That's a fair point, actually. A siege style ladder could be had for the price of fabrication. So, just the blacksmith's fees, which would total at 150 gp, a cost of 30 gp to each adventurer.

And it could be carried in the cart between expeditions.


Potions should become available again once the party return from another visit to the Barrowmaze. Word will have reached the rest of the Duchy about the potential profits that could be had by a potion vendor in Helix. Of course, news will also get around about what happened to the last potion seller, so it's possible that the new merchant may be a touch on the skittish side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:27, Wed 11 Jan 2023.

I agree with the Malivoire, no need to upgrade the Barrow!! At least not until we have clear title and are looking to improve its curb appeal.

A siege ladder sounds adequate to me.

I'd like to spend money on potions, scrolls, and if the occasional magic item appears, that too.

A week away from the barrow will hopefully allow Varghoulis to kill the demon and then go back to his tomb for a nap! Poking around town for the traitor is another adventure to be resolved. And it will let our wizards become even more wizardy.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Wed 11 Jan 2023.

Neither one of you, then, will have your names inscribed on the Caine Memorial Plaque to be installed at the newly renovated entrance to the Barrowmaze as part of the Greater Barrowmaze Restoration Project.

It's probably just echoes of The Loved One and, thus, a whimsical fancy to transform the Barrowmaze into Whispering Glades. Barnabus can pursue this on his own, no big deal, and we can go with the siege ladder, so we don't have to wait for the lift while being pursued by the hounds of hell (to be released by a certain curate during the next expedition).

@Dax -- The demon was destroyed by our patron after it escaped from the maze and assaulted market square.

@LL -- We'll start our investigations with Brother Othar as we have other business with him as well. I had thought that cursed fire stick had born the markings of your mirthful malevolence.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Wed 11 Jan 2023.

In reply to Barnabus (msg # 915):


You can't expect me to remember something that happened more than a day ago! I will edit my post.

The same goes for me, too, I'll remember what's happened only a... Wait, what?

  It's happening!

Yeah, I'd like to share notes with Mal, on the new notes we've found.

Just to be clear about the transcribing of spells, does this mean Dilemma and I will be essentially in seclusion for a week?  If so, I won't bother to weigh in on the visit to the church and any subsequent questioning of other villagers, since we'll be busy elsewhere.

If not, I'll get something into the other thread once I hear back.  Thanks!

My presumption would be that Dilemma and Malivoire would be transcribing new spells during the downtime that occurs in the midst of the adventurers’ investigation. In other words, it’s an activity that takes place “offscreen” and doesn’t prevent the two mages with assisting in the search for the presumed cultist.

Got it, thanks!

Why is Ynes listed as a player and not an NPC?

Any character in the party who has an ancestry and class given in their tag is moved to the player list. If it’s a source of confusion, I can easily change her tag back to NPC.

Haha, no, I just keep expecting to hear form her in the OOC even though I know better.

I tried to update the master magic item list.

In reply to Barnabus (msg # 924):

Thanks, Barnabus. I know I should be editing the post I made, but real-life is VERY busy at the moment...just starting to move house, unexpectedly!

I will update the "tables" when I have some quiet time.

Upon consideration, I really think that a champion of Impurax is precisely what the party needs. Of course, by definition, such a character would be an anti-paladin, who would likely be far more interested in possessing and mastering the evil powers within the tombs, as opposed to destroying them. Meaning that there would be a solid chance for the campaign to end in something akin to this fashion:

Ah, c'mon, neutral, not lawful, evil...

Has the prodigal paladin returned after all?

Barnabus, I think Ironguard Motte is a completely different settlement to the east of Helix, not just a building at the edge of town.  Unless I'm completely confused, heading there will be days' worth of travel and they likely won't have any specific information about what's going on in Helix.

The map might be a bit misleading, but it looks to me like those places within the circles on the borders of the map are actually removed from Helix itself.

LL, am I understanding this right?

Hmm, maybe so. Does Helix have a town watch?

You are. Ironguard Motte is the largest settlement within the Duchy of Aerik, named for the Ironguard family’s castle which occupies the center of the town. Lord Viscount Kell Ironguard rules the Duchy from Ironguard Motte. The journey from Helix to Ironguard Motte comprises roughly fifteen miles, though wise travelers often make the trip at a slower pace as the road is frequently beset by various sorts of raiders and bandits.

More information on Ironguard Motte can be found here.


There is a small contingent of men at arms assigned to the defense of Helix. They are under the command of Krothos Ironguard, son of Kell Ironguard. Krothos has been given oversight of Helix by his father, though many of the residents of Helix do not hold Krothos’ leadership in high regard. Presently, Krothos, or his advisor Ollis Blackfell, can be found either at The Brazen Strumpet (Krothos preferred The Foul Pheasant when it was still standing), or at Krothos’ residence on the northern edge of Helix, a short distance from The Rosy Quartz Jeweler and Money Lender.


He has indeed. Quite a happy development.

In reply to Labyrinth Lord (msg # 931):

My sentiments exactly.

Is this our original Dryvyk returning?

/me bows humbly...

The very same, genuine article, original recipe!

My wife's doing much better and my boss is nearly back to normal health, so I found myself thinking to return to the game. I happened to notice the post for a Paladin and thought that was quite a timely nudge! Very cool how it all worked out in the story as well!

Missed you guys!

In reply to Sir Dryvyk of Drakeholme (msg # 934):

Very glad to have you back! And happy to hear your wife is doing well.

If you have time to read through our recent adventures you will see that we are intent on releasing every evil the Barrows have to prey upon the innocent villagers!

Welcome back Dryvyk!  Glad to hear real life is turning back in your favour.

In reply to Sir Dryvyk of Drakeholme (msg # 934):

I don't remember where we were when you left, but I'll try to summarize the major events.

Beyond more general exploration (by which we learned of enough of the operations of Orcus scalpers to trigger the hunt for the agent in town) (Secret room to the right of 23 had a pail of scalps and implements of butchery), we focused on clearing out two of the sealed tombs near the entrance.

The first one we attempted was #33, the tomb of a high priest of Orcus. It was protected by a crypt thing that separated the party in the first round via mass teleport. A balor had been trapped within a statue of a balor (released by the lifting of the statue and the disruption of the magic circle beneath). There was some nonsense about the balor having been stored there as battery power for high priest when he rose again as a lich or something.

The other sealed chamber was to the right of #28 and was the lair of four super shadows, former heroes of Orcus.

Both chambers should provide a rich reward in exp/gold with the paperwork for that reward currently in processing.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Sun 22 Jan 2023.