Forgotten Realms Campaign Log Chapter 2

Episode 10 [Wednesday 24 January 2001]

32 Spring 01 (cont):
-loot is divided up fairly
-party travels with townsfolk to Luskan

Evening:
-arrive at Luskan
-go directly to Flailing Dragon Inn to celebrate victory with townsfolk
-Nifft overhears familiar voice in converstaion nearby
-it is the voice of the man [Benion] who had the mysterious Sphere of the Kellman hidden in his house in Waterdeep [Nifft broke into Benion's house and stole the sphere back in Episode 1]
-Nifft notices that Benion is sitting with a robed man [Aaris] and a mercenary dressed in chainmail (with an axe) [Averial]
-they seem to be having a discussion about the sphere and Nifft surmises that they are searching for it
-Haf leaps onto a table and cheers the villagers who so bravely fought the hobgoblins
-Haf recognizes Averial as a former gladiator and remembers that he once killed Averial's brother in the pit
-Haf nods respectfully to the mercenary as he steps down from table
-Nifft circulates through crowd juggling and performing very simple slight of hand tricks
-eventually everyone retires to their rooms for the night

33 Spring 01 Early Morning:
-party is awakened by sound of armed guards entering through front door of inn
-Khozho cracks open room door to take a peek
-four guards pound on Benion's door
-door opens and a blast of fire issues forth
-three of the guards are immediately engulfed in flame!
-the walls of the hallway also burn
-Benion and his two companions burst forth from the room and flee the inn!
-Khozho exits room and flees after Benion and company
-he notices that one of them has dropped a piece of parchment and pauses to grab it
-Nifft meanwhile yells "Fire!" several times before escaping through the window
-Haf also escapes through window after grabbing all of his gear
-party meets around at front of inn where a fire brigade is also forming
-Benion and his companions are long gone (having fled in three separate directions)
-party joins fire brigade (Nifft is careful to position himself far to the rear away from any potentially dangerous flames!)
-the fire is soon extinguished and cleanup begins
-party eats some breakfast and discusses happenings
-Haf reveals that he recognized mercenary
-Nifft decides to come clean - suggests they all talk in private
-Nifft reveals that Benion onced owned the Sphere of the Kellman (or perhaps was a courier)
-Khozho: I thought you found the sphere...
-Nifft: I, uh... did...
-Khozho Oh, so he dropped it and left before you could give it back to him?
-Nifft: Uh... Yeah!  That's it!  That's exactly what happened.
-Khozho reveals the parchment dropped by Benion's crew as they fled
-it includes instructions for them to regroup in Waterdeep, should they become separated
-Haf is already forming a plan... perhaps there is a reward for these men?

-Haf questions a guard as to why they were attempting to apprehend the three men and if there is a reward
-guard only tells him to ask at the guardhouse
-Haf, Khozho, Kadran and Rölth go to the guardhouse while Nifft goes to temple of Tempus (eager to have his wounds healed and retreive their 3 horses)
-Nifft talks with high priest
-high priest feels that Nifft's wound is healing just fine and tries to put Nifft at ease about it
-Nifft then retreives the horses and makes his way towards the guardhouse to meet the others

-Meanwhile, Haf and company have arrived at the guardhouse
-after leaving their weapons at the door they enter and meet the captain of the guard
-captain tells them that there is a reward for Benion and his two companions
-2,000 gp for each man alive, 1,000 gp for each man dead!

-Nifft meets the party as they exit the guardhouse
-party proceeds back towards inn
-Kadran stops in a shop to inquire about purchasing spells
-he wants a Sleep spell to use against Benion's crew, but the man doesn't have Sleep
-man offers Dancing Lights for 300 gp, which is more than Kadran can afford

-party discussion as they arrive back at Flailing Dragon Inn:
-party was originally traveling to Longsaddle, attempting to track the mysterious Sphere of the Kellman
-a new opportunity seems more profitable: capture Benion and crew alive for reward!
-party agrees to go after Benion and crew!

-party also intends to sell off the four extra Waterdeep horses (keeping the three good horses that Nifft just retreived from the temple)

Episode 11 A Shot in the Dark [Wednesday 21 March 2001]

33 Spring 01 (cont):
-Khozho suggests using the Crystal Ball found in Melridge's castle to locate Benion
-Kadran examines the Crystal Ball, but discovers nothing new and has no spells that will help
-Rölth successfully Detects Magic on the Crystal Ball (it is magic)
-no-one knows how to activate it, though

-Khozho waits around a corner with the party's four best horses, while Nifft sells three of the Waterdeep horses to a stable for 55 gp each (165 gp)
-Khozho is approached by an armed man dressed in full armor
-the stranger offers to buy Khozho's horses (for over 100 gp each!), but Khozho declines the offer and the man eventually goes on his way

-Khozho buys 4 weeks of food for 5 gp/week (food is then distributed 1 week each to Khozho, Haf, Nifft & Kadran)

-party leaves town headed south towards Neverwinter (Haf runs while other ride)
-rain
-party camps under shelter of thick trees

34 Spring 01:
-travel in rain

35 Spring 01:
-travel in rain
-party arrives at Neverwinter at night
-Nifft describes Benion, Aaris and Averial to the guard, but the guard claims not to have seen them at all

-Suddenly, a bolt fired from the roof of a nearby building strikes Rölth!
-Rölth dies quickly as Kadran and Nifft drag him to the side of the road directly in front of the smithy (the building that the bolt was fired from)
-Khozho runs around the sides of the building
-a crowd quickly gathers around the dead mage
-Kadran tends to Rölth as 2 guards approach the scene
-the guards assess the situation and then enter the smithy.
-they then exit quickly and announce that the murderer must be long gone by now
-they are giving up!

-Khozho discovers a taught rope running between the roofs of the smithy and bakery

-Nifft wants to search for clues on the rooftop and successfully climbs to the roof of the smithy
-he discovers a large crossbow that seems to have been discarded here
-Nifft sees the rope (the same rope that Khozho saw from the ground)
-Nifft tightwalks across to the roof of the bakery
-the bakery roof is plain with only a trap door
-Nifft hears Haf calling and looks down
-Nifft communicates his discovery to Haf and then prepares to open the trapo door
-Haf & Khozho yell to one another

-Nifft opens the trap door and peeks inisde - darkness
-holding a dagger in one hand and the open light locket in the other, Nifft descends the ladder
-Nifft enters room with a chest and stairs down
-Meanwhile, Khozho and Haf meet at the front of the bakery

-Nifft opens the chest only to find it full of blankets - nothing else
-Nifft is disappointed
-he leaves his 2 bags of bones (stolen from Melridge's castle on 19 Spring 01 [Episode 6]) in the chest under the blankets
-Nifft cautiously descends the stairs
-he finds a door
-Nifft closes his light locket and slowly opens the door
-he ducks and crawls out behind the baker's counter
-Nifft finds nothing of value behind the counter
-he finally emerges from behind the counter and explores the room
-there is trap door in the floor
-Nifft opens the front door and lets Haf & Khozho in

-Haf opens the trap door
-Khozho descends alone
-Khozho investigates a baker's hearth in the basement
-he looks into the hearth and detects a person with his infravision
-Khozho calls Haf down
-Haf arrives and Khozho explains that there's nothing here!
-Haf turns around and leaves, closing the trap door behind him as he goes
-Haf and Nifft wait

-Khozho waits in the dark next to the hearth
-a young man emerges
-Khozho surprise attacks in the dark!
-Khozho knocks man unconscious!
-Khozho calls Haff who can't hear!
-Khozho brings the unconscious man upstairs
-Nifft quickly checks him over...nothing at all!

-party brings man to the guards, explaining that they captured the killer
-the guards will not take him into custody without some kind of proof
-Kadran takes Rolth's spell book (containing Detect Magic) and 2 days food
-Nifft takes Rölth's quarterstaff

Episode 12 [Thursday 12 April 2001]

35 Spring 01 (cont): Neverwinter:
-rain continues
-the party takes Rölth's murderer to the roof of the bakery for some private interrogation
-Khozho questions the captive

-the captive confesses to killing Rölth
-the captive was promised 600 gp by Benion to fire a crossbow bolt near the party!
-he claims to have hit Rölth by accident
-Benion's mercenary companion, Averial, is supposed to deliver the gp
-Benion has also left a message for Averial: "the rendezvous location has changed to 'where the sun sets in the morning.'"
-more questioning:
-the captive met Benion early evening yesterday at the Red Sparrow Inn

-discussion: captive's info may be misinformation
-if Benion suspects that party is following, he may have left this info on purpose, hoping to direct party away from his trail
-it is decided that party should depart immediately, continuing on southward towards Waterdeep

-party leaves Neverwinter
-party travels south 'til midnight
-rain finally stops
-camp near a babbling brook
-watches are kept: Kadran, Nifft, Haf, and Khozho

36 Spring 01:
-continue on southward towards Waterdeep
-pass many merchants
-ask a merchant (wearing red hat & red shoes) about Benion
-merchant met man fitting Benion's description
-Benion was riding southward last night
-he rides a brown horse with white spot on nose
-Benion bought a frying pan from the merchant

Night:
-watches are kept: Kadran, Nifft, Haf, and Khozho
-2nd watch: Nifft hears familiar rattling
-several skeletons & zombies emerge from darkness
-Nifft quickly awakens party and retreats towards rear

round 1
-Nifft holds
-Kadran hits skeleton [5]
-Haf hits zombie with dagger [10]
-Khozho, fighting unarmed, hits zombie twice [8] [7]
-Nifft throws two daggers at Haf's zombie; miss, kill [4]
-zombies miss Kadran
-Haf is hit [3]

round 2
-Kadran misses
-Haf hits another zombie twice [7] [7]
-Khozho hits zombie twice [7] kill [crit hit on shield arm 8]
-Nifft hits 2 zombies: kills Haf's [2], kills Khozho's [3]
-all zombies are now destroyed
-the skeletons continue to
-skeleton hits Kadran [2]
-another skeleton hits Kadran hard [6]

round 3
-Kadran kills skeleton with Magic Missile [4]
-Haf kills a skeleton [9]
-Khozho kills a skeleton
-Khozho moves to help out Kadran: kills skeleton [9]
-Nifft holds his action (he has thrown his four ordinary daggers)
-a skeleton hits Kadran [5] Kadran goes down [-1]!
-Nifft pulls Kadran to safety
-Haf kills a skeleton
-Khozho attacks Kadran's skeleton three times: hit [7], miss [7], and finally, kill
-the battle ends

xp:
Khozho: 250
Haf: 180
Nifft: 150
Kadran: 70

-Nifft is tending to Kadran's wounds
-Khozho brings Kadran to brook and washes out wounds
-Nifft retreives his 4 thrown daggers
-party breaks camp and continues southward with unconscious Kadran on horse

37 Spring 01: Dawn:
-arrive at Fenis village
-Kadran is awakening
-party goes directly to temple
-the priests see Kadran and are very concerned
-they take him into a room and immediately care for his wounds
-Nifft explains that they were attacked by undead in the night

-Kadran is still very hurt
-he will not be able to travel for a couple of days
-Nifft asks about divine healing
-the priest needs 50gp for spell components
-Kadran pays
-Nifft goes with the priest to buy the components
-the priest leads Nifft to a small house
-the priest knocks on door: "It's me."
-as door opens the priest slips in quickly and closes door, leaving Nifft outside
-the priest soon emerges with a sack
-the priest & Nifft return to temple
-the priest puts his hands into the sack, rubbing his hands in a white powder
-Kadran is healed [+7hp]
-Kadran can now travel!
-Nifft asks the priest what the powder is
-the priest explains that it is a magical cleansing sand

-leave village southward towards Waterdeep

Night:
-watches are kept: Kadran, Nifft, Haf, and Khozho
-3rd watch: Haff hears louder clattering
-6 skeletons and 1 ogre skeleton approaching

round 1
-Haff hits ogre skeleton with spear [9]
-Khozho hits ogre skeleton 3 times [crit 3x dam 15] [7] [9]
-Nifft misses ogre skeleton with staff, accidentally dropping the weapon [crit miss]
-Kadran hits ogre skeleton with Magic Missile [5]

round 2
-Haf hits ogre skeleton [6]
-Khozho kills ogre skeleton [9]
-Khozho kills a skeleton
-Khozho misses a skeleton
-Nifft grabs his staff and evades 2 skeletons
-Kadran hits skeleton with Magic Missile [5]
-all the skeletons miss (2 skeletons missed Nifft)

round 3
-Haf misses a skeleton
-Khozho kills a skeleton, misses, and kills another
-Nifft turns and attacks! hit [natural 20!], kill [4]!
-Kadran hits skeleton with Magic Missile [3]
-Nifft is hit!  [3]  aahhhh!!!!

round 4
-Haf kills a skeleton
-Khozho kills a skeleton
-the battle ends!

xp:
Haf: 300 (achieves 3rd lvl [HD roll 9+4])
Nifft: 230 (achieves 3rd lvl [HD roll 4+2])
Khozho: 400
Kadran: 100+50/spell

Episode 13 [Tuesday 24 April 2001]

38 Spring 01: Hafaeveraal, Khozho, Kadran & Nifft continue traveling south towards Waterdeep. They are still trying to catch up to and capture Benion, Aaris and Averial in order to collect the reward offered for the men in Luskan. [It is decided that Haf wears a kilt]

Mid-morning: As they travel, the party spots a dust cloud rising from the road ahead. A rider is approaching. The rider turns out to be a monk from the Moonshea Isles (Khozho's homeland!). Khozho and the monk speak in their own tongue. Khozho learns that the monk's name is Feemis and notices that Feemis bears the symbol of a high-ranking monk on a necklace. Feemis asks Khozho if he is from Gwennyth. Khozho replies that he is and Feemis asks if Khozho has heard the latest news of his homeland. Khozho replies that he hasn't and Feemis explains that a madman is raping and pillaging the towns!  Khozho determines from the monk's description that the "madman" is their hated enemy, Melridge! Khozho explains to Feemis that he is exiled and unable to return home to help. He promises to help from here.
    "I know of you, Khozho," Feemis explains.  "Helping in this matter will restore your honor."
    The party discusses their options: Should they follow Feemis to the Moonshae Isles to confront Melridge, or should they head for Longsaddle where they can confront Melridge upon his return?
    Khozho describes Benion and asks Feemis if he has seen him pass. Feemis claims to have seen Benion pass by only one hour ago! Dilema solved! The party immediately continues on southwards towards Waterdeep - hot on Benion's trail! Feemis follows along.

Night:
Watches are kept: Feemis, Kadran, Nifft, Haf, and Khozho. The night passes uneventfully.

39 Spring 01: The party continues on. They come upon a deserted village! Nifft checks out the blacksmith's shop - nothing. Haf and Khozho quickly check out some houses - nothing. They continue traveling.

40 spring 01 Morning: The party finally arrives at Waterdeep. Nifft asks the guard at the gate about Benion (palming the soldier 5 gp). The guard suggests that they stay at the inn down street. The inn is apparently called "Where the Sun Sets". The party easily locates the inn and approaches. Khozho leaves to stake-out the rear door of the building, while Nifft disguises himself [success] and enters the inn through the front door (followed by Feemis). Once inside, Nifft pauses near the door to scan the room for familiar faces.
    Meanwhile, outside, Benions' wizard companion, Aaris, approaches the inn. As he nears the entrance to the inn, he looks over his shoulder at the party with a passing interest.
    Upon entering the inn, Aaris bumps into Nifft, but doesn't seem to recognize him. Aaris then goes straight upstairs. Nifft and Feemis follow. Nifft watches as Aaris enters the third room at the end on the right. Nifft carefully approaches and tries to Detect Noise at the door [success].
    Nifft hears someone speaking: "...gone on boat by dusk..." Nifft is worried about being discovered and quickly leaves the inn through the front door with Feemis following. Once outside, he quickly updates the others and then leaves to look for Khozho around back.
    Khozho, meanwhile, watches as Benion's two companions, Aaris (the mage) and Averial (the pit-fighter) emerge from the inn through the rear door. Nifft finds Khozho just as he begins to follow the pair and then swiftly runs back to fetch the others as Khozho follows Aaris and Averial through the backstreets to the waterfront.
    Nifft, Haf and Kadran soon catch up to Khozho. Aaris and Averial have disappeared onto a 60' boat. Feemis recognizes the boat - it is the very same vessel that brought him here from the Moonshae Isles! Nifft and Feemis approach the boat and ask about their departure (Feemis must translate for Nifft). They learn that the boat is scheduled to leave in three days. However, it is apparently not headed back to the Moonshae Isles, but is supposed to sail down the length of the Sword Coast instead.
    Kadran leaves to search for spells at the Mage's Guild, while Nifft leaves to investigate Benion's home (the same house where he acquired the Sphere of the Kellman in the sack of powder [Episode 1]). Haf, Khozho and Feemis remain to keep and eye on Aaris, Averial, and the boat.
    On his way, Nifft notices two soldiers standing guard outside of the "Where the Sun Sets" inn. Nifft approaches, hoping to learn more about what is going on. The guards will not let him enter the inn, though. There has been an incident, they explain. Nifft claims to be waiting for friend and waits near the fountain. Two guards emerge from the inn with a body covered by a blanket! Nifft follows them to a nearby chapel. The guards bring the body into the chapel through a rear door. Nifft changes his disguise and waits for them to emerge again. The guards eventually exit and leave and Nifft prepares to enter... he suspects that the body may be Benion and wants to confirm his suspicions.
    Meanwhile, back at the waterfront. Haf and Khozho watch as Averial emerges onto the deck of the boat. They also notice a sailor climbing up to the crow's nest. The crew begins unmooring the boat and it certainly appears to Haf and Khozho as though they are preparing to cast off! Haf and Khozho prepare to board the boat and prevent them from leaving!

Episode 14 [Tuesday 15 May 2001]

40 Spring 01 Morning (cont): Averial stands on the bow of the boat looking out over the ocean off the coast of Waterdeep.
    Khozho and Haf both leap onto the ship. Haf strikes one of the crewmen, knocking him over the side and into water. Khozho is hit by a sailor and immediately retaliates, knocking the man out cold. Khozho then tries to open the cabin door, but he finds it locked. Someone in the crow's nest fires crossbow bolts down upon them.
    Haf knocks another man overboard, but the man manages to grab onto the side of the boat.
    Haf stands over him with his hand on the hilt of his dagger, "Go!"
    The sailor obeys and drops into the water!
    Khozho leaves the cabin door and begins climbing up to the crow's nest to confront the crossbowman! He quickly reaches the top, but is struck by a bolt as he gets half-way into the nest. Khozho manages to trip up the crossbowman, who falls down in the nest. Khozho climbs up and easily grabs the man and throws him over the side! The man falls to his death!
    Meanwhile, Averial only stands on the bow looking out to the ocean as though he hasn't even noticed what has been happening. Haf approaches Averial and realizes that the former pit fighter is relieving himself over the side. Averial finishes and turns casually. He seems surprised to see what's going on!
    "I must turn you into the authorities for your crimes," Haf states.
    "I don't think so..." responds Averial.
    Haf suddenly attacks and seizes Averial in a bear hug, but Averial headbutts Haf, breaking the hold.
    Khozho, meanwhile, descends from the crow's nest and heads back to the cabin door. He kicks in the door and moves down into the gloomy interior of the boat. Ahead he sees an area lit only by candle light. Two men occupy the room. One is behind a desk while the other stands with his back turned to Khozho as he looks at a map of the Moonshae Isles on the opposite wall. Khozho notices a book upon the desk in the dim candle light.
    Up upon the boat's deck, Haf strikes Averial with his cestus while Averial responds by pummeling the northman.
    Khozho enters the room and recognizes Benion's companion, the mage, Aaris. Aaris is grinning as he counts coins from a pouch. He reacts to Khozho's sudden entrance by quickly reaching into the folds of his cloak. Khozho blows out the candle and immediately attacks Aaris in the complete darkness, relying on his infravision to maneuver in the darkness. As he attacks, Khozho can feel a strange rustling beginning inside his backpack. Suddenly, as Khozho lands a blow upon Aaris, there is a massive, fiery explosion!
    In the aftermath of the explosion Khozho realizes that Aaris has disappeared (or been destroyed by the blast?) and worse, he suddenly recognizes the other fellow as being the very same Drow that attacked the party after King Midor's strange disappearance [Episode 9]. Khozho, realizing what he is up against (it took the combined efforts of the entire party to drive off this enemy during the last encounter), grabs the book and flees!
    Khozho emerges from the cabin to find that the boat is burning and that the crew are abandoning their vessel. Haf and Averial break off their battle and run towards the cabin. Haf and Khozho notice that the city guards are approaching along the wharves. However, the guards don't seem to care about the burning boat (presumably as long as it doesn't endanger the pier or the other moored ships). Averial suddenly jumps into the water to make his escape! Neither Haf nor Khozho are able to swim, so they can only watch helplessly as Averial swims towards another boat. Khozho's bag is now jumping around uncontrollably on his back.
    Meanwhile, Kadran has heard the explosion and decides to head back to the wharves.
    Nifft has also heard the explosion, but decides that he needs to find out once and for all whether or not the body within the chapel is really Benion. He descends a set of stairs and discovers an embalming chamber within. Benion is indeed lying dead on a table in the center of the room and two men are busy wrapping the body in bandages. Nifft can see that Benion's throat has been cut. A quick look around reveals Benion's clothes and equipment (including a pouch) nearby in the corner. The two men are working diligently on their task and haven't even noticed Nifft enter, so he quickly grabs the pouch and makes a hasty exit. He hides the pouch within his sack and follows the crowds back to the wharves.
    Upon arriving on the scene, Nifft sees the others on the wharves. Khozho's bag is still jumping uncontrollably upon his back and it draws a bit of attention from the people immediately around him. Khozho, Haf, Kadran and Feemis return to the horses outside of the "Where the Sun Sets" inn. Nifft quietly follows along.
 

Experience Awards: Khozho: 70 xp (Khozho achieves 3rd lvl) Haf: 35 xp

    Khozho finally decides to investigate the strange movements within his backpack. He reaches inside and attempts to remove the enchanted Wings of Flying from the bag. The wings, however, are flapping uncontrollably and, as they emerge from the sack, they begin pulling Khozho up into the air! Khozho hangs on and attempts to pull himself up to put the wings on, but he loses his grip and ends up falling to the ground [failed save vs. STR & DEX]. He immediately leaps up again and succeeds in grabbing onto the flapping wings. This time he is able to get the wings onto his back and then spends several minutes in learning some degree of control. He flies up higher above the city and looks out over the water. From here Khozho can see that Averial has just reached another boat out in the harbor. Khozho descends to relay this information to the rest of the party, but the wings continue their flapping even after he has landed.
    There is some discussion about possibly pursuing Averial out to the boat, but in the end it is decided that the group should move on to another inn where they can eat, rest and further discuss their plans. The Wings of Flying eventually stop their flapping.
    The party leads their horses to the Golden Unicorn, another nearby inn. They pay 4 gp for 1 large shared room, breakfast for all, and stabling for the horses.
    Once in the privacy of their room, Khozho reveals the book that he stole from the boat. Kadran hopes that it is a book of spells and casts Read Magic upon the volume. The spell returns no results, though. He then casts Comprehend Languages and learns some info about the book.
    The most notable passage revealed is: "When the orb rejoins the sword, the Kellman will rise."
    They continue to discuss their plans and options. Nifft reveals his discovery of Benion's murder and explains that he knows where the body is. Nifft's stolen pouch contains 50 gp, though he keeps it hidden from the others for now.
    The party makes their way to the city guard's headquarters where Nifft explains their problem. They have followed Benion all the way here from Luskan only to discover that someone has killed him before they are able to apprehend him. Nifft asks if it is possible to take the body back to Luskan to claim the reward. The guard suggests that they ask the priests at the chapel as it is now in their hands.
    Nifft leads the party back to the chapel where he describes their situation to a silent monk. The monk leads them downstairs to the embalming chamber. He wordlessly shows them the body wrapped in the mummy bandages. When Nifft indicates that this is indeed Benion's body, the monk finally retrieves the priest. Nifft again describes the situation and the priest agrees to turn the body over to the party. They will finish the embalming process first. Nifft suggests that someone from the party should be here at all times to guard the body (it is worth 1,000 gp after all!). It is agreed that Haf and Feemis will stand guard over the body while the others leave to attend to certain errands. Khozho will accompany Kadran as the mage continues his search for new spells. Nifft will leave to investigate Benion's home (the place where he first acquired the Sphere of the Kellman in the sack of powder [Episode 1]).

Episode 15 [Tuesday 02 July 2001]

40 Spring 01 (cont): Nifft arrives at Benion's house in Waterdeep. He watches the house carefully and, after seeing no sign of movement within, finally circles around to the rear and enters through the same back window as before. Dust covers everything inside the house and there appears to be no-one around. He carefully climbs upstairs, noticing a creaking step as he ascends.
    Nifft finds the three upstairs rooms deserted and begins searching for valuables. There is a dresser against the wall in the bedroom and a coat lying upon the bed. Nifft searches through the dresser, but finds only clothing within. He then moves on to checks out the coat on the bed and finds a piece of parchment in the pocket.

The parchment has a code written upon it:
R37, L46, R103, L57, R65: 2, 1, 3

    It appears to be a combination! Nifft secures the parchment in his sack and goes to the desk in the adjacent room. As Nifft checks through the desk he is suddenly attacked from behind! A bag has been pulled over him from behind! Before he is able to fight back he is struck on the head and knocked unconscious!
    Meanwhile, Khozho and Kadran find the local wizardry shop. Kadran talks with the owner, an old man who mumbles continually ("Avendous' work is here"). Khozho notices an orb on the table. It is very similar to the Sphere of the Kellman.
    The old man offers the following spells to Kadran:
Stinking Cloud
Find Familiar
Sleep
Detect Magic

    Kadran buys Find Familiar, Sleep, and Detect Magic for 170 gp. The old man continues to mumble during the transaction and Khozho catches a familiar name, "Bahron" (which is the name of a small isle in the Moonshae Islands). Once Kadran has produced the 170 gp, the old man crosses the room to the table near Khozho (with orb on it) and removes three parchments from a drawer. He hands the parchments to Kadran, but accidentally bumps the table in the process. The orb rolls off of the table and onto the floor with a thud. Khozho picks up the orb and hands it back to the old man who thanks him. Khozho asks about the orb and the old man explains that it was once a dangerous artifact. He confirms that the orb was indeed the Sphere of the Kellman! But he explains that he has changed it, removing all of the dangerous magical properties. Khozho offers to buy the orb for 10 gp, but the old man balks at the idea. He claims that he is still studying the orb (despite having called it useless).
He explains that his brother, Avendous, created the orb after apparently taking an evil path in life. Avendous is supposedly on the isle of Bahron. He also reveals that Melridge and Avendous once fought. Avendous fled and Melridge is apparently searching for him. But the old man is confident that he can find his brother before Melridge does.
    Khozho and Kadran return to the chapel where Haf guards the body of Benion. Khozho explains all to the barbarian.
    Meanwhile, Nifft awakens. The is no sack over him, but he finds that he is tied to the chair that he sits upon. As he fully awakens with a headache he notices light filtering in through a keyhole in a door. He also notices that he has been relieved of all his equipment and items. All he seems to have left is the clothes upon his back. He finds, however, that his bonds are rather loose and begins working to free himself. After a few moments he is free and investigates the door. It is not locked. He soon discovers that there is a set of stairs just through the door leading up. However, there are also two men (one is a half-orc) sitting at a table. Nifft attempts to sneak past his captors, but is noticed before he can get to the stairs. He suddenly makes a break for it, bolting up the stairs! As he reaches the top, he realizes that he is still inside Benion's house! He bursts out through the front door and escapes into the streets of Waterdeep.
    Nifft runs all the way to the chapel where he finds Haf, Khozho and Kadran all standing guard. He is quite upset over losing all of his stuff and attempts to hurriedly explain all to the rest of the party. Kadran is elected to guard Benion's body, while Nifft leads Haf and Khozho back to the house. Nifft pushes them down into the basement, but they have arrived too late! The men and all of Nifft's stuff are gone!
    Nifft leads his companions upstairs, but again they find nothing of value or interest. Even the coat is gone from the bed, but Nifft realizes that, despite the blow upon his head, he can still recall the entire combination that was written upon the parchment. Nifft does find a sack in one of the dresser draws and, determined to come away with something, fills it with two changes of Benion's clothes.
    The party leaves the house and walks down the street back towards the chapel. Suddenly, Nifft overhears a young man boasting of how he just bought a crystal ball from a half-orc on a nearby cart. Haf immediately grabs the man and begins interrogating him. Khozho and Nifft notice a cart rolling away and give chase. Nifft recognizes the driver as the human who was in the basement of Benion's house. The cart picks up speed, but Nifft and Khozho both successfully leap onto the moving vehicle!
    Khozho climbs over the roof towards the front and points the tip of his halberd at the driver. He orders the man to stop the cart, but instead the man just jumps off and flees. Khozho quickly grabs the reigns and manages to stop the cart. Nifft, meanwhile, opens the back door of the cart and sees two half-orcs within. One wields a sword, while the other holds Nifft's sack in his hand. Nifft charges recklessly at the man holding the sack and succeeds in knocking him over! Nifft then easily grabs the sack and dives out of the cart landing face down in the dirt. However, Khozho comes to the rescue just before the half-orcs can take advantage of Nifft's prone position. While Khozho beats the half-orcs into unconsciousness, Haf chases after and apprehends the human driver.
    As Haf drags the human back to the cart, the city guards show up to sort out the situation. Nifft holds up his sack triumphantly and explains to the guards that the half-orcs robbed him and that he and his companions were only trying to reclaim what was theirs (conveniently leaving out any mention of his breaking and entering of Benion's house). The guards accept the explanation and take the men into custody. The guard in charge explains that they will be returning for the cart (hinting that if the cart is not there they will not pursue the matter).
    Nifft, Khozho and Haf wait until the guards have gone and then eagerly drive the cart back to the Golden Unicorn Inn. Stabling of the horses and cart cost 3 gp per night. Haf returns to the chapel to relieve Kadran, while Nifft and Khozho remain at the inn to inventory the contents of the cart.

Episode 16 [Tuesday 31 July 2001]

40 Spring 01 (cont): Mid-afternoon: Waterdeep: Haf returns to the chapel and relieves Kadran (who was guarding Benion's body). Kadran returns to the Golden Unicorn Inn to study his new spells (beginning with Detect Magic).
Nifft and Khozho take inventory on the cart.
    Nifft has recovered his staff and his sack containing all his personal items.

The cart also contains:
2 tapestries
1 longsword
1 small wooden box with velvet lining (contains a small finger bone)
30 gp in a sack (Nifft hands this to Khozho (along with another sack of 50 gp that he stole from Benion's belongings in the chapel. Khozho adds all of this to the group's funds.)
1 gold bracelet

    Nifft and Khozho eat lunch in the inn during which Nifft asks Khozho to teach him some unarmed combat.

Night: Nifft and Khozho once again return to Benion's house. They find to their surprise that the inside of the house has been ransacked! They decide to investigate the upstairs again. There is now a hole in the stairs where the creaking step had been. Possibly something was hidden under the step! Damn! Whatever it was is now gone.
Upstairs, they find that the desk is ruined. They continue to investigate, but cannot find any use here for the combination.
    However, Khozho soon discovers a note stuck in the wall with a dagger.

"Stop following us gladiator. You and your hired thugs are no match for our power. We have the sphere again."

    Nifft and Khozho return to the chapel where Khozho relieves Haf on guard duty. Nifft and Haf then return to the inn.
    Nifft and Khozho both have the same dream that night (well, it is more like a vision for Khoz, since he definitely remains awake during his guard duty). They are being chased through familiar terrain as a deep voice repeats, "free me". They both feel afraid, though they are not sure why. Shivering.

41 spring 01:
Haf returns to the chapel and relieves Khozho. Nifft accompanies Khozho as he returns to the old wizard's shop. They find that the shop has been ransacked! Nifft grabs three scrolls which he finds upon they floor. They seem to be spell scrolls! There is no sign of the old man or the Sphere of the Kellman. Khozho discovers a strange symbol written on the wall in chalk. As he copies the symbol they notice the symbol changing colors. It eventually turns red! The two companions glance at one another and then wordlessly run from the building as it explodes in a firey flash!
    They return to the chapel where they find that the embalming of Benion's body is now complete. The party prepares for an immediate departure. The body is loaded onto the cart. Khozho uses the group money to settle their bill with the innkeeper and buy a couple of weeks of traveling food (2 gp buys 1 week of traveling food).

Waterdeep to Neverwinter is a 4 day journey (120 miles).
Neverwinter to Luskan is a 1+1/2 day journey (50 miles).

42-44 Spring 01: Travel on road north. Khozho intends to begin Nifft's training during the journey. Nifft's sack of personal items is thrown into the cart and Nifft is walk with pack full of rocks on his back. Nifft is unsure as to how this approach will make him a better fighter ("I just wanna learn some good quick moves!"), but decides to put his faith and trust into Khozho (who really does kick ass in combat!).

45 Spring 01: Pass through Neverwinter.

46 Spring 01: Travel on road north.

47 Spring: Midday: The party arrives at Luskan. They head directly to the guard headquarters where they first learned about the reward and talk to the guards. Surprise! They have been expecting the party! The monks of the chapel in Waterdeep apparently sent word (via carrier pidgeon?). Benion's body is turned in and the 100 pp (1000 gp) reward is collected.
    What's next? The party discusses options. It is decided that the party should turn southward and head once again to Longsaddle (their original destination and the presumed location of the reawakening of the Kellman).

48 Spring 01: Travel towards Longsaddle.

49 Spring 01: Arrive at Mirabar.

50 Spring 01: Night: Nifft's watch: An Ogre attack! Nifft yells a warning awakening everyone as five adult ogres plus a juvenile approach the campsite from the nearby forest. The adult ogres are all 9+ feet tall!

round 1
an ogre strikes Haf [3]
Nifft grabs the reigns of the 5 horses and leads them away to the relative safety of the other side of the road
Kadran casts Burning Hands and burns three ogres (one is the juvenile)
Khozho strikes a singed ogre 2x [8] [7]: the ogre dies!
Khozho strikes another ogre [9]
ogre misses Khozho
ogre strikes Kadran [5]
Haf strikes ogre [16] with his spear

round 2
Nifft strikes [natural 20!] Haf's opponent [2] with a thrown dagger
the ogre drops to its knee
Nifft then misses with another dagger
Kadran strikes the same ogre with a Magic Missile [3]
Khozho strikes once and misses twice
Haf misses

round 3
Nifft moves to short range
Nifft misses with a dagger
Nifft throws one of his dwarven daggers and strikes [nat 20!]: the ogre dies!
Kadran strikes with second Magic Missile spell [3]
Khozho strikes [8]
Khozho strikes [7] and kills an ogre
Khozho strikes [8]
the juvenile ogre misses Khozho
an ogre strikes Khozho [4]
Haf misses
the ogre misses Haf

round 4
Nifft strikes Khozho's hurt opponent [2]
Nifft strikes with his second dwarven dagger [5]
the angry ogre turns its back on Khozho and starts towards Nifft
Kadran strikes the juvenile with a third Magic Missile spell [3]
Khozho strikes [7]
the ogre drops to its knee
Khozho strikes [8]
Khozho strikes [8]: the ogre dies!

there are now only two left!
one adult on Haf and the juvenile
Haf strikes [14] and kills the adult
the juvenile flees towards the woods
Haf chases it!
Haf spears it, destroying the last of the ogres!

Episode 17 [Tuesday 21 August 2001]

50 Spring 01: Night:
[ogre battle xp: 338 each]

-ogre's treasure:
25 gp
1000 sp
3000 cp
8 fancy gems
7 semi-precious gems
3 vials liquid

-Nifft collects his daggers
-Nifft's backpack is loaded with 1000 sp, 3000 cp
-move to new campsite and rest

51 Spring 01: Morning:
-travel south towards Longsaddle
-riders ride by in hurry
-fleeing?
-Nifft calls out to them: "What's up ahead?"
-their answer: "Death!"

-arrive at Longsaddle
-gates are open
-houses have been burned!
-old man crawling on ground near gate; trying to escape
-old man's legs don't work
-he mentions a red-headed man (fits Melridge's description!)
-he tells the party to flee!  flee!

-question old man:
-old man explains that red head arrived with two other men
-a gold-haired man and another in a hooded cloak (fits descriptions of Averial & Aaris)
-they came talking about a new beginning
-they came to raise their "savior"
-the hooded man raised the savior
-the savior immediately killed the hooded man and proceeded to tear the town apart
-the savior left Longsaddle headed N,NE
-but he left the golden haired man for dead
-the red haired man [Melridge] fled the town

-party enters town
-Averial is found on the ground leaning against a wall - near death
-Haf gives him some water
-Averial explains that he tried to stop Melridge
-the orb (the Sphere of the Kellman) has the soul as well as the consciousness of the Kellman bound within it
-Kellman's consciousness in the orb cried for help and the undead answered - that's why the orb always attracted the undead

-Averial further explains that Melridge is greedy
-he wants control of the diamond mines in the Spine of the World
-Melridge was going to use the Kellman to conquer a civilization at the Spine and take over the diamond mine, but Melridge found he could not control the Kellman
-so Melridge fled N,NE towards Spine of the World, carrying the Sphere of the Kellman
-the Kellman is in pursuit

-what next? discuss
-Khozho decides to help locals put out fires
-Nifft will guard the horses near the gate
-Kadran watches Khozho
-Haf helps Khozho

-Nifft decides to take the opportunity to loot
-he enters a lexigrapher's shop
-he finds a book on the Spine of the World with maps!
-he takes the book, but finds nothing else of value
-there is a body on the floor
-Nifft checks over the body, but finds only the key to the front door
-there are no other exits

-Nifft checks out an armorer's shop
-the back door is unlocked
-Nifft enters and cracks open his light locket just a bit
-he hears a grunt!
-a zombie strikes Nifft [3] as he tries to retreat
-Nifft flees out through the back door
-a throwing knife strikes the door just as he escapes!
-Nifft runs out to the square and returns to the horses
-the armorer emerges from the front of his shop complaining about zombies being inside his shop
-the party prepares to leave
-they are still undecided on where to go and what to do.

-should party pursue Melridge and the Kellman?
-what does the party gain by pursuing this further?
-Melridge and the Kellman will most likely have confrontation at Spine of the World
-how does the outcome of this confrontation affect the party?
-if Melridge wins, then he will control Spine of the World (so what?)
-if the Kellman wins, then he will regain his soul and leave in peace (we think)

-Nifft suggests that they continue the pursuit
-the mention of the diamond mines has sparked his interest
-Kadran agrees

-but the party is also short on food now
-they cannot continue the pursuit (which has now moved off road into the wilderness) without restocking supplies first
-party will need to travel out of their way (thereby falling far behind in the pursuit) in order to buy food at the next town

-party mounts horses, preparing to depart, as discussion continues...

04 Dec 04 Unpublished work © 1998-2002 fraz