Session0017

Episode 0017 - Alive or Undead
Previous | Next

**Setting:**

Saltcrest - April 19th, 211 AW
**Synopsis:**

* The party battles and defeats XXIX, the headless undead individual that emerged from the hidden passageway on the rooftop of Grimm Manor.
* XVIII discovers a hidden underground laboratory beneath the manor, where he finds XV.
* XVIII and XV discuss XV's business at Grimm Manor, and the events that have transpired with Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel since XVIII imbibed Dippel's unfinished formula thirty years ago.
* After a brief conversation with the party, XV departs Grimm Manor to return to Dr. Dippel with materials gathered from the manor, agreeing to inform Dippel of XVIII's survival and the party's desire to meet with him.
* The party finishes exploring Grimm Manor, then returns to the mainland of Saltcrest to reconvene with Grenfi Nackle.
* Accompanied by Grenfi Nackle, the party searches for Valania Aloro, and discovers that her home is being searched by Inquisitors impersonating the Weavers Conclave.
* The party battles and defeats the Inquisitors, and interrogates their leader, discovering that the impostors are elven followers of a deity called the Morningstar.
* Amongst Valania Aloro's possessions, which had been taken by the Inquisitors, the party discovers a letter from Valania's mother, Ava Aloro, as well as a vial of her blood.
* Utilizing the blood of Ava Aloro, Odell and Grenfi Nackle activate the codex that was retrieved from the grave of Halimath Wasanthi, which plays a recording recounting the events of Wasanthi's life and the history of rune magic.

## April 19th

Atop Grimm Manor, XVIII begins battling against the headless undead humanoid that emerged from the hidden passageway in the manor's chimney. hearing the commotion, the rest of the party begins rushing to XVIII's aid. During the battle, which moves to the interior of the manor, XVIII sneaks into the hidden passageway on the chimney, and begins making their down a ladder that leads to an underground cellar beneath the manor.

After defeating the headless undead, the party searches its corpse, finding that it is tattooed on the back of its neck with a marking that reads "XXIX". They recover a magical scythe from its possession, then begin searching for XVIII.

Meanwhile, in the hidden cellar beneath the manor, XVIII discovers a chamber containing bookshelves and alchemical tools and reagents, seemingly some sort of laboratory. Within this chamber, they find XV, who is hurriedly gathering materials from the room and collecting them into a satchel. XVIII greets XV, who is startled at first, but quickly recognizes them. XV seems confused by XVIII's presence, stating that XVIII has been dead for over thirty years. XVIII asks what happened after their death, and XV explains that shortly after XVIII's death, Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel was betrayed, and had to flee his keep. He disposed of all of his failed experiments and what remained of his work, and fled, accompanied by XV.

XVIII asks about Dippel's whereabouts, but XV insists that he cannot share Dippel's location with anyone, even XVIII. He says that he needs to return to Dippel immediately to report on what has happened, and inform him that XVIII is alive. XVIII asks to accompany XV to meet with Dippel, and XV agrees, but when XVIII explains that they are accompanied by traveling companions, XV insists that he could only bring XVIII with him, not the others. XVIII asks for a moment to speak with him companions, and XV agrees, and continues gathering materials from the laboratory in preparation for his departure.

Back on the manor's rooftop, the party regroups, and XVIII tells the others about XV, and explains that XV is leaving shortly. Odell asks if XV has the clone of Tamrius Grimm, and XVIII says that they have not asked.

Shortly thereafter, XV emerges on the rooftop. He seems nervous and skeptical of the rest of the party, but XVIII assures him that they are friendly. XV explains that he was tasked with the protection of Grimm Manor by Dr. Dippel, and says that he must return to Dippel and report his failure to protect the manor, and inform him that XVIII is alive. At XVIII's behest, XV agrees to tell Dr. Dippel that the party wishes to meet with him. He says that he cannot offer a time or place, however, as doing so could compromise Dippel's location. The party offers XV a magical *paper bird*, so that he can send them a letter with a place and date to meet.

Odell asks XV about the clone of Tamrius Grimm. XV says that he can't speak any further of Dr. Dippel's interests in Grimm, but when pressed, he agrees to speak with XVIII alone about it. Out of earshot of the rest of the party, XV explains that Dr. Dippel came to Grimm Manor about a year ago, in search of information about Grimm's pursuits in necromancy and alchemy. Though XV is not sure of the exact nature of Dippel's interests, he claims that Dippel wishes to expand upon Grimm's work. Afterwards, Dippel departed, and XV was tasked with the protection of Grimm Manor, along with XIX and XXIX. XV discovered the hidden laboratory later, and believes Dippel might be interested in the materials that he found within. Specifically, XV shows XVIII a stack of papers, a series of alchemical components and supplies, and a small crystal with a tiny tabaxi sillhouette within it.

As XV prepares to depart, he asks XVIII to join him, insisting that his friends are dangerous outsiders. XVIII expresses a desire to join XV, but says that he would slow him down due to his inability to fly, to which XV agrees. Before leaving, XV hesitates, and then recounts to XVIII that during their time together in Dr. Dippel's keep, XV was instructed by Dippel never to allow XVIII to access the blood that was being used in their regimen of experimentation, as it could cause XVIII to betray them. XVIII divulges that some of said blood remains within Dr. Dippel's old keep, which is guarded by protections that Dippel put in place before fleeing. When asked, he shows XVIII the location of Dr. Dippel's old keep on a map. Afterwards, XV bids XVIII farewell, and departs.

Afterwards, the party finishes investigating the manor for anything that they might have missed in their previous search; particularly the clone of Tamrius Grimm, as XVIII does not reveal that XV had it in his possession. In the hidden cellar, they find a few books about alchemy and necromancy, with a focus on phylacteries, although it seems that most items of interest or value were removed by XV. Finding no trace of the clone, the party eventually decides to give up their search for the time being, and they spend the remainder of the day at Grimm Manor awaiting the return of the boatman to take them back to mainland Saltcrest.

During the afternoon, Frog and XVIII use a *speak with dead* scroll to speak with the corpse of XIX, with Frog disguised as XV using his changeling abilities. They ask about what happened after the death of XVIII thirty years ago. XIX explains that new experiments were undertaken on her to make her more savage and bestial, in an attempt to correct the perceived mistakes of the experiments performed on XVIII. These experiments included forcing her to consume blood and to fight, though XIX's memories are hazy regarding the details as the experiments progressed. She recalls being brought to Grimm Manor along with XV and XXIX, and instructed to protect the manor and kill anyone who came. When asked, she says that she does not know Dippel's current location, and that only XV was privy to that information.

For the remainder of the afternoon at Grimm Manor, the party rests and works on some downtime activities, scribing spell scrolls, crafting, etc. XVIII burns the remainders of the bodies of XIX, XXIX, and the other undead creatures throughout the manor. Frog sends a magical *paper bird* with a message to Princess Porcini. Patches collects candles from throughout the Manor, and uses them to create a large candle inlaid with gold filigree. Notably, Patches' strange plant-like features have continued to grow more pronounced over the course of the day, and he now has prominent leaves, twigs, etc. growing from his flesh. When asked by the party, he insists that it is not a problem. However, he uses the candle to cast *commune*, and asks his god if he should change his race again. His god says that it will happen whether he chooses to or not, so he might as well.

Around sundown, the boatman that ferried the party to Grimm Manor returns, as promised. He takes the party back to mainland Saltcrest, where Odell pays him to stop taking people to the Manor.

Back in Saltcrest, the party returns to the Golden Orb inn, where they meet with Grenfi Nackle. Odell informs Grenfi that they were unable to find Tamrius Grimm's clone, but that they have a lead that it might be in the possession of Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel. Before discussing any further, Grenfi asks to speak with Odell privately, and shows him the wanted poster for Gragnok. She expresses her concern about working with a wanted fugitive, insinuating that she believes Gragnok is referring to himself as "Orion" to avoid detection. Odell vouches for Gragnok's trustworthiness, and Grenfi eventually agrees to let it go, since Gragnok's crimes are not the business of the Weavers Conclave.

Grenfi tells the party that she spent the day searching for clues about the whereabouts of Valania Aloro, the supposed descendant of Halimath Wasanthi who the party is searching for in Saltcrest. She explains that Aloro was a dock worker in town, but has been missing for the past week. She again expresses her concern regarding the wanted poster for Valania, which claims that she is wanted by the Weavers Conclave, of which she has no knowledge. She speculates that it could be the work of the Inquisitors, who masquerade as Weavers Conclave representatives and attack magic users. Accompanied by Grenfi, the party heads to the docks to investigate further.

En route to the docks, Grenfi talks with XVIII about their life with Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel, expressing an interest in learning more about Dippel's crimes and his pursuits. XVIII briefly recounts the events of their time with Dr. Dippel, and explains that the purpose of Dr. Dippel's experiments was to create a potion that would defeat death. XVIII explains that he drank an incomplete potion and fell unconscious, waking up thirty years later. When asked, he shows Grenfi the location on the map where he awoke. Eventually, concerned that XVIII is being to forthcoming with their personal details, Rye intervenes and distracts Grenfi while they continue to the docks.

At the docks, the party speaks with the dockmaster, Mariska Mills. Mills explains that Valania Aloro stopped showing up to work about a week ago, and decries her elvish heritage. She points the party towards Aloro's home, a small shack in the midst of a series of shanties along the docks. Standing outside the shack, the party sees a *guardian of faith*, adorned with a holy symbol which depicts a bird flying into a sunrise - a symbol which is unfamiliar to the party. Mills explains that a representative from the Weavers Conclave named Philip is currently searching the house, and the party heads that way to confront them.

At Valania Aloro's home, the party finds a group of several individuals adorned in Weavers Conclave garb and symbology, standing guard over the house. The party says that they wish to help find Valania, but the inqisuitors say that unless the party has a lead on her location, they need to leave. After a tense standoff, the situation starts to escalate to violence when Grenfi Nackle presents her credentials and asks the inquisitors to explain themselves, but Rye and XVIII use a combination of *charm person* and *calm emotions* spells deescalate the situation. Momentarily appeased, the inquisitors attempt to leave without a fight. Their apparent leader emerges from the house with a satchel and says that they will be on their way, insinuating that they have taken something from Aloro's home. Before the inquisitors can leave, the party attacks, and combat breaks out.

The party battles and defeats the inquisitors, keeping their leader alive for questioning. Despite the party's attempts to convince the inquisitors to surrender, they continue to fight on fervently, expressing reverence for a deity called the Morningstar, and utilizing divine magic.

After the battle, the party searches through the inqisitors' belongings and the bag taken from Valania Aloro's home. Searching the bodies, they discover that all of the inquisitors are elves, using either magic or mundane tricks to disguise their appearance. Among their belongings, they find that they are each wearing a holy symbol which depicts a bird flying into a sunrise. Though none of the party recognize the holy symbol itself, Jack recognizes the bird as a morningstar, a species of bird indigenous to the Golden Wastes. Grenfi Nackle notes that the bird was thought to be extinct after the Severance, but has made a recent resurgence.

In the possessions taken from Valania Aloro's home, the party finds two vials of blood, and a letter, which reads as follows:

> Valania,
>
>
> I'm afraid I must skip the niceties and cut straight to the point. I doubt you're interested in small talk anyway.
>
>
> Along with this letter, I've sent you a vial of my blood, and a vial of your father's. I know what you must be thinking, and I assure you, it's no more comfortable for me than it is for you. Rather gruesome thing, sending your own child a vial of your blood. But it's critical that you keep it, and keep it safe and hidden. I know you don't care about magic, you never did, but please understand that a lot can be done with someone's blood if you have the right spells.
>
>
> I'm afraid for my life, Valania. That's the truth of it. I won't put it all in writing, but I think someone is after your father and I, and you might be next. You need to keep this blood, because if anything happens to us, it might prove valuable in finding us.
>
>
> Your father and I will be coming to Saltcrest in a week's time. Boarding the next ship out of Aerzen. We can talk then. I know you have no interest in talking to us, and that's your choice, but I hope you'll at least hear what we have to say, for your own protection.
>
>
> I love you so much, my beautiful daughter,
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Mother
>
>

Studying the letter, the party discovers that the final line, "I love you so much...", is written in *illusory script*. XVIII, using his proficiency in calligraphy, deduces that one of the words hidden behind the illusory script is "Volus." Judging by the condition of the letter, the party deduces that it was written roughly 20 years ago. Grenfi Nackle suggests trying one of the vials of blood - presumably that of Ava Aloro - to activate the codex of Halimath Wasanthi, since Ava is presumed to be one of his descendants. Odell agrees to this suggestion, but they decide to attempt to do so in privacy later.

The party investigates Valania Aloro's home, and they deduce that she seemingly was last in the house around 8 days ago. Everything of interest or value from the house seems to have been taken, although they do recover a strand of Valania's hair from a hairbrush in the house.

Their investigation complete, the party discusses what to do about the surviving inquisitor prisoner. Grenfi says that she would like to take him into Weavers Conclave custody for further questioning about the business of the Inquisitors. Rye, however, expresses concern that someone within the Conclave might be secretly involved with the Inquisitors, and the prisoner might be killed without them gaining information. Grenfi assures the party that she will keep personal tabs on the prisoner and ensure no harm comes to him. After some discussion, she agrees to let the party interrogate him first. Jack insists that he wants the prisoner's hand as a trophy of his revenge, since the Inquisitors were responsible for the death of his family. The party allows Jack to cut off the prisoner's hand, and then they begin their interrogation.

The party asks the prisoner his identity, and why he and his associates were impersonating the Weavers Conclave, but he is noncompliant. The party threatens him with death or further torture, but he is noncompliant, seemingly unphased by their threats, and insistent that he is not afraid to die, expressing his devout faith in the Morningstar. He also decries the party as lesser beings, speaking of elves as the First Children of the gods. Despite their questions, he refuses to give the party any information about the Inquisitors' interest in Valania Aloro or their business. Odell asks if he knows anything about the journal of Halimath Wasanthi, but he claims not to.

During this interrogation, at midnight, Patches collapses and becomes encased in a cocoon-like pod of plant material that sprouts from his body.

The party, along with Grenfi Nackle, takes the Inquisitor prisoner to be formally arrested and placed in Weavers Conclave custody, carrying with them Patches in his cocoon. About an hour later, Patches reemerges from the cocoon in the form of a minotaur.

Afterwards, Grenfi Nackle arranges a private room at the Weavers Conclave headquarters, warded against divination magic, so that they can attempt to use the blood of Ava Aloro to activate the Codex of Halimath Wasanthi. When a drop of the blood is placed on the codex, it activates, and a holographic message depicting Halimath Wasanthi plays from it, wherein he recounts his own history, and the history of rune magic, as follows:

> My name is Halimath Wasanthi. This recording will serve as my last will and testament. I have nothing to leave behind. No treasure, no property. Only knoweldge. Knowledge that, now, in my dying days, no one cares to hear. Nobody cares.
>
>
> And so I leave this recording, the codex which contains it, and the journal which it deciphers, to no person in particular. I only pray that some day, someone will care to hear what I have to say. Someone will wish to know. I must believe that day will come, or else everything... all of it was for nothing.
>
>
> And so to whoever hears this message. If you wish to know. Here is my story.
>
>
> I was born in the year 596 of the Age of Arcana, in the flying city of Volus, capitol of the Holy Elvish Kingdom of Ayn Sitael. My birth was illegitimate - the product of an affair between a married man and an unmarried woman, both of whom held stations of great power on the High Council of the kingdom. As such, my existence was kept secret. For if the sins of my parents had been discovered, they would have been excommunicated, removed from the High Council, perhaps even executed under holy law. So my mother raised me in secret until I was old enough to survive alone, and then I was abandoned. An illegitimate bastard child with no name, no family, no home. No future.
>
>
> I remained in Volus, lived out my young life there. Had a child of my own, out of wedlock. My son, Hastios. A bastard child born to a bastard child. His mother left him with me. She wanted no part in him. He would have ruined her prospects of a a normal life. But I had no normal life to lose.
>
>
> Hastios was only a child when the war came. When Ayn Sitael fell, and the Arch Heart was exiled, many warned that Volus would surely fall into the sea. The religious leaders of the kingdom decried these warnings as heresy. But I had seen firsthand the extent of their blindness and ignorance. The gods had abandoned us, and they were too stubborn to see it.
>
>
> So I fled, taking Hastios with me. Traveled the continent. I did not know where I would go, only that I wanted to be as far from Ayn Sitael as my feet would carry me. And they carried me to the desert. To Karaad. Where I have lived out my last decades and where soon I will perish.
>
>
> It wasn't until months later that I learned that Volus had indeed fallen into the sea, killing all who remained there. I have no doubt that they were singing the gods' praises as they plunged to their deaths. And now there is a new elvish kingdom, with new lands, and a new council, and the same gods - the very gods who sentenced Ayn Sitael to ruin. People never change.
>
>
> Now you know my story. But my story does not matter. Orphaned, bastard refugee who will die alone in the desert having never accomplished a thing. I have done nothing for which I deserve to be remembered. But my mother's story. Her life's work. She must be remembered. And if all that I can leave behind is my memory of her, then so be it.
>
>
> My mother's name was Avara Wasanthi. She was a sage - an advisor on matters of magic. Her life's work was the development of a new form of magic, which she called rune magic. She did not believe in the inherent conflict between arcane and divine. She believed the two could coexist peacefully, even cooperatively. So she developed runes - a form of magic that used arcane methods to draw upon divine magic. She envisioned rune magic as a way to make magic accessible to the common man, a tool to demonstrate that there could be peace in this world.
>
>
> For these beliefs, for her heresy, she was assassinated. As the Gods' War raged, the High Council believed that my mother's sins had brought the gods' wrath down upon them. So they had her killed, and her life's work destroyed. All record of it erased.
>
>
> I resented my mother for many years, for abandoning me. But in my waning years, I have grown to appreciate the gravity of her decision. She wished for the greater good. For peace. Her station was necessary. What is one bastard orphan against a world in harmony?
>
>
> I have spent the last decades of my life attempting to reproduce her work. A useless effort. I was never as intelligent or cunning as her, or as wise in the ways of magic. And even if I were, it has been years since the last Zenith. Decades since the last Prime. Magic is dead. And with it, everything that my mother lived and died for - everything she sacrificed. The life I never had.
>
>
> I have recorded my efforts at reproducing rune magic in a journal, written in a nigh-unintelligible magically-generated cipher. This device serves as its codex, and will make its contents clear. Perhaps someday a better person will be able to resume my work. To bring my mother's legacy back into the light, and make her vision a reality.
>
>
> The journal itself, I have bequeathed to my son, Hastios. Though I have tried to explain to him its significance, he has no desire to understand. He would sooner leave the past behind. To him, the journal is the ravings of an old man who cannot embrace the new world. To him, my tireless work on preserving my mother's legacy is neglect for him in the present. Perhaps he is right.
>
>
> And so, within this codex, and within the journal, lies all that I leave behind in my death. A token of knowledge that no living soul cares to hear. My last and dying prayer is that someday my mother's memory will rise again from the ashes of our folly.
>
>
> There is one more piece to my story, which you may wonder. The identity of my father. Strange to even call him that; I never once met him in person. Perhaps by the time this message is heard, the world will be different. I suspect not. But in my age, if the leaders of the Holy Kingdom knew that my father had sired an illegitimate child in an act of infidelity, outside of the holy tradition of the kingdom, it would destroy his legacy. Ruin the lives of his children, who now sit on the High Council of the new kingdom.
>
>
>
> I bear no ill will against my father or his name. Not any more. And I will not be the reason that another illegitimate child suffers for the ignorance of others. I am my father's darkest secret, and his secret dies with me.
>
>