The Tower of the Black Prince

The Friday night Krevborna campaign continued, this time with a special guest joining for the evening.

Characters

Dario Diego Durant, swashbuckling swordsman

Doctor Anastasia Nadya Strahov, a gun-priest

Ulu, the party's urska mom

Varro, a young snow elf bearing a magical sword

Morwenna, harpy devotee of St. Vionka

Johanna, lycan bard and fallen noble 

Routh, cauldronborn servant of the Graymalks

 

Events

The Charnel Hounds arrived in Hemlock Hollow after weeks of traveling. They found the Graymalk's sprawling, city-block sized house easily; after knocking on the door, they were ushered into a conference with Vandra Graymalk, a witch with a particular focus on herbalism. She offered terms for treating the hideous plant growths that had taken root in Anastasia and Morwenna: she would cure one of them now and other later, and in return the Hounds would retrieve an item lost in the Hellwar that the Graymalks wanted. Vandra also planned to send her cauldronborn servant Routh with them to keep the group on task. (And to facilitate her plan to betray the group, but of course they didn't know that.)

After accepting her terms, the group was led into the labyrinthine basements of the Graymalk house until Vandra unlocked an iron-bound door that opened into utter darkness. The item they were meant to retrieve, which she would not name, was hidden somewhere in the Tower of the Black Prince's Corruption...in Hell. 

By stepping through the portal, they literally entered Hell.

They walked across a red plateau until they saw a strange tower in the distance. The tower proved to be made entirely of flesh--scabby, puss-leaking flesh. Morwenna flew to the top of the tower and spotted a wound large enough to enter, so she ferried each Hound up to the top one by one. 

The tower's internal wounds acted as tunnels leading downward through the mass of flesh. They encountered pools of blood and puss, as well as a stained glass window depicting an angel in flight embedded into the "skin" of one room. They also encountered demons trying to fish a dead Graymalk witch from a vast puddle of bodily fluids--they charged in, defeated the devils, and looted the witch's purse as their prize. In another "chamber," they surprised a number of shovel and pickaxe-wielding demons hard at work digging tunnels into the flesh below their feet. After fighting the vulture-like overseer, they let the demons creep off as they clearly weren't looking for a fight once their leader was dispatched.

In one of the tunnels heading deeper into the tower, they saw something large and reptilian scuttling in the shadows. They choose another tunnel that eventually brought them to a large brass door. A sentient man mad of shadow lurked nearby. Morwenna approached him--and he proved to be the shadow of the Black Prince, the first necromancer the world had ever known. Contrary to their suspicion that he was there to prevent them from opening the door, he wanted  them to do it--it would allow him to slip out of Hell to pursue his terrible goals in the Mortal World once more. 

Opening the brass door suddenly didn't sound like a good idea. However, he also assured the group that the item they sought was beyond the door. The only catch was that someone had to speak the Enothian words etched on the door as it was opened, and the Black Prince was unable to say such holy words. Seeing no other way forward, they group did what was necessary and--

--found themselves in an uncanny approximation of Creedhall, the color palette reduced to red-on-red and the twisted street they were on leading up a hill to where a dark mansion sat. From one of the skeletal trees flanking the manse, they could see a bag made of human skin hanging from a branch--and they knew that was the mysterious item Vandra had sent them for. Unfortunately, as they made their way up the hill the doors of the mansion opened and a veritable army of the undead trooped out to meet them. In the lead was their commander--a lizard-headed woman missing an arm.

The battle to gain the bag was fierce. Routh was nearly killed by the army's leader, and when Anastasia ran to heal Routh she was cut down in turn. Only quick strategizing (and the initiative cards falling in their favor) prevented a death in the party. Morwenna swooped in and grabbed the bag; rather than fight until every last foe was defeated, they ran for it.

Strangely, when they again crossed through the brass door it did not lead them back to the Tower of the Black Prince's Corruption. Instead, they realized they were inside a large tent with a campfire burning at its center. The tent's occupant introduced herself as Cassie Mabcrowe. Cassie was the friend that Serafina contacted on their behalf because they wanted information on Yavor Mikalek and the otherworldly entity known as Krusikal.

Cassie was happy to provide the information they sought, but she had a deal of her own she wanted to strike with the Charnel Hounds. She explained that the Graymalks planned to kill them as soon as they handed the bag over to them, and that Routh would be commanded to aid in the betrayal. Cassie offered them better terms--she would heal the remaining Hound afflicted with the unnatural plant, free Routh from the Graymalks and bestow him with free will, and give them the name of someone who could help them find Yavor. All in return for what was in the bag, of course.

Knowing a bargain when they saw one, the characters accepted. 

Dragonwyck

Bad Books for Bad People, Episode 95: Dragonwyck

Anya Seton is a grande dame of historical fiction, a reputation earned by novels like Dragonwyck, her 1944 gothic romance. Join Jack and Kate as they explore the dark corridors and even darker history of a 19th Century Hudson Valley manor home.

What are some warning signs that you’re in for a rough ride with a romance protagonist? How many times will our hosts mispronounce Ms. Seton’s name? Does breast size (once again) hold the key to understanding this book’s female characters? All these questions and more will be explored in this episode of the podcast. 

Cauldronborn

Since these guys have popped up a few times in the current Krevborna campaign, I thought I should add them to the world-building blog posts. If it wasn't obvious from what follows, the cauldronborn are Krevborna's answer to the idea of "orcs."

 

Cauldronborn

As a last-ditch tactic in their war to push mankind out of their territory, the aelvani submerged their human prisoners of war in magical cauldrons gifted to them by Baba Vasaga, the Hag-Queen of the Autumn Court. When these captives emerged, they were the first of the cauldronborn—a race of transmogrified warriors who were stronger and more savage than the raw material that created them. When it was obvious that they had lost the war against humanity, the aelvani freed the cauldronborn from servitude. Only small pockets of cauldronborn remain in Krevborna.

Cauldronborn are hulking and brutish in appearance; they often possess gray or greenish skin, sloping foreheads, and jutting teeth. They tend to be physically imposing, strong, and resilient.

 

Suggested Stats: I just use the orc stats from the Fantasy Companion for cauldronborn. 

Ornamental Women Bookmarks

Ornamental Women, my debut Gothic Fantasy novel, has been out for just about two months now, so I'd like to offer a little something to everyone who bought a print copy: a silly bookmark drawn by yours truly. (If you bought an ebook copy, I still love you, but you won't need a physical bookmark for that, right?) Anyway, here's the bookmark:

 

The bookmark is a doodle depicting Serafina, the "Angel of the Graves," main character of Ornamental Women. Since Sera is a dangerous grave robber, she's shown with dagger and shovel in hand.

Want one? Here's how to get it: send a pic of your print copy of Ornamental Women to me at totgad AT gmail DOT com with your mailing address and I'll get one out to you. (Or a copy of your receipt or order history or whatever--I do not need to see your credit card details, obviously!)

If you haven't bought a copy yet--there's still time! I made a bunch of these, so while supplies won't last forever I should have enough if you want to purchase a copy soon. Consider that your incentive! 

The Bad Seeds

More fun with nuns in the latest Krevborna adventure!

 

Characters

Dario Diego Durant, swashbuckling swordsman

Doctor Anastasia Nadya Strahov, a gun-priest 

Ulu, the party's urska mom

Varro, a young snow elf bearing a magical sword

Morwenna, harpy devotee of St. Vionka

Johanna, lycan bard

 

Events

We last left the Charnel Hounds investigating the Convent of St. Nostalia of the Bladed Mercy because they suspected the nuns were connected to the strange, plant-infected sisters who had attacked Braelin hours before. The Hounds hadn't made a great impression on the nuns after breaking into the convent, leveling guns at them, and announcing their allegiance to heretical saints. 

Things didn't improve much after one of the nuns, Sister Evangeline, offered to take them on a tour of the convent to show that nothing nefarious was going on and they just stood there dickering about it for quite some time. Their behavior toward the nuns effectively cut off any negotiation or the possibility of deceiving them--it was clear they weren't there in good faith.

When they finally decided to let themselves be escorted by three of the nuns (Sister Bronwyn stayed behind in the chapel to finish her prayers), they were shown that nothing was amiss in the laundry. Sister Evangeline was adamant that the strangers could NOT interrupt the rest of any of their sick and dying patients. They were also shown the kitchen, where again nothing was amiss.

Ulu and Varro left the convent to investigate the adjoining cemetery, after promising not to disturb the dead. Again, nothing was amiss...until they searched the nearby bake house. It was evident that the ovens had not been fired in some time, which made them suspect that the nuns weren't actually eating. Also strange was the covered cauldron they found that contained more of the Borcheza perfume they had smelled earlier, and a ladder leading down into tunnels--tunnels where they could hear water rushing.

Back in the kitchen, Dario and Johanna were led down into the basement larder by Sister Petra. The nun beckoned them into the reaches of the larder--then blew out her candelabra. At the same moment, Sister Evangelina kicked the trapdoor leading into the larder shut. A sudden rush of perfumed scent assailed Anastasia and Morwenna, knocking them both out. 

Down in the darkness, Johanna and Dario found themselves attacked by thorny tendrils--things immediately went poorly for them as they were savaged by a surprise attack. They attempted to fight back, but the absence of any light made it impossible. When they finally got a lantern lit, they saw that Sister Petra was no longer standing on two feet; she had sprouted a number of vine-like tendrils from her back that allowed her to scuttle around. The battle in the larder was a very near thing; both Johanna and Dario emerged wounded.

Morwenna and Anastasia awoke blindfolded, gagged, and bound. They felt a small blade cutting each of their ankles, then felt the pain of a walnut-sized seed being pushed into their flesh. 

Varro and Ulu returned to the convent proper and now found the front door barred from within. A window was broken so that Varro could crawl inside and unbar it. They then met up with Dario and Johanna, and the group discovered Morwenna and Anastasia face down and bound in one of the nun's cells. Anastasia determined that trying to remove the seeds from their ankles would cause catastrophic damage, as the seeds had already started sending roots throughout their legs--if not further into their flesh.

Ulu explained about the tunnel system they had found, so it was decided that the best bet was to explore that and hope to find the nuns and perhaps uncover a way to remove the growing seeds from Morwenna and Anastasia. Disconcertingly, as they traversed the tunnels, they found the nuns' discarded habits...and then the nuns' discarded skins.

Further in the tunnels, they faced their most dangerous foe yet: a rushing underground river. Ulu, the strongest and largest of the group, attempted to ford it first--and was promptly swept away by the current. Varro jumped in after her, but was also swept away. Luckily, Morwenna had just enough room to fly and follow them to where they washed up in a little debris-strewn alcove. Clearing away the detritus allowed them to find a passage that circled around to the other side of the underground river, and also netted them a bottle imp to the bargain. With two strong members of the party on the other side of the river, using a rope to help everyone else ford became a much safer prospect.

However, they may have wished they hadn't forded the river when they stumbled upon the three remaining "nuns" (who were now fully plant creatures made of writhing thorny tendrils) caught in the act of merging to form a larger, deadlier creature. Battle was joined and it did not go well. An attempt was made to douse the creature with oil and set it alight, but the thrown torch missed the mark entirely. 

Any initial momentum squandered, the Hounds faced a barrage of attacks that left them all badly wounded and already wrong-footed. Their attempts to rally met with minimal success--ill luck seemed to dog them: guns jammed, attacks missed, and the creature shrugged off some powerful blows. Ultimately, though they were teetering on the brink of defeat, the cavern resounded with the sound of wood cracking as Ulu tore the creature in half. 

With no obvious solution to the problem of the seeds in sight, the Hounds made their way back to Braelin. Raenessa, their alchemist, analyzed the perfume and concluded that it was probably meant to poison the town's water supplies to make everyone transform into plant creatures. Unfortunately, Raenessa had no way to stop the seeds' progress.

Aivra Williams was rounded up from the schoolhouse, since it now occurred to the group that it was strange that she had been targeted by the mutated nuns--they hoped that her blood possessed some sort of anti-plant property--and she was taken to Dr. Ilsa's office. Dr. Ilsa had no way of removing the seeds either, but when questioned Aivra closed the office's door and made all within swear a blood oath not to share what she was about to tell them. She then took down her bun of auburn hair and revealed that she was actually Ivara Graymalk, the eldest sister of the infamous witch clan of Hemlock Hollow. 

She had no way to affect a cure either, but she insisted that her family might be able to help. To that end, she gave them a sealed letter of introduction and urged them to make their way to Hemlock Hollow. The clock was ticking for Anastasia and Morwenna. 

Ornamental Women Playlist

Now, I know exactly what you're thinking: I would buy and read Ornamental Women, Jack's Gothic Fantasy novel, if only it had an official playlist...

Well, friend, you're in luck: here's the official Spotify playlist for Ornamental Women. And here's your link to buy a copy of the novel.

What's on there? Glad you asked:

1. Tristania, Deadlocked

2. Theatres des Vampires, The Gates of Hades

3. Paradise Lost, Joys of the Emptiness

4. Katatonia, My Twin

5. Moonspell, Abyssmo

6. Sirenia, Sister Nightfall

7. Theatre of Tragedy, Cassandra

8. Nightwish, Sleeping Sun

9. Draconian, Bloodflower

10. Therion, The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah

11. The Gathering, In Motion #1

12. Lacuna Coil, My Wings

13. The Sins of Thy Beloved, All Alone

14. My Dying Bride, For You

15. Lacrimas Profundere, I Know and Will Forever Know 

Bladed Mercy

We picked up from the level-up session, and a new adventure began in the current Krevborna campaign!

 

Characters

Dario Diego Durant, swashbuckling swordsman

Doctor Anastasia Nadya Strahov, a gun-priest who says strange things about blood

Ulu, the party's urska mom

Varro, a young snow elf bearing a magical sword

Morwenna, harpy devotee of St. Vionka

 

Events

After the duel between Varro and Embrelle last session, Varro invited his opponent, her friends Serafina and Alejandra, and their daughter Constance to dinner at the Kaul House. Beaumont D'orleac was glad to see that the party was mixing socially, but since they planned for the dinner to be a seafood boil eaten outside, he left most of the preparations in the hands of Irenya. 

After dinner, they asked Serafina inside to their new library so that she could tell them what she knew of Yavor and Krusikal. Serafina hesitated on the threshold when she saw D'orleac, and when asked to explain her reaction to the butler, she said, "I'm not an expert on the occult, but I know a ghost when I see one."

Serafina was able to shed some light on Yavor and Krusikal: she had a "friend" who sometimes taught at the Malcovat, the school of black magic hidden high in the Karthax Mountains. Yavor was also an instructor at the school, but he turned away from diabolism and embraced the alien magic of the Outer Dark instead--and cheated Hell of an entire cohort of witches and warlocks. Serafina knew that Yavor was a disciple of Krusikal--also known as Kusikal the Unvanquished and Krusikal the Heartless. That last name was especially important because Krusikal had removed his "heart" and sundered it in two so that he could not be slain. Serafina didn't know what the heart was, but she related that her friend considered each half to be a particularly fell weapon. She further promised to contact her friend on their behalf to see if she could provide further aid.

The evening was interrupted with the arrival of a young man who came to tell them that the schoolhouse in Braelin was under attack. Alejandra, Serafina, and Constance sheltered with Raenessa and Irenya in the alchemist's lab; Embrelle borrowed Raenessa's husband's sword to accompany the group to see what the trouble was. 

The schoolhouse was, in fact, under attack--by women with greenish tinted skin wearing nun's habits. They had the schoolhouse surrounded and were banging on the doors and windows with their fists. When talking to them failed, a big battle ensued--and it was big, as there were thirteen of the nuns in total. It quickly became apparent that the nuns were not normal--flowering blooms and thorn-studded tendrils erupted from their flesh. Eventually, the Hounds were joined by Pandora and Morrigan Rue, which helped even the odds. 

(Morrigan was highly proficient with the two swords they always saw her carrying, and Pandora was able to conjure creatures made of shadow.) 

They were also aided by a mysterious gunshot that took the head off of one of the marauding nuns.  

Once the dust settled, the nuns were searched--one of them had a bottle of expensive perfume from the Borcheza company on her person. Curious, that.

Dario also knocked on the door of Crispin Telimov, the tailor who lives across from the school, and detected the smell of gunpowder on him. Did he fire the helpful shot that took out a nun?

The Rues reported that other areas of Braelin had also come under attack, but had been repelled. The Rue sisters agreed to supply the Hounds with horses if they wanted to venture to the Convent of St. Nostalia of the Bladed Mercy up in the hills to see if it had any connection to the attack. 

It was night when the group reached the convent. Anastasia came through the doors into the chapel with guns drawn, disturbing  a nun with scars on her hands during her prayers. The nun was not intimidated by Anastasia or the group in the least, and denied the convent's involvement with the attack on Braelin. Morwenna tried to smooth things over, but mentioning that she was an acolyte of a heretical saint didn't improve matters. 

Things appeared to be in a stalemate when a group of three more nuns arrived, one bearing a lit candelabra. Another, her eyes a bright blue that reflected the candlelight, proposed they talk through whatever issue brought the group to St. Nostalia's convent.

We'll see how well that works next time.