slave lords from a city called Hagegraf
C) wing of Folgrit a dwarf god of mothers children and orphans , Torags wife
C1) little baby beds
D) wedding room , (golden gift - torags kid ) hidden rings for good luck in marriage , And someone needed the luck because they left a dank fire res ring in E
E) A Room for meeting / confessions (smudged note)
F) stair case room
G) Glabrazzzzzooooo (without small hands) room , tables for meeting , with lots of note, looks like the dewars would hash it out here and swear to the gods to a deal “Go now in peace, those who Grundinnar and Kols have blessed here. To break this sacred oath is to invite Drangvitt’s wrath.”

lots of notes on what Ilssrah Embermea is up too, she is meeting/ was meeting with some big wig from Hagegraf , she knows about the magma dragon

New goal: get the orb of Gold Dragonkind ! or parts of it
- Fourth

Session 57 (17/11/2025)

Embermead knows of our interference, but much too late. She could not stop the collapse of Falrok’s fragile rule over the Starved, and now without fear of incorporeal interference, we march on the Temple of All Gods. However, all this detritus falls by the wayside before the mighty flow of magma that is the dragon Veshumirix.

The Dragon has been an effigy of our primal fears since the dawn of civilisation. The Pantheons may wage their wars over reality, but the law of mortals is that of Predator and Prey, and there is naught more apex of a predator than The Dragon. Scarce few of my people will ever encounter a dragon, but the tale will always be the same – two beings clash, and The Dragon will always remain.

I am drawn to Veshumirix like no other foe before. When the dust settles, Veshumirix will leave The Temple of All Gods on two legs or four. 
- Kish

Session 56 (20/10/2025)

Dear Grandma,

Any news from the front? I know sometimes no news can be better than some… I'll try and convince one of my allies to take me back to ravounel to find out more information when she returns from her time away. That is if we can survive.

We find ourselves in our own strife, we were on our way to defeat the Ghoul leader who are assisting our enemies, when we found out path covered in thick spider web and heard a crying sound coming from within.

We sent fish in who was eaten by spiders. Unfortunately fish was eaten before we saw all of them and we were ambushed by four of them. Fourth had a string of poor luck getting continuously munched and poisoned by the Oliath spiders who are far away from their usual home in the jungle.

With them focused on fourth, the rest of us was able to dispatch them.

We searched for the source of the young dwarf crying but when we arrived there was no one there. Byron believes it to be a haunt but without us knowing what happened we were unable to exorcise it.

We rested before heading out into the mines, there we found a unique mineral called Lazurite which benefits undead. It's said to be from the body of a dead god, and makes undead drawn to it. We believe this is why the starved are located here.

We started our next battle when we were attacked by an undead dwarf, ghouls and golems. They make us feel hungry and can paralyse us. Our cleric is relying on regeneration, our barbarian is paralysed and our witch has gone M.I.A.

If this is the end, know I love you.

Yours,
- Carwen

Session 55 (13/10/2025)

the party dying,
undead bravely swarming! phew,
we love the cleric

(fight fight fight, some casualties
acquire the regalia, an (arcane, neutral) robe of the arch magi, a fine item but unsuitable for any amongst us
continue on to the next quest at the sanctum of the starved to defeat their faction leader, an enemy of the king
there are giant spider webs, and giant spiders to match)
- Durgim

Session 54 (06/10/2025)

REPORTS FROM THE FRONT

The party continued cleaning out the corruptive influence of the Scarlet Triad, as they faced off against a nasty alchemist and their lackey's. Scrunch escapes a brush with death, as does one of the lackeys who is captured and questioned. The lackey gives us no meaningful information, and he has been delivered to you for further questioning.

The Alchemist lair, however, was a trove of information about the undead city of Saggorak, which I have enclosed for you:

We discovered a map, where a location is labelled "The Temple of all Gods" - we are unfamiliar with this, but maybe this is known to you.

The juicer information regards the political situation in Saggorak, if you such a term could be used regarding the undead. Apparently, the last king of Sagerak, Harral, who died defending the city from an orc invasion, still walks and has dubbed himself the protector of the city. It doesn't appear as though the city is united behind him though, as there are a variety of factions. We don't know about the factions beyond the types of undead that associate with each, but the specific mention of these factions and indeed their mere existence hints at simmering resentment or a potential power struggle in the city. In fact, we have read reports about a person known as "Veshumerix" who is apparently trying to exploit potential divisions in the factions. All of this is, as yet, unconfirmed.

We have ventured into Saggorak to confirm these reports and continue with our mission. While the undead city is manageable for a party of our skill, we have recently come across some terrifying creatures that almost stole away with Durgim and Jaguar.

Our next report will be more informative.

P.S. If a floating hand tries to cut any deals with you on our behalf, please tell us.
- Byron

Session 53 (29/09/2025)

Subject: Unsolicited Consultation Regarding Operational Inefficiencies at Saggorak
Recipient: Miss Ember Mead, BBG Manager, Cult of Droskar & Junior Triad Associate
From: A Concerned (and frankly vicariously embarrassed) Third Party
Date: The Morning After the Disassembly

Miss Mead,

I trust this letter finds you well—perhaps currently engaged in the diligent, necessary toil that Droskar so values, such as cataloging your immense operational failures.

First, let us dispense with the grudging compliment: managing to maintain a hidden slave forge in the very heart of Saggorak despite the general, almost geological level of incompetence displayed by the local Dwarven leadership is genuinely commendable. It would be entirely unjust to attribute your initial success only to their shortcomings; your personal efforts, however limited in scope, clearly factored into the equation. Good work.

Security and Tactical Shortcomings
However, my professional appreciation ends where your profound lack of foresight begins. Your failure to implement a viable backup plan for "stray adventurers" is a critical error. Had you desired to rely solely on two simple-minded brutes to guard your main entry, surely you could have hired a pair with enough brain-cells to consider coordinating their efforts with the Giant Undead Forge-Kin residing one room over? Instead, we were treated to the pathetic spectacle of your guards watching us dispatch their colleagues in a fair fight, securely hidden behind a Wall of Force. Your decision to prioritize a spectator sport over a coordinated defense speaks volumes.

As for the forge room itself: your smoke removal system deserves praise; the rest of your defensive considerations, not so much. Your otherwise formidable Undead Forge Master was deployed with baffling ineptitude. Lacking any ranged or spellcaster support whatsoever, it was easily focused and displaced while simply tanking its impressive fire aura. This is not strategy, Miss Mead, it is sacrificial charity. We were able to liberate the slaves with incredible ease after those three guardians were dispatched, without a single slave being harmed or even seriously threatened.

Economic and Logistical Arrogance
Now, let us discuss the economics of highly skilled slave labor. While the concept of utilizing such labor is sound, wasting the efforts of a skilled blacksmith on utterly pointless tasks, such as endlessly turning a grindstone, speaks to your profound arrogance and ill-organization. You are a cult operating in the background of a massive city, hardly a position so secure that you can justify such an ostentatious display of wasteful effort, even in the name of your deity's philosophy of toil.

You must, if you can muster the limited intelligence required, consider this statement carefully: the slave labor you deem "free" is, in fact, costing your cult its most expensive and valued resource your subtlety! Kidnapping people draws attention and limiting the number of people you are kidnapping would have reduced your operational footprint and, ultimately, prevented us from finding you in the first place.

Structural Ineptitude
Finally, the design of your hideout path: having a single, unbroken line of sight and travel from your one point of ingress to your primary point of operation is incomprehensibly stupid. Even you, despite your evident lack of access to a mirror, should have immediately grasped the glaring idiocy of this layout. I strongly advise incorporating branching paths, hidden doors, and, in particular, a simple illusion on your main ceiling to break up the line of travel.

Because of this single-path layout, a large group of heavily armored adventurers (us! For those of us who can't colour in the lines, let alone read between them) were able to sneak up on your set of guards with zero effort. This is not praise for our skill; it is a total lack of any defensive competence on your part. And much like your receding hairline, this incompetence goes all the way to the top!

(Your interior décor is, however, very nice. The warm glow of the magma offers a pleasing touch and a useful disposal point for waste and trash—such as yourself.)

We were genuinely shocked that, having hired such incompetent fools, they actually considered fighting us in two small groups as a viable strategy. I don't think you would understand this, but it would be remiss of me not to inform you of a concept that you might, with years of patient care and effort, one day be able to grasp: the concept of "defeat in detail." Look it up. When you stop crying.

Yours
- Fourth,

A fool of a thief that can still mentally walk circles around you drunk, high, and asleep.

P.S. Thank you for the wonderful new shield!

Session 52 (22/09/2025)

T.B.D Scrunch

Session 51 (15/09/2025)

Running notes – to be compiled

New information

• Seals
  • All official seals are magical
  • All official seals are made indistinguishable
  • Algera’s seal has a unique discrete defect
• Algera
  • The current seal in her possession is not her own
  • Goldhand is not currently using Algera’s seal

Mission Updates

• Theft from the Vaults
  • We have proven that the vault “break-in” was the result of a major security flaw
  • Goldhand will take over and continue the investigation - END
• Check the walls
  • Something beneath the walls is magically weakening the wall defences
  • The path under the walls is not an officially documented one and so the way to travel there is unclear – PENDING
• Missing tailor
  • Friends of Algret state that the justifications penned in the letter given to Dolgindir is not characteristic of Algret’s disposition
  • People saw Algret heading to the Earthfire District frequently
  • Algret was last seen in the Earthfire District being escorted by guards and looking unhappy
  • There are rumours that a Drosgar forge is hidden somewhere in the Earthfire District
  • People have noticed more guards have been put on patrol in the Earthfire District, however spend much of their time in The Barricade – PENDING

New location

• The Barricade
  • Four guards with equipment reflecting a senior position use an abandoned masonry warehouse as a barracks
  • This posting is not reflected in the official guard roster
  • The guards state that they are posted at the warehouse to defend against vandalism for the purpose of securing a potential buyer.
  • The warehouse has stormed and the guards incapacitated

Reflection
Although local authorities are to be followed by travellers, we have been given supreme authority to act, within reason, beyond the bounds of law enforcement. By requesting a voluntary inspecting of the warehouse and being denied, our investigation and therefore the supreme authority is obstructed, and those who obstruct justice are no longer considered innocent bystanders for the purpose of enacting justice (equivalent Inner Sea teachings of Torag and Erastil regarding rogue agents in a community). Furthermore, the existing suspicion that local authorities have been infiltrated by nefarious agents with the goal to corrupt and destroy order creates a Divine impetus to intervene and root out corruption.

- Kish

Session 50 (08/09/2025)

Dearest Grandma,
It’s been a whirlwind here in Kovlar. I promised I’d write once we reached someplace civilized, but Kovlar’s troubles run deeper than I first imagined but it has such beauty, I look forward to being able to share with you what we have found so far, since our arrival and warning to the regents, many of them have sent us requests for aid to look into troubling situations.

Let me tell you what we’ve uncovered so far:

A Smith’s Shame & a Hidden Hand
Forgemaster Halrig asked us to help settle a dispute between the Anvillers' Guild and local merchants. Turns out, some weapons were crafted to look strong but broke easily in battle. This was not by the smith’s will, but because he was threatened by the Scarlet Triad. They blackmailed him, exploiting his lack of certification and fear for his family. We brought him to the Guild, and they now know he was a victim.

Bluecrabs & Blackwater
Commander Hammersong sent us to Bluecrab Lake, where fishermen had gone missing. We found a toxin in the water that hurts the lake’s crabs — sacred creatures to the city. Worse still, in the guts of lake serpents, we found daggers from dwarven clans, confirming the missing dwarves had been attacked and killed. We suspect the Scarlet Triad again, causing the serpents to become agitated, poisoning the waters, attacking the food supply. The Guild thanked us with a small gift, but we’ve asked them to dig deeper.

The Vanished Husband
Then there’s poor Zamak, a tourist from Larrad who vanished after a row with his wife Olga. They’d argued about money, staying at the Gold Sky Inn, and he stormed off into the Earthfire District. We found traces of his last steps at another inn which had earplugs (recyclable, eww…), he drank more ale before going for a walk to clear his head. It feels like someone snatched him. A skilled worker, maybe taken for his tools or talent. It’s too similar to other disappearances to be mere coincidence.

Secrets & Spells
Archmage Nalruven of the Guild of Spells is curious how we arrived in Kovlar as he knows we didn’t use normal teleportation, and he senses something strange. We told him the truth, but not all of it. Not yet. Until the Triad is unmasked and trust among the regents is firm, we withhold the information.

Cracks in the Walls
Alljoiner Garnis of the Carpenters’ Guild believes something dark is festering in the heart of Kovlar, and I agree. We’ve begun looking into the city’s defenses (the literal walls) and found disturbances that shouldn’t be there. It’s too early to say more, but I fear even the stone itself may not be as solid as it seems. Smuggling? Sabotage? We follow the trail.

Vaults & Vanishings
A powerful runestone was taken from the city’s sacred vaults, one with anti-magic properties. It was supposed to be on loan briefly but never returned. The paperwork is missing pages, and the security system, meant to be infallible, was bypassed. The thief? A regent from the Thieves’ Guild! but was it truly them, or someone wearing their face? On the same night, the accused regent lost her heirloom rings. Two thefts, same night, two guilds under fire. I sense misdirection and manipulation.

A Letter Not Written
And then there’s Algret, a bold and brilliant tailor from the Guild of Finery, who vanished. A letter was left in her name, claiming illness and pregnancy, but the writing wasn’t hers. Some say she had a lover from Highhelm, but even that might be misdirection. We checked the letter and compared it to her handwriting, it was forged. All signs point again to the Scarlet Triad. How many people have they stolen in the night?

There’s a pattern here, Grandma. Like constellations hidden behind clouds, we see glimpses, flashes, signs. The Scarlet Triad is working to destabilize Kovlar. Weapons, water, people, politics, these are all threads in the same tapestry, I will send more words once we have followed them all.

Xx Yours,
- Carwen
P.s I found more delicious tea! - Herbal this time

Session 49 (01/09/2025)

have you ever seen a goblin
wear a scrotum from a demon,
pirate sextant, pirate eye patch,
lit ring, candle hat.

and have you ever seen a goblin,
wield of staff of dubious origin,
unnatural glyphs, and surgical grafts,
from fish, squid, squid, and bat.

(scrunch’s song won over the council of regents, and theyre happy for us to travel freely here)

there once of a dwarf named durak,
with procedures all of his own.
while another cop,
might arrest a con,
he’d turn their flesh to stone!

so when we met with brigven,
while investigating a shoddy sale,
faced with the risk,
of a face made of rock,
he spilled the dastardly tale…

(durak begrudgingly involved us in investigating a sinister plot; we uncovered that cultists of droskar are present, and embermead is blackmailing brigven to sell poor quality goods, perhaps to undermine the anvil-ers guild)
(note that some of this was retconned and durak isn’t as crazy as it first appeared, so we can keep him)

some scribbles, but nothing cohesive, and certainly no punch lines *

(keldar is hanging onto our letters, one was an invite to talk to commander grokkar hammersong, who wanted our help with declining marine life in the region)
(the crabs were dead when we arrived, but the lake serpent corpses are kinda our fault)
- Durgim

Session 48 (25/07/2025)

Our mission to the Dwarves begins.

The party finds a friend who orients them, telling them to avoid a "city of the undead" and instead head for Kovlar. The party, assuming that the Scarlet Triad might be looking at Kovlar as their next target, forge ahead in the hope that they can get there ahead of their long-standing enemy.

Party members are on the lookout for "esoteric things", which our Dwarven guides are quiet on.

Before we may enter the city proper, it is insisted upon us that we attend a meeting at the "court of regents", who are a council of local trade union leaders. This is an enlightened land.

The council thanks us for killing critters in the mountains, and assert that nothing untoward has been happening in the city. Before we can continue, we must be given what I can only imagine is the Dwarven equivalent of a citizenship test.

We are asked a variety of personality test questions (not too dissimilar to ones I have come across in local prints) but, rather than identifying what type of cheese you may or may not be, these questions are our key to entry into the city.

We answer the questions duly, with input from all party members, and await judgment…

We can only hope that we have passed this test, and will be entering the city ahead of the Scarlet Triad.
- Byron

Session 47 (18/07/2025)

Kish ! he is back , and despite having a spear its not as good as mine (he also uses it in an odd way!)
with a new construct , we set off again through the rings,

we got into a fight with two gugs and a big rat, not clear on exactly what happened as i got killed.

Apparently the group left shortly after and we had a week off to recover.
Now we enter the lost dwarven city a 3rd time, we find a ghoul that the gugs used to turn people undead, it didn't know much

another few rooms and we found a set of 4 gugs, One on a throne.
With expert precision Scrunch walled and push them into a harsh 1v4 and the "king" fell. Now .....
- Fourth

Session 46 (11/07/2025)

Initial field assessment report

Location: Caverns
Terrain: Stone, Crystals
Size: Undetermined
Vegetation: Not identified
Water Sources: Not identified

Sentient Hazards (please refer to index for further details on each entry)
Crystaline slime: These creatures exhibit similar physiology to slimes and resist precise strikes and bladed weapons. Blunt and sound-based weapons results in mass shedding and splitting. Risk – Low/Moderate. Equipment – Adequate.
Cave worm: This creature is gargantuan and uses its size to restrain and swallow its prey whole. It can regurgitate large objects as projectiles including boulders previously stored. Victory came solely from good fortune. Risk – High. Equipment – Inadequate.
Gug: These creatures feature four long limbs, allowing them to strike many targets from a safe distance. They exhibit instincts of a trained fighter and will manoeuvre carefully to avoid leavening an opening. Risk – Low. Equipment – Adequate.
Shadow Bat: This ambush predator can innately conjure darkness equivalent to the kind produced by advanced magical practitioners. Risk – Moderate. Equipment – Inadequate.
Undead: Remains of undead have been identified. Reasonable possibility of encountering further undead-related hazards. Risk – Unknown. Equipment – Unknown.

Artificial Hazards
Crystal clusters: Infused with necromantic energies and drain vital essence. Pacification techniques detailed in religious texts. Risk – Moderate. Equipment – Adequate.

Natural Hazards: Not identified

Description and Summary: 
Medical supplies found, evidence of previous travellers who did not escape. Ancient stone carvings identified as dwarven craft, yet no sign of active civilisation. Dwarven undead are preyed upon by presumed native creatures. Overall picture suggestive of post-collapse settlement with recent history of necromantic activity.

- Kish

Session 46 (04/08/2025)

WE WENT HOME and we finally got the hero's murals that we deserved except mine was the wrong color and they had the wrong fish.

we also have a bunch of money, but nobody actually sells anything useful or fun so all the smart people are keeping theres.

also the bumblebrashers have a giant wooden crown i dont know where they got it but i think they should give it to me.

also also i smartly added the elves into the totally for sensible purposes comunication network

and ALSO also also I got a cool necklace for my fancy sleep rock

we went through the gate and there was this lady that was dead but she didn't know she was dead
and she'd been dead for like, a bajillion years and was just hanging out here
and we worked out that the screamy crystals in her room had screamed her to death so I was a fucking GENIUS
and made it all quiet and then we just straight up turned the crystals off and she was all thanks
I can go now and she vanished and we saved the day and through we went.

then we went into a cave it was feeling pretty cool and crystally up in here until some puddles got like, sharp...?

then the razor sharp crystal ooze insides made themselves known to our cleric, who inexplicably entered one of the sharp puddles

he actually spent a surprisingly significant amount of time inside the spiketerroroozemonsters

then everyone else had a pretty great time up in the oozes, just to see what it was like.
even i had a look, because i had fomo (fear of moving oozes)
honestly like, 2/10, would not recommend.

then i ran away but i was looking the wrong direction and i ran into a STAB and i blacked out.
i assume everything went fine because im not dead so... ... presumably a good strategy.

- Scrunch

Session 45 (28/07/2025)

Dear Kish, 

I bring more tales of exciting adventures I have had with our wild-hearted misfits, We begin this tale, fighting our previously elusive foe Laslunn! We worked hard together to take out the iso creature as water began to spill over the cleverly placed wall by our talented friend scrunch. Lasluun tried to convince us to save the remaining slaves however we decided stopping her took priority as we believed to have set them free before. Lasluun was targeting me, however this was her downfall as once she had felt my blade and saw my the confidence of my allies, she decided to move away from my side and left herself critically exposed to my blade resulting in our victory.

As Scrunch turned off the water device, the quickest of us set out to the slave pens to make sure they hadn’t placed more slaves there. We were relieved to see no one was in the cages and finished scoping the mines and read through Laslunn’s notes. Laslunn's notes indicate, in particular, that she hopes to use the Eye of the Wise to leverage her influence with her direct superior, Ilssrah Embermead, who is currently working to secure the far side of that aiudara under the Five Kings Mountains.

it also indicates that Laslunn is growing impatient with the Scarlet Triad’s plans to leave Alseta’s Ring untouched. She would rather launch an immediate attack on Breachill to secure the hub and doesn’t agree with her commanders’ fears that “doing so would alert our benefactor,” but for the moment she has been content to bide her time.

It looks like we will be heading into the darkness for our next adventure.

We headed back to Kintargo making sure the ex-slaves arrived safely and are currently staying near our allies the bellflower and Lady Docur while we sell and buy new items. We have invited them back to Breachill to visit/supports us. We hope you can return soon and join us back in Breachill. You can find us at the The Wandering Minstrel, we’ll be staying for the next few days.

Best wishes on your journey,
- Carwen

Session 44 (21/07/2025)

there once was a hench man named vaklish
his abode in the mine was quite ‘swish’ (allegedly british for ‘impressively smart and fashionable idk)
he started a fight
to remove us from his sight
and in a way, we granted his wish.

the subsequent room had a mat on the floor
some cages, some locks, but nothing more
but after a thorough investigation
of lumpy floor decoration
we uncovered the loot of the giant from before #perfectsyllablecounts

and at last, we beheld, the gnoll, laslunn
famed villain, slaver, killer of a wainright
negotiation, aggression, combat began so soon
paused for a week, waiting; well finish them off tonight
- Durgim

Session 43 (14/07/2025)

After onyx passed we tried to leave, the archers barded our way and paid the price,

with the archers gone we decided to look into the giant, while others where focused on loot, I freed all the salves and we got them out of the base

The giants loot was taken by someone else !

Now we had a tens of people to feed but my amazing forethought means we have plenty of food! I don't need magic BS to solve my problems i use my head, so scrunch making magic huts for them will not count

We are leaving the poisoned ex Slaves in said huts while we good back to avenge onyx and make this Gnoll eat dirt.

On the way we encountered more of the alchemists that make whatever they feed the ex-slaves to make them so compliant

A wall of force split the fight but also let 2 escap
- Fourth

Session 42 (07/07/2025)

WHEN WE LAST LEFT OUR HEROES

The intrepid party were surrounded on at least one side by archers in the slaver’s quarry. After many rounds of a Scrunch-shaped Gug beating up a zombie giant, we manage to climb a 15-foot incline and escape into the tunnels of the quarry.

Yet more shocking revelations are found within, as it becomes apparent that Durgim, frequently seen dragging an oversized backpack behind him and huffing loudly, relays that he has been carrying around 100 crossbow bolts this entire time. The party debates the virtues of carrying 100 crossbow bolts, but are unable to reach a conclusion.

Buoyed by the security of 100 crossbow bolts, the party decides that they are in the perfect position to attack the Lich who still remains in the quarry. The Lich has been animating every enemy the party defeats and, therefore, we cannot progress without taking him on.

After running into two zombie giants, we are bamboozled by the sudden arrival of the Lich and two additional giants. The party decides that now is the time to take a stand, however we are slowly ground down by his spells and find ourselves on the brink of total defeat.

Scrunch, no longer in Gug form, finds one last bit of audacity and ends the combat by throwing a zombie giant skull at the Lich, killing him instantly. The Lich, having trained for centuries on the art of catching rocks, is left flat-footed by the very-much-not-a-rock hurtling towards his head and simply accepts his fate. His spirit travels back to the phylactery, and the party are now in pole position to take the quarry. Not all of us have made it, as Onyx the cat appears to be dead…

- Byron

Session 41 (30/06/2025)

fish, wishing desperately he could rub the bridge of his nose:

authors note - i am just the messenger, please forgive me

ok so after i decided i would come back to life, we hung around in town and spend like a year talking about clubs for some reason. it was super boring and we didnt need to. durgim was the most bad.
then we decided to head back to the mines again, and we all agreed that my plan of attack was the best, only we didnt get to do it because we got jumped by some nerds and that guy i've been giving nightmares too. it turns out he absolutely should be having nightmares, too, because we whooped him. he made somg big bone dude and then i told it to go home, and then i told him not to go anywhere, magically, and that stressed him out. He tried to go invisible i think, but carwen was like NAH DOG and smacked the heck out of him, and then he look REALLY unsteady about it (i think durgim threw him off). and then durgim it turns out is actualyl great at fighting he's just bad at axes because he and Bruce absolutely wailed on this dude until he went down.

anyway while all that was happening, forth went full overconfident and tried to fight 4 dudes at once. and like, som ecredit, he did smack the crap out of a couple of them but also he forgot he was like, crazy not immune to poison, and got poisoned nearly to death until i went and personalyl saved him.

then 2 of the guys tried to make a run for it and we chased them. one of the pretended to give up but then totally didnt and was like, reaching for his crossbow so i saved us by knocking him out... pretty uh... hard. anyway one more dude escaped and went to get the giant who i HEARD was meant to be some cool honorable combatant guy so i sent fish to tell him to stop being a twat but he didnt listen and went all hurr durr stone giant vibes, so we charged him which was definitely the right strategy and carwen teleported and then got punched in the face and then we surrounded him and i turned into a big mouthhead dude and did a bunch of snacking on him and then i told durgim just where the tastiest bits were and he chopped him down as well. all in all excepting forths comical susceptibility to posion we really crushed it except now theres

whats that? yes you need to wrtie this now, ill forget otherwise. the arrows? dont worry about that this is important fish stop asking questions.
great now i forgot where i was up to

- Scrunch

Session 40 (23/06/2025)

T.B.D GM

Session 39 (16/06/2025)

Dear Grandma,

I’m sending a follow up from my previous letter, as I won’t receive your response before we leave Kintargo, Hopefully when I return I will be reading good news from you. As I feared, demons have been causing destruction to the new trade routes being established into Sarkorris for the restoration projects. They have been murmurings of them taking both the labourers and the trade wares, my suspicion is to create their own stronghold and slaves to strengthen their defence in the area. Hopefully mother will have been dispatched in time.

Currently the rumour of the Scarlet Triad of being within a quarry away from Kintargo has taken us away and we have just defeated the first round of guards. One of them surrendered after watching his companions include another Rakshasa brought in by Barushak go down one by one and provided us some information about the operation. Laslunn is apparently here somewhere in the depths and there are several giants including a shadow giant. We let him go with Scrunch keeping an “eye” on him as he left. After healing we ventured in deeper and attacked a set of giants who did not fear death and took two out while Scrunch kept the other two at bay with a wall.

The giants withdrew to a smaller room which had a door guarded by undead ghoul-like Ghastly bears. A rare creature which can’t be naturally made. We took out the giants before entering the room and being the fight with the bears, unfortunately while leading the charge, I was bit by own and have contracted a terrible disease which if not treated with limit my ability to heal and at worse case turn me into a ghast. I trust my companions will help me through this once the battles are over.

Pray to Desna for good fortune in this journey.

Much love,
- Carwen

Session 38 (09/06/2025)

while following a river, we encountered a fey,
who sang enchantingly, fascinating their prey.
and once afflicted, with no interest in the fray,
carwen just sat there, unable to play 😦

while sneaking in a cave, a foe said “call!”
the game was poker, the dwarves were small
suddenly, we ambushed, initiating a brawl
and while they had reinforcements, we had a wall*

* actually many magical walls (“welcome to vivid, dickhead” - scrunch, 2025)
(also there are shenanigans afoot at the quarry, gaurds are dead, a shadow giant roams)
- Durgim

Session 37 (02/06/2025)

T.B.D GM

Session 36 (26/05/2025)

We really need someone to learn how to handle hostage situations—because we've ended up in yet another one...

We reached the second-to-last level of the tower, where we found remnants of an old academy, including a golem workshop and a storage room that had been converted into a bunk room. The fight on this floor was easy, but the golem blocked our path, and the same slaver managed to escape us once again. After retreating to the base of the tower to heal, we were scouted by a flying, metal-encased eyeball.

When we reached the top floor, we found the summoner responsible for calling the Ice Devil. The battle was intense and closely contested. Two blue chain-wielding fiends with regeneration were taken out by our cleric. The vrock was completely ignored through ten gruelling rounds of combat. Two backup casters tried casting slow and used wall of fire to shield their side. The boss showed off his teleportation and a wide array of spells—fireball, two cone of colds, a horrifying death-vision illusion—you name it, he cast it.

In the end, we finally managed to pin him down, but the boss teleported away. The remaining two casters had hidden upstairs behind the wall of fire. We made our way back down the tower to rest and heal.

Now, we've returned to the top of the tower—only to find the two casters holding slaves at knifepoint. They're refusing to even state their demands. Gotta love those ridiculous slavers...

- Fourth

Session 35 (19/05/2025)

REPORTS FROM THE FRONT

The latest updates from the party's expedition into the tower:

The party engaged the Scarlet Triad miscreants who were lounging in the tower, launching an extended conflict that continues!

The miscreants seemed much better equipped than previous Scarlett Triad grunts, using alchemical and magic devices. The battle was tough, but manageable, until one of the Triad members fled to get their friends. The party decided not to pursue, and take a moment to heal while the reinforcements to arrived.

Eventually, more Triad members arrived, but they brought with them a hideously annoying golem that rebuffed almost every attack you could throw at it. Scrunch lay down a wall of electricity that ended up causing a kerfuffle as party members found themselves charging through it to pick off enemies and save friends. After a perilously close fight, the party manage to survive.

Next time, they will ask the question "do we continue, or do we cut our losses and flee to heal up?"

(They will probably be fleeing).

- Byron

Session 34 (05/05/2025)

Dear Grandma,

Hope you are safe and well, I have found some delicious teas that I found in Ravounel, I will make sure to stock up before we leave so we can try them together when I return. Have you received any word from father? The last time this happened was when some demons had made it past the front lines and were causing havoc on the roads. I’ll try and gather more information from sailors within the ports about the current state of the Sarkorris Scar.

For my own journeys I have been working with some Desnan Halfling and are currently struggling to hold off my distaste for the Nidalese who are currently here. The Scarlet Triad is the real danger at the moment. They found out some Bellflower hideouts and have killed and taken many prisoners. Rakashasas even had the audacity to attempt to trick us by pretending to be Halflings in danger they were quick to show their colours, with bells ringing and invisible hound dogs joining the fight. Their spellcasters made us retch and they focused our cleric trying to stop him from being able to heal us. Fortunately we were able to take advantage of their weakness and share it among my friends. Scrunch was moved by her Boggard cleric robes and provided a sermon to get rid of the bells.

We found a hidden halfling who had overheard Laria, a leader of the Bellflowers, being captured and dragged away. She remembered the scarlet triad members joking about dragging them up the declining stairs of Tanessen Tower at Alabaster Academy. 
Scrunch remembers seeing that collage and was able to guide us there. We snuck up the stairs using our copious light sources and found some scarlet triad members laughing around the campfire. We are ready to strike! I’ll return soon and send all my love,
- Carwen

Session 33 (28/04/2025)

The freed halfling introduced himself as Hundy Vosht, a member of the underground network known as the Bellflowers. Hundy was distraught that he had given up the location of some key safehouses within Kintargo. Thankful for his rescue, Hundy requested the party agree to meet with the local leader of the network, Nolly Peltry, at Kite Hill the following morning.

At Kite Hill, the adventurers were able to aid Nolly in sending a coded signal to the safehouses using various kite flying techniques. During the festival, which had been organised as a peaceful display of protest against the planned alliance with Nidal, an Ice Devil suddenly appeared and started indiscriminately slaughtering civilians, all the while uttering praises for Nidal and wishing darkness upon Kintargo.

After a hard-won fight, the party attempted to track down the source of the Devil. Sightings of a cloaked figure conversing with the creature moments before the attack suggested some some foul-play at work. Nolly informed the group that they had already dispatched agents to check on several of the safehouses, but asked if they would be willing to help by following up on two locations, the Long Roads Coffeehouse, and Lady Docur’s School for Girls.

Session 32 (21/04/2025)

Ah, the city of Kintargo — so many things to do. It looks like the city is in a power struggle with Nadal. Some reports mention ghosts around; given Scrunch's encounter with a flaming "hell hound," I assume they are founded. That said, Scrunch has some real bad karma with dogs, things that try to eat her, and fire — so who knows.

Durgim, that wonderful dwarf, managed to take my spear and turn it into the best weapon I have ever seen. some of us also got some new boots to give us a spring in our steps.

We got to use it in the afternoon, looking into the Scarlet Triad’s local group. They had a fancy warehouse we staked out, and when we reached the point where professionalism and legality smashed into each other, we broke in and roughed them up a lot — well, killed, but who cares about slavers and slaver demons? Not me.

Durgim and Scrunch saved each other in a touching example of shared desperation. I am glad they are both still alive.

In the warehouse, we found a halfling locked up and gagged, and..
- Fourth

Session 31 (14/04/2025)

After tracking down the leader of the Scarlet Triad raiding party, One-Eye Amnin, to a vantage point atop the Cypress Point smokehouse, the party discussed their strategy. They attempt an approach from multiple directions, hoping to lure Amnin to the edge of the building so that Scrunch could pull him off the building with her magic. Unfortunately, their approach was intercepted by two flame drakes who had been lurking nearby. Despite the reinforcements, Amnin's brutality was no match for the adventurer's combined strength. After disposing of the captor, they were able to free the civilians and town officials gathered within the smokehouse, including the elderly village leader and Desnan priestess, Xerelilah, and a Nidalese diplomat who introduced himself as Halleka.

After tending to the wounded, the town of Cypress Point hailed the adventurers as heroes, insisting on providing them a celebratory feast. During this time, Xerelilah informed the group that she'd overheard Amnin talking about a business called "Sunset Imports" in Kintargo. Additionally, Halleka approached the party requesting an escort to Kintargo, offering to pay them fairly for their service. The party was divided, uncertain of how they felt about aligning themselves even temporarily with any servants of the Umbral Court. Reluctantly, they agreed to travel with Halleka as they set off for Kintargo.

Session 30 (31/03/2025)

Dear Dad, I am getting concerned, I have not received any more correspondences from you or mother on my return to BreachHill, Have the roads from Numeria become too treachous? until then I will keep you privy to my own adventures, We left off having stormed the Pirate ship, we took down the Kalavakus which I've heard about from mum's stories, they were accompanied with mercenaries who we are unsure what to do with as they are okay with slavery but also not a part of the Scarlet Triad. We took a fight below ship to free the slaves and I nearly died, to keep me alive our cleric used the last of their healing resources.

We found many treasures aboard the ship, including a cloak with the name Sedranni Vashnarstill who I remembered we had dealings with in Ravounel through their business The Sunset Imports. I do not recall them being connected to the Scarlet Triads. We also found diagrams showing calculations of retrofitting the hold of the ship to hold more slaves, was this only their first stop?

We are low on magic and healing however if we don't take this town in one go, the scarlet triad could escape, burn the town or kill the elders and we don't want to provide them any wins. We now face their leader at the smokehouse hoping to defeat them with clever tricks and take advantage of them but this plan is incredibly risky.

I hope where ever you are that you are safe and/or together.

Your Loving Daughter,
- Carwen

Session 29 (24/03/2025)

Having dispatched of the Hag coven that had taken up the space within the Dreamgate, the adventurers emerged from the Aiudara in a coastal cavern located on the outskirts of Cypress Point, a small coastal town in Ravounel and a few days ride from the city of Kintargo. Seeing smoke and signs of a struggle in the distance, they made haste towards the town.

Along the way, the encountered a pack of raiders accompanying a savage blood boar, bearing the insignia of the Scarlet Triad. The slavers were escorting a muzzled captured fisherman, and demanded the adventurers' surrender. After a decisive victory against the thugs, the rescued fisherman alerted them of the ongoing attack on Cypress Hill, indicating that many slaves had already been taken about the Triad's ship, the Genie's Smile. He also relayed overheard rumours of suspected arson attacks on some key locations within the town. Fearing for the wellbeing of innocent civilians, the party rushed to the docks to assault the Genie's Smile.

Session 28 (10/03/2025)

there once was a whomping willow
of marble and malice and might
twould murder unwary travellers
that strayed into a fist fight

and along came a party of four
with weapons ranged and thrown
they assessed the threat just ahead
and its melee reach was known

and despite the clear advantage
of range and mobility
they all ran right up next to it
and got smacked by the marble tree 😦

(also scrunch is now my patron)
(also we killed some hags)
(also carwen is ‘bubble girl’ but dont overuse it)

- Durgim

Session 27 (24/02/2025)

Vusker ( our hireling ) was kidnapped by this big wing fancy pants guy to get at us, he threated to kill Vusker and us. unless we worked for him and answer questions. like most blackmail he started with something little so it would be unreasonable to refuse, but after some questions about that necromancer and her fate he started hinting at a job we would have to do ... Anyway things reached the only logical conclusion and we came to cure brut violence, we managed to beat him and despite a bit of magical invisibility he didn't managed to escape. The guards have him for now and will hand him to the capital. Vusker had a taste of the sour (or in this case metallic) side of adventuring , we should look after him over the next few weeks, anyway we are going to look into the next portal tomorrow !

- Fourth

Session 26 (17/02/2025)

everybody was very democratic today and now everybody is unhappy which i think is good because that is how compromise is supposed to work at least that is what somebody told me at school. we had to decide what to do with the dragon and scrunch suggested lots of good ideas and people were all weird about most of them even though the dragon was a bad dragon and like even though the bad dragon was tied up by baddies it was still bad so its ok to kill it. scrunch suggested raising it later but everybody was all 'lets do good' until it cost them any money and then they were like 'lets do some cheaper good' so eventually we voted and the thing we decided was that we would try and pull the magic spike out of the dragon and it was ok if it died but if it didnt we would have another talk so scrunch went and tried to subdue the dragon because fourth was scared of getting burnt or something and then ventura bravely came to help but she got beat up pretty bad so scrunch saved the day and knocked the dragon out but then it died when fourth attacked it with a scalpel but thats ok because we already agreed it was ok if it died, and besides now we have a super magic artifact so that's great news. scrunch can always raise it later if we are all sad about it.

then we went back to our friends the elves and they were very happy with us and they gave scrunch the ALL POWERFULL STICK OF DOING THINGS so now every fight will be easy.

then we went home and our friends had made our castle look much more impressive, but then somebody kidnapped our wagon builder which is totally soemone scrunch knew existed so we went to rescue them but it looked like a trap so fish went and disarmed the trap with his face and then its now

- Scrunch

Session 25 (27/01/2025)

Dear Peregrin,

It's been a long time since we spoke and I hope the seas and your travel have fared well.

I have found myself amongst wild-hearted adventurers and within the Mwangi Expanse!

Our latest fight was with a chimera who we were able to slay with some injuries to the party.
We healed up before entering a room with the ribs and core section of the dragon body bones. The chief cultist and some cultists' minions were chanting a ritual, harming a red dragon who was chained and very weakened. We fought against the head cultist, a spellcaster, feeling quite confident before realising we had entered the fight with very little healing resources… a rookie move I will admit. A few of us went down, making us wonder if we would need to withdraw before luck for us shifted and we took down her minions and finally her. There was a haunt breathing fire on us that we could only disable after healing up.

We spoke to the Red dragon called Kyrion and he explained that he was raised by the head cultist Belmazog, however they had philosophical disagreement and the red dragon claimed she was an idiot. Kirin realised the Scarlet Triad was using these zealots for their own gains, enticing the cultists with gold and a shard which allowed them to make the dragon totems, in return they got the poisoned gold.

Belmazog defeated the previous king who worshipped the demon and claims to have heard the whispers of the Sorrow Maker (Dahak) and was provided instructions which led her to find the bones of the dragon underneath the swamp. She wanted Kyrion to be the avatar for Dahak, which Kyrion was unwilling to do so and he had seen the face of this god, and felt the burn of his wrath. She betrayed him and began the ritual against his will to attempt a final wipe out of the Akuji people and bring destruction to the land. Before we leave we want to find out more about the scarlet triad, decide what we are to do with the head cultist and the red dragon. Do we invite it to our party? I know it's a red dragon, but the shard is weakening it, do we take it out? Would our people really be safe?

I look forward to reading about your recent adventures. I hope you add an item from your travels and that maybe your path will cross with mine? I have settled in a base near Breach Hill so I will be able to receive your letters if you send it to the returning address.

May the stars guide you and Desna’s luck keep you,

- Carwen

Session 24 (20/01/2025)

Regrouping the following morning, the party returned to venture deeper into the Fortress of Sorrow. The Cinderclaw's forces had evidently been reduced, as they were able to approach by raft unchallenged this time. Forcing their way back through the dormitory, the party set about clearing the outer perimeter rooms, before heading into the central area of the fortress.

The inner rooms were guarded by a powerful and unholy Clay Effigy, as well as a wrathful manifestation of Dahak's hatred. What's more, the fort itself seemed to have been constructed around the giant skeletal remains of some powerful beast.

Session 23 (13/01/2025)

After putting together the final preparations before their assault on the Fortress of Sorrow, the party began their approach via raft. As they drifted within sight of the fortress, they were immediately set upon by boggard sentries, and an immense primeval crocodile. After identifying the location of the main entrance, the group decided to instead force their way in through the clay walls.

Bursting into a Cinderclaw dormitory, and with the element of surprise briefly on their side, the party made short work of the various off-duty cultists gathered here. The Cinderclaws were unrelenting however, as various attempts to treat their wounds were interrupted by a continuous onslaught of troops. While the adventurers were able to maintain the upper hand, they decided it was time for a tactical retreat. Having already dealt a significant blow to the cult's forces, they would regroup tomorrow to continue their strike on the fortress.

Session 22 (06/01/2025)

Reports from the front:

The Party are in the final stages of the plan to excise the Cinderclaws from Ekujae lands.   Buoyed by this purpose, the Party hunted down the Cinderclaw fortress, ready for the final confrontation.

HOWEVER, en route they were accosted by lumpenproletariat Culdewen - Fae fishermen who are cursed to fish constantly and are never sated. Many such cases, unfortunately, amongst all peoples.

Having the capability to catch fish, but lacking the wherewithal to identify them, the Culdewen attacked our Party with their fishing equipment. After a long struggle in which multiple party members were hooked and dragged around, the Party prevailed.

We approached the fortress without incident - I should note here that our ability to survive the forest has vastly improved. Rates of dysentery have dropped notably, and the sicknesses cause by our engagement with the Fae were quickly dealt with.

Approaching the fortress, we predictably came upon a Cinderclaw vanguard - a group of Pukwudgies and Charau-Kas. A clear and decisive victory was won by the Party, but not before a warning horn could be blown.

After manoeuvring around the swampy surroundings of the keep, we arrived at the entrance. They are aware of our presence, they will likely outnumber us, but the Party intends to strike and defeat the Cinderclaws!

- Byron

Session 21 (16/12/2024)

there’s a final chapter in the sorry tale
of the academic we met before.
he squandered his chance, he chose deceit,
and did NOT return to taldor!

he persisted in the jungle,
looting, breaking, all in sight.
and when we came upon him again,
he began another deadly fight.

and while many helped defeat the villain,
known as gerhard penderghast,
durgim gets all the credit because
his great axe landed last 😉

and of the jackal-headed fey?
he was tracked back to his lair.
and i regret to say, with all dismay,
an angel’s body was found there 😦

but there was at least some justice,
the monster leered its last,
and yet again, point to durgim,
for the killing blow he cast!

(teamed up w half orcs, finished off gerhard, destroyed the final totem, got some loot, came across some petrified statues (probably gerhards cohort) that we couldnt fix, tracked the kishi, killed the kishi, got some more loot and gratitude from orcs, return to akrivel, chatted some, levelled up, felt triumphant idk might go home later)

- Durgim

Session 20 (09/12/2024)

After defeating the Bilokos guarding the orange pillar, the adventures continued, south to seek their next objective, After several days of trekking, and many river crossings, they encountered an ancient temple, that was seemingly once used to worship Dahak. Inside was the red pillar, guarded by a formidable Bida. The Bida offered a deal to the adventurers, to abandon their quest against the Cinderclaws and turn against the Ekujae, but they were not interested, ignoring the creatures threats and banding together to slay it regardless.

With the red pillar destroyed, the group turned to head back west. A few days later, they encountered an abandoned campsite, with three large dinosaurs foraging for scraps. Tempted by a meal, these Quetzalcoatluses launched an aerial assault, dive-bombing the party and attempting to capture them in their large beaks. After one was slain, the remaining beasts retreated into the jungle, leaving the party to tend to their wounds.

Emerging from the trees, they were met by a group of half-orc hunters, who revealed that they were hunting party on the lookout for a jackal-headed fey known as a Kishi...

Session 19 (02/12/2024)

Significant progress was made over the last few days as we toppled two more pillars.

First – the Indigo Pillar. A group of Grippli from the north had become enthralled by it magic. Fortunately, they were freed with the destruction of the pillar.
Second – the Orange Pillar. A group of lizard-like fey guarded this acid-spitting pillar. The boggy water impeded our movement, however with a combination of teamwork and positioning, we overcame this too.

Outside of this, we celebrated Carwin’s birthday. Fourth decided to sneak into Carwin’s tent and rearrange the Dragon Pillar gems she had collected, much to her displeasure. By my reckoning, 2 pillars remain which we plan to conquer before facing the Fortress of Sorrow.
- K. Yuki

Session 18 (25/11/2024)

This jungle is horrid at times. Everything bites you, and even the ground is poison. And today, three dragon-like things with venomous bites and an F-you scorpion stinger tail—clearly impractical and only existing to mess with me—attacked.
(Scrawled in-between the lines after the fact:) THE GODDAMN LOG WAS FIRING POISON TOO!

Going to bed? NOPE. A poison blowgun cleric of the CINDER CLAWS! Like, where is the fire? I can dodge-roll out of fire. NOPE! POISON! God knows why they attacked us in small groups. I understand when we attack them, 'cause they need to man/monkey/frog the totems, but they have no excuse when they attack us. I need to fill them in on the defeat in detail… once it’s too late to fix, of course. Back in town, selling the kobold’s story worked out well—better than expected, honestly! I even believe he’s reformed. I just hope we don’t meet his dragon friend; that can’t end well. We gave the elders a quick rundown of what we know. This whole moral stuff is a nightmare and probably not worth the effort. Turns out the stop-and-frisk guy was an evil, angel-eating man. Look, in hindsight, we should’ve killed him on the spot, but I’m trying to fit in with this “good” grumpy fart of a cleric (not Mark’s view on what happened, btw).

Now we’re considering heading out to the Venomous Verge once more. I should just scamper off with the key and keep the fort… but I don’t know. They do look out for me in their own way. The old farts are fun to provoke, and the goblin makes a better meal than I can…
(About four lines are blacked out here.)

- Fourth

Session 17 (18/11/2024)

(Scrunch dictates to Durgim, who, out of politeness, writes the chronicle verbatim)

after definitely practically and to be sneaky and not at all because i was very scared and hiding, i came to the fight in the mining pit at exactly the right time to save the day by making people not take naps. we killed two very big things that were sort of like eels attached to more eels. then we didnt search the water but all the worms ran away. next we went and investigated the dinosaur cage but it wasn't full of dinosaurs anymore so really we just went and searched an empty box.

i wanted to go search the water some more but i wasn't allowed because we wanted to go look at a pile of mud.

when we got to the pile of mud it turned out it was ACTUALLY A PILE OF SPIDERS and they tried to eat me because of my supernatural deliciousness. Fourth was very brave and saved me and somehow got super arsenic poisioning in the process. next time he should eat less mud.

which reminds me, we also murdered all of the sick monkey people because they were going to die of arsenic poisoning. i dont think we are going to murder fourth though, even though he seems unbelievably, almost comically susceptible to arsenic.

anyway we killed the scary spiders and i went and looked in the mud even though everyone told me not to and i was right because there was fullplate in there and ive been told it was good full plate.

then we went back to the water where also nobody wanted to go and it was FULL OF GOLD and some magical prayer beans (sic) so basically everywhere i want to go is full of stuff and we should listen to me.
- Scrunch

Session 16 (11/11/2024)

(Carwen pulls a fresh page of parchment)
...Thus began our negotiations with Hezle. We realised she has lost respect for the cult as this is a project funded by the scarlet triad and she only stayed as she had a position of power. She agreed to tell us all she knew if we protected her from the scarlet triad. I believe we can use her to bring alchemy to our developing kingdom and she’ll be away from the scarlet triad. She is worried of another “possibly dragon” in the main camp and we promised to try and convince him we knew Hezle and bring him to our side. She also gave us coordinates for the main camp and totems and told us all totems need to be defeated to get in.

We then began our massacre on the camp, killing those looking over the sick before attacking the buildings and startled cultists who awoke to the noise. This was a simple but confronting task however they were able to ring the bell twice for a brief moment. I was injured as we went into the final descent into the mine, where we were attacked while slowly descending, looking back it would have been better to take the fall damage and fight, however that’s what hindsight is for. It was a close call as Kish, Fourth, Oynx, and Durgim all went down several times causing me to call out to Renali in a panic to provide assistance. We’ve defeated the totem, which stunned whoever was closest to it. The bat-like creature came back which I defeated by taking advantage of its weakness. Everyone is heavily wounded and about to take on the final creature that is coming out from the water.

Fervently awaiting for your reply,
- Carwen

Session 15 (04/11/2024)

Dear Mum,
I know you would have not even received my letter before I send this one but I find myself wishing you were here and able to give me your advice and soothing support.

We started out so logically, we sent our scout Fourth to keep an eye on what we believe to be a cultist camp and find out their numbers, movements and any additional dangers/activities occurring.
Fourth overheard the boggards and charau-kas discussing their grievances in the camp. They spoke about an alchemist kobold that was in charge of the camp and how the other kobolds had left betraying the cult when they felt they were being dismissed. They spoke of the mud they were digging and how to gold was cursed possibly by Belmazog as it was causing a great sickness within the minors and the camp was watching them cautiously. We suspect and had it confirmed later by the Kobold leader that it was arsenic mixed within the gold mixture and that the Scarlet Triad want the Most “Pure” gold which is the gold with the most arsenic concentration.

Fourth also heard that the boggards were concerned that the kobold would learn what their demon lord Belmazog had done to “their Dragon god”. They also felt like the kobold was holding back its potions from them that would help the miners get better.

Fourth noted the outline of the camp to contain a mine with a totem and water, buildings for the cultists to sleep in and for the Kobold to do its alchemy experiments and a makeshift structure holding a large dinosaur that could be released. There was a makeshift sick bay, cooking site and summoning circle on the outskirts of the clearing. We also noted a bat-like creature in the jungle nearby that we believe to be connected to the camp. Why we didn’t just try and kill it while it slept was a grave misjudgement.

Here is where it goes downhill… As we were traversing the jungle to get a different angle on the camp, a Vroc appeared and caught the party by surprise, attacking the party and digging its claws deeply into Kish. Kish was close to death alongside Fourth who took a grievous wound so that Kish could be safe to disengage from the fight. I have never felt such deep fear capture my heart than when I saw Kish go down for a third time. If not for our healers we would have been done for. However, after the fight it wasn’t congratulatory but instead it was pointing fingers and arguing on how different party members didn’t pull their weight. Harsh words were once again exchanged and there was tension. I feel responsible to relieve and defuse the situation like dad does. But I’m inept. my party can be stubborn and prideful and whatever I say seems to be used to become a barb to another. If I don’t strike at the underlying problem this will never be solved. Please provide me your wisdom mum, how am I to inspire and provide a sense of confidence to my party when inside I am afraid. Afraid I’ll make a mistake and they’ll die, second guessing every action I take and unable to provide leadership and camaraderie.

The tension dissipated a little as we began to joke about monkeys pooping behind the shrubble reading newspaper. (Drawing below)

The following day we began to discuss how we would attack the camp and two ideas were provided.

1. Fish would go into the water in the mine and let us know if it was safe or if in danger, would return the following day and be able to tell Scrunch of any risks. This plan formed as Fourth had heard more gossip about something coming out of the totem which seems to have made a rip to the maelstrom and took up residence in the water.
2. Opening up the dinosaur enclosure and releasing it to attack to cause more disruption in the camp and kill some of the cultists.

These were fine plans and took advantage of chaos, however it would also raise alarm so we would need to be precise in our actions to reap the benefits.
I am sure you can see where this is going… I was trying to explain this to the party but they saw me as against the plan and once scrunch had felt like the talking had gone on too long sent her familiar with the plan. Fourth followed after it to see what was happening in the camp while scrunch informed us of her familiar’s feelings which soon turned to danger before death.

Seeing the cultist distracted Fourth decided to enact plan two without any of the party and got stomped on in the process causing more chaos in the camp and killing 4 cultists. We were unaware until he returned and we lost our other chance. I admit I got angry and needed a moment, which I now feel guilty for. I mean a good leader understands the characteristics of their party and knows what they need to thrive. I took too long to decide and was too firm. They were bored after hours of waiting for reports from camp.

What if I am never good enough… - (Carwen has scratched this out)

We decided to attack the camp at night by going after the leader kobold we snuck in and as we went to open the door we saw her at the entrance. Bryon quickly snarled at her, commanding her to drop her weapons and go back inside...
(To be continued, Carwin)

Session 14 (28/10/2024)

Have you heard the sorry tale
of little Gerhard Jones?
He had tried to wreck a temple
but was thwarted by summoned bones,
by a goblin, by a dwarf, by a half elf,
by an orc with huge cajones.
The party stopped the bang that
would have reduced the site to stones!

Indy Pendergrast’s smug criminal face
was left uttering agonized groans.
With his whip disarmed, and buttons stripped,
he’d fled the jungles zones.
All that lingers of his last crusade:
smells of cheap Taldan colognes.
And I’m certain that raider won’t return
(if he has any working neuron,,es!).

(the temple was allegedly a fake, to desna and gozreh, ask carwen about it)
(also noone got dysentry)
(we fought demon rafiki at the second monument to dahak)
(next episode, we will attend a goblin bbq probably)
- Durgim

Session 13 (21/10/2024)

Following a truly heroic performance by Carwin during the chilli tasting competition, the day’s entertainment was complete, however the Ekujae still had one more gracious gift for us.

In similar fashion to an orcish Katari, an opening light ceremony was followed by the retelling of the fight against The Darkness – a great struggle by the Ekujae ancestors to trap Dahak in The Space Between Spaces. Fourth and Carwin reciprocate and share their own stories to the Ekujae before the Katari concluded.

With pleasantries exchanged, we are given a lead on Cinderclaw activity in the surrounding area – to the south-east, a region of ash and cinders blankets the land, blinding any Ekujae who attempt to enter. Based on investigations of a pillar found near the temple house the Huntergate exit, the Ekujae suspect that the cultists are channelling the power of The Darkness via numerous pillars, which are also likely responsible for the ash and cinders. An ancient ancestral malediction makes the Ekujae particularly susceptible. Grateful for our involvement, the Ekujae offer each of us a magical item before we set out on our journey to find the base of the cultists.

We return to the temple housing the Huntergate exit. At the base of the broken cultist pillar is a sack containing a thin gold bar. The Ekujae inform us that Gold is the cold blood spiled after the battle with The Darkness and is tainted with the greed of its progenitor. Only the most virtuous of the Ekujae people who are unaffected by the taint of The Darkness dare to wear gold - they are called Keledi. Fourth subsequently falls ill after touching the gold.

Back into the Mwangi, we find a Jackle-man who had captured a non-avian feathered creature. Although suspicious of his motived (particularly Carwin), we allowed him to continue on his way. Proceeding, we find another cultist pillar crowned with the carved head of a white dragon depended by bat creatures. These were easily felled. Our final stop was a stone temple to Desna atop a 40ft cliff, however that tale is not mine to tell.

A final note – I commented on the corrupting nature of currency which seemed to confuse Byron so I shall elaborate. The people of my Hold are taught from a young age that The Word of the warrior is synonymous with The Truth. While the people of the Inner Sea must “promise” and “vow” because their words are meaningless, the people of my Hold know that once The Word is spoken, it will be. Hence, the economy purpose of currency as a “promise” or “vow” of goods exchanged or services rendered is inherently steeped in the deceptive nature of the economy forces which drive civilisation. I begrudgingly accept the necessity of currency for the acquisition of tools of war, however my deep disdain for the merchant and the bureaucracy remains - they are the proprietors and perpetrators of a decrepit system.

If you ever read this Byron, I would like you to know that when I initially heard that you were previously involved in politics, I incorrectly assumed the worst. However, your convictions truly showed during the conversations around the Bumblebrashers’ tenancy in Citadel Altaerein. While I disagree with elements of your Horizontal Organisation proposal, you speak with wisdom and purpose which is admirable.

- K. Yuki

Session 12 (14/10/2024)

After much effort, we finally managed to open the door, revealing a misty portal that led to a tunnel of scorching magma. Inside, we faced the dragon fire elemental, an aspect of some ancient god. Its breath attack nearly wiped out the entire party, and we lost one of our own. Scrunch, however, claims he’ll return, so we decided to hold off mourning for now.

Fleeing the lava cave in fear of fiery doom, we ventured into the Mwangi Expanse, only to be met by a swarm of vicious ants before we even had a chance to heal. Burnt and bitten, we stumbled across a group of elves who, thankfully, turned out to be friendly. They offered us incredible hospitality—dancing, cooking, hunting, and discussing our skills with their leaders.

The night ended with a grand feast, along with a well-meaning, if slightly ill-advised, attempt at playing matchmaker...
- Fourth

Session 11 (07/10/2024)

What is Citadel Altaerein? Everything
What has Citadel Altaerein been until now? Nothing
What does it aspire to be? Something

We are going to see whether these answers are correct, we shall then examine the measures that have been tried and those that must be taken for Citadel Altaerein to really become something.

Numerous significant events have occurred that have contributed to the growing contradictions and awakening consciousness of our group.

Firstly, having vanquished Voz the scoundrel necromancer, her documents revealed the extent of her plans. Not quite a simple researcher, Voz was in league with a group known as “The Scarlet Triad” who had been hitherto requesting Voz to research Alseta’s ring in return for supporting Voz’s business ventures. Voz had requests assistance from the Triad in establishing an assassin’s guild in Citadel Altaerein - thankfully, this plan has now been ended permanently. The Scarlet Triad, however, remain a mystery - with the exception of “Laslunn”, the one name we have who was Voz’s contact with the mysterious group.

The party examined the six gates, and managed to determine the one which may lead to the Mwangi. The other doors remain a mystery, although we have strong suspicions where they may lead. The party successfully restored function to the gate to the Mwangi and we will soon establish a foothold in order to expel the cinderclaws.

Additionally, a piece of paper of dubious patronage was found attached to a deed of Citadel Altaerein. The paper, despite having little authority to do so, declared that the deed belonged to whoever happened to claim it. This discovery awoke the latent forces of reaction and crypto-aristocracy within the party.

The paper holds no meaning or authority, as the natural laws of Res Nullius clearly applies in this instance. The party and the Bumblebrashers now seek to establish the citadel as a base of operations by building its productive forces.

Nevertheless, the governance of the Citadel remains an issue. The question put to the party is this: shall we allow the Citadel to become something meaningful, or will we permit the cancerous growth of a rent-seeking crypto-aristocracy? If we permit the latter, we allow the lords of the future to say “this is the way it has always been”. We have an opportunity to do something else.

The solution is this: the Citadel is to be developed in common, by volunteers and paid workers, under our guidance. We will continue to develop the productive forces of this building until, at some point in the future, it becomes either a part of an existing settlement or founds a new settlement. At this stage it becomes public land as the seat of a new local government and a defensive structure to protect settlers in times of war and crisis. In this way, Citadel Altaerein can become a tool for the common good of the land and people.

The party has already begun this process, by beginning the cleaning and reconstruction of the citadel into a shining example of cooperation. Soon, we will be able to demonstrate the power of our hard work and we may say “we did this for the good of the realm” and be damned anyone who wishes to say otherwise.

- Byron

Session 10 (30/09/2024)

with no explanasion as to how this is possible, scrunch dictates her adventures to fish (a paper lantern) who, bizzarely, can both hold and use a quill

scrunch can neither read nor write, and has no intention of learning

dear diary. today we dug around under some rocks for no reason while durgum complained and then we found a shiney scale and it wasn't really gold but it was shiney and so we kept it. then we found the MOST AMAZING ROOM full of explodey sparkle plants and i was all sparkley and also i felt sick but that was not related and i wasn't allowed to be sparkly because everyone isn't fun so i had to have a bath and then we found some dead guys and like, they were supposed to be the biggest baddest guys but they were dead so they can't have been that big or bad.

then we talked to a nice necromancer lady who wouldn't tell us anything and she pretended she was nice but she wasnt nice AT ALL and she tried to killed us and she kept touching my friends and they fell over but i kept shouting at them ansd so they were ok and then a skellington nearly killed me but then kish bonked him and he exploded and everyone was fine and we won.

- scrunch

Session 9 (23/09/2024)

Dear Mother,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to share the latest adventure from my journey with the group, which was as thrilling as it was challenging.

We delved deeper into Guardians Way’s cave, where we discussed our knowledge of the skeletons we encountered, likely created through necromancy. Among the discoveries, we found some items belonging to Voz Lirayne, including a diary written in Necril. This find sparked our first argument of the evening, with Kish exclaiming that Fourth has a powerful aura that seems to stir disagreement among us.

As we pressed on, we rounded a corner and were ensnared in webs, falling prey to a giant spider. It was a tense moment—our cleric retaliated valiantly, striking back at the creature, but unfortunately, Fourth was swallowed whole. In a twist, the tixatog (the spider) began speaking to us in Common, offering to negotiate for Fourth’s release. Fourth was furious that we were considering sparing the creature, especially when the tixatog remarked that he looked like a “delicious morsel.” This prompted Fourth to lash out, but we managed to calm him down before the situation escalated.

The tixatog proposed a deal: it would reveal information and treasure if we spared its life. Among the treasures was a striking returning starknife, which was both a boon and a bit embarrassing, considering I had just asked for a returning rune in town. The spider mentioned that Vox had been seen traveling down the tunnels, using Grim Tendrils and necromancy.

After our negotiation, tensions flared again. Fourth was particularly upset, and his anger left Durgim feeling deeply offended, waiting for an apology that hasn’t yet come. This leads me to seek your wisdom, dear Mother. You have taught me to inspire my comrades in battle, but I seem to falter when it comes to navigating our internal politics.

As we journeyed further, we stumbled upon crumbling huts large enough for goblins, remnants of a time long forgotten. In a larger cave, we faced off against more spiders. Though we dispatched them swiftly, the earlier arguments lingered in my mind, affecting my confidence. Among the remnants, we found decayed remains, including that of a recent adventurer we didn’t recognize, leaving us with more questions than answers.

Our exploration continued down an offshoot tunnel, where we met a woman named Renali, who was trapped here after following a group of cultists. She shared that her Mwangi tribe despises the cultists, who were exploring an old shrine. The Cultist's Leader Malarunk is stuck up ahead but to get there we needed to first pass a powerful goblin leader up ahead called Ralldar, a “goblin god” who seemed quite unhinged.

When we encountered Ralldar, he was perched on a throne of bones, flanked by skeletal dogs. He demanded tribute in Ralldar’s name, and when we suggested surrender, he responded with threats of misery and death, the names of his two dogs. The battle that ensued was dire; as our situation worsened, our brave cleric used a HERO POINT to deliver a decisive blow, taking down Ralldar just when it seemed all hope was lost.

I find myself reflecting on these events, eager for your thoughts and guidance. Your wisdom has always been a light in my journey, and I hope to learn how to better unify our party in moments of discord. I eagerly await your response. With love,

With love,
- Carwen

Session 8 (16/09/2024)

peace had held for 18 years
after the blood wars stopped.
but then last night, at guardians way,
some half orc mercs were dropped!
by axe and knife, claw and goose,
the bloody blades were chopped!
and with the loot and hefty bounty,
youd best believe we shopped.

(yay potency and striking and returning runes, coming soon)
(scrunch needs a better third action than fingering her… well anyway)

we were on the trail of ms lirayne,
a POI our case.
she knew something about
alsetas rings.. a secret elven place.
we followed her to guardians way,
just to talk, face to face…
but were met with violent undead, instead
so we will continue to chase…

(still gotta explore this cave)
(theres more to do at the citadel, with cinderclaws and goblins)
- Durgim

Session 7 (09/09/2024)

”Taught hard by Master’s hand, the dog a-seeks
To find the unjust criminal by light
But when the Master turns home for the day
The dog continues deep into the night…”

The catacombs cleared; we reach the final unexplored room of the keep (save for the caved in areas). An empty room [Ritual Room] with dusty footprints, a table in the centre with evidence of ash and the telltale signs of a ritual performed. A religious symbol of Alseta was found here. To the north, a room filled with regalia [Regalia Room] and a long dark tunnel.

Fourth proposes that based on the evidence, the following events occurred in the [Ritual Room]:
A humanoid entered from the [Regalia Room], performed a necromantic ritual, entered the catacombs to the west, returned to the [Ritual Room], moved to another table, and then left via the [Regalia Room].

Durgim identified the tunnel as being created through magic. We proceeded through the tunnel and arrived in Breachill, exiting through a trap door in the storage room of a tavern known as the [Pickled Ear]

“But hound without a Master’s hand to guide
With no solutions, it alone enacts
A simulacrum of the law it saw
By dawn the Master sees its wretched acts…”

Keep cleared yet no portal in sight, we recognise that the bulk of the cultist forces must be further below – past the cave-in. However, now the goblins could safely return home and manage Big Bumble.

During the travel from Breachill to the goblin camp, an adult warg appeared, and Fourth surrendered the two warg pups to the adult warg

When we returned the goblins to the keep, we were forced to decide what would become of the cultist prisoners. It was 3:2 in favour of allowing the Goblins to feed the prisoners to Big Bumble – an ignoble fate with little respect for our enemy combatants. I will ensure that in the future, our opponents are gifted with a swift end by a worthy opponent.

“A beast trained only by the Master sits
A Master who now knows not what to do
To feed the beast and let is keep a-raging
Or rid the beast and start it all anew?
The Father sits beside the Master
The Master sits beside the Son
The beast alert before the fire
They think of justice - now unravelled and undone.”

There was one more piece of the puzzle that needed to be resolved before we ventured into the bowels of the keep – the connection between the necromantic ritual, Breachill, and the [Pickled Ear].

In the archives, we find that the tunnel was requisitioned by Breachill as an escape route.

Investigating around Breachill, we find that the owner of the [Reliant Book Company] - Voz Lirayne (now missing), was seen slipping in and out of the [Pickled Ear] at night. We confront the owner of the [Pickled Ear], Roxie Denn, who admits to being involved but refused to elaborate unless we bring her more customers.

Approaching the city council, we are granted a warrant to search the [Reliant Book Company]. Inside we find documentation that includes:

1. A record of a purchase for magical parchments that summon fire mephits
2. Research into the founder of Breachill – the wizard Breachton. The research proposed that Breachton initially established Breachill as a slave town but failed, so wiped the memory of the townsfolk out of guilt
3. The proposal that the entrance to something known as “Alseta’s Ring” can be found in Guardian’s Wary, an area around 6 miles from Breachill

It was evidence by the empty register and wardrobe that leaving the [Reliant Book Company] was planned.

Remaining leads:

1. Investigate Guardian’s Way
2. Excavate the rubble and proceed deeper into the keep

- K. Yuki

Session 6 (02/09/2024)

What is to be done? The problems of developing productive forces within a functioning adventuring party in the post-acquisition pre-absurd wealth phase.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a party to dissolve their connection with liquid capital and to assume a greater amount of important adventuring gear to support their enterprise. It is in this spirit that our party has sought to increase its adventuring base by beginning our investment in CRITICAL RUNE INFRASTRUCTURE for our weapons. We have only just begun, but soon I envision an entire party clad in both striking AND potency runes. Until that time, resources will be pooled and funnelled towards [party member that hits the hardest ADD THIS IN LATER].

After our carefully managed shopping trip, the next order of business was raised by Citizen Elowen. The matter of the warg puppies. We hold these truths to be self-evident - the young and cute offspring of traditionally evil creatures spring forth some of the most difficult moral problems for a fledgling adventuring party with neither the time nor coin to implement increasingly convoluted plans in an attempt to appease all alignments.

Citizen Scrunch, a long-time and founding member of the anti-wargist faction (of which Citizen Scrunch is the sole adherent) insist that the wargs must be removed from the world of the living.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

Citizen Scrunch was unable to carry the motion due to persistent accusations of anti-warg bias from goblinoids. Citizen Elowen, the founding member of the pro-warg faction, proposes that the wargs are delivered to a dogsitter of some kind.

MOTION NOT CARRIED

As a result of neither motion being carried, the Warg Compromise is finalised. Citizen Scrunch refrains from killing the wargs, and Citizen Elowen will only try to push the matter every now and then but will let it rest after a while. The uneasy compromise continues - STAY TUNED

The history of all adventuring parties hitherto is the history of dungeon-diving. Despite the disagreements, the party is all united on this universal truth as we continue our search to remove the perfidious CINDERCLAWS from Citadel Alterein. Known associate of the Hellknights, Alak Stagram, continues to attach himself to the party like a poor odour. Nevertheless, a new world is stamped with the birthmarks of the old society from whose womb it emerged, and Alak has not done anything too bad yet so he’s alright I guess.

ALLIANCE OF CONVENIENCE SECURED

In the citadel, the party debated the status of the bear. In a remarkable show of party solidarity and democracy, a consensus was reached.

MOTION CARRIED - WE DON’T KNOW WHAT IS UP WITH THAT BEAR

Additionally, the party fought and subdued two miscreant kobolds who, upon accepting that they could not defeat us with steel and sweat, attempted to save face by engaging the party in a disputation over the definition of a dragon. THE PARTY WAS NOT SWAYED BY THE ONEROUS DEMANDS OF THIS UNLAWFUL FACTION - ALL ATTEMPTS TO CONSIDER THE MISCREANTS DRAGONS HAS BEEN FILED UNDER “PLACATING THE HYSTERICAL” AND SHALL BE STRICKEN FROM THE RECORD.

MOTION CARRIED - KOBOLDS ARE NOT DRAGONS (unless it is in the common interest to disagree with the motion - pursuant to the common good clause of the unspoken adventuring party arrangement)

The party then came across a vile remnant of the ancient régime: a painting commemorating the brutish philosophy of the Hellknights crafted by none other than a relative of Alak. With the alliance of convenience in the balance, Citizen Elowen called a vote. The party bravely voted to allow Alak to retain the property after reparations of 20 GOLD were paid, which was received in full.

MOTION CARRIED - ALAK CAN KEEP THE PAINTING

The industrious party, having voted UNANIMOUSLY on all motions (in accordance with democratic centralist principles) continued bravely into the crypts of the citadel. The duplicitous Hellknights revealed their game and sent their lumbering forces against our righteous party. Hellknights of increasing status hauled themselves out of their graves to strike at the heart of the party and shatter our fledgling group. In a remarkable display of party unity, numerous waves of undead were destroyed and much wealth fell into our deserving hands. It is in this moment that we now find ourselves - the undead threat very likely removed, yet Alak’s ring, Alseta’s ring, and the Cinderclaws remain at large.

STAY TUNED
- Byron

Session 5 (26/08/2024)

I've been reflecting a lot lately. It's odd how much has happened in just a few days. After burning through my savings to take care of poor Onyx, I was eager for a quick job. So far, this one has been more lucrative than anything else I've done since leaving home. The work is more complicated and direct than I'm used to. The antics of cults and goblins are manageable, and the random beasts are understandable, but the Hellknights give me the creeps. To say I had no intention of ending up in a place like this would be an understatement.

That said, I’ve found a trustworthy group. Maybe I’ll stick around a bit longer—it's not like I had anywhere in mind when I set out, anyway.

And here I am, keeping watch over the entrance to a Hellknight fortress, guarding some random frog-men dragon cultists. What in the world led me down this path? Regardless, I should be nice to them. Gods know I’ll probably end up in jail at some point.

After a night’s rest, we returned to the crypts. Right away, we ran into two more of the dragon cultists. For once, I was on the side that outnumbered the other, and in my eagerness to look scary, I overstepped and stabbed one. No one in the group seemed too fussed about it, so I haven’t been kicked out yet.

Someone had made a poor excuse for a dragon hoard in that room and scrawled "BEWARE: MITEY DRAGONS!" on the wall.

The next room was an ambush. We expected the bear, so 🧙‍♀️Scrunch 🐟 suggested feeding it like the goblins had done before. But instead, she walked into three monkeys and a Boggard. The only reason she didn’t die was that 🦋Carwen🦚 nearly killed herself trying to save her. It really made me reflect on how nice —no, naive—everyone is. Two days in, and we’re supposed to do this?

The bear is still alive and kicking, so we assume it can survive one more day.
Not even an hour later, we caught our breath and were attacked by some dolls from hell. I have no idea what sick people made those things, but a ray of magic almost killed Carwen for the second time that day. Thankfully, 🪿Kish😡 managed to fight them off while taking some of the heat. Unfortunately, Scrunch dropped her fishbowl, and it was magically used to batter her nearly to death for the second time in less than an hour.

Now, a normal group would have called it a day at that point, but it seems we’re the biggest fools in the multiverse because we walked right into a gelatinous cube. Yep, we all got to experience being slowly digested while paralyzed. Scrunch ran away, so I know who’s the smartest in the group now. ⚡Durgim 🪓 and his construct managed to cut it down to near death while Kish struggled to wind up a punch.

In the end, Kish saved us. I was all but dead. I need to reconsider staying with this group. One way or another, I’ll be leaving sooner than planned.
- Fourth

Session 4 (20/08/2024)

After bravely re-murdering the skellingtons we took the important bits they had and then went looking around somemore and we found a room with a giant bat and i was worried it was going to eat somebody so because i love my friends very much i tried to see how hungry the bat was by throwing the most evil and expendable and throwable party members at the bat but for some reason everybody got really angery at me. anyway the bat was dead and it had nothing interesting inside it and the only other place we found was some room full of books like this place was designed to bother goblins or something.

we went downstairs and some super big and super pretty burds got angery at us and i wasn't sure if we were supposed to kill them because they were very pretty but then then whipped durgim and we thought that was uncool so we cut one in half and then the otherone we kinda made into a paste and apparently the feathers are cool and magic but they also dont do anything.

we had a lil nap and then we got attacked by some frog-dudes. They were pretty weird and one kept laughing at us which seemed ill advised because we whooped him up pretty good and i bravely held the door bravely so they couldnt escape. Anyway we work one of them up and it turns out they speak dragon.

they said the reason they were here is they came through the portal from the mawa... the gmwang.... some forest bullshit. and that the dude who was in charge of them and the cinderclaws was working for dahak, the god of naughty dragons, and was gonna destroy everything. he didnt have much else to say other than that there's lots of them and that his boss is pretty powerful. This all didn't make much sense to me but everyone nodded and looked concerned when he said things and i didnt wanna look dumb so i also did that.

i don't remember what happens next because i hit my head trying to look at somethign on the ground and overbalancing but i was told that kish and froth murdered some more things, which is fine because as long as the things aren't young versions of mortal enemies, we're fine killing them.

anyway we rock and now i have a feather, a skull to put around my hatcandle, and a robe that is too big but has a cool picture on it, and thats whats important.
- Scrunch

Session 3 (15/08/2024)

While continuing their exploration of the ground floor of Citadel Altaerein, the party encountered a new ally, an orc by the name of Kish. He claimed to be an old friend of the Bumblebrasher tribe, having previously escorted Warbal during her initial journey to Breachill, who was interested meeting the adventures who had recently been commissioned by the town council to investigate, and confirming the safety of the goblin tribe.

After introductions were made, the party continued to explore the northern wing of the citadel. After fending off some giant rats, the group were ambushed by a Warg who had been laying in wait in one of the offices adjacent to the courtroom. Upon dispatching the Warg (with some last minute assistance from the resident Graveshells), they uncovered a small litter of Warg puppies that had seemingly been abandoned by the singular adult Warg. Mixed opinions were formed in regards to how to handle the pups, with Scrunch in particular feeling strongly that all dogs are not to be trusted, but ultimately they settled on Fourth carrying them in a box in the meantime.

Finally, the party arrived in the citadel's holding cells. While attempting to pick the locks on some of the storage lockers nearby, several of decomposed bodies within the cells rose as skeletons and set upon them. The undead proved no match for the capable adventurers, who returned to looting once the undead had been destroyed. Inside the lockers they found a collection of silver weapons, several darkvision elixirs, as well as various magical trinkets.

Session 2 (25/07/2024)

Dear Father,

I hope this letter finds you well and that your travels are treating you kindly. I've had quite the adventure recently and thought you might enjoy hearing about it.

We began our journey by saying farewell to my new friends, the Bumblebrashers, a delightful goblin tribe we had just helped rescue. They were quite the lively bunch, and they even insisted on a promise from us to return the next day to assist them further. I’m already looking forward to seeing them again.

Upon returning to Breachill, I had the less-than-pleasant task of carrying a bugbear for several miles. While I managed the weight just fine, the smell was absolutely dreadful. After we finally secured the creature and Calmont in the town’s prison, I took the opportunity for a much-needed bath.

We then had an important meeting with Greta from the city council, where we informed her about the cultists in the Hellknight Citadel and Calmont’s quest for an elven gate. It was quite a serious discussion, but necessary.

Later, I met with Warbal, the ambassador of the Bumblebrashers. She treated us to a lovely tea—a delightful blend with hints of chamomile and a touch of honey, paired with some exquisite toffee candies. Inspired by her hospitality, I’ve decided to bring some of those toffees with me when we return to the Bumblebrashers tomorrow.

With our mission payments, we indulged in a bit of shopping. We even received a 5% discount now that we’re officially recognized adventurers in town! I couldn’t resist buying a flower press. I picked some wild daisies and vibrant marigolds that I’m eager to press and keep as mementos.

We also pooled our funds to purchase a full suit of plate armour for Byron. It’s quite the sight to see him in it! As for the bugbear, the townspeople couldn’t handle its legalities, so we’re returning it to the goblin tribe for their judgment.
Warbal joined us, and we reunited with the Bumblebrashers. They had a troubling update: the cultists had taken their mascot, Big Bumble, which we suspect might be a bear. We made sure to bring some raw meat to entice it back to its tribe.

Our party decided to clear the top floor of the citadel first, leaving the turtles alone until last. We methodically worked our way through each room. Along the way, we discovered some valuable Hellknight badges, which I’ve taken to use against chaotic creatures. As we say, “Hell to the knight!”

Opening some cupboards, we were swarmed by spiders—quite a sight, I assure you. After vanquishing them, we found some useful herbs and medicine. One of our inventive comrades had a rather explosive event with his gadgets, which fortunately sealed our wounds and helped with our healing.

Our rogue’s companion, Onyx the cat, has recovered from its injuries and is now back in fighting form. We even stumbled upon a training room where we found some coins—seems new recruits are expected to pay a tithe if they fail to hit, into the dummies’ straw!

The most thrilling part of our adventure was encountering a heavily armored man fighting off devils he called “Hell’s rancid children.” He was charismatic, slightly handsome, and—though not surprising—somewhat sexist. As we say, “It’s always better to be underestimated and use it to your advantage.”

This man is a Hellknight of the Nail Order and is searching for a family heirloom: a signet ring his parents had hidden in the citadel. He believes it’s in the vaults below. We charmed him and offered to help him retrieve it while we clear the rest of the citadel.

That’s all for now, Father. I miss you dearly and hope your journey has been just as adventurous.

With love,

Your Daughter,
Carwen

Session 1 (15/08/2024)

There was a arsonist in Breachill,
His name was Calmont, and he was evil.
He released a fire sprite and started a fire.
I don’t know why he started a fire…
But he earned our ire.

There was a goblin named Scrunch.
She had little gold, but then she had a bunch.
She purchased a candle attached to hat.
I don’t know why she bought the hat…
Poor taste? Perhaps that!

We pursued our leads to Hellknight Hill.
Two graveshells for fighting, a bugbear to kill.
The thaumaturge slayed it with a soapy blade.
I don’t know why she’d had it made…
But it sure did aid!

We needed a check, for knowledge of craft.
“Shut the fuck I’m up, I’m trained!!”, I laughed.
I rolled the dice - A TWENTY, LET’S GO!
I don’t know why my luck was so…
It didn’t matter to know.

In the middle of the fort, the goblins cowered.
A dragon in pursuit - it glared and glowered.
In the ensuing battle, our mettle was tried.
I don’t know how we turned the tide…
But that dragon died!

Finally, Calmont, there for questioning.
He spoke of elves, gates, Alseta’s ring.
He spoke of the fire, his intent, and worse.
We arrested him right there, of course!
- Durgim

Session 0.5 (07/08/2024)

The party first encountered each other while waiting at the Wizard's Grace tavern for the monthly Call For Heroes to begin. After some brief introductions, the adventurers departed to join the crows amassing outside the Breachill Town Hall. There they encountered an anxious goblin, Warbal Bumblebrasher, who has lost contact from her tribe on Hellknight Hill. As the town councillors commenced the meeting and invited Warbal to make her petition, the council chambers suddenly erupted in flames, as the building came under attack from a Fire Mephit. Through teamwork and decisive action, the adventurers managed to evacuate the 40 townsfolk that had gathered, and hold the fire at bay until the local fire department arrived to extinguish it completely.