Despite all adversities, a fair comes to Farholde. For one week Base Values and Purchase Limits are increased by 20% and Legal Enterprise yields 20% more.
The following items are added to Farhold market (this week only:)
- Wand of Magic Missile (1st) (5 of 50 charges) (75 gp)
- Eversmoking Bottle (5400 gp) (design provides clue to function)
- Heavy Steel Shield (Medium) (Mithral) (+1 shield) (2020 gp)
- Pearl of Power (2nd level) (4000 gp) (inscription provides clue to function)
- Arcane Scroll (Heroism (375 gp), Major Image (375 gp), Teleport (1125 gp)) (total 1875 gp)
For almost six months, Sir Valin has been in agony. He knows that something wicked unfolds at the Horn and yet he is trapped and defeated, unable to do anything.
A group of seven knights of the Alerion arrived in Farholde, old companions of Sir Valin, but since he was missing, the knights joined forces with the Nun’s to keep Farhold safe.
Week 19
Fail: Secrecy -1 to 0
Success: 400gp
Week 20
Fail: Secrecy -1 to -1
Success: 240gp
Week 21
Lay Low Secrecy back to 0
Fail: Secrecy -1 to -1
Week 22
Lay Low Secrecy back to 0
Target dies Secrecy to -1
1000gp
Week 23
Lay Low Secrecy back to 0
Target dies Secrecy to -1
1000gp
Week 24
Lay Low Secrecy back to 0
Target lives
Week 25
Target lives
Target lives
As Trik brings the bags of gold back for the dispatched victims Cedric has it delivered to Johan to add to the group treasury. +2000gp or 3000 if the lady paid the extra 1000.
General talk with the others over the weeks activities.
"It seems this dragon has grown bold and tired of the evil feeling the land. Now my cousin is going we should expect it to come looking here soon. The knights that have gathered could prove another attack as well. We are close now. Are we prepared if the dragon attacks?"
That f$!&ing dragon! Maybe we should have done a pre-emptive strike - there wasn't much else we could have done there - I didn't see it coming. Without the baron we lost any link back to legitimacy... and if we want it? We have to go back to that bloody woman and work through her... what do we do now in Farholde? I am thinking maybe we do a bit of hanky panky with the nuns food? Is that even possible? That place must be crawling with paladins.
To keep the boggards focused and out of trouble, Johan has Grumblejack keep them on a month long looting and pillaging spree.
; x80= 80
; x80= 160
... and while their efforts meet with some success, most folk have already fled the area in terror and pickings have become scarce.
After he hears of Maria DeVandle's third escape from Cedric's Gryphons, Johan puts the boggards to a different task. Ogre, take your boggards and watch this woman's house. When she leaves its safety, eat her.
During the fair, nothing for offer piques Johan's interest, so he looks further afield.
We are close to completing this ritual. Farholde itself is irrelevantnt. I say we do nothing to these nuns and knights directly. Perhaps our agents in Farholde can bendtheir efforts towards destabilizing them. All we need to do is delay them long enough to complete our mssion. Our efforts need to be focused on getting ready for a visit from that silver dragon.
Sightings and tales about the half devil ogre spread like wild fire through Farhold. With no one left to oppose them, the ogre roam free pillaging and killing and looting, and thus it have been the entire month, ending up with the same ogre killing an important merchant from the guild.
As soon the first merchant died, Trik sent over the money; a small wooden box with 200 platinum pieces. Over the course of the next weeks, whenever one of the targets died, another wooden box with 100 platinum pieces would reach the villains.
For months now the Horn of Abaddon has been shedding its eerie light across the swamps of the Caer Bryr. Like moths to the flame, this wicked radiance has drawn the feared Wytch Lights to the Horn.
The four Wytch Lights are ancient abominations that have long hunted this area. They are often mistaken for ghosts or some sort of incorporeal undead but they are in fact nothing of the sort. If you can catch them, they are small physical blobs of raw malevolent magic. They hate all mortal life and thrive only when the living suffer in pain and tremble in fear. Where they come from or what they ultimately want is an enigma and one the Wytch Lights seems to have no interest in resolving. These utterly alien beings sense a kinship with what is being done in the Horn of Abaddon and they have come here curious.
The Wytch Lights arrive in the dead of night and attempt to fly up to the source of the radiance -- the top of the spire. They are repulsed by the magical turbulence that surrounds the place and scalded, instead enter the Horn through the Third Level’s landing (3-1). They do this completely quietly and invisibly. They are smart enough to not yet want to fight enemies until they understand (in their own peculiar alien way) what is truly happening here in the Horn.
They are drawn straight away to the Fane of the Three Eyed Prince (now modified by the knot into private quarters). In particular, the fear effect that radiates from the image of Vetra-Kali fascinates them. They quickly understand how it activates and each hides there waiting…
1 – Agrippa
2 – Cedric
3 – Eldred
4 – Johan
5 – Grumblejack
6~10 – Minions
Morning arrives and the unsuspecting villains rest in their quarters, not knowing that just outside their door a death trap awaits, but luckily enough, a minion is the first one to step into the place. Maybe he came to wake up the masters, or to clean or whatever other motive he had, it doesn’t matter anymore, as his death cry rings clear and brutal in the morning, awaking the villains from their slumber.
Agrippa sends out the Red Pentacles to gather information on the Silver Dragon. Where does it Lair? Does it have any foibles? Can it be bribed? What enrages it? Does it have a favorite food? Knowledge is power, and Agrippa is the most powerful.
Agrippa sends the Zebub Faalthraaz to investigate invisibly and teleport back.
Johan bolts upright. He grabs his shield and morningstar from where they sit and strides into the hall to investigate this latest disturbance...
Week 26
Action 1:
Used to keep spy network
Action 2:
Target Dies: +1 Ruthless, -1 Secrecy
Action 3:
Success 160gp
At the Horn
Cedric stands and gathers his things as Johan does.
Eldred resting in his mithril breastplate snatches up his bow and arrows and throws his greatsword over one shoulder.
What now? The end of this ritual cannot come quick enough.
Agrippa’s minions work tirelessly trying to dig any information at all about the dragon that attacked the baron’s manor.
The once proud and rich manor is now little more than a pile of ruins, any riches that may have existed there, already looted by the peasants and thugs from drowningtown. It is a difficult task, but overworking his minions, gathering reports and bits of information, legend and anything related to dragons, some assumptions can be safely made.
Argossarian is a young idealistic silver dragon who has long dwelt in the north hunting monsters and bugbears. For decades he has been a self-appointed champion of nobility and virtue. Argossarian’s shadow is the last thing that countless bugbears and bandits have seen. But recently he has been troubled by what he has heard from his agents in the south. The flash of green light from the long forsaken Horn of Abddon was the last straw. Argossarian the Silver has come to Farholde.
After the initial sighting of the dragon several months ago, no one knows where it went, or what it has been doing, until it attacked the Baron’s manor.
Very few witnessed the battle, but some of the servants were spared, and those that were able to escape the dragon fury all report the same thing: the huge dragon was unaffected by anything the baron attempted.
The baron, a sorcerer of great power attempted in vain to mind control the beast. Spell after spell and nothing seemed to affect the dragon. The only time when it seems to be bothered by the baron’s spell was when, most likely as last resort, the baron cast a fireball in the dragon’s face.
After the attack, the dragon vanished again, flew away towards the briar and no one saw anything related to it anymore.
The hapless minion lay dead and burned near the Image of Vetra-Kali. In some ways, it reminds you the damage done by the lightning elemental, when you first invaded the horn.
The dead minion, maybe in a last attempt to cling to life jerks and howls in pain, as if showing his defiance against sure and inevitable death. Just besides him, Johan and Cedric unusually still, they lock eyes with each other as they witness the brave minion finally lose its grip in whatever miserably life it had.
All around, the air is filled with a feeling of glee and malevolence as if something was happy for the minion suffering, and terrible death.
Knowing the lilend was still on the loos, Johan assumes she has attacked them again, so casts a spell to counter her stealthy ways.
"Do you think it was the idol. I didn't know it was capable of such things."
Cedric moves toward the idol with sword drawn saying the words. "Hail Vetra-Kali."
It is the lilend. This time I will snap her neck with my bare hands. Johan moves to the entrance to their suite of rooms to block anyone trying to enter...or leave.
The Zebub is quickly to report to Agrippa. Someone just died outside his door, but the perpetuator wasn’t found. The minion was burned by lightning.
Eldred keep a lookout near his door, while Johan blocks the passage so no one would be able to enter or leave.
Cedric decides to investigate the image of Vetra-Kali…
And that’s when the statue eyes begins to glow and suddenly Cedric is surrounded by glowing balls of light.
Round: Surprise-
Ordered Initiative-
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Narrative-
The lights shoots at incredible speed at Cedric, cracking light lightning.
But the abyssal gift protected the man from almost all of the attacks.
Round: One-
Ordered Initiative-
Enemies: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Agrippa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Cedric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Eldred: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Johan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Narrative-
Ignoring Cedric completely, the fly and target the nearest person: Eldred.
And unlike Cedric, the lights burn into his body, Badly Hurting Eldred.
It's a variant of a Will-o'-Whisp.
They are immune to magic, had to hit, feed on fear and suffering, and can get invisible at will.
Eldred yowls in pain, half dead from the attacks and withdraws to the other side of the room.
"What are these things. It seems Asmodeus has seen fit to protect me from them. Let them taste the hellfire flame"
Cedric moves forward and releases a blast of hellfire ending just a few feet in front of Johan
"It is good you moved Eldred..." He laughs as Fire erupts forward over the orbs.
DC 23 for the 2 closest, 21 to the other two
Will-o-wisps, but different. Tougher, more...malevolent. A shame we have to destroy them.
Well! Kill them, they sure as hell are killing me.
Johan shrugs with resignation and assents to Eldred's request.
Agrippa snarls in frustration
Must I be bothered every time something enters this damned Horn.
He casts See Invisible and exits into the hallway.
The monsters made of light doesn’t waste time and try to take the com-man down as he flees for his dear life.
But only one of the attacks actually hits the man.
--
Agrippa is inconsolable that every time something tries to attack the horn, it falls to him keep his minions and pawns alive. They didn’t seem able to perform if the mage isn’t there keeping them in check.
Exasperated, he cast a spell to allow him to see the unseen and steps out of this room.
--
Knowing his preferred whip like weapon of doom is useless against the monsters,Johan brings out his rarely used morning star and steps to deliver punishment.
His first attack, although powerful, wasn’t enough to hit the monster, the second attack hit the thing seemingly made of light and the inquisitor could feel the impact against his weapon. Those things weren’t immune to mundane weapons.
--
Believing his dark gifts came from Asmodeus, and that those same gifs are protecting him from the threats, Cedric steps closer and produce a blast of hellfire.
But the effects of this grand blast of hellfire were less than the man thought it would be and not all the monsters were completely affected.
Round: Two-
Ordered Initiative-
Enemies: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Agrippa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Cedric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Eldred: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Johan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Narrative-
Soon after the blast of fire, when the eyes are still hurting and stinging from the light, the monsters suddenly disappear.
They actually just extinguished their light and moved away from the party.
@Johan, you have an AoO against the one you were attacking before.
"Well that was nice and easy for a change."
;
They are still here Johan growls to the others. He pursues the nearest light into Cedric's bedroom and hurls his weapon at it.
;
Cedrin follows along behind Johan.
"I will need to invest in something to help me see when creatures fade from view. Where are they?"
One fled into Agrippa's room. The others flew down the two side passages.
Eldred gasps in pain and relief at the creatures departure.
What are we going to do?
He drinks a potion of cure light wounds he has been carrying for a while.
Maybe I need one of those wnds too... those things left me closer to dead than alive.
Agrippa just feign not being able to see the monster zooming past him into his quarters and move towards the others.
Cedric follow the inquisitor into his own quarters but see nothing and no monster.
Eldred takes the time to replenishes his health, preparing for the next round.
Johan doesn’t let the monster get away, pursuing it and finishing it off with a flying mace.
Round: Three-
Ordered Initiative-
Enemies: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Agrippa: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Cedric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Eldred: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Johan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Narrative-
Even if his intentions are good, moving inside the room had one major issue, Johan lost track of the other monsters.
Johan walks cautiously to the centre of the corridor, searching for his next victim.
Keep that door guarded, he says back to Eldred. We can't let them out of this wing.
Johan moves to the corridor and look about searching for the enemy.
He founds nothing that could indicate where the creatures are hiding.
Can anyone pass me the wand while you guys are looking?
Johan tosses his old wand to Eldred, the moves cautiously into Eldred's room, searching for the vexing lights.
"A shocking experience master Crofter. Allow me to heal some of the wounds."
24 Hp + 10 from Infernal Healing.
How are we going to find these things and does anyone know what they were?
K:Dungeon DC 17:
It's a variant of a Will-o'-Whisp.
They are immune to magic, had to hit, feed on fear and suffering, and can get invisible at will.
Johan fast search reveals nothing in Eldred Room.
Could it be the monsters fled? Eldred has no way of knowing if he left anything slip by, since he cannot see the invisible.
Being hindered by the monsters ability wasn't something the knot was looking forward to, and so, Cedric ordered a minion to bring Father Sidious, trusting the man had a miracle that could help them in this situation.
Not so much later, the cleric arrives, and after a brief prayer all things invisible are purged around the cleric, while the knot prepares to search the entire place.
"Do we even care about whatever these things were? I guess we can't have them just slaying our minions. Johan what do you know of these creatures? Perhaps hunting them is not the best way to go about this."
They are called Wytch Lights. They are immune to magic, hard to hit, feed on fear and suffering, and can get invisible at will. I imagine that's why they were drawn here, to this fear causing mural. Limitless food source.
"Ah then let us call to them. Agrippa do any peasants remain? We can use a few minions but I fear they will die so peasants would be best. We will bring them hear and let them experience the fear of Vetra-Kali. While under the effect we can slay one or two. If that does not call these things back then perhaps they are gone. Now do we wish to rid ourselves of them or can they be reasoned with?"
Cedric calls and sends a servant to check on or bring the peasants if any remain if not he will fetch a few low level non important minions that no one will miss.
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How would I know if we have any fodder? Agrippa says, incredulous that the man Barca thought he, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa Von Netteshiem, would bother accounting for peasant rabble.
I will Ward the paintings as soon as I can.