Anastasia Torell
Powerful enchantment mage, can't understand why people don't like to be mind-fucked.
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The Land Down Under
22 January 2020
Dear Diary
I'll be honest - at first I was not totally convinced about this Olga person. She seemed overly upset when I was searching for answers in her dead friend's pockets. But after watching her jump head-first down a hole into what could only be described as a hopeless fight, screaming and carrying on, I realised something.
She reminds me a lot of Cromren.
Of course, we all immediately followed her down. In the cavern below, dwarves fought over half a dozen mindflayers around a giant brain in a jar, bulging tentacles pressed up against the glass around it. It seems that we encounter more brains in jars these days than brains in the normal fashion.
I immediately cast Calm Emotions, as my friends leapt into the fray. Cromren and Ignis began hacking into enemies, with Brax playing support.
Zyor was instantly stunned and remained so for the duration. He is an unfortunately obvious target sometimes, what with being a giant armoured elephant.
Ignis and Wynra worked together to extract the Khyber Chrystal from the Mindflayer head statue above the floating brain.
The other mage [...], managed to take down the barrier encasing the brain which protected it and us. However, the brain plane shifted before we managed to kill it. Instead, we finished off the other mindflayers and slaves. Unfortunately, we were not fast enough to save the Chieftan of their clan - a loss which I think was greater than any of them let on. Olga told us that they would elect a new chief now, and gifted me a set of magical pipes which they call "Nightcallers".
We agreed that the Duregar would work to collapse the cave system entirely once we were gone - at least that would displace the brain, should it ever choose to return.
We parted ways for now, and though it was a bittersweet ending, I suspect that we will see Olga and the clan again some day. They will probably return to Dirkshire and join the colony there for now.
We found some mysterious worm-tadpole-like creatures swimming in the pool in the brain's chambers. Ignis and I believe they may be spawn of the mindflayers. So, naturally, we bottle one up and kill the remainder.
Further on, we find a room with yet more brains floating in jars. I'm beginning to consider whether my own skull is simply a popular extra. We believe this may be the brain library, where the common knowledge of the group was stored and accessed. I think Zyor may have been a little upset by missing out on the entire fight, as he immediately cast Shatter on the room. The others admonished him for risking a cave-in and I pretended that the idea hadn't occurred to me also.
Dear Diary, Cromren has become a father! Or, a botanist? I'm not certain, however, the mychanid spawn that he has been carrying around does seem to have finally hatched. I am considering taking a small sample of its spores if I get a chance.
We met back up with Rasharoo, who led us to Gloomstock once again. It seemed, however, that the conflict was not over there either, and we walked around the city, rather than entering.
We arrived back in the city, and set about tidying our business. Ignis and I made to visit Tragram at the Morgrave University. It seemed, however, that he was still on his trip. He was going to Awning for a particular book he said was vital for his research.
I left him a quick, 10-minute message that would announce itself on his return and began to exit the university. That is when Braxx met up with us and told us some horrible, illogical news. We were being hunted by the local guards - in fact, Braxx upon his return to the Inn, had almost been arrested! We ran through the streets, following his lead into the Topaz District, to a place we had never been together - the Inn of Many Faces.
The Innkeeper recognised Braxx and took us immediately to the back, where we passed through a series of secret doors. There, we were met by a young elven man sitting behind a table. He said his name was Ardos and that he and Braxx knew each other from "way back". Of course, if he is anything like Braxx there is no way to tell the truth of that statement.
Braxx explained that we were wanted for the kidnapping of Tragram and the thievery of the Kyber Chrystal. Of course, I immediately made contact with Tragram to ascertain whether he was alive and all right, and he responded, though as if through a barrier or resisting a spell.
Now we are more confused than ever - who would make up these lies? And why?
And most pressing at the moment - who is Braxx and what are we really hiding from?
Downgloin Part 2 - The Medusa
27 November 2019
We started our journey in Downgloin - the mysterious forgotten city. The lower half of the city seems flooded by a magical liquid, which has preserved the buildings pristinely, as though trapped in time. The upper half that is not covered has aged as normal - although clearly this whole city has not been touched in recent memory.
That is, other than by Aluxius - a mage of the Syndicate, as it once was, who has left a trail of modified bodies and arcane experimentation in his wake.
Lovely, I’m so excited to meet him.
As we stood overlooking the city, we realised that this was the other place to which the portal in Safehaven might have taken [female mage]. It begins to grow in our minds that perhaps she was not lying - perhaps she was working with Aluxius himself and he is not so innocent of the horrible human experimentation that we witnessed happen to Cobra.
We walk through the upper half of the city - using bridges which run from building to building. The water (?) lies below us. We discover that it, when provoked, may try to pull you in. Everywhere there are statues of people, made entirely of glass.
Cromren tells us that there is something else beneath the water - a giant, squid-like creature with clockwork aspects - similar to Sphynxy-boy. At first we do not notice, but it soon becomes obvious that nothing in this city is as it seems.
We head towards the tallest building - a massive spire like a cathedral, with gargoyles of glass arranged around its roof. Looking down from the holes in the roof, a set of shackles lie broken and empty in the centre of the cathedral.
Always a good sign.
Myself and Zyor sensibly choose to remain up on the roof (although of course - I could have gotten down if I wanted to!). Wynra flies, of course, taking Ignis, and Brax uses the immovable rod to lower himself. What a fascinating device.
Cromren, of course, chooses the most … direct route.
Inside the cathedral, forgotten, trapped, and driven mad, is a Medusa - though, she is no longer alive. While I have studied such creatures in theory, I cannot say that I have ever heard of one who could make its victims turn to glass, as this one does.
The party takes different routes to fight the Medusa without looking at her. Wynra appears to attempt to intimidate her with a long series of strikes that never hit, Brax is immediately petrified, Zyor summons a griffin - magnificent - which also quickly becomes petrified.
Cromren, ever brave in the face of danger, jumps straight from the roof into the chamber, blesses the party with his magic, and then, looking the medusa straight in the eyes, cuts her down with his holy weapon.
You can’t argue with results.
We leave the cathedral, with a few new spell scrolls.
It appears that the Medusa was once the worshipped deity of this city, however, when it died, she did not, and became an undead.
Zyor takes her body and drops it gently off the bridge to the next tower. Helpfully, this attracs the mechanical Kraken, and all but Cromren are able to get out of the way of its giant tenticles. Ignis, however, much adapted to these types of scenarios, is able to rush out and grab him, pulling him back into safety.
We continue on through the bridges, Ignis creating a map of the city which will help us search for Aluxis. Deep in the ooze below the waterline, we notice spheres of air, with lights, scattered throughout the city - some other phenomenon borne of this strange city’s existence - or a sign of Aluxis’ tampering?
We learn that although the Kraken can definitely sense when someone touches the ooze, it can also follow the vibrations of our footsteps as we walk. It follows our every move.
Finally, we reach a mayan pyramid-type structure, which contains a coffin suspended by chains above the ooze. Tubes like the ones attached to the brains run in and out of it, into the ooze below.
Inside the coffin is the body of a high priest Kenku, who speaks into our minds. It is clear that he is unaware of the nature of his existence. It saddens me, to see lives so used and destroyed. What suffering Aluxis has brought to the world.
We fought with the kraken as we set about destroying the coffin. For the duration, the kenku was crying into our minds. But in the end, we defeated them.
Finding Haven
19 October 2019
We have been travelling through this wretched marshland for days. Beatrice Bobbins, our handy halfling guide, is helping us to navigate, though judging by how slow we are going so far, she isn’t very good.
We are looking for the missing people, including Beatrice’s master. We heard that they have all been leaving, looking for a “safe haven”, to escape the guilds who want to recruit them.
Beatrice is directing us towards a valley, which, from her maps appears seemingly empty - that’s where she believes that this “Safe Haven” is.
If she’s wrong about this I’ll empty my mud-logged boots onto her pillow when she’s asleep.
Zyor has been leading our party, helping Beatrice to navigate. It’s hard going. Earlier, we were attacked by 4 flying creatures that appeared to have followed us from town. They were chameleon-like, necromatic creatures, one humanoid and the rest undead bird-type creatures.
Cromren demonstrated a new ability - channelling the power of the moon in a cylindrical beam from the sky. Very impressive. He must have conjured up some image of that spell during the days he was high on [drug].
Wynra made quick work of one of the assailants, but then took acid damage and went down. One of the creatures unfortunately escaped while Cromren got Wynra back to health. It appears they were Symmic Combine mutants - we will no doubt be encountering more.
We continued Westward and happened upon a crazy bald man who claimed to be living in the swamp. He was paddling a boat around. Very odd. He claimed to have seen travellers, recently 2 - one tall one (could it have been Cobra?) and a shorter creature, about my size.
Finally, we made it out of the marsh and into the open plains. There is a great mountain in the distance - perhaps something to explore further. Beatrice believes it is an abandoned monastery.
We set up camp just outside the valley and sent Wynra in to investigate, with magical aide to avoid detection, of course. Unfortunately, it was not long before he returned, flying back to us, completely visible. He said that there was indeed something hidden in the valley - an invisible, walled city.
We knew that we did not have long. We got our story straight - Brax is incredibly good at thinking of these things on the fly. The others all got cool alter-egos but I just have to be myself because I’m the one with the cursed dragon-mark.
The guards soon came upon us. They were accompanied by a woman, not dressed as a guard.
With Brax’s help, we explained to the guards our backstory, and they agreed to accompany us into the town they call Safehaven.
The town itself, once we came through the veil of invisibility, is not large, but walled. In the perimiter lies farmland and farmers.
When we passed through this barrier, I saw a strange look on Zyor’s face. I went to cast ‘message’ to ask him what had happened. But.. there was nothing there. It is like I have lost a limb - worse. Since I was a child, I have always been magically gifted, even with the natural magic from my dragon mark. But now…. What am I?
The gates of the town were held by chains and some sort of mechanical mechanism. I wonder who invents the machines here where there is no magic… no Izzet League.
They explain to us the 5 rules of Safehaven:
Do not leave
Contribute to welfare
Do not harm
Defend these lands
Perform no magic
Great.
It seems that some of the Seekers - people who go out in search of new residents of Safehaven - can use magic, but do this only outside city bounds.
Beatrice Bobbins asked after her master “Annaxia Zefries”, but it seems that he has not been seen here.
We learn that the town was built by Ershin Rendell - a gnome and former wild mage, who, drawn by the evil powers he possessed, was driven to create a safehome.
The captain, Jeramiah, showed us to our camp quarters - the halfway house for newcomers. He seemed very interested in Zyor.
Cobra was inside our lodgings - we were so happy to have easily found our quarry! But he did not seem unhappy. He missed Lee and Nar, but he seemed content with his life here.
When Cobra had gone, we convened as a group. Suddenly, something fantastic happened - my magic returned in a sudden, unexpected rush. The barriers, wherever they were, had glitched! It only lasted a moment, but that moment gave me intense hope.
The group split up - Cromren and I went to the Church of Balderei, which had a giant tree poking out the top. Keeper Shanx told us that the Church had not been as popular lately, but that we were welcome to go inside the closed but not locked doors.
Inside, the Head Priest did not seem to welcome us into the Cathedral. He glanced back at something behind the altar - to be investigated later - and walked us out.
It seems that this city has a lot to hide. Luckily, we will have plenty of time to investigate. There is no leaving this place, after all, until we can figure out how to take it down completely from the inside.
The Truth about Lord and Lady Prista
28 October 2019
Dear Mother
Well. I hope you’re happy.
Today was another wonderful adventure with my fabulous friendship group of misfits. Their individual quirks and mannerisms are certainly a curiosity and I keenly anticipate their further observation and study.
That is, unless you and Father want me back in the Capital.
No matter, I am certain I will prove myself.
Just last night, we found ourselves within an ancient, historical crypt with the remains of Lord and Lady Prista and their travelling knights. Unfortunately it seemed that none of them took too well to … well… death. The King and two of his knights awaited us in a chamber locked by a mechanical puzzle which responded to a sequence of pressure points applied consecutively.
No guesses who figured the sequence out first, mummy.
However, I must admit it was my companion Brax, the Ozhov Syndicate character, who was quick enough to shut the door immediately upon opening, thus granting us a much-needed rest.
So it was not until this morning that we reopened the chamber and confronted the necromantic horrors within.
First, we attempted to pull one of the knights through the door. His full plate armour, however, did not save him from the dissolution of his physical matter upon his exit from the chamber - I suspect that such a reaction was caused by exiting the parameter of effectivity within which the spell was efficacious.
On our next attempt we used dear Ares to complete the pattern while the rest of us prepared ourselves. Ignis manned the door opening (he’s from the Borris legion you know - there are some advantages to this cross-guild collaborative nonsense).
Acting as a team, we managed to dispense with all the undead rif-raf with only Cromren briefly suffering from a spell of unconsciousness.
Underneath the crypt we found the individual tombs, both disturbed, of Lord and Lady Prista. The mural told the tale of the jungle around Prista alight with swathes of angry red fire as the peasants rose up to kill the Lord and Lady and their 3 remaining faithful knights. Above Lady Prista’s crypt was inscribed the following (in its original Elvish - I know you would not wish to lose the nuances Maman
If you made it this far, you now know the truth or already knew it, that Lord and Lady Prista sought necromantic magic to attain eternal life. Their remains are now protected by magical safeguards to prevent them from rising and so that they can be remembered for what they were, rather than what they became.
Inside the crypt we also found a curious bag with animal embroidery. Inside the orb was a small fuzzy sphere. I will relay more on this object later but I have inserted a sketch at the back of this letter as a record and for your reference.
We returned to the front of the Tomb and there encountered another magical item! It was an immovable rod! Can you believe it? One of my most fascinating and exciting discoveries yet. Luckily, Brax is holding on to it for me. He is a dear.
We returned to Prista and to the fort where we were met by lady Seyador Fray, who seems to be the source of true power here. It is so unfortunate when power falls from the hands of those placed in office, but I am afraid that that is the frightful incompetence of some of the aristocracy.
We collected the bounties for our efforts. While not exactly lucrative, this travelling adventurer business does not seem to be wholly without its rewards.
Outside the Fort while investigating the bag, Cromren made the excellent discovery that it in fact contained balls which produced animals, of seemingly random description. On this occasion, it produced a Giant Badger and two Giant Elks. Brax of course immediately went to enquiry as to services which could be provided to his Giant Elk, Dawn Dancer, in order to spread some of his newfound opportunity among the working class. He truly is a man of the people.
Anyway, we have found an appropriate inn for the evening, everyone is abed apart from Ignis who has taken on an intriguing shade of purple - perhaps it is due to the ongoing decline in blood hydration. I will have to experiment further.
Tell father I said… [this part is scratched out and it simply concludes:]
Your faithful daughter, Anastasia
Downtime - 2019/2020
Using a fuel cell from Braxx I spent 6 weeks drawing up a schema for a miniature floating object, along with the control panel. I haven't created it yet, and estimate that the miniature platform and remote will take a further 2,000 gold of materials, and 2 months of work to complete and will utilise the fuel cell we already have. To make larger platforms I will need a Khyber Crystal, which I currently don't know where to find and more time developing a schema.
In the process of investigating this, I contacted Aluxis, who gave me advice and answered some of my questions. For instance without an external magical power supply (like what he has with the Spell Sink, or a mage pouring spell slots into it) the larger floating cities won't fly. Aluxis has always been interested in finding a source that will remove this necessity.
I also, after some convincing, gain guest access to Morgrave Unviersity where I met a Tragrim Hayttear - a strange scholar who spends most of his time in the library. Here I find books that helped develop my above schema.
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