Session 106 - Storming the Peaceful Townhouse
General Summary
17th to 30th Halane (second Month of Autumn) 722TR
The story so far
Quazzy is a survivor of the Skull and Raven Cult with little or no memories of her life before finding herself the victim in some strange ceremony. The mysterious Cult Leaders, the Raven Woman, and the Golden Skull Masked Man have been trying to kill Quazzy for years. Quazzy has, at last, learned the identity of her antagonists.
The Heroes have attacked the Raven Woman, living incognito, in the Ancient Tower of the Eternal Flow of Life, a Wizards Guildhall. With complete surprise, they very nearly killed her, but she managed to escape. They now have an opportunity to loot her belongings. Then they can seek out the equally mysterious Golden Skull Masked man, hiding out in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
The continuation of Session 105 - The Academy of Water Magic.
Location - Castle of Chyrefal in the Kingdom of Melderyn.
Part 1 - A Quick Opportunity to Loot
The Heroes have very little time available to loot the room of the elderly Water Wizard Elewisa Berea, a.k.a. The Raven Woman. The Guildhall's administrator and some servants have fled to the nearby Temple of Larani and Royal Castle, presumably to raise the alarm and get help.
They find a Spellbook written in the same unique, elaborate magical script which Quazzy is very familiar with. However, it was trapped. A Blade of Ice materializes and promptly cuts down both Athena and Lucia, very nearly killing them. However, the remaining Heroes shatter it before it can do any further harm. Under the desk, they find a well-concealed compartment hiding a Staff of Frost.
The locked chest was also magically trapped, although Yureb manages to avoid being frozen solid when he triggers it. Inside are Gems, Gold Crowns, and Bags of Silver Coins and clothing. Several of the Gems are magical and a Hidden compartment has some Potions and a rare Earthmaster Artifact, a Rod of Awe.
Part 2 - Escape
The Heroes escape the Guildhall into the fields west of the settlement and then carefully make their way back to the township, hiding at an Inn overnight in disguise. The next morning Quazzy learns from some of the locals of a commotion at the Wizards Tower and that the local Sheriff has men patrolling the town's docks. The Party sneaks onto a Merchant Ship, bribe the Captain, and escape Chyrefal.
During the short voyage to the City of Cherafir, Quazzy receives a magical Sending from the Raven Woman.
Quazzy, you think you have won. I was planning to vacate that life soon anyway. I will kill you, kill your friends, kill anyone you know.
I have something special planned for that ugly Thug with a big sword. Yes, something special, indeed. This message is followed by insane cackling.
The Heroes access the Godstone at Cherafir's Chantry of the Guild of Arcane Lore, traveling directly to the Earthmaster Site of Telumar. Quazzy very narrowly avoided a mishap during this magical shortcut.
Location - Strout Manor in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 3 - Kaldor
The Heroes make their way to the Kingdom of Kaldor. Strout Manor, the seat of the Sir Jirex Mallaber, a.k.a the Golden Skull Masked Man, is quickly located. However, Sir Juirex is not in residence. The Heroes learn that he is currently living in the City of Tashal in a Townhouse, although he visited last week to do a quick inspection of the estate and collect some Dogs from his kennels.
Location - City of Tashal in the Kingdom of Kaldor.
Part 4 - Revelations from an Old Friend
Sir Rayneld also informs them that he is aware that the Heroes have recently been in the Kingdom of Melderyn. Through his diplomatic sources, he has seen reports that Princess Eriel Milaka, wife of the Crown Prince Jevas, and sister to King Andasin IV of Kanday, had met with the Larani Clergy. She had learned that the Sisterhood of the Crimson Dancer Knights were in the Kingdom and tried to get them arrested and charged with heresy. The Princesses Aunt, Queen Eriel of Kanday, was brutally murdered by a Crimson Dancer Assassin, and she holds a grudge.
Part 5 - Visit to a Townhouse
Investigating the Townhouse, they observe two guards outside the entrance. Yureb notes the building next to it appears abandoned and quickly breaks in. He finds some boarded-up windows which overlook a small courtyard and garden between the buildings. This garden has a back entrance into the Townhouse.
Meanwhile, Quazzy's invisible familiar enters the building through the chimney. He finds on the second floor a youngish Blonde man talking to a Knight. In an adjacent library is a rather scruffy man reading some books. Downstairs are three Dogs, a Knight practicing swordplay on a mannequin, as well as another guard and female servant in the kitchen.
The Heroes attack, Yureb breaks in via the back entrance, Quazzy, Athena, Lucia, Wilcock Dimension Door, into an unoccupied room. Arlette watches the guards from outside.
Brands on the back of the Dogs flare with magic, and the Dogs transform into large, extremely ugly, intelligent, powerful mongrels. However, the Guards and Dogs cannot fight effectively after being cursed with Blindness by Quazzy and/or Telekinetically held in place. The scruffy man from upstairs attacks with poisoned crossbow bolts, but soon all the defenders are killed, leaving only the panicked servant alive.
The young blonde man from upstairs does not attack but tries to escape out of the door, and is quickly murdered. Then the Heroes hear footsteps coming down the staircase. Sir Jirex has arrived.
Part 6 - The Golden Skull Masked Man Appears
Quazzy is more than happy to agree and considers how she can use this surprising turn of events to her advantage. Yureb, the professional thief, likewise sees no need for further conflict. Then Athena decides to deliver an ultimatum. It could come to violence.
To be continued...NPC Interactions
The Raven Woman - Updated.
Sir Rayneld Ynel - Herald.
Sir Jirex Mallaber - The Golden Skull Masked Man.
Challenges
Looted the Raven Lady's Treasures.
Escaped Chyrefal.
Located the Golden Skull Masked man and confronted him.
Defeated 1 Living Spell - Ice Blade of Disaster.
Killed 3 Veterans, 1 Assassin, 1 Elite Bodyguard, and 3 Twisted Mongrels.
Rewards
Staff of Frost.
Rod of Awe.
Potions of Fire, Acid, Cold, and Lightning Resistance.
Old Spell-book containing many powerful Spells.
3 Elemental Gems of Water.
A reasonable sum in Gems and Gold.
Created Content
Earthmaster Artifacts - Updated.
Related Reports
Wilcock Suddicke - Wizard and Psionicist.
Odivshe Chantry - Ancient Tower of the Eternal Flow of Life.
Players Character Status
Athena the Banshee - Level 17 Paladin of Vengeance.
Yureb - Level 17 Arcane Trickster.
Quazzy - Level 5 Necromancer and Level 12 Warlock Disciple of Desridaen.
Quazzy
Athena
Yureb
NPCs Companions
Dame Lucia Kalormar, Athena's Squire
Wilcock Suddicke, Wizard and Psionicist
Arlette Arie, Possible Recruit
Rod of Awe
Appearance: A metallic rod adorned with clear crystals.
Attunement: Psionics or Charisma check DC 10 to Attune.
Properties: When held aloft and invoked, the rod causes all living creatures within 50 feet (except the user) to become fatigued.
Usable maximum of one per 24 hour period.
Affected creatures must make a DC20 Charisma Saving throw.
If they succeed by 5 or more - No effect.
If they succeed - They suffer 1 level of Exhaustion.
If they fail - They suffer 2 levels of Exhaustion.
If they fail by 5 or more - They suffer 3 levels of Exhaustion.
Undead, Fiends, Celestials, and Elementals are not affected by this item.
Charges: 2d6.
Clan Mallaber Coat of Arms
Love reading the write ups of your PC's adventures. Another exciting installment about Quazzy and the Qrüe's adventures, with more exciting twists leaving us guessing. I will tune in next week to learn who is the real Quazzy, and when will the temporary truce with golden Destro end. Noticed you said Raven women, did I miss something, did you mean to use the plural, I thought there was only one Raven woman/lady at the Chantry. Next, Rod of Awe Properties: When held aloft and invoked, the rod causes all living creatures within 50 feet (except the user) to become fatigued. Usable maximum once per 24 hour period. You may want to indicate that the user can exclude folks of their choice with x skill roll. Kind of a useless artifact if all your mates get hammered by the effect, what about requiring an x DC skill check to exclude who you want from the effects. Typo, Raven lady escape speech, that ugly Thug with thug big sword, I think it should read; ...that ugly thug with the big sword. Finally I found a number of other typos, but as discussed before, fighting grammar and diction typos is a never ending struggle, so I won't mention more.
Grammar is an ongoing issue for me, but I am getting better. I corrected women to woman (there is only 1) and deleted the repeat of thug. Since the Crimson Dancer character decided to attack, I can’t see many prospects for a peaceful outcome, so much for the truce. Not sure when this will go. The Rod of Awe, putting psionic skill check is a great idea. I may update it.