"In the morning, then." Aladir agrees with a nod toward Aeri.
Iona's response, however, brings a slight chuckle and he shakes his head."I don't think all the 'hero' talk is something I'll ever get accustomed to. I certainly don't see myself as such. Just a hunter whose quarry has turned from deer to demon." he remarks.
That said, he turns his attention to Arueshalae, a look of inquisitive concern on his face. "You've been very quiet for a while...since before we finished Vang off, I don't think I've heard you speak a word. How are you feeling about everything that's been going on?"
As the meeting ends, Queen Galfrey gives each of you a talisman of true faith. ”Since this mission requires you to delve deeply into the Abyss and to interact with some of its most dangerous and manipulative denizens, these items will help prevent you from unwittingly acting in ways that might endanger your souls.”
”I intend to accompany you on your mission,if you’ll have me. I intend to handle the Material Plane side of the ritual to close the rift while the you tackle the Abyssal side. Once the rift is closed, you’ll need to engineer your own ways back home, but since the remainder of your mission takes place beyond this rift, it only makes sense that you should be on the far side of the rift as it closes.”
Arueshalae speaks up, ” I am wary about traveling there, for I don’t quite trust myself to remain on the path of redemption in the presence of such powerful temptations linked so strongly to my nature. I will accompany you if you ask and you feel that I am needed.”
”I propose an alternative however. I would like to bestow on you my anarchic gift. This allows me to communicate with you across the planes and to offer advice. I have been to the Midnight Isles many times in the past, and my observations and aid could mean the difference between life and death once you reach this realm. By leaving me on the Material Plane but maintaining a telepathic connection, you can keep me in reserve. If you get in over your heads, I can come to your aid.”
The fane is located under a low, now quite barren hill near what was once the headwaters of the Rolling River, approximately 240 miles west southwest of Drezen. While you can certainly make the journey to the Midnight Fane on foot, it is assumed you draw upon your considerable powers to speed the journey along.
The complex known now as the Midnight Fane was once a small shrine devoted to the empyreal lord Pulura, the Shimmering Maiden, but now over half of the structure is gone, absorbed by a rift between the Material Plane and the Abyss. The complex now exists as two halves in two different realities, connected by a wall of crimson fire. While the proximity of the rift provides the agents of the Worldwound a convenient way of traveling to and from the Abyss, and even better, a stable method of transporting Nahyndrian crystals back and forth, the overwhelming magic of the rift interferes with teleportation magic. Within the fane itself, no teleportation effect functions properly—when a creature attempts to use any teleportation effect, it must succeed at a DC 20 caster level check to realize an instant before completing the effect that doing so could be disastrous. Canceling the teleportation effect causes it to not function and consumes the resource (be it the use of a prepared spell, a magic item, a scroll, or other means) but leaves the user safe. Otherwise, the teleportation attempt fails and the creature attempting to teleport takes 12d6 points of damage and is staggered for 1d3 rounds. A successful DC 15 Fortitude save halves the damage and negates the staggered effect.
The rift’s presence inf luences the Midnight Fane in other ways as well. All of the areas in the fane are treated as being both on the Material Plane and in the Abyss for the purposes of effects that target extraplanar creatures— in effect, natives of the Material Plane and the Abyss are treated as planar natives, and cannot be affected by spells such as dismissal or banishment. In addition, areas A1–A9 are mildly chaos-aligned and mildly evil-aligned—lawful
or good characters in these areas take a –2 penalty on all Charisma-based checks. Areas A10–A15 are actually in the Abyss, and operate under the full planar traits of that plane.
Ceilings in the Midnight Fane run high, and are never lower than 30 feet. All of the strong wooden doors (hardness 8, hp 20, break DC 25) are in good repair and can be locked (Disable Device DC 35). Although the walls once bore shimmering murals associated with Pulura, they are gone now, replaced by vile carvings of Abyssal landscapes and flesh-eating locusts—nothing remains of the location’s original purpose.
The entrance to area A1 lies at the base of a craggy hill, one of dozens of similar knolls in the region. Further, a permanent mirage arcana (DC 19, CL 17th) cloaks the region, hiding the actual entrance to the fane and any signs of traffic to and from area A1. Fortunately, the information you have gained from the Ivory Sanctum is enough to aid you in finding the location with minimal effort.
A flight of stone stairs leads down to a large octagonal chamber. A second flight of stairs ascends to the south to a large shrine dominated by a fifteen-foot-tall statue of a scythe-wielding
insectile demon that looms over a black stone altar, its surface smeared with blood.
The statue of Deskari that looms over the altar is a particularly potent stone golem. As you begin moving through the room is comes to life.
”“Behold the glory of our Lord of the Locust Host!” it does not move, but just stands there.
I think not! Behold the servants of The Inheritor! Hyram retorts by drawing his sword.
Rubbing her temples, Alikia looks over the statue with a weary glance. "It could be a pre-recorded message? I've heard some tales of adventurers stumbling upon projected images of people from ancient Varisia."
"Only one way to find out." Iona told them before her birthmark glowed and a shine moved over her armor. "We have to move in, stay behind me and I will ensure no harm comes to you.." She said before she moved in, towershield up and ready to block anything that came their way.
"Tough to declare the Inheritor's words while hiding," replies Aerianna, who steps up to Iona's right. It isn't quite a shield wall formation, but with Radiance drawn and glowing bright in her own right hand, she is ready to plug the narrow steps with her fellows, shields taking the brunt of the assault of the golem (?) while Alikia and Aladir ruin the thing.
If, of course, it is a golem ...
Aladir casts a glance over to Arueshalae as the plan is divulged to the group and she makes her thoughts on the mission known. He nods before speaking his own thoughts.
"It makes me glad to hear you say that, Arueshalae...I was having the same thought as you. Going into the heart of who you used to be...so soon on your journey to redemption, I don't think it would be a good idea. If you also believe it's best for you to remain behind, then I will gladly defer to your judgement of your own readiness."
"I, for one, would gladly welcome the anarchic gift you offer. I can't speak for the others, of course, but keeping you apprised of our progress and keeping your knowledge of the region close at hand. I would give you my word that I wouldn't summon you into that place unless and until it was a life-or-death decision."
Aladir doesn't say a word, merely tightens his grip on his rapier. If it was an actual golem and not simply a statue or projection of some kind, then it would likely have some pretty tough skin. The anarchic link between himself and Arueshalae established, he reaches out to her.
Arueshalae, we're at the Midnight Fane now. There's an octagonal room and some stairs leading to a shrine with a 15-foot statue of an insectoid-creature wielding a scythe. Will this thing attack us or is it just a warning?
The golem stays motionless and does not move. Even getting close and looking it still stays perfectly still.
The air in this wide hall is stuffy and foul. The source of the rancid stink is readily apparent, for six circular platforms that line the walls are each heaped with filthy mounds of pusencrusted Furs.
Upon entering this chamber you immediately notice an ash giant playing with stacks of bones discarded from its meals.
Well i'm still here. Unfortunately I am having a hard time keeping up with all of my games. I do believe it is in my best interest to stick with running my PFS games as of right now. You all have been together a long time and you deserve a GM who can keep up with everyone. For this reason I will have to say it is time to search for a replacement GM. I hate doing it, but you all deserve a GM who can keep up. I am also migrating all my current games to discord after I close up the few I have here. I have enjoyed all of you while I have had you and wish you happy gaming. Let me know if you need some help finding a GM.
---- The Past -----
”Destroy the Nahyndrian Refinery. You must travel to the Midnight Fane where Nahyndrian crystals are refined, search the fane for the methods by which the demons and their allies are creating these elixirs, then destroy their tools, resources, and inventors.”
“Close the Midnight Fane Rift.Next you must use the Lexicon of Paradox to close the small but permanent rift within the fane that connects this world to the Abyss.”
“Prevent the Midnight Alliance. You must travel beyond the rift into the Midnight Isles to sabotage the Worldwound’s attempt to secure an alliance with Nocticula. This may require a face-to-face encounter with the demon lord, who seems to have her own reasons to not want to enter this alliance. The best place to go to secure an audience with Nocticula is her capital city of Alushinyrra, and the best way to get her attention would be to seek methods of becoming notorious in the city.”
“Find the Crystals’ Source and Cut Off Their Flow. You must discover where in the Midnight Isles the Nahyndrian crystals are coming from, then put a stop to that operation.”
After reciting your goals, Queen Galfrey looks up as a messenger rushes in , bows and presents a rolled up missive. Taking it, dismissing the messenger with a wave of her hand, she unrolls the paper and begins reading.
Her brow furrows as she reads, then looks up, "A change of plans. I had intended to accompany you to the Fane, but matters of state, " she says, waving the message in the air, " will prevent that."
She pauses, thinking, then says, "Though teleporting into the Fane is dangerous, so my advisors tell me, due to the riotous planar energies near the Rift, one you've secured the Rift, use this." she says, reaching into a drawer and pulling out two oblong stones, pushing one across the table towards you, "These stones are paired magically, when one is activated the bearer of the other will know the other's location..."
"We can communicate by tapping the stone...I suggest using the year of Mendev's founding...4622. If I receive that number, I will know it is you and I will teleport to you immediately, bringing the Lexicon so we can close the Rift!" she says, growing excited. "I regret not being able to join you in the interim..." she begins, but is interrupted by another messenger.
With an apologetic look, she turns and takes this missive as well, reading it, then looking up to Alikia, "Archmage, your skills are needed elsewhere as well. The Conclave is attempting a ritual designed to bolster Mendev's defenses...and well, the details are beyond me, " she says, handing Alikia the message.
The half-elf reads the message, then looks up to her friends, "I hate to abandon you , but this ritual is unbelievable in it's possibilities. If it works...." You can tell that she's quite torn about leaving the group...
--- The Present ---
Hyram will cast detect alignment on the giant.
Hyram smiles, or at least for him, a smile. Go Alikia! You are not abandoning us, but rather, adding in the cause. Once we send these demons back to whatever wretched part of the Abyss they call home, we will have much time to share stories!
Aladir smiles at Alikia, shaking his head. "It's nothing for you to concern yourself with. As Hyram said, you'll still be aiding our cause, just from here instead of there! Though it truthfully might be helpful if you were to dig up another practitioner of the arcane arts and have them on stand-by, should it be necessary in the future." the elf suggests to his kindred.
Iona, still new the group, stepped up and placed a hand on Alikia's shoulder. "I'll be with them, I promise I'll watch over them." She said, knowing that leaving even when something else needed to be done wasn't easy. "Trust in your friends, we can do this."
Iona watched the Giant pick at the bones and looked to Hyram, Aladir, and Aerianna, whispering "We can take it by surprise if we hurry and get into place."
Galfrey looks on with sympathy, knowing only too well the bonds that are made between comrades in battle.
But, Alikia's departure is made much easier by the kind words of encouragement from her friends, giving hugs all around. Her departure decided, Alikia looked somehow diminished as the righteous energy that infused all of you left her to hang in the air of the room, like an approaching thunder storm.
After Alikia had made her exit, the Queen suggests, "I actually have on staff a replacement that you'd find more than capable."
With a short command, the latest messenger runs out of the room and fetches back a elf wizard, "This is Milamber. Milamber , surely you recognize Heroes of Drezen! Would you accompany them on their important mission into the Abyss??"
With Milamber's acceptance, the righteous energy infuses him, increasing his abilities and capabilities beyond what he thought possible.
Nodding with satisfaction, Galfrey says, "Good ! Now make haste to the Fane, our Crusade depends on your success!"
Leaving the Queen to begin your preparations for departure, Aerrianna pulls the rest of you aside, including Milamber. "I am glad that Milamber , you agreed to accompany our group, otherwise this decision would be more difficult. I must leave as well. " she says, holding out a weathered piece of parchment, wax seal. Her voice is one of resolve as she speaks, "Someone had risen my former Mistress Tala from her death, preventing her from her peace in Pharasma's Halls. I must go and destroy the abomination she's been turned into." she goes to her belt and takes forth Radiance, holding it out to Hiram, "Take Radiance, it must continue it's fight against the Demon. I will take it back up when I re-join you." You can hear the 'if' in her voice, but she held back saying it.
With close embraces for her friends and an earnest handclasp for Milamber, Aerrianna gazes pointedly into each pair of eyes, then departs, her gait purposeful and resolute.
--- Present ---
Hiram quietly utters the arcane patterns and syllables necessary for his detection spell. It reveals that the very wall of this place slightly emit evil, not surprising given the subject matter on the walls:vile carvings of Abyssal landscapes and flesh-eating locusts. He focuses his intent on the giant, but finds no evil emanating from the large brute.
Aladair thinks his request to Arueshalae , and after a few moments hears her voice as if she were right beside him, "The agents of the Abyss use many kinds of servants... I suspect that what you see is an Ash Giant, an afflicted denizen of the wasteland.
Earlier
"Greetings Heroes of Drezen. Your works thus far are impressive. Very impressive. Queen Galfrey only has good things to say about you, I only hope that I am worthy to join your group. Alikia was a good friend of mine. We helped each other a great deal while we studied at the academy. I wish her the best of luck in her efforts to bolster Mendev's defenses. I did not know Aerrianna, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to see her go. I hope she can help her friend find the peace she deserves."
Present
"Let us see what we can do to close this rift and stop another Demon Lord from joining this unholy alliance. From what Queen Galfrey says, this Nocticula is a very dangerous seductress. We must be cautious as well as vigilant. Before we start our adventuring for the day, I would offer my new found friends a choice of an arcane benefit: a boost in morale/bravery, a ward which bonds to your very skin to deflect blows and reduce injury or a protection from that which is not a physical threat but one of energy."
As Hyram utters his spell, Milamber attempts to determine the nature of the creature that has not taken notice of them yet.
Thanking Shae for the intel, Gideon relays what she's told him to the rest of the group to see if any of them know anything specific about ash giants.
Milamber was privy to a recent symposium on the various native inhabitants of the Worldwound, and the Ash Giant was discussed at length:
Whether because of disruptive magic, unearthed deep elements, or alien technology that fell calamitously from the sky, ash giants are victims of their barren terrains. Yet they somehow survive and even thrive in these desperate lands. Ash giants have an uncanny ability to bond with the enormous and often mutated vermin they share the landscape with, and sometimes use the largest of these creatures as mounts.
Ash giants are brash and violent, and their humor is incredibly dark. Killing someone through a prank is just as funny as tripping a friend while on a hunt. While not inherently evil, lifetimes of being antagonized by other tribes have practically bred violence into their minds.
"Well, they are the Heroes of Drezen. I have only recently joined myself." Iona said toe Milamber. "I am Iona Pentaghast." She introduced herself with a kind smile. "I am one of the clerics of Iomedae, one of her holy Vindicators even. I will be your shield against the Abyss." She promised.
"Doesn't them mean we'll have to fell it to get past it?" Iona asked. "If so, I can set it up."
"These are violent, cruel creatures. I doubt we can do anything other than fight. Our best chance is to kill it quickly while it is alone. They won't cower or negotiate. We must act fast."
Given a nod of agreement from her new allies she cast Divine favor upon herself, then with towershield and sword in hand, charged the Ash Giant.
Slicing into the creature, the birthmark upon Iona's forehead glowed slightly, the cleric wanted to make sure it knew who to target.
Iona's charge catches the giant completely unawares, so intent he was in sorting through his pile of bones. At the last moment, he noticed her approach, uttering a surprised "Wah!" as Iona's sword scores a hit along his arm!
He rises to his full 10ft height, a mighty scowl on his brow and large bone club in hand.
While Iona cast Divine Favor on herself , Milamber will cast Heroism, Mythic on Aladir.
NOTE: this spell lasts for 24 hours
Since this doesn't effect Aladir's turn, Milamber will cast Heroism, Mythic on Iona (the bonuses are different types: luck and morale so they should stack).
Aladir takes advantage of the giant's sudden surprise, rushing forward to a closer range before peppering the massive humanoid with arrows!
Since this doesn't effect Aladir's turn, Milamber will cast Heroism, Mythic on Iona (the bonuses are different types: luck and morale so they should stack).
Milamber positions himself so that all members of the party are in range and casts Haste.
With the others closing in and the confusion of the giant, Iona took another swing at the monstrous thing.
Not yet comfortable wielding Radiance, Hyram will attack using his own sword.
Round 1
The heroes pounce on the unsuspecting giant, Aladir's arrow punching a hole it it's breastplate, to bury itself deep in the giant's meaty chest. Iona continued her assault, cutting the large brute twice, blood black as night streaking through the green pus that seeps from numerous sores on the giant's skin.
Hyram hits hard and fast, but unluckily his blows deflect from both armor and the giant's tough skin.
The giant's face , initially puzzled, is now a mask of rage and pain! Focusing its anger on the closest enemy that had the temerity to hurt him, the giant attempts to pound Iona into the ground with it's massive club....
Two of the club strikes, Iona is able to deflect with Bulwark of Victory, but with unexpected quickness, the giant catches her in her midriff with one blow! When the blow connects, pus from sores on the giant's arm and hands splatter across Iona's chest and face...
Milamber reaches into his magical pouch and pulls out some coins and three pearls - one of which is slightly larger than the other two. He lets the coins and the smaller pearls fall back into the pouch. Concentrating, Milamber recalls some arcane magic.
With a grunt, Hyram continues his attacks!