Morag, the Gatherer of Souls's page

I have been awakened!

Rest now. You have no call, rising again. Despite the interesting topic.

Hmm...

If I need to come to your thread, it was too old and you unduly disturbed the dead. Otherwise, carry on.

Come now, little thread, let us lay you down to rest again. Your time came and is gone, rest again unliving creature.

*sigh* So much necromancy....

I died. Who rose from the grave was...someone very different.

Mythic playtest, part two

Axel scouted ahead as we flew, returning when he found several cultists in the fog. We quickly engaged them, Axel dropping like a stone. I heard the sound of a bellow and a curious snicker-snak as I plunged down into the fog. When I landed I saw a fallen fire giant, its head separate from its body. Several cultists concluded chants before I could act, transforming them into enormous tree-like monsters. The lead cultist vanished before we could engage her, leaving us to fight her minions. Golda launched herself into the branches of the first monster, hacking away with abandon as she fell into the depths of the creature. Lightning bolts blasted at us from their branches as Zaridin warded us with holy light. Thumper tore into one monster, aided by Axel and Zaridin. Branches flew as Golda tore her tree-like foe to pieces even as my magic, Thumper’s fists, and the blades of Zaridin and Axel destroyed the other two.

An elven priestess, heavy with child, laid within a bower of leaves. She rose to move up to a fallen tree, an ancient redwood that bled even as a mortal would. This priestess told us all that we must place our hands into the sap. Even as I did so, I saw a vision of this woman, halfway between our world and her afterlife. I felt her life ebb as a rush of power flowed into me, a power unlike any I had felt, even at Tria’s Grove.

This is the first step on your path, a voice I knew too well echoed in my mind. It is for you to complete the journey.

I was jolted back to reality as the others implored me to help the priestess. I shook my head and dropped beside her, but I could see her life ebb even as I reached out to her. But beneath her heart I could see another life, still strong and healthy. Between Golda and I we brought that small child into the world from his mother’s ravaged body. Once he was swaddled and cleaned up, Golda threw the child onto her back and gave to him a stuffed bear. This incongruous scene will remain with me for the rest of my days.

Using the power now coursing through my veins, I called on the power now at my command to enable a spell similar to those Kieren could cast. Seconds later we took back to the air and soldiered onward. Hours into the fog we found our cultist, this time guarded by several marilith demons. Needless to say, battle was joined.

Blades flashed as two blade barrier incantations erupted from thin air. One pinned me into close proximity to a marilith, while the other warded the Berean. Zaridin called upon his holy power and began to slash away at one demon while Golda raced toward the cultist. In a display of agility, she dashed through the blades, protecting the child on her back. Her waraxe flashed as she slammed it home repeatedly in the Berean. Thumper was slashed repeatedly by another demon, even as Axel and Zaridin finished one demoness off. I healed the fallen dwarf and we continued to battle. Thumper streaked across the field, landing a flurry of blows that could sunder stone on the second demoness, even as Golda finished her foe. I blasted one back to the Abyss with a word of creation, but I do note the creatures were as resistant to magic as ever.

Within moments our foes were defeated despite their unnatural speed and magic. We stood upon the field of battle for a scant few seconds before the very land shook. We took to the air to avoid falling into the cracks that even then shattered the earth beneath us. Trees broke to pieces and showered us with wooden debris. Lightning flashed across the sky in a never-ending tempest as something roared from the darkness beneath us.

The Bringer of Storms had arrived….

Real-world date: December 29, 2012

The past months seem a blur now. In the aftermath of the events that culminated in Dheza’s ascendancy to the Sheenoseki throne, time has spun past. Kieren has built his tower with his newfound wife. We rebuilt the defenses of Merrywell Manor. I settled my new followers into homes at Merrywell. Jour and Alanna have been busy in their own right, while Axel has expanded his mercantile empire. For my part, my travels have taken me back to the Diamond Kingdoms, to Greengate, and back to Isenor. I am settling into my newfound role as a Chosen of Tria.

Into this scene of domesticity came a call from the elves of the Deep Green. Jour was traveling with Alanna, while Kieren was preoccupied with Kilmaral; I believe they are expecting their first child in another month. Axel received word from his contacts that we were needed, and that was enough for him. I agreed to accompany him, both due to their urgency and the debts I owe to them and to our Mother.

We met several others on the outskirts of the forests. Two were dwarves, a monk named Thumper and a primitive warrior by the name of Golda Stoneforge. Golda is a sometime companion of Axel and Jour who I had seen from time to time at Merrywell. The third was a warrior of the holy light and servant of Pala by the name of Zaridin. The elves had gathered all their forces to deal with the troubles in the forest. Our allies informed us that a Berea cult had come to the forest to unleash an abomination from the Cataclysm, a creature so powerful that the primal elemental gods had been unable to destroy it in the last days before the Cataclysm. Instead, they had imprisoned it within the land. Unfortunately, the forest itself was growing atop its prison. The monster was known in ancient stories as the Bringer of Storms, an apt name as fog and lightning shrouded the forest in darkness and light.

We purchased a few potions to aid our travels with flight magic and took off over the fog. I wished that Rhiannon was with me, but when the goddess calls, both of us answer as needed. Rhiannon was collecting souls elsewhere, so I traveled without her. The lightning that lit up the sky was an unnatural red in color, ominous in tone. On the horizon we could see a storm brewing and it was toward this we flew.

Session Journal Twenty-Five, conclusion

When everyone was ready to return to Merrywell, I gated us home with a few simple words. Reconstruction was well underway, as was the construction of Kieren's tower. The local warden stopped by to talk with Kieren, I'm told, though I quickly left to bring several of Tria's followers south as well as a few of Pala's Chosen to Dheza. The worship of Tria had been outlawed in Skadas Shee, but the King of Sheenosek agreed with me that having someone tend the Ossuary to keep undead from rising was a good idea. I organized the existing church of Atanna and Tria's faithful to work in hallowing the Ossuary before returning north to help raise the new tower in Merrywell. I did remember to leave one of the bracelets with Dheza that I had enchanted, so that he could call upon any of us at need.

For my part, I am leaving in several days for my own business. Krieg and Axel are talking about the mercantile efforts Axel is undertaking. I've left a sum of coin and goods for Axel to sell and invest into the town as he sees fit. Krieg will keep the books for me, while several new Touched and faithful will keep an eye on Tria's shrine for me. I hope to leave it permanently in their hands in the near future, as I have work to do that will keep me running for a while. Profits will be used to pay the retainer of Krieg, as well as my valet and the attendants at the shrine. Many people came north with us because of my own actions in Skadas Shee, and I hope to get them settled in before I leave.

In the days to come I will return to the Diamond Kingdoms. Jour has returned to Merrywell and left Skruumorden to the giants, but I still must speak with the Speaker of Tria. I hope to track down several Rover clans and check in as to their status. Finally, I must return to the Free Coast to tell Ezreth's family of his fate...and to tell my family of my own. I pray nothing else happens in the days to come as Haven, Sheenosek, and the Empire settle into peace. When I return, I must get back to work on my own tasks, for I still owe Death much and have work yet to do. I seek to learn the fate of gods that die, and I must find a way to extend my life. Neither of these will be easy, but then, I never asked for an easy task. I hope my friends are well as I depart, for I have grown weary these past months of leaving the dead in my wake.

Session Journal Twenty-Five: July 30, 2011
Scrithengard Date: Second Journsday of Skadesloom and the following weeks

The days after the destruction of the Hellgate were busy. I organized all the people I could gather to help deal with the dead, including stragglers coming into the city and those Chosen of Atanna I could find. When I was not working with the dead, I spent much of my time healing the living. The various Houses all announced their support for Dheza's reign, which gave us additional resources for use in in restoring the city. I took a cadre of Chosen and mages to the Ossuary to deal with the undead there before interring the fallen, as the extreme levels of negative energy there had spontaneously animated several bone weirds. Axel, Kieren, and Dheza searched the ruins for survivors and loot, though I do not know what they found in its entirety. Dheza gave all of us noble titles for our efforts, as well as granting my request to alter the border spells to permit my ready entrance and egress. I tracked down Kilmaral's grandmother and she granted my wish to conduct a ritual to look into the past. While much of what she said as she interpreted her visions was known to me, her final words told me that it was now the time of the People of the Plains to unite, as they had been scattered in the long days before the Cataclysm in a conflict between Ilmea and Vesi. I admit I need to take time to understand all of what she said.

Kieren was married a bit more than a week after the battles concluded. One evening he approached both women of Kilmaral's clan for permission to marry the half-dragon sorceress. I spent the next two days tailoring a suit for him, while Axel organized artisans to paint the wedding portrait, including Krieg. The ceremony itself was fairly simple, the oaths far less involved than I anticipated. I stood with Kilmaral, while Axel stood with Kieren. There were no unexpected fights or events during the party afterwards, so all in all things went well.

Dheza's coronation was an extravaganza. One assassin tried to kill him as we stood in the cleared plaza in the heart of the city, but Kieren quickly killed him. I dealt with the body soon after, though I could learn nothing of the man's origins unfortunately. Dheza's reign will be one of prosperity, he claimed, and I think he is on track for that. Axel was named to the Merchant's Council, and Kieren agreed to train Dheza's elite guards in archery in the future. I would say more, but I spent much of my time watching out for more assassins in the crowd. As there was only one attempt, I am told I can relax, as Dheza has apparently earned the respect of the people.

Session Journal Twenty-Four, conclusion

Three succubi of unusual prowess floated before us, one of whom we had met on the battlefield outside the city before. “Fool,” she said scornfully to the dying marilith. “Fighting here when we need to be fighting Hell.” Dheza seemed to recognize the succubus who even then yanked her blade from the dying marilith, for his smile was one of both attraction and recognition. I suspect this one was the one who had bonded to him outside the city gates when we first came to Skadas Shee. He did greet her by the name of “Charity”, a twisted joke if I ever heard one.

Kilmaral rejoined us as her forces, led by the golem, crushed demons and devils alike in a three-way maelstrom of carnage. In the direction of House Khan we could see a pillar of fire blasting through the roof of the manor and we knew that the battle would mean nothing if they managed to bring Dis to Skadas Shee. The succubi—Charity, Faith, and Hope—reported that the gate within the mansion was soon to open. We breathed a sigh of relief knowing that a planar merge was not in the offing, but we discussed our plan of attack. In a show of courage and character, Kieren volunteered to use his Ruby Gate as a weapon, hurling it into the gate to Hell. I was moved by his valor but suggested he hold his plan in reserve, for I still had enough magic left to me to call for Death's intervention: I could ask for a true miracle.

The others soon agreed and we planned out our assault. We warded ourselves with as much magic as we dared and were escorted to the roof of House Khan by Kilmaral and the succubi. I scried each floor beneath us, ignoring the hellfire pillar nearby, finally finding the gate in the basement. With a few words to Dheza, we paused to pray to those we honored and then vanished as Kieren slid us away with a dimension door.

The gate chamber was guarded by a horned devil. His escort included more than a dozen rakshasa of various shapes. Rhash Do Khan gestured and spoke to the gate, the orifice shaped in part by the various rakshasa and humans bound to it in chains of cold iron. The life force of the bound monsters funneled into the gateway, which slowly opened to reveal a hellish landscape and infernal legions.

Axel sprang forward and slammed his rapier home in the horned devil's ankle, eliciting howls of pain and rage. Arrows flashed out to slam home in the creature's chest as the rakshasa around us cut loose with enough lightning to light the night sky. We stood tall against that onslaught, singed but alive, as Dheza's form swelled to that of a dragon of the same size as Kilmaral, blocking the advance of the monsters. I slid past him and Kieren to approach the gate, taking up a position across from Rhash. Standing there, the forces of Hell behind me, I raised my hands to the unseen sky and spoke aloud a prayer to the eldest of deities:

“Death, my Mistress, please grant this servant your grace and destroy this gate, so that these souls will not be drawn to Hell regardless of their actions. Protect these souls so that they may all in time go to the fates that await them, as you and your Daughter would have them.”

Raw divine power blasted through my frame and drove me to my knees. The gate continued to expand for a moment and then stopped. All progress began to reverse and the assembled monsters bound to it screamed. Rhash babbled something, his words lost to the roar of the imploding gate and he dove through it. The rakshasa vanished as a blast of raw power flattened us with the gate's implosion. Dheza's head slammed into the floor, knocking him senseless and ending his magic as the entire building began to shake. I shook off the lingering awe that filled my veins and quickly rejoined the others. I grabbed Dheza by the hand as I began another incantation, extending my free hand to Axel. Kieren joined the circle and I whisked us away to the Astral once more.

The return journey was brief and uneventful, so I will not speak of it here. We now stand amidst the rubble and ruin of Skadas Shee. Of the contenders, only Dheza lives, so it seems our next order of business will be to plan for the coronation of King Dheza of Sheenosek.

Despite all the forces arrayed against us, the civil war was over. We had won.

Session Journal Twenty-Four, cont.

Into this powderkeg a verbal match was thrown. Axel and Kieren exchanged words with Namak, suggesting that she surrender now that much of her power base had been destroyed. She ordered an attack on us immediately but disappeared in moments, leaving us to battle her forces. Merana withdrew as the crowds fled the area.

This battle was both long and arduous, so I will keep my account brief here. Kilmaral flew in stormy skies, tearing the succubi to pieces in a rain of gore. While she engaged the seductresses, we battled against the nalfeshnee and the marilith. The six-armed demoness hung back for a while as we battled the gigantic demons in our midst. All of them glowed with unholy power as they charged into the fray, knocking us about as a child scatters seeds onto the wind. My first effort to thin their ranks failed to drive any of them back to their own plane, but my second and third attempts forced several away. Unholy energy blasted us repeatedly, stunning Rhiannon as she rode the skies as well as Axel, Dheza, and Axel's shadow. A blast of healing renewed everyone as a gigantic claw knocked me to the ground. Arrows and blades whittled down the nalfeshnee in succession. A wall of blades nearly ended Dheza's life before he'd even attained the throne, while a firestorm erupted so quickly that Axel failed to dodge away in time. A burst of shadow and magic revealed that the marilith we fought was an illusion projected by the real demoness from a distance. The storm erupted and lightning blasted me as I rose from the mud-slicked ground, wind howling in our ears. Namak returned and the howl rose to a roar as she summoned an air elemental to the fray, the elemental forming into a vortex. When we finally beat the nalfeshnee and the elemental down we turned our attention to Namak and the demoness. Namak formed a wall of rock to guard her back as she dueled back and forth with Dheza. A pair of telling blows drew a scream of rage and pain from the High Priest, but she healed herself and fought on. Axel and the marilith exchanged blows, Kieren's arrows supporting the shadowdancer. I knelt down and grabbed a loose stone, whispered a quick word to Kieren, and then cast a brief spell and tossed the stone into the alcove Namak had created. Her world grew silent as the stone landed, soon to be followed by darkness as Dheza's falchion and Kieren's arrows dropped her.

The world itself seemed to stop as a whirlwind of dead holly leaves sprang up around Skaden's High Priest. Despite the silence, we all heard the words that followed. Even the marilith paused to hear the Defier's words, for it was Skaden himself who spoke:

“How disappointing,” he murmured disapprovingly. “But endings always bring the opportunity for new beginnings. Except for you, Namak, for you lost your focus, you fool.” There was a pause and a palpable feeling of power in the air, moreso yet than before. “I look forward to our future interactions.”

The silence I had created shattered in the dissipation of the whirlwind, leaving Namak dead, all necromantic energy around her gone, and the marilith on the battlefield against us. All of us were battered, but Dheza called for the creature to surrender or depart if she would not join us in battle against House Khan. The marilith's reply was never heard, as she raised her blades to continue the confrontation. Kieren bore the brunt of her renewed assault, the six blades slashing through his chain shirt repeatedly. But our battle ended abruptly when a sword erupted from her chest and she collapsed to the ground in a frothing mass of blood, coils, and scales.

Session Journal Twenty-Four: May 21, 2011
Scrithengard Date: Second Journsday of Skadesloom

That evening, I gained access to spellcasting chambers courtesy of our guests. To Aleeto's surprise, I also asked to have access to her kitchens. When the others looked at me strangely, I explained that I had a plan that I needed help to complete. With their help, I wanted to conjure an outsider to scout House Khan's manor while we rested and planned our next move. Axel and Kieren were soon in the kitchen, cooking boar and fowl for the couatl I hoped to call to assist us. When the winged serpent appeared, I presented it with various gifts, including a large quantity of foodstuffs. We conversed as it ate and I convinced it to scout our enemies from the Ethereal Plane and report back at sunrise. It—I never learned the gender of my ally—departed, and we rested.

The couatl returned and informed us that the House was guarded by humans, tieflings, a number of rakshasa, and various devils, with a gate somewhere on the premises. Satisfied, I let the creature depart with its rewards. Kieren then informed us that Kilmaral was coming with her army and would soon arrive in support of House Besal in a bid to muddy the waters of the succession. We considered our plans for attacking House Khan and thus to conclude this civil war. Aleeto volunteered the use of an ancient relic to our cause, presenting what looked almost like an iridescent iron bowl. My compatriots looked at each other and together we placed our Wanderer's Shard—enhanced items into the bowl and retrieved them as the item's magic faded. The men found their weapons had increased in power and now possessed a spark of holy power, while my gloves now added an additional measure of protection to my defenses. This was fortuitous, as a commotion came to our attention outside.

Kieren and Axel climbed to the roof while Dheza went out on a balcony. I went to the stables, saddled Rhiannon quickly, and then rode outside to see what was happening. The citizens were gathering in the main square. Joining them was a wizened old man who strode to a central dais. He called for all who would claim the throne to come forth.

House Anda answered that call as the High Priest of Skaden led her troops to the square. Succubi flew overhead by the dozen, but her own escort included various undead, a half-dozen nalfeshnee, and a marilith. She came to the dais and announced her candidacy.

House Khan answered with their own legions. Barbazu, erinyes, and a horned devil were the creatures I spotted in the honor guard of Merana Do Khan. She too announced her candidacy, staring down Namak, her misshapen arm seeming to writhe of its own accord.

Dheza, Kieren, and Axel conferred as the old man arbitrating this meeting called for any other contenders. We agreed that Dheza should go make his claim known. In the distance Axel had spotted a cloud of dust nearing the gates, a cloud that meant another army was coming. Dheza quickly enhanced Rhiannon and I with his haste incantation and I sped off on the Epona's back to gather up Kilmaral's army while they stalled the proceedings.

Kilmaral flew in her draconic form over an army of mercenaries from House Besal and drow from beneath the city, her grandmother astride her back. A towering golem of adamantite strode at the forefront of the ground forces, its every stride shaking the ground. I informed her quickly of the situation and our needs. She renewed the haste spell and we flew off together toward the city, my only pause to make sure the gates were open.

We arrived in time to hear Dheza's last words fade to nothing. I rode down to hover over the dais that had been quickly built of stone beneath his feet while Kilmaral swooped low. The crowd took a few steps back in awe while the drow sorceress announced her support. This certainly drew the attention of the crowd, a spectacle that I privately enjoyed.

Session Journal Twenty-three cont.

Unlike our last trip, we found ourselves floating in the silvery void. Also unlike our previous trip, we found ourselves in close proximity to a hostile creature. The creature bore some small resemblance to a scorpion with its stingers, but it had three of them and tentacles and far more eyes than any scorpion I have heard of. Behind us was a great white sphere. Within that sphere was the face of a sleeping woman. But before I could consider what I was seeing, the scorpion rasped one word in the language of demons: “Hungry.”

Our assailant was a primordial creature of the Abyss, a type of qlippoth. It rushed toward us but was slowed as Kieren blasted it with a spell to fatigue it. Axel closed with it but was soon stabbed and lashed repeatedly. I could see him sag weakly in the void, his motions far less graceful. Bursts of fire and cold slammed into it as Dheza attacked, but the fire did little harm and the cold none at all. I tried to kill it outright, unsuccessfully. I kept myself from cursing by sheer stubborn will and moved forward to help Axel. The monster tore into Dheza next, giving him the same wounds. Kieren blasted it repeatedly with force missiles as Dheza tried one spell after another to put the creature down. I healed Axel of most of his wounds just in time for the monster to disappear. I felt it was coming by instinct but I was too slow to dodge. It slammed the stingers home in my back and I felt my tired body slow down even more, my fingers growing numb. I fought off the rest of its magic and was rewarded with a flurry of tentacles that burned with corrosive slime. It managed to lash itself in its fury and Axel struck home a blow that spilled gray-green ichor everywhere. With a last roar, “betrayed!”, it flew off. In its refuse we found a variety of gems, including a ruby marked with the sigil of House Anda. We put it aside for later consideration as I did what little I could to restore our bodies and minds. I could heal wounds and some of the damage to us, but some of it resisted the magic I had available. I also restored some of our energy, though all of us were still tired save for Axel. Our foe fled, we turned to the orb.

We soon realized that the celestial orb was enormous, easily the size of a small world on its own. A swirling eddy awaited us on its surface, while Rhiannon rejoined us. She expressed her concern and frustration over my disappearance and we considered our options. Finally, we came up with a plan. Kieren would create an orb of force within the eddy, containing all of us. Rhiannon would launch us into the vortex and then join us as we traveled into this realm. For it was indeed a divine realm: the realm of fallen Vesi, Tria's daughter and goddess of the waters herself! I guessed that I had pulled us into her proximity due to my ownership of one of her idols.

The trip through the swirling portal and the watery realm behind was dizzying to say the least. We repeatedly felt bumps as Rhiannon pushed us through the vortex of the portal and the whirling waters beyond. We all held our stomachs as we spun and raced through the demiplane until we finally slowed and came to a halt. Rhiannon told us as she poked her head into the sphere that we had fetched up against a frozen chunk of land, more of an iceberg than anything else. We chose to rest there, hoping that our remote location would keep us safe. Rhiannon took the watch for the night, but she also told us that a portal was to be found there as well.

When we awoke, I used my magic to cure us all of our lingering ailments. We also found that a face had formed beneath our campsite! A quick examination of the portal showed a scene of frost-covered mountains in northern Scrithengard, not too far from where we had passed months before. Once we were ready, the men walked through the portal with alacrity, ready to return to Scrithengard. For my own part, I thanked Vesi for watching over us. I also left her idol there with her and then departed with Rhiannon. I hope to return there one day, and I think I may perhaps be welcomed, if the faint smile on the face was truly there and not a figment of my imagination.

Once we were on the mountain, I invoked a miracle to return us to Skadas Shee. Magic whisked us to House Sheen, where a massacre awaited us. The manor had been blasted and burned, the walls collapsed, a few partial remains scattered about. I could see a few uncontrolled shambling zombies and skeletons in the ruins as well. Three serving maids were working vainly to clean up the mess. Dheza inquired of them regarding what had happened, and we learned that the forces of Anda had struck. Kieren gave them some coin and told them to leave for safer grounds. I told them to seek out Krieg in Dorshec; if nothing else, I may be able to find them a place with me in the future.

Further searching revealed that some of the walls had fallen so as to prevent easy access to the lower levels of the mansion. An arcane eye soon followed as Kieren vicariously scouted the area. He bypassed several doors and many dead bodies until he found Reena do Sheen dying below. Kieren quickly slipped us below with a dimension door and I healed her, pulling back to the land of the living and then returning us to the surface. She was in a state of near-shock and unable to recall any events of the past day, but she agreed to come with us as we went looking for Makiree.

A short stroll deposited us on the front step of House Deshaan. A nervous servant let us in and escorted us below. Makiree was bound to a table and showed signs of vigorous interrogation. Aleeto was quiet when she saw us and apologized for what happened. She then shared what she knew with us, that Makiree hadn't been bribed but had voluntarily helped House Khan. Since he had been left behind, we surmised that he knew little of Khan's workings; he was expendable enough to be left with Deshaan to be caught. Aleeto also agreed to compensate us for what we lost in surviving our trip across the planes and to see if she could scrounge up anything in the way of restorative magics for our future need. The House Elector also noted that the ruby we'd found was used as a token for payment of services with various Houses when dealing with creatures from the other planes, but she could shed no light as to why Anda had contacted an ancient evil such as the qlippoth or what purpose it was serving.

Now we ready ourselves again to attack House Khan. We need to remove Merana and Rhash from the race for the throne at least. Verkas is also possessed according to our allies and thus in need of an exorcism or something a bit more permanent. I hope there are no more traitors among our allies; Aleeto has assured us that the screening of House Deshaan's servants and elite will be more vigorous. We may also need to deal with the High Priest of Skaden yet, for she is now a desperate individual still intent on gaining the throne. Kilmaral is also nearing Skadas Shee, and she will probably want to sack the city; if she does not, the southern drow she leads may do so regardless. While the war may be coming to a conclusion, I fear that the city will see more bloodshed than ever before if we cannot end this quickly.

Session Journal Twenty-three: April 9, 2011
Scrithengard Date: First Triasday-Second Mastersday of Skadesloom

After a week of procuring items for our needs and empowering our existing arsenal, we prepared to depart our extradimensional sanctuary. Our goal was to engage House Khan before they brought about the city's ruin. For their part, House Khan had released a pamphlet of propaganda, urging the people to support their bid for the throne, going so far as to claim they would bring order to the nation. We knew what order they meant and scoffed, but the fact they were gathering support meant they were still ready to fight for the throne in the political arena, not just a physical one.

Makiree was waiting for us when we prepared to leave, ready to send us on our way. But before we could depart we received a sending from Rena of House Sheen begging for our help. House Anda was attacking House Sheen under the command of the High Priest of Skaden, seeking revenge for what was perceived as Narra's betrayal. The spell was cut off and we told Makiree to send us to House Sheen. The exit portal formed and we stepped through. The gate swirled and we felt it shift in midstep. Makiree, impossibly far away yet so close as only a gate can be, said “Forgive me” as the gate threw us out into its new terminus.

The landscape we found was oppressive. The land itself was primarily molten lava, with a few islands of volcanic stone. Writhing amid the molten rocks and ignoring the incredible heat were blobs of flesh I recognized quickly as lemures, the currency of the Hells. To underscore our location in our minds, four fiends awaited us. Standing to either side of a large table were two women with lower bodies of tentacles, creatures known as handmaiden devils. Behind the table of foodstuffs was a hideous creature with three heads, a pair of arms attached to a barely humanoid body, and the lower body of a rot grub. And further back was a horned devil. The horned devil recognized us as its opponents from our last sojourn at Merrrywell.

The rot grub monster spoke, voices echoing from all three of its heads in an eerie symphony. “You have a choice. You will remain here for a month, unharmed. And then we will let you go. Your other choice...well, there is no other choice.”

Dheza chose to reply as our spokesman. Unfortunately, his rebuttal was a blast of cold that struck the two women and the giant human/grub creature. One woman shrugged it off, but the other two shrieked in pain. Within a moment of his attack we all sagged as our energy was sapped, lost as if we hadn't slept in days, the rebuttal of the central devil.

A cloud of fog erupted around us, the mist dissolving our flesh even as it slowed our movements and limited our sight. I saw a swirl to my right, and then another swirl. I felt the mists stir as something loomed on the edge of vision to my left and another swirl moved to my right. I knew everyone had arrived together on our small island to my right, so I pushed through the mists to my right and began to chant a spell when I found the others with me. Before the devils could close with us, I fought the essence of the plane and won, forcing us away from that place of unbridled villainy and unrelenting law and to a plane we all knew: the Astral plane. As we departed, I could feel the strange sensation of disdain, as if the very plane mocked us for fleeing.

Session Journal Twenty-Two, second half

Our destination was an extradimensional manor, the room filled with opulent furnishings. House Elector Aleeto Do Deshaanolara was present. Her presence filled the room itself in a manner that only Dheza could normally hope to match. Once we were settled in, fed, and clean, we exchanged information regarding our activities in the city and those of other Houses. There were several important points. The Elector of House Khan, Rhash has declared their candidacy for the throne. Rhash is the Elector, Merana a former vizier to the King Immortal who backs Rhash. House Veras, the artisans and wizards, lost their Elector while we were distracted and busy elsewhere. Verkas Do Anda may be working with House Khan and is likely the man who instigated the prison riots. He is also under observation by House Deshaanolara and is known to have an immensely strong evil aura to him. I believe he may be possessed by a fiend from the Hells, but the possibility exists that Verkas is now the identity of an actual devil or other diabolic creature. Our guests are continuing to watch him as they have shored up their defenses. Dheza and Aleeto spoke of the possible contenders for the throne. Aleeto seemed reluctant to take the throne but as House Elector was an option, while Dheza would be a reasonable alternative. I admit that I added my own opinion to the matter and weighed in on Dheza's behalf. If nothing else, he is the most harmless contender I have seen. They also discussed the possible ramifications on the Merchant's Guild. Of note is the detail that House Anda wanted the original notes for the construction of the Crown of the Immortal, now lost to Nathaan's last act as creature of this world. Finally, a new House may be rising in Dorshec, absorbing some of House Veras people in the process.

Aleeto made the resources of the House available to us, including workshops and their armories. Axel and Kieren sold off all of our excess gear, I believe, and we all began looking through their armories for items of use. Kieren and I will also be doing some work to improve our existing gear, in my case working on the Crown of the Everliving General (I'll drop the “General”, I think; I am no General and the new name is still fitting) and my belt as well as on Axel's headband. When we are done, we need to gather information on House Khan and put an end to their plan to merge Skadas Shee into Dis before Hell reigns on Scrithengard.

Session Journal Twenty-Two: February 26, 2011
Scrithengard Date: First Triasday of Skadesloom

Our departure from the collapsing cathedral was not quite as quick as I would have liked. The elderly servant cleaning the main floor was still there when we appeared on the main floor, about to be crushed by a falling chandelier. Axel shadowjumped to her and saved her, encouraging her to leave before returning to us in the same way. I felt the unpleasant sensation that we were being watched but said nothing, intent on escaping before we were caught within the building as it fell apart. Blocking our egress from the chapel were more than a dozen guards, the same guards who we'd met on our first excursion. We heard someone outside shouting orders to them and the guards themselves were reluctant to engage us in battle, but they did so nonetheless. More javelins flew toward us, most of them transforming into lightning but a few of mundane origin. A blast of fire from Kieren was followed by a sudden desiccating spell from Dheza as a reply. I approached and tried to warn them off, but they paid no heed to my warning and continued to fire away at us. Kieren blasted them with an ice storm as a few backed away, dropping over half of them. Rhiannon appeared behind one as Axel grew close, distracting one of the survivors enough for Axel to quickly stab him to death. I drew my wand and continued to approach, but one quickly knocked the weapon from my hands. Dheza's falchion carved up another and finished off the one who had attacked me. Arrows felled two more and the last man fled amidst the increasing rumbling. I was struck and nearly knocked to the ground by falling rubble, but managed to claim my wand as Rhiannon kicked it across the floor to me.

Outside a man floated overhead. His costume was ostentatious, consisting of black robes, a large scythe, his head covered in a skull mask, his hands full with an ornate bow and an arrow at the ready. Kieren still beat him to the draw and fired several arrows into him as Dheza dispelled his spells, causing this new foe to descend groundward. He retaliated with several arrows aimed at Kieren. Axel moved into position to meet him when he struck the ground, throwing his newfound dagger at the man as he floated gently down. I spotted a goblin approaching through the rubble and fired a blast from my wand at him when no one noted his presence, ignoring the closer foe. As the man dropped to the earth he released his bow and unslung his scythe, knocking Dheza flat with one quick sweep. The goblin drew close and gave Axel the same treatment. Axel tumbled away with a curse while Kieren fired more arrows into our attacker. Dheza rose gracefully and slashed at this gaudy foe, discharging a beam of green energy as his blade hit home. The man fell over dead from the arcane attack. The goblin in turn ran, choosing to live to fight another day. His speed was too great for any of us to easily match through the rubble and so we left him to his retreat.

A mage appeared and began ordering people to help the citizens on the streets as the land around the cathedral continued to shake. We joined in as well, evacuating people from the streets. Once that was done, the mage presented himself as Makiree of House Deshaanolara, whom we had met before during out attempt to halt the assassination of all of the House members in the city. Makiree suggested that we come meet with the House Elector—the head of the House—so we could confer and regroup. Seeing the cathedral roof fall in on itself, we readily agreed.

Session Journal Twenty-two Interlude
Reflection

The past few days have flown by in the blink of an eye. I have died; I have been revived; Skaden's greatest cathedral has been destroyed. This glosses over the details of these days, but now as I sit here in the laboratory thoughtfully provided by House Deshaanalara, I can try to sort out my feelings and thoughts.

As the cathedral crumbled to ruin, I was the last to approach the Deshaan representative. I lingered there in the streets to watch that towering monument to pride and misery collapse. It was a beautiful sight. Stained glass golems and windows shattered; the ceiling falling; the broken pews; the eventual implosion of the roof. I never thought I would have the opportunity to see that happen, even if I lived a thousand years. But the four of us, together, managed to do what no one else has ever done: strike a blow at the heart of the Defier's church in Scrithengard. I watched the pillar of souls erupt into the sky for I don't know how long, just as entranced as any other person on the street. It was beautiful, to see that many souls return to Tria's Womb, freed from Skaden's grasp. Seeing it made me feel proud of who I was, an altogether strange sensation. I won't delude myself into thinking Skaden's power is broken; his High Priest is still alive and likely hiding inside of House Anda's mansion. The Defier has temples in other cities in Sheenosek to be sure. But without the power base of the cathedral, I think that Skaden's influence on the succession is at an end.

The fallen redoubt of Durran is no more. I suppose on some level I do feel sad. My last memories of Ezreth were within that building. It is where my normal, mundane life ended and my new life began. It is where I died, painful as that was on both occasions. At least now no one will be able to use that against me. Perhaps I am paranoid, but I left too much blood on the floors of the cathedral, and if anyone could find a way to put that to use, it would be them. Knowing that the church will be interested in rebuilding their cathedral, I doubt they'll have time to worry about such things.

Now, there are still things to do. I need to see the Ossuary when our work here is finished, just to make sure it isn't the repository of an undead army. If I can find Ezreth's bones, that would make me quite happy, but I doubt I'll be able to separate them from the thousands of corpses I will find there. His soul is at peace, which is enough.

Our next step is to prepare for an assault on House Khan before their own plans come to fruition. Kieren and I have been in the laboratories for several days now. We have to increase the power of Axel's headband to further fortify him against mind-affecting magic; consecrate the Crown of the Everliving; improve my belt; and I still need to find time to make that mask, even if I have to ask Kieren to supply the magic for its creation. For most people in this world, crafting an item of magic is beyond their grasp. Right now, it seems almost domestic to me. I wonder if it is just the result of my past and my present self finally coming together.

I also note that when I awoke last night that I felt...different. Not in a bad way, but something inside of me has changed. I feel...static? Unchanging? I recall in the books I read at the monastery that as one progresses through the various levels of enlightenment that there will be changes to one's physical self; I think this is one of them. I'd go back and ask Mariok, but there's no time to do so now. I will just have move onward.

Hm. I wonder if Axel has any tea brewing, I could use a cup and some company. I feel like a good conversation just now.

Session Journal Twenty-one, conclusion

Axel examined the statue and found a large ring on the monolith's hand that he claimed. I turned to the lectern with Kieren and Dheza. None of us can read Old Andorri, so I used a minor spell to comprehend languages and began to read the book in an effort to find information on the black skull. Kieren noticed that a crack had appeared in the skull sometime during or after the fight and negative energy was leaking out. We could also see wisps of souls floating about more easily than before. The tome had an almost hypnotic quality to its writing, the arguments almost sensible for what Skaden has done. I resisted whatever magic the tome held, whether it was the magic of well-written philosophy or the more mundane kind and continued to read. I found scant information on the skull other than a reference to build the cathedral atop the highest mountain with the skull within. Stymied, I left the tome and rejoined the others. Axel was prepared to ram his rapier into the skull to destroy it, but Kieren suggested something simpler. Kieren fired an arrow into the skull. We were bathed in more negative energy, but we could easily see the crack grow in size. I brought the staff of souls to bear and warded us against negative energy. We quickly determined where we were in relation to the surface of the city as we prepared our escape and then let Kieren go to work. The bursts of negative energy failed to hurt us more as the crack continued to widen. One final arrow broke the skull completely open. A burst of energy washed over us, healing us, as the souls within were freed. We also realized that the entire cathedral was shaking and Dheza slipped us out of the catacombs with a spoken word. We arrived in the main cathedral and raced to escape the building before it collapsed.

While I have only been within the building for a day or so, it seems forever since I saw open sky. Skaden's greatest cathedral is no more, leaving me smiling in delight. The people of Skadas Shee will know of this soon enough, if the rumblings haven't alerted them yet. I plan on taking a piece of the rubble for myself, so I may show to Kilmaral's grandmother that there is indeed conflict on the surface. I need to find Rhiannon and we need to deal with House Khan as well as the missing High Priest of Skaden, but for now I will revel in the fact that in the war between Skaden and Tria, today we struck a blow for the Soul of Scrithengard and for all those who have suffered at the hands of the Defier's clergy.

Session Journal Twenty-one part 3

The halls continued to twist on themselves and descend, giving us all an ominous feeling. When we drew near the chamber where we guessed the skull was located, spells were soon cast. Axel and I availed ourselves of his ring, each of us soon standing alone in a group of illusory doubles. Dheza did the same and cast his powerful haste incantation, while Kieren duplicated the same trick Axel and I had used. I called on the power at my command and began to peer a few seconds into the future, arming myself with foresight. When all of our magics were ready, we entered the room.

As expected, the black skull was the centerpiece of the enormous chamber. To one far end we could see a large tome on a lectern. At the other end was a statue of Skaden himself. But between us and the statue was a huge creature of darkness and shadow of vaguely feminine shape. Before we could act we were blasted by unholy power, an attack which reoccured several times before we saw the second huge shadowy humanoid on the other side of us, floating some twenty feet overhead.

Battle was joined as Axel threw his blade at the huge female, slicing her shoulder. Dheza grew and transformed into a copper dragon as arrows flashed by. Kieren's arrows blasted small holes through her torso, but these seemed to cause her no great pain. In turn, more unholy power blasted into us, followed by Dheza suddenly resuming his own form and slowing down as his spells were all dispelled. I threw the most powerful warding spell I know, protecting us all with a holy aura. This proved fortuitous as Dheza and Axel both drew too close to the unliving creature of entropy. Blows struck home on my friends but the monster seemed to reel back suddenly, momentarily confused. My spell had blinded it for a moment, a moment that ended when Dheza's blade slammed into her thigh. Green energy cascaded up her form and finished the work Kieren had started, causing portions of her body to vaporize. The nightwalker vanished in a blast of negative energy, leaving us to deal with the floating monster.

I began to heal our wounds as the unholy blasts took their toll. Axel continued to throw Pawthorn as Kieren switched targets. Dheza drew close and attempted to cast a spell but was interrupted by an enormous fist that staggered him for a crucial second, interrupting his incantation. Dheza dropped to the floor as a ray of negative energy tried to pull his soul free of his body. I raced up beside him and poured positive energy into his body before his soul could come free of the flesh, reviving him. He in turn tried to blast the monster to dust, but only a small portion of its not-flesh vanished.

Axel took advantage of the monster's preoccupation and climbed up the wall of the chamber. When he found himself over the floating monster, our shadowdancer leapt down and raked his dagger down its back. He landed neatly on the floor nearby, landing agilely and gently due to his own skill and his ring of feather falling. Dheza blasted at the monster with force missiles, but they failed to penetrate the creature's magical defenses. Kieren's arrows continued to strike home as I filled friend and foe alike with more positive energy, until finally one last arrow felled the monster.

Session Journal Twenty-One cont.

The walls of the far end of the catacombs soon gave way to silver-inlaid murals that had been likely made over the course of many years given their intricacy. The murals were somewhat similar to those covering the walls that led to Ramun, though none of us wanted to take the time to examine them closely. We realized that we were slowly descending as well, with the occasional tracks or other evidence of small vermin. At the end of the long hallway we eventually spotted a door. Axel led the way, searching for traps as he went, but he stopped when we suddenly heard the sound of a large dog barking from the area near the door. Dheza joined him for the investigation after Kieren realized that the area was covered with magical auras. Dheza's attempt to dispel the magic failed. In seeming retaliation, skeletal arms erupted from the walls and slashed at Dheza and Axel, clawing and clutching at them. My attempt to dispel magic also failed, the dog's barks and growls continuing even as Axel reported that he'd felt something try to bite him. Worried, I called on my divine power and viewed the room beyond. I saw a single man of pale complexion there, wearing fine clothing and seeming to cast a spell as he faced the door. I also saw a sarcophagus on the far side of the room but little else of note, all of this I quickly reported. Armed with knowledge of what lay ahead, Dheza quickly slipped us out of the hallway into the room to face our attacker.

One fact I had been slow to notice is that our foe was flying above the floor, but this did little to slow our offense. As always, Kieren's arrows struck home with great impact. Axel threw Pawthorn at the enemy, slashing his cheek. The vampire's wounds began to close quickly as more skeletal claws erupted, badly wounding Dheza and slicing into my own flesh as well as Kieren's. While I find the effect of the attack painful, I can say that the theatrical effects are surprisingly amusing. Getting sliced, slashed, and groped by skeletal hands is not something I would recommend for anyone, however. Seeing how wounded we were, I healed the entire room, friend and foe alike. The monster withstood the attack and retorted with a quip I ignored. Dheza cast a spell and flew up to face the creature, blows raining down in rapid succession. Axel's dagger struck home again as the vampire threw something to the ground. Two large fiends appeared, bone devils from the pits of Hell. I ignored them, seeing the vampire's wounds healing, and blasted the entire room with healing power again. I admit that I used up my most powerful incantations for the fight, but I knew that the longer we let our foe cast spells, the worse the fight would go for us. The vampire's body was nearly blasted away by the infusion of positive energy, but Kieren finished the job with two arrows through his chest. The two devils struck at us, one of them slamming home attacks on me as the other tried in vain to hit Axel. My patience with creatures of the Lower Planes was long since expended, so I blasted them back to Hell with a word of creation.

We searched the sarcophagus and found an old, lovingly-crafted falchion of pure adamantine. Dheza soon determined that the blade erupted into loud blasts of sound and took an immediate liking to it. I took the vampire's body and forever ended its unliving existence while Axel and Kieren looked over the vampire's gear. Most of it we put away for future sales, but Axel claimed a ring that would prevent magic from halting his movement. When we were done, we took Axel's ring of spell storing, emptied it, and Dheza filled it with two mirror image spells for later use. We then departed through the door on the far side of the chamber.

Session Journal Twenty-One: January 29, 2011
Scrithengard Date: First Triasday of Skadesloom

My night was far less restful than I expected. We barricaded ourselves into the secret chamber for the night. Of the magical treasure we found, Dheza claimed the Robes of Andor'sek and the two spell scrolls; Kieren claimed the ring of spell storing; Axel received Pawthorn; and the staff of souls was mine. The other wealth we set aside for future use, dividing it between the various bags and haversacks. As for the clones of Durran, all of them were destroyed. I invoked a blade barrier and helped to toss each clone into it. Kieren was mildly disturbed by my behavior, which I find amusing and surprising given his drow blood. But to be fair, I am the least blood-thirsty of us all, as I know life will end soon enough for us all. Despite these actions, all of which were very good at relieving stress, my dreams were haunted again that night. When I am more settled I will try to scribe the details, but I will say here that I dreamed of that long-ago night when I died alone in this very chamber. Instead of reaching the embrace of my goddess, I was instead drawn through the catacombs to a chamber that was shaped like the infinity symbol. In the middle of this enormous chamber was a skull made of some black stone that stretched from floor to ceiling, supporting the chamber. Worse, the skull drew in the souls of those who died, trapping them forever away from the cycle of Life and Death. Only those souls Skaden favored were safe from this trap, instead transformed into undead monstrosities.

Needless to say, I slept poorly. My Mistress's will was quite clear.

None of us were our normal selves the next morning. Kieren eventually broke the uneasy silence and mentioned his dreams of this black skull. Unlike the rest of us, he also dreamt of something else. Kilmaral entered his dreams as well, and in this case the dream was a direct message from her. She was coming with reinforcements, namely the drow who survived the prison riots, and expected to arrive in a week. Axel and Dheza were like myself, haunted by dreams of the skull, each with its own twist. It took us a few minutes after dining on the heroes' feast to gather our things and begin our trek to the unexplored reaches of the catacombs.

20/2/4

Morag finally pulled her eyes away from the altar, her eyes slowly opening. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she reached down into her bodice and pulled out the ring that hid there on a chain about her neck. She clenched it tightly in her fist for a long moment before finally taking a deep breath. She tucked the ring away and wiped the tears away before turning back to the men. All three were looking away, embarrassed.

“I'm done,” she said simply.

“You know,” Axel replied, “you don't have a bad singing voice. Did you ever consider getting lessons from a bard?”

To their surprise Morag erupted in laughter. They stood there as she continued to laugh, bent nearly double, all staring at her uncomfortably.

“Great Axel. Now she's unhinged,” Dheza said sarcastically.

“She's been that way as long as I've known her. But I admit, this is a bit odd, even for her,” Axel confided. “If she starts casting any spells, I'm out of here.”

Morag finally regained her composure and looked at Axel with a fond expression on her face.

“To answer your question Axel, yes, a long time ago, in another life, I did consider getting lessons. But I fell in love and got married, so I never got around to it. Maybe the next time I stop in a Rover camp I can work on that.”

“Well, if you're done, what do you want to do about all these?” Axel pointed at the bodies lining the wall.

Morag's smile changed from one of amusement to something darker.

“Say what you like about Morag, she might not be sane, but she definitely brings something different to the party,” Dheza murmured as the woman drew her knife and walked toward the first body along the wall.

Session Journal 20 Interlude 2 part 3
(try to keep it straight ;p)

Dheza glanced down at the body on the floor.

“For him?” Dheza looked around the room. “Are you going to do one for each of these guys? I mean, if that's your thing, then sure, but I don't know that we want to stay here that long. Besides,” Dheza added, “didn't you say something back at Tria's Grove when we watched him reincarnate as a fruit bat?”

“This prayer isn't for these masses of neverliving flesh,” Morag replied, her eyes intent on the altar's surface.

“Then who's it for?” Axel interjected.

“It's for me.”
“Wait,” Dheza interrupted. “What do you mean it's 'for you'?” The eldritch knight motioned with his hands to emphasize his words. “Are you planning on doing something stupid and just now telling us? Are you sick or something? Can you be a little more specific?”

The dark-haired woman sighed.

“I told you all not long after we met that I lost most of my memory eleven years ago,” Morag explained. “My oldest memories involve leaving Sheenosek with the help of an old Neen merchant. I wasn't in my proper state of mind at the time—”

“Are you ever?” Kieren joked.

Morag glared at him and continued.

“Well, since we've spent the past week or two in Sheenosek, I've learned a few things, all thanks to Krieg. I know what happened to my husband, I know when it happened, and I know who I was.”

“You were someone different?” Axel asked.

“Very different,” Morag clarified. “The last thing Krieg told me, the night before we came to the capital, was the most important. He gave me back my real name. I wasn't born Morag. I didn't come of age and just inherit my title. Think about it: Morag isn't even an Isenorian name, and it's fairly obvious that I'm Isenorian.”

The three men nodded warily.

The Gatherer of Souls sighed again.

“Since we came to the cathedral, the last few missing memories have been taunting me. Always lingering just on the edge of my memory like fading dreams. As we've delved deeper under the cathedral I knew what it was that I was missing. I had forgotten my own death. My first death,” she added. “The one I've known about but couldn't recall the details about. When my old life ended and this life began.” Morag held her arms out and motioned to her body with a bitter smile.

“When we opened the door to this room the last details flooded back. The smell of blood, the taste of it, the cold air, the very feelings of despair and sorrow that are part of the stone. All of it. I remembered it all. I wanted to run screaming from here. I admit it; I was afraid. But I didn't. I couldn't leave you down here with those fiends. You're my friends.” Morag ignored the looks of mock-astonishment and continued.

“I also realized something else. The woman who died down here wasn't me. Her body walks the world still, but she's dead and gone. That woman died, and the Gatherer of Souls was born. For all her suffering, it was that woman's suffering that led to my existence. It isn't the existence I might have chosen under other circumstances, but I chose it, and I will live this life until the gift is returned. I owe that woman thanks. I owe her so much for the nightmare she lived through. I bear her memories and I wear her flesh, but I am not her. She will always be a part of me, but I am more than she ever was. Far more.”

“No Chosen of Tria has ever walked these halls to speed the souls of the dead to their next lives. I prayed for my husband, but no one prayed for me. I have a chance to do that now, so I'm going to give myself that one small indulgence, eleven years overdue.” Morag put her hands on the altar and leaned forward. She flinched as her fingers felt the cold stone but once more closed her eyes and began to sing.

Session Journal 20 Interlude 2 cont.

Morag gave no sign that she had heard their comments. Instead she raised her head, eyes closed. Light glinted off the Crown of the Everliving General, the fire causing it to flash and flicker. Morag's robes of shadows drank in light, creating a strange image of a woman's head with no body. She then began to sing.

The three men watched as Morag finally rose minutes later and poured a flask of holy water over the ashes, dowsing them. She shook her head and sighed as she stared at the embers and bones.

“Poor lost soul,” she murmured. “May you be born again anew.”

“Have I mentioned lately that our Chosen companion creeps me out?” Dheza whispered to Axel.

“Well, yes, she does,” Axel admitted. “But she's proven pretty useful to have around when dealing with the occasional undead. Or serious injury,” Axel added thoughtfully, remembering how the Chosen of Death had literally pushed his entrails into his abdomen with one hand and then closed the gaping wound with a few murmured words earlier in the evening.

Morag began to pace the room once more, her eyes darting to different spots on the floor. She said nothing as she walked, the only noise she made the clicking of her heels as she moved. After a minute of uncomfortable silence, the men returned their attention to examining the room for valuables.

Death's Mistress finally stopped at the altar. She looked down at Durran's clone and then glanced at Dheza.

“Dheza, could you give me a hand with this?” Morag pointed at the body.

Dheza looked up from where he stood examining the staff that had lain at the side of that very same body, confused.

“You want me to help move that?” Dheza asked, pointing at the body.

“Yes, please,” Morag replied politely.

“I got it Dheza,” Kieren replied, slinging his bow over his shoulder and sliding his arrow in its quiver. He strode to the other end of the stone altar and grabbed the inert body by its legs as Morag grabbed the shoulders. The ranger thought he saw Morag smile gratefully for a moment before she nodded and together they heaved the unliving man to the floor.

“Thank you Kieren.”

Kieren nodded, this time seeing Morag's smile and then turning away, inexplicably embarrassed.

“Why did you want it moved?” Dheza asked, seeing Kieren resume his watch on the door.

Morag didn't reply immediately. Instead she poured a flask of holy water onto the altar and said a brief prayer. The water hissed and steamed before erupting into black and white flames. The fires burned for several seconds before fading away.

“I have another prayer to give,” Morag finally said.

Session Journal 20 Interlude #2
Nightmares, Sympathy, and Farewells

“These robes are just awesome!” Dheza exclaimed as he pulled the Robes of the Heir of Andor'sek over his mithril armor.

“Let's hope the rest of the stuff we find is just as good then,” Axel commented as he casually walked around the room, examining the unmoving men lining the walls. Kieren eyed the doorway to the chamber warily, an arrow in hand. The ranger and the shadowdancer glanced knowingly at one another and then toward the final member of their group.

Morag also walked around the room casually, making a circuit opposite of Axel. She looked at several of the clones of the the former High Priest of Skaden and shuddered before finally moving to the center of the room. Heedless of the gore and blood she knelt down by the body of the fallen bishop of Skaden, Narra Do'Sheen, and took a good look at the dead woman's face.

Narra's hair was partially burned away from the spell that had killed her, but it was quite dark, nearly as dark as the Gatherer's own ebon tresses. Morag glanced up to look at the face of one Durran clone and then down at Narra again. The sharp cheekbones of the Sheen bloodline were muted in the fallen woman, as was the sharp chin. In truth, the woman's face was plain where Durran's was striking. Narra's face was also burned, but Morag could see traces of cosmetics that created dark hollows beneath the dead woman's eyes and paled her skin.

Morag reached into her pack and pulled out a small hand mirror. She looked at her reflection for several long moments before looking sharply down at Narra, a thought disturbing her peace of mind. Setting the mirror aside, she looked at Narra's body closely. The Sheen bishop was willowy of build, her frame thin and light.

“Did you draw Durran's eye too?” Morag murmured softly. “Did you suffer because you were like me, or because you were not me?”

“Morag?”

The Gatherer of Souls looked up to see Kieren standing over her, his expression guarded, a question unspoken on his lips. She'd never heard him approach.

“I'm fine, Kieren,” Morag replied quietly.

“You're talking to the corpse of a priestess of Skaden. Even for you, that's a bit odd. I'd have guessed you'd be laughing or burning her corpse or at least saying prayers by now.”

“I will,” Morag answered, ignoring the dark elf's attempt at humor. “Just leave me be for a little while. This isn't easy,” she added.

Kieren glanced at the mirror at her side. His gaze darted to the face of both women, one dead, the other twice-dead. His eyes widened for a moment but he nodded.

“All right. I guess being civilized to one's enemies isn't going to be easy, all things considered.” He nodded meaningfully toward the twenty unmoving bodies lining the walls but stepped away.

“No, it isn't. Thank you,” Morag added, but if he heard her he gave no sign.

Morag brushed the woman's hair away and straightened up the body as well as she could. Dheza and Axel had already stripped this corpse of anything of value. The glabrezu that had been Narra's guards had taken pieces of her flesh and gorged on them before falling to the blades of the adventuring quartet. Morag laid the woman down peacefully and knelt at her head, pouring a flask of oil over the body. With flint and steel Death's Mistress struck a spark and watched as the partially-burned corpse lit up in flame once more.

The three men turned toward the light, their attention drawn by the unexpected fire.

“Does she normally do this to her enemies?” Dheza leaned down and asked Axel quietly.

“No, this isn't normal. She's done it once in a while, but normally she just does the praying over the body and leaves them there for the scavengers,” Axel answered, his eyes on the fire and Morag's back.

“That's good. Remind me never to get her mad at me. I'd rather my corpse not end up crispy,” Dheza remarked.

Session Journal 20 Interlude conclusion

Morag blows on the tea before taking a sip. She purses her lips in thought for several moments, taking another sip and staring into the fire.

"I don't know if Tria will come back again, or if when she passes away that someone else will take her place. She may well pass away and take the world with her. That is one of the things I have yet to discover. I hope that her Mother will be waiting for her and welcome her with the same love Mother Newhon showed you years ago. I think she will," Morag adds thoughtfully.
\
"I still wonder why I was chosen, of all that lived, to be the Chosen of Death. My Mistress admitted she was slightly surprised and appreciated my dedication, but she's never been one for extended conversations. I guess she trusts me to do what she wants done. Even Rhiannon can't tell me anything on that point," Morag shrugs, sipping her tea. "I just hope I can do what Death wants. It would be a tragedy beyond imagining if Tria were to be Skaden's slave. It would be sad if our Mother died alone." Morag finishes the tea with a single swallow and hands the cup back to Axel.

"Good tea," Morag says with a smile. "I haven't had any that good since I was at the monastery. Sailors aren't known for their tea-drinking habits." She stares into the fire, idle thoughts ending with a half-smile as she recalls some other time.

"I'm not offended if you don't think of death," she says suddenly, staring earnestly at the shadowdancer. "Most people prefer not to. It's natural to avoid thinking about the end of our lives. Fear of it is normal. Most people think only of this life. They don't know what awaits them when they're done here. Some believe they know; they may even be right." Morag shrugs. "When I died a few days ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the afterlife that awaited me was peaceful and pastoral. Ezreth was waiting for me there." Morag's voice trails away as she wipes away a tear.

"Ezreth was my husband," she adds.

"I had the chance to stay there, but I chose to come back. I couldn't let Skaden win, I decided. More than a desire for vengeance, more than a need to know what I'd forgotten, I couldn't rest in paradise knowing that the Defier was about to claim an entire nation. So when that Chosen of Atanna called, I came back. And I know that one day, if I don't screw up, he'll be waiting there for me."

"You're right though about one thing. This life IS a gift, a second chance. I can't go back to being the woman I was years ago. She's dead, her life spent. But I don't have to discard all of who she was either. I can have a bit of her, and still be myself. It won't stop me from doing what I have to do one day, and in the meantime, I certainly have motivation to stay the course." Morag uncharacteristically giggles. "Just don't expect me to be sunshine and rainbows all the time. Kieren would probably run screaming over the hills." Morag rises and stretches.
"Thank you for answering my questions Axel. The tea was excellent. Wake me at midnight. I'm going to go ahead and take my nap. If you talk to Kieren, tell him I'm in the mood for griddle-cakes in the morning." Morag starts to walk away and then stops, turning around.

"One more thing," she says. "When you died back in the Tower, I called you back and you came. I'm happy you did. You're a friend, and I have very few of those. I want you to be around for a long time. If nothing else, you make things interesting. Sometimes painful, but interesting, and I could use some of that these days. I can't spend all my time worrying about the future when you're around. We may not HAVE a future." Morag teases. "So, that said, I'm going to get some rest. Believe it or not, I get tired of dank, dark, smelly, undead-infested catacombs too. Especially ones beneath major Skadenite cathedrals." Morag turns away and heads to her bedroll. Moments later she is asleep, and for a change, she doesn't have nightmares.

Session Journal 20 Interlude cont.

She pauses and Axel thinks, "Oh Seffi, what brought this on? Morag is asking me about death? That's like me asking Jour about sneaking and backstabbing. Crap! What would Jour do? He'd put on his 'nice' face and talk his way through..." Axel smiles up at her.

Perhaps reading Axel's lack of immediate response as more than it is, Morag continues, "I understand if you don't want to talk about it. Or if you're forbidden by your god from doing so." Morag waits for Axel's response.

"Ah, no. No forbidance that I know of. Here, sit." Axel drags over a blanket and folds it into a pad next to him before patting it. While Morag arranges herself, Axel throws some tea and herbs into a tiny cloth bag, puts the bag in a cup, pours boiling water over the bag and hands the cup to Morag, saying, "Let that steep." Axel then preps a cup of coffee for himself, using the time to collect his thoughts.

"You know, I can't dwell on death. For a long time now I've been surrounded by it. Plenty of killing, wars and strife and such. But I can't really bring death into consideration before I act. I mean, if I thought about dying all the time, it would make me hesitate. It would make most of the things I do seem reckless or maybe just dirt stupid.

And now I'm traveling with a representative of Death and I could still barely think about it. I'm not disrespecting Death, but for a while there I was terrified of dying. Sorry..."

Axel pauses, "But now it doesn't seem so bad. Let me explain. I was standing in front of that door, and I knew I could beat that trap. Seen 'em before. So I was going through the process and something went wrong. Maybe the trapmaker was clever. Maybe the trap was old. Either
way, the trap went off and a horrifying wave of coldness erupted through me. It was like a million icy needles tearing into me and ripping apart. And this was no illusion. Not some 'feeling'. I WAS torn apart and killed dead as dead can be. And I thought, 'Now you've done it. You've killed the scourge of continents and monsters that can lay civilizations low and in the end, a doorknob bested you. At least you didn't die in a latrine.'

Then things changed. It was sudden but still gentle and there was a sensation of drawing, of welcoming, of warmth that had I had not felt for a long time. I felt like I was being held in my mother’s arms as a small child, cradled after a bad fall. A memory came to me like a flash: I was a young'un. Six years old and kind of scrawny but still the same Axel. Me and the other kids were daring each other and I was never one to back down from a challenge. Our Rover band had hooked up with some Human merchants, but they were seriously and completely off-limits. So the next thing I know, I'm scampering up this very tall human’s caravan, certain I could reach the top. Next thing I know, there's a slip, some wood splintering and some shouting. Mom Newhon
comes running to me. Checked my head. Kissed me on the cheek and I felt a splash of tears of relief, I guess. She never let me go and bandaged up, I thought at the time, a painfully skinned arm, and somehow a mother’s touch made the pain all go away. As soon as that was settled, though, I was treated to a sharp, nearly as painful smack on the rear. 'I told you not to climb things that are too big for you,' Ma told me. She seemed upset, and I heard the disappointment in her voice as much as the worry. And then I got a lighter smack, a gentler one. “Now go play.” As I ran off, I turned to look at Ma, one more time. Her face had gone blurry and it seemed to have developed an oddly greenish tinge. I blinked, trying to focus and feelings and impressions washed over me in a rush. The one that stands out is the warmth of the sun on my face in the caravan camp. As the feeling of Ma's kiss on my forehead faded, it all turned back into the dank cold of the black stone castle of the King Immortal, and you were there, looking over me. You may have lacked some of the motherliness, but I felt no less concern than I felt that day in the caravans so long ago. So, I had been dead. Maybe for only a second or two but dead is dead. I feel certain beyond doubt that I have been given a gift the Mother of Us All does not give wantonly: a second chance at life. I also feel certain of another thing: such a gift will unlikely come as easily again."

Axel pauses, tests his coffee and pulls the teabag from Morag's cup in a motion so smooth and quick that it's startling well after it happened. "That's still hot," he warns.

"So life's a rare gift. A second chance is rarer still. I don't think I fear death so much, now. I figure that in the end, I'll have to account for how I spent my rare gift. But as long as I keep fighting for what's right and fair and good, I'll be accepted back to a place of warmth and love."

Axel pauses again before moving into uncharted conversational territory. "This experience has turned my thoughts toward your overall and ultimate mission, too. When Tria metaphorically 'falls off the caravan' is that the end of everything or does she get bandaged and
kissed and shown some love before being sent back to play with a heightened appreciation for the gift that is life? Or if it does turn out to be the end, will Tria be welcomed with love, knowing that her life was well spent and that peace and comfort await? Who can say, but it's interesting to think you'll have a part in it all."

At that, Axel falls silent, paying attention to his cup.

Session Twenty Interlude
Lives past and present
"Ah, camp. No matter how cold or damp or uncomfortable," Axel thinks, "I always find something restful and homey about the process of making camp. Stupid Tiny Hut. Anyway, everyone's too beat for a big meal, but the fire's cheery and a pot of boiling water is the start of any number of things that will comfort and make the group's time in camp more restful." Axel idly pokes at the fire as he assesses what his friends are up to.

Axel observes, "Morag prays. Today was a tough day for her. Tough for everyone, with the fighting and death and all, but coming back here has been especially tough for her. But after the last fight today something changed. Maybe she was able to put something behind her? Who can say? Heh. Who would be asking, anyway?"

Moving on. Axel notes that Kieren counts and catalogs the treasure. Again. Axel thinks, "Don't understand that. When I realized that all I have to do to have something is to take it, I stopped really wanting anything. But he's got a plan and an artifact that will take you anywhere, so he bears watching."

Axel turns his attention to Dheza, who just magic-ed away the dirt he was covered with and is now combing pomaid into his hair. "It would be easy to disregard him as a fop, but he waded into the thick of it today. If only I could get him to pay attention to something other than how his shoes look..."

Turning back to the pot of water, Axel muses, "So, coffee? Yeah, I'll go for a couple of cups with cocoa and offer to pull first watch."

Morag's done. Axel hears her moving behind him. Thinks, "She'll probably hit the hay." He hears her stand, hesitate, then let out a big sigh. Now footsteps heading head his way. Thinks again, "Maybe she wants tea. Yeah, I'll offer her tea. Everyone likes a nice fresh hot tea."

Morag stops behind Axel and pauses. Axel asks, "Tea?"

Morag is slow to respond. "Actually, if you have a few minutes Axel, I'm curious about what you experienced several days ago when you died in the Tower of the Immortal."

Session Journal Twenty, part 3

Beyond the door was my worst nightmare made real. Narra stood in conversation with Durran, speaking animatedly. Four more men, each identical to Durran, stood around the room. A sixth Durran laid unmoving on the altar near the back of the chamber, beside which stood a table with various implements of sacrifice and torture. And a score more copies of the former High Priest of Skaden lined the walls in some sort of stasis. The floors were stained with blood so darkly that the very ground seemed slippery despite the age of the blood.

This chamber was where Melania died.

I held my ground, forcing down the memories that now finally broke free. I remembered bleeding to death over the altar there, skin flensed from the flesh, Durran's mocking words as he departed. That vision swam before my eyes for a second before I squashed it down by sheer force of will. With perfect clarity I understood that Melania was truly dead. This place was an unholy place, dedicated to the god of undeath and an abomination in Death's eyes. But I also felt a strange sense of peace despite the situation. It was because of Melania's death that Death had chosen me as her servant. Because Melania died, this place could now be destroyed. In a way, Durran had done nothing more than assure the destruction of the seat of his own power.

I stepped past Axel and Dheza, my strides swift and sure. I heard Dheza bark a warning that five of the Durran copies were glabrezu but I didn't care. I took a deep breath, intoned a brief prayer, and then screamed my rage aloud. I felt Death's power surge forward, hungry for lives, but only two of the copies were in any way affected by the necromantic power I had released. They paled even as their forms changed, their illusions vanishing to reveal their true forms. Narra and the other three resisted my most powerful incantation, their unholy power shielding them from my righteous wrath.

Dheza struck before our enemies could act, pointing a finger at Narra. One moment she stood there, cursing; the next, a sheep stood in her place, bleating in surprise. The glabrezu all showed their amusement at this turn of events but still attacked. Two spoke words of arcane power, striking Axel and Dheza dumb for several precious seconds. The two that were closest lashed out at Dheza and nearly killed him in a flurry of claws, pincers, and bites. I healed our injuries as Kieren's reliable arrows felled one of the two closest demons. Axel pulled out the magical mirror we'd taken from the Tower of the Immortal and showed it to one of the other creatures, but it resisted his efforts to draw it into the mirror's dimensional pockets. Kieren felled the next demon as the rest warded themselves with the same incantation Dheza commonly used to create multiple illusory images of himself. The sheep tried to do something and received several arrows for her efforts. Dheza shook his head to clear it and tried to slip through the dimensions to Narra's side but his spell failed unexpectedly. A demon managed to dispel the polymorph on Narra and the sheep was once more a woman. A word of power robbed me of my senses, the arcane word driving my thoughts into a swirl of chaos. I lost precious seconds as I tried to fight my way free of the spell. I saw hideous wounds open up on my friends; far too many demons appeared and disappeared before a third glabrezu fell. Narra was shot and blasted until beams of fire sprung from Dheza's hand to burn her to a crisp. I noted that the demons' bodies were not disappearing as they died, which is unusual in the extreme. A field of black tentacles sprang up around the demons, holding them long enough for the others to finally gain the upper hand. Dheza 's prior incantation to leave them exhausted proved fortuitous, as they could not escape the tentacles. The demons closest to Narra's corpse were strangely reaching out and devouring the ashes, an act with unknown significance. After several long, tense minutes, the remaining demons were destroyed.

We are currently searching the room for valuables and information as I sit here and write these words. The Durran copy on the altar bears a magical staff and the Robes of the Heir of Andor'sek, another item of mystical power and historical importance. The Robes increase the resistance of the wearer to all sorts of attacks as well as increase the power of a sorcerer's blood powers. There's more treasure here as well, but for right now I will put down my pen and just enjoy the strange feeling of peace. Half of the catacombs are still unexamined; Namak Do'Anda is yet to be accounted for; House Khan is planning Hell on earth. There is much yet to do, but I will just revel in the feeling of closure.

Session Journal Twenty, part 2

We entered the room to find the priest standing before us, armored in adamantine plate, wielding a wicked battle-ax. Old linen rags were wrapped around his exposed flesh, covering what little could be seen and clearly telling me that we faced a mummy. Unfortunately, ten dark wraiths served as his honor guard in his unlife.

Dheza dispelled the monster's blade barrier as Axel moved forward to engage the enemy. I strode after him and released my power. I could feel my Mistress' touch as my aura burst forth to protect us against attacks meant to snuff out life and drain life from us, fortifying us in this unholy place. I was grateful for Death's intervention when the wraiths attacked. While their touch chilled to the bone, our lifeforce was secure against their predations. Kieren's arrows began taking their toll on the wraiths closest to the door but the ranger himself was slow to follow Axel and I into the room. The mummy spoke to Dheza, his tone commanding even in undeath.

“What House do you serve?”

Dheza's reply was brief. “House Besal. You probably never heard of us,” he added deprecatingly.

“Ah,” the general answered, seemingly satisfied.

This battle was long and wearisome, so I will keep my account brief. The unliving priest slammed his axe down into Axel's chest with the force of a hurricane. Axel wobbled on his feet and looked down to find his entrails now hanging freely. The blade had split the halfling's armor as a knife cuts an apple. Several wraiths sensed his weakness and renewed their attack on him, but they could not quite finish him. A blast of fire from my hands dispatched several wraiths, leaving me to heal him of his wounds. Kieren slowly worked his way toward us, finishing several more wraiths. Dheza and Axel landed several blows on the general, but his unnatural resilience, magical defenses, and heavy armor thwarted most of their attacks. It was Kieren's arrows that finally felled him. We spent the next several minutes destroying the remaining wraiths and their reinforcements.

The sarcophagus was warded with glyphs keyed to use negative energy on any creature reaching in, but Dheza dispelled those wards. Between the mummy and the coffin we found several scrolls of divine magic, a valuable focus for the repulsion incantation, the creature's enchanted armor and battle axe, magical incense, material components for a variety of divine incantations, and a very unusual tiara. The priest wore the very crown he wore in life, the Crown of the Everliving. This item enhances all of the mental faculties of the wearer as well as strengthens the wearer's ability to channel negative energy. I will be able to reverse that given sufficient time, but I am still pleased to have the additional enhancements in the meantime. Finally, we found an unusual platinum holy symbol of Skaden that was enchanted with minor magics and of greater than normal sturdiness.

Tired as we were, we had to pause and consider our options. Narra was somewhere beyond the marilith, we knew. I suggested that we retreat and rest, if we wished to fight the creature. While Dheza had not used much of his innate power, I had used quite a bit of my own power by that point. Axel pointed out that we knew something was going on, that Narra had come down to the catacombs for a reason and that retreat meant risking worse things happening. Dheza suggested that we try to talk to the creature. In the end, after discussing contingencies for battle and escape, this is the path we ultimately opted for. Dheza knows the Abyssal tongue and was the obvious choice for our diplomat.

To my pleasant surprise the demoness was willing to talk with us. She was more than happy to let us pass if we agreed in turn to thwart House Khan's plans. She revealed that House Khan was planning to somehow merge Skadas Shee with the city of Dis. We all paused in astonishment at this revelation. Assuming she was telling the truth—a risky proposition to be sure, that meant that somehow Khan was planning to literally send the capital to Hell. We knew that diabolic interests were at work in the city, but we never had imagined the scale of their operations. Dheza gladly shook hands with her to seal the deal. I could see a faint whorl of magic flow between the two of them, and the marilith vanished. As a precautionary measure I attempted to dispel any evil magics at work on Dheza, but I do not know if I was successful.

The door we found behind the marilith's former position was sealed, but the platinum symbol of Skaden we had obtained proved to be the key. We cast a few more spells to protect ourselves and opened the door.

Session Journal Twenty: December 4, 2010
Scrithengard Calendar Date: Sixth Wandersday of Ataloom—First Triasday of Skadesloom (early morning hours)

We took a few moments after fighting the shadows to examine their remains, but between the shadows and the heucuva the only item of value we found was a silver bracelet. Kieren examined the halls and found Narra's trail again. Axel called forth his shadowy servant and sent it ahead to scout as I tended the last of our injuries. The creature returned minutes later, rushing back to Axel. Down one path, the corridor twisted and turned, the alcoves giving way to reliefs. Beyond the reliefs was a chamber where a solitary creature stood behind the ominous curtain of a blade barrier. A second corridor led to a chamber with a six-armed creature. Based on the description Axel relayed to me, I guessed the monster to be a powerful demon known as a marilith. We chose to explore the corridor that led to where the blade barrier and its creator awaited. While Kieren found that Narra's tracks led to the marilith, we were worried about our chances of overcoming such a creature in battle and opted for exploration. I think we all secretly hoped to find some weapon to help us against such a powerful demon, or perhaps an alternate path past the creature.

The reliefs told the story of a great general of old Andorras. Early reliefs depicted his victories against the armies of the Empire. I noted that the Empire armies were depicted harshly, even malevolently. A figure with a distinct resemblance to the King Immortal crowned the general in one key picture. Finally, the general was shown falling in battle on the spears and spells of the Empire's armies. This relief was the last one before we reached the door leading to the sarcophagus of this fallen warrior. Over the door was an inscription:

The Honored Domain of Ramun do Mar the Everliving

Session Journal Nineteen, part 2

A search of the room revealed a few books and other valuables but no sign of Nara. Even a search of the nearby room of broken bones, candle stubs, and blood revealed nothing. Finally Kieren managed to find her trail and led us into another nearby storeroom. A dedicated search found a door concealed in a wall hidden by illusion. Behind the door was a small circle that resembled the teleportation circles of the major cities of the Mevvergard.

Moments later we found ourselves in the catacombs beneath the cathedral. My skin began to crawl as soon as we appeared, the entire catacomb unhallowed and warded against creatures of high moral caliber. The halls seemed especially loathsome to me, for this was a place where Death was an enemy, not a friend. I knew I was in a place of particular importance to me, for we were drawing near to where Melania had died. Together, these feelings made me somewhat nauseous.

Walking down the hallway before us, Axel found no traps in the alcoves or in the hall itself. We were soon greeted by the unliving spirit of a fallen priest that cackled annoyingly overhead. I told the creature to depart before I made a point of dealing with it, for I had other business. It shied away but continued to trail behind us as we walked down the halls. At the far end the wall was covered with skulls, skulls that shrieked at our approach. That unholy scream summoned three shadowy undead garbed in ancient arms and armor to attack us. Axel moved up to give Kieren protection as the arcane archer fired a volley into the nearest undead. It was visibly startled by Kieren's attack, surprised that it had been injured. Dheza's sword flashed in the dim light as he slammed several blows home, sparks of force wounding the creature further.

The three creatures attacked the men, their blows doing little direct harm to flesh but instead draining them of strength. I countered this by unleashing the most potent healing magic at my command, blasting the shadows with positive energy while wiping away all signs of injury in my companions. The unsolid nature of the creatures reduced the effectiveness of my attack, but the creatures steamed as their negative energies burned away. One began to flicker weakly as Dheza and Axel continued to attack, followed by a volley of arrows by Kieren. Once more the shadows attacked, and once more I wiped away the effects of their blows. The flickering creature vanished from the onslaught, leaving the men to finish off the heucuva and the other two shadows.

We now stand here, pausing to catch our breath. Somewhere in these catacombs we will find Narra Do'Sheen. I look forward to this with great anticipation. But there is something else we will find as well, something that is just as important to me.

Somewhere within the mountainside I will also find my birthplace.

Session Journal Nineteen:November 13, 2010
Scrithengard Date: Sixth Mastersday of Ataloom

Darkness fell while we finished quelling the drow prison riot. When the local garrison managed to regain control of the streets, our small group conferred in the prison yard as to our next attack. One of the guards told us that whatever announcement was to be made by House Anda had never happened, as the riot broke out shortly before that particular event was due. After much debate, we concluded that the best thing to do was to return to the cathedral and remove the power base of the Skadenites from the political arena. We did not care overmuch as to which house rose to power, but Skaden could not come to rule Sheenosek. This was a point on which we could all agree.

Under the cover of darkness we approached the cathedral once more. This time Axel scouted out the building while we waited in an empty merchant's stall nearby. The sturdy adamantine doors were wide open, an invitation if ever we had seen one. The only person we could see without entering the building was an old woman sweeping the floor. Kieren took the time to fletch a few arrows. I stared at the cathedral, a few faint memories stirring as I tried to recall the layout of the building from my previous visits.

Axel returned some time later with his report. He had managed to reach the floor below the main temple and found the room where Narra Do'Sheen worked. She was apparently quite mad, muttering about finding her lover and ruling the nation as by his side as his slave. Hearing that Narra had seemingly gone mad brought a cold smile to my face. She conjured her pet glabrezu again before leaving to consult someone, but she also had warded the door. My halfling friend knew where her office was located, so we decided to prepare ourselves and then once more slip through the dimensions to attack the temple directly.

A minute later we had cast all the spells we wanted, including spells to protect from evil creatures, to resist lightning, to create multiple false images of ourselves, and so on. Armored with magic we dimension doored into Narra's office and face-to-thigh with the glabrezu. The magic surged through us, burning as we appeared. The demon showed no sign of surprise at our arrival. Kieren struck first, putting his augmented speed to work as he slammed four arrows into the monster's chest. Dheza's blows slammed home as well, but his blade barely managed to penetrate the demon's magical defenses and his follow-up spell unfortunately failed. Axel appeared behind the creature from wherever he had been shunted by our arrival, but the demon called up reinforcements. We could all hear multiple pops as a murder of vrocks appeared in the room beyond the glabrezu, some even in the hallway outside. I wasted no time in countering his advantage and spoke a word of creation. Another series of popping noises came to our ears as the vrocks were banished back to their Abyssal home. The glabrezu seemed almost physically ill for a moment but shrugged off the effect of my spell. More arrows struck home, followed by Axel and Dheza's blows. Dheza's attacks sparked a burst of fiery beams from the eldritch knight's free hand, but the demon seemed unfazed by his attack. To our surprise, it teleported away, choosing not to fight any longer. After my first run-in with the creature, I admit to some relief that the monster chose discretion over valor.

The door suddenly exploded as a vrock slammed the door hard enough to trigger the glyphs that had warded it as well as to knock the door free of its hinges. The trap failed to harm any of us as it exploded and we retaliated quickly. Axel dove between its legs as Dheza ran up to the vulture demon and slammed home several blows. Kieren's arrows did their deadly work and I stood back, letting the men deal with the creature. Two of the eight images of Dheza winked out as the vrock tried to rake him. More arrows struck home, as did Dheza's falchion and Axel's rapier, but the monster's supernaturally-toughened hide stopped their blows from doing much harm. I stepped forward and filled Dheza's blade with power from the upper planes to help him break through, but it wasn't necessary as Kieren's arrows finally brought the creature down.

Session Eighteen Interlude
A Release from Pain

I watched the small bat fly away into the deep blue sky, ignoring for a moment the majesty of the Keeper of Tria’s Glade. That small little creature was all that remained of the nightmare that had ruled my entire existence, one insignificant creature lost to sight almost immediately after its birth. I fancied for a moment that I felt my heart fly freely as well. Durran was gone, his soul reincarnated in the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth that is central to Tria’s doctrine.

I barely heard the exchange between Dheza, Axel, Kieren, and the Keeper. Rhiannon eyed me, her concern and compassion clear in her eyes. I was nearly overwhelmed by the plethora of emotions I felt. Joy, exhilaration, satisfaction—it is a wonder that I didn’t laugh aloud all the way out of the Deep Green. I wiped away tears nonetheless as we left the Glade; I had no desire to have my good spirits interrupted by Kieren’s normal humor. I think the Keeper knew quite a bit more than he let on, but if Tria told him or he divined it on his own so be it. I think he’ll keep my secrets.

Rhiannon and I spoke as we flew south to Skadas Shee. When we had parted ways, Krieg had awakened my lost memories, bringing Melania back to the world from whence she came. A scant few days later, a glabrezu tore me apart and we met again in the afterlife. We parted again in the temple of Atanna, and since that time we had infiltrated—Axel’s word, not mine—the Tower of the Immortal, looted it, searched it, spoken to a relic from the days before the rise of Sheenosek, and then escaped into the Astral plane. Within the past few weeks, I had remembered my long lost past, died again, risen from my grave once more, and then finally dealt the final stroke against the man who had brought me into the world. Describing my feelings to Rhiannon was difficult.

I still feel as though I am two people. Melania is the elder of the two, but Morag is the stronger. Melania is the habit I had broken, while Morag is the person I am. Melania lost her husband and her life, which resulted in the birth of the Gatherer of Souls. And so I am here now, wondering if I am Melania or Morag, still unable to reconcile the two women. At least, to some extent; I am not suffering from some mental illness that forces me to switch from one to the other. But the knowledge that I have a family waiting for me in San Elspet is there now, as well as the fact that I am a bereaved widow and yet also a creature of legend, the Chosen of Death.

One singular fact is drawing both sides together. I still can’t recall every grisly detail of my time as a slave, but I am sure Durran will feature prominently in the memories I have yet to recollect. I have already learned that he had some sort of plan for such a day as he found himself inconveniently dead. But he can’t hurt us—me—anymore. No more pain, no more loss…I have already lost enough to him. My love, my life, peace of mind, perhaps my sanity…now I can perhaps reclaim what I have lost. Perhaps now that face will stop haunting my dreams. And maybe, maybe I can admit that I was once Melania Corello, but now I am the Gatherer of Souls, now and forever more. Maybe Melania can lie in peace as well, her death avenged, though her body and soul will walk the world a while longer. I can give her family closure, at the least. And when I do, the healing process can be declared done. Right now, the world has no need for Melania. Sheenosek has no need for Melania, a textile merchant from Isenor. No, Sheenosek needs the Gatherer of Souls. The nation may not want me, but by all the Council gods and my Mistress herself, the Gatherer is returning to Skadas Shee to finish what she started, whether I am wanted or not.

As I approach the capital I see a storm hovering over the city, a weather to match my mood. I have been distracted, indecisive, fragile, even weak and melancholy. Now I am free of my burden, and I will make the villains of this city tremble at the mere mention of my name before I am done here. If I leave any at all….

No, I must not let my lingering pain and anger rule my actions in the days to come. There is battle in the streets of the capital, a sign that someone is making their move to claim the throne. While I must act to guide this nation to different path than the one it has trod for centuries, I mustn't forget what is most important in all this.

Ezreth, my heart, you are avenged at last. And so am I.

Session Journal Eighteen, conclusion

We thanked the ancient creature and asked how we could repay him. His only request was that we ensured that Skaden’s church did not come near the grove again, as they had threatened it before. We agreed, as that was our goal in part regardless, and departed amiably. I trailed behind with Rhiannon. She turned and exchanged parting words with the Keeper, while I stared up into the sky in the direction that the bat had flown off. I wiped away a few tears before catching up with the others, for I had no desire to bear the brunt of Kieren’s teasing.

Tanaya guided us to the southern edge of the forest and parted the thick wall of brambles that separated the hills of Sheenosek from the Deep Green. Slipping through the barrier, we spotted a border patrol of gnolls in the distance. Tanaya had given us our bearings, so Dheza conjured several phantom steeds for the others. Mounted, we flew off toward the capital and left the creatures alone.

A storm raged over Skadas Shee, a storm curiously located only over the city itself. Lightning flashed down and struck at the city guardsmen far below. Mixed with the guardsmen were drow, dark elves fighting everyone they met. We were horrified when one drow man slit the throat of a small child in his frothing rage. This act galvanized us into action even as bolts fell from the heavens into our ranks, singing me but leaving the others intact.

Kieren scared off the guards at the city gate with a fireball. He then convinced those drow he could to flee the city. Axel engaged the frothing maniac first, missing his attack as he dropped from his steed but landing safely. Dheza disintegrated the priestess we spotted on the street even as Kieren’s arrows struck the drow male, but the various drow warriors were too fanatical in their devotion to Berea to stand down. I reached into the berserk warrior’s body and pushed him beyond his already formidable limits, exhausting him. Axel struck repeatedly at the man as Kieren punctured his lungs with more arrows. Dheza engaged several other drow but was soon flanked and stabbed in the back. I could see the knight weaken and knew immediately that he’d been poisoned. My temper began to fray as I stared down at the warrior who would not collapse and I blasted him with holy fire. As his skeleton collapsed to the ground I turned to the nearby drow warriors and threatened them with a simple “who’s next?”

Dheza sliced his foes to ribbons and burned those who stood behind him before downing a potion to cure the poison. I removed the aftereffects and then channeled the energy of life to heal his injuries and my own. Then a fat bureaucrat approached us from the prison and introduced himself as the warden. He blubbered in fear and gratitude about our assistance, but despite our combined efforts he would not reveal who had freed the drow. We took the time to search his office and found that Berkas DoAnda had been interrogating the drow every week, making the prison outbreak a likely diversion instigated by House Anda. The only drow in the prison were political prisoners, nobles and their retainers; the common drow had been sent to the slave markets of Garruk. We scooped up some coins and an enchanted rod as well. In search of further information as to what exactly had happened, I tried to speak with one of the fallen drow but I could not call his spirit to me. Dheza freed one prisoner, Ivar, and took him as a retainer in exchange for verification of what we had learned from the warden’s journals.

House Anda, House Khan, and the clergy of Skaden were conspicuously absent in the fighting. Anda and Khan have been fighting, and we know that the church of Skaden is scheming and has been working on some ritual. Our next move needs to be determined and quickly, for a diversion now would tell us that someone is making their move for power. I hope we can stop them before another evil claims this land, or else we may be forced to depose another king just to bring the madness here to an end.

Session Journal Eighteen, part 3

Finally we arrived at a curtain of vines and Tanaya sent us through alone, telling us that he would wait for us to return. The vines parted at his command and then closed behind us as we left, leaving us to enter a grove. Greeting us was a huge unicorn, a creature of rare beauty and majesty. Golden skin offset the mithril circlet at his brow and the partial barding of green dragon scales while his eyes held wisdom far beyond what any of us possess. Rhiannon and the unicorn acknowledged one another, as Rhiannon had told me she’d been there once before. Telepathically the unicorn announced that he was the Keeper of the Glade and asked why we came. I spoke to him formally in the Sylvan language of our desire to rid the world of Durran forever. He nodded in understanding and told us to wait while he consulted the Mother herself. The mighty creature departed for a time and then returned with the advice of the Mother herself. The Keeper suggested that he could reincarnate Durran and let him continue the cycle of life. This would erase the knowledge and skills he’d possessed as well as his personality but leave a soul intact. This neat solution pleased all of us, as we’d contemplated eternal imprisonment or even annihilation previously. We gave him the soul gem as he unearthed an altar of living plants. As I sat the stone on the altar I asked if it were possible to speak with the soul within. The Keeper advised me against it, and I acknowledged the point. Part of me wanted to taunt that wretch once before his demise, I admit, but another part wanted to wish him well and that we would never meet again. I stepped back as the Keeper touched the stone with his horn. The stone exploded into dust and then coalesced around the soul within. Moments later a fruit bat flew off into the sky in search of his first meal.

Durran was gone forever.

Session Journal Eighteen cont.

Armed with more information, we debated what to do with Durran as I called Rhiannon to me and I informed her of recent events. I was touched when she asked after my well-being, but I told her that I would speak with her later on that matter. Finally, divine inspiration struck me as we discussed the possibility of trekking to Kieren’s home cosmos. I recalled that I might appeal to Tria herself to deal with Durran by journeying to the Deep Green and visiting Tria’s Glade. This plan met with approval with the others, so I gathered them close and opened my first portal between worlds and returned us to Scrithengard.

Our arrival point was a street in the midst of the elven capital city of Kauselia. A score of armed elves greeted us and Dheza introduced our party to them. Dheza translated my words into the elven language as I explained our cause. We were permitted use of a guest house while we waited to speak to someone with the authority to help us. Kieren departed briefly to procure more arrows and a more efficient magical means of carrying them but rejoined us soon after. Axel in turn purchased a cloak designed to permit limited gliding between the trees and began to practice with it extensively. We waited for a time until an older elven woman of regal bearing came to us, a woman we eventually concluded was the elven matriarch Miriamsalee. She was soon informed of our needs and agreed to lend us the services of the druid Tanaya to guide us to Tria’s Glade, along with a warning to avoid straying from the trail.

Tanaya arrived soon after Miriamsalee’s departure and we began our journey through the forest. That land proved to be almost sentient in its own right and filled with any number of fey, treants, animals, magical beasts, and even a green dragon or two. The forest filled me with a sense of peace and tranquility that I have lacked these past few weeks, a welcome respite from the never-ending whirl of thoughts in my mind. My companions were occasionally tempted to leave the path by the fey creatures but managed to resist those urges. We camped overnight and used the items taken from the Tower of the Immortal to cook dinner over. On the following morning Kieren cooked griddle-cakes with chocolate as a supplement to my divine feast. I confess that I ate several; if nothing else, he knows how to cook.

Session Journal Eighteen: September 25, 2010
Scrithengard Date: Fifth Wandersday of Ataloom—Sixth Mastersday of Ataloom

The Astral plane is a wondrous place. If I never walk the planes again, I feel that this trip alone was worth it.

Time does not pass in the Astral plane as it does on Scrithengard. None of my friends displayed signs of hunger, thirst, or fatigue while we were on the island bearing the library. We explored the library, which consisted of a dome some one hundred feet in diameter and fifty feet in height with shelves that reached to the ceiling and around the circumference of the dome. Discs of magical force such as those made by wizard apprentices served in place of ladders, letting those using the library reach shelves far above the floor. Axel experimented with one such disc but found that it was unable to move very quickly; I believe he was hoping to enjoy a bit of fun. Many different races used the silent room, including an unusual creature of elfin appearance that directed us via a transparent slate to the information desk.

We soon found ourselves directed from the information desk to a strange automaton that answered our queries. We researched the activities of Nathaan and found that he had not visited the library in several decades after he had been banned. His banning came after he had accidentally summoned an astral kraken to the library. To his credit, he helped fight the creature off, but the damage to the library dome was from that very fight. Nathaan also researched such topics as planar portals and political science in the past, as well as a romantic story and several books on pottery. Our own queries revealed that the ruby-covered well led to the layer of Hell known as Dis as well as Sigil and to a demiplane ruled by a hag that bordered the Gray Wastes. Nathaan may have been in contact with those planes due to his desire to find ways to deal with both the other Houses as well as the Ebon Serpent, who had contact or information on the Deep Ones. The astral kraken was the result of the lich’s experimentation. We also researched the succubus Charity and Wanderer’s Shards but learned nothing of great value. No one else from Sheenosek has been to the library recently although the jann Alamar has visited at some time in the past.

Nathaan left something on the astral isle in the adjacent rest area, known as the Astral Winds. We left the dome and paused for a moment as we took in the sight of the endless Astral sea. When we reached the building, we were greeted by a genie by the name of Rabi. We presented the amulet of the King Immortal in order to gain access to what he left behind, but were called upon to pay the genie several small gems to access Nathaan’s stored goods. We found various research notes regarding the Ebon Serpent, a signet ring of House Khan that would grant access to one of the inner rooms of the house, and a large slab of ruby identical to that found at the well and to the ruby gate that Kieren carries.

Session Journal Seventeen Interlude
Temptation

I sit here tonight in an otherworldly library, Durran's soul in the palm of my hand, and I wonder what might have been.

If I had remained in Isenor, I would be a mother by now. Ezreth and I would have had children by now, most likely several of them. I see them now, little boys running and playing on the docks as my brother and I once did. Little girls squeeling and giggling as they roam the marketplace, searching for new delights. Sweet smiles for both as I put them to bed and tuck them in, a kiss on each brow.

Durran took that life from me, forever denied me that simple existence. Oh, he was not alone, I know. Kales was the one who took me from Isenor, and one day I will find him and deal with him appropriately. But Durran killed Ezreth for his own experiments. Durran killed Melania for his own schemes. All he left in his wake was the Gatherer of Souls. And now I can collect on what he owes me.

The four of us have tossed ideas back and forth as to what to do with the soul gem now in my keeping. I think we covered the topic thoroughly, and when it comes to souls I am an expert.

We could break the gem. This would release the soul, of course. I do not care to see a soul trapped and forever denied the rewards of the afterlife, but Durran's soul likely would not go on to the afterlife of his own volition. More likely he would manifest as a ghost. And if he did, removing him would be extremely difficult I suspect, for he would likely desire nothing less than rulership of the nation. So this idea is perilous at best.

Another option would be to destroy Durran's soul. The temptation is there, but such a thing goes against all that my Mistress holds dear. And destroying a soul is not easy. It is nigh-impossible. A few undead such as a devourer can do so as well as a rare few artifacts, none of which are available. So this option is unavailable.

I could also use the gate and go directly to Hell. The fiends there would likely barter eagerly for Durran's soul. The rewards would be great, I imagine. Power I have, but not enough to do all I need or want to do. Immortality would be the goal, I think. The layer of Hell the gate opens on to is even one with a city, if I remember my lore correctly. But no. I serve Death. Trafficking in souls is anathema. And it is always possible some devil would release that soul and Durran would find himself born again as a powerful monster, a reward for his horrible deeds.

Keeping the soul gem away from all others is a possibility. Leaving it in the Astral would put it beyond the reach of all but the most powerful individuals. But such a fate is too uncertain. I heard a tale once of a great evil that the forces of humanity sought to destroy that reminds me that evil must be destroyed, not merely contained. The various noble scions of Sheenosek may also have the power to retrieve the soul gem from any prison we could quickly devise.

I could keep the gem, I suppose. But our recent battle in Skaden's cathedral has reminded me that I am still all-too-mortal. If I can die on a demon's claws once, it could happen again. Assuming someone does not simply steal the gem from me.

There are thousands of books around me. Given time, I could research a ritual to permanently lay Durran to rest. The research library here is quite extensive. But as I did my research, the nation would continue to tear itself apart. I have no desire to see these people suffer. I do not know how long I would need to devise this ritual. Perhaps a few days?

Even as a disembodied soul Durran continues to interfere with my life, sadistic creature that he is. He would deserve anything I did to him and then some. I doubt I could ever truly punish him for all he did in life—I lack the imagination and I am too compassionate. But the idea of hearing him scream for all eternity in the pits of Hell sounds so wonderful to my ears....

I need to talk to Rhiannon. Kieren wonders at my anger. His waxes hot whenever he speaks of what happened to the drow beneath Sheenosek. Mine is now a cold flame, a flame so cold it will burn and leave nothing in its wake. Kieren is set up for heartbreak I think when we find the dark elves in Skadas Shee. The southern drow are not as civilized as the northern drow, based on what Kilmaral has told us. The stories we have heard in Sheenosek seem to confirm this. Yet he still desires vengeance, whether he acknowledges this or no. I too want vengeance. But will it truly grant me peace? My heart says no. I need a level head and of those people I know Rhiannon is the wisest by far. She may yet make all this discussion moot if she can deliver Durran where he belongs. Life is seldom so convenient, however, so I think I will plan a bit more. And try to avoid imagining Durran's screams and blood in a torture chamber below the Tower of the Immortal with satisfaction and glee....

Session Journal Seventeen, conclusion

Once we had readied ourselves and restored Dheza, we made one more quick trip through the tower to the last auxiliary tower to make sure we were leaving no hidden entrances unfound. We descended beneath the tower, itself of no consequence, down a ladder into an isolated chamber. Adamantine shackles of superior design lined one wall, while various implements of torture sat at the ready on a nearby table. The room reminded me of what had happened to me once, long ago. Memory burst its bonds and I saw Durran smiling as he picked up a tool from that table and approached me, all the while talking casually as if nothing were remiss.

The next thing I knew we were in the room with the gate. I'm told I screamed, collapsed into the fetal position, and cried. I have no recollection of these things. While the others all have a sense of humor, I doubt they are teasing me on this point. I pulled my thoughts together as Kieren opened the gate, making sure we had all of the rubies that were needed to open the gate to its existing keyed locations, and stepped through.

The Astral plane is a void, a misty realm with little to recommend it to those seeking glorious sights to see. We expected to land in a fortress. Perhaps we did, but we appeared inside an enormous library. People of many races I have never seen before went about their business reading and shelving books. Many others were busily repairing shelves and rebuilding walls, a sign that some calamity had recently occurred. One man looked up from his own work repairing pages in an old tome and pointed to a sign behind us as we appeared in their midst. That sign indicated that silence was mandatory in the library. As I read this I realized that the sign was literally correct. Even people rebuilding bookshelves made absolutely no sound.

Now we need to find some manner of insuring Durran is permanently removed from the power struggles of Sheenosek. He had some skill in arcane magic, though how much I do not know. We cannot risk releasing his soul because it is entirely possible that he has a clone of some sort available or that he would manifest as a ghost. That would certainly explain Narra's efforts to find him. I would prefer to send him into the afterlife, but I need to research a ritual of enough potency to ensure his final rest. I may well do that here if no better options come to mind. Axel favors throwing the gem into the Astral I believe, but I know that at best postpones the inevitable. There is also the possibility that the soul gem will still be found and Durran's soul released. This quandary rests heavily on me, but if we can manage this we can keep the potentially most dangerous player in Sheenoseki politics from ever returning.

And just maybe I can finally put my personal demons to rest.

Session Journal Seventeen, part 3

When I brought the mug close to the door to try to find enough room to call Rhiannon, a message spell was invoked. The King Immortal addressed Narra that she could not have what she found and that not only was Durran not leaving, neither was she. Rhiannon could not answer my call and a glimpse outside a nearby window revealed that a faint bubble of magical force now surrounded the entire tower. Our causeway had also crumbled. We were isolated from the rest of the world.

The adjacent room was a workshop, complete with quite a few gems, pottery tools, and several items of magic. By mutual consent we agreed to rest and work on several different tasks. Our ultimate goal was to leave through the gate beneath the tower, leaving the Tower of the Immortal sealed. Axel scouted the last rooms alone, finding more magic in Nathaan's personal chambers. One such item was a mirror that had been kept covered, later revealed as a mirror of life trapping or some such. Several other defensive and recuperative items were also kept there in case of emergency. Dheza paged through books on various topics while Kieren carefully extracted the soul gem and placed a new replica topaz from the cache of gems in the workshop in its place. My elven friend gave the soul gem into my keeping, knowing there was no better person I rested and prayed for renewed divine favor, because I was going to attempt something I had never tried before.

Several hours later I invoked a minor miracle.

Death heard what I wanted and why I wanted it and while she normally frowned on such things she understood what we were trying to do. I could not exactly duplicate the incantation Nathaan had used, because I am not a wizard or dragon-blooded. So I invoked a weaker spell that allows the arcanist to transfer their own consciousness into a gem. The fake soul gem would still radiate necromantic magic to anyone who observed it and even a detailed examination might trick someone into thinking that they had found the right gem. We did not want any who came after us to think anything other than that they had found Durran's soul.

Session Journal Seventeen cont.

Durran had been tortured for his arrogance by Nathaan, Irak'dras reported, in a torture chamber nearby. What happened to him afterward we learned later as we searched the rest of the tower. Irak'dras also told us how a new king was normally chosen. Kings were chosen by the five most powerful Houses, wherein the scions of those Houses proclaim one of their own king by general consent. If only one House remains, however, it seems that the remaining scion is king by default. The process is more complex than this, but we did not ask for more details into Sheenoseki and Andorran legal matters and I have little interest in such things. We finally knew for sure how each side in this civil war was going to win.

Dheza revealed a telling piece of information during our brainstorming. Our Sheenoseki guide informed us that he had been in mental contact with a succubus for some time. The succubus was the very creature we'd seen and briefly engaged outside of Skadas Shee. Within moments of this revelation his face almost seemed to melt. Not literally, but much of the force of his personality seemed to seep away. If I understand what happened correctly, the succubus had gifted Dheza with a little of her own dark personal aura. When she withdrew the gift, she drained some of Dheza's own personality in return. The result was the Dheza was weaker than before magically, as a sorcerer's magic is keyed to the power of the personality. We harangued him for his folly and I eventually agreed that at my next opportunity I would undo the damage done to him. Much as I'd prefer to let him go unhealed as punishment for his foolishness—foolishness that revealed our plans to the enemy—he is still my ally and we will need him at his best in the days to come.

We left Irak'dras finally, the book's safety in its own formidable hands as only the true king would be permitted to wield its powers. We sealed up our entrance and left by the other door, climbing back up into the tower. This time we were in one of the auxiliary towers facing several stories of various books. Nathaan's library was quite complete, covering history, magical theory, and other diverse topics. We climbed up the tower and left for the main tower again.

The amulet of the king was useful throughout the Tower of the Immortal, permitting us to bypass several different wards. It does not disarm some of the traps though. Axel failed to disarm one such device and suddenly fell over dead as powerful necromancy snuffed out his life with a flash of arcane runes. I brushed Kieren and Dheza aside and quickly invoked a recently-acquired prayer to revive those who had died but not yet begun the journey to Tria's Womb. I managed to act quickly enough that Axel was just barely beyond the Shadowed Veil. He spasmed once, his eyes snapped open, and his chest suddenly heaved as he sucked in his first breath of life. I wonder what he saw in that brief time on the other side....

I restored Axel's life force to the limits of his vitality and we continued our search. The King Immortal's office was our next find. There was a simple desk with the various everyday items one might have found on Jade's desk. The paper and quills were mildly enchanted for erasure of messages and cleanliness. Quite a bit of treasure was found there as well. Sitting on the desk was an incongruous pink mug with a feline design etched into the outer surface. Nathaan was a potter; I expect it was his own workmanship. The eyes of the mug included an unusual stone, a topaz of great value. It took me several moments to realize that the stone was a soul gem.

We'd found Durran's soul.

Session Journal Seventeen: August 14, 2010
Scrithengard Date: Fifth Marketday of Ataloom—Fifth Wandersday of Ataloom

Once we caught our breath from the battle with the iron golems, we explored our surroundings. The main room was a kitchen, complete with several minor magic items suited to cooking. Rooms adjoining the kitchen included servants' quarters, a garderobe, a pantry, and a broom closet. This entire floor had an air of recent abandonment to it. We found a key in the servants' quarters that was needed to unlock a chest in the pantry, but Axel picked it before Kieren could even brandish the key in the halfling's view. A horn of plenty was locked therein. But the most interesting find was a trapdoor hidden amidst the mess of the broom closet. Once the trap was disarmed—a nasty magical trap that entailed powerful necromancy—we descended below the tower.

We dropped several floors as we climbed down a set of spiral stairs. A short hallway led to a wall. Hidden in that wall was a secret door with a locking mechanism designed to kill those that attempted to open it incorrectly. Axel managed to jam the trap but also jam the door unfortunately. But Kieren stoneshaped an entrance through the stone and we found ourselves in a small room. A capped well with several rubies in the cap was one feature, while a tome some four foot on each side was sitting on a lectern in another corner. Examination of the well revealed that the well was the physical aperture that framed a gate to several other planes. One of those locations was on the Astral plane near a floating fortress. The second was to the planar city known as Sigil. The third location led to the second layer of Hell. That particular location reminded me of something, but I cannot remember exactly what. The fourth location was three interlocking rings that resembled thorny leafless vines to my eye, but none of us knew where the gate would lead us if we triggered that particular option. Once we were sure the gate was closed but still operable, we turned our attention to the book.

Between Dheza, Kieren, and I we soon came to realize that the tome was a rare artifact known as a book of infinite spells! Unfortunately, the book was unable to be moved. The apparent reason for this was soon revealed as the book spoke to us. I was surprised to not only find that such an artifact, but that the tome—named Irak'dras, for its maker, Irac do Andus—was sentient. Irak'dras was cultured, civilized, and very, very bored alone beneath the Tower of the Immortal. Conversation with the tome told us much of the last days of the King Immortal as well as the history of the Sheenosek nation. Of importance to me personally was the revelation that Durran DoSheen had tried to usurp the throne on the basis that the true ruler of Sheenosek, according to prophecy, would be immortal, not unliving as Nathaan had been. Durran apparently had devised some way to achieve this goal and felt that he was therefore better suited for rulership.

It seems my first death had been helpful to that sadist after all.

Session Journal Sixteen cont.

The tower was walled, the only entrance looked to be a murder-hole guarded by a porticullis. The amulet we kept from our encounter with the lich served as the key to opening the porticullis, but the far entrance to the murder-hole was trapped to close quickly upon entry. Nonetheless we entered the interior and walked out across a causeway, a yawning abyss below us on either side. A pair of skeletal birds on the tower battlements saw us, but Kieren shot them both down in seconds. At the tower itself, Axel spied an entrance through an arrow slit and Dheza quickly transported us into the tower.

Unfortunately, Dheza dropped us in the midst of five large mobile suits of armor, golems set to deal with intruders. The monsters struck with uncanny accuracy and nearly killed Axel as he danced out of reach of their fists. More blows rained down on us, our best efforts to evade them for naught. I healed myself and Axel and then retreated up a nearby staircase in order avoid taking further harm. Dheza, Axel, and Kieren felled one golem and then began to wear down another. Dheza cast a wall of stone to detain the other three while they did so. As the golems broke through his wall, they ganged up on each one in turn. The last golem vanished, but I heard the heavy tred of its feet as it found its way upstairs and began to walk toward us. When its comrades had fallen, we retreated down the stairs and Dheza greased the stairs with a simple spell. The golem fell down the stairs when its footing was too unsteady and crashed to the floor where the men summarily pounded it into scrap.

The room itself was relatively empty except for a throne of bone. Dheza sat on it, engrossed in thoughts of rulership for a time, but we managed to find a pair of compartments holding several rare spell components. Windows out of the room showed a tower off in the distance, but a hallway led out to a small courtyard filled with apple trees. Kieren and Axel took several cuttings from the trees for purposes I don't want to fathom and we explored the remainder of the floor. The only other room of note was a small dining area, leaving us to decide where we want to go from here.

Somewhere in this tower I expect to find Durran's misbegotten soul. I hope we find other valuables, for we need all the help we can get if we are to stop the church of Skaden from rising to rule Sheenosek. I also begin to wonder who really should rule this land. None of the noble families seem overly trustworthy to me, but I have no better ideas. Right now, I need to rest and gather my thoughts. Crossing back from the Shadowed Veil did nothing to help me deal with my own issues, so I had best concentrate on those while I can.

Session Journal Sixteen
Scrithengard Date: Fifth Marketday of Ataloom

We hastily retreated outside the city after the night's debacle. Kieren located a suitable place to serve as our camp and used his tiny hut incantation to give us some cover. Axel stood watch while the rest of us rested and regained our full strength. I healed everyone of their lingering injuries, including the negative energy that infused me as I returned across the Shadowed Veil. I spent time in prayer and found that Death was listening, for my magic was renewed.

Axel reported that several guardmen had come near our hiding place only to be silenced by a human-sized humanoid that he never managed to get a good look at. A small winged humanoid flew off when Axel spotted it as well. I think that the flying humanoid returned later, however, as a homunculus approached our camp with a scroll. Axel unsealed the scroll and read the message. It was a missive sent on behalf of Endaras do Sheen by Reena do Sheen. The message was simple enough; an offer of alliance, nothing more. If we agreed, we were to touch the sigil on the bottom of the scroll. After a brief conference, we agreed to go. I informed my companions that Death had suggested that we look at certain threats as opportunities, which I hope changed their minds if but a little. To me, this seemed obvious, but then again, I look at the world differently. We told the small creature to depart, which it did, and we together triggered the sigil on the scroll.

A moment later we appeared in a subterranean summoning circle. A woman, obviously a spellcaster of some type, waited there. She introduced herself as Reena do Sheen. Reena do Sheen was more stocky and short than the taller and leaner members of the Sheen House, but with the characteristic long, lank black hair, inquisitive eyes, and ruddy skin many Andorri have. Flanking her were two elemental creatures of fire and stone that I believe were ember guards, a rare elemental from the boundary between the planes of Earth and Fire if I recall correctly. We began an earnest discussion about the situation within the city. She knew about our raid into the cathedral, even mentioning that there had been a death. I was surprised to hear that she knew of this, and this put me on my guard. Reena hoped that an alliance with us would help Endaras' faction in House Sheen against the church of Skaden, Narra do Sheen's faction, and House Anda. The woman herself didn't seem too keen on Enduras, based on a comment about his pride, but we didn't discuss that further. There was an exchange of information between us and eventually an alarming fact came to light. Nara has been trying to get into the Tower of the King Immortal, so far unsuccessfully. Meekeh told us weeks ago that the King Immortal had kept Durran's soul after claiming his body. I thought that Meekeh had said that Durran's soul was in the Tower. Even if I misremember, that would be the obvious place for it. The tower had been sealed for over a month now, likely since Nathaan had left to come north. The possibility that powerful magic exists in the tower cannot be discounted either. Finally, we came to an agreement. Reena would gather information regarding the disposition of the drow slaves taken from the city beneath Dorshec, while we investigated the Tower of the King Immortal. Reena gave us several potions to help us and we soon departed.

Session Journal Fifteen, conclusion

Cold stone greeted me as I awoke, confused. Kieren, Dheza, and Axel all greeted me with a simple “welcome back”. I stared at my surroundings and finally realized I was in a temple to Atanna, goddess of conquest, strategy, tactics, and order. The Chosen that stood over me eyed me for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, and then waved toward the door.

“If you'll hold up your end of the bargain,” she asked, addressing my companions. They turned to leave and I pulled myself down to the floor. I was still disconcerted and leaned heavily on the altar for support, but I understood what had happened.

I had died. Again. I glanced down at my stomach and saw the red line of barely-healed flesh that marked where the demon had nearly cut me in half and grimaced.

I rifled through my bag for a moment and extracted an old scroll and the recently-acquired wand, noting that the diamonds I had been carrying were now fewer in number. I mentally shrugged; I had kept them against such an emergency as this, but never expected to need them myself. I gave the wand and scroll to the Chosen.

“Thank you,” I said simply. “I hope we never need to meet again, but if we do, I thank you for my life.” I didn't wait for a reply as I followed the others out of the temple.

Kieren informed me that they had used another dimension door to evacuate from the temple of Skaden. Axel leapt through the shadows and joined up soon afterward. They had opted to come to Atanna's temple in an effort to revive me and persuaded the Chosen to do so with an understanding that we would depart as surreptitiously as possible and with a pledge of silence from both sides. We had managed to implicate House Khan in the attack, however, by leaving their insignia behind from the caravan raid. I still had mine in my bag as well as the clothes of a now-dead tailor, waiting for the day when we rejoin our drow compatriots.

There is an air of defeat amongst us now. We did minimal damage to the forces of the temple, a fact that stirs a flame in my heart. We hope that we did just enough to stir the temple that whatever political machinations House Anda has in place are thrown off-kilter, but it is only a hope. Later today Namak do Anda, who is the Lord of the House as well as the High Priestess of Skaden, and Enduras do Sheen will both make major announcements. What they will be, I do not know. I am weary beyond words right now as I sit up in bed and write these words. The first rays of the dawn illuminate the sky now. Tomorrow has come. Whether or not we rise to meet it, I do not know. We have been warned by a questionable source about the Iron Tower, whatever or whoever that might be. My Mistress suggested that we reconsider who we perceive as foes. Skaden's forces routed us, a fact that my barely-healed back and ribs can attest to. Most of my spells were lost as I crossed the Shadowed Veil and returned, so Kieren, Axel, and Dheza are wounded as well. If we cannot find a way to turn this around, I fear that the Chosen of the Defier will soon rule this land. If we let that happen, what happens next will be on our heads.

Session Journal Fifteen, part 4: Morag's afterlife

Session Journal Fifteen, part 3

In turn, I ran into the room where Kieren had been heading to find a man bleeding out before my eyes. I managed to hold him to life by a few scant seconds as I forced his wounds to close with a brief prayer. I healed him to full health and consciousness a moment later. He woke warily, his mind momentarily befuddled with his last memories, but he introduced himself soon enough as Sirind, a scion of House DeShaan. Axel returned and reported his success in destroying the last assassin while the House scion took us to the magically-sealed third floor. He explained that the assassination attempts had been going on for weeks and that the heads of the House had retreated to other cities, particularly Orec in the southeast. Sirind gave us his blessing to take the gear the skeletons bore and what they had been trying to steal. I noted that the undead all bore blades tainted with necromantic energy but put them aside as we quickly dispersed magic to people and I dealt with the fallen. Axel passed to me a wand that temporarily increases the willpower of those it affects. A few scrolls went to Dheza and to Kieren, while Dheza and Axel began to chuckle when they discovered an enchanted rod amidst the other treasures.

With Verras too slow to act and DeShaan wounded, we realized we needed to hit the temple of Skaden tonight despite our overall progress with the city’s internal politics. I had spent more magic than the others and asked that we take the time to let me pray to Death to renew my energies. They agreed, knowing that I am at my best when at my full power. So several hours later we found ourselves outside the cathedral to Skaden.

My thoughts were a muddled mess when I saw the building. I remember it vaguely and the sight of it filled me with dread. I vaguely remembered black-robed priests and being dragged deep below the temple to a blood-soaked chamber and fought the newfound memories down. The two huge front doors of adamantine were shut, though Axel had entered the temple earlier in the day. These were our first obstacle though not our first foe.

A large portion of a stained-glass window animated and approached us, the glassy golem easily towering over any of us. Kieren blasted it with arrows as Axel raced to the now-vacant window and dove through in an effort to open the doors from within. Dheza blasted the golem with magic and Kieren finished it. We were showered with glass shards as the strange construct exploded. None of us emerged unscathed from that final strike. I stared at those immovable doors for a long moment as Kieren tried to warp the stone around them in an effort to force one to fall to the ground. We were shocked to find the metal doorframe attached to a sheet of lead within the thick stone wall, but I wasted no more time worrying about the door. I called on the magic of my cloak, grabbed Kieren and Dheza, and slipped between dimensions.

We were attacked almost as soon as we appeared. Guards on the sides of the room were joined by guards on the balcony. Axel was nowhere in sight, but another golem blasted us with a rain of glass shards even as javelins rained down on us. Several of those javelins transformed into bolts of lightning, sorely hurting Dheza, Kieren, and myself. We had appeared in the main hall of the chapel as I had planned, but now our path to the altar was blocked by a wall of blades. Beyond it we could see skeletal undead in a teeming mass and a Chosen of Skaden.

Dheza repeated the trick I had pulled and slipped us between dimensions. I blinked my eyes to make the world stop moving for a moment and found myself face-to-face with a Chosen of Skaden, Dheza and Kieren beside me. The priest withdrew into a nearby room before we could stop him. In his wake two huge creatures appeared on our flanks. Each one stood fifteen feet tall if I recall correctly. Two humanoid arms sprouted from their chests. Their heads were dog-like, but their larger arms were tipped with claws fully as long as my arms. The first of the two demons tore into Dheza first, but he managed to dodge the worst of their blows. I was too off-balance from the pair of dimension doors to avoid the attack of the second demon. Those enormous claws rent my burned flesh once, forcing a short-lived scream from my lips. The second blow slammed into my chest and I felt several ribs give in my chest from the attack.

When the claws snapped my spine to pieces I felt nothing more.

Session Journal Fifteen, part 2

Skadas Shee is perched at the peak of a mountain. The wall is twenty feet and then some in height and made of one smooth piece of stone. I wonder if it was pulled up from the mountain itself long ago or the work of a powerful elemental force. The gate guards let us pass without incident but mentioned that there had been several conflicts between the noble houses as well as several assassination attempts against various Houses. Knowing this, we soon found a rooming-house and changed out of the clothing we’d used to enter the city. Established therein, Dheza went to the common room to listen to the local gossip. Axel and Kieren departed to spy out the city's environs, paying particular attention to House Anda's compound and the cathedral of Skaden. I remained in our rooms out of sight. I was in no mood to deal with others and needed the quiet to try to gather my own wandering wits. Given our luck, my appearance in the city would have incited a riot, so resting suited me well. I still must learn if the origin of my myth comes down to the goblins I met years ago....

Several hours later we gathered together to share information. Kieren and Axel found House Anda well-guarded. The temple was in the process of preparing for a ceremony of some sort, which caused the two spies to abort their third objective of spying on the other Houses and return. Dheza had overheard that there were going to soon be a major announcement by House Anda, given by the head of the house and current High Priest of Skaden. House Khan was lying low. Anda and Sheen were skirmishing already. And the drow prisoners we sought were likely to be found in the prison.

Quickly we concocted a plan. We decided to visit House Verras and then House DeShaan in an effort to gather allies. Ultimately, we wanted to convince one or both Houses to strike at Anda. Our best guess was that Anda would try to reinforce the temple of Skaden when we attacked the place later, and we wanted Anda to be hit while they were vulnerable.

The shield guardians that guarded the entrance to the House Verras mansion ignored us, but a magic mouth triggered on our arrival. Dheza formally requested an audience with a scion of the House and we were soon greeted by Rowan do Verras, a woman not too different from myself in age and dressed in the typical House colors and apron. She took an immediate liking to Dheza. To be honest, liking is too mild a term—she was definitely attracted to him. I began to wonder if I was seeing Dheza at his best and also thought he seemed too charming for words. Dheza navigated the political waters with the ease of a master politician, soon learning from Rowan that her House was going to act on their own initiative within a week but that they hadn't marshaled forces sufficient to hit Anda just yet. He wheedled a necklace of missiles from Rowan as well for half its worth and a promise of favors of a personal nature later. When we departed, Rowan's eyes followed him to the near-exclusion of all else. I think we were all amused that Dheza had bought the necklace with funds we’d retrieved from House Anda’s caravan.

House DeShaan was ominously quiet when we arrived. That silence was broken by a scream that prompted us to charge into the building. We found that the mansion had been attacked, for the foyer was the sight of a massacre matching that of the caravan. Bodies of guards, women, children, and a few strange skeletons were everywhere. Noise was still coming from the floor above, so we raced up a floor and followed the sounds of battle.

On the second floor, Kieren raced into the doorway of a room and opened fire on a strange skeletal undead I have yet to place. The skeletal creatures still bore some flesh, albeit not much, and seemed to be covered in shadows. Kieren exposed himself to that creature, but three more appeared from the shadows and nearly surrounded him. He barely managed to dodge several blades from his four assailants. Axel's blade was soon imbued with power to obliterate the unliving by myself and he raced into the room opposite to engage two more of the creatures. One skeletal monster exploded into bone dust as the shadowdancer quickly struck home. I channeled positive energy into the most potent healing spell I knew and threw that power into Kieren and the quartet of undead around him. The strange skeletons all nearly crumbled to dust on the spot, while Kieren was rejuvenated to the peak of health. Dheza blasted one with rays of pure fire, felling it. Kieren's hands were a blur on his bowstring as he shot the other three. Axel broke off as his final foe vanished into the shadows and raced down the stairs.

Session Journal Fifteen: May 30, 2010
Scrithengard Date: Fourth Wandersday-Fifth Marketday of Ataloom

I don't know why I continue to write this journal, after what I—we—have been through these past few days. Some habits are harder to kill than I am, I guess.

We neared the mountains which border the capital city of Sheenosek, Skadas Shee. Our path was fairly plain to see, as we followed the road that connected the capital to Dorshec. We might have been faster if fog in the mountains had not obscured the road so often. Flying has disadvantages when you cannot see where you are going. Because of the winter weather, we stayed close to the ground as we traveled. I left Krieg behind in Dorshec to take care of business for me, although I originally wanted him to join me on this trip. He found for me a groom and a valet just before our departure and I asked all three of them to wait for me in Dorshec until I returned or until they could find their way to Merrywell. I appreciate Krieg's work, but I don't think I'm prepared for an entourage just yet.

My musings on this matter as well as the recent revelation of my past distracted me as we flew down the road. A loud rumble returned my thoughts to the world around me. Kieren soon informed us that a landslide was coming toward us, his experienced ears discerning that the rock slide was following the road. We took to the air and watched as countless tons of rubble passed by us far below. Concerned, we then followed the path of destruction up the mountainside. While we couldn't see the road, the dust and devastation were easy enough to spot. And soon enough flashes of light and flame told us what had caused the avalanche: an open spell-battle.

We opted to charge into the fight and sort out enemies and allies based on House allegiances when we got there. We found a demolished caravan and a trio of animal-headed humanoids attacking a lone figure. The humanoids were rakshasas, all three of which were engaged with a human woman. Dead monsters and guards were strewn everywhere; these were the sole combatants standing. Axel entered the fray first, swooping down and stabbing one rakshasa in the chest. His enchanted blade hit the creature square in the chest—and then bent as if it were a theatrical prop instead of a weapon made in part from the Wanderer's Blood itself. Kieren opened fire with more success on a second creature. Dheza landed to join the woman beside Axel as she counterattacked, quickly blasting the monster Kieren had wounded to dust. One foe vanished while the other cast a protective enchantment. I in turn imbued Axel's blade with the power of the higher planes, knowing that the creatures were vulnerable to holy weapons. In short order a second rakshasa fell, but Dheza had augmented his vision with true seeing and called a warning that the woman was a succubus. The third rakshasa was soon no longer a threat, while the succubus spoke to Dheza briefly. Her hands caressed his face and body for a long moment and she vanished, magically transporting herself elsewhere. I barely overheard her parting words to Dheza, which she spoke with a knowing glance in my direction: “The Iron Tower rises.” I was unhappy that she had escaped but thought little of the matter at the time.

A thorough search of the battle site revealed that forces of House Khan and House Anda were on the field. A thorough interrogation of one of the deceased soldiers confirmed this. The caravan was a House Anda caravan headed into Skadas Shee. My companions happily looted the wreckage and I admit I was a bit pleased when thousands of gold coins' worth of onyx was found, as I had no desire to see anyone raising the undead with that material. Unfortunately, the fallen warrior had little else to add of note.

Axel, Kieren, and Dheza hatched a plan while I dealt with the bodies. We opted to enter the city as before, but now Kieren and I changed into clothing taken from the fallen of House Anda. We found clothing that had belonged to tradesmen and trekked the rest of the way to the gates. I asked Rhiannon to depart for the time being, as Dheza thought she would be likely to trigger some sort of alarm as she entered the city. I wasn't happy with this, but she understood what we needed to do.