Campaign Chronicles

Note: This adventure was based on "The Kingdom of Ghouls" from Dungeon Magazine 70 . Instead of fighting to defeat the ghouls, the player, who had himself been transformed into a member of the undead, was tasked with bringing the area under his control. 4th - 12th Day of the Month of Fireseek 591 CY calendar (1371 DR) Jamaros stood atop a balcony overlooking Kilenor. The stench of rotting flesh hung heavy in the air as he surveyed his newly conquered domain. He allowed his thoughts to drift back over the last few days and the victories he had achieved. After forcing his way into the Ashen outpost , the mighty Nordheimer sacked the stronghold, seizing control of the Marquis' forces. With his defeated rival's troops added to his own, he marched on the Coastal Outpost. Rather than resisting, Marquis Zun capitulated and allowed his guards to be absorbed into Jamaros' army. The newly expanded army then captured the Great Tombs and the Eastern Outpost. The Jotunbrund ...

18th Day of the Month of Sunsebb 573 CY calendar Folggnaw becomes very still as Jamaros turns to address the helmed horrors and a smile spreads slowly across his face, “I am Jamaros Many-Battles, general of the Ghoul King's Army.  I am assuming command.  Execute your prisoner.” The armored figures spring into action immediately, drawing their swords and chopping into the wraith with a great ferocity.  The work is done in a matter of moments. “Lead me to the army.  We have much work to do.” The armored figures move to obey the general's command.  Jamaros' squad of ghouls fall in behind him as they march back out the city gate.  The entourage turns north and stalks off into the caverns.  Miles pass quickly.  The only sound is the echoing clang of the footfalls from the animated suits of armor and the gibbering of the less powerful ghouls under the undead barbarian's command. The towering Nordheimer casts his mind back over the last several days and ...

18th Day of the Month of Sunsebb 573 CY calendar Jamaros and the wraith face each other. The undead barbarian's mind swirls with thoughts of violence and murder but he knows that even his most heavily enchanted weapons won't have much effect on the spirit so, begrudgingly, he decides to try diplomacy. He chokes down his anger and repeats, “I am Jamaros Many-Battles. The Ghoul King has named me general of his army and sent me to carve out his domain. I need to know the location and disposition of our enemies as well as the forces at our disposal.” The hollow voice of the wraith echoes back at him, “And I am still Marquis Folggnaw, master of this city.” The incorporeal entity's vaporous form shifts, swirling black smoke backlit by the glowing joints of the armored figures behind him. Folggnaw continues, “Very well.” He gestures to some guard concealed behind the barrier, “Open the gate. The general and I have much to discuss.” A moment later, Jamaros hears the “...

With one traitorous lieutenant dead at his feet and the other fleeing into the Underdark , Jamaros ordered his troops to begin marching toward Kilenor, the City of Ghouls. The hike, even in the pitch black darkness beneath the surface of the world, didn't take long and in less than an hour the undead Nordheimer and his company of warriors reached the edge of the settlement. 18th day of the Sunsebb 573 CY calendar Ahead, the passage is barred by a fortress-like construction. Greenish-yellow light shines through arrow slits and the ratcheting "click" of a crossbow echoes off of the stone walls. A dark black gate bars the way and a voice from the other side calls out, "What do you seek in the White Kingdom?" Jamaros pushes his way to the fore, "Conquest!" He shouts, "I come, bid by Doresain the Ghoul King to expand the borders of his earthly kingdom! Open the gates and greet your new general!" Several minut...

18th Day of the Month of Sunsebb 573 CY calendar The Ghoul General takes a step toward his lieutenants and glowers down at them.   “How about this, since you want to lead so badly, I’ll give you a chance.   If you can defeat me, then you can lead but if you can’t…, well, it won’t matter, you won’t be here anyway.” The ghast stares up at Jamaros.   If it is at all afraid, it does not show.   A wide grin splits its face, revealing razor sharp, blood-stained teeth.   “We killed you no problem the first time, can’t see as doing it again would be so hard.”   The one pacing behind the speaker slows a step and glances at his companion and, seeing him unfazed by the general’s looming presence, sneers back at the undead barbarian and moves further out to the left, putting it in a position to strike from the side.   .   The gargoyle guarding the frost-rimed eastern door shifts its weight and flexes it claws, eager for a fight to begin. The company of ...

18th Day of the Month of Sunsebb 573 CY calendar The undead barbarian looks one way then the other. He takes in his surroundings and notes the presence of the guardians before each door. Sensing no immediate threat from them, he looks down the tunnels before asking, “Which way?” “Isn’t that for you to decide ‘General?’ one the Risen asks. Jamaros turns toward his lieutenants. The tone in the undead warrior’s voice is filled with contempt. One of the ghouls stares defiant ... ly at the general while the other paces short laps back and forth just behind him. The speaker’s lips peel back to reveal sharp, jagged teeth, “That is, unless you wish to surrender your title to us. We will lead this army and crush the pathetic resistance of the mortals and whatever rivals we have lurking in the darkness of Kilenor, just like we did with you in the ring.” The remaining rank and file ghouls shift uneasily as the two ghasts continue to stare at the undead Nordheimer. Jamaros: 91...

18th day of the Month of Conflict, 126th Year of Factol Haskar’s Administration/Month of Sunsebb 573 CY calendar “Very well, when do we start?” Jamaros replies. Doresain smiles, his sharpened teeth glinting red in the low-light. “You are eager! That is a sign that bodes well for your future. Depart straightaway. Your lieutenants know the way to the portal that while take you to my chosen land. Your personal guards wait for you at the gate.” Jamaros turned to follow the two surviving Risen , the ghouls who had killed him so Doresain could bring him back from the dead to serve as his general. Resentment burned deep in the undead barbarian’s still, cold heart and dark thoughts lurked in the back of his mind. He hadn’t lied to the Ghoul King. He had no desire to sit upon on a throne and he did want to rejoin his companions once he had become strong enough but he would exact his vengeance. The two Risen lead Jamaros along a darkened path between crumbling mausoleums and beneath moss d...