Summary of the Tollers campaign (which became Fools Errand)
DM: Keith on the continent of Trell
Start date: 08-07-02
Campaign: Toll way: the day-to-day life of bandits
This is your basic deep space nine in AD&D. You have traveled enough, now lets see what happens when you stay in one
place for a while.
The Players:
Chan, Marks tattooed Monk
Mr. Crisp, Daves Giant (he will be FOUR soon)
Talks Different (TD), Cathys priest/archer
Dreylis, Brads archer
Mayhem, Kevins female Giant
Pip, Kims quarterling sorceress
Voldermort, Tonys elementalist / priest
8-7-02 New beginnings 1: The party starts off just outside of their hometown (Dixon) heading toward a new and unknown
location. Somewhere east is the plan. Your game plan was to start a NEW toll village of your own. Well 'village'
is such a strong word. You ALL grew up in the same town established over 10 generations (giant) ago. You have
little to no possessions and no money. The nearest town is about 4 days travel or more. Many paths cross the entire
mountain range but not all are used by humanoids and not all are safe... certainly not tolled. You find you new toll
plaza and make some attempts to charge tolls but end up killing a small group of kobolds.
10- 03 Toll up and running? 2: Dreylis, the archer (giant slayer) went to train, but a giant friend from your own
village caught up to you now that he is old enough to walk (he is three, just ask him). The party ran into a glowing armored
figure (ok illusionary armor but even that is awe inspiring). The party also found out that they have located the toll near
a tribe of centaurs and a family of Rocs. So far Pip has spoken with the rocs but the party has wisely left the centaurs pass
w/o disruption. At this point the party was unsure HOW to run a Toll, so Mr. Crisp tried to recall what he saw during breast
feedings and relayed that to the party (click here for Mr. Crisp's retelling Dixon summary)
5-12-03 Map of our Toll 3: Talks Different (TD) a priest of Egdar joined the party. The party bought two shovels
from a wagon/trader and picked up a map as payment for the Waggoner. The map was of the toll area and also had a mine labeled
on it. The party checked out the mine to a limited extent and came back to the toll station. FINALLY, some small beginnings
of a toll plaza were started on the tail end of Adv3.
6-16-03 Metal what metal? 4: (The party regroups and attempts to recall how Dixon ran their toll, so they can get
some things up and running. (Some of the night was also used to introduce the 3rd edition initiative system and
the feats and skills system) At the tail end of the night a large meteor storm caused some havoc and the party is looking
forward to finding out if the meteors have any metal. The centaurs made their typical run through; this time the party accepted
a bribe to not mention the two satyrs following them
7-8-03 If it falls, they will come &or what do you do with metal anyway? 5: The party went and checked out some
meteorite sites. Some were already dug up and some had nice sized rocks in them. Luckily the party had purchased some shovels.
Some orcs that were also rock hunting provided some nice resources once they were pried from their cold fingers. The party
acquired some metal ore from the meteors. Chan thought he had heard rumors at his monastery that a craftsman had studied the
forgotten art of a blacksmith. The party then went to the White Tiger Monastery (a temple for monks)
09- 16 03 Giants armor is not built in a day 6: The party was staying at Chans training monastery. The white tiger monastery
had a smith who was old enough to know how to smith metal. The party donated a large some of raw ore in return for some worked
metal. The giant received a chain shirt and Chan received a chain. The party seemed to think that all was not well at the
monastery but were not too concerned with the situation as long as they got what they wanted. After a week the party left
back for camp, on the road an assassin of some sort (shadow dancer) attempting to take on the party and lost. The party then
returned to the toll and decided to continue to let the centaurs through for free but would no longer allow the satyrs through.
When two satyrs and a centaur came through the party attacked. The centaur (Scar) fell and the two satyrs fled.
01/19/2004 A fools
errand revealed 8: The party traveled across dangerous waters to the lost temple of Oneg (God of Metal). The party spoke with
an undead high priest and he helped the Prince create a list of plausible reason for the loss of metal on Trell. The party
then set sail for Loc-Nar. So the party has joined Prince Louies quest to return Metal to Trell. (click here to see Possible sources of the metal problems)
02/09/04 Welcome
to Loc-Nar 9: Mayhem a giant fighter joined the party. The party was set up in the embassy guesthouse with the Prince. Then
the Prince took them around the city to continue in the fools errand / I mean quest. While visiting the wild mages guild to
speak with Numskull they found out some solid info from his apprentice, but still want to talk with the researcher. The last
of the revenging satyrs sneaked into town and attempted to waylay the party, The party just hopes the centaurs will not take
up their cause.
4-26-04 Secret Revealed & A New King is Crowned #10 of Fool's Errand
The DM time
stop from the satyr fight was lifted and the party searched the slain. The party then went and rested back at the embassy.
The following day the party visited a Wisdom that made them an appointment with a Wisdom that was old enough to recall the
year 88 ATGTOF. The party then met up with Prince Louie and decided to visit his father's Vizier's residence in Loc-Nar. The
Vizier had some questionable behavior and gave the Prince some concerns he wanted to look into.
The party entered
the Viziers residence and found a large variety of items: a large map of Trell, several magical manuals, a rust monsters tail,
a no longer magical quill (due to Mr. Crisps experiment with the tail), and a note from Sebellicus to the Prince. (the contents
of letter below)
Dear Prince
Louis, I see you have some questions for me. I have one for you. What is the BEST way to keep a prince on his quest while
distracting him from me (Sebellicus)?
The party all
guessed an answer. Chan had a good guess and felt it would be to get the prince a woman, BUT Sebellicus had other plans The
correct answer given by Mayhem was TO MAKE HIM KING. Later the party found out that the HighKing and council of seven were
all killed.
While the note
was being read a secret door open to an antechamber. A painting of Sebellicus was in it and began speaking to the party and
asking them to pick up a cursed item. The party all failed their save and picked up the items. The clearly noticeable differences
include, a gleemans (colorful patch worked) cloak for Chan, a shinny spherical helm for Mr. Crisp (without eye slits), a multiple
personality complex for Mayhem and his new shoulder harness and nothing too noticeable for TD. The Prince picked up a crown,
it was not cursed to stay on, but he knew his father was dead, so it was truly a cursed item. The Party also found in the
room; Pip (their long lost friend who appeared to be under the control of Sebellicus) and a version of the Prince list with
many hints and notations from Sebellicus. (Click here to view that note Sebellicus's notes on Metal list )
A deck of many
things in the hands of a wild mage proved very tempting to the party as 10 cards were drawn. Most of the unlucky cards were
reshuffled by Pip. Later the party went back to the Wisdoms business and found out that environmental factors did not cause
the continental rusting and crossed that off of the list.
Following this
adventure the party had a week to read books & train. The party needs to examine the hint / notations of Sebellicus and
the party may have to help the King (Louis X) stabilize his kingdom. (click on this link to see a summary of his first few
days in office King Louis X's first ten days in office)
5-25-04 Keep Sweep Fools Errand #11
(DM Note: the party used a much-needed clerical session for the first hour or so)
The party started off by meeting Numskull (a female), the Kings new Vizier. She said she would be meeting with them from now on; the King has other duties. She mentioned the king wanted a jewelry box from his ancestral home.
The servants he sent to retrieve it died of unknown causes and some troubling report were coming in from the surrounding
area. She also introduced an associate of hers, Nilac. He is also known for speaking out against Sebellicus and is also known to have met him in combat on more
than one occasion. He is also a priest of Egdar (like TD), and rides a powerful
horse named ZEN. The party went through a gateway created by Numskull. She opened one up in her residence inside a circle of power. She
left a bell to ring so she could lead them out, otherwise you would be unable to leave the circle.
Once through
the portal, the party climbed/flew down the hillside and entered the keep, once a door was opened the area was filled with
all sorts of serpentmen (Orange skinned ones are well known to serve the goddess Xerxes).
The party easily slayed the invaders but had not cleared the keep. They
entered the audience chamber and saw two new shafts running vertically in the room.
Nilac flew up one shaft and quickly returned telling of beholders that he had seen, FOUR of them! The party dismissed his account until they (three of them at least) came down the shaft and entered the
room. The party fought off and resisted MOST of the rays coming from the eyes
and slaughtered the 3 book beholders. The party deduced the fact that one of
The COVEN had been the fourth beholder and had departed. The party now
believes the Coven is likely behind the metal problems of Trell. Other details still need to be worked out.
The box contained a ring with the Kings family crest on it, worn by KING Louis I the first high king from the Louis
line.
8-16-05 #12 Westward
March game date 12-25-122
(The time passing between
adventures is primarily spent in training and lounging)
The party was officially called to report to King
Louis X’s court; previously they would meet in secret. Mr. Crisp, TD, Chan
and Mayhem showed up. The King informed the group that several centaurs were
looking for them and did not seem to have good intentions fro them. The king
has been able to keep at least six out of the city on technicalities but it appears more will soon show up and he cannot protect
you forever. Although the King does have a way to keep you safe (from centaurs
anyway)
The King wants to send you
as first contact ambassadors to the Empire of Koth. Of course The Loc-Narian
confederation and Empire of Koth have had previous relations, but those no communications lines have been running in nearly
40 years ago. The Party said yes they would take a scroll to the powers that
be in C’th (?the previous capital of Koth). It appears no transportation/traveling
magic works in Koth so the best Numskull can do is teleport you to the border of Koth.
Later the party recalled Chan talking with the Vizier (Numskull) and appearing without his cloak at the border of Koth.
The party then ran into a strange unknown beast (a servitor) some flute
playing slimy tentacle waving beast that quickly charmed half the party with its music.
The rest of the party luckily destroyed it. Once the party continued deeper
into Koth they saw a large structure ahead, which turned out to be a gate guarded by four nightgaunts. Mr. Crisp quickly dashed through and disappeared on the other side, while TD blew two nightgaunts and Mayhem
through the gate. Chan was in heavy combat with the largest one when he slipped
through the gate leaving TD. She summoned a griffin and flew through. Once on the other side the party decided to rest and see if the scroll could guide them in what next to
do, the scroll indicated that a spy working for the King was in the nearby area and the spies name was Phiefer. DM TIME STOP
09/19/2005 Scar’s Revenge II & Westward March II Adv. #13:
The party first discussed various times to meet in the future luckily this avoided any need for emailingJ
Once the party started moving again a centaur came rushing toward them. He drove a spear into the ground and the party
quickly dispatched him. Unfortunately for the party the spear spit into two and crated a gateway (please recall transportation
spells seem to work strangely in the Empire of Koth). The gate opened up and roughly thirty centaurs poured out from what
seem to be a war party. The party quickly went into deep combat. Mr. Crisp was taking on 12 archers from the back and 5 centaurs
encircling him, luckily Pip was helping him. Chan fought with a few centaurs for a while then went after the apparent leader
Yu-Gi-Oh. The newest member was advised to leave and be spared so he (Sidney) walked away. Once away he started casting ice
storm and other nasty attack spells taking out/weakening several centaurs. Chan had trouble hitting the leader and eventually
fell to his three axe hits (one critical and two separate satyrs casting magic missile at him. Then Mr. Crisp was hit with
a few too many arrows after taking out a few centaurs. Pip was easily dispatched once the major players were down. At this
time Sidney picked up Chan and flew away. Later he dropped the body to avoid further chase.
**Just to clarify for the party (Chan bragged about how tough they were) and once the DM mentioned slightly changing the
danger level the party seemed to say in unison "We are tough enough" (give us your worst). So Three PCs did die but that can
be a healthy dose of realism in our RPG.
The party could get some fresh blood either old PCs converted to 3.5 Ed or new PCs rolled up I will let the players decide
OR the Phoenix school could eventually work on some extra credit work helping out the king or something to that effect.
11/19/06
Fool’s Errand Adv #14
below is a letter Numskull hands to the
'party' written in the Kings hand
Baron Vladimir Haarkonig had stepped down
from the Loc-Narian Council many years prior to today. Although he could have challenged my right to the thrown he has not
communicated any desire for a return to government. Neither has any of his extended
family. He and his family have not been seen in public for several years. I sent a letter to the Baron welcoming him to a place on my council as a lead advisor. His response was terse. After checking
it with old correspondence the handwriting seemed 'different'. I would like you
to deliver this new letter IN PERSON. The previous currier (#371 Samuel Barber)
left the letter in the gate after a turn of waiting (he reports). Also, please
wait for a response and if possible SPEAK with the Baron. I am eager to hear
anything you can tell me about one of my father’s trusted friends.
The party went to his house/castle
the gate was secretly guarded and the door was trapped, but the party managed to enter and after searching what appeared to be an empty house, they found a lich who called himself the Baron. His
threats of eternal death were taken seriously and the party made a tactical retreat.
