IronMan #2 attempt...

When we last left off with our brave band of adventurers, they were tasked with a mission that exceeded their skills level. (This makes the game even more fun for me.)

An inside spy was able to get a map & information out that there was a secret backdoor entrance located at a Burned out farmhouse. No one knows the status of that spy and most fear the worst.

But, following the heavily blood & mud smeared sketched map...our valiant hero's accepted the mission and with their meager supplies, set off to enter into the Temple of Elemental Evil. Finding the upper level empty by entering a open side door, they explored inside and their elves discovered a secret door that opened into a stairwell spiraling down into the darkness.

Just as their stained map hinted at existed.

Emboldened by the correct information, they were careful NOT to follow the staircase all the way down but instead, about half way, they found the secret door marked on the map that opened onto the 1st level.

Along they way the group had to deal with armed guards, bugbears, and all forms of nasty creatures. Including a two-headed beast known as an Ettin! This continually drained their meager resources and pushed them to their limits. Near the end, exhausted of all magical sources of damage and armed only with a few magical weapons...the last Will-o-Wisp they fought was a touch and go fight and only the last of their healing scrolls kept them swinging and hoping to get that lucky hit. But hit they did and the last foe between them & the open air fell. Continuing along the passage, careful not to open any further doors to avoid unnecessary fighting since they were all wounded...they managed to find the last secret door that led them to the Burned Farmhouse.

Along the way our brave band leveled to 6 each and unfortunately (and fortunately), the Rogue Ripper died just after reaching her "ding". However, using their only Raise Dead scroll given by the Church of St. Cuthbert, they brought her back but with some experience loss. Still...the mission was wildly successful.

A quick jaunt to Hommlet brought the information to the authorities but along with it came something that was unexpected. One of the guards interrogated during the raid to the temple, revealed that the missing Prince Thrommel was hidden on the same level as the Burnt Farmhouse entrance.

A quick rest over night, the creation of more scrolls and a few masterwork weapons & armor enchanted...and our group is off to find the missing prince....

Check back for more updates regarding this second IronMan attempt as the forces of good try to remove the threat of the evil plotters from the Hommlet region.

(FUN!)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7fl_7n0Jd8

Here's a song for you- maybe Zaxis can learn it...

 

LoL, Gehennis. Ty for that...

 

Many Boffins died trying to secure those blue prints.

 

Many +1s to you Gehennis!

Sanctuary, are you only doing Ironman or do you have additional self-imposed restrictions?

 

I am playing Ironman and I have my own special adventure going on in my head. They are the reasons I'm playing in the manner that I am.

I am trying to push myself with using a low level group while doing a harder encounter choice path with "missions".

Fun...

 

Cool.

I was asking because I was thinking of posting a hardcore challenge thread, but I'm thinking this forum might not be active enough for it, or people may be happy with the playstyles they already have.

 

Our adventuring group, after a talkative evening one night while camping...decided to officially call themselves, The Band. Such is the way of such things where these people dwell.

In a surgical strike that tested their abilities even though each party member was usually wreathed in the Protection from Evil spell...The Band managed to take out true horrors of the night in the form of a Groaning Spirit and other horrible creatures.

Going on sheer instinct and constantly taking a left as they penetrated deeper on this dungeon level in search of the missing prince, The Band came upon a secret room that indeed did hold the spell bound Prince.

Playing it safe and gently talking to him allowed The Band to determine that the Prince had been in slumber for 6 years! Agreeing to take Prince Thrommel out of the dungeon the group made straight haste back out of the complex thus allowing Thrommel to escape to safety.

However, not without the Prince promising a substantial reward for our Hero's efforts once he returned to Furyondy & Veluna. This reward to arrive upon a later date. *cough* Scather *cough*

The Band, all feeling like they were on the threshold of understanding more of their chosen crafts...decided to take care of few "loose ends" that they had heard about while they waited for the heat to settle around the Temple and give the Prince time to come through with his promised reward. (Thrommel had promised that the gift they were about to receive may be the final hope their group would come to rely upon in a clutch situation...) That sounded fairly important to the rest of the group and everyone was ready for a break after cleaning up the loose ends.

Such as getting that Giant head for the Smith of Hommlet. When our group had traveled to Emridy Meadows earlier in the explorations, they had seen a giant with a grizzly bear as a pet. Knowing such a foe was to much for them at the time, The Band noted it's location and left it be. Now that information has come to fruition as they came actively to remove it's threat to the region and to secure the giant's head to provide proof of their worthiness for him to craft his Masterwork Arms & Armor for them.

It turned out not to be to difficult at all to defeat the giant since the Wizard englarged our Tank and he went toe to toe being healed when necessary as the rest of the group first took out the bear (it resisted the charm animal spell scroll read by Zaxis) and then brought the giant down. This then gave the group their first suit of the elven mithril chainmail. (Such armor is not considered medium but is instead regarded as light for encumbrance purposes and rogues get to use their evasion feat. You also tumble nicely in it. The dexterity restriction is it's only bad feature but for what it's worth...some of the best armor in the game when enchanted to +3.)

The Band also collected the Gar's head for Preston Welz in Nulb. While doing so of course the Frog ambush along with the lizard folks and the Hag was actually difficult. The Band managed and collected another suit of the elven chainmail.

By getting mona's orb back, to bad that group in the tavern's little maid got her hand caught in our purse...if they had reacted correctly perhaps those ruffians might still be breathing. That Darla sure is sorry now but she's the cause of it all... Anyway, we managed to return her orb, free her slave, and help her out on getting the business back up and running. This all made Preston Welz like us even more and sell us one of his houses. Sure does button up nicely when we hunker down to rest.

Speaking of rest...It's time to turn in.

We'll rest for 14 days and then head off about our business as we continue to disrupt the local Evil Temple... Often our merry adventures talked enviously of the common folk being able to have stable & consist ant lives. (Well...they MIGHT talk about it but to actually step away from the adrenaline source...not likely...lol.)

Watch order is set...time to drift off for some much needed shut eye & reverie.

 

The Band's rest was fruitfull. Each agreeing to reunite in 14 days, they trained using weapons, meditated upon spiritual matters, practiced stealth, increased their skills with lockpicking and studied arcane tombs.

The 14 days went faster than any expected and true to his word, Prince Thrommel delivered.

Scather.

All stood amazed around it when it was delivered. All could feel the artifacts power eminating from the blade. The Bands tank, first gently picking up the blade quickly grasped it with his full strength and he knew...now they could push deep into the Temple...but not first without cleaning up the three levels they had explored through. This to prevent having enemies behind them when they delved down into lv4 and behond. Who knew what they might face down there.

So off they went back to the Temple and true to form, The band quickly purged all three levels filling up BOTH of their Extraplanar Chests. (Something that I have never done before...filling both to overflowing.)

Along the way they found what Burne has called the Orb of Golden Death. A key...it seems for unlocking...something. However, it seemed to be missing 4 items that if fitted within the skull...is supposed to increase its power. As of yet...Burne speaks of the need to destroy it however, our group isn't so sure. It could come in handy at some point. (*cough* like the final fight with the avatars *cough*) <--- LoL...metagaming there a bit. (wink)

After purging the upper 3 levels and now resting. Our group has returned, sold off all the extra gear and crafted their own gear into higher forms of power.

The Band is in their "meat & potatoe's" and easily mopping up the foes. With the Tank enlarged, his combat reflexes combined with power attack at full blast and using his combat experience at the full -5...backed up with the invisible healer makes The Band an incredible force of Good for the region.

It appears success is on the horizon and the fall of the Temple is near. Apparently the High Priest Hedrack resides below somewhere in their near future and all of them are eager for the clash.

One final rest and off The Band goes to root out what lies at the deepest levels of the Temple. They look forward to tomorrow with eager anticipation...because besides...who knows what Kool loot might be found! (Which of course is the True heart for many adventurers!)

 

Kool loot indeed!

 

A quick breakfast and out the door The Band went to delve deeper into the evil Temple. With a fast jaunt through the upper floors to ensure no major forces were behind them, they pushed down to the unexplored lv4.

After a long passage they encountered a strange shocking trap. The Band decided to circumvent it for now to prevent possibly setting off an alarm and instead, explored both side wings. The right side was a BRAWL...! Well, it would have been much worse had they not had Scather. The enlarged tank just destroyed the horde of ogre's, bugbears and giants. There were sooo many! They also encountered a powerful mage named Senshock. No matter how powerful a mage is though, when a rogue equipped with a +2 Holy Masterwork, Keen, Cleaver sneak attacks from behind while invisible and hits with all 4 attacks...yeah...Senshock never cast a spell. But he sure did have some nifty loot!

The left wing proved interesting with some nice treasure as well. But the best thing The Band found was the missing Paida. As soon as they freed her from the charm spell that the elven mage noticed Paida was under...the rest of the group looked at each other & knew they needed to head out once again. No point in risking her life to explore further ahead & possibly run into that Hedrack fellow.

So, out they went and with a minor encounter...they safely returned Paida to her husband, Valden in Hommlet.

After selling off more loot, further enchanting their gear, making wands & scrolls...the group felt the coming clash with Hedrack was imminent.

This is what all their training and skills have been honed for...a direct confrontation with the evil forces that have brought so much damage upon the region.

With renewed, keen intent...The Band sets off in the early morning hours for the dark Temple once again. The stories that Paida told regarding the depravity of this High Priest Hedrack fellow...renewed The Band's mission to bring justice for all those crushed beneath his iron boot. The evil worshiper of Iuz was about to meet his diety on the spiritual level...

 

...indeed Hedrak met his deity but not before evoking Iuz's name and bringing one of Iuz's avatar's into the fray.

There were "Illusions of Grandeur" as the Tank thought how the stories would ripple out of The Band having killed an Avatar of Iuz...but that quickly got squashed as the Avatar turned from his elusive foe who had been doggedly avoiding & dodging the single attack due to the Mirror Image spell, and managed a critical hit upon the tank for over 145pnts of damage. His daydreaming shattered with the one-shot.

But then...a miraculous event occurred...for not only was an Avatar of Iuz in the room but there stood in his gleaming suit of armor was an Avatar of St. Cuthbert.

He was magnificent...with his Sean Connery voice (<---Who's that?) he claimed their discord was NOT for mortal ears. Iuz, agreeing...but not before bolstering the forces of evil in the room, then disappeared from the chamber. St. Cuthbert, with a winking smile and wave of his hand...also bolstered The Band and disappeared as well.

Renewed, the battle embraced once again and after a few rebuffing spells, the Tank was merrily chopping all his foes apart. The battle won, The Band looted the chests & killed the few remaining guardians on the level. They explored each of the 8 passaged from the room that they fought Hedrak in, and through deductive reasoning their intelligent arcane casting, elven leader figured that the passages on the left went into the "nodes" they had heard about...and the passage on the right was where you came out of them.

Deciding to return, heal up, empower more of their gear and create new items...The Band returned to their house in Nulb and Hommlet...spending several days in discussion with the local authorities, resting and working on their gear.

After speaking with Burne they decided that the Orb having 4 empty gem like impressions & the 4 elemental nodes were no coincidence. After reading their notes, parchments, and tattered pieces of paper they deduced that each node most likely has an elemental "gem" or something like that hiding within it. (wink)

With all the excitement going on, The Band also got around to helping Burne figure out what was happening to his construction plans. As it turns out, the Traders in Hommlet were agents for the Temple of Elemental Evil. After informing the local authorities, The Band killed one of the traders but the other got away vowing that he would be back to extract his revenge. <----Whatever...for later during their wandering back & forth between Hommlet & Nulb they were "surprised" by Romag and a bunch of his hired thugs. They lasted 2-3 rounds before The Band was identifying the would be assassins gear and splitting it up.

The Band also cleared up a few other loose ends and now on the following morning they will once again embark upon the quest to purge The Temple of Elemental Evil of the monsters within.

Tune back later for another episode of..."The Amazing Adventures of...The Band!"
(LoL)

 

Enroute to the Temple, The Band's elven leader pulled the group off further into the wooded tree's than normal as they took their lunch break. The party leader herself, Hellenia...began constructing a quick, sheltered, make-shift tent , large enough for everyone to fit in using her cloaks & blankets. Of course these were elven cloaks & blankets...which would make most people walk right by without even seeing the temporary structure. Curious, but without a question the party milled about doing their various tasks.

The party leader, Hellenia had been waiting for this day now for a few weeks. Knowing it was drawing closer. The time for secrecy was over and the Benefactor was willing to reveal the Truth to the rest of the group.

Once finished she stepped inside...disappearing from sight. Brydar, the groups priest who soon would finally begin his education regarding the skills of evasion by studing 2 ranks of the rogue class, shared a knowing look with the groups Tank, Callish. Callish grunted in agreement...

...something was up.

With a light birds whistle, everyone looked to the hidden tent...seeing Hellenia motioning them all to come in. She dropped the flap, once again disappearing from sight. The sharp eyes of the party's primary rogue & ripper caught sight of the little frog, SPLORK! which was Hellenia's familiar...keeping a silent watchful guard upon the camp.

The priest, tank, rogue and their tag along human bard friend Zaxis all quickly entered the tent that was softly brightened by the glowing crystal ball hovering in the middle of the air.

A knowing smile played upon Hellenia's lips...

"Everyone...the time is now for you all to become aware of the greater picture that we have all been serving. We...you & I have been given the free will to continue to serve in this cause or to walk away. By not walking away...we have gained the trust of a group of Benefactor's who serve the cause of Good. They have been keeping a watchful eye upon us and through scrying deduced that we are but a short time away from a climatic battle against a formable Evil foe. One that would destroy the peace of our realms and try to hold sway over the region. This of course...can not be allowed to happen."

"We drew The Benefactor's attention with the return of Prince Thrommel and acquiring the artifact, Scather. These Benefactor's serve no Diety or cause...aside from the general good welfare for all sentient beings. If they have a devotion to any one of the nine Alignments it would be to the essence of Neutral Good itself."

Quietly, the various members looked at one another with stone faces. No one likes to be plaid...

Having faced dangers with one another, Hellenia...like any good leader...knew her people. Holding up a patient hand, she went on further to explain the necessity of the secrecy. The Benefactor's were a group that was so secret that virtually no one even knew they existed. They usually guided events with a soft hand, helping people with information, logistics, and commodities instead of open warfare. and heavy handed politics. She assured everyone that due to them all being Knighted by two separate realms for the return of Prince Thrommel...that their lives...should they continue to wish to serve, would be devoted to helping the realms struggle against the eternal forces of Evil. It was a job few were qualified to do.

To their credit, the rest of the members just looked at one another and smiled. Taking everything in stride was what this caliber of people did. Hellenia smiled back.

"Now...everyone. I know my contact only by the name of Malthis...but I would like to introduce you to him. He is one of The Benefactor's and is obviously an ArchMage." Arching her eyebrows she added, "He's most likely much more than that as well." Turning, Hellenia closed her eyes and stretched her hands out towards the orb. It began to pulse slowly, then faster and with each pulse, the light grew slightly. Once the pulses became a blur and eventually a continual light, a clear sky became visible within the orb that had light clouds drifting by in the distance.

"Ahhh...there you all are." The deep, male voice enveloped them all and seemed to put them at ease. "I must be swift and short with this use of magic but I wanted a chance to "meet" you all. My name is Malthis and I wish to extend on behalf of the other Benefactor's...our heart felt gratitude for the service you all do. Often times thankless, know that friends are watching and willing to help when able. You do not serve alone."

"You are all about to travel into extra-planar dimensions and this will be an arduous task. Often, people actually lose their minds in such transport as their bodies are to weak for the hidden stresses. However, I already know you all are capable of tasks before you...so long as you all continue to work together for no one of you can make it alone. Even you, Callish...would fall with Scather in hand if you were alone. This you know." Callish, nodded his head in agreement and threw a quick smile to Brydar.

Continuing, Malthis said, "In each of the 4 elemental nodes you are about to travel in you shall indeed find a special "gem" that is infused with the element of it's node. I'm sure each gem shall be guarded as well. Your fights shall be legendary should you succeed. Now, know this...once you destroy the skull as Burne has said you indeed MUST defeat Zuggmoy within 4 days. She herself will in all probability be the greatest challenge that you will all have faced to date...and that is the good news. The bad news is that you will not be able to use Scather in the fire node or against Zuggmoy herself. If you were to use that blade in those fights, the energies released would destroy the sword, the wielder and perhaps everyone within a 20 mile radious or the very node you are on. So...Callish, you must have a back up weapon that is also enchanted with Holy."

Callish smiled, "We have the Radiant Ranseur that we could embue with more power. This will also give me reach like Zaxis and his Radiant Spiked Chain." Both gave each other a fierce grin.

"My time is short now", Malthis interrupted, "I leave the details to the experts." Even though The Band could not see his face, they heard the benevolent smile upon his lips. "Go now...do as you must. Never lose faith in what it is you do for all Good beings of the Universe. That which you strive with is that important. You stand with friends."

And with that...the crystal ball fell back into it's original gentle glow.

Immediately, a serene feeling pervaded the entire "tent" and everyone couldn't help but feel blessed by something that was far greater than them. Each took a knee, even Hellenia...as Brydar took them through a heartfelt prayer. Not to any one Diety...but instead to the very essence of Good itself.

(Later Brydar prayed fervently towards Pelor, asking his patron God for clarification if he was on the right path or if we was offending Pelor with his new found budding loyalties. However, with each mornings refreshing of spells in the coming days & weeks ahead...inwardly, Brydar smiled knowing that indeed...he strode upon the path he was meant for.)
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The Band pushed and completed the first 3 nodes in one swoop without problems. Leaving the fire node for last. They retreated mainly in order to return a human archer and a human weaver back to the realms of man. Those two having been lost in the nodes for some time. This also allowed them to sell gear, improve their own gear & skills, make wands, make scrolls and prepare for the next push.

The fire node also went down fairly easily and each member became better at their craft.

With the completion of getting all 4 gems, the gear prepared...The Band had Burne's apprentice destroy the Orb of Golden Death. Rushing forward back to the Temple, taking the elevator down into the secret level below...The Band finally came face to face against Zuggmoy.

The battle was a fight but eventually the demoness was killed. This destroyed her very essence and the realms were made safer for it. The Band's name became a household word and their reputation grew far and wide. Only the most senior Defenders of the Realm even knowing that The Band served a higher power. Most saw them as Good Mercenaries just trying to help make the world a safer, better place but that work is never done as is proven by their continued crusade that drew them to the next stage of their adventures...

...the wonderful city of...Verbobonc!

 

I usually prefer a simple black and gold combo myself, or my favorites blue and green...

 

LoL...my typo. *sigh* *played*