Agents of the Ten Guilds

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 19:
Year 2 September (Year 4711)

Upkeep phase:
- Kingdom remains stable.

Edict phase:
- Explored 5 hexes! Found an empty Ford at Gudrin River.
- Build 2 farms along hex area route to Oleg’s Trading Post
- Build a Mint (next to the bank, probably the ex royal enforcer, Midnight, is even happier now!)

Income phase:
- Good Income

Event:
1) Quest "Finding Tig" "That Damn Turtle"
The Inner Council members set off to explore and attempt to complete the quest to find Tig, but ended up exploring and finding a hidden cavern with a private fishing hole in the hex area east of Tusk Water. There the party met Arven, a fisherman who fequently came to this special spot to fish when he could.

As we approached to greet him, everyone was ambushed by a pack of wolves! Erd was the 1st to get hurt badly as he went forth to try to calm down the pack, but it was to no avail as they viciously tore into the poor Druid and the rest had to resort to violence to save themselves! Poor Arven in the meantime was attacked by another wolf as it grabbed and tried to drag him away! Fortunately, the wolves were no match for our combat prowess as we easily slayed a few cubs and sent our animal companions, Tuskcutter & Thunderquill to save Arven and attack his assailant. Within 3 rounds, we were all ok as the remaining wolves suddenly backed off... for a moment we thought that they realised that they were no match for us and fled, but that was not quite it...

Suddenly bursting out of the waters were 2 huge turtles that sprang out upon Erd and Lucilia! We had apparently disturbed the 2 mating turtles’s nest/home and boy were they mad! Their attacks badly damaged the frontliners and they even chomped/sundered Iolite’s +1 Rapier & Lucilia’s Falchion! Poor Iolite then got chased around by an angry male turtle that thought she was a gnome and barely got away! Fortunately, we quickly used our numbers and spells to overwhelm them as Lucilia struck the final blow upon the female turtle and Akiros finished off the alpha advanced male turtle with a devastating critical that split it in 2!

With that damn turtle dead and Arven saved, we quickly healed up and mapped out the rest of the area as Arven thanked us for saving his life. Arven then decided to settle down in our Kingdom to show his gratitude and gave out a Ring of Feather Falling! The party also managed to find a Water Elemental Gem while exploring the cavern!

We all then enjoyed turtle soup for the rest of the day!

Quest “ That Damn Turtle" Complete!

2) Attack of the Swamp Thing!
Exploring another hex. The Inner Council found a stinky swamp as Air Wizard Al rejoined us after getting bored studying in the library for a very long time and Iolite returned to the Kingdom to get back to investigate for any trouble her contacts might have noticed.

As the party continued on, the really smelly air caused those with poor fortitude saves to naturally feel nauseated (Seren and Al). Those who could better witstand the stink went further in to explore to find strange giant fungal/mushrooms.

Suddenly, a HUGE swamp thing burst out of the mud pool in the middle and grabbed hold of Lucilia with its tentacles! We quickly identified that it was a hungry Tendriculos that had regeneration which would be negated by fire &/or bludgeoning damage and that it would ambush its prey before grabbing it and then swallowing it up to trap it in its paralyzing acidic stomach! Erd immediately tried to talk it out of attacking the party but unfortunately to no avail as it swallowed Lucilia who failed to escape its grasp!

Time to FIGHT! Al immediately casted Gust of Wind to clear much of the stinky air from the area as the rest quickly went forth to engage the terrible hentai swamp monster before Lucilia or anyone else became its lunch! Unfortunately for Erd, the Tendriculos decided to attack him next and successfully grabbed hold of the poor Druid before swiftly gulping him down as the rest desperately tried to move closer to engage in the VERY difficult terrain! Fortunately with the help of Haste spell casted by Wizard... Akiros, Seren, Tuskcutter & Thunderquill better moved in to save their friends while Eric and Al summoned out reinforcements in the form of elementals (of almost all elements). Meanwhile inside the Tendriculos stomach, Lucilia thankfully had slight acid resistance and a good fortitude save to prevent her from getting paralyzed and taking too much damage but poor Erd didn't stand much of a chance against the paralyzing acid as he was helplessly burnt by acid and was on the verge of being dissolved into a puddle (alive)!

It was not yet Erd's time to go as Lucilia heroically healed him in hopes that they'll be rescued in time as the rest cut down the monster with overwhelming numbers! The Tendriculos eventually went down as Seren threw a alchemical fire flask to burn it down for good and Akiros managed to cut free the trapped Paladin and Druid! Phew!

Now what to do with those strange fungal/mushrooms? We decided that we'll leave this place alone to let it grow and hopefully return some good benefit eventually since the Alchemist Shop didn't need anything from here despite our guesses that they could use something here.

After being bogged down by the boggy swamp, it was time to head back to the kingdom for a nice long clean bath!

3) Crafting up Great Things
After all the encounters and exploration for the month, the Inner Council headed back to the kingdom to craft up better weapons and armor for the frontliners and better protection/minor equipment for everyone. It was time to up our game for the upcoming encounters!

4) An Encounter with Trolls
After gearing up with better equipment and resting well, the Inner Council once again head out to explore another hex.

While exploring, the group came across loud growling sounds coming from atop a small hill as they prepared for the worst. Everyone casted a round of buffing while the Druid shapeshifted into a bird to check out what was overhead and saw 4 trolls who had set up camp at the top. Immediately, the trolls buffed themselves up too and move to engage their potential meals that they smelt coming. Aley quickly identified that these trolls would needed to be hurt with either Fire or Acid to suppress regeneration and casted Invisibility to further buff and summon monster safely while the rest moved up to clash with the trolls. For the buffs, much of the party was under Haste thanks to Aley, Seren yelled out a Battle Cry and Inspired Courage and also made use of her Simic Signet to add corrosive (acid) property to her crossbow and Lucilia activated her Ragathiel Knight’s Ring to cast Bless Weapon on herself to combat these evil creatures (and automatically confirm critical hits against them).

The 2 sides then clashed after much buffing on each side and it seemed an even match until an invisible troll managed to get past the frontlines to knock poor Seren unconscious in a series of devasting claw attacks and rake! To make things worse, Tuskgutter was soon struck down dead with a similiar claw and rake combo! It turns out these enemies were no ordinary trolls, they had class levels and they too had coordination and tactics!

Nonetheless, the Inner Council refused to back down as Lucilia critically struck 1 troll dead that had taken acid damage before (from a hit by Seren’s acid crossbolt). At Akiros’ turn, he immediately went to avenge Seren by engaging the troll that took down her.In the meantime, the rest did their best to flood the battlefield with reinforcements and buy time as Aley blasted down the 2 trolls that engaged Lucilia. Despite taking alot of damage from the blasty Wizard, they remained standing and worse still managed to down Lucilia despite suffering another critical from her!

Thankfully, Eric managed to heal much of the party without affecting the trolls so that Seren and Lucilia could return to the fight as the troll cleric was finished off by Erd/Aley. Much to Aley’s surprise however, 1 of the remaining trolls managed to charge over the hills to take a swipe at him but fortunately managed to survive the hit thanks to a timely Windy Escape. Aley trolled the troll that attacked him by managing to cast Invisbility defensively to flee, leaving the troll trying the smell him out in anger!

Soon, the 2 surving trolls decided to regroup to make a final stand against the Inner Council. With the party taking some calculated risks, another troll soon went down as it was badly injured from fighting Akiros for Aley finished it off with an acid attack.

Surrounded, outnumbered and on its dying breath after repeatedly getting critically struck by Lucilia... the last troll did its terrible final attacks which seemingly killed Lucilia as they both went down in tandem! We prayed that Lucilia survived the horrible trolling (we spent 3 hero points to ensure her life didn’t end) and thankfully she revived after Akiros healed her from the brink of death with his last usage of Lay On Hands!

Phew! Tough battle in which the Council got trolled badly, but it was a victory nonetheless. The party took the loot found among the trolls before resting up and reviving the brave boar, Tuskgutter. But exploration is still not done on this hex... more adventures to come!

5) Batcave/Hidden Tomb of (Undead) Warriors

The Inner Council’s expedition was joined by a mysterious half-elf stranger who claimed he too was a Pathfinder that was sent by their most trusted superior (Susan) to aid Guildor. As he approached, the council’s signets started to glow, signifying that he was indeed from Ravnica just like the rest (except Akiros who had to be told that this stranger could be trusted). His name was Tenha and he swore to aid us as best as he could, as a ranged combatant (which the party needed badly).

With a new ally, the exploration continued into a fissure found in the hillside. It was discovered that the ‘batcave’ like entrance led into what seemed to be a tomb of some sort. As the party walked in, they were swarmed by bloodthirsty bats who were angry and hungry for blood! Fortunately, the whole party managed to avoid getting distracted and ran out of the cave for cover as Aley unleashed a single mighty Lightning Bolt that zapped the whole swarms of Bats dead! Shockingly good job Aley!
Erd: "This place had bat-ter be worth the trouble!"
Eric: "Don't bat on it!"
Aley: “Don’t be so negative, that was electricfying!”
Lucilia: "You really lit them up Aley!"
Eric: “Awesome work Aley! But conserve your energy for possible fights later!”
Seren: “You’re certainly the source of our inspiration!”
Erd: “Glad you guys are thinking positively!”
Tenha: "Wow, you're all so full of puns. Hope you don't turn anyone off!"
Akiros: "At this rate, I may need shock therapy!"

With the coast clear, the party went back in. The place seemed to indicate that the site being explored currently was quite ancient as it was very dusty and there were crude mosiacs of village life depicting a once thriving community. Soon, there was a room with a skeleton corpse in the middle with 4 leering faces at each corner with errie stares. The party approached cautiously and found that there were magical traps in the middle area around the skeleton. With no one to disable magical traps, the party decided to avoid the trapped area (in the middle) and did a quick check on the 2 nearby rooms.

Unfortunately, the Inner Council were not alone as they were 'welcomed' by 2 skeletons that suddenly came to life and attacked! To make matters worse, hidden passageways from the back opened and more skeletions poured in... the skeletons came from all directions and surrounded the entire party!

2 skeletons first struck Aley as Akiros rushed up to engage while Lucilia took on another 2, Aley was lucky to have Windy Escape prepared to avoid suffering a critical hit before he withdrew to safety so that he could cast Haste on the party. Thunderquill thankfully guarded the party’s back to protect Aley and Eric doing spellcasting as Erd controlled the battlefield with a Spiked Pit that sent 2 skeletons into their spiky doom. Meanwhile, Seren Inspired Courage and Tenha went to work shooting arrows at whatever skeletons he saw. Despite getting anxious (to prove himself worthy) and suffering from a minor sprain in the left arm (via a fumble), the new ally was instrumental in taking down weaken skeletons that the party had damage and managed to take down several skeletons (even though they were resistant to piercing arrow damage) before the party could suffer more damage.

All seemed well as skeleton after skeleton was either smashed by Akiros, trapped in a Spiked Pit casted by Erd or shot down by Tenha... when a skeleton leader clad in heavy armor appeared and walked straight into the center of the room to trigger the magic traps! OH NO!

The 4 leering faces powered up and shot 4 black beams at Lucilia, Seren, Eric and Tenha... Ray(s) of Exhaustion! Fortunately, only Lucilia failed to shrug off the debilitating effect as the rest managed to avoid getting exhausted.

Quickly surveying the battle area, Seren took a gamble hoping to knockback the skeleton leader into the Spiked Pit that was 2 squares away and let gravity do the rest... she activated her Simic Signet and casted Hydraulic Torrent. A directed burst of gushing water hit the skeleton leader as it tried to brace itself from being pushed back, but it was futile as the water current was too strong to resist and it was bullrushed into the Spiked Pit! Erd then casted Swarm of Fangs into the Spiked Pit to seal the deal as the party finished off whatever skeletons that remained!
Seren: “THIS IS SPARTA GUILDOR!”

With all the skeletons put down for good, everyone healed up and search out the remaining rooms while reviewing the battle just fought. Lucilia took the Ring of Sustenance from the skeleton corpse in the middle of the room (believing that the trap should have been deactivated for the time being and she was right).
Eric: "Nice tactical gambit with your signet there Seren! Kinda forgot you could do that."
Erd: “You remind me, that we should make good use of our signets your highness!”
Seren: “Thanks High Priest Eric & wise Councilor Erd, one could say that I’m signet savvy!”

There was still one final room to explore and the party continued on. In this room, there were 4 alcoves at the sides and a coffin at the end. The paladins bravely went forth to Detect Evil and found a faint trace of evil aura lingering in the area. With weapons out, the frontliners stood vigilant while Seren and Eric went to check out the coffin as the rest stood behind. As soon as Seren touched the coffin, 4 skeletons burst out from the alcoves and the corpse within the coffin suddenly stood up! It was a Cairn Wight Babarian Warlord that was very displeased tomb raiders had come and immediately ordered its minions to kill the intruders! It first struck Seren and drained her vitality before the damsel managed to withdraw screaming away! Eric casted Grace to calmly retreat to a tactical position as Aley unleashed a mighty Fireball upon the undead once his allies were clear to destroy 3 skeletons and damage the Wight! With the way clear, Lucilia Smited down the evil Wight and charged, hitting the undead boss and heavily damaging it. Akiros then simply smited & struck down the last standing skeleton mook before joing up with Lucilia to flank the Wight as the rest used their numbers in an attempt to take down the Wight. The Wight was no pushover has it had a weapon that was made of Cold Iron... something both Lucilia and Akiros were (slightly) vulnerable to, and it critically struck Lucilia while trying to cut off her armor straps (sunder), almost undressing her! With all his allies empowering him up (with Inspire Courage, Haste & Bless), Tenha got into position and unerringly let loose 3 arrows directly at the Wight. As the third (and last) arrow hit the Wight, it collapsed being unable to take much more damage!
Lucilia (looking at the lifeless Wight): “Dirty bastard! Trying to undress a paladin! Ragathiel take you!”

With the Wight down, the party could finish exploring the rest of the tomb and loot whatever valuables before heading back to Guildor to celebrate together with their new ally (and perhaps assign him a new position of importantce).


Critical/Fumble count (estimated):
- Lucilia total critical count: 17! Total fumble count: 7. (7 more criticals! HOLY $#*+ BLESSED WEAPON & ALEY’S HASTE! 1 hero point rerolled fumble!)
- Iolite total critical count: 6 Total fumble count: 2
- Akiros total critical count: 5 Total fumble count: 3 (3 more criticals, 1 was with a club! 2 fumbles in a row!)
- Seren total critical count: 3 Total fumble count: 2
- Eric total critical count: 4 Total fumble count: 2
- Erd total critical count: 1 Total fumble count: 2
- Aley total critical count: 0 Total fumble count: 0
- Tenha total critical count: 0 Total fumble count: 1

[MIB]

Btw guys, our quests:

[MIB]

More quests:

[emaximusax]

A bounty hunter, two Paladins, a druid, a wizard and two big animals went on a great exploration trip.

While exploring, they met with a Shambling Mound which was attacking a lady on the ground and a little kid! Erd rode forward expertly on his mount and cast a Spike Pit on the Mound! The mound simply moved closer, ignoring the magic pit
and started going constricting the woman. Someone suddenly thought of tentacles and girls (more on this later). Everyone else but Aely and Tenha charged forward, but the distance was too far for them! Aely dropped a fireball only to notice the mound was resistance to the fire. Akiros charged with his mount, but the mound stopped the charge. Tenha shoots two arrows, but it misses. After a few more attacks here and there, Aely shot out magic missiles attempting to kill steal, but did not kill it. Akiro attacked and instead of hitting, he became dazed and called out the baroness name. (Now you know who) Lucilla went forward to attack and cut the mound into two! We save the girl with Akiros lay of hands… We sensed that he thought girl was the baroness… Anyway, then some hunters appear to try to save the day. Typical bastards, appearing only after the monsters is dead and when the damsel is saved. They believed people of Guildor was evil, but we were able to convince everyone that we are just exploring, even after they said we are trespassing the lands of Belvor. In the end, they understand that… We are good. We are leaders of Guildor! There is no need to worry!

Also collected the Sap of the Shambling Mound (Shamblesap Quest)

The hunter spake rumors of giants that are terrorizing the lands in the south. We head down south and a secret opening in the hills. Erd summoned an Earth Elemental to trigger all the traps. Inside the cave we noticed 2 evil ugly large creature known as Thawn. Erd cast spike pit and killed one of them quickly while Aely starting summoning monsters. Tuskgutter charges at the other Thawn. Damn! Checking out place, this area seem to be yielding Saltpeter (Ingredient for Gunpowder production). Erd gloats that… He is good. He and his pets are killers of Guildor! Allies have nothing to worry!

We encountered some wolves and Erd able to convince the wolves by calming them and 'hold animal' on the remaining hostile one. He started speaking in WOLF and convinced them that food is elsewhere. We are good. We have the big boar of Guildor! Run and be worried!

Found a Cairn of Stones used to marked for barbarian or ancient kind burial mound. Oh no! Mound again! We sense some magic and Erd understood immediately and set Tuskgutter running. He and the two paladins chased after it. Enlarged Tenha and Aely started exhuming the grave. After toppling the mound, we found corpses of barbarians. We found a greenwood magic ring of swimming (Barbarian Cairn's Ring of Swimming). We reset the grave just before the two lawful good people return, explaining we found the ring stuck in the black berry trees. We are… Oh heck… You understand…

Found ruined shrine of Gyronna and a hut that animal seem to shun the place. On one of the crumbling wall, there is a skeleton impaled on it. Erd believed the wounds was inflicted when the victim was still alive. On the wall were these words. "She failed me. She is in Gyronna now. I cannot afford to wait anymore my love. I will travel south to the monastery upon the hillside. I hope you can join me on the ritual"

Found two natural hotsprings at the source of the Shunk River. There is a pond in the middle and pretty deep. We believe it can be a good place for a hot spring resort, except that it is inhabited by aggressive giant frogs. Three frogs appears and Erd calm only one of the them down. Erd started to speak in FROG this time and they looked friendly and they are willing to share the hot springs.

Headed next into a swampy area and there's a building which we believe someone is inhabiting inside. Tenha started circling the place to survey the place. A frog like creature (Boggard) appears and started moving towards him. The flying wild shaped hawk is saw a purplish frog (slugs). Erd landed and somehow was able to start to shake the Boggard's hand and spoke in his language. He seemed to be a Master of Tongue. The Boggard share he is Garuum, and was once a tribe member of west beggared. He attempted mutiny against his tribe, but failed… and he was able to escape. He was tracked down by another Boggard Bounty hunter, but he was able to defeat the hunter. He is happy to be leave alone, but he return the favor by telling everything he knew…

We learned from Garuum that…

West - A helmed stag god… Likely Erastil
South - Dragon wyrm area (River map) Tatsuwyrm

We return to town with Erd the Most Tongueful Person! On a side note, we turn in the Shamblesap for our rewards.

Kingdom Turn 20:
Year 2 October (Year 4711)

Upkeep phase:
- Kingdom remains stable.

Edict phase:
- Explored 15 hexes!
- Spymaster was kidnapped!
- Appointed a New Spymaster: Tenha
- Promotion Edict becomes Standard
- Claim Gunpowder Mine Area
- Build up a Mine at the new hex
- Build up a Road connecting to the new hex

Income phase:
- Average Income (24 BP earned)

Events:
- No special events


Kingdom Turn 21:
Year 2 November (Year 4711)

Upkeep phase:
- Kingdom remains stable.

Edict phase:
- Build Farm at Gunpowder Mine Hex
- Open New District
- Build a Stable

Income phase:
- Average Income (23 BP earned)

Events:
- No special events

Short Party Summary
Present XP: 2,335 XP (Al, Paula, Cy and Deva)
Absence XP: 1,555 XP

Loot:
- Greenwood magic ring of swimming (Barbarian Cairn's Ring of Swimming)
- 1000GP
- 4 potion of cure moderate wounds

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 21: (Continued)
Year 2 November (Year 4711)

Events:

- The Wizard Aley barely manages to identify a valuable magical ring via spellcraft. It is a Barbarian Ring of Swimming & Heroes! Given to Lucilia.

Quest: The Horn of Aroden
With the kingdom's upkeeping taken care of for the month of November, the Pathfinders of the Inner Council were greeted by a messenger to meet up with a trusted superior at their kingdom's Library. Upon reaching the library, the party of 6 were greeted by none other than Susan and a rather boisterous human man by the name of Adril Hestram. Adril quickly explained that he was once a Venture Captain stationed in Absalom but is now keeping a low profile after getting into trouble... that he would rather not talk about.

Susan told them that they needed to take orders from Adril to recover a rather important artifact up North in Brevoy and not to reveal our Ravincan origins to him before she wished us well and teleported back to Absalom.

Adril informed us he was sent by Lady Gloriana Morilla to get trusted (Diplomactic Non-Murderhobo) Pathfinders to meet with Dame Sarrona Lebeda at the town of Silverhall in Brevoy and negotiate for the Horn of Aroden. He believes that we were the best candidates to convince Sarrona to be willing to give (or at least loan) the Horn of Aroden to the Pathfinder Society.

Since the Inner Council could do well to kill 2 birds with 1 stone of keeping a good relationship with Brevoy and getting a Pathfinder Quest done, they accepted Adril's quest and prepared an exquisite glass crafted artwork (thanks to Seren's very good artistic tastes) as a gift to Brevoy.

Within a few hours, the Pathfinders of the Inner Council set out on their diplomatic quest and left General Akiros in charge of Guildor.

Within a week’s worth of travel, the Pathfinders reach their destination and find themselves awaiting at the audience chamber of Lebeda’s heavily guarded castle. Dame Sarrona Lebeda soon enters the room to greet her guests and settles down to discuss the business at hand. She states that while she cannot outright give the Horn of Aroden to the Pathfinder Society, she’s willing to loan it (despite the fact that it belongs to King Noleski Surtova as part of the dowry for her daughter’s hand in marriage) in return for finding her troublemaker son, Lander, and convince him to come home.

After gathering information and learning about the nature of Lander, the Pathfinders accepted Sarrona’s deal and immediately set out to find him. Turns out Lander is a handsome but spoilt noble man who is learning the ways of Aldori swordfighting and was often seen killing dire rats with a masterwork sword... hardly proper behavior for a young lord!

The Pathfinders first head over to where Lander was most recently seen, the Three Tongs smithy which is owned by Marek Bogdan. The Pathfinders also learnt that Marek is also an accomplished Aldori swordlord for several years before moving south to Silverhall and his maker’s mark is the sign of an eagle clutching a pair of tongs. Marek is also known to have little respect for authority, particularly inherited authority.

Hmmm why do they look so familiar...

The Pathfinders soon reach the Three Tongs smithy to find a bald Taldan man approaching middle age, Marek. After receiving praise on his masterful weapon craftworks (mostly from Eric), Marek felt a lot happier to tell the Pathfinders that he has not seen Lander for several days, but claims that he has headed into the wilderness to take on bandits all by himself to prove his bravey and manhood...

How the whole party felt after hearing from Marek what Lander set out to accomplish...

Seren, Eric & Erd sensed something was slightly amiss with Marek’s words but could not quite tell what he was hiding. Like the Pathfinders, he too was worried for Lander and said that they’ve gotten pretty close over the past months as he revealed that it was him that trained Lander the ways of the Aldori swordlord. He also critcised that Lander would often be too thickheaded and sometimes acted like a jerk but nonethelss had a kind heart of gold. Marek then wished the Pathfinders good luck in finding Lander, whom he felt like a son he never had.

Wasting no time as the noble moron could be in danger, the Pathfinders immediately set off to pick up Lander’s trail. After traveling for quite a while, Erd the Druid easily spots what seemed to be Lander’s tracks leaving the road with his superior survival tracking skills. The Pathfinders also easily spot a handkerchief bearing the crest of House Lebeda along the trail.

Following Lander’s trail into the wilderness, the Pathfinders come across a small outpost of bandits near a lake and Tenha eagerly volunteers to stealth ahead and spy on what mischief they’re up to. Unfortunately, Tenha’s overeagerness led him to poorly perform his stealth check and he was easily spotted by a bandit on the lookout. With the bandit outpost alerted, more bandits hidden in the bushes revealed themselves to ambush the Pathfinders and Tenha was welcomed with 2 arrows shots to the chest from the current bandit boss, Wincent.

Wincent: “Give our intruders a warm welcome my men!”

As soon as Wincent ordered his men to gang up and rush down the Pathfinders, Aley quickly took this opportunity to return the bandits’ hospitality with a well aimed Fireball that BBQed and instantly vapourized more than half of them! However, Wincent saw it coming and managed to completely evade the deadly Fireball and concluded that he would be no match for the intruders with much of his men dead. Wincent immediately gulped down a potion of Invisbility before retreating back to his main camp to warn the others. Within a frame of 12 seconds, the Pathfinders easily cut down the surviving bandits who refused to surrender until 1 was left. The lone survivor tried to flee after finaly realising that he was gravely outnumbered and that his boss Wincent wasn’t around anymore but Seren caught up with him and casted Hold Person in which he failed to resist.

Seren: “Hold it right there! You’re not going anywhere!”

The party easily caught hold of the helpless miscreant and began to interrogate him for information as they recovered the bandits equipments and also discovered that their weapons bore the sign of an eagle clutching a pair of tongs.

Lucilia’s show of authority looked something like this...

The lone survivor was unwilling to cooperate with the party at first until Lucilia stepped up to grab the man by the neck and lifted him up with a single hand in a mighty show of strength. She demanded that he tell them whatever he knew or she threatened to slowly break his neck for crime of banditry and attempting murder, making very impressive intimidate checks (of 25+) until the poor man pissed his pants shaking with fear. He eventually broke down after being threatened to be tied and dragged all the way back to civilization, hence spilled out whatever he knew. He confirms that Lander has been kidnapped and is being held at the main bandit camp. Also, the current head of the bandits is led by a woman named Aldona and he claimed that she was waiting for the next full moon to activate her werewolf powers to raid and pillage villages. Wasting no time, the party gets the bandit to surrender his equipment/items and lead them to the main camp in exchange for sparing his life and releasing him on his promise that he’ll turn over a new leaf.

Arrving at the main camp, the party found the bandits expecting them since Wincent managed to escape back to give warning. The bandits were very well organised and had the smarts to spread out and avoid getting caught together in a potential Fireball spell. They also had the tactical brillance to specifically aim at the party’s spellcasters to prevent nasty spells from overpowering them. Despite their well prepared plans to combat the Pathfinders, they could not hope to overcome them.

The Pathfinders managed to avoid getting deafen when Thunderstones were thrown at them, then Aley was fortunate that no bandit was able to hit and inturrupt him casting Haste on his allies and the bandit army’s demise was quick from there. Tenha’s aim was hot as many arrows found their mark thanks to Seren’s Inspired Courage. Erd would call down nature’s fury with Summoned Animals and Call Lightning. Thunderquill would swoop down to harass bandits trying to flank upon the party while Lucilia went to duke it out with the bandit leader, Aldona, who was inflicted with some form of lycanthropy.

Unfortunately for poor Tuskgutter, it would find itself taking a huge beating from the majority of the bandits and their large pet dire wolf that identified it as the biggest threat but it fortunately survived thanks to recieving much healing from Eric and Seren. Within half a minute, all the bandits were slain and both Wincent and Aldona laid dead on the floor with an arrow sticking through their heads.

With the bandits taken care of, the party discovers a note that details letter written by Aldona to “M” on how to get a ransom for Lander and find more weapons that has the maker’s mark, an eagle clutching a pair of tongs.

Eventually, Lander is found bound and gagged inside a big box stash and rescued by the party. Immedieately upon his release, he asked for a mirror to look over his face and cover up the injuries he had sustained... what a vainpot! He even isn’t entirely grateful about being rescued and claimed that he could have taken on these bandits all by himself given enough time... such arrogant ignorance!

Can’t say that Lander didn’t deserve to get his ass kicked...

Lander: “You should have let me taken on those scums by myself! I’ll have them begging for mercy after one stroke from my sword!”
Lander kicks a bandit corpse around.
Erd: (pissed and angry over ingrateful spolit brat Lander) “Sir, listen! If it wasn’t for us coming all the way out here to save your silver spooned face, either you would have been dead or your family would have been a lot poorer paying the ransom to get your sorry ass back to safety!”
Lander: (turning hostile) “HOW INSULTING YOU FOUL PEASEANT! I OUGHT TO STRIKE YOU DOWN HERE AND NOW!”
At this moment, Seren steps up and gives Erd a tight slap across his face (despite the fact that she really wanted to do this to the spolit royal pain in the ass neck)! She knew that in order to secure a good relationship with Brevoy, it starts with Lander whether she or anyone from Guildor liked it or not.
Erd: “OW!”
Seren: “Apologizes my lord for such poor behavior from my subjects!”
Seren gives Lander a curtsy.
Seren: “My name is Seren, Baroness of Guildor, but you can simply call me Seren. You look badly injured sir, perhaps I can help treat your wounds and patch up your face? Oh and Erd, apologize to him!”
Erd: “So sorry my lord and forgive my outburst, mistress!”
Lander: (calming down) “Well I’ll pretend your peasant rockface never said that since a pretty lady like you knows how to show proper manners in front of a great lord like me! Come now! Fix my face, get me my equipment and we shall move out to slay whatever hostile things!”

With Erd blantantly insulting Lander, the young lord turned red with anger but thankfully Seren was able to calm down the seething nobleman as the party healed up. Lander himself was hesitant to agree with the party that Marek is supporting these bandits and Seren simply stated that they were still investigating the matter and perhaps the bandits may be trying to frame Marek. With Lander still insisting on adventuring shortly after recovering, the Pathfinders reluctantly agree to accompany him so as to keep an eye out for the incompetent aristocratic fool.

Soon enough after traveling a while, they come across a terror bird nest. Being the fool that he is, Lander immediately charges in and pathetically gets struck down by a terror bird, nearly dying in the process! As for the rest of the Pathfinders, they easily overwhelmed and overpowered the 2 terror birds guarding their nest before stablizing and healing up Lander. They also find 3 unhatched eggs, Lander then demanded that he would have one of it. The party made a promise to him that he may have one of them when it has been raised to adulthood for fear that the incompetent fool would:
1) Drop the egg and break it.
2) Misplace/Lose the egg.
3) Somehow raise the bird and then get killed by it!

You know you suck when you get owned by a Chocobo mere bird!

After his near death experience, Lander finally learns the hard way that his quest for glory would probably get him killed and thanks the party very much for saving his life. Lander was also impressed that the party could quickly defeat what defeated him and began to show more respect. With Lander now being friendly, he admits that perhaps Marek is not innocent and would probably be the true mastermind behind the bandits.

With enough evidence to prove that Marek was behind all these devious banditry, the Pathfinders decided to do the right thing to call for his arrest instead of securing his masterful weaponsmithing aid. Upon their return to Silverhall, the authorities are informed and soon Marek (Level 11 Fighter/Aldori Swordlord) is overpowered by the guards and dragged to prison in chains, showing no remorse for what he has done and swearing he’ll have his revenge.

Now that the job is complete, Dame Sarrona gladly loans out the Horn of Aroden to the Pathfinder Society for getting Lander back home alive. Sarrona was relieved that Lander has decided that he would spend more time training in court matters and not adventure anymore.

Also, Guildor is now on friendlier terms with Brevoy for such a lovely gift and helping them thin out the bandit population.

A splendid success for the Pathfinders as they returned back to Guildor in a joyful mood! Adril could not have been happier that he sent the right team for this mission and the Venture Captain hosted a nice small victory banquet at the Tavern at his own expanse.

What a nice guy!

A small feast to celebrate a job well done.

Epilogue
At the banquet.
Seren: (approaches Councilor Erd) “I’m so sorry I had to slap you in the face my friend. I really wanted to slap that spolit brat instead! Alas, I had to do what I had to do or else Lander would have never accompanied us to learn the folly of his ways...”
Erd: (rubbing his cheeks) “It’s ok, as long as he doesn’t end up being like a King Joffrey corrupted, rotten and incomptent Tyrant. Looks like he has learnt a harsh lesson and we’ve done our job to steer him into the right path.”
Seren: (gives Erd a wink) “I knew you always rock, Erd! And maybe we can plan for an Axebeak racing course in the future if we can rear the eggs prim and proper!”

Quest: The Horn of Aroden Completed!

[emaximusax]

Exploration Part 1

(Sing to 'Let it Go')
The day shines bright on the kingdom today
Four adventurers explores.
A kingdom near the lake
and it looks like the queen's asleep
There is a howling in a pit trap straight ahead
Sounds so pitiful
The party had to check

Erd saw the beast
Erd spoke to it
"Be the good girl you always have to be
I will feed you
I will save you"
And that he did…

(After Erd hunt some wild animals to feed it, speak to it and….)

He let it go, let it go
I don't want a new companion
He Let it go, let it go
He has a family anyway

Exploration Part 2





Kingdom Turn 2?
Month ??

Upkeep phase:
- Kingdom remains stable.

Edict phase:
- Build 2 Mines
- Build a Foundry

Income phase:
- Very Good Income

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 22 (Continued)
Year 2 December (Year 4711)

Exploration Summary
- Party discovered a small shrine of Erastil somewhere on one of the hexes in the forest. With a good tidy up of the place, Erastil blessed the party with the effects of Keen Edge for a week! WOW-WHEE!

- A dead Unicorn was discovered a hex away from the shrine of Erastil. It's horn was cut off and the corpse somehow is not rotting. Eric the Cleric casted Speak with Dead to let the party ask 3 questions to its willing spirit and learn more on the nature of its death. Unfortunately, the party squabbled over what questions to ask and hardly learnt much with poorly thought questions spat out. It said that it was drinking water before it was ambushed and died a painless death. Whoever or whatever that killed it remained a mystery. The party finally decided to take the corpse over to the shrine of Erastil in hopes that it's corpse could be left untouched until the they needed to find it again.

- Onto another hex, the party encounters a Dryad and her Satyr boyfriend who requested the party's help in getting rid of an evil Scythe Tree that had taking root nearby. The party agreed and immediately set off to do some exetreme gardening. Long story short, the party barely managed to take it down as they were very unfortunate to get ambushed by the Scythe Tree! Poor Tenha was nearly killed as he had the misfortune to be right beside the hidden Scythe Tree while he tried to set up an ambush, only to be ambushed himself! Fortunately, the buffed up Lucilia saved the day as she smited the evil tree and rapidly struck it down. With the quest done, the Dryad thanked us very much and rewarded us with her +1 Leaf armor and offered to help the Kingdom of Guildor as protector of the forest (as long as we don't burn down the forest for no good reason). The party accepted her offer and they celebrated they new found friendship with rare fey wine and delicacy.

Ambusher ambushed by the evil Scythe Tree!

- Tried to explore another hex but a river without any crossing prevented complete exploration. The party noted that a way was needed to cross the river the next time they returned to the hex.

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 22 (Continued)
Year 2 December (Year 4711)

Exploration Summary

More forest adventures
- While exploring another hex, the party runs into a Nixie, Meliana, & a mob of angry lumberjacks, led by Corax, in a heated argument that looked like it was about to escalate into a fight. The lumberjacks had chopped down some trees that were considered sacred to Meliana and thus she had kidnapped some of Corax's men until they would stop chopping down her forest home area, but the lumberjacks can't quit their job for it was their way of life. Fortunately, the party managed to calm down the 2 sides before any blows could be exchanged and found a peaceful solution to both sides. Erd the Druid managed to identify a different spot further north in the forest where it had lots of valuable coachwood and that lumberjacks could continue to operate undisturbed. Meanwhile, Seren convinced Meliana to release the captured men in return for restoring her fallen trees (via using 5 Tree Feather Tokens) and leaving her forest section alone. Both sides thanked the party for aiding them in their dispute and Meliana offered her help in keeping watch in her section of the forest (granting Guildor a +2 to stability) while Corax said that he would welcome Guildor to his 'mini lumbermill' that he'll set up once Guildor expands out to claim the forest hex with coachwood.

- On the hex right beside the capital of Guildor, the party ran into an all Gnome expedition party that were desperately trying to save some of their passengers trapped in the carriage from tumbling into the river current. Seren, Lucilia & Eric managed to speed ahead to quickly rush to the gnomes' aid and found them in a state of panic as they were all running about in circles yelling profanities about their current situation. Thankfully, the party managed to save the passengers and the 2 ponies that were about to be swept away by the river current. Eric, Aley and Erd each summoned elementals and monsters to aid, signet savvy Seren used her signet to cast Animal Aspect to gain swim speed to be able to get to the ponies and gently handle/guide them out of the water while Lucilia & Thunderquill barely swam through the river to heroically push the carriage out of the water! With the gnomes rescued, their leader, Jubilose Narthropple (a jerk, reluctantly) thanked the party by offering them heavily discounted map information in which they learned that there is an abandoned keep somewhere southwest and an abandoned outpost somewhere south near the river. The gnomes said that they were earlier attacked by Kobolds and that was how they got into that dangerous situation earlier. Looks like there's more Kobold troubles in the future...

A hazy development
Arriving back at Guildor, the party finds out that a fire had broke out in the housing section near the dance hall and guild hall. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured due to Adril's bravery in rescuing the people trapped in their houses. However, no one saw what or who caused the fire during the late night. The housing will have to be repaired ASAP by next month...

Upcoming Pathfinder Quest:
The Pathfinders are invited tasked by Venture Captain Adril Hestram to travel together with him to the Andoran town of Bellis to witness the wedding of Elyin Ursage, a former pathfinder and Kailah Windmaid, Elyin's betrothed and soon-to-be wife. The Pathfinders need to reacquire a relic that Elyin has kept and they were best suited for the job as shown before in The Horn of Aroden quest.

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 23
Year 3 January (Year 4712)

Upkeep phase:
- Kingdom remains stable (despite almost setting off the new year on the wrong foot, thankfully 2 forest allies from last month really helped ensure stability remained).

Edict phase:
- Build 2 quarries.
- Build a Pier at waterfront district. (Note: Waterfront district Pier to be upgraded in the future.)
- Repaired the burnt down houses.

Income phase:
- Poor Income

Event:
Tremors: The Subterranean Terror Massacre
"They say that there is nothing new under the sun, but under the ground..." - Tremors

It was a seemingly normal night in the kingdom of Guildor, the Inner Council were busy preparing for the upcoming journey to Elyin's wedding on March 4712 when they received a report from a terrified messenger that the town's Inn was under attack by some giant burrowing monsters! Wasting no time, all of the Inner Council grabbed their gears and rushed to the scene as people's screams could be heard even before they had left the castle.

Arriving at the scene, it was a horrible sight to behold. It was chaos as terrified citizens fled over blood stained ground. Men, women and even children were seen dead and savagely mutilated, arms and legs torn off, body parts all over the floor, headless bodies slumped against walls... a merciless massacre. Then, more screams came from within the Inn...

The paladins Lucilia and Akiros immediately wasted no time and bashed through the door to the Inn to rescue trapped civillians within and found the place torn apart with countless bodies on the floor, unknown if they were dead or simply unconscious. The council then cleared all the dead bodies blocking the exit and immediately ordered all the survivors who could walk to flee as Eric channeled positive energy to make everyone alive feel better. As the paladins went further in to help those stuck at the back, the ground started to shake and then 2 huge bulettes burst through the floor! Lucilia and Eric suffered bad wounds from these massive creatures as everyone tried to fight these monsters, but unfortunately the difficult terrain made it very hard to engage these subterranean creatures despite half of the party summoning monsters as reinforcements. After badly wounding 1 of the bulettes, the 2 huge creatures burrowed away as Seren felt a thumping vibration coming from the back of the Inn. With most of the survivors near the exit rescued (including the Inn Keeper, Barmaid & 'Korean' Bard Red Topper), the party cleared the debris blocking the back rooms to find a buggane. This hairless hunchbacked giant with tusks and two enormous fists was thumping the floor and proclaiming in giant that soft flesh will pay for intruding on their territory. The buggane then finished its thumping before burrowing underground as Akiros tried to move up to attack it, the giant ran away before the paladin could strike it. It went erriely silent for the next few moments as the party awaited an imminent attack...

Bulette aka "Land Shark" (left picture) & Buggane aka "Mole Giant" (right picture)

Bursting out of the floor, more bugganes appeared as one of them savagely "shoryuken" poor Erd, almost taking his head off! The injured bulette then came out to engage the party within as the other bulette emerged outside the Inn to slaughter the civilians gathered outside.

Poor Erd probably will be feeling his chin/jaw area hurting for quite awhile!

Fortunately, reinforcements came for the Inner Council as Venture Captain Adril Hestram & the Royal Enforcer, Kesten Garess, came to the rescue of the civilians while Erd withdrew outside to command Tuskgutter and Thunderquill to gang up on the bulette outside. Meanwhile, Aley had managed to float over to a good spot to cast Lightning Bolt upon all the burrowing creatures as Akiros and Lucilia finished off the nearly dead bulette. With the bulette dead, Tenha could then safely shoot the bugganes pestering Eric and killed one off before the surviving bugganes burrow away. 2 more bugganes and 1 more bulette to go...

Suddenly, screams could be heard from the top floor of the Inn. Akiros, Lucilia, Seren and Tenha rushed to the back to find more dead bodies littering the floor and they saw one of the bugganes ripping a poor civilian in half alive with its bare hands!

Poor civilian! Not a way you want to go!

Tehna let loose his arrows and a few hit the murderous mole giant before it stomped the ground and burrowed away as the paladins tried to close in. Back outside, the bulette felt the vibrations of its master and withdrew back inside the Inn to furiously re-engage the paladins that killed its mate. More brutal attacks badly wounded the paladins as they barely could do much against its tough hide and annoying difficult terrain. Thankfully, with some ranged support from Aley, Tehna and Seren the bulette went down as Lucilia struck the final blow against the subterranean terror. Suddenly, a buggane popped up from the ground right next to Seren and brutally beat her down, causing the poor Baroness to literally see stars and be stunned for a round! Ensuring that Seren won't fall to the likes of the evil mole giant, the paladins rushed to cover Seren and soon managed to it cut down.

It seemed like it was over, there was silence once again as everyone checked upon each other to ensure the Inner Council were alright, when all of a sudden, a giant hand came through a wall and grabbed Seren! The damsel screamed as she was dragged seamlessly through the wall caught in the cultches of the last surviving buggane! The mole giant was certainly devious to use its Earth Distortion special ability to capture poor Seren as it tried to flee with the intention to take its captive alive back to its lair. With the Baroness in peril once again, the Inner Council rushed to the room where Seren was taken into... only to find that she had managed to save herself with her Sonic Scream Weird Words killing her unsuspecting captor.

Seren's (Screaming) Weird Words can be powerful enough to blow someone's head off with enough sonic damage!

With the crisis resloved, the Inner Council tried their best to relieve and help those who were injured and/or had lost loved ones to the massacre, swearing revenge in the name of those slain to these bloody butchers. Despite the Inner Council's efforts to rebuild the lives of those affected, it wasn't totally sufficient to prevent a large number of citizens to turn their backs to Guildor, scarred both physically and emotionally.

Although Guildor has survived yet another crisis, more enemies have appeared. Will Guildor ever find peace?

End of Tremors: The Subterranean Terror Massacre

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 23 (Continued)
Year 3 January (Year 4712)

Pathfinder Quest: In Wrath’s Shadow
With the kingdom's upkeeping taken care of for the month of January, Adril Hestram contacted the Pathfinders for assistance in helping Sheila Heidmarch in an important task. The Pathfinders accepted and the soon departed through various teleportation routes to reach Magnimar. There, Sheila thanks the Pathfinders for their great deeds back at the “Feast of Ravenmoor” and briefs them to explore an ancient temple (believed to honor the Thassilonian goddess Lissala) newly uncovered on Rivemake Island together with another Pathfinder agent, Riemme Batelle.

Magnimar's Venture Captain, Sheila Heidmarch

The Pathfinders are then transported by sea to the ancient site, where each of them had a saw terrible visions of a slaughter at the excavation site. Baroness Seren however, had a much different dream. In her dream, she was visited by a strange angelic looking woman who had beautiful rainbow wings and thorny vines piercing through various part of her body. The celestial outsider then gave Seren a quest to rescue 2 trapped men that had lovers praying for their lives and safety.

Eventually, the party reached the place and discovered that the excavation party was recently attacked and that several members of the crew who weren't killed were abducted just like what they all saw in their dream visions. A survivor, archaeologist Halla Beusophis retold the horrific incident and reluctunatly agreed to take the party to the massacre site. The party quickly wasted no time in searching for clues to where the other survivors could have been taken to after examining the gruesome scene and concluded that they might have been dragged into the nearby breached temple.
Tehna scouted ahead with expert stealth and signalled everything was fine for the rest to come into the temple, unfortunately the party were being watched from above...

As the party entered, a captivating cacophony of music filled the temple and Tenha, Aley & Thunderquill were then fascinated by 4 fiendish harpies! The remainer of the pathfinders who barely managed to resist the deadly charm effects quickly retaliated as the harpies ruthlessly picked apart those that were helplessly captivated. With the party’s focused firing, the harpy that captivated Tehna was quickly slain and Tenha rejoined the battle. With the party’s dedicated archer back in action, another harpy fell within a round and the surviving harpies flew away with their tails in between their legs. (A rather hilarious moment during the fight was Eric’s Spiritual Weapon spell backfiring and nearly critically hit him!)

Thankfully these evil harpies were quickly cut down before anyone fell to these scums!

After dispatching the deadly group of harpies, the party comes upon a demonic statue, revealing this temple is in fact not dedicated to Lissala, but instead was built to revere the nascent qlippoth lord Yamasoth. Strapped to a tentacle on the statue is the first piece of a magic item known as an acrimony veil, a device of some power hidden here ten millennia ago. Careful examination reveals that the veil is incomplete, and that perhaps its other components can be found elsewhere in the temple.
In a sealed chamber nearby is a trapped statue that held an iron replica of the complete veil. Tenha easily spotted and disabled the trap to allow the party to safely take the veil piece and also grab the Giant Belt of Strength +2 on the statue for Lucilia to wear. In another room to the north, which appears to have been breached only recently, a shaft opens-one which descends deeper into the temple structure...

In the undertemple, the pathfinders encountered more disturbing and gruesome displays of petrified corpses of sacrificial victims displayed like statues. Moving forward, the party eventually finds a secret door leading to a haunted room where angry spirits managed to cursed the brave Tenha who went in first, bombarding his mind with hate that he could hardly focus on what he was doing. Seren went in next, confident that she could resist the wrath of the spirits and she was fortunately right. Crossing a pit, Tenha and Seren then came across a statue carved from dark stone depicting a frightening demonic creature tearing a human apart in a small opening, it had another piece of the veil. After a through examination for no traps, Tehna & Seren both grabbed the veil at the same time expecting the worst to happen... turns out they get teleported back to the secret entrance without any harm and with the piece in hand.

At this point, Eric prayed to Sarenrae for a Remove Curse spell and managed to remove Tenha’s curse (with a Hero Point reroll).

Eric: “In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power: Green Lantern's light!”
Eric casts Remove Curse upon Tenha but fails miserably. Party faceplams.
Erd: “Wrong incantation! You DIMWIT!”
Eric then uses a Hero Point reroll.
Eric: “In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power: Sarenrae’s Light!”
With the proper incantation, Tehna’s curse gets removed as light shines brightly upon the party momentarily.
Seren: (singing) “I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh! I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh! I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh! And don't it feel good? HEY! Alright now! And don't it feel good? HEY! Alright now! All right now yeah! HEY!

Continuing upon the unexplored side of the undertemple, the pathfinders find yet another secret chamber where they found 4 wrath sinspawn barbarians torturing two surviving captives, Pel Morigo and Saala Bry. Immediately, the whole party engaged the evil creatures and easily prevailed with overwhelming force despite the sinspawn’s brutal aggression. With the 2 captives rescued, the party then found the corpse of Riemme Batelle (poor chap was tortured to death) and recovered his body.

Only 1 final room in the temple to explore, The Shrine of Mortification. As soon as the door to the room was open, an Unholy Blight spell was unleashed upon the party and everyone was badly wounded! A male ghast cleric of Yamasoth, Tholrist, had heard the party approaching and prepared himself to bring doom upon the intruders. The room also had 5 other ghasts that were hungry for fresh flesh and rushed upon the party. Fortunately, Eric only needed to channel positive energy to heal and get the party back in shape before the heroes re-engaged the evil undeads. Lucilia and Tehna easily cut down the ghast minions before turning their attention to Tholrist as the rest summoned various monsters and animals as additional reinforcements. With Tholrist soon all by himself, he fought with the ferocity of a cornered animal, nearly downing Lucilia who was all up in his face. With 2 critical smite evil power attacks from the mighty Paladin, the evil cleric could not withstand taking such huge damage and was slain before Lucilia could swing for even more attacks!

Add Tholrist to Lucilia's critical kill score!

The final piece of the veil was recovered from the corpse of Tholrist before the pathfinders retrieved the body of the dead Ranger, Riemme, and left the temple with the survivors Pel and Saala. Halla greets the party with great relief when they returned to the seaside excavation camp and thanked them very much for rescuing her comrades. In return, she managed to assemble the pieces of the veil together to form an Acrimony veil, a rare ancient powerful magic device.

With their mission complete, the pathfinders returned to Magnimar and were congratulated for a job well done. Riemme was given a proper burial and Magnimar's venture-captain is certain to recruit a new archaeological team now that the temple have cleared out the obvious threats.

Epilogue
As the party rested and slept over at Heidmarch manor before planning to return back to Guildor the next day, each of them had a pleaseant dream where they were thanked by the spirit of Riemme and a representitive of their patron deity. Seren in particular was also visited by the most beautiful songbird that she ever saw and was treated to a wonderful melody for successfully rescuing 2 lovers.

Pathfinder Quest: In Wrath’s Shadow Completed!

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 23 (Continued):
Year 3 January (Year 4712)

New Blood
After a successful mission that took a good portion of the month of January, the Pathfinders of the Inner Council were busy making allies and keeping updated in Absalom for a week.

While in Absalom, the party were once again told to meet their trusted source (Susan) for an important annoucement and were introduced to a tall brutish yet charismatic male half-orc by the name of Grolem. He hailed from the Gruul clans and has been assigned to aid the kingdom of Guildor. A mighty bloodrager with the destined bloodline that is fated for greatness would make a suitable leader for a future role in the Inner Council.

But trouble was brewing back in Guildor... and much of the Inner Council were away and unaware that they would return to an unpleasant surprise...

Event:
Big Trouble in Little Guildor
“All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

The party was immediately greeted by an anxious messenger upon arrival back in Guildor at the Guild Hall and received information that a fat man with a booming voice named Grigori was stirring up the people of Guildor into open rebellion!

Not prepared to face the angry mob gathered outside the castle gates, Aley teleported himself and Seren straight into the safety of the keep via Dimension Door while Erd attempts to face Grigori and calm down the furious citizens. Grolem who was new to Guildor, simply observed on who this fatman was and why he wanted to stir the people into rebellion against the kingdom. Shapeshifting into an eagle, Erd flew around the crowd to hear what was up until he heard enough of the extremely exggarated incompetency of the Inner Council that the rabble-rouser claimed to be true. With poise, Erd quickly landed next to the fatman and shapeshifted back into his original form which shocked everyone who were unfamiliar that Erd was a Druid. However, the conniving fatman took this opportunity to further damage the reputation of the Inner Council...

You know it's bad when you see the angry mob carrying pitchforks and torches!

Grigori: “SEE! YOU PEOPLE ARE BEING RULED BY MONSTERS! THE INNER COUNCIL OF GUILDOR MAY VERY WELL BE IN LEAGUE WITH THE MONSTERS THAT ATTACKED YOUR LOVED ONES WHICH THEY FAILED TO PROTECT! LOOK AT THEM ALLYING THEMSELVES WITH FEY, FOREST MONSTERS AND WEREWOLVES! ISN’T IT SUSPICIOUS THAT THESE CREATURES GET TO ROAM AROUND FREELY?”
Erd: “Settle down my citizens, I am here to solve what is going on, I...” (fails a diplomacy check and gets cut off by Grigori’s booming voice)
Grigori: “DO NOT LISTEN TO HIM! HE IS MISLEADING YOU INTO THINKING THAT YOUR RULERS ARE RIGHT! RISE UP AGAINST THEM! THEY ARE TRYING TO SILENCE YOUR VOICE SO THAT YOU MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THEM!”
Erd: “Hey, since when have I ever done something wrong against the community that I love? Come now people, allow me to show you what I’ve done to better your lives.”
Grigori: “KEEP AWAY FROM HIM! HE ONLY PRETENDS TO CARE ABOUT YOU PEOPLE ONLY WHEN TROUBLE ARISES! WHERE WERE THEY THESE PAST 3 WEEKS WHEN YOU PEOPLE WERE ATTACKED AT THE INN? ON HOLIDAY ELSEWHERE!”
The angry citizens cheer Grigori on as they booed Erd.
Erd: “Lives need to be re...” (gets pelted by rotten cabbages from the angry mob before he can finish his sentence)
Grigori: “AND FURTHER MORE, YOUR RULERS ARE PATHFINDERS! TOMB ROBBERS AND DESECRATORS! THEY INTEND TO ROB YOU AND YOUR ANCESTORS BLIND OF WHATEVER YOU HAVE! YOU CANNOT LET THIS COME TO PASS!”
The crowd then gasps in shock from the revelation.
Erd: “I’ll speak again when you people have cal...” (fails a diplomacy check yet again and gets cut off by Grigori’s booming voice once again)
Grigori: “YOUR RULERS CANNOT FACE THE RISE OF THE PEOPLE’S POWER! DEMAND THEY GIVE POWER TO THE PEOPLE! DOWN WITH THE TYRANNY THEY ARE TRYING TO SUBTLY IMPOSE ON YOU!
The crowd then starts tossing all sorts of rotten stuff at Erd who walks back to the castle in deep dissapointment as guards in riot gear protect the Druid from the projectiles with their shields...
Grigori: “NOW LOOK AT ONE OF YOUR RULERS! HE IS RUNNING AWAY TO HIDE FROM YOUR RIGHTOUS FURY! DOWN WITH THEM!”
Grigori carries on rabblerousing as the crowd cheers louder for him...

Just some of the many signs the angry citizens were carrying...

Eventually after another hour, he concludes his incitation and is then welcomed by the crowd to stay in one of their houses as Grolem spied on his whereabouts. Meanwhile, the Inner Council were keeping up tabs on how to deal with this troublemaker.

Trying to reach an agreement between people can be hard due to differences in opinion...

Kesten Garess: “That cunning bastard struck the moment you all disappear and had managed to incite almost the whole townsfolk of commoners into rebelling against us! I tell you, back in my country of Brevoy, such commoners have no right to do such a thing, the army would simply quell them! Then, that criminal scum stirring up all this would be hanging in the gallows the next day! Call up the army! We have to quell this rebellion before our Kingdom goes up in flames and arrest that blabbering miscreant!”
Akiros Ismort: “I tired to keep this man in check but every time I try to intervene, the people of Guildor would side with him as he blasts the fact that I should not be trusted as a former bandit and then I get shoved off by the very own people that I am suppose to protect! Forgive me but I cannot afford another fall, this must be another test for me to endure and I’m sorry that I am at a lost of what to do...”
Yooleg Leveton: “Bah! That man is causing the economy of Guildor to slowly crumble, many labourers have stopped work to hear what that home wrecker has to say! I strongly suggest arresting him for disrupting the community!”
Baroness Seren Laeran: “Kesten, I cannot unncessarily bring harm upon my people of Guildor even though they seem to have been agited by a most unscrupulous man! However, you and Yooleg are right on one thing, the rabble-rouser needs to be dealt with! I’ll have him arrested if he continues tomorrow!”
Councilor Erd: “Might I also suggest we find out more about this troublemaker? It pains me to see my people turn against me but there must be a motive for why that fatman is doing this!”
At this point, Grolem enters the scene.
Grolem: “Pardon me, but I would sure love to dig out any information on that bastard! Once you arrest him, allow me to come to understand what we’re facing here. I promise not to kill or hurt him...”
Magister Aley: “From what I see, he seems to possibly be using magic to accomplish his vile deed. I say using magic against him is only fair play.”
Baroness Seren Laeran: “Make preparations for tomorrow then, we have a troublemaker to deal with!”

Next day, Grigori once again starts up rabble-rousing. The palace guards of Guildor barely managed to arrest him as the angry crowd gathered around protectively to prevent their ‘matyr’ from being touched, as the fatman cunningly held his arms up as if daring to be arrested. Putting up no resistance, it would have been easy to drag him into prison if the crowd hadn’t put up a fight. Fortunately, a few well placed Calm Emotions spell helped the situation as the guards managed to take the fatman away as he yelled more proclaimation against the rulers of Guildor.

Grigori (being dragged away in chains): “THEY WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR FREEDOM JUST LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW! STAND AGAINST THEM! NEVER LET YOUR RIGHTS BE COMPROMISED! TAKE ACTION YO...” (his voice gets softer as he is dragged further into the dungeons)
Guildor Citizens: “TYRANTS! YOU CANNOT ARREST HIM WITHOUT TRIAL! WE DEMAND A TRIAL!”
(After a quick discussion among the Inner Council)
Baroness Seren Laeran (addressing the angry crowd): “Clam down my people, he will get a fair trial. Please return to your normal lifehood and await for the day of the trial which will commence on the 1st day of next month.”

With this, the citizens grudgingly shuffled away and got on with their lives, impatiently awaiting for the day of the trial.

Unfortunately, while trying to get back into the good graces of the citizens, bad light once again finds Erd as reporters hounded him to find out if it was true that the Inner Council were Pathfinders and thus tomb robbers just like Grigori claimed. Erd tries his best to refute but the reporters easily picked up his poorly concealed lie and soon the rulers of Guildor were exposed as Pathfinders...

Imagine getting hounded by these guys... of course you'll have a hard time keeping your cool...

Erd: “This just keeps getting worse and worse, what sin have I done to beget this Erastil?”

Soon the trial will commence, can the Inner Council of Guildor deal with the rabblerouser that threatens to bring ruin upon whatever work they have done? Or can they find a way to counter and bring back order and justice?

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 24:
Year 3 Febuary (Year 4712)

Event:
Judgement Day
“To one who loves his country in all its parts, it is natural to rejoice in whatever contributes to the prosperity and honor and marks the stability and progress of any portion of its people.” - Jefferson Davis

And so the day of the judgement arrives. It was held in the temple of Erastil with many citizens gathered to witness the event.

Judges: Jhod Kavken (Cleric of Erastil), Kesten Garess (Minor Nobleman), Yoleg Leveton (Trading Post Owner) and 2 Village Town Elders

Plaintiff: Inner Council of Guildor

Defendant: Grigori

At the start of the trial, the Inner Council stated that everyone on trial should be subjected to the spell Zone of Truth so that none will be able to tell lies while in court but Grigori incited the crowd to fear magic and refute the use of ‘tyrannical’ magic to win the case! Judge Jhod then ruled that if the communtiy wills that no magic is to be used in court, then so be it!

First, Grigori claimed that Inner Council did not care about the people as he managed to get a poor family man who had lost several children to the Inn massacre to testify. Erd tried to reason but Grigori made Erd sounded like the latter was forcing the poor man to accept his fate, which caused the crowd to sympathise the poor man, and jeered the Inner Council!

The crowd roared in approval of Grigori’s claims as it looked worrying that the citizen and judges would be siding with the ‘voice of the people’. Jhod then slammed the hammer for order in the court as the plaintiff was up next.

Jhod Kavken: "ORDER IN THE COURT!"

Secondly, the Inner Council claimed that Grigori was trying to stir racial fear and troubles by claiming that non humanoid monsters are behind the attacks. The Inner Council made good points as to how the fey, friendly forest creatures and even a tribe of koblods and mites have actually kept the peace in Guildor. However, Grigori refuted by saying that there were attacks carried out by the same creatures that Guildor calls its ‘allies’.

Both sides made good vaild points while the crowd looked on, unsure who to side for.

Thirdly, Grigori then stated that the Inner Council being Pathfinders were despicable tomb robbers out to cheat and steal from the people of their heritage. The Inner Council then cited the fact that the Pathfinder Society have generally done more good than bad to communities around the world. Further convincing the crowd, the ever popular, Adril Hestram, took stage and gave many examples of how Pathfinders take on dangerous creatures and/or monsters that could threaten the lives of any ordinary citizen and putting an end to that danger, as the crowd chanted his name.

Grigori looked on with a pout when he couldn’t prove Pathfinders were always the dastardly tomb robbers that he claimed.

Fourth, the Inner Council stated once again that Pathfinders have actually brought prosperity to the Kingdom by pointing out that Pathfinders have brought fame and prestige to Guildor with their discoveries and that Adril Hestram had done much to help the people of Guildor. The crowd realised then that Grigori was trying to put their popular idol, Adril Hestram in a bad light. People in the crowd started yelling at Grigori as to why he was critisizing Adril, before Judge Jhod had to once again slam the hammer for order in the court.

It seemed that the crowd began to believe in the Inner Council once again, while Grigori started sweating, fearing very much of losing the support of the people he had incited. (Meanwhile, Adril seemed to be enjoying the positive attention he was getting, as former Inner Council member, Midnight, made a profitable business of selling roasted corn!)

Finally, Grigori tried a last ditch effort to make a claim that the Inner Council have done nothing good for the kingdom in times of trouble, but the Inner Council refuted by stating that they have always been at the forefront whenever crisis happens. Although it is impossible to prevent calamity, they were always there to ensure the safety of their people. An example was the Werewolf Attack case, in which the Inner Council rushed out to personally put an end to the attacks once and for all (and even saved a travelling merchant in the process).

In the end, it was quite clear that the citizens of Guildor had heard enough of Grigori’s slander, as the defendant looked deathly pale.

It came to no surprise that the judges were all in agreement that Grigori was guilty. The defendant looked on in horror when judgement was pronounced. Grigori grovelled to his knees and begged for mercy! It was now up to Baroness Seren to decide what to do with the cowering fat bastard...

JUSTICE IS SERVED!

Held: Grigori, guilty of rabble-rousing

Verdict: Baroness Serenade Laeran Avelyn of Guildor sentences Grigori to exile from Guildor. Failure to comply within the next hour will result in death penalty. Should Grigori ever return to Guildor, this penalty shall be carried out. All belongings of Grigori confiscated except for necessities (clothing and food).

With this dire situation finally dealt with, Guildor is restored to a state of (momentary) peace as the citizens cheered and praised the Baroness’ kindness and act of mercy to spare the guilty man while the bloodthirsty members of the Inner Council felt a little dissapointed that they could not enact bloody vengence upon a vile man that had wronged them in so many ways.

Eric: “Well I’m glad we’ve settled that! Too bad we can’t have that man executed, what he did isn’t forgivable since he did it out of his own free will and refused to stop!”
Lucilla: “I would have been more than happy to take his head! That bastard abusing the law and our citizens so that a Paladin will have a hard time trying to bring him to justice!”
Grolem: “While I had fun with him, I was waiting to be appointed as the executioner... guess I’ll just have to wait until he comes back then! I’ll reserve a special trophy slot by the fireplace just for him!”
Kesten Garess: “Oh I’ll be ready if he dares step one foot back in our lands, he’ll regret the day he messed with us!”
Erd: “Let this be a sign, no one messes with Guildor and gets away with it.”

Crisis resloved! Case closed (or is it?).

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 24 (Continued):
Year 3 Febuary (Year 4712)

Upkeep phase:
- Kingdom remains stable.

Edict phase:
- Built a Garrison (to ensure better security and stablity in the Kingdom)

Income phase:
- Excellent Income

Event:
Attack of the Saucermen!: Abduction of Baroness Seren
“There are some places in the universe you don't go alone.” – Aliens (1986)

Their next stop is Golarion...

Somewhere out in the universe, many pairs of eyes oogled upon the beautiful humanoid specimen that was Baroness Serenade Laeran Avelyn. Strange creatures called Gray, these highly advanced oddlyworld beings had plans to abduct Seren in the dead of the night while she slept...

It was like any other ordinary night, Seren exprienced a most pleasant dream of a reunion with her dead paramour kitsune’s spirit.

Baroness Seren: “Honey, is that you? Impossible! You’re dead!”
Kitsune Paramour: “My love, it’s alright, even death can’t keep us apart. Come to my arms, I’ve missed you!”
Baroness Seren: “Oh I’ve missed you too!”
The two lovers run to each other and they warmly hugged each other.
Baroness Seren: “I’m so sorry I could not save you from that awful creature that forced you to take your own life! How can you forgive me?”
Kitsune Paramour: “There was nothing you could do, it’s not your fault that I died. Come now, let’s move on.”
Baroness Seren: “But that horrible monster is still out there! I can’t rest until I have put it down!”
Kitsune Paramour: (hugging Seren tightly) “Calm down, forget about that tragic incident and let’s talk about something else.”
The two love birds start caressing each other as they talked about the good times they had with each other.
(After what seemed like ages, the kitsune felt something stir...)
Kitsune Paramour: “Seren dear, do you feel that? OH NO! My dear, RUN! Don’t let them take you!”
Baroness Seren: “What?! What’s going on?”
The kitsune paramour’s spirit started floating away at a rapidly.
Kitsune Paramour: “RUN SEREN Runn...!”(His voice starts getting softer as he floats further and further away)
Baroness Seren: “Who are they? What’s happening?”

Seren suddenly ‘awoke’ to see a most foul beast resembling a gigantic humanoid bear with the talons of an eagle and curling ram horns sprouting from its head standing right next to her bed as she looked on in terror. With her bardic knowledge, she immediately identified that it was a Greater Ceustodaemon, a poweful extraplanar evil outsider. Seren tried to scream and run, but found that her body could not move at all. To make matters worse, the daemon looked eloborately grotesque with strange camo marks that seemed to make it even more of a terror to behold as it grabbed the helpless damsel!

Greater Ceustodaemon

Baroness Seren: (thinking to herself) “Have I fallen to its Hold Monster spell? Why can’t I move? Somebody please SAVE ME!”

The daemon raised her up to its eye level and Seren could see the malevolent intend in its eyes as it smiled, what unspeakable horror did it had in store for the poor Baroness?

Greater Ceustodaemon: (singing in Aklo to the tune of “A Whole New World”)
“I can show you the world
Burning, suffering, anguish
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your love ones die?

I can devour your soul
Eat you little by little
Over, sideways and under
On a big torturous rack

A whole new world
OF DESPAIR, PAIN AND SUFFERING!
No one can save you now or help you here
Or say you're only dreaming!”

At this point, Seren managed to let loose a high pitched scream, hoping that this would wake the other Council members up and alert the guards to save her. Annoyed by her scream, the daemon grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground and threatened to slowly choke her if she did that again.

Not a fun way to hang about...

Seren desperately looked around the room in hopes that she could grab on to something to distance herself from the daemon, what she saw to her surprise was two strange looking grey skinned humanoids with completely black pupils in latex suits carrying strange devices pointed directly at her and the daemon.

Greater Ceustodaemon: (speaking in Aklo) “SCREAM IN MY FACE AGAIN GIRL, AND I PROMISE WILL RAM...”
Suddenly the bedroom doors swing open to reveal a silly yet heroic looking spiky golden haired grey skinned humanoid in futuristic power armour holding a shining flaming sword!
Golden haired gray: (speaking in Aklo) “NO FEAR MY DEAR! YOUR HERO IS HERE! UNHAND HER YOU UGLY SWINE UNLESS YOU WANT A TASTE OF MY BLADE!”

Gray Aliens

Elsewhere along the castle corridors, more of these grays had stationed themselves right outside each of Council member’s room. Silently, they primed their tranquilizer guns as they all slowly opened the doors and readied their shots. As expected, each Council member awoke to the sound of Seren’s screams. However, the aliens did not expect that they all would be resistant to the intoxication dart as they panicked and signalled for plan B while desperately trying to operate their random weapon generator.

Attack of the Saucermen!

Back in Seren’s room, the Golden haired gray performed many flashy displays of swordsmanship before it finally ‘activated’ the shining flaming sword.

Golden haired gray: (speaking in Aklo) “BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL! I HAVE THE POWER!”

A burst of radiant light shined upon the Greater Ceustodaemon and it acted like it was blinded. The daemon realeased its captive as it used its hands to shield its eyes. Seren fell into the awaiting arms of the Golden haired gray.

Golden haired gray: (speaking in Aklo) “I’ve got you now my love! You are in good hands!”
The Golden haired gray then pointed the shining flaming sword at the Greater Ceustodaemon.
Golden haired gray: (speaking in Aklo) “HEAR MY WORDS DAEMON! OBEY MY COMMANDS! LEAVE US AND TURN UPON YOUR OWN EVIL MINIONS!”
Greater Ceustodaemon: (speaking in Aklo) “I HEAR AND OBEY!”
The Greater Ceustodaemon runs out of the room.
Golden haired gray: (speaking in Aklo) “I will need to take you to safety! The danger is not over yet! Quickly now, back to the mothership!”

Furious that her sleep was interrupted and that there were intruders within the castle, Lucilia summoned Thunderquill to her side as she grabbed her +2 Cold Iron Fey Bane Scimitar, this intrusion would not stand! Storming out of her room, Lucilia came face to face with the Greater Ceustodaemon down the corridor as the grays fled screaming like little girls.

Lucilia: “No one disturbs my sleep! NO ONE! AND THE PENALTY FOR TRESSPASSING UPON CASTLE GROUNDS IS DEATH!”
Greater Ceustodaemon: “Puny one! You cannot match me! Death awaits by my hand!”
Lucilia: “FOUL DAEMON! YOU WILL REGRET DISTURBING MY SLEEP! ARROGANT BASTARD! I SMITE THEE!”

WARNING! DO NOT EVER DISTURB PAULA'S CHARACTERS WHILE THEY SLEEP!

Calling upon Ragathiel to aid her in slaying this evil outsider, Lucilia did a Smite Evil upon it... to her shock, it didn’t seem to work as the Greater Ceustodaemon laughed and claimed that she could not hope to win against a Mythically Powered Creature! Undetered, Lucilia rode upon Thunderquill and charged straight into the crackling daemon. With a mighty critical blow, the daemon roared in shock and pain as Lucilia burned with righteous fervor, she was going to make the daemon suffer even if she had to give her life to deliever justice and vengence.

In Eric’s room, the dwarfen cleric summoned a Large Bull to take out a creepy tentacled robotic construct coming after him. Like a bull let loose in a china shop, the construct was quickly destroyed despite the fact that it wasn’t made in China! Eric then got the bull to chase after the grays as he realised the thing that got destroyed was made out of rare materials that could fetch a high price if sold!

Eric: “Hmmm... such materials would greatly help Guildor! But first, time to fuck those that disturbed my sleep!”

The battle between Lucilia and the Greater Ceustodaemon raged on as Seren was carried out of the castle by the Golden haired gray. Determined to send the daemon back to wherever it came from, Lucilia aimed to strike another devastating blow with her scimitar when the daemon suddenly managed to parry the attack that would have killed it outright!

Greater Ceustodaemon: “I’m unstoppable! YOU are the arrogant fool to challenge me!”
Lucilia: “SHUT THE FUCK UP AND JUST DIE ALREADY!”

How it looks like when Lucilia scores critical hits!

Seething with divine hatred, Lucilia refused to let the daemon mock her with his ‘mythic powers’ as she relentlessly attacked. After trying to parry so many of her attacks, the daemon simply could not keep up and was struck down by a critical blow! To the surprise of all the Inner Council members, the Greater Ceustodaemon’s body did not dissapear like when summoned evil outsiders ‘die’... the grays must have binded the daemon into service!

Wasting no time, the Council members summoned for extra reinforcements to rescue Seren while Aley flung devasting evocation spells upon the fleeing aliens. Unfortunately, it was all to no avail. The party’s summoned creatures were shot down by the flying saucer or the grays and the evocation spells could not penetrate the protective force field each gray had!

UFO (Unidentified Flying Object)

It was too late, Seren was taken into the flying saucer as it rapidly departed into the sky and disappeared.

News of Baroness Seren’s abduction quickly spread and the citizens of Guildor panicked over the fact that their beloved “princess” had been taken away while the Inner Council scrambled to find a suitable replacement.

Councilor Erd: (Thinking to himself) “Damn, there goes the ‘puppet’ ruler... I don’t think anyone else could fulfill that role better than Seren did... Now... how do we get her back?... Sigh. Oh well, sadly, I guess we all have to move on...”
With heavy thoughts on his mind, Erd continued carving out a plaque to commemorate Seren’s rulership of Guildor.

In memory of
Baroness Serenade Laeran Avelyn
March Year 4710 - Febuary Year 4712
May we never forget her kind and fair soul and the wonderful songs that brought joy and peace to Guildor.

Can the kingdom of Guildor survive the ruler vacancy crisis?

[MIB]

Epilogue

Lost in Deep Thoughts

Seren awoke to a strange new place. The sky was purple and the land was filled with whole trees, beautifully shaped glass sculptures, diamond rock formations and fields of flowers that were glittering in the scintillating lights of the sky.

Seren: “Where am I? What is this place? Why does my head feel like its spinning?”

Purple sky? You sure you are not high?

Remaining calm, she looked around, up ahead was a notable structure atop a menhir with twin towers on its left and right. Seren used her Bardic Knowledge and Lore Master to take 20 on her knowledge check and figured out what was it. After a minute of pondering, she realised that she was looking at the Temple of Desna’s First Dream! Seren was in the Dimension of Dreams, the ever-shifting plane of dreaming mortal minds!

Seren: “Amazing! What a splendid sight! Am I really seeing the real thing?”

However, Seren soon remembered that she was the Baroness of Guildor, she had an important duty to fulfil being the ruler despite the fact that she was reluctant to do it!

Seren: “Oh! I would love to explore this place but I need to get back.”

To her horror, she realised that her soul was trapped within the Dreamscape Realm!

Seren: “OH NO! SOMEONE! ANYONE! HELP! I NEED TO GET BACK PLEASE!”

Seren’s voice echoes throughout the valley but no response came back. She was all alone in this realm, cursed to wander for all eternity until someone could save her soul.

Seren: “Why? Why does awful things keep happening to me?”

Seren's life just got a whole lot miserable

The poor damsel began sobbing and eventually broke down crying. Such a cruel fate for a kind and gentle soul.....

Would Seren be saved one day? Perhaps this was a test set up by the gods? Or is this a never ending nightmare that Seren is trapped in?

(Note: The following section of the Epilogue is another part that explains what happened to Seren)

Gray Matter
There she was, the beautiful humanoid specimen that was Baroness Serenade Laeran Avelyn, her scantily clad body was strapped and restrainted upon the operating table.

Thankfully Seren isn't conscious to experience this!

Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Now that her soul has been sent to the Dimension of Dreams for safe keeping, I want her brain carefully extracted and stored. I do not want to remind you all that if she dies, you would have dissapointed our kind... and I’ll also have you all skinned alive! Is that clear?”
Surgeon grays: (speaking in Aklo) “Yes sir! We will not fail you! Subject Seren’s brain will not die!”
Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Carry out Operation Seren Brain Preservation now!”

Within an hour, the strange bloodless operation was a success and Seren’s brain was kept well and alive, safe inside a container with green perservation fluids (complete with a neatly labelled name tag). The marvellous superior technology enabled the surgeon grays to patch up Seren’s body without a single scar.

BRAINNNNSSSS!

Surgeon grays: (speaking in Aklo) “Operation complete sir! It is a success!”
Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Excellent! Now Anna can inhabit the body without killing Seren.”

A leashed intellect devourer then entered the room as the grays made way for it.

Intellect Devourer

Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Remember Anna, you are still my slave when you inhabit this beautiful body that I have decided to reward you with! Disobey me and I’ll have you expelled out of the airlock! You know I can easily replace you with the original Seren herself!”
Intellect Devourer, Anna: (speaking in Aklo) “Thank you for such a voluptuous body master! I promise to obey whatever your commands are!”
Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Good! Carry on.”

The intellect devourer was then unleashed as it used the Body Thief special ability. It reduced its size to tiny and crawled into the mouth of a lifeless Seren, slowly making it’s way to occupy the empty brain area. It found the aspect of not killing a helpless creature rather boring but it nonethless could not complain since this was a dream body to inhabit. In a minute, Anna usurps control of the body and started to use it as its own.

Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Come along with me now Anna, it is time to put that body to good use.”

After exiting the operation room and taking a long walk down a seemingly endless corridor, Anna was brought to a door with the number ‘50’. Taken inside, it was a huge room with countless restraining devices complete with various instruments of pleasure and pain.

Zarta Draleen would approve!

Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “Today you shall be spending most of your time in this room. Come now, put your hands and legs into the restraining stocks so that I can strap you onto this machine.”
Without hesitation, Anna immediately placed herself upon the machine to be hooked up.
Intellect Devourer, Anna: (speaking in Aklo) “Master, may I humbly ask what are your plans?”
Swiftly, Leader gray tightly secures Anna’s bindings as she is soon bound in a spread eagle position... helpless and at his mercy.

Just some of the many... interesting restraining devices

Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “You will soon be famous my dear! You are to be the lead actress of 50 Shades of Gray!”
The Leader gray flicked the ON button and the machine buzzed to life as a camera crew had just finished setting up their filming equipment.
Leader gray: (speaking in Aklo) “I have spent all my adult life trying to avoid any extreme emotion. Yet you... you bring out feelings in me that are completely alien.”

[MIB]

Kingdom Turn 25
Year 3 March (Year 4712)

Upkeep phase:
- Lost the Ruler, Seren, and the Spymaster, Tenha!
- Kingdom remains stable despite the huge leadership vacuum.
- The Royal Enforcer, Kesten Garess, does an impressive job of keeping the people calm despite recent events.

Edict phase:
- Reassigned necessary Leadership Positions
New Ruler: Lucillia Lynch (Paula's PC)
New Warden: Crow (Yan Ming’s PC)
New Spymaster: Perlishvash/ Sooth Scale (NPCs)
- Built a wall at the main district at west side
- Built up street lamps at the Inn (which provided better security for some reason...)

Income phase:
- Great economy despite the crisis! (Alien sighting/abduction apparently attracted quite a good amount of tourists!)

Event:
- A man named Loy Rezbin and his wife, Latricia, offered to settle down and help establish a village at a nearby hex which would in turn report back to Guildor. Sensing their good intentions, the Inner Council agreed to their plans. The name of said district became Tatzlford.


Kingdom Turn 26
Year 3 April (Year 4712)

Upkeep phase:
- Turns out that Crow being the new Warden and Lucilia being the new replacement ruler was a heavily supported decision as the people cheered and welcomed them into the month of April! (Natural 20 for stability and loyalty check!)
- Lucilia declared to the Inner Council that she was only becoming the new Ruler to ensure Guildor continues to run smoothly, she had intention to step down should Seren return one day or when a suitable replacement for a ruler comes along. Reluctantly, Lucilia wore the crown of the Baroness as she comtemplated the long days ahead of her... with great power, comes great responsibilty...

During the induction ceremony...
Erd: “Please welcome your new Warden, Crow!”
Crow: “Now you all behave nicely and I’ll be glad to give regular beer bashes when a Tavern is ready!”
Citizens: “YEAH! CROW! CROW! CROW!”
Erd: “And finally, all hail the new Baroness, Lucilia Lynch of Guildor!”
Lucilia: “My righteous good citizens of Guildor, let nothing bring down our kingdom! The new glorious age of Guildor begins today!”
Citizens: “LUCILIA! LUCILIA! LUCILIA!”

No nonsense, badass ruler taking charge

Edict phase:
- Claimed 2 new hexes to expand out to Tatzlford and connect up to it.
- Built roads on the 2 new hexes.
- Built a sawmill at Tatzlford.
- Built a hospital in the main city.

Income phase:
- Average Income.

Event:
- It seemed that there were rumors of a bunch of trolls were sighted near the southen borders of the kingdom. The people of Guildor began to worry for their safety but Lucilia easily convinced the citizens that there was nothing to fear while she was in charge. The Inner Council then set in motion a plan to deal with it next month as part of their exploration.
- An earthquake strikes a sparsely populated hex area! Thankfully, Guildor managed to respond swiftly to aid and rescue those affected. Experienced in handling disasters like this, Eric personally went to the site himself to conduct relief and rescue operations, thus damage was kept minimal.