A Series of Unfortunate Events

[Calebr]

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Everyone manages to reach the base of the crumbling tower safely. You run for the scraggly woods surrounding the tower. (I assume?) Behind you the sound of the once great repository of knowledge and learning yells out its final death calls. The destruction seems to move faster and faster and faster until, from your vantage point a little down the slope, nothing it let at all. There are not even stumps of the great thick base walls that you can see. You cannot tell from where you stand what happened to the area directly inside the walls.

Looking around at your companions you think "I have never seen a group of people more tired and battered in all my life" yet you feel your spirit lightened with the knowledge that that corrupt place is no more. The man most of you knew as Alendi your whole life is utterly changed. He shapeshifted into the preist in front of you all. Is he a Lycanthrope? A Changeling? You are not really sure what to think.

You may take a short rest and Level Up to Level 11

• Please update your character sheet in the Characters thread. I would appreciate if you could include your Basic Attacks in a seperate spoiler block.
• Jarnel, please include your combat superiority attack as well.

[Xphile]

OOC: Updated. Oh the OAs, how I <3 them. And reach of 3? *squee*

Jarnel will catch his breath against a tree and look around, attempting to see if anything else fled the tower and is looking to attack them. Right now survival is first on his mind, the mystery of Alendi will have to wait.

Jarnel, Perception : rolled 1d20+8: 23 :

Reference: Jarnel, Perception
You rolled 1d20+8: 23 | [ 15 ] 15+8

[davet]

The Knight of Ioun wretches a bit after their escape. As he heaves breaths he looks around at his new allies, and smiles a bit. As oxygen returns to his cells for a time, he relaxes a bit and brings his surroundings to his senses.
OOC: passive perception will do.

[Calebr]

As Markin catches his breath he looks towards where the tower used to be about 300-400 feet to the North-East. The waterfall continues to cascade off the cliff above. Since there is a lot more distance for the water to fall, a good deal of it turns to a heavy mist before hitting the ground. Off to the left of the falls is a gash or crack in the cliff wall that was seen by your group from the window on the second floor of the tower. A 30 foot steep slope of debris leads up to the cave. There are several figures standing in the entrance. One of them is HUGE, much bigger then Jarnel. You cannot tell what or who they are unless you get much closer.

[aaroni]

Alendi pulls his fiddle out and sends a soothing series of notes out, reinvigorating the group as everyone catches their breath.
Song of Rest - add +6 to healing surge
"So ... I can explain. But first maybe we should see what Jarnel managed to bring out of the tower in that bag."

Arcana to see if there is anything magical (malignant or otherwise) in the bag = 19
Reference: arcana

[Xphile]

HP: 91/91, 3/12 HS, Daily Power: Jackel Strike

Seeing that they don't seem to be in immediate danger (at least my perception check didn't say anything about it), Jarnel will set the bag down and let those who have knowledge of the magiks take a look.

[Thomo]

Whisper recovers her breath, keeping an eye on the forest where the creatures dissapeared to. (Passive Perception 20)

"We should find cover somewhere. Once everything settles down, those bastards might be back."

74/74 (1HS Spent).

[davet]

2 surges spent, 6/14 remain. Going with the Talaric Ironjack Paragon Path, yet more defense!
"We must remain alert."

[Calebr]

Arcana to see if there is anything magical (malignant or otherwise) in the bag = 19
Reference: arcana

Every single thing in the bag is somehow endowed with arcane energy. There is a lot more in the bag then it's size or weight would indicate. All of the items seem to be somehow related to fighting the terrors of the Far Realm or preventing harm from those creatures depraved hungers. You doubt that the Stormcrows brought all these things to the tower. They must have been found or gathered from within the decaying tower. Maybe Volarn and his acolytes collected these items for a future assault on the Far Realm that they were unable to mount?

Handy Haversack

Handy Haversack contents :

Tower Rewards:

1 - Harmonious Harp - Lvl 9
1 - Armor set: choose 1 of the 4 below

Nightmare Ward ( Leather/Hide) - Lvl 13
Ectoplasmic (Leather/HIde) - Lvl 14
Scintillating (Cloth) - Lvl 18
Illithid Robes (Cloth) - Lvl 15
1 - Phrenic (Chain/Scale) - Lvl 14
1 - Elixer of Will Lvl 18
1 - Weapon: Choose 1 of the 3 below

Thoughtspike Weapon - Lvl 15
Githyanki Silvered Weapon - Lvl 14
Bolstering Weapon - Lvl 13
1 - Headband of Intellect - Lvl 10
1 - Psychic's Ring - lvl 12

Alternante Rewards :

2- Closed Mind alternate reward - Lvl 13

(Any 2 PCs, not Whisper)

1 - Reflexive Psychic Shroud alternante reward - Lvl 17

(Whisper)

Klaus's Longsword :

Flame Tongue Weapon - Lvl 15 (any heavy blade or light blade)

[aaroni]

"An interesting collection of items, although it does not seem that the Tear is among them. Markin, I think that you might make best use of many of these items. But perhaps you could share the rest of your story with us first? How and why Diedre sent you and how you found us?"

OOC - How close to where we left Vayneer and the half-orcs are we?

[Calebr]

You are fairly close to the place where Vayneer and his rangers left you. The exact spot is further down the rise to the south. It is just inside the first substantial tree line.

[davet]

The Iounic Knight stands battered before the Jackals and looks to answer Alendi, "Diedre and her Temple are a stop on my circuit through the area. I travel in the name of Ioun not as a cleric but a disciple of knowledge and understanding. My training is based on the powers of the mind, my teachers also of the Iounic order. Traditional divinity, whilst long the normal outlet for Ioun's graces, is becoming just a part of the whole within my Church. My path has long been that of the Talaric Ironjack, a path that seeks to preserve our realm from the ever-reaching forces of the Far Realm.
If you would have me, I'd stay with your group and find the key to this Chaos Machine. Diedre knew surprisingly little of the abberrant forces at work, and as always I seek to find answers and spread knowledge."
The devotee hospitalier shoulders his shield and waits for an answer.

OOC: in fairness, I'll take whatever you guys think Markin should have. The augmentables are certainly appealing, but everyone should get some awesomeness.

[aaroni]

After a quick glance around for confirmation, Alendi pulls two items out of the Handy Haversack and tosses it to Markin. "I think that we would all welcome your assistance, especially if you have knowledge of the Talaric Codex; the bits of legend that I know of are sparse and unreliable."
Alendi turns to look back at the tower. "When you first found us, you said that you might have an idea of what happened to our friend Talos. Any illumination you could shed on his death would also be welcomed."

[davet]

"I can't know for sure, but I think he was transmuted in the same way as the Stormcrows, just more rapidly."

[Thomo]

"What do you mean transmuted? Transmuted into what? Is he going to be one of these crazy wandering monsters?" Whisper will ask, a look of revulsion and loathing crossing her delicate features.

As she talks she looks through the items and plucks out a small ring, slipping it on to the fingers on her left hand.

[davet]

"Look at how the Stormcrows were mutated by the power of the Tear powered engine. Each became an abberation of themselves in some way. A function of their power became the focus of the mutation. Talos had such immense lightning power... I think if I were to mutate fully, I'd likely become a big lumbering rock or piece of metal."

[aaroni]

"So you think Talos actually became the lightning ... like an elemental. Interesting." A quick shake of his pulls the halfling back to the present. "Regardless, a moment in remembrance would be fitting."

After a moment of silence spent staring at the former remains of the tower, Alendi mutters a quick prayer under his breath before turning back to face the rest of the party.

"Well, should we attempt to find those who escaped the tower in hopes of learning more before returning empty-handed? It could be our half-orc friends will help us track them down. If nothing else, it would be polite of us to warn them of the new threats running through their forest."

[Thomo]

"They have our horses, too. Lets go find them."

[Xphile]

Jarnel silently agrees with the party and picks up his pack, "Let us go then." He'll take point and start leading the group to where they believe the half-orcs are, looking for tracks along the way

Jarnel, Nature: rolled 1d20+10: 27 :

Reference: Jarnel, Nature
You rolled 1d20+10: 27 | [ 17 ] 17+10

[davet]

Markin offers a prayer to Ioun and takes up just behind Jarnel, scanning for danger.

Perception +19: rolled 1d20+19: 29 :

Reference: Perception +19
You rolled 1d20+19: 29 | [ 10 ] 10+19

[Thomo]

Whisper will move with them, showing them where to step and trying to get the party to move quietly.

Stealth: rolled 1d20+21: 28 :

Reference: Stealth
You rolled 1d20+21: 28 | [ 7 ] 7+21

[Calebr]

You set out using all the woodcraft you can muster to keep silent and cover your tracks. You quickly reach the place that Vayneer and his band left your company. Seeing no one you continue to retrace your steps as best you can. Shortly birds begin chirping and the woods seem full of healthy life once again.

To the left a conspicuous bird call rings out, then more all around you. You realize that you were spotted when you heard the first birds. Whisper has great expertise in sneaking but she can only help you all so much, especially when faced with such capable trackers as Vayneer's band.

The grey skinned men melt out of the woods all around you. They stand, weapons ready, distrust in their eyes. "You have made it out alive I see. says Vayneer. "You brought the tower down as well, and for at least the we are grateful. But you also released many terrible creatures in to out home. We will be dealing with them for months and will lose brave men in the doing." The man looks heavily disappointed.

[Thomo]

"Actually, that's why we are here. We were hoping we could rest a while with you here before we go out hunting. We would see this scourge destroyed, and intend to see it through. There are many dangerous creatures that have been warped by the towers presence, and some more so than others. We intend to find them and finish them, hopefully restoring peace to this twisted land."

Whisper bows respectfully to the hunter. She will also give a description of the surviving Stormcrows and the very form instructions that they are not to be approached and are extremely deadly. Should the hunters come across them, the best option would be to call the party.
"And how are the horses?"

[Calebr]

"Yer horses are just fine. They are bit spooked right now from the sounds of the dying tower but they'll be alright. I like your idea my lady, I was hoping you all were as honorable as we thought. I just have a few questions. Who is the armored one, and where is the little spiky haired one?" (he would ask about Alendi but I think Alendi is in Halfling form right now)

<<Assuming that you tell Vayneer the same story Markin already told no response is needed.>>

"We are not ones for open battle. We would slowly take them when the beasts were far enough apart. Do you have a different plan?"

[Thomo]

"Find them. Kill them. Of course, we'll need to work out the finer details, but that's the general gist of it. Attacking them from a distance, and singularly, will most likely be the safest bet. With your help, we shuold be able to deal with the more dangerous beasts, especially if you could aid us in the tracking of them. However, that is something we can discuss between us."