John C's epic recap (work in progress...)

 The adventurers find themselves in a desolate city filled with strange, humanoid

automatons. As they navigate the ruins, they discover these robots are the creations of

Sprock, a Tinker Gnome who was experimenting with mechanical guardians. Gourd

insists they proceed cautiously, but Wurm and Abe debate about destroying the

constructs to claim the city’s treasures.

What will you do?

1. Sneak through the city undetected

 Using stealth, the group avoids most of the automatons and manages to find a

safe route through the city. They gather supplies but leave the automatons

untouched. (Continue to Chapter 5).

2. Attack the automatons head-on

 A fierce battle erupts, but the automatons overwhelm the group with endless

reinforcements. One by one, the party falls under a relentless barrage of metal

and gears. (END: Death by Automatons).

3. Attempt to take control of the automatons using MoPuck’s magic

 MoPuck tries to cast a spell to seize control of the constructs, but his spell

backfires, creating a feedback loop that detonates several automatons nearby,

causing a massive explosion. (END: Death by Explosion).

4. Follow Gourd’s advice and avoid conflict

 Gourd leads the group away from the heart of the city, avoiding major fights.

They make it through the city safely but lose time on their journey. (Continue to

Chapter 5).

5. Challenge Sprock to shut down the automatons

 The Tinker Gnome agrees to a challenge—a test of magical skill. If Wurm and

Abe succeed, he will grant them safe passage. But Sprock proves too clever, and

in a twist of fate, his magic traps the group in a maze of illusions from which they

never escape. (END: Lost in the Maze).

Chapter 5: You Dun Walk Inn

After escaping the automatons, the weary adventurers find themselves at You Dun

Walk Right Inn, a local pub. Wurm notices a strange symbol carved into his hand by a

cackling old man, and Abe recognizes it as the signet of Alexander Darkwood, a

powerful mage known for leaving clues to treasure. Rasa meets Sly M'Connor, the

barkeep, who points out a wanted poster bearing Rasa’s likeness.

What will you do?

1. Investigate the symbol and follow Darkwood’s clues

The group pursues Darkwood’s clues, leading them to a hidden chamber.

However, a final puzzle reveals a trap, and the walls close in, crushing the party.

(END: Death by Trap).

2. Confront the old man

 The old man is a powerful sorcerer, and in the ensuing struggle, he summons a

vortex that pulls several party members into the astral plane, scattering the group

across dimensions. (END: Party Lost Across Planes).

3. Bribe Sly for information on the wanted poster

 Sly accepts a small bribe and tells Rasa that he’s being hunted by bounty

hunters in town. They prepare for combat, narrowly escaping death in a skirmish.

4. Ignore the warnings and rest at the inn

 The group settles in for the night, but their wanted status catches up with them.

Bounty hunters burst into the room, leading to a fatal showdown. (END: Death by

Ambush).

Chapter 6: Meeting the King

After their trials, the adventurers finally make it to Lionheart, where they meet King

Joffey Lionheart VII. Their arrival is tense, as the kingdom enforces a strict “no dragons”

rule. In a rare moment of peace, Wurm befriends the king, finding common ground in

their devotion to Noir. The adventurers join a grand feast, and a sense of uneasy

alliances settles over the group as they prepare for what lies ahead.

Burning Town, the under ground, & the tree

 

The group tries to get Abe resurrected, but his spirit does not want to return to the living. They burn his remains in the great forges. The group heads over to the "Really just come inne". While enjoying a good drink and food, they meet a new companion and his squire. He introduces himself as Balthazar Payne and his "squire of Payne" "kitten". The group does their best to make good impressions. They take on a job for the city council to clean out a cavern recently discovered in town. They fight a mud golem, a life leech, and finally a salt mummy. Gil gets cursed and screams of having to "get to the tree".

They travel to the tree and encounter a large number of druids who wish to kill themselves around the tree. After the ritual the surroundings seem to change. The tree is left to just an old stump. The forest seems strangely foreboding. 

Meeting the King

The group takes the trip on the back of the blue dragon and head to the continent of Furnoth. Once over the mighty plains of the Lionheart kingdom a massive dragon lance strikes the Blue dragon (Litha). She luckily was able to get the group to ground safely. The group gets off and the lance then explodes, killing the dragon. They are greeted by a bunch of knights in shining armor. Luckily, through conversation a combat is avoided. Apparently the kingdom of Lionheart has a "no dragon" fly zone (no exceptions).

They are brought to the castle and meet with King Joffey Lionheart VII. After a massive feast, Wurm learns that the king is a devote follower of Noir and they immediately become friends. 

Abe finds another bread crumb and follows it, even finding a massive magical item known as the "God Slayer". He must kill a whole group of druids to further the quest, but decides against it and drops the sword. 

The group takes the road North into the forest towards Burning town instead of the portal offered by the crazed book and Abe's bread crumb quest. 

The group encounters some not so nice druids and then encounter Artimus again where he finally kills Abe with a powerful spell. Gourd has been tortured, eyes & tongue removed... 

They finally arrive in Burning Town and head to the Noir Cathedral to try and get Abe resurrected. 

The scorched ninja's

Gourd sets up a hammock in the garden and tells Rasa he is very happy here. Gil does not do well with Shoji doors and destroys his almost immediately. A knock at the door brings Rasa face to face with a Samurai with a golden mask & six ninja's. He demands to see Yanemay. Then demands a brass horn which he describes and depicts with magic sand. Things go south rather quickly and Mopuck & Gil cast fire spells killing the ninja's and damaging the Samurai. The Samurai cuts down Rasa with 4 attacks. Gourd goes into a rage and charges. He uses the horn to attack the Samurai along with his horns and the group takes down the gold faced warrior. 

Gourd takes Rasa to the church of Ion and gives them the horn in return for Rasa's resurrection, they agree.  Upon return to the dojo, Rasa takes the golden mask of the Samurai and places it on the wall where the horn once was displayed. They get a good deal of potions off of the dead. 

Gourd smells a sweet scent and it leads them to a citadel guarded by a few town guard. They make quick of them and rescue a Blue dragon held in captivity. Her name is "Litha" and thanks them greatly for their efforts. She agrees to fly them to Burning Town but needs three weeks to get her strength back after being so malnourished as a prisoner. 

Gift of Bread and then walking through afterbirth!

After the bread gift from the lady of pain, the group travels again throughout the planes. They meet an older version of their friend Lynette and encounter a group of evil treants. They wind up arguing and killing one another over giving the group the shard they needed. 

The next stop is Burning Town in Furnoth. They are way back in time as this famed city is nothing more than a few tents and single forge. They grab the next shard through some creative action on the tar pits. 

The next portal jump involved ears in sherbet, dead Elven heads, & Lynette being killed by a flying shard.

The group gets the rest of the shards and completes it. Artimus appears and turns to black smoke and heads into the newly restored cooking pot (all shards complete) and then disappears. Abe's "Crazed book of Mog" is now blank. 

They encounter a red dragon who tells Rasa he is here to clear his name. Asks him for a list of all of the people who testified against him and anyone else that might have been part of his incarceration. Gourd joins him and they head to Diamond bed city. 

When the dragon and Gourd return, the list is all crossed off and the dragon said "your name is clear"

The group heads back to Diamond Bed city. They find it in chaos and burning everywhere! the dragon and Gourd did a number on this place. Rasa heads to his Dojo and his Sensei is back! Yanemay greats him warmly. He says he must leave again and does not know if he will be able to return. He signs over the deed to the Dojo to Rasa and bids farewell. Rasa gives each member of the party their own luxury suit that opens up to a central garden with Shoji doors.

Forever the fearless player

It didn't matter what time period in Alt3rnity or realm in D&D we would play in, he always managed to be the shining player. Be it a boxer in the 1920's, a serial killer in the 1970's, or a 1st level wizard with a dagger ready to take the charge.  In the real world, we spent countless hours jamming and making music, camping, and just conversing too long as our conversations would never end. Today is such a sad day that I will never forget. Forever in my dreams my brother. 

Updated Adventuring party

New List of adventurers

Jon J: Wurm - Human, Cleric

Sal T: Rasa - Elf, Swordsage

Sal D.: Randy - Human, Dragon Shaman

Greg: Aberaxes "Abe" - Half Dragon, Druid/Rogue

Paul: MoPuck Granger - Beholder, Wizard

John C.: Surajugala "Sura" - Amazonion, Fighter

Eddie: Mordilane Solgloom - Human, Bard

Carl:  Gilzok "Gil" - Ogre Mage

NPC's

Gourd: Minotaur, Ranger

Lynette: Verdant Prince

The Crazed Book of Mog

Not too long after, a book is left for Abe to find, "The Crazed book of Mog". It has plenty of info to decipher but,  what he can understand takes the group through the planes again. This time finding a salt & pepper shaker used for further plane hopping and further infor into Artimus. They meet a verdant Prince (twice) throughout their travels. It/they has breasts,, and befriends the group, It's name is Lynette. 

Lynette winds up having to sacrifice 9 druids to keep the group moving further in their journey. They end up briefly on a ship heading straight into a sink hole and escape just in time before it is swallowed up by the sea. They also spend a little time in the mazes. But luckily Abe was able to read enough in the book to keep them moving forward. They get back to their warehouse safehouse and meet an Ogre mage by the name of Gil. The group is attacked by more bounty hunters and Gil helps out by using a fireball spell. They all make friends and enjoy some fresh cow meat. 

Automatons, Attack!

It doesn't take long for the robots to notice the group. Gourd charges out to attack and goes into a rage. Abe accidentally hits Gourd missing it's target. Gourd then uses him (Abe) as weapon and swings him around like a log. He then grabs Sura and uses her as a great spear towards a larger enemy near the river bulkhead. After the attack, Gourd charges the big robot again and disappears into the oil/blood river. 

MoPuck instructs the group on how to navigate through the remaining buildings to get towards the ruins of his old tower. They rescue Gourd, and his now broken/ severed horn. They go through the painting portal.

They find that the Tinker Gnome "Sprock" in there. He reveals that these bots were all his invention!

Their next stop is in the Ethereal plane where they meet the "ghost" of Alexander Darkwood's protégé "Artimus".

They follow further breadcrumbs through the planes and wind up in Sigil. After some issues at the local pub, (Gourd threw a Centaur through a window), they make a "barter" for the tapestry on the wall of dead dragon", then head over to an abandoned warehouse that Abe knew of as a safehouse.

A storm comes through and a Ogre Mage plows through the door seeking refuge. His name is Gil and they all make friends and ride out the storm. Then a Mercykiller arrives with a warrant for Rasa's bounty from Diamond bed City. The combat is swift and executed perfectly. The Mercykiller never had a chance to get a hit off. The group asks if Gil wants to follow along with them on their journey and he agrees. 

Wurm creates a zombie out of the Mercykiller who still wields his Greens-steel full plate armor (with no smell!).

Strange bells ring in the streets of Sigil, but no immediate horrible things happen after the bells ring....

 

 

You Dun Walk Inn

Mordilane's second performance doesn't go so well. Drinks were thrown, lots of angry shouts and the group was asked to leave the pub. They make their way down to a new place called "You Dun Walk Right Inn".

Wurm encounters a cackling old crazy man. He touches Wurm's hand and burns a symbol into it. Abe recognizes this symbol as the signet ring of Alexander Darkwood. They press the old man for more information. He tells them to "follow the bread crumbs".

Meanwhile Rasa speaks to the barkeep (Sly M'Connor) who immediately points out the wanted poster with a picture of his face on it. Sly pulls out a stiff bottle of spirits and they drink at the bar as Rasa tells his tale to the barkeep. 

Gourd breaks the closet window to where Rasa was sitting at the bar and says it is time to leave, he just killed 6 Diamond bed city guards. Rasa pays for the broken window and the group leaves. Wurm's new symbol guides them to a large citadel in town. They are invited in (eventually) and meet with Levinforth Reginaire the 2nd. After a most glorious meal and conversation, he reveals his true form as a large winged demon. They gain the knowledge of how to "follow the bread crumb trail" as there is a portal in the fireplace to take them closer to Abe's quest. MoPuck gets an important dimensional anchor magical eye ringlet that will make sure they can get home. 

They have to drug the Gourd to get him to come inside and use the portal. Wurm sends the cart, horses, & clerics on their way to make the journey back to the new church of Noir with the barrels of the fountain of youth. 

They follow the demons instructions and complete the ritual to allow them to use the portal in the fireplace.

They arrive in the far future in an alley in Diamond Bed city. There does not seem to be any living people here. There are just automatons bustling the streets. The rain comes down like oily grease. It is cold and damp, and everyone feels a sense of dread. 

The fountain of youth

With some great rope use work, the group get's Abe out of the pit. They bash the door down beyond which leads into a large chamber with a pool of water at its center and an apparition of a man in white holy vestments.  They converse with the ghost and find that the pool of water is a "fountain of youth" so to say. He says that this place was not meant for them. Shortly the old Paladin Sir Lewis Hensworth is in the doorway screaming at the group and draws his sword to attack. The group overtakes the Paladin and Sura's harpoon "runs him through"! The apparition points at the Paladin and magically is now naked. Sir Lewis makes one last dying attempt to enter the chamber and tries to tumble past Sura. He fails miserably and only makes the harpoon wound worse. He dies, a few feet from the pool of water. Wurm casts a spell which prevents Sir Lewis from ever being resurrected and pushes him into the pool of water. 

The ghosts of both of Sir Lewis' squires appear. Percy asks Wurm to do the same to him so he can suffer the same fate as his lord. The other Squire Lucander mysteriously disappears. The group barrels up whatever amount of the sacred water they can. The place collapses in on itself shortly thereafter. 

They head back East with plans to head back to Surnoth to bring the barrels of youth water back to the Noir Cathedral under construction. 

They secure passage on a small ship which leaves in a few days.

Percy the squire that was

The group makes their way down to the base of the mountain. Gourd overhears some arguing in the thick jungle and cautions the group to move silently. Mopuck cast an invisibility sphere and the group approaches. They come upon an old paladin of Ion yelling at his squire at a small campsite. 

"I am telling you, there is evil in that thick jungle" he shouts, "Sure there is Sir Lewis" the squire says. "Just relax and drink your soup"....

Rasa approaches and starts up a friendly conversation. "Sir Lewis Hensworth XII of the Abbey Isle, last of his name" is properly introduced to Rasa by the squire. Before long the rest of the group emerges, and despite some of the group being "evil", the old Paladin invites them for some Tea.

"Percy, get the good cups and spoons!" shouts the Paladin. "Percy has been dead 20 years sir Lewis" the squire snaps. " I am you new squire now, Lucandor Ferinoth, remember?".... "Yes, yes, I suppose."

Sir Lewis asks for help in getting to the ruins of Mithra as they have gotten a bit lost. Wurm and Sir Lewis draw up a contract and the group agrees to the quest.

Randy asks Lucandor to take a walk and they leave camp to get firewood. Randy tries to put the moves on him, but the squire is steadfast in his holy ways.

Meanwhile the old Paladin falls asleep after his tea. Mopuck fills his armor with blueberries and apricots as a fun joke. 

The paladin eventually wakes up and stands up and the blueberry and apricot mush pours out of the coif of his armor, all over his turkey neck fat. He seems quite confused and scared. He stumbles, and faints. Lucandor comes to his aid and removes his armor to clean him up. While he is doing this, Randy wraps a noose around his neck and hangs him in the campsite, just like Percy, Sir Lewis' previous squire who also hung himself 20 years ago. The group leaves before the Paladin regains consciousness.

The front horse gets killed by a massive spear out of nowhere. They find Queen Sura, Mopuck's old friend. She apologizes for killing the horse. They make it to the ruins of Mithra and take shelter in the dome of an old cathedral during a wicked hurricane.

The hurricane washed away a bunch of soil around the base of the ruin and reveals a set of steps leading down. They find a door at the bottom with the symbol of Ion and enter. Mopuck creates some skeletons to set off any traps. Abe moves further in and he also falls through a pit trap... 

just a flesh wound!

The group heals up and spends a few days at camp. They then spend several uneventful days heading west into the jungle. Wurm gets a message from his ghost that there is a tortured soul of Noir nearby. The group puts the beast to rest....

Wurm, gives her a proper burial. 

They are then attacked by apes.... Most stay in the trees. One attacks and grows in size tenfold! 

They kill the apes and move forward. 

They get to the base of the mountains. There is a village nearby that is known as the "Petrified Village of Mithos" The group wrangles over heading up the mountain verses heading to the village. 

Ultimately, they head to the village. They find a magical rectangle with choices. They decide on sacrificing a bunch of apes instead of time travelling....

On the mountaintop, Rasha gets hit with razor-vine and starts to bleed out. Luckily Mopuck leaps to the task and scorches the ever bleeding wound with a fire spell. Abe finds the weapon he was tasked to locate. 

Welcome to the jungle

 The group heads into the jungle. They are ambushed not long after by woodland creatures know as Wood Woads.

The combat is long and grueling and some came close to death. But they ultimately prevail. They spend a few days to nurse their wounds and head further into the jungle. They are  then attacked by a group of adventurer's (paladin, wizard, two clerics). The battle is pretty quick, the group survives to fight another day. 

Feeding time... Royal Style!

The group hires a Lawyer by the name of Neopold Dixon Esq. (assistant "Chevonne" ~ clearly a man in drag). They discuss multiple options. Ultimately, they decide on breaking him out. They hire a dragon to help with a payment of horses. 

The group enjoys a great birthday party for Mopuck at the sages castle.

They break Rasa out from prison in a brazen event of dragon acid breath weapons which nearly kills Rasa in the process.

Wurm had prepared two coffins to get them out of the city. They escape without a hitch on a ship to Mikas. A well laid out plan well executed...