The Fallen
We fought the guardian of the third gate, a Yuan-Ti, it seemed. The thing used horrible and powerful death magic to strike down Crunch, Keniroh, and Bael'thas in a moment. The gnome vanished somewhwere, without a trace. Ragnarr, Azan, and I found ourselves the last left alive of the party! Dogwater lived too, and decided at last to fight. We charged the Yuan-Ti and with righteous fury dealt it such blows that it fled.
Ragnarr called upon Lord Pelor and destroyed the third gate. We traveled underneath the maze in ethereal form to escape as fast as possible, returning to the first gate, our gate of entrance and of escape. A mighty battle raged between the minions of the Aboleth and the Bebelith invaders. There Ragnarr told us to flee. Alas, he himself did not, and I think could not follow, for the price of his sealing the gates was to be trapped within, on the Aboleth's plane, with swift death a certainty.
Praise be to the fallen, but I think we shall be able to resurrect them. All that is, save Ragnarr, for assuredly his unhoused soul is trapped there, with the Aboleth and its foul friends and foes.
Ragnarr, may we have victory over the Aboleth, and power thereafter to return to this place, destroy the seer, and free your soul!
Ragnarr, you were a true and worthy servant of Lord Pelor, a very hand of the Lord himself!
With courage did you act, nobly and honorably.
I mourn your passing, but know that you did what was right, could have done no other. May you someday find your peace and join Lord Pelor in the radiant light beyond.
Ragnarr, my friend, farewell.
O' Lord Pelor, I praise thee!
O' Lord Pelor, I beg thee to guide and protect your loyal servant Ragnarr, who did what was right.
O' Lord Pelor, I shall do thy will!
*A*
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Ragnarr Letters: Psychic Surgeon
(Written in very shaky handwriting)
To: Anna
Dear Lassie,
I'm not really sure if I should be writing this, but I'm going to die, soon. By the time you get this, I'll probably *be* dead. So what the hell.
I think I love you, lass. Or, did love you, I guess, since I'll be dead when you read this. I'm not really sure which is right. I guess I might still love you, wherever I end up.
I know you never really knew me at all. It wasn't like I had much of a chance to take you out for a drink or whatever. But you must have known, being in my head and all, that it was... well, I liked you in my head, I guess. I can't really say why, it just... damn. I liked it. Perhaps a bit more that I should have.
Ah, hell. I've probably said too much about that. Should be writing this anyway.
Anyway, I just... I thought you should know, lass, that if I ever come back, somehow, I'd like to take you out for a drink, take you to my rooms, and let you dig around in my head while I'm in your...
I should stop writing this, shouldn't I?
-Ragnarr
Ragnarr Letters: Tavern Keeper in my Favorite Bar
(Written in somewhat shaky handwriting)
To: The Tavern Keeper of my Favorite Bar in Sigil
If you're getting this, it's because I've died before I could settle up my tab with you. The lad who carries this likely has some money that would have been mine, if I was alive, and he'll be happy to pay my tab for me. Perhaps, if you asked him with a lot of references to honor and my memory, he'd even be willing to pitch in for the purchase of a Ragnarr Memorial Bench, for the spot where I always used to sit.
Cheers,
Ragnarr
Ragnarr Letters: Jacob
Jacob,
If this gets to you, I hope it's without you and Arcadius getting into a fight. I don't think he ever really much liked you, but I trust he's an honorable enough bastard to find you and give this to you without trying to tear your head off.
You're a good lad. You've got a good bit of power, and no matter what anyone says about you, you always tried to do your best with it while I knew you. And don't think that just because I'm dead, I'm not going to expect you to do exactly that, lad: use your power for good.
Because you know it's right. And because I'm a ghost now, and I'll bloody find you while you sleep if you don't.
Do good things, lad,
Ragnarr.
Ragnarr Letters: Chris
Chris,
I'm sorry I won't get to say a proper goodbye to you. I hope you're doing well on the planes, and tell your mother that I kept you alive and well as long as I could. You're getting to be a damn fine wizard, and whatever you do, I hope you use that for good.
Good luck, lad,
Ragnarr.
Ragnarr Letters: Ramona
Ramona,
If this has been delivered, lassie, it's because I'm dead. I expect you'll be pleased about that.
If you expect to see one more cent of what you say I owe you, well, the old dwarven phrase "over my dead body" comes to mind. Not that you'll even find my body.
It was lovely while it lasted, but if there's one peace I find in death it's that I'm far, far away from you.
Ragnarr
Ragnarr Letters: Arcadius
Arcadius,
If you're reading this, then it's probably worked. The seer's cast off, his plane's gone to shit, and you're on your way.
I'll not be seeing you again. Not in this life and not in the next.
We are all of us Pelor's chosen, and he's never asked a man to do more than he can. For some, he asks for only a wee bit of help every now and then. For some, he asks for their sacrifice, perhaps their lives.
But you and I, lad, we're not ordinary people. Pelor isn't some distant bastard we serve. We *are* Pelor, his arms and his mouth. When he wants his will done in the world, *we do do his will*, not the other way around.
It took me too damn long to realize that. I spent a long time in the planes, far from Pelor, I thought.
He was there. Because *I* was there, and where I go, Pelor goes with me.
His will is mine. And for giving him that, he lets me do a damn large bit of good in the world.
There's a trade off. For lads like us, for me and for you, he may ask us to give up even our souls, to walk so much in his light that we'd be willing to never look at it again.
If you're reading this, Pelor's asked that of me. And I'll go, with a smile on my face and peace in my damn head for once. Because I know, clearer than I've ever known, that I'm doing the will of Pelor.
Now I know that you'll be needing to move quickly against the Aboleth, now. But if you could spare a moment and have the wizard teleport you to at least deliver the one to my ex-wife (Ramona. Her name is Ramona), it would be very nice of you. The other letters to lads who aren't here can probably wait until things are done, if they need to.
This is your fight now, lad. Good luck.
Ragnarr
Journal of Arcadius
The Day Without End
Here we are, waiting to see what is on the other side of a magically sealed door. Bael'thas, may he not now prove to be a traitor, is investigating, but has not returned.
May Lord Pelor give us strength! This day never ends, and we are running low on spells and our powers.
It would seem that repeatedly turning into a horrific mechanical spider is dangerous, as Keniroh's body in that form was nearly taken over by the real thing. Thankfully, he won his struggle with it. His fate, as a spirit bereft of its body on this plane, but not truly dead, might not have been pleasant.
We also encountered a truly mighty dragon, one of prismatic form which I have not seen before. It proved to be the mentor of none other than the female mage we've been fighting, and bargained for her life in return for passage. We have sworn not to intentionally kill her, though we will defend ourselves. Keniroh most likely has mordant thoughts on this matter, and one cannot blame him.
Ah... Bael'thas!
*A*
Here we are, waiting to see what is on the other side of a magically sealed door. Bael'thas, may he not now prove to be a traitor, is investigating, but has not returned.
May Lord Pelor give us strength! This day never ends, and we are running low on spells and our powers.
It would seem that repeatedly turning into a horrific mechanical spider is dangerous, as Keniroh's body in that form was nearly taken over by the real thing. Thankfully, he won his struggle with it. His fate, as a spirit bereft of its body on this plane, but not truly dead, might not have been pleasant.
We also encountered a truly mighty dragon, one of prismatic form which I have not seen before. It proved to be the mentor of none other than the female mage we've been fighting, and bargained for her life in return for passage. We have sworn not to intentionally kill her, though we will defend ourselves. Keniroh most likely has mordant thoughts on this matter, and one cannot blame him.
Ah... Bael'thas!
*A*
Journal of Crunch, Day 303c
-day303-C:
We have encountered a defense system that locked Keniroh into the form of an adorable spider, and which attempted to override his mind. The defense system was successfully thwarted, and Keniroh is in his normal form and mental state. We have also found the prismatic draconic mentor to the remaining enemy caster, who wishes to see her survive our operations on the Plane of the Seer Aboleth. We have agreed to this, on the understanding that we may harm her fatally while defending ourselves. It is just as well, the enemy caster is not a main objective.
Currently we are awaiting a report from Bael'thas, who is investigating the other side of a crystal doorway. Dogwater has informed us via Ragnarr that the next junction is here. It is to be noted that many of my compatriots appear to be tired from the day's activities, and this is understandable. This is the longest time we have spent in the Plane of the Seer Aboleth, and with luck there will be a period of rest soon.
We have encountered a defense system that locked Keniroh into the form of an adorable spider, and which attempted to override his mind. The defense system was successfully thwarted, and Keniroh is in his normal form and mental state. We have also found the prismatic draconic mentor to the remaining enemy caster, who wishes to see her survive our operations on the Plane of the Seer Aboleth. We have agreed to this, on the understanding that we may harm her fatally while defending ourselves. It is just as well, the enemy caster is not a main objective.
Currently we are awaiting a report from Bael'thas, who is investigating the other side of a crystal doorway. Dogwater has informed us via Ragnarr that the next junction is here. It is to be noted that many of my compatriots appear to be tired from the day's activities, and this is understandable. This is the longest time we have spent in the Plane of the Seer Aboleth, and with luck there will be a period of rest soon.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Let the chaos begin
Well that was an interesting few minutes. First off Ken's spells were stripped from him. Shortly after that we had to face a duplicate of him were his conscience was removed from his body and put into the creatures. We did not realize this at first and almost got him killed by destroying the duplicate. Thankfully he has a strong will and was able to retake his body. While all this was happening we ran through crystal hallway and my main black almost faltered. Anyways we are approaching the next portal and I am guessing we will having something waiting for us when we get there. Pelor give me strength. This has been a long day.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Journal of Arcadius
The Lesser Evil
We traveled through further dangers, and eventually came upon a powerful magical item - a lich's phylactery in the form of a severed head. It was readily apparent what lich this likely belonged to. We were in the process of finding some way to destroy this item, when a servitor of the Aboleth came forth to try to retrieve it. We slew this servitor, only to find the head magically sinking into the earth. Azan and I assumed ethereal form and pursued!
At the bottom was a secret chamber of the Aboleth, with sarcophagi of unknown purpose, and multiple mirror gates.
There was also the lich, taking its phylactery in hand.
I made a swift decision, and may Lord Pelor punish me if it was the wrong one! I presumed that the lich regaining its phylactery meant that it might no longer be in thrall to the Aboleth. I told it that if it left this plane, we would not interfere. It agreed and promptly set forth to exit the plane.
This frees us of a powerful foe on this plane, and brings us closer to defeating the Aboleth! However, I have now allowed a powerful undead to return to our plane unharmed. I made it no further promises, however. I swear to you Lord Pelor, that once the Aboleth are defeated, I will set forth to find and destroy this thing!
We also took the time to destroy the magic portals - may this discomfit the Aboleth as much as possible!
Upon our return, I explained this decision to Ragnarr, and he was the very opposite of pleased. I understand, alas!
*A*
We traveled through further dangers, and eventually came upon a powerful magical item - a lich's phylactery in the form of a severed head. It was readily apparent what lich this likely belonged to. We were in the process of finding some way to destroy this item, when a servitor of the Aboleth came forth to try to retrieve it. We slew this servitor, only to find the head magically sinking into the earth. Azan and I assumed ethereal form and pursued!
At the bottom was a secret chamber of the Aboleth, with sarcophagi of unknown purpose, and multiple mirror gates.
There was also the lich, taking its phylactery in hand.
I made a swift decision, and may Lord Pelor punish me if it was the wrong one! I presumed that the lich regaining its phylactery meant that it might no longer be in thrall to the Aboleth. I told it that if it left this plane, we would not interfere. It agreed and promptly set forth to exit the plane.
This frees us of a powerful foe on this plane, and brings us closer to defeating the Aboleth! However, I have now allowed a powerful undead to return to our plane unharmed. I made it no further promises, however. I swear to you Lord Pelor, that once the Aboleth are defeated, I will set forth to find and destroy this thing!
We also took the time to destroy the magic portals - may this discomfit the Aboleth as much as possible!
Upon our return, I explained this decision to Ragnarr, and he was the very opposite of pleased. I understand, alas!
*A*
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Journal of Crunch, Day 303b
-day303-B:
Due to our lack of sufficient combat magic, Ragnarr has called upon the emotions of Pelor for the ability to destroy the junctions. According to Dogwater, this leaves 2-4 junctions left to be destroyed.
We have encountered a head. After a battle with the invisible keeper of the head, the head was phased through the floor where Arkadesh, Azan, and Bael'thas pursued it. After their return, they reported that they willingly gave the head back to the enemy lich, who is currently seeking a retreat from the plane. There was much shouting and anger amongst the followers of Pelor. We were also hit by a strange dust, which has affixed itself to Keniroh in particular and caused him much aggravation. Albi has attempted a ritual to purge this from Keniroh, but it appears to have been a joke. Ragnarr has vowed to repair him tomorrow.
Keniroh has shown the ability to transform into a number of constructs in order to perform a number of tasks. I don't know if this is meant to taunt me, or if he is merely expressing a desire to be less organic. Keniroh is a very strange person. Bael'thas has expressed indirect but public agitation at mymodel li kind. I must be sure to educate him on the varieties of personal existence later.
Due to our lack of sufficient combat magic, Ragnarr has called upon the emotions of Pelor for the ability to destroy the junctions. According to Dogwater, this leaves 2-4 junctions left to be destroyed.
We have encountered a head. After a battle with the invisible keeper of the head, the head was phased through the floor where Arkadesh, Azan, and Bael'thas pursued it. After their return, they reported that they willingly gave the head back to the enemy lich, who is currently seeking a retreat from the plane. There was much shouting and anger amongst the followers of Pelor. We were also hit by a strange dust, which has affixed itself to Keniroh in particular and caused him much aggravation. Albi has attempted a ritual to purge this from Keniroh, but it appears to have been a joke. Ragnarr has vowed to repair him tomorrow.
Keniroh has shown the ability to transform into a number of constructs in order to perform a number of tasks. I don't know if this is meant to taunt me, or if he is merely expressing a desire to be less organic. Keniroh is a very strange person. Bael'thas has expressed indirect but public agitation at my
Bael'thas: early backstory
I come from a small remote village in Corinthalas. None would normally live in such a place except for the valuable Darkwood that grows in the area. Our nearest neighbor is more than a week's travel distant through rough lands, and even then it is only a small waypost on a trade road. It is a week from there to any settlement of significance.
Shortly after my coming of age, the village invaded by Neogi, who saw the village as easy pickings. I fight in the militia against them, but we eventually lose. They occupy the village and enslave the survivors to harvest the darkwood for them, stripping the land without regard for preserving it. I manage to escape and take to the forest doing what I can to sabotage their efforts and free any slaves, since it is too far to go for help.
My efforts are too little, and as winter comes, more and more slaves are dying. The wood, also, is running out, generations of care by my family ripped from the earth in a few months. Eventually, the Neogi decide there is nothing left for them here, and leave with their spoils.
I awake in the forest that day and see the Neogi's airship leaving, to the east. The airship has been tethered in the village since we lost the battle, so at seeing it leaving, I rush to the village, only to discover the whole settlement in flames, with no evidence of any of the remaining villagers. Either they were killed, chained in a building perhaps, or taken away to be sold as slaves elsewhere.
At this point, my spirit breaks, I lose faith in just about everything. And I leave, taking off into the woods, without caring where I go.
Shortly after my coming of age, the village invaded by Neogi, who saw the village as easy pickings. I fight in the militia against them, but we eventually lose. They occupy the village and enslave the survivors to harvest the darkwood for them, stripping the land without regard for preserving it. I manage to escape and take to the forest doing what I can to sabotage their efforts and free any slaves, since it is too far to go for help.
My efforts are too little, and as winter comes, more and more slaves are dying. The wood, also, is running out, generations of care by my family ripped from the earth in a few months. Eventually, the Neogi decide there is nothing left for them here, and leave with their spoils.
I awake in the forest that day and see the Neogi's airship leaving, to the east. The airship has been tethered in the village since we lost the battle, so at seeing it leaving, I rush to the village, only to discover the whole settlement in flames, with no evidence of any of the remaining villagers. Either they were killed, chained in a building perhaps, or taken away to be sold as slaves elsewhere.
At this point, my spirit breaks, I lose faith in just about everything. And I leave, taking off into the woods, without caring where I go.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Some time to think.
Even though i have felt like my combat has been more of a comedy routine I can feel myself getting stronger. I feel like things that were out of my grasp are getting easier. The only odd thing is I feel like bond with Paleor has not. Perhaps it is due to this plane. We already know that we have issues feeling the presence of our gods here. We know this due to Ragnars casting. Ever since we arrived on this plane he has had to use a bubble to be able to cast his spells. Maybe this is why my fighting has become sloppy, because my connection with Paleor is weakened. This must be what it is like to not be in a gods favor.
In the mean time i should not dwell on it. If i start questioning my skills it will only put my friend and me in danger. This is the last thing I want to do. We have come so far and gone through so much, that it would not be right if i questioned myself and got us killed. I need to be sharp for we are in our most dangerous position to date and any weakness we show could leave to our down fall.
In the mean time i should not dwell on it. If i start questioning my skills it will only put my friend and me in danger. This is the last thing I want to do. We have come so far and gone through so much, that it would not be right if i questioned myself and got us killed. I need to be sharp for we are in our most dangerous position to date and any weakness we show could leave to our down fall.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Things are looking better
Well the last few hours have been favorable for us. We able to neutralize two wizard. The first wizard was a wizard of the seven Vails, who had history with Ken. After some encounters it was apparent she knew him and after thinking about it Ken remembered who she was. So we decided another route was needed to stop her. We decided that Aracadius would be a better option for trying to kill her. So we gave him some protection items and spells and he was able to beat here down to the point that we should not see her any more today. We were able to track her down by employing dog water to track her. That was the best gold I have spent. We were also able to find and free Crunch.
The second wizard was the necromancer. He came across him for the second time today when we were trying to destroy his falactory. It became quickly apparent that he was working for the abalith not by choice. So Arcadius gave him the chance to leave. I can understand why he gave him the chance, it is one less person we have to deal with. Our list of unfinished business is getting large. We need to be careful allowing to much to get away from us, but for now it is what it is. Well off to the next portal.
The second wizard was the necromancer. He came across him for the second time today when we were trying to destroy his falactory. It became quickly apparent that he was working for the abalith not by choice. So Arcadius gave him the chance to leave. I can understand why he gave him the chance, it is one less person we have to deal with. Our list of unfinished business is getting large. We need to be careful allowing to much to get away from us, but for now it is what it is. Well off to the next portal.
Arcadius and the Shadow Dragon
PART VII - VICTORY AND A JOURNEY
I was wounded where the breastplate of my armor met the backplate, a deep puncture as from a stiletto or arrow. I spun around and there stood the Drow servitor woman with a weapon instead shaped much like a stinger or gigantic thorn, covered in some foul-smelling ooze. I felt momentarily ill, but then the radiant power of Lord Pelor coursed through my body, and whatever it had done was swept away. She, the Drow looked startled, and disappeared again. However I charged the place she seemed to be in motion toward, and by good fortune was able to strike a blow. She was no warrior, and dropped immediately.
Then I turned around and saw the Drow guard attending to his Lady, or as it turned out, rather reaching for the amulet at her chest, which looked to be the same as that of the Lord. I charged him, and throwing my body weight into it, forced him out of that spot before could complete the necessary activation. He leapt up and nicked me with his sword, but I then struck him down. Now however, I heard motion, and turned around to see the Drow lord. By some magic on his person, he had been revived. He was casting, and struck me full-on with a lightning bolt. I reeled, but advanced to face him. He felt for his amulet, but finding it gone, raised his sword instead, a grim look in his eyes.
We dueled, and he was a skilled swordsman, but he was gravely wounded and I only moderately so. It was a foregone conclusion, and in the end I slew him, this time freeing him of his head to be sure he didn't rise again. Only then did I remember whatever had been forming in that place of power, but looking over saw it instead fading, as if indeed something had not been completed.
I then made sure the others were truly dead, then cleaned them and the area of all the weapons, implements and gear they had possessed. The Drow had traveled lightly, and all that they had could be fit into a single large chest that they had stowed to one side. The altar seemed to have been something raised or carved of the stone of the place itself. Looking around I saw that the columns of this part of the cave, and no other, were faintly carved in ancient, water-weathered glyphs and images, gruesome-looking, though not I think the work of Drow. I took note of what they looked like, then held tight to the chest and activated MY amulet.
The now-familiar magic activated, and I returned to the area of the Drow city. I went straight to see lady Alis, who was most pleased to hear my report, and to receive the items I had taken from her foes. I asked for the lady Viriya, and wonder if any emotion showed through in my voice. The lady Alis however merely answered mildly that she had been sent on a mission. O' fate! She bid me rest for a day, and recover. During that day, the stinger-like weapon was examined, and it was discovered to bear some sort of horrible, invariably deadly, and fast-acting disease, rather than a mere common poison. I humbly thank all the gods and Pelor most of all that I am a Paladin! After that day had passed, the lady Alis sent me with folk of her house to yet another departure point, and from there I was transported without delay to the Northlands.
It was joy itself to see the sun again.
I was wounded where the breastplate of my armor met the backplate, a deep puncture as from a stiletto or arrow. I spun around and there stood the Drow servitor woman with a weapon instead shaped much like a stinger or gigantic thorn, covered in some foul-smelling ooze. I felt momentarily ill, but then the radiant power of Lord Pelor coursed through my body, and whatever it had done was swept away. She, the Drow looked startled, and disappeared again. However I charged the place she seemed to be in motion toward, and by good fortune was able to strike a blow. She was no warrior, and dropped immediately.
Then I turned around and saw the Drow guard attending to his Lady, or as it turned out, rather reaching for the amulet at her chest, which looked to be the same as that of the Lord. I charged him, and throwing my body weight into it, forced him out of that spot before could complete the necessary activation. He leapt up and nicked me with his sword, but I then struck him down. Now however, I heard motion, and turned around to see the Drow lord. By some magic on his person, he had been revived. He was casting, and struck me full-on with a lightning bolt. I reeled, but advanced to face him. He felt for his amulet, but finding it gone, raised his sword instead, a grim look in his eyes.
We dueled, and he was a skilled swordsman, but he was gravely wounded and I only moderately so. It was a foregone conclusion, and in the end I slew him, this time freeing him of his head to be sure he didn't rise again. Only then did I remember whatever had been forming in that place of power, but looking over saw it instead fading, as if indeed something had not been completed.
I then made sure the others were truly dead, then cleaned them and the area of all the weapons, implements and gear they had possessed. The Drow had traveled lightly, and all that they had could be fit into a single large chest that they had stowed to one side. The altar seemed to have been something raised or carved of the stone of the place itself. Looking around I saw that the columns of this part of the cave, and no other, were faintly carved in ancient, water-weathered glyphs and images, gruesome-looking, though not I think the work of Drow. I took note of what they looked like, then held tight to the chest and activated MY amulet.
The now-familiar magic activated, and I returned to the area of the Drow city. I went straight to see lady Alis, who was most pleased to hear my report, and to receive the items I had taken from her foes. I asked for the lady Viriya, and wonder if any emotion showed through in my voice. The lady Alis however merely answered mildly that she had been sent on a mission. O' fate! She bid me rest for a day, and recover. During that day, the stinger-like weapon was examined, and it was discovered to bear some sort of horrible, invariably deadly, and fast-acting disease, rather than a mere common poison. I humbly thank all the gods and Pelor most of all that I am a Paladin! After that day had passed, the lady Alis sent me with folk of her house to yet another departure point, and from there I was transported without delay to the Northlands.
It was joy itself to see the sun again.
Journal of Arcadius
Choices
Having passed the Mirror of Opposition and attained the lower level, we soon found that the gate was not particularly nearby. Thanks to Dogwater's extraordinary powers of location, we found it soon enough. Once there, we realized we did not have the magic requisite to destroy it.
Ragnarr, Pelor protect him, told us he would call upon the power of our Lord directly to try to destroy this gate, and if possible, all of them. This, we knew, would be a dangerous course of action - one that could potentially leave him stranded on the Aboleth's plane.
However Ragnarr is a brave and true servant of Lord Pelor. He bid us go through the portal back to our plane. This we did. We waited for a time, then were called back by Ragnarr. To destroy all the gates would exact a price that Lord Pelor, merciful, would not inflict on his servant. However, the one gate was acceptable. This Ragnarr prayed for, and the miracle was granted. We watched as the gate was destroyed.
From there, we decided to have Dogwater guide us to the place where Crunch was imprisoned.
We faced and fought, yet again, the Wizard. She hid herself behind various magic barriers, which we overcame one by one. At last, she hid herself behind prismatic barriers while turning etherial. Keniroh, whose colorful robes protected him from such things, was eager to follow, but he had been repeatedly bested by this Wizard, and after quick discussion we agreed that I should don the robes and pursue her instead.
I did so, passed the barrier, and then into a prismatic sphere, through the earth, and finally back again, all the while she kept turning from material to etherial and back again. I called upon the power of Lord Pelor to smite her, and dealt blows such that I think she would have perished save for some protective magics upon her.
In the end, she escaped, though we thereby had achieved our goal of liberating Crunch. We also found Ix, who hissed furiously at us, along with a Gnome who claims to have come to the plane accidentally via playing with magic she didn't truly understand. From anyone but a Gnome, I would find this improbable.
Now, on to the next gate, and the dangers with it!
Having passed the Mirror of Opposition and attained the lower level, we soon found that the gate was not particularly nearby. Thanks to Dogwater's extraordinary powers of location, we found it soon enough. Once there, we realized we did not have the magic requisite to destroy it.
Ragnarr, Pelor protect him, told us he would call upon the power of our Lord directly to try to destroy this gate, and if possible, all of them. This, we knew, would be a dangerous course of action - one that could potentially leave him stranded on the Aboleth's plane.
However Ragnarr is a brave and true servant of Lord Pelor. He bid us go through the portal back to our plane. This we did. We waited for a time, then were called back by Ragnarr. To destroy all the gates would exact a price that Lord Pelor, merciful, would not inflict on his servant. However, the one gate was acceptable. This Ragnarr prayed for, and the miracle was granted. We watched as the gate was destroyed.
From there, we decided to have Dogwater guide us to the place where Crunch was imprisoned.
We faced and fought, yet again, the Wizard. She hid herself behind various magic barriers, which we overcame one by one. At last, she hid herself behind prismatic barriers while turning etherial. Keniroh, whose colorful robes protected him from such things, was eager to follow, but he had been repeatedly bested by this Wizard, and after quick discussion we agreed that I should don the robes and pursue her instead.
I did so, passed the barrier, and then into a prismatic sphere, through the earth, and finally back again, all the while she kept turning from material to etherial and back again. I called upon the power of Lord Pelor to smite her, and dealt blows such that I think she would have perished save for some protective magics upon her.
In the end, she escaped, though we thereby had achieved our goal of liberating Crunch. We also found Ix, who hissed furiously at us, along with a Gnome who claims to have come to the plane accidentally via playing with magic she didn't truly understand. From anyone but a Gnome, I would find this improbable.
Now, on to the next gate, and the dangers with it!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Bael'thas
I don't much care for wizards. I mean, they can be useful and even irreplaceable in the right circumstances, sure. But more often than not they're arrogant, cocky, and stuck up. Most of the time, this trait can be their downfall, but sometimes you get one that's also level-headed enough to cause real problems. I suppose those are the ones that end up living long enough to get really powerful, and then we get the kind of things we're seeing in service to the aboleth.
We've seen an uncanny sense of self-preservation in the two mages we've fought today. The lich waited until I was seconds from being able to fill him with arrows before disappearing through the wall, and this human wizard has escaped us at least three times now. Most recently though, I think we did manage to catch her off guard by sending a fabulous looking Arcadius after her, instead of Keniroh, as she was likely expecting. Still, she managed to slip away somehow at the last second. And after all this, we don't even have what's needed to sever this particular planar connection that she was guarding.
Which brings me to Keniroh. They tell me he cast a spell on the other dwarf that basically got the guy killed. And after however many days, he suddenly reveals an ability to change himself into all sorts of horrid creatures. I mean, the guy just suddenly turns into a beholder, and everyone's okay with this? He's lucky I didn't put out his eye when he pulled that stunt.
Oh, Ehlonna, this is truly looking like it's going to be the test you promised.
(edit: third paragraph expanded)
We've seen an uncanny sense of self-preservation in the two mages we've fought today. The lich waited until I was seconds from being able to fill him with arrows before disappearing through the wall, and this human wizard has escaped us at least three times now. Most recently though, I think we did manage to catch her off guard by sending a fabulous looking Arcadius after her, instead of Keniroh, as she was likely expecting. Still, she managed to slip away somehow at the last second. And after all this, we don't even have what's needed to sever this particular planar connection that she was guarding.
Which brings me to Keniroh. They tell me he cast a spell on the other dwarf that basically got the guy killed. And after however many days, he suddenly reveals an ability to change himself into all sorts of horrid creatures. I mean, the guy just suddenly turns into a beholder, and everyone's okay with this? He's lucky I didn't put out his eye when he pulled that stunt.
Oh, Ehlonna, this is truly looking like it's going to be the test you promised.
(edit: third paragraph expanded)
Hrefna's Calling: Stonekeep
We have fought a bitter battle to regain Stonekeep. The cost was high, but the enemy has been repelled from her shores.
I had been working here for some months trying to develop enough resistance to turn the tide and undermine the servants of the Evil Ones with some success. My position has generally been fragile, but I eventually managed to garner enough support in the right quarters that if they could be distracted we would have a chance.
But it would require a distraction.
I have sat on this for quite some time, hoping that perhaps when the Pelor-driven Paladin party went after the Egoist an opportunity would present itself. They ran off to what I can only assume will be their deaths on the Seer's plane, and instead we received help from a singular unexpected--and I am sure unintended--source.
A young aquatic elven woman came in through our gates dressed in what I can only describe as the scantiest uniform I have ever seen, comprised entirely out of skin-fitting black leather, and carrying a rod-like flogger over her shoulder. She was, suffice it to say, somewhat underdressed for the cold weather up here, but she had a variety of protective spells up and seemed to be carrying a turtle on her shoulder. Keep guards came out to meet her, and while I do not know the details of the conversation, she seemed to say something about how they weren't very nice "fishies" and proceeded to cast a spell on the guards who went from hostile to calling her "mistress" and falling over themselves as they escorted her into the main building of the Keep.
I can only hope that she is an enemy of the Evil Ones and thus transiently not actively fighting us. After what they have done to her people I would not be surprised, but at the same time, I am fairly certain that she is not on our side either. I also sensed a deeper power that she was tapped into, something that she was channeling with every step, that in truth scares me as much as the Evil Ones do if she has a chance to become established. I recognized her immediately as a former companion of the Pelor-driven Paladins, but some change has seemed to overcome her since then, and I am not sure I want to know what she has become.
Regardless, I cannot say for certain what her purpose here is. I could see that it was an opportunity we should not miss, and mobilized everyone so that they were ready to go. Several hours later she left and we went in immediately, fighting a pitched battle with the soldiers for control of the keep. They seemed disorganized, as if they had lost the communication capabilities that had made them so effective earlier, but they were still highly dangerous and many people were lost.
When we finally made it into the officer quarters, we could not find any trace of the officers or the leaders of stone keep, just a few scared squirrels.
I am not sure what she did to the officers, but whatever it was, Stone Keep is now ours and I have been working with the local wizards to establish additional magical protections to keep it from happening again. I have found a way to counter the Evil One's psionics using magic, and while those aren't foolproof they should give us some additional protection should they ever come again. So I am happy to say that, for the moment, we are safe.
At least until this "Nigori" decides to come back.....
I had been working here for some months trying to develop enough resistance to turn the tide and undermine the servants of the Evil Ones with some success. My position has generally been fragile, but I eventually managed to garner enough support in the right quarters that if they could be distracted we would have a chance.
But it would require a distraction.
I have sat on this for quite some time, hoping that perhaps when the Pelor-driven Paladin party went after the Egoist an opportunity would present itself. They ran off to what I can only assume will be their deaths on the Seer's plane, and instead we received help from a singular unexpected--and I am sure unintended--source.
A young aquatic elven woman came in through our gates dressed in what I can only describe as the scantiest uniform I have ever seen, comprised entirely out of skin-fitting black leather, and carrying a rod-like flogger over her shoulder. She was, suffice it to say, somewhat underdressed for the cold weather up here, but she had a variety of protective spells up and seemed to be carrying a turtle on her shoulder. Keep guards came out to meet her, and while I do not know the details of the conversation, she seemed to say something about how they weren't very nice "fishies" and proceeded to cast a spell on the guards who went from hostile to calling her "mistress" and falling over themselves as they escorted her into the main building of the Keep.
I can only hope that she is an enemy of the Evil Ones and thus transiently not actively fighting us. After what they have done to her people I would not be surprised, but at the same time, I am fairly certain that she is not on our side either. I also sensed a deeper power that she was tapped into, something that she was channeling with every step, that in truth scares me as much as the Evil Ones do if she has a chance to become established. I recognized her immediately as a former companion of the Pelor-driven Paladins, but some change has seemed to overcome her since then, and I am not sure I want to know what she has become.
Regardless, I cannot say for certain what her purpose here is. I could see that it was an opportunity we should not miss, and mobilized everyone so that they were ready to go. Several hours later she left and we went in immediately, fighting a pitched battle with the soldiers for control of the keep. They seemed disorganized, as if they had lost the communication capabilities that had made them so effective earlier, but they were still highly dangerous and many people were lost.
When we finally made it into the officer quarters, we could not find any trace of the officers or the leaders of stone keep, just a few scared squirrels.
I am not sure what she did to the officers, but whatever it was, Stone Keep is now ours and I have been working with the local wizards to establish additional magical protections to keep it from happening again. I have found a way to counter the Evil One's psionics using magic, and while those aren't foolproof they should give us some additional protection should they ever come again. So I am happy to say that, for the moment, we are safe.
At least until this "Nigori" decides to come back.....
Journal of Crunch, Day 303a
-day303-A:
The day has not gone well so far, however, it is going far better than previous attempts. We have encountered two enemy casters, one of which expressed a disturbing desire to dismantle me. We have also encountered a security implement that requires the accessor to battle a moralistically-opposed doppleganger. Unfortunately, I was unable to defeat myself and so was captured by enemy forces. Fortunately, there was a civilian gnome who came across a means of accessing the Plane of the Seer Aboleth via the laboratory of my imprisonment, who managed to lead the others to my holding cage. Her name is Albi, and she does not seem to be a tinker.
Keniroh has taken to wearing female-specific attire to bypass a number of the facility's defenses. Arkadesh has recently borrowed the attire for use in battle against the sorceress who imprisoned me. It would likely be very attractive were it not for the layer of grime and grease. Keniroh has also proven capable of turning into a variety of strange and disturbing creatures, which grant him special powers. Ix, the so-called "dragon", is agitated as Ragnarr threw him into the previously-mentioned security implement without his permission. The application of fish has calmed him down. Dogwater's contract has been extended to include the pursuit of the sorceress. He has not made an act against my appendages.
I realize now that there is a matter of great concern. Rusty is not magically guarded against mental intrusion, and while I am uncertain if its mind can be accessed maliciously, inquiries with those who might know are easily done. Rusty does not enjoy the prospect of being made public so suddenly, but I believe it is to be done for a very good reason.
The day has not gone well so far, however, it is going far better than previous attempts. We have encountered two enemy casters, one of which expressed a disturbing desire to dismantle me. We have also encountered a security implement that requires the accessor to battle a moralistically-opposed doppleganger. Unfortunately, I was unable to defeat myself and so was captured by enemy forces. Fortunately, there was a civilian gnome who came across a means of accessing the Plane of the Seer Aboleth via the laboratory of my imprisonment, who managed to lead the others to my holding cage. Her name is Albi, and she does not seem to be a tinker.
Keniroh has taken to wearing female-specific attire to bypass a number of the facility's defenses. Arkadesh has recently borrowed the attire for use in battle against the sorceress who imprisoned me. It would likely be very attractive were it not for the layer of grime and grease. Keniroh has also proven capable of turning into a variety of strange and disturbing creatures, which grant him special powers. Ix, the so-called "dragon", is agitated as Ragnarr threw him into the previously-mentioned security implement without his permission. The application of fish has calmed him down. Dogwater's contract has been extended to include the pursuit of the sorceress. He has not made an act against my appendages.
I realize now that there is a matter of great concern. Rusty is not magically guarded against mental intrusion, and while I am uncertain if its mind can be accessed maliciously, inquiries with those who might know are easily done. Rusty does not enjoy the prospect of being made public so suddenly, but I believe it is to be done for a very good reason.
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