The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

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Dave
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The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Dave » Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:27 pm

+++This begins directly where the last session ended, with you arriving at the dock in Sagentown.+++

Tiadora says, “We leave immediately. The master commands you board. You will learn more later.” She waves her outstretched arm indicating that you should waste no time crossing the gang plank.

She follows you and tells the enthralled captain of the barge to make way. He and his small crew begin to push off. As the barge begins to leave, a family fleeing the oncoming hoard rushes on to the dock. They cry out for the barge to stop and take them, they have money that they can offer and the barge is large enough. Tiadora pays them no heed until the matriarch of the family begs her to consider the children of the family. When she hears that, she says “Yes, of course, the children.”

Tiadora makes a gesture, and the dock is covered in a squirming mass of long, black tentacles. As the family is torn apart, she says “Such little darlings they are too.” Then she turns to the Forsaken.

“The cabin is mine, and mine alone. I cherish my privacy, and suggest that you do not disturb it. The barge is well provisioned, and the crew knows what they are to do. You should make yourselves as comfortable as you can. We will reach our destination in 12 days. We will be stopping along the way, though you will not be leaving this vessel. We may speak later if you wish, but for now I will be alone.” With that, she enters the cabin and closes the door.

The crew of the Chorister Queen show no emotion as they move around the boat. Soon you are out in the lake with quite the view of Sacarac’s hoard burning Everard Tower first, then the doomed city of Sagentown. The sealed gates of the keep didn’t do much to slow them down. As the Solstice Blood Moon rises, the flames engulf Sagentown.

The Chorister Queen is not a fast boat by any definition. The next 12 days are somewhat peaceful and relaxing. You all manage to make the best of what you have to work with. The nights are warm, the days are pleasant.

The barge stops at night, near whatever village or settlement along the lake and river happens to be there. Wherever Tiadora directs the captain to stop. The barge never ties up to a dock, but instead anchors a distance off in the water. Tiadora will retire to her cabin, only seen again when the morning sun rises. Then she commands the captain to resume the journey. She stands at the rail, looking back at the towns as they recede in the distance. She always has a trace of a smile on her face.

+++OK, if you guys want to talk to her, ask her any questions, or whatever, go for it.

Here are some basics taken care of for you!

If you ask where you are going, she tells you: “We are going to Everett.”

If you ask why, she says: “To bring the Lake States to their knees. The Master will tell you more.”

If you ask if she is coming with you, she says: “It is my task to escort you to Everett, and introduce you to an old friend of the Master. Once this is done, I have other errands. Will you miss me my dearest?”

If you ask about this friend, she says: “The Master will tell you what you should know.”

If you ask why you are stopping at night so close to the villages, she says: “I am reminding the poor souls of the Lake States of what hell is like.” +++

On the twelfth night, Tiadora comes out of her cabin and says, “The Master is here, and commands you attend him.” She steps aside, and bids you all to enter.

Thorn is sitting in a chair, looking much like he did when you last saw him in the manor house near Brandermill Prison. His black and burgundy robes and leather gloved hands are meticulously clean. The great silver holy symbol of Karamaka hanging from his neck.

He has a sly grin on his face. He greets you, then gets straight to business: “You have served me faithfully, my ninth chord, and I have rewarded you with both treasure and vengeance. Thanks to your efforts, the Fire Axe and his hoard have been unleashed. Even now, he writes his name in blood across the Protectorate.

“Three battles have been fought and three victories have been won. Not only has Everard Tower and Sagentown fallen to his hoard, but the towns of Carrington and Vanus have burnt, as has the fortress of Lionsgate. Each of you did his part in seeing these triumphs happen. Do not think that I have forgotten that!

“Our work is not yet done. The Lake States have not bowed to Karamaka, nor tasted the full measure of our vengeance. I have another mission for you. Tomorrow this barge will dock in Everett. Its lord has recently left the place with most of his army hoping to capitalize on the war to gain prominence and more noble rank.” He practically spits that last part out in mocking contempt.

“Everett does sit relatively close to the Silverwood and the Miht Quagmire. Hidden somewhere near where the two meet is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a loathsome death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman.’” Almost eighty years ago, a Lord of Lake States named Markadian, called the Victorious overthrew the Horn and destroyed that cult. Honestly, it was no great loss,” he says with a smile.

“What the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the lord, that he had the priests of Avenar craft a great silver seal to forever forbid Vetra-Kali from returning to our plane. This seal remains intact to this day.

“I have learned the truth about this daemon prince, and I know what the Victor truly feared. Vetra-Kali is a priest in the service of the Lord of Pestilence. This immortal creature could create a plague so virulent, that it would bring the Lake States to its knees!

“When the Victor attacked, Vetra-Kali was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys. I am uncertain about the specifics of this plague, but if it could bring terror to the heart of the Victor, then I want it! The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger that we will drive into the heart of the Lake States!

“I already have agents in the great cities of the Lake States. With this pestilence, they could deliver blight and death to the center of the realm. Caught between the Fire Axe and Vetra-Kali’s gift, we shall bring ruin to them. This gift you shall bring to me.

“It will not be easy. I have already lost one band of followers on this mission. I sent the fourth chord to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded in that at least, finding it somewhere near where the Silverwood meets the Miht Quagmire, several days ride north of Everett. It is concealed in a great spire of stone.

“But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Silverwood well, so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn is still guarded. I cannot say. But it matters not. The Tears of Achlys will be mine!

“I am undeterred by this setback. Where one chord failed, two shall succeed. I will also send my seventh chord, the Hibernal Chord, led by Elise Zadaria, whom you met in the manor those months ago. I task you with finding the Horn of Abaddon and calling forth Vetra-Kali. Elise and the White Ravens will aid you. Elise proved herself a capable assassin in our last venture. The seventh chord will remain in Everett and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with our work meets an unhappy end. Thus you will have time to do what must be done.

“There is another who may aid you. Once a thriving dioceses of Karamaka existed in Everett. It was led by a half-elven noble- Baron Arkov Vandermir. He is treacherous and decadent, but wealthy and well-connected. Tiadora will introduce you before she departs.

“I know not what aid the Baron can provide, but his family is old and long has dwelt in Everett. Never trust him, but know this: he is afraid of me, and with good reason. If he does try anything, remind him that you are in Everett on my behalf. That should keep him in line.

“Find the Horn of Abaddon. Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to Arre. Bind him to your will and force service from this monster. Then bring his gift to me. Can you do this my Chord? Have I found servants with might and will enough to see this task done?”

+++Feel free to ask Thorn any questions that you may have. If you want to ask Tiadora something, we will assume that it was asked before Thorn arrived. Please make clear in your post that you are talking to Tiadora or Thorn. This thread will remain open until Monday afternoon. XP awards for participation.+++
kyle wrote:The party then goes full retard

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Kyle
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Kyle » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:44 pm

I start off asking the crew, Tiadora , and our party members what they know of our destination. "Is Everret a lake state alined town or an ally of Xot? Are crafting services and stores available?"

I ask Thorn "Are we to leave Everret be and focus on the task presented, our would chaos help our cause? With the Lord and army away.... The forsaken could play..."

"Will having Grim with us present a problem? Are ogres freely accepted?"

Dave
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Dave » Sat Mar 24, 2018 7:30 am

The crew does not answer any questions from anyone except Tiadora.

Tiadora tells you that Everett is part of the Lake States Protectorate, and it is a good sized city full of crafters and shops.

+++Everett map, guide, and items list is in the Dropbox. Check it out.+++

Thorn says that your task is to find the Horn and recover the Tears, and that he doubts attacking Everett has anything to do with either of those.

Thorn says that Grimnok will have to be put off the boat before you arrive in town. Maybe he can meet you in the Silverwood.
kyle wrote:The party then goes full retard

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Kyle
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Kyle » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:33 pm

To Thorn- "Do you have any information, even old tales, on the possible location of the temple?"

"Are there any other stories of the raid on the temple from the past that may help us learn the location, defenses, things that may have taken up residence since.... etc.?"

Dave
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Dave » Sat Mar 24, 2018 10:04 pm

Thorn- “As I said: I sent the fourth chord to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded in that at least, finding it somewhere near where the Silverwood meets the Miht Quagmire, several days ride north of Everett. It is concealed in a great spire of stone.

“But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Silverwood well, so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn is still guarded. I cannot say.“
kyle wrote:The party then goes full retard

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Kyle
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Kyle » Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 am

Ooc- it's like when you click on an NPC in Baulders Gate and you already did all the chat options 😀

Please dont tell us to gather our party before venturing forth ....

DalamarD
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by DalamarD » Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:31 am

Regarding Tiadora:

I study her with moderate discretion and attempt to figure out what she's doing in her cabin. I will ask the rest of the chord if they have any idea what she could be doing in terms of spells/prayers to "bring hell" to the inhabitants of the nearby towns.

I will also attempt to engage her in conversation directly. Asking about her personally, how long she has served Karamaka/Thorn, if she has any individual goals/desires, etc. I'll be attempting to use persuasion if you want me to make any rolls. If she opens up at all, I'll continue to engage in conversation.

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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by DalamarD » Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:37 am

After Thorn's speech/directive, Valak will ask him the following:

"If this plague is so potentially virulent and deadly, how will you control it and assure that it only targets the lake states? Not that I mind collateral damage, but I would hate to fall victim to it as well.

Also, do you have any information on Vetra-Kali? Anything that may dispose him towards us favorably or enable us to secure his assistance? What about the Lord of Pestilence that he serves? Is he on friendly terms with Karamaka?

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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by rgl2112 » Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:06 am

Listening to Valak, Xander will pay more attention to Tiadora and use his perception to see if he can discern what she may be doing. He will also pray to Karamaka for any guidance or intuition in that regard as well.

Xander asks Thorn, "I have friends back in Xot, as you very well know, the sort of "Orphan" friends that could very well aid us in the town of Everett and in particular, spying on the Baron for you if you wish. I would very much like to use them to our own accord as well. I plan to Send a message to my cohort in Xot, Garavel, to round up a few trusted companions and make his way north to Everett.

With all due respect, My Lord, may I have him make contact with you for assistance in getting here safely?"
By Karamaka's Will

Dave
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Re: The Start of Book Two: 12 Days

Post by Dave » Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:59 pm

DalamarD wrote:
Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:31 am
Regarding Tiadora:

I will also attempt to engage her in conversation directly. Asking about her personally, how long she has served Karamaka/Thorn, if she has any individual goals/desires, etc. I'll be attempting to use persuasion if you want me to make any rolls. If she opens up at all, I'll continue to engage in conversation.
"I have served Thorn for a long time now, darling. My desire is to see his orders carried out. I am but a simple hand maiden, in the humble service of a Lord. Much like you and your companions. Well, except for the hand maiden part. Although, I have heard stories about what knights do behind closed doors with their squires." She casts her eyes at Tim in a manner that is somehow equally longing and unpleasant.

"Good thing you are all sleeping on the deck." She laughs at that.

If you want to continue questioning her, we can do it after the thread is closed.
kyle wrote:The party then goes full retard

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