LoF PBP Campaign "The Liberators of Kelmarane"

Game Master CuttinCurt

"I didn't always ride the straight path. Long before I took this job as a vaquero and drover, I ran with a bad crowd ...
“My tribe was raiding the settlement at the old M’kub’I Oasis. I was the punk-ass kid left at the laggar to hold the horses. The warriors left, and I waited. When they didn’t return after a full cycle, I staked the horses down and went looking for some trace of the warband.

“I saw the murder of crows long before I got inside the oasis. None of them would deign to land and eat, despite the dozens of mutilated elves and gnolls littering the streets. I crept through the pre-dawn soft-light in search. I finally heard voices from the ruins of the town’s only inn, and I followed it.

“Inside the dark hole were more dead bodies and two living ones: an ebon-skinned devil and a blue-skinned angel. They were drinking the dead proprietors’ wine. When they turned to assess me, I knew I was dead as sure as I was standing. So I propped my spear by the doorframe, sat down at their table and reached for their bottle.

“’Figure out which one of you gets to kill me,’ I said. ‘I’ll wait.’”

“The devil asked me if drinking wine was a taboo for my people. I pointed at the torso of my chief over in the corner and said that it didn’t really matter anymore, now did it? What were they going to do about it?

“I made the two laugh, and that’s the only reason I’m still here. They were old mates, you see, and had been arguing about who’s swordplay was better when our boys and the growlers jumped them. They didn’t think twice about slaughtering the lot – spent the time comparing techniques. Beyond our understanding.

“They took turns possessing my body like they were trading a robe to test the fit. They spent gods-know-how-long demonstrating to one another how their techniques could be aped by a mortal. At one point I interrupted and asked the angel to do a move again because I didn’t understand how he’d done it. They both started at me.

“I don’t know when they left. When I woke up, all the bodies around me were mummified with age. I came to with a crippling hangover and two books: a red volume from the angel and a purple volume from the devil. They shared their mysteries with me and warned me that they’d see me again when I’d mastered them.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m already dead. The bastards are coming back for me some day; dunno when. May as well live every moment to the fullest, since each one is probably my last. Drink?”

Small Lashtail Scorpion:
Tiny Vermin

Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +4

Defense

AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 natural armor, +2 size)

hp 6 (1/2 D8 +2)

Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +0

Immune mind-affecting effects

Offense

Speed 20 ft., (4 squares)

Melee Claw 1d2-4

Full Attack: (2) Claws +2 melee and Sting -3 (1d2-4 + poison)

Special Attack Constrict, Improved Grab, Poison

Statistics

Str 3, Dex 10, Con 14, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2

Base Atk +0; CMB -4; CMD 6

Skills +4 Stealth, +4 Climb, +4 Perception

Special Abilities

Poison (Ex) Tail—injury; save Fort DC:12; Primary and secondary effect

1 point con damage.

Constrict (Ex) Claw - Deals Automatic damage on successful grapple

Improved Grab (Ex) - To use this ability the monsterous scorpion must hit with a claw attack.

It then gets a grapple attempt as a free action with no chance for an attack of opportunity.

Claire, the paladin of Iomedae that runs with the Lions, approaches you soon after the evening meal when you and her can have a relatively private conversation. There are still folk walking around when she lays into you. Her whispering does not hide the venom of her words as she hisses, “So you can spout out declarations of law, act like you are something more than you are, and then when I come around, you turn tail and run like a damn coward. Am I not pretty enough for you? Do I have an abrasive personality that turns you off? You men have no balls. Sure you can throw yourselves at a pack of rabid gnolls, but talk to a woman? Hell no!Your backbone turns to mush and you slither away like the snake you are…”

She huffs and puffs, breathing heavy from saying all that in one breath. You can tell she is hoping for some response. And for some reason, you have a feeling that if you don’t handle this well, you could be leaving with her steel boot up your ass…. Literally.

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tharadon, is puzzled, mostly because he does not remember what he did to piss off a paladin... so please fill me in on what I did so I can remedy it.

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This is where Theradon continues to be puzzled as he can not recall doing anything that could have been construed as pissing off the Paladin. Then a light goes off inside Theradon's head... perhaps it was the act of NOT doing anything that has her so riled up... :D

I do not want to presume that your character is knowledgable in the complex and sometimes strange actions of a woman that has interest in a man, but if your character does, then the sirens are blaring here. Perhaps Claire has found a man she actually likes...

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Tharadon doesn't know, so he is going to continue doing nothing.

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Claire waits for a few moments as you look at her blankly, then she spins around and walks off in a huff, giving you one last piece of her mind, her words trailing off as she moves far away from you, "Spineless, clueless, idiot..."

sometime during the early evening (when you are alone), you are approached by Claire, the paladin of Iomedae from the Lions of Senara. She walks past you as if she were just going on her way to another location and that your presence meant nothing to her, however, as you pass, the paladin stops and turns slightly to give you a snicker, her mouth twisted into a wicked grin that sends shivers down your spine.

She says in that voice of hers that is grating with sarcasm, “Princess!” (and she makes a mock bow to you, giving you Flourish with her hat) “please forgive me for not recognizing you. Surely you will have me and the entire caravan flogged for not giving you your proper respect…”

She places her hat back on her head, rubbing the rim with her left hand, flicking it in such a manner as to suggest she is giving you the (up yours) hand gesture.

The fact that she even knows who you are shocks you and you feel trepidation for a moment as your beginnings are now known to someone else. You look around and see you are all alone and that no one heard the brazen paladin. She smiles a bit more when she sees your eyes dart back and forth.

(What do you do?)

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Rajah says, "There is no need to be proper, we are all comrades here." Said in a very sincere tone "Princess is a title i willing put aside, its just Rajah now."

Not addressing how she knows me until i see here reaction to my response,

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Her mocking stance turns serious as you answer her and she steps right up to you, her face less than 2 inches from your own and she whispers, "But you put us all in peril you naive little girl. You think your father will just let you 'walk away'?" She continues looking at you straight in the eye, her intensity almost pushing you back a step. "I just hope you have friends when your father comes after you. And if any of my companions get hurt or die because of your inability to accept responsibility for who and what you are, then you and I will have a major problem princess."

She stays up close and personal for a few moments more before turning away. (you can respond at any time during this tirade. :D)

2 things that stand out to you during this encounter. First, she invaded your space, which you would know that if you were living your life as a princess would have gotten Claire whipped for physically threatening a royal person. Second, everything she says is one assault after another on the way a princess is to be addressed by her lessers. If you didnt know any better, you would think that this Claire knows way to much about how to insult nobles, for her tirade was perfectly executed to hit on almost every aspect of embarrassment and disrespect.

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Immediately putting my body back into the proper stance, the one Ive been trying so hard to hide with hunches. I will look down at her, not in height but with sheer disgust at her appalling actions and words. "You should be thankful to your god that I gave up my power. For that display of disrespect I would have had you publicly beaten and striped of all your stature in any place of worship."

She says this in the most condescending tone she can anjure for the moment. Then, in a softer tone, she states sweetly, "I gave up the title princess willingly, and even though I am just a petty mercenary NOW, your still so far beneath me... its almost funny." Then she grins. :)

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Claire smiles back at you, equalling your supreme look and loathing sneer. She then says in as sweet a voice as you have ever heard from her (which makes it that much more irritating and hateful), "Your challenge is noted princess. I will be back to collect on it once Kelmarane is in our hands."

She turns away from you and walks purposefully towards her tent, whistling a merry toon just loud enough for you to hear...

Sometime during the evening before you call it a night, Garavel approaches you and asks that you come with him to Almah’s Tent. He seems very flustered by having to retrieve you in this fashion, but he insists that Almah is in need of you and your spiritual connection to the area. He cant explain more than that as he tells you that he doesn’t know anything more about what she wishes to talk to you about. He waits as you get your things together, and quickly escorts you to her tent, holding the flap open so you may enter. He says in a voice loud enough to be heard by the lone occupant inside, “My lady, the spirit guide you asked for has arrived.”

Almah sees you enter and asks that you take a seat on the pillow in front of her as she is already kneeling down on hers. (You hear Garavel walking away from the tent and taking the guards with him.)

When you kneel, she begins telling you, “I hate that I had to call on you in this fashion, however, with the time nearing where I am to reclaim Kelmarane, I am in great need of guidance. Father Zastoran is a fine advisor, but I am needing someone who can read the fates and foresee if the choices I am making will not cause more chaos. You can bring back the dead. Surely you can read the fates for me…”

For the first time, you see Almah with little confidence. It is strange to see, but then again, you are good at acting yourself. So, in your mind, you give the lady props for being so convincing.

What do you do?

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"Good lady, I can only do as much as to tell you if your actions follow the natural order of things. You said you needed to know if what you're doing will cause chaos: do you mean the plan at hand, or are there more details that you're concerned with?"

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Allah hesitates for a moment, then says "there is nothing hidden in my agenda for this expedition. Everything is as straight forward as I have shared with each of you. I am more concerned about my fate and if I have finally left behind the curse of bad luck. Up until now, everything I have had a hand in, financially speaking, has been a disaster. Thus, I have changed my course and am now leaving the financials to others and becoming a leader if men. Things seem to be ok, but I fear a similar outcome because of my past."

Allah then looks deep into your eyes and says softly,"I have your discretion on that last piece of information?"

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"Of course. The future is mutable, and is constantly changing but so long as you work toward establishing and promoting the nature order, you will forever be a part of the cycle- and that is all any of us can ask."

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Almah nods her head in understanding, even though you can tell that she was hoping for a more clarifying answer. She then asks if you can bless her before you go, specifically asking that your blessing touches on her clarity of mind and purity of action.

She then bows her head, expecting you to begin, not ever thinking that you might say no.

Zyafid, the 7 foot tall rogue from the Lions of Senara finds you late that evening. His face is beaming with a wide smile as he asks if you have time to share a drink with him. He pulls out a large flask from his silks, the dark wood container is richly stained, settled inside a beautiful pouch of the finest weave. You swear you see gold sparkling in the candle light from the threads weaved in a zigzag pattern around the center of the pouches material. The flask and the pouch are probably worth 100 times more than the liquid inside the damn thing…. But if it isn’t, then the drinking could be the finest of you’re young life.

Zyafid takes a quick swig and hands you the flask. As you eyeball it, the tall man asks you, “So tell me little one, how does someone like you get to be here in this gods forsaken land. Are you guilded? And if not, why not? You know the pact masters don’t like it when we work with our own agenda.”

He smiles again, eagerly awaiting your reply.

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first off what is in this flask, and I left my home in search of a more sane land and a "a paycheck".(I don't drink from the flask thinking it is (poison))

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Zyafid looks at you with a little disappointment in his eyes and takes another swig, "just more for me then". When he finishes his drink he still presses you asking,"everyone is looking to make a few extra coins here and there my friend, so tell me what kind of coin is significant to you?". Zyafid smiles slyly and takes another drink.

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Theran doesnt answer, alarm bells going off in his head. After a few moments of the gnome sitting there, Zyafid takes his leave, guzzling the gnome's drink as he percieved the distrust emanating from Theran.

Andrus seemingly finds his way to you within a couple hours after evening meal. He asks you if he could speak with you privately in his own tent, out of earshot of anyone. He has never been one to hide anything, as far as you have been able to tell. This secretive meeting he want to have with you still doesn’t seem strange. You both walk by many people, some Lions, some guards and even Dashki. When you do go by Dashki, he gives you a slight nod, noticing your swords. You swear you saw recognition on his face when he saw the sword with the snake going up the pommel and the first third of the weapon. As you pass with Andrus, Dashki leaves the opposite way.

Andrus then points out the tent just ahead, and then enters first to check out the place for scorpions (just as every good host does in this arid land). When all is clear, he bids you come inside, and pours himself a drink and offering you one as he begins speaking, “Little Fox, of all in your group I believe you to be the most sincere and trustworthy. I cant explain how I know this except from personal observation and piecing together small tidbits of information I have heard over the last month. So with the Lions departure into the heart of Kelmarane, I am needing to give you this small journal.”

Andrus hands you a soft leather bound mini-book that is 6 inches x 6 inches x 1 inch. It weighs a couple pounds at most.

When it is handed out, Andrus says, “This is my agreement with Almah, some notes I have taken over the last year, and what I want to have happen if I die.”

He stops there and looks deep in your eyes so there is no doubt that you hears those last words, and that this conversation is very important to him.

When he sees he has your complete attention, he continues, “It is not that I don’t trust Almah to follow through with her promises. I do. But I am in love, and it is for her that I make sure of this.”

He then begins telling you about his relationship with the slave girl in Almah’s household and how that, when Andrus had finished rebuilding the city, he would get her set free as his payment. He wants to make sure that if he dies before taking kelmarane is complete, that the slave is set free as promised, and that she gets all his belongings to start a new life without him.

He asks you then and there if you would make sure that those things happened if he perishes before he can fulfill his contract.

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Reply From Keil (My replies to his replies are in the Hashed sections) - xxx -

There are three (potential) plot elements here:

1. The interaction between Fennec and Dashki
2. The promise to free the slave girl for Andrus
3. What Andrus can do for Fennec's character arc

First, I can see how Dashki might see Fennec as a reflection of himself. Prior to taking up this story, Fennec was a nomadic bandit, like most of his desert elf kin. He was just as much an amoral opportunist as Dashki probably is (if he's dealing with gnoll tribes, Dashki is probably only one good deed away from being a villain). Hardened criminals tend to recognize one another. I'd like to have Fennec make some sort of sign of recognition to Dashki so that they can interact in detail later on; I don't want to interrupt the business with Andrus, though.

-We can come up with something later on that fits this situation well, but lets just say you do "something" that Daski recognizes as being akin to honor amongst thieves, and gives you a nod in response. He then moves on just as described in the original message.-

Long-term, I'd like to see how things play out between the two rogues. Not that they're likely to like each other (or help each other), but they might find a point of accommodation since they're not (yet) in competition.

-Of course, Dashki doesn't have to know anything about Fennec's transformation into a knight-errant; Fennec would be untroubled about letting him act on outdated, racist assumptions. -

Second, I think that Andrus's request is one that Fennec would willingly and wholeheartedly accept. Freedom is an essential value to the desert elves; they live by banditry in the waste because they cannot abide the thought of being beholden to another even in contract, let alone slavery. That's one of the reasons why Fennec's participation on this expedition should be so odd ... the elves don't "join" groups and they don't live as sell-swords. Since he's here, though, Fennec will enter a blood-oath with Andrus to free the girl ... but only after confirming that freedom is what she wants for herself. While he cannot understand the motivation, he knows that some humans prefer the comfort and stability of slave-life. If she wishes to be free, then Fennec will die to achieve that goal. If, however, Andurs wants something for her that is in opposition to her wishes (say, for example, she loves another and wishes to stay) then Fennec will not enter an oath to oppose her wishes.

-During this encounter, Andrus does describe the beauty he has fallen for, and how Andrus describes her and the events of thier beginings, this particular slave girl is one that knew freedom in years past, and had a relationship with Andrus prior to her capture. Andrus has been working for Almah since the merchant princess bought her a couple years ago. You have no doubt that this girl wishes to spend the rest of her days with Andrus (according to his story) which seems very believeable, and you have no reason to think Andrus would lie, as he has been the most understanding and kind of all the Lions. The girl that he mentions was at Solku during the time of the gnoll raid, and you remember seeing her amongst the group of slaves. -

-Another item is that this entire time of Andrus's employ has been specifically to gain her freedom. Almah has allowed several "alone" moments between the two during this two year period that has kept the spark alive and the hope of being free ever before the young lass. As to how she became a slave in the first place, that information is not discussed by Andrus voluntarily.-

Fennec will attempt to explain this to Andrus in fluent Osirion (if Andrus speaks that) since that language is far more precise and clear than poetic (but guttural) Kellish. If Andurs only speaks Kellish, Fennec will make every effort to be as clear as possible. I'm assuming that Andrus doesn't speak elven.

-Andrus knows Osirion and listens to your explanation, which prompts him to reveal more about the slave girl Jasmiira that he so loves. (As described above)-

On the assumption that Andrus is being frank and is making an honorable request,

-(which you believe)-

Fennec will take on the burden of carrying out Andrus's wish because it appeals to his new-found (but undefined) sense of "right." Fennec is still struggling to understand what it is he is becoming. The conversion from amoral, pitiless raider to solitary knight is utterly unheard of in desert elf culture, so Fennec has no cultural references that he can compare himself to. Eventually, I'm hoping that one of the NPCs will be able to share a fable or legend about such a happening with him so that he can have an epiphany moment.

Since Fennec has utterly no idea what non-mortal powers are investing in him, he's bewildered and doesn't even know what questions to ask. This is why he's mostly quiet and withdrawn; he doesn't know who he is, what he is, or what he's supposed to be doing. All he knows is that he feels "right" when he pushes himself to learn the martial adept mysteries from the two books that the devil and the angel gave him, and also whenever he engages in an act of selfless charity (like when he bought Camel Man a new robe).

It's this conundrum that will motivate him to ask Andrus for a boon: he wants Andrus to help him gain access to a priest or other learned person who can decipher what language the two books are written in and can then teach him how to read it (he's reasonably sure that the two books are written in either celestial or infernal, but he himself is only just barely literate in elven).

-(On the two books you study, you can read them just fine. They appear to be written in Osirion, your favored language, until such times as certain meanings and descriptions can only be described in Elven. Even now, as you learn more Kellish, you are finding certain phrases in that language as it best fits the true meanings of the lesson it is describing. It is a creative mix that you have not seen in a book... ever. Even if you are not fluent in Elven or Kellish, you understand the words on the pages as if you were fluent in that language.)-

This should seem like an innocuous request; after all, if Andrus is a good person anyway, doing a guest such a small favor should almost be beneath him. This conversation should plant the seeds with the NPCs (and, maybe even with a PC) that Fennec is utterly consumed with his quest to learn what is happening to him.

-Andrus does tell you he will have Philliped and Oxvard check the book out if you like. It is the least he could do for your agreement.-

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(statements made in fun at the end of the email that I had to include from our past completion of Second Darkness)

Long-term, I'm thinking that Fennec is being manipulated by Forces Beyond Our Comprehension (tm) to evolve into a highly-skilled teacher of Bo9S martial adept secrets, so that one day (much later on in his life), he'll happen to be transiting an Ayudara (elf gate) in Ustalav at just the right time to give an arrogant (but destiny-touched) monk named Rio a critical lesson in philosophy that will divert the course of the monk's life in such a way that he's able to defeat an evil genius and save the world from a second Earthfall.

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This sounds perfect. I think the real conundrum for me is when all is said and done, I am ultimately responsible for Rio losing that fight (on both ends)... Arg, I wont be able to sleep now.

Here it is:

CR5 child Were Tiger: 1600xp
CR2 Tracking to Temple: 600xp
CR2 Finding underground Entrance: 600xp
CR3 Solving puzzle for opening entrance: 800xp
CR5 Battle with Spiders attacking horses: 1600xp
CR2 Battle with Two Gynosphynx animated objects: 600xp
CR3 Figuring out traps on 4 entranceway statues: 800xp
CR4 Battle with Altar Summoned Asp: 1200xp
CR6 Battle with Haidar the cursed (were tiger): 2400xp
CR5 Storyline Completion for clearing out Temple: 1600xp

Totals: 11800xp so that is 2360xp each, which puts you at 10,xxx which is enough to level. We will do everything with leveling at the next game, just have your stuff ready to put down on your character sheet (but dont change it yet) as there are still some things that can happen before you rest for the evening. :D

Whoever wrote down the treasure please shoot that to me as I added a some extra gold to compensate for the higher dr of the encounters and cant find my sheet. Here is what I have, please let me know what I forgot. Thanks:

(2) golden figurines (non-magical) of the gynosphynxes (worth 150gp each) bad appraise makes you think they are 100gp each.
Magical Bloodstained silk veil
Magical jade praying mantis figurine
Magical Punching Dagger (En-Nebi) (Haidar)
2 Cure Light Potions (I think already consumed)
1 Cure Serious (already consumed)
Magical Chain Shirt (Haidar)
850gp
443gp
The spells on the pillars that can be inscribed in a spell book or cast off the pillar:
Mage Armor
Color Spray
Burning Hands
Continual Flame
Grease
Shocking Grasp
Sleep

(this is added as I missed treasure when you all made that perception check in the upper ruins of a 31)
1) A golden Pectoral (worth 1350gp)
2) Silver/Black Gold Mask of Nethys magical (one half silver, the other, enchanted black gold)
3) Magical Bronze Scarab
82sp

Greetings everyone. Here is the breakdown of the full inventory of the Fort you took over. Everyone will be level 6 at the begining of next game, and here is how the xp broke down...

First off, you currently have 13,636xp and are 5th level.

BREAKDOWN:

Bonus Austin Lycanthrope encounter: CR5 (1600xp)
Genocide on the Three Jaws Tribe: CR7 (3200xp)
Dashki CR6 (2400xp)
Narg CR6 (2400xp)
Orcella CR7 (3200xp)
Gnoll Shaman CR3 (800xp)
Gnoll Archers x4 CR2 (2400xp)
Gnoll Flinds x2 CR3 (1600xp)
Gnoll Barbarians x2 CR2 (1200xp)
Regular Gnolls x5 CR1 (2000xp)
Ghouls x5 CR1 (2000xp)
Wight x2 CR3 (1600xp)
Ghast (advanced) CR2 (600xp)
Pit Trap CR2 (600xp)

Total xp: 25,600xp (Over double prevous game)

XP each = 5120xp
Giving you all 18,756xp and 6th level.

7th level will be earned at 23,000 instead of 21,000 like old 3.5, so just 4k away from that achievement.

Alright, now here is the loot breakdown (most of which you know about). Red items were things I missed because my loot sheet was in my desert terrain bag (which you know I left sitting in my room instead of in my big box).

Dashki: Potion of Serious Wounds x2 (one has blood all over the vial from 3 severed fingers spurting all over it) Potion of Cats Grace, +2 Glamoured Studded Leather, Boots of Striding +5ft. Movement, MW Scimitar, Short Sword +1.

Narg: Potion of Expeditious Retreat, Flindbar +1 (+2damage with pin), Handwraps of Mage armor 1/day 1st level caster, Book of the Brutal Fist (weapon specialization without the fighter pre-requisite.

Orcella: Bag of Holding, Ring of minor empowerment (3/day 2nd level or lower spells), Spell Book, Unholy symbol of Asmodeous, MW Great Axe w/materials for +1 enchantment, MW heavy repeating crossbow w/materials for +1 enchantment, (3) Scrolls which I forgot to write down on my main sheet here but we have the cards and I will update this email once I get those.

Shaman: Kayeffi of charisma +2, (which I never got to cast a spell from this hoe), ring of feather falling.

You also found two messages from the Carrion King.

1) Asks Orcella to check out the progress of the Circle Tribe on finding an item. The item name is not mentioned, but there is no doubt that Orcella and the Carrion King know what this item is by the tone of the message. It is written in Common.

2) Asks Orcella to ramp up the building of a force of gnolls because the Carrion King "marches soon" to battle. Also written in common.

Both of these messages have no date on them, but the battle march message looks older (or looks like it has sit on her shelf longer) than the one about the Circle tribes escavation and search.

Gold and other valuables found:

Dashki: 275gp, silver banded ruby ring with inscription on inside of band (written in gnoll) 400gpv.

Narg: 15 Silver Shuriken (unballanced) -1 to hit but worth 25gp in raw silver material, iron banded ruby ring with inscription on inside of band (written in gnoll) worth 200gpv, and 275gp.

Orcella: (found in the bag of holding or in her private quarters) 4000gp, 500pp, 18 assorted crude and uncut jewels worth about 800gp, and a MW pair of Slippers (like she was preparing another item for enchantment) worth 125gp.

suits of leather armor x7
suits of hide armor x4
suits of studded leather x8
spears x10
short bows x7
arrows x442
wooded shields (light) x5
wooden shields (heavy) x2
lots of crap (clothing and various other things that might as well just be burned with the dead bodies)

Greetings to everyone.

Here is the official email for the closing of AP#19 Howl of the Carrion King.

I know everyone was super excited to finally get INSIDE Kelmarane. It was a long time coming, and I think the entire infiltration, execution, and finishing off of Kardswann, was so perfectly done, that I have thought about it all afternoon and evening.

I would like your feedback on what you thought of this part of the adventure. It is important to me to know if you think it was to easy, a cake walk, you were not challenged, etc... So please leave me feedback at your convenience.

Now, for the goodies. First off, everyone should have 23,001xp before this stuff is added.

Calculations for final day encounters:

Encounter 1: Harpie Lair (The mill) EL8 encounter (4x CR4 Harpies pg.172 CoreMM)
XP: 4800

Encounter 2: Undrella's Tannery EL7 encounter (Undrella - Elite Harpy / Fighter 2)
XP: 3600

Encounter 3: Guard House EL4 encounter (4x CR2 Gnoll Ranger 2's)
XP: 1200

Encounter 4: Ugruk's Play Area EL8 encounter (Ugruk - Elite Flind Fighter 6)
XP: 4800

Encounter 5: Kezurkian's Patrol EL7 encounter (Kezurkian - Lg. Shir (CR6) / (4) CR2 Gnoll Ranger 2's)
XP: 3600

Encounter 6: Wyvern's Palace EL10 encounter (Wyvern - pg.282 CoreMM / Sorcerer 4)
XP: 9600

Encounter 7: Halruk's Challenge EL3 encounter (Male ogrekin)
XP: 800

Encounter 8: Answering the Call EL2 encounter (3) Bugbear Warrior 1's
XP: 600

Encounter 9: Answering the Call II EL5 encounter (10) Gnoll warrior 2's
XP: 1800

Encounter 10: Kardswann's Lesson EL10 encounter (Large Elite Janni Fighter 5)
XP: 9600

Securing Allies during infiltration: + CR8 Encounter
XP: 4800

Completing Howl of the Carrion King according to Almah's wishes: +CR8 encounter
XP: 4800

Total XP gained by encounters: 50,000

Total XP per player: 10,000

Giving everyone 33,001 xp.

With 8th level being 34000, i am going to give you that xp during the 18 month layoff between adventure AP's. So, when everyone is doing their special things during that year and a half, they will be 8th level, and you can craft anything you meet the requirements for out of the Core Rule Book once you throw it past me for approval. :D

Now, for the treasure. I will put it down and list the source next to it. Any further questions just shoot me a message.

+1 Halberd (Large) - Kezurkian the goat demon
+1 Quarter Staff - Halruun the fallen priest of Sarenrae
+2 Large Breastplate - Kardswann the unpleasant
+1 Lawful Outsider Bane Great Axe (large) - Kardswann the unplesant
(4) masterwork studded leather suits of armor - Harpy Nest (mill)

1600gp + 4 garnets worth 100gp/ea in locked chest - Harpy Nest (mill)

Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds and Expeditious Retreat - Ugruk the not so large

+2 Defender Flindbar - Ugruk the not so large

From the lost members of the Lions of Senara, Andrus, Claire, Filipped, and Oxvard give you the belongings of their dead companions:

ring of protection +1, a cloak of resistance+1, masterwork chainmail, a +1 dagger, a wand of bull’s strength (8 charges), 4 applications of silversheen, an amulet of natural armor +1, a cloak of Charisma +2, and slippers of spider climbing(YES, I CANT BELIEVE I AM GIVING THIS OUT...), light mace +1, brooch of shielding (10charges)

Chest Containing:

(this chest was in Kardswann's chamber)

Jewels and Gems worth 4200gp
3113 pp
5246 gp
1227 sp
4561 cp

A solid gold classical genie Lamp adorned with 40 small sapphires worth 900gp

Gifts from the Church of Sarenrae for liberating the temple: phylactery of faithfulness, a periapt of Wisdom +2, and a necklace of fireballs (type III)

Enjoy the loot and start fighting over it. Please attach all emails regarding treasure to me.

Here we go...

As the claws of the were tiger rake you across your chest, you feel them dig into your lungs, finding the soft parts between your rib bones. You fall to the ground, seeing in the eyes of the were tiger, that he was proud to have beat an honorable fighter, but at the same time, even though you killed his son, he has a sadness across his cougar like face, a sadness you somehow know to be because he killed you.

You close your eyes as you feel the last breath leave you, and then you open them again standing in a hollowed out cave that is looking over the cavern in which you passed away. You could have sworn that you did not see this opening when you came in, but then again, you were put into the middle of a fight very quickly. Your vantage point is in the upper corner of the cavern (on the far side from where you and the group entered it at), behind the floating magical ship. You hear a sinister laughter coming from behind you, and you see the devil that you met all those years ago in that distant village. He stops laughing as you turn to face him, his voice changing into an angry roar, "Dont look at me! Look at your friends. Watch how they kill the very man you redeemed."

And you turn, only to see Theradon plug the tiger with a surprise shot, breaking the vow which you had promised to the tiger. You see the form of Talib, hiding invisible, shaped like a predetory dinosaur chomp into the beast as it runs to defend itself from the trecherous group. You see Rajah try to shot it, but fail miserably as she always does. You then watch them prevail, killing the tiger that was also a man. You see the tiger shift back, as his son did, and the group loot him like he was piece of trash.

You hear the laughter again from behind you.

"How does that make you feel, my young apprentice." The gloating in the voice was unmistakeable, the supreme confidence openly flaunted as your turn back to face him. "Oh yes," he begins again, "your simple act of honor, showing him respect when he didnt deserve it, was all it took to right this mans ship, no pun intended. If your companions had just left things as they were, they would have had a valuable ally in their trials that are to come. But no, they are vicious, trecherous, and most of all, they hate you."

He is watching your eyes this entire time, waiting for a reaction to his words. When none come, he smirks and says in a voice of command, of supreme infernal power, that your very soul can not ignore, "I did not start this wager to see how you would fare with a knowledge, that no other on the planet of golarion has, and watch you throw it away on a damned cursed human!" His roar echoes off the walls, but you see that your companions hear nothing as you turned your head to peek out into the cavern. "You are much more valuable than they, but for now, you need them, even though I would have that Talib's heart in my hand so he could watch me eat it as his last breath left him..."

He continues watching you to see how you react to that, then smiles, his fangs showing white against his reddish brown skin, "Oh yes, he gave you up to the beast. The coward that he is only thinks of his own hide, which normally I dont care about, but in this case, he has offended me and has all but begged for my enmity. You are dead because of him and because you have not studied our book closely enough. I would take you with me to my home, however, your life has not had enough time to show us what we wanted to know. It has been cut short (as so many are), but you are special to us Fennec. So I am going to grant you another chance to walk on the sands of Katapesh and LEARN MY DAMN BOOK!" The last he yells so loud that if you had eardrums, they would have burst and you would be deaf right now.

Do we understand eachother?"

You know this is a rhetorical question

"Do you have anything to ask before I send you back? You have a chance to ask me one question, so make it good or I will flog you for a millenia before you see the gates of Pharasma!"

For some reason, you have a sick feeling in your stomach (the only thing you can compare it to in life) about what Talib did to you. You dont know if it is coming from your concious mind, or if it is implanted by the devil. But you really want to confront Talib if given another chance to walk the earth again. You know that he gave you up.

Fennec staggers under the force of the devil's rebuke. He wipes blood from his mouth with the back of his sword-hand before forcing himself upright. The devil's sides heave with the effort of containing his feigned indignation, but the fox remains serene. No fear or anger appears on his countenance. One scarred ear twitches, but the rest of him may as well be granite. Seconds pass ... The echos of the devil's tirade are lost in the aether, and only the devil's heavy breathing disturbs the pregnant silence.

"I have many questions," Fennec drawls acidly. "For I should very much like to challenge any number of your assertions, starting with why you take me for a water-brained simpleton.

"I have no illusions about the 'honor' of Katapeshi dogs, and I suspect that you are no more surprised than I am at this pathetic display." He points to the beach where the were-leopard lies bleeding to death.

"I harbor no romantic delusions about these opportunists' love for me when I've seen their hearts laid bare, their greed and ambition as plain to see as the noonday sun." He gestures lazily toward Theron and Rajah who are lustily squabbling over the leopard's blood-flecked belongings.

"I have no pride to wound when you insinuate that I should be further along the path of Radnor of the Nine Swords in a year than the saint was after a decade in the Howling Monastery according to your own bloody book. I have read, O Prince, and I have parsed the mysteries quite a bit further than you award me credit for. I know now that I will, if allotted the time, ignite the holy conflagration that brings this phoenix back to life in all its hellish splendor.

"My question, then, since I am afforded only one, pertains to the end of this bloody farce ... Tell me truthfully ... When I have fulfilled your vision for the rebirth of twin swords (and I will) tell me whom in the firmament -- what veiled master -- shall I seek out for the final accounting? Tell me the name of the ultimate puppet master, and I shall, in turn, swear to you by your own inviolable code that I will have justice done with said master one day soon ...

"Know well that you have not loosed an arrow, O Prince: I am no blind instrument that will mindlessly slay your enemy while you keep your hands clean. I am a Son of Nex, a Hound of Ketaphys, and the First (but not the last) Initiate of the Twilight Path. What you have set in motion can no longer be undone."

With that, Fennec bows deeply towards the hissing Nalfenshe then plunges into the dead-gray mist to reclaim his scimitar.

I am so glad this hit on the right points and is exactly what you were looking for. So it is with great glee that I shall award you with the answer to your characters single question... lets see how it unfolds...

The malebranche listens to your words, his grin becoming wider at every passing insult. And when you begin your question, his face shows anticipation, as well as ecstasy when you end your question with, "Tell me the name of the ultimate puppet master, and I shall, in turn, swear to you by your own inviolable code that I will have justice done with said master one day soon ..."

"Done!" He roars, and the walls shake with the sound of it.

He walks up to you, almost three times your height, and looks down in supreme glee, "I would answer you in riddles, but you already know this answer, so I shall speak plainly. It is me. I have always been your puppet master."

His grin widens as he continues, "Think of how you came to the village, of what you saw and how you first reacted to us. You were steered toward us for a purpose. But you must earn the right to face us, PAWN!" (he jumps back and laughs) Learn my book, teach your enemies its secrets, and lets see how you fare against a god!"

With that, he puffs out of existance and you are returned to the bow of the floating ship (via some form of teleportation or dimensional travel), alive, intact, but still feeling the weight of the devils words ringing in your ears. A single question keeps coming to you as you get the strength to stand and then hop down to your (now severly aged) body, "where was the angelic being".

He never answers or makes a hint at anything else you say or prod for (concerning the book), your progress, or that giving you the book has opened up its secrets for all time.

Keil,

I am sending this to you as I know you are setting up your character to take certain powers and manuevers over the next several levels. I wanted to have you look these over and let me know what you think. If you were to look up the setting sun sword and the shadow dagger in the back of the BoNS, you would see the combination of powers there. Of course they are altered and not quite as powerful as the single weapon versions, but I gave in some other areas of the sword's advancement.

please let me know from a balance point of view if the sword is over powered. I think this is exactly the kind of sword you would cherish. (remember, we can make this a sabre/scimitar or whatever if you want to still go that route. I didnt want you to change your whole character concept over the fact that I broke a magical simitar with king mokknok.

Morgans sword is basically the advancement of the mold speakers conjured weapon and his future in helping Morgan with the background of LoF. I wrote the costs in to add some genie specific powers to the weapon, and eventually making it a nasty sabre at 19th level.

Cant wait to hear your feedback.

CC (These are attached in text format so you can read them on the Iphone. :D)

'Mold Speaker' "The Sword of Vardishal"

Peraonal Costs Involved

Attack Fort-Save Hit-Point
Penalty Penalty Loss
------- --------- --------- Legacy Abilities:

LvL-5 - - - +1 Sabre

LvL-6 - - 2 Knowledge of the Ancients*

LvL-7 - - - -

LvL-8 - -1 - +1 Acidic Sabre

LvL-9 - - - -

LvL-10 -1 - - +1 Acidic Sabre of the Planes

LvL-11 - - - Elemental Infusion 10

LvL-12 - - 2 -

LvL-13 - -2 - Protection of the Ancients*

LvL-14 - - - -

LvL-15 -2 - - +1 Acid Burst Sabre of the Planes

LvL-16 - - 2 Dust Devil*

LvL-17 - - - -

LvL-18 - - 2 Elemental Infusion 30

LvL-19 - -3 - +1 Keen Acid Burst Sabre of the Planes

LvL-20 -3 - - Master of Elements*

*:

1) Knowledge of the Ancients: The spirit of Vadishal infuses himself into the owner of his sword, giving them a +2 insight bonus on all knowledge checks concerning LoF lore, granting Knowledge (the planes) and knowledge (local) as class skills.

2) Elemental Infusion: The bond between Vardishal and the weilder strengthens, granting Resistance 10 to fire. This goes up to Resistance 30 at 18th level.

3) Protection of the Ancients: The spirit of Vardishal's infusion strengthens with his host, granting the weilder a protection vs. Genies effect. This power is just like the Protection from Evil Spell, but insert the word Genie where you would normally read Evil. This power can be used 3/day (as an immediate action) @ caster level 10.

4) Dust Devil: Vardishal's power over the five winds takes effect on the bearer of his sword, granting him the ability to invoke haste (as a swift action) for one round. This can be done 5/day.

5) Master of Elements: The bearer of the sword of Vardishal is granted resistance 10 to Electricity, as well as Immunity to Fire.

'Twilight' "The Sword of Auh-Kaddahn"

Peraonal Costs Involved

Attack Fort-Save Hit-Point
Penalty Penalty Loss
------- --------- --------- Legacy Abilities:

LvL-5 - - - +1 Ghost Touch SS

LvL-6 -1 - - Shadowcloak*

LvL-7 - -1 - Crux Of Balance*

LvL-8 - - 2 -

LvL-9 - - - +2 Ghost Touch SS

LvL-10 - -2 - Sneak Attack +1d6

LvL-11 -2 - - Sting Like a Bee +1d6*

LvL-12 - - 2 Shadow Strike*

LvL-13 - - - -

LvL-14 - - - +3 Ghost Touch SS

LvL-15 - -3 - Sneak Attack +2d6

LvL-16 - - 2 -

LvL-17 -3 - - Sting like a Bee +2d6

LvL-18 - - 2 Invisibility 3/day 10CL

LvL-19 - - 2 +3 Speed Ghost Touch SS

LvL-20 - - 2 Twilight Mastery*

*:

1) Shadowcloak: In the first round of an Encounter you can use the stealth skill (as an immediate action) to hide from anyone caught flatfooted as long as you have cover or concealment within 10ft. of you. You can not use this ability to hide from creatures that are not flat-footed unless you have an ability that allows for you to hide in plain sight.

2): Crux of Balance: Your relationship with the sword unlocks a hidden insight into the ability to avoid other creatures. You gain a +4 insight bonus to your CMD vs. Bull Rush, Overrun, and Trip attacks.

3): Sting Like a Bee: When using Twilight's blade against foes at least one size catagory larger than you, you do an extra 1d6 points of damage. At 17th level, this damage increases to +2d6.

4): ShadowStrike: Your mastery of Twilight has given you a better chance to strike those you flank in combat. You get a +4 to hit against flanked opponants rather than the usual +2.

5): Invisibility: Your mastery of the shadow hand discipline has opened up the ability to become virtually "invisible" to the naked eye. You can grant yourself Invisibility 3/day just as if you were a 10th level caster.

6): Twilight Mastery: You are now a master of light and shadow. When wielding Twilight in combat, you gain Twilight's enhancement bonus to your armorclass. This bonus counts as an insight bonus for purposes of stacking.

After a 5 hour infiltration that ended with Kardswann's death, the clean up process began. our heroes rested, trying to recover from the wounds received by the gnolls and their commanders. During that rest period, Andrus, Oxvard, and a couple guards ran off the remaining living gnolls. Although trying to kill them was #1 priority, it is estimated that a half dozen escaped, but the total killed ended up being 21 gnolls.

After waking up, the group went to the temple of Sarenrae to secure that position, which was done with some horrifying information uncovered. First, the temple was 'protected' by an undead priest of sarenrae (which is like saying the sun was shining at night). It was, up to this point, an impossibility to all lore and knowledge the pc's have available to them.

To make matters worse, the ghost that was seen in the under-chambers of the monastery was there at the temple inhabiting another strange apparatus that allowed it to interact with the physical world.

Besides the strange super fast coffer corpses that tried fending off the heroes, the taking over of the facility went relatively well. The ghost could not hide from the knowing eyes of Theradon, who seemed to be able to track the elusive creature anywhere it seemed to hide.

The aparatus that the ghost used was made of a material called Soul Stone, a substance that prevents ethereal travel. (you found this out with the help of the spirit of Vardishal - (the intelligence from the mold that resides in Thereadon))

After destroying the aparatus, you were able to kill the ghost and free kelmarane from all the immediate dangers with-in the city limits.

However, with the notes from Orcella and the information found in the ghosts work chamber, you find out that there is something sinister still afoot. This persona known as the Carrion King was out for more than just a foothold in Katapesh. The uniting of the 7 tribes that lived in the area was only part of this leaders plans. It seemed that the only thing holding back a complete occupation of the brazen peaks and the trade routs that run along its borders, was finding a "key", which this ghost believed the spirit of Vardishal knew of. And so, for over a decade, this ghost (whom vardishal reveals was an ally of the Templars of the 5 winds over 6 centuries earlier) was attempting to extract that information from the living mold.

Without this Key, the taking over of Kelmarane and the surrounding areas was deemed pointless by this Carrion King in the missives you all find and read. It seemed that Halruun, the undead priest of sarenrae, was the ghosts means of communicating with the outside world of the living.

The orders of the Circle tribe are confirmed a 3rd time in the documents you find in the temple, which details an excavation in the south west area of the brazen peaks, just a few miles from the place that the PC's were first assaulted by the Witch (or should I say, Rajah).

A key, which was found on the witches body, was taken by Almah, and as far as anyone knows, she still has it in her possession.

There are other documents speaking of rituals of Rovagug, transformations of the gnoll race into beasts of unbelieveable power and destructive tendencies. even going through all these documents, which were perfectly cataloged by this ghost by date and author, only state that what ever ritual this seems to have been successful as of 3 years ago.

Names of note on these documents concerning the monstrous transformation of gnolls are:

Madfang, Zyafid, and Dashki.

The last information uncovered in the temple was the astrological alignment of the 11th planet in the solar system with Golarion. It seems that the Carrion Kings recent rise to power and fame in the area was to have a chance to free a super genie named Jhavuhl from his prison, which is why this key is so important to the CK. This is the general information on this solar event...

-The Aucturn Enigma-

Aucturn is the eleventh planet from Golarion’s sun. Although large, it is quite distant and the slow-orbiting body is rarely visible with the naked eye. Every 156 years, Aucturn and Golarion’s orbital paths align, reaching their closest proximity, a phase that lasts for approximately 4 months. During that time, while

Aucturn’s gravitational influence is so slight as to go unnoticed by most of the world, it has a considerable excitation effect on Golarion’s elementals. In the deserts of Osirion, it causes a massive spike in sandstorm generation, resulting in local geodesic shifts and the cyclical unveiling of ancient secrets.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The securing of Undrella the Harpy and the wyvern mount of Kardswann as allies have Almah's panties in a wad. The promise of sanctuary during the coop, and the granting of free choice to these individuals to stay or leave as free creatures has made almah's victory bittersweet in her mouth. You find that the first week of occupation is very tense, especially since the Harpy has noticed Almah's disposition towards her, and plays up the merchant princesses discomfort with her.

During that first week, you gain alot of intel from the Harpy. Everything from tribe locations to Kardswann's favorite meal.

I am posting her stats because there is nothing that wont be uncovered about Undrella. Almah made sure that her entire inventory was cataloged, her gear examined, and then certified by Oxvard, the priest of Abadar.

----------------------------------------------------------------

UNDRELLA - Elite Harpy / Fighter 2 (CR7)
XP 3600 NE Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7
AC 20, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +4 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural)
hp 98 (9d10+27)
Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +6
Speed 20 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee eagle totem / vulture totem +13/+13/+8 (1d6+5/1d6+5/1d6+3), 2 talons +11/+11/+6 (1d4+3)
Special Attacks: captivating song
Str 16, Dex 19, Con 14, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 21
Base Atk: +9; CMB +12; CMD 26

Feats Dodge, Flyby Attack, Great Fortitude, Weapon Focus (light Mace), two weapon fighting, Ability Focus (Captivating Song), Lightning mace Style (threat roll = extra attack at highest bab)

Skills Bluff +7, Fly +12, Intimidate +7, Perception +7, Perform (song) +8, Sense Motive +9

Languages Common

Captivating Song (Su) A harpy’s song has the power to infect the minds of those that hear it, calling them to the harpy’s side. When a harpy sings, all creatures aside from other harpies within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 18 Will saving throw or become captivated. A creature that successfully saves is not subject to the same harpy’s song for 24 hours. A victim under the effects of the captivating song moves toward the harpy using the most direct means available. If the path leads them into a dangerous area such as through fire or off a cliff, that creature receives a second saving throw to end the effect before moving into peril. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. A victim within 5 feet of the harpy simply stands and offers no resistance to the harpy’s attacks. This effect continues for as long as the harpy sings and for 1 round thereafter. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Gear: Studded Leather +1, eagle totem +2 (light mace), vulture totem +2 (light mace), potion of cure moderate wounds x2.

------------------------------------------------------------

The Wyvern, however, is an entirely different problem entirely. No one can communicate with it directly, although it does understand common, and can yes and no any question posed to it, more complex speech and questions glean nothing as the wyvern can not communicate an answer, or the words used to ask were to complicated for it to understand.

Almah is not kind to the survivors of the lions of senara. Actually, it is not unkindness, but rather, non-sympathy. Even Claire, whom everyone absolutely hated for her b~$+*y attitude and general disposition, is not given the opportunity to mentally deal with her situation, which everyone knows she was physically, sexually, and mentally abused to the point that any other woman would have probably died. Her survival impresses Talib, but when she is asked to fulfill her contract and start helping with the rebuilding less than a week after taking over Kelmarane, the young paladin of Iomedae turns very sour.

I need to know if anyone is going to try to communicate with this npc or almah concerning this situation before I write any more.

Philliped is even more friendly to the group than he was before (although he was really the only one who showed a nice demeanor around all of you from the start). He helps all the heroes at one point or another during the first month of rebuilding, buys drinks for anyone who will say yes, and constantly getting information about all of you for his historical documentary on the event now being called "the liberation of Kelmarane".

Oxvard easily takes the mantle of being the lord of scales and balances for Almah. His transition from tortured prisoner, to productive civil servant was almost seamless. It seems he has recovered from his ordeal faster than all the others.

Andrus is not the leader he once was prior to dying on hill outside of the battlemarket. His outgoing personality has been replaced by the need for solitude and self loathing. His path does not seem to be bright as it once was.

As for Zyafid, no evidence is found on him. Even undrella mentions that the tall rogue never entered with the others.

It only takes a week for the first caravans to come from Solku, and another week for the goods from Katapesh to arrive.

It is here that I will end this part of the Campaign and await your input on what you want your characters to do. You will have approximately 18 months of in-game time between this AP, and the next. What you do with it is up to you. I will post some ideas, but the choice is yours to make. I will want you to tell me a MAIN GOAL, and a secondary goal, for your characters to persue during this time in Kelmarane. After the first month, the max gpv of goods bought in kelmarane will be 200gp. Otherwise, a trip to Solku or Katapesh will be required.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a preliminary list of main and secondary goals for your character to choose from. Remember, you can come up with your own, I just need to work with you to fit them into certain game mechanics that this AP allows us.

And one last time for those that didnt catch my hints earlier... please ask me any questions about anything you want to know about kelmarane, its inhabitants, the other merchants and workers in the battlemarket, the goblin Jark (little guy who announces the contestants) or what ever. It will be your loss if you dont want to have some cool character story stuff done here.

Now, on to the choices...

Administration:
Business:
Church of Sarenrae:
Crime:
Explore Personal Mystery:
Moldspeaker: (for Theradon only if he so desires it)
Patrol Kelmarane Hinterlands:
Personal Romance:
Research:
Travel:
Wyvern:
Undrella:
Wyvern Egg:
Astronomy:

I cant wait to hear back from you all on this, so enjoy. And these are just the choices that were in the AP or that I added because of certain diplomatic events that changed the entire complexion of Kelmarane.

Okay, so Talib will compliment Claire on her resiliency. If her reaction is hostile, he will back off, if she seems grateful for the appreciation (given the complete absence of it in Almah) he will begin a dialogue with her explaining how the Gods have blessed her by giving her the strength to survive, but continued survival requires constant strength.

Talib has said his peace to the Wyvern, unless the Wyvern makes first contact Talib will ignore him.

The plan remains to attempt to get Almah to place Talib as the curator of the monastery. By himself (using Stone Shape a little at a time), Talib will renovate the place to be habitable and flush with foliage (he'll use soften stone to get fertile ground within it's walls, and use create water and plant growth to make the new gardens lush).

Under the cover of night, he will also use his Sandskimmer and Pass without trace abilities to try to make it to the Pesh fields. The goal is to move all the rock to the outskirts of the Pesh field, so that the monster is trapped in a corral of stone. He'll cultivate the Pesh field to make it very fertile and the Pesh particularly powerful.

Finally, when he is done with these two tasks he'll use stone shape to form two massive obelisks: the first one will be in front of the monastery and say "Survival Through Strength". The second will be in front of the Pesh fields with the creature in them and it will say "Death Through Weakness".

Let me know if anyone has anything to say on these things. Most of Talib's time will be spent at the monastery or Pesh Fields.

The securing of Undrella the Harpy and the wyvern mount of Kardswann as allies have Almah's panties in a wad. The promise of sanctuary during the coop, and the granting of free choice to these individuals to stay or leave as free creatures has made almah's victory bittersweet in her mouth. You find that the first week of occupation is very tense, especially since the Harpy has noticed Almah's disposition towards her, and plays up the merchant princesses discomfort with her.

I intend to play to this extensively during the first half of the period. As Fennec learns the principles of balance from his martial lore studies, he begins to perceive just how pointlessly destructive and self-defeating Almah's greed, intolerance and pettiness are. Fennec will attempt to play these three figures (and also the other key PCs and NPCs) off of one another in such a way as to promote a healthy, creative tension between them -- creating a sense of balance and mutual dependency. He'll subtly inject questions like "How can you hate him/her/it so much, when you have so much to gain from him/her/it?" and "If you would harm him/her/it without first having cause, why should I trust that you won't someday turn on me this same way?"

This is a minor pursuit, but it plays to Fennec's desire to learn. Since he's stuck in this dusty crap-hole anyway for the duration of his contract, he may as well make it educational ... And he would likely profit by cultivating allies for later on, when the current regime inevitably collapses.

Now that the wyvern has its egg back (as he promised), Fennec will attempt to 'train' with the wyvern -- wooden practice sword and capped stinger -- on a regular basis. Hopefully, the two of them can build a foundation for mutual respect. More on that follows, below.

- Almah is not kind to the survivors of the lions of senara. Actually, it is not unkindness, but rather, non-sympathy. -

This is to be expected from a raging megalomaniac. Almah is not a nice person. Juxtapose this with Tharadon's public cultivation of popular sentiment, and you'll soon have a quiet struggle for control of the hearts and minds of the populace of Kelmerane. Which will end in tears. Yea, tears!

As you'd expect, Fennec attempts to capitalize on this new-found alienation by quietly contacting the disavowed, betrayed, abandoned Lions to offer them something that they can't get from Almah: hope.

How we do it I'll leave up to you; in a nutshell, once it's clear that Andrus and Claire have been brutally and casually betrayed, he'll approach them (individually) and will offer them the safety and protection of "his" house (more on that in a minute). Fennec is establishing a school there ... part martial lore, part philosophy, part rehabilitation. Fennec may not be able to grant the two of them their former glory, but he can offer them a safe space to rage and weep ... and to learn the mystic secrets of Desert Wind and Shadow Hand, that the two betrayed Lions might someday (through patience, serenity, guile and steely nerve) turn the tables on their betrayer. Not to mention, a respite safely away from prying eyes.

If either (or both) of them will listen, and if they'll agree to visit a place where their worth and value is neither forgotten nor spurned, then perhaps the next several months can bring either (or both) of them enough space to recover.

Of course, Fennec has nothing to say to Almah. His contract requires him to help rebuild, and he'll respond to reasonable taskings as they arise .... through Tharadon, the team's adopted leader. Mend a bridge? Sure. Train a militia? Sure. Run trade goods to Katapesh? Sure. All this, Fennec will do serenely, unperturbed by (and publicly disinterested in) Almah's cold venom. On the other hand, Fennec will spend no time with Almah or her other executives that isn't required by Tharadon. Instead, he'll spend his "free" time away from Kelmarane, ostensibly refurbishing the Old Fort ... and, in doing so, establishing both a fighting school, and a redoubt for the coming storm.

The little gnome finds this part of his life quite interesting indeed. If the thrill of infiltrating the battle market city in the dead of night wasn't fun enough, Theron has decided to get his adrenaline rush by starting a goat farm. His initial demand of Almah, when everyone was gathered in her presence, was to be given some land for this endeavor. Several of the team, (now I will call you the Liberators), giggle when the gnome flat out said, "I want land to start a goat farm. And I want it to be close to the water, and I want new goats, baby goats, goat food, and... well..." his voice trailed off when he saw a large cockroach skittering across the floor.

Almah gave a smirk and breathed a deep sigh, then granted Theron his wish, but not without reminding him about his condition; that if the cure were not found for his lycanthropy before his contract ended, then the sentence of death, as originally pronounced, would be carried out and his farm forfeit to the ruler of Kelmarane, which was Almah.

Before anyone could stop him from agreeing, he said with a stomp of his foot, "Done! now get me my goats!" Only Rajah saw the deadly aim of Theron's foot as it crashed down on the previously living cockroach..

Garavel scowled at Theron but did not do anything else, his feelings clearly showed just how much he disapproved of Theron's lack of diplomacy.

There was a lingering silence before Oxvard, (the cleric of Abadar and former member of the Lions of Senara), cleared his throat, "Lady Alamah... Theron could use the land to the north east of the old slave market. The stench of the goat farm would not bother the inhabitants of that area, if they even took notice of it. Slave trade will be necessary for the financial stability of the city. Who really cares if they smell goat dung all day? The profits garnered will make the slavers forget, as well as us..."

Almah nodded and agreed to make it so.

Of course, one of the first orders of business for Theron was to somehow get out of his execution. Luckily for him, Rajah had figured out a way to infuse the Silversheen rewarded by the survivors of the Lions of Senara, into the iron mixture used to make manacles. One of the iron smiths from Katapesh, a gentleman named Mukkudo, was commissioned to make them when they arrived a couple weeks after the liberation. The entire group, along with Almah, Garavel, and several pact master guards, assembled for the transformation in one of the abandoned buildings in lower Kelmarane. When little Theron turned into a were-leopard, the manacles held, and Theron was spared for that day.

Each month, the three days of the full moon were tense, as Almah made it her business to be outside the cell to watch and make sure the manacles held. And each month, she was disappointed with the results.

The people of Kelmarane shunned the gnome at first, scared that he would transform before their eyes and maul them in the streets, but when it became apparent that he was not harmful to be around, and that he did not change at any other time during the month, he eventually became accepted, and his business took off. The goat's milk, cheese, and jerky made from his farm became a local hit, and grew in popularity all the way to Solku and Katapesh. The process was long, but Theron was not really caring about the profits. The fact that he was hauling in a good sum of money by the end of his contract with Almah was just icing on his cake. The real joy was talking to the goats, petting the goats, feeding the goats, and finally, trying to ride the goats. Needless to say, the small stubborn creatures did not take kindly to their master riding them, but being as they were animals, they lacked the intelligence to realize that their lives depended on how good a ride the gnome received. The worst one was always chosen to be jerkified, and the gnome took great pleasure in the killing process. One unfortunate goat had launched the gnome into a patch of cacti during one of the riding sessions; Its fate to horrible to describe...

The success of Theron's farm was aided by the helpful manipulations of Talib's spells, which nurtured the ground, making it very fertile. Talib even shaped the outer boundaries of the farm, tuning some of the hardened earth into a natural barrier that served to keep out any undesirables, as well as contain the wandering goat herd within.

The time Talib and Theron spent together made each of them more comfortable with the other. As time went on, they even discussed their views on the world, Almah, and Kelmarane's occupation. Normally, they both kept to themselves, revealing little, if anything, about their desires. Other than Theron's unusual fetish with large axes, the gnomes life was a closed book.

There were whispers going around town, later in the first year of the occupation, that suggested that the gnome became more excited and jovial the closer it came to the full moon. If this was true, no one really knew except Theron, but, the wide smile on his face when he looked at Almah during the shackling process was plain for all to see. This infuriated Almah, (as the gnome knew it would), thus making his secret that he had mastered his lycanthropy all the more sweet.

With the success of Theron's farm, his extended sentence, his notoriety and fame, and his new obsession with Talib, the gnome's days flew by.

With the death of Father Zastoran, research had fallen on the shoulders of Rajah, who everyone knew was overwhelmed with requests for her time. There was no doubt that Theron's cure had been put on hold to tend to other pressing matters (especially since the manacles held up so well). But Theron liked his friends, and didn't want to force their hand if he fled Kelmarane. He also didn't want his fate to be decided for him, so the gnome paid a visit to Rajah at the Temple of Nethys , where the floating ship still hovered over the misty waters.

When Theron emerged, a couple hours later, he felt that he had convinced Rajah to make his case a top priority, and returned to his goat farming without fear or care. Rajah, on the other hand, did not emerge from her self imposed prison for almost a month, trying to find out how to fix Theron's lycanthropy.

One particular day (three weeks after his visit to Rajah), the mage appeared at Theron's farm as the gnome was spanking one of his goats for bad behavior. Rajah looked tired from her endless magical studies, but handed the gnome several documents and spoke to him for almost a half hour before taking her leave and walking towards Fennec's martial training center.

Theron smiled inwardly, looked down at the documents, and then up to the late afternoon sky. The gnome didn't need to look, for he knew the full moon was close upon him, so he disappeared that evening with no warning to anyone, approximately 25 days before his execution. After a quick visit to Talib at the Monastery, Theron was on his way out to Katapesh.

The next day, Talib showed up at Theron's farm and seemed to care for the animals in the gnomes absence. It was not a rare sight to see Talib at the gnome's farm, but tending the goats was out of the ordinary. And Rajah was now walking about the streets of Kelmarane, enjoying herself, as it had been a long time since she had not had her face in a book or forging magic weapons. The fact that Theron was gone, brought a smile to her face, but she never explained why.

When the time of the full moon drew close, Almah's mood became more foul with each passing hour. When the gnome did not show up to be shackled, the city was in an uproar. People barricaded themselves inside, the streets were barren, and commerce came to a standstill, as everyone expected the gnome to show up in his changed form and kill the first poor soul that walked the streets alone.

Only Theradon walked the streets in confidence, hoping the gnome was smart enough not to test him.

Fennec was off taking care of a personal matter, one that seemed to pain him deeply, but as with all things pertaining to Fennec, people respected his privacy, and did not ask. Most people thought it had to do with Haleen, who had grown close to the elf since the liberation, but it was only speculation...

As for Theron, he wandered all the way to the great city of Katapesh , and there, armed with his poisons, he found, and stalked his prey. He was exactly where Rajah had said he would be, having a grand time with his business partners, enjoying the company of women that were obviously not his wives, and talking shop, laying the foundations to make twenty times (in a single day) what Theron made off his goat farm in a year and a half. The pleasure house was detailed so well that Theron wondered how many times Rajah had been there. Her documents were impeccable, even down to the quality of the locks on the doors and who had the right keys if needed.

Theron was brought out of his musing when Rajah's father laughed loudly at something one of the whores had said. The gnome gave an evil sneer while he watched the man-genie fondle the women and get lost in the barely concealed nudity of their dress, "This," the gnome whispered to himself, "will be your undoing genie..."

With the Intel Rajah had given him, infiltrating the secured, high class establishment, was easy enough, especially with the three invisibility potions Rajah had made for him. And so, with an ease that surprised Theron himself, the gnome slipped into the room that Rajah's father would use to be alone with the women, and waited, patiently, behind the door, applying the wyvern poison to each of his fingernails.

It wasn't to long before his prey arrived, escorting two of the women into the room. They were intoxicated, but not falling down drunk, and to slightly complicate matters, Rajah's father had another of those huge 1/2 orc body guards outside the door. "This just makes the stakes higher, and I like a good challenge," Theron thought to himself, as he silently locked the door, then jammed it by breaking off his pick inside the mechanism and drinking his second invisibility potion.

He moved away from the door, silently moving to the other side of the bed, farthest away from the main entrance where he had disabled the lock. There, he enacted his zone of silence, and willingly changed into his were-leopard form. Not a scream was heard as the gnome raked the genie up and down his naked torso. The attack was so quick, so ferocious, that even when Rajah's father didn't die on the first attack, he could do nothing before the second, which took his life before he could magically escape.

The other two women were simply collateral damage. The gnome could not have any witnesses. "Wrong place, wrong time... sorry girls..."

Theron quickly forgot about them, changing back into his gnome shape, taking his prey's dagger and a tear of his clothing, and moved out immediately towards Rajah's home. There, he drank the last potion, snuck up the side of the house, in through a window, and placed a small note Theron had written next to the unsuspecting mother.

Theron watched her sleep peacefully for a few minutes. He was in no rush, and he liked watching his goats sleep, lost in their ignorance of how precarious their situation really was. They slept differently than humans did. So he smiled, took the dagger, and slit her throat. He covered her mouth to quiet the scream that tried to escape, but held the dagger tight against her bleeding neck. As she jerked up spasmodically, the dagger tore deeper, almost severing her head. When she was finally still, he staged the body, placing the bloody dagger through the note on the table, the torn piece of silk, and left quickly through the window.

He got out of the city safe and sound. After putting in four days travel towards Kelmarane, he took out Rajah's letter, the one he was supposed to leave with her mother, read it again, then set it ablaze, watching the charred fragments float away in the cool desert wind. They read...

Mother, I know you loved father very much, but he came for me almost two years ago and tried to kill me.. Who knows what would have happened if my friends had not intervened. I believe I would have suffered greatly, if not killed. I know he has been planning to kill me since that day. I have been watching him closely for over a year now, and I had to act first. Please know that I will understand your anger, but I had to free you from this monster. He was not what he seemed.

With Love, Rajah.

"Stupid humans" he thought to himself, as he let the fire die out so he could get some sleep.

That night, while Theron slept in the open desert, a scream pierced the night air. It was an angry scream from someone or something that could not have been human, or even humanoid, for it scared young Theron to his core. It was so loud that the gnome woke, terrified of what might have entered his camp with him unaware. As he took in his surroundings, he realized that he was alone, in his normal gnome body, with no other surprises (like a dead, mauled body) laying at his feet. However, the image of a cobra headed creature with a tail like a scorpion, was burned into his mind.

Theron wondered what the scream was, where it originated from, and how such a howl of terror could make him shiver in fear and wake in a sweat. Then he heard another scream, this one full of anguish and pain, but it was familiar to the gnome.

Haleen...

He got his equipment together immediately for he knew that what ever was causing Haleen such pain would have had to go through Fennec first, and if one of his friends was in trouble, then Theron wanted to be there.

Theron knew the fastest way to help was to take the form of the were-leopard and run all night to Kelmarane, however, as he tried to change, nothing happened. Then he saw the strange glowing ethereal mist leave his body and start floating back towards Kelmarane. He figured this was the light Theradon had mentioned seeing all those months ago when they had found the sinister punching dagger at the temple of Nethys . Unable to run like the wind, he followed the mist as best he could. It was slow moving, so he kept up with it through the night, but when the sun came over the horizon, it disappeared entirely in the morning light. He had wanted to follow it, to find its source, but now, with Kelmarane looming in the distance, that seemed like a wish he would never live to see.

What was that light? Where was it going? And what was it doing in his body to begin with? All these questions flooded his mind at once, but even as they formed, he knew the answer: His lycanthropy had been cured.

His smile was short lived, however, for even as he rejoiced over Rajah succeeding on her end of things, he felt that a part of him had been destroyed. He liked being a were-leopard. He liked running at night, the wind blowing through his hair, his heightened senses. All that was gone now and it left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts and continued his trek to Kelmarane. Haleen was in trouble, which meant Fennec was in trouble, which meant something fun and interesting was happening without him there to witness it. That would not do.

And so, around mid day, he approached the houses in lower Kelmarane and saw the ever vigilant Theradon approaching with several pact master guards in tow. He knew this was going to be uncomfortable, (the confrontation with his headstrong friend), but knew it was necessary. So he walked towards the approaching horses, his hands outstretched in front of him to make the shackling process easier and to show his submission to fate. Theradon's scowl was easily seen through his helmet as he came to a halt beside the gnome. Theron smiled back at him and said jovially, "Nice to see you Theradon! How are my goats!"

Theradon was not laughing...

Translation of these events into game mechanics is as follows for Theron @ the end of the 18 months:

1) His time as a were-leopard has affected the gnome in ways that can not be explained. His exposure to the feral mind of his transformed self has opened up the Aspect of the Beast feat from the Adv.PG. Austin gets to pick the way the feat affects him as described in the benefits of that feat.

2) Skill Focus Feat granted in Profession: Farming along with 1 skill rank. This simulates his major focus of farming during the Time of Healing.

3) Qualify for the Assassin Prestige class we already discussed, opening it up for 9th level if so desired.

4) 5500gp in profits from the farm.

5) Take off 2 applications of Poison from your list of Scorpion Poisons with the Highest DC.

It is said that they walk alone in the wastes, constantly searching for something that could challenge their fighting spirit. The few whispered tales of this order of cavaliers (that have reached Kelmarane) speak of bravery and courage demonstrated by these few select individuals that wear the order's crest (a single palm tree growing over a crystal clear oasis, giving shade to a weary traveler that is drinking at the water's edge).

It is also said that, like an oasis, this order is only sought by those most desperate and thirsty to keep living. The individuals of this order are said to be brutal in their un-forgiveness and yet, toward those that give them a chance to prove their worth, they are eternally grateful, even kind. They champion any cause that gives them what they desire most... fame.

Only one ever shows up in any given area. Only one. However, on the 183rd day after Theron's first transformation in chains, two show up, Two... riding together into the lower section of the city asking for the Knight-Marshall of Kelmarane, the slayer of Kardswann, the Slayer of the Witch, The Ghost Seeker, Demon Slayer, and "The Gnoll Bane" known as Theradon.

If the imposing figure of Theradon, on horseback, patrolling the streets at night with eyes wisping ghostly white smoke was not enough for the townsfolk to talk about behind closed doors, this added another element to their chatter and his growing fame.

How this all started, however, was back before the Silversheen manacles were ever made, before the first merchants and builders even arrived from Solku and Katapesh. For Claire was supposed to have been given the post of Knight-Marshall. However, she was having much difficulty recovering from her time in captivity.

Almah had no choice but to name Theradon to the post, which seemed to infuriate the current leader of Kelmarane to the point of striping Claire of her contract due to the paladin's inability to fulfill her side of the bargain. To Theradon, things happened just the way they were supposed to, for Claire was just a pawn of Almah; a tool to gain more control over the city by placing under contract mercenaries in positions of power.

With that thought in mind, Theradon marshaled the area well, keeping tabs on the nefarious merchants, the Harpy Undrella, The wyvern, as well as Almah and Garavel.

Especially Almah and Garavel.

Theradon had no problems spending his time patrolling the areas around Kelmarane after his duties were done in the city proper. His single mindedness in this area was one of the reasons why the people started falling under the sway of his charisma and leadership. They felt safe when Theradon was around. They knew he would protect them, which was more than what they could say about Almah. To the city's less affluent inhabitants, Almah was just a puppet of the pact masters sitting in a palace signing documents.

Theradon, however, was always with them... watching and protecting.

One particular event that occurred two days after the liberation was the appearance of an entire tribe of gnolls at Kelmarane's doorstep. Thirty (at least) with a strange large female gnoll riding a giant scorpion was spotted by the Wyvern during one of it's hunting trips. The creature had reported this to Fennec, (who seemed to have some connection with the beast) who, in turn, had gathered the group together and reported the wyvern's findings to Almah.

With the threat of losing the city to the gnolls so soon after taking it from them, Almah sent out Claire, Andrus, Oxvard and Philliped to lower Kelmarane (along with a handful of guards) where the gnolls would strike first according to their approach pattern. Theradon and the others were sent to the bridge on the north side of town just incase there would be a two pronged attack. (this seemed to be a very poor use of resources since the lions of Senara were a devastated group with no morale and the recon from the Wyvern showed there was nothing amiss in the area of the bridge.)

Theradon, once the group had arrived at the bridge, looked around once, then told the group, "We have secured this area, now, lets go help the Lions..." And he spurred his horse into a full gallop towards lower Kelmarane.

The group looked at each other for a brief moment, then followed the cavalier into the face of the gnoll horde, which was fast approaching.

It was here that the Wyvern flew down and let Fennec get on its back, to the surprise of everyone. Everyone except Theradon, whose eyes were on the approaching gnolls and their leader on the giant scorpion.

It seemed that the appearance of the Wyvern with a different rider caused the gnoll leader to stop her approach short of the city by almost three hundred yards. There was a general commotion that could be seen in the ranks of the gnolls before the giant scorpion latched on to one and ripped it in half with a single squeeze of its pincer. The commotion stopped immediately.

It was then that the gnoll female rode her scorpion about 100 yards closer to the city, then raised a her hands (paws) to show she wanted to parlay with the leader of Kelmarane.

Before anyone said or did anything (like suggest they get Almah), Theradon rode out full speed towards the Gnoll witch with lance in hand.

There they met, on the field of battle, facing each other down. Theradon's horse snorted its challenge to the Scorpion, which clicked and grated its chitin armor in reply. The two leaders, however, calmly watched each other, looking for some weakness that might be gleaned by a few minutes of silence and hard staring.

When Theradon said nothing, the gnoll female growled in common at him, "It seems my master has been killed, his mount taken, and his city usurped. You have made many enemies this day, Horse Rider. Flee my city and I shall spare you. Anyone left behind will not receive such a gracious offer."

Theradon spat back at the gnoll, his rage barely contained, "There will be no flight from the likes of you. I have marked you this day gnoll b$!&*. And I suggest you mark me! For if you do not leave this instant and take your vermin from my lands, my face will be the last thing you see in this life!"

The gnoll considered her situation for a moment. She was not stupid and she knew her troops had lost their will to fight at the sighting of the Wyvern. How had Kardswann lost? Are these humans that powerful?

What she did know was she was blind to the powers and abilities of these new enemies, and thus, would not risk her tribe to satisfy the blow to her pride, so she nodded her head to Theradon that she would leave, which spurred Theradon back towards Kelmarane with a grim determination on his face.

The gnoll leader turned away from her departing rival, a smile forming on her doglike snout as she gave the sign to her troops that they were headed home, "Finally," she whispered to herself, "a human worth killing..."

When Theradon arrived back at Kelmarane, everyone was looking eyeing him with a new found respect. Thoughts like, "did Theradon just place himself as head of Kelmarane?" and, "what the hell did he just say to the gnolls to make them flee?" were springing up in everyone's mind. Fennec was the first to offer his approval of Theradon's actions, with Theron piping in, "Way to stick it to Almah!"

The Lions of Senara were not so pleased.

Claire walked right up to Theradon, the angry glare she leveled at the cavalier was the harshest gaze anyone had seen on her face since they had the misfortune of meeting her. Her words dripped with malice, "You cant even let us have the opportunity to redeem ourselves can you?" she stated, her voice rising in anger as she continued, "The small pup we met in Solku has finally grown up... Well, Dreg, you will not have the chance to spit in my face again!" And with that, she drew her steel.

The groups separated quickly, the lions looking small and puny verses the Liberators of Kelmarane. For the first time since the Liberators meet him, the normally jovial Philliped looked concerned and started to say something when Claire shut him up with kick to the face. "I will have none of your honeyed words coward," she shouted at him, "This is a matter of redemption, and this man," she pointed at Theradon with her sword, "means to keep us down for his own personal ambition. I will not have it!"

The battle between Theradon and Claire lasted a good minute, but she was no match for him on horseback. Compared to Theradon, she was erratic and clumsy, her rage betraying her every move, and Theradon's command of his horse was impeccable. The groups did not engage, but simply watched in understanding that these two warriors needed to vent the frustration that had built up over the last month. No one thought they would be interrupted by Almah and the pact master guards. But when Claire did an unconventional move, and stabbed for Theradon's horse, the cavalier decided to end the fight then and there.

The call from the second level of the city is what saved Claire's life, for Theradon was about to plunge his sword into her throat when Almah's command to cease was given. She looked enraged, but quickly recovered her wits as she told both groups to report to her immediately in the palace.

It was there, after hearing of the events that transpired, that Almah stripped Claire of her contract, gave the office of knight marshal to Theradon, and decreed that any more violence between the groups would not be tolerated, then she set out on a long discourse on what was expected of them all, (except Claire, who stormed out when she was released from her duty).

The word quickly spread through the town of what had occurred. With each passing day, the prowess of Theradon grew. The words he might have spoken to the gnolls became more bold, his battle with Claire eventually became so ridiculous, that it was inducted in to every tavern's staged performance on the monthly anniversary of the battle.

Claire eventually had to leave Kelmarane, for the shame brought to her by these events were more than she could handle, and the Iomedeans who had arrived from Solku soon had nothing to do with her. Broken, ostracized, and without hope, she fled into the wilds not to be seen again. There was no doubt that just about everyone in the city hated her by the time she left, which was almost a year to the day after the Liberation.

Theradon did not shed a single tear for the b&**!. If anything, it helped him keep a stronger vigil, for Theradon understood revenge, and if he were in Claire's shoes, he would be planning retribution. And so Claire was added to his list with Almah and Garavel as top priorities to observe and guard against, with Claire taken off that list once she fled the city.

As the weeks rolled by, Theradon visited Rajah to get her to enchant his equipment, trained the city's horses (as well as the group's non-trained ones) in to mounts of war. His daily dealings with Almah were sometimes excruciating to endure, but he made it through, and unbeknownst to himself, became a better man for it.

For when the Order of the Oasis arrived in Kelmarane that fateful day, everything Theradon had learned over his first seven months was tested.

The arrival did several things to the community of Kelmarane. First, it gave the gossips more than enough material to stay in business for months to come. Second, it was another slap in the face of Claire, who seemed to understand exactly what their arrival foretold. And the fact that it was not her that was the target of their quest, made her even more bitter (as if such a state could be reached). Third, it gave the battle market a grand re-opening event that could be talked about for ages to come.

With the rebuilding of Kelmarane taking top priority, the fun events and festivities that were normally associated with the gladiatorial combat in the battle market had been put on hold. The order of the Oasis had arrived just in time to change all that...

The two horsemen that were wearing the crest of the oasis waited patiently for Theradon to be summoned. The fact it took almost an hour did not change their demeanor one bit. They were men of no emotion, and even when a few of the townsfolk got a little close to their mounts, they did absolutely nothing, allowing the simpletons to gawk at the fact that they were within arms reach of one of the fabled cavaliers.

A stern, "Be gone!" was issued from Theradon as he approached the group from upper Kelmarane, scaring off the locals to a respectable distance so he could have a somewhat private conversation with them.

When Theradon came close, the lead cavalier, a man dressed in purple and beige silks covering a suit of finely crafted armor spoke first, "Theradon, Knight-Marshall of Kelmarane, slayer of Kardswann, slayer of the Witch of the circle tribe, The Ghost Seeker, the Demon Slayer, and Gnoll Bane, do these titles ring of truth or is your legacy built on the lies of loose tongued men?"

Theradon answered in a tone that left no doubt how he felt about being doubted, "The titles ring of truth, but are not self given. Have you come to challenge them? Your tone reeks of confrontation..."

The leader held up a hand to show that he meant no offence, then said, "I simply wanted to make sure I am speaking with the man who is the object of our quest. Have you heard of the Order of the Oasis?"

Theradon nodded his head.

"Good. Then no long winded explanations need to be given. We are here to test you for induction into our Order. Does this scare you?"

Theradon laughed loudly at the notion, "If you came to insult me, then that was your last, for another will be answered with steel."

The leader's smile grew wide and he looked back at his companion, "His pride rivals your own Rafah..."

The other man smiled as well, nodding his agreement.

"Then know this, Theradon, that I, as the senior member of the Order, known as Abudah, the slayer of wyrms, have come to offer you membership through a combat ritual known to us as the great ascension. If you have not heard of this, it is because it has not been performed in almost two centuries. It requires agreement on both combatants parts, for there will be only one left standing when it is over. Do you understand this meaning, Theradon, Knight-Marshall of Kelmarane?"

Once again, Theradon nodded his head.

"Good, then if you agree and wish to have the prestige of being a part of the order, you will set up this combat to take place in the Battle Market in two months time. This will be the Battle Market's grand opening, and you and Rafah will be the final bout. It will be to the death, and all personal belongings and position will be forfeit to the winner. These items will hold a place of honor in the heart of the victor, and will never be sold, re-forged, or changed from the state they are in at the time of combat. Even your horse is part of this agreement Theradon. You will also send runners to Katapesh, Solku, and Solthis in Osirion to announce this event."

Abudah grabbed two of his smaller saddlebags and tossed them to Theradon, "in those bags are the announcements which are to be posted in each of the cities I just mentioned, and gold necessary to buy the tongues of many scalds to sing of this event. If you have any other ideas that would promote your trial, then please see fit to use them. Any questions?"

Theradon looked down at the two bags in his lap, then examined the man called Rafah, "you know all my titles, it seems, and wish me to fight someone who I know nothing about. What are his accomplishments? What station do I gain by fighting such a man? Is he even a worthy foe that deserves such attention?"

This time, the leader laughed loudly, even Rafah chuckled a bit. "Read the announcement, prideful one, and you will realize that it is you that is more the beneficiary than Rafah..."

With that, the two strolled deeper into the lower city, towards the inn which was owned by the Liberators of Kelmarane.

Theradon opened the bag, as he watched the two depart, then began to read the titles this Rafah had been given. When he read the final one listed, the cavalier blanched and stared at it for a few moments longer. He crunched the announcement up in his hands and threw it on the ground, a new resolve taking form in his heart, "I accept your challenge!" he shouted towards the departing cavaliers.

"As I knew you would." Came Abudah's distant reply, as he and Rafah went out of sight.

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The next month in Kelmarane was teeming with excitement. Everyone was talking about the opening of the Battle Market, especially the final bout, which had sparked the imaginations of child and adult alike. Kids in the streets were jousting and sword fighting with makeshift weapons. Twigs became great swords, and metal plates became tower shields, as Theradon and Rafah fought a thousand times a day in the daydreams of men and children alike.

The cavaliers from the Order of the Oasis watched many of these, talking to the children who chose to let Theradon win. Rafah asked why they wanted Theradon to prevail and the children's answers were mostly the same, with a few variations, but they all came back to the theme that Theradon was their hero, and heroes always win. Rafah was a villain, and would be taught his lesson...

Rafah was not surprised. He appreciated the boldness of the children to say those things to his face, probably a by-product of Theradon's personality. He also knew, when he decided to approach the order on this fight, that he risked much. But with no risk comes no reward, and Rafah had lived his life to that mantra.

To be thought of as a villain, however, by the majority of Kelmarane, was not what the cavalier had thought his legacy would be if he won. He was supposed to be exalted. Take the mantle of Knight-Marshal, and become the most famous cavalier in western Katapesh. Even the traders from the Mwangi Expanse would take tales back to their primitive villages, thus bringing in a new breed of challenger to this outpost. Rafah's fame was going to grow rapidly. He thought of it like an avalanche in the Mountains north of Taldor, where he was from, where he was known by a different name, a chelaxian name, that he wanted to put behind him once and for all. By winning, he would secure himself as Rafah, the Slayer of Demon Spawn, The slayer of the Liberators of Kelmarane, The Redeemer of Souls. His fame would crash upon the sands of Katapesh like the snows of his homeland. Or so he believed...

There were many exhibitions along the way to the opening of the Battle Market, many jousts, and short dueling times between Rafah and Theradon. The two knew that these meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, other than to wet the appetite of the wagering community, and give each side's fans something new to talk about. The key here was to generate excitement and make the fight larger than life. This was the way of the Order of the Oasis... They had been doing this for over a thousand years.

The week before the battle market's grand opening, hundreds of people began streaming into the city. Slowly at first, and by opening night, well over a thousand people were in Kelmarane to attend the fight. Nobles from all three cities, teachers from some of the most prestigious fighting schools were there, along with an ambassador from the Academy of fighting in Absalom (who happened to be in Solthis at the time of the announcement there). It was a mad house that was not disappointed in the quality of the fights. The opening bouts were well planned out by Almah, who seemed in her element in planning this event. She seemed to be her old self, like when the Liberators were first hired; in control, confident, and knowing exactly what was going to happen. She knew that this event would give her a lot of fame just from the administration of it. Now, all she needed, was for Theradon to lose. She felt she could control this Rafah better than Theradon, and so she placed her wager with the challenger.

She made a big mistake.

When the last of the preliminary bouts were completed, there was a grand ceremony (care of Almah and her vanity) to introduce the Order of the Oasis, The representative of that order (Abudah) and the challenger Rafah. Several more of the order were in attendance, which had a small section of fifteen seats filled right next to Almah and Garavel's prime seats.

The Liberators of Kelmarane were not so fortunate to have seats that close.

Everyone, including the oblivious gnome Theron, knew what this was about. It was a stab at the pride and accomplishments of the group, and that they still were simple mercenaries, not respected, but used and then forgotten...

Theradon's introduction was even more of an affront, as his titles were left off the introduction, and Almah's smile was one that could not be missed, as she glanced up towards Fennec and the others sitting in the 3rd story seats.

Almah had let her pride get the better of her, and Abudah stood after the introduction was given and asked Almah for the chance to speak. When she gave it to him, he then proceeded to shower Theradon in the glory of his accomplishments, shouting them for all to hear, his last words spoken were directly to Almah, who stood agape at what the cavalier publicly said, as were most of the assembled guests, "My dear Almah, this opportunity was given to Theradon and to him alone. I will not have you grandstand your ill feelings towards the man because he is your better in courage and resolve. You are but an afterthought in this event... a recipient of Theradon's accomplishments and rewards, for without him, you would be carrion food. Consider your destiny, Almah Ravenorski, for you are but riding the coat tails of those that are your betters."

The crowd stirred at the speech, Almah's face reddened with embarrassment, and she began a retort, which was cut off by Abudah before she ever got started, "Consider your words carefully Almah..."

The threat was absolutely tangible.

Almah continued anyway. Her attack on the Order's commander was well said, with the points of her argument centered around Theradon and his disregard for leadership and direction. That he did exactly as he was hired to do, and nothing more. The crowd was becoming uneasy, and several of the locals were shouting for Almah to shut up.

When she got done, Abudah smiled at Theradon, then back at Almah and completed the debate, rocking Almah to her core...

"This city loves Theradon," he shouted up at the crowd, obviously wanting a reaction. He was not disappointed as cheers went up from all corners of the arena. "So tell me, good people, why this woman, who owes her very position to Theradon and his companions, would place a wager against him, and dishonor them all with seats in the upper section of this very arena? I ask you all Why!"

Again, Almah was red faced and more angry than anyone had ever seen her.

"I say this to the Liberators of Kelmarane, Come! Take our seats and we will take yours. Come and be where you truly belong, honored and respected with the seats that were meant for you, but were ripped from your grasp by the jealously of an insecure buffoon, who happens to be in charge..."

The crowd cheered as the Order of the Oasis got up from their seats and left to go to the top floor. Theradon smiled within, knowing that this entire act was to make this fight the most memorable in ages. The fact that Almah, unknowingly, played right into Abudah's hand, made him respect the master cavalier that much more.

Once the two groups had changed seats, the crowd got quiet, (except for a few still calling out Almah for her duplicity), as Theradon and Rafah awaited the gong to begin their bout.

GONG!!!!

What happened next was lost on those with an untrained eye. What most saw in those opening moments was a shout of challenge from each of the fighters, and a rush to meet with sword and shield in the middle of the arena circle. However, Fennec witnessed a masterful opening by Rafah that left the Arena stunned.

The speedy cavalier rushed towards Theradon, slamming him with his shield as he overran him. Right away, Theradon was on his back and had a nasty gash across his sword arm. Somehow, Rafah's blade had found flesh between the plates of Theradon's armor, and he had looked so good doing it.

It was a perfect beginning to take the crowd out of it. First, it left Theradon on his back, looking up at the ready face of his opponent. Second, the maneuver was so precisely done that it made Theradon look like he was waist deep in molasses. And third, the aura of intimidation that was oozing from Rafah was taking its desired effect on Theradon's psyche, as well as causing the spectators in the lower seats to become uncomfortable.

Fennec gave an unconscious nod of approval for the success of the attack sequence.

When Theradon stood to his feet and set his defenses, the two combatants got a better feel for each other as sword and shield clashed together in a series of rapid strikes the was a blur to the untrained eye. It was a flurry of movement that had the crowd cheering within moments. The relentless assault by each cavalier on the other was beautiful to watch. An occasional strike by Theradon and a rip by Rafah's serrated edged blade were not enough to take down the other as each of the hits were lessened by perfect body control.

For almost a minute, the two were locked in a blade dance that even had the less attentive of the group watching in anticipation. Rajah was even twitching uncontrollably when Theradon took another hit on his shield. The clang of beautifully executed block had the mage rubbing her shoulder in imagined pain from the impact of that hit.

However, even though Rafah seemed to be on top at the beginning, Theradon soon had the other cavalier on his heels.

Rafah, after setting up Theradon in to a false sense of timing with his attacks, twisted his blade back at the last instant and cut Theradon's sword hand, causing him to drop his new blade, (the one from the dung heap at the monastery). Theradon knew that to pick it up would be deadly, as Rafah had shown an uncanny ability to hit hard when Theradon was off balance. The entire fifteen seconds Rafah had spent setting this attack up was for this specific purpose; to have Theradon reach for his weapon, bending over and opening himself up to Rafah's nasty scimitar. Theradon felt defeated already, and the battle had just begun.

Then, in his minds eye, he saw the blade reforming in his hand, but not the solid steel blade that still lay on the ground, but rather, a replica, formed out of the same mold and slime that had been splashed on him in the apothecary chamber underneath the monastery. "Will it to happen and it will be so..." came the voice that had spoken to him long ago when he had been possessed by the spirit of the genie Vardishal.

Theradon knew Vardishal to be spirit that was non-intrusive, so revealing himself in this manner seemed to be important. So Theradon did as the spirit commanded, and within seconds, the blade had reformed just as in his vision.

It felt solid, but it was made of mold particles. It seemed that Rafah's scimitar would cut right through it. But that fear was laid to rest when the next assault by Rafah was blocked easily by the newly formed sword.

This left the order of the oasis gasping with interest, wondering what special powers Theradon's blade held, and how they had not known of this before agreeing to the bout. The spectators were cheering as they saw the shift in momentum towards Theradon. Rafah's face was incredulous as the mold sword held strong against his blade.

This enraged Rafah to the point of going after that sword as his number one priority in the following attack sequences. On his second attempt to disarm the mold sword, Rafah had got his blade inside the glowing green hand guard. As it happened, Abudah smiled to himself, knowing that once Theradon was unarmed, Rafah would destroy him, no matter how bad things might look right now.

But when Rafah turned his blade and shot it upwards toward Theradon's face, a move that would practically force a disarm of any normal sword, the mold hand guard dissipated, letting the blade of Rafah free. Rafah knew that no one could have kept their sword in hand on such a brilliant maneuver, but Theradon had, and that did not bode well for the challenging cavalier.

With the momentum fully in Theradon's favor, his attacks seemed to connect more often, and with more blood dripping from over a half dozen wounds, Rafah was losing his stamina to fight, and it showed, as Theradon patiently waited for his openings to come. Finally, with Rafah a bloody mess, Theradon came in with the final thrust, impaling his opponent through the abdomen. Those behind the cavalier witnessed the blade come out of Rafah's back, spurting blood in the process.

Rafah dropped his blade, grabbed Theradon's sword arm with both his hands and fell to his knees. Rafah looked up at the victor, a nod of respect his final act of control, then he slid from the blade and fell to the arena floor, his body curled up in the fetal position.

Theradon knew he had defeated a mighty warrior, a cunning opponent that would have probably defeated him, had he not owned the sword of Vardishal. With that thought, the elusive voice of the very spirit the sword was named for, spoke to him again, saying in cryptic ancient Osirion (which Theradon can understand)...

"Your fate has been decided. It is an honor to serve you..."

When Theradon picked up the true blade and raised it toward the heavens, the crowd cheered anew, and the sword flashed an eerie green light, transforming itself into a stunning golden handled scimitar adorned with rubies. The swords blade edge glistened with diamond dust, refracting the green light into millions of facets through the battle market. It left an awe inspired hush in the crowd of hundreds that had assembled. Theradon smiled openly, knowing that he had taken his first step into the much larger world of popularity and recognition.

His smile didn't fade at that thought...

Theradon's transition over 18 months in Kelmarane:

1) Uncovered a special aspect of his "infusion" with the spirit of Vardishal. Theradon can summon the mold aspect of his weapon as long as it is within 120ft. of his current location. This manifestation lasts 1rd. per character level, per day. This manifestation also grants to the bearer a +10 circumstance bonus to his CMD vs. Disarm. The level 5-10 powers of the Legacy weapon known as "The sword of Vardishal" have been unlocked by the defeat of a foe of equal level or higher in single combat. The sword's level 11-15 powers can be unlocked by slaying an elemental creature of at least 2hd higher than the sword holders current hd. This knowledge is known within a minute of slaying Rafah and the sword's lower level powers activate.

2) Theradon's time as Knight Marshal in Kelmarane has taught him how to use diplomacy instead of brute force to get his goals done. He has been granted the Skill focus: Diplomacy feat.

3) A shield from the Order of the Oasis is commissioned to be crafted in Theradon's honor for defeating Rafah. This Shield is a Dastardly Large Adamantine Shield +1. Properties of this Shield:

Dastard: This armor property only works for evil creatures with the challenge ability (such as cavaliers) or the smite good ability (such as anti paladins, half-fiends, and creatures with the fiendish creature template). When worn by such a creature that uses a challenge or smite ability, the wearer gains a +2 profane bonus to AC against attacks from the chosen opponent.

Adamantine: Gives the Shield a +1 to hit and damage if used as a weapon, but more importantly, if offers a DR 2/- to all frontal attacks (front 180 degree arc) has a hardness of 20, and 40hp. The armor check penalty of adamantine armor is lessened by 1 compared to ordinary armor of its type.

Stats: +3 Shield bonus to AC, -1 armor check penalty, 20lbs, 15% spell failure

4) All the belongings of Rafah, along with titles and properties in Katapesh that were once his, including a mercenary outfit in the great city of Katapesh . This will be run by Abudah till the end of Theradon's contract with Almah.

These items include a +1 devil bane scimitar, Mithril Half-Plate armor +2, Lg. Steel Shield +1, Elite War Horse: N Large animal Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6 AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex, –1 size, +1 Natural armor) hp 40 (4d8+ 24) Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3 Speed 50 ft. Melee 2 hooves+3/+3(1d4+5) Space10 ft.; Reach 5 ft. Str 20, Dex 18, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 9 Base Atk +3; CMB +10; CMD 22 (26 vs. trip) Feats Endurance, Run, Toughness Skills Perception +10

Rajah woke up, slumped in her chair, with an awful crick in her neck. She had been working all night, again, when exhaustion final overcame her.

If only I didn't have all this enchanting to do! She screamed at her self.

However, the finished product was on the enchanting table, glistening in the light of the eternal flames that illuminated the center hold of the Floating ship, which was her study and lab rolled up in one.

When she moved to pick it up, pain shot down her shoulder and she stiffened, not wanting to yelp out in anguish. She must have been out longer than first thought.

When she finally un-tensed enough to turn towards the day glass, she noticed it was empty, and she had just turned it over a couple hours before completing the enchanting on Theradon's Full Plate armor, which meant she was out almost an entire day.

On the floor, right below where she had been holding Osceola's spell book, was a pile of ash. The spell book was on the floor a few feet away, having tumbled out of Rajah's hands when she had blacked out.

When she could finally pick up the book and turn to where the teleport spell had been, she saw the pages were no longer there, the spell having consumed the parchment when it was cast on the armor.

Teleport was beyond Rajah's ability to cast, or memorize, as the complications of the spell were still unable to be understood by a novice magic user. She had pushed on anyway, not wanting to fail her companion, who had stood by her when her father had tried to abduct, and possibly kill her. No, Rajah was loyal, and would not disappoint the new Knight Marshal of Kelmarane.

After the manacle discovery, where she was able to save Theron's life by holding his transformation at bay, she had been over run with requests of her friends to enchant their armor and weapons. Rajah knew how in theory to do such things, but had not had the confidence till she found the materials and instructions after the Fort raid to clear out the Three Jaws tribe from the area.

Orcella, the nasty elven wizard had left excellent instructions on how to enchant the heavy repeating crossbow, and Rajah had used that knowledge to springboard into more complicated enchantments, manipulating spell effects to be contained in the armor and weapons she touched.

After the success of the Crossbow, she had enchanted Theradon's armor with the same simple enchantment, except she turned it towards protection instead of offence. She had jumped up and down with glee on her first success.

Then enchanted a mithril axe that Theron wanted, fixed the broken enchanted sword of Fennec, enchanted Talib's scimitar, then fitted Fennecs and Theron's armor with augment crystal slots, which was a nice addition to her library of lore she was now collecting in the floating ship.

It wasn't till Rajah had to place the returning property on Fennec's dagger that she started to doubt her powers again. It was a highly complicated ritual of magic that (un beknownst to her) was aided by the untapped magic that radiated in the under temple of Nethys . Rajah had studied the spell out of Orcella's spell book for weeks, still not totally getting what each gesture did towards the final casting, but went ahead with it anyway.

That spell had been Telekinesis, and just like the teleport spell that was used for Theradon's armor, it left her unconscious and without memory of what had transpired after the blackout.

Each time, however, the completed enchantment had taken effect, and the job had been accomplished. This time, however, she had a splitting headache and left her unable to leave the ship for a couple days. Most of that time she was on her back, sleeping and recovering from magic to powerful for her to cast, yet somehow doing so.

What Rajah was unaware of was that this achievement did not come without cost. Not only did the spells disappear out of the elven wizard's spell book, but it made her unable to process those spells in the future from scroll or spell book ever again. It was worth it to the young mage, having done the impossible. it was a mark of pride for her, an accomplishment that helped her believe she was deserving to stand as an equal with Fennec, Theradon, Theron, and Talib.

Her next projects were an addition to her staff, the ability to spell store lightning was first priority, then adapting the crossbow to be more versatile was second. It was the second item that took her to Katapesh, as she needed a caster of sufficient power to complete the enchantment on new crossbow. She had made it so the damage enchantment had been strengthened to a +2, but the new wand tubes were beyond her ability to integrate into the new design. So it was there, in Katapesh, that she used the time waiting on the enchant to her cross bow to spy on her father. It took the wizard, a friend of Almah's named Rayhand (who Almah had suggested Rajah to visit) only 10 days to complete the task, giving Rajah a +2 heavy repeating Deathwand crossbow.

Ten days was all Rajah needed to get enough information to take back to her scrying chamber under the temple of Nethys , to plan against her father, and finally rid herself of him. She had been harboring an anger towards her father that had been festering since her near abduction by him. As she grew in magic ability, her boldness strengthened her resolve to actually attempt to kill him. But she knew she could do nothing while under the employ of Almah, which she was fine with, as it gave her the time to plan his demise with absolute certainty.

Now armed with the Deathwand Crossbow and a Spell Storing +1 Quarterstaff, Rajah felt very powerful enough to actually accomplish such a task.

She had seen Theradon become knight Marshal of Kelmarane and a hero in the order of the Oasis. She had witnessed Talib's manipulations of the land around Kelmarane, the rebuilding of the monastery, and the taking over of the Pesh Fields as a feat of perseverance.

Considering the open hostility Almah displayed towards Talib, the fact that he was able to accomplish anything was a testament to his steely nerve and strength of will.

The opening of the martial school that Fennec had started, as well as Theron's success with his goat farm, had her feeling a bit left out. All her companions had invested in the land they had claimed, while Rajah had no desire to stay, her thoughts had lingered only on where she would go once her contract was over.

She was considering fleeing the country after her contract was up. She needed to find a safer environment to live, out of the reach of her father, but as she studied him more and more that first year after the liberation, she understood he had a long reach, and eventually, no matter where she thought she might go, her father would probably find her, and that (in her mind) could never happen.

She would die first....

But, as Rajah delved deeper and deeper into her fathers everyday affairs, Almah had reminded her (over and over again in some cases), that there was still much research to be done on the strange happenings around Kelmarane, and the unusual sand storms that were still hitting the area a couple times every 3-4 months. Almah wanted more information on this phenomenon and called for Rajah to uncover the secrets of the Acturn Enigma, and what it meant to the security of Kelmarane.

So once again, she was placing her own wants and needs on the shelf to help out someone else. And why did it have to be her that researched everything? Couldn't she get some help?

When she asked Almah for that help one particular day, the merchant princess gave her a pat on the shoulder and laid on her the emotional story of what Father Zastoran meant to her, and how his ability to divine the right path for her was so critical in her success. Then told Rajah that she hoped, once her contract was up, that she would take the place of Father Zastoran as her advisor.

This shocked Rajah because she didn't think the woman liked any of the liberators of Kelmarane (especially Talib). And even though Theradon seemed to be getting most of Almah's ire since the order of the oasis left, Rajah knew better than to trust this woman. She was very good at manipulating, and if there was anything Rajah hated most, it was being manipulated by others.

Rajah decided to dive into her research, using the first three days of every week for just Almah's crap, then she would concentrate on her father.

It was fine at first as she found out some very unsettling information about this Acturn Enigma. It seemed that the changes in the alignment of the planet with Golarion's own, made elemental creatures very agitated. This was causing all the winds in the desert area of what was once ancient Osirion to whip up major sand storms. These storms were usually empowered by air and fire elementals warring against each other in the center of the storm. Even the earth elementals got involved when they could, beating on both the air and fire elements with vengeance. It was when the earth elements got involved, that the very sands of the desert were thrown aside with disregard for any other living creatures. These sand storms usually started a year before the 4 month alignment of the planets, and as the alignment waned, the elemental activity quickly died off, usually within a couple months.

Combine that information with what was found at the fort, and the gearing up of a gnoll army to invade the area of Kelmarane to secure something known only as the "Key", and what did you have?

Rajah couldn't figure it out, but the timing of what the gnolls were doing seemed to coincide with the height of this celestial enigma, where elementals were empowered. The library she had uncovered in the ship's hold had some information on this, as the last one of these events happened 156 years before. The fear that the inhabitants had about facing any elemental type creature, whether it be the fire salamanders of the barren peaks, or the janni on the desert plains, the priests of Nethys were not interested in encountering them at all, even though they knew that to be able to study one of these energized creatures was Nethys's will, as revealed by the mists of the waters below the floating ship.

"The mists!" she thought excitedly as the revelation came to her, "That was the key!" She would go down and submit herself to their intoxicating powers and she would know!

Without hesitation, she went down the ladder that emptied onto the only outcropping of land below the ship. As she descended, she remembered the other vision she had, the one with the devilish creature taunting Fennec's spirit in the afterlife. All of them (the liberators of Kelmarane) had seen it, and it felt so real...

When she walked over to the tunnel on the west side of the chamber where the mist was strongest and she breathed in deeply several times, thinking on the enigma of Acturn, the sand storms, the elementals gone wild, and what those events had to do with gnoll tribes in the area.

She waited for a few minutes, still breathing in the fumes, hopeful the mists ability to see beyond the realm of normal sight was still intact. She waited a little longer, then she accidentally thought of her father.

Her wait for a vision was short after that...

Rajah saw the plains of Katapesh as they stretched from the city of the same name, all the way to the barren peaks. Hundreds of miles of desert and cracked earth that groaned for water. Rajah blinked her eyes in surprise, for in truth, the land did groan audibly for the young mage to hear.

Barely visible to her new sight, she saw the blue lines of force stretching its way north into Osirion, and south as far as Solku. The Acturn Enigma was its name. This strange force field of elemental power energized those with any form of elemental blood. But it was not just a vision of things she already knew, but rather, a confirmation of the absolute fact that if they were to find themselves in another of those sand storms, the elementals would be much stronger that the ones they encounters over a year earlier in Solku. Deadly to the entire populace of Kelmarane.

"Rajah..." someone whispered in her ear.

Rajah quickly turned and to her horror, saw her father standing behind her on the plains of Katapesh. But he was not just her normal father. He was energized by this enigma, and she could see the lines of force pulsating into his body as he walked through them to take a step closer to his daughter.

Even Rajah, to her surprise, was absorbing some of the energy, but not nearly as much as her father. He stood seven feet tall now, and electricity crackled across his arms and chest when his muscles flexed.

"What do you see my daughter? Is there something for you to fear now?" He chuckled loudly at the thought of Rajah being scared of him, "Just think of what will happen to you and your friends when I ask my elemental companions to help me hunt you all down. You wont stand a chance."

A whimper came from Rajah's mouth, and the image of her father, who had stood there just a moment before, disappeared.

She now stood in a familiar fort, one where the liberators of Kelmarane had destroyed the Three jaws Tribe, killing the traitor Dashki, his companion Narg, and the nasty necromancer Orcella.

But in this scene, all of them were still alive and hovering over the bound form of Rajah, laughing, as Orcella injected a yellowish substance into her bloodstream.

Rajah Screamed!

"I would be lying to you if I were to say everything is going to be ok," Orcella told her as Dashki covered Rajah's mouth with his own hand to stop the screams, "because, my dear, it is not..."

With that statement, Dashki released her and Rajah transformed into a Ghast.

"Now, minion, go and kill your friends..."

Rajah saw her undead self go down to the cells, where each of her companions were chained to the wall. One by one she killed them, transforming them into ghasts, then returning to her master, her companions blood was all the proof Orcella needed to know that Rajah was under her control.

Orcella turned her attention of Dashki and Narg, who were both smiling with victory, "Don't celebrate yet fools," she scolded, "We have the key, but not Kelmarane. Dashki, Narg, go to the house of the beast and inform our master that the key is secure and that we are ready to attack Kelmarane. Our army is complete..."

The two clasped arms and left immediately, leaving Orcella and Rajah alone in the main chamber. The necromancer turned to her new pet and said, "Now that they are gone we no longer need the excavation to continue. I want you to go to the site and begin killing off the remainder of the circle tribe. Kill as many as you can, but in secret at first, and once you have enough ghoul gnolls, unleash them on the rest of the camp. Kill all the slaves, but do not get involved with the slave masters or the order of the hell cat. Let the minions take care of them. You, my dear, are much more important than they..."

Rajah awakened in the mist filled chamber, unaware of how much time had passed. her legs ached and her mind was numb from the information overload, but she was smiling in ecstasy from the experience. She could understand how the priests of Nethys were addicted to these visions. They were incredible...

When rajah got back up to the ship, she fell into the bed in her resting chamber, and didn't wake up for several days. The reason she knew this was because Almah came calling after her. And it was in that conversation that she realized how long she had been out of it.

Rajah told Almah what she had uncovered, as far as the powers of the Acturn enigma were concerned. The rest she kept to herself.

But when Almah began asking her for more research to be done, Rajah finally had had enough.

"I need a break Almah. I am drained and have gone non-stop for over a year now, rarely leaving this chamber because I have duties to perform for everyone else but me. I have enchanted weapons and armor, dug through book after book looking for anything that can help you in your administration of Kelmarane. I have divined the location of the remainder of the Circle tribe, I have watched over this place for you, and have not done a single thing for myself, while all my companions have pursued their own interests while still serving you. I, on the other hand, have not been able to do that. So I am asking for a break. Please give it to me..."

Almah smirked at the request. She had seen each of the Liberators of Kelmarane slowly pull away from her as if she had done something to wrong them. She had wronged them, but it was in retaliation for their disrespect. No, she had had it with this group and looked forward to Kelmarane being rebuilt so she could rid herself of them... legally.

"I do not care," Almah started, as she put on her air of superiority, "you can have a couple days to recover from what ever it is you did to get this information, but that is all. There are just a few months left, if that, before you will be released from my service, and there are still answers I need. I will, however, take this request for time off to mean that you are no longer interested in my offer to become my advisor once your service is complete."

When she left, Rajah decided in her heart that her dedication to Almah had ended. Now, Almah would get the short end of the research stick, and her father would now become her number one priority.

It was like fate, or destiny, (which ever you want to call it), that Theron appeared on her ship's doorstep the next month. Theron and Rajah had not spent much time together in the last 18 months. To be honest, they had not seen or talked to each other in well over a year, so when he appeared, asking for her help in the final month of their contract, she was surprised.

But what he told her he would do, if she concentrated fully on his plight, made her smile within.

And so they agreed, that very day, after working out a few details, that Theron would kill her father, and in return, Rajah would cure his lycanthropy.

This gave Rajah a little more than thirty days to document the information Theron would need for the assassination, send the gnome to Katapesh, and then figure out what the hell to do about his situation.

In truth, Rajah felt bad that she had not spent more time on the gnome's pending death at Almah's hands. Then a thought occurred to her... would Almah purposely try to keep her so busy so that she could not find the cure?

Rajah knew Almah was a b%&&!, but was she that vicious? Rajah's first instincts were usually right, but that kind of betrayal seemed beyond Almah. If it were true, then the liberators of Kelmarane had much to worry about in the month to come...

And so, she sent Theron to Katapesh with all the information he would need to complete the task while she took out the punching dagger that had started the whole mess of lycanthropy in the first place.

With the thoughts of what happened to Father Zastoran in mind, she mounted the dagger securely to her work bench, covering the blade's edges with thick cloth but keeping the majority of the weapon exposed for study. With the knowledge that she would not be able to dislodge the sword and gut herself with it, she began her studies, totally disregarding Almah's requests for more information.

She had less than a month, and she would hold up to her end of the bargain with Theron.

A few days in to the study of the weapon, Rajah knew what magic's were laid on it, but also uncovered the knowledge that the dagger was cursed. This would have seemed like a no-brainer assumption, but Rajah had finally learned that assumptions were for the lazy and unprepared.

With this knowledge, she was able to focus her efforts into the curse, for it was that which plagued Theron and would be his undoing if she did not find the cure.

She prepared a couple remove curse spells for the following day, wishing Zastoran had documented if he had cast that himself on the weapon. Surely he would have, but she would not assume.

She got her answer immediately following the casting.

The spirit of a shadow-cat leaped from the sword, taking form next to Rajah, its glowing red eyes showing malevolent intent. Its body was a misty grey, but it looked like the shadow form of the cat that Theron turned into when the full moon was out.

It mentally tried to dominate Rajah, and the wizard felt the intrusion into her mind. She resisted it, but it left no doubt as to what happened to Father Zastoran in his studies; He had cast remove curse on the dagger...

Rajah backed away from the creature, wondering what she should do, but the cat made that decision for her as it leaped to maul her.

Rajah was in confined quarters, with only her quarterstaff as an option for a weapon. She was not prepared for a battle, but that is what she got. So she immediately produced her lighting field, and cast her shocking grasp spell.

The shadow-cat roared in laughter. This denoted intelligence.

It continued to claw at her, scratching through her clothing with little effort. If she had not been a woman of the desert, hardy and tough, the cat would have killed her. (Of this she had no doubt). But once she touched the cat and discharged her lightning, the cat took pause, knowing that with the amount of electricity that just shot through its shadow form, Rajah could harm, perhaps kill, the spirit of the dagger.

It still continued to attack, figuring it still had a chance to kill the mage, but another discharge from Rajah had the cat was on its heels.

Instead of attacking, the cat made an attempt to communicate with Rajah, mentally, trying draconic, abyssal, then common to convey its offer. The cat told Rajah that if it was allowed to live, that it would offer her the information on how to save her friend from the curse.

Rajah stopped for a second, ready to parlay with the beast, then had a moment of clarity. Perhaps it was intuition, but Rajah let down her guard, and approached the beast, mentally communicating that she would agree. As the cat began telling her, she touched the cat again, surprising the beast with her duplicity, and sending the creature into a million shadow particles that dissipated within seconds.

When the cat was gone, the defenses of the sword were open for full divination, and Rajah found out what it would take to remove the curse, and what the curse actually was.

The mage took a step back, thinking for a few moments on what she had uncovered. The information was so grave that the empty feeling in her stomach (like the dreadful realization of a fate that is unavoidable) gave way to nausea, and she vomited on the floor. After recovering, she cleaned up her mess, then began the process of freeing the sword form her work bench.

She wrapped the weapon up, and carried it from the ship, moving slowly towards the exit, and down to Kelmarane, where she would seek out Fennec.

Once at the Martial School of the Twilight Warrior, she walked in and saw Fennec giving a lesson to his students. Andrus was there, along with Talib's Ogre slave Ogmod, Haleen, and the strange Jade Mantis. Rajah wanted to wait, but knew this information was to important, so she strode up to Fennec in the middle of his instruction and interrupted him.

Fennec was surprised at this action, but waited for an explanation before exploding all over the mage for her disrespect.

Rajah unfolded the cloth and revealed the dagger. She looked into his eyes and said, "I know how to remove the curse..." as a single tear rolled down Rajah's cheek.

That was all Fennec needed to listen.

Rajah's transition over 18 months in Kelmarane:

1) Rajah gains 1 rank in Craft Weapons and Armor for her exhaustive study in that area of expertise.

2) She also gains the feat Craft Staves for her work and interest in the Staff of Sarenrae she gained from the undead guardian of the temple.

3) She gains the 4th level spells Remove Curse and Scrying for her spell book.

4) Rajah finds a magic item in the ship's hold that went undiscovered in the initial search by the Liberators of Kelmarane. This it a magic item of Rajah's choice up to 3750gp value. Rajah will submit 3 choices to the DM and he will pick one of those three.

5) The spells Telekinesis and Teleport can only be learned through the leveling up process. And until it is learned, those spells can not be cast from any device, scroll, or other magical item. This restriction is only for Rajah.

Fennec stood outside the finished structure, its transformation having taken almost six months. The time it took, however, was irrelevant to the elf. The journey, to this point, had been an amazing sequence of events that had fallen into place perfectly.

As Fennec mused over those events that led up to this point, Haleen came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him a supportive hug.

Fennec reached down and held her hands with his own, smiling at his fortune. A year ago, his life had been in disarray. He had traveled the sands and plains of Katapesh for years before finally hiring himself out to Almah in Solku.

What a difference one decision could make. If he had not chosen that path, there would be no school, no honor, no recognition, and most of all, there would be no Haleen.

Fennec looked to his right and saw Talib admiring the structure that now stood complete. The druid nodded towards the elf, showing his respect, but Fennec could not help but wonder if Talib held any jealousy toward him. Talib was still fighting with Almah for the completion of the monastery, which, with his ability to shape the earth and stone, should have been done months ago. Instead, the druid had been spending his time in the Pesh fields attempting to tame the dust digger that plagued area. Fennec sensed a growing hatred between Talib and the leader of Kelmarane. Knowing Talib as he did, Fennec knew a day of reckoning was coming for Almah, and he couldn't help but wonder which side he would be on when that day happened.

"Congratulations Fennec," Andrus said cordially as he approached the couple, his smile was genuine as he clasped the elf's arm in a hand shake, "it pleases me that your school is finally done. Perhaps I could be your first student...?" The human's eyes sparkled with hope as he finally had built up the courage to ask.

"Actually, you will be my first student..."

Andrus looked back toward the school and saw the giant mantis creature, that had become another of Fennec's close companions, approach them. Its voice could be understood, but it still held an insectoid clicking that made the creature even more exotic to those that heard it.

Andrus smiled and looked back to Fennec, who nodded his head, knowing that Andrus was itching to immerse himself in the studies of martial combat.

It was all coming together for the elf. Andrus had finally come out of his deep funk after being killed by the gnolls during the taking of Kelmarane. It was a hard road to recovery for Andrus, the memory of having his entrails pulled out with a hot iron poker almost cost the man his sanity, but the kindness of Fennec, Haleen, and even the unreadable Mantis warrior, finally paid off.

"I will be your first, and most loyal student, master mantis." Andrus bowed his head in respect, then turned to leave, suddenly having a great need to tell his wife to be.

The mantis came closer to Fennec and said softly to him, "You still think he is ready to begin?" Fennec was probably the only one that could have discerned the caring tone in the insects question, but it was valid, as Andrus was still fragile, and continued having nightmares almost every night. The fact that Andrus was so childlike now did concern the elf, but he knew it was how Andrus had chosen to cope with his situation.

"The training is part of his recovery process, master mantis, and as you will come to see, humans need to immerse themselves in tasks that help them forget traumatic events that would otherwise overcome them."

The mantis clicked his agreement.

"You are wise, master Fennec," the mantis said seriously as it gave a respectful nod, "I will bow to your wisdom," then it turned and went back inside the school.

Haleen turned Fennec around to face her, her beautiful face glowing in the hot desert sun. "Now I have something I want to show you..."

Fennec looked curiously at the woman as she led him away towards the battle market, her giddiness was unable to be hidden, which made the elf even more interested in what Haleen had up her sleeve.

After entering the lower market, Fennec knew he was being led to her living quarters, a place, up to this point, that he had never seen. She was a very private person, and Fennec, being an elf and having the typical patience of that race, had not pushed her to reveal it to him. Perhaps the young woman had finally let her guard down.

As she came up to the door, she turned back around to face him, her smile unmistakable in its intent, "You know I don't invite just anyone to my room..."

Fennec kept a straight face and answered, "I am well aware of that fact Haleen."

Even though Fennec seemed casual and unemotional on the outside, inside, he was being aroused by the woman, and the possible events that might come to pass in the privacy of her quarters....

"You have been very patient with me Fennec, and as you and I both know, elf and human relationships do not favor the elf, as you will one day be as young looking and strong as you are now, while I will waste away."

Fennec put his hand up to stop her talking, "I live in the moment Haleen, you know this about me already. You and I both know we might not be here tomorrow, or have this opportunity again..."

Haleen nodded and opened the door, revealing a lush room full of some of the most expensive and exquisite items the elf had ever seen. Her floor had two carpets woven of the finest silk, her art collection was breathtaking, and her furniture was stained a dark brown and not a single blemish could be seen. Her bed was covered with silk sheets, and her collection of wines looked extensive, and when Fennec went to look closer at them, realized that the cabinet that housed the wines was cooled by some form of magic he had never seen. He could see why the woman did not want anyone to know. It also made him wonder why she would have such luxuries out here in the middle of the damn desert. But then, he saw the painting...

He stared at it for a moment to make sure that the face depicted on it matched his memories of his time in the bowels of the temple of Nethys . It brought back some unpleasant thoughts...

You fall to the ground, seeing in the eyes of the were tiger, that he was proud to have beat an honorable fighter, but at the same time, even though you killed his son, he has a sadness across his cougar like face, a sadness you somehow know to be because he killed you.

It was the picture of Haidar, the were-leopard, in his human form.

Fennec turned to Haleen, who answered him before he asked the question, "That is my father."

She seemed saddened by saying that, but Fennec knew her story already. She had been looking for her father for over a year when she tracked him to Kelmarane, only having her quest stopped by the fiend Kardswann, and taken captive by the gnolls of the Keldis tribe who occupied Kelmarane at that time. Abused and put up on the battle mat to fight to the death for the amusement of the tribe, the only reason she fought was because of her quest to find her father. If she had not been so loyal a daughter and so strong in spirit, Fennec had no doubt that she would have let herself be killed during that time of captivity.

Haleen came close to Fennec, close enough that he could smell her perfume, see her small imperfections on her face, like the small mole just under her bottom lip, the pockmark scar on her right cheek, and the claw mark on the side of her neck.

She was still coming closer...

Fennec's heart started to race and he knew what was coming next. He had to tell her about her father before things went any further. It was the right thing to do...

Then she kissed him. All thoughts of telling her left his mind as his arms wrapped around her.

As she hugged Fennec, she whispered in his ear, "I cant spend my entire life looking for my father when I have all I want right here. I want to know love, Fennec. I am through with violence..."

With that, she kissed him again, even more deeply, and Fennec lost all thoughts of Haidar, his betrayal at the hands of his friends, and fell into the bed with Haleen wrapped in his strong arms.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Decisions... They are what shape the fates of every thinking being. What if I had done this vs. doing that? What if I had not made love to Haleen and told her that her father was dead at the hands of the Liberators of Kelmarane? What if I had told her that it was me that had killed her brother? His mind raced down each of those possible forks in the road, experiencing rejection, even attack by the lovely Haleen. Every one of the possibilities he could think of ended badly for him or for Haleen.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Then... there was his other decision,

"I have always been your puppet master"

--------------------------------------------------------

Fennec woke from his meditation with a startled cry and shook his head as his "nightmare" faded. The sleeping form of Haleen was still lying content next to him, her arm draped across his torso.

"You were steered toward us for a purpose Fennec... You must earn the right to face us!"

As those dreaded words came back to his conscious mind he was reminded of the village that was slaughtered, the two entities in the tavern talking to each other, laughing, as if the thirty dead bodies strewn about the place were not even there.

Even in all his happiness, he could not forget that somewhere out in the vast wasteland was a sinister being that held his fate in its hands (claws). And that he had made the decision to follow their book willingly.

To live? To survive? Fennec didn't even know why he made that choice, his feelings for Haleen clouded his rational thought...

Hahahahahah... hehehehehehe... The laughter in his mind was unmistakable, the owner of that laugh was well known to him...

"Love? You? This gets more interesting every day! Holding back on telling her the truth so you can take her virginity! You are more treacherous than I first thought elf! Perhaps you will be the one to finally succeed...!"

Fennec's face turned sour as he got out of bed, slowly unwrapping himself from Haleen's embrace. He started putting on his clothes, making sure not to wake her, and left the battle market and headed towards his school.

His mind still raced with the communication from the devil. Was he being watched all the time? Why did he feel so stained? So dirty? and why did he let the devil manipulate him so...?

He had saved Kelmarane, died and came back twice through strange and unexplainable events. Many in Kelmarane believed he had a special destiny. A life that the gods favored; like they had placed their collective hand on him.

Fennec knew better... It was no god that had touched his life.

Fennec threw open the door and went inside, the crashing of the door and the wall was loud enough to wake the mantis, who was up in a defensive stance so quickly that the movement was a blur to Fennec, "It is me Mantis... no need for alarm."

The mantis studied Fennec, then asked, "Are you ok master? Is Haleen ok?"

Fennec stopped for just a moment and answered before going to his room and shutting the door, "Haleen is fine mantis..."

When he got inside, he threw his sword on the bed in frustration and started pacing, his thoughts lost on Haleen and what he had just done.

It was then he noticed something out of place... the sword he had thrown on the bed was now on his study table, like it had moved on its own. Fennec looked curiously at the sword, wondering what kind of magic it held that Rajah was not able to figure out.

Then, more voices were in his head...

"It is not the time or the place to alert him. He is not ready. You know this and yet you still argue with me?"

The voice was calm, serene, feminine. When Fennec heard it, a calm washed over him and he was able to set aside his tension and self doubt. It was beautiful to hear... but where did it come from?

"If we don't, we will be lost forever in the hands of a devil worshipping vagabond! So shut your face and get on with it! Tell him what he needs to do or I will. And you know what will happen if I tell him..."

That voice was masculine, filled with malice, anger, malevolence. Fennec's tension returned, just as if the devil had spoken to him again...

"Fine..." the serene voice said in resignation, "give him the vision. It will open his eyes to what is happening around him. And remember, we can not make him decide. It is his choice..."

Fennec looked at his bed, and before he could wonder if those voices were coming from the sword, he fell into a deep meditation, falling into the bed as the strange vision came to him... one that made the hair on his arms stand on end.

"Do not Question me Fool!" came the roar of the devil as he looked down on Arjani (Rajah's father), easily towering over the genie and his new camel by several feet. "You have delivered the sword as commanded so your duties here are done, Worm!"

Fennec got the impression that Rajah's father was not used to being spoken to in such a manner.

"Go back to Katapesh and await my orders. You still have one more task to perform before I grant you your wish..."

With a dismissive wave of his huge claw, and a laugh that was demeaning to the genie, the devil sent him on his way, but Rajah's father had a question... "Why did you go through all that deception when you could have just had me hand deliver the sword to the elf? I lost two good bodyguards out there..."

"Silence!" the devil roared, scaring the camel so completely that its knees buckled, almost dropping it to the sand. "Your men were nothing. They were just souls to be consumed for my amusement." The devil made a wicked smile and purred toward Arjani, "Do you wish the same fate...?"

Rajah's father quickly spurred his camel away from the devil as it laughed at him. The camel eagerly obeyed it's riders commands.

The devil stood there watching the genie leave, waiting patiently...

"You are a most devious Cornagon," came a voice, a female voice, its exact location unable to be pinpointed, its power though was unmistakable... "The sword is in place? The bait set?"

The devil laughed again, this time it was not menacing, but actually mirthful, "Everything has been done according to plan. Now, we wait and watch."

The other voice chuckled as well, "I think killing our original choice for this task was fortuitous. As this land has shown, fate rules when manipulations go awry."

The devil agreed with a nod of its horned head, then started his magic to teleport away. The other being (the one unseen) stopped it with shout, "Tell Ghaloshon to be prepared. I don't want to see him in my court anytime in the next millennia..."

The devil, again, nodded its head and then popped out of existence.

The other entity still lingered, invisible, but could still be felt, as the overwhelming power of the being reverberated the elf's very soul.

"I will see you soon Fennec... much sooner than you might like..." And with that, the feeling of power left, and Fennec woke, sweating in his bed, the sound of the sword hitting the ground was exactly like the poof of the entity popping out of existence in the dream.

"There, are you happy now?" came the agitated voice of the serene female.

"I am never happy, whore! Bite your wagging tongue and give me peace!"

"There is no peace for you... ever."

"I know."

Fennec looked at the sword with concern, the fact it was delivered by the devil into his hands startled him, as well as intrigued him. What was so important about it? What made it so special outside of the two voices coming from it?

Fennec picked it up and unsheathed the blade to get a closer look...

"Did you communicate with him? You know it is forbidden! Look at his face! He knows something..."

The females voice was filled with concern.

"I gave him the vision. Why else do you think he is looking like a frightened child!"

The male voice then turned to address Fennec directly, its tone anything but respectful... "Yea, that's right, I am a sword, a special sword."

Fennec's eyes widened as the blade sparkled in the candle light... it spoke directly to him!!! Fennec ran his finger down the blade (normally this would not have drawn blood) but it did.

The males voice was condescending, sarcastic, as it started making fun of Fennec, "Yes little elf, I am sharp. Now get off your lazy ass and start figuring out what we are! Damnit I hate it when I get put in the hands of an imbecile!"

The female voice piped in, "calm yourself Dorien. You do yourself a disservice by acting so. Remember, we are here by choice..."

"A choice I have regretted for over almost two millennia! How could I have been so stupid! I have lowered myself to the level of this gawking elf and his devilish dealings. Let me impale the bastard!"

"No... you have no right."

Fennec, overcome with sensory overload, finally said out loud to the sword, "what are you and why do you think I can not hear you?"

The female voice sounded shocked, "Oh my, he is talking to us. He can hear us. We are undone!"

The male voice was happy for the first time in almost a thousand years... "You see, Tilly? he is ready. This is most excellent."

The male voice then turned towards Fennec, its tone matter of fact, instructional, like the voice was his master... "Begin your studies elf. Unlock the secrets of this sword by combat, training, and meditation. It will not come to you easily. The powers of this sword extract a price for its knowledge, but its knowledge you will need if you are to change the fate of so many. Read the damned book elf, and know you are in possession of Auh-Kaddahn, the sword of the twilight warrior. We have never found a soul able to hold us for long..."

Near the end of the instruction, the voice turned menacing, challenging, and most of all, commandingly powerful.

The female's voice was sweet and soothing, almost loving as it talked directly to Fennec... "We are here, just like you, to fulfill a task of great importance. We willingly gave our souls to the sword so that we could deter a cataclysmic event from occurring. More we can not tell you until you figure out our secret. Once you have earned that right, you will know what your destiny is. It will either be with us, or against us. We hope it is the first..."

"I don't," came the angry male voice, "I hope this damn elf gets killed. It would be better for him if he does so...Oh, wait a minute, he has been killed... twice!"

"Shut your mouth Dorien. The time is almost upon us. He has less than a year to find our secret."

"Then he best get started and stop talking to us. Go elf! Find your destiny within the power of the twilight warrior."

The two voices stopped communicating with Fennec, leaving him even more curious, and more determined, to find out exactly what powers this sword held, what why his fate was so intertwined with it.

Without another thought, he took the sword, his book, and went to one of the private one-on-one instructional rooms and began reading in earnest, and practicing his martial arts with his sword in hand.

This went on for 6 months.

During that time, many things happened. There was the arrival of the Order of the Oasis. There was the completion of the Monastery and Talib's destruction of the dust digger. There was still no sign of Rajah. And his love for Haleen grew.

Fennec never told her about her father and brother, nor did he tell any of his companions that Haleen was the last surviving member of that family. It was a secret that he would take to the grave with him. And he was able to bear that burden easier every day.

The growth of the school was slow at first. Andrus, Talib's Ogre, and Theradon were his only students for a while. Occasionally Theron would show up, but just as quickly as he arrived, he would disappear just as quickly, his fickle attitude sometimes getting the better of him, and he would forget for weeks on end that he was in the middle of training. His goats always seemed to be needing a good riding...

It wasn't until the last few months of his contract with Almah, that the citizens of Kelmarane started coming to see what it was that Fennec was doing in the school. One by one his training classes grew. Mantis was very helpful during that time, and even Andrus (after getting married) seemed to be back to his old self before the incident in the market that caused his death.

Andrus married the slave girl that was in Almah's service. It was known that Andrus's payment for his aid in taking over Kelmarane was the release of the slave girl, property for a house, and a small dowry given by Almah on behalf of the slave girl having no family or estate.

This was a calming time for Andrus, and he was a huge help when the classes started getting larger. He was also learning quickly. Mantis was very impressed.

His relationship with the sword, however, was growing nicely. Not a single word was spoken by the sword since that time of revealing. Fennec knew that he was beginning to figure out exactly what the sword wanted, and exactly how he was supposed to use it. When conflicting emotions took over, and Fennec thought on his own secrets, the good and the bad, that was when his sword strokes seemed keener, his movements much stealthier, and the training dummy was mangled much quicker.

When Fennec was absolute in his resolve on an issue, like believing Almah was a tenacious b+&#+, and nothing would serve Kelmarane more than sticking Auh-Kaddahn between her breasts, that was when his sword strokes missed the mark, he stumbled when stealthy, and the training dummy still stood with nothing more than a few scratches on the surface.

This was a sword of ambiguity. Light and darkness can not live together in harmony, however, with this sword, it seemed that they could. The blade soaked up the sunlight during the heat of the day, illuminating everyone with its light. It was like Sarenrae had touched the sword and her blessing of light was for all to see. Yet at night, it was just as spectacular a sight when the moon or starlight fell upon it. It did not glow, but rather, glimmered in the lack of light, like mithril glowing in the starless night of a dwarven mine. The black light was spectacular to see, and it made Fennec realize that his very thoughts controlled how the blade performed.

It was the month before their release from Almah's service, when Fennec finally came to this realization, unlocking, finally, the secrets of the blade, and how the naming of his school was not luck at all, but fate.

The sword's female occupant spoke first, congratulating Fennec on his discovery, "Just in the nick of time my dear Fennec... it seems you have disappointed Dorien with your tenaciousness."

"I can speak for myself B~+%%!" came the jagged reply, the irritated Dorien obviously not happy (as usual). "The elf surprises me. Shall I give him the bad news or the good news first?"

Tilly smirked with a sarcastic chuckle, "You shall give him the information as we promised according to the rules set down from the beginning."

Dorien was not pleased... "Fine. Elf! The first step in becoming a twilight warrior, according to your predisposed disposition, is to take us and sink our blade into the flesh of a evil being, not of this world, that is stronger, faster, and more powerful than yourself. The being you must kill has already been chosen, as it was with all those that came before you. You will remember his name from the vision... Ghaloshon. This is the very creature that has infected your friend Theron with the curse of Lycanthropy, it is responsible for many other curses as well, most of which transform humanoid flesh into something grotesque. It is this creature that you must kill. If you don't, then we are lost for another 156 years, and that is only if there is a world to come back to. Prepare yourself, for once your service is done with Almah, you must unlock our power, for without it, your fate is already sealed. After that kill, the next step will be revealed to you. There are three steps in all, and once done, you will have unlocked the power of the twilight warrior, and I will finally get some peace! I don't expect you to succeed. No one has, and there have been fourteen before you, all of which were stronger, faster, and more combat ready than you are. I will not become attached emotionally to a dead man, which you are, you just don't know it yet. You will go to the excavation site that you found information on from Orcella the witch. It is there you will meet your fate, one way or the other..."

The female voice seemed saddened by that, "You can succeed Fennec, just as you did when you bought your life from the devil in that village you've been wanting to forget about for years. That changed your fate. Without that choice, you would not have the love of Haleen, or the companions you hold dear. Your choices change your fate, but sometimes, fate takes over, and chooses things for us. In this land, fate has its own heartbeat, its own life force. It is in that light that you will finally see what your life means, not only to those you know, but to hundreds of thousands that your don't. You will see. You will see...."

"Oh my f#&+ing god! Will you stop spouting your honeyed words Please! If I could vomit I would..."

"You wanted to be a god and look where that got you Dorien...F~@+ed..."

With that, the voices went dark again, leaving Fennec with a lot to think on. What Dorien did not say, and this was probably due to the fact that anything dealing with love was beyond his ability to speak on, was that this Ghaloshon was also the one who cursed Haleen's father and brother. It tore apart the family of the woman he loved, and if any creature deserved a blade in the heart, it was this Ghaloshon.

Fennec decided to make the last month of his service to Almah fully devoted to uncovering what Ghaloshon was. If he was not powerful enough to defeat it by strength alone, he would find a weakness somewhere, even if he had to go to Katapesh to find it.

And so, Fennec spent his days studying, looking for any information in the palace library on the identity of this Ghaloshon. He still taught his classes and practiced with Auh-Kaddahn daily, knowing his time was short on finding the weakness of this creature.

It was during one such class, that out of nowhere, Rajah showed up in his school. Fennec feigned not noticing, and continued teaching until the brash mage walked right up to him with a cloth covered item in her hands. Fennec was shocked that Rajah would disrespect him so, but waited to unload his anger until he knew what was going on... Dorien didn't like that...

"Tell that f!$@ing b$~~! to show respect! She's got Almah disease and needs to be put down like a rabid hyena!"

Tilly spoke up then, smacking Dorien across the face with her words, "you overstep your bounds Dorien... I will silence you for a year if it happens again!"

"Fennec knows the path, we can speak to him freely now. It is my right!"

"To speak, not to command. You lost that right two thousand years ago."

With that, the voices were silenced again, and Rajah uncovered the punching dagger that housed the curse of Haleen's family. Rajah looked up at Fennec and said in a cracking voice, "I know how to undo the curse..."

A single tear rolled down her face.

That was all Fennec needed to listen...

Fennec gave the class over to Mantis and Andrus, and took Rajah to the private room he used when uncovering the powers of Auh-Kaddahn. When Haleen tried to join them, Rajah looked concerned, "Can I tell you privately?"

Fennec looked over at Haleen and said, "Darling, could you give us some privacy?"

Haleen would have none of it. She had not seen Rajah for over a year, and to have her show up crying to the man she loved? She would most definitely not stand outside. When she conveyed that to Fennec, the elf gave in, knowing that this was the moment of revealing, when Haleen would find out that Fennec had killed her brother, and that her father died at the hands of Rajah and the others.

Fennec found that he could accept her rejection if it came to that, and he was surprised at himself for being able to think that way.

"You are finally learning young Fennec...." came Dorien's voice out of nowhere.

Rajah started talking...

"I found that this sword was infused with the spirit of a raging leopard. The leopard was there to stop anyone from finding out what the sword's real purpose was. Of course, we know the purpose was to infect that man in the Nethys temple with Lycanthropy, and from there, infect as many as he could, but mainly, those that were in his family. The spirit was there to stop me from finding out how to destroy the sword. I defeated that spirit, which was also responsible for the death of Father Zastoran. The only way to destroy the sword's curse, is to kill the entire line of that family. Once they are dead, the curse if broken, and the sword becomes inert."

She took a deep breath and continued, "There is one member of that family left alive. If that person were to die, then the curse could be lifted from the sword, thus freeing Theron from his fate at Almah's hands. I know who that person is, the one who must die to life the curse..."

Rajah was holding her emotions in check as she knew how much Haleen meant to Fennec, and more importantly, that Haleen was in love with the elf. Women can tell that kind of thing...

"Here it comes..." came Dorien's voice.

Rajah took a gulp and finally spurted it out even though it pained her to do so, "That last person is Haleen."

Haleen took a step back and looked at Rajah with complete shock. Then back at Fennec, who did not seem surprised in the least bit. Why....?

Rajah muttered, "I am sorry Haleen,"

"I am sorry Haleen..." Dorien's said with a sarcastic mimicking voice...

Rajah started, her emotions running high, "I had no Idea you were the daughter of the Man we killed in the temple..."

"I had no idea you were the daughter of the man we killed in the temple... Oh rubbish! You are such a c&$+!"

Mentally, Fennec told the sword to shut up.

It did so.

Haleen, tears welling up in her eyes, looked at Fennec, then back at Rajah, and croaked, "So my father and brother are dead?"

"So my father and brother are dead?! Hell yes you dumb ass b&%~&!"

Tilly had had enough... "Silenced for a year. Enjoy the time you headstrong bastard..."

Dorien shouted in anger and was suddenly silenced.

Haleen, on the other hand, was not, "You knew this whole time? You bastard!" She came forward and started hitting him on the chest. Rajah put the sword down and left quickly, not wanting to be anywhere close to those two...

Fennec quickly grabbed her arms and looked her straight in the face, his voice thick with emotion, "How do you think I felt when I found out that day in your quarters? You think I wanted to hurt you? When you told me you gave up on him and chose love instead, I was relieved! I was going to tell you until that point. When you told me that you loved me, I stopped myself from telling you because I wanted you to experience love. What kind of monster would I have been if I took that last thing away from you? I know you are in pain, but please look at this from another perspective. I also held strong feelings for you. I didn't want to lose you to something that was beyond my control. I hadn't even met you yet when those things happened. We fell in love prior to me ever finding out that Haidar was your father."

Haleen kept trying to hit him, but Fennec was the stronger. Finally, Haleen gave up and fell into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Fennec patted her on the back gently, hoping he had come out of this unscathed. He really did love her, he knew that, but there was still a part of him that was numb to a possible negative reaction from her. It was a part of him he would have to explore in depth.

Finally Haleen looked up and told Fennec that she was going to leave and needed a few days to think about things.

Fennec understood, and let her go, watching as she left the school. The entire class stood agape at the strange happenings going on. Fennec gave a stern look to the group and commanded, "Back to work!" and turned back and slammed the door.

Mantis continued his teaching...

It was two weeks before Haleen showed up at school of the twilight warrior. When she came in, Mantis motioned her to the private study where Fennec had secluded himself to.

A lot had happened in that two weeks.

Fennec was keeping his mind off Haleen as much as he could, giving her the time she needed to cope with the information about her father. Theron was incarcerated, awaiting execution. Rajah was buzzing around town like she was some kind of diva, seemingly happier than at any other time in her life, Theradon was...well, Theradon, and Talib was as secretive as ever.

What really concerned him, however, was the pending execution of Theron. He knew that the law must be kept, but something inside his gut told Fennec that this execution was more of a underhanded way of slapping down the Liberators of Kelmarane rather than serving true justice. Fennec couldn't prove it, but it seemed so obvious that it begged for some kind of intervention. Intervention that Fennec was about to plan with his companions.

"Yes... you are learning fast aren't you Elf!"

"I thought you were silenced for a year," Fennec retorted, his patience actually being tested by the spirit Darien.

"Our power shifts, as you will find out, when you sway back and forth between good and evil, lies and truth, brutality and kindness... It is her that is silenced now, unable to speak her propaganda, her lies, and thoughts of goodwill. You have me now... isn't that enough?"

Fennec spat on the ground in disgust, "Release her now, or I swear that I will not heed a single word you speak. I will side with Tilly until your voice is but a small whisper in a crowd of thousands. Release her now!"

There was silence for a moment, then Darien spoke in a tone that was not sarcastic anymore, but rather, respectful... "Good... you are learning fast."

Tilly spoke, her voice, once again, was soothing to hear, "Now that we have that resolved, let us get ready for the task at hand. Our ability to converse is coming to a close until you unlock our next secret Fennec. Darien as seen fit to use our ability to talk a little to much. As such, I want to go silent until you really need us. Know that you can ask us two more questions after I am done speaking. Once those have been spoken, there is no way to contact us until the Ghaloshon is dead. Always consider both sides to everything. It will be that act which saves you in the end..."

With that, the sword went silent again, just as a knock on the school's front door brought Fennec back to reality.

When he opened it, Haleen stood there, resplendent in a gown that took his breath away. She was so beautiful that Fennec stood gaping in the doorway, unable to speak... just like his sword.

"Are you going to let me in?" She asked, a concerned look began creeping across her features.

"Of course Haleen," Fennec stammered, allowing her to enter the empty training facility.

"Where is Mantis?"

"I told him to leave for a few days. I didn't want him here when Theron was executed. It seems that he had grown fond of the flighty gnome."

Haleen's face clouded for a moment, then she put on her smile and said seriously, "I have been a horrible person Fennec. I could have spent these last two weeks with you, enjoying your company and enriching my life with your companionship if I had not been so blinded by stupidity."

Fennec tried to object but Haleen stopped him, telling him that she needed to say these things otherwise she would not get through it.

Fennec stopped and allowed her to finish.

"I have been living on borrowed time Fennec. After speaking with Rajah, I found out that my father had made a deal with the devil for rising in the ranks of the nobility in Solthis. His title was earned by his soul, and his families blood. It was his fault that all this happened, even though I knew him as an honorable man, I know I will never see him again, even in the afterlife. His soul is probably being tortured and in agony even as we speak. I, however, have a choice that is honorable. I can make a difference for someone else."

She stopped for a moment, looking anywhere but in Fennec's eyes, "I want to spend my last night with you, knowing that we loved each other, and sharing my last hours in Kelmarane in the arms of the man I would have married if I had ever been asked."

Fennec's throat tightened with emotion and he said, "You plan on leaving in the morning? going back to Solthis? Katapesh? or beyond?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she told him that she was going beyond Katapesh and Solthis. That she was going to the great beyond, to meet her goddess Sarenrae...

Fennec was confused for a moment, not knowing what she was getting at, "Are you planning on dying tomorrow? Is there something I am missing here?"

She could tell that he was having difficulty controlling his own tears from flowing, so she made it quick, "I want to make love to you, then in the morning, I was you to take me to the temple of Nethys, where my father was last alive, and finish this curse forever. As long as I am alive, have children, and they have children, the curse will live on, infecting more and more people as the years go by. I can not live with that on my conscience. I can save Theron and who knows how many more by this choice. I have known love, so I can pass on to the other side with no regrets. You understand don't you?"

Fennec was openly crying as was Haleen. They embraced, hugging each other tight as Fennec said in her ear, "I will miss you..."

Haleen kissed him deeply, and told him through the tears, "As I will you..."

They spent the night doing what a man and woman do who have only hours before they would be apart forever.

The trek to the temple in the morning was hard on both of them. They could hardly speak to one another without causing the other to start tearing up.

Fennec would always remember that night. He had never cried so openly, his emotions rarely so raw as they were when he was with Haleen. He only hoped, one day, that he would meet another that was just half the woman Haleen was.

The half mile was gone in no time, and soon they were standing near the pillars of the crumbled outer temple. Fennec took the sword out, the one with the leopard on the blade, and he silently cursed the blade himself, promising that the Ghaloshon that made that blade would die as horribly as possible...

Haleen walked up to Fennec and said, "One more kiss before we are done with this?"

Fennec obliged, setting into his elven mind the image of that kiss so he could meditate on it every night, never forgetting, no matter if he lived to be a thousand years old.

When Haleen released him from the kiss, she took Fennec's hand and guided the blade's point over her heart. "I want to say this last thing before this is done Fennec."

The elf nodded. He was surprised that she had such emotional control this close to death. It was Fennec that was having problems being the stoic elf he had always been.

"Don't ever feel that you are responsible for this. It is my choice, and I give my life freely so that others may live. Tell Theron I will miss his antics, and promise me you will remember me on this day as the years roll on."

Fennec Promised.

"I am ready. Good bye Fennec..."

Fennec plunged the leopard blade into Haleen's heart, holding her up as the strength left her body. He laid her down, her lips twitching one last time the words, "I love you," and she was gone.

Fennec Shouted out in anger as he realized the finality of his act. He still wanted her...

The sword, on the other hand, cracked in two as Fennec held it, the blade dropping to the ground with a clang as the elf still held the hilt. Fennec dropped to his knees and cried for the last time. Haleen was with her goddess now and he was proud to know such a person. She would be sorely missed.

The end...

That is our starting point as we delve into the butchering of the denizens of the Pyramid of Ahn-Katep.

Creatures Slain and traps sprung are:

Medium Scorpions x4 (CR2 each) = 2400xp (This was during your recon of the dig site)
Lg. Scorpions x2 (CR3 each) = 1600xp
Recon Areas x5 (CR3 each) = 4000xp
Diversion of Master Soan (CR4) = 1200xp
Monk Enforcers talked into leaving (CR3) x4 = 3200xp (I only gave 1/2 xp here because I didnt ask for diplomacy)
Claw Master Monks x2 (CR7 each) = 6400xp
The Curse Creatures x5 (CR5 each) = 8000xp (These were the blur runed creatures that kept spawning)
Enbalmed Swarms x2 (CR5 each) = 3200xp
Scarab Beetle Swarm trap x4 (CR9 each) = 25,600xp (This was your big nasty that you overcame beautifully)
The Mummy Ahnkana (CR8) = 4800xp
Tukanam-Hannam the Mummy Dragon (CR10) 9600xp
Ghaloshon, The Curse Devil (CR9) = 6400xp

Total XP: 76,400xp

XP each: 15,280

Grand Total xp: 34,000+15,280 = 49,280xp (720 away from 9th level)

As you can see, alot of these things were there to get you weakened before facing the devil in final combat. I can not tell you how cool it was that the scarabs didnt get Theron's dexterity. I will admit that I was concerned about it, but also knew that monica would have lightning bolts she could have used. Who would have known that Keil would crit on his fire explosion.... Excellent Job guys!

I know that you are thinking that the HP pool is a real benefit, (and so far it is), but if you are ever reduced to 0 hp, it will be a TPK. I do want you all to keep this in mind. I was hesitant to use this curse, but it made perfect sense for the story and the reinforcement of the shared fate the cards were supposed to bestow on you.

I do want you to keep that in mind as we move on, that once you get back to kelmarane, only 3 days will have ticked off your 20 total days in this Shared state of HP's. That leaves 17 more to be concerned about... hehe.

Now, here is the treasure...

13. The Treasury: There are eleven chests in this room. If the PCs have the means to manipulate the chests at a distance (such as a long pole, a rope with a grappling hook, or magic), they may be able to catch the handles of various chests and haul them outside the archway (treat the handles as AC 24).

Chest 1: This box contains a temporal stasis field that carefully preserves a collection of 24 different kinds of seeds. A successful DC 25 Knowledge (Nature)/(History) check reveals that the seeds include a number of extinct plants and ancient crops. The collection is worth up to 10,000 gp to an herbalist or sage capable of appreciating their value. Several of the plants have significant agricultural ramifications if reintroduced to Golarion. In particular, the collection includes the androwood of Ancient Osirion, a desert plant capable of surviving on less water than any other woody plant, and “full-seed,” a black, inexpensive grain capable of enhancing the diet and health of entire armies.

Chest 2: Two mudstone minions (new magic item—see page 29) (5 spell levels of clay per minion).

Mudstone Minion
Aura Moderate conjuration; CL 9th
Slot none; Price 9,250 gp; Weight 1 lb.

DESCRIPTION

When you take a full-round action to mold this perpetually
moist lump of clay into an animal, it flashes to life and grows to
full size, attacking your enemies or following your commands
if you have the means to communicate with animals. After 9
rounds the animal reverts to nonmagical clay. You may use the
clay to create any sort of creature that summon nature’s ally I, II,
III, IV, or V can summon. There is enough clay to create up to
five spell levels of creatures. For example, you could expend 3
spell levels of clay to create a lion (from the summon nature’s ally
III list) and still have 2 spell levels left over. Each use of the clay
produces only one creature.

CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, summon nature’s ally V;

Cost 2,250 gp, 90 XP

If a DC 25 craft: (Pottery)(Sculpture) or (Stonemasonry) is made when creating the minion, the summoned creature comes into existance as if it was affected by the Augment Summoning Feat.

Chest 3: A collection of indigo jade jewelry. A nearly forgotten jewel in present day, it is difficult to get fair value for the violet crystals. A collector making a DC 30 Appraise check recognizes its true value of 6,000 gp, otherwise the collection sells for half that amount.

Chest 4: A box of shredded scrolls. If the torn papers are aligned together correctly, the scrolls fuse together as if they were never damaged. This reconstruction requires 8 hours of patient work, a successful DC 25 Spellcraft check is made to keep concentration, then another successful DC 25 Spellcraft check is required to fuse the pieces back together. The repaired documents create seven 4th-level arcane spell scrolls, randomly rolled from the random treasure generator on page 125 of the Game Masters Guide.

Chest 5: A huge tome with veinstone covers containing The Last Theorem (a book covering the events of the Acturn Enigma).

The Last Theorem (Minor Artifact)

Aura Strong (all schools) [evil]; CL 20th; Weight 5 lbs.

Description

This book is non-magical; it is the hieroglyphic formulas contained within it that radiate both magic and evil. The formulas cannot be duplicated or transcribed unless the reader has the ability to create artifacts. If the reader loses focus for even an instant, the numbers swim into new positions throughout the text. Anyone who studies them for at least an hour may make a Spellcraft check to attempt to hold them in their proper place and determine how much of their meaning they can discern. Any failure of the concentration checks causes the reader to have to "begin again" opening themselves up to the possible negative effects from each of the 3 steps, even if they had succeeded in a previous attempt.

First Check - Spell Craft DC 20: The Last Theorem contains 11 constants, each of which is derived from the relationship between the planet Aucturn and Golarion. The reader must make a DC 13 Will save or suffer from a permanant fear effect that gives the reader the shaken condition.

Second Check - Spell Craft DC 25: The Last Theorem can be used to compute the date that the countdown clocks began and when the count will end. The reader must make a DC 14 Will save or suffer from a permanant feeblemind effect.

Third Check - Spell Craft DC 30: The Last Theorem is capable of affecting the physical world, but is missing the hidden value of the “White Axiom.” Without that, The Last Theorem’s power cannot be unleashed. The reader must make a DC 17 Will save or enter a permanent catatonic state similar to that created by an eyebite spell. If both the Concentration check and the Will save are successful, the reader’s understanding provides a permanent +2 enhancement bonus (not inherent) to Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (player’s choice). Success also grants the reader a +4 inherent bonus on all knowledge checks related to the Aucturn Enigma for the rest of their natural life. Future readings by the same person have no additional effect. Only one person can gain the bonus conferred by the theorem every 156 years (per planetary alignment of Galarion with Aucturn). Failing the will save on the first check does not prevent the reader from continuing on as the glyphs are not reset unless the spell craft check to concentrate is failed. However, the reader is at a significant disadvantage, as the shaken condition grants a -2 on all skill checks and saving throws.

Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Chest 6: The Darcon Codicil, a bone-plated book containing the true names of dozens of devils compiled by the Fiend Pharaoh in the hieroglyphics of Ancient Osiriani (worth 7,000 gp to a devil-binder or thaumaturgist). Ghaloshon's True name name appears in the book with the handwritten notation of “156.000” next to it. The “156.000” has been crossed out and followed by a series of descending numbers which are also crossed out. It stops at an uncrossed “000.003” This crossing of numbers has been done 15 times, the numbers after the decimal are easilly discerned as being the number of days in the Golarion year.

Chest 7: A wish box (4,000 gp). This box’s contents transform into any single magic item with a value of 4,000 gp or less. The PC must decide the moment the box is opened; simulate this by giving the player 1 minute with the DMG to make a decision. If the player does not state the item of his desire in the alotted time, the contents disentigrate and the opportunity lost forever.

Chest 8: A collection of ancient war medals (value 500 gp to a historian or Osiriontologist)

Chest 9: Four stone tablets chiseled with glyphs, each having the power of a divine scroll (death ward, divination, helping hand, or obscure object, caster level 7). Each tablet weighs 10 pounds.

Chest 10: A bag of holding type I containing 56 severed, skeletal ring fingers of minor royalty who fell from the favor of their pharaoh. Each finger is adorned with a ring (1,900 gp in total).

Chest 11: A wish box (same as chest 7 but worth 6,000 gp or less). There is also a statuette of a blue dragon, carved from a milky blue gemstone of unknown origin, with the same 000.003 number displayed on its chest in white magical lights. It has a semblance to the mummified blue dragon, Tukanam-Hanam. This item is called a Countdown Clock.

Now, from the hoard of the X-peditionary force:

Lonicera:

alchemist’s fire, antitoxin, potion of eagle’s splendor, scroll of comprehend languages, (scroll of still, silent, silent image), wand of cure moderate wounds (30 charges), wand of sleep (10 charges), disguise kit, sunrod (2)

Xaven:

acid flask (2), alchemist’s fire, holy water (2), potion of cure moderate wounds, smokestick, thunderstone, unholy water (2); MW daggers (2), glasscutter, ink pot, mwk sling, mwk thieves’ tools, sap, sling bullets (20), MW studded leather armor, sunrod (4), small Undead bane Scimitar +1

Hroken:

elixir of acid breath, oil of magic weapon (2), potion of cure light wounds (2), potion of shield of faith; cloak of protection +1, daggers (3), everburning torch, mwk breast plate, mwk hand crossbow, mwk

scimitar, MW Coffin Lid Tower Shield

Scepter:

potion of cure light wounds (2), scroll of dispel magic, scroll of enlarge person (2), scroll of erase, scroll of fog cloud, scroll of haste, scroll of magic weapon (2), scroll of web, wand of acid splash (24 charges), wand of ray of frost (48 charges), wand of scorching ray (completely discharged - 0 charges), The Wand Rifle, (2) MW Bayoonettes, (1) +1 Flaming Bayonette, MW Chain Shirt

Paracount Julistar:

Lesser Grimoire of Thrune, a bound collection of the following divine scrolls: command, comprehend languages, death knell, detect secret doors, detect undead, hide from undead, protection from evil, sanctuary, divination; and stone shape; +1 leather armor, periapt of wisdom +2, MW steel rod of reverence (quarterstaff with a dark emerald continual flame cast upon it),a jade mantis, and a steel devil-headed key. 120pp.

The halfling assassin:

MW flute, MW pipes, MW mandolin, Necklace of Adaption, 3,700gp in assorted gems and jewelry, 440pp, 800sp.

Keil has all the other items cataloged, and we will spend some time at the game table going up to 9th level once you get back to Kelmarane, and splitting the loot before we get started again and head towards the House of the Beast: Part 2 of the LoF Adventure Path.

I will be honest, what I love most about how things have gone is that I have only done two major things to change up this AP (that has nothing to do with the story line changes). Those are...

1) The trek From Solku to The monastery was supposed to be your time to get to know eachother prior to getting to the Sultans Claw at 1st level. I simply gave you all some history of in-game actions that filled that time with memorable scenes and got you to 3rd level prior to ever stepping foot in the Monastery. You got to see one of the agitated sandstorms of the Aucturn Enigma first hand, you got some good history with Almah, garavel, and eachother. You saw major combat, Keil died for the first time, the introduction of the Key to the treasury chamber was accomplished, and the eccentric Father Zastoran helped start the destiny theme, along with Almah's asking of Talib to make an augury for her next actions. All this was done instead of simply reading these words to you out of the begining of the Howl of the Carrion King:

Before play begins in earnest, tell the players that their characters have been traveling together for more than a week on a dreary camel caravan from the town of Solku to an unknown location in the northern scrublands of Katapesh. The man who hired them is Garavel, the no-nonsense major-domo of a merchant princess awaiting them at their destination. In the distant haze to the west, the PCs can just make out the immense outline of Pale Mountain looming over the mid-evening horizon like a tombstone. Give each player a chance to describe his character, what he looks like, how he acts and so forth. Everyone has had a few days to get to know one another, and this is a good way to engage the players from the very start.

Once each player has had a chance to talk a bit about his character, tell the players that they are nearing their destination. As soon as the craggy tree appears over the next hill, it becomes obvious why it is called the Sultan’s Claw. With five immense, mostly leafless branches, the growth looks more like a giant skeletal talon than a thing of living wood.

I like what we did much better, and it gave us an in-game experience of our time in Solku, the long trek to the Claw, and as you see now, introduced a ton of NPC's that have taken on a life of their own. Even though we didnt spend a ton of time on each NPC, the fact that I was able to play one a little bit here... and a little bit there... made each of them unique. Now, everyone has someone in their character's lives that enhances the realism of their character, and gives depth where none existed before.

Even if I had not written the 18month novella, everyone's character is well established in the game, and has their roles defined very well. It took a while, especially with so many evil characters in this group,, but now, things are running smoothly. I do appreciate your trust when I enhance these encounters, that I am not putting things in that are "unkillable".

Trust me when I say that I have studied each of your character classes and re-read them on occasion to make sure I know what you can and can not do. I am trying to get everyone out of the thinking that straight up bashing and slashing will take down these guys. I will be challenging you a lot in the theme of the the Katapesh/Osirion history of combat and culture. If you dont adapt, then yes, things could get hairy when we get to Part 4 and beyond. I am using this time to prepare you. Trust me, if you think the dragon or the devil was hard... you havent seen anything yet. (insert evil dm laughter here...)

As for #2, I changed the time frame of your layover in Kelmarane by adding an extra 6 months, and ran with the theme that everyone seemed to like, which was Almah is a meglomaniac b~!$+. As written, Almah is actually someone who is unsure of herself and very sensitive, (as I did play up during all those begining sessions), but once Theradon ignored her orders and stayed at the temple of Nethys to kill the were-leopard, the irritated almah reared her ugly head. I liked the way you all responded to that, and changed her storyline to fit that expectation. It seems that the tension between the characters and Almah has really given the story a nice feel to it. A very realistic set of situations that are perfectly explainable, and most of all, reflect what we go through in real life on almost a daily basis. Hasnt everyone had a boss they would love to get rid of permanantly? :D

Anyway, that is all for now. Enjoy your success, and know that the battle of Ahn-Katep will hopefully be one that will spread throughout the realm, and give glory and prestige to those who participated and survived. I am looking forward to this battle with great anticipation. (as if trying to keep up with all the powers of a devil and the osirion mummy template wasnt enough...) And I get to run alot of monks, which as you know, is something I particularly enjoy. I thank the module The Pact Stone Pyramid for giving me so many great monks to use, and giving each of them slight modifications that fit their style. Meet Hellcat Style, The clan of the Master Claw, and the Asmodean order of the Infernal Key. Mix in an osirionologist wizard, the remainder of the circle tribe of gnolls, and a dozen ankegs... Woo Hoo! I am salivating even more now.

I do hope you can see how I had this all planned from the begining... Thanks to Keil for inspriing me to be so well prepared, and to great players that keep me always working to challenge them.

Till our next game...

Outside the Pyramid:
(4) Asmodean Monk Enforcers (elite monk 4/fighter 2) (CR8) - 4800xp
(4) Asmodean Battle Monks (monk 5) (CR6) - 2400xp
(12) Ankheg's (CR10) - 9600xp
(12) Slave Masters (warrior 3's) (CR5) - 1600xp
(20) Gnolls (CR8) - 4800xp
The Witch (weakened adept 8) (CR6) - 2400xp
Master Soan (CR9) - 6400xp
Zyifid (CR10) - 9600xp
The Sand Sage - 0xp (no battle)

Total xp: 41,600
xp per player (Talib is in on this) : 8,320

Final character XP: 8,320 + 49,280 = 57,600 for Level 9!
Level 10 xp needed: (71,000)

Now the treasure.

Monk Enforcers: (2) Cure Moderate Wounds Potions, (1) Magic Fang Potion, (2) Phylacteries of Faithfulness - Lawful Evil, (2) Potions of Acid Breath
Battle Monks: (4) cloaks of resistance +1, (4) smoke sticks
Ankegs: (12) Circlets of Charm Monster controlled by (12) rods of control. We can talk about these items in person on Saturday. They control only creatures of 3 int or less.
Gnolls: Leather Armor, spears, short bows, arrows (All mundane)
Slave Masters: (12) Masterwork Whips
The Witch: Wand of Burning Hands (CL5, 12 charges), Wand of CLW (14 charges), potion of protection from good, MW leather armor, (2) MW scimitars.

Other Treasure: A total of 886gp, maps and books worth (1000gp) that give the reader that spends 8 hous studying a +2 circumstance bonus on knowledge: history and geography checks when dealing with Ancient Osirion legends and artifacts. Master Soan's quarters has evidence that points to a hidden monastery in the Barren Peaks that trains Asmodean Monks, and Zyafid's quarters are bare of anything of note. Even his bed looked like it had never been slept in. The only thing that gave his room away was the evidence of poison residue on one of the work tables, but even that didnt give you a 100% feeling that you had uncovered his residence. Everything else of note, (if there was any) you speculate that the Sand Sage made away with it in his quick escape.

Items of Note for this part of the Campaign...

The Pyramid allowed Fennec to take his revenge on the Ghaloshon Devil that had cursed Haleens family through the punching dagger known as En-Nebbi, the blade of the leopard. The killing of this devil also saved Theron's life from the death sentence laid down by Almah. The second Witch, and the rest of the Circle Tribe are completely erradicated. This gives the Liberators of Kelmarane a total of (3) tribes that they have destroyed in the area. The Circle, The Keldis (the tribe in kelmarane at the time of liberation), and 3-Jaws.

Because of this, the remaining gnolls under the control of the Carrion King have the feat: The Liberators Must Die! It grants the remaining 5 tribes of the Carrion King a +2 bonus on will saves vs. fear when the Liberators of Kelmarane are known to be their opponants and an additional +1 to hit and +1 damage with weapons vs. the Liberators.

The trek back to Kelmarane was hard, having to drag a few dozen slaves back with you. When you made it back, there was hardly a moment to rest as a gnoll from Pale Mountain called Rakoova had turned himself over to Almah to try to establish peace with the new powers that be in Kelmarane. The entire jist of the interrogation was that Rakoova wanted to have the Carrion King unseated so he could take over. He cited that the carrion king was destroying his tribe to make "Super Gnolls" that could easilly walk in to Kelmrane and wipe out the entire city if something wasnt done quickly. Rakoova's strength was questioned by Talib, who felt that the gnoll was unfil to rule. Also, the idea of Super Gnolls was looked upon with scepticism by most of you, but with all the information you had found over the last 2 years, (Dashki, Zyafid, and Narg... along with the elven wizard at the fort of the 3-Jaws), it gave you enough concern to agree to check it out, but not until you had a chance to have one good meal and syphon through the materials you gleaned from the pyramid and the Sand Sage. A meeting with Almah was set up for the next day to discuss what the plan was going to be, then Rakoova was put in his cell to await the whims of the Liberators of Kelmarane.

One thing that does happen, however, is the blue dragon clock thing you found in the treasure room of the pyramid hits 000-000-00-00. Nothing seems to happen when the countdown ends. No huge sand storm overtakes the city, no elementals attack, the moon does not turn to blood... However, Rajah feels invigorated and energized by this phenomenon. Right when the clock hits 0, she instantly feels stronger. Since she is 1/4 genie, she doenst get the +2 or +1 buffs across the board as the full genies and elementals get, however, she is affected in a special way which I will inform her about at game time...

So with the Clock at 0, and 4 days expired off the 22 days you are all cursed and bound together by the final Ghaloshon curse (or was it the curse of the Pyramid?), you find yourselves refreshed on the morning after your arrival, however, the knowledge that you must meet with Almah at first light kinda puts a damper on the day.

This is where we will start on Saturday, at a morning meal with Almah and Garavel, to discuss the plan for Pale Mountain.