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Shilsen's Eberron SH (Finished - The Last Word : 9/20/15)
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<blockquote data-quote="shilsen" data-source="post: 5446073" data-attributes="member: 198"><p>The first stop for the Guardian Angels is the Great Crag in Droaam. Having been forewarned of their arrival via <em>sending</em>s, two of the Daughters of Sora Kell—the blind seer Sora Teraza and her diplomat sister, Sora Katra—are awaiting them, since the third—Sora Maenya—is away leading the armies of Droaam against the aberration incursions in the country. </p><p></p><p>The two hags are naturally very interested in what has transpired for the Guardian Angels thus far, particularly the details regarding the end of the Silver Flame and the situation with Mual-Tar. Sora Teraza, unsurprisingly, was instantly aware of the passing of the Silver Flame, an event so monumental that, she says, many of the more powerful diviners around Khorvaire—and possibly elsewhere in Eberron—would have automatically noticed it in some way. </p><p></p><p>Once the Angels have related some of what occurred, they ask the hags for a favor – to be allowed to retain the six trolls from Sora Maenya’s guard. “We’ve found them very useful,” Gareth says, “And considering that we are about to continue pursuing the Worm and fighting Xoriat, we could use the help.”</p><p></p><p>“They’re all alive, for one thing,” says Korm, before chuckling, “And, believe me, that’s not what usually happens to people who get in a fight with us – whether on our side or the other!”</p><p></p><p>Sora Teraza turns her sightless face towards her sister. “That would be possible, yes?”</p><p></p><p>“Of course,” smiles the slender young elfmaid that is Sora Katra’s current form. “We’d be very happy to acquiesce. Especially,” she laughs, “Since Maenya is not here. She was not … pleased when we told her that we had loaned six of her prized warriors to you.”</p><p></p><p>“Good. I would not want her angry with us,” says Six, with utter seriousness. “I know your nation is the primary source of byeshk on the continent. Would you be able to find the right sized byeshk weapons for the trolls?”</p><p></p><p>“Of course,” repeats Sora Katra. “Give us two days and we shall have them fully equipped for you.”</p><p></p><p>“Thanks,” says Luna. “You’re very helpful. I don’t get why everyone says you’re evil, baby-eating, monster hag people!”</p><p></p><p>There is a moment of utter silence, before it is broken by a long and raucous guffaw from Sora Katra which belies her appearance. “I sometimes wonder that myself,” she says, when her merriment has diminished slightly. “And we’re happy to help. As we’ve said, we’re quite aware of the ways in which your continuing presence and activities benefits Khorvaire and, by extension, us. Is there anything else we might do to aid you?”</p><p></p><p>“Well,” rasps Nameless, “This is a small issue in the scheme of the things we’ve been dealing with, but it’s a personal one. Could you tell us how much a Daask drug den goes for?”</p><p></p><p>The silence this time is just a little longer before Sora Katra asks, curiosity and amusement warring in her tone, “I beg your pardon?”</p><p></p><p>“Oh – I see where this is going!” says Korm, a broad grin stealing over his face.</p><p></p><p>“You know what happened to us with the attack on the Daask drug den in Sharn a little over six months ago,” explains Nameless, “And six months is the period that we promised no hostilities against them. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment I’d like to wipe off. Since I don’t want this to be a sticking point between us, I’d be pleased to pay for all the damages to your organization before I blow up one of them.”</p><p></p><p>Sora Katra chortles and nods. “I see your point. Reputation is important. Why don’t you give me the two days that we’ll need to outfit the trolls and I’ll get back to you about which one I’d prefer you to, er, explode. And you don’t need to pay for any damages. We do need to … liquidate some unsatisfactory employees once in a while to make a point, so you can do that for us.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you,” says the alienist. “If you simply had them present at the drug den in question, we'd happily take care of it. I should mention that I’d appreciate it if you picked a location where collateral damage would be minimal. And we’ll also take out a Boromar drug den to even things out. We owe them a lesson too.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s us,” laughs Luna, “Equal opportunity avengers!”</p><p></p><p>With that additional little detail taken care of, the Guardian Angels take their leave of the hags, promising to return in two days to pick up the trolls. Sora Teraza also promises that she will inform them of anything else she might learn in the interim that may help their cause.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p>The next stop is Sharn. As usual, the group reappears in the Gray House to find Fett and Trillia awaiting them. The major-domo and Nameless’ former mentor both confirm that things are quite stable in Sharn, with only minor signs of aberration activity since the last large attack that the Angels thwarted nearly three months ago. </p><p></p><p>Once Nameless explains to Trillia what he and the others have recently achieved and done, he asks, “Any interest in actually visiting Xoriat? I will admit that even though my understanding and comprehension of the plane’s nature were fundamentally perfect before I experienced it, there’s a certain pleasure to be had in actually seeing seventh-dimensional flux realities in play,” he chuckles harshly, “And especially in their 'native' habitat.”</p><p></p><p>Trillia smiles in return but shakes her head hurriedly. “When I began to study Xoriat’s nature and influences, I never dreamed that I’d one day have the option of traveling there. Or,” she grimaces slightly, “Having it travel to my city. So – no, thank you. I’m perfectly happy retaining only an 'academic interest' in Xoriat.”</p><p></p><p>Once they have spoken with Trillia and Fett, the Guardian Angels head in various directions. Knowing that they will in all likelihood have to enter the Mournland to deal with Mual-Tar, they decide to obtain as much aid as possible. So Nameless <em>teleport</em>s them to New Cyre, to meet with their old comrade Corven. They find the latter to now be the primary magical adviser to Prince Oargev ir'Wynarn, but he is—as always—happy to take time away from his duties to meet his former allies. Particularly when they mention what they are about to attempt. In the space of only an hour, decisions and agreements are made, Corven promising that in three days time he will have a squad of skilled Cyran artificers, warriors and scouts ready to accompany the Guardian Angels into the Mournland.</p><p></p><p>During the meeting, Six suggests that the group make use of airships as they did during the Battle of Flamekeep, perhaps using their link with Mual-Tar to allow them to fly over the Dead-Gray Mist until near its location and then be lowered through it. While the suggestion obviously has a number of risks, the others agree that it is as feasible as any to enter the Mournland, and decide to follow it. </p><p></p><p>To that end, once they have taken their leave of Corven and <em>teleport</em>ed back to Sharn, Six visits one of the House Sivis enclaves and obtains the swiftest form of magical communication possible, sending the captains of the two airships that participated in the recent battle a detailed explanation of what they need. Knowing that the message will take at least a day to get through, he adds the information that the Angels will expect an answer in two days. </p><p></p><p>Six then proceeds to descend to the Cogs below Sharn, stopping at the Pool of Onatar to speak to the warforged religious leader Smith, before heading to the Red Hammer inn to speak to the owners, Blue and Crucible. He learns there that the warforged in Sharn are actually doing quite well for themselves recently. Now that the city has not been attacked in a while, their skills and unsleeping vigor are in major demand due to the nation’s war footing. As the warforged as individuals and as a community have been earning more and getting somewhat better treatment, they have also been following through on their aim to buy out as many of the indentured servitude contracts as possible, doing so at an exponentially faster rate now. House Cannith has also been delivering on their promise to aid in this regard. Pleased to hear this news, Six spends a couple of hours at the inn, catching up on details and indulging in the warforged-specific delicacies that Blue and Crucible make. </p><p></p><p>While Six is busy with the warforged, Nameless, Luna and Korm visit the central House Cannith enclave. There they set up a meeting with Baron Merrix, where they mention the planned-for expedition and ask for aid with artificers. The Baron quickly agrees, saying that he will obtain the services of however many people he can provide at short notice.</p><p></p><p>Gareth, meanwhile, first makes a stop at the Cathedral of the Silver Flame. There he discovers that—as he had expected—most of the people there have lost the spellcasting ability they possessed, with only some retaining a fairly diminished volume of it. Even Archierophant Ythana Morr has utterly lost her spellcasting abilities. The paladin barely manages to keep a smirk of his face at the news of her current condition, and takes great joy in saying, “I would like to address the people here. Now that many have lost the favor of the Silver Flame, I believe those of us still blessed by it need to be an inspiration to the others.” Though clearly reluctant, the Archierophant has little choice but to accede to the request, though Gareth thinks he faintly hears gnashing teeth when he isn't looking. Stepping up to the pulpit, the paladin delivers a rousing speech, where he both talks about what transpired at the Battle of Flamekeep and about the need to retain faith and courage in this difficult time. When he is done, Gareth thanks Ythana Morr and reassures her with exaggerated good cheer, before exiting the Cathedral with a broad smile on his face.</p><p></p><p>Having dealt with the Cathedral, Gareth then moves to a much more complicated and dangerous task – facing Lalia. As expected, there is shouting, kissing, more shouting, hugging, and the odd clout to the head, but at least he emerges without permanent damage. The paladin accepts it all with as good a grace as he can, especially since he has little basis for argument when his fiancee points out that he did not even stop by for a moment after he returned, even though he knew that she had just spent a month thinking that he was dead and had lost her sister. After profusely apologizing and taking recourse in repeated references to the importance of his task in Flamekeep, Gareth gingerly mentions that the fact that he is leaving again on the morrow, which leads to another bout of shouting. Once she has calmed somewhat, Lalia peremptorily informs him that he is going to be spending the rest of the day with him, though she does send him away so she can get ready for dinner while he tells his companions that he has plans with her. </p><p></p><p>Once he has done so and rejoined her, Lalia and Gareth proceed to have a night on the town, first attending a play and then going to dinner at one of the most expensive of restaurants. Over dinner, the Sentinel Marshal mentions that she has a gift for Gareth. When the paladin opens the box she proffers, he discovers it to be a simple blue pendant on a silver chain. “It's a speaking stone,” Lalia explains, “One that you can use once a day to contact me. From now on, I expect to hear from you between seven and eight every night. Definitely by eight. If I don't hear from you any day, I'll assume you're dead and come looking for you,” she smiles sweetly, “And you better <em>be </em> dead.”</p><p></p><p>Gareth nods hurriedly and assures Lalia that nothing short of daelkyr lords and giant magic-eating serpents will keep him from staying in touch.</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * * * * *</p><p>The next morning, the Guardian Angels depart from Sharn, Nameless <em>teleport</em>ing them to a spot on the edge of the Mournland, in the same general location as the spot where they believe Mual-Tar entered it. Once they arrive, looking around they can see many signs of creatures having moved into the Mournland through the surrounding area, with discarded equipment and other objects dropped here and there. Being only a short distance from the area where the Worm entered, the Angels head towards it. And only a minute later, they top a small rise to see a group of a little over fifty aberrations—dolgrims, dolgaunts, some athachs and a couple of mind-flayers—some three hundred feet away, clearly about to enter the Mournland.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately for the unlucky aberrations, the Angels react instantly – and with extreme prejudice.</p><p></p><p>Nameless calls upon his newly-gained powers, drawing on Xoriat to simultaneously call forth his Aspect and wrap a manifestation of the plane of madness around him as an armor of shimmering energy. Not quite done, he then casts another spell, this one actually conjuring up dozens of crackling, razor-thin shards of energy. These are actually physical manifestations of Xoriat's infinite planes, which tear through the area—and those unfortunate enough to occupy it—in a roiling frenzy*. A couple of them are instantly ripped apart by the eruption of arcane energy, while others fall dying as they struggle to flee. </p><p></p><p>Before the startled aberrations can respond, Luna and Korm cast the same spell in unison. Giant walls of water** appear on either side of the aberration force, before sweeping forward with a dull rumble. Dolgrims, dolgaunts and mind-flayers are bowled off their feet, crushed instantly beneath the tons of rushing water, with only some of the huge athachs remaining upright. </p><p></p><p>When the threefold magical assault ends, less than five seconds after it began, only seven of the fifty creatures are left alive – six athachs and one dolgaunt. The latter, badly wounded, leaps away and looks around desperately for an escape route. And then goes utterly rigid, as Six uses a <em>ring of telekinesis</em> to grasp it from a distance.</p><p></p><p>Even slower of thought and action, the athachs are still roaring their pain and confusion when Nameless <em>dimension door</em>s himself close to them, bringing Gareth and Korm with him. The paladin instantly beheads an athach with a slash of the Endless Blade, while Korm—having prepared for such an opportunity before leaving Sharn—leaps between two athachs and ignites a handful of <em>fire seeds</em> to incinerate both of them, his innate resistance to fire leaving him only lightly scorched. </p><p></p><p>The three remaining athachs howl in rage and attack, only for their huge clubs to bounce harmlessly off the myriad protective enchantments benefiting their foes. Nameless doesn't even bother retreating from the one on him but calmly casts another spell, causing it to howl even more loudly as the flesh begins to be flayed off its bones***. Gareth blasts another into ashes with a golden <em>bolt of glory</em> that shoots from his palm, while Korm begins to indulge in the joy of actual physical combat, slashing one deeply before burying his fangs in its shoulder as well.</p><p></p><p> Having disposed of his foe, Gareth turns to charge Nameless' target, only for the alienist to snap, “Leave my athach alone! I'm studying the effects of this spell to determine its tactical viability!”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, whatever,” says Gareth, changing direction to hurl himself sword-first at Korm's foe, who goes down instantly with a cloven skull.</p><p></p><p>“Spoilsport!” the Gatekeeper says, before pushing Gareth aside to step in the way of another athach. Its club, intended for Gareth's back, impacts solidly on Korm's bare chest. To the short-lived surprised of the athach, the orcish warrior only grins broadly at the impact. “That's not a hit!”, he say, before driving his meteoric blade hilt-deep into the athach's chest. “<em>That</em>'s a hit!”</p><p></p><p>As the athach falls, its unfortunate compatriot collapses at Nameless' feet, its screams silenced as the magical assault finally rips it to shreds. The alienist considers it dispassionately and then nods, “That'll do.”</p><p></p><p>The sole remaining aberration, the dolgaunt, has been struggling desperately to free itself from Six's control, to no avail. Its attempts finally cease when a gigantic bear leaps upon it. Luna roars and opens her jaws wide, only for Six to shout, “Don't kill it! I wanted it for information!” With a disappointed growl, Luna settles for pinning it firmly to the ground. </p><p></p><p>“I've got it,” says Korm, walking over and fixing the creature with a stare. Green flecks momentarily glow in his eyes as he calls upon his Gatekeeper training, attempting to use the powers of nature to affect the dolgaunt's alien mind. </p><p></p><p>The aberration struggles feebly under Luna's paw, attempting to resist the intrusion, and then goes rigid for a moment. Then it shakes its head slightly and, turning the empty sockets of its eyes on Korm, inquires, “What is wrong … master?”</p><p></p><p>Seeing that it has been affected and wanting to heighten its uncertainty, Nameless replies, “We are your true masters. Your leaders have failed us. Do not make the same mistake.” </p><p></p><p>The dolgaunt certainly looks even more confused, as it hesitantly replies, “I am … sorry. I don't know anything.”</p><p></p><p>“No,” says Korm, gesturing for Luna to release it, “You might have valuable information, which we would appreciate. Tell us how you came here.”</p><p></p><p>The dolgaunt hurriedly rises and hastens to answer in as much detail as possible. It says that the group was part of a larger force which fell afoul of Thranish forces a week ago, hence their smaller numbers. They were ordered to return to the Mournland two days ago and to head towards their lord's lair, at a place which it calls “the ziggurat of serpents”.</p><p></p><p>“Who is your lord?” asks Six.</p><p></p><p>“The lord Antaratma – that which dwells within!”</p><p></p><p>Six glances at the others. “I thought we might not be done with that one,” he says, before again addressing the dolgaunt. “How did you receive the order? From him?”</p><p></p><p>As he asks the question, Nameless sighs softly and mutters, “I thought he died far too easily.”</p><p></p><p>“EASILY?” Gareth stares at the alienist. “Are you joking? He almost killed us!”</p><p></p><p>“Not me! I was fine!” grunts Luna, but Nameless ignores her and says, his tone pedantic and a trifle impatient, “Gareth – Antaratma is a daelkyr <em>lord</em>. Emphasis on lord. Nobody in Khorvaire, not even the Gatekeepers at the height of their powers, has ever slain one. That's why they had to be sealed away in Khyber rather than killed, since they simply reform if they are physically destroyed.” </p><p></p><p>“But we hit it with the Silver Flame,” complains Luna, still being ignored. “Maybe we needed more Flame?”</p><p></p><p>The dolgaunt glances at the byplay in a confused manner and then answers Korm, “I do not know. One of the illithids told us and said it was very important.” </p><p></p><p>More questioning ascertains that one of the mind-flayers had been implanted with a “hearing stone” which allowed it to receive messages from certain central stones that the leaders of the aberration forces used, which could simultaneously contact all the hearing stones at once. The Angels also learn that the spot where the ziggurat of serpents is located is near “the edge of the land of glass” within the Mournland.</p><p></p><p>Once they have the information, the Angels discuss among themselves what they should do next and how to dispose of the dolgaunt. As they are considering the issue, the creature diffidently says, “Can I come with you? I can … er, carry your things?”</p><p></p><p>Korm stares at it for a moment and then chortles. “That's great,” he says, before turning back to the others. “Now we'll have to give him a banner!”</p><p></p><p>Six emits a mechanical chuckle. “So are we claiming the Mournland then?”</p><p></p><p>“Excellent,” laughs Luna. “That would just give me so much more space to decorate!”</p><p></p><p>They pause in their merriment to see that Nameless has walked away to one of the mind-flayer corpses. The alienist gestures them over and says, “We might as well question them too. Gareth – did you come prepared?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes,” says the paladin. “One <em>speak with dead</em> coming right up.” He proceeds to cast the spell, causing the corpse to twitch and move its tentacles. “It worked. All right – we have eight questions. What do we ask?”</p><p></p><p>After a quick discussion, the Guardian Angels begin to ask their questions, modifying some based on the answers they receive:</p><p></p><p>Q: What is at the Ziggurat of Serpents? </p><p>A: Our lord, Antaratma, and the Chaos Serpent.</p><p></p><p>Q: Is anything else there? </p><p>A: His servants who serve him.</p><p></p><p>Q: What servants? </p><p>A: Creatures of Xoriat, like me. </p><p></p><p>Q: Specifically what servants? </p><p>A: There is no fixed group. It is whoever the lord calls to him to serve his bidding.</p><p></p><p>Q: Who was the source of the orders to return? </p><p>A: The Tentacles of Antaratma – his mind flayer generals.</p><p></p><p>Q: What can you tell us about the mind flayer generals? </p><p>A: They are the six who were brought from Xoriat and raised to lead the armies. They are mighty in arms and magic, unlike most of our kind.</p><p></p><p>Q: What is the function of the ziggurat? </p><p>A: That is where the great ritual will occur.</p><p></p><p>Q: When will the great ritual occur? </p><p>A: I do not know, but soon, since the Chaos Serpent has returned. </p><p></p><p>“That 'great ritual' sounds so promising!” grunts Luna, once the corpse is quiescent again, the magic that animated it having passed. “I wonder what it is.”</p><p></p><p>“Whatever it is,” says Six thoughtfully, “The time does seem to fit with what Xagygyrag had told me.” </p><p></p><p>“That damn dragon!” grimaces Gareth, shaking his head at the memory of the one creature which forced the Guardian Angels to surrender and actually give up some of them—him included—to it. “Remind us again of what he said.” </p><p></p><p>Six reaches into his magical haversack and extracts a sheaf of parchments, which he leafs through till he finds the correct one. “Good thing I took notes,” he comments, before reading out, “He said that for the ritual to work one would have to ensure that enough blood has been spilt. And that one would need someone at each seal to activate them at once. I wonder if that is the case here. For the moment to be 'most propitious,'” he quotes, “One would need as many full moons – or new moons, but not both – at once as possible, but Xaggy couldn't say how many we would need. But he did say that the time when Mabar, the plane of Endless Night, is coterminous with ours would be a perfect time. And though that occurs for only three dark nights once every five years, he said it would happen within a few months. Which,” says Six, as he puts away the parchments, “Was a few months ago, so I assume it's close.”</p><p></p><p>“In eight days, actually,” says Nameless, having been silently calculating in his head for the last few seconds.</p><p></p><p>“That's useful to know,” says Luna. “But I just wish we knew more about this ritual.”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe we can,” says Korm, indicating the second mind-flayer corpse near them. “Gareth, can you do that again?”</p><p></p><p>“Sure,” says the paladin, pulling out a <em>pearl of power</em> to allow him to use the spell a second time. The magic successfully takes hold of the second mind-flayer too, and the Angels begin on the next set of questions.</p><p></p><p>Q: What is the great ritual? </p><p>A: The ritual will open the seals that are still closed in this world, opening all the world to Xoriat and releasing the other daelkyr lords. </p><p></p><p>Q: What is required for the great ritual? </p><p>A: Enough soul energy.</p><p></p><p>Q: Who will carry out the great ritual? </p><p>A: Antaratma, with Mual-Tar’s aid.</p><p></p><p>Q: Is Antaratma alive? </p><p>A: Yes, of course.</p><p></p><p>Q: Can the ritual be completed without the ziggurat? </p><p>A: No, that is what it was built for.</p><p></p><p>Q: What are the dimensions of the ziggurat? </p><p>A: It is 120 feet tall and 200 long and wide.</p><p></p><p>Q: Would Mual-Tar’s magic-affecting field disrupt the ritual? </p><p>A: Probably</p><p></p><p>Q: Does the ziggurat contain a manifest zone to Xoriat? </p><p>A: Yes</p><p></p><p>Once this corpse too collapses back into death, the Guardian Angels look at each other. Nameless says, “Unfortunate, but hardly surprising. I presume we will need to head into the Mournland to ascertain exactly what the situation is.”</p><p></p><p>“All right, but what do we do with that?” asks Six, indicating the dolagunt, which is staying at a distance but watching the Angels hopefully.</p><p></p><p>“I know,” says Korm. Requesting the <em>portable hole</em> from Nameless, he places it on the ground and calls the dolgaunt over. “I want you to …,” he begins, before pausing and then turning his back on the creature, “Scratch just below my left shoulder-blade.”</p><p></p><p>As the creature confusedly complies, Gareth says, “What?!”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, that's not the plan,” replies Korm. “I just got itchy. Now, you,” he indicates the <em>hole</em> to the dolgaunt. “Get in. You'll be safe there. Just keep breathing from that bottle in there.”</p><p></p><p>Though clearly reluctant, the dolgaunt follows the Gatekeeper's direction. Once it has done so, Korm waves cheerily down at it and then picks up the <em>portable hole</em>, which he hands back to Nameless. </p><p></p><p>The alienist puts it away and then points at the Dead-Gray Mist. “Time to go in. Again.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>* Maw of Chaos (Spell Compendium), which happens to do 1d6/level damage, so 17d6 in Nameless' case (no save), in a 30 ft diameter circle in the round it is cast and for each of the next 16 rounds. With a Will save to avoid being dazed for 1 round and Concentration checks needed for casting in the area. </p><p></p><p>** Tsunami (Spell Compendium), with Korm and Luna currently create a 340 ft long and 40 ft high wave of water, doing 17d6 damage (Fort half) and threatening to carry away creatures smaller than Gargantuan, dealing the damage every round. </p><p></p><p>*** Flensing (Spell Compendium), which does 1d6 pts of Charisma and Constitution damage each round for 4 rounds, allowing a Fort save to negate the damage only for that round.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="shilsen, post: 5446073, member: 198"] The first stop for the Guardian Angels is the Great Crag in Droaam. Having been forewarned of their arrival via [i]sending[/i]s, two of the Daughters of Sora Kell—the blind seer Sora Teraza and her diplomat sister, Sora Katra—are awaiting them, since the third—Sora Maenya—is away leading the armies of Droaam against the aberration incursions in the country. The two hags are naturally very interested in what has transpired for the Guardian Angels thus far, particularly the details regarding the end of the Silver Flame and the situation with Mual-Tar. Sora Teraza, unsurprisingly, was instantly aware of the passing of the Silver Flame, an event so monumental that, she says, many of the more powerful diviners around Khorvaire—and possibly elsewhere in Eberron—would have automatically noticed it in some way. Once the Angels have related some of what occurred, they ask the hags for a favor – to be allowed to retain the six trolls from Sora Maenya’s guard. “We’ve found them very useful,” Gareth says, “And considering that we are about to continue pursuing the Worm and fighting Xoriat, we could use the help.” “They’re all alive, for one thing,” says Korm, before chuckling, “And, believe me, that’s not what usually happens to people who get in a fight with us – whether on our side or the other!” Sora Teraza turns her sightless face towards her sister. “That would be possible, yes?” “Of course,” smiles the slender young elfmaid that is Sora Katra’s current form. “We’d be very happy to acquiesce. Especially,” she laughs, “Since Maenya is not here. She was not … pleased when we told her that we had loaned six of her prized warriors to you.” “Good. I would not want her angry with us,” says Six, with utter seriousness. “I know your nation is the primary source of byeshk on the continent. Would you be able to find the right sized byeshk weapons for the trolls?” “Of course,” repeats Sora Katra. “Give us two days and we shall have them fully equipped for you.” “Thanks,” says Luna. “You’re very helpful. I don’t get why everyone says you’re evil, baby-eating, monster hag people!” There is a moment of utter silence, before it is broken by a long and raucous guffaw from Sora Katra which belies her appearance. “I sometimes wonder that myself,” she says, when her merriment has diminished slightly. “And we’re happy to help. As we’ve said, we’re quite aware of the ways in which your continuing presence and activities benefits Khorvaire and, by extension, us. Is there anything else we might do to aid you?” “Well,” rasps Nameless, “This is a small issue in the scheme of the things we’ve been dealing with, but it’s a personal one. Could you tell us how much a Daask drug den goes for?” The silence this time is just a little longer before Sora Katra asks, curiosity and amusement warring in her tone, “I beg your pardon?” “Oh – I see where this is going!” says Korm, a broad grin stealing over his face. “You know what happened to us with the attack on the Daask drug den in Sharn a little over six months ago,” explains Nameless, “And six months is the period that we promised no hostilities against them. Frankly, it’s an embarrassment I’d like to wipe off. Since I don’t want this to be a sticking point between us, I’d be pleased to pay for all the damages to your organization before I blow up one of them.” Sora Katra chortles and nods. “I see your point. Reputation is important. Why don’t you give me the two days that we’ll need to outfit the trolls and I’ll get back to you about which one I’d prefer you to, er, explode. And you don’t need to pay for any damages. We do need to … liquidate some unsatisfactory employees once in a while to make a point, so you can do that for us.” “Thank you,” says the alienist. “If you simply had them present at the drug den in question, we'd happily take care of it. I should mention that I’d appreciate it if you picked a location where collateral damage would be minimal. And we’ll also take out a Boromar drug den to even things out. We owe them a lesson too.” “That’s us,” laughs Luna, “Equal opportunity avengers!” With that additional little detail taken care of, the Guardian Angels take their leave of the hags, promising to return in two days to pick up the trolls. Sora Teraza also promises that she will inform them of anything else she might learn in the interim that may help their cause. * * * The next stop is Sharn. As usual, the group reappears in the Gray House to find Fett and Trillia awaiting them. The major-domo and Nameless’ former mentor both confirm that things are quite stable in Sharn, with only minor signs of aberration activity since the last large attack that the Angels thwarted nearly three months ago. Once Nameless explains to Trillia what he and the others have recently achieved and done, he asks, “Any interest in actually visiting Xoriat? I will admit that even though my understanding and comprehension of the plane’s nature were fundamentally perfect before I experienced it, there’s a certain pleasure to be had in actually seeing seventh-dimensional flux realities in play,” he chuckles harshly, “And especially in their 'native' habitat.” Trillia smiles in return but shakes her head hurriedly. “When I began to study Xoriat’s nature and influences, I never dreamed that I’d one day have the option of traveling there. Or,” she grimaces slightly, “Having it travel to my city. So – no, thank you. I’m perfectly happy retaining only an 'academic interest' in Xoriat.” Once they have spoken with Trillia and Fett, the Guardian Angels head in various directions. Knowing that they will in all likelihood have to enter the Mournland to deal with Mual-Tar, they decide to obtain as much aid as possible. So Nameless [i]teleport[/i]s them to New Cyre, to meet with their old comrade Corven. They find the latter to now be the primary magical adviser to Prince Oargev ir'Wynarn, but he is—as always—happy to take time away from his duties to meet his former allies. Particularly when they mention what they are about to attempt. In the space of only an hour, decisions and agreements are made, Corven promising that in three days time he will have a squad of skilled Cyran artificers, warriors and scouts ready to accompany the Guardian Angels into the Mournland. During the meeting, Six suggests that the group make use of airships as they did during the Battle of Flamekeep, perhaps using their link with Mual-Tar to allow them to fly over the Dead-Gray Mist until near its location and then be lowered through it. While the suggestion obviously has a number of risks, the others agree that it is as feasible as any to enter the Mournland, and decide to follow it. To that end, once they have taken their leave of Corven and [i]teleport[/i]ed back to Sharn, Six visits one of the House Sivis enclaves and obtains the swiftest form of magical communication possible, sending the captains of the two airships that participated in the recent battle a detailed explanation of what they need. Knowing that the message will take at least a day to get through, he adds the information that the Angels will expect an answer in two days. Six then proceeds to descend to the Cogs below Sharn, stopping at the Pool of Onatar to speak to the warforged religious leader Smith, before heading to the Red Hammer inn to speak to the owners, Blue and Crucible. He learns there that the warforged in Sharn are actually doing quite well for themselves recently. Now that the city has not been attacked in a while, their skills and unsleeping vigor are in major demand due to the nation’s war footing. As the warforged as individuals and as a community have been earning more and getting somewhat better treatment, they have also been following through on their aim to buy out as many of the indentured servitude contracts as possible, doing so at an exponentially faster rate now. House Cannith has also been delivering on their promise to aid in this regard. Pleased to hear this news, Six spends a couple of hours at the inn, catching up on details and indulging in the warforged-specific delicacies that Blue and Crucible make. While Six is busy with the warforged, Nameless, Luna and Korm visit the central House Cannith enclave. There they set up a meeting with Baron Merrix, where they mention the planned-for expedition and ask for aid with artificers. The Baron quickly agrees, saying that he will obtain the services of however many people he can provide at short notice. Gareth, meanwhile, first makes a stop at the Cathedral of the Silver Flame. There he discovers that—as he had expected—most of the people there have lost the spellcasting ability they possessed, with only some retaining a fairly diminished volume of it. Even Archierophant Ythana Morr has utterly lost her spellcasting abilities. The paladin barely manages to keep a smirk of his face at the news of her current condition, and takes great joy in saying, “I would like to address the people here. Now that many have lost the favor of the Silver Flame, I believe those of us still blessed by it need to be an inspiration to the others.” Though clearly reluctant, the Archierophant has little choice but to accede to the request, though Gareth thinks he faintly hears gnashing teeth when he isn't looking. Stepping up to the pulpit, the paladin delivers a rousing speech, where he both talks about what transpired at the Battle of Flamekeep and about the need to retain faith and courage in this difficult time. When he is done, Gareth thanks Ythana Morr and reassures her with exaggerated good cheer, before exiting the Cathedral with a broad smile on his face. Having dealt with the Cathedral, Gareth then moves to a much more complicated and dangerous task – facing Lalia. As expected, there is shouting, kissing, more shouting, hugging, and the odd clout to the head, but at least he emerges without permanent damage. The paladin accepts it all with as good a grace as he can, especially since he has little basis for argument when his fiancee points out that he did not even stop by for a moment after he returned, even though he knew that she had just spent a month thinking that he was dead and had lost her sister. After profusely apologizing and taking recourse in repeated references to the importance of his task in Flamekeep, Gareth gingerly mentions that the fact that he is leaving again on the morrow, which leads to another bout of shouting. Once she has calmed somewhat, Lalia peremptorily informs him that he is going to be spending the rest of the day with him, though she does send him away so she can get ready for dinner while he tells his companions that he has plans with her. Once he has done so and rejoined her, Lalia and Gareth proceed to have a night on the town, first attending a play and then going to dinner at one of the most expensive of restaurants. Over dinner, the Sentinel Marshal mentions that she has a gift for Gareth. When the paladin opens the box she proffers, he discovers it to be a simple blue pendant on a silver chain. “It's a speaking stone,” Lalia explains, “One that you can use once a day to contact me. From now on, I expect to hear from you between seven and eight every night. Definitely by eight. If I don't hear from you any day, I'll assume you're dead and come looking for you,” she smiles sweetly, “And you better [i]be [/i] dead.” Gareth nods hurriedly and assures Lalia that nothing short of daelkyr lords and giant magic-eating serpents will keep him from staying in touch. * * * * * * * * * * The next morning, the Guardian Angels depart from Sharn, Nameless [i]teleport[/i]ing them to a spot on the edge of the Mournland, in the same general location as the spot where they believe Mual-Tar entered it. Once they arrive, looking around they can see many signs of creatures having moved into the Mournland through the surrounding area, with discarded equipment and other objects dropped here and there. Being only a short distance from the area where the Worm entered, the Angels head towards it. And only a minute later, they top a small rise to see a group of a little over fifty aberrations—dolgrims, dolgaunts, some athachs and a couple of mind-flayers—some three hundred feet away, clearly about to enter the Mournland. Unfortunately for the unlucky aberrations, the Angels react instantly – and with extreme prejudice. Nameless calls upon his newly-gained powers, drawing on Xoriat to simultaneously call forth his Aspect and wrap a manifestation of the plane of madness around him as an armor of shimmering energy. Not quite done, he then casts another spell, this one actually conjuring up dozens of crackling, razor-thin shards of energy. These are actually physical manifestations of Xoriat's infinite planes, which tear through the area—and those unfortunate enough to occupy it—in a roiling frenzy*. A couple of them are instantly ripped apart by the eruption of arcane energy, while others fall dying as they struggle to flee. Before the startled aberrations can respond, Luna and Korm cast the same spell in unison. Giant walls of water** appear on either side of the aberration force, before sweeping forward with a dull rumble. Dolgrims, dolgaunts and mind-flayers are bowled off their feet, crushed instantly beneath the tons of rushing water, with only some of the huge athachs remaining upright. When the threefold magical assault ends, less than five seconds after it began, only seven of the fifty creatures are left alive – six athachs and one dolgaunt. The latter, badly wounded, leaps away and looks around desperately for an escape route. And then goes utterly rigid, as Six uses a [i]ring of telekinesis[/i] to grasp it from a distance. Even slower of thought and action, the athachs are still roaring their pain and confusion when Nameless [i]dimension door[/i]s himself close to them, bringing Gareth and Korm with him. The paladin instantly beheads an athach with a slash of the Endless Blade, while Korm—having prepared for such an opportunity before leaving Sharn—leaps between two athachs and ignites a handful of [i]fire seeds[/i] to incinerate both of them, his innate resistance to fire leaving him only lightly scorched. The three remaining athachs howl in rage and attack, only for their huge clubs to bounce harmlessly off the myriad protective enchantments benefiting their foes. Nameless doesn't even bother retreating from the one on him but calmly casts another spell, causing it to howl even more loudly as the flesh begins to be flayed off its bones***. Gareth blasts another into ashes with a golden [i]bolt of glory[/i] that shoots from his palm, while Korm begins to indulge in the joy of actual physical combat, slashing one deeply before burying his fangs in its shoulder as well. Having disposed of his foe, Gareth turns to charge Nameless' target, only for the alienist to snap, “Leave my athach alone! I'm studying the effects of this spell to determine its tactical viability!” “Yeah, whatever,” says Gareth, changing direction to hurl himself sword-first at Korm's foe, who goes down instantly with a cloven skull. “Spoilsport!” the Gatekeeper says, before pushing Gareth aside to step in the way of another athach. Its club, intended for Gareth's back, impacts solidly on Korm's bare chest. To the short-lived surprised of the athach, the orcish warrior only grins broadly at the impact. “That's not a hit!”, he say, before driving his meteoric blade hilt-deep into the athach's chest. “[i]That[/i]'s a hit!” As the athach falls, its unfortunate compatriot collapses at Nameless' feet, its screams silenced as the magical assault finally rips it to shreds. The alienist considers it dispassionately and then nods, “That'll do.” The sole remaining aberration, the dolgaunt, has been struggling desperately to free itself from Six's control, to no avail. Its attempts finally cease when a gigantic bear leaps upon it. Luna roars and opens her jaws wide, only for Six to shout, “Don't kill it! I wanted it for information!” With a disappointed growl, Luna settles for pinning it firmly to the ground. “I've got it,” says Korm, walking over and fixing the creature with a stare. Green flecks momentarily glow in his eyes as he calls upon his Gatekeeper training, attempting to use the powers of nature to affect the dolgaunt's alien mind. The aberration struggles feebly under Luna's paw, attempting to resist the intrusion, and then goes rigid for a moment. Then it shakes its head slightly and, turning the empty sockets of its eyes on Korm, inquires, “What is wrong … master?” Seeing that it has been affected and wanting to heighten its uncertainty, Nameless replies, “We are your true masters. Your leaders have failed us. Do not make the same mistake.” The dolgaunt certainly looks even more confused, as it hesitantly replies, “I am … sorry. I don't know anything.” “No,” says Korm, gesturing for Luna to release it, “You might have valuable information, which we would appreciate. Tell us how you came here.” The dolgaunt hurriedly rises and hastens to answer in as much detail as possible. It says that the group was part of a larger force which fell afoul of Thranish forces a week ago, hence their smaller numbers. They were ordered to return to the Mournland two days ago and to head towards their lord's lair, at a place which it calls “the ziggurat of serpents”. “Who is your lord?” asks Six. “The lord Antaratma – that which dwells within!” Six glances at the others. “I thought we might not be done with that one,” he says, before again addressing the dolgaunt. “How did you receive the order? From him?” As he asks the question, Nameless sighs softly and mutters, “I thought he died far too easily.” “EASILY?” Gareth stares at the alienist. “Are you joking? He almost killed us!” “Not me! I was fine!” grunts Luna, but Nameless ignores her and says, his tone pedantic and a trifle impatient, “Gareth – Antaratma is a daelkyr [i]lord[/i]. Emphasis on lord. Nobody in Khorvaire, not even the Gatekeepers at the height of their powers, has ever slain one. That's why they had to be sealed away in Khyber rather than killed, since they simply reform if they are physically destroyed.” “But we hit it with the Silver Flame,” complains Luna, still being ignored. “Maybe we needed more Flame?” The dolgaunt glances at the byplay in a confused manner and then answers Korm, “I do not know. One of the illithids told us and said it was very important.” More questioning ascertains that one of the mind-flayers had been implanted with a “hearing stone” which allowed it to receive messages from certain central stones that the leaders of the aberration forces used, which could simultaneously contact all the hearing stones at once. The Angels also learn that the spot where the ziggurat of serpents is located is near “the edge of the land of glass” within the Mournland. Once they have the information, the Angels discuss among themselves what they should do next and how to dispose of the dolgaunt. As they are considering the issue, the creature diffidently says, “Can I come with you? I can … er, carry your things?” Korm stares at it for a moment and then chortles. “That's great,” he says, before turning back to the others. “Now we'll have to give him a banner!” Six emits a mechanical chuckle. “So are we claiming the Mournland then?” “Excellent,” laughs Luna. “That would just give me so much more space to decorate!” They pause in their merriment to see that Nameless has walked away to one of the mind-flayer corpses. The alienist gestures them over and says, “We might as well question them too. Gareth – did you come prepared?” “Yes,” says the paladin. “One [i]speak with dead[/i] coming right up.” He proceeds to cast the spell, causing the corpse to twitch and move its tentacles. “It worked. All right – we have eight questions. What do we ask?” After a quick discussion, the Guardian Angels begin to ask their questions, modifying some based on the answers they receive: Q: What is at the Ziggurat of Serpents? A: Our lord, Antaratma, and the Chaos Serpent. Q: Is anything else there? A: His servants who serve him. Q: What servants? A: Creatures of Xoriat, like me. Q: Specifically what servants? A: There is no fixed group. It is whoever the lord calls to him to serve his bidding. Q: Who was the source of the orders to return? A: The Tentacles of Antaratma – his mind flayer generals. Q: What can you tell us about the mind flayer generals? A: They are the six who were brought from Xoriat and raised to lead the armies. They are mighty in arms and magic, unlike most of our kind. Q: What is the function of the ziggurat? A: That is where the great ritual will occur. Q: When will the great ritual occur? A: I do not know, but soon, since the Chaos Serpent has returned. “That 'great ritual' sounds so promising!” grunts Luna, once the corpse is quiescent again, the magic that animated it having passed. “I wonder what it is.” “Whatever it is,” says Six thoughtfully, “The time does seem to fit with what Xagygyrag had told me.” “That damn dragon!” grimaces Gareth, shaking his head at the memory of the one creature which forced the Guardian Angels to surrender and actually give up some of them—him included—to it. “Remind us again of what he said.” Six reaches into his magical haversack and extracts a sheaf of parchments, which he leafs through till he finds the correct one. “Good thing I took notes,” he comments, before reading out, “He said that for the ritual to work one would have to ensure that enough blood has been spilt. And that one would need someone at each seal to activate them at once. I wonder if that is the case here. For the moment to be 'most propitious,'” he quotes, “One would need as many full moons – or new moons, but not both – at once as possible, but Xaggy couldn't say how many we would need. But he did say that the time when Mabar, the plane of Endless Night, is coterminous with ours would be a perfect time. And though that occurs for only three dark nights once every five years, he said it would happen within a few months. Which,” says Six, as he puts away the parchments, “Was a few months ago, so I assume it's close.” “In eight days, actually,” says Nameless, having been silently calculating in his head for the last few seconds. “That's useful to know,” says Luna. “But I just wish we knew more about this ritual.” “Maybe we can,” says Korm, indicating the second mind-flayer corpse near them. “Gareth, can you do that again?” “Sure,” says the paladin, pulling out a [i]pearl of power[/i] to allow him to use the spell a second time. The magic successfully takes hold of the second mind-flayer too, and the Angels begin on the next set of questions. Q: What is the great ritual? A: The ritual will open the seals that are still closed in this world, opening all the world to Xoriat and releasing the other daelkyr lords. Q: What is required for the great ritual? A: Enough soul energy. Q: Who will carry out the great ritual? A: Antaratma, with Mual-Tar’s aid. Q: Is Antaratma alive? A: Yes, of course. Q: Can the ritual be completed without the ziggurat? A: No, that is what it was built for. Q: What are the dimensions of the ziggurat? A: It is 120 feet tall and 200 long and wide. Q: Would Mual-Tar’s magic-affecting field disrupt the ritual? A: Probably Q: Does the ziggurat contain a manifest zone to Xoriat? A: Yes Once this corpse too collapses back into death, the Guardian Angels look at each other. Nameless says, “Unfortunate, but hardly surprising. I presume we will need to head into the Mournland to ascertain exactly what the situation is.” “All right, but what do we do with that?” asks Six, indicating the dolagunt, which is staying at a distance but watching the Angels hopefully. “I know,” says Korm. Requesting the [i]portable hole[/i] from Nameless, he places it on the ground and calls the dolgaunt over. “I want you to …,” he begins, before pausing and then turning his back on the creature, “Scratch just below my left shoulder-blade.” As the creature confusedly complies, Gareth says, “What?!” “Oh, that's not the plan,” replies Korm. “I just got itchy. Now, you,” he indicates the [i]hole[/i] to the dolgaunt. “Get in. You'll be safe there. Just keep breathing from that bottle in there.” Though clearly reluctant, the dolgaunt follows the Gatekeeper's direction. Once it has done so, Korm waves cheerily down at it and then picks up the [i]portable hole[/i], which he hands back to Nameless. The alienist puts it away and then points at the Dead-Gray Mist. “Time to go in. Again.” * Maw of Chaos (Spell Compendium), which happens to do 1d6/level damage, so 17d6 in Nameless' case (no save), in a 30 ft diameter circle in the round it is cast and for each of the next 16 rounds. With a Will save to avoid being dazed for 1 round and Concentration checks needed for casting in the area. ** Tsunami (Spell Compendium), with Korm and Luna currently create a 340 ft long and 40 ft high wave of water, doing 17d6 damage (Fort half) and threatening to carry away creatures smaller than Gargantuan, dealing the damage every round. *** Flensing (Spell Compendium), which does 1d6 pts of Charisma and Constitution damage each round for 4 rounds, allowing a Fort save to negate the damage only for that round. [/QUOTE]
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Shilsen's Eberron SH (Finished - The Last Word : 9/20/15)
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