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Chapter 2: A Blighted Land

Turn 48: Regime Change

Casting one more look around at the town of Woodstock as it seemed to change and grow more sinister with each passing minute, Luger made a decision and hissed to the others:

”We must get off the street and find some place we can regroup and decide what to do about this! I am not one to break the local laws but these new laws are unjust and it is obvious the baron is in league with some powerful evil forces.”

The cleric motioned for the others to follow and led them down a narrow side street while the crier and his two unnatural companions passed through the main square.

While Luger stood at the corner and watched the baron’s men and creatures pass through the square, it was Nanoc who spoke up next:

“Well, fellahs, the way I sees it is that we needs to get to that there baron. He sure weren't like this the last time me and Danton came through. Now mind ya, I never really paid much attention when Twillian was a talkin', but I do know he done said there is spells that can take a man's mind over. Well I'm thinkin' that's jus' what done happened to that there baron. The way I see it, we gotta kill whoever got contol o' his mind and then once he is free he can turn the town militia on these bad folks out here and we can help 'em clean up.”

”All that bein' said,” continued the barbarian, “I think we oughta make for the baron now. The streets is still full o' people and we can make our way through and probably get pretty close to that keep ‘fore bein' noticed. Once they get the streets all clear, well if we try to make for the keep, then we is gonna stick out like a sore thumb and have all numbers o' nasty things a commin' at us. So if we is gonna make a move the time is now. Whadda you all think? That's my two coppers worth, anywho.”

Almost as if to punctuate Nanoc’s words, Luger could see that the crowds of people in the square were already thinning noticeably.

Karzak shook his head. “Well . . . um . . . I . . . I kin tell ye that I never have been seeing such a thing in me sheltered life under the mountain! Makes me want ta fight a simple ole red dragon! I kin tell all of ye this: I am not against makin' fer the nearest exit outta this here town an' high-tailin' it outta here long as ye be ready ta keep up with me wee legs. But if we be stayin' ta root out this here evil, I be willin' ta fight with ye good Nanoc an' the rest a' ya laddies and lassie. In that case, I be thinkin' that we be needin' reinforcements. The paladins, the spell-casters at the temple if they be alive, the dwarven forgerer or her blacksmiths, or whoever be ta help us. I don't think we should be doin' this alone!”

Danton sighed and cursed. “First, mine true thoughts on the situation, with which I shalt be reasonably brief because they shalt be totally ignored. We are outlaws in a town out of control, or, more accurately, in control ... but in control of bad men. I prefer good men to bad, but both hath a right to make laws of their own. Regardless, if this town is to be freed of their yoke, 'tis the responsibility of the governed to take up swords and have done with their oppressors. Thus, methinks we've done all that need be done in Woodstock. Let us have our weapons and magic at the ready and escape o'er the walls or underneath the sewers. If Syll wishes to come with us, 'tis fine with me. Regardless, once free of the city, we should make for the nearest large city -- indeed, probably Hommlet, so that we can have our lycanthropy cured. Thus freed from this awful, lingering and ultimately pointless distraction, we can get about saving the Oerth from complete and total destruction.”

”Now, please,” added Danton in his most sarcastic tone, “ignore all of what I hath just spoken. Though, of course, I need not even give that directive -- since 'tis plain that we are going to stay in this town and fight to the death ... ours or theirs. Seeing as how I am trapped here, I guess I am entirely at your disposal. You who favor goodness and rightness and light and truth, tell me where to go, which locks to open, and who to slay. If I am capable, I shalt go whence I am directed, open all locks that I find, and kill all but those to whom it is personally repugnant for me to slay. And if I should die in the trying, 'tis of no importance to anyone anyhow. Death finds us all eventually.”

Karzak laughed and slapped Danton on the back. “I sure do like ye, Danton! Ya might me laugh an awful lot! Ye be havin' a great attitude, laughin' in the face a'
death. Me new blade be sharp an' be ready ta do some clobberin'. But, rather than rushin' pell-mell inta battle, mebbe we kin be puttin' together a decent plan. Mebbe we kin be the ones assassinatin' an' layin' good traps. Waddya say, laddies? Sound like fun?”

Danton winced from the slap and then began rubbing his back. “Er, yes, laughing in the face of death. That's me. Hardy-har-har. Oh, joy. Now just point me in the right direction, and I shalt do mine best, such as it is. But, candidly, my good dwarf, I truly hope that you are not holding your breath for aid from townspeople or locals of any stripe, regardless of their profession or religion. 'Tis us or no one who wilt solve the problems of this miserable populace. And don't expect any ultimatums to the contrary on the part of our companions. 'Tis us against the world. And, if you art going to stay for long in our company, you'd better get used to it.”

“By the way,” continued Danton, “I guess the die hath been cast and we'll pay Syll the outrageous sum he hath demanded. I expect that we'll present that sum as a suitably reimbursable expense to the Hommletonians ... and I equally expect we'll receive not a farthing in satisfaction. Regardless, I hope Syll proves his value in navigating the Kron Hills. There is no end to loud-mouth braggarts who profess abilities of the gods and who ultimately prove depressingly mortal in their actual capacity. On the other hand, there are a handful of loud-mouthed braggarts who speak of themselves as bronzed gods and who at least bear a shadowy reflection of the same. I suppose 'twill be worth the money if Syll proves the latter and deposits us safely -- which is to say unrobbed, unmolested and undistracted by other people-in-need-of-saving -- on the other side of yonder hills. Now, as to whether 'twill be worth all of the gratuitous insults I wilt personally have to endure is another matter....”

“You know I’m right here, right?” asked Syll, after listening to the tirade. “I said I’d get you to Rastor and I will, so you can just pipe down about all that. More importantly, at least for now, I agree that the baron is at the center of the problems here, but I am not sure about the wisdom of ‘charging the blockhouse’. But if you’re determined, I’d suggest rounding up everybody but the kitchen sink to join the attack, including Shooma and those paladin friends of yours. In the meantime, I’d be ditching those brooches the baron’s sister gave ya last night. Even if she’s just an innocent dupe, or has been charmed or something, those things could have some nasty purpose—even if they aren’t magical. They may have been how those assassins found you this morning, like little name tags that essentially say ‘blap me’. The sister and the guard lady are charmed and nicely oblivious, hence the ‘devout’ impression, and they give pretty sparklies to the bad visitors who messed with the nice ‘invasion of green and blobby demons’ plan.”

“I had thought of that myself,” said Luger turning his attention back to his companions. The cleric performed a quick incantation (detect magic) to test the brooches, but he found that they emanated no magic.

“They are not magical,” he pronounced, “but Syll is correct that they could still be used to track us by an enemy mage or even random guards who saw us wearing them. At the very least we should put them out of sight.”

The cleric matched action to words, and he and the others quickly stowed the jewelry.

“What doth it all matter?” asked Danton rhetorically. “'Twill shock no one to learn that I am disgruntled with present affairs and am in no thinking mood. I will help as I can, and do the best that I can when helping. But I am useless for planning. Point me in the right direction and say the word, and I shalt do mine best. 'Tis the best that I can do under the present circumstances.”

Danton gave a particularly theatrical sigh and added, “Oh, yes, and if I die along the way, mourn me not. Just inter me somewhere half decent or haul mine charred remains or ashes from this city. I suppose you could bury me under the halfling brothel -- 'tis the only worthy place in this cesspool of a city. And if you do burn my remains, prithee toss mine journals into the flames. No point in having them turn up in Vanessa's hands for the reading when I shalt not also be there before her for a suitable cursing and rejection. Such would cause only hurt and provide no means for salving the same.”

Karzak removed one of his newly acquired metal gauntlets and slapped Danton in the face with it—hard. “Now, ya pull yerself together, laddie! Stop yer whinin' and lamentin' an' pull out that skinny sword a' yers out an' git ready fer battle, ye blabbering baby! Have them scrolls at the ready fer yer magicks too. Be sneaky an' silent like a thief in the night. But no more talkin' outta them pretty lips. Shut yer trap an' fight!”

After recovering from his initial shock at what had happened, Danton withdrew Rat’s Tail in the blink of an eye. The blade flashed through the air until the Velunese stopped it an inch from Karzak’s throat.

“If you would taste mine steel or mine blood, strike me again with your gauntlet, dwarf. But I shalt not be treated that way by you or by anyone. You might well kill me, but 'tis no concern of mine. I've recently endured insults by a wise-cracking elf, and 'tis my fate that I may have to spend days or weeks in his unfortunate company. But I won't endure the slap of a gauntlet from anyone, even if it means my own death.

Right now, you hath done the one thing to stir me from mine fears that the world might soon end if we don't quit playing wet-nurse to a bunch of good-for-nothing townsfolk: namely, you hath treated me as a child or slave, and in fullest public view no less. You will never treat me as such again, or you will have to kill me or be killed. If you think ill of me, then do so as much as you like. But strike me again at your peril. Believe me, I am not jesting.”

There was a moment of utter silence when even the continued shouting of the crier in the distance seemed to fade. Then, just when it seemed that Karzak and Danton might actually come to blows, Nanoc pushed Rat’s Tail aside and interposed himself between the two.

“Now, fellahs, we got bigger fish to fry then off'n one 'nother. Karzak, we don't go around slappin' fellahs in the face in this group. I see that again an’ it ain't jus' Danton who is gonna be upset. Man o' man we ain't got time for this.”

Danton took a deep breath and sheathed his blade. Still red in the face, he backed away several steps.

”Believe me, Nanoc, I hath no desire to trade blows with anyone in my group of comrades. I will take insults and the like, but some things go too far and I am forced to act. But I readily agree that stabbing one another solveth nothing, and I will put aside anger and pride for the moment, provided such an event never occurs again. I recognize, after all, that I am mineself in an excitable and foul mood, so I can understand if Karzak was moved to sudden outburst when he struck me.”

“Still,” added the Velunese, his voice made calm with pure effort, “let us not have it happen again, or I'll not be responsible for what follows. Provided it doth not happen again, 'twill be the end of it so far as I am concerned. 'Tis pointless to harbor anger or grudges, and I mean to do neither. Any one of us could end up needing the services of the other at a critical juncture, and ill feelings can cause the whole endeavor to sour. “

“Good grief!” exhaled Karzak. “After nearly getting’ his blade stuck in my craw, now I dun git him blatherin' on again like some kinda philosopher! Pipe down an' use that there weapon 'gainst the baron o'er yonder. I be glad I hath aroused yer blood, now let us attack! If the baron be our target, so be it. Let us have our blood an' put an end ta these evil happ'nings! Think a' stories ye be tellin' yer
grandchildren! So what be our plan? Storm the gates with one a' them fireballs, or are we ginna climb up an' give 'em a little surprise?”

“Upon reflection,” said Luger in his most calming voice, “I think Nanoc's plan has merit. If we can deal with the baron or whatever is controlling him, maybe we can put an end to this madness. That demonic beast may be who is controlling the baron. Let us kill it on the way to the keep. Such things should not be permitted to walk among men. But I also do think we should at least collect Alein and Torea. Not only can we use their sword arms, I am concerned that they may be targeted as the Temple of Pelor was. We may have to cut our way to the shrine of Heironeus.”

Nanoc shook his head firmly. “Look I am jus’ as worried about Alein and Torea as you, Luger, but if we go an get all cut up trying to get into there temple, well heck there won't be much of us left to take on whatever it is that done got the baron under its thumb. I hopes Alein and Torea done come to the same conclusion as us and we sees them there, but you heard the baron, there is a arrest thingy sent out for 'em. Sure enough we go to that temple and we is gonna run into a load of trouble. Then when we goes to the keep we ain't gonna be in fightin' condition.”

“Nope,” said Nanoc. “We gotta thinks military-like an’ make straight for the baron. Grundar always said take out the leader if ya get the chance...that's the fastest way to shatter the spirits o' the enemy and the surest way to raise the spirits o' your own. Now unless all o' you feel like die'n today...well that's what I think we oughta do.”

Danton sniffed. “As I indicated previously, I am at the group's disposal and will go whither the consensus deems best. That having been said, I agree with Nanoc's sense that dealing with the baron seems best. Running from street battle to street battle 'tis likely only to result in a slow bleed of our own usefulness and abilities. If we are forced to slay this baron, then let us slay him and have done with it. And if we can free the town and ourselves by slaying the puppetmasters who p'raps surround him, then let's put them to the sword.”

“In short,” finished Danton, “let us kill somebody ... whoever seemeth best.”

“Yup,” said Nanoc. “I say we make straight for the indoors and try to get to the baron. If that there demon beast wants ta follow us inside where we can get 'im, that’s jus’ fine. Inside he'll be confined to where my axe can sink into 'im. That's what I think anyway. Well, I think we got a plan...get the baron. It's as good a day to die as any, but by Kord, I don't plan on doin' any diein'.”

Syll shook his head. “You know this could all be a trap, right? You don’t want to even consider reinforcements, decoys, or the like? In and out like the wind, that’s yer whole plan?”

“Elf’s got a point,” agreed Karzak. “I dinna suppose we jus' ginna walk up ta him, bid him farewell, an' slay him on the spot. We might be thinkin' 'bout a plan, like Danton here sneakin' 'round or the like.”

“I am willing to put mine skills to the test in finding a way into the baron's keep,” said the Velunese, “but methinks 'twill not be easy. If there wast time, I would shadow the place until a chambermaid left ... and then woo and bed her for the pillowtalk. But -- alas -- there is no such time. 'Tis my luck that there's never a girl to bugger or time to bugger her when there is a justifiable reason for the buggering.”

Danton winked at Aseneth, who gave him a look of pure disgust.

“No,” said Nanoc and Luger in unison.

“That’ll jus’ take too long,” said the barbarian.

“Now is the best opportunity we will have,” said the cleric. “I doubt there will be much in the way of defenses at the keep—maybe a few guards at the entrances. Think about it, with all of his forces searching and burning the city, the baron probably doesn't expect anyone to come knocking. We should simply walk right up to the front door and request an audience with the baron. If that is not allowed or the guards move to announce our arrival, then we must take them out—preferably in a non-lethal fashion. We cannot give the baron time to ready additional defenses. I have nothing to thwart mind control or the like, so we’ll either have to eliminate the person or group controlling the baron or simply beat some sense into him once we reach him.”

“Right up to the front door, and kick it down, eh?” asked Syll rhetorically. “It’s got style, that’s for sure, and it’s so brazen—or foolish—that no one is likely to see it coming.”

“That’s enough talk,” said Nanoc. “Let’s roll.”

***

It appeared that Nanoc and Luger’s judgments were correct. Although the numbers of people on the streets were shrinking, there were still enough about that the party did not draw too much attention as it made its way back up through town to the baron’s keep. The group passed several patrols composed of a mix of frightened-looking militia and assorted otherworldly-looking reinforcements as the baron’s new decrees were read again and again throughout Woodstock.

Much to Luger’s disappointment, but the relief of the others, the hellish creature that had previously perched atop the tower of the baron’s keep was no longer visible when the structure came into sight once more. Indeed, the Silver Hill neighborhood was virtually deserted by the time the party reentered it, and the group picked up its pace to reach the keep before being spotted.

The baron’s keep actually included not only his manor house, but also the homes of several other noble families in what amounted to a small community walled off from the rest of Woodstock. The single path inside led through a wide archway with a portcullis, which was generally kept in the raised position. As the party approached the arch, two human guards were visible, shuffling nervously about and conversing with one another in low tones.

The two men grew visibly more nervous as the large, and obviously armed, party approached. One of them began glancing off to the west, towards the militia’s barracks, as if contemplating flight or a shout for reinforcements. The other man chose bravado as the best response to the party’s approach:

“Ain’t you idiots heard the new decrees?” he called out. “Carrying weapons is banned now! You’re all under arrest! Drop all those blades right now an’ prepare to be taken into custody!”

Syll made a rapid gesture with his hands, hissed something, and suddenly both men collapsed to the cobblestones with a clanging of metal on stone.

“Never did have much use for lawmen,” the elf muttered. “Now, get those guys out of sight and consider this my first step in getting you lot safely to Rastor—for which I still ain’t been paid the up front half, I might add.”

Nanoc picked up one of the guards, while Karzak and Luger hefted the other. The group slipped under the portcullis and then deposited the two men behind a thick shrubbery just inside the wall. The interior of the keep seemed just as deserted as the neighborhood outside and the group walked quickly across the lawns of two other estates and right up to the front door of the baron’s manor.

The manor house had a portcullis of its own, but this one too was raised, and the party walked under it and up to the heavy wooden door beyond. This portal was closed.

While the others stood guard behind him and watched the grounds for any sign of trouble, Danton set to work on the door (search 17+12=29, listen: 14+7=21). He thought he could hear some kind of activity beyond the door, but saw no sign of traps on it. He thus set to work on the lock (open locks: 18+10=28). Designed more to withstand the efforts of petty thieves rather than a trained professional, the lock resisted Danton’s efforts for no more than a minute.

When he tripped the mechanism, Danton pushed the door slowly inward. Beyond it was a large hall that clearly served as a reception area. It was lavishly decorated with tapestries, large windows, and plush chairs. At the moment, it was empty.

Although Danton and some of the other party members were relatively quiet, Luger and Karzak, in their metal armor, were not. By the time the group had all made its way into the hall and towards the only visible exit, a hallway on the eastern wall, a young serving girl, apparently having heard their entrance, appeared in the corridor.

“Oh!” she gasped at the sight of such a large and unusual group.

“Greetings, my dear,” said Danton smoothly, stepping close to the girl to block her view of the nearly seven-foot tall half orc, scarred dwarf, and assorted other mischief-makers behind him. “I am Lord Dunsany of Mitrik and I hath traveled many leagues to visit the baron. The kind gentlemen outside let me in, and I should be most grateful if you would escort me directly to the baron. Time awaits no man, and I have much business to conduct. The baron is expecting me and I fear I am already a tad late, so let’s move along, shall we? Chop, chop!” (bluff 12+7=19)

“Oh!” said the girl again. “Of course, Lord Dunsany! And those men behind…”

“Valets,” said Danton mildly. “Pay them no mind. I certainly never do--crude men with cruder minds suitable for little more than carrying one’s baggage. Now, you were about to take me to the baron, yes?”

The girl did a little curtsey, turned on her heel and marched back down the hall, with Danton and his ‘valets’ following. The group passed through a kitchen, where several surprised servants looked up. They could be heard muttering to one another, but no one said or did anything to stop the group and the girl soon led the party to and up a flight of winding stairs. Once on the second level, the girl went straight down a long hall and into a large room at the end. She bowed at the entrance and walked back down the corridor.

The room to which the party had been led was roughly twenty feet wide and forty feet long, and it was just as sumptuously decorated as the reception area on the level below, with an ornate fireplace at the far end, surrounded by a large marble table and heavy wooden chairs.

When the party members entered the room, they saw Baron Euphemes sitting at the table staring blankly in their direction, while two other figures sat off to the side, deep in conversation. The baron was a striking man—it appeared that if he were standing, he would be almost as tall as Nanoc. Even sitting motionless, he had distinctly noble features, a regal bearing, and appeared in excellent physical shape. He wore an ornate breastplate, greaves, and a leather skirt. At his sides on the table were a steel shield with an eagle crest and a longsword. A cloak of rich purple velvet trimmed with sable completed his attire.

One of the other figures was immediately familiar to the party, for it was none other than the huge green-skinned humanoid that had blasted Nanoc with magical cold and drawn the party into the trap in the alley behind the Stony Gaze earlier in the morning. The second figure wore a voluminous hooded cloak of black velvet embroidered with silver thread forming arcane symbols and strange designs.

Out of this exotic cloak extended two hands, each with four fingers. A silver amulet set with blood red stones hung out of the cloak as well. The shadows of the cloak obscured the being under it, but when it looked up at the sound of the party’s entrance, mauve skin and white, pupil-less eyes were visible underneath it. There was also some sort of movement just visible within the shadow of the hood.

Then the figure stood, two elongated hands reached up to the hood, and pulled it back, revealing the face underneath to the party.

The four tentacles that hung from the face of the horror in front of the party quivered with anticipation. The green-skinned humanoid next to it laughed once and then vanished into thin air. The baron stood, took up his sword and shield, and walked around the table. Then all hell broke loose.

[Initiative: Nanoc: 7, Danton: 8, Luger: 17, Karzak: 11, Syll: 5, Aseneth: 14, Foes: 10]

As the baron rushed forward with sword and shield, clearly intending to attack the party, the tentacled creature floated up to a position on the fifteen-foot high ceiling. There it gazed down at the party and did…something. Without warning everyone in the party felt some sort of overwhelming assault on his or her mind, threatening to knock them all into senselessness (will saves: Nanoc 10+3=13; fail; Danton 5+2=7; fail; Karzak 16+3=19; success; Luger 18+9=27; success).

Nanoc had intended to charge forward and use his newly acquired ring of jumping to take the fight to the strange creature on the ceiling, but its mental assault blasted him out of his senses and he collapsed to the floor in a quivering heap. The effect on Danton was similar, and the scout’s legs simply gave out underneath him and he fell drooling to the carpet.

Somehow Luger’s strong will and faith in Heironeous enabled him to weather the mental attack, while Karzak’s sheer dwarven stubbornness carried him through. Aseneth and Syll remained in the fight as well, but the immediate loss of one third of the party’s strength, including its single most formidable member, did not bode well.

Intending to knock some sense into the baron, or to knock him out in the bargain, Luger faced off against the nobleman, sword and shield versus sword and shield. The older, bigger man showed surprising speed, piercing Luger’s guard to give him a nasty cut (hit for 4 points), but the cleric countered instantly—and more effectively (attack: 20+7=27; potential critical hit; 2^nd roll: 16+7=23; produces critical hit: 10 damage).

Karzak strode forward as well, trying to decide whether to throw his axe at the thing on the ceiling or assist Luger, but suddenly the decision was made for him when the huge green humanoid appeared out of thin air behind him and tried to take him unawares in the back with its huge sword. Fortunately, its swing was wide of the mark, and Karzak spun to face it, slashing his axe into its legs as he came around (attack: 17+9=26; hit; 12 damage).

From the back of the room, Aseneth and Syll fired off a joint massive volley of magic missiles, which flew up to the ceiling and slammed en masse into the cloaked creature with the tentacles. This attack clearly drew the anger—and the attention—of the thing and it focused its riposte on the elf, launching some sort of invisible attack that caused him to crumple to the ground.

Having now suffered 50 percent losses, the three remaining party members struggled on. Luger dodged the baron’s blade and then slammed Geistblatt into him again (attack: 12+7=19; hit; 8 damage), but he screamed in frustration at the same time—knowing that the real foe was the one on the ceiling—one he could not reach while bogged down defending himself from the baron.

Its surprise attack having failed, the huge green humanoid switched to using its sword purely for defense against Karzak and began casting spells at him. The dwarf felt another presence in his mind, but this time the attack was different and clearly magical in nature. Karzak gritted his teeth and shrugged it off (will save: 13+3+2=18; success).

“Ya wanna know what’s on me mind, laddie?” he shouted. “Here, I’ll show ya!” And with that, he slammed his heavy axe into his large foe for a second time (attack: 12+9=21; hit; 10 damage). Few opponents could have taken two such devastating strikes from a dwarven waraxe, but somehow this huge creature did just that.

The only one still fighting the thing on the ceiling, Aseneth fired off a second volley of magic missiles. These slammed into the creature, producing what might have been a high-pitched shriek of pain. It then turned its full attention on her, but she only screamed something unintelligible in her own language in response and then blasted it yet again.

Karzak brought his axe back for one more strike on the green monster he faced, for he was sure a third hit must prove fatal, but suddenly he found he had no desire to fight the creature further (will save: 2+3+2=7; failure). Instead, his mind was suddenly, blissfully…empty. It was so empty that when the huge monster took advantage of his catatonic state to bludgeon him with its sword (hit for 19 damage), he hardly even realized that he had been smashed against one of the walls and then crashed to the ground.

The baron continued to fight, but the longer his contest with Luger lasted, the more clear it became that he was outmatched. Finally, the cleric knocked the baron’s shield out of his hand and then slashed his blade into the baron’s armored chest (attack: 20+7=27; potential critical hit; 2^nd roll: 19+7=26; critical hit: 18 damage). The man collapsed to his knees under the impact of the blow, and Luger moved forward to finish him.

Although Luger did not know it because of his preoccupation with the baron, the creature on the ceiling had taken so many rounds of magical missile fire, first from Aseneth and Syll, and later from the sorceress alone, and had been unable to break her will with its mental attacks, that it finally decided to withdraw while it still could. Only the sorceress saw its form shift and fold into nothingness, but one of the effects of its sudden departure was instantly apparent to the cleric.

Whereas previously the baron’s face had been a blank mask, even throughout his duel with Luger, suddenly lucidity and expression returned. The man grimaced in pain, dropped his blade, and held up his hands to ward off further attack:

“Hold!” he said. “Hold! I am not your enemy!”

Luger stayed his hand and gazed around the room. He saw Syll get back on his feet and then followed Aseneth’s gaze to the ceiling, where the tentacled creature had been, but was now gone. The party’s third foe, the great green humanoid, had been stalking over to finish Karzak, who lay on his back near the wall, but when the monster registered the sudden silence and looked about to see that both of its erstwhile allies were no longer in the fight, its form suddenly shifted into a cloud of gray smoke, which blew up and out an open window.

With this, the badly injured baron collapsed to the floor.

“Oh, what have I done?” he moaned.

Judging that the nobleman’s life was not in immediate danger, Luger joined Aseneth and Syll in checking on their three comrades. Nanoc and Danton both recovered their wits once they were given a good shaking. Although neither could remember anything that had happened since they were stunned, neither appeared to have suffered any permanent damage. Karzak, on the other hand, still seemed confused and incoherent, and he was bleeding profusely from the wound the huge green creature had given him.

“It isn’t over,” groaned the baron from across the room. “They’ve opened some sort of pathway to the lower planes at the Temple of Pelor…”

________________________________________________________________

Notes for turn 49:

Please send postings for Turn 49 by the end of Friday, March 23^rd.

Luger and Aseneth have each received enough XP to go up a level. Please raise Luger to 6^th level, and I will raise the sorceress to 7th.

Current date/time/location: 14 Srpanj; approximately 1045; Woodstock

Items gained this turn: none

Undivided Loot previously gained: none

Items used/lost/destroyed/sold this turn: none

FOES DEFEATED:

Active party members listed in green.

This Chapter:

Entire Campaign:

Current Status of the Party:

Note: known magic items listed in bold.

Nanoc

AC: 17

Hit points: 60/66

New XP: 1200

XP total: 20,581

XP needed: 21,000

Equipment: masterwork great axe, great axe +1, masterwork studded leather armor, 69 arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, waterskin, 24 days trail rations, bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, tent, 50’ rope, 1 sap, masterwork mighty composite shortbow, masterwork shortsword, 6 iron triangles with inverted ‘Y’, three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, a bead of force, metal scroll tube, a black cloak, two inverted ziggurat pendants; potion of bull’s strength, potion of cure light wounds(X2), potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of water breathing, potion of spider climbing, Aseneth’s House Torquann dragon ring, heavy riding horse and riding equipment, spare light riding horse and equipment, pack mule (mule carries: 3 tents, most of party’s rations and water, ‘peace offerings’ for gnomes), ring of jumping (+30 to jumping checks), potions of cat’s grace, cure moderate wounds, invisibility, silver brooch

Gold: 1960

Silver: 1420

Danton

AC: 16 (17 vs. one opponent)

Hit points: 25/26

New XP: 1200

XP total: 19,831

XP needed: 21,000

Equipment: rapier, 6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 33 bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks, waterskin, 24 days trail rations, hooded lantern, gold ring engraved with the name Karakas, 1 sap, 1 metal key from Yusdrayl, Everburning Torch, scrolls with pyrotechnics and melf’s acid arrow, old journal, 8 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside, 1 protection from fire scroll, 3 scrolls of cure light wounds, 2 scrolls of cure moderate wounds, new journal, notebook, pen, ink, parchment in sealed waterproof box, pipe, tobacco, metal box, whetstone, six packets of tinder for lighting fires, gold inlaid dagger, Journal of Geynor Ton, a folded piece of parchment with a note addressed to someone named Festrath, spider pendant, a wand, tattered black cloak with burning eye emblazoned on it, disguise kit, letter to Master Dunrat, ochre-colored robe, potion of cure light wounds (X2), cure moderate wounds (X2), scrolls of animal messenger and stone shape, potion of love, light riding horse and equipment, potion of spider climb, a dozen vials of lantern oil, masterwork thieves’ tools, scroll with summon monster II, potion of cat’s grace, Rat’s Tail (Rapier +1), scroll with change self, enlarge, and two sleep spells, silver brooch, bracers of armor +1

Gold: 1667

Silver: 1200

Luger

AC: 20

Hit Points: 34/45

New XP: 1200

XP total: 15,281

XP needed: 15,000

Equipment: longsword, heavy mace, light x-bow, dagger, 20 bolts, chainmail +1, large steel shield, 3 belt pouches, large bag, 50’ rope, 5 torches, hooded lantern, 3 oil flasks, flint & steel, 24 days rations, silver holy symbol of Heironeus, 3 flasks holy water, 3 healer’s kits, backpack, cleric’s vestment, traveler’s clothing, waterskin, bedroll, iron triangle with upside down ‘Y’ inside, eight cockatrice feathers, scrolls of cure light wounds (2), cure disease, neutralize poison, potion of cure moderate wounds; Geistblatt (ghost touch longsword +1), light riding horse and equipment, 5 vials of Furyondian Fire, cloak of resistance +1 (+1 to all saves), potions of enlarge, reduce, nondetection, silver brooch

Spell Selection:

Level 0(5): Detect Magic (x2), Create Water (x2), Light
Level 1(4+1): Domain: Protection from Evil

Level 2 (3+1): Domain: Aid

Level 3 (2+1): Domain: Magic Circle Against Evil

Turn Undead attempts left on current day: 7 of 7

Gold: 297

Silver: 1200

Karzak

AC: 19

Hit Points: 17/38

New XP: 1200

XP total: 4,950

XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: potions of blur and charisma, backpack, water skin, 7 days rations, aleskin, flint & steel, heavy crossbow, 4 cases with 40 bolts, 2 daggers, masterwork dwarven waraxe, large steel shield, banded mail, short sword, silver brooch, bedroll, sack, Nanoc’s silver-plated short sword

Gold: 620

Silver: 1200