The Subliminal Court: Difference between revisions

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| Day 27 || (Planned) Caravan departure to Heights of Chaos
| Day 27 || (Planned) Caravan departure to Heights of Chaos
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==== Chapter 2: Safe as houses! ====
===== The Journey to Tintagel and a New Companion =====
''The caravan departed House Kerberoth on schedule, bound for Tintagel through the Centre Jungle. Our party gained a fourth member during the journey—an orc necromancer named Sin, affiliated with the College of Necromancy. She possesses competent skills in bone construction and spectral weaponry, though her temperament suggests the aggressive impulsivity characteristic of adolescent orcs. Nevertheless, her abilities proved invaluable in the trials that followed.''
===== The Centre Jungle and Dire Omens =====
''As the caravan established camp at the edge of the Centre Jungle on our first evening of travel, an ominous roaring sound echoed from deeper within the forest. The sound possessed a depth and resonance that suggested a creature of considerable size. The canopy above us filtered much of the remaining daylight, creating an environment conducive to Ishamael's shadow magic but less than ideal for visual reconnaissance.''
''The party immediately began defensive preparations. Sin and Slaydar erected bone constructions through the trees—interlocking skeletal barriers designed to entangle and slow any approaching threat. Sin's initial casting unfortunately backfired, triggering a deep sleep effect that she successfully resisted through considerable effort. She managed to complete a second construction successfully, creating a bronze-reinforced bone chain stretched between sturdy trees.''
''Ishamael cast Shadow Forms upon the entire party—powerful manifestations that granted us substantial defense in melee combat, though somewhat less in close quarters. A considerable enhancement to our survivability, particularly for someone of my limited endurance.''
===== Crystal Vision and the Approaching Menace =====
''Ishamael provided me with his crystal of vision, recognizing that my familiarity with Earth and Environmental magic, however modest, made me the logical choice for reconnaissance while he prepared his combat spells. I sent the crystal approximately two hundred feet into the jungle, positioning it perhaps sixty feet above the ground to maintain visibility beneath the canopy.''
''My perception, enhanced by both my magical aptitude and Ishamael's enchantments, revealed a terrifying sight: a massive bipedal creature approximately twenty-five feet in length, with enormous hind legs, diminutive forelimbs, and devastating jaws. The beast battered down seventy-foot trees as it advanced directly toward our position. A Tyrannosaurus Rex—moving with terrifying speed that made escape impossible, even mounted on camels.''
''The creature possessed an uncanny interest in our party specifically, ignoring the caravan's camels to focus its attention upon us. Perhaps it detected the scent of orcs, or perhaps our magical emanations attracted its predatory instincts. Regardless, we found ourselves the primary target of a creature capable of devastating our entire group.''
===== Preparation for Combat =====
''The party adopted a defensive posture behind the camels and available cover. I prepared Walking Unseen, though I recognized the spell's limited utility against a creature hunting primarily by scent. The bone constructions provided our best hope of slowing the beast's charge.''
''Slaydar activated his Trollskin scrolls—potent protections that granted considerable effectiveness when combined with our various enchantments. Both he and I successfully triggered the protective magic, encasing ourselves in regenerative armor that might allow us to survive a glancing blow from those terrible jaws.''
''Sin prepared her spectral weapon enchantment, imbuing her battle axe with supernatural striking power. The caravan guards readied their crossbows, though I held little hope that ordinary bolts would penetrate the creature's hide. Ishamael prepared his most devastating magic—dark fire and lightning bolts from his invested items.''
''The beast closed with terrifying speed, covering ground at a rate that made evasion impossible.''
===== The Battle Commences =====
''Ishamael struck first with dark fire—a bolt of shadow flame that scorched the creature's scales. The attack penetrated its natural armor, inflicting modest damage but failing to slow its advance. The T-Rex charged directly into Sin's bone construction, the bronze-reinforced chain catching its massive legs. The creature failed to avoid the trap and fell prone, its tremendous bulk crashing to the jungle floor in a thunderous impact.''
''Slaydar immediately seized the opportunity, employing his Hand of Death spell—a necromantic curse that allows the caster to crush a victim's heart through sympathetic magic. He made a crushing gesture with both hands, and I witnessed the creature's chest spasm as the spell took hold. The damage proved insufficient to fell the beast, but it clearly experienced considerable distress.''
''The caravan's crossbowmen demonstrated admirable courage and surprising accuracy. Seven bolts found their marks, inflicting both endurance and fatigue damage despite the creature's formidable natural armor. The accumulation of wounds began to tell—the beast bled from multiple punctures, though none individually proved decisive.''
''Ishamael continued his magical assault with additional fire bolts and lightning. I attempted Enchanted Sleep—my sole offensive spell of any potency—but the creature's massive endurance rendered the magic ineffective. The spell requires physical contact, and I possessed neither the courage nor the stupidity to approach within fifteen feet of those jaws.''
===== A Moment of Tactical Desperation =====
''The Tyrannosaurus recovered from its prone position and, surprisingly, resisted the fear effect of Ishamael's magic. It turned toward us with renewed fury, having shaken off the psychological assault. The beast charged again, this time employing a trampling attack that threatened to overrun our entire position.''
''In a moment of what I can only describe as calculated recklessness, I advanced toward the creature, drawing my main gauche and shouting to attract its attention. The theory possessed a certain logic: my mobility and evasive capabilities exceeded those of my companions, and drawing the creature's aggro might prevent it from devastating the less mobile members of our party. Additionally, as the physically weakest member of the group, my death would represent the smallest tactical loss.''
''I moved perpendicular to the creature's line of attack, gaining the defensive benefit of lateral movement. The beast, possessed of limited intelligence but considerable predatory instinct, fixed its attention upon me. I maintained my evasive posture, prepared to dodge whatever assault it might launch.''
===== The Killing Blow =====
''Slaydar's Hand of Death continued to squeeze the creature's heart while the caravan's crossbowmen maintained their barrage. Sin repositioned behind cover, preparing her own defenses should the creature break through our line. Ishamael continued his assault with invested magic, each bolt chipping away at the beast's formidable vitality.''
''The accumulated damage proved decisive. The creature's heart, subjected to Slaydar's necromantic compression, finally surrendered. The Tyrannosaurus collapsed mid-charge, its tremendous bulk shaking the jungle floor one final time. Ishamael's Kiss of Death ability ensured the creature would not recover—within moments, it expired completely.''
''The caravan erupted in relieved celebration. Eight of the guards had frozen in terror at the sight of the charging predator, but the remainder maintained their composure admirably. Without our magical intervention, the creature would undoubtedly have slaughtered the entire caravan, devouring the guards and leaving the camels scattered across the jungle.''
===== Salvage and Spoils =====
''The dead Tyrannosaurus represented a treasure trove of valuable materials. The creature's scales provided natural armor—substantial protection on the dorsal surface and somewhat less on the softer underbelly. The caravan's leather worker calculated that the hide would yield approximately thirty sizes of leather: eighteen of hard leather and twelve of soft.''
''We negotiated the distribution of materials. The leather worker required six sizes for his own armor—a reasonable request given his services to the caravan. I claimed soft leather for myself, as my casting requirements preclude heavier armor. Slaydar opted for hard leather, befitting his more robust constitution and willingness to engage in direct combat. Sin and Ishamael made their own arrangements.''
''The creature's teeth, each the size of a dagger, consisted of extraordinarily hard ivory suitable for weapon crafting. The bones, while hollow, possessed remarkable strength—approximately as resilient as teak but significantly lighter. The meat proved edible, resembling chicken in both texture and flavor.''
===== Slaydar's Peculiar Acquisition =====
''During the skinning process, Slaydar performed his Ask the Dead ritual upon the creature's corpse, seeking to establish some form of supernatural connection. The ritual succeeded in ways I suspect he did not anticipate.''
''The creature's spirit, or perhaps merely an echo of its consciousness, manifested within the severed forelimb. Slaydar engaged in a lengthy conversation with the entity, which revealed itself to possess a distinctly female personality with the aggressive mannerisms of an adolescent orc. The spirit identified herself as "Tina" and claimed to have died previously, only to find herself bound to the Tyrannosaurus's forelimb through supernatural means she could not fully explain.''
''Slaydar, with characteristic grandiosity, claimed credit for "crushing the beast's heart and rescuing her." The spirit expressed reluctant awe at this assertion, accepting Slaydar as a powerful figure worthy of respect—or at least wariness. The two established what Slaydar describes as "clan mates" status, though the specifics of this arrangement remain opaque to me.''
''The orc now possesses a sentient T-Rex claw that runs about independently and converses with him late into the night. The other caravan members find this development deeply unsettling, though I suspect they will adapt. Adventurers accumulate peculiarities as inevitably as they accumulate scars.''
===== The Animated Horror =====
''Not content with a mere talking claw, Slaydar decided to animate the entire Tyrannosaurus skeleton. He employed his necromantic abilities to raise the creature as an undead servant—a process that required multiple castings to maintain but yielded a mobile mount of terrifying aspect.''
''The animated skeleton possesses considerable physical capabilities though it lacks the natural armor of the living creature while retaining the structural strength of its massive bones. Most significantly, it radiates an aura of fear that causes automatic fright in those who behold it.''
''When Slaydar first animated the skeleton, eight members of the caravan guard immediately froze in terror. The remainder experienced profound unease, and all would suffer ongoing penalties to their morale for the duration of our journey. Sin suggested we keep the creature at the rear of the caravan to minimize psychological damage to our traveling companions.''
''Slaydar, predictably, insisted on leading from the front with his skeletal mount. The caravan master reluctantly agreed, reasoning that the creature would at least frighten away other predators. I suspect this decision will create complications when we attempt to enter populated areas, but such concerns remain problems for our future selves.''
===== Reflections on Magical Cooperation =====
''The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated magical assault. Ishamael's dark fire and lightning provided consistent damage output. Slaydar's Hand of Death, while requiring sustained concentration, proved devastating against a single large target. Sin's bone constructions created tactical opportunities that prevented the creature from leveraging its superior mobility.''
''My own contribution remained modest—reconnaissance through crystal vision and a desperate attempt to draw aggro that thankfully did not result in my being trampled into paste. I recognize that my offensive capabilities remain limited. Enchanted Sleep, while theoretically powerful, requires both physical proximity and successful casting against targets with lower endurance than a massive predatory dinosaur.''
''The experience reinforces my conviction that survival depends upon proper preparation, tactical positioning, and the willingness of one's companions to employ genuinely terrifying magic. Slaydar's necromancy grows increasingly disturbing with each application, but I cannot deny its effectiveness.''
===== Session's End =====
''With the Tyrannosaurus defeated and its materials claimed, we prepared to rest for the remainder of the night. Slaydar's animated skeletal mount stood watch over the camp, its terrifying presence thoroughly unnerving the caravan guards even as it provided a certain grim reassurance. The orc conversed quietly with his severed claw companion, establishing the peculiar relationship that would characterize our continued journey.''
''Our mission to recruit choir members, a sexton, and a concert master for Lady Callas's Abbey continues. Tintagel and the Land of Nod still await us, along with whatever challenges the eastern territories present. I have acquired materials for moderately improved armor and considerable experience in coordinated combat against overwhelming threats.''
''I have also gained an orc companion who rides a skeletal Tyrannosaurus while conversing with a severed claw inhabited by a dead girl's spirit. Adventuring, I have learned, never becomes more conventional with experience—it merely reveals new depths of peculiarity to which one must adapt.''
----
==== OOC Details ====
===== Items Acquired =====
'''Artephius:'''
* Soft T-Rex leather (6 sizes) - sufficient for 6-point armor after crafting
* Share of T-Rex meat - sustenance for journey
* T-Rex ivory teeth - available for crafting or sale
'''Slaydar:'''
* Hard T-Rex leather (6 sizes) - sufficient for 8-point armor (potentially 9 with masterwork)
* Animated T-Rex skeleton - combat mount with TMR 7, causes fear effect
* Sentient T-Rex forelimb - inhabited by spirit named "Tina," serves as companion/familiar
* Share of T-Rex bones - light, strong material for potential crafting
'''Sin:'''
* T-Rex leather - materials claimed for armor
* Share of T-Rex materials - bones, meat, teeth
'''Ishamael:'''
* T-Rex leather - materials claimed for armor
* Share of T-Rex materials
'''Party (shared resources):'''
* Substantial quantity of T-Rex meat - sustenance for extended journey
* T-Rex bones - hollow, strong, lightweight material suitable for crafting
* T-Rex ivory teeth - extremely hard, suitable for dagger/weapon crafting
* Goodwill from caravan guards - saved entire caravan from certain destruction
===== Session Summary =====
''The party traveled with the caravan from House Kerberoth toward Tintagel, gaining a new companion—Sin, an orc necromancer. On the evening of the first travel day at the Centre Jungle campsite, a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex (5-hex creature, TMR 12) attacked the caravan, targeting the party specifically. Through coordinated magical assault, tactical positioning, and considerable courage, the party defeated the creature. Ishamael's dark fire and lightning, Slaydar's Hand of Death, Sin's bone constructions, and support from caravan crossbowmen combined to bring down the beast. The party salvaged extensive materials including armor-quality leather, ivory teeth, and lightweight bones. Slaydar animated the T-Rex skeleton as a mount and acquired a sentient forelimb companion inhabited by a spirit named "Tina." The session ended with the party resting at the Centre Jungle camp, having gained the caravan's respect and preparing to continue their journey to Tintagel.''
===== Chronological Timeline =====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date !! Event
|-
| Day 27 || Departed House Kerberoth with caravan; Sin joined party; T-Rex battle at Centre Jungle (defeated, salvaged materials); Slaydar contacted spirit "Tina" and animated T-Rex skeleton mount
|}
|}



Revision as of 04:01, 9 December 2025

Scribe Notes

Summary

Adventure: Subliminal Cuurt
GM: Jim Arona
Season:
Night: various weekends
Level: Medium

Party
  1. Slaydar - Humble Orc
  2. Artephius - Noble Lord
  3. Ishamael - Booze supplier
  4. Sin - Humble Orc


Employer
Callas
Mission
following on from The Liminal Court, locate people to staff the Cathedral; a Choir, Sexton, Concert master (pre New Edison) and a Glazier.
Pay
10,000sp each. Any loot we find. Anything we sell must be offered to Callus first.

Scribe Notes

Chapter 1: Recruiters R Us

In Service of Lady Callas: A Commission Most Peculiar

Lady Callas presented us with an unusual contract today. The task: locate and recruit personnel for her Abbey on Cataclysm Earth. Specifically, we require a choir of twenty-four members affiliated with the House of Fire, a sexton for groundskeeping and crypt maintenance, and ideally a concert master—though a choirmaster would suffice if the former proves unobtainable. The compensation stands at ten thousand silver per adventurer, plus full rights to any loot we acquire. Additionally, Lady Callas retains first refusal on items we choose not to keep. A generous arrangement, particularly given she also provided substantial upfront funding for preparation.

The party composition settled quickly. I shall be accompanied by Slaydar—an orc who adopts a peculiarly obsequious demeanor toward me despite being a fellow party member rather than actual servant—and the Dark Celestial Ishamael. The latter's shadow wings spell proves invaluable for traversing the considerable distances involved, and his various buffs significantly enhance our survivability—a necessity given my rather unimpressive physical constitution.

Preparations and the Bounty of Seagate

With half our payment advanced (five thousand silver each), we turned to preparations. I provided powerful enchantments to all three of us to bolster our magical defenses and overall resilience. From the Guild stores, I acquired a healing potion—five hundred silver well spent—and the necessary myrrh for spellcasting.

Slaydar, ever mindful of my deficiencies, suggested acquiring trollskin scrolls. I accepted his gift of a scroll with appropriate gratitude. The orc purchased two such scrolls at seven hundred fifty silver each—quite reasonable for multiple charges apiece. With our enchantments and the trollskin's substantial armor, I calculated our group defense at acceptable levels, though hardly reassuring for someone of my limited endurance.

Lady Callas also bestowed waybread upon us—three portions each, well-imbued for duration. The food alone eliminates one significant logistical concern.

The weather at Seagate proved abysmal. A fierce gale forced us to delay departure by a day. When conditions improved to a mere fresh breeze, Ishamael deemed it safe enough for flight.

The Journey to Novodom

The flight to Novodom proved uneventful, if somewhat tedious. Four hours aloft with Ishamael's shadow wings carrying us across one hundred eighty miles. I managed my landing adequately—my natural agility serving me well. Slaydar, however, provided the assembled peasantry with considerable entertainment. The orc came streaking in at excessive speed, distracted by some heat source his infravision detected, and found himself skimming above the ground at tremendous velocity. His eventual landing on the riverbank qualified as controlled only in the most generous interpretation.

The peasants, having been denied the spectacle of our messy demise, tucked away their tomatoes with evident disappointment.

The Ravine and the Crack in Reality

Northwest of Novodom City lies a peculiar geological feature—a ravine formed by some ancient cataclysm that split a range of steep hills. We traveled along this inverted peak until we reached the crack itself. Lightning played along the walls, though my lack of metal armor rendered me relatively safe from its attentions.

During our approach, both Callas and Slaydar identified peculiar stones scattered near the entrance. Callas, with her lapidary expertise, recognized them as fulminite—sand or soil fused into glass by lightning strikes. Each piece measured roughly twenty centimeters across, circular in shape, and distinctly charged. Though not transparent enough for lens-grinding in their current state, they possessed a certain translucence when washed. We each collected a specimen.

The crack itself defies conventional description. It appears initially as another branch of the ravine system, but passage through reveals its true nature—a portal directly into the Astral Plane, or perhaps more accurately, into the Abyss itself.

Traversing the Abyss

Ishamael's shadow wings proved their worth immediately. While flight does not function conventionally in the Abyss, it reduces encounter probability substantially. Flying demons exist here, but they tend toward the feeble end of the spectrum. One does not encounter entities like Rampage or Carnage soaring about—apparently the former's devastating abilities require ground contact to function properly. A useful limitation to remember.

I cast walking unseen upon all three of us, successfully cloaking our presence. Combined with our shadow wings and the natural darkness of the Abyss, we remained effectively undetectable to all but the most accomplished observers. The week of travel passed without incident.

We crossed the sole water barrier I know of in this region without difficulty, though Slaydar nearly provided us with another demonstration of his landing prowess. His infravision again betrayed him, pulling his attention toward heat sources at an inopportune moment. This time he managed a recovery, though he admitted to experiencing what he termed a "brown alert." He then offered, as is apparently his custom, to be beaten for his failure. I declined, citing the impracticality of approaching him in his current state.

Tanuel and the Ascent to House Kerberoth

We arrived at Tanuel through the great arched gates at the base of the butte. The Kerberites stationed here represent the largest and most formidable of their kind—shapeshifters averaging eight feet in height, many manifesting armor directly from their bodies and wielding wicked polearms called horbids. A half-dozen of these warriors patrolled the gates alongside smaller administrative Kerberites, humans, and the occasional hill giant. Orcs, Slaydar noted with some interest, appear uncommon in this region.

The entire settlement at the base qualifies more as a military encampment than a proper town. Behind it, carved into the butte itself, a steep road switches back and forth for approximately one mile vertical to reach House Kerberoth proper. The engineering required to bring wheeled vehicles up such a grade must involve extensive use of bastions and securing points.

The Pool of the Hounds

On the fourth switchback, we encountered a most remarkable feature—a pool of the deepest green I have ever witnessed. A fire giant attended here, bringing the fearsome Hounds of Kerberoth down to drink. These creatures stand as tall as horses and possess three heads each, manifestations of House Kerberoth's power.

Slaydar, observing the hounds drink from the pool, began speculating about its properties. He surmised that the creatures derived their powers from the water itself—a not unreasonable hypothesis given the unusual coloration and the hounds' evident supernatural nature. With characteristic impulsivity, he decided to test his theory by drinking from the pool.

The consequences proved immediate and dire. Slaydar cried out in pain as a wound opened along his primary arm, from elbow to mid-forearm, along the inside. The injury does not bleed. It simply remains open, exposing muscle, vein, and artery in grotesque detail—a sight that would turn most stomachs.

The wound has diminished Slaydar's vitality noticeably. More concerningly, Lady Callas examined it and pronounced it beyond conventional healing. Curse removal might not suffice either, she suggested, though this would be the logical place to attempt such a remedy. She mentioned the Mal'ebonirans as a possible solution, though extracting him from their care might prove the greater challenge.

Slaydar resolved to manage with the injury for the present. The arm remains functional, merely unpleasant to observe. I refrained from commenting on the wisdom of drinking from mysterious supernatural pools.

Henry the Toymaker and Acquisitions

House Kerberoth proper boasts a marketplace of considerable interest. We sought out Henry the Toymaker, a merchant of unusual wares whose reputation precedes him. He stocks spell racks of exotic design.

The first item he displayed was a bracelet—essentially a charm bracelet with empty plates designed to hold engraved semi-precious stones. This rack enhances one's spellcasting reliability through subtle magical augmentation. Potentially useful, though of limited value to someone like Ishamael who rarely fails to cast.

The second item captured my attention immediately: a dreamcatcher-style spell rack, constructed from dried and plaited rawhide, approximately fifteen centimeters in length. It pins to one's breast, either on cloak or chest. The enchantment enhances the first healing spell received each day substantially. A healing spell that would restore modest vitality instead provides considerably more restoration.

I negotiated for the dreamcatcher. Henry's asking price proved unconventional—he requested payment in blood. I agreed, trading a measure of my own vitality. He extracted the payment with professional efficiency. The temporary reduction in endurance seemed trivial given our eighteen-day wait for the next caravan to the Heights of Chaos.

Ishamael examined a cloak with air aspect that moderates wind effects, allowing tactical movement control while airborne rather than being forced to travel at maximum speed. The asking price proved... unusual. Henry wanted something specific from Ishamael, though the details of their negotiation remained private. Ultimately, no exchange occurred.

Strategic Planning and Logistics

Lady Callas suggested we present ourselves to Lord Tirwh and Lady Suneth, the rulers of House Kerberoth. We agreed that paying respects would be appropriate, if only to make our presence known rather than request specific boons.

The caravan schedule allows us eighteen days before departure. Time enough for training and preparation, though the logistics of our actual mission present considerable challenges.

The fundamental problem: we seek to recruit twenty-four choir members, a sexton, and a concert master. Moving such a large group through the Abyss invites disaster. Groups exceeding half a dozen living souls attract attention at rates that render protection nearly impossible. Even moving them in smaller groups, a few at a time, presents significant risks.

We discussed several potential solutions:

Ley Lines: Lady Callas can access ley line travel, but this still requires moving our recruits through the Astral Plane and up to the butte at Tanuel—hardly ideal for a choir unaccustomed to such environs.

Nexus Points: If we could identify nexus connections between our recruitment location and Cataclysm Earth, we might bypass the Abyss entirely. The Himalayan Complex in the Land of Nod connects to New Alusia through a portal, but this merely relocates the problem rather than solving it.

The Underworld: Nekros theoretically provides passages, though entering the realm of the dead with two dozen living choir members strikes me as profoundly unwise. Additionally, I lack the necessary bone circle knowledge for such transport, and I strongly doubt Nekros would share such information even if he possessed it.

Ship Transport: Moving a ship across the Abyss proves beyond our current capabilities. Lady Callas might negotiate such transport, but the dangers inherent in the attempt seem excessive.

We concluded that solving the transportation problem could wait until we actually located suitable recruits. First, we must find them.

Astrological Consultation and the Land of Nod

Ishamael, with his modest astrological abilities, offered to conduct a specific reading. His natural perceptive talents, enhanced by our enchantments, gave him excellent chances of divining useful information.

He posed the question: "Where is the best place to find a choir of the House of Fire?"

The stars indicated the Land of Nod, specifically the eastern region before the Court of Jade. This aligns with our initial assumptions—the Land of Nod hosts numerous religious orders and choirs. The House of Fire, being a religious organization that particularly offended Rome during its time, would likely maintain a presence there.

Training and Preparation

With eighteen days at our disposal, we turned to self-improvement. I contemplated my priorities. Magic stands paramount—I have the opportunity to advance my skills considerably with dedicated training, leaving several days for other pursuits. My walking unseen spell, while functional, could use refinement. The wound to my arm serves as ample reminder that defense remains my greatest vulnerability.

Slaydar, having survived his dramatic landings, expressed interest in improving his flying skill. A sensible choice given the technique he learned through practical application—what he terms "not hitting the ground fast." He also explored necromantic options, though his limited magical aptitude constrains his utility with most spells. His considerable strength, however, makes him an adequate pack carrier, which—alongside his inexplicable sycophancy—largely defines our rather unusual party dynamic.


OOC Details
Items Acquired

Artephius:

  • Trollskin scroll (multiple charges) - gift from Slaydar
  • Healing potion (500 silver) - purchased at Seagate Guild
  • Bracelet of Luck - purchased from Henry the Toymaker for a pint of blood

Slaydar:

  • 2x Trollskin scrolls (750 silver each, multiple charges) - purchased at Seagate
  • Fulminite specimen - collected at ravine entrance
  • Cursed wound (non-bleeding arm wound from Hounds' pool)
  • Spirit Net of the Necromanteion

Ishamael:

  • The Windswept Cloak


Party (shared resources):

  • Waybread (3 portions each, well-imbued) - provided by Lady Callas
  • Powerful enchantments - cast by Artephius on all party members
  • Strength of Stone enhancement - provided by Lady Callas
Session Summary

The party accepted a recruitment contract from Lady Callas to find staff for her Abbey on Cataclysm Earth: a 24-member choir (House of Fire preferred), a sexton, and a concert master. Payment: 10,000 silver per adventurer plus first dibs on loot. After preparations at Seagate, the party traveled via Ishamael's Shadow Wings to Novodom, then through a crack in reality into the Abyss. Journey continued to Tanuel and House Kerberoth, where Slaydar was cursed while drinking from the Hounds' pool. The party acquired magical items from Henry the Toymaker and learned through astrology that their targets are in the eastern Land of Nod. Currently waiting 18 days at House Kerberoth for the next caravan to Heights of Chaos, with plans to train and prepare before continuing the mission.

Chronological Timeline
Date Event
Day 1 Contract negotiation with Lady Callas at Seagate; received 5,000 silver advance payment each
Day 1 Preparations: Artephius cast enchantments on party; purchased equipment and supplies
Day 1 Weather delay - fierce gale prevents departure
Day 2 Flight from Seagate to Novodom (4 hours, 180 miles); Slaydar's spectacular landing
Day 2 Discovered fulminite at ravine entrance; passed through crack into Abyss
Day 2 ? Day 9 Travel through Abyss via Shadow Wings; crossed water barrier (Slaydar's "brown alert" incident)
Day 9 Arrived at Tanuel gateway; began ascent to House Kerberoth
Day 9 Slaydar drank from Hounds' pool on fourth switchback; cursed with non-bleeding wound
Day 9 Reached House Kerberoth marketplace; visited Henry the Toymaker
Day 9 Artephius purchased dreamcatcher spell rack for blood payment
Day 9 Ishamael performed astrology reading: choir located in eastern Land of Nod before Court of Jade
Day 9 Discussed presentation to Lord Tirwh and Lady Suneth
Day 10 ? Day 27 Waiting at House Kerberoth for next caravan; training and preparation period
Day 27 (Planned) Caravan departure to Heights of Chaos

Chapter 2: Safe as houses!

The Journey to Tintagel and a New Companion

The caravan departed House Kerberoth on schedule, bound for Tintagel through the Centre Jungle. Our party gained a fourth member during the journey—an orc necromancer named Sin, affiliated with the College of Necromancy. She possesses competent skills in bone construction and spectral weaponry, though her temperament suggests the aggressive impulsivity characteristic of adolescent orcs. Nevertheless, her abilities proved invaluable in the trials that followed.

The Centre Jungle and Dire Omens

As the caravan established camp at the edge of the Centre Jungle on our first evening of travel, an ominous roaring sound echoed from deeper within the forest. The sound possessed a depth and resonance that suggested a creature of considerable size. The canopy above us filtered much of the remaining daylight, creating an environment conducive to Ishamael's shadow magic but less than ideal for visual reconnaissance.

The party immediately began defensive preparations. Sin and Slaydar erected bone constructions through the trees—interlocking skeletal barriers designed to entangle and slow any approaching threat. Sin's initial casting unfortunately backfired, triggering a deep sleep effect that she successfully resisted through considerable effort. She managed to complete a second construction successfully, creating a bronze-reinforced bone chain stretched between sturdy trees.

Ishamael cast Shadow Forms upon the entire party—powerful manifestations that granted us substantial defense in melee combat, though somewhat less in close quarters. A considerable enhancement to our survivability, particularly for someone of my limited endurance.

Crystal Vision and the Approaching Menace

Ishamael provided me with his crystal of vision, recognizing that my familiarity with Earth and Environmental magic, however modest, made me the logical choice for reconnaissance while he prepared his combat spells. I sent the crystal approximately two hundred feet into the jungle, positioning it perhaps sixty feet above the ground to maintain visibility beneath the canopy.

My perception, enhanced by both my magical aptitude and Ishamael's enchantments, revealed a terrifying sight: a massive bipedal creature approximately twenty-five feet in length, with enormous hind legs, diminutive forelimbs, and devastating jaws. The beast battered down seventy-foot trees as it advanced directly toward our position. A Tyrannosaurus Rex—moving with terrifying speed that made escape impossible, even mounted on camels.

The creature possessed an uncanny interest in our party specifically, ignoring the caravan's camels to focus its attention upon us. Perhaps it detected the scent of orcs, or perhaps our magical emanations attracted its predatory instincts. Regardless, we found ourselves the primary target of a creature capable of devastating our entire group.

Preparation for Combat

The party adopted a defensive posture behind the camels and available cover. I prepared Walking Unseen, though I recognized the spell's limited utility against a creature hunting primarily by scent. The bone constructions provided our best hope of slowing the beast's charge.

Slaydar activated his Trollskin scrolls—potent protections that granted considerable effectiveness when combined with our various enchantments. Both he and I successfully triggered the protective magic, encasing ourselves in regenerative armor that might allow us to survive a glancing blow from those terrible jaws.

Sin prepared her spectral weapon enchantment, imbuing her battle axe with supernatural striking power. The caravan guards readied their crossbows, though I held little hope that ordinary bolts would penetrate the creature's hide. Ishamael prepared his most devastating magic—dark fire and lightning bolts from his invested items.

The beast closed with terrifying speed, covering ground at a rate that made evasion impossible.

The Battle Commences

Ishamael struck first with dark fire—a bolt of shadow flame that scorched the creature's scales. The attack penetrated its natural armor, inflicting modest damage but failing to slow its advance. The T-Rex charged directly into Sin's bone construction, the bronze-reinforced chain catching its massive legs. The creature failed to avoid the trap and fell prone, its tremendous bulk crashing to the jungle floor in a thunderous impact.

Slaydar immediately seized the opportunity, employing his Hand of Death spell—a necromantic curse that allows the caster to crush a victim's heart through sympathetic magic. He made a crushing gesture with both hands, and I witnessed the creature's chest spasm as the spell took hold. The damage proved insufficient to fell the beast, but it clearly experienced considerable distress.

The caravan's crossbowmen demonstrated admirable courage and surprising accuracy. Seven bolts found their marks, inflicting both endurance and fatigue damage despite the creature's formidable natural armor. The accumulation of wounds began to tell—the beast bled from multiple punctures, though none individually proved decisive.

Ishamael continued his magical assault with additional fire bolts and lightning. I attempted Enchanted Sleep—my sole offensive spell of any potency—but the creature's massive endurance rendered the magic ineffective. The spell requires physical contact, and I possessed neither the courage nor the stupidity to approach within fifteen feet of those jaws.

A Moment of Tactical Desperation

The Tyrannosaurus recovered from its prone position and, surprisingly, resisted the fear effect of Ishamael's magic. It turned toward us with renewed fury, having shaken off the psychological assault. The beast charged again, this time employing a trampling attack that threatened to overrun our entire position.

In a moment of what I can only describe as calculated recklessness, I advanced toward the creature, drawing my main gauche and shouting to attract its attention. The theory possessed a certain logic: my mobility and evasive capabilities exceeded those of my companions, and drawing the creature's aggro might prevent it from devastating the less mobile members of our party. Additionally, as the physically weakest member of the group, my death would represent the smallest tactical loss.

I moved perpendicular to the creature's line of attack, gaining the defensive benefit of lateral movement. The beast, possessed of limited intelligence but considerable predatory instinct, fixed its attention upon me. I maintained my evasive posture, prepared to dodge whatever assault it might launch.

The Killing Blow

Slaydar's Hand of Death continued to squeeze the creature's heart while the caravan's crossbowmen maintained their barrage. Sin repositioned behind cover, preparing her own defenses should the creature break through our line. Ishamael continued his assault with invested magic, each bolt chipping away at the beast's formidable vitality.

The accumulated damage proved decisive. The creature's heart, subjected to Slaydar's necromantic compression, finally surrendered. The Tyrannosaurus collapsed mid-charge, its tremendous bulk shaking the jungle floor one final time. Ishamael's Kiss of Death ability ensured the creature would not recover—within moments, it expired completely.

The caravan erupted in relieved celebration. Eight of the guards had frozen in terror at the sight of the charging predator, but the remainder maintained their composure admirably. Without our magical intervention, the creature would undoubtedly have slaughtered the entire caravan, devouring the guards and leaving the camels scattered across the jungle.

Salvage and Spoils

The dead Tyrannosaurus represented a treasure trove of valuable materials. The creature's scales provided natural armor—substantial protection on the dorsal surface and somewhat less on the softer underbelly. The caravan's leather worker calculated that the hide would yield approximately thirty sizes of leather: eighteen of hard leather and twelve of soft.

We negotiated the distribution of materials. The leather worker required six sizes for his own armor—a reasonable request given his services to the caravan. I claimed soft leather for myself, as my casting requirements preclude heavier armor. Slaydar opted for hard leather, befitting his more robust constitution and willingness to engage in direct combat. Sin and Ishamael made their own arrangements.

The creature's teeth, each the size of a dagger, consisted of extraordinarily hard ivory suitable for weapon crafting. The bones, while hollow, possessed remarkable strength—approximately as resilient as teak but significantly lighter. The meat proved edible, resembling chicken in both texture and flavor.

Slaydar's Peculiar Acquisition

During the skinning process, Slaydar performed his Ask the Dead ritual upon the creature's corpse, seeking to establish some form of supernatural connection. The ritual succeeded in ways I suspect he did not anticipate.

The creature's spirit, or perhaps merely an echo of its consciousness, manifested within the severed forelimb. Slaydar engaged in a lengthy conversation with the entity, which revealed itself to possess a distinctly female personality with the aggressive mannerisms of an adolescent orc. The spirit identified herself as "Tina" and claimed to have died previously, only to find herself bound to the Tyrannosaurus's forelimb through supernatural means she could not fully explain.

Slaydar, with characteristic grandiosity, claimed credit for "crushing the beast's heart and rescuing her." The spirit expressed reluctant awe at this assertion, accepting Slaydar as a powerful figure worthy of respect—or at least wariness. The two established what Slaydar describes as "clan mates" status, though the specifics of this arrangement remain opaque to me.

The orc now possesses a sentient T-Rex claw that runs about independently and converses with him late into the night. The other caravan members find this development deeply unsettling, though I suspect they will adapt. Adventurers accumulate peculiarities as inevitably as they accumulate scars.

The Animated Horror

Not content with a mere talking claw, Slaydar decided to animate the entire Tyrannosaurus skeleton. He employed his necromantic abilities to raise the creature as an undead servant—a process that required multiple castings to maintain but yielded a mobile mount of terrifying aspect.

The animated skeleton possesses considerable physical capabilities though it lacks the natural armor of the living creature while retaining the structural strength of its massive bones. Most significantly, it radiates an aura of fear that causes automatic fright in those who behold it.

When Slaydar first animated the skeleton, eight members of the caravan guard immediately froze in terror. The remainder experienced profound unease, and all would suffer ongoing penalties to their morale for the duration of our journey. Sin suggested we keep the creature at the rear of the caravan to minimize psychological damage to our traveling companions.

Slaydar, predictably, insisted on leading from the front with his skeletal mount. The caravan master reluctantly agreed, reasoning that the creature would at least frighten away other predators. I suspect this decision will create complications when we attempt to enter populated areas, but such concerns remain problems for our future selves.

Reflections on Magical Cooperation

The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated magical assault. Ishamael's dark fire and lightning provided consistent damage output. Slaydar's Hand of Death, while requiring sustained concentration, proved devastating against a single large target. Sin's bone constructions created tactical opportunities that prevented the creature from leveraging its superior mobility.

My own contribution remained modest—reconnaissance through crystal vision and a desperate attempt to draw aggro that thankfully did not result in my being trampled into paste. I recognize that my offensive capabilities remain limited. Enchanted Sleep, while theoretically powerful, requires both physical proximity and successful casting against targets with lower endurance than a massive predatory dinosaur.

The experience reinforces my conviction that survival depends upon proper preparation, tactical positioning, and the willingness of one's companions to employ genuinely terrifying magic. Slaydar's necromancy grows increasingly disturbing with each application, but I cannot deny its effectiveness.

Session's End

With the Tyrannosaurus defeated and its materials claimed, we prepared to rest for the remainder of the night. Slaydar's animated skeletal mount stood watch over the camp, its terrifying presence thoroughly unnerving the caravan guards even as it provided a certain grim reassurance. The orc conversed quietly with his severed claw companion, establishing the peculiar relationship that would characterize our continued journey.

Our mission to recruit choir members, a sexton, and a concert master for Lady Callas's Abbey continues. Tintagel and the Land of Nod still await us, along with whatever challenges the eastern territories present. I have acquired materials for moderately improved armor and considerable experience in coordinated combat against overwhelming threats.

I have also gained an orc companion who rides a skeletal Tyrannosaurus while conversing with a severed claw inhabited by a dead girl's spirit. Adventuring, I have learned, never becomes more conventional with experience—it merely reveals new depths of peculiarity to which one must adapt.


OOC Details

Items Acquired

Artephius:

  • Soft T-Rex leather (6 sizes) - sufficient for 6-point armor after crafting
  • Share of T-Rex meat - sustenance for journey
  • T-Rex ivory teeth - available for crafting or sale

Slaydar:

  • Hard T-Rex leather (6 sizes) - sufficient for 8-point armor (potentially 9 with masterwork)
  • Animated T-Rex skeleton - combat mount with TMR 7, causes fear effect
  • Sentient T-Rex forelimb - inhabited by spirit named "Tina," serves as companion/familiar
  • Share of T-Rex bones - light, strong material for potential crafting

Sin:

  • T-Rex leather - materials claimed for armor
  • Share of T-Rex materials - bones, meat, teeth

Ishamael:

  • T-Rex leather - materials claimed for armor
  • Share of T-Rex materials

Party (shared resources):

  • Substantial quantity of T-Rex meat - sustenance for extended journey
  • T-Rex bones - hollow, strong, lightweight material suitable for crafting
  • T-Rex ivory teeth - extremely hard, suitable for dagger/weapon crafting
  • Goodwill from caravan guards - saved entire caravan from certain destruction
Session Summary

The party traveled with the caravan from House Kerberoth toward Tintagel, gaining a new companion—Sin, an orc necromancer. On the evening of the first travel day at the Centre Jungle campsite, a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex (5-hex creature, TMR 12) attacked the caravan, targeting the party specifically. Through coordinated magical assault, tactical positioning, and considerable courage, the party defeated the creature. Ishamael's dark fire and lightning, Slaydar's Hand of Death, Sin's bone constructions, and support from caravan crossbowmen combined to bring down the beast. The party salvaged extensive materials including armor-quality leather, ivory teeth, and lightweight bones. Slaydar animated the T-Rex skeleton as a mount and acquired a sentient forelimb companion inhabited by a spirit named "Tina." The session ended with the party resting at the Centre Jungle camp, having gained the caravan's respect and preparing to continue their journey to Tintagel.

Chronological Timeline
Date Event
Day 27 Departed House Kerberoth with caravan; Sin joined party; T-Rex battle at Centre Jungle (defeated, salvaged materials); Slaydar contacted spirit "Tina" and animated T-Rex skeleton mount

References

Mil Sci

Watch Order

(Proposed) An elf with witch-vision on each watch, attempt at partnering more and less experienced party members, with cooks on first and last watch (and Fizz and Ron not on the same watch).

Hour: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
xx xx xx xx
xx xx xx

Calendar

Autumn

  Moonday Duesday W'ansday Th'rsday Frysday Reapsday Sunday
Lugnasad
Fruit (4)
  1 Guild Meeting 2   3   4   5   6  
7   8   9   10   11   12   13  
14   15   16   17   18   19   20  
21   22   23   24 Meet Callas and commence adventure. 25 Rained in! 26 Flight to Novodom 27 Into the astral and across the abyss
28 Flying in the Abyss 29 Flying in the Abyss 30 Flying in the Abyss  
Harvest (5)
  1 Flying in the Abyss 2 Flying in the Abyss 3 Flying in the Abyss 4 Flying in the Abyss
5 Flying in the Abyss 6 Flying in the Abyss 7 Flying in the Abyss 8 Flying in the Abyss 9 Flying in the Abyss 10 Flying in the Abyss 11 House Kerberoth
12 Training etc 13 Training etc 14 Training etc 15 Equinox
Training etc
16 Training etc 17 Seagate Autumn Fair
Training etc
18 Seagate Autumn Fair
Training etc
19 Harvest Moon
Training etc
20 Training etc 21 Training etc 22 Training etc 23 Training etc 24 Training etc 25 Training etc
26 Training etc 27 Training etc 28 Training etc 29 Michaelmas
Training etc
30 Training etc  
Vintage(6)
  1 Caravan 2  
3   4   5   6   7   8   9  
10   11   12   13   14   15   16  
17 Blood Moon 18   19   20   21   22   23  
24   25   26   27   28   29   30 Beerfest