The Sundering

After a few modifications to skills, spells and encumbrance we got underway with the next part.

The party is standing on the fortifications of the Holy See. Having successfully held the line against the second wave are using their breif repreive to loot their enemies of any valuables. A gentle compelling voice mentally commands them to fall back to the Holey See to defend the prophets, and having little in the way of options retreat back down the stairs behind them with Tundill and Uther still nursing their wounds from the previous fight.

They run on foot; the nimble Elf leading the way, Uther jogging comfortably behind her, Milo the halfling sprinting at top pace in third, and finally Tundill the fully armoured Dwarf pounding through the streets as fast as his stumpy legs can carry him. A formation of fallen angels swoop into view at the rear carrying large boulders, searching for an ideal target. As they survey the city streets below Uther raises his crossbow, aims carefully, and fires a crossbow bolt aloft. The bolt flies unerringly and buries itself in the shoulder of the formation leader who lets forth a screech of rage and signals the group. High above the party the fallen angels swoop, dropping their rocks in the party's path. Nobody escapes the rockfall unscathed and as the dust clears Wanda is found, winded and beaten but still conscious and able to limp along. Uther casts one of his precious remaining orisions on her and she is able to move again at normally.

As they sprint towards the light of God's diamond throne a second light begins to build nearby. Their instructions have been to locate and protect the prophets, and since God lives alone the party summise the prophets must be at the second light source.

Sure enough, after navigating the diamond maze of halls they stumble into a room filled with light, and find the five prophets cooperatively casting some great incantaion. Heavy foodsteps echo down the hall. The party take defensive positions to protect the prophets at any cost, ranged weapons readied.

Into the hallway steps a monstrous Fallen Angel, snarling and furious. All weapons fire simultaneously, however bounce ineffectually from his armour or miss altogether, skittering along the floor. He charges forwards and bashes Tundil who sets his shoulder into his shield and throws his entire bodyweight against impact, his feet sliding backwards from the force. He bellows back at the Fallen Angel, and regaining his footing, swings his waraxe at the towering beast who easily steps out of the way. As the Fallen Angel readies his blackened greatsword Uther charges forwards, mace in hand, but clangs against the Fallen Angel's armour. The Fallen Angel puts his full weight into his massive sword and brings down on the Dwarf. The blade clips past the tip of Tundill's shield and buries itself at mid-length through Tundill's collar and deep into his torso, cutting a massive gash through his armour. With a mighty pull the Fallen Angel yanks the blade free of Tundill's lifeless body, and stepping forwards once more, thrusts it at Uther burying it hilt-deep into his midsection. Uther opens his mouth to scream as the Fallen Angel twists the blade, but no scream issues forth. The Fallen Angel chuckles hoarsely as he senses Uther's divine spark flicker and die. He places his on foot on Uther's chest, and pushes Uther's corpse along the length of the greatsword, drawing his scarlet and dripping blade from the wound. Uther drops to the floor, lifeless. The prophets redouble their efforts to complete the spell. The light increases in intensity and the players can hear the panic in the prophets' voices as they desperately chant incantations. Now only the frail Elven Wizard and the tiny Halfling remain. Wanda, out of spells and severely wounded, draws together her remaining strength and charges the Fallen Angel - alas to no avail. The Fallen Angel, sensing that the prophets' spell is near completion, wastes no more time. In a single brutal move he steps past Wanda catching her in the middle with the up-sweep of his sword. Using the momentum he raises it high aloft and brings it down once more into a small pile of Halfling.

Wanda and Milo watch in semi-consciousness from the floor as the Fallen Angel towers over them. He snorts, and strides across the room to the prophets. The prophets are straining against the power of their spell, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads, frantically completing last of the sigils of their experiment. The Fallen Angel holds his dripping blade level with the neck of the first prophet and draws it back, full of horror and intent, his calloused hands tightening on the grip. He shifts his weight slightly and swings his blade. The prophets scream out the final syllables of their spell, and the universe freezes. The light grows, building on its own power. It shimmers or a moment, then detonates in a blinding white glare, outshining even the light of God, then fades into nothingness...


The party awake in the mortal realm. Their armour and clothes all have terrible gashes in them, but the skin beneath has healed perfectly. They feel filthy and itchy. Their muscles ache, they have throbbing headaches, and they don't have the energy to move. They spend a day watching the sun, moon and stars move across the sky. The next morning they can move, and are thirsty and famished. They suck dew off the grasses to whet their tongues, and are tempted to shoot at a hawk for something to eat. They climb a small hill, and take in the surrounding lands. They see an ocean to one side, and there is a nearby road winding into the distance. They begin to follow the road.

After some time they hear singing. A robed man rides a mule, singing a strange song about God. Suddenly five Hobgoblins rise from the long grass and charge in. Milo moves quickly and quietly forwards, but fails to sneak-attack the first. The Hobgoblins realise they are under attack and respond by charging the first and closest threat - Milo. Milo comes under a flurry of attacks, and takes two slashes from their scmitars. Tundill charges to Milo's defense. Wanda casts Colour Spray and once again, all three foes succumb to the affects. The remaining two attempt to flee, unsuccessfully, while Wanda mercilessly coupe-de-grace's the unconscious Hobgoblins.

Looking around they notice the man has fled. They start after him, and find him hiding in some nearby bushes. He introduces himself as Cathon, a priest from the Monestary of Belm. He explains he came because of a vision he had last night, and believes the party when they say they are from Heaven. 10,000 years have passed since the Sundering, and on the way home he discusses many topics with the party, explaining Cambions, Ulcers, History, Religion, and the local geography and towns. Cathon suggests that the party stay in the church for a while, and the party readily accept. After return to Belm, they meet Cardinal Gleam, some locals, and then retire for the night.

GM's Notes:

• XP awarded for: Angels dropping rocks + 5 Hobgoblins => 337 XP
  1700 (last session) + 337 = 2037 XP (52% to level 3).
  [edit 17/05] I have the extraordinary good fortune of being in contact with Robert J Defendi, the author of the Echoes of Heaven. After reading this blog he pointed out to me that the next main adventure is in fact intended for second level characters, not third as I have incorrectly interpreted. I was being overly generous with XP because I wanted to bring everyone up to third level, but now I realise this is not necessary. Therefore I have cut the XP from fighting the Fallen Angel, as you didn't really defeat him did you? (He butchered you all into little piles of PCs)[/edit]
  
  
• I thoroughly enjoyed the fight with the Fallen Angel. I mercilessly butchered them all to this psychotic music. What fun!
  
  
• Next session I'll run a sidequest I wrote myself to slot nicely into the campaign. I'm still writing it, but once it's finished I'll publish it online for comments and criticisms - after we've finished it, of course. :)
  
  
• I think I use too many commas in my writing. Basic grammar is a good thing so I've been told.
  [edit 17/05]Culled some. There is a good website on Using Commas. :)[/edit]