Quest Calendar 2022: The Gates of Terralon

[Poli]

Thursday, April 7

The calendar through me off...it says today's Tuesday. Whew.

I pass a merchant cart on my way out of the city. It's a good opportunity to stock up on supplies before I find more adventure.

Health potion 5g
Meal ration 2g
Holy Water 10g
Potion of Giant Strength 8g
Potion of the Wind 8g
Potion of Fortitude 8g
Potion of the Gods 8g
Draught of Enrichment 8g
Aged wine 8g

Holy water cures being cursed. The "potion of" helps with strength, dexterity, constitution, and intellect. The draught is wisdom. I'm only interested in health potions, rations, and holy water. D6 for a page doesn't impress me at this point.

[Poli]

There's not much here...just buying and selling.

Sir Gareth buys 2 health potions and a holy water.

Professor buys a health potion and holy water.

Tsavani buys a health potion and a meal ration. Sells an item for 10g.

Syntax buys a ration and holy water. Sells two items for 20g. The thief picks the merchant's pocket for 2g.

Mori'an buys a ration, holy water, and a health potion. He sells one item for 10g. He loses 1 virtue point when his thief snags 4g.

Lyric buys a health potion and holy water. Sells one item for 10g. Picks the merchant's pocket for 3g.

Faris buys a health potion and a holy water.

Wolfrik buys a health potion and holy water. Sells one item for 10g.

Zilmora buys a health potion and holy water. Sells two items for 20g. Comes out with a profit.

Astrid buys a holy water. Picks the merchant's pocket for 4g and loses a virtue point as a result.

[Poli]

Friday, April 8

Travel to Dawnhollow

The Scorched Sands desert is a ten day journey from Graycliff, with the town of Dawnhollow acting as a good stopping point along the route that follows the main road.

I can either a casual or brisk pace. D20+WIS+Survivalist+Map&Compass+Mount in either case.

In my scenarios, I don't believe anyone bought the map and compass...maybe Azmyra did on her reboot...but none of the ones still remaining.

[Poli]

I'm sure there's some sort of bonus to one or the other, but I don't know it.

Going casual: Sir Gareth, Tsavani, Mori'an, Faris, and Zilmora.

Going brisk: The Professor, Syntax, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Astrid.

Based on how I normally sort them, I chose every other one to split them up.

[Poli]

The roads that are normally busy are rather empty since no one wants to risk a demon attack.

Our casual riders took a slow pace and took in the scenery. All five of the casual riders lost 2 rations. Mori'an (10) was the slowest of all...he went through all his rations and eventually lost a health point as well. Zilmora nearly did so as well, cast a spell to avoid losing the health point.

Our riders in a hurry did not waste time. They all lost at least one ration, though. Syntax (4) got particularly bogged down, though. Lost both rations and suffered a health point loss.

[Poli]

The Weekend, April 9/10

I come to a crossroads along the main road. It appears that the directional sign for Dawnhollow has fallen off the post. Upon further inspection, it appears to have been vandalized and rearranged. None of the directions are pointing where they should go.

Use what I know to place the signs back on the posts in the correct position.

[Poli]

My initial response was, what the hell?

[Poli]

I then looked at the other calendar sheet.

I'm given all four directions: North, South, East, West.

I'm given the names on the signs: Graycliff, Dawnhollow, Scorched Sands, Darkvayne, Tarotshade, Copperset.

I just about want to give up here.

I'm given hints:
Looking at the post, it appears 3 of the signs point east or west.
All directions had at least one sign pointing that way.
I just came from Graycliff and I've been traveling west before I got here.
I should think back to my conversation with Gragorim the Wise.
Tarotshade is in the same direction as Copperset.

I'm still set to give up. How will I do this for each character? I haven't heard most of them. I then figure it's just a logic problem and I can just apply it to each character, if I get it right. And I do.

Solution:

Spoiler

I came from Graycliff, I was travelling west. Graycliff must be east.
Dawnhollow and Scorching Sands were south according to Gragorim. I didn't even need to look that up.
That leaves 3 towns...and two go one direction. Since 3 went east or west, and I have one going east already, that Tarotshade and Copperset go west. Leaves Darkvayne to the north.

[Poli]

Once the puzzle was solved, a small magical sprite appears from the post...snickering in amusement and congratulates me on fixing the sign. It then gives me (all ten of me) 10g and bless me with The God's Blessing.

This allows me to reroll any single die once. I then have to take that roll and lose the blessing.

[Poli]

Monday, April 11

I continue on my travels and spot a wounded animal...a deer, perhaps, lying in the middle of the of the road next to the forest. It is hard to tell if the animal is alive from where I stand. There is something protruding from it's hind legs. An arrow, maybe? Maybe it was begin hunted.

I can

Stand back and see if anything claims it's prey. D20+DEX+Stealthy.
or
Help the wounded animal. D20+WIS+Animal Tamer.
or
Put the animal out of it's misery. D20+ATK.

[Poli]

Paths are chosen based on the likelihood to complete them.

Standing back are Tsavani, Astrid, and Mori'an (who can cast blindness if need be).

Helping the animal are The Professor, Faris, and Zilmora.

Sir Gareth, Syntax, Lyric, and Wolfrik will put the animal out of it's misery.

[Poli]

Apologies. I ended up heading out of town early this morning and didn't wrap up yesterday.

Standing back worked out well for all three adventurers (17, 27, and 20). They maintained their distance and stayed quiet. They look around the nearby forest and see where the trail of blood started. They hear sounds form the forest and see some brush shaking. They're prepared for what's next...they each gain +2 to attack for tomorrow.

[Poli]

Helping the animal worked out well for these three as well. Professor (22), Faris (25), and Zimora (22) all soothed the animal before attempting to pull the arrow out. They got it out and helped stopped the bleeding. As they hear noises in the nearby brush, the animal gets up and hobbles the opposite direction. Whatever is looking for that animal will soon be here. They gain +2 defense tomorrow.

[Poli]

Our last 4 decided to put the animal out of it's misery. All four succeed. The area is now quiet...until the brush begins to be disturbed. Something is coming. What is it? They gain +2 Damage for tomorrow.

[Poli]

I believe this is the first day all year that every adventurer succeeded on their roll.

[Poli]

Tuesday, April 12

A large troll emerges from the woods. It was hunting the wounded animal but has now focused it's attention on me.

4 rounds of combat.

[Poli]

Sir Gareth, The Professor, Lyric, and Faris perfectly killed the troll. Faris used her precise aim, but they all gained 8g.

The rest had varying levels of success.
Tsavani hit the troll twice before it decided there had to be easier prey to be had. She did gain 4g, but lost 2HP.

Syntax used his gold to skills abilities...It did kill the troll, but used the earned income to ensure it didn't lose HP....it broke even.

Mori'an used his Blessing and two spell points to kill the troll...gaining 4g in the process.

Wolfrik prayed for favor at the end to kill the troll...he lost 2hp but gained 4g.

Zilmora killed the troll, losing 2hp and gaining 4g.

Astrid killed the troll as well...losing just 1HP in the process while gaining 6g.

[Poli]

Wednesday, April 13

Dawnhollow

I made it to Dawnhollow, a smaller town that sits on a lake between the nearby mountain ranges. I'm to visit each place in the city. I'll have a chance to rest tomorrow before continuing on my journey to find the Lost Library.

[Poli]

Farmer's Market: I can buy meal rations here. 2g. I will ensure everyone has 3 to 4 after this past trip.

Bowler's Blacksmithy: A rough but strong dwarf woman is hammering away at iron at her forge. She can help improve my weapons for a price. Fortify (+1 ATK) or Sharpen (+1 DMG) for 30g each...max of +3 to either.

Toby's Topography: A kind old man selling hand drawn maps. Maps look pretty nice. Made with care. Map and Compass for 20g. Adds 2 to Wisdom while travelling (This will be a pass given the horses).

Mary's Medical Supplies: A couple of young elf children run this shop whil their mom is collecting ingredients. Ointments, bandages, Potions to be used to remove issues from a character's death. We won't buy any of these given how we're playing the game. There is an antidote for poison for 10g...but I believe everyone still has one of those.

The Docks: I don't know why this is brought up. Nothing to buy here. Some fishermen are coming back from their trip on Fertile Lake. They are pleasant and boasting about who made the biggest catch of the day. There's a nice view of the lake and mountain ranges here.

[Poli]

I decide the only ones paying for a +1 for attack or damage would be someone who wasn't sinking more than half their gold into it.

Mori'an, Lyric, Zilmora, and Astrid will all go for the +1 in damage.

[Poli]

Purchasing rations:
Sir Gareth 3
Professor 2
Tsavani 4
Syntax 4
Mori'an 4
Lyric 3
Faris 4
Wolfrik 2
Zilmora 4
Astrid 3

[Poli]

Thursday, April 14

I stop by The Leering Leper Inn. It is quite the unpleasant name for a place to stay. The inside is actually well decorated, clean, and bustling with activity. The rooms seem a bit pricey, but this place appears a bit more upscale than the name would imply.

I will:
Chat with the bartender. D20+CHA.
Enjoy a free drink. D20+CON.
(Optional) Pay 4g for rest.

No one is dire need of rest, but I played the battle of the troll as if a rest were coming. Spell points and such were spent...it's a good time to do it.

[Poli]

The barmaid, Cindy, is a friendly soul that enjoys serving drinks. She chats me up and tells me a story of The Leering Leper and how it survived the Great Plague decades ago by offering sick people a place to stay when others would not. This helped establish the place as some sort of landmark. She hopes to get a good story out of me.

The Professor (10), Mori'an (4), and Wolfrik (1) all tell their story, but it doesn't appear to have hit the mark. She listens, smiles, and wishes them a good evening.

Sir Gareth (15), Tsavani (16), Syntax (11), Lyric (18), Faris (14), Zilmora (19), and Astrid (19) all tell a story that enthralls Cindy. She soaks up the news about Graycliff. She's excited to have them in the tavern. She gives them a free meal and a discount on the room (2g instead of 4).


It's about that time someone recognizes them from the Tournament of Lords and buys a drin to congratulate them. They're given a strong honey mead, perhaps the strongest they've ever had. It's sweet, but difficult to keep down.

Sir Gareth (18), Professor (19), Syntax (13), Lyric (13), Wolfrik (17), Zilmora (17), and Astrid (12) all keep it down and finish the drink proudly.

Tsavani (8), Mori'an (4), and Faris (5) were not as lucky. They get sick and tipsy from the strong mead...they lose 1HP, but fortunately, they've got a room to sleep it off.

One last thing, the thieves in the group get a chance to pick the pocket of the bartender. Syntax's thief nabs 4g (and loses 1VP for Syntax...he's at -1 virtue now), Mori'an's thief gets 2g. Lyric takes 4g and lost virtue point (now at +4). Astrid takes 2g.

[Poli]

Friday, April 15

Travel to the Scorched Sands

I leave the town of Dawnhollow and head south to the Scorched Sands desert. Eventually, the road ends since people stopped travelling this way. The sands began to cover everything.

I can take either the Eastern route or the Western route. D20+Wisdom+Survivalist+Map and Compass+Mount

[Poli]

The last time I had something like this I believe I went every other one. I will go alphabetical this time.

Going the eastern route:
Sir Gareth
Mori'an
Lyric
Faris
Astrid

Going the western route:
The Professor
Tsavani
Syntax
Wolfrik
Zilmora

[Poli]

The eastern route heads more toward the coast. I hope that any civilization large enough for a library would likely be built along the water, as it would afford more resources to people living in a desert.
Sir Gareth (21), Mori'an (22), and Faris (23) find sufficient food along the way and do not consume any rations.
Lyric (14) consumes all 4 rations and loses 1HP.
Astrid (9) cosumes all 4 rations and loses 3HP.


The western route keeps me closer to the resources of the lake and mountains. I believe it might be easier to traverse along until I get to the desert and need to search the harsher environment.

The Professor (17) consumes 3 rations.
Tsavani (11) consumes all 4 rations and loses 1HP.
Syntax (23) did not consume any rations.
Wolfrik (7) consumes all 4 rations and loses 3HP.
Zilmora was in the same situation as Wolfrik, but cast divination to increase her wisdom to a point where she didn't consume any rations (24).

[Poli]

The Weekend, April 16/17

Not far outside of Dawnhollow, on the road south to the Scorched Sands, I encounter a row of pillories, where thieves and criminals were left for humiliation and torture. Most are empty. One contains a rotting corpse. The last one holds a live prisoner.

I will hear his pleas and then
A) Ignore the prisoner and move on
or
B) Set the prisoner free. D20+Dex+Locksmith
or
C) Kill the prisoner.

[Poli]

Ignore the prisoner and move on seems like the ideal option for most.

Setting the prisoner free seems like a risk.

Someone's just going to kill him, I just haven't decided who.

[Poli]

"Please help! I promise I won't ever do it again! Let me out!"

The prisoner begs for help.

"I only stole one health potion from Mary's Medical Supplies. I even offered to pay it back. I am going to die out here if you don't help me!"

[Poli]

Based on this, We'll have three baddies, Syntax, Mori'an, and Astrid kill him. They'll lose a virtue point.

Everyone else will attempt to free him. If they fail, they'll move on.

[Poli]

Sir Gareth (19), Tsavani (20), Lyric (20), Faris (14), and Zilmora (21, with quicken spell) all pop the lock open. The man collapses to the ground and kisses their feet. He thanks them profusely before he stands up and walks back to the city. They each gain a virtue point.

Professor (10) and Wolfrik (9) gave it a shot, but couldn't pick the lock. They decide to carry on as the man shouts.

Syntax, Mori'an, and Astrid decide it's best to end his misery before a wild animal or starvation take him. With one swift blow the man falls limp and the area is quiet again. They lose a virtue point, but they did show him mercy.

[Poli]

Monday, April 18

Near the end of the road where the desert begins, I come across a caravan of travelers that are beginning their journey into the desert as well. They seem quite well prepared with camels and equipment.

I'm to feel free to chat with some of the travelers...and one of them is a mark for a pick pocket attempt for my thieves.

[Poli]

A tall man named Joseph appears to be the leader of this group of travelers.

"Hey there. Interesting we should encounter another headed to the Scorched Sands. We have grown a bit since I left from Copperset. I am a scholar looking for the ancient Lost Library, but we have people from different walks of life in our group. Sal is looking for treasure. Murr is looking to escape from a life of crime. Quinn is a merchant looking for desert spices. It's always good to travel in groups. You should come with us."


I then speak to Sal, who is a young half demon girl that's very cheery. She wants me to play a game of cards while we travel together. 5 gold to play, I can only win 3 times before she stops playing. We will stop playing if at any point we are losing. D20+INT.
Sir Gareth: wins 3 times, 15g
Professor: 1 win, 2 losses, -5g
Tsavani: 1 win, 2 losses, -5g
Syntax: 3 wins, 15g
Mori'an: 1 loss, -5g
Lyric: 2 wins, 3 losses, -5g
Faris: 1 loss, -5g
Wolfrik: 1 loss, -5g
Zilmora: 3 wins, 15g
Astrid: 2 wins, 3 losses despite using lucky, -5g


Murr is an older half-orc who is quiet and keeps to himself. He eyes me suspiciously. Murr ignores the ones with negative virtue. The rest will roll D20+WIS. Murr is looking for a target.

Sir Gareth (4), Lyric (6), Wolfrik (2) all lost sight of Murr. He picks their pock and they lose 5g.

The Professor (21), Tsavani (20), Faris (17) and Zilmora (16) kept an eye on Murr as well. Murr never got a clear chance to make a grab at their coin purse.


Quinn is a middle aged elf woman who seems friendly enough. She offers some supplies and warns that their are monsters out here in the desert.

"I was warned that there are monsters out here that are swift. They can outrun a dragon I was told. One can never be too prepared."

She offers Dragon Fire for 10g, Combat Tonics for 10g, and Potion of the Wind for 8g. Those prices are too steep for most of us so we pass.


I forgot to note that Syntax took a virtue hit when the thief got it 4g. Mori'an and Astrid snagged 3g. Lyric just 1g.

[Poli]

Tuesday, April 19

I feel a small rumbling in the ground. The tremor alarms me and the other travelers as well. It scares the camels and horses. The animals try to run off. A large worm erupts from the ground, throwing dirt and sand everywhere.

2 rounds of combat, Attack, Damage, and then and added roll for strength.

[Poli]

The strength roll was if there was a miss or not enough damage to stun or kill. This would determine if you were weakened during the round and causing x2 damage.

Sir Gareth, Professor, Tsavani, Wolfrik, Zilmora, and Astrid all managed to stun the worm in the first round and kill it in the second round. They earned 2g for their efforts.

Faris and Mori'an missed on the first round. Faris lost 1HP, Mori'an lost 2. They landed a killing blow on the second round, gaining 1g. Mori'an earned 1HP back through his Leech life ability.

Syntax was the only one not to hit the worm. It's struggle was real. It lost 3HP as the worm dove back into the ground.

[Poli]

Wednesday, April 20

After the worm was dealt with, the group collects their things and calm the animals...when it happens again. Another rumble. The ground shakes violently again. The sand beneath me stirs. Another enormous worm comes from out of the ground and blocks out the sun in front of me. All I can do is try to avoid it's attacks.

D20+Dex. 3 rounds.

[Poli]

Sir Gareth's divine grace saved him from a total failure on the day. He got hit twice, losing 3HP. He gained 1g for the dodge.

The Professor, Tsavani, Mori'an, and Faris dodged all of the attacks and gained 3g.

Syntax was hit twice, losing 3HP and gaining 1g. The same for Lyric, who cast a healing melody after the attack to regain full health.

Wolfrik's prayer for favor helped him avoid the worm twice. He gained 2g and lost 1HP.

Zilmora didn't mess around. Her quicken spell meant the worm had no chance to touch her and she gained 3g.

[Poli]

During the attack, I see one of the travelers that was with me was eaten by the worm. I hear them scream as the worm tilts it's head up to swallow.

[Poli]

Thursday, April 21

Apologies. Yesterday was a busy day for me as I was onsite in Pittsburgh, direct flight home, and then straight to my son's practice.

The huge worm opens it's mouth and lunges down toward me. I have no time to get out of the way. I am being swallowed whole by the worm, but I have a chance to avoid injury from it's massive teeth as they fall upon me.

1. Avoid the rows of sharp teeth. D20+Dex+Danger Sense.
then
2. Avoid the living tongues of the worm. D20+Dex+Danger Sense.
then
3. Avoid getting poisoned by the worm's mucus. D20+Con.

[Poli]

Dodging teeth and living tongues was harder than dodging wrenches. Zilmora cast quicken again and avoided damage, but everyone else suffered damage. Additionally, depending on how poorly they dodged it, they suffered -1 to -4 modifiers on avoiding poison.

Losing 1HP:
Sir Gareth
Professor
Tsavani
Mori'an
Lyric
Astrid

Losing 2HP:
Syntax
Faris
Wolfrik

Surprisingly, only 4 ended up poisoned despite the negative modifiers. Mori'an cast his daily blood ritual ability to narrowly escape poison, but lost 1HP as a result.

Although Sir Gareth (6), Professor (4), Faris (0), and Wolfrik (6) were all poisoned, they all had antidotes as well and used them immediately.

I ain't got time for poison.

[Poli]

Friday, April 22

Inside the Worm

I've been swallowed whole. Lucky for me, I'm fully intact and still alive. Maybe the other person that was eaten is alive as well.

I'm to try and find the other traveler and make an escape.

[Poli]

This page is a "maze" but I'm simply going to hit each room as I go...unlike other maps, this one appears pretty straightforward and I can got 1-5 seamlessly. Correction, it appears I'll have to choose either 2 or 3 after I pass through 1. In this case, I think I went alphabetically last time and I've done every other before...so the first five will go room 2. The next 5 will go 3.

[Poli]

Yesterday was bad when 4, almost 5, were poisoned. Today was probably worse.

Working through the esophagus (room 1), we found it was full of tiny sharp barbs intended to help break down food as it passed to one of two stomachs. Tsavani, Lyric, and Zilmora all managed to pass through without damage. Professor, Syntax, Mori'an, Faris, Wolfrik, and Astrid all took 1HP of damage. Sir Gareth had 2HP lost.

In room 2, the left stomach, Tsavani and Syntax found a gold necklace worth about 10g...but none of the 5 that came here found the other traveler.

In room 3, the only thing anyone found was that you could be poisoned thanks to an empty stomach filling with acids. Lyric and Wolfrik were both poisoned while the other three made their way through quickly.

In room 4, the gizzard, the muscles are compressing to crush what's left. Tsavani and Syntax escape unharmed. Sir Gareth, Professor, Mori'an, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Zilmora all suffer 1HP of damage. Faris and Astrid suffer 2HPs of damage.

Room 5, the intestines if full of dead and rotting carcasses, wet desert sand, lump of chyme, and puddles of stomach acid. Syntax and Faris escape without harm. However, everyone else would be poisoned. In the case of Wolfrik, he was already poisoned. Tsavani used her chi to clear it. Mori'an, Lyric, Zilmora, and Astrid all took their antidote.

Sir Gareth, Professor, and Wolfrik are now all poisoned. At the end of this day, Sir Gareth and Wolfrik lose 1HP for poison.

Sir Gareth cast healing light and gained some HP back...Faris used Nature's Healing to gain 4HP back. Astrid took a potion to gain 8HP back as well.

[Poli]

Brutal two days as 8 of the 9 adventurers that had an antidote no longer have an antidote.

[Poli]

The Weekend; April 23/34

I enter the large intestine chamber of the great worm and find the other traveler. It was Gracie, an older feline scholar. She's alive and relatively unharmed. There are numerous parasites that are in the large intestine right now and they will not let you past without a fight.

3 parasites to battle.

[Poli]

Everyone clears at least 2 of the parasites out. Sir Gareth, The Professor, Lyric, Wolfrik, Zilmora, and Astrid took out all of them.

A brief recap:
Sir Gareth, 3g gained, 1HP loss from poison
The Professor, 3g gained
Tsavani, 2g gained, 2HP lost
Syntax, 1g gained, 1HP lost
Mori'an, 2g gained
Lyric, 3g gained
Faris, 2g gained, 2HP lost
Wolfrik, 3g gained, 1HP lost due to poison
Zilmora, 3g gained
Astrid 3g gained

[Poli]

I help Gracie avoid the other parasites and get the heck out of Dodge.

[Poli]

Monday, April 25

I have been traveling through the intestines of the worm too long. I don't know how big it is or how long it will take to reach it's unpleasant end. I decide to cut my way out from the inside.

Roll damage.

[Poli]

Cutting through this giant worm turned out to be damaging for the worm and our adventurers. For every swing, they lost 2 health points.

Mori'an was slick in this. He gained 2HP instead of losing any. He used his spell Drain Life to deal damage and gain back lost HP. It did cost him 2SP, but that seemed like a good trade.

Sir Gareth used a divine strike to get it done in two swings. -2HP.

The Professor, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Zilmora all took three shots at it and lost 4HP.

Syntax and Faris had four attempts. -6HP.

Finally, Tsavani and Astrid had five shots. -8HP.

Tsavani and Faris both took health potions and restored 7HP each. Syntax spent 6g to raise his HP back to 10.

All three of our poison crew passed the poison test today.

[Poli]

I damaged the inner wall of the worm...the blood and acid from the gashes spray everywhere. The worm's body fights back and knocks me over...but the only way out is to keep fighting.

I finally see a hint of daylight as I cut through and out of the worm. Fortunately, the worm emerged from the sand to die on the surface as I tore it up from the inside. I push free through the sking and help Gracie out as well. We take a moment to clean ourselves off before parting ways. Wherever we are, it's far from the place we were. Gracie departs to find the others. I still need to find the Lost Library.