Our Story Begins...

Minetown 1 week before New Years:

You are awoken/interrupted about an hour before your shift is set to start, by the loud clack-clack-clack of the alarm. You've heard this sound only once before, the metallic clang is an ominous one. The previous event that warranted it, ended with a 10' stinking worm dead at your feet. As you look towards the mine sounding the alarm you see a young boy, a runner, sprinting towards you.

He he skids to a halt and pants "Cavern opened...they went in...didn't come out... bout 10 minutes ago...". You know that "they" could only be the on shift security team.

As you hastily gather your equipment, you mentally run through the standard cavern clearing routine. As soon as the miners open a cavern they can't see the far wall of, they quietly get the security team. Miners are stationed at the entrance with lanterns, torches, pick axes and a gong. The team scouts/clears the cavern, if they don't report in 10 minutes the gong is sounded.

You notice a dull roar as you thread your way through the mines lead by the still panting boy. This is a new and unsettling sound. As you approach the rough opening the miners created, you notice a strange reddish glow. 3 miners armed with pickaxes and the elven storekeep armed with rapier are gathered near the opening. The miners tell you that Yellowcloud, Lucas and Tarla entered 13 minutes or so ago, they heard some muffled shouting, but nothing since. The volunteer guard (storekeep) says was patrolling a shaft close by when she heard the gong. She's heard nothing since she arrived. The miners refuse to enter, the elf seems curious.

You enter a large irregular cavern (20' ceiling), the strange glow is coming from a moss on ceiling above a building (poor illumination). As you add your light to the dim hellish glow from above, you notice the squat stone building is on a small island in middle of a dirty slow moving river. It appears to have an opening facing south, surrounded by a low wall. A waterfall high on the north wall drains into a largish pool on south end. Dimly above the crashing water you hear a strange sounds coming from south pool... You see shadowy movement, and hear the occasional clink of metal mingled with a cracking and ripping sounds.

As you draw closer to the pool and noise, you see two enormous bone white crabs ripping apart what was once Yellowcloud. One of the crabs appears injured and is missing a pincer. Behind the gory meal, you see a much larger crab half submerged in the pool, apparently dead from the great axe buried to the handle in it's alien face. To the left of the hulking carcass, you see Tarla. Her body severed nearly in two. A faint glow from the edge of the pool appears to be splintered bit of Lucas' staff. The two feeding crabs continue to tear apart Yellowcloud.

The crabs were no match for the combined fury of the group. The crabs fell quickly and mostly with out incident. Charging over rough terrain is never easy, especially in heavy armor. Kah'less deftly maneuvered into position and with Gorum's divine will, one crab was shucked by a stinking badger. Mike landed a mighty blow which split another in twain.

Yellowcloud's body had a curious would... an old rotted spear protruded from his back. The remains of Lucas were never recovered. As the party was mopping up the crustaceans, Lance noticed two rotted heads hiding near the building... Zombies? Whack first and ask questions later, as a longsword flew magically to the ghoulish kobolds. After a volley of spears, the diminutive undead retreated into the low stone building.

Under the baleful stare of Mike, the miners carried the bodies of their comrades, their friends, from the diabolic cave. They would be avenged! After crossing the river of course. Makeighla and Lance alone were dry upon the curious little island. The stone building is built for for tiny people, the door is 4.5' high. The roof stands at most 7' off the moist ground. The building is oddly formed, no apparent seams or angles. It looks as if it's all a single piece of stone, the wizard guesses StoneShape was used. A sturdy driftwood door stood between our heroes a revenge.

The volunteer guard, sheepishly revealed her true skills as she examined and unlocked the sole entrance. Mike charged blindly into the room, never seeing the sharp caltrops that pierced his flesh. He charged the two zombies whom threw a spear each, and further retreated. These were not typical zombies...these had a spark of intelligence.

The first room cleared of enemies, the rest of the party enters and quickly looks around. This room appears to have been used as a library long, long ago. Everything is moldy, damp and rotted. A small table, some chairs and a trap door are the only items besides the rows of former books. The trap door is metal and rusty it opens to dark water The door retreated too, has no lock is moldy and looks easily pushed open.

The door opens easily... two torches illuminate the scene. A luxurious bedroom after decades of rot, a well preserved chest and it's twin guardians. Kah'less and Mike make quick work of the zombies with magic and sword respectively, tho not without risk. Close quarters and greatswords are a dangerous combination. The elf woman again shows her prowess as she renders the magical fire trap harmless and quickly unlocks the chest. The chest is ironwood and well made, it contains a book in ancient draconic, a kobold sized silver dagger of exquisite make, and a scroll with an intricate circular design.

While examining the treasure, some notice one wall looks out of place. A small section doesn't share the rot that wraps the rest of the interior. After careful examination, the illusion is seen through. A tiny rotted ladder leads down to a claustrophobic room. Three feet of space between ceiling and floor, one foot of that dirty, cold water.

The lithe elf volunteers to examine what lies below. Heat-less torch in hand, she squats in the dark water and relays sight to her companions above. The back a tiny skeleton in rotted robes holding onto a rusty podium; a circle of blood floats solidly upon the rippling water ringing the macabre lecturer; on the far wall the glassware of an alchemist lab glitters as the torch flickers. As Makeighla skirts the circle, she describes a book and amulet upon the podium, the skeleton's exposed bones appear melted together. The other elf joins, and having accidently stumbled across the circle, fearlessly approaches the failed lich. The bloody circle dissipates. The book burned beyond recovery, the amulet delivering a powerful negative pulse when disturbed, Lance recovered two gold infused knuckle bones and a melted platinum necklace.
The party packed as much of the glassware as possible into the ironwood chest, and prepared to withdraw. One last look around, Lance noticed something... something moving... well more scuttling. A house-cat sized crab was skirting the wall near the remains of the lab. With a single deft stab, Lance impaled the crab on his longsword. He smiled to himself as the creature twitched for the last time. Vengeance delivered.

Upon exiting the domain of crabs and kobold zombies, Thaddeus (the mine boss) inquired about the haul. He asked Lance to catalog the booty and deliver it to the safe house. Makeighla helpfully assisted with the cataloging. Before departing for a well deserved rest, Thaddeus told of the impending war and vacating of Minetown.


Gate Pass 3 days before New Years:

After a day of prep and two days ride on slow wagons, they arrived in Gate Pass. Agreeing to meet at the Winking Unicorn Taproom to nights hence for a celebration of survival and to share rumors of impending war. Each went their own way, but all went toward comfort. They each learned of the Scourge, Ragesia's aggression, and the Resistance.

Lance returned to his teachers at Gabal's Academy, bringing them the ancient draconic book and the scroll of unknown symbolism. They accepted this contribution to the greater knowledge of magic, and in turn shared with him a spell of special power. One of the founder's own arcane incantations, the scroll written in Gabal's own hand. This was a prized possession indeed. Lance also learned of the plot by the city leaders to appease the Ragesian army that is fast approaching by allowing inquisitors into the city. The wizards of Gabal's agree that the mage hunting inquisitors will attempt to kill or capture every spellcaster in the city to further weaken Gate Pass' defense.

Kah'less learned that although the Ragesians were mostly his brothers in blood and war, they were a rigid society. Gorum would have none of this. High priest Tobias counseled Kah'less to seek out a women, and assist her with her mission. He was told a location, a time, and a name. The Poision Apple Pub, just before midnight New Year's eve, Torrent. While Kah'less would not be on the front lines defending Gate Pass, he was comforted by the thought that he may miss one battle but he would help win the war.

After dismissing his followers, Lord Robert Wellesley retired to his cottage near the church of Iomedae goddess of valor and justice. The squires/alterboys were full of insipid talk as always. But Robert noticed a dark mood creep over the boys as they polished his armor. Their talk turned from girls to war to fear. This would not do, Robert thought. Tho of low birth the boys were followers of Iomedae, they were duty bound to be brave. "Iomedae be shamed to hear you boys speak of fear. She's the goddess of Victory not defeat. You boys move your hands faster and your mouths not at all." The Ragesians were a barbaric lot, a low born half-orc emperor indeed. That's what got them into this mess.

After a long day in a wobbly wagon, Mike decided beer (and lots of it) was the best cure for a sore arse. He went immediately to Murky's Alehouse, his favorite tavern. He greatly liked the place, the owners liked the boy and knew he could handle himself in the rough crowd. It's not like they could turn him away, the wiry boy's lean physique belied his great strength, his penetrating eyes could stare a hole clean through you, and a he was paying customer to boot. He was served mead and ale while a sleazy bard sung songs of ravaging noble women and robbing their fathers and husbands. Talk about the bar was muted and quickly turned to the Ragesian war machine. A potato farmer spoke of them raiding his fields and his cabinets. Another added they were forcing the planesfolk from their lands to create huge farms. "A hungry soldier is good, but too hungry and he'll eat his commander. Tha's what my pappy says! Might as well use that land for something." quipped a drunk man next to Mike. The man ignored Mike's malevolent stare. The haughty man then patted Mike on the shoulder and with a condescending undertone said "No big loss overall, your people ain't doing notin with it." Mike didn't like this man's tone. After a punch to the throat, his tone would never be quite the same again.

The elven 'shop keep' darted down a dark alley way, and knocked upon a non-descript wooden door. A question greeted her knock. "Why would someone be bothering me at tea-time?" Makeighla answered sweetly, "But uncle, I brought your tea cakes." The door to her left opened a crack, the man behind it looked past Makeighla down the alley and beckoned her enter. The upstairs was a giant luxury bedroom. A one handed halfling lounged engulfed in silk pillows. He didn't so much as look up from his book as Makeighla approached. "What did you bring me from the mines?" he said with disinterest. Makeighla recounted the most recent adventure, as it was the only exciting thing to happen since she was in this room last. His pleasure was evident at the mention of the lich's abandoned hovel. He would have his people search the place with a fine tooth comb. He bit her to do some reconnaissance, a meeting was to be had at the Poision Apple Pub round midnight New Year's eve. A resistance operative was going to meet some woud-be assitance to complete some mission. A rumor of vital military intelligence that may cripple the Ragesian war effort. Makeighla was to find out what this information was, assist if necessary, but under no circumstances let the information fall into Ragesian hands. The resistance was to be helped. The guild was against this war, it's bad for business.

Upon meeting at the Winking Unicorn, they shared their stories (most of them anyway). They decided to help the resistance, to help Torrent in her mission. Rough plans were drawn, where to meet, where to leave the horses, what to bring...

The Secret Meeting - Poison Apple Pub, New Year's Eve
With an army at the gates, the streets are fairly deserted and normal festivities muted, letting the heroes travel unmolested. The pub is in a poorer district about a mile from the western city wall, filled with slushcovered cobblestone streets and dark, snow-filled alleyways. The evening is dark and claustrophobic, the multistory buildings of the city looming in the night, no lights in most windows. The pub is a two-story building attached by a rooftop bridge to a neighboring house. The door and windows are boarded up, and the curtains drawn (though a faint light can be seen).

Down the street from the pub is a stable where the heroes can leave mounts, and the heroes have been told to enter through a side alley entrance to avoid being seen. The door is locked as Makeighla attempts to pick the lock, Torrent opens the door a crack. After checking to make sure it’s safe, she lets them in, gesturing casually to a table where she has set up a lamp, a map, several mugs, and a small keg of beer.

As tall and strong as the typical warrior, Torrent is a distinctive looking woman with tanned skin and short white hair. Under a dark winter coat she wears a breastplate decorated with blue wave-like etchings, and a holy symbol to a sea god is tied to her wrist with a leather cord. Her demeanor is smooth but forceful, like an ocean wave.

The darkened pub is mostly empty now, its many tables and chairs pushed to one wall and covered with sheets. A single table sits in the middle of the room, with enough chairs for all of you. A small oil lamp and a keg sit on top of it, along with several mugs. At the back corner of the common room beside the bar, a staircase leads upstairs. The windows and door facing onto the street are closed, and you know they have been boarded up from the outside. On the wall behind the bar hangs a bronze bust of the former emperor of Ragesia, Drakus Coaltongue, a regal, aged half-orc with a scar cutting diagonally across his face. You and Torrent are the only people in the room.

Makeighla scouts the pub as the others pull up a chair and have a beer. As the bells toll in celebration of New Years, Torrent grimaces and straightens in her chair, and says, “That’s one year gone. I guess it’s time to get down to business." She proceeds to tell the party much of what they already know... The Ragesian army fast approaches, the city council will likely let in the inquisitors, and there's intelligence vital to the resistance in the city. Torrent has been tasked to bring this intelligence to the Lyceum Academy of Magic far to the south. The Academy has offered refuge to all (especially spell casters) from the Ragesian Scourge. Rumor is that they are preparing to make a stand against Supreme Inquisitor Leska and her masked inquisitors. But she get's ahead of herself... first the party must get their hands on this intelligence.

“The short version is that we’ve got to meet a contact —a gnome named Rivereye Badgerface — in about an hour at a guarded depository about a half-mile from here. He’s carrying a case of vital military intelligence which he stole from the Ragesian palace, and the heads of the resistance think that it needs to reach Lyceum. We’ve got to get that case, get out of the city, and get far away from here before the idiot city council lets the Ragesian inquisitors in. Once that happens, the odds of us escaping are —“ she finishes off her mug of beer in one long guzzle “— slim."

"There is a complication in this too... Rivereye a gnome sorcerer and spy from Lyceum, was acting as a servant in the imperial palace for Kreven, second-in-command of the inquisitors. His normal contact in Gate Pass — Peppin Tallman, a human wizard from Lyceum — would occasionally pass along information to the resistance, but a week ago that contact was found dead. A speak with dead spell revealed that Tallman was scheduled to meet Rivereye, as well as the time and place of the meeting, but the identity of Tallman’s killer was unknown. I'm concerned that someone else is after the case, and that Rivereye might spook when he sees Peppin isn’t with us."

There is much discussion and planning. Escape from the city is at the forefront. Lance recalls one city councilman, Erdan Menash, is sympathetic to heroes and adventurers. Torrent has never met him, but she knows where he lives — his house is impossible to miss.

Torrent is confident the path to Lyceum will be safe-ish. Her plan is to take take a little-traveled road south from the city to the border of the Innenotdar Fire Forest, thirty miles away. Decades ago, the Elf Road ran through the fire forest to the nation of Dassen, where Lyceum is, but during the last war some catastrophe happened. The forest was set on fire, and it has not stopped burning since. Rather than trying to survive in the wilderness in winter, or to sneak past countless patrols of Ragesians, Torrent has prepared for a journey through the fire forest. She has a pouch full of potions that will let the party survive the intense heat, and she doubts any hostile forces will be able to muster enough similar magic to follow them. She is confident the trip through the fire forest should take less than two days.

Ambush:
As plans are wrapped up, the bells of celebration go silent. A creaking on the floor above is overheard... Someone is up stairs. Torrent quietly retrieves her family's heirloom, a masterwork battleaxe. Hand signals indicate who is to do what. Mike charges the stairs (forgetting a lightsource), Makeighla awaits her prey behind the door, Lance readies his components, Kah'less and Robert draw and ready their weapons.

Distant muted thumps fill the air... like ripe fruit landing on the roof of a house. A shout from the street... "Front Door: Go!" The front door shudders as a battering ram slams into it, cracking the door and the frame as well. One more hit, and the door will be in splinters. Torrent positions herself between Lance and the door.

Mike in a blind rage (literally and figuratively) gropes for the enemy that is hidden in the darkness. He is welcomed by the thud of a sap against his forehead. Robert chases Mike upstairs.

Suddenly a deafening boom, the building shakes. Ceiling boards crack and buckle, and the flaming oil spraying around upstairs leaks down into the room like a fiery rain. Overhead, a handful of screams sound out as the remaining scouts are caught in the flaming burst and slain. The bronze bust of Emperor Coaltongue falls off the wall and lands with a thud.

Mike seeing clearly now (thanks to the flaming oil) attacks the two remaining the half-orcs garbed in studded leather and a distinctive armbands. Red, with a black horse head, and letters in a unknown and strange language. The door bursts open and a mail clad warrior runs directly between Kah'less' greatsword, Makeighla's rapier and Lance's magically propelled longsword. He is quickly dispatched. The Black Horses attempt surrender after one of their number is slain.

The brigands attempt to negotiate with our heroes for their fallen comrades... the party scoffs, and attempts to lure them in. Lance hurls insults (most of which are above the brigands' heads). The Black Horses reluctantly leave their fallen comrades, better to fight again another day.

The party binds, strips, and questions the fallen men. They divulge their plan, they're paid 100 gp a head for spell casters as well as what ever they looted. They weren't bad guys, just trying to feed their families/gambling debit. "Ragesia going to get ya anyways, why not make a goodly profit eh? You'd a done the same, you would." Torrent hurries the party along. The bombing may cause him to flee and getting to the rendezvous in time will be tricky with the city in a panic. The men are released in their underclothes and treats of harm should they be seen again.

Navigating a City Under Attack:
The streets are filled with panicking people. The bombing has subsided, but a battle has begun at the west wall. Townsfolk rush about trying to put out fires or get to the shelter of temples, and soldiers hurry to their posts, slowed by the throng and chaos. All the while, bells ring urgent warnings up and down the mountain pass. As the party heads for their rendezvous with Rivereye at the depository, the party is caught in the confusion as masses of people surge about in near darkness.

The party passes a family in the streets. The father is burnt and barely standing, having run back inside his burning house to try to rescue his wife, whose unconscious and burnt body he carries. With his three children, huddled in coats and whimpering, the man croaks out cries for help. As the party is moving by, the man finally collapses from exhaustion. Robert and Kah'less split from the group to assist the family. The rest rush to the Depository. Channeling the power of Gorum, Kah'less radiates a healing wave that awakens both the man and his still smoking wife. The family thanks you greatly and promises to give to Gorum. As the move to catch up, they are again hear calls for help. A woman trapped at the top of a four story building, screams for help. Backlit by the flames engulfing the building she begs to be saved. Robert and Kah'less gather men from the crowd to assist with a daring plan. A blanket is held taunt by the men, the woman is beconed to jump to safety. Kah'less is forced to reason with the woman. "If you jump now, at worst you'll break a leg; if you stay where you are, you'll burn to death." This brings her to her senses and she leaps through the smoke to land roughly on the blanket below.

Catching up with the rest of the group, is easy as the gate between two disticts is packed with people. Too many people trying to squeeze through too narrow a passage. Suddenly, fear rolls across the party like blast of cold wind. Only Rita and Kah'less are immune to the gut wrenching fear. Everyone in the crowd panics at the same time, screaming and tearing at each other to flee. Those who panic flee irrationally through the crowd of terrified citizens. One soldier patrolling the gate wall jumps in terror and falls amid the crowd, being trampled to unconsciousness. You all notice a crimson, bat-winged shape the size of a house swooping through the sky about a hundred feet overhead. As it passes out of view over other buildings, a surge of panicked screams rise along its path. It is too dark to make out clearly what the creature causing the fear is. Once the panic ends, the party regroups.

The Depository Tower - Early New Year's day
In the next district to the east, Rivereye Badgerface waits at the Depository Tower, expecting to hand over a case full of valuable military intelligence to his contact, Peppin. Unbeknownst to him, Peppin is dead, slain by unknown agents.

The depository is an eighty foot high tower located in the center of its district, and is surrounded by a fenced compound that is guarded day and night. Torrent has an account there, so she and the party will be able to enter, though the guards are cautious, not wanting rioters to get inside.
The grounds of the depository are 120 ft. square, while the tower itself is 60 ft. in diameter and 80 ft. high. A 20-ft. high iron fence rings the compound, with the space between the fence and tower filled with well tended gardens. Just inside the entry gate are a pair of beautiful fountains; one depicting four elemental spirits common to local legends — a dragon, a worm, a kraken, and an eagle — and the other dominated by a statue of Emperor Coaltongue, posing with his torch held high, lit by continual flame.

There is only one entrance to the compound, through a sturdy gate house guarded at all times by depository guards. The guards appear to be all dwarves, orcs, or half-orcs, since their darkvision lets them better keep an eye on the valuables stored here.

The tower has only one ground entrance, large double iron doors. As a guard escorts the party to the entrance to the tower, and offers you lanterns, since the interior is dark. He says, "They're guards inside, so don’t ‘accidentally’ open anyone else’s locker, ya get me? An there's an ugly gnome already came inside, so don't be startled if ye bump into 'em. Ugly as the day is long that one."

As you enter the tower, you notice the first floor of the tower is one huge room, and though the far side is hidden in shadows, it looks to be about sixty feet in diameter. A broad stone ramp circles clockwise upward to the left of the door, while the interior of the room is filled with aisles of metal lockers, each slightly larger than a coffin propped upright. The ceiling is twenty feet high, supported by squat round columns.