Reign of Winter — Game Session — 002

by: Charles Plemons - September 13th, 2016   Filed under: Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Reign of Winter Add Comment

Game summary for September 13, 2016, Reign of Winter campaign, for Phoenix Gaming Club. Session included: All Might (Human Warpriest played by Andrew Renfrow), Deska Starseeker (Half-Elf Druid played by Kaliegh Belda), Kenwrec Battleglaive (Dwarf Slayer played by Peyton Harmon), Magnus Erlingsson (Human Cleric played by Chris Harmon), Tiswichtt (Orc Witch played by Casey Scruggs), and Tulvur Xandersen (Dwarf Fighter played by Taylor Averdick). Game Master for this session was Charles Plemons.

The team woke up in their pavilion and stowed it for their continued journey.  Deeper in the woods the snows swelled into great drifts slowing the team to a crawl.  Deska noticed movement under the snow as a great arctic tatzlwyrm burst from the snow to pounce her.  She uttered windy escape and avoided its attack and then countered with a devastating spear thrust.  The team converged, and All Might landed a killing blow.

The team moved on and found an area of more shallow snow.  In the trees they discovered frozen crows riddled with arrows.  As they looked, lights in the trees behind them began to glow.  Deska spoke in Sylvan trying to elicit a response.  Winter-touched sprites revealed themselves from the branches of nearer trees and unleashed a barrage of tiny frigid arrows.  Tiswichtt spun about and scorched a tree with burning hands as Kenwrec stumbled over to chop at another.  Deska attempted to entangle a sprite without success.  All Might called upon the power of Gorum to bless the party.  The team found movement through the snow frustrating as the sprites continued to hit them with arrows.  Deska caught one of the sprites, Pym, with a hurled spear.  All Might galloped his horse forward and bravely stood in the saddle.  At the last moment, he leapt into the air and cut Pym in half with his axe before crashing into the ground no longer occupied by his running horse.  The sprites flitted from tree-to-tree unleashing arrows and taunts all along the way.  Both eventually used their color spray abilities to try and incapacitate the team, but no one succumbed.  Magnus doomed one of the sprites, and Tulvur methodically kept a stream of crossbow bolts flying at the annoying fey.  One finally connected and impaled a sprite, Shor, to an embankment, killing her instantly.  The final sprite’s resolve broke, and she flew out through the forest and over the snow to parts unknown.

Reign of Winter — Game Session — 001

by: Charles Plemons - September 6th, 2016   Filed under: Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Reign of Winter Add Comment

Game summary for September 6, 2016, Reign of Winter campaign, for Phoenix Gaming Club. Session included: All Might (Human Warpriest played by Andrew Renfrow), Deska Starseeker (Half-Elf Druid played by Kaliegh Belda), Tiswichtt (Orc Witch played by Casey Scruggs), and Tulvur Xandersen (Dwarf Fighter played by Taylor Averdick). Game Master for this session was Charles Plemons.

The party is a group of fri-hal soldiers of the Iron Axes of Jomsborg, a company of Viking mercenaries.  The team’s drengr, or leader, is Tiswichtt.  They were dispatched to the village of Heldren in southern Taldor to relieve another team in their guardianship of Lady Argentea Malassene.  When they arrived, they learned a bizarre unnatural pocket of winter had claimed part of the forest and the Lady’s caravan had been attacked.  The team went about the town talking to several people getting the latest rumors and information.  They discovered a farmer’s son had plunged into the icy creek supposedly following a talking white stag.  Farmers near the woods reported crops being frozen or stolen.  Local hunter Dryden Kepp claimed to have witnessed a giant white weasel, and he went to trap it to prove its existence and has not been heard from since.  They found Lady Malassene had called off her engagement and was ambushed on her return home.

The team talked to their fellow Iron Axe, Yuln Oerstag, the only guard to survive the ambush.  He was suffering from severe frostbite, and the party was able to help somewhat with his injuries.  He described the ambush claiming they were attacked by human bandits along with tiny winter-touched fey able to unleash powerful icy attacks.  He claimed the winter-touched must be in league with the White Witches of Irrisen and doing their bidding.  Yuln knew his days of fighting were over for some time, but he gifted the team with his cold iron longsword, Icebiter, to strike down the fey.

The team discussed what was known of the White Witches and the frozen country of Irrisen.  Exactly 1,400 years ago the Queen of Witches, Baba Yaga, arrived in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings in her Dancing Hut leading an army of monsters and winter fey.  This sparked the Winter War, and Baba Yaga conquered Raemerrund and the Djurstor Confederacy to form Irrisen, which she locked in a permanent icy winter.  She enthroned her daughter, Jadwiga, as the first Queen of Irrisen and disappeared in her Dancing Hut.  Exactly 100 years later, she returned and took Jadwiga with her, leaving another daughter to rule in her place.  This has happened 13 times, and it is time for the 14th queen, Elvanna, to leave with Baba Yaga and a new queen be crowned.

The team bundled up in their cold-weather gear and traveled to the ambush site.  They investigated the intact carriage and found two zombies within!  These were the animated corpses of fellow Iron Axes, and the team had to fight against their own brethren!  Tiswichtt stepped up and cast burning hands, receiving a staggering punch to the face for her troubles.  She spit the words of the spell out around the blood and broken teeth, unleashing burning fury over the zombies and All Might!  Tulvur and All Might repositioned and began to hack at the zombies.  Deska firmly entangled one with her druidic magic.  Tiwichtt disemboweled the zombie that hit her using her fine orc double axe.  All Might and Tulvur then succeeded in cutting down the zombies.  The team searched the intact carriage and found a jewelry box filled with treasures and the Lady’s signet ring.

The team then walked past the wrecked carriage to look at an ice statue.  They discovered it was the frozen body of a fellow Iron Axe missing an arm and deep gouges from its flesh!  Looking around, they found his severed arm still grasping a masterwork longsword.  The team claimed the sword and pilled all the bodies of their slain companions into the intact fully-functional carriage and lit it of fire as a makeshift pyre.  They then walked by the wrecked non-functional carriage over to a trail.  Deska channeled her animal focus to take the muzzle of a wolf and confirm by scent the direction the bandits took the missing Lady Argentea.

The group heading down the trail for a bit and discovered a large wooden chest lying in the snow.  Tiswichtt walked up and opened it triggering a trap!  An enormous log spiked with sharpened branches swung from the trees and impaled the orc, shattering bone and spraying blood.  It crashed into All Might as well but did not harm him quite a badly.  The team pulled the perforated unconscious witch off of the log and let Deska do some healing.  Then, All Might cast cure light wounds on Tiswichtt and Tulvur.  The group dug up the chest to take with them and found all the stolen weapons and armor from the slain Iron Axes!  The team outfitted themselves and returned to town to rest.  There they purchased a massive pavilion tent and returned to the trail.  They finally found a clearing in which to camp and setup their tent.  Drained of all healing magic, the team decided to rest again before proceeding.

 

Ruins of Undermountain — Game Session — 010

by: Charles Plemons - January 16th, 2016   Filed under: Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Ruins of Undermountain Add Comment

Game summary for January 16, 2016, Ruins of Undermountain campaign, for Harm Incorporated. Session included: Abiron Morikis (Human Brawler played by Jim Zuccarell), Boran Gibbs (Human Cleric played by Chris Harmon), Kalil Bakran (Human Sorcerer played by Parker Harmon), Paddy Brandywine (Halfling Bard played by Preston Harmon), Rumbald Shieldcracker (Dwarf Ranger played by Peyton Harmon), and Zuriel Broadleaf (Elf Druid played by Jimmy Zuccarell). Game Master for this session was Charles Plemons.

The team entered a large room with tall pillars and cylindrical towers occupied by half a dozen orcs and an ogre boss. The orcs raged and took stances with their greataxes. The orc mystic cast bless as Kalil unleashed a fireball! Abiron hurled his ricochet shield into the face of an orc. Zuriel ordered his massive tree companion to club another orc. The deft Paddy slipped in and sliced with his frost sword. The orc team landed a number of devastating blows, and the orc mystic hit the party with scorching rays. Kalil retaliated with a scorching ray of his own. After a roaring battle, the team was able to take down the ogre and orcs.

Next, the group opened a door to find a raised dais occupied by a large throne made of leathery flesh, bone, and teeth and a sturdy chest. Rumbald and Boran walked up to examine the chest and were immediately attacked by the throne! Kalil realized it was a fleshewn construct and resistant to damage. Kalil hit it with a lightning bolt which healed most of its damage! The team decided to take the chest and run, but the throne chased them down! Out in the main chamber, Abiron opened another door and discovered four murderous ghasts digging up a coffin from beneath the flagstones! The ghasts rushed out to attack. The team battled on two fronts. Paddy and Rumbald poured acid on the throne and Kalil was paralyzed by the ghasts. Boran began channeling positive energy as the tree companion unleashed fury upon the undead. Eventually, the group destroyed the undead and the throne.

The team examined the stone coffin exhumed by the ghasts. In Dwarven it said “Here lies Boromir Cleftbeard and His Trusty Axe Ragnarok the Giant Killer. They killed many giants; may Ragnarok slay many more.” They claimed the axe and advanced further into Undermountain.

Ruins of Undermountain — Game Session — 009

by: Charles Plemons - November 28th, 2015   Filed under: Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Ruins of Undermountain Add Comment

Game summary for November 28, 2015, Ruins of Undermountain campaign, for Harm Incorporated. Session included: Boran Gibbs (Human Cleric played by Chris Harmon), Kalil Bakran (Human Sorcerer played by Parker Harmon), Paddy Brandywine (Halfling Bard played by Preston Harmon), and Rumbald Shieldcracker (Dwarf Ranger played by Peyton Harmon). Game Master for this session was Charles Plemons.

The team, now hopelessly lost in Undermountain, came upon a trio of ogre adventurers. Naturally, a fight broke out. Kalil fired off several area of effect spells, including fireball and lightning bolt. Boran, Paddy, and Rumbald engaged in melee. Boran caught several clubs to the face, and Rumbald’s slug companion, Flash, licked an ogre to death. The fighting was violent and quick, and the ogres were defeated. The team investigated a chest the ogres were poking at and triggered a fireball trap! The did recover some treasure from the remnants, however.

The team moved into a winding hallway where they encountered a pair of gricks. The tentacles on the worms lashed and grasped, but they proved little challenge for the characters. On the far end of the hallway, they discovered a chamber full of Dekanter goblins! The massive creatures’ rhino-like horns proved an interesting challenge as the creatures charged back and forth into the team. Kalil stepped forward and used his medusa mask to petrify and destroy one.

Finally, the group went through a rough opening and found a sprawling cavern. They were horrified to find a beholderkin within! The monster phased in and out of the cavern and fired eye rays all around. It inflicted wounds and shocked the team with deadly rays. Paddy setup an ambush with invisibility sphere while Kalil used wall of fire to shape the battlefield. Boran and Rumbald began landing telling blows, and soon the team conquered the beast!

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 110

by: Charles Plemons - September 29th, 2015   Filed under: Carrion Crown Adventure Path, Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Add Comment

Game summary for September 29, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gertie Foxglove (human witch), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Radimir Dragomirov (human huecuva lord cleric), Thrain (graveknight dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human brine lich abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge), accompanied by cohort Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer) and Shaddoc Moana (human brineborn barbarian).

The battle between the party and the Gallowdead raged. Blood spurted freely from Dario’s wounds, and Shaddoc was cut down by one of the fallen knights. Dario managed to heal himself while Gertie unleashed a powerful lightning bolt! Zedd made good use of magic missile as Radimir summoned an aura of doom. Gnok and Thrain unleashed a barrage of melee attacks, and Dario rejoined the ruckus. Soon both undead were killed. Thrain consumed a few potions, and the team rushed up to the pinnacle of the great tower.

At the top, the world seemed to shift, and the team found themselves on a broad plane with Gallowspire off in the distance. Before them stood Adivion Adrissant, his body pulsing barely contained arcane power threatening to rip his body apart. The forsaken lich unleashed a maximized chain lightning that coursed through the party. Several of the undead were not bothered, but others were rattled by the deadly attack. He then hit Thrain and Dario a torrent of raw arcane energy exploding from his form.

The team closed in quickly to pressure him in melee. Radimir and Zedd cast spells that floundered against Adivion’s spell resistance. The team began to enhance one another with spells like bull’s strength and disrupting weapon. Adivion warded himself with mirror image, much to the team’s consternation. Gnok slipped in a few lucky shots but found his attacks quite ineffective and healing at a staggering rate. Radimir summoned half a dozen huecuva to try and pin him down, and the magus caught most of the party in a cone of cold and more blasts of arcane energy. Dario was in bad shape, and all the huecuva were slain. The team felt they had the upper hand when they finally got Adivion surrounded, but he managed to use dimension door to reposition after drilling Dario with scorching ray. The team continued to hurl spells but struggled with the lich’s intense spell resistance.

The party hurtled across the battlefield to close with him again as Gertie tried to slip out of range. Adivion recalled to mind chain lightning and hit the team with it yet again, rendering Gertie unconscious. Gnok tried to grapple Adivion and was amazed at his defensive skills and his ability to ward off the attack quite easily with his staff. Thrain struggled to get into a good position and only got to get shots off here and there due to Adivion’s mobility. Zedd had enhanced some of the party but still struggled with spells failing on his resistances. Lucretia used magic to enhance allies as well and was forced to nurse her own injuries.

Dario, bleeding, burnt, chilled, and shocked, was barely holding onto to life. Filled with fury, however, he hefted his undead bane blade and ripped into the lich. Just as his momentum reached its peak, his disrupting weapon suddenly blasted Adivion into oblivion! The team looked on in stunned relief as the lich’s possessions clattered to the ground. The landscape lurched, and they realized an illusion had covered the top of the tower the entire fight. The silvery energy pulsing across the doorway into Gallowspire’s inner sanctums subsided, and the threat of awakening the Whispering Tyrant quite abruptly ended.

The team stood victorious but at a horrendous price. Gnok was condemned to an eternity of feeding upon the life of others and had already spread his plague to Lucretia. Radimir and Zedd were cast off by their gods and damned to servitude to Dagon the demon lord. Thrain had merged with his unholy armor and become more and less than he had ever been. Shaddoc and Nyssa lay dead, and Dario had embraced his bestial nature and lycanthropic curse. They may had prevented the rise of Tar-Baphon, but they unleashed half a dozen terribly powerful evils upon the world in his stead.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 109

by: Charles Plemons - September 22nd, 2015   Filed under: Carrion Crown Adventure Path, Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Add Comment

Game summary for September 22, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Thrain (graveknight dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human brine lich abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge), accompanied by NPC companion Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric) and cohort Bartemus Grimm (dwarf gunslinger), Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer), and Shaddoc Moana (human brineborn barbarian).

The unholy elder fire elementals swarmed from the corners of Gallowspire and attacked the party. Nearly immediately, Bartemus burst into flames from the elementals’ attacks! Two of the outsiders attacked Dario but could not get through his defenses. Thrain and Gnok tried to flank one and found it an ineffective tactic. Zedd tried to hit one with icicle and missed. Thrain finally landed some attacks, and his icy pick dealt devastating damage! The team began to beat the guardians, and they fell one by one. An elemental snatched up Dario, and he warded himself with resist energy. He, and his allies, were quite stunned when it walked to the edge of the tower and hurled him 180 feet to the ground! He bounced off the ground, mildly protected by iron skin, and used blessing of fervor to charge back up the stairs of the tower. Meanwhile, the team cut down the rest of the elementals.

The group ascended further and were accosted by two skeletal knights with glowing swords trailing spiked chains wrapped around their bodies. The creatures whispered horrible, mind-bending secrets under their breath as they attacked. Chains shot forth and grappled Thrain, but Dario successfully used his gauntlet of rust to destroy it! Gnok used his amazing mastery of dwarven jujitsu to hurl the other to the floor. Insane Shaddoc managed to slay Nyssa with his crushing pincer, and the knights greatly harmed Dario and Gnok. Lucretia had some success with her greater flaming sphere, and Zedd landed several well-placed magic missiles. Lucretia managed to dominate Shaddoc, and Gnok hurled one of the undead to the ground yet again!

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 108

by: Charles Plemons - September 15th, 2015   Filed under: Carrion Crown Adventure Path, Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Add Comment

Game summary for September 15, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Radimir Dragomirov (human huecuva lord cleric), Thrain (graveknight dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human brine lich abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge), accompanied by NPC companion Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric) and cohort Bartemus Grimm (dwarf gunslinger), Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer), and Shaddoc Moana (human brineborn barbarian).

The team began to ascend the Bone Stair rising around the inner core of Gallowspire. They moved up to the second level where they triggered a trap of pendulums made of web holding blades! The wicked edges slashed through the team as they scurried for cover. From the stair, Zedd cast true seeing and discovered a massive Leng spider hiding under cover of invisibility!

The team dropped a flame strike in the room burning the webs to nothingness and causing the spider to attack! It focused on a big juicy morsel, the dire werewolf, Dario! It sank its enormous fangs into his chest and pumped him full of hallucinogenic poison! Thrain and Gnok moved in to flank while Radimir warded himself with magic. Shaddoc was knocked unconscious as Zedd moved up and hit the spider with dehydrating touch! The group tore into the spider, and before it could flee, Gnok struck a death blow.

The team searched the area and nursed wounds before proceeding to the next level of Gallowspire. They found this level to have a large open balcony and four braziers of blazing blue flame. The fire animated, emerged as hulking humanoid shapes, and advanced on the party!

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 107

by: Charles Plemons - September 9th, 2015   Filed under: Carrion Crown Adventure Path, Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Add Comment

Game summary for September 8, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), and Thrain (graveknight dwarf slayer, accompanied by NPC companion Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric) and cohort Bartemus Grimm (dwarf gunslinger), and Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer).

The team fell back from the onslaught of the Knights of the Gate. Dario fled on foot as quickly as he could, and Thrain was compelled to chase after him. At a sufficient distance, Dario summoned a roc that snatched up Thrain and hurled him into the ravener’s hanging cage. It then swooped down and grabbed both Knights of the Gate and flew high into the sky. When it disappeared back from whence it came, the two devourers plummeted to their destruction on the stones below.

The group nursed their wounds while the vampires recuperated in their coffins. The team then cast a barrage of spells and charged through the open gates of Gallowspire to discover General Sey’lok, an ancient nightwalker! Thrain stepped right up to the towering monstrosity and sunk his pick deep into its leg. It retaliated by sundering his magical shield! Gnok and Dario closed as Nyssa and Lucretia began enhancing and attack spells. The nightwalker focused on the large living werewolf over the undead running about its feet. It damaged his sword and sliced him to ribbons. Within moments, Dario was staggered and cling to life by the thinnest of threads. Finally, Gnok and Thrain managed to flank the nightwalker, and Thrain’s sneak attack damage began taking its toll. A solid critical hit from Gnok laid the undead horror low, and the party rejoiced.

Searching the area, they found massive stairs leading up and signs of a battle from long ago. Among the desiccated corpses of slain angels, the team found a +1 flaming greatsword.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 106

by: Charles Plemons - August 25th, 2015   Filed under: Carrion Crown Adventure Path, Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Add Comment

Game summary for August 25, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Thrain (graveknight dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human brine lich abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge), accompanied by NPC companion Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric) and cohort Bartemus Grimm (dwarf gunslinger), Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer), and Shaddoc Moana (human brineborn barbarian).

The ravener breathed fire across the party again! Lucretia dissolved into gaseous form due to the damage, and Dario fell unconscious. Nyssa roused him with cure serious wounds while Zedd began firing icicle. Gnok tried to jump astride the dragon and was swatted to the ground. Thrain moved closer as the ravener tried to command him but failed. Thrain hit the dragon with his frigid devastating blast repeatedly while Nyssa cast haste. Gnok connected with a few hits. Dario, Bartemus, and Shaddoc were all still affected by insanity and alternated attacking each other, babbling incoherently, and slicing themselves with their weapons. Finally, Thrain closed in and drove his frigid pick into the fiery dragon and killed it! Dario was able to heal himself of insanity as Bartemus fell unconscious from his wounds.

The team looked up to see a thin nobleman standing in the open doorway of Gallowspire. He screamed in anger and yelled, “You again! Count or no Count, the Tyrant will rise!” He then swallowed a potion and staggered into the darkness as the doors of Gallowspire slammed closed.

The group raced to the doors and found them securely closed. Great skeletal arms served as hinges, and they estimated the iron doors at around 200 tons each. Zedd walked up and calmly knocked. The negative energy of his lich touch flowed into the doors, and they swung wide! They party looked on a bit amazed.

Two devourers charged forth to engage the team. One enthralled Nyssa with a suggestion to flee, and she ran off into the rain. The other used control undead upon Thrain and drove him to beat Gnok into gaseous form! He then spun around to attack Zedd and found his frozen pick not as well suited for battling a lich.

Carrion Crown Adventure Path – Game Session – 105

by: Charles Plemons - August 18th, 2015   Filed under: Carrion Crown Adventure Path, Gaming, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Add Comment

Game summary for August 18, 2015, Carrion Crown Adventure Path campaign, Shadows of Gallowspire adventure; PCs included Dario Malavasi (human afflicted dire werewolf oracle), Gnok Thatek (dwarf vampire monk), Thrain (graveknight dwarf slayer), and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (human brine lich abjurer/cleric/mystic theurge), accompanied by NPC companion Nyssa Pagonis (human cleric) and cohort Bartemus Grimm (dwarf gunslinger), Lucretia Ivankov (human vampire spawn sorcerer), and Shaddoc Moana (human brineborn barbarian).

The team looked on in dread at the ravaged city of Adorak with the ominous iron tower of Gallowspire looming in the center. As they stared, metal-clad Dario was blasted with a lightning strike from the raging tempest. The team ran into a nearby building as the acidic embalming fluid falling like rain began to burn the skin. They advanced further into the city and crossed over a road of skulls. The chattering heads began to snap at the feet of the living but ignored the undead. The jaws inflicted horrendous damage, and their jabbering drove the living insane!

The group gathered in another crumbling building and healed each other a bit. Suddenly the building shook as a massive red-scaled monstrosity crashed into the roof causing it to collapse! Some of the team was pinned in the collapse while others scrambled out to see a massive dragon flapping off over the skyline! The group dug out their friends and nursed some wounds. A moment later, the dragon caught the team off guard again and crashed into the ground beside them. The tremendous impact caused a cave-in, and an enormous sinkhole fell in. Zedd, Shaddoc, and Bartemus were swept under the earth and pinned by the crushing weight.

Gnok shouted out for Zedd. The lich answered from beneath the earth, and Gnok began to search for the trapped wizard. The dragon landed once again, its very essence causing several to cower in fright, and breathed fire upon Dario and Lucretia. Both were terribly burned, and part of Dario’s soul was sucked up into the dragon’s maw! At this distance the team could see the dragon was undead with glowing fiery eyes! Gnok turned to gaseous form to cross the shifting soil. Thrain summoned his phantom steed capable of flying across the ground unhindered. Nyssa cast good hope while Lucretia nailed the dragon with acidic spray.

Dario remembered tales of Tar-Baphon’s steed, a mighty red dragon ravener named Marrowgarth! The werewolf began to cast a spell, but his insanity instead drove him to attack the dragon with his sword. His blade bounced off the metallic scales but got her attention. Marrowgarth then tore into Dario with tooth and claw. Dario invoked his divine intervention to narrowly escape death. Gnok dug up Zedd who immediately cast ice storm around Marrowgarth. Unfortunately, her spell resistance held out. Thrain, mounted on his wicked ghostly phantom horse, charged over the sinkhole and drove his pick into the dragon, the icy blast wreaking havoc. Lucretia hit it with an acidic elemental blast as well. Wanting no more, the ravener leaped into the air and took wing, flying away from the team.

The group extracted their buried friends while they heard screams off in the distance that suddenly went silent. The team sped toward Gallowspire and discovered a large cage filled with charred bodies. They realized the ravener had consumed the souls of these people to recharge its power. As they came to this conclusion, the ravener came crashing back down among them!