Here is the fourth edition of the D&D Game Summary.
Please refer to the first edition for character backgrounds and geography,
and to the second and third editions for their further exploits.


Summary of "NorCal Campaign" Part 4
-----------------------------------

This adventure was based on "The Crypt of Istaris" which appeared in 
Dungeon Magazine issue #9.


ADVENTURE NOTES--Day #12--05/07/93

Getting Started: (Oct 24, 696)
     The group left Foxboro in their cart heading for Barrington.  When 
they were only half a day out of town, they were passed by a messenger on
a horse going the other direction who claimed the town was in great
danger.  He was looking for help.  If the party would help, they should
make haste to Barrington and see Father Veridan at the Temple of Talipene.
     They made it into town around 7:00 pm and found the Temple a short
while thereafter.  Father Veridan explained that the town was going to
be blown apart at midnight.  Apparently, a cult of Marut that calls
themselves the Dark Brotherhood had built a powerful bomb under the
graveyard.  The body of Istaris (yet another mage who was obsessed with
death) and Istaris' amulet were made unstable using a powerful staff 
that multiplies magical power.  At midnight, there would be a planetary
alignment that would trigger the final explosion.
     More questioning determined that the Brotherhood members came into
town the day before and demanded 20,000 GP be delivered before they would
disarm the trap.  The Brotherhood claimed the lives of three council
members (the council members killed themselves in front of the assembled
townspeople!).  Father Veridan used auguries to determine that the
Brotherhood spoke the truth and to also figure out that the only way
to disarm the bomb would be to find the Body and the Amulet, bring them
outside and then burn them!
     By this time it was quarter of 8:00.

Going In: (7:45, Oct 26, 696)
     The group was given directions which they followed to the graveyard
on the edge of town, and then to Istaris' mausoleum.  Rhodan forced
the gate open with his strength and went inside.  A gas trap in the
coffin was set off without bad effects (thanks to a Slow Poison), then 
the group found a stairway leading down.
     The bottom of the stair led into a room decorated with devotions to
Druaga (the god of death).  A secret door led into a large room with
7 exits and a menacing looking statue standing on a dias.  The group 
chose an exit, and as they went down it, the statue began shooting them
with magic missiles.  Half of the group went forward and engaged a
group of 6 Troglodytes on the bridge in the next room.  Rhodan and Furnes
went back and figured out how to use the metal rods in the statue's 
hands to stop the statue from shooting people.

Fire and Water: (8:30, Oct 26, 696)
     After searching around and only finding a temple dedicated to some
sort of Troglodyte god, the party descended over the side of the bridge
on a rope ladder to another bridge 30 ft below.
     They chose one of the two exits and followed it to a pair of
double doors.  Behind them was a Troll which attacked the group.
It was defeated in record time with the combination of Rhodan and
Spike's fighting, Melody's Flaming Sphere spell, and Furnes' oil flasks.
The Troll was on a pier over an underground river.  Some 50 ft over the
water was an island which glimmered with precious metals.  They opted
to come back for it later when the Body was taken care of.

Leaping Lizards: (9:00, Oct 26, 696)
     The group went back to the other door and followed hallways until
they found themselves passing between two waterfalls.  Suddenly, eight
troglodytes leaped through the walls of water and into the group.  
Galen leaped away from the group and through the waterfall, and while
the rest of the group was dispatching the troglodytes, he Slept the
troglodyte shaman and then killed him.  Galen acquired a 180 gp gemstone.
     They searched around and found the troglodyte guard's quarters and
the troll's bed.  The group acquired a 20 gp statuette from the shaman's
belongings.

No End to the Trouble: (9:30, Oct 26, 696)
     The hallway going forward wound upward, so they decided to backtrack
and try a different corridor.  This one led them to a set of double doors,
which when opened revealed a large room.  The room was decorated with
murals of death.  In the center of the room sat a coffin.  Around the 
coffin were 4 stone gargoyles, and against the walls were 4 half-melted
statues.
     Furnes' Detect Evil detected no sources until Studly was well into
the room.  Suddenly, the gargoyles came alive and began radiating evil!
It was a difficult fight where everyone pulled their weight.
     As the final gargoyle went down, the other four statues animated
and began to attack the group.  With the party already weakened, it was
a tough fight and several characters went down at one point or another.
Both of these battles were tough because magical weapons were required
to hit the creatures.  Gloin and Spike attempted a lot and never scored
any damage, but they did keep the monsters busy and away from the
spellcasters.
     Finally, they opened the coffin to find a Body that was emanating
magic so powerful that people could feel it when they got close!  It
was also wearing an amulet and was holding a wand and a potion.
     Galen wrapped the body in a cloak and blanket without disturbing
the belongings.



ADVENTURE NOTES--Day #13--05/14/93

Getting Out: (10:30, Oct 26, 696)
     The group sent Galen and Rhodan out to scout the upward sloping
tunnel.  When they found a room loaded with statues, they decided to
go back to the group.
     They decided to go back out the way they came in and hoist the body
up by ropes to the next level.  It was hard work, but they made it up
and out of the dungeon by 10:45.

Disappointment: (10:45, Oct 26, 696)
     Haste was made to the temple of Hastenzi where they hoped to burn
the Body.  Before entering, though, they took the wand and potion from
the Body. They decided to wait while Studly went to fetch Father Veridan
and so it was 11:30 when they finally set the Body aflame in the firepit
behind the temple.
     When the flames were lit, the body went up in magical flame and
turned into a plasma of magic hanging in the air!  Oddly, the amulet
did nothing but sit there.
     Father Veridan pointed out that this was not right, and suddenly
everyone realized that it must not be the right amulet.  The priests
decided to make a run for it.  The party decided the same, but before
they left, Furnes used a Protection from Fire on himself to grab the
amulet.

Aftermath: (11:40, Oct 26, 696)
     The group hopped on the cart and headed out of town.  Just before
midnight, they took cover (some people even hiding from Furnes... who
was carrying the amulet).
     At midnight a loud explosion was heard and the ground shoot.  They
also noted a streak of flame that left the town and went into the hills
west of town.
     Once things quieted down, they headed back to see what had happened.
Since only the Body was removed, the graveyard still exploded, but it
was not powerful enough to hurt the town.  It just turned the graveyard
(and all the potential treasure in the tomb) into a smoldering crater.
     Father Veridan was pleased, though, and he healed the party up.
He also pointed out an inn where they spent the night.

The Day After: (Oct 27, 696)
     The next morning, Father Veridan called the party to the temple of
Talipene in order to talk.  He was going to put a good word in with the
council for them.  Although a big reward is probably not possible, he
would see what could be done.
     Father Veridan also told them more about the Dark Brotherhood.
These followers of Marut have been in town for a long while, but it
was not until they got a new leader, Hadonis, a few months back that
they started into this grand plan.  The party knew Hadonis from their
first adventure together.
     Figuring that a reward was probably not going to come, Galen went
and talked with one of the city councillors.  He said that the group
would not be expecting a reward, but would be greatly honored with a
"key to the city" and a token good for a favor at some time in the
future.
     That night after dinner, the council met and offered the party
a token in much the way that Galen had suggested.  Furnes took this
opportunity to scan the audience for evil, and Studly kept to the
shadows so he could watch the room.  The group was being careful that
they would not be attacked (or even identified...) by any Brotherhood
members.
     When the crowds were cheering, Melody was approached by a young
man who said he had to talk with her companions in private.  She invited
him to their room at the inn later that evening.

The Stranger: (Oct 27, 696)
     The stranger arrived later that night to talk with the group.  He
introduced himself as Prince Michael Stonewith, the rightful ruler of
Stoutwall.  He said that his father, the king, was murdered some 12
years ago by the current king, Calibar.  He managed to escape only
because he was visiting his uncle that day (which was not usual), so
when hell broke loose at the palace, he was secreted off and managed
to escape the bloodbath as all those related to the throne had 
"accidents" that day.
     The evil Calibar claimed that there was no ruler for the throne
and claimed it for himself.  These past 12 years have been hard on the
city of Stoutwall, as Calibar has ruled with an iron hand.
     What he wants is for the group to infiltrate Calibar's old hideout,
a tower south-east of Stoutwall, where he believes the king's crown was
hidden.  He claims that with the crown he can reclaim his rightful
position.  Calibar cannot use the crown because he is evil.
     The group decided they needed a few days to think about the
Prince's offer.  Michael agreed to give them three days, and then he 
left.

Information Gathering: (Oct 28, 696)
     The group spent the next few days identifying the wand (which was
a Wand of Fire) and the potion (Extra Healing).  They also combed the
town for information on Stoutwall and its rulers.
     They found out that King Calibar did ascend to the throne under
weird circumstances 12 years ago, and that the previous king Stonewith
was murdered along with his 8 year old, 5 year old and newborn sons.
The king was named Joseph and his wife was Elanor.
Since then Calibar has run the town by controlling the water sources.
Since the town is in desert country, this has proven an effective means
of control.
     Spike also found out that although dwarves trade there, they have
been unhappy in the recent past because Calibar demands prices below
what items are worth, and claims tribute from merchants.
     Melody found that Calibar is not dumb.  He has had songs made up
that praise the old king (who was loved by the people) but also make him
out to be better.
     Furnes found out that the Temple of Hastenzi has been unhappy since
Calibar passed laws limiting the use of fire (blames poor use of fire
for the blaze that killed the royal family) to controlled areas.  The
temple has not found an effective way to fight back.

Talking with the Prince: (Oct 30, 696)
     They met again with the Prince and questioned him using all the
information they had gathered in order to be fairly certain he was who
he claimed he was.
     Michael told them that he has been living in hiding, fearing that
Calibar's agents would find him.  He has no support to offer the group.
He does know exactly where Calibar's tower is, and after taking a
ranger up there with him to check for tracks, is certain that the place
has been abandoned for a few years.
     The group agreed to take on his cause, but wanted a month to go
work out their own training and business.

Hey!  Why is it So Quiet? (Oct 31, 696)
     Only a couple of miles out of Barrington on their way to Foxboro,
the group came around a bend to find a group of 8 men in chain mail with
helms and shields blocking the road.  The men ordered them to stop and
put down their weapons.  The group told them "not a chance" and the
battle began.
     While they were talking with the fighters, though, 4 clerics in 
dark robes came out of the trees behind the cart.  They got first 
initiative and cast Silence around the cart to stop the party's
spellcasters.  Also, Gloin and Galen were Held during the first round. 
Rhodan and Spike spent most of the battle dealing with the fighters.  
Studly tried to get the cart out of the way and hopefully let Galen begin
casting spells again.  Melody engaged in combat with one of the clerics, 
as did Spike later in the battle.  
     Furnes ended up casting four Silence spells during the combat as an 
odd dance unfolded that left most of the enemy clerics, but also the 
party members unable to cast spells.  Also, at one point he got off
a Bless spell to help the group.  Eventually, Furnes was taken down 
by Hadonis (the lead cleric) by beating him with a Staff of Striking.  
Hadonis also took down Rhodan and almost had Studly down as well.  The 
tides turned somewhat when Galen got out of the silenced area and cast 
a series of Sleep spells to finish off the rest of the fighters and 
clerics, then concentrated Magic Missiles on Hadonis.  Many of these
spells were "pushed" to extra power levels.
     When Hadonis was on the edge of death, and also only one round from
being out of Silence and able to trash on the party with spells, he
took a small amulet out and broke it.  When he did, he disappeared in a
flash of light, leaving his belongings behind.  
     Searching the bodies, the group found 14 gemstones (2000 gp total
value), 150 gp in coins, Hadonis' Staff of Striking and Bracers of
Defense AC=5.  They also loaded up all the chainmail, helms, shields, and
weapons.  While searching the bodies, they noted that the clerics were
all covered in burn scars.

Finishing Up: (Nov 3, 696)
     The group made it to Foxboro without further incident.  They sold the
gemstones, the amulet (750 gp), the idol (20gp), and all the armor they
collected.  They identified the items.
     Gloin trained to 2nd level.  Galen trained to 3rd level.  Rhodan
and Spike trained to 4th level.



THE FUTURE:
     It is now Dec 1, 696 and the group promised to meet Prince Michael
about this time.  The trip to Mountain Lake appears to have been abandoned
with the new cause and the coming of winter.  Perhaps in the spring they
will continue the quest up there.