1st Day of Planting, CY 579

The next morning, the party sat down for nice breakfast prepared by Goodwife Gundergroot. Many other adventurers appeared to be staying in the Inn, as the Village of Hommlet is along a busy route for those travelling to the western parts of the Flanaess and the City of Greyhawk, and must pass between the Lortmils and the Yatil Mountains. At some point in the day, the party met Spugnoir, the mage, Turuko the monk (not that the party knew what a monk was) and his large and silent companion, Kobort, an untrustworthy gambler named Furnok, a fighter named Zert, and several others. Each of these characters had their own reasons for being in Hommlet, but all seemed interested in adventure and wealth if the party was up for joining forces.

Inn of the Welcome Wench

While Sarril went to talk to Canon Terjon at the church, Athan and Pontus stayed behind to talk to the other guests at the Inn. They were able to gather that there was a moathouse a few miles outside of the village that used to be an outpost for the Temple of Elemental Evil before it was brought down after the Battle of Emridy Meadow. The villagers here razed the moathouse, but it appears some bandits have moved into it recently - likely having spread from the thieving slum that calls itself the Town of Nulb in the northeast. Some of the guests wanted to clear out the moathouse and be praised as heroes. Others saw opportunity to see what the bandits were up to, and possibly take part in it if it proved interesting enough. And yet others saw opportunity to kill bad guys and loot them. Athan and Pontus were not interested in joining forces with any of these other men, but Athan did manage to pick most of their pockets, before being caught by the fighter named Zert. Zert would surely have beaten Athan to a pulp, if not killed him outright, if it weren't for Pontus stepping in. The site of the huge barbarian was enough to calm Zert down and make him think twice about initiating any aggressive action.

When Sarril returned, the party decided to go to the trader's shop to buy equipment before going to see Jaroo. The spoke to Rannos Davl and were able to buy most of the basic armor, weapons and gear they might need. Outside of the shop, Athan was approached by Spugnoir, who expressed that he would like to join the party if they were going to check out the moathouse. Athan thanked him for his interest while picking his pocket and relieving him of his spellbook, but told him they were not interested. Spugnoir's travelling book was very light on useful spells, but it was better than the nothing they had before. The party then went back to the grove to see if Jaroo had returned.

They found him there, cleaning up the mess the group had made the previous day. Sarril took the lead in introducing themselves and apologizing on behalf of the party, hoping the recognition of Otto and Alyndra would earn them some credit. Pontus, who had caused the most damage, insisted he would repair the root cellar and make everything right again. Jaroo, being a very calm and even tempered man, simply told Pontus that it is not he who needs the apology, but his companion, Grendel. The large black bear came forward at Jaroo's request, growling at Pontus as he came closer. A nervous

Jaroo's Grove

 Pontus got on his knees before the bear and put forth his best apology. Grendel put his face right up to Pontus' head and let out a deafening roar before turning and walking away. "It may take him some time to forgive you," Jaroo said, "but he'll come around eventually." Athan then handed Jaroo some gems and money, saying "This is what I took from your cellar. It's not all there, because we bought some equipment, but thank you very much as we really needed it." Jaroo responded with "I expect you will pay back the rest" and left it at that.

Now that they were, somewhat, on good terms with Jaroo, they discussed the reason they came here. They told Jaroo about the black shards and the black curse it was spreading in the forests. Jaroo relayed that he heard a similar story from his circle in the Gnarley Forest, and while they did not know what was causing it, they were certain it was evil in nature and such evil was likely affiliated with the Temple of Elemental Evil. Jaroo explained that while everyone else thinks the temple is destroyed, it is actually still intact. The clerics and wizards who first dealt with it could not completely destroy it, so they sealed it up with powerful wards in the hopes of containing the evil. But evil cannot be contained for long, and the strange and wicked things that continue to plague the surrounding lands most certainly are still drawn to the place, even if they cannot enter it. Jaroo offered to help the party in their investigation if they would do something in return, which he would consider to be payment for the damage they caused. He asked them to clear out the bandits in the nearby moathouse, and determine if they were simply brigands sheltering in an abandoned building, or if they were up to something more sinister. To help them on their journey, he introduced them to his apprentice, Delvin, a young initiate in the Old Faith who would help them on their mission. Delvin knew the way to the moathouse and could safely lead them there.

And so, off they went. Athan, Sarril, Pontus and Delvin, party of four, on their first real adventure. All except Pontus rode on horseback. Pontus, who could run nearly as fast, did not understand why people would ride their food. As they approached the moathouse, three giant frogs leapt from moat and the swampy area around it. One of the horses was spooked and ran away. The heroes bravely fought the frogs, though Pontus decided the best way to accomplish that was from the inside of its belly. The barbarian ways are mysterious. After the frog encounter, the party approached the moathouse, where the remaining horse's leg punched through the rotten drawbridge, getting the horse stuck with a broken leg. Pontus declared the party can eat it for dinner. The party was able to enter the courtyard unmolested, but wound up fighting a giant spider inside a broken tower, which was a very close call for Athan. Making their way across the courtyard, they party entered the broken double doors into the ruins of the moathouse. The entire upper levels were collapsed, as were many of the rooms on the first level. Rubble was everywhere. While searching around, the party found one door that appeared to be barred from the inside, and surmised that the bandits might be held up in there. As they continued to snoop around, they encountered rats - 18 of them as best they could count. Once the first one was encountered, they just appeared to be coming out of all of the walls and every crack and crevice that could be found. Athan quickly succumbed to multiple bite wounds, and dropped to the floor, about to be consumed. Pontus immediately sheathed his sword, picked up the dying Athan, and he and Sarril and Delvin ran from the moathouse. Once outside, Pontus was able to apply first-aid while Sarril performed a heal. While Athan was conscious again, the party decided they needed to return to Hommlet to rest and heal before trying again - preferably with a better plan next time.

28th Day of Coldeven, CY 579

Athan, Pontus and Sarril find themselves together, naked, on the side of the road on the way to Hommlet, having been the victims of some foul magic. The newly formed party soon realized they share a common goal, and it must be fate or the gods that have brought them together. The newly formed party agreed to stay together at least long enough to get to Hommlet.

In a field not far outside the village, the group found the bodies of what looked like adventurers, freshly geared up, carrying a map to a dungeon called White Plume Mountain where adventure, danger and treasure must surely have waited for them. Someone else had other plans, however, as their bodies were peppered with arrows. Most of the valuable items were stripped from them, but the group was able to take their clothes and some basic weapons. Athan's clothes were a little baggy, while Pontus was clearly squeezing into things three sizes too small, but they outfitted themselves as best they could and moved on to Hommlet where they looked out of place, to be sure, but at least not naked.

Knowing they were on a mission, even if they were no longer carrying the mysterious black shards, Pontus and Sarril insisted that Pontus hold off his desire to drink for a few minutes while they look for the druid, Jaroo. Besides, no one had any money. 

They were able to find Jaroo's grove, but it was empty. Athan felt it would be a good idea to enter the druid's hut and make sure he truly wasn't home. While looking around in the hut, they found a mysterious decanter that seemed to remain full of water no matter how much was poured out. Pontus, the barbarian, became enraged at the sight of it and immediately smashed it into pieces, saving the party from whatever terrible fate would have befallen them if they had remained exposed to that accursed thing. Just to be sure they were safe, Pontus searched the entire hut for anything radiating a similar foul aura, but did not find anything. He told his party members they were now safe and did not need to thank him. Athan continued his search nonetheless, pocketing a few potions and other items for safe keeping. Sarril was quite upset about this intrusion into Jaroo's private residence and destruction of his property, but his objections were ignored by the other two.

It was clear that Jaroo was not home, though the part searched around the outside of the hut to be sure. They noticed a black bear in the woods at the edge of the grove, watching them, but no Jaroo. Pontus found an entrance to a root cellar and decided to check it out. Once again sensing the foul presence of magic in the dirt floor, he began to dig until he uncovered a chest. Opening the chest set off a magical fire trap, which destroyed the root cellar and burned Pontus pretty good - with only his barbarian toughness saving him. Inside the chest were several gems, which Athan insisted Jaroo must have wanted them to have as he came into the root cellar and placed them in his pockets.

Returning outside, Pontus noticed the bear again. Not knowing much about druids, he did remember some things his father told him about them being nature worshipers and possessing something similar to divine magic. Pontus decided the bear itself might be a shapeshifted Jaroo. He followed the bear out into a clearing shouting to it "Jaroo!, Jaroo!" When the bear did not respond, he wisely picked up a large rock and hurled it right at the bear, doing a decent amount of damage in the process. "That will get Jaroo's attention" smiled Pontus. The angry bear turned and charged him. Lucky for Pontus, his unarmored AC made him nearly untouchable. He fended off the bear with his recently acquired sword, backing up in the process saying "Jaroo, I don't want to hurt you." The bear got a few swipes in and Pontus realized his life would soon end if he didn't defend himself properly, so he began to slice at the bear with the sword. Just as the bear was near death, Sarril ran in to intervene. Yelling at Pontus to stop, he cast a healing spell and, risking his own life, walked up to the bear and placed it on him. This calmed the bear down long enough for Pontus to clear the area. The bear roared, then walked away.

And thus the newly formed party, on their very first day together, managed to make a mess of the Grove of Jaroo, the druid whose help they would be seeking soon. Much regret began to sink in as they realized this - with the possible exception of Athan, who thought it was really good of Jaroo to give them all of this stuff to help them on their mission.

After the grove, the party had a meal at the Inn of the Welcome Wench and met the proprietor, Ostler Gundergroot. After a great meal, they explored the rest of the village and discovered a few more people and places. 

• Jack, the Village Elder, who lives with his two sons; 
• Rannos and Gremag who run the trading post;
• Rufus (Fighter) and Burne (Mage), local nobles who are building a castle and living in a tower. They have some brigands they have captured over the years and put to work. Some of them have been turned into a militia known as "Burne's Badgers."
• Calmert and Canon Terjon within the Church of St. Cuthbert. Canon Terjon is new, having been sent from Veluna to replace Canoness Y'Dey, who disappeared mysteriously a couple of months ago.

The party used their newly acquired wealth to purchase a room at the Inn for the night. Thus ended the first group session of this Oldschool Greyhawk Campaign.

Meet the Player Characters: Sarril

Sarril (no known family name) - Cleric of Boccob / Magic User (Half-Elf)

Sarril was born in the city of Stoink in the Bandit Kingdoms.  His mother was a captured elven slave. He does not know who is father is.  His early years as a slave were painful and filled with sorrow.  He was separated from his mother as soon as he no longer needed to be fed by her.  He was whipped and beaten almost every day.  His chores were cleaning the blood and filth from the slave and fighting pens.  When he was 10 years old he was placed in a caged cart with other slaves and marched down the road.

As the slave caravan traveled west from Stoink, they came upon a lone traveler who was heading south-west.  The slave caravan figured this was an easy mark for them as the traveler did not appear to be wearing any armor or weapons.  As four slavers approached the man and attempted to capture him, he quickly disarmed and dispatched the slavers.  He seemed to know when and where they were going to attack and always stayed one step ahead of them.  He beat them using his quickness and wit, with quite a few punches and kicks for good measure.  He released the slaves and gave them two options.  They could choose to gather any supplies and run, or the second option was to follow him and he would lead them south-west to Rel Mord, the capital of the Kingdom of Nyrond.  The choice was theirs, they were free.  Many gathered what they could and ran.  The few, Sarril included, chose to follow the man to Rel Mord.

Once they made it to Rel Mord, the man left them.  He wished them well and told them all that as free men and women, they had the choice to make their own road now.  Sarril, alone for the first time and given his own choice of what to do was lost…

As he walked the city of Rel Mord with nothing but the over-sized cloth on his back.  He came upon the Temple to Boccob.  As he stands looking at it, he hears a woman’s voice in his head, he thinks it is his mother…Learn, study, grow…  You know what you must do….

Sarril enters the temple and find the high priest.  He kneels before the priest and lays himself out before him.  “I give myself to Boccob, to learn, to study, to grow…I will do all that you ask and all that you need…”

Otto

The priest, not having seen this type of loyalty or devotion given to himself or Boccob, takes the boy in.  He teaches Sarril all of Boccob’s teachings.  The years seem to pass quickly for Sarril.  He knows this is what he needs, what he wants… He learns all that he can.  As the years pass, his temperament changes.  He is no longer the boy slave who walked into the temple alone and afraid.  He has chosen who he is.  He knows what he wants.  He has dedicated his life to learning all that he can…

Sarril's dedication to Boccob and his quick learning eventually gained the notice of another well-known servant of Boccob and friend of the temple. The famous archmage Otto took a liking to Sarril and eventually offered him the chance of a lifetime, to come to his home in Chathold and serve as his apprentice. Sarril gladly took the opportunity and in Otto's service, he was given a chance to see much of the world (for Otto loved to travel). Though it took a long time to learn the arcane arts, Otto was an excellent teacher and Sarril a quick student. Within a few years, Sarril was ready to start casting his own spells.

It was in the month of Coldeven, in CY 579 when Otto was summoned to the Adri Forest to meet with the Grand Druid, Immonara. Otto was always a friend to the druids of that area and glad to provide services when needed. Sarril and Otto went to the Adri Forest and there Immonara showed them a horrible site. A dreaded curse has taken hold and was turning all of the trees and vegetation dark gray - colorless as if dead, yet still intact. The curse seemed to be spreading out from a point deep inside the forest, where it was pitch black. In the center of the blackness, Immonara explained, was found a black shard that seems to be the cause. Her druidic rituals could not identify the object or explain its power, and she sought some arcane assistance. Otto tried every means at his disposal to identify the shard but was unable to get an answer. He agreed to discuss it with his order - the Circle of Eight. Surely together, they could figure this out.

Otto and Sarril then traveled to the City of Greyhawk, where Otto has a second home. Otto left Sarril to meet with his fellow wizards. When he returned, he had a mission for Sarril. Several leagues to the west of Greyhawk, in the Viscounty of Verbobonc is the Village of Hommlet. Within this village is a druid named Jaroo, who belongs to an order of druids from the Gnarley Forest. Jaroo may have some information about this shard if Sarril would take it to him. Otto was being called away on urgent business, so Sarril would be entrusted with his first solo mission, if he can handle it. Sarril agreed, eager to prove himself on his own. Otto outfitted him with magical weapons and protections and gave him his very own spellbook - complete with all of Otto's personal spells in addition to the usual stuff. Sarril immediately set about his task.

On the road to Hommlet, Sarril stopped into the inn of the Sleepy Dragon to get a night's rest. While having dinner, he noticed a band playing very loud music that was mesmerizing. Sarril noticed the band members' instruments had a symbol of a tooth dripping blood on it. He started to feel light-headed, and realized he needed to get out. As he made his way to the door, he passed out. When he woke up, he was naked on the side of the road without any possessions whatsoever. Next to him was a naked Fruztii barbarian and a naked grey elf that had seen earlier in the inn. Although they appeared to be in the same place on the road, there was no longer any inn, nor any sign there ever was one here.