GM Rat Sass's Age of Worms

Game Master Governayle

Roll20 Link
Treasure Log
The Road So Far...
Map of Alhaster
Ascaria's Pub


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|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

Ascaria:

This feeling... you've felt it before... the pillars in the Urgathoan hall... Except this time, the magics of this book seek, and find part of your mind, fracturing a part of it. You've taken 1 Point of Permanent Intelligence and Charisma Drain. You managed to avoid also taking 2 Points of Permanent Wisdom Drain.

The Book before you is a Vacuous Grimoire. It wants nothing more than to deceive the reader, and steal. You know it, because It wants you to know It.


Male, Gnome

Status:
HP: 50/51 AC: 12 (F11/T12)
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = -1 int (drain), -1 cha (drain), Daylight (15/80m), Sunrod (15/60m)
Life Link (8)(100’) = Eri, Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (0/9)(2/7) (DC: 22)(Avoid 6) (4d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (0/3)
Melee Attack: BAB +6/+1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +6/+1, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 8, Concentration +14)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Mending, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Scrivener's Chant, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (5/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (4/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand
Third (19): (1/6) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (1/4) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Restoration

Ascaria, after a long time reading, looks up somewhat bleary-eyed at the party. He seems tired, a little run down, somewhat less charismatic and certainly slower of wit.

"Whoa, Nelly." he mumbles as he closes the tome.

He puts it in Morts pack carefully. "NO one touch that. It's bad mojo. I needed to do some shopping, but now it's become critical. That is unless someone has some diamond dust just lying around?" he looks to the others.

He follows the others into the study, if that's indeed where we're headed next. He keeps shaking his head, and once mumbles, "Always trust the green..."


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22
Mortimer Smith wrote:
"You remember -- Pillette was the Halfling we met at Lazares -- she wielded a heavy crossbow. It was bigger than her, almost. I don't know what the crossing out means though... This also means whoever put out this contract did so before Eri and uh..."

Solrisa's eyes widen, slowly rememebering. "OH! PILL-ette! Right!" Solrisa bops her head as if she was angry she couldn't remember Pillette and as if it might knock some sense back into her. "She was the little one that was nice and brought ham, I think!"

Solrisa gives Mort a goofy, but not embarrassed, smile.

"I can't believe I forgot her. So...but I think you're right Mort! Whomever is mad at us, was mad at us for something the six of us did together! While Pillette and Rae were still around! They might not be mad at Tynan at all!" Solrisa's eyes widen with realization.

"Maybe it was that kissing ghost!? Or those wolves? Hmmm...or yeah, maybe the worm guy! I guess we could go back to that town to find out, or we could just go find the Dragon instead, right?"


Male Human Fighter (archer) / Sorcerer (stormborn) / Eldritch Knight 1/7/7
Mort wrote:
He looks at Eri, "Well, Zyrxog said you were taken on as a courtesy, so -- you're in it now."

I was already in it. You guys are my family now.

”As long as courtesy and politeness are part of the deal, I guess that’s ok.”

Ascaria wrote:
“That is unless someone has some diamond dust just lying around?”

Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

”Whoa, that is not a good book. Let’s wrap this up and get top-side.”


Male Human Slayer 11

Tynan watches warily as both Ascaria and Eri identify one of the recovered books as dangerous.

"I'm ready to head up whenever, but did we ever locate the Apostolic Scrolls that were listed in the ledger?"

Tynan scans around the tiny room, looking for any signs of a hidden nook they might be tucked in.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)

Assuming everyone is O.K. investing this 1d4 ⇒ 3 hours for clues about Loris in the Library before moving to the study (I hope there's no ballroom or pool table room in this place) ...

Eri wrote:
Eri looks for Loris in the books.

Struggling to stay awake, Mortimer nudges Eri after about 3 hours. "Loris? What's in those books already! Did you find out anything about Loris?!"

He turns to everyone in the party and suggests, "let Eri finish here, then we move to the Museum, retrieve all the relics except the ebony statue, then to the Study to find the Apostolic Scroll Thing -- or anything else -- then to the pool to see if we can figure out what else -- if anything -- it can scry -- " he pauses, gasping for breath before adding, "then out."


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

Solrisa continues to stand guard and help those that need it, otherwise she is content to patiently wait.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

Time passes slowly as Eri slips through several books, seeking to understand who Loris Raknian is, citizen of Egorian. And understand, he does. Sharing what he learns, snippet by snippet, those gathered learn the following.

Loris Raknian is a retired gladiator. He retired 12 years ago, undefeated, from the Catafalque, an underground arena constructed beneath Thrune Square. Within 2 years, he managed to recruit reputable fighters from near and far, and funneled his well-earned wealth into establishing The Gauntlet of Asmodeus, an annual game of gladiators seeking to claim the Hellfire Belt, and the prestige it affords the victor throughout Cheliax. For the wealth it provides the coffers of Egorian Herself, The Gauntlet is a welcome annual celebration, and Loris is beloved and revered for it.

The party is able to retrieve all they choose to take from the Museum, safely. All that's left behind is the central statue...

Returning to the Study, all that is found is research, of a kind. More time is spent here 1d3 ⇒ 1 hour, to be more precise, but the time is not in vain. You are able to understand a project barely in its inception. Zyrxog had begun to strategize about something he called 'mind worms', a parasite capable of burrowing painlessly into the base of a humanoid skull, making it far more susceptible to Suggestion. You also find numerous logs that document the creation of Zyrxog's octopins. Several failed states that produced hideous aberrations that mewed and gurgled, before dying slowly... None of the information collected here could effectively instruct you in the means of creating your own octopins, but therein does lie inspiration, at least.

Nothing is found that might fit the description of 'Apostolic Scrolls'. The ledger studied by Ascaria suggests a completed transaction, albeit undated.

The scrying pool awaits, still casting its view into Telakin's Throne Room.


Male, Gnome

Ascaria waits most impatiently indeed. He paces, examines some bit of the study or museum, then paces some more. He tries to doodle a little, but the muse is not with him, he paces some more.

Eventually he creates some water, enhances it, and passes the created light beer around.

Mid pace, Eri begins to reveal what he knows, and Ascaria is happy he waited so patiently...

- - -

When the party has finished all its various investigations and study, Ascaria whistles low, "Herd of elephants but this is a big mess. How are we supposed to go after such a heroic figure? What if it's the wrong guy? Maybe there are two Loris Raknians!" he kicks a stone against the wall, soccer style.

"I mean this guy was bad, very bad." he points to the dead wizard on the floor. "Can you imagine how bad his boss is gonna be? Sedge of bitterns but this is a hard pill to swallow." Ascaria looks worriedly at the group.

"Maybe we can scry him, and maybe he's doing something bad right now. That would at least tell us if we've got the right guy. Right?"

He marches to the scrying pool and tries to figure out how the thing works. He casts Detect Magic and studies it.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22
Ascaria wrote:
"Herd of elephants but this is a big mess. How are we supposed to go after such a heroic figure? What if it's the wrong guy? Maybe there are two Loris Raknians!"

"Maybe," Solrisa says. "But maybe I'll go ask him why he wants us dead. I'll do that. I'll go ask. That should be easy enough." Solrisa smiles as it seems she's found a solution.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

Ascaria:

The pool itself is wonderfully wrought in stone, the water pure clear and still. The viewing pool allows the observer to cast about within several miles of this location, as if Clairvoyance has been cast.

Likely, you'll need to be knowledgeable about your destination.


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)

While Eri pores over the library books, Mortimer goes to the Museum to muse about the Ebony Statue.

"Does anyone know what the Apostolic Scrolls are, anyway? Could they be tied up in this Statue? Hey -- Tynan, do you think this thing is still trapped?"

He studies it in his own way. Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 + 2 more ....

~~~

Ascaria wrote:
"Herd of elephants but this is a big mess. How are we supposed to go after such a heroic figure? What if it's the wrong guy? Maybe there are two Loris Raknians!"

"I agree, it is odd. What would an undefeated X-Gladiator have to do with Black Dragons and Worms? Unless... well," he goes silent for awhile, lost in his thoughts before finally remembering to speak them aloud. "Kendra and Thedrick had that half orc creation thing -- that 'Champion' of theirs. Do you suppose this Gladiator and his games are providing evil cult members stock of some kind to create new unbeatable 'Champions'? Maybe Telakin was another such thing. What would Raknian stand to gain from participating in all that?"

Solrisa wrote:
"But maybe I'll go ask him why he wants us dead. I'll do that. I'll go ask. That should be easy enough."

"Yes, maybe meeting with Raknian might get us closer to finding the Black Dragon."

He becomes pensive again for a moment. "I don't suppose we're too conspicuous to go for the Hellfire Belt?"

Study
~~
"Hey, Eri, did it say in there anywhere if he succeeded in creating these 'mind worms'?" Mortimer asks timidly, scouring the base of his skull with his fingers. Damn barbers. Can't trust any of them...


Male, Gnome

"Mort, are you considering becoming a gladiator? Might be one way to worm our way in. Uh, I mean work our way in. But that would take time, and you'd be alone for much of it - and I don't like splitting us up."

"Though it would be fun watching you fight in an arena. That would be worth a few bits indeed."

He turns to the scrying device. "So this is based on clairvoyance not scry." he looks up expectantly but sees a few blank faces. "Oh, right, so that means you can search for places, but not people. But this thing has a huge range, probably the whole city!" he looks briefly for a way to remove the 'pool' and take it with them.

Sighing his frustration, he guides the pool to look into the room they're in. "See that's us! But I didn't look for us, I just looked for the room. Now let's take a look at where we had breakfast."

He tries to shift the view to see something further afield.

"Where else might we want to look?" he asks the group.


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22
Mortimer Smith wrote:
Solrisa wrote:
"But maybe I'll go ask him why he wants us dead. I'll do that. I'll go ask. That should be easy enough."
"Yes, maybe meeting with Raknian might get us closer to finding the Black Dragon."

Solrisa thinks back on the reason they are in Egorian, and whether they need to find Loris at all.

"Maybe we don't need to worry about Loris. It's possible that Eligos is done with his research now...about the green wurmies and the Big Black Dragon. We should go visit him...maybe we will want to know of the things we found down here. Especially the interesting things, like that funny book," Solrisa surmises.

"If we have extra time, we might go speak to Loris. That might be nice."

Solrisa hopes everyone finishes quickly so she can go eat food and visit Eligos.


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)

Status:

AC 23 , 27 on AoO, 20 Touch; 60/60 HP
BAB = +8/+3 (level 8)
ToHit = 1d20+12+1
RHit = 1d20+13-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+13-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+8-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
FHit = 1d20+3-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20+12

Fort+8 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+11
Will+5

Initiative +4
CMD=27 (10+ BAB + Str bonus + Dex bonus, 29 Maneuver Training Grapple +2, 28 Manuever training Disarm, +1 class feature "AC Bonus" at level 4)

Flexibility Slots: 4/7
Shirt Slots: 7/10
Knockout: 1/1

+1 Grapple (Armbands), +2 Grapple MT, +2 Improved Grapple (+5 total)


Ascaria wrote:
"Mort, are you considering becoming a gladiator? Might be one way to worm our way in. Uh, I mean work our way in. But that would take time, and you'd be alone for much of it - and I don't like splitting us up."

"Huh?" says Mort, pulling out the Greatsword to practice swinging it again. "Me? A Gladiator? Nah -- I'd never want to be anything that foppish. It -- the books didn't specify that you had to be a Gladiator, did they? Just a fighter. Why not see what it takes to be eligible for entering the contest? I might not be that alone for too long!"

Solrisa wrote:
"Maybe we don't need to worry about Loris. It's possible that Eligos is done with his research now...about the green wurmies and the Big Black Dragon. We should go visit him...maybe we will want to know of the things we found down here. Especially the interesting things, like that funny book."

Speaking of fops… Mortimer sighs. Why does she keep bringing him up?! He takes a couple more swings with the Greatsword before putting it away.

"Heeey, there's a thought. What is that " sleezebag "er, -- old scholar up to now? Can we see inside his mansion? What about the operating table -- maybe he's come back to check on us?"


Male Human Fighter (archer) / Sorcerer (stormborn) / Eldritch Knight 1/7/7
Ascaria wrote:
“Where else might we want to look?”

”Let’s look in on Catafalque. Look for back room offices. I can’t figure out what Loris has against us. Maybe we’l see some evil totems or whatever. Ascaria, do you think we ca cast detect magic through the pool?”

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 Same question


Male, Gnome
Solrisa Iome Arabasti wrote:

"Maybe we don't need to worry about Loris. It's possible that Eligos is done with his research now...about the green wurmies and the Big Black Dragon. We should go visit him...maybe we will want to know of the things we found down here. Especially the interesting things, like that funny book," Solrisa surmises.

"If we have extra time, we might go speak to Loris. That might be nice."

”Well, I suspect we’re going to have to deal with this Loris in some fashion, but you’re right. Eligos first. Er, after some food and shopping. Right?” his stomach growls.

Mortimer Smith wrote:
"Heeey, there's a thought. What is that " sleezebag "er, -- old scholar up to now? Can we see inside his mansion? What about the operating table -- maybe he's come back to check on us?"

”Well, it’s a little rude to go scrying on someone, but we should definitely be able to see the operating table.” Ascaria tries to focus the pool on the operating table.

Eri Nandri wrote:
”Let’s look in on Catafalque. Look for back room offices. I can’t figure out what Loris has against us. Maybe we’l see some evil totems or whatever. Ascaria, do you think we can cast detect magic through the pool?”

When they’re done checking the operating table, Ascaria tries to focus the scry pool beneath Thrune Square and into the Catafalque. He moves the focal point, if he can, to look for offices and the like. If he finds one, he’ll try casting Detect Magic through it to see if it works.


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

Solrisa hopes everyone finishes quickly so she can go eat food and visit Eligos.


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)
Ascaria wrote:
”Well, it’s a little rude to go scrying on someone,”

He’s right, I guess. Maybe I’m just holding a grudge of which I need to let go.

Mortimer looks into the pool, patiently waiting to see what can be gleaned.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

Mortimer:

The ebony statue is wonderfully detailed. You can really see the definition in the scaly skin, and the talons, woo, sharp. Very life-like. From Tynan's speculation, you can picture the creature animating, losing its blackness for any original coloring the creature must display when not held in its current state.

Mortimer studies the singular statue in the center of the museum, drawing your attentions to its representative creature.

Knowledge(Planes) DC 24:

The statue is a Vrock, an evil outsider, demonic in nature. Well, possibly just a well-sculpted vrock, based on an artist's keen eye for detail. 1 question for every 5 points above 24.

...

The pool is well and truly rooted in its stonework, though its waters can certainly be drained, ladle by ladle. Ascaria is easily able to establish a sensor in the current pool chamber, bringing everyone into view. A couple of you even feel that sensation of 'being watched', and locate the sensor, as still as it floats in the corner of the room.

Almost as quickly, the sensor relocates to Telakin's Throne Room, showing a still empty chamber, as before.

When the view disappears from the operating table, Thrune Square becomes its next panorama, in all its glory. The Grand Temple of Asmodeus looms above the open square, its people moving to and fro, its Forks currently unoccupied. When Ascaria commands the pool to move the sensor downwards, he finds himself unable to smoothly shift it, only relocate it to a place familiar to him. The grand arena called the Catafalque still remains an unfamiliar place, despite Eri's best efforts to bring it to life from the Library books.

Ascaria:

Enhanced vision, magically or supernaturally (including Detect Magic), doesn't work through this sensor. It is a common limitation of Clairvoyance.

Feel free to inquire of the Pool with different views, if you're so inclined. I'll move us on...

...

Returning to surface, you pass the locked door in the drow quarters. With key or with Tynan's skills, you manage to open the last door of Zyrxog's lair, to discover three individuals, still living. With a thorough study of the prison, for that is what it is, you find four zombies left at the front of the room, easily enough slain by the likes of you.

The three gentlemen look familiar, each in their way. You have one of Tynan's assaulters from the Crooked House Tavern, the other two being the faux prisoners from Sodden Hold above. They stare at you, unsure.

Roll20 map has been updated.


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

Solrisa moves in behind Tynan to greet the prisoners.

"You guys look familiar. Have we met before?" Solrisa asks, wondering if shapechangers can be twins. "Did you guys want to get out of here?" Solrisa cocks her head as she looks at them with the Dragon's eyes. She no longer completely trusts everything when there are shapechangers around.


Male Human Fighter (archer) / Sorcerer (stormborn) / Eldritch Knight 1/7/7

”How did you guys end up here? Why did you attack Tynan? Who are you?”

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 9


Male Human Slayer 11

Seeing the face of his earlier attacker, Tynan inadvertently tenses.

This can't be the same being.... it just can't be.

Tynan studies him intently, then turns his attention to a second man (blue hat), studying him as well.

"What are your names, how did you come to be here, and how long have you been imprisoned? Speak up quickly."

Sense Motive (Attacker): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 = 25 (+ studied)
Sense Motive (Blue Hat): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 2 = 35 (+ studied)
Sense Motive (3rd Guy): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

The current exchange may have proved more frustrated, but sentinel zombies lie dead(er), and a fair-skinned maiden stands among you all. The men give you names, they give you their stories, and the length of their imprisonment. Well, two of them do, at least. One of them fails to speak, but that may be because he's missing his tongue.

Martel(Blue Hat) and Regim(Thick Neck), they kindly introduce themselves. The third, they haven't been able to crack that nut since he'd been thrown in with them. There had been more of them, but every so often, the drow would open the cell, and pull one of them out, never to return. Been a month, far as they can tell, but time's become a fuzzy thing for them. One of the others tried to fight past the zombies, got ripped limb from limb, so became an example for the rest.

Eri:

Sounds legit.

Tynan:

One roll covers the encounter. The speak foggily, but truthfully. Sounds like they'd be better storytellers on other subjects with food in their bellies, and wine in their gullets. For their account here, you gather nothing else if forthcoming.

They simply step forward, expectantly, no worldly possessions to gather up, ready to follow you to the surface.


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

Solrisa will lead the rescuees to the surface, then ask them if they need help finding food and lodging, for which she is happy to pay for.

"What else can we do for you? This must be very traumatic for you? Is there anything we can do for you?" Solrisa asks, wondering how she can help.

If nothing, she will return to the inn for dinner. Because food.


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)
GMSass wrote:
The three gentlemen look familiar, each in their way. You have one of Tynan's assaulters from the Crooked House Tavern, the other two being the faux prisoners from Sodden Hold above. They stare at you, unsure.

Waiiiit, what? Is that the familiar stare of ‘what.is.this.am.i.looking.at.a.shapeshifter.or.is.this.real?’ stare, or the familiar ‘let.us.as.shapeshifters.garner.their.trust.then.ambush.them!’ stare?

SenseMotive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Solrisa wrote:
"What else can we do for you? This must be very traumatic for you? Is there anything we can do for you?"

Mortimer bites his tongue, trying to be less grumpy and more charitable even within the hostile environment.

"Yes, we should escort these fine gentlemen somewhere within the city where they will be …. safe. They’re faces might be familiar to others -- like those in the Inn -- and we don’t know what else the imposters might have done while impostering them. They might be subject to the hostility of other victims of their imposters.”


Male Human Slayer 11

"For what it's worth, I believe what they are saying about how long they were imprisoned."

Tynan helps them on the exit from the underground complex.


Male, Gnome
Tynan Swale wrote:

"For what it's worth, I believe what they are saying about how long they were imprisoned."

Tynan helps them on the exit from the underground complex.

”By all means then, let us free them. Poor bastards.” God only knows what atrocities have been committed by their skins.

Ascaira checks them for injury before escorting them upstairs and out. He joins the others for a much needed hot meal. Over lunch he says, ”Eri and I still have a few items to sort out, might get lucky tomorrow. We’ve also quite a bit of knick-knack from the museum. Dunno if any of it is valuable, but we should see if only to get rid of it. Mort can only carry so much after all!” he laughs.

"I suggest we unload what we can at the shops, and look for Eligos around tea-time. If he's still researching, he'll likely take a break around then, right?"

He turns serious, ”We also need to decide what to do about this dagger too. It’s keyed to do extra damage to good people, er, us. So obviously we don’t want to keep it. But do we even want to sell it? I suspect it’d be worth quite a bit on the open market, but that makes me a little nervous somehow. What do you think?” he looks around to his companions for answers.

Also take a close look at the treasure sheet and let me know what you might want to keep. Still lots of unknowns, but I’d like to pin down some of the other things if we can. Thanks!


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

"We should destroy that dagger, Ascaria. And anything else that is evil, unfun, or wrong. No reason to keep them in existence if all they do is perpetuate sorrow or hurting of innocents."

Solrisa looks through the loots and doesn't see anything immediately interesting for her, but like to window shop. She is happy to carry what needs to carried and she has some room in her backpack.

Solrisa would take the Cloak of Resist +2, but thinks there are better targets for it in the party.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|
Solrisa wrote:
"What else can we do for you? This must be very traumatic for you? Is there anything we can do for you?"
Mortimer wrote:
"Yes, we should escort these fine gentlemen somewhere within the city where they will be …. safe."

The men look at each other, at times confused. Martel responds, slowly at first, then his speech picks up, as he realizes that they are not being struck or thrown down or laughed at. "How, how is this even possible?? We were goners... not that anyone would mourn us, mind you, but still... I can't thank you enough. For all of us. No, really, thank you."

Regim leans down to speak into Martel's ear. Martel conveys the sentiment. "Anywhere's fine, as long as it's above ground. We're likely not to stay long in Egorian. Had enough, can't imagine walking its streets and not see shadows move..."

The men with tongues request fish stew, which is easily enough obtained in the same district. They happily cup their respective bowls, thanking the maiden for her generosity. The men are not proud, accepting any and all gifts, seed money if you will. They actually wait for you to dismiss them.

...

The afternoon is open, shops ready to deal in trade for all you care to liquidate. For the less savory items in your inventory, how do you go about selling/destroying them?


Male Human Fighter (archer) / Sorcerer (stormborn) / Eldritch Knight 1/7/7

Eri will back off on the third degree and give each of them 80 gold. ”Leave this town and make the world a better place.”

[ooc]Eri already has a cloak of protection +2. ”We should burn the scrolls of Dominate Person. Even though we’d get some sweet cash for the unholy dagger we should destroy that, too. How does one do that? Also, those books that fried Ascaria.”
knowledge arcana same question: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Eri looks at the pile of loot a bit more. ”We should sell the necklace of fireballs. That thing can go off if it’s damaged. I like to keep fire away from my face.”


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

Eri:

Bludgeoning or slashing weapons preferred. The weapon is stronger for its magic, but it's easy enough to overcome, and Break it, simply by Sundering the dagger. The very expensive, likely commonplace, dagger that would find itself on many weaponracks in Egorian...

Ascaria was only fried by a single book, titled The Art of Peaceful Diplomacy. No one has tackled the set of Unspeakable Tomes.

Having said its goodbyes to the three prisoners, and having wrapped up its varied business transactions, the party debates its next course of action. Some suggest visiting Eligos in the same day, though the wizard was somewhat firm in meeting tomorrow to conclude his business with you.


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

Solrisa will mindlessly (but happily) jibber-jabber with the freed men as they eat, glad to have them freed and try to support them in finding whatever they need to be well. She will offer 50 gp each (-150 gp) to get them on their way.

When they are seen off, Solrisa is will sell crap (intending to meet Eligos tomorrow) and will destroy the unholy dagger, and tear up the evil book of evil. And she will destroy anything else that seems evil, broken, or wrong from the collection. Feel free to try to talk Sol out of it.

"Is there anything else that needs to be destroyed, Ascaria? Sometimes good toys get infested by bad spirits and so you have to destroy them. I remember this one time when my favorite doll that Rae wanted got infested with bad spirits after I wouldn't give it to Rae. Then she helped me destroy my favorite doll because it was sick and bad. That's how I know to destroy the bad things."


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

The 'Evil Book of Evil' troubles the maiden, as it remains intact from each mighty slash of Solrisa's sword. Paper beats rock-hard swings. If only Solrisa's playthings were as durable as this Book!


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)
GMSass wrote:
The men with tongues request fish stew, which is easily enough obtained in the same district.

OH BOY! A FISH DINNER AT LAST!

Mortimer tries to whisper, so as not to be overheard by their new charges, especially the one with the missing tongue.
”Can’t you fix his tongue, Ascaria? How much would that cost? Do we have that much?”

”Fish stew? FISH STEW?! Why, yes! That sounds like excellent fare!”
Mortimer heads topside with everyone else. He buys fish stew for the x-prisoners, Scout, and anyone else who wants to partake.

AFAIA there's only one book that fried Ascaria. The four others were just labled "Unspeakable Tome", and the other others were part of the focal library in the sleeping chamber of the MindFlayer -- is that right GMSass? We still have four unidentified books?

Mortimer doesn’t seem to be particularly interested in any of the items, but does lightly make an inquiry about the dagger before Sol goes to destroy it --

”Are you sure we couldn’t just have the thing cursed so that it can’t hurt anyone, and then sell it? It probably won’t be worth as much as it is intact, but maybe it’ll be worth something?”

" ... and maybe we can find a collector for the shrunken head and, uh. cage -- and see about the poor pseudodragon at some point..." He stuffs his face with fish stew.

He watches as Sol fails to tear apart the Evil book. ”Maybe we should try burning that…” Assuming she approves, he helps Sol take it out into the alley (a precaution, in case it gets stinky or something), and light it up over a non-flammable chunk of stone.

So is the plan after selling stuff to gorge ourselves on fish stew, food coma for the night, then press on to Eligos’s tomorrow?


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22

"Mort? Do you think my sword is damaged? Or broken? Why didn't that work?" Solrisa asks, looking at her sword as she follows Mort to a safe spot to burn the book. She offers an alchemist flask, as necessary to help. "Maybe the book is magic? And since my sword is magic, it doesn't work? So...we could try a non-magical sword and that should work? It might cancel it out?"

Solrisa watches the burning, still thinking about tonight's dinner, then second dinner, and then, of course, dessert. Because she had earned dessert.

Mortimer wrote:
"...have the thing cursed..."

Solrisa considers.

"Mort, if we have any bad weapons that we can't destroy, we could give them to Ascaria because he never hurts anyone or anything. Then it might be safe," Sol says, thinking outside the box. "But really, evil things are evil and serve only to do evil. The dagger's only job is to harm all that is good. It should not be."

If Mort doesn't argue too much, Sol will use her morningstar (plus power attack) to wreck and ruin the dagger for all times.

I think we have a lot more shopping/selling to do, but then, yeah, dinner & second dinner and Eligos on the morrow.

Sol might buy some things after items are ID and we have a disbursement.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

The 'Evil Book of Evil' burns, or at least appears to burn. As the fire dies out, steady as it was, the Book remains intact. Hardly a char to indicate that the maiden and the giant were up to no good...


Male, Gnome

"Mort, I don't think we can disable some of the magics but not all on that dagger. I think we just need to destroy it as Sol suggests."

"I'm fine helping the poor man with his tongue. It would suck being without a tongue! Should cost us 910gp if we're all up for it. I can add it to the cost of the Pseudodragon if that's OK."

"As for the rest, let's spend the afternoon shopping shall we? Mort you're with me, but the rest of you don't need to tag along if you've other things to do. Then Eligos tomorrow."

We'd like to sell the gear from the museum (see treasure sheet for list), find a priest who can cast Regeneration (7) and Stone to Flesh (6). Likely an Asmodean. Finally we'll want to see about maybe IDing some of our magics? I would imagine that things we know we're gonna sell (like the breastplate and morning star) we can get the buyer to ID it for us free, but I dunno. Up to you GM!

Oh, and first thing tomorrow, Ascaria will try to ID our remaining unknowns.

Breastplate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Morning Star: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Ring: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Bronze Griffin: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Periapt: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Sigh. Eri! Help!


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)
Solrisa wrote:
”Mort? Do you think my sword is damaged? Or broken? Why didn't that work?"

”Uh, here -- let me see it one second…” Mort says, taking a good look at Solrisa’s sword while stalling for time to think of something other than ”Your sword just isn’t Good enough” to say. He gets lost however, admiring the craftsman’s attention to detail while he looks it over, beaming at it. ”Nah, you’re sword is definitely not broken -- Maybe -- and I'm guessing -- it is that that Book is just too evil,” he says, handing her sword back to her.

”Did you want to try with this Greatsword?” he suggests offering it to Sol, after they fail to burn the evil, evil book.”It’s not very magical…”

~~

Solrisa wrote:
”Mort, if we have any bad weapons that we can't destroy, we could give them to Ascaria because he never hurts anyone or anything. Then it might be safe. But really, evil things are evil and serve only to do evil. The dagger's only job is to harm all that is good. It should not be."

Mortimer considers this, but struggles with the notion that a thing could be evil in and of itself, yet he has no doubt that Solrisa is right about the point of the dagger’s creation. Ultimately he “reasons” that destroying it is probably safer than giving it to Ascaria, despite the gnome’s utter and complete lack of martial tendencies.

In fact, destroying it is probably the safest thing to do, . Shrugging, he hands Solrisa her morning star if it is not already in her hands, then shields his face to protect it from dagger shrapnel.

When (and if) everything is (gets) destroyed, and his belly is full of fish stew and bread and mead, Mortimer wanders off to market trailing behind Ascaria.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

GM Rolls:

1d20 ⇒ 12

Basic healing can be found in most of the minor temples scattered around the City, but you seek more powerful castings, and for that, you'll find it nowhere other than the Churches of Asmodeus. More specifically, the Grand Temple on Thrune Square. It is a thriving center of business, with a section of its first basement floor dedicated to public needs, such as restoratives and civil contracts.

You may presume in your interactions with Lavinia that she is possibly capable of helping in identifications, as it is her profession and trade...

Ascaria:

The Breastplate finally yields to your groping and feeling it up... It is a Breastplate of Medium Fortification.


F Half Elf:
HP 135, F19R14W16,Dip+13,Fly+7,HanAnim+8;K(rel)+18, Spllcrft +17,UMD +22
Ascaria wrote:
"I'm fine helping the poor man with his tongue. It would suck being without a tongue! Should cost us 910gp if we're all up for it. I can add it to the cost of the Pseudodragon if that's OK."

Solrisa whistles in surprise at the high price.

"That's a lot of money for a tongue, Ascaria. I'll help, but I think you can get cheaper tongues from the butcher..." Sol stops, her eyes widening. "OH! Are we getting him one of those nice silver tongues that people speak of!? I've never seen one of those! That'll be lovely! Yes, I will donate to that. That explains why it is so expensive."

* * *

Seeing Ascaria suffer with the identifying of magical items, Solrisa chips in and tries to help. She buys a scroll with 4 copies of Detect Magic (-50gp).

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20 UMD vs. DC20 to use scroll

She will attempt to identify the things:

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Spellcraft - Morning Star
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 Spellcraft - Ring
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Spellcraft - Bronze Griffin
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 Spellcraft - Periapt


Male, Gnome

Status:
HP: 50/51 AC: 12 (F11/T12)
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = -1 int (drain)
Life Link (8)(100’) = Eri, Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (0/9)(1/7) (DC: 22)(Avoid 6) (4d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (0/3)
Melee Attack: BAB +6/+1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +6/+1, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 8, Concentration +14)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Mending, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Scrivener's Chant, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (4/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (3/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand
Third (19): (1/6) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (0/4) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Restoration

After the visit to the church to heal the sick, we'll definitely head to Lavinia's. We have much to sell her anyway, and if she can ID the other items, even for a reasonable fee, that'd be GREAT.

Along the way, Ascaria will purchase 400gp worth of diamond dust (all I can afford just now). He'll cast Restoration on himself immediately to restore his Charisma. He'll remain less intelligent for now...


Male Human Slayer 11

Tynan looks at the boots of elvenkind, and then at the belt he wears. With the magic types describing the effects as fairly similar, he doubts he could make any use of them.

"Mort, you should take these boots.... you're always dodging into and out of battles, and these should help."


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)
Tynan wrote:
"Mort, you should take these boots.... you're always dodging into and out of battles, and these should help."

”Oh?” Says Mortimer, taking the boots, inspecting them carefully. ”Thanks!! Boots of the Elvenkin?” he frowns, doubting the fit.

He removes his regular boots, dons the Elvenkind boots, and frowns again. It looks like I’ve been traipsing through the mud and leaves!

He puts his regular boots on over the BoE, hoping they will stay as lightweight and as comfortable as socks.


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|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

Solrisa:

The initial appraisals of these four items fails to provide you any information, other than to confirm that each item does radiate magic.

Solrisa is easily able to shatter the unholy dagger, rending it useless.
...

The Grand Temple is, for lack of a better word, grand. The black marblework is expert artisanship. Ruby-vein inlays which reflect the ambient light lend easily to the impression of fresh blood lacing the floors and walls. The main floor houses a grand cathedral, with smaller aisles that surround the central nave in the form of a five-pointed star. The chancel itself is easily enough viewed, as a wall erected in paperthin pale stone. It allows a translucency that depicts shadows of activity coming from the other side.

The raised altar is everything you would expect it to be, for a city-based temple. Diamond Lake has to convert its altar with a separate overlay, for its various functions. Not here. The main altar and the holy table are connected in a t-intersection. The table is fixed, but the altar can be tilted for easier viewing of the sacrifice strapped to its surface. The holy table itself has a semicircle in its center, allowing a priest easy access to the angled altar. Very well-constructed, and to even the untrained eye, well-used.

An acolyte escorts you all down a small spiral staircase, leading you to a sitting room, and inquiring of your needs, and your ability to pay, before accepting payment, and bidding you wait. He cautions you that whether or not the restorations take, there will be no refunds or reattempts without further payment. The men with you look comfortable enough, weak as they are, but they still jump when they hear unmistakable screams of pain that dot your time waiting.

An aged cleric eventually arrives, studying the room's occupants. She spots the petrified pseudodragon, marking it second, and closing the door securely. She beckons the tongueless man step forward. When he does, she pulls his mouth open, inspecting its contents. A moment later, she produces a thin dagger, bringing it to her extended tongue, where she proceeds to slit her own tongue, bringing a rivulet of blood to pool within her own mouth. She leans forward, whispering gargled speech, before spitting her mouth's contents into his. He reels backwards, coughing from the throat, eyes wide in horror-surprise. She smiles, a trickle of blood making its way lazily down her chin.

She turns to the petrified creature, and moves closer. In her hand is now a small pouch. She opens it, and pours dirt into the palm of her hand, spitting more blood into it. She smears it between her hands, then rubs the pseudo-pseudodragon, until it is fully covered in the paste.

Fortitude Save v DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The pseudodragon's color shifts from grey granite, to dark copper, then it stirs! First its tail, then its wings. Then its mouth.

Draconic:

"...enter this chamber!! You have no... wait, what?!"

The little copper dragon snaps its wings, taking flight clumsily, before slamming into the wall due to poor spatial judgment. It does this only once more, before drops to the floor, and skitters into the corner. Its head cranes back and forth, eyeing each and every one of you.

When it appears that the pseudodragon is less agitated, the aged cleric nods wordlessly to you all, and leaves the room quickly, before the pseudodragon can follow her out. It certainly tries to. When it slams into the closed door, it scraps to the floor, turning to face you all, trembling slightly. It raises its tail, pointing its tip in your general direction.

The once-tongueless man speaks. "Whoa. A behbe dwagon."


Male, Gnome

Ascaria greets the old priest dutifully and respectfully, trying to stay out of her way, yet be nearby should she need assistance with anything. He watches closely as she casts each spell, amazed with the way she approaches the task. So much blood! he thinks as the priest casts. He bows deeply as the woman heals what Ascaria cannot and smiles as she leaves the room.

He turns to the pseudodragon, and speaks in its native tongue, ”Wènhòu wěidà de xiǎo zhī yī. Wǒ Ascaria, zhèxiē dōu shì wǒ de péngyǒu. Wǒmen cóng shíhuà jiùle nǐ, fàngsōng. Wǒmen zài nǐ shēnbiān.”

”Nǐ zěnme lái shì zài nàgè dìfāng biàn chéngle shítou, nǐ shì? Wǒmen kěyǐ zuò xiē shénme lái bāngzhù nǐ? Wǒmen zài cǐkè jiàotáng dì dìxiàshì, dàn wǒmen huì hěn kuài líkāi, nǐ jiù kěyǐ zìyóu de qù nǐ zìjǐ de lù.”

He has some trouble with his tongue, and he's sure his accent is just horrible but he doesn't get to speak it much.

Draconic:
”Greetings great little one. I am Ascaria and these are my friends. We saved you from petrification, relax. We're on your side.”

”How did you come to be in that place turned to stone as you were? What can we do to help you? We're in the basement of the church at the moment, but we'll leave shortly and you'll be free to go you own way.”
- - -

He turns to the party, "Just saying hello and asking him what he remembers more or less."


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Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)

Mortimer reluctantly follows the others into the Grand Temple, trying his best to be inconspicuous and not be distracted by the horrible sights surrounding him. Every once in a while he catches himself looking over his shoulder as if fearing ambush from a smelly imp.

He is not much relieved when escorted into the sitting room and questioned by the acolyte. He suppresses a shriek and turns ghost white when the priestess slits her own tongue, then he subconsciously tries to press his six foot eight inch frame into a corner space more suited for someone slightly smaller than Hafling size.

He tries not to toss up his own fish stew when she regurgitates a bloody mess into the tongueless man’s mouth.

He audibly sighs in relief when the priestess exits the room, only then taking full notice of the beautiful reflective copper scales of the newly re-animated pseudodragon.

GMSass wrote:
When it slams into the closed door, it scraps to the floor, turning to face you all, trembling slightly. It raises its tail, pointing its tip in your general direction.

Some of his usual pallor returns to Mort's face, and he converts his cower into a kneeling position -- now trying to lower his profile hoping to seem less threatening to the pseudodragon. He holds out his hands in front of him toward the wee dragon in a half surrender, half greeting gesture.

”Whoa, take it easy. You’ve nothing to fear from us.”

Ascaria wrote:
” [ … gobbledygook … ] Just saying hello and asking him what he remembers more or less.”

”Great, just great. Are we done here? By any chance, can we continue this conversation … not here?” he whispers.


|Roll20 Link- Carrion Crown| |Roll20 Link- Age of Worms|

The pseudodragon seems to become more and more snake-like, as its appendages regain their former flexibility. Its head flicks nervously at the gnome when it hears something familiar and understandable. It doesn't move from the door, but its tail does lower a little, as it begins to make sharp clicking and hissing noises that resemble language.

Draconic:

"We're in the Heights? You can smell the sulfur, gah, it's awful in here. At least the Academae isn't too far. Petrified, you say? Well, I am certainly grateful. If you trust me, I'll return to my sage, and retrieve a reward. I'm sure she's missing me. You can follow me, of course."

Knowledge(Geography, or Local), if you'd like.

The pseudodragon doesn't understand the giant's words, but seems to share the desire to leave at the earliest convenience.


Male, Gnome

"Sure thing Mort, I think we're done here. Our new friend works for some sage or other in the Heights. Anyone know where that is?"

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Anyway, he says if he's released, he may have a reward for us. I say we follow the little fellow home and make sure he makes it safely."

He turns back to the little dragon and speaks soothingly, "Méi wèntí gēmen. Wǒmen huì gēnzhe nǐ huí jiā, bìng quèbǎo nǐ zuò jiù OKle. Wǒ rènwéi wǒmen zài zhèlǐ wánchéng de, suǒyǐ rúguǒ nǐ yǐjīng zhǔnbèi hǎole?"

Draconic:
"Sure thing buddy. We'll follow you home and make sure you make it OK. I think we're done here, so if you're ready to go?"
- - -

He turns to the man with a new found tongue, "Try not to talk for a bit and let it settle, but you should be OK now. Have a pleasant day, and a better future!" he smiles and moves to leave if the group agrees.


Male Human Brawler (17), Thief (0)

”Good enough,” announces Mortimer standing. ”Right? Then, let’s go!”
He does a double take at the corner to make sure no part of him has gotten stuck to it, then heads for the exit.

If no one else has further business here, he confidently leads the way out of the Grand Temple.

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