Road's End (Inactive)

Game Master Feral


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Karzoug lays defeated and his vast wealth is open for the taking.

What will some of the Society's most powerful agents do with such resources and where will fate lead them next?


Checking in, so my PbP app will pick this up.

Sovereign Court

N Female Taldan Aristocrat 19 | HP 181/181 | AC 37 T 28 FF 37 | CMD 41+ | F +27 R +35+1 W +24 | Init: +27 | Perc: +41, SM: +47 | MV +5, good hope, shield, blessing of fervor, inspire courage, comm. table, tea set active

"Gentlemen," the Lady speaks, a moment after Karzoug is knocked out. "All the riches and armies of Xin-Shalast are laid out before us. We have stumbled across the most lucrative opportunities we may ever see. Where shall we begin?" she asks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

First of all, Gabi, we should see what he means about keeping a great peril dormant.

Sovereign Court

N Female Taldan Aristocrat 19 | HP 181/181 | AC 37 T 28 FF 37 | CMD 41+ | F +27 R +35+1 W +24 | Init: +27 | Perc: +41, SM: +47 | MV +5, good hope, shield, blessing of fervor, inspire courage, comm. table, tea set active

"Yes, that business about the Great Old One Mhar was rather chilling," she replies. "And worth examining. Filraen, do you possess any insight?"

-Posted with Wayfinder


Okay, that's one important unresolved point: Great Old One Mhar. We've also got a runewell and an unconscious Karzoug the Claimer.

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

"Sounds like a bluff to me", Ursus adds with a grunt as he begins to wipe the gore from his ham-sized fists. "He knew he was beat and was looking for a reason we should spare him."

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

Is there a way that we might confirm or deny his claims?

I'm inclined to send him to whichever god he prays to, but I don't want to unleash something worse on the world in doing so.


Before this thread was created, Ryan mentioned that he was looking to cast spells like legend lore to research this Mhar. So we have an avenue there. There may be some Cleric spells which could help, as well.

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

"Bluff or not, we can divine the truth." the elf announces, drawing a dagger and hissing as he cuts his left wrist. "A moment, please." With that, he begins muttering arcane syllables while waving his bleeding left hand through the air.

Filraen will cast limited wish, replicating legend lore, targeting Karzoug.


Okay, so I have dug up some more information on the relevant topics. Between legend lores and the party's excellent Knowledge modifiers...

On Karzoug:

During the reign of Rune lord Haphrama, Karzoug was born in a slave den in the city of Malistoke. What horrors he endured through the early years of his life in the city's flesh pits are unknown, for they were later stricken from history at his command. One thing is for certain, though: when Karzoug walked from the dark gates of that city 27 years later, his path was soaked in blood and his soul charred as black as night's void.

With gold teeth plucked from the head of his last master, Karzoug was able to buy an apprenticeship with a traveling demon binder named Thurbel. For 7 years he followed Thurbel, serving as both a lure for summoned fiends and a slave to the wizard. He died more than once during these years at the overzealous claws and fangs of demons, but each time his master­, who had grown wealthy through the sale of his demonic services, saw fit to have Karzoug resurrected. Karzoug's suffering was perhaps as great during this time as it had been in Malistoke, but during these years he rose in magical power, learning the finer points of rulers hip and exercise of power at the hands of amoral demon tutors.

Thus, when Karzoug heard of Runelord Haphrama's call for new apprentices, he scuffed a summoning circle during one of Thurbel's conjurations and idly looted his master's belongings as the freed daemon devoured the wizard's body. With several potent magic items in tow and enough gold to impress even a Runelord of Greed, Karzoug was easily selected to serve as one of Haphrama's new devotees. At the feet of the rune lord, Karzoug learned much of the art of transmutation and the magic of greed. He found himself enthralled by the thinning of reality that occurred near the slopes of Mhar Massif. With secret alliances between himself and denizens from Leng, Karzoug began to master strange, eldritch powers in secret. His pacts promised a twisting of reality, providing his inscrutable tutors greater access to the lands of men. When, in the 206th year of his reign, Haphrama finally caught wind of Karzoug's plotting, he was too late to stop his upstart apprentice. A virulent spell provided to Karzoug by new allies from Leng consumed both Haphrama and his other apprentice, Vhage, stripping their souls from their bodies and hurling them into the void between the planes.

Karzoug took up the burning glaive-the Runelord of Greed's symbol of rule-at the age of 77 and began his reign as Runelord of Greed. His reign saw the rise of Shalast to new heights, as his cunning and manipulative nature wended countless paths to power. Despite his people's dread, Karzoug's capital at Xin-Shalast rose in prominence, becoming one of the age's most breathtaking cities-though its grandeur existed only to delight the runelord and the nobles and slaves he gathered around him. In his 466-year reign, Karzoug surpassed all of the previous Runelords of Greed in power and, it could be argued, several fellow runelords as well. Like his peers, though, he was forced at the height of his influence to retreat from the world to avoid the cataclysm that befell it. He took with him into this self-imposed exile 35 rune giants and his favorite apprentice, Khalib. The plan was for the stasis to persist for some time after Earthfall, with Karzoug securely hidden between worlds in a demiplane of his own construction, the Eye of Avarice, where he would be protected long enough for the apocalypse to run its course. Unwilling to take any chances, Karzoug elected to have his protections so overwhelming within the Eye of Avarice that nothing could harm him, yet this also required what he planned on being nothing more than a temporary suspension of his ability to exist. The plan was to have the stasis effect on his apprentice Khalib (or failing that, one of his 35 rune giants, or failing that, an intervention of one of a dozen other minions and apprentices who rode out the apocalypse elsewhere throughout Shalast) automatically end after a period of 100 years, at which point Karzoug's minions would awaken and go about the process of charging his runewell to restore him fully to life.

Yet Karzoug's plans, as with the plans of the other six runelords, vastly underestimated the nature of Thassilon's fall. The various betrayals by those the seven runelords counted as allies, combined with the utter and unanticipated scale of the devastation caused by Earthfall, completely disrupted not only Karzoug's complex multi-layered plans for his revival, but also those of all the runelords. And so time passed, and Karzoug remained in stasis deep in the Eye of Avarice. Dormant, his mind exploring realms beyond, Karzoug waited for millennia, anticipating the time when the rune lords would once again rise over Golarion.

on Mhar:
The legend of Mhar tells of a powerful entity who attempted to enter Golarion from some alien realm, only to be caught and petrified midway through its emergence from the mountain now called Mhar Massif, one of Golarion's tallest peaks and the site of the city of Xin-Shalast. What Mhar might have been and what power might have been great enough to stop him is unknown, but none dared contemplate the consequences had Mhar been successful in his transition. The entity's face was all that remained, frozen at the mountain's peak in stone. Runelord Kaladurnae (the original Runelord of Greed) chose this site to build his city partially due to these legends, and now, thousands of years after Thassilon's fall, tales of Mhar can still be read in moldering tomes.

For more on Mhar, we're looking at some Knowledge(planes) or Knowledge(religion) checks.

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

Filraen divulges the results of his divination to the rest of the assembled group, then removes his portable hole from its pouch on his bandolier and retrieves his copies of the relevant Pathfinder Chronicles.

"I recall reading about this somewhere before."

Knowledge (the planes): 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 23 + 2 + 6 = 45

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 23 + 2 + 6 = 44


Those DCs will do it...

Mhar, one of the Great Old Ones, tried to birth itself into Golarion from the Plateau of Leng eons ago. Its birth failed, and the alien creature was stillborn, slumbering for uncounted ages.

Title: The World Thunder
Symbol: A shattered triangular rune
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Portfolio: Caverns, Mountains, Volcanoes
Domains: Chaos, Destruction, Earth, Fire
Favored Weapon: Heavy pick

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

Ahem. The Portal, lads. We need to more closely look at the portal downstairs. The giant monster that came out? That's Mhar. Kerzoug may not be bluffin'.


Another topic that we should go over is the awesome items which are in this chamber and you guys are fully able to identify, but do not appear on the Chronicles I sent out...

On Karzoug himself:

Karzoug's Burning Glaive:

Soon after the founding of Thassilon, the ancient emperor Xin crafted the Alora'quin, seven icons symbolizing the runelords' mastery of rune magic and dominance over their respective domains. Karzoug's +2 flaming dancing glaive is one of these ancient weapons. Karzoug's burning glaive possesses a keen intellect, granted to it by its imperial creator. Meant to embody all that is right and virtuous about the luxury of wealth, the weapon is only concerned with the acquisition of riches and safeguarding the treasures of the rightful runelord of Shalast. It eagerly seeks to immolate non-spellcasters, which it sees as paupers likely to steal what its master possesses. While the glaive endlessly fawns over Karzoug (as it would over any rightful ruler of Shalast), it tirelessly berates other wielders, constantly comparing their flaws to the perfection of its past rune lord owners.

STATISTICS
Alignment NE;
Ego 22
Senses darkvision 120 ft., hearing
Int 17, Wis 10, Cha 17
Communication read languages, speech, telepathy
Languages Ignan, Thassilonian
Lesser Powers cure moderate wounds on wielder 3/day, faerie fire 3/day, major image (DC 16) 1/day
Special Purpose defeat non-spellcasters;
Dedicated Power fireball (CL 17th; DC 16)
DESTRUCTION
Karzoug's burning glaive can be destroyed by hurling it under the crushing feet of the Oliphaunt of Jandelay, although only so long as no current rune lord of greed lives in the world.

Robes of Xin-Shalast:

Slot body
Aura strong abjuration and conjuration
CL 16th
Weight 1 lb.

The traditional robes of the runelord of greed are known as the robes of Xin-Shalast. Rarely, a runelord would grant a favored apprentice a set of these robes. Woven of the finest of silks and accented with precious gemstones and gold, the robes are surprisingly light and easy to move in. Robes of Xin-Shalast aid and accentuate their wearer's spellcasting ability. They grant a +6 armor bonus and spell resistance 24, but also cause the wearer to cast all spells at +1 caster level. Two of the robe's pockets function as handy haversacks. The wearer of these robes is immune to the effects of the occluding field that surrounds the Spires of Xin-Shalast, and can exist comfortably in all high altitudes, including within the death zone at altitudes of 26,000 feet and higher.

Runewell Amulet:

Slot neck
Aura strong transmutation
CL 20th
Weight --

This amulet of gold and red crystal grants the wearer a +5 enhancement bonus to her natural armor. In addition, the wearer becomes attuned to both the runewell of greed and the soul lens that controls it, allowing the wearer to benefit from the fragmentary souls gathered and absorbed by the runewell. As long as the runewell functions, the wearer does not age and has no need for food or water. In addition, she can fly at a speed of 60 feet with perfect maneuverability and gains fast healing 10. If the runewell amulet is removed, the wearer loses all of these abilities. While this does mean the wearer begins aging normally and must eat and drink, she does not suffer any ill effect from the years that passed or the meals she missed while she wore the amulet.
DESTRUCTION
A runewell amulet must be thrown into an active runewell of an opposing magic (a runewell of lust or a runewell of pride in the case of this particular amulet); doing so causes the amulet to shatter into four fragments, which then scatter throughout the region that was once Thassilon. If these four fragments can be gathered and placed back in the associated runewell (the runewell of greed in this case), the amulet reforms and returns to full use.

Sihedron Tome:

Slot none
Aura strong transmutation
CL 16th
Weight 5 lbs.

The first Sihedron Tomes were said to have been crafted by a dragon in the service of Emperor Xin. Each of these books has a unique appearance, and each holds an infinite number of pages for spellcasters to inscrib spells upon. Any wizard who prepares spells from a Sihedron Tome, which potentially holds libraries worth of arcane knowledge, may prepare bonus spells as if her Intelligence were 6 points higher. This is not an actual bonus to Intelligence and grants the user no additional benefit. Karzoug's Sihedron Tome contains all sorcerer/wizard spells (save for those of the schools of Enchantment and Illusion) found in the Core Rulebook, as well as the spells blood money, covetous aura, deathwine, raiment of command, sign of wrath, and swipe.
DESTRUCTION
A special 9th-level spell must be designed that exists only to destroy the specific and particular Sihedron Tome into which it is inscribed. This spell, which has numerous expensive and rare material components, must then be cast on the Sihedron Tome by its owner.

In the vicinity:

Runewell of Greed:

Slot none
Aura strong necromancy
CL 20th
Weight 900 lbs.

Currently hidden at the heart of the Eye of Avarice in a demiplane lodged between Leng and the Material Plane, Karzoug's runewell of greed is the key to both his escape from the destruction of Thassilon and his eventual return to life.

Beyond this effect, though, Karzoug can utilize the runewell in other ways. It grants him the ability to use scrying at will, although the runewell's range is limited to the Xin-Shalast region or to specific agents. Creatures that wear magic items marked with the Sihedron take a -4 penalty on saves against this effect. The runewell allows Karzoug to see through the eyes and speak through the mouths of anyone who wears a Sihedron medallion. He can also, given time, call up from the runewell a live adult blue dragon minion to serve him as an ally or mount. This essentially functions as a gate spell, save that the dragon is actually created by the runewell rather than called. Karzoug can only have one such dragon in existence at any one time, and must wait 8 hours after a previous dragon's death before calling a new blue dragon to serve him.

The runewell itself is 10 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep. The liquid it contains functions in all ways as molten gold-dealing damage is if it were lava upon creatures splashed or immersed within it. Gold drawn from the runewell cools normally and is permanent-the runewell immediately replenishes gold taken from its supplies-yet this gold cannot exist more than 30 feet from the runewell's rim. If brought beyond this range, it vanishes in an instant. Runewells associated with other runelords and sins exist throughout the ruins of Thassilon; each of these artifacts is a unique item with its own powers.

DESTRUCTION
The runewell of greed is linked to Karzoug, and as long as he lives, the runewell cannot be destroyed. If Karzoug is slain, the molten gold within the runewell itself immediately hardens and turns to chalky, worthless stone, destroying the runewell in the process.

Soul Lens:

Slot none
Aura strong necromancy
CL 20th
Weight 8 lbs.

This large lens of green crystal has the Thassilonian rune for transmutation and greed inscribed upon its surface. The lens is fitted in an iron ring, which is attached to an articulated arm that allows the lens's position to be adjusted to any angle and configuration. The soul lens has but a single purpose: whenever a creature is subjected to a specific ritual in which its body is branded, tattooed, or otherwise marked with the Sihedron rune, the lens can focus upon that creature's soul. At any point thereafter when the marked creature dies, its soul passes through this lens on its way into the afterlife and eventual judgement before Pharasma. As the soul passes through, the soul lens filters elements of the sin of greed from the soul and focuses that fragment of soul-energy into the runewell of greed. This does not significantly damage the soul (although it does cause it a severe amount of spiritual anguish); a creature that dies and has its soul filtered through the soul lens can still be brought back to life as normal.
DESTRUCTION
A dominant weapon must be used to smash the soul lens. The soul lens has hardness 20 (this hardness cannot be bypassed) and 200 hit points, but the dominant weapon gains the full benefits of its bane special abilities when damaging the soul ens. The soul lens takes no damage from other attacks.

On the unconscious Viorian Dekanti, champion of greed:

Chellan, Sword of Greed:

Slot none
Aura strong transmutation
CL 16th
Weight 25 lbs.

Of the Seven Blades of Conviction wielded by the runelords' champions-weapons known as the Alara'hai to the Thassilonians, the sword of greed was the most extravagant, for it was made of magically hardened gold, tempered to the strength of adamantine yet retaining its luster. Although made of gold, Chellan functions as an adamantine weapon for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction and bypassing hardness. Chellan is a +5 keen scimitar, and its density allows it to damage foes as if it were one size category larger than its actual size. It can be properly wielded only by characters with a Strength of 18 or higher; all other characters must either wield it as a two-handed weapon or take a -2 penalty on attack rolls with the weapon. Whenever Chellan strikes a foe, the target must succeed at a DC 20 Fortitude save or be slowed as per the spell slow (CL 16th). If the sword scores a critical hit, the target must succeed at a DC 25 Fortitude save or be turned into a crystalline statue, as if by flesh to stone. Characters turned to crystal by Chellan appear to be made of ruby, diamond, or some other valuable gem, but are in fact merely colored quartz of little value to looters. Fanatical in the extreme, Chellan seeks to force its wielder into serving Karzoug and furthering the runelord's goals. To enforce this purpose of their existence, it can use its intelligence and special abilities to aid and manipulate those who think to wield it.

STATISTICS
Alignment LE
Ego 25
Senses sight and hearing (30 ft.)
Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Communication telepathy
Languages Common, Thassilonian
Lesser Powers 3/day-create food and water, cure serious wounds, endure elements

DESTRUCTION
Karzoug can destroy Chellan, sword of greed merely by commanding its destruction with his voice (a free action for the runelord).

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

Filraen continues to examine the possessions of Karzoug and his bodyguards as he contemplates his response. Finally, after finishing detailed notes on the last of the items, he sits down on the steps leading up to Karzoug's throne, setting his forearms on his knees and slumping his shoulders in exhaustion.

"If Karzoug's claim is true, then I doubt whatever attacked through that portal is Mhar. More likely, its one of his servants, followers, or champions. According to the divination, Mhar himself is slumbering. Karzoug's claim supports this; if Karzoug being alive keeps Mhar in check somehow, then he should not have been able to attack us through the portal. I wouldn't doubt those Denizens of Leng were serving him in some way, but I don't think we've encountered the Great Old One. If we had, I expect we would all be dead or worse."

After thinking a short moment, he stands up and walks over to the unconscious warrior woman. Kicking away Chellan, he smiles, "I'm not a betting man, but... would anyone like to take odds that, bereft of the sentient sword, this woman is no friend to Karzoug?"

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

*Morgrym rips a golden torch sconce off the wall.*

"Aye. I'll see that bet. What's this? 15-20 pieces worth o' gold? Why not take the weapon and use these here smellin' salts to wake 'er up?" Morgrym sighs. "Yer right Filraen. I shoulda thought more closely abowt wat we've seen. But in either case, the portal and the wee monster on the othar end of it lend credibility to Kerzoug's claim. If he's tellin' it like it is, we can nae kill 'em fer the sake o' the world, until we find a proper way to bind the old one."

Sovereign Court

N Female Taldan Aristocrat 19 | HP 181/181 | AC 37 T 28 FF 37 | CMD 41+ | F +27 R +35+1 W +24 | Init: +27 | Perc: +41, SM: +47 | MV +5, good hope, shield, blessing of fervor, inspire courage, comm. table, tea set active

The Lady agrees. "I do wonder what this woman knows. If her mind was not her own, she might be quite distressed when we wake her up. Ursus, perhaps the first face she sees should be yours?" she suggests.

"Meanwhile, your the protections provided by Karzoug's amulet sound quite useful. I will wear it for awhile." she adds, after slipping the runelord's ring of protection +5 on her finger.

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

While his companions discuss the possibility of slumbering gods and apocalyptic events, Ursus studies the chamber’s opulent decorum. He’d heard tales of members of the Ulfen Guard who’d served above and beyond being permitted to walk away with as much treasure from the emperor’s treasury as he could carry. For most, this was enough coin to live like a king in one’s twilight years. The wealth the ancient runelord of greed had accumulated here dwarfed such a reward.

Hearing Lady Gabi’s request, Ursus is reminded of the situation at hand.

”I can keep a hold her”, the huge ulfen answers. ”With Karzoug down and that damned sword torn from her hands, maybe she’ll be a bit more cooperative.”

Sovereign Court

N Female Taldan Aristocrat 19 | HP 181/181 | AC 37 T 28 FF 37 | CMD 41+ | F +27 R +35+1 W +24 | Init: +27 | Perc: +41, SM: +47 | MV +5, good hope, shield, blessing of fervor, inspire courage, comm. table, tea set active

"I would assume so. If she were as fanatic as Mokmurrian, she would not have needed such a controlling weapon," she comments, gently waving her fan to cool herself from the heat of all the molten gold everywhere.

"Morgrym, do you have those smelling salts on hand?" she asks, urging the party to wake the woman up.

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

"I do, Lady Gabi, I do. Let's make sure that once we've gone and finished with this one, we go and review the portal mechanism downstairs."

Upon Ursus grappling the unconscious woman, Morgrym uses the smelling salts on Kerzoug's ill fated champion.

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

Filraen frowns. "No insult intended, Morgrym. I agree with your assessment; the Denizens of Leng, the device downstairs... there was also a shrine as we passed towards Karzoug's chambers, to a deity I did not recognize. Too many unknowns; Karzoug may well be lying, but we can confirm that such a being exists and there are, if you'll pardon my language, too damned many coincidences."

Crouching down as he finishes speaking, he reaches for the golden sword before pausing. "Ah, yes, sentient sword. Lets not do any touching." With that, he retrieves a bag from his portable hole, opens it up, and ushers the weapon inside with the point of his cold iron scimitar. "We'll deal with the talking blade once we know it can do no more harm. Now, lets see what our lovely lady has to say?"


To sum up, you guys learn that Viorian Dekanti was a mercenary captain from Riddleport, famed for both her beauty and her ferocity in combat. She disappeared from the city about five years ago, when a powerful sword she had plundered from a foe started speaking to her about serving Karzoug. It was not long before the sword began to control her, commanding her to meet with Mokmurrian in order to be taken to Xin-Shalast.

Once Viorian arrived at Xin-Shalast, she was greeted with open arms, and was promptly bathed in the runewell of greed, just as with all of Karzoug's minions. Now, freed from Chellan's grasp, Morgrym diagnoses her mind as rather addled, and will require either a great deal of time or a greater restoration spell to fully recover from the sword's influence. For now, her eventual disposition is unclear, due to the mental exhaustion she is suffering from at the moment.

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

Ursus furrows his brow and, recognizing that the woman wasn't a threat in her current state, the big man relaxes his grip. "We're not going to learn much from her like this. Do you think you can make her mind whole again Morgrym?"

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

"Aye, lad, that I can. May Torag bless this woman's addled mind."

Morgrym will cast a greater restoration.


"Ugggh, where am I?" the woman mumbles after receiving the spell, before fully realizing the extent of Ursus's restraining hold. She reflexively struggles...

CMB to escape: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (11) + 28 = 39

...and though she is no match for Ursus the Breaker, she proves to have quite some strength to her.

"Who are you people?" she asks while struggling. "The Runelord would not stop telling us about how much of a pain you were."

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

"We're your jailers for now", Ursus answers while taking a moment to appreciate the warrior-woman's form.

"Past that we're different things to different people. Some call us grave robbers. Others think of us as heroes. For now you can just call us Pathfinders and you can call me Ursus", the huge ulfen adds with a smirk and a wink.

"What do you remember from your time as Karzoug's thrall?"


"Viorian," she replies to Ursus's introduction, seeming to appreciate his gesture. Meanwhile, Lady Gabrielle just rolls her eyes at the display from behind the veil of her fan.

Ursus feels her relent once he asks his question. "...everything," she answers, before her tone becomes a bit more frantic. "I had no control of myself! The last five years have been a nightmare!"

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

"What other creatures or minions did Karzoug number among his servants, besides those in this room?" Filraen asks.


"Besides the giants, there was a large group of powerful lamias. I'm not sure where they are right now. There's also the twelve hooded men from Leng, who've been working on a portal for him to bring in a lot more giants, and then there's the blue dragon who lives underneath the city."

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

"Lamias, hmm? Which deity did they serve?" Turning, Filraen's eyes go momentarily out of focus.

(via Telepathic Bond) "Lamias are typically associated with the worship of Lamashtu; they are her "daughters". All my research indicates that the Thassilonians worship Lissala, with the sole exception of Xanderghul who venerated a dead deity known as the Peacock Spirit.

His eyes refocusing on Ursus' captive, he glares down at her. "Quickly. Your master will not be unconscious indefinitely."


"He's not my master," she immediately replies. "Not by my choice."

"The lamias' priestesses are dedicated to Lamashtu," she continues, answering Filraen's question. "But Most High Ceoptra, Karzoug's favored lamia, she complained a lot about how they were not ready to be converted to the worship of Karzoug himself and the concept of greed."

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

Ursus grunts and shrugs. "It sounds like there weren't quite on board either. With Karzoug defeated it shouldn't be hard to drive them off. I assume the dragon you mentioned is that one over there?" the huge ulfen asks with a gesture to the unconscious dragon he choked out on the platform across the chamber.


"No," she answers. "I saw Karzoug create that one out of that well of gold not five minutes before you showed up. The one beneath the city's name is Ghlorofaex, and he was happy to be Karzoug's ally."

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

Filraen sighs and rolls his eyes at the mention of another dragon. "For rare, mythical beasts I've seen half a dozen dragons in three weeks. This is getting ridiculous." His eyes roll back in his head again.

(via Telepathic Bond) "I'll begin the scouring the lower levels for the lamias.

Returning his attention to the captive, he resumes the interrogation. "What do you know of the Denizens of Leng? Did Karzoug speak of them?" After speaking, he intones several arcane syllables and slices his palm with the clawed finger of his spiked gauntlet. The blood burns away as disembodied eyes the size of ripe apples materialize around him, float for a few moments, then scatter through the portal back to the Pinnacle of Avarice.

Filraen casts blood money, dealing 1d6 ⇒ 6 damage to himself, followed by a prying eyes spell for 1d4 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22 eyes. He orders the eyes to search the Pinnacle of Avarice and its environs in pairs for the lamias, spreading out from the portal room towards the base camp in a pattern of expanding concentric circles and to return to him once an eye spots a lamia, dragon, or rune giant.

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

Morgrym glowers a bit from a distance. He is obviously listening even more intently now.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (15) + 29 = 44 to detect deceit from our captive.


The captive thinks for a moment. "He said they were full of treachery. They were loyal to their own god and not him. But he cut a deal with 'em."

Morgrym: You can tell that your captive is waking up from one really long nightmare. She seems to be a mix of relieved and scared, though she is staying tough out of instinct. You don't detect any loyalty to her previous captor, and thus no deceit.

Filraen: Your prying eyes will eventually find several lamias and rune giants in the area of the base camp. We can talk more about exact numbers if we need to.

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

"Wat do ye know abowt the abilities of these Leng types? Do ye know what would happen if we put 'em down and destroyed or commandeered the portal? And more basically, wat do ye know abowt the portal?"


"Very little. Karzoug told me not to disturb them, that he had them under control. He didn't trust me with more than that. I know the portal was supposed to bring in a loyal army from over the edge of the world or something."

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

"Good that we stopped it then. If there are no more questions, Ursus, perhaps we could release our captive? She seems harmless enough for now, especially devoid of that sentient sword. Also, has anyone checked Karzoug for signs of life? I'd hate to think all that knowledge leaked out on the floor while we were dithering with his bodyguard."

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

Heal: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (14) + 30 = 44 to check Kerzoug. Also, I believed I stabilized him after combat, fearing his warning to be true.


Karzoug is stable, no problem there. The knowledge isn't leaking.

So, do we want to move on to the lower levels?

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

I think so.

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

Sounds good.

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

Lower levels?


So, it sounds like we'll be releasing Viorian. What will be done with Karzoug? He can't actually leave this plane at this point. Investigation reveals that the runewell needs a bit more energy for his body to be able to manifest on the Prime Material, but it can serve as a portal back to the Prime for everyone except Karzoug. A bit more time will do it, though.

On the main floor, the Pinnacle of Avarice, we've still got Katharan, Sheila Heidmarch, and a now-malfunctioning portal that was being worked on by the Denizens of Leng. Filraen's prying eyes confirm that there are lamias and rune giants outside the Pinnacle.

So, what are you guys going to do about Katharan and Sheila? And how 'bout that portal?

Dark Archive

Male Gray Elf Eldritch Knight 20

Stowing the sack containing the Sword of Greed in his portable hole and folding it up again, Filraen declares, "It may behoove us to revive Karzoug and learn what he knows regarding the portal, Mhar, Leng, and his artifacts; regardless of his eventual fate, his knowledge will be invaluable to us." Returning the folded up portable hole to a pouch on his bandolier, he continues, "On the other hand, reviving him is a grave risk; he is, after all, a man who ruled an empire for hundreds of years and a phenomenally powerful wizard from an age when magic was understood in a way none since have managed. This is especially true now that we are without that foul aura you were radiating, Morgrym."

Stepping towards the portal, he checks over his weapons, rods, and gear, stowing his dropped staff back in his efficient quiver. "In the meanwhile, I have located the remaining generals of the giants and the lamias. Before our combat fortifications completely expire, I believe it would be an opportune time to neutralize at least three of them, as I have appropriate magics for that task. Any objections?"

Silver Crusade

Male Dwarf Warpriest of Torag 19

With that, Morgrym lets out a deep belly laugh. "Hawr! So ye dinnae like my anti wizard stink, did ye? 'Sok. I dinnae think that Kerzoug liked it much either.' Morgrym gives the unconscious Runelord an amused glance.

Then Morgrym sighs. "I'm not sure how to deal with 'im. I could lock 'im in a prismatic sphere for 3 hours. I could silence an item on Ursus' body, and Ursus could drag 'im 'round. We could lock 'im in an antimagic field. Not sure, but I do know that I don't wan' 'im conscious and able to cast."

Sovereign Court

N Female Taldan Aristocrat 19 | HP 181/181 | AC 37 T 28 FF 37 | CMD 41+ | F +27 R +35+1 W +24 | Init: +27 | Perc: +41, SM: +47 | MV +5, good hope, shield, blessing of fervor, inspire courage, comm. table, tea set active

"If he is stripped of his items and Ursus holds him while inside one of Morgrym's antimagic fields, that should be enough," the Lady suggests.

Sovereign Court

Male Ulfen Barbarian/Martial Artist 19 | HP: 272/272 l AC: 41 /T: 29/ FF: 34 l Fort: +25, Ref: +18, W: +20 l Init: +4 l Per: +27 l Movement: 60

Ursus frowns at the extreme measures being taken to keep one evil wizard in check but nods in agreement. ”I can keep a hold of him if you’d like but I still think it’d be easier to just snap his damned neck. Anything he was protecting us from I’m certain we can handle.”

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