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Izomandakus is able to determine that yes, this is where the power for the dam comes from. Damn, but it’s an insidious one too. Any living creature in the summoning circle is drained a level each time the dam needs to operate. The dam takes two levels to function - one from each circle.
While you’re considering that, the ‘dead’ pit fiend moves! It begins to uncurl and turns to face you, every movement an agony on the shuddering form. As it moves, the magic circle flares to life (image) containing the creature.
The Pit Fiend rouses from his torpor and reaches for you only to be burned by the magical forces containing him. He gasps in a raw whisper… ”Freedom!”
”Freedom!”
Kast looks over the situation, taking deep breaths and thinking about solutions.
”Well, one of us could….or we could…well…hmmm…” Kast has ideas, but all of them are awful. He pauses and looks at the devil.
”It seems contained. I will…I will speak with it.” Kast marches closer, but not close enough for the devil to strike, nor to interfere with the circle.
”Freedom? Why would we free you?” Kast speaks to the devil. ”Who did this to you? How did you come here?”
"Ingenious... when the dam needs the floodgates to open it drains energy from the beings in these cells in order to have the power to open" explains Izomandakus understanding.
He stretches his eyes and answers Kast's question "Who, well, who constructed the dam, of course. Demons are immortal, so they can serve inside these circles without eating for eternity. Genius."
The boy remains very attentive to the answer to the why should they free the demon.
The fiend stutters and cannot answer, for clearly he has suffered within this trap since its inception, always knowing that with the rains comes the drain. But not always. For millennia. He glances to the pile of ash in the next cell - for surely over that long a period of time they would have talked, and grown to be friends of a sort - both doomed within their cells. A sorrowful figure is this lone creature.
But it says little, as it cannot so ruined is its health. It heaves a moment, trying to regain some of its strength before murmuring, ”Karzoug.” It breathes raspily for a few moments before, ”Karzoug put me here.”
Val leans on her sword as she looks over the pit fiend and listens to the explanation of what it is. ”Whatever deal it offers to get out, do not take it, no matter how good it sounds. I may know very little about devils, but I do know that much.” She leans forward, still at a safe distance, and squints at the devil. ”Karzoug? Who is that?” She does not appear to be bluffing and legitimately has no recollection of who that name matches with. The name just did not seem important to her.
"Karzoug..." Izomandakus tenses and stretches his eyes "You take back to life names long forgotten devil"
"Karzoug, Runelord of Greed near the end of the Age of Legend just before the fall of Thassilon. We found the goblin's lair in Thisletorp was built by him too."
Kast looks on, and listens to Izomankakus.
”But that must have been years and years ago. Millennia, even. Have you been trapped so long?” Kast asks, trying not to think about the amount of power it would take to bind this devil here for that long.
"Thassilon? The civilization before time?". Hasslo looks stunned at the creature and starts to take pity on him. "Just imagine being stuck in a cage for thousands if not tens of thousands of years. I wonder how many more of these cruel devices this Karzoug built..."
Yes, Karzoug’s name has come up before, and Izomandakus surely knows the basics (keep your hero point - you already made the roll in the past). Karzoug ruled these lands apparently, back in the day, and built this dam. It has stood the test of time, and even now its magics continue to function for the pit fiend is utterly trapped within its cage. No wonder the creature is a little scrambled.
It doesn’t seem to have the strength to speak further, or at least isn’t expending it at the moment.
What do you do?
There are obvious levers for the portcullis on each side. The cages are clearly meant to keep things in not out.
You have no good idea how to disarm the magical circle though. You'd expect that physical damage would do it, as well as a dispel magic (that might be temporary). Neither of these solutions will be easy. Likely really really hard in fact.
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”Oh, we’re not letting it out, ‘Mus,” Kast stays Seamus action. ”We cannot let a creature like this out into our world, under any circumstances. It might be faking, or hiding, or could find another to heal and help it. No. Absolutely not.”
Kast ponders.
”At the very least, we leave it be. At the best we kill it and let it return home. But maybe we see if we need it to make the gates work. It probably knows.”
Kast addresses the devil, not thinking to get a reply.
”Do you know how these gates work? How can we activate them?”
Izomandakus knows that the gates are trying to open. They're trying to work. But they don't have enough power. A living being needs to stand on the other disk and be drained to power the dam. You expect it'll kill the pit fiend at the same time.
If you ask the devil anyway, it says nothing, but glances at the far disk and the ash there and awaits its fate.
Val relaxes her shoulders as Kast agrees that they are not letting out the devil. ”Will it kill whoever else is in there? Or is there a way to bypass and power it some other way?”
”Hard to say what it would really do to you? Weaken you severely? Cause permanent fatigue? I’m not sure. Might be better for us to go trap a boar or something, and use that, maybe,” Kast looks to Izo to see if she thinks that might work.
Izomandakus looks at the devil pit "Do not trust a word. He will tell whatever is needed for him to get out of there. Do not feel pity. He is just energy."
Then looking to the other cell "Yes, you are right it will just weaken whomever is put there. After a small drain the floodgates should open. The big thing is how to replace the lost devil in the long run"
"Ideally we could call and imprison there another immortal being" he scratches his head for a few seconds "I have to admit I have no idea on how to perform such ritual though..."
The party tries to find a way to power the dam, while it creaks with the overflow all around them. Seamus even suggests a troll, though that would certainly cause a battle with the remaining troop (it's a loss of level, not something they can regenerate back).
The pit fiend watches the party intently, apparently fascinated by the process of deciding who to sacrifice.
"I am not even sure how the trolls will take their leader is not around no more" Izomandakus shrugs "I think it must be one of us"
"Oink! Oink! Oink!" Pachemu oinks pointing with her head to the cell.
"No, I am not letting you there in. Pigs do not even have energy levels to drain" the boy discusses with the pig.
Without any better ideas at the moment, Kast prepares to step into the circle. Otherwise, Turtleback Ferry might be lost when the damned dam does what it wasn't supposed to do.
"I suppose this is on me, but...before I do this, I'll want to be sure. This may take some time, but I'll see if I can't remember more and understand more of this place, that devil, and the function of this dam," Kast says, making himself comfortable.
If there are no further interruptions, he will cast Legend Lord seeking information about the dam, the gates, and the devil.
*10 minutes
Kast, what is it you’re looking for? This is the great dam that made the Storval Deep. Forged with magic and might by the powerful archmage Karzoug himself. This damn has history, and much of it you’ve already gleaned. What you don’t know has likely been lost to the ages and no one knows…
Oh. The pit fiends name is Avaxial. The other, now destroyed, pit fiends name was Zarkal.
And you do know that you’ll lose a level stepping in there, and like as not the pit fiend will lose its life. But the pressure will be eased from the dam.
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Val really does not have another moral debate in her right now. She just knows that she does not want to inflict this torture on anyone else. Well, anyone less than a being of congealed evil like a pit fiend. She sighs and steps on the disk. ”So do we need to hit a switch or something?”
You could try and convince a troll, but the ogres are dead. Also, you need power from both platforms. Just one isn't enough.
As Valena steps onto the disk in the other cage, both disks pulse with energy and the writhing begins!
It doesn’t take long, but to Valena it feels like an eternity. An eternity of pain, the slow extrication of a thin blade - from every cell of her body. It’s excruciating. You aren’t sure what’s needed to power the great dam, and you hold on as long as you can, which is about 6 seconds.
The pulsing lights cease and a sizzling Valena collapses on the platform. The pit fiend once known as Avaxial is no more, a mere pile of ash denotes where he once lived for millennia. Valena needs help to stand but she recovers quickly, for the most part. However, the whole room smells of cooked Valena and burnt hair.
The whole dam seems to shudder, and for a moment you feared you were too late, that the dam was breaking up. But from the sounds of the water rushing through, the sluices are open and the dam will be safe. At least from this rain…
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She stumbles and lands on all fours. ”Cayden’s shattered glass, that was…a lot.” Even before she stands, she takes out one of her wine bottles and gulps down half the bottle. ”What was that guy’s name again? The one that built this place? Kars something? What an absolute evil f&+@ to build a dam like this.”
Kast wakes from his Legend Lor*e*'d trance to see Val stepping to the circle he had just researched. "No wait! I--" Kast says, too late.
He holds his breath and hopes the Val isn't reduced to cinders to save T'back Ferry, when that was clearly a job for the Sandpoint Watch.
"What was that guy's name again?"
Kast releases his breath as Val seems mostly normal, unable to remember anything important about the past or history. "Karzoug. His name was Karzoug. And he appears to be incredibly powerful. Amazingly so to build all this, and have it last for so long."
Pachemu attempts to dart in when Valena opens the cell, but Izomandakus pulls the pig back "Where do you think you are going?"
The boy observes with great interest at how the energy is drained and this activates the floodgates, clenching his teeth as Valena and Avaxial scream.
"They wanted to suddenly flood Turtleback Ferry to kill everyone there by breaking the dam. Maybe causing casualties all along from here downstream to Magnimar." Izomandakus explains to Seamus "With the floodgates now open, the level in the Storval Deep will start to empty before it menaces to break the level the dam was calculated for."
"What we need to do now is to stop this unnatural rain, so the Deep empties faster and does not replenish again"
To be clear, the rain stopped a day or two ago. There have been some light flurries since then, but no heavy rain. So the dam should hold at this point. Additionally, you managed to keep the pact with the trolls intact, so this dam is guarded by creatures sympathetic to the Rangers. Well done!
It may not have been your goal necessarily, but it significantly strengthens the Rangers in the region, and so you each earn one hero point for your success.
You, presumably, head back to the Ranger camp. If you hurry a bit, you'll arrive just after dusk. So at least you can sleep in a warm bed tonight, rather than rough on the road.
As you travel down to Fort Rannick, you'll note the swell to the river. Not as much as it had been, so the town should be safe from flooding as the pressure behind the dam is mitigated.
You reach the fort, and see the merry fires lit. With so few rangers in attendance, it takes some time for someone to hear you at the gate, but you're warmly welcomed at last and brought inside the warm and well lit keep.
The Rangers are keen to hear what you discovered on your journey, and fill you with not-to-bad stew and a little beer that survived the ransacking while you tell your tale.
Kast moves to help Val, careful not to step in the circle himself, just in case.
"That was brave, Val. I appreciate that you risked like that," Kast admits, and does whatever he can to help Val until we know she's okay.
After that, Kast will help gather any interesting loot, or sihedron imageries, and be ready to return to the Fort.
* * *
At the Fort, after making initial greetings, Kast will again march the perimeter of the Fort looking for any out of the ordinary or anything that make the Fort more unsafe.
Only after that will Kast return for food and storytime.
Izomandakus is happy to help translations to ease the diplomatic talks with the trolls. To make sure the situation will not descend into chaos, he suggests anointing one of the remaining trolls as the new leader of the tribe.
---
The boy is happy to share the stories of the Damned Dam of Damnation while having a drink and some of the cooked supplies. The warmth and laughs feel good after the hard days "Now that there are no devils you will have to come up with a solution between the trolls, rangers and villagers on how to power up the dam during the rainy season. Someone will have to sacrifice as Valena did for the well being of others."
"Now that there are no devils you will have to come up with a solution between the trolls, rangers and villagers on how to power up the dam during the rainy season. Someone will have to sacrifice as Valena did for the well being of others."
Kast shrugs.
”Or they might just put in a few chickens or something that were going to become stew in a few days anyway. Not really sure that won’t work. Or summon something from the aether, like a giant rat or some such. There might be other solutions. Maybe.”
* * *
"So now do we return to Turtleback and head south to investigate the disappearance of the Captain?"
”Ayep.” Kast agrees. Ayep. It’s on my way back to Magnimar. And from there? Who knows?
Hasslo is relieved that the whole ordeal is done. He feels sorrow as he watched Val take one for the team. "Thank you Val for your sacrifice. What you've done... the gods will thank you for."
----
Seamus suggests using investigating the captain. "Aye, I think we need to do that next. He'll likely know more. I have a feeling of it deep in my gut."
Val waves off the sincere praise, still feeling weary from the ordeal. ”I am fine, totally fine. Back before I learned how to manage my drink, I have had hangovers worse. More expensive ones, too, even.” The former is not exactly true, but the latter is, at least for a given understanding of “expensive.”
She does not say much to the rangers, instead patiently inquiring after a place to get some diamond dust and a restoration to bring herself back up to par. Our at least some soul stimulant to hold her over.
The party has an engaging time with the rangers, and sleep well, though they have no diamond dust nor scroll to assist poor Valena.
At this point you could head back to Turtleback Ferry and check in there. Give a report on what you found at the dam. Alternatively you can just head straight over to Bitter Hollow, the village closest to your jumping off point to find Lamatar.
It's Neth 17, a Moonday and there's a bit of snow, and while it isn't too heavy, it is starting to accumulate.
"I would like to return to Turtleback Ferry, at least to return the provisions that were offered to us that we didn't use," Kast suggests over morning bacon where he is eating the most burnt of the strips. "And then on to Bitter Hollow."
"C'mon, Izo, tell me what you were thinking when you turnt yourself into that tailed creature..."
"Tailed creature?" Izomandakus looks confused, then takes a spoon filled with his part of the morning porridge, then finally comes up with an answer "I am not sure. I guess I was just trying to save Valena" he looks down "We sometimes become monsters in our attempt to save other people." then looks to the woman "How was it, did the rest help you recover?"
"Do we have to return the provisions? It seems we still are working on finding this fort commander." the boy gives Pachemu some acorns and water "But I guess we can start our search there. Turtleback Ferry then."
Your return to Turtleback Ferry is a little less pleasant than the trip up. The snow, while not heavy, is beginning to be whipped around by those cold mountain gales. It slaps your faces and slowly melts, though the cold is piercing. You’re glad you have cold weather gear for winter in the mountains. Won’t be too much longer and these upper passes will all be locked in with snow.
You reach the ‘Ferry a bit late, but still with plenty of daylight left if you want to use it. Naturally the shops can do little to support the likes of you (no major purchases, but various non-magical gear is plentiful).
I expect you make your way to the church, and speak with Maelin Shreed. When you arrive, he is with a small group of villagers talking about the rebuilding projects. He sees you though, and pauses the meeting to welcome you to the church. ”You all look about as well as when you left. This is good news! We noted the increased flow in the river and also took that as good news. So you succeeded at the dam? Do we still need to evacuate?”
He guides you inside, where it’s warmer, and to a blazing fire with a number of stools around it for comfort.
Hasslo shakes his head. "Maybe I'm being impatient, but I would rather find this Lamatar first. The more we dilly-dally, the harder it will be to find him. The gods are telling me to go now before it's too late.".
Hasslo states his opinion, but seeing as the group wants to head back to Turtleback Ferry, he reluctantly agrees. "If we do go into town, we need not get distracted."
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*limp* *drag* *limp*
Kast limps into town, proud to have helped make the destruction somewhat less…and offering hopes that the future might be preserved. He’ll first go over to the town store to return unused provisions before heading in for a meal.
”Do we still need to evacuate?”
Kast ponders the answer. ”Well, not right now. The dam isn’t broken, but it also isn’t fixed. It’s…difficult to explain. Let’s eat and we can discuss details.”
Kast will explain what the knows and thinks about the damn, the soul batteries, and solutions the town might employ to mitigate disaster. He’ll talk as long as he needs to teach what needs to be taught. If that takes a day or two, he’ll take it, but then be willing to move on to finding Lamatar.
Izomandakus drapes Pachemu with one of the ranger furs "Is this snow something normal at this time of the year?"
As the hard walk to Turtleback progresses he profits to discuss stuff with the others "I am thinking perhaps changing the gears to use transmutation magic instead of the necromantic one and using similar magic to the abjurations that preserve the Thassilon ruins we might be able to make the dam work without the need of soul energy" he digs in for a while on magical details as he goes on with different hypothesis to solve the problem.
---
Once at town, he agrees with Hasslo on going next to find the Lamatar and Kast on not delaying the warmth meal. The boy helps the Sandpoint Knight explain about "On its current way of functioning you will have to convince the trolls to let two of you step in and consume your energy to open the floodgates when needed. Although we think animals might do the trick. And Kast thinks summoned creatures might do so as well"
"This is an interesting research, perhaps we should do it. But research is costly, requires gold of course." he smiles to Maelin Shreed "How things are going? It seems you are raising the town union working on the reconstruction already."
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Earlier, Izomandakus learns from the rangers that the snow is a little early, but only by days, not weeks. The rain was unsettling. Never ending downpour. Thankfully that seems to be over, at least for now.
The party, lead by Kast, talks about the options for the future. It doesn’t take long - Maelin gets it. ”You say you think summoned creatures may work? Why I can do a little summons now and again, though it's not my forte. Should be sufficient though. I guess I'll add an annual trip up to the dam to my list of tasks.”
He thinks a while and asks a few questions about the situation. In the end, he’s all warm smiles, ”Well, I’m quite glad you were successful. Sounds like it could have gone badly for us. Now, young lady, let’s see about your damage. Wait here a moment.”
He retreats into an inner chamber of the church and returns with a scroll. He unfurls it and there are two spells remaining. ”Hold still, this should work.”
He reads off the scroll, casting Restoration onto Valena.
”There.” he smiles warmly as her level returns!
When Izomandakus discusses expensive research, Maelin smiles and shakes his head, ”We’re a poor fishing community here my young lord. We cannot afford magical research of the sort you envision. Already you have strained our resources - though we are glad for the help!”
He nods, ”Yes, we need to get a few things repaired before winter fully settles in, though we’ll rebuild further in the spring after the ground thaws.”
He suggests you rest well if you're headed back out. There are few hours before sunset, but he'll arrange a ferry for you first thing in the morning to Bitter Hollow where you can take the Wicker Walk to the Shimmerglens and begin your search.
Let me know if you have any plans/preparation prior to your morning departure!
He looks down at the scroll and sighs, smiling, "Got one more. Come here young man and let's see what we can do."
He again successfully casts from the scroll, and Seamus is healed!
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"Um, I'm not feeling well either, it's almost like my ability to make wise decisions has been drained."
Kast’s eyes widen at the statement, but he remains aspirationally perfect in keeping the indelicate, perhaps snarky, comment from leaving his lips. He just nods as some of ‘Mus’s issues are dealt with.
Kast has nothing major to do except rest well and completely while he can for the trip, with detour, back to Magnimar.
Hasslo is impatient, as he feels time slow down. Something about the whole situation seems off. 'Why would Lamatar just disappear like that?'.
'Perhaps it's just nerves, right?' he utters to himself. The dwarf barely touches his dinner, mulling over thought after thought, scenario after scenario. 'Did Lamatar know about the dam devils?'
During the night, he tosses and turns, barely able to sleep. He groans as he wakes up, a knot in his back very apparent today. Donning his armor, Hasslo walks downstairs to meet with the others. "Well, we should get going. Times a wasting."