The Madness of Men in a World of Monsters (D&D 5e IC)

[Spore]

Doctor Ignacius Madaras, Medicus Extravagant! Gnome Artificer/Transmuter AC: 18 HP: 19/27 PP: 11 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: - Concentration: - The gnome sheats his crimson wand flicking it once like he just solved the problem on his own. He calls down his mechanical familiar to perch on his arm. I guess it's time to suit up, huh Alvis. he says, pulling out an ornate wooden shield and an expertly crafted tiny scale mail. This feels more and more like a war. He administers a salve onto his worst gashes and covers them up with specifically treated linen and a bandage. The alchemist groans as he tries not to get his well-groomed and oiled beard to get twisted in the armor's chain links. The pressure onto his newly acquired wounds is uncomfortable and the the wood gnome is not used to the weight of the armor but Vargath can see his movements are actually pretty unimpeded by the armor. He looks around. I was really the only one injured? Damn, you lot are like a professional warband. I'm not complaining though. Aside from Ma'am Mikoso here, we are woefully underprepared for demons. Physical combat is impeded, and magic is likewise, not leaving huge marks if it is not raw force, acid or as Master Mal showed, the primal force of sound. He turns towards Vargath. They fear us. And they are creatures of vile instinct. They will be back but not as long as we are here. We should focus on saving the hut. He wags his finger to start with the smaller fires going down. Spoiler Show Prestidigitation to combat the fires.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Banewood- John Bence's Cabin

As Vargath hauls the water barrels into the undergrowth, he is met by a huffing and puffing Maus Moeller. As the half-orc begins to pour water on the growing flames, the former village chief plants his walking stick and invokes a single word in a strange language. Dirt surges up from the ground and moves to smother the flames, forming a thick layer of mud with the added water and quickly putting out the first fire. With your quick victory, it doesn't appear that there is a great risk for a fire, and with Dr. Madaras, the Chief, and Vargath all putting out the flames, the Banewood will be safe shortly.

Meanwhile, inside Ulu begins rooting through the secret panels and cubbies, searching for anything that may be left behind. A few minutes search reveals that the demons were quite thorough, and she kicks the wall out of frustration, her metal boot leaving a broken dent in the wood. "Mdala Ohlonishwayo... I mean... Mal, would you and your doctor friend investigate the flaming remains of this John Bence's handiwork? My mind is not as sharp as my swords, so I am not always able to discern the truth of complicated arcana." She then looks to the doorway, seeing Selissa hanging down. "You shoot well, tree elf. Your ancestors should be honored."

[Spore]

Doctor Ignacius Madaras, Medicus Extravagant! Gnome Artificer/Transmuter AC: 18 HP: 19/27 PP: 11 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: - Concentration: - Ignacius looks VERY irritated. With due respect, but the writings are as much attacked by water and dirt as by the flames. Your quick thinking might have harmed our chances, but I will try nonetheless. He rushes in, trying to find the most promising objects and dries them. He rummages back and forth to find anything of value, pressed by his knowledge of how he still had a few minutes before water and mud made writing unreadable. He finally slows down considerably as he is reminded of his magic means to restore mundane writing. All with Alvis' assistance though. Spoiler Show Investigation with advantage and Guidance. (2d20b1)[13]+7 + (1d4)[4] + 5 = Investigation of 29. Spoiler: If Mal decides to inspire Show (1d6)[4]

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 2/2 Magic Initiate: 1/1 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Concentrating: --- The Bence Lair Reprobate menaces. Mal shed the unnatural fear as though it were a sneeze. He turned to see Ulu conduct her vigorous search of the premises. Contact with the fiends immediately shifted something within his mind. A wintry potency surged from his immortal ancestry, filling his mind with a dark well. He mentally shifted to embrace the resurgence of devilish prowess, accepting the lessons that arose from the carefully concealed foundations years of instruction had forged. His face bore the shrewd mien of an assessor, investigating the criminal hovel in its dilapidating state. Mal replied, "Of course, Sentinel Ulu. Ignacious, perchance your alchemical quicksilver of a mind may deduce what art Bence concocted. I shall pierce the veil to ascertain whether he hid anything arcanely..." The diabolist then augmented himself with a nascent art of the Archdukes. He looked into the adjacent realms and pierced the veils woven by arcanists and demons alike. He had yielded his minor art of detection, but to behold the planes in tandem proved a worthy exchange. The scholar breathed in as though he could inhale the pure potential of the Ether, in view and yet just beyond his grasp. For now...

Spoiler: OOC

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Grant Ig bardic inspiration (advanced to 1d8 with the level up) and Help to grant advantage.

After helping, cast See Invisibility to look about Bence's house and yard to look for invisible objects and ensure we have truly rid ourselves of the demonic presences...as well as survey the local Ethereal plane (out to line of sight).

Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast of Abydos / Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order?

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

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Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Monsters

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Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

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Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

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Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[Riggdgames]

Set Al-Sayyid Changeling Fighter/Hexblade AC: 17 HP: 26/26 [34] PP: 11 PIv: 12 PIs: 9 Conditions: Iumenta Pox Concentration: Detect Magic "Don't relax!" As Vargath single-handedly moves a barrel of water to quench the flames before they can light up the forest, Set can only watch as Ignacius and Maus do their part to help. The adrenaline, rage, and fear fade with the passage of the last demon, leaving Set standing on shaky legs as his arm snakes out for stability. He finds the nearby wall, biting down on the inside of his cheek as the room spins slightly. Set braces his back against it and slides down the wall slowly until seated, lying his spear down beside him and pulling out the coin to hold instead. I was really the only one injured? Damn, you lot are like a professional warband. "Are you alright, Doctor?" Set asks from where he sits when a moment presents itself. "I shall pierce the veil to ascertain whether he hid anything arcanely..." Set's ears perk up as Mal weaves together a spell. He'd phrased things in such a way where it wouldn't be obvious, but he could only be speaking of Elder Sight. It was apparent from his wording, however, that Mal's patron had granted him a different boon. While Set can't guess exactly what Mal is doing, he watches as the tiefling seems to examine the world through new eyes. Amidst their investigation, Set advises Ignacius, Ulu, and Mal, "if any of you should wish to know whether something is magical, I can tell you that much," he says, slightly invigorated by their efforts even as he remains seated. Set's eyes flick to Mal, his gaze hanging there a moment before returning to the good doctor and the fellow foreigner. "My knowledge of the arcane is limited, but I can see it's presence and nature when I focus." They certainly had their differences. Mal's Elder had apparently gifted him the ability to release a thunderclap in an enclosed space. If the shadows held any control over such things, Set hadn't begun to understand how yet. When he's not otherwise occupied, Set looks down at his Focus, flipping the coin over and over in his fingers to look at both sides. Ankh and scarab, life and death. This shack is different. Bence is missing. His sisters aren't here. It was just a nightmare, a gift from the Shadowkeeper's or from his own mind in this treacherous place. Not for the first time Set closes his eyes for a moment and daydreams that he's back under bright sunlight, feet treading through warm sand. He tries to remember the sounds of his sister's laughter echoing through their rooms, and for a moment he even succeeds. But then Bence's laughter rises from out of the nightmare, drowning out his sisters and hauling Set back to the present.

[Spore]

Doctor Ignacius Madaras, Medicus Extravagant! Gnome Artificer/Transmuter AC: 18 HP: 19/27 PP: 11 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: - Concentration: - Ig does not turn his head or interrupt his finding, but absentmindedly replies to Set. Yes, I am fine. The quasit's claws are razor sharp, thus the bleeding cleaned the wound. A fast response on my part prevented heavier blood loss. My vital functions are adequate, but ideally I would not like such a thing to happen again. Now he looks up from his findings and clatters his armor. Hence the armor. But yes, magical things would be most interesting. Be it writings, potions, or even artifacts. Even the cursed ebonstone. I can hear by Mal's incantations he is focussing on the ethereal plane rather than the physical. When we are finished, this abode will be checked thoroughly, be it by physical, spiritual and arcane means.

[Amnestic]

Vargath Hubrecht Half-Orc Rune Knight Fighter AC: 19 HP: 49/49 PP: 13 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Conditions: Infected (Lycanthropy), -1 INT Concentrating: -- Vargath finishes up dumping the water from the (now damaged) barrels. They could probably be repaired if necessary, though they had more important matters to attend to. He drops them, leaving himself feeling slightly liberated to stomp out the final embers that had made their way into the woods. Their exertions complete and the threat avoided, he finally feels comfortable letting the giant magic retract his enlarged form and returning to his previous, still towering, size. "Bence is dead and gone, while his hut may hold secrets, I can't see those as more valuable than the forest," he replies back to Ignacius. Neither of them were wrong. He understands that a treasure trove of information may be there, that it might be useful to them or the village, but he can't help see it as less important then the potential for fire. Still, it was dealt with now, and they had the freedom to investigate at their leisure. On the walk back to the hut, he gives Maus a rundown of what he missed - the quasits, now reduced in number, that may nevertheless still harass the village or cause mischief in smaller or greater numbers in the coming days. They were not, however, a major threat and would be easily put down by any concerted effort by the villagers if they did come back. "If you do find anything of arcane import I might be able to help with it. Would be a shame to put my years of academia to waste."

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 1/2 Magic Initiate: 1/1 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Concentrating: --- The Bence Enclave The attache listened to the exchange between the Set and Dr. Madaras. While he would continue to help, he realized the day may not have concluded its dangers. Set appeared winded. He recalled Selissa took the brunt of yesterday's fight. Ignacious, while a competent healer, would be prudent to bolster in case an ambush focused on him. He gestured with his rapier and invoked once more in a tongue not unfamiliar, if infinitely more refined, as the Barlguras yesterday. Mal replied, "While Bence's intentions for Dam'ess appear annihilated, let us proceed on our journey with any boon we may proffer. Please accept this boon I bestow, Good Doctor, Master Lancer Set, and Master Archer Selissa." An intoxicating sweetness cloaked Set, Selissa, and Ignacious. The scent of frankincense, myrrh, and the faintest hint of brimstone purged their chests and cleared their minds. This phenomenon faded, leaving a haleness none of them had experienced. The vigor felt like the slightest drop of true vitality, perhaps even a foretaste of immortality. The aftertaste may inspire a craving for more draught from the tap from which this pristine, regimented life flowed. A resilience infused from the incantation, strengthening commitment to whatever task who accomplish the beneficiary's goals. Each would endure, borne on by the balm that he or she just experienced. Mal inspected his handiwork, waiting to hear any responses from his allies. He then said to Dr. Madaras, "This wreckage is a pitiful state, but if we parse this line...and note the construction on this scorched diagram...Let's not miss this wand's focus..." At Vargath's remarks, he replied, "Of course, we shall keep your expertise in mind, Master-at-Arms Vargath. We are assembling the remnants and then shall submit them to the group's discernment."

Spoiler: OOC

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Because it is a fun spell and who knows PPP's intentions for this level up, cast Aid (3rd Level) on Set, Selissa, and Madaras. Each gains 10HP and increases his/her maximum HP by 10 for the next 8 hours.

Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast of Abydos / Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order?

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

Show

Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Monsters

Show

Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

Show

Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

Show

Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Banewood- John Bence's Cabin

While Dr. Madaras begins the process of rescuing the scraps of torn paper from the fire, water, and mud that it has been subjected to, Mal's eyes flash a solid color as he begins to look about the room. He is not disappointed to find hidden information, though he may be repulsed. There are no invisible objects in the room, but the entire back wall of the cabin is plastered with profane runes and abyssal scribblings. Where there was nothing to the naked eye, there is an extensive patchwork of spell work, seemingly scribed in the rusted red of blood. More disturbing is the fragments of souls that have been bound to the wall. Faces of people rise and seethe from the wood like a strange and rippling tide, mouths open in anguish. There are not many of them left, presumably due to whatever spell was used here absorbing so much energy, but there is a fine layer of ectoplasm that would indicate that once there were dozens of soul fragments powering this spell. The sight turns Mal's stomach, as the chaotic, destructive magic of the Abyss is written as plainly as news script, but as subtly as any devil could manage.

When Dr. Madaras returns with the assembled scraps of paper, he and Mal begin to sort through the charred remains and clean off the mud and dust from the firefighting efforts. The work goes surprisingly fast, with the academic prowess of the two becoming blatantly obvious. Vargath and Set are even able to help sorting pieces of paper into piles and then fitting them like puzzle pieces with their mates when they are found. Through a group effort, you manage to assemble a few pages that are mostly intact, and Ignacius' keen eye begins to make out words. Unfortunately, those words appear to be mostly gobbledegook, strings of characters that make no sense. However, the gnome has seen ciphers before, and it isn't long into the investigation for him to compare what he sees to a code he had heard of many years ago. An older code, but still checks out. Using a sheet of clean paper, he begins to transcribe what he can make out between the burns and the mud, managing to get much of what is written with his keen analytical mind, along with some clarification from his party members at points. The biggest frustration is that some of it is written in a language Mal identifies as Abyssal, which no one in the party can fully comprehend.

Spoiler: An Entry from John Bence's Journal

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...is a backwards plane, so far removed from the Prime Material that it has not seen an angel or the work of a god in a millennia. I hear that far to the west they do not even worship the gods. Proper savages, but I must remain vigilant, as their knowledge of the ways of this world is far more educated than most. But it is ripe for my conquest. While my Master was tasked with corrupting Avendor, my home plane, a bastion of good and law, my chore is simply to tip the rat into the bucket of the Abyss as it prowls the rim looking for cheese. This plane is already so flooded with the energies of the Abyss that demons spontaneously emerge, monsters manifest in the dark, and their weak leaders bargain with forces they would be wiser to repulse. It will be child's play to nudge it the last few inches into anarchy and destruction, mostly due to the efforts of Pale Night herself. For thousands of years she has been grasping and clawing at this realm, dragging it further from the light and closer to her realm day by day, inch by inch, soul by soul. While my home plane was beyond my ability to destroy, this place will be my masterpiece. With my death at the hands of the forces of good, a symphony of destruction will play the anthem to my ascension to demonhood. The Pale Mother has promised me that each death will bring me closer to my true form, and each rebirth will increase my power, just as our pact promised. I can't wait to die. When will the heroes arrive? I've been planting and tending the seed of the idea in the old giant's mind for weeks now. When will it bear fruit? When can my dark rise to power begin? (The rest is a combination of burned and Abyssal that becomes impossible to read)

Spoiler: A List Labeled "Contingencies Upon Death"

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Dam'ess- Mass Quasit Summoning. Magic Mouth to Levy Commands re: Retrieve Mirror of Leng, Scepter of Rulership, And Aniot's Cube. Disperse to Appropriate Parties Per The Plan. Burn The Cabin.

Harumburg- Sending to Lord of Bone re: Portal to the 113th. (Indecipherable Due to Burns) In Accordance with Their Great Alliance.

Falluneer- Sending to Lord of Flesh re: (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Ebon Spear.

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)light: Sending to Lord of Blood re: Assassination of (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Yukkot, Recovery of Blood (More Burns).

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)odge- Sending to Cult of Pale (More Burns) re: Initiate Divining Ritual Sacrifices. FIND THE DAMN ZIGGURAT.

Garrunrow- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Kill the Last Bloodwolf. Recover (More Burns) Key.

Mountain of Smoke- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) crypt. Seize the Ebon (More Burns).

Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood

(There is more, but seemingly out of paranoia Bence switched to Abyssal. It is impossible to tell how many lines there are, as the last half of the paper is fully burned away)

Spoiler: OOC

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I need Mal to make a DC 13 Madness Save for looking upon the foul sorcery of John Bence.

Spoiler: Arcana DC 15

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The magic of Contingency is a nearly mythical bit of spell work that was said to be lost when the Library of Leng burned down. It allows a caster to prepare spells in advance for a predetermined event, in this case John Bence's own death, and the spells will automatically cast when the event happens. If Bence is capable of such sorcery, he is likely far more powerful than his flashy death at the party's hands would indicate.

Spoiler: Arcana DC 20

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The Mirror of Leng is a artifact of the Library of Leng, said to contain a frozen moment of time where the library was at it's height that a person can temporarily step in to, giving access to the greatest magical library this world has ever seen. Supposedly several mirrors were made, though some are confirmed destroyed after their use led to come calamity of forbidden magics long lost to time. The Scepter of Rulership is said to be an even more powerful version of a Rod of Rulership, a magic item that allows for mass mind manipulation of people to believe that the holder of the Scepter is their rightful ruler. The last time the Scepter was confirmed in play it toppled an entire nation.

Spoiler: Arcana DC 25

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Aniot's Cube is whispered about in the halls of scholars and arcanists on multiple planes of existence. It is said to be a metallic puzzle cube about the size of a mailed fist that, if solved, transports the user to a paradise realm of eternal pleasure and joy. But each turn of the cube unleashes some new brand of cruelty and suffering into the world around it. Aniot the Sage supposedly solved the cube many centuries ago at the cost of hundreds or lives, and was never seen again. It is said that whenever the cube changes owners it resets itself to it's unmodified state, making it impossible to build off of the progress of the previous owner.

Spoiler: Religion or Arcana DC 18

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Though numbering and organizing the layers of the Abyss is a fool's errand, there are some realms that are constant enough to designate. The one hundred and thirteenth layer is Thanatos, layer of Orcus, the Lord of Death. It is a lifeless frozen landscape where life is snuffed out almost as soon as it arrives, either by the untold legions of undead denizens, the magical aura of the layer itself, or, in the worst cases, by Orcus himself, using his fearsome Wand.

Spoiler: History DC 15

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Falluneer was once a large city to the south west of the Vale, but it was destroyed a LONG time ago. Something about the ruins makes people grow ill, so it has been left to rot. Garrunrow is a small village on the outskirts of the Wastes that is said to be cursed. Only people who have a firm desire to be left ALONE settle there. While the Wastes are the least hospitable section of land in the Vale, it is said to be full of ancient crypts and underground civilizations. The main source of income for the village is prowling the Wastes for relics and Ebonstone to sell to those with more coin than sense. (It is likely that Alvis' Ebonstone core originated in the Wastes and passed through Garrunrow at some point)

Spoiler: History DC 20

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Rumor among academics state that Fulluneer was destroyed by the Ebon Ziggurat, but most dismiss this as ridiculous speculation. In the time before the Ebon Ziggurat crashed into the Vale, it is said that the Wastes were once verdant and beautiful, the homeland of several orc tribes.

[Amnestic]

Vargath Hubrecht Half-Orc Rune Knight Fighter AC: 19 HP: 49/49 PP: 13 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Conditions: Infected (Lycanthropy), -1 INT Concentrating: -- Vargath frowns at the list of spells that were apparently held contingent. He knew of perhaps a half dozen arcanists in history who could carry out such feats, and most of those were decidedly consigned to history alone. Bence hadn't displayed a fraction of that power when they thought, leading him to believe that the majority of the scribbles were nonsense. Delusions, perhaps, or deliberate misdirection to make people believe his power and influence was far greater than it was. "John Bence wasn't capable of the spells mentioned here," Vargath says, no hesitation in his voice. "Contingent mass sending spells? Prepared summoning rituals with detailed instructions?" He snorts derisively. "The man we fought three nights ago couldn't even begin to glimpse at such arcane power. A madman, through and through." He can't say he's too impressed by the lofty titles that Bence's compatriots had given each other. Lord of Flesh, Lord of Bones, Lord of Blood. All very intimidating for a group of underclassmen playing at raising dead cats. "Delusional or not about his actual power though, I suppose we can't ignore the possibility that he does have contacts with other similar cultists throughout the region, though hopefully they're all as foolish about their level of strength as Bence was," Vargath glances at Ulu, "and a potential portal to Orcus' layer of hell in Harumburg is probably not something to be overlooked." He disregards the artifact talk out of hand. A man of Bence's strength having access to the Mirror of Leng? It didn't even warrant a discussion to Vargath. Dismissed. Ignored. The Last Bloodwolf stares up at him from the page and his nostrils flare ever so slightly, though less in anger than more contemplation. Perhaps he'd need to write home sooner than he thought. There were plenty of Bloodwolves left and nothing approaching them being wiped out, and certainly if they wanted to hunt the Last one, they wouldn't be in Garrunrow, because Vargath would be the last one, by definition at the moment. More delusional ramblings? Or maybe there was some other significance behind it - a title, a designation, a role, rather than a literal final living Bloodwolf. He'd let the clan know and they would deal with it as necessary. As long as they were aware of any potential threat, he has no doubt they can handle it.

[Riggdgames]

Set Al-Sayyid Changeling Fighter/Hexblade AC: 17 HP: 36/36 [44] PP: 11 PIv: 12 PIs: 9 Conditions: Iumenta Pox (-8 max hp); 3rd level Aid for 8 hours (Mal, +10 max hp) Concentration: Detect Magic A small smile finds Set's lips as he looks back at the gnome, nodding in appreciation. "I favor the same," he says, patting the scale mail beneath his robes with an audible clink, happier still to see Ignacius wasn't badly hurt. The good doctor had seen Set's illness before the symptoms had even begun in earnest, and with luck those same powers of perception could be applied to John Bence's former abode. Despite the onset of symptoms, Set’s debilitation from Iumenta Pox suddenly seems more than offset by Mal’s magics. Unnatural fatigue fades as a fire burns away the rot in his chest, helping Set to rise and take a deep, clarifying breath. "My thanks, Mal," Set says graciously, inclining his head as his nostrils flare with the scent of earth, pine, and something else he couldn't put his finger on. "I wish I could return the favor," he continues genuinely, "but I don't lay claim to any such gifts." Even with the Shadowkeeper absent, Set could still imagine his laugh as clearly as if He was present. It had never been clearer that Mal served a master altogether different from his own. Even with his newfound energy, Set is hard-pressed to find where he can be of use between Ignacius, Mal, and Vargath's efforts. As their investigation continues, he struggles to keep up with their increasingly rapid-fire dialogue and their leaps of logic. He can only watch in silence, unable to follow the string of evidence they connect, but eager for the results all the same. In the interim he glances at Selissa and Ulu, looking to see if there are any kindred spirits as lost as he is, or if he's the only one. No one had ever accused Set of being the brightest star in the sky, but as he continues to wait impatiently for answers, he becomes ever more aware of the gap in knowledge. When Ignacius finally completes his work, translating something seemingly without language into the common tongue, Set can only stare as Vargath proclaims his disbelief. "How can you be sure?" Set asks insistently, looking up to the half orc like a child freshly awoken from a nightmare seeking reassurance wherever he can find it. "Vargath? What is a contingency spell? What are these markings? What is that?" Set points to the markings next to Garrunrow. "'The Last Bloodwolf?' Where is your clan? Where's Shura and your father?" Set shakes his head, trying to clear it, but try as he might he can't escape the list in front of them or his own confusion. "I don't know where my own sisters are," Set admits to the ground, pressing the coin painfully between his two palms until the ankh and scarab are imprinted there, one on each hand. "They belong in Abydos, not this place," Set says, unable to look at his surroundings. "Why did John Bence write this? Jest? Delusion?" Set swallows, biting the inside of his cheek as he looks down on those words through moist eyes. Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood "There are only two princesses of Abydos," Set says quietly, faltering for a moment as he struggles with indecision before forging ahead. "They are kin. My sisters, Princesses Sisi and Sythpen Al-Sayyid." He pauses, looking up to glance back and forth between Vargath and Selissa first before looking to Doctor Madaras and Mal. "In my homeland, my family is First. I left that behind a long time ago, walking north until I could use my own name again, and then I just kept walking. I am no prince, not anymore, but those are my sisters. He could mean no other. Why them? Why write any of this? Why do I keep dreaming that they are near when they should be at home?" Set's words finally fail as he stares ahead, lost in thought recalling the twin dreams that had plagued him of late.

[Spore]

Doctor Ignacius Madaras, Medicus Extravagant! Gnome Artificer/Transmuter AC: 18 HP: 36/37 PP: 11 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid (8h; 10 mHP) Concentration: - The gnome notices Mal's skill with the quasi divine as he enchants summons a few fine mist around him. The blood stains on his bandages don't go back but the bright red glow behind them is reduced heavily. Another spell cleans his linen bandages to once again be pristine. While I hesistate to call this ritual alchemy, its principles are as much based on alchemy as they are on druidic mysticism and faith. I'm glad it will aid us. Somehow after being bloodied and nearly being cut to pieces, the gnome seems more refreshed than before. Mayhaps you have only seen a muted version of himself, maybe war and strife is his regular. The gnome nods at the half-orc's offering of assistance. Yes, that might be quite enlightening, but in discipline and for me to get to know you better. What was the focus of your studies? Your intellect certainly differs from the usual orc if you pardon my casual racism, but when I see you, the first thing that comes to mind is more akin to 'how did this orc get so fricking tall?' and '"he is going to rip off my head' rather than admiring your scholastic endeavors. He gets the papers handed to by Mal in favor of explaining them. His eyes widen, and there is the first look of genuine shock, fear and surprise in his face. He pauses a moment in his deluge of words. So there is potentially a demon lord out there who assumes we know too much now. To say this is troubling news would understate it. Our only two leads are Falluneer and Harumburg for now. We should proceed. Proceed and pray our efforts are not too late. Say, Selissa, which one is faster to reach? Finally he turns to Set. You worry too much, Set. Your homeland is far away, and I assume your sisters are well protected. I am not saying they won't be in danger. But I am saying you are ever the worrier, that makes you relatable. We will stop this.

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 1/2 Magic Initiate: 1/1 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Concentrating: --- The Bence Enclave Mal weighed the last words of Bence and his team's responses. He did not share Ignacius' instinctual misgivings about Vargath's intellectual prowess, merely because he wore a hide that wrought its own collections of misgivings. He inwardly smiled. Sometimes misperceptions are not too far off... Yet, in this, the half orc possessed keen lore of a truly powerful foe. A glance back at the interior caused the tiefling to not quite hold Vargath's conviction. One does not ensnare so many souls with such skill... He drew a fine vellum folio from his satchel, as well as a cerulean ink and ornate quill. He copied from Madaras, and then proceeded to reconstruct the wall's horrendous art. His skin crawled as he mimicked the Abyssal conjuration onto the parchment. "By the Nine, this is a deep Pit of vipers. Did anyone see any objects or creatures flee before the quasits?" Mal gestured with the quill toward the wall and then drew an invisible line down to his parchment. "Vargath, your convictions would have merit, except this Bence assembled a soul lattice to fuel something truly...dire. If not the contingency of the Lore Masters of Leng, then still an art beyond a backwoods shaman. As to the demon lord, Ignacius, perhaps he suspects someone knows, though none of the dead quasits would relate the route. It would take some further investigation to deduce this place did not burn as they intended when they intended. We should raze the hut nonetheless before we conduct our journey elsewhere. Our investigations expand even before arriving." The tiefling spares Set a sympathetic look, though he does not add to Ig's words. His parsing consumes him. He finds Dam'ess a strange location for this level of inquiry into the demonic, much less the implication of such regional coordination. They were behind, a feeling Mal did not appreciate. He preferred to be the impetus of intrigues, not dragged upon the train of someone else's designs. He angrily puffed a series of smoky quasit skulls from his pipe as he pondered the situation. At length, he asked, "What did you do with Bence's body?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast of Abydos / Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse. A Bloodwolf?
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order? Calls Mal 'Mdala Ohlonishwayo.'

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

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Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Bence's Secrets

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Spoiler: Bence's Journal

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...is a backwards plane, so far removed from the Prime Material that it has not seen an angel or the work of a god in a millennia. I hear that far to the west they do not even worship the gods. Proper savages, but I must remain vigilant, as their knowledge of the ways of this world is far more educated than most. But it is ripe for my conquest. While my Master was tasked with corrupting Avendor, my home plane, a bastion of good and law, my chore is simply to tip the rat into the bucket of the Abyss as it prowls the rim looking for cheese. This plane is already so flooded with the energies of the Abyss that demons spontaneously emerge, monsters manifest in the dark, and their weak leaders bargain with forces they would be wiser to repulse. It will be child's play to nudge it the last few inches into anarchy and destruction, mostly due to the efforts of Pale Night herself. For thousands of years she has been grasping and clawing at this realm, dragging it further from the light and closer to her realm day by day, inch by inch, soul by soul. While my home plane was beyond my ability to destroy, this place will be my masterpiece. With my death at the hands of the forces of good, a symphony of destruction will play the anthem to my ascension to demonhood. The Pale Mother has promised me that each death will bring me closer to my true form, and each rebirth will increase my power, just as our pact promised. I can't wait to die. When will the heroes arrive? I've been planting and tending the seed of the idea in the old giant's mind for weeks now. When will it bear fruit? When can my dark rise to power begin? (The rest is a combination of burned and Abyssal that becomes impossible to read)

Dam'ess- Mass Quasit Summoning. Magic Mouth to Levy Commands re: Retrieve Mirror of Leng, Scepter of Rulership, And Aniot's Cube. Disperse to Appropriate Parties Per The Plan. Burn The Cabin.

Harumburg- Sending to Lord of Bone re: Portal to the 113th. (Indecipherable Due to Burns) In Accordance with Their Great Alliance.

Falluneer- Sending to Lord of Flesh re: (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Ebon Spear.

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)light: Sending to Lord of Blood re: Assassination of (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Yukkot, Recovery of Blood (More Burns).

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)odge- Sending to Cult of Pale (More Burns) re: Initiate Divining Ritual Sacrifices. FIND THE DAMN ZIGGURAT.

Garrunrow- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Kill the Last Bloodwolf. Recover (More Burns) Key.

Mountain of Smoke- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) crypt. Seize the Ebon (More Burns).

Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood

(There is more, but seemingly out of paranoia Bence switched to Abyssal. It is impossible to tell how many lines there are, as the last half of the paper is fully burned away)

Spoiler: Arcane Lore concerning Bence's Notes

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The magic of Contingency is a nearly mythical bit of spell work that was said to be lost when the Library of Leng burned down. It allows a caster to prepare spells in advance for a predetermined event, in this case John Bence's own death, and the spells will automatically cast when the event happens. If Bence is capable of such sorcery, he is likely far more powerful than his flashy death at the party's hands would indicate.

The Mirror of Leng is a artifact of the Library of Leng, said to contain a frozen moment of time where the library was at it's height that a person can temporarily step in to, giving access to the greatest magical library this world has ever seen. Supposedly several mirrors were made, though some are confirmed destroyed after their use led to come calamity of forbidden magics long lost to time. The Scepter of Rulership is said to be an even more powerful version of a Rod of Rulership, a magic item that allows for mass mind manipulation of people to believe that the holder of the Scepter is their rightful ruler. The last time the Scepter was confirmed in play it toppled an entire nation.

Though numbering and organizing the layers of the Abyss is a fool's errand, there are some realms that are constant enough to designate. The one hundred and thirteenth layer is Thanatos, layer of Orcus, the Lord of Death. It is a lifeless frozen landscape where life is snuffed out almost as soon as it arrives, either by the untold legions of undead denizens, the magical aura of the layer itself, or, in the worst cases, by Orcus himself, using his fearsome Wand.

Spoiler: John Bence's Wall Art

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There are no invisible objects in the room, but the entire back wall of the cabin is plastered with profane runes and abyssal scribblings. Where there was nothing to the naked eye, there is an extensive patchwork of spell work, seemingly scribed in the rusted red of blood. More disturbing is the fragments of souls that have been bound to the wall. Faces of people rise and seethe from the wood like a strange and rippling tide, mouths open in anguish. There are not many of them left, presumably due to whatever spell was used here absorbing so much energy, but there is a fine layer of ectoplasm that would indicate that once there were dozens of soul fragments powering this spell. The sight turns Mal's stomach, as the chaotic, destructive magic of the Abyss is written as plainly as news script, but as subtly as any devil could manage.

Spoiler: Monsters

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Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

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Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

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Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[Amnestic]

Vargath Hubrecht Half-Orc Rune Knight Fighter AC: 19 HP: 49/49 PP: 13 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Conditions: Infected (Lycanthropy), -1 INT Concentrating: -- "I attended an arcane university in order to puzzle out why giants whisper in my brain - though they've been a bit quieter since two nights ago..."...when he was bitten. No coincidence, he's sure. Not that they were totally silent, but quieter. He can't say he prefers the quiet, given what it portends, but it was at least a change. He's sure that the moment he's cured of his infection they'll be blasting his skull full of nonsense again. "While most students were bookish as you'd expect there were a few martial types like myself, often those studying to be Knight-Conjurers or Spellhunters. An important lesson, doctor, is that orcs and half-orcs are no dumber than gnomes or humans. It's just that most of us dedicate our studies in other areas. Different forms of knowledge and learning. I have no doubt that some of my tribe would best you handily in tests of wit and knowledge on that which they're learned, and you might do the same in your area. My knowledge base is unusual - my intelligence is not." It's not hard to read a bit of prideful boasting in his words and tone here. He didn't need to prove anything, nor did the Bloodwolves (or orcs in general) require him speaking up on their behalf, but he can't help but be a touch defensive on the soft implication that his people were less intelligent. Despite Mal's concerns, Vargath remains dismissive of Bence, thoroughly unconvinced of the truth, and only entertaining this as a matter of precaution rather than actual belief. "Contingency is a lost magic, allowing a caster to prepare spells days in advance, reacting to certain trigger events. You can count those with the power and knowledge to enact it on one hand. The idea that Bence would have the strength to do so on a regular basis, and then fall so quickly to us?" He waves his hand, batting away the idea from his face as one might a gnat. "It's not to say none of what he writes is truth, but trusting the scribblings of a madman as indisputable fact is a mistake. This could just have easily have been left as misdirection to strike fear and discord into those who find it. I'm not worried for my sister or clan. I'll write and let them know about this, but they will be fine, as I'm sure your sisters will be." "I saw no items in the hands of the quasits that we killed or fled. As for the body, it was burned beyond recognition when he died, and then cremated further for good measure. Dust and ash now, nothing more. I agree, we should do the same to the building once we're finished here."

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 1/2 Magic Initiate: 1/1 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Concentrating: --- The Bence Enclave Mal listened to Vargath's apology for orckind and his hypothesis concerning the late John Bence. He smiled grimly at the news Bence had become incinerated. "Dust and ash? Good. At least he cannot re-inhabit his flesh and bone without significant aid. As to contingency, I am aware of its vaunted, lost pedigree. Yet, if even one of these demonic patrons is more real than a madman's conjuration, then they may have played him like a flute. To what end in Dam'ess? The intention boggles the mind, as well as speaks against his claims of such contact. We, however, have little luxury to rest this purely on his addled state. We should proceed with caution until his farce is confirmed to be the fruit of an impotent fool." The tiefling looked to Ulu, Maus, and the others, wondering if perhaps the village elder or the outsider may shed more insight into the situation. He considered the desecrated hut. Then he realized fire alone may not be enough to end what plagued the walls of that defiled sanctuary of Bence. "Does anyone have a means to consecrate this ground? It would be prudent to do so, ridding the profanity scribed in secret upon the very fabric of this building."

Spoiler: OOC

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Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast of Abydos / Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse. A Bloodwolf?
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order? Calls Mal 'Mdala Ohlonishwayo.'

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

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Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Bence's Secrets

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Spoiler: Bence's Journal

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...is a backwards plane, so far removed from the Prime Material that it has not seen an angel or the work of a god in a millennia. I hear that far to the west they do not even worship the gods. Proper savages, but I must remain vigilant, as their knowledge of the ways of this world is far more educated than most. But it is ripe for my conquest. While my Master was tasked with corrupting Avendor, my home plane, a bastion of good and law, my chore is simply to tip the rat into the bucket of the Abyss as it prowls the rim looking for cheese. This plane is already so flooded with the energies of the Abyss that demons spontaneously emerge, monsters manifest in the dark, and their weak leaders bargain with forces they would be wiser to repulse. It will be child's play to nudge it the last few inches into anarchy and destruction, mostly due to the efforts of Pale Night herself. For thousands of years she has been grasping and clawing at this realm, dragging it further from the light and closer to her realm day by day, inch by inch, soul by soul. While my home plane was beyond my ability to destroy, this place will be my masterpiece. With my death at the hands of the forces of good, a symphony of destruction will play the anthem to my ascension to demonhood. The Pale Mother has promised me that each death will bring me closer to my true form, and each rebirth will increase my power, just as our pact promised. I can't wait to die. When will the heroes arrive? I've been planting and tending the seed of the idea in the old giant's mind for weeks now. When will it bear fruit? When can my dark rise to power begin? (The rest is a combination of burned and Abyssal that becomes impossible to read)

Dam'ess- Mass Quasit Summoning. Magic Mouth to Levy Commands re: Retrieve Mirror of Leng, Scepter of Rulership, And Aniot's Cube. Disperse to Appropriate Parties Per The Plan. Burn The Cabin.

Harumburg- Sending to Lord of Bone re: Portal to the 113th. (Indecipherable Due to Burns) In Accordance with Their Great Alliance.

Falluneer- Sending to Lord of Flesh re: (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Ebon Spear.

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)light: Sending to Lord of Blood re: Assassination of (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Yukkot, Recovery of Blood (More Burns).

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)odge- Sending to Cult of Pale (More Burns) re: Initiate Divining Ritual Sacrifices. FIND THE DAMN ZIGGURAT.

Garrunrow- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Kill the Last Bloodwolf. Recover (More Burns) Key.

Mountain of Smoke- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) crypt. Seize the Ebon (More Burns).

Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood

(There is more, but seemingly out of paranoia Bence switched to Abyssal. It is impossible to tell how many lines there are, as the last half of the paper is fully burned away)

Spoiler: Arcane Lore concerning Bence's Notes

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The magic of Contingency is a nearly mythical bit of spell work that was said to be lost when the Library of Leng burned down. It allows a caster to prepare spells in advance for a predetermined event, in this case John Bence's own death, and the spells will automatically cast when the event happens. If Bence is capable of such sorcery, he is likely far more powerful than his flashy death at the party's hands would indicate.

The Mirror of Leng is a artifact of the Library of Leng, said to contain a frozen moment of time where the library was at it's height that a person can temporarily step in to, giving access to the greatest magical library this world has ever seen. Supposedly several mirrors were made, though some are confirmed destroyed after their use led to come calamity of forbidden magics long lost to time. The Scepter of Rulership is said to be an even more powerful version of a Rod of Rulership, a magic item that allows for mass mind manipulation of people to believe that the holder of the Scepter is their rightful ruler. The last time the Scepter was confirmed in play it toppled an entire nation.

Though numbering and organizing the layers of the Abyss is a fool's errand, there are some realms that are constant enough to designate. The one hundred and thirteenth layer is Thanatos, layer of Orcus, the Lord of Death. It is a lifeless frozen landscape where life is snuffed out almost as soon as it arrives, either by the untold legions of undead denizens, the magical aura of the layer itself, or, in the worst cases, by Orcus himself, using his fearsome Wand.

Spoiler: John Bence's Wall Art

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There are no invisible objects in the room, but the entire back wall of the cabin is plastered with profane runes and abyssal scribblings. Where there was nothing to the naked eye, there is an extensive patchwork of spell work, seemingly scribed in the rusted red of blood. More disturbing is the fragments of souls that have been bound to the wall. Faces of people rise and seethe from the wood like a strange and rippling tide, mouths open in anguish. There are not many of them left, presumably due to whatever spell was used here absorbing so much energy, but there is a fine layer of ectoplasm that would indicate that once there were dozens of soul fragments powering this spell. The sight turns Mal's stomach, as the chaotic, destructive magic of the Abyss is written as plainly as news script, but as subtly as any devil could manage.

Spoiler: Monsters

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Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

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Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

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Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[Awful]

Selissa Betula Wood Elf Scout Rogue AC: 16 HP: 31/31 PP: 16 Conditions: None Concentrating: -- Selissa dropped soundlessly to the ground. She took a second to watch the demon she'd killed dissolve into foul sludge, then cocked her head as the paladin complemented her. "...Nothing difficult," she demurred, as she tended to do when complimented. After a moment, she added, a little awkwardly: "Did good yourself." Hurm. She was a good shot (though she had been better...), but that had slain a single foe and more had gotten past. For a moment, she wondered if she should have practiced shooting faster rather than more precisely; she'd known archers back in her tribe that had fired off four arrows in six seconds with ease. While the others looked around, she made sure she had the trail where the quasits had fled, before heading back in to peer at the decrypted papers. The diary was too long, a thick block of text, and after a half-hearted glance she began reading the list of contingencies. Unfamiliar artefacts and evil sounding Lords. Lord of blood. Lord of flesh. Lord of bone. They had a theme, at least, and hopefully by the end they'd all share the title of Lord of Being Dead Via Arrow. She twitched as the devil blood cast a spell on her, feeling strangely vigorous. "Warn next time," she spoke, fighting the peculiar restlessness the magic inspired,as if she was full of life. As Set revealed he was the descendant of a king, she turned to him with her startlingly green eyes. "Not calling you Highness, if you're a prince," she said dryly, before cutting off as she reads a familiar name. Yukkot. Gnarl Yukkot, perhaps, the one who had bargained with the fey so a broken Selissa could have a seed planted in the flesh of her arm stump. Without concious thought, she reached up to grip her wooden arm. "...Light. Probably Lamplight," she muttered, half to herself, before she shook her head in two short, sharp motions. "Can sort this afterwards," she announced. "Still demons to hunt. Come on."

[purepolarpanzer]

The Banewood- John Bence's Cabin


When the revelation about Set's bloodline is spoken aloud, neither Ulu nor Maus seem particularly blown away by it. Ulu takes a moment to incline her head, but there is no sign of additional respect in her eyes. Maus simply nods, as though he had some inkling of the truth already and this was confirming a suspicion. "I will consult the spirits on your behalf, Set of Abydos. I may be able to garner insight in the location of your sisters. After what you have done for my village, it is the least I could do." Maus suddenly stands tall, and when he does he hits his head on a low hanging rafter of the cabin. "I had nearly forgotten!" He reaches into his large bag and draws out the two armbands that Mal had given to him. He extends them outward towards the tiefling, but draws them back at the last second. "Careful. These are... well... not quite cursed, but created with nefarious intent. They are known as Slaver's Bands. You put them on someone and utter the words "Bow, slave" and they become heavy and lock together. Make it impossible to fight, and very difficult to run. Utter "Up, slave" and the enchantment releases. Think of them as magical manacles, and you may yet find a purpose for them. It appears our demon was owned by someone. Spirits will, they will not come looking for their servant's bonds."

Maus nods along with Vargath's assessment of John Bence's capabilities. "He may be an arcanist of some power, and he may have known enough tricks to hide himself from the spirits for a time, but this talk of contingency magic, sending spells, and artifacts of Power are nonsense. It could not be in my village without me knowing. Impossible." Ulu is quick to respond. "Be warned. Demons are the ultimate corrupters. They often ply their lapdogs with ancient knowledge and forbidden magics. This John Bence may not be as powerful as he thinks he is, but we should not assume him a toothless lion. We are going to Harumburg. While there, we will investigate this claim of a portal. If that is true, perhaps more of these rantings are true. I mean... if you all would assist me." She seems to check her commanding nature before she looks down at Mal's drawing of Bence's spell work and frowns. "Charlatan, mad man, or threat to the world, he knows his abyssal spellcraft. He didn't learn it from a demon, either." She points to one of the circles, tracing along it's length. "Demons who teach mortals how to summon more of their kind always impart a small flaw in the spellwork that weakens the caster's command. Makes it easier to betray and murder the would be summoner. But this is flawless. Taught to him by another mortal, and one who knew what they were doing. It had to be perfect for the demons to follow his commands when he wasn't even present." The Chief snorts and gestures at the wreckage left by the fiends. "For all the good it did him. If the demonlings had just set fire to the place instead of taking the time to rip apart all of their master's belongings we would have come across a pile of ash and gained nothing. If any of this is true, their vindictive, destructive nature is their own undoing." Ulu gives a single sharp nod of acknowledgement before handing Mal's drawing back to him.

In response to Mal's request for consecration, Ulu shakes her head. "I hold no god, and our spirits do not have hold in this part of the world. Not as much, anyway. I can ritually cleanse any lingering chaos energy, but can do nothing about the evil taint of these fiends." Maus, smiling slightly, says "I am much the opposite. I can cleanse evil with sage and salt, but have no way of cleansing chaotic corruption. Perhaps our abilities compliment one another, lady paladin?" Ulu snorts derisively without further comment. When Selissa mentions chasing after the fleeing demons, Ulu shakes her head. "Quasits are faster than mortals, and their lack of true biology means they can run longer than a mortal, too. Quasits spend most of their existence in the Abyss running from things which are larger than them, or running to follow the commands of those who are larger than them. Which is nearly everything. Unless you are the faster than ingulule and can see that which walks unseen, we will not catch these demons this day. Maybe one or two if they are truly stupid, but even that is unlikely and therefore unworthy of our time. We cleanse this pit with ritual, then we go to Harumburg." She winces and bites the inside of her lip as though to give herself a painful reminder before managing "If it is in agreement, of course."

[Spore]

Doctor Ignacius Madaras, Medicus Extravagant! Gnome Artificer/Transmuter AC: 18 HP: 36/37 PP: 11 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid (8h; 10 mHP) Concentration: - Quasits can also assume an animal form, least of all a centipede. And you try to find a bug in a forest, let alone the Banewoods. They'll lure you into a cursed treant, or the lair of winter fey. No, your town survived being near a cursed wood before, it can handle a cursed forest with a few imps in them too. Ignacius dusts himself off after rummaging in the ashen remains. You proceed to bless this hut, before we burn it to the ground. Personally I think John was a theoretical arcanist. Well, you would call them witches. You know the kind. They dance around a cauldron, they create magic circles on the ground that are not held by magic, and checked by logic or willpower. And their power is largely influenced by an outside source, that can take this power away at a whim. So I correct my earlier statement. He MIGHT become a demon lord, but it is unlikely, the other party hold up their end of the bargain. With that, Ignacius starts collecting the arcane writings (and looks for spells to put into his own archives) before positioning himself outside to burn the lot.

[Amnestic]

Vargath Hubrecht Half-Orc Rune Knight Fighter AC: 19 HP: 49/49 PP: 13 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Conditions: Infected (Lycanthropy), -1 INT Concentrating: -- "We were originally going to seek out the vampire threat, but I doubt Moira would have qualms about us also crushing a demonic cult to Orcus at the same time. It would serve her interests as well. I can't see anything that would hold us back from looking into this." He doesn't want to speak for the others, but equally he can't see any reason not to do this. Their goals aligned quite perfectly, in Vargath's eyes.

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 1/2 Magic Initiate: 1/1 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Concentrating: --- The Bence Enclave Maledictus smiled apologetically at the Wood Elf. Inwardly, he mused, The bark grows a bit thick. Perhaps I need to adjust my phrases to ensure understanding.. Set's revelation answered a few of his questions about the shrouded desert-wanderer, as well as raised several more. He respected the man's dismissive approach to his own former nobility. A desert campaign does sound enticing. I have heard of relics of the Burnished City washing up on the seas of sand and glass... When he heard Ulu and Maus' confessions, he smiled more richly. An arbiter without a god patron. How fascinating. He replied, "Purging the unfettered fluctuations would be a boon. Elder Maus' art also would prove helpful." The tiefling took the bracers from Maus with delicate care, once again wrapping them in fine cloth. He placed these into his satchel and replied respectfully, "I shall consider your counsel, sagacious elder. Thank you for discerning their attributes and their risks. We may yet need to bring less-than-willing witnesses on our journeys to expose the truth." At Ulu's behest and Vargath's tactful response, the attaché bowed slightly and added, "This would pair well with our current venture, and may even overlap. Who knows what ancient agreements we may unearth, given the accusations Lady Bo'tel levels at her enemies."

Spoiler: OOC

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Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast exiled princeling of Abydos. Two princess sisters (Sisi and Sythpen Al-Sayyid). Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse. A Bloodwolf?
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order? Calls Mal 'Mdala Ohlonishwayo.' Professes to serve no god, but spirits whose reach may be weaker in the Vale than elsewhere.

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

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Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Bence's Secrets

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Spoiler: Bence's Journal

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...is a backwards plane, so far removed from the Prime Material that it has not seen an angel or the work of a god in a millennia. I hear that far to the west they do not even worship the gods. Proper savages, but I must remain vigilant, as their knowledge of the ways of this world is far more educated than most. But it is ripe for my conquest. While my Master was tasked with corrupting Avendor, my home plane, a bastion of good and law, my chore is simply to tip the rat into the bucket of the Abyss as it prowls the rim looking for cheese. This plane is already so flooded with the energies of the Abyss that demons spontaneously emerge, monsters manifest in the dark, and their weak leaders bargain with forces they would be wiser to repulse. It will be child's play to nudge it the last few inches into anarchy and destruction, mostly due to the efforts of Pale Night herself. For thousands of years she has been grasping and clawing at this realm, dragging it further from the light and closer to her realm day by day, inch by inch, soul by soul. While my home plane was beyond my ability to destroy, this place will be my masterpiece. With my death at the hands of the forces of good, a symphony of destruction will play the anthem to my ascension to demonhood. The Pale Mother has promised me that each death will bring me closer to my true form, and each rebirth will increase my power, just as our pact promised. I can't wait to die. When will the heroes arrive? I've been planting and tending the seed of the idea in the old giant's mind for weeks now. When will it bear fruit? When can my dark rise to power begin? (The rest is a combination of burned and Abyssal that becomes impossible to read)

Dam'ess- Mass Quasit Summoning. Magic Mouth to Levy Commands re: Retrieve Mirror of Leng, Scepter of Rulership, And Aniot's Cube. Disperse to Appropriate Parties Per The Plan. Burn The Cabin.

Harumburg- Sending to Lord of Bone re: Portal to the 113th. (Indecipherable Due to Burns) In Accordance with Their Great Alliance.

Falluneer- Sending to Lord of Flesh re: (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Ebon Spear.

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)light: Sending to Lord of Blood re: Assassination of (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Yukkot, Recovery of Blood (More Burns).

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)odge- Sending to Cult of Pale (More Burns) re: Initiate Divining Ritual Sacrifices. FIND THE DAMN ZIGGURAT.

Garrunrow- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Kill the Last Bloodwolf. Recover (More Burns) Key.

Mountain of Smoke- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) crypt. Seize the Ebon (More Burns).

Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood

(There is more, but seemingly out of paranoia Bence switched to Abyssal. It is impossible to tell how many lines there are, as the last half of the paper is fully burned away)

Spoiler: Arcane Lore concerning Bence's Notes

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The magic of Contingency is a nearly mythical bit of spell work that was said to be lost when the Library of Leng burned down. It allows a caster to prepare spells in advance for a predetermined event, in this case John Bence's own death, and the spells will automatically cast when the event happens. If Bence is capable of such sorcery, he is likely far more powerful than his flashy death at the party's hands would indicate.

The Mirror of Leng is a artifact of the Library of Leng, said to contain a frozen moment of time where the library was at it's height that a person can temporarily step in to, giving access to the greatest magical library this world has ever seen. Supposedly several mirrors were made, though some are confirmed destroyed after their use led to come calamity of forbidden magics long lost to time. The Scepter of Rulership is said to be an even more powerful version of a Rod of Rulership, a magic item that allows for mass mind manipulation of people to believe that the holder of the Scepter is their rightful ruler. The last time the Scepter was confirmed in play it toppled an entire nation.

Though numbering and organizing the layers of the Abyss is a fool's errand, there are some realms that are constant enough to designate. The one hundred and thirteenth layer is Thanatos, layer of Orcus, the Lord of Death. It is a lifeless frozen landscape where life is snuffed out almost as soon as it arrives, either by the untold legions of undead denizens, the magical aura of the layer itself, or, in the worst cases, by Orcus himself, using his fearsome Wand.

Spoiler: John Bence's Wall Art

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There are no invisible objects in the room, but the entire back wall of the cabin is plastered with profane runes and abyssal scribblings. Where there was nothing to the naked eye, there is an extensive patchwork of spell work, seemingly scribed in the rusted red of blood. More disturbing is the fragments of souls that have been bound to the wall. Faces of people rise and seethe from the wood like a strange and rippling tide, mouths open in anguish. There are not many of them left, presumably due to whatever spell was used here absorbing so much energy, but there is a fine layer of ectoplasm that would indicate that once there were dozens of soul fragments powering this spell. The sight turns Mal's stomach, as the chaotic, destructive magic of the Abyss is written as plainly as news script, but as subtly as any devil could manage.

Spoiler: Monsters

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Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

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Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

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Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[Awful]

Selissa Betula Wood Elf Scout Rogue AC: 16 HP: 38/38 -> 48/48 PP: 16 Conditions: Aid Concentrating: -- She didn't like the notion of leaving the demons to go free, but if they could turn into insects, even her abilities wouldn't be able to track singular bugs in a whole forest. Hopefully the fey of the woods would deal with such intruders. She didn't count on it. "Tch. Fine," the forest elf muttered, before she spoke up, looking at the others. "After Harumburg... maybe Lamplight. Might have an ally there." She paused, and then added. "Old friend. Powerful. Helpful. If enemy sending assassins, time limited. Enemy there to kill, too. Lord of blood."

[Riggdgames]

Set Al-Sayyid Changeling Fighter/Hexblade AC: 17 HP: 36/36 [44] PP: 11 PIv: 12 PIs: 9 Conditions: Iumenta Pox (-8 max hp); 3rd level Aid for 8 hours (Mal, +10 max hp) Concentration: Set does not know what a soul lattice is, but the fact that Mal appears to take Bence seriously undercuts Ignacius and Vargath's assurances, at least at first. Over time, however, Vargath's steady baritone helps calm Set as he tirelessly explains his reasoning. Contingency was a spell almost beyond reckoning, whereas Bence had displayed no such power when his life was at stake. Words were his only real weapons, whether spoken aloud at his death or written for them to find later. The Last Bloodwolf was an ominous-sounding threat, but it was as empty as the idea that Set's sisters were in the North, dreams-be-damned. A letter would find Shura safe and sound. Another would find Sisi and Sythpen in Abydos if Set could find the words to write one. The spearman nods quietly, seeing the wisdom in Vargath's words and summoning the strength to turn his thoughts away from the rubbish Bence had written. "Not calling you Highness, if you're a prince..." A short bark of laughter sneaks up on Set, escaping before he can think about it. He reaches up to rub tired eyes, giggling helplessly to himself for a moment as the stress overwhelms sanity. Growing up, Set had been treated differently for all manner of reasons. Chief among them, he was the second son of Geb Al-Sayyid and he was born with the Mark of a Changeling. His only friends were family. And yet here, far from home and worried for their fate, he'd found more people who treated him like any other regardless of his lineage. It was a gift, and the secret of Set's birth seemed to melt away in the air between them. Set drops his hands and shakes his head, the smile hidden beneath his shemagh reaching his eyes as he looks from Selissa to the others. Warmth and a measure of trust bubble up to the surface, helping him look beyond the fear for his sisters as he listens to Maus' offer. "Thank you, Maus," Set says genuinely, staring at the man he'd insulted just yesterday for cowardice and seeing only quiet understanding radiating back. Set's mouth twitches as he struggles to find more words, but he's at a loss and the moment passes. If the spirits can truly show Maus that Set's sisters are safe at home, it would do more to put him at ease than logic and cold reasoning alone. A pang of anger flares up for a moment before it's extinguished just as quickly. Moira had trusted Maus implicitly and paid the price for it, but Set wouldn't make the same mistake. He looks up at the giant Maus, resolving to wait and see. When next he spoke with Moira, Set would finally have this man's measure. If Maus was found wanting a second time, it seemed unlikely there would be room to test him for a third. As the others are on the cusp of agreeing to follow Ulu, Set lends his voice in favor of the crowd. "If it means proving Bence is nothing more than a conjurer of quasits, I'd be honored to follow. Once we find the means to dismiss Bence's 'portal' and his ramblings, we can all rest a little easier and focus on the real threat. Bence may well be a liar, but I believe Moira spoke the truth. When we find vampires in Harumburg as she said, the road ahead will be clearer." Selissa's comment, and her apparent belief that Bence's list was worth taking seriously, weakens the foundation that Set is trying to cling to. If she's worried about her friend, shouldn't Set be worried for his family? Instead, he focuses on the friend. Lamplight. Assassins. Yukkot? A questions gnaws at the back of Set's mind, but he can't place the name of the village. Another Y-name? Set's eyes narrow as he struggles to remember.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Banewood- John Bence's Cabin

With everyone in accord, Maus and Ulu go about their work. While the former Chief pulls smudge sticks and a jar of salt out of his bag, Ulu reaches into hers and draws out a tightly wrapped leather bundle. Maus lights the sage and begins chanting under his breath, walking around the room and scattering the salt as he works. Ulu reaches into the leather and withdraws a tightly wrapped bundle of colorful string. While he circles the room, she heads directly for the wall Mal indicated as the source of the vile spell and it's soul lattice. Reaching into a side pouch, Ulu removes a metal tack, using it to secure one corner of the colorful bundle. Then she begins to unfurl it, and a true piece of art is revealed. The bundle was roughly the size of a sword hilt, but when she finally unfurls it all it stretches to nearly cover the entire offending wall. Each string is masterfully wound and tied to form patterns, and each pattern is equally composed of colors- vibrant greens, deep sea blues, radiant yellows, and deep purples. It takes a moment to recognize it, but there are patterns to the colors as well. Vargath, Ignacius, and Mal are all schooled enough to recognize that as much math as artistry went into the creation of this cascading piece of spell work. Fully unrolled and tacked at the four corners, it displays mesmeric geometric shapes and rhythms that seem to sooth any remaining anxiety in the mind with graceful repetition. Or perhaps that is the consuming scent of sage that rapidly fills the cabin. Either way, once Ulu has put the dyed string up across the wall, she closes her eyes before it for several seconds before declaring "It is done." Maus nods and grinds the fire out of the sage before agreeing. "Aye. This place is as cleansed as it will ever be. Do... do you take down that beautiful... thing?" Ulu shakes her head. "It will absorb the chaos, and when the flames destroy the ulwembu lwesicabucabu they will destroy the chaos as well." Then begins the far easier work.

The flames consume the cabin with relative ease, quickly spilling from the windows as the combination of lamp oil and dead branches creates a much more efficient inferno than the quasit's attempts. The party stands outside watching as the walls and roof catch fire, then crumble inward, finally sealing the blasphemous work of John Bence in Dam'ess for good. As the flames begin to dim and it becomes obvious that the fire will not spread to the surrounding woodlands, Maus stamps his staff on the ground. "Spirits bless this place, and reclaim it for those who would live in concert with it." Ulu doesn't say anything, but she is the first to turn away. "We have done all we can here. We should return to the stage coach now. We have a journey ahead of us."

Dam'ess- Village Square

Waiting for the party, Ulu's driver is revealed. His skin is just as dark as hers, but the fashion he wears is a simple roughspun that fits in just fine with those of the Vale. He wears a cap at a rakish angle, and he is laying across the exterior seat of the stage coach sleeping in the steady sunlight when all of you emerge into the square. The four black stallions are all immaculately groomed, pawing at the ground as though in impatience. Ulu picks up speed and slaps the side of the coach with a gauntleted hand. "Ndoda ndini! Vuka! Siyahamba manje!" The rather potbellied driver opens his eyes and slowly slides upward, blinking away any tiredness he feels before giving Ulu a wide, bright smile. "Bengimane ngilinde ukufika kwenkazimulo yakho, nkosikazi yami. Ngikulungele uma usukhona!" And, for the first time since you have met her, all of you see Ulu smile. It is brief and it is small, but like a sunbeam on a rainy day it holds more significance and beauty than those who smile as often as the sun shines. Then, as if a cloud rolled in, it is gone, and she turns to all of you with features set in stone again. "Elder Maus will need to ride up front with Kagiso. You will want to watch out for low hanging branches in the road, or you will be brained a dozen times in this journey." Maus, already looking on the stage coach with some apprehension, nods and clambers up onto the exterior seat. Ulu turns to the rest of you. "There are ropes above to tie down your bags. When you are done, join me inside. Be quick about it."

Ulu's Stagecoach- Interior

Upon opening the door of the vehicle, the party is confronted with sensuous luxury. The interior is lush red satin, stuffed with feathers that seem to caress the back and legs as much as support them. A small alchemical light covered in colored glass is set into the ceiling, bathing the cabin with an intimate light. A miniature bar runs down the center with bottles of liquor and wooden cups held by straps down by your legs, with scooped out cupholders set into the top. Sitting amidst this extravagance is Ulu, still wearing her full plate and looking at the expensive accoutrements with similar levels of disgust that she rendered the demon. "Excuse the opulence. My handler revels in making me uncomfortable with this useless vanity." There is plenty of room for all of you, along with ample elbow room. The moment you are all inside, she knocks twice on the wall behind her. You hear a cry and a whip crack and the vehicle jumps into motion. Through the side windows you all see Dam'ess rapidly begin to pass away behind you as the coach picks up speed. Set looks back just in time to see young Alephandro run out of the Oaken Larder and wave good bye to the heroes of the small village. While not moving as fast as individual horses, this is still exponentially faster than many of your foot trodden journeys to Dam'ess. While you move, Ulu makes the concession of removing her gauntlets before she takes time to remove beads and unbraid the hair on the occupied half of her skull, seemingly used to doing the task while the stage coach bounced and trembled down the road. While she doesn't initiate conversation, she does not avoid it should anyone have any questions.

Spoiler: OOC

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Feel free to add your own roleplay into any of these scenes. I figure I'll give everyone a chance to respond before moving on to the end of the day. Apologies if this moves too fast for anyone.

[Spore]

Doctor Ignacius Madaras, Medicus Extravagant! Gnome Artificer/Transmuter AC: 18 HP: 36/37 PP: 11 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid (8h; 10 mHP) Concentration: - It visibly pains the gnome to destroy art, and the arcane this beautiful and captivating. He knew it had to be done to send the powers back into the Abyss, but for a short second he knew why people indulged in the darker arts of the arcane for the simple knowledge, for science. He took solace in knowing the woods would reclaim this place, the worms and plants use this as fertilizer, and this wound to nature would heal over time. And with luck, the forest's guardian would excise the threat on their own. In the coach: Ignacius excused the vanity. In fact he reveled in it. Holding back a deluge of words, he wanted to give Ulu time to tell a bit about herself, to unwind and relax. Her smile was pleasant, and the fact that she revealed unarmored parts of her made the gnome optimistic. You may not like it, but I enjoy this immensely. Thank you for inviting us the travel with you. The gnome almost vanishes in the pillow's folds as he reclines, but continues. Now why are you truly here, Ma'am Mik...I mean Ulu. One usually does not travel as far if even a neighboring country is in inner turmoil. But your purpose does not seem to be political, but spiritual. Yet I stay unconvinced that there are no ulterior motives behind this. If not yours, then maybe your handler's as you so showed your hand. Pardon the comparison, but you don't seem like the average lapdog of a grey eminence behind the curtains. No, you have your own agenda. Quickly and precisely, the gnome's words cut right to the chase this time. He hoped to create a different emotional reaction to his typical bumbling facade of beating around the bush.

[Amnestic]

Vargath Hubrecht Half-Orc Rune Knight Fighter AC: 19 HP: 49/49 PP: 13 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Conditions: Infected (Lycanthropy), -1 INT Concentrating: -- Vargath offers assistance in stowing gear as necessary. Though the thought briefly crosses his mind to enlarge himself to make it easier, he passes it up. No telling if they'd need it on the road. Once inside the stagecoach he settles in for the journey, the steady rocking of the vehicle enough to lull him to sleep, if he weren't concerned about what the dreams would be. He doesn't care for the particularly aggressive wording of Ignacius' question, practically interrogation, for someone who until now had been nothing but polite and helpful. Generously, perhaps the doctor was as bad with his words as Vargath was. It wasn't his place to admonish or reprimand. He purses his lips quietly in displeasure, but says nothing, instead choosing to stare out of the window at the land rolling by.

[Riggdgames]

Set Al-Sayyid Changeling Fighter/Hexblade AC: 17 HP: 36/36 [44] PP: 11 PIv: 12 PIs: 9 Conditions: Iumenta Pox (-8 max hp); 3rd level Aid for 8 hours (Mal, +10 max hp) Concentration: John Bence's Cabin Set stares meditatively into the design as Ulu sheathes one wall of Bence's cabin in a mesmerizing display of color. He has to consciously put down a compulsion to step forward and run his fingers over the various strings. Even from a distance, however, the pattern seems to quiet the chaos and indecision that still vie for attention in his mind. Set's heartbeat slows as the design radiates calm and order. It would be silly to think his sisters were anywhere except right where they belong in Abydos. As the flames crackle and pop, devouring the cabin faster and faster, Set examines Selissa briefly. Between Ulu's art and the fire dancing over Bence's home, Set's mind is finally quiet enough to remember the name of the village. "Your friend. They are called Yukkot, yes? Did you meet them at Yurl?" Dam'ess Village Square Set offers Kagiso a nod of acknowledgement as he examines the horses, each a stallion worth more gold than Set currently had to his name. They were fine beasts, seemingly fit for royal stables. Set removes his pack and some rope, preparing to tie it off to the roof of the coach. As he rifles through his pouches and pockets to shift everything he wouldn't need into his pack, his fingers brush a pair of coin-halves that were found and forgotten days ago. He pulls them out, frowning down at all that remained of the small counting devil Weldry had kept. After a moment of indecision, Set pulls his own coin out and flips it. The two halves slide into a pocket, whereas the pouch ends up in his pack on the roof for the journey to Harumburg. The inside of Ulu's coach greets him like something out of a memory. Set enjoys settling into a cushioned corner despite himself, sighing audibly as he rests his head back and pulls down his shemagh. As Alephandro runs out of the larder to wave good-bye, Set shares his 'happy-face' with him for maybe the last time, smiling down at the young man and raising his hand in acknowledgement. Set listens for a moment as Ignacius engages Ulu in conversation before turning his attention back to the two coin-halves, pulling them out to examine a bit closer. He couldn't remember if they'd always been this tarnished, but he clearly remembered watching Selissa put an arrow through a devil small as a quasit. "Do you remember that creature Weldry kept in his store? The little devil that wanted to count everything?" Set asks openly, looking back and forth between Vargath and Selissa. "I'd almost forgotten I grabbed these. Every coin has a story, just like people," Set says absentmindedly, flipping the halves over in his fingers. "I've never seen a creature's story end with nothing left behind but a coin before," Set muses. His attention snaps back to the present and the people around him. "Have you?" Set asks Mal, offering him the halves first should he wish to look.

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 1/2 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Mal Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Mal Concentrating: --- Soreshu Ancient Companion: Sage Companion HP: 30/30 Companion AC: 14 Companion PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 12 Sage's Counsel: While within 15 feet of the companion, you and your allies gain a +2 bonus to Intelligence and Wisdom checks. The Bence Enclave Maledictus watched Ulu's masterpiece unfold, drinking in the perfect symmetry of her ward. While she and Maus conducted their cleansing, the tiefling approached the stump where Bence's axe rested and set to his own task. He took up the curved dagger from the ground, carving runes into the wood's face. He traced geometric whorls along the tree rings, intersecting these with glyphs. He canted as he did in a tongue both familiar and foreign to the one Bence's minions recited. His voice came rich and resonant, flowing with flawless annunciation and polished cadence. Mal seemed to synchronize his carving with Ulu's movements along the interior wall and Maus' salt-sowing in the house, drawing on the rituals' ambient arcana and the influx of spirits. Once the wheel completed, he conducted a second circuit and a third. Each of ring had equal space between the other and the center where the axe bit into the wood. The attache concluded the inscriptions by driving the dagger into the heart's core of the stump a hairs-breadth from the axe. He then drew his viol, moving widdershins around the base as he played an ancient song. The rhythms and notes seemed to reverberate with the unveiling Mandala's vibrant cords. Mal keened above the morose sonata, his voice conveying a longing and loss that his words did not communicate in the common tongue. The solo rose to a crescendo, followed by a sound like wood splitting. The stray gems and oddments around the yard flew toward the concentric rings as if drawn by unseen hands (an eerie parallel to the quasits recently upon the scene). Golden light beamed from the sigils as a statue almost as tall as Vargath appeared upon the stump. The powerfully built man of stone wore a high collared robe, possessed several tomes wrapped in chains, and rested his hand upon a warhammer with a skull motif engraved upon its side. Two of Bence's rubies filled the sockets as his eyes, both kindled with an inner radiance. His face bore a fearsome visage, which broke into a friendly smile as he beheld the tiefling. "Khunshi'adam Adrizji-khaanani, el-Maledictus!" The living statue spoke with a commanding, gravelly voice that pealed as if thunder uttered from a deep hollow. Mal replied at first in the same tongue, transitioning back to common, "V'rukk engreshi akhanaani, el-Soresasya. We stand among khureshi. My companions and I could use your counsel, venerable Soreshu. Please seal the liminal meridian." The burly scholar plucked Bence's dagger, then Bence's axe, out from the tree with ease. The statue tucked the dagger into its belt and hooked the axe on the same. Then the construct hefted the hammer in two hands and struck the stump with a mighty blow. A pulse of energy rippled as the base splintered into sawdust. The living thing grinned with satisfaction as no trace remained of its summoning circle. Maledictus addressed the others, "Please welcome Soreshu, an honored antiquarian in my community. He shall enrich our efforts as we seek to unveil the clandestine cabals at the heart of these demonic intrigues." The Stagecoach to Harumburg Soreshu moved with a steady stride that easily kept up with the others, though his heavy steps imprinted his bootprints into the softer earth. The construct walked and talked with Maledictus quietly in their shared tongue, though Mal transitioned often to engage with his colleagues. The tiefling beheld the stagecoach with inward relief, especially when he surveyed the interior. Journeying to Harumvale had required some marching, and he did not relish the thought of replicating the feat to the capital. He smiled apologetically at Ulu when he reconsidered the seating conditions. Mal said, "Soreshu won't need any special accommodations." Soreshu added, "I am beyond the need for luxuries, large or small, Lady-at-arms. However, I would gladly partake in tales of your realm. You possess the bearing of the powerful warriors who walk with lions, not stags and bears. It has been many ages since I viewed the daring souls who travel among giants and legendary beasts as one might stroll a park." Once arranged within the stagecoach, Mal sank into the cushions beside his advisor. He politely served the liquors to those who would partake. The tiefling savored the drink in his own hand, happily puffing skulls of a variety of exotic creatures from his pipe. When Set revealed the coin, he took it with a gloved hand and inspected the piece on his palm. At length, the scholar replied, "A fiend of numismatics. How fortunate for the bookkeeper, so long as he doublechecked to ensure the devil didn't cheat him. A pity to lose such a useful, if detested, resource, though I understand the necessities that drive one to remove an infernal spirit." Soreshu asked, "Did the spirit display a preference for notaphily, exonumia, or scripophily?" The construct explained after a moment, "--notes of tender, coins, or securities?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast exiled princeling of Abydos. Two princess sisters (Sisi and Sythpen Al-Sayyid). Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse. A Bloodwolf?
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order? Calls Mal 'Mdala Ohlonishwayo.' Professes to serve no god, but spirits whose reach may be weaker in the Vale than elsewhere.

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

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Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Bence's Secrets

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Spoiler: Bence's Journal

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...is a backwards plane, so far removed from the Prime Material that it has not seen an angel or the work of a god in a millennia. I hear that far to the west they do not even worship the gods. Proper savages, but I must remain vigilant, as their knowledge of the ways of this world is far more educated than most. But it is ripe for my conquest. While my Master was tasked with corrupting Avendor, my home plane, a bastion of good and law, my chore is simply to tip the rat into the bucket of the Abyss as it prowls the rim looking for cheese. This plane is already so flooded with the energies of the Abyss that demons spontaneously emerge, monsters manifest in the dark, and their weak leaders bargain with forces they would be wiser to repulse. It will be child's play to nudge it the last few inches into anarchy and destruction, mostly due to the efforts of Pale Night herself. For thousands of years she has been grasping and clawing at this realm, dragging it further from the light and closer to her realm day by day, inch by inch, soul by soul. While my home plane was beyond my ability to destroy, this place will be my masterpiece. With my death at the hands of the forces of good, a symphony of destruction will play the anthem to my ascension to demonhood. The Pale Mother has promised me that each death will bring me closer to my true form, and each rebirth will increase my power, just as our pact promised. I can't wait to die. When will the heroes arrive? I've been planting and tending the seed of the idea in the old giant's mind for weeks now. When will it bear fruit? When can my dark rise to power begin? (The rest is a combination of burned and Abyssal that becomes impossible to read)

Dam'ess- Mass Quasit Summoning. Magic Mouth to Levy Commands re: Retrieve Mirror of Leng, Scepter of Rulership, And Aniot's Cube. Disperse to Appropriate Parties Per The Plan. Burn The Cabin.

Harumburg- Sending to Lord of Bone re: Portal to the 113th. (Indecipherable Due to Burns) In Accordance with Their Great Alliance.

Falluneer- Sending to Lord of Flesh re: (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Ebon Spear.

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)light: Sending to Lord of Blood re: Assassination of (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Yukkot, Recovery of Blood (More Burns).

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)odge- Sending to Cult of Pale (More Burns) re: Initiate Divining Ritual Sacrifices. FIND THE DAMN ZIGGURAT.

Garrunrow- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Kill the Last Bloodwolf. Recover (More Burns) Key.

Mountain of Smoke- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) crypt. Seize the Ebon (More Burns).

Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood

(There is more, but seemingly out of paranoia Bence switched to Abyssal. It is impossible to tell how many lines there are, as the last half of the paper is fully burned away)

Spoiler: Arcane Lore concerning Bence's Notes

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The magic of Contingency is a nearly mythical bit of spell work that was said to be lost when the Library of Leng burned down. It allows a caster to prepare spells in advance for a predetermined event, in this case John Bence's own death, and the spells will automatically cast when the event happens. If Bence is capable of such sorcery, he is likely far more powerful than his flashy death at the party's hands would indicate.

The Mirror of Leng is a artifact of the Library of Leng, said to contain a frozen moment of time where the library was at it's height that a person can temporarily step in to, giving access to the greatest magical library this world has ever seen. Supposedly several mirrors were made, though some are confirmed destroyed after their use led to come calamity of forbidden magics long lost to time. The Scepter of Rulership is said to be an even more powerful version of a Rod of Rulership, a magic item that allows for mass mind manipulation of people to believe that the holder of the Scepter is their rightful ruler. The last time the Scepter was confirmed in play it toppled an entire nation.

Though numbering and organizing the layers of the Abyss is a fool's errand, there are some realms that are constant enough to designate. The one hundred and thirteenth layer is Thanatos, layer of Orcus, the Lord of Death. It is a lifeless frozen landscape where life is snuffed out almost as soon as it arrives, either by the untold legions of undead denizens, the magical aura of the layer itself, or, in the worst cases, by Orcus himself, using his fearsome Wand.

Spoiler: John Bence's Wall Art

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There are no invisible objects in the room, but the entire back wall of the cabin is plastered with profane runes and abyssal scribblings. Where there was nothing to the naked eye, there is an extensive patchwork of spell work, seemingly scribed in the rusted red of blood. More disturbing is the fragments of souls that have been bound to the wall. Faces of people rise and seethe from the wood like a strange and rippling tide, mouths open in anguish. There are not many of them left, presumably due to whatever spell was used here absorbing so much energy, but there is a fine layer of ectoplasm that would indicate that once there were dozens of soul fragments powering this spell. The sight turns Mal's stomach, as the chaotic, destructive magic of the Abyss is written as plainly as news script, but as subtly as any devil could manage.

Spoiler: Monsters

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Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

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Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

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Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[purepolarpanzer]

Dam'ess- Village Square

Ulu scans Soreshu up and down, her eyes changing to a shimmering silver hue for a moment. Then she goes down to one knee and bows, briefly, to the statue, before standing up and resuming the same position. "Honored Elder. Of course you are welcome in my stage. I am afraid I am terrible at telling stories, but I would hear tales of your home anytime you wish." She offers both Mal and Soreshu a hand up into the stage coach.

Leaving Dam'ess- Stage Coach Interior

Ule's fingers move with practiced ease as she works slowly but steadily, removing each bead and setting it in a small bag at her side, then unwinding each strand of hair. The coach hits a bump and the bag, full to the brim with a rainbow selection of colors and designs, nearly hits the floor, but her hand catches it casually and scoots it back to the rear of the bench seat before going back to work on her hair. It is only when the first braid is undone that she responds to Ignacius' questions. She does not turn to face him as she speaks, simply continuing her fastidious work while looking out the window. "You appear to be confused. I will try to explain again. I do battle with chaos. I do not have an agenda, I have a cause. Never forget the difference between the two, Doctor. My superior has an agenda, I'm sure, and you may probe her as much as you like, but I was told there were demons here, infesting a valley and turning it into a playground of senseless destruction and anarchy, that the local government was failing, and the people suffered needlessly. So I volunteered to come here and lend my sword arm to those problems. Today, I kill demons. Tomorrow, perhaps bandits. The day after that a corrupt official, if one is particularly offensive. Not because I have a plan for personal gain, or wish to preach people my religion, or seek to install myself in power, but because if there were no more places like this backwards abyss ridden stain on the map in the world I would learn the old magic, summon a portal to another world, and go kick ass and kill demons over there. Until the end of my life I will work towards this cause. Do you now understand what I mean, Ignacius, when I say I have a cause, not an agenda?." There is a final rattle of beads spilling into the bag and the last braid is unwound, and it is only then that Ulu turns to Dr. Madaras with her patented neutral expression. Her voice remained perfectly level and calm throughout the entire speech.

As Ulu begins to wipe and pad at her hair with a towel that she dampened from her water skin, her eyes follow the coin from Set's hand to Mal's, flicker up to Soreshu, then return to looking out the window. When the coin halves pass into Mal's hands he detects a slight warmth to the metal, and a sudden, distinct feeling that he should bring the two halves together.

Spoiler: OOC

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Mal needs to roll a DC 5 Wisdom Saving Throw to resist a compulsion to bring the two halves of the coin together. If he wishes to resist that is.

Spoiler: Insight DC 23

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Ulu knows exactly what type of coin that is. And though she is facing the window, she is actually watching the reflection of Set, Mal, and Soreshu with undivided attention.

[Theophilus]

Mal Levistus Tiefling Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 40/41 PP: 11 PIv: 13 PIs: 11 Spell Slots: 1st - 2/4 2nd - 2/3 3rd - 1/2 Fey Touched: 1st - 1/1 2nd - 1/1 Levistus Legacy: Armor of Agathys - 0/1 Darkness - 1/1 Bardic Inspiration: 3/4 Healer's Kit: 20/20 Mal Conditions: See Invisibility and Ethereal Plane (Range: Sight) Mal Concentrating: --- Soreshu Ancient Companion: Sage Companion HP: 30/30 Companion AC: 14 Companion PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 12 Sage's Counsel: While within 15 feet of the companion, you and your allies gain a +2 bonus to Intelligence and Wisdom checks. Dam'ess Square Soreshu touched his brow to return the genuflection. Despite its gruff voice, the being spoke with audible respect. "I will gladly share what I may with a champion of Order." The living statue accepted Ulu's hand and Mal followed after. The latter noted Ulu's insight and response to an elder spirit coming into existence. The Stagecoach to Harumburg The tiefling felt the warmth of the pieces and noted where they broke. When a gentle urge to join them arose, Maledictus puffed a devil's skull and complied out of curiosity. He mused quietly, "What clever little art do we have here." Soreshu looked over and advised, "Perchance the halves might rejoin with a simple mending incantation." Mal listened distractedly to the conversation between Ulu and Ignacius. The revelations confirmed his suspicions that she relished Law most of all. However, the coin and this impulse had his attention. The scholar continued to nudge the coin halves towards one another with his drink hand. He felt that something might occur, something interesting. The fact that the spontaneous urge came to him almost certainly forebode some art remained in the coin. He wondered what that art may be.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spoiler: Mal's Notes

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Spoiler: Cast and Crew

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Set: outcast exiled princeling of Abydos. Two princess sisters (Sisi and Sythpen Al-Sayyid). Romantic connection for Moira?
Selissa: Blighted or reconstructed wood elf? Purported Scout.
Vargath: Afflicted Lycanthrope seeking to suspend his curse. A Bloodwolf?
Mandaras: Rival to Dr. Fixer.
Dr. Fixer: Moira's lieutenant and cultivates relations with the locals of Vale.
Elder Maus: Seeks to kill Moira. Hired mercenaries who betrayed him.
--Healed to his full 9ft height.
--Disbelieves Moira's insights; seeks to end her directly or indirectly.
--Seeks us to verify the truths of Moira's claims--or stop her by any means necessary.
Maulei: Successor to Elder Maus as elder of Dam'ess.
Uluthando Mikoso "Ulu:" Paladin? of Order. From beyond the Vale. Reacts by gripping her dagger and declaring Tieflings are treated differently...Lawful (N/E?) Order? Calls Mal 'Mdala Ohlonishwayo.' Professes to serve no god, but spirits whose reach may be weaker in the Vale than elsewhere.

Spoiler: Dream of Leng

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Spoiler: In Full

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Mal has had this dream before. He finds himself in the legendary Library of Leng, an ancient home of virtually all worldly and mystical knowledge that burned when the city it was located in was razed nearly nine hundred years ago, half the world away. Still, in his dreams it still existed, and these dreams always played out the same. Hours of dutiful research, referencing and cross referencing sources from multiple tomes, carefully reconstructing ancient languages, until EUREKA! Some devastating and profound arcane truth became evident to him, and the sense of accomplisment and relief normally carried with him for several hours after waking up, even if he could never actually remember anything he learned. But this time is different. Mal is well versed enough in the arcane and divine arts to know that sometimes dreams carry real meaning. And as he stares down at what he has been working on, he instinctively knows this bears some significance. Where normally he would have arcane formulas and theorems, he sees only "The One Who Stalks Behind" scrawled over and over again in his own hand, though the words are manic and look like they were written in distress. He searches the paper for any further omen, and down at the bottom of the page, in the smallest script he could possibly manage, it says Behind you!. Just as he is about to turn, a claw as strong as iron grips the side of his head, snaps his neck to the side, and ends all feeling in the bard's body. But he can still hear the deep throated growls, along with the wet noises of whatever killed him beginning to eat him alive. But he never gets to see it before the dream ends.

The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. RIGHT BEHIND YOU! The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind. The One Who Stalks Behind.

Spoiler: Bence's Secrets

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Spoiler: Bence's Journal

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...is a backwards plane, so far removed from the Prime Material that it has not seen an angel or the work of a god in a millennia. I hear that far to the west they do not even worship the gods. Proper savages, but I must remain vigilant, as their knowledge of the ways of this world is far more educated than most. But it is ripe for my conquest. While my Master was tasked with corrupting Avendor, my home plane, a bastion of good and law, my chore is simply to tip the rat into the bucket of the Abyss as it prowls the rim looking for cheese. This plane is already so flooded with the energies of the Abyss that demons spontaneously emerge, monsters manifest in the dark, and their weak leaders bargain with forces they would be wiser to repulse. It will be child's play to nudge it the last few inches into anarchy and destruction, mostly due to the efforts of Pale Night herself. For thousands of years she has been grasping and clawing at this realm, dragging it further from the light and closer to her realm day by day, inch by inch, soul by soul. While my home plane was beyond my ability to destroy, this place will be my masterpiece. With my death at the hands of the forces of good, a symphony of destruction will play the anthem to my ascension to demonhood. The Pale Mother has promised me that each death will bring me closer to my true form, and each rebirth will increase my power, just as our pact promised. I can't wait to die. When will the heroes arrive? I've been planting and tending the seed of the idea in the old giant's mind for weeks now. When will it bear fruit? When can my dark rise to power begin? (The rest is a combination of burned and Abyssal that becomes impossible to read)

Dam'ess- Mass Quasit Summoning. Magic Mouth to Levy Commands re: Retrieve Mirror of Leng, Scepter of Rulership, And Aniot's Cube. Disperse to Appropriate Parties Per The Plan. Burn The Cabin.

Harumburg- Sending to Lord of Bone re: Portal to the 113th. (Indecipherable Due to Burns) In Accordance with Their Great Alliance.

Falluneer- Sending to Lord of Flesh re: (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Ebon Spear.

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)light: Sending to Lord of Blood re: Assassination of (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Yukkot, Recovery of Blood (More Burns).

(Indecipherable Due to Burns)odge- Sending to Cult of Pale (More Burns) re: Initiate Divining Ritual Sacrifices. FIND THE DAMN ZIGGURAT.

Garrunrow- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) Kill the Last Bloodwolf. Recover (More Burns) Key.

Mountain of Smoke- (Indecipherable Due to Burns) crypt. Seize the Ebon (More Burns).

Sussoon- Ensure the Prophecy (Indecipherable Due to Burns)... Pay the Bounty Hunters to Find the Abydossian and the Princesses. re: Sacrifices of The Old Blood

(There is more, but seemingly out of paranoia Bence switched to Abyssal. It is impossible to tell how many lines there are, as the last half of the paper is fully burned away)

Spoiler: Arcane Lore concerning Bence's Notes

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The magic of Contingency is a nearly mythical bit of spell work that was said to be lost when the Library of Leng burned down. It allows a caster to prepare spells in advance for a predetermined event, in this case John Bence's own death, and the spells will automatically cast when the event happens. If Bence is capable of such sorcery, he is likely far more powerful than his flashy death at the party's hands would indicate.

The Mirror of Leng is a artifact of the Library of Leng, said to contain a frozen moment of time where the library was at it's height that a person can temporarily step in to, giving access to the greatest magical library this world has ever seen. Supposedly several mirrors were made, though some are confirmed destroyed after their use led to come calamity of forbidden magics long lost to time. The Scepter of Rulership is said to be an even more powerful version of a Rod of Rulership, a magic item that allows for mass mind manipulation of people to believe that the holder of the Scepter is their rightful ruler. The last time the Scepter was confirmed in play it toppled an entire nation.

Though numbering and organizing the layers of the Abyss is a fool's errand, there are some realms that are constant enough to designate. The one hundred and thirteenth layer is Thanatos, layer of Orcus, the Lord of Death. It is a lifeless frozen landscape where life is snuffed out almost as soon as it arrives, either by the untold legions of undead denizens, the magical aura of the layer itself, or, in the worst cases, by Orcus himself, using his fearsome Wand.

Spoiler: John Bence's Wall Art

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There are no invisible objects in the room, but the entire back wall of the cabin is plastered with profane runes and abyssal scribblings. Where there was nothing to the naked eye, there is an extensive patchwork of spell work, seemingly scribed in the rusted red of blood. More disturbing is the fragments of souls that have been bound to the wall. Faces of people rise and seethe from the wood like a strange and rippling tide, mouths open in anguish. There are not many of them left, presumably due to whatever spell was used here absorbing so much energy, but there is a fine layer of ectoplasm that would indicate that once there were dozens of soul fragments powering this spell. The sight turns Mal's stomach, as the chaotic, destructive magic of the Abyss is written as plainly as news script, but as subtly as any devil could manage.

Spoiler: Monsters

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Barlgura: Demon loosed by summoning ritual on the road to Dam'ess. Slain with its summoned partner by team. (Bless helped with accuracy issues due to invisibility. In the future, layer mind sliver to aid with saves.)
Brazen Hart: Spirit of the wild wood around Dam'ess. Seeks to test the party's mettle by forcing an open fight with the Barlgura.

Spoiler: Instrument of the Bards

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Mal needs a translator, the spells, and woodcrafter to create a new relic.

Spoiler: Full Description

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Still, tucked among the primers and amateur books he finds a book that deals with the blending of magic and music. Specifically, it holds the instructions and rituals for a new version of the famed artifacts known as the instruments of the bards. Unfortunately, about a third of the book is in a language Mal does not understand or recognize, including most of the rites and rituals to imbue it with magic. Still, with a translator, appropriate magics, some study, and someone skilled in wood craft, he may be able to produce one of these relics for himself.

Report daily updates to Mistress Moira at last light.

[Awful]

Selissa Betula Wood Elf Scout Rogue AC: 16 HP: 38/38 -> 48/48 PP: 16 Conditions: Aid Concentrating: -- Bence's house Selissa went very still at Set's mention of Yukkot and Yurl. She regarded him for a long moment, before she finally spoke. "No," she said carefully. "Yurl was ending, not start." She was silent for a moment longer, then sighed. "Friend is Gnarl Yukkot. Halfblood like Vargath. Druid. He... helped me get... this." She held up her wooden arm, staring at the whorls of bark on the palm, and slowly closed her fingers. "After Yurl." She lapsed into silence again, and watched the burning of the house and Mal's sumoning of... something. A scholar, hmm. She regarded the statue-man - man, ha - for a long moment, her face blank and emotionless as normal, but her mind slowly clicked along in thought. She would have to be vey careful. Wicked things fighting wicked things - sometimes necessary, to weaken both; but a predator given time to digest was just stronger for the next hunt. Stagecoach In the town square, Selissa had given a brief nod to Set's question about the counting devil."The coin-devil. Yes. The idiot." Selissa frowned briefly as she saw it retrieved and passed to Mal. Better that such a thing was destroyed, and the little fiend left to rot in the Hells. The forest elf had entered the stagecoach after a short inner debate on instead taking the roof. As the coach began clattering down the road, she'd taken a sniff of one of the alcohols on offer and promptly turned away. Instead, her face was turned as if staring out the window, but her luminous green eyes were shut, in the half-aware state of trance. She didn't speak until the broken devil-coin was brought out again. "Don't." Her eyes opened to fix upon Mal and the statue, and the coin they now possessed. "Already killed it once. Will again, if I have to. Nothing good from it."