Auge's Chronicle: Day Six

Seven cardinal sins and seven cardinal virtues; we, my brothers are the embodiment of Greed. We have already encountered Sloth and I can’t help but ponder; when would our brood encounter Lust, Wrath or Charity, the virtue diametrically opposed to us?

I have no doubt that agents of virtue will soon be coming for us. The more allies we make and the more business we generate will assuredly fill our hoard, but I’d like to see more of our influence within these agents and our domain. We need to spread the influence of our sin more directly and instill greed deeply within the contacts and allies we have made. The more sin being committed will create great exponential waves of evil and sin our enemies will have to sift and fight through before they reach us. And when they do we will be ready.

10/27/10 Review

 6pm Our session begins with our return to Stormhaven from the Flying Citadel. Durg the Just wakes from his extended slumber to report of more callings similar to what befell him before. The summoner seems to be the same creature, possibly another (female) draconic race as Malar. Durg was caught and tortured; dominated and subjugated. It is not believed that truenames were being applied.

During our brotherly round of hoard building, we discovered the taint laced within all magical items that were gathered from the green cloak/ snake and skull cultists (SS cultists). Vercer is the only one actively wearing his tainted item.

8 pm With a plan of killing Claret, then speaking with Larratia, Raice and Waymar to discern their alliance. We arrived to the bar to find Larratia setting up for a busy night, Raice was off that night and Waymar has not been seen lately- her brother was here we came to discover. Discussion ranged from adding a lunch menu to hypothetical talk on what would happen if one or the other team won, what would become of the losers. ? Finally she worked out that we had in fact won the Twilight House contest and that we were giving her a rare opportunity. She would need to speak to her brother.

With the uneasiness lifted, the Pauchard siblings admitted to be unwitting pieces in a dark prophesy and that these SS cultists were after them. They had attacked twice before; both times they attempted to capture them with Black Bags of Unconsciousness and Lassos of Capturing! They (Pauchards and Co.) thought these SS cultists were sent by us. Not so, we wish for profits and do not squander opportunities.

Larratia and Claret both relinquish their house items (+2 Bracers of Armor & an Ivory Wand) and watermarks. They further confer that they do not believe Raice and Waymar will appreciate our offer and may opt to leave Stormhaven if given the chance. We believe that one or both may be dead.

10 pm REOPEN FOR BUSINESS! Liquor commission delivery: Jaren speaks with a dwarf named Dagmar (driver for the liquor commission) and offers a 50 gp gem (?) for the recovery of the individuals and their items matching Raice and Waymar. They would have been looking into commission employees and may have had an unfortunate accident. Dagmar was also given a potion of expeditious retreat to expedite his task and instructions to bring any findings back to us at this location.

With Claret working the crowd and Larratia setting up the drinks, Vercer notices a few oddities and suspicious characters about the bar. Suddenly Raice drops his illusions and warns Larratia of the impending attack of the snake and skull cultists. After a chaotic battle with the SS we managed to kill two (one undead thrall escaped, one destroyed) and captured one cultist. His (suspected tainted) items include: 5th level wand of magic missiles, 4 potions of cure light wounds, +1 longsword- capable of holding crystals, +2 buckler, +1 composite longbow (+4 Str) & 20, +2 arrows, and a +2 cloak of charisma as well as a as yet undetermined cloak, scythe and 50g off another guy.

We conclude the session with Raice, Larratia, Claret and our clutch discussing what we want to learn from our SS captive.

Tales of a Tidal Wave

Wallick waited, fidgeting and shifting his weight, one foot to the other. His friend Rothwell, sat quietly and patiently behind the Knight of Waves, commandant of Rothwell’s order as well as his mentor. The Poseidon Tribunal discussed Wallick’s report amongst themselves, their stern faces and taciturn demeanor revealing nothing of their true feelings. One of the tribunal members, a woman who Wallick had been introduced to once before, turned her gaze on the young ranger and inquired, “How is it that you discovered this danger and their location?” Wallick was skilled at many things, public speaking, however, was not one of those skills. Fumbling for words to explain he finally blurted out, “I will never know if during my years as an orphan on the Upside I was taught to hate them or if I was born with it, but I do not have a memory of a time when I did not hate and fear dragons. That hate fuels me and for whatever reason, I seem to be at my best when using my skills and talents against them.”


Wallick was unable to tell if his words had had an impact for she quickly turned back to the Tribunal and resumed discussion. Finally, after another ten minutes of discussion, the head of the Tribunal, Lindholm, turned his gaze back towards and beyond Wallick to the Knight of Waves. “Do you feel, Knight Paladin, this challenge is a worthy cause for your young charge Rothwell ? Do you trust his alliance with Wallick?” The Knight stood and Wallick felt himself staring but could not help it. This man exuded confidence and an aura of invincibility Wallick had never before encountered. His uniform, armor, and weapons glowed with power, yet somehow, Wallick was certain that if he were to stand here naked he would look just as powerful.
A rich baritone filled the chamber as Lindholm responded, “I have long spoken of a more active policy in our lifetime battle against all that is evil. Not only do I think this challenge is worthy enough to transition Rothwell from a squire in our order to a full member, I think his choices in allies to undertake this mission are exemplary and will serve not only Rothwell but our order well. Let this mission serve as a bellwether for future endeavors! No longer shall we wait for evil to rear its head and diabolical plans, we shall take the battle to them and seek to destroy them before the fullness of their vision can be achieved.” The Knight of Waves waited to retake his seat until the tribunal turned away from his stare. It didn’t take long but Wallick recognized the effect Lindholm had on everyone. The ranger wondered if someday his friend Rothwell would have the same presence.


The members of the Poseidon Tribunal mumbled to each other, shuffling scrolls and papyrus, providing themselves enough time to regain composure. Finally all members faced forward and the Tidejudge Amacom called for Wallick to step forward. “You have been judged by this tribunal to be of pure intention, noble spirit, and genuine causes, as well as having been spoken for by our Knight, are you ready to dedicate your life, as well as the lives of your allies towards this purpose, eradicating this sin from our city?” Wallick, inspired by Lindholm, responded forcefully, “My life was dedicated before I arrived, this tribunal will provide me with the wisdom and allies to succeed! Let our efforts and lives serve as an example to others who will raise their swords against all of the darkness arrayed against us! Praise be to Poseidon!”


Several servants stepped forward from behind the dais, bearing clothes, armor, and weapons. “This tribunal recognizes and blesses you Wallick, supporting you in your cause against the agents of sin. Will you receive Poseidon’s blessings?” Amacom asked. “With my body, mind, and soul, bathe me in the waves of Poseidon’s blessings and let the earth tremble as we begin our fight” responded the ranger, just as his friend Rothwell had taught him. Tomorrow they would begin their hunt.

"One of these days Alice, straight to the Moon!"

These were the frustrating times for the elf.  Imagine building a home and damn near one-thousand years later finding out that the laws of physics had changed.  In a way, thought the wizard, he had confirmed a long held theory that this planetary body operated under the same rules, if different effects, as the host planet that he once called home.  Sure that he was thinking important thoughts, the elf found his favorite chair and loaded a pipe.  As he thought over the changes he had noticed in his creations he began to suspect that there was a similar theme, mayhap a singular solution. It was at that moment that several of the elf wizard's wards went off while several constructs called out warnings and flashed important looking lights.  A visitor for these old bones, this bodes trouble thought the elf, just as several spells and a contingency went off.  Not needing to move to discern who or what was arriving, Myrddin took a long drag off his pipe and cast another spell.  Appearing out on the surface in full regalia, Myrddin wondered if his former ally still considered the elf a friend after all these years.  Blowing out a ring of smoke he stared as the green man approached. The old voice of the green man rumbled, "Come, it is time."

Tales from the Black Kracken

Invidia stood on the deck of the ship, her magic altering everyone's perceptions of her and her followers.  Even though the winter solstice was close the weather had not begun to break.  They had been sailing for twelve days, five days out from the sea moot.  Despite her magic's, Invidia was certain that the crew's natural superstition was leading to some tensions aboard the ship.  Captain Tullivar had informed her earlier that if the weather held, they would arrive in Stormhaven a week from today. 
Ennis and Joness called her over to the stairs, another problem.  She sighed at their lack of imagination but wouldn't have trusted their decisions anyway.  "The first mate is complaining about the cold again.", Ennis growled.  "Give him another gem as well as extra blanket, has he been snooping in the hold again?" she inquired.  Joness hissed that the mate's last scare seemed to cure his curiousity.  "Have we lost any cargo?" she asked, her tone indicating the danger of the answer.  Ennis and Joness hurried away to return to guarding the hold, answering over the shoulder that no further damage had occurred.  Invidia glared at the two until they were well out of site.  Her plans require a full brood capable of building her strength and securing their position.  She would harvest what was already in play, owning other's success. 

10/20/10 Review

Shortly after 3pm, Jaren, Auge and Vescer regrouped and followed 3 of the ambush party through a relatively unexplored area of our city-block sized building. After a brief chase, our quarry split up upon reaching the ground through a window. We picked one to follow, chased him and beat him down. Gathering his equipment, the three of us hurried him back to the vault to question our attacker.

Deciding to take a “we’re all friends here” approach, our prisoner was at first confused but came around to telling us that they were sent to discover what happened to their contact in necromantic components. He also alluded to a master, but didn’t- even under extreme duress- admit to his master’s house or his name. We elected to kill him, after which he transformed into an undead thrall causing battle to ensue. When the killing strike was at last landed, the thrall pulsed with dark energy leaving bones that contain meta-magic properties.

Then we rested.

9 am. Unable to arouse Durg from his deep slumber we went on about our day and returned to the scene of yesterday’s ambush. On the roof top, we discovered an unfinished circle of chalk, magic components and foci. Featured prominently was ‘the Chaos Star’, also a divine symbol of Jubb.

Later we went to Twilight House so that Jaren could obtain a couple of armor crystals. There, we met a human by the name of Kelvan (Item Trade Accountant) who was very enthusiastic about doing business with us.

Noon. We decided it would be a good idea to test the drafts near and around the fingers. Upon arrival we find Malar training dire bats to fly under harsh conditions. Palaver with Mahlar revealed his hopes in impressing Memnon with a formation of a Jr membership level in the flyers club. This body would be populated and primed to enter Stormhaven’s guild structure, with his blessing of course.

1 pm. Following Mahlar, we ascend until Stormhaven could no longer be seen and we found ourselves within the clouds. Mahlar stopped short when we were confronted by a giant blue-skinned genie named Savoy, who eventually let us into a portal in the sky.

Once through, we followed a passage to an immense castle courtyard what was filled ground to sky will all manner of flying creatures. We were on a grand flying citadel. Using our draconic heritage to our advantage we were given Jr. membership status (as Mahlar as our sponsor) as well as a tour of the citadel.

During our stay we met and exchanged ‘niceties’ with the genie Memnon as well as Buran Risenfier (attendant and military figure- also a genie), a female black dragon (sloth) named Somille; a manticore named Sharptale; Kirtidore, a pasha of an air realm; Mako’s brother Hammer; a dwarf named Hop Gorenstone (has an Imp companion he calls "poof"); Mogary a vampire, and a Somille’s elvan servant Carosto.

We were given dinner unlike any we have experienced before. In the process we learned that the fruit from the trees of this place had beneficial effects for flyers; one improves your fly speed by 10’, another improves your maneuverability, one that add +5 to your fly skill and yet another grants a +2 to your saving throws when flying- lasting an hour each. It is believed that a wish is responsible for these properties.

When we spoke with Hammer, he was unawares of Mako’s death. We shared with him our findings and that the Sevens and Buki was responsible! He has pledged his help when we go to the driftdowns Friday to intercept Mako’s anticipated shipment of Black root.

Jaren met with politicos of the flyers club; Carpaletti (who expressed interest in drugs and poisons) and Brunderson (a necromancer and natural flyer) in the hopes of creating interest in a meta-magic trade with Twilight House. Negotiations took place and we were eventually informed about an individual by the moniker Nightstalker. He is a ritual murderer, has devils in his employ, traffics in truenames and has a modest cult following. His sigil matches a symbol found just inside the lab.

6 pm. Returned to Stormhaven. End of session.

BTW- Rob, add 506 gp in miscellaneous divine scrolls to your hoard.

These Docks Are Mine

Godin walked with a purpose up the pier to where the men were unloading the ship. Stripped to the waist, showing off the tattoos that covered his ropey musculature, he strode up to the turbanned man with the hook nose and oiled beard. The ship's captain didn't see Godin until the shorter, wiry man was upon him. Stopping in mid-shout, the captain turned an inquisitive eye to Godin and the six thugs following him.

"And what do you want? I have already paid that thief you call a harbormaster. Away with you, I have cargo to unload and need no extra hands" the captain said, his words thickly accented by a far-away tongue.

Godin eyed the men unloading, the crates that were being placed on the dock, the style, shape and age of the ship, and then, cocking his head to the side, stated tonelessly "You can't dock here. I've got a ship by the name The Foamchaser scheduled for this dock."

Irritated, the captain shrugged his shoulders, saying "What do you want me to do? I was told to dock here, here I am. Talk to your harbormaster."

Godin looked over his shoulder at his men, then turned back. "I don't think you understand, my friend. I own these 3 docks and if I say you can't dock here, you will have to move."

The foreigner shook his head and started to turn away. "Go bully someone else, I have not -"

In a flash, Godin had his dagger out, and with a hollow thwok, sent the larger man reeling with a blow to the temple with the dagger's hilt. The captain fell hard to the docks, blood streaming down his face. Godin then began savagely kicking the man, in the chest and face, stomping hard and hearing the prostrate man's nose crunch. Meanwhile, the six heavies that had accompanied Godin swarmed over the ship, disposing of the crew with lethal efficiency.

The captain had raised his hands, feebly, to try to ward off the visicous attacks from Godin . Godin stooped, tangled his fingers in the captain's beard and lifted the man's chin, drawing his dagger across the barely conscious man's throat.

Breathing hard, Godin rose and called out "Olev, Tchurak, get a couple of wagons. Load the crates on one, the bodies on the other. Take the bodies to Llewillyn and see if she needs them. If not, dump 'em. The crates go back to the house. Yuri, take the rest of the men and get this ship over to Hammish's. He'll know what to do with it."

With that, Godin wiped the dagger off on the captain's tunic, sheathed it and walked back up the docks. No one uses these 3 docks without his permission.

10/13/10 Review.

10 Am. Our day began with a visit to Alvord to return of the painting he commissioned us to retrieve. He looked prepared for a trip and he explained that he was on his way to the Driftdowns. (Also mentioned some flier accident in the driftdowns- but we didn’t dig for details) After an exchange of a gem as down payment toward the gold promised, he admitted to knowing Damdode (pg 25) and described him as a weasel, a real prick as well as an administrator to an underwriting house (a banker). We expressed interest in going after the last art piece (for compensation) before we departed, with another meeting scheduled with Alvord for later in the week.

11 am. Later, we went to Tamros’ townhome at the Bally-Who. No symbols of 7s were present, but there was a trap door leading to secret vents that were too small for our stature. We did find a lost and forgotten reoccurring statement of sale to Red Quill Tattoo and Mothlo Tu Ervan for a sizeable amount of tattoo ink. The invoice was 6 months old.

At the shop, Tamros was present along with two dwarfs and two elves. After a series of questions geared at observing his reactions as to discover his alliances: was he a Seven, against the 7s or an independent agent? Once the air was clear and everyone knew that the 7s were a common enemy, the dwarf’s demeanor changed and we were brought into the fold and into the tangles in the creeping rose (pg 29).

After introductions to Lindyl Thinskin (pg 21), his other dwarf cohort (sea scavengers) and the two elves Vesper and her husband (exotic fruits and veggies imports) we began open discussion and the sharing of information.

Within the dirt cellar of the Creeping Rose, Tamros maintained he is not against Twilight house and that he is a member of the Liquor Commission. He has been selling the Red Quill poisoned ink in hopes of ending the 7s and their lot to eventually fill the void they will leave when dead, thereby resuming their rightful position lost during the thieves’ war.

Tamros expressed interest in keeping us as allies; he even spoke as eventual business partners and that he was looking for an apprentice or two.

We disclosed information on the other team from Twilight house and that they investigated thieves guild activity within the liquor commission. Tamros warned of the danger that this could invite on that team.

We learned that the half elf Lyri Farsil, (suspected to supply the 7s with watermarks) is also connected to the Seafoam Company. Seafoam is where Buki originated.

Noon- At the Vault we found that the dragon scrolls remained within the dragon heart as we prepared our final report to Twilight House taking Tamros’ caution against Derro and Mindflayers into consideration.

2pm- Twilight House, at the top of a tower we were held palaver with Arkeil, Uvrok a Derro and two invisible mind flayers. Jaren began the report, keeping the details of the liquor commission vague. The poison is being employed against the 7s by an arm of a thieves guild who were remnants from thieves conflicts past and that the second group from Twilight House is in way over their heads. We also produced a component to an antidote for the KISS poison.

Twilight House was concerned as to what we intend to do with our findings. We expressed that inserting us into the equation was desirable over stopping or interrupting the illicit activities. Simply put, we wanted in on the profits, status and the social gain. We were awarded gather team status and would be assigned a task in a few weeks. In the mean time it was ours to do with as we will the second team, but to return to Twilight House items of importance.

3 Pm. It was an idea posed by Jaren to create a Blade-dandy fight-club in our building and that the best way to utilize the second team was to have them run it (Auge and Vercer). We set off to the Liquor Commission, it is upon the rooftop where we were met with 3 spellcasters and 3 rogues who were waiting for us.

Twilight House Gather Team

After years of trade and buildup in Stormhaven a consistent problem for the house became apparent, namely that the majority of our merchants come from underdark societies, and that their knowledge of surface life, let alone life in Stormhaven, is limited at best. Our solution has been to recruit and train a small elite team of members that would better serve our surface needs. Responsibilities range from diplomacy and enforcement to acquisitions. A good eye for trade opportunity and a working knowledge of our contacts and shipments will help your group succeed. Many times we need to provide our merchants with a better understanding of the societies we do business with so that they can better understand what those societies do and do not value. The Gather Team also acts as our internal investigators. Despite Twilight House’s best efforts, many of our trade sources have goals beyond profit, and we must guard against those goals interfering with our business interests. The Gather Team will easily become the most well known members of Twilight House, short of the councilor, acting as both our diplomatic and enforcing arm with the general public. Political maneuverings will be handled by the councilor.


Current Instructions:


Deal with your former competition as you will. The items that the house wants you to recover:


All four have Water Marks provided by Twilight House, recover these and place them against your own, one a piece. Your Water Marks will absorb theirs and become fully functional. Watermarks do not take up a slot. (Russ note that the other Water Mark you are waiting on can be applied to this one.


Once you acquire the Water Marks the benefits to each of you will be:


Permanent (while worn):


+1 Resistance to all Saving Throws. +1 house bonus To Luck Score,


Feat: +3 Skill Focus on single skill of your choice, chosen when first put on and cannot be changed.


At Will:


Message with each other and Arkielle, range is Stormhaven, both the Updside and Driftdown, not much range outside the shadow of the disk.


Detect the direction you are facing (Water Mark always lets you know which direction is North)


1/Day: Immediate action add a +4 to any saving throw. When this is used the Watermark becomes inert for 24 hours, eliminating all special functions of the badge save stair passage and rites of magic.



Besides the Water Marks, the following items are to be recovered:


Claret Pauchard has a set of +2 Bracers of Armor with Twilight Insignia


Larratia Pauchard has a wand made of ivory, carved from the tusk of a creature referred to as an Ellie Font.


Waymar has goggles that provide Dark vision


Raice has two magical bags, both are bags of holding but one of them is made from a grey hide said to be from the same Ellie Font. Twilight house wants the grey bag returned with whatever is inside it. You are not to search the bag or attempt to find out what is inside. The rest of their belongings you can do with what you will.


After you have dealt with the unworthy failures you defeated so handily, we need you to look into a bar near The Lifts in the Warehouse district, called the Broken Barrel. This bar is a favorite of the Lifter guildsmen and is famous for very strong ale and vicious brawls. Several members of the Lifter Guild pad their weekly pay by being friendly with a variety of Upside guilds, allowing overweight shipments, not inspecting certain items, as well as delaying or even stealing other shipments of guilds and houses that they aren’t friendly with. We suspect that some of the guildsmen sabotage shipments from rival guilds. The Twilight House would like to know which guildsmen work for which guilds and if there are any free agents that can be convinced to join our cause. See what you can learn and who you can convert to our side.


There are two individuals that are always at the bar that we would like you to deal with. The bar’s champion and lead lifter is a demon blooded Hill Giant that goes by the moniker of Giblet. Giblet is wearing a ring that was taken from a former Twilight House member, now dead. We’d like the ring back and Giblet made an example of. Unfortunately, Giblet is supported by a sorcerous woman known as The Muse. Every lifter in the place will defend her so be warned. Several bards frequent the bar, despite the danger. Most lifters live in the Driftdowns.


Your success has brought me honor and greater position within Twilight House. You are the best students I have ever had. Thanks to your success I have been promoted along with you and will be your handler. I hope you will grow to consider me an ally, should you need a favor or assistance, ask, for our fates are entwined.


Arkielle

Giblet!

The gypsy and the devil.

Angelica drove her dilapidated but still functioning carriage along the unkempt forgotten road.
Unforgotten by her family; however, because the knowledge of this road had been passed down from generation to generation; this road was a nexus path and an access to the outer planes. From this road a traveler could, with the right details on where to set off the road; step onto another plane. This was a two way road because entities from the most hellish reaches could, if they knew where to step off, enter our world. It was Angelica’s and the generations of gypsies before her who would travel this road each year and prevent such a disaster from occurring…

“We are almost there Drake.” Angelica said off-handedly to her dog. “The time is near, the equinox approaches.” She went on. Drake’s only response was a bark to Misty, Angelica’s invisible horse, to get her moving along.

For the past six years she has traveled along this forgotten road and for untold years before that Angelica’s family has been vigilant in guarding our world from a devilish being so evil his very physical form is the embodiment of sin. Angelica showed no fear in the face of such evil and ventured forth with the confidence of another success to come.

Angelica offered a prayer to Old Heakun, looked off toward the cloudy horizon, and saw movement in the clouds; the time of the spring equinox had come. The devil had arrived.

Angelica began her practiced spell-casting to protect her from influence and deception during the confrontation. With terrible purpose and malicious intent the devil descended upon the gypsy daughter. With billowing shadows and flame the devil could hardly contain his infernal glee at the torment to come.

Sitting in front of the black and white game table, Angelica remarked on the devil’s disposition. “Feeling confident? You know that you lack the patience, diligence and temperance to win this game.” Stating opposing virtues while gesturing to the game table where sat figurines of pawns, and knights, castles and kings.

The looming entity sat, a devilish grin set from pointed ear to pointed ear, “the stakes are… different this time, look closely.” The devil gestured to her game pieces.

Her shock and horror was sweet as nectar to her evil opponent. Her white game pieces had changed into members of her family; reduced in size and seemingly trapped within their squares. Angelica’s anguish was delicious. The black figures had themselves transformed into beings of the utmost horror and depravity. The devil gestured and implied that when pieces are captured, so will be their diabolical fate.

“Declare defeat gypsy and the souls of your family will not suffer eternal damnation.” The devil replied to the weeping woman.

“I cannot. I will not devil. You will not enter this world!” Angelica made the first move.

Over the next series of moves and counter moves, Angelica watched as one by one her kin suffered unspeakable violations and obscenities. With each, came the erosion of her will and determination. The devil added to the horror with descriptions and commentary of what each will experience in hell for all of eternity. She would not yield however, and when victory was within just three moves, the devil actually made a respectable move. The devil was goading her into its game, it didn’t care how many pieces it lost; the devil was leading her into her own defeat. It was only a matter of time; it had won before the game started.

The devil’s victory meant that Angelica would have to speak her Truename to it and relinquish her Truename power over the devil. As the devil stepped onto our world its first act was to banish Angelica (with her animal companions) to a remote location, far away from her family where it could use her at will.

These days Angelica wanders the Upside where she offers her services as a diviner and a translator as she can speak and comprehend any known language. She can produce for the Nobles of Stormhaven an array of “love potions”, “poisoned apples”, and “elixirs of youth” as well as being able to identify wondrous and exotic items.