"It is soothing to think that we did not need to use force and only logic to help free that creature from eternal punishment. Well done everyone."
Amnayel takes the ring key and when everyone is ready leads them to the door and tries to use it to open it.
When the missing rings are in place, the lock consists of four concentric rings, each inscribed with glyphs representing the gods, humanity, Tar-Baphon, and undead. Above the rotating rings is a glyph meaning ascension, while in the center is a glyph that represents servitude.
Gabbi looks over the rings. "Highest order to lowest," she muses. She rotates the outermost ring. "Obviously, the Whispering Tyrant considers himself above all," she says, placing his symbol at the top. "He considers humanity below undead. But where does he view the gods?"
After pondering the question for a bit, she rotates the rings to put the gods right below the Tyrant. "I think he takes pleasure in having the gods under his feet," she says.
Gabbi's instincts prove correct, and the door grinds open.
Shredded remains of portraits and cracked relief carvings line the walls of this marble room. A few aged but exquisite tables and chairs stand on the south end of the room, near a hallway leading west. Four statues of the Whispering Tyrant gaze sternly across a bone-filled pit in the center of the room. A wide stone bridge extends over the pit.
Another graveknight stands here--a tall man with a striking gaze, despite his sallow and sunken flesh. He has blond hair and a short, blond beard with hair falling out in patches. His opulent armor is spattered with blood, and he grasps a wickedly sharp falcata. Accompanying him are four wights wearing armor of bones and displaying unholy symbols of Urgathoa.
"I am Amaretos Manslayer, foremost among the Council Libertine," the graveknight intones. "I can sense the presence of Arazni on you mortals. I ask that you divulge all the information you have on our wayward queen. In exchange, I offer you swift and painless death--or perhaps even service to the glory of Geb, should you desire."
As the door grinds open, Ulrich gives a chuckle. "Where would you rank the four, I wonder?"
Ulrich shrugs and says to his party "My control magic is relatively weak at the moment. I have no qualms with you killing them all. I will focus on the wights."
Once the door opens, Gabbi looks back at Ulrich, but doesn't respond to his comment.
~~~~~
"You offer me nothing that I desire, Manslayer," Gabbi responds, her eyes narrowing as she draws her bow. "In return, I will grant you a speedy conclusion to your existence on this plane and open a door for you to receive your due judgement."
Amnayel takes her place in front of Gabbi, sword and shield in hand. "Your pathetic attempt at negotiation has failed, Manslayer. Your unholy existence ends now."
Amnayel steps up and tries to bury her shield in its face.
"Piss off." Allie adds, pithily, infusing her companions with vampiric speed.
The floor below the wights bursts open, with a myriad of skeletal hands grasping at them.
Ulrich creates a field of hungry earth that quickly grabs the wights and Amaretos, holding them tightly. Gabbi opens fire on the graveknight, firing a pair of clustered arrows into his chest and then striking him in the head with her second shot, a critical hit!
Allie blesses the group with fervor, then Amnayel and Elka rush forward. They can't get to Amaretos, but they settle for smashing and tearing into one of the wights.
Amaretos vanishes from the field of hungry earth, reappearing several feet away, his boots glowing faintly. He moves to take cover behind a statue. The wights try to concentrate to cast spells. Two succeed, one blanketing the group with a weak blast of unholy energy, while other blasts Amnayel with negative power.
Allie taps her sister on the shoulder. "Go get him!" She says with a grin before stepping forward to bring her spear into play.
"Judgement is at hand," Gabbi intones as she continues to send arrows streaking towards the graveknight.
Not feeling particurly willful at the moment, Amnayel takes the full brunt of unholy attacks and turns away, knocking her helmet from her face with her sword hand. As soon as the help flies free, she retches on the ground, groaning loudly. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she tries to steady herself with some healing before attacking the graveknight again.
The grasping hands now pull their targets to the floor. Ulrich helps speed them along by creating a pulse of positive energy above them.
Gabbi's first shots miss Amaretos, but her second one drives deep into his skull, and the graveknight falls, body crumbling to dust. She shifts her aim to one of the wights, destroying it with two well-placed arrows.
The hungry earth drags the three remaining wights to the ground. Ulrich blasts them with positive energy, one succumbing to the necromancer's spell. Amnayel bashes her chosen foe, smiting it with her shield and laying it low.
The two remaining wights break free of the ground's grasp and stagger to their feet, but there's not much else they can do. As the ground reaches for them again, Amnayel, Elka, and Gabbi make quick work of them!
Among the treasures and notes sitting on the table are tactical notes left behind by Tar-Baphon explaining that he intends to unite with his forces at Renchurch—a vital piece of intelligence regarding the lich’s current location and the information Arazni asked the you to find. Also among Amaretos’s possessions is a sphere of black glass similar to the stone making up the black pyramid in the Upper Crypts. This is the control crystal for the witchgate network.
"Gabriella, do you want those boots? It might help you against any more giant frogs we come across." Ulrich says
He identifies the various wonderous items, then puts the scroll of teleport in his scroll case. He switches out his ring of protection for this new one as well. After studying the notes, Ulrich mentions that he will send a message tomorrow when he prepares spells next.
"It looks like there are a few more areas that we have not eradicated yet. Are you interested in continuing?"
"That was the last of the council." Allie adds, "We had best start destroying their armor as soon as we can. Risking one of them returning while we sleep is not something I want to think about!"
She pauses for a few moments. "Let's push on, clear out this level and then take cover, destroy all the armor and shut the witchgates once we're fully rested."
Past this room, stairs curve both up and down from this ornate landing, though after a few dozen feet, the stairs up are blocked by hundreds of tons of collapsed rock. The stairs down are sealed with powerful magical wards, blocking off whatever treasures and secrets still remain in Gallowspire’s deeper levels. But those are outside the scope of your task here.
Searching the remaining rooms in the inner ring of this level, you first come upon a tall ebony throne upon which is seated what appears to be Tar-Baphon himself! He threatens and harangues you, but it soon becomes apparent that it is only a simulacrum of the real Whispering Tyrant, and after a brief battle, you are able to destroy it, causing it to melt into an inert pile of dirty snow.
The last room on this level contains rows of glass cases that display taxidermic humanoid remains, most bearing crude stitching and glassy eyes as they stand in awkward poses. Smaller macabre objects, such as jawbones and stretched skins, rest in other glass cases.
While the bodies here are unidentifiable thanks to careless taxidermy, some possessions on display are quite valuable. The assembled treasures include a dwarfbond hammer, a set of ivory goats figurines of wondrous power, a robe of arcane heritage, a hand of glory, and a major crown of blasting. You also find a secret drawer beneath a Varisian fortune-teller’s display, revealing a manual of bodily health +2.
"Destroy the sets of armor and then rest," Gabbi instructs with confidence.
~~~~~
While setting up to rest, Gabbi makes it clear that she's spending the night with no one but her sister. The events of the day, being pushed over the edge to death and dragged back seem to have shaken the otherwise confident inquisitor.
"I felt it, Allie," she whispers quietly as she takes refuge in her twin's arms. "I felt my body let go and release me. I didn't want to go, but I couldn't remain. I was so scared and I didn't have you to hold on to." Her body begins to shake with silent sobs as the emotions begin to well up.
"I am never letting you go Gabbi!" Allie replies, encircling her sister in a grip of iron. "You can always hold on to me and if you die then I'm going to storm the Boneyard myself and drag you back out! Barzakh and the Queen B@*$! herself can go whistle. You are mine and we aren't going anywhere. Not now, not ever!"
She rests her head on top of her sister's and Gabbi soon feels warm droplets falling on her hair as Allie cries too. "I am never losing you Gabbi. Never."
While the sisters console each other, Amnayel busies herself with the work of destroying the armor. When she's done, she's plops down on the ground and opens her flask to drink some water. She removes her upper body armor and uses a cloth to clean the sweat and grime from her face before laying down and resting her eyes.
When she awakens, she hands Allie the crown and says "Alessandra, I think this would look beautiful on you. Please take it."
Gabbi presses herself even tighter against her sister and nods wordlessly.
~~~~~
The twins awaken in the same position they slept - tightly intertwined. Anyone looking at them could see how easily they assume this position and probably held it in the womb.
Once she's fully awakened, Gabbi's cold demeanor has returned. "So we deactivate the Witchgates and then contact Arazni regarding the Whispering Tyrant's location - Renchurch."
There is nothing better than sleeping entwined with her sister and, since Gabbi is always the first one to wake up, Allie holds her sister tightly to try and preserve the feeling and the additional warmth.
Her doziness is dispelled by Amnayel offering her the crown, which she takes with a delighted smile and places carefully on her head. "Thank you Amny." She says, giving the paladin a kiss on the corner of her lips. "What do you think? Does it suit me?" The question appears to be aimed at Gabbi as much as Amnayel.
Once her sister returns the conversation to business Allie nods. "Yes. I'll need to collect Rascal before we leave but perhaps we could use the teleport scroll to get there quickly?"
Amnayel appraises Alessandra, but holds a soured expression. She reaches up and adjust the crown slightly to the right and then perks up with a smile "There! Perfect!"
She takes a knee and bows her head and offers "My Lady, I am ready to serve.", though her face is hidden as she stares at the floor and it is impossible to determine if she's serious or not.
Dwarfbond hammer, useless. Ivory goats, oddities, possible utility. Robe, heritage unknown, I wonder if wearing it would grant me minor powers of the heritage, despite my lack of sorcerous abilities? Hand of glory, maybe for someone else. Would be humorous to see someone wear it. Crown of blasting, quite powerful, would suit Alessandra since she already casts such a spell. Manual, oh my, exceptional descriptions of humanoid anatomy and physical practices. I doubt my companions would want me to make use of this book, but I am unsure if Amnayel can even read, yet alone for six days.
Ulrich's questions for Gabriella can wait for another day, for he can easily tell that she needs her sister. He has no idea how Amnayel has managed to destroy the sets of Graveknight armour, but at least he doesn't have to waste spells on them anymore. He sits down on his bedroll, with his back against the stony wall, and simply reads and studies until sleep takes him.
In the morning, he prepares his set of spells, leaving a few open depending on what may take place after disabling the witchgates and notifying Arazni. He'll put on the boots of escape.
------------------------------
Spells Prepared
------------------------------
0th (at will) Detect Magic, Read Magic, Mending, Prestidigitation
1st blood money, enlarge person, expedious excavation, shield, 2 open, 1 nec open
2nd blood transcription, false life, command undead, eagle's splendor, 2 open
3rd dispel magic, magic weapon (greater), vampiric touch, 2 open
4th dimension door (2slot), positive pulse (greater) x2,
5th telekinesis, chill touch (heightened), sending, 2 open
6th dispel magic (greater), ether step, true seeing (250gp), 1 open
7th control undead, 1 open
You return to the black pyramid and insert the control crystal into the slot. The entire structure begins to thrum with power, allowing you to manipulate Virlych’s witchgates manually. You realize you can then use the control crystal here to create a greater teleport effect to send any or all creatures in the black pyramid to any location in Virlych.
"Well, might as well make an attempt." Ulrich says as he moves towards the crystal. Suddenly his right hand is pecked by Kamosh.
"Excuse you. I am better at this than you are." Kamosh interjects, before hopping onto the crystal.
Ulrich lifts his eyebrows and watches as Kamosh fails.
"Indeed. Very skilled, Kamosh... Ouch!"
Amnayel appraises Alessandra, but holds a soured expression. She reaches up and adjust the crown slightly to the right and then perks up with a smile "There! Perfect!"
She takes a knee and bows her head and offers "My Lady, I am ready to serve.", though her face is hidden as she stares at the floor and it is impossible to determine if she's serious or not.
"Then rise my knight." Alessandra replies in a reasonable impression of an upper class accent. When the paladin stands Allie takes her face in two cool hands. "I believe a liege and her knight are meant to exchange a kiss..." She says with a grin, before pulling the paladin in to lock lips. It is a very good kiss and goes on for some time until Allie pulls back. "... although possibly not like that."
She smiles at the paladin, reaches for her sister's hand and practically skips out of the room.
-----------------
When Kamosh messes up Allie winces but refrains from actually saying anything apart from "I suppose we're walking then?"
The pyramid flares with power and then goes completely silent. The witch gates are down completely.
After a few minutes, you all hear Arazni’s voice whispering on the wind: “I feel the protections around Virlych receding, which means Tar-Baphon can, too. Rest if you must, but approach his location quickly. I’ll meet you there.”
"Ready?" Allie asks. Ulrich has the scroll so all that remains is to collect Rascal from where he has been waiting outside Gallowspire. With her wolf pressed up against her she joins hands with Gabbi and Amny across his broad back.
"Just in case. It's been a pleasure getting to know you all... again." She says with a smile.
"Likewise. You have been much more pleasant this time around.
We are about to jump into the middle of the enemy, so you best get ready. I do not think joining hands will be necessary, just stay inside the pyramid."
Ulrich activates the controls to send everyone to Renchurch.
Gabriella smiles at the necromancer and grasps her sister's hand even tighter.
There is a bright flash of light, and you suddenly find yourselves in the shadow of a ruined windmill that overlooks Renchurch from a tall hill. Located about 30 miles southwest of the ruins of Gallowspire, the fortress-monastery is now the mustering ground for Tar-Baphon's armies of the dead. The massed forces number in the tens of thousands, a horde of horrid corpses eager to bring death to the living.
After a short time, the air beside you displaces with a soft whump and Arazni appears. The lich-queen eyes you up and down. “I’m... I don’t hate to see that you have somehow survived. As always, there is a complication. Those fools you risked your lives to save in Vigil? They are so grateful for your gift that they now ride north to throw their lives away. Every soldier and spear-carrier the Knights of Ozem could muster is now on the way here to drown in their own glory. Those shambling hordes down there aren’t all the Whispering Tyrant has, but even those forces outnumber the knights twenty or thirty to one. The knights are riding to a massacre.
“While I would find their ends a small comfort, I know you invested considerable time and risk in saving them. I also don’t cherish the idea of fighting an entire second army as I confront the Whispering Tyrant. If you want what’s left of your nation to survive, then you must stop them. Perhaps you can make them see reason—though I never had so much luck with that—but, failing that, you can rout them by beheading the serpent: kill Watcher-Lord Ulthun and his honor guard. They’ll scatter after that, I’m sure.”
"We'll talk them down!" Allie replies, managing to keep her face reasonably impassive. With Arazni's presence the voices in her head rise to a near cacophony but only her convulsive grip on her sister's hand gives away the trouble she's having.
"You deal with the Tyrant. We'll deal with the knights."
Ulrich grits his teeth, but even he has to admit
"Lastwall needs to survive in order for Ustalav to hold against the Worldwound and Belkzen in the future. For Lastwall to survive, the Knights of Ozem cannot throw their lives away against this horde. But the truth will not satisfy them. Should we reveal our loyalty, they will surely turn on us regardless of our efforts for them previously."
Arazni shrugs. "This is true. Just be your usual, frustratingly charming selves. If I don’t always want to kill you, then I presume they’ll only want to kill you a little."
"Very well. We will head south to meet with them. I will send you a message when our task is complete, regardless of the outcome."
Arazni nods. "While you are doing that, I will confront Tar-Baphon. I intend to use devastating magic over a wide area to clear out his immediate defenders and engage him in close combat. My skills with a blade and experience in melee combat will give me an edge. The Whispering Tyrant typically lashes out with powerful blasts of negative energy and necromantic spells—harmless to him and his forces, but devastating to the living foes he normally engages. As I am now confronting him as a lich, Tar-Baphon’s greatest strengths are useless against me, although I expect the fallout from our fight to be devastating to any living creatures nearby.
"When I destroy him here, he’ll re-form at his phylactery, wherever it is. It’s so well concealed that I haven’t been able to find it—nor has anyone else. That’s a secret he kept even before getting locked to rot in Gallowspire. When I hurl him back to it, though, he’ll be there in person for the first time in centuries. I can follow him to smash his phylactery and finish the job."
The knighted aasimar rises to her feet to meet Allie in her embrace, her eyes twinkling with adoration and perhaps just a tinge of desire.
----
Amnayel holds her tongue throughout the discussion for as long as she can, but finally can't resist. She stomps her foot down and moves in front of Ulrich to yell at Arazani "This is preposterous! Of course we will talk them down and show them reason. We will not turn against our own kind to slaughter them!"
Arazni seems unimpressed by Amnayel's anger. “If you do not stop Ulthun, then you’ll damn his entire army to death at Tar-Baphon’s hands—and mine—for the sake of your own petty pride. Not that I entirely disapprove; if we don’t have our pettiness, then what’s left of us, really? Perhaps you don’t need to kill him to save his people—if you can convince him to turn aside and take a wiser course than senseless martyrdom. But he’s blinded with zealotry, so it will not be easy.”
"We will do our best to convince them to turn aside from this course," Gabbi says, putting a hand on Amnayel's shoulder. "But do not underestimate the danger of pig-headedness. I will not let an entire army be lost for the stubborness of its leader."
The heavy cloud cover and roiling smoke from the charnel fires at Renchurch obscure the sky above. A flicker of undefined emotion passes over Arazni’s face as she studies the assembled armies of the dead. To the southwest, gold and steel glimmer as the Knights of Ozem crest the last hill before Renchurch. “There’s no more time,” the lich comments. She looks around the hill, sets her jaw, and floats into the air. “Thank you.”
Arazni flies off. If there's anything you want to do before the Knights draw near, now is the time to do it.
"It is almost like she has some warmth around her cold, dead heart. Don't you find that interesting? I do. Assuming her heart is still attached to her body, though unlikely.
Anyway, I have a sending spell prepared. I can message Ulthun to come meet us here. Or if you prefer, we can travel down to stand in between him and the undead. I will save my dimension door in case things go south, or north in this case."
Gabriella casts one more spell before the knights arrive. She then makes herself as presentable as possible, ensuring that her holy symbol is visible and takes a position directly between the oncoming army and the undead hordes beyond.
When they're within hailing distance, she holds up a hand in greeting.
"Hail, Knights! We wish to confer with your commanders!" she calls out in a voice filled with authority.
"Let Amny speak to them. She is a literal angelkin. If the knights will listen to anyone, it would be her."
"Absolutely I will talk to them." the winged, knighted champion declares as she nods her head in agreement. "They will hear reason." she says with absolute confidence.