The Lost Sanctuary

[at]

The city of Alamut stands intact, seemingly having weathered the great magics and forces brought against it. But few people walk the streets - it is as if the city is still under siege by some unseen force.

Guardsmen lead the party through checkpoints towards the palace as the captives they had rescued are turned aside to the guardhouse at the main gate with little chance to give parting thanks. There is a sense of urgency and Vadania cannot help but notice that there are far fewer guardsmen here than when she arrived and none of the towering golem. Perhaps they are spread thin throughout the rest of the city or perhaps the fight here was more costly but the streets themselves show little sign of such battles.

In short order the party stands before a grand cathedral-like building, Moriana notes that this is the hall of justice where warriors are honoured and the public might petition the prince himself. Many more guards stand here protecting the building as the party are led inside and are surprised to find that it has been converted into some form of grand meeting hall where many that Vadania recognise as dressed in the garb of the royal staff are assembled.

Though the hall is part of the palace structure it is far from the central chambers where Vadania first met the prince. Perhaps there was more to the initial attack by the naga.


"Wait here, the prince will be informed", the guard captain and his men clear a space for the party within the room and stand guard, taking the oddness of Vadanias new companions in their stride with a certain weariness but perhaps also hope. Servants are quick to approach with food and drink and offers of spices and perfumes.

For its part the dragon has ducked back down amongst its horde and now just the glint of its eyes can be seen peering out from below.

[harknail]

Both Neera and Vadania accept the food and drink (having been subsisting on trail rations for a while), but decline the spices and perfume.

[crazydave]

Brenner, observing his compatriots' behavior, will do the same - accept the food and drink and decline the rest, while being polite and deferential.

[at]

"Vadania!", the voice was familiar as Lynette ran in from an adjacent room. An age seemed to have passed since Vadania last spoke to her outside of Burr town but the bards high spirits seem to have somewhat returned as she approaches, clearly curious of the new party and the dragon in particular.

"I'm sorry I missed you when you first arrived. Eldon had me searching the grand library here for clues while he and Altar sought the aid of the high vizier, Xana is here too but she has been missing since the last attack..." Lynette trails off for a moment before continuing, "the warning you sent got here just in time, and i'm guessing the end to the darkness was your work as well. But the prince has had the whole city locked down and the guards aren't talking, even to me. The whole palace has been sealed off since the attack."

[harknail]

Vadania response, "It's been a long time Lynette. George is still alive, but had to teleport away. I don't think we'll be seeing him anytime soon. But along the way I met Brenner <waves at him) and Neera <waves at her> and they helped fight the source of the darkness. We took the long way home, and rescued some people about to be sacrificed by the Khan, and a dragon wymling who had lost it's mother to the darkness."

Vadania will introduce Lynette to Brenner and Neera and explain how they met.

(I am assuming Lynette and Moriana know each other and don't need introductions, will introduce them if that wasn't correct.)

I only vaguely remember Lynette. Was she the spellcaster that used lightning? Or the one that would have us heal 1 hp a round?

[at]

Dec 21, 2022 18:52:07 GMT -5 harknail said:

(I am assuming Lynette and Moriana know each other and don't need introductions, will introduce them if that wasn't correct.)
I only vaguely remember Lynette. Was she the spellcaster that used lightning? Or the one that would have us heal 1 hp a round?

She had buffing magic - healing and cold, the latter of which she could use to enchant everyones weapons to inflict a lot of bonus damage. She also had some knowledge of the old magic of the land including that imbued within Vadanias cloak (and the other similar cloaks of the old order such as Ka'lions black energy cloak).

She parted ways with Vadania some time before you met Moriana (who Berith sent to meet you just before you went east from the Monastery to Alamut).

As usual with game 'segment' changes this is a chance to swap out your NPC helper - or bring in a second player character under crazydaves control. You don't need to decide until you've heard the new quest info and taken stock of your options.

[at]

"The Naga arrived while you were away, many of the Khan with them. The darkness seemed to give them supernatural strength and resilience but when it ended their attack collapsed. It would have been much worse but when you sent word of the attack the Prince opened the vaults and caught the initial attack in an ambush at the outer walls."

She looks thoughtful, "it didn't make much sense at the time, they must have been looking for something here or else why attack Alamut. I guess that's why the prince has called for you."

Character advancement / creation thread here, to keep apart from the game thread :
kmansadventures.proboards.com/thread/8813/character-advancement-thread?page=3

[at]

(game will restart in a day or two if everyone is ready again?)

[harknail]

Dec 24, 2022 10:58:05 GMT -5 at said:

"The Naga arrived while you were away, many of the Khan with them. The darkness seemed to give them supernatural strength and resilience but when it ended their attack collapsed. It would have been much worse but when you sent word of the attack the Prince opened the vaults and caught the initial attack in an ambush at the outer walls."

She looks thoughtful, "it didn't make much sense at the time, they must have been looking for something here or else why attack Alamut. I guess that's why the prince has called for you."

Character advancement / creation thread here, to keep apart from the game thread :
kmansadventures.proboards.com/thread/8813/character-advancement-thread?page=3

Vadania answers, "It seems the Naga were causing the darkness, we were able to deal with them at the source somehow. We also fought the Khan on the way there and on the way back, but hadn't seen any signs that they were working together."

To confirm, Neera and Vadania should level up?

[at]

Jan 2, 2023 14:28:14 GMT -5 harknail said:

To confirm, Neera and Vadania should level up?

Not until the end of the next section - but you will have a chance to identify all the gear you are hauling and re-equip. You can also retrain one feat or skill if you wish.

[crazydave]

Yes, we should get these things identified.

[at]

It is only a short time before one of the advisors to the prince approaches the group, "The prince will see you now, honoured guests, though... the beasts must remain here" he motions towards the dragon atop its carpet and Ylva, and perhaps fortunately for his health not towards Neera.

Vadania suspects the demand is negotiable should they wish to press the matter, similarly whether Lynette should be present.

[harknail]

Vadania is fine with leaving the Dragon and Ylva behind, since they wouldn't understand the princes speech anyway. She does explain to the Dragon that she will be gone for a bit, and for to wait here for her. She will have Ylva guard the Dragon. And she will porn any guards nearby not to bother the Dragon.

Then having made what preparation she could, she will follow. Neera will follow along, somewhat surprised that she wasn't considered one of the beasts.

[at]

The functionary leads the party to one of the buildings inner sanctums, a library where books and scrolls now lay scattered about as a number of wizened men and women scour through them alongside the princes' guards. The prince himself is impeccably dressed as ever but looks as though he has not slept in days, much as do those around him.

"My friends", his spirits seem lightened at your arrival, moving to greet you at the entrance to the room, "I had feared you perished in your mission, it gladdens me that we meet again and that I might thank you for your great service to this city, but the very forces that you hunt laid siege to us while you were gone. I can only hope it was ever their plan to evade you as our effots to uproot this evil have failed."

He looks around the room for a moment before motioning the group to follow him to an antechamber where there was space to sit, as he walks he continues to speak, "as the Khan came to challenge the walls something darker burrowed beneath, breaking through into a chamber beneath the palace itself, one I did not know existed. Beyond was a portal and of the men sent to follow few returned speaking of a maze of madness and magic, but I fear whatever they seek beyond was their goal all along."

[crazydave]

Brenner nods, saying nothing but considering the Prince's words. The Khans burrowed underneath the castle? Whatever sort of magic could be hidden under there that even this place's ruler would be unaware of? And why would the Khans know of it? A grim portent, indeed.

[at]

The prince continues, "I know it is much to ask, and your journeys have been hard, but I must ask of your aid once more in this matter. The vaults have been emptied in the defense of the city, weapons to the guards and tribute taken east for reinforcement but I fear that time may be against us. I can still offer gold and I have held a merchant ship in port that deals in such things lest a fresh attack against the city was pressed."

It is strange to see a man of such power and wealth reduced to such words, but the prince clearly cared for his city to remain and press the fight rather than to flee with its riches. Like Clearwater however it seemed that the city itself was never the true target of the demons but merely an obstacle in their path.

[crazydave]

Brenner would like to see if he can gauge the Prince's sincerity without appearing to do so. Can Insight be performed without giving anything away?

[harknail]

Vadania responds, "I can't speak for the others, but as for myself I will do whatever I can to thwart the plans of the demons."

Neera shrugs, "As long as there's fighting, I'm in. Especially if there's Klan to kill."

Neither seems concerned about any rewards.

[at]

Jan 7, 2023 21:54:14 GMT -5 crazydave said:

Brenner would like to see if he can gauge the Prince's sincerity without appearing to do so. Can Insight be performed without giving anything away?

(a sense motive check in 3.5 - can be performed at any time)

[crazydave]

Sense motive, how could I forget! Jeez, my mind's been poisoned by 4e and 5e...

Wmt2M8mmp_1-20+6 = 22

1-20