Chapter #254
previous chapter (#253)
next chapter (#255)
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ THE ADVENTURERS +
+ +
+ Epic II +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and +
+ other terms used in these stories are the property of TSR, Inc. +
+ However, this does not mean that TSR in any way endorses or +
+ authorizes their use, and any such items contained within these +
+ stories should not be considered representative of TSR in any +
+ way, shape, or form. +
+ The player characters contained in these writings are copy- +
+ right 1995 by Thomas Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these tales is permissible only +
+ under the sole condition that no part of them will be used or +
+ sold for profit. In that case, I hope you enjoy them... +
+ +
+ Thomas Miller +
+ tmiller@cimmeria.oit.gatech.edu +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ THE PARTY: +
+ +
+ Alindyar 16th level dark elven mage (N) +
+ Arnold 12th level human warrior (NG) +
+ Ged 14th/14th level grey elven priest/mage (NG) +
+ Lyra 12th level female dark elven mage (N) +
+ Mongo 17th level dwarven warrior (CG) +
+ Gorin 8th level dwarven warrior (CG) +
+ Peldor 19th level human thief (N) +
+ Bosco 10th level halfling thief (N) +
+ Rillen 17th level human warrior (N) +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Date: 1/11/575 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: midday +
+ Place: the Free City of Greyhawk +
+ Climate: cold +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ "The more things change, the more they stay the same." +
+ - variously attributed +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CCLIV. Divergence
Almost a week after Belphanior's second "falling out" with the
Greyhawk authorities, and mere days after the discovery of Peldor's
keep to the west of the city, other strange happenings are close
behind. Within a booth in the Green Dragon Inn, Peldor and Bosco
are having a discussion over lunch.
Bosco: ...and they were right. Ged's gone!
Peldor: Exactly _where_ did he go?
Bosco: That's just it. Nobody knows. He just packed up and left
town. Or, should I say, his castle. Not even Arnold knows where
he went, much less Nenya.
Peldor: Hmm. (wondering if Ged's land falls under the protection
of Greyhawk's Thieves' Guild, he decides that it most likely
doesn't) Hmmmmm.
Bosco: It seems that Arnold's in charge now.
Peldor: Hmm. First Belphanior leaves, and now Ged. Pretty soon,
there won't be any of us left in Greyhawk.
Rillen: (walks up and joins them at the table) All too true.
Bosco: Huh? What're you talking about?
Rillen: The time has come for me to journey elsewhere, for a
while.
Peldor: You? Why?
Bosco: Yeah, really? Where would you go?
Rillen: (looking somewhat distressed) There is something wrong...
at the home of the Great Master.
Bosco: Great Master? What Great Master?
Rillen: Before I met you and the others, I trained for years in a
remote monastery. In fact, I was raised there.
Peldor: I didn't know that.
Rillen: Few people do. Anyhow, something is wrong - I'm sure of
it. I must go there, and soon.
Bosco: Hey, I've never met a Great Master before. Maybe I should
come along.
Rillen: Absolutely not.
Bosco: (looking disappointed)
Peldor: Anything we can do to help?
Rillen: Since when are you a charitable organization?
Peldor: You never know, you might need help.
Bosco: Yeah! And we're the best help there is!
Rillen: Not this time. (stands) I must prepare for the trip.
Bosco: (sighs, thinking about how he'll never get to meet the
Great Master)
Peldor: We'll see you later, then.
Rillen: I hope so.
With that cryptic remark, the big warrior left the inn. Peldor
and Bosco could only wonder what was going on.
Peldor: I wonder what that was all about?
Bosco: Hey, maybe if I train hard enough, _I_ can be the Great
Master.
Peldor: (ignoring the halfling as he muss to himself) First
Belphanior...then Ged...now Rillen.
Bosco: That only leaves Mongo and the drow. I wonder where the
drow could go.
Peldor: Oh, I'm fairly confident that Alindyar and Lyra won't be
taking any trips anytime soon.
Bosco: Well, then-
Mongo: (strolls up) Hey, how's it going?
Peldor: Fairly well. Yourself?
Mongo: I'm okay.
Bosco: So, where are _you_ heading off to?
Mongo: How'd you know?
Bosco: Uh...err...
Peldor: (to Mongo) You too, eh? Where, and why?
Mongo: I've spent the past days loading the wisest sages' pockets
with gold, so I could find the best legendary armor.
Bosco: What?
Peldor: I don't understand.
Mongo: When we fought that big monster, my magical armor got all
shredded. No one seems to have the skill to repair it, so I've
decided to find some more armor...better armor...in fact, the
_best_ armor!
Peldor: The sages told you where to look?
Mongo: Not quite. They helped me figure out what to look for, and
who might know where to find it. Besides that, I'm on my own.
Bosco: Not if you take us along with you.
Mongo: Uh, thanks, Bosco. I'd love to have a skilled thief like
yourself along on this quest. But I'm sure Peldor needs you here.
Peldor: (perhaps sensing the wanderlust in the halfling's eyes)
Hmm...actually, he could go, if he wants. I've got the casino
well in hand.
Mongo: Is that so? (to Bosco) Kid, how'd you like to go with me
to the greatest kingdom of the dwarves? Think you'd enjoy that?
Bosco: Yeah! Hey, is Gorin going with us?
Mongo: You bet.
Bosco: All right!
Mongo: Heh.
Peldor: So you're leaving for awhile too.
Mongo: Gotta do it. I can't go into battle without the very best
armor. (to Bosco) We'll leave tomorrow.
Peldor: Hmm. What are the odds of this happening?
Mongo: What?
Peldor: All of you leaving for a while. Belphanior, Ged, Rillen,
and you. Four people, four quests, four different directions.
Mongo: Story of our lives, friend, story of our lives.
next: city affairs
ftp: ftp.digex.net in /pub/access/dpm/rpg/stories/adventurers
www: http://www.gatech.edu/oit/staff/ns/thomas.miller/adv.html
notes: You've been waiting for them. There wasn't room in episode
250 for them. Yet they exist. At long last, here they are:
Alindyar
16th level drow mage
male, 5'6", 101 lbs, black skin, white hair, violet eyes
179 years old
al true neutral
STR 9
INT 20
WIS 16
DEX 17
CON 15
CHR 13
COM 13
ac -1/2
hp 46
thac0 16, staff, 1-6/1-6
other:
permanently susceptible (-3 on saves) to paralyzation
unaffected by 1st & 2nd level illusions
items:
cloak of protection +4
infinite spellbook
Bigby wand
dual ring (Lyra has the other one) (ESP, protection)
mirror of mental prowess
bag of holding
amulet of extension...
4 potions
7 glass gas globes
Zara spellbook
Infinite Spellbook
This book has more pages than should be physically
possible, and is capable of holding any 99 mage spells.
common spells: anything illusionary
other: size-alterable stone golem
Lyra
12th level drow mage
female, 5'4", 90 lbs, black skin, white hair, pale
violet eyes
99 years old
al true neutral
STR 7
INT 18
WIS 14
DEX 16
CON 12
CHR 14
COM 17
ac 1
hp 32
thac0 12, dagger +5, 1-4/1-3 +5
items:
cloak of protection +3
dual ring (Alindyar has the other one) (ESP, protection)
dagger +5
earrings of power
boots of flying
infinite spellbook
blanket of warmth
staff of striking
crucible of melting
2 potions of extra-healing
Infinite Spellbook
This book has more pages than should be physically
possible, and is capable of holding any 99 mage spells.
common spells: ESP, fly, lightning bolt, walls of fire & ice, fear,
teleport
Arnold
12th level human barbarian warrior
male, 6'3", 270 lbs, white skin, light brown hair,
light brown eyes
26 years old
al neutral good
STR 18/99
INT 8
WIS 8
DEX 14
CON 17
CHR 13
COM 14
ac 0
hp 90
thac0 3, 2H sword +3, (2/1) 1-10/3-18 +10
items:
2-handed sword +3, Frost Brand
dagger +2
plate mail +3
cloak +3
helm of brilliance
boots of water walking
ring of health
ring of proof vs. poison
ring of protection +1
rope of lengthiness
holy woolen robe
potion of water breathing
2 potions of extra-healing
potion of invisibility
potion of super-heroism
trident of ?
Ring of Health
Renders wearer immune to any diseases and sickness
save those caused by divine sources.
Belphanior
13th/14th/14th level high elf warrior/mage/thief
male, 6"1", 117 lbs, white skin, light brown hair, black
eyes
125 years old
al chaotic neutral with evil tendencies
STR 18/09 (18/00 with gauntlets)
INT 17
WIS 10
DEX 17
CON 16
CHR 9
COM 10
ac 1
hp 70
has permanent intimidation effect & red eyes due to potion
thac0 2, longsword +3, (2/1) 1-8/1-12 +9
items:
Blackrazor
bracers of defense ac4
girdle of ogre power
staff of power
ring of wizardry
wands: acidic spheres, lightning, foam, fireballs, wonder
lightning rod
Book of Beasts
Eye of Elik
Dark Ring
Trumpet of Doom
Kiel's compass
well of many worlds
boots & cloak of elvenkind
pouch of holding
folding boat
cube of force
dice of chaos
horseshoes of the zephyr
periapt of proof vs. poison
potion of poison
potion of gaseous form
Blackrazor
CN longsword +3
Int 17
Ego 16
purpose: to suck souls
slay foe w/soul to gain levels and full hp for [levels]
turns
each 3 days unfed, ego gets +1 until a killing happens
speech & telepathy (Common + wielder's languages)
detect souls 60'
haste (10 rounds) 1/day
100% resistance to charm and fear
Eye of Elik
NE disembodied eye
continually has: infravision, ultravision
upon concentrating, has: true seeing, detect magic &
traps
darkness 3/day
hold monster 1/day
vision 1/day
bones/exoskeleton/cartilage of opponent turned to jelly
1/day
regeneration, 1 hp/turn
eye glows red upon use of any power
small fires extinguished upon use of major power
-1 to CHR
-3 to permanent hp total
must have free eye socket, or gouge one
user's alignment shifts toward evil
Book of Beasts
Protection from Good & Evil, 10' radius when held
Dismissal, Ensnarement, Banishment, Binding, Gate
Monster Summoning I-VII
all can be reused once/week apiece from the book
Dark Ring
renders invisiblility to undead, upon concentration
allows wearer to animate dead once/month as a 12th
level priest
Kiel's Compass
Upon command, will point toward a named person, place,
or unique item
Trumpet of Doom
Once/day, winding will summon some random undead. The
summoned undead are not under the control of the user
common spells: anything destructive, stoneskin
other property/holdings:
Angus (iron golem)
Lao Khan's anti-magic sphere (buried in a lead box somewhere)
Otto
6th/8th level dwarven fighter/thief
male, 3'10", 150 lbs, light brown skin, brown hair, green eyes
62 years old
al chaotic neutral
STR 17
INT 15
WIS 9
DEX 17
CON 16
CHR 12
COM 10
ac -2/1
hp 52
thac0 14 (base), 10 (shortsword +3, 1-6/1-8 +4)
items:
leather armor +2
ring of protection +4
shortsword +3
barbed knife +3, of wounding
light crossbow +3, of accuracy
ring of regeneration
horseshoes of the zephyr
potions: extra-healing x2, invisibility, speed
various & sundry poisons
Ged
14th/14th level grey elf priest/mage of Boccob
male, 5'8", 101 lbs, white skin, golden hair, green
eyes
113 years old
al neutral good
STR 11 (19 with girdle)
INT 20
WIS 20
DEX 17
CON 16
CHR 16
COM 16
ac -8
hp 53
thac0 5, morningstar +4, 2-7/2-8 +11
other:
immune to: Cause Fear, Charm Person, Command, Friends,
Hypnotism, et al.
unaffected by 1st and 2nd level illusions
items:
Lightbringer (morningstar +4)
elven chain mail +4
medium shield +5
wand of colorless fire
wand of conjuration
ring of water elemental command
torus/talisman of pure good
belt vs. normal missiles
Boccob's Blessed Book
Kiel's sky balloon
box of preserving
decanter of endless water
figurines (golden lions)
harmonica of gravity
amulet of the planes
small quantities of Gorka root & cloud dragon powder
SPELLBOOK + 2 SCROLLS
wand of wonder
opal of hypnotism
harp within glass sphere
potion of extra-healing
potion of sweet water
Lightbringer
NG morningstar +4
Int 15
Ego 26
purpose: to slay undead
disintegrates undead upon successful hit (-4 to save)
detects undead within 60'
speaks Common + wielder's languages
continual light 3/day
sunray 1/week
fly 1/day
Kiel's Sky Balloon (Ged)
Flies at up to 36" for maximum of 40 hours/week; can
carry up to 3000 lbs. of cargo while in flight.
Sueloise Fire Wand (Ged)
Wielder commands nine powerful fire-related powers:
LBUZI kills all flames within 50' (1)
INZUS magnifies all flames within 50' by a factor of 5 (1)
BCIQ dancing lights, pyrotechnics in front of wand (1)
KNEC launches a fireball (10d6, no 1s or 2s) (2)
FBIZI does 5d10 heat damage to target (2)
AXUI engulfs target in flames (3d10) for 2-5 rounds (3)
PSAFT drains 10d10 hp from fire-oriented creatures (3)
CSPAN launches one flaming sphere at each living being (4)
in a 90 degree arc
NDREK envelops a 10' wide path, out to 100', in flames (4)
(3d10 per round for 1 round)
(the wand can use 18 charges per day)
common mage spells: dispel magic, fly, haste, slow, dimension door,
wizard eye, teleport, wall of force, Mordenkainen's sword
common priest spells: curative spells, detect magic, hold person,
divination, commune, flame strike, transmute rock to mud, blade
barrier
other property/holdings:
castle and land outside of Greyhawk
(from Greyhawk city, go west parallel to Selintan for 1
hex/10 leagues, then continue west rather than south with
the river; go 10 more leagues toward dyvers, then turn
north; castle & land are on the shore of the Nyr Dyv)
- 3x3 league plot, opportunity for expansion
- ruins just to west, and Nyr Dyv just to north
- 40K for land originally
stone golem
other companions/hirelings:
Nenya (student & land surveyor; see below)
Endymion (grey cat; familiar)
Deryck (ranger) (in charge of castle in Ged's absence)
Scotty (engineer) (has the lyre of building)
Calvin (page) (just a lad)
Nenya
8th/9th level elven warrior/mage
female, 5'5", 81 lbs, white skin, silver hair, brown eyes
93 years old
al neutral good
STR 13
INT 17
WIS 16
DEX 17
CON 15
CHR 14
COM 15
ac 4/1
hp 46
thac0 9, shortsword +3, 1-6/1-8 +5
items:
elven chain mail +2
ring +1
ring of command
vorpal short sword +3
Murylnd's spoon
green-hide bound tome (empty book of infinite spells)
wand of ?
strange green clay
3 potions
common spells: color spray, continual light, Melf's acid arrow,
Melf's minute meteors, plant growth, cone of cold
other: talented at land surveying and agriculture
Mongo Thunderhead
17th level dwarven warrior
male, 4'0", 184 lbs, brown skin, black hair w/beard,
black eyes
74 years old
al chaotic good
STR 18/71 (22 with girdle)
INT 12
WIS 12
DEX 14
CON 19
CHR 13
COM 11
ac -2
hp 123
thac0 -5, warhammer +5, (5/2) 2-5/1-4 (x2 if hurled) +17
items:
Stormcrest (hammer +5)
plate mail +3
shield +1, +4 vs missiles
girdle of fire giant strength
helm of life
ring of fire resistance (actually fire elemental
control)
ring of regeneration
portable hole (contains various party loot...)
necklace of adaption
amber bee of feather falling
orb of fate
cadeucus
hell cube
horn of siege
cornucopia of endless food
rod of lordly might
jug of extra-healing x4
potion of flying
potion of sweet water
2 potions
longsword +6
22 assorted magical arrows
wooden shoes
purple stick
golden coin of Zilchus
Stormcrest (an ancient dwarven artifact)
purpose: to slay giants and giant-kin
hammer +5, dwarven thrower (180' range, double damage dice,
returns to thrower)
merely a hammer +1 for anyone not a dwarven warrior
requires 20 or higher strength to wield
hammer affects giants as does a hammer of thunderbolts;
this is the only time it generates a thunderclap
can generate a lightning bolt of 10d6 power (2/day)
bearer may become extremely ill and weak when not on land
for more than one day
bearer is compelled to attack all giants
bearer becomes prone to fits of both rage and sullen gloom,
due to occasional and vague empathic flashbacks and
visions of ancient dwarven times
Orb of Fate
Once per day, this crystal sphere will answer aloud
any one yes/no question.
Cadeucus
This powerful item of Good, when touched to a wounded
mortal of non-evil alignment, will cure all wounds and
diseases, blindness, deafness, feeblemind, and paralysis
provided the recipient makes a successful system shock
roll; failure indicates that that mortal can never again
be helped by the rod. This item will only cure the same
individual once in any given week.
Hell Cube
This powerful item of evil has unknown powers of a
summoning nature.
Horn of Siege
This horn, when winded, causes a powerful earthquake
(at the 25th level of magic use). It can be winded but
once per month.
Cornucopia of Endless Food
This item never fails to be full of plenty of tasty,
nourishing fare, provided that it is in the hands of a
Good individual.
Gorin
8th level dwarven warrior
male, 3'10", 150 lbs, brown skin, brown hair w/beard,
brown eyes
38 years old
al chaotic good
STR 17
INT 12
WIS 10
DEX 13
CON 17
CHR 12
COM 12
ac 2/0
hp 75
thac0 8, battleaxe +3, (2/1) 1-8/1-8 +6
items:
battleaxe +3
dagger +2
chain mail +3
large shield +1
armband of the airy ones
ring of free will
ring of ?
blue glass plate
empty wooden coffer
bowl w/4 black spheres
potion of extra-healing
potion of fire resistance (half-gone)
3 potions
Peldor
19th level human thief
male, 5'11", 161 lbs, white skin, brown hair, moustache,
brown eyes
25 years old
al true neutral
STR 18
INT 17
WIS 9
DEX 18
CON 17
CHR 18
COM 17
ac -2/2
hp 78
has permanent persuasiveness effect due to potion
thac0 7, longsword +4, 1-8/1-12 +6
6, daggers +3, (2/1) 1-4/1-3 +5
items:
Nightfang (longsword +4)
two daggers +3 of throwing
glass dagger
leather armor +2
ring of telekinesis
ring vs. insects
eyes of the eagle
necklace of obscurity
luckstone
rope of climbing
hat of disguise
boots of striding and springing
adamantine meteorite
pouch of accessibility
everburning green torch
bell of healing
ten feather tattoos
large bean
Daern's instant fortress
scepter of the winds
potion of longevity
potion of feather falling
potion of treasure finding
various spell scrolls (dimension door, hold monster, etc.)
Nightfang
N longsword +4 of sharpness
wieldy and light as a dagger for initiative and melee
purposes
only a powerless +1 sword in the hands of a non-thief
purpose: to aid and abet rogues (namely, its owner)
grants nine lives to worthy wielder, via teleportation
to nearest safe point at moment of death
glass dagger
The blade of this dagger is composed entirely of a dark,
smoky glasslike substance. This weapon has a +5 bonus to
hit and damage, and better yet, the mystical properties
of the blade allow it to pass through metal as if it
wasn't even there. Thus, a victim wearing armor might as
well be naked, as far as this dagger is concerned.
magical feather tattoos
white.........feather falling
silver........invisibility (as the ring)
yellow........regeneration (as the ring)
orange........+3 on saves
red...........fire resistance (as the ring)
green.........+3 protection
gold..........wish (1/year)
blue..........cold resistance
purple........haste (3/day)
black.........poison resistance
Thief Abilities:
(all are at 95% except Read Languages, which is at 45%)
backstabs do 5x damage
scroll-using capability
Property/Holdings:
The Green Dragon Inn, in Greyhawk
small keep west of Greyhawk
Bosco
10th level halfling thief
male, 2'9", 40 lbs, tan skin, light brown hair, light
brown eyes
22 years old
al chaotic neutral
STR 8
INT 13
WIS 7
DEX 17
CON 14
CHR 13
COM 13
ac 1/4
hp 50
thac0 12, shortsword +4, 1-8/1-6 +4
items:
leather armor
cloak +3
shortsword +4, defender
granite dagger
winged boots
ring of water walking
ring of x-ray vision
jewelled telescope
marbles of chaos
3 light-pebbles
tin box containing electricity-ball
potion of extra-healing
2 potions
scroll of protection vs undead
multicolored spherical gem
< 1 wish >
Tanya
5th/11th level human fighter/thief
female, 5'8", 130 lbs, white skin, red hair, blue eyes
27 years old
al true neutral
STR 14
INT 14
WIS 13
DEX 18
CON 16
CHR 16
COM 18
ac 1/-3
hp 57
thac0 8, longsword +3 (specialized) 1-8/1-12 +5
items:
leather armor +4
longsword +3
dagger +4
periapt of wound closure
boots of speed
ring of human influence
Keoghtom's ointment
Rillen
17th level human monk/warrior
male, 6'6", 250 lbs, black skin, black hair, black
eyes
26 years old
al true neutral
STR 18/51
INT 14
WIS 11
DEX 17
CON 17
CHR 14
COM 14
ac -6
hp 114
thac0 -3, staff, (5/2) 1-6/1-6 +9
-4, longbow, (2/1 + doubling) 1-6/1-6 +8
items:
quarterstaff +4
can shorten to 1' or lengthen to 6' upon command
light yet virtually unbreakable
may have other magical powers
longbow +3, of doubling
14 arrows +2
red arrow
javelin of piercing
bracers of defense ac3
robes of protection +4
amulet of life protection
charm vs wounds
boots of speed
gloves of missile snaring
ring of djinni summoning
ring of feather falling
bronze horn of Valhalla
wand of illumination
blue crystal pyramid (loaned to Tenser)
figurine of wondrous power - onyx dogs
potion of water breathing
horseshoes of the zephyr
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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