Skull Gorge - Summary

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Demon:
Introduction

Dreamcatcher:
Introduction
Skyfall
Ocean Dreams
Pit of Stars
Evermeet

Shadowlords:
Introduction
The Message
Hill's Edge
Skull Gorge
The Bone Miners
Enter the Shadow
Synopsis:
At Skull Gorge, the party investigates an old temple once dedicated to Jergal, the forgotten god of death. Orcs now occupy the main floor, though the lower floor holds Tal'nash. He is a necromancer who came for the Skull of Orn. He then transferred its essence into a living being, now a boy named Jered. Quincel has also been captured and will join forces to win her freedom. Both Jered and Quincel point the adventurers to the Battle of the Bones and a dark mage named Orrick.

Total Quest Experience: 0 xp
Total Gold: 625 gp
Total Magic: 23,000 gp
Magic Items: Ring of Protection + 1 (2,000 gp)
+1 Spear (2,305 gp)
+1 Hide (1,165 gp)
Masterwork Orc Doubleaxe (660 gp)
Masterwork Breastplate (750 gp)
+2 Breast Plate (4,500 gp)
Masterwork dagger (302 gp)
+1 Morningstar (2,308 gp)
Wand of Color Spray (750 gp)
+1 Ring of Protection (2,000 gp)
Keen Falchion (2,375 gp)
Amulet of Natural Armor +1 (2,000 gp)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds L1 (750 gp)
Wand of Magic Missle L3 (2,250 gp)


Thistle (at beginning): Well, there you go. You better appreciate all this scurrying about. When you find what you've come after, come back and we'll head out. Hopefully to civilized land, of course.

If party has circlet, trigger this conversation: (Set ANEARACROMANCE=playername)
sl3_anera_trig1
Anera: I would thank you <FirstName>, for keeping the circlet I gave you. It means much to me.
1. It is a wonderful gift. Tell me more of it.
Among my mother's people, such tokens are given to close friends. A small bit of the giver is held in the first star, conveying a measure of protection to those who wear it. Though I am not a full blood, this small thing I can do.
1. The first star? But I count three?
Yes. Like many friendships, there is room to grow.
1. It is a wonderful gift Anera. I will earn it.
I assure you, you are doing quite well already. (ANERAROMANCE++) sl3_anera_1_act1
2. Cool! So if we get it on, I'll get a powerful magic item?
Perhaps I was wrong about you [FirstName].
2. It doesn't really go with my outfit. I'll probably just sell it.
Oh, I would not wish that. Give it back! (lose item) sl3_anera_1_act2


Anera: Yes, <FirstName>?
1. (ANERASTAY=0) Could you stay here a moment? sl3_anera_con1
Very well, I will stay here for now. (unjoins, ANERASTAY=1) sl3_anera_act1
2. (ANERASTAY=1) Come along, I need you again. sl3_anera_con2
As you wish. (joins, ANERASTAY=0) sl3_anera_act2
3. (player is ANERACROMANCE AND ANERATALK=0) Anera, can I talk to you . . . about us? sl3_anera_con3
Of course, <FirstName>, what is it?
1. You have spoken much about your background, but you know little of me.
If you have something you'd like to say, I'm happy to listen.
1. (player is ROGUE) I . . . I'm a thief, a common thief. sl3_anera_con4
2. (player is HALF-ORC) I don't know if you noticed my greenish skin, but there's orcish blood in my veins. sl3_anera_con5
3. (player is GNOME) My nose is the size of a grapefruit and I'm going bald. sl3_anera_con6
4. (player is HALFLING) I'm really short - I don't even come up to your shoulders. sl3_anera_con7
5. (player is DWARF) I'm a bit more short and stout than most people you've met. sl3_anera_con8
6. (player is female) You've noticed these womanly curves, right? That's not a problem? sl3_anera_con9
7. (player DEX < 10) I'm pretty clumsy. sl3_anera_con10
8. (player STR < 10) I'm a bit of a weakling. sl3_anera_con11
9. (player CHA < 10) I'm not exactly a looker. sl3_anera_con12
10. (player is good) In days past, I have not always been as kind as I now am. sl3_anera_con13
11. (player is neutral) I am not always as kind as you. There are times when my darker side comes out. sl3_anera_con14
12. (player is evil) My past is a tale of dark deeds. I have killed many, and joyously bathed in their blood. sl3_anera_con15
13. My whole life was spent in Scornubel. I'm not very cultured.
14. I have led a rough life, with little time for romance.

(response = 12) Little disturbs me these days, but you have succeeded to do so. (ANERATALK=1, ANERACROMANCE='') sl3_anera_act3
(response otherwise) (laughs) <FirstName>, do not worry about such things. Among my people, the truth of a person is their inner being, not our past or the shape of our bodies. It is your actions on this day that matter most. (ANERAROMANCE++, ANERATALK=1) sl3_anera_act4
4. (player is ANERACROMANCE AND ANERATALK=1) I have been thinking of what you said. sl3_anera_con16
I see, and what are your conclusions?
1. I have not always liked who I am, but think perhaps I would like to change.
2. To be alive is to be flawed, I should accept myself as I am.
3. I do not like who I am, but it is too hard to change.

(1) Acceptance is the first step. I'm sure the rest will follow.
(2) I see. To thine own self be true! I like it.
(3) Those do not sound like the words of a hero. I'll let you think about it some more. (ANERATALK=2) sl3_anera_act5

1. Anera, you are both wise and beautiful. A winning combination. (ANERAROMANCE++, ANERATALK=2) sl3_anera_act5
2. Interesting thoughts. Perhaps we can talk again. (ANERATALK=2) sl3_anera_act5
5. (player is ANERACROMANCE AND ANERATALK=2) You have been a great help on this journey. sl3_anera_con17
Why <FirstName>, you know it is my calling. I would do it had you not asked.
1. Yes, but I find myself sometimes wondering what I'd do had we not met.
I rarely think of such things. Kelemvor is a god of action more than quiet reflection. What would you have done without me?
1. Muddled along as best I can.
Ah, that's the spirit! I'll remember to write that on your gravestone. "<He/She> muddled along the best <he/she> could." (ANERATALK=3)
2. Perished along the roadside perhaps?
Hmm. A grim thought indeed. (ANERATALK=3) sl3_anera_act6
3. Who knows, but I certainly would have missed your smiling face.
<FirstName>, you still know how to make a woman blush. (ANERAROMANCE++, ANERATALK=3) sl3_anera_act7
6. (ANERATOKEN=1 and 1st circlet in inventory) Anera, I have the token now. sl3_anera_con18
Wonderful <FirstName>. I may be weak after this for awhile, you'll need to watch my back more than ususal. Though I suppose you're used to it by now (smile). (lose circlet, cast spell animation, gain new circlet, temporary 2 dmg to CON)

Anera's Circlet (worn in wrist slot, cannot be used by evil characters, provides +1 deflection bonus, Bless, and acts as a lightsource):
Wrought from metals found far from the material plane, the figures of three stars have been wrought into the form of a thin bracer. Though never touched by a mage's spells, the material glows with a magical radiance. Two of the stars glow brightly now.

Thistle: What is it <FirstName>?
1. (TALNASHDEAD=1) I have what we need. We're heading to the Battle of the Bones, Stonemeet to be exact. sl3_thistle_con1
Battle of the Bones! Why, the place is a deathtrap! The living dead crawl about trying to suck out your marrow.
1. You've heard of this place?
Well, I heard through a cousin that you can make some good trades up there. Lots of old weapons and such turning up. The Bone Miners, digging up the battlefield, I suppose. Still, you've got to make it past the undead. I'm afraid I know the way there.
1. Well, that's where we're going next. Let's head out! (module ends)
2. Tell me of this place.
Skull Gorge? Well, there's little of use to traders around these parts. When I was a lad, though . . .
1. Go on, please.
Well, I was a bit of an adventurer when I was younger. My brother and I caught the curiousity bug, and we would take long boat rides along the River Reaching. Well, one hot Highsun day, we dared each other into a trip far north, past Hill's Edge into Skull Gorge. We'd heard tales of odd happenings, but dismissed them as the dottering tales of the aged.
[more]
We sailed our small craft through the slow-moving waters, watching the bluffs grow on either side. It was the quiet that first began to unnerve us. Not a bird singing, nor fish splashing in the water. Just silence all about.
We set up camp along a rocky beach, a small file and our courage keeping us warm. Darkness came quick, and a deep chill with it.
[more]
We began to sleep, when my brother swore he heard something among the rocks. A scraping sound, like claws on stone, then a flash of eyes in the shadow. Now, my brother and I were no fools, so we threw what gear we could in our boat, and began pushing her into the water. We heard a harsh cry, and arrows fell like hail.
[more]
My memory of the next few days is poor, but from what my brother says, those arrows must have been dipped in some vile poison. We had drifted out of arrow range, celebrating our escape, when my brother pointed out a small cut along my cheek. With a puzzled expression, I fell forward, muscles paralyzed and darkness descending on my mind.
[more]
I awoke at the Temple of Lathander, in Josura's care. She had purged the poisons from my veins and brought be back to health. It was a close thing, and I was deeply grateful. Of course, the irony that I find myself back here as a favor to her is not lost on me. So, after my ramblings, do you still want to be here?

1. You'll have to do better than that to scare me off.
Ha! That's the spirit <lad/lass>.
2. I'll admit to a certain apprehension.
Better a little scared than a little dead, I always say. Watch your back, <FirstName>.
3. Huh? Sorry? I think dozed off during your incredibly boring tale.
Think you're a funny one, huh? Well, you'll be facing worse than me before too long.
2. Um, I think I'll pass on the trip down memory lane.
Your loss <lad/lass>. It's a grand tale.
4. Nothing now, Thistle. Just wait a bit longer.
DM Notes
The Message
- The Walk
- Eureka
- Caves, level 1
- Caves, level 2
- Forest of Wyrms


Hill's Edge
- Hill's Edge
- Mayor's House
- Cyric Temple


Skull Gorge
- Side View
- Level 1 (Upper Temple)
- Level 2 (Entrance)
- Level 3 (Minor Oddities)
- Level 4 (Blasphemes)
- Level 5 (Tal'Nash)


Stonemeet
- Stonemeet
- West Caves
- South Caves
- East Caves
- Phthta's Realm


Enter the Shadow
- Blood Choice
- Forever Lords
- Undying


Extras