That's all folks!

Aww Bastien. I shall miss you and not just because of your ridiculously high AC.
;P

The Greatest Campaign of my Life

I started this game as an excuse to entertain David and repay a debt of gratitude to Assif and Scott but it was much more successful than I expected.
I knew it'd be a laugh as I really liked everyone in the group but I didn't think I'd get quite so invested.
True, I put time and thought into the adventure ideas but that in itself isn't enough.
Unlike all our previous campaigns, we were able to begin, explore and (despite it only occurring over six weekend sessions) complete an entire story arc.
Me being the constant DM was a factor in that but ultimately it was down to you.
As players, you bought into the scenarios and ran with them. You never made it difficult for me or tried to derail the story and your three characters were brilliant and obvious reflections of certain aspects of your own personalities.
David's; Nitendae was proof positive that he's my cousin. Not quite the same as my 'always-play-a-cowardly-Ranger' but oh so close enough.
Assif's classic 'kick-in-the-door, never-ask-questions, murder hobo'; Volkon was joy to behold. He was always going to be about the size of his weapon and the massive damage he could inflict.
Scott played it smart. Very smart. After the fun but ineffectual monk Chen, he instead picked the games (arguably) strongest class, gave him game changing domain powers and wrapped him in as much magical armour as possible. Bastien also became the character the plot revolved around.
I really felt the bond between the three characters grow. Self-interest, naked aggression and power-gaming aside, Nitendae, Volkon and Bastien seemed like genuine friends.

If I could sum them up by single individual and reoccurring round actions...

Nitendae: 'Invisibly, I levitate up twenty feet and delay my action.'

Volkon: 'With my two-handed flaming sword of fire, I charge forward and attack!'

Bastien: 'Without warning or their consent, I grab Nitendae and Volkon's shoulders and teleport.'

D&D's a weird game but (my normally terrible recall aside) this campaign has given me a whole raft of brilliant memories. Both in-game and out.

Thanks guys!

Best Encounters

As we've touched on our collective bad memories, I'm wondering what you remember of the campaign?
Are there any stand out encounters or conversations?
For me personally (in order of adventures) I liked:

The Hiss

Regardless of the castles and lizard-men, the broken staircase to the small stack island portal and the underground flume at the beginning of the adventure was my favourite bit.
I loved how pragmatically you handled both these obstacles, going so far as riding back to the city to hire carpenters to jerry-rig a bridge!

Also, giant crocodiles!

Oh and the unintentionally important 'Hole-in-the-Wall' Inn.

The Dead of Knight

The 'bells-in-their-chests' skeleton alarm defenders and Bastien's shock critical hit death at the hands of the Zombie ogre knight,

The Gauth (Mini Beholder) combat over the pit on Coffin Butte. The clever use of the 'Ever-smoking bottle' made me laugh.

A Conspiracy of Ravens

Again, it was the minor 'Dove theft' at the beginning of the adventure that made me smile. That and the meeting with the beautiful but dangerous Valois (Undisputed leader of the Nom Pariel Thieves guild).

The sacking the fortified tower was very exciting and the failed Gnoll passageway ambush encounter was great fun too! (What kind off single-file marching order includes 5' gaps?)

Actually, my very favourite encounter was the two Goblin spies, their two racing Worgs and the two messenger ravens!

I also LOVED the brief, horrendous but ironically hilarious, firey death of Lord (It's a trap!) Akbarr!

Thereanthor's Skull

The Bad End Inn. Just all of it!

In this one, I enjoyed the Gnomish puzzle and trap secret route to the Orcish trophy hall. It was scary but joyous and it also let Nitendae shine in a prolonged non-combat situation.

Akbarr's Revenge

This was the oddest of adventures for me. I was impressed with the Party's ruthless solution of how to destroy the Dragon skull despite its thirty elite orc guardians. Orcs who had allied themselves with you. It was both dastardly AND the absolutely right thing to do.

I also liked the Otyugh dung mountain encounter and the underground Kingdom of the Duegaur with the cowardly dwarven guards.

Beneath the Underdark.

Lots to love in our last adventure.

The sprawling town encounter featuring the return of Awrongun (Evil speed Ranger, roof leaper and middle finger flicker), Ubriz (The 'good' Paladin of the Lords of Light, Right and Might) and a collection of burning skeletons and evil Death-cultists.

The Undead Wight house of horrors featuring the return of Indigo, Slater and Dunn.

The second flaming death of Lord Akbarr AND Volkon in the oil filled, multiple windowed cavern of certain death.

And the verticaly stacked end boss battle featuring the Drider Fluetin and (Finally and as promised) a proper Beholder!

Anything I missed that you enjoyed? Let me know in the comments section below...

A Cast of Thousands

Although we've all (Scott mostly just out of politeness) accepted that memory is none of our strong suites, I'm wondering if any of you had a favourite ally or villain?
Straight out monsters such as the Trolls, Otyugs and Guaths, not included.
Did anyone of the myriad NPCs garner a proper emotional response or were they all just flat, paper nonentities?
I'll list the ones (in order of appearance) that I enjoyed DMing and you can let me know what you thought.

Adventure 1: The Hiss

Hedzor: Tricksy Gnomish wizard shyster and owner of 'The Where-house'.

Duke Nultze: The Castillion of Nom Pariel who hired you to transport jewellery to Fewham and to assassinate King Zorris of Squamata.

Count Vunker: Master swordsman and the voice in the ear and chief enforcer of Duke Nultze.

Rosie: Browbeaten but hardworking barmaid of the 'Hole in the Wall' Tavern/Inn.

Slater: Friendly Soldier of the Fewham guards.

Indigo: Another friendly Soldier of the Fewham guards.

Captain Dunn: Silver haired, surprisingly old Leader of the Fewham guards.

Magistrate Sagen: Lady Sybille's trusted, if elderly and slow speaking advisor.

Therissa: Noble High priestess (and later Queen) of Squamata (Lizardfolk)

Battach: Dwarvern miner (Eaten by a giant crocodile).

King Zorris. Mad egomaniacal leader of the Squamata (Lizardfolk).

Prince Gov-El. Evil/Creepy would-be usurper of the Squamatan island nation (Lizardfolk).

Fluettin: Sinister 'Drow' voice in the dark. (Spotted through an ornate but small grate.)

Adventure 2: The Dead of Knight

Cannon Quondam: Head priest of the Nom Pariel Pelorian cathedral.

Dunken: Brutal but legal Owner of the' Hole in the Wall'.

Rob: Chatty highway man.

Mugsy: Rob's half-orc partner.

Lugdum: The orc hireling (Left behind on Coffin Butte).

Granet: High priest Death-cultist. Instigator of the Pelor monastery massacre.

Adventure 3: A Conspiracy of Ravens

Stab-hands Stevi: Knife-handed protection money collector for the Nom pariel Thieves guild.

Nelson: Enforcer for the Nom Pariel Thieves guild.

Montebank: Successful Silk merchant.

Valoise: Mysterious and beautiful leader of the Nom Pariel Thieves guild.

Oomoola: Sturdy Orcess ranch worker, beaten and captured by Gnolls.

Lord Akbarr: Evil knight and leader of the Death-cultists.

Abbot Elphick: Head of Bastien's hidden monetary (Keeper of the 'Shoes of Fharlaghn).

Adventure 4: Thereanthor's Skull

Saggassos: Messy but elder Gnome of Mount Snaffang.

Soffic: Ancient and powerful Grey Elf adviser.

Lee: Human owner of the 'Bad End Inn'.

Van: Half-Orcan owner of the 'Bad End Inn'.

Cleef: Orcan owner of the 'Bad End Inn'.

Ma: Ogress bouncer of the 'Bad End Inn'.

Awrongun: Mysterious Ranger and one-night-stand of Sereena.

Thumsk: Orc warrior (battling Gnolls and asked for your help).

Obdurate: 'All-chief' of the combined great orcan horde.

Teela: Dragon-disciple sub-head of the Black-cloaks.

Vludmila: Clever Drow priestess.

Staunch: De-facto leader of the pit surviving 'Elite orc guards'.

Adventure 5: Akbarr's Revenge

Edrab the (previously) bald: King of the Duergar dwarves and trader of a 'King's weapon'.

Adventure 6: Beneath the Underdark

Ubriz: Pompous paladin of St Cuthbert (and member of the lords of Light, Right and Might).

Kole: High priest of the Death-cultists

Lady Sybille: Damsel in distress with dark secret


Actually, I'd be pleased if you just remember meeting any of them!
:D

Ascension through Ambition

Demitasse's presentation to Cardinal Quondam had gone as well as he'd hoped.
Better even!
He'd honoured his promise and been a good and loyal servant to the armoured Bastien, despite their differing faiths.
He'd managed to keep everyone alive... Mostly. And, with their help, succeeded in averting a potentially Fissa changing event.
But now that was over and, although he'd grown to like and admire his teammates, he'd always known that his duty was here, back in the Nom Pariel Cathedral of Pelor.
The faith he'd shown in his god would not go unrewarded and he was now just waiting to be informed of his new position.
He'd always been ambitious and had made no secret of his desire to achieve a high position within the church. Being sent away hadn't been part of his plan but he'd accepted it gracefully and his powers had expanded accordingly.
The grand, ornate, golden doors swing open and three of the church elders totter out, followed by Cardinal Quondam himself.
"Young Demitasse, you have done well, saved the world and brought great honour to the house of Pelor. In honour of this, although unprecedented, we are promoting you straight to the position of Arch Bishop. "
The young cleric is grateful for his dark, curly beard, as it prevents his elders spotting the toothy smile hidden behind it.
This promotion elevates him to a good position. A great position. A rank from which he can easily ascend to be Cardinal himself.
There are currently two other Arch Bishops senior to him but with his lifespan extended as it is, he can afford to be patient and await his turn.

Money, that's what I want!

Unlike Marlon, the young and strikingly beautiful Sereena still feels the insidious pull of avarice. She was rich certainly but not nearly rich enough.
Perhaps she'll never be truly satisfied?
Still, despite her fellow adventurers relaxed states of self satisfaction, she'll need to find a way to keep her accumulation of wealth coming.
Perhaps she could find a new group of adventurers?
She'd learned a great deal over the last year or so and her sorceress powers had grown exponentially. The spells that flowed through her though, were useful rather than destructive.
Perhaps she could recruit a few muscly henchmen to do her bidding?
The teenage witch bites her bottom lip, as she suddenly imagines herself surrounded by a bevvy of handsome young men in (perhaps a little too tight) black leather.

Eye see no other option

Nitendae sat in the empty library, he could of entered at a normal time but liked the solitude when it was closed. Also there was no librarian to frown at him when he wanted to look at the rare arcania tomes.
There were a few general entries regarding Beholders but the older rarer tomes had more detailed information.
It seemed that the Beholder 'pet' that currently hovered over the inn was devastation and destruction in one handy eyeball. Nite' felt that the creature had suffered enough being controlled and abused. He had first thought to release it somewhere or gift it to some worthy institute but now realised that the only safe option was to terminate the creature.
He knew that even shackled and controlled it would be no easy task to kill, especially now his friends Bastien and Volkon were out of town.
But first he had one last job for the beast, a final message to send to the thieves guild leader. A firm reminder that he and his friends were off limits and that Nom-pariel was big enough for both of them.

Too Much too Young

Though wealthy beyond his ability to count, the meaty Marlon feels, at a mere twenty-two, that he's too young to just idle his time away.
Rosey had offered him work in the Inn but anything she'd needed, he'd happily done for free.
As always, he turned to Sereena for advice.
"Why not rejoin the Nom Pariel city guard?", she suggested.
Marlon had considered it but their agenda was more about drinking, kick-backs and bribes rather than actually helping protect the people.
"Well, you don't have any family here. Who else do you know?"
The truth was, that before trying his hand at adventuring, he'd not had many friends. The only father figure he'd ever known had been his small statured instructor at the Moorcock combat academy.
With a sudden smile, the giant warrior stands up and grins down at his sorcerous friend.
"Thanks Sereena. I know exactly what I want to do!."
About twenty minutes later, Marlon's standing outside the front door of his old teacher; Pechi. A stunned look on his face.
"YOU want to teach?!"

The Managerie in the Hole

Although very happy to have all her new friends back, Rosey isn't all that sure of the beasts and creatures that they've dragged back with them.
Issack, the magical, talking backpack has become a true friend and, although he's been feeling a bit low due to the loss of his stick-man servant; Cary, he's always ready for a chat and full of useful items and good advice.
Sereena's smokey cat; Cogitari is a blessing. She's proved to be a terrific little mouser and, when not curled up near the fireplace, is a clever and vigilant, much petted guard.
The wolf, whom she found scratching at her door, is another shaggy but welcome addition. She'd recognised him immediately as Greyclaw, the young barbarian; Volkon's pet and, despite her initial fear, shepherded him into the small open-aired storage area at the back of the Inn.
After winning him over with food scraps and attention, he now acts as the honorary 'doorman', deterring (alongside her recently hired half-orc bouncer; DeTrop) any unruly behaviour in her bar.
The most recent addition though, leaves her less than thrilled.
The handsome elf; Nitendae had returned with a hideous, bulbous, one-eyed creature in tow.
Literally in tow!
Floating over his head, on a length of fine chain, the creature's toothy maw hangs open and drooling. A slender, hooked harpoon piercing it's flesh, holds the chain in place and, apparently, makes the terrifying creature docile.
Nitendae's been using it (in combination with his magical levitating boots) to drag himself through the air all over town!
He says he loves the freedom the monster grants him but, despite his protestations, Rosey can feel an evil, frustrated malevolence emanating from the blobby bobbing thing.
It gives her the heebie-jeebies...

(This story occurs between the Party returning to the 'Hole in the wall' and Batien leaving for his monastery.)

Welcome back/Happy sack

Although unwilling, Bastien is given a heroes reception, with the entire order of the monastery in attendance.
Abbott Elphic is most joyous in his welcome.
"You were never the most studious, athletic or morally righteous but there was always something special about you. You were born for a divine purpose and I'm so glad that I got to see you succeed. You saved more than our church boy... You saved the entire world!"
After the near constant back-slapping is over and Bastien has recounted his tale for the umpteenth time, he finally gets a quiet moment with the old Abbot.
Propping Issack up on a chair, Bastien lets the magical, talking bag, speak for itself.
The Abbot listens patiently, without interruption until Issack finally runs out of ways to plead.
"Poor sad sack. You worry for nothing. When your beefy friend Marlon first petitioned for a golem made of flesh for you, I baulked. I struggled with the notion of giving a magical 'creature' such as yourself, the means to do others harm. Regardless of the evil inherent of reanimating dead flesh, I didn't know if you were to be trusted. Still, your plight didn't fall on deaf ears and, as priests of the road, we couldn't ignore your desire for your own right to roam. Instead, as you well know, we found another way. While animating flesh is against the will of our god, animating wood was not. The spell was a powerful one though, as was the one to make it permanent. Such a powerful spell to create just one, man-sized mannequin wasn't feasible... So instead we created six."
Issack stammers in response.
"There are six more Cary's still sitting in their crates!"
Abbot Elphic laughs.
"No. You took one, so that only leaves five. And those five have proved very useful around here. The gardens have never been so well tended, the monastery has never been cleaner. It's amazing what a group of tireless servants can accomplish over time."
Issack sits silently, not daring to ask.
The old Abbot smiles but can't stand to prolong the bag's agony any longer.
"You assisted my priest in saving the world. The least we can do is give you another stick-man body."
As Issack's leathery form seems to collapse in relief, Abbot Elphic adds,
"You might want to think of a new name though."

Somebody to love

Issack's journey, atop Bastien's shoulders, back to his monastery and Abbot Elphic, seems to take ages but is uneventful. It appears that his human steed has gathered the skills and gravitas that deters mundane interference.
Bumping along, the magical haversack silently prays that the kindly old man will grant him another boon. Last time it was thanks to the generosity of Marlon using up his own wish but maybe, after their success against the Axis of Evil, the Abbot might feel suitably generous? After all, hadn't his loss been for the benefit of the others?
Couldn't it be conceivably argued that without his sacrifice, Volkon would have died at the crystal hand of the stone guardian? And without Volkon, would Nitendae and Bastien have been able to defeat Fluetin the drider, let alone, the Death cultist high priest, the winged dragon disciple and all the other evil drow and humans?!
After weeks on the road, their journey reaches an abrupt end.
"We're here?" asks the bag.
"We're here." answers the man.

The Thief's Gambit

In order to avoid the sure to be emotional goodbye, Nitendae had shared a private embrace with Bastien the previous evening. Humans wore their emotions far too close to the surface for his comfort.
Slipping out into the crisp pre-dawn air, the half-elven rogue heads off to find Nom Pariel's Queen of Thieves.
Wealthy as he now is, he could live like a high-born noble for the rest of his long life...
Except, he still has a few debts to settle.
The sun is just breaking  over the rooves of the eastern buildings, when he slips past the beggar; Blind Ali. She tilts her head but assumes the far too stealthy Nitendae is merely an errant gust of wind blowing down the alleyway and past her wooden crate home.
At the secret entrance behind the 'Queen's gambit' tavern, the half-elf deftly picks the robust but intricate lock and lets himself in.
He knows this was pointless.
He knows that the door is always monitored.
He knows that, even at this time, the secret underground building will be full of the city's worst denizens.
...
Especially at this time!
As he pads silently down the steps, he comes face to face with a burly guard blocking his progress.
Nitendae smiles.
"Hi Nelson."
The lithe Half-elf and the thick-necked, human sadist have met several times before. The first time while he was partnered with Stab-hands Stevi, shaking down Rosey for her 'protection money'.
"Ello Nite. Valois 'az bin expectin' you."
Escorted through a crowded, smoke filled bar to the back room, a velvet curtain is drawn aside and Nitendae ushered inside.
A beautiful, dark haired woman in her early thirties is sprawled across a large leather chair. She's wearing an elegant, wide brimmed hat upon her head and her thigh-high boots are up on the expensive looking desk between them.
Behind her, an unblinking black raven squats threateningly, perched atop a bookcase.
 Casually looking him up and down, Valois exhales a long stream of cigar smoke...
"Got those boots I hired you to find?"

No longer shake, rattle and roll..

Nitendae sits at his favourite table in the Hole in the Wall.
Back to the wall and able to view both doors into the lounge.
It was late, the girls were finally able to clear away now the last patron had left.
In this peace Nitendae finally realised what he'd been missing, it had been going on for so long that he'd become used to it.
Finally he could no longer hear the strange rattling of dice in his head which had accompanied him on all the adventures.

New Plans over Old Clans

After waving farewell to his religious friend and the sentient backpack, Volkon heads back inside their jointly owned Inn.
He found it odd though unsurprising that Bastien had chosen to walk for weeks rather than simply instantly teleport back to his monastery.

The half-elf; Nitendae is elsewhere, Demitasse is back at the cathedral of Pelor and both Marlon and Sereena are still fast asleep but the young barbarian doesn't feel lonely. He sits back down beside the roaring hearth and tucks back into his 'Ogre' portioned cooked breakfast and sups from his ever-full flagon of ale.

Beneath his feet lies his great wolf, who waits patiently for the occasional but regular supply of crispy bacon.

Behind the counter, Rosey the Inn-keeper, beams over to him. Although she loves running the 'Hole-in-the-wall', she enjoys the peace before opening, surrounded by her much loved staff and new friends.

Bastien had headed back to his monastery to debrief his Abbot. Perhaps, now he'd regained his lost memories he should do the same?

His clan chief had tasked him to track and uncover what the orcish 'Bear claw' clan were doing and report back.

He'd done as ordered but had never reported back...

Young Volkon idly and internally debates whether he should stay here in the bustling city of Nom Pariel with his new friends... His new family, or trek the thousands of miles back to the savage lands of his birth?

...

Scratching Greyclaw's shaggy mane, the rusty haired barbarian sighs.

"Perhaps I should have thought about this BEFORE Bastien left?"

All roads lead to home

It's been several weeks, and Bastien is getting pretty tired of the enchanted Issack's incessant whining.
"In Fharlaghn's name, I swear I will take you back to my monastery!"
The floppy sack on the floor, manages (without the benefit of a face) to pout.
"But when? It's been ages since I heroically sacrificed poor Cary to save Volkon's life!"
To be honest, the travelling war-priest has felt the itch of wanderlust slowly growing and he's well past the point of returning to brief his Abbot...
"Today... But no teleporting. I want to feel the gravel of the road beneath my feet."

DM screen for Sale (One extremely careless owner)

The rich just keep getting richer

It's seven days later and after being reunited for a few days, the world-saving adventurers are relaxing at a table in their Inn: 'The Hole in the wall'. The table is loaded with food, ale and wine and everyone is happy and relaxed.
With the profit made by Sereena selling all the remaining unwanted magical loot, none of them will ever go hungry again. Frankly, they have so much, they could probably buy up a large proportion of Nom Pariel itself!
While laughing at their embarrassment of riches, a young courier turns up at their table.
"Excuse me sires. My Master has requested your presence at his townhouse tomorrow morning."
A few moments of confusion resolves itself with the realisation that this is to do with an investment they made months ago with Montebank; the silk trader.
Despite not really remembering how much they'd invested, Nitendae, Volkon and Bastien turn up at the mansion around noon the next day. There are guards at the door but upon being told of the invitation, usher the three adventurers inside.
After being escorted to a plush 'business' room, you reintroduce yourself to the silk merchant and his middle-aged but still very attractive wife.
He spreads his hands wide as he greets you.
"My friends, I am so very happy to meet you again and under such profitable circumstances."
As you talk, fine wine and sweet meats are brought in on silver platters and in glass decanters.
"After your combined, initial investment of 300 gold coins, I'm pleased to inform you that, after costs and fees, your profit is 1,500 gold!"
Volkon can't conceal his grin. Before he'd left his homelands, he'd have happily killed for a fraction of such a vast amount of gold. Now though, it seems like mere grains of sand in the desert.
The silk merchant continues on though...
"You could take it now... Or, you could reinvest it in my next trading caravan?"

Volkon: +600gp

Bastien: +600gp

Nitendae: +600gp

Spending spree vs profits

The Party had a nice little, unfettered spending spree in Nom Pariel before buying fresh horses and riding on to Fewham. I was perhaps a little generous but why not considering it was the last game?

Aside from the multiple potions, Volkon bought a Ring of protection +2 and Nitendae bought some Leather armour +3 and a Composite Longbow +3 (Strength: 14)

Total spend from joint funds: 42,560gp

Horses, bits and bridles etc: 255gp

All unwanted magical and masterwork looted stuff from previous adventures (and sold for half price): 64,909gp

Total remaining profit: 22,094gp

Shared six ways:

Nitendae: 4,910gp

Volkon: 4,909gp

Bastien: 4,909gp

Sereena: 2,456gp

Demitasse: 2,455gp

Marlon: 2,455gp

Cute meet

It's just three days after the Party had split, that they reunite.
Although they'd travelled nearly a thousand miles back to Nom Pariel, Sereena, Marlon and Demitasse, had been reassured of their friend's success and survival and are all in good spirits.
Their phantom steeds dismissed, they walk through the sturdy new doors of the completely renovated 'Hole in the Wall' to see Rosey, Volkon, Nitendae and Bastien sitting around one of the bigger tables. Their laughter is infectious and Marlon joins in, despite not knowing what they're laughing about.
Sereena and Demitasse hand Marlon a gold coin each.
Demitasse smiles ruefully.
"That's one bet I'm more than happy to lose."
The three new arrivals run up, as the four at the table, stand up.
Words are temporarily lost amongst the hugs and back-slapping, until finally questions from both sides are asked and answered in a flurry.
Rosey signals to one of her waitresses and soon the table's heaving with a selection of hot food and cool drinks.
After about two hours of drinking, eating and tale-telling, Marlon reaches into his pocket and returns Demitasse and Sereena's gold coins along with another two to match.
Sereena smiles; True, Volkon had died but, thanks to the grey elf Soffic's mystical boon, he'd lived again to tell the tale.

Racing to Redundancy

After a night camping beneath the stars, Demitasse wakes the others with mugs of steaming hot coffee.
It was amazing the amount of stuff Issack had hidden away in his magical, nonsensical pockets!
Marlon emerges from his tent, bleary-eyed and sluggish, while Sereena looks fresh faced and beautiful.
Forehead furrowed, Demitasse addresses the young sorceress.
"I've been thinking about what you said last night and I've prepared a sending spell to see if we can contact Bastien and the others."
Sereena smiles and Marlon can't help smiling himself at the sight of it.
"That's a wise idea. If he doesn't respond, at least we'll know that they're all dead and we don't need to rush."
Marlon looks confused.
"How would you know they're ALL dead? Might'n it just be Bastien?"
Both Sereena and Demitasse sigh in response but it's the young witch who answers.
"There's no way Volkon would survive if Bastien hadn't."
Marlon persists though.
"OK, Volkon's a bit reckless but Surely Nite' would?"
Demitasse takes it this time.
"If they got into a situation from which Bastien couldn't magically escape from, the elf's skills wouldn't be of much help."
The bulky Marlon stands up and towers over his two, much smaller companions.
"Send your magic message if you want then but I bet you a gold coin each that not one of them died!"

The Lord's of Light, Right and Might!

About half a day ago...

Finally the call had come.
Since their last instruction from the joint trinity of their three individual church leaders, all twenty-one of them had been camped less than an hours ride from an outlying, smallish town.
Nothing had been clearly explained to them but they all knew their duty and had absolute faith in their gods and their mission.
Seven Paladins from each of the orders of Pelor, St Cuthbert and Kord made up this holy battalion.
Three proud companies of men serving together for the sake of all humanity.
Shouting well drilled instructions, Lord Ponificius; leads the combined brotherhood of heavily armoured holy knights as they charge as one, on their powerful war-horses toward Fewham.
They don't know what they'll face when they get there but, whatever it is, their victory is certain and sure to be glorious!

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away

As soon as Bastien, Nitendae and Volkon disappearate, Sereena rolls up her gossamer sleeves and jangles her bangles.
Smokey, summoned, ghost-like horses appear one after another until all three stand patiently for Marlon, Demitasse and Sereena to stow Issack's left behind gear.
Once mounted, the pretty young sorceress leans back in the saddle and shouts "Hold on tight!", before spurring her phantom steed onward.
Despite having an inkling of the potential speed of these ghost horses, all three of them are shocked by their velocity.
None have them have ever travelled at anywhere near this rate!
Still, they grip the reins within their fists, squeeze their knees as tightly as they can manage and simply try to hold on for dear life.
Fortunately, the ride is surprisingly smooth. Demitasse struggles to rationalise this, until he realises the reality of his situation. The magical phantom steeds are effectively flying and although it seems as if they're galloping, their smoke-like hooves aren't really touching the ground!
After about seven blurred-by hours, the misty-grey horses slow to a canter, a trot and then to a stop, giving Marlon, Demitasse and Sereena plenty of time to dismount and unload their belongings.
As the horses evaporate, Demitasse turns to Sereena.
"Do you think the others have arrived at Fewham yet?"
Sereena considers the question...
"It's been nearly eight hours. They'll probably all be dead by now. Volkon definitely!"

Marlon looks up and adds, sulkily, 

"Well at least HE got a kiss before dying."

A Fewham good men

After ascertaining that the remainder of Lady Sybille's manor house is safe and free from any remaining undead, Captain Dunn leads his sergeants Slater and Indigo back out into the streets of Fewham.
It's apparent that the Death cultists have fled, but scores of the animated skeletons remain and are still aimlessly wandering around.
Annoyingly, the Death-cultists had dragged the evil ranger Awrongun's corpse away, along with all his remaining stuff. Still, Volkon had managed to snag his weird, shimmery cloak and Nitendae had taken his powerful, magical longbow.
Shouting for any and all remaining town guards to come out of hiding, and with the aid of Volkon, Bastien and Nitendae, Dunn, despite his advancing years, shows why he's still captain of the Fewham guards.
Without intelligent leadership, the skeletons fight without reason or self regard and as Captain Dunn and the others start to hack them down, other guards emerge from their hiding places, alongside some of the braver townsfolk.
Mindless as they are, it doesn't take long before the last of the skeletal undead are smashed and the town free again.

Awrongun's equipment:

Cloak of Displacement (Minor) : Taken by Volkon

Composite Longbow +3 (Strength 16) Taken by Nitendae (But then later sold for lots for cash)

A Wight carry on

Once everyone is ready, the beefy Volkon and Bastien drag back the piled up furniture. They try to be quiet but it's an impossible ambition.

With the heavily armoured War-priest on one side and the seemingly oiled up Barbarian on the other, Captain Dunn pulls open the double doors.

...

There's a moment when the eight chalk-faced, undead Wights standing there, lock eyes with the adventurers over the space of the few feet between them.
Both groups knew what to expect. Unable to break through the blocked door, the creepily quiet and supernaturally patient undead, simply awaited the adventurers return and the adventurers, having encountered the Wights previously, knew they'd probably still be there.
The moment seems to stretch out until suddenly, an arrow flys from Nitendae's bow and hits the closest Wight dead between the eyes...
Without their rune-stitched leaders though, these recently risen Wights, though ferocious, fail to pierce Bastien's plate-mail armour with their claw-like fingernails or manage to slip under Volkon's great-sword defence.
The half-elf Nitendae allows himself a tight-lipped smile, as he picks off the undead, one by one, from the safety offered by his two human friends.
He's glad they won't have to pursue them back through the fortified mansion. Undead care nothing for self preservation or even their own existence and generally attack until either they're destroyed or you're dead.

Coming out of the closet

Aware of the potential danger, Nitendae exploits his sensitive, elven ears and listens intently through the secret door at the back of the heavy dresser.

...

Nothing.

No sound that the undead (and frankly terrifying) Wights had managed to breach the makeshift barricade behind the main doors.

Once back in the main chamber, Bastien and Volkon stand guard behind it regardless. They're both acutely aware that no outside help is likely to arrive in the next few hours, if not days! 

The Paladin Lords of 'Light, Right and Might' were the only hope of that and considering their unwillingness to flee and how badly they'd faired, they're certainly all dead by now.

Bastien snorts derisively, despite himself.
Back in the alchemy chamber, Lady Sybille recites from one of her remaining scrolls and colour returns to Captain Dunn's jowly cheeks. With his back straight and the ruddiness returned to his face, he looks much more like his former silver-haired soldierly self.

Scrolls, Potions and Half-truths

Passing through the secret alchemy chamber, Bastien notices Lady Sybille's shoulders stiffen at the sight of her opened cupboards and looted stocks of scrolls and potions.
Slightly embarrassed, he apologises and signals Nitendae to return everything that wasn't used.
"Forgive us your ladyship. We took them only in the hope they might have assisted us in your rescue."
The beautiful women pauses for just a moment.
"Some of these potions and scrolls have enabled me to retain my secret over the decades. A secret I fear, I must maintain forever."
Captain Dunn coughs.
"Don't concern yourself my Lady. The lads and I have been talking and we think we've figured out why you look so young and we don't mind in the slightest. It's nothing to be ashamed of... You, you're like the boy here... You're a Half-elf!"
Nitendae's jaw tightens at an unbidden memory. No half-elf could bleed so long or freely as he'd seen Lady Sybille do on that sacrificial altar.
Whatever she was, it wasn't an elf.

When a hundred thousand gold just isn't enough

Looking around, Bastien does a quick head count...
Nitendae was at the back but obviously struggling with his heavy chest.
The plate-mail clad cleric is about to send the muscley and unencumbered Volkon back down to help the slightly built elf, when they both hear the reassuringly repetitive grind, bump and jingle sound of a wooden box full of coins being pushed up stone steps.
As soon as the elf's pointed eared head pops into view, Volkon pulls a knowing expression.
Nitendae smirks in response and nods over his shouder to Issack; the magical backpack.
"She said we couldn't take any more of HER treasure but I couldn't just let the paladin; Ubriz' magical sword and armour just lay there... Could I?"

Ubriz: Paladin of St Cuthbert:

Long sword +1 
Heavy metal shield +1

Sybille, you got some splainin' to do!

With a simple gesture, Lady Sybille opens the time release, stone slab door and strides from her, previously secret, treasure room.
Bastien notes that the tauric-like stone golem is immobile once more, with its crystalline hand thrust back through the wall between chambers.
The three adventurers follow, dragging their magically summoned chests of gold.
Once on the other side, the still waiting Captain Dunn and his underlings; Slater and Indigo, fall to their knees.
"My Lady! Thank the gods you're still alive!"
Lady Sybille smiles but instinctively covers her face. It's too late though, as all three of the men can't disguise their confusion at her youthful appearance.
Sighing, she realises that an explanation is in order.
"Come Captain, let us head back upstairs. I have some curing magics and there is... much I need to tell you."
Struggling up the seemingly endless stone stairwell, six of them finally make it back to Lady Sybille's private suite.

Pixar's Cars 4: The D&D adventure!

Driving back from the cottage, I found myself behind a Barbarian, so I took a photo. A little while later, I was surprised to be overtaken by a Ranger! I wonder how many D&D themed cars are out there?

Final Boss Battle Illustrated...

Giving til it hurts

Speeding through the remaining tunnels, Bastien, Volkon, Nitendae and Lady Sybille eventually reach the bottom of the six-hundred foot shaft leading up to the treasure room.

Nitendae notices Lady Sybille tense up as she sees the substantial pile of her gold coins spreading out from the shaft opening, but she says nothing.

Both Volkon and Bastien have already expended their miraculous flight abilities but fortunately Nitendae's magical boots of levitation, though slow, have no limits on usage.

Too far for ropes, it takes the slimly built Nitendae almost half-an-hour to carry everyone up, one by one, to the relative safety of Lady Sybille's treasure room.

It's only then that Lady Sybille speaks.

"Thank you. Thank all of you. You have saved my life and I'm truly grateful. As a reward, please accept a portion of my accrued wealth. Would one-hundred thousand gold be sufficient... Each?"

Nitendae's eyes narrow as he takes in the huge piles of gold all around him, but one-hundred thousand is more gold than he'd previously ever seen... And the bisected Paladin in the corner, killed in one blow by the huge stone golem standing by the doorway seals his lips.

As all three nod their heads in affirmation, Lady Sybille smiles.

"That should easily be a man's weight in gold each."

Volkon, Bastien and Nitendae all receive 100,000gp each!

Tell us what you know? Asked the Murder Hobo just that one time...

Astonishingly, after three years and six adventures, just at the very last door leading to the final campaign do-or-die battle, Volkon questioned a guard!
He didn't manage to get an answer before slicing the man in two, but just in case you were curious...
Fluetin the Drider, leader of the Drow was attempting, with the aid of the remaining Black-cloaks and Death-cultists, to reopen the scar torn by the Dragon Thereanthor and Zartak; Prince of Hell.
The scar between realms, once reopened, could be used to usher Lolth; the Spider queen into Fissa, where she could bring destruction to the surface dwellers and supremacy to the dark elves.
The Black-cloaks, led by the dragon disciples. were promised wealth and power in exchange for their knowledge and secret rituals. The Death-cultists, led by Lord Akbarr were assured wars and many, many deaths.
Thanks to the party's truly heroic efforts though, they failed and Fissa is safe-ish once again.

Life of Pie: (Profit in Escape)

Back through miles of tunnels, illuminated only by Volkon's magical flaming sword, the three adventurers race, with the strikingly beautiful Lady Sybille safely ensconced between them.
Up close, she looks no older than twenty-five but you know that old Captain Dunn knew her from when he was just a child.
Nitendae's mind recalls unbidden, the stage make-up he'd found on her dresser when he was searching for hidden doors in her chamber.
As they move forward, any possible opposition scurry, terrified out of their way until the acrid smell of the burning oil of Lord Akbarr's kill-zone assails their nostrils.
Ahead in the darkness, Nitendae spies the intimidating shape of Akbarr's fiendish warhorse. It snorts steam as you approach, but just as before, Volkon calms it enough to allow you all safe passage.
The sunken floor of the gargantuan cavern is merely smouldering now and easily safe to walk across. The thirty-six window-like portals, running up and around the domed walls and ceiling are empty and silent.
In the centre of the room though, lies the burnt out corpse of Lord Akbarr himself. Gingerly, Bastien tests the cadaver with the tip of his armoured toe, but it merely confirms what he was already sure of... Akbarr is dead again, and this time he won't be coming back.
Though still hot, Nitendae unbuckles the ornate armour and loots everything even remotely valuable looking, before wrapping it all carefully and placing it carefully into Issack, the enchanted backpack.
The half-elf smiles to himself... Profit after all!

Full plate armour +4 (Fire resistance: 10) (Value: 35,650gp)
Longsword +3 (Human bane) Doesn't glow (Value: 50,315gp)
Heavy shield +3 (Value: 9,170gp)
Potion of Gaseous form x 2 (Fool me once) (Value: 750gp each)
Potion of Cause serious wounds x 1 (Value: 750gp)
Light Crossbow +2 of Seeking (Value: 18,335gp)

The Bizzare Vertical Final Boss Battle!

The bloated, spider-like body of Fluetin, floats slowly down towards the furious skirmish raging below.
Unfortunately slipping from the Drider's back, after appearing astride him, Bastien desperately attempts to defend the bound and chained Lady Sybille from her three crystal dagger wielding, would be sacrificers, shielding her with his plate-mail armoured body as best he can.
After killing the drider, with his flaming greatsword wielded one-handedly,  Volkon releases his grip and drops the remaining twenty feet to help his armoured companion, while high above, the half-elf Nitendae struggles to gain control of the dominated, yet still terrifying Beholder.
Surprisingly quickly, Bastien and Volkon dispatch Teela the Dragon disciple, Vludmila the Drow priestess and Kole the Death-cult leader, but there's no time to waste, as they are still surrounded by literally hundreds of dangerous opponents and under the ever-growing shadow of the dead drider sinking ever closer.
Finally gaining control of the will drained, balloon-like beholder, Nitendae hovers downward to pick the locks of the manacles before lady Sybille and his friends are crushed.
Fortunately, Nitendae deftly makes quick work of the four locks holding her and the three of them drag her off of the Dias, just in time.
Pushing through the drug addled and confused crowd of naked Death-cultists and Drow, they make it to the bottom of the steep stairway unopposed and ascend as fast as they can towards freedom.
Nitendae curses through, that aside from the horrific fleshy and toothy blob floating above him, they didn't manage to grab anything off Fluetin or the three cult leaders up on the weird triangular sacrificial platform.

A Hexology Worth of Experience.

The sixth and final adventure is done and the campaign over, but never let it be said that I didn't give out your hard earned experience...

Ironically, given that I'd forgotten up until Assif reminded me, you all really did go up to 11th level after the second spell-stitched Wight battle.

The next set of encounters (considering the loss of your henchmen) tested your collective skills to their limit!

The Death Knight; Lord Akbarr and the funnel kill-zone Black cloaks, revealed itself to have been an 'overpowering' encounter. Good job for defeating him and getting past them!

After the last 'Very difficult' encounter and winning several experience bonuses along the way for things like: Finding secret doors... and then, resealing secret doors behind you. Or working out the fee to be paid to gain entry to Lady Sybille's hoard... and then for Volkon being actually prepared to pay it. Oh, and a nice 'Mission completed' bonus, you finished as you'd hoped...

Volkon: 67,682 xp = 12th level!

Bastien: 66,091 xp = 12th level!

Nitendae: 67,052 xp = 12th level!

Congratulations!

:)

Music and Games

Just a couple of days to go before our final cottage-of-doom-apade.
As usual, I've over egged the adventure and probably kill you before you get to the middle.
Scott, please bring your lino matt map thing and some wipeable markers.
I found my video camera and tripod but no power cable but if Scott doesn't mind bringing his one, it might make for a few recorded memories.
Also, I always forget to bring music. Anything you want, possibly even appropriately atmospheric?
And lastly, in case of that possible/probable scenario coming to pass, please also bring some of your brain injuring four player board games.
You're all welcome to stay Sunday night but pre-lunchtime leave on Monday.
See you three soon!

Eight days until your final doom!

Just a week to go before our final adventure! 

Beers and cokes in the fridge, clean sheets on the beds and the adventure 'already' half written!

...

Looks like I'm going to be busy this weekend!

I'll be driving down on Friday but not until very late as I'm collecting family from Heathrow airport in the afternoon.

I should be at the cottage around 9pm if David fancies joining me to help set up tables etc.

Otherwise, everyone please join me as soon as you're able on Saturday morning. 

Traditionally Assif and Scott have turned up around 1pm-ish but you're welcome to come earlier.

I'll be back from the shops and walking the dog and set up by 11am at the latest.

On Sunday, we can play until I kill you all, as I'm not planning to leave until Monday morning. That way, I can keep on drinking on Sunday.

As last sessions meal was too bland for Assif's tastes; any suggestions / requests?