This is the thread for Dauntons Dead Shadows, a continuation of my short vignette The Long Arm of Lauto 2: Broken Wards.
Dauntons Dead Shadow
In the dead of night people have been disappearing from their beds, with no trace left but a strange runic symbol. A sage studying at the temple of Lauto has linked it to a minor demon/deity who was directly involved in the original conflict that shattered the Jade Empire of old. The priests, fearing another attack on the Mausoleum or one of the large private crypts maintained by many wealthy nobles in the city, have sent their agents to investigate these disappearances. That was 3 weeks ago, and with the recent events involving Slardazial fresh in the Clergy's mind action must be taken. The last message suggested the investigators had found a lead at the latest victims home, but did not say what the lead was. Your mission will be to find this clue, trace the murders to their source, and ascertain whether or not the original investigators are alive.
If everyone could post once confirming they're here and following the halfling clerk I'll get the ball rolling tomorrow. Sorry for delays but as usual real life demands attention despite my love for this one often exceeding my reality. If we don't hear from Vixo in the next few days in this thread we'll proceed without him.
*helping these bores again, are we* *Oh, you're back? I'd gotten used to the silence* *just be careful. death worshippers have their own goals. your survival is likely not one* *I haven't seen much evidence that it's one of your goals either*
Morvannon follows the halfling as well, muttering to himself.
Closely behind Magnus, Kamotz smiled,and pat Morvannon on the back. I don't think you're crazy Morvannon, my mother told me the word for people like you... Ecks, mmmm, Ecks in trik. Ecksintrik. the word sounds as if it were foreign to Kamotz.
Grakk turns his head to hear the strange words of Kamotz. Thinking to himself...Hmmm...must be a battle chant ritual of some sort.... Turning to Vrrsk't, "How's the flail friend."
Thanks Vaithe, we'd be glad to have you. I'll have a post for you in a little bit here. For the next indeterminate period of time (while I'm working this job) my posting may be less frequent then usual. So don't despair if I miss a day here and there, I will keep going!
Vrrsk't enters, freshly cleaned from his sparring with Kamotz. The plate armor is shining once again and his ancestral flail seems more or less intact. The shield with the symbol of Apoli on it bears the most evidence of the paladin's recent fighting, covered as it is with many dings along the top edge.
"I am ready," he says.
He smiles at Grakk. "Fortunately, I was taught from a young age to maintain my equipment. It was preparation for this day, I am sure."
__________________
Vrrsk't
Vrrsk't - Dragonborn Paladin 2
Initiative +2 Passive perception 13 Passive Insight 13
AC 22 For 16 Ref 15 Will 14
HP 35/35 Bloodied 17 Surge value 10 Surges: 11/12
Speed:5 | AP: 0 | 2nd Wind: unused
Basic Melee: Flail +7 (1d10+4)
Powers:
Holy Strike Bolstering Strike Lay on Hands x1 Radiant Smite
Sun Strike
Channel Divinity
Dragon Breath Paladin's Judgment (used)
Martyr's Blessing
Catein
Catein- Warforged Invoker 1
Initiative +0 Passive perception 14 Passive Insight 19
AC 16 For 14 Ref 11 Will 16
HP 26/27 Bloodied 13 Surge value 6 Surges: 7/9
Speed:5 | AP: 1 | 2nd Wind: unused
Basic Melee: Spiked Gauntlet +4, 1d6+2
Powers: Avenging Light Grasping Shards Thunder of Judgment
Channel Divinity
Warforged Resolve Binding Invocation of Chains (used)
Quickly now ve must hurry. Lord Belingras vill not be pleased if ve are late.
Bustling down the now familiar halls, you quickly lose your sense of direction inside the temple and it seems like an eternity before Belingras's door appears in front of you.
The halfling adie opens the door, and as you proceed inside Belingras rises to greet you, his face creased with worry.
It is good to see you all again, though I wish circumstances were better. Since the matter is urgent, I will skip formalities.
Taking a seat behind his desk, Belingras steeples his fingers and continues speaking.
For several weeks now strange murders and kidnappings have been taking place all over the city. All the victims have been marked with a runic symbol that until recently we did not recognize. As he holds up a sheet of parchment with a full page illustration of a rune, you all immediately recognize it as one of the symbols that was drawn on the altar.
It was your revelation about who Slardazial worked for that allowed our sages to make the connection. Zal'Ekthees is a minor deity who deals mostly with the shadowrealm and the undead. His origin is a mystery but his first known historical mention was during the invasion of the Jade Empire. He was driven back to his home plane but his following on our plane has obviously grown.
We had dispatched a team of acolytes and one senior priest to investigate the murders because we were having difficulty performing some of the last rites. A force of some sort was blocking us from assisting the departed into the afterlife. I last heard from the team a few days ago. They thought they had found the key to unraveling this mystery at one of the last murder scenes. However before they could investigate and relay their findings they disappeared and haven't been seen since.
For these reasons I have called on you once again. You all showed dedication to a cause not your own and were honest in your dealings with me. If you can find these killers, and stop them, the church would be most...grateful. Additionally I would ask that you save my priests if they still live, though I have been unable to scry them and fear the worst.
As Belingras finishes he suddenly seems much older, the weight of his fears weighing heavily upon him. He looks to you expectantly, awaiting your reply.
Grakk listens and the states, "Fear not high priest of Lauto. We will find your team of acolytes, located the force that is causing this evil with in the city walls, and then destroy it." Grakk grips the hilt of his new weapon "biter" tightly, which causes blood to ooze from his fingers, dripping to the floor....drip....drip...drip. But Grakk pays no attention as his unblinking, determined eyes continue to meet the gaze of the priest. "Tell us where you last heard from your team?"
Kamotz gets a whiff of the fresh wound, and his inner hunger is reawakened, Anything to serve Death. A low growl begins building as the shifter breathes, the animal inside just waiting to be released upon hapless foes.
Magnus had seemed subdued once more since he had returned to Lauto's temple, but now he spoke up in that strange tone that sounded more like he was talking to himself than addressing anyone in particular were it not pertinent to the discussion at hand.
Priests...found the key...lost their selves...where did they go...where do we start...
__________________ Oni
"Each man, one way.
Each horse, one stance.
Each church, one buddha.
Each master to his own technique."
*Now, before this great task, I should ask for the promotion!* the thought was concrete and felt right.
Kamotz knelt, his voice was strong, and sure, High Priest Belingras, the shifter pulled his hood back and took his holy symbol in his hand, looking up. If it is not too much to ask, I'd like a promotion, and a better title. Maybe a fancy hat? Kamotz looks Belingras in the eye and then bows his head, his confidence is high, his servitude has been great.
"Yes, could you please confer upon young Kamotz here whatever title comes with a fancy hat. One that is preferably made of sturdy metal to protect him from our enemies."
Vrrsk't shows off his own shining helm, still showing slight signs of having been nearly turned inside-out by Slardazial's weapon.
__________________
Vrrsk't
Vrrsk't - Dragonborn Paladin 2
Initiative +2 Passive perception 13 Passive Insight 13
AC 22 For 16 Ref 15 Will 14
HP 35/35 Bloodied 17 Surge value 10 Surges: 11/12
Speed:5 | AP: 0 | 2nd Wind: unused
Basic Melee: Flail +7 (1d10+4)
Powers:
Holy Strike Bolstering Strike Lay on Hands x1 Radiant Smite
Sun Strike
Channel Divinity
Dragon Breath Paladin's Judgment (used)
Martyr's Blessing
Catein
Catein- Warforged Invoker 1
Initiative +0 Passive perception 14 Passive Insight 19
AC 16 For 14 Ref 11 Will 16
HP 26/27 Bloodied 13 Surge value 6 Surges: 7/9
Speed:5 | AP: 1 | 2nd Wind: unused
Basic Melee: Spiked Gauntlet +4, 1d6+2
Powers: Avenging Light Grasping Shards Thunder of Judgment
Channel Divinity
Warforged Resolve Binding Invocation of Chains (used)
A sharp smile fights it's way to the shifters lips, only for a moment before the cleric becomes stoic once again. *I'll soon see if it was wise to ask in front of the Pack, or if I should have asked to speak in private. No, what am I without the Pack, they should witness my success or failure. It is appropriate.* slowly the sharp smile creeps back, edges first, to the mouth of Kamotz.
Grakk, at the announcement of Kamotz's request to the high preist, relaxes a bit, then notices his bloodied hand. "Hmmm...Biter's got a bite...I like that" he states with a sly smile as he wipes the blood off his hand onto his hide mail.
Then, he looks back at the high preist waiting for him to respond to his question.
ooc
<Loud speaker turns on> CLEAN UP ISLE 3!!! Blood stain on floor of high priest's of Lauto's room!
For some reason I thought that was funny and I had to share with the group.
Looking around the room as each of you speaks in turn High Priest Belingras looks first to Grakk.
I know the location of the last murder thy investigated. Perhaps if you can find that same clue perhaps it will lead you in the right direction.
He slides a small piece of paper across the table. Turning it over you find a set of directions to the last location they investigated.
As for you shifter, death recognizes your service. It s only in his eyes that we can advance ourselves, so if you have earned authority death will bestow it upon you. However, you have indeed earned the trust of deaths hand here in Daunton, and I have chosen you as my agent. If things go well, I will find other ways for you to effect deaths will on this plane.
His face twisting slightly, showing signs that he is less then pleased with Morvannon's comments, Belingras practically spits his reply.
Zal'Ekthees is a demon! He is neither a threat to Lauto, nor is he threatening our role here. He is nothing but a powerful demon playing at godhood, and if we dont stop it now he might eventually gain enough support to ascend.
Now is there anything else you'd like before you get moving?
Belingras is obviously ignoring the comments about his miter.
ooc
I figured a bit of humor was appropriate and he seems like a miter kind of guy
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