Having earned some serious gold (and the experience points that go with it) it was time for some training and levelling up.

“Arkadios is heading to Byrny to shoot up a congressional baseball game – 31 HP, 6k cost - spending 6k to level up and get a Restore.” Needs clarification.

During the leveling up process Kyril attempted to write 4 spells to a scroll, 3 of which succeeded:

Kyril’s scroll:

• neutralize poison (3rd level)
• dispel magic (4th level)
• cure serious wounds (4th level)
• cure disease (3rd level cleric, failed)

Ulland needed to venture out into the woods to find his gear. Kyril offered to accompany him and the two left the Arm for the forest. They reached a spot in the forest that seemed familiar to Ulland. Ulland began to clear out an opening in a tree and, reaching in, found his gear and a map

While Ulland gathered his belongings Kyril cast call woodland beings, thereby summoning a small group of satyrs to the tree who recognized Ulland and could corroborate his story of forceful abduction. Kyril and Ulland returned to the Arm.

Lycovyne thereafter set off on his usual identify constitutional pilgrimage, after which the party had 13 pearls left. Once Lycovyne had recovered his strength somewhat the party decided to accept Ulland’s invitation to meet in the Bottom Feeder.

El Que Come Abajo#

Located at the center of the lower part of The Friendly Arm Inn, the Bottom Feeder is run by gnomes: Mullen, Woody, Pepper and McDean. The three beers on draught are blind, deliverance and weissblood (which is brewed on premise). (Had Arkadios returned from Byrny at this point?) As he had alluded to in Alu Alethra’s dungeon, Ulland’s quest and destination lay far to the north in the realm of Leilon (see full Map of The Vinewood Area). The Hybernian Monastery of St. Cuthbert is in this area and he needs to journey there to aide his cousin.

There is a common caravan road through to the monastery, although it is apparently no longer used and Ulland did not know why. (indicated by the dotted line in the map above?). He did know that the monastery was reputed to include a large library containing “great knowledge” – this got Menka’s attention, praise Thoth!

The party was unanimous in deciding to join Ulland in his journey north. We would need to find the caravan road to Leilon, but we would journey to Farthis first to recharge Kyril’s Wand of Magic Missiles, among other things.

Pitstop In Farthis#

Arriving in Farthis we first visited the Kleb. He was unable to recharge Kyril’s wand, only Guldar Heel could charge it. Marching over to Guldar Heel’s tower we were rebuffed by Null Keyz, again, that little prick. He told us that Guldar was recovering from some struggle or battle and could not be disturbed. Not trusting Null Keyz and somewhat convinced he (Keyz) was holding Guldar captive, the party stormed the Tower.

• Kyril cast warp wood on the door
• Menka cast silence 15’ to shut the little idiot up
• Gonchar nailed Null Keyz through the wreckage of the door
• a Wall of Ice appeared between the party and the interior of the tower

Guldar Heel appeared on the other side of the wall, reprimanding the party for damaging the Tower door and injuring Mr. Keyz. We expressed our concerns, he seemed at least somewhat mollified, and we entered the Tower, following him to his library (?).

He told us that von Hraelock was originally Alu Alethra’s lover and when he died, she lived on.

Guldar Heel knows of the monastery Ulland seeks in the north. Of old it was a temple to Diancecht, the Hybernian “Physician of the Gods”, the god of healing, among other things ( DD pg. 27). At the present time, this temple has been fouled by evil forces.

When asked what it was that had taken over the monastery, Heel replied only that “Mr. Carter is there and he will explain all.” Wunderbar.

Guldar Heel also noted that there were reported to be creatures at the Monastery with “fiery tentacles” and that he would very much like to get a sample of such a creature.

Note: Kyril’s Wand of Magic Missiles, Flint’s Periapt of Healing and the Wand of Fireballs ( Lycovyne??) did NOT get recharged in Farthis. Guldar Heel was either in no condition or in no mood to perform the necessary magic. Kyril implored his Druid master to ask around for help, but to no avail.

Once More Into The Vinewood#

Our business in Farthis concluded for now we set off north. North to the cliffs and then straight across the fields. Stopping at the Arm for refreshment on our way be we were told that the Hadrigan party, Aiken and Melios had all left while we were gone.

The party decided to follow the Starwater River due north and to turn eastward just prior to reaching the Troll Fens. From there we would follow the coastline, skirt the Serpent’s Teeth and join the caravan road just south of Leilon. Simple.

Leaving the Arm behind, the travel through thick forest along the river was grueling, as expected. The party moved at half pace. 8-10 hours into the journey we reached a clearing. Bulls were grazing, and a group of filthy women in rags (apparently ejected from Farthis) asked the party for wine. Menka approached them to see if they wanted to parley, but they were only interested in the wine. We left them behind.

A short time later we were waylaid by a group of satyrs. They disliked the humans and were offended by the presence of humans in the Vinewood. Kyril argued for our safe passage and, satisfied, the satyrs went on their way and melted back into the woods.

None of us considered lighting a fire in the Vinewood to be a good idea, so we made camp in the cold darkness. Watches were set and to add to our security Kyril cast Animal Summoning 1, attempting to draw wolves to our aid. 2 large wargs came instead. Kyril then used Speak With Animals, stating “I need you 2 to watch out for us tonight.” Morning arrived without travail and the wargs wandered off – dismissed by Kyril, mission accomplished.

Continuing on in the pale morning light, we reached a point where we saw what we thought would be the Troll Fens, and turned right, in search of the coastline. Knee-deep in mud, the going was essentially impossible.

Kyril cast Animal Summoning 1 again, this time attempting to summon giant alligators, to carry us through the marshes. 2 giant alligators appeared, possibly violating the 4 HD limit of the spell, and transported us safely through the fens. Once we reached solid land Kyril thanked the alligators for their service and dismissed them.

The party was now travelling through a wilder, more pristine section of the Northern Vinewood. The druid was in heaven, while the rest of the party was trapped in a hell of insects, humidity and semi-light. We must have been complaining loudly as, out of nowhere, we were attacked by 2 ettins, each one 13’ tall.

• surprised?
• Ulland was hit by an ettin, he was sorely beset
• The other one attacked Kyril, doing 30 points of damage (ouch!)
• Menka used two charges of the Ring of the Ram and hit an ettin for 10 points, but did not knock it down
• Lycovyne hit an ettin (with his sword?) for 7 points
• Gonchar and Flint missed
• Kyril shape changed into a black bear, regaining 18 hp in the process
  • Claw, claw, bite hit an ettin for 2 points
• Ulland did 6 points of damage to an ettin (bow?)
• Menka cast Prayer - +1 to friendly dice, -1 to enemies’ dice
• Lycovyne hit an ettin for 15 points
• Gonchar hit twice for 29 points total (note -6 AC vs. giant)
• Flint hit an ettin for 7 points
• Kyril missed with aplomb
• One ettin swung at Flint but missed due to the Prayer, praise Thoth!
• Menka, however, got hit for 11 points
• Flint hit (second shot) for 7 points
• Arkadios missed
• initiative loss
• Lycovyne got hit for 29 points of damage (ouch!)
• Ulland attacked, hit for 11 points, in bad shape
• Gonchar hit an ettin for 9 points, killing it
• Kyril hit the remaining ettin for 2 points
• Flint missed on his second attack
• initiative loss
• Lycovyne snuck in a magic missile for 10 points of damage
• Kyril got hit for 16 points (ouch)
• Arkadios hit the ettin for 3 points
• Menka and Flint missed
• Kyril hit it for 9 points
• Arkadios’ second shot hit for 6 points, killing the remaining ettin
• 2 ettins: 60, 70 HP
  • Treasure: 3 bags
  • lots of silver (est. 1250 sp)
  • pieces and heads of boars
  • 275 gp