February 25th 217B I. THE ATTACK The exhausted party teleport back to Ipsus to get some well deserved rest. Upon arriving back in Lothia Theringil has True seeing running. He notices colossal veins and organs pulsating out of phase with Ipsus. Qualintal can feel how close the planes are here. The city is completely full of some unspeakable cyclopean presence. Much more so than it ever has been in the past. The city sewers and drains seem to make up the major arteries for this unspeakable presence that the party suspects is Ifsssisis the old one To find out more information the party heads to the Artificers guild. While walking there Berrik observes a stray dog urinating on the sidewalk and the urine running directly to the closest sewer. Theringil glances at the dog before blanching and telling the others that they do not really want to know. Apparently a ethereal mouth detected the additional moisture and oozed out of the sewer grate to latch onto the dog and suck the nutrients from it. The dog whimpers slightly as more liquid is sucked out of it. The group shudders and moves on quickly not wanting to watch the rest. Herunaro is the only one who does not seem disturbed. Swirling his cloak around him as he pirouettes in the street surrounded on all sides by the old one's presence he states, "Sure the city has been taken over by the old ones, but at least the streets are clean now!". The party enters the Artificer's guild only to hear that the city is about to perform a catastrophe drill. The artificers are among the personnel that have been gathered to oversee the "drill". This disturbs the party even especially when they here that the drill is related to a sudden overwhelming force appearing in the city without warning. The party eventually contacts someone more senior who whisks them off to the command center via teleportation circle. After passing several groups of guards with mages running true sight the party learns that according to a divine prophecy from a oracle of Jaas they are about to be targets of an imminent assassination attempt. The oracle can explain more but for now the Regent has mobilized the city's defenses and asked that the group retire to the extradimentional fortress that has been supplied for them near the command center in the secure zone deep inside Ipsus mountain. The party hears that the church of Jaas has begun to recover its powers and the first divinations out of it for weeks was the report the immanent attack. The party is escorted to the extradimentional fortress where they gladly collapse on the provided divans and feather beds. But before they can doze of the oracle is announces and appears to be none other than Jaenelle. Jaenelle is even more radiant than last time they saw her and is accompanied by Murgen and a small Asian man whom stands between Jaenelle and the others and is sinuously menacing. After a few minutes Theringil hints that the party is not talking with just Jaenelle. But his remark is brushed aside by Jaas/Jaenelle. While talking with the party Jaas/Jaenelle provides a running commentary of the invasion occurring back in Ipsus. She minimally seems to be running several greater scrying spells at minimum and probably a lot more. Jaenelle/Jaas states that the attack probably was not intended to succeed and is likely to be Nyogtha beginning to stretch his muscles a bit. She warns the party that Nyogtha is after the child of Dydd. While Nyogtha himself is overwhelmingly powerful in the body of Ashardalon. He is vulnerable since the scion of Dydd might bring forth Ashardalon to the point where Nyogtha's personality is no longer in control of the Great Wyrm. And while Ashardalon is immensely powerful he is no where near the power of Nyogtha and it might be possible to kill him if the Scion of Dydd was used. The invasion consist of hundreds of greater shadows, baboa-assasins, and spectors. They are being opposed by Slime things spat forth by Ifsssisis as well as heavy magical support from Lothian wizards. The military is withdrawing forces since its patrols are almost completely ineffectual since swarms of a hundred spectors can easily overwhelm groups sent in to battle on the streets. Shadows and spectors completely saturated the block where the party had previously been staying, but the enemy seemed to have poor intel and few commanders. Especially since the Mages were picking off any commanders that made themselves apparent. If the party had stayed in the inn their survival chances would have been minimal, but the enemy did not apparently expect Ifsssisis to be awake. Nyogtha will likely act more cautiously in the future. This was likely just a scouting run to test defenses. Shadows and spectors are relatively easy forces to rebuild. Jaas/Jaenelle interspaces her running war commentary with questions for the party. Particularly she seems interested in what they would do if they had the keys to the universe. Berrik's response surprised her. "I would put it back, It isn't mine." Qualintal's answer is similarly simple. "I am not a philosopher, I leave the thinking to others. I just gets people where they need to go and fights anyone who threaten". The others wax a bit more poetic on the subject. Herunaro in particular feels that it is about time that he received his due. Becoming a god and divinely humiliating Constantine would make a great start on his Ascension. Theringil feels that his role is as an observer and to counterbalance extreme elements or forces. (He says with a meaningful look at Herunaro.) Swiftwind is the only one who feels strongly that things need to be fixed and has an idea how it should be done. The others are more or less content with the current status quo. Minus the whole Ashardalon problem of course. Jaas/Jaenelle finishes questioning the party and states that the invaders have been contained effectively. Ifsssisis manifesting on the Ethereal where he and his various sludge monsters were able to just destroy most of the Ethereal invaders. Without the threat of shadows and spectors the military was able to move back in to engage the Babao. While leaving the party to continue their rest Jaenelle tells Theringil that an old acquaintance is saying farewells at the inn in the North-east known for its great view of the coast road and superb breakfasts. He might want to drop by for breakfast. The party rests. The next morning Theringil takes off before the others rise. He comes back later to inform them Flarlanghn appears to be about to embark on a journey into the unknown. He has confirmed the rumors that Flarlanghn is no longer a true god and oddly he seemed glad of it. He said he wants to explore again without already knowing what will be waiting at the end of his journey. He is going through a portal from which he is pretty sure he can't easily return because it is one way and completely magic dead. So he has no idea what is on the other side, and wishes to go explore it without the crutch of godly knowledge. Theringil has been gifted with some of Flarlanghn's old mortal gear since Flarlanghn won't be using it on the other side. A little time is spend admiring his new baubles and then the party prepares to visit Dionysus in Pandemonium. Theringil uses an astral projection spell so the party can journey without risking their physical forms. Even if they die they should be returned unhurt. Only a severing of one's cords can kill them for real. II. THE JOURNEY The group then shifted into the upper reaches of Pandemonium and using a series of spells and clever shafts they literally fly through the second and third layers to the borders of the forth level of Pandemonium. Some of Theringil's new items prove useful. particularly a staff that diminishes the effect of the plane within several feet eliminating severe gusts and deafening cacophony that the plane is otherwise famous for. The party passes through strange cities, meets strange people, and even sneaks through Erythnul's back yard in the process of finding Eco. There is an interesting altercation where they run into a hellish drill site run by a foppish Vrock foreman. The party fools the Vrock by telling him that they had heard of his legendary wine cellars and flattering the Vrock into turning his back long enough for the party to sneak through the tunnel being carved by the infernal drill. Eventually the party arrives battered and bruised at the foot of Eco's domain. And it turns out that the place is sealed magically. Berrik manages to force his way through the forbiddance and is accosted by Brahmin, a green skinned male celestial. A bit of diplomacy wins the party an audience with Eco whom turns out to be a very old, very powerful angel. Despite the party's persuasive arguments she seems unmoved, Her orders can only be changed by direct order of the Highgod or by the Divine council as appointed by Yawah. Only then can she let the party see Dionysus. Hedging a bet, Herunaro tossed Eco a ring and tells her to ask the council of Gods herself. She examines Constatine's ring of wishes and acknowledges that it could work but suspicious she hands the ring to Brahman and gives him specific instructions for what to wish for while she watches him carefully to make sure that there are no tricks. While Brahman is using the ring Herunaro begins to figit and then demands that Qualintal take the "package" out of the bag immediately. This raises some eyebrows but in hissed whispers Herunaro says "The so called 'council of gods' is making a deal, now get the punk out of the bag." Almost immediately after complying Brahman begins to acknowledges that he is being contacted by several representatives from the council of whom about half gave assent to allow egress to Dionysus's prison by Qualintal, Herunaro, Berrik, Swiftwind, and Theringil. Later Herunaro admits that he had to bargain with Constatine and that the only part the party should care about is that he Korvath had to come out of the bag. There were other stipulations that only covered Herunaro and about those he is not so forth coming. "I did it for your sake, now leave me alone with my misery!" The others transfer the invisible Korvath to Qualintal's back. and they then enter the portal which is through Eco's living body. She warns them that it is a great strain to keep the portal open ant length of time and that they should hurry with their business. III. KING OF EVERYTHING AND NOTHING Inside of Dionysus's prison the group is accosted almost immediately by a testosterone crazed Lilend whom looks like he has spent the last several centuries using steroids and working out. Moments later it turns out that their greeter is named 'Tiny' and is the smallest and least testosterone crazed of the Lilends that accompanied Dionysus into exile. The Lilends react to the party's intrusion as if it was an attack but some quick diplomacy convinces them that the group does not mean Dionysus harm. Soon Dionysus himself comes to investigate the ruckus. Dionysus is a glowing humanoid figure roughly thirty feet tall and finely sculpted as any statue. His every statement is wry or filled with pathos and his every gesture is meaningful. (DM Note - And unlike previous characters filled with pathos the group does not immediately fall upon him and kill him. *grin*) Dionysus relates the sad tale of the Titans fall and his imprisonment. he seems overjoyed at having the first new audience in eons. The prison is meant to be a prison not only of the body but of the mind. Nothing new can be created, he can tell stories he has told before, but nothing new will ever be created within these walls. Shaking his head sadly he relates how after a few hundred years his comrades became so distraught that they all gave up or lost the gifts of the higher arts. And ever since the only real entertainment has been exercise and practice bouts. Some lasting hours at a time to alleviate the tedium of eons of imprisonment. There's a single magical tree that provides fruit, a fountain that provides water, and centuries of debris. It is probably harder on the Lilends than him he confides. He was always happy with his warrior side while the others were meant to be artists and never fighters. At one point while talking Dionysus asks a question about the threads of magic they wear. When Herunaro misunderstands and discusses his vest Dionysus waves him off and picks up the thread attached to his heal and sends Herunaro into convulsions. Intrigued Dionysus takes off one of Herunaro's arms and reforms it. Apparently exhibiting the same control of Astral matter that the dreamer had with dream matter. But he confides that while he can touch and even reshape their astral forms he can not see the exit for all his power. The prison is designed to hold him and even slaying Eco would not free him as the prison is inside her soul. The group discusses ways to help him escape his imprisonment and while their are ideas, noting new is thought of. (not surprisingly considering the locale) Sneaking him out through the cords is possible but would take days and time inside passes hundreds of times slower than outside he states. Nevertheless Dionysus does attempt a few ideas. He tries teleporting, gating, freedom, and a few other techniques for getting out and they all fail. This nixed plan one. The easy way to enter the Bastion was to take Dionysus there and use his knowledge of his creation. The only other way is to become king of the titans. His title of King may be enough to open the main portal. The only other way was to use the key that Ashardalon and Demios appear to be fighting for and that is in the Bastion already. This can be done by challenging him. In the past leadership challenges has been settled through debate, reason, popular vote, etc. But without peers and days or weeks of time, and considering the oppressiveness of the surroundings reasoned debate was not an option, nor was any other creative solution. The quickest way to settle it would be a duel. Unfortunately the Lilends could not stand by and let Dionysus risk himself. This is taken care of partially by Dionysus trickery and partially by Theringil's destructive magic. After shriveling up the Lilends to manageable size, Qualintal, Berrik, Swiftwind, and Theringil are able to clean house with them. Dionysus then joins battle himself. He carries a hammer that must way 10 tons or more. Dionysus mutters a word as he joins combat and his weapon becomes pure energy capable of smashing flesh and spirit but completely ignoring all defenses. Qualintal is caught in the lead and gets plastered with one set of blows even though Qualintal does his best to dodge once he realizes his armor and weapons can not block the attacks. Within seconds of battle starting Qualintal splatters back into the astral matter. Berrik is dropped by the Titans second set of blows but the Titan charges past to engage the wizards rather than deal a finishing blow. Herunaro and Theringil blast the titan with Enervation spells causing him to lose centuries of memories. Unfortunately he also forgets why he is fighting and becomes more dangerous since he might start using powers he promised to leave out of the challenge. Berrik gets back to his feet and engages the titan from behind. Theringil uses some magic to create distractions and when a strategy works the party enervates the titan so he forgets and they try the strategy again. This goes on a couple of minutes, but the party only has a limited number of high list spells and after they are running on empty the titan is still going strong. Theringil spends a few rounds dispelling the titan's magic and as enervated as he is it is now impossible for Dionysus to restore some of his powerful spells. At this point the Party members resort to using invisibility to sneak around the titan and occasionally sniping with sudden rushes and tactical strikes. The titan attempts to purge invisibility, but Theringil dispels purges due to the titan's impeded casting level due to enervation spells. Eventually the party succeeds in blinding Dionysus and the rest of the battles is fought by diving in and wounding him and attempting to dive back out of his reach before he can spin around and plaster someone. After an incredibly long time he is finally killed and the party recovers the amulet that proves leadership of the titans from his corpse before casting a spell to resurrect Dionysus and his memories return. Dionysus helps the party search the wreckage of his front rooms for the body of Korvath which was misplaced during the battle due to Qualintal sudden demise. And Korvath appears to be ok. Dionysus thanks the party for freeing his comrades from this hell and asks that the party either come back someday to free him or return and kill him as well. After extracting that promise he lets the party take an item from each of his guards since they were defeated honestly. He then hands the party a handful of gems and asks that they take back his companions and raise them on the other side. When the party protests that it is not possible he explains how outsiders can be revived and makes sure that Theringil understands it well enough to be able to copy the effect. Dionysus says he was impressed by the group. Back in his day no sniveling pack of mortals would have been able to drop a Titan. Either he has become soft or these mortals have become more than he thought possible. He thanks the party for the first change in eons, and comments wryly on their use of dirty tactics acknowledging he didn't mention his hammer's (Maker's) special powers either. The party finally bids him farewell and promises to return and free him if they ever find it in their means. In return he describes what he recalls of the bastion, the amulet, and the inside. The party (the few that remain) head back out the portal. Outside they see that Brahmin is standing before Eco sword drawn facing Morlock whom is wielding the Black 2 handed sword once wielded by Kiri-Joleth. (Unmaker) Morlock looks at the party with interest. Theringil loses no time but plane shifts away. Safely away for a moment the party place the Lilends in Swiftwind's bag of holding and then dismisses the Astral projection to return to Lothia the fastest way possible. Back in Lothia the group finds that Qualintal has been waiting a few days and has liquidated a number of party assets that were just lying around gathering dust. The party joyously celebrate their recent victory exchanging tales of the last week. Qualintal had to fight off a couple groups of assassins that were still sneaking around, but otherwise most of the town has no idea anything happened except for the disappearance of a few hundred people, but the Regent had that hushed up fast. (Going as far as memory wiping people and spreading a story of a real disaster taking place. The entire city is morning the catastrophic loss of life. Only people mobilized during the attacks know the full truth and that is being hushed to prevent panic. Alex is in Ipsus with Jaenelle and apparently has some things he thinks they might like. SESSION END Afternoon of March 4th 217B NEXT TIME : Finding Eco. ENEMIES DEFEATED ---------------- Vrock and his wine cellars 6 Male Lilends Dionysus, King of the Titans. TODO ---- Raise Lilends Meet with Alex ITEMS ----- Amulet of the titans 6 longswords +3 EXPERIENCE TOTALS (Session 63) ----------------- Herunaro Swiftwind Berrik Qualintal Theringil 181160* 171309* 178130* 181131* 181125* * - new levels for everyone!!!