Chapter 1plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 1: The Blue Crystal

* The group met at The Widow's End tavern and inn, where they observed a tiefling succumb to the blue crystal and be bashed by the city militia * Magistrate Callavia posted a notice to hire a special unit of adventurers to discover the source of the blue crystal in an attempt to keep the southwest quadrant from descending into the despair and degradation of the southeast side

Chapter 2plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 2: Beating up a Friend

* After questioning Lord Malus, Darkstar, and Silver Spear (the three drow warriors sworn to protect her), Ladiana ordered them to remain at the cave hidden and to continue to surveille the cave. They would report all occurrences upon their lady's commands.

Chapter 3plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 3: The Battle of the Wyrm Hole

Fantastic game last night! Truly enjoyed running it and seeing how the dynamics of this group is gelling. Admirably! Heroically and with gusto! Thank you for making it as enjoyable to DM!!!!

Some notable actions I wanted to highlight:

* Mugul

Chapter 4plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 4: Mugul Unleashed!

After the incident at the Wyrm Hole, newly promoted Sergeant Mugul Hanagark was brought in to answer a great many questions regarding the operation. To be sure, it had gone quite splendidly by department standards since no militia men and no cavalier knight of the Temple of Mystra was hurt in the battle. All told, 23 men and women were killed in action, most confirmed as working for Daimyo Don Culleebrie and were believed to be criminals. Some of those killed in action were believed to be innoc…

Chapter 5plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 5: Queen of the Orcs

It seems that the world has gotten slightly bigger and a little more dangerous...

* Ephraim discovered that the small, plain bag he had procured from Don Culleebrie's room was a magical bag of holding, able to store an as yet unlimited amount of goods! He graciously divided up the loot (fairly) evenly. Ephraim also made contact with the alchemist who told him of the blue crystal's status, learning that the experimentation of its properties was far more advanced than others suspected. Ephraim …

Chapter 6plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 6: Malus Triumphant

After his mistress left the caves, Lord Malus called upon the ten battle captains that had previously served the Orcan War Chief. The ten stood inside the large tent, breathing heavily through foul smelling tusks and poor hygiene, their snouts gruffly snorting, and their beady eyes darting from one Drow warrior to the other. The battle captains knew that the one in the middle had bested Godarr the Mighty, and they feared and loathed him for it.

Chapter 7plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 7: The End of the Magistrate

* Guy and Mugul escaped the duke's castle and Clarys, Ephraim, and Ladiana met them halfway on the bridge over the moat.  * Some guards were killed (by Ladiana) and a handful of Halflings paid the ultimate price in a fiery blaze of glory (and were run over by an ass-drawn cart of onions!

Chapter 8plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 8: Efraim's Gambit

Ephraim sat at his usual corner table in the Widow’s End and shuffled the deck of cards. He had won yet another night of Five Kings and was about to count his coins when a familiar figure entered the tavern, looked about at the crowd, and spotted Ephraim in his corner. Daisy, the Halfling barmaid that had served him his third tankard of ale, served him his fourth. She smiled at Ephraim with that special twinkle in her eye and a light bounce to her step.

Chapter 9plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 9: Mad with Power

(missing recap, filled in by Eli)

* We came up with a plan to disrupt the drug trade by destroying Ferengetti's supply. * Mugul and Efraim went in through the roof, almost falling to their doom when they tried to leap across from another building. They went from room to room murderin' people who hadn't hurt nobody.

Chapter 10plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 10: Splintering Party

A couple of the forces now introduced:

* The great archmage Arka Senn, chief advisor to Duke Thornblade, is truly interested in how the blue crystal helped the drow sorceress. Lord Soren, Weapons Master of Mystra's Temple seems to have his doubts.

Chapter 11plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 11: Ladiana's Trial

After the discovery of the bodies of Rook and Narissa, it was becoming evident that the group's welcome in Allentia was, at best, tenuous. It was a clear signal from the Shinga that any who defied him or her would meet with certain death. The disruption of the blue crystal production has shaken the foundations of the underworld and now the group was in a dire position.

Chapter 12plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 12: Dutchess Clarys

Not a lot of action tonight, but some character development, political intrigue, and a mysterious locked door! Well, Mugul got to fight a jacked up Ventra'azi, but since he can swing five times and the creature rolled terribly, Mugul easily vanquished it.

Chapter 13plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 13: Malus's History

Coran Darkstar, from House Darkstar, despite his name, was the shining star of the weapons class. He had excelled at sword, particularly the scimitar, and had bested all of the students in his class and one higher. Yet, when the lessons turned to the mace and morningstar, Coran lived up to his family name. The morning star, having properties unlike that of the rigid sword, allowed Coran to hook and loop and strike his opponents in improbably angles. He fell in love with the weapon and had begun …

Chapter 14plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 14: The Legend of the Thoraci

It is believed that Lord Arioch, the God of Evil, had a wife named Renza Baal, the goddess of pestilence and disease. Although she was devoted to the dark god, Arioch had a wandering eye and fathered many demi gods and powerful immortals. Some of these offspring, Renza knew about; some she did not. But she remained faithful to her husband. During the battle of gods, it seemed that the goddess Lolth, known in Drow tongue as Lloth, fell from grace and eventually joined the ranks of the evil gods. …

Chapter 15plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 15: Allentian Voices

Amarra Lostanu

They Lady freed me, of that I am sure, from the grips of the blue crystal. She lay her hands upon me and I saw once more that which I had been missing. My life. My children, Kaylor and Kayden. And though my husband has long since vanished from sight, I have but one mission in life: spread the Word of Mystra; inform Lady Clarys of goings-on in the city; and serve Her Will in balance of good and evil.

Chapter 16plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 16: Orcs Bound

Three weeks ago, War Chief Balogog had stood on the hill top and looked upon the plain to the south, surveying the battle below. Somewhere down there, the Destroyer of Orcs, waded in and tried to turn the war to the advantage of the humans. Within three days, Balogog knew, the tidal wave of orcs would arrive and the humans would be overwhelmed. He would crush them, once and for all. He would crush the Destroyer of Orcs.

Chapter 17plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 17: The Shenga

Guy's Thoughts

If the Shenga exists, he’s been running things for at least twenty years, keeping order so that he can control the city. Whoever’s been killing people with Blue Crystal, importing Ventrazi to terrorize the town, riling up a human sacrifice cult and openly threatening me, is not that calm, calculating figure who hides in the shadows. So either the Shenga’s real and something’s happened to change him, or this person is not the Shenga.

Chapter 18plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 18: Allentian Voices 2

Alex Centauri

We survived the night of the fires. We survived hell unleashed, inside the walls of Allentia. It had been over 30 summers since last we had been attacked. And on this night, hundreds of the dreaded orcs poured in, probably allowed access by those Sons of Arioch scum! So I took up shield and sword, resolved in defending this city, my neighborhood, Her honor. I was but a carpenter by day, a chemist by cover of night, and yet, on this eve, I would become like the paladin that defe…

Chapter 19plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 19: Ancient Airs and Tomes

Scroll

It is known that the First Age was the Age of Paladine, who created all things and all things that are good. It is known that the Second Age was the Age of Arioch, where evil took possession of all things and war had claimed many lives. The land was a wasteland and the sea was a dead sea. Men and Elves distorted magick and the Lady of Mysteries took back the Gift, bringing about the Third Age. It is also known that the Third Age was meant for Mystra, the Goddess of Magic. And yet, her pr…

Chapter 20plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 20: The Orb of Arioch

* The war with the orcs has officially ended; over one thousand humans killed and just as many orcs. Elves suffered too, especially their military leaders! * Celestine has been taken captive by Ladiana. * The Shinga is dead! Killed by Clarys even though defended by Lord Devlin Asher.

Chapter 21plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 21: The Orb of Arioch

After hearing of Lord Soren's ability to walk, the group made haste to the temple of Mystra. Upon entry, they found Lord Soren was indeed standing and in the spell-nullified safe room. He was using a large metal hammer and breaking into the safe which housed the black marble orb. Ephraim, Clarys, and Guy tried to stop him, but he broke the latch and retrieved the orb. Once he stepped out of the room, Soren was able to overcome all of the paladins, and make his way just outside of the temple. C…

Chapter 22plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 22: Preparing to Confront the Emperor

A lot happened since the last chapter, but since no one wrote about it, here are some notes from Kyle!

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Resuming in the basement of library.

Guy searches DeRozan after he expires. He finds some letters and three rings. He also has a pouch with 50gp. Two daggers, very ornate, look valuable, curved blades, with several gem stones on them. His clothing is very fine. He also has some darts in a secret pocket, they have a greenish substance on the tips. And another six darts in his left …

Chapter 23plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 23: Everyone Drinks the Crystal

Great game today! So many major NPCs killed! Amara, the emperor, the duke. Efram’s the only one who didn’t kill an important NPC, and he almost killed Ladiana. :) Well, in honor of our one-year anniversary, here are some of Guy’s thoughts about today’s game and the campaign as a whole. Yeah, I didn’t stick with his normal casual writing tone, but he’s not trying to publish a novel, so whatever.

Chapter 24plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 24: Dworcs, Drugs, Monks, and The Treaty of Mystvale

Picking up in the throne room...

The Duke falls dead with a poison arrow in his ear. Hidden on one balcony, Guy collapses unconscious, as does Dink on the other balcony.

With the Emperor beheaded, about a dozen Sardovar in the throne room stand stunned. They come to their senses and continue the melee. Ladiana mass-suggests most of them to surrender, but as two try to escape she fires a massive fireball, incinerating the escaping Sardovar amount of civilians in the doorway (she’s no longer dom…

Chapter 25plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 25: Diplomacy

So our story thus far...

Clarys made contact with Bel Garreth and Bel Garion, the Par of the White Order and his apprentice. She was warned of watching whom she allied with and whome she could count as an enemy. She also learned that Garreth seems to be motivated by keeping the status quo with all city-states of near-equal power, but he intimated that he also saw advantage in one central figure or council as a ruling body to keep the peace. Peace is his goal, under the auspices of Paladine.

Chapter 26plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 26: The Trial of the Arkas

Bel Garreth: Head of the White Order

Bel Garrion: Garreth's second in command.

The Luncheon before the Trial of the Arkas

A lot of the aristocracy of Mystvale are upset that they've lost their power and are maneuvering through the luncheon trying to figure out how to get their power back. All they have is the Sardovar White (essentially the militia of Mystvale)

Chapter 27plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 27: Guy's Secret

Between the DM and Guy

In the time before the choosing of a Grand Marshal of the Sarduvaar, you spent two days meeting with trade diplomats in order to improve Allentia City's standing in the world markets and perhaps solidify alliances with neighboring city states. Most of your observable ventures were successful and you were present enough for all to see and find you a capable administrator.

Chapter 28plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 28: Clarys and Guy in Mystvalle

Written by Lindsey and Eli from 2018-03-18 through 2018-03-22 This story takes place the evening after the battle with the second largest storm giant outside of Mystvalle

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“Guy?” A soft rapping came from the door to Guy's room, late in the evening.

Chapter 29plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 29: The Trial of Clarys

Context: The party entered Northvalle and encountered a demon -- the same demon who had been locked into the orb, taken over Ephram's mind, and communed with Ladiana. They nearly killed it, but then it grabbed Clarys and entered the portal in the monastery wall.

Chapter 30plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChapter 30: Epilogue

Context: The party killed Belasco and Guy sealed the portal to the Abyss. Clarys was in shock from her experience, and angry at Guy, since he'd taken away her access to Rachel. The party got rid of the last storm giant by giving a Sarduvar soldier the hazy orange crystal, which turned him into a giant. The two fought, and both died.