Ptolus is the name of a city with ancient origins and a convoluted past. It’s also the name of the campaign that I [Monte Cook] have set there. For about four years I ran Ptolus twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, for two different groups of characters and (with a few exceptions) two different groups of players. But they all existed in the same city at the same time. Thus, each group had its own adventures, but dealt with many of the same NPCs and situations. Occasionally, plot-lines overlapped – particularly since one player ran twin brothers: one on Mondays, one on Thursdays.
The Monday night group ultimately became known as the Runewardens, and the Thursday player characters formed the Company of the Black Lantern. I hope you enjoy reading about their exploits as they rose from 1st to 17th level. Please note that this journal may spoil some aspects of the campaign for players who read it, although they are somewhat minor aspects. At the very least, pay attention to the spoiler warnings – your DM will thank you.
Enjoy your visit to Ptolus!
Monte Cook
August 25, 2005
With Artwork by Jason Engle
Read Next: How It All Began : Monte Cook’s Ptolus Adventure (Part 2)
Ptolus Campaign Journal Entries
- Ptolus : A Campaign Journal (Part 1)
- How It All Began : Monte Cook’s Ptolus Adventure (Part 2)
- The Runewardens Cast of Characters
- The Company of the Black Lantern Cast of Characters
- The Story Continues (Part 3)
- Crypts and Crime Lords (Part 4)
- The Union of Two Adventuring Companies (Part 5)
- Dungeons and (Three) Dragons (Part 6)
- Getting in Deep (Part 7)
- The Lords of Dust and Ash (Part 8)
- Bonds Forged (Part 9)
- The End of the Company? (Part 10)
- The Box of Shadows (Part 11)
- An Asylum and a Palace (Part 12)
- Back to the Dragon’s Lair (Part 13)
- The Box of Shadows (Part 14)
- The Revenge of the Black Lantern (Part 15)
- Chaos and Deception (Part 16)
- Dark Elf Hunt (Part 17)
- Heroes Against Evil (Part 18)
- Dark Elves and Chaositech (Part 19)
- The Challenge Is Issued (Part 20)
- The Challenge and Aftermath (Part 21)
- Black Rain (Part 22)
- The Jewels of Parnaith (Part 23)
- Lies Within Lies (Part 24)
- The Jewels of Parnaith (Part 25)
- The Jewels of Parnaith (Part 26)
- A Tale of Two Liches (Part 27)
- This Is the Way the World (or at Least the City) Ends (Part 28)
- Once More, Against Chaos! (Part 29)
- Fifty-Three Gods of Chance (Part 30)
- Councils and Plans (Part 31)
- Through the Darkness Into Dream (Part 32)
- Goth Gulgamel (Part 33)
- Dreta Phantas (Part 34)
- Sinistar Subterranean Citadel (Part 35)
- Bindings and Riven Souls (Part 36)
- Assault on the Dark Reliquary (Part 37)
- The End of the Black Lantern (Part 38)
- Epilogue (Part 39)
- The End Is But the Beginning (Part 40)
- Back to the Fortress of Shallamoth Kindred (Part 41)
- Good News and Bad (Part 42)
- The Lords of the Seven Chains (Part 43)
- The Night of Dissolution (Part 44)