Ron climbs back down to the commander's chambers and approaches the cultist.
He shoves the town maps in the cultist's face. Detailed maps for Tarak? Why are you working with Braxos?
Speaking of which, there are large campfires towards Norwhich. Perhaps an army. Have you seen any Braxos soldiers pass down the road recently? How many?
At Ron's suggestion, Belym asks, "How many Braxan soldiers have passed by the keep in the last few weeks? For that matter, how long have you been here?"
Once Ron takes charge of the prisoner, Belym will go inspect the altar Ron mentioned.
Ron happily takes over guard duty on the captive. So how'd you fall into this mess?
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There's a lot of politics involved here that I don't fully understand. The world of man is rife with little factions fighting each other, not unlike our great houses.
We like Tarak, apparently, but dislike Braxos. Norwich is the hamlet I was heading to. Uncertain if we like them or not.
I look around the guard house. Seems military? I'm starting to wonder if we liberated a stolen keep or stole a keep that was stolen by a third party. Did we just ride by and decide to siege a fortress?
I whisper to Belym Does this land hold a court of justice? Will this man stand trial for his crimes?
Ron climbs back down to the commander's chambers and approaches the cultist.
He shoves the town maps in the cultist's face. Detailed maps for Tarak? Why are you working with Braxos?
Speaking of which, there are large campfires towards Norwhich. Perhaps an army. Have you seen any Braxos soldiers pass down the road recently? How many?
"It was... We were running low on supplies, so Orpryxis negotiated a deal with Selwyn, we gave him information, and they sent us provisions. Thats all I know, Orpryxis would have known more"
At Ron's suggestion, Belym asks, "How many Braxan soldiers have passed by the keep in the last few weeks? For that matter, how long have you been here?"
Once Ron takes charge of the prisoner, Belym will go inspect the altar Ron mentioned.
"They have entered Tanard by two's and threes, escorting merchants and travelers. perhaps three hundred since it started, but some have come back. we have held this keep for six years now"
The altar is a disturbing thing, demonic idols carved into it's stone, strange sigils made from the channels in it (no doubt this is made for sacrifice), and worst of all, it radiates power, almost similar to your conduit.
Ron happily takes over guard duty on the captive. So how'd you fall into this mess?
"I was born with magical abilities. A freak. I was told by everybody, the church, my family, the guard, not to use my powers, but I wanted to. Then I met Orpryxis, she told me my powers were good, were riught. she told me I mattered. I joined her followers, and we sought after more and more power. by the time the sacrifices started, we had already done so much, we couldn't stop then, so here I am."
To Conwall, Belym replies "I think so. I'm not from here myself, but I've heard people here and there referring to judges and trials. As for this fellow, well.... Even if he gets a trial, how much good will that do him? I'm not entirely without sympathy, given the kinds of reactions I've gotten to what I can do, but with what he's done, that won't get him far."
Belym will spend a few more minutes studying the altar.
Selwyn...where have I heard that name?
The letter! In the pile of papers. I open it and read the contents
To Conwall, Belym replies "I think so. I'm not from here myself, but I've heard people here and there referring to judges and trials. As for this fellow, well.... Even if he gets a trial, how much good will that do him? I'm not entirely without sympathy, given the kinds of reactions I've gotten to what I can do, but with what he's done, that won't get him far."
Belym will spend a few more minutes studying the altar.
[Dice=Spout Lore]2d6+1
Selwyn...where have I heard that name?
The letter! In the pile of papers. I open it and read the contents
The letter has maps of several towns (you assume they are local), and a letter talking about the towns various weaknesses (Norwhich has weak walls, Chillhollow has smugglers tunnels into the glass refinery, some town called Quickmoor has very little militia after a recent troll attack). What do you do?
Belym will spend a few more minutes studying the altar.
[Dice=Spout Lore]2d6+1
Belym will spend a few more minutes studying the altar.
The altar sucks at your hands as soon as they touch the altar, and you feel power flow through you.
I turn to Belym to show her what I discovered as I see her make a blood sacrifice to the altar: her own.
Look alive Ron! I shout as I draw my sword I think thighs might be kicking off again!
Ron curses and holds his spear tip towards the cultist. On your feet. My friends may be in trouble and you are going to help.
The battlemaster guides the cultist towards Conwall's voice. Double time!
[dice=Uh oh +Wis]2d6
Your mind slips away from you, and you feel yourself tied down, feeling the dawn warm you, as cold steel opens your wounds again. hooded cultists surround you, chanting the names of Kelos, the darkfish, the blind lord. your blood is draining slowly, and you see a larger figure (maybe 12 feet tall) looming over you, smiling at the clutists. "Well done, Einora, but we seem to have lost him, someone else is here. are there other altars nearby?"
You return to your body shaken, and confused, your back hurts where they flayed the man on the altar. what do you do?
I turn to Belym to show her what I discovered as I see her make a blood sacrifice to the altar: her own.
Look alive Ron! I shout as I draw my sword I think thighs might be kicking off again!
Ron curses and holds his spear tip towards the cultist. On your feet. My friends may be in trouble and you are going to help.
The battlemaster guides the cultist towards Conwall's voice. Double time!
You all reach Belym to find her held fast to the altar, screaming "Help me! Stop her, I want to live!". Before you can do anything, Belym collapses. What do you do?
I look for a plank of wood or a stick. Something to hit her away without touching her or the altar.
Ron quickly tosses his spear to Conwall and pulls a dagger on the cultist. Explain this!
That'll work!
I grip just below the spear head and use the other end to sweep/pry our dwarf from physical contact with the altar
Rolling? Aid for her rolls to escape? What am I doing?
I look for a plank of wood or a stick. Something to hit her away without touching her or the altar.
That'll work!
I grip just below the spear head and use the other end to sweep/pry our dwarf from physical contact with the altar
Rolling? Aid for her rolls to escape? What am I doing?
Ron quickly tosses his spear to Conwall and pulls a dagger on the cultist. Explain this!
"She sacrificed Blood upon the altar, she has called forth the power of the god Kelos. She is also no doubt draw into him, as the sacrifices are. I must say, I am almost jealous, I have long wondered what the sacrifices expirience in their final moments, upon the threshold of his kingdom and our own."
Belym's incoherent screaming lasts for a few seconds, but it takes her another full minute to recover enough to speak. " I'm okay...I think." Looking at the cultist, she asks " Who is Einora?". Following his reply, she'll describe the tall figure (was he human-ish, or something else?) And ask about him/it as well.
Belym's incoherent screaming lasts for a few seconds, but it takes her another full minute to recover enough to speak. " I'm okay...I think." Looking at the cultist, she asks " Who is Einora?". Following his reply, she'll describe the tall figure (was he human-ish, or something else?) And ask about him/it as well.
"Einora is a heretical practitioner, an outcast from Orpryxis circle" he spits "She plots to use the altar to become a god".
You describe the tall (4 meters with the horns), six armed green figure. he nods "That sounds like Seirxacht, the demon who advises her. he is the root of her deific ambitions."
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Become a god? Like...god-god or one of these false gods? Because I've met god and he's a tree with a face. He's spoken to me. I'm fairly certain that it's not possible to turn into him.
Become a god? Like...god-god or one of these false gods? Because I've met god and he's a tree with a face. He's spoken to me. I'm fairly certain that it's not possible to turn into him.
"A true god, like Mersiel and Kelos. I have never heard of the tree-faced-god, but I assume he is one of Mersiel's subordinate deities, so yes"
Continuing her interrogation, Belym says "Tell me everything you know about Seirxacht." And then, "Where is Einora's circle?"
Continuing her interrogation, Belym says "Tell me everything you know about Seirxacht." And then, "Where is Einora's circle?"
"Sierxacht was a servant of Kelos, a demon sent into this world to deliver young magicians and sorcerers to the circles of Kelos. He delivered many people to Orpryxis' circle, before Einora. she made a deal with him, and led many of our brothers and sisters off south to pursue godhood. they are perhaps 12 miles south of Norwhich, in the ruins of a village they captured, and sacrificed. he himself is a powerful spellcaster, and Einora and Her circle are devoted to him, as their guide. He is not to be trifled with."
Become a god? Like...god-god or one of these false gods? Because I've met god and he's a tree with a face. He's spoken to me. I'm fairly certain that it's not possible to turn into him."A true god, like Mersiel and Kelos. I have never heard of the tree-faced-god, but I assume he is one of Mersiel's subordinate deities, so yes"
Subordinate? Pelnore is no one's subordinate. I thinks of the day I turned 100 and was lead to Pelnore's grove, the enormous tree spoke to me in the booming voice as my ancestors flitted around his branches. I received a great blessing from Pelnore, and knew I would work hard to honor Pelnore and be worthy of his love. This talk of Mersai and Kelos was absurd. There is one true God and that God knows my name.
This God business seems bad, but we may have bigger fish to fry. Look at this!
I slap the letter down on the table.
Braxanese soliders are targeting towns in the area. Norwich is the closest settlement but once we save that one we should move along to the others. Who know when they plan to strike.
To the captive, Belym asks "Just how many are there in Einora's circle?"
To the party, she adds "Sounds like two serious problems to me...but I think we should probably get some rest before addressing either one. I'm exhausted - I think that altar drained something from me, on top of our overnight march. is there any way we could send a signal to Norwhich from here?"
To the captive, Belym asks "Just how many are there in Einora's circle?"
To the party, she adds "Sounds like two serious problems to me...but I think we should probably get some rest before addressing either one. I'm exhausted - I think that altar drained something from me, on top of our overnight march. is there any way we could send a signal to Norwhich from here?"
"As far as I know, there are two dozen, along with their demons. There may be more now, we have not been in contact with Einora's circle in some time."
on a related note, unless you have magic, or a raven, you won't be able to send a message.
I think we have no choice but to march ba ... Arrrrgh!
Ron screams in pain as he takes Remorse back from Conwall and collapses to the ground. Blue flames and crackles of lighting engulf the battlemaster as he writhes on the floor. After a few seconds the light show subsides and Ron takes several deep breaths on the ground while staring at Remorse in obvious awe.
What the hel ... Oh! But, how?
He slowly climbs to his feet as his companions look on, waving off any helping hands.
I'm fine, really.
He turns to the cultist. Born with magic, ye say? How did the circles used to communicate? You must have a way of sending messages, right?
I think we have no choice but to march ba ... Arrrrgh!
Ron screams in pain as he takes Remorse back from Conwall and collapses to the ground. Blue flames and crackles of lighting engulf the battlemaster as he writhes on the floor. After a few seconds the light show subsides and Ron takes several deep breaths on the ground while staring at Remorse in obvious awe.
What the hel ... Oh! But, how?
He slowly climbs to his feet as his companions look on, waving off any helping hands.
I'm fine, really.
He turns to the cultist. Born with magic, ye say? How did the circles used to communicate? You must have a way of sending messages, right?
"The circles used demons, mostly imps and the like. I could help you, in that regard." He smiles darkly
I'm sure you can be quite helpful. With lightning speed Ron reaches out with the butt of the spear towards the cultist's left leg. When it makes contact the spear emits a faint blue aura that quickly spreads to encompass the cultist before fading away.
Now me friend. We need to quickly send a few messages to the nearby towns. How do ye suggest we accomplish our task?
Ron's demeanor has completely changed, and he speaks as if to a friend at the tavern.
[Dice=Charm Person]2d6+2
I'm sure you can be quite helpful. With lightning speed Ron reaches out with the butt of the spear towards the cultist's left leg. When it makes contact the spear emits a faint blue aura that quickly spreads to encompass the cultist before fading away.
Now me friend. We need to quickly send a few messages to the nearby towns. How do ye suggest we accomplish our task?
Ron's demeanor has completely changed, and he speaks as if to a friend at the tavern.
"well, unless you have the power to summon demons, we will have to use the altar. A simple sacrifice or two should suffice to give us the power" he says cheerfully, pointing toward the altar that had just assaulted Belym. What do you do?
Hmm, what kind of sacrifices? You said you were born with magic. What tricks can you perform outside of the demons?
Hmm, what kind of sacrifices? You said you were born with magic. What tricks can you perform outside of the demons?
"well, the sacrifices have to be intelligent, you can't just use a pig or a cow, If we could, the circle of Orpryxis would have been farmers, not kidnappers." He laughs, "Outside of that, there aren't really any restrictions, They don't need to be virgins, or from some special bloodline, or other things some gods demand. Kelos is content with any mind and soul given over to him."
He hesitates when you ask him about his powers. "I am a transmuter, I can turn certain materials into other materials. I specialize in organic-metallic transmutation, silk into silver, iron into wood, that sort of thing" He sounds almost ashamed. What do you do?
Does the altar need just need blood...or does it need life? I look around at the scattered bodies around the room Because we HAVE blood here
Does the altar need just need blood...or does it need life? I look around at the scattered bodies around the room Because we HAVE blood here
"Life. Blood is the connection, blood is how it draws out the life, but true magic comes from the sacrifice of the living."
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Belym just stares at Ron and Conwall. " You're... not actually thinking about that, are you? After what we've seen of these people, you're going to try and use Kelos' power, and trust this guy to tell you how? For that matter, what"
You should return to town at once. I can accompany you, keep an eye on our soon to be rehabilitated cultist.
Conwall helps to load up the donkey.
Who is with me?
Ron nods to Conwall, then turns to the cultist. Please grab anything in this keep that you know to have value, and pass any magic items to the lady here. We are going to go visit Norwhich. You'll love it this time of year.
Ron shrugs to the others as the cultist moves to carry out his suggestions.
Belym, I fear we won't be able to rest. Take what you can, including any papers, and let's be on our way. Oh, do ye think ye could bury this altar? We wouldn't want some poor soldier happening across it.
He generally supervises the cultist and prepares for another journey.
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"A brief delay is, I think, necessary" Belym states, looking over Conwall's wounds as well as her own. She'll prepare some hot water using the keep's facilities, and apply a poultice and bandages to her own wounds, and offer the same to Conwall.
Before the party sets out, Belym also spends a minute or two contemplating the hole she created in the keep's outer wall, and the surrounding terrain; then, she bends down, reaches into the earth, and pulls out a few stones, which she tries to levitate into position as best as possible to fill the hole.
Ron nods to Conwall, then turns to the cultist. Please grab anything in this keep that you know to have value, and pass any magic items to the lady here. We are going to go visit Norwhich. You'll love it this time of year.
Ron shrugs to the others as the cultist moves to carry out his suggestions.
Belym, I fear we won't be able to rest. Take what you can, including any papers, and let's be on our way. Oh, do ye think ye could bury this altar? We wouldn't want some poor soldier happening across it.
He generally supervises the cultist and prepares for another journey.
Kaspar looks down when you mention Norwhich "I'm not sure I should come to Norwhich, I probably have some outstanding warrants there, for kidnapping and or murder, cult activity, you undertand"
When you mention Butying the altar, his head shoots up "No, you mustn't, it is one of the last, Kelos has so few windows to the world." He pleads. What do you do?
"A brief delay is, I think, necessary" Belym states, looking over Conwall's wounds as well as her own. She'll prepare some hot water using the keep's facilities, and apply a poultice and bandages to her own wounds, and offer the same to Conwall.
Before the party sets out, Belym also spends a minute or two contemplating the hole she created in the keep's outer wall, and the surrounding terrain; then, she bends down, reaches into the earth, and pulls out a few stones, which she tries to levitate into position as best as possible to fill the hole.
[dice=Bender of the Elements]2d6+2
Your hand presses into the earth as you will the stone to take the shape of a wall. it strains your core to bursting, and burst it does. three more holes adorn the walls, from boulders flying forth from you. What do you do?
I watch the dwarf's disastrous attempt to fill a small hole in the wall, then look back at the murderous death demon altar.
Kaspar...that's sort of the point, no? I hope you haven't been laboring under the impression that we're working in favor of Kelos. That being said, perhaps we may be better off breaking it through conventional means. Kaspar, we'd hate for you to journey with us to Norwich only to taste the hangman's noose. Perhaps we might be persuaded to let you on your way, properly chastised, if you're willing to use your transmutation powers to alter the altar to something more easily destructible. Paper, perhaps?