GoCorral

Everyone attended this session. The session was held over Roll20 for our first time ever! We liked it a lot. This was prior to changes to Roll20’s jukebox, so I was unable to upload my own music. None of the usual soundtrack of Star Wars, 300, etc. that we usually listen to during our sessions. Still, it’s way cooler than having our sessions over Google Hangouts.

A Friend Returns from Hades

As always, the party started off by bickering. Who gets the scepter? What do they do with the people of Dorrowsan? After a long discussion, Kig Yupington was named the wielder of the scepter. Kig would use the scepter’s power to move Dorrowsan close to Jipangu. Hektor relinquished his kingship, but with a promise of receiving one of the Xorian cities to rule after the war. At Jipangu, Gradorian would train the people of Dorrowsan with the Phoenix refugees. In a year or two they would be a fearsome army.

Next topic, where does the party go next? After much bickering, a desire for Tagenadi’s advice was stated. Then, in the most dramatic way possible, Tagenadi returned! Fire and smoke erupted out of the ground. As the smoke cleared and the smell of brimstone filled the area, the party looked upon their friend. Tagenadi had changed. His hair was gone and his flesh was pale and bloodless. A red light glowed behind his eyes. A slight aroma of death wafted through the air.

“My friends, I have returned from Hades with grave news. We must call a Council meeting.”

Björn lent a hat of disguise to Tagenadi to cover up his undead body. The party poofed back to Bradel Fields. Astyanax stayed behind to work out more wedding details. Before leaving Astyanax gave Tagenadi a piece of advice, “We all have to make sacrifices sometimes. Maybe you being a monster is yours, Tagenadi. As mine is similar.” Astyanax touched his mask and quickly pulled his hand away. Tagenadi touched his bald head and frowned. He patted the paladin on the shoulder before teleporting out with the rest.

The Council members gathered in the Council Chambers. Tagenadi addressed the group, “I have spoken with the Lord of the Underworld, Hades, and he has given me wisdom in return for my service. I may look like an undead beast now, my friends, but I assure you; I am still the same man underneath.
“Hades told me of events in the dwarven tunnels under Xoria. I am afraid Titandra’s prophecy has new meaning now. ‘Hell marches in the west,’ did not refer to the Xorians, but the army of Hades.” Tagenadi hesitated for a moment.
Arendil said, “What has happened?”
“The Xorians have returned the Underdark land to the dwarf king, but not the people who reside there. Jevaninada killed all the dwarves he enslaved down there. No living dwarf remains underground west of the Great Divide. But there is good news in this! The masses that were slaughtered now serve in the Dark Lord’s army. He will enter the war soon on our side! He needs only one thing first.”
Arendil said, “What does Pluto require?”
“He spoke of a prophecy that could return a dead god to its former glory. He said that Blendegad was searching for it and that Ares the Fool aided him. If the prophecy is used on Hades, then he can enter the war and secure victory for the Alliance.”
Torin spoke, “Couldn’t this prophecy be best used upon Zeus, who lies injured on Mount Olympus?”
“No. Hades was quite sure that the prophecy should be used on him and him alone. Another method must exist for healing Zeus.”
Arendil said, “I am wary of whatever words come out of the King of the Underworld’s mouth. Regardless, we must inform the dwarves of what has befallen their people. They may seek to enter the war above ground as well now.”

Dwarf Forms

Using teleports, the party took Kig to Dalleer to oversee Dorrowsan. They picked up Sabriyya at Mars’ Oasis. From there then poofed to Jord, to speak with King Dainlin of the Hill Dwarves. Torin spoke with Shorlin, the king’s brother-in-law and castellan, “I, in my duties as our ambassador to the Alliance, request an audience with his majesty.”
“Aye. What about young nephew? King Dainlin is very busy with his dwarf forms at the moment.”
“Dwarf forms?”
“Yes, forms for us dwarves. He has to sign this and initial that. I do try to do most of his paperwork for him, but there’s only so much that can be done without the King’s official signature.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Your audience?”
“I wish to speak of a tragedy that has befallen the Duergar in the west. I have just learned that the Xorians have slain all of them.”
“That is dire news… I shall take you to the King immediately.”
The party was admitted to the King’s study. King Dainlin sat over a large wooden desk reading, signing, and placing the King’s seal on various papers. He looked up and recognized his relative. “Torin! My grand-nephew! You’ve come to visit me! Come here!” The King stood up and gave Torin a big dwarf hug. “This blasted paperwork can wait! Lets get drunk!”
“My King, it may not be the best time for drinking,” said Torin. The King looked shocked that any dwarf would ever say such a thing.
King Dainlin said, “Shorlin, bring in mead for us all anyways. I am a bit thirsty. Oh! And some fish too! These forms leave my throat dry and my belly empty.”
“Uh… My King, despite your belly’s emptiness, we really must discuss this important matter.”
“Yes. Yes. Go ahead.”
“We’ve learned through our sources that the Xorians killed all the dwarves under the Xorian Kingdom.”
Dainlin’s eyes opened wide in astonishment. He looked at the ground. He sighed as he sat down in his chair. “Bad news indeed… I’m not sure if I want all that mead now. You are sure of this?”
“Yes, our sources couldn’t be wrong.”
“And what sources are those?”
Amalius said, “Unfortunately, we cannot say, your majesty.”
“Ah. Magic undoubtedly. Well, keep your secrets if you must. I will not place such confidence in your sources alone. I will send scouts to confirm what you have told me.”
Torin said, “But, my King, it is true and we must strike against the Xorians as soon as possible. We should marshal the armies immediately and march to reclaim our dwarven land and enact vengeance upon the Xorians!”
“And if it is false, the dwaves would’ve breached our peace treaty with the Xorians by entering the Duergar territory too soon. The land is ceded in six days. Only then can we pass into the land unmolested. Hidden scouts are breach enough of the Xorians’ trust. But if what you say is true… I can think of no greater calamity that has befallen any people since the Great Flood. I swear that every last Xorian will pay for what is done.”
Shorlin reentered the room with mead and a steaming hot fish.
Dainlin said, “Ah! Set it down here. I am indeed still hungry after this news.”
Shorlin was sent to dispatch the scouts to Xoria. He also sent messengers to High Hold to inform High King Torngar of the situation. The party members and Dainlin ended up drinking all night. Hektor and Tagenadi abstained. Hektor told Tagenadi about Ungent of Timelessness, which would prevent Tagenadi’s body from rotting and stinking.
The next day was spent recovering from their binger with Dainlin.

The Albino Himself

Amalius had a request for the party, “I’d like to go after the man who kidnapped my family and I. He’s an albino halfling dragovinian who was last seen entering Bigby’s Forest a few months ago. Is that enough for you to scry him, Hektor?”
“Maybe. I’ll try.”
Hektor used the limited description to scry and succeeded. He saw a living albino halfling marching on a hill’s ridgeline. Next to him was another halfling. Ahead of him were a human archer, and two orc warriors. Behind the two halflings was an unarmored human leading a mule.
“I found an albino halfling, walking on foot. Could be him? He might be using illusions to appear living.”
Black the psicrystal said, “Let’s get them.”
The Alliance party teleported in and confronted the Rebellion party! (I took over the dialogue of the low level party for the initial confrontation. The players played their high level characters)

They teleported in a ways off to not disturb their targets. As they approached on foot Reggy said, “Did I ever tell you guys about the time I had to face down a fearsome fire mole?” He trailed off as the two parties met.
Hektor held his hand up in greeting and said, “We want to question you about Xoria.” Amalius glared at Stanton, the albino halfling.
Sivirdm aimed his crossbow at Hektor’s hand. Hektor snapped his hand down. “Torin, give them a demonstration of our power. On that tree over there.” Torin cast flame strike on the tree.
“By Zeus!”
“Run!”
Restoring order, Korjak said, “Don’t run! They’ll flame you if you run!”
Wu whispered, “I think these guys are Xorians. Keep cool.”
Hektor spoke, “As I said. We’d like to question you. What are you doing out here?”
“We’re just traders headed north,” Korjak said. “Yeah! We’re going north to get furs.”
“You expect us to believe that? What are you really doing out here?”
“Its fur season! I don’t know what else to tell you!”
“So orcs, halflings, and a human just travel together for work in the middle of nowhere?”
“Well hang on a minute! Who are you traveling in the middle of nowhere? Humans, a dwarf, and an elf?!”
Amalius said, “Unimportant. We’re looking for an albino dragovinian. Seen one lately?” He continued his glare at Stanton.
Stanton said, “We saw a dragovinian the other day. He was black, does that count as albino?”
Amalius only glared more at that answer.
Hektor said, “Let me explain. We’re from the Alliance. We fight the Xorians wherever we can. I myself was king of a city until a few days ago and am now a count. My name is Hektor of Lakatia. I’m a noble, so you know you can trust me. Now tell us the truth, have you seen any dragovinians lately?”
Korjak said, “Could you give us a minute to huddle and talk this out amongst ourselves? We’ve never been graced by nobility before.”
“Sure.”
The Rebels gathered in a huddle. Reggy said, “He’s a king, he’s a count. He’s a Xorian, he’s not. I think he’s insane. I think we run in different directions. Some of us will get out alive.”
Wu said, “No we won’t. They’re too strong.”
“It’s worth a shot man. Who’s with me?”
Gregor said, “I will stay and fight. Buy you time. I want to test myself against the big one.”
Korjak said, “I’ll stay with Gregor.”
Stanton said, “I’m out. I’ll go invisible as soon as we start.”
Sivirdm said, “I’m for running too.”
Wu said, “Then I am in as well.”
Reggy said, “Okay. On three?” All nodded their heads. “THREE!”
Gregor and Korjak charged in, ending badly for both of them. Sivirdm, Stanton, Wu, and Reggy ran, but were quickly caught by the rest of the Alliance members. We did roll the combat, but it was probably unnecessary.

Under magical interrogation the captives revealed that they worked for the Rebel army in Bigby’s Forest. They were previously dragovinians, but had been turned to non-dragovinian status to hunt the prophecy. Deciding to talk to someone who know more about what was going on, the parties teleported to the Rebel Base in Bigby’s Forest. There, the remaining Rebels told the parties that the main force moved to Gazeara. If they wanted to talk to someone important they’d have to go there. Another teleport and an introduction and the parties were led to speak with Major Dactirian, the man in charge.

Highest Authority

Hektor said, “We’re members of the Alliance and we heard you’ve been searching for a prophecy.”
Dactirian said, “How good of the Alliance to send envoys! And yes, we’ve been looking for the prophecy pieces. It seems you found my special forces team and brought them back here. I am Major Dactirian. Who are you sirs?”
The party introduced themselves. Hektor asked, “Shouldn’t we be speaking with someone higher up than a major? A general perhaps?”
“I assure you that I am the highest authority among the Rebel army. I speak for all of us.”
“Alright then.”
“Why don’t I speak privately with one of you? It might be best to convey the true state of the Rebellion that way.”
“Torin is our representative. He’ll talk with you.”
“Alright.”
The parties left the room except for Torin.
Torin said, “We are looking for a prophecy. We have heard you are too. We want it NOW.”
“We’ve only recovered two of the five pieces. The others are out of our reach for now.”
“It is critical to our success. Where are the other places?”
“The other pieces are hidden within animal tribes in the Terror Mountains, the Dominarie Mountains, and the Caspian Sea. Bears, condors, and sharks were told portions of the prophecy by the druids long ago.”
“What pieces do you currently have?”
“The druids kept a piece for themselves,
Should one of the gods forever close his eyes
Find the weapon that caused him to die
Add it last with great caution
Then pour the mix on the great god’s coffin.
“The wolf tribe just north of the forest also had a piece,
Go to where the Creator of Men hung
To where the eagle to its dinner would come
Take a piece of blood-red stone
And add it to the cauldron when it begins to foam.”
Torin asked, “Do you have any leads to where these ingredients for the prophecy might be?”
“The places in the prophecy?”
“Yeah.”
“Well… Prometheus was crucified in the Balkans. I know where it is. Here on this map.” He gestured to an unfurled map on his desk. “Quite a ways away as you can see. I was planning on having my special forces go there in my magic wagon. Get them there in a week or so.”
“We can get there faster.”
“Yes, but you’d set off the alarms around the Rock. Our strongest warrior tried and she was repelled by the dragovinians that guarded the Rock.”
“What is your plan to avoid the alarms?”
“Send in the special forces men. They used to be dragovinians so they bypass the alarms. They can shield maybe one other person who goes in with them. They don’t set off the alarms, no problem.”
“Ah! Okay. Can you tell us what exactly happened when you set off the alarms?”
“She was going to the bear clan in the Terror Mountains. She got close to the lake where the bears live. When she got there, some dragovinians teleported in and attacked her. She escaped using her magic, but if she hadn’t, she would probably be dead.”
“Well, me and my team have slain three of the best of the dragovinians. I think we can handle this.”
“If you think your team is better than the strongest member of the Rebellion, then don’t let me stop you from going after the Rock.”
More pleasantries were exchanged along with more info on who the special forces Rebel party were.
While Torin talked with Dactirian, Amalius had a little chat with Stanton. The halfling had lost his memory of what he’d done to Amalius which made his victim even more confused and angry. Amalius threatened Stanton and made snide comments, but got no closer to the truth. Amalius confronted a possible lead to his memories and found it a dead-end.

Rock of Prometheus

The party rested with the Rebels and elected to go after the Rock of Prometheus the next day. The Rebels were left behind at Gazeara with plans to take Stevie the Wonder Wagon to the bear clan. Stevie had been needed for the invasion of Gazeara, but that was now over. He could be spared for the party’s transportation now.

The Balkans were two teleports away from Bigby’s Forest, but that’s no problem for such a powerful group. They got there in two hops. They found themselves on a constructed platform on the side of a mountain. Stairs led up to a second platform where the giant bloody Rock rested. The sides of the platform were effectively a dropoff. The stairs were guarded by five dragovinians who reached for their weapons upon seeing the party. The team flew into action. The five dragovinians were downed quickly. The Allies searched the bodies and stuffed all the magical loot into their portable hole.

The party unfortunately didn’t take the time to chip a piece of the Rock off before the cavalry teleported in. Four creatures appeared next to them on the lower platform. King Jevaninada in his purple armor and crown, wielding the Diamond Sword of Xoria. Devanane the Enforcer, wearing his black armor. A large shadow dragon with fearsome ridges down its back and sides. Finally, a large sized dragovinian wielding no weapons and wearing no armor except for an animated shield.

The large dragovinian stepped up first and engaged Tagenadi. He clawed away at the knight’s desiccated skin and said, “Sorry brother.”
Devanane hopped on top of the shadow dragon and breathed fire upon the party. Sabriyya ran forward to flank the large dragovinian. Jevaninada swung his sword at Sabriyya and downed her in three solid hits, nearly severing her arm.
Tagenadi said, “You’ve grown larger brother.”
The big dragovinian said, “So have you.” He swept his eyes up and down Tagenadi’s form which grew larger during combat due to his ring of enlarge.

Tagenadi spun his kusari-gama around his head and managed to trip the large dragovinian and the King, as well as pulling Devanane off the dragon’s back and onto the ground.

Amalius used his psionic powers to slow down time. He zipped over to the Rock, disintegrated a large portion of it, scooped a handful of dust into a small bag, and teleported Tagenadi and Sabriyya next to Hektor, Torin, and Aldarian. Torin cast a quick cure spell to prevent Sabriyya’s death before teleporting out with his boots. Hektor got everyone else out just as the shadow dragon drew in air to breathe… whatever shadow dragons breathe.

The party recovered and rejoiced at their success! They reported to Dactirian that the mission had gone well, before going back to Bradel Fields. The Rock Dust was stored safely in the Alliance war chest. The gear taken from the dragovinian guards was sold. The party went on a shopping trip with the loot and a few people leveled up. With victory in their hearts, we ended the session.