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As the bidding closed, the rogue that had been watching left the Gryphon. Forsythe then left with Evangeline still invisible behind him, ducked into an ally, changed into a dwarf, then moved onward toward the Trentson estate. Fix and Kadath left the tavern, followed by the fighter that had been watching, and after a few turns, confronted him. The fighter divulged that he had been hired by Jinik Reprut to confirm if Fix was involved in the auction. Fix told him he had no knowledge of any auction and sent the fighter on his way. Forsythe, who had begun to head toward Fix and Kadath, switched into an eagle and followed the fighter. He saw that he met up with the rogue figure from earlier and decided to switch targets and continued to follow the rogue until he went into the lower level of Qi.
Forsythe switched back into a dwarf and continued his pursuit of the rogue until he lost him in a warehouse and could not find the hidden door in the abandoned office. Kadath joined him and, through some inquiry, they met up with Gavyn who showed them the “back door” into the underbelly of the city. They traveled to a large meeting room and found the rogue sitting at a table with a drink in his hand. Gavyn confirmed, based on his own experience, the two were most likely hired to see who was behind the auction. The rogue probably tried to follow the lady taking the bids, and the fighter to follow Kofic to see if the Trentsons were involved. With this information, Kadath and Forsythe decided to leave this alone and went back to meet up with Fix and Evangeline. The group then headed to the Trentson home and reviewed the bids. After a bit of discussion, they decided that Strulduk would be the winner of the auction and that they would deliver the painting in person. Following this, they burned all other bids. Not wanting the Order of Truth to know their business, Fix asked Gavyn for an alternate means of teleportation. He gave directions to Finnel, an elderly man and the brother of Giselle, who teleported the group to Charmonde where they arrived on a bridge above the Jerribost River. They quickly gathered their bearings and headed to Stulduk’s estate. The guards recognized Fix, Kadath, and Evangeline and welcomed them inside despite the late hour, and saw them to the sitting room. Some time later, Strulduk came and welcomed them and, after learning of his win, he placed the painting in his main hall where he promised to tease Gaera about it. He then offered the group lodging for the evening, which they accepted, and then went to bed. The group dispersed into their rooms. Once in their rooms Evangeline portioned out the payment and discussed Gavyn’s cut. Fix worked his forge to make a Jagged Dream pendant out of obtainium. The rest then went to sleep in the eerily quiet house. The next morning, Stulduk was already eating breakfast when the rest came into the room. They discussed their need to return to Qi and Strulduk let the group know he could do so, but to keep this knowledge to themselves. When they passed through the library to reach the circle to be teleported, several of the group found books that they were interested in. Stulduk allowed them to borrow the books, knowing that, in time, they would return them. He then sent them to Qi, just outside of the upper district.
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Forsythe, having been left in Thriest, did a few odd jobs for Silvia. Upon being asked about the snowflake pendant, he requested to deliver it personally. He was sent to Bodrov where he found Isabella Harak at the Shattered Window. There, he negotiated a higher price and left her with the nasty taste of ale to reminder of the deal. He then returned to Thriest to rest. In the morning, he teleported to Qi to meet up with the rest of the group.
Fix, Evangeline, and Kadath kept conversation light at dinner with Dolren, but once they began to retire to rest, Evangeline gathered them in Kadath’s room. Upon inspecting the cards, they saw what appeared to be Gaera on the ruin card. Fix suggested visiting a seer in Qi that evening and directed them to the southern portion to Madame Giselle. Once inside Madam Giselle’s, Evangeline and Kadath (through their various means) discovered an imp in one corner and a scrying like orb permanently affixed in another corner. After 15 minutes, an elderly woman, hunched and walking with a cane, shuffled into the room. Showing her the finished cards, she informed them that these specific decks were once magical, made by powerful mages in the 2nd or 3rd age. She produced a replica deck to show them. Evangeline was able to determine the clouded card was actually the sun card. The two unfinished cards were then placed upon the table face down where Giselle took a moment with each. Pulling back from the ruin card as if bit, but the other was more pleasant. She informed them to do that one first. She allowed them to take the replica deck on loan. Before leaving, Evangeline asked for her fortune. Giselle pulled out her own deck, shuffled, and drew three cards: Justice, Emperor (upside down), and Priestess. Briefly she stated that justice would be wielded, but not by Evangeline, where it will kill the hidden ruler. Evangeline would aid in restoring the balance. Fix then also asked for a reading on his own ambitions. Giselle shuffled and pulled three more cards: Four of Cups (upside down), Five of Swords, and Fool. Briefly she stated that the family was going to go through some distress causing things to be flipped, but the swords showed support. Three swords crossed will come out as leaders, the other two major supporters. The fool would also be a support, however hidden as they only look a fool. They return to the Trentson home and rest. At breakfast, most of the family had returned. Once all had departed, Gavyn spoke with the group regarding the auction to take place. All was set at the Gryphon for that evening. As the group began to disperse to take care of any business beforehand, Fix asked his mother about the armor being delivered. A bit later, Evangeline thanked her for the room she was given (giving a bit of information about her shifting situation). They then met up with Forsythe and gave him the plan. When the time came, Forsythe (in his elvin female form) came into the tavern with Evangeline, invisible, behind him. Gavyn confirmed he was the one to take the bids before making rounds at the tavern. Several messengers came in with envelopes to hand to Forsythe. He took a moment to sift through the bids and burned any that were too low, saving only the ones with serious offers. Kadath and Fix came into the tavern a bit later and watched the crowd, spotting two men also watching the bidding. Strulduk met the group in the manor and, upon request, took the group to his office for a more private conversation. When asked, he did present the proof of ownership for the chalice. Fix, with the aid of Kadath and Evangeline, investigated the document and concluded that it appeared the most authentic. Seeing that the party was not satisfied with the security of the manor, Strulduk offered to show them the chalice.
He led them to a secret door, signaling the guards, and opened up the wall to a staircase. Kadath took note of the various traps that were disabled as they went: magic on the stairs, mechanical on the door, and magic on the pedestals in the vault. Strulduk disabled the magic specifically protecting the chalice so Fix could take measurements and Evangeline made a copy. He listened intently as the group discussed their plan to fool Gaera with the copied version. Before they exited the vault Evangeline gave Strulduk a sneak peak at the painting that was going to be auctioned, and as the group left, Strulduk reset all the traps. Strulduk directed the group to the Marble Table for drinks and rooms for the evening. The group followed his directions and visited some of the grand buildings and bridges of marble. They also stopped by the Queen’s castle to see its ornate beauty. As they were settling in for the evening, Fix felt the familiar scrying that was not able to connect. Kadath searched the hall, using his sight to look into the rooms, and found one who was cleaning up a magic circle. The man was confronted in his room by the group. He gave his name as Kallad Talluic, and that he traveled alone. Though he never admitted who his employer was, the group believed that Gaera is the prime suspect. In the morning they were then able to teleport back to Qi, where they decided to confront Gaera and give her the fake chalice. With Davakri giving his confirmation, Gaera stated that the favor was completed. Fix informed her she was no longer welcome at the Trentson residence and she left. Once she was on her way, Evangeline refashioned her pocket, knowing this would make the fake chalice disappear. As the evening passes, Fix takes some time to talk to the statue, known as Philethis. Getting no responses, he goes back to his room and works on forging a set of tools. Evangeline waits for everyone to go to sleep and also attempts to ask Philethis questions. She also does not receive any responses and goes back to bed, leaving TC and Buckley to guard the room. The next morning, Evangeline checks in with Leslyn about the painting and learns of the University of Qi’s interest in it. She barters for trade: they aid the displaced people in Lipgera for the painting, to which they agree. Seeker checks in with Pif, his captain, and receives a sending stone. Upon leaving, Evangeline and Seeker meet up and begin to discuss the second painting. Bringing in Forsythe, they decide to sell it in the underground where it may fetch a much higher price. Looping in Fix and Kadath, who in turn pulls in Gavyn, they begin to spread the word that this painting will become available soon. The group then teleports to Thriest where Kadath checks in with the Order of Balance, filling them in on the recent events and confirming Elijah’s presence at the ball. Forsythe slips away to check in with the underground leader, showing his newest ability to palm items and giving his contribution of gold. Meanwhile, Evangeline also slips away to go to her home. However, after saying a quick prayer to the gods (who she is still not sure really exist), she enters the home unnoticed to leave her boomerang on her brother’s bed, and a pouch of coin where her mother will find it. She then leaves, seemingly cutting ties to her family. After some further discussion, Forsythe remains behind to do some work for Silvia and further spread word of the painting while the group prepares to head to Charmonde. Seeker is called away at the last moment to return to Qi under military orders and says goodbye to Evangeline, giving her the orb for safe keeping. They then part ways. Kadath, Fix, and Evangeline head to Charmonde. When they arrive, they are given directions to Lord Strulduk’s manor where they are greeted by guards at the gate. Upon inquiry of a meeting, one guard leads the group into the sitting room of the manor, leaving a third guard in the hall. They are left waiting in this room for Lord Strulduk. Galigo gives Fix a command word to return to his shop directly, then teleports the group to Far Brohn. Upon entering the city, the group can see it is busy and several people hustle about with a hurried purpose. The party however shows little interest as they head to the shop of Shallow, the blink cat.
Once at the shop Corinni, the wizard, and Fix negotiate a cost to have a limited telepathy enchanted upon the circlet that Fix had forged, however it would take a couple days to complete the enchantment. Upon hearing this, Fix asked about teleportation and Corinni agreed to teleport them to Qi with a stone that can send them back when they are ready. In Qi, Seeker checks in with his captain, Pif Surnosk, and shares about the recent events. Pif agreed to get a sending stone for Seeker and would have that the next day. Evangeline checked in with her mentor, Leslyn, and shared some of her experience and left one of the paintings from the keep with her for authentication. The party then decided to go back to the catacombs where Kadath received his sword. Once in the secret room, they investigated the door once more, noticing the change. It was no longer a field of battle, but now a field of silhouetted people. Kadath then attempted to push his sword into it, though it resisted, it was slowly going into the image. The party then moved into the next room investigating the pedestal again. Kadath was able to pull up a loose section and found a card that matched the door. After leaving the catacombs, they proceeded to Fix’s home. Once inside, they all heard his mother yell for him to come to her office. Inside, she asked him about the places she had heard of him visiting. Getting caught up on some of the things that were happening, she informed him that his presence was requested at that evening’s ball, hosted for Lady Gaera. She also invites the rest of the party and dismisses them to prepare. At the ball, Fix is announced as Lord Kufic Trentson, earning some ire from Gavyn (his brother). The group recognizes some of the prominent guests: Pif Surnosk, Elijah Torenni, High Priest Renio, Priestess Leslyn, and Gaera (with her group). One of the others that stood out they discovered was Lord Jinik Reprut from Uxphon. Mingling through the guests, Fix approached Gaera. Gaera informed him of the favor she desires: to retrieve a chalice from Lord Strulduk in Charmonde. She described the chalice and informed Fix she would have proof of her ownership come morning. After all the guests had dispersed, Arias asked what Gaera had discussed with him. Kadath and Evangeline checked for unwanted listeners and discovered an invisible orb, which winked out as Kadath reached for it. Knowing it was clear to talk, Fix shared with his mother what the favor was. She cautioned him and warned him not to underestimate Gaera. The party then dispersed to their respective accommodations for the evening to rest Shenea awaited the party’s arrival and, after letting her know they were there for some special ink, she requested a task in return. The task was to have Evangeline talk with a young girl by the name of Ona-sa who was in the care of the 2nd tier’s leader, Ni-chodoss.
After some inquiry, they discovered Ona-sa was human, without any mutation, and was nearing her 20th birthday at which time the Fahat would perform a ritual to give her a mutation. She would then be given to Gav-oreth, the leader of the 1st tier and Shenea did not want her daughter to go through that. Upon accepting this task, the group went to the home of Ni-chodoss and were able to teleport Ona-sa to a ledge they were standing on. After a brief discussion with Ona-sa, she was returned and given instruction to contact the group should she decide to leave. They then returned to Shenea and were given the ink which they took back to the 1st tier where they noticed a familiar statue in a main square as they headed to Galigo’s. Through some investigation they discover that the statue was actually a creature, however, it did not respond to any interaction. Forsythe decided to attempt telepathy and the creature began to answer his questions. They discover the creature is known as Philethis, and it also resides in Fix’s family home. After a few other questions the statue’s last words were a warning, “Evil covers the swamp.” The statue stops responding and a new card slides out from beneath its cloak. Inspecting the card, Kadath concludes it could potentially be one of four different cards, as the picture is of a stormy night sky. The group then give the ink to Galigo with Evangeline taking one of the three bottles for herself, giving Galigo a look of warning. They settle into a room for the night while Galigo prepares the teleportation the group requested. In the afternoon of the next day, they check with Ona-sa, following her to Shenea’s. She informs them of her intention to stay and get to know her real mother so the group then travels back to Galigo’s and are ready to depart to Far Brohn. After replenishing some supplies and getting some directions, the group heads out toward Nihliesh. On the fourth day of travel they come across a tall pillar that they were told marks the halfway point between Lipgera and Nihliesh. The party makes camp for the night and has a peaceful evening.
In the light of morning they decide to investigate the pillar more thoroughly. Tapping on the stone, Fix informs the party that parts of it seem hollow. Kadath’s eyes seem to fog over as he uses a ghostly gaze to see through the rock. He confirms it is hollow and seems to have a ladder extending through to what appears to be an elbow filled with gears. Fix, now extremely curious, asks Forsythe to fly him to the top. He finds that the upper section is also hollow and he climbs down. After some time investigating, he takes a moment to reach out to Gond. In response, Gond gives him a vision of a moving farmland that this pillar was once a part of. Following some small craters seen from above by Forsythe, the group runs into some Margr. One surviving attacker is released and told to move on. After another three days of travel, they come upon a large city that seems built upon a platform. The group recognizes the legs holding this city aloft as being similar to the pillar they had passed. Fix spots immediately that this structure is missing one leg. They approach, have a brief conversation with the two guards, and are taken to the upper level, the 1st tier of the city. The group quickly realize that most of the people who inhabit this city are mutated in some way: six fingers, feet like monkeys, webbing, unnatural skin colorations, scales, and unique eyes. Upon inquiring about teleportation, the group are directed to a mage by the name of Galigo. Galigo has an extremely short stature (only 2 feet tall). He stands upon his counter and answers some questions. He bargains for the teleportation that is asked for by Fix. For his services, he asked the group to go to the 2nd tier and retrieve the special ink being held for him by Shenea. He described her as a tall, skinny, golden skinned woman. He was unsure of her exact whereabouts, but ensured the party that she stands out in a crowd. Once agreed, the party heads to the middle level of the city. Stepping out of the lift, they immediately notice the difference as the middle level of this city has streets that seem to only be dark alleys. The lighting is dim throughout, and the buildings are close to each other. After traveling through a few streets the party noticed only symbols above doors, no names. Fix spots someone with a dagger pendant (similar to the Jagged Dream). He asks about Shenea and the gentleman leads them to an unmarked door where the party is welcomed in. The door opens to reveal multiple people around the perimeter of the room and a beautifully golden woman, who emits her own dim light, sitting expectantly at a table. After having scattered a bit, Seeker requested the group reconvene at the central staircase. Fix, however, experiments with the basins to discover he could manipulate these images. Giving it a try, he allows himself to be pulled into the basin in the throne room and interacts with the dwarven man. After a brief interaction, Fix grabs the man and tugs on the rope that tethers himself to the current time. Kadath manages to pull them both out and into the cold throne room. They fill in the dwarf quickly, learning his name, Farrim Stoutforge, and hand him a great sword to aid in clearing out the rest of this temple (Farrim's keep). When encountering an ice golem, Farrim was not of much aid as he was still processing the state of his keep. They quickly finish clearing out the rest of the keep, ending in the treasury where Farrim does locate his own plate armor and longsword. Knowing that the keep is safe, they manage to break the spell and ice around the braziers and relight them. As Fix continues to pull people out of the basins, Farrim fills them in on what has happened.
With the basins of fire now functioning properly, the keep warms to a tolerable temperature for the night. After a calm night of rest and healing, the group leads the now out of time people north to Lipgera. The travel being uneventful, they arrived in the small village going directly back to Gerald, the tavern keeper. They began asking questions of the town guard they had rescued from one of the basins and discovered more information. Oznu was the land of the dragon turtle, the beacon they had discovered was to call the dragon turtle, however, its help did not arrive in time. The guard heard and felt the hum of the orrery as it became the city's destruction. He had watched as the city exploded and remained floating in the air. The group also learned that the orreries among the cities were connected, becoming weak when Shaji disappeared. When evening hits, Evangeline and Seeker speak with the elderly lady, Elnoa, about learning more magic. The rest of the group find rest. During this time, Kadath received a message from the Matron, learning that they have discovered the key to protecting the gods, and that they are to dispatch the evil to turn the tides. With this information passed on the next morning, Seeker suggested heading toward Nihliesh, a major city between their current location and the nearest ancient city ruins, Citadel of the Iron Saint. After dispatching the first encounter with ghosts, the group investigates this first room. The four statues are determined to be frozen people, beyond saving, the central tables are bare, and the basins are filled with snow. Digging for any other answers, the snow is removed revealing no other symbols, however, after a minute, the snow begins to fill once more. At this, the group decides to begin exploring the temple. Moving into the east wing first, they discover another large gathering room, much like the entry, with another frozen pool in its center and a statue of another frozen man at the southern end. This room had two braziers containing blue flames which lit the room rather effectively. On the northern wall were two exits. One led back to the entry room, the other led to several smaller rooms. Upon investigation, these appear to be small, private worship rooms. Each contained a table of ice with two candlesticks and a basin. Wanting to experiment, Fix lit a couple candles and watched as the snow within the basin melted into a crystal clear liquid. Taking a chance, he focused on the liquid to discover a vision of the past. Each room followed a different person: a mother and her children, a city guard or councilman, a young man, an elderly woman, and an adult couple. All showed them leaving the city, being welcomed to the temple by an older dwarven man, and eventually bedding down to sleep in the respective room that had the basin. However, the guard had the closest encounter with the city’s decimation. He watched as the city shattered into the air in several pieces before running south with another group from the city. For further investigation, a few members attempted to break the ice table only to cause minor damage, also hearing cries coming from deeper within the temple. Continuing to investigate, the next room also had a brazier with a blue flame. Looking at it a bit closer, Evangeline felt herself being entranced and drawn nearer so she pulled back quickly. Seeker reached out with his own armor, extending small probes to identify the magic contained within the brazier. He discovered that it was enchanted to be ever-burning, but also to charm onlookers and bring them in to banish. Seeker warns the others not to look closely at these flames. Moving onward, they find the main hall. It appears to be once a throne room, however, in the center of it’s platform now stands another alter. As they move closer, Kadath sees the magic build on the back center pillar and soon an elven woman, with blue skin and white hair, materializes. After Seeker announced himself as being from Kelemvor, she returns the introduction as Joxina of Auril, then sends out a cold burst. This issues a fight during which Evangeline was possessed for a time by one of the ghostly spirits that appeared out of a brazier. Once Joxina and the ghosts were killed, the group began to regather, heal, and mend. A broken numenera device was discovered among the melting remains of Joxina that was determined to be a Winter Torque. During this time, Kadath began to notice an unusual magical presence from Seeker. Seeker, too, began to hear unintelligible whispers and a hum coming from his bag. Both realize it became stronger as he approached the altar, and weaker as he moved away. With this, Evangeline and Seeker head out of the temple and into the quiet cold while the others finished looking around. Fix, gathering a couple of candles, looked into this basin as well. He discovered this vision followed the dwarven man. It ended in Joxina, wearing a snowflake pendant, strangling him as a shadow overcame his dying form.
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AuthorDungeons & Dad Jokes Archives
May 2025
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