Session0018

Episode 0018 - We're All Monsters
Previous | Next

**Setting:**

Saltcrest - Paxeter - Zinnowitz - April 19th-21st, 211 AW
**Synopsis:**

* Having completed their business in Saltcrest, the party travels with Grenfi Nackle to Paxeter via teleportation, to meet once again with Federico Tinelli, in hopes of negotiating a new agreement for his elven genealogy ledger in lieu of the clone of Tamrius Grimm.
* In Paxeter, Federico Tinelli allows the party to view the genealogy, after they explain to him their interest in the records, and agree to keep him in the loop regarding their pursuit of revitalizing rune magic.
* After gleaning some new information regarding the Wasanthi and Orion family names from Tinelli's genealogy ledger, the party returns the Saltcrest once again, then sets off towards Aerzen in pursuit of Orion's Crypt.
* The party sails across the Sapphrius Bay to Zinnowitz, then continues on into the wilderness of Aerzen after spending an evening relaxing in the city.
* In the wilderness of Aerzen, the party comes upon a mysterious temple ruin dedicated to the goddess Aedra, occupied by the spirits of an eladrin and a drow.

## April 19th

Using the activated Codex of Halimath Wasanthi, Grenfi Nackle and Odell begin reading the Halimath Wasanthi's journal. They find that the journal begins with a recounting of Wasanthi's early life, then goes into detail regarding his unsuccessful attempts to reproduce rune magic. Though Wasanthi's efforts were never successful due to the infrequency of Zeniths during his lifetime, Odell is nonetheless able to glean a great deal of useful information from the journal regarding the principles and theory of rune magic, and deduces that the journal could be useful in his attempts to create his own runes. Towards the end of the journal, Odell finds an entry that indicates that a single Tome of Rune Magic survived the fall of Ayn Sitael, and is located somewhere within the ruins of Volus.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party retires for the evening after the late night of adventuring.

## April 20th

**NOTE: Bolded text was retroactively roleplayed at the beginning of session 19.**

Prior to the completion of the Prime Zenith at sunrise, Grenfi Nackle expresses an interest in returning to Paxeter to talk with Federico Tinelli about his ledger of elven genealogies. Though the party is now in possession of the blood of Halimath Wasanthi's descendant, and not longer needs the genealogy to gain access to the codex, Grenfi says that she is still interested in seeing the genealogy and tracing the Wasanthi lineage, and hopes that she can reach some other arrangement with Tinelli in lieu of the clone of Tamrius Grimm. Odell agrees, and the party gathers with Grenfi to teleport back to Paxeter. Frog and Malkoth remain behind, less interested in visiting with Tinelli again.

Arriving in Paxeter, the party visits Federico Tinelli's tower. They explain to him that they were unable to retrieve the clone of Tamrius Grimm, but would like to discuss other possible arrangements to view the genealogy records. Tinelli agrees to allow the party inside to discuss further, but requires that XVIII remains outside, since they used magic against him during their last visit. **In addition, Gragnok once again refuses to remove his weapons, armor, etc., per Tinelli's rules, and is not allowed to enter the tower.** Before the rest of the party enters, XVIII tells Odell about the clone of Tamrius Grimm, admitting that he saw the clone amongst XV's possessions at Grimm Manor. When Odell presses him for why he gave the clone up, XVIII says that it was required by Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel.

Inside Tinelli's tower, Odell explains that they believe the clone to be in the possession of Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel, but they don't have a way to retrieve it. When asked if some other arrangement could be reached, Tinelli asks what they party's interest in the geneaology is. Odell shows Tinelli the journal of Halimath Wasanthi, and explains that he is pursuing information about rune magic. He tells him about Avara Wasanthi's invention of rune magic and the Wasanthi family line, hence their interest in the genealogy records. Incredulous, Tinelli asks about any association with the Orion family name, insinuating a possible connection to Gragnok, who previously introduced himself to Tinelli as "Gragnok Orion." Odell insists that the matter is unrelated.

Tinelli asks the party what associations they have with the elves and Shaeserin, and the party says that they do not have any particular relationship with the elves. After some deliberation, Tinelli agrees to allow the the party to view the genealogy records. In exchange, he asks that they return the clone of Tamrius Grimm to him if they ever do come into possession of it. He also expresses a mutual interest in revitalizing rune magic, and says that if they are to view the geneaology, they must share the results of their research on rune magic with him. He states that his only interest in rune magic is the possibility of using it against Shaeserin and the elves, expressing animosity toward them, and begrudging their long history of abuse towards orcs.

After the party agrees to these terms, Federico Tinelli brings them the ledger of elven genealogies. Using the records, the party traces the Wasanthi and Orion family lines. As suspected, they confirm that Valania Aloro is a descendant of Halimath Wasanthi, and that according to the official records, Avara Wasanthi had no children. Regarding the Orion family line, they discover that only one heir to the Orion name currently lives: Avourel Orion. They also search the ledger for records under the name Blackburn (Gragnok's father's last name), but find no such records. Finally, they search for records for Folenor Joris, the creator of Syntithenai. They discover a family of elves with the last name Joris, who resided in Hartwell, which aligns with their knowledge of Folenor.

When asked about how he came into possession of the ledger, Federico Tinelli somewhat evasively insinuates that he stole the book from census-takers. He explains the paramount significance of family birthright in the elvish religion and culture, and once again insinuates that Gragnok's existence as a half-elf Orion would present a problem for the elves.

Odell asks Federico Tinelli if he knows anything about the Morningstar. Tinelli is unfamiliar with the deity, but recognizes the bird of the same name. He explains that the bird holds symbolic significance to the elves of Shaeserin, as a symbol of their aspirations for their kingdom to rise to its former glory. Odell tells Tinelli about the party's encounter with the Inquisitors and their use of the morningstar as a holy symbol.

Before the party departs from Tinelli's tower, he gives Odell a *sending stone* and asks him to keep in touch regarding the progress of his research.

Afterwards, the party spends a short time in Paxeter shopping for magic items and running a few other errands.

**Meanwhile, Gragnok returns to Federico Tinelli's tower by himself, and requests a private audience with him. He agrees to remove his weapons and magic items, and Tinelli allows him to enter. Inside, Gragnok tells Tinelli that he has questions that he would like answered, which he didn't want to ask in front of the rest of the party. Tinelli begins by asking him about his name and his parents, referencing the Orion surname that he used when he introduced himself to Tinelli. Gragnok explains that, although he doesn't know anything about his elf mother, he is certain that he has Orion blood, due to the Lorekeeper Orb that identified him as a descendant of Alusfaen Orion. He says that he would be willing to provide the orb to Tinelli to prove his lineage, if needed. He also tells Tinelli that the party is headed to the Luxturrim Obelisk, and that he would be willing to bring Tinelli any items of interest from within the obelisk in exchange for his information and assistance.**

**Tinelli cautions Gragnok against using the Orion name, warning that his mere existence could prove troublesome for certain powerful and dangerous individuals. Specifically, Tinellie references Avourel Orion, the only known living descendant of the Orion bloodline, whose heritage and birthright could be compromised by Gragnok's existence. Tinelli warns that Avourel is a very dangerous individual, explaining that he sits on the High Council of Shaeserin, and has earned the moniker "Ghost Collector" as a ruthless killer. To illustrate the importance of bloodlines in elven culture, Tinelli shows Gragnok the genealogy records for the Orion and Wasanthi bloodlines. Tinelli expresses an interest in helping Gragnok to leverage his heritage to delegitimize the Orion name, to which Gragnok agrees.**

**Tinelli asks Gragnok what, specifically, he wants from him. Gragnok says that he wants information from Tinelli about a handful of academic topics, and would also like his assistance in a certain endeavor that he plans to undertake. Although he won't reveal the specifics of this endeavor, Gragnok insinuates that he wishes to reform the elves' culture of extreme religious devotion, and knock the religious leaders of Shaeserin down a peg. Tinelli says that he can't promise his aid until he knows exactly what he's promising, but expresses a mutual agreement with Gragnok's sentiment, and tentatively agrees to help him.**

**Gragnok** **asks Tinelli if he knows what is stored within the Luxturrim Obelisk, but he doesn't know specifically, only the same general knowledge that the party has. Gragnok also asks him what he knows about the Raven Queen, especially as pertains to her ascension from a mortal to a god, and the mechanics of how it took place. Tinelli confirms that the Raven Queen was once a mortal - an elf, specifically - who betrayed her people, amassed a large cult of followers, and slew the former god of death, Nerull, and became the new god of death. Tinelli doesn't know the specifics of how the ascension happened. Gragnok insinuates that the subject has something to do with his own interests, and Tinelli agrees to research the subject further.**

**Gragnok also asks Tinelli what he knows about Duke Vincent Mason of Hartwell, and tells him about the events that transpired with the necromancer that attacked Gragnok's troop. Tinelli doesn't know much about Duke Mason, and says the only prominent necromancers that he's aware of are Tamrius Grimm and Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel. He speculates, however, that Avourel Orion, "The Ghost Collector," could potentially be a necromancer.**

**With their business complete, Federico Tinelli says that he will keep in touch, and Gragnok departs to rejoin with the party.**

With their business in Paxeter complete, Grenfi Nackle teleports the party back to Saltcrest to regroup. Back in Saltcrest, Grenfi bids farewell to the party. She tells Odell that she needs to return to her Weavers Conclave business, and can't accompany him to Volus to search for the Tome of Rune Magic. At Odell's request, she agrees to let Odell hold on to the Codex of Halimath Wasanthi, provided that he swears in a *zone of truth* that he intends to return it to her once he finds the Tome, and also provided that he allows her to take a vial of his blood, so that she can locate him and recover the Codex and the journal should anything befall him. Odell agrees, and within a *zone of truth* created by Patches, he states that he intends to return to Grenfi Nackle after recovering the Tome of Rune Magic. Within the same *zone of truth*, when asked, Grenfi states that her intention for the Tome of Rune Magic is simply to learn more about rune magic, and also to foster a more cooperative relationship between the Weavers Conclave and the College of Mimrinoth.

Before Grenfi departs, Rye asks her if she can try sending a message to Natalie Shaw using a *sending* spell. Grenfi confirms that she knew Shaw, but explains that a *sending* spell won't work on a dead target. Rye says that he suspects that Shaw is not actually dead, but rather residing in the city of Sigil. Grenfi attempts the *sending* spell, but it is unsuccessful. She posits that while Shaw might not be alive, her soul might indeed reside in Sigil, and explains that during her lifetime, Shaw's adventuring party reached the city of Sigil using the River Styx. When asked about his interest in Shaw, Rye says he simply has an academic interest in her life.

After their conversation, Grenfi departs to retrieve the Inquisitor prisoner, telling Odell that she will remain in touch using *sending*.

Their business in Saltcrest complete, the party makes preparations to depart, and continue north toward Orion's Crypt and the Luxturrim Obelisk. before leaving the city, they purchase some magical cocktails from a luxury bathhouse, as well as a handful of magic items from the local adventuring guilds.

Searching for a ship to carry them across Sapphrius Bay to Aerzen, the party meets Alexander Bell, a merchant captain who agrees to ferry them across the bay to Zinnowitz, and the pay them for their protection along the way. After their deal is struck, the party boards Bell's ship and sets sail.

After an uneventful day of sailing, the party arrives in Zinnowitz. As they head into the city, Malkoth spots wanted posters posted near the docks, both for Gragnok and himself. The poster for Gragnok matches the one found in Saltcrest. The poster for himself indicates that he is wanted for murder, and offers a 500GP reward for returning him to either Duke Vincent Mason or Hartwell, or mayor Deena Sarlin of Hillenbrook. The posters both indicate that Malkoth and Gragnok were last seen in the desert of Chwaka, insinuating that their secret was not kept as agreed by the Hartwellian forces that they encountered at the Imlaq Colossus.

Rye uses a disguise kit to create disguises for Malkoth and Gragnok. Using his smuggling connections, Jack finds a safehouse operated by Pim Pim Goodflower, a local drug dealer. In order to keep a low profile, Jack, Gragnok, and Malkoth all stay at the safehouse.

The rest of the party stays at the White Giant, a high-end inn in the city's upper district. Odell pays for the party's stay in the inn's finest suites, expressing his gratitude for their aid in his pursuit of rune magic. Rye, Frog, and XVIII spend the evening playing music for the inn's patrons. Afterwards, Odell and XVIII spend some time discussing XVIII's undead nature, and the implications of living a supernaturally long life.

## April 21st

In the morning, before departing Zinnowitz, Rye and Buttonworth take a tour of Bell Textiles, an esteemed textile manufacturer operated by the family of Alexander Bell.

Patches transforms from a minotaur into a ratfolk, and then shortly after from a ratfolk into a githzerai.

The party sets out from Zinnowitz toward Hartwell, staying away from the roads and sticking to the outland. Their travel day is mostly uneventful.

Around sundown, the party spots an ancient tower near a wooded thicket, far from any signs of civilization. Odell notes that the architecture seems to indicate that the building is a temple or some other sort of holy site. Scouting the tower from above, Blakjak reports that there are a pair of ghostly elves atop the tower, one of them eldarin, and the other drow. She also spots the holy symbol of Aedra engraved on the tower.

After discussing their options, the party sends Blakjak to the elves with a letter requesting permission to rest at the tower for the night. The elves grant the party permission, sending the note back to the party with Blakjak. The party makes their way to the tower. En route, Blakjak reports that the elves disappear, seemingly phasing through the roof of the tower into the interior.

Reaching the tower, the party finds a pool of water on a platform at the tower's entrance. They notice that the water of the pool reflects the sky and the surroundings, but their own reflections are not present. Odell tasks his homunculus with beginning to cast *identify* on the pool, while the party proceeds into the tower to explore.

As the party enters the tower, they hear a shout in sylvan, and then the drow ghost emerges and attacks.