Something Wicked This Way Comes (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

The door doesn't open when you speak the words.

While you are poking about the room, foul shadows begin to bleed out of the walls. Three red eyed wraiths flit about the room, watching you intently. After a brief moment, they seep back into the walls. A few heartbeats later, black smoke billows out of the hidden door, coalescing into a massive dread wraith. The whole room fills with an unnatural chill and menace.

"What have we here? More visitors? Looking for some missing Asmodeans perhaps?"

"Yes." Xanos answered after a moment to adjust to the Wraith's presence. "To know that you must have seen them."

Knowledge Religion (dread wraith): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21. "I have a bad feeling about this . . . "

Sariana simply moves quietly around the rooms edge - aiming to take the wraith between herself and Albrekt.

As the huge wraith materialises, Albrέkt soaks in its necrotic presence with a grin, then moves forward to stand at Xanos' shoulder.

"Schreckensgeist... Vunderbar."

The vampyr nods reverently toward the looming undead;

"I am Albrέkt. Ein Unheiligen Krieger des Blassen Prinzessin - Vampyr zervant of Urgathoa. I kare nicht on zhose Azmodeanz zhat kam before us. Only who ve sprechen vith now..."

Am burning a Villain Point for a +8 bonus to my Diplomacy roll - first impressions and all that...

Diplomacy (+Deathspeaker trait bonus): 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 + 8 = 20 Grr. Hoped for more...

Molasbar does his best to ignore the dread wraith looming before them. Instead, his eyes dart around the room, scanning walls, ceiling and floor, trying to keep any eye out for the three (or more) wraiths that appeared briefly before.

The wraith chuckles, "Indeed. They were delicious and now serve me. I learned much before they died and suspect even more, but tell me, why do the pawns of Asmodeus seek the wisdom of Vetra-Kali?"

To Albrekt, it says, "Be welcome child of Urgathoa. The high priest of the Pale Horsemen greets you in Vetra-Kali's hall."

"Asmodeus wants the Tears of Aklys. Vetra-Kali wants free of Mitra's bindings. We are here to facilitate the deal," Xanos explained.

Albrέkt bows his head reverently at the uber-wraith and smiles;

"Danke Hohepriester des Blassen Reiters. As Der Old Vun schtated ve are brokers of zhis deal..."

Molasbar stays silent, relieved that the wraith seems willing to talk rather than go straight to battle. If this goes sideways, will the vampires side with the wraiths? he wonders. He subtly shifts his position, bringing himself closer to Rose and Xanos as the conversation progresses.

Rose returns Molasbar's glance with her own look, sharing his suspicions of the vampires and the undead wraith before him. They all seemed too fond of eating the living.

The wraith chuckles malevolently, "Well then fleshlings, we may be able to come to some sort of compact. A great seal has been placed, preventing the return of our lord. This must be broken. If wish Vetra-Kali's tears, this must be done."

"I imaging that you've encountered our guard dogs, yes? Hexor and Vexor proved insufficient is protecting the sanctum in the past, but have performed passably in the decades since they reformed. I can provide you with the amulets that will allow them to let you pass."

"I also have an eye of our lord in my possession. I know you have the others. Their antipathy sings to me, soothing in their malice. All the eyes will be needed for Ventra-Kali to find his way back."

"These I can provide you Asmodeans, but I do not trust you. For my aid, I require you to pledge a blood oath to restore Vetra-Kali to this world. Stain his alter with your blood and speak the words, and we may work together in this glorious pursuit."

"I am already sworn to Asmodeous. I am unsure I can swear another oath, especially to a power not of Hell." Haruk admits, definitely not wanting to wanting to break his bonds to the Lord of the Pit.

Albrέkt mulls the wraith's words, arching an eyebrow;

"Vill zhis new oath vash der schtainz ov ze old avay?"

Rose hesitates for a moment like the others, but then comes to a different conclusion. "Pledge to restore Vetra-Kali? As long as it's not a pledge to serve him, I will gladly do that."

After all, I'm not promising I won't destroy him and take the Tears of Aklys as soon as he returns to this place.

Knowledge (religion) to know what exactly the blood oath might mean, especially if they break it: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Sariana says nothing, although her upcurling lips make her opinion on blood oaths pretty clear. This whole situation seems to make the vampire uncomfortable...

"Pledging to serve Asmodeus and pledging to restore Vetra-Kali are not mutually exclusive." Xanos mused in response to Haruk. "I'd imagine your god would be pleased by a well-worded vow which allows both. He is the Lord of Contracts, after all."

Xanos approached the altar, cut his hand, and let his potent blood fall. "I will work to break the seal currently binding Vetra-Kali from this plane."

Albrέkt eyes the necromancer's dripping blood hungrily, but instead removes his gauntlet and turns his jagged teeth upon his own palm...

Pale plasma laced with crimson and pus-like ichor drips slowly from his clenched fist to the fell alter...

"I too vil restore Vetra-Kail. Nicht for Asmodeus, but minn Blassen Princessen, und to herald a new vurld of pestilenz und deth!"

Rose waits a moment to see what happens to Xanos and Albrekt. She wants to make sure they aren't charmed, possessed, cursed, etc. "So, how did it feel?"

As Xanos inferred, your oaths aren't mutually exclusive. You need to restore Vetra-Kali to get the Tears, so it's what you're planning on doing anyways. The wraith doesn't trust you and wants a binding promise before helping you.

@Rose: Breaking such a promise will earn the enmity of Vetra-Kali and that enmity is eternal. It doesn't conflict with or invalidate any previous oaths taken.

The wraith chuckles, "Such service must be earned and you've yet to prove your worthiness. Your promise in aiding in bringing about Vetra-Kali's return to this plane will suffice."

@Albrekt and Xanos: There is no particular sensation when you make the oath, but you do feel the gravity of the promise. These were more than just words. You made a promise whose breaking will bring punishment from the Archdaemon Prince of Pestilence upon you.

"It felt the way it always does to make deals with devils."

The way he said it was practically boring.

Albrέkt nods, adding a more colourful description of the feeling;

"You feel it Ja? Part dread... part ekstase. From loin to jaw... Ve are bound to an schwur (oath/covenant)..."

Unlike the necromancer, the ironclad vampyr seems to relish the pact and the endgame he envisages...

Seeing nothing terrible happen, Rose cuts herself and places a hand on the altar. "I, Rose Silversting, pledge to restore Vetra-kali to this world."

Molasbar steels himself, and approaches the altar. With a deft slice, he drips blood on the altar and also commits "I, Molasbar, pledge to restore Vetra-kali to this world." He steps away from the altar, still looking defiantly at the wraith as he does so.

While Albrέkt watched impassively when Xanos let his necrotically tainted blood spill, the same cannot be said when Rose and Molasbar drip their collective lifeblood upon the alter...

As the vampyr eyes first Aasimar, then half orc hungrily his jagged maw widens and he begins to drip thick drool...

"I feel der gnaw of hunger... Zuch life in your veins minn friendz... Zveet und zucculent..."

Sariana stays in the corner, and makes no effort to take the oath.

Haruk joins the rest of his companions, once assured this oath would not get in the way of his greater one to his god. "I vow to set free Vetra-kali."

"There, that good enough for you?" asks Rose, as she notices everyone except Sariana take the oath. She hopes the wraith doesn't feel a need for completeness.

The wraith hisses, "It will suffice, but will she betray you? Do you know her heart? You risk much in allowing her rebellion. I would kill her, if I were you."

"Regardless, the risk is yours, not mine. Let us proceed. Press the eyes on Vetra-kali's statue."

Just going to assume someone does.

When the eyes are pressed, the secret door swings open silently. Inside is a dusty room full of broken furnature and other detritus. After a moment, the door swings silent shut.

"Now repeat, but say AbyssalHail, Vetra-Kai as you do so"

Again, assuming someone does.

The door swings upon once more, but this time the doorway is bathed in a malevolent green glow. Beyond the threshold is another room, but this one is full of chests, and treasures on pedestals.

"Behold, the wealth of the Pale Horsemen, may it aid in bringing about Vetra-Kali's return."

#Lootz
Ornate silver belt studded with obsidian (belt of giant’s strength +2)

A plain golden ring (ring of mind shielding)

An ornate teak wood box holding a glass lens (a lens of detection)

A walking stick of hard black wood adorned with silver fixtures and green semi-precious stones (rod of elemental metamagic [acid], lesser)

Two iron plates both carved in abyssal that read “Aticus” and “Andian” They are of the same style as the amulets that hung around the guardian Daemons necks

A ton (yes, 2000 lbs) of solid silver furnishings -- plates, silverware, goblets, candelabra, cirlets, jewelry and the like worth 10,000 gp total

600 lbs of similar golden items -- worth 30,000 gp

Six chests full of mixed coinage from dozens of nations worth 5,500 gp total (approximately 550 lbs of coin)

A carefully packed crate holding a dozen potions of cure moderate wounds (labelled as such in abyssal)

Last, but not least, another large green emerald, the same as the other two that you've previously found.

Magic items obviously need to be identified, but you'll eventually succeed in that.

Xanos walked around the room scanning with his mage-sight, identifying the enchanted items.

He pointed to the belt. "It makes you slightly stronger. Sariana and Albrekt can argue over it."

He picked up the ring. "It guards your thoughts and the truth of your nature. The vampires will find little use for it. Any of the living could use it, but believe it should go to Haruk. In the event one of us needs to trick the mitrans, he would be the obvious choice. The ring would aid his infiltration."

The walking stick he handed to Haruk. "Your focus on flame spells will become a liability sooner or later. This will help mitigate that."

Molsabar got the lens. "To aid in scouting and tracking."

The large green emerald Xanos took for himself and added it to the other two he was carrying. He also picked up the two name plates knowing they would need them to negotiate with the Daemons.

Feel free to argue my suggestions.

Molasbar accepts the lens, tucking it in his pack. "Yes, and I can loan it to Sariana on those occasions when she takes the lead."

When Xanos picks up the iron plates, Molasbar takes note. "Now we can get a look at the sanctuary, I would wager. And perhaps add two more powerful minions to our force."

After pondering for a moment, he asks "Do you think the wraiths would help us defend this place, if it came to it?" As he says it, he glances at the floor, knowing a wraith could be lurking right below its surface.

Edit:"We can work on getting much of this wealth back to civilization. I am sure with his connections, the baron can help us liquidate it. If the bag of holding is ready, that will be critical to getting some of these things into town with discretion. There is a lot we can do with this much gold. While some may have to go back into this place, I would like some of it for personal use as well."

Rose starts shading her eyes as she looks at all the treasure. "Wow, there's so much gold and silver here, I'm going to be blinded!" She's kidding, of course, but is clearly thrilled by the find. Rose picks up a set of 4 Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds. "Molasbar, Xanos, you should split the remaining 8 Potions. Mister Wraith, exactly how many Eyes does Ventra-Kali have?"

Albrέkt watches as the iron plates are retrieved by Xanos, despite his low wit, the brute knew their significance;

"Der Daemons. Zhey vill serve us. Nicht just you Old Vun." Remember zhat ja?

He lifts the magical belt, then tosses it toward Sariana with a jagged grin;

"Take it Kiene Schwester (Necril: Little Sister), You vil be kloser to minn equval viz it."

Xanos offered Albrekt the iron plates. "Would you prefer to Bind them yourself?"

What could possibly go wrong?

"Danke Bruder." Sariana replies, catching the belt easily and buckling it around her plain robe with swift hands. "Although," She grins, a terrifying expression to match Albrekt's own. "I am your equal already - Old Man!"

Haruk takes the proffered items, slipping the ring on immediately, and hanging the rod off his belt. "Alright, what next? Back downstairs, to bypass the guardians?"

Albrέkt shakes his head at the offered daemonic plates;

'Nein. I haf nicht der visdom to use zuch aritfakts."

As the group plan their next move, the vampyr addresses the looming wraith;

"Sprekken of names - do you have vun Hohepriester des Blasse Reiters? Vil you und your fellow Unvergänglich remain on zis level of Das Horn?"

Albrέkt shakes his head at the offered daemonic plates;

'Nein. I haf nicht der visdom to use zuch aritfakts."

As the group plan their next move, the vampyr addresses the looming wraith;

"Sprekken of names - do you have vun Hohepriester des Blasse Reiters? Vil you und your fellow Unvergänglich remain on zis level of Das Horn?"

Rose is still waiting on the answer to her earlier question (how may eyes Ventra Kali has), but can't resist this new opportunity.

"How about I take one of those?" says Rose, jumping into the fray. "Though if it's wisdom you want, Sariana is probably the wisest of us for NOT swearing a blood oath just now."

@Rose: Vetra-Kali has 3 eyes.

At Albrekts' questions the wraith says, "Hexor and Vexor know who I am. I need no such trinkets, but they will allow you to bypass their watch."

"I will go where I please and my spawn will go where I instruct them. You have been entrusted with much and I plan on keeping an eye on my investment.

Basically consider the wraiths periodically making their presence known. Popping out of walls, silently wandering the halls, just watching you, etc. Consider them part of the charm of the place for the moment.

Xanos walked over to the statue of Vetra-Kali and took a closer look at it. He held the gem-eyes in his hands and stared the statue in the face.

"In a moment." he relied to Rose.

Do the gems look like they'll fit into the statue's eye sockets?

Rose peers at the statue alongside Xanos. "Oh, just try it out, what could it hurt?"

Albrέkt acknowledges the fell wraith's words with a officicous nod, then turns his baleful gaze toward Xanos as the necromancer approaches the statue...

"Old Vun. Do you vish me to insert Der Edelsteine?"

I'm waiting for the GM's response. This might not be where they go.

Sorry for the delay. The gems don't go there.

Watching Xanos, the former high priest says, "They are part of the Shrine above. Their restoration will bring the blessing of Vetra-Kali back to this place."

While I'm thinking about it, just a reminder of that book that you retrieved from the crystal cave along with one of the jewels. You haven't had a chance to look at it yet and it is important.

Did we get it out? I thought it was too big to fit out of the crack in the wall. We had the Boggards working on digging it out. I still have getting it out of the wall on my to-do list.

Xanos nodded his thanks to the shade. "It seems the next step is to speak with the Daemons."

Now that he knew where the eyes went he did not care who carried them. He handed all three to Rose.

"There is still much we do not know. The frescoes on the second floor have yet to be deciphered. The book in the catacombs yet to be freed. I would prefer to learn as much as possible about the purpose and nature of this place before we go investigate the final floor."

"All three of those eyes are enchanted with magic of a magnitude I have rarely encountered. They are powerful artifacts, all. If what we are to face is related to them, I want to know as much as possible."

"I can help with the frescoes, unless we are ready for me to go back to civilization with some of what we have found."

Do we know how long it will be until the bag of holding should be available?

We have one book from earlier, I don't recall where it's from, but Haruk was gonna read it after Xanos.

"We might want to split up at this point, if we're going to spend time researching things before moving onward. Xanos, Molasbar and myself can spend time with the frescoes, while perhaps Rose, Sariana and Albrέkt can haul some of our haul back to town?" Haruk muses.

Rose seems pretty excited about having the collection of emeralds. "I'll keep these safe," she says, tucking them into her belt pouch. She seems to look at her surroundings suspiciously as she does this. Better in my hands than our vampire friends . . . can never be too sure about them.

Once secure, she considers Xanos's suggestion. "Hopefully those boggards have finished digging out the book by now and we can learn a bit more about what's going on here."

The one from earlier is the journal of one of the cultists. We found it on the 2nd floor.

Albrέkt afixes Haruk with a curious stare, then smiles;

"A change in diet vud be gud. Meine Kleine Schwester und I vill keep Der Engleblut und our riches from being plundered..."

The wretch swivels to direct his jagged grin towards Rose.

@Molesbar: Believe it was scheduled to arrive a week or so after we left. No idea how much time has passed since then?