Leo’s new account:
The winter had been harsh. Bitterly cold winds and sullen skies had combined to keep the population of Gaxmoor inside for longer than normal. People stayed in their houses and amused themselves with indoor pursuits. Only the hardy ventured outside.
The group was no different. Tarquin found a lot of his time used by temple activities. With some surprise he found that he was now one of the senior priests with the high priest leaving more and more of the day to day running of the temple to him. Aos and Titania spent most of their time at the Shapely Siren although Aos did religiously practice his swordsmanship every day. Xiang seemed to spend most of his time making the acquaintance of every landlord in the city and Cho mysteriously came and went as she wished. Where she stayed was anyone’s guess. As for Leo, well after his misfortune with the Crown of Quentas, he left the temple and resolved to be more cautious and careful about researching strange items. A long conversation with Dovistar revealed that Dovistar himself suffered similar episodes and that it is part of a magician’s lot to risk one’s life and sanity for the sake of knowledge. Dovistar was surprised that this was the first time that Leo had suffered an event of this type. Leo had lost weight and gained a pallor after his experience but his zest for the unknown had finally come back.
So, it was with more enthusiasm than normal that he responded to the Margrave’s summons. On the way to the palace he collected Aos, Titania, Tarquin and Xiang. He also tried to find Cho but was told she was already with the Margrave. As normal, the group was shown to the audience chamber without ceremony to find it already quite crowded. Besides the Margrave and Cho, three other individuals were present. The most prominent member of the trio was a striking, beautiful woman with blonde hair and a steely sheen to her eyes. Leo had never met her but he recognized her immediately as the Margravine Eloise Brax of Arkand. Famous or infamous, depending on your point of view, she had married the aging Margrave Varnior of Arkand and was widely thought to be the power behind the throne in that city. With her was another woman wearing a striking red dress and bearing a strong resemblance to the Margrave himself. Finally, another figure, eclipsed by the two women, was lurking in the background. Difficult to make out his features, he stayed watchfully behind the two ladies.
“Greetings my friends”, said the Margrave. “Please allow me to make the introductions. This the Margravine Eloise Brax; with her is my sister Saphie Kanor and the Margravine’s bodyguard and chief of security Sol. Both of them are temporarily attached to her staff.”
Polite greetings were exchanged and Leo turned curiously to the Margrave, unsure as to why these people were here. He was under the impression that their next project was the further investigation of the graveyard. It was still a mystery as to why Heracules was spending valuable resources there.
“The Margravine is going South on a diplomatic mission to the High King of the Makyans in Ankheight” explained the Margrave. “I would like you to accompany her and make sure she reaches her destination safely. You will travel to Carrisqui Town where you will join a merchant caravan and travel with it until you reach your destination. The Margravine’s mission is of the utmost importance.”
“I’m sure it is”, Leo thought wryly. With Mount Fire threatening a war, Tarkane of Imarr wrapping his war up in Imgart, and the Mongali up to no good, the Scornic league were desperate for any sort of help. Sending a charismatic, intelligent woman on a diplomatic mission to the Makyans was a logical move. What worried him more was the quality of the escort. Whilst Leo didn’t often think about it, he was aware that he and his friends were some of the more powerful individuals in the city. They had resources that the Margrave needed desperately. For him to be willing to send them South meant that either the Margravine’s mission was even more important than Leo thought or that for some reason serious trouble was expected along the way. Then something else occurred to him. Deals had already been struck and they were part of them with the Margravine brokering their services.
“Before you go however,” continued the Margrave,” there is still the matter of the graveyard. Urgent consultation with the High Priest of Urnus Gregaria and former Governor Tiberius' Magist, Excelantus Mageris, has revealed what Heracules may have been after. Please investigate the tombs of Xerxes Diccus and the Mageris family. It is believed that Diccus was a son of the Elder Empire that somehow or other turned into a blood sucking ghoulish creature.” The Margrave made a moue of distaste. "He was imprisoned in the crypt for both his own good and the good of the city. The Mageris were a famous family of magicians of which the most eminent member Lucius Maximus, is believed to have become immortal in a most disgraceful manner. The priest mentioned a creature known as a Lich although he was unsure of Lucius’s status or power in this form. It would be very serious for us if either one of these two creatures joined Heracules. Finally, the Margravine leaves in two days. I would like you to have concluded your investigations by this time. To help, the Margravine has kindly decided to let you have the services of both her staff members, Sol and Saphie.”
Leo gaped at this statement. “My Lord, your sister on such a mission….”
“I think you will find that my sister has strong arcane powers Leo” the Margrave retorted coldly.
At the same time the lady herself stated “I can take care of myself, thank you”.
At this point, Leo decided to keep his own counsel.
With little time to waste, the newly augmented group set off to the graveyard. The self- effacing chief of security shyly admitted that he had some knowledge of traps, secrets and locks.
For once it was a sunny day. As the group walked down the road, a certain amount of banter was exchanged, with Leo being the butt of many jokes. No one had seen him for a long period of time and he could see that some of the group was startled by his appearance. He didn’t mind. They were all very capable people and for all of their seeming lack of respect, when the time of crisis arrived everyone knew each other’s particular strengths and weaknesses.
Arriving at the graveyard, Leo attempted to magically discern the inside of Xerxes Diccus’s tomb. He did manage to find a small antechamber. As the group approached the crypt Sol suggested that he looked at the doors but due the their nature, he was held back and a Detect Magic cantrip was cast by Saphie. A strong dweomer was found on the doors. Saphie was insistent that she could dissolve the magic. Leo watched with interest as she practiced an incantation. She was obviously a seasoned enchanter. Unfortunately, this time the magic was too strong for her; there was an impressive flash and a tongue of flame shot out of the door. However, Saphie was too far to be affected by this. At this point Sol stepped forward and after a short period of time, very professionally picked the lock. The door was opened into the small antechamber which Leo had scryed. Upon examining the door, again arcane symbols and runes were carved into the door. Sol cautiously stepped forward to search for secrets on the door when there was an odour of brimstone and a horrendous creature suddenly appeared in a flash. This was a being out of nightmares, wreathed in flames, with a gigantic whip and an aura that would make strong men panic. Aos and Xiang had seen nightmarish creatures before though and they were determined to test the mettle of this new enemy. The enemy proved strong and powerful and wounded both of them with its claws and bite. A most curious thing happened then. Cho acrobatically tumbled past the creature into the room only to apparently tumble through it. The group gaped and then it hit them. This was a seeming. After that it was a matter of time. The group did not believe in the seeming and it quickly disappeared.
Sol stepped forward and again professionally opened the door. A large plush chamber was revealed. It contained a writing desk, a wine rack and a stone sarcophagus. Sol’s sharp eyes also spotted a small hole beside the sarcophagus. Thinking that the creature could become gaseous and seep from the sarcophagus into the hole in the ground, Leo cast one of his more powerful dweomers into the room. An invisible wall could be felt in a straight line between the sarcophagus and the hole. After this the group entered only to find a gaseous shape trapped behind the wall. Inadvertently, Leo had managed to seal the vampiric ghoul behind the wall. This gave the group enough time to organise themselves, seal the hole which was the creature’s escape route and finally when the wall came down, the battle was short and sharp. A blessed stake was driven into its chest and it dissipated into fine dust.
A certain amount of wealth was collected and the group went back to Gaxmoor.
The next day, the group again made their way to the graveyard. They were more optimistic. The haul yesterday had included some fine items, including a purple prism now magically circling above Tarquin’s head. Leo had tried to scry inside the Mageris mausoleum but had found the structure to be strongly warded. As the group approached, they could see why. Made of richly dressed stone, the building was covered in runes, writing, reliefs and wardings. Saphie detected strong warding magic all around. This was a powerful, old structure. The entrance led into three richly embellished antechambers, which were carefully searched and found to be empty. In one of them a set of stairs going down revealed what appeared to be a blank corridor. Sol’s sharp eyes revealed some secret doors, but others were so carefully concealed even he was deceived. Leo stepped forward and looked with magically enhanced senses. They revealed the last door and even its intricate method of opening. He uttered a phrase in a language that was millenia old and the door swung open. The other doors were also opened and revealed steps going down. Saphie then quickly said that they reeked of illusion magic so it was decided to go through the main door and down the stairs. Sol carefully checked the stairs and the group followed him until they reached a lit five sided chamber with four additional doors, each guarded by an elemental. These were conjured guardians, which were swiftly dealt with. Doors to three of the crypts revealed deceased members of the Mageris family. The last revealed a large stone sarcophagus. This sarcophagus was opened to a set of stairs leading down which in turn led to an alchemical laboratory with a door in the far wall. Some clever sleight of hand and mirrors allowed Sol to discern a plush study with someone sitting in a chair beyond the door. This was almost certainly the last room and the group got ready. The door was opened, the chair swung round and an imposing desiccated form opened his arms and greeted the group as saviors and long lost friends. Most of the group seemed bemused, looked at each other and then the creature. Their weapons were no longer ready, they approached it. Not so Leo; a beam of fire shot from his hand and slightly scorched the being. Aos valiantly stabbed the creature with his rapier. Unfortunately it seemed to find both their efforts more amusing than anything else and again a feeling of welcome and friendship radiated from it. This time, Aos put up his rapier and Tarquin also approached it. Seeing this, Leo felt he had no choice but to pretend to be its friend like every one else. To his great surprise, far from meaning any harm to the group, Lucius was eager to hear of the world outside, of the political situation in Gaxmoor and of Ea in this age. He questioned Leo ferociously for many hours until he was satisfied.
Finally he said: ”Thank you for your help in releasing me. I will go now. For your trouble, please accept this gift. Use these tiles wisely. They may or may not help you.” After these words he disappeared. Leo breathed a sigh of relief although a small part of him regretted that he didn’t get a chance to exchange any knowledge with Lucius.
Saphie then quickly seized upon the tiles, which had strange effects on her. Mainly they seemed to be harmful although Tarquin was able to nullify most of the effects. One of them however seems to be permanent. She suddenly aged many years before everyone’s eyes. Titania also read the tiles although curiously they seemed mainly beneficial for her, teaching her new abilities and spells. No one else used them.
Slightly chastened although grateful to be alive, the group made their way back to the palace. Both Saphie, now more world weary, and the sharp eyed Sol, who seems to have a substantial amount of Sidhe blood in him, have proved to be very useful.
There were several interesting byproducts from this last trip. Tarquin seems to have acquired a new status. He rapidly went to the temple and suddenly the acolytes came running from the whole city. Bells pealed and there was a very long service. Leo wasn’t sure what the excitement was about but he was pleased for his cohort.
Leo wasn’t sure, but Titania’s behavior had subtly changed. Whereas before, she was constantly by Aos’s side, now more and more she was seeking both the approval and companionship of Cho. Leo really didn’t understand this change in the social dynamics of the group and Aos seemed to be taking it in his stride but he did find it rather odd.
Leo was also concerned that with Lucius free, he was going to seek out Heracules and make common cause with him. However Titania assured everyone that this wasn’t the case “because her goddess told her so”. Leo really wasn’t sure what to make of this but Titania was adamant. Finally, Leo acquired a new pet; one of the strangest things in Lucius’s study was a cage with a parakeet. A jet black one with blood red eyes that seems to have lived for several thousand years. Further investigation showed that this was a Vrock Tanar'i, which had been changed into this form and magically imprisoned in some sort of space while at the same time making it appear to be cage. In short, unless the cage is opened the Vrock is imprisoned. This level of magic is so far above Leo at the moment that it is making him nervous. However, mainly due to a loss as to what to do with this thing, at the moment it is rather ridiculously hanging in his quarters, scaring the living daylights out of the students that come to clean his rooms. Fortunately, Dovistar is very much aware to what it is and during Leo’s absences, he will keep an eye on it.
Now, it is to be hoped that this trip to the South will not prove too eventful.
The winter had been harsh. Bitterly cold winds and sullen skies had combined to keep the population of Gaxmoor inside for longer than normal. People stayed in their houses and amused themselves with indoor pursuits. Only the hardy ventured outside.
The group was no different. Tarquin found a lot of his time used by temple activities. With some surprise he found that he was now one of the senior priests with the high priest leaving more and more of the day to day running of the temple to him. Aos and Titania spent most of their time at the Shapely Siren although Aos did religiously practice his swordsmanship every day. Xiang seemed to spend most of his time making the acquaintance of every landlord in the city and Cho mysteriously came and went as she wished. Where she stayed was anyone’s guess. As for Leo, well after his misfortune with the Crown of Quentas, he left the temple and resolved to be more cautious and careful about researching strange items. A long conversation with Dovistar revealed that Dovistar himself suffered similar episodes and that it is part of a magician’s lot to risk one’s life and sanity for the sake of knowledge. Dovistar was surprised that this was the first time that Leo had suffered an event of this type. Leo had lost weight and gained a pallor after his experience but his zest for the unknown had finally come back.
So, it was with more enthusiasm than normal that he responded to the Margrave’s summons. On the way to the palace he collected Aos, Titania, Tarquin and Xiang. He also tried to find Cho but was told she was already with the Margrave. As normal, the group was shown to the audience chamber without ceremony to find it already quite crowded. Besides the Margrave and Cho, three other individuals were present. The most prominent member of the trio was a striking, beautiful woman with blonde hair and a steely sheen to her eyes. Leo had never met her but he recognized her immediately as the Margravine Eloise Brax of Arkand. Famous or infamous, depending on your point of view, she had married the aging Margrave Varnior of Arkand and was widely thought to be the power behind the throne in that city. With her was another woman wearing a striking red dress and bearing a strong resemblance to the Margrave himself. Finally, another figure, eclipsed by the two women, was lurking in the background. Difficult to make out his features, he stayed watchfully behind the two ladies.
“Greetings my friends”, said the Margrave. “Please allow me to make the introductions. This the Margravine Eloise Brax; with her is my sister Saphie Kanor and the Margravine’s bodyguard and chief of security Sol. Both of them are temporarily attached to her staff.”
Polite greetings were exchanged and Leo turned curiously to the Margrave, unsure as to why these people were here. He was under the impression that their next project was the further investigation of the graveyard. It was still a mystery as to why Heracules was spending valuable resources there.
“The Margravine is going South on a diplomatic mission to the High King of the Makyans in Ankheight” explained the Margrave. “I would like you to accompany her and make sure she reaches her destination safely. You will travel to Carrisqui Town where you will join a merchant caravan and travel with it until you reach your destination. The Margravine’s mission is of the utmost importance.”
“I’m sure it is”, Leo thought wryly. With Mount Fire threatening a war, Tarkane of Imarr wrapping his war up in Imgart, and the Mongali up to no good, the Scornic league were desperate for any sort of help. Sending a charismatic, intelligent woman on a diplomatic mission to the Makyans was a logical move. What worried him more was the quality of the escort. Whilst Leo didn’t often think about it, he was aware that he and his friends were some of the more powerful individuals in the city. They had resources that the Margrave needed desperately. For him to be willing to send them South meant that either the Margravine’s mission was even more important than Leo thought or that for some reason serious trouble was expected along the way. Then something else occurred to him. Deals had already been struck and they were part of them with the Margravine brokering their services.
“Before you go however,” continued the Margrave,” there is still the matter of the graveyard. Urgent consultation with the High Priest of Urnus Gregaria and former Governor Tiberius' Magist, Excelantus Mageris, has revealed what Heracules may have been after. Please investigate the tombs of Xerxes Diccus and the Mageris family. It is believed that Diccus was a son of the Elder Empire that somehow or other turned into a blood sucking ghoulish creature.” The Margrave made a moue of distaste. "He was imprisoned in the crypt for both his own good and the good of the city. The Mageris were a famous family of magicians of which the most eminent member Lucius Maximus, is believed to have become immortal in a most disgraceful manner. The priest mentioned a creature known as a Lich although he was unsure of Lucius’s status or power in this form. It would be very serious for us if either one of these two creatures joined Heracules. Finally, the Margravine leaves in two days. I would like you to have concluded your investigations by this time. To help, the Margravine has kindly decided to let you have the services of both her staff members, Sol and Saphie.”
Leo gaped at this statement. “My Lord, your sister on such a mission….”
“I think you will find that my sister has strong arcane powers Leo” the Margrave retorted coldly.
At the same time the lady herself stated “I can take care of myself, thank you”.
At this point, Leo decided to keep his own counsel.
With little time to waste, the newly augmented group set off to the graveyard. The self- effacing chief of security shyly admitted that he had some knowledge of traps, secrets and locks.
For once it was a sunny day. As the group walked down the road, a certain amount of banter was exchanged, with Leo being the butt of many jokes. No one had seen him for a long period of time and he could see that some of the group was startled by his appearance. He didn’t mind. They were all very capable people and for all of their seeming lack of respect, when the time of crisis arrived everyone knew each other’s particular strengths and weaknesses.
Arriving at the graveyard, Leo attempted to magically discern the inside of Xerxes Diccus’s tomb. He did manage to find a small antechamber. As the group approached the crypt Sol suggested that he looked at the doors but due the their nature, he was held back and a Detect Magic cantrip was cast by Saphie. A strong dweomer was found on the doors. Saphie was insistent that she could dissolve the magic. Leo watched with interest as she practiced an incantation. She was obviously a seasoned enchanter. Unfortunately, this time the magic was too strong for her; there was an impressive flash and a tongue of flame shot out of the door. However, Saphie was too far to be affected by this. At this point Sol stepped forward and after a short period of time, very professionally picked the lock. The door was opened into the small antechamber which Leo had scryed. Upon examining the door, again arcane symbols and runes were carved into the door. Sol cautiously stepped forward to search for secrets on the door when there was an odour of brimstone and a horrendous creature suddenly appeared in a flash. This was a being out of nightmares, wreathed in flames, with a gigantic whip and an aura that would make strong men panic. Aos and Xiang had seen nightmarish creatures before though and they were determined to test the mettle of this new enemy. The enemy proved strong and powerful and wounded both of them with its claws and bite. A most curious thing happened then. Cho acrobatically tumbled past the creature into the room only to apparently tumble through it. The group gaped and then it hit them. This was a seeming. After that it was a matter of time. The group did not believe in the seeming and it quickly disappeared.
Sol stepped forward and again professionally opened the door. A large plush chamber was revealed. It contained a writing desk, a wine rack and a stone sarcophagus. Sol’s sharp eyes also spotted a small hole beside the sarcophagus. Thinking that the creature could become gaseous and seep from the sarcophagus into the hole in the ground, Leo cast one of his more powerful dweomers into the room. An invisible wall could be felt in a straight line between the sarcophagus and the hole. After this the group entered only to find a gaseous shape trapped behind the wall. Inadvertently, Leo had managed to seal the vampiric ghoul behind the wall. This gave the group enough time to organise themselves, seal the hole which was the creature’s escape route and finally when the wall came down, the battle was short and sharp. A blessed stake was driven into its chest and it dissipated into fine dust.
A certain amount of wealth was collected and the group went back to Gaxmoor.
The next day, the group again made their way to the graveyard. They were more optimistic. The haul yesterday had included some fine items, including a purple prism now magically circling above Tarquin’s head. Leo had tried to scry inside the Mageris mausoleum but had found the structure to be strongly warded. As the group approached, they could see why. Made of richly dressed stone, the building was covered in runes, writing, reliefs and wardings. Saphie detected strong warding magic all around. This was a powerful, old structure. The entrance led into three richly embellished antechambers, which were carefully searched and found to be empty. In one of them a set of stairs going down revealed what appeared to be a blank corridor. Sol’s sharp eyes revealed some secret doors, but others were so carefully concealed even he was deceived. Leo stepped forward and looked with magically enhanced senses. They revealed the last door and even its intricate method of opening. He uttered a phrase in a language that was millenia old and the door swung open. The other doors were also opened and revealed steps going down. Saphie then quickly said that they reeked of illusion magic so it was decided to go through the main door and down the stairs. Sol carefully checked the stairs and the group followed him until they reached a lit five sided chamber with four additional doors, each guarded by an elemental. These were conjured guardians, which were swiftly dealt with. Doors to three of the crypts revealed deceased members of the Mageris family. The last revealed a large stone sarcophagus. This sarcophagus was opened to a set of stairs leading down which in turn led to an alchemical laboratory with a door in the far wall. Some clever sleight of hand and mirrors allowed Sol to discern a plush study with someone sitting in a chair beyond the door. This was almost certainly the last room and the group got ready. The door was opened, the chair swung round and an imposing desiccated form opened his arms and greeted the group as saviors and long lost friends. Most of the group seemed bemused, looked at each other and then the creature. Their weapons were no longer ready, they approached it. Not so Leo; a beam of fire shot from his hand and slightly scorched the being. Aos valiantly stabbed the creature with his rapier. Unfortunately it seemed to find both their efforts more amusing than anything else and again a feeling of welcome and friendship radiated from it. This time, Aos put up his rapier and Tarquin also approached it. Seeing this, Leo felt he had no choice but to pretend to be its friend like every one else. To his great surprise, far from meaning any harm to the group, Lucius was eager to hear of the world outside, of the political situation in Gaxmoor and of Ea in this age. He questioned Leo ferociously for many hours until he was satisfied.
Finally he said: ”Thank you for your help in releasing me. I will go now. For your trouble, please accept this gift. Use these tiles wisely. They may or may not help you.” After these words he disappeared. Leo breathed a sigh of relief although a small part of him regretted that he didn’t get a chance to exchange any knowledge with Lucius.
Saphie then quickly seized upon the tiles, which had strange effects on her. Mainly they seemed to be harmful although Tarquin was able to nullify most of the effects. One of them however seems to be permanent. She suddenly aged many years before everyone’s eyes. Titania also read the tiles although curiously they seemed mainly beneficial for her, teaching her new abilities and spells. No one else used them.
Slightly chastened although grateful to be alive, the group made their way back to the palace. Both Saphie, now more world weary, and the sharp eyed Sol, who seems to have a substantial amount of Sidhe blood in him, have proved to be very useful.
There were several interesting byproducts from this last trip. Tarquin seems to have acquired a new status. He rapidly went to the temple and suddenly the acolytes came running from the whole city. Bells pealed and there was a very long service. Leo wasn’t sure what the excitement was about but he was pleased for his cohort.
Leo wasn’t sure, but Titania’s behavior had subtly changed. Whereas before, she was constantly by Aos’s side, now more and more she was seeking both the approval and companionship of Cho. Leo really didn’t understand this change in the social dynamics of the group and Aos seemed to be taking it in his stride but he did find it rather odd.
Leo was also concerned that with Lucius free, he was going to seek out Heracules and make common cause with him. However Titania assured everyone that this wasn’t the case “because her goddess told her so”. Leo really wasn’t sure what to make of this but Titania was adamant. Finally, Leo acquired a new pet; one of the strangest things in Lucius’s study was a cage with a parakeet. A jet black one with blood red eyes that seems to have lived for several thousand years. Further investigation showed that this was a Vrock Tanar'i, which had been changed into this form and magically imprisoned in some sort of space while at the same time making it appear to be cage. In short, unless the cage is opened the Vrock is imprisoned. This level of magic is so far above Leo at the moment that it is making him nervous. However, mainly due to a loss as to what to do with this thing, at the moment it is rather ridiculously hanging in his quarters, scaring the living daylights out of the students that come to clean his rooms. Fortunately, Dovistar is very much aware to what it is and during Leo’s absences, he will keep an eye on it.
Now, it is to be hoped that this trip to the South will not prove too eventful.
