Tuesday, April 26

I spot a building in the far distance. It's the only structure besides rock and sand that I've seen in a while. It must be the Lost Library. I still have some dangerous sand to cross to make it safely to the building.

I'm to cross the remaining desert carefully so as to not draw out sand worms. D20+Dex+ Stealthy.

I shuffle through the sand slowly so as not to disturb the ground. I make it safely to the building.

Everyone but The Professor actually cleared this without any help. The Professor took a flyer on his reroll spell and ended up on the avoid the worm side.

Had anyone not passed, a worm would have emerged, potentially dealing 1 to 3 points of damage.

Also of note: All three (Sir Gareth, Professor, and Wolfrik) passed their poison roll.

Wednesday, April 27

I stand before the locked doors to the Lost Library. An inscription on a plate above can be seen but is worn down and hard to read.

1. What do I know of the Lost Library? D20+INT+Student.

2. Look over the door and inscription.

3. Gain access to the library.

This ended up being a bit more complicated than it appeared.

In the what do I know about the Lost Library, Sir Gareth (4) had only just heard of it when he was sent on this mission. Seems like it should be called the Found Library now.

Tsavani (13), Mori'an (13), Lyric (12), Faris (14), and Astrid (13) all recalled it was called the Lost Library because it was home to so many lost texts, such as information on the Demon Gate and transference energy.

Professor (21), Syntax (17), Wolfrik (16), and Zilmora (23) remembered that the Lost Library was given it's name because anyone who wished to seek information could find it here. No knowledge would be truly lost. People stopped coming because the Librarian that guarded the building went crazy. It's job was to protect the text from being removed but over the years it began to just attack regardless of motive.

Looking over the door and inscription, we find the doors are magically sealed and locked. It appears if I can read the inscription out loud, the doors will open.

GUR QBBE JVYY BCRA GB FPUBYNEF
SBE NYY JUB FRRX GB SERRYL GENQR
VA XABJYRQTR NEIR JRYPBZR

To gain access to the library, I have five options. Pick the lock (Dex, Lockpick), Climb up to an open window (Str, Athlete), dispel the magic (Wis, Arcane Adept), bash in the doors (damage), or read the inscription.

Each of the adventurer's go down that line of options.

Sir Gareth, Mori'an, Wolfrik, and Zilmora all climbed to the open window.

Syntax, Lyric, and Astrid all picked the lock.

The Professor and Tsavani were able to dispel the magic and open the door.

Faris was unable to do any of those. She took a swing at the door. She hit it, but magical energy fired back at her and she lost 1HP. She then decided to solve the riddle.

"The door will open to scholars for all who seek to freely trade in knowledge are welcome"

The riddle was in a Caesar cipher, but I solved it without shifting. Given the letter patterns, I went with the first two words being "The door" which opened up a lot more things for me.

Professor and Wolfrik fail their poison rolls and lose 1HP.

I've left my character sheets at the office. I'm not due back there until Monday, so I'm essentially on hold until then. I've got the calendar, but rolls against skills and such require I review those sheets.

Thursday, April 28

I went to the office to retrieve a few things I was missing (other than my gaming stuff).

A vast hall of knowledge stands before me. There are floors with endless shelves of books holding the knowledge of the universe. A wooden sign at the entrance contains a message scratched in wood.

I'm to read the message and then begin searching the stacks of books. D20+INT+Student.

RULES OF THE LIBRARY:

1. NO NOISE

2. TAKE NOTHING.

VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN DEATH.

--The Librarian

Tsavani (4) and Lyric (8): The library is so large that they have no idea where to begin.

Professor (14), Faris (11), Wolfrik (14), and Zilmora (12): They notice that there is some organization to the shelves and contents. They're marked with numbers and letters by category. That might help to better navigate the library to find what they're seeking. They gain +2 to search the library for scrolls and books tomorrow.

Sir Gareth (19), Syntax (18), Mori'an (25), and Astrid (19): They discover a massive cabinet that contains a catalog of all the contents of the library. It gives them a good idea of how and where to locate things. Judging by the disarray of the library, though, they can only hope the items they seek are located where they should be. They gain +4 to searching tomorrow.

Friday, April 29

The Lost Library

The library is vast and holds many books and scrolls. Search among the stacks of books for the relevant scrolls and texts you need in order to learn more about the gates.

There are five rooms/areas. I don't know why I would go another route other than 1-5, so we'll all go that way.

Room 1: There's a cozy reading nook with a soft sofa here. It's safe enough to rest. Everyone heals. Everyone regains SP and Chi. Poison is cleared. Everyone pays 5g for their helpers.

Room 2: They walk into a meeting room and find 3 skeletons. They search the bodies. D20+INT+Investigator.

Professor (6), Tsavani (9), Lyric (2), and Wolfrik (3): They suspect they may have been talking or arguing loudly and were attacked by The Librarian. Consider this a fair warning.

Sir Gareth (20), Syntax (11, spend 2g for skill boost), Mori'an (19), Faris (17), Zilmora (22), and Astrid (15): They suspect they may have been talking or arguing loudly and were attacked by The Librarian. Consider this a fair warning. They find 10g on the skeletons, though.

Room 3: I find a janitor's locker room. Nothing in here has been used in ages. The place is dirty and covered in dust. As I turn to exit, I see a hooded figure passing quickly. It might have been an avian creature, but it moved too quickly to tell.

Room 4: A large room of the library filled with ancient scrolls. I might find what I'm looking for here. Search, with bonus from yesterday: D20+INT+Investigator.

Tsavani (10), Lyric (13), Faris (13), Wolfrik (11), and Zilmora (7) find potentially helpful and relevant scrolls, but it takes a long time. Zilmora and Faris consume a ration. The others lose 1HP.

Sir Gareth (17), Professor (23), Syntax (23), Mori'an (20), and Astrid (19): They all find helpful and relevant scrolls on the topic of the gates and transference energy.

Room 5: A large room of the library filled with ancient books this time instead of scrolls. I conduct a similar search as I did in room 4. Search, with bonus from yesterday: D20+INT+Investigator.

Professor (11), Tsavani (1), and Syntax (14) take a long time here but find the necessary information. Professor and Syntax consume a ration while Tsavani loses another HP.

Sir Gareth (20), Mori'an (23), Lyric (20), Faris (18), Wolfrik (21), Zilmora (20), and Astrid (22) all found information on the gates and transference energy in quick fashion.

April 30/May1, The Weekend

I look over the scrolls and books I've gathered. One of the books is peculiar and has an odd, fuzzy feeling cover. I open the book and feel a sharp sting. The book is biting me! The wound causes my thoughts to swirl in confusion.

Roll attack, damage and intellect for 3 rounds.

This did not go over extremely well for our friends. Each of them had to roll against intellect each round..if they lost, and they often did, they had to reroll damage and take the lower of the two amounts.

Only Sir Gareth and Lyric managed to win all 3 rounds against the book. Taking no damage, they destroyed it and took 3g.

Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid destroyed the book, but took 2 points of damage. They earned 1g.

Wolfrik stunned the book twice before being bit. When he looked up from the wound, he found that the book had scurried off out of the room and disappeared. He took 1 point of damage, gained 2g.

Mori'an missed all 3 times...got bit 3 times and the book mocked him as it ran off. Mori'an was mostly glad to be rid of it. -3HP.

Monday, May 2

I've gathered the resources and I've taken them to a reading nook. I set them all out and begin reading over them to research what I can about reassembling the gate.

The History of the Gods
There was one world before the gods began to bicker and fight. They separated existence into different worlds they could each have domain over. The worlds are connected by the Gates of Terralon. As much as the gods hated each other, they made a truce to leave the gates alone, lest their worlds collide and destroy each other. Still, they set up guardians to defend the gates.

On the Structure of the Gates of Terralon
The Gates of Terralon act as waypoints for travel between the worlds as well as anchors to focus an energy that holds the universe together. The energy is commonly known as Transference energy.

Musings on the Anchors
If a gate were to be destroyed, the Transference energy would become unstable and chaotic. It would begin to unravel the world, sending matter through to all of the other worlds it was connected to.

Scroll of Terralonic Transference
You find a magic scroll that can activate the gates and allow one to travel through to the other worlds.

Transference Sensor and Locator
A device that can track transference energy so that you can locate the other gates and gate shards. With it, you can see that there are no other gates shards in this world. You also see that the gate in this world is located within the library.

With what I've learned after my research, I must take the Scroll and Locator (against the rules of the Library). With them, I will need to find the gate on this world, travel to the other worlds to locate all the shards of the demon gate, and finally take them back to the demon world to be reassembled.

Tuesday, May 3

I pack up the materials from the library and begin to leave. I don't get far before I hear a loud screech and feel air of wings flapping down from the sky. The Librarian descends upon me and attacks me for breaking the rules of the Lost Library.

3 rounds, similar to the last. Intellect rolls as well.

The intellect rolls were the same as against the book and it again proves to be a challenge for our adventurers.

Sir Gareth and Wolfrik had the most success, stunning the owl like Librarian 3 times and gaining 3g.

Mori'an cast two spells and ended up gaining 2g and 2HP, despite only winning 2 of the rounds.

Professor, Tsavani, and Zilmora gained 1g, but lost 3HP.
Syntax lost 1HP.
Lyric gained 1g, but lost 5HP.
Faris gained 2g, but lost 2HP.
Astrid gained 2g, but lost 1HP.

The Librarian, after the 3 rounds of fighting, flies away angrily, to fight them from the air.

Wednesday, May 4

Lost Library Gate

The device that detects the transference energy is showing that the Terralon Gate in this realm is located here at the library. I need to find the gate and avoid the Librarian.

There are 5 rooms, I can avoid rooms 2 and 4 if I desire, but I don't. We'll hit them all.

Room 1:
I enter a long hallway where I can quickly gain some distance from the Librarian if I am a fast runner. D20+DEX+Athlete.

Syntax (7) is not an athlete. The Librarian is too quick for it. It comes up and claws it from behind. -2HP.

Sir Gareth (12), Faris (8), and Wolfrik (13) get a little further than Syntax, but not by much and lose 1HP.

The rest of the crew are too quick for the Librarian as they dash away at full speed. Props to Professor (21), Lyric (21), and Zilmora (21) for the top rolls.

Room 2:

A small closet at the end of the hall. I hoped it would lead elsewhere. I have to hide while the Librarian searches for me. D20+DEX+Stealthy.

Only two manage to get caught: Sir Gareth (3) and Zilmora (10). Both dart out of the closet just as the Librarian was about to descend up on them. The Librarian still reaches out and manages to do 1HP of damage to them.

The rest sneak away undetected...Professor the top of the group with 23.

Room 3:

I enter a large room with stacks and shelves of books. The Librarian enters behind me. I am unable to run or hide. I'll have to fight. D20+ATK and hopefully damage.

Once again, we're fortunate for the most part.

Tsavani and Lyric fail to hit the Librarian. The Librarian attacks and deals 1 HP damage to both.

Everyone else manages to stun the Librarian with their hit. Way to go, fellas.

Room 4:

I consider that perhaps the gate is on another level of this huge library. I begin to descend down some stairs. Doing so in a hurry proves difficult. D20+Dex+Danger Sense.

Another fairly good set of rolls.

Syntax (7), Mori'an (6), and Wolfrik (8) all trip and fall...losing 1HP.

The rest clear the stairs without issue. Sir Gareth gliding down the easiest at 17.

Room 5:

I find a place with several doors leading to many possible locations. One of them has to lead me to where the gate is. I spend some time trying each of them in hopes of getting the right door quickly. Just as I come to a locked door, the Librarian appears at the end of the hall. This locked door must be it. I have to get past this lock and inside.

I will attempt to pick the lock. If I fail I'll attempt to bash the door open.

All but Professor (4), Mori'an (10), and Wolfrik (10) make it through the lock. They're forced to break it open. All do rather quickly, but Mori'an suffers 1HP in the process.

Thursday, May 5

The room I bolted into has clearly seen better days. I'm on the lookout for one of the guardians the history scrolls mentioned. A booming voice bellows out a riddle that echoes through the room:

Between two spaces I connect. Through me one passes with effect.

Two are joined in unity. A symbol for opportunity. Opened or closed is my fate. As a barrier I separate.

What am I?

In this scenario, my answer is for all of them...no real way for me to break that up.

I answer this correctly...

Each of them gain +2 to all combat rolls tomorrow (Attack and damage).


Now they must either

A) sprint to reach the gate quickly. D20+DEX+Athlete.

B) Quietly sneak to the gate undetected. D20+DEX+Stealthy.

or

C) Confidently prepare for battle. D20+STR+Intimidating.

We'll split into 3 groups for this. I'll figure out what's best for each. 3 minimum in each option. One will have four.

I decided, after seeing how the numbers were coming up, to change how I distributed it. Professor, Tsavani, Lyric, Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid all go sprinting...and that's based on their best abilities for success. Even then, only Tsavani (16), Lyric (19), and Faris (17) get there without stumbling. They gain +2 defense for tomorrow.

Syntax was the only one to try and get to the gate undetected. That, however, did not work out (6).

Sir Gareth (20), Mori'an (18), and Wolfrik (22) prepared for battle. Their calm walk to the gate will surely bestow confidence to any opponent. They gain +2 defense for tomorrow.

Friday, May 6

As I walk closer to the gate, a pile of stones nearby begin to move. Dust and rubble shake free as a stone golem now stands up and takes a defensive position against me.

4 rounds of combat.

The Professor and Astrid make quick work of the stone golem...gaining 8 gold and suffering no damage.

Sir Gareth, Lyric, and Faris did well. They gained 6 gold and suffered just 1HP of damage before dispatching the golem. Zilmora suffered 2HP while gaining 6 gold as well.

Wolfrik and Tsavani got by the golem, gaining 4g and losing 2HP each.

Struggling past it were Syntax (lost 4HP, gained 1g) and Mori'an (lost 3HP, gained 2g).

The Weekend, May 7 and 8

One of the Gates of Terralon stands before me. It likely hasn't been seen by another pair of eyes in ages. It holds a certain beauty in its colors and design. Yet, it is also terrifying. I have never traveled like this and I don't know what to expect.

I am to cast the spell to activate the gate. D20+Wisdom+Arcane Adept.

then I'm to maintain my composure as I am hurled across the dimensional cosmos. D20+Constitution+Danger Sense.

Lyric (2) is the only one to flub the spell. Something must have not been right as the runes flicker and the portal whirls about violently. He loses 3 on his composure as a result.

Tsavani (20), Syntax (17), Zilmora (20), and Astrid (17) repeated the incantations and gestures from the Scroll of Terralonic Transference flawlessly. Runes on the gate light up and patterns swirl in the portal. It's beautiful, really. They gain +2 to their composure.

Everyone did a reasonable job maintaining their composure. Mori'an used Blood Ritual to make that happen. He was the only one to lose 2HP. Nearly everyone else lost 1HP due to the intense pain of the journey...a journey unlike anything they have ever experienced. They bear down and endure through it. As they begin to come to terms with what they're experiencing, they mentally peer out into the vast expanse that connects all of the infinite existence. It's jarring and disturbing.

Almost everyone suffered damage. The Professor (18) and Astrid (18) didn't have any fear going through this experience and suffered no damage.

Mori'an and Lyric used potions to regain some HP...3 for Mori'an and 2 for Lyric.

Monday, May 9

Level Up

Our adventurers have gained enough experience to increase their level. I will allocate 2 points to their traits. I increased their weakness the first time, strengths for the second level up. This time I'll go back to weaknesses. I'll also update what these are, as well as current HP and gold.

I increased Sir Gareth's wisdom and intelligence. He gained 4HP, 1 Def, 1 Atk, damage is now 2D8 (was 2D6), 1 SP, and a new spell, Restoration. Use 1SP: Remove poisoned and cursed conditions.

Sir Gareth Stalworth
Human Cleric
Level 4

Str: 3
Dex: 0 (+1)
Con: 1
Int: 1
Wis: 1
Cha: 0

Virtue: 7
HP: 21 (22). Currently 18
Atk: 5
Def: 16
Dmg: 2D8

Gold: 62

I increased The Professor's strength and charisma. He gained 5HP, 2 Atk, damage is now 3D8 (was 2D8), 1 SP. Two new spells, Blizzard and Life Water. Blizzard: 1SP, Add D6 to all attack and damage rolls for the page. Life Water: 1SP, Restore HP by D8.

Professor Trynnicus Wyvern
Draaken Elementalist
Level 4

Str: 1
Dex: 0 (+1)
Con: 0
Int: 2
Wis: 3
Cha: 0

Virtue: 4
HP: 23. Currently 18
Atk: 6
Def: 14 (15)
Dmg: 3D8

Gold: 30

I increased Tsavani's strength and charisma. She gained 5HP, 1 Atk, 1 Def, damage is now 2D10 (was 2D6), 2 Chi. New Chi, Flurry Rush. 1Chi, Add D6 on all attack and damage rolls for the page.

Tsavani Moonchaser
Feline Monk
Level 4

Str: 1
Dex: 4 (+5)
Con: 0
Int: 0
Wis: 1
Cha: 0

Virtue: 6
HP: 24. Currently 13
Atk: 5
Def: 15 (16)
Dmg: 2D10

Gold: 42

I increased Syntax's wisdom and charisma. It gained 5HP, 1 Atk, 1 Def, damage is now 2D10 (was 2D6). Two new abilities, Salvage and Tonic. Salvage can turn any magical equipment into 25g. Tonic: Spend 4g to remove poison or cursed conditions.

Syntax 12B047-2
Machine Artificer
Level 4

Str: 1
Dex: 1 (2)
Con: 1
Int: 3
Wis: 0
Cha: 0

Virtue: -3
HP: 24 (25). Currently 15
Atk: 5
Def: 15
Dmg: 2D10

Gold: 65

I increased Mori'an's wisdom and charisma. He gained 6HP, 1 Def, damage is now 2D12 (was 2D10), 1 SP. Blood ritual can now be used twice in a page (-1HP to gain +2 to a single roll). New ability, Animate Dead. Once per rest, when HP is 0, restore 25% of max health, rounded up.

Mori'an Corvus
Avian Necromancer
Level 4

Str: 0
Dex: 1 (2)
Con: 2
Int: 3
Wis: 0
Cha: 0

Virtue: -3
HP: 27. Currently 18
Atk: 3 (4)
Def: 14
Dmg: 2D12 (+1)

Gold: 30

I increased Lyric's wisdom and constitution. He gained 4HP, 1 atk, damage is now 2D8 (was D12). He can now use Charm (Add 15 to charisma for one roll) twice per rest. Gained locksmith ability. Gained appraiser ability. Appraiser: Reduce the cost of items by 20% rounded up. Items bought with this ability cannot be resold. Gained Captivate ability. Captivate: Once per page, Reduce incoming damage by 2.

Lyric Stringwood
Human Bard
Level 4

Str: 0
Dex: 2 (3)
Con: 0
Int: 0
Wis: 1
Cha: 3

Virtue: 4
HP: 21 (22). Currently 15
Atk: 6
Def: 14
Dmg: 2D8 (+1)

Gold: 33

I increased Faris's intelligence twice. She gained 5HP, 1 Atk, damage is now 2D8 (was 2D6). Faris has a weasel and an eagle. Now she has a bear. SHE HAS A BEAR. Once per page, add 2 to attack and damage. Nature's healing is now twice per rest (restore D4 health). Precise Aim is now twice per rest (Add 10 to one attack roll and D4 to damage).

Faris Leafwind
Half-Elf Druid
Level 4

Str: 0
Dex: 2 (3)
Con: 0
Int: 1
Wis: 3
Cha: 0

Virtue: 5
HP: 22. Currently 15
Atk: 5
Def: 16 (17)
Dmg: 2D8

Gold: 53

I increased Wolfrik's wisdom and charisma. He gained 4HP, 1 Atk, 1 Def, damage is now 2D10 (was 2D8). Gained a new ability: Final Judgement. Whenever the attack roll is 20 or more, double the damage.

Wolfrik Grayhand
Human Paladin
Level 4

Str: 3
Dex: 1 (2)
Con: 0
Int: 0
Wis: 1
Cha: 1

Virtue: 5
HP: 25. Currently 18
Atk: 5
Def: 16 (17)
Dmg: 2D10

Gold: 22

I increased Zilmora's constitution and charisma. She gained 4HP, 1 Atk, 1 Def, damage is now 3D8 (was 2D10).
Gained 2SP and two new spells, Shield and Fireball. Shield: 1SP, Reduce the first 6 points of damage on the page to 0. Fireball: 1SP, Add D20 to all attack and damage rolls on the page.

Zilmora the Wise
Elf Sorceress
Level 4

Str: 0
Dex: 0 (1)
Con: 0
Int: 2
Wis: 3
Cha: 1

Virtue: 5
HP: 20. Currently 14
Atk: 5 (6)
Def: 15
Dmg: 3D8

Gold: 58

I increased Astrid's wisdom and strength. She gained 4HP, 1 Atk, damage is now 3D6 (was 2D6). Gained a new ability: Danger Sense.

Atrid Swiftblade
Gnome Thief
Level 4

Str: 0
Dex: 4 (5)
Con: 0
Int: 0
Wis: 0
Cha: 2

Virtue: -1
HP: 20 (21). Currently 18
Atk: 5
Def: 15
Dmg: 3D6

Gold: 56

Tuesday, May 10

Eldurlume

After my travel through the Terralon Gate in my world, I find myself in the scorching city of Eldurlume. Surrounded by gray mountains of ash, it sits on rivers of flowing lava. ~Liquid hot magma, as Dr. Evil might say.

I'm to visit the places in the city and converse with it's people.

Burnt Ember Inn
I find a hospitable place to my head. 3 gold. Yes, please. All of them take the opportunity to rest. With their followers included, this will cost them 8 instead of 3.

Temple of the Dragon
There is a place to worship that holds a great golden dragon emblem on the front. Service is out for the day but there are beggars out front. Would I like to donate 2 gold to the poor? All but Mori'an, Syntax, and Astrid do. Those that helped the poor gain 1 Virtue.

The Rusty Blacksmith
There is a large ogre operating the forge. I can pay to have my weapons improved. I found the sharpening to be interesting for the ones that did it last time, but I don't want to spend 30g doing it so they all pass for now.

The Molten Market
I come across a small market stall, operated by a female lizardfolk. I can purchas a health potion for 5g or meal rations for 2g. Shooting for 2 potions and 5 rations for stock.
Here's what was purchased:
Sir Gareth 1 ration
Professor 5 rations
Tsavani 5 rations, 2 potions
Syntax, 2 rations...it has no potions, but we're going to operate it without potions since it can churn gold into HP.
Mori'an, 1 ration, 1 potion
Lyric, 5 rations, 1 potion Appraiser drops cost from 15 to 12.
Faris, 2 rations, 1 potion
Wolfrik, 5 rations
Zilmora, 2 rations, 1 potion
Astrid, 5 rations, 1 potion

Tsavani and Syntax use this opportunity to sell necklaces for 10g.

Ashen Warehouse
There is a small warehouse along one of the lava rivers. As I watch, I see a bandit looking the place. It sees me as a witness and attacks me.

This bandit was fairly weak. 9 of the 10 dispatched him with no issue. Faris missed it and was hit for a loss of 1HP before the bandit took off.

Wednesday, May 11

The city is much like cities in my world. I find a job board posted in the town where citizens are asking for help. It appears I have some time to help the locals.

Seeking Silver
The local silversmith is requesting that I visit the Silver Mines in the Ashen Mountains to mine some silver ore. I should be careful as the mines are fille with toxic gas. D20+Con+Investigator.

Only one of them is able to endure the gas long enough to get plenty of silver to bring back. Mori'an (16) gains 10g, but loses 1HP.

The rest found some silver, but the gas got to them and they had to leave with a smaller load than desired. They all lost 2HP, but gain 5g.

Stop the Looters
The Ashen Warehouse keeps getting robbed. The owner requests you act as a guard in hopes of keeping thieves away.

D20+Str+Intimidating.

Sir Gareth (23), Professor (20), Faris (16), and Zilmora (18) all deter any thieves that might have been planning to rob the warehouse. They gain 5g.

The others got into a scuffle with a looter and lose 1HP...but gain the 5g for guarding.

Negotiator needed
The local Temple of the dragon is requesting someone to help clear the nearby streets of beggars. They feel this reduces their image and deters worshipers.

Those with 5 or more virtue gain +2 to this roll. If any of them were -5 or more virtue, they would have lost 2.

D20+Cha+Persuasive+any virtue bonus.

Sir Gareth (24), Mori'an (16), Lyric (27), Faris (18), Wolfrik (15), and Astrid (22) all talk the beggars in the streets and convince them they would do better if they moved down the street from the temple. The temple is happy and pays them well (D10).
Gareth 7g, Mori'an 4g, Lyric 3g, Faris 6g, Wolfrik 6g, Astrid 8g

The others try to convince the beggars to move, but they get enough donations from the locals where they are currently located and aren't interested in moving. This disappoints the temple, but they're still willing to pay some for the attempt (D4).
Professor 2g, Tsavani 1g, Syntax, 1g, Zilmora 1g

Thursday, May 12

I begin tracking the gate share in this world, but more information could be helpful. I find a local goblin who acts friendly enough. I ask a few questions but he wants to be paid.

He's also going to get pickpocketed by Syntax, Mori'an, Lyric, and Astrid.

I can pay the goblin 5g
or
Be friendly D20+Cha+Persuasive
or
Get rough D20+Str+Intimidating

Lyric, Astrid, and Zilmora try and be friendly. Lyric (26) and Astrid (22) turn on their charm. The goblin smiles and is really friendly while chatting with them. He still insists they pay 1g, though, for the information. Zilmora tries as well, but the goblin insists on 5g. Maybe it's just a local custom he's following.

Sir Gareth (20) and Wolfrik (17) both get rough with the goblin. It breaks down and begs them not to hurt him. He tells them for free. Mori'an tries this as well, but the goblin wasn't fazed by his approach. He'll still pay the 5g.

Everyone else pays the gold.

The goblin speaks:

" Couple days past when the sky opened up and them demons fell, many of them fell into the rivers, ya know, and that was not pretty for them. Sure was fun to watch them burn in the lava, though. Anyway, whatever magic brought them here woke up Telzeroth. That dragon flew down here from his lair on Burning Peak. He flew around the city quite a bit, didn't do nothing about the demons. Just watched and then he landed. Some say he snatched up a glowing stone before flying back to his home in the Ashen Mountains. I think he just wanted to try a meal of demon meat. You know, we don't get many of those around and I think he was just scouting to find a good plump one."

Astrid loses a virtue point while taking 4g off the goblin. Syntax, Mori'an, and Lyric each took 3g.

Friday, May 13

Travel to Burning Peak

The dragon, Telzeroth, likely has the gate shard. He lives on Burning Peak in the Ashen Mountains. That is the direction the Transference Sensor seems to be indicating as well.

Travel the Southern route or northern route. I think we'll just split this down the middle. First 5 south, next 5 north.

Travel the southern route. D20+Wis+Survivalist, Map&Compass, Mount.

Traveling along the mountain range proves more difficult in this world. There is no lush vegetation or abundant animals to hunt. Instead, I experience the sweltering heat and rocky terrain that is difficult to traverse.

Syntax (8) and Mori'an (7) both slow down from the terrain and heat of the lava rivers. They consume 3 meal rations.

Professor (10) and Tsavani (15) aren't as slow as Syntax or Mori'an, but still consume 2 rations.

Sir Gareth (26) travels quickly and makes excellent time. He consumes just 1 ration.

Travel the Northern Route. D20+Wis+Survivalist, Map&Compass, Mount.

I stick to the more open plains until I can approach the mountains. It might be safer and free from unknown creatures. The land is baked with an acrid heat. The air is dry and hard to breathe.

Lyric (9) manages quite well for such a foreign environment. He has to consume 2 rations.

Faris (22), Wolfrik (23), Zilmora (16), and Astrid (21) all travel quickly across the flat surface of the barren plain and conserve their energy. They only use 1 ration.

Unfortunately, I fell way behind with work, vacation, and then a trip to the covid IL. I'd like to try and keep up, but I'm not sure I can at this point.

I've enjoyed following along, hope you don't drop it completely. I'd be find with a just a quick synopsis of where things are and just move forward from there.

May 14/15, the weekend

I find myself at the base of the Burning Peak among the Ashen Mountains. I find a large river of lava cuts off my path. After walking along it for some time, I find a place that has jutting stones that may allow me to step across.

D20+Dex+Athlete+Danger Sense.

For Mori'an (4), he found the rocks were sharp and angled poorly for traversing across. He slipped and fell several times. The intense heat of the lava, coupled with a few slips, leads to him losing 3HP.

Syntax (7) and Lyric (8) had a similar experience but remained upright a little more than Mori'an did. They each lost 2HP.

The rest of the crew made it across the river of lava quickly and easily.

Monday, May 16

Once across the lava river, I hear a gurgling noise from behind me. I look back to find a large mass of rack and lava rising from the river. A face appears in the rock. Glowing eyes look at me. It arches back a stone arm and hurls a fireball at me.

3 rounds of combat here.

Sir Gareth, Professor, Tsavani, Lyric, and Faris all made quick work of the lava monster. They gain 3 gold.

The rest took some sort of damage...Syntax taking the worst of it. 1g was awarded for each round that was won.
Syntax, 1g, -5HP
Mori'an, 2g, -1HP
Wolfrik, 3g -1HP
Zilmora, 2g, -2HP
Astrid, 1g, -3HP

Tuesday May 17

The path up the Burning Peak is blocked by a camp of goblins. These don't appear to be as friendly as the ones encountered in the city. It's best to avoid them and pass through without being seen.

Each of the 10 keep to the outside of the camp. Sir Gareth, Tsavani, and Lyric all came across a dwarf that was imprisoned. They set him free and gained 1 virtue point.

They all came across a goblin that had been drinking. It was ready to sound the alarm when he spots them. All but The Professor, Faris, and Wolfrik are able to convince the drunk goblin that they're really just a goblin in a disguise. The unlucky three end up fighting the drunk goblin, quickly knocking him out, but suffer -1HP in the process.

Syntax, Mori'an, Wolfrik, Faris, and Astrid each came across a wolf that appeared to be maintaining some sort of guard over the livestock. They're forced to subdue the animal but are bit as well. They each lose 1HP.

They all come across a bunch of sleeping goblins...they all make it past without detection...in part because the goblins are very drunk.

Wednesday, May 18

(also known as my birthday)

Just when I think I'm safe and far enough away from the goblin camp, I stumbled upon a party of goblins returning from a hunting mission. They're empty handed and look at me as an opportunity to right a wrong.

4 goblins, each 1 round battle.

Astrid and Zilmora are the only ones to kill all four of the goblins...Astrid doing it the conventional way. Zilmora using her new fireball ability...she got a 18 to add to all of her attack and damage rolls...and at that point, I didn't even need to continue rolling for her. Kentucky Fried Goblins, Zilmora does them right. They each gained 4g.

Sir Gareth, Professor, Lyric, and Faris each took out 3 goblins. All but Lyric lost 1HP in the process. They gain 3g.

The rest took out 2 goblins and earned 2g. Tsavani, Syntax, and Wolfrik each lost 2HP. Mori'an lost 3HP.

The goblins that didn't die? They turned tail in terror and ran away.

Thursday, May 19

I make it to the top of the Burning Peak and see a raging volcano in the distance. There's a trail along the cliff's edge leading to a rope bridge across the ravine. The entrance to Telzeroth's lair is just beyond that. It's a treacherous path, but I must cross it.

I must:
Deal with the sweltering heat of the nearby volcano. D20+Con.

Traverse the cliff wall and cross the rope bridge. D20+Dex+Athlete.

Most of the adventurers don't deal with the sweltering heat well. All but Mori'an (18) and Wolfrik (15) deal with negative modifiers due to the heat.

The results from the heat put a damper on the cross of the rope bridge. Not a lot of success was found. Faris (25), Wolfrik (17), and Astrid (27) make it across gracefully and without incident.

Everyone else had one problem or another and suffer a loss of 1HP.

Syntax spent 1g to maintain a 50% health threshold.

Friday May 20

Telzeroth's Lair

Once inside the cavern of the volcano, the noise from outside quiets down. It's almost an eerie quiet. I hope the shard of the gate is stashed away somewhere nearby and far from the dragon.

Navigating the cavern, there are 4 rooms of consequence.

Creeping into the winding cave tunnel I find myself inside a tiled welcome chamber. The walls are adorned with carvings of dragons burning down villages. As I look around, I feel a loose tile on the floor give way as I step on it. I hear hissing as a gas fills the room.

D20+Con+Danger Sense.

Surprisingly enough, only Astrid (9) fails this. She's now poisoned and without an antidote. Most of the crew don't have antidotes at this point, so this was really good luck for most of them.

I find an offering room that Telzeroth's worshipers use to make appeasements to the dragon. It appears that someone recently visited this room and left something.

D20+INT+Investigator.

Tsavani (2) only found 5g worth of jewelry.

Syntax (8), Mori'an (10), Wolfrik (8), and Astrid (12) found 10g worth of jewelry.

Sir Gareth (23), Professor (24), Lyric (20), Faris (17), and Zilmora (35, used her spell to increase intellect) all found 12g worth of jewelry and a health potion.

I enter a room that contains several mud mounds built to hold large dragon eggs. There's a lizardfolk here helping to look after the eggs. It quickly springs to attack.

A majority of the adventurers dispatch the servant easily. Syntax, Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid did not. They each lost 1HP. Syntax paid 1g to recover again. Mori'an gained 1HP from the kill.

I come across the entrance to a large room filled with treasure. In the next room, I can see the sleeping dragon, Telzeroth. Some of that treasure has spilled into this room.
D20+INT+Investigator.

Tsavani (5) and Astrid (5) find 10g worth of jewelry and treasure here.

Everyone else finds at least 15g worth of jewely and treasure. The Professor (21), Syntax (22), Mori'an (16), and Zilmora (22 the spell from earlier applied) all found an iron key as well.

May 21/22, The weekend

The sleeping Telzeroth lies in his treasure room, napping on a tremendously large pile of gold. I'm unable to take the gate shard without waking the dragon. When I do, it will surely try to eat me.

I'm to
A)Get into position for a sneak attack. D20+Dex+Stealthy
or
B)Scare the dragon awake. D20+CHA+Intimidating (Sounds like a bad idea personally)
or
C)Attack the dragon while he sleeps.

I split them into all three groups, though I think scaring that dragon isn't the best deal.

Tsavani and Astrid manage to find a quiet hiding place in which to make their attack. They lie in wait as the dragon slowly wakes up, unaware of their presence. They gain +2 to attack tomorrow. Lyric and Faris were spotted and get no bonus.

Waking the dragon team is Sir Gareth, Mori'an, and Wolfrik. I can't believe it, but they all managed to frighten the dragon. It's confused and alarmed someone made it into it's lair. They gain +2 Defense (pffff).

Attack the dragon while it sleeps is where it's at. This turns out to be a challenge, but again all of them are successful. Professor, Syntax, and Zilmora deliver a mighty blow to the dragon and it wakes in pain. They gain +2 damage tomorrow.

Monday, May 23

Telzeroth awakens to attack!

Three rounds of combat here...including a roll for wisdom in each.

The Telzeroth battle included a roll for wisdom. Fail the wisdom roll (and many did) before the round and you'll roll for attack twice...taking the lower of the two values.

Despite doing my best to avoid damage, a majority of our group took at least 1HP. Sir Gareth, Mori'an, Lyric, Faris, and Wolfrik all lost 1HP. Astrid lost 2HP.

Those losing HP gained 2g. The others managed to win all three rounds and gained 3g.

At the end of this day, Astrid fails her poison roll (2). She goes down to 9HP, take a potion to go back to 13.

Tuesday, May 24

Telzeroth lets out a roar and flies away in anger. He heads up and out a large hole in the top of his lair. This leaves his treasure room open for looting.

I'm to search the treasure room for the gate shard. D20+INT+Investigator.
and
Be careful when taking the gate shard. D20+WIS+Danger Sense.

Sir Gareth, Syntax, Zilmora, and Astrid all managed to pocket 20g. Mori'an got 15g. The rest of crew picked up 10g each.

The Professor, Tsavani, Wolfrik, Zilmora, and Astrid all got a sense of dread when approaching the gate shard and avoided getting too close. The rest of the group got too close and were filled with anxiety and dread. Sir Gareth, Syntax, and Mori'an were all cursed...but all took the holy water they were holding on to to clear it.

Astrid failed another poison roll.

Like before, a glowing light emanates from the World Watcher's Staff. I hold it up as it pulsates softly. I begin to channel the transference energy in the stone. It surrounds the gate shard and disappears from Telzeroth's lair. The stone is gone. Looking at the crystal, I see another tiny imperfection inside that wasn't there before. The stone is now inside the crystal and able to be transported safely.

Wednesday, May 25

A locked chest sits amongst the dragon's hoard of treasure. It's heavy and sure to contain great loot. I just need to get it open.

I can
A) If I have the Iron Key, unlock it.
or
B) Pick the lock. D20+DEX+Locksmith
or
C) Smash the lock. Damage.

The Professor, Syntax, and Mori'an all had the key.

Sir Gareth, Faris, Wolfrik, Zilmora, and Astrid all managed to pick the lock.

Tsavani and Lyric were left to breaking it open. It cost Tsavani 3HP. It cost Lyric 2.

Astrid passes her poison roll this time.

Thursday, May 26

There are three treasures here to choose from. We can choose one. Only one item of each type can be added. Some of them have a shield already, so they'll go with one of the other two.

Flame Shield, +1STR, +1DEF
Ring of Fire, +1STR, +1HP
Fire Gloves, +1STR, +1DMG

Flame Shields go to Syntax, Mori'an, and Lyric. All could use the defensive bonus.

Rings of Fire to Professor, Wolfrik, and Zilmora.

Fire Gloves to Sir Gareth, Tsavani, Faris, and Astrid.

Astrid fails her poison roll.

Friday, May 27

To The Fire Gate

A) Take the eastern route. D20+WIS+Survivalist+Horse
or
B) Take the western route. D20+WIS_Survalist+Horse

As for what they are, on the map they both go to the southeast...just one is more southern than the other. One appears to go past a lake of lava...the other through a dead forest.

We'll send the first five east, the last five "west".

The eastern group cross the acrid plains through the southern mountain range. From there they travel near a lava lake to the next mountain range. The lake boils and bubbles. The heat is unbearable.

Professor and Tsavani consume 1 ration each. Sir Gareth, Syntax, and Mori'an consume 2. Mori'an needed a 3rd but was out and loses 1HP.

The western group traveled past a burnt forest...nothing but dead and black trees. This turns out to be the safer of the two routes. Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid all consume 1 ration. Lyric and Wolfrik consume 2.

Astrid survives the poison roll.

May 28/29 The Weekend

A fiery demon appears from the ash and lava. It appears to have made a new home here. It doesn't appear it appreciates my intrusion.

3 rounds...wisdom roll for banishing before each round.

Many of our adventurers banish the demon using the watcher's staff. Sir Gareth, Professor, Faris, Wolfrik, and Zilmora did so without taking damage. They gain a +1 dice roll to be used later (Z now has 5 of them). Astrid and Lyric also banished the demon, but were hit in the process. Lyric lost 4HP (took a potion to recover 5). Astrid lost 2HP (took a potion to recover 3). Astrid survives her poison roll and is now out of potions. All of these adventurers received 3g as well as the +1 dice roll.

Tsavani killed the demon without taking damage and gained 3g. Syntax did not fare well...losing 2 of the 3 rounds before the demon fleed...he recovered his lost HP by spending 2g. Mori'an killed the demon as well...tricky Mori'an gained 2HP and 3g in the process. Birdman loves himself some death.

Monday, May 30

Deep in a cavern of a volcano, I discover the fire gate. It's guarded by a large lava beast. A booming voice speaks a riddle that is hard to hear over the crackling of the lava flow.

With red tongues I lick and bite
Cutting darkness with my might
With intense pain you'll feel my wrath
Devouring all that's in my path
If a drink is what you give
One last breath I shall live

I'm to
1) Guess the answer to the riddle.
then
A) Sprint to the gate. D20+Dex+Athlete
or
B) Sneak to the gate. D20+Dex+Stealthy
or
C) Prepare for battle. D20+Str+Intimidating

The riddle? Not that hard really.


Any form of that is a valid answer. Since I kind of have to answer for them all, they all get the +2 to combat rolls for the next day.

Those sprinting to the gate included The Professor, Lyric, Faris, and Zilmora. All but Lyric made it there quickly and gain +2 to defense tomorrow as well. Lyric stumbled and missed out.

Those sneaking are Tsavani, Syntax, and Astrid. They all got there quietly while staying in the shadows and got the +2 defense.

Those just prepping for the battle were Sir Gareth, Mori'an, and Wolfrik. Sir Gareth and Wolfrik walked in so confidently they were able to intimidate the lava beast and gained the +2 defense. Mori'an didn't appear to be concerned either way.

Astrid passes her poison roll.

Tuesday, May 31

There's no flavor text here. You know what you're up against. The lava beast/fire guardian. Whatever that thing is.

Four rounds of battle.

The bonuses were definitely needed and paid off in the long run.

Defeating the guardian in every round was Sir Gareth, Tsavani, and Zilmora. No damage to them, 8g earned.

Winning 3 of the 4 rounds, defeating the guardian in the end, were The Professor, Mori'an, Wolfrik, and Astrid. Mori'an managed to gain 3HP in the process. The others lost 1HP. They each earned 6g. The same could almost be said for Lyric and Faris. They gained 6g, lost 1HP, but they didn't defeat the guardian in the process...they ran past it to get to the gate after the last round.

That leaves us Syntax...who won the first round but just managed to survive the others. I don't really need to push the envelope with Syntax. Pay the gold for any damage received and move on. He lost 5HP in the process, but pays the 5g for the ability to regenerate.

Astrid fails her poison roll and drops another HP. She's at 10HP now.


Each of the adventurers activate the fire gate just as they did the last gate. They step through and are teleported to another world.

Wednesday, June 1

Arboretum

I travel through the fire gate and find myself in lush vegetation inside an endless forest. After a short walk, I discover a tree that is home to a city.

I'm to visit places in the city.


Sounds like Astrid's time poisoned is coming to an end.

The Twisted Treetop Tavern

Sometimes you want to go...get a rest. Everyone pays the base 4g to rest and recover. They pay the 5g for the follower as well. 9g off the top.

Tree Jumper
I find an older gentleman sitting close to the edge of a high branch of the tree. When I talk to him, he mentions that his family was killed when the demons entered into their world. He's contemplating leaping off and ending his life.

Mori'an, Syntax, and Astrid leave the man and lose 1 virtue point.

Zilmora and The Professor try and talk him down but don't succeed. He doesn't jump but he still there.

The rest of the crew talk him back off the ledge and gain 1 virtue point.

Tree peddler
Offering maps, compasses, and lockpick tools. They all say no thanks but take the opportunity to sell their jewelry they acquired in the past few days.

Agatha's Apothecary
They make some bank here. Anyone without an antidote or holy water buys one here. Sir Gareth and Tsavani don't because of their ability. Astrid buys two health potions having used hers while poisoned.