Angel of Adventure
First Post
Editted by request
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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
(Cydra) Great Conflicts
- Thread starter the Jester
- Start date
the Jester
Legend
Just for the record, back in 2e a pc tried to get a tree of Vuivui with a wish and it didn't work then either.
Edit: since a wish could get you one Chaos effect, isn't wishing for a Tree of Vuivui (whose fruits can give Chaos effects) the same thing as wishing for more wishes?
And I'm not even gonna address the crack about having it work for npcs- wish there was still a :rollseyes: smiley here!
Edit: since a wish could get you one Chaos effect, isn't wishing for a Tree of Vuivui (whose fruits can give Chaos effects) the same thing as wishing for more wishes?
And I'm not even gonna address the crack about having it work for npcs- wish there was still a :rollseyes: smiley here!
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omrob
First Post
VuiVui
So Big Gurl - though an Agent of Chaos - did the chaotic thing - and stayed out of any swearing about the Bastion...
She asked if there was anything else she could swear over, and was politely refused by the orb.
Since she'd been to the Bastion before with cleric guy and the Dead Archer, our group decided to stay out of that arena, she believed and respected the decision to stay out of the War of Ethics...looks like now she has a wonderful choice of staying with her choices or helping her friends...
Yay!
She also persuaded BIG GUY (Inoke) and I think the shining knight guy (Sir MAxwell), or the dwarven monk to play it kool and avoid a conflict with the orb while the other pcs were busy swearing and whatnot (shes been big on the peaceful resolution thing lately being all good now...)
Didn't a character try to dip 2 items in the pool and got hosed? Anyone remember more about that ?
So Big Gurl - though an Agent of Chaos - did the chaotic thing - and stayed out of any swearing about the Bastion...
She asked if there was anything else she could swear over, and was politely refused by the orb.
Since she'd been to the Bastion before with cleric guy and the Dead Archer, our group decided to stay out of that arena, she believed and respected the decision to stay out of the War of Ethics...looks like now she has a wonderful choice of staying with her choices or helping her friends...
Yay!
She also persuaded BIG GUY (Inoke) and I think the shining knight guy (Sir MAxwell), or the dwarven monk to play it kool and avoid a conflict with the orb while the other pcs were busy swearing and whatnot (shes been big on the peaceful resolution thing lately being all good now...)
Didn't a character try to dip 2 items in the pool and got hosed? Anyone remember more about that ?
hippiejedi2
First Post
Thanks OmRob
Wankerman dipped his +3 Defending Longspear in, which became +6 Defending Anarchic Longspear. Then Wankerman got greedy and tried to get some chaos water with a flask and ended up getting three chaos gifts; cheapskate, easily intoxicated, and needs a story to go to sleep. *The "needs a story to go to sleep" does not apply to magical sleep effects, a slight Jestering, since the chaos effects I think are magical effects?*
Ger traveled 60,000 miles under the impression that he would get to eat the Chaos fruit of VuiVui, so when it turned out that there was no food Ger got annoyed stayed back with Sybele, Inoke, and Company. While waiting Ger used his Leomund's Platter and did half of what he set out to do.
Wankerman dipped his +3 Defending Longspear in, which became +6 Defending Anarchic Longspear. Then Wankerman got greedy and tried to get some chaos water with a flask and ended up getting three chaos gifts; cheapskate, easily intoxicated, and needs a story to go to sleep. *The "needs a story to go to sleep" does not apply to magical sleep effects, a slight Jestering, since the chaos effects I think are magical effects?*
Ger traveled 60,000 miles under the impression that he would get to eat the Chaos fruit of VuiVui, so when it turned out that there was no food Ger got annoyed stayed back with Sybele, Inoke, and Company. While waiting Ger used his Leomund's Platter and did half of what he set out to do.
the Jester
Legend
Demon Hunt
The Halls of Light, Forinthia
In his capacity as High Priest of the Light, Prayzose has every right to be here- even if the Three Kings all object. He kneels before a great altar, formed of gold and marble and chased with gems and jewels enough to ransom- well, an Emperor. Behind it, flanking it, are statues of Galador and Dexter. There might be one of Prayzose, too, had he not intervened. Curtains of gold cloth cut off the back area from view, but Prayzose knows it well enough. There are levers and pulleys back there that allow the entire dais (on which the altar rests) to move or sink into the ground. Great magic of Galador prevents any terrible evil from entering.
After a long time, Prayzose rouses himself. He has prayed devoutly, and now he ponders the wisdom of his choice. His ideas are liberal, and he is not afraid to stand for his principles above his obligations. He is dangerously free-thinking- he reminds me, to some extent, of several heretical sects. He is also close to Malford’s regime. He has fought against Law in the Great War of Ethics. He has associated with evil for years, those his present company is... improving in quality. Still... at the conference of spellcasters, I found himself liking him a great deal.
And he’s the right man for the job.
High Priest (and Emperor) Prayzose sighs and issues a summons to a page, who arrives in a few moments later with a Peshan-made folding desk, a sheaf of parchments, an ink jar and a leather case full of quills. Prayzose begins dictating a letter to Horbin the Holy.
***
The jungles of Gorel
Horrendous monsters storm from the underbrush at our heroes! Growling masses of muscle in coats of mixed white and rust fur, the things look like some sort of weird, primal wolf with a bear’s stockiness and sheer mass. Fear rolls off of them as they rush in at our heroes. The battle gets ugly almost immediately, as the terrible beasts show a fascinating ability to trip (much like a wolf) and then utterly savage their victims by doing it to several of our heroes in quick succession. There’s a lot of blood spilled in a very short time.
Our heroes respond as they are wont to do. Inoke strides forward, activating a variety of powers as he does, and lays into the first one, dealing an impressive blow with his mace. The blow would crush the life from a normal dire wolf in an instant; the beast merely growls with deep anger. The rest of the party rushes in beside him, Gerontius tumbling in to flank and flashing his daggers into the beast with uncanny speed. Chakar tries to grab and pin one of the beasts, and though it is very, very strong, he does manage to get a hold on it for a few moments. But when it shrugs him off it trips and savages him.
By that time, however, Gerontius’ lingering damage has weakened one of the beasts enough that it Wankerman can finish it with his spear, leaving our heroes free to focus on the remaining monster. It fights with unbelievable ferocity, tearing and ripping at them with the sort of enthusiasm they usually save for their most powerful foes. Which, if you think about it, makes sense, as the party probably is the most powerful foes that this incredible creature has ever faced. Lillamere keeps firing disintegrates that it dodges, then finally invokes a crushing fist of spite on the monster. It pounds down, but the thing can withstand amazing amounts of punishment. Finally, as Inoke batters the thing in the ribs with a brutal blow from his mace, Gerontius makes an opportunistic attack as it whirls to face Inoke. His dagger slashes out, catching the beast in the head as it turns, and it howls as both of its eyes are cut in half. But its howl lasts only a second, as it collapses, dead.
Baron Lillamere glances at the sun’s position in the sky. “Well, I’ve got to go,” he announces.
“What?” asks Horbin.
“I have an audience with the Queen,” he replies. “I’ll be back once we’re done- I’d anticipate a couple of hours. It’s evening anyway.”
Jezebel accompanies Lillamere, and the two greater teleport back to the castle in Var. There the Baron is soon escorted to his audience with the Queen, where he tells her of the party’s current and recent activities. She thanks him for his loyalty and brings him up to date on current events in the interminable war between Western Dorhaus (the state she and God-King Malford lead) and the Tiger Lands (the eastern part of Dorhaus, which was once Imperial Wotan). As it has been for the past couple of years, Goldstone is the problematic bit. In short, it is on the eastern side of the Bendrock Mountains that bisect Dorhaus, giving the Tiger Empress a far stronger legal claim on it. However, Malford’s men got there first, two years before the Tiger Empress’ people arrived on the scene. They already had a thriving colony before she even laid her claim. Goldstone, being an area rich in gold and gems, is obviously nothing that either side will give up easily.
Meanwhile, on Gorel, Horbin has cast find the path and now the group (minus Lillamere and Jezebel) stand above the unmarked grave of Farenth. The work of exhuming the corpse of Dexter’s arch-nemesis is done quickly; the whole time, Horbin’s stomach churns. Whatever he is expecting, he gets a simple skeleton clan in tattered rags.
If I remember the stories right, Horbin thinks suddenly, Cyrax- Alcar’s brother- betrayed Dexter to Farenth, and then Farenth betrayed Cyrax. He shakes his head. Evil consumes its own. Then he casts speak with dead. The skull is not in the best of shape, but it’s enough for a small conversation to take place.
“What is your name?” Horbin demands, just to be sure.
”Farenth” The answer is a rasping hiss peeled from a resentful throat.
“What do you know of Cyrax?”
“Fool”
“Why is he a fool?”
“He is a sacrifice” There is a hint of gloating malice in the empty voice.
“Who sacrificed him?”
“If I don’t... Dexter will”
Horbin stops for a moment, nonplussed by that answer. What the hell does that mean? he wonders. Aloud, he asks, “Why is it important that you be the one to do it?”
“Not”
“Did you serve any masters while you were alive?”
”Yes”
“Did it disguise itself as an angel and trick someone into resurrecting you?”
“No”
Thought I had something there, Horbin thinks ruefully. Phrasing his question carefully, he asks, “Do you know anything of that entity?”
”Yes”
“Do you know where it resides?”
”No”
“Is it your ally?”
There is a brief pause; then, “Not sure”
“Does it currently have servants that can be talked to?”
“Don’t know”
“Who was the last person you knew that was helping this entity?”
”Cyrax”
Horbin rocks back on his feet, pondering. Soon the group makes their camp, settling in a jungle glen with soft, loamy earth underfoot and a thick copse of trees blocking most approaches. As their fire burns merrily, Lillamere and Jezebel rejoin them, finding them by the combination of telepathic communication and the firelight. Horbin, still deep in thought, casts another spell: a miracle, this one to ape a commune.
Was Cyrax offered a bribe to betray Dexter? No.
Was Cyrax threatened into betraying Dexter? Yes.
Was he threatened by the Unidentified Infernal Person, or U.I.P.? Unknown.
Any time I get the answer ‘unknown,’ may I assume it has something to do with this demon? Unknown.
Did the threat to Cyrax come from a mortal? Unknown.
Time for a different tactic, Horbin thinks determinedly.
Did Cyrax think it came from a mortal? No.
Aha, thinks Horbin, an approach!
Did he think it came from a god? No.
Did he think it came from a demon or devil? Yes.
Did he think it came from a demon? Uncertain.
Did he receive the threats mentally? Yes.
Through dreams? Yes.
Were there themes in the dreams so that Cyrax would know that it was a threatening dream? Yes.
Did Cyrax receive threats exclusively through dreams? Yes.
Were the themes of the dreams typical of horror motifs? Yes.
Was there one motif that stood out? Yes.
Did he himself express this motif at any point? No.
Did he develop any irrational fears because of this motif? No.
Did the motif involve blood? No.
Images of the body mutilated, torture, etc? No.
Unholy symbols? No.
Was Cyrax a willing participant in the betrayal of Dexter?
YES.
Horbin’s head rings for a moment. That one word has the sound of judgment.
Did he know he was being used? Yes.
Did Cyrax expect to benefit from the betrayal? Yes.
Did he tell anyone of his plans or expectations of good fortune in the near future? No.
Does the motif in the dreams involve an aberration? No.
Horbin shares what he’s learned with the rest of the party after he comes down from his state of communion.
“Maybe we can ask Mary 9 about it,” suggests Inoke. “She knows lots of stuff.”
“Mary 9!” exclaims Alcar. “She and I go way back! And she does know lots of stuff.”
The group agrees, Inoke with reservations. Mary 9 is a construct shaped like an attractive female tabaxi, and Hobbes, leader of the tabaxi of Dorhaus, is her... owner? Man? It’s hard to say. And Hobbes was an old friend of Drelvin, who died at the hands of Inoke; and even though Inoke was confused at the time, he slew Drelvin- an event Hobbes has, so far, shown no interest in forgiving.
Inoke sighs as the group greater teleports not far from the border of the tabaxi lands.
Next Time: Our heroes get a name for their adversary at last!
The Halls of Light, Forinthia
In his capacity as High Priest of the Light, Prayzose has every right to be here- even if the Three Kings all object. He kneels before a great altar, formed of gold and marble and chased with gems and jewels enough to ransom- well, an Emperor. Behind it, flanking it, are statues of Galador and Dexter. There might be one of Prayzose, too, had he not intervened. Curtains of gold cloth cut off the back area from view, but Prayzose knows it well enough. There are levers and pulleys back there that allow the entire dais (on which the altar rests) to move or sink into the ground. Great magic of Galador prevents any terrible evil from entering.
After a long time, Prayzose rouses himself. He has prayed devoutly, and now he ponders the wisdom of his choice. His ideas are liberal, and he is not afraid to stand for his principles above his obligations. He is dangerously free-thinking- he reminds me, to some extent, of several heretical sects. He is also close to Malford’s regime. He has fought against Law in the Great War of Ethics. He has associated with evil for years, those his present company is... improving in quality. Still... at the conference of spellcasters, I found himself liking him a great deal.
And he’s the right man for the job.
High Priest (and Emperor) Prayzose sighs and issues a summons to a page, who arrives in a few moments later with a Peshan-made folding desk, a sheaf of parchments, an ink jar and a leather case full of quills. Prayzose begins dictating a letter to Horbin the Holy.
***
The jungles of Gorel
Horrendous monsters storm from the underbrush at our heroes! Growling masses of muscle in coats of mixed white and rust fur, the things look like some sort of weird, primal wolf with a bear’s stockiness and sheer mass. Fear rolls off of them as they rush in at our heroes. The battle gets ugly almost immediately, as the terrible beasts show a fascinating ability to trip (much like a wolf) and then utterly savage their victims by doing it to several of our heroes in quick succession. There’s a lot of blood spilled in a very short time.
Our heroes respond as they are wont to do. Inoke strides forward, activating a variety of powers as he does, and lays into the first one, dealing an impressive blow with his mace. The blow would crush the life from a normal dire wolf in an instant; the beast merely growls with deep anger. The rest of the party rushes in beside him, Gerontius tumbling in to flank and flashing his daggers into the beast with uncanny speed. Chakar tries to grab and pin one of the beasts, and though it is very, very strong, he does manage to get a hold on it for a few moments. But when it shrugs him off it trips and savages him.
By that time, however, Gerontius’ lingering damage has weakened one of the beasts enough that it Wankerman can finish it with his spear, leaving our heroes free to focus on the remaining monster. It fights with unbelievable ferocity, tearing and ripping at them with the sort of enthusiasm they usually save for their most powerful foes. Which, if you think about it, makes sense, as the party probably is the most powerful foes that this incredible creature has ever faced. Lillamere keeps firing disintegrates that it dodges, then finally invokes a crushing fist of spite on the monster. It pounds down, but the thing can withstand amazing amounts of punishment. Finally, as Inoke batters the thing in the ribs with a brutal blow from his mace, Gerontius makes an opportunistic attack as it whirls to face Inoke. His dagger slashes out, catching the beast in the head as it turns, and it howls as both of its eyes are cut in half. But its howl lasts only a second, as it collapses, dead.
Baron Lillamere glances at the sun’s position in the sky. “Well, I’ve got to go,” he announces.
“What?” asks Horbin.
“I have an audience with the Queen,” he replies. “I’ll be back once we’re done- I’d anticipate a couple of hours. It’s evening anyway.”
Jezebel accompanies Lillamere, and the two greater teleport back to the castle in Var. There the Baron is soon escorted to his audience with the Queen, where he tells her of the party’s current and recent activities. She thanks him for his loyalty and brings him up to date on current events in the interminable war between Western Dorhaus (the state she and God-King Malford lead) and the Tiger Lands (the eastern part of Dorhaus, which was once Imperial Wotan). As it has been for the past couple of years, Goldstone is the problematic bit. In short, it is on the eastern side of the Bendrock Mountains that bisect Dorhaus, giving the Tiger Empress a far stronger legal claim on it. However, Malford’s men got there first, two years before the Tiger Empress’ people arrived on the scene. They already had a thriving colony before she even laid her claim. Goldstone, being an area rich in gold and gems, is obviously nothing that either side will give up easily.
Meanwhile, on Gorel, Horbin has cast find the path and now the group (minus Lillamere and Jezebel) stand above the unmarked grave of Farenth. The work of exhuming the corpse of Dexter’s arch-nemesis is done quickly; the whole time, Horbin’s stomach churns. Whatever he is expecting, he gets a simple skeleton clan in tattered rags.
If I remember the stories right, Horbin thinks suddenly, Cyrax- Alcar’s brother- betrayed Dexter to Farenth, and then Farenth betrayed Cyrax. He shakes his head. Evil consumes its own. Then he casts speak with dead. The skull is not in the best of shape, but it’s enough for a small conversation to take place.
“What is your name?” Horbin demands, just to be sure.
”Farenth” The answer is a rasping hiss peeled from a resentful throat.
“What do you know of Cyrax?”
“Fool”
“Why is he a fool?”
“He is a sacrifice” There is a hint of gloating malice in the empty voice.
“Who sacrificed him?”
“If I don’t... Dexter will”
Horbin stops for a moment, nonplussed by that answer. What the hell does that mean? he wonders. Aloud, he asks, “Why is it important that you be the one to do it?”
“Not”
“Did you serve any masters while you were alive?”
”Yes”
“Did it disguise itself as an angel and trick someone into resurrecting you?”
“No”
Thought I had something there, Horbin thinks ruefully. Phrasing his question carefully, he asks, “Do you know anything of that entity?”
”Yes”
“Do you know where it resides?”
”No”
“Is it your ally?”
There is a brief pause; then, “Not sure”
“Does it currently have servants that can be talked to?”
“Don’t know”
“Who was the last person you knew that was helping this entity?”
”Cyrax”
Horbin rocks back on his feet, pondering. Soon the group makes their camp, settling in a jungle glen with soft, loamy earth underfoot and a thick copse of trees blocking most approaches. As their fire burns merrily, Lillamere and Jezebel rejoin them, finding them by the combination of telepathic communication and the firelight. Horbin, still deep in thought, casts another spell: a miracle, this one to ape a commune.
Was Cyrax offered a bribe to betray Dexter? No.
Was Cyrax threatened into betraying Dexter? Yes.
Was he threatened by the Unidentified Infernal Person, or U.I.P.? Unknown.
Any time I get the answer ‘unknown,’ may I assume it has something to do with this demon? Unknown.
Did the threat to Cyrax come from a mortal? Unknown.
Time for a different tactic, Horbin thinks determinedly.
Did Cyrax think it came from a mortal? No.
Aha, thinks Horbin, an approach!
Did he think it came from a god? No.
Did he think it came from a demon or devil? Yes.
Did he think it came from a demon? Uncertain.
Did he receive the threats mentally? Yes.
Through dreams? Yes.
Were there themes in the dreams so that Cyrax would know that it was a threatening dream? Yes.
Did Cyrax receive threats exclusively through dreams? Yes.
Were the themes of the dreams typical of horror motifs? Yes.
Was there one motif that stood out? Yes.
Did he himself express this motif at any point? No.
Did he develop any irrational fears because of this motif? No.
Did the motif involve blood? No.
Images of the body mutilated, torture, etc? No.
Unholy symbols? No.
Was Cyrax a willing participant in the betrayal of Dexter?
YES.
Horbin’s head rings for a moment. That one word has the sound of judgment.
Did he know he was being used? Yes.
Did Cyrax expect to benefit from the betrayal? Yes.
Did he tell anyone of his plans or expectations of good fortune in the near future? No.
Does the motif in the dreams involve an aberration? No.
Horbin shares what he’s learned with the rest of the party after he comes down from his state of communion.
“Maybe we can ask Mary 9 about it,” suggests Inoke. “She knows lots of stuff.”
“Mary 9!” exclaims Alcar. “She and I go way back! And she does know lots of stuff.”
The group agrees, Inoke with reservations. Mary 9 is a construct shaped like an attractive female tabaxi, and Hobbes, leader of the tabaxi of Dorhaus, is her... owner? Man? It’s hard to say. And Hobbes was an old friend of Drelvin, who died at the hands of Inoke; and even though Inoke was confused at the time, he slew Drelvin- an event Hobbes has, so far, shown no interest in forgiving.
Inoke sighs as the group greater teleports not far from the border of the tabaxi lands.
Next Time: Our heroes get a name for their adversary at last!
the Jester
Legend
Demon Hunt (pt 2)
7:30 p.m., the Valley of Hobbes, Dorhaus
Thimbleton and Hobbes are pouring over a collection of maps of impressively-distant lands, deeply immersed in planning, when a tabaxi messenger enters the tent. In the rolling, sibilant tongue of the cat-folk he speaks. “My Lord, visitors have come. Drelvin’s killer is here again, and his friends. They say it is very important.”
Hobbes’ face reaches a studied calm, but his heart fills with rage. “I told him not to return here,” he snarls. His voice betrays his emotions.
“Hey, calm down, Hobbes,” Thimbleton urges. “I’ve met him. He means well. And Malford told me what happened to Drelvin. He was a good friend- but it was an accident. That guy didn’t mean to kill him.”
Hobbes spits. “He is gone.”
Thimbleton sighs and nods. “I know, but they tried to bring him back. Listen, let’s just go find out what it is they want. We sort of owe them one- after all, they are the ones who told the Queen that Belmondo is missing.”
Hobbes nods after a moment. “You are right. He must be here for something important enough to risk my wrath. I’ll hear him out.” He looks at Thimbleton steadily. “As always, old friend, your counsel is wise.”
***
When Hobbes arrives, the Bloodsword dripping in its scabbard, Thimbleton is right behind him. The party explains their quest- they are seeking information on the identity of a powerful demon who has tampered with them in the past. Once they give what details they know, Thimbleton nods briskly. “It’s a good thing I’m here!” he exclaims. “I can shed some light on part of what was going on, at least- I think I know what the lever used to make Cyrax betray us was.”
Thimbleton explains that, in the early days of his adventuring career, he and a band of stout adventurers including Desgren, Tharron, Cyrax, Dexter and Malford had stormed the Temple of Elemental Evil. It was a huge, sprawling complex of evil and foulness, and while they were in there, they found a magical cloak that allowed the wearer to turn himself into a gargoyle. “The problem with the cloak of the gargoyle was that it eventually turned his mind into that of a gargoyle as well. Well, when this happened he flew off and we thought we’d lost him- but later he returned, in his elven form again. He told us he’d had to make a deal to be restored; it was never made clear exactly what the deal was, but from the pieces I’d put together, I suspect it was this same demon. Let me check my journals and see if I have a note of the name.” He greater teleports away. Twenty minutes later he is back.
“Seclaidra,” he says.
***
8:45 p.m., Sigil[/b]
In Sigil, everyone recognizes our heroes. Fiends pointedly get out of the way of them in the street. Awed glances follow them. Everybody knows- they killed Asmodeus. The notoriety is... interesting.
After spending some time getting lost on the streets of Sigil (Inoke is sure he knows the way to the Eyebrary), our heroes stumble across the bound form of the giant blue four-armed creature that they fought once before. At the time it was a clockwork servitor, bound to the forces of Law as they prepared a major assault on the Eyebrary. Now it is in a mostly-abandoned section of the City of Doors, bound in place. Our heroes debate freeing it, but it hates buildings and they decide not to risk getting kicked out of Sigil.
When they finally reach the Library of Boccob, the doors swing open to admit them. The Eye of Boccob, as he calls himself, or the Eyebrarian, as the party calls him, quickly helps them find out a few things about Seclaidra. She is apparently a queen of succubi and mistress of an entire layer of the Abyss. She is known to have acted indirectly much more that directly. They compare their notes on her with his concerning the time around the Second Coming of Dexter and fill in a few more details. Apparently, from the Eyebrarian’s deductions, Seclaidra had sent dreams of herself garbed as an angel to trick Desgren and Tharron into raising Farenth, but why she did this is unknown, since Farenth did not seem to know that she was aiding him. Moreover, the fact that Cyrax was betrayed by Farenth after being coerced by Seclaidra into betraying Dexter to Farenth leaves in question whether Farenth even knew that Cyrax was going to aid him. Why, then, was Seclaidra aiding Farenth?
Farenth was a servant of Bleak. Seclaidra is very old- claiming to predate Bleak- but has worked to further mutual interests with Bleak on a number of occasions. It’s the only thing our heroes can put together on that score.
Regardless, the Eye of Boccob has one more, very key, piece of information: Seclaidra’s layer of the Abyss is the 109th.
By now it has gotten fairly late, and our heroes are fatigued. They secure rooms in a nearby boarding house for the night and soon are abed.
***
8/2/371 O.L.G., 9 a.m., Sigil
Over breakfast, the party talks strategy. Lillamere comes up with a good one.
“Superior teleport,” he says. “It’s not a divination but it can take you to a person’s location.”
“Will that work?” wonders Inoke.
“That’s a very interesting idea,” remarks Horbin.
“Let’s put it into play,” smiles Chakar.
“After breakfast,” insists Gerontius, waving a forkful of sausage in the air.
***
1 p.m., the 109th layer of the Abyss
Our heroes plane shift in to a blasted landscape. Purple lightning etches a dull red sky with no sun. Jagged fingers of rock thrust spear like from the ground. Gnarled, misshaped rocks are everywhere. The ground is covered in black jagged gravel.
The party casts a succession of buffing spells, preparing to do battle. Once they are ready, Lillamere unrolls a scroll he purchased an hour before in the markets of Sigil. The writing on the scroll burns with an unearthly orange fire as he reads the superior teleport.
And, in a flash, they arrive at a scene fairly swarming with mariliths and succubi. The demons are gathered around a large sarcophagus on a wind-swept mountain side of the jagged stone. Immediately our heroes spring into action, starting to deal devastating wounds to the demons. Which one is she? wonders Horbin grimly, and then the entire party feels a powerful enchantment wash over them. Fortunately, they are all mind blanked except for Veil, who is a construct, and none of them are affected.
Then the succubus who just tried that turns to the mariliths near the sarcophagus and cries out, “Release the undead god!”
Next Time: Oops, an undead god!
7:30 p.m., the Valley of Hobbes, Dorhaus
Thimbleton and Hobbes are pouring over a collection of maps of impressively-distant lands, deeply immersed in planning, when a tabaxi messenger enters the tent. In the rolling, sibilant tongue of the cat-folk he speaks. “My Lord, visitors have come. Drelvin’s killer is here again, and his friends. They say it is very important.”
Hobbes’ face reaches a studied calm, but his heart fills with rage. “I told him not to return here,” he snarls. His voice betrays his emotions.
“Hey, calm down, Hobbes,” Thimbleton urges. “I’ve met him. He means well. And Malford told me what happened to Drelvin. He was a good friend- but it was an accident. That guy didn’t mean to kill him.”
Hobbes spits. “He is gone.”
Thimbleton sighs and nods. “I know, but they tried to bring him back. Listen, let’s just go find out what it is they want. We sort of owe them one- after all, they are the ones who told the Queen that Belmondo is missing.”
Hobbes nods after a moment. “You are right. He must be here for something important enough to risk my wrath. I’ll hear him out.” He looks at Thimbleton steadily. “As always, old friend, your counsel is wise.”
***
When Hobbes arrives, the Bloodsword dripping in its scabbard, Thimbleton is right behind him. The party explains their quest- they are seeking information on the identity of a powerful demon who has tampered with them in the past. Once they give what details they know, Thimbleton nods briskly. “It’s a good thing I’m here!” he exclaims. “I can shed some light on part of what was going on, at least- I think I know what the lever used to make Cyrax betray us was.”
Thimbleton explains that, in the early days of his adventuring career, he and a band of stout adventurers including Desgren, Tharron, Cyrax, Dexter and Malford had stormed the Temple of Elemental Evil. It was a huge, sprawling complex of evil and foulness, and while they were in there, they found a magical cloak that allowed the wearer to turn himself into a gargoyle. “The problem with the cloak of the gargoyle was that it eventually turned his mind into that of a gargoyle as well. Well, when this happened he flew off and we thought we’d lost him- but later he returned, in his elven form again. He told us he’d had to make a deal to be restored; it was never made clear exactly what the deal was, but from the pieces I’d put together, I suspect it was this same demon. Let me check my journals and see if I have a note of the name.” He greater teleports away. Twenty minutes later he is back.
“Seclaidra,” he says.
***
8:45 p.m., Sigil[/b]
In Sigil, everyone recognizes our heroes. Fiends pointedly get out of the way of them in the street. Awed glances follow them. Everybody knows- they killed Asmodeus. The notoriety is... interesting.
After spending some time getting lost on the streets of Sigil (Inoke is sure he knows the way to the Eyebrary), our heroes stumble across the bound form of the giant blue four-armed creature that they fought once before. At the time it was a clockwork servitor, bound to the forces of Law as they prepared a major assault on the Eyebrary. Now it is in a mostly-abandoned section of the City of Doors, bound in place. Our heroes debate freeing it, but it hates buildings and they decide not to risk getting kicked out of Sigil.
When they finally reach the Library of Boccob, the doors swing open to admit them. The Eye of Boccob, as he calls himself, or the Eyebrarian, as the party calls him, quickly helps them find out a few things about Seclaidra. She is apparently a queen of succubi and mistress of an entire layer of the Abyss. She is known to have acted indirectly much more that directly. They compare their notes on her with his concerning the time around the Second Coming of Dexter and fill in a few more details. Apparently, from the Eyebrarian’s deductions, Seclaidra had sent dreams of herself garbed as an angel to trick Desgren and Tharron into raising Farenth, but why she did this is unknown, since Farenth did not seem to know that she was aiding him. Moreover, the fact that Cyrax was betrayed by Farenth after being coerced by Seclaidra into betraying Dexter to Farenth leaves in question whether Farenth even knew that Cyrax was going to aid him. Why, then, was Seclaidra aiding Farenth?
Farenth was a servant of Bleak. Seclaidra is very old- claiming to predate Bleak- but has worked to further mutual interests with Bleak on a number of occasions. It’s the only thing our heroes can put together on that score.
Regardless, the Eye of Boccob has one more, very key, piece of information: Seclaidra’s layer of the Abyss is the 109th.
By now it has gotten fairly late, and our heroes are fatigued. They secure rooms in a nearby boarding house for the night and soon are abed.
***
8/2/371 O.L.G., 9 a.m., Sigil
Over breakfast, the party talks strategy. Lillamere comes up with a good one.
“Superior teleport,” he says. “It’s not a divination but it can take you to a person’s location.”
“Will that work?” wonders Inoke.
“That’s a very interesting idea,” remarks Horbin.
“Let’s put it into play,” smiles Chakar.
“After breakfast,” insists Gerontius, waving a forkful of sausage in the air.
***
1 p.m., the 109th layer of the Abyss
Our heroes plane shift in to a blasted landscape. Purple lightning etches a dull red sky with no sun. Jagged fingers of rock thrust spear like from the ground. Gnarled, misshaped rocks are everywhere. The ground is covered in black jagged gravel.
The party casts a succession of buffing spells, preparing to do battle. Once they are ready, Lillamere unrolls a scroll he purchased an hour before in the markets of Sigil. The writing on the scroll burns with an unearthly orange fire as he reads the superior teleport.
And, in a flash, they arrive at a scene fairly swarming with mariliths and succubi. The demons are gathered around a large sarcophagus on a wind-swept mountain side of the jagged stone. Immediately our heroes spring into action, starting to deal devastating wounds to the demons. Which one is she? wonders Horbin grimly, and then the entire party feels a powerful enchantment wash over them. Fortunately, they are all mind blanked except for Veil, who is a construct, and none of them are affected.
Then the succubus who just tried that turns to the mariliths near the sarcophagus and cries out, “Release the undead god!”
Next Time: Oops, an undead god!
omrob
First Post
Jezebel
I just wanted to make one footnote pertaining to the visit with the Queen...
Jezebel actually pledged herself to Moira's service after she showed off a couple of her more interesting talents.
She's mastered the spell Malford's Dopplegangment (allowing her to turn into perfect replicas of individuals, Malford in this case) and then did some greater invisibility ranged ledgermain stuff...
Ahhh the Arcane Trixter
And so Moira accepted and Jezebel stayed behind. At this point there is like a 10 lvl diff between Jez and Sybele so shes off in a "safer" place at the moment. Jez was at her "max XP" too as a cohort...
Jester promised us a cohort game soon...so we'll see...
I just wanted to make one footnote pertaining to the visit with the Queen...
Jezebel actually pledged herself to Moira's service after she showed off a couple of her more interesting talents.
She's mastered the spell Malford's Dopplegangment (allowing her to turn into perfect replicas of individuals, Malford in this case) and then did some greater invisibility ranged ledgermain stuff...
Ahhh the Arcane Trixter
And so Moira accepted and Jezebel stayed behind. At this point there is like a 10 lvl diff between Jez and Sybele so shes off in a "safer" place at the moment. Jez was at her "max XP" too as a cohort...
Jester promised us a cohort game soon...so we'll see...
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
the Jester said:
Oh Damn!
the Jester
Legend
One point that the players discussed (but I didn't answer at the time, just smirked) was this:
Why the hell did they arrive just when the bad guys happened to be ready to open said sarcophagus?? What kinda timing is that??
The answer is simple, but the pcs haven't stumbled on it, so I'll fess up on this one: greater anticipate teleport. Seclaidra wasn't at the sarcophagus when Lillamere read his scroll; she was after the superior teleport resolved, several rounds later.
Ironically, this is a trick that the pcs taught me in the big crossover.
Edit: Just checked my notes, it was actually her chief bodyguard that had it, who died in like round 1 of the fight.
:\
Why the hell did they arrive just when the bad guys happened to be ready to open said sarcophagus?? What kinda timing is that??
The answer is simple, but the pcs haven't stumbled on it, so I'll fess up on this one: greater anticipate teleport. Seclaidra wasn't at the sarcophagus when Lillamere read his scroll; she was after the superior teleport resolved, several rounds later.
Ironically, this is a trick that the pcs taught me in the big crossover.
Edit: Just checked my notes, it was actually her chief bodyguard that had it, who died in like round 1 of the fight.
:\
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