Campaign Chronicles

     It started with a video about why orcas generally avoid attacking walruses.      The narrator got to the part about the dangers of those enormous tusks — how a walrus is not just a large, slow animal, but a heavily armed creature capable of seriously injuring a much larger predator — and I immediately thought  "Vampire."      The rest of the day became a rabbit hole involving undead traits, walrus biology, Arctic folklore, and a surprisingly important distinction between a floating log and actual driftwood. Vampire Walrus CR: 6     Large Undead (Augmented Animal)     HD: 5d12 (33 hp) Init: –1     Spd: 10', swim 30' AC: 18 (–1 size, –1 Dex, +10 natural), t: 8, ff: 18 Attacks: (BAB +2; Grap +11); +6 Gore: 1d8+5 plus Improved Grab Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. SA: Blood Drain, Haunting Song, Improved Grab SQ: DR10/Driftwood or Walrus Ivory, Fast Healing 3, Low-l...

Lately, my kids have been obsessed with the Adventures of Frog and Toad. We have read at least two of their stories every night at bedtime for at least the last two weeks and while "Cookies" and "Ice Cream" are by far their most requested selections, my daughter in particular has a definite fondness for "The Shivers" wherein Frog relates a story that may or may not have actually happened to him when he was younger. She gets super excited when the villain of the story, the Old Dark Frog, makes his appearance, quoting the dialog and squealing happily when the ghost claims that he is going to eat Frog after he jumps rope enough times to become hungry again. The Old Dark Frog: Anthropomorphic Goliath Frog Ghost CR: 3     Small Undead (Incorporeal)     HD: 1d12 (6 hp) Init: +0     Spd: 10', swim 5', fly 30'     AC: (while Ethereal) 12 (+1 size, +1 Natural), t: 11, ff: 12; (while Manifested) 12 (+1 siz...

Feal-Thas' classes and levels are based on his appearance in the DL6 module " Dragons of Ice ". He was listed as a 7th level Chaotic Evil Elven Fighter/Magic-User but his THAC0 was 13, so he would have had to be an 8th level Fighter. He could cast one 4th level Wizard spell so that would have made him a 7th level Wizard. His presented ability scores were: Str: 18/35, Dex: 17, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha 8. He had Chainmail +2, a Shield +1, and a Longsword +2. He gained a +2 bonus to hit elven characters. The description of his chambers say that he had moved all of his treasure to a secret room in the library but the only things listed in the description for that area were a desk and writing table containing a scroll and a journal written in Elven. His dragon companion, Sleet, was a female Ancient Huge White Dragon. Following the AD&D to 3e Conversion Manual, his Strength becomes 19. His Intelligence was increased to 14 to ensure he still had access to 4th Level spe...

21 thru 30 Frostkolt 348 AC As the reality that those deemed “less than” or “other” are not even permitted to dwell within the city dawns upon the black-robed elf, a quiet fury builds within him. Ra’ziir, upon this realization, turns on a heel back in the direction from whence he came. “It seems that w e have found a true Utopia, first priest of Malazzar. How the god of progress must delight…” The Eldritch Knight’s ire seeks a home in the nearest target, not because it is warranted necessarily, more because it is accessible. “Like crumbs swept beneath a rug, they deny the existence of those they deem unworthy… and think themselves “noble . ” Ra’ziir stalks off into the night, a black-robed figure disappearing into the darkness. Elves out celebrating the holiday instinctively part, allowing him to pass unimpeded. Confused looks from the partyers follow in his wake. Mothers even pull small children out of his path, so palpable is his ire. Kysek utilizes what he has learned from Rave...

21 thru 30 Frostkolt 348 AC As Arthur and Agnes stroll through the city, he tells her about himself as well the celebrations in Lankmar, "We have the Day of Masks where we dress up in costumes with feasts, dances, and storytelling; Vermin Day commemorates Lankhmar's victory in the War of the Rats, and  every New Moon, the people of my city leave offerings at the Black Temple to appease the Gods  IN  Lankhmar, which are not the same as the gods  OF  Lankmar." Agnes' brow furrows, "What is the difference?" "The gods  OF  Lankmar are a group of thirteen powerful undead who emerge from their temple to defend the city in times of need. The gods  IN  Lankhmar are deities who have believers living in the city," Arthur explains. He continues, "And there is always some sort of celebration in our Festival District - when my world was young, the Lords of Necessity decreed that the gods of Nehwon would be 'as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach...

21 thru 30 Frostkolt 348 AC The end of year celebration takes place over the course of several days, starting on the evening of the Winter Solstice and running through the end of the calendar year. Gifts are exchanged between family and friends, music - some lively and modern, other tunes obviously traditional with roots in religious hymns, abounds. The scent of sage hangs heavily in the air as the herb to drive off negativity and open pathways for positive energy to enter. There are races in the street for children (and adults). Snow and ice carving take center stage on the third and fourth days of the celebration. Cedron observes the elves' festivities, and a spark of curiosity flickers in the human. He decides to go explore the mid winter celebration first hand. Using Akivasha's blindfold to alter his features and commanding his chain shirt to take on the appearance of the local garb, the minstrel-priest makes his way casually into the streets to immerse himself in the cit...

21 Frostkolt 348 AC Shadow mentions to Cassidy, “I hear we are going to be going on a ship for the next leg of our adventure. Have you been around ships much? Grotto is seeking instruction in seamanship from Raven. Perhaps we should go as well?” Cassidy smiles, "I have never been on a ship before! Unless you count the one I rode from Lookit to Ergoth. Those gnomes were so nice! And it only caught fire three times! I'm told it was a Highly Successful Voyage!" The kender beams up at his dark elf companion. "I can even practice with my crossbow! Ooo! Look! A squirrel!" “Please don’t shoot the squirrels. The elves will get very unhappy.”  Shadow takes Cassidy and steers him towards the riverfront. Along the way he thinks to himself 'Raven will kill me if this kender sets the boat on fire'. He tries to keep up with the small talk of boats and Underdark lakes and rivers. “The horrors of the dark waters under your feet are nothing to be trifled with.” He answ...

27 Darkember thru 19 Frostkolt 348 AC Ra’ziir spends some time reviewing maps of this world to better understand the lay of the land and sea as well as some of the more prominent points/locations of interest. What he finds are maps from before and after the Cataclysm. The entire shape of the continent is vastly different. Most of the cities are in roughly the same place, although the retreat or advance of the seas in relation to the altered coastline has submerged some and left others completely landlocked. Many towns do not appear on the newer maps, with no indication as to whether they were destroyed or were left off for the convenience of the cartographer. Still, he is assured that the maps are as accurate as was possible at the time of their production but it is fairly likely that some errors are present. Shadow will spend some time with the other two wizards looking at the maps and discussing the vulnerability and defenses of the dragonmen the party encountere in hopes of coming ...