Arkania: Mountain Ruins

[Part of the Darklands of Arkania Story.]

It was on the path North of Rybon where Emmo led them. A chance encounter with a dying adventuress also gives them the location of the Daspota treasure, which happened to be a cave on the same road. The team opted to skip it though, as riches weren't what they needed right now. The added weight would have also made traversing the deadly pitfalls even harder.

Save vs Death or Save vs Illness. Easy choice.

Harpies also harass the adventurers as they continue higher up the mountains, and Shintar's initial worry that Emmo refused to wear plate armor (because elves are allergic to it I guess) was non founded. She made up for it with an exceptional dodge rate AND she too had combat magic! On top of her superior hunting skills this made her a very valuable ally. After many trials against nature, they finally found the ruins.

If only the text didn't cover the picture...

The inhabitants: mages and undead were ludicrously weak compared to what they had already been through just to get there. Even their leader, the thieving wizard only managed to knock Shintar out with some form of blob that sticks to one's face. Curian showed him the true meaning of magic and felled him with a single blast. Not only does this net them another map piece, but Paeroka also unlocks a chest with 500 ducats inside! Pleased at their efforts, they descended the cliffs on the other side and hit the nearest tavern to celebrate.

Arkania: Distractions

[Part of the Darklands of Arkania Story.]

On the road to Phexcaer, a flock of powerful Griffons appear and threaten to whisk Paeroka away as a snack unless the party can solve their riddle. Seriously, there was no option to fight as demonstrated when one effortlessly threw Zubon down a hill. Good thing they gave at least three attempts because I only got it on try number three. :P

I suppose winged lions would be bored enough to play riddles.

After killing a few more orcs they finally reached Phexcaer - the city of thieves, and boy is that appropriately named. With cut purses and charlatan healers and merchants it's amazing the party managed to retain their bag of 750 ducats. They are unable to find any of the leads in the maze like city and instead come into conflict with the forces of con-man cleric Ektor Gremob who unfortunately gets away, despite the party pursuing him to his local villa.

Tired of this terrible place, the team heads back to Thorwal - taking their frustrations out on some hapless orcs and an ogre who happened to be in their way. Upon their return they could finally lay Nerk to rest and recruit the dainty Silvan elf, Emmo Gamerchick to their cause. After listening to their tale she said she might have an idea where the ruins in the mountains were. Zubon wasn't paying attention as his thoughts wandered elsewhere...

Because not everything in Phexcaer was bad.

TiS: Battle Bards! :)

I don't usually win stuff in real life, especially luck related things but today I found out I won something courtesy of the Battle Bards! Thanks Syp, Syl and Steph (or... Stef?)! That certainly made my day. :)