20010828 WorkingForTheWeekend

<H1> Working for the Weekend </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 15th Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/8th Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 12th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 13th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/11th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 10th Human Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/8rd Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck (Full Risk, Full Reward) </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Estus </TD>
 <TD> 9th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang (Full Risk, Full Reward) </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<H3> Day One: The Day After </H3>
The next day, Father Cullaim raises Prince Donner and Grackle with great pomp and circumstance. At one point the good father prays earnestly for Diancecht to intercede with the lord of the dead on their behalf. The ceremony takes several hours.
Upon his return, Grackle relates that he feels different, as though he has left something behind in the land of the dead. Upon reflection, everyone who has made that journey realizes that they, too, feel as though they are less a part of this world than they were before. Multiple crossings of the Styx seems to strengthen the feeling. In addition, the prince seems not to be himself, as if he has lost some of his customary confidence. Grackle chides Kill'Dar for not doing as the prince asked prior to the attack.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> What part of "Come over here and cast Mage Armor on me" didn't you understand?"
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Looks surprised and hurt)
<B>Grackle:</B> By my oath to Hades, I swear that Hell will not save you if any of you (Glare sweeps the room) either through action or inaction, allows harm to come to Prince Donner again.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> We are all working for the same goals. Let us not threaten or fight each other, but rather focus on the common enemy.
<B>Grackle:</B> (Glowering) I've said my say, I've made my pledge, we need to focus on what is before us.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Colin suggests that we strengthen the prince's defense by adding sentinels. Grackle initially bristles; thinking that sentinels will only give the party more reason to leave Donner unprotected. He is eventually persuaded that the group will not lower its vigilance, and agrees that the additional protection could prove useful. In the meanwhile, Philip provides several of the village's zealous young warriors to act as bodyguards.
There is a discussion as to the best way to proceed, and when no brilliant ideas are immediately forthcoming, Father Cullaim offers to cast a miracle of divination. He says that he will make it intentionally vague: "We seek a way out of the current troubles." Father Cullaim feels that giving the gods a broad question usually provides the most straightforward answer.
He receives a vision of a book in a library. The title on the cover is "Songs and Poems," and the name Tolian appears at the bottom. We recall that Tolian wrote the prophetic song about the prime evils that we've been using as a guide for many months. Word is sent to Kieran to get off his ass and find that book. Well, okay, a request is sent to Kieran to see if he can find the book and send us word if it contains anything of interest.
<H3> Day Two: Renewed Acquaintance </H3>
On the following day, Donner attempts to scry Zachary, but wherever he is, he is obscured by some sort of impenetrable darkness. Fingle suggests using the Runestone of True Seeing, which proves successful. Zachary and his gang are seated somewhere with seamless walls that appear to have a cloth-like texture. Auric suggests that perhaps this is the inside of the portable hole, which seems a likely answer. Donner reports that Erinel is looking at him, or rather at the scry point. An arcane discussion ensues about the possibility of teleporting there, but since the portable hole is an extra-planar space, teleport won't work, even if there were a "landmark" to identify it.
One of the villagers comes and tells Grackle that an olive-skinned fellow with an odd accent has been asking after Grackle at the inn. The description fits Vindorto, the expediter. When Grackle notes that the timing is somewhat suspicious, the villager replies that he has been here for many days, perhaps weeks. It is only now that he has sent word that he wants to see Grackle. Grackle goes to meet with Vindorto.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Vindorto:</B> Good to see you again, my friend. I am sorry to see such hard times befall you.
<B>Grackle:</B> Yeah, I bet. What do you want?
<B>Vindorto:</B> Only to give you once again my offer of assistance. I can eliminate this assassin, this Zachary, as a threat to you.
<B>Grackle:</B> Same price as before?
<B>Vindorto:</B> Yes, of course. Simply the official sanction of the prince and his reciprocation of a favor later. It is what any friend would do for another, no?
<B>Grackle:</B> If the offer's the same, so's the answer. No.
<B>Vindorto:</B> Such a pity. I would enjoy taking care of this...problem for you. These persons, they have no style, they are just murderous brutes. Here, you are a professional, you can understand this -- why kill a man when there are so many other ways to make him ineffective? I tell you, this whole assassination business is offensive. So crude. No finesse.
<B>Grackle:</B> I think we can handle them. We'd like to know who hired him, though. Know anything about that?
<B>Vindorto:</B> I do have some information I can share. It is a small thing, but in exchange I ask you a small thing.
<B>Grackle:</B> (Suspiciously) What's that?
<B>Vindorto:</B> Just give me your word you will tell Donner of my offer. If the answer is still no, then it is no. But I must be sure he considers it himself.
<B>Grackle:</B> Done. What can you tell me?
<B>Vindorto:</B> The contract on Donner was posted by Adelphus Marvad, as you probably suspected. I have a friend in Hensen, an Imperial official, who has seen this contract personally. Oh, there is another thing. The contract was posted the day Prince Donner was born.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Estus is questioned about this, and claims no knowledge of any Imperial sanction against Donner. He says he'd know about it if there were. He says that sometimes the Empire uses assassination, but not often, and only in specifically defined circumstances. It's not a regular part of Imperial policy. He also swears to have had no part in the attempt on Donner's life and offers to help in any way possible. At Grackle's suggestion, Estus repeats his statement within a Zone of Truth.
Estus suggests that he could put Donner under his consular protection, which might make Zachary stop if he were told of it prior to another attempt. The penalty for violation of consular protection without Imperial sanction is apparently pretty severe.
There has still been no sign of Aishapra. Colin repeatedly suggests that something needs to be done about the Aquitanian forces left behind in Og-Kund days ago. The members of the Guardian Circle are reluctant to let he party go because they are still concerned about Aishapra. Grackle suggests that perhaps, if Donner and the party appeared to leave, but were in fact ready to return at a moment's notice, that the demon could be tricked into attacking. This idea is met with some skepticism, but eventually put into action. Preparations are made at the druid grove, and the next time a scrying point is detected, a discussion about how the party can't stay in Home much longer takes place.
That night, Travian has a dream. Lord Malbain, who no longer appears to be a death knight, approaches him. Malbain thanks Travian for releasing him from his tortured existence.
<H3> Day Three: News Update </H3>
The next morning, the party teleports to Aquarna. Estus and Auric stay at Home, meaning that Fingle can teleport Travian and Colin, while Kill'Dar teleports Grackle and Donner. Moda provides the group with a scry-proofed chamber where he debriefs them about their activities and informs them of what is going on in the West.
Moda tells Kill'Dar some grave news. The elven nobility is suffering greatly from some unusual tactics. The orcish forces are specifically targeting elven nobility, with no thought to the cost. As a result, while the elves and their Aquitanian allies are winning many battles, the elves are losing some of their will to fight. The war against the orcs is actually going rather well, but many elven nobles are being killed by these suicide attacks. So far, the elven warleader Lord Cerethan has survived, but many of his kin have been slain or gravely wounded.
The orcish forces have received only one new contingent of reinforcements since the two-pronged assault began, and they were disorganized and under-supplied.
Donner's father was wounded and is now managing the war effort from behind the lines rather than leading from the front. Moda has no information on whether the injury occurred during battle or at the hand of an assassin.
Seledan is still out on assignment, and all that Moda will say about it is that Seledan is behind enemy lines.
When told what the party found out about the contract on Donner, Moda explains that this kind of thing is exactly why the Traveler's Guild was solicited by Aquitanian security. Among other things, the arrangement with the Guild guarantees the safety of the royal family against assassination. This explains why Zachary has made no attempt on the prince in Aquitaine, as he would find himself under a death sentence from the Guild.
Shivishan Blackhand, the imprisoned body thief, has finally managed to kill himself. As time went on, the information they'd gotten from him had become less and less reliable or valuable. Moda suspects it was as much from his being out of touch with events as from any desire to deceive. Moda does think that Shivishan Blackhand was Tsevek Dys. Grackle worries that perhaps the large ruby that was in the possession of Dys when he was killed might in fact be the soul jar, since it is now in Ansarak's possession. These fears are allayed somewhat when it is pointed out that the gem was been examined after the fight and found to be free of enchantments.
Sometime during the day, a message arrives from Kieran about his researches in Poems and Songs by Tolian. He has found a new passage that seems to refer to Donner and his companions.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Many hands thwart the prime evils<BR />The hand of war,<BR />the hand of the assassin,<BR />the hand of the dead,<BR />the hand of the gods,<BR />the hand of nature.<BR />These hands move only for the true king.<BR />You shall know him by The Seven:<BR />The sun, the earth,<BR /> the soldier, the noble,<BR /> light, darkness,<BR />and the priceless jewel.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Needless to say, this causes some commotion; everyone assumes that "The Seven" means Donner's current crew of seven companions, and tries to figure out who they are.
Donner scries Zachary, and sees him alone in the portable hole. Grackle suggests that by scrying on Erinel, they might be able to catch the sorcerer alone, thus making him an easier target. Donner also scries on Toran Shah, the ogre. Once again Toran Shah detects the scry point immediately and threatens the viewer, but Donner persists to see if Toran will act on his threat. Toran Shah and his minions take no apparent action other than intense scrutiny and battle preparation, so Donner pays more attention to the scene beyond. He can see coastline moving in the distance, and it appears to be that of the coast between Southport and Bab-El, meaning that the ship is travelling eastward. Everyone seems relieved.
Colin suggests that this might be a good time to get the troops at Og-Kund to go and see what remains at Grax. Hagal is contacted and the idea is proposed, but he and the other commanders express great fear at what horrors might have been left behind to surprise them. They feel that the prince and his companions are the only ones mighty enough to deal with the black sorcery of the orcish priests and their undead allies. After some discussion, Colin orders that all but the heavy infantry gear up to head inland and reinforce the Aquitanian army in the battle for Telendir.
<H3> Day Four: Visions of Fallen Knights </H3>
That night, Travian has another dream featuring Malbain. The shade asks Travian's help in atoning for Malbain's wrongs by slaying the evil beings that Malbain served as a death knight, and offers to show Travian the way. Travian agrees. Malbain says, "You will see me again when you reach Blackvault," and fades away.
When he hears of this, Grackle suggests that Travian should distrust these visions since minions of evil frequently use such methods to tempt the good. Travian believes the visions to be real and even so, he points out that he has promised nothing that he was not going to do already anyway. Grackle is still not convinced.
Fingle tries to get some studying done, but can't get into Seledan's study.
Moda assigns Anasierra and Miriam, two of the Black Talons who have some bodyguard training, to act as Sentinels for Donner.
Another message arrives from Kieran. He has found two passages that refer to elements of The Seven, possibly identifying them. In one song, he finds:
<BLOCKQUOTE>
As the sea-lord loved the Sleeper<BR />and fell,<BR />So too will he fall who loves the Jewel<BR />and sees not its hard edge.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
And, in another poem:
<BLOCKQUOTE>
The Earth traps the viper<BR />in a stony tomb
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Auric looks more closely at the standing stones that encircle Home. One has been shattered and two are cracked. He converses with some of the older oaks in the druid grove about the standing stones. They tell him of the great druid Dannan McCuhal, who raised them.
There have been numerous messages from George. The Guardian Circle have been scried on two or three times every day, but so far there has been no action. The party decides to return to Home the next day.
<H3> To Catch an Assassin </H3>
The party arrives in Home. Discussion starts on how to set a trap for Zachary's crew, or Aishapra, whichever might choose to come. The idea that seems to hold the most promise is for Father Cullaim to recast the hallow on the temple of Diancecht, setting it to act as a Dimensional Anchor. If either Aishapra or Zachary enter they would be trapped, at least temporarily.
George offers to create an illusion so that if Donner is scried upon, it will appear that he is alone. There is quite a heated discussion over this, with Travian maintaining that Erinel would be likely to see through that if he knows true seeing.
The party decides to take Estus up on his offer of help. They ask him to join them in the trap, providing assistance during the fight to come with healing and support magic.
Grackle mentions what was learned from Vindorto about the Imperial bureaucrat. Estus wants to meet with Vindorto to verify this. During this meeting, Fingle surreptitiously looks Vindorto over with True Seeing and determines that he is Lawful Neutral.
Another message arrives from Kieran:
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Each of the seven<BR />must pay with his life<BR />to serve his king<BR />beyond the land of death.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
This cheers everyone up. Kieran reports that many things Tolian had written were originally taken to be fanciful stories or myths, and later turned out to be true. He notes that the book is going to be reclassified and entered into the "Prophecy" section of the library.
The trap is set. A corner of the temple is set up to appear like a study instead of a temple. Donner sits at a table spread with books, papers and maps. Anasierra, Miriam, and Kill'Dar stand nearby. Grackle is hidden directly behind Donner. The area around the table has been Glyphed to curse any evil, monstrous and/or demonic being such that they will find their movements greatly hindered (50% chance to lose the ability to act each round). Fingle has cast a Rope Trick nearby, in which he sits on the carpet. Colin, Travian, Estus and Auric are there with him. George sets up an illusion with a special trigger. If the inside of the rope trick is scried, an image of the tavern will appear.
Hours pass. A scrying attempt is noticed by several of the group. Donner's spell of scrying detection allows him to see that the person scrying him is actually Ciarda. Ciarda stands in a dark chamber of some sort, surrounded by armored forms. Donner catches a glimpse of something or someone serpentine in the background. Eventually the scrying stops. Fingle suggests a signal for when Donner detects a scrying attempt.
More time passes, then Donner feels scrutiny again. This time it is Erinel. The scrying lasts for several rounds, and several spells are cast. In the end, nothing happens at this time. A few hours later, just after dinner, the area around the table goes dark. The wait is over.
The trap is set, and targets are assigned. Colin's target is the war troll, Travian is assigned to the ogre priest of Vaprak, Estus and Auric are assigned to the gnoll. Fingle, Grackle, Donner and Kill'Dar are assigned to focus on Erinel to prevent them from escaping. After one target is downed, then they focus on Zachary.
<B>Round 1:</B> Fingle uses the Runestone of True Seeing to see through the darkness. He sees Erinel, standing next to the wall. There is a portable hole next to him on the wall and a huge oozy thing is pouring out of the hole. Fingle casts Haste and flies the carpet down out of the Rope Trick, carrying Auric, Colin and Estus, but hovers just under the entrance to the Rope Trick so that those still inside can step out. Donner casts Haste on himself and steps back to the corner. Grackle steps past Donner, and flips the table onto the ooze. Kill'Dar dispels the darkness. The rest of Zachary's team strikes. Zachary appears and fires his crossbow, hitting Colin four times. The poison has its effect and Colin weakens. The gnoll appears, standing next to Erinel and fires four longbow arrows strike Auric. He is sorely wounded. The war troll appears next to Kill'Dar and savages him with several strikes and a bite. The ogre priest appears behind the carpet and uses a Harm spell to nearly kill Fingle. Estus exits the rope trick and casts Invisibility Purge, followed by Travian who uses his laying on hands to cure Fingle.
<B>Round 2:</B> Fingle casts Mass Haste and flies the carpet over behind the altar. Once under cover he casts a Project Image so that the image appears in the entrance to the portable hole. Colin attacks the war troll, Auric starts a Monster Summoning spell to bring a fire elemental. Grackle moves to help Colin and Kill'Dar by attacking the war troll. The war troll strikes at Kill'Dar, wounding him again. The ogre attacks (someone, or maybe it encountered one of the glyph's?). The gnoll shoots at Colin, as Zachary reloads his crossbow. Erinel crosses to where Zachary is standing and launches a fireball into the corner which injures everyone nearby except Grackle, who dodges out of the way, but Auric is slain. Kill'Dar steps closer to Donner intending to Teleport him to safety, but the Prince refuses. "Stand your ground, the Guardian Circle will come." Miriam manages to catch Erinel with a hold person just before Kill'Dar discharges a Chain Lightning with Erinel as the target, striking him fully, and Zachary and the gnoll and the ooze. Donner fires two bursts of Magic Missile, and Erinel falls. Travian casts Bless Weapon and charges the priest of Vaprak.
<B>Round 3:</B> Fingle uses the Projected Image to cast Flesh to Stone on Zachary, but the spell has no effect. He follows up by casting a Slow spell on the war troll, whose actions appear to be affected. Colin continues to attack the war troll as does Grackle. Kill'Dar Neutralizes Poison on himself with the Ring of the Silverveils and tries to use Disintegrate on Zachary. The ray strikes him but does not destroy him. The war troll turns on Colin slowly, while the gnoll shoots at Colin(?), and the ogre casts Slay Living on Kill'Dar. Kill'Dar is slain. Donner casts another two bursts of Magic Missile at the war troll and he drops. Anasierra heals Colin. Travain strikes the ogre, wounding it. Father Culaim arrives and speaks a Greater Command "Surrender" which causes the gnoll to collapse.
<B>Round 4:</B> Fingle's Projected Image casts a Slow spell on the ogre to no apparent effect, followed by a Disintegrate from a scroll which hurts but doesn't kill. Grackle shifts targets to the ogre just as the ogre looses a Flame Strike on the area nearest the Prince. Colin, Anasierra, and Miriam all fall, slain, as does the ogre. Donner yells to Zachary to surrender "I have two lightning bolts and I know how to use them!" and it appears for a moment that he might since he lets his crossbow drop, but then he snatches up Erinel's body and runs for the exit. Donner looses Lightning Bolts as threatened, but Zachary dodges them. Travian runs after him, but the distance is too great for him to catch him.
<B>Round 5:</B> Fingle tries to slow Zachary by casting Reduce, but the spell has no effect. He then pilots the carpet after the fleeing assassin and casts the spell again. This time he is successful, but Zachary manages to continue to the doors to the temple. Grackle pursues him and tries to drag him down, but a well placed blow prevents this. Zachary takes the Teleport circlet from Erinel's brow and dons it has he steps thru the door. Seconds later he vanishes. Donner instantly begins a scrying spell, while Travian climbs aboard the carpet.
<B>Round 6:</B> Fingle casts Detect Thoughts on Donner as he scrys Zachary, and waits to Teleport after him. Grackle gets healed by Father Culaim and then jumps aboard the carpet. The scene Donner scrys are a wide set of white marble stairs with a column-decorated portico at the top. There are people everywhere, dressed differently. Fingle gets a fix and Teleports.<BR />(Inter-round) The three pursuers appear floating above the steps. Zachary is trudging up the steps toward the entrance. Grackle immediately cries out "Stop that man! He has violated the law of the Empire by performing unsanctioned acts of assassination!" and leaps off the carpet. Zachary looks over his shoulder, and then turns to the armed and armored men at the top of the stairs. "Sanctuary!" he cries.
<B>Round 7:</B> The guardsmen appear surprised as Grackle charges up to Zachary and strikes a ferocious blow. Fingle flies the carpet up the stairs to the combatants. Zachary steps away, touches the Teleport circlet again and vanishes. Travian curses. All of the pursuers realize that this is a temple of Ares, the Greek God of War and Destruction and that they must be in the Empire.
<B>Round 8:</B> Grackle climbs back aboard the flying carpet as the Ares templars charge down the steps after them. Fingle teleports them safely back to Home.
Donner is still scrying Zachary when they arrive. He appears to have gone to a place less refined than his prior destination. At least the denizens of the darkened room appear to be more of Ansrak's ilk than templars of Ares. One of them points out the scry point.
The party returns to the Temple of Diancecht to assess the battle. The ogre is dead, the troll is wounded beyond his ability to regenerate, and the gnoll is still alive, but stunned by Father Culaim's Greater Command spell. Philip says that he can keep them safe until their fate can be decided. Auric, Kill'Dar, Colin, Miriam, and Anasierra are all slain.
Grackle capers with glee at all the souls delivered to Hades this day. (Just kidding)
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
Zachary's Team