LR's Mind Flayer Campaign

[Lord_Raven88]

'Githyanki Invasion!' those two telepathic words echoed throughout the Hidden Sept of Lagurno bringing a halt to the usual mental susurrus as all paused in alarm and shock, waiting for the Elder Brain to disseminate what little knowledge was available amongst the Illithid community.

It had long been known that the Lich Queen Vlaakith had her sights on finding and reclaiming the Githyanki ancestral homeworld, harboured her vast Githyanki armies for centuries for this very purpose. But the origin of the Githyanki homeworld had been lost millennia ago during the destruction of the Mind Flayer empire, and the Elder Brains had been careful to ensure that any such information pertaining to the homeworld remained lost.

Whatever her reasons for the invasion her actions were plain to see as magical gateways were torn open leading her armies from the Astral plane to the world of Oerth, intent on it's domination. A world dominated by the Githyanki would be a fearful place indeed for any Illithid, although her armies had yet to delve into the subterranean world of the Illithids all knew that it was only a matter of time.

Within a matter of days the Empire of Iuz fell victim to the massive Githyanki assault and quickly became a stronghold for the Githyanki host, the entire Flanness waits with baited breath the next move of the Lich Queen Vlaakith.

~~~~

Since the arrival of the invading Githyanki the community of Lagurno had been in veritable nonstop motion as the Elder Brain co-ordinated it's response with the other Elder Brains scattered around Oerth. High ranking Illithid's and Inquisitions were dispatched on secret missions dramatically depleting the resources of Lagurno.

Summoned by the Elder Brain you march through the vast near-empty hallways of your home intent on your objective, the pool of the Elder Brain. Paying scant heed to the dripping walls carved into twisting patterns of tentacles twining around themselves, past the listless shuffling steps of the Thralls you arrive at the barred entryway to the Elder Brains pool.

As you approach the door it swings open silently and admits you to the Elder Brains inner sanctum, dominating the room is the massive 10' deep pool, surrounded by a wide intricately carved lip. From within the murky depths you can make out the barely discernable shadow of the Elder Brain as it stirs listlessly within it's aquatic home.

Attended to by four high ranking Mind Flayers, including the Ulitharid Cthuln you wait to hear the Elder Brains commands.

 

[Thramzorean]

Scarred tentacles swung back and forth taking in the sept members called to stand before the Elder.

A suit of mithral armor. Dark forces embraced. Aclaum. Watch this one - evil power owes allegance to itself. Not the Elder.

Thule. Razor armor. Polearm. Kelderon. Master Dampsuit. Rapier. Dabblers in the physical uses of the flesh. Not normal. Watch.

Laevictus. Too quiet. Too shadowy. A threat. Watch. Brethren such as this is why my path is best.

Tak stood motionless before the pool. Silence before the elder. I await.

 

[Voidrazor]

Laevictus glides like a wraith to a spot before the elder brain. The shadowy figure then prostrates itself, both attempting to quiet its surface thoughts and opening its mind to contact.

... Uppity thralls on the menu ... Githyanki should make interesting targets. They know our weaknesses.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Kelderen glides to a halt before the mighty elder brain. He subtly exerts effort to still all movement, drinking in the scene around him. He quashes the unworthy tinge of fear the brain evokes - has he displeased it today?

His mind considers his image of the world, preparing to accommodate new information:

At the center, of course, is the elder brain - a stationary hub anchoring the universe. Darting around this point are the usually concise vectors of other mind flayers, mixed with the predictable and unimportant lines of thralls. This picture is currently hazy with unknown tasks and secret goals... clearly due to the confusing mass of Githyanki interactions with the surface world.

Curiousity whetted, Kelderen eagerly awaits further developements.

 

[Wrahn]

In sharp contrast to the others who stood patiently waiting, Aclaum paced back and forth waiting for the Elder Brain to give it's instruction, anxious to get underway, to act... to feed.

Misfits, powerful, non-conformists, if the Elder Brain requires this group for the mission, it should prove to be an opportunity.

 

[hero4hire]

As Thule waited for the Elder Brain to elucidate on why they were summoned, he took in details of his peers looking for some commonalities that may explain thier presence.

None present were content with the norm, some he knew to be ambitious. All exuded a certain level of confidence that eluded to competance.

All were expendable....

It was no coincendence to summon Powerful Anamolies during the Time of A Gith Invasion.

Thule had long knew that a War with the Githyanki was inevitable. In his mind the Fires of such a Conflict would either Temper his people. Making them even stronger. Or burn them to ash.

This, he resolved, would be his Crucible, not his Crematorium.

 

[Lord_Raven88]

Rising up out of the murky water the Elder Brain hovers above the waters surface, it's mass of fused brain tissue glowing with an ember radiance as psychic energies play over it's fibrous surface, all the while it's four long tendrils writhe in agitation.

'If we are going to have any hope of surviving to take our rightful place as the rulers of the multiverse, then the Githyanki invasion must be stopped at any cost!

There are many plans in place to ensure our eventual victory, but the cost will be great. We are few in number while the Lich Queen has countless legions to call upon, as such it is crucial that we obtain weapons, objects of power to ensure a swift decisive victory.

You five have been selected for such a mission, each of you is unique in your own manner, together you will be a potent force to accomplish our purpose.

Your task is to delve into the depths of Maure Castle, in search of ancient objects of power to aid us in the battles ahead. Many have tried to breach the lower levels of Maure Castle, all bar a few have perished in the attempt. You however will succeed!

To aid you in your task you will be given a specially prepared brainmate* containing information relating to the Suel Empire and Maure Castle. The brainmate will also allow you to communicate with High Praetor Cthuln as long as you're both on the same plane of existence.

Gather your possessions and assembly in the Central Plaza in one hour, you will then be transported to the subterranean entrance of Castle Maure.'

~~~~

Assembling in the Central Plaza, it's hard not to notice the absence of so many of the community.

Awaiting your arrival is Scralen a well known Illithid who specialises in the psionic pychoportive arts. Linking hands time and space fold in upon themselves as Scralen transports you to your destination, a 10' wide, 20' high granite corridor of ancient workmanship.

Pointing towards the eastern end of the corridor which gradually slopes downwards into the bowels of the earth, Scralen turns and bids you farewell 'Until the Whispering Shadow returns'' then disappears in a faint pulse of psionic energy.

[sblock=OOC: ]
* The Brainmate contains Knowledge (History[Maure Castle] 10 ranks & History[Suel Empire] 10 ranks) and can manifest the Mindlink power between the user and High Praetor Cthuln.

If you have any questions for the Elder Brain I'll answer them OOC, as this will enable us to proceed with the adventure
[/sblock]

 

[Thramzorean]

'We serve your will Elder.'

~~~~~~~

Arriving at in the long tunnel Tak immediately sent a questioning thought out to the large runehound by its side to learn if its supernatural senses detected anything beyond themselves. 'Foes Phren?'

[sblock=OOC]Can we get from the Elder or the Brainmate some idea of what we are actually after? And it's likely defenders/defenses/inhabitants of the castle?

EDIT: BTW, please check out this post here for the post on the runehound cohort which will lead to Phren's stats on the Rogue's Gallery.[/sblock]

 

[Wrahn]

Aclaum acknowledges his assignment with a nod and walks out. Going directly to the church of Ilsensine, he gathers what little possession he had that he did not carry and waits for the other in the Central Plaza deep in thought.

OOC

[sblock]Do we have any idea about the Castle, who built it and how long ago? What is it proximity to Githyanki forces and is it likely they will interfer? [/sblock]

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Maure Castle...

A moments idle thought as he shakes the aftereffects of mental transport...

Kelderen feels some trepidation observing the granite coridoor - what dangers lie in the ancient depths? Although more importantly, what opportunities?

He pulses to the minds of the inquisition:

I hunger to see the secrets of this place. Let us progress.