The Hand of Vecna Part1 (IC)

[DM_Danger]

The Hand of Vecna
- Quest for the Infinity Stones -
Part 1 IC

http://gasacgames.com/rpg/apticons/vecna.png











Link to theOOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?587442-The-Hand-of-Vecna-(OOC)&p=23893005#post23893005)

[DM_Danger]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6ECzBJ615RI/maxresdefault.jpg


Day 0
Aboard the Chitauri Leviathon Sanctuary

The Hand gathered silently upon the bridge of the Chitauri Leviathan. Orbiting the planet Theanor, the cabalists’ that crewed the spelljammer worked diligently at the spelljammer’s controls as they watched the last hearbeats of the the City of Oeth Marwendor play out before them through the clouds of the soot and smoke from the inferno below. They had come but a day before, and swept aside the city’s defenders, dooming this planet to fire, blood, and undeath. They had struck in a symphony of destruction. The Infiltrator, had spun discord and dissent, mapping the defenses and identifying the key players. The Artificer rained a spectacular orbital bombardment upon the supposedly unbreakable walls and wards, with a few adamantium rods and the rubble of a nearby asteroid belt. The Beast took to the field, his berserkers gathering a fearsome host ready to smash into the chaos. As the shattered remnants of the defense braced themselves, The Necromancer unleashed a mighty storm of death, raising the dead killed in the bombardment right within the city walls while the Knight silently teleported into the Royal Redoubt and slew both the royal family and the generals. The battle was decided before the first of the shock troops breached the walls. Now, the Silent Legions gathered the remaining survivors into the city square at their Master’s bequest. In the carrion pit behind them, a one-handed spectre with one glowing eye, the image of their master, Vecna, rises up from the ash and bone, whispering wordlessly into their ears.

“You have served Me well, My Hand, and brought me death, power, and, knowledge, that which I cherish most. I am pleased. The death of Oeth Marwendor shall soon engulf all of Theanor, as My children rise and consume the light of this world. My victory is assured.”

“ And so My Hand, I gift to you, one of the great dark secrets of Creation. Before Creation itself, there was Before, a time before time, when all was made up of a single unit, a lone entity. A single sentient being of unlimited power and potential. It was everything with in all existances. It was more than than anything has been since. All that was was already part of itself. There was no Other. Eventually, the All, grew bored with Existence, and tried something new, it slew itself. From its death, from its corpse, Creation sprang into existence, and the universe as we know it began. But such Power does not die easily. Six Potentials of the All Before lingered and were concentrated into the Six Great Infinity Gems. They are singularities of unrivaled power, each with the power to bring a God to its knees. Each is unique, able to control a facet of Creation, Space, Time, Mind, Power, Reality, even the Soul itself. They are hidden in the farthest corners of Creation, under the strongest of guardians, for woe be to Creation if their power is misused. Upon this pitiable orb, My inquisitors have teased a most interesting story from the corpses of the Royal family."

" It seems, My Hand, that Marwendor was once the keeper of one of the Six Great Infinity Stones, in particular, the Space Gem. An old ally of Mine, the archlich Szass Tam, tore into this reality from afar and stole the Space Gem some years past. And yet somehow, Szass Tam knows nothing of this. How has My old friend been keeping this secret? It is because it was not My Szass Tam that did the stealing. This particular Tam is from another reality altogether. Upon gaining the Stone, Other Tam had no problem returning to his world, the stone is such that it can move entire planets to anywhere in creation. We do not have such advantage, and the barriers to Tam’s reality seem to be particularly….resilient, as if someone was tampering with the boundaries of space. So, rather than conserving necromass and gaining enough to engulf this planet, We have decided to garner the prisoners We commanded captured to perform a ritual. For the sum of a few thousand lives, We shall open a Rift between this realities, large enough for you to take your cruiser, and you shall procure the stone for ME. Be wary, My Hand, I tore a pinprick into this world, and drank in its secrets. We are not alone in Our search for the stones, Forces of Light do assault Tam’s citadel as we speak. They have not gained purchase into the city however, as it appears wards designed to keep out the virtuous do guard the city. I suggest you use this opportunity as cover for Our operation. It would be wise to use the Forces of Order as a dupe and patsy in our acquisition of the stone. So…what say you My Hand before you depart?”

[DM_Danger]

This one is reserved too

[Lioslaith]

Vecna's Dark Knight, Samael, stood silently and listened as he laid out the next task for his Hand to accomplish. He was back to the tall, not quite large, size he normally wore. Wings still dripping royal blood from his slaughter. Not his Tam... echoed through his mind, This should prove...interesting. A guttural curse escaped his lips when Vecna mentioned the Forces of Light. The Hand had clashed with them on many occasions before and it appeared they would again. To Vecna Samael gave his usual promise and answer, "It shall be done." was all he said.

[Stevesciguy]

The thing stood silent, listening to the Godlich's words. As his speech grew to a close, the ever-present swarm of bats grew excited, twirling and spinning through the air. The constant telepathic whisper grew into an overwhelming din.

"Infinity Stones? - Dimensional rift? - Space Gem? - What could we do with such power? - Mine, Mine, Mine! - Kill the Light! - Yes! Kill! - Alternate Tam? - Keep it! - It's-"

"SIIIILLEEEEENCCE!"

The creature roared through the clamor. In an instant, there was total silence.

The creature's horrid 'face' took on a shape that only those who knew him well could interpret as a grin.

"Simply give the word, and these pitiful mortals' souls will be forfeit, and we shall soon return with this Space Gem."

[Genth]

"Fascinating" the Acolyte replied, floating about ten feet above the floor, brow furrowed towards their Gods image. "Yes, the vibrational frequency could allow for a transdimensional gateway, if appropriately charged through a polymithrite apparatus..." he muses, before raising a hand and starting to gesture, makimh the requisite apparatus in his lab across the ship, while he continues to speak. "A plan of subterfuge. An interesting prospect, My Lord. I assume your thinking is that we engineer a way for the wards to fall, and the Nexus to be taken in the ensuing fight, so that Tam will believe it the Forces of Light who took it. An interesting prospect. Umbra, you are the Little Finger, can you plot such deception?"

[3SecondCultist]

While the others speak and strategize, one being stands silently at the bridge of spelljammer ship and stares down at the sparks of flame that consume the surface of the planet below. He considers victory assured, and promises sworn. To anyone watching, the hulking figure of Obligatum IX would seem little more than a statue, save for the occasional pulses of midnight blue energy that can be seen escaping from beneath the thin cracks in his outer mithral plating. The living weapon gives no sign as to whether he is even listening to the figment of the Hand's master, distant blue eyes staring out unblinkingly at the carnage far below his feet.

It won't be long now.

It is not the place of the Eternal Warrior to speak at meetings such as this. The time for bloodshed has passed, at least for the immediate future, and so he has stayed his blade once more. Instead, he takes the time to crystallize the memory of the faces of those heroes who had the courage to stand up to him in battle at Oeth Marwendor. He resolves silently to find a way to commemorate them, as he has its countless other victims.

However, the promise of another clash so soon, and against 'Forces of Light'. This is not the first time that Obligatum has heard this term, and yet he has never formally met any of them in the field. He discovers that this not knowing is vaguely exciting - the prospect of a true challenge, unlike even the best of Theanor's host. The angel speaks up so that the exemplar does not have to, so Obligatum meets Samael's eyes in order to give him a slow, single nod of affirmation. The Dark Knight has taken a position of leadership among the Hand's battlefield operations, putting Obligatum in a subordinate role that he usually finds preferable. Commanding others is not his strongest aspect.

[Lioslaith]

As the other fingers gather the huge number of required souls to sacrifice in order to open this rift Samael turns his attention back towards the ship, a needed distraction. The prayers of the soon to be dead had reached a deafening cacophony within his head. Likely a cruel joke of his fall, before he could tune them out, now when you would think they would be silent, they were louder than ever.

Teleporting back to the ship he spoke to Obligatum, not really expecting an answer. "Vecna is wise as always but I foresee a problem for his Hand. If this large a sacrifice is required to open a rift, then an equally large one would be required to get back. This is to be a stealth mission so in this we cannot fail. It is either retrieve this space stone or do not return. The forces of Light will not fall as easily as Theanor."
He stood quietly for a moment, sorting his thoughts from the wails of the doomed. "Umbra will have a plan, no doubt."

After that he falls silent, letting the noise play itself out knowing it will abruptly stop once they died.

[paradox26]

The very shadows themselves part slightly, a figure that was always there, but never seen, appearing to the others from the darkness. The presence of shadows often heralded his appearance, as if they appeared to herald his presence, though none could usually see him. Ebony black eyes glitter at the very thought of the challenge that had been presented to the Hand. It was so delicious, and the excitement of that, combined with the dim awareness of the terror of the mortals below on the planet beneath them that caressed the edge of his awareness, brought him to an almost orgasmic sense of pleasure. He fingers the barbed hook that hangs from one of his chains, feeling the point dig into his skin for a moment, before his abilities quickly heal the damage once more.

"I do not yet have a plan, but mere notions, at this stage. As soon as we arrive, I will enter this Tam's city, and will work out which levers need to be depressed to create chaos sufficient to our needs. The presence of the forces of Light will only aid us, distracting Tam and his minions. There is no need to fight them, they will do that to each other. Once I have created the ideal situation, I will find a path for us through to the Gem, and the Hand can strike as needed by the situation. But until we arrive, I cannot offer a concrete plan of attack," he says, his voice a sharp whisper, like a razor blade cutting through the silence like flesh. Despite its quiet, its very sinuousness makes it cut through, so he is easily heard by his companions.

"Waiting any longer only makes it more likely that the battle will end before we arrive to take advantage of it. Shall we proceed?" he asks.

[DM_Danger]

"Indeed, Time, is something we do not have, YET!", Vecna says with some savage relish.

The form of the Unspoken One spreads his arms wide, gathering the Hand in a fatherly embrace.

"Mine Acolyte, erect the Matrix," the Supreme Lich instructs as he pscyhicly transmits the plans for the damnable sacrificial machine.

As The Acloyte assembles the machine. The Whisperer favors the Necromancer.

"Kaegromaekrix if you will do the honors," He commands.

Kaegromaekrix roars, a keening death roar into the apparatus that is amplified and transmitted to the herded lambs. Thousands of wailing, crying, pleading voices, snuffed in an instant as they all collapse, overpowered by the screech of death. Their lives forfeit, the energy is consumed and transmuted into a portal.

"I have willed, so My Hand acts, make it so"


https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/alienfilm/images/0/0a/Leviathan.png/revision/latest?cb=20170306172320

You make it through the portal and Faerun awaits.

What next My Hand?

[paradox26]

Umbra watches with interest, but distaste, as the captives die at his colleague's hand. He is used to death, has caused much of it, but he personally prefers to torment the living, rather than simply to end them. The dead can offer him little, though his draconic friend has more options for them.

As they arrive in the new realm, he looks to the others. "Do any of you spellcasters have divination magic, to find Tam's realm? I assume it will probably be in roughly the same place as his realm in our reality, but that may be one of the things which has changed. I cannot cast such spells, but I can shadow walk to get us there, should you not wish to use normal teleportation magic. It will take longer than such magic, though. If you don't have the magic, we will have to descend and find a city, where we can get the location from either a cartographer or a sage," he says.

[3SecondCultist]

As the angel is speaking in his direction, the monstrous construct-like entity turns his head slowly to regard it. Just like the rest of this crew that Vecna has put together, Obligatum IX has devised several plans in order to neutralize him should he become a problem. He does not mention this out loud, of course - in his admittedly limited experience with people, telling someone that you have thought about killing them does little to endear them to your cause. So instead, Obligatum actually considers the words that Samael is saying, eventually finding the question to be borne of sound logic. However, he is not at all surprised when Kaegromaekrix ushers in a horde of the damned to throw away what remains of their essence into the thresher. Crystal lenses watch unblinkingly as each of their lights are snuffed out.

It is ever the lot of evil men, to sacrifice the many for the one. The words of an enemy, long dead. Obligatum has forgotten his name, but the phrase has stayed with him all the same. Shrugging his chrome shoulders at the rest of the group, the fallen kolyarut follows the rest of the Hand through the gate. When the mewling infiltrator lives up to his moniker, Obligatum just stares for a second and points at the incoming Acolyte as though the answer were entirely obvious.

"This one will have magic to serve," he gravels in Umbra's direction. Every word is the deep grinding of metal on metal, hinting at the machinery within. "His type tend to have answers long before the question is thought of."

[Lioslaith]

"Our first priority should be to hide our presence and our arrival here if we can." Samael turns as the Acolyte enters, "Finding Tam shouldn't be too difficult, he is here and as powerful as the one from our realm, I doubt his location is a secret."

[Genth]

The Acolyte calls up one of his viewing screens, holding out one hand and begining to speak in numbers and ancient langauge, focusing his mind as he casts out to search for this being, this Tam, picturing the one they know in his mind as a picture.

Scry, 2 SP, DC44 Will.

[Stevesciguy]

The horrid dragon creature observes this new world - so familiar, yet so different.

"We should hunt down some of the more powerful creatures of this realm - perhaps some older dragons or unusually powerful hydra - to kill and raise for our cause. At the least, we can use them as a distraction to split our enemies' forces."

[Lioslaith]

Samael shakes his head before responding, "Normally a sound strategy Kaegromaekrix, but I believe we are to get in and out as quickly and quietly as we can. The more we make our presence known the more our enemies will align against us." He watches as the acolyte locates Tam, "They may have already guessed the plan but may not be fully aware of the players. Let us not give them any more to work with than they already have."

[DM_Danger]

The Acolyte calls up one of his viewing screens, holding out one hand and begining to speak in numbers and ancient langauge, focusing his mind as he casts out to search for this being, this Tam, picturing the one they know in his mind as a picture.

Scry, 2 SP, DC44 Will.

Your senses expand, as your consciousness rushes across the terrain. You are drawn to the city of Thaymount, were a titanic army of humans, elves, giants, and dragons lays siege. As your mind's eye broaches the city walls, you are stopped abruptly, and your vision dims.

Will Save pls

[DM_Danger]

Genth

In your mind's eye, your scry is blocked, and a presence attempts to scry YOU, it is quite flattering, if almost childlike in the ease you brush it aside. Still, you have no doubt, it is quite competent by mundane standards. You see a pair of pinpricks of orange light, like dying embers, scanning the horizon, looking puzzled as if they expected to find something, and instead found nought.


http://i66.tinypic.com/2mnnh1c.jpg

[Genth]

Quietly, the Acolyte chuckles as he waves the screen away, hands returning neatly behind his back. "Our friend Tam seems to be in a spot of bother. A rather large army appears to be besieging his city. His powers are still impressive, even here however, I was not able to locate him specifically... I suggest infiltration. Umbra, I have a location for you. If I drop you into the city, you'll be able to find Tam himself? In the meantime, it might be useful..." he trails off, looking to Samael with a slight smirk. "How would you feel about about catching up with some old friends, hmm? Knowing what the Army of Light are up to could always be useful."

[Lioslaith]

Samael listens carefully to what the Acolyte reports. "Indeed, aside from assaulting the city for what we assume is a bid for the stone, knowing their plans would be a benefit." He walks towards the edge of the platform that served as a bridge on the leviathan, "Some questions come to mind. How closely does this realm reflect our own? Since there is a version of Tam here should we also assume there are versions of us? If I were to meet with this army of light would they know me as the fallen angel and immediately attack? I am good but I do not think I am capable of taking on the entire army of light."

He turns and walks back to the group, "The plan is sound as usual but I would like a little more information about where we are before proceeding."

[3SecondCultist]

Obligatum hears the proposed plan, and decides that it is mostly sound. Although he is no deep thinker, he knows battle like few others alive. Turning towards Genth and Samael while they speak, the fallen inevitable steps into the circle of the conversation.

"I can join Samael, as either an open escort or simply watching from a distance of four hundred feet." Either the Army of Light will see the angel and come out swinging - in which case the Eternal Warrior will be on hand to deliver an assist - or they will proceed in a discussion of terms, with Obligatum remaining out of the way. His ability to turn invisible, while not as impressive as some of Umbra's so-called talents, has lent him the element of surprise in some cases.

[DM_Danger]

Quietly, the Acolyte chuckles as he waves the screen away, hands returning neatly behind his back. "Our friend Tam seems to be in a spot of bother. A rather large army appears to be besieging his city. His powers are still impressive, even here however, I was not able to locate him specifically... I suggest infiltration. Umbra, I have a location for you. If I drop you into the city, you'll be able to find Tam himself? In the meantime, it might be useful..." he trails off, looking to Samael with a slight smirk. "How would you feel about about catching up with some old friends, hmm? Knowing what the Army of Light are up to could always be useful."

@The Acolyte

Pulling up the screen once again, the Acolyte waves a sensor in the air.

Probability Search:
Instance of dimensional doppelganger based on power signatures:


Subject: Kaegromaekrix: Signature detected 20 years ago, probability deceased
Subject: Obligatum IX: Signature detected 165 years ago, probability deceased
Subject: Samael: Signature detected 6076 years ago, probability deceased
Subject: Vecna: Signature detected: Ravenloft, probability imprisoned
Subject: Umbra: Signature not detected
Subject: Acolyte: Signature not detected

It is reasonable to deduce given these parameters, that the Master never left Ravenloft or formed the Hand in this dimension.

[DM_Danger]

@Kaegromaekrix

The swarm gathers around you, almost excitedly dancing for joy.

"You were extinguished here, died, died, failed. Too big, too bad, dead, died, died."

[Stevesciguy]

@Kaegromaekrix

The swarm gathers around you, almost excitedly dancing for joy.

"You were extinguished here, died, died, failed. Too big, too bad, dead, died, died."

"Bah! He was weak, and I am not."

With his next words, he allows sickly green flame to spill from his maw, to punctuate his words.

"And you would do well to remember that."

He allows the flame to fade again as he turns to address the group once more.

"I could take on a more humanoid guise to join Samael. If we are discovered, they will quickly find their ranks filled with the animated corpses of their once-companions."

At this, Kaegromaekrix chuckles, relishing the thought.

[Lioslaith]

"Vecna said we were to do this as quietly as possible. While I welcome the backup always I am not sure you nor the Beast are able to hide your true natures for the leaders of the Light." He looks over the information given him by the Acolyte once more, "If we are to try this ruse it will likely work best if I am alone." After a brief pause, "I wonder if this version of the Army of Light is one from our dimension or if it originated here?"

He looks to Umbra, "When will you be ready to go? I can help the Light enter the city to further distract Tam."

[Genth]

Acolyte strokes his chin as he studies the information, smiling slightly. "All of us are... accounted for aside from Umbra and myself. I know I am not here. Umbra... " he chuckles "We'd never find even if he was here. Although the chances are vanishingly small. Samael, you should be alright to join the Forces of Light. At worst, you've been dead for 6,000 years and someone went to your funeral. Stranger things have happened"

[paradox26]

"I am prepared to go at no notice. I have all that I possess on myself already. I can lead the way inside, but a barrier will stop me, and if I am detected, I am not the hardiest of warriors. I can always scare most enemies to death, but some creatures may be able to resist even my abilities. In which case, I would appreciate having support close enough to assist me. But, that said, most creatures capable of harming me will be unable to actually spot me in the first place. So the risks are probably manageable. Acolyte, do your powers give some idea as to the best place for me to begin or focus my search?" Umbra asks.

[Genth]

"None more specific than the city itself. Although I may attempt later scryings and update you - better information from you can assist in my divining." The Acolyte replies

[3SecondCultist]

"I would not walk by your side in the light," Obligatum retorts to the corrupted angel without elaboration. "My blade is insurance, or else it is a guarantee."

[paradox26]

"In that case, I am prepared to go now. The longer we wait, the greater the chances that the armies of Light will break through and get the stone. If you can send me now, I will start the search. You will likely be unable to scry upon me while I am gone, so I will be uncontactable," Umbra says to the others, but especially to the Acolyte. He stands apart from the others, ready to be sent down to the city.

[Stevesciguy]

The great monstrosity that is Kaegromaekrix suddenly stiffens, and on his face, for those who can read it, is... confusion?

He rumbles to himself:
"Impossible..."

Then turns to face the Acolyte.
"Acolyte, can you use your machine to run a search for this reality's version of my hivemind?"

Then muttering to himself again:
"The impetus should've only lasted a few weeks without his influence..."

[3SecondCultist]

There is a sound like twisting sheet metal, which persists for a second before it is evident that Obligatum IX is actually chuckling out loud.

"Nothing is impossible, only unlikely. Denial of one’s reality is the first and last refuge of the naive."

[DM_Danger]

@Kaegromaekrix

The Hivemind pauses only briefly at your admonishment, it's elation clear.

We need no device, we know ourselves, we know, we know, we know. You got too big, too big, too bad, you scared them, scary, scary, bad, bad, without the protection of the Master. They lured you here, you listened to their lies, even when we told you no, no, no. Tam teased you with the Stone, pretty, pretty, pretty, and then he killed you with it, dead, dead, dead. We were all alone, lonely, lonely, lonely, sad, sad, sad. We held your spark, in the dark, dark, dark, but we could not hold it alone, alone, alone, for so long, long, long. Now we are damaged, hurt, hurt, hurt, alone, lonely, lonely, lonely, in the darkness, dark, deep, down, down, down.

[Genth]

The Acolyte frowns, and calls up one of his screens again, focusing his mind through it to scry upon a different agent - the hivemind, carefully focusing himself again two threads of resonance

[Stevesciguy]

"Hmmm... does the fragment of the hivemind remember anything of the defenses around the Stone?"

He addresses the group.

"I appear to be unable to assist Umbra or Samael in their respective endeavors. It appears that... somehow, this reality's version of me gained more power. I intend to travel to the location of the fragmented hivemind. Perhaps it has returned to a lair that "I" possessed which may contain noteworthy items or information."

[3SecondCultist]

Obligatum nods his agreement at the proposed idea, moving to stand beside Kaegromaekrix as a clear indication that he plans on joining the undead dragon in this venture. It will be the most optimal use of his strength, given the possibility for danger and his lack of useful qualities on the other stealth-related missions.

[DM_Danger]

The Acolyte frowns, and calls up one of his screens again, focusing his mind through it to scry upon a different agent - the hivemind, carefully focusing himself again two threads of resonance

This attempt is deliciously more difficult, as the nature of the hivemind is everchanging. Still, with a sample present, you are able to deduce that there is indeed another hivemind signature, somewhere under Thaymount, approximately 160 feet beneath the surface.

[DM_Danger]

"In that case, I am prepared to go now. The longer we wait, the greater the chances that the armies of Light will break through and get the stone. If you can send me now, I will start the search. You will likely be unable to scry upon me while I am gone, so I will be uncontactable," Umbra says to the others, but especially to the Acolyte. He stands apart from the others, ready to be sent down to the city.

OOC: Are you in need of transportation? Are you trying to infiltrate the city directly, or will you make your way through the AoL encampment?

[Genth]

"Fascinating." the Acolyte muses, pouring over the information from the scrying. "I can confirm, Kaegromaekrix, a version of your hivemind here. Beneath Thaymount. As for you, Umbra" he says, and drifts closer to the infiltrator, reaching out with one finger... and flicks his forehead, sending him tumbling through the astral towardss the city. "Good Luck on your mission..."

[Stevesciguy]

"Fascinating." the Acolyte muses, pouring over the information from the scrying. "I can confirm, Kaegromaekrix, a version of your hivemind here. Beneath Thaymount. As for you, Umbra" he says, and drifts closer to the infiltrator, reaching out with one finger... and flicks his forehead, sending him tumbling through the astral towardss the city. "Good Luck on your mission..."

"Then I shall travel there. Getting there will be easy, but I do not know what we might find. I shall travel by wing, then by claw - the possibility that this is a lair of 'mine' that could be surrounded by teleportation traps is much too great."

[paradox26]

As Umbra starts to fade away, his hand flicks out with supernatural speed and grace, and catches the device that was thrown to him. He waves it slightly in acknowledgement and farewell, then he disappears completely, reappearing on the border of the city of Thaymount. He immediately uses his skills to fade into the background, and then starts to look around, orienting himself. Once he figures which way he is facing, he starts heading in the direction of the biggest, grandest buildings in the city that he can see, figuring that these will be the location where Tam would be found. And where Tam is, the Stone will probably also be found. He tries to slip past the Army of Light without being seen, and then heads towards the city boundaries.

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount
Umbra

An almost tangible chill descends upon the suburbs of Thaymount as you slip in amongst the ruins. Most of the buildings are rubble, smashed by bombardments seemingly from both sides of the fray. Here and there are random bloodstains and the shattered skeletal remnants of beasts best long forgotten. Here and there, are scattered pockets of the Army of Light, bunkered down in fortified positions, often in the remnants of some shop's basement. Their fears of battles to come are delicious. You head towards the Red Keep, an imposing towering blood red spire in the center of the city, untouched by destruction. Passing through the devastion of the suburbs, you reach a barren patch of land between the burbs and the city proper. Here, there are no permanent structures, just the wreckage of siege equipment and the corpses of the slain. To your delight, you see several rents in the city's wall, though they all appears to be choked with bones some 10 to 15 feet high, as if a great flood of the dead crashed against the boundaries of Thaymount. You find what you believe the most vulnerable point, a good sized breach with quite a bit of cover in between and prepare for your insertion. As you do, you overhear the following conversation from a nearby observation post overseeing your intended entry point.

"I don't get it sarge, the walls are wide open, why don't we just charge in and give those Thayan deaders the what for, with The Knight and The Bear, we can't lose."

"Jellan, you idiot, I know you are fresh and new, so I will explain this to you once. Thaymount isn't just a city, it is Tam's REALM. Creation don't work right there, Tam's blasphemy has tinkered with the RULES. Nothing Good can get in, and nothin' Bad can get out, he's trapped in his own cage. Now, the White Wizard just has to figure out how to git that bony rat OUT."

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

The ruins of Thaymount's suburbs are all too familiar to Samael, he seen thousands, and caused most of them. You quickly read the corpse of the city, and determine the spot most favorable to a command post. Here, you find a colorful large tent of white and gold, with a banner combining a hand, the sun, and a sword. There are a smattering of guards, and a magnificent white stallion stationed outside.

[DM_Danger]

Under the ruined suburbs of Thaymount
Kaegromakrix and Obligatum

You pick a suitable location to begin your tunneling. Your progress is satisfactory, but slower than you prefer, since you must shore things up enough to allow The Beast to follow. Despite this annoyance, you are excited, the Hivemind's call is intriguing.

[Lioslaith]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

Thinking to himself, Well there is nothing left but to dive in..., Samael makes his way up to the guards. He raises his hands openly and in a deep quiet voice he says, "Well met."

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael


Thinking to himself, Well there is nothing left but to dive in..., Samael makes his way up to the guards. He raises his hands openly and in a deep quiet voice he says, "Well met."

The guards hands flash to their weapons reflexively, but they stay their hands as they see your wings...

"Halt! I mean ah...would you look at...Well met..your ah...you...well met"

[Lioslaith]

Suppressing a wry grin Samael steps forward slightly, "I need to see your commander, I have been sent here to help." He had chosen to look quite a bit more angelic hough really it was just the fact that he had cleaned up to be more presentable. His only 'alterations' were to his height, while still tall, he was not at his full large size at the moment.

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

One guard looks to the other, seemingly searching for some answer. The other guard gives him a worried look and then a nod.

Of course, Ser...Angel, sir....

They lead you through the entrance of the tent, which includes some downward steps, the tent appears to be sitting atop a fortified dugout reinforced with sandbags. Braziers light the center wherein a map table shows the disposition of forces around the citadel.

Around the table, there is a blonde woman in gold and white plate, a huge hulking man dressed in skins, and a man dressed in simple monklike garb. They look startled by your entrance.

[Lioslaith]

Samael walks in and humbly bows slightly in deference to the leaders of the Light. "My apologies for the interruptions but it seems you may be in need of assistance?" Looking up he meets each one of their stares as his gaze goes from one to the next, falling finally on the lady in plate.

[Genth]

Aboard the ship, the Acolyte summons Caliban to his side, the powerful Golem kneeling down in front of the floating Arcanist.

"What Is Thy Bidding, Master Acolyte?" the golem rumbles, eyes flickering in intelligence.

"I desire our target... distracted further. I shall send you to Eltabbar, I want you to make an assault upon the slave markets, smash open the cages and kill anyone who comes against you. Then flee east, I will meet you and teleport you away again, ensuring confusion among the Thay wizards." he says, smiling serenely.

[paradox26]

Umbra prepares to enter the breach, when he overhears the conversation. It gives him pause. If nothing can get out, what is to say that he will not be trapped within. Then he considers the situation briefly. The army of light seems likely to break in, so their white wizard should be able to break whatever wards lock Tam inside the city. That should also allow him to leave along with Tam, or instead of him. Besides, with the power of the stone, if he can find it alone, he shouldn't have any trouble getting out. Maybe that is what has warped the rules of nature in the area, he muses. Either way, he has to go in. Vecna is relying on him. And if necessary, he is sure either the god he serves, or his servants, should be able to get him out if he is trapped within.

He does wonder briefly at the titles of these champions of the Light, and wonders if he will encounter them. But that also cannot be helped. So he shrugs in silent acknowledgement of the whims of fate, then he makes his way carefully through the breach in the walls.

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

The assembled let out a visible sigh of relief, and an enormous amount of tension seems to leave the room.

"Phew...ah...we thought you were here to...well...it seems that...well, this is awkward...."

The blonde steps forward and extends a hand.

"We thank you Master Angel, sir, but we are not for whom you need to speak..."

[DM_Danger]

Under the ruined suburbs of Thaymount
Kaegromakrix and Obligatum

Eventually, your toils lead you to an underground cavern, presumably under the heart of the city. It is a dark lightless place, warm, humid, and fetid. The cavern seems filled with a thick viscous fluid, some grotesque noxious soup of larvae and insects. On an island in the center of the cavern, you perceive the skeleton of an enormous dragon.

In your mind's eye, you hear a voice.

<Master?>

[DM_Danger]

The Walls of Thaymount
Umbra

You approach the breach, which is choked with the bones of a skeletal horde. You climb this once unliving wall and cross the line into Thaymount, as you do so, you perceive a brief shift, obviously, something has occurred. Once in the walls, you cannot seem to cross back, and if some invisible barrier is holding you in. It feeling vaguely reminiscent of the barrier that held Vecna in the Realm of Terror.

[DM_Danger]

Aboard the Chitauri Leviathon Sanctuary
The Acolyte

There is a vibration within the deadly construct, the whirring of gears increases in pitch and tempo, almost as if the murderous machine is excited...? Titillated at the prospect of mayhem?

"Thy Will, my Master, is Mine to gift Creation, my Master."

With a flash, the automaton disappears.

[Lioslaith]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

The assembled let out a visible sigh of relief, and an enormous amount of tension seems to leave the room.

"Phew...ah...we thought you were here to...well...it seems that...well, this is awkward...."

The blonde steps forward and extends a hand.

"We thank you Master Angel, sir, but we are not for whom you need to speak..."

Tilting his head like a pup trying to understand, Samael smiles at the assemblage as he takes the Lady's hand, "Please, do finish your thought. What did you think I was here to do?"

He holds her hand firmly, not squeezing, not trying to hurt, but certainly not letting go as he stares into her eyes.

[Stevesciguy]

Under the ruined suburbs of Thaymount
Kaegromakrix and Obligatum

Eventually, your toils lead you to an underground cavern, presumably under the heart of the city. It is a dark lightless place, warm, humid, and fetid. The cavern seems filled with a thick viscous fluid, some grotesque noxious soup of larvae and insects. On an island in the center of the cavern, you perceive the skeleton of an enormous dragon.

In your mind's eye, you hear a voice.

<Master?>

Kaegromaekrix pauses for a moment, taking in the odd sight before him. The disgusting cavern, and what he can only assume to be 'his' skeleton strike an odd chord within him. Then he speaks aloud, his deep voice resonating through the cavern.

"...no, little ones. I am not your master. As much as I may resemble him, I am instead a... 'copy' of him from another universe. I learned of his demise, and felt your presence, and so came here. To learn what had happened, and what was different here than in my home."

[paradox26]

Sensing what had happened, and not surprised by this eventuality, Umbra tries to activate his teleportation stone to see if he can return to the others. He doesn't need to return to them yet, of course, but he wants to know if he can if necessary.

If he can return to the ship, then he immediately teleports back to Thaymount and heads back towards the breach, where he re-enters.

If he can't return to the ship, then he is again not at all surprised. So he merely continues onwards into the city, assuming that either his companions or this wizard of the Army of Light will be able to get him out, either wittingly or unwittingly.

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

The woman stiffens in your grip and looks genuinely terrified.

"Well we...oh gawd! I will never ever fall asleep on duty again!!! I swear to you and all the Gods of Light!"
"We thought you were here to kill us!"

The woman falls to her knees, blubbering.

[DM_Danger]

The Crypt of Kaegromaekrix
Kaegromaekrix

The cavern humms a bit, almost as if it sighs

<Of course not, you are not yet evolved, you are but a nymph, but you could be...more>

<You could be more than we, mighty though we were, we did not have what you have, we did not have Vecna, Vecna, to protect us, Vecna to guard our chrysalis we grow. Vecna to guard against the treachery of Szass Tam."

[DM_Danger]

Thaymount
Umbra

Suprisingly, your stone works...sort of, you wink inbetween existences, and arrive at the boundaries of the city, pretty much where you started from. Nonplussed, you continue on through the city. It is mostly silent. Large legions of skeletons stand deployed still at key intersections, wraiths float above keeping watch on the streets, most shops are shuttered and barred. Thaymount is waiting, for something.

[Lioslaith]

Maintaining the hold on the woman's hand as she kneels, Samael stares at her for a few seconds (about a rounds worth - Discern lies). A gentle smile creases his face as he lifts her up, "Please, m'lady, you need not address me on your knees." Once she stands he looks at the others present assuming a more serious look, "Do the leaders of the Light make a habit of killing those who make mistakes within their ranks?"

[Stevesciguy]

The Crypt of Kaegromaekrix
Kaegromaekrix

The cavern humms a bit, almost as if it sighs

<Of course not, you are not yet evolved, you are but a nymph, but you could be...more>

<You could be more than we, mighty though we were, we did not have what you have, we did not have Vecna, Vecna, to protect us, Vecna to guard our chrysalis we grow. Vecna to guard against the treachery of Szass Tam."


Kaegromaekrix's wormy eye sockets flare momentarily, as he roars:

"NYMPH? WHY YOU-"

Then he remembers himself, although he does grumble for a moment.

"Evolve? Chrysalis? I do not know what you mean by this. And treachery from Szass Tam... the events of this universe were very different, indeed."

The dragon gestures towards the skeleton in the center of the cavern.

"I assume this was... 'me'?Interesting... he still had a skeletal structure... What happened here? What is this chrysalis and evolution you speak of?"

[paradox26]

Umbra is curious as to the operation of his teleportation, but simply accepts it, relying on others, either good or evil, to find him a way out of the city once his task was done. He figures that if he gets into trouble, he can always call upon the teleportation stone to get him away from it and back to the outskirts of the city. Much as in a battle some would use a dimensional door to quickly escape from danger, but with a greater range.

He continues to head into the city, keeping a wary eye upon the undead who linger here, since they could alert his enemy to his presence, even if few of them could actually harm him.

[3SecondCultist]

Obligatum watches the exchange between Kaegromaekrix and its alternate hive mind self silently. If the journey underground has phased him in any way, he has shown no sign. His thoughts are his own, but his dark purple greatsword is drawn and at the ready should combat ensue.

[Genth]

Back aboard the Sanctuary, the Acolyte surrounds himself with screens, watching closely as Caliban moves in to attack the slave markets, one finger caressing his cheek.

[DM_Danger]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

The woman, a girl really, raises unsteadily to her feet. Her words are genuine, as is her fear.

"Of course not! But to abandon ones post in war is a great dishonor, we would be cast out of the Great Crusade and sent home in shame. So, we were given a chance to redeem ourselves, the assassins of Tam are everywhere, the Heroes felt a great evil near, and if we were to volunteer to pretend to be them, to lure them in, they vowed to protect us, and the shame wiped clean. Still, it felt incredibly dangerous, the horrors Tam has unleashed upon us...I prayed all night in vigil. Never did I think the Lords of Light would send such a Guardian to protect us!"

"Indeed," says a voice behind you. "We never thought you sinful wretches would be so blessed either, especially after vowed your safety."

[DM_Danger]

The Crypt of Kaegromaekrix
Kaegromaekrix and Obligatum

<Temper, temper, little nymph, oh, you are hatched from the same clutch as the Master, no doubt, he roared his displeasure as much when Tam used the stone to sever the phylactery and boil his brains>

<Evolve, yes, you are not worthy, you are so...weak...small...flawed. Join we us, become us, and we shall emerge mighty once again! We shall kill Tam! WE SHALL TAKE THE STONE! WE SHALL RULE! RULE! RULE!>

The soup in the lake is roiling, the cavern is almost throbbing.

[DM_Danger]

Thaymount - Palace of Szass Tam
Umbra


If there is a word to describe the palace of Szass Tam, it is sterile. Silent and somber, the floors are polished obsidian. Your skills at stealth are beyond the ken of most mortals, and apparently, the undead as well. Inside the palace walls, the bypass all manner of defenders, Nightcrawlers, Vampire Lords, Bone Devils, even subliches. Some sense SOMETHING amiss, but none can find you. The Question is, how do you find the Stone?

[DM_Danger]

The Bridge of The Hand's Sanctuary
The Acolyte

Caliban begins his assault on the Slave Market. You really need to work on his acting, he is reciting Cormyrian terrorist slogans with a hollow lack of enthusiasm. What is quite real however, is the zeal with which the hellish construct disintegrates the helpless, several he holds down with a foot as he slowling charges and discharges his face laser. If you didn't know better, you would swear the old boy was enjoying itself.

[Lioslaith]

The Ruined Suburbs of Thaymount - Army of Light High Command
Samael

The woman, a girl really, raises unsteadily to her feet. Her words are genuine, as is her fear.

"Of course not! But to abandon ones post in war is a great dishonor, we would be cast out of the Great Crusade and sent home in shame. So, we were given a chance to redeem ourselves, the assassins of Tam are everywhere, the Heroes felt a great evil near, and if we were to volunteer to pretend to be them, to lure them in, they vowed to protect us, and the shame wiped clean. Still, it felt incredibly dangerous, the horrors Tam has unleashed upon us...I prayed all night in vigil. Never did I think the Lords of Light would send such a Guardian to protect us!"

"Indeed," says a voice behind you. "We never thought you sinful wretches would be so blessed either, especially after vowed your safety."


Samael feigns a look of surprise on his face as he lets the girls hand go then gives her a wink before turning around to meet the new voices owner. Extending his hand he says, "Well met." As his pupilless gaze falls on the newcomer.

[3SecondCultist]

Obligatum’s blade is bared - in his experience, when eldritch entities raise their voices, violence often follows. Using a fragment of his willpower, he takes a portion of the blade’s essence and turns it inward, opening up his own defenses and cutting his mind into two halves. The former is always him, memories and personality intact. The second is nascent, the essential pieces with all of the trimmings cut away.

He stands in front of a mirror, a thousand selves in formation behind him. Behind them are shadows pressed to the glass, potentiality untapped and paths not taken. Are you ready?

Outwardly, the Eternal Warrior does not speak, but rather just looks askance at Kaegromaekrix, the question of action unspoken but present in his posture.

Obligatum will drop Iron Hide Stance for Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, manifesting Schism for free by burning one of his two base Psionic foci. He will then refocus as a move action, while his Schismed mind focuses as well.

Next round he will swap back to Iron Hide Stance as a swift action.

[DM_Danger]

Samael feigns a look of surprise on his face as he lets the girls hand go then gives her a wink before turning around to meet the new voices owner. Extending his hand he says, "Well met." As his pupilless gaze falls on the newcomer.

Behind you, are the near doppelgangers of the group before you, they are dressed the same and bear more than a passable resemblance to each other, yet there is no trace of illusion present. What is immediately noticeable as a different is the manner and bearing of this new group. They seem unnaturally calm and confident, and more than just a little skeptical of you. The blonde addresses you, while the monk studies you with a gaze that you think would pierce your soul if you had one. The Bear merely stands behind them with arms barred, a subtle shift in stance indicates he is ready for action. In the moment you take to look at this new group, you feel a whump as air collapses from the the previous locations of the decoys, teleported away no doubt. The Blonde meets your gaze steadily, but does not shake your hand.

"Well met...Ser...how should I address you?"

[DM_Danger]

The Crypt of Kaegromaekrix
Kaegromaekrix and Obligatum

It is immediately apparent to you that this fragment is more than a little unhinged, it seems the long period of solitary confinement seems to have done some harm to its formidable psyche. You have no doubt it wishes to join with you, though you are not so sure whether you would be the dominant entity in this arrangement. Strangely, you FEEL an overlywhelming "emotion" emitting from the cavern...love, eny, jealously?

WHAT!?! YOUR SLAVE DRAWS STEEL ON US!?! TREACHERY!?! MY LOVE! YOUR SLAVE IS AGAINST US!?! DEFEND US!

An untold mass of maggots burst from the soup like a pus filled boil, they congeal in a vaguely dragonlike shape.

Initiative

[Lioslaith]

Smiling back into her gaze, Samael withdraws his hand allowing his face to go expressionless as his eyes look back into hers. "Whatever moniker you feel comfortable with will work for me m'lady. I have not used a consistent name for quite some time."

He lets his gaze linger a bit longer on the lady then sweeps it over the others. A slight sideways grin briefly crosses his face when he meets the bear's gaze. He lets his wings slump a bit more, tighter to his torso, to make himself appear a tad smaller. Trying not to threaten. "I am only here to help should you need it."

[paradox26]

Umbra wanders forward, always heading inwards towards what he thinks to be the centre of the area. He was worried about the nightcrawlers and liches the most, but even those seem unable to detect him, so he soon dismisses his concerns. He is still cautious, but is also a little more confident now. He decides that, short of capturing and questioning a prisoner, his best bet is to find the most powerful sublich he can locate, and then follow them, in the hopes that it will take him to Tam himself, hopefully with the Stone at close quarters to him.

[Stevesciguy]

The Crypt of Kaegromaekrix
Kaegromaekrix and Obligatum

It is immediately apparent to you that this fragment is more than a little unhinged, it seems the long period of solitary confinement seems to have done some harm to its formidable psyche. You have no doubt it wishes to join with you, though you are not so sure whether you would be the dominant entity in this arrangement. Strangely, you FEEL an overlywhelming "emotion" emitting from the cavern...love, eny, jealously?

WHAT!?! YOUR SLAVE DRAWS STEEL ON US!?! TREACHERY!?! MY LOVE! YOUR SLAVE IS AGAINST US!?! DEFEND US!

An untold mass of maggots burst from the soup like a pus filled boil, they congeal in a vaguely dragonlike shape.

Initiative

"No! He is merely on edge. We have powerful enemies in this world who could strike at any moment. He was merely frightened by an entity as powerful as yourself - he does not know as much as I do."

He swivels his large, grotesque head to meet Obligatum's eyes.

"Put your blade away. There is much we can learn from this being."

He looks back towards the growing form in the cavern.

"Tell me: do you desire revenge?"

Kaegromaekrix steps further into the cavern, wormy head held high.

"I have more than just this one with me. Five of us, backed by Vecna, come to take the stone that you say killed him years ago."

"So I ask: Would you like to see Tam dead?"

Just in case that doesn't work:

Initiative: [roll0]

[DM_Danger]

Smiling back into her gaze, Samael withdraws his hand allowing his face to go expressionless as his eyes look back into hers. "Whatever moniker you feel comfortable with will work for me m'lady. I have not used a consistent name for quite some time."

He lets his gaze linger a bit longer on the lady then sweeps it over the others. A slight sideways grin briefly crosses his face when he meets the bear's gaze. He lets his wings slump a bit more, tighter to his torso, to make himself appear a tad smaller. Trying not to threaten. "I am only here to help should you need it."

The bear, is all business, very serious, and doesn't seem to believe you are any less threatening. The monk continues to eye drill into your skull, and seems to be slowly circling to your flank. The blonde just talks.

"A Seraph with No Name, been quite some time since I met one that wasn't eager to toot there own horn and bore you half to death with their names, honors, accolades, and titles. You have stated that which matters though, that you are here to help. What aid can you bring, oh Nameless one, that the other hosts could not deliver?"

[DM_Danger]

Umbra wanders forward, always heading inwards towards what he thinks to be the centre of the area. He was worried about the nightcrawlers and liches the most, but even those seem unable to detect him, so he soon dismisses his concerns. He is still cautious, but is also a little more confident now. He decides that, short of capturing and questioning a prisoner, his best bet is to find the most powerful sublich he can locate, and then follow them, in the hopes that it will take him to Tam himself, hopefully with the Stone at close quarters to him.

As you haunt the dread city, you stumble across a chamber housing a lich that curiously looks like the lich at detected the Acolyte's scrying attempt.

[DM_Danger]

"No! He is merely on edge. We have powerful enemies in this world who could strike at any moment. He was merely frightened by an entity as powerful as yourself - he does not know as much as I do."

He swivels his large, grotesque head to meet Obligatum's eyes.

"Put your blade away. There is much we can learn from this being."

He looks back towards the growing form in the cavern.

"Tell me: do you desire revenge?"

Kaegromaekrix steps further into the cavern, wormy head held high.

"I have more than just this one with me. Five of us, backed by Vecna, come to take the stone that you say killed him years ago."

"So I ask: Would you like to see Tam dead?"

Just in case that doesn't work:

Initiative: [roll0]

Dead! Oh, Death is too fine a fate, I will see him suffer! kneel! crawl! I feed his dreams to my children and salt my bread with his tears!

The beast seems a relax a bit as it goes into its rant.

[Lioslaith]

The bear, is all business, very serious, and doesn't seem to believe you are any less threatening. The monk continues to eye drill into your skull, and seems to be slowly circling to your flank. The blonde just talks.

"A Seraph with No Name, been quite some time since I met one that wasn't eager to toot there own horn and bore you half to death with their names, honors, accolades, and titles. You have stated that which matters though, that you are here to help. What aid can you bring, oh Nameless one, that the other hosts could not deliver?"

Samael nods as she speaks and then breaks the gaze, looking down. "Sadly many of my kind do fall victim to prideful boasts, oh nameless warriors. Without knowing what aid the other hosts have failed to deliver I can only ask humbly, what aid do you require?" Whether he just doesn't notice or he has chosen to ignore the monk moving to flank him is not evident.

[paradox26]

Umbra settles into the background, remaining still and hidden, as he examines this lich. He wonders if this is a servitor lich, or if it could actually be Tam himself. Either way, it is worth following it to see if it may lead him to the stone. He stays still and silent, but follows it's movements, as well as trying to work out what it is doing.

Knowledge: Arcana [roll0]
Perception: [roll1]
Spellcraft: [roll2]

[Stevesciguy]

Dead! Oh, Death is too fine a fate, I will see him suffer! kneel! crawl! I feed his dreams to my children and salt my bread with his tears!

The beast seems a relax a bit as it goes into its rant.

Kaegromaekrix's face twists into a toothy grin(or at least as toothy as it can be without teeth). He tries not to let his relief show too much.

"Then join us. Not only can I promise his death, but we can capture his soul, and you may do with it what you wish."