Yi Ling

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The Mission Begins

01

Mintleaf's Mission - The Rusted Walrus in Can Point was the meeting place where the group come into contact with Ambassador Mintleaf (A Copper Dragon). In Can Point, they located a ship, and battled a Crystal Snail. They followed a fake Mintleaf to a warehouse where they battled Wayland and several pirates. Wayland is a follower of Bostaraz (The Ancient Red Dragon that is in hiding as far as anybody knows) The Group agrees to escort Mintleaf to Silverpine and act as his "bodyguards" while he tries to work out a conflict between the Gnomes and Dwarves of Silverpine Along the way they encountered Impressed with Fire and Sparky. Nix, Ondur, and Yi Ling participated in a tea ritual. They interacted with Shadowy Figures and some began to experience other events outside of the ritual. Bakka sat out the ritual but had a harmless clash with a duck. Rags had faded into the woods searching for more friends. Mori heads off to deliver a message for Mintleaf while Bakka and Rags encounter a water spirit. As the group reunites they spend the evening at an inn. Nix wakes up in the stables seeing the draconic words for red, and home.

Key NPCs - Mintleaf the draconic Ambassador; Wayland follower of Bostaraz; Falazure is mentioned only in context to some of the things Nix has begun to see.

02

Rainer Castle - The Group arrived at Rainer's Castle where the Duke explained that his lost all of his family in tragic events. His son and daughter are missing and his wife is dead. Investigating the Castle the group runs into some tongueless wererats that have kidnapped the Duke. Bakka makes his first transformation into a Cassowary. A Fetch attacked and kidnapped Ondur, while Bakka and Yi Ling were infected by the wererats. The mirror cracked and the group sought a way to repair it. The battle against the Fetch continued as the group searched for Ondur. After saving Rags from being kidnapped by the Fetch the group comes face to face with a Babau (demon) that delivers a message from the Ogress. (The first reference to the Ogress outside of the Duke's stories) The First items: The Abyssal Contract and Soul Pen were mentioned. Items the Ogress had that allowed her to enslave demons. The Duke agrees to stand aside and let Mintleaf and the group figure out how to deal with the Ogress. Leaving the castle the next stop is Mirror Image Care Center where they met Trudy and Rudy Greensparrow the twin healers.

Key NPCs - Duke Rainer the broken man, The Ogress' demon messenger, the Greensparrow sisters.

03

Journey to Swaypine - The group had a very nice bonding moment where they recognized they were all "Disney Princesses" A short battle happened as some passing raptors attacked the group hunting food. Introduced Chomper as Rags convinced the baby to join them. Ondur gained his familiair. The group is able to determine that Mintleaf is indeed in disguise. They met a farmer on the way to Swaypine. In the town Zara, the magic shop owner is offended by something Ondur did and MIka is kicked out of the magic shop along with Ondur. A begger in the alley tells them about the Ogress and her arrival in the region bringing many new monsters to the area. The Ogress' plan to locate the Bridge is mentioned. The Bridge is a font of magical energy that seems to be used by an island of guarded wizards to travel to various planes. (The Bridge is mentioned in passing and no further research was done about it) Yi Ling transforms into a wererat and attacks the cheese sculptures of Wolfgang the Adventurer's Guild leader. Yi Ling is contained, and the group has a special dinner with the Inn's owners before moving on in the morning.

Key NPCs - Wolfgang the Adventurer's Guild Leader; Zara the Vampire magic shop owner; Chomper the Clawfoot follower of Rags.

Silverpine Arc

04

Thread -A short stop allowed the group to restock on materials, obtain food for Chomper and learn about the Wardens (Keepers of the Forest who seem to be mostly gone) Mori, Nix, and Bakka went frog hunting. They found glowing frogs who shot beams of energy from their mouth. A teardrop red gemstone (Crystalized dragonfire) was dealt with but it seemed to call dragons and dragonkin to it, where it would drain them of life energy and magic. Wayland's sword began to speak to Ondur trying to tempt him into using it and becoming a real Leader. He buried the sword when he found he could not destroy it even with Mintleaf's help. The next morning the blade was at Ondur's feet.

Key NPCs and items - Crystalized dragonfire, a gift from Bostaraz meant to destroy his draconic enemies; Wayland's Fang, the evil blade.

05

The Rise of Gid - The morning started with a battle against a Kobold Artificer in his mechanical Beholderbot. The artificer was turned to stone and the group got the first hints of Warlord Dwardin, a supposedly invinicle Kobold warlord. The group found a Leprechaun who explained a bit about the Swolbolds ahead and warned them of the Kot Bayun (the elven cat in the trees) They face off against some Swolbolds defeated them. The group came upon a Cabin where they met a bulldog named Blake who was eating a bunch of chilli. They also located Gid's Roleplaying stuff for Modrons: Defenders of Order. They found a 10 foot tall Kobold named Blake in a tube of bubbling goo. Eventually the owner returned and the group met Gid. Gid introduced them to the tainted pools of power below her cabin. Gid informed the group about Dwardin and Wayland. She wished to make copies of the group and offer those to Wayland while letting the group escape but Bakka did not trust her at all (Probably fitting) The group escaped as Mintleaf battled Wayland and Gid watched the dragon's fight. Avoiding a Roper the group found themselves in front of an Old temple guarded by a statue of a Barlgura (Gorilla like demon) While scouting the group was able to see a large crystal structure in the distance, being swarmed by creatures it was labeled as the prison Yi Ling's mother was held at.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Artificer, who is now dead; The Leprechaun and the Kot Bayun; Gid; her Swolbolds; Wayland, Mintleaf, and the Temple of Flesh (Barlgura guarded).

06

Almost to Silverpine - >Mintleaf explained the previous lords of the lands. Bahamut of Alsaine, Tiamat of the South, Falazure of Siea, Chronepsis of Om-slaine and Null of the lost lands. All were once mortal dragons but now are the divine leaders of the draconic world. Rags learns that Tiamat created Kobolds accidently. Deep in the lands below Silverpine it was noted that artifacts from the Ancient Five (The Bones of Bahamut) could be found. Greater details explained that the Ogress was a name and that she came from Feywild and was allied with Dwarden and Wayland. The group was told they were picked because they had no family to go back to. The group battled a Chain Devil on a bridge on the way to Silverpine.

Key NPCs - The Ogress, a being from the Feywild (real identity still unknown); The Five Ancients: Bahamut, Tiamat, Chronepsis, Null and Falazure

07

Silverpine - The Group finds out that the artifact The Bones of Bahamut cause groups to fight, often to the death. This has caused a good deal of strife in Silverpine. Yi Ling recieved a rose, a ribbon, locks of hair, and a locket that belonged to her mother. Nix had a mirror experience where she saw a black dragon watching over the shrine that commenmorated the founding of Silverpine. The dragon faded leaving only the smell of acid. After an attack by Troglodytes the group followed a kidnapped victim and came to battle several Quickling Assassins. After a short meeting with a Gripli Reaper (A Frog Grim Reaper) the group found a hidden chamber filled with jars. Gid arrives with a wizard Crowl who seems to be unbound in time. He ages and deages as he moves around. As the group talks with Crowl they are attacked by a Dao, and some elementals. The group escapes by entering a time machine built by Crowl and Gid seems to be stuck forever in the ground. Time Jump begins.

Key NPCs, items, events - 80 year jump backwards in time; Crowl the timeless, a broken wizard unmoored in time; The jars of compressed time: each holds a memory and may hold other powers if used.

The Island

08

Can Point Return - Awaking in a seaside cave the group finds their way back to Can Point and it is at that time they realize the time travel was about 80 years. They encounter some followers of "The Shining Faith." (Yes, indeed it is a Cult and Yi Ling guessed it quite quickly.) Ondur goes about trying to convince the residents of Can Point that Wayland is a dragon but nobody seems to want to believe him. The Group is harassed by a Seagull, acting as an animal messanger. They learn about Lucien Skyhorn the druid that guards the lighthouse a good distance from Can Point. Sheila Coppertree, the Captain of the Annabelle Lee agrees to carry them to the Lighthouse. As they neared the lighthouse the ship was attacked by a rogue water elemental. After defeating the elemental the group is able to come to port at the Light House.

Key NPCs, items, locations, etc. - The Shining Faith, a cult dedicated to a long dormant Sun God. Wayland, the follower of Bostaraz avoids being labeled as a dragon for the time being. Lucien Skyhorn, an older druid that guards the Light House and has been trying to stop the rogue elementals from attacking ships. Sheila Coppertree, Captain of a ship who loves to play with explosives.

09

The Lighthouse - There are several Eelfolk living in the Lighthouse but for the most part the party is able to evade them, or cause them to fight each other. Several jars of compressed time are located. A shark infested chamber below leads to the items that can help save the Lighthouse. Nix uses a well played Lightning bolt to neutralize the threat from the sharks below and the group is able to make its way below after speaking with Lucien about the lcoation of the Bowl of Elemental Control. The Bowl was located and a battle began where the group faced off against a Weresquid. There was a brief appearance by the Christmas Gid. The battle between the weresquid continued as a Death Kiss rose from the rubble to battle the group. After the Death Kiss was dealt with they escaped with the Bowl and a magic boat.

Key NPCs, items - Lucien Skyhorn, a druid that protects the Lighthouse, The Bowl of Elemental Control.

10

The Strange Island - The enchanted bowl caused the boat to travel to a specific Island, where several blind animals were located. They found several shipwrecks just off the coast, large dinosaurs roamed the water, and there seemed to be a general sense of wild unleashed on the island. A group of four armed Gorilla men attacked, kidnapping Rags. As the others searched for Rags they too encountered the Gorilla men facing off against one that exclaimed "Moloch." Rags explored the caves a bit meeting with several Blue Dragon Wyrmlings and eventually a Cambion that worked for the Ogress. The Cambion is attacked as the others are able to catch up to where Rags was taken. The walls of the cave were decorated by a large mural that identified the Ogress as a being from the Feywild attached to the large tree in the middle of this island. The reunited group returned to the boat, and used the bowl to journey back to the Lighthouse. As a large Blue Dragon attacked the Central Tree. Many of the Island's secrets were not explored. The bowl was returned to the Druid and awards were given, information lead Yi Ling to believe her mother was in the Northern Lands and that is where the group headed next.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Witch's Island, a location said to hold some of the Ogress' secrets. It also contained a Cult of Moloch, followed by Four armed Ogre gorillamen. The Cambion was a Soul Hunter that may have been seeking the soul of Yi Ling's mother.

Valriel's Rescue

11

Northern Lands - Paimor was the first destination in the Northern Lands, citizens are missing from the towns and most of them were children. Yi Ling's Mother Valriel Merildui arrived weeks before with a group of Historians looking for answers. They could find little to no help in the city but were able to find out about Dav Gonfalon, a farmer in the north who lost his wife and kids to kidnapping trolls. The Farm had been attacked sometime ago and only Dav Gonfalon remained, injuried and unable to continue his search for his children. Bakka began to heal the man who recovered at an accelerated pace. As they worked to help Dav recover the farm was once again attacked by trolls. After a quick defeat the trolls retreated and the recovered group followed quickly behind. Guarding the troll hill was a Mutant troll but were able to defeat it. The group entered the hill seeking Yi Ling's Mother and Dav's Children.

Key NPCs - Dav Gonfalon, a man without a wife, who is seeking his children. He hides a secret he was not even aware of at first. The Ogress had enchanted him to increase his rage, and strength, and cloud his emotions so that he would do her bidding.

12

Dav Hulks Out - In the Troll Hill the group found a Blood Stone Spell Gem, and defeated two shadows. The Gem has not been fully investigated as of yet. A white dragon was used as a guard to a portion of the Troll Hill and after defeating the Kobolds that were controllling it the dragon was able to make a deal with the group allowing them to avoid a conflict with the dragon. Further in they found the chamber the Ogress was using. After a brief interaction Dav was forced to change and attack the group, allowing for the Ogress to escape. Although Yi Ling seemed to have her on the ropes for a good portion of the battle. They had still not located Yi Ling's Mother.

Key NPCs, events - Dav "hulked" out due to the Ogress' influence but he was trapped by Rags and the great timing of a web spell. The Ogress attempted to talk her way out of the fight but ended up fighting until she escaped to the Etheral Plane.

13

Finally, a Reunion - The Prison below was guarded by a Flind and a Shoosuva. The Flind nearly got the better of the group knocking Yi Ling and Bakka down several times but Nix was able to destroy the Flind with a well placed Blight. After the Flind and Shoosuva battle the group found Yi Ling's Mother, and a sphere like creature from Mechanus. After some short discussion the Sphere and Valriel Merildui were able to activate the second time machine but were only able to use it to travel within the current time and to open a portal to Mechanus. THe Sphere returned home and the rest found themselves on an open field near a Carnival.

Key NPCs - The Sphere, a mechanical being from Mechanus that seemed to know how to manipulate the time machine for other purposes. Valriel Merildui, Yi Ling's mother in the future. Time Machine 2 was destroyed in the escape.

Carnival

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Pixie Hunts - Nix and Rags participate in a Pixie hunt and are gifted several items, an Alchemy Jug, and a blessing that gifted Rags with a poisonous bite. Yi Ling and Val discussed things but Val seemed unwilling to discuss much of her family life as she kept trying to change the subject to something else. The Group gathered together and came upon the dying cries of a Phoenix. With a massive eruption the bird is no more leaving behind an ash egg. There is a quick bonding of the egg with Bakka and the group is approached by Maj the leader of the Carnival.

Key NPCs - The Phoenix, currently an ash egg held by Bakka. Maj, the leader of the Carnival and a copper dragon who seems to know quite a bit.

15

Maj's Answers - Maj begins to answer questions and to explain some things to the group. First she tells Yi Ling that if she can find the simple silver hand mirror that the Ogress owns it can be used to end the Ogress' life on the Prime Material Plane. Secondly she started to explain to Nix that she could help with the "curse" but now was not the best time as a Marut (Inevitable) was hunting them for being out of time and ruining the order of the world. It is explained further to Nix that Falazure or at least an agent of Falazure is responsible for the spell not working out and her being trapped in the current form. A red dragon that had betrayed Bostoraz and devouted itself to Falazure and Null in hopes of becoming a Dracolich that would rule Alsaine after it obtained the Bones of Bahamut. Crowl has a hidden lab a few weeks to the north and in that lab is the machine needed to return the group to their own time, and to allow Yi Ling to reunite with her mother in the proper time and place (The Ogress' Hive near Silverpine)

Key NPCs - Maj, the copper dragon. Crowl, the scientist who created the time machines.

Fleeing North

16

Mushroom Witch - The Group left the Carnival, and came upon a Mushroom Witch's house. After a brief meeting with her they obtained a map and directions to find a Mapmaker that could lead them to Crowl's hidden lab. Along the way they found the Grove of the Dryad Erana where they feasted on her fruit, felt refreshed and make level 9, and take an additional Feat.

Key NPCs, items - The Mushroom Witch; 6 uncut diamonds, 4 uncut rubies, an unidentified impure emerald and some other mineral mix stone.

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Mapmaker - The Grove seemed to direct the party away and they came upon a wooded path. Encountering a large black tree they found several large bagworm caterpillers, and a large raven and its child. Inside the tree they located some uncut gems and a ring with what appears to be an Efreet trapped in it. Collecting the ring, Nix stored it away for safe keeping. Traveling further they arrived at the Mapmaker's house, and saw a mechanical coffin on legs exit the building before being introduced to a heavyly scarred gnome (The Mapmaker). A deal was struck as Bakka paid 300 gold for a copy of the map that would lead the group to Crowl's hidden lab in the mountains to the north.

Key NPCs, items - The Mapmaker; ring with an Efreet trapped inside.

Inside the Mountain

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Many Questions - After finishing their deal with the Mapmaker, the group comes to the Transplanted mountain. They notice the mushrooms that are marked with a message about the Lord of Nothing (Juiblex), Abyssal Flies, poisonous water and Zombie Quippers. They are able to avoid the explosion of mushroom spores as they entered the damaged train. Inside the train, a humanoid creature on wheels rolled itself into view. It wore a stylized demon mask. Why the hell is a mountain here, that doesn't belong here? What's with all the mushrooms and oozing fluids? Demonic flies? Somewhere in the mountain is the lab and the way to return to their own time... Will they find it? It is Inevitable that the hunter will find them? And why was there a Shadow Dragon scale hanging from the remains of the train?

Key NPCs, locations - Mountain with train ruins; humanoid creature on wheels.

19

Further Inside - The battle against the modified human ended in its death and the group moved on. Near a silenced waterfall they found a small "remote" device and were able to barter with the sphinx for a ride to the temple. The temple island seems to have a community on it in which demons, modified humanoids, and other humanoids live together. The group found themselves waiting in line behind a Hezrou demon to enter the temple.

Key NPCs, locations - Many-eyed monster under the waterfall; The sphinx, who had been experimented on by Crowl.

20

The Temple Island - Entering the temple the group found four rooms, a room with a trapped angel in a summoning circle, a room with a mimic bed and a ghostly bard, a room with displacer beasts, and a room being slowly consumed by green slime. The party entered the mimic room and did battle with the bed and the bard, defeating both. After that they found the demon and its Shadow dragon pet. While the dragon taunted Nix, the demon seemed very eager and willing to tell the group where to find the lab. After a quick taunting by the dragon the group was sent off down the elevator towards the ooze covered city, and Crowl's Lab. The Group obtained level 10.

Key NPCs - The demon and his shadow dragon pet.

Crowl's Lab

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Pre-swole Kobolds - After watching some metallic people move around the group is witness to a kobold being tossed from a building. Rags goes up to talk to the Kobold who seems to have some idea who they are. He eventually is identified as Blake, one of Gid's children. Blake escorts the group to Dome 1 where they find Gid who gives them information about getting into the lab. There is a short side conversation between Gid and Rags and after that the group is given food, the password for the door, and told to avoid Howler a Flind that is guarding the path. Outside, they quickly encounter a Flind and two Leucrotta.

Key NPCs - Gid, and Blake the kobold who would eventually become a swobold.

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Behind the Brick Wall - The group agrees to follow Howler to the front door. They find out about needing bracelets to travel in the town. They enter a chamber and found the bracelet making machine. Beyond the machine there is a bricked off tunnel. Bakka reduced the bricks to mud and out came a huge Shadow dragon. A verbal conflict between Nix and the dragon, named Delmar, took place, and eventually Yi Ling issued the command word "Pineapple," signaling to the part to start fighting. A brief battle took place, and after suffering much damage at Delmar's hands, the party decided to escape on Yi Ling's chair as Rags landed a final blow on Delmar, possibly blinding him.

Key NPCs - Delmar, the large shadow dragon who seems to have history with Nix

23

Christmas Gid Pays a Visit - Christmas Gid appeared and gifts were given to the group. Yi Ling was given the Amethyst Dragon Beads of the Shadow Monk. After that, the group avoided a Clockwork Behir, and an Alhoon. (Mind Flayer Lich) and came upon a Crystal Dragon. The Dragon was the guardian of the time machine, and it acted like it knew they were coming. The group used the time machine and are now back in their normal time, not too far from the prison where Yi Ling's mother is being held.

Key NPCs - Gid; Crystal Dragon, guardian of the time machine

Back to the Present

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A Confusing Battle - Upon exiting the portal, Yi Ling felt the combined effects of traveling 80 years through time for a moment, but was able to compose herself shortly after. In the real timeline again, the group stumbles upon a wagon and a halfling that seems to be calling someone for a meal. As they watched, a giantess showed up and dropped a bag. There was a creature inside the bag that Nix was able to send a message to. It asked that they kill the giantess. The group began to attack, with Rags covering the giant and the halfling in a web. A drow assassin came out of hiding and shot at Bakka with a poisoned bolt. Nix shot the Assassin with a lightning bolt and several attacks by Yi Ling and Bakka have caused a fair amount of damage to the giant. Going closer to the bag in an effort to release the creature inside caught Nix off guard and she was petrified. The creature inside, a medusa, also petrified the halfling, who was quickly crushed by the giantess. As it stands the medusa, the giant, and the assassin are left in the battle.

Key NPCs - The medusa, an escapee of the prison who had been captured by the giantess; A mysterious drow assassin

25

Nix Un-Petrified - The battle concluded with Bakka throwing the final hits on the giant, and the drow assassin's failing to teleport away. The Medusa helped Nix recover, and gave Yi Ling a compass that tracks the Ogress, then the group took a long rest. After the rest, Rags became aware of the path that Delmar followed to the prison. The group scried on the dragon only to find him in deep contract talks with three Nalfeshnee demons.

Key NPCs, items - A magical compass that tracks the Ogress’ locations

Infiltrating the Prison

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Deadly Kitties - The group made its way into the lower level of the prison where they found catnip and displacer beasts. They harvested some of the catnip, and moved on, avoiding an entry way that seemed to require some blood sacrifice. They found three bodies, and on one of the bodies was a ring that contained a trapped Qorrashi (ice genie). Bakka walled off the razor tentacles and the group came to the ground where they found the large white displacer beast. Rags was challenged to a game in which they would have to get a whisker from the catlike beast. Yi Ling used a gem to open the portal for herself.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Ogress' prison; Giant white displacer beast who was trapped behind a forcefield, guarding the entrance to a lower part of the prison

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The Living Cave - The battle against the white displacer beast ended when Rags was able to locate a discarded whisker. They went down into a "living" cave where they first found an eye door that Bakka destroyed. This caused the entire complex to quiver in pain. After that they found a mouth door that tried to attack Nix, was successful, and Nix attempted to attack back but missed. After going beyond the mouth door, they found two lizardfolk ceramorphs implanting a tadpole into a human. Bakka was able to destroy the tadpole. Two Intellect Devourers climbed out of the shadows setting up a battle between two lizardfolk, two Intellect Devourers and the party.

Key NPCs, locations - "Living" cave, with an eye door and a mouth door; Lizardfolk ceramorphs; intellect devourers.

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Stunned and Devoured - The battle began with Yi Ling taking the lead. As the creatures spread out to attack, Bakka was hit and stunned by an Intellect Devourer, and Rags was charmed by one of the ceramorphs. Nix cleared the two ceramorphs, Yi Ling was finally stunned by an Intellect Devourer, and Rags finished off the last Intellect Devourer. Bakka's body left, heading to the door in the north. Inside the room was a luxurious pool surrounded by several chairs, and tables with serving dishes on them— A poolside lounge. Bakka took a dive and came up looking like a tentacle-faced dolphin.

Key NPCs, locations - Poolside lounge room; Tentacle-faced Bakka

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To Take The Deal, Or To Fight? - Yi Ling recovered from her stun through a secret symbol on her chair designed to protect her bloodline. Bakka took full control of an Iron Golem Body. A desiccated creature sitting on a throne attempted to make a deal with the group. Nix was interested, while the others seemed to want to battle the creature. The battle took place and the group made quick work of the deceased Alhoon Spelljammer pilot. They began to fight the Elder Brain. Rags and Yi Ling became stunned. Nix used a ray of frost and a lightning bolt in between attempts to counter the Brain's spells. One was successfully blocked, the other wasn't and the Brain disappeared. In the pool a bright blue glowing orb appeared and was drawn away from Nix to the throne. This left the room shrouded in darkness, but with the companions all back together minus Bakka's flesh body.

Key NPCs, items - Ro-Bakka; Undead Spelljammer pilot, being piloted by an Elder Brain; mysterious blue orb

Battling Delmar

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Heroes Restored - The blue orb split into parts that healed each character, gave them the effects of Heroes' Feast, and brought Bakka back from the dead. It is revealed that the throne is the pilot’s seat, and the entire prison is one big Spelljammer ship. Additionally, the group found a hand mirror that is supposed to help them face off against the Ogress. After leveling up and preparing, the group came to the lair of Delmar (Cirumsis of the Shadow). Next time, the group faces the one eyed dragon and we see if it gets to eat Rags as he had planned.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Healing blue orb; Spelljammer pilot's seat; Delmar's lair

31

Dragons and Demons - The group faced off against the Shadow Dragon, and a few of his shadow demon minions. Rags and Nix were targets for the breath weapon, and Bakka took a few strong hits but the group survived. Rags finished off the dragon and the session ended with Nix's bonds weakening, and their form changing to reflect a return closer to their "normal."

Key NPCs, items, locations - Delmar and his shadow demons, finally defeated!

Further Into the Prison

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Looting the Lair - After looking through the dragon's treasures, the group went forward to the next chamber. There they found two mirrors that seemed to deflect non-magical things (breaking a few javelins), but caused magical items to pass between each of them like a portal. As the group investigated the mirrors they finally realized that their reflections appeared to be beholders and they summoned a Bakka flavored beholder.

Key items - 15,000 gold; various gemstones; spell scroll of Cone of Cold; potion of Storm Giant Strength; five healing potions; ring of X-Ray Vision; hourglass of pearlescent sand; tapestry depicting two dragons (Silver and Green) fighting to their simultaneous demise; vial of ruby colored dust (not ruby dust); large chest with several fine furs and two complete humanoid "pelts"; four sets of incomplete thieves' tools; portrait of a female dragonborn in a gem-studded frame (there is a noticable ring of blood around the dragonborn's muzzle); steel bracer engraved with elven script and containing a single raised black rose; among other curios

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The Be-swole-der - After defeating the musclebound beholder, the group found two golden beholder statues, and eventually a battle ensued against a beholder infused with a sphere of annihilation that left a few of them close to death a couple of times. The party successfully defeated the beholder, and they found a shard of mirror that they used to travel to another part of the prison— a temple. At the front of the temple is a pair of doors, one depicting a black dragon, the other a red dragon. The area smells of coffee.

Key NPCs - Beholder version of Bakka; Another beholder with a sphere of annihilation in its center eye

A Brief Respite

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Beach Episode - After following a trail of chocolate-covered coffee beans Rags and the others arrived to find Gid in the process of putting a green dragon to sleep. They used the hourglass to arrive at the "beach" where plans were discussed. It came to light that The Ogress was an aspect of Tiamat and that Mintleaf was returning with the bones of Bahamut and others to help deal with the Ogress. The Group was told about the demons that were guarding Yi Ling's mother and the other prisoners. Gid asked them to consider what they wanted to do: help with the Ogress, rescue Yi Ling's Mother, or do both.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Hourglass of pearlescent sand which transported them to the beach oasis seemingly outside of space and time; Gid (again)

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Training Montage - The group received the first blessings of Bahamut on the Sands of the Pocket Beach: Bakka's Fire spirit was empowered; Rags found another creature capable of influencing emotions and added it to their swarm; Nix found that they could manipulate the partial bonds to change their size bigger or smaller several times a day; and Yi Ling found the spear weapon she would have received upon graduating from her monk training, and completed the first of the trials to activate its power in a training montage with Bakka. Finally ready, the party left the beach. Laid out before them were the slave pits and Yi Ling's mom, and the rising Ziggurat that belonged to Tiamat. With plans to assault the demon guards, the group prepared to rescue Yi Ling's mother.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Emotion coccoon creature; Graduation spear, adorned with runes representing all the leaders of Yi Ling's monastery, past and present

Battle at the Ziggurat

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Freeing the Slaves - The Group pushed into the Slave encampment, finding that they had entered a section of the Abyss, or land that seems to mimic that Abyss. The group was able to defeat two Glabrezu and free Yi Ling's Mother. The reunion will wait until the next session.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Yi Ling's mother, finally freed

37

Gifts & Choices - Gifts were given, Rags was gifted with a small amount of land and a reunion with friends later, Bakka was informed of a great fire spirit and the location where it could be located. Yi-Ling was given a ring that contains a Marid that will grant the use of a single spell (Up to level 8) as part of a contract before the Djinn's obligations are released. Nix was given the eye of Delmar the Shadow Dragon, an item that should be able to remove the remains of the curse inflicted on her. After items were given, and family members left the party was given the choice. Stay and help the battle against Tiamat or leave. They decided to fight but to do so they would have to go through one of the two Gates to the Green Temple. The Gate of Death (Falazure's Den), or the The Gate of Time (Chronepsis' Bubble). They picked the Gate of Time and have found themselves in a bubble of Chaotic Time and face to face with a 90 foot long colorless dragon guardian of the Gate into the Green Temple. The Green Temple is the site where Tiamat first entered Alsaine from a distant plane. It has been removed from its normal place and set a top the giant tower within the Purple magical haze. Mintleaf and others are coming to help fight against the Ogress. Will Tiamat be sent back to her prison or will she be victorious and establish a permanent foothold in Alsaine? In the distance a familiar black and red bird flies with an army of dragons, but who knows how things will end. Only time will tell.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Marid ring; Delmar's eye; The Green Temple

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Battling the Guardian - 8/5/23 - After a short battle the group defeated the guardian and the gateway to the temple was opened. They made level 12, full long rest.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Colorless dragon guardian, guarding the Gate of Time

39

More Guardian Dragons - The Group faced off against the Red, Black, and White Guardians. Finally, only the Blue Guardian and the Ogress were left. A tower shield made of Bahamut's Scale was found. There was also a beholder crown, and a muzzle that added another use of a dragon's breath.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Beholder Crown, which Nix picked up but did not put on

40

The Blue Guardian - The Blue Dragon proved to be a hassle for Bakka for a little bit, but as soon as Yi Ling got a stunning strike on it, the party was able to grind down the rest with the help of a kobold flying a Mercury Ball. The kobold, while not identified, did have a similar color pattern to Gid. Next time, the group will climb the Pryamid and face off against the Ogress.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Blue Guardian; mysterious kobold in a flying ball of mercury, related to Gid?

Defeating Tiamat

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Preparing to Fight - The mercury kobold gave the party one sample use of Gid's Instant Rest. They got to the top of the pyramid only to see an a stand off in progress. The sides: avatar of Tiamat (the Ogress), An avatar of Moloch, a skeletal mind flayer lich, and several guardians, against the combined forces of a storm giant, a silver dragon, a copper dragon (Mintleaf), Gid and her small army. As the two sides stood evenly matched, the party showed up and prepared to join the fight.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Ogress; avatar of Moloch; mind flayer lich; Mintleaf; sympathetic storm giant and silver dragon; Gid and her army

42

The Climactic Battle - The battle commenced as the forces attempted to remove key players. Gid took out the Mind Flayer Lich, the Ogress took out the Storm Giant (for a short spell), Nix managed to polymorph the avatar of Moloch and changed it into an Abyssal Chicken. As the magics flew, the battle ended with the party's victory. Gid tossed the chicken into the portal, and Tiamat ate at least one half of the Ogress' body. As the dust settled, Bahamut appeared in the sky, and the angry face of the Ogress appeared in the mirror at Bakka's side. The portal is closed for now, preventing Tiamat from entering Alsaine.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The abyssal chicken; Bahamut

A Sauna Trip

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Regrouping - The group is told of an award ceremony ran by Bahamut that will honor them in about a week. A being gives the group an invitation to a Sauna run by a Fey being known as Old Tar Beard. Yi Ling visits with her mom, and the group is measured for outfits for the award ceremony, except for Bakka who wasn't interested. After some discussion the group accepts the invitation, and arrives on the mountainside near the Sauna where they find several elemental clouds complaining that it was "too warm." They would cover sources of warmth in ice until they cooled. They had seemingly done this to an undead elf. After a quick investigation of the undead elf, the group entered the Sauna and were given a quick tour, assigned rooms, and told about several guests of the inn. The Puffinfolk, a Veritigibbet and Old Tar Beard: a Bannik, a spirit that runs saunas and offers to answer your questions through the use of divination magic. Next time the group will have time to visit the nearby volcano, and enjoy the four day vacation at the sauna.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Icy elemental clouds; Valriel's tailor

44

The Sauna - At the beginning of the night Rags gave a Puffinfolk a new recipe for bean-infused coffee and the the party had a conversation with Larry, the Veritigibbet (Gossip Gremlin), that discussed human reproduction via spores, the act of holding hands, etc. He told them he could speak with the dead and gave Nix a coin that will allow them to speak with the dead. After some time Larry was interrupted, and the group was left to their own goals. While in the rooms they began to discuss the possibility of going to the tower, but after there was a meeting and vision with Old Tar Beard, it became clear that a Dwarven Lich named the Nightreaver controlled a piece of Nix's Cursed Soul, and the tower that erupted from the ground was poisoning the nearby Heart of the World volcano. Soon, the group will venture to the tower to recover Nix's Cursed Soul and Bakka will most likely continue on to the volcano to help correct the great imbalance that is currently happening.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Old Tar Beard

The Bloodstone Tower

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Arrival at the Tower - Arriving at the Bloodstone Tower, the group dispatched a group of zombies and arrived in the Laboratory just to time to come face to face with two blood elementals the true guardians of this floor.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Bloodstone Tower, made of stone that actually bleeds; zombies and blood elementals

46

The Next Level - After battling with two blood elementals the group heads upstairs into the processing center where they encounter three vampire spawn. Nix polymorphed one into a giant snail, while Bakka cast a daylight spell harming the remaining two. The group made quick work of two of the spawn, and the third in snail form was left into a blessed iron maiden until the polymorph comes to an end, ending its life as well.

Key NPCs, items, locations - blood elementals; vampire spawn

47

Another Level Up - The group arrived in the Foyer where they found the Nightreaver's Vampire assistant, and her two spawn. They defeated them, located a few books: A beginners guide to curses, an Infernal Tome, and a book bound in Beholder Flesh that made Nix ill while looking at it, but made Nix's new found crown dance with joy. In addition, the group found a robe of the Sun God Pelor, a lute, and a pair of troll hide boots. Afterwards, they headed upstairs and found the NightReaver's inner sanctum. He had been trapped by someone and with him was the part that would end Nix's curse. He can speak to Nix but seems unable to do anything else as the Elven Runes have sealed his final resting place.

Key NPCs, items, locations - The Nightreaver's assistant; some creepy books

48

The Nightreaver - Yi Ling was able to read the Elven runes on the Nightreaver's coffin, and the party prepared an ambushed before she opened it. The battle against the Nightreaver ended when Bakka was able to stake him with his spear, turning the old dragonborn vampire into dust. Left behind was a black crystal ball, a twisted silver dragon scale, and a single golden dragon fang. Next up, Bakka's trip to the Volcano, and the final awards ceremony.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Nix's silver dragon scale, which can help end her curse

Into the Volcano

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The Approach - The Volcano is near, but first the group has to deal with an Efreet and its three salamander guards. The Efreet wanted Yi Ling's magic ring that contained a trapped Marid, but the group thought better of that, and instead battled the Efreet and the salamanders.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Efreet

50

What Lies Ahead - After dealing with the Efreet and the Salamanders, Bakka sent his flame spirit to commune with the Volcano. There he found that the Adult Red Dragon Wayland was waiting with the hammer of Bahamut and another avatar of Moloch for the party. He plans to use the souls of these adventurers to release Moloch on all of Alsaine. And also, the hammer would be the quickest way to end Nix's curse. A final battle for this group— will they survive, or will Moloch rise to Alsaine and rule where not even Tiamat could?

Key NPCs, items, locations - Bakka's flame spirit; Bahamut's hammer, which could end Nix's curse

51

Final Battle - The party fought Wayland with everything they had, across a battlefield covered in lava. Yi Ling used her marid ring to cast Investiture of Flame on herself, making herself immune to fire damage, which allowed her to walk across the lava and engage Wayland in melee. Wayland summoned various smoke and lava mephits to clutter the battlefield. As the battle raged on, Wayland thought he had Bakka on the ropes, but a quick healing from Yi Ling allowed the druid to return to batttle. Meanwhile, they broke Bahamut's hammer from the necklace around Wayland's neck, and Nix's beholder crown summoned it to her (slowly) using its telekinatic abilities. Aside from some minor challenges, the group was able to slay Wayland, and watch as Moloch was ripped back to the Outer Planes. Soon the group may return to Silverpine and the Coucils final awards ceremony.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Wayland; Bahamut's hammer; Nix's beholder crown

Denoument

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The End - Bakka used Bahamut's hammer to break Nix's curse, turning them back into their true silver dragon form. Between Bakka wildshaping into a flying form, and Rags and Yi Ling riding aboard Nix's back, the party traveled back to Silverpine, making a dramatic entrance just in time for the awards ceremony in their honor. They were dressed in new clothes by the tailor who had taken their measurements— with Rags insisting on a poncho, and Yi Ling opting to wear a beautiful pantsuit with lace made of woven gold, and ruby red fabric that sparkled and shined. Yi Ling's mother was not in attendance, but other of her elven relatives were, along with guests from across many worlds and places. The party was honored, and received gifts. Bakka formally took on the mantle of the guardian of the Heart of the World volcano. Rags learned that they were Gid's great grandchild, and would return to the land they had been given to raise their swarm in peace. Nix has a newfound freedom in their true form. Yi Ling decided to travel in her relatives' spelljammer back to Krynn to retrieve an orb of dragonkind. The party said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Not all endings are happy but all endings are a chance to go in a new direction.

Key NPCs, items, locations - Nix's true form; award ceremony; Yi Ling's relatives