Corlth aka The Liberated - Blind, Purple Skinned, Hairless Humanoid

At one point in my gaming these were one of my core races, a slave people that escaped to find a home in the most barren regions. While they still make continual war upon slavers, they open their lodges to other psionic using peoples.   

Corlth, Liberated


Medium Sized Humanoid

Hit Dice:                                    5d8 +10            (31 hp)                         
Initiative:                                   +0
Speed:                                      30
AC:                                           16 (+2 natural, +2 leather armor); 10 Touch, 12 FF
Base Attack / Grapple:             + 5 / + 7
Attacks:                                    + 7 Spear (1d8+2)
Space/Reach:                          5 ft by 5 ft
Special Qualities:                     Psionics
Saves:                                      Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will: +7
Abilities:                                   Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 9
Skills:                                       Perception +8, Knowledge (Psionics) +5, Climb or Swim +6
Feats:                                       Combat Trance, Concentration Focus 
Climate/Terrain:                        Spires, Remote Areas
Organization:                            Patrol (2-5), Warband (9-16),Tribe (200-500)
Challenge Rating:                    4 (Fully mature)
Treasure:                                  Half Normal
Alignment:                                Usually Neutral (Good)
Advancement Range:               By Character Class

Six faintly purple skinned humanoids, without eyes or hair and blank expressionless faces – appear from nowhere to skewer the goblin slavers. 


Corlth (pronounced Corrr) were created to be the perfect slave race, blind and deaf without a personality and to instinctively obey telepathic commands. They escaped servitude and have learned psionics to compensate for their weak physical condition. Appear as pale purple skinned humanoids, clean shaven and soul-less blank white eyes. The few who have hair, it's usually very short & white. 


Living in isolated, well-protected villages; they survive by hunting and foraging for what they need. They quietly war with slaving races or groups that hurt weaker groups. They continuously plan forays to free thralls. While they don’t welcome visitors, outcasts have sometimes found a home among them. Their leaders are usually psionic masters who teach ethics and skills to the lesser of their kin. They make allies with other non-evil and non-slaving creatures. Adults take the descriptor “liberated”, to denote their status.

Half of their population are non-combative, 1 or 2 HD creatures. Others take barbarian, fighter, ranger, rogue or psionic for any additional HD / classes earned. Druids & bards are the most common spell-caster, wizard and cleric are virtually non-existent in their villages. Individuals in those classes usually leave to serve in larger towns in either the Spell Towers or an obelisk to their dedication. Those individuals are still drawn to service for their community, and do what they can to ensure their tribe's prosperity and survival.

Corlth live simple lives, harvesting what they need, helping to release slaves, and living a nomadic lifestyle. What many village outsiders are often surprised by is their intense respect of knowledge and learning.All adults know how to read, and have story-telling or musical traditions that they use to share their stories. While they are sometimes critical of outsiders, they are respectful and always have plenty of insightful questions. 

Combat Foes underestimate corlth only once, then fear them for their psionic powers and combat strategies.  They rarely engage foes until they know an enemies weakness. Whenever possible they use their combat trance before battle, increasing their chance of success. While they are known for their psionic powers, only around 20% of the population has psionics beyond their touchsense ability.

Combat Trance (New Feat): Gain +3 on all attack rolls versus a renowned foe.  Can be any species enemy, however it must be designated at the beginning of the day and it cannot be changed until the start of the next day.  This feat again does not stack, if taken a second time it applies to a second foe. It does stack if the Corlth has similar features from a class ability such as a rangers hunting bonus.

Typical Psionics PSP: 20; Manifester Level: 4th
1st: Daze, Detect Psionics, Float, Message (Any 2)
2nd: Animal Affinity, Biofeedback, Energy Push, Object Reading (Any 1)
3rd: Touchsense**


*These are typical powers chosen by a corlth, individuals might have a few differing powers but use this combination for most Corlth.

** Corlth manifest touchsense without psp cost at a 30 foot range. Some members specialize using feats to increase their touchsense range by 50 ft for each advancement feat they utilize. 

Play by Post Primer

Core Idea:

The party is going down under an old prison, that was officially abandoned 10 years ago, yet goblins and other nurkers have been seen coming from the underground. You are all members of Blue Toppers, an unofficial military team of inexperienced soldiers. None of you have official rights to use your weapons away from from the underground. but the local military men ignore you as long as you don't cause problems. You are being paid 10 crown (gold pieces) for being underground for three days, and another two crowns for each day past that. You need to find out how the goblins are coming in and stop it.

The dungeon is underground, adjacent to a medium sized town in the spirelands, will provide other details as asked or as it comes up. Drow do not exist in my game world; dwarves and lizard-men rule the Below-Lands.

The four characters are part of the lead group, but another twenty foot-men are going down at the same time, this is used for replacements, so if you fall, someone will step up. That someone being who-ever you want to play next. You can tactically use the group ONCE during each turn.

Any official race or class is allowable at the start, as you game you'll meet many more. I use my own world of Nyssa, some of you have good ideas of what monsters are there and are not there. There's no fire magic or spells or creatures, but a land of damning cold, snow and ice.

Dice rolls are by: http://www.pbegames.com/roller/

My plan is to post every two or three days, once we all get started.

Terms:
Crown: GP, Noble: SP, Common: CP
Nurker: Monsters from below
Topper: Goof or inexperienced warrior
Below-Lands: Underdark

Spireland: Think of an island, on top of a 2 mile high mountain

Muter (Salavanno) - Silver Scaled Lizard Humanoid with Legendary Hearing

Sometimes it is an image that gets me inspired for a creature, and for the hate of everything that is evil, I can't remember what it was for this one.

Muter (Salavanno)

Medium Sized Magical Humanoid
Hit Dice:                            10d8+10 (52 hp)
Initiative:                           +3 (Dexterity)
Speed:                                30 ft
AC:                                    19 (+3 dexterity, +6 Natural), 10 Touch, 19 Flat-Footed
Base Attack/Grapple:         +10 / +10
Attack:                               Slam +10 (1d 8)
Full Attacks:                      Slam +10 (1d 8)
Space/Reach:                     5 ft. by 5 ft.
Special Attacks:                Sound Impulse, Silence Rebound, Night-Vision
Special Qualities:             SR 40 to sound based spells, Blind-sight 200 ft
Saves:                                Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +10
Abilities:                           Str 11, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 8
Skills:                                Perception +40, Knowledge (History)+8, Knowledge (Local): +8,                                                          Move Silently: +8, Sense Motive: +8
Feats:                                Lightning Reflexes, Toughness, Dodge, Mobility
Climate/Terrain:                Mountainous
Organization:                    Solitary or Pair
Challenge Rating:             10
Treasure:                            Half Standard
Alignment:                        Usually neutral
Advancement Range:       By character class (Rogue, Sorcerer)

Silver scaled body with a ridged head and forehead, bright green eyes and small orange fingernails.  They have three silver entwined ponytails, most often go down their backside. They have a multitude of small pock marks all over their body, appearing as something randomly made small cuts on them, these are actually their ears. They have a long tail that snakes along the ground marking their trail, though not capable of fine movement, it can sway things or grab onto a large object if the Muter is falling.

For many years, experts knew what a Salvanno was but could not agree on anything else. For most, they are a lizardith or intelligent lizard humanoid, but no clan claims them, and the lizardith themselves seek the Salvanno out, usually for punishment or execution for learning secrets.

This creature's hearing is legendary, capable of hearing conversations from hundreds of yards away. They can manipulate a sound as a free action.  They are also virtually unaffected by any spells requiring a verbal component cast within fifty feet of them, even if the spell manifests by conjuring a physical object or creature.  Silence spells cast on or near them always rebound, as if they cast the spell, able to change the placement and shape of the silence effect.

They can break even a nearby silence area of effect by diverting a medium level noise or sonic effect into the radius as a free action. Muters have a listening range of over 5000 yards if unimpeded by physical or magical objects.  They have tremendous knowledge on all sorts of information, and can act as terrific contact agents.

If needed they can turn down their hearing by partially closing their ears, if they do so they are able to converse with creatures within 50 feet of them. If they don't hone their hearing, they are immediately aware of all things around them, always careful but unable to focus on any one thing such as a conversation.

Combat
Muters not only avoid combat but they avoid contact with strangers. These enigmatic figures have their own agenda and few if anyone can fathom what it is. Muters tend to manipulate events, by arranging “chance meetings” by warring groups to prevent their own discovery of their lairs. The few times they are seen, is often after major combats, when they mysteriously appear to take items of interest or wealth. Most times, they just do not get involved in any activity.

Sound Impulse: Can reflect and increase the sound impulses within 40 ft. Normal conversation level sounds reflected back inflict 1d3 sonic damage. Shouts reflected result in 2d6 sonic damage. Increased magical sounds (with sonic effects) can inflict 1d6 dmg per spell level when reflected up to 6d6 max.

Blind-Sight: Muters are automatically aware of all beings within a 200 ft radius, unless they are surrounded by a silence & invisibility spells. Invisibility is useless against them within this distance.

Recognize Sound: Just like a dog recognizes smell, a Muter can recognize an individual’s breathing. (Perception DC 2  )

Rebound Silence Effects: Any silence spell cast on or in their vicinity.

Night Vision: As long as they are not in a magical silenced area, treat the Muter as if it had 100 ft vision in all directions.

Sklls: Muters gain a +30 on Perception checks.

Tunnels, Pools & Prisoners - Episode Ten

Cast

1 Virgil - Human Rogue (Steve)
2 Allfray – Human Cleric (Law)
3 Phlannel- Human Lumberjack-Ranger (Dave)

NPCs
4 Bahlgrim – Dwarf fighter
5 Voshimma – Jackalla Warrior

Waiting at the blood pool, they realize there is a sluice gate directly above, where the liquid life drops, and they begin to question how they can get up there, or if they will need to. After a very short time before they see a black garbed woman, emanating strong evil, having five imp creatures, approach them. They identify her as a priestess of Keran, the Evil Lord of Night and Fears. She and Voshimma know each other. The evil priest is critical & condescending about their efforts, and while imposing she and her impish fiends don't seem to be threatening, they are keeping an eye on the same blood gate.

When the evil priest hears about the Ice Sword, she sends one of the imps away. She offers the team help, at first they politely dismiss, but she tells them that she is no ally to the Ice Queen...Voshimma confirms this and says that the Knights of Keran are always willing to help take down undead or other enemies. The dark cleric tells them that they are heading in the wrong direction, the blood pool may potentially weaken creatures or items, but there are no divine items here, they should be
looking elsewhere, somewhere with a potential for hidden magic. Both Allfray and Virgil have the same thought at once - the vile pool above in the main chamber, they make their way back. Almost the same time, one of the imps she sent way comes back and drops a medallion near their feet. When they examine it, the see a snowflake emblem, the unholy symbol of Rowenna, goddess of the ice and lady mistress of undeath. When Virgil takes it his hand freezes, but Alfray casts a spell to shield him
from any further debilitating effects.

They head up, then out to the well, the only spot that hasn't been poisoned or harmed to investigate. While not holy, it is certainly clean, Bahlgrim descends, and the pool itself while clean, there is no connecting passageway to the pool in the building. They go into the main chamber, and decide it is best to heal the bathing pool, and determine the water from the well is the best plan. They decide to distract the large snake like creature while dumping buckets and wineskins of the well water into the pool. The plan somewhat works, the water does heal the poisoned water to a limited effect, but the creature doesn't need to be distracted, it notices them, but ignores them and sinks back into the water. The poison of the pool cannot be fully cured, but they can see a set of descending stairs.

The team decides to head down the stairs, as Virgil goes into the poisoned water, the unholy symbol congeals the pool's water very similar to it freezing solid, as it settles, it allows easy passage down into a connecting room below. The room smells of death and vile substances, they head to the connecting passage right away...as they do they come into a much longer area, filled with many carved metal plaques placed on both the floor and walls. Both the cleric and Bahlgrim recognize this as a place where dwarves are interned. As they make their way further into the room, they see a group of shambling humanoid figures move towards them, Alfray shouts – ghouls!

Allfray raises his holy symbol and commands the undead to depart, but their connection to the mortal realm, here in the crypts is far too strong, and he fails in the attempt. The undead are the first to slam their claws into both Phlannel and Allfray, and they both fail in their first round to connect. Voshimma – their undead hunting Jackalla companion steps up into the fore. On the second round, the Jackalla and the Lumberjack take claws, as they both tear into the undead, as the hunter's blade and the lumberjack's axe connects, at the same moment, the cleric takes a step back, calling forth a spiritual weapon to slam into one of the undead, as the cleric begins to heal his comrades. As each round steps up, slowly the team takes down the evil undead, taking limited damage as they co-ordinate their attempts. At the end, the cleric has used much of his spells, but had used only limited turning success. Virgil searches the body, finds some coins, keys and insignia of ranger militia. The cleric makes sure to bury them permanently with his Holy Sand.

They move forward once again, and enter a new much larger room, this one more than one hundred feet wide, with eight prison cells along the sides. Most of them are filled with, a humanoid with leafs skin, a Construct, a female with a snake lower half, a minotaur with massive horns, an old wrinkled woman, and a three headed puppy dog. There is also a large statue of a fifthteen foot tall human in very impressive armor, holding a sword and a lance spear.  The Minotaur demands to be let out,  promises rewards if they group releases him, the cleric asks why he is imprisoned, the minotaur says bluntly he went on a killing spree – then rages at himself for admitting the truth. These cells,  Voshimma explains the prison compels the prisoners not to lie.

Above the cells of the Leafy-humanoid, the Snaky female, an empty cell, and the three headed dog a black rose flower emblem of the Dark Lord Keran, showing that they are their responsibility.  Voshimma explains that the varying prisoners are technically guarded by their different jailers...

The cleric asks the leafy woman her story, and she explains that her name is Azania, and she was caught looking for a magical device, a seeder staff of her people, needed to help them move podlings (children) to a safe spot, she was caught looking in some of the prison cells. The cleric is moved by her story, but the Jackalla Knight warns them not to judge the prisoners, they are not responsible for the prisoners and she will not help them if they unlawfully release anyone. Azania explains her goal is not personal, it is to help her people, and she would be willing to do anything to help her podlings. Allfray feels her imprisonment is wrong, but Voshimma explains that they cannot violate the prison, there is a process, and they simply cannot break someone out. He is not convinced, but goes to the next prisoner marked by the black rose.

The snake lady, Osa, explains that she she is a creature from the celestial heavens, come to help Knights in a part of the world called Tharon, a notorious human nation in the South. She was framed for a crime she did not commit, but she accepted a punishment here on the mortal plane rather than be banished and unable to return. She has the means to be freed legally, she needs for them to contact any obelisk of the Chai-Nall, they will arrange to provide the restitution, so she can be freed. None of the team recognize the divinity, but Allfray agrres to contact them to assist.

Voshimma and the cleric begin a conversation about the rightness on their plan of action, to free the prisoners, anyone that's good, but Alfray objects seeing the system is corrupt and many of them shouldn't be in here. She reminds him that there are individuals of various beliefs and ethics, everyone could be seen from a certain perspective to be innocent or at least not guilty enough to be in a place like this. But it was a lack of proper courts and process, that some of these people were in a place like this...

During their heated conversation, the Mechanoid speaks up, he tells them that he can probably help them as he has significant knowledge of the prison. When asked what he was doing in the cell, he explains that he was imprisoned for failure of completing his tasks. Although guilty, he did not believe the sentence was fair but it had run it's course, he should have been freed if his original jailers, his clockwork brothers were still the prison guardians. He asks them to look at his prison door, there is no lock, he stayed in the prison out of respect of the institution, not because the site could physically detain him, but he would not open the door. If they could free him, he would help them complete their mission. After conferring with his colleagues, they agree and open the door allowing prisoner,  Z1-774 to walk out.

It explains that his mechanoid kin were once the keepers of these jails, after the Hunter's failure to keep their Holding cells safe, they took it over for a long while. Others, especially, Keranic Knights and the Phaetox have stepped in, but in return keep their own prisoners here, those they find especially troublesome, here in the Core. He knows the place very well, not all of it's secrets, but most of them. They begin to ask each other some questions, but it is Voshimma that mentions it is best not to speak here in front of the others, so they retreat to the previous room.

Phlannel believes he might know where Azania's staff is, and tries to knock the staff out of the statues left hand, but with help from the others the staff is the same metal as the rest of the statue.

The cleric speaks a little more with the Mechanoid, the Clockwork figure, renown for their durability and faithfulness, while not attuned to devotions, they were free thinking and could decide things on their own, unlike others of their spring-kin. If one looked at the metal figure, it looked very similar to any humanoid, but upon closer inspection, one could see the metal bindings and screws that made up their individual parts. As Z1-774 answered his questions about where it would be best to secured items, they realized that the hidden Central Prison Room was the most protected locale in the prison. They went back into the room and looked around, the large statue stood out the most, and they went behind it, and started searching, eventually they find a hidden set of stairs heading down beneath the statue. They find a secret room, and three items of note: a staff with a nest of seeds, a helmet radiating nasty evil, and a sword box covered with three black roses, which is the Sword of Ice that they were quested to find. They take the Sword box and the Staff.

Phlannel goes to the staff, and sees that it has rooted itself to the wall, many small vines growing out. He removes the vines, and it immediately straightens up. It is not emanating magic but when he grabs it, a greenish energy covers his arm, and slowly starts to change his body colour. He lets go of it, and the magic, the life-energy slowly drains from him. He wonders, is this safe? Both the cleric and slayer ally believe it is. As he seizes it, his body continues the change, and after a few minutes he stops breathing, but he is alive but more as a plant now than a human.

The cleric and Jackalla look upon the black box, they both sense the evil  magic inside it. They are unsure if they are able to open it, but the cleric realizes this is perhaps the way around it, if the box is removed without opening it, will the undead protector still be summoned? Voshimma confirms she thinks this should work, it would be a way to get it out of the prison  but she says, that is what she needs, that is what she wants. Allfray says that it is better for them to remove it without Savro finding it. Their Mechanoid ally is surprised at this, he knows of the faun, Savro, this ally of the fey is someone they can trust on missions, he has connections to the heavens. He may not be lawfully bound, but he is someone who helps, always. Allfray is surprised, after being warned by the paladins, now he is unsure...but Z1-774 reiterates, his people may not have trust him with secrets, but he was an ally especially if it weakened evil.

They emerge from the storage, and they immediately see the exclamation of Azania, the leafy humanoid, as her staff is found. The cleric tells her that they will return the item to her people and will do everything they can to free her from prison. They are unable to hide the box holding the sword...can they get it out of the prison without being spotted by undead or anything else. They are soon being hailed by a group of paladins, requesting them to join them back to Knight's Grove. They see a familiar face, Savro, their fey contact. He pulls them aside and explains that his contacts requested for him to be here at the abandoned Mathai prison as soon as he could. Allfray is unsure, but uses one of his detection spells to determine that Savro isn't evil, and while he is certainly not someone liked by the paladins, he is someone they should learn to trust.

Each day going back to the Fortress, they realize they are being followed by a group of Dark Keranic Knights, but every day they are joined by more Paladins and fey into their convoy, helping their logistics. They arrive safely, and the cleric arranges a meeting with Vessi, high cleric of Japeth, leader of the community. Allfray explains that they have found the ice Sword but even more, that Savro is exactly who and what he says he is, a fey, and a strong ally. Vessi expresses her disbelief but will leave him (Savro) as there is no proof, and he does always seem to come through for them. Vessi tells him if his team is willing, that she will provide some missions for them.

On the first evening, the team along with Savro gathers at the obelisk, and they witness a simple but powerful ritual. Savro's words open the gate, allowing a portal to another world to appear, and out from it a large Lion Humanoid along with eight bright skinned angelic figures. They are unable to directly handle the box, so they use binding chains of light to seize the box and carry it into the portal. The Lion gives Savro four elixirs as payment. When they have departed, Savro gives each of the party members one of the celestial elixirs, explaining they can either gain a permanent once a day spell (3rd level or lower) or have a permanent +4 to one their ability scores.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   * 
Aftermath

The rogue Virgil has plenty of fun drinking, gaming and taking little things from many of the visitors in the camps. His parties actions have increased their visibility but also their trust, enabling him access to much more than before. He learns of the scandals of many of the Nobles, as most of them are unhappy about serving here, but being dutiful Knights, they are bound to obey. Yet, there are others, who like him, are with teams, he learns of their missions, and their stories, gleaming about the legends of magic devices.

The cleric Allfray is bound to the Obelisk, to study, pray and learn. He too makes connections, as many of the Knights and soldiers look to him for wisdom, but so too, many fey. He learns of the forest, its inhabitants, and its hidden trails, this is why the Knights are here, the trails lead to many lairs in the forest, and the Rangers no longer have the numbers to protect. Vessi offers him a role at
the Obelisk, but he turns it down, his road for now is still on the path.

Lumberjack Phlannel stays as little as possible in the fortress, he prefers to be in the wilds now more than before. He feels pulled as he hears the forest in a new way, being apart of its spirit. Yet, he knows he can walk away, put the Spear down and be himself. Yet, he knows he is bound to help them. The woodlings, as most call the plant-people, need help and he feels he knows the path to go...he starts asking questions, to learn more about his new task.

Along the city path; Adventure six (sorta)

The party sees the oncoming group, and look around and are unsure of what to do next and perhaps even more important, where to go. The cleric hears a feminine whisper in his ears, "Get to a doorway. Quickly." The party begins to increase their pace, Solauder, casts mirror image on himself for protection, as the cleric, wanting to increase the elves pace, picks him up to carry him along. The group reaches the first door they find, they realize there is a number of fairies among them.

Four small blue smurflings hanging on the dwarf, three smaller insect-legged grig on the elf, and a two-foot tall, green skinned winged fairy flying just off the cleric. Looking for assurance, Allfray tries to gauge the fae, and he gets no suspision or worries, so he opens the door and they go through. The room is occupied with two lovers on the bed in midst action, one of the fae casts a spell which changes the doorway, they look out and see a different alleyway than the brothel they came from, all step through. Now they are in that alleyway, a few hundred feet from where they once were, and already the doorway changes back into a door.

The fairy starts berating the group, explaining the urgency of their mission but Soulader turns it around and is showing considerable mistrust, he doesn't understand the mission as they usually have a simple task to complete. The green fairy tells them that the faeries were the ones who had started "hiring" the group, they were the benefactors, because the group did missions for both reward and honour.

Allfray inquires how could they have known, and the fairy explains that it was on the city map provided to them, and they had the messenger deliver it to them and it was written in Dral. Soulauder explains that Dral is an above ground, good-aligned dark skinned fey of Nyssa, this world. He may appear as one, but he is actually from another world, as his people are the Drow, very distinct in personality and outlook, he does not know the language. The fairy now identified as Abyssinia expresses her surprise and embarrassment, and agrees to help them interpret the city map. They take out the map, and places the papyrus holy symbol underneath, as the shows and incites fairy explains what must be touched and spoken to show the magic, as they follow the instructions, a different detail emerges. Allfray, a native of the city recognizes most of the spots identified, as he thinks about the areas, and touches the map, it changes, showing a more detailed view of each location.

Their mission consists of fixing something from each of these four sites:

The Sky Bridge, a little used, and very well maintained bridge over a now non-existent river.
The Shallow Well, a near empty and shallow well.
The third location, Allfray is unsure of
Finally, Sevel Aviary, created from an abandoned Seed Tower.

Since it is late, the group decides to take these missions up tomorrow morning. The Dwarf, has already started resting at a Tenderfoot pub with 17 smurflings as it seems every time one of them laughs, another one seems to come around. The Drow heads back to the pub where their drover allies congregate, joining in their ale and conversation.  The cleric returns to his residence at the small monastery for vespers, but he notices a small crowd already there. He feels uncomfortable as many of the eyes glaring at him. While they are welcome, he believes he is being watched.

Tomorrow, the adventure continues at the four sites.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

We started late, and some of us had been imbibing for far too long, so we cut the game short. Very useful session though.

Path to Suuvren; Adventure Five

The adventurers are sent to a far off spire city of Suuvren - a trader city, among the league of Quooven. Like many of the other spire towns, this one has a high road, that crawls up the side. As they reach the top, the realize the town is much farther away from the edge as many other places they have been to - and another major difference, no standing army. Most towns have units of archers, horseman and spearmen or other specialists at the ready, but this one, there was at least no obvious groups of soldiers anywhere that they can see. Plenty of citizens, and a multitude of races, all scurrying about doing their business, none seemingly at least aware of the new group of traders coming into the city, and fewer caring in the slightest. Like a few other places in the spirelands, phaetox and minotaurs, have a significant number - but neither were likely to be rulers or sitting on the high counsel. Phaetox, like elves were usually archers; Minotaurs were soldiers, they liked to go on long, enduring hunts.

Just like every city, a few destinations helped defined the community - the Towers and obelisks. The Towers were places of learning and gathering - not just arcane spells, but music, and maps and other wondrous things that helped shape the cityscape. And obelisks - were the places of faith. A few were dedicated to a specific godly figure; like Japeth or Casna, some to an idea - like freedom of expression. Every obelisk was the meeting area for groups of followers, some came together on a daily or weekly basis to make their required sacrifices for heavenly approval. In larger cities, many obelisks were the center of official churches, that had the control of the land around the obelisk - but in the spirelands and smaller towns,  no group usually had domination for long.

The party had been sent to various places in the spirelands over the last two hundred days, making contacts and doing tasks, many of the activities much more dangerous than they had thought at the outset. This time, they had a contact, Allfray - Curate of the Lady, by the designation they assumed the follower was most likely a priest, and they were asked to meet him at the obelisk of Quanna. They separated from their regular travel colleagues and made their way towards the obelisk, at least none of the preachers on the side of the streets seemed to be their quest. They started to ask around, looking for their contact, and in a few minutes, they find a rather typical human, male, tunic, and a necklace with the bright symbol of his goddess, though not out in a prominent way.

Allfray looked unassuming, but ready for his task. He had heard their names called to him in his dreams in the last few nights, and he knew that he needed to find these drovers, these men who were dedicated to the road. Yet neither looked like a typical member of this group. The black skinned elf, didn't seem typical of his kin, the studious dral, who were incredibly dedicated to studying songs and poems of the past. The dwarf wore non-typical and banged up armor, it didn't seem suited to his people's usually dour and hardy bearing. They all greeted each other - Bahlgrimm the a Dwarf warrior and Solauder, the Drow Sorcerer.  None were sure what they are to do next, as if one of them was supposed to know the next steps.

Bahlgrim though is the first to notice a small purple owl that seems to be interested in the group and starts to frighten it away. The cleric, tries another approach - reaches out to the avian, and his presence puts it at ease, as the avian lands on his arm. (Some colours particularly show the influence of the heavens, just as Yellow is associated with Quanna, Purple is connected with Casna, the LN Lord of Order.) The cleric sees the owl carry a scroll case, opening it he sees two sheets of vellum, one is a symbol of the Lady of Light, but is energized with power. The second is a overview map of the city. Allfray sees some of the prominent locations in the map, but is there a trend, what does this map mean? Why were they given it?

Knowing they may need more time and discretion to determine the meaning of the map, the group decides to find a more quiet place, perhaps a room at one of the nearby taverns. Allfray reaches out to the owl figure, and it collapses becoming a tattoo on his fore-arm.

The head for the Furroud Bull, a local tavern. They grab a table upstairs and bring out the map once again, trying to determine its meaning. They are stumped, mostly because none of them are scholars of arcana...they hesitate whether they should reach out.

On the upper level of the tavern, they look for patterns in the map, and why it's cribbed with the symbol of Quanna. The individuals look out, trying to find anything to help. Allfray sees someone at the far end of the bar area, a tall horned grey minotaur keenly watching them, the cleric slowly heads towards the observing minotaur but the horned one turns away, heading out the front door. Allfray wants to know who was paying so much attention to them, and follows the mysterious figure, first out the door and then down into a passageway. Having to keep up, Allfray uses his tricks to stay at the same pace as the other, watching him enter another building. He turns back and heads back to the others. He tells them he knows where the minotaur watcher went to - and they agree to investigate.

The cleric goes back to his residence at the small monastery, heads into his unadorned room. He hesitates a moment opening his storage chest, where his heavy armor has been laying dormant. His gear, the items he had tried to promise himself he would try to avoid, left where he (almost) promised he would not touch them again . A voice, a familiar voice reminding him that this is not his work, not his duty. Knowing he could not win the debate, especially with himself, he said no words, said no familar promises, but donned his armor. He was doing what needed to be done, even if he had no words for it.

Allfray returns to the back-alley and to his allies, then to the back-lot building. They carefully review it, looking for an easy way in. This indiscriminate building, a warehouse did not advertise and one could pass it without being brought to attention. Yet, both the Drow and Cleric found traps, if they tried to go through either the windows or hop up to the second floor, there were too high a chance of setting off traps.

Instead the team approached directly, and knocks on the door, and a set of eyes appear at the slot but nothing else - they seem to be looking for a password as they ask no questions. The cleric again steps around the problem, casting command, action word - open. The watching eyes, opens the door and steps aside, as the guards come over, the female attendant steps aside and puts up her hands to shake the guards away...the team has earned her honour.

They find themselves in a very busy room, 40 or more people of all different races, all seemingly focused on consuming something. There are humans, grey elves, dwarves, golden horned jahlen and even grey skinned minotaurs, many of them either consuming alcohol or other drinks, oblivious to everyone except those female green skinned, plant-like servers. Many of the men standing aside, eyes glazed in conversations with images of smoke or dream. Each of the party members, like the rest of the consumers, are drawn into their personal realms of dream, for a few minutes. No one, neither server or drinker pay them little attention; the party realizes there are shum dreams, and little of consequences...as they are lost to their own illusions and dreams. They gather their resolve and determine it's best to move ahead.

They head up the long grand stairs and realize, at least right away, that few of the others at the base level are aware of them. Most are still in the dreaming haze. Is it the room they wonder, but then determine they had walked past a large fountain in the middle of the base room without any of them
realizing it.

As they go up, the staircase separates, and they head towards the larger and more fanciful door heading at the western side. Even before they reach the top, they see three rat-humanoids running towards them with long bladed weapons out. The cleric wins initiative, slamming down with his hammer on one of the ratlings, at the same time, their spears came hurtling towards Allfray and Solauder, but only the cleric was nicked. The drow released a sleep effect, causing each of them to drop.

The fighter stops running, assessing their situation - in utter calm confidence. The cleric, looks towards the door, then towards his dral elf comrade, who is busy going through their pouches. Soulader pockets a few coin purses and a small highly decorated fob.

The group has little time to re-organize themselves, as they see the grey horned minotaur, who was first observing them, gathering a crowd, made up of dwarves, elves, humans and other minotaur-kin. They have just a few rounds before they are overwhelmed, as the group of the warriors call out to them, and are making their way up the stairs in a careful manner.

Finding Unlost Items - Third Game Session

Sent by their team to accompany a caravan wagon in their standard routine both unpacking the goods and handling town security in a long, monotonous route, spending days in the wagon travelling between the barren towns. The communities in the far north are mostly on high island spires, more than a mile above the frozen tundra.  After three weeks of travel the group is taken aside, asked if they want to take on a mission, to help a Master-Smith locate a missing tool. They agree and the caravan turns off their course to go to a spire out of their way.

Once reaching the spire the team departs, told they have ten days to complete their mission. Before they even reach the path going up, a group of soldiers greets them and informs the team they are going to accompany them to the town above. The team hesitates, unsure if they want this to happen but they relent. The trip up is long but free from distractions.

At the top, they see a small city in pristine condition, the roads & gates into the city heavily covered by soldiers, but what they find odd is that they are all in very different uniforms and designs. They realize there is not one army but multiple units from various cities. They learn the city of Fonnashi, has been hit repeatedly by a plague, that causes sickness, rapid aging and death. They have received help from its various neighbours in trying to defeat whatever has been infecting the town. While it has been put down, the plague always returns.

The team wants to learn about this plague so they seek out the nearest obelisk (church) to find a cleric and find the largest nearby one is dedicated to Casna, Lord of Laws. They inquire about the city, its history and the plague and find out the plague is not continuous, but something that has hit the city repeatedly. Nobody is sure why or how it spreads. Magic can detect it, but only after it has infected a carrier, most often rats or other vermin. While it hasn't killed a huge number the fear has driven most inhabitants away.

Not sure how to help the city, the group refocuses on their primary mission - and head towards the large, impressive Forge Tower. They enter to find a busy workplace, inside are a dozen dwarves in the midst of their duties slowly building devices and shaping the furnace fires. The Dwarven workers slow as they watch the group come in and look around. All but one of the dwarves look very old and frail, far more feeble than they would have expected. The team asks questions about the ongoing curse but also about their jobs at the forge and why the difference between the dwarves. One of them speaks up and says that the others are near obsessed with production, very rarely leaving the furnaces. When asked about the city, the same younger dwarf says that people get in a fit when a new case is found, but the population had long left in patches over the last 20 years.

They ask about Kossail, the Master-Smith who they were asked to assist, and the dwarves point to a large double door, quite elegant as opposed to the bare and simple decorations and furnishings in the rest of the area. They tell the party that he is an ally but a distant one, mostly concerned with his own efforts. Those who hire him, do so if they have the coin and the materials, many are people from away, not just from the spirelands but many coming to this place just to speak with him. He is distant but dutiful, every month he pays his shares to the Furnace.

Going through the doors they are impressed with decor of a higher substance, intricate detailing showing craftsman of different regions and processors. They immediate see a substantial supply of weapons laid out on racks, various styles and makes. In the center of the room is an intense covered furnace of a completely different style than the dwarves. Solauder, the Drow Sorcerer feels a connection to the warmth here, one unlike he's found anywhere else in the world. Upon concentration, his hands once again covered in holy flame, as it once was. He feels the power, and energy and connection with his magic unlike anywhere else. Near the heat, there are two small grotesque figures, one with angelic wings and markings of peace, the other with cloven hooves, demonic horns and pitchfork. Their eyes seem to turn to watch any who approach too closely.

Kossail, the older man in his full furnace apron and gloves greets them, he is human but something about him looks off. He is quite formal and asks if they need his abilities as a builder. They explain that they have been hired to help him, and ask what it is he needs. The artisan tells them he has misplaced a hammering tool, one that is quite important as he is unable to get proper replacements here. His friends have been looking for it, but even with their spells, they are unable to find it. The only thing he is certain is that it's not far away...it has to be somewhere in the city, as he would know if it was taken farther away.

The drow believes that something is not exactly right, he goes toward the furnace, it is more than what he initially thought, is this an actual connection to the plane of flames? Here in this world, this world. Approaching the flames he feels the burning warmth, then his eyes open and realizes the room as being separate from the realm, the statues are in fact living figures, and Kossail is not a man, but a figure of light, something not of this mortal world, nothing here in this room is.

When asked what he is, where they are, Kossail tells him he is exactly what he appears to be - a builder, just not one from this world. He finds it highly useful for him to be here, on a mortal world. He needs the missing tool, someone has taken it, and he believes it is someone that knows what he is and is trying to hurt him.

The team asks if he can assist them in their task, and he believes so. He gives them a charged arrow amulet, and tells them they can seek out what they need. Stepping back, the drow concentrates on the carving horn. He gets no images. Something is missing, something isn't right. They are not sure what it is. Concentrating again about the plague, he is given directions in his mind, a path heading away.

They leave right away, going towards a much poorer section of the city. They head through an unholy area, supported by a small obelisk to Keran, the dark Lord. No worshipers or other dark features, just menacing. Going into low society housing, where many of the poorer folk reside, they go to a tenement building. Mostly abandoned, just like the rest of the city.

Some of the locals see them, and come out to assist. The tenets open the door and give directions to things in the area that might be helpful. Like the dwarves, they all seem older than they should be.  Making their way through the house, the go through the near abandoned house reaching
stairs heading down...as they do they enter the dark basement, and in a few minutes face three large translucent rats, with a dark greenish smudge on them. Taking defensive stances they move forward, but the rats, jump towards them. Using their spells, they take one out right away as the dwarven fighter blasts forward, smashing another one down. The last rat scratches but misses his aim, as the spells and blade of the dwarf  take it out. They gather up some of the droppings into a glass vial, then doing as they always do use Holy Sand to eradicate the scrappings of the dead rats. They head back to Kossail with a few more questions.

Ice Hag often called Ice Crone

This is the default hag on my world, as icy conditions predominate. They are usually found in icy caves, found throughout the realm in virtually every location.

Night Crone

NE  Large Humanoid

Init +1 Sense Perception +9, Nightvision 120 ft

 DEFENSE

A C 19 touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+1 Dex, +9 natural, -1 size)
hp 76hp (9d8+36 con)
Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +4
Dmg Reduction 9/Blunt, Darkvision, Spell Resistance 18

 OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft., Climb 40 ft.
Melee 2 Claws +12 (1d6+7), Bite +8 (1d8+2)
Ranged Icy Staff +6 (1d10+12)
Special Attacks Charming Gaze (DC 18)

Spell Like Abilities (CL 11th)

At will: Meld with Ice, Chill metal, Pass without Trace, Icy Sheen (+4 to AC) 

Snowball swarm (5/day, 3d8 dmg), Wall of ice (3/day).

 STATISTICS

Str 25, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 10
Base Atk +6 CMB +14 CMD 25
Feats Blind-Fight, Combat Casting, Dodge, Mobility, Vital Strike
Skills +5 Climb, +5 Perception, +2 Survival, +10 Craft (Ice)
Languages  Local Dialect, Giant, Dwarf, Elf

 ECOLOGY

Environment Icy Wastes
Organization  Solitary or Covey (3-9)
Treasure Value  Double

 SPECIAL ABILITIES

Charming Gaze (Ability Ex) Anytime a victim meets an ice hag’s gaze, they must resist their powerful trance. The will save is Will DC 18. (The save DC is Charisma based.) The hag must continually look at the victim to keep up the gaze, if the gaze is broken, so too is the powerful charming effect.

A frozen, withered crone looks at you and crackles, you know you are in deep shit.

Horrible creature found throughout the cold wastes of Nyssa, who seek to feed on the living and use the dead as zombies under their command. Hags prefer to attack lone travelers or small groups, when this is not possible, they use their ice manipulation to create scenarios to isolate individuals.

While hags live in communal cave lairs, they work together only for mutual defense. They sometimes share meals in good times, however treasure and magic are always kept hidden from the other covey members. Often one hag’s jealousy can lead to infighting. Once they have fed, an ice hag can easily be bribed with coin or magic.

Hags are similar to undead in that they are created by victims from other races. They trap victims in an icy pit, ice block or similar area, and after years of imprisonment, with both their minds and physical bodies decimated by ice - they emerge as new Ice Crones with a hunger for inflicting horror and carnage on others.

An ice hag uses their spells to weaken and separate groups before entering melee.  What many travelers in the ice often fail to reckon is the horrible, twisted crone they sometimes must face in the wild, can be a sweet, even kind elderly folk that they know. It is not a different personality but a split spirit, in some ways, something like a lycanthrope.

The first mission - Into the Pits

Three members - a Drow Sorceror, an Elven Ranger and a Dwarf warrior.

Solauder, is a Drow Sorceror from another world, bereft of his connection to the radiance he has long studied. He remembers waking up in this world but not how he got here. Instead of contempt, he is treated with respect from elves, humans and others he meets. The black-skinned elves in this world, the Dral, are honourable musicians and historians. Lost, he knows there must be something here, otherwise, how would he have spells.

Bahlgrimm, a Dwarf warrior with some connection to the militias of the area. His family were former noblemen, alas he remembers little of their former life as they lost their position when he was quite young. Raised by an uncle and aunt, who has some wealth but no noble rights. He has been on local missions, and has a few connections but he needs to prove himself if he is to regain his position of high authority.

Atropa Belladonna, an Elven ranger, far from her forest spire home, she left when her older sister returned from a vision-quest with a winged-snake companion, and then dared her to do the same for the tribe. She headed south with the Oromian merchants in their flying seaships until she found a large forest. There she met distant elf-kin who reside just outside a larger multi-racial community. These settled people have much more wealth and magic then her own people.

The team is apart of a larger unit, the Quarnik Maces, who are mostly usually asked to accompany the travelling caravans going North. This time it is a mission very close to their home base, asked to investigate the training pits of Tartinn, a well known stomping ground for lower skilled combatants - especially warriors and rogues. While being hired they make a connection with another member, Vierna, a human female cleric of Darras, who is tasked to accompany them.

A little over a ten-day ago, some merchants from Chiventuss didn't report in as expected. Even stranger, some of their goods were starting to be seen around the lower areas, especially the training pits. Investigators started hearing stories of a wagon and their workers being smuggled into the pits, nothing could be proven and even less found, but the stories were horrifying. The Maces are asked to find the Chiventuss team.

They approach the pits and see the huge numbers of trainees there: human, elf, dwarf and the golden horned ram humanoids - Jahlen. Most practicing their militia skills with virtually every type of imaginable weapon. They see an immaculately dressed human figure, with a regal presence giving orders heeded by almost everyone. Solauder goes over and waits his turn. They begin talking about the events of last week and the missing soldiers. The talk turns terse, as they disagree on details. When questioned, the speaker gets irate at being questioned, unfurls his flame wings, declares himself a Phaetox, who are physically incapable of telling falsehoods, he expects the Solauder and everyone else to listen to his every command.

Unsure of where to go next, Bahlgrimm challenges anyone to face him. At least one of each defender's race steps forward, the fighter selects the minotaur-kin, one of the Jahlen. The ram starts with a running horn butt, which almost shakes the human down. He stays up, and slices into his newfound foe.

At almost the same time, Atropa is touched by a root on her shin, as it snakes up her leg she is contacted in her mind by her kin. The voice asks why the group is there and Atropa explains their quest, to find the lost group who disappeared near the pits a little over a week ago. The soft elven voice says they are unsure, but the fourth pit, farthest from the town is the best place to begin.

The human fighter though injured, is much stronger and faster than his combatant and in a few rounds takes him down enough so when offered a way out, the young jahlen agrees, and the audience cheers in triumph and comraderie.

The group approaches the 4th pit but are stopped from entering by a group of heavily armed dwarves, who block their path with raised axes. They have words, and the Dwarves are unwilling to move. Solauder again is insulting to one of the Dwarf commanders, challenging him to accompany them. The Dwarf then leaves the pack and returns a few moments later, holding his axe out, telling them his name, Fuantos, and asking to accompany the party, which they hesitantly agree to.

These pits, unlike the others, have stone stairs, with protective glyphs near the top. As they descend, every one and half curve, there is a small winged statuesque figure opposite the stairs, very similar to a mini-gargoyle....these smaller ones seem to watch anyone that descends the stairs, the team carefully monitor the statues for any movement.

As they reach the bottom, they see it split, two doors heading south that the dwarves are constantly patrolling and the other going north has limited reach, there is a blocked passageway. They go towards the blocked door where they find in a large room filled with debris. Solauder picks up some coins among the debris. They see the 12 ft tall gothic door, sealed by three locks spread out and large bolts spread out in a unrecognizable pattern. The ranger eventually sees the pattern on the door, the lower lock, already opened, is showing the symbol of Keran (LE God of the Fright), the middle one showing the symbol of Casna (LN - Lord of Laws) and the upper one bearing the symbol of Quanna (LG Lady of Light.) Their newly found Dwarven partner has the symbol of Casna, which easily opens at the touch. As they don't have a holy symbol to Quanna, but the party puts some pressure on Vierna to use hers, as the deities are closely associated, apart of the Quadrane, the holy alliance of the four High Good Gods. Her symbol does open the lock, but she is shocked by a strange white lightning. Hurt, lightly burnt and dazed, her party members help her with some healing and they continue on.

Fuantos, the accompaning dwarf is amazed, the party has quickly been able to open the area his group has been trying for quite a while. As they go through, they find themselves in a wide room, which has a 15 ft tall minotaur statue, in physical armor carrying a two handed polearm; a small pool of blue liquid, two standard doors and a spiked metal door which has no keyhole or opening apparatus. The warriors realize the statue's edge is Anthril one of the strongest known magical metals in this world. Bahlgrimm is tempted by the anthril, but is dissuaded by the party, they all feel that it wouldn't be wise to possibly awaken the statue.

Bahlgrimm then looks at the simple pool. Just looking at it brings him to a state of ease, he puts his hand in and finds that every nick, cut and bruise is gone when he takes it out of the water. Atropa takes a pouch of the blue healing water.

The spiked door grabs their attention, when Solauder nears it, he realizes that the spikes subtlety changes shape depending upon who is nearest the door. Each tries their hand, but the group is unsure of what action is best.  They move away, then head towards the largest of the door, as they do the pathway is lit by torches along the walls every forty feet.

Fairly quickly, a swarm of stirges fly out, pecking their bloody noses for feed. Yet, the swarm does not linger, a few grab their bite of blood, but many more are brought down by bite of axe and bow of the party. The group is careful but make their way to the first door. No apparent traps, and when they open the door they are surprised by the smell and sight of plants, healthy, vibrant leafy plants in an apparently small room. Atropa doesn't even need to hold out her hand before a plant unfurls to caress her. It snaps off its root to curl around her. The room is small, and they decide to move past it.

As they do, they hear a rumble down the hallway, they look up to see three snarling undead hounds, nearly torn out of their skins, come running towards them. Vierna touches her holy symbol and one is kept at bay. The others face the party, the two dwarves plants his feet down to face off as the Atropa pierces them with arrows along with the Solauder's spells. They quickly take the two down. Meanwhile Vierna continues slowly walking towards the undead beast, chanting slowly...as she comes to within 20 feet, the turning rips the unliving beast apart, as bits of meat and bones are slowly devoured by the ground itself. As she turns back to face the group, there is no reminder that anything was there moments before.

She hands them a small pouch of sand, and instructs them to sprinkle some dust on the fallen foes, as it does, the ground swallows the corpses, providing a final resting place. This is Nyssian dungeon custom, bury the dead as quick as you can.

Resting for a moment, the crew looks towards the passageway, still a long way to go to find the missing caravaneers.

Experience Rewards
Dwarf Fighter RP & Solution                 100
Elf Ranger - RP                                       100
Drow RP                                               100
Finding Way Down                                  20 100/5
Stirge 25 * 8                                             40 200/5
Skeleton 3 * 100                                      40 200/5
Opening Sealed Door -                            40 200/5

Rewards                                                 240 ex points for each player

***It was a fun first game. We are still getting used to each other, and for the first few games I think they will be picking up on a lot of the story background of my world. (Gods, magic, etc)

Questions for New Players

Questions for New Players:

1. Are you from this world?

2. Do you belong to this military unit?
   b. How Long have you been apart of the unit? Short (2-4), Medium (5-12), Long 13-70 months)

3. Do you belong to a faith? Name the god or basic belief.

4. Do you belong to a Tower / Organization? (Union of, Order of, Knights of...)

5. What are your 3 core character tenets? - Any time you defend / quote a core tenet, you get a base +2 bonus. You can only utilize a core tenet once per day or story.

6. How firmly do you believe in the Law? (Very Strongly, Strong, Medium, By context, Bollocks)

7. How do you best learn? Action, Exercise, Practice, Books, Belief, Artistic Endeveours

Quillians - humanoid porcupine with isolationist tendencies

Quillians

A humanoid porcupine, with one to three-inch quills that covers their entire body that lays flat on their skin. Larger quills from five to eight inches are found on their chest and back, and on top of their head, from a distance appearing as long straight hair. Their quills prick upwards when excited or agitated; a few allies can even read their emotions in this fashion. Their unexposed skin colour is brown. Most have blue or green eyes but those with unique destinies may have different colours.

Personality: Quillians are isolationists, preferring not to interact with others. In their own group, they have a range of emotions, but are little shown outside of their immediate friends and allies.

Physical Description: Five feet tall humanoids with quills of various sizes covering their bodies. Most tend not to wear armor, but warriors will wear chain mail or a chain shirt.

Relations: They tend to avoid conflict, and can live in harmony with nature, elves and other fey beings. They will often get into territorial disputes with Minotaur, Giants, evil Naga, Ettercap and any evil creatures that attempt to control territory in forest. While they do not provoke trouble, they won’t back down either.

Alignment: They tend towards neutral good. Individuals within tribes do exist, and these tend towards chaotic good more than other lawful tendencies. They expel anyone who breaks tribal law or tradition.

Lands: Nomads that wander several of the largest untouched forests through-out Nyssa.

Religion: Quillians have a long druidic tradition; clerics and gods are mostly a foreign concept to them. As fey, these humanoids have a strong connection with forest spirits, and do their best to live peacefully with them.

Language: They understand Faerie, and their own tongue – Quillian. Most adventuring Quillian also usually speak common or elven.

Adventurers: Quillians often leave the tribe to discover the world or to be able to add to the tribe’s collective knowledge. They usually adventure as rangers or fighters, and do their best to succeed in societies they little understand, always preferring rural or even wastelands to civilizations. Those who succeed away, can take on other classes.

Quillian Racial Traits
No ability score adjustments
+2 to survival checks & +2 to knowledge (nature)

Base 20 skill points, more if they have exceptional intelligence, to be used on core skills only (Rogues gain an extra +16 points when creating their character.)

Core Racial Skills: Climb, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (local, nature, and religion), Perception, Ride, Sense Motive, Survival

Spiky Defense: If not wearing armor, their quills provide a +3 AC bonus if an attacker is weaponless or using a touch attack.

Throw Quills: Range: 20/40/-, Dmg: 1d4+str dmg

Preferred Classes: Ranger

Possible Classes: Barbarian, Druid, Fighter, Rogue, Sorcerer or Psion

Quill Master-Thrower: Prestige Class
Requirements: +5 BAB; Survival 7 ranks; Precise Shot (Quills), Weapon Focus (Quills)

BAB, saves, skills points & feats as ranger for every new level.
1st level: Quill damage increase to 1d6 + Str
2nd Level Double base Range
3rd Level: Fire 2 shots / round; must be at the same target
4th Level Quill damage increase to 1d8 + Str
5th Level: Independent targets; triple base range

Oxylla - Silver scaled lizard-humanoids that dissolve metals

For a while I wasn't using many common creatures, I farted around to create weird combos.  These replaced the rust monster in my dungeons. Weird, mysterious insect-lizardmen that kind of worshiped and used silver for all sorts of arcane/cultish designs. This was one of those that I really liked and kept using, even after switching back to the core book of creatures.

Oxylla

XP 1,600
N Medium Aberration
Init +3 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7

 DEFENSE

AC 18 touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +5 natural)
hp 37hp (5d8+15 con)
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +6
   

 OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee Fists X2  +4 (1d6+1), Tail  +6 (1d3+1)
Special Attacks Glue, Dissolve metal

 STATISTICS

Str 12, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 9
Base Atk +3 CMB +4 CMD 17
Feats Improved Sunder, Improved Trip, Weapon Finesse
Skills  +8 Acrobatics , +4 Climb , +7 Escape Artist , +7 Perception , +8 Stealth , +6 Survival
Languages Oxylla, Dwarven

 ECOLOGY

Environment  Temperate Forests, Non-Cold Environments
Organization  Circle (2-5), Ring (3-18)
Treasure Value  Standard (gems)
Advancement: Large (6-12 HD)

Dissolving Touch: Excluding silver, their touch dissolves up to 200 pounds of metals instantly; mundane items do not get a saving throw. Magical items can save vs Fort DC 18 to avoid this affect. Silver can be dissolved, but they must touch the item for one minute. However, the silvery liquid when applied to wounds acts as a healing salve. For every ten coins (10 onces) of silver, an Oxylla can heal 1d10 points of damage. If kept in a secure container, others can use the salve for up to a week later before it fully re-solidifies.

Glue: From their palm orifice they can release a colorless and odorless glue, which takes one round to smear on an object and another round to activate as it dries. This substance bonds any two physical objects for up to one hour. It is incredibly difficult to remove, requiring a Strength Check vs DC 30.

Silver scaled lizard-humanoids that combine the features of lizards, insects and men. These slim humanoids mix silver scales of a dragon, the eyes, antennae and legs of an insect along with a lizard-men’s large strong tail. They have a narrow elongated head. At the end of their long arms, four clawed fingers emerge with a small sticky black circle in the middle of their palm. This orifice is both the equivalent of their nose and an organ to release a glue-like substance upon touch. Oxylla are metal eaters, despised for their ability to absorb and digest metals.

Little is known about the habits or society of these beings. While they sometimes survive by stealing scraps of refuse metal, they often raid traveling merchants or scavenge battle sites to get the needed metals. Metals are food, clothing and elixir; each has a unique taste to an Oxylla, and they can identify the purity or composition of a metal simply by smelling it. Silver is needed in medicinal, religious and reproductive purposes. They speak their own language and dwarven but can speak any if exposed to it or trained.

Combat
Although they survive through raiding, Oxylla use their stealth abilities to take whatever they need without confrontation. While their main tactic is pummeling enemies with their fists, their strongest abilities come from using their long tail to both knock weapons out of opponent’s hands or to trip their enemies.

Company of the Hardened Anvil PT 9

Roll # 1 - Going thru the halls DC 11 Fail 8
Roll # 2 - Wandering Monster Check (10/20) Result 5 (Success), Finding (D), Result (9/100) - Jackalla
                                 A - 20% Monster (2d10)
                                 B - 20%  Monster (2d20)
                                 C - 50% Monster (3d20)
                                 D - 10% Monster (1d100)
Roll # 3 - Room Check 1d100 - Sequestered Room via stairs heading down

In a few more moments, the rest of the unit joined Caventh in the corridor, content that there was nothing else to be found or looted in the cultist hideaway. The Ranger led them south, through a curve heading north.

There was an unusual kink in the road, a joint turn, one leading ahead straight, the other towards the west. Investigating, they found plenty of debris, but this time from soldiers. Tips of spear-heads and arrows and bits of charred hederak meats and dried vlums, a place of rest or meal. "Half a dozen boot prints. They weren't here long, and not too long ago."  

They headed west not specifically following but still going in the same direction of the boot tracks.  The path narrowed, making it much harder for them to go two abreast. The hallways were more polished, nearly shiny, quite unusual. Ennos, near the back of the group stopped to touch the walls, Unnos watched her quietly. Her blue skinned hand reached out slowly to touch the walls, and she seemed to hesitate. were the walls here? Were they real? She touched the not-so-cool walls, some heat in them, but reflective, very apparently so, when she got very close.  Her Master, Unnos came over to her, and started to peer at the same subtlely mirrored walls - it wasn't obvious, but both believed these walls either caught or reflected magic; was this a natural phenomenom, or was it a trap, neither were entirely sure.

The Ranger asked them to stay put then went up ahead, he was hearing something, an echo of some sort. Going down another side passageway, he say the magical trace of a ward, a very strong or recent one. Going further, there was a furred humanoid standing tall and ready with a large curved sword in his paws. Not much further, another one of these furred humanoids, this one he could see the animal like face, but he had a long two-handed warhammer in his hands smashing down on group of cadavers, a common type of undead found in many dungeons. He look a step forward but the creature near the back of the large room, held up a hand, motioning him to stop. He understood, this wasn't a battle, these threats were minor and was safely in their paw.  `No need, Climber. This is ours to handle.` the creatures voice was calm and non-threateningm just a simple statement in full command.
Caventh realized these creatures were the Jackalla, the morticians known for their dedication to hunting undead creatures.

In almost every large community their Towers of Sorrow stood to intern the dead, as citizens paid a silver to place the True Dead in a peaceful resting place. Adventurers knew them much better for their perpetual hunting of undead, to keep the land and dungeons free from the undead scourge, ever threatening to overcome communities or places of magic.

`My team...` Caventh wondered for a moment if he should share their true goals with the slayers, he didn`t think they would find offense, but Rillo probably wouldn`t like it. 'are here to explore the dungeon.'

The slayer nodded, 'Your activities are of little interest to us, unless you strengthen the undead - either knowlingly or not. We care little for your treasure or politics as long as you maintain the Balance of Life.`

He understood that these lawful beings would turn agaisnt them or anyone that messed with magic that could boost undead creatures. `We are looking for a commander of Tower soldiers, have you seen anyone or any group that fits this general description?'
'
Yes, we passed one, three hours ago. Head north, the group is on a standardized path.`

Caventh`s attention turned to the sole hunter of the Jackalla group, using his warhammer to pound the creatures apart. `Are there many of those things in this Tower?' Caventh asked.

`No. For a Tower of this size, there are many warriors that do our bidding, willingly. The undeads numbers are small, but now and then, a new group is found.`

'You know this Tower?'

'Very well, for most...` the Jackalla priest hesitated for a moment, looking over to his brothers then back to the Jahlen again, `stages. Most stages have known themes, as creatures have similar interests tend towards each other, sometimes deliberately sometimes by accident of the environment. We study these places, to best seek out our foe.`

'If you know these corridors, can you guide us?'

'No. We maintain an alliance with many...creatures.`the cleric said balancing his words carefully. 'If we were to help you, you could come up agaisnt our would-be-allies. Your struggle with evil or politics or social ills is of no importance to us, we mantain the Balance of Life, nothing else. if we were to help you, our balance would be moved, and that is not for the best. The only one way, is payment in advance and eliminate an undead, whether a remnant, a student or an item. Then we repay, action with knowledge of what you are seeking.'

The ranger nodded, he didn`t like, but few civilized people begrudged the Jackalla, and understood their point, appreciating them for the betterment they did for civilization and peace. Caventh looked  over, and realized the combat was over. Three of the Jackalla had begun to gather the dozen bodies into a pile. Another took out a sack, and began to sprinkle dust on them, seconds later, the dust had buried them, immediately. As soon as he saw the Dust of Peace, Caventh had remembered that this was another reason Jackalla were so popular among adventurers, undead were a common threat, and immediate internment was the best way not to face undead repeatedly, as they often rose hours after defeating them. He negotiated with the cleric for a pouch of dust, then headed back.

The ranger explained the events, and none said a word of protest. Few intelligent creatures ever judged a Jackalla and their duties harshly. They were unforgvinging, hell-bent on an honourable duty - attacking the undead scourge. Best to know that they were here, the liklihood of running into an undead, especially powerful ones were much decreased with their ever-present activity. It also helped them understand why their outside figure needed to secret something inside, there were lawful eyes making sure no contraband came from outside. That's what they were carying, they all knew it, but didn't want to admit it to themselves. Sure, it wasn't something that dealt with evil spirits or undead, but it was still borderline illegal among the lawful groups and churches above.

They forged ahead, taking a side passageway, that split again in four, all going north. They took the one that looked the most travelled, plenty of bits of broken armor and weapons. As they through noticed plenty of small side rooms, some used, many looked abandoned. Continuing on, they saw a side-path, one that led to even more pathways. It would be so easy to get lost in here, not exactly a maze but close enough. They continued on, keeping generally the same direction.

They soon stopped, seeing a messy pile of debris on the ground, mostly weapons again, except this time in one of the side rooms.  Rillo looked carefully at the pile, and then realized they weren`t just battered, many of them were partially melted. She picked one of the pieces up, then bashed it on the ground, and it broke in half quite easily. `Caventh - these weapons are partially melted...why would they be piled up like this?`

The jahlen kneeled down and grabbed smaller bits, 'Rusters, I think. Snake like creatures that feed off metal.' He looked up, then put his arms out, Rillo walked back at his quiet insistence.  The Jahlen took a running jump, then bounced agaisnt the wall to hurl himself much higher. He grabbed the ceiling for a few moments then dropped back down. 'There are nets placed above. If we were to rush into them, it would drop the nets...They are hunting the rusters. Dwarven designed traps.'

'So our instinct was good to leave them alone.' Rillo said.
'
But if they are dwarven, then they probably would have a way to see or detect if something was triggered. Unnos?' Caventh spoke out, 'Can you scan the room?'

The sorcerer nodded, and began mumbling that turned louder each second. His eyes glowed purple, then shot out of him as he scanned the room. His eyes stopped and he pointed to an area, he went over and began scratching a the wall, until he caught on to something and threw it on the floor, a small hidden room, with a humanoid figure sitting down. For a second, none of them knew if this was a construct or even a golem or perhaps a living person.  Rillo walked over to it, a metal humanoid figure, sitting still, no motion at all.

'Is that alive?' Rillo asked Unnos, who shook his head.

'It could be a living metal, but we are not doing its activation mode...the trigger to ...'

Rillo nodded, 'Yeah , I get it. So nothing here...'  She waved her hands, motioning for the team to move further into the tunnels, looking for their contact or even better, a magical loci.

Roll # 1 - Going thru the halls DC 15
Roll # 2 - Wandering Monster Check (9/20) then D100 for below
                                 A - 10% Monster (2d10)
                                 B - 10%  Monster (2d20)
                                 C - 70% Monster (3d20)
                                 D - 10% Monster (1d100)
Roll # 3 - Room Check 1d100

Company of the Hardened Anvil PT 8

Roll # 1 - Checking out the cage and lock DC 16 Succeed - DC 20
Roll # 2 - Further check on the room         DC 17 Fail 13
Roll # 3 Wandering Monster Check (6/20) Result 10 (Nothing substantial)
                                 A - 25% Monster (2d10)
                                 B - 25%  Monster (2d20)
                                 C - 50% Monster (3d20)

Ennos removed her cowl as she approached the area. The immaculately white statue caught the others eyes, but it was the prison that caught her own. She wanted to touch it, but hesitated, her hands already up in the air, reaching out, looking for the information this location held. Intuitively, she tried to grab the mana, the magic - it often existed away, off from dweomered items, leaking from objects. It feed her, and she lapped it up, deliciously fragrant, aromatic to only her. There was much of that mana here, around this cage, it tasted old but still strong.

Her completely white eyes started to dazzle, as she peered at the cage, she saw fragments of the past. Glimpses into what was. Her hands expanded, as she looked into the item, droplets of red mana solidified on her, she saw the pounding of the light blue metal in the past. she saw images of the cage, in other places, not here, nowhere close to here. She saw flashes, on tall metal men, and war, and cages, prisons for other creatures. She closed her eyes, trying to shut them out, but it took her time. She saw a long history of the cage, but the statue... the dweomer from the cage blocked any history. "This is not from here, not from..." she hesitated looking for the right word, "here. It is planar, and old."

"The prisoner?" Rillo asked, caring only about the person inside. The beautiful, elegant, marble eligy inside. she was mostly nude, one of her hands holding her skirt to cover her lower half, her upper body twisted hiding most of her features. Her hair was long. Her features so small, so fragile, for a statue, yet still so stunning. The shackles were also stone, in a style not anything anyone recognized, chaining her to the floor. She was five feet away from their end of the cage, in the center of it.

"Nothing, it may not be alive..." Ennos said looking at the statue then Unnos then Rillo. "We have no way of knowing."

"The cage is old." Unnos said touching the blue steel frame. The cage was thin, the frame built in a style he didn't recognize. There was no apparent frame opening, or, it wasn't in their front at the least.

She nodded, the living mana-eater was certain about that. It was not from this world. It could be enchanted, but most likely not, it was the metal that had the qualities.

"Trapped?" Rillo asked, as she came forward, hesitating to touch it, "Is the cage trapped? Are there enchantments?"

Unnos spoke, as his student froze, looking at their commander, "She can tell us about the magic, not that. She is a reader..."

Rillo put up her hand to silence the Sorcerer, she didn't care, she wanted in. She took out her dagger and tapped the cage, watching for any subtle change. She waited a few more seconds and banged it - hard. It clanged and gave her a sharp shriek back, an electrical charge. She took her dagger and snapped at the cage, there was a light, but no discharge this time. She waited longer...still staring at the cage, then grasped it with both hands, it gave her a buzz again, but not enough to make her release. She yelled and banged her dagger up agaisnt the metal cage again and again until she stopped, her entire party was staring at her.

She stopped to look at it again...then shook her head. She closed her eyes, and tried to solve the problem in her head. But she didn't know where to attack it, where the cages weak spots were.  She looked it over again, looking for something to give her a clue. "Check the room...quickly." Rillo began diving into the property around the cage, looking for anything to give her a deeper understanding of what this was.

Unnos and Ennos spread out, to go over the storage areas. Debris from many meals, many visitors. This place seemed to unused for a long time. It was an odd mixture of faith but also knowledge, of magic, containing elements of both. There were hiding places, in the corners, where papers had probably been kept, but nothing here, all cleared out long ago.

Caventh had mostly ignored the area, then realized the wizard's familiar hadn't actually come into the sanctuary yet. He glanced around, looking for any signs of debris from pests or vermin. While not kept up, there were no small pools of waste...no animals came inside here.

The cleric had intuitively taken out his mace, and held it up to his shoulder. He was nervous to have the magic eater with them - but Rillo had insisted on it, she seemed so intent on getting their mission done as quickly as possible. Vasano had curiosity but more important didn't want his team mates hurt. He saw his commander frustrated, but he didn't know what to say or do, so he stood silently by. This temple of magic, which was a dreadfully odd phrase, seemed out of sorts, at least there was no signs of mana. The only possibility was, "This was a cult?" Vasano asked. In Nyssian terms, a cult was the worship of a deity not found on this world, there was many different or alternative forces that could be followed, with different names or rituals or focuses but the Being followed was on the Nyssian realm of existence. Officially a cult worshiped an outsider force.  This mixing of the rituals with arcana best fit what this could be.

"Uh-huh..." Rillo responded, which none of them knew exactly if that was a positive or not. she grabbed some debris and threw it on the floor, the old papers and writing materials."Nothing!`she screamed, frustrated and angry at not finding something, anything here to give insights as to how to get the cage open. "YES," she yelled at Vasano, "Most likely...' she calmed down, and sat at one of the benches.

"Did you expect to find a key, Rillo?" the ranger asked her, "How long do you think this place has been abandoned? 100 years, 500 years? How long have the patrols passed through here? Maybe 50 years, in that time how many of the scroungers have been here, how many times have this place been picked clean. Not just taking magic but anything, anything they can sell. There's nothing here."

"Damn it, Caventh, shut up! I know all that!" she said grasping at some of the debris and threw it towards him. "Still, we gotta try." She looked at him and smiled, then laughed. She nodded and was about to give them an order when Ennoss came over to stand immediately in front of the party cleric. She stopped for a moment to see what will happen.

"Follower of Darras." Ennoss said plainly and very slowly, as she addressed Vasano the party cleric, "You said, if I ever had a question of the gods, I could inquire to you." she said the words, and looked directly at him, straight into his medallion of faith, what he often referred to as his holy symbol.  The cleric nodded, and looked mostly at Unnos but kept at eye on Rillo as well.

"Why did you call this a cult? Why is this any different from your group of faithful?"

The cleric grasped his holy symbol of a hand glorified by by a star. Here, in this dark unholy spot it was little more than a medallion, but in cities it shone with magical energy the literal mana from the heavens. "They aren't different." the priest said, "from all of the faithful. From mine, yes, very different. From the core tenets of the Lord of the Poor, yes. They are holed up in this place, far from the city, far from community, plotting or sharing sinister secrets, vile rites. Others, from the earthly deities, may share some of the vile elements. But the difference is that these gods, even the worst ones, are still from here, from this land. These outsider powers, to get their power, their majic, they must be willing to offer a sacrifice, usually a dark and grisly ones. An evil force, based on this land can give their followers their boon without it. These outsiders, cannot. It is born of dark, sacriligious evil elements.

"It is why they come to these dark holes, to do their sinister actions away from the cities and the glorious obelisk temples. Shun that which hides in the dark."

"Is that why, clerics murder wizards? Why clerics kill others who do not worship their gods" Ennos said. Her wizard companion looked at her with some confusion, and the others did the same. She looked and sounded most times like a member of the party, someone that followed orders, but there was something that she obviously didn't follow.

"We don't. We stop those who hurt or kidnap or steal or kill from others. We don't hurt the weak - ever. " Vasano looked at her, plainly, simply saying the words, trying to understand what she was trying to learn.  Was it a true question, or goading him into saying something. He took his time, "Good aligned creatures won't do any of these things, unless it is to stop suffering of others."

"I have your word." Ennoss said, "And I know that you will not mislead us." All of them stared at her blue skin, so very alien to them at times.

"Is that a question? You don't ask questions, I do" Rillo said, coming in between Ennos and the cleric. "I pick the team members, and I trust each of you. Do your job and we will end this curse. Maybe not today or tomorrow but we will find a way. And that is enough. "

The ram-horned humanoids ears tweaked, he heard something. His hooves skittered across the stones, out into the hallway. His eyes adjusted to the darkness, enough to pick out a few shark fins skating across the walls. Shakrins - the wall rats, a nuisance for many underground inhabitants, unless they come in large enough numbers to cause problems.


Roll # 1 - Going thru the halls DC 11 Succeed - DC 20
Roll # 2 - Wandering Monster Check (8/20) Result 10 (Nothing substantial)
                                 A - 20% Monster (2d10)
                                 B - 20%  Monster (2d20)
                                 C - 50% Monster (3d20)
                                 D - 10% Monster (1d100)
Roll # 3 - Room Check 1d100