"Right well seems proper introductions are needed and a small history lesson. How much do you know?"
he says
"It's probably best to assume 'nothing', because none of our sources have really been reliable." Flare says sullenly from the side of the boat. "Some were clever, but probably had their own agendas."
Cynthia nodded, clearly agreeing with Flare. "When you make assumptions about the knowledge of others, it's easy to overlook important details. Pretend we know absolutely nothing, and explain everything of relevance from the beginning. I believe that will serve everyone's purposes more effectively."
"So none of our teachers survived the attack? Why didn't you help them?" Riven is clearly getting upset at the idea of a demigod with so much power stood aside while her mentors died.
"Very well from the very beginning then" as he speaks the world around you changes and you find yourself floating above a city.
The city is massive. Bigger than anything that exist so far as you know. Buildings rise up into the sky in a manner that shouldn't be possible.
Lucius is there with you.
"The city of Delphinad, as it was two millennia ago. This may come as a shock to you but this is not Golarion but an entirely different world. Called Aurora it was populated only by humans and elves and had technology more advance than the people here but was otherwise very similar to the world you live on now.
I lived here as a young man and so did Elpis. She was a young noblewoman from a wealthy family. Elpis was using her family's wealth to run a soup kitchen for the poor. I would go there every day but the food was not me reason for going."
The scene shifts and you find yourself in a soup kitchen watching a gorgeous young woman chastising a young man for being young and able bodied and relying on charity when he should be able to work. The man laughed and handed her two tickets to a local theater performance.
"I wasn't really a homeless vagrant I only pretended to be. I was a playwright and a rather successfully one at that. Even so a man of my station could never be with a woman of hers but she took the ticket..."
The scene changes once more.
You saw a large manor surrounded by armed guards.
"Her house" says lucius "Her father did not approve of our relationship and so locked her away and closed her soup kitchen.
You see a man lad in black hood and cape sneaking past the guards climbing up a manor wall and sneaking into a window on the second floor.
[b]"Unfortunately for him I had other skills than just writing plays." he says with a smirk. The scene shows inside the room were Elpis is saying that he was famous and had many women who wanted to be with him and that he shouldn't go trough the hassle of dating a nobles daughter. In response Lucius gives her a ring. A symbol of their love.
"I was hopeful and optimistic then. What a fool I was"
The scenes shifts once more and now you are at a trial with thousands of people watching in the surrounding stands.
Lucius is chained up it was his trial. He had written something very controversial bordering on heresy. The mob screamed for his head. Elpis was in the standing watching in tears as the guilty verdict was read. A sentence of life in prison was given...
"I don't mean to bore you with our love story but I feel you should know it. Were now getting to the good part." he says.
The next scene shows Elpis clad in black with a hood and a sword on her hip. Many years had passed you can tell. She and a group of ten and women men were standing outside a prisons walls with ropes and grappling hooks. The next scenes shows her and lucius fleeing the scene with her new companions.
"Elpis has fled her father's home and spent the next years honing her skills and becoming a skilled adventurer. With her new-found adventuring companions she was able to return free me and we fled the city and went out on many adventures afterwards. Becoming known as the twelve companions one of the greatest bands in the world with many exploits in our name. Those were glorious days" explains Lucius
"After many successes we had become arrogant. We believed there was nothing we could not accomplish. We went out to find the garden. The source of life and magic on our world. It was incredibly dangerous and half of use fell before we got there but we did find it." says Lucius as flashes show you the memories of the journey.
"Those of us who entered the garden and were changed, we became gods. We became different people. Goddess of hope and life Elpis, God of trickery Lucius, God of destruction Kyros, goddess of seas and change Dahuta, god of winds Nimush and the gatekeeper god Gene."[b] Lucius pauses the memory painful to him.
[b]"Kyros claimed we should take over the world and rule it as we saw fit, Dahuta agreed with him. Myself, Elpis and Nimush disagreed and Gene would not leave the garden deciding to stay there and guard it. We fought the battle lasted five hundred years and Kyros, Nimush and Dahuta were destroyed. Nearly two-thirds of the planet was destroyed and millions died...What followed was the Rose era a time of peace and prosperity and rebuilding that lasted another five centuries but our battle had caught the attention of a being called Atropus. A being the size of a small planet he glided slowly towards our world and as he drew near the dead of our world grew more and more restless..."
You see the dead rising from every grave on the planet. Every time a person dies they instantly become undead regardless of the cause of death and attack the closest living being.
"Elpis and I did our best to protect the people of our world but our power given to us by the garden was not infinite and the more we used it the weaker we became. Also we could not be everywhere at once and so we imbued mortal with small doses of our power so they could help us fight. They became our chosen, those tasked with ensuring the survival of our people." you see the chosen all have marks like the ones you have.
"Even so we were losing....We wanted to return to the garden to get more power but Gene would not allow it, the garden was a pool of life energy that sustained our planet and after our last visit it was nearly dry, if we used it again it would destroy our world. He was however not unsympathetic and create a small safe zone around the garden were we could hide the people from the undead. When Atropus came we fought him but we were no match. He is a being who feeds on life energy, the same energy that had made us gods in the first place. Our powers were useless against him. When it became obvious we could not beat him we also retreated to the garden safe zone. Atropus fed on every living thing on the planet and then he turned his full attention to the garden. Gene and I tried to stop him once more and he was devoured and I lost my divinity and I was left somewhere in between mortal and god. With no option left Elpis used all the remaining power of the garden to open a portal to another world to evacuate what was left of your people and she sent me trough as well."
The vision vanish and you are back on the boat.
"For a time after that it was quiet I became the leader of the survivors and we went out to explorer this new world. We found it inhabited by other humans elves and so we decided we should just try to blend it and we split into smaller groups with the elves going to join other elven communities on this world....However I later discovered that the portal we used to escape had reopen and undead were pouring out of it...I felt responsible and so I gathered the remaining chosen and as many volunteers from our people and from this worls as I could gather and formed a defensive line at the portal exit. We stop the undead at the gate and we look for a way to close the portal. We became known as the ardent guard. The primary line of defence for us is the chosen and their descendants but many over the years have retired or become to injured to fight and wandered off. In fact only a small fraction of the men and woman in the ardent guard today are actually descendants from our world...That is most of the story so far." says lucius.
"Your part in this was to be trained to help hold the line at the portal if the situation became dire but it is currently under control and your help there was not required. Now however it seems Atropus is getting close to this world and everyone is going to be needed if this world is to survive."
"Take a moment to consider all this. I know it is a lot to absorb."
Riven was dead quiet during every second of the visions and stayed that way for a while after, once she's gathered herself she'd try to question the man. "How do you expect us to fight something that can destroy worlds? We can barely withstand a few zombies and you're asking us to fight every dead thing in our world."
"...I think I also heard him say 'Trust the God of Trickery'." Cynthia observed, sounding more curious than anything else. "That's a very... interesting... suggestion." As usual, she was guarding her words carefully, trying to avoid giving any sign of what she truly thought. Observation was more important than allowing her emotions to influence her.
"But... Elpis also told us to trust him." Flare says, shaking her head. "What sort of manners are you attending that 'Fate of our World' is something that winds up delayed?" she adds her own question to the pile.
"I was contacting the elves...Many of the elves that fled our world are still alive today and are willing to fight and perhaps many of their kin from this world will join as well...The negotiations have been slow to proceed. So far all they have done is send a dozen warriors to help defend the portal. I do not expect you to defeat Atropus yourselves but I do believe you will play a crucial part in defending this world when he comes. For now you still need more training and to master the gift that Elpis has given you. Regardless this fight is coming whether you seek it out or not."
Victor frowns skeptically. "So basically, you and Elpis gave my friends and I a small amount of your power, we became your "chosen". Then, both Elpis and you, both fully powered deities, fought this creature of darkness and lost pretty easily. Now you show up and argue that my friends and I have the potential to achieve what you and your allies failed to do, and stop this creature, while having access to much less power than you did in this previous battle? Seems a little unrealistic if you ask me"
"True the power of the marks will be of little use against Atropus himself but will prove quite effective in defeating his minions. For now the task before you is to prepare yourselves against the coming danger. A plan is in the works to deal with Atropus but for now you will concentrate your efforts on the human cultist that have fallen under his thrall and are preparing the world for his arrival to make his conquest easier."
"We'll need supplies." Cynthia said calmly. "We've been on the move for quite some time now, and haven't come anywhere close to stocking up on the kind of tools that would be necessary for a job like this. I'm not expecting unlimited Rings of Wishes, but money for weapons, armor, gear, and general supplies would be good. Cash is preferable - I know how to make many useful things, and we can go further with less money if I get a lot of components for that."
You couldn't fight a war without money - noble intentions and dedication were good, but supplies and reliable tools would take you a heck of a lot further than willpower alone.
"Supplies and information. Who are his followers? How big is his force that's here already? What's to stop him from just gaining more followers?"
"I will see to it that you receive the supplies you need in time...The primary danger right now is a human woman called Caira Xasten. She leads the cult of the end. A splinter group of the whispering way I believe. I do not know why but their ultimate goal is to end all life on the world and replace it with undeath and when Atropus arrives he will do just that so they serve him in hopes that when the time comes they will be given position of power as greater undead."
"Hm. How about something more concrete and helpful, then. she says, growing somewhat visibly frustrated. Or rather, beyond the previous frustrated of knowing for certain that her loved ones were dead. "Do you have any idea where Andrianna is?"
Cynthia kept her face smooth - it wasn't good to show irritation in front of people like this, assuming there was any truth at all to what he was saying. More relevantly, though... one goddess sent them to another, saying he'd help. That guy - a self-proclaimed trickster deity - gave more instructions, but only vague hints of support. She was starting to feel like these... powers... were running them around in circles. Flare was right, though - the more they could nail things down, the better off they were going to be.
"...Hm."
"I supposes I should give you something for your efforts. My powers are limited as I am now but think of an item you would need and I will try to conjure it up for you...
Chose any one item worth 5000 gold or less and he will materialise it for you.
"Andrianna? I thought she was with you..." when you tell him what happened he ponders it for a bit. "Hmm in the grand scheme of things she matters little but I am rather fond of the girl. She reminds me of Elpis at that age...We should save her if we can. Return to Riddleport and I will investigate myself and see if I can learn then meet you. Now that your marks are active I will be able to find you." he says and turns into a crow before flying off.
Cynthia considered for a moment, then detailed her choice - and when the item appeared, she held onto it with both hands and focused her mind onto the object to imbue it with power and make it her own.
She also relaxed rather visibly - when you were dealing with things on this level, a gesture of trust and aid could go a long ways. "I suppose we'll be heading back, then." she mused. "Everyone, we may want to see what we can pick up in the way of crafting supplies while we can. The sooner I can get started on that, the sooner I can provide all of you with some of the things we'll need."
Some might have called what she'd just done cheating, but hey - this sounded important, and she'd take every advantage she could get.
Janus watches the visions without saying a word, but seems lost in thought most of the time.
"And this...Atropus, he's feeding on life and controls the undead? What about machines? Constructs? If a war is coming, it may be worth considering those options...if only to bolster the ranks of the defenders, or have expendable shock troops to support surgical strikes..."
Upon hearing the objections regarding their chances by some members, he responds:"While I agree that the situation as described does not look like we have a chance, I am still glad that I run across you guys when I did, and got "chosen" as well. If what Lucius says is true, then what's coming is threatening the end of this world. Even if I feel powerless to stop it right now, I much prefer being given the option to fight, over not knowing what's happening and having to accept fate. I may feel powerless now, but I certainly don't plan on rolling over and stopping to fight."
Hearing that Lucius will try and find Andrianna, Janus obviously feels relieved...while if Atropos may end all life, it was still this one girls life that specifically was his responsibility to safe, now.
Considering what the trickster god claimed, being able to find them through their marks, Janus instantly worried that their enemies might be able of a similar feat...not something one wanted in his line of work.
After the man disappears, or rather his bird, Flare goes about tending wounds. His sudden appearance had reminded her that she hadn't been particularly vigilant with her companion's wounds.
She starts with herself, then moves on to Janus.
"Thank you...very kind of you...I all but forgot about the wounds, not having had time to relax since this whole thing started. I did bring a sort of condensed potion...unfortunately it's bound to my biosignature and will be useless to others. I should look into making those more stable and universally useful..."
Janus thinks for a moment, before offering: "I did get some training in the healing arts, though. If someone wants me to take a look at their wounds..."
"Not to worry. I'm mostly fine... as are you, now." Flare says, as she looks to her 'gift'. "Someone with the magicky thing want to double check that this thing isn't going to explode when I try to put it on?"
@Janus, I believe its referring to Riven having a negative level or some sort. It would have been nice if tricker god fixed it for her but oh well, I'm sure we will find a cleric somewhere who will remove it for us.
After Lucius leaves, Victor quietly reads his new spellbook, deciding on the spells he intends to use during the day. After casting Heroism, Page-bound Epiphany, and Heightened Awareness, he attempts to learn anything important or useful about the following subjects.
Riven casts detect magic on the armor like Flare asks.
"Nothing outside the ordinary that I can see."
Anything on my knowledge rolls or is victor clueless on this particular subject
Atropus (dc knowledge religion 33+ to know about him)
Caira Xasten: You've heard the name before. Once a world famous academic she was renowned for her ability to uncover secrets of the past until her lover and colleague was struck down by a falling meteorite. The chances of such an accident were so slim that she blamed the gods. Robbed of a life with the one person she loved more than anything, she went insane and bent all her considerable resources to visiting ruin on those entities she despised. She cares nothing for her own life or for the deaths of those who stand in her way her one and only goal now is to find a way to destroy the gods.
Cult of the end:
A splinter group from the whispering way these people hold the belief that undeath is the key true immortality and that following Atropus is the best way to achieve it. They believe that by following Caira and her new master they will be given positions of power as vampires or liches while everyone else is made into mindless zombies.
There are rumours they have been particularly active in Varisia of late.
Victor decides to update his companions so that they know precisely what they are up against. "In my research, I heard that Caira Xasten was a celebrated academic, known for her ability to uncover secrets of the past. Unfortunately, her lover was slain by a falling meteor, or perhaps some careless wizard casting Meteor Swarm, and Caira swore vengeance for what she saw as a divine attack or punishment. Obviously, she isn't a very stable person right now, and possibly has a death wish. I recommend that we tread carefully, in my experience, people backed into a corner that see no way out, are generally the most dangerous"
"As for locations, the Cult of the End has been active in Varisia, anything else I know about the cult has already been told to us. It seems likely however that Caira might be undead supporters, or even be undead herself."
"Thank you, Victor...I assume that means we should prepare for a Journey to Varisia...it's something we can do until we hear back from this Lucius. But it would seem we have no other better leads currently towards Andretta's location, and I'd hate to wait and sit around doing nothing."
Regardless, once we make it back to port, before heading to the Cyphers, Janus will attempt to collect information from the agents he hired before meeting the group, trying to gain further information about who took Andretta and where they might have taken her.
hours.
Going through his contacts quickly, he arrives back with the group one hour later.
can you remind me which wand it was? Were did you get it?
Anything you want to do in town while you wait.
Ah yes it was a wand of magic missile CL 5 (50 charges)
Ok if nothing else is done in town I will fast forward a bit.
You return to town and while the port authorities give you a little trouble at the docks thinking your ship belongs to the bloodhands but once you explain that you took is as a prize from the raid on their base after killing their captain they confirm it with thammerhawk and let you go. You get the feeling that this earned you a lot of respect from the pirates. They even offer to remove the bloodhand markings on it and rename it or you could sell it for 4000 gold if you wanted.
Cynthia looked at the others. "Do we feel like owning a boat? Bit of an ongoing expense, but we'd have full control. Or we could just trade it for supplies." Either was a practical option, really, and she was fine either way.
"Ships require a large crew to maintain... So we'd need other people to help it for anything other than a short trip. It's an all-day and night job, otherwise... And probably beyond us without a crew while it's storming at sea." Flare says pessimistically, "I guess we could use it to go home and see who's still there waiting for us. Maybe if we explain the situation, we can secure their aid. Not that I really expect it.
"Well, there's also the option of hiring a captain and crew, and send them off on a trade run. If we know sufficiently ahead of time we'll need to be somewhere, we could probably arrange passage, as now with Varisia, on our own Vessel. If not, they can run regular trade runs, offsettings any costs we incur and possibly earning a bit of money on the side. Of course, IF something happens, our investment would be ruined...but considering we managed to get it for free, I'm all open for risky business. And there'd be no buyers if there wasn't a good chance for business to be lucrative-"
"Having a ship painted with our mark would make us a large target and remove any chance of moving around unknown, it's best to scrap it and travel light I think."