Chronology - Update

12th of Rahat: After exploring the cave and discovering water, our heroes sit the storm out. During that night, Saladin hears his name being called and only sees a shadow. The team investigate during the eye of the storm but finds nothing. The next day, after the storm as passed, the heroes behold the damage the storm caused. Ramanhi takes Bulwar and a few men to find out the state of the ship as Ishooq explains to Saladin and Farooq that the island was scouted for an advanced post by Qadib but was abandonned since the island seemed to drain magical powers.

Meanwhile, Ramanhi arrived at the boat and it is in dire shape, the mast as snapped, the ship is on it's side with a palm tree that speared the hull. Bulwar estimates at least a week (7 days) for repairs if hard wood is available. While Bulwar continues the inspection of the ship and starts removing teh palm tree, Ramanhi explores the beach both east and west only to find coconut trees. They return to camp to decide on their next move.

Back at the camp, the group compares notes and Ishooq also adds that a tribe of lizard men claim this island. The fact that they are cannibalistic doesn't smooth things out. The group, after Farooq questions a groundhog, set off towards the river on the island, following the mountain side.

As they near a particulary patch of thick jungle, our heroes hear a faint but distinct voice calling Saladin taunting him. As Ramanhi and the group investigate the origin of the noise, the vines and grass suddenly grows and starts grappling at them. A tall womenly figure about 8 feet tall starts attacking them viciously, clawing at them and trying to bite them. Saladin recognises the creature attacking them as a Great Ghul, an undead Janni. The heroes manage to free themselves from the grasping vines and realize their metal weapons have no effect on the creature until Ishooq strikes it with his staff. Realizing the creature is vulnerable to wood, they succeed in killing the creature but not before it bites Saladin.

The group then reaches a pathc that was suited for a camp site and not wanting to attrack attention to themselves camped there. During the night, Ishooq point out to Saladin and Farooq that the stars are not the same as last night. Seems that time moves faster on this island. About a month a day. With this dire knowledge, the group rests up.

12th fo Saris: The party reaches the swamp. Finding it too deep and not easlily navigated, the group elects to build a raft. As Ramanhi reaches for a solid piece of wood, he his attacked and grappled by a giant anaconda. The party fights off the beast as best they could without hurting Ramanhi much until Saladin bullseye him with an arrow, digging into his side. Farooq uses Ishooq to get to the snake and rodeos it, digging his rapier deep into the animal's body but ending up being thrown in the process. After killing the great snake, they salvage the parts in the hopes to bargain with the lizard folks. They discover a jambiya incrusted with the seal of the Anwar al-Bahhar, the 14th Grand Capliph well known for his decree for exploration even into wildspace.

As they finish their raft, the group hears a faint but distinct sound coming from beyond the trees and they spot a woman, running away from them. They follow her onto the river where they loose track of her. Saladin takes in a potion of Water breathing and goes under in search of the water spirit that is toying with them. Saladin finds an entrance to an underwater cave and meets up with a tall and gracious woman, siting on a throne made out of shells. As Saladin start to talk to the Marid, a whirlpool forms on the river forcing the party in the water and being sucked up under. As Saladin talks on, inquiring about her business, he his confronted with the sight of his friends in bubbles circling around the giggling marid. They are freed and start a dialog with the Marid. She then moves on to test them.

Ramanhi's test: Ramanhi is wisk in the future where he is now the Caliph of Tajar, having returned in triumph after his exile. He his confronted by his vizir Bulwar who reminds him of all the unfortunate events that has surrounded Ramamhi since the arrival of Farooq into his life. The exile from two cities, the death of his father in law, the holy war that almost destroyed his hometown, the ongoing war. Ramanhi stood by his friends and passed his test.

Saladin's test: Saladin is presented with himself, questionning his faith, his alliance with genies for knowledge. He is confronted with the fact he can't follow his order's orders (not interfering in the Jisan-Jauhar conflict), making deals with infernal and evil entities, freeing Efreet and being set on an impossible quest to push him away where he can't really harm the churh. But Saladin's faith in Zann was unshakeble, going as far as stating that his pact with the genies was in accordance of Zann's will. With this, Saladin passed his test.

Ashira's test: Ashira is back in her house, staring in her room, she is looking at three urns. A handmaiden comes in and informs her that the mourning period is over and that she should enjoy life. She then is confronted with the fact that the quest in which she participated with Saladin ended in the death of her husband, brother and sister. The handmainden asks her if she regrets her choice but states she doesn't, Fate took her where she was needed and it might have happened anyway had she had not gone with Saladin. This ended her test.

Farooq's test: Farooq finds himself in a lightly litted room surrounded by people. The leader is obviuosly very happy to see Farooq. He offers to Farooq a Jambiya that he tells him to use to murder the Grand Caliph for choosing to intervene in the holy war. Farooq is offered the choice of being the Imam that brings his forces to victory or only a simple man with a word on his lips. Farooq throws the blade to the floor, only to be rushed by the mob, which is slowly turning into wererats...

Having all passed their test, the heroes ask why they were tested and why the marid was so incomfortable with Ishooq. He informs them that the marid is the third piece of Aziz's artifacts and that Ashira's Djinn is the last one. They learn that Aziz forced and tortured those noble genies to serve as a prison to Efreet. They also learn that Ishooq was present when the Covenant was made adn that his true name is Cornugon. They also learn that one of the previous caliph Spelljamming ship crashed in the island some 125 years ago and has been trying to repair itself by absorbing the magic around. They can seal the time fissure with the jambiya they find in the anaconda. They also learn that the great Ghul still lives inside of Saladin. Farooq uses all his power to free Saladin of the ghul's influence.

The group left the room to decide what to do...

Chronology - Update

11th of Nau: As the three crewmen from the Jisans boat jumped in the water of the Al-Haul River to quench the flames arrasing them, the group is attacked from both side Aasim's men. Ashira, a friend of Saladin, joins them after receiving a vision of the party dead on the docks.

Ramahni's crew fought hard to keep the boat safe as the group attack both brothers. Ramanhi and Farooq go after the Sorcerer as he casts a flying spell and Saladin, Ishooq and Ashira fend off the Farisans of Jisan to get to Assim who boosts them with Strength from Jisan. Ashira does the same and Saladin protected everybody with a stoneskin. After his guard drops and Seing Ramanhi come towards him, Assim Casts a Blade Barrier to prevent any reinforcement from coming. Fariq casts Confusion on Ramanhi, making him run into the Blade Barrier. In his confusion he stops in it and even with the protection of his stoneskin, he falls. As Saladin, Farooq and Ashira are hammering Aasim's defenses, he casts a Haem spell on Saladin, making all his wounds resurface in one swift blow, felling him two.

As Ishooq took a Chain ligthning Spell from Farid, Farooq and Ashira refocused their efforts and manage to knock the Moralist uncounscious as his brother flew off. After quickly tying up Aasim and getting onboard, the crew leaves Qadib durign the night. Ashira brings back Ramanhi as Farooq tries to get some answers from Saladin's soul to no avail...

12th of Nau: As the sun rises on the horizon, Ashira rises Saladin and the group sends all their magical booty to Farooq's wife in Qadib for identification. As the day advances, they notice a huge storm coming, fast. As they rush the ship toward an island, they rip the sail and crack the mast. As the crew rows, Saladin utilises a Web Spell to mend the sail, giving them enough speed to reach the island in time. Emptying the boat and heading for a cave the scouts found, they settle for the night and wait for the hurricane to pass over...

A very special Zakharan Occasion

Happy Birthday K-man. May your Harim be plentifull and your Camel herd grows.

From the gang ;)

Magical Items of the Party: Spell Slayer

This +3 longsword is an aurakiller longsword. It has the power to negate the aura of monsters. It is carried by Saladin and it was recently silvered by Ardrassir's janni blacksmiths for their trip to Moradask.

The Artifacts of Aziz: Iron Guard

Iron guard is a large steel shield +2 that grants the user a Spell Resistance of 15. It was learned it is part of a set, known as the artifacts of Aziz. Only when all together can the heroes hope to be able to vanquish Efreet.

The Artifacts of Aziz: Genie Biter

This golden hilted scimitar is an elementalbane weapon that draws its power from the yielder, increasing in power as the user level's up. It is also the prison of Efreet.

Son of a Sa'luk: the low and lowly life of a thievering pragmatist

In Qadib, Saladin began haggling for his tithe to the Mosque, ignoring his obligations. This brought a pleasing warmth to Farooq who gladly "helped" Saladin pay his tithe, in the name of Jauhar, of course...

Chronology - Update

10th of Nau: The group arrives at Qadib. After passing through the security check point where Farooq is advised not to stir trouble and learning that the Mosque of Jauhar under construction was destroyed and the Imam killed. They meet up with Saladin's clergy at the Mosque of Zann where Saladin receives the items he found on an adventure, approved by his church. Farooq is given the holy symbol of the Imam that was killed. After a quick stop at the barber, the group goes to the magical den, their hold hanging spot in the city. After a quick meal, Farooq heads off to check on Julnar, his third wife. After a quick discussion with Julnar about her safety, the couple retire in her quarters.

11th of Nau: Ramanhi, Saladin and Ishooq wake up with a note on their pillow, obviously left by holy slayers asking them to bring the Frozen Flame of Kossuth to the Pier at 10 at night on the docks. The group informs Farooq when he comes back and they come up with a plan to ask help from the Caliph. After a quick stop to the magic district, our heroes take a flying carpet ride to the Mosque district, to follow up on the Imam of Zann.

The Imam reveals that the shield is part of a set that completes the scimitar already in the possession of Ramanhi. It is theorized that when all the items are reunited, their magic would increase. The Imam also informs them that the docks are not officialy part of the town and therefore, not subject to the curfew and current law against the followers of Jisan and Jauhar. He also tells them he would try to get them an audience with the Caliph. Julnar informs Farooq that she could not arrange such a meeting but Ramanhi learns that his boat finally arrived at the dock.

Ramanhi is reunited with his faithfull cohort under the leadership of captain Bulwar and he gladly informs his master that they did a nice profit for the last month. Ramanhi orders Bulwar to restock the boat and also collects a few magical items to sell in Qudra since the rumor of the mamluks being called to get more implicated in the holy war. The group gets ready to square off against the brotherhood of the true flame for the last time, they hope.

As night come, the group is called out of their boat by Mutamin, still escorted by his two elven maidens bodyguard. After dispatching his shadow assasins, the group tells no deal to Mutamin and battle insues. The twins get dispateched rather quickly and Ramanhi got his hands full with Mutamin. In the end, Ramanhi delivers the fatal blow by decapitating Mutamin, sending his head in the river. As the battle comes to an end, the group notices a boat bearing the flag of Jisan approching the bank. Saladin calls Aliya to fetch a fireball. As the boat gets near the bank, the fog is getting thicker and as soon as Saladin gets his fireball, Farooq instructs him to fire it at the boat. As the fireball comes alive in his hands and darts off toward the boat, the party hears running footsteps closing from inland...

Chronology - Update

30th of Riyah: After teleporting at the edge of the city of Sokkar, our heroes seek shelter in teh shade of the Mausoleums. They notice tracks going down the street, towards the center of the city. As they investigate, they reach the Plaza of Eternity, located in the center of the necropolis. They investigate the pyramids of the plaza and as the sun sets, they notice the great granite doors, a 125 feet high, starting to fade as the sun disapears in the darkness. The group also hears a voice coming. Farooq turns invisible and investigates adn founds a a man, writing down the wall inscriptions into a book. Trying to scare the man, Farooq gets discovered while trying to "borrow" Ishooq's book. After a brief introduction, they all went in to meet the Undying.

After a talk with Noq the Inspired, Merodach the Deprived and Arun the Ever Vigilant, the group is faced with a decision: they need a fourth (living) member to get the Key to Ur from the Pyramid of Borsippa. Still not trusting the scribe, they overcome that and asks hi to join. Arun gives the Ankh of Opening to Farooq and recommend waiting for the day and prepare and to not disturb the Kings sleep for the results would be disastrous.

1st of Nau: Farooq opens the door to the pyramid of Borsippa and as soon as our heroes step in the archway, they all fell pray to a symbol of pain, wracking their bodies with agony. Pressing on and enduring the pain, our heroes face the first sealed door. Farooq investigates both levers and found they both have the same mechanisim. Using Ishooq's knowledge of Chun, they figure out which lever to pull and gain access to the king's chamber. After inspecting the chamber, our heroes pressed on the lower level to enter a chamber with four statues that hold a brazier.
"Those who seek the key must sacrifice body and spirituality". Our heroes found two altars, each taking its toll as they put their hands to lit the brazier in the main chamber. Holding the statues, they open the door to a huge room.

As Ishooq translated the gruesome history of Borsippa from the wall carvings, our heores found out that the King conjured devils to complete his pyramid since the population was dying off. Farooq inserted the key in the only opening on the steps to reveal yet another altar. The heroes placed their hands and as the altar burned the key into their hand, Barbazus, pledged to protect the treasure of the pyramid, appeared and summoned an horde of Lamesus and began attacking our heroes. As Ramhani carved through the ranks of the Lemures, Saladin, Farooq and Ishooq were hard pressed to keep the Barbazus attacks at bay. Saladin tried a fireball to thin out the numbers but sadly realised as a Barbazu dug his glaive in his skin that devils are immune to fire. As our heroes felt the power of the infernal wounds inflicted by the barbazus, they prevailed and banished those creature to the abyss wence they came.

Exiting the pyramid and waiting for night fall to bring back the key to the Keepers, our heroes get the permission to leave the city from the Undying.

2nd of Nau to the 10th of Nau: Travel back to Qadid on flying carpet.

Chronology - Update

29th of Riyah: As the pouring water continues for the third day straight, our heroes decide, after investigating the palace and discovering a map to a mine, to go through the mountain in order to reach Sokkar. After casting darkvision on everyone, the trio engaged in the womb of the mountain.

After hours of navigating the carved corridors and following the map, our heroes arrive to a ledge where the water from the downpour is infiltrating the mountain, creating waterfalls. They spot a guard outpost on a ledge across a 30 feet collapsed bridge. Farooq first tries to use the rope he latched on the metal poles that use to support the bridge but the wet condition made it very slippery. Ramanhi, using the rope tied on Farooq, manages to hold on the slippery edge and pulls him up. After casting a jump spell on Ramanhi, he easily jumped to the other ledge. Saladin followed suit with the same spell and jumped over.

While investigating the guard post, the group discovers a metal locked door, and the spot where the key was only showing through the disturbed dust. Saladin requested a Knock spell to unlock the door. As Alia fetches the spell, the party becomes under attacks by decomposing tentacles that attack through the window and batter the wood door. While waiting for Alia to come back with the spell, our heroes valiantly fend off the slimy tentacles with a combinatio of slashing, spells and tactics. As they finished off the appendages, Alia brought the spell and Saladin unlocked the door. They walked down the now revealed stairs for what seemed hours.

After that lengthly descent, our heroes reach the mine which is in a rather abandonned state. While investigating the ruins, Saladin called on Zann to be able to detect any undead creatures that might be lurking around, Farooq nears one of the last remaining standing building as Ramanhi keeps both of them in view while nearing the entrance to the mine. Ramanhi and Farooq both hear a noise coming from the water. Spoting the exact spot over the water where the noise came from, Farooq lights up the area to reveal two Chulls movign towards shore. As Ramanhi switches to his composite bow and starts shooting at the Chulls, Farooq comes under attack from behind and gets entangled by a chocker that starts choking him. Saladin rushes to aid his friends.

Saladin rains lightning bolts and magic missiles on the chulls hard shells as Ramanhi drops his bow and takes his scimitar, gutting deeply into one of the beast before getting caught and feeling teh cruash of the Chulls claws. Farooq stabs away at the chocker as the creature viciously continues his neck grapple, sapping Farooq's life slowly away. In a feat of ingenuity, Farooq manages to free himself from the chocker and blindsides one of the Chulls an sneaks attacks it while Ramanhi frees himself from the grapple and Saladin finishes of one of the creature with a well placed volley of magic missiles in the head carapace. Farooq cures Ramanhi which in turns carves up the second Chull, chopping off a claw and gouging a huge cut down it's digestive tracks.

After dispatching the chulls, our heroes hunt for the choker but found no trace of it. they barricade themselves in the building and as Saladin's turn to stand guard, he hears a strange noise outised, like someone scraping something on their meakshift door. Also, his head spins and hurt as the presence of a powerful evil becomes overwhelming. He tries to wake up Ramanhi and Farooq but they are fast asleep. Decided, Saladin tries to unstuck their make shift door and the headache stops, and Farooq awakes. After waking Ramanhi, they investigate to find footsteps that go for about 30 feet then disapear. They found an inscription on their door, written in abyssal, telling them of the nodge to find Ur and to use cold and fire to fight the guardian of the portal to Sokkar.

30th of Riyah: After resting and getting ready for the coming confrontation, our heroes get into the office and steps on the portal altar that teleports them to the base of a mountain in front of steep stairs. The rain is falling and the cloud cover is very low. Farooq turns invisible adn climbs up. As he nears the top, he his struck by a lightning blast. Saladin and Ramanhi sees the head of an arrowhawk through the clouds. Saladin lets go of his Cold bolt and Fireball at the creature, wounding it. Ramanhi shoots at it with his bow and Farooq casts a searing light. Arrows, spells and wits vanquished the guardian. Farooq reaches for the block and vanishes. Saladin follows and Ramanhi joins them.

As their vision returns, they stand in front of a city made out of Mauseleums, cripts and at the center, three pyramids. Behind them, the fury of a black cloud of vengeance staring at them, waiting for them to get out of the protected area of the city...

Major Quest: The Lost Coty of Ur: Update

Saladin found a poem, with the help of a mysterious character, that gives him clues on how to locate the city of Ur.

He who seeks the lost city
must visit those cities three

First shall be Sokkar, city of Eternity
With it's undead guardian getting wary
Forever guarded by a storm most deadly
In the haunted lands the tomb robbers will be dealt swiftly
Right the wrong that was once buried
For the soul to rest for eternity

Second shall be Moradask, city of the Sun
Plagued by a cult like none
Near the pit of the Ghoul it shone
The horse people know the direction
Help the sheik in what needs to be done
To help the Cat as fiery as the sun

Third shall be Ysawis, city of the Dead
Where ajami queen and king rule the Dread
By caravan only can you be led
In the grey jungle ruins numbered in the hundred
courtly intrigue as been bred
That must be solved to put to rest the Dead

Only in then and in that order
Shall the key and way be clearer

Chronology - Update

26th of Diyah: After claiming his newly forged rapier of undead bane, Farooq and friends leave the city of Wands toward the Forrowed Mountains on flying carpet. At nightfall, they encounter Bulwar, a clockwork mage, and his mechanical lion. Around the firecamp, he explaims that he is looking to restore his family's honor by confronting his brother, the clockwork mage known as Yusef the Mad.

27th of Diyah: As the rain season pours its fury on our heroes, they locate the Ashraf estate, a palace carved in the mountain site. They found the house deserted and after some exploring, they discover a secret entrance in the library leading inside the mountain.

As they start exploring the caves, the path gave to a huge caver where copper statues came to life and attack them. After a fierce battle, the vanquished the mechanical foes. They explored the west corridor theat lead to an underground stream and lake. The heroes got attacked by a water elemental who was hiding in the stream. They quickly dispatched this threat. Coming back on their tracks, they explored the east bound corridor. As they explored, a mehcanical noise was becoming more clear until they reached a laboratory. In it, various menuals on mechanical devices and an infernal looking machine. As they explored the lab, Bulwar got snagged by the machine and had his arm cut off by the machine. As our heroes tried their best to free their newfound companion, the machine grafted a weird looking right arm. Saladin picked up automatically an evil feeling from that arm. Seeing what the machine does, the group destroys it before venturing on the corridor.

As they moved on, they started to hear manical laughs and mechanical noises. Bulwar was the first to spot the mechanical spiders made out of glass coming their way. He instructed the group to destroy them at a distance since those where designed to explode with a fireball spell when they were destroyed. After dispatching that treat, the group discovered the las cavern and where greated by Yusef the Mad who after some babble bout transfering his soul to the mechanical scorpion below, he jumps, crushing his head on the rocky floor.

As our heroes checked the mad saher, the mechanical scorpion came to life and started to attack the group, unleashing bolts from his numerous weapons and fending off blows with it's adamantite shell. Soon, our heroes had a strategy: Saladin was blasting away with his wand of Magic Missiles, sending force bolts to weaken the joints in the shell, Ramanhi, Bulwar and the mechanical lion where attacking the joints of the shell to break it. After a while, they managed to break the shell and Yusef turned his body to metal in order to have more protection but the battle was slipping from his grasp. He destroyed his brother's mechanical lion and pierced him with its mechanical tail while Ramanhi delivered the crsuhing blow to the mechanical vessel.

After burying the two brothers and removing the Frozen Flame of Kussuth from the mechanical scorpion, our heroes went back into the estate to heal and decide their next move. They have to reach the other side of the mountain, either through the mountain or around it...