Intro

I rather enjoy playing D&D 4e. A ways back, my group started recording sessions, thinking it'd be fun to turn this into a proper story some day.  Thus this insanity. 

The first episode I have transcribed, "Zombie Poppies", was DM'd by my friend, who plays  "Vier", and it's a bit of a filler, but a good way, I think, to get to know the players. It is by no means the first episode of the campaign. Everything after, however, will be in chronological order. So, for you n00bs, sorry, you're coming in at the middle here. As soon as I can figure a way to do a "the plot so far", as we didn't record the first bits.  My fellow players, enjoy. 

Please understand that this story takes place in a completely separate world than your standard campaign. Our DM came up with essentially his own entire universe for this. So, basically, there's a lot from the books that you'll want to just forget. Story trumps rules. You know that. (Example: Don't think of the Drow as dark, primitive-ish and evil elves come to slit your throats and steal your babies. Think more...advanced civilization along the lines of Tron crossed with V'Ger, even/especially in color scheme, though of course not necessarily style. Also not necessarily evil.)

How I'm going to do this: 

I hope to be updating at least once a week.
Every entry is another chapter. I will be updating every chapter as I go along with the transcriptions--anyone that's played knows that D&D episodes can go for several hours. There will be a time stamp at the end of every entry, to help keep track of how far along the transcriptions are at that time.  "Zombie Poppies" was started first in this project, due to the temporary change in DMs and the particular style of that said DM. Numbers indicate, obviously, the order in which things should be read. I'm not sure what number Zombies is, and until I've got that worked out it will remain unnumbered.

The Bare Basics of the Plot So Far:
A vial of the blood of Ganus, an ancient, powerful evil deity, has been found. This vial is a weapon waiting to happen, not the least because the blood allows for Ganus to posses the bearer. The Vial is currently in the possession of the dragon Shardaxis, known as the "Bane of Civilization", who previous to gaining the vial was in retirement. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that the Vial is in possession of Shardaxis. Anyway. The only way known to destroy the vial is through the use of four elemental orbs of power--the party currently has three, those of fire, air, and earth. The only way to kill the dragon (and the only good kind of dragon is a dead one) is through the use of a spear in the middle of Ilsur Valley in the Feywild. The party is now on its way to get to the valley....


The Cast:

The Current Party

Azrael: An incredibly lost chaotic neutral Drow (to avoid issues, "Night Elf"). She's not from around here, but she's been on this side of the world for a while. She's the only original party member left, Ix being the second, though not by much. Azrael has a quick temper and a tendency to make things go a bit crazy, which in combination with her skills a sorceress makes for a lot of things blowing up. Has killed Vier, Tyranna, Aelveron, and herself, and almost killed Ix once. For what it's worth, she was trying to save Aelveron, Vier,Ix, and herself were accidents leaving Tyranna as the only one she's offed on purpose. She is also the one that gave Shardaxis the vial for safekeeping while they went to search for a way to destroy it. For what it's worth, Ix let her.  
       ~Bob: A book imp about 6 inches tall that wears a brown robe with a deep hood--nobody's actually ever seen his face. The only way to convince him not to burn something is "for the good of the greater fire".  He's Azrael's "familiar", though "Tiny flaming minion" may be more appropriate. 

Ix: A Half-elf swordmage that often acts as the voice of reason for the party--at the tip of his blade, when necessary.

Veir: A human bard constantly at humorous odds with Azrael. Loves mind games.

Tyranna: A Tiefling warlock of an unknown age (outside of "OLD", though somehow still maintaining the appearance of youth), unknown origin, and unknown motives. Really doesn't like Azrael, but likes the idea of the world ending even less. If it burns, she's probably set it on fire. She is also the object of Bob's love.

Aelveron: An amnesiac Elven avenger with some certain full-moon related lupine tenancies and a great love of bacon and a huge crush on Tyranna.

Azalie: A Drow battlemind of a questionable history the party originally encountered in the Feywild.


Thodak: You see before you a jovial but yet humble giant of a man with stone skin and blue patches spread unevenly around him. Symbols of runes lay on his Armour and jewelry adorn his body showing the nature of his trade. A large Hammer and some mountain furs cover his back. Bald and slight eyebrows highlight his smirking face. Thodak is one to eagerly hunt out adventure and join up with others that may wonder in the same direction as himself. Seeking to Claim fame in his own right,that needs not be told or seen by others, to gain the experience of the journey is the prize. Frolicking every-step of the way. (Also met in the Feywild)

Former Party Members (for fun and reference):

Jorhis: Changling vampire encountered on the journey to Barsaive. Disappeared with Gideon. Presumed dead.

Cromar: Dragonborn Paladin. Joined the party at Ankeg, left to go kill dragons about the same time Malakin started the Casino. Current status and location unknown.

Emaris--human wizard who temporarily joined the party in Kalaxia. He has not been seen since the fall of the castle, and is presumed dead.

Gideon: Minotaur fighter, and Malakan's brother. He was discovered in the center of an icicle, and helped in the battle against Zoromus before disappearing when the castle fell.  He somehow got out alive and caught up to the party on the way to Ilsur valley, before disappearing again when he charged ahead to save Ix and Jorhis when they were carried away. Only Ix came back, and it is presumed that Jorhis and Gideon are both dead.

Malakan: Minotaur Cleric, Gideon's brother. Had a great fondness for smoking dragon scales--making him a literal High Holy Cow. The only real medic this group has ever had, somehow the higher he was, the more he could help. Kids, don't try this at home. Left the party after defeating a brown dragon, starting the infamous Dragon's Hoard Casino with the hoard of gold and all the new scales to smoke--in the dragon's now-vacant lair.

Kessel- Shardmind sword-mage of infamous beer-bacon smoothie recipes. Once a servant of the Kalaxian empire and the mindflayers that ruled it. Now that she's woken up again....kinda just having fun experimenting with her new freedom. TNG's Data might be a decent equivalent, only perhaps a bit less logical. Disappeared during the fall of the castle. 

Shalir- Elven rogue, Ix's cousin, and Azrael's partner in crime. She stayed behind with a monk of the Order of the Scale, when the party went into Kalaxia. Current whereabouts and status are unknown.

Bear: Elven Druid. Strangely enough, spent most of his time changing into a panther. Tired of the party's antics, he left to continue studying his magic after the battle at the dragon's hoard.

Midian Soulstone: Dwarven Shaman, part of the original party, stayed in Ishtar to research the spell needed to use the Orbs and destroy the vial.

Falanor: Dwarven Barbarian. Kept causing trouble. Azrael once shaved his beard. Also stayed in Ishtar, current status and location unknown.

Montzerin: Halfling rogue. Met the party by sneaking up on them outside of the lair of a dragon. Got hit by lightning. Tried stealing from Azrael on several occasions. Got hit by lightning. Tried to steal from other party members. Got hit by lightning. Tried to steal from the goblins and the dwarves, and restart the war between them. Got hit by lightning. Was there. Got hit by lightning. Separated from the group somewhere between the party's adventures in the Dwarven and Goblin kingdoms and Azrael and Ix's arrival in Ankeg. Current status and location unknown.


(thank you, terraoftheland, for the profile pictures.)