pardon, I feel my mind wandered for a bit.
This world is Vyn, it is the 10th of Rainmoot 4223 and in two months Taranor Coarek and the vast armies he leads will be in the continent of Enderal to stomp out those who follow the gods once and for all and ultimately stop a mysterious being called Hadar. Meanwhile a plague of sorts spreads throughout the land known as the Red Madness. But where did this story begin?
Aboard a ship going from Nehrim to Enderal on board five stowaways Poppo, Bobie, Nalia, Ib, and another man named Sirius. The group were caught and a strange Veiled Woman knocked unconscious. When they awoke the captain of the vessel killed Sirius before throwing the party overboard. Water filling the group's lungs you all heard the Veiled Woman say “Breath” before having strange visions and hearing erratic voices.
The group washed up upon a shore on the Suncoast of Enderal and after a quick jaunt through a nearby dungeon the group encountered two apothecarii and an orc named Turngut. The group managed to kill ambushing bandits before Ib set out on his own leaving a group of four Poppo, Nalia, Bobie, and now Turngut. The group made it to a small town known as Riverville and spoke to a man named Jespar Del’Varek who had recently been hunting said bandits. With Jespar were his two adventuring companions MacGuire Grima, and Pearson Ura. They explained that they were searching for a man named Alfrid who has information about a magister who recently contracted the Red Madness. Alfrid was kidnapped by the bandits who attacked the party earlier.
The party spoke with the captain of the local guard Dirk Vildeg who informed the party that the bandits plan to attack the town and are led by a bandit named the Butcher. The group held off the attack with Jespar’s group and the local guards, catching a glimpse of some green robed cultists in the battle. The Butcher was also able to escape the battle.
The cultist is later identified by the mayor as the same type of cultist that murdered the mayor of the town Jugar Featherwill’s family and took over his ancestral home Castle Croft. The group are hired by Jugar to destroy the cult once and for all. The group accompanied by Jespar, MacGuire, and Pearson went to Castle Croft and began to clear it of monsters and cultists. During the clearing the group met Peggy Featherwill and an undead knight named Brynstan Malphason who wielded a sword known as Cyfiawnder, the Blade of the Boreal Valley. Sometime during the clearing Bobie became connected with an undead entity known as Beatrip. The undead paladin also revealed to Bobie that he was not in fact following the Lightborn deity of death Eroned but a strange planar deity of undeath known as Carsis. Despite tough battles the group were able to defeat the cult including the Queen of Snakes, the leader of the cult. The group also captured the Butcher so that he could be executed in Riverville.
The spirits of many lost souls found escape from the walls after the death of the cult including Peggy Featherwill and Brynstan who presented Nalia a follower of Malphas Cyfiawnder, the Blade of the Boreal Valley one of the three blades of Malphas. The group returned to Riverville and awaited the hanging of The Butcher but before he could be executed he was freed by a group of doppelganger’s who are a part of a crime syndicate known as the Vatyra. The group could not afford to chase down the Butcher with things left to do on the Suncoast. The group having rescued Alfrid from the cult learn that the magister who contracted the Red Madness, Yero. The group found in his house several journals that detailed his life and potentially pertinent information as to why Yero, a magister of the Holy Order would contract the Red Madness. With this information and all the jobs done in Riverville the group began the long walk to the capital city of Ark, home of the Holy Order of Malphas.
In Riverville Bobie read many books on religion finding one that mentioned the theory of planar gods. Bobie was told that a man named Dettlaff in Ark would possibly know more about them. Mayor Featherwill gave the party a letter of introduction addressed to a noble named Belis Ormaris before they departed and informed them to take it to the post office in the noble quarter. The group had traveled multiple days and had a particularly nasty fight with some Yeth Hounds. Upon arriving in the small town of Crowhall they were greeted by the town leader, a woman calling herself Ela Renfroth. She told the group about the history of Crowhall and Fogwatch but before long the town was attacked by a large number of undead. The group was able to fight them off but had a particularly hard time fighting three winged vampire brides. Unfortunately during the fight one of the groups adventuring companions Pearson was killed. But thanks to Nalia’s magical sword, The Blade of the Boreal Valley she was able to resurrect Pearson. The group was tasked to go to the ancient Pyrean ruin Anor Colair and stop the evil there. Climbing the tower they fought many dangerous foes before coming face to face with Prince Sorrin Markov. After a fierce battle they were able to defeat the vampire prince. Before moving on from Crowhall the group was able to recruit another member to their party, Thraduik Brune a dwarven watchmen. The players then moved on and arrived in the town of Tallfield during the Tourney of Tallfield. Turngut entered the tourney and made his way all the way to the finals. But Turngut came up short when he was knocked unconscious by Signet Master Jorek Bartarr. But suddenly several members of the audience fell dead from convulsions and turned into undead. The party was also then attacked by two massive Demons. The group was able to take down the monsters and collected their reward before making their way to Ark.
You finally arrived in Ark and began to take in the sights of the city. You delivered the letter of introduction from Jugar Featherwill to the noble quarter post office, a letter addressed to one Belis Ormaris. After some shopping the PC’s learned that a man named Trusty Patches may have information about Dettlaff and various other things. Nalia also learned that a man named Father Winthrop is an expert on all things Malphas and could tell her about the swords of Malphas. The group went back to the Dancing Nomad to rest for the night and found Jespar Del’Varek having an argument with his lover Ves. Jespar informed the party that his employer Constantine Firespark would meet with them the following morning. However the group was rudely awakened to the Inn being attacked and rushed down to provide assistance. They defeated the mysterious knights swiftly with the help of Jespar and Constantine Firespark. However, the assassin who was sent to kill Constantine fled. The group was finally paid for assisting Jespar on the Sun Coast and were then offered another job from the old mage.
The group then went to Trusty Patches in search for information on the man known as Dettlaff. After paying Patches some gold the group found out that Dettlaff van der Vesper was in the Undercity. Upon traveling there they were able to find Dettlaff’s location at a toy shop via the help of a mercenary named Dagroar. The group then found a strange music box which teleported them to the realm of Apocrypha. There you learned many things from Dettlaff, the chosen of the god of knowledge, Pamat. Bobie learned about his new god Elnil and received several gifts from both Elnil along with a gift of good will from Pamat. Nalia would also learn the names of the three swords of Malphas, her current swords true name being Cyfiawnder, and the other two being called the Waterblade and Flameroar. Nalia however did not learn the location of the swords but did learn that the Waterblade is held by Loram Waterblade.
The group ventured back to their plane and got ready for dinner with Lord Belis Ormaris. Upon arriving they heard Belis arguing with another lord named Dakrast about the state of the Undercity. The group had a pleasant dinner with lord Ormaris before departing the following day for Rashengrad. The group encountered Aldius the Boatman who ferried them across the lake known as the Heart. However while going across the lake the players encountered undead controlled by the Girl in the Water. The group was able to defeat the undead and moved on to the ruin Rashengrad, where they fought many constructs outside. When entering the ruin the group encountered even more constructs who had killed most of the excavators and mercenaries that were also mysteriously there. After the fight they met Lishari Peghast, the lead on the excavation who had managed to survive by hiding atop some rubble. She explained that the excavation was to find the sigil stones, stones that have the potential to protect someone from the Red Madness. The group continued through Rashengrad, easily defeating a large construct by using the kill box tactic. They then found another mute assassin who killed himself when he became trapped in a room. The group made their way to the final room where they found a Pyrean frozen in a crystal. After some rest and extra looting the group with Lishari Peghast and the frozen pyrean made their way back to Ark. Lishari took a quick liking Turngut and flirted all the way back to the city.
Upon arriving they found that the city was in shut down of sorts. The front gates were closed and people and carts heading into the city were being searched. You learned terrorists in the city have been targeting prominent nobles, mages, and members of the order. You were allowed in and made your way to the Sun Temple and were let in due to danger any important person had of venturing out of the temple. They met briefly with Firespark getting paid before the group was introduced to Grandmaster Tealor Arantheal. Alongside the Grandmaster was Truchessa Natara Del’Varem, Bastion Krell, and Commander Tody Ulric. They informed the group that an anti religious tyrant named Taranor Coarek will be in Enderal in two months to kill any who still follow gods. The grandmaster stated that the time of the old heroes is done and its time for new heroes to arise. He offered the group a chance to join the Holy Order but to do so they must first pass the Trial. The group set off with Signet Master Jorek Bartarr, a woman named Calia Sakaresh, and an elf named Dunwar. To do the Trial the group must first enter the Whisperwood and make their way to the First Foothold. The group encounters some plant zombies before coming face to face with a victim of the Red Madness and a greater Demon called a Demon Firesage. The group then continued on to the First Foothold, the first place where Malphas and the First Men of Enderal camped.
It was then that Jorek Bartarr revealed to the group that the rumor of the Lightborns' deaths are true. The group saw a vision in which they witnessed Narathzul Arantheal wielding a black steel blade known as Godkiller besieging Kaer Rzeka. The group then saw as Malphas himself helped Belis Ormaris, Loram Waterblade, and Tealor Arantheal escape from the castle before the ceiling of the castle caved in, with Malphas dying soon after. The group then began their initiation drinking a purplish liquid and falling into a dream-like realm. Each person saw something very specific Turngut saw Gaunter O'Dimm, Nalia saw a knight with tarnished armor wielding Flameroar, Poppo saw a halfling who looked strangely similar to himself, and BobE saw a strange nine jeweled mask hovering above two knights. The group went through the dream dungeon fighting a possessed Dunwar, freeing Micolash Bartarr and escaping the dungeon.
The group awoke and found that two days had passed and that they were back in the Sun Temple. The group then had a conversation with Tealor Arantheal who congratulated the group and stated that they would be the last to go through the old trial as it has become extremely corrupted by the shadows. Jorek Bartarr then thanked the group for freeing his son and for the first time treated the group with respect. The group then went to a party thrown by Jespar Del'Varek. Several of their friends were there to congratulate and give gifts to the group. Jespar, MacGuire, Pearson, Thraduik, Lambert, Ves, the Dalpots of the Halflings Orange, Detlaff van der Vesper, and Ib the Bruiser with his boss Francis Bedlam The King of Beggars. The group had a good night of celebrating until it was interrupted by Helgard von Eberich, the father of the little girl that Turngut had killed in the arena.
He challenged Turngut and his companions to a duel. A hard battle was fought in the rain at the foot of the Von Eberich manor but the group came out victorious. Supposedly killing Helgard by snapping his neck, but with a crack of the neck Helgard revealed himself to be immortal. Helgard then told the group his story. The von Eberich family was once an influential Enderalan family until they fell on hard times. Helgard was set to be married to a Nehrimese noble woman named Iris but her father denied the marriage to Helgard because of the bankruptcy of his house. One fateful night Helgard was drunk and asked for riches and immortality for his house. Unfortunately he asked a man who called himself Master Mirror and his wish was granted. Helgard became immortal and his riches were restored and Helgard was allowed to marry his beloved Iris. But the cost of immortality and riches was the souls of those who had the von Eberich name. Helgard and Iris then had a child Anna, and things were normal for many years. Until Helgard's heart turned to stone and he began to neglect his family and showed them no love. Helgard began to seek dangerous thrills just to feel any joy.
This behavior led to Iris and Anna leaving Enderal with Iris' father back to Nehrim. This drove Helgard to a suicide attempt but as he was immortal it did not work. Upon arriving Iris and her father were killed and Anna was left to beg on the streets before being kidnapped and thrown into the arena with a ravenous orc. Because of the pact with Master Mirror Iris and Anna were left in a sort of limbo where they were not living nor dead. Helgard learned of the death of his wife and child and sailed to Nehrim to enact revenge upon Turngut but could not find the orc. He sailed back and soon after found Turngut leading to the duel.
He asked that Turngut and his group seek out Master Mirror and barter for his and his family's souls back so that Anna and Iris could rest in peace and Helgard could feel emotion again. Helgard gave the group a lead, the Master Mirrors mirror shop. When they arrived the clerk of the mirror shop told them that she seldom saw Master Mirror and the last time she did was months ago. Master Mirror gave her a riddle to give to the group, the note given predating when the group started traveling with each other. But before pursuing the riddle the group went through their commencement and became official members of the Holy Order. The riddle led the group to Tallfield, and there they learned that Master Mirror was in fact Gaunter O'Dimm. A powerful being of mysterious origin. The group bartered with O'Dimm but eventually landed on playing O'Dimms game in exchange for the souls of the von Eberich family and one question. If they lost, O'Dimm would take Turngut's soul. The group were then teleported to an alternate dimension of the city of Ostian and were told to find Gaunter O'Dimm within the realm. The group encountered Turngut's father Darkgut and several gladiators before fighting a flesh golem with the head of Anna von Eberich in the main arena. The arena was littered with mirrors that exploded when looked at. The group, thanks to a skin wraith summoned by BobE that grappled the flesh golem were able to figure out that O'Dimm was hidden in the reflection of water.
With finding O'Dimm the group were teleported out of the realm to the von Eberich estate. O'Dimm then answered the question "How to stop the Red Madness?". O'Dimm answered that stopping the destruction of holy places is the only thing keeping the Red Madness from spreading. He additionally said "Seek out the machine of ancients, it will stop the madness that creeps into this world". With that the group entered the von Eberich estate and saw Helgard embracing his spectral wife and daughter. Anna von Eberich forgave Turngut and the ghosts of Anna and Iris were finally laid to rest. Helgwrd also forgave Turngut and gave him a gift, a magical cestus that he won in a card game, Chainbreaker. The group then returned to the Dancing Nomad to rest.
The group then gave an update about what they learned from Gaunter O’Dimm to Jorek Bartarr, Constantine Firespark, and Tealor Arantheal. Tealor then sent the group to the Council of Eight meeting to present this information to the council. A lot of political intrigue happened but it all ended with the council sending Jespar, Lambert, and Ves to negotiate with some renegade elves in the Belt of Kile; and giving the group a job to try to stop the ever growing riots in the Undercity. The group traveled to the Undercity after defusing a situation at the main gate thanks to a partially drunk Bobie. The group met with the leaders of the Guild of Beggars, Francis Bedlam, Ib the Bruiser, and Tinboy.
The guild further informed the group of what's going on in the Undercity before pointing them toward two potential leads. A trouble maker named Ogald and the group's old nemesis The Butcher, aka William Brown. The group learned that during the War on the Lightborn Francis was in the same regiment as the Butcher, and during the war the Butcher took a really bad blow to the head which changed him. Francis informed the group that it would probably be more difficult to track down William but the group pursued this lead anyway. They were told to track down Trusty Patches, a seller of information who has recently gone into hiding due to the mute assassins who prowl the city now. The group was told that the only person who would know where Patches is located is a freelance thief called Greirat. The group then set out to find this Greirat in the Lower Burg of the city. Finding Greirat they chased him through the streets and nearly lost him but managed to catch him at the last moment. The halfling thief would lead the group to Patches who would give the group information about the Butcher who had been spotted exiting and leaving a warehouse very frequently. Coincidentally a tiefling named Otir Teauge also disappeared around the very same warehouse.
The group went to the warehouse where they were shocked at the not outright violent guards who asked if they had a meeting with Mr. Tolstock. Poppo and Turngut went in to meet with Hobson Tolstock and very quickly discovered something wasn’t quite right. A fight ensued in which the group discovered that Hobson was a doppelganger. Many of the guards having just been regular guys doing their jobs surrendered and had no clue about Hobson being a doppelganger. The group then searched and found a secret passage leading down. After interrogating Hobson Tolstock the group learned that “Hobson” was really a doppelganger named Sikt and that the real Hobson Tolstock was killed and put in a barrel of acid. The group also learned that inside the crates and barrels of the warehouse are enough armor and arms to arm a large revolt in the Undercity.
After a small moral dilemma it was decided that it would be better to kill Sikt. Before being executed the doppelganger said a single word “Vatyra” the word the Butcher said before he was rescued at his execution. The group then rested before moving to the area below the warehouse. They discovered that the tomb was ancient from the time when the Undercity was more well off. The tomb belonged to a family that Nalia recognized as the Beartildes but didn’t know much other than that. They searched the tomb until they came upon a child sized sarcophagi which they opened. They were then attacked by a specter which drained some of the lifeforce away from Turngut and Nalia. Inside they found a doll that had the soul of a child trapped in that would bring great bad luck to whoever held it.
The group continued on and started to hear the loud noise of someone being tortured, the group barged in and a tiefling hung upside down. The group assisted the tiefling Otir Teague while he hung upside down playing a violin. The group freed Teague and his dire badger Stigz and Teague shared that he was down here looking for treasure. He shared that he knows where it is and will share the spoils with the group fifty fifty. After some discussion the group agreed to Teague’s terms and the group battled a gargoyle before finding a good amount of treasure. Teague departed warning the group of what was under the stairs and wished them luck. Earlier Poppo had found a secret passage that led somewhere upon further investigation and encountering some traps the group came upon a door which warned them to not enter the room as great evil is laid to rest there, a great evil that wielded something known as “He Who Grins”.
The group then interrogated one of the torturers and learned that the Butcher as well as the leader of the Vatyra, Queen Vatyra are somewhere inside this crypt. The group decided to leave it for now and continued on. And found that the next room was boarded up upon removing the boards and locking the door. The door opened on its own and for a brief moment they saw the lone rocking chair in the room move just a little. The group attempted to remove the chair from the room but it would not budge out the door. The group then relocked and reboarded up the room and continued on. Finding a room with a large number of stone guardians, Poppo was able to pull a stone and deactivate the guardians. The group then had a near tragic battle with some doppelganger rogues which nearly ended in the death of Poppo Hedgehopper who narrowly escaped death. The group then left the Beartilde Crypt seemingly searching all of it.
The group returned to Putrid Grove and reported to Francis Bedlam. The group then rested and were rudely awoken by the halfling Greirat being hung in the middle of the grove. A note on his body stated that the Vatyra had tortured Greirat and used him to find the informant Trusty Patches. The note also challenged the group to a Dance of the Four Points. The note itself was written by the Vatyra leader Queen Vatyra. Francis informed the group that the Four Points is a place where gangs fight to establish who is at the top in the Undercity. However several years ago the four most prominent gangs in the Undercity made a treaty called the Big Four treaty which established relative peace in the Undercity.
The group set out for the battle at the four points and were met by Queen Vatyra, William “The Butcher '' Brown, Ogald the leader of the Hounds, and a brawler named Eanulf. The battle was difficult with many on both sides losing their lives. Ogald was the first notable person to be killed followed by Ib the Bruiser who was killed by the Butcher. Right after that however Turngut charged over and smashed in the Butcher’s head like a watermelon. But tragedy soon followed as Turngut was killed trying to get up to Queen Vatyra. Queen Vatyra fled and the battle was won despite terrible losses. More tragedy followed as Poppo follow Vatyra before disappearing having been paralyzed by a mute assassin with a poison dagger and being kidnapped.
Soon after the battle while Nalia and Bobie were mourning their fallen comrade a strange woman named Vynya appeared. A woman with strange visions for the past several months has seen visions of the group as they have ventured. She even seemed to have some segmented visions of the future but the future is never certain. What was certain was that the present that the group were in was not good based on the fact that Turngut died and that Poppo had turned into a bird and disappeared. The group quickly set out trying to look for Poppo, while the Guild of Beggars took care of the bodies of Ib and Turngut. Francis Bedlam had Tinboy send word to an investigator by the name of Hurak the Hunter to help track down Poppo.
After following the tracks in the sewer for a little while they soon got confusing but the hobgoblin Hurak soon appeared to assist the party in tracking Poppo’s kidnapper. The group followed the track for a while in the sewers before finding themselves in an area of the Undercity called the Barrens. Further following the tracks they found a hidden passage that led to an area of the Undercity called the Archcliff where they saw a castle. Hurak went in to free Poppo while the rest waited outside. But suddenly Poppo and Trusty Patches, who was also kidnapped by the Vatyra appeared next to the group. The group departed and went back to the Putrid Grove to see Turngut’s body.
The group finally met Father Winthrop, a priest of Malphas who they had heard about several times. The group had their own last moments with Turngut before they departed to drink to Turngut’s memory with some old friends at the Dancing Nomad. There Helgard von Eberich offered to assist the party in avenging Turngut. The group then returned to the Sun Temple. There Bobie tried to raise Turngut from the dead, but not knowing the actual effect of the spell Bobie cast animate dead, raising Turngut into a skeleton. He attempted to enlist the help of Nalia and Father WIntrhop to fix his mistake but was ultimately caught by the Truchessa. Additionally, having seen a vision of what Bobie had done, Vynya also confronted Bobie. Fearing the punishment Boie fled with the skeletal Turngut leaving the city of Ark and his friends behind.
In the morning Poppo and Nalia met with the Grandmaster, Signet Master, and Truchessa. They informed the two that Bobie is no longer a member of the Holy Order and that they would be keeping a close eye on him if he ever returned to the city. They didn’t convict Nalia or Father Winthrop due to the Truchessa thinking it was solely Bobie’s doing. The group then attended a beautiful funeral ceremony for Turngut. After the ceremony was done Vynya came to the realization that one of her many visions was happening and that a mighty planar archer would be entering the tale. The group then begins to gather allies for their attack on the Archcliff Castle. Nalia and Vynya begin to gather their old friends when they are met by a strange creature called a fetchling. The fetchling revealed himself to be Archie, a servant of Elnil, a phenomenal archer, and also quite the braggart.
Poppo went to the Undercity reporting to Francis who was hesitant to help due to there being only a few remaining guild members. Poppo then went to speak to the Carver’s and after a conversation in a bath with Idrok Nernalt, the Carvers agreed to help under the condition that the Holy Order would assist in helping the Undercity after the war with Taranor Coarek was done. The group regrouped and headed to the Archcliff. There they met the leader of the Forty Thieves, Peacock Lavore and Edward Pin the leader of the Red Moth Syndicate. The primary force that the group assembled attacked the force of Vatyra that came out to meet them while the group went alongside the castle in an attempt to sneak in. However the group encountered an umbral dragon, which they fought and killed. The group then moved inside, taking out the archers on the wall and disabling the two catapults inside as well. The group then moved to the main keep where they fought the two doppelganger rogues that killed Turngut and Vesuvius Blackmantle, a duergar torturer who had done terrible things to Poppo.
The group then moved upstairs to fight the Queen herself. The group fought Queen Vatyra, Eanulf, and a manticore. Though the manticore and Eanulf fell, Nalia did as well. The group were able to defeat Queen Vatyra who turned to snow after she died, it was revealed that this was not the actual Queen Vatyra but a simulacrum that was running things in Enderal. After the battle the Blade of the Boreal Valley began to shutter and vibrate on the ground before snapping releases a huge amount of holy light which brought Nalia back from the dead. However the Blade of the Boreal Valley was destroyed and innerit leaving only a broken hilt. The group searched the room finding some treasure but ultimately finding a journal that explained the Vatyra’s plan to cause riots and replace influential people in the Undercity, then nobles in Ark, then eventually members of the Holy Order. The plan also detailed that they had been hired to also destroy the temples in the city by a person referred to as “T.C”. The group exited the keep and found that the battle outside was won, but at the cost of Francis Bedlam the King of Beggars. With only Tinboy and very few others left, this will likely lead to the disbanding of the Guild of Beggars.
The group then returned to work for the Order now with a much different group. Tealor, Archmagister Merrayil, and Constantine informed the group that they have learned the Sigil Stones, stones capable of protecting people from the Red Madness can only be created by a Pyran Sun Priest. Luckily in Rashengrad the group found an ancient Pyrean who may be a Sun Priest. However they do not know how to free him from his crystal. The group are given invitations to the Aged Man's Party and are told to trade an ancient priceless Arantheal artifact to look at a rumored book called the Book of the Dead. They are to look at the life of an ancient Pyrean. But before getting a meeting the party would need to figure out who the Aged Man was at a dinner party.
Before leaving however they were met face to face with an illusion of Taranor Coarek who told the party that he was doing this in order stop a being drawn to religion known as Hadar. Coarek even killed one of his servants out of rage during the conversation.
The group then arrived at the massive manor of the Aged Man, and we will be just restarting the party when everyone gets their character sorted out and posts.
Before you is a massive manor house sitting precariously on the edge of a cliff. The sheer size and weight of the home should send it careening off the side into the waters below, yet it sits still dwarfing small villages with its size. A brilliant fountain with strange koi-like fish sits in front of surrounded by carefully trimmed hedges, a maze of hedges. Brilliant marble stairs lead up to the lavish front door made of mahogany. Carvings of a bearded robed figure are on each of the double doors and face inward toward each other, daring the other to move, locked in a game of stillness. A small button lies on the side of the door and upon pressing it you hear the loud ringing of a bell from the inside of the manor.
Opening the door is a young handsome man, no more than thirty years of age. Short well taken care of brown hair is stylized tastefully. This young man wears the black and white attire of a butler or majordomo. He says with a polite smile Invitations mysirs, madame. He reaches his hand out awaiting your invitations.
Archie will reach out and touch the button again. Amazing, is this magic or mechanical? I saw a similar contraption in the East Isles. Of course that one dropped acid onto a slave who then screamed. It was effective, except they went through a lot of slaves. I trust this does no harm? Archie rings the bell a third time.
But to more important matters, and by that I mean me of course. My man, the short one there, has our invitations. Pray tell is our arrival at a satisfactory time? A northern tribe I once visited considered it rude to arrive early to an appointment. Incidentally, their neighboring tribe considered it unforgivable to arrive late. There was much bloodshed between the two I am afraid. Of course, that wasn't a bad thing as both tribes grew an additional appendage for every one cut off. Then again it wasn't necessarily the same appendage that was cut off so maybe it wasn't a good thing. Would you like to show us in please? Archie says while ringing the bell yet again.
Poppo fidgets uncomfortably, pulling at his collar, as Archie spews forth interesting factoids.
Ummm..yeah..um, Here are our invitations. He presents the invitations to the majordomo.
Are we late, early, or right on time? Following up on Archie's query.
He then looks to his companions the tall, proud, and confident Nalia; the mousey, shy, yet scary Vynya; and the boisterous and competent Archie.
What a team we are, a strange team. He thinks to himself and manages a nervous smile. I hope they have oranges at this party.
The Butler smiles despite Archie's continuing to press the doorbell over and over and over again. He gently takes the invitations from Poppo and briefly looks them over before once again smiling and gesturing you inside.
Within you see a large foyer, two stair cases spiral up to a second floor then a third floor which act as balconies down to the first floor. Several ornate mahogany doors line each floor and a long hallway on the first floor goes to the left and to the right. The floor of the foyer appears to depicts several notable events during the War on the Lightborn which saw the known gods of the world be slain. The art depicts Narathzul Arantheal son of Tealor Arantheal finding a god killing Pyrean sword, the Siege of Treamor, and the final battle at Kaer Rzeka which saw the war come to an end with the death of Malphas. Though to someone unaware of the true events of the war the things depicted would have little relevance.
You are a small amount late but a small amount late I hear is fashionable. Welcome to the manor of my master The Aged Man. He has cordially invited you to a rare party and game. But before I usher you into the ballroom to meet the other guests there are a few ground rules we must first go over.
The Butler begins the list One, all weapons and spell casting implements must be stowed in this closet. He motions to a closet which you swear wasn't there a second ago. You shall not be needing them on the premises and when you wish to leave I shall retrieve them for you.
Two he holds up two fingers Your actual identity must be kept a secret for the purposes of tonights game. You are to come up with a clever pun or nickname that you shall go by tonight.
Three, no brawling or fist fights. He continues Four, for your own saftey please remain in the ballroom at all times.
And finally five, have fun, be social, drink, be merry. Breaking of any of these rules will result in immediate banishing via magic from this household.
Tonights game is about identifying my master who is one of the people currently within the ballroom. The master has instructed me to assure you that neither me nor any other staff members are the master, as he feels that this is often the cliche of poor mystery books. Do you have any questions?
|
Nalia hands over her shield, bow and sword to the butler. I trust this will all be here when I need it she says, as she hands over her gear.
She looks around the room and studies the floor artwork, trying to pick out clues from the history being depicted . How many guests are here and when we make our guess on who your master actually is, do we make as a team of friends or individually?
Poppo draws his double-sided battle axe, gives it a long look, and provides it to the butler, as well as anything else dangerous he thinks he has.
Listening in to Nalia's questions, he begins to edge slowly ahead of the group taking in the lavish elegance of the Aged Mans manner.
You've been told about these historical events by the Order so you know a bit about them. You don't know specifically what Narathzul's blade is called. But you know Treoamar was known as thr city of the Gods and that's were the god Eroned died.
I belive Nalia and the rest of the party minus Archie saw the Siege of Kaer Rzeka in a vision. You saw Tealor Arantheal the leader of the Order, Belis Ormaris a former member of the Order, now member of the Ark city council, and Loram Waterblade a legendary member of the Order and wielder of one of three blades of Malphas. You saw those three escape as Malphas was killed.
The Aged Man must be extremely knowledgeable as much of this history is a secret to those in Enderal.
Including you there are eleven attendees here and one more yet to arrive. No you must play individually otherwise the other guests may be clued into the fact that you are simply guests.
We should go in one at a time. Poppo says as he enters first.
What is your name for tonight master halfing? the Butler inquires.
I'm am Crippin Orangeblossom. Poppo says with a wink.
Archie looks at the paintings I do love impressionistic art, so many colors and interpretations. I interpret a battle in this one, of course more timid folk may see something else. Tonight I shall be known as Hunter, it works for me, I tthink. Archie says stepping in front of Poppo and walking to the door. As he passes he gives a quick wink to his companions. He hand the butler his quiver, bow, rapier, whip and cloak to top off the pile. of course I can’t part with my deadliest weapons: my magical smile and sharp mind. Archie adds with a laugh.
Vynya is very wary of the large building and cowers behind Nalia as the group approaches the door. Seeing everyone straightening up their clothes and hair, Vynya pats randomly at her ragged blouse and dress and rakes her fingers through her tangly (but at least no longer greasy) hair while muttering in a strange guttural language.
As the party chats with the butler, Vynya’s eyes nervously dart around the foyer while she mutters a string of mostly incoherent sounds as waves of deja vu wash over her. No, no, no. This is all wrong. All wrong. I should be standing there and the…the… What was his name? Fat Badger? He should be coming across the floor there. Unless… Her eyes widen in realization, she speaks up, but still talking to herself. Unless we’re in that timeline. In which case, we should be fine. Mostly. Sort of...
She draws 3 wicked looking daggers from somewhere within her rags, and with a casual gesture, sends them floating over to the pile of weapons before scampering after the party, staying close in Nalia’s shadow. I’ll go last. She whispers and gestures for Nalia to enter while also looking wistfully back at the entrance.
The Butler nods to Poppo before opening the remarkably carved double doors to the ballroom. Within you see a very large gramophone playing a type of music you've never heard before, the real world equivalent would be jazz. A massive extremely overcomplex chandelier hangs in the middle of the room where magic lights glow without any sort of flame. The floor is made of glass, pristine with no crack nor smudge on it. The walls are made of gold and depict various magical creatures a dragon, elementals, a chimera, owlbears, and many more strange creatures. Tables of food and fine beverages sit on one side of the room.
Several butlers who look exactly like the Butler who met you at the door walk around serving drinks and food. The other figures you see in the room are an eclectic mix of nobles, commoners, and even one man who looks fey in origin.
The first man is a very fat old halfling wearing stained but regal attire. The next is an extremely pale elven woman, possibly a snow elf wearing a tight dark dress and confidently sipping a red wine. A dwarven blacksmith is the third you can tell he's a smith based on the plain clothes and leather apron he wears, he drinks much ale. The fourth is solemn looking human man wearing leather travelers clothes sitting in the corner alone in his thoughts. The fifth is a young woman no older then twenty wearing a modest grey dress she dances to the strange music in the center of the room. The sixth is the aforementioned fey, humanoid with hooves instead of feet and horns protrude from their head and loyal mutt at their feet. And the final person here is a man wearing old dirty clothes with long grey hair and a beard, probably a farmer.
he says talking normally though his voice is projected. He continues He turns to Nalia and Vynya Who's next?
|
|
Nalia turns back to Vynya and smiles, encouraging her she hopes. We're here to be guests at a party and we're I think meant to be playing a part, hence the fake names we give. She winks and whispers, I'm going to go by Bubbles Smallbottom. So no one need know your true origin, you can be playing the part of a street urchin, and no one would be the wiser. So don't fret your clothes. You look fine.
Turning to the butler, Nalia approaches and gives him her name under her breath as she waits to be presented.
The Butler turns to Vynya And your name madame?
Vynya looks quizzically out of the side of her eyes at Nalia. You don’t have a small bottom. In fact, I heard Archie say that your bottom was rather.. Vynya startles out of her thoughts at being addressed. Ah! I..I, uh, am no one? I, I mean someone? She squeaks out before slightly composing herself. I mean, I am Knowone Someone. She states with slightly more confidence, eyes darting nervously about at the other guests.
Shuffling through the front door just before you enter the ballroom Vynya is a familiar purple tiefling with audacious decorated horns and a pet dire badger at his side, one Otir Teague. The tiefling the group rescued in the warehouse in the Undercity of Ark.
But you are all ushered into the room before the Butler turns to speak to the final guest, explaining the same rules that he just explained to you. . Teague also enters the ballroom and there is an immediate bit of recognition from him toward the party.
The Butler who answered the door steps into the front of the room as the other butlers pause for a moment. As you all know the goal of this game is to find out who in this party is my master the Aged Man. You will have thirty minutes to conversate before the first twist of the game. Your time starts now! With that a cloak appears on one wall and begins to count down from thirty minutes.
Archies Saunders up to the dancing girl and joins her in the dance with a wink.
Poppo previews the food and beverage assortment looking for fruit, taking an orange or a lemon if he sees one, and also getting a glass of wine. He makes his way over to the fat halfling.
So good to see a fellow halfling about, I'm always nervous to speak to strangers. I'm Crispin Orangeblossom. Who might you be?
Vynya slinks around the perimeter of the room, trying to avoid everyone, but ends up next to ( ) the solemn looking human man sitting in the corner. She softly pads up next to him and drops into a squatted position by his chair while chewing on her hair. Do...do you know who the Aged Man is? She stammers bluntly with her eyes downcast.
Archie give me a performance check to see how well you dance.
The halfling pauses with a confused look on his face for a second before saying Yes, always good to... he pauses I'm sorry I'm getting the strangest bit of deja vu right about now. Nevermind though silly thing that. You can call me Fat Badger and its always nice to meet a fellow halfling. I'm truly surprised that two halflings were invited to such a party, that's curious he looks at Poppo suspiciously.
Teague gives a similar wink back to Nalia Truest of pleasures to meet you lady Bubbles! Listen this place is already weirding me out so I'm relived to see familiar faces. He says looking about the room I may have eaten some bad mushrooms on the way here but do all of the servers look exactly the same?
The man is a little taken aback by Vynya as she approaches Umm, no trying to figure that out. Knowone Someone is it? I know we all have fake names today but that one is especially strange. You can call me White Dog. Do you know who the Aged Man is? he enquires back.
Vynya nervously replies No! I mean…no. Should I? Maybe I’m the Aged Man?? No, no, no. That can’t be right. I’m really not sure how this game works or if anything here is actually real. Why are you called White Dog? You don’t even have a dog. She then proceeds to stare uncomfortably long at the man’s face and clothing trying to determine if anything is amiss.
Poppo glances across the room and catches a glimpse of Archies impressive dance moves!
Turning back to Fat Badger, Yeah, I was surprised about that too, and was thinking the same thing. What's the chances, but then again. So, what do you do? I myself am a fruit importer/exported, it's the family business.
|
|
Looking around the room Nalia does indeed note the similar appearance of all the servants in the room. I've only been around a few notable or wealthy people in my life, mostly in the last few months. But it seems fair to say, the more wealthy or famous they are, the more than can get away with odd things. Like this crazy party! We're supposed to be looking for the Aged Man, and I'm not sure how I'm expected to figure that out.
While making small talk Nalia tries to figure out what is up with Otir and even if this is Otir, vs a magical replica. Who knows what is going on around here.
Archie dances expertly impressing the young woman Wow, you've got some moves. I'm Grey Lioness! She holds out a hand for your to shake while still dancing. So who are you thinking is our illustrious host? Personally I'm thinking the old farmer over there is.
Yeah, I'm not too sure how this game works either I guess its a game of insights or something. Never was good at reading people. I don't think you're the Aged Man, Man being apart of his title I don't think it would make sense for him to be a woman. Well I'm called White Dog because when I was boy on the Suncoast I had a little white dog we called Stuffy.
Oh! A fruit vendor are you set up in Ark? He questions Well I'm something of a nobleman in Ark, pretty simple invested much of my money in the Ark bank which is payed off quite well!
Not sure how to find him, maybe by using your charms, insight, or other tactics who knows. I'm just here for the food and drinks to be completely honest. You think that he looks and acts like Otir does.
He just seems genuinely uncomfortably not just from Vynya but from just being at this party in general you also think he's being pretty truthful with what he says.
Yeah, I do business in Ark. So where did your money come from to start with, haven't heard about too many wealthy halflings? Poppo asks the other halfling.
Was born into money! My parents immigrated to Enderal from Nehrim and brought their fortune with them. How did you become fruit merchant?
Well interesting story, I too came from Nehrim, but as a stowaway on a fruit merchant ship, with nothing. So there I am down on the Sun Coast and all I really know about his fruit. I use to steal fruit from the ships arriving and walk through town selling it. I had a knack for getting the nicest pieces and started to get ahead. I was eventually able to get a little cart and went legit, few years later I was selling fruit all over Enderal. Nobles love to flaunt there wealth and I know how to present it in a way that they are happy to open there coin purses for nice products to show off at there fancy banquets. Surprised we have never done business.
Poppo smiles his toothy grin, It's really just a story of hustle. Ending his made up backstory with a double entendre.
Archie uses the dance as an opportunity to survey the crowd and look for any inconsistencies in body language to suggest someone is wearing a different appearance than usual.
Then he looks deep into the grey lions eyew your beauty charms me, do not act surprised, but I am the Aged Man. I tell you so we can have more time to share each other's company later. Help me cast suspicion on the halfling eating the fruit. Artie whispers into her ear
|
|
Why are you calling yourself the dancing nomad? A good story behind that?
I'd like to mingle a bit and not spend my time all in one place. Who else are you talking with? Think I'll go talk to the farmer or the dwarven smith. Does your friend have anyone he or she is interested in? I'd bet a badger has a good nose.
looking to see who Otir or the badger are interested in.
It does not make sense and you think the Fat Badger is completely lying about his origin and how he got his wealth. Interesting, interesting! Yes I shall have to buy from your shop sometime! Lovely chat!
Oh you're the Aged Man huh? she smirks I'm honored mysir! she curtsies. Why the fruit halfling of all people? She says as you look around not really picking up on anyone wearing a different appearance you do pick up on the fact that several people here are pretty uncomfortable. White Dog seems uncomfortable as well as the old farmer looking guy.
Well thats the name of the tavern everyone drinks at in Ark he shrugs I've never been good with nicknames. I'm talking to the bottom of a champagne goblet and lovely foods from all over the world, is that squid? I'll certainly be trying that. He's also here for the food, this time of year he can't smell anything besides food. You genuinely think Otir is just here for the food and drinks.
Vynya continues to stare for an uncomfortably long moment before murmuring. That’s so sad. Stuffy’s death has haunted you for your whole life. He died so horribly and you blame yourself… So sad. Well, you were responsible. And his death was very painful, but oh well, what’s don is done. She ends on an oddly chipper tone and then turns away from the man suddenly and looks around the room for a place to hide.
Investigation to look for any thing out of place or odd in the room (not necessarily just hiding places).
If she doesn’t see anything after a few minutes of inspection, she will will wander away.
Archie smiles at the Grey lioness Talk to him and you will see, but I may get jealous if you talk too long with him.
Poppo leaves Fat Badger with a wink, and heads for the Farmer.
Hello sir, the produce tonight is so nice there must have been a good growing season this year?
|
|
Leaving Otir I head towards the farmer, but note Poppo angling in front of me. Pretending to be offended for being blocked off, she says, Well, I never.... and looks around with a huff. I'll angle over to the dwarven blacksmith instead.
Good sIr! It looks as though you've tried most of our hosts beer, what was the best? I've never been known to say no to a good pint of ale, the more bitter and sock like the better. What would you suggest? Bubbles is the name, and pray tell who might you be?
Anyway the way we will handle to rounds is you get to speak to one person a round which is 10 minutes then you can let me know when you're done roleplaying with the NPC. Not everyone needs to necessarily end at the same time.
White Dog looks shocked at what Vynya says to him, he just sits back down and buries his head in his hands. The room has some large curtains that Vynya could perhaps hide behind but besides the previously stated strange things in this room doesn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Grey Lioness smiles and nods at Archie, but doesn't seem to take any interest in speaking with Poppo at this time.
From what I hear yeah the old farmer says with a twang in his voice. I'm a livestock farmer pigs, chickens, cows. The names Jer... I mean Oil Pig. You're that Orange feller right?
Nalia makes her over and begins speaking to the blacksmith noticing that the clothes do look well worn from hard work. You don't think he's really eyeing anyone just the many kegs and casks of fine ale. His appearance is pretty much just like his picture on the slides long dark hair and beard, singed hairy arms with a cheerful demeanor.
Ah you're a fan of Arazeal Pale Ales? he judges you with a goofy smirk You're missing out! Arazaelians don't know the difference between ale and piss if you ask me. He pours you a blueish beer Now this came from the island of Melee and is made from arcane berries from Myar Aranath! You take a sip of that and you'll want to completely forget about the swash you drink. He pours himself a glass and clinks it against yours Oh and pleasure to meet you Bubbles, you can call me Jolly Black!
Archie leans into the Grey lioness, praytell what do you know of me, the Aged Man?What rumors have circulated about me now? If I had not divulged my secret to you, who would you suspect?
Oil Pig? Yes, I'm Crispin Orangeblossom. So do you know the Aged Man? How did you end up here? I'm wondering about that for myself, as well?
Poppo feigns surprise at being invite to the party.
|
|
Jolly Black, eh? How does a hard working and I imagine excellent smith get invited to a party like this? I for one, have no idea why I'm here.
Trying the blue beer from Melee Nalia nearly passes out, reveling in the hoppy goodness and pure excellence of the arcane berries. You surely know your beers, and thank you for steering me right...I may never enjoy beer again as I'm sure I can't afford the likes of this again. How do you come by such fine beers? Who do you know that can import such fine libations?
Mumbling under her breath she says, I must have found the aged man, as who else could command such fine knowledge of such important things and have wealth enough to import them?
Vynya wanders away from the weeping traveler, apparently unaware of the damage she has wrought. She creeps around the perimeter of the room, trying to avoid anyone, but inadvertently finds herself next to the snow elf. Yanking at clumps of her now tangled and moist hair, Vynya stammers at the confident and beautiful woman: You…you are a very confident and beautiful woman. I can leave you alone. Vynya awkwardly stands next to the poised woman, staring at her in silence for what is just a little too long.
Looking for anything out of place or unusual about the woman or what she is carrying