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


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Thanks! It's nice to hear that people are enjoying the Story Hour :) It's the great role-playing from the players which really makes this campaign worth recording and sharing with others :D

If you are reading this Story Hour and would like to have a mention in it - then here's how you can be included...

I've created a thread over at Randomlingshouse.com/forum (my players please stay out of this thread) here where you can submit an NPC. The first posting in the thread contains a short list of questions as well as an example. I can't guarantee that the NPC will be used in the campaign, but I'll certainly try to fit you in at some point.

I'm planning on running some Planescape adventures at GenCon Indy 2004 and if you'd like to be involved in the planning, writing etc then sign up to the planescape mailing list to find out more. I've started a discussion in week02, February 2004 (if you're looking in the mailing list archive).
 
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We Interrupt This Adventure to bring you a message from Tomeri, goddess of Love and Wisdom

Rays of Hope

The modrons have passed through Ecstasy. Deus has set off in his caravan and the knights riding with Sir Vamish Crasad are charging forth to catch up with the march.

Just as Serena had cast off the sheets from her bed and was about to rise, visions flashed through her mind like shafts of sunlight piercing the clouds.

A tall warrior stands on the deck of a ship, leading a fleet to liberate the last two Mountain Spire Cities. This ship has no pipes, engines or smoke. It simply relies on magic to carry it through the clouds.

At the top of the highest tower stands a woman wearing in a long red dress. Black energy crackles along her fingers as she prepares to cast a fell enchantment at the oncoming ships. Demons stand ready in tight ranks to fend off the attacks, when suddenly one of the clouds shifts and the sky is filled with many flashing colours.

Gold, brass and silver. The dragons have come to join with their ancient allies the Growers to destroy the usurper and her tainted allies. Trapped between the knights of Harmonry and the unified armies of the other cities, Tal'chuan cannot hold.


Serena recovered from her vision slowly as she was still waking up. Without warning another vision assails her.

The last of the knights of harmony steps through the portal. The retreat is complete and the city of Tal'Nattan stands empty. The Enemy was on the verge of victory when they fell in to confusion. Their soldiers ran amok and the defenders were finally able to withdraw.

The sky is once again filled with many metallic colours as well as sleek ships. They fly past clouds and suddenly the dark sky is full of stars. As they draw closer to the second moon, the flotilla seems a lot smaller. The rag tag fleet braves the waves of defenders that the Enemy throws at it, knowing that the moon has a crucial weakness.


Sensing that another vision was about to reveal itself, Serena had the presence of mind to lie down. The bed sheets were tangled from a night of restless sleep and her silver locket felt hot against her chest. She drew in a long breath as the final vision revealed itself. It felt as though she was watching the petals of a flower bloom and open within the space of a few heartbeats.

The air is silent. There is not a sound to be heard. It is as if every living organism on the world of Lammed is holding its breath. Having survived war, tragedy and hope a great choice is about to be made.

What has been building up for a long time will finally be revealed. And that choice rests on the shoulders of a angry and confused woman who has grown a great deal in strength. A small god of Fate and Destiny lies at her feet, his face scarred with grief. The small woman sighs and finally knows exactly what she needs to do.
 

I'm so jealous that your PCs went on this adventure. When my players ask who solved the problem, I think I'll give 'em your Pcs' names. :p

This is great! I really like it.

"I'M SURE THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL WORK IT OUT," Caleb sat back in his chair and for some reason had a vision of an angry one eyed feline throttling the life out of him. He tried to fight back, but then realised that it was just a day dream.

Ha. Frikkin. Ha.
 
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Piratecat said:
Ha. Frickin. Ha.
C'mon, how could we not go on the adventure after your long standing grudge against your players for this very thing? And, by the way, before this Story Hour started Simmo gave us the description of the Modrons starting the March, and also described another group of adventurers standing around watching it...including a man with flames coming out of his head, two Paladins, an elderly Cleric, and so forth...:D
 

Piratecat said:
I'm so jealous that your PCs went on this adventure. When my players ask who solved the problem, I think I'll give 'em your Pcs' names. :p This is great! I really like it.

Thanks! I'm gald that you've enjoyed the stoy so far. As Tallarn pointed out I described the DoD also standing nearby to watch the modrons leaving Automata.


Piratecat said:
Ha. Frikkin. Ha.

Sorry, but I could not resist :o The gaming sessions that I run are full of references to other gaming material and the puns have got so bad that my players regurlaly say: "you take 6 points of pun damage" :lol:
 

Part 16 Revelling in Ecstasy

chapter 1 Knowing the Path

Caleb heard his mephits chattering about the flying ship above Haven that his friends were using to reach the Outlands, but he did not look up to spot the ship. Looking up in to the sky was not something that Caleb did, it was against his religion.

Instead he went down to the dock-front and tried to find a ship across the river. Although water was not his favourite element, the earth genasi rationalized that water rested upon the earth and so was alright to cross. Fortunately for him there was an old man in a small boat who offered him a lift. Caleb made the decision to ask his mephits row them across the river and they barely made it to the other side. After losing the oars several times and the earth mephit almost falling (under suspicious circumstances), by some miracle they made it across to the other side.

The old man tied up his small boat and offered the earth genasi a ride in his wagon to the gate leading to the Outlands. Caleb thought nothing of the coincidence that this old man happened to turn up in the right time and place to take him to the destination that he sought. They reached the gate just in time to see the last of modrons pass through.

Meanwhile back in Ecstasy, the gate-town to Elysium, the companions rose late and went downstairs in time for the midday meal. The sullen staff served them cold meats, cheeses and ale.

After they'd finished their meal Malkir noticed an old man enter the tavern and recognised him as the ancient Githzerai master who'd come to test him and his student in 34b Stonecutter's Row. The old Githzerai walked slowly to the table and sat down on an empty chair. His posture was perfect and he stared intently at the mystic, as if he was looking right through him at all the different versions of Malkir.

“You are a man who does not *know* himself,” the Githzerai nodded his head, having found what he was looking for after staring at Malkir for some time.

“That is true,” the mystic shrugged his shoulders to acknowledge the truth. He'd heard the description from Andrew of what happened when he Diverged and was aware of the fact that he no longer knew himself.

“I will take you to a place where *knowing* yourself is the difference between life and death. It is the chaos in which the people impose their will and live." Galen ignored the others at the table and the Githzerai's attention was entirely focused on Malkir. Nothing else existed for him but the two of them at the table. "Will you come to this place?”

“Very well,” Malkir had not slept well, his dreams filled with thoughts that were not his own - yet strangely familiar. In his dream he saw himself giving his halfling housekeeper orders in a harsh tone and reprimanding her for failing in her duties. The dreams shifted abruptly and he saw himself standing on the deck of a flying ship engaged in battle with an illithid war cruiser. He was tired and wanted to get his life back under control.

Galen extends his hand and stood up.

“I'm afraid that there is something that I must do,” Malkir told his friends.

“Where is it that you are off to?” Littleby asked. Serena sat quietly having spent some time studying the Githzerai and she sensed that Malkir and Galen had a similar aura. They both exuded serenity and health, although Galen's aura felt far more powerful.

“If I know then surely an expert scholar such as yourself should be able to figure it out." The mystic laughed as he knew that the dwarven scholar was well aware of his destination. "A place of raw chaos where his people come from.”

"This is probably a bit of a pointless question, but do you think that you will be long?” Littleby looked at his friend and wondered if he would ever see him again. Serena sensed that their paths would cross again and she felt sad at his departure. She got up to give him a farewell hug, but Galen and Malkir began to fade.

In answer to Littleby's question Malkir began to whistle a tune called Soul Limbo. The dwarven scholar recognised the tune and the reference to the Cricketers tavern. He laughed as he watched his friend shift away and waved farewell.
 

chapter 2 Who Booked Your Travel?

Caleb was lost. He'd parted ways with the old man on the wagon and had spent the morning wandering around the town that the locals called Ecstasy. What they were ecstatic about he was not sure, but the standing stones and plinths scattered around the place were certainly impressive enough. He was pleased to see that the locals were getting in touch with the elements of earth and rock by meditating on top of the stones.

As he wandered around town the thought slowly occurred to him that his friends might be about somewhere. Having spotted a seedy looking tavern he turned on his heels and began walking towards it. The earth genasi was aware of the standing stone circle that he was passing through, but not of the worshippers who'd gathered there for prayer.

A short, slender woman with bluish skin and luxurious hair that looked like molten gold was conducting a ceremony. She wore white robes, trimmed with gold, that accentuated her curvaceous without being too revealing. As the earth genasi stomped through the stone circle she paused in leading the prayers. Caleb stopped to ponder why there was a sudden silence and was surprised to find that there were numerous people inside the stone circle all wearing platinum amulets with the symbol of a dragon. One of the men had feathery wings and wore shining silver armour.

"Do you mind?” The priestess leading the service asked. She did not sound annoyed, but rather intrigued by why the tall stranger had wandered in to their midst. She smiled at him, but some of others did not look pleased by the intrusion.

“SORRY, JUST TAKING A SHORT CUT.” Caleb's train of thought had been 'nice stones, nice stones' and was trying to adjust to being addressed by the priestess and her followers.

“Please, this is a sacred grove." The priestess beckoned him over and Caleb noted that her fingers were webbed. A vague memory of elves that lived under water stirred at the back of the earth genasi's mind, but she did not entirely fit the description. Her golden reptilian eyes reminded him of stories about great wyrms and he shook his head to rid himself of the conflicting and confusing thoughts.

"If you pass through here then you must take part in the ceremony. Take this offering.” She handed him a earthen mug with a clear gold liquid inside.

Before the priestess could instruct him on what to do next the earth genasi lifted the earthen mug to his lips and drank the fluid inside in one gulp. Lady Toujin stared at Caleb in surprise as he swallowed the 'waters of flame' without the proper prayers and was relieved to see that when he belched, smoke drifted out of his nostrils.

“Have you taken part in this kind of ceremony before?” She asked and winked at him.

“UH, NO." Caleb felt the liquid churning in his stomach like molten lava, but his expression remained blank. "NORMALLY WHEN A WOMAN GIVES ME A FOAMING TANKARD I JUST DOWN IT IN ONE.”

“Well. I think that perhaps you have taken part for long enough in the ceremony.” Lady Toujin led him by the arm to the edge of the standing stones. She gave him a dazzling smile and winked again before turning back to complete the prayers to the Platinum Dragon.

Caleb was about to walk further in to town when he saw a diminutive figure block his path. The halfling was small even by the standards of his race and for a brief moment the earth genasi thought that one of his mephits was blocking the way. The halfling who'd been watching the people going by was well dressed and looked like a gentleman about town enjoying a brief trip to the countryside.

“HELLO LITTLE MAN,” Caleb stared down at the small halfling and belched again, smoke drifting up from his nose.

“Hello." The friendly halfling smiled and beckoned Caleb over. "Would you mind if we stepped out of the way of the priests?”

“UH. SORRY. I DID NOT REALISE THAT I WAS IN THE WAY.” The earth genasi followed the halfling to the main road.

“You seemed to manage it quite well.” The halfling commented cheerfully, grateful for the earth genasi's interruption during the ceremony. He'd been waiting for the winged man to come out of the boring ceremony and Caleb's unexpected entrance had certainly livened things up.

“HERE," said Caleb handing the earthen mug that he was still holding to the mineral mephit. "GIVE THIS TO THE NICE LADY.”

“Of course Master. We will look after the mug for you." The mineral mephit rubbed its hands over the earthen mug as if it was a holy relic and snatched it out of the reach of the other mephits. It hugged the vessel close to its small body, coveting the item that its master had entrusted in its care. "It's such a wondrous mug that our great Master has drunk from. None other shall touch it.”

“NOW!” Caleb commanded in a stern voice.

“Yes Master, right away Master.” The mineral mephit flew off with the mug, the earth and ooze mephits following in hot pursuit.

“HELLO MY NAME IS CALEB," the earth genasi held out his hand in greeting. "I'M NEW AROUND HERE."

"Cade Highhdale." The halfling shook the genasi's hand, his small hand only large enough to grasp a few of Caleb's fingers. "You could probably say the same thing about me as I'm a Cage resident myself.” Cade saw that Caleb was confused. “Sigil,” he explained, referring to the Cage.

“OH YES, SIGIL." Caleb had heard Sigilian slang before, but not very bothered about learning it. "ANYWAY, I WONDER IF YOU HAVE SEEN MY FRIENDS AROUND.”

“I don't know.” Cade looked around eagerly hoping to spot any other genasi in the vicinity.

“THERE'S A DWARF AND A WOMAN.” The earth genasi was counting off his friends on his fingers and was trying to remember the names of his friends.

“Right,” said Cade after the earth genasi had been silent for some time. He could not see any dwarves on the road in town and waited patiently for Caleb to continue.

“SOMETIMES THE DWARF IS A WOMAN. A TALL SERENE LOOKING BLOKE AND SOME OTHER MAN THAT I CANNOT REMEMBER RIGHT NOW, QUITE FRANKLY HE'S PRETTY NON-DESCRIPT.” Caleb was pleased with the description of his companions and made a mental note to remember it for next time that his friends went flying off.

“No, I'm sorry but I haven't." Cade shook his head. "I'm actually waiting for Sir Osbourne. One of the big chaps with the wings, shining armour and large sword and things.”

“WAS HE THE ONE THAT I KNOCKED OVER PASSING THROUGH? SORRY.” Caleb vaguely remembered that one of the standing stones had felt 'feathery' when he'd walked in to the circle and that he might have knocked it over.

Cade shook his head, there were a couple of people with wings present during the ceremony but none of them had been knocked over. “He's one of the slightly older ones.”

“ARE THERE ANY PUBS AROUND HERE?” Caleb asked, deciding that he wanted something less volatile to drink.

“Ah, now that I can help you on. Pubs sound good." Cade smiled and began to walk down the road to the tavern. "Let's go to a pub anyway and if he happen to bump in to them then that would be good.” The halfling continued talking but the earth genasi had lost the flow of the conversation after the first sentence.

“WOW, YOU CERTAINLY ARE FRIENDLY.” He commented more to himself than his new companion.

“Oh yes, known for it.” Cade smiled, pleased that the earth genasi had noticed. For a brief moment Caleb had the feeling that the small halfling was going to jump up and tear out his throat with his teeth, but the strange sensation passed quickly and the two continued in to town.
 

chapter 3 What a Mug

“Master, Master we've returned the mug.” The earth genasi flew clumsily in the air, bobbing and weaving to avoid the other two mephits. It's dull and hollow voice made it sound less intelligent that the others and it was somewhat slower at figuring things out.

“Yes, we gave back the mug.” The mineral mephit stated, thinking that its statement was not actually lying.

“Yes we've returned it,” the ooze mephit agreed and winked at the mineral mephit in an attempt to mimic the priestess in the stone circle.

“WELL DONE,” Caleb replied to the earth mephit, oblivious to the other two mephits.

“Oh Master, we are undeserving of your great praise." The ooze mephit pushed the earth mephit out of the way. "We your humble and loyal servants are not deserving of such praise, but since you have bestowed it upon us we have become the most blessed of all mephits.”

“I COULD SEND THEM AROUND TOWN.” Caleb was thinking about how to rid himself of the mephits for awhile and did not realise that he'd spoken his thoughts aloud.

“Master would you like us to go scouting?” The mineral mephit asked, eager to get its hands on more items.

“This I have to see.” Cade was amused by the mephits flying around Caleb and could follow their quick chattering voices easily.

“YES," Caleb replied eventually. "I WANT YOU TO GO AROUND EVERY SEEDY BAR AND TAVERN IN THIS PLACE AND REPORT BACK TO ME WHEN YOU FIND THE OTHERS.”

The earth mephit dive bombed the ooze mephit, causing it to tumble out of the air. “Of course Master, your wisdom illuminates the Multiverse.” The earth mephit grinned, pleased to be the centre of its master's attention again.

“There is just the small matter of having some funds to purchase beverages, otherwise we get thrown out.” The mineral mephit shoved the earth mephit out of the way in to a nearby lamppost.

“JUST TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE THERE TO COLLECT THE RUBBISH.” Caleb dismissed the mineral's request for jinks, knowing that it would just run off to pay a wizard in order to be polymorphed in to a kobold.

“Truly you inspire us Master. If your friends are hiding in the rubbish, which I'm sure that they are, we will find them there Master.” The ooze mephit had picked itself up from the ground and was busy trying to brush off the dust that covered it head to toe.

“Perhaps just a few coins to garnish the odd barkeep and find out what they know about your friends?" The mineral mephit continued to fly in front of Caleb's face, it's whining and insistent voice sounding like a dying bumble bee. "Perhaps you can spare some please?”

“NO I CAN'T," the earth genasi stated firmly. He swiped at the mineral mephit but it managed to dodge out of the way in time. "HE'S ALREADY GOT SOME COINS BEHIND HIS BACK.”

“No Master, those are not coins. They are the shards of the broken mug.” The earth mephit spoke slowly, still recovering from its collision.

“You told me that you would not tell!” The mineral mephit whispered fiercely and glared at the other mephits with it's hard gem-stone eyes.

“I know a good plan for the shards, we can put them in pots to make the plants grow better. It's sure to make us a tidy profit.” The earth mephit chose to ignore the hard stare that the mineral mephit was giving The earth mephit hoped that their master would be impressed with its brilliant plan, but until now the other mephits had always spoiled his quick jinks-making schemes.

“Argh, you sodding berk." The mineral mephit tried to catch the earth mephit and almost dropped the glittering fragments that it carried. "You've told him our great plan!”

“Not to worry Master, we'll go and.... uh, spy for you.” The ooze mephit surreptitiously wiped some of the dust on to Caleb's boots and gave its master a sickening grin.

“IT'S SCOUT, ACTUALLY.” Caleb stated after kicking the ooze mephit away.

“Scout. Yes of course Master," the ooze mephit picked itself up and flew in to town with the other mephits. As it was moving away it caught up with the other mephits. "It's much more honourable isn't it to scout.”

After the mephits had departed, Caleb and Cade continued walking in to town and came across several inns and taverns.

“Your friends, are they likely to be in cheap pubs or more expensive establishments?” Cade asked cheerfully.

“CHEAP PUBS,” Caleb responded thinking back to Tavern of Elemental Evil and Night Below Inn that he and the others had spent quite a bit of time drinking in.

“WHY DON'T WE GO...” Caleb's suggestion was interrupted mid-sentence by his new companion.

“What a brilliant idea, going for a drink.” Cade said with a smile and headed over to the nearest tavern.

“I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT," commented Caleb. "IT'S UNCANNY.”

The tall earth genasi and small halfling entered the tavern called the Nutcracker's Thighs and sat down to share a pint and a half of the inn-keeper's finest ale.
 
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Ladies and gentlemen of the watching crowd, please meet Cade Highdale, Halfling Bard (and other stuff yet to be revealed). I like to think of him as having that persistant grin that always unnerves people, a slight tendency to make you believe he's got designs on your neck, and enough personal charisma to fuel a small battlecruiser.

He's ever so lovable, really he is. ;)
 

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