Arcanium ~ A New World (Inactive)

Game Master BloodWolven

"Oh you mean you don't know, that's Merlin! She can find the King of Camelot whereever he is located... just saying. Shall I introduce you?" He says quietly.

"When she done saving our lives", King Joseph nodded.

As Merlin, Arelius and Joe enter into the castle passed the courtyard, he states, "Merlin my master may I introduce the newest king of Camelot, Joseph Waskalis!"

She stops and walks over to Joe with an accusing finger up, "YOU DO KNOW WHAT YOU DID, RIGHT!" She sighs and rolls her eyes dropping the finger, "Come along, nothing we can do about it now. I need to know all the details... every juicy detail you can remember, the slightest thing can be crucial. Arelius lock down the kingdom and Joseph, your first thing you need to do is tell all your citizens to stay home and prepare for the worst! They need to be prepared for the Red Horde. Get in your throne and tell them. Especially those going to Filderson, actually divert them to Zeal. Everyone going to Filderson should go to Zeal! That is the pass the Red Horde holds. I hope you have some strong friends for in a few weeks you will be hunting trolls and demonic knights. Now do you have any questions?"

Artemis just nods, gesturing for Frank to head out, "I think its definitely time to go back..." soon quickly heading back to the temple to head back to Avalon. However, before getting there Artemis would freeze a bit, stopping in place real quick, "Just remembered something, quick question, does anyone here have both the ability to cast.... acid arrow and craft magical weapons and armor? If so then nevermind, but if not, we need to find someone who can do that so I don't end up both healing and hurting the Trolls at the same time."

The paladin looked at the imposing wizard and sighed to himself. "This day is not going to end, is it? Beyond that one, I have legion."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Turning to Arelius, King Joseph asked, "After you 'lockdown' the kingdom, please direct yourself and your master to the map room we were in earlier. Have extra cushions brought for the chairs, and a small dinner brought for us all. This will take a while. I shall join you both after I address the nation. Bare in mind, I'm expecting the return of The Night Hawks soon. Be sure they are allowed back."
The monarch leaves the two wizards to carry out his duty. Remembering where the throne room was in this massive castle, The paladin king enters and stops right before the throne, taking a moment to get clear in his head what he must say.
The Paladin of Death sits down in the throne and allows his thoughts to take hold of the magic inherent in the throne.

"Citizens of Avalon. This is King Joseph. I regret to inform you of bad news so early in my reign. It appears that old enemies of Avalon have resurfaced. At the advice of the returned Merlynn the Wizard, I request all citizen not in service to the crown, must stay home and indoors. The Red Horde will be making another move on Avalon in the coming days. All forces on route to Filderson are to reroute themselves to Zeal instead."

"Citizens of Avalon, last time the Red Horde attacked you were without strong leadership. Now, Avalon not only has a king, but a Paladin of The Mistress, determined to return safety and prosperity back to these green hills and plains. Pray to the Gods for mercy and guidance during these trying times. Avalon Forever!"

King Joseph slumps down in his throne, gathering his strength that was needed to broadcast his voices over thousands of miles. After a few moments, Joe pulled himself off the throne and made his way back to the map room.

"Got it. So immune to fire so it should be vulnerable to cold, but cold won't turn off its regeneration. No problem. We can handle it. It likely can't eat something that is large. So if I enlarge myself. No matter we will defeat the trolls. Thank you for the information."

As they are outside looking up.

"Who the hell is the Overlord? First I have heard of them. Yes, we will go. Is there anything you can tell us of the Overlord before going? When are we going to meet back here?"

I'm out of town this weekend and Monday. Likely won't post again until Monday night or Tuesday.

He shakes his head as his associates do as well, but then he points out, "Artemis, you just need someone to craft a weapon for you? One that casts acid arrows?"

They nod their heads to Franks statements.

One of them points out, "The Overlord was in charge of the Red Horde until he disappeared three years ago. A man of evil, suited up in arcane plate and doles out fireballs with a flick of his hand. You want to meet up every week for updates. Lets meet back here in 10 days, I think that works for most of us, and you?"

She speaks up and has been strangely silent for the whole meeting, Ryada at her side as usual was quiet, speaks up, "We will at least send a representative and we will be in contact. It sounds like we are going to head up and do some troll hunting! Good hunting and see you next Friday."

He points out to the group as we begin to depart from the Grandmaster and his associates, "We need supplies, Castria would likely be able to create a magical weapon for you Artemis. What are we thinking for this troll hunt?"

[b]"Yes, we need a lot of acid. Scrolls of spells and other such things. So Artemis the spell you said was Acid Arrow. I don't know of much I can do directly as an oracle but I will look into it. So our list so far is:
20 vials of acid, 400 gp
50 arrows of acid +1, 8,000 gp
2 longbows of giant bane with acid on it, 32,000 gp
What exactly do you need Artemis?
Any other suggestions?
An Augment crystal of acid for Joe and Frank. What is your bonus on your warhammer Frank?
Anything else?
Let us ponder and walk, we can buy items and ask around for what other items and scrolls could be effective.

diplomacy/gather information: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35 hours: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Acid Pit 4th level wand with 5 charges... 2,400 gp

scroll of Acidic spray 1,250 gp, it does 1d6 acid damage per level up to 60 feet, line (Ref save).

Acid Arrow 400 feet, ranged touch attack to hit your target. The arrow deals 2d4 points of acid damage with no splash damage.
wand 3,000 gp for 25 charges.

He sets up many creature comforts that he can in the map room including pillows, food, drinks, and a harp that seems to be playing a quiet melody.

She brings a large silver bowl filled with what appears to be water. Into the room and offers, "You can either let me see it for myself or you can spend the next few hours explaining it."

King Joseph eventually joins the two wizards in the map room. He looks a little tired, but that's to be expected due to the powers of The Throne. The paladin sets down the wooden cup and the harp he liberated from Zenli's Sanctum, bringing the wooden cup closer to Merlynn. "In a moment."
"I'm the King of Avalon. You're Merlin. His castle is Camelot. Is this wooden cup what I think it is? Is this the cup Perceval quested after all those years ago?"

Not sure where exactly when Jellena stops speaking/it transfers into ooc

Artemis just turns back towards Jellena and Delman, "With Borealis, I can... change what type of energy damage an opponent or enemy receives, meaning I can change the damage my bullet inflicts into cold damage. However, I can't nor can Borealis change its damage into acidic damage, meaning that I need another component to do so. The most... practical way to do that... to my knowledge anyway, is to craft an acidic Mage Shot alchemical paper cartridge, in order for the bullet to inflict acid damage. And in order for me to get the appropriate Mage Shot, I need someone with acid arrow, and the ability to craft magical weapons and armor, that or find it and I don't think its very likely we will."

She reverently takes the wooden cup and casts detect magic. As the analyzes it she offers, "It wasn't just Perceval, many knights left to find it. Yes... I think this is the Holy Grail, of everlasting water. And you have the harp of Peace! Where did you find such artifacts?!?"

"So all we need for Artemis is the scroll acid arrow. Castria can craft magical arms and armor." He offers.

"I liberated them when a wizard's sanctum was falling around my head", sighed Joe.

"Its too bad you did not get the spear as well. Yes that was Morgana La Fey my old rival. Really she is not that bad even though she is a half fiend, she wanted to weild as much power no matter what before we imprisoned her in that fountain pocket dimension as a guide to aspiring casters. Just having one of these artifacts is amazing and you have three."

"How much of the lore on The Grail is correct?" The paladin questioned. "Some tales say it heals all wounds, some saw it confers eternal life, and some say it turn water into wine?" King Joseph brings the other artifacts closer. "What more can you tell me about the others?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
While waiting for an answer, the holy warrior reverently pours some water into the wooden cup and puts it to his lips.

"The Holy Grail has done all of those things in the past but it provides on several factors: need, belief, and purity. What else can I tell you, it has always has had curative properties." She relays.

King Joseph takes a slow, long drink from the holiest of cup. "Ahh." The King of Avalon simply says. "This cup will be a celestial boon for the country! Perhaps once a month, I will use the cup on any and all injured, sick, or possessed in the kingdom. Dedicate a whole day. Turn no one away. Depending on how busy I am hunting down Dark Souls, I might delegate that task to Arelius or another member of the Order of Merlin." Looking to both wizards, King Joseph smiled, "At least something good was accomplished this day. Merlynn, what other questions do you have for me?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 KAPOW!

Merlynn looks impressed and relays, "Only because of Morgana's return I am allowed to be at your side. We will have to learn of each other in the coming days. No other questions yet."

The young king sets the Holy Grail down, indicating to Arelius if he should want to drink from it, he may. Joe starts to remove his scabbard and his parade armor top to get more comfortable. "Okay. Let's start from immediate and go outward from there." The paladin king finds a comfy seat to sit upon before asking his questions.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

King Joseph listens to Merlynn's tie to Morgana. "That sounds terrible", Joe consoled. "A prison sentence, bound to your opposite number. Anything I can do to help?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

"Yes, Excalibur was the first, Escalavar was the seventh, and their five sisters are between. They were crafted with the Fey Court's blessing, blood, and powers. The sister swords were made to combat the corruption of their brothers and kept secret. Morgana found one and corrupted it with 10,000 innocent souls. It is a price to pay for having such a powerful sword. You shouldn't need to worry about that, since you hit Morgana with it, he has been nulled. It will take many undead to bring him back or a holy ritual of cleansing. One that would take a month, time we don't have. He is now just a holy avenger, maybe less..."

The paladin continues to sit while taking Escalavar out of his sheath. While still bright and shiny as a golden sword, something about the magical blade seems.. disquieting; Escalavar looked overly still. King Joseph carefully brushed the blade with his fingers. "And you once called me impulsive..", the paladin spoke softly to his magical sword.

To the North is mountains and then the wilderness.

To the South of Camelot is the great lake, then the King's Forest, then farmlands or highlands, then the plains of oblivion.

To the East the Great lake continues to spread to the Mist.

To the West the Starlight cities, the Golden dwarven mines, the Sheer Coast and the Dark Ocean.

Avalon is massive compared to any other established country. In Earth terms it is Asia. You would think there would be many different countries but the previous kings were very successful at keeping it all.

Stonehenge exists just not how you might envision it. It is in the center of ruins. There are tens of thousands of land marks.

City states commerce with each other but everyone pulls their weight and when needed we help our neighbors.

Humans are about 70%, dwarves, elves, halflings, gnomes, half elves 5% each, then 5% other. Most communities keep to their own but welcome visitors and guests.

Avalon is massive compared to any other established country. In Earth terms it is Asia. You would think there would be many different countries but the previous kings were very successful at keeping it all.

"I have observed that it is through Magic and the use of the waystones that Avalon is able to govern so much land, and not have it fall to other nations", King Joseph observed. "If we had no means to fast-travel to Filderson, the village would have surely been lost to us long ago!"

"That reminds me", the paladin spoke, "Do you know The Lady in The Lake? I want to visit her, but now is clearly not the time."
"And some legends link you to also being a druid? Are you one? Do you have any relationship with Avalon's druids?"

Artemis just nods a bit, "That sounds about right, anything else we need to potentially look for?"

You can always add any items for normal price if you think of it before the next battle.

The Night Hawks finish with shopping and then decide to return to Joe. Through the looking glass omce more, aka the waypoint. The guards are vigilant and ready to stab you as you come forth but they recognize you and don't. Up the flights of stairs and barricaded doors, you find yourselves in the barracks. Walking into the castle a guard offers to take you into the castle.

"There was the darkening of the sky and the crimson message saying to fear the return of the Overlord, Merlin returned to save the kind and commoners alike, the king made an announcement to be ready to fight or stay in your homes."

"Alright, to the banquet hall." there he bows to you all and gracefully walks away from you backwards. Then he speaks with a servant.

---

A note appears on the map, it opens and reads, The Night Hawks have arrived. They are in the banquet hall.

She thanks the guards for their vigilance and at the courtyard of the castle she nods saying, "That would be wonderful. Any news today, we have been away since noon?"

Inside she would steer the guard with her words, "The banquet hall would be fine."

"Yes I know the lady in the lake and the druids. Though in the old days, druid and wizard, meant the same thing."

A note appears on the map, it opens and reads, The Night Hawks have arrived. They are in the banquet hall.

King Joseph takes the notes and reads it. "Hmm!" The young monarch said to himself. "The Night Hawks have returned. Much sooner than expected." Setting the note down, the paladin looks to the two wizards. "Care to meet my adventuring party?" Joe picks up one of the the untouched dinner plates of food, grabs the Grail, and the Harp, and takes his tray to the dinning hall.

He offers to take the tray and follows.

She nods her head and is interested to see your group, to see if it is another group of paladins, clerics, and such as most previous kings have had. Boy she is in for a surprise!

Arelius, Merlynn, and King Joseph stop just outside the banquet hall as a doorman announces the three's arrival to all those within. Once the announcement is made, all three walk toward the large table the Night Hawks are sitting at.
"Good evening, guys", Joe says as he sets his tray of dinner down. "How was New Faces?"

Artemis just looks up from his phone as he waited for Joe, pocketing it away silently as he briefly gives Merlynn a cursory glance, having not been introduced to her yet before turning his gaze back to Joe. "It was... ok... we found out that we are on somewhat of a timescale - through it is semi flexible - and... we did some shopping, nothing too weird nor partially interesting. How was Avalon for the few hours we were gone?"

"I will let them explain it. Voices rattling around in me head." then she takes a long pull of an amber liquid before putting her head back down on the table.

He looks beat, like a raccon. Two black eyes and his face almost looks hollow. He whispers, be glad you got Eskalaver. Cuz you took it outta us.

She looks fine but merely points at the other two.

"It was... ok... we found out that we are on somewhat of a timescale - through it is semi flexible - and... we did some shopping, nothing too weird nor partially interesting. How was Avalon for the few hours we were gone?"

Joe slumps down in his seat, his head resting on his hand. "Wonderful. Couldn't you tell by the welcome I'm sure you recieved. I put the entire kingdom on lockdown, due to an imminent attack from The Red Horde!"

He looks beat, like a raccon. Two black eyes and his face almost looks hollow. He whispers, be glad you got Eskalaver. Cuz you took it outta us.

King Joseph's mood darkened slightly with the mention of his magical sword.

She looks fine but merely points at the other two.

"Okay. Introductions", Joe said, sitting up in his chair. "Some of you may remember Arelius from this morning, member of the Order of Merlin and Majordomo for me these past couple days. And to his left, believe it or not, Merlynn, better know to others as Merlin the Magician."

"Arelius. Merlynn. I present The Night Hawks. All members are also part of The Mistress's familia." The paladin begins with the tired human woman pouring herself an amber drink. "This is Jellena Darkling, High Oracle of The Mistress and spiritual advisor to himself and the rest of the team. To her right is Artemis Eule, one of our long-range attack experts, half-fiendish Master of the Gun, and all-around straight-shooter. To his right, is fellow paladin and celestial warlock, Delman Fredrel Vortani III..I hope I'm saying that right?" Joe asks his friend and colleague. "Most powerful undead slayer I've met so far."

"The blue half-dragon to Delman's right is Frank Steel, Warlord of Thunder. Stronger than most ogres and twice as deadly. And to his right is our elven bard and celestial songstress, Ryada Silverleaf, deadly lady of the arcane black thread."

The crow on Joe's shoulder pinches the paladin's ear hard. "Ouch! Okay, okay. I forgot to mention this handsome fellow is Brandon. He doesn't look it right now, but he's actually a cassissan angel, and my familair and buddy, a gift from Grandmother Crow. And you've met Escalavar, kind of."

"It seems our next target is right here in Avalon. The Dark Soul of Gluttony. It is a Fire Troll that leads the Red Hoard. An army in your northern lands. It is immune to fire. I suspect it to be vulnerable to cold but that has to be tested. To turn off its regeneration we need to use acid. We procured some items to help with that. Come October we need to hunt and kill the Trick or Treat gang, but we have a couple of months until then. So Merlin. Can you offer any information on the Troll or the Red Hoard? We know the overlord has returned. He used to rule the hoard. We need to strike before he takes control again. What can you offer us?"

"Um, no!? We came from the waypoint in the castle. I mean the drawbridge was open." He states a bit off kinter.

Surprised he perks up a bit saying unbelieving, "THE MERLIN?!'

As introductions are starting to be said he stumbles but gets himself before Joe reaches him. "Sorcerer, I dropped the Warlock." Then he bows to Merlin. "Yes, Joe you did it worthy of praise! Yes with my extermination ray..." He nods to himself realizing the truth to the words.

The small whelp of a blue and black tiger with white highlights comes bounding down from the throne room. Stopping at Joe and Merlynn it looks up and begins to purr on his leg.

"I kind of expect to meet others like Merlin now. I mean we are going to Eternia to fight Skeletor at some point. There could but a third earth with the Thundercats and Mumm Ra. Smurfs? Snorks? Rainbow bright? It could get way crazier. What if there is an area where Goku or other Z fighters from Dragon Ball Z? What about the X-Men? Or other Marvel or DC characters? It seems like this alternate reality all came from our world but from thoughts and ideas? I'm not sure best not to worry about it I guess."

"What? Midnight!" Said the pleasantly-surprised monarch. "Come here", beckoned Joe to the small feline at his feet. The king reached down and grabbed Midnight gently to sit him on his lap. "Merlynn. Arelius. Meet out unofficial member of The Night Hawks, Midnight. His true size is massive, along with his ability to mow down enemies." The paladin pets Midnight on his lap, but will be actively aware if the small kitten want to get down and go to Frank or any other at the table.

So I said the S word above and my avatar changed? What the hell paizo?

"It seems our next target is right here in Avalon. The Dark Soul of Gluttony. It is a Fire Troll that leads the Red Hoard. An army in your northern lands. It is immune to fire. I suspect it to be vulnerable to cold but that has to be tested. To turn off its regeneration we need to use acid. We procured some items to help with that. Come October we need to hunt and kill the Trick or Treat gang, but we have a couple of months until then. So Merlin. Can you offer any information on the Troll or the Red Hoard? We know the overlord has returned. He used to rule the hoard. We need to strike before he takes control again. What can you offer us?"

"Sorry. We got a bit of topic", King Joseph says as he set the small Midnight down on the floor. "All our forces sent to Filderson, are being rerouted to Zeal, the nearest waypoint closest to the last known coordinates of The Red Horde. I've also been told that 2 platoons of soldiers, including the King's Champion, Sir Lancelot, are walking into a trap. It is my hope to rendezvous with them, before they engage the enemy."

I think so? Maybe some servants?

Looking back towards Merlynn, Artemjs would briefly nod, "Well, I guess the proverb the more thing change, the more they stay the same is true... in any case, its a pleasure to meet you Merlynn." Artemis just thinks a little, "Why not have the forces heading to Zeal take a detour to assist Lancelot before the trap is sprung? Or are we heading out to assist Lancelot ourselves?"

"Well we can't let the greatest warrior among your knights fall into a trap. When do we leave?"