To the Shaman
I havent murdered a tree in a while, deplorable state of affairs that is. How far away from your tribe are these Butterly-buggerers? Alex remarks, grinning.
Casta, you by chance got any poisons that kills trees?
I would propose that we do some recon on the Butterfly-buggerers. And then consider our options. We could go in with this tribe, or try to rally other Boggard tribes, or we bluff in and try to assassinate their Desnan support. I can truthfully state that I killed Kumandra in single combat. Perhaps we can use this lure in the she elf to proselytyze this tribe?
Later, outside, to the party (out of the Shamans earshots)
So, about me appearing in prophecies. I call shenanigians. He is lying, mad, or both, but well, my own attachment to reality is on occassion showing a fair bit of opportunism.
My pact means my secrets are Lady Nocticulas, which includes my plans in the future, and she protects her secrets far better then any mortal could his own. Dagon is quite powerful, but not known for his great subtlety or skill at information gathering. Perhaps my direct patron, Lady Anahita, is involved, it would be quite trivial for her to send a vision to a Dagonite Shaman.
Aleks starts plotting:
Proposed Plot: I killed the chieftain in single combat (true) because I/we do not want to genocide the tribe (also true), and they may be more suspectible to conversion before the Shaman fully entrenches his power (also true) but not if the Desna worshipping Boggards come with their full military force (also true I think), the shaman is perhaps more mad then evil (true, perhaps) and could, luck willing, be made to see the light of the stars if cured from his madness (kind of doubt that). Our proposed course of action is to lure teh she elf, with a not too large honor guard, into our boggard village and then ambush them, dividing their forces in 2 and maybe allowing us to take out their leadership, before engaging with the majority of their forces.
Aleks yoink the chieftains head in preparation. Perhaps Casta or Vinnick can do something to make it less unhygenic?
The follows the group around the caves some what relaxed, though keeping a watchful eye on the shaman, not trusting this mad one. Hearing of mud elemental not rising recently, speaking softly, I wonder if there also silver discs in the caves. If so we should look at that chest before removing any more discs.
Seeing the emerald jewel, Ajikisshochraos marches straight up and grabs the jewel, before R'yzzntyg can stop her.
Immediately R'yzzntyg cast detect magic to see if there magical aura on the jewel, and rather dramatic discussion in draconic takes place between the two of them.
R'yzzntyg lets out a sigh in the end, speaking in common, Let Ajikis keep it for now and sleep on top of it. I will get it when we need it.
As they move along in softly spoken draconic, Like it or not. You will be getting a saddle, to carry the treasure you want to protect. Or you be leaving it behind.
Casta listens and eyes the emerald curiously as the small dragon grabs it. He looks up at his name, “Poison? None comes to mind. But I’m sure it would be trivial to improvise weapons to help kill it. Maybe a flammable oil to put on weapons, or some kind of grease that stays on and burns.” he thinks for a moment on this before looking to the others quietly speaking to them to hide it from the shaman.
[/b] “Should we show him the mural? Divine how to summon the elementals again from it? But these possible enemies must be dealt with I think once we destroy the castle. Entities left to work against us will make things, complicated.” [/b]
The shaman's talk of visions, and traveling of the dark... I wonder if perhaps he has formed a connection of sorts with the dark tapestry... if that is the case, I have little doubt there is some madness there... in regards to the tree... He ponders for a few moments before continuing.
Fire should work just as well as it would on any other tree. A natural enemy so to speak. I have plenty of fire spells in my arsenal if we can plan when to face it. That aside, Pitch burns hot, and clings to one like a spiders web.
@alex you don't think he is lying but he is a little crazy
@vinnick You've heard rumors about the dominion of the black and the beings known as the great old ones. Some of Dagon's followers also worship the Great Old Ones, mixing the traditions of both into a single blasphemous religion.
Treants are indeed vulnerable to fire.
The Lakefoam Clan (Desna worshipping boggards) are encamped about 5 miles to the southeast on the edge of a lake. (a 4 hour trip)
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Dirty tricks vs treehuggers from getting serially hired by captain planet villains!
So, I ran an illegal mission for a Technic league logging consortium once, then a bunch of exceedingly angry trees happened.
The secondary ones are pretty slow, and cant throw things at you, and cant animate more trees.
Fire works ok, Axes and Great slashing swords are meh because if you can hit him, he can hit you and thats aggressively unfun. I cant tell you how unfun because I had the most cunning plan to be 40 feet away and throw alchemist fires at them, before yoinking my employer in my left, a gold chest in my right and buggering off. Employer was pretty happy about that.
"So, is it worth our time to take a walk out to this other tribe and kill their leaders, or should we stay focused on our Master's Plan, and kill them when it's more convenient?" Cori asks.
You discuss a plan to fight a treant and come up with a few viable tactics. The elf woman is however still an unknown variable. You have no way of knowing how powerful she is.
The shaman seems to think there is no hurry to engage the Lakefoam boggard tribe. The Lakefoam tribe is more passive in nature and so long as their lands are not trespassed on they are unlikely to make a move against us.
In the meantime, he will reach out to the neutral tribes and try to convince some of their members to come to join you.
With little more to be done for today, it might be time to consider where you are going to rest and you can continue your plans and put some into motion the next day. Unless you wish to continue exploring the keep.
When they move back up into the fortress, away from the shaman, she speaks, Perhaps it is best that we rest, though not having explored the entire fortress and not knowing what the silver disc wards were blocking. It would be a good idea to rest in the shrine room.
Stanislav nods in agreement as he pockets one of the white disks, for now.
You all gather in the consecrated shrine room and get some rest. However during the night a sound coming from outside gets your attention. Outside the room at the edge of the consecrated area you see a dark shadowy form with glowing red eyes.
It speaks in a raspy tone that sounds like several voices speaking at once. "You remove the oppresive light but yet you seek sheltern in it. Who are you and why have you come?"
Shadows are behind me, around me, within me and in my past and future. It is against my creed to give up secrets without recompense, perhaps we may trade secrets for secrets? Who are you, and why are you here?
Alexandr offers a formal yet cagey greeting, and echoes the entities question, deferring to his more lore affine party members in analyzing and identifying the entity.
Cori studies the thing, trying to determine what it might be.
She also attempts to ascertain its intentions.
It is sufficient for now to know that we are the new masters of this place. We have no love for the light but will choose to use it as a tool when it suits our purposes. If this place has been your home then you are now more free to within it due to our efforts. As Alex requested, tell us of yourself. Perhaps we should can allies.
Ajikisshochraos and she sleeps against the shrine. She lifts her head when they hear the shadowy being speaking, Well not knowing who and what still remains in this fortress, it is best to keep this shrine until we discovered all in this fortress. Besides it still can be of use for our plans we have.
Vinnick stares at the shadow with red eyes before flicking through a book from his pack. Looking for information.
[b]"I...We?...No...I am Ezra. I led the sons of darkness. High priest of the dark brotherhood...Deacon of Vetra-Kali. Do you seek to call the darkness once more?"
Your Secrets for mine then, Ezra, Deacon of Vetra-Kali. Alexandr speaks solemnly.
I am Alexandr, a mercenary serving Lady Nocticula in general and Lord Tar-Baphon under the terms of my current contract.
I strongly believe that we can make common cause, as Darkness equally suits all of our Patrons, my comrades of course will have their own minds of this.
He nods towards his peers.
Pray tell though, what would be required to call forth the Darkness once more? And what exactly would calling it forth entail and mean?
"You must invoke the ritual of supplication of darkness...The tower will once more spew forth the dark clouds of Abaddon and then the creatures of the night will be able to travel freely at all times and you will find yourselves receiving the patronage of the four horsemen. You will become masters of death and undeath, and legions of daemons will serve you. This will however require...sacrifices."
"As long as we aren't the sacrifices, I think that can be arranged," Cori replies. "What are the specific requirements of this sacrifice, who and how many?"
Well met Ezra. I am Stanislav Greymist. I believe we can become allies and perhaps friends. Later I would like you to tell me of Vetra-Kali. Are you still his high priest? Does he still grant you his boon of spell casting?
"Vetra-Kali has been sealed away, until he is freed I can no longer hear his voice."
The shadow explains what you need.
To begin the ritual requires the sacrifice of a follower of the horsemen, one of the members of the brotherhood of darkness that failed to defend this temple.
Then you will need a brew of unholy water, the blood of a shadow demon, and a few more common alchemical ingredients and to recite a prayer from the book "The Dirges of Abbadon"
Then you need to continue doing a prayer 3 times a day for 111 days (You don't have to do this yourselves you can have one of your minions do it)
At this point, another sacrifice will be required. This time a good-aligned priest preferably one of Iomedae but any will do.
Then another 3 prayers per day for another 111 days and a final sacrifice. At the end of the 666th prayer, the final sacrifice is needed. This time you will require one of the knights who raided this place or one of their direct descendants.
At this point, Vetra-Kali will be freed from his banishment and will grant three wishes (This can be almost anything with no restrictions far more powerful than even the wish spell) to his summoners in exchange for the return of his three eyes. (if you inquired about this the wraith explains that you currently possess one of the eyes, the green emerald that came with the book)
While the ritual is ongoing darkness will spew forth from the tower and begin to expand, at each stage the power and range of the darkness will increase. (this will no doubt attract a lot of attention on this location)
"Will you undertake this ritual?" says the wraith.
Casta thinks on the creature named Vetra-Kali, curious of such a creature. but looking at such a creature unnerves him, ever so slightly.
“Where did you come from? Have you watched us this whole time? Learning more about this place can only aid us for our future endeavors.”
"I was...asleep, trapped, for a long time. I awoke to find you roaming these halls. I considered devouring your souls but if you agree to perform the ritual I will spare you, even assist you."
Three wishes.... that, is a most gracious, and remarkably powerful gift. That said, we should not reveal ourselves until our first mission is completed. Attracting attention on that scale as we are now would be suicidal. We must have our defenses prepared, plans within plans, and perhaps even all together fake dungeons and rituals to divert and confound those who would investigate. Anyone can see Vinnick's eyes glisten with the limitless possibilities of an unconstrained wish.
of course, as in all dealings with creatures of the... evil planes.. one should tread cautiously. After all, the devil is in the details.
Once the ritual is completed, and the wishes granted, what would happen then? And what would our places be?
"I assume you have no need to eat or sleep, correct? If so, you would be our best choice to recite the prayers, then," Cori replies.
We are in agreement that such a mighty and worthhile endeavour requires preperations, assembling of resources, preperation of fortification and defenses, the marshalling of allies.
And the acquisition of a weapon that deals with incorporeal enemies, just in case.
I'll ask again. Are you still a priest of Vetra-Kali? And do you still receive his boon as a cleric? You obviously want this ritual performed so you must still serve him.
Hearing the name Vetra-Kali she tries to recall anything she may have read regarding this entity.
Leaning against the shrine while stroking Ajikisshochraos' back, listens to the conversation taking place before speaking up, I would suggest we first secure this fortress before we start the ritual to bring forth the darkness. I sure those brats will see darkness coming from the fortress on the first day of ritual, and will come to put a halt to the darkness. We definitely not have them easily interrupt the darkness. They sure will bring more discs with them.
The creature seems to hesitate.
@vinnick "Vetra-Kali would take his rightful place as the head of a brotherhood reborn and rebuild our order."
@cori "I am still weak, I can only manifest at night for the moment."
@stannis "I still serve but can no longer wield any magics"
@Ryzz the name is unknown to you.
"I will present a boon to you, a gift to begin our alliance. Sit on the throne and speak the word "VAH" you will arrive on the third floor. There I will show the hidden treasure vault of the sons that was never discovered by the holy knights"
Stanislav removes the disk from his pocket and steps out of the room and the protection from the consecration there to show his trust to this creature. If you do this and you continue as our ally then I will work to bring forth your dankness. he says regarding the wrath. I will also work to help restore your strength.
Casta stands up and looks to follow, though hesitates to see if the others are going to as well before following Stanislav, “What kind of treasures did the vault hold? Are there other hidden secrets within that were not found? We could use these to help rebuild this place and empower it.”
"Let's take a ride on the magical throne, and see what's up in that treasury," Cori says, heading towards the dais.
You leave the protection of the shrine and to you relief the wraith doesn't attack. You go towards the throne room and notice other wraith and shadows moving in the keep but they observe from a distance.
You sit in the throne and say the word "VAH" the room shifts and you find yourself in another temple like room.
The first thing you notice are two ape like horned monsters that look like they are about to attack. However before they do the wraith floats up and tells them you have pledged to ressurect Vetra Kali and the creatures allow you to pass.
You notice a long winding staircase that leads upwards over 200 feet and no other visible entrance to this room.
The wraith reveals a secret passage on the south end of the room that takes you into a room with statues of the 4 horsemen and a shrine to Vetra Kali. He takes you to the statue of vetra Kali and tells you to press on his 3 eyes at once. A wall slides open to reveal an empty vault.
However when the wraith says "Hail Vetral Kali"
The vault door glows revealing a doorway to an extra dimensional space that is the real treasure vaul. Inside is a literal ton of gold (yes 2000 pounds) solid furnishings --plates, goblets, candelabra, cirlets, jewelry and other similar golden items. Six chest contain assorted coins worth 5000 gp.
A carefully packed and labeled crate contains a dozen potions of inflict moderate wounds.
Several weapons rings staves shields and armor are here as well.
A cloak of fangs
A ring of strength sapping
A +1 buckler that can cast Fire shield at 10th level once per day.
A Lesser Metamagic Rod, Silent
A Staff of Acid
A blood red full plate armor. (Vampire armor)
This +1 full plate armor inflicts 3d6 cold damage per round to anyone wearing it and to anyone grappling someone wearing it.
If you are a vampire, you gain the following benefits:
You do not take damage from sunlight or running water.
In the back a pedestal holds a green emerald. One of the eyes of Vetra Kali.
The wraith let's you take in the treasure for a moment and says "you may take everything but the eye. It remains here for now."
Vinnick's eyes widen slightly at the golden sight before him, he almost felt like he was back home, living among his family in their noble manor.
He moves to take the staff and metamagic rod. Well, these will be most useful, no doubt. I also think I will have the money needed to create my secondary spell book... just in case.
Alexandrs thoughts race as he considers possibilities.
The armor is to heave, buckler could be useful but not that much. Staff of Acid I could use, but probably better in the hands of a caster. Cloak of teeth would work but...
That Gold...
I wonder Alex speaks out loud, If we are possibly capable of leveraging this gold into causing a major economic crisis in Lastwall, sapping their financial and economic strength in the war to come. Is their banking system sufficiently developed to be scammable? We need to keep that gold stash secret for certain.
Alex is currently thinking of relatively pedestrial means, he knows there will be a war, lastwall does not know that yet. Buying weaponry, foodstuff, transport animals prior to an open invasion, and then using this means to get the gold back when actually invading.
Stanislav runs his hand over the armor feeling the coldness of the metal. I must train to wear such heavy armor. he notes.
Ajikisshochraos walks besides her charge as they follow the others to the throne room, and take turns to sit on the throne saying Vah.
Once the wraith reveals the hidden vault containing piles of gold, Ajikisshochraos and she rushes in to climb onto the gold heaps. Ajikisshochraos screaming in draconic, GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! ..., while throwing into the air as she searches for the the largest pile to rest upon, claiming the pile as would any true dragon would do. R'yzzntyg senses all the magical items, picking them up to look before tossing it aside, in draconic, Useless. Another useless one. ... As usual hardly any usable magical items., and simply pushes the heavy red armour aside, not noticing Stanislav taking an interest in the armour. She picks up the cloak, This looks interesting.
She spots the emerald in the back of the pedestal, taking it to hold it up for others to see, So this is the second eye. Which means we have only the third one to find.
Hearing Ezra requesting the emerald to remain in the vault, she places it in the back of pedestal, and speaks to Ajikisshochraos in draconic, This emerald must remain here when we leave the vault to do our tasks, else that wraith will have your hide.
Stanislav runs his hand over the armor feeling the coldness of the metal. I must train to wear such heavy armor. he notes.
"I can help with that,' Cori replies. "I'll show you where everything goes, and how to move once you're in it."
Well, that's ironic, normally you seem more versed in getting them out of their armors. Vinnick Chuckles at Cori.
You also find 2 iron plates in this room. In abyssal they read Hexor and Vexor.
These plates can be used to command the two Deamons you crossed on the way here. Anyone who holds these plates they must obey.
The wraith also gives you the command words for the throne.
Throne Teleporter
1st floor - command word ‘YAH’
2nd floor - command word ‘RAH’
3rd floor - command word ‘VAH’
The wraith tells you that will be watching and expects to see results from you. before fading away into the wall. All the other shadows seem to leave for the moment.
With nothing more to do for the moment, you return to the shrine room and sleep for the rest of the night.
That not saying the stairs are blocked and to head for the throne makes sense now. Stanisalv muses.
When the group departs the treasure vault Ajikisshochraos speaks, Can't we stay here longer.
Don't worry. The gold is not going anywhere soon. We can come back daily to check that all is still here., smiling as she hand wave beckons Ajikisshochraos to join on her side as she exits the vault.
They head back to the shrine, to get remaining night's sleep in.
Now that day has returned there is no sign of the wraiths or shadows.
You are now free to decide on your next move.
Grab a bit of gold, about a pound per person, move to "Freedom Town" sell some, then move from freedom town to perform the mission? Alexandr proposes.
We pay roughly a day of travel, and gain some possible information, added deniability of where we come from and a chance to purchase some extra equipment. Freedom Town likely lives partiall off smuggling, may be quite possible to gather some extra hints, even though our intelligence on the fortress is already quite good.
If we approach freedom town, and sell our gold there, they will try to find out where we got the gold from, as such we should not approach them straight, geographically, but perhaps from a more northern direction.
[I am not sure we are done hear yet. We have not explored the caves below or searched in detail the rooms of the keep. I would still like to speak with the two Deamons to see what they know of this place and use the plates to direct them in its defense. How about we spend one more day here cataloging and better understanding the keep and then go on the Freedtown trip you recommend Alex? Ryzz, can your flying friend be encouraged to begin making scouting flights a few times a day over this tower and the area directly around it? She might spot that treant or even the elf. Ideally she might make a circuit even hourly if that is not too taxing on her. Oh, and we must plan for Thorn's visit. It would not do to be gone when he comes. Stanislabv will pick up the two plates and offer Who wants to talk Hexor and Vexor with me.
Stanmislav plans to ask them what they know of this tower, the area around it, and the details of the binding that holds them to this place. He wants to understand exactly what their purpose here is, how much discretion they have in executing their orders, what magics they possess, what other strengths and weaknesses they have, and how far from the tower they can roam. He will then give them additional specific instructions about guarding the tower depending on their responses.