Fate of Or

Fate of OR

Adventure for Autumn 819
GM: Michael Parkinson
Night & Location: Thursdays 7-10, chez Smith, Mangere. 21st Mar. Session CANCELLED
        [If people can't make a 7pm start, the only alternative is Fri 7.30-10.30]
Level: Highish. somewhere between (demi)god assisting and mostly irrelevant.
Requires: moderate competency; sufficient, but not excessive, diplomacy; and possibly the potential to think outside the known universe.

Warning: Will be playing simplified opposed combat.

Overview

Party is commissioned by "Isme" of Thebes & Cowland.

She would prefer at least ONE from that party (Seven For Thebes 19 years ago) that superbly assisted her father, Prince Ed, formerly Ed Swellfoot since he was raised by Hobbits who “found” him abandoned as a newborn baby. Aqualina & Caprice are from that turn-of-the-century party.

Nominally the party is searching for someone/thing last seen in the Ellenic States: allegedly known as EPIGRAM, a superficially friendly giant (almost certainly the Greater Titan Epimetheus, aka Afterthought, in disguise).

If you *do* have the right "Epi", you will be asked to:

1. Deliver an Important Message
   
2. And persuade Epimetheus to return with you to your employer (if you have any hopes for a performance bonus)
   
3. ... which might mean having to do something for him first, since he is a demigod-like "fixer" (and, allegedly, an amateur literary/theatre/art/Reality critic).

You will be going off-plane and may NOT take an items with you, but your magic should function approximately as expected.
Your employers will be providing some short & long-term magic effects immediately before you depart.

PARTY

• Aqualina
• Starflower
• Veor
• Sir Wojer
• Caprice

PAYMENT & CONSEQUENCES

1. You will each be paid the equivalent of 9000 sp for taking the mission, even if you fail.
2. Payments, depending on the level your successes, may include: money, trade concessions, property, free training.
3. Assuming you're reasonably (or excessively!) successful you may expect a choice or two from selected items in the Theban treasury — since you are advised that you're unlikely to retain any loot from where you will be headed.

If nothing has been heard from you by the fortnight before the next Guild Meeting, the Employer will attempt, within reason, to have you all "recalled" back to Alusia ... with good expectations of reasonably complete success, but you may wish to take a Namer, Planar Mage, or other magical means of returning somewhere/somehow to Alusia.

OTHER IMPACT: Presumably there *are* Elvish interests involved, given their trade routes to Thebes and probably some impact to the Plane of Purple.

Chapter-1

Scribe to update ... Scribe to update ... Scribe to update ...Scribe to update ... Scribe to update ...

Helped by Black whirlwind & Fey Strider

Fortunately the sounds of the party being woken from unconsciousness by the tender nips and scratches of goblins and bobgoblins drew the attention of some passing heroes. “Ah-Kuí” (the Black whirlwind: 5’2”, 220 pounds, GTN Dwarf) and Zong (the Fey Strider: 6’4”, 105 pounds, GTN Erelhaine), both somewhat dressed in black, look like a comedy team. However any band of ruffians rudely making that assumption would be sorely mistaken, if not profoundly dead.

BW & FS arrived “walking” at about 25 or 30 mph. BW wields 2 battle-axes … and immediately charged into the fray, although when the goblins briefly tried to mob him, BW then shifted his grip up the shaft and use each Axe as if chopping parsley with one-handed demi-lunes. The next pulse the goblins fled, persuade by the berserker. FS, in contrast flicked his thin, fast sword and the goblins near him fled immediately. He then attended to the party-members still on the ground.

Chapter-2

Yet to occur, but Zong (Fey Strider) suggests that he goes down to the road & then proceeds to the next village several leagues on, returning (in about 4 hours or so) with sandals, clothes, water-bottles, food, bows & knives, for the party ... probably with someone else to help carry the stuff. Was there any person you particularly needed? Perhaps a better healer than himself?

That would give you time to explore the recent ruins. And Black Whirlwind would be able to "keep you of trouble" — although clearly the implied subtext is vice versa.

Additional Loot & other Reference stuff

Loot

Dated Credentials from Isme/Elvish Crown

1 each
Each scroll is on silk (which folds or rolls without damaging the indelible script (in Florid Elvish obviously) that names the bearer (with up to two titles, if they have any) as well-beloved righteous supporters of the Crown. The florid elvish essentially says:

1. You are entitled to (reasonable) support and accommodation from any local Elvish governor and
   
2. The Courtesy of the Services. — By tradition, that would in normal circumstance include making room for you and at least one servant and a couple of hundredweight of “necessities” (or other person luggage) on Elvish vessels, including the Airships.
   
3. If you are wronged by enemy or unfriendly agents, whilst explicitly (sometimes even implicitly) “attending to wishes of the court” you may expect an Officer to enquire further and conduct remedial action for the wrong on their own initiative.
   
4. The right to attend Court (in most, normal circumstances)
   

ALSO

1. The right to Petition the Court for Redress (although, given that you must write your petition on the back of you credentials and surrender them, this can be risky in personal matters or feuds with other courtiers).

Feel free to refuse the credentials … if you can give a convincing pretence to be that modest.

+10 Refreshing Greater From TETHYS

[i.e., equiv to Rank 9; MA 33] that will “refresh” 9 times after Death loss or other removal; it will return 24 hours afterwards if that is both “safe &amp possible” (e.g., not in the same place/situation that destroyed the RG, character is alive, etc) ... otherwise shortly AFTER that.

The RG may be temporarily overridden by a Rank 14+ Greater Enchantment; and whenever that GE ceases your RG will be effective.

From Thebes

• A permanent Lesser Enchantment, should you need one.
• Feasting, Drinking, Spy-baiting & other diversions.
• Other spells upon request [please specify ASAP] before you pass through The Dark Door.

Astrology etc

Reading on "The Dark Door"

Dream on, dream on, our unbuilt magic towers,
Of scenes to come, with glimpses warm and bright
Hung in the light of never-ending day.

When this strange life shall vary, Treasure teems;
Th’ Imagination is a witching fairy
For Spirits rising out of Clay.

Until, with fuller Sight, in happy Exaltation lightly
Climb to Elysium for Ever Rest, Respite,
Know where truth and peace Return or ever stay

The other (older?) version of the last verse that Lucidius found was:

Until, with fuller Sight, in happy Exaltation might
Climb to ever Fight, or to forever Rest in Light.
Know truth and peace — to Flee, Return, or ever Stay.

Being a true philosopher, he had no definite reason for the change: Perhaps the prognosticator was trying to change the emphasis? or make a different ending fit? or to hide something or a Name ? — All very unprofessional!
Or perhaps Fate is unravelling? Or changed in the past week or so due to unforeseen or indeterminable events?

Logistics

Travel Magic

Camping Notes

Camp site can be protected in about 15 minutes by the following.

• Warding with runes, 60% chance of blocking spell from outside. Protects from some weather.
• Ground can be warded vs Earth Elemental, they can walk on it but not pass through it.

Enchanted Igloo can be created taking 70-90 minutes. 36' internal diameter.

Buffs

General Buff Notes

Buffs listed in the table don't need to be detailed, other buffs not on the table must be mentioned at the time they are cast.
Y means always on, N/- means never on, 'Sit.' means when the party has time for buffs before a fight.
Weapon Spells which weapon/s it is going on normally should be noted also

• Herbalist Broth is 5 Ft restored, 3 / day. (Once we have common herbs for it)
• 1 Spell a day each can be ritually cast on the group to save Ft.

Long duration buffs

Magic	Rk	Effects	Dur	Aq	St	Ve	SW	Ca	?	?
Armour of Ice	20	7 Ft Prot, 3 En Prot, +40% resist vs Fire.	10.5 Hours (Ritual cast.)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	?	?
Greater Heart Rune	10	Heal 8 En when take En damage.	Up to 13 days.	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	?	?
Rune of Willow Healing	6	Heal 3ft for 8 Pulses when triggered.	Up to 13 days.	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	? Hours	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	? Hours	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	? Hours	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	? Hours	?	?	?	?	?	?	?

Short duration buffs

Magic	Rk	Effects	Dur	??	??	??	??	??	??	??
Name (??)	##	????	# Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	# Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	# Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name (??)	##	????	? Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?