Behold the Fallen Kings

To recap: The group rested after defeating the horde of Derro/Dwarves. Moregrim received a sending from Turmion, the high priest of Moradin in Greysmere, telling him a bit more about the relationship between the King and the Forge Priestess - Helrun. The group then went to the citadel at the heart of the Kingdom of Karakast. They planned to use the captured map and sneak inside.

  As the group passed the citadel under a wind walk spell, they saw a crimson gate open and warriors mounted on winged beasts descend on the main bridge leading into the Kingdom, on which were scores of travellers and merchants – Doom Guides mounted on their hellish rams.

  The group ignored this. They found a crack the southern side of the rock upon which the citadel was built. The moat water went inside and the group found a huge area with large pillars and a dock with a small dwarven boat. The pillars had numerous chains, such that captives would be in the water.  Chained to a large pillar was a half eaten Ettin. As the group flew towards the docks a huge, many headed beast burst from the water surprising much of the group. The group flowed forward and slipped under the stone doors past the dock, leaving the monster behind.

  Beyond were large dwarf made stairs and a secret door. According to the map the secret door led to a series of derro caves. The group ascended the stairs, and went through another secret door, finding an enormous burial chamber with stone funeral biers upon which were graven images of past dwarven kings. Natural light streamed through huge stained glass windows high up on the eastern wall. Far down the long hall were two figures. One a dwarf and another figure clearly smaller.

  The PCs entered the funeral chamber and Moregrim called out to the figures “We are here to warn the kingdom of impending doom!” One of the far away figures yelled “Tomb robbers! Come forth defenders of my ancestors!” At which point 8 stained glass dwarves burst from their panels and crashed heavily to the floor. They composed themselves for battle, reflecting light through their glass arms and armor. Doughty dwarven visages glared at the group. Each step of the creatures was a cacophony the grinding glass. Their dwarven rune covered armor, axes and shields bore images from the forgotten past.

  Zil ran forward to stop the two figures, the largest ran and hid, while Felndar threw up a wall of fire so they couldn’t escape. Aardgal, Moregrim and Shaft battled the Stained Glass Golems, and Felnar quickly found they were immune to most magic,and even reflected some spells back at him! Eventually Shaft would discern that cold seemed to slow them, while fire sped them up and even healed them a bit.
  Zil confronted a strange little halfling in jester attire. After he grabbed the halfling, the female dwarf attacked him from behind “Leave him alone!” The halfling managed to charm Zil. Ujjal’s Avoral Celestial, whom he summoned, grappled the halfling, and Felnar used a Dominate Person spell to take over the will of the female dwarf. Felnar made her command the stained glass golems back into stasis. 5 of the 8 returned to the wall, unharmed.

  As the group thought about what to do next, they  saw a contingent of 8 Doom Guides gate into the room, led by an impressive female warrior bearing a blood red war axe. She spoke aloud a vengeful poem committed to memory which echoed through the ancient hall:

 

Behold the fallen kings
And watch the fruit their guilt now brings
Seven smitten they shall be


Rest in arms of vengeful mothers
On darkest wings they bring our brothers
Six and a million tears we cry

Forge father’s fury, wildfire force
They shall know no remorse
Five furnaces bright, call the dead to war

On iniquity and hate the beast will feast
To sate the hunger of ages past
Four they have sent, better repent

Mirth and prosperity lost
Tossed into battle, too high the cost
Three pleasures taken the stones shall awaken

No clergy to guard the halls
Faith will break thy walls
Two tribes, one strife
None will survive

Don't rush a dwarf when he's thinking

Having worked their way onto the back of the leviathan upon which rested the Doom Grinder, the group investigated the Forge Fiends and Guiltgorger Giants whom they slew. Felnar detected magic within the Forge Fiends, cooling form, and after much investigation he determined the source of the magic came from within the head area of the Forge Fiend.

  Moregrim hammered on the dead forge fiends head until it came off. Out rolled an armored dwarf warrior woman, except with glowing red eyes and horns coming from her head. She paused, rather than attack during surprise. She regarded Moregrim's symbol of Moradin, and asked "You serve Moreadin. What cause have you here?"

Moregrim: "We seek to stop the Doom Grinder and the Oathbreaker."

"None may stop the Doom Grinder!" She attacked and didn't even draw blood before she had 6 arrows in her chest plate and was on the floor bleeding out. Aardgal had determined that she was evil, so after rifling her belt pouch for her magic potions and staunching her blood loss, the group examined the door behind her.

  The doors were made of granite, incised with the anvil of Moradin set with rubies. Moregrim knows enough that this signifies a great holy place of Moradin, and were he more knowledgeable in the religious lore, he would know more based on the number, placement and type of gemstones. Felnar found the doors to be overwhelmingly magical. Aardgal searched the doors, and found that where the seam of the doors meet, was fused rock. Perhaps they were not actually doors, or were somehow magically fused.

  The group decided to investigate elsewhere.

  Next was a hallway with two doors, one further than the next. The first door proved troublesome to open after two attempts, then the undead inhabitants obliged the group by coming through the walls to slay them. A dozen dwarven specters swarmed the group, and after much fighting, Ujjal was able to turn half of them, while the second half was destroyed. Aadgal seemed very adept at fighting them, and even used a magic item to restore some of the drained energy from Shaft. When the second half of the specters returned, they two were destroyed. Ujjal and Aardgal recognized holy symbols on some of the specters, and consulting with Moregrim, they were the dagger and coin symbol of Abbathor, dwarven god of greed. The rooms beyond proved to be a grim feasting hall, a kitchen filled with water, which flooded out when the doors were opened, and a long rotted pantry.

   The next hallway showed a large chasm inside this mountainous creature, and since the cavern had neither floors, and seemed windy enough to deter air walking, the group decided to explore elsewhere.

 

  When the group returned to the fallen dwarven woman, she had expired of her wounds. Moregrim battered through the wall of stone, blocking the other hallways (cast by the forge fiend in the previous fight), they found the second forge fiend's head had come off and there was no one inside, and no sign of any one else.
 
  Down the next hallway was an old dormitory, half of the cubicles had dwarves slain in their sleep long ago. From an ornate, still burning, central brazier issued forth a creature of smoke. Made of skull, claws and wings it was huge and attacked the group. With each swipe of it's claws the smoke clung and tried to suffocate. After several tense seconds it was destroyed. Ujjal and Felnar recognized it as a Belkar, an evil creature from the elemental plane of air, though bigger than anything they'd ever heard of.

  The last hallway had a room with 4 slowly spinning illuminated columns in 12 alcoves. roughly 3' ft. in diameter. At top and bottom of each stone column was an iron tip, like a pencil. The columns were lit inside, and the sides had gemstones or stained glass runes, which illuminated dwarvish runes, casting them around the room like a kaleidoscope. Along the floor and ceiling were inscribed lines running from each alcove to each other alcove. A single door was some 25' ft. from the entrance.
  Moregrim and Aardgal entered the room, and the slowly spinning collumns spun rapidly and whirled to other alcoves, narrowly missing Aardgal. The two made their way warily inside and a figure appeared before the far door.
  Bare chested, a dwarven monk stood, with white runic tattoos over it's body and bald head. His red beard was long, and his eyes glowed with a white light. He acknowledged Moregrim. "Greetings." He stood with arms folded. He was very slightly intangible. Aardgal recognized him as a ghost.
  Moregrim: "We come seeking answers. This place, the 'Doom Grinder'. Who controls it?"
  Ghost: "Moradin controls it."
  Moregrim: "Where is it going?"
  Ghost: "It seeks the destruction of the Oath breaker."
  The Ghost, seeming content with Moradin's presence, faded from view. When Moregrim and Aardgal approached the door, despite the spinning columns, the ghost reappeared. His demeanor grimmer. "None may enter the Vault of Mercy."
Moregrim: "OK. Works for me."

  The group then decided to explore the airy chamber, which proved to have 4 mechanical manticores who flung spikes at the group. Finding no compelling reason to slay the constructs the group left. On their way towards the entrance they found an angry looking matronly dwarf in front of the Anvil Doors.
  She had long white hair pulled back and a golden head band with a red gem stone which shone with a light which hurt the eyes to look upon. She wore Black and Silver robes, embroidered with golden thread with runes. A golden symbol of Moradin hung around her neck, and she carried a large war hammer of black metal.
  Again Moregrim took the point in the conversation:
"You are the warrior of Moradin."
Moregrim: "Who are you?"
"I am the Forge Priestess."
Moregrim: "You seek the Oath breaker? Whom is it that you seek"
F.P.: "I do. I will bring the judgement of Moradin upon him."
Moregrim: "Who do you refer to?"
F.P.: "King Ezelgar, King of Karakast."
Moregrim: "Why?"
F.P.: "He trapped me here for 100 years. Long have I prayed for his destruction and finally Moradin has answered my prayers!"
Moregrim: "I will help you, if I can."
F.P.: "Then do no harm to the Doom Guides."
Moregrim: Is there a way to save Karakast?"
F.P.: "Slay the King or the Doom Grinder will."
  Then she simply disappeared.

Dwarves of Greysmere, Karakast and Dumadan

Greysmere Covenant. Population: 500+. A dwarven stronghold, started as a dwarven trading station, it has become the westernmost outpost of the dwarven people into the Plain of Greyhawk. Less about mining, the Covenant is about crafting metals and goods, including a prominent mead winery and brewery. As such free trade the protection are important. The dwarves allow non-dwarves to visit and trade, but may not settle within their walls and caverns. Settled with the last 600 years by clan-less dwarves, the descendants of those settlers have created clans of their own and are more tolerant of new clan formation. Ruled by a council of Clan Elders, the Lord of the Covenant is chosen by the council. Due to the unrest of the Greyhawk Wars and raids along the trade routes by warring lizard folk, ogres and desert nomads from the south, the current Lord is a less than politic dwarf known for his bravery and cunning, Fionar ‘the Rude’. Many of the most ‘worldly’ and artistic dwarves have gravitated to this outpost.

 

Dwarven Kingdom of Karakast. Population: 6,000+. This dwarven citadel was the site of deep gold mines, with equally good granite and nearby coal deposits. The six sided granite citadel has a large artificial lake/moat surrounding it. Founded at the same time as Dumadan, it controls one of the few routes to the east, and despite the mines below having played out long ago, the dwarves continue to prospect and control multitudes of dwarven mines secreted in the surrounding hills. It is not uncommon for new ore or gemstones to suddenly come onto the market, bringing scores of traders from east and west to buy new goods, and the fine crafts of dwarven smiths. The Kingdom is dominated by a handful of clans who intermarry and dominate trade. It’s said that 60% of the Kingdom is controlled by the Coalbrow clan and their related clans – the Mistbreather, Battlehammer, Deepiron, Rockanvil, Meadhorn, Ironmettle and Mithralbeard clans. Outsiders are allowed to stay within the kingdom only with a bond at the ‘will of the king’ and without special dispensation will be expelled within a fort night. It’s said ‘None leave Karakast owing a coin.’ meaning all debts (to a dwarf) must be paid in full before outsiders are allowed to leave. 

 

Dwarven Kingdom of Dumadan. Population: 27,000. The Kingdom has been in existence for over 3,000 years. It pays fealty to the human Duke of Urnst, after they long ago bent knee to the Great King of Aerdy over 500 years ago. They fully supported the Dutchy of Urnst and the Kingdom of Nyrond when it broke away, but swore to only lend troops to the defense of the Dutchy. Many dwarves have fallen in the cause of defending the Dutchy and their dwarven king, this has formed a lasting bond between the dwarves and their mostly human neighbors. They even tolerate the elves of the Celadon forest to a degree. The dwarves of Dumadan a number of ‘dark ones’, dwarves who prefer being underground, and it is rumored that these dwarves have fought against the races of the under dark in their constant quest for riches.

Mage Point

   After a night’s rest in the largest Inn, the group gets cleaned up. Mending of clothes, cleaning gear, armor, weapons and grooming the horses talk up most of the morning, and by noon the group walks up the stone causeway to the blue castle of Tenser. Guards are dressed in azure blue livery with the symbol of Tenser - a black scimitar on a yellow field surrounded by red border. After passing the battlements, adorned with gargoyle mouths poised to spew flaming oil or worse on attackers, you enter into a central courtyard. Beyond the crystal globes mounted along the inner walls and dark purple crystals mounted on tall poles, the place looks like a formidable castle. A few craftsmen work at their trades and guards drill, but otherwise everything is serene. Waiting for you are three individuals.

1)One a slight older man with greying hair, dressed in darkest blue robes embroidered with golden stars, he still wears a golden medallion dedicated to Celestian, the god of the stars and night sky. Felnar, Shaft and Aardgal recognize him as the head librarian in town. He looks more imposing wearing the Mithral Breast Plate and a blue crystalline staff. He introduces himself as Agath of Thrunch. He seems to treat you with polite respect but answers most things with a single word or two.

2)A tall, powerfully built blond man, with a touch of grey at his temples. He wears Full Plate armor, a shield with three gray wolves on a red field. A black long sword and a fancy dagger with a platinum hilt are at his side. He introduces himself as Lord Yrag. He seems bored, and only seems engaged while meeting warriors, reading their armor and weapons, more than their faces.

3)Lastly, a young woman in her twenties. She is extremely attractive, in a dress of Baklunish design. Blue silk embroidered with gold dragons. She has medium cut black hair, and seems of Baklunish ancestry. She smiles and greets you warmly. She introduces herself as Ambrosia. She is delightful, and has a musical laugh. She easily makes up for what her two companions lack in social skill and grace.

  After introductions and a bit of chat, she guides you all into the keep and after a number of turns you enter into an expansive sitting room. The skulls of more than one gigantic dragon red dragon the walls, as do a variety of gigantic weaponry, bizarre and strange weaponry, a few stuffed monsters and the like.

  Ambrosia says: “I believe your group wished to speak with Lord Tenser regarding an artifact you recovered. M’Lord Tenser is very much interested and has returned from his trip. According to Celeste and your group has recovered an object very dear to a certain fiend, a portion of the Rod of Seven parts. Hmmm that would be M’Lord now.” 

  In walks a rather plain looking man in azure blue tunic, bearing a well used black metal staff. He is clean shaven and tanned, and without his robes or staff wouldn’t look out of place serving beer behind any bar. In with him walks a lithe elf, golden haired, wearing golden elfin chainmail shirt along with clothes of exquisite make, and a silver sword on his back. Lastly walks the youngish woman, in the attire of a lady of high station, a green and gold gown, and adorned with jewelry. You are taken aback, since you are used to seeing Celeste in city clothes.

  “M’Lord Tenser, Prince Melf Brightflame and the Lady Celeste.”

Lord Yrag
Ambrosia
Tenser
Celeste
 Prince Melf Brightflame

Reading the Apostolic Scrolls

  The group teleports back to Ellival’s mansion in Diamond Lake with Xil’s body. Ujjal heads to sleep, and in the morning prays to Trithereon ‘the Summoner’, ‘the Liberator and Avenger’ to help his friend Xil return to the living through a Raise Dead spell.

  Ellival’s few remaining staff are packing up his belongings, as he prepares to leave for Celene. He’s had to hire on a few of the local women to prepare for his guests, the clergy of Corellon and Fharlaghn who are preparing to help Ujjal cast the Apostolic scrolls. In attendance are Ilesphere ‘of the Celadon’ and Theramer, priestess and priest of Corellon, Aynwyck Cromwell, Liam ‘the Roamer’, Gideon Greysmare priestess and priests of Fharlaghn.

  During the night Edgrin greets the party, and isn’t surprised that another of the group has died. He confers with Morgrim, and tells him that his fellow traders from the Greysmere Consortium want him to come immediately to the compound. They have a sealed message addressed to him of some importance. Moregrim hustles off and returns within the hour, seeming troubled by whatever has occurred.

  In the wee hours of the night, two cloaked figures meets with Aardgal, Quomara, the half green dragon, half elf, and her half sister, the elf Ilyana Starmane, scion of House Starmane. They meet in private and then they leave. Quomara meets many of the group for the first time, and she flirts with Lath and Shaft. When Ellival reproaches her she laughs at him and takes her leave.

  The dawn comes and with it the prayers of the faithful. Felnar travels to Hardby with Aardgal’s fiancée Isolde, along with a detailed message for the Holy Mother. The two return after a few hours, having teleported there and back with the Apostolic Scrolls and a few other items for Aardgal.

  Ujjal casts a Raise Dead on Xil and then a Restoration and curing spells to bring him to full strength. Xil swears a blue streak, and thanks Ujjal. "Where's my stuff."

  With all in readiness, the group sees Amariss and the clergy of Wee Jas. They bring forth a hooded and cloaked figure, Terra, and in the central courtyard near Ellival's fountain, she kisses Felnar and prays to Obad Hai, Wee Jas, Corellon, Fharlaghn, and Trithereon. They the clergy remove the cloak and as the morning sun touches her she begins to wail and burn. Within the minute she is ash. It is heart rending.

  Ujjal and the rest start to pray, ward and read. Ujjal's strength of conviction allows him to comprehend the words of the scrolls as they twist and blur. Reading them takes something out of the young cleric. Reading the words of the divine and profane twisted together tries his soul. His hair whites a touch at the temples...

Bloody Diamond Lake

  As the town of Diamond Lake slowly begins to rebuild, the group headquarters at the estate of Ellival Moonmeadow. He tells the group that he will be leaving Diamond Lake in a month, likely for a long time. He plans on returning to Celene. He has sold 49% of his mining operation to the Starbrow family, a wealthy and influential family of elven traders and merchants based in Greyhawk City. He seems pensive and seems to little relish the prospect of returning to the elven nation.

  Under Aardgal's advice, the group stays together at the estate. For Celeste, the angel, had warned  that the forces of hell seek the fragment of the Rod of Seven Parts, which the group possesses. Since Felnar's lady, Terra, is in the safety of the Shrine of the Green Lady, he is fine staying with the party, rather than returning to his observatory on the hill.

   After some strong words between Felnar and Ujjal, Ujjal agrees to cast from the dangerous Apostolic Scrolls. Seeing as they are being held by the clergy of Wee Jas in Hardby, a trip is in order.

  Edgrin, having agreed to seek information for Morgrim, has already left for Magepoint, the coastal home of Tenser. Aardgal had asked Edgrin to spy out the place, since the group would likely trade the Rod fragment in the near future.

  The rest of the group leaves for Greyhawk to sell treasure, cast identify spells and otherwise get clean and rest.  The group has a notable encounter on the road*, which leaves them spooked, and upon entering Greyhawk, they keep a low profile and seek out an old ally, 'Uncle Bump' to find a discreet safe house. Almost immediately Aardgal and Felnar teleport to the High Temple of the Ruby Lady in Hardby and then teleport back with the Apostolic Scrolls. He makes a point of leaving the artifact fragment behind in Greyhawk with the group.

  After two weeks of trading, buying and selling, the group leaves Greyhawk, and rides back to Diamond Lake, where they meet Edgrin.

   The town is starting to slowly come to life, but the folk are beaten down. Drunken brawls, fighting and bloodletting are the norm now. Everyone stays out of the groups way. An election for Mayor has been set by agents of the Oligarchy for next month, and most assume that Edgar Tilgast, will win.

  Edgrin meets with Morgrim privately, then relates what he found at Magepoint. Prince Melf 'Brightflame' of Celene is there, and he had an audience with the Prince. In attendance was Celeste. At the meeting he expresses surprise in the discovery of the artifact fragment, and thought Tenser would be willing to buy it from the party. Tenser and some colleagues are away, but are expected back imminently.

  Aardgal seems relieved to have a decent way to rid the group of such a dangerous artifact. Perhaps muses Ujjal, we could have the trade include the casting of a True Resurrection spell...

  While in town, the clerics of Fharlaghn and Corellon are beginning to reassemble for the protective warding needed to cast the Apostolic Scrolls. The assembled clerics are still missing one, and a priestess of Beory, the Flannish earth mother, has been enlisted to fill the needed 6th place.  

  Morgrim is quickly sought out by the dwarven traders from Greysmere, where he is given a message and other urgent news.

The group travels north to Magepoint to meet the archmage Tenser.

The fellowship split and rejoined

  The group was split in two. One half, Felnar, Lath, Shaft and Moregrim had teleported to the Ellival estate, then finding it and the town deserted and empty, snuck around in the darkness. They found the Dourstone Mine collapsed, and using the back entrance through the graveyard, saw that the mine had been evacuated through the secret entrance. They then snuck out of town, lest they encounter the dragon Ilthane. In the darkness they heard skittering noises, and made haste towards the Whispering Cairn.

 They reached the Cairn around dawn and found a small camp of people excavating a similarly collapsed cairn entrance.  Ellival, much dirtied by a week of survival led a small group. Members included Kurlag, the half ogre simpleton bouncer of the Emporium, Skunt 'the runt' a dwarf miner, Maxwell, an older woodsman, his daughter Emma, and Celeste the associate of Ekiam Smallcask who helped sponsor the group in the Champion Games.

  Meanwhile, inside the Whispering Cairn, Aardgal, Samson, Ujjal and Zil were waiting and passing the time. Samson was still fixated on the piece of the Rod of Seven Parts in Aardgal's pack. Zil proved to be pretty much unwilling to talk, so Ujjal and Aardgal passed the time. In many ways they were similar, Ujjal had a greater knowledge of the planes and planar creatures, both dedicated to their respective gods, but in many ways at odds. Ujjal believed in Freedom above all, where as Aardgal believed in duty and the ties that bind people together.

  In their talks in came out that Ujjal had decided against reading the Apostolic Scrolls for Felnar and to cure Terra from being a vampire. Aardgal told Ujjal that the group and Felnar had helped free Ujjal's sister Marial of her life threatening 'obligations' to the Thieves Guild. Ujjal remembered it differently and choose to ignore any obligation he may have in return. At which point things turned frosty between the two of them and it was a welcome relief when something happened.

  A sound of movement near the portal to Icosial's tomb was the only warning as a large figure rounded the corner of the tomb. A large figure, a genie, saw the group and asked "Are you the ones who broke the Seal of Law?" After some hemming and hawing, and seeing that the Genie seemed pleasantly disposed Aardgal said "We used it, and it became damaged in the doing, but it wasn't out intent." The genie seemed to care little for the distinction and introduced himself as Shan, an Emir of the Genie. He gave his thanks for breaking the Seal, and slaying Bwimb, the elder ooze, an old sworn enemy.  He turned to leave, saying if they ever found themselves in the Plane of air they could 'look him up'. "Before you leave, perhaps we could ask a favor in return?" You explained you needed to slay a black dragon and were looking for a means of keeping the dragon from flying away. He paused, then clapped his hands together and a large scroll appeared on a set of bone and gold leaf rods. He tossed it to Aardgal saying "This should do the trick." Then disappeared.  Later, when Felnar read it with his Read Magic spell it proved to be a scroll of Control Winds.   

  After some rest around mid-day Felnar cast a dimension door in and out with the rest of the group and Allustan's body. Ellival filled in the whole group on what had happened to Diamond Lake since the group had been trapped in the Cairn.

  The dragon Ilthane flew to the town. Sheriff Melinde was slain getting people to safety in the mines. Confronted in daytime by the Commander of the Militia, Tolliver Trask, his lieutenants, the priests of Heironeous and Saint Cuthbert, and a cadre of 30 soldiers, yet denied help by the followers of the Green Lady, a huge battle was fought at the garrison and all of them were slain by the dragon.

  The dragon then buried the entrances to the mines and killed at will until no one remained in the town. Everyone fled or was slain. The dragon, gorged on townsfolk and chose to lair in the town Smelting plant. It collapsed portions of it, and dug out the foundation and surrounding land until a fair portion of the Lake was inside the buildings. This took days.

  Ilthane found it's few lizard man and black scale kobolds remaining, along with his lieutenant, the half elf half dragon Quomara.  The dragon started capturing and charming people to use as agents to find those who knew or loved the 'Drums of Doom'. Unbeknownst to Ilthane, Quomara is Aardgal's grandmother and acting as a double agent. She fed information to a trio of people bent on keeping the dragon's influence and reach to a minimum. Zalamandra, the savy owner of the Emporium tavern/house of oddities/whorehouse, Marial, Ujjal's sister, and Izenfen 'the Occluded' the female head of the Twilight Monestery, several hours outside of Diamond Lake. The trio along with Izenfen's follow monks outmatched the dragon's slapped together group. Ilthane did manage to capture the Matron dwarf Bitris of the Greysmere covenant. They eventually captured Aardgal's paramour and priestess of Wee Jas Isolde while they were secreting Terra away from Felnar's tower to the safety of the Shrine of the Green Lady.

  The existence of the Shrine of Green lady had been kept from Ilthane. Followers of Saint Cuthbert had found refuge there. The Bronzewood Lodge, the ancient structure outside of town peopled by worshippers of Obad Hai was similarly a haven. Lastly several farm houses were havens, chief amongst these was the home of the Holebrace Halflings, cousins of 'Mouse'.

  While all of this was happening, events in town reached the outside world. 5 clerics arrived by griffin back. Two of Fharlaghn and three elven priests of Corellon. They had been summoned by Ellival to aid in the casting of the Apostolic Scrolls on Terra. When word of the dragon's attack they hastened to help. The dragon easily routed them, killing one of the elves, and sending the rest fleeing.

  I the aftermath of destruction of the Garrison, the remaining patrols, along with forces from Blackwall Keep rallied and mounted a roving band outside of Diamond Lake. Ready to contain or strike if absolutely necessary. Led by a half elf garrison lieutenant Dobrun Trent, he was guided by Marzena the mage, Allustan's former apprentice whom the group rescued from the Twisted Branch tribe of Lizard Folk years ago.

  Lastly, a group of heroes had arrived the previous day. One a cleric of Fharlaghn and survivor of the griffon dragon skirmish, along with a more powerful member of the same order to which Izenfen belonged had brought a number of other warriors to fight the dragon. Few had any hope they would fare better than the 'Drums of Doom.'

  Getting back to the PC's. Zil had an odd conversation with Celeste. Being newer to the group he had never met her, and she seemed to challenge him, a mercenary with no real ties to current events. She asked him why he would stay around such death and destruction. In other words 'What's wrong with you?' He shrugged and asked her why she cared. "Because you care so little, is why. I think being around these heroes will lead you to madness or death in the end, unless you have some reason to fight." Aardgal noticed the two in conversation, and she shrugged.

  A plan was hatched to take the group to the Shrine of the Green Lady. It turns out that Ellival had a boat secreted nearby. Maxwell and his daughter Emma, seasoned trackers would guide you there. Felnar and Shaft would teleport to the Bronzewood Lodge to speak with Nogweir 'the aged'. The priest of Obad Hai was the most likely candidate to cast the scroll of Control Winds.

  Before the group split again, Edgrin had a heated exchange with Maxwell. "What do you mean they fled?" Yelled Maxwell. Shaft and Aardgal ran over and Maxwell turned his ire on them, while Emma separated Maxwell from Edgrin. "The Halfling says you fled into the Cairn to get away from the dragon. My friends and hundreds other people died and you ran away from the dragon?!?" Aardgal explained that the dragon was too much for them, and they had to flee. While Shaft explained that the group had returned with magic that could turn the tide of battle vs. the dragon. Still the fact that the group had initially been routed by the dragon stung. Maxwell agreed to guide the group but pointed at Aardgal and said "I'll do it, but you owe me." "agreed." replied Aardgal.

  By the time the group reached the Shrine of the Green Lady Quomara and Amariss told the PCs that the dragon had been driven from the town by the band of heroes. They had attacked it in the wee hours of the morning and Marial and her allies had seen it flee skyward towards the north. Quomara welcomed Aardgal back. She also told the group that one of the dragon's black scale kobolds had taken the druid shaman Hishna into the Mist Marsh to be raised by a death cult residing there.

  With the relief of not having to fight a dragon, the group went to meet Shaft and Felnar near his observatory and then check out the scene of the battle. When the assembled group made their way to the destroyed smelting house, they saw great gaping holes in the walls and roof. As they neared the collapsed wall they heard a gruff voice inside yelling "Tis a shitty town, with a shitty dragon and a shitty horde. Why did we save this stinking hole in the first place!?!"

  Aardgal rounded the corner and saw a few people along with a really big Mastiff growling at him.

"If it's such a crappy place then I'll give you 5 minutes to leave!" Said Aardgal.

  A lightly armored man wielding a rapier and a monk stood near Aardgal. The swordsman said "Make us." As he drew his blade. Both groups were silent and waited for the other to make a move. A few other members of the group came forward, a fop-ish man holding a spiked chain with two swords on his back and a heavily armored swordsman dressed in browns and tans wearing a holy symbol of Fharlaghn.  

"Hold on there. No reason to fight." Said the second swordsman.

Aardgal: "Leave and there won't be a fight."

Swordsman: "We've defeated the dragon, and saved the town. We are just cleaning up what little treasure the dragon possessed. What's the problem."

Aardgal:  "The dragon's treasure belonged to the people of Diamond Lake before they died. It's not yours."

Swordsman: "I beg to differ. We're adventurers and we have to be paid for our efforts."

Aardgal backed off, but he was clearly perturbed at these assholes and wanted nothing more to do with them.

  As tensions eased, a clearly drunk gnome came forward and pulling the Mastiff away said "C'Mon Brutus. Lunchtime."   

 

    The Drums of Doom left the new comers to digging in the mud for coins, and checked out the town. Soon Acting Captain Dobrun Trent and the Militia troops came into town. The leaders set up command in the town square as the troopers rode patrol to check in on any survivors or monsters. As the group was talking to Dobrun, Aardgal felt a strange sensation. He moved to a bon fire the troopers had started and sitting down next to Marzena he began to dig in his pack. Samson, always at Aardgal's elbow sensed something amiss and shouted a warning and rushing towards Aardgal's side, he was stopped by Dobrun and the other Militia leaders as they drew weapons and attacked Samson.

  Aardgal patiently took off his pack and was reaching for the portion of the Rod of Seven Parts inside. Oblivious to the melee. As the party rushed to his side, Marzena said something in an Alien tongue and 5 barbed devils appeared and attacked. Felnar cast a regroup spell pulling Aardgal away from Marzena and into a Protection from Chaos sphere. Marzena stepped forward and cast a spell sending waves of exhaustion though the entire party. Then Shaft peppered Marzena with arrows and she fell to the ground.  Where she fell a bizarre creature materialized. A bizarre grey slug with a mouth on one end and on the other, three tentacles, each ending in a human head. One of the heads materialized as it pulled away from Marzena's head, obviously possessing her. Ujjal barely recognized it as a powerful devil known as a Belier Devil.

  At this point the Militia leaders were controlled by the devils and forced to fight, they entered into the Protection Sphere and edged away from the combat. Celeste ran up and aided the group, casting a bless weapon on Zil's Scimitar, then after he was grappled by a Barbed Devil she cast Freedom of Movement on him. As the Belier devil appeared, she cast a blade barrier, which only affected one devil, but hedged many of them back until they teleported past it. She told Zil "The forces of Heaven help as the forces of Hell oppose you."

  The Belier Devil cast a Blasphemy spell which paralyzed many of the group, killed the Militia leaders, dazed and weakened the group. In return Celeste cast a Holy Word which Paralyzed, Blinded and Deafened the Barbed Devils. At this point only Moregrim, Ujjal, Aardgal, Celeste and the Belier Devil were moving. The neutral members of the group had been struck by both spells, so Felnar, Zil and Samson were Dazed, Exhausted, Weakened, Blind, Deaf, and Paralyzed. With the forces of Heaven and Hell battling they hoped death would come fast.

  Celeste healed Zil, so he could fight. The Belier Devil grappled Aardgal with its' tentacle necks and heads and began to drain the blood from him, as it choked off his air. The slug mouth was also snapping and biting. Moregrim and Zil found it easier to hit as it was grappling and eventually killed it.

  With many of the group still paralyzed Aardgal asked Celeste who she really was, thinking to catch her in a lie. "I am Celeste, a friend of Ekaym Smallcask. I am also Celeste of the Seraphim and member of the angelic host. The Pit Fiend Viccanix wields a section of the Rod of Seven Parts and he will send legions to destroy you to have it." When asked what to do, Celeste told the group to seek out Felnar's mentor's mentor...Tenser. She turned to Zil. "Mercenary, you fight for nothing. Everyone here (gesturing to your group) has someone to lose, and thus something to protect. Heed my warning, this fight is just a warm up."

  Celeste walks away from the group, she bends down as she nears the Militia leaders and gently whispers something and lays hands on Dobrun Trent, then helps him back to his feet and back to the land of the living. Then she walks away.