Session #39 5/9/2214 Tower of Golden Scales (Lvl 11-14)

Vine Cellar - brutal fight with 12 plant zombies. Finnris takes skull of a strange snake-woman skeleton.
2nd floor (50' up) - meet and release snake-demon familiar, free souls from statues & paintings, kill secret-door-elementals, free the souls of Shabira & Pentathur from their bottle prisons.

Shabira Marsesk, Princess & Priestess of Set

Saya’s Tale, The Ammur and the Tower of the Golden Scales, Part II.
5/9/2214, Uluon, the Long Night.

Quodeth, House of the Crescent Moon
Heavy Rain hammers the roof tiles of the House of the Crescent Moon, a gust of wind whines through the door to the vegetable garden, which clatters ajar in its frame. The retainers pass around the excellent brandy, olives, and cheese. Saya quaffs down a slug of wyvern smoke and continues her tale.

The Tower of Golden Scales shimmers in the full moonlight. Inside our heroes had a simple choice to make, down or up. But as they discussed this, the Finnris spoke to Zerda.

“Zerda, I would have words with you.” 
Zerda intrigued, follows the barbarian outside. The surrounding Jungle is dark and foreboding. 
“Zerda, I want you to have the Dawn Spear.” Said Finnris, thrusting the shaft of the weapon into Zerda’s chest.
Zerda taken aback did not understand and for once was lost for words.
“Consider it a wedding present Zerda.” Finnris said.
“It is your time, Atlantean. Take it!” Finnris seizing the opportunity to talk over his friend for once continued.
“The Festival of Azura is in a few months, what better way to grow your fame Atlantean than in triumph at the Spire of Dawn with the greatest symbol of Azura’s power.” The Dhari then clapped Zerda on the shoulder and stalked back into the Tower.

The descent
The heroes gathered around the stairs down to the dungeon, a moist loamy smell came from below. Aeshma and Vorstag descend the stairs into the rotting cellar first. They came into basement, freshly overturned earth befouled with moon vines of many colours filled the chamber, in its centre a stone sarcophagus on top of which was a strange skeleton.
As they moved further into the room, rotting corpses burst from the earth to attack. The battle was terrible, the rotting zombies spewing noxious gas and vomiting rancid vines over them. Vortsag surrounded, screamed for help, Finnris cut through the undead to his aid, Vorstag relieved retreated to shout instructions from the atop the stairs. Aeshma in the thick of the battle channelled thunder destroying several zombies and making Finnris ears ring even more than the exploding zombies burned his flesh. Zerda and Craw charged in, and the battle was soon won. But the Heroes had been battered. What was this unholy place?  The chamber, strewn with strange moon vines was ancient, certainly from the times of Nessk. The serpent woman atop the stone coffin must have lain there for an eternity. Indeed, since before the time Tamalcan, the Towers most recent owner.
…
The ascent
With no further route below the heroes determined to ascend the Tower.
Craw, his mercenary looting instincts finely tuned took the lead, climbing the steps to the next level, which was mostly collapsed, he pressed on up another flight of stairs into a high-ceilinged chamber. Moonlight spilled into the room through a fissure in the wall illuminating life-like statues, twisted in torment. Paintings on the wall’s, depicted further scenes of despair, tortured victims writhe in agony. Opposite the staircase three massive skulls, a dragon, a giant ape and a huge ram, they had found Tamalcan’s trophy room.  Craw wasted no time searching and discovering a small talking snake. Craw and the serpent got on very well, the serpent was called Oraborn, and it seems was the wizards familiar. Oraborn had been trapped in the Tower by the same magic that ended his master Tamalcan. Craw interviewed Oraborn about the Tower and its contents then satisfied agreed to free him and promptly took him outside to freedom. Outside the Tower, the serpent no longer hampered by the curse that held him in the Tower took his pure form, a giant dark naga from the upper hells. Craw and Oraborn wish each other well and parted company. Back in the Tower, Craw destroys the statues and paintings Tamalcan has imprisoned tormented souls within. Then he promptly opens the secret door to Tamalcan’s office. At which point two guardian earth elementals attack. The fight is short, the heroes shoving and pushing each other to be first over the rubble into Tamalcan’s office.

Tamalcan’s office is dominated by an excellent desk, atop the desk two crystal decanters, pulse with strange lights, a stylish magnifying glass beside them. The Heroes quick to purpose release one of the crystal stoppers, vapour pours forth, and the room is filled with crackling energy as the heroes are transported to a pocket of hell created by the twisted sepentmancer Tamalcan.

A blazing sun beats down on the bone-dry desert, a man hangs from a large dead tree. The General Pentathur, kidnapped by Tamalcan over a hundred years ago, still alive. The heroes cut him down and are attacked by a pair of vulture demons swopping out of the blinding sun. The demons did not last long. The general’s shade finally released from Tamalcan’s torment promises to aid the heroes from the beyond as his spectral form dissipates.

Next, they open the other bottle and again are transported to another pocket dimension the fiendish wizard has conjured for his pleasure, this time it’s the prison of Princess Shabria Marsek. The enchantment here is different, and the Princess must be persuaded three times to leave the pocket universe Tamalcan has imprisoned her in, but at a cost. A foul beast vomited from hell attacks this time laying all but Craw and Finnris low, they stand firm and smite the foul demonic insect, but not before it drained Finnris terribly. Freed from torment the Princess vows to aid the heroes from the beyond, just like her love general Pentathur. Then fades into the afterlife.

The heroes gather back in the trophy room, look up the stairs to the next level and wonder what could strange devilments would be next?

Epilogue 
Saya starts, and stops her tale, as the door to the House of the Crescent Moon is pounded.
“Open up in the name of the Grand Vizier!” comes a gruff command from outside.
The retainers shocked, look around at each other nervously.  Outside a full platoon of the Grand Vizier’s bodyguard stands ready, steel shields and war spears glistening in the heavy rain.

Session #38 25/8/-5/9/2214 Politics & Stone Dwarves

25/8/2214 Meeting of the Royal Council chaired by Grand Vizier Taroth. Zerda made Colonel.
26/8/2214 Meet Ayilda at Seal Inn
27/8/2214 Leave Quodeth with military horse escort.
3/9/2214 Reach Pyriador, talk with Ammur chiefs
4/9/2214 Leave Pyriador at dawn with Daray Longrunner guides, camp on edge of the jungle of Bura.
5/9/2214 Enter Jungle of Bura on foot. Travel in circles for hours until Aeshma uses flight magic to spot the Tower. Reach Tower of Golden Scales after nightfall, meet Sang Var of the Black Circle and his entourage.

Finnris Map

NPCs
Pyriador
Argul Longrunner, Ammur Chief of Pyriador Hold, wealthy & reluctant warrior (m)
Belanthe the Beautiful, daughter of Argul Longrunner (f)
Tariss Storm Eagle, Chief of Rethenna Hold, victor over the Golden Ones, eager to fight the Lomari (f)
Rarno Redspear, Chief of Olodawl Hold, said to be hosile to outsiders (m)
Warthar Snowcloak, ancient Druid-Guardian of the Twelve Stones, the Guardian Menhir of Giantstead Grove (m)
Tower of Golden Scales
Sang Var, Wizard of the Black Circle of Thran, rumoured 3rd or 4th in the Circle (m)
Kegarazhi, Dhari archer warrioress, Sang Var's guide/pathfinder (f)

The PCs travelled west from Pyriador with guides on the road to Morlun, & camped last night on the edge of the jungle closest to the Tower of Golden Scales, NE of  current location at the Tower. The Jungle of Bura is only penetrable on foot, so the PCs left their horses (which are Thulean horses, ie more like ponies) with the friendly Longrunner Daray guides at the jungle's edge; they will wait for them there until their return, or until it looks like they're not going to return...

Saya’s Tale, The Ammur and the Tower of the Golden Scales
5/9/2214, Uluon, the Long Night.Quodeth, House of the Crescent Moon.
The retainers at the House of the Crescent Moon have gathered in the oecus for a feast.  As the bard Saya is recounts the Heroes recent adventures.  Oil lamps splutter around the comfortable parlour; the crowd hangs on to her every word. Even the sentries’ outside strain to listen.  My friends, she begins, a month after the battle of Woe our master Zerda, Aeshma and the handsome giant Vorstag were summoned to a Royal Council by the Grand Vizier himself.  Grand Vizier Dredan Taroth, pleased with the expansion of Quodethi territory, rewarded Zerda with a promotion to Colonel whilst unofficially encouraging his romantic attentions towards our young and beautiful Queen. Saya’s eyes lower to her lute for a fraction of a second and several of the other young ladies shuffle uncomfortably, stealing glances at eachother.  The Grand Vizier ever watchful, his agents reported the Lomar Imperator was relieved not tohave been forced into war with Quodeth. He was pleased the Lions of Nergal were allowed to return to Lomar, thus preventing the Imperator from declaring war. But the Lomari have expanded their borders elsewhere into the Ammurath, threatening Quodethi influence in the South. Lomari forces have annexed Chier on lake Kydar, unsettling the Dhari tribes, tribes traditionally friendly with Quodeth.  General Urugan outlined the strategic value of the Morlun-Pyriador trail. Especially now the Ammur at Morlun had been wiped by the Golden Ones of Hastur. General Urugan stressed that would connect Lomar to Marg allowing Quodeth’s rivals the option to assault Quodeth by land. More speculatively he continued, theLomari at Cheir could follow the Kydar River upstream from Cheir to Morlun, thus reaching the Morlun-Pyriador trail and opening up a land route to Marg & Quodeth without having to force through the rugged wilds of Giantstead Grove.The champions of Quodeth, Aeshma, Vorstag, and Zerda elected to undertake a mission to the Ammur to promote Quodethi influence and renew alliances with the Dhari.  While the Mistress of Black Flame, Aeridnis Vorzin would lead an embassy to Katagia. However, our master, ever the romantic had another more personal reason to venture into the deadly Bura Jungle, he seeks to find the most magnificent gemstone of all Thule, the legendary Eye of Azura and present it as a wedding gift to the Queen.  Before leaving our lord Zerda, stole a moment with the Queen… Do you remember when we first met, my Queen? The night of the yellow moon?It snowed that night, the first time it has done so during my time in Quodeth. I said at the time, and I believe it even more so now, that this was a sign from Asura. Like the snow, you came into my life fresh, bright, pure, full of new possibilities, and influencing all of Quodeth. A new dawn. But there was also a coldness to you, my Queen. An icy reserve. You didn’t know me, this humble but handsome man from a far-off land, you had every right to be cautious - particularly in the nest of vipers that this court can become. 
I am not one for superstitions, my Queen, but I chanced a meeting with a fortune tellerbefore our first introduction (one of my Dhari friend’s more strange ideas). She told me that you were in my future. Being young, naive and ambitious, I saw this as an opportunity to improve my status - I never thought I would feel the way I did when I first laid eyes on you, and how I feel looking at you now. I could recite a thousand stories that the city folk say of your beauty - but that would be an injustice. Your position, wealth, looks and everything else that raises you aboveall others, these are all great qualities, but even without these I would still feel the same as I do now. I would treat you now not as a subject treats his monarch, but as a person treats the one they love. I cannot offer you more than you already have, Deyane - you already have my heart. But, if you would have me, I will spend the rest of my life by your side, as your lover, your confidant, your general, and your husband. Deyane - will you marry me?The ring I have given is just a temporary item, a placeholder, for what I endeavour to bring you. The Lady Tyarna Vorzin has told of the Tower of Golden Scales, and the cruel Tamalcan and his many treasures acquired. She spoke of the greatest blue diamond, the Eye of Asura. Since the Tower is a key location to avoid linking the Margish with Lomar, an expedition should be sent there with all haste. I have volunteered to travel there with my fellows. I will bring this back for you, my Queen - as an engagement present.May Asura’s light shines upon us this day, and for the rest of our lives! This will be a new dawn for you, for me, and for Quodeth!His heart full of romantic ambition, Zerda gathered his companions.  The savage Finnris superstitious as ever, worried he had not visited the fortune teller, bickered with Vorstag and became distant. After reaching the garrison at Three Towers by galley, the Heroes took the well-used trail to Pyriador, where they found Ammur Dhari tribes have gathered for a moot.Our heroes were greeted by the Chief of Pyriador Argul Longrunner, famous among the Ammur not only for the beauty of daughter Belanthe but also his wealth. At a great feast, the heroes were roused by the passionate words of the ancient Druid-Guardian Warthar Snowcloak and Tariss Storm Eagle, Chief of Rethenna, both speaking against the Lomari and challenging all Ammur to unite and expel the land-hungry invaders. The druid wanted clans to follow Rarno Redspear’s example and take up their war spears.Having renewed alliances and promising to return, the heroes set out west to the Tower of Golden Scales and get lost.Growing more distant, Finnris curses the jungle, but Aeshma shows him the way by literally lifting his spirits above the foreboding Dura Jungle. The Tower of Golden Scales is an imposing structure over 100’ in height, the roof shaped like a giant cobra in the unmistakable architecture of Nesk, scales of the body of the tower shine in the moonlight. 
Renewed the heroes press on to the Tower, encountering a large party of Kalay camped in the jungle a short distance from the Tower.  They are led by one of the sinister Wizards of Thran. Finnris recognises the Wizard as Sang Var of the Black Circle 3rd or 4th to the Infamous Nephron Vier. The Wizard claims to be a descendant of Tamalcan the wicked, the lovestruck lord of the Tower of Golden Scales. Sang Var entertains the Heroes at his camp, telling them of flying ape demons inhabiting the Tower. Sang Var suggests the heroes try their luck.  The decayed Tower radiates eerie silence. As the heroes enter three statues animate Ashma and Zerda thinking fast, as ever hand over their traveling clothes and weapons appeasing the enchanted stone butlers, but Ayelda stubbornly resists and a battle between the stone and flesh ensues. The rock butlers are swiftly beaten, and the chamber searched.  Here we leave our heroes in the serpentine ruins of Nesk. They must choose between the crumbled staircase rising up the Tower or shadowy steps leading down into dungeons beneath… 

Lomar/Ammur Political Situation M9 2214 AR

The Ammur barbarians would like to push the Lomari back to the Lomari fortress of Castle Honorsblood, at the western edge of the Ammurath forested highlands, and to Woth'uram at the west edge of Lake Kydar. Recently the latest Lomari offensive has taken the clanholds of Belanour, Valiri & Cheir (known for its Zuaba gems) on Lake Kydar, threatening the Ammurath strong (though ruinous) former elven fortress known as Majestic Keep. If the Keep is taken, that opens the way to Rethenna hold and perhaps even through the Jungle of Zaal to the Quodethi town of Ansumo. Meanwhile to the south the Ammur chief at Ultriash in Giantstead Grove has sworn vassalage to the Imperator of Lomar. The Lomari are building up forces at Ultriash & have occupied the Guardian Menhir site known as the Twelve Stones.

The southern fringes of the Jungle of Zaal (where Oola, Mistress of the Whip, came to grief last year) are regarded as only semi-permeable. A small elite force may pass through there, or through the more rugged Kurmanur Wilds to the south, from Rethenna to Ansumo. But without the construction of waystations an army cannot be kept in supply through there, and would likely take losses from the local wildlife, from disease and from Degenerates, making any military expedition risky.

The preferred invasion route would likely be via the Morlun-Pyriador trail, especially as the Ammur at Morlun were wiped out last year by the Golden Ones of Hastur. That would give Lomar a land route to Marg and the option to link up with Marg to assault Quodeth by land.

More speculatively, the Lomari at Cheir could also follow the Upper Kydar River upstream from Cheir to Morlun, thus reaching the Morlun-Pyriador trail and opening up a land route to Marg & Quodeth without having to force through the rugged wilds of Giantstead Grove.

Downtime & The Tower of Golden Scales to 25/8/2214 AR lvl 10-13

Income M7 2214
Aeshma: Level + INT bonus x 100gp (Tier II Moderate) - is promoted to Senior Panjandrum, in a good position to lead the Crown Inquisitors
Zerrda: Level + INT bonus x 50gp (Tier I High) - will become Tier II high (x50 > x200) on marriage
Vorstag - none yet, getting his trade empire established.

NB for those of you with Followers & lots of cash, it's worth spending money on stuff like bronze armour, dwarf steel weapons, dwarf steel shields etc for your Companion Followers.
Dwarf steel mail (heavy, AC 17) & steel cuirass (medium, AC 17) are also available but a bit pricy at 6000gp and 9000gp respectively...
With your Kal Zinan trade links you can get steel-tipped war spears at 400gp, steel swords at 500gp, steel-faced shield also 500gp.

And bronze cuirass (AC 16 medium) is a snip at 900gp; iron chainmail (AC 16 heavy) is 600gp.

Lord ZERDA - permitted by the Grand Vizier to propose to Queen Deyane; High Income (Tier I, Tier II on marrriage)
"Actually the main plan Zerda wanted to do in the meantime was establish support amongst the nobles and throne for creating the ‘Quodethi Inquisitors’ - a small force charged with looking into magical and otherworldly threats (such as the Cthulhu cultists we’ve encountered), that answer only to the Crown (the queen herself).
If the party is in agreement, he wanted to send individuals to houses they have connections with:
Vorstag to the Sedarnels. Given Metira’s fate which we’ve agreed to keep quiet, Princess Janis will be easy to persuade.
Finnris to the Vorzins. Lady Aeridnis and Tyarna are both fond of of the Dhari, and he’s fought similar threats with Aeri before, again should be easy enough.
Aeshma to the Priesthood. We have our suspicions about the High Priest of Mithra, but if we make the case that this will further promote the nine powers amongst the masses, perhaps he can be swayed. And there are other high priests to appeal to.
Zerda and Craw to the Marsesks, Baron Urugan and Azarde. The safety of the queen is paramount to Sir Stannis (?), so easy enough. The Baron’s support would look good and he may have good military insights. And burying the hatchet with the captain of the royal guards is a necessary evil. Also a member of the throne itself, so a vital ally.

*actually, Craw might be best served to scout out and train recruits. I’d assume we’d all be members (other than Zerda, at least publicly not a member), but a few good soldiers/detectives wouldn’t go amiss."

For the eyes of Yentüll, head of House Saväschu.

Dear father,

I have waited for a response to my previous letter for several months now. I will assume it arrived safely, but you decided it did not warrant a response - and that you are unwilling to sell the business in Renshaar to me. Perhaps you’d consider an offer from my good friend, the giantkin Baron Iceslider of the Isle of Woe? Or perhaps even the Kalayan Senior Panjandrum Aeshma of Mithra? It may even tickle the interest of my closest of allies - a Dhari, as I’m sure you and mother are horrified to hear - the undefeated champion Pit Fighter ‘Finnris the Formidable’? Of course, Admiral Azarde Two-Blades is very fond of travelling, and could do with some time away from the city if you were to indulge him? But I digress...

Perhaps you have not heard, but the last few months have been very kind to your son and heir - the same one you forced into exile so long ago. Following an extraordinary victory, capturing the Isle of Woe from Marg, the Grand Vizier himself has named me General of the Armies of Quodeth, a role I have humbly accepted. But that’s not all, father. For many months I have been courting a most magnificent lady: smart and fearless, powerful and enticing, youthful yet wise beyond her years and, of course, the most beautiful woman I have ever set eyes on. I have been given permission, and will soon propose to her. Her name is Deyane Hazeda... you may have heard of her. Soon enough, we will be wed, and since it is tradition, I will be extending invites to you, mother and my sisters - my blood.

This is to be a peaceful occasion - be warned that if you or the Diluvials have any plans to the contrary, you will be met by the full force of the Royal Guard, White Guard and the entire Army of Quodeth. I hope that is clear enough.

I look forward to your response - give my love to mother and my sisters.

Zérda - General of the Armies of Quodeth, future Prince-Consort of the Peacock Throne

FINNRIS
Downtime: "Finnris rewards the surviving the Dhari warriors 100gp each and bids them farewell following a raucous night at Valaya's Inn, Ghanport (all welcome). Upon return to Quodeth, he will continue his historical studies, visiting Tyarna at the Onther Tower - he has a cyclops skull from the Zinadar mountains for the archives. When he gets restless he will take Tor Man for a trip on the Autumn Moon back to Ghanport (it was excellent night), from there they will try to connect with Tor Man's people. Fin can speak with the Vorzin's if Zerdan wishes it. However, he is much more excited about a quest to the legendary Tower of Golden Scales."

VORSTAG - Becomes the Baron of Woe. 

Sets up trade empire with Sea Daray, Isle of Woe, Quodeth and the Dwarves of Kal Zinan. Tier II Moderate Income from M8 2214.

From the Lady Tyarna Vorzin, Mistress of Histories at the Onther Tower, 25/8/2214 AR:

"The Tower of Golden Scales is an ancient and long-abandoned tower, shaped like a rearing cobra. It was built by the serpentmen of ancient Nessk. Once smaller buildings surrounded it, their scarce remains now indistinguishable from natural rock formations between the trees. They were already long gone by the time the dreaded serpentomancer, Tamalcan the Merciless, claimed the tower for himself around 2050 AR, 144 years after the Sinking of Atlantis.

"Tamalcan extorted tithes from surrounding settlements, defeated rebellious armies, and earned the rightful spite of every living soul in a thousand miles. Among the greatest treasures he acquired was the greatest blue diamond, that some call the Eye of Azura. But then in 2076 AR - 138 years ago - he fell in a sick kind of love with a highborn Princess of Quodeth called Shabira Marsesk, who was also an anointed priestess of Set. The Priestess didn’t return his feelings, for she already had a man she loved, the young warrior-general Pentathur. The cruel Tamalcan abducted both of them.

Shabira’s angry father, King Yero III - the last monarch of House Marsesk - searched far and wide to find a sorceror who could defeat Tamalcan, and at last succeeded. The great sorcerer Monel Suk, Renegade Wizard of the Black Circle and Master of Homunculi, took the job. He acquired a small hair of Tamalcan, then using sympathetic magic and horrendous necromancy, he sipped the life force out of Tamalcan from the safe distance of his dark chambers.

The hated Serpentmancer was dead, but the King’s men never found a trace of Shabira nor Pentathur in the tower, and dared not to ransack the place, as Tamalcan’s beasts were still around… and some of them still are, to this day."

Session #37 25/7/2214+ capture of Woe Fortress

Isle of Woe

25th of Dumet 2214

Crouched in front of the campfire, Finnris runs through the plan with his comrades once again.

"Vorstag and I will lead the Dhari and Brons troop into position under cover of darkness. The Dwarves dark-vision helps find good ground, where they will dig in. If we need to retreat, they will provide some protection. "

"Zerda and The Admiral will draw up the main force in front of the fort, but outside ballistae range. Bringing with them such items of siegecraft as they can, mantalets, battering rams, siege ladders, grapples, etc. They blow horns, shout, attracting as much attention as possible. Nestled in the right-wing of the leading battle group, Aeshma, Craw and the Forlorn Hope wait, ready to strike out at the ballistae tower."

"At dawn, the artillery barrage will begin."

"Vorstag and I break through the swamp gate."

"Artillery fire now focuses on the tower not being assaulted by Asehma, Craw and the Forlorn Hope. The Forlorn Hope assaults the other tower using the stone shape ramp."

"Our objective to ensure the main Fort entrance is open to the main force. "

Finnris looks up from the battle plan.

"Does that cover everything?"

“Aye.....Huzzah!” Says Grey Craw

Grey Craw’s account of the capture of Woe Fortress

The day before the assault was spent by the senior officers blathering about what happens next! I’d been given the rank of Lieutenant in the Quodethi marines so was invited along, though the gods know why! Most of the real warriors there wanted a straight assault on the fort and to put all of the Margish and Lomari bastards to the sword. An idea was put forward for a “Battle of Champions” with Finnris and yours truly having a one-on-one scrap with two of theirs. I’m all for a fight but a full blown battle is what I’m about not this twatting about with rules of honour and the like. Don’t think Finnris was too happy about it either.

In the end good sense was the order of the day and an assault on the fort was ordered for dawn break the next day.

The next day dawns and our Forces were lined up ready for the attack. That big lad, Vorstag and Finnris were in the swamplands for an assault on the rear of the fort.

The lady warrior, Aeshma and the Lord Zérda were with me and my boys for a frontal assault. The dwarves had given us some arbalesters to support the assault.

I chewed on a lump of chagga root to get the blood flowing and took my place at the vanguard. The dwarf Stonebreaker made a stone ramp with his magic and Aeshma cast some spell on the SW tower which drone the ballista crew back into the bowels of the tower. Lady Aeshma, me and my platoon of marines charged up the ramp.

Lord Zérda led some of the other troops to the main entrance. At the same time the rear assault smashed its way into the fortress.

As with all battles, all I could focus on was what I was doing. I charged up the ramp and started hacking into the bastards. I caught sight of the Lady Aeshma on the walls giving the bastards some grief and by the noise coming from the front gate, I think the Lord Zérda had used some eldritch power to blast through the door. I took on the ballista captain and soon had the bastard’s guts on my blade. I managed to hack the ugly head from another Margish bastard who wanted a fight!

Soon we held the front towers and most of the fort. I later learned that Vorstag, Finnris and the Dhari irregulars has acquitted themselves well and had taken the rear of the fort albeit with some casualties, most caused by a big fireball.

We had the Lomari and Margish bastards trapped and then, the bastard talkers arrived for bastard “negotiation”. We had them and could have wiped the scum from the face of the earth but oh no!!

First I knew was that strutting peacock of an Admiral and his catamites walking into the fort. When I reached where he was the negotiating was already in flow and I heard talk of putting the Margish on trial and letting the Lomari go.

BASTARDS!

We could have wiped them out in a matter of minutes but these scum wanted to spare them. I walked up to the Admiral with my Quodethi commission in my hand. As he turned to look at me, with that vapid grin on his face, I threw the paper at the bastard and told him to stick it up his arse!

Don’t know too much about what went down after that. I went back and sat with the troops. I shared some barrels of Margish ale, which had been liberated from the kitchens with them and drank my way to a sore head.I do remember taking employment with the Lord Zérda and also being offered employment by both the Lady Aeshma and Vorstag but I was too drunk to recall the full details.

Last thing I remember was seeing the Lomari bastards marching out of the fort before the ale took its toll.

Attack on the Fort of Woe

The enemy are surrounded

Session #36 18-25/7/2214 Siege of Woe Fortress

Negotiations for surrender, siege begins, catapult, 1 week later ready for assault.