Agents of the Darklands, Part 2: In Company of Forgotten Evils

Game Master thunderbeard

The emissary smiles as best he can—but does not appear to be happy with the proposal. He spends a bit of time in thought and, two or three times, appears to cast a Sending spell, but finally seems happy with the response.

"Nemret Noktoria would be... interested in setting up such a relationship, though not happy," he finally replies to the party. "We are, of course, keenly curious about what the local 'laws' are regarding creation of spawn and feeding, as well as what kind of diplomatic privilege your city offers."

"Noktoria does not sign agreements," he adds, "But a handshake-deal will be honored by the Ghoul Court. I will return in one month with the necessary laborers to construct a 'modest' embassy."

"And," he adds, before shaking Meredian's hand, "I should note that your city bears some superficial resemblance to a current nuisance of ours known as 'Shraen.' Should you enter into any agreement with that city, you may consider this one to be voided."

Assumng the party has no further concerns, he promptly disappears except for a single sheet of fabric, which lifts up into the air and flies with purpose out of the city.

Before Meredian shakes hands with the emissary, Dris telepathically raises the point he mentioned to Anaxian ::"Are we sure the ghouls are the better of the two warring cities to make an alliance with? Also, I think it wise that we should at the very least hear the offer from House Shraen before making a decision."::

Agreed. However, that will need to wait until we have more information on Shraen itself. I would not do blindly into dealing with the Drow.

Telepathically "We can make the deal with the ghouls for now then invalidate it later if Shaern can offer a better alliance. We're going to piss the ghouls off either way. I had their numbers limited for just that reason. "

Back on topic of dragon body...

"Wow.. That sounds like it's going to be expensive.. How much abouts do you think it would cost?"

Yes. It will likely be a great deal. I will do some estimates later in my lab.

Lets wrap this scene up, then talk about the spell and price breakdown of what you have planned.

Meredian shakes the vampires hand and sends him on his way.

Once he's gone and or telepathically "Relax. We can always break it later when it's more convenient to fight them. "

"Can you send them across planes with that? There are some really nasty spots in the multiverse."

"Do you wish victims of this trap to be killed, or captured?"

"Oooh, and do you want to be able to take their stuff?"

"I haven't entirely decided, but I think killed. Everyone will be warned not to teleport. Woe to those who can't follow simple instructions. "

The difficulty comes in creating a space that is sufficiently lethal, but not able to destroy the equipment or corpse. For that, I recommend the Mage's Sword spell built into a trap, set on an automatic reset, targeting any creature in the cell every five seconds or so. The longer they are in the cell, the more of the swords spawn to attack them.

The difficulty comes in creating a space that is sufficiently lethal, but not able to destroy the equipment or corpse. For that, I recommend the Mage's Sword spell built into a trap, set on an automatic reset, targeting any creature in the cell every five seconds or so. The longer they are in the cell, the more of the swords spawn to attack them.

"That should work. I've also been thinking about poison clouds and symbols and what not. Naturally the room will also be completely free of breathable air. That seems like sufficient overkill to get the job done. "

A while later Meredian sends some runners to call the council to session.

Once the council is gathered and settled.

"I think it's time to discuss our next move. I propose we set some options then vote on them. Anyone can present ideas and we each get one vote. In the event of a tie...well, we'll have to figure out something for that. "

"As I see it we currently have about three options, but feel free to chime in with more. We can put resources toward finding the next in the council of colors. Having Jiator has been rather good for the city. My hopes is the next will be as well. Alternately, We can stay and maintain the city's progress and only deal with any issues as they arise. Finally, we can perform a little ransacking and mayhem for fun and profit. Perhaps we can go level House Shraen or one of the Neolithid fortresses. I was also thinking about finding fully loaded merchant ships and taking all their resources for our own use. I was just bored and could use a hobby. I was going to do so on my own, but having a group could make it more efficient and fun. "

"Lets open the floor for additional ideas or point/counterpoints to the ideas presented. What say you?"

"Reassembling the council was the original goal, if we've got any more leads, we should probably get on that."

I concur. Though there are still a few items of current business that should be addressed before we leave again for a protracted period of time.

though not a council member, we should get the city to a point where it can defend itself before carrying on perhaps.

"Um... What were they again?"

I have business with Jiator. I do not believe it will take long. Also, your dragon corpse. I am interested in figuring out what we will do with it. Finally, our new ally mentioned he would like a laboratory built. Getting that underway before we leave would be prudent for Jiator's planning.

"Oh, right, well, you said we'd meet up later about the corpse after you have time to prepare the cost analysis."

"Very well. Do we have any leads on the next council member?"

A quick reminder: Jiator might not have useful information here, as the first council lich to leave the city. But Sir John had leads on the four others; the "smith" went to the Duergar capital and never returned, the "prophet" left with an army of bound outsiders to invade Absalom, the "gardener" was last seen in Nidal's Uskwood (but may no longer exist on this plane), and the "dragon" turned traitor and engineered the city's downfall (after which his location is unknown). Of those four, only the dragon and smith were actually liches; the other two had achieved immortality through living means.

"Summon Sir John. He may be able to provide additional insight on where to start. " Meridian says to a servant standing in the corner.

My comments were basically just Segway into the next part of the adventure. Use it as you see fit.

Since I've got this plan worked out in my head and it's being hand waved I'll go ahead and post the description just for fun. DM can decide what if any actual loot is garnered.

At some time prior the the council meeting:

Meridian wakes early one morning and makes her way via traveling magics to Jamelri.

Before departing she casts wind walk and Overland flight on herself as well as her usual allotment of protective magics.

In Jamelri she makes her way to the Harbor masters Office. She casts a few spells to make her scorpion familiar a Permanent Reduce Person, shadow, invisible, and puts herself in telepathic contact. The latter she reminds herself to set up permanently. Then she sends the Fine sized shadowy skulk into fetch her some information and trinkets. She casts Scry on the familiar to keep an eye on the proceedings and give direction.

With a ridiculous stealth roll the Scorpion shadow is quite capable of making it's way into the Harbor masters office. It waits quietly in a corner until the harbor master is called away on other business. Once the room is empty the scorpion flips through the ledgers as Meridian directs and views over his shoulder. Reading through the manifests Meridian chooses the one with greatest reward for her troubles. As is common practice each ships log and basic inventory list has a small chit with it. These chits are small pieces of the ships that captains are required to relinquish in the event the Jamelri navy is required to investigate. A practical security precaution, but Meridian is going to use it for her own good. Meridian instructs the Scorpion to grab a few of the best chits, then light the place on fire. The familiar obeys and knocks over a few oil lamps on its way out. The books go up like kindling. In the chaos to follow the scorpion makes its's way back to it's mistress.

Meridian pockets the small tokens and strokes the scorpion gingerly. 'Very good my pet. Now we can truly begin." she says as she tucks the scorpion away.

Using a large map Meridian casts Track Ship to find the location of her first target. Using that basic knowledge she shifts as close to that location as possible. It takes her a few tries to get within eyesight, but once she does she giggles with the glee of a schoolgirl. A psychotic schoolgirl with chaos in her eyes, but still.

Using her increased flight speed she makes her way invisibly to the ship. She walks secretly among the crew and waits for nightfall. When the darkest hour comes she secrets her way into the captain's chambers. Smiling over his sleeping form she draws on her wicked'y adorned Goz Mask. Then she casts a spell of killing clouds (cloud kill). Followed by opening of her bottle of smoke. As the captain wanders blindly to raise alarm she uses telekinesis to hold him in place until he expires. She allows the smoke to continue to billow out of the bottle tied to her waist. In this way she wanders the ship spreading the smoke and chaos. The crew raises the alarm and tries to find where the fire is, but they are unaware that there is no fire. In the chaos Meridian is effectively free to Create death and chaos in her wake. In a reasonably short time she kills or incapacitates nearly all the crew.

Then there was one. One lone surviving crew member. Under her mask she grins and quirks her head considering what uses she may have for him. "Do you know these waters?" she asks from the fog.

The crewman clearly terrified states with a quavering voice, "Y..Yes. "

"Where is the closest place where ships are known for being dashed upon rocks. Don't worry. If you help me I'll save you. You'll be at home warm in your wife's or perhaps a busty barmaid's embrace as is your preference before daybreak."

Still fearful, but compliant. "To the east. Sorrows reef is known for badly navigated ships hitting it in the night. "

"Very good." She says moments before hitting him with multiple rays of fire. Scorching his body and leaving him very much dead.

Closing her bottle and lifting her mask as she allows the winds to dissipate Meridian Looks around. Gathering all he bodies in one place she animates them with the inmate ability to pilot the ship (Skeleton Crew). She has them help her gather and stack the cargo only specially embroidered cloth as well as steer the ship in an eastern direction toward Sorrows Reef.

Knowing she has about half a day she explores and looks for secret compartments as well as anything inherently magical. Additionally, she takes a few odds and ends from the captains chambers such as nautical maps, expensive trinkets, etc. Then she begins to stack the trade goods onto her cloths. It takes a few trips, but she is able to successfully acquire all of the relevant cargo she wants and bring it to her mansion.

As the reefs looms in the last hour or so she commands the crew to go full speed into it. She watches in fascination from the crows nest as the ship smashed itself into the reef and breaks apart. Naturally she stepped into the air before her perch was thrashed about in a most undignified manner. She ordered any remaining skeleton crew to walk into the sea knowing the spell would wear itself out in a few days. Then with a grin she returned to her Mansion and large pile of goods she had built in her courtyard. She took the choice pieces for herself then had some of the organize and dispense the remainder to the new Drow citizenry.

While Meridian was playing pirate, Anaxian was finishing his phylactery. Years of work, a kingdom's ransom in treasure, all to enchant a single coin that looked little different than any other coin circulating around the city.

It was now gold plated and had Meridian's face on it, of all absurd things. The disguise was almost irrelevant though. It was what was inside the coin that mattered.

Perhaps inside was the wrong way to look at it. Attached was a better descriptor.

The coin housed a dragon's soul. It was the template from which all the others came. It was the alpha and omega of the fractal being called Anaxian.

And now it sat on a work table between Jiator and Anaxian. All of him. The room was carefully, perhaps paranoidly warded against scrying and divinations, as well as more mundane methods of spying. Anaxian took no chances with his phylactery. The fact that he let Jiator see it at all was a gamble, and a sign of trust that was nearly alien to the dragon.

"It has always had a flaw. The ritual was meant for a drow, not a dragon. I stole it from my former master. I was foolish and too impulsive when I used the ritual. I am lucky it did not kill me and obliterate my soul. I have been so far unable to reverse engineer where the change needed to be made. I admit I am at a loss." he said to Jiator.

"Do you know?"

Alright, let's finish this up! (Sorry, been unexpectedly creatively drained the last week—finished another draft of my paper, graded my last set of lab reports ever, and competed in my first ever ballroom competition)

Annnd... I think I know how to wrap these plots up.

Meredian (and Inubrix):

With a bit of thought, Meredian chooses as her target a small kotiya ship. The shipwrights of Jalmeray draw much from Vudra, and while she's never seen a ship quite like this one, it seems roughly like a shorter, wider caravel. The ship also bears ornate decoration and carving, far more than any merchant of Avistan; but this craftwork will soon be gone.

The crew number approximately 60—more than usual for a ship of this size, but the merchants of Jalmeray are used to short trips, where safety becomes a greater concern than provisioning. The ship bears impressive ballistae and a single catapult, but these prove impossible to turn on the deck. A single spellcaster on board manages to begin dispelling the fog with a wind spell; but Inubrix, stowing away in Meredian's holding-bag, is immune to the fog, and moves quickly through it, decapitating that spellcaster and a few other competent-looking crew officers.

Now, how much is the cargo worth? Let's see... a small kotiya would have a tonnage of 100-150; at typical draft weights, we'd expect around 80 tons of cargo after provisions, weapons and ammunition. The majority of this is likely food (~40 gp/ton), canvas (~400 gp/ton, including rollers), and lumber (~200 gp/ton), which Meredian cannot reasonably remove from the ship (just... not enough time to shovel 100,000 lb of grain into bags of holding and portable holes). But Meredian picked a particularly wealthy ship, traveling with approximately 15 tons of various spices (2,000 gp/ton) and 5 tons of silver bullion (10,000 gp/ton).

Base metals are heavy; a portable hole can easily hold over 5 tons of silver, which Inubrix and the skeleton crew help load. The spices are trickier—and will take more time to sell—but all in all, the Drow of Escarra will be eating the spiciest food in Golarion for years to come, with plenty of myrrh and allspice to spare. Not to mention, of course, the work for the silversmiths—although it seems the city's currency will be primarily sterling for a while.

All in all, that's a haul of 80,000 gp in base luxury goods.

But Inubrix asks for his own share, to trade in the forgotten markets and scrapyards of Numeria and the smithies of the Duergar for useful components to build his reactor. With three weeks of downtime remaining before the city finishes its next cycle of accounting, Meredian offers the robot as much silver and spice as he can sell in that time.

We're going to use plunder rules here; there's some ambiguous wording in S&S that suggests plunder could be converted into "building components" of all sort. And Inubrix knows exactly what cities might sell the components and alloys he needs.

Inubrix: you have 21 days to sell plunder. You can sell up to 1,000 gp of plunder/day (either using your skills, or getting another party member to barter for you), but doing so takes a full day. It is a DC 10 check (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, or Profession) to earn 1,000 gp; but you can gain 1,050 gp with a DC 15 check, 1,100 gp with a DC 20 check, etc. up to 1,400 gp with a DC 50 check (HOWEVER, if you fail a raised-DC check, you earn only 1,000 gp for that day).

For every 2,000 gp sold, you can gain 1 BP which can be used only towards construction of a reactor.

Future months may see additional piracy.

not sure if it matters, but in addition to bags of holding Meredian prepared and used several castings of Treasure Stitching. The limitation there is not weight, but a 10x10 foot cube per casting.

Anaxian:

"There is more than one ritual," Jiator replies. "I walked with the servants of the Runelords in the days when the Whispering Way was young, optimistic, unrestrained. There were differences of opinion—some sought knowledge, and lichdom. Others sought power; the strigoi, first vampires on Golarion, were brought forth by wizards who wished to drink their blood. And the simplest, the hungry fools, became ghouls and wights."

"But even among liches, there was diversity. My ritual, though I remember little, was carried out through song and geometry. Adrexa spurned the whispers in the shadows, forged her own rituals—but they were violent: as she claimed to the Council once, eight hundred Osiriani slaves died screaming in a pit of blood to achieve it, the insult that first drew Pharasma's ire in the centuries before our city's founding."

"And there was the dragon. Small, green, at first. One of the many familiars who came to Escarra in the days after the city's founding. No one but Hiesnar knows the necessary runes and incantations; but he solved your problem, once. I can lead you to the ruins of the stone circle he used; they'll be buried under a dozen feet of dirt, but your digging body should be able to clear that easily. I can easily find you a wand of Object Reading; but it'll take remarkable skill and focus to pull the memories from those stones."

With Anaxian's massive Appraise bonus, he can reasonably pull 3-4 pieces of information per casting of Appraise; a 50-charge wand should give around 150-200 "pieces of information" from the history of Hiesnar's ritual circle, which should be enough to get the important bits, while also taking only 10 minutes or so of work.

Treasure Stitching isn't going to take that much grain; but it does mean you can transport all the good stuff in 1-2 trips, which is pretty handy.

Everyone:

Sir John's assessment of the city's situation is that, after the month is finished, there are two best candidates for former Council members to search out. While Zeshar's trail may be difficult to uncover without provoking hostilities from the Duergar of Nar-Voth, the path to tracking down Diamanda or Kharnas should be easier. Diamanda once brought edible fungus and fleshwarping magic to Escarra; finding her, or a suitably powerful druid, would allow the city to plant farms. Kharnas's talents were always more subtle, though he may be able to help in attracting (or enslaving) outsiders to the city's cause.

"Diamanda sounds particularly useful. Whats the lead on her?'

initially auto corrected that name to Diamond. Apparently she's also a stripper or American gladiator

Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 = +1000gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 = +1000gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 = +1000gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 = +1100gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 = ?
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 = +1150gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 = +1100gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 = +1100gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 = +1050gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 = +1050gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 = +1000gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 = +1150gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 = +1100gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 = +1150gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 = +1100gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 = +1050gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 = +1050gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 = ?
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 = +1150gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 = +1000gp
Profession: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 = +1000gp

So, for the two i failed, do i get any gold or is it just reduced in the opposite way (950 for failing by 4 or less)?

as is, looks like a haul of 20,300gp, so 10 BP (with a chance at one more BP if i get a reduced rate for those two low rolls vice nothing gained those days). How many BP do reactors cost?

The two you failed, you just don't get any sale that day. We priced the reactor at 50 BP, so you've just gained a fifth of that through three weeks of work.

ouch

Anaxian smiled.

"That will do." he agreed, eager to get to work.

Whoops, this got de-dotted all weekend.

Mother Diamanda was one of the last of the Council to leave the city. Apparently, she departed to join—or perhaps gain the aid of—the Shades of the Uskwood, an ancient and necromantic circle of druids in the surface nation of Nidal. This Sir John remembers clearly, although Crimson has been able to determine that Diamanda—or her remains—no longer exist on the Material Plane.

"I might be able to assist in tracking down or at least learning more about Zeshar" Dris offers. "Apparently before ascending to the heavens, I was a Duergar so perhaps I can use that to my advantage and go and visit their city while Anaxian investigates what happened to Diamanda"

At least, I'm pretty sure that's what Dapper told me, I can't seem to find his answer lol

Yep! Like a thousand years ago, of course.

They age just like dwarves though right? So like children or grand children should be around that might know of me perhaps?

I think you briefly spoke to your great-grandson, yeah.

"I say we depart to the Uskwood then. I've always found the Nidalese rather charming. "

"I find them insufferable and unimaginative."

"I find them insufferable and unimaginative."

"'Charming' is code for stupid, but also too stupid to know one is stupid. Like in some parts of Golarion 'Bless your heart' means 'go F**k yourself.'l

Illia- seemed to have been perking up, perhaps about to say something along the lines of "Oooh, that's nice", but quickly backs down and shrinks a bit as she realizes, no, that is not what was being implied.

"I find euphemisms and colloquialisms to be universally... charming."

"I find euphemisms and colloquialisms to be universally... charming."

Meredians face quirks into a mischievous grin.

"Well done."