Faerun Adventures

Joell had ventured into the Barrowmaze along with Mac and some other adventurers and was so excited by the prospect of more loot that he talked everyone else into heading in again, though Gorlock spent some time gambling (and winning, for once!) and Greeba recruited another assistant (a delicate-looking half-elf, more's the pity). So, they headed in, bringing along Ted, Mac's half-brother, who always seemed to be smoking...something. And Liam, a halfling that Ted was well acquainted with. The weather was surprisingly good and they made their way through the forbidding area with little trouble. They neared one barrow (33) with human boot tracks outside, already open. Inside they find an open sarcophagus with a mummy lying face down on the ground nearby it. Taking no chances, they torched the mummy. Gorlock with his jeweller's eye, spies a fancy ring (530 gp) and grabs it. They continue on to a still sealed barrow (38) and Eamon gets to work.  It was a narrow crypt 10' w

After hearing so many rumours of the place, the group decided to venture into the dreaded Barrowmaze. Wisteria and Joell, both feeling unwell, stayed at the Fort to recuperate, so it was just Gorlock, Greeba, Blurb, Eamon, Nathia and Arnor who made the trip. They arrived first at the small town of Helix.  They split up once there to see what news they could learn, though Gorlock spent his time losing money at the gambling table (but making friends). Comparing notes, they had these bits of wisdom: Beware the altars of the Barrowmaze There are runic tablets, but be wary as they may be cursed There was a tale of an elven maiden, but many seemed to doubt it A powerful, evil man was using the area as a hideout Strange mongrel men were rumoured to guard treasures Look out for frogmen. Droggle was a famous (infamous?) tracker, but he wasn't available.  The Guildmaster Ozen recommended a guide instead -- young Vili, who was only 15. His mother extracted a promise to bring him to no harm an

After a short rest to catch their breath and let the foul air of the bog leave them, they continued on to the Dusk Queen's tower. It appeared to be made of smooth black stone. No windows marked the surface and only a single door provided access. The tower was in a sad state, hardly a fitting home for one that had called herself queen once upon a time. Much of the stone had crumbled away and cracks ran like spider webs across the dull black surface. Vines clung to the stone, as if they were trying to choke the life out of it. Blurb could tell that magics ran across the tower and with Eamon's help, they determined that there were two sets of abjuration magics barring the door. But Gorlock had only enough in him for one dispel magic and was loathe to waste his spells merely on gaining access. So Eamon did what the monk was wont to do -- he shooed everyone back and tried the door to see what would happen.  A shocking blast of cold erupted from the door, but the monk, amazingly, wa

Arnor comes to everyone with news from Queen Sarastra. He has been tasked with dealing with a threat to the Darkwood -- the Dusk Queen, it seems, has some dark plans. Their task is threefold: capture or eliminate the Dusk Queen (and, likely, her paramour, a dread dark paladin), locate the shards of a magic mirror, and (he confides to Nathia), find the shadow grimoire .  Coincidentally, and luckily, Gruffyd, the mighty dwarf, had stopped by for a visit and he and Jane Poole decided to travel with the group. Arnor leads the way and their passage into the shadowy realm of the Dusk Queen is quick. But they soon encounter their first obstacle. A large, tree-like creature blocks the path. Bravely, Blurb approaches it.  "The Dusk Queen has returned," it says, in a scratchy voice. Somehow, Nathia keeping her mouth shut as she had no talent for mistruths, they manage to convince the creature that they are servants of the Dusk Queen and will collect the mirror shards for her. The creat

The Yellow Rose Monks ask the Faerun Runners (placeholder until we figure out a good name) to investigate attacks along the King's Road near an old stronghold of the Crimson Monks. They think it might be demon cultists and the tunnels below the once proud monastery seem like the obvious spot for them to be coming from. On the way there, they stop at the Cumin Inn, which seems much unchanged. Greeba finds time to explore...the stables...with an old friend, Sgt Stahlen.  When they reach the ruins, the area seems deserted. Rather than entering from what was obviously the main entrance, they search around and Eamon discovers a back entrance by a grassy knoll with a very deliberately concealed door. Mac very perceptively notices a trip wire just inside and Eamon, with the help of Blurb's Immovable Rod, is able to jury rig the trap so it won't go off.  The party once again ruminates on why none of them have picked up any thieving skills. Inside, they wander the dark, often damp t

It had been an eventful few months -- Wisteria and Eamon had teamed up to help (hopefully) prevent a war (with Wisteria truly showing a knack for conversion that no one had anticipated). Eamon had fought alongside another brave band and died for his troubles, though happily he had been revivified not much the worse for wear.  Nathia had attended a wedding and spent some time training her cousin, as well as working alongside Greeba in crafting armor...and, of course, spending some time with Arnor, who still seemed a bit shellshocked that the queen had let him return to the surface. Happily, Mac and Gorlock were able to use their charm to get a good price for the extra armour, netting a tidy profit for everyone. (600 gp to everyone other than Greeba and Nathia, who get 1200 gp each, plus an additional 50 gp each to Mac and Gorlock). Joell spent his time perfecting his woodworking skills. Gorlock had spent his time crafting and charming the fey who had accepted his plea to visit -- Maive

Nathia held her breath as the portal magics took hold--that gut-wrenching feeling of weightlessness followed by the all-too-quick return to normalcy. Her stomach had barely settled when a cool voice greeted them: "Welcome to the Court of Queen Sarastra." They were in a small room, the summoning circle fading around them. Two ShadowFey Guards, practically twins of Arnor, stood on either side of an arched doorway, tall enough that no one need duck. A female fey herald stood, politely but stiffly, in the door. Nathia stood tall and returned the greeting after Arnor made no move. He looked even paler than normal and a sheen of sweat stood out on his brow. She wanted to take his hand, but was not sure how it would be received by either Arnor or the Queen's herald.  The herald, Lissori, seemed pleasant enough. She offered to wash the dirt of the road from them with a cantrip that she flung out with well-practiced ease, even freshening up Nathia's makeup, giving her a sultry

As the time neared for Arnor to leave, they all prepared in different ways. Gorlock busied himself with managing Gorlock's Palace and putting the finishing touches on a tiara, though he found no one to sell it to, it was so fine. Mac mostly tended the bar, though no one remarked if he occasionally took a drink himself.  Greeba spent her time tending to her small foundry and training her apprentices as gently as she knew how while Eamon, Joell, and Wisteria each disappeared into their rooms for long periods of inner reflection.  It was the Goliath who could not sit still. Nathia spend the last two days furiously cooking and baking every unusual recipe of her gran's she could think of: a layered grumpfl so green it nearly glowed (using up nearly an entirely parsley plant from Arian's garden), misshapen bon bons the size of apples and tasting of summer, traveller's sandwiches large enough to quench the heartiest appetite. She hoped they might prove unusual to one such as t