The Forgotten God (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

I protect those that can't protect themselves. Most call me a traveller or an adventurer. I came to this temple to prove to some monks and to myself that I'm on the proper path. Like all I have a past that is better left there. I'm not trying to escape it, but to let it make me a better person than I was then.

The sorcerer's eyes quite literally lit up at the thought of introducing Moloch to Katheer. "H-he did? Moloch spoke to you! I knew there was a reason you arrived today - let's go!" He didn't seem like he needed to bring much, and indeed followed you out of the temple to where the miniature caravan was waiting - good thing, too, considering how heavy the statue was. Getting it over that bridge in the middle? Not fun. Unless there was anything left for you to do, it seemed like you could head back to the city.

It was a day or two to the city right? We will need to secure the dwarf and the sorcerer. I will let Grond know of the spell in secret when its duration is about to expire and we will subdue him. Not sure if we need to play that our or not. Your call. If we subdue him I will address the caravan.

Sorry for the confusion. I had entranced this man with magic. He is a follower of Moloch a evil god that wishes to bring destruction. This man will be taken to the magistrate along with this dwarf. Now let us get back to Katheer.

Later on the road.

So Grond will you travel with me. Perhaps we can find out why you were taken to that temple. I have a bit of an on going feud with Moloch and his followers. If we turn enough stones over maybe we will find a clue to what they wanted from you. Maybe you will remember.

I wonder where my nearest temple is... I wish I knew the year, I don't know how long the temples will have stayed opened after my disappearance...

As the caravan sets out, Grond inquires of the men what the year is.

When Hadran asks him about traveling together he seems completely in a haze and barely murmurs a response... "huh? sure..." The color seems to have drained from his face.

After a bit of a tussle, the sorcerer is subdued and tied up, hopefully to stay that way as you approach the shining spires of Katheer. The helpers sent along for this job seem happier and happier as you approach, clearly glad to get rid of the unholy idol and collect their payments. When you reach the city, it's not hard to make your way back to the merchant who first hired you - nearly a dozen guards in the garb of Sarenrae's priestly order surrounded the statue as you brought in, warding onlookers away and preparing to bring it to their temple for ritual destruction.

"I hope you didn't have too tough of a time...?" the merchant inquired.

Nothing too bad. Some insane followers of Moloch. I brought these two back to be held accountable. They had taken this man Grond as captive. It seems they intended on using him in some unholy ritual. Fortunatly I showed up and stoped the cultist. If we have no further business I would like to go with the priest as they destroy this idol to see the job done.

Hadran bows his head to the merchant.

The whole way through the city, Grond travels in utter silence. He is attentive almost to the point of scrutinizing the people and buildings they pass. His expression all the while seems to be an odd mix of sadness and confusion.

So many thousands of years... Not even the wyrms of this age will know my name...

When (if) Hadran goes with the priest, the hulking man follows without asking or waiting for an invite.

Katheer's majesty is hard to miss - wealth from many nations has been concentrated in this area, and the priests happily take charge of the prisoners as Moloch's idol is carried through the streets. More than a few citizens stop to watch, realizing that something interesting is happening (and that's actually saying something for this town). It looks like it will be a few hours before the ritual is ready, so you have time to look around if you want to, and perhaps go shopping - one of the priests delivered a bag with 4000 GP in it as a reward for recovering the idol.

Just head to Sarenrae's temple when you're ready to proceed.

Thank you brother. We shall return to witness the completion of the ritual. We wouldn't want that Troglodyte showing his face again. Grond I wish to go to the temple of Irori. The monks there have something of mine, will you go with me? We can visit the market after. If you will be traveling with me we should get you some gear. Moloch can attack at any time and you will need to be able to defend yourself.

The journey back was a day or two right? So we are rested? I don't remember.

Hadran heads off to the temple of Irori with Grond assuming he comes along.

Grond nods and follows morosely behind Hadran.

"If there is a keeper of history in this city I would like very much to speak with him as well."

You are rested, yes.

The temple of Irori is just where you left it - and as always, it seems like an island of peace untouched by the world around it. The monk you met before is still there - this time, he's sitting atop a perfectly vertical quarterstaff, which seems to offer him an excellent view of the approaches to the temple. "Welcome back." he said, smiling. "The entire city is abuzz with word of your deeds. And I see you've brought a new friend."

Hadran bows to monk as he greets him.

Hello brother. I only did what I said I would do. Moloch's hold on that temple is gone. It is now safe for others to travel there. May I speak to brother Feroze again?

If he calls for brother Feroze.

Hadran will bow as the young monk comes out.

Tell me brother. Do ou still fear me. Is there something telling you to stay away? If not come and shake my hand.

Hadran extends his hand in a greeting waiting to see the boys reaction and what he feels.

Seeing the monk show off triggers something primal and competitive in the bestial man. Momentarily forgetting whatever has had him so vexed, he smirks, takes a few long strides, and leaps over the monk on his perch.

using aerial assault <1 mythic point>
acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 +10' equals 15' vertical

This is nothing a normal mortal can do. This Grond, could it be another. Orithos wherever you are I hope your safe. This one is brash. He may need to be watched. This kind of action could bring unwanted attention.

Grond, what are you doing? Forgive him brother I fear he was bond and being tortured by the cultist of Moloch when I found him. I no not how long or what damage they may have done to his mind.

As Grond crossed to the threshold of the monastery, the monk reached out with one hand, grabbed the Lord of Beasts, and threw him into the ground without ever letting him move past the gates to the compound. "No visitors. No exceptions." he said mildly, still balanced atop the quarterstaff. That... wasn't normal. Even for a monk. The sound had barely vanished when another monk approached the gate - and Brother Feroze just looked over to Hadran.

"You are mistaken. It was never fear that we felt." the apprentice said gravely. "Still, it feels that you have redeemed yourself. Master, have I permission to step outside for a moment? I have something that belongs to this man, and I wish to return it to him."

The monk on top of the quarterstaff simply nodded, and the younger monk stepped across the threshold before grabbing Hadran's hand... and immense power - invisible but oh so very real - flowed into Hadran's body.

Hadran has recovered the [Battlesense] ability. Benefit: The deity cannot be surprised or flanked except by a deity or mythic creature of higher rank. The deity retains their Dexterity bonus to Armor Class even if caught flat-footed or attacked by an invisible opponent, and is not subject to sneak attacks except by deities or mythic creatures of higher rank. Notes: If the deity has the uncanny dodge or improved uncanny dodge class feature, this ability replaces it. In addition, unlike normal divine abilities, this power can be activated as a response - in effect, any time you would normally be able to benefit from its effects (even if you are unaware of your foe or their attack), you can pay the price of this ability (two mythic power) to gain its benefits. The duration is as standard for passive divine abilities.

Hadran takes note at how the monk moves as well.

That is interesting and unexpected.

Thank you Brother Feroze. I shall continue to better myself and remember this exchange. Mind your master and use his teachings to do great things. I hope to here of you one day.

Hadran bows and takes a step back.

Grond pick yourself up and lets head to the market. We have overstayed our welcome here. Thank you brothers.

out of curiosity, how does he reach me? Seated on a quarter staff he should threaten from 10' to 15', with my clearance he should either have to move or have his arm stretch or something to reach me... I mean, I recognize (from the fact that he doesn't need any rolls to manhandle me) that you're intentionally making a point about how powerful this being is (aka. out of our league), but that was the equivalent of DC 63 acrobatics check... throw me some kind of bone...

"Wait. What have I done to deserve such treatment?" he snarls, standing up... "he assaults me without cause and I am to hurry off? When did men become so unabashedly rude?"

Grond this is there temple and sacred ground. Iori does not permit those to enter that do not seek his teachings. The monk is defending his belief. I feel you should understand this a great deal based on what I just saw. Now save face and let us go. We have much to talk about.

You said you were going over him. I presumed that meant going within arm's reach at some point, though you can imagine him rocking back and forth on the staff to get into range if you'd like to.

"You would do well to listen to your friend, Grond." the older monk said from his perch. "Were I to allow you to pass, it would disturb the peace that this place has promised to the dozens of faithful that reside within it. No outsiders are permitted on these premises for any reason, and any man is justified in throwing out someone who tries to force their way into his home. There was indeed rudeness here, but so long as you do not repeat it, then we have no quarrel."

I was going over him- I just cleared him by so much that I never would have been in arms reach...

A being capable of what you have just done could have halted my progress without such violence... for example by simply using your words to tell me that this temple is not open to visitors. Your 'peace' seems tenuous to me."

Angry and ego-bruised, Grond backs away from the temple with Hadran, keeping his eyes toward the monk much longer than is necessary.

That creature is fortunate my form is so weak right now...

After walking away heading toward the market Hadran will speak to Grond among the noise of the city.

My friend your display was that far more than a mortal can do. The one that traveled with me before. Orithos was a fallen. I don't think he knew it but I feel you may. Tell me Grond do you remember being more? We must not let on what we truly our. The people will fear us for not understanding. I am questing now to regain that which was taken from me. If you our on the same path I am happy to help you as an ally seems needed in this, as Moloch already has an idea of whats going on. I feel you have slumbered for too long and no not the ways of these men. It is a bit foreign to me as well, but I will adapt as you must. I have gathered a piece of my former self from that monk back there. We will sell what we have and outfit ourselves. We will then see the ritual to destroy the idol complete and gather any rumors of other artifacts of power anyone may have heard about in the lands. I am happy to have found you Grond. I hope you feel the same and that I may call you not only ally, but friend. Now lets get to the market.

Hadran leads Grond through the busy streats to the market area. Once there they will sell the +1 whip, the MW Mace, MW Rapier, MW Buckler. Half Value is 1540.5

I don't know what "a fallen" is, but I was so much more... Tell me, how did you discover this monk had a piece of your former self? And how did you get it back?

Does he not know who or what he is like Orithos. He knows he had power and still has a slive of it. This one is interesting.

I can't know for you my friend, but I became corrupt not with power but with ego. As a punishment my power was suppressed and split among relics and artifacts. If found worthy the power will seek to be one with you, but while not with us the power can be unpredictable. That part of mine was in a broken blade the young monk came in to possession of. The power flowed into him for the time and at first pushed away from me. I was not yet worth to hold it again. If you faced the same punishment then maybe your power is split up as well. It seems all memory of my former self is gone, even from the gods. So we must not let those among us know what we are. They will come to know again in time as we regain our place. So we travel, we do what we can to survive and to seek out our powers. Along the way we will help those in need and keep corrupt gods like Moloch from gaining a foothold in the lands. How does this sound to you my friend?

There was no justice in what happened to me. Grond barks, You asked before about my last memory... my last clear memory is of feasting in a grand and glorious hall with dozens of other gods. Yes, 'other gods', for I am a god, though you wouldn't know it to see me know. As the feast drew to a close, Hathor produced a great cask of Ambrolwine a name I just made up for the wine gods get wasted on. Most of the others excused themselves but several of us drank until consciousness eluded us... In my stupor, some coward drugged me with a poison meant for slaying gods... As it ate away at my being I used the last of my strength to fashion this physical form and cast my essence within it, cheating oblivion. There was no just cause in what happened to me, and there is no question about what I am… The only question is how I get my power back...

Not fallen, but thought to be dead. Interesting.

Your story is interesting friend. You may not have done anything to warrant what was attempted on you, but that is not for me to decide. Mine is a path of redemption. That is how I will earn my power back. I will aid you but if it is revenge you seek I can not. Now if its justice then there is much Glory to be had.

He slaps Grond on the shoulder feeling they have gained an understanding of one another.

So what type of gear will you need for this epic quest my friend?

I do not understand the difference between justice and revenge when vengeance is justified... but I suspect there will be plenty of time for you to explain before either is an option.

Looking over some of the wares in the market he adds, Gear? I don't know. I've never used gear before... When I had my power I could transform into all manner of animal and beast; I had no need for such tinkets... now, I suppose, it would be a good idea... No armor, it will restrict my movements too much. What other types of gear should I have for an epic quest?

Incidentally, if you're ever uncertain about gear, feel free to ask me what might be valuable (or not) as you go along. ^^

Well we are in the desert now, and I almost died out there. To start some warm weather clothes. You layer up with linens' and it helps to keep you cool in the desert heat. After that some food and water supply would be good. If you don't desire or need armor thats fine. A weapon to defend yourself maybe, or do you prefer to stick with your hands?

in character, Grond has no idea what to ask for. ooc, a greatsword or something like that might up his damage output slightly but probably isn't necessary; a ranged weapon might be good for when something is too far away for aerial assault; I don't know what kind of budget you're working with but something like a cloak of resistance or bracers of armor could be handy (and both start at 1,000g); potions, scrolls, even wands can all be very useful...

I've always fought with my hands, or claws and teeth, in the past... but, since we are no longer in the past, I will try whatever you suggest.

His posture is slightly hunched but when he stretches upwards to slip the light white robes over his head its clear that he is at least six and a half feet tall, and the way the large linens draw tight around his chest makes one suspect he must weigh over three-hundred pounds.

The budget is 1540gp, I have a cloak of resistance MW armor and a weapon so feel free to use whatever gold you want.

You know yourself best. If you can defend yourself in that manner than so be it. Perhaps a wand of healing magic would be best. I have my spells that can heal but we don't know what battle or perils lie ahead.

Don't forget the money the priest gave you... XD

yeah forgot, so 5500

i'm guessing you don't want me to spend all of that, right?

After your shopping trip, it's a fairly easy trip towards Sarenrae's temple... where the streets are so filled with people that you can't even get close enough to see the front gates. It seems that a fairly significant part of the city's population - those in this part of it, at least - are all trying to get close enough to get a good view of what's going on. Meanwhile, some kind of nimbus of light can be seen atop the distant roof of the temple, slowly growing in intensity.

This way Grond says motioning to one side. At the edge of the street he scampers up the side of the building then runs across the rooftop and leaps to the next building before pausing to check the armored warrior's progress.

Well why not. We wouldn't want the Trog showing up so we should get close.

Right behind you.

Grond continues running and leaping across rooftops towards the temple. He uses his keen senses to try to pick out a route where none of the roofs will be overly difficult to maneuver on, and none of the jumps excessively long. He looks back regularly to make sure the disgraced former god he has mysteriously encountered is keeping up.

I can't fail the acrobatics check to move full speed on lightly obstructed slopes of 45° or less (DC 9), and I can't fail any jump check of 15' or less (DC 15)... if it's impossible to get there without making a jump longer than 15' let me know.

*Glances at the art of the city* Well, there's also the lack of flat roofs... XD And fairly large buildings with lots of space overall, but sure, why not?

After more running and jumping than you want to admit - and a few frighteningly close calls - the two of you are able to pass above most of the crowds and approach the temple. Priests have formed several circles around the idol - two of which are actually in the yard between the building and the outer walls - and the idol itself has been placed in the middle of the building where the sun can pass overhead. The light on top of the temple is continuing to grow in intensity, and below you, you can see heavily-armored guards using massive tower shields to form a perimeter and keep the onlookers back. Those can't be standard gear here - not in the desert - but it's quite possible the temple had such things in storage specifically for times like this.

The good news is that you're now much closer - the bad news is that the crowds are just as thick below, and there's no easy way to get into the temple - besides which, jumping over the walls might not be the best idea at the moment...

This seems to be about the best vantage point we are going to get.

Hadran sits on the edge of the roof and looks on.

Just want to be close incase something goes wrong you know. Looks like they are calling on sarenrae's sun to melt the thing, bet Moloch is pretty furious about that. Well played monks, well played.

lol- i just glanced at Hadran's character sheet and realized that all of those close calls were his... let's assume that we tied a rope around him so I could help yank him over the bigger gaps and catch him when he fell.

Moloch is a fire god, isn't he? Will melting work? Let's hope he wasn't expecting this, otherwise he might have devised some way to corrupt the holy flame and turn it against these priests...

Funny you should mention that. It was just a few days ago he tried to corrupt a holy flame in that very temple. My friend Orithos took in the power after we sent his minion packing again. Perhaps that power was the last Orithos needed to ascend. I do not know, but if he sends his minion again we will be ready.

As you keep watching, a magically-amplified voice can be heard calling over the noise of the crowd, somehow equally audible regardless of the distance. "Citizens of Katheer! The holy power of the Dawnflower is about to grace us! Those who are righteous, look upon the power of the goddess and rejoice! Those who are wicked, see her glory and repent of your ways, for the sun will ever shine upon those who seek it!"

Prayers to Sarenrae could be heard rising from the temple as the sun continued its inexorable march across the sky. Finally, just a few minutes later, it reached the highest point on the sky - directly above the temple, ringed on the earth below by the entirety of her ordained followers within the city. For just a moment, the entire sky turned pure white - and a spear of solar energy shot down from the sky to strike the idol that had once hurt so much of the land. At your distance, it was impossible to see exactly what happened with the idol, but the sacred light vanished the moment after it struck, and the sun continued its journey across the sky. A great cheer rose from the temple grounds a moment later, and thousands of conversations began in the streets below you.

The statue was destroyed, one god's divine power was regained, and all was calm, for now... well, relatively calm. It was unlikely people were going to stop discussing things for the rest of the day, and it might be hard to make any headway until at least tomorrow - and then only among the most intrepid folk of the city. It might be best to rest for now, then plan for the future - do more jobs to raise money and prepare yourselves? Seek out rumors of divine power? Or simply stick around a little while and study? Freedom was a wonderful thing... and there were many things you could do if you truly wanted to.

After the fairly uneventful climax at the temple, Grond turns to his new companion and asks, "So, how do we go about tracking down more of our lost power? And when do we leave?"

If I only knew my friend. Orithos an myself simply traveld here because it was such a big city. Along the way we helped some people secure the safety of their village and learned of some artifacts that had been found. This city is a large one. Merchant caravans seem to be a good place to protect people and pick up rumors. We can do that or venture on to the next city and search there. Tonight we rest and we set our new course in the morning. Sound good?

What of these artifacts that were found? Might they house some remnant of our power? And, if so, where might we find them? Are there any here in this city?

They were artifacts due to the power inside. The globe Orithos touched turned into a ball of nothing, void of magic. Same as the broken blade the monk had found. The object was simply a house. When the power found a worthy person it flowed into them. If the power is meant to be with you it will pull you and you will feel that you want to connect with it. There are not other leads at this time. That is why we must do what we can to survive and look for other leads.

Fortunately, Katheer was a city connected to the rest of the world. It wasn't Absalom, but it didn't need to be - goods and information alike flowed through this place, and if you knew where and how to listen and ask, there were many things you could learn.

Alright I'm going to go get a drink and see what I can dig up. Your welcome to come along. If not lets meet say back here in the morning. Here take some gold so you can get a meal and drink if you desire as well as a place to sleep. Don't get into any trouble and remember it's best not to tell people about the god thing.

Hadran heads off to some watering holes to have a drink and see whats going on in the city now the Idol to Moloch has been destroyed.

As it turns out... not much. The people of the city are clearly aware that a significant religious event just happened, and aside from a number of historians interviewing as many people as possible, quite a few people seem like they've simply shut down for the day in favor of holding worship services, celebrating, or simply relaxing (since most people aren't going out shopping after something like that).

Hadran too will drink in what happened. He will say a few words to Sarenrae thanking her for what she has done for these people. After that he will bed down for the night. He will get up early and look into getting a caravan guard job for him and Grond thats going to the next closest city.