20020713 WheresTheWoe

<H1> Where's the Woe? </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 16th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Estus </TD>
 <TD> 14th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/10th/2nd Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue/Templar </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/13th Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Matt Miller (Guest Star) </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 16th/1st Human Fighter/Hospitaler </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/14th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 12th (19th CL) Wemic Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 17th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt (Full Risk, Full Reward) </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<H3> Back in Kennetar... </H3>
Kieran was visited by the demon hunter Norc. Norc was looking for a particular volume of works by Kaveneh of Southport. This individual was reknown for complete investigations for otherworldly beings and happenings. Norc finds the following information
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Excerpt from Fiends and Fate, by Kaveneh of Southport The case of Aishapra Marilith:
Hers was an individual choice, and an example of why it is that the demon lords are said to guard planar gates so closely. She had been to the Plateau several times before, summoned (on a temporary basis) by the devout of Yeenoghu (see Jorol's text on Fiendish Transgressions). Aishapra felt that she could easily rule that area, bringing many souls to the worship of the Gaunt Prince. But she knew that Yeenoghu would never permit it, as the response from the Heavenly planes would be terrible to behold. Besides, she was only his consort.
Lord Vanghok Glabrezu, master of the legions of Yeenoghu, Lord of Hellfang Citadel and Holder of the Harrowing Blade, would be the one selected to lead a mortal conquest if the opportunity arose. So Aishapra watched and waited. She noticed the great enchanter Tenseval Taine, who contacted other planes frequently for insight. She observed his habits, and arranged to be on the Plane of Earth when he contacted that plane for advice on animating living iron. She took the shape of an elemental lord, and tricked him into inviting her across the planar boundary.
Once in his presence, Aishapra subverted his will and delivered him to her allies on the plane of Ravenloft. They then twisted his soul to evil, tempting him with eternal life as a lich.
Aishapra, meanwhile, began to amass her army and begin her conquest. But the Guardians of Home destroyed her material form and banished her to the Abyss. In so doing, they needed no celestial aid. But the Covenant demanded that the Heavens be given a like answer to Aishapra's hellish transgression.
In the lowlands of the Westmarch, a young warrior of devout faith and honorable disposition prayed to Zeus for aid to defeat the unholy tyrants who ruled his land. Zeus ordered Hephaestus to forge the Holy Avenger, which he then bestowed upon Emalcos Baird. Thus began the First Crusade, which led ultimately to the end of the Darkness.
Yeenoghu was very, very displeased. Aishapra had been summarily banished--by mere mortals!--and the Holy Avenger loosed upon the world. However, she now holds the right to return, as a mortal has invited her physically to the Prime Material and the heavens have given their response. In the end, though he will certainly torment her, Yeenoghu will one day seek to exploit Aishapra's unique position.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3> Side Trip </H3>
Meanwhile back in the army, Auric is there when Seledan's magical message arrives. Apparently, there is an army approaching Aquataine. They are approaching from the East. It is apparently the Kendelian army and they are approaching at high speed. The first elements have already reached the borders of Aquitaine. They claim that they are there to join the war against the orcs.
The party holds a conversation with Lord Cerethan, using Fingle and the Rary's Telepathic Bond to ask questions. They learn the following:
<UL>
<LI> They crafted several limited use magic items to help. Several elves who were wizards and sorcerers were given the wands. Many storms of ice to decimate the lesser entities travelling with him.
<LI> Once all the orcs were defeated, they could knock him down with arrows. 100 elven warriors were there (30 or 40 were lost), firing arrows.
<LI> Eight trolls were left standing with Krodol.
<LI> The greenhags left very quickly after the orcs were all killed.
<LI> The group he travelled with was smaller than the group that the party encountered recently.
<LI> The group took Krodol's body and subjected it to several means traditionally used to kill undead, vampires, and trolls. However, he showed up later.
</UL>
<H3> A Moment of Opportunity </H3>
Donner scries on Krodol in the afternoon. There are three trolls fighting each other in a big pit. One of the trolls seems to be a bit larger. After a few rounds, one of the smaller trolls finishes off the other two and walks off.
After a quick discussion, the group decides to power up, turn invisible, and teleport to the unconscious trolls. As they begin casting preparatory spells, Estus casts an Augury. The answer is "Weal and Woe". As the party gathers into the hole, Donner looks at the mirror and sees the two unconscious trolls are now standing. They still appear to be wounded and in the center of the arena. Despite the risks, he decides to teleport.
<B>Surprise Round:</B> Everyone gets out of the hole. Donner casts Wall of Force in a sphere around the carpet, entrapping the party and the two trolls.
<B>Round 1:</B> Fingle casts a Projected Image and follows up with a Slow spell. The two trolls inside the force bubble attack the projected image. One is met by Colin armed with a spear (AoO) and is knocked unconscious. Grackle walks over to the unconscious troll and kills it with a coup de grace. Kill'Dar casts Magic Missile on the other troll. Colin stabs the troll several times and it falls unconscious. Donner moves the carpet, making room for Travian to step up and perform the coup de grace on the remaining troll.
<B>Round 2:</B> Fingle shrinks the body that they suspect to be Krodol. All except for Donner and Kill'Dar piles into the hole, taking the two troll bodies and their weapons. Several trolls attempt to attack the party but crash into the Wall of Force. The party then teleports back to Home.
Upon returning to Home, Estus casts Legend Lore on the suspected body.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
The greatest of Vaprak's Children returns to his father's side<BR />When the red star rises, his spirit may visit the tribe again<BR />Woe to the bleeders when his vengeance comes
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Auric knows the red start that's mostly high in the sky. It's part of a long cycle (it just rose 3 years ago) where it may rise again in 60 years. Donner has heard of rituals that can only be performed, mainly dealing with blood, that deal with the red star.
Since Fingle has several Teleports remaining, the group teleports to the front lines. There, they find the leadership of the army.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> Guess what I did?
<B>King:</B> You killed someone?
<B>Donner:</B> We got Krodol.
<B>King:</B> You're sure?
<B>Donner:</B> Our divinations indicate that it was him and that he won't return for about 60 years.
<B>King:</B> I'll have our diviners confirm. We'll have to send messages, since they aren't here.
<B>Donner:</B> Of course.
<B>King:</B> This is excellent news. Seledan has sent more good news as well.
<B>Donner:</B> What would that be?
<B>King:</B> We have received official messengers from Kendal. They decided to exact vengeance on the orcs. They decided to accept our invitation to their army. I hope that they have the Raiders with them.
<B>Donner:</B> Who?
<B>King:</B> The Kendellian Raiders are their elite cavalry. They are their most effective among their military forces.
<B>Donner:</B> What of the remaining forces here?
<B>King:</B> It sounds like he has a powerful force around him. What sort of damage did you do?
<B>Donner:</B> We did a surgical strike at the head of the team. We managed to kill Krodol and one other troll.
<B>King:</B> Well, I suspect that they will be trouble still, but without Krodol they are weakened considerably.
<B>Auric:</B> We know that Krodol could only be brought back using a certain ritual. That ritual cannot occur again for about 60 years, using a special ritual involving the Red Star.
<B>King:</B> Well, that's good.
<B>Auric:</B> We are certain that he was not the toughest guy they had.
<B>Donner:</B> (Explains the situation he saw when scrying)
<B>King:</B> It may be he had gone through other moments before joining that engagement.
<B>Donner:</B> That may be.
<B>King:</B> The red star reference will interest Seledan to no end. I just want this war to end--I'm getting too old for this.
<B>Donner:</B> (Tries not to look concerned about his dad's statement)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
In the meantime, Grackle goes to visit Mother Nightfall.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Mother Nightfall:</B> How goes your quest?
<B>Grackle:</B> I believe we got him.
<B>Mother Nightfall:</B> (Casts a spell) I believe you have too. Yes, I believe so.
<B>Grackle:</B> Excellent.
<B>Mother Nightfall:</B> I believe you will be powerful tool for He Who Waits Below. I think that your next target should be of your choosing. I think that your judgement is fine enough. If we discover another individual whose continued existence is an abomination requiring your attention, we will contact you.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Meanwhile Kill'Dar spends some time with Lord Cerethan.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Cerethan:</B> I think we're going to wait until the Kendelians arrive. We'll take a week before they get here.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Are we strong enough?
<B>Cerethan:</B> If all reports are correct, we will be at least half again as strong, if not twice as strong.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Hmmm...
<B>Cerethan:</B> If we wait and coordinate with the Kendellians arrive, we can perform a direct strike against them and finish them off.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3> <A NAME="Week">A Week's Rest</A> </H3>
The group decides to rest at Home to allow Auric to repair the stones. On the fourth day, a large, hunched, burly individual appears out of nowhere, and is dragging a limp body walking to the temple. As he gets to town, he straightens up and appears to change form a bit. Most of the fur appears to shed and the figure appears to have several tattoos on his head. The limbs of the body appear to be bundled up.
The group gets a message that Norc has arrived and wants to see Donner and company. The group meets at the temple and he appears to be untying a figure. It appears to be Ciarda--he appears to be savaged some kind of animal.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Colin:</B> Was there someone else?
<B>Norc:</B> I can only carry one.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Where were you?
<B>Norc:</B> It was underground and dark. I went Ethereal, so I couldn't really tell you how to get there.
<B>Norc:</B> He had information about the demoness. So, I went and got him.
<B>Colin:</B>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Norc:</B> I grabbed this guy. I didn't see anyone else.
<B>Norc:</B> So, I know you have a history. He knows things.
<B>Donner:</B> We want to find out what he knows.
<B>Norc:</B> I'm going to take off your gag now. If you try to sing again, I'm going to beat you again.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Ciarda appears to be in very poor mental and physical condition. The interrogation proceeds slowly, especially as Ciarda often drifts off due to his loose hold on his sanity.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Colin:</B> I think he was a prisoner.
<B>Estus:</B> Who were you working for?
<B>Ciarda:</B> (Looks around and recognizes the party) I'm so screwed. (Laughs madly)
<B>Donner:</B> Where's my dog?
<B>Ciarda:</B> She's got it all.
<B>Estus:</B> Who do you mean?
<B>Ciarda:</B> Who do you think I mean? Haven't you figured it out? (Laughs) She doesn't need me anymore. You're all meat bags. She doesn't care about any of you.
<B>Estus:</B> Who did she trade you too?
<B>Ciarda:</B> She traded me to the gnolls for a while. Then I went underground.
<B>Estus:</B> What about Graden?
<B>Ciarda:</B> I think she likes Graden. I think he's still working for her?
<B>Estus:</B> Did you free her?
<B>Ciarda:</B> We're pawns you idiot.
<B>Estus:</B> I just want to know your role. How did you get all the elemental princes?
<B>Ciarda:</B> (Laughs) What about the magic swords? I got them.
<B>Estus:</B> What were you to receive in return?
<B>Ciarda:</B> I was going to be king of everything west of the mountain.
<B>Estus:</B> How did you hide from the scrying.
<B>Ciarda:</B> I just put up Darkness anywhere we rested. No one wants to teleport into where they can't see.
<B>Estus:</B> Who did you actually give the swords to?
<B>Ciarda:</B> I freed all of them from the swords. They agreed to let her through.
<B>Estus:</B> Where did you get the last prince?
<B>Ciarda:</B> There was one in the door?
<B>Fingle:</B> What door?
<B>Ciarda:</B> You know. <I>The</I> door.
<B>Fingle:</B> The door at Blackvault?
<B>Ciarda:</B> (Begins humming sing-song again)
<B>Estus:</B> Who is working with her?
<B>Ciarda:</B> Who isn't? She's important. Not like us. We're meat bags.
<B>Estus:</B> (Pauses to think)
<B>Ciarda:</B> You know she doesn't about your little town?
<B>Estus:</B> What do you mean by that?
<B>Ciarda:</B> She's a general in the Blood War. She wants to rule this entire plane.
<B>Estus:</B> How is she going to do that?
<B>Ciarda:</B> She's going to find the door. She's going to bring an army of demons and take over this entire plane.
<B>Estus:</B> Do you know who could tell her the location of the door?
<B>Ciarda:</B> Ha! I know nothing.
<B>Estus:</B> How long ago were you given away?
<B>Ciarda:</B> I don't know. It seems like forever. As soon as she showed up, she sold me.
<B>Estus:</B> What else did you hear?
<B>Ciarda:</B> She's going to wipe you all out eventually. Or she's going to let you all grow old and die.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
By the end of the week, the group gets news that the Kendelian army has arrived. The riders are with them and they've agreed to share the cost of the Black Lions. Apparently, they are willing to foot the bill for the hazard pay for the final push. By the end of the week, Auric finishes the Circle of Stones spell. After some investigation, it appears as though the demiplane for the Guardians of Home is no longer in existence.
<H3> Foes Fought </H3>
</p>
Krodol<BR />Trolls