ENDLESS BAG OF DICE

Second session in a row without combat encounters, although many opportunities presented themselves. Nevertheless session was worth every minute considering the things what happened and maybe more, what is yet to happen...

It started when our gnome wizard got pulled out from the freezing river. After they had crossed the river, the long journey towards Sugrerblade's tower continued. It didn't take long to notice that their little episode at the river had been seen; orcs had sent a tracking party. Heroes made haste and went to hiding with the help of gnome wizard's magic. After misleading the trackers, they continued their journey in the breezing cold. The wind was painful and the journey was slow paced because of the sheer amount of snow. The journey was quiet until they saw a big figure in the distanse which they quickly recognized. A white dragon. It didn't look good for the heroes; there were pursuers still nearby and a dragon where they were headed. The only good thing was that they had seen the tower in the distance.

Midway through the journey the orcs found their tracks once again. Still, not willing to fight, our heroes made effort not make contact with the orcs. They succeeded, but unfortunately for them, they were not able to avoid the dragon. In the shadow of the mountain, white dragon approached quickly. In the wide open, there were no places to hide and they met the descending dragon. Luckily for the heroes, our dragonborn fighter was able to please the dragon by gathering magical items and wealth to give them to her as a prize. After the dragon had gotten his treasure, she announced that there were no reasons to let them live, but just before she was about to attack, our heroes convinced her that they could be useful to her. The dragon was fooled and agreed; the heroes were to go to the Dagon Many-arrows hold and bring treasures from there.

After the dragon had left, the heroes continued their journey until they reached the Sugrerblade's tower. Tower itself was icy stone structure, invisible to the naked eye. Only because of Rolo's equipment, heroes were able to find the tower and meet with the hermit wizard Gerin Sugrerblade. Gerin was a strange fellow. His appearance made you think of a regal ruler. He had beady eyes the color of blueberries and it was clear that his vision had suffered. His luxurious, huge, gray beard was messy yet it was worn in an utilitarian, precise style. He was short, even for a dwarf, and had an athletic build, which demonstrated lots of physical work. His skin was light-colored and he had a wide forehead and prominent ears. His wardrobe was a mixture of a smith and a wizard.

After Gildin told why they were there, he told the heroes, that he was not going to give them Frigid Eternum. In fact after he learned about Gildin's Ironstar mace, he became most curious about it and gave the heroes another option. Gerin had spent years constructing a golem called Behemont, which was able to cleanse the lands from those orcs and make the long orc infested Ironstar clan's dwarven halls once again dwellable. Rebels of Amn did not have place to settle yet so...

So the heroes had things to ponder. Should they help Gildin's ancestors and return the lands to their former self or use alternative means to get the crystal from Gerin. However, Ilyas suggested that they could bring former Amnians here and with their help and alliance could be formed in the future. When the Ironstar clan could return.. they would had rebel Amnians to help them AND have their homeland returned. So the decision was made...

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17th of Nightal, 1479 DR
So it came to pass, when Gerin's commandment to the Behemont was heard, and when the heroes were gathered together unto Gerin's tower, the old Ironstar clan custody was once awoken. Rituals were made and spells woven; The Behemont was awoken and machine's awakening was heard through the Moonshae islands.

And the Behemont started the orc purge, and the dwarf ancestors smiled on the lands once more. Fortress after another, Behemont smashed them down and heroes took what was their to begin with. Old dwarven relics were discovered and forgotten lore regained. Every day Behemont and the heroes fought the orcs until there was only Dagon Many-arrows to oppose them.

In those days, while Dagon Many-Arrows was sitting the Orc King's throne: Kriv, Ilyas, Gildin and Dabbil, the heroes from Amn released their wrath against the orc king Dagon. The legend tells that they fought a whole day until Gildin delivered the final blow. From that moment on, the threat of the orc was no more... And it came to pass, in the form of Gildin Ironstar's words that the halls of the Ironstar were at last regained.

Soon the rebellion fleet of Amn arrived and the reconstruction began. The rebel forces had found hideout and a bastion of defence to gather their strength what was yet to come. Rolo met the heroes, old and new, to congrulate them for the work they had once again done for the rebellion. It was clear that with the forces they had now, they were no threat to the Merchant's Domain; Amn.

So he gathered his most trusted heroes, and send them to the far ends of the world, to go and seek power, to seek artefacts and allies to help the rebellion forces. Gildin and his trusted friend Dabbil with their new friend Shivra set their sails to the south where the last members of Ironstar clan had fled years ago. Ilyas and Kriv took positions in the rebellion military forces. So they parted ways at the docks. Ilyas and Kriv said their farewells to Gildin and Dabbil when they boarded the "Marlin Emperor" and set their sails towards the golden city of Memnon near the Calim Desert, home of genasi and their human slaves. There they were to meet certain individuals who could be great asset in their future adventures...

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The original idea of using the golem in the session came from The Mac who obviously has played some Fallout 3. That is one example how you can get inspired from various sources. This session however concludes the chapter II in the story. Next time we continue from level 9 from the moment the long and tiresome journey comes to an end when the heroes set gaze upon the golden city of Memnon. Gear up according the rules "starting from later levels" Next gaming session is later this month: 22th of October so next Sunday we try some board games.