| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Storm Season 1625 Session 2

Page history last edited by Michael 2 years, 1 month ago

back to Storm Season 1625 Session 1

 

     Spoiler Alert: This session is based on The Dragon of Thunder Hills scenario

 


Powerful Oaths at an Old Grave

 

Storm Season Holy Days

 

Freezeday

Waterday

Clayday

Windsday

Fireday

Wildday

Godday

Disorder Week

 

 

Ernalda

 Orlanth

 

Issaries

 

Harmony Week

Uleria

Uleria

Uleria

Ernalda

Uleria  

Orlanth

Uleria

Uleria

Issaries

Uleria

Death Week

 

 

 Ernalda

Humakt

Orlanth

 

Issaries

 

Fertility Week

 

 

Ernalda

Eiritha

Orlanth 

 

C. Arroy

Issaries

 

Stasis Week

   

Ernalda

 Orlanth

Storm Bull

Storm Bull

Issaries

 

Movement Week

   

Ernalda

Orlanth

Yinkin

Issaries

 

Illusion Week

 

 

Ernalda

Orlanth

 

7 Mothers

Issaries

 

Truth Week

   

Ernalda

Orlanth

Yelmalio

Aldraya

Issaries

Lhankor Mhy

bold text are high holy days, plain text are regular, italic text are minor; blue tint is the days of this session;

the last three weeks of this season are the Great Hunt

 

A Revision

     Bronwyn was sent by the Orlevings to help Baugi "with his problems".

 

Wild Day, Fertility Week

 

    At the dragonewt plinth near Birne's Queeze, Our Heroes had met a group of dragonewts, who had spoken with us about Yerezum Storn, the dream dragon; and had given us an obsidian sword to use on the creature. 

 

The Obsidian Sword

      This weapon is employed using broadsword skill, is "+1" (whatever that means), and ignores draconic armor and spells.

      It is about as sturdy as a bronze sword;

      It cannot be repaired by a human smith or armorer, though the Repair spell will work on it.

 

     We rode into the narrow pass of Birne's Queeze, and east towards Red Bird. Light snow began to fall, and most of us realized a snow storm was coming.

     We reached Red Bird by the end of the day. It had been burned to the ground years ago, and was still in ruins. The only inhabitants were a Chalanna Arroy healer and her hospital staff. However, this day was the seasonal holy day for Chalanna Arroy, so most of the Lysang clan leaders were present, along with several of their followers, guards, etc.

 

about the Lysang clan

     Lysang was a sub-deity of Orlanth more or less slain by chaos but revivable. It was a red bird with four wings, and a star in the sky that had gone over from Yelm to Orlanth. What was left of it, and its cult, was preserved by, of all unlikely deities, Argan Argar. A four-winged red bird given to the clan by the Only Old One led the clan out of the Holy Country, on a hunt for Arkat memorabilia to help him fight off Belintar, unsuccessfully of course.

     The Lysang clan is religiously conflicted, as an attempt early on to bring back Lysang in a heroquest backfired, and red birds were banished from the land and it had to change wyters to a niece of Orgorvale, the sleeping goddess. So the clan varies religiously among darkness, fire and wind influences, and is traditionally (but not always) pro-troll. In politics, it's the weathervane clan, always changing tribes every few generations, and went back and forth during the Lunar occupation between rebellion and collaboration.

     The previous clan chief was slain as a traitor at a rebel council by Kangharl Kagradusson (the "Blackmoor"), King of the Colymar tribe; Kangharl immediately afterwards went over to the Lunars himself! So despite being sometime Lunar collaborators themselves, they are downright happy that Leika is Colymar queen now, better than the alternative.

     They are part of the Malani "Sword" tribe, and live in the Gejay hills and the Arfritha Dale. As might be deduced, Red Bird is the largest Lysang community.

     Before 1613, they were part of the Colymar tribe.

 

     Baugi's group dismounted, and took part in the remainder of the Chalanna Arroy ceremonies for the day. After the ceremony, we gathered in a sheltered area, greeted the Lysang clan members ...

 

     "I am Baugi, thane of Apple Lane, and I am here to meet with the leader of the Lysang, whose permission I need to travel into your lands."

 

     ... and shared a meal with the Lysang folk. Present were:

 

  • Daressa Lifeloom, Chalanna Arroy Healer, and her hospital staff. She was married to Gringblast Groaning-Shield, a Storm Khan of Storm Bull -- an interesting violation of the cult rules, but hey -- it's a disorder cult. Gringblast was from a different clan, and in fact normally lived at Runegate -- he spent years there during the Lunar occupation, and was not here at this time. Robbi respects Daressa a lot, and has donated a strand of his hair to her tapestry.

  • Corgamos Longstride, clan leader, son of Envale Blossom-Eyes.

  • Helakar Grim Dawn, clan champion, an Elmal rune lord, and a "power behind the throne" among the Lysang clan. He gets along well with Humakti. He and clan oracle Envale Blossom-Eyes had sacrificed the previous clan chieftain on an Ernaldan altar (not the Dark Altar).

  • Jarorth Stillwords, the Lawgiver. Lhankor Mhy, friendly to the Colymar tribe

  • Darallyr Dead-Mane, a Vingan, Clan Shepherd, friendly to the Colymar tribe

 

     A couple of Lysang clan council members weren't present:

 

  • Heortand Red-Liver, an Issaries, Clan Steward

  • Envale Blossom-Eyes, an Esrolan initiate and chief priestess of Arfritha (the local land goddess, niece of Orgorvale, a sister goddess to Esrola), mother of Corgamos Longstride. 

    • Envale is a practitioner of the Esrolian custom of year marriages. She  has married about a dozen husbands and given birth to many children, most of her husbands being of other clans and tribes. This is her concept of diplomacy, as most of her ex-husbands are prominent figures in other clans, and well-disposed to her and her clan. She was still quite gorgeous, despite being in her forties. She is currently unmarried, and would probably, in Jarorth's opinion, not object to marrying Baugi or Brightflower or both. He snickered a bit as he told Baugi this.

 

     As the evening passed, several of Our Heroes shared drinks with the Lysangs, who had mead (and pork) -- however thane Baugi went off for a private talk with Corgamos, and Lagertha had a chat with Darallyr the Vingan.

     Once Baugi came back, he briefly gathered his companions and said, "These people are messed up ... we don't want to get involved in their politics."  Robbi and Lagertha were a little ... but only a little ... disappointed, as the Lysangs had seemed (possibly) primed for a change in leadership; Baugi did tell us that the Vingan might become an ally if "we play our cards right." The local Issaries merchant might also be helpful, although we couldn't expect to spend enough money to actually change his allegiances (he was pro-Malani).

     Baugi also told us that the Lysang chieftain favored our mission, though "it was dangerous." There were rumors that a Lunar had been prowling around in the hills, looking for the Old Tomb.

      Under the influence of several horns of ale, Bronwyn began to feel a strange sensation -- one she'd never felt before. She realized it was her Sense Assassin ability; and the sense was telling her that Daressa the Healer was planning an assassination! The Humakti looked at her ale, and told Freyar, "I don't trust the Chalanna Arroy ... " However, the sense of doom faded, and Bronwyn took no action (besides ending her ale-drinking).

     Speaking with Lagertha, Bronwyn said, "The Rainbow Mounds are the reason I came to help -- a group of Lunar bandits are infesting the Mounds, and the Orlevings may want to conduct a joint operation to destroy the Lunars." The Orlevings were perhaps willing to make concessions on cattle-grazing concessions, in return for our joining this scheme.

     Jarorth told us about King Berevenos, who was buried in the Old Grave, and his fabled equipment -- a silver helmet, an iron cuirass, Chestbreaker the spear which perforates dragons, Andresor the javelin, and the great shield of protection from dragons.

     The Lysangs assigned a young cattle-herder, Gidron, to guide us through their lands.

     Late in the evening, after a comment by Robbi along the lines of, "I've given Daressa a lock of my hair, for her tapest ... tape ... loom. What a great woman", Lagertha sniggered lewdly. Robbi glared at her red-faced from drink, and said, "What're you sniggerin' about ... hic ... Unexpected One?" Within a minute or two, some unexpected drunken tussling and semi-friendly fisticuffs broke out ...

     The snow was coming down heavily.

 

Gods Day, Fertility Week

 

      Heavy snow ... we set off following the road along the Arfritha Valley ...

     Mid-afternoon, we came to Famous Bell, stopped for a quick bite to eat, and continued; we camped past the town, planning to head into the hills the next day.

 

Freeze Day, Stasis Week

 

    We led our horses, because the snow was now too deep for the mounts to be ridden. Our route took us around the north side of Larnste's Table, a plateau several kilometers long. In fact, during the afternoon, we heard an enormous, deep voice, shouting violent phrases -- our guide named him as Mountain Yeller, a giant 30 meters tall! We quietly and carefully rode well around the giant, who could destroy whole buildings, but didn't see us through the snow.

 

An Arrogant Malani Patrol

 

     In the night our first watch (Baugi, Robbi, Bronwyn, and Buttercup) noticed the shapes of men advancing along the valley towards our camp -- more than a dozen Sartarite soldiers on foot. We woke our sleeping comrades, who armed themselves, and we kicked some snow onto the fire. Lagertha frowned, and took herself -- and her horse -- into the trees, to hide.

       As the warriors approached, we stood quietly; Baugi realized they were an official patrol from the Malani tribe, all Humakti. They halted on the far side of our fire, staring at us. Bronwyn stepped forward, and identified herself -- they waved her forward, and she crossed past the fire and spoke with them. "We have been send to work against a dragon, my tribe has an interest in this; the Lysang chiefs know of our mission. We are heading to Rich Fort."

      The impassive Humakti told Bronwyn, "You are responsible for their behavior." She saluted them, and they marched past.

      As they passed the dark grove of trees, Lagertha came out behind them, and whistled. A couple of them looked back at her, and sneered -- Lagertha was furious about their disdain, and had nothing good to say about them afterwards.

 

Water Day, Stasis Week

 

    This day the snow was "coming down like crazy"; we crossed over more snow-covered hills and valleys, with the wind blowing in our faces. Gidron led us unerringly to the Old Grave, atop a low hill. It was a burial mound, six meters high in the middle and twenty meters in diameter; on one side was a low stone arch -- the entrance tunnel was only large enough for humans to enter on hands and knees.

     The entrance had been originally been blocked by a stone door, but someone had pulled the door out and tossed it aside. There were no recent prints in the snow, and Baugi's cat Runty smelled only a whiff of death coming from the tomb. We tethered our horses, leaving Gidron on watch, and put aside our spears, bows, and shields -- there didn't seem to be any use for those inside the grave. Buttercup could tell there was a powerful spirit inside, but none outside of the barrow. Robbi cast Protection-2 on himself.

      Lagertha led the way, into the outer burial chamber. The low-ceilinged, round room had a central stone pillar, supporting the roof. Scattered around the dirt floor were various pottery and bronze bowls, plates, and dishes -- remains of a king's post-mortem feast. A dark hole in the far wall showed the way to the actual resting-place of Berevenos ... but in this chamber was the desiccated corpse of a Lunar thief. The corpse held a silver goblet; Lagertha realized that the Lunar had not died from wounds, venom or disease.

     Baugi spat on the corpse, out of habit.

 

Andrinik used his Evaluate skill to realize all of the bronze and pottery grave goods

were only worth 5 silver; the goblet, however, was worth 5 silver itself.

 

     We cast spells, which revealed no life or enemies in the tomb; we lit some torches and created magical lights as well. Buttercup and Baugi led the way to the inner chamber, where a low dais held a sealed burial urn. Stacked around the urn were the glittering grave-goods of the great king, untouched by corrosion or thieves.

 

The glorious metallic goods of a great man's grave.

 

     Within a few seconds, however, the spirit of a strong and skilled king appeared, glaring at the intruders.

King Berevenos appears!

 

     "Ah ha, you ... you people of the land, you have forgotten me, and now you allow robbers to violate my tomb! Why do you intrude here?" He spoke in an ancient dialect of Theyalan.

     Unfazed by the spirit of an ancient king, Baugi stood up and spoke thusly, "We must fight a dragon -- we are of the Colymar tribe."

      A strange expression -- puzzlement -- cross the brow of the looming spirit-lord. "Who?"

      "We are the descendants of the Hyalorings..."

     The kingly spirit ceased threatening us, and said, "Oh. That's different. I remember the Hyalorings..." We told how a dream dragon, Yerezum Storn, was devastating the area, and that legend spoke of how Berevenos -- and his mighty arms and armor -- had destroyed many dragons. The ancient ghost was as fond of boasting as any of his living descendants, and recited many tales of his own cunning, bravery and luck in fighting dragons.

"I get so few visitors, and no fresh food ... "

 

     Some gross flattery and small cries of appreciation soon made him a very happy ghost. He told us that we could take his five famous items, with conditions:  we must bring gifts of food and drink for his tomb, once a year on his "holy" day.

     "This is an eternal commitment, binding forever on your clan as long as you retain my regalia; in any year which you fail to bring gifts, or in which you compromise in the fight against dragons, you and your clan will receive my curse. If you agree, you may have my weapons and armor." While not an annual requirement, we were also told to destroy dragons. If we returned the regalia, we were be free from all of these requirements.

     Baugi readily agreed. The five items were:

 

  • Chestbreaker:  this spear has a great enchantment:  no draconic armor or spell has any effect against this weapon's attacks. It is very sturdy (20 HP). Lagertha now bears this mighty weapon.

  • Andresor:  a javelin which will leap to its owner's hand, from any distance out to the usual throwing range; it also fly at targets as long as it hasn't gotten stuck in something. To prove yourself as owner, its proud spirit must be overcome. Another sturdy item (16 HP). Baugi gained the use of Andresor!

  • the iron hauberk:  armor plates which protect the wearer's chest and abdomen. It was created for a human of SIZ 18, but could be worn by a person as small as SIZ 16. Armor value 9. None of us was large enough to wear this item, but we took it to "work something out."

  • the huge shield:  this bronze shield requires a STR of 24 to wield (using the Large Shield skill). Is it also more sturdy than wooden shields? When wielded (or crouched behind) it protects the user from any draconic attacks. Brave Bronwyn, bearer of the stone-blade of the dragonewts, now also carries this shield (for which she'll need a Strength spell).

  • the silver helmet:  a closed helm, which well-saves the wearer's head (it has an armor value of 6). A non-magical horse-hair crest needs to be repaired or replaced. It also has a spell matrix for Demoralize. Fair Lagertha now keeps her red tresses within this silver sallet.

 

     Lagertha swore an oath to use the items against dragons.

     Since the day was done, we camped at the tomb; Sorala and Baugi had long conversations with the spirit of the dead king. His best advice for fighting dragons:  "Do not listen to their wiles, just kill them."

     Robbi took the corpse of the Lunar burglar outside, and threw it into a ravine; we scrubbed the outer burial chamber with pine-boughs.

    

Clay Day, Stasis Week

 

    We sealed King Berevenos back in his tomb, and headed west toward the Orlevings -- there were no encounters that day.

 

on to Storm Season 1625 Session 3

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.