Knowledge Check - Local

The Flooded Forest



This fetid swamp surrounded by boggy woodland lies between the river Lis and the Earthspur Mountains. Once an arm of Cormanthor, the area has sunk into a low bowl over the course of the past hundred years or so. The trees of the forest still stand, but have been dead for more than a century. Many are ready to fall at the slightest touch. Explorers face as much danger from falling trees as from wandering monsters. Hanging mosses and mushrooms are everywhere.



Denizens of the swamp are rumored to include lizardfolk, black dragons, a number of fungus creatures and carnivorous plants. Some of these creatures are not native to the area, giving rise to claims that someone or something is stocking the swamp to keep others away.



In the Age of Glorious Fools, adventurers who survived expeditions into the swamp claimed that the depths of the swamp hold the hidden lairs of brigands and pirates. Rumor has it that the swamp also hides the ruined temples of Gruumsh, Moander, and Bane.

Recent chronology: 17 Kythorn - The party traverses southwest through chest-deep stagnant waters, amidst creaking trees and hanging mosses. Pavel and Animosus are the first to encounter the swamp strider swarm in the brackish water. Kelestri brought down a ancient tree, taking careful aim at the Banelar Naga threat. Amidst the battle, Leif and Pavel literally save Slyl's life from paralyses and drowning. Mauros the Free offered his life for the preservation of the company and its cause by singularly confronting the huge monster in a fight to the death. Slyl, still coughing muck-water from his lungs attacked Pavel, knocking him unconscious - following through on a promise made to Nemetsk, on 13 Kythorn. Led by Animosus, the company, now suspicious of Slyl, asked questions of him within a zone of truth created by Claudia. Continuing even further into the Flooded Forest, Animosus loses track of time - and Slyl & Kelestri fall behind, chasing the coin purse thrown my Constans "as an offering" to the local inhabitants. Kelestri, now separated from the party faces an unfamiliar voice - alone in the malevolent swamp.

Stomping On Egg Shells

It is 4 am and I can't sleep. Perhaps I am still reeling from the flagrant stomping upon the paladin's egg shells that occurred earlier this evening in session #40.

I just finished this article/discussion thread regarding the psychology of a paladin. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=662646

I wonder... if the rogue were to read it, would it help understand why Slyl's actions were perceived to be so horrible in the eyes of the paladin!? Indeed, there was no walking on egg shells this past evening — just stomping!

One more thought: It is true that our SOV group values rp and character development. To this end, as a DM I will insist that the Slyl v. Animosus conflict be either a) continued peacefully or b) resolved violently but in both cases with a sense of drama. That is, resignations of characters in favor of new ones will not be accepted at this time.

We have a classic conflict within the party, a conflict that has gone on as long as D&D has been played. The eternal question of whether the 'rogue-ish' character and the paladin can get along in the same group.

Here is a short recap: A formerly mute rogue from Waterdeep slips into the CoLD as a chartered member (sessions 1-18). Various interactions actually prompt the paladin to seek knowledge of the triadic way—a difficult path that also would increase the capacity of the paladin to tollerate the rogue (sessions 18-31). After re-dedicating himself to three gods, the paladin returns to the group and discusses beliefs with the rogue in-depth and reach an understanding (session 28). In the mean time, the rogue's mental illness was removed by a special ring of nine lives from Raven's Bluff (session 15). Above board, nobody knows the true purpose the rogue has for wanting to be a part of a company of heroes, however, in-game the rogue says his goals are in-line with the party and he is accepted as a signed chartered member (session 18). Ironically, while the paladin was learning to become more tolerant to creatures such as the rogue he missed the opportunity to become a signed charter member in the eyes of the law.

In the end—we shall see if this ends with more stomping on egg shells and the ultimate demise of one or both these beloved characters. What remains important for the rogue is that he remember the progress made with this company, remember the events and discussions that have defined his role with this company, and remember his relationship with the paladin has been formed in the context of the story the players are telling together. What remains important for the paladin is that he throw any hopes of consistency out the window, for the rogue has proven himself to be wildly chaotic.

DM's bottom line: the only conflict I support is between characters not between players. Finally, the timing of Slyl's actions did indeed have consequences: 1) the paladin in the context of our story is completely righteous in his actions 2) the rogue was foolish to choose this time and setting to make good on this promise/threat to Pavel.

Kelestri Unsworded

When not brandishing her +2 Flaming Corrosive Firebrand, Kelestri Umberton looks very Calishite, and therefor incredibly attractive. Here is a new revealing head-hot, her beauty aglow by the party's campfire.

Recent Campaign Chronology

For your journals, here is some recent campaign chronology:

• Kythorn 13 - the celebration of the "Day of Heroes", the eclipse, shock-tremors hit Kurth, Claudia saved from being buried alive, battle in graveyard - Animosus slayn by Gauntlet Knight Commander/Raised by Pavel, Blackaltar defects from Baneite church, "portal-like" device found beneath black disk, Pavel assists Borok the wize in research
• Kythorn 14 - Assistance given to The Arm of King's Reach, Encounter with Orog general, 1/2 orc spy, and bezerking orcs during travel to Maskyr's eye, late arrival at Maskyrian University & meet the 5 wizards, Alyona poisoned and suffering (comforted by Pavel's soup), Azhurdean's visage appears and advises of witch elixir as remedy, Animosus receives a how-to book on familiars from Amouli, the history of the CTS's encounter with Nethad is learned, the daughters of Orlsyr party with the CoLD at the Wizard's Hand, partaking of Ambrosia (extra-planar intoxicant) causes the evening to joyously fade to black
• Kythorn 15 - Travel through the Maskyrwood, arrival in Valewood, learn the Clarion Bell has called all men / vassels to aid Baron Grember, The Besiegement of Gremberkeep by lizardfolk, overnight stay at the keep
• Kythorn 16 - Return of Sheshek & release of prisoners, following the shaman into the Flooded Forest, arrival at old fort/former lizard town, battle with War Troll, Cloaks of Mulmaster are interrogated, Brunlock reveals unnerving plans, travel to second lizardfolk town, meet Sorgen the archeologist, rest in a lizardfold bourough, the Deathcolis comes looking for food and is destroyed.
• Kythorn 17 - Animosus & Claudia heal Pavel in early morning, on watch Mauros spots a Serpentflesh Construct in the fog, Animosus raises alert and the party attacks it, with the aid of Pavel & Leaf - Kelestri hastily dons armor and charges at the creature, the party kills the construct, finds some treasure, and travels deeper into the flooded forest.

The game continues next week mid-day on Kythorn 17, 1373 D.R. deep within the fetid swampwaters amidst the creeking trees. The party finds themselves closer to the rising doom they seek...