Shackled City Adventure Path

[Aereas]

Boz picks up Slitz's motionless form, as Aldreneth picks up his familiar. From there the two are carried to the portcullis. Dropping the lizard to the side of it everyone then gets ready to explore further into the cave starting with the room that was proclaimed off limits.

V6:
The walls of this blood soaked circular, domed chamber are carved and polished with exceptional precision and skill to look like cascades of petrified liquid. Several metal disks on the ceiling 60 feet above provide pearly illumination as bright as torchlight. The center of the room is occupied by a bizzare, 30 foot wide, 7 foot tall metal and stone sculpture (The only thing not crusted in blood) made of truncated pillars, short ramps, and suspended slabs of stone. Against the north wall is a pile of wood that faintly resemble a multitude of busted chairs. Along the south wall are a number of holes about a foot in diameter. However, what catches the most attention is the large humanoid figure lying on the floor beside the sculpture with a pool of fresh blood around it. A moment of pondering and you realize that it is the female giant that was with Dugobras when he greeted you at the gate. Through the passage along the west wall you can see the faint beginnings of a fountain.

Then all of a sudden the smell of death and blood is replaced by a more pleasant scent of floral and a soft choir of music drifts in. A heavenly tune of trumpets. Facing the direction of the music (towards area 11) a trio of green winged female elfs of obviously supernatural goodness and beauty strides forth, each with a massive silver trumpet hanging from their side. The middle one walks just a step ahead of the other two carrying a small chalice. They all stop about 40 feet away and smile pleasantly as they say in unison "We thank you for cleansing this ancient and sacred sight of the evil that has infested it for so long.[//color]" Then the lead one holds up the chalice staring directly at Aldreneth as she says "Your heroism and bravery have earned you the right to drink the nectar of the gods."

OOC:
Sorry for the delay. My old comp no longer had the info so I had to install everything again to view the files needed to see the next area.

No one save Slitz was ever fully in V6 so I started there. You can see a fountain in V11

Aldreneth:
[sblock]There Trumpet Archons. You know that their trumpets can change to greatswords, and they possess a formidiable array of divine spells that could rival most clerics.[/sblock]

 

[Dog Moon]

Aldreneth hesitates for a brief moment, but then steps forward. He doesn't feel ready to take on these opponents with the current strength of the party, or lack thereof, and believes that if these beings wish to trick him, his immunity to poison should suffice. Still, he thinks, these are Angels and shouldn't be the sort that's into trickery. He drinks from the proffered chalice and waits to see what, if anything, happens.

 

[Aereas]

The liquid in the chalice slides down easily with a sour taste. Even though the liquid felt cool on your lips it leaves a hot feeling wherever it touches. At first nothing seems to happen but then all of a sudden Aldreneth begins coughing harshly almost gagging on something as his entire body goes rigid. His coughing fit only lasts for a few seconds but it leaves him gasping for air in a raw throat. Then every muscle in his entire body begins to spasm as his mind dulls and reason begins to flee from his grasp. His muscles begin to bulge and grow nearly seeming to double in size! As soon as he collapses unto the floor his body stops convulsing and he slowly rises to his feet obviously much stronger than he was a moment ago. The three celestials all stare with nearly impassive faces.

OOC:
Laguz and Tiayrerak (who then telepathically informs Aldreneth) notice that the Celestials seem a little disappointed about something.

Aldreneth: [sblock]You receive a +8 unnamed bonus to strength. The downside is that you receive a -4 unnamed penalty to wisdom.[/sblock]

 

[Dog Moon]

Note: Tiayrerak is dead.

 

[Laguz]

Laguz, hesitating before making a decision, jumps back a little as Aldreneth goes into convulsions. He sees the disappointed look on the celestials face, and voices his concern, "Is that supposed to happen? Doesn't look like much a reward, what's it supposed to do?"

 

[Aereas]

The trio turn to face Laguz in unison, but again it is only the lead one that speaks "Yes and no. The effects did take place for he has been blessed with divine strength. However, it should not have been that painful. The only explanation is that his soul must be tainted with evil's touch. That taint must be purified before the crescent moon reaches the night sky. If he is not purified by then the nectar will also become tainted and consume his mortal form.
To accomplish this task you must seek the lair of Gotrrod the Fierce below the hooface but beyond Cauldron. Within his lair is a chalice of pure silver. You must take this chalice and fill it exactly half full with pure water collected from the river. Then you must announce evil as you drink it. Once that is done you will be redeemed of your taint and the nectar will no longer claim your essence. We are allowed to answer three questions about your task before you undergo it."

OOC:
Oops. Forgot he was dead.
The date given is 5 nights away.

Both of you notice (Boz failed) that on the left angel there is a small patch of dark green (darker than the rest of her skin) than looks like a patch of blemished skin.

Only Aldreneth may ask the questions

 

[Dog Moon]

Aldreneth climbs to his feet and frowns at the three beings before him. So much for trickery, he thinks, though these beings probably wouldn't consider what they did a trick. He takes a deep breath and asks his questions:

"Okay, here are my three questions. One: what's a hooface? Two: what happens if I renounce this evil and then commit more evil? Three: I hate you guys. Oh wait, since that's not a question, here's my third question: evil or not, is it really worth killing me since one of my goals is the salvation of Cauldron and the rescue of the Paladin?"

 

[Laguz]

Laguz raises one eyebrow with the knowledge of Aldreneth's nature, glad he did not drink of the nectar himself... He waits patiently to her the answers to the questions and looks back to the trio. He makes particular note of the green blemish and strains to see if he can make out more detail.

 

[Aereas]

Through Aldreneth's first question the three celestials remain impassive. However, as his questions continue the last two remain impassive but the lead one begins to give a concerned look. Then the lead one responds "Hookface is the name of the dragon that resides to the north of Cauldron. If evil is truly the path you wish to embark upon then you must purge the nectar from your body. So long as it remains in you, no matter how small of an amount there is, it will draw upon that evil and consume you. Killing you is not the idea. You were offered the nectar for performing a service of good. Your wickedness is what brings you this torment.

Now that your questions have been answered you must embark upon your journey of salvation before it is too late for your soul. As our final gift before you depart we bless you with the knowledge that the paladin is not in any immediate danger."


OOC:
Aldreneth: Something about her tone gives you the impression that she is hiding something from you about the paladin.

 

[Dog Moon]

"Oh, Hookface," Aldreneth says. "Yeah, I know of him. Knew someone who was strangely interested in that Dragon. Do you know where the Paladin is?" he asks. "It has nothing to do with this other thing, so you should not be restricted from answering that question."