Season 34 Progress - Happy Valentine's Day!

This is mostly going to be a photo dump of all my various progress through Season 34, so apologies in advance! It's been a wild few days and I'm not even sure how to describe it, if I'm being honest.

Starting Fresh:

I decided to roll a couple of new characters this season. I chose to start with a witch doctor (of course), but then added a crusader, wizard, and demon hunter, mostly because 1) I love the aegis of valor crusader build for its fast farming capabilities 2) I need set dungeons completed for wizard and demon hunter.

Epic Moments:

There have been some unforgettable moments so far. From clutch victories in Greater Rifts to those perfect gear drops that made my build shine, but most exciting has been the sheer amount of primal ancient items that have dropped for me this season. I even got 2 primal ancients in one enmity before unlocking the double primal drops on the Altar of Rites. Here are some photos capturing those epic moments:

Gear Grind:

The grind for gear has been real this season, especially with four characters. Whether it's farming for those elusive legendary drops or crafting and enchanting, it's been a journey. I've collected just about every set piece I can on the off chance my husband will agree to run the set dungeons for those sets, lol. 😂 I have pieces of the Aegis of Valor set for reforging in the hopes of getting primal ancients, Armor of Akkhan, Roland's Legacy, Seeker of the Light, and Thorns of the Invoker.

For witch doctor, I believe I have full sets for Helltooth Harness, Mundunugu's Regalia (from Haedrig's Gift), Raiment of the Jade Harvester, Spirit of Arachyr, and Zunimassa's Haunt. I generally keep the Mundunugu's equipped because I know that build the best.

For my wizard, I have the Delsere's Magnum Opus set equipped, using the frozen orb build. I also have a flame blade Firebird's build put together, a completed Typhon's Veil set. I'm working on putting together a Tal Rasha's build and just farming those pieces.

Lastly my demon hunter. I have a full set of Unhallowed Essence and I'm loving the multishot build that my husband and I have put together. I have a full Embodiment of the Marauder set, though not all the pieces for a full build, and I also have the Gears of Dreadlands set pieces but probably not all extra little legendary pieces to make the build viable.

Multiplayer Fun:

Playing with a friend has added new possibilities and challenges. Teaming up for bounties, rifts, conquests, and just general chaos has been a blast. My husband and I usually play together, just the two of us, but this season his former coworker decided to join us. While not without its challenges, having a third person helped us to get my last conquest!

The first one I got was On a Good Day: Level six Legendary Gems to level 65.

Second was Years of War: Reach Greater Rift 55 Solo while using the full bonus from six of the following Class Sets. The sets I chose were: Mundunugu's Regalia, Aegis of Valor, Raiment of the Jade Harvester, Helltooth Harness, Firebird's Finery, and Delsere's Magnum Opus.

And the final conquest I achieved was Boss Mode: Kill all bosses listed within 20 minutes from starting the game. 

Act I - The Skeleton King, Queen Araneae, The Butcher

Act II - Maghda, Zoltun Kulle, Belial

Act III - Ghom, Siegebreaker, Cydea, Azmodan

Act IV - Rakanoth, Izual, Diablo

Act V - Urzael, Adria, Malthael

Looking Forward:

And that's it, I've completed Season 34's Season Journey!

I’m excited to see how far I can push my character in Greater Rifts, but I'm also not really likely to jump back into the game now that I'm done. The journey has been wild and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Stay tuned for more updates, and share your own Season 34 stories in the comments!

Carrow Eastwick

My level 3 wizard, Carrow Eastwick!

Journal #001

Journal #000

Journal: Carrow #001

[day 1]

It’s late, and I find myself in a strange outpost. A nice woman let me in, and I followed her to lodgings. There are many strange people here, but at least they’re asleep right now.

Maybe tomorrow I can find out more about this place.

[days 2 & 3?]

The woman from last night and I were confronted by a guard and pushed towards a large gathering of people—I think they were calling us trainees?—it’s been a while and I can’t remember. We were given a scrap of paper with markings on it.

I remember recognizing them as tracks, of something I’d seen before on the mountain, but I just couldn’t remember what it was.

And then we met a dark-skinned elf (Malekith) and a half orc (Ootugur). A kind tabaxi (Emir) joined us soon after. The woman I had met the night before told us her name was Din, and despite not having any instructions on what to do with this piece of paper we had been given, we decided to go into the woods and hunt whatever creature they belonged to.

I don’t think I’ve hidden so much in my life. So much for putting on a brave face, I guess. I failed my ceremony and now I’m failing myself.

I shouldn’t have left home.

[day 4]

An ankheg. We were sent to find an ankheg. Did we have to fight it? I don’t know, but we did. I mean, Din got swallowed by the ground and this… this thing just busts out of nowhere. We got some good hits on it (I was hiding again, but even I hit it).

After we defeated it, it turned into a man. He gave us a box and told us to go straight back to the outpost, but Emir got sidetracked and attacked by some birds, I think? Then we found kobolds and I just couldn’t bring myself to attack them; we’d stumbled on them by mistake, we didn’t mean any harm. We were supposed to be going back to the outpost anyway, so we shouldn’t have even been there.

We were each given pins that must correspond to something, maybe this time we’ll get explanations about all of this. I have a feather quill, a kite shield, and a crescent moon, all bronze and not terribly large.

              [update]

The sword pin represents the Vanguards, who are trained in more traditionally knightly things. They specialize in dealing damage and are generally taught to make decisions under extreme duress. Seeker Lavinia is a Vanguard.

The quill pin represents the Keepers. They are the custodians of knowledge in the guild. They are taught how to problem solve and be creative. They are usually magically gifted, but anyone with a thirst for knowledge and an aptitude for creativity is welcome.

The kite shield represents the Towers. They are trained to be fearless bulwarks, to protect their allies at any cost. They are the first and last line of defense between monsters and civilization.

The crescent moon represents the Menders. They are trained in the healing arts, though not all menders need to be Clerics. Healing arts include magic, but also psychological healing. The most important thing for menders is the ability to create a space to facilitate any kind of healing.

I’m tired of hiding, tired of being shielded by everyone else. I left home because Grandma and Mom and everyone refused to see me. Now, everyone’s going to see me.

part #000 here




Happy 1,000 posts!

Sierra Palonas

Sierra Palonas
   School of Abjuration

Human

Personality Traits

I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations.

Ideals

Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral)

Bonds

I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery.

Flaws

I am easily distracted by new books.

Journal: Carrow #000

I'm now keeping a journal on two characters! My grave cleric Nahuatl and my new wizard Carrow. :) I have to say, the extracurricular stuff is almost as fun as playing the game for me. ^^

~*~

[pre-game entries]

 [There are several pages that have been torn out of the front of the book, seemingly having been repurposed from what it once was. There are scribblings in what seems to be attempted Druidic script, but they are crossed out unceremoniously before the journal begins in Common.]

I can't do it anymore.

Mom pretends to be normal, like all she knows are little parlor tricks: pretty dancing lights, a gust of wind, minor illusions… I know she can do more but she won’t teach me.

Meanwhile Grandma doesn’t let me sit close to the fire at mealtimes. She doesn’t like it, thinks it will corrupt her family or… I’m not sure; she won’t talk about it. She never does.

I think it destroyed her house, or maybe the family library, that’s why we moved in with a bunch of druids, and they don’t much like fire anymore than Grandma does…but I like how it feels, how it sounds: so familiar and warm.

I remember a similar feeling, long ago, but everything else is a blur, but it was important.

I found a book of magic a few months ago, little spells and stuff, different than what they teach here. This I can understand; the symbols look right and the way it’s put together makes sense. (Not to mention it’s actually written down instead of all these oral traditions—I can’t remember them all!)

So I’ve finally decided to leave. No more Grandma telling me what to do or Mom setting me up on weird dates. Soon.

I’m doing this for me.

*~*~*~*

[a few days later]

Grandma found my magic book and took it away. I tried telling her I didn’t even look at any of the fire spells, but she called me a liar and now the whole village heard the argument and she sent me to my room without dinner. I have to copy the family creed all day tomorrow instead of attending my lessons.

I didn’t need the book anymore, though; I was just keeping it for sentimental value.

All I really have to do is keep her away from this journal.

*~*~*~*

[two weeks later]

[There are tear stains on these pages, and the ink is smudged more than the others.]

Grandma slapped me today, in front of everyone. I failed my ceremony.

*~*~*~*

[next day]

I am leaving.

I ran to the woods at first light with as many things I could carry, and I went to where I hid my prized possessions: my journal, my notes on magic, a handful of spell components, and some other things, including a ring I don’t remember where it came from, but… it feels really important, so I put it on a chain around my neck. Maybe someday I’ll find who it belongs to.

*~*~*~*

[The next several entries are few and far between, but she mentions the hardships of travelling alone, some of the odd characters she’s met on the road, and it is only about a week into her journey that she begins mentioning a pull. “The feeling like that of being homesick, but for a place I have never been. I must keep searching.” She finds a ship to take her further away from home, following the aching in her chest and all the while practicing what few spells she has written in her book, as many as she can for as long as she has components. Finally she mentions attempting to use the fire within her to keep her warm the further north—was it north?—she goes.]

Kaslos

Kaslos
   School of Necromancy

Aarakocra

Personality Traits

I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of great erudition.

Ideals

Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral)

Bonds

I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery.

Flaws

I am easily distracted by the promise of information.

Ashenpaw

Wizard
School of Transmutation

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
11	14	16	18	12	13

Background: Soldier

Personality Traits

I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind.

I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.

Ideals

Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)

Bonds

Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.

Flaws

I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.

🐾 Meowza! 🐾

omg I just thought of a D&D campaign where all the players are cats that walk like Puss in Boots & I just spent 3ish hours generating 6 characters (players will choose characters based on a d6,no repeats) & I haven’t even put together my temple for tonight’s game O.O 

Loud Leaf, the Ragamuffin Barbarian (Path of the Ancestral Guardian)

Clever Wind, the Abyssinian Bard (College of Lore)

Whispering Mist, the Russian Blue Rogue (Thief)

Ashenpaw, the Egyptian Mau Wizard (Transmutation)

Dove’s Shadow, the Maine Coon Cleric (Grave Domain)

Little Sun, the Ragdoll Monk (Way of the Cobalt Soul)

… but it’s cute right? *nervous laughter*

I guess you could say it's a cat-stravaganza

Pathfinder Playtest

Unfortunately, DM S is wrapping up his campaign pretty soon, and while I'm sad, I'm actually kind of glad because we get to playtest the new Pathfinder 2.0! DM S will be putting together a oneshot for us and so far my husband and I are his only players. 😖

But! After much consideration, I narrowed my choices down to three (3) possible classes that I wanted to play:

1. a Cleric of some kind

2. Dragon Sorcerer

3. Evocation Wizard

I spent some time thinking on it and I finally decided on the Evocation Wizard. What race/ancestry you ask?

Goblin.

*

My question? Who the heck decided to let a goblin into a Wizard's school? Doesn't matter, really, as the whole building is likely burnt to a crisp. She only graduated because everyone else is dead. Kidding!

Am I though? Still doesn't matter! Meet Mizi Fooswhistle, a goblin raised/cared for by gnomes.

The reason I went with goblin is because one of my fellow players, C, was wanting to DM a D&D game, but he has 6 players (and counting?) despite it being his first D&D game.

He is trying to equate it with playing Warhammer 40k, but I'm not sure he understands that they're totally different animals, and that 6 players for a first time DM is really hard. I had designed a Goblin bard, Cookie, but as I'm unsure if C will ever get around to running this game, I'm going to put my primary wager on DM S since he has 10 years' experience as a DM in both D&D and Pathfinder.

So yes! We'll be building characters this coming Sunday if I recall correctly, and I'm super excited!

D3 Hours Played

Hours Played
Barbarian	222
Crusader	159
Demon Hunter	533
Monk	223
Necromancer	125
Witch Doctor	694
Wizard	216

2,172 hours total 90.5 days

NPC List

Dax Ferdelas
            Half-Elf Cleric, War Domain

Velki Esrath

            Tiefling Sorcerer, Draconic Bloodline

Mathias Orren
            Human Blood Hunter, Order of the Ghostslayer

Imkesh
            Half-Orc Rogue/Thief

Merribeth Edenwald
            Human Warlock, The Fiend

Allura Vord
            Aasimar Bard/Warlock, College of Lore

Lanak Wildcaller Kolakatake
            Goliath Barbarian, Path of the Totem Warrior

Kaia the Ruthless
            Valkyrie Barbarian, Path of the Storm Herald

Kruosk the Disgraced
            Half-Orc, Fighter/Samurai

Kaslos
            Aarakocra Wizard, School of Necromancy

Amara Durthan
            Dwarf Monk, Way of the Kensei

Uilleam MacRieve
            Werewolf Blood Hunter, Order of the Lycan

Ravoxan Imrean
            Dragonborn Sorcerer, Draconic Bloodline

Faye Ironstorm
            Gnome Paladin, Oath of Vengeance

Ashlyn Farsorrow
            Human Monk, Way of Shadow

Jeren Berug
            Gnome Fighter, Arcane Archer

Mere

            Air Genasi Warlock, The Fiend

Mozeth Dardendrian
            Dragonborn Barbarian, Path of the Berserker

Loli
            Succubus Bard, College of Glamour

Pidge the Small
            Kenku Rogue, Arcane Trickster

Kagil Stonefist
            Goliath Rogue, Arcane Trickster

Sari Imahna
            Elf Druid, Circle of the Moon

Eve Valwynn
            Elf Ranger/Hunter

Nyla
            Firbolg Druid, Circle of the Shepherd

*~*~*~*

That's all for now! Maybe I'll write out some of their stories later, or maybe just as they show up in the story. ^^ A few of them are inspired by Critical Role, and some of them don't even really have backstories yet, haha.

But! I will say that there's an Easter egg in here. . . can you find it?

Session 5

After returning to Sanctum, Krepsis and K’myr go to their shared room with K’myr’s new friend, Belneras. Sometime after going to bed, K’myr is crying in her bed for reasons unknown.

~

As you fall asleep, you all experience a dream. It’s a strange thing, because each of you is aware of each other’s presence, and before you stands a city aflame with a single figure visible.

He seems oddly familiar, in fact, he looks just like Amilcar, but whereas Amilcar is a paladin of Omnis, the great white-horned stag god of all things, this man is a darker version of him. White antlers replaced by black, flaming horns, white armor instead black and cracking.

~

The next morning, K’myr takes the troupe day-drinking for breakfast beers. After happily speaking with the tavern’s owner, a silver-haired halfling who insists his hair used to be orange and demands to be called Orange Lightning, the group is carrying on fairly well, even Krepsis is deep in his cups and being much chattier than normal.

Suddenly, the door to the tavern opens and a haggard-looking Amilcar steps in wearing a tattered gray cloak and overall looking tired.

Pinenut, Krepsis, and Torinn all jump on him with the, “you’re secretly evil,” mentality while all K’myr wants to do is talk to him and ask him questions like, “Are you okay? Have you been travelling? Do you need some help?” however no one at the table lets her talk.

Amilcar tells us that he has just come from Ettein, and the town has been mostly razed to the ground and is surrounded and under siege by an army of the undead. The way he describes it sounds remarkably familiar, and Pinenut uses Minor Illusion to show Amilcar the dark version of himself we all saw in our dream.

Amilcar himself is confused – why is Pinenut showing him this? What a mean thing to do, but K’myr clarifies that everyone had the same dream and all the paladin had described was what they had seen. Down to the little details.

Immediately the paladin is concerned, asking questions to understand if we experienced a vision or possibly something else. While our story doesn’t have the telltale signs of vision or prophecy, Amilcar is certainly still concerned for our wellbeing, and announces that we need to head up there to investigate. He also mentions that we are not the rescue party, just a group being added to the effort, and to watch our backs.

After fighting some skeletons, zombies, and an undead minotaur, the party is making its way through Ettein as people are being evacuated and undead run rampant through the streets. Also, Amilcar himself has chosen to come with us, so we’re being escorted by a level 20 paladin. Not bad, right?

Oh, also there might be a lich of some kind just hanging out somewhere in this town. Fabulous.

Mysterious Deck

Oh my gosh, it happened, the Deck of Many Things has made an appearance. *ready, set, panic!*

Who all draws a card? All of us!

Torinn – card unknown

Pinenut –

The Key

            A .50 caliber rifle. A wizard with a rifle. Oh gosh.

Krepsis –

The Fool

We just leveled up, so he was at 0 xp and very lucky. Unfortunately, he did have to draw again. So he did: twice.

Vizier

At any time you choose within one year of drawing this card, you can ask a question in meditation and mentally receive a truthful answer to that question. Besides information, the answer helps you solve a puzzling problem or other dilemma. In other words, the knowledge comes with Wisdom on how to apply it.

We’re totally going to use this to find a Lich’s phylactery.

Comet

The next time Krepsis passes an encounter by himself, he levels up. Tada!

K’myr –
           Knight

You gain the service of a 4th-level Fighter who appears in a space you choose within 30 feet of you. The Fighter is of the same race as you and serves you loyally until death, believing the fates have drawn him or her to you. You control this character.

Session 4

A Dragonborn fighter, Tiefling cleric, and Gnome wizard are all in the kitchen.

Zero snacks to be found.

We make our way, carefully, to the Dining Room. The door is locked. K’myr knocks, but there’s no answer. Krepsis stabs the door, narrowly missing the Tiefling’s hand as she goes for another knock. Upset, Krepsis uses his acid breath while Pinenut keeps a lookout in the hall. Disgruntled from almost having her hand run through with a flametongue sword, K’myr walks to the second door.

It’s open.

Session 3

You know what? I don’t even know how to describe last Thursday’s session (7-19). There were some new elements, and things got a little crazy, so I’m going to do my best to write it as I remember it but that is a little up in the air right now, haha.

First things first, we did not meet up in the game store this time. Instead my husband and I decided to host things at our house since we could have the freedom to be a little noisier, not have to worry about policing our language, you know, basics.

We notice is that our DM has brought a board with him, and it’s from the game CLUE. He’s also drawing on it with dry erase marker to make the 1-inch movement squares so we’re really curious as to what our adventure is going to bring this evening.

So 6:30 rolls around, our wizard has arrived, nachos are made, it’s a great time… except that our barbarian is missing. No big deal, though, he usually arrives around 7 so we’ll just talk and work out some downtime activities until then.

Now it’s 7:30 and none of us have heard from him, so we all hope he’s okay and proceed to start playing without him.

Our party has received word (at Sanctum, from Amilcar as usual…) that there was a party in Empire City (where K’myr is from!) and all the guests as well as a well-known noble’s son went missing. Anyone who went into the house did not leave, so the noble, in a fit of desperation and panic, went into the house and has not been heard from since.

Now we’re in the house, standing in the hall, just investigating as adventurers do. K’myr lifts the carpet and finds that the dust has been swept underneath it, so someone is still cleaning despite the fact that everyone who was in this place had disappeared.

We move into the Study. There are papers on the desk but nothing really of importance. Pinenut (our Wizard) discovers a secret tunnel and Krepsis investigates it, but comes back rather than explore it fully. K’myr finds a bracelet under a couch cushion and puts it in her bag. She’s not sure whether she’ll return it yet or not.

Curious, we press onward, into the Library. Some books have fallen off the shelves, and we can hear noise. Krepsis investigates it, and is attacked by an Intellect Devourer.

Oh crap.

There is also something of interest on the table, so Krepsis picks it up. He now has a gun with no ammunition.

There’s nothing really of interest in the Billiard Room, so we go to the Conservatory. There is a painting there of the noble and his son, as well as a statue. Krepsis picks up the statue and begins to hear a whisper in his mind, but drops it into the Bag of Holding before it has a chance to speak. (both my husband and I are freaking out, because I was the one who asked him to pick it up and put it in the bag o.O meanwhile Pinenut is just happy it wasn’t him.

In the Ballroom, there is a man playing the piano. He speaks to us, but his mouth isn’t moving. Krepsis attacks and we kill the odd creature, disgusted and hoping there’s something a little better in the Kitchen.

Sure, yeah, there’s a guy in the with a cleaver, so we knock him out too. He may or may not have been a living person, but we’re apparently murder hobos now, so we don’t really care. K’myr is really upset that everyone is just attacking things without talking first, because our task is specifically to save anyone we can.

We ended our game in the kitchen, so I’m sure K’myr is going to be more than happy to investigate the fridge and cabinets for anything of use.

Trying to think of how I can help the DM curb the murderous fighter and wizard, and also really interested in that sentient (?) statue…