Final Preparations (DM John) Wednesday January 6th, 2021 4:58:51 PM
Lanliss agrees that the unexpected route is best. Velarin has concerns about the ethereal plane which Volzak’s answer proves to be moot. He then provides some details about teleporting and disintegrating the wall. Edson defers to the arcane experts. Barratore adds his suggestion and quaffs a potion of to protect from undead. Emrys checks on his Hide from Undead spell status. About three hours have passed since this was cast. Thus, about 10 minutes remain. Tishe’ gives her suggestions on how to proceed.
Emrys asks "Volzak, is the Ethereal Plane accessible in this realm ... or is it filled with undead as well? It could possibly provide the cover we need once we leave Tishe's sanctum? Or do the Powers that be prevent such entry?"
“No,” responds Volzak with a shake of his head, “the ethereal plane is not accessible here.”
Tishe’ says, Volzak sweetie, you get to ride in my portable hole.”
Volzak replies, “Excellent suggestion, good lady. First, let me get my urn and a little something I would like each of you to have.” As he finishes speaking, he descends into the floor. It is not long before he reappears suddenly, obviously through the use of a dimension door. Accompanying him is an unseen servant dragging a closed metal box about eighteen inches in each dimension with a simple brass urn resting atop it. “The box is yours once we exit Hallowight,” he explains as he waits for it and the urn to be transferred into the portable hole.
Lanliss Drakeguard Michael A; AC: 36 (T 19, FF 18), CMD:31 HP:127/220 Wednesday January 6th, 2021 9:33:44 PM
Lanliss waits for the others...
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 18(FF 18), hp 157/157 Thursday January 7th, 2021 9:24:26 AM
"Sounds like a good plan Tishe'. I've got several greater teleports memorized. You pass wall us through the wall opposite the door. we move out a few feet, and then I greater teleport us to the other side of the wall. Not seeing a down side. I love it when a plan comes together."
Once the urn and the box are in the portable hole, and everyone is ready, V moves with the group to the East wall, directly across from the main entrance.
Contingency: Break enchantment activated when affected by mind or body control spells Bless(permanent) SR 18, +6 to overcome SR
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 31(T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 128/128 INVISIBLE Thursday January 7th, 2021 10:05:18 AM
The invisibility to the undead settled his nerves a bit, but walking outside to an army was raising them again. He differed to the others, knowing he was among the smartest people around. The thought of doing this with the company of a lich was another cog in the machine of nerves.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, Stephen F. ac17 hp125/125. rituals: Warding, Spiritual Healing, Charming, Contingency: BoL. Bless, True Seeing Thursday January 7th, 2021 12:05:42 PM
Emrys nods with acceptance upon hearing his answer.
"We have 10 minutes remaining of my Hide from Undead spell." He looks to Tishe and says, "Excellent idea about the portable hole. I was wondering how we'd hide him."
He follows everyone's lead and they make their leave of this place.
(Dan K) AC: 39 (T 30 FF 34), CMD:43; HP: 246/246 Barratore Steelwind Thursday January 7th, 2021 1:47:40 PM
Barratore gives Edson a pat on the shoulder, "Stay close my friend. I'll see you out of here." Barratore starts to draw his blade, but reconsiders and lets it slip back into the scabbard. He could get to it quick enough if need be.
"Start making with the magic fellas."
Rolling Conventions (DM John) Thursday January 7th, 2021 3:44:57 PM
OOC: On a 50% miss chance: 01 to 50 is a miss; 51 to 00 is a hit. Targets are selected randomly by die roll with characters numbered alphabetically by character 1st name.
Lanliss is ready. Velarin agrees with Tishe’s proposal and prepares to exit, ready to cast greater teleport once they exit the building. Edson manages his nerves as he prepares to depart. Emrys informs the others of the time remaining on his hide spell and is ready to go. Barratore reassures Edson and waits for the magic. Tishe’ casts passwall.
Vorzak slips into the opened portable hole, his servant pulling his objects along with him.
Tishe’ casts her spell. Through the newly made opening in the wall, the Keepers see, some not for the first time, a literal army forming a nightmarish cordone around the chapel. The impaled beings form the inner boundary of the army, their poles pointing inward towards the chapel, like grisly archer’s stakes, their “hosts’ writhing in gruesome anguish. The headless guard, now mounted on massive war horses with smoking manes and glowing crimson eyes, face toward the building, their mounts impatiently stamping their iron shod hooves. The sky above is filled with aerial patrols of screeching baykoks and swooping berbalangs, creating a swirling array of airborne observers. Other creatures, the sword skeletons, hideous undead spiders, shambling mummies, and countless other undead horrors add to the macabre throng surrounding the Keeper’s sanctuary..
Shouts of surprise ring out from several locations in the surrounding horde. Per the plan, the Keepers step through the opening and Velarin begins casting his spell. Similar to what was seen at the main entrance, the two side doors also have a concentration of mummies directly across from them. On each side a single mummy has line of sight to where the escapees are making their surprise exit. Each turns to face the adventurers, gesturing and extending a hand in the Keepers direction. A thin green beam emits from a hand of each of these creatures in an obvious attack.
From how widely the rays miss any of the Keepers, the casters are obviously firing blindly. Velarin is able to cast his spell unhindered and the Keepers mak are able to safely teleport away.
Spellcraft DC 19 Highlight to display spoiler: {The green rays are dimensional anchor spells.}
The Keepers arrive between the massive wall of bones and the boundary mist. Both seem unchanged from when they first arrived.
Lanliss Drakeguard Michael A; AC: 36 (T 19, FF 18), CMD:31 HP:127/220 Thursday January 7th, 2021 8:54:43 PM
"One’s greatest need", Lanliss says thinking about the Lich wisdom. Lanliss think about the place they want to be at most....right now or rather the place they should go to now.
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 18(FF 18), hp 157/157 d20+31=39 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 9:57:48 AM
V sighs a sight of relief as they arrive between the wall of bone and the mist. "That could have been ugly. those green rays were dimensional anchor spells. If they would have hit anyone, they would have stayed where they were, probably to a quick and gruesome ending."
"Shall we head into the mist and go? We have a castle to sneak into, a distraction to request using the gem we were given, a different gem to steal, and an escape to make. All while preferably not dying."
"While we are having a discussion, with Volzak in the portable hole. I have no intention of taking him back to the small village that was trying to live in peace. He would try to take over and rule that realm. As far as I'm concerned, we promised to take him to another realm within these lands, the realm containing Marteus' castle would abide by that agreement. Let him deal with Marteus after we have left, or leave him here, and let him make his way through the mist as he sees fit."
Emrys Myrridanmyl, Stephen F. ac17 hp125/125. rituals: Warding, Spiritual Healing, Charming, Contingency: BoL. Bless, True Seeing Friday January 8th, 2021 3:17:06 PM
Emrys' heart almost stops beating at the sight of the Armies of the Dead. So many he has only studied from books and story ... and now seeing many of them for the first time, has both disgusts and fascinates him. He quickly looks to Velarin as he casts his spell ... he's much relieved the mage hadn't lost his nerve and concentration.
Now that they stand at the boney gates once again, he says, "Well now, that was certainly interesting ... however, we should probably be on our way before we wear out our welcome."
AC 26/ T26/ F26 CMD24 (Fdom of Move) HP 164/164 Tishe’ (SteveK) Saturday January 9th, 2021 4:32:59 AM
Tishe’ is glad they have a plan, because just seeing that host of horror turns her blood to ice water. But she leaves the Private Sanctum spell and teleports with Velarin and the group.
She nods at Velarin. “Don’t take him to the village, agreed, but I don’t want to release him in Marteus’ Castle either. We would be immediately betrayed so Volzak could have his own nightmare realm. I also don’t like holding him indefinitely in the Portable Hole. It doesn’t feel right. Better to release him here and now.”
Tishe’ retrieves her portable hole and pops it open for Volzak to emerge. “Volzak, we are outside the Bone Barrier. Time for us to part ways in the mists.”
Endure Elements Detect Scrying Hide from Undead (from Emrys) Fly, Extended [38 minutes] (Tishe', Barratorre, Edson, Lanliss) Daylight 60’ radius
Final Preparations (DM John) Saturday January 9th, 2021 12:17:14 PM
Lanliss psyches himself up for entering the mist. Velarin is relieved to have escaped the chapel and readies to take the next step. He proposes a precise interpretation to their agreement with Volzak. Emrys is struck by the sight of the army and states a need to depart Hallowight as well. Tishe’ agrees with Velarin and releases Volzak. Edson and Barratore silently make their escape with the others.
Volzak glides out of the hole, his invisible servant dragging the box behind him. He looks at each Keeper in the eye, pausing a moment before moving his gaze to the next, he apparently comes to a decision, “You appear to indeed be honoring our agreement. Here accept this gift as a token of my appreciation for the trouble you have caused my wife.” The box is pushed forward. With a word and a gesture from Volzak, the top unfolds and the sides drop outward revealing a stack of six books.
Slapping his palms together in anticipation, the silence of the gesture another reminder of his being incorporeal, he faces the mist with his urn hovering before him, but he does not proceed, obviously waiting for the Keepers’ to depart as well.
If anyone examines the books, Highlight to display spoiler: { The six books are magical tomes that when read will provide a +3 inherent bonus to a single ability score. There is one book for each ability (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wil, Cha). Manual of Gainful Exercise +3 (Price 82,500 gp) Manual of Quickness of Action +3 (Price 82,500 gp) Manual of Bodily Health +3 (Price 82,500 gp) Tome of Clear Thought +3 (Price 82,500 gp) Tome of Understanding +3 (Price 82,500 gp) Tome of Leadership and Influence +3 (Price 82,500 gp) }
OOC: When the party enters the mist, please provide a marching order and how and to whom everyone is connected (ropes, hands, etc.)
AC 26/ T26/ F26 CMD24 (Fdom of Move) HP 164/164 Tishe’ (SteveK) Sunday January 10th, 2021 4:36:17 AM
Tishe’ meets Volzak’s gaze without flinching. “You have helped and kept your own part as well. Even a lich should be given the opportunity for your own redemption arc. May the Powers be with you on your journey.”
The Sorceress remembers and old saying about never counting your money while sitting at the table. So instead of examine the books right then, she just scoops them into her Portable Hole and closes it up. She then turns to Barratorre to lead them into the Mist. She falls in behind Emrys and thinks of Marteus’ Palace as what she most wants in the whole Wold....
Endure Elements Detect Scrying Hide from Undead (from Emrys) Fly, Extended [38 minutes] (Tishe', Barratorre, Edson, Lanliss) Daylight 60’ radius
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 31(T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 128/128 INVISIBLE Sunday January 10th, 2021 12:24:55 PM
"thank You Volzak." Edson says as Tishe takes the books. " You are indeed honorable, and kept your part of the deal. Thank you"
Edson moves with the others, taking point if needed.
Lanliss Drakeguard Michael A; AC: 36 (T 19, FF 18), CMD:31 HP:127/220 Monday January 11th, 2021 9:31:21 AM
Lanliss takes a boom but doesn't check it. The Keepers had more urgent things now. Lanliss will be in the middle or rear.
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 18(FF 18), hp 157/157 Monday January 11th, 2021 9:36:24 AM
Velarin looks at the books, and is about to take a closer inspection out of habit and curiosity as Tishe' scoops them into the portable hole. There will be time for that later, he thinks to himself.
"Yes Volzak, thank you. May you fare well in your travels from here. Hopefully the next time we meet, the circumstances will be as or more pleasant. You do not intend to follow us to the realm of Marteus, correct?"
Turning to his companions, "I assume we are tying off with ropes again? In what order shall we proceed? Barratore, Emrys, Myself, Tishe', and then Lanliss and Edson guarding the rear?"
Final Farewells (DM John) Monday January 11th, 2021 4:33:36 PM
Tishe’ wishes Volzak well and takes the books for later examination. She then turns to Barratore and takes a place behind Emrys. Lanliss takes a place in the middle. Edson thanks Volzak and steps in line. Velarin acquiscesses to Tishe’s, taking of the books and speaks to Volzak before speaking proposing a marching order to the others.
Barratore and Emrys prepare to step into the fog.
Velarin says, “Yes, Volzak. Thank you. May you fare well in your travels from here. Hopefully the next time we meet, the circumstances will be as or more pleasant. You do not intend to follow us to the realm of Marteus, correct?”
“No, No,” replies the lich. “I think I shall go to that other place you told me about. Based on what I confirmed looking through the library and now that you have helped me get outside the chapel and the boundary wall, I should be able to navigate the mists from here.”
He glides toward the bank of fog, superimposing his incorporeal self over the floating urn, then pauses to turn and face the Keepers. He bows gratefully, then, with a wide expression of pleasant anticipation, steps into the mists.
He appears to melt into and merge with the vapors of the barrier. Oddly, the urn does as well. His form is almost completely absorbed when he suddenly starts thrashing wildly about. His voice, sounding distant despite originating less than twenty feet away, cries out in obvious anguish and fear, “NO! NO! Noooooooooooo!”
As abruptly as it started, the screaming stops. The urn and the spirit are gone without a trace. The wall of mist returns to its quiescent state, once again ominously still.
OOC: To confirm marching order. Single file in this order: Barratore Emrys Velarin Tishe’ Lanliss Edson
Tied of with ropes. Barratore connected to Emrys. Emrys to Barratore and Velarin, etc.
Is this correct?
“
(Dan K) AC: 39 (T 30 FF 34), CMD:43; HP: 246/246 Barratore Steelwind Monday January 11th, 2021 5:05:47 PM
Barrtore takes the lead into the fog once more, having little to say to the lich and the books now in the portable hole. He makes sure that every has a rope so as where he goes, so should they.
Barratore stiffens as the lich cries out. Then quickly trying to determine the tone, and settling on a fate of the thing. "It appears that for the dead, even one as Volzak, leaving Hallowight is not to be. Barratore steels himself, "Let us be away from here." he snorts and strides into the mist, his demand, his need, to find the castle of Marteus, the center of the castle.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, Stephen F. ac17 hp125/125. rituals: Warding, Spiritual Healing, Charming, Contingency: BoL. Bless, True Seeing Monday January 11th, 2021 7:16:07 PM
"Maybe," answering Barratore, "Or his wife got the last laugh ... that probably wasn't his true phylactery."
Like his friend, he too steels himself. Emrys suddenly gets pulled along in a jerk, being tethered to the minotaur. Apparently the witch's stride is not as confident.
Lanliss Drakeguard Michael A; AC: 36 (T 19, FF 18), CMD:31 HP:127/220 Monday January 11th, 2021 7:41:18 PM
"I guess if is not imprisoned again he is definitely dead", Lanliss states the obvious. He continues to walk in the marching order. Not knowing what to expect.
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 18(FF 18), hp 157/157 Tuesday January 12th, 2021 8:40:32 AM
V watches with interest as Volzak appears to go somewhere he doesn't wish to go. "Interesting" is all the wizard mutters at the moment. He then proceeds to tie himself off, with Emrys in front of him, and Tishe' Behind.
"Let's get this over with. Remember, we need to refuse to go anywhere but the realm of Marteus and his castle. When we do get to his realm, I will need to rememorize spells. My spells are not ready for sneaking or stealth, but was picked for fast transport across an unknown distance, and undead hordes."
Contingency: Break enchantment activated when affected by mind or body control spells Bless(permanent) SR 18, +6 to overcome SR
AC 26/ T26/ F26 CMD24 (Fdom of Move) HP 164/164 Tishe’ (SteveK) Tuesday January 12th, 2021 1:50:17 PM
Tishe’ is shocked at Volzak’s screams, and even takes a step towards the fog to help before he just... fades away. “I don’t think we should stop weaving”, she shakily tells the others. “Volzak is either confronting his wife or the Diseased One right now, and I don’t fancy the tapestry of words he is providing.”
The sorceress obediently ties up between Velarin and Lanliss, and marches into the mist. When the voices come, she concentrates her hardest: Marteus’ Palace!
Endure Elements Detect Scrying Hide from Undead (from Emrys) Fly, Extended [38 minutes] (Tishe', Barratorre, Edson, Lanliss) Daylight 60’ radius
Exit stage left (DM John) Tuesday January 12th, 2021 5:52:31 PM
Barratore comments on Volzak’s fate and heads into the mist. Emrys offers another possible explanation and likewise heads in, being pulled by the minotaur. Lanliss comments and walks. Velarin reminds the others of Volzak’s instructions and alerts the others of his current spell selection. Edson forms up. Tishe’ reacts to Volzak’s screams. She urges action and ties up in formation.
Congratulations for completing the scene. Everyone has earned 150,000 xp for successfully learning how to navigate the mists and evading the Queen’s Army.
Also, the spellcasters really shone with some clever casting. Valerin, Tishe’, and Emrys please accept 1 hero point each.
Valerin successfully anticipated and countered the army’s strategy. For this he earns an additional 10,000 xp and Izzontia’s eternal resentment.
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