The visit from the native chieftain warrior Dakarai and his shaman advisor, Nuru, has given hope to the band of Drow warriors as they settle down for the night in their bunks. Gorlab thinks on Sue, his trusted pseudo-dragon familiar … "Soon my sweet, soon we will have our revenge and you back in the fold, soon …” … and falls asleep as the night passes over.
"Master, master … awaken … a trap, a trap!” … With a terrible fright, Gorlab is woken from his sleep by Sue! Still in the dead of the night, Gorlab is sluggish from his sleep, barely picking up the telepathic thoughts sent by Sue … "My lord, a trap, waken quickly my lord!” … a vision of Xeph, the Drider, half-spider, half-drow and evil to the core, bent on the destruction of the Despair crew! Gorlab jumps to his feet, quickly taking up his shield and sword, shouting to his fellow warriors … "To arms shipmates, to arms! The Drider is nearby! To arms you lazy curbs!!” … casting a Fly spell on himself, Gorlab see’s more of the Drider's plan! Xeph has used his magic’s to call forth an Invisible Stalker to steal the demon amulet from Berun while he slept and released the beast to attack the party, which strangely enough spews out an Imp, which quickly runs away???
"To arms warriors, the Drider sends Berun’s demon to destroy us all … to arms!!”
Just as the weary group arrive back to hear the bad news of the crown being taken they turn to see a group of twenty irate villagers led by a female warrior. The natives of the village Tanaroa are upset to see the nineteen cannibal children tied up and forced to carry the Drows meat and Silver through the village. The warrior Ghanni points at the children and make demands in her language – none of the Drow speak it at all. There were twenty taken from the village but one sickly girl was taken away by the cleric Bill to be healed but he came back without her saying she had died under his care!! The children had had their burdens taken from them and stored in the ship. The adventuring party had taken a 10% s... Read more »
The Renegade Aftermath & The Island of Dread Part 1
After a few days of nervous looks and posturing Gul asserts himself as Captain and looks to Kalan as first mate. The Drow then set their plans in motion. They are to buy and retro fit the ship suitable for their new lifestyle and take care of some loose ends. They must be more like a team than ever if they are to survive the coming weeks ahead.
They know their time is short – Shandizar will not be slow to seek revenge on the renegades and Lloth is a powerful vicious god. They must get themselves sorted out and leave the valley for some time. They hear of an island far to the Southwest off Imperial Human lands where great wealth and danger abound. It is called the Island of Dread.
The crew set out to Trade Town to seek Raska the merchant. They landed the ship out of sight and hidden 2 miles from the outskirts of Trade Town. To Raska they offer him talks of an independent flying ship to be used for stealth, speed, or protection. Gul contacts Raska to speed up the delivery of the magic potions, and purchase 10 anti-poison vials. The crew also take stock of their needs and put their platinum and gold funds together to purchase what is needed for the ship. They also ask for a shipwright to replace Henkeil the druegar. From Raska they buy; 20 swords. 20 ballista bolts, 100 arrows. 100 crossbow bolts, 10 maces, 5 warhammers, 5 suits of chainmail, 5 suits of plate armour, 5 hand axes, 50 flasks of water, 20 flaggons of wine, 20 flaggons of beer, 1 months iron rations, 10 flasks of lantern oil, 10 bows, 20 chests for the crews personal items, 10 hammocks, 5 tents, 20 blankets, 20 spikes and other essential items for the crew that now make the ship their home. Raska was well pleased with this initial trade as it brought him in around 2000 in gold. He also info... Read more »
As the Drow took a short respite Dr Cronk gets himself settled in the Drows laboratory as the rest set about their own interests. Kalan took the time to finish off the Book of Charm he had been reading over the last few weeks, but not fully dedicating himself to it until now. Gul was using his new found skills in sorcery to prepare potions he had gleaned from the Hellhounds tongues and other finds from the previous outings. Kalan was at a similar level of sorcery but just had not figured out how these raw materials could be used in potions. He thought maybe Gul would sell some off if they were any good.
At this point Cronk started showing off an ancient rare book on Illithed Volume 2. Gul’s henchman Tsab recalled Birz had found Volume 1 on an earlier adventure. Birz was contacted and surprisingly handed it over to the crew for their library. Nsaar took it upon himself to start reading through the book. This started several sleepless nights for Nsaar, and the crew within earshot, as he woke up screaming in the dark. He would not say why he was pestered by nightmares, but all assumed the books had something to do with it - and no one wanted to take over his task.
Kalan had considered causing some trouble with the other Rievers. He looked out for the Vengeance captain and watched the Malice crew. He was considering setting up a prank that would take something from the Vengeance captain and setup the Malice crew. He watched them for a few days but both crew quarters were very well guarded and the risk was just too high. During his book reading and musings on some mischief he came across a note hidden in his room mentioning a debt he must repay - obviously from followers of the God who saved his life during the battle... Read more »
The fall of New Orc City and the White Orc Csar Krawn
As the crew waited in their laboratory Vixia appears and calls on them "all of clan Kobra are summoned to the main hall by House Mother Agna for a sacrifice of a heretic”. To prepare all males had to remove all weapons, armour and clothing. They were only allowed a cloak to cover themselves. Most of the crew had magic rings, or amulets so they took those. Kalan had his magic eye imbedded in his head - so that had to come with him. The females went as they were – clothed, armoured and armed.
As the crew entered the hall they were jeered at by the other Riever crews and scorned by other members of the house Kobra – seen as scavengers they were the lowest in the Drow hierarchy. The crew took their places just as Agna appeared followed by her daughters - the elite of the Lloth priestesses. Form the other side guards appeared pulling a screaming male between them. He cried "It wasn’t me I’m not a heretic!! Let me go!!” Agna spoke to the Clan "A new heresy has invaded our house and will be purged from us like the previous sickness. All hail to Lloth!!” The Clan scream their approval as the unfortunate Drow male was stripped and laid across the alter. His arms and legs pinned down by the guards. Agna lifts up the sacrificial blade and shouts again, this time a Lloth prayer of sacrifice to the god. The knife plunges down into his stomach and his entrails are pulled out and cut up. He takes a minute or so to die and then the signal is given to dismiss the clan. As most of the crew now are followers of Vhaerun they all jump around as enthusiastically as any of the Lloth followers – but let out a collective sigh of relief to get out of the sacrificial chamber and don their clothes, armour and weapons. Was the heretic a follower of Vhaerun? They did not kno... Read more »
Another fine winter day on top of House Kobra. The crew were sparring under the watchful eye of Captain Vixia and her temporary first mate Gul. (Birz was off on family business). When another three Drow approached, two were females Arla and Faylin, the third a mere male ,Berun ( a young blade from the Ghetto). Arla has links to a top underworld boss, she is half Drow ,sired by an elf slave. So is of low birth , however this is of little consequence to those who live in the gutter. She has been trained in the Thieves Guild, and is looking to learn dungeoneering from her friend Kalan. Faylin does not say much about herself...she watches and listens. She does tend to get bored easily on long voyages, but usually finds something pleasant to do below decks with the more charismatic males. Berun challenged Nsaar to a pistol duel for the rihgt to be gunner. Unluckily Nsaar's pistol jammed and Berun became the new Gunner. Captain Vixia summoned the crew around her and told them of a map professor Cronk had found in an old book. The map showed the location of a Tomb in a hidden valley in Minotaurus. A cat people village was nearby. So the crew readied themselves and boarded the "Despair". While flying across the Sorcerak jungle , a giant wasp was spotted off starboard, the ship wheeled to bring the ballista to bear and Berun shot down the Insect with two fine strikes. When crossing Zirkast however , the Despair found itself in grave trouble. A Lillend , having cast invisibility on herself, snatched the pilot and held the ship to ransom. Leave the Dwarrows alone , or face what has befallen others". She then dragged them to the burning hulk of the "Spiteful" of House Dragon. Piled beside it were the corpses of the Drow crew. Vixia ignored the warning and carried on to her objective. To hell with warning anyone...that will put no gold in Kobra's coffers. The... Read more »
Kalan started as an outsider living in a small Drow settlement near to the Dwarf Kingdoms. He returned to the Drow City Shanizar in order to claim riches and rewards for himself. With new found power and fame he hoped would satisfy his continuous lust – difficult to do in such a small community without creating dangerous enemies.
For a Drow he is marked as an outsider due to being a head taller than most Drow and broader in shoulder. His additional strength makes him a deadly opponent and good in a fight. He fights with a sword and shield, and a length of fighting chain. But in a city where nobility of birth sets you on a higher level than the rest he quickly realises friends in high places matter more on his path to glory.He is intelligent and uses this to blend in with the Drow City Shanizar dwellers, and quickly sets out for the various Houses of ill repute. His hunger satisfied he decides to see to his other need - a good access to wealth. He did feel at home in Shanizar.
He attracts the attention of the thieves’ guild, which he joins, then makes his way to the House of clan ... Read more »
In the early quests where even a pack of dire rats could cause the group serious problems the Despair had Drow twins a female Malag and a male Kell. The twins were noble merchants and trusted by Captain Bâleed – so were sent to keep an eye on the new recruits. They were particularly good at spotting traps and secret doors saving the adventurers on several occasions but the twins only fought to protect each other. Kalan as usual tried his masculine charm on Malag but she replied with a withering stare and a dagger pointed at his vitals. He even saved Kell, and helped the Malag to full health by casting cure light wounds to try an impress her. Instead of this making them more amenable towards Kalan and the group they became more secretive and guarded. This was particularly true as the crew Gul, Birz, and Kalan flourished and grew stronger with each quest and each success.
At one point during a very dangerous encounter Kalan overheard Kell whispering an oath to Eilistraee (a lawful good God) for protection to his twin sister. He now thought he had the power to influence Malag and finally get his evil way with her. On the same day, well outside the Drow City Shanizar, as the whole crew rested in the ships hold and the twins were set on guard.Kalan curled up in the hold had sweet dreams of what he will do with the noble sister. The twins decided they had enough it was time to make their escape and taking some slaves with t... Read more »
Bâleed vented her anger at the disgrace she felt with the twins’ desertion by seeking out dangerous encounters for her crew to undertake. Should they fail then some of the scavenger crew would die, but should they succeed then the fame, wealth and glory would ensure a higher status in clan Kobra. One such was quest Gul, Kalan, Birz, and Zaen (a new crew member from an underworld family) was sent to kill a fully grown creature called a “land shark” or “Bullette”. This heavily armoured creature is sought after for its super strong but lightweight crest, which is fashioned by the Drow into a powerful shield. This was the prize Bâleed coveted.
The Bullette burrows underground to move from one place to another, only coming up to attack unwary prey. Fortunately for Kalan and the others it does not like the smell of Elves or Drow so will normally ignore them. The crew set themselves up near large boulders at the base of a mountain and stomped on the ground to attract the huge creature’s attention. As it charged burrowing underground the crew leapt up to the boulders and prepared their vipers (a bolt pistol that fires poisoned darts used by Drow). The creature’s head appeared and it sniffed the air. Some of the crew fired their bolts but they all bounced harmlessly off the thick armour. The Bullette disappeared underground again and started to head off - apparently uninterested in the smell of the Drow.
Another quest soon had Kalan and the crew embarking on another dangerous task. The crew were set on a mission to retrieve a valuable artefact the House Mother had discovered.The exact nature of what they were looking for was only given to Captain Bâleed. Again the crew were set upon by nasty traps and wandering monsters. Their increased skill and caution allowed them to pass most of these with ease. Even a head to head with a wraith was avoided by Kalan’s skilful picking of a lock and the brightness the lantern keeping it at bay. Their confidence was destroyed though when crossing a particularly wide cavern floor the group were attacked by a huge Hydra. They knew they were out of their depth with this monster and ran towards the doors at the other side. Firing volleys of poisoned darts at the creature as they sped across the floor. As it charged the final distance they were amazed to see the last dart strike it dead, just a few yards from the door they were rushing to get through. What was just as amazing was the dart, fired by the cowardly ex-gunner who spends most of these missions hiding on the ship, had stood firm and took the shot hitting the Hydra deep in its eye socket. As the others moved on Gul and Kalan took out their knives and removed some of the Hydra’s teeth – just in case they were of some value.
They soon discovered their prize at t... Read more »
