Campaign Chronicles

New Orleans, founded in 1718 by French colonists, has long been a melting pot of diverse cultures. Steeped in mystery and tales of the supernatural, the city has long been tolerant of the beliefs and practices of the people who live within its borders. Save for one family whose rumored dark deeds were beyond that of which even the most understanding and accepting populace would allow... the Grunches. This family, known widely for its predisposition for albinism and dwarfism, were said to carry out occult practices and dark rites so heinous that they were driven into the swamps outside of the city. Feared and persecuted by their neighbors, the Grunch family more often than not found themselves accused of crimes they had nothing to do with and hunted by those who judged them based on their appearance. After decades of persecution, the Clan patriarch embraced the dark arts his family had been so long rumored to command. Blood sacrifices and pledges of service to diabolical creatures gra...

Despite assumptions to the contrary, the party is Not going to engage in battle with Big Bird. However, having already made Cookie Monster as a character, I thought I would make a D&D version of Big Bird that is in keeping with him as presented on Sesame Street. Big Bird : Muppet male Child¹ CR: 1     Medium Humanoid (Muppet)     HD: 2d8+4 (16 Hp) Init: +1     Spd: 30'     AC: 12 (+1 Dex. -1 size, +2 Natural) Attacks: (BAB +0; Grap +8) ; +3 Unarmed Strike: 1d6+4 nonlethal SA: -- SQ: Muppet Traits Align: NG     Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will -1 Str: 18, Dex: 12, Con: 15, Int: 8, Wis: 8, Cha: 14 Skills: Read/Write and Speak Common; Balance +3, Craft (Visual Art) +2, Diplomacy +2 (additional +2 with children and their parents), Perform (Singing) +6 Feats: Creative (Craft - Visual Arts and Perform - Singing) Gear: Large nest behind the Brownstone at 123 Sesame Stre...

20 Gildember 348 AC Grotto follows the lead of the trackers. He keeps his foraging eyes wide to see if he can find any useful ingredients for the next meal they have when they set up camp. Arthur follows towards the rear of the group in case they some how come from behind. Kysek allows Bubo to rest perched upon his shoulder. He maintains a careful eye on the trail ahead as he silently follows the markers left by the scouts ahead. Shadow will hang to the middle of the group with Cassidy and watch for danger along the way trusting in more experienced trackers to lead the chase. Cassidy wraps his lute and stows it in his pack to protect it from the worsening weather. He taps his chin a couple of times, "Hunting songs... hunting songs...Oooh! I know!" And with that, he begins to sing. "🎶 🎵   In touch with the ground I'm on the hunt I'm after you A scent and a sound, I'm lost and I'm found And I'm hungry like the... 🎶 🎵 Shadow smiles and looks at Cass...

Menathradon of House Magus : male Silvanesti Elf Abjurer 5/Wizard of High Sorcery 4/Loremaster 4 CR: 13     Medium Humanoid (Elf)     HD: 5d4 plus 4d4 plus 4d4 (28 Hp) Init: +3     Spd: 30'     AC: 23 (Bracers of Armor +6, Ring of Protection+4, +3 Dex), t: 23, ff: 20 Attacks: (BAB +6; Grap +5) ; +6/+1 Dagger +1: 1d4 (19-20/×2, 10') or +5 Staff of Abjuration: 1d6-1 (20/×2) SA: Arcane Spells (CL13, CL14 for Divination; DC14 + spell level, DC15 + spell level for Evocation spells); Abjuration Specialization SQ: Elf Traits; Alternate Bonus feat list, Arcane Research +2, Enhanced Specialization, Familiar , Item of Power, Lore (+17), Moon Magic, Order Secret, Secret (×2), Tower Resources Align: LG     Saves: Fort +9, Ref +12, Will +17 Str: 8, Dex: 16, Con: 10, Int: 18, Wis: 13, Cha: 10 Skills: Read/Write and Speak Common and Elven, Concentration +12, Decipher Script +8, Gat...

20 Gildember 348 AC "Lizardfolk are near!" exclaims Grotto. "From the looks of it very near. Maybe a half day ahead. We better tread lightly lest we find ourself in an ambush!" Ornforithalas crouches beside the footprint and frowns, "Quite a bit bigger than any lizardman I've ever seen. And I've never heard of them cooking their food before they eat it. I don't think we're dealing with lizardfolk here." Shadow points out a fainter print about 40" away. "Don't ask me how I know this, because I'm no tracker, but, if my math is correct, the mysterious owner of this footprint is about 8½' tall." "They look like bird prints to me," Cassidy replies, "Can you imagine that? An eight foot tall bird? Thing is probably yellow with big googly eyes and a huge beak." He pauses, "Actually, that might not be so bad. Maybe it's friendly!" “Have you ever seen a group of chickens attack a beetle...

20 Gildember 348 AC The Tower of Wayreth. The days pass quickly. Romulus rises before dawn each morning, lets Macula out for a run in the courtyard and nearby forest, heads to the dining hall for a breakfast of eggs (he quickly learns that the cooks are able to prepare the most delicious omelets he has ever eaten - his favorite being made with venison bacon, a sharp cheddar cheese, onions, and peppers), sausages, some pears in maple syrup, a stack of pancakes, a small bowl of oatmeal, and diced potatoes along with a pitcher of cider. Afterwards, he collects Macula and the pair head up to the Tower's library. Menathradon joins him soon after and the pair pour over heavy tomes about the Demiplane of Time and scribble notes for later review. The pages they have been assigned fetch them lunch; soups and sandwiches with more fruit and nuts and some watered-down beer before returning to their studies. They often beat their heads in frustration as they find one inconsistency and contrad...

Evening of 19 Gildember - morning of 20 Gildember 348 AC "Dinner is served, my friends!" yells Grotto proudly. "Hopefully we find some goblins to kill tomorrow!" Grotto remarks with a twinkle in his eye. Grotto feels happy and excited to be hunting goblin vermin. Kysek thanks Grotto for the meal. He sends Bubo out to hunt and watch the camp's perimeter. Arthur thanks Grotto for the food keeping an eye out as we eat. Ra’ziir, meanwhile, has some of the food Grotto prepared and then settles in with his grimoire. “Thank you Grotto for preparing our meal. It’s delicious. Maybe one day when you retire from chopping heads, you could pursue a life of cooking?” He jests with the Dwarf. “It’s cold tonight. I’m going to put some more wood on the fire.” Shadow and Cassidy enjoy the dishes prepared by Grotto from the giant crabs.  They both thank the scarred dwarf for his amazing handiwork. After dinner, Shadow asks Cassidy, “How about we take a watch together tonight? Unle...

19 Gildember 348 AC With the giant lobsters defeated, Knives remains vigilant, watchful for the arrival of other marine predators. Cedron continues flying and performs a perimeter sweep looking for other potential threats in the area. “I seem to recall the smaller versions of these crustaceans were sweet and delicious. I’m hoping these larger ones are the same.” He muses privately while scanning the area. Ra’ziir utilizes the remaining time on his spell of flight to assist Cedron in reconnaissance. Arthur joins in on the recon mission and between the three of them soon find a scattering of torn cloth and shattered bone fragments. There are a few small spatters of blue blood so whatever was killed put up a fight before dying. Grotto goes and inspects the beasts. He looks at the meaty claws and tails. "Half cooked already thanks to you two!" Grotto says with a hearty laughter looking at the magic users. Grotto then carves up ample portions from the claws and tails! "W...

Like so many other D&D geeks, I also enjoyed playing video games. At some point several years ago, I learned about the Nintendo Toaster. If you Google that specific phrase, it leads you to a Nintendo that has been turned into an actual toaster (you might have to blow on the bread and smack it against your leg to get it to work but that is not what I am here to tell you about). But that got me to thinking about some of my favorite old games. Back in '95 (God, it's been 30 years), my roommates and I wore out our copy of Super Tecmo Bowl. The coolest thing about the game had to be the "Edit Game" feature. You could take a team and delete all of its players amd replace them with your own. That meant you could make 20 or so custom characters. We had chosen "Da Bears" (an even older reference dating back to the mid-80's) and did exactly that. All of the new characters were named after our D&D party. Our center was a gnome berserker named Algar Longsch...

19 Gildember 348 AC As the giant purple lobsters rush from the surf, several things happen at once. The party reacts like a well-oiled machine. Shadow plants one hand upon Cassidy's shoulder and hoists him off of the ground. He speaks a single word, " Μύγα," and rises unto the air, carrying the kender aloft. “Time to step lively my little friend and stay out of the way. You are about to see some amazing things. My companions will make quick work of these beasts." Kysek twists his ring, vanishing from sight and clicks the heels of his boots, activating their power of levitation and rises into the air. Ornforithalas calls to his men, "Form a shield wall! Protect the wizards!" The scouts form a line, raising their shields and leveling their spears towards the threat as Ra'ziir unleashes an arc of lightning. The actinic bolt dances between the two beasts and smoke begins to rise from the flesh beneath the carapaces. He draws Grumbar’s Razor, its blade...

18 Gildember 348 AC Ornforithalas winces at the thought of Kender music. "For now, let's find rooms for the night. We can leave at dawn but if we don't find anything between here and Felinosti, we should head back to Silvanost. It is possible that the Dragonarmies are adhering to the letter of their treaty." Cedron decides that a night of light entertainment and solid sleep will do him well before the voyage. The minstrel-priest completes his daily prayers and makes his way to the tap room of the party's accommodations. He plays a few rough songs on his flute and sings a couple of calming songs before heading to bed with a full belly. Shadow will keep company with Cassidy and Cedron. Mostly to keep an eye on his little friend. Kysek acquires himself a good meal and sends Bubo to hunt for himself. Before turning in, he takes stock of his equipment. Cassidy sits and listens to Cedron play, his usually fidgety antics replaced with a serene, rapt expression. In be...