Tag: Curse of Strahd

The Beaconers

Featured

Session Three of GRNC 2 – The Retaking of Grabford

A GREAT NORTHERN CRUSADE ADVENTURE from Greyhawkstories.com

(Campaign Notes and Adaptation by Thomas Kelly)

Prelude: Mission to Argynvostholt

The companions gather in the yard of canal town, near to the frowning wall of the city under siege.

From out of the grey mist and creeping fog, a rider draws up. The Lady Katarina of Walworth sits proud and upright in the saddle, mounted upon her cantering charger. Just now, she returns from an inspection of Archmage Bigby’s handiwork. She is well satisfied with the progress made by unseen hands laboring at the construction of siege engines, rams, ladders, and towers ensorcelled with magics. The time for the final assault draws near.

The Count Artur Jakarti, also a man of the Shield, strides along beside her. He stands a head taller than his fellows, and his shoulders are broad. He is clad, head-to-toe, in heavy armor. Over his left shoulder he rests the naked blade of his great two-handed sword, still bloodied from some recent battle. He counsels strategy with the Grand Marshal. 

Lady Katarina lifts a hand to bid her companion silent for a spell. Her keen eyes land upon her newly dubbed loyal knight. Sir Harrasin kneels before her in the cold mud. He lowers his eyes. He dares not meet her gaze.

Maiden Oleini, Gloryaxe of Heironeous, a Shield Lander herself, bends the knee alongside him before the Lady and the Count.

Here too stands Mirdon the Spellbinder, futzing with his scrolls.

The Lady Katarina and Count Jakarti also recognize the elven maid they call Twiggy, a druid of Old Oerth. The twiggy limbs of the innocent-eyed waifish elf maid belie her fearsome reputation for smashing orcish heads like ripe pumpkins under the heavy blow of her shillelagh.

Hanging back on the edge of yard (for he was not summoned with the others) stands Danni the Darkhagard. That same morn the Rhenee warrior said farewells to his captain and the rafters: “Nay. I’ll not leave this place as yet. Go in peace, and may good fortune be with you. I remain among the crusaders until I have avenged my sister’s death.” Now he stands alone and apart by himself.   

Here too comes one mounted upon a war horse. A strong-limbed fellow, Oeredian by race, balding of hair and stooped in the saddle. A fine white alb clads his flesh. A violet stole drapes his shoulders, emblazoned with the shining symbols of Pelor. A squire attends to him. His armorbearer carries his gear. His ostler holds the lead to the horse upon which he slumps in the saddle. His dwarf stands near at hand, also clad in the colors of Pelor, bearing the shield of the Shining One.

“But where is Sir Flynn? Was he not also beckoned?” the Lady Katarina asks.

“Say not that brave knight has fallen!” Count Jakarti exclaims.   

Continue reading “The Beaconers” →

Vampires of Grabford

Featured

Session One of GRNC 2 – The Retaking of Grabford

A GREAT NORTHERN CRUSADE ADVENTURE from Greyhawkstories.com

(Campaign Notes and Adaptation by Thomas Kelly)

Scene One: Search for Dina

Sir Harassin wakes from a troubled dream. Two lovely women vying for his attention. Now it’s daylight, midmorning before noon, but the sun shines dim and pale through the never-ending creeping fogs that rise and fall and curl about the city walls.

Siege is underway. The shouts of soldiers, the cries of the wounded, and the battering of the ram against the unyielding Morsten Gate fill his ears. The battle goes well by day, despite the shadows and creeping fogs, but by night, terrors from inside the city stalk the camps. Mournful wails of ghosts and specters haunt the night. Not one of the men dares sleep so long as the sun is down.

Harassin tries to remember the details of the previous night, drinking with the raftmen of the Lucky Prince. Captain Paddy Lash and his crew have been making extra coin by running supplies up the canal for the army while they await the reward promised them for the adventure in Molag. Most times they don’t stay the night near the haunted city. But yesterday their Vetha wisewoman failed to return. Harassin waited with Paddy Lash and Danni, spending the night on the barge. They shared the last of their Pomarj Black. That’s the last thing Harassin remembers.

Continue reading “Vampires of Grabford” →