Session 12: This Used to be a Playground

 

As the party heard a noise behind them, they turned around to see a wolfman, still clad in the tatters of the Captain's clothing. The combat that ensued was vicious but over quickly, with only Clooney sustaining any real injury, though he did not appear to suffer any lasting effects. The mayor was quick with praise, if not a monetary award, and tried to convince the party to stay on as guards. But their duty to rescue Mario the unicorn impelled them onwards. The weather mitigated as they traveled south, spending one night at the Proud Home before arriving in Tervel. The circus dominated that town, well known for the various schools of tricks, acrobatics, and circustry. 

The party decided that a variety of approaches towards scouting out the tents would be the best way to figure out how to move forward. Gnick advocated for letting the animals out and burning it all down, but the group thought this would attract too much attention. Clooney disguised himself as, in the words of Bart, a "dumb looking furry lion creature," and was welcomed to the ring of wagoned cages that included Mario the unicorn. He tried to pick the lock on his cage, but it was more difficult than he expected. Meanwhile the eponymous dwarf walked around carrying a box, trying to look like he belonged. Remi tried to charm the strong man, but was himself dazzled by the charms of his new best friend, the dancer of the seven veils. Gnick and Ash also toured the facility, where Gnick had a short conversation with Mario and promised he would get him out of there. He also saw a dumb looking furry lion creature that asked him to let it out, but Gnick didn't want to cause too much excitement. Guy was headed for the circus, but got distracted by some a shop selling nice afghans.

Session 11: Lycanthropy Misanthropy (Ash)

We barely escaped the slimes, dropping Remy's body off the balcony and dragging it into the street to keep him from being dissolved. After some more sleep and meditation on the mysteries of the flame, I was able to help Gnick and Clooney get most of Remy's blood back on the inside where it belongs. The next morning, by way of apology, the inn offered us an extra rasher of bacon for our trouble.

We decided to stay another day to let Bart finish up some hammering. I had a pretty bad day of fortune telling. There's only so many variations of "You will be crushed by a falling tree." that you can tell these lumberjacks before they get suspicious. Also nobody likes to pay for bad news, or bears for that matter. Clooney did some investigating and found out that a hooded figure had dropped off the wine vats full of blood oozes, and that they bore the sigil of House Amber

For the second night in a row, screaming woke me up. This time it was slightly more feminine and it was coming from a house across the way from the inn. We rushed to render aid, but Captain Rapacion was already there. An young woman said a man with a wolf's eyes was at her door when she went to lock up. It brushed past her and tore her husband to shreds. By the time we got there, the trail was cold and trampled, so there was no way to find the monster and nothing to burn.

We were getting ready to pack up and bid farewell to Leene, when Captain Rapacion stopped us and asked for help. In retrospect, that was odd. We split up to help him and his patrolmen keep watch around the town's borders. I found a dead maiden buried in the snow, maimed like the old man had been. When we met back up with the others, Gnick was wearing the top of a giant owl's head as a hat, so I'm guessing he has a complicated relationship with animals.

Eventually, we picked up a trail that seemed to belong to the killer, striding confidently out of town that we tracked to a local barn. There we saw some clothes were left in the snow and lupine paws made up the trail after this murderous naked weirdo polymorphed himself. We were able to follow the trail (back to town or inside the barn or another barn) and we discovered the mutilated corpses of the two patrolmen who helped rescue us from the slimes the other day. We decided to investigate the captains house, and found an arm in one of his cabinets! Turning around, we saw that the fiendish Captain apparently had a death wish I am quite happy to fulfill in short order (by cooking him (with my power of fire)).

Session 10: Wolves on Leene

 

As the temperatures began to dip lower, the party left Perrin in search of the circus where they believed Mario the unicorn to be held. The first day of their trip was uneventful, and they spent a restful night at the Inn of Bonne Jouissance, enjoying the roast pork for which that locale is justly famous. On the next day, the forest began to thicken around them. As they approached a bridge crossing a small brook, eight wolves emerged from the trees, flanking them as they attacked. The group was able to kill the beasts, but not without serious injury to Remi and Bart. Gnick was able to treat their wounds somewhat, but Remi in particular was still in bad shape as they approached Leene.

Leene is a lovely forest town, full of half-timbered houses and workshops where artisans fashion wooden goods from the timber in the surrounding area. The party went to a local inn, the Sign of the Barrel, where they retired for the night. In the middle of the night, however, the lighter sleepers of the group were awakened by the sound of something oozing through the windows of their rooms. Three blood slimes had infiltrated the hotel! The party made a brave stand, but especially with Remi barely standing, they could only manage a fighting retreat. Fortunately, the city guard showed up, and they were able to eliminate the threat.

Session 9: Los Banditos

 

The group decided that, given the presumed continued servitude of the unicorn Mario, they should follow the circus and liberate him on behalf of his paramour Peach. But first, they wanted to take care of the bandits that were plaguing Perrin, even to the point of robbing Lady Blanche Assez of her favorite necklace. Lord Marcel offered a reward for the return of the necklace and the elimination of bandit threat. The party decided that the best plan would be to bait them with an apparent cargo of wine and brandy; they also poisoned the brandy to weaken the camps defenses. Remy's silver tongue convinced his former employers to donate the wine and brandy to be used in this cause.

And for once, their plan went off without a hitch! When they had tracked the bandits to the camp, they found most of the thieves sleeping. Guy went from tent to tent, slitting throats as the bandits slept. One group who had either resisted the poison or the lure of demon rum was quickly dispatched before the party went to the central tent. There, the captain of the bandits Robbin' 'Ood tried to defend his stash, but he was no match for his enemies. The group repatriated the treasure to the citizens of Perrin, and then prepared to travel to Tervel, where they believed the circus awaited them.

Session 8: Let's Join the Circus!

Oh, what a terrible discovery I have made! Those scheming goblins at the circus have finally gone too far! Ay, those danged goblins... As Bart, my new Dwarf buddy from these parts would say, "donnez confidance ze bons gobelins!" I don't really speak the language so well, but I think he meant never trust those friendly goblins.

I found the telltale hoof pattern unique to my licornes and shortly thereafter came upon my precious, proud Peaches. Good heavens! - the poor thing was surrounded by ferocious bêtes de chat, and appeared to be losing the fight. Bart called them les chats de merde - and now I know that means cats of the moon. By the time we defeated these fiendish beasts, and I made myself over to my poor, pretty Peaches, she was being succored by my new compatriot Remy. Her wounds having been tended to, I gave her additional healing, for she still looked weaker than I was comfortable with. The air was filled with soot from a fireball someone used to hurt the moon cats as I attempted to ready my charge for a return to le cirque. Imagine my surprise, when she told me that she and Mario had escaped! I still didn't get it, but then she showed me the swollen welts on her noble hide, where the ringmaster had whipped her. How horrible!

Well that does it! - I am definitely not okay with the way Cirque de Gobelines Extraordinares blamed me for the mass escape of all of mes animaux - but now I know the truth - that it was in fact mes licornes that were behind the great circus animal escape. I only wish I had caught up with Peaches sooner - for she described all of the terrible treatments of the animals - oh the shame I am feeling for my poor animals who were counting on me. I have heard stories about druids losing their powers for harming their animals - and I must make amends posthaste!

No signs of my faithful Mario, but I trust he is better far far away from here. I trust that he and Peaches will be reunited, and can live a relatively calm life after all their abuse at the hands of the goblins. I am tempted to go back to the circus with Baby Bear - I believe they are about to pitch their tent in Tervel - for I must finish the job of freeing the beasts! If I am ever back at le cirque, then I must also remember to grab my juggling clubs, so that I can resume my practices.

Session 8: Random Things my GM Thought Were Good Ideas

Ever have one of those dreams where you are standing in front of creatures you can't identify and they are attacking a unicorn?? I think I may still be reeling from the affects of fighting the mushroom people? I have no idea, but this is where I found myself with my comrades as I regained conciseness. 

Barth, ever the fellow to throw himself head long in combat ran straight away into what would soon be the fray and started hacking with his axe. Everyone joined suit and within a short time we defeated these creatures and saved the unicorn. Gnick and I spoke with the unicorn and he explained how he came to be in this situation and the plight of his brother unicorn having escaped the circus. We felt bad that he now has to search for his brother but we wouldn't be able to help with this at the moment. We wished him well in finding his brother and went on our way. 

We've decided that we should head back to Perrin. We can return with our heads held high alerting the town to our successfully ending the threat from the druids and leshies. Barth is excited he can work in the blacksmith shop and repair/upgrade his armor. I need to check in with my family and see how things are going back at home. 

On the road we happened upon a traveler bearing a crest of  local group of militants. Under normal circumstances I would expect some hostility for my parentage but this adventurer seemed affable enough and even expressed some interest in our joining his group of comrades. All in all this was an interesting meeting as we've gathered not only does this group have a problem with the king but this individual hales from an area we planned to investigate. The local lord of this Castle Amber may have an association with the druid we just dispatched. 

Further along the road we spied a group of Gnolls. Expecting the worst we prepared ourselves for an ambush. Quite unexpectedly they were only on the search of information. They requested from us if we knew of the whereabouts of a Wemic. Though we had no clue of such a GnollsAsh had some general knowledge of, or an image of this creature being somewhere east of us. The Knolls thanked us for our information and mentioned there would be a reward for the capture of this criminal. We were told to share any information we had at an Inn in Perrin. I must say here that I am quite alarmed that in all my years in Perrin I've never seen nor known that you could pass information to Gnolls? There is something going on at home that I am not aware of and it doesn't feel right. 

Session 8: Riding the Unicorn

I did a search for 'unicorn hunted by cats and the results were delightful

It seems just after I finished fixing my sweet sturdy Babbette and the doughty Jean-Jorge we were off when Gnormal spotted the hoof tracks of his unicorn, such a coincidence! We follow these tracks a short distance then we see in the distance this unicorn horse being attacked by several moon cats (not funny looking dogs, I now know this). Zut Alors! This unicorn horse is the very same that Gnormal is looking for, and her name is Peaches. I am quick to engage, but the unicorn and cats are even faster, I feel somewhat helpless as I see the cats attacking Peaches.

No honor, there are so many of them! As soon as I can I run forward to engage the one cat that decided to face us with Gnormal, and the little fellow is doing his best even as the cat has him in its jaws. These cats are strong, but they are no match for our teamwork and tactics. I hope we can make it to the unicorn before it's too late. I try to trick some of the cats and get them to attack me by showing them my back, but they are not enticed yet.

We cut down the cat, and then move forward. While Remy, Baby Bear, and I engage the cats that move to face us. Clooney and Gnormal run ahead bravely to save Peaches. Clooney even got mauled pretty badly for his bravery, but he will probably just have a cool scar or something as a result. Cloony and Gnormal heal Peaches and Ash shoots a ball of fire in an arc over us that was such a beautiful sight, like the famous dwarfball player Rocky Buckets. Even though the cats never tried my shield they fell all the same, and my axe helped a little.

After that Gnormal spoke with Peaches, these horny horses can speak! Zut Alors! It turns out that Peaches and Mario escaped from Gnormal's circus and they are happier being free, we do not know where Mario is, but if we find him I hope it is a happy reunion for my hon homme!

We bid Peaches adieu, then finally made it to the road to Perrin and then, the traffic today, jeez. First we run into this very clean fancy knight on a horse. At first I was impressed because he has a nice shield, and some bird heraldry heraldry the other recognized, and I am learning that the tall folk are no so useless in a scrap as we tend to think, but he looks like the type that is mostly talk. Like a big fancy mine cart that you never mine with, but instead you just ride around the settlement trying to impress other dwarves with, but never get dirty, eh? Clooney keeps me from sharing my observations, how will this guy improve without feedback?? Probably for the best eh? It turns out he is from Castle Amber, which is where that evil elf sent his slimes, we were very canny, but it did not seem like he knew much. We will have to go there to investigate sooner or later, I can feel it in my beard.

We continue walking and then we see some gnolls waiting on the road. This was a gnoll patrol and they were looking for a Wemic criminal named Lyan el-Ritchie which is a new type of person for me, but I am very open minded. We did not know this man, but the gnolls they tell us if we can capture him then they will pay us 4000 gold!! Zut alors! What I could create with that, it really sets my heart aflame. Ash, he is a seer and he looked into his strange mysteries to provide some guidance to these fellows with his magic powers. Amazing! The gnolls tell us we can contact them through the tavern keeper back in Perrin, I sure will if I hear anything, I want that gold!!

Such a busy day!

Session 7: More bandit trouble

That stupid elf druid was making slimes for other elves (probably) to cause more mayhem, tabernak! After I slew him, we look around and find a neat arrow and his magic spear. I have been noticing Gnick trying to use his spear to poke the enemies and I know he is trying hard to fighter like a little bear so I give him some pointer later eh? He should get that magic spear to use, I think he will be a great warrior someday, and maybe I can figure out how to copy that enchantment to make better weapons for my bon hommes and Remy so they are better at fighting to eh.

So we head back to Copse de Letin to visit the other gnomes before going back to Perrin figure out what is next. The gnomes are hospitable as usual, but they know nothing of the other evil elves and I think maybe Gnick doesn't really convey his thoughts on this, but I am not one for talking so I mind my business.

The next morning we set off for Perin and we are enjoying a nice walk around some boulders and trees when this man says there is a toll on the road. But we did not pay it before, and he has a shifty look to me, so I think he is probably a ruffian I can scare off if I show him what a real axe looks like. But then, this smart human pulls out a little baby axe and thinks that will scare me! HA! He calls his friends who were hiding on the boulder, and they all have little axes in their belts like they are dwarven children, HAHA. I am sure he thinks that scares me, and I admit they were quick to try and take advantage, but those humans could barely hit the broadside of a cave troll with their little slings.

We know we are in for a rowdy fete, and I look at my bon hommes and wink because I know they are giving me the signal to do my thing and they will be right behind me. They move into the bushes which is a weird way to charge, but I see them throwing magic so that is useful I bet. Then my homme Ash gives my axe some magic and Attache ta Tuque I showed those bandits was a big boy axe does. I run up and chop the mouthy one and his friends they try to shoot me, but it mostly bounces off my armor, HAHAHA. One of my hommes, I think Cloony burns off the first guys face, then Ash runs up and becomes a ladder! So useful, what a good friend! I jump on his hands then run up the wall to get near the rest of the bandits who haven't run away for some reason. They think they have me flanked, but really they have front row seats to hear my axe sing a sweet song. One of them I get right in the face, then Clooney kills him too, such timing! Another tries to attack me from behind, but he finds out about Babette and she blocks his attack then pushes him off of the boulder so my hommies can mess him up. Babette, she needs to take a break so I put her on the ground and bring out her brother, Jean-Jorge. These guys, they are still attacking me with their little axes, and sometimes it hurts, but my homies got my back and I will use some of these baby axes for throwing later I think.

So we saved the money on the toll, and I like to think their ghosts learned a lesson about axe measuring contests.

Regional Map

 Below is a rough map of the area around Perrin. There are mountains and the Dwarven city of Agron to the north, and Wemic country across the river to the west. The road past the Inn of Bonne Jouissane leads to Leene, and eventually to Rion.

Session 6: The Emerald Circle

As the four leshys move to attack, Clooney tries to convince them that they come in peace, but the leshys notice pollen on the party's weapons and are not receptive. Bart manages to deafen two of the leshys, but a leshy is able to deafen Remi in turn. After Remi burn one of the live bushes to death, it explodes in a hail of pollen, healing one of their comrades and causing small flora to swiftly grow in the area surrounding them. Remi uses the length of his staff to occupy two at once, and after Clooney intimidates one Bart kills it while Guy finishes off the last one. The group then heads back to the main corridor to finish exploring the complex. 

Down the first side branch, the party finds what looks like a study, with a desk and a small library. On the desk is a letter to "Emile," asking him if he's happy with the delivery. Remi recalls that there is a noble by the name of Emile D'Amberville in the area. Next to the study is a lab; the group lacks the skills to figure out what was being done there, but they enjoy the mushroom soup. Down another side corridor, they find a purple fungus. This time they kill it from a distance.

Finally in the back they find the druid. He starts monologuing about the Emerald Circle, how they want to curb the growth of civilization by unleashing a plague that will bring the Great God Pan to the world. Clooney convinces the druid mid-monologue that he wants to join the Emerald Circle, but this comes to naught when Bart charges in, dodging a web mid-charge and losing his shield to an acid arrow along the way. Guy marks him for death and Bart grapples the druid, taking another acid arrow (this time to the face.) Remi uses an arc of pure electricity to sideline the druid's leshy companions. As a last gasp, the druid unleashes a jet of water, but this misses badly, and Bart takes advantage of the opportunity to axe the druid in the back.

Session 5: It's Not Easy Being Green

 

Following their successful freeing of the gnome villagers from the violet fungus, the troupe takes a well-earned break in Copse de Letin. There Bart stocks up on potions, while Guy vising Gnomerelda to see her quilting patterns. After getting a good night's rest, they headed to the druids lair. They found it to be a cave above a pond fed by a local creek, both lying in a small depression. Bart found footprints of the druid and some leshys heading below, confirming their suspicions and showing them the path to the cave. Once down by the pond, they were attacked by two guard frogs, giant beasts with long tongues. Bart was able to deflect the tongue, but it grabbed Clooney. Fortunately his mastery of fire magic paid off when he used it to scald the amphibian's tongue, causing it to let go. After the frogs hop up, their attacks bounce off of Bart's well-armored frame while Bart repays their advances with several solid hits. Their attacks against Clooney are more successful, but Guy is able to roll over the frog and stab it from behind to end its life. Meanwhile, Remi mauls the other frog with his staff, ending the threat.

Entering the cave, the party is confronted by two leaf leshys, who are aided by several patches of grass that seem to attempt to grab Guy as he tried to get close, but ultimately the leshys are no match for the party. The group continues to explore the cave further. Down one branch, to the right, they find a room with traces of green slime, as if someone had been creating it there before it was carted somewhere else. To the left they find various storage rooms, and what appears to be the barracks. As they get close to the barracks, four leaf leshys jump up and attack!

Session 4: My New Best Friend is a Fun Guy

So we are investigating where the gnomes had wandered off to, and me, ah yes I know the gnomes, I know they tend to get distracted and wander off, and I know how much they love mushrooms so I was really on top of things. So we find a large mushroom house in a gully, and to my brain this seems like exactly the kind of place you would find goblins, and I listened at the mushroom door of the mushroom house and my sensitive ears they detect the telltale sounds of greenies so I open that door and prepare to give them a piece of my mind.

To my absolute shock, the mushroom house had mushroom people in it! Sacre bleu! Then these mushroom people say something in mushroom and then they shoot mushroom pods at me, and that kind of hurt, but I am getting used to it. My instincts, they tell me to hold the door and make the mushroom people come to me, perhaps they are just goblins in disguise, maybe so I ought to be extra cunning and not let them hurt my gentle friends. The mushroom goblins just keep on shooting me though, and then Ash casts a spell and very explicitly tells me now is the best time to charge in, so I do zis. It was about then that I had an epiphany, the big mushroom guy was actually not a goblin at all, he was a really good guy, and my friends were probably wrong, but I know that most of them were also fun guys. I was really perplexed, but then I noticed that my new friend was on fire!!! Oh no, I must put him out, which I did and I tried to tell him not to keep catching on fire because I hate to see my friends fight, and I hate to see my new mushroom friend keep doing this to himself, it really triggers my ennui. Then he catches on fire again! What am I to do but put him out as I had already prepared. I tell him, please stop doing this to yourself, it is tearing my heart out, then my new friend tries to tear my heart out literally. This must have been a mistake and luckily my armor stopped it, but he would have felt really badly if he had been able to do so!

Then he catches on fire again! Cloony really needs to be more careful, so I try and put him out again, but he dodges. He must have been in a panic, I wish we could talk better, I should learn mushroom! Then he accidentally stabs me, and next thing I know I wake up and the gnome also got really hurt and the gnomes in the village are back to gnormal and they heal my ailments.

Such a day, I wonder what happened to my new friend?

Session 4: House of the Rising Spore

After defeating the funguses guarding the door to the largest structure in the mushroom village, we took a moment to lick our wounds. We had enough problems dealing with the three funguses in the village and the two guarding the door. We could only hope that there wouldn't be many more inside. Listening at the doorway to this structure we heard nothing to indicate that there would be anything inside waiting for us. Sadly this would not be the case. Opening the door we spied more and varied kinds of mushroom creatures. Within a moment we had a plan, stay at the door and make them come to us. Throwing fire into the room to hopefully convince these creatures to attack us on out terms was our best approach. We secured ourselves at the door for the ambush and readied ourselves to attack. Our dwarf, it seems, had other plans. Rushing in by himself to attack the mushrooms ended any advantage we had.

Doing so meant it was only a matter of time before we all started getting picked off. I ran in to help Bart but was unable to do much. Bart and I were cornered by one of the mushrooms that emitted spores that we now know was the mind control that affected the gnomes from the village. Bart was unfortunately affected by the spores and became a willing ally to the creature. Though he didn't turn on us in the combat he was beaten by the mushroom while he as unable to fight back. Ash soon followed. Gnick was the next target and he didn't last much longer. I was still ineffectually peppering the thing with fire spells. Clooney won the day for us. Placing his faith in a spell guaranteed not to miss, Clooney hit the mark with perfect accuracy and the spells affect was enough to end this creature. Once destroyed the mind controlling affect was removed from our allies and the gnomes stuck under its control. Both Bart and Gnick were in dire need of medical attention. Eventually we were able to stabilize both of them. The gnomes took us back to their village and were able to tend to the wounds properly allowing the us to rest and recoup our strength.  

Session 3: Mushroom Grottos

After defeating the would-be bandits, the group prepares to collect the mushroom to bring to Copse de Letin. Nick has some trouble remembering how it goes, but manages to get a decent sampling. However, when they get to the village, it's too qiuet. Only one house has any sign of life -- a thin plume of smoke arising from the chimney. They knock on the door, and the mayor of the town, Gnormal D'viation answers. He bums some tobacco from Nick, and they start chatting. Everyone in town except for him and Kellia was mind controlled by evil mushrooms, and led away into a dark hollow east of town. The party agrees to help out the gnome villagers, since it seems like that is the only way they are going to be able to get healed from the slime rot.

The party follows Gnormal's directions to follow the trail east of town, taking a left on a side path leading into a ravine. There they find a grove of mushroom of all sizes. Some of them were even hollowed out for use as houses! In front, guarding the village, were two mushroom leshys, who atacked. Clooney quicked got spored by one of the leshys, while Nick slipped on a mushroom peel trying to vault one. But as Ash set them both on fire, Nick and his pet bear were able to tag team the distracted fungus and the team was able to enter the village. They went straight towards the largest house, which featured a deck and two violet fungal guards. They remained relatively quiet as the party began pelting them from afar, but slammed Remi when he got close. Bart got poisoned but is able to finish the first fungus off. The second shatters his shield, but Ash is able to close the deal, and the lair of the evil fungus is left open to the group.

Session 2: The Ruins of Castle Karn

While preparing to leave the Inn of Bonne Jouissance, the group met one more member: Gnormal Gnickelhammer, a druid looking for some animals who had escaped from a circus he had been working with. He had captured the rest of the creatures who had escaped when he left the latch open, but two unicorns were still wandering free. The party then headed north to the ruins of Castle Karn to see if they could get a lead on the druids who had attacked the town of Perrin. When they reached the ruins, they saw a brown clad figure who turned out to be another druid called the Rain Scribe. The Rain Scribe told them he was here to pick mushrooms from the crypt beneath the ruins, but if they party did the hard work for him, he would tell them where the druids who attacked the village laired. Not having any other leads, the party agreed, and descended into the cavern. 

Scattered in the cavern were groups of three types of mushrooms,  and the Rain Scribe wanted some of each. Gnormal was able to tell them the properties of each, but they were still surprised to find a gnome sleeping in the midst of the red soporific fungi. Bart held his breath while he dragged her out. Her name was Kellia and she lived in a nearby village called "Copse de Letin". They were in the middle of a mushroom craze, and she wanted to see if she could find anything down here. It was mostly a certain white mushroom the gnomes craved, which Gnormal recognized as growing above ground in certain birch groves. The group helped her out of the cavern and harvested the red mushrooms. The blue mushrooms were not difficult, but when they went to pick the purple mushroom a wild slime mold attacked. They were able to take it out, despite the attack of a viper hoping to take advantage of the confusion in the middle of the fight. Unfortunately, Bart and Ash both contracted a disease they later found out was slime rot. The druid couldn't help them, but Kellia pointed out that the gnome village had a healer who could treat them.

Always on the lookout for some extra profit, or perhaps hoping to earn some good will, the group learned from Gnormal where the white cap mushrooms were likely to be found, and they went to the grove to harvest them. But shortly after they arrived, a group of armed men attacked them from behind, claiming that the mushrooms belonged to them. The party made short work of them, and were able to harvest the mushrooms for Copse de Letin.

Session 1: Night of the Living Leshys

 

The Inn of Bonne Jouissance

Oh my dear mama, she warned je zat ze surface was an alien place full of odd folk and that I should just say seek moi destiny in deep caverns like a sensible young dwarf. Not more than a few months and I think she may have been right. I have been travelling and working my trade in the primitive smithies of the humans and other folk as I seek rumors of strange metals they lack the cleverness to properly exploit, such tales brought me to the small town of Perrin where they make that fruit juice they call wine up here. I was minding my own business having a weak ale and trying to ignore the obnoxious knife ear babbling at the bar when a human with a half decent beard walks in. Naturally a beard that magnificent is indicative of good character and there was something reminiscent of the forge about him so I mustered up my courage to talk and maybe make a friend for a while. I know you warned me against getting attached to humans, and that they will just die of something stupid in 50 years, but I have a good sense about this one

Naturally the knife ear decides to interrupt so he could talk about berries or what sort of bird farts he likes the smell of ze best, but what do you expect from a people with no culture, there was another one sitting in a booth staring at us, but I did not get a good read on them so far. There was another human also, but if anything he looked more like a normal human than I am used to even now and I am an expert on them I figure. We were having a chat when some villager came in and said that some bandit were attacking the berry farm, which while I cannot understand why the tallfolk like the stuff so much, I do know they work very hard on it so I started charging to defend the berries.

Now, get this. The berry farm was being attacked by plant people! They had stupid fragile weapons and even the poor armor I was wearing then was too much for them as I drove them off with my doughty dwarven might, the others helped a little so they are probably worth teaming up with until I can find some proper adventurers. The mayor asked us to help deal with the druids who had sent the plant people (I miss my cave), and after a very short break to forge a proper suit of iron we were off only a few days later. We went to what they call an inn on the surface which was about a day east from Perrin, and learned of a ruined castle to the north and a mountain in a similar direction that was unfortunate enough to be called the Elf's Tooth, I will go and see this mountain where the druids are known to be seen and hopefully it will tell me its proper name so I can set this to rights.

Meet the Party

Remy Martinix:

Fabala Martinix has worked as a vintner all her life. She was born into a family that has worked for the Assez family since her grandfather was a young man. Working on the largest estate in the area she's had the opportunity to meet all the royalty and traveling adventure's that pass through the area. This was how she came to meet Movan Jon. Movan would pass through town visiting his family that lived locally when his adventures would take him close enough to the area. This meeting would turn into a little boy months later long after Movan was off again on his travels. 

The Assez family was ecstatic when they found out that Fabala was pregnant. Another generation of vintner born on the estate would be a delight for both the family and the region. 

Remi was born and raised by a village as the expression goes. His mother, his fathers family and the Assez family. Movan would return to town once he found out about his son. Though Fabala had more then enough help with Remi, Movan would always take time with his son when he was in town. The Jon family had much to teach their newest family member. Elven culture, history, lore, fighting and magic. Remi would learn all there was to learn about his fathers heritage. The Assez family also took it upon themselves to educate Remi. With teachers hired and a library to rival any other in the area Remi soon found himself focusing on magical studies. 

Reading any book or treatise on the arcane and occult only helped to increase his thirst for knowledge. This thirst has proven to be expensive and not willing to stay and work on the estate Remi finds he must enter the adventuring world to seek knowledge and funds to further his studies.

Bart Stoneriver:

Bart is a young dwarf who has been working as a miner since he was knee-
high to a gnome. Always been fascinated by the legendary arms and armor his people crafted and their famous warriors, he set himself on a path to exceed the exemplars in both craft and deed. From fighting underground horrors who would raid the ancestral mines of his clan to apprenticing in the arts needed to craft the tools of war he put himself in a position to travel the lands and temper himself into a dwarf worthy of recording in the book of deeds.

He is in the region prospecting having heard rumors of mines containing rare ores and tombs from which he might access runes to further enhance his work. He is awkward around non dwarves and would generally find himself much more comfortable trading blows than retorts and prefers crafting to chatting. 

Gnormal Gnickelhammar

Gnormal is a Sensate gnome of the Animal order. He was hired by a wild animal show that did a few shows outside of Perrin to track down some creatures that escaped, and he's down to the final pair of animals. Gnormal has always had a way with animals.

Rashid Cindercone

Ash is a dark-skinned man, actually with some Ifrit blood, though he keeps this close to his chest. He was born far to the east, but his parents came to Nisay when he was younger, and he's led a nomadic existence since then, working as
a traveling faith healer and fortune teller who makes most of his money giving seances to grieving widows, taking their money and giving them some comfort in return. He keeps secret his faith in the Old Gods, for which he has been cursed by the Valharim.

Perrin

 

Perrin is a small Lyonian town of about 150 families located on the Paix river. There is a relatively even mix of Dwarves and Humans in the town, with a relatively low population of elves and few other ancestries. The town is relatively isolated from the rest of Lyonia. There is no road to the south due to the harshness of the terrain between Perrin and Vauban. To the north, Agron road leads past fens to Castle Amber, and then into the mountains where the eponymous town lies. To the east, the Old Rion Road leads through the Dwimmer Hills to Leene, eventually ending at Lake Leriel before the Crystal City. To the west are the lands of the Wemic tribes, though there is no known place to cross the Paix this side of the Bowl of Gentry.

The chief industry of the region is wine making. Most families have at least a small plot they take care of, and the vines of the noble Assez family, residents of the Chateau de Ville, are especially prized. Barrel-making is also a significant industry. In the Dwimmer Hills are several large copses, and in addition to being used for wine, many of the barrels are shipped north for the Dwarves to use to make Dwarven Ale and brandy (sometimes called Agronac). 

Gods of Ardenest for Pathfinder 2e

 A new Ardenest campaign under a new system demands more work on the gods of Ardenest. And Pathfinder 2 is pretty involved. Adapting them for 5e, I only had to pick domains. But for Pathfinder 2, there are a lot of additional things to think about; most prominently, anathemas and cleric spells. It's good, though, it gives me some room to think about my gods, and flesh them out a bit more. I think it's been helpful! So below, nine gods for my future Pathfinder 2 campaigns.

Fayon (LG)

Edicts: Be brave, fight for justice, defend the weak

Anathema: Scorn a challenge you can win, fail to provide for the needy

Followers: LG, NG, LN

Divine Font: Heal

Divine Skill: Intimidation

Favored Weapon: Longsword

Domains: Ambition, healing, might, sun, fate, confidence

Cleric Spells: 1st True Strike, 2nd See Invisibility, 4th Fire Shield

Adreham (LN)

Edicts: Defend rightful rulers, building civilization, dominate nature

Anathema: Fight against a legitimate ruler, give alms to the undeserving, steal

Followers: LN, LG, LE

Divine Font: Harm or heal

Divine Skill: Society

Favored Weapon: Crossbow
Domains: Cities, earth, nature, wealth, perfection, family, tyranny

Cleric Spells: 1st Illusory Object, 4th Creation, 6th Dominate

Vaasa (CG)

Edicts: Defend the weak, reject tyranny

Anathema: Enslave a person, seek to dominate others

Followers: NG, CG, CN

Divine Font: Heal

Divine Skill: Survival

Favored Weapon: Whip
Domains: Air, water, nature, travel, freedom

Cleric Spells: 1st Gust of Wind, 3rd Lightning Bolt, 5th Control Water

Covellia (N)

Edicts: Seek out magical power and use it

Anathema: Hide knowledge, destroy magical items

Followers: Any

Divine Font: Harm or heal

Divine Skill: Arcana

Favored Weapon: Staff
Domains: Destruction, knowledge, magic, protection, truth

Cleric Spells: 1st Magic Missile, 2nd Magic Mouth, 3rd Levitate, 4th Blink, 5th Prying Eye, 6th Wall of Force, 7th Warp Mind, 8th Maze, 9th Foresight

Alexander (NG)

Edicts: Explore, respect nature, be kind to animals

Anathema: Cruelty to animals, abuse natural resources

Followers: NG, CG, CN, N

Divine Font: Heal

Divine Skill: Survival

Favored Weapon: Scimitar
Domains: Nature, moon, luck, travel, dreams

Cleric Spells: 1st Pass Without Trace, 2nd Animal Messenger, 4th Speak With Plants

The Sage (N)

Edicts: Find secrets, keep knowledge hidden

Anathema: Reveal a secret, intentionally harm an insect

Followers: Any non-good

Divine Font: Harm

Divine Skill: Deception

Favored Weapon: Short sword
Domains: Knowledge, undeath, darkness, earth, secrecy

Cleric Spells: 1st Illusory Disguise, 2nd Invisibility, 6th Mislead

Ryanna (CN)

Edicts: Demonstrate your strength, bravery above all

Anathema: Yield to anyone weaker

Followers: N, CG, CN, CE

Divine Font: Harm

Divine Skill: Survival

Favored Weapon: Greatsword
Domains: Confidence, freedom, fire, nature, moon, passion, perfection

Cleric Spells: 1st Color Spray, 3rd Haste, 4th Stoneskin

Kilmar (CG)

Edicts: Slay dopplegangers, adventure together, keep the peace

Anathema: Betray your companions, show fear, tarnish your reputation

Followers: CG, NG, CN

Divine Font: Heal

Divine Skill: Athletics

Favored Weapon: Longbow
Domains: Ambition, freedom, travel, might, zeal, luck

Cleric Spells: 1st Truestrike, 3rd Wall of Thorns, 5th Tree Stride

Søren (LN)

Edicts: Create beauty, free slaves

Anathema: Destroy art, senseless destruction

Followers: LN, LE, LG, N

Divine Font: Heal

Divine Skill: Select crafting

Favored Weapon: Waraxe
Domains: Creation, earth, family, might, protection

Cleric Spells: 1st Mindlink, 3rd Earthbind, 4th Creation