Gameplay Journal 28: Leaving Town

Its finally time to leave this rotten city, speaking of rotten, I started preparing food stuffs so they wouldn’t spoil during the long sea journey ahead of us. Once everyone was packed, we disguised ourselves as a shambling group of invalids. We met no resistance during our trip to the warehouse where we were to meet our ship’s crew. I set about securing the perimeter and our path to the ship while Suri ensured the surly seamen would surely be perfect gentlemen in the presence of a certain clergy-woman.

The few guards that had been lazily patrolling this rather deserted part of the harbor were relieved of duty by yours truly. I carefully propped them up against the wall, gravity, a piece of cord, and their stools would hold them and their torches steady until their muscles stiffened.

A twig snapped behind me, I quietly signalled my dogs to cut off the noise-maker’s escape. Once I got nearer I recognized Sandwiches friend from our trip through time. She was carrying the thief we met when we first arrived in this godforsaken place. He was cut, covered in arrows, and dead. Norin had also taken an arrow in her shoulder. I helped her haul the body to the warehouse, where the cleric healed her shoulder. She told us of awful things happening to the North. Suri, Eredil and I decided to investigate.

The stench of rot became ever more present the farther North we rode. Torches, marching boots, and rattling chains filled the streets leading to the north harbor. We finally found all the missing townspeople, though by their smell and dead expressions, they haven’t been alive for a long time. Powerful magic would have sounded an alarm if we’d gotten any closer. We returned to the warehouse to alert them of the imminent threat of an invasion force now boarding for Tantras.

We all agreed that the best thing we could do was to try to get to Tantras first, we might be able to warn and prepare them. We headed for the ship. I rode ahead, to clear any guards that may be farther down the docks. Two of them stood in front of our boat (the state of decay the “ship” was in could hardly be called seaworthy) joking about the sorry sight they were sent to guard. “I’d sooner be troll-stone cold than aboard that pile of wormwood!” one said. “As you wish…” I thought as my arrows flew through the air, expertly finding their marks.

Those guards were bait, unfortunate for them. From a dark alley, an old wizard, wearing the mark of Bane, and an armoured sergeant walked into the torchlight.

Gameplay Journal 27: The Rescue

The guards were half asleep, shuffling lazily about their posts. I swiftly leaped over the wall between two patrols. Landing quiet as a cat on the other side, I skulked into position. Concealed by trees and bushes, I drew my knife and stabbed it into the soft soil, instantly regretting the cleaning and honing that would need to recover the razor edge it had. 

I listened to the blade as it resonated with Obez’s pick. I waited until I was certain he was beneath me, then lit and threw my grenades, praying they would find a hard surface to shatter against. The orange glow that erupted from the windows told me my prayers had been answered. The alarm was raised and the guards raced for the house to offer assistance, leaving my escape wide open.

I followed the gnome’s tunnel until I caught up to them. Obez was putting the finishing touches on a pitfall trap when a wizard fell through the weakened floor. Dazed and wearing the wretch burning hand of Bane, he wasn’t given trial before I executed him. Hawk (still disguised as a gorilla) leaped from the hole roaring at the other wizards.

I heard them panic, and I too leaped from the tunnel to see them running for the door. I threw their companions head at them, hoping to knock one off balance, but he showed surprising dexterity and caught it. Recognition flashed across his face and panic took over, he charged through his allies, knocking them aside. I through an unlit bottle of oil at them. It shattered over the group of panicked sorcerers soaking all of their robes as they continued their dash upstairs. Wretched screams were heard soon after. Eredil and Obez pummeled the one mage who didn’t freak out. 

All opposition dealt with, we found panther dude covered in an imprisoning slime. The gnome produced some toast, Pelor knows not from where, and calmly transferred the slime slice by slice to his iron stomach. Pantherman was unimpressed by being woken by a  gorilla. We exited through the tunnel, and made our way back to HQ.

Gameplay Journal 26: Planning a Rescue

We had a final mission, rescue El Gato. Rumor has it he is held prisoner in the basement of a large mansion on the coast. He is being tortured by Bane’s high ranking wizards, and guarded by mercenaries. Hearing Bane’s followers were in a specific place was enough for me. I headed out the door, thinking up a plan while I took count of who followed me.

Fortunately for Pantherman, Hawk and Obez both felt the need to relieve the Shadowdalian from his captors. The gnome’s tunneling prowess could prove useful for getting below the building without detection. We arrive at the coastline and see one mansion obviously guarded. Two smaller houses stood outside the walls of its yard.

After some breaking and entering, these seemed absolutely abandoned; all riches had been left behind. Lamps were present in every room, and I knew I’d find some lamp oil somewhere. The Plan now included arson as a distraction, though I wouldn’t be upset if Bane’s witches were caught up in the blaze.

I explained the plan to Hawk so he could keep the gnome on track. They were to dig a tunnel for this cellar to that of the guarded mansion while I sneaked past the guards and delivered some Mirabar cocktails through the windows. These were improvised firebombs (classically made with high proof alcohol) popularized by the rioters of Mirabar used in protest of an attempt to make alcohol illegal to sell or consume.

Gameplay Journal 25: Cow Fishing

Now back in our own time, I strode over and pulled several of the well-cooked target kebabs from the wall. “Care to try another fireball?” I ask innocently. “Alright!” Bright Eyes replies, all too eagerly attempting to hurl more flames down the hallway. She succeeded only in putting herself in a two foot deep pit. Obez misunderstood her sudden change in height, and was excited to have another gnome in the group. An attempted pat on the back, became a slap to the face that launched her out of the hole. “I’m sure he meant well” she said, rubbing her jaw.

The gnome was rather hungry after travelling through time, and reckoned he could eat another cow. We let the acting leader know of our plan to watch the gnome eat a cow, and she happily provided us varying disguises. I was a shadow, dark and featureless. The gnome, an old man, as unassuming a guise as any. Hawk took the form of a gorilla, well as close as she could manage. Bright Eyes became the axe-wielding orc of legend, Urgzog the Terrible, in all his crushtastic glory.

Our assorted crew set out in search of a cow, their scent was easy enough to follow. From a rooftop, I rigged a barbed harpoon with a rope and shot it from my bow. It silently struck the heart of an unsuspecting steer, swiftly sending it to Shang Moo Lah. The gnome and I heaved it through the air and I grinned at the guards rubbing their eyes watching one of their cows fly off into the twilight sky.

Had the Gnome not gotten impatient and destroyed a building to make a fire pit, we may have gotten away. But now boots were stomping down the street to inspect the damage. Hawk and I took hidden vantage points. The gnome tried to explain things peacefully, but they weren’t buying into his barbeque. Bright Eyes tried her best to play the menacing Urgzog, and was doing OK until she opened her mouth.

Gameplay Journal 24: Temporal Troubles with Magical Chaos

Eredil and Suri must have terrible hangovers because they have been moaning in their room all day. The rest of the group, and Sandwich were below ground watching Bright Eyes practice her fireball. I set up kebabs stick out of the wall so she could get a sense of her range. Also, they were quite tasty. Oh, the magical chaos that has recently plagued the arcane was very entertaining, and usually harmless. On the seventh cast, something ludicrous pulled us all through space and time. We had finally made it to Tantras, but the giant bug that was left beaten and dead in the street, spoke of a time before the gods fell.

A monk of the Vaasa Region (impeccably toned) smoothly stepped down from the giant insect's carapace, he helped Bright Eyes and myself to our feet. We four strangers were greeted and invited to the festival. Sandwich was greeted by an old friend, I sped off to a loudly announced archery contest, Hawk met a druid who could turn into a bird (they had to race at flying) and Bright Eyes was left in Obez's care.

I patiently waited, trying not to watch as several commoners butchered my art. When it was my turn, I drew and loosed the arrow as I asked what the grand prize was. When it landed in the bull's eye, the man who had been charging entry's jaw dropped. He began counting out half the day's collection. I readied another arrow, and asked "will you halve your share again if I can split my arrow?" and let fly. A very unique splintering thud was heard before he had time time answer. "If I can do it again, will you throw in your fancy hat?", and drew a third arrow across my chest. The crowd hushed. The splintering thud rang out again. The crowd cheered, the man surrendered his hat, and his pot of gold. I bowed, stowed my winnings, and donned my new hat with a flourish.

Yoffa, the monk who had first greeted us in this time, carried the claws of the slain beast on his back. He was looking for a taxidermist to turn them into a trophy. I offered my service, "Are you sure you want a mere decoration? I could turn them into a wicked sword!" He agreed and we gathered some other supplies I'd need, handles and bindings and such. A masterpiece of oversized weaponry was created before the day was out. Modeled after a zanbato (a ludicrously large greatsword meant to cut through horse and rider in a single swing) it's natural sharpness and serrations ensured none would quickly recover from it's wounds. I couldn't help but add a tube that would launch my torpedos (in the event that I find it in the future). As the sun set, we accidental travelers of time faded out of existence to return to our proper time and place. I can't wait to hear Bright Eyes explain to Suri how she got a goldfish!

Gameplay Journal 23: Playing Assassins

Silent as a rogue, I watched my first target. He was loading boxes among other crewman, but the burning hand on his neck left no mistake. He had gotten out of sync with the others, and he paused to inspect a crate. I drew my blade, and struck from the shadows. The steel easily slid between ribs and stilled his heart.

I quickly searched him for anything valuable, then slid his body quietly beneath the waves. A score and four other spies were similarly slain, their corpses stripped of valuables and hidden where none would find them for days. 

On my way back to Chateau De Resistance, I heard a gnomish war cry coming from a half collapsed tavern. Peeking through the window, I saw Hawk and Obez finishing off the last few of what must have been a dozen men. I loosed two arrows hurriedly through the gaps in the rubble, and continued on my way. Everyone returned before the sun rose, more or less safe. We boasted of our kills and plunder, and drank till dawn.

Gameplay Journal 22: Meeting Resistance

An old dwarf sat down at our table, and asked if we were soldiers of Bane. "If only, then I could work my way up the ranks and slay him as his right hand!" I mused aloud. The dwarf found this amusing, and seemed to think we were trustworthy. He offered a 'safer' location where we could hide out. Down in the cellar of the inn, he opened a hatch in the floor. An underground tunnel connected us to a sort of Resistance HQ.

Being a small rundown room, the gnome went to work 'improving the building'. A day later he had finished his construction. A grand mansion stood behind the old inn, that now served as a mere entry way. Furnished with dorms, kitchen and mess hall, infirmary, and forge, Chateau de la Revolution was open for business. Suri and I repaired and modified any damaged weapons and armor we could find. The resistance was in the hands of prodigies as far as quarters and armaments were concerned. 

The next day we spent plotting and scouting. Three assignments were made available to us. Spies of Bane were running the docks, keeping tabs on all cargo. They either needed to be paid off, or slain. I quickly volunteered, eager to wean Bane's forces. Obez and Hawk were given orders to kill mercenaries and soldiers of Zhentarim, and leave the corpses as though they'd fought amongst themselves. Suri and Error-Del (still not sure how to pronounce that cleric elf's name), set off to end a lecherous governor and reclaim his unfair taxes.

Gameplay Journal 21: Hiding Out

Most of the group had cloaks that matched those of the Zhentarim. We also had a diamond of invisibility. The mage (who had been attacked by a doppelganger earlier) and I used a charge from the diamond, and made a beeline for the front gate. The others donned the cloaks and brazenly walked through the building.

I made it out without hassle. I followed my instincts that were telling me my wargs were nearby. I found them in makeshift cages at a slave market, surprisingly well behaved. I hid in an alley, whistled, and they easily broke loose from their bonds and chased after me. A couple turns later, we were at the Spouting Fish Inn (or was it Splashing Fish?). The barmaid was daft enough to tell me they had no fish or sake. With much disappointment, but more hunger, I ordered three steaks (two of them very rare). Rip and Snort deserved a treat for staying alive and near enough to find me.

Gameplay Journal 20: Jailbreak

He swung furiously, I rolled beneath it. I sprung up from behind the brute, wrapped the chain round his throat, and pulled it tight. His roar died with a gurgle as his crushed trachea denied his last breath. The keys now in my possession, I moved to release Hawk and the gnome. Hawk had trained a couple rats, and insisted I leave my chains with them to continue the clanging. The gnome had apparently had his own escape plan, and had tunneled into the walls. He surfaced behind the gong that had a large enough hammer for him to use as a weapon. I grabbed the guard's dagger, Hawk took his bludgeon, and we three went off to save the women.

Rounding the stairs, we heard two clangs, as the cleric slammed her chamber pot over their guards head, and used his bludgeon to fix it in place. Now armed with several weapons, misfitting armor, and two sets of keys, we set off in search of our effects

We were unable to find Panther-Man, but we did find our gear. It was guarded by a fat man. He seemed far more interested tallying the price for our goods, than guarding it. We burst through the door and sprang upon him. I had chains around his neck before he could set down his pen. We found his keys and a map in his desk, grabbed our gear, and planned our escape.

Gameplay Journal 19: ITS A TRAP!

They took the fighters a floor deeper than the magic users, truly the deepest part of the dungeon. We were placed in individual cells, spaced to where we couldn't see one another. In my cell was a cot for sleeping, a pot for pissing, and shackles around my wrists. The chain between was dangerously long; weaponizable, should the lone guard decide to enter my cell. I devised a plot to expedite that exact situation. I dragged my chamber pot near the end of my bed, at the back wall of my cell (don't want him to have time to change his mind if he does enter), and used my chain to gently CLANG the side of the pot.

After ten minutes of steady clanging, the guard walks over and rattles the gate. "Stop with all that banging!" I thought I might try my hand at a gentle approach. "I could bang this, or you could come in and give me something else to bang." With a grunt and a blush, he stomped off. I guess my feminine wiles are out of practice. Brute force mental warfare it is, and the clanging continued.

Ten minutes later, "give it a rrrest, me ears er splittin". I stopped; and one, and two, and three, and four, CLANG! started up again after a whole rest. The sound that was heard next was beyond speech, merely raw emotion. A guttural roar, filled with rage and frustration and murderous intent rose from the guard. Perfect. He rose from his seat, bludgeon in one hand, keys in the other. He unlocked my cell, and stepped forward into my web.

Gameplay Journal 18: "Fair" Trial

I awoke with a splitting headache, 70 meters up in the air, disarmed and bound. I wriggled to get in a more comfortable position, and was swiftly warned to "not try anything funny". I continued to survey the area and loosen the ropes that bound my cuffs to my shackles. Before I could escape seriously, we began our descent into the heavily guarded fortress of Scardale. We landed before a council of magi, obviously followers of Bane and other foul gods.

They escorted us to the commander who first singled out Air-o-dill (magic users and elves have a fancy for unspellable names), and ordered her unbound. He mocked her shouting "her god has no power here". I felt obliged to mock back "I managed to slay seven of your men, perhaps you are in need of a swordsmanship tutor?" "Throw them in the dungeons, make sure the smart-ass is in the deepest cell and left to rot. We can't have them acting up when Bane arrives." A grin spread across my face, trembling with anticipation and glee "Will he visit me? I await his arrival, teeth bared." "Away with them!" he barked, and into darkness we descended.

Gameplay Journal 17: Ambushed

We were gathering our thoughts around the fire that evening, everyone hoping for a little morale boost. The fire may have been a mistake. Three armed riders swooped in on pegasuses(pegasi, I dunno, plural forms of mythical beasts are not my strong suit). They threw a glass vial which burst into a cloud of noxious gas. Most of my allies fell immediately, Suri and the gnome forced them to land, but also fell unconscious. Hawk managed to call in a Sasquatch before he passed out, that thing had a wicked right hook, but he got spooked when more riders circled above. The cleric and I were the only two standing. I drew my swords, and my eyes glazed. If I was going to fulfill my duty as a ranger and protect my travelers, things would have to get messy.

The Cleric did what she could with a sword she picked off the ground, and even got a good strike through some damaged armor. It was evident that she had had some specialized training; however, it had clearly been years since she had practiced with a blade. Rip and Snort kept the third assassin busy while I battled the scythe wielder.

His scythe had been reduced to a staff as I guarded a particularly heavy blow, foreshadowing the owners soon-to come decapitation. He cast down the now ‘useless’ weapon, drew a dagger, and stabbed my leg. I could feel the burning of the poison on the blade, and readied my mind to delay its effects. I noticed the third assassin kick Snort as he attempted to regain his footing. I snapped, and began the “Hāto no joō no odori” (Dance of the Queen of Hearts). A twist of my stance, and a flick of both wrists separated two ugly heads from two ugly bodies. A quick leaping strike left our cleric dancing with a headless horseman.

Four more riders landed, too eager to avenge their fallen comrades. Eredil eventually fell to the sleeping poison that doused their blades. I continued my dance, battling to block out the blows the I could not dodge, and resisting the sweet slumber their poison offered. Four skulls fell into the pile as I relieved the world of their cowardice.

Thirteen more assailants circled overhead, and rained various poisons and nets upon me till I fell. I half-heard the captain, through a fevered dream, mumbling as he wrote his report, "seven highly trained, heavily armed assassins 'lost theirs heads' when combating a single woman."

I've never held hatred for creature before, but whoever sent these assassins has earned my favoritism.

Gameplay Journal 16: Battle at the Bridge

We continued downstream toward our Tantras. Ahead was a bridge, teaming with archers. Hawk and I grabbed torpedos, to ready them for launch. Suri barked at Bright Eyes to turn the boat around. The young girl was a bit frightened and turned too sharply. The edge of the deck caught the water and flipped the boat. Most of us reflexively leapt from the potential wreckage. Bright Eyes had a death grip on the steering lever, and the cleric got flung, skipping across the water directly into the pillar of the bridge.

I threw the torpedo at the peak of my jump, the fool gnome grabbed onto the explosive and rode it. His weight would have caused the torpedo to fall short, so I drew my bow and shot the activator for the rocket. He jumped off the torpedo as high as he could. This sent the torpedo directly into the bridge at it's peak. BOOM! fire and stone injuring several archers, sending several overboard. SLAM! the gnome pounded on bridge to redirect his fall. BOOM! Hawk dropped the other torpedo from his glider. Suri had gotten to the cleric just in time to shield her from the debris.

Still treading water I aimed for the soldiers who were staggered from the blast. First shot, through and through two throats, bloody mess. Second shot, severed triceps and brachial artery, he wouldn't be drawing a bow in the seven minutes he had to live. Hawk threw his boomerang from above, it crackled with lightning, stunning two archers as it ricocheted back to him. Suri tried to get the cleric to shore, but the cleric had other ideas. She swam downstream to the two who fell off the bridge, and beat them unconscious before dragging them to shore.

The leader of the archers turned on his men, and turned into a panther. He quickly cleaned up the few remaining. Exhausted from slaughter, he transformed back and passed out. We regrouped after recovering scattered equipment. Pantherman came around and began explaining how the crown of Shadowdale was using us as a scapegoat. We still had allies, but they were few.

Gameplay Journal 15: Muddy Mimics

We have been making good time, but the water is getting shallow. And before we knew it, we had beached ourselves on a muddy sand bar. We could wade for hours, or spend that time creating a vessel more suited for shallow waters. Under Hawk's guidance, the gnome used the roof of the sub to craft a flat-bottomed "skimmer". He asked if any could make a much larger version of the propeller, and I volunteered.

There were plenty of trees around and I began to carve the wood into a sword like shape. Its over-sized, broad shape would be useless in combat, but it would definitely accomplish its goal of moving lots of air. I made two copies of the blade and attached them to a wheel. BAM! propeller. That's when I heard the scream.

While I had been working, a ghost had visited Midnight and led her into the woods, and a trap. I rushed toward the scream and saw her grappling with a half transformed Doppelganger. I knew I needed to wound it before it became impossible to tell the monster from the maiden. In a flash I drew and fired an arrow into it's shoulder. It howled in pain as the others arrived, weapons drawn. They advanced on the beast and broke its grip on Midnight. Then, the gnome delivered death from above. Soaring in like a mortar round, he used his own meager body weight and that of his hammer to crush the Doppelganger like an insect.

We finished the riverboat and Suri used some clever spellcrafting to set the propeller in motion. We took off at tremendous speed, twice what a horse and rider could ever hope to manage.  

As we soared down the river, an old man hailed us. Without slowing down, the gnome plucked him from the shore. After getting his bearings, he began telling us some prophecy horse shit. He told of a safe haven in the town we were going, an inn with a name that had something to do with fish, I like fish. When he was done the gnome chucked him to shore. I applauded the old man's dexterity as he stuck the landing.

Gameplay Journal 14: Too much fire

I mourned the loss of the disguise that had become my identity, but I decided not to let it affect my morale. I would have plenty of time to learn female finesse after our quest. I needed the attention off of me for a bit, so I explained the art of "noodling" to the gnome. This involves finding a good size hole under the water, sticking your arm in, and hoping a catfish mistakes you for a snack. The gnome took off with his usual simpleton excitement and dove in the water.

He must have forgotten the final part of the instruction, as he attacked the hole with the lance I'd fashioned for him from the marlin's skull. His incredible strength struck through the few remaining roots of a dead tree. The tree groaned and fell across our fire. Luckily we all managed to get out of the way. The dead tree went up in flames, creating a beacon for all who would pursue us.

We devised a plan to douse the blaze by running the propeller and roping off the sub. This works, mostly, the smoldering wood creates thick smoke that is almost worse. I should have known better. We load up, cut the line, and put as much distance between ourselves and the smoke as possible.

Gameplay Journal 13: Burning Truth

I got a roaring fire going on a large sandbar, and they were able to dry their clothes. I threw my line in the water while I waited, caught three good sized catfish. The cleric started telling those around the fire about a strange statue she saw while swimming submerged beneath the swamp. The group immediately decided it was necessary to raise this statue to a more observable position. Through strength and leverage, they manage to hoist it ashore.

The statue stood about 7 feet tall. She was beautifully carved with arms outstretched. However in place of her face, was a magic circle. The gnome jumped up and gave her a high five. His wounds instantly closed, and he claimed he felt smarter. Others who were wounded quickly touched the statue for the healing. I thought a little mischief might further establish my cover as male, and cop a feel of the statue’s ample bosom.

This instantly backfired. My previously very modest assets grew a size. This became very uncomfortable in my tight armor, and I was forced to loosen the bindings. Suri's furious at my brash behavior, but she must have felt some sympathy toward my pain because she helped me refit my armor. While not ridiculously overgrown as some of the harlots I've seen in the cities, I was unmistakably female.

Gameplay Journal 12: Mystic Mists

We were surrounded by fog, the tops of evergreens desperately reached out of the waters of the Flooded Forest. A ghostly form approached over the water. He gave some advice, and banished the mist. His essence dispersed just before they arose.

The undead rose from the waters, and began their shamble. The gnome leapt towards the nearest with his accusatory war cry of "EVILLL!!!" Hawk and I loaded torpedoes into the launch tubes. The casters used water walking upon themselves, and charged into battle. The torpedoes launched and decimated two of the three main groups of Rotters. I prepared a third for launch, and Hawk balanced atop the croc's back to throw his boomerang. The third torpedo wiped out the remaining group of shamblers, and I joined hawk top side to pick off any stragglers.

This battle could have gone a lot worse. Had we been caught without previously unfathomed transportation and weaponry, we may have been overwhelmed. The gnome surprised us all by being able to fight so well while treading water. And the cleric’s spell must have failed her because Suri had to dive in after her. When we were all safely aboard, several of them were soaked to the bone. We would have to land, to dry them out by a fire.

Gameplay Journal 11: Restricted Goods Restrict Progress

Instead of taking carts and wagons like sensible folks, the gnome conjured a vessel from a seamless boulder of granite that he claimed capable of traveling underwater. With only hammer and chisel the stonemason savant had built something no one else had ever imagined. I took this as a challenge, and made my way back to the storage yard.

__________________________________________________________________________

I hid in an alley near the storage yard, and waited patiently while I studied the guards rounds. I found an opening when only one guard was on this end of the fence. I directed Rip to snatch the guard's cudgel, and play keep away till I whistled. His performance was stellar, somehow this fearsome warg acting just like a playful dog. I wasn't going to waste the opportunity we'd created. I soared over the fence, and started search for a keg of gunpowder. Which was conveniently well marked with caution signs. I nabbed a keg, and left a handful of gold coins to ease my guilt. I quickly vaulted back over the fence, ducked into the alley, and whistled to Rip. He dropped the stick, and took off for the docks. I wove my way through a couple alleys to get there.

I began construction on a projectile weapon suitable for the gnome's genius craft. Made of wood to reduce weight and cost, it would be a larger version of the bottle rockets I'd seen at the harvest festivals. In the explosive head, I included gravel for shrapnel. I sealed off the "slow-burn" tail with clay. A piece of flint and steel were placed at both ends, one at the tail to light the rocket, one at the nose to trigger the explosion on impact. I named the project “Tons Of Rather Potent Explosive Demolition Ordinance” or TORPEDO for short.

I showed the devices to the gnome and explained we would need some sealing tubes added to the submarine. He effortlessly added my request, without detraction from the beautiful crocodile sculpture that had become the craft's outward appearance. After devising how to power it, we set off to Tantras.

When the mechanism was operating, stone sealed us in with no way for navigation. I took the helm and relied on my uncanny sense of direction to guide us through the depths. After a few hours, we needed to surface to replenish our air supply.

Gameplay Journal 10: The Parade

We agreed to meet in town the next day. I told them I would guide them through the woods, but they refused to just leave the boat behind. We left early the next morning, and I arrived several hours before they would by sea. I wandered around town looking for a good hat shop (a little upset that I lost the hat that kind shepherd gave me). I notice a lightly guarded storage area, obviously a depot where cargo is held when transferred between ships.

I finally found a shop that has some decent hats, when I noticed a parade of cloaked monks carrying a row boat overhead through town. After a quick count, I deduced there was likely a gnome, a few elves, and a man with a "hang glider" beneath those robes.So much for buying a new hat- I thought to myself and hurried after them.

The gnome was leading the procession, carrying the boat and chanting "We're selling this fine row boat, 50 gold or best offer!" The voice was low and drawn out in a crude imitation of the priests of Pelor. The whole show was quite entertaining. When the bidding started, I snuck through the crowd, startling people to fake their bids. This drove the actual bidders mad. The price shot to nearly 200 gold pieces (for a used row boat) before sanity caught up with their competitive nature. We now had plenty of money to fund our journey to Tantras.

Gameplay Journal 9: "The" Fishing Trip

Only one long boat survived the firestorm, Suri and I quickly hurried the others into it, and I cut the lines. Flyboy took off on his glider, and got some wicked lift from the blast. The gnome may seem a little dim, but he can row a boat! He was paddling the nine of us, faster than any of us could run. Deep waters, a fast pace, a lucky fishing rod, no fisherman could pass up the opportunity to troll for marlin.

The line trails behind us, I patiently wait. We watch the ship burn, and tend to our wounded. Something bites, I pull to set the hook, it pulls back, I fall in. The huge fish freaks, and sprints back towards the ship. I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I managed to get my feet under me, and I skated on top of the water. The marlin starts to dive as it nears the ship, I take in a lung full of air and dive with it.

There's a serenely peaceful moment of chaos. The ship is mostly underwater, and the squids legs drift slowly with the tide. Bodies of most unfortunate crewmen sink to join Cthulhu's ranks. As I surface on the other side, I notice Hawk has lowered a rope to me, I refuse to relinquish my grip, but the rope finds its way round my waist. The gnome had launched the boat through the flames of the sinking ship. He leapt from the row boat, tied the rope round me, and leapt back to the boat before it could splash back into the water.

I reel myself in as close as i can get to the fleeing fish, and dive forward to tackle it. With a mighty heave, and a lucky wind, Hawk pulls us both out of the sea and towards shore. When we land, I bury my hatchet into the fishes head to end its torment, and thank Ebisu for the good fortune.

As the sun set, we raised a bonfire. Partly to cook the fish, but more to honor our fallen comrade. It was late in the night before the festivities ended. All were stuffed with good food, and shouting their last goodbyes to Melgar; the bard who could talk his way onto the throne as easily as he could soothe the blood-lust of a dozen orcs.

Gameplay 8: Close Encounter

The large amount waste we've dumped in the water seems to have angered a giant squid. Its tentacles reached higher than the crow's nest as it hoisted itself aboard. Melgar attempted to produce tentacles of his own, but magic has a funny way of backfiring these days. While he struggled to free himself from his own spell, I charged up one was the beast's tentacles, and Suri (the gloomy elf) rushes the crew below deck. I draw my swords and slash out it's eye with a quick flourish. Melgar manages to free himself, he grabs a barrel of tar with each tentacle and a torch in each hand. He's seems bent on a suicide run.

I leapt over the manic bard, and tumbled onto the deck. BOOM! Fire, smoke, the distinct smell of grilled calamari! It seems no one was immediately injured but Melgar, who just gave his life to save his friends.

Vain fool, you needn’t have thrown your life away.

Gameplay Journal 7: Gnomeish Propulsion

Is it so much to ask for some peace and quiet with nature? Melgar's (the bard) gone and managed to inherit himself a pirate ship. Don't ask how. Anyway, adventure awaits on the high seas, yarr!

We found a large supply of tar in the ship's hold, along with 500 pigeons. The gnome had not seen tar before and ate a handful before we could stop him. His inhuman bowels are removing the toxin at high velocity. Flyboy (the ranger with a hang glider obsession) has devised a way to use this to power the ship. I feel little sorrow for the simpleton as he is tied to the stern, but propulsion produced by this violent reaction is incredible. 

A few minutes later, our small ship had traveled a distance that may have taken all day in the slight breeze.

Gameplay Journal 6: A Little Leisure

While the gnome constructed his monument, I intended to try out my new fishing rod. It works BRILLIANTLY! I've never caught so many large fish from shore! I quickly prepared a fire, and smoked the meat of three of the salmon. Not wanting to waste good food, I sold the rest at the docks. This morning was a nice break from the thrills.

In the market however, the remainder of the party seems to think they are well disguised in suspicious cloaks. They are attempting to gain passage on a ship to Tantras. I'm certain something awful is about to happen.

Gameplay Journal 5: Return to Elmwood

As we flew back over the Scimitar Spine in the wastelands of Anauroch, we were pursued by a young green dragon. This dragon was male, and seemed not so much in the mood for eating us as mating with our ride. I managed to keep the party from starting an unnecessary engagement. With some unfortunately unforgettable details regarding scent production, I convinced the dragon that we were neither a good mate nor threat to his territory. It lost interest before we cleared Anauroch.

I have noticed a weakness with the gnome's piloting, his landings tend to break things. His repairs had been in haste, more so than we'd realized, and pieces began to fall from the stone beast. The gnome did what he could to shave weight from the statue's underbelly. Great chunks of stone plummeted to the ground. My gaze fixed one such boulder which was on a collision course with a band of armed riders. They never saw what hit them.

Even after shedding all that stone, we braced ourselves for a "forced landing", which I'm pretty sure means the pilot doesn't know why we're still flying. We crashed just outside of Elmwood. The dragon statue was irreparable. The gnome declared he would take three days to build a shrine to his magnificent creation.

Gameplay Journal 4: Elysium

As we journey through the grotto, we felt at peace. This place is Good and Safe. We seem to be led to a clearing, where lies an unconscious elf. I would say she was young, but who can truly gauge an elf’s age? She is dressed in clerical garb, and the gloomy elf cries out when she see's who it is. Apparently a good friend of hers had died before I'd arrived, but it appears whatever deity owns this forest took pity and retrieved the cleric from beyond. The gnome calls to her, I dump water on her face, but the cleric remains asleep. The gloomy one lifts the girls head, and to make up for what must have been an abrupt and violent end, kisses her with a lover's passion.

The fairy tales were apparently true for once, an enchanted sleep can be broken with a kiss. The cleric seems nice enough, but is a bit hot tempered about losing a fight. The (previously) gloomy one fills in the cleric on what she's missed as we continue our walk. Then the deity presented herself to us, and offered us gifts. The cleric had already received her life, and the gloomy one seemed contented with that as well. The guy who's constantly trying to tame MY wargs was little more creative and scored a portable hang glider. I got myself a magic fishing rod, I love fishing.

Apparently finishing their goal of retrieving a friend, we hiked our way back to the dragon. The gnome is a brilliant mason and had it operable in just a couple hours. We were soon returning to Elventree.

Gameplay Journal 3: The Star Mounts

The Star Mountains in the far west was our next destination, across wastelands home to only bandits and beasts. For days we flew, until reached the forest. This was not our pilots best landing. One of the legs broke and the wing was cracking. This apparently was not the prime concern at the moment, as we abandoned it and headed off into the woods. The gloomy girl must've lived around here because she quickly found a path that led to a beautiful waterfall.

The gnome and bard walked over to the waterfall, and the gnome threw him to the top. The bard started singing, it must've been good because the animals of the forest seemed entranced by it. I got a clean kill on a distracted deer, and we had venison enough to last the party a week. Though I had forgotten about the gnome's incredible appetite.

The bard has stumbled across a large hidden tunnel behind the waterfall. The gnome dug his own, less hidden tunnel. I sent Snort in with a torch when I noticed they had forgotten to bring their own. While everyone was trying to figure out some riddle to open a door, I finished cooking and preserving our meal. When I caught up with them later, it turned out Snort was the one who solved the riddle (guess who gets a prime cut of venison tonight!). The tunnel led into a hidden grotto, clearly home to some deity. I dare not make a fool of myself here.

Gameplay Journal 2:Mount & Mission

I've been traveling with this band of misfits for a day or two, we've just stumbled across the most amazingly detailed statue of a dragon I've ever seen. It took a bit of bravado to not bolt at first sight of the thing. Then the gnome climbed its back and disappeared inside. A moment later, the statue began to fly. Clearly powered by magic, its wings flapped far too slowly to lift the behemoth. I hesitated until the rest of the party climbed aboard, sensibilities be damned, I wanna fly!

We flew to the elven port of Elmwood, my new friends seemed eager to be away from the roads for some reason. The landing of a dragon caused quite a spectacle. The gloomy one seemed to have business high in the trees. I volunteered to stay with the dragon, mostly because my wargs would be uncomfortable climbing something so precarious. When they returned, the gloomy she-elf had an "I'm on a mission" expression written across her face. It wasn't long before we took to the skies again.

Gameplay Journal 1: Joining the Party

It seems my get away from humanity has been cut short. Was greeted by a flying gnome, or rather one who had been thrown a great distance and launched himself off the tree I'd been sitting against. Curiosity led me to helping an unfortunate group of adventurers escape the monstrous river serpent, although most people know better than to cross this river by boat. I believe they've need of my stable mind and bow.

My first impressions of this group, a brain-damaged gnome who more than makes up for it with bravado and good will, another human ranger who seems to want to tame all the beasts of the world, a bard who will seduce anyone for anything, two mages (one seems to be an apprentice), and one particularly grumpy elf fighter.

Backstory 10: Meeting More Misfits

His journeys and employers eventually brought Grynn far North to the forest region of Cormanthor. Here he finds an incredible coliseum that, according to townsfolk cheering within, has sprung up overnight. Grynn pushes his way through the crowd, wondering what the uproar is about. In the center ring he sees a bard praising a gnome’s eating abilities. Stranger yet, the gnome seem eager to live up to the bard’s boasts. A large cow is brought in, slaughtered and put on a spit. Not able to wait any longer, the gnome dives in and starts himself on half-cooked beef. His courage and fortitude were impressive.

Maybe he was more foolhardy than brave; the poor gnome puked and passed out after consuming an impressive two thirds of a cow. Grynn thought these folk might be worth a good story or two, and decided to make an effort to talk to them if he ever bumped into them in less of a spectacle.

For now I’ll leave them be, this festival atmosphere has made me hungry, and there were several healthy looking fish in the stream outside town. I’ll make camp there.

Backstory 9: Fort Arrowglance

His time in training at Fort Arrowglance was comparatively short, as Grynn had already learned and mastered many of the skills that most rookies spent years on. One thing was hard for him though, and that was learning to coordinate with a team other than his dire wolves. But Grynn proved himself worthy of the ranger’s oath, vowing to use his skills only to protect himself, his team, and his employer. Earning his ranger’s emblem at only seventeen made Grynn something of a legend. Grynn left the fortress, making sure to take a map listing the magically linked signboards that kept the rangers contracts updated, and headed out.