Age of Worms Campaign Update 3/20/2008

CHRONICLE VAULT 20080320, FROM THE LIBRARY OF RHAVUS THE FIEND-SAGE ...

Readying 28, 595 CY
After resting from their first foray into the ruins of Kuluth-Mar, the heroes set out again to explore it depths and find out all the information they could on Kyuss and his rise to power. Kaspar Nailo, the elf monk, decided to stay back at the Sunshadow and take time to investigate the powers of the Rod of Seven Parts (with the help of Captain Shadowstalker).

As the remaining four party members prepared to depart, a commotion came from the bow of the airship. A pair of shadow elf crewmen pulled out of hiding a stowaway, which turned out to be none other than Drake the Slayer! Drake explained that after he was rescued from the doppelganger lair in Greyhawk he traveled to the hall of Grunther Moradinson in a quest to find Captain Shadowstalker. Using a supply of potions of invisibility he stowed aboard the Sunshadow in hopes of talking with the elusive captain. Alas, he found himself sealed in a large crate when the ship took off several days ago. He only now managed to get someone's attention.

Drake was a bit bewildered as to where they were, but looking at the stern stares of the shadow elf crew he volunteered to help the heroes in whatever way possible, especially if it meant finding a way to where he needed to go. He was vague on the details, but the party decided they could use the help.

The jungle was uncharacteristically unquiet as Kong, Drake, Duke, Argo, and Klaus approached the ruins of Kuluth-Mar and the Ziggurat of Kyuss. They climbed over the 30 foot high obsidian ring and crossed the worm-laden ground carefully and quickly. A deep sense of foreboding came over them as they stepped up the stairs into the very site of a god's ascension.

The ziggurat was built simply, with four chambers around a large central hall. The stairs the heroes went up led into one of the four chambers, which depicted Kyuss as a mortal holding sway over a populace of ancient Flan people. In the murals painted along the walls they discerned that Kyuss was a powerful priest, perhaps of an older version of Nerull, but that the people of Kuluth-Mar worshipped him and not a deity. The companions stepped carefully into the large central hall.

Four massive pillars stood defiant against the ages in this hall, and in the dead center of the large chamber was a fissure in the ground. Their dwarven senses keen, Duke and Klaus could tell that the rent in the floor was a natural one. As the five companions stepped into the hall to investigate further commotion erupted from the doors on teh north and south. Within moments the heroes were not alone in the Ziggurat of Kyuss.

From the south door came a trio of armored skeletal figures, girded in steel and silver plate mail that carried a sickening green sheen and carrying finely crafted greatswords in the bony hands. Leading them was a hunched skeleton dressed in similar armor and empty claws, though it moved with a sense of purpose. Green worms writhed in what could be seen of the skeletons' bodies.

From the north door came a strange sight, and it gave the heroes a moment of hope. There were three celestials, a ghaele eladrin and two sword archons, who came flying out into the main chamber. But the brief glimmer of elation was replaced by the sickening sense of dread as it become clear that these were not servants of the celestial host. Even from their distance the companions could see the tell-tale signs of worms crawling just below the celestial's flesh and coupled with the gleam of insanity in their eyes they knew that they were not here to help.

Weapons were drawn and the heroes took up defensive positions. The skeletal warriors of Kyuss were relentless foes but moved slowly, a fact that Kong and Drake took full advantage of. Klaus was paralyzed by the lead skeleton's black magic, but Duke squared off in a titanic struggle of magic against magic. Argo kept the corrupted celestials busy, aided by the flashing blades of Kong and Drake.

It was a fierce struggle. Their opponents were dedicated to the memory of Kyuss and fought with a tenacity that left the heroes drained. But after much blood and combat their foes were finally defeated. Wounded, the companions did little other than strip their opponents of any valuable gear and took their leave, moving quickly over the field of green worms that stood between the ziggurat and the wall of obsidian.

They retreated through the jungle and sought shelter at the Sunshadow, with the shadow elves providing rest and aid. The heroes knew that their journey into the heart of Kyuss' ancient realm had just begun.

Session Updates
Phew! Way late on this one. I'm working on the other ones as well, but it's not easy. Damn I should've posted these a hell of a lot earlier!

XP Recap
11th-level Characters 15,600
12th-level Characters 11,300

Uhh, that's all for now. Soon I shall have a house and the Age of Worms shall continue once more.

"Weird" Dave Olson
Dragonfyre Gaming Assocation
weird.dave.dfga@gmail.com