Tikrok |
"There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger. Sit with me while I cast this spell to repair some of the poison's effects." With that, Tikrok begins chanting and weaving his hands through the air. After a handful of seconds, he reaches out to touch Sefayll lightly, the gentle light from his hand spreading into her. He waits a moment to see the effects then repeats the process once more.
Lesser Restoration has a three round casting time. Assuming nothing jumps us in the next 32 seconds these should be fine. I figured the Dex damage would be more visible than the Cha damage.
Dex repair: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (4) = 5
Once the casting is complete he digs out a wand from his pack and begins to heal the more obvious damage for anyone that needs it. CLW wand, I need a few hits myself.
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
scratch three charges
Sefayll Valerian |
The restorations bring her back to her current status since I hadn’t recorded the last five points of damage in hopes there was a neutralize available. She definitely could use a hit or six from the wand.
Three CLW charges from the wand: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1, 1) + 3 = 10
Wow, the roller does not want to see her make it out alive, does it?
Tikrok |
Just remembered I have some pearls of power.
Getting frustrated with the wand's effectiveness, Tikrok opts to cast his own spells to try to close more of Sefayll's wounds.
CLW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 = 16
Having completed his casting, he digs out a couple gems from his pack. He concentrates for a moment and seems to draw energy from them.
Use pearls of power to refresh the CLW spells. Then a few more wand charges. I'm assuming the rest of the group is busy binding Veth and it isn't a quick process. Let me know if we don't have time for all the rounds of healing this is taking. I could split the charges between my two wands so Sef and I could both use one in a round.
CLW wand: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 7, 2) + 3 = 20
Sefayll Valerian |
Sefayll takes the eyeless mask off as the healing progresses. ”You are using a lot of resources for someone you just met, stranger. You have my sincere thanks - I am truly in your debt. I am Sefayll Valerian, former signifier of the Order of the Nail. I believe you said how you came to be here when you arrived, but we were a bit busy and I really paid little heed. If I may ask you to repeat, what is your tale?”
I am at 64 hp if my math was right, but cannot update my status line from my phone thanks to the latest OS update. I will get to my laptop shortly to fix this.
Sefayll Valerian |
I completely missed the suggestions regarding Break Enchantment. I don't know that Sefayll would be able to cast it any better than Illes, but it's in her spellbook, so she could take a crack at it, if it would help.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
With the possessed Vethran captured and his canine protector slain, the group cautiously explore the rest of the complex. No more enemies emerge to menace them, and the long corridor detected by Tikrok leads to a rough and filthy improvised sleeping chamber and is further blocked by rockfalls. Exploring the upper part of the chambers, bypassed in the fog as the adventurers sought out their foes, reveals a series of stark rooms decorated with images of a three-eyed jackal, and eventually a round pool filled with clear water.
Sefayll Valerian |
Do we know what a runewell looks like? Does the pool (I'm hoping well = water) fit the bill?
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25 As a guess at a potential check to figure it out
Tikrok |
Before we move on
"Think nothing of it Lady Valerian. What kind of person would I be if I didn't help when I've just seen you getting mauled by some abomination? The way Arthur and I met is actually a similar situation, granted he didn't have a multi-headed dog attacking him. He definitely needed assistance though and I jumped in to help, but that is a tale for another time. I'm here to retrieve Alwyn for his tribe. The reasons for that are for him to share though now that I've passed the message to him."
Upon finding the pool
"Is this the runewell you all were speaking of before? These images in the rooms before do not make this a very friendly place to be." Tikrok comments before casting a small charm. He leaves the pool to the rest of the group as he looks around for hidden danger.
Cast detect magic and have a look around the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23
Illes Elandru |
With a little help from Alwyn, Illes carefully lowers the bound Vethran into the runewell and looks down on him deep in sorrow.
"Alwyn, just hold him by the rope so he doesn't drown while we try to save him."
"Vethran, I know you are in there. You are gonna have to help me here ksadelphos. Fight! You can do this!" Illes begins softly singing over the struggling form in the runewell in an attempt to cast out the spiritual parasite from a forgotten past.
Break Enchantment: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
If that doesn't work he can try one more time.
Break Enchantment: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Unless the runewell grants a bonus both of those probably failed. The first one will break only up to CL 10.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Illes and Alwyn lower the unconscious Vethran into the pool and Illes casts his spell. The waters begin to boil and froth. Groaning sounds, almost coherent like speech but nevertheless unintelligible, shake the walls and dusts drops from the ceiling. Vethran thrashes like someone trapped in a nightmare, eyes shut but face stricken. Then his mouth opens and thick black fluid, like oil, wells out and into the water.
The foam immediately darkens in colour. In the centre of the pool it bulges up and in that fizzing mound an image of a man's face appears, eyes wide with terror. That face is swiftly replaced by that of a jackal, three-eyed and palpably hungering. The jackal disappears to be replaced by a woman, her face beautiful but marred with rage. Then she is gone and another man's face looms up, saturnine and sneering.
The roaring sound intensifies to skull-shaking intensity. The water then abruptly explodes from the pool like a tidal wave, drenching everyone and knocking them from their feet.
As they get back up, all is silent. Vethran lies slumped in the water, now only chest deep as the rest is now elsewhere. He is still unconscious, but his face is now at peace.
Illes Elandru |
"Holy... Sweet Desna!" Illes looks around in amazement, "Did you all see that? I think it worked, but we shouldn't talk here after seeing that! Hey muscles," he nods to Tikrok, "Help me get Vethran out of here." Illes reaches in with some help and hauls his cousin's drenched body out of the runewell.
We need to get Vethran back regardless and I imagine Alwyn will split at that point, but are there still unexplored areas down here?
Tikrok |
Tikrok had seen a lot but he had never seen a reaction like that! He shakes out of his shock at Illes's words and scrambles to help pull Vethran out of the runewell. He gives Vethran a quick once-over to make sure he is still breathing before he gently picks him up to carry him out of the caves, eager to leave this tomb of horrors behind.
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
The adventurers retrace their steps from the ancient temple and back through the caverns to the sinkhole. The townsfolk breathe a collective sigh of relief as they emerge, bloodied but whole and bearing Vethran's unconscious body. Their faces grow grim again as they hear the fate of the others in the bowels of the earth.
"Yet again we are in your debt," says Mayor Deverin bravely, though the strain on her face as she learns what happened to her cousin is obvious. "Father Xantus can cleanse the place of its evil stain, then we will fill in the hole of the building which fell down and bury it forever." She rubs her face. "This past year has been such a trial for the town. Perhaps now we can have some peace.
"We will also need to conscript some deputies given those we lost below. Deputy Gint!" The gangly red-haired youth the group met all those months (years!) ago stands to attention. The mayor continues, "You are now the most senior of the deputies remaining. You are appointed as acting Sheriff until further notice. Gather your men and see me in the morning, first light." Gint gulps and nods before going about his new duties.
Turning back she says, "You must take Vethran home and look after him. I will delay you no longer. I will sent Father Xantus to check on him tomorrow morning."
Illes Elandru |
"Listen Cam, I'm gonna have to get some supplies for his place. Figure there's nothing much edible as long as he's been down there. Let's get him over there and could you sit with him for a while til I get some fresh water and some groceries? Then you can head over to The Rusty Dragon." Illes looks more haggard and just bone tired than he has in weeks after the ordeal with Vethran. There is no sly smile or wink. He just looks too serious to be the same person right now.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
The adventurers carry Vethran back to the house he shared with Illes. They put him to bed and Illes and Camlo keep an eye on him until one of Father Xantus's acolytes arrives to relieve them. Then they follow their fellows to the Rusty Dragon for a well-earned drink and meal.
OK, time for a bit of PC interaction.
Camlo Zenovia |
Camlo's emotions bounce all over the range from a deep sorrow seeing the ailing Vethren, to a joy upon entering the Rusty Dragon that would make you think he'd never seen a dark minute, let alone hour, or day.
"It feels like so long since we were somewhere we didn't need to hide from something? What is there to eat and drink. Will there be someone playing music? Do you think Tikrok will get into a fight?" Camlo mutters to everyone and noone in particular.
Tikrok |
"I won't be fighting anyone if I can help it." Tikrok replies with a puzzled look on his face. "I don't think I would like to have any unnecessary fighting after that ordeal underground. Is that a usual type of thing you all face? I had heard there were some strange goings on but I could never have imagined..." Tikrok falls into a contemplative silence for a few moments. "But lets not dwell on dark things while there's good food and drink to be had!"
Sefayll Valerian |
As the group emerges from the pit, Sefayll hangs back, quiet, feeling very much the outsider after watching the others’ efforts to save the mage. They have a bond. Am I part of their group? Or just one tolerated because of our past?
Her meager healing skills are put to use while they tend the unconscious wizard, giving her something to think about other than the sudden loneliness that the tunnels below brought upon her.
Relieved of her duties as nurse, she follows the party to the Rusty Dragon. Her mind idly runs through what she learned of the town as they were preparing for the capture of the heroes. Ameiko. Former adventurer, daughter from the family of glass blowers whose high quality work was much prized, her father now dead at the hands of her bastard half-brother. And somehow, she remains strong in the face of it all, supporting, her patrons, her friends, her town. More hero now than when she was in the wilds slaying goblinkin and giants.
She smiles at the irrepressible Camlo as they enter the dragon, her melancholy finally starting to lift. ”Tikrok, is it? What do you plan to do now that you have saved the saviors?”
Tikrok |
"Honestly, I hadn't really thought of what I would do once I delivered my message. Seeing what was lurking under such a peaceful looking town has given me pause about the state of things in the world." Tikrok gladly takes a tankard when they arrive and takes a long pull. "First I'll help Alwyn get back to his clan if he needs it. After that I am not sure. Arthur has become quite a good friend and traveling companion. I don't think I can leave him on his own without him getting into more trouble like I found him in."
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
Alwyn has been gazing moodily into his beer. "No," he says to Tikrok. "I will not need your help. Not to disparage either your courage or ability. But if I must return, someone must take my place. The Runelords seem to be returning to plague this land again, and someone must carry the fight to them. I had believed it would be me, but...
"The clan must be led. Perhaps that is my fate instead." He looks at Ameiko and answers her question (since, like, hey, no one else looks like they are going to). "Hudak tired of blood and battle. Instead he wishes to farm and live a quiet life." He smiles up at the owner of the Rusty Dragon. "But I am sure he thinks of you every day, my lady."
Illes Elandru |
Illes arrives about that point shuffling across the tavern lost in his own world. He's looking more haggard than wry, ruffling days worth of stubble that is closer to beard than unshaven at this point. He nods to Ameiko as he sinks into a chair at the table and interjects, "Huh. Could be that muscled up knuckle head was the smartest out of the lot of us. Settling down, starting a family... never crossed my mind before, but it is starting to sound nice about now." He grabs one of the tankards and raises it in a toast, "To that beautiful bald bastard. Probably knee deep in sweet Shoanti lasses trying to lock that down by now. "
Illes Elandru |
Illes downs half his tankard and wipes the foam away. He sighs, "But where does that leave the rest of us? One runelord out there collecting souls with his sihedrons. I'm gonna say we just looked Karzoug in the face back there in the runewell, right? We just locked eyes with Lamashtu for gods' sake! The other... Alaznist? The runelord who used to rule this area? But is we saw her and she saw us... she is out there somewhere too.
Desna weeps, we are in over our heads."
Lack of characteristic optimism = 5 points of charisma damage by the way.
Illes Elandru |
Illes takes another swig of his beer, "We're gonna have to go back down there before they go to bury the ruins. See if we can find the foundation stones Mokmurian was looking for. Then that might lead us to Xaliasa's runekey to the Runeforge so we can lock it down or destroy it before Karzoug rounds up someone else to find it."
Aubrey I was away during the research period before we headed back to Sandpoint and missed the research rolls. If you are okay I might have done these to round it out had I been available at the time:
Kn History (Who was Xaliasa?) Loremaster Take 20 = 31
Kn Arcana (What is a Foundation Stone?) Loremaster Take 20 = 35
I'm assuming the foundation stone is a thing and not just the cornerstone of the structure. Otherwise why would it point to an individual?
Elisile Starbrow |
Elisile doesn’t help carry Vethran – leaving that to Illes and the other human men – but she stands close by Illes, offering silent support via proximity. She looks sadly at Vethren as he lies abed, deathly pale, wondering if his mind and soul will have survived this ordeal intact. As the others leave the room, she bends to kiss the wizard gently on the brow, then follows the others to the Rusty Dragon.
---
Elisile smiles at Ameiko once they reach the Dragon, but her expression turns sad again when the barkeeper asks after Hudak. “He is well,” she says. “But I think the adventures we have experienced have worn at him. Perhaps he will be back …”
---
“Let us deal with one thing at a time,” says Elisile. “I’m not sure if the images we saw were true visions, or some echo of the runewell … but we know that Karzoug seems to have returned in some manner, and that his machinations have plagued us for months – the Skinsaw men in Magnimar were collecting souls for him, whether or not they knew it, and we know that the giants were manipulated by him. I would say he is not done collecting souls. So it is on spoiling his plans that we should concentrate.”
Tikrok |
"Skinsaw men? Soul collecting? Perhaps it wasn't coincidence that brought me to you all. As I don't need to assist Alwyn get back to his tribe, I think I need to stay with you and help stop this however I can. This is something I cannot abide. Once we are rested and restored, do we know where to go next?"
Elisile Starbrow |
“You were helpful and capable in the catacombs,” Elisile replies. “We could use help if we are going to take the initiative for once, rather than reacting to events. Some research may be in order.”
Sefayll Valerian |
"Perhaps we should seek the sage you spoke of. We could spend much time looking for things he has already found and made note of if his obsession is as thorough as was implied."
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
The adventurers continue to eat, drink and discuss the turn of events in the Rusty Dragon, but come to few firm conclusions. Eventually they retire to their lodgings as night approaches. However, they are woken in the small hours by one of Father Xanthus's acolytes.
"Vethran is awake. He says he must speak with you."
They find Vethran in the house he shares with Illes, lying in bed, clearly weak but lucid. Father Xanthus himself sits on a chair nearby. "He woke up about half-an-hour ago. Ordinarily I would have given him a draft to calm him, but he said he had to speak with you urgently. He seems to be alright but he has had a very drastic physical and spiritual experience, so please don't tax him too much."
"Look, this is important," says Vethran testily, although his voice quavers, "I think I know what Xaliasa was trying to do. His mind was very disordered - he had three masters and was terrified of all of them. He worked for one runelord, was a double agent for a second, and really was loyal ultimately to Lamashtu. Anyway, he was completely mad, and dying and being resurrected didn't exactly improve his state of mind." He takes a long ragged breath in. "It was a lot of fun sharing in his thoughts.
"Anyway, he could feel Karzoug out there, somewhere. And he was frightened to death about what sort of punishment he might face. But see, he had a plan, thew same plan he had just before he died. There was a place, where the runelords and their most talented followers cooperated - after a fashion - in magical research. It was sort of neutral territory, and Xaliasa hoped that if he got there he would be safe from Karzoug, Alasnist, the whole lot." He pauses as he is wracked by a coughing fit, although he weakly waves off father Xanthus and continues.
"Now, see, this wouldn't matter so much after ten thousand years. Except this place was a demiplane, a pocket dimension sequestered from the rest of the multiverse. Even if the rest of Thassilon was flattened during Earthfall, it could easily still be out there, and accessible, and full of powerful artefacts that can be turned against Karzoug. And Xaliasa knew where the entrance was, in a place called the Mountains of Bone."
Vethran collapses back against his pillows, clearly drained.
Aubrey the Demented/Malformed |
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Illes dredges back into old Varisian folklore. He vaguely remembers a tale involving the evil ruler of a lost kingdom, a wizard whose castle was in the Mountains of Bone far to the west. The hero battles the wizard, causing his castle to fall and sink under the sea. Assuming this isn't some apocryphal tale and contains some grain of ancient truth, it suggests that these mountains probably sank under the waves as a result of Earthfall, along with a large chunk of the rest of Thassilon.
"Have considered asking Brodert Quink?" asks Father Xanthus. "He's made quite a study of ancient Thassilon."