Starting XP: 150
Total XP: 190 |
IntroductionThe fine ship Opportunity has been sailing the seas for 30 years, moving from place to place searching for treasure, adventure... even trade when nothing else is close at hand. We follow six junior members of the crew, most relatively new to the ship, as they make their mark and their fortune.
Background Ships and sailing in the world of Claymore are technologically on par with the classical world of Greece or Roman. Ships are relatively slow, and relatively unseaworthy preferring to stay close to shore.
Combine this with the reality of sea monsters and the inability to navigate by the stars and travel or trade by sea becomes a dangerous and costly affair. Not so much that it is not done, but enough that sailors often hold a archetypic, slightly mythic, if not always uniformly positive place in the social imagination. Similar to cowboys in the 1890's or private detectives in the 1940's. |
Crew
Blazius 'Blaze' the Enkindler (Evoker)
Iniptia (Fighter) Fjola Wood Bender (Dwarven Fighter) A self described dwarven witch, Fjola is the only dwarf ever known to voluntarily board, let alone crew, an ocean going vessel. There is probably something not quit right about the dwarf, who has been heard to say "I float" several times but will not explain what that means. Rending Redtooth (Hobgoblin Priest of Polis) Nudd Binnion (Rogue) Nudd is a Gwarin rogue who inherited his share of the Opportunity from his great-uncle Ress Martyn who went missing and was lost from the crew four years ago. He is good with a bow and when in hand to hand combat relies on floating like a butterfly more then stinging like a bee. Horace Grimroot (Priest) The son of an apothecary who served the priests and wizards around the City of Shadows, Horace Grimroot is a veteran of both goblin wars, who was once a member of the now defunct Merciful Order. When the wars ended, he passionately pursued a study of anatomy and medicine. His journey led him to the Opportunity, where for several years now he has served the crew while pursuing his quest to develop medical surgery. |
The officers of The Opportunity are elected by the crew, here is the current roster.
|
+ Known to be skilled. ++ Known to be highly skilled. - Known to be poorly skilled, or seen failing
Adventure Log
I Doubt You'll get Such an Offer from the Kobolds
Session 1: 02/29/2024
11 Ori 1020
Docked in Soma, a large and beautiful city in the Kingdom of Nursia, the Opportunity took on a full cargo of Nursian wine. The crew is hopeful for a good return as this is some of the most well regarded (bulk) wine in the world. Captain McFaden also bought 4 light artillery pieces that the crew call 'double crossbows', they are simply larger than normal crossbows that are mounted to the rails of the ship. The crew practiced with them. Horace, Fjola, and Damia, proved to have some natural ability.
Sailing to the city of Bronzewood, a Moon Eel troubled the crew. Moon Eels are dangerous predators but pose no threat to a ship, they do however shriek when on the surface and make trying to sleep miserable. Horace and Fjola were able to kill it with simultaneous hits from the 'double crossbows', and its body was recovered and eaten by the crew.
In Bronzewood, Horace went to a hospice and volunteered to help the sick and was able to save a man that had been misdiagnosed. He stuck around after dark and dissected the body of one of the hospice's dead patients to try and expand his knowledge of surgery. Surgery is an unknown craft and cutting open the living or the dead for 'medical' reasons has the worst possible connotations in the world of Claymore. Horace was almost discovered when he was found bloody up to the elbows next to a sheet covered corpse in the middle of the night. He was almost able to talk his way out of it, but did successfully allay suspicion until he could flee back to the ship.
Blaze left the Opportunity to gleefully burn driftwood alone on a nearby beach, which will surely not prove to be foreshadowing of metal health issues.
Rending is (literally) on the hunt or sea monsters so he went ashore and did what seemed perfectly natural to a hobgoblin. He found the first sailor-looking guy he saw and pointed at him and yield 'Hey you, are there any sea monsters around here!'. Inexplicably the sailor was not put off by this treatment and was happy to tell the hobgoblin that, yes, in fact their was a sea monster about... The mad whale Kilig had returned. Two ships had been attacked and more are sure to follow. One of the ships was in dry dock for repairs.
Rending returned to the ship and got Nudd and Iniptia to help him find out more. The ship was easy to find at the dry dock and a crew of shipwrights were working on it with the captain watching from the shade. Helped no little bit by Iniptia's background as a Master Shipwright the trio were able to find out that Kilig terrorized the water's near Bronzewood 30 years ago but hadn't been seen since that time. He attacked by ramming ships and could be identified by his spout which is split into two columns of mist because of in injury to his blow-hole.
All the members of the party returned to the ship well before it was scheduled to leave the next day, but Nolte Seaborn had not yet returned with only a few hours left before he would be left behind. The party talked about going to look for him. but didn't. And sort of tried to concoct a reason why Captain McFaden should delay the ship, but when it started to fall apart they abandoned the effort. Luckily for Nolte, he stumbled back to the ship in time--drunk, semi conscious, and talking nonsense, without the help of the party.
The Opportunity sailed east, forced to traverse the hundreds of miles of coastline of the Kobold Prairie, a region even more infested with kobolds then it's name would suggest. Part of the way through, the colossal delta of the Life River represented the last place the ship could possibly, if not safely, get fresh water. Captain McFaden asked for volunteers to take one of the boats and 2 large barrels to retrieve water from the delta.
Of course the 6 PCs volunteered, as did Heb De Bonal and Kriton. Heb and Kriton piloted the boat, beaching it next to a fresh water steam. Blaze, Rending, and Horace jumped out of the boat to keep the every coming hoard of Kobolds. Fjola stayed close to the boat, Nudd remained on the boat shooting arrows. Iniptia helped Heb fill barrels, while Kriton maned the boat. Rending used Assault of Stones killing many kobolds, Blaze also killed several with Burning Hands. Nudd proved to be too fleet footed for the kobolds to hit. Iniptia was able to fill the water barrels, revealing his preternatural strength lifting the barrels into the boat right as things got hairy for the rest of the party... or maybe a round or two after things got hairy.
11 Ori 1020
Docked in Soma, a large and beautiful city in the Kingdom of Nursia, the Opportunity took on a full cargo of Nursian wine. The crew is hopeful for a good return as this is some of the most well regarded (bulk) wine in the world. Captain McFaden also bought 4 light artillery pieces that the crew call 'double crossbows', they are simply larger than normal crossbows that are mounted to the rails of the ship. The crew practiced with them. Horace, Fjola, and Damia, proved to have some natural ability.
Sailing to the city of Bronzewood, a Moon Eel troubled the crew. Moon Eels are dangerous predators but pose no threat to a ship, they do however shriek when on the surface and make trying to sleep miserable. Horace and Fjola were able to kill it with simultaneous hits from the 'double crossbows', and its body was recovered and eaten by the crew.
In Bronzewood, Horace went to a hospice and volunteered to help the sick and was able to save a man that had been misdiagnosed. He stuck around after dark and dissected the body of one of the hospice's dead patients to try and expand his knowledge of surgery. Surgery is an unknown craft and cutting open the living or the dead for 'medical' reasons has the worst possible connotations in the world of Claymore. Horace was almost discovered when he was found bloody up to the elbows next to a sheet covered corpse in the middle of the night. He was almost able to talk his way out of it, but did successfully allay suspicion until he could flee back to the ship.
Blaze left the Opportunity to gleefully burn driftwood alone on a nearby beach, which will surely not prove to be foreshadowing of metal health issues.
Rending is (literally) on the hunt or sea monsters so he went ashore and did what seemed perfectly natural to a hobgoblin. He found the first sailor-looking guy he saw and pointed at him and yield 'Hey you, are there any sea monsters around here!'. Inexplicably the sailor was not put off by this treatment and was happy to tell the hobgoblin that, yes, in fact their was a sea monster about... The mad whale Kilig had returned. Two ships had been attacked and more are sure to follow. One of the ships was in dry dock for repairs.
Rending returned to the ship and got Nudd and Iniptia to help him find out more. The ship was easy to find at the dry dock and a crew of shipwrights were working on it with the captain watching from the shade. Helped no little bit by Iniptia's background as a Master Shipwright the trio were able to find out that Kilig terrorized the water's near Bronzewood 30 years ago but hadn't been seen since that time. He attacked by ramming ships and could be identified by his spout which is split into two columns of mist because of in injury to his blow-hole.
All the members of the party returned to the ship well before it was scheduled to leave the next day, but Nolte Seaborn had not yet returned with only a few hours left before he would be left behind. The party talked about going to look for him. but didn't. And sort of tried to concoct a reason why Captain McFaden should delay the ship, but when it started to fall apart they abandoned the effort. Luckily for Nolte, he stumbled back to the ship in time--drunk, semi conscious, and talking nonsense, without the help of the party.
The Opportunity sailed east, forced to traverse the hundreds of miles of coastline of the Kobold Prairie, a region even more infested with kobolds then it's name would suggest. Part of the way through, the colossal delta of the Life River represented the last place the ship could possibly, if not safely, get fresh water. Captain McFaden asked for volunteers to take one of the boats and 2 large barrels to retrieve water from the delta.
Of course the 6 PCs volunteered, as did Heb De Bonal and Kriton. Heb and Kriton piloted the boat, beaching it next to a fresh water steam. Blaze, Rending, and Horace jumped out of the boat to keep the every coming hoard of Kobolds. Fjola stayed close to the boat, Nudd remained on the boat shooting arrows. Iniptia helped Heb fill barrels, while Kriton maned the boat. Rending used Assault of Stones killing many kobolds, Blaze also killed several with Burning Hands. Nudd proved to be too fleet footed for the kobolds to hit. Iniptia was able to fill the water barrels, revealing his preternatural strength lifting the barrels into the boat right as things got hairy for the rest of the party... or maybe a round or two after things got hairy.
The Free City of Sailor's Delight
Session 2: 03/06/2024
17 Ori 1020
The Opportunity sailed on and came to the Free City of Sailor's Delight, a village built on a tiny island that serves as the only safe harbor on a 380 mile coastline. More than a dozen ships were anchored around the village, their crews crammed into the tiny village. Captain McFaden planed to stay there 2 days to rest the crew, and to try and sell some of the wine the ship was carrying at the higher local price. Everyone was granted 12 hours shore leave, and the party (minus Nudd) would be ashore towards the end of the stay.
In the village, Rending replaced his leather armor damaged in the Kobold fight (paying the higher local price), Blaze went to the Conclave, Fjola checked out the local apothecary and found a 'seaweed berry' used medicinally, Iniptia went to a the dry docks and found a ship that cracked it's mast when pushed too hard fleeing from Kilig the mad whale. Horace beelined to the temple, a sea and wave themed domed building called the 'Mariner's Asylum'. He meet all the priests and staff of the temple, noting that a new Parson, Parson Leopold, was in charge of the temple and the other priests and staff had all left to stay with the old Parson. Horace maneuvered a free dinner where he learned that Leopold's last posting was in the city of Thanatin which he left because he was fatigued from constantly dealing with heretics and cultists in that evil land.
After taking care any business, the party went carousing. Rending did very well gambling, and other party members won a little coin as well. Rending was keeping a sharp eye on his crew mates, and noticed two nasty looking fellows watching an increasingly inebriated Nolte Seaborn with too much interest. Rending openly confronted the two who eventually left. Rending surreptitiously used Cure Poison to instantly snap Nolte out of his drunkenness. Nolte took this as a strange and miraculous event, which made him reconsider his vice of drink. The party went back to the ship while Nolte headed to the Mariner's Asylum for spiritual guidance.
17 Ori 1020
The Opportunity sailed on and came to the Free City of Sailor's Delight, a village built on a tiny island that serves as the only safe harbor on a 380 mile coastline. More than a dozen ships were anchored around the village, their crews crammed into the tiny village. Captain McFaden planed to stay there 2 days to rest the crew, and to try and sell some of the wine the ship was carrying at the higher local price. Everyone was granted 12 hours shore leave, and the party (minus Nudd) would be ashore towards the end of the stay.
In the village, Rending replaced his leather armor damaged in the Kobold fight (paying the higher local price), Blaze went to the Conclave, Fjola checked out the local apothecary and found a 'seaweed berry' used medicinally, Iniptia went to a the dry docks and found a ship that cracked it's mast when pushed too hard fleeing from Kilig the mad whale. Horace beelined to the temple, a sea and wave themed domed building called the 'Mariner's Asylum'. He meet all the priests and staff of the temple, noting that a new Parson, Parson Leopold, was in charge of the temple and the other priests and staff had all left to stay with the old Parson. Horace maneuvered a free dinner where he learned that Leopold's last posting was in the city of Thanatin which he left because he was fatigued from constantly dealing with heretics and cultists in that evil land.
After taking care any business, the party went carousing. Rending did very well gambling, and other party members won a little coin as well. Rending was keeping a sharp eye on his crew mates, and noticed two nasty looking fellows watching an increasingly inebriated Nolte Seaborn with too much interest. Rending openly confronted the two who eventually left. Rending surreptitiously used Cure Poison to instantly snap Nolte out of his drunkenness. Nolte took this as a strange and miraculous event, which made him reconsider his vice of drink. The party went back to the ship while Nolte headed to the Mariner's Asylum for spiritual guidance.
Later, safely back on the ship, Horace went to check on Nolte and found he was not on the ship. Again. With four hours until the ship was scheduled to leave, the party went ashore to search for him, Iniptia thought to stop at the at the armory to get a club.
Having last seen Nolte heading to the Mariner's Asylum, the party went there and were told that after talking with Pr. Leopold about giving up drink Nolte decided to trade one vice for another and left for the Water Garden a 'house of mediocre repute'. But when the party went there they were told that the missing sailor didn't patronize the house last night. A conversation with the Madam revealed that Parson Leopold was not much liked by the people of Sailor's Delight and after he replace the popular old Parson he forced all the other priests and acolytes at the temple to leave, bringing in his own people.
With the Party's suspicion now turned to Pr. Leopold they returned to the Mariner's Asylum. Rending again directly confronted an acolyte and a priest found in the sanctuary. The interaction turned physical, Rending and Ex. Horace ended up restraining the two enemies in the sanctuary while Fjola, Iniptia, and Blaze ran down stairs through a shifting passage that Fjola discovered.
At the bottom of the steep stairs the trio found a second small sanctuary centered around a ritual well from which the sounds of someone struggling to tread water could be heard. Leopold and 2 others were sitting, surrounding the well, chanting and wearing strange blue on blue robes--not the normal priest vestments they had been wearing when entertaining Horace. The sanctuary's central iconography was that of a plate helm with a large crack in it.
Both the trio of PCs and the trio of cultist turned to violence immediately. The party, ill armed, attacked with whatever they had but also made good use of magic and miracles. The cultists, better armed, attacked but also used miracles in their defense. Fjola was wounded grievously and taken out of the fight, and one of the cultist fell, but when Horace and Rending joined the rest of the party things turned in favor of the PCs. Horace recognized the helm iconography and understood that these priests were involved with Inminu, an erratic, possibly insane, but not evil, Celestial Being associated with the sea.
The situation became somewhat clear, these priests were sacrificing Nolte to Inminu for some unknown, but possibly noble, reason. Regardless, the party wouldn't allow it. Leopold was willing to talk (it was apparent he would lose if the fight continued) but it mostly amounted to yelling things like, "this is the will of a Celestial Being" and "Inminu is moral by definition!" When the party started pulling Nolti up from the ceremonial well Leopold screamed warnings of Inminu's wrath. Right on cue, as Nolti was pulled out of the lip of the well a sharp, quick, report of unimaginable intensity accompanied by a flash of light deafened everyone in the sanctuary. Unable to communicate effectively and fearful of what was happening the party ran out of the building a saw that a whirlpool was forming around the small island.
The party party ran back to the ship and the crew cast off as fast as they could. Dangerous swirling currents formed around the island. The Opportunity was in real peril but the skill of the crew, particularly the pilot, saw the ship to safety. Looking back on Sailor's Delight, at least 2 ship smashed into the island and were lost. Many of the buildings on the edges of the tiny island were destroyed, clearly killing hundreds.
DM's Note: Inminu's reaction to disrupting his 'gift' was rolled randomly. Apathy was by far the erratic Celestial Being's most likely possible reaction. But a rolled a 100 on a d100.
Having last seen Nolte heading to the Mariner's Asylum, the party went there and were told that after talking with Pr. Leopold about giving up drink Nolte decided to trade one vice for another and left for the Water Garden a 'house of mediocre repute'. But when the party went there they were told that the missing sailor didn't patronize the house last night. A conversation with the Madam revealed that Parson Leopold was not much liked by the people of Sailor's Delight and after he replace the popular old Parson he forced all the other priests and acolytes at the temple to leave, bringing in his own people.
With the Party's suspicion now turned to Pr. Leopold they returned to the Mariner's Asylum. Rending again directly confronted an acolyte and a priest found in the sanctuary. The interaction turned physical, Rending and Ex. Horace ended up restraining the two enemies in the sanctuary while Fjola, Iniptia, and Blaze ran down stairs through a shifting passage that Fjola discovered.
At the bottom of the steep stairs the trio found a second small sanctuary centered around a ritual well from which the sounds of someone struggling to tread water could be heard. Leopold and 2 others were sitting, surrounding the well, chanting and wearing strange blue on blue robes--not the normal priest vestments they had been wearing when entertaining Horace. The sanctuary's central iconography was that of a plate helm with a large crack in it.
Both the trio of PCs and the trio of cultist turned to violence immediately. The party, ill armed, attacked with whatever they had but also made good use of magic and miracles. The cultists, better armed, attacked but also used miracles in their defense. Fjola was wounded grievously and taken out of the fight, and one of the cultist fell, but when Horace and Rending joined the rest of the party things turned in favor of the PCs. Horace recognized the helm iconography and understood that these priests were involved with Inminu, an erratic, possibly insane, but not evil, Celestial Being associated with the sea.
The situation became somewhat clear, these priests were sacrificing Nolte to Inminu for some unknown, but possibly noble, reason. Regardless, the party wouldn't allow it. Leopold was willing to talk (it was apparent he would lose if the fight continued) but it mostly amounted to yelling things like, "this is the will of a Celestial Being" and "Inminu is moral by definition!" When the party started pulling Nolti up from the ceremonial well Leopold screamed warnings of Inminu's wrath. Right on cue, as Nolti was pulled out of the lip of the well a sharp, quick, report of unimaginable intensity accompanied by a flash of light deafened everyone in the sanctuary. Unable to communicate effectively and fearful of what was happening the party ran out of the building a saw that a whirlpool was forming around the small island.
The party party ran back to the ship and the crew cast off as fast as they could. Dangerous swirling currents formed around the island. The Opportunity was in real peril but the skill of the crew, particularly the pilot, saw the ship to safety. Looking back on Sailor's Delight, at least 2 ship smashed into the island and were lost. Many of the buildings on the edges of the tiny island were destroyed, clearly killing hundreds.
DM's Note: Inminu's reaction to disrupting his 'gift' was rolled randomly. Apathy was by far the erratic Celestial Being's most likely possible reaction. But a rolled a 100 on a d100.
The Lighthouse of Attalis
Session 3: 03/16/2024
19 Ori 1020
Leaving the destruction of the Free City of Sailor's Delight behind them the Opportunity sailed west the the City of Courage in Erend stopping briefly at Basket Island on the way. The crew had an uneventful time ashore in Courage, but were impressed by the city ancient and majestic tan stone architecture. All the ships cargo, mostly high quality Nursian wine was sold and replaced with olive oil. The crew voted for a payout of the ship's profits, and Fjola had the good idea to reserve some of the ship's funds in case of emergency. Each share was 36g.
Under the direction of Captain McFaden the Opportunity planned to take the olive oil to the frigid land of Lannia where it would get a good price. From their the ship would trade in salt for a fish salting operation started by King Geoffrey of Korthicos. To get to Lannia the ship would have to traverse the Straits of the Bull, the most dangerous stretch of ocean in the civilized world. Before the ship got to the straits it was attacked by a school of giant flying fish with razor sharp fin-wings. Three of the crew were badly injured, but there were no fatalities. The ship waited a day for better weather at he mouth of the Straits of the Bull before entering the treacherous waters. Damia navigated the straits well, and it seems like the transit would be uneventful.
Three monumental lighthouses aid transit through the straits, called the lighthouses of Attalis. When the ship got within sight of the middle lighthouse the crew grew concerned. The light from the lighthouse was flashing slowly, something several of the crew took to be a distress signal. And the normally blue-grey lighthouse appeared a rusty red-orange color. Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, Horace, and Perry (a skilled boatswain) volunteered to take take a closer look on one of the ship's skiffs. Captain McFaden agreed and the group set out into the churning waters.
The light house was build on one of many small islands defining each side of the strait. As soon as the skiff got to the rock-filled shoal disaster struck (Perry rolled a 99 on a Boating skill check). The small boat was tossed up by a rogue wave and smashed down on the rocks destroying the boat and scattering its crew. Blaze and Perry were injured and Braze lost all his equipment except his shield (even his shoes). But everyone made it to the Lighthouse's island.
19 Ori 1020
Leaving the destruction of the Free City of Sailor's Delight behind them the Opportunity sailed west the the City of Courage in Erend stopping briefly at Basket Island on the way. The crew had an uneventful time ashore in Courage, but were impressed by the city ancient and majestic tan stone architecture. All the ships cargo, mostly high quality Nursian wine was sold and replaced with olive oil. The crew voted for a payout of the ship's profits, and Fjola had the good idea to reserve some of the ship's funds in case of emergency. Each share was 36g.
Under the direction of Captain McFaden the Opportunity planned to take the olive oil to the frigid land of Lannia where it would get a good price. From their the ship would trade in salt for a fish salting operation started by King Geoffrey of Korthicos. To get to Lannia the ship would have to traverse the Straits of the Bull, the most dangerous stretch of ocean in the civilized world. Before the ship got to the straits it was attacked by a school of giant flying fish with razor sharp fin-wings. Three of the crew were badly injured, but there were no fatalities. The ship waited a day for better weather at he mouth of the Straits of the Bull before entering the treacherous waters. Damia navigated the straits well, and it seems like the transit would be uneventful.
Three monumental lighthouses aid transit through the straits, called the lighthouses of Attalis. When the ship got within sight of the middle lighthouse the crew grew concerned. The light from the lighthouse was flashing slowly, something several of the crew took to be a distress signal. And the normally blue-grey lighthouse appeared a rusty red-orange color. Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, Horace, and Perry (a skilled boatswain) volunteered to take take a closer look on one of the ship's skiffs. Captain McFaden agreed and the group set out into the churning waters.
The light house was build on one of many small islands defining each side of the strait. As soon as the skiff got to the rock-filled shoal disaster struck (Perry rolled a 99 on a Boating skill check). The small boat was tossed up by a rogue wave and smashed down on the rocks destroying the boat and scattering its crew. Blaze and Perry were injured and Braze lost all his equipment except his shield (even his shoes). But everyone made it to the Lighthouse's island.
As Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, Horace, and Perry approached the lighthouse they could see that the rusty color was due to a multitude of strange tentacled creatures that were covering the lighthouse and ground around it. Most were 10 feet from tip to tip, but some were much larger. The party yelled a few phrases back and forth with an occupant of the lighthouse. Rending took out his whip and slashed experimentally at one of the creatures that was 30 or 40 feet from the building. He killed the one he hit, but 15 more reacted and attacked the party.
A pitched battle ensued. The creatures' attacks were mildly poisonous and most members of the party was injured. Blaze had left to gather fuel for a fire to try and burn the creatures off the lighthouse and so was uninjured. After defeating the creatures the party came to the conclusion that they could not fight the 100's of these creatures that were covering the lighthouse. But Horace approached and yelled to ask the lighthouse keeper(s) if they had extra shoes, the lighthouse keeper threw out a pair and they landed 20 feet from the building, well within the radius of wondering tentacled creatures. Horace was able to sprint in avoiding the slow monsters and grab the shoes, however 3 of the larger creatures moved from off the lighthouse and pursued.
The already injured party stood the face the attackers. In the fight Horace's leg was badly struck, and Iniptia suffered a head wound. Fjola, Blaze, and Perry didn't fair much better. Iniptia was at death's door twice. The first time by the creature's attacks, and after being miraculously healed by Horace, a second time by an errant blow of Fjola. Rending's Assault of Stones finished of the monsters before anyone was killed, and Blaze was able to replace his shoes...
Everyone agreed that discretion should be the better part of valor in this case. As night was soon to fall it was decided that the group would have to either find a place to hide for the night or a way to leave the island. Looking for a way to do either the group started walking around the perimeter of the island. Off the north coast they found a small fishing boat moored to a buoy. Horace was able to swim out (being attacked by one of the tentacled things in the process) and pilot the boat to the island to get everyone aboard. Perry guided the stolen fishing vessel back to the Opportunity, successfully making it through the dangerous shoals.
A pitched battle ensued. The creatures' attacks were mildly poisonous and most members of the party was injured. Blaze had left to gather fuel for a fire to try and burn the creatures off the lighthouse and so was uninjured. After defeating the creatures the party came to the conclusion that they could not fight the 100's of these creatures that were covering the lighthouse. But Horace approached and yelled to ask the lighthouse keeper(s) if they had extra shoes, the lighthouse keeper threw out a pair and they landed 20 feet from the building, well within the radius of wondering tentacled creatures. Horace was able to sprint in avoiding the slow monsters and grab the shoes, however 3 of the larger creatures moved from off the lighthouse and pursued.
The already injured party stood the face the attackers. In the fight Horace's leg was badly struck, and Iniptia suffered a head wound. Fjola, Blaze, and Perry didn't fair much better. Iniptia was at death's door twice. The first time by the creature's attacks, and after being miraculously healed by Horace, a second time by an errant blow of Fjola. Rending's Assault of Stones finished of the monsters before anyone was killed, and Blaze was able to replace his shoes...
Everyone agreed that discretion should be the better part of valor in this case. As night was soon to fall it was decided that the group would have to either find a place to hide for the night or a way to leave the island. Looking for a way to do either the group started walking around the perimeter of the island. Off the north coast they found a small fishing boat moored to a buoy. Horace was able to swim out (being attacked by one of the tentacled things in the process) and pilot the boat to the island to get everyone aboard. Perry guided the stolen fishing vessel back to the Opportunity, successfully making it through the dangerous shoals.
Return to the Lighthouse
Session 4: 03/27/2024
20 Ori 1020
Bloodied but not beaten, Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, and Perry decided to return to the island to try to relieve the men trapped in the lighthouse. Horace had an injured leg that prevented him from returning, he was replaced in the group by Nudd. Miraculous healing from Horace got the rest of the group back in fighting shape so they could set off the next morning.
The group get permission from Captain McFaden to take two very long lengths of rope and several amphoras of olive oil from the ships cargo. They loaded them on the barrowed fishing boat. Perhaps with something to prove, Perry piloted the boat through the dangerous shoals with aplomb--transporting the group back to the island with not even a jostle.
Once on the island the party took a look around and found that the brittle star monsters were still covering the lighthouse, leaving the rest of the island more or less empty. They found the hay bail sized pile of brush that Blaze collected the day before and set to work tying brush and debris to the ropes and soaking the whole thing in oil. The party split into 3 groups one on each end of the rope and Blaze by himself orchestrating. They pulled the ropes around the circumference of the tower and lit them on fire with flaming projectiles. This burned a few of the brittle stars, but created heat and a lot of smoke which seemingly upset the sea monsters which started fleeing the tower.
The party was already running back to the boat when 3 larger brittle stars were seen separating from the mass of tentacles. Unsensing, one randomly headed towards Blaze who had stopped to watch the fire. Trailing the others he continued to the boat once he realized he was in danger. When Blaze and the large brittle star arrived at the boat, the combined party made short work of the monster. Nudd shooting it, Iniptia and Fjola hitting it with their long weapons before it could get to the boat. Perry had stayed behind at the boat and had it ready to sail. He steered the boat into open water until the brittle stars had mostly abandoned the island.
The boat then returned and the party met the two lighthouse keepers, Kobtos and Artus. They were grateful. Kobtos returned to the ship and talked with the captain, giving him a document that could be exchanged for tax forgiveness at any port in the Second Sea.
20 Ori 1020
Bloodied but not beaten, Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, and Perry decided to return to the island to try to relieve the men trapped in the lighthouse. Horace had an injured leg that prevented him from returning, he was replaced in the group by Nudd. Miraculous healing from Horace got the rest of the group back in fighting shape so they could set off the next morning.
The group get permission from Captain McFaden to take two very long lengths of rope and several amphoras of olive oil from the ships cargo. They loaded them on the barrowed fishing boat. Perhaps with something to prove, Perry piloted the boat through the dangerous shoals with aplomb--transporting the group back to the island with not even a jostle.
Once on the island the party took a look around and found that the brittle star monsters were still covering the lighthouse, leaving the rest of the island more or less empty. They found the hay bail sized pile of brush that Blaze collected the day before and set to work tying brush and debris to the ropes and soaking the whole thing in oil. The party split into 3 groups one on each end of the rope and Blaze by himself orchestrating. They pulled the ropes around the circumference of the tower and lit them on fire with flaming projectiles. This burned a few of the brittle stars, but created heat and a lot of smoke which seemingly upset the sea monsters which started fleeing the tower.
The party was already running back to the boat when 3 larger brittle stars were seen separating from the mass of tentacles. Unsensing, one randomly headed towards Blaze who had stopped to watch the fire. Trailing the others he continued to the boat once he realized he was in danger. When Blaze and the large brittle star arrived at the boat, the combined party made short work of the monster. Nudd shooting it, Iniptia and Fjola hitting it with their long weapons before it could get to the boat. Perry had stayed behind at the boat and had it ready to sail. He steered the boat into open water until the brittle stars had mostly abandoned the island.
The boat then returned and the party met the two lighthouse keepers, Kobtos and Artus. They were grateful. Kobtos returned to the ship and talked with the captain, giving him a document that could be exchanged for tax forgiveness at any port in the Second Sea.
Intersession 1
After the adventure at the lighthouse, the Opportunity had an extended period of smooth, quit sailing in the Second Sea. The ship sailed north to Lannia stopping at Bere'id, and selling the body of the large brittle star monster to a menagerie there before heading to Lann Jeoffry where they sold their olive oil and bought salt which they in turn took to the town of Ikthy Kome. The ship left Ikthy Kome laden with salted fish and went east to the city of Honor where it spent about a month doing short run cargo hauling in the picturesque Bay of Erend, trading between Honor and several coastal towns built into the hillsides. The crew voted for a payout, and each share received 63g.
In Honor Captain McFaden secured a contract to transport grain and other cargo in-between the city of Courage and Basket Island. Meaning the ship would be heading back through the Strait of the Bull and into the Ocean.
In Honor Captain McFaden secured a contract to transport grain and other cargo in-between the city of Courage and Basket Island. Meaning the ship would be heading back through the Strait of the Bull and into the Ocean.
The Fallen Baroness
Session 5: 04/03/2024
12 Ign 1020
The Opportunity had made several trips back and forth from the Basket Island to the city of Courage when a mighty storm over powered the ship blowing it off course to the west. Although blown around by the winds of fate, the ship did not appear to be in much danger. Until the split spout of Kilig the insane whale was seen in the distance. The crew made best speed to the west, with the wind, before turning to the north hoping to hit shallow water before Kilig overtook the them.
Blaze had the idea to dump some of the ship's cargo of wheat into the water behind the ship. These cloud of grain caused Kilig to veer away from the ship twice, allowing the Opportunity to reach shallow waters. However, still spooked by the chase the ship was running fast and hit a rock in the unfamiliar waters. Between Iniptia's masterful shipwrighting and Blaze's Mending the damage was mostly repaired and the ship could probably make it back to the Basket Island once the wind died down. So the ship made north for a bay. That night the lights from a village or maybe a castle could be seen on the mangrove coastline.
Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, Hyram Penn, and Kirphis Seaborn investigated. They found that a village of 600 was situated on a small hill a quarter mile from the coast. The mostly self-sufficient village was open to hosting the crew, giving some warnings about the man eating Lizardmen that populated the swamp.
The party asked for a history of the village and was able to get it, if in pieces. Long ago the Barony of Melza was prosperous. But built within the delta of the River of Zeal the entirety of the Barony eventually flooded leaving only one village, also now called Melza, on dry land. The village survived for centuries cultivating cattails and cranberries, the latter of which they sell to infrequent trade ships. Three months ago Baroness Sanctia died after falling down some stairs at night. Her son became Barron Sandalus, under the guidance of Regent Jacid.
Blaze asked Jacid if thier was anything he would pay to have Mended. Jacid had Blaze Mend an altarpiece in Sanctia's family crypt, saying that an earthquake damaged it years ago and the pious Baroness was not entombed there because of it. Instead preferring to be laid to rest in an ancient tomb in the swamp.
Later, the party talked to an landed commoner named Philic and the Baron's father Fret, believing that Jacid killed Baroness Sanctia to gain control of the Barony! or something. The particulars weren't clear and the interviews didn't exactly uncover a smoking gun but didn't do anything to dissuade them of the idea either. The party had 2 days until the tide was low enough to repair the ship so what else would they have to do but accuse a powerful man of regicide?
Well the next morning the party heard a panicked mother yelling for the Regent at the large manor house, saying "Izan never returned." She wasn't allowed to talk to Jacid, but the party was eager to hear. She explained that a local coming of age ritual has young men of the village sleep overnight in the swamp, facing their fear of the unknown--and the lizardmen. Historically there has rarely been problems, but this morning two boys, Izan and Dylon, did not return.
With the help of Thomus, another young man of the village, the party found were the two boys had been sleeping. There were no signs of a struggle, but a search of the surrounding area found a boot pulled off its owner by the mud and two sets of tracks leading deeper into the swamp.
12 Ign 1020
The Opportunity had made several trips back and forth from the Basket Island to the city of Courage when a mighty storm over powered the ship blowing it off course to the west. Although blown around by the winds of fate, the ship did not appear to be in much danger. Until the split spout of Kilig the insane whale was seen in the distance. The crew made best speed to the west, with the wind, before turning to the north hoping to hit shallow water before Kilig overtook the them.
Blaze had the idea to dump some of the ship's cargo of wheat into the water behind the ship. These cloud of grain caused Kilig to veer away from the ship twice, allowing the Opportunity to reach shallow waters. However, still spooked by the chase the ship was running fast and hit a rock in the unfamiliar waters. Between Iniptia's masterful shipwrighting and Blaze's Mending the damage was mostly repaired and the ship could probably make it back to the Basket Island once the wind died down. So the ship made north for a bay. That night the lights from a village or maybe a castle could be seen on the mangrove coastline.
Blaze, Iniptia, Fjola, Rending, Hyram Penn, and Kirphis Seaborn investigated. They found that a village of 600 was situated on a small hill a quarter mile from the coast. The mostly self-sufficient village was open to hosting the crew, giving some warnings about the man eating Lizardmen that populated the swamp.
The party asked for a history of the village and was able to get it, if in pieces. Long ago the Barony of Melza was prosperous. But built within the delta of the River of Zeal the entirety of the Barony eventually flooded leaving only one village, also now called Melza, on dry land. The village survived for centuries cultivating cattails and cranberries, the latter of which they sell to infrequent trade ships. Three months ago Baroness Sanctia died after falling down some stairs at night. Her son became Barron Sandalus, under the guidance of Regent Jacid.
Blaze asked Jacid if thier was anything he would pay to have Mended. Jacid had Blaze Mend an altarpiece in Sanctia's family crypt, saying that an earthquake damaged it years ago and the pious Baroness was not entombed there because of it. Instead preferring to be laid to rest in an ancient tomb in the swamp.
Later, the party talked to an landed commoner named Philic and the Baron's father Fret, believing that Jacid killed Baroness Sanctia to gain control of the Barony! or something. The particulars weren't clear and the interviews didn't exactly uncover a smoking gun but didn't do anything to dissuade them of the idea either. The party had 2 days until the tide was low enough to repair the ship so what else would they have to do but accuse a powerful man of regicide?
Well the next morning the party heard a panicked mother yelling for the Regent at the large manor house, saying "Izan never returned." She wasn't allowed to talk to Jacid, but the party was eager to hear. She explained that a local coming of age ritual has young men of the village sleep overnight in the swamp, facing their fear of the unknown--and the lizardmen. Historically there has rarely been problems, but this morning two boys, Izan and Dylon, did not return.
With the help of Thomus, another young man of the village, the party found were the two boys had been sleeping. There were no signs of a struggle, but a search of the surrounding area found a boot pulled off its owner by the mud and two sets of tracks leading deeper into the swamp.
Following the tracks, a blue light was seen 200 feet away from the party. Fjola and Rending felt compelled to follow the light which was leading in the same direction the two sets of tracks were going. Blaze was able to get close enough to the blue light to hit it with a Magic Missile spell, causing the light to disappear. But a minute later it reappeared. This time Fjola, Rending, and Blaze were compelled to follow the light north--and everyone else simply decided to go along with it, surmising that the light would lead them to the two boys. A few hours later the light led the party to a clearing in the swamp around a small stone structure with stairs heading underground. The ghostly image of a noble lady stood outside it holding a lantern made of blue stained glass, as she walked down the stairs, Nudd, Rending, and Blaze felt compelled to follow...
Rescuing the Dead
As Nudd, Rending, and Blaze started down the stairs, who should appear but Horace. He had been trying to catch up with the group and was one step behind them during their trip though the swamp.
With Nudd, Rending, and Blaze leading the way, Iniptia, Fjola, and Horace followed down into the crypt. The two lost boys were quickly found one cowering at the top of the stairs and the other dead at the base of them. The crypt itself was dank and claustrophobic. Low ceilings and tight halls made Iniptia and Fjola's polearms ineffective.
As the group started to explore they were attacked by two undead creatures. They were a kind of semi-corporeal spirits animating bones, dirt, and shards of stone to give their ghostly apparitions physicality enough to kill. The party was able to destroy them, but just a few minutes later they rose again. This time the party burned the dis-animated bones, and the creatures did not rise up again.
Now free to explore, the group found an alcove near the stairs that looked like a place a body would be placed, but no body was present. The alcove had been cleaned and a claymore had been recently carved into it. The blue lantern that the ghost of the noble woman had been carrying was setting in a corner of the alcove.
From what they saw in the crypt and what they heard in Melza the group was able to piece together what (they thought) happened. Baroness Sanctia had been murdered, or died of natural causes, and because her family tomb had been damaged in an earthquake she was buried in this crypt, which many of may not have been her wishes. However, this ancient crypt was in fact built by the heathen Almura when they ruled the area in the past. The pious Sanctia's spirit could not rest and started trying to lure people to the crypt to help her. The too lost boys that the party where searching for, Dylon and Izan, were the first and the party itself was the second to be lured here. The group decided that they should remove the Baroness' remains and take them back to Melza.
Unfortunately the centuries old crypt had not held up to the decay of time well and water infiltration had swept the Baroness' remains into the depths of the crypt. So the party delved deeper, finding pieces of the Baroness' badly decomposed body. Along the way fighting more of the undead creatures and also finding treasures from the heathen Almuran burials.
The group would surely have failed in their self appointed mission when the restless spirit of some honored Almuran dead rose to attack the interloping explorers. The identity of the Almuran warrior was never learned, but he likely could have killed several of the group if it hadn't been for Rending's use of Hold the Line. After this creature was destroyed the party was able to carefully search the crypt, finding almost all of the Baroness' remains.
When the group took the Baroness' remains out of the tomb her spirit appeared to them, smiled, mouthed 'thank you', and walked away holding her blue lantern, becoming fainter as she walked until she disappeared with a flash of dim yellow light.
The party chose not to think too much about the fact that the Baroness' image was missing parts of two fingers and had a malformed spine... corresponding to pieces of her body the party wasn't able to recover from the Amuran crypt. After this the group decided to return to the Opportunity leaving Melza in the clutches of the (possibly) murderous Regent Jacid.
With Nudd, Rending, and Blaze leading the way, Iniptia, Fjola, and Horace followed down into the crypt. The two lost boys were quickly found one cowering at the top of the stairs and the other dead at the base of them. The crypt itself was dank and claustrophobic. Low ceilings and tight halls made Iniptia and Fjola's polearms ineffective.
As the group started to explore they were attacked by two undead creatures. They were a kind of semi-corporeal spirits animating bones, dirt, and shards of stone to give their ghostly apparitions physicality enough to kill. The party was able to destroy them, but just a few minutes later they rose again. This time the party burned the dis-animated bones, and the creatures did not rise up again.
Now free to explore, the group found an alcove near the stairs that looked like a place a body would be placed, but no body was present. The alcove had been cleaned and a claymore had been recently carved into it. The blue lantern that the ghost of the noble woman had been carrying was setting in a corner of the alcove.
From what they saw in the crypt and what they heard in Melza the group was able to piece together what (they thought) happened. Baroness Sanctia had been murdered, or died of natural causes, and because her family tomb had been damaged in an earthquake she was buried in this crypt, which many of may not have been her wishes. However, this ancient crypt was in fact built by the heathen Almura when they ruled the area in the past. The pious Sanctia's spirit could not rest and started trying to lure people to the crypt to help her. The too lost boys that the party where searching for, Dylon and Izan, were the first and the party itself was the second to be lured here. The group decided that they should remove the Baroness' remains and take them back to Melza.
Unfortunately the centuries old crypt had not held up to the decay of time well and water infiltration had swept the Baroness' remains into the depths of the crypt. So the party delved deeper, finding pieces of the Baroness' badly decomposed body. Along the way fighting more of the undead creatures and also finding treasures from the heathen Almuran burials.
The group would surely have failed in their self appointed mission when the restless spirit of some honored Almuran dead rose to attack the interloping explorers. The identity of the Almuran warrior was never learned, but he likely could have killed several of the group if it hadn't been for Rending's use of Hold the Line. After this creature was destroyed the party was able to carefully search the crypt, finding almost all of the Baroness' remains.
When the group took the Baroness' remains out of the tomb her spirit appeared to them, smiled, mouthed 'thank you', and walked away holding her blue lantern, becoming fainter as she walked until she disappeared with a flash of dim yellow light.
The party chose not to think too much about the fact that the Baroness' image was missing parts of two fingers and had a malformed spine... corresponding to pieces of her body the party wasn't able to recover from the Amuran crypt. After this the group decided to return to the Opportunity leaving Melza in the clutches of the (possibly) murderous Regent Jacid.