Lil frowns, "I did not realize that I traveled with Pharasma, the one who judges souls," he lets his point sit for a minute. "I will challenge their leader to combat and this area's dominance. Once he is defeated they will surely disperse."
Lil waits for a few moments to see if anyone objects, afterward he begins walking toward and across the bridge. He looks only like a vagabond with his staff in one hand and tattered clothes covering his body.
"I HAVE COME TO CHALLENGE YOUR LEADER OR CHIEFTAIN!" he yells as he crosses. "IF HE IS A COWARD, I CAN CHALLENGE THE STRONGEST AMONG YOU FOR RULE! SURELY YOUR STRONGEST IS STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL AN ELF."
Sial shakes his head as he watches the Half-Elf go on this attempt to pick on the leader.
"Fools errand, but, at least they shall be drawn to us." he states with a smirk as Asyra moves up and he prepares to launch out with his spells.
I assume you mean you'll stop before the bridge as the Orcs won't let you pass the tower they they're residing in, sorry if I didn't make that clear earlier.
As two stationary Orcs see the half-elf approach they roar, raising the alarm for the entire place to be lit up and the thumping sound of feet can be heard as the Orcs all scrabble out of the building.
Initiative...sadly as the adventure says "They care little for diplomacy"
Surprise Round:
Many more screams and howls echo. The one nearby stops to then shout.
"It's a wittle elf, here to wag jaws with you, Ury! Better hurry, you might find some left in my teeth!" he grins as his intentions are clear as he comes at you with his Greataxe, huffing as he had to move so far just to get close to you.
Soon many other Orcs appear to be clammering around, some have already entered into eyesight and are marching on their way towards you.
End of Surprise Round
Round 1
Order:
Jerin
???
Silas
Krenn
'Lil
Deathwatchers
MAP Note: I've considered 1 square = 5ft for simplicity's sake. Everyone else is off the map, but I'll say you're roughly 60ft away so you can run to end up on the edge or attack via ranged. I have also added numbers so none of us spend several posts saying "That one, the one on the right of the guy who got hit in the arm two turns ago." or something like that. As a reminder to those who have played with me before and to those who are new, Unique units such as Bosses of NPCs will have their own unique token so you can tell the difference between, for example, a group of goblins and a single goblin necromancer.
"Really, you don't consort with devils...." Silas questions as he looks from Jerin to the Kyton standing next to Sial.
Sial nods
"I have been known to dabble when asking for information. I know little more than you do about what is going on inside the castle." as he notices the glance to Asyra he grins "I consider Kytons different from Devils, these were created in the form of what the Dark Prince desires. That being said, Asyra is a special case. She was a being, gifted to me by my lord for loyal service. Of course, as mentioned we will assist you in retrieving the sword and breaking the curse, but from what I heard none of us can touch Serithtial. If legends are true it's blessed to not only destroy evil, but those who follow Zon-Kuthon. Believe me, if there were another way to destroy the queen's crown, I'd suggest that path instead of giving you all such a powerful and dangerous artifact."
"Barbed devils and a Judgement devil. The Judgement Devil will be a formidable opponent."
"This will be an exciting adventure!" the giggling Elf smiles and gives Silas a smirk "Tell me, do you enjoy the embrace of pain? The feeling of warmth dripping down your body?"
"Laori!" Sial snaps at the elf before giving a respectful bow. "I apologies, even among the Brotherhood, she is a strange one." he gives her a glare that makes her step back by Asyra the Kyton. "If, by some stretch any of you did wish to join us in our crusade after you have toppled the queen, we are more than happy to accept you all into the fold."
Since no one has fully objected to them assisting the group, you all gain 22,400 XP, as if defeating them.
"Barbed devils and a Judgement devil. The Judgement Devil will be a formidable opponent."
"You have some interesting abilities there. Very interesting." he says, openly showing interest in Silas' ability to call and trap creatures of the planes. "I knew most of this, but I did not know what Devils may have laid inside. No one has stepped inside those walls and lived to tell the tales since before the curse. A curse, I am certain was caused by the Dark Prince as vengence for what happened to his favorite commander."
The Kyton near him remains silent whilst the nearby Elf, dressed in spiked armour smirks and giggles.
As far as you know with the situation, whatever has reanimated these things is tied to the castle. As Sial states, if you believe him, they are not under Zon-Kuthon's control and will attack him just as much as any of you. Plus he did mention there is a guardian he can help you all get by deep in the castle.
Sial just watches with a smile and looks over to Asyra and dissappointedly at Laori.
Why would it be in your best interest Sial? We have never really understood what you want or why you are watching us?
Sial gives a grin and a nod.
"We want the crown or as you now know, the teeth of Kazavon." he states openly "I run a small sect who wish to collect artifacts of Zon-Kuthon. There is also another reason we wish to go with you. The castle is no longer loyal to our lord and we will be attacked the same as you, but there is one servant who guards the sword you are after and will only let you past if we perform a ritual."
Asyra, the Kyton comes up next to Sial with her permanent smirk on her face as she examines the blood and torn flesh on her chains from the dead assassins.
thought I'd add a little action to spice things up.
After Jerin and the group leave to a secluded area to teleport away, you are interupted as Red Mantis Assassins leap from the shadows ready to tackle you, however, they are surprised by the sudden appearance of several Hellhounds and the familiar Kyton, Asyra, come in to tear them down.
The battle only lasts a few minutes before the Shadowcount makes himself visable from the shadows with Laori.
"It was unwise to return so close to Korvosa. I'm afraid they had spoken to the locals and knew you came here in the past." he states, addressing the now dead assassins. The Hellhounds dissappear, returning to whatever plane of existence they once came from. "We would like to accompany you to your next destination. It is in our best interest that you arrive there safely and leave with what you seek."
Jerin is NG...if we don't overthrow the Queen he would be okay sending it towards her and her minions.
Sial, Laori and his kyton companion are Lawful Evil and they don't have any issue with you doing that to the Queen, however they would like to gain the crown intact if possible.
"Now that you appear to have her mark, I believe we should leave this place. The quicker you get on your way and recieve passage from these barbarians, the easier it will be to travel." he states as he wishes to make his leave.
Sial moves forward and cuts off whatever Laori was about to say.
"These markings appear to be of Desna, interesting. They seem newer than the origonal markings." he says as he looks over at the stars and the globes "Perhaps there is something to do with the stars and that globe."
While we are paused for the map to be reviewed, Krenn asks ”So Sian, I have a question for you. Do you know anything about an assassin in these parts? He uses red bolts and a heavy repeating crossbow. He seems to prey on lone Shoanti? I’ve got an interest in meeting up with him.”
@Llyra: Not always, some can be simply CN to screw with you :D.
Sail nods.
"Yes, I have heard of what they call the Tshamek Devil, but I have not met him." he gives a shrug "I did not do that much research as my only interest is in your group, not people of interest in this area."
Taking a step towards the hole in the ground he looks ot Asyra.
"I can send her down first, if you wish to scout the area before going below?" he suggests, Asyra by his side.
sorry about the late post. Hadn't statted them up properly and Laori wasn't supposed to be there...yet lol. nvm.
The door is unlocked and there appear to be no traps, proven when you open the door. As the door is opened you find a large, otherwise empty room with a floor where a five-foot diameter hole sits in the centre with a ring of wavey runes around it. The shaft of the hole is filled with a brilliant emerald light that, upon closer inspection, leads down into the depths.
Spellcraft DC 15 or Knowledge History DC 20:
This is known as a arcane elevator called an Illumacone. A traveler who steps into the ring recieves the benefit of feather fall spell and gently floats down the shaft of light for any long distance. In this case, 70ft. Once there, a traveler can cross the matching ring of runes below and is affected by the spell levitate, allowing him to gently ascent back up to this chamber.
These effects appear to be placed in the shaft perminant, but once you step outside the shaft, these effects end. Devices like this have been found, but not too many still work due to the age of the runes, some damaged by maurding beasts or treasure seekers whilst others are damaged over time due to wearing down or plant growth disrupting it. It is a real sight to see one of these things working. If people were to learn how to re-make such magic it could quite easily improve the life of all on golarian and make climbing the stairs a thing of the past, enabling the construction of buildings of a unthinkable height.
Sial smiles at the sight of this.
"Thassilonian magic. It works like a device to allow one to lower to the ground below gently, such as the spell Feather Fall. Once below you can step back into the runes and float up. I'm sure those of you who are wise about spells, can support my findings?" he smiles as he turns back to the group, before stepping in with Asyra and Krenn.
There are also double doors to the left that you believe lead to the large chamber you were in earlier and two more doors on the opposing wall to you.
Llyra listens to the exchange: You presume much. Anything that is created can be destroyed. As we all saw just over a century with the death of Aroden, even gods can be destroyed. The only question is how to carry out the destruction.
When, not if, we acquire the fangs, we shall seek to destroy them. They are far too evil to allow another to acquire. If perchance we are unable to destroy them, then I shall consider your offer as I know of no bastian of the Savored Sting in which such an item would be safe. In saying this, recall, I speak for myself. I do not know if my companions would agree.
Llyra pauses again and looks around at the interior of the room in which they all stand before looking down at Krenn for a moment and then turning back the the Shadowcount.
However, what the brave warrior just said is absolutely true. We must work together to remove the usurper and gain possession of the fangs. How we proceed from there can be decided at that time. Until we acquire the fangs, our paths appear to run parallel, so I will not deny your assistance.
Sial gives a smile and a bow.
"We will assist in whatever way we possibly can." he gives a grin as he looks to Asyra. "Now, which way were you thinking of heading? We've only come this far and don't know what else is in the area."
"You speak with great knowledge Llyra, but this item is the only one I know of that is, for lack of better words, reachable. Others are far away or hidden from my scrying ability. The question is, do you want to worry about us bringing him back or your city? Even if you destroy the crown, the teeth cannot be destroyed. We can keep them safe in the captial of Nidal where we have it guarded by undead, Kytons and many other servants of Zon-Kuthon, not to mention our lord of darkness himself." Sial turns to Jerin and shakes his head. "Do you know that Queen Ilesia was some noble woman who fled Chealax? From what I hear, she's a young woman and the king was a venerable old man, right? Sounds like a story that has been played ever since kings exsisted. Master dwarf speaks true though, the queen will need her fangs removed and you still need to find the shoanti."
Llyra watches and listens to Sial attempting to determining whether he is being honest, or is completely full of it.
Sense Motive: 1d20+12
Turning to the Shadowcount:
If you controlled this artifact, how did you lose it? And even if we were to consider returning it to you, how would you protect if? You have already lost it once, why would we believe that you would not lose it again?
1d20 ⇒ 2
He shakes his head.
"We lost it due to two reasons." he starts off counting with his fingers. "One was due to a group of heroes such as yourselfs. Two, a traitor in the midst."
he leaves it at that and gives Laori a nasty leer, however he turns back to the group.
"It strikes me I'm not dealing with a group of people who are only talented in combat and are actually wise enough to discern things. In the aspect of trust, I will tell you everything."
As he says this Asyra and Laori make sure to sit down, but interested and knowing this to be a long story. Sial clears his throat.
"More than 800 years ago, as the nation of Ustalac was recovering from the rule of the Whispering Tyrant, the thread of an invasion of orcs from Hold of Belkzen was very real. For generations the county of Tamrivena, now known as Canterwall, held strong against the orcs with a standing army of rangers and tactical genius of it's leaders who were more than a match for the orc hordes. However, when the command fell to Count Andachi, it quickly became apparent that the apple had fallen far from the tree. Mile by miles the orcs pressed into Ustalav through Tamrivena and the count grew desperate as he found nothing he threw at the orcs works, let along slow them down. The men this fool commanded were just being sent to the slaughter house."
"He made desperate requests to the government of Ustalav for reinforcements seemed mired in bureaucracy and his prayers to Desna seemed to fall upon deaf ears, not like such a goddess could do anything about an army anyway." he says going off track. "In his desperation he called upon his family's one time patron, Zon-Kuthon. His prayers were answered in the form of a powerful and gifted mercenary named Kazavon who wore brilliant blue flowing robes of a nobleman."
"This Charismatic general took control of Tamrivena's army and whipped it into shape with his brutal discipline and knowledge of tactics and warefare, transforming them from average militia to hardened war veterans capable of facing any fear and able to cut down orcs as if they were nothing, which they are. When they marched into Belkzen, the indisciplined savages fell in waves. Tales of Kazavon himself riding into the vanguard and hewing his way through the orc lines while the arrows and blades of his foes bounced harmlessly off him. This filled Count Andachi with relief. By spring of 4043 ar, the orcs had been driven from their lands into the inhospitable foothills of the Kodar mountains, bloodies and defeated. Same say that many of the tribes still speak of Kazavon's name "
"His task complete, the might Kazavon chose not to return to Ustalav, but instead he set his forces to the construction of Castle Scarwall from which he could remain vigilant over the surrounding lowlands. Yet in short time his true goals became horrifically clear. Diplomats from southern Lastwall traveled to Scarwall bearing gifts of triumph and promises of eternal friendship. Their overtures of peace were met with violence as General Kazavon captures the diplomats, flayed them alive and had their skins stretched over frames; he painted skins with his new coat of arms, the fanged skull. The skinless dead were then animated and sent back under these grisley banners with a counter offer. Fall under Kazavon's heel or be butchered."
"Some among Kazavon's own troops found his actions repellent, but Kazavon's army had gown over the years as his number of victories mounted. His ranks swelled with mercenaries half of his force bore no allegiance to anything but their general's gold. Those soldiers who rose in rebellion were immediately quelled and executed and those who attempted a more diplomatic protest were tortured and fed to the wild beasts. The poor fools."
"Aghast at this turn of events, Count Andachi at last found his balls and raised a new army of ragged and inexperienced warriors from the last remnants of his people and marched west to face his former general. In a bold offensive he laid siege to Castle Scarwall. Yet, with the next dawn, he was defeated by Kazavon's forces. Hapless Andachi was captured, publicly tortured and degraded before being ultimately executed. These grisley deeds completed, Kazavon turned his attention east toward Ustalav."
"For well over a decade, the might Kazavon ruled a nation of slaves, victims and horror. It is said there were fields of men impaled for his amusements and mass executions of Shoanti tribesmen who were hunted like wild animals and then forced to slay their own women and children in carnivals of torture and terror spreading through the neighboring regions. It was also whispered that there were cannibalistic feasts and vampiric orgies trickling out of Castle Scarwall. More than once, the forces of goodly nations marched on scarwall, yet such was Kazavon's strength that no army could face him for long. To a man, every warrior sent against scarwall suffered the same fate as Count Andachi."
"The foolish count had done something though. He had blubbed to the temple of Imoedae and in his confession, they said his sins would be forgiven, fools. This small cabal of heroes managed to defeat Zon-kuthon's champion. The group was lead by a paladin named Mandraivus and this group from Lastwall was comprised of mercenaries, Shoanti mystics and Ustalavi arcanists. They discovered a traitor who was willing to betray the great warlord, his Chamberlain. A man named Kleestad. He gave them the information they needed to strike at Scarwall when it's defences were the lowest and directed the cabal to a secret entrance to the castle that Kazavon's guards didn't know about. As the cabal tore through Scarwall, laying waste to the warlord's minions and pursuing him to the castle heights, Kleestad returned swiftly to his room to gather his most valuable possessions and make ready for the snake's escape, but Mandraivus' band moved faster than he hoped. By the time he had his gear, the castle alarm had sounded and he was called to Kazavon's side as the warlord was preparing to defend his home."
"The Chamberlain feared his master knew of his betrayal and that he was being called to his side to be executed, yet before Kazavon could do much more than break both of his ankles, Mandraivus arrived. The battle was furious and in the end the worm fled to the Star Tower of this building, giving him the chance to hide. When Mandraivus and his remaining companions cornered Kazavon in the Star Tower they discovered his great secret. He was no mere man, but a incredibly powerful blue dragon that had taken human shape with the blessing of his dark god. Assuming his magnificent true form, Kazavon attacked the cabal and a long and blood battle ensued."
"His scaled deflected all their attacks just as the weapons of the orcs had bounced off him during the initial campaign in Belkzen and his blaws and lightning breath made short work of many of their best and bravest. It was Mandraivus, wielding his holy sword Serithtial, who was able to slim through the dragon's guard and deliver the fatal blow. Kazavon's forces abandoned the castle after that and his dark empire unfortunately crumbled."
"However the fools did not understand the power of the lord of shadow. Kazavon's corpse continued to seeth with dark energy, begining to knit itself back together towards live once again. Mandraivus had left his sword impaled in the dragon's skull while his companions disassembled the body and burnt the remains. After the smoke cleared, seven fradments of it's skeleton proved impossible to deestroy. They continued to rattle and shake of their own free will. Mandraivus ordered seven of his remaining followers to each take one of the relics and scatter to the corners of the world to keep the fragments forever seporated. Mandraivus remained behind at Scarwall with only a few loyal retainers in order to watch over the castle itself and prevent it from being reclaimed by the minions of Zon-Kuthon. However the fools forgot about the Orcs in the nearby mountains. They were watching and saw the many fleeing armies and rampaged across Belkzen once again. Only a portion of the horde attacked, many still fearing Kazavon still. Mandraivus failed to defend this wall as they were quickly overwhelmed and with his death, a curse struck Scarwall. With so much death the restless spirits rose and many orcs fled in terror at the sudden appearance of undead. It is said that only one of the orcs survived to make it across the causeway from the castle, the flesh of his face blanched completely white from the horror he had barely escaped from. He brought word to his people of the Haunting and the tribal warlords to this day have declared the site taboo and leave it for the spirits who now claim it."
"Kazavon's traitor, Kleestad survived. He managed to remain hidden and as he felt the curse of Scarwall engulf the place he knew that SZon-Kuthon had finally smote the intruders. He emerged from hiding to find the place empty and silent. He then found his thoughts were confirmed and seeing Mandraivus' body slimped against a wall he noticed he still held the sword that had slain the might Kazavon. Half-mad and deluded, the fool took up the blade in his hand and heedless of the pain as the holy weapon burned his evil flesh he called out to the lord of darkness to witness his triumph as he claimed it as his own and wished to be rewarded. The coward was. He was rewarded with a curse I would never wish upon my greatest enemy. He has been transformed and now resides at the bottom of the castle with the sword. He now has become the guardian of that acursed blade."
"I know not how the fangs of Kazavon fell into the hands of the Shoanti, but from what I have learnt they were hidden in the temple that Castle Korvosa is built ontop of." he then looks back to Laori and the group "As Laori has found and informed me Kazavon was able to reach out to people with certain creative qualities, the last being the artist, whose paintings she now owns I believe. From the tale I just told you, you now understand where his inspiration came from in making these paintings. Most likely they were from memories of Kazavon's rule. As you see, I have no interest in the crown itself, just the fangs. You can destroy the crown, we have no need for it but the fangs are what's important."
Llyra:
It seemed like he was considering to try and decieve you, but here he now seems to have been straight, even taking pleasure in talking about the grisley horrors that the dragon performed on these people and the punishment the traitor at the end. As well as his obvious dislike for the holy sword mentioned.
Jerin suddenly snaps back to the conversation, his expression becoming very serious, So you want us to hand you the crown if we defeat Lleosa, is that what you are ultimately asking?
Don't bank on that! Curnach, we are not letting some evil artifact that has enslaved our city into anyone hands...right?
The shadowcount shakes his head.
"The crown is not responsible, but that stupid little woman who wears it on her head." he explains "We only need the crown to keep stored with all our other artifacts."
Curnach could not help but overhear the exchange between Laori and Jerin and looked disgusted, to say the least.
Very well. And my first question?
1d20 ⇒ 5
"The crown is an artifact that belongs to the church of Zon-Kuthon. It was owned by a general who was a strategic genius until he was cut down by a group of heroes and a paladin to Iomedae. The item however still has his essance and we wish to keep it safe from the world. I am certain you would feel the same if a item sacred to your deity was stolen and being used for another's purpose." he adds with a smile. "All we want is the crown. Any treasure you find in any tomb or place you loot is free for your picking. You can even stay with us in our accomidation. Far safer than the exposed weather outside, I assure you." as he says this he produces a small item in his hand that looks like a minture fort made of marble with a skull motif over the entrance.
if interested, under the effects of detect magic the item shows strong auras of Necromancy and Conjuration.
When you say "uprising", what exactly are you saying? The throne is already hers... And what is your purpose here, in this place?
Sial gives a small smile before he responds.
"Let me answer your second question first. I have been communing with my lord and he said you would arrive here so we set out to come here and wait for you to make this offer. This is to a mutual benefit." he explains to curnach. "That crown she wears is capable of giving the most inexperienced war veteran the knowledge of a professional general on the battlefield. From what I have learnt of her, she has a lust for power and once she is ready, she will move with an army and take all the cities of Varisia. After Varisia she will turn her eyes to the rest of the world."
The Savored Sting demands revenge for the wrongs committed by the one who would call herself queen.
Llyra pauses for a moment as though thinking.
However . . . once, NOT IF, the queen is removed, there will be no place for those who would cause harm to the innocents of the city. Remember that. I will work with you to free the city from the evil that now infests it. But, once the evil is gone, if you and your god seek to bring harm to my city, then we will face each other as foes, NOT friends.
1d20 ⇒ 1
The man gives a smile and nods.
"Believe me, I have no interest in taking your city. Once the queen has been de-throned we will leave back to Nidal." he stops for a moment and then gives a nod. "It is rude of me, but I have not introduced myself. My name is Shadowcount Sial and my assistant here is named Asyra. We represent a small group of the church of Zon-Kuthon who would like to prevent the uprising of the queen."
Curnach:
Something about the way he mentions the uprising seems to be a bit off, however the rest seems quite genuine.
