17th Day of Harvester, C.Y. 592
We set off to the Lortmils in order to help out the Khannenhelm dwarves in their war against the White and his giant army. The lower redoubt was undermanned (or is it underdwarfed). The captain of the defensive fortification, Hetrik, said that the reinforcements had not arrived on schedule a few days previous. That combined with greater numbers of dwarves needed to defend against the giant incursions has left the station in a bad state. Uthgar gave them his Box of Everful Biscuits, and we told them we would make sure the dwarves knew of their situation. Delvanos used his lyrical prowess to encourage the beleaguered dwarves.
We began the five mile hike up the mountain road. The snow was pretty heavy, and the air was quite thin. Uthgar filled us in on the news he had about his people, and what he knew of their history. There are two clans of dwarves in Mount Odenkor, the Khannenhelms and the Thangeddins. They used to be one united clan, but they split many centuries ago. Uthgar believes it was over religious matters. The Khannenhelms revered Moradin, and the Thangeddins were devout worshippers of Dumathoin, the God of Mining and Exploration. There were long periods of warfare between the clans, but that ended about five hundred years ago. About a century ago, Durnegar discovered that the Thangeddin priests were no longer worshipping Dumathoin. They had switched to Abatthor, God of Greed and Avarice. This caused a major rift between the already disparate clans.
When the frost giants began their campaign against the dwarves, it was only the Khannenhelms who began fighting. Apparently the two clans had some arrangement where Uthgar’s people defended both the main fortifications near the ice plains, which separate Odenkor from the White’s home at Gaeth-Orvus. The situation called for both clans to put aside their differences, but the Thangeddin leadership warned against further angering the White. A young group of warriors under the leadership of Ragnok Thangeddin broke rank with the leaders, and they went to join the Khannenhelms. They fought alongside Khannenhelms in the first major engagement of the war in what is now called the Battle of Unity. Something appears to have happened to the Thangeddins, because no word has come from them in over a month. All attempts to uncover what happened have been thwarted by the clan “defenses”. No one has made it past the Hall of Odenkor. Ragnok and his warriors are still at the northern redoubt, but no communication has been received from the eastern redoubt in about a week.
Uthgar’s story was cut short when Vannay’s prying eyes returned from the scouting position. The mountain road up ahead was under the driving winds of a blizzard. As we approached, Vannay determined that the storm was of an arcane origin. We began trudging through the high winds and heavy snowfall. Moments before we would have been buried, Uthgar spotted an avalanche coming down the mountain. Vannay quickly put up a force wall, which shielded us from the deluge of ice and snow. Before we could plan our next step, a massive insectoid worm came up from below and attempted to swallow Delvanos. The archer bard managed to escape with a dimension door, and the worm moved to swallow Safadin. Victor and Creden began warding the party against the worm’s attacks, and Safadin managed to escape the creature’s maw. Vannay dropped a large fireball on the creature, and Uthgar got in several attacks. It looked like the fiery blood in the creature was going to turn Uthgar’s axe into molten slag, but pulled his axe out in time. Victor landed a few powerful punches, but he was not able to grapple the worm. The fiery blood severely burned the Kordite priest. The creature (identified by Vannay as a remorhaz) attempted to use its massive strength to knock Creden off the cliffside, but it missed. Safadin fired a cone of prismatic brilliance at the worm, and it appeared to lose its mind just before shifting to another plane. Vannay put up his secure shelter, so we could ride out the winter storm. Creden prayed to the Saint after our rest, and the storm subsided. Uthgar couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw a very large white dragon flying off in the distance.
After arriving at the Khannenhelms, we spoke for a while with the clan chieftain, Hondar. He seemed pretty reluctant at first to accept help from the outside world. He believed that it was a dwarven problem, and it would be solved by the dwarves. Delvanos used his silver tongue and irrefutable logic to convince the chief that the war against Iuz would reach the dwarves sooner rather than later. If they accepted our help here, they could return the favor by sending troops to aid against Iuz. Hondar was amenable to this agreement. Victor followed up on this by making sure that our offer of aid was contingent upon them sending troops. If we took out the White and defeated the giants, then the dwarves must send aid. Hondar agreed to the proposal upon one condition. In addition to helping defeat the White, we must do our part in restoring the Thangeddin and Khannenhelm clans. Even if the White and his giants were gone, the Khannenhelms would not leave their mines defenseless while the rift existed between the two clans. The clans must reunite, and for the first time in ten generations, there would be a High King Under the Mountain.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Tales of the White
If one were to scour the great libraries of the Flanaess, they would find little reference to the ancient wyrm known only as the White. In my research into the dragon, I found a few morsels of information, but hardly the amount of data that has been collected on much younger dragons. Many wyrms hide their true identities for legends say that knowing the dragon’s true name gives you power over them. Of course this is but a tale told to young heroes looking for an edge in dragon hunting.
There is some information that has been accepted as fact. The dragon calls Gaeth-Orvus home. It is in the northern Lortmils near the dwarven clans of Mount Odenkor. The previous master of Gaeth-Orvus was another white dragon named Kossundelgotterix (see Wyrms of the Flanaess for further information). It is presumed that Kossun was the mother of the White. After the dwarves defeated Kossun (six hundred years before the declaration of universal peace), Gaeth-Orvus was inhabited by a large tribe of frostfell orcs.
The earliest known references to the White are nearly a thousand years ago. The wyrm was involved in the Nomad Wars in the Northern Flanaess. At this time reports indicated that the dragon was well into adulthood. It is common among the chromatics to actively spread their tales of destruction, which helps bolster their enormous egos. This did not seem to be the case up until the White’s first notable sighting. Perhaps this indicates a history that the White does not wish to be told, but any theories regarding this would be pure speculation. If the White had not returned to Gaeth-Orvus, it is likely that no connection with Kossun would have been established.
When the White did return to the Lortmils, the Odenkor clan had already reformed into their present day status of two disparate clans. The dwarven civil war reached its zenith prior to the return of the White, and they now coexisted without overt violence. The White dominated the orc tribes, but some problems arose. The nature of these problems is not well known, but within a few years of the dragon’s return, the orc tribe was smashed. The frost giant clan was formed. Their loyalty to the White appears unwavering.
With his base at Gaeth-Orvus firmly established, the White began his campaign of destruction across the northern Lortmils. The stories of his slaughter of a significant number of younger silver wyrms were told throughout the surrounding lands. It appears though that the Khannenhelm Defenders of Odenkor were a major thorn in his side. The fact that Odenkor is within a few miles of Gaeth-Orvus (separated only by the great ice plain) certainly served to anger the aging wyrm. Like most dragons, they can wait a long time to enact their plans. The white wyrms may not be the grand examples of dragonkind, but their capacity to hate and destroy is quite amazing.
Rumors of alliance with Iuz and the Boneshadow have persisted since the rise of Iuz. The timing of the White’s assault on Odenkor (two weeks after Iuz’s most recent invasion) cannot be a coincidence. It is this author’s opinion that they are not in any sort of formal alliance. That would be exceedingly rare considering the two individuals involved. They do appear to have similar goals though.
Over the last five hundred years, a number of would be heroes have attempted to assault the mountain fortress of Gaeth-Orvus. There is not much in the way of stories about these adventurers. The lure of great wealth often trumps good sense. The most common (and therefore likely) story is that the White toys with his prey. He draws them skillfully into his chambers, and it is too late to escape by the time the futility of their plans becomes apparent.
The other mysterious tale concerning the White occurred about a century ago. The event was said to have “offended all of dragonkind”. Attempts by this author to uncover any facts of the tale were fruitless for many years. Considering my connections in the draconic world, this was surprising. In the last few years, I discovered the truth of the tale. As I learned it in confidence, I have no intention of repeating the horrific event. Even if I was not sworn to secrecy, I would not pass on this tale. It was this knowledge that initially piqued my interest in the ancient dragon. Now I wish that I had not sought out the truth. Knowledge can be a heavy burden, and it cannot be forgotten.
- Morgan D’Amico, the Silver Sage
There is some information that has been accepted as fact. The dragon calls Gaeth-Orvus home. It is in the northern Lortmils near the dwarven clans of Mount Odenkor. The previous master of Gaeth-Orvus was another white dragon named Kossundelgotterix (see Wyrms of the Flanaess for further information). It is presumed that Kossun was the mother of the White. After the dwarves defeated Kossun (six hundred years before the declaration of universal peace), Gaeth-Orvus was inhabited by a large tribe of frostfell orcs.
The earliest known references to the White are nearly a thousand years ago. The wyrm was involved in the Nomad Wars in the Northern Flanaess. At this time reports indicated that the dragon was well into adulthood. It is common among the chromatics to actively spread their tales of destruction, which helps bolster their enormous egos. This did not seem to be the case up until the White’s first notable sighting. Perhaps this indicates a history that the White does not wish to be told, but any theories regarding this would be pure speculation. If the White had not returned to Gaeth-Orvus, it is likely that no connection with Kossun would have been established.
When the White did return to the Lortmils, the Odenkor clan had already reformed into their present day status of two disparate clans. The dwarven civil war reached its zenith prior to the return of the White, and they now coexisted without overt violence. The White dominated the orc tribes, but some problems arose. The nature of these problems is not well known, but within a few years of the dragon’s return, the orc tribe was smashed. The frost giant clan was formed. Their loyalty to the White appears unwavering.
With his base at Gaeth-Orvus firmly established, the White began his campaign of destruction across the northern Lortmils. The stories of his slaughter of a significant number of younger silver wyrms were told throughout the surrounding lands. It appears though that the Khannenhelm Defenders of Odenkor were a major thorn in his side. The fact that Odenkor is within a few miles of Gaeth-Orvus (separated only by the great ice plain) certainly served to anger the aging wyrm. Like most dragons, they can wait a long time to enact their plans. The white wyrms may not be the grand examples of dragonkind, but their capacity to hate and destroy is quite amazing.
Rumors of alliance with Iuz and the Boneshadow have persisted since the rise of Iuz. The timing of the White’s assault on Odenkor (two weeks after Iuz’s most recent invasion) cannot be a coincidence. It is this author’s opinion that they are not in any sort of formal alliance. That would be exceedingly rare considering the two individuals involved. They do appear to have similar goals though.
Over the last five hundred years, a number of would be heroes have attempted to assault the mountain fortress of Gaeth-Orvus. There is not much in the way of stories about these adventurers. The lure of great wealth often trumps good sense. The most common (and therefore likely) story is that the White toys with his prey. He draws them skillfully into his chambers, and it is too late to escape by the time the futility of their plans becomes apparent.
The other mysterious tale concerning the White occurred about a century ago. The event was said to have “offended all of dragonkind”. Attempts by this author to uncover any facts of the tale were fruitless for many years. Considering my connections in the draconic world, this was surprising. In the last few years, I discovered the truth of the tale. As I learned it in confidence, I have no intention of repeating the horrific event. Even if I was not sworn to secrecy, I would not pass on this tale. It was this knowledge that initially piqued my interest in the ancient dragon. Now I wish that I had not sought out the truth. Knowledge can be a heavy burden, and it cannot be forgotten.
- Morgan D’Amico, the Silver Sage
Friday, May 18, 2007
Heroes
Editor’s Note: This is the final log of the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. It took about three years to complete the module, and it was a lot of fun. Many thanks to Monte Cook for his great work. I would also like to thank the frequent posters on Monte’s forum for helping me out along the way. Many of the great ideas for the adventure came from there. This is written up about eight months after the adventure ended, so hopefully it covers the important details of the climactic finish well. A special thanks to the players of this campaign for all their work and great role-playing is certainly in order. We now are now beginning the war against Iuz, which started while the party was busy defeating the cultists. I wouldn’t count out some of the events of the Temple Campaign creeping back in.
The Ritual of Unmaking
The party solved the next two puzzles and the gate was open to the Throne of Imix. The Prince of Fire was flanked by Lareth the Beautiful and Maliskra, the fire-born medusa. The battle was very intense, and we discovered early on that Lareth was not in the throne room. It was the succubus scout that had been following us. Imix continued his assault, and then he was called out of the room by the real Lareth. The party followed the two through the gate and found themselves in the greater temple room of the Temple of Elemental Evil.
A large nexus had formed above the three part altar in the center. Lareth gave the Orb of Silvery Death to Imix. All Imix had to do to complete the ritual was cast the orb into the nexus. It would have freed Tharizdun from his prison, and it would have ushered in the end of the world. The party stood between the prince and the nexus. Victor managed to successfully grapple the fifty foot elemental, and kept him from reaching the nexus. Delvanos unleashed his powerful barrage of arrows and dropped Imix. The day was won. The six heroes saved the world.
The Inner Fane
The party began their assault on the final bulwark of the cultist’s defenses, the Inner Fane. There were a number of large battles on the way to the top of the black spike. Two half-dragon dinosaurs, a powerful Doomdreamer, two night hags, a nalfeshnee and a marilith all fell at the party’s hand. The greatest danger was most likely the Augury of Chance. A skeletal figure dealt cards from the Deck of Many Things to anyone willing to play his game.
The fane itself was set against the party. The Dreaming Stone formed the core of the black spike, and the battle with the hags was nearly fatal for Delvanos. He was unable to resist the force within the stone, and he was drawn into what apparently was where all Doomdreamer candidates go if they are not strong enough. They spend an eternity in the prison realm of Tharizdun worshipping him with their shattered minds. The party traveled to the Indomitable Gate to ask Galgaliel to free him. The solar agreed, and Delvanos was restored. As the party continued up the black spike, it became apparent that the First was planning his escape, and he was going to take the Dreaming Stone with him. It would cause the destruction of the vile temple.
The Tabernacle of Utter Darkness proved too much for the party. The First had summoned a number of pseudonatural vermin to aid him. The party was turned on themselves with a Word of Chaos. The battle quickly turned against them, and they were forced to try and flee. The situation was exacerbated by the confused members of the group. The First then completed his ritual, and the Dreaming Stone disappeared. The fane began collapsing in on itself, and within moments it would fall into the lava core of the Stalagos. The party’s ability to work together and their unwavering courage kept them from destruction. Half of the party was buried in the sinking metal structure, but Vannay summoned an earth elemental, who was able to dig the party out. The party then made their way back to Chendl.
Enemy at the Gates
The Furyondian capital was beset with the war against Iuz, but time was made to celebrate the great accomplishments of the party. In the middle of the ceremony alarms were sounded just outside the castle. It appeared that the forces of Iuz were at the doorstep. It was not so. The First had come calling with a vengeance. Another great battle took place, and the party was able to finally kill the leader of the cult.
After the battle, the party found out that they were to be given plots of land in Chendl as a reward for their heroic efforts in defeating the cultists. And true to the prophecy of the deck, Safadin’s land already had a keep on it.
Some final notes of importance are that three of the four binders have been found. The fire binder was in the possession of Lareth, and it is now being held by the party. The earth and air binders were given to the Circle of Eight for safe keeping and research. The whereabouts of the water binder are not known. The location of the dreaming stone is also unknown. All of the known cultists of Tharizdun are dead with the exception of the one who sought out Galgaliel for understanding.
The party is now planning how they might best help the free peoples in their war against Iuz. The aid of the dwarves is crucial, and they are currently under siege by The White, an ancient dragon, and his giant hordes. The party is planning to aid the Khannenhelm Dwarves in their war, so that the dwarves may in turn join Furyondy and Veluna in the War of the Free Peoples.
The war itself is in somewhat in a deadlock. The northern city of Crockport is under the control of Lord Noct of the Boneshadow. The flare line is holding out against the encroachments from the north, but without Crockport, Whyestil Lake and the Furyondian navy is unable to leave Grabford. King Thrommel is still leading his cavalry units in skirmishes along both sides of the lines. How Iuz plans to use the Razing Line is unclear. Even the whereabouts of Old Wicked are not known, but the skull-lined road to Molag is filled with the nightmare creatures of the lower planes.
The Ritual of Unmaking
The party solved the next two puzzles and the gate was open to the Throne of Imix. The Prince of Fire was flanked by Lareth the Beautiful and Maliskra, the fire-born medusa. The battle was very intense, and we discovered early on that Lareth was not in the throne room. It was the succubus scout that had been following us. Imix continued his assault, and then he was called out of the room by the real Lareth. The party followed the two through the gate and found themselves in the greater temple room of the Temple of Elemental Evil.
A large nexus had formed above the three part altar in the center. Lareth gave the Orb of Silvery Death to Imix. All Imix had to do to complete the ritual was cast the orb into the nexus. It would have freed Tharizdun from his prison, and it would have ushered in the end of the world. The party stood between the prince and the nexus. Victor managed to successfully grapple the fifty foot elemental, and kept him from reaching the nexus. Delvanos unleashed his powerful barrage of arrows and dropped Imix. The day was won. The six heroes saved the world.
The Inner Fane
The party began their assault on the final bulwark of the cultist’s defenses, the Inner Fane. There were a number of large battles on the way to the top of the black spike. Two half-dragon dinosaurs, a powerful Doomdreamer, two night hags, a nalfeshnee and a marilith all fell at the party’s hand. The greatest danger was most likely the Augury of Chance. A skeletal figure dealt cards from the Deck of Many Things to anyone willing to play his game.
The fane itself was set against the party. The Dreaming Stone formed the core of the black spike, and the battle with the hags was nearly fatal for Delvanos. He was unable to resist the force within the stone, and he was drawn into what apparently was where all Doomdreamer candidates go if they are not strong enough. They spend an eternity in the prison realm of Tharizdun worshipping him with their shattered minds. The party traveled to the Indomitable Gate to ask Galgaliel to free him. The solar agreed, and Delvanos was restored. As the party continued up the black spike, it became apparent that the First was planning his escape, and he was going to take the Dreaming Stone with him. It would cause the destruction of the vile temple.
The Tabernacle of Utter Darkness proved too much for the party. The First had summoned a number of pseudonatural vermin to aid him. The party was turned on themselves with a Word of Chaos. The battle quickly turned against them, and they were forced to try and flee. The situation was exacerbated by the confused members of the group. The First then completed his ritual, and the Dreaming Stone disappeared. The fane began collapsing in on itself, and within moments it would fall into the lava core of the Stalagos. The party’s ability to work together and their unwavering courage kept them from destruction. Half of the party was buried in the sinking metal structure, but Vannay summoned an earth elemental, who was able to dig the party out. The party then made their way back to Chendl.
Enemy at the Gates
The Furyondian capital was beset with the war against Iuz, but time was made to celebrate the great accomplishments of the party. In the middle of the ceremony alarms were sounded just outside the castle. It appeared that the forces of Iuz were at the doorstep. It was not so. The First had come calling with a vengeance. Another great battle took place, and the party was able to finally kill the leader of the cult.
After the battle, the party found out that they were to be given plots of land in Chendl as a reward for their heroic efforts in defeating the cultists. And true to the prophecy of the deck, Safadin’s land already had a keep on it.
Some final notes of importance are that three of the four binders have been found. The fire binder was in the possession of Lareth, and it is now being held by the party. The earth and air binders were given to the Circle of Eight for safe keeping and research. The whereabouts of the water binder are not known. The location of the dreaming stone is also unknown. All of the known cultists of Tharizdun are dead with the exception of the one who sought out Galgaliel for understanding.
The party is now planning how they might best help the free peoples in their war against Iuz. The aid of the dwarves is crucial, and they are currently under siege by The White, an ancient dragon, and his giant hordes. The party is planning to aid the Khannenhelm Dwarves in their war, so that the dwarves may in turn join Furyondy and Veluna in the War of the Free Peoples.
The war itself is in somewhat in a deadlock. The northern city of Crockport is under the control of Lord Noct of the Boneshadow. The flare line is holding out against the encroachments from the north, but without Crockport, Whyestil Lake and the Furyondian navy is unable to leave Grabford. King Thrommel is still leading his cavalry units in skirmishes along both sides of the lines. How Iuz plans to use the Razing Line is unclear. Even the whereabouts of Old Wicked are not known, but the skull-lined road to Molag is filled with the nightmare creatures of the lower planes.
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