Session 26: The Smiting of Tiamut

[Agnati]

So the Helious Verum just defeated/banished Tiamet, the Queen of all evil dragons, in what appears to have been a carefully orchestrated ambush under the guise of going to the Colos Anguis Temple (30 miles NE) to put a stop to Karakul's evil plot.... The scary part is that we don't know if it was US getting ambushed or Tiamet getting ambushed since the puppeteer disappeared after introducing the two puppets to each other! IF Vecna's plan was to have us defeat Tiamet... he may have his sights on an even higher goal. Just a possibility.

So... Rickul suggests we meet with the leaders of all five families, Mayor Heorud Fanblade, Constable Tosig Manders, & Magistrate Torbu Invercaster to discuss the recent happenings. We need to know if their former Torphin Inverung was invented by Vecana all along or if he was real (and hopefully still alive) and can be found and provide us with any information on Vecana possible. Who was Torphin, who was Karakul and what was his role in Kenewald, & why did Torphin/Vecna levitate into the air while chanting as he summoned Tiamet??

Torphin Inverung
He said he was of the Order of Neparius Captuu, a legit order dedicated to the slaying of dragons throughout the realms (DM confirmed that he meant the order was responsible for the Drugenfell swords that Tungsten carries, not the Tarak blades). IF no one in Kenewald can help us with information, perhaps the Order can, if we can find someone with contacts swiftly.
The location of Tiamut's conjuring was called Colos Anguis Temple. Any history, lore, or legend surrounding this place may prove useful if we are to find a way of luring (or forcing) Vecna back here.
Torphin/Vecna had the Galdaneth and spoke the words “Mundo lucem evocant regina draconum. Audi, o fortissimi Tiamet obsecro te modo”, as he was elevated above the flaming conjuring pit. Again, why did he elevate as he chanted?

We want to end his reign of terror on our plane of existence, not his, which would mean certain death and possible apocalyptic outcomes for the rest of the world... and time is seriously of the essence. Rickul highly suggests each of his comrades participate in the search as we may not get another chance at this. (in more ways than one)

[Rhourk]

Levitating while chanting a planar summons is like #3 in the official ways for Villians or Heroes to look badass right behind sticking a three point landing after an explosion and just before catching a projectile while looking the other direction.

[Johnny Champion]

DM: There has been useful information added to the Google Site.

Locations: Not only is this tool informative, there is new category called 'Order'. One will find information on a range of Orders (both of the PCs) and others. One in specific is the Unterkells. It gives information to refresh memory of the history of Vecna as your PCs know it. Rangers of Nouveau, Knights of the Laurel and Oberdon Pontus Ferran, are all described on the tab. I can't convince you more strongly to review this Sheet. I know it would have been more useful earlier in the campaign but we are just beginning...

NPCs: Also a very functional SHEET. If you have an NPC name you remember, type it in. I will search for information and enter it. I reviewed most of my notes but other NPCs are out there.

Herbs: Would love ideas for this. There are 187 different herbs described. This is done primarily for 3 reasons: 1) To give rangers and druids more outdoor roles to play 2) Provide a background/ingredient for potions and magical components 3) Provide another source of treasure and wealth as opposed to gp. Give it a look.

Potions: There are 150+ fully described Potions provided, with effects, stats, descriptions, necessary components, cost, etc. This is a good resource rather than a DM rattleling off stats and players having to record.

Obviously the other areas TREASURE and Magic Weapon stuff has been used.

[Agnati]

Levitating while chanting a planar summons is like #3 in the official ways for Villians or Heroes to look badass right behind sticking a three point landing after an explosion and just before catching a projectile while looking the other direction.

Didn't they make a song about that sort of thing??

[Johnny Champion]

Rickul: suggests we meet with the leaders of all five families, Mayor Heorud Fanblade, Constable Tosig Manders, & Magistrate Torbu to discuss the recent happenings. We need to know if their former Torphin Inverung was invented by Vecana all along or if he was real (and hopefully still alive) and can be found and provide us with any information on Vecna possible. Who was Torphin, who was Karakul and what was his role in Kenewald, & why did Torphin/Vecna levitate into the air while chanting as he summoned Tiamat??

DM: Agreeing to this request, Prelate Farman Bradborough of the Temple of Malazar has arranged the meeting. All of the leading families as well as the Magistrate and Mayor will be attendance. The magistrate has information on this strange image of a person whom Vecna was disguised; it seems that this Torphin Inverung had visited the area almost 10 years ago. It was recorded in the City Journal. His description in the journal seems to coincide with the vision of the man you met. There has been a search through magical means to locate this individual.

Torphin, being of the Order of Neparius Captuu, states Torbu, will be located and conveyed to Kenewald post haste.

Meeting Attendees:

Prelate Bradborough, of the Temple of Malazar
Mayor Fanblade (Noble Family 1 and Mayor)
Magistrate Torbu
Tosig Manders (Noble Family 2 and Constable)

Other Nobles:
Urn Hamath
Geoff Wisyms
Pierre Folke

[Johnny Champion]

Magic Guild Master Vairgild Bethra, of the Yellow Staff, enters the meeting unannounced. He introduces himself to the esteemed guests as well as the party.

Master Bethra: "I have been in contact with Order Master of Captuu. He has informed me that Torphin, a captain of the Order, will request the quardrels of the Yellow Staff and will depart post haste. We have accepted and provided him what he has requested. He shall arrive in short order. At which time I shall escort him to this meeting."

Bethra bows and departs.

After an hour of discussions, a knock is heard at the door. A imposing figure enters and is clearly recognizable to the party. At first, Tungsten’s instincts are to reach for his sword, but soon True Sight has been cast in the room. It is clearly the Captain of the Order of Neparius Captuu.

Torphin

Torphin Inverung

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He bows and in a stately voice states:

Torphin: “I am Torphin Inverung, it seems that I owe you honor for your destruction of the Queen of Dragons here on Azur. But I am afraid there are more sinister motives involved in that battle my friends. May I sit?”[/color]

[Tungsten]

I don't like the sound of something "MORE sinister" than Tiamut!!!!!

[Tungsten]

All the Potions cost 48,500. Do we just want to divide the cost evenly? 6,063GP each BTW (I rounded up). Obviously everyone gets one Rejuvenation Potion each, but how do we want to divvy up the rest???

Potion of Aphrodite (Beauty) (5,000gp)
Potion of Gianticus Duratus (Frost Giant Control) (7,500gp)
Elixir of Path Discovery (1,500gp)
Dispel Magic (1,000gp)
Disguise Self (2,500gp)
Gaze of Fear (1,500gp)
Identify Item (500gp)
Invulnerability to Cold (2,500gp)
Invulnerability to Magic (8,000gp)
Mind Control (10,000gp)
Stone to Flesh (500gp)

Faelwen and Tungsten wouldn't mind visiting Lady Mirodor's "Back Room" if she has anymore interesting items to sell. If she does not, Faelwen asks her if there are any other stores in the city of Kenewald (or its surroundings) that buy or sell powerful magical items.

[Johnny Champion]

Lady Mirrador is sad to inform you she does not have the quantity of Potions that you have requested.

See the UNDERLINED for the amount she has available: (She is sorry for the late notice)

1 Potion of Gianticus Duratus (Frost Giant Control) (Same CHA challenge for 1d4 rounds of control like the water ele control?)
1 Elixir of Path Discovery (description?)
5 Dispel Magic
1 Disguise Self (duration?)
2 Gaze of Fear (description?)
2 Identify Item
2 Invulnerability to Cold (description/duration?)
1 Invulnerability to Magic (description/duration?)
1 Mind Control (description?)
2 Stone to Flesh


She only has

[Rhourk]

Kaleb pushes back his chair and stands. He fills his cup with wine and steps back from the table, "take seat and drink from my cup Brother, for I sense that you have a tale to tell".

[Johnny Champion]

Torphin: “My colleagues of all that is good; and I am humbled before a Knight of Oberdon and his righteous comrades…where to begin…
As you know, Neparius Captuu is bound to neutralize the presence of dragonkind. Our numbers have been diminished but our mission has not. We were instituted during the 2nd Dragon Age, when their numbers and voracity new no limit. This was an age of necessity, and we drew upon the greatest in knightly tradition. I have been honored to serve as Captain of the Order of Captuu.

However, as I wandered the lands of Azur and searched for my prey, I came across another Order and an enemy that I once thought banished from the Realm. This is Colos Anguis. The name kept surfacing in towns and cities that I traveled and rumors of their nefarious deeds and those of the masters they serve. I soon tracked a dragon-born cleric named Karakul, and through means that only my order can describe, I was able to extract information from him. What I thought was a renewed attempt to use the coming Cycle of the Second Sun to bring forth a brooding host of the enemy, was indeed something quite surprising.”

[Agnati]

For the sake of being cautious, Rickul finds a wall to lean on nearby or a column to prop against while holding his bow, Plator, with both hands so he can use it's "Sense Motive" ability on all attendees without drawing attention to himself. While he doubts Torphin had anything to do with the deception & ambush, he's leery of the powerful in Kenewald. Perhaps needlessly, but only time will tell.

[Rhourk]

Rikul notices Nihil on the opposite side of the room, also removed from the general gathering, quietly observing.

[Johnny Champion]

Torphin: "Six months ago, during my journey to the southern coast and the ports of the Priedor Sea, after the slaying of Gorgonathet, I first encountered Karakul. I lost the trail for this creature at first as I moved on to other pressing issues. When I renewed the hunt, I located him in an abandoned cave, destitute; and I captured him without struggle. This high priest of Tiamat, once a menacing servant to the Dragon Queen, seemed to become an empty shell and a shadow of his once bravado persona. Upon his capture and further questioning I determined much of his life essence had been removed and the power he once had was lost.

However, he cried out at times, saying:

"The Fallen Angel, he came to me, he comes for my Queen!"

He then revealed to me something else; a map and an image of a sacred stone.

An enemy once, this Karakul, grabbed my arm and said:

"Goodly knight, a foe you are and powerful, but an enemy greater comes soon. He will call her to her peril as she is unaware of the danger she faces. Can an enemy of your enemy be your allie? You know the answer; pray to your foolish god and seek this answer but heed what I say. He is not!"

Karakul continued: "At first, this Fallen Angel appeared as a friend of Tiamat and spoke in a language of old. He dictated to me as I wrote a message to a wizard in Caldaera. I know not his name."...after more nonsense from this abomination Karakul...he said that he felt his energy depleting. Then with no energy to resist, the true form of this angel appeared to Karakul, and told him his plans to lure Tiamat from her lair, to have her destroyed in ambush, and then to take her place among the gods of the Shadowfell. With this despair he said, he fell into a deep nightmarish sleep..then when he awoke, the angel was gone. I found him in this state.

Taking this information, I sought out The Oracle of Windenhall. She instructed me that the image represented the Galdaneth, a powerful Mizaret of ancient might. And with her help, the map was understood with magic bold, to be the location of the Temple of Colos Anguis. She also identified this Fallen Angel as Vecna, the First of Nerull,whom needs no introduction. I quickly left Windenhall and journeyed past Kenewald and to the site shown on the map. It is there that a blinding image of a winged angel appeared above me.”

Vecna, The Fallen

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[Tungsten]

Faelwen asks Karakul if he would remember the name of the Wizard he wrote to in Caldera if he heard his or her name again. Regardless of his answer, she begins to name all the Wizards in Caldera. She starts by naming herself and then the Wizards closest to her (Mentors and associates) and then expands to all the Wizards she has heard of Good, Evil and Neutral.

[Agnati]

Rickul recalls how much effort Vecna put into leaving us stranded in lands far far away so many months ago, but very much alive but much too weak to defeat one such as Tiamet, and wonders if he's been planning and preparing for this charade down here since then.

[Johnny Champion]

For the sake of being cautious, Rickul finds a wall to lean on nearby or a column to prop against while holding his bow, Plator, with both hands so he can use it's "Sense Motive" ability on all attendees without drawing attention to himself. While he doubts Torphin had anything to do with the deception & ambush, he's leery of the powerful in Kenewald. Perhaps needlessly, but only time will tell.

DM: You do not sense an evil intent or motive.

[Johnny Champion]

Faelwen asks Karakul if he would remember the name of the Wizard he wrote to in Caldera if he heard his or her name again. Regardless of his answer, she begins to name all the Wizards in Caldera. She starts by naming herself and then the Wizards closest to her (Mentors and associates) and then expands to all the Wizards she has heard of Good, Evil and Neutral.

DM: Well, Karakul is not there, as he is most likely captive in the prisons of Captuu. What you are hearing is the reflection of what Karakul said as remembered by Torphin as he tells you his story. If I wrote better, this would be self-evident!

However, when you asked this question to Torphin, he states that he indeed pressed Karakul hard for this information. Karakul finally mentioned a fragment of a name 'Piter'

[Johnny Champion]

Torphin: “I quickly drew my blade but was immobilized. Vecna was before me in his diabolical brilliance. I was then forced to listen to his narcissistic monologue in that insidious baritone voice of his; Vecna told me what a useful tool I will become and how I will help him realize his dreadful purpose. He then descended upon me, touching my forehead was his hand and within moments his visage changed. It became clear that he transformed instantly into my person, as if he was a Doppelganger. But there was more; he then started talking in my voice, reciting memories and stories of my past as if cataloging my life. He not only took my bodily form, but also was able to access my memories and history. He then materialized weapons, armor and clothes that matched mine. After laughing, he suggested that I should witness the death of my arch enemy; that this would be fitting my important role and that this would be the least he can do for my service to the Lord of Shadowfell, Vecna the Fallen. With that he transported me into what I suppose was the Temple itself…it is from there that I witnessed your attack on Tiamat from above.

Several weeks passed, I finally had enough strength to venture out of the temple and into the lands of Gliftholm, and the valley of the dwarves. It is there that I was tended by these hardened folk, contacted by my Order and soon arrived in your presence.”

[Rhourk]

Nihil, "I suppose I feel better knowing we were the weapon rather than the mark. But not much."