The Crown of Balance – Session Information – Sessions 15 – 23
Posted by Steve | Filed under D&D
Session 15
The group had to escape from the crumbling ceiling of the underground temple where Lloth was killed. In her death throes, Lloth flipped to her back and impaled Maryn with one of her talons. It leaked some black energy in to her, causing her to be unable to heal and cast spells. Donvar Lothien beheaded Ubrine D’garne. Kaiya took the talon that had impaled Maryn.
They carefully escaped back up through the floors, dodging falling debris and jumping or climbing past obstacles. Once they made it up to the surface, they could see the true damage the broken tavern had taken. It was slowly sinking into the ground. The party helped out some other people and guards in distress. Donovar told the group they should return to the jewelry shop and let the city begin its cleanup.
At the Beholder’s Eye, Matron Dumar asked what happened. Donovar said he would return to the Underdark and try to make his people aware of what had occurred with Lloth’s death. Through comments made between them, Opal was able to determine that Dumar was herself a Drow in disguise, and Dovar was her brother. Before leaving, he paid Dumar , and she then paid the group 750 gold for their help. The party asked Dumar if she knew of any help for Maryn, who had the dark energy imbedded in her wound. She told the group of someone who could help them in the Lost Mountains, and gave them a note to give to the resident there – Jaleth the Binder. He owed her a favor.
Opal contacts Radiance and asks for transport to the Lost Peaks. He tells her is will be there, and to meet him outside the city walls. He takes them to the foot of the peaks. They head up halfway, and take a long rest along the side of the mountain. Later, they travel up and reach a cabin close to the summit. Chance senses something in the forest, and tries to find the noise. Eventually, a young tiefling named Payne drops in behind Chance. He tells him that Jaleth is his uncle, and takes him into the shack.
They are introduced to Jaleth, who takes the note and gives the group some info. Long ago, he was part of a group who worked on a theory to create a way to put down a god in case he/she became mad. A group calling themselves the “Trinity of Faith” would be the chosen who would use these “godkillers” in case they were needed. The group ask him if he can help Maryn, who still has some of the strange energy from Lloth’s talon coursing through her wound. He tells them he may be able to help, but will need time. Kaiya hands him the talon in case it will help, and tells him they need to head out to check on her brother. Jaleth tells them to leave Maryn with him so she can rest and work on curing her ailment. Payne requests to come with them since he’s bored and interested in traveling some place new. Jaleth agrees.
Kaiya then uses her ring to teleport her and the group to the tower circle in Arcadia. They head down the tower, and exit into the grounds of her school, the Valarian Academy of the Sorcerous Arts. Now in her home world, Kaiya takes the group to the Academy’s library to check in on her brother. She finds out that Isaac has quit his job at the library. She then takes the group to the office of her mentor, Magister Nasir Carnala. Nasir is happy to see Kaiya, and tells her that he hasn’t seen Isaac in a few days. After pleasantries, Kaiya asks Nasir if he’s heard of the Trinity of Faith. He does not, but will ask around for information. Nasir tells Kaiya that she should let her parents know she’s back and return tomorrow for more info. The group head out of his office and to Kaiya’s parent’s residence.
********************************
Session 16
The group went to Kaiya’s home to meet her parents and stay the night. Payne cast Disguise Self and Cory wore his mask, thinking to make themselves less conspicuous, but natives of Arcadia can see through illusions. Kaiya’s family is allied with House Angelis, formerly in control of the military. Kaiya asked her parents if they had any information regarding her brother, Isaac, and about what Glory had done to Kaiya. Her mother told her the last she saw him was earlier in the week when he came to gather the rest of his clothes. Her father will not provide specific answers to questions the group poses about the military, but did tell Kaiya that he would ask about Glory’s actions.
Kaiya decided to check her brother’s room for clues. She found that all his clothes were gone, and a small box of school love letters. She showed her room to the group, and the found a letter on her vanity that said “Welcome Back”. Under her mattress were 6 dead snakes. Payne took them and made jerky.
At dinner, Payne tried to disguise himself as an elf, but learned that illusions can be seen through by natives of Arcadia.
Kaiya’a family provided some information regarding the Cult of the Shattered God, mostly about how they have been hanging around the Academy, and headed east.
Nasir contacted Kaiya in the morning and asked her to meet him in his office. He told them about a city named Ghetto in the east, where the cult may be trying to get additional members from. He also explains that “belief” is important to existing in the outer and inner planes. (A character can roll a d20 and will break certain limitations, or provide advantage, on a roll of 15 or more.) He also told the group that he had come from a different world called Gallius, and that he had lived in Ghetto for a few years before traveling to Arstead. He told them that to find Ghetto, they would be tested.
The group decided to head to Ghetto to find out if Isaac was with the cult. On their way there, they found a small family being harasses by a gnoll, ogre, and minotaur. They fought and beat the enemies. After their defeat, the goddess Meriadar, showed up and thanked them for showing they were willing to defend innocent people regardless of their race and alignment. After asking about the cult, Meriadar told them the cult was hanging outside the city trying to find a way in. She told them they had failed their test, and weren’t allowed entry at the moment.
The group could now see the city between two hills, and went in. They traveled to the inn, “The Long Night” and met the tavern keeper, Reich, a male dwarf from the world of Krynn.
********************************
Session 17
The group drank at the inn for a while, waiting for the sun to set. They saw the tavern begin to pick up business, and they spotted two kender making their rounds around the room. Sam and Shiri, shook hands with the group, and were able to steal the rings from Kaiya and Chance. They told the group they hoped to see them later that night when they would perform. The group headed upstairs to stow their gear.
Once a bard showed up playing tunes, Opal stepped up to sing along with the bard. Later that night, they saw the kender performing, and convinced them to go to their room to listen to some stories. The group confronted them about the rings, and were able to retrieve them. After returning the rings, the kender were let go. The group then went to bed.
At night, Chance was woken up by something outside the window. He noticed three figures skulking along the shadows, stopping at buildings. He carefully made it down from his window and followed them. He followed the group to a building, and one of the shadows opened up a magical hole to allow the smaller one in. He overheard them saying they had found what they needed, and they headed out to town and teleported away. [DM Note: The item was the Inferno’s Beginning.] He left a cursed mark to find his way back to the spot and headed back to his room.
Also at night, Kaiya had a mental visit from the Worm that Walks. He asked whether she would still assist him, and that he had a way to help Isaac. She said she would help once she found her brother and made sure he was safe.
In the morning after having breakfast, they followed Chance to the location of his cursed mark. Opal used Detect Magic as was able to locate a hint of the spell used to teleport, and followed it east. There they came across a farm, which the cultists were using as a base. Opal used her raven form to scout the base, and saw them moving boxes from sheds into a portal erected in a small cusp of trees. Kaiya and Payne snuck around to the north to check the main building, while Opal and Chance walked in to ask to be let into the cult.
In the house, Kaiya saw Glory, a guard, and, hidden in a closet, her brother. She overheard her tell the guard they were leaving and to take Isaac through the portal. Fearing for her brother, Kaiya cast “Hold Person” on the guard, Mistystepped into the room, and took her brother from the guard. She tried to make her way out of the house but was stopped by Glory’s “Hold Person” spell. Glory used a spell to summon a Spectator and call out to her group that they were under attack. At this time, Chance and Opal began their attack of the guards and the mage empowering the stones who was keeping the portal open.
As the battle raged and Glory’s forces thinned, Buck and Myka joined the fight. Opal felled the mage on the portal, and Myka took up her position to hold it open. After taking losses, Glory called for her men to retreat. Myka was surprised to see Chance and told him that he was on the wrong side, and he was whisked into the portal by Glory. Chance tried to enter the portal before it closed to chase after Myka, but the portal did not let him through. The group were able to capture Buck and a guard before the portal completely closed.
********************************
Session 18
The party questioned Buck, the guard, and Isaac, and gained the following information.
– Isaac knew: basic understanding of how the god would rid the world of evil heard about a church that will be formed soon Glory didn’t know teleporting would hurt him – she said the Shattered God would heal him
The Guard knew: basic understanding of how the god would rid the world of evil know that a church will be formed soon Glory is part of the cult hierarchy – possibly one of the first priests they have been tasked to locate relics and magical items and get recruits
Buck knew: name of the Shattered God more detailed understanding of how the god would rid the world of evil know that a church is being formed in Baldur’s Gate Glory is part of the cult hierarchy – possibly one of the first priests they have been tasked to locate relics and magical items and get recruits know they just got the recently found the Inferno’s Beginning artifact know the god is using the Orb of Planar Melding the god is searching for a rumored crown of immense power know the Shattered God is using has a spy within the Balance there has been numerous gods that have been “dealt with”, then the Balance removes a related god to balance out the universe. The Shattered God is currently residing in a floating city within Toril know that Myka is one of the Shattered God’s first “touched”
Kaiya contacted Nasir, and he brought a security captain, Alleria, to deal with the prisoners. After some questioning by the captain, Nasir conjured up transport back to Arstead. The group returned Isaac home, and Kaiya and Isaac stayed home while the party went shopping and to the library. They picked up various items, and stayed in Kaiya’s home for a few days. During the time at Kaiya’s home, Kaiya has a dream about Pandora who tells her there is something calling her at Bahamut’s fall. Chance has a dream about young Myka, who changes into his grown up form, wearing a cloak, black energy coating his arms, staring into Chance’s eyes.
********************************
Session 19
The group spent three days at Kaiya’s home, and prepared to head back to Toril. At breakfast, Kaiya’s father asked to see Kaiya alone upstairs, and he gave her a message and told her to only look at it when she was far from this world. He hugged her, and told her not to hate him. The group said their goodbyes, and Kaiya contacted Nasir to help them use the teleportation circle. He told her he would meet the group at the tower. Opal contacted Radiance to let him know they were returning to his tower. Once they get there, they say goodbye to Nasir, and they head back to Radiance’s tower.
(The note Kaiya received from her father says he and the Arcadian military killed Bahamut. He feels extremely bad about what they did, and asked for her forgiveness.)
There, Radiance tells the group they can use his tower as a safe place to stay, as a headquarters. He also introduces them to his 8-year old daughter, Ember. She looks to be about 10, has long blonde hair in a ponytail, and has an elven look to her. Her mother was an elf, but died within a year of her birth. He asks Opal and the group to take her along with them on their adventures. They agree, and ask him for travel to pick up Maryn and return Payne. He agrees.
Radiance takes them to the mountain to and Jaleth welcomes them and his nephew, Fenwyck. Hearing his name, Payne gets angry and goes inside to drop off his stuff. The group gives Jaleth some info, then Maryn comes out. She and Jaleth describe how he has helped her. She has lost her abilities and connection to the Raven Queen due to the cursed energy being held within her heart. (Maryn has black eyes with small electrical flashes. She will still have access to her cantrips, and hides them that way.) She shows that she has been taught something by Jaleth, a way to extend her spirit into a phantom that can heal (Healing Spirit). She can also extend the curse into her spear changing it into a magical scythe.
Payne tells them goodbye, and thanks them for taking him on an adventure. Opal gives him a bracelet she crafted that has her family’s symbols on it. She tells him that if he ever meets another Tabaxi, he can show that to them to get a favor. He tears up and hugs them her goodbye. The group then head out to Bahamut’s Fall.
At the Fall, the group use their abilities to search for the presence of Bahamut. Opal uses Detect Magic and senses a presence within Bahamut’s body. Chance looks through Xanatos’s eyes and sees a golden sphere of magic being protected by two circling bits of energy, one black and one white. Chance takes up Xan’s form and is able to remove the protective energy around the sphere. This allows Kaiya to summon forth the energy, which travels into her head, and circles around her head giving her energy and power. The group then ask Radiance to take them to Baldur’s Gate.
Once there, they say goodbye to Radiance, as he tells them he has some researching to be done that will take him away for some time. When entering the city, Skittersnip catches up with Chance and delivers a message from Matron Dumar asking for a meet up. The group splits up. Kaiya, Opal, Maryn, and Ember head over to see Fragrance of Spring. She tells them that she believes one of the new Eternal Fire priests is one of the demons that attacked their group. Chance heads over to the Beholder’s Eye and talks with Matron Dumar. She clears the shop, and tells Chance that Myka left her a message that tells him to meet him at the Blushing Mermaid in the evening within the next two nights. She also seems worried, and offers to give him protection.
********************************
Session 20
Opal, Kaiya, Ember, and Maryn head to the Purple Wyrm tavern. When entering, they meet Gabrius, who has been waiting for them.
Meeting with Gabrius at the Purple Wyrm Tavern
Opal, when you enter the tavern, you hear a familiar voice yell out to you from the corner table farthest from the window. “Opalfire! Dear friend. Please come join me in some drinks.” You see Gabrius, the handsome devil, wearing the odd looking black costume from before, his black hair slicked back, black eyes shining, the tiny horns on his head glinting and pointy.
“Bartender! Please, some drinks for my friends.”
[Give the players time to choose to sit down and say hi.]
“It has been a while, has it not. You are looking as delicious as ever. Maryn, you seem…different…dangerous…new diet perhaps? And new friends I see!” [He looks at Kaiya] “Oh my! Such strength, strong cheekbones, what wonders is your armor hiding, I wonder. Is this your new bodyguard, dearest Opalfire, or perhaps newest lover?”
[He looks at Ember.] “Aren’t you the cutest! You are truly brimming with energy, and dare I say, sorcerous voodoo? Do you dabble in the Black Arts, my dear?”
[Let group reply, etc…]
“Well, I was hoping to bump in to you for some time, especially with all the hullabaloo going on. Poor Nick, didn’t deserve what he got. As for Bahamut, Lloth, and the others, they may have deserved it, but still a shame. So many lives impacted by their sudden loss. Certainly opened the field for that new church, eh?”
“Well, I wanted you to know that there are forces within both sides that have had reservations about what is happening with all this Balance business for some time. There is a quite formidable force of the Celestial army being led by an Exarch named Valorian. He has pulled his unit from the main force enacting these dastardly acts. One the other side, there is an Archdevil by the name of Baalor. He has currently pulled his unit from the Hells and is training them for opposition. I tell you these things, because you and your friends are beginning to make a name for yourselves outside your local sphere, perhaps due to your proximity to so many events that are ground breaking, to say the least. If at any time you’d like me to liaison between them and you, just let me know. I am not as clingy as that Wyrm fellow, but I too like to keep tabs on my friends.”
“I have also been asked to make you aware of a group calling themselves the Soulglaives. They are from a world who have had to deal with their own end-of-the-world events in their past, and they have formed an inter-planar guild, so to speak, to provide protection and aid as required. They have asked me to look for possible members on my travels, and I did provide your names to them. How could I not? Just be aware they may be calling you soon. Powerful allies are always a good thing to have, so it is said.”
[If asked about the demon at the church.]
“Ah…High Priest…Bishop…whatever he is calling himself. Yes, I have seen him, smelt him, more like it. I am not acquainted with him, but if you would like, I can…ask around.”
[if asked what he gets out of it]
“In all honesty, dearest Opalfire, I just want to be kept in the know. Information is my currency…well, that and a few souls or two. I am unable to return to the Hells, not like I’d want to, so I seem to always be getting my information second- or third-hand. The benefit of assisting you will, obviously, be in my best interest.”
Gabrius lets Opal know that he can be summoned via the card he gave her.
During this time, Chance heads to the Purple Wyrm Tavern, and tries to sneak past the other party members, but fails. He talks to Xanatos and is convinced to ask the party for help. He heads back down, and lets the party in on his plan. They figure out a way to infiltrate the tavern to gather information, and possibly sicken members of the Shattered God cult if they are seen. While discussing this, a dwarf asks for some coin for drinks and asks them a riddle. They give him two gold pieces, answer the riddle, and he tosses them a silver nugget. He proceeds to fall asleep on the table across the room.
The group then head to the alchemist to gather something to cause stomach sickness and a truth serum. The plan is: Opal will act as an entertainer, Maryn will be a cook in back and add the stomach poison to cult member’s food/drinks, and Kaiya will act as a waitress trying to gather info from customers. They plan to offer their services for free.
Chance, wearing his elven mask, heads to the Blushing Mermaid to sit and watch people in preparation for a possible attack. The group eventually make it to the tavern a few hours before 10 PM. They offer their services, and agree to pay the tavern keepers, Torka and Kaldor,to gather information. The plan is in action.
Fifteen minutes before 10 PM, a group of church members come in and pay the owners to clear the tavern for a while. The help shoo away customers, including Chance, and then they step out. Chance removes his mask, and waits for a few minutes after to come back in.
Meeting with Myka at the Blushing Mermaid PUT ON THE “Sad Emotional Music | Beautiful Dramatic Orchestral Music Mix” SONG.
You step into the Blushing Mermaid tavern. You see a half-orc woman behind the main bar area. She is pouring liquor into three glasses. She looks up at you, looks toward the back of the tavern, and takes the drinks in that direction.
Sitting at a table in the back of the tavern, is Myka. The tavern appears to be empty, except for Myka, the tavern keeper, a waitress, and an entertainer. His hood is pulled back from his head, showing his short black hair, cut close along the sides. He wears a light grey tunic. His sword rests against the wall behind him. He looks up toward you. The half-orc woman sets the drinks on the table, then steps back toward the bar.
Myka: Chance. [Myka stands up, walks over to Chance, and hugs him.] It’s good to see you again. Please, come and sit. [Myka sits down.] I wasn’t sure you’d let me. [He points at the drinks.]
Do you remember our first drink? The day we became brothers – you and I and Easton?
[He points to the third glass.] That’s for Easton…when we find him.
##Answer if asked about what happened to him##
[Myka orders another round of drinks for the two of you.]
This will take a while, so don’t let these drinks go to waste.
I got fished out of the sea by that damn pirate, Captain Gunmar. GUNMAR! The same man who tortured me when I was a boy. You remember what he did to me back then? He tossed me in his brig. Laughed at me. Told me he’d sell me to anyone that wanted me…for whatever reason. I was down there for weeks. Fed when they remembered. Covered in my own waste.
I waited for you and Easton. Someone. Anyone. But no one came. I would try to sleep, hoping I would wake up to my friends. Then I slept, hoping to not wake up again. I don’t know how long I lied on the floor. How long my eyes had dried up the tears…and then she came.
She stood over me…beautiful…strong…she sat down on the ground…in my filth…didn’t bother her. She held me close, told me I would be okay…safe…free. All I had to do was spread her word. Help her save the world, save all worlds. Save people from men like Gunmar. She told me she couldn’t do it alone…that she learned giving up was letting them win. Those in power failed her and her people.
She showed me how her world was invaded by demons. She was a goddess of war in her realm. She tried to get her fellow gods to fight them, some did, some did not. Some believed their people would win, and didn’t need their help. Others believed help from outside would come, for “How could anyone allow life to fade from a fellow world?” But, the world was torn asunder. No one came to help her world as it began to fill with the demon hoard. Those few gods who fought, died on the battlefield with their world.
She called upon other gods, other pantheons, told them it could happen to them too, but she was told that they could not help. It was the Balance. If they raised a hand to help, upset the Balance, they could accidentally end the war between the demons and devils. She said she yelled at them, told them of the world that was dying as she asked for help. She told them of the millions of helpless people in danger. They turned their backs on her. She returned to the fight on her world. But it was too late.
People, families, life…gone. Nothing but an ashen world filled with demons. And with that life gone, with no one to believe and worship them, the gods faded into nothingness. She tried to hold on, used her anger and hope of vengeance, to survive. But holding on to their memory was all she could do as she passed into the void. The place where dead gods, memories, the last light of her people go. She told me she didn’t know how long she was there, how close to madness she was, holding onto her world’s memory and her vengeance. Until a hole appeared before her. A way out. She thought herself mad, that it was a trick, a lie her mind was imagining, a trick by the demons, but there…was a way out. She willed herself through…into our world. In her haste and anger, she killed those on the other side. Men, soldiers, people like she remembered, guarding a portal. Who knew what they were looking for, but they found her. She looked on their now dead forms, and added them to the memory of the fallen she would avenge. She fled out into this new world, and worked to get stronger.
She told me all this, and I could feel her tears fall onto my face. She held me, and I hadn’t been held like that in so long, hadn’t felt human…loved…needed…in what felt like forever. I looked at her, and said “I’ll help you….but I am so weak. I’m nothing. I’ve lost everything.” She told me not to worry, that she would give me strength, and together we would protect those we loved, and avenge those we lost. I asked her to help me find you and Easton. She said she could not see you at this time but felt your spirit still within this world, maybe as her powers increased she could locate you. As for Easton, she couldn’t sense his spirit. I knew then he was dead. What little liquid I had in me, I cried them out in her arms. I always thought you two were safe…never imagined a world without you two in it.
She told me to stop crying. To join her. And she would bring him back to us. We would be a family again.
She took me to the top of a mountain, so high up, I could see the whole of the world. On this mountain, was a small structure she had built to heal, to protect her from the cold and outside. I asked if she was cold, if the weather effected a god. She said it did. She told me she was not much more than I was, but hoped to be stronger for the fight to come. She fed me, bathed me, let me sleep. I felt like I had a home. I felt safe. Once I started feeling better, I asked her, I begged her for another favor. She said “Of course, if you need it to continue forward.” First, she found Easton’s body, brought it to the mountain top. Tried to bring him back, but she said either she does not have the power to do so, or his spirit was not willing to return. Why would he NOT want to come back…to come back TO ME!? I made the decision to make her more powerful and to make him want to come back. Whatever it took. His body lies on that mountain top, protected by her…until we can bring him back. You and I, Chance…a family again.
##Myka will talk about his sword.##
[Shows Chance the sword.]
This is Captain Gunmar’s. After she touched me with her power, I was able to return to his ship. I made him pay for what he did to me, for all those he wronged, for all the bad things he would have done. He and his crew are rotting at the bottom of the sea. And this…I took to remind myself of what I fight for.
##Myka’s idea about the world##
Don’t you want that, Chance? A world without rich and poor? A world where no one goes hungry? A place where you can feel safe, that half your people won’t plot to kill the other half? We dreamed of being pirate kings! Traveling the world, helping people, wearing the coolest clothes, eating and drinking the best to be had. What does all of that matter when creatures can descend upon the world and wipe it all out. Who will fight for us when that happens? We need to wipe out the demons! We need to make this world, ALL WORLDS, safe! Don’t you see?! If we don’t, if…I…can’t make that happen, why would Easton want to come back?
##When asked about Calisto’s past##
She traveled the world, and sought out relics to boost her power. In her travels, she met people who joined her cause. She helped them, and in turn, their worship helped her power grow. Chance, she went to the Abyss and killed Demon Princes! Took their power! Some are still more powerful then her, and she planned to venture out to gather more power, until she found out something horrifying. The Balance, the thing that prevented others from helping her world, went out and KILLED good aligned gods to restore their coveted balance. These PEOPLE went out and killed gods for their idea of Balance! She realized then, that not only were the demons the enemy, but so was this Balance. Rationalizing killing a god! How many people would be affected by that sudden loss. She tracked down this recently killed god, and there, was able to gather a tiny semblance of their power, to use for the coming war.
##when he leaves##
Chance, you know I love you. You’re my best friend, my family. I dream of you and I together, saving Easton, and all of us growing old together, but I can’t make you join me. If you change your mind, you can leave word at the Church of Eternal Fire for me.
[He gets up, stows his sword, and pushes in his chair. He walks past you, and places a hand on your shoulder.]
I would never hurt you, Chance. You know that.
[He tosses a small bag of gold in front of the tavern keeper, and starts to walk out of the tavern.]
The group head back to the Purple Wyrm Inn. There, Chance shares his whiskey with them and thanks the group for helping.
********************************
Session 21
The party decides to step out and check out the new temple being set up, the Church of the Eternal Fire. They spot a few clerics acting as security around the new temple. Kaiya sees the two Bahamut-worshippers she met at the bar earlier, and tells them to be careful and not to trust the new church. They eventually head away. Opal uses Speak with Animal on a mouse she lures out of the alleyway, and asks it to go into the temple and tell her if a person with black eyes is in the temple. It returns and tells her he is. Chance enters the temple and pretends to pray. Inside, he threatens the new god of the church, and she enters his mind, trying to convince him she is only there to help the people and that he would be a blessed addition to her cause. He leaves.
The party then return to the inn to sleep and await word from the Worm that Walks. During their sleep, Chance dreams of fishing with Easton. Opal is visited by the Raven Queen and told to rescue the spark left within Lloth’s body, deep under the debris in the city. In the morning, Opal awakens early and is met by the Work that Walks. She tells him they will help but to return in the later part of the morning, as they will need to awaken and eat. He agrees and leaves the room. She heads down to get some milk from the group, and upon returning, Ember is punted from the bed by Kaiya.
After eating, the group head back up to the rooms to await the return of the Work that Walks. He tells them about that he will return them to the point in time right after his death. They will need to close the portal using four crystal gems that can be found on the lowest floor of the tower. He gives Kaiya a scroll with the time spell that can be used with his staff to return them to this time once they have completed the task. He tells them he is not able to give them additional information on what is below there because he was dead and had not yet arisen in his current form. The group is sent 1000 years into the past.
When they appear within the past, they arrive at the top room of the tower, the same one Kaiya had appeared in during her first trip a few months back. Opal receives a message from the Raven Queen of the current time, and she opens up herself to her patron. The Raven Queen is able to gather knowledge about future events, including: how Opal came into her service, the fall of Bahamut and Lloth, the attack on the Balance, and so on. After a brief investigation of the room, they notice the raven statue is missing the names of Opal and Chance. Opal is tasked to etch the names into the statue to close the time loop. Kaiya assists Ember in locating three intact books. [Ogre’s Guide to Tying Knots, A Monster’s Guide to Secret Lairs, and a Diary of a Thief]
The party heads deeper into the tunnel, and encounters bodies of the fallen Delian Order, and a group of demon dogs feasting on a pile of bodies. Once defeated, they head further down. Chance acquires a complete set of their teeth for sale later.
Once they reach the bottom, they come face-to-face with the portal, pulsating with black and swirling arcane energy. They also see loitering around the area, a group of quasits, which they dispatch easily. Beginning their investigation, they see four angelic statues, arms and head raised to the sky, their hands open as if holding something.
********************************
Session 22
The group heads down into the tower, and finds the bodies of dead soldiers, researchers, and others. They encounter a few hell hounds, or low level demons like imps. At the bottom, they find the body of the Magister, the commander, and more near the portal. The group must replace the gems into the corresponding statues to seal the portal.
BATTLE NOTE: Once the third crystal is placed, a male Rakshasa with two-heads named Laroq, Prince of the Bloodpits, comes out of the portal brimming with joy that he has made it to this realm. He sees Opalfire, and calls out to her. “Dark-haired female! You shall be the first of my harem on this new world. Fetch me drinks and food that we may celebrate as my station commands. Remove your clothes, as they are an affront to my eyes. Let us see you as you are in your glory. Your ape slaves can begone, or perhaps they should stay to wipe us down from our heat and joy.”
The Raven Queen will show her a superimposed image of the demons that attacked her troupe to show that he is the leader of that group.
[“Look deep, Opalfire. Feel it within your bones. Look upon the deceiver.”]
He will attack the party, and all but Opal will be defeated. Any attacks made against her are absorbed by the crown, and her attacks will do massive damage to him, as she is currently empowered by her patron ad this past one. He will curse her, vow to make her pay, then escape back into the portal, but not before he tears some fur from her.
He will use invisibility as a bonus action to hide and move. He will also do monk stuns with his claw attacks.
After the battle, Callisto will enter everyone’s minds and tell them:
“The Fire of Battle within this world! No, a new universe! Ugh…the smell of gods, weak ones, pretenders. But, each with a piece to grow my dream.”
TO OPALFIRE:
“Such magical prowess and hardiness! Are you a goddess? Demi-god? Join me! Help me to lay low the evil and blight of this world and renew it for the weak and scorned. I could use one as gifted as you in the arts to scrub clean the stains of vileness from this land.”
TO CHANCE:
“Young, strong, boy….no, young MAN. You are indeed a gifted soul, one I need in this world. One to help me reshape it, to save it from itself. Do you wish to be the first of my vanguard? The first spark that will bring evil and strife to its knees? Take my hand, raise your fist for me.”
He will fight, and she will look into his mind and see the image of Myka since it is so strong and in the forefront of his thoughts. She will say:
“I see….another….one not yet on this world, but who will do for my tasks. He will be my champion. Sad….it could have been you….Could have helped me usher in a fair and just world. Pity. May you not question your choice, dearest Chance. Tread your path carefully, as I see bottomless pits at every turn for you. It would have been so much easier with me at your side.” and she fades from his mind.
TO KAIYA:
“My, my. A fellow warrior. Blonde, ambitious, overflowing with desire! You and I could be twins! Join me, and together your might will grow with my training. I could awaken the flame within your heart, and give you battles to overcome to become a goddess in your own right. Imagine! The fires of a sun flowing from your hands, glistening along your blade, felling evil wherever it stands. Shielding the downtrodden, seeing them look up at you, at their saviour. Join me!”
TO EVERYONE:
“So, none of you will stand for the fallen? None of you has the honor or valor within your souls to think beyond your own skin? So be it. Live your lives in your fragile shells and pray evil doesn’t strip the skin from them as was done before, to my people, to me. When you are laid low, at the feet of Death itself, I will stand strong and you will look toward me wishing you had taken my offer of salvation.”
Note: Kaiya found an amulet with her shield that has a star symbol on it – Amulet of Celestial Arcanum.
********************************
Session 23
The group heads down the final tunnel, triggering a gas trap. They find the blue gem, and then narrowly avoid a ceiling spike trap. Once they get back into the main hall, they place the gem into the final statue. Beams emerge from the gems, and seal the portal. Kaiya uses Iceguard’s staff and reads the time portal scroll and returns everyone to their inn room. In their time, only 15 minutes have passed.
Now that the portal is destroyed, Iceguard thanks the group. He gives Kaiya a Periapt of Health to help her brother. He then asks the group to end his unholy existence. Before he becomes undone, he breaks off the top of his staff and gives it to Opal. It’s the front center part of the crown (conditions immunity). Kaiya borrows the Black Crown from Opal and he embraces her. He tells her to tell Nasir that he is proud of him and Kaiya. With the magic now negated, the creatures tethering his soul to his form lose their power and fall away to dust. He will leave behind the Robe of the Archmagi.
Now that they are back, Opal plans to gather the essence of Lloth that was tasked by the Raven Queen. The group head to Dan’s armory to get information about the pure silver she found. He tells her he can work the metal into a weapon, but if she wants dust she will have to find a silversmith. While there, Chance purchases a magical dagger that generates poison (1D4+1, Con save or +1d8 poison damage). He also sense a cursed dagger and asks Kaiya to identify it. Chance offers to take it from Dan’s hands to get it away from him, since it is affecting his sleep. He agrees.
They then head to the alchemist’s to sell some items. While there, Kaiya asks about the spider claw she sold before, and once she explains where it came from, Landice covers up the items and gives it back to her. He tells her she is not to tell anyone that she gave it to him, and to never say he knew about it. Kaiya asks about how things are going with Karissa, and he mentions that he hopes to convince her to go into a larger business together. Opal and Kaiya recommend that maybe he take a vacation with her, and they would get someone to watch over her shop – Fragrance of Spring.
The group splits up. Kaiya and the girls head over to talk to Fragrance of Spring and let them know about their discussion with Landice. Fragrance agrees if he is up for it, and she is told to see him later in the day or tomorrow.
Chance heads to the Beholder’s Eye to talk to Matron Dumar. He asks her if there is a way to enter the floor that Lloth died in from below, but she says there is not currently without perhaps a well-paid group of ogres or a powerful druid to move the debris from the area. He asks her if anyone is missing a cursed dagger, and she asks to see it. She tells him it belongs to an old member who has left the organization. She asks Chance if he is up for a job to teach this member a lesson. He agrees. He is tasked to “return” the dagger to a Duncan “Shiv” Michaels who is living in the southern part of the city at 264 Logan’s Lane.
Chance heads over to the residence to gather info. Kaiya and the girls head over to the damaged part of the city where Lloth was felled, and Opal merges with her raven and heads down into the debris. Nearing the body of Lloth, the raven loses the ethereal ability and she is forced to crawl through tight spaces and use her strength to push things out of the way. Eventually, she finds the body of Lloth. She can hear the thrum of the essence deep within her fallen form. Opal seeks assistance from her patron, and she hears “Go and take it”. She creates a break in the carapace of the body, and the fluids and entrails pour from the hole. Once they settle, she heads into the body and locates the essence. She begins the slow crawl out until she again gains the raven’s ethereal power and flies out of the hole.
The group then meet up at the inn and rest, as they plan to deal with the new church being built within the city.
The Group levels up to 8 at the end of this session.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.