19990619 Seeing

<H1> Seeing is Believing </H1>
<BR><P>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
</P>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TH> Name </TH>
 <TH> Profession and Level </TH>
 <TH> Player </TH>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kieran McTernan </TD>
 <TD> 7th/7th Half-Elf Cleric/Mage </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 7th/7th Elf Fighter/Mage </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 8th//6th Human Fighter/Mage </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 8th Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 7th/8th Half-Elf Fighter/Thief </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 6th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle Shimmerstone </TD>
 <TD> 6th/6th Gnome Cleric/Mage </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR><P>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
</P>
<H3> A Wish is Granted </H3>
<P>
Safe in the stronghold of Raevin, the adventurers sleep soundly. During
the next day, they meet with Raevin.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kieran:</B> We're still at something of a loss on how to best use your favor. We would like to get your opinion on the events going on the Plateau. So far, we've seen and managed to piece together the following bits of information.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Kieran proceeds to spend the next several hours explaining the group's
adventures from the beginning.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Raevin:</B> Well, at this point in time, the forces of good are waning. There is a power vacuum in the Westmarch, with the Lower Kingdoms fragmented. The Twisted Eye Clan has been causing trouble for the elves and the Gnoll Army has been causing trouble on the Plateau.
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Yes, we've seen the Gnolls and Imperial troops together.
 However, we didn't have any understanding of this.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> It's quite simple--the Imperium tends to work with local
 military forces. Often, they promise land or titles to
 those who assist them in their annexing of territory.
 Recently, the Gnolls attacked Bab-El. While I may have
 mixed feelings about Bab-El, they are certainly effective
 and the Gnoll army took no small number of casualties.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> What of the greater evil plot we've seen? We're definitely
 concerned about how the Lich King and Siman Jed might be
 working together.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> Well, most undead are generally not motivated by the real
 world. However, that being said the Lich King has been
 extremely focused for the past few decades.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Yes, we've seen some indication towards his motivation
 and that his plans may be coming to a head soon. Do you
 think that may be true?
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> Well, the most important thing I see occurring is the fact
 that Siman Jed is still at Blackvault. He is the head of
 a religion in the Southlands and he cannot afford to be
 away from his business for long periods of time. There
 must be something important at Blackvault to keep him
 there.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Well, you've certainly given us something to think about.
 One other thing, we've got a ring which we believe to be
 the Signet Ring of Sarin II. While I'd like to get your
 assistance in either destroying or keeping the ring away
 from those who might use it, I don't want to use up your
 favor for it.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> Well, do you have it with you?
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Unfortunately, no.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> While I would gladly take the ring for safe keeping, keep
 in mind that it can be used for other purposes. For
 example, you could use it as bait to trap those who would
 wish to use the ring for their own evil ends.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Well, that's certainly a possibility. However, if you're
 willing to take the ring, I'd be glad to simply be rid of
 it. In any case, we'll think more about your favor and
 let you know soon.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> Very well. One last thing, if you require my help, I am
 not physically here. If you need my assistance, it may
 take some time for me to return to where you are.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
With Raevin's advice, the group decides to go back to Blackvault once
more. After much discussion, the plan is to send Grackle, armed as he
deems necessary and protected by many spells for a spying mission,
including Invisibility, Wraithform, Invisibility to Undead, Spell Immunity
(Glyph of Warding), Find Traps, and various detection spells. The
various spellcasters' plan on carrying various spells for helping
Grackle directly or indirectly.
</P>
<P>
As a precautionary measure, Kieran performs a Divination, with the
following result:
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
 A coward knows nothing but fear
 A hero knows fear and faces it
 The one who moves for the many
 Walks with their strength in his limbs
 Strike with knowledge and you strike true
 Strike blindly and you are but a fool
 Follow your instincts
 Follow your plan
 Follow your wisdom
 Return while you can
 One enemy you fear
 One enemy you see
 One enemy you face
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
With this new information, the group talks to Raevin once more to make
sure that there is nothing they have overlooked.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kieran:</B> ...and that's our plan. We thought we'd get your opinion before we send Grackle.
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> And what about seeing through the mist? The "Strike Blindly"
 part of your divination would indicate that some sort of
 solution is necessary.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Uh, we didn't really have a solution for that.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> So, are you asking for my help?
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> (Looks at Donner)
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> (Shrugs, then nods)
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Uh, yes.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> Very well. (Chants) It is done.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> What is done?
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> I have given Grackle the ability to see through the
 mists. (Looks at Grackle) The mists of Ravenloft will
 never bother you.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> I thought you were going to come here.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> For the power I have expended, my presence is not necessary.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Donner and Kieran look at each other and mouth the word "Wish".
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Well, thanks for your help.
</P>
<P>
<B>Raevin:</B> Certainly. You will always be welcome at my abode.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
With that done, the group decides to send off Grackle the next morning.
Beyond that, the spellcasters in the group begin to study spells.
</P>
<H3> Chapter 12: Inside Information </H3>
<P>
Grackle's first four days of travel are relatively uneventful. He sleeps
through a bear sniffing about, but encounters precious little. On the
fifth day, he wakes up to see a small party camped nearby. After a bit
of sniffing about, the party recognizes the group leader as Moradin the
Blessed. Moradin is one of the Geltenhand Clan and is a worshiper of
Clangeddin. With Moradin is a well-known illusionist (9th+ level) and
a few priests of Clangeddin. Grackle watches for some time before the
group simply vanishes. The party reasons that the illusionist has some
spell which creates the dummy encampment.
</P>
<P>
Riding in, Grackle avoids contact with Dulax Moir and heads towards
Blackvault. About a half-hour out, various spellcasters casts several
spells on him. Grackle then flies towards Blackvault. As he approaches,
he can see the caldera. The mist is there, but he is only aware of
its existence.
</P>
<P>
Flying closer, there appear to be about 40 corporeal undead around the
caldera. There are another 40 corporeal undead around the
yet-again-reconstructed building of Blackvault. Backing out, the group
casts Invisibility to Undead and Wraithform on Grackle--making him
appear as undead, if he is spotted at all. As he flies into the caldera,
he can see indications of noncorporeal undead, perhaps shadows or wraiths.
</P>
<P>
As he spies out the rest of the interior of Blackvault, he discovers
the following:
</P>
<UL>
<LI> Outside of Blackvault
 <UL>
 <LI> 6 of the "zombies" appear to be wights. The wights
 are directing the undead outside.
 </UL>
<LI> Inside the top room
 <UL>
 <LI> There are several noncorporeal undead floating around the room.
 Leading out of the room are two stairs, the original set we
 first went down and another set to the right.
 </UL>
<LI> Down the stairs to the left
 <UL>
 <LI> The Mirror Room
 <UL>
 <LI> As Grackle passes through using Wraithform, he passes around
 several bodies. Later, using Detect Invisibility, he finds
 that there are several invisible Orogs and Orog priests.
 </UL>
 <LI> The Living Area
 <UL>
 <LI> In the welcome area before the living area are a pair of
 undead Yuan-Ti and 2 invisible, well-armored Orogs.
 <LI> In the lovely parlor rooms around the living area of Blackvault
 are several dozen (~30) Orogs and a few War Trolls (4).
 <LI> Auguries reveal the last room down the hallway to be nothing
 worth investigating.
 <LI> Auguries reveal the central room to be extremely dangerous.
 Later, Divinations will indicate that the death knight, Lord
 Malbain lives there.
 </UL>
 </UL>
<LI> Down the other stairs
 <UL>
 <LI> The Door with a Face
 <UL>
 <LI> "This must be where Taine keeps his best stuff, " says
 John.
 <LI> Closer inspection shows a substantial layer of dust on the
 door, which means that even Siman Jed and his minions didn't
 try to open it.
 </UL>
 <LI> The Lab of Blackvault
 <UL>
 <LI> Far down past the lab is a large cavern. Inside is all the
 equipment for creating many weapons. There appear to be several
 Orogs standing as a casual guard and several dwarves working
 with mithril. Beneath the soot, they have the trademark red
 hair of the Ironforge clan. They appear to be making various
 weapons (mainly spears and arrowheads) in preparation for
 later enchantment.
 <LI> On the way out, Grackle sees a patrol of Orogs led by one War
 Troll, presumably a changing of the guard.
 </UL>
 </UL>
</UL>
<P>
Having finished the spying of Blackvault, Grackle heads back and the
party thinks about what to do next. On the third day, a large (~12) pack
of trolls crosses Grackle's path, which he wisely avoids. Nothing
more occurs until the evening of the fifth day, when he encounters
a pack of Yeth Hounds. Fortunately, Grackle keeps calm and the Yeth
Hounds run past him.
</P>
<P>
Grackle makes it back close to the party, but is unable to locate
Raevin's home. He is willing to wait a few days for the group to
decide what to do. Considering all options, Donner checks in with
Seledan.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> ...and that's what we found at Blackvault. By the way, how long before we have to join the campaign against the orcs?
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> At this point, the troops are on the move. The next six weeks or so should be filled with minor skirmishes. It should be another four to eight weeks after that before any major encounters begin.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Okay, given Colin's desire to read the magical book and practice with his troops, we either have to drop him off in a month or all go back. Any thoughts on what we saw at Blackvault?
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> Yes, and none of them good. We believed that we had an
 arms advantage over them. However, if they are creating
 weapons at the rate that you saw, then that advantage is
 gone.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> But can they enchant weapons at the same pace that they're
 forging them?
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> Normally, no. However, if you are willing to take
 certain shortcuts, such as trapping souls, then it is
 possible.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Okay, I guess that's about it. We'll figure out what we're
 going to do and contact you later.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3> An Unexpected Turn of Events </H3>
<P>
At this point, the group is undecided on what to do next. All signs
point to doing something at Blackvault, and soon. So, Kieran performs
some Divinations...
</P>
<UL>
<LI> Go through the door with the face with Anti-Magic Shell
 <BLOCKQUOTE>
 The master's greatest treasure is the hardest to grasp
 <BR>
 His arts and his allies go beyond mere magic
 <BR>
 Fear not the stopper but the genie
 </BLOCKQUOTE>
<LI> Go into the central room at Blackvault
 <BLOCKQUOTE>
 Fallen from honor, fallen from glory
 <BR>
 Doomed to death a fate unholy
 <BR>
 Redemption denied, he lives for revenge
 <BR>
 Show him your weakness and he will destroy you
 <BR>
 Show him his freedom and he will consent
 </BLOCKQUOTE>
<LI> Go into the hallway beyond Blackvault
 <BLOCKQUOTE>
 The way has been opened, but it is not unguarded
 <BR>
 Winning a battle can lose you the war
 </BLOCKQUOTE>
</UL>
<P>
Much group discussion follows. Donner and Fingle are convinced that
the central room concerns the vampire which the group encountered
earlier, possibly Sarin II. Kieran is not convinced, since vampires
generally cannot be redeemed except in their destruction. The divinations 
for the other rooms indicate that either of those options would be
unwise.
</P>
<P>
Unsure of what to do, the group talks to Seledan about getting some
magical assistance. They describe the Divinations to him and are
thinking about returning to the central room.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Seledan:</B> If I might remind you about the death knight that serves Gorath? It seems that the second divination refers to him.
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> What makes you think that?
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> After gaining the information from the elven spying party
 that went to Gorath's island, we performed some divinations
 about the various individuals serving Gorath. We gained
 some information about the death knight, but nothing
 indicating how to destroy him.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> What did you manage to find out?
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> The death knight is Lord Malbain, a former high paladin
 of Zeus. He fought next to Emalcos Baird, but betrayed
 him at Hensennhal, causing Baird's death. His punishment
 turned him into a death knight and he was trapped on
 Ravenloft.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> So, what is he doing here?
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> Obviously, someone has freed him, presumably Gorath.
 With this information, I will contact the priests of
 Zeus and they might be able to provide an answer
 now. In the meantime, I'd suggest that you consult
 a loremaster of some sort. If there is an answer,
 I would venture a guess that they exist at Hensen.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> I think we'll be making a trip to Home. That puts us
 closer to Hensen and allows us to have a talk with
 Marden.
</P>
<P>
<B>Seledan:</B> Very well, contact me in a few days.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The party decides that it is time to leave Raevin's home. Kieran
leaves annotated maps of Blackvault and outlines their plan for Raevin.
The servants assure him that either Raevin or Arik will get the
information when they return.
</P>
<P>
The group heads out, meets Grackle and teleports to Home. As the group
materializes, there are several children gathered about. One of the
children seems overjoyed as he appears to win a bet of some sort ("See?
I told you they'd show up soon."). The group makes the usual plans
to talk to the members of the Guardian Circle.
</P>
<P>
As the group walks into the Inn, Marden is slumped over a table. There
are several bottles and glasses scattered about the table--the remnants
of the previous night's festivities. Colin goes over to the bartender
and buys a bottle of wine.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Colin:</B> (Shouting) Morning Marden!
<P>
<B>Marden:</B> (Groans)
</P>
<P>
<B>Colin:</B> (Shakes the bottle of wine) Want a drink?
</P>
<P>
<B>Marden:</B> (Rubs his eyes in an attempt to wake up) Sure. (Drinks
 and coughs). Ugh, maybe that wasn't such a wise idea.
 (Looks around and sees the party) So, what can I do for
 you gentlemen.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> We're looking for some information about Lord Malbain and
 his betrayal.
</P>
<P>
<B>Marden:</B> Ah, well that's an interesting story...
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Marden begins telling the story of Lord Malbain. During the telling, the
following information is gleaned.
</P>
<UL>
<LI> Malbain and Emalcos Baird are the original paladins. Together they
 started the Cleansing.
<LI> Baird is generally credited with starting the Cleansing. He was
 considered the wiser of the two. Malbain was easily the better
 warrior.
<LI> Became famous during the second attempt to free Aquarna from
 Alan Marcos' forces.
<LI> In the battle for Hensennhal, Malbain held off the reinforcements at
 the gates by himself. ("That must have been before the overbearing
 rules," quips John.)
<LI> The First Crusade went in three parts:
 <UL>
 <LI> Failed to freeing Aquarna
 <LI> Succeeded in freeing Aquarna
 <LI> Succeeded in freeing Hensennhal
 </UL>
<LI> Details of the Third Crusade
 <UL>
 <LI> Kennetar was the first city to be freed. The evil forces
 occupying the city had a tenuous hold and the Crusaders easily
 freed the city.
 <LI> Malbain then reconnoitered Hensen, to see what forces held
 the city. There, he met Mynea, an Enchantress serving the Dark
 Pact. She "convinced" Malbain, who had not revealed his
 identity, that she served the forces unwilling and was willing to
 change.
 <LI> During the siege of Hensennhal, the Crusaders pushed back the
 Braegian Guard and entered the stronghold controlled by Mynea.
 <LI> Hensennhal has nine towers, one per group. During the Darkness,
 the Dark Pact occupied their three towers.
 <LI> Malbain and Baird fought their way into the central room. Baird
 wanted to kill Mynea. Malbain killed Baird and the two ran off.
 <LI> To this day, Malbain sings songs of sorrow for killing his friend.
 </UL>
</UL>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> So, what happened to Mynea?
<P>
<B>Marden:</B> There are several stories. One story tells how she had
 his children, who hide to this day. Other stories tell
 how she returned to the Dark Pact.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Marden's information provides some insight into solving the problem of
the Death Knight. However, there might be more information at Kennetar,
so Kieran travels invisibly by summoned mount to Kennetar.
</P>
<P>
Kieran's trip to Kennetar is uneventful. There, he heads to the library
to look up information about Malbain and Baird. Looking through several
books, he finds the following information.
</P>
<UL>
<LI> Hensen was freed by the Lions of Justice, the Templars of Zeus, and
 the mercenary general Ivan Steelfist.
<LI> The Judges were in Kennetar when the forces of good struck. The
 Magister brought them back magically. These forces were held
 back by Malbain himself until the Lions secured the open areas of
 Hensennhal.
<LI> Mynea was the leader of the Faithful.
<LI> The Dark Pact consisted of:
 <UL>
 <LI> Brotherhood of Liberty. Consisted of thugs and scoundrels.
 Hedonistic and largely unorganized.
 <LI> Judges of Unerring Wisdom. Believe that people are foolish at
 heart and that they need to be led by the wise and strong.
 <LI> The Faithful. Believe only in power. Ruthless exploiters.
 Also includes priests of Arawn.
 </UL>
<LI> Baird was found dead. Malbain and Mynea were nowhere to be found.
</UL>
<P>
Consulting with Kellian Sevenstar reveals that the library has no
more information about Malbain. Kieran then checks in with Sindar
and discovers that the dwarves at the Teeth are an officially recognized
entity and that the City of Brass has signed a peace treaty with
Kennetar.
</P>
<P>
Lastly, Kieran checks in with Bellairno, only to find that he has
left town for a few weeks.
</P>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
</P>
<P>
Base Experience: 
</P>