Game-Summaries:9/23/2017 Recollections

Recollections by Jorg

I finally managed to get more bolts forged for Dakasuta's Crossbow! 5 ballista bolts may not seem like much, but these punchers can do worlds of damage! Needless to say, I've been itching to give 'em a go. At my first chance, I jumped into conversation with other initiates. Honestly, how many initiates are in my class? Even with a large class size, the clerks have no right to treat us like dirt, or look forward to our deaths as Melvin did.

Leading us down to the Defensible Perimeter training, I acquainted myself with my fellow initiates. Ford is a human skulker that is all about meeting objectives. I can respect a man that prioritizes the moment so totally. The elf, Pearl, was a thoughtful and decisive elf who's nature affinity we came to rely upon. Tallulah was excited to put some of her newly mastered nature craft to use in a tactical scenario. Jeroy, on the other hand, is a dwarf I would love to partner on the battlefield with and help him drink a tavern out of inventory.

As the scenario formed around us, we were to "Defend the Keep" from an unknown invading force. With an hour to prepare, Tallulah scouted the attackers, Ford and Pearl oiled openings in the keep walls to slow attackers, and I set up several standing ballistas strategically. With Jeroy mending the main gate, we barred other entrances to funnel attackers into ballista range. This also funneled intruders into Jeroy and myself. Tallullah reported back some troubling news.

Approximately 20 greyish elves and dwarves circling toward our position. Behind the shuffling mass was a black-skinned, brawny elf-ish character. The description matches the two brutes below Shander's Inn enough to connect them by race, whatever race that maybe. This hulk was riding a giant lizard beast via chains sunk into its flesh. Whatever this race of invaders is, they are a cruel bunch to treat their mounts and companions as such.

With 10 minutes to spare, we take position and ready for their attack. As the invaders crest the hill, they begin to charge. We let lose the ballistas. Most of the ballistas. My personal ballista had a snapped string. That is the LAST time I let a dwarf handle something so fine! Tallulah's keen eye and fierce bow find the brawny commander long before our ballistas are even in range. As the ballistas begin to volley, we see the charging grey-skinned attackers puff into dust (spores, we learn later) upon death. Their lines meet Jeroy and I.

Battle ensues. I needen't describe each exchange, for a fight is a fight. If you haven't been in a skirmish like this, I highly suggest it. You will learn and reveal much of yourself and, more importantly, learn with whom your companions truly are. I learned that Ford is a man that will ignore personal glory for the sake of the mission at hand. Tallulah will remain calm while chaos swirls adjacent to her in order to ensure the critical shot. And believe me, she'll take that shot every time. Jeroy will fight to the death: his enemies' or his own. I don't know many dwarves, but if he is any representative, it's no wonder they're so respected. Finally, Pearl's calm calculation changes to fervent compassion when her allies are truly threatened. I owe her my life.

Once the lizard shadow beast was put down, Pearl learned the rest of the possessed attackers had fled once the leader was killed; some kind of influence? Pearl surmised it most likely had to do with the mind-altering fungus that we narrowly avoided inhaling during melee combat. The commander wore a cape with the Black Ice Gang's logo. We deduced it is Lolth's emblem, after recalling the exploits of the White Fire Gang.

Making our survival known, much to Melvin's disappointment, we report to Kord, the Paragon Naturae (Captain General). If only the clerks were half as understanding and kind as the upper Magistery, I would not despise them so. The Paragon was surprised and impressed at our tactical preparations, execution, and ability to survive. No safety discs needed. He did not disclose how that hulking commander was so accurately represented, nor how those fungus beings came to be. I have never heard of those things on the surface, but the Magistery seemly has records of them. There is much we need to learn if we are to do anything of worth. It is time to learn more of the histories that Magistery keeps dear.

Recollections by Tallulah

I found myself with some spare time today and, eager to try out my new spells, I sought other initiates to attempt a training dungeon. In addition to Ford whom I remember from my first quest, I was joined by Jorg, Jeroy and Pearl. Jorg was quite opinionated about the clerks, and while they can be curt for sure, we certainly haven’t proven ourselves to anyone just yet so I can’t say that I blame them. This was Jeroy and Pearl’s first quest, Jeroy seemed eager to get his hands dirty while Pearl was humble stating she knew nothing but “…knows something”. I have NO idea what that means but before anyone could ask a follow up question, the conversation shifted to the upcoming mission.

We decided to work on our strategic skills and chose the Defensible Perimeter dungeon. We were led deep under the Magistery by Melvin—one of those curt clerks Jorg is so unfond of—to a large seemingly empty room with the exception of a glowing orb right in the center of it. We were told we would have one hour to prepare before the castle would be invaded and our only goal was to defend it. Left alone in the cold, dark room Jorg told us in the previous dungeons he had done each person had to place a hand on the orb for the simulation to start.

I took a deep breath, placed my hand on the orb and, slowly, all around us the castle materialized. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Once my eyes adjusted to the light and my heart slowed down a bit I was able to take in my new surroundings. The building had very clearly seen better days. Several walls were collapsed, the front doors were broken off their hinges and one entry-way was entirely open and exposed. Upon exploring the remains we found 4 ballistas desperately in need of repair, some old oil, expired food and some healing supplies.

Since we knew we only had an hour to prepare, prioritizing and budgeting our time was imperative. Our strategy was to limit enemy access to as few entrance points as possible. Since the open doorway was going to be the most difficult to block, we decided it was in our best interest to make all other entries more challenging to breach and set up the ballistas aiming at the open doorway. It was suggested that someone scout the surrounding area to investigate who might be coming for us. I volunteered for the job. The others got to work repairing 3 of the ballistas and the front door, as well as blockading interior doorways with long tables from the dining room, and pouring oil over the piles of rubble that used to be castle walls.

I ventured out exploring the perimeter of the castle since we had no idea which direction our impending enemies may be coming from. After about a half an hour I cast Longstrider knowing it would allow me to get back before our hour was up and I would still be able to use it during combat. I discovered an encampment to the North of the castle which appeared to have been abandoned recently. I spotted tracks and, concerned about time, I followed them immediately. In the distance, I spotted a group of travelers heading East and they looked ready for battle. I crept closer to try to get a better look. The group consisted of 18-20 small figures—they were a combination of dwarves and elves but I have never seen anybody quite like them before. The dwarves had pale gray skin and hair and the elves were particularly striking with jet black skin and bright white hair. They were followed by a tall, mean looking elf who had a large reptilian beast led by chains behind him. He definitely seemed to be in charge so I cast Hunter’s Mark and chose him as my target. Having this information, I returned to my friends at the castle to inform them of my discovery.

We decided on our initial positions and waited for our foes to arrive. I took a murder hole around the corner from the open doorway, Pearl & Ford were each at a loaded ballista and Jorg and Jeroy guarded the doorway. As the band of enemies crested the hill my blood ran cold—here we go. I took aim with my longbow at the big bad dude who had the beast in tow, and fired…he was still pretty far away but my arrow landed in his shoulder and made him even meaner. The enemies moved closer and I fired again at the tall elf, this time striking the other shoulder further pissing him off; he ripped the chains from the beast and started charging. At the end of each chain was an enormous hook which had previously been embedded in the body of the lizard-like creature—which also began to run towards the castle at some speed.

Meanwhile, most of the smaller enemies breached the doorway—I saw a few of them break off and go in either direction around the castle. I really hoped our defenses would keep them at bay. From my position in the murder hole, my view of what was going on inside the castle was limited, but each time one of them was killed a burst of black powder exploded from their body. Given the odd appearance of their skin, hair and overall demeanor, it seemed wise to avoid the substance entirely if possible.

As my companions fought off the mass of attackers, and the leader continued to charge towards us, I could feel my heart pumping in my chest, and felt more fear than I’ve ever experienced before. The only thing to do was fight, so, I took a deep, steadying breath, aimed my longbow once more at my target and loosed an arrow into his side. My momentary feeling of relief and pride was interrupted as he swung both chains and tore an enormous hole in the wall precisely where I had been standing. I narrowly missed getting hit by debris and scrambled in retreat to the unmanned ballista. The huge beast charged into the castle tossing the bodies of the remaining smaller fighters to the side killing them instantly and pinning Jorg against the wall. I turned the ballista toward our foes while Ford and Pearl worked together to load and fire another one. The ballista bolt struck the creature and burrowed itself deep inside its body; Jorg broke free and, as he attacked, a wispy black smoke emanated from under the beast’s skin. We were fighting a drake! The tall elf launched those awful chains at Jeroy and he fell—I wasn’t sure whether or not he was going to be able to get up! Summoning all of my courage I fired the loaded ballista at the elf; the bolt punched a hole clean through his body but still he fought back; Jorg brought him to his knees with his great sword and I felt a moment of relief. With the elf dead, I moved my Hunter’s Mark target to the drake.

That moment of relief was oh so brief as the drake swept his head blowing black shadow breath towards myself, Ford and Pearl. Despite the pain from where it touched us, we fought back; I shot an arrow into the drake’s chest. Ford stabbed at the beast with his rapier and Jorg continued to deliver blows with his great sword as Pearl moved to revive Jeroy with a healing spell. The drake reared up onto Jorg and slashed him with its long, sharp claws. I fired one last arrow which landed deep into the flesh under the beast’s jaw releasing a fountain of black, hot blood all over myself and the floor as the drake fell to the ground finally defeated.

Winded, high on adrenaline and covered in drake blood, I felt incredible powerful and accomplished. Pearl used her nature skills to determine that the smaller elves and dwarves were controlled by a hive-mind fungus that is extremely contagious for anyone who inhales or touches it. It’s a really good thing none of us got infected—I have no idea if there is an antidote or cure. Pearl was able to ascertain that the remaining enemies had fled once the lead elf was killed releasing them from his control. I searched his body to see if there were any clues as to who he was and why he was attacking the castle in the first place. He wore a flag on his back with a large red and black sigil on it that we now know belongs to the Black Ice Gang.

With the training dungeon completed, the bodies of the drake and tall elf dissolved into a pile of coins which we divided evenly amongst ourselves and then returned to ground level to report to Paragon Naturae (Captain General) for debriefing as we were instructed. He seemed surprised that we were able to survive and complete the dungeon as initiates, saying there was some sort of mistake that we were allowed to do it in the first place. He seemed satisfied with our report and so we all went our separate ways. Once the adrenaline left my body I found myself exhausted; I retreated to my quarters to rest but even now I can’t help but wonder what the next adventure will hold!