Aubrey's Eberron campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed


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79/79 hp, 0 nonlethal; Effects: ; Perception +16, vs traps +20; Guise: Non-descript male gambler

It will certainly help if Rodergo leaves the sequined jumpsuit with his name across the back in the tent while we travel on the down-low. Just sayin'.


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"Rodergo has left the building!"


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

Damnit. So that's how that gnome from the Inquisitor keeps tracking us!


Male Human Ranger 7/Eldeen ranger (Gatekeeper) 5/Fighter 1

"Fine."

"The Mournland it is. I assume Ezreal or Rod can locate Lightbringer through magical means. How do we get to him without schlepping through the wasteland? Marrius' airship?"


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

"No. We are going to attempt to establish communication with Lightbringer from here. If that fails we might try other means of scrying or divination, but the goal is to teleport on site retrieve him and teleport out. "


Haste, Divine Power, Air Walk, Death Ward Dwarf Fighter 1 / Cleric 8 / Sovereign Speaker 3; HP 87/116

"Yes. Maybe some heavy cloaks to cover our items? Then again, all the people seeing a weird group in cloaks... I don't know."


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

“It sounds as if its settled then. Now, I will need to prepare the atonement ceremony for Haladon. I can also prepare a spell to commune with the Flame to try to get some additional information, or prepare a less powerful divination.” Plus add more sequins to the jumpsuit.


79/79 hp, 0 nonlethal; Effects: ; Perception +16, vs traps +20; Guise: Non-descript male gambler
Kazadar Soranath wrote:
"Yes. Maybe some heavy cloaks to cover our items? Then again, all the people seeing a weird group in cloaks... I don't know."

"No need for unnecessary garments, my friend. Figure out what the group should look like and I will make it so. We will use magic to hide from magical eyes as much as possible and other magic to appear less conspicuous. Do we choose a group that is noticed for a difference reason - perhaps a wealthy individual and their guards or a team of business professionals on their way to a meeting. Or do we try to blend in, actually all looking quite different and not gathering together as a large group unless we must? A pair of humans that happen to be traveling in the same direction as three other humans, for example. Our racial variety makes us stand out - a group representing a single race would be less noteworthy..."

Open to suggestions. I'm planning to use veil which will last "concentration + 1 hour/level". I presume the concentration is to get the disguise as I wish it, then let go of concentration and let the spell run. It does not seem to require that everyone be the same or even similar, so if we preferred to have a gaggle of halflings and a human, I think it could be done.


In the meantime, Rod can do Hal's atonement. Nothing very lengthy required, unless you want to.


Holy, holy, holy...


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

Rodergo goes off to find the temple’s master of ceremonies and returns with a set of ornate prayer beads and various rare and expensive oils, powders and aromatic incense. “Come Haladon,” he says. “We must ask the Silver Flame for forgiveness.”

He and Haldon find an unoccupied chapel. Rodergo arranges the offerings in a brazier, then, reciting holy litanies whilst holding the prayer beads, he lights the brazier. One of the powders reacts to turn the flames that flare up towards the ceiling silver. Rodergo stares into the flames, continuing to chant his litanies, soon entering a trance-like state, as Haladon does the same. The pair feel a presence – The Silver Flame.

“Oh holy Flame, we entreat forgiveness for your servant Haladon,” Rodergo chants. “Forgive his transgressions and grant him the focus to once again be your servant and play his part in ridding Eberron of evil.”


Haladon silently prays for forgiveness and asks the Silver Flame for the strength to continue his faith.


The two Flamites complete the ritual. The Flame does not speak to them, but nevertheless they feel its presence. As the atonement ceremony comes to an end they both feel its approval. Haladon's sins have been cleansed, and his purpose renewed.

OK, so Hal's forgiven. What's the plan going forward?


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

Meanwhile in the tent Ezreal pores over tomes and newly acquired spellbooks, scratching his own notes into his book along the way. From time to time he takes a break to fix another strong cup of tea and check in with the others. Long before dawn his arm is cramped and eyes glazed over, but two spells are down and the third is coming together.

During his pre dawn break, Ezreal wanders the halls to the billiards room where he finds Janosz and Gil mid-game. "If you told me a couple of years ago that I would be preparing to rescue a war forged Flamer from the Mournland... well. It is so absurd I do not really know if I would have laughed or been enraged at the idea of helping an enemy of the homeland."

Set the Unseen Servants through the tent to strike anyone who closes their eyes for more than a few seconds tonight.
Studied, then added to the spell book:
Mage's Private Sanctum 6 hours
Secret Chest 6 hours
Greater Teleport 8 hours
20 hours of intensive sleepless study, 2 action points
All spellcraft rolls pass even on a 1.

Anyone else doing anything to pass the rest of the day and a night without sleep?


79/79 hp, 0 nonlethal; Effects: ; Perception +16, vs traps +20; Guise: Non-descript male gambler

No sleep = no renewed spells, regardless of restoration spells, is that right?

Gil does spend some private time in front of a mirror practicing the form of a rarer form of warforged that lacks any armor so that it might cast arcane spells unhindered by said natural armor. Finally satisfied with the form, she modifies her garb to match and shows the result to the rest of her sleepy compatriots.


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

The rest of you can as long as you officially rest and then get lesser restoration. Ezreal can't with my proposed study above. I can rearrange to fix it but we will leave in the evening rather than morning.


Haste, Divine Power, Air Walk, Death Ward Dwarf Fighter 1 / Cleric 8 / Sovereign Speaker 3; HP 87/116

yes you can regain spells without sleeping, otherwise Elves and Warforged (and potentially liches) would never get their spells back.


79/79 hp, 0 nonlethal; Effects: ; Perception +16, vs traps +20; Guise: Non-descript male gambler
Kazadar Soranath wrote:
yes you can regain spells without sleeping, otherwise Elves and Warforged (and potentially liches) would never get their spells back.

Poor choice of words on my part, but I see your point.


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

So Ezreal will do 12 hours of study, rest 8 hours, get lesser restoration, prep spells but leave an empty slot for greater teleport, study 8 hours to add gr teleport to his book, prepare it, then scry. We start this process in the daytime of the current day so probably we can jump to the Mournlands around 6-7pm the next day.


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

There's six of us in the current party, correct? Rod can prepare all six lesser restoration spells or split the load with Kaz.


Haste, Divine Power, Air Walk, Death Ward Dwarf Fighter 1 / Cleric 8 / Sovereign Speaker 3; HP 87/116

i can manage 3 if need be


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1
Gil wrote:
Gil does spend some private time in front of a mirror practicing the form of a rarer form of warforged that lacks any armor so that it might cast arcane spells unhindered by said natural armor. Finally satisfied with the form, she modifies her garb to match and shows the result to the rest of her sleepy compatriots.

"It boggles the mind how you keep all of those straight. Let me ask, does this business with Rolund or Haladon really not bother you? Those locked memories will unravel sooner or later and he is a walking security breach of phenomenal proportions."

Ezreal massages his temples with one hand while sitting on the couch nearby. "Once we get Lightbringer out of there, I was thinking it might be possible to teleport us directly across the ocean to Adar if you can establish a link between me and Selkatiri. If I could see a place as he knows it, it may be possible to jump directly there. I have never tried something like that before, so ... we will see. Otherwise, we could charter an airship, but it must take at least a week to cross the sea and it is not cheap."


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

"That's a good warforged suit," comments Rodergo of Gil's disguise. "Could come in handy."


79/79 hp, 0 nonlethal; Effects: ; Perception +16, vs traps +20; Guise: Non-descript male gambler

I believe this is in relative privacyte with Ezreal "Once I have it set, it's kind of like muscle memory. I can make some very odd combinations, of course, because it's limited by my imagination, but I'm not the type. Some changelings never want to change at all and others want to stand out. I want people to never know a changeling was in their midst. If I'm working, you know. You guys are different." The warforged looks thoughtful for a moment. "As for Rolund/Haladon... we are all potential security breaches, are we not? One thing has not changed - whatever personality has occupied that head of his, it has always had a strong code of honor. I am taking the attitude of trust, but verify, I guess. I think his honor will constrain him from revealing that which he was told in confidence as a Boneknight and I have no concerns about fighting alongside him, but I will keep an eye on him nonetheless. Just like I do everyone else we travel with." It gestures to its new form, "Of course, my upbringing was a bit more flexible than yours may have been." The attempt at a grin is really kind of disturbing on a face that looks more like a golem than a person...

Later, among the rest of the party The warforged grimaces in what appears to be an attempt at a smile. "Thank you, Rodergo, I hope so. Especially since I can cast some spells to make the disguise more genuine. I could take on the appearance of a warforged like Lightbringer, but my 'armor plates' would not be very convincing - and not at all protective. Some illusions aren't worth it."


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

Oh yes, I assume the conversation between Ezreal and Gil re Haladon would have been private, Rod is making a comment about Gil's new form at some other point.


79/79 hp, 0 nonlethal; Effects: ; Perception +16, vs traps +20; Guise: Non-descript male gambler

I meant to indicate as much, sorry. Edited my post accordingly.


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1
Gil wrote:
"One thing has not changed - whatever personality has occupied that head of his, it has always had a strong code of honor. I am taking the attitude of trust, but verify, I guess. I think his honor will constrain him from revealing that which he was told in confidence as a Boneknight ..."

"Yes, you have a point about his core personality. To be honest I am not worried that Rolund would voluntarily give up any such information if it resurfaced. Even if pressured, I think we have seen that he would rather suffer rather than violate his personal code. My concern is more about a skilled Thranish intelligence officer seeing him as an asset and digging deep enough to retrieve information without consent. But as long as we keep Rolund on the road with Rodergo it is not an issue."

Once the night passes and the clerics restore everyone, Ezreal returns to his studies for most of the day. Early on he takes a break, and rejoins the others. "This tiny chest is the key to retrieving the dragonshards. I will place the shards in the real chest and hide it on the ethereal plane. The chest may only be called back by me using the tiny chest as a key. As we discussed, taking the key into the Mournland is simply too dangerous. So while I finalize my preparation for the mission, Gil and whoever she would like might go in disguise to secure the key here in Sharn. Or if you all think Sharn is too hot right now I will be able to transport us to any city where I have been before this evening and we might use a Kundarak vault there, with account holder and passphrase retrieval. Thoughts?"

Kn Planes or Arcana to be sure I am not proposing something that is less secure than I as a player think for hiding the shards: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41


Haste, Divine Power, Air Walk, Death Ward Dwarf Fighter 1 / Cleric 8 / Sovereign Speaker 3; HP 87/116

"With the dangers present, should you or Gil die... the shards will be lost to us. Surely wizards have a way to eliminate or subvert magical auras... perhaps the tiny chest could be embedded in another magical object by a skilled crafter such as myself, after having the auras subverted or eliminated."

such a solution would cost only time, and half of the cost of a +1 weapon that the tiny chest would fit within (likely a hammer of some sort) as well as the cost of the magical aura (1 day/lvl or permanency-ed).


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

“Your plan sounds grand Ezreal, but my learned colleague Kazadar raises a good point,” says Rodergo, “although I am not entirely clear on the specifics of his solution …”

Good point. If Ez dies, we can’t retrieve the chest … however, unless his body / spirit is completely lost to us we should always be able to bring him back via raise dead and similar, so the scenario of being unable to retrieve the chest for that reason is unlikely. I’m not 100% sure what Kazadar’s solution entails or what it will achieve, except it gives a way to bring the replica with us (or leave it somewhere) in a hidden fashion – is there more to it than that (I may be missing the obvious)? If someone else gets hold of the replica it stops us from retrieving the true chest but it doesn’t give them the means to do so. Would it be safer to leave it at a Kundarak facility as Ez suggests with several party members (but not Ez) given the authority to retrieve it? Would the Inspired have the means to easily storm a Kundarak facility or otherwise retrieve something we stored there?


Kundarak are renowned for their impregnability.


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

"Oh? The plan depends on Gil and my survival? I hadn't noticed," Ezreal muses with a coy smile. "Seriously, if worse comes to worst, revive us when you can and we will reimburse you. Just don't leave our bodies behind if it should come to that. Taking it with us, hidden or disguised opens the possibility of either group (should this turn out to be a dream laid trap) acquiring it through mind reading or torture."


Haste, Divine Power, Air Walk, Death Ward Dwarf Fighter 1 / Cleric 8 / Sovereign Speaker 3; HP 87/116

"Ah, yes. I had forgotten about the possibility of resurrection. Your plan is sound, then."


OK, ready to put the plan into action?


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

"The plan seems sound," says Rodergo. "Shall we proceed? Ezreal, should we contact Lightbringer first, or is the first step to secure the shards?"


Male Human Ranger 7/Eldeen ranger (Gatekeeper) 5/Fighter 1

"As all of this depends on being able to first contact and the teleport ourselves to Lighbringer's location, wouldn't actually getting in touch with him first be of the highest priority? If you can't reach him, the plan unravels, after all."


OK, please carry on.


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

Scry - go!


Haste, Divine Power, Air Walk, Death Ward Dwarf Fighter 1 / Cleric 8 / Sovereign Speaker 3; HP 87/116
Father Rod wrote:
Scry - go!

concur


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

Ezreal lays his spell shard in the center of the table as a focus for the scrying and begins the long process of opening a conduit to Lightbringer, lost in the Mournland. Curls of smoke from incense hang in the air around the table and the low chanting comes in blocks followed by silent meditation or peering into the soft red glow of the shard. Finally Ezreal feels like he has found the lost war forged and attempts to anchor the spell to him.

Lightbringer, Will save with -5, DC, DC 22
Message, 65 and under = success: 1d100 ⇒ 81


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

Also note Detect Scrying has been cast once spells were prepared in the morning.


hp 73 of 156; AC 23 (29); Fort +15, Ref +8, Will +13 Warforged Paladin 9 / Exorcist of the Silver Flame 4; Effects: Bless, Airwalk, Weapon of Awe, Ironskin, Bull’s Strength

Will save: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 5 = 10


Right, sorry for being a bit quiet, had a few things to deal with.

Ezreal casts his spell. His consciousness joins with the shard and then travels at giddying speed, hurtling across the land and plunging into mists of the Mournland. It re-emerges again almost immediately and crosses a bleak plain before entering a building of some kind - the details are hard to see as the speed of his mind's-eye makes everything a blur.

Ezreal's viewpoint settles in a room with stone masonry walls, gazing down at a gathering. Several warforged are present. Most are battle-scarred, standing around a table on which lies a map. However, their attention is instead on the heavily-built warforged at the end of the table - the unmistakable shape of Lightbringer. The warforged are all in an attitude of prayer, with Lightbringer leading.

"Holy Flame, bless us, your servants, in our endeavours," he intones to the group.

In his excitement at seeing his friend, Ezreal fluffs the spell to communicate with Lighbringer, and the warforged continues to lead his small congregation.


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

Rod waits patiently, not wishing to break Ezreal’s concentration, until the mage speaks or otherwise indicates that the others may. “Well,” he asks, “what do you see? I didn’t hear any talking – were you unable to communicate with our warforged friend. Does it look safe for me to try the sending?”


HPs: 96 / 96, APs: 11/8 Effects: Karnnathi Wizard (Universalist) 12 / Cataclysm Mage 1

Ezreal grunts in frustration. "I found him, but I cannot establish any communication. Yes, whatever you can do. He seems to be praying with a group of warforged."


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

“Praying with other warforged?” Rodergo looks surprised. “Well, I trust he has found converts to the Flame, rather than having been converted to the worship of the Lord of Blades or something … well, anyway, I can cast my Sending, it’ll take about ten minutes to set up. I can send a message of up to 25 words, and he’ll be able to reply in kind. What about: ‘Lightbringer, its me, Rodergo. We’re coming to rescue you shortly. What’s your location and situation? You can reply briefly to this sending.’ – Sound okay?”

Assuming there are no other suggestions on a message, Rodergo rolls up his sleeves and spends the next ten minutes praying, weaving his sending spell.


As Rodergo sends his message, Lightbringer pauses in his service.


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hp 73 of 156; AC 23 (29); Fort +15, Ref +8, Will +13 Warforged Paladin 9 / Exorcist of the Silver Flame 4; Effects: Bless, Airwalk, Weapon of Awe, Ironskin, Bull’s Strength

Lightbringer looks up as hears a familiar voice. “Father Rodergo? Our situation is critical; under siege supplies are low. Come swiftly if you can. We are in Fort Gaillard, north of Eston. I –“


Hp 92 of 92; AC 28 (29); Fort +13; Ref +9 (+10); Will +18 Human Male Cleric 7/ Exorcist of the Silver Flame 6; effects: Bless, Airwalk

“Darn. The spell ran out. Lightbringer is apparently under siege at a place called Fort Gaillard. He’s asking for help. Ezreal, are you still scrying him? Did you catch the end of what he said?”


hp 73 of 156; AC 23 (29); Fort +15, Ref +8, Will +13 Warforged Paladin 9 / Exorcist of the Silver Flame 4; Effects: Bless, Airwalk, Weapon of Awe, Ironskin, Bull’s Strength

“- pray you can help us,” Ezreal hears Lightbringer continue, seconds before his own scrying spell expires. “Praise the Flame.” The warforged nods, signalling he is finished talking, while the other warforged at the table look at him with what might pass for confused expressions for warforged.

Suddenly Ezreal hears a loud noise from an unseen source. “To arms once again brothers,” the warforged paladin intones, reaching for his sword. Ezreal’s vision fades.


And...?

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