All,
My family is relocating to Florida over the next few weeks, getting kids enrolled in school, and changing jobs. In short, life is chaos and my posting will be absent or sporadic for the next few weeks.
Sorry and hope to be back soon.
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Serelina nods at the plan, "I agree, lets have the good sister scout at night and then take action."
"Soliel, perhaps you do some recon? Edmund as backup? Report back and I can select spells based on what we might be facing."
Serelina sighs at Ian, rubs her eyes and shakes her head.. "The way our investigations constantly intersect it may be that pursuing this will yield fruit. The daemons must be dealt with, however. Let me finish studying my spells and we can go deal with Anthony and his thugs."
"There are daemons and worse skulking in our city and it is on us to deal with it. Sorry if I seem aloof, Ian. You just make sure your head is clear for battle. For now, I will be working on your belt and some other projects to see us ready for the task... I'm sure we all have things to prepare." With that she turns to a tome and appears to begin working on a leather girdle with the inside emblazoned with mystic symbols. The imp quietly laughs while leering at Ian and sniffing the air about him.
"Essentially yes, Ian. I think we have recently seen that I prefer to deal with traitors with more finality than some. So it will be kill and bring back the bodies. We have a few days to plan and get ready, let us make use of them. When we are ready I will try to use the blood to scry upon our foes and see if we can learn anything. We will be ready to take decisive action at that time."
"I do not have specific leads. Did you recover any blood from your fight in the alley? I could use such to try and scry upon our enemies, but I have no other specific information."
GM:
"Agreed. This relationship continues to be profitable. Until next time, Devil." When alone with Master Hast, Serelina asks in parting. "You mentioned that my aid in gaining you additional leeway and assistance with your research would be beneficial. What are the next steps to me formally getting raised to Master so that I might lend you such support?" To Ian: "Half of what a merchant would charge you will give me the materials I need."
That evening Serelina calls the rest of the group to meet in her chambers. Her new devil companion as well as the imp are present and seem to be about arcane tasks she has set them to while the group converses. "I have gleaned some new information from my research regarding our foes, and the threat is more immediate and dire than we might have supposed.The symbols we are finding on corpses are for summoning daemons from Abaddon. In many ways these creatures are more dangerous than demons as they are driven by more than raw passions. While Radgar and some other mysteries are troubling and we must focus on hunting down these Daemons and Hezak's crew. It is also essential that we do all in our power to recover the corpses of the Daemons in order to extract further information. In preparing you should know that only silver or blessed weapons can fully affect many Daemons, and they are all immune to acid and resistant to fire, electricity and cold. Many will also be able to resist some of my magics." "I have also learned that Hezak and his companions are using dire planar energies from Abbadon to enhance their magical abilities. I have learned a spell that will help me detect such use of power and this may help us in our hunt. How do we think we should proceed."[/b]
gm: "I can promise to make all reasonable efforts to bring you the remains of the daemons. I will not risk my life or significantly risk those of my companions to preserve a daemon corpse. If the means or location of their demise prevents the return of the corpse to you, that will not violate my side of the bargain. Agreed?"
GM: "Yes, that price is not one that could ever be paid. Thank you for your candor, let us see what the infernal may know."
Serelina then works with Master Hast to use the planar studies room to try and gain any insight to the newly found threat proposed by Hezak's group. She offers to include the devil on all intel regarding the demonic threat as part of the reward and points out that the if the tower should fall to this threat, the planar studies room and the rest of the Tower's assets could end up under demonic control as a direct thwart to the infernal. She gives a full accounting and shares diagrams of the magical writings found on the corpses as well.
"I have some research to do before our next move. See the quartermaster and we will meet after dinner in my chambers so we can plan next steps. Ian, to save some money, I would be happy to craft the belt for you. It will take a few days but I believe it will be at least that long before we are ready to take decisive action." She then turns with Master Hast and leaves the group. GM: Once they reach the anti-chamber before contacting the devil, Serelina turns to Master Hast. "I need to understand the conflict between you and Master Liam regarding the banishing as well as magics you were using. Really, I need all the details about this time period if we are to be able to deal with this returning threat. I believe have proven myself capable of considerable discretion and if we are to work closely in the future a modicum of trust is in order. I am not going to conference with that devil without knowing all the facts."
Serelina stands beside Soliel nodding. "I believe we need the full background on these individuals as well as their compatriots. It may be that we should consult other resources as well since the demonic is again strongly involved." With the last Serelina looks up as if observing a specific location within the tower.
Serelina raises an eyebrow. "This connection with Hezek is quite disturbing, especially considering his Abyssal connections. If I recall, Hezek was lacking an arm, does that match with what you observed? Master Liam, perhaps we can speak privately about the banishment - I fear that we may need to delve deeper into the past if we are to get to the bottom of this." Serelina takes a closer look at the diagrams as well.
All, I'm silent now because my character is in her chambers, but also because I am in the process of moving my family from Richmond, VA to Jacksonville, FL. My time online will be significantly limited and spotty. I will try to keep up on occasion but please feel free to bot my character to keep things moving. Thanks!
Looking upon her new infernal servant, Serelina says "Take the remains of your meal and await me in my chambers until I arrive. Disturb nothing while there." She gives quick and precise instructions as to the location, knowing the creature can teleport itself without error. She then calmly looks over the crowd gauging the impact of her display of power. If she makes him out in the crowd, she specifically makes a small nod of greeting to Yabel. She then mutters a word to the imp on her soldier and he vanishes from sight as she moves out of the center of the execution grounds towards shelter from the crowd.
Once the vote occurs, Serelina says to the group, "We should all be fully prepared for battle at the time of the execution. I have significant preparations to make to call forth our executioner. Delicate and powerful magics will be used and we need to be prepared for event that our executioner grows greedy." In the hours leading up to the execution, Serelina carefully designs a ritual circle crafted of paints with flecks of silver within before the stake where Maklo will be bound. She is meticulous in her work double and triple checking against scrolls and books. She also occasionally turns her head as if listening to someone just next to her, then continues her work. Once she seems content she sets out several foci and devices of power about her and stands next to a lectern with several books and scrolls on it. She then sits and prepares herself in a meditative focus as the crowd gathers. Once the appointed time comes, she begins complex casting incorporating scrolls and her own spells in a rhythmic chant in the infernal tongue of hell. The runes and diagrams of her magic circle begin go glow as minutes pass and she continues her precise words and movements in a powerful invocation of calling. Suddenly the energies of the circle pulse to call forth a hideous being from into the circle. Serelina begins speaking clearly and forcefully in a tongue the harsh infernal tongue that she used during her castings. A the height of the magic, she calls into the circle an infernal creature of hell, a devil of hell's armies wielding a vicious, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhes a hideous, twitching beard. Infernal:
"Zeael'kimath, Barbazu and Soldier of the Infernal Armies of Dispater, the Iron Lord, I name you true! I call upon you and bind you in this circle by the ancient wards and your own true Name. I call upon you to bargain as set forth in the ancient accords and bind you into service to earn your freedom and rewards. I bargain for one year and one day of your service begining this moment. Service as a soldier and bodyguard to cause threat and violence only at my behest while on this plane, to do me no harm and to see that no harm is done to me. In return for this service I offer you your freedom to return directly to Hell at the end of the term and I offer you this sacrifice bound before you. I offer you the body and soul of Maklo to rend devour, Maklo the agent of drow, chaos, and Demons who has forfeit his life for his betrayal of law and order. Maklo who is branded criminal, heretic and traitor and who's soul deserves the punishment you and yours may inflict upon him. I give you the gift of this mortal, the promise of future lives for you to consume, and the promise of freedom in return for the bargain I set forth. By the power of the ancient rights, the blood of Maklo, and the power of the circle that holds you I bind you to this contract Zeael'kimath and Name you Truly."
If successful: Tension fills the air between the devil in the circle, the drow, and Serelina as she bends the devil to her will. The tension leaves and the devil howls as it leaps forward and disembowels Maklo with his glaive, his beard writing to tear flesh from the bound prisoners face and in a gory, bloody spectacle destroys Maklo utterly.
Serelina smiles coldly, moving her hands about her shoulder as a creature materializes cackling as it watches the carnage. As minute devil perches upon her shoulder, silver skinned and nimble as it enjoys Serelina's caress.
Speaking a dignified and business like manner, Serelina nods at the honor bestowed upon her and says. "I believe that at a time when such chaos is being sown throughout the city, a strong showing of direct involvement of the Tower would be of great benefit. I agree that such measures must be focused specifically those individuals and am willing and honored to take on the role."
Listening Serelina nods. "I have an idea where Maklo may provide one last bit of usefulness to us, but it will we require me to do a bit more research first. As to your suggestion, I believe you are correct Sister. The rise of Nasun, the discovery of the ring, the relationship with Radgar need to be explored... it is too much to hope that coincidence excuses such concurrence. But we have an immediate issue to deal with here first with the drow and lost prisoners."
GM:
Smiling in return, Serelina says, "Thank you. And there are still the matters of the True Name and the scrolls?" "The ring has one other property that may assist us. It is capable of locating other powerful artifacts that were attuned to Ris'Jae. Unfortunately the ring will also slowly alter the user into a nosferatu - so frequent use is not an option." "So. What do we believe our next steps should be? Deal with the drow? Pursue the legacy of the Necromancer? I also have one task that I could use your assistance with before we leave."
"And Ian, I believe I should take a look at this diagram. It could have information we require in the symbolism. I would suggest we go quickly before it is destroyed."
Serelina begins a brief lecture on what the group has learned about the Necromancer. She transforms into the image of a patient teacher as she shifts modes, managing to sound quite pleasant if slightly condescending - as if lecturing first year apprentices. "Radgar was born and raised in Coran where upon leaving his youth, he entered the temple of Iomadea where he studied there for years. He eventually excelled and entered the ranks of the Mithral Rose." "As a young paladin hepent several years at sea fighting pirates, until he met his wife Ellen on the Ioso islands. They were married according to the islanders traditions." "The happy couple moved back to Coran, where she took up tutelage under the Masters, and he begin working against the Issust Hold slavers." "A charming tale until hiw wife was brutally murdered. Radgar's perceptions of the world radically changed. Rather than embracing the law to punish his killer, he rebelled against it, forsaking everything he had ever known and been taught." "He sought out those who had killed with wife, seeking revenge. He murdered five families associated with underground crime in Coran whom he apparently blamed for his wife's murder." "He fled Coran when someone higher up in the underground realized a pattern, and tipped off the authorities." "He spent three years studying under a hermit sorcerer by the name of Eato, it seems our young paladin had yet untapped magical talents." "It is said that he then killed his master, and has then spent the last six years in and around the demon infested lands of Marldell. Information is, err, more sketchy for those six years. Eventually he did enter the Pit of the Apocalypse, and also explored the ruins of the necromancer Ris'jae." "The Pit of Apocalypse is an ancient site of evil, dedicated to Jubilex. There was at one time a prophecy related to the pit and the ushering in of Jubilex and a host of demons to this world. Over 600 years ago, the paladins of the Mithral Rose stood side by side with the forces of hell, a singular event in the known history of the world, and staved off the prophecy, preventing its fulfillment. It is said that those who enter the pit seldom return with sane minds, but for those willing to risk it, favors may be sought from the demon lord in that dark holes confines." "A hundred years after the events at the Pit of Apocolypse, a powerful lich rose up in the northern portion of Marldell, the necromancer Ris'jae. Unlike the many lesser demons and tribes that roamed Marldell, Ris'jae brought some degree of order to the wasteland. The liches undead and demonic armies assaulted the stronghold in the mountain pass and overthrew the paladins set to guard it, and the armies spread forth into the lands beyond. Ris'jae was ultimately defeated by the combined might of those kingdoms in that land, though some rumors abound the he yet lives. Most discount the rumors though as not organized force has since come forth from Marldell." "Other rumors suggest that while he was defeated, many magical trinkets that were used by the lich still have great power to them. A few even attribute that mighty necromantic magic is contained in the bones of the lich, though not to the degree of Vecna's infamy." "Ris'jae's place of dwelling in Marldell is rumored to still contain hordes of treasure and arcane knowledge secreted away in undiscovered rooms and passages. It is perhaps there we should seek next as the Necromancer appears to become more central to our situation."
GM: Serelina returns the smile with a warmth that she seldom shows. "Oh... is there something additional that you can tell us of the ring? Thank you for notifying us. Because I believe the terms of our agreement are that you will tell us all that you can tell us of the ring. The only term of time in the contract is the one you added, that of 100 years. That being the only term of time and one that you added in your general acceptance of the final contract terms, it must be applied to all temporal aspects of the contract. While you may have only intended it to apply to your oath not to share the information we provided you, that was not expressed in he terms, only stated as an observation by you. Thus, you are bound to share any knowledge you have of that ring for the next hundred years. Minus the two days that have passed, of course. So, what do you have to tell us?"
Getting together with the group and meeting with the new members over the days has been something that Serelina has seemed distract from as she was clearly working on some other project. Once everyone ends up together, however she does have some news. "This was at one time the signet ring of Master Ildul, one of the first masters of the tower. What only a very few know is that Master Ildul was - or perhaps is - known by another name, The Necromancer Ris'jae. Previous information has Radgar showing significant interest in this necromancer. The ring has specific powers, mostly relating to the raising of the dead and other necromantic acts. It is quite powerful, at the Artifact level, and I believe the Tower intends to lock it away for study. Gaining this information took some significant efforts, but the connection to the Necromancer Ris'jae is quite significant."
GM: "Yes, please take more time to study the ring, we would like to get the full value of the contract. I will return on the morrow for you to do what you must to garner all you are capable of learning about the ring. If more time is essential let me know then.
GM: Serelina nods to Master Hast "I believe these terms are satisfactory."
GM: "With the additional term I have an additional request. The True Names of two Barbazu soldiers of your realm, so that I may call upon their aid as we proceed working together. Especially if it turns out we might be encountering creatures of the Dark Tapestry."
GM: Serelina nods in understanding. "I would be disinclined to examine this quest as time seems to be at quite a premium and this venture sounds like it would be both risky and costly in this regard. Additionally, I prefer to have devils fully bound if I bring them into our plane and I doubt such strictures are what he has in mind."
"As to the other option, I would recommend that you offer him the opportunity to examine copies of the studies we have with the stipulation that the information can only be shared with a being that he has sworn fealty to, and that any he shares with will be bound by the same condition to share only with their liege lords. This will allow us to keep the information from being resold too easily while allowing him adequate use of the information we share. I would also seek the True Name of a Barbazu that we can use in pursuing Radgar and his group as a part of this bargain."
GM: "That depends on the task and information you are requesting. Let us know what each is and we can decide whether your assistance is worth the payment."
It be interesting to divide our challenges into these areas:
2) Abyssal/Rebellion - the Rakshasa, demons, and Hezeck's connection. 3) Radgar & Followers - I say followers because the old woman situation seemed to make it likely that he has a crew with him at least. How much do we have that makes Radgar into anything but seeking revenge against the Drow/Thief connection. Maklo's information seems solid which may make Radgar more of a loose cannon that could be pointed in the right direction rather than a primary foe. 4) New undead threat from the vampire sector. Do we see anything that makes us believe that these factions aren't totally separate? Which do we see as primary/secondary/tertiary? To me the demonic/Rebellion aspect is most dangerous.
Serelina also has the look into the spell that Radgar's wife was working on as part of her list of "to-do's" She tried this once before and determined it would take about a week to decipher. The breakneck pace we've been running at since then has not allowed follow-up but she will look into both the ring and the spell in the meantime.
"That is an option. My concern is that would be like cutting the head off a hydra. It seems satisfying, but accomplishes little in the long run. If we cannot think of a better plan, it would at least be a place to start, however."
While in-character Serelina would have definite plans and motivations about our next steps - as a player I do not. I'm honestly having trouble keeping track of all the plot lines. I think it might be worth it to strategize about next steps here, then work conclusions into roleplay in the main thread. Serelina is smarter than I and likely remembers/has figured out a lot more than I'm going to be capable of emulating.
Looking at the newcomers, Serelina begins a well orgainzed recitiation of the the history of the investigation since she joined the group. "Well then, let me inform you of what has been happening..." Upon completion she says, "I have recently learned that Anthony's crew was indeed involved in the assault on the Tower. I'm not sure running them down is our best course of action at this point, however tempting that might be. There are larger players involved in this game, and Anthony and his minions likely play the role of pawns in the grand scheme. For now, I have some research to do, but if any of you can come up with a plan on how to move forward - why don't we plan to reconvene at lunch?" Serelina then steps aside to consult with Master Hast. GM: Serelina approaches Master Hast and nods her head respectfully. "I appreciate your words regarding my status with the other Masters. As to our friend, I do think we should consult with him. We can assess his price once we know it and can always refuse. He knows that demons are influencing things, however, and I believe our goals may primarily align with his. With that being the case, there would be a cost to him if he is not allowed to participate and influence things." With that she walks with Master Hast towards the meeting.
Having listened carefully to all that is said Serelina finally addresses the group, "I would prefer to remain in the city for now, I believe the most dire threats are here. I think we need to devise a means to set Radgar and Diguri against each other. As these two threats pursue each other, Hezek should be our immediate focus. Roland if you don't have the stomach for blood then I think it is best if you set of for a task away from here, because I can't imagine us winning if we think these people still deserve quarter after what they did here at the tower. Ian and I will remain and recruit others without such delicate dispositions." Looking to the Masters she says, "This ring and the spell Radgar's wife was working on need to be fully analyzed before we can take our next steps. As urgent as many things seem, we have been running around and reacting constantly instead of planning and applying logic to our problems. The enemy has had us under constant threat and action, and the result to our constant reaction is that the Tower was left undefended. I daresay that the Masters being lured away at such a critical time is likely no coincidence either. The ring and the spell should be our immediate focus rather than direct action..."
Serelina looks quite tired as she listens to Roland and Ian. She simply nods and says, "We should meet up in the morning. It may be that we need to recruit some additional help as this seems to be a much grander plot than we originally anticipated. For now, I must rest." GM: As the party gets ready to split up, Serelina will check with Master Hast to see if he thinks they should consult with their "Friend behind the door" on this. Serelina doesn't intend to do so until the morning when she is at full strength.
I currently have Serelina built for fairly significant PvP rather than PvE. If the GM is OK with me tweaking her a bit to match the new theme going forward I would like to do so.
I would guess it is our friendly fallen paladin...
Serelina places the ring in the warded chest, nodding to Master Hast. "I'm afraid my spells are spent. There is little I will be able to do to aid the others."
Having been strenuously ignoring Roland while hoping that Sona might just show her true nature with the summoner Serelina seemed fairly bored with the scene once the negotiations had ended. However, once Ian opened the door Serelina's normally icy gaze turns colder as she looks upon the carnage. Hearing Master Hast's suggestion she quickly nods. "Whatever or whomever did this may be seeking that item. Cindy, you keep your undead cohort under control while we secure the artifact... She is still your charge."
Serelina is geared pretty strongly for PvP as well, but her personality is such that I think I will just try and keep her moving in the direction as a utility mage who supports the party. Tenro, if you are thinking of bringing someone else in we are woefully low on healing options. Currently, I believe you are the only character who could even use a wand of cure light wounds.
Serelina consults privately with Master Hast. She then looks over the items with a trained eye, calculating values. "As we all were working as agents of the Tower, Master Hast has agreed that the Tower should assist in making things equitable. To that end, I propose this: The merchants' representatives receive the headband, the rapier, and the armor. We receive the gloves and the boots. Since the gloves and boots are more valuable, the Tower - via Master Hast- will compensate the merchants' representatives with a sum of 5,690 gold to represent the differential. Do we have an accord?"
Update: Cindy Says:
I understand that is what we would sell them for, but we are trying not to have to sell them. If we keep the items as I described your team increases in value almost 12K more than my team. (Your 5960 number is still right as the Delta that would make us even). And it seems you are already ahead on that curve, just based on you having a +4 stat item. No one our our team has any single item worth half that, unless you count my fetish mask that I can enchant but am quite limited to what enchants I can apply. Cindy has under 750 in gold at the moment. Not sure what other members have. But none of us have crafting available to us outside my mask, which is like a bonded item as far as crafting goes. Cindy's most valuable enchanted item is her Jingasa which may have powered down with the released errata on the item. I have not asked the DM about it that I recall. I am not asking for you to try to balance our two groups equipment values or anything like that but think to get the deal to go through you will have to offer up either items or gold of at least half that 5690 value. But not everything is complete. There may be rewards yet so more cash may be on the table. And the ring is not yet resolved though I suspect you are correct about it likely never being something any of us get. I really am trying to think of our two groups as a team and trying to work out what is best for both groups.
Serelina says: So neither group has the cash to make up for 5690 in value. That means we're going to have to liquidate items - specifically the gloves because their value is too high for their worth. The issue is that by selling the item we cut its value in half. It isn't fair to assign the item to one side or the other before we sell it because then that side takes the loss on the half the value of the item when it is sold. So the item would have to be sold, then we divide the loot. Unless someone on your team can use a master work chain shirt, that is also useless. No one on my team can, so that needs to be sold prior to division as well. The division this way would be: Gloves turned to gold = 12,500
So dividing that would be: Merchants get:
Mages get:
With the delta being 670 in your favor - Can your team cover 670?
If that doesn't work, I will likely propose this: Plan B: The best solution is likely to liquidate the gloves and get cash to divy the other items up. Everything should be considered at what it could be sold for, not full price because that is the real value it has right now - what we can sell it for. Chain 150
Boots at 6,000
We take the boots and sell the gloves for 12,500. To balance we get 6,810. That leaves 5,690. Divided by two is 2,845
The proposition we are exploring is: From Cindy to Serelina:
Would you consider a trade where our team gets the armor, rapier and headband and your team gets the gloves and boots but also throws in something of value to at least somewhat offset the delta in value. I understand that at least half the value of the gloves are situational in value. I am trying to sell an good solution to my team. As proposed the deal nets the Mages 37K in value and the Merchant is 25.62K in value. This is a delta of 11380 gold. Half of that would be 5690. I do not think we need things to be exact but it would be helpful if the Mages were to offer something to smooth out the delta. Could be gold, items, or perhaps even favors. I'm also in favor of the deal furthering our relationship and trust.
From Serelina to Cindy: I expect the ring to be a plot device rather than an actual magic item so I don't think we can really consider it treasure. Master Hast's reaction seems to confirm that. We don't have the cash/items to spare to make up 5,690. A favor could work however... Do you have any crafters in your group? Serelina has craft wondrous items. If someone wants on your side wants boots of speed (or something similar), Serelina could craft them if you provide the 6,000 gold. That would result in 6,000 gold bonus for your side which is about what is owed. Heck she could craft a couple of things if the GM allows time...
All, I'm in semi-offline negotations with Cindy on trying to find a way to split things up equitably. I'm trying to make it a straight split between the groups so that we can divide up our half including Roland as the most fair way to do things while allowing Roland to keep his secrets. @GM - as partial compensation would you allow Serelina to craft a wondrous item for the Merchants and provide it at cost?
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