20th of Eleint
Mission to the Thayan Fortress
Chapter 1: Early Morning in Parabor
Atalaya made her way down the tree trunk slowly, still a little disoriented as she shook off her tranced state from her morning devotions. She followed her nose into the cottage and made her way to the breakfast table, a pile of bacon and biscuits just out of the oven waiting. Grinda stood smiling by the table placing a coffee kettle near Atalaya. We eat a light breakfast snack, gather Avalon and then Atalaya gets out the helm of teleportation. We hold hands and Atalaya taking out her talisman for the Green Goblin concentrates on the area in front of the tavern and they teleport back to Riverport.
We enter the tavern and are greeted by Aristotle. The morning air is cool and there is a light breeze. A few clouds float across the sky. There is a slight chill in the morning air, although Atalaya thinks that it will be very pleasant later in the day. (temps 40-60 degrees)
It’s still early morning when we enter the tavern. Aristotle says that he will send breakfast up to our rooms and we thank him. Cirilli greets Sorrow, Joan and Seraphina. Food arrives and we eat and talk about what we need to do before going through the portal. It is agreed that we need to get more healing potions, preferably something stronger that we usually use. A few other supplies are thought to be needed, most especially more rope and fresh travel rations.
When we finish breakfast Atalaya asks Aristotle for a couple bacon sandwiches that she wants to take to Val, the magic store shop keeper. She hopes that Val will still honor her earlier promise that she would give us a good price for her wares if we brought her bacon sandwiches or any of the other spell components that she delineated on a list given to Macterah and Tif some months ago. 150
Val recognizes us when we enter and greets us. Atalaya returns her greeting and hands her the bacon sandwiches and then starts bargaining for some Potions of Greater healing. They settle on getting 3 potions at 150 gp each. Atalaya recognizes that as a very good price and agrees and pays for the potions from her own funds. (150 gp X3= 450 gp for 3 Greater Healing Potions)
Val asks us about what is happening. She asks about who we are trying to rescue and seems to know both Kelson and Shalendra.
Val asks Sorrow, saying that she has heard that he is back. We agree that he is. Val is glad. She says that she enjoys listening to him play. She looks through her potion stock and then slides a bottle with a regular potion of cure wounds. She says to take this too, in celebration of Sorrow’s return.
We head out and quickly gather up our other items from the market. Then we head to The Lucky Lady. The puppy Timothy greets us in the courtyard outside the tavern. We stop to give him a few pets, and Atalaya tries to settle the pit that has been growing in the middle of her stomach as the morning progressed.
We make our way into the tavern and are greeted by Curran.
Chapter 2: Reviewing the Plan
Curran: “So what did you decide.”
Nevil: “Oh, we are going in.”
Curran looks pleased with that answer. He quickly turns to business. He asks about Sorrow and then begins reviewing the information he has about the fortress. He says that Darfin and his team are already in one part of the fortress looking for Kelson and Shalendra. He reminds us that we have a circlet that will let us speak to the people remaining here and to request retrieval from the fortress. He reminds us that we are limited to 50 words when using the circlet. That the information is transmitted telepathically. He says that Syranna will give us more information when we get to the gatehouse. He also explains that she will be a projection, not actually there with us. He says that she will explain about the general fortress layout and how to use the keys to get through the doors in order to move between parts of the fortress.
Curran tells us that the time to strike is now. The Bloodgate has been destroyed. We need to follow up on that. He tells us that he is really worried about Kelson and Shalendra. We talk a bit more and then he says, “Come on to the backroom and the portal. Mennek and Sir Isteval are in the back room.
Nevil asks Sir Isteval and Mennek for the latest news. Mennek replies that our other comrades have assaulted the keep looking for their friends.
Mennek goes on to explain about what he thinks we can expect as we go into the fortress. He says that Syranna has a key for us at the gatehouse. He tells us that the key will let us move from section to section within the fortress as long as we have attuned it to the different areas. He says that the fort is divided into different areas or zones. He says that our friends are in one zone. We will be sent to a different one. Haager is communicating between the groups. He says that we don’t want one large group because that will bring too much attention to what we are doing.
Isteval explains how to use the circlet again. Using the circlet will contact the gatehouse. The message must be 50 words or less, or a question of 50 words or less. There are also contact stones there. He explains that when we get to the Gatehouse Syranna will have at least 1 port key for us.
Isteval tells us that once we have attuned to the port key we will know how to use it.
Curran adds that the portal is now open. Whenever we are ready we should pass through to the Gatehouse.
Nevil turns to us and says, “See you on the other side.”
Curran responds by saying, “The Blessing of Tamora be with you.”
We head through the portal, feeling the strange energies and disorientation as we pass through.
Chapter 3: Meeting Syranna
We step through the portal and arrive at the Gatehouse. In it we see a projection of a Thayan woman in robes. We realize that she is not really in the Gatehouse, although we were able to talk to her without any problems. As the last of us enters the gatehouse she asks, “Are you the other team?”
Nevil responds that “Yes, we are.”
Syranna again reviews the use of the items when Nevil admits that we are still a bit confused about their use. She says that the circlet acts much like a sending stone. She says that they need a command word and that word is Mennek.
She goes on to say that in the vault there are various things called contact stones.
She tells us to look on the mantle. She says that she has placed a glyph key there for us to use. The glyph key is a red jewel on a bronze chain with runes on it. It glows.
She explains how it works. (info from handout)
A magic crystal pendant on a bronze chain, a glyph key allows creatures to manipulate a handful of specific magic gates within the Doomvault. A glyph key is attuned to a zone or zones, allowing manipulation of gates within the attuned areas.
Touching a glyph key provides a telepathic sense of the name of its attuned zone or zones. Thus, when the characters find glyph keys, they know which zones the keys are for.
Touching a glyph key provides a telepathic sense of the name of its attuned zone or zones. Thus, when the characters find glyph keys, they know which zones the keys are for.
Syranna explains that vault (which is the term she uses when talking about the fortress) is divided into zones and that she is going to send us to the ____________________ zone.
There are white gates
Temple of chaos.
She explains that the keys can be attuned to other zones. The need for attunement was a security measure. She says that when you pick up the key you will know what to do with it.
Nevil says something about her giving us a cursed item. Syranna says that it is not in her best interest to give us a cursed key.
She also explains that under the vault there is a hidden storehouse. She says that the lich we fought the last time hides his phylacteries. If we can destroy them there it will be a big plus to the end of the Thayans. She says that the lich (and she gives us his name, Kathy couldn’t hear well enough to attempt a spelling for it)
She tells us about the black gates. These are used to move from zone to zone within the vault based on what key you have. You need attunement to use the keys to get to the areas.
She says that there are many demons in the prison. She looks at Nevil and says, “You look to be effective against them.” She goes on to explain that they torture the demons so that they will become slaves to the Thayans. Nevil seems confused for a moment and asks if that means that the demons weren’t evil to begin with. Syranna says that the demons are powerful and evil creatures that the Thayans break and use to do their biddings.
She explains more about the fortress. She says that there are entry points and that she will direct us to them and then she can pull us back here. She repeats that if we can destroy the storehouse with the phylacteries it will disrupt the Thayan plans.
When we appear to have understood her instructions she asks if we are ready to depart.
Nevil immediately responds, “Never.”
Boz looks very pale.
We agree that while we are not sure that we will ever be really ready for this task that we are ready to go forward anyway. We step through the portal, feel the tingling of the spell taking hold and its disorientation and materialize within the fortress and immediately notice that we are not alone. We are at the edge of a stone room that is full of zombies and a very unpleasant looking undead female being (Eldrath). A second look brings a small imp (a quasit) perching on one of the chandeliers.
Nevil says, “Inman, she looks like one of your exes.
Undead woman: “Why are you here?”
Nevil responds, “Housekeeping.”
Undead woman looks at her and repeats the question and then asks, “What is your purpose here?” When no one answers her she adds, “Quickly before I remove you….”
Nevil answers her, “We want to provide chaos,” both a a bluff and a not bluff.
Undead woman: Are you prisoners here?
Nevil: No. … It’s deliciously chaotic.
Undead Woman: I think we have to go talk to Issem.
Nevil: Are we waiting here?
Undead Woman: You are coming with me.
Inman and Boz are looking very rattled. (Atalaya is trying to keep her face impassive.)
Chapter 4: Fighting Issem
She leads us down a staircase into a large room. Our eyes are drawn to a large pit in the center of the room where a number of what appear to be commoners are attempting to fight a large monster. The pit in the middle of the room was 15 feet deep. It might have once been a temple. In it are gory remains of past bloodshed. We see inside it a Roc and people fighting it. There is a pale person standing by the edge of the pit looking down at the fight occurring in the pit.
The pale man appears bored with the fighting occurring in the pit. He turns to us. The people in the pit look horrified. There is one fighter that seems to be a skilled fighter, the others are not.
The woman calls out to Issem, “Someone is here to see you.”
Issem strides over. “What have we here? You don’t look like the normal people (...they send here.”)
Nevil: “What is this place?”
Issem: He looks disgusted. “We take demons and break them.”
Nevil: “With commoners?”
Issem: “Sometimes.”
Nevil: “.... is this demon broken?”
Issem: “No. He has gone through several people… It’s a waste.”
Nevil: “What brings you here?”
Issem: “I was cursed hundreds of years ago. I was bound to their service.”
Nevil: “Hold on, a regular curse?”
Issem:
Nevil: “What if we can break your curse?”
Issem: “I would be in your debt. … I hate this place and I hate the Thayans.
Nevil: “If we break the curse, what would you do?”
Issem: “I wouldn’t tell anyone I saw you.” … “I wouldn’t stay in Thay.”
Nevil casts Divine Sense. She senses that he is evil, and that he is an undead.
…
Issem: “You are in Thay girl. Evil is relative. …
What do you want to know?”
Nevil: “Do you have a map?”
Issem: “I don’t. But, I know my way around.”
…
Issem: “I can’t stop you if you want to assist them from the pit.
Nevil offers to have his curse lifted if he agrees to do three things.
1. Everyone in the pit is released.
2. You help us while we are here.
Issem: “I could do that.”
3. “Lastly, you must renounce all evil gods before I lift your curse.
Issem: “I have no gods.” He then looks off into space, “Hey! Fuck all of you!”
Issem offers, “I have a glyph key.” He offers to attune our key to his, but is not willing to give us his key.
While Nevil considers, the pale man leans in, inspecting Inman. “It's been so long since I've had someone fresh and willing…”
Nevil looks at him and says in an even voice, “I appreciate your candor. And then hits him with her mace.
Nevil: (Surprise round) Hits the vampire (Issem). Adds Divine Smite to her blow, 2nd level.
Swing: hits, 8 points normal damage, 16 points radiant damage.
11
Atalaya: Seeing Nevil hit Issem, turns to the woman who had been escorting us and shoots 2 +1 arrows
1st: at Eldrath (Woman). It hits, and does 11 points of damage.
2nd: at Issem: Misses
Boz: Shortbow at Eldrath. Misses, moves next to Atalaya.
Eldrath: zips up to Boz and attacks with her claws and misses.
Then bites Boz, he takes 7 points of bite damage and 6 points of necrotic damage. His Max hit point total decreases by 6 points. (now 56)
Issem: Jumps on Inman. Inman is able to evade his grapple, but is bitten. He takes 9 points of damage from the bite and 13 points of necrotic damage.
Inman: Activates Blade Song. As his hands are twirling his blades he twirls himself, managing to get both his hands on the floor and casts Widowgast Web of Fire. Noticing people are dying in the pit, He sends all 5 streaks of fire down on the demon (Roc). It causes 55 points of fire damage. The Roc burst into flames. It shrieks and falls. (The smell of burned Roc feathers reaches us.) The people fighting the Roc cry out and fall back away from it. It dies in a blaze of burning feathers.
Nevil: Continues to attack Issem. Using her mace.
1st swing: miss
2nd swing: hits for 8 points of damage.
Atalaya: With Eldrath in melee range switches to her longsword and swings twice at Eldrath. She misses both swings.
Eldath: Takes a swing at Boz and misses.
Issem: Looks offended at Nevil’s attack. He swings at nevil and misses. 2nd attack hits and does 8 points of damage.
Boz: Swings his sword at Eldrath and misses.
Inman: continues Blade Song. 1 slash attack (at Issem), hits for 8 points of damage.
Cantrip: Firebolt, misses.
Nevil: Apologies to Issem for her rudeness (of attacking him?) and then attacks again.
1st swing: hits
2nd swing: hits
Eldath: Attacks Boz. Misses both attacks.
Issem: Doesn’t look as hurt as he should.
He takes a swipe at Inman and says, “Come on, this is beneath you.” (attempting to Charm Inman.” Inman shakes off the charm attempt, but the physical attack hits, doing 6 points of bludgeoning damage and he grapples Inman.
Boz: Swings his sword at Eldrath. Hits. (+ sneak attack) for 25 points of damage.
Inman: Doesn’t try to break the grapple. Casts Scorching Ray on Issem. 5 rays cast. 4 of them hit Issem for a total of 25 fire damage. 1 is a critical failure. He falls prone while remaining grappled by Inman.
Nevil: Swings at Issem. Both attacks hit for a total of 10 damage plus Divine Smite damage (3rd level) for 20 points of Radiant damage.
Atalaya: Makes 2 longsword attacks on Eldrath. They hit for a total of 10 damage.
Eldrath: swipes at Boz. Critical hit, Boz uses Uncanny Dodge and takes half damage for a total of 7 damage.
Issem: Bites Inman. He takes 6 points of bite damage and 6 points of necrotic damage. (and Max Hit Points decrease by 6 points.) He maintains his grapple on Inman.
Boz: swings his sword at Eldrath. He misses
Inman: Tries to break the grapple. He doesn’t.
Nevil: Casts Prayer of healing on all player characters and fighter(s) in the pit. They receive 15 points of healing.
Atalaya: continues to attack Eldrath with her longsword.
1st swing: misses
2nd swing: hits for 13 points of damage.
Eldrath: Swings at Boz and misses. She attempts to grapple him, but Boz escapes the grapple.
A Fighter from the pit leaps out of the pit and moves behind Issem. She attacks him and hits him twice with her dagger for 3+2 points of damage. (5 points)
Issem: Is laying over Inman, turns his head and makes eye contact with Nevil, grins and takes another bite of Inman.
6 points of bite damage
13 points of necrotic damage.
Max hit points decrease by 13 points. (6+13 for total of 19 Max hit point decrease)
Boz: Uses Telekinetic Force and add 1 Psi point of Hammering. He does 5 points of physic damage and 5 points of bludgeoning damage. (He looks a bit surprised that this worked.)
Inman: Calls out, “Alright! We will lift your curse. No strings. And part ways.
Issem: Looks at Nevil. Nevil is torn and holds her action.
Issem reaches down, hauls Inman to his feet. Inman feels very light headed as he is stood up. He warns Nevil, “...move toward me one more time…”
Shelandra (the Fighter):
Atalaya disengages from Edrath. Eldrath takes an opportunity attack and misses.
Eldrath goes after Atalaya with her claws. Hits for 8 points of damage. She attempt to grapple her and misses.
Issem: Calls out, “Eldrath.” Then turns his attention back to Nevil. “You have some nerve. Now you are willing to break the curse.?”
Nevil: Uneasy, gritting her teeth and glancing between Issem and Inman. “You got your taste.”
Issem: “How do I know you won’t attack me again?”
Nevil: “Because we are not fucking stupid.”
Issem: …
Nevil: Feeling desperate, looking at Inman still in Issem’s grip, “He’s the one to remove your curse. You can even kiss him while he does it.”
Inman: “What the fuck dear!”
Nevil: looks unashamed. “sweetening the deal my dear.”
Issem kisses Inman while Inman casts Remove Curse. There is a field of sparkling energy surrounding Issem.
Issem: “Let’s go. I hope that was as nice for you as it was for me.
About the key…”
Nevil: “We are in no position to ask..
Atalaya: “Thank you.”
Issem: “We could have avoided all this nonsense.” He elbows Inman.
Nevil: Playing to the vampire’s desires, “At least it wasn’t boring...”
Issem, smiles in agreement, wipes his mouth while ogling Inman again.
Issem says that he will attune the key. He gets out his key which is on a chain around his neck. “Someone hold your key and we will touch them together.
Nevil gets our key out and touches it to Issem’s key. Both gems glow. Nevil is now aware that another area is attuned to the key.
Issem: “I hope you do better” He walks past us.
Nevil: “Where are you going?”
Issem: “Definity not staying here.” He moves out of the room and we hear a swoosh. Bats fly out of the room.
Nevil lays hands on Inman to heal him more.
The other undead shuffles back to where…
Nevil casts Divine Sense on everyone. All the living commoners are non-evil.
We talk to Shalendra. Atalaya greets her, asks about Kelson. She does not know where Kelson is.
Nevil goes into the 1st room and talks to Eldrath.
Nevil at the bottom of the stairs sheepishly asks, “so we’d like to use the exit, and take all these people out of here. Is that going to be a problem?”
Eldrath: “You may pass.” The group looks relieved, Then unprompted, “He will probably come back for me. I’m his spawn.
“The only reason I am letting you through is because of Issem… Alright… I’ll allow it.
The Portal glows. We go back to the gate house.
….
Inman: You just like to watch or something?
Inman is irritated by what has happened. [How to put this? Inman and Nevil are both “flexible” with attraction. I mean the good ship polyamory. It was less the act and more the being used as a bargaining chip.”]
Nevil neither confirms or denies. Apologetically, “you were right. we weren’t going to win. And the hesitation in his eye… you can be mad, but at least we can live another day.”
Game Ends
No comments:
Post a Comment