DM Zyren's Heart of Light

Game Master Zyrenity

An epic search for the Amethyst heptagon leads a party of fresh graduates through the northern reaches of Ustalav. Based in Karcau, the party visits places like the dark Castle Jarovich or the dangerous alleys of Carrion Hill.


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Venture Captain since December 2014

"Cairn, is that trap door secure enough to prevent any of the wooden mannequins from following? Ok, let's stick together and mover onward." Solaric moves to the western door and looks down the hallway.

Zyren, it is fine if you don't but by any chance to you have a map of this opera house?


Only handwritten, maybe I can find a virtual one too.

The corridor is dark and chilly and extends to the left and right for quite a distance until it turns around corners at both ends.

In the distance of the right corridor you can see faint torchlight - behind the turn the corridor must be illuminated.

--------

As you have finished pulling the bodies out of the opera, you hear the clacking of boots behind you, Gregori has arrived with a reinforcement of a score of Nightscarves.

What... he seems speechless in all the hells has happened here?


Venture Captain since December 2014

Solaric gestures for Cairn to lead onward. 'Please take the lead here, my friend, and see if you notice any traps as we proceed. Let's make our way toward the light."


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

Cairn slid the bar home securing the trap door against followers...why didnt the Ragman do this to stall us?... and nods an aknowledgement to Solaric before moving to the front. Thankfull for the lights provided by the others his eyes swept the hallways.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Right or left? To the light or back into darkness?


Venture Captain since December 2014

"Let's take the right corridor toward that torch light."


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"He's left us a trail, perhaps he wishes to show us something, more boasts of power"


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

It does seem that we're being led. Although the carpenter with his guts spilled speak of a hasty job. Maybe we're catching up.


Behind the turn, the corridor is brightly illuminated by rows of torches to the left and right.

A new heavy crimson carpet has been rolled out here that leads to a door about 30m away.


Venture Captain since December 2014

"I don't like the look of a row of blazing torches. Cairn, could you see if there is any trap laid here that could end up burning us?"


Male Human Hellknight 4 Bard 3 HP:71/71; AC:32/27/12

Flofer takes one of the torches off the wall.
I say burn the rug.


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"Here, I'll do that, you keep holding a sword."

Victoria takes the torch and starts setting fire to the carpet.


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

It certainly looks like we've been expected. Cairn says with a frown. He didnt much like the idea that the Ragman wasn't scared of them in the least...quite the contrary it seems... He took his mind of it by getting back to work and checking the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29


"No idea, but there's trouble inside. I'm going in. Is anybody coming with me?" Kirk hesitates only a moment at the door, waiting to see if the Nightscarves will accompany him or not, then he turns and all but barrels into the opera house in search of his old partners.

Assuming I should keep the same rolls as earlier...


Male Half-Elf Wizard/9

The Ragman...I do not know if I want to meet him at all; however he is obviously something very special.

Johenric follows the others.


The carpet catches fire easily and soon dark smoke fills the corridor and you have to return to the trapdoor room...while you wait for the smoke to dissipate, suddenly the gutted man behind you croaks

You are even too barbaric to appreciate a friendly welcome!

like the mannequins before, his facial features suddenly resemble those of Alon Weatherby.

---------

Stepping over more unconscious youths you venture deeper into the opera house past the entrance to the grand hall. Soon you reach the central stairwell leading up and down.

The Nightscarves behind you meanwhile continue to carry the kids out.


Venture Captain since December 2014
Alon Weatherby wrote:
You are even too barbaric to appreciate a friendly welcome!

"The only barbaric one here is you, Ragman! Show yourself and face us in the light! You hide in shadows and behind the constructs of mindless beings. If you truly wish to make us feel welcome, you will step forward and face us now!"


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

Cairn startled when the dead body spoke but calmed when Solaric answered with a challenge...Light but these Chosen are brave... He moved towards the corpse and swung his axe into the things neck to make sure it was dead.


Male Half-Elf Wizard/9

Has anybody seen this face? Does anybody know this face?


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"Yes, we killed him before, I rather hoped his soul went to the Hells. Perhaps this time."


Even though the head is now cleanly severed from the man's body, Alon's visage does not vanish

Yes, killed me, but only because you had unbelievaly much luck! Now I'm back, stronger, mightier...and now that I've seen the Hells, I know that I don't want to return there, hah!


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"The Hells? This time it's the Abyss"


Venture Captain since December 2014

"There is no luck involved in this, you fiend! The Inheritor has willed that you will die, and I am here to ensure that her will is fulfilled!" Solaric thrusts his longsword through the image of Alon's face to make his message loud and clear! "I can see the fear in your eyes and I understand why you hide in shadows like a rat in sewer. You fear the light will burn you!"


At the stairwell Kirk stops and hesitates. He checks the ground for scuff marks or footprints that would hint at where the poisoned youth may have come from, trusting that he will get some answers there.

Survival 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16


With a cracking sound Solaric splits the skull and now the projected visage of Alon fades. In the distance of the corridor you hear a door swing open - the smoke has also mostly dissipated by now.

--------

The youths seem to have come out of the grand hall of the opera, but more recently a group of people has descended the stairs.


Venture Captain since December 2014

"Ok, my friends, the smoke has cleared! Let's see if the hallway is clear and trap free now!"

Solaric leads the others down the hallway past the array of torches.


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

Free from the threat of water and with danger imminent; Cairn took a moment to draw his pistol and large hunting knife from his satchel and tuck them in his belt. He then fell in with the Chosen in their pursuit of ending the Ragman.


Male Half-Elf Wizard/9

Such an individuum must have a special personality. I think we will have the opportunity in the future to study it in more detail.

My friends, what do we do next?


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"Continue forward."


"Somebody still inside," Kirk says, stealing away down the stairs and following the new set of tracks.

Stealth 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18


Awaiting a nasty surprise or even worse a trap every second, you cautiously move down the corridor which leads into a vast domed chamber.
The room is a strange sight since onle the back wall and the ceiling are visible, the walls to the right and left are obscured by magical darkness.

The corridor that leads through the darkness ends at the foot of a podium on which a throne-like chair (surely one of the many props they need for the opera) rests. On it, in a pose that is at once mocking and snotty, a hooded figure sits. His face is obscured by the large tattered hood, but he radiates a cold that turns your breath into tiny clouds of steam.

A slow rolling laughter errups from underneath the hood and with an astonishing agility the Ragman gets up and shouts

Welcome, welcome to tonight's special premiere!

then he slumps back into the chair and adds You were too weak to kill the first few actors, how can you dare...or even imagine you are able to kill the star? I guess we will find out, are you ready for act one? The play is called "The tragedy of Alon Weatherby...


Male Human Hellknight 4 Bard 3 HP:71/71; AC:32/27/12

I'll provide the music...

Leathery Weatherby back from the dead,
I hear he lost once, and off rolled his head!
A ghost in a hood, a poor ragamuffin,
We'll soon find out, the Ragman's favorite stuffing!

Perform:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35


Venture Captain since December 2014

"In the end, we will be calling this the triumph of Karcau's Chosen. Now prepare to die, Ragman!"

With longsword drawn, Solaric approaches the hooded figure preparing to do battle!


As I said...you're just a barbaric small mind!

The Ragman says, but remains seated. As you reach the foot of the podium, you feel like you've smashed into a solid wall of thick glass. The ragman must be sitting behind some invisible kind of force field!

Can we now start the play or do you want to go on pestering me? he asks laconically.


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"I'm interested to know the story, let us begin the tale..."


Venture Captain since December 2014

Solaric is furious that he cannot reach the ragman and pushes against the force field trying to find a weakness. Alas he remarks, "I do not know what magic you use to hide behind, but someday I will smite you down with Iomedae as my witness!"

Solaric waits cautiously to see what happens next.


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

Cairn could feel his heart thundering in his chest and wouldnt have doubted if those beside him said they could hear it. Before him sat the creature resposible for the deaths of many children including his nephew Gavran. It took ever ounce of self control the young Sczarni had not to rush the little stage and thorw himself at this mockery of life but he knew from Sir Solaric's attempts that it would be futile. He waited with gritted teeth as the scene played out.


The Ragman bows adroitly and shouts

BEGIN! ACT1!

At first nothing happens, but slowly the darkness to your left dissipates. Before you is a miniature version of a snowbound Karcau. But even though the weather isn't good to say the least, the streets are filled with throngs of joyful people, singing loudly, chatting and drinking. From time to time fireworks brighten up the sky above the onion-domed towers.

Knowledge local Dc 14 for all original members of the Chosen:

This must be the night after your graduation!

The "camera" zooms in and behind a nearly bursting tavern - the Snickering Madman -, a gaunt ash-blonde man stands in the cold and tries to look through the icy windows. His clothes are shaggy and partly ragged. As he turns around to face the camera fully, you recognize Alon in the days when he wasn't undead.

Before the play can go on, the Ragman shouts

Question no. 1! And the first of your many mistakes! Who is this poor fellow and what does he crave for that you already had at this time?


Venture Captain since December 2014

Knowledge, Local 1d20 ⇒ 15

"I recognize our graduation night, and I see Alon Wetherby. At that time, he sought to be married to none other than the star Tatyana. I never understood what ever happened to him, but from what he looks like in this image, he appears to crave new clothes and acceptance."


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

Know Local 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Acceptance and talent. He wanted power and influence. The man was a hack and a pretender, a man of some small capacity, his reach exceeded his grasp and the young Aasimar he pined for and wished to marry would never be his"


Male Half-Elf Wizard/9

Knowledge local 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

This is obviously where this charade started. The more important part is, how he has become the ragman.


Nearly frothing with wrath, the Ragman shouts

You are a tool, Victoria! Alon was a man of great capacity, he only failed the university accpetance test twice because they cheated him! And then, none of his old friends wanted to support him anymore, that's your solidarity that you're so proud of. As soon as one is weaker than the rest you push him out of your group!


Female Tiefling (Succubi) Witch HP:57/57, - AC: 11/T:11/FF:10 - Percep: +15(Dark Vision) F: +3/R: +3/W: +8 - CMB: 3 - CMD: 14, Speed: 30ft, Init: +1 Witch 8

"Really? I didn't know him from a pile of coal. Even I passed that exam and I hated book study. Are you sure your man wasn't simplyweak of mind and weak of will, and thats why he failed you?"


And again you underestimate me! While you only managed to become "Karcau's Chosen"...a ridiculous band of idiots, I've become the vessel of the a power you cannot even imagine in your wildest dreams...anyway...

he points at the play again and the scene begins to blur but becomes clear again after some seconds with Alon in the backstage area of the opera. He looks over to a silver-haired beauty who is surrounded by many fans and admirers who praise her beauty, talent and voice.

Alon meanwhile seals a letter with a clumsily drawn heart on it and tries to pass it over to her...but one of her squires catches his wrist and grasps the letter...when he begins to read it out aloud, poor Alon runs away, tears in his eyes...


Venture Captain since December 2014

"It is clear, you crave power, but when you use it for evil, then it is the Inheritor who will look down upon you and see that justice is delivered at the end of a sword! I suggest you grow up and start looking within for some real guidance!"


Male Varisian Human
Common Stats:
Init:7, Perc:16 // HP:82 // AC:19, Touch:14, FF:15 // F:10, R:11, W:5 // CMB:12, CMD:25

True love...true love is all he wanted...and he was ridiculed for it...

Cairn hated this creature before him anddespite the evidence still couldnt find it in his heart to feel sorry for the man.


Male Human Hellknight 4 Bard 3 HP:71/71; AC:32/27/12

Many are cheated of what they desire, and of what they need. What makes this man any different from the thousands that die of hunger and sickness every day? What makes him better than all the others who long for love and receive only hardship and abandon? Tell me, were you this same man, who followed a noble profession and strove to bring joy to others through art?

Detect chaos


Male Half-Elf Wizard/9

Johenric who never met the Ragman speeches in a neutral way.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Ragman, many people tell about me I have no real ambition to steer the lifecylce; they perceive me as an observer - but this is ok, because this is who I am.

Please keep in mind that what ever has happened to you does not justify what you are doing - for any morality be it good or evil. It only counts what you are doing regardless of the reasons you might have. The people of Karcau will tell stories about you. Hijacking people or murdering kids - what ever has happened to you - will be in their memory. Even from an neutral perspective this is defined as evil. Is this what you want?


The Ragman slumps back into his throne and trhows his arms up in frustration

Not even now you manage to apologise? You who sat in the tavern, you who were amongst the people Tatyana liked? A hundred times she said "Oh would I ever a marry a student of the academies, my life was good..." bah...but hey, the tragedy is far from being told, let's take a look at the second act!

Again the scene blurs and the next thing you see is a small room, most probably one of the artists' dressing rooms rooms here in the opera. Alon has his face pressed against the wall to peek through a crack between two boards into the next room, as suddenly the door is pulled open and the man who caught his wrist earlier enters. The newcomer seems confused for a moment as if he had entered the wrong room, but then he spots Alon and begins to laugh and gives him a kick in the ribs. More kicks and insults follow...

@ Flofer:

The Ragman radiates a strong aura of chaos.


Venture Captain since December 2014

Solaric watches carefully, trying to understand what motivates and drives the Ragman. Finally, the dark elf interjects, "I am sorry to see such injustice, but there are ways of setting matters to right other than through the destruction of innocent victims!"


Innocent? the Ragman shouts and emits a cascade of heartless laughter Humans are never innocent, even their children are monsters and you speak of innocence!? But I...I have left the human form behind and now - look at me! I have become a true force of nature!

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