Act 1 - What Wicked Things are to be Done?
With Balentyne a smoking ruin and Fireaxe's horde rampaging through the break in the Watchwall, the Nessian Knot are led by Tiadora to a small barge, the Halystyn's Folly, where they spend the next week resting and recuperating after the events of Balentyne. Each night the barge moors up and Tiadora retire's to the sole cabin aboard, with specific orders not to be disturbed. None of the Knot are inquisitive enough to try and fid why she values there privacy, although they do speculate.
Afteralmost two weeks of easy travel Tiadora summons them to her cabin, informing them, “The master is here and commands you attend him,” she says grimly. “He’s in the cabin.” The Nessian Knot quickly gathers to receive there instructions.
Cardinal Adrastus Thorn sits behind the cabin desk, his holy symbol openly worn and a a grin upon his face.
“You have served me faithfully, my ninth knot, and I have re-warded you both in treasure and vengeance. Thanks to your efforts, the Fire-Axe has been unleashed. Even now he writes his name in blood across the Borderlands.
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“Three battles have been fought and three victories won. The villages of Ambryl and Tarrington Fields lie sacked. The fortress of Lorringsgate is in ruins. Each of you did your part in seeing these triumphs come to fruition. Do not think I have forgotten that
“But our work is not yet done. Talingarde has not yet acquiesced to our unholy master nor tasted the full mea-sure of our vengeance. So I have another mission for you. Tomorrow this barge will dock in Farholde, the northern-most town in all the realm. Farholde is a backwater of no real significance. Its lord has already left the place hoping for glory in the war. But it does border the Caer Bryr (pro-nounced care-briar), the largest unmapped forest on the entire island.
“Hidden within the Caer Bryr is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a particularly loathe-some death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman’. Almost eighty years ago the first Darian king, Markadian I called the Victorious overthrew the Horn and destroyed the Sons. No great loss, honestly.
“But what the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the king, that he had the priests of Mitra craft a great silver seal to forever forbid the daemon from returning to our plane of existence. The seal remains to this day.
“I have learned the truth about this daemon prince. I have learned what the Victor feared. Vetra-Kali is an arch-deacon in service to the lord of pestilence. This immortal monster could create a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees.
“When the Victor attacked, the Daemon Prince was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world -- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys. I am uncertain of the specifics of this plague but if anything could terror in the heart of the Victor, then I want it. The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger into the heart of Talingarde
“I already have agents in the great cities of this kingdom. With this pestilence, they could deliver blight and death to the very center of the realm. Caught between the twin storms of the Fire-Axe and Vetra-Kali’s gift, we shall bring ruin to Talingarde. This gift you shall bring to me.
“It will not be easy. I have already lost one band of fol-lowers on this errand. I sent the fourth knot to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded at that at least – revealing to me that it was concealed within a great spire of stone less than a day’s ride from Farholde.
“But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Caer Bryr well so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn of Abaddon is guarded. I cannot say. But it matters not! The Tears of Achlys must be mine!
“I am undeterred by this setback. Where one knot failed, two will succeed. I will also send my seventh knot – the Knot Hibernal led by Elise Zadaria. I task you with finding the Horn and calling forth Vetra-Kali. Elise and her knot will aid you. Elise proved herself a capable assas-sin in our last venture. The seventh knot will remain in Farholde and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with your work meets an unhappy end. Thus, you will have time to do what must be done.
“There is another who may be able to aid you. Once a thriving cult of Asmodeus existed in Farholde. It was led by a half-elvish noble – the Baron Arkov Vandermir. He is treacherous and decadent, but wealthy and wellconnected. Tiadora will introduce you before she departs.
I know not what aid the Baron can provide, but his family is old and long has dwelt in Farholde. Never trust him but know this – he’s afraid of me and with good reason. If he does try anything remind him that you are in Far-holde on my behalf. That should keep him in line.
“Find the Horn. Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to our world. Bind him to your will and force service from the monster. And then bring his gift to me. Can you do this, my knot? Have I found servants with might and will enough to see this task done?”
Knowing better than to push the Cardinal and Tiadora, the Ninth Knot agrees readily. After destroying a fortress the task does not seem beyond them...
Asking questions, they discovered that the Fourth Knot was a band a duped barbarians led by Aiden Kail - and that Thorn did not especially want any of them back if they were still alive, as they were either traitors or incompetent and he had no use for either. Equally he didn't know how to break the seal, only that it was a blessed artifact of Mitra supposedly consecrated by the Victor himself for seven days.
Once the questions were done, he handed Megara a new clay seal and said, "If you recover the Tears or need to report anything to me, break this seal. I will send Tiadora to wherever you break it within an hour or two. Now go with the blessings of the Prince of Hell and see this mission done!"
The next day the barge pulled into dock. There was no further sign of Thorn. Tiadora was still there and hurried them onto the dock at the first moment. Once off the boat, Tiadora told the group to meet her the following evening and she would take them to the meeting that the Cardinal had organized. Looking them up and down with a sneer, she told them to take the day to get appropriate for a formal occasion before leaving them. The Knot took in the new city of Farholde, and quickly began shopping for items and clothes, though the Priest who prized his unholy robes chose to use his iron circlet rather than wear anything else.
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As evening fell the next night, the party arrived to find Tiadora dressed in a white aristocratic dress, and she took them up to the nicest part of town. The gated community guard met them, and Tiadora confidently turned the man into a quivering wreck with barely a sentence spoken. Keen eyed members of the Knot spotted a note upon the guard's desk speaking of a woman in white, her retinue, and their powerful friends and the import of letting them in. Inside the gated community sat 6 opulent manors and the Knot was led to most grandest of them off. At the door, guards refused entry until they were unarmed, and the party handed over everything that the guards could see. They were then led into the house and served drinks and hors d’oeuvres by servants who were not much conversationally.
The Knot and Tiadora were soon brought into a dining hall to meet Baron Arkov Vandermir, a half-elf, and discussed pleasantries while drinks and meals were served to guests. The Baron proved to a quiet man at the beginning of the meal, watching all members of the carefully, and Tiadora even more so. At the meal's start, the baron was firmly against endangering himself to help the Knot, he couldn't care less about any of them, but had to give them a chance to convince him otherwise for his safety's sake. After the last part of the meal was served, the servants were dismissed, and the Baron got straight to business, “You come to me as beggars, the last remnants of a forbidden faith. You will promise me much, of that I have no doubt. But all that I am likely to earn from helping you is the inquisitor’s pyre. Tell me, why should I help the likes of you?”
The Baron leaned back, intently watching the Knot. Tiadora thoroughly enjoy her meal as her job of introducing the party was done and gave the Knot no help. To her, if they failed to convince the most powerful potential ally in town that had been practically handed to them, it was their own incompetence's fault. The two glanced at each other from time to time as the Knot stumbled over themselves. Nedra attempted to charm and seduce the half-elf, but the Baron took little notice at first and stoutly ignored her when it came to his attention. These were important matter to the Baron, he sat very conflicted and concerned for his safety, and was not impressed with how lightly those Thorn sent to him were taking these things. At his rebuff, the bard became hostile and demanded to know why he would bother to see them then, to which the half-elf made clear that it was only out of a favour owed to Cardinal Thorn.
The anti-paladin and bard were quick to jump to persuade the Baron to help them to pay off any favour to Thorn, the Baron sighed at the young ones. The Baron pointed out that Thorn was not like that, which was true. And not all favours are like that either, though the Baron would not give the Knot any details of it. The Baron had known Cardinal a very long time, longer possibly than the Knot can appreciate and knew the value and safety in silence, and the risks of his knowledge.
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The Knot continued to struggle. Some remembered that the Baron was from the previous ruling family and began to speak of the glory of revenge, and again the Baron dismissed this. His hate for them may be a mile wide, but he wasn't going to take risks without convincing and their arguments lacked substance and lustre He began to wonder why the Cardinal would find this group useful if they were so blinded by their own desires and points of view that they could not see another's perspective even to negotiate. He became annoyed that they couldn't even be bothered to pretend to care about his well-being and obvious fears of death from both the Inquisition and Cardinal Thorn and their actions which read to him as spoiled children who expected his support and loyalty to handed to them on a plate just for being them. Even when saying point blank to the party what his concerns was, his thoughts seemed be ignored.
The Knot muttered among themselves and began passing notes of dangerous intent against the Baron for not giving them what they wanted. He called a servant to bring him in latest news reports, motioning for guards to be at the alert outside the door, and began to read them as the Knot continued mostly among themselves. He could take them easily, he was a powerful sorcerer, and he knew well that Tiadora would give neither side aid but would only defend herself, but always best to be safe.
As if on cue, the threats began. Mostly, the Knot threatened telling Cardinal Thorn, about how dangerous Thorn was if he was displeased and how quickly he would bring his vengeance on the Baron for not helping them. The Baron and Tiadora looked at each other, the Baron tried to hide a smirk, Tiadora not caring to hide it but was not noticed. These were poor threats at best and empty ones at worst. If the Cardinal wanted to demand the Baron's help, he would have done so to begin with and this meal would have never happened, and running back to the Cardinal to say they failed to convince an ally of their use was never going to end well...for those complaining about failing. Oh how the Cardinal loves his tests.
Kuro made a bluffing attempt to actually leave, causing much uproar among the party in agreement. The Baron glanced to Tiadora, it was obvious neither could care less but neither wanted to make the first move to leave either, so the Baron went back to his papers. Kuro asked, again, if there was anything Baron could do to help.
Finally, grudgingly, the Baron admitted he could provide them with safe accommodation, including the ability to move around via a secret tunnel. He could also provide them access to buyers and sellers - both legal and not. He could even help with legal problems, so long as they made sure not to be caught red handed. And finally, he mentioned to Kuro that his own abilities with Enchantment type spells was powerful. He may be able to help convince the right people, at a stretch. But he absolutely would not help them fight. "That's fine," replied Kuro with a grin, "We can probably manage that bit on our own."
At the meals conclusion, Tiadora rose to leave, mentioning as she did that the Seventh Knot would be arriving the next morning to start their part of the plan - it would probably be a good idea if they were present to start coordinating. As the Knot agreed, Tiadora walked through the doors...and vanished.
The next morning, the Knot went out in disguise to meet Elise Zadaria. After they exchanged pleasantatires and moved somewhere more private she explained, “It is my intention in the next few months to have spies set up in every inn, tavern and anywhere else adven-turers and explorers might congregate. When you do find the Horn of Abaddon, contact me. For those groups I can’t personally dispatch, I’ll send a messenger with any infor-mation I can gather.”
The Knot agreed, and made sure on how to contact her. When asked for advice she gave them a look and replied, "I would look for the traitor Kael's accommodation. Maybe he left a trail to follow." Since the Knot did not plan to leave until the next day, they agreed and left, locating the Inn with relative ease.
Inside, they asked about Kael, and found he'd left a bill of 25 gp. Paying it for him, they were allowed into the room, finding his stash of emergency funds...and more importantly, a map to the Horn of Abaddon. Taking this vital clue, they returned to the Baron's mansion.
As a precaution, Zinogre sent the Stygian down the secret passage leading out of town to a forest. He found the way easily, and no apparent hazard - although he did sample the local wild life whenever possible.
The next day the Knot set off, although only after Kuro apologized to the Baron for their behaviour and assured him that they would take steps to attract attention in other directions - including having the Seventh Knot set up a series of daemonic seeming murders, making it look like the Sons of the Pale Horseman had returned rather than anything to do with Asmodeus. This seemed to appease the Baron and, after making arrangements, the Knot was on there way.
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Act 2 - Taking the Horn
The Journey to the horn itself was uneventful. Once there they ran into a large, powerful Treant, Jurak the Elder. The deadly plant informed them that they were too close to the Horn - that they must turn back. The Knot assured him that they were there as part of a great quest, at the behest of a powerful cardinal, and convinced the Treeant to let them pass. He did warn them of the boggards inside, and seemed pleased that someone would finally be dealing with them.
Of course, so were the Ninth Knot, if not quite in the same way that Jurak was expecting...
Upon entering the caves, most of the boggards ran at the sight of the Knot. Following them and finally talking to a pair of guards, they convinced the guards to take them to the tribe's leader...although there was some disagreement as to who this was.
And so the Knot was escorted in to meet Kumada Slays-Nine-Men and Zikomo Hears-The-Father. Kuro went to talk to Zikomo, the tribes Shaman, while the rest of the Knot spoke with the loud, brash Kumada.
Kumada, once convinced that the Knot was too scared by his might to be a danger, regaled them of his tale of killing an entire patrol single handedly, showing off the sword he had captured as his prize. He also made it clear he considered himself the sole leader, and did not like Zikomo at all.
Zikomo, on the other hand, was clearly both insane and drugged. He also seemed to realize that the Knot was there to restore the Horn, and believed them to be sent by the 'Father'. He also made it clear than unlike Kumada, he would be willing to help them.
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After a brief discussion Laela decided to challenge Kumada to leadership of the Banewogs, as the Boggards called themselves. She defeated the chieftan in a vicious fight, although none of the tribe noticed Kuro's familiar Gin taking a Cure Moderate Wounds spell to heal her part way through the battle.
With the Banewogs now nominally under their control (and Kumada's posessions and wives now Laela's) they were free to explore the cave system at will. They quickly discovered a way to the upper levels of the horn (C5), and sent Stygian to explore, but it seemed dark and empty...until two daemon-beasts were spotted and Zinogre pulled Stygian back.
They quickly found a variety of unpleasant chambers - one filled with acid (C2), one filled with boiling mud and an empty chest (C6), a crystalline pit trap (c19), a pond full of fish with a deadly poison they could harvest (C11) and many other rooms suited to trapping or sentries. One (C4), where the Boggards used the mud in the room to camoflage themselves, Laela ordered reinforced with more warriors.
The most important thing they found was the body of a cultist who escaped the Victor's assault on the Horn, but ran out of food. Hidden in a gap too small for most creatures, the Stygian was sent to retrieve his possessions.
The first item was a book that detailed how to free Vetra-Kali, and the second was the vital Eye of Vigilance. With these, they could start breaking the Silver Seal.
As they rested that night in the Boggard village they examined the book, the Dirges of Apollymi. They found that they would need to speak 666 prayers three times a day, and would need the hearts of one of the Sons (or a descendants), a faithful of Mitra, and a descendant of the Victor.
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They would also need the three eyes of Vetra-Kali, each of which would grant a wish. The first would be for safety from Vetra-Kali, the second the Tears of Aklys, and for the third whatever they wished. With a better understanding of what they needed to do they rested and prepared for the next day
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Lower Caverns Loot
Flawed Amethyst worth 370 gp Fossilized Mammoth Tusk worth 500gp A Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic |
The Dirges of Apollyon
Behold our shame that we, the Sons of the Pale Horseman, failed in our darkest hour to defend our prince the undying and ever malevolent Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. But I have seen it! I have seen the road to repentenance! 666 prayers. Three per day will break the hated Seal. With each prayer bathe the seal in unholy water and intone the dirge. At the stroke of midnight each day call forth the Supplication to Darkness.Pray to the darkness so that we shall be forgiven. Upon the first midnight make the first sacrifice -- one of our own blood -- so that Vetra-Kali will know we are repentant. At the first light of each dawn call forth the Cursing of the Light.Answer the spread of the shining lord’s light with our unyielding defiance. Upon the 111th Curse make the second sacrifice -- a true believer of Mitra -- so that the cursed god of the invaders will know that we fear him not and that his power to hold our master at bay is ending. At dusk as darkness returns each day cry forth the Call Across the Void.Recite the name of Ve-tra-Kali so that he may hear us and return. With the final Call offer the third sacrifice -- one of the Victor’s own blood. By the same blood that caged him so shall our master be freed. Let ye with wisdom understand. Once the final prayer is uttered upon the 222nd dusk, Vetra-Kali will begin his long traverse across the great wheel. At the stroke of midnight on that day he will emerge into his Sanctum and the Seal shall shatter. Blessed day! Be ready, my brothers. His eyes have been stolen from him. Return them and the Prince will honor ye with one task for each. For the Eye of Vigilanceask only for his mercy upon we mortals and plead that he do ye and yours no harm. For his wroth will be great. For the Eye of Hatred ask for his greatest gift -- the Tears of Achlys so that once more every corner of the world may know his mercy. For the Eye of Witheringask what ye will for in his gratitude he must answer your charge. And then behold, the Prince restored. All shall know his blessings of pestilence and despair. -R.Kappelbrenn |
The first floor turned out to be largely empty and deserted. In the first room they entered the Knot did find a throne, but only later realized it was able to teleport people around the Knot.
Other potentially useful places included a pair of guard rooms protecting the outer entrance, a store room that kept things fresh as long as they were in there, a blacksmith, a bar, a torture chamber, a number of bed rooms a fountain that constantly produced fresh water and an Alchemist's Lab with the broken, but repairable, remains of a Golem.
All told, most of it could be repaired, but would take time and funds.
The second floor was in a similar condition. They did discover some of the Sons had been turned to statues, including one who might be intact enough to be turned back, name plates for the daemons Stygian had spotted in the chambers above and a well preserved bed claimed by Nedra.
More important was a small chapel created by the Victor's forces, which the Knot defiled in short order, and a set of murals depicting three rituals to summon some unpleasant creatures to aid them in holding the Horn.
The hidden passage up to the third floor brought them face to face with the two daemons, Hexor and Vexor. After much panic, the Knot finally spoke to them and found them to be very intelligent. They came to an agreement with the pair since there goals were aligned.
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The path to the sanctum was open, but instead they went down and came back up to explore the third floor. A teleport circle linked to the chairs on the first and second floor, along with a note in a pile of ashes on how to use them. They entered the grandest of the temples with its shrines. Kuro read the words on the wall allowing them to open the side door. The door to a pocket dimension, filled with the the Sons' Treasure, but discovered it also housed by a trio of wraith spawns. Defeating one caused the wraith, Ezra Thrice Damned, to emerge. He, too, wishes to see Vetra-Kali returned, and knew who they were thanks to taking the soul of the Fourth Knot. Enjoying having caught the Knot off guard and gleeful at having mortals to bring back his master, he gave them the Eye of Hatred and agreed to help defend the Horn...as well as allowing the treasure in the vault to be used for it, too.
The treasure claimed and the third floor secured, they headed to the upper sanctum...
The large chamber was dominated by a statue of Vetra-Kali, weeping unholy water. A huge silver chain and a seal with a Mitran symbol obviously locked the altars power in check. And above them the huge form of an Elemental, dancing in the dome, enjoying the magic energy that still filled the sanctum.
The faithful Grumblejack began to complain desperately of thirst. Water and magically created water did nothing to quench it - only when given unholy water from the statue of Vetra Kali was his thirst slaked.
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Treasure of the Horn
A ruby worth 350gp Manacles of Coperation 55pp Belt of Giants Strenght +2 (Claimed by Megara) A Ring of Mind Shielding (Claimed by Kuro) A Rod of Lesser Elemental Magic (Claimed by Zinogre) A ton of silver furnishings worth 10,000gp 600lbs of gold iterms woth 30,000gp Six Chests of Gold coins with 5500gp in them A Dozen potions of Cure Moderate Wounds |
As soon as he drank he began to change, most visible the bumps on his head growing into long horns on his head and a smile grew across the mostly Ogre's face. There obviously was more to Grumblejack that met the eye.
Finally, the Horn was the Ninth Knots'. Most of the creatures within it served as there allies or minions. And so they began to plan how to hold the fortress. The first job was to take care of the elemental which was staring at the newcomers as it basked in the magical energy that had created it. It had been so long since anyone else had been there with it, especially with such shiny metal armour and shiny metal weapons. The buzz in the room grew louder as the giggling elemental thought of the fun it could have.
The huge elemental took up most of the dome high above the Knot's heads. They wondered how they were going to reach it, and how useful it would be for the golem and for traps. Stygian began to climb the walls. The Bard began to dance to weave her own magic, Kuro casting the first blow with ice spears erupting off of the ceiling and piercing the elemental's body. The Cleric prepared her Warlady for battle though the warrior missed her first shot. The elemental watched and in overeagerness missed the shiny metal armour of the Warlady. Zinogre tried magic to no avail, the creature loving the active energy after so long sitting in the passive magic residue left in this sanctum. The elemental was going to be a bigger challenge that they thought.
Their fear amused the elemental, twas so long since there was fear in this chamber which would to drip with it regularly. The amusement didn't last for long as arrows struck home along the body from around the room, the shock forcing it down, followed by strong blows from Megara. The elemental struck back at the Warlady, but following blows by Stygian and the fatal blow from Laela silenced the elemental, the ozone smell and hum in the room fading away.
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The Knot quickly extracted the electric blood for the alchemical golem. Due to it's huge size, they had enough for the golem and two large traps. They put it away in the alchemical lab, though not before the eidolon licked it. For it's curiosity, it's tongue went swollen and numb and the smell of ozone seemed inescapable for him for a while.
After resting, the Knot went outside and snuck down to the lake, the stories of wondrous monsters to fill their traps dancing in their heads. They waited, and waited, and waited. The tested the water for magic, they tested the water for poison, the watched the treeline for movement. Zinogre sent his Stygian into the water and the eidolon found nothing more interesting there than crocodiles. After eating one whole, Zinogre brought it back. All the Knot found was large but faded feline footprints. They traveled back, planning to use all their bluff and diplomacy to see if they could get the information out of the Treant.
Jurak the Elder, the Treant was found near the Horn. Kuro told him that they were planning to secure the horn and asked if there was anything in the forest that would be able to help if anything happened. The cautious Treant paused for moment, breaking into a small wooden smile, and told the Knot that there were many guardians of the forest, it was special ground with many protectors. Megara seemed wary, sensing that the Treant did not trust them and saying this more as a show of strength and warning to the Knot than any kind sharing of information.
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The Treant was then asked what was by the lake. Jurak the Elder thought for a moment, and told them there was nothing special about the lake though One-eye does favour it as a hunting grounds at a time. When asked about One-eye, the Treant seemed dismayed that this supposed hero group on a quest come here without such knowledge. Still cautious and protective with the information, he directly told them that One-eye was a dire tiger, a particular one with particular qualities. The Knot pondered this, and then asked Jurak the Elder if it knew of anything evil in the forest that might turn against them. Jurak thought for a moment, and said that other than the evil in the Horn, the forest was full of protectors, nothing that would join together other than possibly humanoids from Farholde. Jurak seemed to ponder this a moment, and appeared to remembering something concerning. He asked if they needed anything else as he had business to do. The Knot told him that they were going to Farholde for supplies. As he quickly went away, the anti-Paladin sneaked after him and followed him through the forest. Jurak seemed preoccupied until he came to a clearing, then paused with eyes looking far off in the distance, and with hesitation left the way he came. Laela sensed that he was feeling nervous about something and his slow movements back gave away his conversation with someone or someones unseen.
Meeting back with the rest of the Knot, they traveled to Farholde, back through the secret entrance to the Baron's house. Kuro spoke to the Baron about contacts they needed for supplies. The Baron pondered their list and said that none of seemed too much (particularly mercenaries of questionable morality) and asked them to rest in his home and he would get it for them the morning after next. He excused himself, and the Knot was left to themselves in a wing of the Baron's home to plan the defenses for the Horn, to make it safe for them during the ritual.
Meeting back with the rest of the Knot, they traveled to Farholde, back through the secret entrance to the Baron's house. Kuro spoke to the Baron about contacts they needed for supplies. The Baron pondered their list and said that none of seemed too much (particularly mercenaries of questionable morality) and asked them to rest in his home and he would get it for them the morning after next. He excused himself, and the Knot was left to themselves in a wing of the Baron's home to plan the defenses for the Horn, to make it safe for them during the ritual.
The Baron provided a list of contacts as promised. The Knot spent a few weeks in Farholde gathering supplies and mercenaries, a few more sneaking through the Caer Bryr by night to pass by trees to stock up the Horn, and a few more setting up a traps, took care of repairs, settling in mercenaries into their duties and pay schedules, and fixing up the alchemical golem as best as possible except the final component, the brain. With everything in place as well as could be planned yet, the Knot decided that there was nothing more to delay the Ritual.
In the night, the Knot went to the second floor. With a stone to flesh spell preprepared, they carefully put together the head and body of the statue back together. A few minutes past and soon the death priest was brought back to life. The confused man stared at the people surrounding him, saying that the last thing he remembered was his brothers' dying all around him. Nedra welcomed him, planting a kiss on his lips and searched one of his pocket - sadly an empty one. Kuro explained that it had been decades since that event.
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The death priest, confused for multiple reasons now, said that he had heard that Vetra-Kali had been slain, but had not believed it until the Victor's men...they seemed to have been everywhere. Kuro replied that Vetra-Kali had not been slain but banished and the death priest could help bring him back. The priest was very eager, and followed the Knot up the Horn. The death priest introduced himself as Halthus, Halthus the Flayer. When asked about his name, a gleam in eye glowed and a smile on his lips and told them of his pride as a tortuerer, and he was eager to get back to such duties for Vetra-Kali. As they climbed the stairs, The Knot asked Halthus about the magic they detected coming off of him when he was a statue. Halthus pondered and pulled out the missing eye and told them how he'd gotten it, not that he'd gotten very far with it. When they reached the sanctum, Halthus fell to his knees in awe and worship. "I'm only an acolyte, I've never been up here before, this was..." he trailed off in thought, his eyes not leaving the statue. With stealth and strength, the acolyte was bound with the manacles of cooperation.
As midnight came to the Horn, the first set of prayers began. Halthus was kneeling by the altar, and with strength he was easily sacificed as the ritual required. As his heart was placed in the first bowl, the entire Horn shook and the sanctum lit up as the top of the Horn shot green balefire into the sky and down the Horn. The malice filled voice echoed as the Knot looked out the balcony, a green light covering the entrance. They could easily see that the greenery that had disguised the Horn had been burned away, the runes on the glowed, and the wraith appeared around the Horn joyous. There members of the Knot swore and stared at each other. There was no hiding now.
The shock soon wore off, and the party took the remainder of the death priest downstairs to the alchemical laboratory. With difficulty, the Anti-Paladin was able to get the brain in. The final component in place, the alchemical golem came to life. Everyone backed up, the golem looked around the room and asked Kuro, standing closest, "Master, command thy servant". After checking everything was working well, they took the golem up the Horn and gave him instructions on how to guard the sanctum.
Now there were another problem that needed quick attention - the Treant outside that would clearly be able to see what was going on. The Knot agreed to deal with that before it could gather more allies. They went outside and there the enraged Jurak the Eldest stood. "You have brought evil to this place, it is my sacred charge to remove you" he said, half expecting more excuses. He sent a rock over their heads as a show of his power.
The battle begun, rocks flying from the Treant. The summoner's wand of fireball caused Jurak to scream in pain. The fight continued, more misses than hits. Soon the Anti-Paladin noticed Jurak, even in his rage, seemed distracted by music that was being carried by the breeze and spotted another tree. The brave party did not waver at the haunting music, and Laela pointed out the tree to the others. The summoner hit it, the music fading. The tree came out of the shadow, it's banjo in cinders. This was not just any tree, it was a Redneck Tree.
The Huge newcomer, in overalls and hat, smiled at the party, completely ignoring the conflict at hand. He narrowed in on the purdiest of them all, Nedra the Bard who was dressed for fights and fun. The battle waged on around this newcomer. Slams and rockfalls, the Treant fought for his sacred duty and the good of all. Bites, charges, and fireballs, the Knot fought for themselves and to free the exit of this problem. The Magister soon took a large chunk out of the redneck tree with his gun, but the Tree kept coming. The Redneck Tree grabbed the Bard with obvious intent. Nedra managed to shove her rapier at the Redneck Tree's groin area, and Kuro finished the job with another shot from his gun. Dodging out of the way of the falling overall-clad oak, Nedra replied "Was it good for you?". The Knot finished off the Treant soon after and left the trees where they fell for now. Feeling safer, they headed back in to rest for the next test of their defense of the Horn, feeling stronger than ever.
As midnight came to the Horn, the first set of prayers began. Halthus was kneeling by the altar, and with strength he was easily sacificed as the ritual required. As his heart was placed in the first bowl, the entire Horn shook and the sanctum lit up as the top of the Horn shot green balefire into the sky and down the Horn. The malice filled voice echoed as the Knot looked out the balcony, a green light covering the entrance. They could easily see that the greenery that had disguised the Horn had been burned away, the runes on the glowed, and the wraith appeared around the Horn joyous. There members of the Knot swore and stared at each other. There was no hiding now.
The shock soon wore off, and the party took the remainder of the death priest downstairs to the alchemical laboratory. With difficulty, the Anti-Paladin was able to get the brain in. The final component in place, the alchemical golem came to life. Everyone backed up, the golem looked around the room and asked Kuro, standing closest, "Master, command thy servant". After checking everything was working well, they took the golem up the Horn and gave him instructions on how to guard the sanctum.
Now there were another problem that needed quick attention - the Treant outside that would clearly be able to see what was going on. The Knot agreed to deal with that before it could gather more allies. They went outside and there the enraged Jurak the Eldest stood. "You have brought evil to this place, it is my sacred charge to remove you" he said, half expecting more excuses. He sent a rock over their heads as a show of his power.
The battle begun, rocks flying from the Treant. The summoner's wand of fireball caused Jurak to scream in pain. The fight continued, more misses than hits. Soon the Anti-Paladin noticed Jurak, even in his rage, seemed distracted by music that was being carried by the breeze and spotted another tree. The brave party did not waver at the haunting music, and Laela pointed out the tree to the others. The summoner hit it, the music fading. The tree came out of the shadow, it's banjo in cinders. This was not just any tree, it was a Redneck Tree.
The Huge newcomer, in overalls and hat, smiled at the party, completely ignoring the conflict at hand. He narrowed in on the purdiest of them all, Nedra the Bard who was dressed for fights and fun. The battle waged on around this newcomer. Slams and rockfalls, the Treant fought for his sacred duty and the good of all. Bites, charges, and fireballs, the Knot fought for themselves and to free the exit of this problem. The Magister soon took a large chunk out of the redneck tree with his gun, but the Tree kept coming. The Redneck Tree grabbed the Bard with obvious intent. Nedra managed to shove her rapier at the Redneck Tree's groin area, and Kuro finished the job with another shot from his gun. Dodging out of the way of the falling overall-clad oak, Nedra replied "Was it good for you?". The Knot finished off the Treant soon after and left the trees where they fell for now. Feeling safer, they headed back in to rest for the next test of their defense of the Horn, feeling stronger than ever.
Laela spend days taking parts of the Treant, speaking of creating chair. Exploring the forest yielded Kuro, Zinogre, and Nedra very little other than a full Stygian. As the moon rose on the last day of the first week of the ritual, the Anti-Paladin and the Summoner heard a disturbance outside. Bringing the Magister and the Eidolons, they went to investigate. Peering out of the balcony, they spotted people outside of the Horn. Stygian snuck outside and soon spotted elf rangers around the remainders' of Jurak the Elder's body. Stygian tried to draw their attention to the Horn, but it only caused the group to flee into the forest and soon disappear from sight.
Kuro went to speak to Zikomo. The wise man of the boggard, mug in hand, sat as if waiting for them. When asked who was outside, Zikomo spoke of elves, good for stew, the spicy kind. In a moment of clarity, he warned Kuro that they had angered the forest by killing her friend, and in rage from grief, had arrived at the Horn. After his declaration, he fell back into a daze, discussing spicy stews.
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The three Knot member debated what to do as their companions slept, soon the Summoner sent a medium fire elemental outside to clear more forest from around the Horn. Not long after, it's will failed it, and it became confused at the surrounding terrain. Frustrated, the Summoner uncast the elemental, the brought back Stygian. Waiting for the Worm to arrive and the Anti-Paladin called up her fiending boon cheetah, they went outside to deal with the threat. Calling out, they soon spotted a few of the elves in the forest. The Anti-Paladin unfurled her wings and tails, and glowered towards them in intimidation.
Laela's wings were unimpressive compared to the large Azata who moved forward behind them, with golden wings glinting in the moonlight. Not that the Anti-Paladin noticed as she verbally compared her to a toy.
The fight quickly began, the Knot members soon finding out that the elf rangers were more than they seemed. Quickly, the Azata sent Zinogre and his eidolon to sleep, though the others resisted her soft lullably. Arrows flew steadily from the consorts who resisted the damage to protect the Azata. Kuro quickly roused Zinogre then Stygian then held the Azata as the arrows kept flying and the Anti-Paladin cut through one of the elf. Once awake, the Summoner gave the Worm wings and sent it flying behind the Azata. The Anti-Paladin smited the good, stuck Outsider, who soon broke free from the Magister spell, turned invisible and fled into the night, soon followed by the consorts that remained. The Anti-Paladin made a last effort to take down the Azata, hitting it once more before it disappeared into the night. It lived to fight another day, but so did the Knot.
he Anti-Paladin repeatedly called them cowards as she want off to further desecrate the Treant's remains and make plans for her chair. Part of the killed elf was taken to Zikomo and the boggards, helping to keep them sweet on side. Healing and preparing for the Azata's inevitable return, the Knot entered the second week of the ritual.
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As the second week of the ritual began, a messenger arrived at the Horn. A message from the 7th knot, warning of an adventuring party heading their way in three days. The 9th Knot spent the time checking in on the boggards, mercenaries, and debating over what to do with the adventurers when they arrived.
Stygian patrolled as the third day arrived and was the first to spot the arriving party of adventurers. The group walked into the caves and was ambushed by boggards, who shot at them and then led the adventurers into the lower caverns. The adventurers spotted the acid pit - and what appeared to be a treasure chest - and the members of the Knot over heard them discussing. And talking. and debating. Growing impatient, the Anti-Paladin tried to sneak around to grab the Sister in obvious nun's habit, but the impatience of the Summoner got there first. The dwarf dodged out of the way, but the large pit was hard to miss. On alert, the battle began.
Laela kept moving around the cavern, while Stygian went to attack the dwarf. The party mainly focused on the dwarf and the fighter leader who stood between them and the other members of their party. The Bard taunted the dwarf, and soon found herself flying across the room from a strong swing from his large warhammer. Shocked at the quick knock-out, most members of the Knot continued to concentrate on the larger fighters, while the rest sent shots out at them. Media, Megara's cleric partner, was able to revive the Bard quickly, focused on healing her until she could heal herself. The dwarf fell early to Stygian's bite and, even with repeated healings, fell soon after. The adventurer's Bard wailed as he fell, unable to get to him in time. With the group's party distracted, the Anti-Paladin moved in and grabbed the Sister of Mitra. The spells seemed to bounce off of Laela as she walked off carrying the Cleric. Fighting continued with the Monk and adventuerer's Bard, but soon the Knot's Bard killed her. The Monk attempted to flee, but the Warlady stood in his way and quickly took him down. Tired from battle, the Knot went away to heal it's wounds and to secure the prisoner. Secured in her cell without her holy symbol or weapons, hands bound, with hell hounds guarding her, there was little that Sister Marta could do. Nedra kept her company, with many stories - most involving things she would do to the Sister if she was allowed - the mental torture almost as sweet as the actions in her tale and Kuro kept her with water and food. The Knot, pleased that they had the second sacrifice in hand, continued their ritual throughout the second week.
The next couple of weeks passed by mostly quiet, with rumours spinning among the mercenaries and message of adventurers' defeat building the confidence. Kuro worked on scrying, though saw little of interest during the first few weeks. Still, he dutifully checked regularly and soon saw a pair of mercenaries acting strangely. Telling the group, they brought all the mercenaries into the Temple of the Priests. After discussion, Megara read out the register, hoping to catch out any mercenaries, but everything seemed normal. Then Zinogre cast detect magic and could see strong magic from two. He loudly sent Zinogre after them, which sent them fleeing. The suspicious men found the doors barred. Laela called out to the crowd of money-hungry men that capturing them would earn them 200 gold, but before they could move, the two suspicious men disappeared.
Nedra quickly cast glitterdust, showing the room in sparkles, and temporarily blinding most of the mercenaries. However, the large room with floor to ceiling columns hid the pair well. Zinogre cast detect magic through his eidolon and sent him searching around the room. He found one behind one of the side columns, and quickly took a bite. A canine whine escaped and all disguises were dropped - a pale canine-humanoid-like being stood in it's place, caught off guard. Laela quickly pinned it to the wall, and at a look knew this extra-planar outsider Moon Dogs for what she was. Laela tried several times to lift the Moon Dog, but found that she kept slipping from her grasp when she tried. Megara was able to see that the Moon Dog was not attacking, but wounded and trying hard to do something, but unable. Zinogre almost smiled, seeing that it was trying to plane shift, but unable to due to the Silver Seal's magic. He taunted the Moon Dog, then sent Stygian to find the other. Nedra, leaving the work to the experts, danced for the large crowd that filled the room. Media looked on, unsure about attacking what looked to her to be surrendering opponents.
Stygian caught sight of it using detect magic near the throne and hungrily bit in, revealing the other Moon Dog to the crowd. Zinogre shot it, and soon that Moon Dog tried to hide in a mist. Stygian followed it in, getting one more bite before the heavily wounded Moon Dog took her own back and bit the eidolon. Stygian tried to attack again and again, but kept missing in the mist as the Moon Dog kept attacking back. Soon though, it was too late, and Stygian dealt the final blow. As that Moon Dog fell, the others managed to lift the living Moon Dog and carry it away. Capturing it in a cell, they hoped it might reveal some secrets, or at least be able to detect if another similar came to the Horn. Megara made sure it was fed. Stygian chewed on the dead one's head, before Zinogre hung it up outside as a warning.
The ritual continued through the week. As the next week began, Media found four baby assassin vine plants growing outside and the others easily saw that the Horn was causing them to grow at an alarming rate for where they are. Carefully, they chose places for the four plants and staked them out firmly. They placed what as left of the Moon Dog around it as a meal to help it thrive when it came to maturity.
At the beginning of the seventh week of the Ritual, the Baron sent a message with the mercenaries who visited Farholde for fresh supplies. It was a formal, cordial but brief, invitation to an event at his home, which may be of interest to them if they want to make contacts around Farholde. Dressed and altered selfed to their best, the Knot attended. Kuro brought the Baron a suitable gift from the Knot. Nedra, Laela, and Kuro managed to mingle well and connect with many of the people at the party, while Zinogre, Megara, and Media found it more difficult. Listening around the room, more information about the rumors came from the gossiping classes. Nedra, who spent most of the evening socializing and getting closer to all the eligible men, particularly older ones of ill health and great fortunes, found the details of prostitutes being killed most upsetting. Megara found that most of the Seventh Knot was also in attendance and pointed this out to Laela. Though the Anti-Paladin could not get much information out of bouncy, overly eager Trik, she was able to intimidate information out of Trak that led Laela to believe that some of the killings were linked to him and his brothers and not connected to the other actions of the Seventh Knot. Kuro managed to speak with Elise, the leader of the Seventh Knot, and had a cordial if not very informative conversation. As the evening winded down, Nedra slipped out to Farholde to get more information from local people under a altered identity, and found that they spoke of other deaths and missing people but sniffed that the guards were unlikely to do anything about their people unless one of those la-de-la toffs gets it. Nedra, as the altered identity, asked a guard to tell her if any other information comes to light when she's there on her frequent visits. The guard firmly told her that he would tell her if something happened, but any investigation into it was above his pay grade. Nedra was fine with this, she would investigate herself, not yet knowing the link with the Seventh Knot, and left into the night satisfied.