AKA “The Siege Ends”

AKA “An Oath Made”





Adventures in Taggeriell

Session 23 (Date: 13th May 2017)





Players Present:

- Rob (Known as “Balasar”) Dragonborn Male.

- Bob (Known as “Sir Krondor”) Dwarf Male.

- Travis (Known as “Trenchant”) Human Male.

- Arthur (Known as “Gim”) Dwarf Male.





Absent Players

- Phil (Known as “Nac”) Half-elf Male. <Played by Rob>

- Paul (Known as “Labarett”) Elf Male. <Played by Travis>





NPC

- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by DM>

- (Known as “Valder”) Elf Male. <Controlled by DM>





Summary

- Fireday, 18th of Neth in the year 814 (Second Era). Winter.

- The party begin this session, in the Keep, in the center of Anwich, which is still under siege; around mid afternoon.

- Balasar and Trenchant speak to one of the locals taking refuge in the besieged tower, the village skinner, and arrange for the skins of the recovered Ambush Drake to be removed and prepared, as Trenchant is hoping to arrange a new set of leather armour, and Balasar gets access to the rest of the dead Ambush Drake to perform his examination. At the completion of the examination, Balasar learns that the beast has impressive leg muscles made for pouncing and learns that the beast probably waits to surprise his foes and leap upon them to inflict lethal damage; thus the name of the beast “Ambush Drake”. Arrangements are made for the meat of the beast to be taken to the kitchen and used to feed the people trapped within the Keep.

- The party reunite back together and decide that they will split up and go about various tasks: Nac and Balasar will go see the captured Dragonfang in the tower cells and attempt to get some answers; Sir Krondor, Gim and Valder will visit the Keep’s library to see if they can find some answers about why Anwich has been targeted; and Trenchant, Naillae and Labarett decide to stay in the area in the Tower allocated to the party to camp and get some sleep.

- Sir Krondor, Gim and Valder find the well stocked library. Over the course of the next hour, they search through many books. Gim looks through any books on Dwarven History and Clan History but can only find one book and it is quite lacking in detail. Sir Krondor and Valder direct their search at books on ancient history, map books and anything to do with the Dragon Wars or Dragons; and they uncover half a dozen books. They learn that over 2000 years ago, clans of the Dwarves and Gnomes made an agreement known as Phandelver’s Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as the Wave Echo Cave located in large Mount Forge, near the town of Phandalar. In addition to it’s mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power, Human spell casters allied themselves with the Dwarves and Gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge, called the Forge Of Spells, where magic items of immense power could be crafted. Times were good and the nearby human towns of Phandalar and Ling, prospered as well. But then disaster struck when an army of orcs and ogres, lead by the evil Red Wizards of Thay, attacked through the northern lands and seized the Wave Echo Cave. With access to the Spell Forge, the enemy forces forged great weapons of power that they used against the combined army of Human, Dwarf and Gnome. A great war started that lasted 100 years. During this time, two Red Wizards of Thay, Elven twin brothers, Virion and Merith, designed and crafted six dragon masks: Blue, Green, White, Black, Red and one of clear crystal. It was said that each of the masks granted the wearer great power and the ability to control dragons of that colour. The masks could also somehow breach Planar Boundaries in some way and had another greater function, but the book was not clear about that aspect. With this new power, the forces of the Red Wizards raised an army of Dragons under their bidding; this conflict was now referred to as The Dragon Wars. With most of the northern lands under the control of the Red Wizards and their dragons, they built a large monument, a pair of 300’ tall statues of the twins Virion and Merith. The war saw many lives lost, lands destroyed and the very fabric of the Planes damaged which has resulted in a reduction of all magic and spells since that day. The war was only brought to an end, during a final great battle in which saw the destruction of Mount Forge, the loss of the Wave Echo Cave that housed the Spell Forge, most of the armies of both sides destroyed and the land left a jagged mess; the Grey Hills are the only remnant of that epic battle being the remains of the destroyed Mount Forge. The books have no information on what happened to the Dragon Masks.

- Gim, on a hunch, uses the previous ancient map that the party found in one of the rooms of the Wave Echo Cave. that the party found and explored, and by combining that with a partial map in one of the books makes a discovery. An entry in one of the books mentions the “portal gate of Hern”. Looking at the ancient map the players hold, there is indeed a range of hills marked “Hern” on the map that has a red circle marked on it. There appears to be four red circles marked on the map the party possess.

- Gim then starts to examine and search the room for hidden areas and does indeed find a small button on the rear of one shelf that when pressed opens a very narrow secret door that would allow someone, not in armour or of great size, to exit the library into one of the Keep’s many corridors.

- Once sure there is no more to learn in the library the three make their way back to their camp area within the tower to rest.

- Meanwhile, Nac and Balasar had gone to the tower cells to interrogate the captured Dragonfang, Rexnil. Governor Tarbaw and Sir Castellan do not attend as they have other matters to see to. Only two guards are in the cell area but they are not within sight or hearing of the interrogation. Nac attempts to force Rexnil to speak by questioning his worthiness to his god, Tiamat, but it does not work. Before Nac can start to any physical violence on him Balasar stops him and whispers, “Nac, I’ve been looking at this guy. He doesn’t fear pain, or death. He’s a zealot, if you torture him, it will only make him stronger. You’ll need to lie to him, tell him what ever you need, whatever you think he wants to hear, if you say it with enough conviction he’ll believe you.” (Successful Insight check by Balasar).

- Nac takes this advice and instead of violence lies to Rexnil, and manages to convince the captured Cult Officer that Nac and Balasar have no love or allegiance to the rest of the party, or the Keep, or the Kingdom, and promise to help the Officer escape and give him the head of the Knight of Fanur, if he tells them what is going on. (Successful Deception checks - multiple).

- Rexnil tells them that the Dragon Cult army is made up of five separate armies, each army is led by “A Wearer Of Purple”, and each army has a different coloured Dragon and Dragon rider. There is a Black, Red, White, Green and Blue Dragon. The Blue Dragon at Anwich, called Lennithon, is ridden by an Elven female warrior called Solana Venrel. The army at Anwich however is lead by a senior officer, “A Wearer Of Purple”, called Frulam Mondath, a Human female warrior. There is somewhat of a disagreement and dispute as to who is actually in charge of each army. The Dragon Riders believe they are in charge and the Wearers Of Purple likewise believe they are in charge. As such, there is much disorder within each of the five armies; with conflicting orders and disorganised attacks being the result. They learn that the orders of the army here are to search the town and steal anything of value: coins, jewellery, art objects, exotic tapestries and statues. The stolen goods are to be conveyed to a gathered spot along with all the other stolen treasure from other places, to make a great treasure hoard for tribute for Tiamat, the Dragon Queen Goddess, when she comes into this world. The party ask Rexnil about the hatchery but he has no idea where it is, as he has not been there himself but he understands it is somewhere north east of Anwich. This army was to meet up at the hatchery to regroup after attacking Anwich, before heading off to the final destination; which he is also not aware of.

- With no other questions that the pair can think to ask, Nac plunges his dagger into the chest of Rexnil as he whispers, “I’ll let the Dragon Queen tell you herself why you and your Cult have failed her.”

- Nac and Balasar return to Governor Tarbaw and Sir Castellan and advise them what they have learned. They then return to the camping area within the Tower to rejoin the party.

- When all the party are back together in the tower they start to lay out their bed rolls to get some sleep; whilst Balasar performs some slow martial moves to help settle his mind before sleeping.

- Nac notices that Naillae has moved her bedroll close to Trenchant.

- Nac asks Labarett, “Hey what’s up with that?”

- Labarett the Barbarian nods, “When everyone gone, Elf woman move close and give Bard the eye. She wants to join her waters with his waters.”

- Naillae who is seated cross legged, eyes closed, facing Trenchant speaks, “You know I am only meditating right now and I can hear you? I don’t fancy anyone! I just moved my bedroll cause it was cold over there.” but a red flush goes over her face as she says this.

- The party fall into a deep sleep, or deep mediation.

- A few hours later, the party are all woken as a loud crash and explosion can be heard and the tower shakes. Shouting can be heard coming from outside and the sound of heavy wings can be heard.

- No light comes from windows, the sun has obviously set.

- The party rush up and open the two doors and look outside and also through the many windows. Balasar manages to see a large dark blue shape fly across the dark sky, blotting out the stars. The Dragonborn monk shouts, “Dragon!”

- Trenchant looks through a window and sees the inner gate of the Sally Port has been destroyed. A long line of blackened damage leads to the shattered inner gate, and then a black line, like a scar runs up the inside of the inner Keep to the forward post. The bard shouts, “The Dragon has destroyed the inner gate. We need to get over to the forward post and try to lower the portcullis!”

- The party attempt to leave the tower but due to the effect of the Dragon Fear everyone except Nac is forced to stay in the tower cowering in fear. (Failed Wisdom Saves versus Fear). Nac runs out and up to the upper tower cells and gets inside to safety there.

- It is obvious too that all the stationed guards on the Keep are also cowering down in fear and will be of no use in this encounter.

- Trenchant looks through one of the windows and makes an illusion of a body dressed as a Draonfang cultist, laying on the ground of the inner compound, with a jewelled mask covered in the symbol of Tiamat near him.

- With an loud rush of air, the Blue Dragon comes down and hovers just above the northern parapet. The beasts mighty wings beat the air and six of the guards there are knock over; with four of the guards being pushed off the walk way to fall to their deaths and two being knocked into the stone walkway, bleeding to death.

- Looking through the window, Gim catches a glance of the figure of a rider, dressed in black, upon the back of the Blue Dragon.

- The party inside the tower keep trying to either get outside or at least attack the Dragon through the windows but can not over come their Fear. (Repeated Failed Wisdom save rolls, even with re-rolled Inspiration by Trenchant). Valder takes the opportunity to re-cast his Mage Armour spell around him as his previous has long expired.

- Nac, from the safety of the tower cells, looks out and casts Guiding Bolt at the Dragon which hits it, doing some damage which does not seem to bother the Dragon too much. The spell causes the Dragon to start to sparkle with a mystical dim light that now surrounds it. Nac notices too that there is a black collar around the neck of the Dragon which flashed yellow when the spell hit it.

- The Dragon dives down and lands near the illusion made by Trenchant. It claws desperately at the mask but when it’s claws go through the illusion it howls with rage.

- Most of the party are still struggling to overcome their fear of the Dragon. Sir Krondor and Trenchant, keeping their vision away from the inner keep, ran out of the tower via the north walkway towards the forward post. Labarett has finally overcome his fear and runs out to start hurling javelins at the Dragon below in the inner compound of the Keep.

- Nac, from the upper tower cells, casts Chill Touch and two ghostly hands appear, one at the Dragon and one at the Dragon rider, and injure both. Nac again notices the collar around the Dragon flash a colour, this time with a Black colour.

- Gim, Naillae and Valder are slowly and cautiously, using the parapet walls to hide, moving around to the forward post via the south walkway.

- The Dragon, realising the mask is just an illusion, leaps into the air and flies up and swoops over the forward post. Trenchant tries to fire a crossbow bolt at the rear of the Dragon as it flies over but his hand gets caught in the string injuring himself (Fumble attack roll).

- Sir Krondor reaches the forward post but sees that the Dragon’s attack has also damaged the portcullis and it can not be used. Labarett and Balasar, using their unmatched speed, both run and reach the forward post too. From the forward post they can now see that a small group of the Dragon Cult, carrying torches, is about 100 feet away and they are approaching the front gate.

- Sir Krondor, Labarett and Trenchant prepare their weapons to engage the group approaching the Keep.

- The Dragon has flown around in a circle and once again opened its mouth, releasing its lightning breath attack against the front outer gate. The forward post shakes and bits of wood and stone explode out. There is now a large dark scar from the ground, going through the outer gate and stretching up the outer wall. The Keep is now open and unsecured.

- As the Dragon flies over the Keep, Nac casts Guiding Bolt at the large beast. The spell hits true doing an enormous amount of damage (Spell Critical - Triple Damage and Arcane Drain). The Dragon bellows in rage as the spell attack rips open a large scar on its head, from its mouth to its left ear. The collar around its neck starts to flash multiple colours and the light coming from it seems to start to fade and flicker out.

- Naillae has managed to reach the forward post and starts to ready various pots of hot oil and hot sand in case they need to throw them into the sally port at incoming foes.

- Meanwhile, Sir Krondor, Labarett and Trenchant continue raining arrow, javelin and bolt at the approaching group, killing some of them. The group is comprised of winged kobolds, a robed Acolyte of the Cult, a robed Mage of the Cult and an Ambush Drake. But due to the distance and darkness of the night, the party are raining random shots at this group and can not select targets. A couple of the kobolds and the acolyte are dropped dead by the attack from above.

- Balasar leaps into the inner compound, using his Slow Fall, to land safely at the destroyed inner gate of the Sally Port.

- The injured Dragon continues to fly directly away from the Keep, at a fast speed, until it is hard to see against the dark starry night sky.

- Just as Valder reaches the front of the Keep on the upper parapet, all the winged kobolds in the group approaching the keep, fly up and land around Valder on the south walk way and around Trenchant on the north walk way; both of them are now surrounded!

- Gim comes to the aid of Valder and starts to attack the kobolds but the Dwarf is not doing very well (Fumble attack roll - re-rolled with Inspiration). Valder likewise is attacking the kobolds, striking them down with his Spider staff.

- Nac, still from the advantageous spot of the upper tower cells begins to cast spells at the kobolds around Trenchant, taking out two immediately with his ghostly Chill Touch hand (Spell Critical Hit - Maximum damage).

- Balasar runs through the sally port and outside towards the approaching group which now only comprises a robed Mage of the Cult and one Ambush Drake in the lead. The Dragonborn monk, remembering his examination of the Ambush Drake, does not want to let the beast leap upon him so engages the beast immediately. Unfortunately in his haste the monk gets knocked in the head (Fumble attack - re-roll with Inspiration and rolled another Fumble, concussed lose Proficiency bonus on all attack rolls for 3 rounds).

- The Ambush Drake in return snaps back at Balasar and causes a deep wound as the beast clamps down on the monk’s arm, causing him to drop his enchanted Light Bringer mace. (Critical attack roll). The Monk is now trapped in the jaws of the beast (Grapple condition).

- The Cult Mage points his hand at the forward post and the air in the room drops to freezing as the ceiling of the room appears to covered in dark clouds. Large icy rocks of hail, the size of water melons, begin to pound into the room from the cloudy ceiling. Smashing furniture and causing Labarett, Sir Krondor and Naillae to try and jump out of the way of the lethal hail. Sir Krondor and Labarett managed to avoid most of the hail (taking only 12 points of damage on a Successful Dexterity save) whilst Naillae takes the full brunt (taking 25 points for a Failed Dexterity save). The Ice Storm has put out both furnaces uses to heat the oil and sand in the room.

- Valder, now that the kobolds around him and Gim are dead, fires off a spell at the Ambush Drake holding Balasar and gets a good hit killing the beast (Spell Critical Hit - double damage) and allows Balasar to get free and pick up his mace to continue the fight.

- Trenchant looses his balance on the north walk way and nearly falls off but manages to stay (Fumble - Off Balance - will have his attack rolls reduced for 1 round).

- Nac uses his Boots of Springing and Striding to jump down into the inner compound.

- Naillae, badly wounded and near death from the Ice Storm attack has to fetch out a Healing Potion from her backpack to restore some health.

- The Cult Mage does not last long, with the combined might of Labarett putting two javelins into the Cult Mage, and with Balasar now back with his Mace.

- A second group of the Dragon Cult can be seen some distance away approaching the Keep.

- Valder uses his spells to re-ignite the twin furnaces in the forward post to ready more hot oil and sand. Sir Krondor tries to get the Keep guards to come out and yells orders at them to defend the Keep against incoming foot troops as the Dragon has gone. Sir Castellan has arranged for his men to bring a large wooden reinforced barrier to seal the forward gate but it will take some time to get it into position and sealed. Gim uses the stairs to go down and to the sally port.

- As the second group approaches, the party in the forward post to start fire long ranged attacks again. The incoming group comprises of 4 warriors in armour (one of which appears to be in better armour), 3 Cult Fanatics, 4 Kobolds and 2 Ambush Drakes.

- Balasar who moved back to the sally port with Gim and is waiting the second group to get closer, whilst the rest of party attack the second group with arrow, javelin, bolt and spell.

- When the group is close enough, the two ambush drakes leap forward into the sally port. Gim, standing safely to the side, steps forward and attacks the beasts. So too does Balasar and with the combined effort of the Dwarf Fighter and Dragonborn Monk below, and the Javelins of Labarett through the trap door above in the sally port, the two beasts are dropped quickly.

- Sir Krondor begins to descend down to the inner keep to get to the sally port whilst Nac likewise uses his Boots to easily get back up to the upper forward parapet.

- With the threat of the two Ambush Drakes taken care of, Balasar rushes out towards the second group and bravely moves at them at full speed. When he is close enough he unleashes the full force of his soul, which has been touched by the shadow of death, upon the group. Most of the group turn and run in terror leaving only two of the warriors (one in the better armour) and one cultist. (Special Death Monk Ability Hour of Reaping)

- Balasar feels his muscles begin to stiffen and harden but then he is fine (failed Hold Person spell cast upon him by the Cultist). Balasar with two warriors around him begins to use the full skills of his monk training to avoid the incoming blows (Chi - Dodge).

- Sir Krondor and Gim move out to assist to attack the warriors whilst Trenchant, Nac and Labarett attack from above with bolt, spell and javelin. A floating spirit weapon appears, cast by the Cultist, and begins to attack Balasar alongside the two Cult warriors.

- The combat is chaotic with Balasar finding himself off balance (Fumble - reduced attack rolls) and having to resort to all his Monk training to survive (Chi - Flurry of Blows). Gim and Sir Krondor are swinging their weapons with deadly force too. Sir Krondor delivers a devastating blow (Critical Hit - Max Damage).

- When Nac kills the Cultist with his Chill Touch spell, the floating Spirit Weapon also disappears.

- The two remaining warriors are killed and the party quickly regroup to defend the Keep before any more of the Cult come. The two Ambush Drakes are dragged inside the Keep and the body of Cult Mage is also brought in. The Keep guards seal the forward gate and defend the Keep once again as guards take up position around the parapet with crossbows; now that the terrifying sight of the Dragon is gone.

- Sir Krondor speaks, “I don’t understand. Why would the Dragon attack and open the Keep up for attack and then only two small groups came forward and the rest of the Cult Army stay back?”

- Nac responds, “It appears the information given by our prisoner was correct. The Army fights disorganised as there is disagreement over who is giving the orders. Those two groups were probably just near by when they saw the opportunity and took it. I don’t think that was a planned attack on the Keep. If it had been and the full Cult Army had come forward we wouldn’t be standing here taking now.”

- The bodies of the enemy were also searched and on the body of the warrior with the better armour is found a small leather pouch with 40 silver and 10 gold coins.

- Nac keeps an eye out in the sky and around to see what is happening whilst the outer gate is being blocked up. The Cleric sees, far up in the sky, four Wyverns flying in formation with riders upon their back. The Wyverns fly up to the Blue Dragon that just attacked the Keep, and after a moment, the group all fly in formation, with the Blue Dragon in front, north east away from Anwich. It appears the Dragon has left.

- Sir Castellan arrives to thank the party. He was not present outside in the battle as he was inside trying to rouse his men to action and get outside to help against the Dragon and attackers; but the Dragon Fear was too strong.

- Whilst the Keep is being prepared for defence again, Nac sees that the many, many torches of the Dragon Cult army that he can see moving around Anwich in the dark night, appear to be moving in mass. Half the Cult army appear to be leaving Anwich going via the east main road and the other half appear to to be massing as a single group, that comprises about 300 hundred strong, that is now approaching the Keep’s main entrance. Nac warns the party and the keep defenders.

- As the group gets closer the party can see it comprises kobolds, cultists, mercenary warriors, ambush drakes and robed mages. Walking in the front is a tall imposing figure.

- Although it is shaped roughly like a human, it is at least seven and half feet tall, its skin is covered in blue scales, its fingers bear wicked claws, and its face has a muzzle and reptilian eyes of a dragon.

- Nac speaks, “That’s a Dragonborn like you Balasar, leading the army.”

- Balasar looks straight ahead at the coming group, “No, not like me. That’s not a Dragonborn. That’s a Half-Dragon.”

- Valder whistles, “A Half-Dragon! They’re really rare. When a male Dragon polymorphs itself into a Human and mates with a female human, there is a small chance she will bare a child. If she does, it will be a Half-Dragon and the mother always dies in the act of child birth. Half-Dragons are tough, aggressive and very, very intelligent.”

- The group continues until it is about 150 feet away. The Half-Dragon scans the Keeps walls. A line of large kobolds, wearing armour, fans out behind it. With long spears, another group of kobolds prod a dozen human prisoners, all females and children, forward.

- The Half-Dragon shouts out, “I am Langdedrosa, Champion of Tiamat!”

- Trenchant immediately yells out from the parapet, “We challenge you to single combat! One on one! We will put forward our Champion versus your Champion for the lives of the prisoners you have.”

- Langdedrosa laughs, his large sharp teeth glinting in the light of the torches, “You dare challenge me! I was going to kill all these prisoners in front of you and then leave as entertainment but I am feeling generous, after all, this has been a successful raid for the Cult. I agree to your terms, you have ten minutes to open your front gate and send forth your best warrior to fight me. Win or lose these prisoners shall be set free at the end.”

- Governor Tarbaw calls out, “And how can we trust the likes of you. If we open the gate your men will breach the Keep.”

- Langdedrosa responds, “You have my word, the word of Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, Champion of Tiamat, and Second To Frulam Mondath, Leader of This Army, that my forces will not attack the Keep or any of its defenders if you honour the rules of single combat. But, if you cheat or anyone else interferes the throats of these prisoners will be slit and my men will destroy your Keep.”

- Trenchant yells back, “We accept Langdedrosa.”

- The cult army erupts in shouts of “Langdedrosa!” over and over.

- The party quickly set about preparing and planning. Trenchant suggests that Sir Krondor should be their champion and the Dwarf Fighter agrees when no one else volunteers. Trenchant hands over his Lightning Rune to Sir Krondor for the combat and then uses his Bard tongue to inspire the Dwarf (one d8 Bardic Inspiration dice given).

- As the front gate of the Keep is unblocked and Sir Krondor steps out, Balasar starts to yell out, “Sir Krondor!” over and over again and then the Keep defenders pick up the chant. Nac uses his spell Thaumaturgy, to increase the sound and presence of the chanting.

- When the Half-Dragon sees that it is the Knight of the Anvil that is their chosen champion he yells out, “How predictable! Of course the cursed Knight of Fanur would step forth to challenge me. He can’t help it. You shall die this night Dwarf. This battle shall not be sung in your Clan Halls and your name will not be remembered by your dying Order!”

- Sir Krondor walks forward bravely and Langdedrosa walks forward to meet him, they both stop when they are about 30’ apart. Langdedrosa draws out a great sword and taps it to his head and bows. Sir Krondor takes out his silver war hammer and taps the Lightning Rune to the weapon and visible sparks of electricity start to dance up and down the weapon. Then the Dwarf Knight bows too.

- Langdedrosa smiles when he sees the electricity dancing on the Knight’s weapon, and then speaks, “That will avail you no good Knight. Two can play that game!”

- The jaws of the Half-Dragon open up and he breaths forth a line of Lightning towards the Knight that hits Sir Krondor before he can step aside (Failed Dexterity Save - 30 damage).

- Sir Krondor moves in close to attack but misses with both swings.

- Langdedrosa counters with a swing of his great sword but hits his own helmet, blinding himself. He will need to take a round to fix his helmet before he can see again (Fumble attack)

- Sir Krondor presses his advantage and swings twice hitting the blinded Half-Dragon.

- Langdedrosa grabs his helmet and rips it off, once again able to see again, “Dam Dwarf! I will kill you! I WILL!”

- Sir Krondor and Langdedrosa then start to exchange blows, swing after swing. The great sword of the Half-Dragon is lethal and the skill with which it is wielded sees it hitting more often than not. Sir Krondor on the other hand is missing a lot (even with the help of a re-roll from Trenchant using his Inspiration) and the electricity that is dancing upon his war hammer seems to have little effect against the Blue Half-Dragon.

- All the time, Langdedrosa is mocking the Dwarf and verbally baiting him.

- The Dwarf Knight is getting very badly injured and has to take a few Healing potions and use his inner resolve (Second Wind - Healing) just to keep on his feet.

- Langdedrosa lands a brutal hit that badly injures the Dwarf (Critical Hit, forced re-roll with use of Inspiration but the re-roll was another Critical Hit).

- But Sir Krondor is not done yet, though badly injured he too comes back with a devastating blow that nearly knocks the Half-Dragon over (Critical Hit - possible knock prone but Langdedrosa makes a Succesfull save check).

- Valder, looking from the parapet wall speaks, “The Half-Dragon has its breath weapon back, I can see the sparks of it in its breath but he doesn’t use it. Why?”

- Balasar the Dragonborn, who also has the ability to make a breath attack, speaks, “Because Sir Krondor is too close. The target needs to be a bit back otherwise you’ll more than likely miss” (Save throw against a Breath Attack is done at advantage if the attacker is adjacent to the target so Langdedrosa is waiting for Sir Krondor to move back or fall prone).

- Langdedrosa then attacks with a series of multiple swings catching the Dwarf off guard and unprepared (four attacks in a row - using his Action Surge ability).

- Sir Krondor, feeling tired from the battle, makes a mistake and miss steps, getting into a poor stance (Fumble - Two Left Feet - can not retreat or move away from the battle).

- Luckily the next swings of the Half-Dragon do not hit but again, the tired Sir Krondor makes another mistake, and lets go of his silver war hammer, and it drops to the ground (Fumble).

- Trenchant shouts out a Vicious Mockery at the Half-Dragon, “You fight like an old Gnome with a gummy tooth Langdedrosa,” that does a small physical injury to the Half-Dragon but luckily no one, including Langdedrosa notices the physical injury caused by the Bard’s spell.

- Langdedrosa looks up at Trenchant and then back to Sir Krondor, “Who is that? Your pet? Your lover? Will he miss you when I kill you?” and then laughs.

- With one last final blow, the great sword of Langdedrosa swings across the neck and upper chest of the Dwarf, cutting deep into the flesh and sending the Knight to the ground unmoving and all but dead.

- The Half-Dragon bends down and picks up the Knights silver war hammer, “This is mine now! Release the prisoners! We leave now to catch up to Frulam.”

- The woman and children prisoners run towards the open Keep, as the group of the Dragon Cult turn and walk away, shouting, “Langdedrosa! Langdedrosa! Langdedrosa!”

- Nac rushes forward and using his Boots of Striding and Springing leaps off the parapet and towards the dying Knight. He runs at full speed and reaches the body, kneeling down to cast his spell.

- At first nothing happens and frustrated Nac punches the Dwarf, “Breath you dam stupid Dwarf!”

- Sir Krondor, sits up coughing, “That …. was close …. another second …. and I would have been in the Halls on my Ancestors.”

- The Dwarf Knight looks down at his chest, where his armour has been damaged and can see a large, thick red scar that goes from his upper chest, up the the side of his neck and ends at his jaw; his Dwarven beard now permanently parted along that scar revealing the scared skin.

- “I’m afraid,” says Nac, “That scar is permanent, and he took your war hammer too.”

- Sir Krondor looks at the last of the Cult Army, far off, moving away out of sight through the buildings of Anwich into the dark night, “On this night, I swear an oath on the silver beard of Clanggedin, and on the name of my dead father, Orkas Master Armour Smith of Clan Dwgyth, I will find Langdedrosa and I will return the favour. And I shall take back my war hammer back from his cold, dead hand!”

- As Nac helps Sir Krondor up get up slowly, the rest of the party, one by one join the Knight who is lucky to be alive.

- Trenchant slaps the Dwarf Knight on the back, “Good show, you almost had him,” the Bard looks a bit embarrassed and continues, ”Emm, look, you have my apologies though, I can’t help but feel partly responsible for forcing this fate upon you.”

- Sir Krondor speaks back, “It was my choice. I hold nothing against you.”

- Trenchant smiles, “Still, it would have been a magnificent end to you! Would have been a great song.”

- From the look given by Sir Krondor, Trenchant quickly lost the smile, “Too soon?”









<And as the siege of Anwich is finally lifted, in the cold night, that is the end of the session.>





XP Allocation

Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)

Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)

- Loosen The Tongue of Dragonfang Rexnil = 400 XP

- Repeal The Dragon Lennithon = 1000 XP

- Save The Lives Of The Last Prisoners = 400 XP

- Duel With Langdedrosa The Champion = 200 XP (Sir Krondor only)





Creatures Overcome

- Cult Acolyte = 50 XP

- Winged Kobolds = 400 XP

- Ambush Drake = 300 XP

- Cult Mage = 2300 XP

- Mercenary Veteran = 700 XP

- Mercenaries = 75 XP

- Cult Fantatics = 1350 XP

- Kobolds = 100 XP





Individual (This is only given to that person and is not divided amongst all players)

Special Bonus (Outstanding Role Playing)

Nil





XP Levels and Player Allocations

Player : Start + Received = Total (Notes)

Phil : 18212 + 663 = 18875

Rob : 20740 + 1105 = 21845

Arthur : 14444 + 884 = 15328

Bob : 10316 + 1084 = 11400

Travis : 10587 + 1105 = 11692

Paul : 9423 + 663 = 10086

NPC (Valder) : ??? + 442 = ???

NPC (Naillae) : ??? + 442 = ???