Session 127 7-11/3/47 To Hara (xp 1500)

Hakeem L19 XP 1500+318,896=320,396/355,000
Sandor  Lvl 9 XP 1500+51,370=52,870/64,000

+Laurana, Livilla at Hara

Smon: Rey reluctantly accedes to the idea. "So Hakeem, they want me to steal the Shield of a God."
Smon: Meda: "And bring it to Hakeem."
Smon: Rey: "Yeah. Great."

Rey rendezvous 14/3.
 
6:18pm  2017-7-28 Smon Has entered the room
6:24pm  2017-7-28 sandor sunneson Has entered the room
Smon: Hi Fergus
Smon: test
sandor sunneson: Hi Simon
sandor sunneson: was on phone, back now, Chris is in other chat room
6:27pm  2017-7-28 chris107 Has entered the room
chris107: Evening chaps
sandor sunneson: hello Chris ")
Smon: Hi chris
chris107: just grabbing a drink, 2 mins.
Smon: I been napping but coming awake
sandor sunneson: got quick call to make too
Smon: ok start at 7.33
chris107: back
sandor sunneson: ready
Smon: GM: Thusia, morning, 7/3/4447 BCCC
Smon: Smon: Rey reluctantly accedes to the idea. "So Hakeem, they want me to steal the Shield of a God." Smon: Meda: "And bring it to Hakeem." Smon: Rey: "Yeah. Great."
sandor sunneson: Just had food, in character, had tuna and rice, Sandor knows that verbal negotiation takes alot of energy
chris107: Hakeem smiles broadly at his old chum.
Smon: Rey has agreed to meet Hakeem at Hara in 1 week. With the Shield of Kainos (hopefully)
chris107: "You will go down in legend, my friend."
sandor sunneson: Sandor thinks that verbal communicationwith Kainos would probably fail so is out of the question
Smon: "I already go down in legend." He winks lewdly at Alicia Scarnetti, who has the grace to blush slightly.
chris107: Hakeem has also beem thinking startegy.
chris107: hehe
Smon: Lady Meda raises an eyebrow at Rey, then speaks: "The grace of Mycr go with you, Rey."
sandor sunneson: How far is it from Thusia to Hara?
Smon: Straight shot only about 50 miles, past the Halls of Tizun Thane and cross the river at Cahli.
chris107: Drawing the forces of Neo-Nerath towards the river at Cahli and the forces of the Ghinarian Lords whilst the Bronzes and the Castle of Wode hold the river to the North and Mara.
Smon: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN9bMOUWhiUudbHQ6aLIx6pavPQlXfHELXSfACaF4G3LYGUIpvTKcvS7VIzRXRT1KmILXoL53TpNx70d34zIUYLSacUBdRqnUa-FnUXgH3ntJAY6K_P58mPCu3xjq7n32-vSx-ZoIsDk/s1600/Ghinarian%252BHills.jpg
Smon: You should have that map as your phone screensaver like Chris does.
chris107: Then the Barbarian Altani Tribes sweep down from the Midnnight Goddess Hills iongto the rear and supply lines.
sandor sunneson: I thought he had a map of Yorkshire as screensaver? Like any true blooded Yorkie would??
Smon: Meda is sending the ravens to summon the Lords to Cahli, muster within 2 weeks.
chris107: And Hakeem hopefullysestroys the shieldless God and causes morale to brake among our enemies ranks.
Smon: The Altanians are due to gather at Nerra for the Clans Moot but not for 3 weeks.
Smon: Meda will also send a raven to Chief Minars Rapak and ask him to summon the clans early.
sandor sunneson: Do they send a back up raven? In case one gets picked off by an eagle or something above it in the food chain?
chris107: If we can make them attack early and tramp through the mud, so much the better.
Smon: Hakeem by your reckoning Minars should be able to summon most of the clans within 2 weeks, probably not the Red Tiger in Oricha though.
sandor sunneson: When Simon played 1e, there was always a 1/20 chance that the carrion didn't make it.
chris107: Hakeem is hoping that defeating Kainos will be enough...
Smon: Meda using https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/5e_SRD:Animal_Messenger
chris107: OOC - Having read up on 20th level Fighters, I'm not so sure! I fear that 3 rounds of action surge will have Hakeem stone dead  )
chris107: Handy spell.
Smon: If Raven doesn't come back she sends another one, takes a few days for faraway.
sandor sunneson: cool
Smon: Within 50 miles (ie most of Ghinaria) it's free as a Ritual, further away she needs to use spell slots.
Smon: Princess Laurana picks at her breakfast sausage. "So, Sandor, are you going with Hakeem?"
chris107: "Having the Wolf by my side would be a great help."
Smon: Laurana nods.
sandor sunneson: It's upto him, I've been missioned with keeping his wife safe should it go wrong, but would be honoured to help him
Smon: Malenn: "Hakeem will not fail!"
sandor sunneson: I'll gladly come along Hakeem\
chris107: "Good man!"
sandor sunneson: Well not gladly, but I'll come along!
Smon: Laurana looks up, smiles slightly: "Want a hand?"
sandor sunneson: Always need a rose between the two thorns
chris107: (OOC - do I remember some healing potions and a ring of protection +1 going begging?)
Smon: Meda is happy to let Hakeem have whatever she can provide. Are you asking her?
chris107: Yes.
Smon: Laurana: "I'll take that as a yes, Sandor. Though as roses go, I am quite prickly already."
chris107: (OOC My whole stratagy for defeating Kainos revolves around getting more than one chance to go to 1HP and making lots of saves  )
Smon: Meda: "Be careful, Laurana. You know Artemisia is relying on you to lead the amazons should she fall." She turns to Hakeem, nods. "Of course."
Smon: Meda slips the ring from her finger and passes it to the Slayer.
Smon: Ring of Protection, +1 AC & Saves, needs attunement.
Smon: Puts you at 3 attuned items, the max.
chris107: hmmm, don't think Hakeem has any attunement slots left?
Smon: 1 sword 2 armour ?
chris107: Then he will wait. Sandor maybe?
chris107: (Hoping 3 kainos' Shield  )
Smon: oh 3 boots yup
Smon: Boots of Striding and Springing Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement) While you wear these boots, your walking speed becomes 30 feet, unless your walking speed is higher, and your speed isn’t reduced if you are encumbered or wearing heavy armor. In addition, you can jump three times the normal distance, though you can’t jump farther than your remaining movement would allow.
Smon: Sandor takes the Ring?
sandor sunneson: ok,
Smon: gimme a Persuasion CHA+prof check both of you, DC 15
sandor sunneson: He's got a ring of warmth and a +1 ring
chris107: (OOC been looking at a Wood Elf, Eagle Totem Barbarian...)
sandor sunneson rolls 1d20 and gets: 13,
chris107 rolls 1d20+8 and gets: 17, (+8) = 25
sandor sunneson: +4=17
Smon: Amazingly you both pass, Weaponmaster Damne looks a bit disapproving but does not try to stop you nicking her Lady's ring.
sandor sunneson: I shall return this to you Damne
Smon: OOC Just to mention Hakeem is my favourite character ever, hope he survives & if he retires, that I get to GM him again.
Smon: "I shall return this to you Meda" I assume?
chris107:
sandor sunneson: her Lady, yes
sandor sunneson: Could do a wish spell, I wish that for the fight against Kainos we can use a 1e harm spell on him to reduce him to d4 HP
sandor sunneson rolls 1d4 and gets: 2,
sandor sunneson:
chris107: And if not, I hope that at some stage Hassan will get a game in your Wilderlands too?
Smon: Meda nods: "Thank you. Sandor, our armourer can fit you with vambrace and greaves if you require further protection?"
Smon: OOC can make your breastplate to half plate. +1 AC
sandor sunneson: Thank you Meda, that would be appreciated
Smon: Hassan - sure, though I'd be reluctant to do a 16 year time jump.
Smon: Maybe in 2033?
Smon: Maybe slightly earlier.
chris107: Hehe If I last that long! I'll be a great age by then
sandor sunneson: will do, AC now 21
chris107: Excellent!
Smon: GM: After breakfast, Rey takes Alicia upstairs for some goodbye rumpy-pumpy, then bids you all farewell.
Smon: Sandor attunes to the ring & has armour fitted, so AC +2 yup
Smon: /roll d4+4
Smon rolls 1d4+4 and gets: 3, (+4) = 7
Smon: /roll 2d4+2
Smon rolls 2d4+2 and gets: 3, 2, (+2) = 7
chris107: Hakeem will secure any healing potions safely, padded and protected. Maybe a special pouch belt could be crafted to hold them and allow easy access?
Smon: Meda provides you also with 7 potions of healing & a tub of 7 doses of Keoghtom's ointment.
Smon: Damne fits you with a vial belt, like a small bandolier for the potions.
Smon: The ointment needs to stay in the closed wood tub when not in use.
chris107: Got you.
Smon: Tub says "Oil of Keogh - Fights the 7 signs of dying"
chris107:
Smon: brb tea
sandor sunneson: Sandor is leaving his coin behind in case he doesn't come back. He requests that it be passed on to his unborn child
Smon: Meda nods: "I will take care of your coin, and your child Lord Sandor."
Smon: Rey: "See you guys in Hell or Hara!" He salutes jauntily, then turns to leave.
sandor sunneson: even if it is a boy too please.
chris107: "Hell or Hara!"
Smon: Alicia: "Goodbye Rey! Come back safe!"
Smon: The amazons open the north gate and Rey jogs out, on his way to steal the shield of a demigod.
Smon: Meda nods to Sandor: "Of course." Laurana: "So, we heading out today too?"
Smon: Rey disappears from view.
Smon: Damne: "May we see him again."
chris107: "We will, Rey has many beds to warm before the Hells take him."
Smon: Something in the surly amazon weaponmaster's tone might hint that deep down even she has certain feelings for the Rogue.
Smon: There are many smiles at Hakeem's quip, even Meda!
chris107:
sandor sunneson: All the ladies love the Rogue
Smon: GM: You can be at Hara in 2 days, so your choice when you head out. Hakeem was planning to speak with Dyson Logos there AIR.
chris107: He was.
chris107: Dyson will be invaluable in our struggle.
sandor sunneson: He will vacuum up all evil and collect them like a ball of dirt in his stomacg
Smon:
Smon: That's Dyson Logos' son James, the Reverse Dragon.
chris107: Hakeem will be happy if he can keep all the wizards and spell casters from the fight.
chris107: hehe
Smon: Priestess Livilla approaches: "As you know, I am of Nerath, and I have pledged myself to your cause in this fight. If you wish me to come with you, I am willing."
sandor sunneson: You should make that an extra attack of his GM. Suction Power. Dyson sucks up all creatures within a 100m radius (without a saving throw) and they melt in the digestive juices of the dragon's stomach
Smon: https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/fantasy-priestess-22713410.jpg
chris107: "We would be pleased to have you along. Your knowledge of our enemies will be most useful."
Smon: Livilla, nods, looking nervous but determined.
Smon: GM: Sandor you actually know Lord Bronze of Hara better than Hakeem does, since you quested for Dyson Logos together.
Smon: Malenn: "Hakeem my love, stay a few more days. Your son barely knows you. And I..." She looks down.
Smon: OOC let me know when you head to Hara.
Smon: You could stay 5 days & still make the rendezvous. 4 might be safer as you want to meet w Dyson first?
chris107: 4 will be safer.
sandor sunneson: Yeah, that makes sense, see Dyson
Smon: GM: OK you rest up 7-10/3/47, much to the delight of Hakeem's loving wife. Hassan seems bigger and stronger every day, at 5 months already making determined efforts to stand.
Smon: Though it will likely be another 4-5 months before he's wrestling bears.
chris107:
Smon: Meda watches as baby Hassan tussles with one of the village shep-hounds. "He certainly takes after his parents!"
Smon: /roll d100
Smon rolls 1d100 and gets: 15,
Smon: Hassan's hair is jet black, like his father.
chris107: Hakeem nods his approval
Smon: GM Is Sandor making efforts w melting Princess Laurana's stony heart?
sandor sunneson: Why not,
chris107: "Make sure Hassan grows up to take vengeance if I fail.
Smon: OK you can either make a persuasion check now, or tell me what you're doing & I'll see if it gets a bonus Sandor.
chris107: "Bloodletter his his."
Smon: Malenn: "You'll not fail." Meda simply nods to Hakeem.
sandor sunneson: OOC Is Laurana close to her nephew?
sandor sunneson: OOC or does she play the hard cow to everyone?
Smon: Damne: "I feel this battle is the one where we turn the tide. Where the Nera... the Black Sun - finally meet their doom."
chris107: Hakeem smiles back warmly. Knowing he has done the right thing and willing to face the consequenses.
Smon: Her nephew Hassan?
sandor sunneson: I thought Laurana was Hakeem's sster?
chris107: she is
chris107: half sister
Smon: Yup she is. Sandor does catch her occasionally smiling at the sight of Hassan, very very slightly.
sandor sunneson: So is the child not her nephew?
chris107:
Smon: yes like I said
sandor sunneson: cool
sandor sunneson: yes, Hassan, unless there are others\
Smon: I think he's her only nephew yup.
sandor sunneson: Sandor will go up to her and saw you can be a bit more open with him, he might even smile back if you smile a bit more
Smon: She & Hakeem have a half sister, Lady Thuvia of Bratanis' young daughter.
Smon: Yusan got around a lot.
chris107:
sandor sunneson: male slag?
chris107: Not quite as bad as Rey. But getting there.
Smon: He may have more offspring you don't know of, but yes a bit like Rey. Could even be charming BiTD.
Smon: A lot more evil though.
Smon: OK Sandor make CHA+Prof roll.
sandor sunneson rolls 1d20 and gets: 11,
sandor sunneson: +4=15
Smon: +4=15 pass.
Smon: "you can be a bit more open with him, he might even smile back if you smile a bit more"
Smon: Laurana raises an eyebrow archly at Sandor. "The babe? You think I should smile at my ...nephew?"
Smon: Across the Green you see Lady Malenn scoop up the babe, hold him to her breast.
Smon: Lord Hakeem comes over to the two, embracing his wife - as he seems to do every 5 minutes when she's around.
sandor sunneson: why wouldn't you? He's part of your family
Smon: Laurana's brow furrows slightly. "You know our way, Sandor. We are Amazons - no man is truly our ...family."
Smon: She gestures to the amazon tents that fill the side of the green, the mothers & children there washing, eating.
sandor sunneson: Well you're brother ain't done too badly, look how happy he is with his wife.
Smon: Laurana nods slowly. "Yes... He has overcome our father's evil."
Smon: "His mother must be great indeed."
Smon: You watch as Malenn kisses and snuggles Hakeem lovingly.
Smon: Laurana sighs, clearly jealous of what her brother has.
sandor sunneson: Exactly, you are a better person already than your father, even you played a role in defeating him
Smon: "Aye. I slew him - stole Hakeem's kill. Hakeem would have triumphed without me. He is the Avatar of Bondor."
sandor sunneson: why be jealous? can you not be happy for him? Don't say you can't have that, anyone can
Smon: Laurana's eyes flash angrily. "I am happy for him! You don't understand. My mother..."
sandor sunneson: Stole? Does it matter? Ursa killed Fion, we all played our part.
sandor sunneson: your Mum??
Smon: Laurana shakes her head angrily. "My mother was Queen Khelara. She loved Yusan. I saw my father slay her!"
sandor sunneson: How horrible, he'll give her a big hug (whether she wants it or not)
Smon: Laurana points at Sandor. "My father came to her, courted her, loved her... I was born, and my brother, Arak. Khelara returned Arak to him, raised me. I was old enough to watch her die, when he came again with his army."
Smon: Having worked Laurana up into considerable dudgeon Sandor attempts to embrace her... this could either go very badly or... roll CHA+Prof
sandor sunneson: My Father never bothered with me, once my mother died he became obsessed. Made me not want to be like him
sandor sunneson: and that's my aim in life
sandor sunneson rolls 1d20 and gets: 7,
sandor sunneson: +4=11
sandor sunneson: CHR10, so bare pass??
Smon: 11 - fail - angrily, Laurana pushes Sandor away, her face red.
Smon: Your CHA does not set the DC Fergus.
Smon: Laurana turns and swiftly hurries away. Before Sandor can pursue he feels a gentle hand on his shoulder - it's Lady Meda, the wise ruler of Thusia.
Smon: Meda: "Sandor, wait."
sandor sunneson: Sandor ain't chasing
sandor sunneson: will say to Meda she needs to know that many people do care for her
Smon: Meda: "She is in much pain. Yes."
Smon: "But she loves him - her brother." - Meda points to Hakeem across the green, now bouncing Hassan on his broad knee.
Smon: "And I see that she has feelings for you, too. By Mycr's grace she will let go of her pain, one day."
Smon: Meda looks southwest, towards the mountains and far-off Highhaven.
sandor sunneson: Interesting times ahead Meda, I'm only aware of wars between lands, not undead and the likes.
Smon: "Her father betrayed her mother, slew Queen Khelara in battle. Part of her fears, if she loves you, then she will meet the same fate."
sandor sunneson: Unless we somehow ended up on different sides, I'm not sure how that would come around
Smon: Meda nods: "I believe her fears groundless. But she is Amazon, as I am - it is hard for her. If you wish to help her, perhaps you should speak with Hakeem. He is her brother, and he has a certain... wisdom, beyond his years. They have become close."
sandor sunneson: Her father seemed like a nutjob, not the type of person you would want to meet on a dark night.
chris107:
Smon: Meda: "Once he was... Not so different from you or I, Sandor. But rage took him, he committed a foul crime, and descended into darkness. He wreaked much woe before Hakeem defeated him south of Krens' Cairn."
Smon: OOC Sandor recalls rumours that Yusan raped & murdered the Psychic Defender of his Altanian clan, the Red Tiger.
sandor sunneson: She'll came down, she knew where I was coming from I'm sure. My father was obsessed with empire building and he wasn't that good at it. His family was nothing to him, we all react in different ways. Yes Meda we can all turn one way or another. What crime did he commit?
sandor sunneson: calm down even
Smon: Meda explains Yusan's crime.
Smon: "I know you would not do such a thing, Sandor. But Laurana was raised to see all men as threatening... dangerous."
chris107: (A real charmer, Hakeem's old man.)
Smon: Death was well deserved!
sandor sunneson: Ok, well we're all stuck together for the indefinite future anyway.
Smon: GM: OK do you want to talk w Hakeem, or cut to departure fr Thusia?
sandor sunneson: Nah, cut to departure, he'll apologise to her a few hours later and say that he admires her inner strength with dealing with her demons, and if she ever wants to chat he'll listen
Smon: Laurana: "Thanks. I'm fine. You have nothing to be sorry for."
Smon: 11/3/47 Morning, day of departure
Smon: /roll d8
Smon rolls 1d8 and gets: 3,
Smon: Sky is grey and overcast, a cold wind blowing down from the western mountains.
Smon: Malenn of Mitra hugs Hakeem goodbye. Hassan embraces his leg. "Dada!" he says, firmly.
chris107: Hakeem pulls his worn old wolf skins tightly around his shoulders.
chris107: Giving his family one last hug. A reassuring smile to malenn.
Smon: Damne: "I have made four horses ready, that your journey might be swift - if you wish?"
Smon: Malenn smiles back, though tears glint in her lovely eyes.
chris107: "Aye, I'm not a great rider. But time is short. I have a God to slay!"
Smon: Damne smiles a little, snaps her fingers. Four fine horses - two stallion, two mare, are brought forth, saddled & bridled.
Smon: The grooms help Livilla mount, Laurana leaps lightly to the saddle.
Smon: "You're not Goldmane... but you'll do." She pats the mare's neck. Then wheels.
Smon: Hakeem & Sandor mount, make final farewells, then head out the north gate with Livilla & Laurana.
Smon: You ride north through the wild forested hills.
chris107: "This is it, Prince Sandor. Our destiny awaits."
sandor sunneson: Lets go
Smon: 8 miles north of Thusia rises the cruel volcanic peak that houses Tizun Thane's Hall within the Caldera, and its terrible Night Things that so nearly slew Hakeem.
Smon: By daylight however there is little to fear.
chris107: That was a tough fight...
Smon: You pass a little west of the volcano, riding north through little used game tracks.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 6,
chris107: hehe
Smon: Suddenly the horses shy!
Smon: Ahead in a small clearing you see one of the massive, elusive Ghinarian Sabre-Cats, huge fangs like swords.
chris107: Hmmmm can Hakeem try and Frighten it?
Smon: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rZgCP7vqa945x80R0UGak9o9HNBaXS61qoEX1KaL7kYEB7_06Z0ARQ1n3ORuqPlg_6d33QpzsWleTh_BE6Jo7-2bo4AbJAUllI7l4cPRJE1ssESbK0_GcD5PbCvcJJ924COSYf1qYUg/s1600/frazetta-escapeonvenus.jpg
Smon: Yup
Smon: As Hakeem draws Bondor's sword, ominous thunder rolls across the peaks, and rain begins to fall.
chris107: DC 16
Smon: Roll Intimidate CHA+Prof w advtg
chris107: Wisdom save?
Smon: Why?
chris107 Rolls 1d20+8x2 and gets:
2 (+8) = 10
3 (+8) = 11
Smon: LOL
chris107: His frighten ability as a Berserker
chris107: can frighten one enemy in view?
Smon: ok
chris107: DC 8+Cha+Prof
Smon: /roll d20+1
Smon rolls 1d20+1 and gets: 3, (+1) = 4
chris107: (Never usedit before but Hakeem likes animals and wouldn't want to slay the beast. It would be a bad omen.)
Smon: The mighty beast's ears go back.
Smon: It whimpers in fear, then turns and bursts away like a giant furry streak of Bondor's lightning.
Smon: Laurana blinks: "Wow."
Smon: Livilla: "A good omen."
sandor sunneson: jeez, seen it all
chris107: Hakeem nods happily.
Smon: GM: It's just after noon and you have been riding 4 hours when you come down from the hills, through meadowlands, to the stockaded village of Cahli on the River Cedarwade.
Smon: As you pass through the gates locals cry out, rushing to alert the ferryman.
Smon: "Hakeem! Lord Hakeem has come!"
Smon: Laurana points to the Inn: "Some lunch? My rear could do with a rest from this beast's back."
chris107: "Aye, got to keep our strength up." Hakeem waves happily at the good folks of Cahli.
Smon: The villagers, mostly of Ghinarian stock, some Nerathi, wave back.
Smon: Sandor notices all the windows have stout shutters bound with iron.
Smon: It looks as if the place could be entirely sealed up come nightfall.
Smon: You dismount and go into the Inn, where the Innkeeper hurries to bring you his best victuals.
Smon: /roll d6
chris107: "Keep those bloody Demons out."
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 2,
sandor sunneson: Well they are prepared anyway poor folk, just hope it works for them
Smon: A few farmers and a band of merchants make space for your group. Among the latter Hakeem & Sandor see Gluck Goodkind and his lovely daughter Kym.
Smon: Sandor sees Gluck's injuries from the bugbears are healing well.
chris107: "The ones you and Ursa rescued, Prince Sandor?"
Smon: Gluck: "Sandor, my friend! And Lord Hakeem!" Kym smiles and waves. "Hi there!"
chris107: "Hi."
sandor sunneson: Greetings Gluck, good to see you are ok
Smon: OOC Travelling incognito hard these days.  Gluck: "Funny to see you milord Hakeem, we just met Lord Rey a couple days back..." Kym looks like the cat who got the cream.
Smon: Gluck: "I live thanks to your efforts, good Sandor! Please, let me pay for your lunch."
chris107:
Smon: GM: You eat lunch, drink beer and chat with the friendly merchants.
sandor sunneson: Thank you very much, a kind and very generous offer.
chris107: "Thank you."
Smon: GM: After lunch the ferry is ready for you and your fine steeds. The merchants bid you farewell.
chris107: "Any news of the road aheas?"
Smon: Gluck: "All was safe between here and Hara. I hear Black Sun raiders were scared off by a mighty dragon Lord Bronze has harnessed! He must be mighty indeed."
Smon: Kym: "There was much fighting in the west, around Madcat Mountain. The Hara folks fear the Black Sun will come soon in strength."
Smon: Gluck: "Aye. We are bringing fine bronze works of Hara to Ahyf - we'll not go back north til this war is done."
chris107: "How are the roads? The rainy season seems shorter this year?"
Smon: Gluck taps his nose shrewdly. "You might think that. But I hear a great storm pounds Madcat Mountain and the high passes, for weeks now. Some say the priests of Athena have conjured it, drawing rains from the east to do battle with the West!"
Smon: "As long as it lasts, no Black Sun army can come this way."
Smon: Livilla: "I am priestess of Athena-Erathis, friend. It would take great power indeed to raise such!"
chris107: "Thuruar..."
Smon: Livilla nods. "It must be Thuruar the Arch-Priest, and the Temple of the Lady of Wisdom. Only they could do this!"
Smon: Livilla looks to Hakeem. "This is mighty magic. But it can last only so long as there are rains to fall - a few weeks more, at most."
Smon: Laurana: "Hmm. Rey is going to get very, very wet."
Smon: GM: You say goodbye to Gluck & Kym?
chris107: Unless you can think of anything else, Fergus?
sandor sunneson: Stay safe Gluck,
sandor sunneson: nope march on
Smon: "And you milord!"
chris107: "Thanks guys, hopefully the rods to the North should be clear soon."
chris107: roads
Smon: Leaving Cahli, you are ferried across the river, then remount and ride on, into ancient Nerathi lands.
Smon: 15 miles north you pass by a small farming village around 4pm, entering more settled territories.
Smon: /roll d6
Smon rolls 1d6 and gets: 2,
Smon: You ride through fields, past fortified farms along the west bank of the River Fairhills.
Smon: These are rich lands, but they have suffered the depradations of the notorious pirate queen Sarene; here and there are burnt-out noble manors, though the humbler farms seem untouched.
Smon: 7pm. You smell - and hear - Hara/Mara before you see the evening fires of the great bronze-working town, copper and tin mines in the rolling countryside to the west.
Smon: With Carchimish and Ahyf, Hara is one of the few towns in these parts worthy of the name, with stout walls dating from the Empire of Nerath - it's said by some that even the Gnoll Horde of White Ruin failed to storm them.
chris107: "Ursa would have liked to see these walls."
Smon: Other darker rumours have it that somehow the people of Hara reached accommodation with the Ruin Horde, and were thus spared as they turned south towards Ghinaria, to be turned back at last near Clear Meadows by a great hero, St Irrig, wielding Kalthalax the Demonblade.
chris107: Kalthalax
Smon: Whatever the truth of it, today Hara remains a thriving and prosperous Nerathi town.
Smon: The mighty gates are shut for the night as you approach. Guards toting crossbows rim the walls.
Smon: "Gate is closed, friends! There's an Inn a mile back up the road."
Smon: The serjeant calls down.
chris107: "We are here to see Lord Bronze."
Smon: Apparently Hakeem's cloak disguise is successful, for once.
chris107: "Take us to him."
Smon: "And who might you be, to make demands of the Hara guard?"
chris107: He casts off the cloak.
sandor sunneson: do they recognise him?
chris107: "I am the Slayer."
Smon: "The Slayer!"
Smon: Make a CHA +Prof check & don't roll a 1.
chris107 rolls 1d20+8 and gets: 3, (+8) = 11
chris107: cripes
Smon: Good enough (just!)
chris107: close
sandor sunneson: I think that's what's his face ???
sandor sunneson:
Smon: "O-Open the gate!"
chris107:
Smon: After a short delay the great gates swing open. 6 guards meet you and escort you through the close-built streets, so unlike the little villages of Ghinaria.
Smon: Ancient Nerathi tenements loom three, even four stories high!
Smon: To Sandor it is but a small town, smaller than Soderfjord, of vaguely Thyatian style - stone, lots of columns and colonnades.
Smon: To Hakeem it is the greatest centre of civilisation he has ever seen.
sandor sunneson: ok
chris107: Hakeem is impressed by the grandeur of the town.
Smon: Unlike Ahyf the streets are cobbled, with central channel for waste/rain and regular sewer grates.
Smon: Though old, the Nerathi buildings seem well maintained, a faint testament to the glory of their fallen empire.
Smon: Where Nerra is a ruin, a place of choking vines and old death, this is living Nerath.
Smon: Eventually you come out into a large central square, dominated by a huge new-built shed.
chris107: Hakeem decides that there is much that he still has to see.
Smon: Two faint wisps of smoke rise from within the vast open doorway.
Smon: Guard: "Lord Bronze and Lady Anna are consulting with the Great One."
sandor sunneson: Ah, this looks familar
Smon: The guards take you to the entrance, where you see the vast bulk of Dyson Logos, lounging upon what appears to be the treasure from his lair beneath the Delve.
Smon: He is conversing with the fair Lady Anna and her brother Lord Namelin, Lord of Hara.
Smon: Namelin rises from his seat. "Ah! There you are, friends! Welcome!"
Smon: Anna smiles.
Smon: Dyson Logos' vast head turns to regard you. "Hello there, Sandor. You other fellow too."
chris107: Hakeem smiles and greets them warmly.
chris107: He looks at the magnificent beast. "Glad your on our side."
Smon: Namelin comes forward and shakes Hakeem's hand with the arm-grip power shake.
sandor sunneson: Hello Dyson, good to see you again
Smon: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10uzOXfBZqHhcWuKYtPckRErckrUbN7RfHJEAht_oeVuGav9CaT6hh575rbV_NJraeNBkByt4gwLSNq3yNxKDkBKwvmvANO4ex4-0ROCqgwNMupDMDxVrLnCNzFqge0FDpUhZQ88FEJ0/s400/Namelin.jpg
Smon: Dyson: "We were just having an interesting chat! Things have certainly changed since my day, I can tell you!"
Smon: The Heart of Elemental Chaos at his breast shines brightly.
Smon: Priestess Livilla bows low before the legendary dragon-mage of Nerath.
Smon: Laurana: "I am Princess Laurana of the Amazons."
Smon: Namelin nods: "Welcome, amazon. Your queen we rescued is well, I trust?"
chris107: "And I am Hakeem of the Middnight Goddess Hills."
Smon: Laurana: "She says she'll die soon..."
Smon: Namelin smiles: "Lord Dyson, this is our great Lord Hakeem. You saw him briefly at Thusia?"
Smon: Dyson: "I see - humans all look rather alike these days... splendid. Splendid."
chris107: Hakeem grins, enjoying the company of such a magnificent creature.
Smon: Namelin ignores Laurana's wisecrack about Artemisia.
chris107: (and hoping his sword is not feeling thirsty for Dragon's Blood)
sandor sunneson: So what have you missed whilst you've been held up in your cave Dyson? Big changes then...
Smon: Namelin: "Your friend Lord Rey passed through, two days back..." He eyes his half sister Anna, who blushes slightly.
chris107: Rey has been busy!
Smon: Dyson nods to Sandor. "No more Nerath! And we'd only just got started!"
Smon: Rey had to make one or two last hurrahs just in case...
chris107: (OOC can't be too late tonight, up at 4  )
Smon: Dyson: "Apparently it's been 247 years since Nerath fell, 700 since my time! Can you believe it?!"
Smon: can stop in 5 mins?
sandor sunneson: ok
chris107: Hakeem rarely thinks in time periods longer than a minute or two. Hundreds of years are hard to comprehend.
Smon: Tuesday ok for next game?
sandor sunneson: yes, I'll be in Skye so as long as there is wifi
chris107: We're going away for a week from Sunday. Well 6 days, back Saturday)
Smon: Anna: "We were explaining how the Black Sun have corrupted the Legacy of Nerath."
Smon: OK I guess no game next week. I'll be at a party Saturday, hopefully.
sandor sunneson: You able to wifi it Chris or would you rather wait?
chris107: "Aye, they spread only death and darkness."
chris107: I'm looking forward to switching the phone and the internet off. May check in a couple of times.
Smon: Dyson: "Apparently the Snake God Zehir-Set has convinced these fellows he represents Inner Wisdom and the Endless Cycle of Return. And zombies."