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--- v2session23 [2008/01/02 16:10] – created jims
+++ v2session23 [2017/05/27 18:57] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 [[v2session22|(Previous Session)]] [[v2#session_notes|(Back to V2 Index)]] [[v2session24|(Next Session)]]
+{{ v2-22-portal.jpg|The portals -- as found throughout "The Fortress of the Yuan-ti"}}
 ^ Player ^ Character ^ Race ^ Class ^
 | Dave | [[Freyrik]] | Human(Feytouched) | Warlock/7 |
-| Ken | [[Ash]] | Human(Aasimar) | Paladin/6 |
+| Ken | [[Ash]] | Aasimar | Paladin/6 |
 | VW | [[Heilli]] | Human | Illumine Soul/1, Soulknife/5, Psion/1 |
 | Kurt | [[Ketamine]] | [[Crag Gnome]] | Barbarian/1, [[Witch]]/6 |
 | Chris | [[Yosi]] | Wood Elf | Barbarian/7 |
-| Val | [[Allie]] | Human(Aasimar) | Favored Soul/6, Ranger/1 |
+| Val | [[Allie]] | [[Lesser Aasimar]] | Favored Soul/6, Ranger/1 |
 //Note: This adventure comes from
 "[[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/9780786943609|Fortress
 of the Yuan-ti]]", by Ari Marmell, as published by
 [[http://www.wizards.com|Wizards of the Coast]].//
 === 13 October 1111 ===
-//coming soon...//
+//Area P4)// Reliquary
+The party interrupts what appears to be a woman performing a ritual sacrifice.
+Six additional potential sacrifices are manacled to the far wall.  Once the
+sacrificer is defeated, the party's hopes to interrogate her are dashed when the
+woman who was to be sacrificed lunges forward and delivers a killing blow with
+the ceremonial dagger.
+At this point, [[Ash]] notices two things: the "victim" radiates a strong aura
+of evil and the ceremonial dagger was made in the same style as [[Allie]]'s
+sword, [[Merthúvial]]. He asks for her to hand the dagger over -- even going so
+far as to offer her a replacement weapon.  Before she can act, though,
+[[Líkami]] tackles her and a brief, one-sided fight ensues.
+In the end, she is dead and the party recovers six ragged prisoners (who did not
+know the woman to be sacrificed, though they learned her name was "Arzanezra")
+and a suit of magical
+**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicArmor.htm#rhinoHide|rhino hide]]//**
+armor from Shiuahn, the sacrificer.
+Note: While the "king's dagger" radiates a faint magic aura, its condition has
+deteriorated over the centuries and it offers no noticeable benefit over a
+regular dagger.
+The party escorts the six surviving prisoners outside (//and earns **two action
+points** in the process//).
+//Area P5)// Portal Chamber
+{{ v2-23-baboonwight.jpg|Evil, Magical, Noisy Monkeys}}
+At the lowest level of this tower, the party fights four Baboon Wights (which
+inflict terrible level loss on [[Yosi]]) and discover an active (though not
+open) portal.
+The party decides this room is defensible enough to rest for the night. However,
+after no more than an hour, a Yuan-ti Abomination and two Yuan-ti Halfbloods
+descend the stairs.  After a prolonged battle that brings them all the way back
+up the tower and into the Gate Room in the main fortress, the party decides that
+they need to move to a better position.
+They choose the locked (and unused) guest quarters on the third level and are
+rewarded with an uneventful night.
+=== 14 October 1111 ===
+They return to the Gate Room to explore the only remaining active portal. Like
+before, they ask Thoburk, the Orc, to go through and report his findings. He
+gladly agrees, but sadly never returns.
+//Area D1)// Entry Chamber
+The rest of the party prepares for battle and steps through the portal, where
+they find (and eventually) kill a Scale Golem.  They find themselves at the top
+level of what they assume is the third (and final) tower.
+At the bottom of a 20' pit, [[Ketamine]] discovers an illusory floor and manages
+to remain hidden while she scouts the next level down. In this room, she sees a
+Mind Flayer and his bodyguard, a Yuan-ti barbarian.
+//Area D2)// Arcane Supplies
+While the party prepares for the coming fight, they quickly explore the doors on
+the top level.  While [[Yosi]] inadvertently triggers a magical //chain
+lightning// trap, the party as a whole finds a number of interesting
+items:
+  * The components of an alchemist's lab (500 gp)
+  * Three full sets of standard spell components (5 gp each)
+  * Five pearls (100 gp each)
+  * A pouch of diamond dust (250 gp)
+  * Enough special inks for a wizard to scribe five pages of a spellbook (500 gp).
+  * A large pouch of foul-smelling purple powder (which [[Ketamine]] determines will ignite and create noxious fumes if mixed with blood).
+Because of this importance of the powder to the Vanguard, the party //earns
+**one action point** by taking it.//
+//Area D3)// Arcanists' Living Quarters
+In one of these rooms, the party finds a
+**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#helmofComprehendLan
+guagesandReadMagic |helm of comprehend languages and read magic]]//** (which
+[[Freyrik]] opts to wear)
+//Area D4)// Tolvul's Living Quarters
+This room holds a variety of skulls -- apparently cleaned out by the Mind
+Flayer.  One of the skulls wears a
+**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#circletofPersuasion|
+circlet of persuasion]]//** (which [[Ketamine]] puts on).
+//Area D5)// The Laboratory
+{{ v2-23-lump.jpg|totally confusing all the passing piranhas}}
+Using a combination of jumping, levitate potions, and climbing, the party
+descends into the laboratory to confront the Mind Flayer, whose name they later
+learn is Tolvul.  While they manage to get in with a modicum of surprise, the
+Mind Flayer is able to blast the party with his mental powers, leaving [[Yosi]]
+and [[Ash]] incapacitated.
+As the battle progresses, [[Heilli]] manages to use his soul blade to disrupt
+several of the Flayer's mental powers while the rest of the party deals with
+"Lump", the Yuan-ti Barbarian. In the course of the fight, Lump pushes the
+stunned [[Yosi]] into the pit shaft -- where he falls to the next level down.
+[[Ketamine]] (in bird form) drops down to make sure he's OK.
+Just before Lump falls, Tolvul directs a telepathic threat at [[Heilli]] and
+//plane shifts// away.
+On a nearby table, [[Allie]] finds **//the king's crown//** (which she
+recognizes from [[v2session06|the statue she saw in the "Barrow of the Forgotten
+King"]].  They also find the makings of a full alchemist's lab (500 gp) and a
+large pearl (250 gp).
+Note: The **//the king's crown//** is magic and functions as
+**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#headbandofIntellect|
+headband of intellect +2]]//**.
+//Area D7)// The Library
+After a short time keeping watch over [[Yosi]], [[Ketamine]] notices a massive
+Yuan-ti Abomination on a balcony overlooking this library.  To her surprise,
+though, he merely says, //"I have wondered if you would show up here. Once your
+friends arrive, I believe we should talk.//
+She quickly flies up, switches back to Gnome form, and reports on her encounter.
+While the Levitate potions are still active, the party quickly assembles and
+drops down through the pit.
+//Area D8)// Library Balcony
+In the lowest level, the party find the Yuan-ti Abomination that [[Ketamine]]
+described.  Though his eyes gleam with a fiendish light, he makes no offensive
+movements.
+**Zoldathra**: //I am Zoldathra, Master of the Word. I have been a member of
+the Vanguard of Sertrous for decades.//
+//As we have what amounts to a //religious// difference, I understand if you
+are unwilling to accept this proposal.  However, I offer it in complete
+sincerity.//
+//Until recently, I thought that I was privy to the greatest secrets of my
+organization.  I was wrong.//
+//One day, Sertrous will rise and the Vanguard will rule in his name. You
+cannot stop that. But perhaps we can work together in the interim, to prevent
+the travesty envisioned by the Vanguard's current leaders.//
+//Only recently have I learned that the creature they intend to bring forth
+with the Sacrament of the Risen Abyss is intended not to rule the world, but to
+help destroy it. I dare not move against my leaders directly, but perhaps with
+my assistance, you can accomplish what I cannot.//
+**[[Heilli]]**: Please, continue
+**[[Ash]]**: (nods agreement)
+**[[Yosi]]**: You lying piece of filth.  Nobody can destroy the world.  You just
+want us to do your dirty work for you.  Sure, we will go and kill them. The only
+question is whether we kill you now or later.  I vote now.
+**[[Heilli]]**: Yosi, please... if only for a moment -- listen.
+**[[Ash]]**: Yosi, the King sent us for his bones.  If this serpent does not
+have them, then we can just as well go around him.  We must save our strength
+for Zoltana((Who?)).
+**[[Yosi]]**: That's right, get the bones back.  Not finding mushrooms,
+assassinating leaders, rescuing villagers, or killing snake-people (but I liked
+doing that last part a lot).  Not even saving the world.  If it even needs
+saving. Besides, didn't the dead king say that the followers of Sertrous were
+bad?
+**Zoldathra**: //Yes, Elf!  Use your rage.  Your hatred.  It will make you
+powerful!//
+//But be wary that it is targeted at the proper enemy.//
+//The one you must stop is Sulvaugren.  His madness devised the Sacrament of
+the Risen Abyss.  He lied to our people and squandered our considerable
+resources to gather the pieces to his dangerous puzzle.  He, even now, has
+reduced the might of Castle Serastis to that of a human village.//
+//As for the reality of his danger, have you forgotten your history, Elf?
+[[end_of_the_world|The end of Immenri]] was brought about by ONE being.  And
+when Sertrous rises, his power will be even greater than the orc-father.//
+//I offer the following deal.  I will provide information to assist you in
+stopping the Sacrament.  I will delay and divert the returning patrols so that
+they will not continue to bother you.  I will instruct you on the use of the
+portals in the Tower of the Way.//
+//With my information, you will intercept the Vanguard patrols that are, as we
+speak, retrieving the remaining items that Sulvaugren needs for his ritual. You
+will then proceed to the Tower of the Worlds and stop Sulvaugren.  If you
+survive, you may take the king's bones and his items and will be granted free
+passage out of Serastis.//
+**[[Ketamine]]**: You offer a deal? Extend the nefarious word of the serpent?
+Mistrust of your type merits regard, fell wyrm. Seek what you will; we will not
+be trifles of your whim. We shall not bed your petty crusade. We care not for
+your concerns, nor trust your appeal they match our own. Deliver us to the
+Bones. We will achieve them. Thus accomplished, we shall retire whence we came,
+suffering no parlay. Mark our regard! You are a blight to this world, and will
+be given grace befitting your value. Your harrowed carrion shall grimly attest
+to our disposition!
+**[[Heilli]]**: Waitwaitwait...it doesn't hurt any of us to just listen, now
+does it? The proposal has merit.  Our goal is not the eradication of all Yuan-Ti
+life, just to protect our existence, and the existence of those we care about.
+To stop the Vanguard at this point is certainly sufficient to keep them at bay
+for our lifetimes.  We know we stand eye-to-eye with an enemy, but this is not
+The Enemy...distrust and hatred will only make us weaker.  And...should this
+creature offer treachery...we know how that has always, and will always, end.
+**[[Ash]]**: So you have figured out how to operate the portals, then? Excellent
+work, [[Ketamine]].  As we are, apparently, at the final rooms of the castle,
+once we finish up here we can waste no time activating the portals and advancing
+toward our goal. You **HAVE** decoded the portals, haven't you?  Because without
+the code, we are at a dead end.
+**[[Ketamine]]**: I speak my mind for my own will, paladin. If your wisdom
+dictates you show this creature your back, I wish you the most fortuitous
+outcome, compelled by the providence you bear, if not the sagacity of your
+resolution. We have enjoyed a beneficent fellowship, but I will not abide the
+blandishments of a foe over the disquiet of a friend. What foul employment would
+turn you from such righteous virtue? Look to your will, noble warrior, lest it
+falters to vile seduction.
+**[[Heilli]]**: Pick your path; I choose to listen.
+**[[Yosi]]**: I'm just trying to figure things out.  I've got all these
+questions.  Which are the bad guys we are supposed to kill and which are the bad
+guys we are supposed to be nice to because they will help us kill the bad guys
+we are supposed to kill?  And if we are nice to them, does that mean we don't
+come back later and kill them, after we kill the bad guys that we are supposed
+to kill?
+And what about the bad guys that are supposed to be bad guys, but are really
+good guys?  In that tavern in the giant underground cave there was an undead
+guy, but he was a good guy.  And his friend the cleric healed us, but she was a
+drow.  And our friendly orc friend who died (and I really feel bad about that)
+was nice.  But orcs, drow, and undead are supposed to be bad guys.
+And that gal we saved yesterday, who should have been nice to us because we
+saved her life, but instead she gets all stabby on us and I had to hurt her.
+Until she was dead.  What was up with her?
+And I'm not angry.  Just confused.  Besides, I can't be angry again until
+tomorrow.
+**[[Ash]]**: Yosi, Ketamine, Evil is a very palpable thing to me. I can smell
+its stench, and like you I feel compelled to destroy it.  But the trip to the
+Drow city taught me that blindly fighting all evil does not make the world more
+good, it only creates chaos.  Every combat we have endured and, through the
+grace of the gods, prevailed in, has in some way brought us closer to the King's
+bones.  We must show the discipline to focus our energies - my divine might,
+your righteous rage - toward our goal. Heilli has led us well in this regard. I
+trust him to guide us here.
+**[[Yosi]]**: So you don't know what to do either.  That's fair. I don't mind
+relying on Heilli as my Moral Compress.
+**[[Líkami]]**: For the moment, we both have the same goal: stop Sulvaugren. We
+know  from there our paths diverge, and we will likely oppose each other  later.
+Understand this: we may not be able to stop Sulvaugren without  your help, but
+we can certainly turn you into snake chow all on our  own. If we agree to
+collaborate, but find at any moment you've  deceived us, you will not survive.
+We need not relax our guard to take this creature to our counsel,  nor trust it
+to be slave to its word. We need its knowledge, and if it leads us to an ill
+end, the dirge will be Zoldathra's.
+**[[Freyrik]]**: So Zoldathra, How do we activate the portals? For what purpose
+do they need the Kings bones? Can they succeed without the Kings items and/or
+his bones?
+**Zoldathra**: //Does this mean you accept my terms?//
+**[[Heilli]]**: I agree to your terms.  Anyone who does not may leave, now.
+**[[Ketamine]]**: What an unfortunate turn! Heilli, Ash, I wish you well.
+Perhaps, if you return to Stillsquall, we can renew our previous comradery. For
+know, however, I have had my fill of the presumption of our companionship. As
+for the rest, it has been a pleasure. You company will always be welcome and
+appreciated, in the future as it has been in the past //(Gives a minor nod/bow
+to Yosi, turns, and leaves the room.)//
+**[[Ash]]**: Ketamine, we have had our differences, but never to this degree.  I
+fear that the circlet you wear bears a curse like the one I suffered from the
+armor.  I beg you, remove the circlet so that we may all know that you speak of
+your own mind.
+**[[Ketamine]]**: //(pauses, removes circlet without turning, and drops it to
+the ground)//  My mind is as clear is my words.  //(exits down an unexplored
+stairway)//
+**[[Allie]]**: We should make a deal with Zoldathra because retrieving the
+king's bones is the greater quest.  Now I am going to see what Ketamine
+is up to.  //(she heads downstairs after [[Ketamine]])//
+**[[Freyrik]]**: Heilli, your presumption that you have more authority than you
+command is astounding.  I will decide if I agree or not agree to his terms!  I
+will decide whether I leave or not leave!  I will decide as to whether I destroy
+evil or not!
+//(Freyrik turns to face Zoldathra with his back to Heilli. Takes a deep breath.
+The glow from his hands disappears and the glow from his eyes fade but lingers
+ever so slightly.)//
+Zoldathra, Master of the Word, //(Nods in respect for his title)//  **//I//**
+agree to your terms.
+//(Turns to face Ash.  Takes off the Helm.)//  Do you have any questions of me?
+//(Puts the Helm back on.)//
+**[[Yosi]]**: Wait, Ketamine!  //(Turns toward the group)//  Did you have to
+piss her off?  I'll try to talk to her.
+//(Yosi runs off after Ketamine)// Wait up Ketamine, let's talk about this!
+**[[Heilli]]**: Freyrik, there was never an assumption.  We had reached an
+impasse, and I was solving it in the most expedient way possible.  I would be
+happy for you to be by my side, or Ash's side, or Allie's side.  Please don't
+think that I have ever spoken for you;  I respect whatever decision you make, or
+Ketamine makes...or anyone makes.  Even if it only I and Likami (who appears to
+agree with me) I will listen, and accept these terms.  I apologize if you ever
+though I tried to speak for you.  Free will is the foremost of my Beliefs.  Stay
+or go...it is, and has always, been up to you.
+This is not "Leadership"...this is Momentum.  I welcome you at my side.  I
+always have, despite our occasional differences.
+**[[Freyrik]]**: Apology accepted.  Ash what is your will.  Do you accept or not
+accept?
+**[[Heilli]]**: Hardly an apolgy, but an acceptance of your Free Will, which I
+have always accepted and appreciated.  Never an assumption to speak for you.
+Hell, barely an assumption to speak for Likami, who is, fundamentally, my other
+Half.
+We welcome you in our quest, and hope that all of our friends return unharmed.
+But I wish to hear out this creature, should it be to our advantage.
+Thank you for both your rationality, and your concern for our friends.  I wholly
+and deeply appreciate both, for we need both to succeed.
+And thank you for not raising this to the level of conflict, although I see that
+you could have.
+Again, I ask for your help, not your obedience.
+**Zoldathra**: //Nice team you have, child.  You think you can keep them
+together long enough to face Sulvaugren?//
+**[[Heilli]]**: Don't make our discussion look like weakness;  marching lockstep
+makes you predictable, which makes you unable to change and learn, which makes
+you defeatable.  I have no doubts of the abilities or the creativity of my team.
+When faced by a creature such as you, with an offer given this way...well, I
+imagine were the roles reversed, you would hesitate to take my word as well.
+We fragment, discuss, unify and defeat.  That is what we do, and what we will
+always do.  Against Sulvaugren or any other threat.
+**[[Líkami]]**: Dude, if you ever try to mess with the minds of anyone in our
+little  family here again, I will turn you into a pair of boots.
+//(downstairs)// **[[Ketamine]]**: ...stupid snake... sniff... can't trust
+'em....everybody knows that... stupid meanies... probably get swallowed...
+sniff... stupid lock...
+=== Zoldathra's Deal ===
+**Zoldathra**: //While it amazes me that you have made it as far into Serastis
+as you have, you humans seem to be my only chance to stop Sulvaugren's
+insanity.//
+//But first, an explanation...  The Sacrament of the Risen Abyss is the central
+element to Sulvaugren's plan. Through a combination of blood sacrifice and dark
+rites, the sacrament forges a bond between the Abyss and the mortal world.
+Creating that bond requires the remains of a mortal creature with great mystical
+power. Steeped in prophecy, the bones of the forgotten king best served the
+Vanguard's plan. When complete, the sacrament will allow the Vanguard to channel
+a fragment of Sertrous's dream-self into a creature risen from the remains: a
+corrupt amalgamation of fiendish and undead essence.//
+//This plan was championed by Sulvaugren, with help from Gazaron and others.  It
+was sold to us as a way to stir Sertrous from his deep slumber and place a spark
+of his essence into the body of the risen king.  With Sertrous able to grant our
+priests divine power once again and with the risen king's unholy power at our
+disposal, we would have first converted our own people to the worship of
+Sertrous, and then marched at the head of an army of the living and the undead,
+converting other nations by the sword.  In the end, an empire of Sertrous would
+stretch across the continents and the Slumbering Serpent would be elevated to a
+true god.//
+//However, the sacrament is a lie.  It hides a darker truth.  The "spark"
+implanted in the risen king will not be just an avatar of the slumbering
+serpent.  It will be Sertrous himself!  And once our lord is able to directly
+experience and influence the world again, his sole purpose will be to seek
+additional hosts so that he can repeat the Sacrament of the Risen Abyss.
+Eventually, enough of Sertrous's dream self will become active for the demon
+lord to truly awaken from his millennial slumber.//
+//And here's the key point.  I worship Sertrous.  I have devoted myself to him
+and believe he will guide my life and afterlife to great heights of power.//
+//**But He must NOT be allowed to awaken!**//
+//Since Sertrous fell to the material realm before the gods created The
+Concordant, he would not be bound by its limits.  With his strength returned, he
+would rise **in this world** as an unstoppable being of pure nihilistic hate and
+godlike power.//
+//The ritual began a week ago, but the Vanguard continues to gather components
+for its use.  Even now, patrols have been sent through the portals to distant
+lands to collect four remaining items://
+  * //The phylactery of a lich who was one of the forgotten king's greatest enemies//
+  * //The king's scepter//
+  * //The blood of a fey whose family once blessed the king's line//
+  * //An object touched by Sertrous himself//
+//To weaken the sacrament, you must either find these components before the
+Vanguard operatives or take them by force.  There are five active portals in the
+Tower of the Way.  Four of them will take you to these four items.  But be
+warned.  The portals have permanent "alarm" spells on them.  The Vanguard will
+be alerted to your movements so you must make your trips as quickly and
+efficiently as possible.//
+//I will use my influence to keep the Vanguard away from you as best as I can,
+but I can make no promises.//
+//The fifth portal in the Tower of the Way (the one at the highest point on the
+stairs) will take you to the Tower of the Worlds.  While the three main towers
+(Worship, Way, and Word) are visible from the outside, the Tower of the Worlds
+is built atop the cliff -- but is out of phase with the rest of our world.  The
+sacrament takes place there even as we speak.  Be warned, though -- enough of
+the sacrament's components are already assembled that it can no longer be
+stopped. Your only hope lies in thwarting the collection of the last relics
+necessary for the rites, and in harrying the so-called leaders of the Vanguard
+as they seek to complete their plans.//
+//Finally, there are two other portals that will take you to the Tower of the
+Worlds.  They are the lowest ones in this tower and in the Tower of the Worship.
+I have written the combinations for all of these portals on this scroll.//
+(he drops down a scroll tube)
+//Now that I have given you the information you need, you must uphold your end
+of the bargain -- if you are capable.//
+**//to be continued...//**
 ^ # ^ Challenge ^  CR  ^
-| -- | -- |  --  |
+| 1 | Shiuahn, Sacrificer  |  7  |
-| -- | -- |  --  |
+| 1 | Arzanezra, Sacrificee  |  5((At full capacity, she is CR 7.  However, without armor and weapons, she presented a //much// lower challenge.))  |
-| -- | -- |  --  |
+| 4 | Baboon Wights  |  3  |
-| -- | -- |  --  |
+| 2 | Halfbloods  |  5  |
-^ ^ Total XP (each) ^  //TBD//<sup>7</sup>\\ //TBD//<sup>6</sup>  ^
+| 1 | Abomination  |  7  |
+| 1 | Scale Golem  |  7  |
+| 1 | Lump, Halfblood Barbarian  |  6  |
+| 1 | Tolvul, Mind Flayer  |  8  |
+^ ^ Total XP (each) ^  2,300<sup>7</sup>\\ 2,790<sup>6</sup>  ^
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