Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 3 of our latest D&D5e game, which was held on Sunday, 8 February 2015:
Player Characters for the “Land of Lost Souls,” Dexter V.H.’s telecom fantasy miniseries, using Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, AD&D2/D&D3.5 Dragonlance, the Forgotten Realms, Palladium Fantasy, Obsidian Portal, Skype, and the Rolz.org dice roller, as of spring 2015:
- “Kalidren ‘Cal’ Haraishur” [Gene D.]-male Qualinesti (Sylvan Elf) Paladin of Kiri-Jolith, god of valor; folk hero and a potential member of the Legion of Steel; LGn, Lvl. 2
- “Sakan Agramon Majere/Sam” [Beruk A.]-male Irda (High Ogre) Ranger, charlatan disguised as a human; TNc, Lvl. 2
- “Redrik Stoneflow” [Byron V.O.]-male Neidar (Hill Dwarf) Cleric of Paladine, god of justice; outcast, guild artisan, and silversmith; LGn, Lvl. 1
- “Maddie Moonfang” [Sara F.C.]-female wolfing Barbarian, skin changer from the plains and former thrall of an evil wizard; TNc; Lvl. 2
- “Perogen Hawke” [Josh C.]-male human Wizard of the White Robes, sage; NGc, Lvl. 2
- “Rowan Kar-Thon” [Geoff C.]-male Half-Elf Skald (Bard), outlander and storyteller; NGc, Lvl. 2
- “Santiddio Sefrayn” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Rogue (thief), charlatan and professional treasure seeker; CNg, Lvl. 2
- “Enyilarur Skilelo” [Drew S.]-male brass Draconian Eldritch Knight (Dragonborn Fighter), noble and arcanist, with three reptilian retainers; CGn, Lvl. 2
The new adventuring party had followed the ghost of Jahan, a Moonwatch Paladin, into the ruined tower of Methegrist. There, it met a band of treasure-seekers and explored subterranean chambers.
In addition to traps, the spelunkers found cursed and blessed areas and solved an imp’s riddle. However, the devil turned the teams against each other, and they fled as the ruins collapsed, releasing a magical darkness.
After evacuating the border village of Quarevarr, the travelers temporarily disbanded to warn their respective superiors. Spring turned to summer, and a shadow fell over the Wayreth Forest and the kingdom of the Qualinesti.
Rumors of Orcs massing in the Kharolis Mountains prompt the would-be heroes to reunite. Two tribes of the normally chaotic humanoids march under the banner of King Obould toward the town of Winter’s Edge.
The party skirts the increasingly dangerous woods and takes a pass east through the mountains to the Plains of Dergoth between Skullcap and Pax Tharkus. It arrives near Windweavers shortly after nightfall.
Cal and company tell goodwife Winnstrom about the approaching Ogre kin. Sam asks if there are any nearby caves that can shelter the villagers. Maddie and Santiddio keep watch for Orc scouts and help the people of Winter’s Edge gather their belongings.
Perogen wonders if they should head back toward the Tower of High Sorcery, or south to the Dwarven capital of Thorbardin. Rowan keeps the human peasants from panicking.
Winnstrom thanks the team for its warning and introduces Root, a Half-Orc raised in Winter’s Edge. Root says that his late mother, who had married a human, said she belonged to the Broken Arrow tribe, one of the groups now following King Obould.
The goodwife asks the wanderers to bring Root with them, since he may even be related to the king. They reluctantly agree, noting that they don’t know how to get to Obould’s Dark Arrow Keep to the northeast unmolested.
After some discussion, the party sends the refugees to Thorbardin. A girl named Lithendel offers Rowan her doll, which she says a Gnome once gave her. Lithendel tells the skald that the doll should magically protect them. Rowan thanks her and passes it to Perogen for later study.
Maddie hears the thunder of many feet and the horns of the approaching Orcish army. A squad of five Orcs charges into the village as the last peasants flee. Meanwhile, a Hill Dwarf riding a large boar and a group of Draconians approach from the opposite direction.
Redrik spurs his boar steed Gristle, draws his war hammer “Silver Rain,” and casts Channel Divinity to blast the Orcs with the light of Paladine. Fellow newcomer Skilelo sends his three Dragonborn followers and cart away from the fight.
Half-Elf Rowan gallops to the first Orc and cuts it down with his long sword. Abanasinian plainswoman Maddie slays another, but Sylvan Elf Cal misses with his javelins. Tall Sam casts Rain of Thorns before felling the last Orc with an arrow.
Human Perogen and Half-Elf Santiddio quickly search the Orcs and find 50 steel pieces, hide armor, and hand axes. Root tells Sam that such an attack is unusual for Orcs and shows a necklace proving his royal blood. Cal considers sending Root to parley.
The adventurers ride northwest, toward Pax Tharkus, to draw any more patrols away from the fleeing villagers. Ranger Sam leads the climb into the foothills, where he and the others see columns of Orcs marching south.
Cleric Redrik mentions a prophecy of an otherworldy being and how the magical darkness might be repelled if they can learn more about the mysterious Mistress of Spiders.
Wizard Perogen casts Detect Magic on Lithendel’s doll, and says that it is somehow blessed. Redrik identifies it as Gol’s Puppet (+1 amulet of Protection, sheds sunlight in an area of 20 squares/hexes). He then gives it to Paladin Cal.
As they hike, Barbarian Maddie senses movement nearby. Sam determines that four wolf-like wargs are surrounding the band. Redrik readies Silver Rain, but Maddie is able to communicate with the lead warg.
It invites Maddie to join his pack, but she declines. Cal readies his bow, and Bard Rowan is relieved as the wargs withdraw. Sometime later, Fighter Skilelo spots a large dragon flying from the northeast, but it is too far away to cause fear or identify a rider.
The party turns to notify Thorbardin, a few day’s forced march away. At night, Perogen and Santiddio sit first watch, and keen-eyed Maddie and Skilelo take second watch. Wary Cal and Redrik follow, with Sam and Rowan finishing.
Perogen hears something and casts Light. He sees a leopard with a cub. During the second watch, Maddie pounces on a dark-skinned Elf spying on the camp. She is similar to a woman encountered near Methegrist.
Maddie tries to question the haughty Drow, who creates Darkness.The women continue talking, and Skilelo wakes the rest of the caravan. Maddie changes into a wolf and bites the Dark Elf to keep her from running.
Perogen dispels the Darkness with a Light spell. Cal readies Gol’s Puppet and sees an Elf and a wolf struggling but no obvious sign of Maddie. Sam throws a net at the woman and draws his scimitar. Skilelo pulls the wolf off the Drow.
Rowan ties up Meandrea and begins interrogating her. The strange scout claims that her people will soon rule the world. Santiddio finds daggers, vials of poison, and hand crossbows. Sam identifies the wolf as Maddie, who returns to human form.
The riders resume their journey toward Thorbardin, staying just ahead of the Orcish army….
Welcome, Drew, to the “Land of Lost Souls!” While I’m sorry that Jason E.R.‘s “Channel 37” was again postponed because of weather, I hope that everybody will be able to play tomorrow night (Sunday, Feb. 15). Also, let me know if you’re interested and available for “Star Trek: Restoration” on Monday. -Gene
Gene's Worlds 
