Session 18 - Post Session Report

27th Marpenoth 1371 DR
Night's End
Stump Bog, Lair of the Twisted Branch Tribe
Cold, damp, wet, overcast, foggy

After a short debriefing of Corporal Green, the Heroes settled down for a full rest. Sev and Bron, the two Rangers assigned to the Keep, volunteered to lead the Heroes to the Lair of the Lizardfolk of the Twisted Branch Tribe. Disturbingly, the defenders of the Keep showed the Heroes an image that the Lizardfolk had scrawled on the wall of the first floor during their fist surprise attack against the Keep. The image appeared to be that of a Dragon standing over a series of twisted branches. Throughout the night Tyree heard a disturbing scratching sound to the cellar doorway on the first floor of the Keep.

At Night's End, Tyree and Storn woke the other Heroes and prepared for the foray into the Bog. The Rangers led the way and pointed out dangerous areas. Along the journey the Rangers stopped abruptly and reported a danger area. Four large crocodiles were seen swimming toward the Heroes. Then suddenly, the four scattered into the depths. After a "Dead Calm" a huge pre-historic primal crocodile burst through the muck and brush and attacked the Heroes. Alaobron and Tyree sprang into action and moved in and attacked. The Heroes slayed the beast.



Shortly after this, the Heroes were attacked by a pack of Ghouls led by a large fat Ghast. Egwaine made short work of the Ghouls and sent the Ghast fleeing when she focused her divine power and conviction and destroyed them in a burst of decaying flesh, mercifully sending these wretched undead to their final resting place and bringing the souls residing on the Fugue Plane closer to balance. When Tyree started playing with the flesh of the Ghast Egwaine righteously objected and admonished Tyree.

Egwaine also discovered another set of ruins similar to the Stones of Maglar. After a cursory examination Egwaine indicated that they were also of Djinn construction and over a thousand years old. Egwaine pondered that the Amulet she wore might be able to unlock the ancient magical power of these stones as the Lizardfolk Shaman was doing during the assault on Blackwall Keep.

After pushing on deeper into the Swamp, the Rangers crept into a place of hiding overlooking a huge mangaroo mound. They and Valcrist pointed out Lizardfolk patrols moving about with dull and primitive glowbug lanterns. Kamist made the decision to attempt to sneak up and slay the sentries so the Heroes infiltrate the Lair without alerting the entire Tribe within.

The Heroes defeated the sentries with a little planning and infiltrated the Lizardfolk Lair. After defeating three groups of Lizardfolk just rising for the their Dawn feeding, the Heroes have paused to asses their surroundings and plan their next move...

Good Job Heroes.

Session 18 - Into the Bog

27th Marpenoth, 1371 DR
Night's End (~2 hours prior to dawn)
The Blackwall Keep
Cold, damp, with a slow moving fog

There is something mystical about a swamp that exists just outside ones consciousness. Legends speak of tales in which travelers drawn into the Stump Bog by the allure of the fleeting sounds of distant wildlife, the rich aroma of the exotic plants and fauna, and the stunning beauty of the setting sun over the swamp, are never to be seen again. The Swamp before you seems alive with life and itself alive in its ever encroaching and swallowing growth. It seems, part of the River Dessarin has pooled here at the Stump Bog and continues to grow swallowing up much of the countryside here south of the Amphail Trail. As one gazes into the murky marsh, one can't help but be drawn towards its mystery.

Based on the interview of Corporal Green, Kamist has decided to set out to rescue Marzena and the four other soldiers before dawn after a full rest. Kamist made this decision based on the current need for rest of his fellow Heroes, the fading light and good chance of becoming lost in the dark, and Corporal Green's insight as to the Lizardfolk feeding patterns. From the chalk azimuth etched on battlements of the keep and the distant drums beating, Kamist and Corporal Green have judge that if the Heroes leave before dawn they could make the Lizardfolk Lair before the cold blooded reptiles begin to feed. With a little luck and a plan the Heroes just might be able to effect the rescue of Marzena and the four other soldiers before they are eaten during the morning feeding of the creatures.

So after a solid rest, Tyree has decided to awaken the other Heroes' during Night's End. He has already packed supplies and lined up the special boots Jasper already secured for the Heroes.

Step lightly Heroes for evil lurks in dark places.

Session 17 - Post Session Report

26th Marpenoth, 1371 DR
Late Afternoon
Blackwall Keep
Overcast, heavy fog and some drizzle

At the Garrison in Diamond Lake the Heroes were rewarded and met Egwaine, A priest of Kelemvor called a Doomguide. Apparently, the actions of the The Three Hills Adventuring Company had been noticed by the Church of Kelemvor and Egwaine had been assigned by the Church to serve as a liaison with the Adventuring Company which was beginning to be noticed in important circles.

After the Garrison, the Heroes traveled to the Church of Illmatar and attended a rather intense service led by Jieran Wierus. Alobron actually participated and received a ceremonial whipping as part of the service to the god of suffering. During the service Tyree interjected and was ejected from the church by acolytes. After the service, Kamist and a few others met with Hamenezzer, the second in command at the church. Hamenezzer eventually shared a secret with Kamist about a worm infested zombie locked in a cell below the church. Apparently, Hamenezzer was studying it in attempts to learn its weaknesses and possibly find a cure for the worm generated disease its victim was suffering under.

The next morning on the 26th the Heroes set out for the Stump Bog with Allustan. They traveled south along the Cairn Road to the Bargewright Inn where they stopped for a short lunch and then transitioned on to the Amphail Trail. During these travels they observed a dangerous and powerful Black Dragon (few will believe this tale, but it really happened). Once past the Goldenfields, the Heroes eventually came to the Stump Bog and Blackwall Keep.

Here, they discovered the keep under siege and commenced an attack on the attackers. The Lizardfolk force was led by a massive Lizardman standing nearly 10' tall; more like a Lizardfolk Giant. This thing commanded nearly 100 lizardmen and all were assaulting the Keep with two large ladders and a crudely constructed battering-ram. Needless to say, but quite impressive, the Heroes made quick order of slaying one of the Lizardfolk leaders and saving the day.

Upon talking with Corporal Green (the ranking Keep survivor) the Heroes learned that the Lizardfolk had crept-up to the keep early that morning and had conducted a surprise attack just before dawn. This attack killed or severely injured 14 of the defenders. Among the dead was the ranking Keep Commander, Lt. Beckman and his two Sergeants. Corporal Green is very happy to be alive, but advises that in the pre-dawn sneak attack, Marzena and four other soldiers were captured and carried away into the Stump Bog. Corporal Green actually chalked off an azimuth in line with the kidnappers egress.


Corporal Green warns that he has been stationed at Blackwall Keep for the past three years and has never seen the Lizardfolk act this way before. He cautions that Lizardfolk are cold blooded reptiles and are known to feed at Dawn or Highsun. He fears that Mazena and the others will be eaten if the Heroes do not act quickly. He pleads with the Heroes to save his men and the Keep's Sorcerer Mazena as soon as possible.

Will the Lizardfolk attack again in the middle of the night?; Will the Heroes of the Three Hills Adventuring Company save Marzena?; will Allustan arrive in time to save the day?; AND...What about that Black Dragon? Could it have anything to do with all this...Tune in next Session for these answers and more in the ongoing Age of Worms Campaign.

YEAH! ... GET SOME!

To Scream, or not to Scream

Does Tyree really Scream? To begin with, the Heroes have the jump on the attacking Lizardmen who are all directing their aggression toward the Blackwall keep and away from the treeline the Heroes are hiding within. If you really want to scream that is fine, but more than one of your companions would advise against it at this particular moment; as you are currently in hiding and surveying the battle.

Tyree lifts is sword and screams:

“I will chase thee from the bowels of the evil planes. As Tempest is my witness and with his blessing, I will destroy these Lizard folks bringing an end to this tyranny and these cold hearted creatures will only taste the hard cold steel I now hold in my hand".

Session 17 - To Blackwall Keep...Again

26th Marpenoth 1371 DR
Late Afternoon
On the road approaching Blackwall Keep
Overcast, cold, grey, and a slight drizzle

With the sale of the Orcish eqipment and the reward of the garrison the Heroes will be given a healthy sum of 11,995 gp. Quite a sum. Spend it wisely. You all have 1 day of Downtime. Allustan wants to leave the next morning on the 26th.

As the Heroes and Allustan approach the last stretch of the southbound trail, they notice an increase in the number of flies and the smell of battle--smoke and blood. As the Heroes cautiously approach a disastrous scene unfolds before their eyes; The Lizardfolk of the Stump Bog have attacked and are laying siege to Blackwall Keep; in force.

The Lizardfolk attacking seem, for the moment, too preoccupied to notice the Heroes in the treeline, however it appears that the front entrance to the keep has been smashed open at least once and has been hastily re-fortified and does not look like the defenders within will last long without some immediate assistance. Allustan springs into action and whips out his scroll of teleport. He instructs Kamist to do what they can and that he will be back with reinforcements from the Garrison. He reminds the Heroes to protect Marzena, his old friend, at all costs and reminds the Heroes of their new Charter and the "mantle of responsibility" that comes with it. "Gods help us young ones...Look for me by Mid Morning's light".

SHIZZEL SHIZZEL...and he is gone.

What do you do?

Session 16 - Post Session Report

25th Marpenoth, 1371 DR
Afternoon
Diamond Lake, Three Hills Adventuring Company Compound
Cold and overcast

On the morning of the 24th the Heroes set out with Allustan accompanying him to Blackwall Keep. The journey was initially uneventful aside for the rumors of an Orc raiding incursion in the Dessarin River Basin. After a few minor encounters, the Heroes discovered and rescued a small child whose family had been killed by Orc Raiders. After sending the little girl to Diamond Lake with a group of dwarven artisans, the Heroes pushed on and soon discovered a horrific scene of carnage. A group of Cult of Final Passage apparently was waylaid along the road.

The Heroes followed the sound of war drums off the road to the North and found a group of Orcs about to roast Hein’s Mother, his girlfriend, and another Kelemvor Cultist. The Heroes sprang into action and along with Allustan began engaging the Orcs. In a fierce fight, the Heroes eventually defeated the Orcs, which turned out to be the Orc Raiders Command Element. This huge victory was not without cost as Storn fell to a group of Fiendish Tanarukk Orc Slayers.



After the battle Allustan and Kamist agreed that the Troop should head back to Diamond Lake and turn in all the captured gear and report the major victory. It took the better part of the day and into the evening to return. An emergency meeting was called for on the morning of the 25th and again the Heroes were rewarded +5000 gp from the Governor Mayor and a huge Reputation Award. Valkus Dun Raised Dead on Storn and all was well again.
After the sale of the Orc equipment, Allustan is ready to go again (It's the 25th Afternoon).

Lets get this show on the road.