For the Love of Tomeri...(23June2004)

[simmo]

DM Note: As you can see, there was some disagreement whether the party was going to help the modrons or not. This is one of the things to watch out for when running the Great Modron March (TGMM) adventures - namely making sure that the players are motivated enough to take part.

The adventure involving saving the town of Haven (modified from TGMM) was fairly straight forward as it involved the realm of the goddess of one of the characters. Guarding the modrons across the outlands was somewhat harder to set up. If they had chosen not to do this, then the campaign would simply have moved on to the next adventure (probably one of the character related quests).

 

[crater]

Guarding the modrons across the outlands was somewhat harder to set up.

The Modrons don't endear themselves so greatly for anyone to offer them protection; they flatten towns and kill innocents! Maybe the companions could try to protect those who are in the path of the march, instead of the modrons themselves, and follow it that way.

- Littleby

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I agree that it's very difficult to care much about the Modrons, unless you're a LN berk yourself. But we're allowing a certain amount of player-plot-hook-following now, because the Modrons are important for some bloody reason, even if we don't know what it is yet.

 

[simmo]

Part 19 Leaving Ecstasy

chapter 1 Heavenly Bodies

"Zakar," Serena called out, summoning her hound archon companion.

"Yes my Lady," the celestial replied in his growling voice as he appeared in next to her. His golden fur was somewhat damp and his canine mouth was open with his large red tongue hanging out. The hound archon was not that tall, but was very well built.

"I have need of you," the seer stated and she took his arm in hers.

"My Lady, the sky was full of crystal.” Zakar had managed to catch his breath and spoke quietly to his mistress. “Do you understand this?"

"What?" Serena frowned, trying to make sense of what the hound archon was saying.

"There was a rain of crystals." Zakar paused as if he was about to say something more but then changed his mind.

"Show me where," the heart seer of Tomeri commanded. She looked around the orchard were she always entered the garden and the only crystal that she could see where the flowers in the garden on the other side of the lake.

"They have gone, but for awhile the sky was lit up with a multitude of colours." Zakar looked up in to the sky as if he expected to see it happen again, but the strange phenomenon did not repeat itself.

"Was this whilst I was asleep?" Serena asked.

"No, it happened a day ago." The hound archon knew that days and nights did not pass in the same way that they did outside the Garden. He had been inside it for long enough to get a good idea of how much time had passed outside since the crystals in the sky.

"Yesterday morning," Serena pondered on what happened the day before. It had been a busy day leaving Elysium and arriving on the Outlands. The talking to her companions and meeting Nyon again – there were too many possibilities. "I had a vision, perhaps it had something to do with that."

"Perhaps my Lady, it is your Garden." Zakar looked at his mistress, but she could not read his expression.

"So they keep telling me.” Serena sighed and prepared to return to her friends. “OK, I'll have to think about that for awhile."

The heart seer of Tomeri and the hound archon returned to the others, appearing without any ceremony, noises or lights to herald their arrival.

"Oooh," Cade said, impressed by Serena's disappearing act and her new companion.

"Hello, this is Zakar." Serena introduced the hound archon to Cade.

"Hello Zakar,” the halfling said brightly. “I am Cade."

"In case you are curious that happens all the time." Andrew whispered in to the halfling's ear.

"Really?" Cade asked out loud. He wondered what other celestials might turn up with Serena in future and noted that the hound archon wore a lead collar.

Zakar and Sir Osbourne were introduced to each other. They shook hands, each testing the others strength and smiling in mutual admiration. Littleby muttered something about cohort envy to Caleb.

“WELL I KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO COME LAST THERE,” the earth genasi laughed heartily.

“What master?” the mineral mephit said indignantly. “Envious of a dog and a man with wings? Ha! He's not even a proper bird, bet he can't fly for toffee.”

“Yeah,” the ooze mephit joined in. “Bird-man of Bahamut, sod that for a game of soldiers.” The three mephits burst out laughing and made sure to keep well away from the celestial and half-celestial.

“You aint nothing but a hound archon,” the earth mephit tried to come up with something insulting and then realised that he'd cracked a good joke when he heard the other two mephits in fits of hysterical laughter.

Serena briefly explained to Zakar the situation about the knights guarding the march and the need to find the Anakharim base before they could launch another raid.

"Perhaps if I may visit Sir Vamish then I will be able to track the Anakharim?" Zakar was a very proficient tracker who knew that once he got the scent, he could track the trail all the way back in the depths of the Abyss if need be.

"Of course.” Serena turned towards Lady Toujin and noted that she was pleased with their decision to help her. “My Lady, would it be alright to visit Sir Vamish?"

“Yes,” Lady Toujin answered smiling warmly. She got up and breezed out of the tavern with the others following behind her. Once outside the priestess took out a handkerchief from inside her robe, she shook it in her hand and it expanded in to a beautiful carpet that floated a few feet above the ground.

She offered a place for the companions to ride on the carpet, but they all declined with the exclusion of Cade. Caleb looked at the floating piece of cloth in revulsion and thanked Grumbar that his long legs could carry him anywhere that he needed to go.

“HANG ON," Caleb said as they passed a pottery workshop along the way. He went inside together with his mephits for awhile and emerged carefully carrying two earthenware jugs sealed with wax.

Whilst the earth genasi was shopping Serena took her psi-crystal out of her pocket and coaxed it in to resting on Zakar's shoulder. She mentally commanded Ps'mon to ride on the hound archon's shoulder and to report anything unusual that it might become aware off.

 

[simmo]

Chapter 2 Fallen Knights

The companions arrived at the infirmary and were witness to the aftermath of the battle between the knights of the Anakharim and the Order of Planar Militants.

Several large rooms were filled with beds in which knights were being treated for their injuries. Some of the them had received only minor wounds, whilst others stained their sheets crimson from the wounds that they'd received. A few of the men and women were secured to their beds with sturdy rope and they cried out in fear every time that a shadow fell over them as someone passed nearby.

“WHAT KIND OF HEALING HAVE YOU GIVEN THESE MEN?" Caleb asked a group of healers.

"As much as Mishakal can give them," a barbarian woman in white furs replied.

"Pelor grants them a healing rest," a small man in bright yellow robes stated.

"Apollo will restore the strength to these brave warriors," a third healer responded.

"Tomeri's blessing gives them restful sleep," a halfling man added.

The halfling priest was tending to one of the knights who was attempting to wrest himself free of his bonds. He was joined by a halfling priestess and the two worked together to calm the man and helped him to get some much needed rest.

"My name is Silvermoon,” the halfling priest walked up to Serena. “This is Kriskrafts my wife," he said as he introduced the female halfling.

"I am Serena," the seer responded.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Chosen of Tomeri.” The halfling priest embraced the heart seer and his wife did the same. Serena felt an immediate rapport with the two halflings, as if she had finally found some more of her family. “Let it be known that your deeds are strengthening our community every day."

"What deeds?" Serena was used to the clergy of Tomeri treating her with respect due to her status as a Chosen, but she had not thought about the fact that her travels were closely followed by the clergy as well.

"Your great deeds, word is spreading that you have completed your quest." Silvermoon took Serena by the arm and steered her over to a table were some sweet meats and drinks were prepared. He and Kriskrafts made sure that everyone had something to eat, making them feel welcome and at home.

"I haven't..." Serena began trying to explain that she'd not finished her quest.

"Your valour in saving Haven was a great blessing for all of us," Kriskrafts smiled and held Serena's hand. The seer felt very content in the presence of the halfling couple and for a moment forgot about all her cares and worries.

Caleb coughed loudly. "JUST CLEARING MY THROAT," he said noting that Serena was getting distracted.

"That was really Caleb and Littleby's doing," the seer explained. She'd certainly helped, but the earth genasi and the dwarf had worked actively to slow down the march.

"We have heard of the warrior of stone who slowed the march and the lore master who saved the sacred library." Silvermoon nodded his head in thanks to both men. As a scholar himself he knew the value of the written word and was especially pleased as he'd recently sent one of his completed works to the library in Haven that Littleby had saved.

The halfling couple led the companions to the bed in which Sir Vamish lay sleeping and the two said a quick prayer to the goddess of Love and Wisdom to aid the injured warrior. Sir Vamish had been dealt several nasty blows by his enemies before the Anakharim overcame his defences. The knight's valour had saved the lives of many of his men and they had dragged him from beneath his slain foes in time to save him from being crushed.

Sir Vamish's face was ashen and bandages covered his arms and chest. His closed eyes flickered as if he was in the grips of a terrible dream. Silvermoon placed a white blanket over the knight and Sir Vamish slept more soundly. Serena recognised the blanket as a holy item used in the service of Tomeri. Malkir had a similar blanket, but he was off in Limbo getting to grips with his Divergence.

"My Lady I have the scent," Zakar stated.

"Fantastic," Serena replied, cheered by the presence of Silvermoon and Kriskrafts.

"The knight are preparing to ride within the hour," Lady Toujin informed the others.

"Would you mind awfully if I peek in to his mind?" Cade asked the priestess of Bahamut.

"Well it is very unusual,” Lady Toujin was somewhat apprehensive about allowing the halfling to poke around in the knight's head, but she also realised that they still did not know much about what happened in the battle. “But only if you can guarantee that no harm will come to him."

"Oh, absolutely." Cade grinned reassuringly at the priestess and pulled up a stool so that he could reach the sleeping knight.

"Can you be sure that no harm will come to you?" Littleby asked, curious to see what Cade had in mind.

"This is only a danger if this man is of genius intellect and I'm pretty sure that we don't have to worry about that in this case. It would be better if he could give his consent though." Cade had done this before, but he preferred doing it with a willing subject.

 

[simmo]

Chapter 3 And Away We Go

Lady Toujin bent over the bed and whispered some words in to Sir Vamish's ear. The knight's eyes flickered open briefly in alarm and then softened as he recognised the countenance of the priestess of Bahamut. He sighed in relief and tried to cough. Kriskrafts helped him to drink some water and the knight quickly glanced at everyone gathered around his bed. He'd certainly not expected to wake up to such a reception. In fact, at one point in the battle he'd not expected to wake up again at all.

Cade pressed his finger gently against the side of Sir Vamish's head and allowed the knights thoughts to open up to him like a blooming flower. The halfling could see the knights of the Order of Planar Militants giving chase to the Anakharim and following them in to a series of canyons. The vile knights had struck lighting fast against the modrons and had succeeded in carrying off a number of modron captives.

Sir Vamish and his men rode in to a trap, following a group of Anakharim in to a dead-end canyon. A larger force of evil knights blocked them in and for awhile all seemed lost. Sir Vamish led several charges to try and force their way out of the canyon and during the final and successful break for freedom he had fallen. Fortunately some of his men had been able to rescue him and the defeated knight rode back quickly to the safety of Ecstasy.

Cade tried to find out anything else about the Anakharim and saw two things that bothered Sir Vamish greatly. The first was that he'd heard the yeth hounds actually caused fear in the lawful and orderly modrons. This was something that the knight had not expected and the other guards had informed him that the yeth hounds were used during night-time raids.

The other thing that Sir Vamish remembered clearly was that the evil knight who struck him down after he'd been pulled from his horse had a modron arm instead of a normal arm. The Anakharim knight had super-human strength in his mechanical arm and he'd been dreaming about that repeatedly until Silvermoon had placed the blanket of Tomeri over him.

"Did any of them attack the modrons?" Littleby asked after Cade had shared with the others the information that he'd gleaned from Sir Vamish's mind.

"You know what we discussed before about taking bits out of modrons and keeping it alive." Serena commented referring to a discussion previously.

"I have never heard of such a thing," Lady Toujin said, appalled at the idea.

"I have," the seer stated grimly. "I have discussed it with Littleby before," she explained.

"That's horrible,” the priestess of Bahamut exclaimed. “That must mean that they are keeping the modrons alive somehow."

"Sounds about right. I think that either some of the pieces of the puzzle are coming together or some very nasty coincidences are occurring." Serena glanced over at Littleby and saw from the expression on his face that he was thinking along the same lines.

"It would be an outstanding red herring," Littleby said agreeing with Serena's assessment of the situation.

"Well I like to say, keep moving!" Cade was eager to be off and see the modrons up close and personal. He'd heard numerous tales in the Cage about the modrons since they'd started early. Especially from members of the Doomguard faction who hinted at having a grand scheme to end the march once and for all.

“You're a quite mad Cade," Serena said, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

"No, I'm a halfling." Cade replied with a big smile.

"Whatever," Serena could not help but smile. She became more serious at the though of riding out to do battle with the Anakharim and addressed her companion. "Zakar."

"Yes my Lady," the hound archon appeared moved by the sacrifice Sir Vamish had made for his men.
"You have the scent?" the seer asked sweetly.

"Yes my Lady," the hound archon confirmed.

"Then we should probably follow it," she stated and got ready to leave the infirmary. She embraced both Silvermoon and Kriskrafts warmly, saddened at the thought of leaving them so soon after meeting them. However, she felt that she would be seeing them again soon.

Once outside the companions joined the ranks of the knights belonging to the Order of Planar Militants. They were each provided with a war horse and Caleb chose to ride in a chariot together with Andrew.

As the two hundred men and women rode out again to safeguard the modrons and the people following the march, the townsfolk came out to wave them farewell. Ebenezer the Good, mayor of the town, stood on an elevated wooden platform and threw down flowers to the departing knights.

As the mephits flew past the wooden platform the burst out in to song. “He's a good. He's a good.” They sang off key, the three voices clashing horribly. ”He's Ebenezer good.” A slaad choir would have been more pleasing to listen to.

The knight rode for the remainder of the day and caught up with the great modron march. Some of the other groups of knights who had remained with the march were relieved of their guarding duties as the replacements had arrived. Serena and her friends set up camp for the night and prepared to ride out in the morning to catch up with the ceaseless marching modrons.

 

[simmo]

We Interrupt This Adventure to Bring you the Following News....

Baron Bwimb Claims Great Find in House of Chambered Madness

Chant mongers and touts are rattling their bone-boxes around the Cage bringing you this breaking piece of news. Those in the know claim that Baron Bwimb, the self-styled ruler of the Para-Elemental Plane of Ooze, has recently come in to the possession of a powerful artifact. Several of the fiendish races have sent representatives to bid for the item which is being described as an ancient artifact of immense power. The bidding was interrupted at one point by some boisterous drow who claimed that the item belonged to their goddess. The auction has been postponed until this matter can be cleared up.

Our reporter on the scene, the renowned Ashenbach, was able to get a quick interview with Baron Bwimb.

Ashenbach: "So Baron Bwimb, tell us a little about this pretty bauble that your slimy collectors scavenged from the dumping grounds of the planes?"

Bwimb: "We are to be referred to as His Imperial Majesty Bwimb, Grand Ruler of the Plane of Splendour, Ravager of Prime Worlds, Overseer of the Elemental Planes..."

Ashenbach: "Suren, suren. Whatever you say big man." "Now back to the question please?"

Bwimb: "Well... if you insist on being rude then I will terminate this interview and you along with right it here and now." "Guards!"

Ashenbach: "Uh... Any truth to the chant that this item aint for real?"

Bwimb: "Absolutely not. I stake my life on the claim that this item is genuine."

Ashenbach: "Perhaps you can describe it in a little more detail for our readers?"

Bwimb: "How many berks read the rag that you publish?"

Ashenbach: "Many cutters read our fine newspaper. Many readers, some of whom cast a long shadow, suren. Including the Orroloth."

Bwimb: "Orro... who? Never heard of him."

Ashenbach: "And Shemeshka the Marauder."

Bwimb: "Ah, stand down guards." Coughs. "The item in question is a powerful wand that has been imbued with the power of a divine entity."

Ashenbach: "The divine high-up being..."

Bwimb: "Ha! You can't catch me out that easy. I see what your game is." "Guards, take this sneaky tiefer away and give him the same farewell that we gave to those dark-skinned elven witches."

Ashenbach: "Wait a minute! Hold the deader cart just a moment. What's the significance of the word Vengeance?"

Bwimb: "Guards, take him away already." "Let it be known from this day forward that I, Imperial Majesty Bwimb, Grand Ruler of the Plane of Splendour, Ravager of Prime Worlds, Unrepentant Tyrant of the Elemental Planes, Keeper of All Secrets and Vanquisher of the Dawnthrone, do hereby decree that the word vengeance will not be uttered in this plane or any other where my power holds sway."


DM Note: From now onwards WITA (We Interrupt This Adventure) updates will not mentioned during the gaming sessions. The players will get them as clues from when reading this story hour. This means that you get to find out about them at the same time as the players do.

 

[crater]

I agree that it's very difficult to care much about the Modrons, unless you're a LN berk yourself.

It seems like the Modrons are more a force of nature than any reasonable kind of civilisation. You can supposedly work within a civilisation or society but you have to work around the Modrons. Littleby cares for them only so much as he understands they play an important role in maintaining planar stability. At least, thats the way its always been...

"The item in question is a powerful wand that has been imbued with the power of a divine entity."

Yikes! I wonder where that was found? If we can find out where it is being kept we can find out where Miranda Alman will show up next!

 

[crater]

The auction has been postponed until this matter can be cleared up.

...infact if the auction is still open we could put in a counter bid!

 

[simmo]

...infact if the auction is still open we could put in a counter bid!

Absolutely! Cade's character knows people who know people that can get you an audience with Baron Bwimb. I'd be interested to hear what you have in mind to offer as a bid for the item....

Also, if you need to contact Ashenbach, then Andrew is the man to speak to. Caleb's ooze mephit can act as a guide if you want to travel to the para-elemental plane of ooze (aka House of Chambered Madness).