Red Laughter - The Hunt
Summary
Adventure:
GM: Jim
Season: Spring 824 wk
Location: Online
Night: Sun
Level: High+
- Party
- Employer
- Mission
Follow up a Prophecy
- Pay
The friends we made along the way.
Scribe Notes
Chapter 1: Lady Suneth's prophecy
The party gathers to discuss Lady Suneth's prophecy. Lady Suneth, a Kerberite from House Kerberoth, has received intelligence from "the black" and composed a prophecy. The prophecy speaks of a shadowed realm, a wraith of dread, and a noble count freed from the serpent's mark. It mentions three agents, a wise matron, and a veiled seer. The party speculates on the meaning, noting they have three months to act. There will be untold death if we fail.
The party consults with Lord Tirwh, ruler of House Kerberoth, he expresses concern about the situation in the Land of Nod and the potential world-threatening nature of the events. We ask about reaching the Land of Nod. Warious routes are discussed, including through House Tintagel and past the Keep of Five Faces. Tirwh offers little direct assistance but provides information about the political landscape and potential dangers.
The party discusses their their skills and what preparations are required for the journey ahead. The party visits Henry the Toymaker, a somewhat eccentric character, to see if he has any useful magical items. After some dramatic bargaining from Henry, which consists of feigned distress and appeals to the suffering of his children, the party acquire the following items;
- Water General Spell Rack: A bracer-like item with a large blue gem. It can store Water General spells equal to the user's rank in Water General Counterspell.
- Magical Pass Action Storage: An egg timer-like device that can store magical pass actions in exchange for life energy.
- Figurine for Corniger: a figurine made of diorite for his horse, Corniger.
Chapter 2: Journey to Jiroth
The party begins their journey using Callas's route to the Heights of Chaos, which takes about five days. Along the way, they discover the Gardens, a special location where they can find a rare herb once in their lifetime. They choose not to use this opportunity yet, saving it for when they have higher herbalist skills.
From the Heights of Chaos, they can see Jiroth in the distance. The party uses Earth Door to travel quickly down the mountain, reduce the treacherous travel to reach Jiroth from a day to an hour. They arrive at the walled city with ramparts rather than proper walls and note the stream running through the middle of the town, which seems to have magically enhanced sewage treatment.
The group visits the Temple of the Singing Bees and makes an obeisance to gain access to normal mana levels in the area. They learn from the guards that people have been disappearing, possibly due to Nephilim activity in the mountains. The party decides to investigate, heading northeast into the mountainous terrain.
Chapter 3: Calamity at Surah
The party are soon ambushed by three blue, devil-like creatures with backwards-bending legs and tridents. A brief but intense fight ensues and the party quickly dispatch the devils, which which disappear in smoke upon defeat.
After the battle, they continue tracking and discover a blasted section of hillside with a summoning circle, triangle, and stone altar. On the altar lies the body of a sacrificed child, less than 24 hours old. Investigation reveals the altar is dedicated to "the Beautiful Marquis." An Ancient Divination reveals that the child's soul was used in a ritual to make the summoned devils chthonic, meaning they cannot be banished from the realm.
They discover tracks leading away from the altar, belonging to a woman wearing soft shoes. The tracks disappear after about 20 feet, suggesting some form of magical transportation. The party debates their next move and, which no leads, decides to return to Sura to inform the authorities. In Sura, the high priest is alarmed by their findings. He provides limited information about the Beautiful Marquis, describing them as a powerful sorcerer of the Mind college with control over white magic and a focus on calculation and measurement. The party learns that families have been going missing from the outskirts of Surah.
Chapter 4: The Hunt
They decide to investigate a farm where a family disappeared three days ago. Afters some hours of trekking with a guide they reach with farm and find some tracking from the farm, the family and other individuals, one using magical concealment. The magically concealed tracks likely belong to the same woman from the altar and the the family's tracks lead in a different direction from the concealed ones.
As night falls, the party decides to follow the family's tracks, hoping to rescue them from their captors, tracking the missing family along a ridge line, with a deep river to their right and a heavily beaten game trail to their left. They estimate the tracks to be less than three days old. Aware of their visibility against the skyline, Turf uses his name change spell to disguise himself as a horse to reduce their profile.
As darkness falls Callas and Turf detect several creatures sneaking up towards them, about 150 feet away initially but closing quickly. The party quietly prepares for a potential ambush, preparing weapons discreetly, not wanting the ambushers to know they have been seen.
Chapter 5: Ambush
Three Mariliths, blue devil-like creatures with four arms, backwards-bending legs, and wielding glaives and shields, charge the party. A fierce battle ensues. The fight is swift and decisive, Turf's powerful blows with Snickersnee and his Soul Blade quickly dispatch two of the Mariliths, Archibald's Hellfire spell damages the remaining devil. Then to deadly Slaad enter the battle, One is pitch black, the other mottled green and brown. Their skin is like stone and Turfs blows, that would kill a nomrmal person, barely hurt them. Corniger, Archibald's horse, delivers the deadly blow with a devastating charge and horn attack.
After the battle, the party discovers some magical components on the Mariliths' bodies, including copper nails that can enhance the Sinking Doom spell, and bronze horseshoe-like items useful for gem creation spells. Examining the bodies the party are able to work our they are resistant to slashing weapons but vulnerable to crushing attacks.
Chapter 6: Pursuit
As the group examines the Slaad corpses, Callas spots a female figure about 150 feet away, sitting on what appears to be an invisible mount about 70 feet off the ground. Recognizing her as likely responsible for summoning the creatures they just fought, the party springs into action.
Turf windwalks after the figure, which flees from the party. In a daring maneuver, he materializes directly above her, attempting to grab her mid-flight. Despite the woman's impressive defenses, Turf manages to grapple her. A mid-air struggle ensues as Turf repeatedly stabs the woman, who is revealed to be an Ogress. The Ogress has powerful defences which Turf overwhelms with his powerful attacks and they both plummet towards the ground.
Turf grabs a wand from her belt before letting her unconscious body call to the ground. The Ogress crashes to the ground, not surviving the impact. The party regroup and they search the body. Turf uses a ritual to bind her soul into a nearby rock, preventing any chance of resurrection or escape.
Chapter 7: Rescue
The party regroups and continues tracking their original quarry - the missing family. After about an hour of searching, they discover an artificially created cave. Inside, they find the family of five (two parents and three children) being guarded by an Ogre Mage. The party are able to sneak in and launches a surprise attack, the Ogre Mage is quickly overwhelmed and defeated without being able to retaliate. The party frees the family and debates their next move, concerned about a possible second Ogre Mage in the area.
Deciding the family's safety is the priority, the group escorts them back to Surah. They use magic to enhance the adults' strength, allowing them to carry the children and travel faster. Callas hides the Ogre Mage's body using her tunnelling spell.
They arrive in Surah as the sun rises, presenting their findings to the high priest. The party reports on the various creatures they encountered - blue devils, Mariliths, Slaads, and Ogres. They also mention the bound soul of the Ogress and the altar that needs cleansing.
The high priest and townsfolk praise the party for their actions, particularly eliminating the Ogress and Ogre Magi threat. There's some concern about the remaining Ogre Mage, but it's believed he's more likely to flee than cause further trouble. The party being offered accommodations in Surah for a week, with a celebration planned to honour their deeds. However, the group is aware of their time constraints and plans to move on soon to address other pressing matters in their quest.
Chapter 8: Lady Callas, the Wonder Worker
The party arrives in Jesurea seeking access to the Astral Gate. The priests require a service in exchange, and Callas offers her healing abilities. She treats several locals, including a man with a gangrenous wound, saving his life. Her exceptional healing earns her the title of "Lady Callas, the wonder worker," and this service secures the party access to the Astral Gate.
The party continues their journey north using Turf’s magical carriage. They stop at a Carchemish to rest and gather information. While speaking with the locals, they learn about the rising threat of gorgons in the area. During their stay, they encounter a group of black-armored mercenaries. Black arranges for future contact with a Mind Mage among the mercenaries.
The next two days are uneventful as the party travel as the party travel to Hurrian, and then across the sea to Al-Marhirbah and to Aeaea - the city of Witches.
Chapter 9: Revelations
Aeaea is a city of Witches, Archibald and Turf can see an enormous thorn wall surrounding the city, however Callus sees nothing. Callas head into the bustling city, there is lots of trade in fabric, she makes enquiries and is directed to the residence of Lady Cerise. Cerise, a figure of authority in the Crimson Sisterhood, happily greet Callus. Lady Cerise discloses her role as Matron of the Crimson Sisterhood.
After hearing the prophesy Cerise believes the "Noble Count" is the Comte de Versillac, who was once undead but restored to life by a holy man. The Comte, now deeply hostile toward the Church. She also believes "A seer, veiled in mystic shroud" is Jade Rain, whom is known to Callus, and advises we visit immediately. She gives Callus a magic scroll in exchange for taking a letter to Jade Rein. Cerise warns of dark forces at work, urging caution as the party proceeds on their journey.
Chapter 10: The better part of Valour
After travelling for almost a week the party finds themselves in a deep part of the Abyss, near a lake-like area. They hear a slithering sound approaching and prepare themselves for a fight. As the sound grows closer, they feel the ground heaving beneath them.
Black Archibald sees cracks forming in the ground coming from the north. The party realizes they're facing an enormous creature, something that makes the earth shake must be an enormous size. Realizing the potential danger, the group decides to retreat rather than confront the creature. Callas uses Earth Door to transport the party away from the immediate threat.
Upon reaching safety, Turf uses a Crystal of Vision to look back at where they were. He sees an enormous lenticular-shaped creature, about 22-23 meters long and 3 meters across at its widest point. The party concludes it was likely a Shoggoth, a powerful and dangerous entity in the Abyss. Marking the location on the map as "Shoggoth Point" the party choose a different route to reach Jade Rain.
Chapter 11: Tea with Jade Rain
The party travels for about a week to reach Jade Rain's residence, a cave appointed with various comforts. Jade Rain, described as having pale green, almost translucent skin, welcomes them and offers tea. Turf and Archibald are provided a simple tea while Callus is served one with an exquisite flavour.
As they settle in, Turf presents the prophecy written by Lady Suneth. Jade Rain analyzes it, providing insights:
1. She identifies a section referring to the "Comte de Versillac," suggesting he has a crucial role to play.
2. Jade Rain explains that the Count's quest involves discovering the role of the original orcs in the unfolding events.
3. She points out the phrase "with papal ties to cleave," noting its ambiguity—it could mean either to split apart or join together.
4. Jade Rain suggests the prophecy might be directing them to influence papal ties, either strengthening or severing them.
5. She draws attention to phrases like "enterprising schemer," "cunning gaze," and "steer the course of coming trials," hinting at the need for careful negotiation and strategy.
6. Jade Rain warns about the "Eye of Discord," suggesting extreme caution when dealing with this entity.
7. She recommends speaking to "Moonlight Sleeping on a Midnight Lake" for more information, but cautions that this being is a demon lord and would require proper compensation for any aid.
Throughout the conversation, Jade Rain provides cryptic hints and warnings, emphasizing the complexity and danger of the situation the party faces.
Chapter 12: The Prince of Demons
The party returns to House Kerberoth, where they await the arrival of Damien, the Prince of Demons. His approach is heralded by trumpets from the Abyss, and he arrives with a procession of 3,600 demons. It takes a day for the procession to reach the castle. Lady Suneth is flustered with the arrival of a Prince, and insist the party assist to clean the castle, which already appears immaculate.
Damien is described as wearing baroque armour that seems to be moving. He carries a halberd and shield strapped to his back. After a three hour feast, where Turf spend the entire time drumming his fingers. Post dinner the party is invited to join Damien in the green chamber for brandy and cigars.
Each character chooses a uniquely described cigar, which upon smoking, seems to have magical properties. They create various "pools" for the characters:
- Callas gains a sanity pool.
- Turf gains an impatience pool.
- Black Archibald gains a doom pool.
People and Places
People
- Jade Rain - an enigmatic figure familiar to both Cerise and Callas. Lives in the Abyss.
- Comte de Versillac - who was once undead but restored to life by a holy man, and as a consequence has a serpent mark on his brow. He is deeply hostile toward the Church.
- Lady Cerise - Matron of the Crimson Sisterhood. Lives in Aeaea, a city of Witches
Prophesy
- "A seer, veiled in mystic shroud, with visions deep and true" = Jade Rain
- "Yet far within the twilight’s grasp, a noble count remains" = Comte de Versillac
- "a matron wise and bold" = Lady Cerise
These comments represent info from Jade Rain
In the shadowed realm where mortal woe and spectral might entwine,
A tale of dark and light unfolds in the world’s bleakest design.
Where ruthless fiends and holy men in fate’s grand stage do play,
The next three moons will spin their threads in destiny’s display.
A wraith of dread with burning eyes, in torment’s guise arrayed,
By darkened lord’s command doth seek the hearts of men betrayed.
In lands where sorrow’s seeds are sown, where fear doth reign supreme,
The fiend with cruel intent shall weave a harrowing dream.
In the murky depths of witchcraft’s art, a matron wise and bold,
Foretold by agents three of yore, the tale of terror told.
She sent forth those with secret aims, where fiendish shadows creep,
To pierce the veil of devil’s schemes, where mortal souls do weep.
Yet far within the twilight’s grasp, a noble count remains,
Whose life, though freed from serpent’s mark, bears past’s enduring chains.
This count, with quest of balance bound, through hidden paths shall tread,
May thwart the devil’s ruthless hand while soul debt he does shed.
The CdV has a part to play
There is some diabolic interest.
Find CdV, get him to do something and that will tell us that is going on
Our leverage against CdV is the fact he has been freed from the serpents mark - he has a debt/obligation to pay.
Has a special defence against the bad thing = Whose life, though freed from serpent’s mark, bears past’s enduring chains.
The CdV's quest involves discovering the role of the original orcs (first elves) in the unfolding events.
Party may need to take an undiplomatic with the CdV to get him to assist.
A seer, veiled in mystic shroud, with visions deep and true,
Hath seen an urgent embassy, a path of fate to view.
This mission bears a humble quest to seek the noble’s aid,
To glean what truths the count might hold, in the murk where shadows played.
The Count may refer to a countdown
In distant coasts where merchants plot, and schemes of power weave,
An enterprising schemer stands, with papal ties to cleave.
His cunning gaze on shifting tides, with alliances entwined,
May steer the course of coming trials, with threads of fate aligned.
Cleave could be read as splitting apart or joining together
Papal = the pope = which resides on the plane of Nualis
There is a family of schemers Giovani de Craschenti. They are the "Eye of Discord," and extreme caution must be taken when dealing with this entity.
The current pope, Turgius is a smart puppet of the GdC
Three things to look at;
• Enterprising scheme
• Cunning gaze = eye of discord
• Coming Trials
hinting at the need for careful negotiation and strategy.
Might require us to influence papal ties, either strengthening or severing them.
Thus, as the lunar cycles turn and shadows deepen still,
The forces of the dark and light will clash with potent will.
With every stride and hidden move, their fates entwine and twist,
In the grand design of cosmic dance where none may long resist.
And so shall fate unroll its scroll, with twists both sharp and sly,
Till ends are met and truths are known beneath the cosmic eye.
In this tumultuous sphere of war, where mortal and divine,
Will weave the strands of destiny, by cunning or design.
Crescenti Family Details
Influence in the Church
- The Crescenti family has notable influence within the church hierarchy. Giovanni de Crescenti, a key figure in the family, was instrumental in ensuring that his nephew, Sergius, ascended to a position of power within the church after a "purge in the Curia" in which many cardinals were killed.
- Sergius, who replaced the previous leader, is described as an "intelligent puppet" of Giovanni de Crescenti, suggesting that while he held authority, he was largely controlled by Giovanni, allowing the Crescenti to maintain their influence within the church.
Character and Motivation of Sergius
- Sergius appears to have been selected because he would not oppose Giovanni's manipulations. He valued a secure and wealthy life more than any real authority over doctrinal matters, implying that his loyalty lay more with his comfort and safety than with the spiritual mission of the church.
- Under his leadership, the church flourished as a "financial empire," which suggests that the Crescenti were using the church's influence to increase their wealth and economic power.
Papal Ties and Manipulation
- There is an ongoing effort to either "split or join" the connection between the church and the Crescenti family, depending on interpretation. The prophecy mentioned in the transcript seems to imply some destiny regarding the Crescenti's influence over the papacy, suggesting a significant impact on future political or religious directions.
Giovanni de Crescenti's Role
- Giovanni de Crescenti is directly referred to as being involved with and possibly orchestrating changes in church leadership. His role in finding a replacement for his nephew implies a strong, perhaps Machiavellian, influence within both secular and ecclesiastical circles.
- Giovanni is associated with a "merchant empire," indicating that his influence is not only ecclesiastical but also rooted in extensive financial and commercial power.
Buffs & Mil Sci
Buffs and Abilities
| Magic (caster) | Rk | Effects | Duration | Be | Hr | Mr | Se | Va |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx |
| Magic (caster) | Rk | Effects | Duration | Be | Hr | Mr | Se | Va |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx |
| Magic (caster) | Rk | Effects | Duration | Be | Hr | Mr | Se | Va |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immolation | 12 | Def +20 | 6.5 hrs | 
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| Magic (caster) | Rk | Effects | Duration | Be | Hr | Mr | Se | Va |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infravision | 10 | |||||||
| See Invis (Rk) | Effective rank for seeing invisible | |||||||
| Stealth (%) | 0 | Std / Ranger Outdoors | 63 |
- Greater Enchantment
- ?
- Mil Sci Raise Morale
- +1 WP
Watch Order
| Hour: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Std Watch | xxx | xxx | xxx | |||||||||
| xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | |||||||||
Marching Order
| Skirmish Formations (Front) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Default
xxx xxx |
Double File
xxx xxx |
Single File
xxx |
Calendar
| Spring: Thaw 824 (10) | ||||||||||||||
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| Moonday | Duesday | W'ansday | Th'rsday | Frysday | Reapsday | Sunday | ||||||||
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Candlemansa | 1 | Guild Meeting Meeting Lord Tirwh and Lady Suneth |
2 | Travel the Heights of Chaos. | 3 | Travel the Heights of Chaos. | 4 | Travel the Heights of Chaos. | 5 | Travel the Heights of Chaos. | 6 | Travel the Heights of Chaos. | |
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7 | Drive carriage to Surah | 8 | Arrive in Surah fight. Rescue family. | 9 | Rest in Surah | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | ||||
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14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |||||||
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21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | |||||||
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28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
| Spring: Seedtime 824 (11) | ||||||||||||||
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rites of Thunor | 9 | 10 | 11 | ||||||
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12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Equinox | 16 | 17 | Eostre | 18 | |||||
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19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | |||||||
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26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
| Spring: Blossom 824 (12) | ||||||||||||||
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3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |||||||
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10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |||||||
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17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Floralia | 22 | 23 | ||||||
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24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | Walpurgisnacht | ||||||
