Skyfire - Revision history

Johnm: /* Conclusion */

2021-02-22T19:24:20Z

Conclusion

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 22 February 2021
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	One wishes to enrich himself beyond all reason and spend the next century		One wishes to enrich himself beyond all reason and spend the next century
	dallying with his various perversions. With the medallion, he will succeed.		dallying with his various perversions. With the medallion, he will succeed.

	Another colleague truly wishes a war with the north. Some old personal debt.		Another colleague truly wishes a war with the north. Some old personal debt.
	He wields considerable influence, and with the medallion, he will succeed.		He wields considerable influence, and with the medallion, he will succeed.

	Years ago, the Minister of Tranquility herself approached me. This was not		Years ago, the Minister of Tranquility herself approached me. This was not
	long after the terrible plague that beset the city of Serenton.		long after the terrible plague that beset the city of Serenton.
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	battle. She asked me to work on preventing that future. It has taken a		battle. She asked me to work on preventing that future. It has taken a
	long time, but now I know what I must do.		long time, but now I know what I must do.

			And now, because you have succeeded, I will succeed.


	In payment, the party requests:		In payment, the party requests:
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	* Jotur -- none thanks, I want to help		* Jotur -- none thanks, I want to help

	~~And now~~, ~~because you have succeeded~~, ~~I will succeed~~.
			<table>
			<tr>
			<td>[[Image:Verkan.jpg\|thumb\|center\|200px\|[[Verkan Hammerchin]], dwarf]] </td>
			<td>[[Image:Jotur.jpg\|thumb\|center\|200px\|[[Jotur]], half-giant]] </td>
			<td>[[Image:Talon.jpg\|thumb\|center\|200px\|[[Talon]], elf]] </td>
			<td>[[Image:DubDub.jpg\|thumb\|center\|200px\|[[Waldo Waggins]], halfling]] </td>
			</tr>
			</table>

Johnm: /* Egg-hunting */

2021-02-22T19:23:26Z

Egg-hunting

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:23, 22 February 2021
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	Corpses are looted and the party staggers down to the treeline to rest.		Corpses are looted and the party staggers down to the treeline to rest.

			=== Conclusion ===

			Once the stars come out, the party operates the door knob and a portal-within-a-portal appears, through which they are suddenly drawn, landing on the smooth surface of Tamurello's cloud. Shortly, he invites them into a colorful tent, where he and Adonia are sampling delicacies.

			The grand sorcerer convinces Talon to give up the demonstaff, and then transports the party in a transparent sphere high above the planet, in a great arc that eventually decelerates and lands in a pond near the [[Gaian Coven]].

			With difficulty, they break out of the weird sphere and wade to shore, where they are greeted by one of the Coven's young members. In no time, [[Glinda]] is expressing gratitude and revelries begin.

			Talon, the loner, wanders off into the dark forest, and spots the horned witch [[Zlara]] of the [[Iron Circle]], this time with two warriors. The warriors break away towards the Coven, while Zlara and her faceless demonkin observe.

			Talon steps upon a rise and lobs an arrow back into camp, startling-but-informing Verkan of a nearby threat.

			In no time, Jotur and Verkan dispatch the warriors, Dubs and Talon swat down the demonkin, and Talon buries a war arrow in the witch's skull. She stumbles forward, touches her hand, and disappears.

			The combat of course terrifies the coven, with women and girls scattering everywhere.

			Once calm returns, Glinda invites the party to make haste away from the area, thank you very much.

			Returning to Callista in Argyle, the party learns the back story:

			My colleagues on the mages council of Argyle have diverse goals.
			One wishes to enrich himself beyond all reason and spend the next century
			dallying with his various perversions. With the medallion, he will succeed.

			Another colleague truly wishes a war with the north. Some old personal debt.
			He wields considerable influence, and with the medallion, he will succeed.

			Years ago, the Minister of Tranquility herself approached me. This was not
			long after the terrible plague that beset the city of Serenton.
			Catherine told me that malign forces were seeking to use such plagues
			as a weapon of war. Something to annihilate whole populations without a
			battle. She asked me to work on preventing that future. It has taken a
			long time, but now I know what I must do.

			In payment, the party requests:
			* Verkan -- a long week of debauchery
			* Dubs -- a CASINO in Argyle
			* Talon -- ?
			* Jotur -- none thanks, I want to help

			And now, because you have succeeded, I will succeed.

Johnm: /* Fugitives */

2021-02-11T16:25:32Z

Fugitives

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:25, 11 February 2021
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	Upon landing, the spirits begin howling, in grating, horrific, otherworldly voices, ''"VEEERRRRRKKAAAAAAAAAN!"''		Upon landing, the spirits begin howling, in grating, horrific, otherworldly voices, ''"VEEERRRRRKKAAAAAAAAAN!"''

			=== Egg-hunting ===

			Some experimentation reveals that the ghostly creeps are quickly dispatched by physical contact, and that their glowing soul energy plunges through Verkan's chest, causing mere vertigo for a moment before swooping up into the sky.

			Except that one of the spirits dislodges Verkan's soul, and takes up residence in his body. There, it begins exploring the novelty of the hairy dwarf body, disrobing completely to do so.

			Meanwhile, the emaciated giant continues to thrash about in the rubble outside in the morning sun.

			Talon and Dubs have the novel idea of dragging Verkan through the invisible barrier, and sure enough, that causes the spirit enough discomfort to vacate, allowing Verkan's soul to return.

			The party descends the staircase, candles in hand. The stairs spiral hundreds of feet, eventually becoming a corkscrew ramp of a ribbon of stone, hanging in space above a vast black abyss, the contours of which are unknown.

			The twisting ribbon of stone terminates as a jagged break, and here Dub Dub is nominated to go below and sniff around. The spider-silk rope is unfurled, and Dub's candle grows dimmer and dimmer as he descends more than 300' before reaching a landing.

			Talon joins him, and the two walk across room-sized plates of irregularly shaped, rough dark metal. Eventually, they reach a cache of huge stone eggs, and tie the rope around it carefully.

			Concerned about excessive weight, Talon stays behind as Dub gives the signal to ascend with the egg.

			Unfortunately, the knot unravels 100' up, and the stone egg plummets to land heavily a few yards from Talon. The interlocking metal plates undulate in unison, and a hollow howl of wind is heard but not felt.

			With haste, knots are retied and elf, hobbit, and egg are on the ascent again, with Jotur and Verkan, now approaching exhaustion, walking the rope up the spiral of rock.

			The party climbs out of the dungeon, avoids the rebuilding giant, and clambers up out of the great dusty bowl to the pass upon which they landed hours earlier. There, they rest. For 10 minutes.

			Three figures appear on a rocky hill nearby. A witchy-woman with wings, a handsome nobleman, and a grimacing half-ogre and a huge warhammer. The woman demands the [[Medallion of Wondrous Excellence]] from [[Jotur]], who declines. Combat, of course, ensues.

			The roaring ogre is dispatched by Talon's (critical hit) explosive fireball. After sustaining a grievous sword wound from 30', Jotur smashes the gentleman. But the woman twists an iron ring on her finger and disappears, wounded by Jotur's hail of stones.

			Corpses are looted and the party staggers down to the treeline to rest.

Jesster: /* Fugitives */

2021-02-10T01:22:10Z

Fugitives

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:22, 9 February 2021
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	Shortly, Dubs launches a poisoned dart at the towering giant. It bounces off the leathery hide and attracts the attention of the creature. It lumbers towards the little hobbit, hiding in a crevasse.		Shortly, Dubs launches a poisoned dart at the towering giant. It bounces off the leathery hide and attracts the attention of the creature. It lumbers towards the little hobbit, hiding in a crevasse.

	Verkan rushes up and shouts at the behemoth, redirecting its watch-dog rage. Verkan then takes flight, but is not fast enough to avoid a glancing blow from the giant's limestone club. The dwarf's right arm is shattered, nearly detached, as he lunges for cover at the base of a big rock.		Verkan rushes up and shouts at the behemoth, and fired a crossbow bolt through it's head poking through the face and exploding saucer-sized bone fragments out the back, redirecting its watch-dog rage. Verkan then takes flight, but is not fast enough to avoid a glancing blow from the giant's limestone club. The dwarf's right arm is shattered, nearly detached, as he lunges for cover at the base of a big rock.

	At this, Jotur decides to tolerate the anti-magic chills in his gut, and sprints down the hill after urging Talon to get on his feet and help.		At this, Jotur decides to tolerate the anti-magic chills in his gut, and sprints down the hill after urging Talon to get on his feet and help. Jotur ran past the dwarf and hobbit to lead the giant on a zig-zagging path into the ruins, where he quickly popped out an enormous iron manhole cover to slip below ground.

	Sensing opportunity, the hobbit ~~dashes~~ towards the ruined keep~~, again distracting the beast away from its quarry~~. Talon and Willow begin running into the fray as well.		Sensing opportunity, the hobbit and crippled dwarf dash towards the ruined keep. Talon and Willow begin running into the fray as well.


	Jotur engages the leathery giant ~~next, and, amidst the ruins, discovers an enormous iron manhole cover, wrenches~~ it ~~open, and drops within to avoid being demolished. The beast~~ reaches inside, and Jotur knocks his brittle thumb off with a crowbar.		Jotur engages the leathery giant's groping hand as it reaches inside, and Jotur knocks his brittle thumb off with a crowbar.

	Talon finally shows up and sprints directly at the behemoth, ascending a section of wall and leaping through the air to deliver a deep slice in beast's leg. He then begins running between the creature's legs, causing it to twist and turn, all the while slicing at the leg with his razor shar sword. A third blow is sufficient, and the tall giant keels over into the ruins, thrashing in frustration.		Talon finally shows up and sprints directly at the behemoth, ascending a section of wall and leaping through the air to deliver a deep slice in beast's leg. He then begins running between the creature's legs, causing it to twist and turn, all the while slicing at the leg with his razor shar sword. A third blow is sufficient, and the tall giant keels over into the ruins, thrashing in frustration.

Johnm: /* Fugitives */

2021-02-03T22:53:01Z

Fugitives

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 3 February 2021
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	At this, Jotur decides to tolerate the anti-magic chills in his gut, and sprints down the hill after urging Talon to get on his feet and help.		At this, Jotur decides to tolerate the anti-magic chills in his gut, and sprints down the hill after urging Talon to get on his feet and help.

	Sensing opportunity, the hobbit dashes towards the ruined keep, again distracting the ~~sing~~		Sensing opportunity, the hobbit dashes towards the ruined keep, again distracting the beast away from its quarry. Talon and Willow begin running into the fray as well.


			Jotur engages the leathery giant next, and, amidst the ruins, discovers an enormous iron manhole cover, wrenches it open, and drops within to avoid being demolished. The beast reaches inside, and Jotur knocks his brittle thumb off with a crowbar.

			Talon finally shows up and sprints directly at the behemoth, ascending a section of wall and leaping through the air to deliver a deep slice in beast's leg. He then begins running between the creature's legs, causing it to twist and turn, all the while slicing at the leg with his razor shar sword. A third blow is sufficient, and the tall giant keels over into the ruins, thrashing in frustration.

			Talon then collects Willow and the group convenes at the round portal to the underground.

			Therein, Jotur has summoned a vaporous air elemental, and is instructing it to collect the glowing ghost-spirits that are approaching and hurl them out of the chamber. Unfortunately, the elemental encounters an invisible wall of some kind, and cannot proceed. The spirits, too, reach the same wall from the other side, evidently prevented from proceeding.

			Verkan drops in to assess the situation, his right arm dangling uselessly, 6" longer than the left.

			Upon landing, the spirits begin howling, in grating, horrific, otherworldly voices, ''"VEEERRRRRKKAAAAAAAAAN!"''

Johnm: /* Fugitives */

2021-02-03T22:33:32Z

Fugitives

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 3 February 2021
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	Atop the strange cloud, Tamurello is displeased at the condition of the severed head Verkan tosses to him, but after a brief spell and a touch to its forehead, appears satisfied, and announces that the party has succeeded in holding up their side of the bargain.		Atop the strange cloud, Tamurello is displeased at the condition of the severed head Verkan tosses to him, but after a brief spell and a touch to its forehead, appears satisfied, and announces that the party has succeeded in holding up their side of the bargain.

	Now, if they want to go home, the party must agree to another provide another service to the mysterious mage -- the collection of an egg from the "pet" of the sorcerer [[Grexon]] the Annihilator. Once nodding their assent, the party is suddenly aloft, and ''flying'' to the north at a breakneck pace.		Now, if they want to go home, the party must agree to another provide another service to the mysterious mage -- the collection of an egg from the "pet" of the sorcerer [[Grexon]] the Annihilator. Once nodding their assent, the party is suddenly aloft, and ''flying'' to the north at a breakneck pace. [[Adonia]] stays behind with the mage.

			They fly through the dark night for many hours, roughly following the river and road below, and finally approach a dramatic mountain range in the gray light of early dawn. After an awkward landing, the party stares out at a great dusty bowl, miles across, littered with debris from a keep evidently demolished at the center of the wasteland. A very tall, emaciated giant patrols around the ruins.

			Straightaway, the party urges Dub Dub to scamper down and evaluate two small mounds, one of which has a pole sticking up out of it. It turns out to be the long-dead remains of a hobbit and donkey mount. Dub Dub scavenges the saddlebags and leaves the desiccated hobbit corpse undisturbed.

			Jotur soon discovers that merely stepping foot on the downslope of the great dusty bowl causes a chill in his heart, and backs off. Verkan and Dub Dub suffer no ill effects and proceed, while Jotur meditates on the problem, Talon retches, and Willow shivers.

			Shortly, Dubs launches a poisoned dart at the towering giant. It bounces off the leathery hide and attracts the attention of the creature. It lumbers towards the little hobbit, hiding in a crevasse.

			Verkan rushes up and shouts at the behemoth, redirecting its watch-dog rage. Verkan then takes flight, but is not fast enough to avoid a glancing blow from the giant's limestone club. The dwarf's right arm is shattered, nearly detached, as he lunges for cover at the base of a big rock.

			At this, Jotur decides to tolerate the anti-magic chills in his gut, and sprints down the hill after urging Talon to get on his feet and help.

			Sensing opportunity, the hobbit dashes towards the ruined keep, again distracting the sing

Johnm: /* Assassins */

2021-02-03T22:20:59Z

Assassins

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:20, 3 February 2021
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	Talon intones a brief spell, causing a bubble of air to fill the drain, making the exit to the outside visible for a moment. Jotur takes the opportunity to push the canoes through, where upon they slide and tumble down a sewage-slick slope into the broad, lazy river. Minutes later, canoes swamped, drenched, battered and bruised, the group gathers among some high grasses on the riverbank a few hundred yards downstream.		Talon intones a brief spell, causing a bubble of air to fill the drain, making the exit to the outside visible for a moment. Jotur takes the opportunity to push the canoes through, where upon they slide and tumble down a sewage-slick slope into the broad, lazy river. Minutes later, canoes swamped, drenched, battered and bruised, the group gathers among some high grasses on the riverbank a few hundred yards downstream.

			=== Fugitives ===

			After a too-brief rest, the tiny sisters state that their plan is to march overland until they see a familiar hillock known to be the dwelling of a "Wolfrider" - a solitary hobbit ranger who patrols the far perimeters of the shire. The party accompanies, and Wolfrider [[Kella MinnowSwimmer]] proves an an ample host for the evening. Verkan gets surprisingly wasted on a brown-bottled hobbit concoction as the ladies roll their eyes at him.

			Before dawn the party arises and treks north across the volcanic mesa, leaving their hobbit friends behind. By midday, they cut east and drop down the slope to the treed bank of the great river. Options are considered, and then Jotur drags a dry log out of the brush and the party attempts to float across. Dub Dub nearly stays dry, dancing on the rolling log, while ladies fall off repeatedly and Jotur, with a sewer-sickened Talon over his shoulder, saves Verkan from drowning more than once.

			Eventually Jotur pulls everyone up on the east bank, and, after a brief rest, the party slinks across the road and into the late-summer cropland en route to [[Tamurello]]'s cloud castle.

			Atop the strange cloud, Tamurello is displeased at the condition of the severed head Verkan tosses to him, but after a brief spell and a touch to its forehead, appears satisfied, and announces that the party has succeeded in holding up their side of the bargain.

			Now, if they want to go home, the party must agree to another provide another service to the mysterious mage -- the collection of an egg from the "pet" of the sorcerer [[Grexon]] the Annihilator. Once nodding their assent, the party is suddenly aloft, and ''flying'' to the north at a breakneck pace.

Johnm: /* Assassins */

2021-02-03T01:11:23Z

Assassins

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:11, 2 February 2021
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	In a few seconds, the structure collapses on the street, causing minor injuries to everyone involved. Two halberdsmen arise and are quickly dispatched by Verkan and Talon.		In a few seconds, the structure collapses on the street, causing minor injuries to everyone involved. Two halberdsmen arise and are quickly dispatched by Verkan and Talon.

	With a dancing flourish, [[Talon]] then leaps over to Jaenor and beheads the prone, poisoned minister in a single stroke.		With a dancing flourish, [[Talon]] then leaps over to Jaenor and beheads the prone, poisoned minister in a single stroke. Meanwhile, Jotur intones a spell and fog descends on the street.

	The gates of the Security Ministry open, and a column of a hundred halberdsmen march forth. The party slips back into the sewers and begins paddling away, guided by the agitated chatter of Tabitha and Fiona.		The gates of the Security Ministry open, and a column of a hundred halberdsmen march forth. The party slips back into the sewers and begins paddling away, guided by the agitated chatter of Tabitha and Fiona.

Johnm: /* Assassins */

2021-01-22T17:52:08Z

Assassins

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 22 January 2021
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	[[Image:Trog.jpg\|thumb\|right\|200px]]		[[Image:Trog.jpg\|thumb\|right\|200px]]
	[[Image:Jaenor.jpg\|thumb\|right\|200px]]		[[Image:Jaenor.jpg\|thumb\|right\|200px]]


	[[Tabitha Brandybuck\|Tabitha]] and [[Fiona Brandybuck\|Fiona]] convey the party through a hidden trap door at the back of the brothel, down into the sewers, where hobbit-scale canoes await. [[Jotur]] is much too heavy and opts to wade through the filth.		[[Tabitha Brandybuck\|Tabitha]] and [[Fiona Brandybuck\|Fiona]] convey the party through a hidden trap door at the back of the brothel, down into the sewers, where hobbit-scale canoes await. [[Jotur]] is much too heavy and opts to wade through the filth.

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	Dub Dub is stealthfully deployed to check out the scene. He silently ascends the scaffolding to a concealed alcove only a hobbit could fit within. There, he observes a dramatic night scene.		Dub Dub is stealthfully deployed to check out the scene. He silently ascends the scaffolding to a concealed alcove only a hobbit could fit within. There, he observes a dramatic night scene.

	[[Jaenor Valeris]], his voice magically amplified is bellowing a speech that provokes periodic cheers, chants, and moans from a crowd of tens of thousands of citizens who surround an enormous iron "bird cage", hundreds of yards across. Within the cage, three '''griffons''' pace about, the scraps of a dozen humans scattered ~~about~~.		[[Jaenor Valeris]], his voice magically amplified, is bellowing a speech that provokes periodic cheers, chants, and moans from a crowd of tens of thousands of citizens who surround an enormous iron "bird cage", hundreds of yards across. Within the cage, three '''griffons''' pace about, the scraps of a dozen humans scattered around.

	Jaenor is flanked by four hulking halberdsmen, and thick-limbed jailers are hurling emaciated prisoners off the platform ~~the~~ the hungry griffons. The raised platform is connected to a third-floor balcony of an enormous granite building across the broad boulevard.		Jaenor is flanked by four hulking halberdsmen, and thick-limbed jailers are hurling emaciated prisoners off the platform to the hungry griffons. The raised platform is connected to a third-floor balcony of an enormous granite building across the broad boulevard.

	Dubs scampers back to the party in the sewers to report.		Dubs scampers back to the party in the sewers to report.

Johnm: /* Assassins */

2021-01-22T17:50:32Z

Assassins

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:50, 22 January 2021
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	The hobbit lasses quarrel endlessly about navigating the maze of tunnels and chambers while unseen eels slip past the giant's legs and hundreds of tiny bats cling to every inch of Verkan's body.		The hobbit lasses quarrel endlessly about navigating the maze of tunnels and chambers while unseen eels slip past the giant's legs and hundreds of tiny bats cling to every inch of Verkan's body.

	After a time, the flotilla reaches a landing lit by blue fungi, on which six monstrosities dine on giant eels. Verkan and Dub Dub take aim as the hobbit girls backpaddle in evident alarm. Two crossbow bolts pierce the largest of the beasts, and t falls over, hissing and squirming. The other five slip soundlessly into the murky waters.		After a time, the flotilla reaches a landing lit by blue fungi, on which six monstrosities dine on giant eels. Verkan and Dub Dub take aim as the hobbit girls backpaddle in evident alarm. Two crossbow bolts pierce the largest of the beasts, and it falls over, hissing and squirming. The other five slip soundlessly into the murky waters.

	Jotur grabs two canoes and pushes them up out of the water onto the landing, and then returns to collect Tabitha and Fiona. He is almost too late, but bashes a creature to smithereens before it's able to pull Tabitha overboard. The remaining creatures set upon the corpse and a frothy feeding frenzy commences.		Jotur grabs two canoes and pushes them up out of the water onto the landing, and then returns to collect Tabitha and Fiona. He is almost too late, but bashes a creature to smithereens before it's able to pull Tabitha overboard. The remaining creatures set upon the corpse and a frothy feeding frenzy commences.