Meet 106, Adv 13, 11/16/24

Wilhelm was focused on the 15th of Firemonth, the Summer Solstice, longest day of the year. One of the holiest days to Frey. And the first chance since he became a member of the Druidic Circle to cut and harvest his own mistletoe.

He had gone to the druid elders at the temple and learned he would need to purchase his own silver sickle and gathering bowl. The entire druidic circle would be heading up river tomorrow @ 8 to a wild area north of the Enderlyn River where they could gather and harvest without issue. Mistletoe need to be cut without touching and caught before landing on the ground. Then it is prayed over and pressed and used afterwards to power the druid’s spells.

Either – if the spell requires components of a holy symbol and the druid does not have – the mistletoe is a usable replacement. Or, the mistletoe can be added at time of spell casting and the spell would be less random and more powerful (any random effects of the spell are automatically the maximum amount).

After spending his money, Wilhelm joined the queue up river where under the tutelage and guidance of the elder circle members, had a very successful harvesting session, easily achieving the top 25% of gathered herbs. Good Wilhelm!

For the rest of us, there was training and resupplying. Things to fix and sharpen, items to replace, and visits to various guilds to train up. The rest of the party had come back a few times and we discussed what we had learned and what our next steps were going to be. Dizzy took pains to disguise himself, as his skin and horns had those that encountered him disturbed and bothered.

It was a 12 days run of taking care of town business and issues. And throughout it all – Shim’s returning nightmares of the Norns cutting huge swaths of the skein…and the Mountain at Donnegarten’s Stronghold exploding…reminded us that the time to solve and resolve this issue was diminishing. In Shadowthyrst we know there is a countdown clock winding down. And during our time at Donnegarten, we also know that Fimbulwinter…Ragnarok…The exploding of the mountain…is slated, due, expected to happen at some point before the Winter Solstice.

And could happen as soon as tomorrow.

We were going to have to take a trip to Gorok and see about getting Ralstrom’s signature on the Addendum. And maybe get some damned answers as to what the reason was for all this…and maybe how to stop it.

Meet 105, Adv 13, 11/9/24

Firemonth 10th, 10:15 AM. After the scent of brimstone had faded away, the group left the toporified divine beings where they were and trudged across the feculent floor to the elevator shaft. Looking up, the group discussed options. It was going to be Wilhelm and Connal going back to the top. The druid cast a pair of spider climb spells and the two men began the long walk up to and back to the top. A light spell followed and eventually they arrived at the 2nd floor. From there, not trusting the duration of the spell, they turned to the stairs and made their way with care back to the top floor.

Wilhelm went back to the Lift Control Station while Connal made his up the rungs to the Lift Machinery. He shook out the fire pan, primed the pump. Made sure the pilot light was lit. Then it was kindling in the dampener and some time later the burner was hot enough to start heating up the boiler. As the temperature gauges rose Wilhlem stabbed the start button and the entire machinery burst to life again.

With smoke gathering over there, Connal made his way down the rungs and then back up to this side. Wilhelm started the lift rising up after getting a Telepathic OK from Shim 4 levels down – and the group was brought back up through the Donnegarten Complex and we were all together again. The machine was shut down and we let the fire box cool. We then made our way slowly to the entrance where we had to fuck with the doors and counterweights to get it to open again. We were outside by 1:15 and by 2 PM, had the place sealed up again.

Eoghan leading the way took us off the mountain and eventually to the valley floor below. We traveled to the southwest and in a cup shaped tree full valley, set up a camp. We rested, tired and exhausted, and awoke the next day feeling much better. A Create Water had our skins refilled. It was Firemonth the 11th sand by 9 AM after praying and studying, we were ready to go. Our foodstuffs should be ok to get us home but the party was pretty worn out. We discussed the 3 day trip back to Erylond, or we could press south to Great Road and head off to Canaslan and rest in Paxian. It would be late, but we’d be able to rest and eat properly.

Our road decided, we headed off south. We were out of the Mountain area by 1 and by 1:45, were safely across the river. We headed south, Eoghan and Wilhelm being dead on with their directions and picking the best trails and paths for us to take – maximizing our travel time. By 6:30 PM we were looking for a campsite and eventually bedded down for the night. Again, we were lucky not to be disturbed by the locals.

On the morn of the 12th we were up early, 6 AM, and by 7 were on our way. The travel was not arduous and we made the Traderoads by 3. We went east for an hour or so and arrived @ Canaslan without issue. On entering we noted the pressing heat and the fact that there was more drunkenness and merriment abounding. Turns out it was “Paxian Day” – roughly 16th year anniversary since King Seljack found the Sovereign Stone and became lord of Canaslan.

We entered the gates of Paxian which were thrown wide and were informed that King Seljack was picking up the tab for…well…everything. As long as it wasn’t top shelf crap or exotic food stuffs, just about all shows, foods, and drinks were gratis from the King. The place was already crazy with open bottles and fornication in the streets. Revelers were dancing and racing about, even the guards and constabulary were partaking.

We made our way to Third Shadow and got a room just off the main strip. We drank and laughed and had a good time. Someone came in asking about Knox, our donkey, and Connal wanted to know why. Was it for sale? One of the entertainers did not have a donkey available as hers had come up lame and wanted to buy ours. At first it was like, no, thanks but go away. Then when they offered 400 commons for it so she could do her donkey show, we were like, hmmm. The party discussed it and to a man, they all said to dump it. “Damn thing never liked anyone,” Wilhelm offered. “And I’m a druid. What is a donkey show anyway?”

After paying the monastic the bag of coppers, the pimp led Wilhelm out to the stables and the druid had the chance to see the awkward and perverted joining of equine and human set to the pounding beat of a kettle drum and a vibrating mouth harp. He was stunned and watched the entire show. Twice.

We awoke the next day amidst the rain and gloom and Eoghan was just a miserable fuck for it. With pounding heads and tired limbs, we left Thirdshadow and made our way out of Paxian. And Damn it to hell, King Seljack was there! He wished us a good trip and asked if we had a good time. He wanted his people to be happy and blowing off steam for a few days and not having to worry about paying for it (outside of a headache) was a cheap enough cost for him.

We travelled down the Traderoad westward, without a donkey this time, so we were all carrying the tool boxes, food stuffs, and other items Knox had been carrying. It was slow going and were were tired and wet. Eoghan snapped at Dizzy and Connal a few times before the day was done. We rested that evening without a fire and ate our rations cold.

The next day was warmer and brighter. Firemonth the 14th was already much better and we travelled on. The miles passed by with little fanfare and our steps were light and happy. We saw smaller thorps and farms, then larger estates, and in the distance on the hill, was the mighty city of Erylond. 6:30 had us going through the main gates and 6:50 at our home.

We greeted the friends there (Asher, Annalee, Gryg, Thalin, Godrick) and shared some of our tales with them. It was 8:15 on Firemonth the 14th, and according to our calendar – it had been 16 days since we had left Erylond to head off to Donnegarten.

Meet 104, Adv 13, 10/19/24

Firemonth the 9th. The group went through plans to come and the anticipation that we would be facing Jubilex tomorrow. Haztez, the Black Warrior was keen on it and Hiawatha was happy to be a part of it. Glooskap, the Skinwalker, would handle whatever large slime the Faceless Lord threw our way. The rest of us would react accordingly and allow the heavy hitters to do their attacks on Jubilex. We had a few surprises of our own, including 4 Thunderbird Arrows when the time comes.

We walked around, bottled up some water, and arranged a night’s rest. We slept well and awoke the next day anxious to get engaged. Prayers and spells were revisited. We climbed the buildings and talked about fighting from within. Did not want to move the shutters, did not want to get the party cut off from one another, did not want to set us up to fail. We drew up a line in front of the dwarven stronghold and after making sure of a good place to piss off Jubilex; Haztez summoned a line of flame and set fire to a large 60’ swath of assorted slimes, lichen, mushrooms, and fetid pools.

The smell was horrible and as it popped and smoked and filled the air, we heard a large “BONG” from the Maw above; where the 23 cables all ran together. A faint glow appeared followed by another “BONG”. And then another. And finally a huge slimy mass extricated itself from the hole, slid over, and grabbed a part of the ceiling. It then seemed to retract and from the hole…emerged Jubliex.

18’ tall, a mass of frightening eyes and snarling toothy maws, it shuddered and dripped and roiled in a sickening display of shifting colors. It brachiated across the ceiling until it finally drew close to the platform where its movements sped up and it became stronger and then some 80’ or so from our front line; it dropped the 70’ from the ceiling and landed with a wet splash here before towering over all of the party.

Haztez whistled, grabbing his cudgel tighter. Hiawatha readied his spear and the group tightened their grip on weapons and spells…and then Jubilex roared and charged us screaming with a dozen ragged mouths.

It flung a large slime out from a waving hand and it hit the ground and slithered towards the group. A Thunderbird Arrow was readied and then…fired. The struck the Faceless Lord who absorbed most of its power but still was burned for his efforts. More followed and Bless spells echoed out. Our lines grew closer and it ripped a hole in space, and a damned vampire spooled out and flew towards us, a cloud of bats surrounding its head.

Shim shot off a magic missile and the vampire was hit and it turned in the air, heading from the gnome. Connal raced to intercept and Hiawatha and Haztez smashed weapons into Jubilex. It rocked back and smashed out, flattening Haztez and then hurled another wave of slime out, and a 15’ square gelatinous cube slapped down right by Eoghan and Wilhelm. “I’ve got this one!” Glooskap ran to interfere, her hands outstretched into long talons and she plunged them deep into the cube, making it shudder as it tried to dissolve her enchanted skin and she tried to devour it.

Another Thunderbird Arrow flew out and Jubliex rocked from the blow. Connal was fast and the bats tried to blind him but the monk leapt and jumped and knocked them aside. The undead menace made to grab him and he managed to avoid the touch, instead using his enchanted bracers to deliver powerful blows against the vampire.

Getting hurt, Jubilex tore open a hole in space and had it consume Haztez, dimension dooring him half a mile away to land in the waters…where Sargonnas swims. Damn it! He them smashed Hiawatha, the hero taking 40 points of damage from that single blow! He shoved himself up and ran back to the fight. More spells were flung and then Jubilex hurled a few slimes to land near the ranger and druid, causing them to run back and avoid being consumed.

Connal and the Vampire were ripping into one another and Shim called, “Haztez! I call for your aid!” and the once a day answer came forth and Haztez appeared! Soaking wet and nursing a few bruised ribs he laughed and thanked the group for the call. He let his fire surround him, drying him off and giving him a barrier and he rejoined the fight. Glooskap had the Cube mostly devoured, the center of it hollowed out as she swelled larger and larger. A Vrock was summoned, the vulture demon coming in hot and causing Wilhelm and Eoghan to abandon shooting the Faceless Lord and hit the new threat.

It was the snake faced demon that came through next that had the group look for anything to end the fight before it got too large for us to handle.

Shim took out the Lightning Bottle he had been carrying for some time, raw lighting harvest from a Gnomish Skyship some time in the past. He pointed it at the Faceless Lord and yelled at everyone to get clear. He then ripped open the cover and let all 4 lightning bolts rip out. They cleared the 55’ feet between the sorcerer and the Demon Lord, and each one buried itself deep inside its nightmare body. Huge chunks of slimy material blew out from the scorching impact craters as it roared in agony and fell over and teetered slowly before finally beaten and then it dropped down.

Unmoving and dead.

The rest of the fights went easy well as the demonics did their best to re-gate home and the group could devote their efforts to unite and take down the last of the enemies. Exhausted and hurt, we finished them off and then looked over the very dead Jubilex. As his body melted away, a brass plate appeared in the mass of bubbling ooze and filth. Dizzy stepped forward, the one he was carrying burning as he got closer. The thought was to combine the two and then use its latent power to force the portal open back to the Happy Hunting Grounds. Sending all the denizens here home.

And when he touched it he felt an inrushing of demonic power. His skin grew red and his eyes yellowed. But when he tried to force a beam of power UNDER the water and into the gate, it burbled out and then time seemed to stop.

Everything stopped and the air grew still and stepping out of nothing, was a 6’4” tall red skinned man in a bespoke suit, handsome face, and a welcoming smile. “Just what do you think you are doing?”

“I was going to open that portal and send everyone here back. They don’t belong here.”

The figure looked around and nodded. “You are right, they don’t. But that portal. That portal? That’s not yours to open. That specific portal is deeded to a Ralstrom Thermun Gorok.” He pulled out a rolled up scroll and read it over. “Yep, signed it right there, see?” He showed it to Dizzy and it was some infernal contract. “Signed right there by his own hand. And the other signature is mine.” He pointed to a different scrawl. “Name is Asmodeus. Duke of Hell. And I have a contract that says you cannot open that up.”

Feeling the power of the Abyssal Tablets within him, Dizzy looked down at his fingers. “I have the strength to open up that portal.”

“I don’t deny you have the strength to open…A…portal. A. Portal.” He pointed east, “Not THAT portal. Not unless your name is Ralstrom…or you have a contract addendum that he authorizes you to open THAT portal.”

Dizzy frowned. “What if I just do it?”

Asmodeus smiled. “You would open a portal, and it would go somewhere. There are over a thousand other layers of outer planes out there past the Astral void. Over 600 of them lead to the Abyss. You want to open a random hole from this plane to another and hope you manage to get to the RIGHT plane where every divine being in here not nailed down gets sucked into and spat out,” he leaned over and smiled, “Then go right ahead. Let’s see if you get 772. Anything else, and it’ll be entertaining.”

Dizzy was very uncomfortable dealing with the Hellish Duke, but did latch on to one thing. “So if I get Ralstrom’s signature, I can open THAT portal?”

Asmodeus nodded. “Yep. His soul is eventually mine, but he is still alive and kicking. One of the last Axiom’s he adhered to was “Forever Alive”. It doesn’t mean what he thinks it does, but it applies to him and his situation at least for now.” He rummaged into his briefcase and pulled out a small scroll. He spent a minute penning on it and then held it out to Dizzy. “There. I don’t need your signature on it, but Get Ralstrom Gorok to sign off on this that he knowingly and of his own free will gives you proxy to operate the opening and closing 1 time of the portal specifically Donnegarten Stronghold number 23 between the Prime Material Plane and the Happy Hunting Grounds and then you can come back here and do what you need to do.”

“No tricks?”

Asmodeus nodded. “No tricks. Getting the old Duke of Razors to sign it is your issue. As for this place, I sort of forgot about it. The divine leak here is a no go so we are going to just,” he squinted and there was a strange squeal coming from the maw, “shut that down. There.” The feeble lights seemed to die off a bit and the bodies of Haztez, Glooskap, and Hiawatha all slumped further down, their bodies unmoving and their color seemingly muted.

He looked Dizzy over. “Two tablets. You are growing in power. I wonder what kind of Abyssal Lord you’ll end up being.”

“Excuse me?”

The Duke smiled. “That kind of power stains a person. When you die, and all mortals do, you will go like a comet to the Abyss where with luck, you’ll end up on a layer that is lightly guarded where you can let the powers of the tablets roar through you and do what you can to run the place. Mind you, Jubilex and Zuggtmoy might eventually get wind of you, but that’s a problem for the future you.” He looked at his wrist and smiled. “Time flies and I’ve got to go. Good luck, Idela Dizrea.” And then he stepped between worlds and was gone.

The group had not been able to move but heard all of it. Ok, we have to go to Gorok and soon. And while there, maybe get some more information from Ralstrom as to what the goal was to be here. And who the hell is Donnegarten? It was Firemonth the 10th, about 9:30 AM, and we had a long way to go to get out of this place and we did not have the help of Hiawatha of Haztez this time. And what of the Lolthian Spiders? Were they still here somewhere or were they now dormant too?