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Journal 11 - Allies and the Lich
Slightly different format for the recap this time (less list, more fluff because this is a copy/paste for a recap I had to write for an absent player); though I think I prefer the 'list' format better because it's easier to 'glance' for info ...
The group met with the king for the second appointment. They told him of the situation at the ruined Delphus (the dragon, the beholder, the 2 trolls, the ice barricades, the Farwalker journal). During the conversation, the king told of the Sureya investigation status: after questioning the guests it seems no one has personal first-hand knowledge of actually having seen or spoken to Sureya for months, questioning the staff they (eventually) said that she has been out of town for months. The king further goes on to say that Sureya's estate is continually being watched by men from the royal guard. Finally, the king also gave the group the time and place where the Necklace of the Ruby Flame's destruction ritual was going to be cast and (although the king did not necessarily care if you were there) said that since you showed interest in being present that you could get to that location to meet his royal guard that would be doing the ritual (it was going to be done in a spot a few days west, so out in the former war-zone, away from the kingdom itself).
With a couple days to spare, Melenna and Syd studied the rituals in the Farwalker journal, Brennan went to investigate around town in case there was something for him to do while waiting, and Basil went to catch the Bullthorns as they were leaving to get some allies to join in the task of facing whatever was to be released from the necklace. Melenna took an opportunity in the evening to get herself invited to one of Sureya's evening parties (going as a guest of a random man named Ambrose), she snooped around (even found that those "security" auras from the paintings were detecting the presence/absence of certain creatures but couldn't tell more than that) nor was she able to see actual evidence of Sureya other than second hand reports of people saying "they think they saw her around". Once the grop regrouped, they also visited Timor to get help for the coming battle (and got a couple priests of Melora assigned to help). They also visited Aleena to get help (and got a couple paladins of Pelor assigned to help). Keep in mind that none of these gathered allies (except for the royal guard) know the specifics of the background, they only know they are coming to help take care of an evil thing.
With the gathered allies, the group heads to the ritual site being prepared by the royal guardsmen. Upon arrival, they find that some of the royal guardsmen had been killed enroute to the site due to antics of the necklace on the way. The ritual is cast on the necklace and the others ready for what is to come. As the ritual is finished, a crack forms in the ruby pendant of the necklace - the flame that once burned inside of it extinguishes and out of the smoke near the necklace emerges a grotesque humanoid woman. Her limbs are bony and gaunt while her face and skin seems almost decayed. All around her, the prevalence of death and decay can be felt burning the flesh of anyone that approaches her. Nyssa is the first to realize that this is a rare being, once a creature of flesh that has been warped by necrotic rituals and forgotten lore of undeath (a lich).
A long and hard battle ensues as the lich causes several skeletons (forgotten dead left buried in natural shallow graves from the war) to crawl their way through to the surface. The lich continued to burn the ground with fiery energy that drained life, as well as her necrotic aura, and tossing blasts of energy at those who annoyed her. The skeletons continued to claw at the forces with burning claws. The allied forces (Royal Guards, Bullthorns, Priests, Paladins) and the PCs fight off the skeletons and the lich. During the fight, Melenna grabs the necklace in case it had an effect on the lich (though it did not seem to) as well as blasting away at the skeletons and slowing the lich so that she could not get away. Brennan worked on taking out skeletons one at a time and eventually blasting at the lich with radiant energy. Syd helped blast the skeletons and his prescience helped counter some attacks against his friends. Basil directed the forces around the field, and coordinated their attacks so that everyone helped weave and distract the lich so that others would have an easier time of striking. Nyssa, despite her fragile appearance, caused the most destruction to the lich, for her spirit was somehow protected from the brunt of the liches effects, causing her minimal discomfort and with rage she managed to critically strike the lich several times with her blade sheathed in radiant fire. The skeletons were destroyed and the lich eventually killed and crumbled in to dust. Between the healing of the allies, the only major casualty on the allied forces was that of a paladin (sent by Aleena). However, with the healing skills and attention from the force, he too was saved from any permanent damage despite the pain he suffered.
Current in game time: November 07, 7791, noon.
Melenna, Syd, Nyssa, Brennan: have riding horses on loan from the king
Basil and the allied Bullthorns: have warhorses
The clerics and paladins: have riding horses from their own orders.
Party Location: At the aftermath of the battle site. Though we may just fast forward back to the city at the start of next session if no one has any particular thing to do out here.
The group met with the king for the second appointment. They told him of the situation at the ruined Delphus (the dragon, the beholder, the 2 trolls, the ice barricades, the Farwalker journal). During the conversation, the king told of the Sureya investigation status: after questioning the guests it seems no one has personal first-hand knowledge of actually having seen or spoken to Sureya for months, questioning the staff they (eventually) said that she has been out of town for months. The king further goes on to say that Sureya's estate is continually being watched by men from the royal guard. Finally, the king also gave the group the time and place where the Necklace of the Ruby Flame's destruction ritual was going to be cast and (although the king did not necessarily care if you were there) said that since you showed interest in being present that you could get to that location to meet his royal guard that would be doing the ritual (it was going to be done in a spot a few days west, so out in the former war-zone, away from the kingdom itself).
With a couple days to spare, Melenna and Syd studied the rituals in the Farwalker journal, Brennan went to investigate around town in case there was something for him to do while waiting, and Basil went to catch the Bullthorns as they were leaving to get some allies to join in the task of facing whatever was to be released from the necklace. Melenna took an opportunity in the evening to get herself invited to one of Sureya's evening parties (going as a guest of a random man named Ambrose), she snooped around (even found that those "security" auras from the paintings were detecting the presence/absence of certain creatures but couldn't tell more than that) nor was she able to see actual evidence of Sureya other than second hand reports of people saying "they think they saw her around". Once the grop regrouped, they also visited Timor to get help for the coming battle (and got a couple priests of Melora assigned to help). They also visited Aleena to get help (and got a couple paladins of Pelor assigned to help). Keep in mind that none of these gathered allies (except for the royal guard) know the specifics of the background, they only know they are coming to help take care of an evil thing.
With the gathered allies, the group heads to the ritual site being prepared by the royal guardsmen. Upon arrival, they find that some of the royal guardsmen had been killed enroute to the site due to antics of the necklace on the way. The ritual is cast on the necklace and the others ready for what is to come. As the ritual is finished, a crack forms in the ruby pendant of the necklace - the flame that once burned inside of it extinguishes and out of the smoke near the necklace emerges a grotesque humanoid woman. Her limbs are bony and gaunt while her face and skin seems almost decayed. All around her, the prevalence of death and decay can be felt burning the flesh of anyone that approaches her. Nyssa is the first to realize that this is a rare being, once a creature of flesh that has been warped by necrotic rituals and forgotten lore of undeath (a lich).
A long and hard battle ensues as the lich causes several skeletons (forgotten dead left buried in natural shallow graves from the war) to crawl their way through to the surface. The lich continued to burn the ground with fiery energy that drained life, as well as her necrotic aura, and tossing blasts of energy at those who annoyed her. The skeletons continued to claw at the forces with burning claws. The allied forces (Royal Guards, Bullthorns, Priests, Paladins) and the PCs fight off the skeletons and the lich. During the fight, Melenna grabs the necklace in case it had an effect on the lich (though it did not seem to) as well as blasting away at the skeletons and slowing the lich so that she could not get away. Brennan worked on taking out skeletons one at a time and eventually blasting at the lich with radiant energy. Syd helped blast the skeletons and his prescience helped counter some attacks against his friends. Basil directed the forces around the field, and coordinated their attacks so that everyone helped weave and distract the lich so that others would have an easier time of striking. Nyssa, despite her fragile appearance, caused the most destruction to the lich, for her spirit was somehow protected from the brunt of the liches effects, causing her minimal discomfort and with rage she managed to critically strike the lich several times with her blade sheathed in radiant fire. The skeletons were destroyed and the lich eventually killed and crumbled in to dust. Between the healing of the allies, the only major casualty on the allied forces was that of a paladin (sent by Aleena). However, with the healing skills and attention from the force, he too was saved from any permanent damage despite the pain he suffered.
Current in game time: November 07, 7791, noon.
Melenna, Syd, Nyssa, Brennan: have riding horses on loan from the king
Basil and the allied Bullthorns: have warhorses
The clerics and paladins: have riding horses from their own orders.
Party Location: At the aftermath of the battle site. Though we may just fast forward back to the city at the start of next session if no one has any particular thing to do out here.
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