The Creation Schema:THE FINAL BATTLE FOR POSSESSION OF THE SCHEMA

[megamania]

THE CREATION SCHEMA
SEGMENT 259
09/01/06
“Korth, Karrnath”

Several months have gone by and the group had their fun in the mountains of Mror Holds and now have entered Karrnath and reached Korth using the Electric Rail. They want Garrow and begin to tear up the bars and taverns of Korth as they did in the dwarven lands looking for him. Instead they learn his son is getting married shortly.

Wedding Crashers

Then they learn he is having a party in the far end of town and go there to find the son and force Garrow out of hiding or at least to acknowledge them. Unknown to the group, Garrow has no son and this is a complicated trap designed to get them to an area where they can openly attack them.

Doesn’t work.

In the beginning the group seek out Garrow’s son then decide he is not worth the effort and in all likelihood, doesn’t give a damn about him anyway. They go back to Korth to Xen’drik. They have learned he is there on a secret mission.

They set up their new portable home (made with Kim Elderich’s aid) and plant it directly next to the Airship tower in the park. They have learned the next airship will not arrive for 6 days. The authorities ask them to move. They do. About twenty feet to the left to get more sun and be out of the shadow of the tower.

The authorities press them to leave but they refuse. In fact, they throw a party for the natives to win support and further tick off the stuffy authorities.

On the third night, the party renews and goes late into the night. A human woman is there that is very drunk and wants Cedious. He ignores her until he learns she is the jilted bride of a local man. The wedding was called off since many of the wedding party were either slain or seriously injured several nights ago (by these very PCs). Cedious can not resist and takes the bait.

Pebbles is tired of human males with no stamina and looks for a dwarf. She finds none and becomes bored with the party. She enters the secure tower just in time to her the woman Cedious is with howl. “Strange these humans and their idea of foreplay.”

Then the naked woman leans back and howls again but this time the howl is more bestial. Hair begins to sprout out of her back and forearms. Suddenly a very naked Cedious is thinking this woman (like all woman) is too much trouble. “Hit it then quit it.” He says as he fumbles for his belongings on the floor, as the woman becomes a werewolf on his lap.

Pebbles is about to aid him when she hears more howls …outside. Nearly every party goer outside is a werewolf!

The group tears through the 35+ werewolves including a Werewolf lord whom forces his way into the open door of the building to attack Cedious.

Shortly there are many dead humans and the group decides they need to be going… for a challenge.

 

[Solarious]

I take it some of them stared too long at an advanced Bodak and a few others fell prey to an advanced Devourer's trap essence power?

And I suppose the only way to get attacked by over 35 werewolves in a world where an Inquisition (Yes, that's a capital I there! ) wiped most of them out is to be as hated as Cedious is.

 

[megamania]

'course this means he and the group just became the Silver Flames bestest buddies.

 

[Solarious]

The only question on reader's minds is: who is more pissed at the arrangement?

 

[megamania]

THE CREATION SCHEMA
SEGMENT 260
09/01/06
“Goin’ South”

The Lyrandar Airship arrives within 20 minutes of its due time. The Group waits for them at the top of the tower. Supplies are taken off and passengers leave. Several are leery of the large centaur and his oversized blade. Captain Vaas d’Lyrandar has just completed his first trip captaining by himself. Though reluctant, he goes to the PCs to find out what they want.

“I am Captain Vaas d’Lyrandar of the Dragonmark of Storms. How can I aid you?” He checks the six of them out. A dwarf in heavy armor, a warforged lacking heavy armor, a halfling wearing a cloak, a monstrous centaur, a monster and an elf. They can only be adventurers and adventurers equal two things- money and trouble- often both.

“I am Cedious and these are my friends. We seek passage that is quick and can go over land and sea. We hope to buy use of your ship to go to Xen’drik.” Cedious puts on his biggest and most friendly smile he can manage.

“I don’t think so.” The captain says harshly. “There is no way I will go to Xen’drik. Especially using an airship of my family.”

“It is very important we reach Stormreach quickly. We will pay you nicely.”

“No. I care little for adventurers and especially adventurers whom think they can buy anything that they can not just take. Another ship will come. Try them.”

“No. He will get away that way.” Cedious is becoming testy himself now. Pebbles steps up beside the rogue.

“I and my friends can help on the ship. I have abilities to clean and fix your ship. I could…”

Now angry the captain interrupts her. “Fix it?!? Do you consider my ship in ill-repair?!? How dare you!”
Flustered, he looks around for the authorities that have chosen this moment for a coffee break. Not ready to give up, the Captain tries new tactics.

“This is strictly a cargo ship and I am new to controlling the elemental that powers the craft. You would want a more experienced pilot and a craft designed for that trip. I have of many rumors of the Thunder Sea and its storms. No. I can not help you.”

Cedious continues to badger him hoping he will break down and agree to it. He continues to answer no with reasons of supplies and confidence of the ship and his abilities for such a trip. Unknown to Cedious, Pebbles was prepared for such a reaction.

“Good sir, “ Pebbles grips her holy symbol, “I am certain you are the captain for us and this ship can do the job we are willing to pay for. We will even pay any and all supplies required.” Cedious frowns at that but notes how her symbol is lightly glowing. He wonders what is up but decides to go with it.

“No dwarf. Now begone. I grow weary of this subject.”

“We seek to follow an evil person whom has killed many people including some of our friends. Could you feel good and sleep well knowing you could have helped us stop him while merely doing your job? A job you do well.” The magic begins to weave out and to the captain. He is helpless before the spell.

“I WILL NOT do this. I will not ach…….!”

“I believe your conscience is already bothering you good captain. Please allow us to pay for supplies and services for the great house you represent and take us where we ask to go.”

“You ****ing bastards! What did you do me?!? I feel ill!” He is very upset now.

“Help us on our QUEST, allow it to become your own QUEST and greatness will follow.” Cedious smiles.

“Rotten food for you!” yells the captain as he cramps up in pain. The spell begins to take full effect now.

“Supplies will cost you and I’m not cheap!”

QUESTed, Captain Vaas d’Lyrandar begins to tell his men that their leaves have been cancelled and they must prepare for going to Xen’drik.

 

[megamania]

THE CREATION SCHEMA
SEGMENT 261
09/01/06
“Kim’s Hired Help in Xen’drik”

He was known as 241. It was simple and gave him an unique identity. No other warforged in Cyre or other countries had the name. He wanted to be known as 241 even after the war ended. Humans he traveled with tried to give different names but 241 always felt right to him. Later, when he found the docent that became his best friend, he preferred the name even more so. Two for One had a name and now a purpose. The Docent was intelligent and wanted to return to its home. Home however was in Xen’drik. 241 found a way to reach there however. Kim Elderich offered a job to him. His unique knowledge of Xen’drik got him hired. He was going to Xen’drik. He was going to find his friend’s home.

The ranger from the Eldeen Reaches glared at the group before him. He hated adventurers. They were full of greed and cared little for the world beyond what they could immediately see and feel. However, the village was dieing from the magical disease that only Elderich seemed to be able to stop and cure. He had a dept to pay and if it took leading these adventurers through the jungles of Xen’drik for a few weeks until they found this temple of Xulo then fine- so be it.

If he could only find the next pepper, salt or even Basil thought the halfling cleric and member of the house Ghallanda. He has been dreaming of traveling to Xen’drik to seek new and exciting spices for most of his life. Even with the dangers of the Dragon marked killers, he hoped to travel to the infamous dark continent. Everything had a flavor to it. It was like an aura or a soul. Thankyou Kim Elderich for allowing him to travel south to Xen’drik. Thankyou. Jenner Kole thanks you and your entire adventureing party.

Kimm Davidson focused on her Halberd tip. Dol Arrah would be proud thought Kimm. She was going to a dangerous place as the protector and guardian of an adventuring group seeking an anceint temple of the giants. Praise be the power that is Dol Arrah.

Lennington Storm sighed deeply as he watched the female paladin stare at her halberd. The cleric of the Silver Flame had seen much and heard more in his time during the war. Thrane and the church was in trouble. Something was wrong within Flamekeep. He had heard the voice as promised but what he heard was dark and evil. Uncertain and even afraid of the voice and what it may mean, Lennington fled the church and Thrane. Kim Elderich offered the means to quickly escape the darkening world of his beliefs. “Was the Silver Flame really an evil creature looking to escape?”

The ½ Orc had forgotten that she had already shown her dragon mark of Finding to the Captain of the ship. She thourghly enjoyed being a member of house Tharashk. It allowed her to adventure and seek excitement anywhere she went. When Elderich and that huge golem bodyguard of his came to her she was feeling down. Her family was unhappy with her. She was too outgoing and happy. She was an embarrassment to the ½ orcs and humans of the Shadow Marches. Humph. What adventure could she find FIND in Xen’drik?

Talina Sil Lonadar carefully watched the seven adventurers she traveled with. As a gnome, details were important to remember. As an agent of the TRUST, it could prove to be life over death. Her country of Zilargo had seen Kim Elderich rise in power and riches very quickly. He had contracted the building guilds there to secretly build the world’s largest airship. He was massing up experts and professionals of the fields of Xen’drik and Construction. It was rumored he was assembling the Creation Schema. The TRUST needed to know for sure and learn even what the Creation Schema was. She joined this group after studying Xen’drik and created a false background of having been to Xen’drik several times before. Elderich bought it. But now what? Continue being the good adventurer and expert on Xen’drik or return home with what she had learned of the mysterious and powerful dwarf?

Tarmac leaned on the rails of the ship as it continued south to Stormreach. This was the life he enjoyed, not that of the Dark Lantern of Breland. He enjoyed the adventure of it all. However, he had a bad feeling about this mission. Elderich was in direct conflict with the Emerald Claw and the Steel Nation of the warforged within the Mournlands. He had made many powerful enemies seeking this Creation Schema. Even the Cannith house wanted him for questioning. After learning of his Siberys Heir elemental aircraft he was considered a possible threat to the peace of the five nations. This mission was going to be dangerous. But that is what made it so appealing……

The eight adventurers snap out of their deep personal thoughts as a call of alarm goes out. Pirates!

 

[Solarious]

Say... isn't using enchantments on people to change their minds for them illegal? Doubly so for a Dragonmarked family members, no doubt.

And I love how you're making Cedious go up a sort-of good aligned adventuring party. It would give other people moral fits, but Cedious would probably go along with them for a moment and backstab them later. Perhaps this is the pulpiest Eberron SH I've read, but it's also fun as hell, with the highest turnover of players and mortality rates.

Say, who are the party members as of this point in the SH? And if you don't mind, what ever happened to Taskerdoo? Did it have anything to do with Lennington?

 

[megamania]

Say... isn't using enchantments on people to change their minds for them illegal? Doubly so for a Dragonmarked family members, no doubt.

Yeah. Cedious just added another Dragon marked family to his list

And I love how you're making Cedious go up a sort-of good aligned adventuring party. It would give other people moral fits, but Cedious would probably go along with them for a moment and backstab them later. Perhaps this is the pulpiest Eberron SH I've read, but it's also fun as hell, with the highest turnover of players and mortality rates.

Just the group as played by the players. Never thought of it as pulp but yeah I guess so. When people do things that endanger themselves then accidents will happen. And thankyou. We're having fun also.

Say, who are the party members as of this point in the SH? And if you don't mind, what ever happened to Taskerdoo? Did it have anything to do with Lennington?

The player designed Pebbles and wished to switch the halfling druid/mage out so I rushed in an idea. I am creating an open-ended plot within Thrane that he has called into and yes- Lennington Storm is caught up in also. More on Storm and his party shortly.

Current Party-

Clinton plays Cedious
Bill plays Pebbles
Jeff plays Talon

 

[megamania]

THE CREATION SCHEMA
SEGMENT 262
09/01/06
“Garrow reaches Stormreach”

The big man gently knocks on the door. He was summoned here but did not wish to intrude all the same.
“Enter Keltis.”

Keltis Doran was generally not a humble man. Normally, if he wanted something or someone he got it as directly and with as much force as he could. However, he was answering the call of his leader and at times ally- Garrow.

“You asked for me.” He says as walks into the well lit room that was the captain’s quarters of the ship. The changeling stands at the full wall window with his back to Keltis and the door.

“Yes. Yes I did. Please sit down.” Garrow continues to look absently at the sea trailing their ship. “As you know, I am on a mission given to me personally by Vol. I am to go to Stormreach and stop any and all whom seek the Creation Schema and then take the prize from them. I was given full use of anyone and anything controlled by the Claw to complete this mission. Do you understand?”

Uncertain where this line of commentary is going, the cleric agrees. “Yes.”

“I think not. One of the groups coming is lead by that damned halfling known as Cedious.” The changeling now glares over his shoulder to note the cleric’s reaction. “This same halfling killed me and chased you out of the mournlands. Only by the will of Vol do I live and by my will- you live.”

Keltis doesn’t miss the veiled threat. He will die if Garrow dies.

“What is your plan and wishes?” asks Keltis to keep himself in Garrow’s better graces. “Will we kill the vile creature outright or shall we make him suffer?”

Garrow smiles. “Both. I want him to suffer as no foe of mine ever has. He will then be brought back to only die again and again. He will rue the day he surprised me and attacked from behind the corner of that building at Rose Quary.”

“Do you have a specific plan yet my Lord?”

“On board are several surprises for him. Others wait for him at Stormreach. We have even arranged the aid of Xandar and Xandor.”

“Beholders sir? Can we trust them?”

“No. but I trust them more than the halfling.”

 

[Solarious]

I already see where this is going. Now I want to know what is the other nasty from the MM you're slinging at them.

... well, that and if Cedious manages to moon Garrow.