20060805 Aishapra02

<H1> Aishapra's Talisman: Raising Stones </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Thorfinn </TD>
 <TD> 16th Human Bard </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kha'Narek </TD>
 <TD> 13th Githzerai (ECL15) Monk </TD>
 <TD> Matt Miller </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Deluwen Seradrake </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/3rd/5th Grey Elf Wizard/Psionicist/Cerebremancer </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Paxus </TD>
 <TD> 11th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 19th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 10/6/4/3 Half-Elf/Half-Invevitable Fighter/Thief/Divine Seeker/Planar Champion (ECL 28) </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 15th (ECL 22) Wemic Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 22nd Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
The party continues discussing the combat capabilities of the Anaxim.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Norc:</B> Did I mention the forge?
<B>Paxus:</B> You mean the one it was born from?
<B>Norc:</B> No. It has an internal forge which it can use to repair itself, replenish weapons, and XXX. The raw materials it uses to forge these things it draws from scrapyard from where it was born.
<B>Party:</B> (Continues discussing whether the Anaxim, as a construct, is immune to spells)
<B>Norc:</B> Marden was the one who told you that you have the capability within this party to defeat it in combat.
<B>Party:</B> (Discusses whether casting Dimensional Anchor on the Whispering Labyrinth in Arborea is a good idea).
<B>Norc:</B> Keep this in mind. The Whispering Labyrinth has changed planes at least once per week. If you enter it and take longer than that, it is very likely that you will sufffer the effects of being on some other, likely hostile plane. With your magic, you have the capability of changing the rules of this conflict.
<B>Party:</B> (Discussses using Contact Other Plane to reach Gakagal)
<B>Norc:</B> Gakagal was on the side of the Abyssals when he created the Anaxim. I believe he is currently working for the Infernal under Asmodeus. I don't believe Asmodeus would prevent you from reaching as valuable resource as Gakagal.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
All this talk about the Whispering Labyrinth reminds Thorfinn of something. Supposedly the greatest singer ever known was last seen. Maximeliano of Belliarine (the prison plane of Elysium). There is something of great evil imprisioned there. Maximeliano is a bard from the prison plane of Elysium. The story is that the thing that is trapped there was drawn there by his song. That is how the creature is imprisoned there. Once the creature was imprisoned, he was free to roam the planes again.
He entered the Whispering Labyrinth and has not been seen since. There is a song attributed to him often sung in taverns. It is seen as a love song or someone who has been suffering the pains of love. This one particular song is about the Whispering Labyrinth. He recalls the song "Heart of
lead".
<BLOCKQUOTE>
She's got a heart of lead<BR />Fingers a mile long<BR />She's got a heart of lead<BR />And whispers a siren song
She dazzled me with wonders<BR />I followed her inside<BR />Ignoring all the dangers<BR />Call it suicide
She's got a heart of lead<BR />Fingers a mile long<BR />She's got a heart of lead<BR />And whispers a siren song
She'll give me a name today<BR />She'll give me another tomorrow<BR />She'll take my name today<BR />She'll take another tomorrow
She's got a heart of lead<BR />Fingers a mile long<BR />She's got a heart of lead<BR />And whispers a siren song
Never know where I am<BR />Hard to remember who I am<BR />Never know where I am<BR />Hard to remember who I am
She's got a heart of lead<BR />Fingers a mile long<BR />She's got a heart of lead<BR />And whispers a siren song
If I can never melt her heart<BR />Sing my song and lift her curse<BR />I'm doomed to be a puppet<BR />A mockery or something worse
She's got a heart of lead<BR />Fingers a mile long<BR />She's got a heart of lead<BR />And whispers a siren song
She's battling moon-shadows<BR />Cast by one she cannot reach<BR />Pain, revenge and sorrow<BR />The only lessons she can teach
She's got a heart of lead<BR />Fingers a mile long<BR />She's got a heart of lead<BR />And whispers a siren song
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Paxus is willing to cast Commune to determine a likely course of action.
</P>
<OL>
<LI> Can the Anaxim be fully affected by an unenchanted adamantine weapon? No
<LI> Can Travian cause full damage to the Anaxim on a single hit with his Holy Adamantine sword? No
<LI> Is the sword Entropy sufficent to fully damage the Anaxim? No
<LI> Is aligning a weapon Lawful or Good needed to cause full damage to the Anaxim? No
<LI> Can Travian damage the Anaxim with a single hit with his Holy Adamantine sword? Yes
<LI> Is Maximeliano alive? No
<LI> Is Maximeliano's body in the Whispering Labyrinth? Yes
<LI> Is Maximeliano's body worth locating to help us in our quest? Yes
<LI> Is it likely that we will be encountering clones of ourselves in the Whispering Labyrinth? Yes
<LI> Will Thorfinn's countersong help us avoid the siren's call of the Whispering Labyrinth? Yes
<LI> Is the Anaxim immune to spells or spell-like abilities that allows spell resistance as a golem? No
</OL>
Paxus and Norc determine that Discern Location and Find the Path will be sufficient to find a starting point within the Whispering Labyrinth.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Guard:</B> How about we let you through and you ask?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Who would I ask?
<B>Guard:</B> 
<B>Paxus:</B> If I recall the stories, the last time you were here, you needed magical aid to travel through Arborea.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> We're not going to attack the Anaxim today?
<B>GM:</B> Given that you're in charge, it's up to you.
<B>Guard:</B> Who are you looking to speak with?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> The Elders to talk to them about the Anaxim and the Whispering Labyrinth.
<B>Guard:</B> Probably you'd want to talk to you would be either Agromon. He's in charge of the defense of Arborea from external threats. We can send word to him if you're willing to wait.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> How long will it take?
<B>Guard:</B> It could be hours or days.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Hmmmm...)
<B>Guard:</B> Shall we send word?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Please do.
<B>Guard:</B> And tell your friends that they need a bath. Badly.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Kill'Dar uses the Crown of the Elves to speak to the dead kings.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I have brought help to deal with the Whispering Labyrinth. I am at Sigil and would like to discuss with you by coming into Arborea. I don't know where to find you. Is this something the Elders can handle?
<B>Elf King:</B> We do not trouble ourselves with such issues. It is better to talk to Shalara. She manages such temporal issues.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Can you arrange a meeting for me? Or would you get word to her?
<B>Elf King:</B> We can arrange to let her know you are coming.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> It would help me in our quest to know where to meet her.
<B>Elf King:</B> Indeed it would.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Waits patiently)
<B>Elf King:</B> She is Queen of Arborea at this time. She can be reached at the Ancient Grove in the Ivory City in Arborea.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Thank you. Shall I send her your greetings.
<B>Elf King:</B> I will tell her you are coming.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Thank you for the introduction.
<B>Norc:</B> (Whispers) If you're talking to the Queen, ask for a guide back.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Good idea.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Kill'Dar enters the gate to Arborea. (Let's see whether any of the Epic Dryads go after you? What's you're Charisma? 11. No problem.) It takes Kill'Dar about an hour to get to Arborea stepping through tree portals, etc. This is what everybody has told you about staying in the West. It's very tempting to just hang out here. Every elf who greets him know exactly who he is (including family name and history in the formal elven way). It takes another hour to go through the city. In the ancient grove are the trees that are taller than the city (Colossal Ents).
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Ents:</B> Welcome! Stay and chat a while!
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Greetings! (Takes about an hour) (Promises to come back)
<B>Ents:</B> I don't think you'll be long at all... In fact, we've been expecting you.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As Kill'Dar talks, the entire area opens with a golden glow. There is an entourage of the legendary noble elves from history. And at the center of them is the current ruler in Arborea, Shalara. they all greet him.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Shalara:</B> I was expecting you. I was told to expect you. And here you are. However, he did not tell me why you are here.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I talked to the Ents back home. They warned me of a poison in the roots of Arborea. After doing some research, I was able to find information on the Whispering Labyrinth and the war machine that are here.
<B>Shalara:</B> I don't know what you speak of.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Explains what the party has found out about the Whispering Labyrinth)
<B>Shalara:</B> There is a dark presence that has arrived recently. We have very little information about it.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Inside that entity is the talisman of Aishapra. (Explains Aishapra's history in the Westmarch)
<B>Shalara:</B> This creature is a war machine? This Anaxim?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Yes, it is there. You see... (explains history) ...and we know it would be advantageous to deal with it now, on a friendly plane.
<B>Shalara:</B> Where are your companions?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> They were not allowed in.
<B>Shalara:</B> Where are they right now?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> They are near the gate to Sigil.
<B>Shalara:</B> I will send word to the gate guards to allow them in. I will inform the forests to give them strict passage to take them where they need to go for 1 week. Then, we must speak again. After that time, the forests will treat them as they would all outsiders.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Thank you for your generous offers.
<B>Shalara:</B> Tell me of this Whispering Labyrinth. Tell me of what dangers it presents to my people.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> It is a creature that travels the planes. It can take the blood and clone any living creature.
<B>Shalara:</B> We will warn our people. 
<B>Shalara:</B> Be sure to bring your companions to me. No entity will be able to copy my mark. Only those who bear my mark will be treated fairly by the forests. This will also assist you should you face clones.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> True.
<B>Shalara:</B> True sight will be needed to truly identify my mark.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> We are not sure how the doors work.
<B>Shalara:</B> Do you know the nature of the song? 
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> It is heard throught the air.
<B>Shalara:</B> Then, we will provide our bards to the guards to protect them.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> We will be raising stones in thsi land.
<B>Shalara:</B> We will do what we can to assist you. We unfortunately, have other concerns. We are glad to get detailed and diligent information from you.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Shalara:</B> Good luck to you and good speed.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As Kill'Dar leaves the city, the forest paths open up greatly for him. It takes him about 15 minutes to walk back, and he sends a message to Paxus. Paxus gathers up the party and they make their way to the gate to Arborea. Kill'Dar leads the party back to the Ancient Grove where Shalara awaits.
While you have this Mark, the forests will take you where you need to go. It will fade in seven days, by which time you will best be out of our forests. Should you exit this place in dire need and need to re-enter, the perimeter will do it's best to aid you.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Shalara:</B> That sort of thing would be Miraculous. Or something someone might Wish for.
<B>Norc:</B> I doubt that we can't do it within a week. This is a living labyrinth that is miles and miles.
<B>Norc:</B> I have travelled to many and many planes as a demon hunter. I have never encountered a more friendly spot than Arborea.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
After some brainstorming, Auric determines that with some druidic help, he could raise an extremely large circle of stones. After spreading the word among the elves of Arborea, a few thousand people respond. Under Auric's direction, a fleet of elementals is summoned by the spellcasters (plus the Elves) and many stones are found. Eventually, a giant ring of Standing Stones 8 miles across is created, allowing a spell to affect an 80 mile diameter area. During the process, Auric talks to some of the earth elementals.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Elemental:</B> Very deep. Lost a few of my brothers there. It goes through the bedrock. And it dug in fast.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As they set up, reports come in from all over Arborea that thousands of druids are in place to help with the ceremony. Auric begins the ceremony and Kill'Dar casts Limited Wish to speed up the ceremony.
While Auric is casting Hallow, there are reports from the scouts. Scouts report the longest doors locatable are 5 miles apart. The countersongs appear to be working to protect. While casting, Kill'Dar casts a Limited Wish to improve Auric's chances to affect the Anaxim.
<H3> Sidebar: Ring of Silverveils </H3>
<UL>
<LI> Acts as Ring of Protection (Up to +4. +1 for being an Elf. +1 for being Good aligned. +1 for being Noble. +1 for being a priest of a good-aligned deity)
<LI> Any person can use the following powers of the ring:
 <UL>
 <LI> Spell Storing, 1 spell
 <LI> Cure Light Wounds, 1 per day per target
 <LI> Protection from Evil (constant)
 </UL>
<LI> In the hands of any elf:
 <UL>
 <LI> Detect Evil, 1/day
 <LI> Detect Magic, 1/day
 <LI> Remove Poison by touch, as often as you like
 </UL>
<LI> In the hands of any noble elf:
 <UL>
 <LI> Know Alignment at will
 <LI> Dispel Evil at will, 1 try per target
 </UL>
<LI> In the hands of a priest of Good/Neutral Elven deities:
 <UL>
 <LI> Heal, 2/day
 <LI> Uplift, 1/week
 </UL>
</UL>
<H3> Back to the Game... </H3>
More scouting reports come in to the party...
The scouts have also heard some other kind of song echoing through the halls of the open doorways. They've heard multiple reports of this singing and the song appeared to be the same. It sounded like a hoarse voice--or someone who is not entirely there. Thorfinn produces a song, and it sounds like it's haunting. It does not appear to be entirely all there.
There are other reports that other multiple doorways keep appearing. Some look like golden gateways. Some look like cave mouths. Within the same circle, more and more doorways keep opening.
<OL>
<LI> Is the Anaxim affected by the embedded Dimensional Anchor cast by Auric? (22+Limited Wish=29) No
<LI> Is the Whispering Labyrinth affected by the embedded Dimensional Anchor cast by Auric? Yes
<LI> Are the Anaxim and the Whispering Labyrinth favorably inclined toward each other? No
<LI> Will the Whispering Labyrinth intervene on the Anaxim's behalf? No
<LI> Can the Anaxim Plane Shift or Teleport on its own? No
<LI> Is Maximeliano undead? Yes
<LI> Is Maximeliano singing the song heard by the elven scouts? Yes
<LI> If we find Maximeliano, will he have hostile intentions toward us? No
<LI> Can the Anaxim be damaged by a Fireball cast by Kill'Dar? Yes
<LI> Can the Anaxim be damaged by a Lightning Bolt cast by Kill'Dar? Yes
<LI> Can the Anaxim be damaged by a Disintegrate cast by Kill'Dar? Yes
</OL>
Kill'Dar uses the ring to cast Know Alignment on the Whispering Labyrinth.
Auric rests and parties for a full day. Then, the next day the party prepares to enter the labyrinth. They decide to following the singing voice of Maximeliano. It appears to be going roughly counterclockwise within the Labyrinth.
As the party waits, they hear what's like a hobo singing. There sounds to be too much fatigue to the singer. There's a slightly disheveled figure singing the song.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Ghost Hobo:</B> She's got a heart of lead... Fingers a mile long... She's got a heart of lead...
<B>Paxus:</B> (Cups hands and yells) Hello!
<B>Ghost Hobo:</B> (Looks at party) Huh? Who's there?
<B>Party:</B> (Braces for ghostly effects. Nothing happens.)
<B>Paxus:</B> My name is Paxus. I'm a priest of Hermes. We would like to talk to you.
<B>Ghost Hobo:</B> She needs to hear the song. I'll find her. C'mon I'll show you the way.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Where are we going?
<B>Ghost Hobo:</B> The heart. It's the only place she can hear. (Continues singing) She's got a heart of lead...
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The party follows Maximeliano. As they approach him, he approaches the end of the song. The doors to the Labyrinth close behind the party.
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
<B>Base Experience:</B> 
</P>