DM Sir Carnifex's Events

[DEV Jlf2n]

If anyone wants to be more active in the ongoing events I have, PM me and I'll see if I can do something. - SirCarnifex

Ongoing Events:

The Mad Cleric - Prologue
The Mad Cleric - Part I
The Mad Cleric - Part II
The Mad Cleric - Part III
The Mad Cleric - Part IV
The Mad Cleric - Part V
The Mad Cleric - Part VI

The Sludge Master - Prologue
The Sludge Master - Part I
The Sludge Master - Part II

The Soul Splitter

The Hobgoblin Plague - (For the Flaming Fist)

Smuggling on the Coast - (For the Flaming Fist)

The High Mage's Pet - Part I - (The Underdark)



Completed Events:

The Bargaining Treant
Of Kobolds and Chickens - Part I
Of Kobolds and Chickens - Part II
The Dragon's Head - Part I
The Dragon's Head - Part II
The Horns of Jorn
The Mysterious Shrinking Giant
General Drork
Grushk the Outcast
Assassination #1
Gold Rush
Anchors Aweigh!
Too Many Kobolds in the Kitchen
Stinger
The Butler Did It!
Water Under the Bridge
The Rhythm of Rain . . . Dancing?
The Oracle of the Campfire
[url=http://theswordcoast.proboards89.com/index.cgi?board=dm&action=display&thread=990&page=3#23277[/url]Slavers in the City[/url]
The Biggest Illusion
The Mysterious Amanita Muscaria
The Nature of Drow - (Underdark Event)
Victim of the Elements
Death is the Only Option
Troglodyte Trash Dealers - (Underdark Event)
Tracking a Criminal - (Flaming Fist Event)
Boots, Mushrooms, and Shady Dealings - (Underdark Event)

[DM Sir Carnifex]

A Bargaining Treant

A lone dwarf by the name of Erikus came across a talking treant near the haunted mansion in the Cloakwood. The treant was concerned about the influx of adventurers who have been coming in to chop them all down. At the time, his main problem was a band of axe-wielding minotaurs who had encroached further into the forest.

Erikus agreed to stop the minotaur invasion and set forth to search for them. Upon finding the small band, a frenzied battle ensued in which the dwarf was victorious, but also quite wounded.

As it turned out, the treant was just making an attempt to weaken the dwarf so he could eliminate him. Erikus survived the attack and was rewarded with....

...A small amount of gold and 250 XP (plus spawn XP) for being in the short event and being patient with the newbie DM who barely found out how to heal him in time (and also accidentally spawned some really difficult minotaurs). ;D

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Note: All DM events I am doing right now are completely spontaneous. I won't get the chance to think out and write any pre-planned ones for the next couple of weeks.

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Of Kobolds and Chickens - Part One

Farmer Jorn has yet another concern to interrupt his peaceful life as a farmer. While everyone knows that wolves have been catching his livestock at times, now he has the additional problem of packs of kobolds sneaking in at night to slay his chickens.

While Jorn was pondering this problem, a small group adventurers happened by and asked him what was worrying him. He informed them of his difficulty whereupon they offered their assistance. Even as they spoke, a small group of the small creatures stealthily crept up behind them. They were easily dispatched, but not before they had added a few more of Jorn's birds to the death toll.

The adventurers decided that some person or creature must be encouraging the kobolds to make their attacks. They also determined that the kobolds must have a hiding location nearby which would explain their sudden appearances. The well located on Jorn's property was chosen as the most likely spot, so they descended into the murky darkness to seek an answer to the riddle.

They found the well to be infested with the little lizard-like creatures, but there was no sign of anything else. They eliminated all the kobolds that they saw. The one that lasted the longest attempted to speak with the adventurers, but he was quickly cut down before anything could be learned. With nothing further to go on, the group climbed back up and reported what had happened to Jorn.

Jorn, though still concerned that more attacks may be coming, was pleased enough to offer each of them a small reward of 50 gold apiece.

Each PC also received 175 XP.

... to be continued....

[DM Sir Carnifex]

I'm sure that some of you have come by a couple of the crazy cast of continual characters that I have created to congregate in the cities and along the coast. I will be adding more and more to this list of regulars to coincide with using the already-existing commoners for RP purposes. With that, I leave you to find out more about these NPCs on your own.

Remember everyone, it is MUCH less likely that you will be involved in the little encounters I do if you just run through the cities and out the gate to grind monsters. After all, wouldn't it be so much more likely to come across people in a crowded place rather than out along the roads? Quite so. You are not likely to find an entertainer in the low levels of a mine, or a beggar in Ilefarn ruins.

Back to the characters, I will add basic descriptions of them in this thread (RP with them to find out more) as they become more widely known. Look for updates.

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Mad Cleric - Prologue

The monks of Candlekeep recently discovered that several valuable scrolls have gone missing from their great library. A nearby visitor overheard the conversation and inquired further into the situation. The monks were a little hesitant to fully discuss matters with a stranger and decided to report the thefts to the head reader. Upon re-entering the library, more scrolls were noted to have disappeared. The concerned monks turned down the visitor's offer of help, declaring that they could handle it and that the knowledge of the thefts must remain within Candlekeep.

The scholars of the library will discuss the matter thoroughly among themselves. Word, however, will eventually leak out of the thefts...

50 XP to the one person who was there. This was more of a prologue and involved no battle or quests.

...To be continued...

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Of Kobolds and Chickens - Part Two

Weeks had passed since the first incident of the kobold attacks upon Jorn's farm. To all appearances, clearing the well of the kobold gathering was the solution and work resumed with nothing more to worry about other than the occasional wolf. Things seemed to be looking up -- or so Jorn thought.

Around midday, three people stood around a fire talking when a small band of kobolds cautiously edged out of the nearby underbrush. A short scuffle ensued in which many kobolds were slain. A few of them retreated back from whence they had come.

The little group of adventurers were astonished that the kobolds - normally cowardly creatures - would be so bold as to come onto a public road outside Baldur's Gate in broad daylight. While they were still discussing this odd occurrence, sounds of battle and the high-pitched yelps of more kobolds carried across the bridge. They rushed across to find Jorn beset by a small army of them.

Jorn charged the group with investigating the matter further and offered a gold reward. And so the band set out to the hillside ruins. Dire wolves assailed them along the way but they eventually reached the ruins. Along the way, they were joined by several other adventurers, and, together, they ventured inside the doors of the ruins.

Inside was a kobold who revealed that they were being forced to assault the farm by a "wood lady". The lizard-like creature also mentioned shadows having chased away many of his fellow creatures [Here the event was merged and unmerged with Haunted's event]. The party agreed to split up to investigate both matters - most traveled to battle shadows, but two hardy dwarves, Signus and Foinus, remained to assist Jorn.

During their absence, Jorn was again attacked, but this time by wolves. An elven woman was seen in the vicinity during the attack. Could it be a druid was behind this? The two dwarves trodded back down the road and to the Cloakwood to see.

Once in the dense wood, they encountered the elven woman. She proceeded to taunt them, severely testing their patience, but they persevered in their inquiries. She admitted to being behind the recent attacks on the farmlands and offered a challenge to the dwarves: If they were to win a battle, she would desist - If not, she would resume. They accepted.

She summoned a number of dire bears to attack the stout adventurers. It turned out to be only another taunt, as she quickly backed out on her word after they had won. She gave a last parting insult and began to walk away, but this was too much for the short-tempered dwarves. They chased her down. One of them was knocked to the ground unconscious, but his companion was victorious. The evil druid lay dead.

Upon their return, they relayed the good news to an elated Jorn. The farmer thanked them profusely and rewarded them with 150 gold each.

1800 XP each
Both had alignment shifts

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Dragon's Head - Part I

Hurst, the man transporting and installing the Dragon's head for the WeaveMaster Guild, recently searched out Nahum to relat disturbing news. During the shipment of the precious cargo from Beregost to Baldur's Gate, he and his fellow workers were ambushed by a group of bandits, who made an attempt to burn the transport wagon. The attack was fought off but three of the defenders died in the effort. Eventually, the shipment reached Baldur's Gate, where Hurst hid it.

Apparently, the attack was not the end of the situation. There have been efforts by an unknown group to locate the head, though their motives are unclear. In response to this threat, several hired hands were assigned to guard the dragon until relieved by forces of the WeaveMasters.

None know what to expect, but a diligent watch is being kept at all times.

to be continued...

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Horns of Jorn

Jorn woke up one morning to find his prize bull dead of some disease. It was no surprise as he knew that it would succumb eventually. What was a surprise, however, was that both of the bull's horns had been lopped off and stolen. Jorn wrote it off as a prank until a man, Amnius and an elf, Trag, happened by. Both of them were convinced that somebody intended to pass of the horns as those of minotaurs and they were granted permission to investigate further.

Behind the barn, Amnius found a broken axe hidden beneath a haystack. Judging by the dented head, it appeared to be the tool used to chop of the horns. No tracks or other evidence were found.

Both of the investigators decided to set up a watch near the cow pasture in the hopes of catching the thief coming back. Neither of them thought to check to see if there were any bulls in there (Curse the intelligence check! ;D). Daybreak came and they had gotten no further information. It was time to travel to Beregost to check on matters there.

Their progress was interrupted soon by a band of robbers that had formed upon a hill by the road. With loud shouts, the bandits rushed down from the hill and upon travelers. In the midst of the fight, a mysterious stranger, by the name of Garbo, joined in the fray, slaying nearly half the bandits himself. A gnome, Daniel, Dorun, also joined the party at this time.

After the bandits were eliminated and Garbo had taken his leave, the trio proceeded south. They encountered no more bandits but their trip was still unpleasant. Rain began to pour, drenching them to the skin, but the trudged onwards in their quest.

Along the Lion's way, the little band came across a bag filled with bull horns, and, under a nearby bush, a body bludgeoned beyond recognition - the work of ogres. Just at this time, four huge ogres charged from behind a knoll. The gnome was violently knocked aside in the struggle, and the beasts nearly did the same to one other before they were beaten back with the aid of a passing dwarf.

Their attention turned back to the matter at hand, the trio decided that they should return to Jorn and give him the horns.

750 xp each
Alignment shifts

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Dragon's Head - Part two

A messenger found Nahum, head of the WeaveMasters traveling near Beregost with the grim news that there was yet another attempt to get at the dragon's head. Nahum rushed back to Baldur's Gate, obtaining the help of Dalthrien Silverleaf and Jhaelen Windsong along the way.

Upon the arriving in the warehouse along the docks, they were greeted by the sight of a lone man standing amidst the bodies of twenty of so attackers and the three WeaveMaster guardians that had been assigned earlier. The man, Frogar, a hired guard by Hurst (see the fprologue for this), informed them that he had been assailed by several waves of these strange hooded figures.

While they were speaking, yet another group pounced upon them, but the four defeated them easily. One of their opponents lived long enough to give them a clue about the dragon's head being a diversion and that Istari was being targeted.

Horrified by the trick that had been played upon them, the Nahum and his two companions rushed to their tower. The interior was cloaked in a darkness so thick that they were walking nearly blind. Taking a few steps inward, they bumped into a horde of undead that rushed to attack. This was followed by the sound of laughter and several fireballs exploding in the room. For a few moments, confusion reigned as the three fought against the onslaught. But with each creature the slew, the darkness decreased, and soon they could see. All around them lay the foul ghouls that they had fought.

There was still no clear answer what was happening, so Dalthrien suggested that they investigate the second floor. They proceeded up the stairs to find fires were burning everywhere. Here, too, darkness surrounded them and a voice spoke to them. The three found their magical protections falling away from them.

What followed was yet another battle with the undead in which they repelled the attackers. More laughter and a voice sounded again, but with it also appeared an Alhoon Necromancer. He offered the WeaveMasters power should they side with the family Ramset and tried to bend their minds to his will. Not having any success at this, he summoned another army of undead and then turned upon them himself. A great battle ensued which left the three victorious, but thoroughly exhausted.

----------------

2700 XP each. Thanks to DM Haunted for setting up the undead spawns, the effects, and playing the role of the necromancer. Thanks to the the three players for role-playing so well and not being angry at me dispelling all their protections. ;D

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Mysterious Shrinking Giant

Several adventures stood conversing near the Temple of Bhaal along the Tradeway. Suddenly, the shortest among them, a svirfneblin, grew to the same height as those around them. As they were recovering from the surprise, the rest of them also were magically transformed to be much larger. While the pondered the magical aura that seemed to be surrounding them, a giant approached from the road and begin to speak with them.

He was an ordinary Hill Giant from the looks of him, but he soon showed himself to be different. With a wave of his arms, he could shrink or enlarge any creature. Five long years he had been studying the arcane arts to learn his spell, but before he could complete his training, he accidentally shrunk his master and then crushed him under his boot. Now he explained he was looking to join the Weave Master guild to continue learning.

Keagan informed the giant that he must return south and his request would be given to the head of the guild, but the giant was uninterested in leaving, so he was soon killed.

400/200 XP to those who were involved in this short RP session.

[DM Sir Carnifex]

General Drork

Small waves of odd hobgoblins have been making forays along the Coast Way recently, usually selecting an individual to prey upon. Today, however, a massive force converged on a sizable group of adventures 9Aiden McBride, Atticus, Rowina Millows, Alley Meynolt, and others) near the Temple of Bhaal. The hordes of hobgoblins attacked without much order and they were defeated, though with much effort.

The planner of the attacks, one named Drork, confronted the party alone. He chose not to fight, but rather congratulate the adventures on a well-fought battle. His tribe, he explained, sent untrained outcasts to battle as punishment. Those that survive are allowed back, but those are few in number.

Aiden McBride was able to convince the hobgoblin leader to individual combat and, after a difficult battle, was able to overcome his foe.

400 XP plus lots of spawns for the short battle and RP session.

See Aiden's nice Journal Entry about it.

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Mad Cleric - Part I

A man name Ansikp Yang was walking along the Tradeway past the Temple of Bhaal when a mysterious magical force knocked him down. He awoke to see a Flaming Fist Apothecary standing over him. The man told Ansikp that he was dead and that he had just been raised.

The apothecary walked away and was nearly out of sight when he screamed and dropped to the ground dead. Ansikp ran up to him barely in time to see the body dissolve before his very eyes.

Upon reporting this to the Fist, he was told that the apothecaries do not patrol the roads alone, but usually travel with ordinary Flaming Fist soldiers. Baffled as to the identity of the strange man who had aided him, Ansikp left the Fist Headquarters.

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Mad Cleric - Part II

While trudging through the dense undergrowth of the Cloakwood forest, a warrior of the name Antan Dordec was set upon by a small group of minotaurs led by an overly large one. He overcame them and stood there exhausted even as a Flaming Fist member walked up to him. A short discussion took place in which the Fist member hinted that he was not really of that organization, then disappeared. Antan was again beset by a group of minotaurs, followed by a horde of hobgoblins. These, too, he dispersed or killed after which the Fist appeared again. A short fully-armored man also arrived at this time.

The "Fist" member informed them that they would soon have company and disappeared. Within a few minutes, a fearsome pit fiend materialized not far away and began an attack. Neither man survived long.
---------

Antan and the second man awoke to find a third standing above them. He had explained that he had seen a Flaming Fist running away and found the two lying on the ground dead. He had used his powers to raise the two and heal them. His name, he said, was Baladar. After a brief conversation, the three parted ways.

Antan continued out of the woods and onto the road where he met another Flaming Fist apothecary. This one was a cleric of Lathander and consented to show Antan his symbol. Atticus, a new recruit for the Fist happened along a few minutes before the other Fist was shrouded in flames and fell dead. His body disappeared.

A large group gathered and Baladar returned, offering what little information he had to the group in an attempt to explain what was going on. He departed them and left them to discuss the recent happenings. Hobgoblins attacked the group along the road and they fought to defend themselves. Soon after, a frustrated Antan chose to leave the group and walk away.

* * *

3000/1500/700 XP for the various participants (Antan Dordec, Azar'alith, Atticus, Rowina Millows, Falgorn Firehead, Tuva Englen).

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Mad Cleric - Part III

The rest of the party, Rowina, Tuva, Falgorn, and Atticus remained for further discussion even as a newcomer, Kellen, walked towards them. Suddenly a tower of flame descended over Kellen's head, severely wounding him. The party rushed to his aid and soon suffered the same effect. Amid the confusion, the Flaming Fist apothecary rushed on the scene demanding to know what was occurring. Nobody really knew and he was still attempting to find out what when he, too, was burned by a tower of flame. His body disappeared instantly leaving the rest gaping in astonishment.

Even as they were staring in shock, off in the distance they spied a pit fined bearing down on top of them. The battle was very brief as the fiend vanished as quickly as it came, leaving several of them wounded and one dead. Rowina managed to renew the life of the dwarf that had fallen and proceeded to heal him with the aid of the Helmite cleric, Baladar, who had conveniently happened along the road yet again.

Left in peace for a few moment at least, the group, encouraged by Baladar, came to the conclusion that the summons were originating from a cleric of some sort, probably one of Bhaal. They set off to investigate matters and arrived at the doorstep of the Temple. Baladar and one of them remained outside while the rest entered. Inside they encountered yet another pit fiend. All but one escaped, but they were able to drag the body of their companion outside where she was restored by Baladar. Fearful of what could happen next, the group rushed out of the temple - all that is, except for Baladar who remained behind and vanished from sight.

* * *

1500/1000 XP for those involved (Rowina Millows, Falgorn Firehead, Tuva Englen, Euric Legardored, Nebbie Silverwits)

[DM Sir Carnifex]

The Mad Cleric - Part IV

Three adventurers (William Fredrickson, Rozeol, Perrin Dabble) exploring the Cloakwood encountered an apparent Flaming Fist cleric wandering about the woods. He proceeded to make subtle threats to them before disappearing and summoning undead and a pit fiend.

Of the three, only William survived thanks to his fast feet and feelings of impending doom. He was back to the Trade Way before the battle against the fiend had begun. However, curiosity got the better of him and he returned to find an armored man bending over the corpse of Perrin. The man raised first one, then the other companion of William. He offered to assist the three in returning to Baldur's Gate where they could report the happenings.

While on through the forest, they fought off an army of hobgoblins which ambushed them. They hurriedly rushed out of the Cloakwood to get back to the road and, there, a lone skeleton waylaid the travelers. They barely survived the brutal battle and suffered many injuries. To their surprise and consternation, they found that the armored man had left them during the confusion of battle. Feeling uneasy standing around the temple of Bhaal, they hurried back to the city to inform the Flaming Fist of their encounter.

* * *

1500 XP for each participant.
Alignment shift for one.