The Ritual of The Blessing of the Ancestors
The ritual itself takes about two hours to prepare—to the outside observer, it looks like little more than a rhythmic droning chant by the
acting Sun Shaman. Those who wish to partake in the blessing seat themselves in a circle around the Sun Shaman and his focus fire
(a small campfire) so that they are each touching another, forming an unbroken ring of flesh and bone. The ritual must begin two hours before sunrise, so that it comes to its conclusion as dawn breaks. The Sun Shaman chooses the upper tier of Bolt Rock to perform the ritual, and unless the PCs request otherwise, the entire Flameford tribe accompanies them to watch, silently and respectfully, as the ritual progresses.
The shaman begins by recounting the legends of the tribe and the heroics and wisdom of the ancestors in a sing-song voice, shifting after 10 minutes into wordless droning and rhythmic chanting. This continues for two hours, after which the Sun Shaman slumps and the spirit to be contacted rises from the smoke of his focus fire to address the participants.
As Zellara rises from the smoke, her form coalesces and she recognizes the PCs with a smile. She greets them each by name, and then says that she has a message for them about their goal. Throwing her head back, she sings:
"Fate of steel—Serithtial
Her cage for years sustained
Four enthralled in lost Scarwall;
Undead to keep her chained.
A spirit first, red war his thirst
Still stands at post of old;
A second foe, infernal soul
Waits high in tower cold.
In kennel’s grime third bides his time
Then vents his killing breath.
And on a stone ’mid ash and bone,
The final dreams of death.
The spirits worn and battletorn
And locked in their damnation,
The chained one’s hold at last grows old
And ushers in salvation.
Yet hope remains amid the chains
When blade’s stone cage has crumbled,
Friends to dread and the death of the dead,
Keys to Kazavon humbled."
As she finishes her song, Zellara smiles again, although this time her smile seems somewhat sad or bittersweet. Each PC feels a sudden upsurge in their souls as the spirits of the dead infuse them with energy to aid them—even hundreds of miles away, the cruelty and evil of the undead within Scarwall are a blot in the spirit world, and the spirits seek victory as much as the PCs. The Shoanti stand amazed as the ritual ends and Zellara fades into darkness. Finally Chief Ready Klar breaks the awestruck silence. “Truly these Friends of the Sun are blessed by the ancestors. They walk with the spirits and bear their mark. They honor us with their presence and friendship. As they go forth to battle the evil that has plagued these lands of ash for many-score generations, they go with the power of the Sklar-Quah. They shall go forth with the power of Father Sun in their hands.”
The sudden influx of spiritual energy gives each PC two additional benefits to aid them in their trials within Scarwall, as detailed below.
Infused Weapon and Armor: The spirit world infuses one weapon, suit of armor, or shield owned by each of the PCs (even if the item in question is not present at the blessing). If the PC chooses a weapon, it gains the undead bane weapon quality. If the PC chooses armor or shield, the chosen protection gains the ghost touch armor quality.
Infused Soul: The next time the PC fails a saving throw against a death effect, that effect is negated but the PC is stunned for one round as the spiritual energies in his soul are burnt away. This protection can save each PC only once from a death effect.
Ruperta lets a tear fall from her eyes at the feeling of the blessing.
"We thank Zellara and the ancestors for they blessing and help, and we won't fail them."
Pai definitely participated in the ceremony. When would she ever have the chance to engage in something like that again? She stood mesmerized by Zellera's apparition and words. Did she recognize anything from the song?
Basic Knowledge roll without any modifiers attached.
Slumper sits in awe of the ritual.
Ruperta smiles to the Shaman...
"So... what can you tell us about this "Scarwall"? Where is it?"
The Sun Shaman says that Scarwall was Kazavon's fortress and castle and was constructed in the Hold of Belkzen, many miles away. It will take many weeks of travel by foot, or it will take magic.
He goes to say that Scarwall is a cursed place, and that the dead do not rest easy there. He advises you to be on guard, as his people do not know how cursed the place is, only that it is definitely cursed.
"I've never been there, so its a bit risky, but I can try to Teleport us closeby. That will take some of the time out of the trip."
"Yes, we can try!"
"If you do not want to chance going all the way there, do you know any place well between and there? I can also summon swift and tireless mounts for us to ride. It would take a great deal out of me, but it may be safer."
Ruperta will cast Scrying on the following days to check on Friends and Foes.
- Queen Illeosa
- Marshall Croft
- Trinia Sabor
- Vencarlo Orisini
- The Grey Maiden she showed her tongue to
She asks the Sun Shaman if he know somebody near the Scarwall.
She will also cast Divination paying the 25 gp, to ask where is the closest "relatively" safe place they can teleport to reach the Scarwall.
If they spend 500gp she can also cast Commune to get 10 Yes/No answers. (Which questions?).
I think Pai and Ruperta can only Teleport 3 people each, so they need to do it both. Ruperta would recommend:
1. She teleports to the closest safe destination they can, taking Pai with her
2. They fly around to get in a good position to arrive the next day
3. Ruperta casts Guiding Star again in the best spot
4. Pai returns them both via another Teleport
5. The next day they both cast teleport, taking the party with them, and knowing in advance the destination.
What so you think?
Ruperta scries!
- Scrying on Queen Illeosa fails, as your spell hits another spell designed to defeat scrying!
- Field Marshall Cressida Kroft looks tired. She sits at her desk, working on paperwork, which mainly consists of requests for funds that she must deny because it seems her ledger is increasingly empty.
- Trinia seems to be in some sort of ruin, exploring with three other people, one of whom is an elven man with long white hair.
- Vencarlo cannot be located!
- The Grey Maiden patrols an alley in Korvosa. At the mere sight of her, citizens suddenly find a need to be elsewhere, some of them bearing tell-tale bruises and marks of abuse!
Divination reveals a small village in the shadow of Scarwall, called Lasthome. It's a village of less than 100 people, mainly half-orcs with some humans. The villagers mostly farm, with some goat-herding, and seem to be shunned by the orcish inhabitants of the Hold of Belkzen. It's not likely to be a very friendly village, but they're also not likely to try to kill or enslave you.
Pai and Ruperta teleport to Lasthome. They appear in a field near the town and walk into town. They get a few curious looks and curt nods as they pass. There seems to be one inn/tavern in town, not named but known by a sign of a fist holding a mug. If they go inside, they find a clean, if rundown tavern. The bartender is a large woman who looks used to wielding a sword. Her nose was broken a long time ago and never set properly and she looks you hard in the eye as you walk in. She grunts a greeting, then pours you two mugs of strong ale, unasked for.
Ruperta nods and smiles to the woman, trying to make friendly chat.
"Thank you very much! My name is Ruperta. What is your name? What news are there?"
Ruperta will cast Scrying on the following days to check on Friends and Foes.
- Queen Illeosa
- Marshall Croft
- Trinia Sabor
- Vencarlo Orisini
- The Grey Maiden she showed her tongue to
She asks the Sun Shaman if he know somebody near the Scarwall.
She will also cast Divination paying the 25 gp, to ask where is the closest "relatively" safe place they can teleport to reach the Scarwall.
If they spend 500gp she can also cast Commune to get 10 Yes/No answers. (Which questions?).
I think Pai and Ruperta can only Teleport 3 people each, so they need to do it both. Ruperta would recommend:
1. She teleports to the closest safe destination they can, taking Pai with her
2. They fly around to get in a good position to arrive the next day
3. Ruperta casts Guiding Star again in the best spot
4. Pai returns them both via another Teleport
5. The next day they both cast teleport, taking the party with them, and knowing in advance the destination.
What so you think?
The woman stares hard at Ruperta, then grunts. "Leesa. Ain't much news. Never is."
Ruperta drinks her ale, and looks around, trying to make an idea of the environment.
Ruperta will cast a pair of "Guidance" on Pai so she try to make a better impression on the bartender, and check around the bar.
The tavern is spare and lightly furnished. It looks as if you could rebuild every bit of furniture in this place is the span of a weekend.
"Howdy, ma'am. My friend and I are just passing through. A cup of your house wine please.". After drinking for a bit, Pai waits for the place to get as empty as possible before asking for information. "We are actually sort of explorers. Looking for a place called Scarwall. Ever hear rumors of a place like that? I've heard stories of undead roaming the place.".
Diplomacy
At the mention of wine, the woman sniffs loudly, turns and pulls out a dusty bottle. She bites the glass top off, spitting it behind the counter and pours a thick red wine into a mug. "Scarwall. Ain't smart to go there. Dead walk. And worse."
Ruperta thank the woman, and asks how much is it for the ale and wine.
"3 silver. You with them pain-worshippers?"
Ruperta shakes her head, smiling, and show her burning Desna Holy Symbol.
"No, but we met some of them a while back... Maybe the same ones. Where are they?"
She put a Gold piece in front of the woman.
The woman nods, and takes the gold. "They come in here couple nights ago, asking about Scarwall. Perky elf and morbid old man. Seemed to dislike each other. Asked all sorts of questions. Headed off toward the castle."
"I'm certainly not with them. That woman was creepy. I think we are looking for the same thing however. We need something from that place that we need to keep out of their hands. I don't suppose you could tell us what you told them, so we might be better prepared, could you? I'd buy the rest of that bottle of wine, if you would," Pai adds with a cheerful grin.
The lady shrugs. "Jes' told 'em not to go. Dead things walk there and the dark has eyes. They seemed pretty happy 'bout it."
"Do you think you could direct us there? We kind of need to get a feel for the place. About how far is it from here?"
The woman shakes her head slowly. "Yer as damn fool as them. Head south till you see it. It's an hour's ride. You'll know it. Yer guts'll freeze."
Pai hands over a gold piece. "Mind if I have the rest of that bottle? Sounds like my nerves might need some steeling!".
She walks outside with Ruperta. "Ready to teleport back and grab the others? I can try to get us back , we can rest and come back for the real trip tomorrow."
"Yes, time to go and bring them here."
The barkeep hands over the bottle, and you teleport back to your friends.
The next day you once again gather and teleport just outside the small town. Farmers in the fields blink when you suddenly appear, then seem to decide it's best not to be too curious.
"Okay, ever been told the castle is an hour south of here. And those nasty Zon Kuthon people have already beaten us there, so be aware."
"Let's go!"
As you move southward, the land becomes increasingly rocky until you break into an area where large mountains jut from the ground. Scarwall is built on once of these, situated in the bowl of an extinct volcano. At the base of the mountain, two tents wait. One is large and grand, the other small and practical. Standing in front of them are three figures: Shadowcount Sial, his succubus companion and the perky leather clad elf Laori. Laori is standing on her tip-toes, waving furiously, while Sial gives her a look of pure and unadulterated loathing.
Ruperta looks at her companions, and if no one of them have another idea, she call them:
"Hi! Remember us?"
"Hey guys," Pai nods, uncomfortable at Laori being around them again. She hoped there was no uncomfortable touching this time. Laori was pretty and all, but she was kind of scary, too.
"So here we are again.."
"What are you three doing here? You always seem to be a step ahead of us somehow. Are you using some sort of magic to read our minds," Pai asks, thinking of the possibilities of what they might have gleaned from them.
While the others are talking, Corbyn will be scanning the area.
Laori runs over to see you, while the Shadowcount walks over at a leisurely pace. The perky elf woman scoops Pai up in a bear hug, squealing with delight. "Oooo! It's soooo good to see you! No, silly! I've been tasked with exploring Scarwall since the beginning. After I reported back in after talking to Salvator, my superiors wanted me to check out this moldy old place! You know it used to be a temple to Xon-Kuthon? Plus, my superiors thought it would be great if I could find people to help me through the castle! And now you're here! Isn't that wonderful!" Laori darts in to hug Pai again, before the gnome can stop her.
"Help us through the castle, elf." The Shadowcount calls out with a tight lipped glare at the elf. "Greetings, again. It would seem our paths were meant to cross. I take it you have met my... colleague then?"
Pai struggles a bit against the cleric's a-bit-too-long-for comfort hug. Laori was certainly exciting to see again, though. "Ah um, ouch, your armor is a bit pointy." She looks around helplessly at the rest of her group. "We worked well together before, I suppose, and there is safety in numbers, so maybe we can work together yet again. What are you looking for in Scarwall?"
Ruperta looks disgustingly at the succubus.
"If we are going to work together we will need to make some compromises, count. And not having demons among us will be one of them."
The Shadowcount smiles. "Of course, if you'd rather Asyra was left to her own devices, I'm certain she would love to be free to travel the face of Golarion."