Game Logs
-
Magmus
-
Banjos and Bomb Frequencies
Feb 6, 2025
A group of heroes launches an assault on Slenn's tower, defended by various robotic and organic forces. While the team battles waves of bots and salamander warriors, Hrothulf plans to confront his brother Slenn in single combat, using their allies' distraction to infiltrate through the dome above. The battle culminates in a strategic bombing that has some opponents turning back to the castle while others remain engaged.
Three defense groups guard the tower: remaining floaty bots, armored green bots, and augmented ground troops (both humans and bots). Hrothulf plans to confront his brother Slenn inside, requesting eight minutes of cover while he and Poyraz attack from above. The battle intensifies, with Dorinda discovering purple lights on bot heads. Her nanites supercharge after taking damage, while Izar and Ego's Electrostatic Fields provide some protection. Dorinda's electrical attacks are partially absorbed by bot shields, and Hayete and Ego support with Hypnotic Pattern and Faerie Fire respectively. Hiare's fire reveals salamanders under some jumpers' armor. Izar subdues enemies with tentacles and sleep spells. Dorinda observes the tower's bot deployment system and successfully snipes through a bot's shields. Finally, Izar plants a bomb in a bot-release dome, while detecting banjo music (Toccata & Fugue) in the throne room via clairvoyance. The explosion causes purple-lit bots to retreat, though red-lit jumpers and salamanders continue fighting.
-
Return of the Magma King
Jan 16, 2025
Hrothulf rallies The 58 to retake his throne while Dorinda and Izar conduct recon and plant explosives at a mysterious dome. The group launches an assault against waves of combat drones and armored soldiers, using a combination of technological and magical attacks in a chaotic battle that would please Gliton.
Dorinda and Izar fly invisibly on Sefarina to the dome for recon. Landing on the tower, they notice its hum. Inside the glasteel dome, they see an octagonal room with a concave center, an ornate throne on the east dais, and stairs at northwest and southwest. Dorinda's Vardum-scanner droid scans, then crackles, pops, and smokes, then drops to the ground, sizzling. Dorinda and Izar set four charges . In the ethereal plane, Izar and nervous Hiare observe purple smoke swirling in the room's concave center. They return for Hrothulf's speech's end. Hrothulf flies Poyraz over The 58. He delivers a rousing speech about reclaiming his throne and fighting off-world interlopers, raising Watermelon's Wail. The 50+ troops chant "All hail the king!" The group charges in V-formation with The 58's militia-grade weapons. Halfway there, modified war drones emerge. Hrothulf shoots with Yesterday, creating dusty clouds. Dorinda misses with her sniper rifle. Ego's SLaP wrench creates a fiery explosion, destroying half the bots. Izar detonates the charges, shattering the dome. Armored foot soldiers emerge, bounding in 40-50ft leaps. A second wave of larger bots appears. The first swarm fires pink laser blasts, knocking back 12 of the 53 troops and striking Ego. Dorinda hits a green bot twice, which initiates self-repairs at lower altitude. Ego's second fireball destroys ten smaller bots but doesn't affect the larger ones. Her force ballista critically destroys the repairing bot. Izar uses Color Spray from his ranseur, incapacitating two jumping soldiers while a third hesitates. The battle continues apace, embodying Gliton's chaos and fire.
-
Planning the Assault on the Black Castle
Dec 16, 2024
The party plans an assault on the Black Castle, a mysterious fortress with a glasteel dome surrounded by desolation and guarded by Slenn's robotic forces. With the help of The 58, they devise a strategy involving invisible bombs, griffin flights, and a diversionary attack, all while dealing with unstable terraformed ground and the threat of creating another tsunami.
We're at Old Bae with the Oceanic Ate on retainer for one day, alongside "The 58" (actually 53). Zedd has left the Freelanders to serve Hrothulf in Cleaveland, but first gathered intel on the Black Castle. The castle sits on newly terraformed, potentially unstable land with a ¾ mile radius of desolation around it. The structure has a glasteel dome top and is built on a large cooling plate with no subterranean access. The Codex mentions an incomplete solar cannon meant to attack the gods, but it was dismantled. Ego suspects some Teresiases may have supported the cannon builders. Darnit, a Blue Veil test subject, confirms it only works for one person at a time. The castle, possibly Vardum-infused, has only front and back double doors for entry, plus second-floor balconies with iron spikes. Slenn maintains control through fear and holding hostages in the castle. Attack plan: - Dorinda and Serafina will plant invisible bombs at the doors and do recon - Hrothulf will give an inspiring speech on Poyraz or a firemare - The Magpeople (The 58) will launch a frontal assault - When bombs detonate, Hrothulf will swoop over on Poyraz while the rest enter through the dome (requiring two bombs) or other entrances on griffins - Goal: Find and destroy the control center quickly Hrothulf believes Slenn's overconfidence will work to their advantage, though The 58 will face significant danger. Speed is crucial for success.
-
Dixieland's Sausage Gravy Must Flow
Nov 18, 2024
The party boards the Oceanic Ate, a barge-like vessel crewed by magmen and salamanders, en route to Old Bae in Cleaveland. They uncover clues about a recent ecological disaster tied to a massive construction project while navigating the tense political climate surrounding a mysterious castle. Hrothulf assumes the identity of 'Dixieland' to conceal his lineage, and the crew cautiously observes the changes in Cleaveland under its new regime.
The group descends in their ornithopter onto the barge-like Oceanic Ate, captained by Linus Vargas, whose mixed crew includes magmen, salamanders, a human, and two half-orcs. Hrothulf stresses non-lethal combat unless necessary and shares his father’s slogan, “The Sausage Gravy Must Flow.” Dorinda confirms no ethereal activity during their approach and scans the cramped room below deck for bugs upon landing. The magman “Teeth” greets them and leads them below. Vargas mentions their arrangement with Barlow to transport the group to Old Bae and gives strict instructions not to wander the ship. Along the way, Vargas boasts about the ship’s unmatched durability and mentions its role in hauling materials to build a massive black castle near Cleaveland. Old Bae, northwest of Cleaveland, is a grim area of tension and fear. Hrothulf recounts its history of fishing Magtuna, massive armored fish. The group learns about recent flash flooding in the Mississippi delta caused by a Whidmore Corporation contraption, possibly linked to the castle's construction. Vargas implies it caused destruction but was later destroyed. Passing the castle, they see patrols of black-armored soldiers, some using robotic suits. The castle, surrounded by barren land and fear, contrasts sharply with the area under Hredel’s rule. Zaria, the magman engineer, describes the bots and flying drones as tools for the castle’s regime. She dreams of captaining her own ship but dismisses local issues. The crew discusses the Oceanic Ate’s sturdiness, speculating its materials—glasteel and iron—are similar to the castle’s. The salamanders’ involvement in crafting such technology is hinted at, but the group lacks the language skills to communicate with them. Tensions persist as they scout the waterways, keeping the ominous castle in sight.
-
The Dice have Spoken! — Alliances and Preparations
Nov 16, 2024
The Branch receives support from various factions for an upcoming coup attempt. The Freelanders offer Blue Veil tech and explosives, while Charleston assembles Magfolk supporters. Meanwhile, Lava's Quarrell group pursues the Urca de Mirage to rescue children, and the Servant Phoenix provides magical healing powder to aid the mission. The party prepares to board the Oceanic Ate.
Between sessions, the following was determined: Freelanders offer: - Access to prototype Blue Veil tech during coup - 10 bombs and 4 detonators (from terraformer operation) - Charleston's field agent (son of former regime servant) offers to gather 58 Magfolk. Meeting point: bay where Hrothulf learned fish cleaning. Darnit will provide 2-way radio via Blue Veil - Will consider help if given proof of Widmore alliance and plans Lava's Quarrell: Idunn and Elys ("Magic Man") contacted. Found Urca de Mirage, pursuing stolen children. Barlow arranged transport via Capt Linus Vargas's Oceanic Ate, negotiating 27% first-call trade rights. Torq suggests adding ethics-based release clauses for Hrothulf. Servant Phoenix: Will follow Branch secretly. Provides 5 turquoise obsidian shell shards, crushed into healing powder (5 doses): - Protection (24hrs): Half-max HP bonus, disease immunity, +10 to poison/illness saves - Restoration: Full HP restore, removes Curse/Charmed/Petrified conditions and ability score reductions Status: Landing on Oceanic Ate Note: Griffons usable on Magnus (surface/underground), but have limitations on response time, capability, duration. Cannot cross planes.
-
Raltak's Promise
Oct 21, 2024
The party awakens Raltak, a skeletal dragon created by Mazoe and Thiten for war. After philosophical debates about gods and war, Raltak agrees to meet them in Champion City's arena to awaken Mazoe but refuses to help awaken Gliton. The group then plans their infiltration of Cleveland, ruled by Hrothulf's murderous brother Slenn, by seeking alliances with the Freelanders and negotiating with merchants.
The party encounters Raltak, a skeletal dragon with glowing green eyes, matching Hrothulf's medallion. They explain their mission to awaken the gods, but Raltak dismisses them as cultists. He reveals he was created by Mazoe and Thiten (not Gliton) to wage war, viewing it as a prison rather than a privilege. His body appears spectral except for the skeleton, and his skull was being used as a forge. Raltak refuses to help awaken Gliton but agrees to meet them at Champion City's arena on Terran to help court Mazoe's favor. He threatens to eat any griffins they bring before flying away. Magura manifests, terrified of Raltak, and clings to Hrothulf's leg. The group discusses infiltrating a black castle in Cleveland, where Hrothulf's brother Slenn (who killed their siblings for power) rules. They consider recruiting the Freelanders for revolution, suspecting Slenn's alliance with Whidmore or the Vardum. Hrothulf shares a fable about a king's failed attempts to build an iron castle, ending in his fall into the planet. They debate whether to awaken Gliton first or deal with Slenn, noting the Vardum's search pattern across southwest Solidlands. Dorinda sends Serafina to message the Freelanders about overthrowing Slenn. The group flies in the ornithopter to find their previous cave entrance sealed by cooled lava. They consider contacting the Oceanic Ate through Lava's Quarrel and negotiating trade rights with Barlow for help infiltrating Cleveland.
-
Warmonger's Respite
Oct 7, 2024
The Branch, led by Dorinda, ventures through magma-filled trenches and labyrinthine tunnels to confront Raltach the Warmonger. Persuading the ancient dragon to relinquish his head, they bring an end to his eternal war. Hrothulf, now transformed into a Fire Giant, delivers the final blow, offering the dragon a long-awaited rest. The group instantly returns to the forge, where the mighty creature is reborn.
At the end of last week, Hrothulf, wearing a skull-shaped helmet, suddenly speaks a chilling voice: “WHO DISTURBS MY SLUMBER?” Izar exclaims, “I KNEW IT; I AM NEVER WRONG.” A fog-like fire envelops them as they find themselves in a trench amid chaos, with a dragon-winged humanoid ripping a magman in half. Darnit appears unexpectedly, observing the battle unfolding around them. The group is armed with their soul weapons, except Hrothulf, who carries a massive black blade, and Ego, who has Barlow’s rapier. They realize their other equipment is missing. General Antioch urges them to flee, leading soldiers into battle. Dorinda insists they must head to the cave of Raltach the Warmonger to end his reign, revealing a map to navigate. As they run towards a waterfall of black magma, Dorinda projects the map. Darnit notices the ancient armor worn by the soldiers, which belongs to long-gone banners. Hrothulf recalls Raltach’s curse, making him a perpetual instigator of war. They cautiously navigate a labyrinth, avoiding attention from flying beasts. Darnit examines the tunnels, noting they were carved by dragon gargoyles. The atmosphere feels crypt-like and eerie. They approach Raltach's lair, where Izar explores the ethereal plane, discovering a sleeping dragon made of bones. Izar reports back, revealing Raltach's head matches Hrothulf's helmet. As they approach, Raltach awakens, asking why they’ve come. Izar proposes using his head for a beautiful forge, enticing Raltach with visions of glory in battle. Raltach, intrigued, considers the offer and questions their intent. Hrothulf transforms into a Fire Giant, and Raltach proposes an alliance, but ultimately offers his head to Hrothulf. In a blinding flash of orange fire, Hrothulf swiftly decapitates him, and they find themselves back at the forge, with the dragon’s head now on its body.
-
Disturbed Slumber
Sep 9, 2024
The party experiments with new Ouroboros belts creating ethereal armor, then debates keeping Vardum planks. After Ego accidentally reveals the true dragon skull beneath the forge's metal coating, they decide to take it aboard their ship. When Hrothulf dons the skull and speaks Firehammer's words, it transforms into a helmet and awakens with an ominous voice.
The party experiments with their new finds. Dorinda dons an Ouroboros belt, creating simple blue ethereal armor. Ego's belt produces prismatic armor with vineyard and currant motifs, referencing the AI's genesis and Mystra artwork. They test various items against the forge: Dorinda's clean stun pistols, Ego's golden sword (which creates dark-gold contrasts), Hrothulf's soul spear (producing pink electricity like Dan's blink dog cages), and an Ouroboros belt (creating golden flames like Firehammer's Heart). The group debates keeping a remaining Vardum plank. Ego wants to study it, but Hrothulf and Izar oppose. Using her bracelet, Ego accidentally strips the forge to reveal the pure dragon skull underneath. After discussion about the skull's value (particularly regarding polvimithe research), Hrothulf summons Magura, who fearfully hides behind Izar. Servant endorses their claim to the forge, calling it fate. Despite Izar's misgivings, they decide to take it to their ship. When Hrothulf places the unbolted skull on his head and speaks Firehammer's words, it shapes itself into a helmet. A strange voice emanates: "WHO DISTURBS MY SLUMBER?"
-
Forge Foraging and Forigins
Aug 26, 2024
The party discovers a dragon head forge-anvil. A three-line poem connects it to Firehammer, weaponsmith for Firefather/Glitn. Hrothulf recites of the poem with sword ignited causing the floor to spiral down, revealing five Ouroboros-clasped belts.
An 8-foot dragon head forge-anvil is discovered. Using Firehammer's Heart (Ruby Red), Hrothulf confirms it's a real dragon skull. A three-line poem connects it to Firehammer, weaponsmith for Firefather/Glitn. The skull glows purple with Barlow's Soul Sword. Dorindego determines it's made of dragon bone, similar to polivimithe. Hrothulf's recitation of the poem while wielding the ignited sword causes the floor to spiral down, revealing five Ouroboros-clasped belts. When worn alone, each belt summons ethereal armor (+4 AC, freely dismissible). Izar and Hiare equip these.
-
From Foe to Feathered Friend
Aug 12, 2024
We fight Servant the phoenix until she calms down and realizes we didn't steal her eggs. Introductions follow, as well as a joint quest to the Vale of Cleaveland to retrieve her stolen eggs, locate Gliton, and find iBi.
The Branch of Teresias battles a phoenix at a forge tower. Ego uses a SLaP wrench and force ballista, Hrothulf fires a plasma rifle, and Dorinda uses overclocked pistols. Izar summons Fei with Hiare, who uses Otto's Irresistible Dance to try to make the phoenix dance. Hrothulf strikes with a soul spear, and Izar uses a ranseur. The phoenix, realizing they're not the thieves who took her eggs, ceases fighting. She explains she was compelled to nest in the forge but was ambushed by a small band in glowing blue armor led by someone resembling Hrothulf. They stole her three eggs. The phoenix, calling herself "Servant," reveals she's served The Nine for centuries. She offers to help the Branch find Gliton, the Firefather, through a portal in Cleaveland. She confirms the ash pit and ember cats they encountered were Gliton's protectors. Servant agrees to join their quest to find her stolen eggs and locate Gliton. She can guide them to the portal where Gliton rests in the cool underground. The group plans to march towards Cleaveland, where they hope to find both the eggs and Gliton in a castle. Next: Clean-up of the forge and the march to Cleaveland.
-
Phoenix, Forge, and Vardum
Jul 22, 2024
The party encounters an enraged phoenix who believes they've stolen her babies. As they attempt to calm her and break into a mysterious tower, they face intense heat, magical Vardum barriers, and the phoenix's fierce attacks. The group tries to defend themselves and uncover the secrets of the tower.
An angry phoenix attacks the group, believing they stole her babies. It creates walls of fire around the hilltop and emits a piercing scream. Ego fails to cast slow on the phoenix and misses with her force ballista. Hrothulf presents Firehammer's Heart and attempts to communicate, but is ignored. Dorinda enters a crumbling tower with boarded windows, noting Vardum-infused planks. Her drone detects the phoenix's heat (1200°F) and magic. Izar's telepathic attempt fails, but his illusory nest briefly distracts the phoenix. Ego hits the phoenix with her force ballista. Hrothulf approaches with the flaming sword. Dorinda discovers the Vardum boards are fireproof and shoots one. Izar, in the ethereal plane, sees a hidden forge—the forge where Firehammer's Heart and Barlow's sword were forged—and rots half the door with chill touch. The phoenix attacks Hrothulf and Izar. Ego and Dorinda discuss the Vardum properties. Ego breaks windows with her soul spear and force ballista, while Hrothulf uses Firehammer's Heart. Dorinda shoots the phoenix with energy pistols, weakening it slightly. Izar uses blight to destroy upper windows. The phoenix flies to the tower top and breathes fire inside, but Dorinda saves Izar from the worst of it.
-
Escape to the Phoenix's Wrath
Jul 1, 2024
The group is arrested and sentenced to hard labor, but Izar orchestrates their escape. They embark on a mission to find the Empress's son, flying to the Mother of Giants mountain. Upon reaching a mysterious tower, they encounter an enraged phoenix accusing them of stealing its children.
Hrothulf, Ego, and Dorinda are arrested and interrogated separately. Ego involuntarily reverts to Slaad form. All are sentenced to hard labor on a mining island. Their possessions are confiscated. The group is thown into an armored van where Izar is already waiting. Izar reveals they're on a mission from Vashnu to find the Empress's son Ibi, held in the Iron Castle of Slenn. They receive their belongings and a thopter. After a 2.5-hour drive, they escape the van and fly the thopter for 7 hours to the Mother of Giants mountain. The area is eerily deserted. They hike to a 200ft tall tower with boarded-up entrances. Hrothulf notices his new blade matches the tower's curvature. They remove the boards and open the door, releasing a burst of flame. A massive phoenix appears, accusing them of stealing its children and threatening to kill them. Izar denies the accusation and expresses surprise that phoenixes have children.
-
The Heist of Val-Habor's Shield
Jun 17, 2024
Izar, Ego, Hrothulf, and Dorinda infiltrate the armory to retrieve the Shield of Val-Habor. Faced with suspicion, subterfuge, and combat, they attempt a daring escape as reinforcements close in.
Izar messages Ego, who uses a mindlink circlet to communicate with Hrothulf and Dorinda. Dorinda dislikes the circlet. Ego gets directions and a door code to the armory, learning there are people inside but no known names. In the courtyard, Ego, Hrothulf, and Dorinda encounter a guard who insists on registering Hrothulf. The guard notices Ego's right-handed signature, unusual for Vashnu who is left-handed. Four guards arrive at the armory first and greet "Lord Vashnu" (Ego). Inside, Ego requests the red-eyed shield (which only Izar can see as red in the ethereal realm). The guards are confused but eventually follow orders. Dorinda prepares a sticky bomb in case of trouble. A guard refuses to relinquish the shield without the Queen's permission. Suspicion arises as guards address "Vashnu" with different titles. A fight ensues: Dorinda immobilizes four guards with sticky bombs, Hrothulf uses Firehammer’s Heart, and Ego uses a force ballista to push an attendant back. Izar tries to retrieve the shield, finding it magically mounted. Dorinda suspects a setup and sees soldiers approaching. Hrothulf tries to break the glass case but fails. The armory attendants fight back, and Ego uses a device to create a shattering noise, cracking the glasteel. Izar grabs the shield. Dorinda changes the door code and knocks out the remaining guards. The team devises a plan: Dorinda becomes invisible, Izar blinks out with the shield, and Ego disguises as a salamander guard, handcuffing Hrothulf as a prisoner. They mislead the soldiers and head towards the cell blocks. Dorinda slips away, and the team hopes Izar escapes safely with the shield.
-
Vashnu's Test
May 20, 2024
Izar negotiates with Agnus to obtain a sword for their quest while planning their next steps. The group meets with Vashnu, the commander of the Tiger Guard, who tasks them with retrieving a red-eyed shield from the imperial armory as a test of their skills. They scout the grounds and prepare to infiltrate the armory, with Izar navigating the ethereal plane to locate the shield.
We discuss the plan for acquiring the sword and the abbey. Izar proposes buying the sword now, with Agnus keeping the money and returning it if we come back with the deed. Agnus agrees to sell the sword for 80,000 credits, prays to Gliton, and gives us the sword after the payment clears. Izar hands out fire liquor to celebrate. Dorinda asks Agnus about the phoenixes' nesting habits and the abbey’s old sections, learning about a stained glass window moved to the orphanage and the sigil of Gliton, an eight-pointed star engulfed in flames. We head to Ankhor bistro for a lunch meeting with Vashnu, the Tiger Guard commander. The bistro is upscale, and Vashnu, a battle-scarred salamander, invites us to eat. He mentions a task: retrieving a shield with red eyes from the Tiger Guard armory to help find a cure for Ibi, the Empress's son. We accept and discuss our plan. We scout the imperial grounds. Dorinda gets coffee, and Ego prepares to impersonate a salamander. Izar blinks to the ethereal plane to locate the armory. We notice the guards' changing pattern and Izar follows a dismissed guard to the armory entrance. Izar, still in the ethereal plane, explores the armory, noticing guards and an ornamental shield with red eyes behind a glass case. He waits for an opportunity to retrieve the shield.
-