DM Post_Jeff Monday May 2nd, 2011 11:29:36 AM
And with that... the next scene...
T'Shalla (AC: 32 / HP: 99/99) CharSheet Monday May 2nd, 2011 6:28:40 PM
T'Shalla stays by the door to insure no one opens it to disturb us as the prisoner is questioned, and listens to the tale that comes out of Esco's mouth.
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 3:17:16 AM
Gio asks, "Esco, will you lose all your memories, or just those concerning your guild?"
Larien (AC 28/19T/21FF, HP [-2 Con = 128/128] 141/141 + 11/11 Temp HP) Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 3:40:28 AM
b]"If you can do so without compromising your memories, tell us how you came to join or be recruited into this guild. It has been less than a year since you were re-awakened here in It'lal; how long have you been compromised in this way? I would also know any personal motives -- if you are indeed of House Mylyl, you owe your very life to the Shadow Guardians -- without us, you and all your House brothers and sisters would still be in suspended animation in the ruins of It'lal. Why betray us? Why bring violence and death to your city and to those who helped you? To those who seek only peace and prosperity for the drow people?"[/b]
DM Post_Jeff Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 11:31:04 AM
"I will lose my memories related to the guild" Esco replied. "But the last year of my life has become so intertwined with this guild that my recent memories will be like gnomish cheese with big gaping holes if my mind is washed. What would it be like to lose so much memory from one-year of my life?
Shortly after, Esco answered Larien's question- "I have worked with this guild for just under a year. They approached me after the awakening, just after I started in my position as the Junior Minister of Trade. As outsiders they were interested in increasing trade with It'lal, and they were impressed with my people skills... they felt I had a lot of potential. From my viewpoint it was all so exciting having just been waken and with a whole new world of promise and opportunity. The future looked bright."
"The things they asked me to do seemed harmless at first, and I dare say that they made me feel alive! I've always been a sucker for action, you see. And slowly I was pulled in deeper and deeper until I was over my head".
"Perhaps, this is the way of all guilds; they slowly slide your morals and make you forget your old loyalties. But you have helped me remember."
Secondly, I need some help with background on House Mylyl and Esco, as this was never fully fleshed out. Would it be reasonable to suggest that Esco was removed from suspended animation long before the awakening? I'd like to connect this to Esco's background as written in the module so there is some consistency with what happened before and after me starting to serve as your DM.
T'Shalla (AC: 32 / HP: 99/99) CharSheet Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 6:22:47 PM
T'Shalla asks Esco, "Do you know of any others in your guild which are here in the city? If that goes against your oaths don't answer." since we don't know exactly what he can say and can't that might conflict with the oaths and for now, we should try getting what we can, even through round-about ways if possible.
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 7:01:31 PM
ooc: DM Jeff, from what I know, I don't think that is possible since it was some time ago and the city, It'lal, was lost to all drow. Now, if his body was stolen as the others were put under and then saved for some later time or lost and found elsewhere, that I could see that as plausible.
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 7:26:38 PM
Gio was unsure of how to proceed. Esco had been completely truthful and was willing to make amends--how...different. Evil had always painted it's face as something unmutable. The spry halfling defintely wanted to get as much information from Esco before the crse was invoked whereupon he would lose his memory of his guild, but the group had to tread carefully. Lady Laren had always been the unspoken leader of the group, or at least his heart, so Gio held his tongue to await her input. Besides, it was easier to play devil's advocate than to be original.
Larien (AC 28/19T/21FF, HP [-2 Con = 128/128] 141/141 + 11/11 Temp HP) Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 9:18:30 PM OOC - As Jim said, the young Mylyl drow were put into suspended animation roughly 1,400 years ago (!), and the city lay abandoned until just a year or so ago. That the guild would have survived for 1,400+ years -- or that they would have recognized Esco as a long-forgotten member -- seems unlikely. And until It'lal was re-discovered, the population of the immediate region was quite sparse (to the best of our knowledge), making it unlikely that the guild is native to the region. Rather, members of the guild probably came to It'lal after the Shadow Guardians re-discovered it, and have since been spreading their influence.
I suppose Esco could have been in a similar organization/guild 1,400 years ago and sought out what was familiar when he was awakened. Either that, or he isn't really a member of House Mylyl (although how could have fooled everyone that he was...).
The Organization:_House_Bralfah:_The_Surface_Drow page has not been updated since fairly early in the Ust Delmah campaign. I have not seen any mention of Tirarleth since I began playing several years ago. Atrea attempted a coup when It'lal was rediscovered, and fled with Jereth and a small number of followers. Further details can be found by reviewing http://www.woldiangames.com/Woldipedia/index.php/Ust_Delmah#The_Story_so_far_and_The_Story_so_far_2 and the detailed links, although not all the story-gaps have been filled in.
Larien considers Esco's answer. "But you still haven't told us why you would betray us. Why place your loyalty to a guild above loyalty to your people? Yes, you may have joined innocently enough, but I still do not see what your motivation for remaining in the guild was. What do you get out of it? How do you benefit? Why have you stayed in it beside fear of death (your own or your loved ones) or losing your memories?" By focusing on Esco's experiences and motivations, Larien suspects she can avoid any issues with Esco's Oath. As she watches and listens, she uses her permanent Detect Magic to see if he is under the influence of any magic besides Gio's Facinate.
Side note to Gio - when Larien used Detect Evil on the people in the Slaughtered Lamb before the fight, including Esco, she detected no evil. So either Esco isn't evil, or he was obscuring it somehow.
DM Post_Jeff Wednesday May 4th, 2011 9:49:26 AM
In light of these facts I am going to revise Esco's last comment...
Please look back at my previous post.
DM Post_Jeff Wednesday May 4th, 2011 10:30:17 AM
Esco paused for a moment as T'Shalla asked him a question.
"T’Shalla Sunwatcher, I do know of other members of my guild that are within It'lal's walls. I could and would be willing to tell you who they are or where they are, but then my mind would be washed of all knowledge of the guild and I'd be of know further use to you. However, as I mentioned previously, I would be willing to make this sacrifice if you asked it."
"Lady Larien... I am ashamed to say that my ambitions led me down a path that I am not proud of. After my awakening I found myself amazed by the new world around me. I longed to strike out and to make my mark in this world, and to toss away the petty rivalries that typically exist amongst drow houses."
"When the guild approached me I became star struck. I believed that my destany was out there, not within It'lal's walls. And this guild offerred me a place in this world, and paved the way for me to use my talents to make my mark as something much more than a Junior Minister."
"Again, at first it seemed innocent... simple tasks that seemed in the best interest of everyone. Slowly the lines became confusing. Had I been a person with a better moral compass I probably would have stopped things right there, but sadly this has never been my strong suit."
"Eventually I took the oath and I was in all the way, for there is no turning back once you take the Omerta oath. Shortly after they approached me with an opportunity that they said would change everything for It'lal and for me. It would require great sacrifice, but in the end everyone would be better off. And, they said they had the support of some very powerful drow within these walls."
"My task was the capture or elimination of you. I resisted at first, for though my moral compass wavers I am not one for murder. But the consequences were clear and the promises for better things seemed legimate, so I took on the contract. It is the biggest regret of my life, but all I can do now is move forward in hopes that I may find your forgiveness and hopefully, save my family."
Eclip (AC30, hp100/90) & Artan (AC34* touch 12ac, hp102/99) *barkskin,Growth & charge CharSheet Pathfinder Wednesday May 4th, 2011 10:54:08 AM
(ooc: background - House Mylyl was from the time before the fall of the It'lal. All the adults became lich like undead or died in their creation. All the children were placed in suspended animation, remember adulthood for a drow starts at 110 years old. Drow Houses can accept other drow as house members if they prove themselves worthy, for house Mylyl the need is great, so the bar for worthy my be lower. In It'lal you have the three recognized houses and then a population on non-house drow who would have been showing up since the resettlement of It'lal. House Bralfah is very large because it took in so many other drow and even fragments of other houses found wondering about the Wold, before discovering and resettlement It'lal.
For 1400 years the city of It'lal was uninhabited. Except for for the monsters and undead.
As for the information in the House Bralfah, I don't believe it has every been updated. For the NPCs I figured they keep pace with the PCs as far as levels.
I didn't see the original dm post of Esco, but the Revised one seem reasonable.)
Eclip will leave the questioning of Esco to the others, as he gets help for Pathos. The druid will take him to the healers to tend, before returning to the interrogation.
(ooc: Speaking of Pathos he hasn't posted since 4/18/11. Dan are you still here?)
T'Shalla (AC: 32 / HP: 99/99) CharSheet Wednesday May 4th, 2011 6:39:03 PM
T'Shalla nodds, "Well we don't want you to break the oath....if possible." the other seem to agree on that point, wanting to see what extra information we can get from him.
Larien (AC 28/19T/21FF, HP [-2 Con = 128/128] 141/141 + 11/11 Temp HP) Thursday May 5th, 2011 3:24:54 AM Thanks Jeff; we appreciate the effort to work with the existing story! Great additional points Glenn!
Regarding Dan, he did not reply to my last ADM e-mail, and his posting has been sporadic even before 4/18/11. He and Pathos probably need to be considered inactive until Dan can resume daily posting.
Larien ponders the situation they are in. Always, it seems, they are only shown a tiny part of the big picture, and the group is forced to lurch from crisis to crisis rather than permanently solving any problems. Atrea, the Crying Woods and Green, the evil drow Houses, this guild, the Kobold city deep below It'lal -- all of them remain unresolved threats.
"Esco, you seem genuinely remorseful for what you have done and the path you have chosen. So tell us, with regard to the guild and the threats It'lal faces, what would you do if you were in our position? How do we deal with the threat of the guild? How do we unravel the connection, if any, between them and Atrea and the recently rediscovered evil drow Houses? Can you give us any information or hints about where other guild members lurk without losing your memories? Or how many there are (both here in It'lal, and elsewhere)? Can you tell us what you perceive the guild's goals to be, besides capturing or eliminating us? Do you think the guild was responsible for the recent attacks on the Council?"
Seeing that the others are perhaps still drained from the battle, Larien looks to Gio for help. "What other lines of inquiry should we pursue master bard? This is a tricky matter."
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Thursday May 5th, 2011 3:47:51 AM
Gio shrugs his shoulders and says half-heartedly, "The idea of providing a multiple choice questionnare came to mind, but I'm not sure if that's going to help. Obviously he's been kept out of the loop, however, whatever information he can give us on this other guild, well, that would be helpful."
Eclip (AC30, hp100/90) & Artan (AC34* touch 12ac, hp102/99) *barkskin,Growth & charge CharSheet Pathfinder Thursday May 5th, 2011 9:06:57 AM
Seeing how Pathos may need more time to recover and is already making passes at the nurses, Eclip leaves him in the capable hands of the healers and heads back to the interrogation.
Gilin Underlane (AC24/Touch 13/FF 20 | HP 61/66 (-4 Con)) (PF Sheet) Friday May 6th, 2011 7:07:31 AM "Anything he CAN give us without breaking his oath, anything could be useful, theoretically."
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Friday May 6th, 2011 1:14:00 PM "Yes Gilin, very true." Turning to Esco, Gio suggests, "In your best estimation, tell us everything that may be important for us to foil the plans of those that seek to harm It'lal and the council. I realize some things may be overlooked in your memory, but speak only of those things that will not invoke your curse. In other words, help us out here, we could sure use it."
DM Post_Jeff Friday May 6th, 2011 3:19:23 PM
OOC: sorry about the delay guys... I got snipped yesterday and it left me feeling like all I wanted to do was drink and lay in the fetal position.
Eclip took Pathos to the healers and had him fully restored. A short while later they arrived back in the interogation room. (OOC- Pathos should deduct the cost of healing when he gets back... hopefully he'll be back soon).
...
"I feel terrible about what I did" Esco responded to Larien. "I've never been much of an alter boy, but I'm not a murderer either. I take no pride in what I tried to do, and really want to try to make ammends so we can all move on."
"How would I deal with the threat of the guild... hmmm... how do I say this without crossing the memory line" Esco pondered. "For starters, trust nobody. There are powerful drow tied into this story. My best guess is that someone is making a play for power and likely they view you as a threat."
"As far as guilds are concerned I'd suggest focusing on the leadership." he explained. "When they're gone the oaths and loyalties are gone with them. All of their sheep followers will see themselves as vulnerable and do whatever they can to cover their butts. Strike off the head and the whole body dies."
"And fortunately for you, management is in town. My best guess is that they're looking to cement their position in It'lal, as this is really open territory as far as guilds are concerned. I also expect that they'll move on you again and soon..."
Esco suddenly stopped speaking and seemed to struggle against something. "Mind..." he yelled suddenly, and then with a sudden burst of willpower he grunted- "Gateway Plaza...below Caravan Station... the..." but then his words trailed off.
Seconds later Esco opened his eyes and said remorsefully- "It's gone... those memories are gone".
OOC- local knowledge check DC 15- Highlight to display spoiler: {Caravan Station is a stone building near the Gateway Plaza where incoming merchants set up tents and display their wares when they come to It'lal.}
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP d20+13=28 ; d20+13=17 ; d20+13=28 ; Friday May 6th, 2011 5:53:55 PM
Local knowledge check: 28 Dungeoneering check: 17 Geography check 28
Gio grimaces when Esco invokes the curse, but just to make sure, he checks his forehead for the telltale sign of an Oathbreaker. "I know this Caravan station, but Esco stated it was below this place... so either he means further South, or literally, underground."
(checks on dungeoneering and geography made).
"We need to strike while the iron's hot, but our spells are much reduced in number. Perhaps after we've recoup our spells, we go investigate? And till then, we stay holed up here and make sure no one knows Esco is here. Have we searched him for magic, to ensure he can't be traced? Do we have an anti-scry spell?"
T'Shalla (AC: 32 / HP: 99/99) CharSheet d20+2=14 ; Friday May 6th, 2011 8:07:35 PM
Local knowledge: 14
T'Shalla says, "Guess we better get there or find a way underneath and at least do as he suggested, cut the head off, and the body will die."
DM Post_Jeff Saturday May 7th, 2011 8:16:48 AM
Gio studied Esco and found the telltale mark of an Oathbreaker on his forehead. Next he scanned his memory on local geography and recalled that there weren't any buildings directly south of the Caravan Station, so he guessed that Esco was referring to underneath it. Could there be a lower level there or perhaps a dungeon? The prospect seemed quite possible.
Eclip (AC30, hp100/90) & Artan (AC34* touch 12ac, hp102/99) *barkskin,Growth & charge CharSheet Pathfinder Monday May 9th, 2011 12:39:34 PM
Eclip shrugs at the location information, "While I've used most of my spells for the day, I can still wild shape change into an earth elemental and scout out below the Caravan Station, but if we could recover our spells first that would be best. Another issue is which guilds are in It'lal, I'm not sure they are all going to advertise their presents."
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Monday May 9th, 2011 2:02:14 PM
Gio nods his head, "I've a few followers that are specialized in gathering information, perhaps we could snoop around, see what's what and then report back--nothing particulary intrusive, just cursory in nature."
Larien (AC 28/19T/21FF, HP [-2 Con = 128/128] 141/141 + 11/11 Temp HP) d20+11=28 ; Monday May 9th, 2011 3:30:25 PM
Larien frowns as Esco's memory is erased. Unreliable to the end....
"I'm up for investigating immediately; if the guild figures out Esco talked to us, they're likely to scatter. I still have a decent amount of spells left, as does Gilin. We also need to cover up Esco again -- so his oath-breaking isn't obvious -- and move him to a more private location. He needs to be in total lock-down solitary, protected by guards we know an trust personally, until this guild is destroyed."
Local Knowledge: 28
DM Post_Jeff Tuesday May 10th, 2011 3:13:37 PM
Hey guys sorry about the delay. Will post tonight and can post through the weekend to makeup for lost time.
DM Post_Jeff Tuesday May 10th, 2011 10:09:45 PM
As you ponder what your next steps should be, the General arrives at the Guardhouse.
"I heard about the two attacks today and how you left behind a bit of a mess" the General explained. "And based on the bodies that were left behind it seems you've made some enemies outside of our walls. Definately seems like the work of professionals... despite all of the digging I've done I still have no idea who is behind these attacks".
With those words the General paused a moment and looked around the room. His eyes settled on Esco and suddenly you realized that he might be your best bet at hiding the former guild member until things blew over.
OOC- local knowledge- the city guard have places to hide Esco, but you have little confidence that they'll be able to keep it on the down low. Based on what you know of It'lal, your best bet is probably the General.
OOC- I can post tomorrow morning...
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP d20+26=45 ; Tuesday May 10th, 2011 11:48:59 PM
Gio smiles, "Dear General, we have a favor to ask of you." Pointing to Esco, "We need to hide him somewhere where no one will know where he is, nor can they reach him, where he will speak to no one for a day or two. Can you help us?"
Diplomacy vs General: 45
Eclip (AC30, hp100/90) & Artan (AC34* touch 12ac, hp102/99) *barkskin,Growth & charge CharSheet Pathfinder d20+10=21 ; Wednesday May 11th, 2011 9:12:06 AM
Eclip aids Giovanni's quest to the General, "Yes, It would give us the best chance to catch the ones responsible flatfooted so to say." (Aid Diplomacy: 21 vs DC10 +2 to Gio's check).
Shall we check out the last clue first?" Eclip doesn't mention the actual clue in front of the general.
DM Post_Jeff Wednesday May 11th, 2011 4:05:02 PM
"I would be happy to help" the General said. "I will call for my most trusted guard who will stay with him in this very room. I will also close this guardhouse for the evening, and have everyone that is currently on duty to remain here until you return. On the pain of my sword they will all swear to keep their gobs shut until I say it's okay to speak... I also have some paperwork to complete. I will have it brought here to make sure nothing goes awry."
"I trust you will find these measures appropriate" the General concluded, more of a statement than a question.
...
Eventually you agree to terms with the General and begin making preparations for your guild onslaught. With the day beginning to wane you know that you have some time to make preparations, but tarrying too much might result in the evaporation of the best lead that you have. With that thought in mind, Pathos and Eclip return to the guardhouse... Pathos is fully restored.
As you ponder your next action you hear the strange drow singing from his cell...
"Went down to the crossroads" "Fell down on my knees" "As the Gods above" "Save poor Bolinos if you please" "Down at the crossroads" "Looked east and west" "Ain't no woman roun'" "Lord, I so depressed."
Actions...
T'Shalla (AC: 32 / HP: 99/99) CharSheet Wednesday May 11th, 2011 6:18:39 PM
T'Shalla says, "Yes it might be best to get everyone back to full with their spells and all, since if we are talking about people high up in the guilds, they probably have some potential protection so we would need all our resources to be at their fullest."
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Wednesday May 11th, 2011 8:45:30 PM "I agree with T'shalla, we should wait. Although several of you didn't use all of your spells, I'm almost out--which means very little healing in the middle of battle. However, I wouldn't be adverse to do some scouting about, incognito and with a few of my followers, to further ascertain a probable spot where the guild entrance may be."
Larien (AC 28/19T/21FF, HP [-2 Con = 128/128] 141/141 + 11/11 Temp HP) Wednesday May 11th, 2011 11:26:00 PM
After thanking the General for his help, Larien listens to T'Shalla and Gio, shaking her head. "If we wait until morning, the guild could be gone, or at least much better prepared. Right now, they might not even know their attack on us has failed; not much time has passed, and there is always confusion in the short term. But soon they'll hear that we were walking through the city with a prisoner, and they might start getting worried. Now maybe they'll feel safe because of their Oath, but it would be tragic to lose this chance because we played it safe. Gio, you can take the Bardic Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds that Pathos is carrying, which largely resolves the healing issue. Gilin could even make you invisible. That will free up Pathos to fight."
"As for scouts, I don't know that we should risk losing the element of surprise by sending any scouts down there, unless their disguises are basically foolproof. No matter how careful they are, your followers are well known Gio, and if any of them were spotted, the guild may assume the worst and our advantage will be lost, or they could scatter to the four winds."
"If the majority is opposed to attacking now, then we'll wait of course, but I'd like to hear clearly from Eclip, Gilin and Pathos."
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Thursday May 12th, 2011 12:08:14 AM "I should note that I had to use Spectral Hand to deliver healing spells since we were spread out. If that happens again, well, I doubt that will work with the wand of healing and then I may not be able to reach anyone in time."
Eclip (AC30, hp100/90) & Artan (AC34* touch 12ac, hp102/99) *barkskin,Growth & charge CharSheet Pathfinder Thursday May 12th, 2011 9:13:57 AM
Eclip checks over his stocks of spells remaining and ones still in effect. "I have limited healing left a scrolls of cure serious, a wand of cure light, and a mass cure light, Most of the prep spells are still in effect, and I have three wild shape changes left. So, I'm good to go, since time is limited. If the site is underground, I can move freely through rock if I change into an earth elemental."
Eclip and Artan are ready to check the place now.
(ooc: DM how long has it been since the Esco fight?)
Eclip's Spells: Highlight to display spoiler: { Spells marked with * have been cast, & used pearl of power(3-1st, 2-2nd), +Exteneded, Lesser(6) 0Lev 6x DC17: Create water, Detect magic, Guidance, Light, Mending, Purify Food & drink 1Lev 6x DC18: *Cure Light, *&Longstrider, Pass without Trace, Produce Flames, speak with Animal, Entangle 2Lev 6x DC19: *+&2xBarkskin, Ice Sickle, Resist Energy, Reduce Animal, Warp Wood 3Lev 5x DC20: *+*+2xG. Magic Fang, *Cure moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm 4Lev 5x DC21: *Air Walk, Ice Storm, Freedom of Movement, **2xCure Serious Wounds 5Lev 4x DC22: *Animal Growth, Wall of Thorns, *Cure Critical Wounds, 6Lev 3x DC23: *Transport via Plants, Wall of stone, Mass Cure Light Wounds 7Lev 1x DC24: *Fire Storm } Spells in Effect: name (round cast, shared, duration, misc) Larien: Extended Barkskin (8am, 260m, +5ac) Eclip: Longstrider (8am, 13hr) Artan: G. magic Fang extended (8am, 26hr, +1 all att), G.Magic Fang extended(8am, 26hr, +3 bite), Longstrider (8am, 13hr), Barkskin extended (pre battle, 260m, +5ac), Air walk (1r, 130min)
DM Post_Jeff Thursday May 12th, 2011 11:49:50 AM
OOC: Time and spells
If you cast any long duration spells (morning, during first or second attack) please adjust durations accordingly.
P.S. Wow... been a long day!
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Thursday May 12th, 2011 2:21:23 PM
Gio sighes inwardly as it's fairly evident with Eclip's appraisal that the group was going to indeed assail a guild of some power--hopefully they wouldn't count on Gio to heal them too much.
Giovanni Thornhill 27AC/18T/21FF (86con(-6)111/115HP Thursday May 12th, 2011 2:27:36 PM
ooc: any chance for a quick catacombs visit without it delaying us in game for too long?
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