OOC:  Must've been before my takeover of Flint (Proudly showing off my "If you die, can I have your stuff?" shirt from Eve) LOL

"I don't like undead wizards plaguing my steps, I vote we take care of this thing before it catches us fighting the snake woman."

"Hmm...I tend to agree Borimer.  However," looking at the dead and wounded "I wonder if we are in shape right now to deal with something so powerful as an undead Wizard?"

Speaking to Malissin "What can you tell us of this spirit that chases you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:47, Thu 23 Aug 2012.

OOC: If you want to travel to a certain location, please indicate your route by the room numbers.  For example, 23-24-32, means you will travel through 23 to 24 and 24 to 32.  Remember that I am tracking the locations and movements of at least two enemies now -- the gorgon and the lich king, so it may be random if you come across them.

For the newcomers, the "lich" is the former human king, who was accidentally "preserved" after being killed on the battlefield in a procedure that resulted in him turning into a lich-like being.  He is not necessarily a "lich" as per the Monster Manual, and you don't know his powers, but that's the closest explanation.  The process has driven him insane, and his chancellor brought him to the temple to try to restore him through the temple's rumored powers.  Now, the chancellor is dead (thanks to the gorgon Esylia), and the lich king is on the loose somewhere in the temple.

If you have questions or confusions, just let me know.  We have two new folks who are still getting caught up, Flint and Malissin.

OOC: Right I remember reading that....I thought (incorrectly I guess) that the former King was dealt with (turned to stone by the Gorgon's sister who was with the party for awhile, right?) earlier....hence his Chancellor came with us (until he was killed as well).  I was unaware that his 'ghost' (for lack of a better term) was still running around.

"Not for nothin', but we have a scroll of some sort that we are supposed to deliver to the king. Maybe we can keep the lich at bay by giving it the scroll?"

i, too, thought that the human king had been previously turned to stone to prevent this from happening but just figured i had remembered incorrectly

This entire post is OOC in an attempt to get everyone onto the same page (especially us newer folks).  Please let me know if any of this is incorrect or incomplete:

Harkahnon Ruins summary to date (collected from Threads 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, and 6)

Adventure begins with:

Adaran
Borimer
Edmure
Flint
Grizz
Harak
Kahan
Naj
Syrissa (Sister to Gorgon)

Adaran stays in Room 1 (Entryway) (Thread 1, Msg #38)

Remainder of group advances to room 2

Group advances to room 15 where they encounter 3 Soldiers, an old Cleric (Lumen), and the remains of King Krusark (Lich on a throne).  They find out that Chrisman and 10 soldiers went ahead (with a sequence of numbers to operate the "Crossroads Ark") days before, but nothing has been heard from them.

Party agrees to look for Chrisman, Syrissa turns Lich-King to stone and gives Lumen the cure (blue vial) to turn him back to flesh (Thread 1, Msg #63)

Party plus Lumen and 1 Soldier advance to Room 16 (Crossroads Ark room).

After some discussion about how the Ark works, the party (minus Flint) and Lumen touch the device and are 'teleported' (for lack of a better term) to the same room in a different 'timeline' (guess).  Flint remains behind in old timeline.

Party is currently:
Borimer
Edmure
Grizz
Harak
Kahan
Lumen
Naj
Syrissa (Sister to Gorgon)
1 Soldier (Typical Redshirt)

Party moves back through room 15 (Throne room) to room 2 and note differences and statues destroyed by Esylia. Leaving Lumen and Soldier in room 16 (Implied because later in thread 3 the party has to return here "where they left Lumen and the soldier"....Thread 3, msg #18)

Southern door to room 1 is sealed magically. (Thread 3, msg #1)

Naj discovers secret door on the North side of room 2 (rotating statue) which leads to room 33a.  (Thread 3, msg #5)

Party advances to Room 33a (winch room), then 32a (Crystal Focus room 32a).

Syrissa comments that this is all part of a large puzzle that her sister is obsessed with (Thread 3, msg #12)

A scream is head back where Lumen and Soldier were left (room 16) and party returns there (route 32a-33a-2-15-16) only to find the northern doors now open to room 19 (with a view beyond to room 20a).  Lumen and the Soldier have been turned to stone, and as the party watches a grenade rolls in and blows the statues to little bits.  Vial of blueish liquid (cure for turn to stone) drops from Lumen's hand, undamaged. (Thread 3, msg #18)

Borimer picks up vial (Thread 3, msg #19), and Flint shows up (Thread 3, msg #20).

Borimer hears a distant voice calling down, shrill and taunting.  "I SEEEEE YOUU!"  Or was that voice coming from above.  It is difficult to tell where that voice is coming from in the room with the hole (room 20a).  (Thread 3, msg #25)

Party moves on to doorway to Room 20a (Thread 3, msg #32)

Kahan lowers a grappling hook into the hole in 20a (Thread 4, msg#4), and after 20 ft or so, the grappling hook appears to come from the hole in the ceiling of 20a (Thread 4, msg #6).

Syrissa and Edmure stay in room 20a (Thread 4, msg #12), while the remainder of the party move to room 14, and then room 13.

Another grenade rolls down the stairs to the party in room 13.  Party manages to escape back to room 14 before grenade explodes. A cackling woman's laugh from the top of the stairs which is disappearing away from the stairwell. (Thread 4, msg #23)

Party advances to room 9 (hallway) (Thread 4, msg #32) and investigate rooms 11 (Privy), 12 (ruined bunkroom).

Borimer is attacked by some amorpous substance and party fights to save him (Thread 4, msg #51-59)

Grizz fishes out another clue gripped in a dismembered hand found in the privy. (Thread 4, msg #67)

Party searches room 10 and then room 7.  Multiple stone statue remains are found in this room.  Hearing a noise in the room to the SW (Room 8), the party opens the door and is hit by a bolt of lightning (Thread 4, msg #88).

Party finds Chrisman and hears his story (Thread 4, msg #93)

Party returns to room 7 and the searches room 6.  Kahan gives Chrisman a wand of Paralyzation (4 uses) (Thread 4, msg #104)

Syrissa is turned to stone and killed in room 20a.  Naj observes the remains of a large, serpentine tail exiting the door two levels below you...and one level above you, and Edmure advises that "everyone Syrissa turned to stone has been revived." (Thread 4, msg #119)

Kahan observes this means the Lich King has been revived as well (Thread 4, msg #120).

Party returns to room #8 to rest.  During this rest, the party hears wailing and screaming from somewhere a level above.  Chrisman states this must be Esylia torturing Androlus to try to get the codes. (Thread 5, msg #1)

After resting and determining marching order, etc, party returns to room 16 (Crossroads Ark room) and advances up the stairs to second floor, room 22. (Thread 5, msg #33)

Party currently consists of:
Borimer
Edmure
Flint
Grizz
Harak
Kahan
Naj

Borimer leads party to room 32d (Thread 5, msg #41)

Flint casts a spell which unseals the western door to room 34.  Inside are a number of undead which start to attack the party (Thread 5a, msg #2-54) killing Griz (Thread 5a, msg #37).  During this fight Malissin makes his appearance (Thread 5a, msg #15) and joins the party.  Edmure however, goes missing after (Thread 5a, msg #47) as no mention is made of him again....maybe he's looking after Grizz's scorched body?

After the battle, the party moves through the northern door to room 20b (Thread 6, msg #1) and then advance to room 32b (Thread 6, msg #20).

Malissin informs the party that a strange, lich-like creature was chasing him just before he crossed over the Time Ark (Thread 6, msg #24).

Party opens the western door (to room 21), and yet another grenade makes it's timely appearance.  This one is a dud though and shall hereafter be referred to as the "Holy Handgrenade" and is picked up and carried by Brother Kahan.

Party advances to room 21 and is attacked by a bronze golem, killing Chrisman (Thread 6, msg #51)

Once Golem is dead, the party hears a mighty yell from somewhere deep in the temple.  It is a man's voice, almost a rabid, insane voice, that yells, "You cannot escape me!"  Malissin then confides to the party that it was the same voice of the lich monster that had been chasing him. (Thread 6, msg #56).

Party currently consists of:
Edmure (?...did we leave him back in 32d with Grizz's body?)
Borimer
Flint
Harak
Kahan
Naj

oh that's right, when the first gorgon died the statues were revived.  (poor red shirts "he's dead jim...")

What a great summary!

I had forgotten the wand of paralyzation.  I assume Kahan takes it back.

Edmure is trailing along behind the party, probably being led by Flint since Edmure was Syrissa's blind consort.

A few more important facts:

1) The transfinite repeater display had been changing in room 32b, and then had stopped.

2) The party has found a few codes (see the clues thread)

3) Borimer had a message given to him from Marcus.  Ostensibly, it does not appear to have much more than the code already on the Time Ark.

You may have already guessed that the broken statues you see laying around once in awhile are the remains of Chrisman's 10 soldiers ("red uniforms").

EDIT: Borimer may need to remind me, but maybe the party was having Edmure go first to lead the way?  Since he is blind, he is not subject to the gaze attack of the gorgon.  Since he is set on vengeance against Esylia for killing his lovely medusa wife Syrissa, he is okay with that prospect, but keep in mind that he is old -- the portrait in this post was meant to be him.  He won't be particularly effective and will be vulnerable.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Fri 24 Aug 2012.

In reply to Borimer (msg # 69):

Which also means that Grung has been turned back to flesh and all the statues in Syrissa's Chateau...albeit a thousand years in the future.

LOL, Thanks...and to think it only took 3 hours of reading through threads :-O



Great....I was worried we left a defenseless blind man to fend for himself.  I assume that Edmure would have been left in the relative safety of room 32b while the bronze golem was dealt with and then led into rm 21 to rejoin the party.



Right...there were a large number of clues (numbers, etc) I skipped over.  Not that they weren't important...just that I was trying to be somewhat brief.

Most everything makes sense to me now, and I thank everyone for allowing me to get everything straight 'in my head'.

"Well, if the 'King' came after us through the Ark, he would still be a floor below and behind us, so we should be safe from him for a little bit yet.  Perhaps long enough to continue exploring this level..." Flint gestures to the door to the south.

"Ah yes, by the way I think this is yours" Flint hands the Wand of Paralyzation he found on Chrisman's body to Kahan.

Flint then walks over to Edmure, takes him gently by the arm and says "Come along Edmure....we wouldn't want you to get lost.  After all, we owe it to your wife to find and deal with Esylia."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Fri 24 Aug 2012.

Query:  Which direction are you guys going:

1) South door
2) East door
3) Up stairs
4) Down stairs

You hear the lich king scream out, "NAJOMEL!  I KNOW YOU ARE HERE! I WILL FIND YOU!  THE ELVES BETRAYED ME!"  His twisted voice echoes throughout the corridors of the ancient stone temple.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:57, Fri 24 Aug 2012.

Kahan snaps out of his lull as the Lich King yells again. "I too am worried we will not be able to defeat the king in our current state, minus two members, with Naj's leg shattered." he states, helping the ranger to his feet. "I will not be able to do much for your leg, but I can heal you and anyone else who is injured." he continues, casting two Cure Light Wounds on him. "I suggest we find somewhere to hide, hoping the lich will run into Esylia and one of them will deal with the other..."

"I agree...with so few people it would be best if we could find a quiet place to get back to full strength.  The question is...where would that be?  Going down these stairs should bring us back to the room east of the kitchen we found earlier." (OOC: Room 13 on the first map below) "From there we could return to the area we rested before" (OOC: Room 8 I believe) "but that will probably also put us on the same level as the 'King'"



"On the other hand, we could continue South on this level and hope for something more secure.  It is my guess that the room to the south of us now will be a copy of the opposite side room " (OOC: room 32d on the map below, just flopped around) " and the room south of THAT will be another octagonal room similar to this one we are in.  It would then make sense that the last room to the south would be another copy of these 'Dish' rooms." (OOC: 32d type room, but flopped around again) "What awaits us to the south of the balcony room is anyone's guess...perhaps something more secure and not potentially on the same level as the 'King'?  Given a choice that is where I think we should go...but the choice must be made soon." (OOC: area 23 south of the Balcony room 22 on the map below)


This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Fri 24 Aug 2012.

FYI, this is the most "explored" version of the downstairs map.  There are a couple rooms your map doesn't reveal that have been explored:




The most updated maps are found in this thread:  link to a message in this game

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:28, Fri 24 Aug 2012.

"Where we rested before is the best place. To continue here looking for a similar place leaves us open to attack. I say we head back to the original spot and hole up for a time."

yes, edmure was leading the way when kahan(?) suggested his lack of eyes would be a benefit for leading the way

OOC: Down to 8 (via 13 - 9 - 7 - 8) then?  Assuming that the stairs down go to 13 ofc....and there are no objections from Naj or Harak....

You go to room 8.  Any special preparations there before resting?

Flint will spend as much time as possible transcribing spells from the (three?) spellbooks he has into one.

OOC: Please check PM for a few questions....

Kahan will check on his fire trap on the door, asking if anyone needed healing before they set in for the 'night'.

Can you remind me?  Did he set the fire trap previously or is he doing it now?  What door is it on?

FYI, I will be treating whether you are discovered as a wandering monster roll, like I did last time (and which you made it safely through the night).

It was on the door of the room we stayed in last time, obviously on the outside. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have gotten set off, but if it did, he will replace it. Everyone knows the passcode so they can get through it without exploding.

Borimer checks his equipment before settling in for first watch.

"I've got to sleep this time to make up for the last, I'll wake up the next lucky fellow in a few hours."

after borimer, what is our watch rotation?

Naj will take second watch, but as they settle in, he says, "As you may know, Najomel is my full name.  The king must be after me."  The elf ranger straddles his two handed sword.  "I fought in the final battle with the king, and saw his death.  That's where I met Marcus, as you might recall.  Alas, though I was a standard bearer for the human king, there was nothing I could do."  He points to the fabric wrapped around his belt.  "I felt so ashamed at my helplessness that I now wear the standard around my belt at all times to remind me."

"I was a page for Lord Faulbane just before the war, sent to his manor as a ward when I was just a boy.  I only remember growing up among humans, but the king remembers me as elf.  He was very fond of me.  The elves, though, retreated from the battle when they saw the overwhelming numbers.  I think the king must now blame me and all elves for what happened."