Simon N. (GM):It's just after dark, you are still at the Isle of Xin, roughly the middle of the compass rose on Varisia map. Do you want to report back to Sheila Heidmarch in Magnimar, return to Jorgenfist or do something else?
I created Heidmarch Manor on Roll 20 BTW :)
Quillax:(Nice! It would be a shame to waste that, so shall we go visiting?)
Rukvara:yes, lets go there :)
Simon N. (GM):But 'tis a silly place... :p ok, Transport Via Plants to Magnimar?
Quillax:(What's out next plan? We've got a Runelord free and after Q's blood, a city under siege and a few other runelords to dead with, so we should figure that out)
T via Plants it is :)
Simon N. (GM):You find some living seaweed to enter near sea level at Isle of Xin then step out of a tree in Heidmarch Manor gardens...
A maid servant jumps. "Oo!" You startled me!"
Quillax:"Is the lady of the manor at home?" Q asks
Simon N. (GM):"Lady Heidmarch is indeed, milady. I shall take you to her at once."
Quillax:"And would some towels be available? We'll try not to drip on anything..."
Simon N. (GM):"of course!"
Rukvara:Ruk is still quite wet from her 'swim' last battle
Simon N. (GM):Another maid brings you towels as you step indoors...
Rukvara:She starts ringing her hair our with a towel
Simon N. (GM):After towelling off the maid leads you to the Meeting Room, where Sheila is seated going over papers. She stands at your entrance.
"Ah excellent! Everything went well, I trust?"
Quillax:"Yes but there are other concerns now also," Q replies.
She details the fight quickly, including Karzoug's words
Simon N. (GM):"Please, be seated. The servants will bring refresments."
Sheila nods & listens.
The maids bring tea & biscuits.
Rukvara:Ruk fuinishes off all the biscuts in one gulp
"Thank you"
Simon N. (GM):Sheila: "Reports from Lastwall are quite dire. But with Zutha destroyed, we can expect his armies to be cast into disarray."
Quillax:"A small blessing, but only if anothre runelord doesn't absorb them."
Rukvara:"hmm...perhaps if they we're absorbed into my husbands army?"
Simon N. (GM):Sheila nods. "Brodert Quink has predicted that Karzoug will most likely want to seize this opportunity and take Belkzen-Gastash, before a new Runelord of Greed can emerge."
"Karzoug is better placed to move east, into Gastash."
Sheila: "Will you stay here tonight? You all look quite tired, and our rooms are excellent, as you know Quillax."
Quillax:Q considers, "A quick rest would do us good and a warm bath wouldn't go amiss, but let us first consider our next actions."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila nods: "You do seem a little ...briny."
Quillax:Q summons a smile, "I'm almost sure we didn't bring any sea life with us on accident."
"Although, I promise nothing."
Rukvara:Ruk pulls a small live crap out of her hair
Rukvara:she looks at the others then eats it whiole
Quillax:"Ah." Q clears her throat.
Simon N. (GM):I'm guessing that p was supposed to be a b :-O
Quillax:"So, as far as I see it, Karzoug is the biggest threat as he has transcended into our world fully. That makes him powerful enough that he may be able to usurp the power from the others."
"We could attempt to take down Sloth and reclaim that area but it leaves Karzoug free to go after Gluttony."
"We could go ally with gluttony against Karzoug but Karzoug may well get them to align against us."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila nods. "Yes... although I have to say, we are getting lots of reports recently of a 'Cult of the Peacock Spirit' becoming very active - and Brodert believes it may be linked to Runelord Xanderghul of Pride.
Rukvara:"We can't let him get any stronger, left unchecked he'll become unstoppable"
Quillax:"Oh yes, Peacocks. We heard rumours of them already."
"Pride is probably the second biggest threat as they are building fast."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila nods. "The threats are coming at us from all sides, now."
Rukvara:"We need to play them off of one another, the pick them each off one by one
Quillax:It would be the best solution if we could get Pride to pick at Greed but I have not thought of any leverage there yet."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila: "By the way, we have seven other experienced Pathfinders here at present - no one of your calibre of course, but they are all willing to assist."
Quillax:Q sits for a moment, hands wrapped around the tea cup.
"It might be suicide and it might not work..."
"But if those 7 would pick at Greed's forces under the guice of Pride's army..."
"And then they could turn around and do the same to Pride...
"Both would accuse the other of attacking and of lying about these attacks."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila sips her tea: "There is no Pride army in the field, as yet. Just these Peacock cultists in the cities - Korvosa, Kaer Maga, Riddleport... not many here, yet."
Quillax:"All the better. We could spread rumours of Pride's 'most special group' - a little tactical team..."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila: "Oh, also, we have had a report from Mr Drakhaien's agents watching Runeforge. Lots of comings and goings there, recently. Brodert believes it is most likely Runelord agents seeking weapons."
Sheila looks a little sceptical of Quillax's plan. "You may want to talk with the other agents - I believe the Osiri priestess Shukura can employ Plane Shift, which gives a degree of long range mobility."
Quillax:"I suppose we could try to kill two birds with one stone - send the Pathfinders dressed as Pride's Peacocks to the RuneForge. Get the rumours of this special group started."
"If they can secure the RuneForge or at least get a good look or steal some of the weapons, that would give us a foothold there."
She leans back over the map.
Simon N. (GM):Sheila: "The Runeforge is by all accounts a deadly place... losses would likely be high."
Sheila dabs a kerchief to her eye. "To be honest with you. Quillax, while they are all eager to volunteer, I don't have the heart for any more suicide missions. The loss of Seoni was quite a blow ...and Lord Claw, of course."
Sheila gives Ruk a nervous look. :)
Rukvara:Ruks eyes flash red for a moment
Quillax:"Are they a clever bunch? Would they be up to rooting out where Pride is and how far the Peacocks have spread?"
Simon N. (GM):Sheila nods. "Some of them are well suited to such - the Tiefling Narcissa is quite adept at subterfuge."
"And Fulnok the Rogue has quite a reputation as a Thief!"
Sheila: "I can put together a group suited to investigation and task them with locating the centre of the Peacock cult?"
Quillax:"I wouldn't put them against Karzoug, not since we failed, but if they can contain Pride or slow how far the poison spreads... then we can change our priorities as necessary."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila: "I suggest you rest now, then in the morning brief them before you return to Jorgenfist?"
Quillax:Q looks to Ruk - "And any who are diplomatic, perhaps we can gather loose forces of Zutha under our banner?"
Simon N. (GM):"In the meantime I will send word to the Lord Mayor of Zutha's demise."
Rukvara:"I'll have the more 'pursavie' of my army fold what they can of the losse forces"
ooc I can spell, honest :P
Q nods to Sheila, "A hot bath and a soft bed are most appreciated. I shall excuse myself then for the night. Should I be needed, wake me."
Simon N. (GM):Sheila: "Sleep well."
Rukvara:I'll take a hard bed myself#
Simon N. (GM):GM: You are escorted upstairs to the giant Lodge beds... they add some wood planks to Ruk's. :)
Simon N. (GM):Hot baths are poured and enjoyed...
Clean dry underwear & night clothes are provided.
(have back 20 hp if below max). Eventually you drift off to sleep...
Simon N. (GM):Night time. Palm trees wave gently in the perfumed air of Xin-Eurythnia. You stand atop a high tower, overseeing the vast lantern-lit expanse of the dreaming city.
Runelord Sorshen stands beside you.
Sorshen: "She's right about Xanderghul, you know."
Quillax:Q turns to face her. "Is she?"
Rukvara:ooc I'll assume Ruk isn't in this dream
Simon N. (GM):(Ruk & Quillax are there, no sign of the others) "You have done a great thing in defeating Zutha, but now you must know that this task
was more akin to an audition than anything else. I had to be
sure you had what it took to defeat a runelord, for an even
greater threat must now be faced. Runelord Xanderghul, the
only one I would consider a rival to my own power, did not
waken from his slumber with as much grace and aplomb as
Simon N. (GM):I. Something happened as he emerged from his metaphysical shelter, and he has been much reduced in strength. Make no
mistake, he remains one of the most dangerous wizards in your
land, but for now, you have a chance of defeating him. And you
must do so, before he can regain his full strength!”
"Alaznist
ambushed him while he remained hidden and asleep. I
Simon N. (GM):felt when he woke, and I felt when he died. Alaznist likely
thinks she’s triumphed over him, but I know better—
Xanderghul would never let mere death stop him. But his
death weakened him. I suspect that when she murdered
him, Alaznist absorbed much of his power. What she’s
using that power for, I cannot guess.”
Quillax:Q stares back out over the lights. "I don't trust you, but Mal has vouchsafed for you in this regard, so... what can you tell me about Xanderghul?"
Rukvara:"I don't trust any of you, but if one of those monsters is truely then we mst taake advantage of it"
Simon N. (GM):"He is the Runelord of Pride, the first among us to attain Mythic power. Some would consider him the strongest. At any account, he is my peer."
Quillax:"A magic wielder. Lovely. And if what you say is true, then Alaznist has moved up the list in terms of danger also," Q sighs to herself.
"Have you thoughts on his location - if Pride is to be our next challenge, then we should hurry so as to not allow him time to recover greatly."
Rukvara:"I do so hate magic users...no offence Quillax"
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen nods. "Even worse... Karzoug's agent, the dragonborn Shieldbiter, recently visited Hollow Mountain, Alaznist's stronghold. He apparently met with Alaznist there... and survived."
Simon N. (GM):"Where is Xanderghul? The most logical place is the
Grand Temple of the Peacock Spirit, which is located in
the Kodar Mountains.”
Quillax:"Ah, yes, Shieldbiter," Q grins softly to herself wondering if he was still a double agent or purely Pride's agent now. She held hope for the first.
Rukvara:"Shieldbiter? the dragonborn Claw told me about?"
Quillax:"Yes," Q confirms.
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen nods: "Karzoug and Alaznist are the most bitter of enemies. It seems unlikely they would form an alliance. But they might be able to put differences aside temporarily, to work against mutual foes..."
Quillax:"And undoubtedly we will quickly become that mutual foe, although it is likley that Karzoug would want to have the killing blow. Kodar mountains... nearer to the RuneForge or towards XinShalast?
Rukvara:"Or they might go back to trying to kill eachother
Simon N. (GM):"Nearer to Runeforge."
Rukvara:"they will be planning to backstab one another from the get go"
Quillax:(Is that Mobhad Leigh?)
Simon N. (GM):“Xanderghul
invited all seven of us to aid in the temple’s construction,
but I had little interest in lending him many of my
resources. My religious beliefs have always aligned
with others, and I never quite understood the draw of
the Peacock Spirit. I know where the Grand Temple is
Simon N. (GM):located, in the center of a lake within a hidden valley
in the Kodar Mountains, but I’ve always prided myself
in having never given Xanderghul or the cult the honor
of a visit.”
"It lies within a hidden valley near the source of the
first tributary of the Chavali River in the central Kodar
Simon N. (GM):Mountains, just over 400 miles due north of the Sunken
Queen."
Quillax:Q commits the directions to memory and nods. "Never understood peacocks myself, flashy butt feathers and a cawing shout that doesn't look like it should come out of such a creature."
"As you were peers of a sort, what was his specialty that we should prepare for?"
Rukvara:"They taste stringy too"
Simon N. (GM):"It lies close to the Mobhad Leigh abyss, yes."
"Illusion"
Quillax:"Of course," Q laughs, "Silly of me to forget. The RuneStone gave such an ability but I rarely took advantage - I preferred a more direct method previously."
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen smiles. "They do say Pride goeth before a fall."
Quillax:"I have fallen often enough, so perhaps it's time for a bit of turnabout - I think Pride should have a bit of a fall first."
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen laughs happily. "Excellent!"
Quillax:Q nods to herself. "We'll set out upon the morning. Anything else we should know?"
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen breathes deeply of the night air. "Almost time for us to part..." She considers. "Karzoug will surely turn now against Gastash. He won't want to give Zutha's apprentice, the Taiga giant Thulos, a chance to consolidate his claim as the new Lord of Gluttony. And that will keep Karzoug occupied a while. But..."
she sighs.
"Karzoug has already dispatched a squadron of Rune Giants to destroy Jorgenfist. I recommend you evacuate all but a token force, and the most valuable of the Therassic journals."
Quillax:Q's hands clench. "I'll send word immediately. The Librarian will be stubborn and Clank will refuse to go without, I fear..." she shakes her head and blinks back the tears.
Quillax:"My people will evacuate as much as can be evacuated. I'll send every bag of holding that can be found and deny him the knowledge we can.
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen nods. "Very sensible. You need to avoid direct conflict with Karzoug, at least for now. Encourage him to think you defeated, send his strength east."
Quillax:"Without Librarian."
Q nods at Sorshen. "The thinner we can spread his forces, the better. I must wake. I have much to do."
Simon N. (GM):Sorshen is starting to look a little faint. "One last thing. I have begun to notice certain ...anomalies. Temporal, historical. Ever since Alaznist slew Xanderghul. I am sure there is a connection - I am investigating, but I must be subtle. And you must be careful. See what you can discover at the Temple of the Peacock Spirit."
Quillax:Q nods. "Temporal I've noticed. Historical, I cannot say but we will be observant."
Simon N. (GM):"Very good. For now, farewell."
You wake to dawn light filtering through the curtains.
Quillax:Q throws the bedcovers aside and shouts for the maid. "Rouse your Lady and every magic user you have."
Simon N. (GM):(OOC as short of players suggest finish around 5.30) The maid hurries in & hurries out.
"stupid Runelords...."
Quillax:Q yanks on her clothes and armour with haste and slams her fists on the others' doors. "Wake."
Simon N. (GM):10 minutes later Sheila and the Pathfinders gather downstairs in the lavishly furnished Great Hall, where breakfast is being served.
Rukvara:Ruk begins wolfing down breakfast will staring down the new recruits
while*
Quillax:"I need every bag of holding that you have. And any magic user that can distance travel, create portals, or the like. And I'll need a room, Lady Sheila, for the knowledge of Jorgenfist and space for my people, I will entrust their safety to you or I can send them to my old allies.
Simon N. (GM):The newbies - all heroes in their own right, some as high as 9th or 10th level(!) look back at Ruk.
Sheila: "We have a good deal of library space here, at your disposal."
Rukvara:"I've got one we can lend to the effort Q"
Quillax:"I have little time, Jorgenfist is soon to fall and I must evacuate them."
She nods her thanks to Ruk.
Simon N. (GM):Sheila introduces the newbs: "Jilla Kallent, Cleric of Saranrae, and Shukura, War Priestess of Osirion."
"The Fighter Kaern, Ranger Elmo, Fulnok the Rogue, Afrafa the Monk, and Narcissa the Warlock."
Simon N. (GM):Elmo: "Aye. Elmo."
He squints up at Ruk. :)
Rukvara:i was actully saying tht out of character but nevermind
"its a good name ;)"
Simon N. (GM):Shukura: "I can employ travel across the Astral Plane and thence back to Golarion, though it is not precise."
(OOC was too funny for OOC) :P
Quillax:"There has been a slight change in plan - as soon as I have evacuated my people, we are going after Pride as he is currently weakened. Wrath has become far more dangerous but we will strike while we may be able to challenge him."
Rukvara:If you send me with the bags I can carry additional objects aas well
Simon N. (GM):Narcissa: "I can Dimension Door, honey? Is that useful?"
Quillax:"Not precise is fine - we just need to get close enough and bring people somewhere safe."
Simon N. (GM):The group do a whip round...
Quillax:"Yes, every transport spell is vital at the moment. I will bring any volunteers with me via Transport Via Plants - we'll grab the most important books and all the people we can."
Simon N. (GM):5 bags of holding are emptied out & handed over.
Quillax:Q does the same with hers so with hers and Ruk's they have 7 ?
Rukvara:Ruk empties hers too
yep
Simon N. (GM):Large piles of debris cover a 10' area :)
lots of wepons in Ruks case :)
Quillax:"I will try to convince the Librarian and Clank to come and I will leave a small guard to defend as long as possible then get out when the defenses fall."
Simon N. (GM):Elmo: "Standing against Rune Giants is certain death - you know that."
Quillax:Q looks at him. "Yes. I've died doing that."
Rukvara:"So has my husband, but he'll get better"
Quillax:"Which is why we're evacuating and anyone remaining behind will be able to get themselves out."
Simon N. (GM):Jilla: "What do you want us to do, Arch-Druidess?"
Rukvara:"If you truely believe that there is no hope the simply lay down and die"
Simon N. (GM):Elmo shrugs. "Just sayin', any guards you leave behind are gonna get squashed."
Rukvara:"How about you and I leave with the last group?"
Ruk smiles
Simon N. (GM):Elmo nods to Ruk. "As you wish."
Quillax:She looks to Jilla "Anyone with transport magic comes with me. I'll bring us all there - many of my Druids there have magic, they should be able to get themselves out - anyone without that ability is going to need your help. The first priority is the people and the most dangerous books. The second priority is any many other books as we can."
Rukvara:Ruk slaps him on the shoulder
"I like this one"#
Quillax:Q turns to Elmo - "If you have Ruk's seal of approval, then you're half way to being a legend of your own."
Simon N. (GM):Elmo rocks slightly. "You, I still have to decide about." he grins.
"
Simon N. (GM):Shukura & Narcissa step forward at Quillax's call.
Quillax:"I will try to convince the LIbrarian and Clank. Perhaps with enough books and Sheila's library, we may be able to persuade them. Eat quickly - you probably won't get another chance until tonight."
Simon N. (GM):Narcissa gobbles down a sausage. "Yum - I'm ready!"
Shukura: "I have prayed - I am ready, too."
GM: Breakfast done, you head out to the garden ready to Transport via Plants to Jorgenfist...
Quillax:Q nods. "The more gods on our side, the better."
Simon N. (GM):GM: OK will stop there for tonight, hopefully others can join next week.
Rukvara:Hey Simon. I've been think about Claw
Rukvara:Could we send a message back to the tribe, to have one of them sneak into the tower under the guise of being a follower and steal his ashes and gear back?
I underand if not
Simon N. (GM):You can attempt whatever you like.
Simon N. (GM):It may not have any chance of working, but you can try.
Rukvara:I have a little RP scene I'd like to play out ^^
married couple reunion, Claw gets punched in the face, etc
Simon N. (GM):You can send a message from Jorgenfist easily enough.
OK will post log, bye now. :)
Rukvara:coolio, thanks for the session :)
No comments:
Post a Comment