"This does look the best course of action. As long as it can't be opened from the inside. Otherwise we will have to make her new accomodation a bit more secure" he points back to where they found the cages
Mephistopheles' blue eyes crinkle in amusement.
I do enjoy shopping.
The Wizard gladly begins picking up some interesting stuff...
A prison? Why not.
Clyde's eyes glitter as he looks upon the riches. The money earned from selling items can be used to renovate The horn. We need something better than bedrolls to sleep on.
The Horn - Level 3 - Area 3-6
Ezra the Thrice Damned turns towards Grumble, "The Sanctum can only be reached through the Spire.
The Victor did his best to collapse the stairway, his best was rather efficient, it would take a skilled engineer some time to fix. The leader of the last band, Aiden Kael, managed to escape me while I was feasting on the souls of is companions.
He used a potion of gaseous form to enter the Sanctum. I believe that he met his final fate there, at the hands of the Sanctum's Guardians".
"He ran away into a place he hadn't cleared yet?" Grumble sneered. "Moron."
The Illusionist smiles at Clyde.
Nothing too expensive though. I can alter appearance as we see fit. Comfortable but functional is best.
Frowning at Ezra, Mephistopheles' blue eyes look directly at him.
Guardian? Say more, please and thank you.
The Wizard then snaps his fingers.
Don't we now have 3 Eyes?
Grumble's eyes narrowed in thought. "You sure? Ezra says he gots one. We gots one. Where's the third?"
"An extradimensional prison would be nice. We still need to keep her from casting, but this should keep her from escaping."
She then smiled with a cute little dimple. "And if we decide that she won't be corrupted, it makes for an amazing Oubliette. No water, no food, no fresh air."
The Horn - Level 3 - Area 3-6
Ezra replies, "Most adventurers are morons Grumble. Brave but stupid. The experiences we used to have in the Chamber of Delights after we captured were something else...when we were done, the servants of my Lord would finish them, once they had what they wished from them". You didn't know Wraiths could smile wistfully, but this one is.
Ezra turns to Meph, "Hexor and Vexor. I wouldn't advise approaching them without the Iron Amulets else you will meet the same fate as Aiden Kael and my Master will never return" he gestures to the iron plates in the true treasury. Once you look ate them a bit more closely, you realize they have chains attached and can be worn around the neck.
"Interesting set of collars" he laughs "Certainly gives me an idea or two"
If spellcasting is a problem, remove the tongue. Give a guarantee that said tongue will be restored if they are cooperative.
That's certainly devilishly creative, Clyde.
"In normal circumstances yes, but with this individual we could simply put a gag with a lock behind the head, so that when needed, she can talk." he gives his opinion
The Horn Level 2 - Area 2-19
After the Party sorts the gear to best increase the effectiveness of the Party, Brian is grinning ear to ear! Ezra leaves his minions to guard the entrance of the vault and accompanies you to the second floor of the Horn. Elliaria leads the way with a container of stone salve, the container has two "charges" within. She uses the first to glue the head of the statue found in Area 2-7 to the body in the Area 2-19.
She is delighted to find that her intuition was correct!
A cultist magically transforms back to the land of the living, his open mouthed scream dies away as he looks about the room. He laughs and grasps at his head, "Ha hahhaaaaa. I'm alive! Alive!" He then takes in the scene and regards each of you in turn, when he at last sees Ezra, he falls to one knee! "Lord Ezra, I... I have.. I have it, I have the Withering Eye!"
He pulls from his belt pouch the third emerald!
Ezra retorts seemingly burning with anger, "Halthus the Flayer, it appears you do indeed have more than a sole purpose. How did you come by this holy relic of our Master!?"
Halthus sputters, "Lord Ezra, one of the high priests died in front of me. When he fell I saw the jewel lying loose. I grabbed it and ran. I didn’t get far.”
"Normally, cowardice would not be a trait I'd like my own underlings to have, but this one tried to save a precious relic. So I would say a reward would be in order?" he suggests to Ezra "Loyalty should be cultivated"
Elliaria stares at Halthus, as if looking into his soul.
The Horn Level 2 - Area 2-19
Halthus is enamored with moving up the ranks of his religion's hierarchy, he does so by being absolutely ruthless, no doubt his moniker the flayer was well earned.
"You did save the emerald, which somewhat offsets that you were defeated. As you can se, we are a new force dedicated to rebuilding the horn and using it as a base to wreak unholy vengeance on all that oppose us."
She pauses, "All of us are here for a common goal. Prove your worth and you will be rewarded. Failure is not permitted."
Mephistopheles simply smiles at the newly fleshed out minion. The Wizard does inspect the Gem prior to nodding his affirmation.
Perhaps he can be our jailor...
"Congratulations, Halthus," the serpent coiled around the towering monster's wrist said. "It has been more than seventy years. You are the last living disciple of the Sons of the Apocalypse. As we recruit new followers, it will be up to you to properly induct them. You are the bridge between the past and the present."
"Tell us about yourself. What did you do before? Where do you think your talents would be best suited now?"
The Horn Level 2 - Area 2-19
"I live to serve! I relish the dark luck that has brought me back from the dead!"
Halthus, not surprisingly was a torturer, a job he would gladly perform for the group if needed. He is not particularly eloquent or intelligent but he is fanatical and is excited to establish a "New Brotherhood" of the Sons of the Apocalypse.
He appears deferential to the Wraith of Ezra, believing that he needs to be accommodating to the evil spirit and quite frankly, intimidated by him.
He is unable to share anything of value that you have not all already deduced yourselves through investigation of the Horn. He has never been to the Sanctum himself though he does confirm his belief that the hidden staircase is the only way to get there.
"There is much work to be done, and at the moment we few are the only ones to do it. Expect hardship for a time. Rewards will come as we gather a new brotherhood," Raaven said to Halthus.
"I am Raaven. I speak for your new masters. For now, your task is to drag all the furniture that cannot be salvaged out to the entrances and drop it down to the mouth of the caverns for the Boggards to repurpose. There is no rush on this task. Do not overwork yourself. You are no good to us if you are exhausted. Go now. Find yourself a room on the first floor, and begin your task. We will take our meals near the old tavern. Food will be ready for you, as well as whatever bedding we can find."
Once Halthus had left, Raaven turned to the Ninth Knot. "Now that we have all three Eyes, should we put them to use?"
"As soon as we are past the guardians, I suppose we can. Nothing new to do but go up and get this thing started" he nods at Raaven
"Gonna have to clear those stairs then," Grumblejack grumbled. "How about we wait until Havelyn and the others get us some picks and shovels. There's plenty to do while we wait."
Mephistopheles will begin beginning the process of clearing the stairs by casting Unseen Servant from his own spell book while using his Rod of Extend on it. He then casts Floating Disk.
Drag the rubble from this area into the Floating Disk to be dumped over the sides continuously for the next 14 hours. No lunch.
The Horn - the Spiral Staircase
The Party and Ezra, head to the hidden door in the Level 2 Column to inspect the rubble.
Meph instructs his Unseen Servant to bring the rubble down the spiral staircase and out via the level 2 front entrance as there is no access to the staircase from level 3.
The Party decides to split up with Elliaria, Grumble, and Mal staying behind and Meph and Clyde accompanying Havelyn and Tih back to Farholde for supplies.
The Horn
Elliaria begins to inspect the book located in the cavern. “The Dirges
of Apollyon” it details the long history of the “Sons of the Pale Horseman” and recounts their efforts to transform this world into a daemon’s playground.
It's a fairly interesting read and certainly you can see why the Mitrans would have tried so very hard to eliminate the followers of Vetra-Kali from their land. All that Vetra-Kali stands for is diametrically opposed by the teachings of Mitra.
Hell, even Asmodeus and his Devil subordinates vex and enslave in hopes of corrupting mortals. The Devil's foes, demons seek to pervert and destroy in endless unholy rampages. Both of these paragons of evil in many ways are closer to the teachings of Mitra than Daemons!
Daemons seek only to consume mortal life itself. They are harbingers of ruin and embodiments of the worst ways to die, they epitomize painful death, the all-consuming hunger of evil, and the utter annihilation of life!
But, you presume Cardinal Thorn knows what he is doing seeking to entreat with one of the Lords of Abaddon.
You close the tome, still no farther along in understanding what to do, when you find scrawling on the back cover that makes it quite clear...
Behold our shame that we, the Sons of the Pale Horseman, failed in our darkest hour to defend our prince the undying and ever malevolent Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. But I have seen it! I have seen the road to repentenance!
666 prayers. Three per day will break the hated Seal.
With each prayer bathe the seal in unholy water and intone the dirge.
At the stroke of midnight each day call forth the Supplication to Darkness. Pray to the darkness so that we shall be forgiven.
Upon the first midnight make the first sacrifice -- one of our own blood -- so that Vetra-Kali will know we are repentant. At the first light of each dawn call forth the Cursing of the Light. Answer the spread of the shining lord’s light with our unyielding defiance.
Upon the 111th Curse make the second sacrifice -- a true believer of Mitra -- so that the cursed god of the invaders will know that we fear him not and that his power to hold our master at bay is ending.
At dusk as darkness returns each day cry forth the Call Across the Void. Recite the name of Vetra-Kali so that he may hear us and return.
With the final Call offer the third sacrifice -- one of the Victor’s own blood. By the same blood that caged him so shall our master be freed. Let ye with wisdom understand.
Once the final prayer is uttered upon the 222nd dusk, Vetra-Kali will begin his long traverse across the great wheel. At the stroke of midnight on that day he will emerge into his Sanctum and the Seal shall shatter.
Blessed day! Be ready, my brothers. His eyes have been stolen from him. Return them and the Prince will honor ye with one task for each.
For the Eye of Vigilance ask only for his mercy upon we mortals and plead that he do ye and yours no harm. For his wroth will be great.
For the Eye of Hatred ask for his greatest gift -- the Tears of Achlys so that once more every corner of the world may know his mercy.
For the Eye of Withering ask what ye will for in his gratitude he must answer your charge.
And then behold, the Prince restored. All shall know his blessings of pestilence and despair.
-R.Kappelbrenner
-------
-------
The Caer Bryr
Prepared for the road to Farholde, the Wizard saddles his horse while adjusting his haversack.
Seems like a beautiful morning to proke fate. Let's ride!
Grumblejack enjoyed reading.
He wasn't good at it. The book of Fairy Tales Morana had been using to teach him was in rough shape now. It was one of his favorite possessions, but he was a brute with clawed hands and had a habit of catching fire when he got angry or excited. He tried to be careful, but it was hard.
He didn't really understand why they were called Fairy Tales. Only a few had fairies in them. Mostly they were about stupid Mitran kids being tortured. His favorite was the one with the smart wolf who dressed up as a little girl's grandma.
He'd tried to read a few of the Baron's books while he'd been there, but they were complicated and boring. Who would write a book about money? Who would give a f@*# enough to want to read it?
This book though, this one drew him like a moth to a flame. He needed to read this book. It didn't matter that he stumbled over every other word. He hovered over Elaria's shoulder like an enormous schoolboy, slowly sounding out complicated words, asking what others meant, and generally making a nuisance of himself.
When Elliaria reached the section about the failure of the Sons of the Apocalypse, and the ritual Grumblejack stood up abruptly and started pacing.
"Six hunnerd an sixty six prayers... three prayers a day... Thas like... a hunnerd days! We're gonna be stuck here for a year!"
"All the better to make this place our home. Secure it. Make sure it's well defended and furnished to our desires. So don't be so glum. At least not a lot of travelling at this point in time" he pats the big guy on his back
"I will scout ahead," Raaven offered as they began their journey through the jungle.
Waving away such nonsense as traveling about by land, the Wizard nods to the suggestion of taking the Dragon Express...
Such a long time here will require enough food and supplies as well as some entertainment. We can only train and eat for so long before we start to bicker and fight.
Clyde chuckles at the thought.
Plus rations will carry us only so far. Fresh meat and other supplies to fill our bellies, some alcohol as well for special occasions.
CLyde begins making up a list of what they will need.
The Horn
Mal
Mal sits on the floor of the extradimensional hold next to the chained up Mitran, as night falls she wakes with a start.
He eyes adjust to the darkness rather quickly and she flinches when she realizes that Mal is seated right next to her and she is defenseless.
"Why am I alive? You had your victory, send me along my way!"
Farholde
Raaven
The little Cacodaemon flies ahead of the others, arriving undetected in Farholde and heading to The Wandering Friar where Soren and Morana are holed up.
As you arrive outside of their window, you see Morana tending to a wound that Soren has in her back! Looks like she is removing a crossbow bolt.
Farholde - Much Later After Raaven's Arrival
Aurex wings high above Farholde and drops the four of you, Tih and Havelyn included. A featherfall spell allows you all to land gently just outside of town.
You really have two choices at this late hour, head to the Baron's Manse or to The Wandering Friar. Havelyn suggests The Friar as that is where Soren and Morana are staying.
You could also choose option C, a walk about.
No supplies can be purchased at this late hour though as it is Midnight.
Farholde
Morana - ... presume that you didn't see who did it?"
Soren - Turns around grimacing, "Of course not. If I had, they wouldn't have gotten away with it. Or maybe they would have, I withdrew in case it was a larger ambush, thought discretion the better part of valor".
Morana - "Well, I suppose it could be the Seventh they certainly have been of little help.
Could have been the thugs we keep running into as well in Drownington. They seem keenly interest in what we're doing here".
Soren - "Some of those men could be the Baron's men, Perhaps he's testing us. Maybe he's not as loyal to the cause as he seemed. If the rest of the New Ninth don't return, as last time many of our old companions didn't. Killing us ties up loose ends that he's rather not have to explain if the war turns against our Lord..."
Suddenly Soren slumps forward and begins slurring her words.
Morana frowns - "Damn, they poisoned that dart".
She turns to her dresser drawer and pulls a vial pouring it down Soren's throat. Soren comes to.
They both exclaim - Damn".
Morana grimaces - "Whoever it is, is playing for keeps. Rules out the Mitrans having discovered us, which was my next conjecture...".
"Reinforcements are on their way," Raaven said as she faded into visibility and slithered closer. "They should arrive shortly."
"Where was Soren shot, and are you certain she was not followed here?"
The Horn
Mal
Mal sits on the floor of the extradimensional hold next to the chained up Mitran, as night falls she wakes with a start.
He eyes adjust to the darkness rather quickly and she flinches when she realizes that Mal is seated right next to her and she is defenseless.
"Why am I alive? You had your victory, send me along my way!"
He traces a armored finger across her cheek
"My dear, who said anything that it's over already? Victory has yet to be announced."
Might as well go to the Friar. Hm... We'll need to think about hunting, recruit the...frog people to do some for us.
Mephistopheles' blue eyes look at the little town of Farholde from the back of the dragon with mirth.
Certainly will be good to relax and refresh in a more hospitality minded place for a time.
By the time the Wizard's boots land gently onto the soft grass outside of town, his appearance has changed to represent a simple middle aged human, who has a bit of a scholar about him.
Friar tis shall be.
Farholde
Soren states she was shot not far from Lord Drownington's Manor. She and Morana explain that the situation has been tense for a few days but they did not relay the situation at the reforming of the Ninth as to avoid taking focus off of the task at hand.
Soren and Morana ended up roughing up a few cut purses in Drownington and whoever leads them took exception to the beating they delivered instead of rejoicing in the fact that they let the fools live.
This attack today is the first potentially deadly encounter.
The Ladies believe that the thugs would not attack here in Newchurch as that would rouse the authorities.
They relay that the Seventh is refusing to share intelligence as the Cardinal made it clear that all reports should go to the Horn directly. Their leader believes that if the chain is discovered it could be a problem for the entire endeavor and thus they see Soren and Morana as outside of that chain. Especially in light of Soren's appearance as just by its very nature she's a liability in Farholde if discovered without her circlet operating.
Their advice is for Soren and Morana to do their jobs and hold the Horn as the Cardinal made clear this is the Ninths mission.
They ask what you are doing back in town.
Farholde
Tih changes her form to that of the same youthful girl she appeared to be when you first met her.
Havelyn stands bit straighter and summons his lineage to lead the group back to the Newchurch district. He notes that there are guards this late at night and for him to do the talking.
The guards do indeed question the group wandering about so late at night and Havelyn provides his namesake stating that he is here on a secret mission since the fall of the Tower and that the men would do well to keep their chance encounter with him a secret, for now.
Whether awestruck to meet a commander of such renown or simply gullible, they are amenable and allow you all to pass.
You arrive at the Wandering Friar stepping in to the front desk area observing only a late night clerk. Havelyn notes that he is a long term guest and has a key which he flashes. The clerk waves you all by with little fanfare.
Perception
Clyde
Mephistopheles
Tih
Havelyn's pace quickens as he heads up the stairs, he has a nervous energy about him. Something he hasn't displayed before in the short time you have known him.
He arrives on the third floor and at one of the two doors which you know house Soren and Morana. He unlocks the door to the room where he does have a key. Both Ladies appear to be sleeping.
Clyde
Mephistopheles
Tih
Tih places a hand upon Havelyn as he moves to enter, Clyde, you see it too, these are not figures in the bed, but some sort of figments made to look like figures sleeping the bed.
The Horn
The Horn
You consider what the book has told you. Clearly, to understand what must be done in more detail you will need to enter the Sanctum. That said it is also clear that you require three living sacrifices.
As luck would have it, you have two right at your disposal! The elven female, provided that Mal does not corrupt her and Aurex does not eat her, though the Wraith may want her soul for his own; so many dooms so little time; qualifies for a true believer of Mitra.
Halthus the Flayer, qualifies as Vetra-Kali's own blood, the man seems quite eager to please, will he serve unto death? Does it matter what he wants? What a stroke of luck though, had he not been turned to stone and left mostly intact, it may have been difficult indeed to find a follower of Vetra-Kali considering how thoroughly the Victor annihilated the Horn when he first overthrew it.
The last sacrifice, that may pose a problem. One of the Victor’s own blood, who would that be? Havelyn perhaps, though he is a member of the Knot, even if he was descended from the Victor would you, could you sacrifice one of your own? One who is loyal to Asmodeus?
"Mal ain't gonna like this," Grumble said after Elliaria had explained the ritual a bit more. "Think we can find a different Mitran? They gotta be pretty common, yeah?"
CLyde holds up his hand as the group peers into the room. Fake. Clyde whispers and loosens his hand axe.