20020316 Heartspire3

<H1> Heartspire III: Showdown </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 14th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 16th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Estus </TD>
 <TD> 12th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 16th/1st Human Fighter/Hospitaler </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/11th Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/10th Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/13th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 11th (18th CL) Wemic Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<B>Round 5:</B> Travian swings four times, missing all times, but follows up with a hit on the vampire. Kill'Dar moves away from the vampire lady, but notices that she has scaly skin--almost demonlike. He believes the creature is a spellcaster who chooses to bind a demon to its skin. Kill'Dar fires one fire seed arrow and several normal arrows, but the normal arrows bounce off. The harpies cast Dispel Magic on the party, catching several hastes. A Stinking Cloud descends upon the party, nauseating Colin. A Lightning Bolt hits Kill'Dar. Grackle swings at the vampire on him, then tumbles away. Estus casts Dispel Magic on the Stinking Cloud, removing it. Auric casts healing on Grackle and prepares a counterspell on the two new figures. Fingle casts Stoneskin on Grackle, but is affected by the Unhallow. Fingle casts Haste on Travian. The two vampires attack Travian, one attempts to drain him, but misses. The one with the spear hits him twice. The lady starts chanting a poem about the downfall of a mighty wizard whose spells fail him and gets his comuppance. As she completes her chanting, a Greater Dispelling affects the party, affecting several more people. Auric attempts his counterspell, but is unsuccessful. The vampire casts one spell, moves quickly and casts another spell. He shouts out "You idiots!" to the vampires and continues to chastise them. He casts a Wall of Force on Kill'Dar, trapping him. Steelhoof waits for any vampires to approach. Donner retrieves the stone and casts a Wall of Force around one of the harpies. Colin moves over next to Donner. The vampire with the Antimagic Shell moves up to the party, pulls out a mace made of dark metal, and snaps her fingers (removing the Antimagic Shell). The vampire with the Telekinesis Ring attempts against Grackle, who gets thrown to the other side of the room.
<B>Round 6:</B> Travian swings at the spear wielding lady, hitting her three times, misting her. Kill'Dar teleports out of the Wall of Force and casts a Lightning Bolt on a harpy and the Heart, but is counterspelled by the Unhallow. The harpies continue singing, and enchant Grackle. And acid arrow comes from the harpy at Kill'Dar, but misses. The vampire does the Slam attack against Kill'Dar, draining him. Grackle moves towards the harpy. Estus climbs on to the carpet and casts Flame Strike on the Heart, damaging it further. Auric runs over next to Travian and hits the vampire. Fingle flies over to the Donner and uses the Runestone of Magic Circle Against Evil. The lone vampire attacks Travian, wounding him. The lady hastes herself and then attempts to hold Auric, but he saves. The well-dressed gentleman shouts "Enough!" at Kill'Dar (Power Word, Stun), stunning him. Steelhoof stabs the vampire and wounds it. Donner takes Fulchar from Colin and flies up to the Heart. Donner swings and connects, while Fulchar does lots of fire damage. One vampire attacks Steelhoof and the other vampire casts Chain Lightning at him, and affects several other party members nearby. Colin gets on the magic carpet.
<B>Round 7:</B> Travian heals himself and flies up towards the Heart. Kill'Dar remains stunned and gets hit by the harpy on him. Grackle wanders to the harpy on him gets hit. Estus casts Divine Power on himself. Auric uses the full set of actions to kill the sword vampire. Fingle flies up the group to the Heart. He examines the Heart with his expert eye. He finds a weak point and notices that the Heart is held up by some large veins. The lady casts another Greater Dispelling on the party and then holds Travian. The well-dressed vampire speaks to Colin, "You, come down here." When Colin saves, he turns to Donner and offers "Well, if you step away from the Heart, I'll save your friends' lives." Donner: We can be raised. Sarin: They can't, after I'm done with them. Donner: No. Sarin: All right. Donner casts True Strike and then uses Fulchar for a Power Attack. Before he can swing, Sarin casts Finger of Death on Donner, but the Death Ward protects him. He swings and connects (AC 30, 45 to hit, for 20 pts). The heart shivers and cracks, with blood seeping out of the cracks. The cracks continue to spread with each pulse. Donner turns to him and says "You lied!" One of the vampires casts a spell and the other attempts to drag Fingle off the carpet, but Fingle saves.
<B>Round 8:</B> Travian delays. The harpies continue to pound on Grackle and Kill'Dar. Spot (15+ smaller cracks are beginning to appear, 20+ the cracks are definitely spreading everywhere). Estus casts Remove Paralysis on Travian but is counterspelled and steps into the portable hole. Auric says "I'll see you outside" turns into a bird and flies away. Fingle estimates is that the tower will fall somewhere in the next 6-60 seconds. Fingle, Donner, and Estus continue to discuss what to do next. Fingle flies over to Grackle and teleports the group out of the room. The lady steps through the gate and it closes behind her. Sarin shouts "Fools! You have no idea of my power." He steps over to the hourglass and says "I free you from my service on one condition", and whispers "Remove me from their grasp until I can prepare for them." He reaches into the hourglass, and it breaks. A huge sandstorm grows larger and envelops him, whisking him away. At the thing grows and spins, the heartbeats slow and the harpies stop moving (i.e everything stopped in time except the party and the whirlwind). Apparently, the being in the hourglass is a time elemental. "My final revenge is to you grant you your escape. Flee while you can. You are such temporal beings. You and yours will have their day. Remember the one who is here."
Travian gathers some crystal and then some of Steelhoof's remains. He examines the room with Detect Magic and sees that the bracers on the on the harpy are magic. He grabs them and they all flee the room.
They continue to flee out past the earthen tunnel. The earth starts shaking and the tunnel collapses in front of them. Donner teleports with Travian and Kill'Dar to the ent, where they see Auric with them.
"Auric" casts Chain Lightning on the remaining party.
<B>Round 1:</B> Travian attempts to swing at Auric, but misses (Displacement effect). Auric casts Magic Missile on Donner. Kill'Dar walks up to Auric and casts Dispel Evil on Auric. Auric appears to be freed. Donner prepares Detect Thoughts.
<B>Round 2:</B> Travian flies away and does Detect Evil on Auric. Kill'Dar looks over Auric with the ring.
Auric appears to be clean--the group guesses that he was the victim of a Magic Jar spell.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Auric:</B> Can we go home now?
<B>Donner:</B> Unfortunately, the only way we knew of was through the portals in the tower.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
There is a large rumbling and crashing sound in the tower. After the group sees the tower, Fingle flies the group back to the ent. Donner continues to look over the group with Detect Thoughts.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Ent:</B> I know of the grove that you speak of.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Well, maybe we should start heading there.
<B>Ent:</B> It is some distance. You seem somewhat impatient. I wasn't sure how long you could put up with the walk. It is several settings of the sun away.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I see.
<B>Estus:</B> Perhaps your friend can tell us whether we're done here.
<B>Travian:</B> Malbain? Are you around here anywhere? (No response)
<B>Estus:</B> Where shall we go?
<B>Donner:</B> How about home?
<B>Estus:</B> Very well, we shall go to Home.
<B>Donner:</B> What a sec... (Poof)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The group ends up in a cold flat land. It appears to be the Plateau. Far away, there appears to be a whole lot of black smoke in the distance. There appears to be a huge sprawling city made of metal. And there appears to be thick dark smoke rising from it in several places. Grackle spots some sort of huge industrial operation going on (forges, etc.). At first Grackle misjudges the scale, until he realizes that it's the City of Brass and the individuals are giants. He spots several metallic constructs in an amongst the giants. The constructs appear to be different from the normal iron golem--these appear less flowing and human-like than the iron golems. They appear to be more like Clockwork Orange-type creations.
The party teleports to Home. They get some healing from Father Cullaim and Estus explains where the party has been. During the discussion, Father Cullaim offers to resurrect the unicorn. Donner begins giving orders for preparations for tomorrow. After talking to Cullaim, about three days have passed.
</p>
That evening the group rests and rememorizes. Father Kultos scries on Donner and Donner informs him that the party has returned and succeeded in their quest.
</p>
<H2> Messenger Boy </H2>
Two people have dreams. Travian. Malbain greets Travian in the Elysian Fields.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Malbain:</B> You have done better than I could have imagined. I feared for your safety and your success.
<B>Travian:</B> How successful were we?
<B>Malbain:</B> You destroyed Heartspire. Many of his minions have perished or scattered. But...
<B>Travian:</B> (The "Ten Ton But" just fell on my head)
<B>Malbain:</B> It will be difficult for your friends to succeed. You were so successful that you have closed their designs. For myself, you have given me happiness. One who escaped you is much to be feared. She knows you all now and is very crafty.
<B>Travian:</B> What of Sarin?
<B>Malbain:</B> He is gone.
<B>Travian:</B> What do you mean?
<B>Malbain:</B> I can no longer sense him anywhere. All that he cast, all that he controlled, is free or destroyed now. She, however, lives. And worse, she is a woman of her own mind now. When she tricked me, she was but a pawn. Now, I cannot tell you what she will do. I cannot say that I have ever known her true mind.
<B>Travian:</B> Where is she?
<B>Malbain:</B> She roams your world now. There is great reason to be fearful. Be wary of her. I thank you and owe you more than any could every repay. If you ever need my advice, find someone who can cast Speak With Dead.
<B>Travian:</B> Is there anything left at Heartspire?
<B>Malbain:</B> I believe your mission there is done.
<B>Travian:</B> So, now what will happen?
<B>Malbain:</B> There were many who acted in concert under his will, but now that that is broken, many will act of their own accord and seize what power they can.
<B>Malbain:</B> Yes, the world will be different. I cannot tell you what this will be now, but it will be different.
<B>Travian:</B> Do you have any suggestion as to what to do next?
<B>Malbain:</B> At this point, there are many who need to face the sword of justice. I would begin with the evil in the Southwest, for it is an evil I know well. The servants of Gorath must be destroyed. Gorath was never under the will of this one, so his plans remain unchanged.
<B>Malbain:</B> You have destroyed the heart of evil. Many of Sarin's minions aided the forces of Gorath and his behest. Now, those minions will be free to do as they please. The time may be now to strike and to lead an army to Gorath's doorstep. You are a paladin, you know your mission. You are already as great a hero as Emalcos Baird ever was. And you have the opportunity to perform an even greater deed. I wish you well--the forces of good are behind you.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Fingle is back at the hearth on Bytopia, the home of Figli. Figli appears to be looking at Fingle with admiration.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Figli:</B> And I thought there weren't any heroes left in the Underhill.
<B>Fingle:</B> Heroes?
<B>Figli:</B> Now, don't you deny it.
<B>Fingle:</B> I just fiddle with things.
<B>Figli:</B> Of course. Now you're fiddling with very big things. I'd be careful. Mechanus has been disturbed.
<B>Fingle:</B> Mechanus?
<B>Figli:</B> I have friends there you know. (Shows metal hand). Oh, my pipe has gone out. Yes, an emmisary of Holos came and explained the injustice going on at home. Well, it seems as if he's gotten assistance from Mechanus to bring order to your land.
<B>Fingle:</B> Are those the metal things that we saw?
<B>Figli:</B> Ah, you saw them already.
<B>Fingle:</B> What can you do to fight them?
<B>Figli:</B> I suppose that you could dent them up pretty well. The trick is understanding what their purpose is and not being in their way. I don't know what their weaknesses are.
<B>Fingle:</B> Do they serve the demonness?
<B>Figli:</B> They could. Their real purpose is as servants of Mechanus.
<B>Fingle:</B> What brings this into play?
<B>Figli:</B> It seems as though Holos has convinced the Forces of Law that the Forces of Chaos is gaining in strength.
<B>Fingle:</B>
<B>Figli:</B> Alternatively, you could convince them that Holos is not a servant of Law. He may have lied to convince Mechanus to send his servants here.
<B>Fingle:</B> What about Holos?
<B>Figli:</B> Yes, he's an eloquent bastard he is. And technically, he is a bastard too.
<B>Fingle:</B> Is there anything else that you can tell me about those things?
<B>Figli:</B> I'll tell you what. I'll tell you where you can find the old books that tells you where to build them. I left them...(starts mumbling). Let me think about it...they got sold...they are in the city with the guy with a lot of eyes.
<B>Fingle:</B> <Sigh> Not Octax.
<B>Figli:</B> Yeah. You know about that. He's gathered some of my books. Someone there has gathered up some of my books.
<B>Fingle:</B> What's his name?
<B>Figli:</B> Arker. That's him.
<B>Fingle:</B> Is he human?
<B>Figli:</B> No, he's a greedy little dwarf. Cunning little bastard. But he wasn't smart enough to get away from the guy with the eyes though. If you could get him out from Octax, he might just be grateful enough to share them with you.
<B>Figli:</B> I wish you well. It's good to see some heroism come into the gnome family. It would be good to see another tinkerer again. I've seen most of you kids nowadays, you guys can't build anything.
<B>Fingle:</B> Yes, well if I ever get some good time, I'll build some stuff.
<B>Figli:</B> Well, it wasn't until I retired from adventuring that I built some of my best stuff. I sure miss my airship.
<B>Fingle:</B> Airship?
<B>Figli:</B> I had some trouble when traveling the Astral Plane. Githyanks shot it up quite a bit.
<B>Fingle:</B> Did they destroy it?
<B>Figli:</B> Nope. If you find it, contact me.
<B>Fingle:</B> Did the Githyanki capture it?
<B>Figli:</B> No, I brought it back to the Prime Material. I crashed it into a volcano. Someplace with lots of sand. I think it's south of where you are.
<B>Fingle:</B> The Southlands?
<B>Figli:</B> Yes, that's it. Well, that's all the time I have. You take care of yourself.
<B>Figli:</B> I'll tell you another secret. There's a gate that leads to Bytopia. You could walk your way here.
<B>Fingle:</B> Where is it?
<B>Figli:</B> I'm not telling everything. You keep poking your nose into places and you'll find it.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Cullaim offers to resurrect the unicorn.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Steelhoof:</B> You fought well, all of you. I'm proud of all of you.
<B>Estus:</B> (Explains situation)
<B>Steelhoof:</B> I noticed there was a lot more sun.
<B>Estus:</B> (Explains situation)
<B>Steelhoof:</B> Considering I thought it was a suicide mission. I fully expected to die.
<B>Steelhoof:</B> I'm very grateful and I would ask that you take me with you.
<B>Steelhoof:</B> You can say now, but I consider you my friends and I would be glad to be at your side.
<B>Steelhoof:</B> You misunderstand me. I offer to accompany people and if that offer is refused, I will leave.
<B>Travian:</B> I would be glad to have you.
<B>Auric:</B> As would I.
<B>Donner:</B> (Considers logistics of having another large creature. Continues discussing with Steelhoof.)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The group teleports to Kennetar.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kultos:</B> Our faith in you and your faith in us was well placed.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, we weren't exactly successful.
<B>Kultos:</B> This was a powerful blow against the undead.
<B>Donner:</B> Estus, believes that you might be able to Plane Shift to the gate.
<B>Kultos:</B> Unknown. We have not cast Divinations yet.
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Morbios:</B> We would have liked to have the Lich King by the throat. This is no longer an opportunity. However, the faithful will be victorious. We will destroy the Lich King one way or another. We thank you for your assistance, but we won't be requiring your help any further.
<B>Donner:</B> The Lich King knows who we are. We are very interested with coordinating in the future should something come up.
<B>Colin:</B> Yes, we might light
<B>Morbios:</B> I think it would be best that you do not concern yourself in this matter.
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Morbios:</B> We may find ourselves at cross purposes.
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Morbios:</B> I think it likely that should you pursue the Lich King, we will come at cross purposes.
<B>Donner:</B> I'm a little concerned about that. Always in the past,
<B>Morbios:</B> I do have a better plan. And it doesn't require your assistance.
<B>Donner:</B> As long as it doesn't endanger the people of the lands, or my home I think .
<B>Morbios:</B> We don't require your help.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Morbios:</B> The goal is as it every was. The destruction of the Lich King, the closing of the Gray Vales, the victory of the faithful over the forces of undead.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Morbios:</B> The best chance you and your allies have to be no longer in danger is not to be involved.
<B>Morbios:</B> I understand that you have exposed yourself to great danger. We're very much in your debt. However, should you decide to pursue the Lich King we will find ourselves at cross purposes which may lead to his victory.
<B>Donner:</B> Should I find otherwise, I will be back here to ask you about it.
<B>Morbios:</B> You will do as you see fit. I think it is best for your people that you aid them.
<B>Grackle:</B> Should I?
<B>Morbios:</B> We have great faith in your wisdom.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Grackle breaks off from the party to scout out the temple. He turns gaseous and heads to a side room. He sees Kultos, Morbios, and several seniors priests there.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Morbios:</B> Yes, but you and I know what a trouble they will be.
<B>Kultos:</B> Well, at least we have Grackle.
<B>Morbios:</B> Yes, he will be a good influence on the prince.
<B>Kultos:</B> Is there anything else we should ask about them?
<B>Morbios:</B>
<B>Kultos:</B> I still think that you were wrong about the ring.
<B>Morbios:</B> I understand. However, such news would be disturbing among the faithful.
<B>Kultos:</B> Is there anything else we need to do to contain the forces of the prince?
<B>Morbios:</B> No. They serve as a force for civilization for the common people.
<B>Kultos:</B>
<B>Morbios:</B> We do need to keep an eye on the Elf.
<B>Kultos:</B> Well, they are our friends. If we ask questions, they will answer truthfully.
<B>Morbios:</B> We will be very weak after destroying the Lich King. There is very little the undead can undo against constructs.
<B>Kultos:</B> Do you think we can trust Holos?
<B>Morbios:</B> We have him. And he knows it.
<B>Kultos:</B> What about the dwarves.
<B>Morbios:</B> The dwarves are inconsequential.
<B>Kultos:</B> I still wonder about all this.
<B>Morbios:</B> We do Holos a favor after he has done us a favor.
<B>Kultos:</B> Well, I had better get back out and supervise the work.
<B>Morbios:</B> I will rest and do some more scrying and divining. I wish to be certain about our plans.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Grackle reports to Donner. Throws his holy symbol to him--he appears to have had a change of faith.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Consul Domos:</B> Things are going to hell around here.
<B>Estus:</B> How do you mean?
<B>Consul Domos:</B> The protectorate is just not interested in joining the Imperium. You help these people, but they refuse to sign anything.
<B>Estus:</B> Yes, I have encountered that myself.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> I may have to send to Regis Vale for some help, but we will get that signed.
<B>Estus:</B> Indeed. (Nonagression suggestion)
<B>Consul Domos:</B> Well, the protectorate needs us. Once they fully understand it, they will sign. With all the dangers around, they have to know it. The group here is almost Imperial caliber. I fully approve of their tax structure.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, that may be possible.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> I should tell you something interesting developed. A man came in here with all the proper paperwork to get an external contract on Adelphus Marvad.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> Small dude. Funny accent.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> That's the funny thing. The contract was totally open. I expect that it would be transferrable.
<B>Estus:</B> Really?
<B>Consul Domos:</B> I thought you would find that interesting.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> I can't give you the name of the gentlemen involved--that would be indiscreet.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> We've been rebuffed at Hensen again. They didn't beat this one, but our next emissary was perhaps more eloquent.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> There was another bit of news from the border. There was some small town to the south of Regis Vale that is refusing to accept Imperial Rule. There is some sort of small skirmish down there. There is a priest of Athena that is organizing some resistance down there. I thought you might like to hear that last bit of news.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I certainly appreciate the information.
<B>Estus:</B> (Update on Home)
<B>Consul Domos:</B> Well, they definitely have something to be afraid of. They are likely to be invaded soon.
<B>Estus:</B>
<B>Consul Domos:</B> We still have agents among the gnolls and we have received reports. There's some new chieftain with some escort that wants to lead the gnolls soon against Home.
<B>Estus:</B> Something must have changed there.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> As you know, they were disorganized, but they will respect power. Well, I can confirm that for you. Well, between our contacts there and our army, we can get forces in soon as soon as Home signs a treaty.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I can tell you that they're even more stubborn than most of the entities we've encountered here.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> Well, it's the frontier lad. Only after some large number of them get killed will they realize that civilization will bring order and safety to their lands.
<B>Consul Domos:</B> Speaking of which, that's another thing. You cannot get decent wine or tobacco here.
<B>Estus:</B>
<B>Consul Domos:</B> I can understand it.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The party goes to talk to Norc.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Norc:</B> I found out about a great deal of things. Some will help, some won't. The most useful thing is that she has a son here. She apparently mated with an ogre long ago.
<B>Norc:</B> Do you have a name?
<B>Fingle:</B> It could be Toran Shah.
<B>Norc:</B> Well, Shah is an honorific. And the name could fit the sire.
<B>Fingle:</B> He looked like this.
<B>Norc:</B> That means that she actually mated with an Oni.
<B>Fingle:</B> Is that an Ogre Mage.
<B>Norc:</B> Where did you see him last?
<B>Fingle:</B> Taking ships east along the southern coast.
<B>Norc:</B> I will talk to some of my contacts and see if
<B>Fingle:</B>
<B>Norc:</B> Well, it is disturbing that her son is at the head of a stolen orc army. Well, clearly if he hooks up with his mother, this could be difficult.
<B>Fingle:</B>
<B>Norc:</B> Oh, I can tell you something about her Talisman. It is not on this plane. I haven't determined what yet. It has taken several forms, usually a living form. It has been seen in three forms, all reptilian, all living, and never sentient. Which makes it extremely difficult to track down, since it can move. And since it's a talisman, it's impossible to destroy.
<B>Norc:</B> The last information that I was able to dig up on it was out of date and that it was on one of the elemental planes.
<B>Norc:</B> You probably already know this. There are specific spells that would be handy against demons--banishments, holy words, and so forth. She can summon a virtual army by herself.
<B>Norc:</B> I'm afraid that's all I've been able to dig up. I've added to my own knowledge about demons. This is an amazing library. I learned about the history of Home and how it was built. They seem remarkably clean of demonic taint. That is extremely admirable.
<B>Fingle:</B> What churches here?
<B>Norc:</B> The temple of Hades has had contact with some demonics. Even the temple of Apollo--they have had agents within who gain their powers from false sources. There's something about this area which is closer to the Outer Planes.
<B>Fingle:</B> (Tells him of the gate)
<B>Norc:</B> I see.
<B>Fingle:</B> We've tried, but the secrets to it are closely protected by him.
<B>Norc:</B> Well, if it were not for the fact that you were considered demons, my friends in Bab-El and the witch hunters there could aid in such a conflict.
<B>Norc:</B> And perhaps that I'm mistaken and that I'm being fooled by your infernal nature even now. But that is something I have chosen to do.
<B>Norc:</B> Well I'm going to get back to my studies to (blah blah)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Kieran has found a reference to Dirgir. There was a letter written by the last King of the West, Grithaniel. It mentions a lot about his mistrust of his sons. The one son who wielded Dirgir would see his comeuppance soon enough. If that he was humble enough and asked for his forgiveness, maybe I would tell him what Dirgir had in store for him. Fingle hands Kieran his notes about planar travel to add to his instruction manual.
Fingle talks to Kellian Sevenstar. Mechanus is one of the Planes of Law. It's part of Nirvana, the plane of Ultimate Law. It has a lot of connections to other planes. The Formians are an insect race, very ant-like, which are native to Mechanus. Most of the plane is occupied by intelligent machines and the entire plane is one giant sentient machine. It is said that the purpose of the plane itself is to calculate something. It is a series of floating cogs which are the parts of Mechanus and they spin endlessly in concert. Mechanus is are where the Inevitables come from. They enforce certain universal laws which are enforced regularly, such as "all things must die". Another law is that "a deal is a deal". He then asks about Arker Understone. Arker is from a wealthy family who used the family money to acquire rare things. Arker's library is supposed to be a huge collection of rare, eclectic works. Kellian is really interested about the books of Figli--the library could keep the originals and pay a fee for the keeping of the book. They would be glad to make a free reference copy.
Kill'Dar talks to Velyk. There haven't been many attacks on the city and he's been able to go out on patrol and learn some more stuff. He also mentions that the wild magic has been responding much better now.
Grackle talks to Ansrak. Contracts have all dried up since Hades had started raising all the people. Some other small business talk happens but there is no significant news otherwise.
<H2> Aquarna </H2>
The party teleports to Aquarna. Grackle talks to Moda and Donner, Kill'Dar, and Fingle talks to Seledan.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> Any news?
<B>Seledan:</B> We're getting some interesting reports. Something big has happened.
<B>Donner:</B> We died, we went to Hell, went to Ravenloft, dispatched Sarin in some manner, and his consort who has some power got away and is on this plane. So that brings you up to speed.
<B>Seledan:</B> Well, there are three things of import that have happened lately. One is that Imperial Emmisaries have been seen in two of the lower kingdoms. We do not find their offers interesting yet, but they are starting to make overtures. Second, I was successful in sealing off the Ravenloft gate on the Red Island.
<B>Donner:</B> Oh yes, I remember you had some little adventure.
<B>Fingle:</B> What else?
<B>Seledan:</B> The losses are large. One of the elven nobles that was lost has joined the other side. She has caused many problems for our side.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> She? What form has she taken?
<B>Seledan:</B> She appears to be herself. Either she has determined that the humans are evil or that she has turned to evil. During these skirmishes, she never harms elves.
	 She has only appeared as an individual and has been in a rage and summoned elemental forces to destroy our forces. I have tried scrying her myself, but she has been impossible to scry. She is extremely powerful and has been very clever in her tactics.
	 I don't know what to do about it. Someone has to talk some sense into her.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Err, yes. Someone should.
<B>Seledan:</B>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Does the King know about this?
<B>Seledan:</B> Oh yes. So does your elven lord.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B> I believe that if she is not only your equal, but your superior in the sorcerous arts.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B> Someone is going to have to break her about this madness. I believe evil forces have somehow convinced her by magical means. She is not working directly with the forces of evil. She has acted entirely by herself.
<B>Seledan:</B> My greatest concern is that she is going to kill the king. If she wanted to teleport into the middle of us and drop some powerful magics on the king, I don't know if there's anything that we could do about it.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Do you know where the forces are now?
<B>Seledan:</B> I could give you a general location, but I'm sure that you could find them quickly.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Certainly.
<B>Seledan:</B> Our troops are beginning to feel that this alliance is a very bad idea. We're working with the elves and one of their leaders
<B>Donner:</B> Divinations?
<B>Seledan:</B> They are very unclear. They talk about pitting elf against elf, sorcery against sorcery. That's not very helpful.
<B>Donner:</B> Now that you mention it, I have some ideas forming.
<B>Seledan:</B> Well, whatever you can come up with, I'm open to any useful ideas.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Is there some
<B>Seledan:</B> I understand that you take the long view. But I can tell you that the problem that if the people don't support the alliance, this whole thing is going to fall apart. So, if you have any ideas now, please act on them.
<B>Donner:</B> So, if we had to choose between the Lady Mianna and Krodol, which would it be?
<B>Seledan:</B> Definitely the Lady Mianna. Krodol is a unifying force for our forces. Whether he dies now or later isn't a problem for the unity of our forces. Every day that she continues to cause problems, we risk the whole thing falling apart.
<B>Donner:</B> All right, I guess we'll have to take care of this one ourselves.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
Same crowd as last time.