I'm sorry Deekan, I have to pull out. Good luck everyone.
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Yea...I'm pulling out. This is a bit too much for me. Good luck everyone!
I have never played a Dark Sun game but I'd be interested. What do I need to do?
Is this still available?
Some moments pass before Laurenteiu appears before the party and summons them before the Baroness of Karpa, Lady Anya Baroi. The Baroness was a middle aged human woman who bore the office of her station with reknown elegance and civility. She wore a black lattice dress of indigo and black interlocking patterns that ran the length of her body. Where her arms were exposed, raised red lines bore the intricate Karpadian scarification that symbolized her dedication towards the midnight lord. Her amber eyes gazed upon the party as she encouraged them to take a seat within the parlor. Laurentieu shuffled nearby with a caraffe of an old vintage and treats. The Baroness seemed more able minded than her partner and started the conversation. "Greetings. I am Lady Anya, Baroness of Karpad, wife of Stepan Baroi, Magister of Records and most importantly, the head of this manor until my husband recovers from his condition." She nodded in toe as the adventurers introduced themselves.
I realize though that the RP sections of this adventure can be quite droll, but it's intended to be a mystery so player involvement is needed.
Very well, Dario. I look forward for when you come back! And Hawkren, I thought you had disappeared!
[fast forward to later] Gavril returns with a confident look. "The Baroness has agreed to see you. I should let you know that Laurenteui will forbid a private meeting so he will be in attendance. He will come shortly to fetch the lot of you. I ask that you please inform the Baroness of what has happened. Perhaps she can shed light upon Karpad's darkness."
Gavril saw that there was truth in Lluvia's words. "That would be a wise decision. I could relay a message." The houndskeeper rose while Irini released her embrace. Gavril gave a wry smile. "The Baroness...is more amicable than her partner." The black mastiff gave a small whine as its handler walked past. Irini was left in the room with the adventurers. She looked upon the scholarly looking fellow and tried to best answer his question. "I'm not entirely sure."
Gavril was quite confused at Lluvia's question. "Ilquis? Haven't heard of him before." Irini piped up and replayed the events so that her lover would understand. After which, Gavril looks upon the party. "Well, in either case, is this Ilquis no longer a problem? It's strange for someone to call himself a Lord of the Light given that...well...Nidal is a shadowy country. This is Zon Kuthon's domain after all." The hound seemed to give a small yelp when Dario mentioned baron. Gavril gave a wry smile and continued. "I know not any religious ceremonies and their such. However, the Baron has been...rather quite. I suppose he's either found the brandy or that the Baroness had talked to him. I'm not quite sure."
Gavril looks at the scholarly looking fellow. "Well, he did except for me for some reason." An awkward moment passed before the hounds man continued. "I suppose because of this fellow." Gavril pointed to a black mastiff that whined and pawed at its cage. "You see, I'm the keeper of the Baron's prized hound, Ioziff. Strange name for a dog though. If you ask me, there's something sentimental about that. The hound gave a quick yelp before chasing his tail. Gavril continued his conversation with Dario. "Aye he does but for some reason, the Baron more or less imprisoned me here. Though, I am afforded security at the cost of secrecy." Irini didn't see any reason to talk outside of the manor where the encroaching cold clamored at any opportunity. Gavril took a seat with his lover while Ioziff the dog waited in his kennel. "Zaitherin, I see this must be the group you were talking about. I'm glad to see both kayal and hrethgir working together. " "Our love is a bit of an oddity here. Kayal or fetchlings as the locals call it are maligned with evil and darkness because of their features. Gavril treats me like no other suitor."
Politics aside, I hope the American players had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. I am understanding if posting becomes intermittent - you are entering the holiday season after all. In the case that people are unavailable, I will not bot missing players - honestly it's too much work on my end to track your things and my things xD.
Having defeated the wicked fey's plans, Ilquis had no choice but to retreat. In his stead, the party had uncovered a nefarious plot, much of Karpad's community had been sacrificed in the fey's cruel experiment. With one lone survivor in their company, the party returns once more to the manor.
The party ascends upon that hill that overlooked much of the Barony. They could see that braziers of voluminous size marked much of the community's perimeter, basking the countryside in a warm glow. Though most shadows were extinguished, a dark brooding feeling had nestled within the hearts of the citizens. Irini looked around hastily, as if she was on the guard for something. At her suggestion, she calls the party to follow her towards the rear of the manor. After a series of raps upon a glass pane, a fetchling man dressed in work clothes greeted her with a big embrace and long kiss. "Oh Gavril! I'm so glad to see you!"
The lovers couldn't let go of eachother before Gavril could finally calm down. "You...I can't ...even begin to fathom how you come to find Irini. She had been missing for nearly a week. My station and...well..race forbids me from leaving the Baron but look, you rescued my love!"
Hey players, sorry for the lull! I'll be back to post relatively soon. I had undegone training for my job recently.
Lluvia finds in her search what seemed to be a collection of various supplies needed for candle making. Something seemed rather off about one particular box labelled - "paraffin". After a cursory glance, she discovered that the lid had been partially opened revealing a sizable amount of wealth inside. Aside from bundles of male and female clothing, you found - two sets of studded lather armor, an intricate chain shirt, 4 daggers, a well crafted short sword and a composite short bow. Tucked away within a small sack was a wax encrusted potion. Lluvia did note that the pair of boiling hot vats towards the back of the workroom floor were propped against a cellar door - probably established as a trap against interlopers. Ilquis kept no journals or notes but he had been rather busy in his work. You assumed that he had used at least 5 people in his experiments.
"I can barely...but if you can get me back to my lover, things should go well." she said. "By the way, my name is Irini. We will need to go to the manor."
"I don't quite know..." she said while scrapping wax that was quickly congealing. "I was sneaking out to meet with my lover near the manor...and then something froze me in space. That last thing I saw was the Chandler...and bam, I was put in here."
The companions rush to the vats and begin to overturn the large metal drums. Pools of moderate wax pour out. A thin young blond Karpadian woman emerged from the 1st vat, she was pale and struggled to find her breath. "*cough*thank...*cough* Inspired by the discovery, the heroes continued, racing against time. Several of the vats revealed the desiccated remains of unfortunate people - one in particular was a child sized corpse.
A high pitched squeal erupted from the ceiling. "Never has anyone struck me so hard, especially from a stinky human. Consider this a win on your end. Good luck cleaning up my mess!" At that moment, the brilliant miniature sun seemed to blink from reality, filling the chandlery's workflow with the appropriate amount of darkness once again. The sigils that had glowed from the arcane circle faded from view and the remaining worker seemed to gain his sanity.
"Oh...my...my head hurts." The male worker looked about at the party that had been around him with weapons drawn. "OH DEAR! PLEASE, I mean no harm!"
@Prae, are you going to act or will I have to skip your turn?
@Prae, there are 6 vats in the room, a summoning circle, as well as the chandelier (though it might be hard to hit since there's a 60ft ball of brilliant sunlight on top of it). You could try aiding another, disabling the man, activating a spell or readying an action. You're not without options.
DM ROlls:
hahahaha nope Ilquis Status: 57/??
A fan of flame erupted towards where the immense cloudy fog and miniature sun stood. For a moment, a whining silence was broken by a small cackle. "I've roasted children with better flames!"
Dario brushes off the man's attempts at trying to seize the grapple.
"So you're hiding in the light, huh! Well, I'll just make you come out!" With a flick of her wrist, Zaitherin conjures a weave of gossamer fibers that form into a cumulus shape. As she uttered the final word, the nimbus floated to where the lurker in the light hid.
Effect: Fog Cloud on the chandelier where Ilquis is hiding?, 40mins
- - - - Meanwhile, the male worker struggles while within the grasp of Dario's scholarly hands.
As the woman was freed from her control, the zealot beckons the crowd once more. "As you may know, the Lord in the Light knows and sees all. I'm sure you all know of the Diva's death, the very one within the Oriat. Her life was riddled with darkness but I can assure you, with our tutelage, even where evil creeps does light strike down with great vengeance for I am your shepherd." And with that, the zealot cast off the crowd. "Go forth and do the good work!" The followers of the Light had moved on, resuming their daily toils. The Diva Ursula was offended by his remark concerning Corrin's death. "Can't believe people sometimes. If it were me, I'd ask him what he knows but them religious folk, they can be addled in the head."
Hawkren is quite certain that his magical darts found purchase when Ilquis squealed. said Ilquis has he giggled in midair. "You'll have to try harder, stinky human! I answer to no one but the Lord in the Light!"
Lluvia saw that her comrade Dario was restraining the remaining humanoid. She tried to aid the Professor in his efforts but found that maintaining a strong grip was a challenge.
Dario's nimbleness catches the male worker off guard placing him within a secured grapple. Despite his best efforts, the worker struggles against the professor's tight lock.
Ilquis' voice was like the sound of scattering coackroaches. And in that very moment, a mote of energy exploded from the Lurker in the Light. Matching the brilliance of the sun, the entire chandlery basement was filled with searing luminescence! In a moment, the Lurker in the Light blended into nothingness!
. DM Rolls:
Dario fumbled to grab the hand but noticed that it was incredibly weak. In a moment, the arm slipped back into the vat. Dario noticed that the contents were luke warm wax that were beginning to dry up. Ilquis smiled to himself as he continued to work on the ritual circle, focusing his energy on the fifth sigil, he seemed particularly focused on his task. However, when he heard the sound of Illuvia drawing steel combined with Krasimir knocking an arrow, Ilquis looks up and smiles. "Oh, you're acting quite hasty here. Come, watch." With a flick of his wrist, the female worker abandoned her station and proceeded towards Ilquis and joined him at the circle. She promptly layed down and spread her arms in and legs out to which Ilquis ends her life with an attack faster than the speed of light. Her blood trickles into the recesses found within the circle. Pale blue light begins to glow as the 5th sigil is complete. "Well, demonstrations are better than explaining so that'll have to do. It's a pity you won't live long enough to enjoy the benefits." Iniative:
: Dario, Hawk, Prae, Ilquis, Lluvia, Zaithering, Krasimir, Male Worker
Room description: The room is 25ft long x 60ft wide ending with an alcove containing a and . The . To the south lies , the and an lies about 10ft away.
Aralee:
You could tell that her affliction was chemical induced. She lacked any real serious problems aside from a minor allergic reaction. The convulsions weren't faked but her symptons were. Zaliana:
You could instantly what magic that the zealot was using - enthrall. It worked wonders on the unintelligent and disinfranchised. However, any person capable of common sense and reasoning could avoid such a cheap magical trick. You suspect that his use of a holy symbol and loose robes had concealed his somatic and verbal casting, or perhaps something had helped augment it. Eitherway, you're certain that this isn't some low level snobbery. Meanwhile, the shaken woman's convulsions ceased and she was normal once again. "Oh thank you! The beast of greed and wrath has been lifted from me!" The doe-eyed participants within the crowd eyed her with inspiration. More money continued to poor into the coffers of the collecting person.
"Well it's simply put my dear. You will help bring about a host which will fight against the darkness. I will empower you in ways beyond imagination! Now please do as your told and get into the vat." said Ilquis in a teacher's cadence. He had finished drawing the final sigil and began to murmur something in a strange tongue. "Ó leanúna an tsolais, tá mé chruthaigh an bhealach doras ionas gur féidir leat bheith linn!" Sylvan:
Oh followers of the light, I have created this door way so that you may join us! Meanwhile, Dario busies himself with the 2 other humans towards the far end of the chandlery. The pair had been busy inspecting and checking the contents of a vat. Only the female seemed to respond to the professor's inquiry. "...yes..." she said in a dry, dour tone. She looked exhausted from her labor and didn't match Dario's gaze. She spoke in dry whispers as if she was struggling to form words. "Work...into vats...light bringer..." At this point, the male seemed to struggle with something. He scaled a small box and seemed grunt in frustration. For a brief moment, an arm popped out of the vat, grasping for a ledge or something to hold on but was rebuffed by the male worker.
Sarrus:
Your street smarts kick in and you notice something out of the corner of your eye. A diminutive hooded figure was creeping through the crowd placing small card like objects within any visible pockets. It seemed to be quick skilled and deft having little problem maneuvering with the crowd's sudden movements. Aralee:
The ceremony before you seemed very off. The zealot and his assistant were rather showy garnering the attention of the crowd while a total of 3 diminutive hooded figures were carefully placing cardlike objects into people's pockets. You noticed that this was only for the people who didn't receive a blessing. As for Barza, you get the sensation of curiosity when your animal companion spots a pair of figures looking from a nearby rooftop about 15 ft away. They had similar clothes as the zealot but bore scrolls and books. While the party spent their time observing the scene, the Zealot proclaimed once more. "I call upon you, oh citizens of Kaer Maga. Lend me your eyes and ears! Are there faithful and promising from your flock? Who will join us in our divine crusade of liberating the tyranny of chaos?! Strike down your chains and join us in the radiance of the light!" At this point, the crowd continued to grow in number, amassing to about a total of 100 people all crowded within one intersection. It became almost impossible to move through without knocking someone over. A cry rang out and a woman was convulsing in erratic spasms. Her eyes had rolled back and the crowd did their best to step aside allowing the Zealot room to wade in. "Chaos!" The Zealot brandished a wand like object with a flick and touched the top of his hood and holy symbol, offering a blessing to himself and the afflicted. "By the Inheritor's light, I stake my claim as a crusader of her flock. Foul beast, purge yourself from this host. Suffer me!" The crowd gasps as the woman's spasms stop abruptly when the Zealot laid his wand and holy symbol upon her. Strange sounds of horrid beasts filled the air signifying the beast's egress. "You are cleansed from this filth and brought back into the light, fair maiden. May the sun ever shine so faithfully upon thee!" The crowd whooped and hollered with great fervor. Some men and women clamored towards the zealots donating what they could for additional blessings. Some even received scarlet scarves and wore them proudly in honor of today's events.
"Faoi na gréine amháin" Sylvan:
Under the one sun. It seemed for a moment that the creature was indulging himself with the questions posed forth from Lluvia. "Your sylvan needs work, the pronunciation is too hard." He fluttered a little bit lower so that he was eye level while hovering above the arcane circle and candle stand. "Oh...those shadow beasties are quite awful. Someone else's taint to be sure but not my work. No my work is more refine and elegant. I wouldn't ever stoop to wasting something as a precious as a whole human life." The creature seemed to produce a small stick and began twirling around small motes of energy lighting the sigils within the circle. As he neared the 5th and final sigil, he looked once more upon the group. "I'm glad you came though. The chandler was...less competent than I hoped. It's ever so hard to find good help around here." Near the far end of the room, a door opened and two humanoid figured emerged, a man and woman, both dressed in laborer's clothes caked with what looks like wax and chemical stains began lumbering about, checking the vats and adding various things. "Now, you can help our dear Ilquis. My friends are due to come and they're very eager to meet new people. Would you kindly enter those vats over yonder so that I can complete my work?"
Sarrus:
As a Kaer Magan native, showy displays of power was too common, be it a slave master cracking his whip, an Ardoc Brother flexing his priviliges, or even a rich merchant buying out his competitors. A quick glance revealed that you did see a legit symbol of Iomedae. It struck you strange because Iomedae's presence within Kaer Maga was...rare. Though the typical crusader may pass through the City of Strangers, this wasn't typically her call to arms. Her fight would make more sense striking down the wicked or hordes of demons...but a street urchin? In regards to the priest, you weren't sure what his angle was but it seemed that he wanted to garner as much attention as possible. The Duskwarden joined Agnis' side while the crowd started to grow in volume. "Ah good, this eyes of the city is now upon us and for good measure too! My heavenly host is willing to grant guidance and pardon from this wicked tyrany you call freedom. You toil tirelessly for what? A mere pittance? What this city needs...no, what YOU need is a proper structure with laws, balance and someone to watch your back. Too easily while your neighbor or brother take from you! Under my plan, everything will achieve PROSPERITY!" At this point, the crowd cheered in union while another robed figure appeared, flanking the zealot's side. He bore a similar outfit save for a necklace that dangled around his neck. He produced forth an ornate bag and placed it near the deceased street urchin. "If you would so kindly..." Slowly, a few onlookers began to donate what they could within the bag and received a blessing. Their numbers grew. Agnis and Sarrus: Roll perception
A child like creature slunk from the rafters while dangling upon a precarious chandelier. It was rather to difficult at first to understand its form until it fluttered from the chandelier's glow. The creature's contours seemed to blur and dim when within the light. "Ah..the chandler. Alas, I am not." It said while emerging its heard from the light. "She...was lacking in her duties. However, my work is nearly complete. May I ask, what brings you here?"
With their goal in sight, the party decides to entertain the idea of using Ursula's contact within the Ardoc Brotherhood to contact the remaining diva and warn her of the dangers that are posed against their station. To say that it was a busy day in Kaer Maga was a trite statement because the City of Strangers thrived with action no matter the time of day. The party left the rhythm of the Oriat and treaded towards Bis, a district home to both the Ardoc Family, the Kiln, and of course the Duskwarden Guildhouse. But to get there, the easiest path was through the Warren. The transition between the districts was a distinct one. Where as the honeycombed structures and buildings that lines much of the Oriat's walls gave a dizzying effect on the traveler's eyes, the Warren was a chaotic collection of shanties literally stacked upon each other. The place was devoid of the beauty that people clamored for within Kaer Maga. A sense of dread pierced the party, unsure of what dangers lay within this lawless district. As the party was making their way, Ursula pointed out a nearby commotion. A crowd formed around a heavily armored individual who bore a crimson cape and was brandishing a symbol that looked like a glowing sword.Despite the morning heat, he held great energy and charisma. "Dear citizens of Kaer Maga! Now is the time to repent and forge a new life! Strike down your chains of corruption and face justice! Be your brother's keeper and uphold the future!Look, I have slain this wicked individual who had stolen from the merchants! Without me, there will be no justice! Follow me in the glorious light!" His voice was booming over a heavily bloodied street urchin. Ursula gave a sigh. "Here we go again..."
Lluvia carefully glided into the room and did her best to stay within the shadows, relying on her elven sight to scan for any dangers within the room. Her eyes noticed that there was a bright glow coming near the ceiling about 30ft up, like it was cast by a chandelier. Meanwhile, the party took turns trying to understand the circle drawn within the center of the room and the candle rack that accompanied it. Dario and Hawkren:
You guys understand that it is a summoning circle of some sort. Perhaps its a doorway to bring something in...or to send something back. You do notice that the language seems to be a combination of arcane and something else...something akin to childish scribble. Zaitherin and KRasimir:
You understand that this particular circle is tied to a ritual, primarily one to something primordial and mercurial...the first world. Judging by the scrawl, it seems that who ever created this wanted to bring forth something from the first world, the land of the fey, or to send something back. While the party was busy with their investigation, a high pitched voice broke their silence. It sounded both curious and regal. "GREETINGS!" As everyone scans the room, the voice seems to originate from the glowing chandelier from above. "You have come within my humble abode. May I ask, what are you doing here?"
"It" refers to the broken and mangled drying rack.
The party is greeted with a scene straight from a laboratory.
The room is rather long, about 60 feet x 25 feet with the vats in the back being barely lit.
The dawn of the next day comes as the cacophony of Kaer Maga awakens even the hardiest of sleepers. The City of Strangers became a bustling hive of activity as all matters of live sprang into action hoping to earn their daily bread and coin. The diva Ursula seems to be in somewhat better spirits now that she had the protection of Aralee and her animal companion. The heroes had faced a very intense day starting with Corrine's death, her mystery, an assassination attempt on Ursula and a potential mob fight. Needless to say, what new truths lay for the heroes?
Dario finds that his "scholarly" pursuits come in handy once again as he is able to disable the lock and gain access to the following chamber.
Lluvia finds that the door is devoid of traps but does appear to be locked.
Praetorix:
Having been blessed by the Midnight Lord, you have a different interpretation of the chandler's death. It seemed as if...her neck was a vessel for one of ZK's lesser vassals...but didn't hold enough faith. The fact that the shadows were...limited in their reasoning and form gives you the opinion that hadn't fully matured. As you know, the Midnight Lord doesn't bless just any person. Perhaps something foul was afoot... Hawken's magic abilities reveal that the candle is of no ordinary construction. With a pass of his hand, ominous runes being to appear along the shaft of the waxen form. Light reveals that the candle stand's base has a rune shaped like a scale. It had to be a... Meanwhile, Dario employed his scholarly talents upon the scroll. It took sometime to understand its contents but he was able to identify it as a . While her party was busy, Lluvia could only hear the sound of something bubbling from beyond the door.
Ursula nods in agreement. "I've had enough excitement for one night thank you. Perhaps Aralee here could entertain me with some stories back at her place. I could use something to calm my nerves."
Dario has no trouble looking at the coffer for any problems. He easily pops the lock and finds a sizable amount of coins and a rolled up piece of parchment.
Hawkren notices that this particular candle has a silver base with a series of chains and hooks embossed within its design appearing as undulating waves to the observer. Meanwhile, Lluvia decides to apply her medicinal knowledge and skills upon the resting corpse of what was presumably the owner and caretaker of the establishment. The body belonged to a woman in her mid 20's, a meager looking individual who was utilitarian clothes and kept a semi professional outlook. It seem that had she not met her untimely demise, she may have found a suitor in some years to come. Her body was...a terrible wreck. What had once been her neck was now a potted plant sized hole that looked like something violent exploded. Chunks of cartilage and skin barely held themselves together amid a sea of congealed blood. Her body felt somewhat warm, you posit that she may have died within the last few hours.
Hawkren remembered that there was a particular lock box and magical candle that he had found among the crates.
Zaitherin offers a quick prayer to Gorum as she levels her morningstar in a ferocious attack!
In one clear swoop, the oracle manages to dispatch the remaining shadow!
I guess I'll have to bot Zaitherin
DM Stuff:
Sarrus Intimidate 19 vs Intimidate DC 17( 3hd + 2 wis + 2 circumstance)...PASS! The crowd seemed to stop in its tracks when Sarrus stood up and confronted them because they neglected the fact that a duskwarden was among the Diva Corrine's witnesses. The ringleader's face paled and swallowed hard while trying to save grace. "Well...uh...you see, if someting appens in your block, gotta take stock if you know wud I mean." He bumbled with a forced laugh while patting his nearby companion's shoulder. "You have a good night..ser.." With no action or present the danger, the crowd dispersed.
A series of magical darts erupts from Hawk's finger tips which pierced that shadow's body leaving gaping holes!
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