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10:54, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed.

Posted by DM Lady FateFor group 0
DM Lady Fate
GM, 5 posts
Tue 15 Apr 2008
at 15:04
  • msg #1

Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

(ooc: based on your original adventure with DM Grimclaw)

After freeing the prisoners, it seems fate has taken an unexpected turn in your venture. After detecting for evil, the group becomes aware that the mildly evil flavor is back and approaching the party.

The Zhentarim the group has freed is back, looking slightly miskempt and askew from his undignified shove to freedom. He arches an eyebrow haughtily at the group as he approaches, and says in his thickly accented voice:

"How such a group freed me and I could not free myself," he says with a sniff of disdain, clearly with a superiority complex, "I do not understand, however you did free me and I would be miserable indeed if I did not express some thanks. Perhaps you would welcome some information."

"My brethren, prevented from scrying me whilst I was in this hole of puking foulness, are now aware of my location. My fellow brethren will descend upon this organization and wipe it's unworthy face from the face of this great desert. It was your goal to eradicate these bandits who worship this so called black scorpion, yes?"

"Well I have been here some time, as I made a foolish mistake--yes one such as I learn as well--in my caravan and they captured me. I overheard them speak, the leader of them all, with the sphinx and I solved the riddle they could not. This great black scorpion that they worship is none other but a guise of Tiamat looking for something and I know what it is--Yes I do. I would not recommend you remain here.

However, I will tell you that the City of Shade, the closest civilization is no more than a week's travel to the north, if you desire to go to a city. When next we meet, my debt to you is paid. As a merchant, I thank you but please go if you do not wish to be here when my brethren arrive. They will be here in several hours and I have sent them a message explaining all, but I do not control the brethren and whether I speak for you or not, your lives will still be forfeit."

After giving his great speech, he sniffs again, dusts his person off even though he is still dirty from imprisonment and turns to walk away as if he doesn't care whether you listen to him or not.

(ooc: in the Anauroch forum, please state if your party wishes to travel to the city of Shade, and if so, would you be averse to fast forwarding the travel? I will then start a tavern thread for you to discuss and alleviate any loose ends from the adventure (to give me an idea of future plots that you wish to resolve) and so that we may start the next adventure, also to be discussed in the ooc forum).
DM Lady Fate
GM, 39 posts
Sun 4 May 2008
at 04:26
  • msg #2

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

It seems the party's direction was determined upon a chance meeting with a bard in a tavern ironically called The Dark Bard. The party has now a map in their possession which gives clues to an evil altar where the evil spirit of Tiamat is said to be.

Through divine intervention or through devotion to one's ideals, the party has decided to seek out this altar to make sure Tiamat or her avatar, whichever it really is, does not proceed to rise and create havoc.

Your party is refreshed after spending the night in the city of Shade and has accomplished provisioning and shopping errands prior to meeting Rix, the bard, in front of the Dark Bard, for he has agreed to accompany you.

At first you don't recognize the figure in front of the building for he's dressed in loose white robes with a loose white head cloth tied by a brown band around his head. Standing next to the figure is a camel like creature bearing a colorful saddle with saddlebags. The figure turns to you, his tan made darker by the contrast of white robes, and his eyes are darkly blue and narrowed against the sun. You recognize those eyes and realize it's Rix, resembling very much a desert dwelling nomad. Instead of an instrument strapped to his back, there is a scimitar.

"Ah, you made it. Good. Have you everything you need and are you ready for this adventure to start? I swear, I will write many tales and songs if this turns out to be really what the map said. Come, come, have you camels or are you taking steeds or walking? This is Selik, my camel, and we've been on many travels through the dunes, and we know where all the best water holes are, so hopefully water will not be as large a concern."
Alister Flaga
player, 440 posts
Init 2  AC  18 16 12
HP 42/42 Saves 8 6 5
Mon 5 May 2008
at 00:16
  • msg #3

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed



"So Rix, have you caught any rumor concerning our destination?  Is it a swamp or just another part of the sand box."  Alister spoke.
Rix'nah'vee
NPC, 8 posts
Mon 5 May 2008
at 04:58
  • msg #4

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

"I have found out that a swamp exists in the middle of the desert, two weeks travel north of the city of Shade," Rix admits. "It's an oddity, especially as a swamp should not exist there. Not many have attempted to explore it. Other than the journey there, not much is known about it. But then I checked the libraries and asked some of the shop keepers. I did not check with any priests and it may be more in line with religious histories rather than magic. I have heard that the area the ruins are said to be within is attractive to dragons."

Rix rubs his steeds nose and looks at Alistair expectantly. "Know you any dragons or do you have any dragon allies?"
Lysande
player, 428 posts
Init +2 AC N15/F13/T12
HP n33/c33  F+5/R+8/W+3
Mon 5 May 2008
at 13:08
  • msg #5

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

Lysande left the inn, things packed neatly and in an orderly fashion. Her saddlebags went right over Mourn's broad back and the sun elf made sure everything was sitting correctly, minimizing whatever risk to cause chafing or any other discomfort to her mount. She checked her bow and the new quiver with the new arrows. The elf was glad for it as it was possible to carry a much higher number of missiles before it would become encumbering. Aluvendar had already settled on the saddle horn before his mistress proclaimed readiness to move out.
DM Lady Fate
GM, 41 posts
Mon 5 May 2008
at 17:48
  • msg #6

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed



The party starts to gather in front of the tavern and prepares themselves for a journey through a harsh clime with an even harsher environment. Rix is busy filling up small drums of water using a well in front of the tavern and binding them to the many rings sewn onto his mount's saddles and straps. The mount itself is burying its muzzle in the trough in front of the tavern and is drinking deeply. Rix looks around expectantly for the rest of the party.
Alister Flaga
player, 441 posts
Init 2  AC  18 16 12
HP 42/42 Saves 8 6 5
Tue 6 May 2008
at 09:31
  • msg #7

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

"I slew an evil blue colored dragon, together with my desert buddies.  I got this nice sword from it." Alister showed his trusty long sword to Rix.  "I just hope it doesn't have a cousin or something to where we are going."
Rix'nah'vee
NPC, 9 posts
Wed 7 May 2008
at 00:01
  • msg #8

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

A gleam of pleasure appears in Rix's eyes. "Ah, you must tell me the story in full sometime and I will craft a fine tale or a ballad for you. That is story worthy."

He watches Lysande finish her preparations. "If all of you have mounts, it may be a shorter journey yet. Just tell me when you are ready. I had a scribe check the map I drew from memory of your own and the way is off the beaten path. Do you have a party scout to forge ahead?"
Aelynia Th'wil
player, 226 posts
Init +4 AC 22/18/22
53/53 Sv 7/9/6**
Wed 7 May 2008
at 02:40
  • msg #9

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

As usual Aelynia didn't offer much to the conversation, but then came an opportunity for her to be useful and help the others.  "I could do that," she offered softly.
Lysande
player, 429 posts
Init +2 AC N15/F13/T12
HP n33/c33  F+5/R+8/W+3
Wed 7 May 2008
at 09:39
  • msg #10

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

"Ai Aelynia, please do so. - Every once in a while I shall send out Aluvendar to be our eyes in the sky." Lysande said, accepting the elf's offer. Gently the mage patted Mourn's neck, the mare was a little restless, sensing the worry in her rider's heart. While they had been through an adventure already, this one would lead to new dangers, most of which Lysande had never heard of and that bothered her. She was an elf and she should be well informed where they were going, but to her dismay she realized her attention had been on more practical skills than learning from books. It was too late to change that now and the sun elf decided against letting the others know about her thoughts.

"How many days you estimate we must travel before reaching the swamp, Rix'nah'vee" Lysande asked.
Alister Flaga
player, 442 posts
Init 2  AC  18 16 12
HP 42/42 Saves 8 6 5
Wed 7 May 2008
at 12:35
  • msg #11

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

"I can tell you about it as we travel."  Alister replies to Rix.

"I'll be hitching a ride along the way.  My horse should be awaiting by the outskirt of the city."
Rix'nah'vee
NPC, 10 posts
Wed 7 May 2008
at 16:12
  • msg #12

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

Rix looks at Lysande and scrunches up his face in thought before answering, "I estimate we could cut the travel time in half if we are riding, barring any unfortunate events. I am assuming we travel at least 12 hours a day. I checked with a local druidess and she advised me that in two days time, a sirocco will be coming into the area. I was also advised we may wish to look out for some northern tribes are coming this way as well and raiders are usually attracted to their caravans, so there's danger aplenty. We are also passing through a juvenile blue dragon's territory, so it is likely we may welcome Alister's talents in slewing his blue dragon."

Rix smiles at Alister in approval before placing his right foot in his mount's stirrup on the right side and stepping up to climb into his saddle. He offers Alister his right hand while gripping the reins with his left.

"Come, Sir Alister, and you may hitch a ride with me til we recover your mount."

He looks sharply around. "Were there not four of you? I see only three for the moment. Aelynia, if you will scout once we leave the city behind, I would be appreciative. I am best in the urban environment though fear not, I have courage aplenty and will not shirk my duties in grave situations."
Lysande
player, 436 posts
Init +2 AC N15/F13/T12
HP n33/c33  F+5/R+8/W+3
Fri 9 May 2008
at 10:30
  • msg #13

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

Lysande nodded and checked her water skins again, she frowned for a moment, missing A'ran and his experience with desert travel, but the young boy had gone back to his tribe, right where he belonged and the elf wished him a good life, he sure had lots of tales to tell already.

"We should go now, the sun will not wait for us on her path across the sky." the mage said and smiled at Alister. Aluvendar cawed as if he was supporting his mistress' words.
Alister Flaga
player, 444 posts
Init 2  AC  18 16 12
HP 42/42 Saves 8 6 5
Fri 9 May 2008
at 11:34
  • msg #14

Re: Anauroch: Black Scorpion Revealed

Alister instinctively nods back at the sun elf while still lost in his thought.  He felt that his mind was a little muddled, yet he paid it no heed as he checks his equipment.

"Okay, the faster we leave this city the better."
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