A.C.A.T stuck in a tree

Scribe Notes

Summary

GM: Sam
Season: Winter 823 WK
Night: Wednesday
Location: Birdlands
Level: High

Guild recommends at least one Highly Ranked Thief in the party

Party

1. Jaycey - Halfling Illusionist - Anne
2. Kerry - 'Human' Celestial - Helen
3. Phaeton - Human Celestial/Healer/Astronomer - Keith
4. Flamis? - Jacqui
5. Pierre - The Halfling Illusionist. - Ian A
6. Sooty - Bernard

Employer

To Be Disclosed

Mission

Break into a crashed flying ship, retrieve objects

Pay

Reasonable Expenses covered. Cash Value of Loot recovered with option to buy items. First choice to employer.

Scribe Notes

Session 1

Have to admit, the revelation that the stars were nothing more than bright circles stuck on the inside of a sphere had thrown me for a loop for quite some time, enough for Rowan to insist I stop moping and find an adventure to go on – get a change of scenery – or something. Well, this one looked promising – something to do with a cat stuck up a tree. It turned out this was no ordinary cat, and as we found out later, it was no ordinary tree either. The ‘cat’ was some sort of flying ship and we were being hired to help salvage it as well with dealing with whatever entities that had taken residence inside it.

We met up in the meeting room, we being Pierre (male halfling, dark aspected, illusionist/earth mage); Kerry (female feline shapeshifter dark celestial mage); Jaycey (female halfling illusionist as well as doing strange things with nightmares and knowing every Wall spell known); Sooty (aka ‘The Green Knight’, male ash mage and also dark aspected); Flamis (female human fire/radiance mage, light aspected) and myself, Phaeton (male human light celestial mage, also light aspected). Sooty insisted I needed some better armour, especially since my two best had been destroyed on adventure, He suggested some sort of plate. I’ll have to see how that works out. An earring of non-stunning was also installed on me.

Our party employer wasn’t there so we sorted out our party dynamics. Jaycey became the party spokesperson and, somehow, I became the scribe. It turned out that our party employer was waiting for us in a nearby field (still on Guild grounds). This person was female, dressed in a drab ship’s captain outfit, and introduced herself as Bibo. We were told this 500ft long flying ship was currently embedded in an extremely large tree on the Plane of Ulder, a plane that the Guild had only visited once before and was a recent discovery. We then retreated to do our research. Naturally I headed to the library to study the scribe notes from the party who was first there. For some reason, Jaycey was rather reluctant to be anywhere near the library when evening approached.

Next morning it was an early start down at the docks. Since Kerry had been one of the initial party, her aura contained the way to return to the plane, at least that was how it was explained to us by Captain Bibo. She did some sort of ritual and Kerry changed into a portal which we stepped through. Once we were all through, the portal closed and Kerry reappeared. The portal was like some sort of wormhole where we had to be squeezed through a worm sized hole to get through. I called the process ‘spaghettification’.

We found ourselves on a hilltop overlooking the coast where we could see a lot of ships, including one huge one. What looked like a small tent village was on the coast nearby. I had a look at the ships with my powerful spyglass and discovered that the ships looked like that they had been grown, including the big one. Only one ship looked like it had been built and that was Bibos. On the horizon I could see a tree, the one that Bibo said that the ship was stuck in. Given the distance to the horizon, as this sphere was a lot bigger than Alusia, this tree must be huge – maybe a few miles wide.

Upon reaching the ‘village’ and asking around I discovered the name of the local religious deity was Valrin, which turned out to be the name of the Tree. There were more of them scattered around the planet but this one was the closest. Also, this flotilla of ships was a large floating town, the big one being the town centre. I enquired about maps but were told there weren’t any. No libraries either – really disappointing.

What was even more disappointing was the lack of stars in the sky. Even sweeping the sky with my spyglass/telescope did not reveal any more – no faint fuzzies either. No signs of any planets as well. Gravity was Alusia standard as was the length of the day. There was a moon, or two as it turned out.

Next morning, we headed out for the nearest boat and the whole flotilla moved out as one.

Session 2

It was going to be a week’s voyage so we spent the time (well in my case – not sure what the others were doing) studying the night sky – what there was of it, attempting to upgrade my planetarium item with more magical capabilities, (Sooty thinks I need to merge it with something else), swimming (good exercise), artistry, and generally just observing things to learn as much of this Plane as possible with deductive reasoning (Sooty thinks I’m being fanciful). Jaycey thought it would be funny to make be look like a woman for a while on one of those days. Not the first time that happened, and I only figured it out when I was getting ‘looks’ from most of the men (and a few women). Illusionists!

What I did see was there was quite a lot of fish under the boat, and we were being followed by a flock of large birds, unfortunately not close enough to determine their GTN. Available food was fruit, fish, pastries and tea – at least that was what I was having. All in all, it was a rather restful trip although I was still being troubled by the nature of reality, on this plane and on Alusia. I think Jaycey was at some point trying to tell me I should try rejecting that reality and substituting my own. Oh, if it was that easy.

On day 6 of the mission, being our 4th day at sea, Sooty (who was on watch) spotted a 4ft tall humanoid, coming out of the ocean and clambering aboard one of the neighbouring ships. Sooty sneakly water walked over to see what was going on. The GTN of the entity was ‘Aquatic Elf’ and the exchange went something like, “Have you found it yet?” “No, it’s probably further ..... wait what? Who are you?” “What are you looking for?” “A ring” “What’s does it do?” “It’s pretty”. Somehow Sooty convinced this adolescent elf that he was the Elven God of Thieves and presented him with this illusionary diamond (from Pierre) with strict instructions to keep it close or it would be stolen back. The would be thief left.

Day 7. It was raining. Jaycey decided to go out in it and came back soaking wet. Meanwhile I was asking questions about this place and was told ‘Trust in the Tree’. Sort of confirmed my theory that they treat these World Trees as deities.

Day 9. Arrived at the mega oak tree. GTN – Quercus. Aura Strength – Avatar. Our boat split from the flotilla and entered the mangrove swamp surrounding the Tree. Name of entity this is the Avatar for – No answer. State of Awareness – Dull. Mind you, we were DAing a rather sickly looking tree root at the time. As we entered, a gentle mist descended.

We stopped near a tree branch that dipped into the water and started walking up it. At one point we saw a line of gi-ant army ants marching in single file along another branch. For some reason, Captain Bubo handed me a well carved boat. Meanwhile Sooty was suggesting I start wielding a hand & one half sword. Not quite sure why. That night, we camped, lit a fire, and spotted a firelight several miles up the tree. Sooty made a portal and pushed me through it.

I came out next to that fire surrounded by guards. After explaining what had happened, I was told to ‘wait over there’ which I did until the others came through. Turned out we were right where we needed to be and we would meet our employer the next morning.

Day 10. The employer turned out to be a dwarf and we were now in a building fifteen miles up the tree, part of a base camp near the flying ship or A.C.A.T, - Arsenal Containment Automatic Transport. Also the most dangerous monster in the vicinity was a Woods Dragon.

The ACAT was 5000 years old, and this expedition to explore it was sponsored by Sir Gramin Grumb, Lord of the Vothloran Province. They told us that they had cleared the first floor and deck but had found a door they couldn’t get past without a key. While looking for the key, two more ACATS had been found nearby, filled with rather ‘horrible stuff’. They had recently found the key and instructed us to keep it on us at all times. The interior was scry shielded so they had no idea what was in there so, we were sent for. They want whatever documents we could find inside as some sort of highly explosive crystalline powder. Other things we might encounter were crates marked with a symbol of an obsidian eye, presumably objects of strange chaos. There was also a turquoise crystal which was the power source.

Once we were briefed, we had a look. So much for clearing the deck as between us and the door was at least a hundred beetles and goblins, spread across the 500ft long deck. Also the tree branch had grown around the ship.

Session 3

Between us and the ship was a forest of assorted types of trees that had taken hold on the branch. Jaycey and Pierre sent out their illusions to scout out which were met by fireballs and firebolts. Also a large horn and drums started sounding. A force of goblins then entered the trees to attack, some of them riding giant beetles. We could also hear rustling in the trees.

Sooty laid down a fog which restricted vision to twenty five feet. Some of us could see through it but I wasn’t one of them. A dart then bounced off my armour followed by a barrage of ‘falling stars’ which we were abled to avoid by moving. The dart had no magic on it but there was something odd about it. I remember thinking where did they get those ‘stars’ from but I quickly concluded there must be small particles floating in the void that are too small to be detected.

The restricted view did impede my responses but I did find some targets to fire rainbow bolts that although that provoked them into attacking me as well, which proves I really need to get better at defending myself.

It seemed quite a while but was really only ten minutes later that we killed or drove off the attacking force. The rest of the goblins on the deck evacuated. The way forward was now clear.

Session 4

We went down into the first level and inspected the fittings inside. Wasn’t really much to find here. Down a set of stairs then turned right into a chamber that had quite a few pillars holding the ceiling up and also some set up barricades. It looked to me like it had been set up as a crossfire killzone. A red carpet ran the length of the room and at the end is a stone block. Five statues lined each side of the room. Mana strength of statues: Formally Living. Main magic on the pillars: Suspension. Cause of petrification on the statues: No answer.

Jaycey announced that the red carpet was ‘cozy on her toezys’ as we advanced towards the blank. Stone, wall at the end. I had the basalt rod out as as I stepped onto the stone platform, the wall swirled and in elven, formed the words ‘Speak their names and enter’. Announcing the names of the party proved to be the wrong answer as the wall reset to it’s dormant state. Someone else was needed to have a go.

The statues also had labels on them. On one wall was ‘Margel the Warrior. (Margol Highron we later found out). In their names we serve. In their names we serve, in their names we die. In their names we die’. The other wall had Karl the Lord, In their names we serve. In their names we serve, in their names we die. In their names we die’. Jaycey stepped up, tried those two names and got the response ‘Beware the false’ and the wall returned to it’s solid form apart from a rune depicting the number 1. We got the impression we only had one more shot at this.

Someone then had a bright idea. “Power associated with Margel: Bollar. Power associated with Karl – Karl Franz, someone pointed out - :Fuge. The wall itself was then examined. Long lived sentient, Power associated with: Jakos. Pierre says those three names and the wall opens up and a strangely familiar voice says “Welcome be to you Pierre”. As we pass through Pierre remains standing on the stone platform on the other side. As he steps off, the wall closes up again.

On the other side was a long 25ft wide corridor stretching off as far as we could see with no immediate exits. Thirty feet further on we found a set of signs saying ‘Transport, Temporary Holding, Simple Armoury, Debriefing.

The door to the simple armoury was rather solid but Jaycey and Pierre was able to get it open. Inside were rows and rows of weapons we were familiar with. There were some gaps but we were able to find about 100 truesilver weapons which we looted.

The room labelled ‘Temporary Holding’ contained 15’ by 15’ cages/ A few of them had piles of ash inside. Formally living, no GTN, ashed two hours ago, caused by disintegration. Did we break some sort of time status? Elemental magic, Spell: Fiery Purge, Triggered by external command or escaping the cell. Plane of Origin: Ulder. Looking pack into the past revealed the occupant was a white masked person and there was a lot of shouting going on.

Debriefing was a large open room with a large table in the middle and plinths lining the walls. Sooty got an electric shock from the table top. He then managed to get a birds eye view of the battle we had been in to appear on the table top. Jaycey found woven bronze rolled up scrolls in an alcove in the side of the table but they would not unroll and we didn’t want to force them. Nature of Magic: Information. Illusionary cubbies in the plinths contained remnants of magical components.

It was getting late by now so we headed back out. As we exited the voice said ‘Glory to you Pierre’ and we recognised it as Bubo’s voice. We then returned to the expedition camp where we reported to the expedition leader, Gurbin the Dwarf.

Quotes

Sooty - I don't think there is a demon whose name begins with 'X'
Phaeton - Well .... if you think about it, technically, Liessa is my 'Ex'

Adolescent Aquatic Elf - Who are you oh strange God of Thieves?
Sooty - I am known as the Green Knight

Sooty - What's the most dangerous thing we can drop from a cloud?
Jaycey - You.

Mil-Sci

Daily pattern

‘’How much time does the party spend sleeping, eating, traveling, doing rituals, etc each day’’

Travel Magics

‘’What travel magic options does the party have, how far per cast/or per day if duration is longer than usual travel time.’’ ‘’Can the party eat/sleep/etc on the mode of transport.’’

Kerry- RK 7 Star or Shadow Wings, 4hrs at 37mph, or approx 145 miles. 5 targets in one cast, don't cut out in tight spaces, look like cloak when not in flight.
Flamis - Rk 12 Wildfires, 260min at 44mph, about 190.6 miles. Aura cast 25ft diameter.
Flamis - Fire Gate (needs a fire at both ends, burns 1 FT per 10 miles or part thereof).
Flamis - Fire Arc, 400ft, six entities.

Watch Order

Day Watch. ‘’Used when stationary, or on a larger transport such as a ship’’
First - ??
Second - ??
Third - ??

Night watch
First - Pierre, Phaeton
Second - Sooty, Kerry
Third - Jaycey, Flamis

Marching Order

Skirmish Formations (Front)
Double File Pierre, Jaycey Flamis, Phaeton Kerry, Sooty	Single File

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

• Morning & Evening spells may have a rank 15 Enhance on Duration, provided they are pulse cast.
  
• Kerry's Herbal tea restores 3 ft. She has an Item allows storage for later consumption.
  

Fatigue Costs

How much Fatigue each person starts the day down after casting / meals / etc.

• Jaycey:
• Kerry: none (get it back from a meal)
• Phaeton:
• Flamis: 34 (depending on buffs)
• Pierre:
• Sooty: 4 down.

Major Creations

• Phaeton - Partial Plate, True Silver, 8 Ft Protection.
• Kerry - Hand & 1/2, True Silver, +2 DM, - Extra magic maintained.
• Kerry - Ash Shroud
• Sooty - Ash Shroud
• Jaycey - Jousting Armour, True Silver, 11 Ft + Ash Shroud
• Pierre - Ash Shroud

Long duration buffs

Magic	Rk	Effects	Dur	Jaycey	Kerry	Phaeton	Flamis	Pierre	Sooty	?
Shadowform or corascade	15	32/16	8 / 15.5* hrs.	N	SF	Y	Y	N	N	?
Iron Shield	20	42% defence if shield prepared, 21% if no shield.	10.5 / 18* Hours	Y	-	Y	?	Y	N	?
Witchsight	12	see invis	6.5 / 12.5* Hours	N	Y	Y	N	N	Tal	?
Thermal Control	12	Reduce Fire/Heat/Cold/Ice damage by 4, adjust gauge by 4 towards 7.	13 / 25* Hours	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Tal	Y
Eleutherian Ward	15	+35% vs Restraint, Don't lose actions, negates up to 4 AG penalty.	8 / 15.5* Hours	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	sit
Primordial Armour	20	125 Magic ablative, after resistance, before other effects.	21 / 36* Hours.	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Strength of Stone	20	+20 ST and/or EN	21 / 36* Hours	EN	EN	EN	EN	EN/PS	EN	EN
Disguise Illusion (JC)	15	Change Height (by 15%) weight (30%) voice and clothing, gender or race or copy an Individual. May not be located by a lower rk spell	16 Hours / 12 days	Y	Y	Y	Y	YY	N	Y
Greater Heart Rune	8	Heals 7 EN when activated	9 days	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	?
Fireproofing (Fl)	11	Fireproofing	12 hours	Y	Y	?	Y	Y	?	?
Immolation (Fl)	12	+20 def plus 6 dam per pulse within 5ft	390 Mins	?	-	?	sit	?	?	?
Ice Traversal (Fl)	6	travel over ice and/or snow	140 Mins	sit	Sit	?	sit	?	?	?
Walking unseen	6	Walking unseen	7 Hours	sit	sit	Y	sit	Sit	Sit	?

Short duration buffs

Magic	Rk	Effects	Dur	Jaycey	Kerry	Phaeton	Flamis	Pierre	Sooty	?
Light or Dark sword	7	+8 SC +4dam vs opposite	12 Mins	?	Rapier Scabbard	?	?	?	?	?
Strength of Darkness	9	+6 strength	100 Mins	sit	Sit	?	Sit	N	Sit	?
Heroism (JC)	15	16% Def, 16 die modifier to fear checks, 16 bonus to reaction rolls	150 mins / 12 Days	Y	-	?	?	?	?	?
Willow Healing Rune	8	Heals 3 EN for 10 pulses if activated within 16 hours	Until used	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	?
Resistance to Light	20	42 MR v magical light	70 Mins	sit	Sit	?	sit	sit	?	?
Weapon of Radiance	15	+20 SC, +7 or +15 dam (versus creatures of cold or darkness, or against the Undead)	20 Mins	sit	H&1/2 Scabbard	?	Y	?	Sit (Spear)	?
Smokeform	6	Turn into smoke, 2TMR, pass through any opening not airtight	20 seconds	-	-	?	sit	?	?	?
Name ???	??	????	? Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?

Talents/Skills

Magic	Rk	Effects	Dur	Jaycey	Kerry	Phaeton	Flamis	Pierre	Sooty	?
Sixth Sense	N/A	Sense before discovery or triggering ward/trap. Caps at 90+Rank.	N/A	131% (98%)	N	?	126% (96%)	152% (99%)	131% (95%)	?
See in the dark range.	na	be it witchsight infravision etc.	na	75/150/210(EV)ft	250ft	160ft	120ft infravision (improved)	75/150/90(Infra)/210(EV)	250ft	?
Detect Trap	N/A	Various detect trap skills. Caps at 90+Rank.	N/A	105% (98%)	66%	?	?	127% (99%)	106% (95%)	?
Detect Ward	n/A	????	? Mins	?	?	?	?	152% (99%)	?	?
Scarper	??	????	? Mins	?	?	?	?	152% (99%)	?	?
Name ???	??	????	? Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Name ???	??	????	? Mins	?	?	?	?	?	?	?

Calendar

Winter
	Moonday		Duesday		W'ansday		Th'rsday		Frysday		Reapsday		Sunday
	Samhain
Frost (7)
			1	Guild Meeting	2	Ulder	3	Depart with Fleet	4		5		6
	7		8		9		10		11		12		13
	14		15		16		17		18		19		20
	21		22		23		24		25		26		27
	28		29		30
Snow (8)
							1		2		3		4
	5		6		7		8		9		10		11
	12		13		14		15	Solstice	16		17	The Duke of Carzala's Winter Ball	18	Yuletide
	19	Days of Chaos	20	DoC 2	21	DoC 3	22	DoC 4	23	DoC 5	24	DoC 6	25	DoC 7
	26	DoC 8	27	DoC 9	28	DoC 10	29	DoC 11	30	Twelfth Night
Ice (9)
											1		2
	3		4		5		6	First Plough	7		8		9
	10		11		12		13		14		15		16
	17		18		19		20		21		22		23
	24		25		26		27		28		29		30