Game Events 12/27/03

10/19

Drake and Laq fly around before we set off to look at the area. Checking out 11 mile radius. There are movements throughout the area, mostly not man-made construction other than tents. to the northwest, small encampment (25-50). Due south, mostly mobile people. Due East, at an oasis are around 100 people. there are oasises dotting the area. Towards the salt plains, almost nothing. Majority of the people congregate in the sandy areas. Out in the desert, large scorpion moving about the rocks. Can see signs here and there of large bird-like creatures. Does not appear to be a common bird to drake. 40 foot wingspan, 3 legs.

Ready to head out. Very hot, can feel armor getting warm to the touch and skin starting to dry out. We can see a large tent, about 20' across. Drake educates us all on what would be good to avoid. Laquavious distributes head wraps to those that want one. We decide to head towards the oasis.

The first hour is not bad. After, there is sand all over everyone. Hana has sand all over inside the grooves of her armor, and she is disgusted. Drake tells everyone to stop, as there is a smooth section of land (no rippling as with everything else).

We decide to go around the smooth area. We can see a plant in the distance, looks a lot like a thorn bush or creeper vine. The thorns are seeming to go into the ground. We can see a pack of 3 mountain lions in the distance, watching Martin and Hana.

Towards the evening, we stop for dinner and can see the oasis about a mile away. further in the evening, it still remains about a mile away. Drake flies towards the oasis and it moves away. Appears to still be a few miles away. About an hour later, we can see it about 500 feet off. There are white tents with navy blue, with a deep green swirl pattern. As we come closer, we see about 18 tents, and a large group of horses. We see human men, blackish robes, scimitars on sides, javalins and bucklers. The ride up, there are 3 of them.

Martin speaks to them. they don't seem to speak common, so we try other languages, with no response. They leave and return with a human that is large, about 7.5' tall. They all have tanned skin (such as Arabs). They stop about 40' off and the tall man jogs up. He speaks terran. He says his master wishes to know why we are here, and what our intentions are. We tell him that we are looking for the exit of the level. He tells us we can use their shelter.

We meet someone named Azula. He does not seem to be affected by the sunlight. We are told that women cannot carry weapons, and Drake talks to him about Hana. He Azula mentions that he is a lesser genie, a person of the elements. Hana gives her sword to Laq to hold for her. We head to meet the master.

We head into another tent to meet the master. We see an older man, late 50s, slightly grayed hair. He has a scar going from his temple to his lip. Something that a sword or spear would cause, older scar. He welcomes us to the "clearwater oasis". He says is name is Asheron Bel'deVidar. We ask him about the exit, he says he does not know where the exit lies. He says that others have come before us. He says that the next nearest tribe is near the rocklands. He says that there are many places that the exit may lie.

Martin asks about the stone structures, and it will cost us 300 gp. Martin pays. We are told that the great construct is housing the remains of the lord of the desert, Demalorsk. He built the structures as a tomb for himself and family, servants. Legend had it that when he died he had arranged for a powerful sorcerer to snuff out everyone's lives so that they go to the afterlife with him. They are called the "vaults of Demalorsk" as he supposedly buried great wealth with him. There are many traps. He (Asheron) had never been there. There are three. the one in the center is Demalorsk. The one to the right houses his generals, advisors. the one to the left houses his family (wives and children). His first wife, and a few of his closest heirs were buried with him. He had a large family, over 300 children. He cannot tell us if it is the exit, but that people have gone there before. Legend had it that it is filled with treasure.

He also tells us about the well of souls, the old caravancery, the lair of the reaper, the great sand vortex, the pyramids, and the sea of fire. Each one will have a cost. 300 GP or a weapon of exceeding quality, or an item of high worth.

The Caravancery has not been inhabited for some time. Shendra, the "dark touched" had once inhabited it. Many have travelled there. Place has a dark aura about it. She is supposedly some kind of demon or other evil creature. Some that return, return very happy. Others do not return. Some return insane, others have returned not quite the same as when they had left. Some have lost every possession, some have returned rich. Those that have returned rich have been laden with many items and gems.

The lair of the reaper is deep within the shifting sands. Stench of death rolls out from it. Little is known, but it leaves its lair from time to time to hunt. What it catches it carries back to its lair. The drawings and stories of it tell it is no greater than 9 feet tall. It crouches and leaps on its prey. Faster than a horse, faster than the desert cats. Bite carries a horrible venom. Claws can rend through venom as if it were cloth. Not like a simple beast, very smart and knows how to hunt. Knows difference between types of fighters and creatures. Stories say that there was once a race of them. We are warned that it is not really an animal. It has walked into a camp stealthily.

Well of Lost Souls was once a sacred place. Bereaved would go there to call to the spirits of the departed that are not yet in the afterlife. Tesauralon was the one that has grouped all of the lost souls together. He now calls himself the "end of all".

the sea of fire. Not even stone survives there -- the heat of the sun has cracked the very stones of the ground. the sands are so hot it will burn the feet of a man with only a few steps. In the midst of the sea of fire lies a spire of flames. Only ones that go there are adventurers. Not even the reaper would go out there. The giants do not either.

the last is the great Vortex. Large sand vortex, funnel of sorts. Currents in sand is like currents in wind. Hole is 10 feet in diameter. Once the vortex is entered, only the giants have been able to pull their way out. As you get closer to the center, the pull is much stronger.

We purchase more waterskins.

10/20

We decide to head out to the sea of fire. As we fly, we see a large man shooting a crossbow at us. A net surrounds us. Drake talks to him for a bit, and he wishes to have Laq's sword. We say no, he draws a sword off his back. Battle, and he falls.

We head on as it heads into evening, and we see that the horizon is red, much as if you are heading towards a wall of fire.

10/23

We arrive at the sea of fire. Laq looks out with clairvoiance, and it appears that 2.5 days out, he still does not see anything.

We can see creatures out at night, with some kind of catapult things. Words on door of tower: "Grasp first with fire to open the way, then thrust forward with earth to open the door"

Laq attempts to clairvoiance inside the tower. Much of it is made of fire. Standing inside are two large elementals, one fire and one earth. Both are huge sized. Auras of spells about both of them. We decide how we want to go.

10/25

We fly over the fire. 60' tall tower. Fire seems to be racing through it. Laq and Hana go first. As we go through the door we are damaged. the others in the group follow. A voice says "it is to walk the road of the weak to rely on magic to protect you from the elements". We are standing in a 30 foot hallway. The elementals are 36 feet tall a piece.

After defeating both of the creatures, we see two keys: one earth and one fire. We use both keys and see that there is a staircase. We follow the staircase and after going down the staircase, see that it takes us to another small room.

We go into the room and see that same ghostly figure, as we enter Level 4. Yay! We guessed it right the first time :) We are welcomed to the 4th level of the structure. 5 groups have made it to level 4. 3 groups have made it past this level. the natures of the level is based solely on arcane abilities. the goal is to make it to the other end of the level. Creatures are free to move around as they wish. Nothing is able to enter the staircase. There is a chance that the staircase guardians may find you. There is at least one level beyond this one. There are no direct rules to this level. In some area, magic functions differently.

It presents the same offer as before for a life guarantee. 4 groups have used the ring ability to leave this level.

10/26

small arcane symbols, halls show symbols of marring (lightning bolts, fireballs, etc). Archway, 9 stones, each has a different symbol on them. All look as if they are in another language. Laq attempts to go through the door first. there are 8 small statues. 5 are soldiers, 2 appears to be clerics, 1 is a mage. room is 40 feet tall, and is lit.

Once we are all in the room, a door slams shut behind us. Down the well, there is a beholder. We decide that we can't beat it, so we will use the rings. A wall of stone is created, and we use the ring. We find that we are on the other side of the mountain from Hammerdelm Keep, in Asgard.

10/27

We are flying, and can hear a strong smell of burning. We head there to check it out. Large billowing smoke, smell of burned flesh. There are several hobgoblins. One has robes, gleaming of red eyes (even from quite a distance off). They aren't being brutal, but taking the bodies of those dead (humanoids) and throwing them onto the burning church. The general and 10 guards all have a single red eye on their shoulder. Temple of Galas burning. Several humanoids, but also all those inside the church have died. They are taking several boxes (are they maybe the bones??) Drake flies off to check if the keep is still there, while the rest of us remain. There is suddenly a feeling of energy, and the noise quiets down. We wait until Drake comes back.

Drake goes to the keep and informs them of the temple being destroyed, they had no knowledge of it. they let us know they will send a group to take a look. Drake returns to the group.