D&D5e “Land of Lost Souls” Session 8 — On the way to Vantal

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 8 of our D&D5e game, which was held on Sunday, 22 March 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 D&D4e 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. 4

“Sakan Agramon Majere/Sam” [Beruk A.]-male Irda (High Ogre) Ranger, charlatan disguised as a human; TNc, Lvl. 4

“Redrik Stoneflow” [Byron V.O.]-male Neidar (Hill Dwarf) Cleric of Paladine, god of justice; outcast, guild artisan, and silversmith; LGn, Lvl. 4

“Maddie Moonfang” [Sara F.C.]-female wolfing Barbarian, skin changer from the plains and former thrall of an evil wizard; TNc; Lvl. 4

“Perogen Hawke” [Josh C.]-male human Wizard of the White Robes, sage; NGc, Lvl. 4

“Rowan Kar-Thon” [Geoff C.]-male Half-Elf Skald (Bard), outlander and storyteller; NGc, Lvl. 4

“Santiddio Sefrayn” [Bruce K./absent]-male Half-Elf Rogue (thief), charlatan and professional treasure seeker; CNg, Lvl. 4

“Enyilarur Skilelo” [Drew S./departed]-male brass Draconian Eldritch Knight (Dragonborn Fighter), noble and arcanist, with three reptilian retainers; CGn, Lvl. 4

The adventuring party delivered a long-lost grandson to Obould Many-Arrows, who gratefully held a feast in its honor. Maddie defeated a large guard drake in a trial by combat as her team persuaded the Orc king to withdraw his armies attacking human and Dwarven realms. However, some of the assembled warlords refused to cooperate, and the group fled south.

Cal asks Rowan about ruins of Vantal, where they are headed while waiting for owls from Thorbardin. The Skald tells the Paladin that the city was supposedly built by Ogres before most of them were cursed with barbarism.

Sam and Maddie scout ahead as the group hikes northwest through passes in the Khalkist Mountains before turning south. Santiddio watches spellcasters Redrik and Perogen, and Skilelo had left previously to warn the Dwarves of Thorbardin.

On the second day out of Bloten, the team notices a patrol of six Orcs and a Dark Elf. Sam guides the group to higher ground, while Maddie senses a pack of wargs on the trail. Cal asks Itchum for help, but the invisible faerie dragon is annoyed that he wasn’t called upon earlier in Orcish territory.

Still, Itchum casts Hallucinatory Terrain so that his companions can hide and reverse the ambush. Three wargs approach, and Ranger Sam casts Hail of Thorns, injuring one. Wizard Perogen casts Chill Touch on the same canine, driving it away.

Cal hits another warg with a javelin and follows Maddie in closing to melee distance. Rowan also maneuvers to join the Barbarian. Cleric Redrik casts Scorching Ray on another beast, which howls.

Sam draws his long bow and drops the retreating wolf. Perogen’s Chill Touch kills a second one, and Maddie strikes the third with her great axe. Rowan hits with his long sword, and Redrik finishes the last one with another Scorching Ray.

Redrik, Maddie, and Perogen drag the carcasses off the path. Once the rest of the patrol gets within 100 feet, they spring out to attack. Two of the larger Orcs attack Maddie and Rowan.

The other humanoids disbelieve Itchum’s Hallucinatory Terrain. Tired of such skirmishes, Maddie rages and charges at the female Drow, who tries to taunt her. The Dark Elf casts Faerie Fire on the shapeshifter and draws a hand crossbow.

Rowan casts Heroism on himself and Maddie, as Cal casts Wrathful Smite. Redrik casts Silence on Maddie to prevent the Drow from using spells. Perogen continues the focused attacks on the enemy leader with Chill Touch.

Sam casts Hunter’s Mark on the Drow, and four Orcs close in on white-robed Perogen, who hits them with Magic Missiles. The two larger Orcs try to step out of the area of Silence to cast Spiritual Weapon, but they are hit by Cal, Maddie, and Rowan.

Mighty Maddie swings with her great axe, but the Dark Elf evades with her innate Darkness ability and draws two poisoned short swords. Sly Half-Elf Rowan still finds his foe with his long sword, as does Sylvan Elf Cal.

Hill Dwarf Redrik invokes patron deity Paladine with Divine Radiance, dispelling the Darkness and burning the Orcs’ eyes. Perogen verifies that Silvari, the white moon of his patron, is in ascension. The human then successfully casts Sleep on four Orcs.

Sam hits the Drow with arrows and a successful Ensnaring Strike.She wriggles and touches a clan amulet, Teleporting away. Rowan tells the remaining Orcs that they can leave or die.

The Orcs are surprised at the Bard’s mention of King Obould and agree to depart. They say that the Dark Elves came from the south a few months ago and “promised a return to the old ways.” The nefarious Drow are growing in number, worrying Cal.

In addition, the Orcs offer some maps in exchange for their freedom. One parchment describes the top level of Vantal. Redrik and Rowan heal injured party members as they prepare to resume their march to the ruins….

Bruce, we missed you last Sunday night, although it was good to see you at Drew’s for your fun Dread: Beneath a Metal Sky one-shot! I also look forward to Jason’s “Channel 37” miniseries next Monday and returning to our “Vanished Lands” game.

In the meantime, remember to update our “Land of Lost Souls” characters to Level 4. Be seeing you….

D&D5e “Land of Lost Souls” Session 7 — Before Obould Many-Arrows

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 7 of our D&D5e game, which was held on Sunday, 15 March 2015:

Player Characters for the “Land of Lost Souls,” Dexter V.H.’stelecom fantasy miniseries, using Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, AD&D2/D&D3.5 Dragonlance, the D&D4e 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. 3

“Sakan Agramon Majere/Sam” [Beruk A.]-male Irda (High Ogre) Ranger, charlatan disguised as a human; TNc, Lvl. 3

“Maddie Moonfang” [Sara F.C.]-female wolfing Barbarian, skin changer from the plains and former thrall of an evil wizard; TNc; Lvl. 3

“Perogen Hawke” [Josh C.]-male human Wizard of the White Robes, sage; NGc, Lvl. 3

“Rowan Kar-Thon” [Geoff C.]-male Half-Elf Skald (Bard), outlander and storyteller; NGc, Lvl. 3

“Santiddio Sefrayn” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Rogue (thief), charlatan and professional treasure seeker; CNg, Lvl. 3

“Redrik Stoneflow” [Byron V.O./absent]-male Neidar (Hill Dwarf) Cleric of Paladine, god of justice; outcast, guild artisan, and silversmith; LGn, Lvl. 3

“Enyilarur Skilelo” [Drew S./absent]-male brass Draconian Eldritch Knight (Dragonborn Fighter), noble and arcanist, with three reptilian retainers; CGn, Lvl. 3

After evacuating two villages ahead of a spreading shadow and an Orcish army, a group of would-be heroes accepted a mission from the Dwarves of beseiged Thorbardin. They flew on giant owls over New Coast to Blodehelm, land of the Orcs.

In the city of Bloten, the group is brought before King Obould and a female Orc shaman. The great hall is lined with animal trophies and clan banners. Obould Many-Arrows invites the visitors to join him for a feast to celebrate the return of his long-lost grandson, Root.

Elf Cal and Dwarf Redrik are disguised as Orcs. They learn that the king is less interested in raiding his neighbors than some of the tribal warlords. Sam chats with Chief Quetti.

Sam and Santiddio learn that Strunge, chief of the Green Moss tribe, doesn’t want to squander the current unity of Blodehelm’s ruling council. Although the Orcs arrived in the “Land of Lost Souls” about a century ago, they have mostly been at peace with other races.

Rowan talks with the shaman, who is less interested in peace with other races and mentions one-eyed Gruumsh. The Skald doesn’t recognize the reference.

Perogen observes the humanoid banquet and ponders the lessons of his test at the Tower of High Sorcery, as well as a black spell book. Skilelo had returned with the second Dwarf scout to warn Thorbardin about another Orcish army on the march.

The Orc chieftains demand that Obould and the outlanders participate in a trial by combat before they’ll consider withdrawing their forces attacking human and Dwarven lands. They admit that Dark Elves have promised them territory.

Both Rogue Santiddio and Rowan volunteer, but the group eventually agrees on Maddie as its representative. The plainswoman is brought down to an iron-bound arena, where she faces off with a large guard drake.

The lizard charges at Maddie, who strikes it in return. In the rowdy audience, Paladin Cal prays to Kiri-Jolith, lord of valor, and Cleric Redrik prays to Paladine. Ranger Sam watches both those making wagers and the combatants to make sure there is no cheating.

Wizard Perogen tries chatting with some of the Orc, and Rowan starts a chant in favor of wolf-skinned Maddie. Others invoke Gruumsh as they cheer for the reptile. Santiddio talks with Strunge, who is sympathetic to the idea of peace.

The drake claws at Maddie, whose Barbarian rage helps her resist injury. The lupine warrior slays her scaled opponent, disappointing its handler but encouraging the non-Orcs.

Obould proclaims that his troops will no longer go to war on behalf of the manipulative Drow. He orders runners to be dispatched. Cal, Sam, and Redrik accept the king’s offer to stay the night in his keep.

Victorious Maddie goes out carousing with Perogen, Rowan, and Santiddio. A burly Orc challenges Perogen and Santiddio to a drinking contest, while Rowan spins tall tales.

After a pint of “Demon’s Brew,” Perogen passes out, so Maddie has to bring him back to his room. During the first watch, there is a knock at the adventuring party’s door.

A servant named Gribba says she brings word from Obould. The young female Orc says that the king has lost sway over several tribes and that the travelers should leave before a possible coup d’etat. She says they should return to Thorbardin if they can.

Gribba leads the group through the castle’s garbage-strewn lower levels. Through a combination of guile and stealth, the team makes its way past sentries. The wanderers make a forced march through the Khalkist Mountains until they are many miles from the Orc capital.

Since they have to wait a few days to rendezvous with their owl steeds, the adventurers head south, toward the ruins at Vantal….

I look forward to continuing our adventures tonight! Remember thatour characters have attained third level.

I also look forward to Bruce’s Dread: Beneath a Metal Sky one-shot at Drew’s place tomorrow night. Be seeing you….

D&D5e “Land of Lost Souls” Session 6 — On a wing and a prayer

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 6 of our D&D5e game, which was held on Sunday, 1 March 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./absent]-male brass Draconian Eldritch Knight (Dragonborn Fighter), noble and arcanist, with three reptilian retainers; CGn, Lvl. 2

The band of adventurers visited the Dwarven capital of Thorbardin to give warning of an approaching Orcish army. It also questioned a Dark Elf prisoner, acquired supplies and flying mounts, and met King Ivor Stoneaxe in an alley. Part of the group defeated would-be assassins in a Gnome’s shop.

Maddie keeps the surviving thug in a chokehold, while Perogen casts Detect Magic and finds amulets with two faces. They give the Goblins the illusory guise of Dwarves. Rowan confiscates two daggers that are cold to the touch.

Members of the city watch arrive and question Gnome shopkeeper Smigem. They are wary of the outlanders but take the Goblin into custody. The trio regroups with its companions at the “Dragon’s Forge” inn on the city’s outskirts.

Cal, Sam, and Santiddio report on how they met King Ivor Stoneaxe, who approves of their mission to bring Half-Orc Root to his grandfather, King Obould, in the hope of avoiding bloodshed. They, Redrik, and Skilelo prepare to head out.

Dwarf scout Shadowfox asks the group to make note of what it sees in the New Coast region between Thorbardin and Bloten, the capital of Blodehelm, about 300 miles away. He assigns two underlings to escort the team to the edge of Orcish territory.

That night, Princess Eina visits the tavern. The wanderers hear laughter but don’t immediately see who is with her. Cal asks Perogen what he can perceive, but Sam simply asks the princess. She introduces Itchum, a violet-scaled faerie dragon whom the king has asked to join the travelers.

Cal and Sam are reluctant to bring the mischievous drake along, but Maddie and Rowan take to Itchum. Redrik realizes that he must leave his boar Gristle behind, and he hopes that the steeds will be safe as Thorbardin comes under siege.

Eleven giant owls set forth from the capital and fly northeast:

2 for the Dwarf scouts
Sylvan Elf Cal and Half-Elf Santiddio
Half-Elf (Irda) Sam and one snow leopard cub
Hill Dwarf Redrik (the heaviest in armor)
Plainswoman Maddie, human Perogen, and the other cub
Half-Elf Rowan
2 for Skilelo and his three Draconian followers
Half-Orc Root (the second heaviest)
One spare, for provisions

The first day is uneventful as the adventuring party flies out of the Kharolis Mountains and over a caravan on the hot Plains of Dust. When the Dwarves spot something else large in the air, the group turns north to avoid it.

Cal and company plan to switch to nighttime flying for the owls’ sake. They also set the following watches when resting:

Maddie, Rowan, and Itchum
Redrik and Santiddio
Cal and Sam
Perogen and Skilelo

On the third day, the explorers camp in the grasslands of New Coast [Marker 2]. During his and Ranger Sam’s watch, Cal hears something just outside the perimeter. The Paladin sees a green woman, which one of the intelligent owls recognizes as a Dryad.

The sentries are wary of the fey and wake their friends. Nyera says that others have passed through her lands, including Orcs and mysterious Dark Elves. The nature spirit also talks with Barbarian Maddie’s cub, which she says is grateful for being rescued after its mother was murdered.

Cal and Cleric Redrik explains that their mission is to relieve the impending siege of Thorbardin by Orcs and to fight for justice, but Nyera is more concerned with nature’s balance. Cal also asks about the Qualinesti homeland in the Wayreth Forest, which has fallen under an unnatural shadow. The Dryad says that she is in occasional contact with her kin there.

Nyera also hints to Skald Rowan and Rogue Santiddio that there are “new players” among the outer planes of existence, potentially adding a “fourth power” to the sources of divine magic. Spellcasters Redrik and Perogen aren’t happy to hear that. The Dryad grants the group one favor while it’s within her lands.

Later, on fourth watch, Perogen has a vision of a woman whose face and upper body match that of the recently captured Drow and whose lower body is that of a giant spider. She asks him to join her. The shaken Wizard shares what he has seen with the group.

The next evening, the owl riders see another Orcish army encampment. It’s not as large as the horde approaching Thorbardin, but Sam sends one of the taciturn Dwarven scouts back to warn the city.

The would-be diplomats fly through the night and stop to rest at the ruins of Netheltan, just across a large bay from Blodehelm. Root tells Rowan that Orcs are usually organized in tribes that fight among themselves; large, unified armies are unusual.

Sam notes that most Orcs came through a planar rift about a century ago. Redrik speculates that the Dark Elves could have reopened the rift and be former allies or enemies of the Orcs. The priest of Paladine isn’t happy to learn that the humanoids trade with Ogres and human knights of Takhisis.

Sam recommends having a cover story of being tomb raiders, merchants, or mercenaries, and Rowan is confident that any of those identities should be fine. Perogen gives Cal and Redrik the amulets of illusion, since they’d stand out most.

In the fourth night, the group reaches the plains of Blodehelm. The owls drop off the wanderers in the foothills of the Khalkist Mountains, which separate the Orcish plains and swamps from the more urban Ogres of Blode [Marker 18].

Maddie shifts into wolf form to scout ahead with stealthy Sam, Santiddio, and invisible Itchum. Cal takes on the guise of an Orc warrior, and Redrik appears as a Goblin shaman. They hike through passes south and then east toward Bloten.

Orcs riding wargs accost the party. Impatient Root announces himself as King Obould’s heir apparent, and the Orcs shoot him with arrows. Santiddio and Rowan manage to calm down both sides by surrendering, and Redrik rushes to heal the Half-Orc.

Cal claims to be from the Broken Arrow clan, and Skilelo and the other Draconians balance out the Half-Elves in the Orcs’ eyes. They take their companions’ weapons. However, Urphaer, the leader of the warg riders, is unimpressed with the “bastard” Root.

He marches the newcomers into the city of Bloten and tells them to wait. The humans and demihumans keep their nerve despite being surrounded by numerous Orcs.

The group is eventually brought before King Obould and a female Orc shaman (whom Cal senses is evil)….

Please note that we won’t be meeting next Sunday, March 8, but the “Land of Lost Souls” should resume on March 15. Happy Birthday to Dexter!

In the meantime, remember to update your character records on Obsidian Portal to Level 3, and let the Game Master know if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing some of you at Jason E.R.’s FAE “Channel 37” game tonight….

D&D5e “Land of Lost Souls” Session 5 — Trouble in Thorbardin

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5 of our D&D5e game, which was held on Sunday, 22 February 2015:

Player Characters for the “Land of Lost Souls,” Dexter V.H.’stelecom 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./absent]-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./absent]-male brass Draconian Eldritch Knight (Dragonborn Fighter), noble and arcanist, with three reptilian retainers; CGn, Lvl. 2

After investigating the haunted ruins of Methegrist, spotting King Obould’s Orcish army on the move, and encountering wargs and strange Dark Elves, the adventuring party visited the Dwarven capital of Thorbardin.

The wanderers had received a chilly reception from Princess Eina, who asked them to wait in the city’s outskirts. Cal sleeps off his hangover, and Sam isn’t worried about posting watches in the “Dragon’s Forge” inn. He and Maddie find food for the snow leopard cubs they have adopted.

Perogen begins preparations for his test at the Tower of High Sorcery, and Rowan overhears someone in the common room asking for the “emissaries from the outside world.” Santiddio is also curious, since he isn’t interested in staying under house arrest.

Redrik and Skilelo keep watch over the steeds and cart with Half-Orc Root. They have already handed over Drow prisoner Meandrea and warned the Dwarves about Obould’s approaching horde.

Rowan, Sam, and Santiddio greet Erik Stonehammer, a Dwarf from the merchants’ guild. He wonders how the team managed to get around an Orcish army. They reply that while they encountered a few bands of scouts, they were able to take advantage of the mountainous terrain.

Stonehammer promises steel coins for information, but the travelers decline the offer. He then shifts back into his true form, that of the princess! She seems surprised to find that they’re honorable.

The next morning, the group debates what to ask of the Dwarves in return for the prisoner and information. Princess Eina brings it to the North Hall of Audience, where armored women stand alert and a council has gathered around a large table.

Skald Rowan defers to Paladin Cal, who reports on the magical darkness spreading over the Wayreth Forest, Obould’s army, and how his companions came across Root, the Orc king’s grandson.

The princess asks why the party bothered to warn them, and Cal and Ranger Sam reply that they hope to protect the free peoples. Shadowfox, a Dwarf scout, enters and verifies the outlanders’ report. He also flirts with Barbarian Maddie.

Retnu Greybeard, a captain of the guard, asks what Thorbardin can do. Cal and Rogue Santiddio aren’t sure of how to stop the Orcish army, but they recommend getting word to Obould that he has a grandson and heir.

Shadowfox is curious about Root and the strange Dark Elves, and he says that King Obould is probably not with his army, which has traveled across the sea from Bloodhelm to the northeast.

After consulting with the council, Princess Eina asks the party if it will take Root to King Obould in return for favors or some treasure. Sylvan Elf Cal asks the Dwarves to help his people with the growing shadow over the forest.

Sam asks for a seal of recognition and 1,000 steel pieces. The princess grants 500 st.p. to each party member. Cleric Redrik asks about any information on prophecies. Maddie and Wizard Perogen request favors to be determined later.

Half-Elf Rowan asks for provisions and weapons. The princess also grants the would-be heroes giant owls to take them over Orcish-held territories and the sea. Half-Elf Santiddio wants the “dark mithril” armor confiscated from Meandrea to be retailored so he can wear it.

Speaking of the Drow spy, the travelers receive word that she has asked to see them. Cal, Sam, and Santiddio go to the dungeon to talk with Meandrea. Meanwhile, Redrik, Skilelo, and Root watch the caravan and animals, and Maddie, Perogen, and Rowan go to the market to buy supplies and candy.

The guards outside the Dark Elf’s cell are entranced, and Meandrea taunts Cal, Sam, and Santiddio. She confidently tells them to give her regards to King Obould.

In the market, Maddie notices that someone is following her trio. In a weapons shop, a Gnome named Smigem accosts the squad and offers the following items:

Bow, autofire (fires magically flaming arrows) 10,000 steel pieces
Bow, Elven long
Bow, ram’s horn (“Rambo”)
Collar, blade, to restrain beasts

Maddie expresses a strange interest in the collar, so Smigemsummons a large dog named Sapphire. Rowan is more interested in enchanted armor, and bored Wizard Perogen tries to discern the various schools of magic found in the shop.

Santiddio also notices someone following him, Cal, and Sam after they leave the prison. The Rogue ducks into an alley, while Cal and Sam try to block two cloaked figures. Santiddio stabs a third one, who had offered a business proposition and is surprisingly unharmed.

The man in the alley removes his robe, revealing himself to be the armored King Ivor Stoneaxe. Santiddio apologizes, and Cal and Sam are surprised when the two others turn out to be two young brass dragons!

The Dwarf king uses his mighty axe to verify Santiddio’s identity and story. He also senses that Sam is not the Half-Elf he appears to be. Ivor is amused by the ambush attempt and is interested in the party’s willingness to help against the Orcs. He advises them to leave the city before it comes under siege.

The two cloaked people following Maddie, Perogen, and Rowan enter Smigem’s shop. They’re Dwarf-sized with red, glowing eyes. Rowan casts Bardic Inspiration on Maddie and draws his long sword.

Maddie draws her sword but misses, and Perogen tries to protect the Gnome proprietor. The would-be assassins draw daggers and stab Maddie. Rowan strikes one foe twice, killing him, and Maddie rages. They take the remaining enemy prisoner….

Byron and Drew, we missed you at this past weekend’s game! I’ll also try to post notes for the latest “Star Trek: Restoration” session soon. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing our adventures in the “Land of Lost Souls” and to resuming Jason E.R.’s “Channel 37” scenario.

“Star Trek: Restoration” Episode 3 — Offworld intruders

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for our third “Star Trek” session, which we played online on Monday, 16 February 2015:

“Space, the final frontier. Our starship’s mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Almost four decades after the Enterprise “E” fought the Borg and Remans Nemesis], among others, the United Federation of Planets (U.F.P.) and other interstellar states are slowly recovering from wars and ecological disasters. A refitted vessel takes a new crew on its first missions of defense, diplomacy, and exploration….

Player Characters for Gene D.’s ” Star Trek: Restoration” space opera scenario, using D20 Prime Directive, FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures, Bulldogs, and Mindjammer 2e, plus house rules, Obsidian Portal, Skype, and the Rolz.org online dice roller, as of spring 2015:

“Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Kyerak” [Bruce K.]-male half-Vulcan with a temper, in the U.S.S. Rotha ’s command division

“Kimbal Tegan” [Beruk A.]-male Trill (long-lived symbiont), operations specialist aboard the Love’s Latinum Lost

“Tau” [Drew S.]-male Ferengi, medic aboard the Love’s Latinum Lost

Absent:

“Lt. Jarric Jameson” [Dexter V.H.]-male genetically modified human colonist (former Maquis) communications and wilderness survival expert

“Lt. Orzzek Kalifa” [Byron V.O.]-male Andorian (blue-skinned humanoid with white hair and antennae), assertive science officer

“Lt. Mari Killu” [Sara F.]-female Caitian (felinoid) security/tactical officer

“Lt. Boran’ Gorir” [Josh C.]-male Jem’Hadar (Dominion soldier), aggressive envoy/engineer

“Froot” [Rich C.G.]-male Ferengi (short, large-eared extraterrestrial) merchant and negotiator, DaiMon and owner of the trade vessel Love’s Latinum Lost

Previously, in “Star Trek: Restoration,” the U.S.S. Rotha uncovered an Undine infiltrator during a diplomatic mission and faced off against Romulan and Klingon ships in the Neutral Zone.

“Stardate 95248.04 (9 April 2418):” After stopping at Starbase 24, some junior officers accepted a mission to investigate a onetime Federation colony. They joined the crew of the Love’s Latinum Lost, a Ferengi trade vessel.

Lt. Kyerak and Kimbal Tegan conduct research on the Aldebaran colony. Alpha Tauri III is the third out of four planets orbiting an orange giant and a red dwarf and is the only Class M (inhabitable) one in that solar system.

Alpha Tauri III is slightly larger than Earth, with a 1.2 Gs of gravity, a 27-hour day, and six small moons. Its 1 million sentient natives joined the United Federation of Planets in 2216, and thanks in part to the New Aberdeen Shipyards, its mostly human population grew to 7 billion over the next century.

However, in 2372 (about 50 Terran years ago), Starfleet was forced to abandon the colony as part of the settlement ending the Cardassian War. It has apparently regressed to a pre-warp level of technology, and interstellar trade has been sporadic and indirect.

DaiMon Froot sets a course for Aldebaran, bypassing Deep Space K-7 because of the covert nature of Lt. Kyerak’s mission. Tao, a Ferengi medic, introduces himself to the passengers.

Lt. Jarrick Jameson and Lt. Orzzek Kalifa express misgivings about the fact that Lt. Kyerak had accepted the mission to “terminate any offworld interference” in Aldebaran from Cmdr. Nasami Wahid, the Trill first officer of the Rotha.

Although Starfleet’s Prime Directive prohibits direct contact with pre-warp societies, Lt. Mari Killu and Lt. Boran’ Gorir are more concerned about threats to Aldebaran’s civilian population and potential U.F.P. membership.

Kimbal puts the Love’s Latinum Lost in a standard orbit around Alpha Tauri III and sees the remnants of orbital platforms. The Trill pilot also scans for subspace signals and finds three transmission sites: a science station at Nar Instel, the industrial city of Irdrant, and the agricultural community of Folkhar.

Kyerak checks radio telecommunications and verifies that the colony has fragmented into rival nation-states. The half-Vulcan officer recommends visiting Nar Instel first.

Tau’s biological scans find nearly 6 billion inhabitants, most of whom are human. The decline in global population may be the result of emigration offworld, the decline in technology, epidemics, or wars, theorizes the Ferengi doctor.

Froot says that Aldebaran was once known for its ores (used in starship construction), native life forms, and whiskey. It was also once a venue for medical conferences. He suggests that the away team offer goods and non-critical scientific data in return for local products and information.

The Love’s Latinum Lost lands near Nar Instel. Kimbal hacks into local computer networks and identifies staffers to talk to. Kyerak changes into civilian garb, and Tao offers to handle trade negotiations as their cover story.

Federation science colony — Science station

Kimbal wanders around the science station until he finds a canteen. He meets “Two-Three” and “Three-Two,” two Binar engineers. They are not interested in carousing, but Kimbal uses their literal-mindedness to obtain a network schematic.

Meanwhile, Kyerak goes to the headquarters of the academy and introduces himself as a researcher to a pretty receptionist. He hears an argument and watches Yusuf Darwhish, a human climatologist, storm out of the director’s office.

Tau gets directions to the bursar and offers to trade exotic foodstuffs with a Vulcan scientist who initially dismisses him. However, Stuvek expresses interest in advanced tools, so he accepts Tau’s offer and arranges to meet again later.

Kyerak meets Huang Peipei, director of Nar Instel. He mentions Johann Strom, onetime head of the New Aberdeen Shipyards, and the physicist says that she would like her people to eventually reunite with other Aldebaranians and the Federation. Flirtatious Kyerak says that he can help.

Sly Kimbal eventually excuses himself from conversation with the Binars and sends Kyerak a signal to meet. Curious Tau follows Stuvek into a biology laboratory. He is horrified to see cruel animal testing and notices a decapod acting suspiciously.

The Ferengi ducks into the room and talks with the native Tauran. Gopal Thivar admits that he is trying to sabotage the tests and that he can telepathically tell that Stuvek is hiding something bad.

A three-headed, floating Aldebaranian serpent attacks Tau and Gopal, and they run down the hall. However, Stuvek corners them and says that it’s too bad that they will be the “victims of a lab accident.”

When the duo tries to run around Stuvek, he pulls out a Romulan disruptor and slowly disintegrates the unlucky decapod! Tau slides past Stuvek and makes a desperate dash for the door.

Kyerak and Kimball, who had been trying to reach Tau, burst into the hallway. Kyerak stuns the Romulan, and Kimbal misses the serpent. Tau keeps running until he finds local security forces outside.

The police take Stuvek into custody, and Kyerak privately tells Huang that he hopes to remove external disruptions so that she can help her world advance politically. Kimball takes the disruptor’s power cell, and Tau explains how he and Gopal had uncovered inhumane research.

Kyerak interrogates the supposed Vulcan, as Huang and guards watch. Stuvek admits that his true name is Vorlag. The spy boldly admits that he planned to train colonial doctors in the mind-set and methods of the Tal Shiar, the Romulan intelligence service.

Vorlag’s initial mission was to evaluate the system for conquest, but he says he felt free to pursue his own experiments. The Romulan then bites down on a poisoned capsule, and Tau is unable to save him without a modern medical bay.

Kimbal checks Vorlag’s quarters and finds a subspace transmitter. The landing party returns to the ship, ready to search for whoever is sending subspace signals from Irdrant and Folkhar. To be continued….

While we missed much of the group, I hope that those of you who were able to participate enjoyed our latest episode! I look forward to continuing our adventures, but we’ll also have to see when we’ll have time between Dexter’s D&D5e “Lands of Lost Souls,” Jason’s FAE “Channel 37,” and my own D20/FATE “Vanished Lands” scenarios. Live long and prosper….