Ch 6: Part 3: The Sunken Queen

Backed by the frightening power of a solar the heroes slay and rout the remain enemy with the castle. It is a cake walk and few last more than a few seconds against the combined might the heroes.

They find the rotting bones of Venestar, half brother to the king (and tiefling as well) and deliver them the ghost. There they witness Venester's ghostly form saved and his soul released to pass to the netherword.

However before that happens the spirits of Zellara and Venester combine to empower the Harrow Deck with a great power. It becomes the fabled deck of many things and the heroes are offered a chance to draw from it. The two ghosts have enough strength to deny the fate of one draw in the deck and so everyone but Sparrowhawk takes their chances. Watson and Helious have most negative draws, Gritt positive (though he ischanged to female) and Mandraiv takes only one card (a mildly positive draw)

Having played their little game, the heroes immediately embark upon their journey to the sunken queen, hoping take advantage of the solar's aid while they can.

They arrive with little todo and quickly find a way into the old Thassilian ruin. They are met by a boggard barbarian who seems pleased to see them. He proclaims he has been waiting a long time for Mandraiv to arrive and pledges his loyality to him.

The heroes a learn a little about the complex, that there is a fish monster below and the queen and her devils above, not to mention some of his evil 'compatriots' just inside. They learn that three strangers arrived that were identical in appearance to Watson and the heroes surmise that it was one of evil cards from the harrow deck.

The boggard whose goes by the name of Big Lick is able to draw his brethern out where they are promptly slaughtered, they then begin to head straight for the queen, quickly encountering her devil guards.

These guards are powerful and manage to inflict a modicum of wounds upon the party before they are defeated.

It is at this juncture that they decide that the time has come to rest and they withdraw to prepare for the battle against the queen.

As they leave the solar is suddenly fades out and the heroes correctly deduce that the queen has managed to use a wish or miracle to remove their strongest ally.

Encounter	Grit	Helious	Mandraiv	Sparrowhawk	Watson
Pre-session	333,780	322,280	337,880	324,530	325,880
Level	13	13	13	13	13
Journals		1200
Pictures		3600
red mantis assassins	16000	16000	16000	16000	16000
grey maidens	5760	5760	5760	5760	5760
devils	5760	5760	5760	5760	5760
coward devils	7680	7680	7680	7680	7680
golem	7680	7680	7680	7680	7680
trap	2560	2560	2560	2560	2560
bodaks	5760	5760	5760	5760	5760
various rabble that bugged out	5960	5960	5960	5960	5960
ghosts bones	5120	5120	5120	5120	5120
Chief Tea maker	1300
Total	397,360	389,360	400,160	386,810	388,160
Level	13	13	13	13	13
Pictures		1,300
rp:big lick	1920	1920	1920	1920	1920
boggards	11520	11520	11520	11520	11520
devils	30720	30720	30720	30720	30720
Chief Tea maker	1300
Total	442,820	433,520	444,320	430,970	432,320

Helios Prime

It really freaked us out when watson fells unconscious for 24 hours, then awakened as a “living mummy.”

What freaked us out more was the way he looked at anyone who tried to escape our wandering death squad after defending themselves from our aggression.

He wasn't so scary though after the look he keeps doing if someone mentions that he is ugly or freaky looking, or every time he gets hit.

Excerpt from the histories of Helious Prime.

Humans. The more time I spend with them the more I realize this world is doomed should they rise to supremacy.

 I think the cleric of Iomede felt the change and just got fed up and left, dwarves are not the quitters these weaker races are.

Grit has revealed his true colors - all those hours we have had to endure of his ranting moral outrage watching his head wobble around. His efforts at supporting and promoting Sheyln, accosting us for not also supporting. Not only did he lead on one of Sheylns priestesses, he showed his inner ugliness by discarding her for some woman who is just as ugly and has consorted with, been used and abused by devils. Not only that but he showed no care or concern when she was turned to stone, when Sheylns highest representative in this town was turned to stone, and in fact laughed how good it was to have her on ice for a while.

Watson has become an abomination. A greater example of humans irreverence, desire for fame, apathetic unguided aggressiveness, reactionary ignorance, confused tantrums and general hypocrisy even our ancient texts have never portrayed. Yet. Out of greed he made a deal with some demonic creature. When he reappeared he claimed he thought it was undead and that he would have to fight it and was doing it for our benefit. Later he had tantrums about his decision and attacked others, all of whom were wise enough to be evaluating the situation instead of agreeing to the claims of a creature of darkness. Then when retelling in his own words to the elders in the city he again changed his story saying he thought he would get the sword, as we all knew. Ironically when asked why he wouldn't parlay with his undead shadow he said he doesn't deal with undead.. despite having already done so (in his mind) or on reflection with a demon - like that was better. Demons being intelligent manipulators and undead being somewhat predictable order bound and famished for something be it brains, blood or magic. That it seems his eternal servitude might do some great service for the megaverse would be some consolidation if not for the fact he seems bent on avoiding this new duty if possible. I might need to wear this burden when he inevitably fails.

Among this he mummified himself and now has a waxy complexion that distracts from his extra arms, wings and bestial traits from his beastmorph potions his constantly swilling quietly like its mundane and he needn't mention it.

Mandraiv at least is predictable. In fact despite his constant allusions to evil he has been one of the most forthright and constant companions. Either his evil has vision or his good is greater than portrayed but no great evil can come from one, even evil who controls their lesser urges. The ranger as well is steadfast in her loyalty to the greater good and seeing this job through without undoing all we have and represent. These two are fine, the others I might have to gun down. The alchemist is easy, he uses so much of his gear constantly that after his peain and on the down his like a kitten - half a round max, the barbarian is somewhat more resistant and constant however and between the two it could be close. 

With any luck one or the other will drop before this is over and save me the trouble. We have now attacked the queens thanks to some good spell use I suggested. Its a straightforward approach but one suited to the assets on hand. Some of these high level spells are a problem but nothing a non-quitting attitude and my on the fly ideas shouldn't be able to handle. Well their looting is over I had better go, if i make it through the day i might start work on a book about humans their weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Ch 6, Part 2: The Ice Queen

It isn't long before the first of the castles guards rush to meet the heroes, three grey maidens who are quickly cut down.

Immediately following them are three hell hounds and the sound of the queen's oration calling for her loyal subjects to protect her and the throne.

The hell hounds are easily beaten, but more guards have had time to rally. Almost a dozen grey maidens as well as wells as ome devils including a particular brutish horned devil. Also arriving on the scene is Togomor, the 'Dean of the Academy' an obese and ugly man.

The battle turns against the heroes as a number of the heroes fall victim to a prismatic spray, but as time has proven, the resources of the heroes run deep. Mandraiv who was shunted to another plane uses the necklace of prayer beads to summon a powerful Solar to rescue him and save the heroes.

The solar transports Mandraiv back to the prime material plane and be fore long both Mandraiv and the Solar rejoins the battle. With the powerful angel fighting for them to battle is quickly won.

They slay the queen but discover she is nothing but a simulcrum made of ice.

Shortly after the battle another devil attacks the party but it is cut down in record time.

Encounter	Grit	Helious	Mandraiv	Sparrowhawk	Watson
Pre-session	275,300	265,000	280,600	267,250	268,600
Level	12	12	12	12	12
Grey Maidens	2880	2880	2880	2880	2880
Hell Hounds	3840	3840	3840	3840	3840
Grey Maidens	9600	9600	9600	9600	9600
Demon	15360	15360	15360	15360	15360
Bloatmage	7680	7680	7680	7680	7680
simulcrum of queen	640	640	640	640	640
devils	1920	1920	1920	1920	1920
Bdellavritra Devil (Worm)	15360	15360	15360	15360	15360
rp: teamaker	1200
Total	333,780	322,280	337,880	324,530	325,880

Ch 6, Part 1: Return to Korvosa

Meet Zon Kuthon

Watson finds himself to pulled to a dark place filled with shadows, there he comes upon a room with a giant wheel and his vanquished master Fyffe awaiting for him.

Shortly after he is joined by the Laori and the undead bat creature. Soon an audience with Zon Kuthon follows. Watson learns that he has volunteered to become the curate for the star tower where he will spend eternity tending it. He learns the history of the Startower, that many many years ago the Rough Beast Rovagug tried to feed upon Golarian and that the gods struggled to defeat him. In the end Sarenrae and Asmodeus were mostly attributed for his defeat. Sarenrae cust open the world to fashion an oubliette and drove him inot the prison, while Asmodeous used a special key to lock the Rough beast in. However the prison had weak spot and it was up to Zon Kuthon and Imodae to stitch the prison shut. The startower were built to strength the weakest parts of the prison and Zon Kuthon took upon the unwelcome task of tending the star towers where the Curate must guard against the followers of Rovagug as well as the raving emanations that come from Rovagug.

Watson feels is adamant that he will never serve Zon Kuthon however after a short conversation is made clear that he cannot escape the servitude so resigns himself to his fate. However Zon Kuthon offers him one last chance to put his affairs into order and enjoy the last of his 'free' time in the world.

Watson after some deliberation takes up the offer. As a parting gift Zon kuthon offers him his shadow or his spirit. Watson is concerned about these gifts and tries to turn them down but Zon Kuthon insists. He asks about the gifts and learns only that one will protect him from evil while the other where help him in combat. Naturally he takes the combat gift (which is the shadow)

Watson returns and rejoins the heroes who then navigate the underwater lake where they claim the legendary sword Serithtial.

Stopover in Kaer Maga

The heroes begin their journey back to Korvosa (via wind walk) where they stop on Kaer Maga to sell their treasure and have some magic crafted for them. There they see the first down-side to the Shadow Gift. During the night, Watson's shadow steals away in the night and murders a guest at the hotel.

Watson is ropeable and plans to walk straight back to the startower to give himself over to Zon Kothun. However his companions convince him to stay and come up with a plan to trap him in a portable hole each night so the shaodw cannot escape.

In the meantime, Watson has another job to do, so he heads into the wilderness where his shadow can go limited harm. They he begins transforming himself into a living mummy, imbiding preservative and rubbing ointments on his skin until all moisture has left his body. In the end he resembles a four armed zombie. Apparently Watson cares little for earthly looks something atleast one companion has always said he never had to begin with.

Return to Korvosa

The heroes receive a dream message from Vencarlo and learn that there is a resistance movement underneath the church of Pharsma. The heroes sneak back into Korvosa and meet the resistance where they find Commander Kroft waiting for them. She fills them in on the recent happening and gives heroes a list of item to help them fight back against the queen. She says they are almost strong enough to openly rebel but first she needs the heroes to strike at the queen.

Kroft's List

Listed here are several issues that need resolution before I’m comfortable revealing to Korvosa that Neolandus still lives. I leave to you the methods for answering these questions, and also

solving these problems.

1) A new “hero of the people” has been fighting rebels in the streets. These rebels are false; they’re not my people, and I suspect that this hero, a man named Trifaccia, is false as well.

Find out who or what he is.

2) I have it on good authority that the rumors of a black dragon taking nest in Castle Korvosa are legitimate. If the rumors prove true, the dragon must be defeated.

3) The role of castle seneschal is currently held by a bloated wizard named Togom0r. If you can capture or defeat him, we’ll avoid a long legal complication over the revelation that Neolandus still lives.

4) Ishani Dhatri, Abadarian priest and vocal opponent of his church’s public endorsement of Ileosa, has vanished. My initial investigations indicate that he was last seen approaching the castle——perhaps some clues to his fate lie hidden within?

5) I suspect that there are Red Mantis agents sheltered in the castle. Proof of the alliance between Ileosa and the Red Mantises would be very helpful; forcing the Red Mantis to abandon Korvosa, perhaps by finding and defeating their local leader, would be even better.

6) The Gray Maidens are certainly a menace; they need to be stopped. Sabina Merrin is the commander of the Gray Maiden—find and defeat her, and you’ll throw the entire organization into chaos long enough for us to reclaim the streets from them.

Vencarlo and Grau believe that she can be reasoned with, and that

she may not be as loyal a minion of the queen as she seems.

7) Rumors of devils involved with the monarchy disturb me as well. If you can find proof that Ileosa is trafficking with devils,or that devils dwell within Castle Korvosa, that should significantly help our case against her in the eyes of the city’s government.

8) Ileosa must answer for her crimes. She hasn’t been seen publicly recently but for brief appearances on the castle walls. If we can capture her, a lot of our work will be easier.

Battles in the Streets

She also mentions blood collectors harvesting the blood of all the citizens of Korvosa. The heroes decide to set out to find either the collectors or the 'hero of the people'.

Before too long they encounter a patrol of Grey Maiden who they quickly destroy. Not long after they encounter the false hero Trifficia who they kill and discover to be an efreet.

Following this discovery Sabina Merrin swoops down upon the heroes riding a black dragon. The heroes quickly defend themselves but find that Sabina is working against the dragon, landing it close to the strongest melee fighters and ensuring it is flat footed.

The heroes quickly defeat the dragon and Sabina surrenders. She is sorry for what has come to be and has finally realised that the Queen must be stopped. She mentions how it has hard to think while in the queen's presence and her memory becomes foggy.

Sabina gives them what information she can and says that she is going to try and turn the grey maidens against the queen. Gritt of course is overjoyed to see her and Sabina even admits to him that perhaps she should've accepted his 'offer'

Gritt almost falls over himself in eagerness and tries his best to endear himself with her. This isn't lost on Slyvania and before long there is an arguement and they both break up.

The heroes rest before turning their attention to the keep (but not before Hellious takes the heroes on a little detour to a kill nest of stirges)

Also Watson finally agrees to release the shadow under the promise that he will harm no one. Quickly the shadow sets off to do what ever business it plans.

Castle Korvosa

Before dawn the heroes wind walk into the throne room which appears to be empty, though a pair of invisible imps in a nearby corridor notice them ....

Encounter	Grit	Helious	Mandraiv	Sparrowhawk	Watson
Pre session	236,540	229,240	243,640	231,490	231,640
Level	12	12	12	12	12
rp: Meet Zon Kuthon					1200
rp: Meet the resistance	1200	1200	1200	1200	1200
Grey Maiden patrol	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400
Chief Tea Maker			600
Total	244,140	236,840	251,840	239,090	240,440
Chief Tea Maker	600		600
efreet and gang	17920	17920	17920	17920	17920
black dragon & Sabina	10240	10240	10240	10240	10240
humour & rp: gritt and sabina	2400
rp: watson and shadow					1200
Total	275,300	265,000	280,600	267,250	268,600

Ch 5: Part 5: The Bat Man and the Chosen

The heroes continue to search the keep  and adjoining star tower, soon they come upon a room with an auspicious skull set upon an altar. It has gems embedded in each eye socket as well as eight gemstone teeth.

The gemmed skull

The heroes rightly suspect a trap but  are also unafraid. Only Mandraiv and Trinia cower in the corridor outside while everyone enters the room and searches. After a short time of searching Gritt can no longer resist and picks up the skull. As expected it comes to live and everyone quickly moves to destroy it. The heroes manage to significantly crack and chip the skull within inches of breaking but not before it lets out a baleful wail. The sound sends shivers through the souls of many of the heroes as it begins to leech the life out of people. Most resist the dark magic with the exception of Slyvania and Hellious who die.

It is the last act of evil for the skull and it is quickly destroyed.

With two dead; the heroes withdraw again. They are forced to seek resurrection magic and the nearest place is Kaer Maga, The City of Strangers. With the aid of a windwalk spell, the heroes split up and send a select few to the city. In a matter of hours the Hellious and Slyvania are resurrected.

They also take the time to sell loot and do some magical shopping before they return early the next day to continue their assault on Scarwall.

In the morning, Sol uses a dispel good spell to free his evil counter part, the Shadowcount Sol and the heroes continue. They discover the gloom haunting Scarwall has left and that they can now access extra dimensional magic such as summoning and teleport.

The chained spirit .. again

The heroes choose to avoid facing the chained spirit and instead explore the startower. They gain access but find nothing inside except for empty rooms. They surmise that the chained spirit must be slain, and so they decide to face it once more.

The battle was anticlimactic. It had been severely weakened after the lifting of the scarwall curse and was quickly destroyed, along with several wraith guards.

The Bat Man

When the heroes return to the startower they find that new rooms had opened up and they descend into its lower depths until they comes to a large room with a blue mist covered bit. Waiting for them is huge beast of black inky darkness in a vaguely batlike form. It is invisible but several of the heroes have ways of seeing the invisible and therefore are not surprised by its presence.

The inky black form speaks telepathically to all, asking which of them wishes to become the Chosen. Watson without hestitation steps forwards and offers himself. The beast asks once more if he wishes to be the chosen and again he agrees.

Watson says I do

In a blink of any eye, Watson is gone. The beast then says that he has been sent to Zon Kuthon where he will be converted into one of their faithful and find eternal service. He then offers both the Shadowcount Sol and Laori the chance to see the realm of the Midnight Lord and the possibility to aid in the indoctrination of their latest recruit.

Laori gleefully accepts and both the beast and Laori depart, shifting the planes to realm of night.

The rest are left in stunned silence (though some have big smirking grins). Conjecture between the heroes reaches a consensus that Watson had thought that he would receive the fabled blade Zerithial and had therefore quickly accepted.

 Alas poor Watson, in truth he had found immortality though his soul corrupted for eternity … many millennia from this day, The fabled diary of Laori, the First White Lady of Mercy would be uncovered and the horrible truth learnt of Watson’s fate.

Let us just say that Watson’s free willed life was bookended by horrible enslavement.

Nevertheless the heroes are hardened by their adventuring lifestyle and forge on. Descending the pit covered in blue mist. It is magical trap of sorts, which distorts space and propels those that descend into the ground with frightening velocity.

However the heroes are made of sterner stuff and easily reach the bottom of the bit.

The children of Rovagug

There they find some underground tunnels and eventually a vast cave where there is an underground lake with a small encampment of igloos made of rock next to it.

Here they are attacked by nightmarish four armed creatures. They attack with great verocity and strength, but like all powerful melee combatants with a bit of tactical bottle the heroes quickly gain the upper hand.

With the curse of Scarwall lifted, Mandraiv could finally use his summoning abilities which he put to good effect; summoning a pride of celestial lions that ripped through the alien monsters. Afterwards Mandraiv sent the lions in the lake to bait an potential beasts in the lake.

They did not disappoint, a huge beast of seaweed, mud and bone rose out of the lake to fight the heroes. It was powerful but not strong enough to survive the onslaught of the heroes. The beast soon fell…

Encounter	Grit	Helious	Mandraiv	Sparrowhawk	Sol	Watson
Pre-session	187,650	180,350	194,200	181,500	184,300	182,750
Level	11	11	11	11	11	11
demilich	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400
2 zombies, 4 skeletons	188	188	188	188	188	188
8 z, 6 sk	482	482	482	482	482	482
chained spirit and wraiths	11100	11100	11100	11100	11100	11100
lifting the curse	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400
The nightwing	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400	6400
Gugs	7680	7680	7680	7680	7680	7680
water beast	10240	10240	10240	10240	10240	10240
Chief Tea Maker	550			1100
Total	237,090	229,240	243,090	231,490	233,190	231,640