Shackled City: ECL 5, Osiris Eloah, Elf Wizard, and (Generalist): Journal Entry 9

With the extraordinary help from my comrades, I’ve managed to gain admittance to not only the Mage but also the Alchemist Guild. I must say that those, “quests” would have been a lot more difficult if I had gone at it alone, even a wizard of my competence. With that said, we now find ourselves underground in yet another life or death struggle. I remember the days, not so long ago, when a person life held more value. It seems that the stronger we become, the more reckless we become also. Well no matter, it’s not like anyone is going to turn back now. As a seeker of Arcane knowledge from the most dangerous of places, I for one relish a good challenge!

Shackled City: ECL 5 Korinth the Protector Silverbrow Human Cloistered Cleric 5: Entry 4

Journal Entry 5176

I write this now before I prepare for a strange new task.  In the morning I am to perform a ritual known as speak with dead.  I am to try and communicate with the deceased werebaboon we brought back from the Lucky Monkey.  I only hope we can find some information as to the whereabouts of the wands the church of St. Cuthbert needs to stop the floods from destroying the city.  Ginia, the new High Priestess of their church has had her people exhume the body of the former High Priest Sarkam, whom I had graciously buried on consecrated ground at the sight of his demise.  She wants his body brought back and placed in the tombs of their church.  She also wants to try and communicate with his corpse in the same manor as I will with the baboon in a few short hours. 
I wonder if she knows his head had been detached from his body, and his tongue was missing.  I hope she finds what she is looking for through her own ritual.

Shackled City: ECL 5 Shoemowetochawcawe (Shoat) Sheild Elf Swashbuckler 5: Entry 2

Shoemowetochawcawe finished tying up the two prisoners and walked back out to the cliff edge. Behind him he heard Osiris and Korinth dueling again in the way that wizards and clerics seemed to like best: seeing who could come up with the most obscure facts. This time they were trying to outdo each other on details of the civilizations that inhabited these tunnels centuries ago. The founders of Cauldren had apparently taken over this mountain from the dwarves, who had taken it over from some eel people, who must have taken it over from....

... and on and on. Shoat smiled. There was a time for talk, and there was a time for action!

He studied the layout of the winch, the ropes leading down into darkness, and the rickety old gondola cage, and he leaped quickly to action!

He carefully climbed the ramp leading to the gondola, making sure to keep both hands on the guard rails at all times. Then he sat quietly in the gondola seat, observing all safety regulations, and waited to be slowly and prudently lowered down to the next level.

Shackled City: ECL 5 Ethel Schmidt Goblin Rogue 1 Scout 3: Journal 2

So I just got to Cauldron, right?  Nothin much happenin so far.  I get the feeling this place don't see too many tourists, seein as all they got to brag about's the big lake in the middle.  Wow, a lake.  Real exciting, fellas.  Sure it's in a volcano, but let me know when the lava's scheduled to come around, alright?

Anyway, they got an arena at least.  I went to see a few bouts.  Mostly all there was to see was a bunch of toothless yahoos wrestlin with mountain lions.  Now don't take that the wrong way, I'll watch that any day of the week, but can we get a little mano-a-mano?  Maybe they don't got enough violent criminals.

Whatever, I'm gettin sidetracked.  Get this: they got an elf in there.  What a character!  I think he actually walked into the ring with a rose in his teeth.  Who does that anymore?  Musta been disappointed as I was when they threw another cat at him.

Of course I found my way ova to the fighters' exit when it was done to see if he's got any groupies.  Turns out he does but they're all of 'em men!  Go figure, huh?

Well, I had nothin betta to do so now I'm playin fag hag to this buncha queens.  Don't take me wrong, tho, it's a blast, these guys is always gettin into bar brawls and shit.  And I even got to go to a fancy ball as a plus one, can you believe it?

So anyway the lake festival or whatever is over now.  I was startin to think that was just how they were, all swimmin around and singin lake songs just to stave off thoughts a suicide.  Now we got a job lookin for the guy who's s'posed ta keep the lake from floodin.  I can tell me and this lake are gonna get to know each other real well.

Shackled City: ECL 5, Osiris Eloah, Elf Wizard, and (Generalist): Journal Entry 8

With the remarkable help of a few new comrades, A Cleric of Palor, A Spelltheif, and a Warlock, I know quite the unlikely group, but those that where overtaken by the Vampire were avenged! And not a day too soon, as some much needed rest and relaxation came in the form of the Flood Festival. Taking part in those games reminded me of the importance of stepping back, and enjoying the moment as life can be fleeting. My fallen comrades will be remembered and not forgotten for their brave sacrifices. As the festival draws to a close, I decided to become members of the local Mage College and the Alchemist Guild. Dealing with a tragedy at the college and returning some stolen Alchemist fire, sounds like fun. I wonder if my new companions would like to join me on my quests. Before I can contemplate on that too long, my skills are needed for yet another emergency. It appears a local cleric has come into some trouble at the Lucky Monkey, and is in dire need of some assistance. How fortunate this is where the caravan of Alchemist fire was last seen. After some last minute shopping the team is ready to head out. As we arrive at the Lucky Monkey and begin to explore it for any survivors, it becomes apparent that there is going to be trouble. We are immediately besieged and throw into a drunken drawl. We manage to make quick work of fools and search the floor. We discover the leader of the group to be some sort of abomination, a red assed werebaboon ;). Our finely honed skills a teamwork make quick work of him and we soon have secured. Unfortunately the Cleric was beheaded and mounted on a wall as what I can only determine as some sort of warning. As we clear out the rest of the establishment, I notice a small fire and smoke coming from the tree line. As we rush out to take a look I realize that its bodies that are on fire! A closer look tells me it’s the owner of the Lucky Monkey and his family. We manage to kill the creatures gorging themselves on their flesh and a search of the caravans revel the missing alchemist fire. With the alchemist fire now secure the party decides to finish clearing out the location. However; I feel we are being watched but by whom or what, I cannot say. No matter, I like to think I have become even more proficient at grinding my enemies, or those that stare in my directon to long, *cough* Shoat or Shoemowetochawcawe, into dust beneath my feet!

Shackled City: ECL 5 Shoemowetochawcawe (Shoat) Sheild Elf Swashbuckler 5: Entry 1

Hmmmm.....

He's big. DAMN big. And shockingly fast when he wanted to be....

Shoemowetochawcawe stared at the large half-whale half .... whatever... flopped out on the cart in front of him. 

 Jaw could probably bite me in half. Claws: not serated, but powerful enough to do damage. And I'm sure that tail could whip out and pound me from afar. 

 "Shoat" (as he was called at the arena and by those he didn't want to educate for half an hour on the intricacies of the elven tongue) wiped the sweat from his eye and hunched over in his saddle. The ride down the mountain from Cauldren was taking forever, and the autumn sun wasn't any less potent than her summer sister. And with another 4 hours of trail in front of him, the shield elf was trying to keep awake by studying his companions. 

Just so big!.... So.... So, turn its size into a disadvantage. Get it entangled. Trapped somehow. Squeezing. Squeezing would do it -- prevent it from turning around. Then it's denied half it's natural weapons; either the tail or the teeth. Arrows of course from afar, but up close -- the trick would be to neutralize... the bite... the bite is its biggest threat. Immobilize and attack from the rear.

 Shoat nodded and thought a little more. 

"Yeah."

Yeah, I could take him.

He smiled and nodded. Then his gaze wandered to  the wizard. 

Hmmmm.....

DM Entry: Guildmaster

The Guildmaster feat (as written) has the following prerequisites:

Favored (also known as Favored in Guild), Leadership, at least one guildmaster-associated feat (see  below); your followers and cohorts must also qualify to join the guild; and at least one of your guild-associated skills must be a class skill for you and must be at maximum rank.

Guild:  Associated Feats
Arcane:  Any item creation feat
Criminal:  Agile, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Nimble Fingers, Stealthy
Government: Negotiator, Persuasive, Skill Focus (any guild-associated skill)
Mercantile:  Deceitful, Diligent, Skill Focus (any guild-associated skill)
Mercenary:  Combat Expertise, Dodge, Endurance, Mounted Combat Naturalist  Alertness, Animal Affinity, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Natural Spell, Run, Self-Sufficient
Performer:  Acrobatic, Agile, Athletic, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Skill Focus (Perform or Profession)
Psionic:  Any psionic item creation feat
Religious:  Extra Turning, Improved Turning, Skill Focus (Knowledge [religion]), Weapon Focus (with deity’s favored weapon)
Scholastic:  Skill Focus (Knowledge [any])

But I want to also point out that the feat may be granted by the DM as a bonus feat. So I want to let you guys know that as long as you show exceptional devotion to a guild that its possible to get this feat without meeting the prerequisites.

(So for those characters who earn Guildmaster without having Leadership, you just don't get the additional benefits that a guildmaster gets with his cohorts and followers.)

Favored in Guild (also called Favored) may also be granted by the DM for exceptional devotion to a guild.




So...
...if you want to spend all the feat slots to get these two feats (Favored and Guildmaster, plus Leadership and a guild-related feat) you can...

...but you could instead just show exceptional devotion to the guild, use your feat slots for better things and hopefully be granted these two feats by the DM as bonus feats without having to throw away 4 feat slots to get there.

~cough cough~ ~hint hint~

Shackled City: ECL 5 Korinth the Protector Silverbrow Human Cloistered Cleric 5: Entry 3

Journal Entry 5169

For many nights now I have gone without sleep; left wondering at the fate of myself and the souls of those that ventured underground to fight evil.  Those of us that were successful were not the first to make the attempt.  After awhile I was told the story of those that had gone before us.  The elf known as Osiris and the crusader Qabbiqah were the only "known" survivors.  They were only too willing to tell us the tale; after we had gotten out alive. 
Why then after such catastrophic failure from those who went before, were we so able to vanquish?  As for myself I barely drew on the power of Pelor to help in the darkest hour.  I was saving the brilliance of the Shining One for what I thought would be a final showdown with the vampire.  But the other cleric that accompanied us did very well with his command of the divine gift and most of our success was due to combat, not faith. 
So why were the holy men so sought after for this mission?  Why was my aid so imperative?
Is it fate that has set us on this course?  I ponder and pray for answers to these questions as I await whatever job the church bids me do next.  The flood festival starts soon.  I don't know that I will participate in nor enjoy the festivities, but I will keep my eyes and mind open so that evil can not gain a foothold here in our fair city.

Shackled City: ECL 5 Ethel Schmidt Goblin Rogue 1 Scout 3: Journal 1

The morning was quiet at Cauldron's north gate.  It was quiet most mornings.  A couple of guardsmen stood by languidly.  One of them unscrewed a flask and started to drink.

His partner chose that moment to elbow him hard in the ribs, making him choke.  "Hup, look sharp Oss, someone's comin'."  As Oss recovered from his coughing fit, the other man, oblivious, added, "Looks weird."

"Damn it, Rig, I would've seen 'em sooner or later."  He squinted down the path, but couldn't make out much but a distant blur.  "What's so weird got's your nose out of joint anyway."

"Looks green," said Rig.  "And big ol' ears I think.  Or a hat."

"Well, he's comin' pretty slow, but in few minutes you can ask where he got it.  Now shut up and stand up straighter."  And they stood and waited, trying to look the part.

By the time Ethel got there, they were failing to look the part.  She could tell she was the subject of much hushed and furious speculation.  She smiled at the guardsmen in a way she hoped would be taken as friendly and tried to hurry through.  But here came the familiar cry, "Oi, hold it right there, you," and she rolled her eyes and turned to receive her punishment.

Oss cleared his throat.  "State your business!"  Rig stood slightly behind him, peering around at her, his eyebrows crawling further and further up his forehead.

She scratched her head, trying to decide on the line a couple of public servants were most likely to swallow.  For once, she decided to try the truth, or some of it, anyway.  "I'm an alchemist and a mage, sirs, come to ply my trade and join the Academy.  Buy an unguent?"  She fluttered her eyelashes innocently.

Rig raised a finger and started to open his mouth, nodding, but Oss spoke first.  "You ain't no mage.  Mages is old men with long beards and pointy hats.  That or elves.  You's about as far from either of those as I can think of."  Rig's nod morphed into a disapproving shake.

Ethel heaved a theatrical sigh.  "You've caught me out, gen'lmen.  I'm a whore from Sasserine, an' I heard the madames around here care for their girls better'n we're used to up there.  Buy an 'unguent'?"

They stared in shock.  Slowly, Rig started to raise a finger again, but Oss turned to him in horror and smacked his hand down.  Then he sharply returned his gaze to Ethel and demanded, "What the hell are you, anyway?"

She looked down at herself like she'd never considered this question before, then shrugged up at him.  "Half-orc?"

"Half-orc!" he said.  "You're barely three feet tall!"

She nodded.  "Right, about half an orc.  Any other questions?"

Oss shut his eyes and massaged his temples, waving her on.  "Whatever.  Go on, get out of my sight.  Don't cause any trouble."  He began to walk back to his post, and Ethel strode into the city.  Hesitantly, Rig called after her, "Good luck, miss!"

*              *              *

After she was gone, Oss fixed Rig with a hard stare.  "Are you fuckin' serious?"

Shackled City: ECL 5 Korinth the Protector Silverbrow Human Cloistered Cleric 5: Entry 2

Journal Entry 5174

A bit more celebration and festival activity than I'm used to.  I was told it was for a good cause and could benefit the poor and downtrodden so I participated a few of the events.  At the end of the flood festival we were given another mission.  We set off on another adventure to help those in need.  Sure its for someone associated with the church of St. Cuthbert, but I'm not going to deny a holy man the help he deserves. 

Shackled City: ECL 5 Ethel Schmidt Goblin Rogue 1 Scout 3: Bio

Not all that long ago, in the grand scheme of things, a fairly unusual child was born.  The father was a young goblin man, recently come of age and scouting for resources for his tribe.  The mother was a nymph.

If you could find that nymph, you could ask her how it happened, but she wouldn't tell you.  The goblin, on the other hand, would be all too happy to, if he hadn't mysteriously gone blind and died.

Soon after birth, the nymph brought the baby girl to the late father's tribe.  No words were exchanged.  After she was out of sight, the goblins exchanged dumbfounded glances, then broke into cheers.  What followed was a night of feasting and celebration in memory of the man who fell in the line of duty.  The daughter would be named Vrinnat, and the chieftain would raise her as his own.

Or so he thought.  As it turned out, she was a difficult child.  Teenage rebellion is not much known among goblins, partly because their life tends to suit them fine, and partly because they rarely live to be teenagers.  But the touch of the fey had made the girl contrary.  She demanded special treatment, like clothes and a bed.

Ultimately, she refused to be forced into an arranged marriage with the son of the chief of a neighboring tribe.  It's a story as old as time, one that's been told and retold, but usually with a happy ending.  Goblins haven't read any of those stories, though.  If she hadn't fled, she would have been slaughtered and eaten.  Everyone was getting really curious if half-nymphs tasted anything like elves, anyway.

The first living creature she met after leaving the tribe was an alchemist named Otto, a city-dwelling human, out in the woods on a day-trip doing whatever alchemists do in the woods.  He was terrified of her at first, but became fascinated after she chased him down, tied him to a tree with his own 50' hemp rope, and told him her story.  He took her in, and at her insistence, gave her a human name.

Vrinnat, now Ethel, found that even fairly meager accommodations for a human were paradise compared to the squalorous goblin village she had known.  Still, Otto struggled to support the two of them with his trade, and Ethel found she took to thievery very naturally.  He didn't much feel like asking where the money was coming from.

Of course, it caught up with her, as these things tend to, and she had to split town.  After a brief but tearful goodbye to the only real father she had ever known, she was on the road.

Shackled City: ECL 5 Korinth the Protector Silverbrow Human Cloistered Cleric 5: Bio

My name; my new name, is Korinth the Protector.  While the name doesn’t really make sense to me I have learned long ago not to question the high priest.  Korinth is not the name I was given at birth, but the name I was given when I decided to give my life to the church.  I have since learned what the name translates to in common, although I still haven’t figured out its meaning.  Korinth is draconic for “Rage”.

While I had mixed feelings about my destiny I never once showed anger at the loss I had suffered.  In fact I was so elated at the opportunity I was given to study at the temple I wore a smile non-stop for many months.

It was my understanding, according to what I was told by my parents, that I was born in a small village- whose name is neither well known or important to my story- that lay just outside a small but important city housed within a dead volcano.  I worked on my father’s farm until my mother and him walked to the end of their mortal road.  I was seven.  At that time there was much turmoil in the realm.  Darkness was spreading and the people were all afraid of an approaching evil. 

It was prophesied that a major catastrophe was heading our way and due to the evil involved, or powering it, many innocent lives would be lost.  A summons was sent to every corner of the land asking the good people to gather in an attempt to stop the tide of darkness.  With no parents to tell me what to do, no money, and no prospects I decided to go to the gathering.

The gathering was in an area of the country previously un-inhabited.  Rather than trying to deal with the logistics of such a large gathering in the city, the church set up in the wilderness.  Caravans ran to the area non stop for weeks.  People walked and rode animals on a pilgrimage for miles.  I walked.  By myself.  For over fifty miles. 

The gathering was beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  Thousand, tens of thousands, possibly even hundreds of thousands of people had shown up.  No one bothered counting, it was too massive.  Upon my arrival those in charge made it known that we would wait two more days for stragglers then start the ceremony.  I made friends with a few people and managed to talk my way into a couple meals.

Two days later the most powerful and venerated members of the leading church in the city called everyone to attention.  The plan was for all of us to call out in one voice to the powers of good, and plead for deliverance from the coming evil.  The priests and clerics would lead us in prayer.

Once the ceremony began, all commotion stopped and everyone was completely enchanted.  The priests began their prayer, which was more of a chant.  Then the people followed suit and we all said the chant together.  In a few moments we all became one voice.  I could feel the power gathering around us.  Our hope and faith was incredible to behold.  It didn’t take long before something happened.  A beam of light fell from the sky onto the platform where the clerics stood.  At once all praying ceased and we stood in awe as the figure of a great deity descended from above.

St. Cuthbert had answered our prayers and sent his avatar to deliver us from evil.  I saw him with my own eyes.  I heard him speak with my own ears.  And my heart was moved to the truth that was the divine.  It was at that moment that I decided to turn my life over to the church.  Whatever way I could, I was determined to let the church know my intentions to serve them for life.

We never met with whatever atrocity was supposed to befall the region.  St. Cuthbert saved us from evil at that hour.  I had stumbled across a unique opportunity, I made my desires known to a high ranking priest and was given an invitation to the seminary. 

I spent the next nineteen years in service to the temple.  Most of those years were spent in study and research in order to not only further my knowledge but also the general knowledge of the church.  There were occasions when I was tasked with leaving the temple in order to tend to some need in the surrounding villages.  I have a certain knack for healing, and am able to channel the power of the divine to this purpose quite well.  There were a few times I had to go stop the spread of disease or tend to the wounded.  I have even been amongst the soldiers of war, behaving as a combat medic.  This is where I earned the second part of my name.  I was given the name Korinth but my actions in times of need earned me the name The Protector.

After many years of study I came to the conclusion that my choice of deities must lie with Pelor.  I studied all the known deities and reviewed their philosophies, even wrote papers on them and presented my findings and thoughts to my superiors.  I made the decision to devote my life to Pelor once I realized the steadfastness of Pelor and his ideals.  No matter how cloudy it gets, or how long the night seems to last, the sun always rises again.  The sun will shine on forever and Pelor will grant his holy favor to me as long as I serve him.

After nineteen years studying at the temple, I asked for my leave to go out into the world and preach the holy word.  Because of my services to the temple I left with their blessing and journeyed home.  I decided not to return to the home I knew since my parents were gone and I had nothing left there.  I decided I could do more good in the world if I live where there is a greater population.  I went to Cauldron, the city closest to where I grew up.  The city that called the people together in prayer and convinced me to follow a divine path.  The city I must return to and help guide along the path of the light.

As far as how I look: I stand an average five foot five inches tall and weigh a total of one hundred and thirty pounds soaking wet.  I usually wear robes provided by the church, unless I need to travel or adventure in the name of the church.  I have short cut brown hair and brown eyes and I am unremarkable to look upon, and in my opinion easily forgettable.

Shackled City: The Dead Book: Entry 5

THE DEAD BOOK

Entry 5. Krolor (ECL 3, Brian) After succumbing to the overwhelming whim of the bugbear vampire, the old necromancer druid fired his beams of negative energy at the party from his high perch on the rope bridge. When they fired back, it was from this very perch that he fell unconscious to his death, suffering a broken neck upon impact with the ground. In the underdark he was left, without funeral and without burial.
Entry 4. Grim (ECL 4, Dan) After a failed attempt to murder Osiris under the compulsion of a vampire, the party debated long and hard about the fate of Grim. At last, as Grim lay unconscious on the ground, Osiris slit his throat. 
Entry 3. Vrabel (ECL 3, Kenneth) The party began to look around for Vrabel. Has anyone seen Vrabel? Looking around they discovered a goblin medicine man standing over the collapsed body of Vrabel. After the party dispatched the medicine man, Osiris examined their fallen comrade. "He's been burned to death," came the report.
Entry 2. Kracken (ECL 3, Dan) It was the beard! The bald under-dwarf with the beard. All fear the beard.
Entry 1. Sirkus (ECL 3, Kenneth) After fearlessly mowing down several enemies in hand to hand combat while defending his party from a brood of hobgoblin archers, a fateful arrow pierced his heart, killing him instantly.

Shackled City: ECL 5 Korinth the Protector Silverbrow Human Cloistered Cleric 5: Entry 1

Journal Entry 5162:
After seeking out the courier to send my letter, which I have copied below, I walk back to my chambers with a curious parchment in my hands that had been delivered to me.  I could tell right away the that this was quite formal in nature.  The summons delivered to me read as:

To:
Korinth the Protector
You are hereby summoned to eradicate evil from the depths of our fair city.  The authorities have been informed of a vampire residing in the lava tubes beneath Orak's Bath House.  You must destroy the monster, and protect any other would be heroes who attempt to help in this endeavor.  Good Luck.

After I finished reading the summons I quietly folded the letter, stuffed a handful of holy wafers into my pocket, grabbed a hold of my holy symbol and knelt down to pray... then I left to slay a vampire.

Here is a copy of the letter I had sent out with the courier:

My dearest friend Gaje,
How is life without me at the temple?  I hope you are not getting into too much trouble now that I'm not there to be your conscience.  Life in Cauldron has been boring thus far.  I sit in the rectory copying old texts most of the day (I'm used to that though, ha ha ha).  The most interesting thing that has happened so far is the number of people that seem to recognize me.  I have no memory of any of them, but complete strangers have called me out by name on the streets and mention that they remember my father.   Anyway, the real reason I'm writing to you- especially after having left so recently- is because I was wondering if you would care to join me here in Cauldron.  Maybe you could work on your "project" here.  I know I could use your help in any missions the church decides to send me on.  Plus it would be nice to have a friend here, someone I actually know.
Korinth

Shackled City: ECL 4, Osiris Eloah, Elf Wizard, and (Generalist): Journal Entry 7

As I run through the underground passage for my life I can’t help but think “Why Me?” really what did I do to deserve such a fate? Attacked by my own party member, how cruel! But I can’t allow myself to feel pity. This only happened because I wasn’t strong enough to save him, any of them for that matter. I take full responsibility for our losses, that seem to continue to mount up. It time I started takeing matters into my own hands.

Shackled City: ECL 5, Rrassaena, Cloistered Cleric 5, Journal Entry 1

it all started before dawn one morning. I was sitting in the library at Servant street skimming through "Rogue Faeries" by Hugh Walpo when in walked the high priest of the cloister where I was currently residing. I knew it must be important to get his .. shall we say "wizened" body out of bed in the middle of the night. But I chose to play it casual. I'd been tricked into delivering "priesthood 101" classes too often. I kept my nose firmly in my tome as he stood over me, tapping some crinkly scroll. By the number of wax marks and ribbons tied around it, I knew this would be no ordinary request. I waited for him to address me first. It didn't take long.
 

-TriGorge?

-Yes Gattys?

-There's an orc at the door with a scar.

-Tell him I've already got one.

(there followed several swift whacks about my head with the ancient scroll).

-Alright, alright! What's he want, then?

-He came to warn us about a vampire!

-Vampire?

-Yes.

-What's he mean "Vampire?"

-VAMPIRE! The walking undead. Nosferatu! Lamia! Die Vampyr!

-Oooooh. Vampire. I thought you said "Bacon."

(There followed a larger more vicious beating with the scroll).

-Alright alright alright alright. So why are you telling me?

-So you'll go KILL it!

-Ah! (I slammed my book shut and rose to my feet). Why didn't you say so? When do I start?