Epic tales of adventure: The Dread Sea Dominions!

Welcome to the Dread Sea Dominions, a place where mighty barbarians do combat with hideous monsters, dark warlocks whisper terrible sorceries in forgotten temples and noble amazons duel in the sun scorched arenas of Faberterra, capital of a decadent empire! Will you grab glory and riches beyond your dreams or will you be crushed and forgotten in the winds of time, your destiny is in your hands.

This truly is a time of high adventure!

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Active Quests

Brave the Tower of the Elephant! (Active)

Given by: Jahir

Location: Jalizar

Reward: 2000 Moons and all loot within the Tower.

Completion Conditions: Bring the Elephant’s Heart gem to Jahir.
Assigned to: Frydas the Red Kroad (fka Ibn-Ben Jezzar) Eyes of Ash Dalyika
Description
Go to Jalizar, gain entry into the Tower of Elephant and steal the Elephant’s Heart gem, then bring the gem back to Jahir in Gis.

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Jordan

Session 4: Recap

More than Lotus!

[ We did two "flashback" interludes for Dalyika and Kroad. Dalyika's took place in the time between the party's return of the Tome to Jahir and their travels to Jalizar. Kroad's took place some time ago on the long hard journey from the Cairnlands to Gis. Kroad has posted his and I ask that Dalyika do the same. Both did a great job and each was awarded an adventure card for their efforts.]

We last left off in the Broken Coin tavern with the party questioning Buryal before they made an attempt to steal the Green Lotus Powder from the Kyrosians. Buryal explained he would have further information for them about what dangers lay beyond the tower walls from a contact of his when they returned. He pressed the point to the party that they would surely need a powerful weapon like the Green Lotus Powder to defeat whatever guardians might lie beyond the Elephant Tower walls.

The party formulated a plan, Ash and Frydas would feign a conflict to distract the guards while Kroad and Dalyika quietly made their way across the field and into the caravan wagon containing the Lotus Powder. With this task in mind Kroad persuaded Buryal to find them some Ghost paint, which he reluctantly did, especially at this late hour, which Dalyika and he would use in their plan. The party then set off to the caravan yard under the moonless night.

Frydas and Ash distracted the guards with some success, at the very least they brought the guards down on them. A fight they couldn't win but it for sure removed many guards from having eyes toward the caravan wagon that contained the Lotus Powder.

Kroad and Dalyika were able to successfully stealth across the yard to the caravan unnoticed, just barely. Kroad then climbed up and opened the caravan wagon and to his surprise saw another man stealing the power and about to be attacked by a huge snake. Kroad hesitated for a moment but in the end helped the stranger kill the massive snake. At this point a Kyrosian sorcerer named Deepti was awoken by his guards and the chase was on! Both groups ran with Kyrosians, mercenaries and an enraged Kyrosian sorcerer in chase! But in the end after a frantic chase through the streets of Jalizar both groups were able to get away and all reconvened at the Broken Coin tavern.

Buryal was very surprised to see Vanku arrive with the party members and a quick and heated banter began between them both. Vanku accused Buryal of being dishonest and up to his old tricks and vice-verse. In the end Vanku gave Buryal a bit of the Green Lotus Powder and Buryal was on his way. The party could tell a disgruntled Buryal was hoping for a larger profit this evening but had decided it wasn't worth dying for.

Vanku, impressed by the parties resourcefulness and thankful for the help asked to join forces. He proceeded to explain he is none other than the son of Taurus of Syranthia, a famous thief and once known in Zandor and beyond as the Prince of Thieves. He explains because of his father's previous attempt to rob the tower he has information that could help them. As well when the Elephant’s Heart is mentioned by the party he is dismissive and says that is just one part of the massive treasures inside. With the perfect moonless night at hand the group agrees it is time to brave the infamous Tower of the Elephant!

Session: TotDSD: What's a little Lotus between friends? - Friday, Oct 07 2011 from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM

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Posted on October 11, 2011 16:03

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Epic!

Kroad (fka Ibn-Ben Jezzar)

Kroad Interlude

While walking through the forest on the way towards Gis, you see Kroad momentarily start before bending over and plucking a single beautiful red flower from the earth. He places the flower to his nose, inhales deeply and lets out a wistful smile. It is likely the first time you have seen him look, happy.

------------------------

As a young teenager I had the opportunity to attend many gatherings, parties and banquets held by the elite in Faberterra. While there were many beautiful girls, without question the most stunning was the Lady Salander. Lady Salander was the only child of the High Tricarnian Ambassador Curoch. Her skin was as white as porcelain, her eyes gleamed like sapphires, her breasts were like…A-hem forgive me.

Anyway, although beautiful, Lady Salander was as cold as ice. Many tried to woo her including myself. Oh she would go through the motions, matching my lead as we danced to the song of shadows, nodding her head politely as I read her romantic poetry. Nothing would work to break that hard exterior.

Still as time passed I persisted and it became as a private game between us. I would sing beneath her balcony – she would turn away. I would give her exotic candies – only to see the empty box in the stables. Finally, one day I overheard her handmaidens speaking of her love for flowers and how she wished she could see the Queens private gardens. Now I had of course given her many flowers to no effect. But the Queen’s garden was reported to be one of the finest in the world, with rare flowers from every corner of the Dominions. But to tread in the garden without the Queen’s permission was death, and she never gave permission.

Of course being young and foolhardy I threw caution to the wind and broke into the garden during the Festival of Lights when the guards were either drunk, asleep or watching the famed pyrotechnic display. While there I stole a bunch of this very flower, scaled the wall to Salandar’s bedchambers and lay them on her bed before retiring for the night.

Although it was only days until I could expect to see her again at the the next indulgent gathering of Faberterra's elite, it seemed endless. Finally the day arrived, but she was nowhere to be found. Dejectedly I left the party wondering what had happened. Just as I was about to walk out the door, a hand grabbed me roughly from behind and I felt a kiss on my lips and the scent of this flower in my nose. It was her. She gave me the kiss to end all kisses. It was as if time stopped and the earth stood still. After all my efforts, what sweet victory. Finally it ended, leaving my gasping for breath. She smiled at me for the first time, tears in her eyes. Then she curtseyed, thanked me for the flower and left. I should have followed but I was stunned at what had transpired.

The next day I heard the Ambassador and his family had been recalled to Tricarnia. I have never seen or heard from her since. As for the flower, most call it the Burning Heart but I of course call it Salandar’s Kiss.

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Posted on October 07, 2011 21:00

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Jordan

Session 3: Recap

The Tome and the Tower!

The party having gained entry into the warehouse by brute force was just the first part, now they needed to find the tome they were after and fast! All that noise from the combat, not to mention the sounds of tainted sorcery conjured by Ash was sure to be heard by someone. Amidst the many boxes, crates, sacks, various items and several cages of agitated exotic beasts they found a doorway leading into a makeshift office. Within this office contained several items of note, the main two of which stood out were a three foot bronze dome with holes in it and a large locked safe on the floor. While Ash hauled the dead bodies out of the ally into the warehouse and Dalyika stood guard Kroad was successfully able to disarm a poison needle trap he found on the safe. After this it was no problem for him to unlock the safe and grab the contents inside which included a tome very much like the one they were after, as well some dried Lotus flowers and a sack of coins! This could have been the point of their escape but Kroad couldn’t contain himself and had to look under the dome which he easily unlocked at its base. Just as Kroad lifted the lid a large multicolored exotic looked snake struck at him! With a bit of luck and a quick hand he was able to luckily get the dome lid back on before the snake could escape or worse! Now with loot in hands they made a run for it, to their luck no one yet had come to investigate the battle at the warehouse.

As the group moved through the mostly vacant and dark streets and alleyways of the Dock district of Gis Dalyika spied a shadowed movement upon the rooftops while they were passing through a narrow street. At moment later two men clad all in black landed on either side of the party trapping them! These men attacked instantly with extreme agility using swords that bent and swayed as they struck at the party. Thanks to Dalyika’s keen eye the party was not taken completely unaware and was able to mount a vigorous defense against their attackers. Despite the uncanny skill at which the two attackers fought one was struck down by Dalyika’s precise arrows, and although the other was wounded he was able to disengage and escape into the night. Upon examining the body of the slain man they found no possessions other than the slightly curved and flexible blade in which he carried, but upon his skin they did find something of note. For one as they removed the cloth that obscured his face Dalyika and Kroad were able to identify the man as a Lhoban. Next was something they could not so easily identify, the man had a large silvered circular tattoo of a serpent on his chest. None in the group had ever seen any symbol like this before but all made a note of its design. After this the party was able to finally return to Red Lotus tavern and bed for the night exhausted but pleased to be alive with treasure in hand.

The next day as instructed the party tied a red cloth upon the statue of the Diving Couple. During the day the group looked over the remarkably well preserved rune covered Tome they had recovered, both Ash and Dalyika were able to identify some of the imagery as that used by the Valkyrie in their demonic rituals but the writing was not known to any of them. That night they met with Jahir who was most pleased with the tome’s retrieval. Although he was a bit upset at the mess the party left at the warehouse. Kroad proceeded to negotiate out a payment settlement that both parties could live with. Jahir, satisfied told the party he might again have more work for them and he would get in touch with them if this was so, until then the party was on their own.

For the next few days the party spent time doing various tasks among the streets of Gis.

Frydas still trying to find a way to locate her lost children was wooed by a Valk prophet woman with promises of visions and clarity in her path. Once inside the woman’s tent she drank a Black Lotus concoction, unbeknownst to her of course, within the sleepy euphoric dreams the only vision she was able see was that she needed to find a person with the true ability to scry her for lost children. Frydas left the Valk woman’s tent with a certain clarity but not the one she was expecting. It dawned upon Frydas that perhaps Jahir would be a man to ask about such matters.

Kroad had a few tasks in mind. For one he spread a little of his earned Moons around to gain an insight into the whispers on the street. A Moon to a child here, a Moon to a beggar there, who knows what insight a little generosity might gain him. Next, he set to look for a future safe house, none seemed suitable or affordable yet but he’ll keep looking. Last was the manner of identifying and selling the exotic snake that almost killed him the warehouse. Unfortunately the best he could learn was that the snake was indeed dangerous, exotic and of value but only to someone in need of such a beast. Kroad thought perhaps if they ran into Jahir again he might have an insight into matters such as this.

Ash not accustomed to cities such as this wandered the streets soaking in the sights and sounds that they offered. But he did have those Lotus plants they found in the warehouse, not being a Lotus master himself he sought to sell them for a good price. Finding a buyer of raw dried Lotus plants in Gis was not a difficult task at all, a buyer was found and Moons changed hands.

Dalyika, deeply intrigued by the blade and the tattoo on the Lhoban who attacked them inquired about these points in an area of Gis in which many Lhboan made their homes. By speaking with the Lhoban she encountered Dalyika was able to identify that a blade such as this is an expertly forged and valued weapon used by certain Lhoban warriors. She also learned that a blade such as this was a particularly rare find among Gis, being so far from Lhoban. As for silver serpent tattoo there was no luck in identifying such a symbol, none of the Lhoban she talked to were able to recognize a symbol such as she described.

After several day of personal tasks, getting to know each other a bit better, relaxation and just enjoying the coin they had earned they were given a note by the bartender at the Red Lotus. The note read that Jahir requested a meeting with them all that very evening.

With their funds running low once again the party was happy to meet with Jahir, hoping he’d have another offer for them, for the last one was of little difficulty for a group such as themselves. That evening they met with Jahir in the Red Lotus as requested and indeed Jahir had a new task for them, except this task was a lot more dangerous than the last one! Jahir explained to them that his employer was most pleased with the tome and inquired into if the same group could handle a much larger assignment. This assignment meant going south to the City of Jalizar, once there the party was to gain entry into a structure called the Tower of the Elephant and steal a large red gem inside which he called the Elephant’s Heart, said to be as large as a man’s hand. The party was offered 2000 moons and all the wealth they could plunder from within the tower, which was said to be immense. Their only task was to retrieve the gem and bring it back to Jahir in Gis. Jahir would arrange for them travel across the Drowned King Sea and a contact in Jalizar.

Dalyika had visited Jalizar before, as well had Kroad, and they both knew of this Tower. They explained to Ash and Frydas the tower was rumored to be ruled by a mad priest named Yara dedicated to some wicked cult. As for the gem, it was known as well but its purpose and actual value was not, some say it had immense wealth others that it was a useless rock used only as a wicked holy symbol. What they did know was that the tower supposed to full of the mad priests wealth and that intrigued them for sure. The party asked, but if the tower was full of such wealth why had it not been already breached by the many thieves within Jalizar? Jahir explained blind superstitions and false rumors had kept almost all away and few that tried were dispatched by the very real guards of the tower, but this was nothing that could stop cunning men and women such as themselves from succeeding where others had failed. Besides Jahir told them that their contact, a Northerner man named Buryal had information that could help them in their task. He explained that time was of the essence and they needed to leave immediately if Buryal’s help was to be of use to them. After a short discussion the party agreed but before they departed Kroad and Frydas had some other matters they wanted to discuss with Jahir.

Kroad inquired into a purchaser of the exotic snake he had, although Jahir was not interested personally he did give Kroad the name of a man in Gis who deals is such exotic animals. In the end Kroad did not have time to sell the snake and kept it, at least for now.

Frydas asked Jahir about finding someone who could work in the arts of scrying for lost persons. Jahir took a moment to ponder this request but told Frydas that upon her return from Jalizar he might have a lead for her.

With no further questions or requests the group made for the Docks district and boarded a Trireme bound for Jalizar. Although the trip took a good 5 days and a bit of rough weather it was overall uneventful. The party spent this time in discussion and drink.

Upon arriving in Jalizar the party headed to find the Broken Coin tavern and their contact Buryal. The Broken Coin tavern resides with the Maul, a rotting slum and haven of lawless revelry that shelters infamous thieves, murderers and mercenaries, lunatics, prostitutes and fugitives of all kinds.

Along the way the party passes one of the cities caravan yards where upon they see a small crowd gathering. As they pass they notice two caravans, one Kyrosian, set in camp with many well armed guards. The Kyrosian caravan looks to have been camped for some time and the other just arriving; the second caravan was being worked by a group of mixed Northerners and even a couple Valk, not the most welcome of peoples in Jalizar. The party observes a tense standoff as the leaders of both caravans meet in the middle as a crowd has gathered to watch. After a hushed conversation both men return to their own people and the standoff ends with both caravans moving their wagons into an enclosed circle. The party is not sure what all the fuss was about but continues on into the Maul. Upon arriving in the Maul with some time to kill before they are supposed to meet Buryal they inquire into information and rumors about the Tower. It should be noted that given history Valk are not overtly welcome and eyed with suspicion at best in Jalizar, Dalyika is sure to keep her hooded cloak pulled low and her identity mostly concealed.

As the party asks around they learn the Tower is talked about in hushed and frightened voices, even by the hardest of men. In Jalizar the tower and the mad priest Yara are topics of wild rumors, speculation and fear. They learn specifically that it is said the grass on the other side of the tower walls looks normal ground but is in fact poisonous. They also heard rumors that the master of the tower Yara once visited the royal court of Jalizar and proceeded to turn a particularly hostile noble into a spider using some kind of gem. He then supposedly squashed him beneath his foot! The party sees how the fear and wild rumors of tower are probably a bigger deterrent than any actual guards or beasts the tower has to repeal would be thieves. The party won’t be spooked by such hear say and speculation!

Once evening has come the party heads to the Broken Coin tavern to meet with Buryal. Once at the Broken Coin tavern Buryal is able to identify the party and introduces himself. Buryal’s appearance is of a rough and worn Northerner man who talks with the experience and long years of wine and hard living.

Buryal tells the party that Jahir had informed him of their coming and of their task at hand. He seems to not care for the rumors of the Tower but does inform them that he has a small task to ask of them that will aid them both.

He informs the party that the Northerner caravan that they saw in the yards is carrying an extremely valuable, rare and deadly poison that would aid them in their assault on the Tower. The poison is the Powder of the Green Lotus and hails only from the far eastern Valk Steppes. The purchases are Kyrosians and he has traveled with them before as a hired guard. He knows they have traveled this far north with the main purpose to purchase the Green Lotus poison, its eventual purpose by them he does not know or seem to care. He explains that the Green Lotus power will be held in the large main caravan wagon. He also tells the party he has seen apprehensive Kyrosian guards dropping meat and sometime small live animals into that wagon by way of a hatch on the top, and that no sounds are heard from within! Oh and one last thing he tells the party, you must get the poison tonight as the Kyrosians head south in the morning. If they party can retrieve the poison he will split it with them, as well when they return he will have more information about the guardians that lay beyond the Tower walls.

At this point the party ponders their tasks at hand and prepares for what is sure to be a long night!

Session: TotDSD: To search a warehouse - Friday, Sep 23 2011 from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM

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Posted on September 26, 2011 15:43

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Jordan

Session 2: Recap

Behold! Gis, The Free City of the Alchemists.

After narrowly escaping the Cairnlander marauders and then Seablossom, Queen of the Kingdom under the Cliff the group of four unexpected companions found themselves free, but alas lost somewhere along the coast of the Drowned King Sea. With a dark storm quickly approaching Dalyika and Frydas were able to once again find their way. As a group and as a matter of survival they all agreed it would best to try and make way for the city of Gis further to the West. Other than a hard fight with some hungry wolves they made it to Gis alive but exhausted.

Upon entering the infamous City of the Alchemists each sought certain tasks for themselves. Frydas visited the slave market to look for the children whom she seeks, but alas her goals eluded her. Dalyika found food, drink and rest at the Red Lotus Tavern and Kroad, accompanied by Eyes who made a quick round of the Gladiator pits, found a merchant of rare antiquities and artifacts to try and sell their acquired loot taken from the treasure room of Seablossom.

It was in the shop of one Jahir, a Kyrosian merchant, that they found their next unexpected opportunity for employment. Given the relatively small amounts of actual treasure they were able to obtain from Seablossom’s lair and given the loss of their horses and much of their supplies this was a welcome opportunity indeed. Jahir took a keen interest in a couple rune marked totems that the group presented to him for sale. He told them he was impressed at their ability to obtain such rare artifacts and wondered if they were up for another job of “retrieval”. The group was definitely interested to hear his proposition.

Jahir explained that his employer, a collector of rare antiquities would like them to obtain a tome that was just arriving tomorrow afternoon by way of tremie. The group would need to retrieve the tome from a guarded warehouse where it will be stored tomorrow evening. If they are able to obtain the tome, indentified by similar markings to the totem they had brought to him they should tie a red cloth around the foot of the statue of the Divine Couple at the entrance to the Temple district. If the red cloth is there the morning after tomorrow then he will meet them at the Red Lotus tavern after dusk that evening.

If they are caught he warned them he would deny ever meeting them and they would be left to their fate. But, if they did succeed in retrieving the tome he could offer them a reward of 2000 Moons and perhaps a chance at more work in the future. The party didn’t ask many questions and were not bothered by the nature of the task at hand so they quickly agreed with Moons in their eyes.

Given instructions to the location of the warehouse, and that the tome would likely be locked away, it was easy enough to find a short distance away from the waterfront Docks district of Gis. They found the large warehouse with two guards stationed at the front doors and with no other apparent way of entry. Eyes made an attempt to dispatch the guards by showing them the dark powers in which he wields, hoping to strike fear into their hearts. The guards did find this fear and quickly proceeded to open the front door and yell frantically for help. This quickly turned into a chaotic blood bath as the doors opened and the remaining guards and their boss attacked.

It is worth note that during the battle Eyes use of the dark powers he wields brought more pain to those enemies in front of him than expected; it brought down the wrath of his Ancestors! Perhaps he asked too much in his greed for power or for other reasons unknown his Ancestors answered his call with a fury that brought down a tremendous force much larger than he had anticipated! Much pain was brought down upon his enemies and was a fury and sound that none could ignore. Eyes now has to wonder if he has angered or disrespected his Ancestors, will they answer his call next time or will they lay silent in defiance? Troubling for a Cairnlander such as Eyes, no doubt.

Through quick sword, sweat, blood and tainted magic the warehouse guards and their boss were brought down. The last one being brought down just in time, before in desperation he was about to release a fearsome caged beast from within the warehouse.

Rather choosing a direct assault over a discreet approach the warehouse was now open to the party. At this time it is unknown if any others were alerted to the battle, although the tremendous sound of Eye’s tainted magic could have been heard for some distance. Now inside they must work quickly to find this tome they seek among a warehouse full of crates, exotic animals, strange items and other bounty from afar!

Session: TotDSD: Dude, where's my horse? - Thursday, Sep 01 2011 from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM

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Posted on September 06, 2011 12:06

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Jordan

Session 1: Recap

Adventure Begins!

After the caravan the four adventures were traveling with was ambushed by Cairnlander marauder’s they barely survived and escaped by fleeing on horseback into the Cairnland wilds. Unfortunately they were relentlessly pursued by a band of marauders that eventually lead to a seaside clifftop battle with the lead elements of the Cairnlander pursuers. After the party was able to dispatch the lead warriors they escaped down a concealed path down and then into the cliff side.

Once inside they discovered the domain of Seablossom, a strange and beautiful creature who ruled her Kingdom under the Cliff along with her courtesans and servants. After her initial generosity and a welcomed place at Seablossom’s feast the party was discreetly warned of danger by a serving woman named Winna. She told them that the food and drink was bewitched and that Seablossom was not what she seemed, but actually a terrible creature who would eat the male’s flesh so she and her courtesans could remain young and enslave the women as she had been. They needed to steal a key from around Seablossom’s neck to open a gate at the end of an escape path that Winna would show them, if they could get the key!

Kroad’s attempt to steal this key was uncovered and a fierce battle ensued as Seablossom and her courtesans showed their true selves, wicked witch demons with an appetite for human male flesh! After a desperate battle Seablossom was barely defeated. Once her dark sorcery was ended the entire cavern that was her domain began to collapse in on itself. The party, lead by Winna, raced through the dark tunnels, stopping briefly in the treasure room of past victims grabbing what they could and then running through a room of all the lost souls claimed as victims by Seablossom, a terrifying encounter for all.

At last they made it to the gate which they unlocked and escaped into the crisp dawn air along the Drowned King Sea. This was bitter sweet for poor Winna, as now free of Seablossom's dark sorcery there was no magic to maintain her youth and she quickly began to age and die. Winna thanked the group for her freedom and was happy to be free even if it was her end.

The party can now continue on their journeys having survived both the Cairnladner ambush the demon witch Seablossom!

Session: TotDSD: Tales of the Dread Sea Dominions begins! - Friday, Aug 26 2011 from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM

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Posted on August 29, 2011 12:40

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Game Master:

Jordan

Setting:

Beasts & Barbarians (1st)

Rule System:

Savage Worlds