Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Aphonion Tales: The Archducal Council -- Unedited notes; later posts are edited transcripts (posts MWF, update 3/1/23)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="CPaladin" data-source="post: 8285707" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>[Session 46 cont'd]</p><p>* * *</p><p>Dame Brionna prepares to interrogate Llars.</p><p></p><p>It's an Outsider, spells on it are someone else's making.</p><p></p><p>Brionna calls for an exorcist. He looks appropriately creepy. He's happy to help.</p><p></p><p>While Exorcist is setting up, Brionna tries to ask prisoner his <em>real</em> name. "I have many names. Some I'm willing to give up. one I'm not."</p><p></p><p>"I was sent by the council that I serve to eyeball the situation. Our Great Lord wishes to know more about the ruler here"</p><p>The psion reports <his lord = Lord of the Rams, who is 'interested' in this place></p><p></p><p>Brionna..taunts him. Says that Lord of Rams isn't so great, actually. gets Lars to brag! Says there isn't a Cult of the Ram in Canberry, but there are in a few places over the continent</p><p></p><p>He's here as an observer, trying to scope out Alistair</p><p></p><p>They philosophize about power.</p><p></p><p>He'll be recalled when the council is ready to hear his report</p><p></p><p>Brionna still tries to taunt him, compares him to Kit's doggy.</p><p></p><p>Exorcist reveals! Real form: slightly larger than human, looks like a really mean satyr - hairy, sharp teeth and horns. A baliazu. Usually infantry - either it's unusually smart or this is just the best the council can do.</p><p></p><p>There's still a concealing spell around Lars's mind - Exorcist tries to remove it, and psion starts digging.</p><p></p><p>Aha! The one who summoned only knows part of the reason. His master instructed him to be taken prisoner so that he could see one of the council directly. But he doesn't know why. Says he was supposed to observe Brionna, test her loyalty by observing her reactions, see how others (esp. men) react to her. Has reported back Brionna's image</p><p></p><p>Where a mechanism is known, a lever can be found.</p><p></p><p>Dame Brionna relays to us. He is a demon, infantry soldier, servant of the Lord of the Rams, with a wide variety of enchantments on him—serves at least two masters. Allowed himself to be captured so he could see a member of the Council and relay the image back to his masters (presumably so a here’ku could be formed). Also looking for weaknesses in your authority and to test her loyalty.</p><p></p><p>Alistair and Kit discusses this, the possibility that Kit will be a big target. We agree that Kit and Dame Brionna will have to continuously carry pieces of orichalcum jewelry that they present at all times, to show that they have not been replaced.</p><p></p><p>How many on your Council?</p><p></p><p>Three</p><p></p><p><<He thinks of them vaguely… if you could get him to focus on them more…>></p><p></p><p>I was brought before them. Well, before two of them.</p><p></p><p>The third one couldn’t be bothered to be there?</p><p></p><p>The third one can never be present. It is bound in the Wells of Darkness. A mighty princess, and when we bring her back she will be mighty.</p><p></p><p><<I have them now. The Lord of the Ram, the Abomination of Shur, and the Princess Asima, originally ruler of the 143rd layer, imprisoned within the Wells of Darkness when she helped the One who Must not Be Named the last time.</p><p></p><p>Is the Lord of the Ram under the paw of a kitty-cat then?</p><p></p><p>“Shurr will one day be a mighty demon lord. We have an eye on one which needs replacing.”</p><p></p><p>“Which one? I can’t think of any that would be weaker than the alliance of a sheep and a kitty-cat.”</p><p></p><p>Ugu-denk, the Squirming King. His plane shall be given to the Abomination when he rises to become a demon-lord. Not every demon-lord is foolishly concerned with this little plane. Let it be consumed by her.</p><p></p><p>“You say you saw the Abomination personally? Where would that be?”</p><p></p><p>“Its spirit can move from place to place. They held council near the well where Asima is kept, so she could participate. I was given my mission by the Ram himself, but with the approval of all of them.”</p><p></p><p>What if they disagree?</p><p></p><p>Nothing is done; only with unity can the forces be deployed.</p><p></p><p><<Most of the deployed forces belong to Asima; that’s why she must be included.”</p><p></p><p>She who must not be named is really in charge, isn’t she?</p><p></p><p>He grovels a little. She will restore us to our proper place, by consuming you.</p><p></p><p>And you. She will consume everything.</p><p></p><p>The Master does not think so.</p><p></p><p>The Ram is not known for long-term thinking.</p><p></p><p>The Master is mighty.</p><p></p><p><<I think we are reaching the end of what it knows.>></p><p></p><p>We decide to have it destroyed, assuming there are no traps that would make that dangerous. The exorcist seems doubtful. It will react as soon as I attempt it. The moment it feels threatened, that cell will not hold it. My wards will hold it briefly, but it can use those barbs as spears.</p><p></p><p>Could we teleport it into a sanctified area?</p><p></p><p>My first ward prevents it from teleporting, or from our teleporting it. If we erase those wards, it will probably teleport out.</p><p></p><p>I’d rather destroy it.</p><p></p><p>They discuss this, and plan on running in a large quantity of holy water, with the knights standing by. They consecrate a cistern on the roof and prepare to flood the room.</p><p></p><p>They flood it with holy water and attack.</p><p></p><p>The demon is killed before it can take an action. And shrinks down into a larva as its corpse burns in a pool of holy water.</p><p></p><p>Dame Brionna returns. “Your grace… I must say, the education system in this city leaves much to be desired. The guard leftenant has minor psionic abilities.”</p><p></p><p>Alistair and Kit separately discuss the idea of leaking the information to Uru-Denk—Kit is strongly opposed. There are some old songs about Princess Asima; she was highly regarded in previous Ages as particularly propitious as a demon lord for the most powermad.</p><p></p><p>We talk about this with Lady Constance. She says that the Scheming King and Malacat, Queen of the Succubi, and Shictari, Queen of the Marilith, were the principal actors of the coalition that imprisoned Princess Asima, although they acted on behalf of a larger coalition.</p><p></p><p>The titular ruler of the Abyss is Borsh’tro, but they only really control the first few planes. Malacat has little interest in the Prime except as a place to find beautiful people. Deeper in, there is either no interest or no knowledge in the Prime. There are councils, plots, wars that last thousands of years, and a judiciary. So a judiciary headed by Krab-urg-u condemned Asima, and a Council of Three carried out the sentence.</p><p></p><p>Asima, it should be noted is an orylith. They are the older types of demons, rarely with human shapes, able to cause insanity. There are fewer of them, overall, but they still have great power. The Squirming King is the only orylith in the group that condemned her, and it was he that held her in shape long enough to bind her.</p><p></p><p>Uru-Denk does not even have a shape that could be recognized. It is named the Squirming King for a reason. Most of its servants are manitrou—I cannot imagine them following the Abomination if it were elevated.</p><p></p><p>The only one of that group that I would dare even send a message to is Malacat. To speak to Uru-Denk, even under the most carefully shielded circumstances, risks madness. The Queen of the Mariliths is not known for her rationality. Malacat could be contacted, however. I would not do it—but it could be done. You must remember that there is no law in these creatures.</p><p></p><p>If you make a decision that you want to make contact with her, notify me and I’ll describe how to package it. I do not recommend it, but you are the Archduke, and you will decide.</p><p></p><p>At the current rate of progress, the Debonai army will meet up with the other armies in about 15 days.</p><p></p><p>We bring in the Minister of Magic.</p><p></p><p>We fill him in.</p><p></p><p>Ah. So they are moving slightly out of phase.</p><p></p><p>What does that mean, how do they do it, and how do we stop them?</p><p></p><p>They do it through the favor of a supernatural creature. Someone has made an agreement—only a few of the great powers have the ability to do that—a couple of devils, a couple of demons, and a couple of angelic powers. They are compressing space—or rather moving people through a state such that time passes more quickly, and they cover distance more quickly. The people will be worn out. They will age rapidly. Men of twenty who have done six journeys will be men of twenty-five or twenty-six. Older men will suddenly start dropping dead.</p><p></p><p>Their perceptions are weakened—they are in a trance. They could run into a large scale trap without seeing it, but normally they would place scouts ahead. But they could move through an army before the army had time to stop them. It will also make their minds more pliant. More susceptible to magical or psionic influence.</p><p></p><p>The lord of the Ram… a demon lord allied with Alvasox—a lord of the legions of cavalry of the 33rd layer. He is one of the ones with the ability to move people. It ties into his ability to increase speed, productivity, fertility, always at cost. His focus is fertility. To move that many… the blood sacrifice would have to be immense. It would have to drain even him. You are talking about 20,000 men.</p><p></p><p>The leaders must be realizing what’s happening to them.</p><p>We speculate they may all be replaced.</p><p></p><p>Are they caught up in a demonic war?</p><p>We think so. We all are now.</p><p></p><p>If they are connected to the Lord of the Ram… he must be part of an agreement.</p><p></p><p>Should I make talismans to reveal the followers of the Lord of the Ram?</p><p>Yes.</p><p></p><p>It will take two days to prepare them.</p><p>[End Session 46]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8285707, member: 7030144"] [Session 46 cont'd] * * * Dame Brionna prepares to interrogate Llars. It's an Outsider, spells on it are someone else's making. Brionna calls for an exorcist. He looks appropriately creepy. He's happy to help. While Exorcist is setting up, Brionna tries to ask prisoner his [I]real[/I] name. "I have many names. Some I'm willing to give up. one I'm not." "I was sent by the council that I serve to eyeball the situation. Our Great Lord wishes to know more about the ruler here" The psion reports <his lord = Lord of the Rams, who is 'interested' in this place> Brionna..taunts him. Says that Lord of Rams isn't so great, actually. gets Lars to brag! Says there isn't a Cult of the Ram in Canberry, but there are in a few places over the continent He's here as an observer, trying to scope out Alistair They philosophize about power. He'll be recalled when the council is ready to hear his report Brionna still tries to taunt him, compares him to Kit's doggy. Exorcist reveals! Real form: slightly larger than human, looks like a really mean satyr - hairy, sharp teeth and horns. A baliazu. Usually infantry - either it's unusually smart or this is just the best the council can do. There's still a concealing spell around Lars's mind - Exorcist tries to remove it, and psion starts digging. Aha! The one who summoned only knows part of the reason. His master instructed him to be taken prisoner so that he could see one of the council directly. But he doesn't know why. Says he was supposed to observe Brionna, test her loyalty by observing her reactions, see how others (esp. men) react to her. Has reported back Brionna's image Where a mechanism is known, a lever can be found. Dame Brionna relays to us. He is a demon, infantry soldier, servant of the Lord of the Rams, with a wide variety of enchantments on him—serves at least two masters. Allowed himself to be captured so he could see a member of the Council and relay the image back to his masters (presumably so a here’ku could be formed). Also looking for weaknesses in your authority and to test her loyalty. Alistair and Kit discusses this, the possibility that Kit will be a big target. We agree that Kit and Dame Brionna will have to continuously carry pieces of orichalcum jewelry that they present at all times, to show that they have not been replaced. How many on your Council? Three <<He thinks of them vaguely… if you could get him to focus on them more…>> I was brought before them. Well, before two of them. The third one couldn’t be bothered to be there? The third one can never be present. It is bound in the Wells of Darkness. A mighty princess, and when we bring her back she will be mighty. <<I have them now. The Lord of the Ram, the Abomination of Shur, and the Princess Asima, originally ruler of the 143rd layer, imprisoned within the Wells of Darkness when she helped the One who Must not Be Named the last time. Is the Lord of the Ram under the paw of a kitty-cat then? “Shurr will one day be a mighty demon lord. We have an eye on one which needs replacing.” “Which one? I can’t think of any that would be weaker than the alliance of a sheep and a kitty-cat.” Ugu-denk, the Squirming King. His plane shall be given to the Abomination when he rises to become a demon-lord. Not every demon-lord is foolishly concerned with this little plane. Let it be consumed by her. “You say you saw the Abomination personally? Where would that be?” “Its spirit can move from place to place. They held council near the well where Asima is kept, so she could participate. I was given my mission by the Ram himself, but with the approval of all of them.” What if they disagree? Nothing is done; only with unity can the forces be deployed. <<Most of the deployed forces belong to Asima; that’s why she must be included.” She who must not be named is really in charge, isn’t she? He grovels a little. She will restore us to our proper place, by consuming you. And you. She will consume everything. The Master does not think so. The Ram is not known for long-term thinking. The Master is mighty. <<I think we are reaching the end of what it knows.>> We decide to have it destroyed, assuming there are no traps that would make that dangerous. The exorcist seems doubtful. It will react as soon as I attempt it. The moment it feels threatened, that cell will not hold it. My wards will hold it briefly, but it can use those barbs as spears. Could we teleport it into a sanctified area? My first ward prevents it from teleporting, or from our teleporting it. If we erase those wards, it will probably teleport out. I’d rather destroy it. They discuss this, and plan on running in a large quantity of holy water, with the knights standing by. They consecrate a cistern on the roof and prepare to flood the room. They flood it with holy water and attack. The demon is killed before it can take an action. And shrinks down into a larva as its corpse burns in a pool of holy water. Dame Brionna returns. “Your grace… I must say, the education system in this city leaves much to be desired. The guard leftenant has minor psionic abilities.” Alistair and Kit separately discuss the idea of leaking the information to Uru-Denk—Kit is strongly opposed. There are some old songs about Princess Asima; she was highly regarded in previous Ages as particularly propitious as a demon lord for the most powermad. We talk about this with Lady Constance. She says that the Scheming King and Malacat, Queen of the Succubi, and Shictari, Queen of the Marilith, were the principal actors of the coalition that imprisoned Princess Asima, although they acted on behalf of a larger coalition. The titular ruler of the Abyss is Borsh’tro, but they only really control the first few planes. Malacat has little interest in the Prime except as a place to find beautiful people. Deeper in, there is either no interest or no knowledge in the Prime. There are councils, plots, wars that last thousands of years, and a judiciary. So a judiciary headed by Krab-urg-u condemned Asima, and a Council of Three carried out the sentence. Asima, it should be noted is an orylith. They are the older types of demons, rarely with human shapes, able to cause insanity. There are fewer of them, overall, but they still have great power. The Squirming King is the only orylith in the group that condemned her, and it was he that held her in shape long enough to bind her. Uru-Denk does not even have a shape that could be recognized. It is named the Squirming King for a reason. Most of its servants are manitrou—I cannot imagine them following the Abomination if it were elevated. The only one of that group that I would dare even send a message to is Malacat. To speak to Uru-Denk, even under the most carefully shielded circumstances, risks madness. The Queen of the Mariliths is not known for her rationality. Malacat could be contacted, however. I would not do it—but it could be done. You must remember that there is no law in these creatures. If you make a decision that you want to make contact with her, notify me and I’ll describe how to package it. I do not recommend it, but you are the Archduke, and you will decide. At the current rate of progress, the Debonai army will meet up with the other armies in about 15 days. We bring in the Minister of Magic. We fill him in. Ah. So they are moving slightly out of phase. What does that mean, how do they do it, and how do we stop them? They do it through the favor of a supernatural creature. Someone has made an agreement—only a few of the great powers have the ability to do that—a couple of devils, a couple of demons, and a couple of angelic powers. They are compressing space—or rather moving people through a state such that time passes more quickly, and they cover distance more quickly. The people will be worn out. They will age rapidly. Men of twenty who have done six journeys will be men of twenty-five or twenty-six. Older men will suddenly start dropping dead. Their perceptions are weakened—they are in a trance. They could run into a large scale trap without seeing it, but normally they would place scouts ahead. But they could move through an army before the army had time to stop them. It will also make their minds more pliant. More susceptible to magical or psionic influence. The lord of the Ram… a demon lord allied with Alvasox—a lord of the legions of cavalry of the 33rd layer. He is one of the ones with the ability to move people. It ties into his ability to increase speed, productivity, fertility, always at cost. His focus is fertility. To move that many… the blood sacrifice would have to be immense. It would have to drain even him. You are talking about 20,000 men. The leaders must be realizing what’s happening to them. We speculate they may all be replaced. Are they caught up in a demonic war? We think so. We all are now. If they are connected to the Lord of the Ram… he must be part of an agreement. Should I make talismans to reveal the followers of the Lord of the Ram? Yes. It will take two days to prepare them. [End Session 46] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Aphonion Tales: The Archducal Council -- Unedited notes; later posts are edited transcripts (posts MWF, update 3/1/23)
Top