## Campaign Overview An epic tale of orc warriors, outcasts, and unlikely allies navigating themes of sacrifice, damnation, vengeance, and the tension between personal desires and the greater good. The campaign evolves from proving martial prowess to confronting world-ending threats while dealing with personal curses, missing companions, and cosmic-scale evil. --- ## Act 1: The Call of Gonosh and the Trials of Blood ### The Divine Summons - Cities across the southern orc kingdoms receive Gonosh's call - The strongest warriors are summoned to prove themselves through brutal arena trials - Victors will be named the Chosen of Gonosh and serve the Orc Union in Olgrug ### The Founding Party **The Crimson Blade's original members:** - **[[Tarnik]]** - Orc paladin consumed by vengeance against elves and humans - **[[Grom]]** - Minotaur bard from the Oriental Empire of Shihoro, devoted to gold above all - **[[Cub]]** - Dark Dwarf druid ([[Volza Redhand|Volza]] later mistakenly thought he was a cleric) - **[[Bordak]]** - Exiled orc warrior bearing the twin Fangs of Gonosh with a dark past **Note:** [[Grumthar]] was not part of the original founding group. He joined the party later at the Ruins of [[Gor’Karn]]. ### The Trial of Blood - [[Syllin]]'s Secret (HAPPENED FIRST) **The Defining Moral Choice:** - Second arena trial: slaughter captive elves to prove ruthlessness - Among the condemned: **[[Syllin|Syllin Elanari]]** (13-year-old elf girl) - Her parents were killed when orcs discovered their hidden sanctuary in Ketaca Forest - **[[Tarnik]]** demanded her immediate execution - **[[Grom]] and [[Cub]]** secretly conspired to save her - [[Grom]] slit her throat in a way that appeared fatal - [[Cub]] used healing magic to stabilize her in secret - [[Syllin]] has traveled with the group since, hidden and disguised - She grew especially close to [[Grom]], forming a fateful bond - [[Tarnik]] eventually discovered her identity but allowed her to remain ### Victory Celebration and New Companions **After the Final Arena Test:** - The party won the final battle in the arena against another group - Went to a bar to celebrate their victory - Met **Ruin Belagorn** - a Dragonkin who joined them for a time - Ruin and [[Grom]] formed a closer relationship - **Tension between Ruin (Dragonkin) and [[Tarnik]] became too great** - Ruin eventually left the group, but remained on good terms with [[Grom]] ### The Meeting with [[Agulmara]] - The Breaking Point **The Orc Faction of the Wizards Conclave:** - Before the victory celebration party, the party received another mission - **[[Agulmara]]** - leader of the Orc faction of the Wizards Conclave - sent for them - Known as "The Mindfire Seer of Gonosh" - Upon arrival, Ruin and [[Grom]] attempted to speak with her - **They inadvertently offended her** - [[Agulmara]] spoke in a way that put orcs above all other races - She belittled other races in her speech - **Called [[Grom]] "just a cow"** - a deep insult to the minotaur - This initial meeting created tension **Ruin's Departure:** - **As soon as the meeting with [[Agulmara]] ended, [[Tarnik]] pushed Ruin** - The tension between the orc paladin and the Dragonkin reached a breaking point - The escalation was averted from becoming worse - **Ruin left the group soon after this incident** - He remained on good terms with [[Grom]] despite the departure - This left the party without the Dragonkin ### The Victory Party - Where Everything Went Wrong **The Celebration That Led to Assassination:** - After meeting [[Agulmara]], a party was held to celebrate the group's success - **[[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] arrived at the party** - Archmaster of the Wizards Conclave - The most powerful member of the Conclave - Half-elf woman with deep purple and blue robes - Silvery blonde hair and eyes that flicker with constellations - Guardian of Arcane Balance, master of all magical schools - **She had traveled from Elandra to attend** - [[Grom]] spoke with [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] at the party - **This is where [[Grom]] REALLY offended [[Agulmara]]** - likely through his conversation with [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] or his behavior at the party - The offense was severe enough that [[Agulmara]] decided to act **Consequences of the Party:** - **[[Agulmara]] sent orc wizards to assassinate [[Grom]] in retaliation** - This assassination attempt led to [[Grom]]'s death - **Setting up the critical chain of events that followed** ### Syrix Joins - [[King Grusdak]], The Goblin King's Representative **New Ally After Ruin's Departure:** - After Ruin left due to tension with [[Tarnik]] - The **Goblin King sent his own representative** to help the group - **Syrix** - a goblin associated with the Goblin Kingdom - She joined the party and stayed with them - Traveled with them all the way into the Ruins of the Dead (Gor'Karn) ### [[Grom]]'s Death and [[Syllin]]'s Sacrifice - [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]]'s Role **The Assassination and Soul Bargain:** - **[[Grom]] fell in battle during an ambush by orc wizards sent by [[Agulmara]]** - This was retaliation for the offense [[Grom]] gave at the victory party - [[Grom]] died and his soul descended to the Nine Hells - **He experienced the full horror of damnation:** - Felt all the pain and suffering of the damned - The burning smell of flesh - Witnessed the eternal torment awaiting sinners - **This experience fundamentally changed him** - [[Syllin]], desperate to save her protector, sought help **[[Syllin]]'s Desperate Plea to [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]]:** - [[Syllin]] approached **[[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]]**, who was still present after the party - The Archmaster of the Wizards Conclave, master of all magic - [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] had the power and knowledge to potentially help - **[[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] called upon [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]**, [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Goddess of Birth and Death]] - As Guardian of Arcane Balance, she could petition the gods directly **[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s Intervention and the Soul Bargain:** - **[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death]], appeared** - A neutral good deity who controls the domain of death for good souls - She has the divine power of resurrection - [[Syllin]] pleaded for [[Grom]]'s life to be restored - **The price: [[Syllin]] traded her own soul to bring [[Grom]] back** - **The terrible cost:** Should [[Syllin]] die, her soul is condemned to the Nine Hells forever - [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] accepted the bargain and resurrected [[Grom]] - This was done through [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] as the intermediary **During Death - [[Grom]]'s Vision:** - While in the Nine Hells, [[Grom]] witnessed [[Syllin]]'s fate - Saw her screaming in agony, bound for damnation - **[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] appeared to [[Grom]] in her true form** (black-haired woman with her scythe Balance) - She warned that his pride and recklessness endangered [[Syllin]]'s eternal soul - Explained the hierarchy of gods and cosmic balance - Taught him that he was a pawn in larger divine games - Warned his search for greatness through extremes would lead only to death **The Aftermath:** - [[Grom]] returned to life, but forever changed - **The Nine Hells experience created lasting psychological triggers:** - Visions of hell when he smells burning flesh - Crushing guilt when [[Syllin]] shows him trust - Constant fear of death - Terror of his own damnation - **The connection:** [[Grom]]'s pride (offending [[Agulmara]] at the party) → Assassination → Death in the Hells → [[Syllin]]'s damnation - **[[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]]'s role:** Facilitated the resurrection by calling upon [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]], making it possible for [[Syllin]] to offer her soul - [[Grom]] now owes his life to three beings: [[Syllin]], [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]], and [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] --- ## Act 2: The Ruins of Gor'Karn - Descent into Darkness ### The Mission to the Cursed City **Assignment to Gor'Karn:** - The party is sent to investigate the ancient Ruins of Gor'Karn - An ancient cursed city filled with memory-eating mists and malevolent spirits - The ruins hold dark secrets about necromancy and the fall of an ancient orc civilization **[[Grumthar]] Joins the Party:** - **[[Grumthar]] was also sent to investigate the ruins** - on a separate mission - Their paths intersected in Gor'Karn - **He has been with the party ever since** - from Gor'Karn all the way to the current crisis in the Pits of the Hells - He became a permanent member of the Crimson Blade ### Journey Through the Catacombs **Key Events:** - [[Bordak]] and [[Grumthar]] mysteriously returned from a mystical fog - Party reunited in the cursed catacombs - [[Tarnik]] investigated ancient tomb inscriptions about [[Durgath]] - [[Cub]] fell under the catacombs' dark influence - Encountered spectral figures guiding them toward the Hall of Remembrance - Discovered inscriptions about honor: "spill blood before acting dishonorably" - Found hidden passages and tombs of the Six Shields of [[Durgath]] - Ancient ritual chambers defiled by necromancy ### The Hexa Mist - Abductions and Memory Loss **The Mist Takes Its Victims:** - The mist in Gor'Karn was connected to **Hexa Landing** and deeper corruption in Solare - Not native to Gor'Karn - a foreign entity amplifying distrust, rage, and despair - The mist had the power to abduct party members - **[[Tarnik]] was taken first** - disappeared into the mist - **[[Bordak]] was taken second** - vanished from the group - **Syrix (the goblin) was taken third** - pulled into the fog - The mist also **affected memories** - distorting and erasing experiences - **[[Tarnik]] and [[Bordak]] eventually returned** from the mist - **Syrix never returned** - lost forever to the Hexa mist - The party continued without her, mourning another companion ### [[Sela]]'s Spirit - [[Grumthar]]'s Lost Companion **The Guardian of Memory:** - The spectral orc scout appeared to guide them - Wore a rusted crescent fang clasp inlaid with green jasper - Revealed to be **[[Sela]]** (also called scout) - someone very dear to [[Grumthar]] - She died in battle years ago - Her spirit remained tethered to Gor'Karn, resisting the Shadow's corruption - [[Grumthar]] carried a matching keepsake brooch - **Purpose:** She helps because: - [[Grumthar]]'s presence brings her memory and clarity - She's duty-bound to guide protectors of orcish legacy - Resisting the Wraith Lord keeps her soul from complete damnation - Warned the party about the Mist - a foreign entity amplifying distrust and despair ### [[Grom]]'s Catastrophic Pride **The Confrontation with Lysara:** - Frustrated by confusion, [[Grom]] climbed to a rooftop for guidance - Cut his chest with his father's dagger as a blood offering to Gonosh - **Lysara** (Gonosh's daughter) appeared instead - mocking and dismissive - She criticized the party's lack of intelligence - Called [[Grom]] unworthy, questioning if a minotaur could serve among orcs - **[[Grom]]'s fatal mistake:** He called her Gonosh's "bastard daughter" loudly - Lysara's rage: She attacked with withering glare dealing 72 necrotic damage - [[Grom]] was kicked off the roof but [[Bordak]] caught him - Lysara warned of severe consequences for further transgressions ### [[Syllin]]'s Defiance and the Party's Fracture **Chaos Erupts:** - [[Syllin]], enraged by [[Grom]]'s near-death, fired her crossbow at Lysara - [[Cub]] heroically jumped in front of the bolt to protect the goddess - [[Tarnik]] struck [[Syllin]] with his axe for attacking their deity - [[Syllin]] declared herself "no one's slave" and fled using Zephyr Strike - The party unity fractured - [[Tarnik]] demanded she be collared or killed ### [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s Vision - The Price of Pride **[[Grom]]'s Death Vision:** - While unconscious, [[Grom]] saw the Nine Hells - Witnessed [[Syllin]] screaming in unbearable agony - **[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]** appeared in her true form (black-haired woman) - She taught him about: - The balance between good and evil - The hierarchy of gods - Consequences of pride and recklessness - Emphasized that [[Grom]] was a pawn in the gods' larger game - Warned his extremes would lead only to death and damnation - He must learn humility and use his silver tongue wisely - **Critical revelation:** [[Syllin]]'s fate depends on [[Grom]]'s ability to change - [[Tarnik]] revived [[Grom]] with Lay on Hands ### The Battle with Korgath **The Wraith Lord:** - Epic battle against Korgath and his minotaur guards - [[Grumthar]] discovered a mysterious swirling black orb on a central spire - Korgath struck down [[Grom]] and focused on [[Syllin]] - **[[Syllin]] died** - cut down by the Wraith Lord - The bear companion also fell - [[Grumthar]]'s weapons struck true, destroying Korgath in an explosion of purple energy - Energy was absorbed into the black stone - [[Sela]]'s spirit confirmed the stone was now free ### The Ultimate Loss **[[Grom]]'s Worst Nightmare Realized:** - [[Cub]] used magic to resurrect [[Grom]] from death - But [[Syllin]] and the bear were lost forever - **[[Grom]] awoke to the horrifying vision of [[Syllin]] being dragged into the fiery hells** - He clutched her lifeless body, screaming in anguish - Confirmed his worst fear: her damnation because of her sacrifice for him ### Breaking the Curse **The Temple of Gonosh:** - The party carried the freed stone to the ruined Temple of Gonosh - Placed it on an altar and channeled divine energy - Energy blasted through the temple, shattering the oppressive mist - **The Hexa mist was destroyed** - the curse on the city broken - **Lost memories flooded back into the heroes' minds** - everything affected by the mist returned to normal - All distorted memories and lost experiences were restored - However, **Syrix remained lost** - she did not return with the memories - [[Sela]]'s spirit appeared one last time to thank them - Personal farewell to [[Grumthar]] before fading away ### [[Syllin]]'s Burial and Divine Gifts **By the Lake:** - The party buried [[Syllin]] by a lake - That night, dreams filled with visions: - [[Tarnik]] was rewarded by the goddess Lysara (reconciliation) - **[[Grom]] was visited by [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]], [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|goddess of death]]** - She gave him a **crystallized tear** - a key to a potential, perilous quest to rescue [[Syllin]]'s soul from the hells --- ## Act 3: Return to [[Kadh Vrbuz]] - Recovery and Reckoning ### The Month and a Half of Recovery **Healing and Preparation:** - The party returned to [[Kadh Vrbuz]] for extended rest - Time to process trauma, recover from wounds, and prepare for the journey ahead ### [[Grom]]'s Mourning and Transformation **Four Days on the Hill:** - [[Grom]] disappeared to a hilltop overlooking the city - Four days of grief, drinking, prayer, and self-inflicted solitude - Screamed to [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]], bargained with ghosts - Wept with broken honesty the city below would never see - Drowned in wine, food, and isolation **The Schemes Begin (Days 5-30):** After returning from his mourning, [[Grom]] transformed his grief into purpose: 1. **Hired Bodyguards** - Found qualified guards with orcish standing 2. **Chain of Gold** - Labor arbitrage caravan scheme using "Black Horn Certification" 3. **The Stone and the Song** - Craft brokerage, branding orcish artisan work 4. **Echoes of Ash** - Lecture circuit about necromancy and Gor'Karn 5. **Equipment Upgrades** - Acquired heavy armor and crossbow training 6. **Daily Prayers** - Continued seeking redemption and clarity **The New [[Grom]]:** - Louder, hungrier, more determined - Sorrow weaponized into ambition - Business-minded performer with hidden pain - Conflict between gold and Gonosh remained ### [[Bakorda]]'s Killers - The Hunt for Vengeance **[[Grom]]'s Past Catches Up:** - The raiders who murdered [[Grom]]'s closest friend **[[Bakorda]]** appeared in [[Kadh Vrbuz]] - **The Original Tragedy:** - A drunken night of music and joy turned to horror - [[Grom]] tried to bribe raiders for safe passage and failed - A bugbear cleaved off [[Bakorda]]'s head mid-laugh - [[Grom]] drank beside her corpse, leaving her body for the ravens - He swore: "the only god is gold, and god is good" **The Crimson Blade's Revenge:** - The party hunted down [[Bakorda]]'s killers - Eliminated the entire warband except one - **[[Volza Redhand]]** - Silent assassin known for crimson-stained gloves and garrote kills - Rather than execute her, they offered a choice: join or die - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] accepted and brought **Little Wolf** - **Little Wolf** - Pit fighter with spiked iron knuckles, raised by Brugar the Vile ### The Bond Between [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] and Little Wolf **Not Friends, But Something Deeper:** - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] watched Little Wolf fight in the pits for weeks before speaking - After Brugar the Vile was killed, [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] found Little Wolf in the rain - Sat with her in silence until the storm passed - A quiet pact between two predators who decided to care without saying it aloud - When one was in trouble, the other appeared - Not drinking buddies or storytellers, but something more profound ### Preparation for the Journey East **The Road Ahead:** - 800 miles east to Olgrug, the capital city - Traveling with a wagon equipped with a forge - [[The Road of Burning]] Horizons awaited: - To the south: The hellish Pits - To the north: The dangerous Ketaca Forest --- ## Act 4: [[The Road of Burning]] Horizons - Trials and Rifts ### The Ketaca Forest Journey **Three Days of Travel:** - The party entered the Ketaca Forest portion of the 800-mile road - Thick forest alive with bird songs and mysterious dancing lights - [[Cub]]'s survival skills guided them through pathless wilderness - Used [[Cub]]'s magical tent for enhanced stealth and perception - Observed strange prismatic lights - later identified as will-o-wisps ### The Werewolf Attack **Lycanthropy's Curse:** - On the third night, [[Bordak]]'s battle axe hummed with warning - Werewolves surrounded their camp in a coordinated attack - Fierce battle under moonlight - **[[Bordak]] and Little Wolf were both bitten - cursed with lycanthropy** - The party defeated most of the pack, one fled - Captured one werewolf alive (nicknamed "Spike" by Little Wolf) - Defeated werewolves transformed back into feral humans **The Cure Attempt:** - [[Cub]] revealed he's a druid, not a cleric - cannot remove curses - **30 days until the next full moon** when lycanthropy fully manifests - [[Cub]] gathered wolfsbane and created a bitter concoction with werewolf blood - [[Bordak]] and Little Wolf drank it, hoping to cure or delay transformation - Spike remained completely feral, treated like a dangerous pet ### The Dimensional Rift to Regenesis **Torn Between Worlds:** - Circular rift tore open in the sky 300 feet above - Revealed a snowy landscape beyond - Thunder, lightning, and powerful winds - **The ENTIRE PARTY was pulled into the dimensional gateway** - Journey through the rift showed visions of their pasts playing in reverse - Mysterious voice: "You have been chosen... little time to return to your world" - Passage left them nauseous and unconscious **Arrival in Regenesis:** - Awakened in harsh, snowy dimension - Completely naked, stripped of all weapons and equipment - Bitter cold, snow falling around them - Blonde-haired elf ranger fighting a massive purple worm - Behind the creature: another rift - possibly their way home - The elf called to companions: Luna, Faline - The party joined the desperate battle **The Return Home:** - With help from **Valanthe, Faline, Luna, and Karrigan** - The entire party eventually returned to their world - **The lycanthropy was cured in Regenesis** - [[Bordak]] and Little Wolf no longer cursed - They resumed their journey through the Ketaca Forest --- ## Act 5: Devils, Dragons, and Shadows - The Current Crisis ### The Wounded Scout **Discovery After Regenesis:** - Continuing through Ketaca Forest after returning from Regenesis - Discovered a hurt elf scout in the bushes - She led them toward a battle already in progress - **[[Grom]] stayed back with Little Wolf** to watch the scout, wagon, and dire wolves - The rest of the party went ahead to investigate ### The Battle at the Singing Stones **Elves vs. Devils:** - Large elven warband on the edge of collapse - Fiendish hunting pack pressing hard, corrupting the land - The party joined the fight, aiding the Ketaca elves - **Forces Involved:** - Gloom Stalker Captain and 6-8 elven scouts - 2 druidic shamans - 1 Horned Devil (field commander) - 2 Barbed Devils - 3-4 Spined Devils - 1 Bulezau - The Singing Stones' aura caused fear (disadvantage for fiends) - Battlefield hazards: shifting scree, sulfurous veil **The Red Dragon:** - After defeating the devils, a large red dragon arrived - Summoned by one of the horned devils - Working together with the elven warriors, the party brought down the wyrm - Hard-fought victory, but at great cost ### The Shadow Abductions - [[Grom]] and Little Wolf Taken **The Devastating Discovery:** - After the battle, the party returned to find [[Grom]] and Little Wolf missing - The scout, wagon, and supplies remained - [[Cub]] cast **Speak with Animals** on the dire wolves - **The dire wolves revealed:** Shadows appeared from a portal and took [[Grom]] and Little Wolf - No one knows if this is tied to: - The Pits of the Hells - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s activities - [[Anam]]'s ley line corruption plot - **They are currently still missing** ### Meeting the Elven Captain **Information Exchange:** - The elven captain, grateful for aid, invited the party to the forest's edge - Shared troubling information: - Shadow abductions have been occurring elsewhere - These disappearances increased with devil activity from the south - The devils are coming from the Pits of the Hells - **The Captain's Personal Stake:** - His own daughter was taken by the shadows - This is why he led his warband this far from their territory - He sent word requesting aid from other Ketaca villages - **No response received** - ominous silence ### The Decision to Venture South **Into the Pits of the Hells:** - The party made a fateful decision: venture south to search for their missing companions - **Four elves volunteered to accompany them:** - **[[Thia Moonglade]]** - **[[Tessara]]** - **[[Elenwe]]** - **[[Aenwyn]]** - **Narzag** - A ranger hunting fiends in the region - joined their cause - Left the 800-mile Road of Burning Horizons - Headed directly south toward the Pits of the Hells ### Journey Through the Volcanic Wasteland **Dangers of the Pits:** - Harsh volcanic landscape - Suffocating heat and dangerous terrain - Ambushed by massive purple worms - Fierce battle, eventually defeated the creatures - Continued deeper into the cursed lands - Following the path toward the source of devil activity - Hoping to find any trace of [[Grom]] and Little Wolf --- ## Act 6: The Ley Line Corruption - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s Plot ### Narzag's Discovery **Scouting the Ritual Site:** - Narzag, with dire wolves Lobos and Bolto and bear Midnight, scouted ahead - Discovered a disturbing scene in the volcanic wasteland: - Female wizard before a sickly green-yellow lantern - Performing a dark ritual - Devils circling overhead - Massive pit fiend giving instructions before flying southeast - Overheard the wizard ([[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]) speaking of: - Someone named [[Anam]] - Ley lines - The Wizards Conclave - **The ritual was poisoning the ley lines with necrotic energy** - Corrupting the land itself - Narzag silently retreated to report ### The Party's Dilemma **Personal Quest vs. Greater Good:** - [[Bordak]] crafted new leather gear while resting - [[Grumthar]] unconscious in the wagon, recovering from injuries - [[Cub]] used all healing power to restore [[Bordak]] and [[Grumthar]] - Narzag reported: powerful wizard corrupting ley lines, guarded by pit fiends, chain devils, bone devils - **[[Volza Redhand|Volza]] expressed reluctance** - overwhelming forces - **[[Bordak]] and [[Cub]] argued passionately:** - Cannot ignore this threat - Ley lines are like the veins of the world - If they die, everything perishes - Including any hope of finding missing companions - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] was persuaded, though angry and skeptical ### Preparing for Battle **The Plan:** - [[Cub]] distributed fire resistance potions - [[Bordak]] donned the **Plate of the Gold Jaw Pact** - ancient armor - Elven allies prepared their bows - Set out toward the ritual site under cover of darkness - Reached volcanic cliffside where [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] worked - Flying horned devils on patrol - Dark magic spreading into the ground, turning lava blackish-green and purplish - [[Cub]] felt intense corruption - pressure of evil and desecration **Strategy:** - Target both the lantern and [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] - Disrupt the ritual before completion - [[Thia MoonGlade|Thia]] directed elves to take position along cliff edge - Main force prepared to strike ### The Battle Against [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] **Opening Assault:** - [[Tarnik]] and Shiv (wreathed in flames) charged at tremendous speed - Burst into ritual site center - Declared himself Dragon Slayer Clan member - Called upon divine power to strike fear (partial effect) - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] distracted and surprised - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] struck the lantern - flickering light - Narzag's magic arrows hit the lantern's protective shell - [[Cub]] called radiant moonlight on a horned devil - [[Bordak]] charged, axes striking chain devil repeatedly **[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s Response:** - [[Tarnik]] enhanced weapon with radiant power - First blow shattered a magical duplicate - Second strike landed true - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] screamed in anger - **Lost concentration on the ritual** - Link to lantern ceased - Web-like shadows and shimmering aura appeared around her - Demanded to know who dared interfere - [[Tarnik]] proclaimed his clan name - [[Bordak]] demanded return of missing people - **[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] claimed ignorance of any captives** - Vowed the intruders would pay dearly **The Devil Assault:** - Chain devil tried to bind [[Bordak]] - he broke free with raw strength - Retaliated with devastating blows, sent devil into darkness - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] teleported beside bone devil - killed with single perfect attack - Narzag's arrows found targets - Bear charged into fray - Wolves (Lobos and Bolto) attacked with pack tactics - [[Tarnik]]'s radiant weapon cut through devil flesh - Elves fired from cliff positions (many arrows went wide) ### Destroying the Corruption Node **[[Bordak]]'s Critical Strike:** - Turned attention to the lantern itself - source of corruption - Axes crashed through magical protection - **Shattered the glass and severed the heart within** - Wave of force energy burst outward - Corrupting magic dissipated, turning to ash - **Ley line corruption at this location began to fade** - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] screamed: months of work destroyed - [[Bordak]] continued assault on remaining devils - His intimidating presence enraged [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] further - She decided to make them all pay rather than flee ### [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s Terrible Revenge **Meteor Swarm:** - The wizard raised her hands, speaking words of terrible power - The sky parted as meteors rained down - Massive explosions of fire and crushing stone - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] evaded the worst destruction - **The elven allies were consumed:** - **[[Thia MoonGlade|Thia]]** - killed - **[[Tessara]]** - killed - **[[Elenwe]]** - killed - **[[Aenwyn]]** - killed (though mentioned earlier, seems to be the fourth) - **Dire wolves incinerated instantly:** - **Lobos** - killed - **Bolto** - killed - **[[Cub]]'s bear Midnight** - fell beneath the onslaught - **[[Tarnik]] struck down** - lost consciousness, Shiv vanished - **Only [[Bordak]] and [[Cub]] remained standing** - Battered but alive, fire resistance saved them ### The Confrontation and Escape **[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s Ultimatum:** - Halted remaining devils - Confronted [[Bordak]] directly - "I don't know who your people are, but you've now lost far more through your foolish interference" - Offered a choice: continue fighting and watch remaining friends die, or accept defeat - [[Bordak]] stood defiant: "I'm here for my people. You were simply in my way." - **[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s promise:** "I will remember you. I will find you again and make you pay for destroying months of my work." - With final threat echoing, she and remaining devils vanished ### The Aftermath - Tending the Wounded **Counting the Cost:** - [[Bordak]] rushed to [[Tarnik]]'s side - [[Cub]] stabilized him with healing magic - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] administered a potion - brought [[Tarnik]] to semi-consciousness - [[Cub]] used remaining power to resurrect bear Midnight - **Dire wolves and elves were beyond help** - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] expressed anger at [[Bordak]]: - Blamed him for not listening to warnings - For leading allies to their deaths - [[Bordak]] defended his decision: - Worth the risk to learn if enemies knew about missing people - Needed to understand the scope of the threat - **Argument ended with [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] walking away in bitter disagreement** ### The Greater Revelation **Understanding the Ley Line Network:** - [[Tarnik]] examined destroyed lantern - [[Cub]] assessed the ley line itself - **Critical Discovery:** - While corruption at this location ceased - The lantern was merely one tool in a much larger network - **This was just one node** - like a single pressure point on a body - Many more active or dormant corruption sites across the world - **The party theorized:** - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] claimed she was expelled from the legitimate Wizards Conclave - **Theory: She might belong to some kind of evil faction working with devils and demons** - But they don't know for certain - this is speculation based on what they've seen - Need to get word back to the capital about this discovery - This is a world-threatening plot ### Prayer for the Fallen **Zotia's Blessing:** - [[Cub]] remained behind to pray for the fallen - Offered prayers to Zotia - **A divine presence manifested:** - Young woman with brilliant red hair - Knelt beside the bodies of the awakened animals - Spoke words of comfort - Assured they fought well and would enjoy a wonderful afterlife - Walked to the cliff where the elves lay - **Called each by name:** - "[[Aenwyn]]... [[Tessara]]... [[Thia MoonGlade|Thia]]... [[Elenwe]]..." - "You have earned your rest." - Glowing orbs of light rose from the bodies - Followed her as she ascended into the sky - **Souls guided to eternal peace** - Physical forms remained as silent testimony to the cost ### Regrouping and Moving Forward **The Survivors:** - Party regrouped at their wagon - [[Tarnik]] hitched Shiv to pull supplies - [[Cub]] fed berries to resurrected bear to restore strength - [[Bordak]] stood in contemplative silence - Instinctively reached for a pouch no longer there - Lost in thought about sacrifices made and tasks remaining **The Current State:** - Stopped one corruption node - Made a powerful enemy ([[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] plotting revenge) - Lost four elven allies and two dire wolves - Still no word on [[Grom]] and Little Wolf's location - **Key Questions Unanswered:** - Are the shadow abductions connected to the Pits? - Is this tied to [[Anam]]'s ley line plot? - Where are their missing companions? - **[[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s Drive:** Keep moving into the Pits to find [[Grom]] and Little Wolf --- ## Current Campaign Status ### The Party's Situation **Present Challenges:** 1. **Missing Companions:** [[Grom]] and Little Wolf taken by shadow portal - location unknown 2. **Powerful Enemy:** [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] swore revenge, knows about the party now 3. **World-Threatening Plot:** Ley line corruption network across multiple continents 4. **Moral Dilemma:** Personal quest (find friends) vs. greater good (stop [[Anam]]'s plan) 5. **Fractured Unity:** [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] angry at [[Bordak]] for leading allies to death 6. **Heavy Losses:** Four elven allies dead, animal companions lost 7. **Deep in Enemy Territory:** Currently in the Pits of the Hells, far from civilization ### The Larger Threats **[[Anam]]'s Ley Line Corruption:** - Ancient evil who destroyed the First Age - **Already resurrected and active** - brought back by [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] - Currently corrupting ley lines across Solare (multiple continents) - Timeline: ~8 months until cascade - Alliance with the Nine Hells - Protected by Ashuan-Raul (mummy lord) - Dozens of corruption sites across Polaria, Elandra, South Angoria, etc. - **[[Anam]] is the ultimate threat** - the entire ley line plot serves his goals **The Shadow Abductions:** - Taking people through portals - Increased with devil activity from the Pits - Multiple victims including: - [[Grom]] - Little Wolf - Elven scout - Elven captain's daughter - Unknown others - Connection to ley line plot: UNKNOWN - Nature of the shadows: UNKNOWN - Location of victims: UNKNOWN **[[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] - The Exiled Necromancer:** - Former Master of Necromancy - Claims to have been expelled from legitimate Wizards Conclave - **Unknown if she's working with an evil faction or acting independently** - **Already resurrected [[Anam]]** - the ancient evil is now active - Commands devils and undead - Has clones (difficult to permanently kill) - Personally overseeing ley line corruption rituals - Now aware of the party and seeking revenge **[[Agulmara]] - Leader of Orc Faction (Wizards Conclave):** - Leader of the Orc faction within the Wizards Conclave - Believes in orc supremacy above all other races - Belittles and insults other races - Called [[Grom]] "just a cow" - insulting his minotaur heritage - **[[Grom]] challenged her directly** - creating a blood feud - Sent orc wizards to assassinate [[Grom]] in retaliation - This assassination attempt led to [[Grom]]'s death and [[Syllin]]'s soul-sacrifice - May still hold a grudge against the party ### Key NPCs and Relationships **Current Party Members:** - **[[Bordak]]** - Leader figure, driven to find missing people, wears Plate of the Gold Jaw Pact (founding member) - **[[Tarnik]]** - Paladin of Gonosh, Dragon Slayer Clan, struggles with elf hatred vs. cooperation (founding member) - **[[Cub]]** - Druid (not cleric), healer, connection to nature and Zotia (founding member) - **[[Grumthar]]** - Barbarian, connected to [[Sela]]'s spirit, seeking his grandfather's truth (joined at Gor'Karn, has been with party ever since) - **[[Volza Redhand]]** - Assassin, angry at recent losses, desperate to find Little Wolf (joined in [[Kadh Vrbuz]]) - **Narzag** - Ranger ally, fiend hunter, provides scouting (joined before entering the Pits) **Missing:** - **[[Grom]]** - Minotaur bard, haunted by [[Syllin]]'s damnation, holds [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s crystallized tear - **Little Wolf** - Pit fighter, [[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s closest companion, taken with [[Grom]] **Deceased This Arc:** - [[Thia Moonglade]] (elf warrior) - [[Tessara]] (elf warrior) - [[Elenwe]] (elf warrior) - [[Aenwyn]] (elf warrior) - Lobos (dire wolf) - Bolto (dire wolf) **Previously Lost:** - **Syrix** - Goblin representative from the Goblin King, taken by the Hexa mist in Gor'Karn and never returned **Former Allies:** - **Ruin Belagorn** - Dragonkin who traveled with the party briefly after arena victory, formed close relationship with [[Grom]], but left due to irreconcilable tension with [[Tarnik]] **[[Syllin|Syllin Elanari]]:** - Dead, soul in the Nine Hells - [[Grom]] carries [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s crystallized tear - potential quest to save her soul - Her sacrifice and damnation drives much of [[Grom]]'s character **Divine Entities:** - **Gonosh** - Orc god of war and discipline - **Lysara** - Gonosh's daughter, goddess who nearly killed [[Grom]] for calling her "bastard daughter" - **[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]** - [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Goddess of birth and death]] (neutral good), gave [[Grom]] the crystallized tear, accepted [[Syllin]]'s soul-bargain - Controls the domain of death for good souls - Has divine power of resurrection - Appeared to [[Grom]] during his death to warn him about pride and consequences - **Zotia** - Nature deity who blessed the fallen animals and elves - **[[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]]** - Not a god, but Archmaster of the Wizards Conclave (CR 30) - Half-elf, most powerful member of the Wizards Conclave - Guardian of Arcane Balance, master of all magical schools - Came from Elandra to attend the victory party - **Facilitated [[Grom]]'s resurrection** by calling upon [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] when [[Syllin]] pleaded for help - Intermediary between mortals and gods in matters of arcane law - [[Grom]] owes his life partially to her intervention **Spirit Guardians:** - **[[Sela]] (Scout)** - [[Grumthar]]'s lost companion, spirit guardian of Gor'Karn's legacy --- ## Major Themes and Character Arcs ### Overarching Themes 1. **Sacrifice and Damnation** - [[Syllin]]'s soul for [[Grom]]'s life, ongoing consequences 2. **Personal vs. Greater Good** - Finding friends vs. stopping world-ending threats 3. **Unity Despite Division** - Orcs, elves, outcasts working together despite hatred 4. **Pride and Humility** - [[Grom]]'s near-death teaching respect and consequences 5. **Memory and Legacy** - Gor'Karn's forgotten tombs, [[Sela]]'s resistance, being remembered 6. **The Cost of Victory** - Every triumph comes with terrible losses 7. **Moral Complexity** - No clear right answers, choosing between bad options ### Character Development Arcs **[[Grom]]'s Journey:** - From gold-obsessed bard to guilt-ridden protector - [[Syllin]]'s sacrifice created crushing psychological burden - Lysara's punishment taught humility - [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s vision revealed cosmic consequences of choices - [[Bakorda]]'s death and revenge provided closure - Business schemes weaponized grief into ambition - Holds key to potentially saving [[Syllin]] (crystallized tear) - Currently missing - taken by shadows **[[Bordak]]'s Path:** - Exiled orc warrior seeking redemption - Bearer of the Fangs of Gonosh - Natural leader who makes hard choices - Willing to sacrifice for the greater good - Conflict with [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] over leading allies to death - Driven by need to find missing people - Questions if personal quest justifies the costs **[[Tarnik]]'s Struggle:** - Vengeance-driven paladin learning to work with elves - Discovered [[Syllin]]'s identity but allowed her to stay - Struck [[Syllin]] for attacking Lysara (maintaining honor) - Fought alongside elves despite deep-seated hatred - Witnessed their sacrifice firsthand - Character growth: from absolute hatred to respect earned through battle **[[Cub]]'s Mystery:** - **Dark Dwarf** - a race that should come from experimentation with minds destroyed - **Has no memories of his past** - complete amnesia about his origins - **Druid** - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] mistakenly thought he was a cleric, but he never claimed to be one - Secret keeper (saved [[Syllin]] initially) - Healer and voice of reason in combat situations - Connection to natural world and divine (Zotia) - Understands ley line corruption's devastating implications - Argued for stopping [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] despite personal mission - **Main personal quest: Figuring out his past and origins** - **Deep fear of being a bad person** - what if his past reveals something terrible? - Driven by saving the lands and saving people - **Major personality flaw: Picks fights with orcs** - Belittles them and makes smart remarks - Calls them idiots openly - Shows extreme disrespect despite traveling with orc companions - **Extremely hated by [[Volza Redhand|Volza]]** - she doesn't understand how the orcs allow him to live - **[[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s perspective:** [[Tarnik]] especially should have killed this Dark Dwarf by now - **What [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] knows:** All dark dwarves come from experimentation, minds destroyed - at least from what little she's heard - Creates constant tension within the party despite his usefulness **[[Grumthar]]'s Connection:** - Haunted by [[Sela]]'s death - Her spirit guided him in Gor'Karn - Carries her keepsake brooch - Seeking truth about grandfather Ragavar Ironfurrow - Hired lore keeper [[Davax Redhide]] to find Urgen Mossbach - Last survivor of Crimson Bastion's warband - Personal quest intertwined with main story **[[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s Loyalty:** - Silent assassin with deadly skills - Deep bond with Little Wolf (quiet pact between predators) - Reluctant to engage overwhelming forces - Driven by personal loyalty over greater good - Angry at [[Bordak]] for losses - Will do anything to find Little Wolf - **Extreme hatred for [[Cub]] the Dark Dwarf** - Doesn't understand how the orcs let him live - Believes [[Tarnik]] should have killed him long ago - Knows dark dwarves come from experimentation with destroyed minds - Barely tolerates his presence for the sake of the mission - Creates constant tension in the group **[[Syllin]]'s Legacy:** - Saved by mercy, became the catalyst for everything - Her soul-sacrifice defined [[Grom]]'s character - Her death in Gor'Karn confirmed damnation - Her defiance (shooting Lysara) showed fierce loyalty - Dead but not forgotten - potential redemption quest exists - Symbol of the price of love and sacrifice --- ## Mystery Elements and Unanswered Questions ### The Shadow Abductions - **What are the shadows?** Portal-creating entities of unknown origin - **Who controls them?** Unknown if connected to [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]], [[Anam]], or separate threat - **Where do they take victims?** Location completely unknown - **Why these specific people?** Pattern unclear - [[Grom]], Little Wolf, elves - **Connection to ley lines?** Possibly related to corruption, but unconfirmed - **Can they be rescued?** Unknown if victims are alive, imprisoned, or worse ### The Ley Line Corruption - **How many nodes exist?** Dozens across multiple continents - **What happens at cascade?** 8 months until some catastrophic event - **Can it be stopped?** Unknown if destroying nodes is enough - **Who else knows?** Legitimate Wizards Conclave expelled [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] - do they know the scope? - **What is [[Anam]]'s ultimate goal?** Destroying the First Age - but why corrupt ley lines? ### Personal Mysteries - **[[Grumthar]]'s Grandfather:** What truth about Ragavar Ironfurrow is hidden? - **Urgen Mossbach:** Last Crimson Bastion survivor - what does he know? - **[[Syllin]]'s Soul:** Can [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s crystallized tear actually save her from the Nine Hells? - **[[Bakorda]]'s Death:** Resolved, but trauma remains part of [[Grom]]'s character - **[[Sela]]'s Final Rest:** Did helping the party free her soul from damnation? - **[[Cub]]'s True Origins:** Who was he before losing his memories? - What experimentation created the dark dwarves? - Why does he have no memory of his past? - Is he a bad person underneath, as he fears? - Why does he antagonize orcs so relentlessly? - Will his past destroy the party's fragile unity? ### Cosmic Questions - **The Hierarchy of Gods:** [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] revealed gods serve higher powers - **The Pits of the Hells:** True nature of this cursed region - **Regenesis:** Why did that dimensional rift occur? Who created it? - **The First Age:** What was [[Anam]]'s role in its destruction? - **Divine Intervention:** Why do gods care about this specific party? --- ## Potential Future Directions ### Immediate Concerns 1. **Find [[Grom]] and Little Wolf** - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s driving motivation 2. **Navigate the Pits of the Hells** - Dangerous territory, unknown threats 3. **Investigate shadow portal source** - Where do they lead? 4. **Deal with [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s revenge** - She swore to find and punish them 5. **Report ley line corruption** - Someone in authority must know ### Mid-Term Quests 1. **Rescue [[Syllin]]'s Soul** - Using [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s crystallized tear ([[Grom]]'s personal quest) 2. **Locate other corruption nodes** - Stop [[Anam]]'s plan before cascade 3. **Find Urgen Mossbach** - Learn about [[Grumthar]]'s grandfather 4. **Reach Olgrug** - Original mission still incomplete 5. **Investigate [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s connections** - Is she working alone or with others? Determine the scope of the conspiracy ### Long-Term Goals 1. **Defeat [[Anam]]** - The First Age destroyer has already been resurrected and is active 2. **Confront Ashuan-Raul** - The mummy lord protecting [[Anam]] 3. **Save the Ley Lines** - Prevent world-ending cascade 4. **Unite Factions** - Orcs, elves, legitimate Conclave against common threat 5. **Divine Reckoning** - Fulfill or reject the gods' plans for them 6. **Reach the Human Continents** - The true mission awaits beyond Olgrug 7. **Defeat [[Anam]]** - The ultimate goal that ties everything together **The Greater Mission:** After reaching Olgrug (the capital 800 miles east), the party's journey doesn't end. Their true mission extends beyond the orc kingdoms to the human continents, where they must ultimately confront and defeat [[Anam]] - the ancient evil whose ley line corruption threatens all of Solare. ### Character Resolution Arcs - **[[Grom]]:** Save [[Syllin]]'s soul or accept her sacrifice - **[[Bordak]]:** Find missing people and achieve redemption - **[[Tarnik]]:** Reconcile vengeance with cooperation (and decide [[Cub]]'s fate) - **[[Cub]]:** Discover his true past and origins - confront what he was and choose what he will become - **[[Grumthar]]:** Uncover family truth and honor [[Sela]]'s memory - **[[Volza Redhand|Volza]]:** Reunite with Little Wolf or accept loss (and resolve hatred for [[Cub]]) --- ## Campaign Timeline Summary **Phase 1 - The Trials:** - Arena trials and choosing the Crimson Blade ([[Tarnik]], [[Grom]], [[Cub]], [[Bordak]]) - **[[Syllin]] saved during elf slaughter trial (HAPPENED DURING TRIALS)** - Won final arena battle - Met Ruin Belagorn at bar, he joined temporarily - Meeting with [[Agulmara]] (initial offense, [[Grom]] called "just a cow") - **[[Tarnik]] pushed Ruin as soon as meeting ended - escalation averted** - **Ruin left the group soon after** - **Victory party where [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]] attended from Elandra** - **[[Grom]] really offended [[Agulmara]] at the party** - Syrix (goblin) joined from the Goblin King - **[[Agulmara]] sent assassins, [[Grom]] died** - **[[Syllin]] pleaded with [[Zerquistiss - Master of the Wizards Conclave|Zerquistiss]], who called [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]** - **[[Syllin]]'s soul-bargain: traded her soul to resurrect [[Grom]]** - [[Grom]] returned from the Nine Hells, forever changed **Phase 2 - Gor'Karn (Before Journey East):** - Mission to cursed ruins - **[[Grumthar]]'s path intersected with the party - he was also sent to investigate** - **[[Grumthar]] joined the Crimson Blade permanently** - The Hexa mist took [[Tarnik]], [[Bordak]], and Syrix - [[Tarnik]] and [[Bordak]] returned, Syrix never did - [[Syllin]]'s death confirming damnation - [[Grom]]'s confrontation with Lysara - Encountered [[Sela]]'s spirit ([[Grumthar]]'s lost companion) - Battle with Wraith Lord Korgath - Breaking the curse, freeing [[Sela]]'s spirit, memories restored - Received [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]'s crystallized tear **Phase 3 - [[Kadh Vrbuz]]:** - Month and a half recovery - [[Grom]]'s mourning and business schemes - Hunting [[Bakorda]]'s killers - Recruiting [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] and Little Wolf - Preparing for journey east **Phase 4 - [[The Road of Burning]] Horizons:** - Started 800-mile journey to Olgrug - Three days into Ketaca Forest - Werewolf attack - [[Bordak]] and Little Wolf cursed - Dimensional rift - ENTIRE party to Regenesis - Lycanthropy cured, party returned **Phase 5 - Devils and Shadows:** - Discovered wounded scout - [[Grom]] and Little Wolf stayed with wagon - Rest fought devils and red dragon at Singing Stones - Returned to find [[Grom]] and Little Wolf taken by shadows - Met elven captain, learned of broader abductions - Four elves and Narzag joined quest south **Phase 6 - Into the Pits (Current):** - Journey through volcanic wasteland - Narzag discovered [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s ritual - Debated personal quest vs. greater good - Attacked corruption node - Destroyed the lantern - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s meteor swarm killed elven allies - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] escaped swearing revenge - Discovered scope of ley line corruption - Currently in the Pits seeking missing companions --- ## DM Notes and Considerations ### Moral Complexity This campaign excels at presenting difficult choices with no clear right answers: - Save friends or save the world? - Work with hated enemies or maintain principles? - Sacrifice few for many or risk everything for individuals? - Trust divine guidance or forge own path? ### Emotional Weight Major character moments carry significant trauma: - [[Grom]] witnessing [[Syllin]]'s damnation (twice) - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] losing Little Wolf after losing Brugar - [[Bordak]] leading allies to their deaths - [[Tarnik]]'s hatred challenged by elven sacrifice - [[Grumthar]]'s unresolved grief for Sela ### Scale Progression The campaign naturally escalates: 1. Personal trials (arena, proving worth) 2. Regional threats (Gor'Karn, werewolves) 3. Dimensional incidents (Regenesis rift) 4. Continental danger (ley line corruption) 5. Cosmic implications (gods, First Age, [[Anam]]) ### Faction Dynamics Multiple groups with competing interests: - Legitimate Wizards Conclave vs. [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]] (and possible conspirators?) - Orcs vs. Elves (slowly building respect through shared combat) - Devils/Demons vs. Mortal Realm - Gods and their various agendas - Individual party members' conflicting goals - **Internal Party Tensions:** - [[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s extreme hatred of [[Cub]] (dark dwarf who insults orcs) - [[Cub]]'s antagonism toward his orc companions - Question of why [[Tarnik]] hasn't killed [[Cub]] for his disrespect - [[Bordak]] vs. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] on leadership decisions and acceptable losses - Personal missions (find [[Grom]]/Little Wolf) vs. world-saving duties ### Mystery Management Unanswered questions create forward momentum: - Shadow portal destination - [[Anam]]'s full plan - [[EMBROCIEA - Master of Necromancy, The Grave-Eyed Whisper|Embrociea]]'s next move - Missing companions' fate - Each revelation opens new questions ### Pacing Considerations Balance between: - Epic battles (devils, dragons, Korgath) - Character moments ([[Grom]]'s mourning, [[Volza Redhand|Volza]]'s loyalty) - Investigation (ley line discoveries) - Downtime ([[Kadh Vrbuz]] schemes) - Moral dilemmas (personal vs. greater good) --- ## The Heart of the Campaign **Bazgoth, the Crimson Blade** is ultimately a story about the cost of every choice. Heroes who save a child doom her soul. Warriors who seek glory face divine humiliation. Companions who pursue justice lose those they love. Victories come with devastating losses. The party stands at the crossroads between their personal bonds (finding [[Grom]] and Little Wolf) and their responsibility to a world on the brink of catastrophe (stopping [[Anam]]'s ley line corruption). Their choices will determine not only their own fates, but potentially the survival of the world itself. And through it all, they carry the weight of those who sacrificed for them - [[Syllin]]'s damnation, [[Sela]]'s guidance, the elven warriors' deaths, and the promise that remembrance itself is a form of immortality. **The question is not whether they will triumph, but what price they will pay for victory.** --- _Campaign Status: Act 6 in progress - Deep in the Pits of the Hells, searching for missing companions while a world-ending threat looms_