Ashe C2 Episode 58 - The Death of Vernabogge
Previously On Liters of Tomorrow...
You spent the night in the town of Ashe after sailing west for many days. Meeting up with Wes' mentor, Jaron Dartmoor, you enjoyed a warm home cooked meal and then headed up to the Constellation Inn for some drinks and to rest for the night. The next morning you made your preparations and headed out into the Ashen forest to descend into the Deadrot caves once more. The undead creatures stopped and stared at you as you ventured towards the stone entryway beyond.
Making your way into the ancient Allesandre Manor you were surprised to see a lively party and dozens of nobles gathering for some sort of gala. Mausim and Finn quickly deduced through a detect magic spell that you were in some sort of elaborate illusion triggered by your presence. Ever the historian Nuth became quickly enamored by the authenticity of the party and drank of some champagne that was being handed out. You all spent some time amongst the assorted guests and learned that many of them were here on diplomatic missions. Nuth figured the date of the illusion was only mere weeks before the great human/elven wars of the late second age. Oddly enough you spotted a woman who looked exactly like a former acquaintence of yours, Ricelia Serise. She went by the name Bella La'Couer and claimed she was there to drum up support for her husband's land that was close to the elven borders.
You also heard mention of Lord Vedemire and he was named a strange Necromancer operating out of Dalemoor Castle in the Tellenor Mountains. Knowing that he becomes one of the Fallen not too long after this event has a chilling effect. Another person attending the party was a sickly looking thin tiefling man named Victor. His human father and his Tiefling mother were the hosts of this gala and they seemed to have a rather contentious relationship with their son.
Remembering your cause and having the means to destory Vernabogge's Phylactery, Demaia, Finn and Mausim headed deeper into the manor and left the illusion behind. Nuth, however, smitten by the illusory party remained behind to question the guests. Not too long after he found out that three of the guests were indeed coporeal undead creatures set on devouring his soul. He quickly cast a force sphere around himself and attempted to escape. The undead creatures pleaded with him to accept the dark one's gifts but this only caused Nuth to recoil futher. He ran off down the hallway to rejoin you all now chased by three undead creatures....
You spent the night in the town of Ashe after sailing west for many days. Meeting up with Wes' mentor, Jaron Dartmoor, you enjoyed a warm home cooked meal and then headed up to the Constellation Inn for some drinks and to rest for the night. The next morning you made your preparations and headed out into the Ashen forest to descend into the Deadrot caves once more. The undead creatures stopped and stared at you as you ventured towards the stone entryway beyond.
Making your way into the ancient Allesandre Manor you were surprised to see a lively party and dozens of nobles gathering for some sort of gala. Mausim and Finn quickly deduced through a detect magic spell that you were in some sort of elaborate illusion triggered by your presence. Ever the historian Nuth became quickly enamored by the authenticity of the party and drank of some champagne that was being handed out. You all spent some time amongst the assorted guests and learned that many of them were here on diplomatic missions. Nuth figured the date of the illusion was only mere weeks before the great human/elven wars of the late second age. Oddly enough you spotted a woman who looked exactly like a former acquaintence of yours, Ricelia Serise. She went by the name Bella La'Couer and claimed she was there to drum up support for her husband's land that was close to the elven borders.
You also heard mention of Lord Vedemire and he was named a strange Necromancer operating out of Dalemoor Castle in the Tellenor Mountains. Knowing that he becomes one of the Fallen not too long after this event has a chilling effect. Another person attending the party was a sickly looking thin tiefling man named Victor. His human father and his Tiefling mother were the hosts of this gala and they seemed to have a rather contentious relationship with their son.
Remembering your cause and having the means to destory Vernabogge's Phylactery, Demaia, Finn and Mausim headed deeper into the manor and left the illusion behind. Nuth, however, smitten by the illusory party remained behind to question the guests. Not too long after he found out that three of the guests were indeed coporeal undead creatures set on devouring his soul. He quickly cast a force sphere around himself and attempted to escape. The undead creatures pleaded with him to accept the dark one's gifts but this only caused Nuth to recoil futher. He ran off down the hallway to rejoin you all now chased by three undead creatures....
Plot points/Scenes
Allesandre Manor - Present Day
1A .Start here, the cave system begins to change slowly. Under your feet you feel a more firm stone. Under the water and Ahead you see the stone flatten into an ancient cobblestone street. Lines forms between the stones and even ancient street icons and mosaics of old tile can be seen underneath the four inches of water.
1. The Foyer -
An ornate greeting room in the style of the late second age. The remaining stones of the intricate tile floor bear the crest of House Allesandre, An A crossed with golden horns and a Cocaktrice. Doors to the hallways are on the East and West Walls. A grate for a vent can be seen on the north wall. Ancient stone manors often had a simple heat pipe system that moved heated air throughout. The remnants of original paint can be found underneath the dust and crumbling plaster. A nice coral pinkish red. [DM Note. Though the heat grate is cemented into the wall a secret panel can be found with a DC 14 investigation check. This leads into the ventilation system that runs through the central part of the structure. It is only for small or tiny creatures.]
2. The Heat Venting System -
An old ventilation duct just large enough for tiny or small creatures rings the walls of the old manor. Getting into requires entryway through any of the secret doors located at 1,3,8,10, and 5.
3. The Mimic Room -
An old study has shelves of rotted old books and furniture. In the center of the room underneath some torn tapestries lies an old chest. It is made of black wood that looks almost petrified. The iron of the hinges and locks is rusty.
[An investigation check of DC 14 will reveal the secret ventilation panel for the ducts, A DC of 16 or higher will also reveal old pieces of parchment that are readable. Giving some facts about Allesandre and his want for power. Anyone who touches the chest will be attacked by the Mimic. Also add a second mimic from the book shelves.]
4. The Sun Room -
At first glance you see a domed room with large pillars leading up to a tall ceiling that is almost 20 ft. above you. Gnarled ancient roots snake through a series of metal grates. As you look closer you can see the remnants of an old intricate window. When this ceiling faced the sky sunlight would light this room making for a pleasant sitting room and arboretum.
5. The Spores -
A kitchen area that is now filled with an underground lichen that emits spores into the air. [DM Note. Though the heat grate is cemented into the wall a secret panel can be found with a DC 14 investigation check. This leads into the ventilation system that runs through the central part of the structure. It is only for small or tiny creatures.]
6. The Pool Room -
Now filled with undead crocodiles and various other dangerous creatures. Dozens of them. Crocodiles, Giant Toads, Cayman, and Snakes.
7. The Library -
A large room with a tall ceiling stretching over 30 feet. The walls are decorated with hand carved wooden panels made from an unrecognizable timber. Time has caused the wood to become black and hard. Hundreds of shelves stretch from the floor to the ceiling. Almost all of the books and parchment have dessicated into unreadable masses. Perception Check to notice three leathery forms in the far corner of the room. DC 15.
[DM Note: With a high enough Investigation check the PC's can find three readable pieces of material. A family history of the Allesandre's that describes their humble beginnings and the business empire that was built by the grandfather. Also the brief history of Victor. They can also find the book of Dragons and their locations.]
The End of Vernabogge
As they battle through the Manor they can head to the Phylactery at any time.Once they insert the key the magical force shield drops and the painting is vulnerable. It has no stats it's just a painting, anyone can destroy it with a dagger or a hammer. As the painting is pierced the evil magic from within is released. The Connection to the Dark One's domain is severed. A pulse of green energy washes over the players and then spirals back into the painting and disappears.
From behind you the tielfling man once known as Vernabogge ambles towards you. Now though he is the size and shape of Victor Allesandre, the man from the gala. At first he appears as he did in life. With his sallow skin and party finery intact much like he would have looked three thousand years ago. He glares at you with an angry look, at first, it then turns quickly to sorrow.
"You fools you know not what you have done. I was ridiculed and detested in my mortal life. Despised by my father for being weak and having demon blood. My Mother had no interest in me either, nor the rest of this wicked world."
As you watch his skin begins to crack and recede. His hair loses it's dark luster and begins to gray and then whiten. His already brittle bones become more apparent beneath his skin.
"So when the Dark One offered, I drank of his power! Power enough at last to rain down blows upon my enemies, upon the very world! You all took that from me! A minor group of freaks and cast outs, not the great powerful heroes of old! You are a disgrace!"
He continues to deteriorate before your eyes, his skin begins to slough off and he becomes even more Skeletal.
"It wasn't supposed to end like this! It wasn't supposed to end ever!! May the dark one curse and consume you!!"
Themes
DM NOTE: Jaron Dartmoor has a device in his shop that can send messages to Wes' Quiver! The players can write out a note and he can deliver it via his workshop.
The Message will appear as a parchment in Wes' Quiver.
Structure
Exposition
Exatron Saul and his Airship
Using The Super Adaptoid Golem:
these are expensive and difficult to repair, and as such are typically kept in reserve until lesser automata have failed to subdue a magical threat. Once deployed, they generally attack the creature with the highest level unexpended spell slot that they can see, first attacking with their Magebreaker Fist, then using their Spellpurge Glare for as long as they have available charge counters, then switching back.
They use their Overcharge only on their second attack, and only if they have seen their target make use of a magic item, and use their Dampening Field immediately whenever they start their turn with 9 or more charge counters. They use their Waste-Magic Cycling at each opportunity, even if doing so puts them in danger of a Supercritical Overload.
The Adaptoid Golem starts with five Charge Counters. Any spells fired at it recharge it's Charge counters by one.
The Fierce Stargazer
Captained by Exatron Saul himself, he had help from the Ghora's mask mercenaries to build an actual airship. It's powered by steam and shardrock that fill a nacelle of lighter than air gases in a bladder underneath the ship.
It is currently crewed by several Aarokocran mercenaries from the Lion's Wing. Also a few trained fighters from the Ghora's Mask.
- Members of the Lion's Wing - They are all fighters and barbarians:
- Chaffinch Brightwing - Fairly hawkish female Aarokocra with bright white feathers on her arms and wings.
- Ouzel Bluefeather - Male Aarokocra with a bluejay shaped head with blue and black feathers.
- Carrion Crowntail - Thinner head with dark grey, orange bands cover her arms and wings. Oriole looking colors.
- Caspian Tern - Finch like head with dark blue feathers, a bright pink group of feathers on his chest.
- Human and dwarven Mercenaries -
- Trusfal Dredge, Human man and fighter
- Bulsifar Copperwedge, Dwarven Fighter
- Natali Irkinthand, Human woman fighter
- Polorian Peppersnort, Dwarven woman and fighter
- Danuli Copperbeard Crew of the Fierce Stargazer:
- Navigator - Mevi Flashfoot, halfling woman
- Pilot - Bevenar Font, human man with brown skin and a shaved head.
- Cook - Pelly Portnut, half orc man with a large belly and a topknot of black hair.
- Engineer - Gnome man by the name of Tumtum Brushnickel
- Assistant engineer - Firbolg woman named Sippi Cashelhorne
- Squabbie - Halfling man by the name of Nock "Gaffer" Littlefoot.
"Oi, if it isn't my long lost countryman! You look like you got lost amongst the locals bruv! Gone native, the folks back home won't miss you. I'll have the prize money though, once I hand over this pathetic talking toaster back to Rico and the boys."
The Tree of Despair
The Dark one reaches out from an area of woods
A section of forest that has a dark history. A horrific series of murders leaves this place susceptible to the Dark one's influence. He manifests in the tree and summons three massive undead creatures from the soil beneath. The tree itself attacks the players with roots that grab and grapple. The tree itself twists it's trunk into a hideous face replicating the dark one himself. It's eyes glow with a bright sickly green color. It taunts them and tells tales of it's history in the region. How he can feel himself getting stronger every day and that this area is rich with the soil of death. A great battle took place her three thousand years ago and the evil of that day still resonates, allowing him to reach out and touch this part of the material plane. He resurrects three creatures from that day who rise up with glowing green eyes and attack the party.
A massive minotaur with rotting flesh, an ogre enmeshed with human and elven body parts, and a Knight whose rusted helmet is till intact. A green glow emanating from the visor.
The Tannelmimic
Wes has been copied and his memories replicated in this Tannelmimic. It has yet to be found and is going to continue it's murderous spree throughout the Eigerlands. It was given these orders by Lord Vedemire who is still very angry at his defeat. Though he is still reconstituting he has sent different creatures out into the world to try to kill the team.
[the doppleganger's true name is Veluchrus Chrid, they are sexless and genderless and are usually created by Lord Darkhorse.]
He Murders people and poses the bodies in obscene ways. His Modus Operandi is flaying the skin of the torso open and leaving the organs intact but visible. He also always leaves a light arrow that is shoved through the oral cavity into the brain that gives the corpse an eerie glowing light from the eyes. Authorities call him the Ripper Raven due to the raven like mask he wears, identical to the one that Wes has. He makes sure that someone spots him near the crime scene.
Whenever Wes and the team get close to a large population center someone will spot Wes and call the authorities.
WANTED POSTER:
- The man known as Wes, a Ranger of the Ashen Forest
- Known murderer and larcenous thief.
- Accused of seven brutal slashings in the City of Stoneport. (The light arrow killings)
- Accused of the murder of Baron Harken Quail of Allachi. Hung by the neck at the city square.
- Accused of brutally slaying the lower minister of Hellenox, Reccip Nuxhall and his wife. Run through with a broadsword.
- Accused of theft of several thousand gold worth of jewels and equipment from the city of Stoneport.
- Accused of Grand Larceny in the city of Helletowne, including several trained horses.
Finn Storylines and Sava Cogson
Has offered to set up a meeting with Cog and Finn in the near future. He said that he will meet Finn in the City of Orahero at the Temple of Fire's Ember. A stronghold of the Fifth Element.
Exatron Saul needs to show up again too. He demands to know where Cog is and will kill Sava to get the information. Or maybe just decide to take Sava instead and pass him off as Cog.
Vertagon Al'Reshi - A brass Dragon of the Vellikis Desert of Ventenheim
WES Storylines
ASHEN FOREST WAR for the Orb of Lifeseed
Characters involved-
Kestlerender / Vickander Kent, Willwug Leafside, The Kormirra Sisters, The Knight of the Deadrose. Miljoco in the DarkFae Realm as well. The Orb is a powerful artifact, sometimes known as the Antikythera device. Legend has it that it has the power to control all life in the Ashen Forest. Both creatures and plant life. Imagine commanding an army of insects, Tree horrors, or wolves to Marshall against your enemies. Truly the power to take over the world if handled properly. Also it would have the ability to fight the Dark One’s forces of undead if necessary.
The Orb is hidden in the Dark Realm or maybe even in between the two Dimensions. It explains Wes’s importance to all of the forces of the Ashen Forest. He holds the key to easy travel between dimensions. He is the key to finding the Orb.
He is also wanted by many authorities, including Nuth Welker, for the crimes of the Tannelmimic.
The Will of Hellenox - +2 Sword Turn Undead Once per day. Action to cast Cure Wounds. 6 charges. Radiant Blast - 1 Charge for 1d8 radiant damage
The Faith of Hellenox - Shield +1 Use a charge to change spell damage to Radiant Turn Undead Once Per Day
To attune Hellenox will come to the wielder in a dream, pulling the PC into the Dreaming Realm. There her avatar will ask them several questions and peer into their heart judging if they are worthy or not.
Bon Vee and Crashe Storylines
Crashe is the reincarnation of Verilius Treta Rivendrias an ancient elven hero who fought in the Human Elven wars of the second age. Near the end Verilius teamed up with Encealadus Calwyn to turn their focus to the evils of the Dark One. They succeeded in imprisoning him in his Dark Domain. The process of this drove Verilius insane in the end. The rituals required to create the seals were dark and dangerous. The guilt and horrors he witnessed broke him in the end. These thoughts and memories are beginning to bleed into Crashe's mind.
NOTE: To do our final quest into the Dark Domain of Aer'Chabadzael Bon Vee and Crashe will need to be separated from the eye. This will require the help of a powerful wizard or perhaps the Kormirra Sisters. Their combined hag abilities would be useful in breaking the eye's enchantment and keeping the souls intact. They would require something in return…
Virgil Capsaicin -
Virgil fell into the river during the battle on the bridge. While trying to defuse the bomb with Nuth he lost his grip and fell into the fast moving water. For now though with the team scattered once more he is on his own. Need to decide where he washes up.
Archos Storylines -
Archos is trying to attune to the Will of Hellenox but has been unsuccessful. He also has the Black Web Gage on his left hand. A gift from the Dark One after he grabbed some pods from Allesandre Manor.
Truffle Storylines -
Truffle is still trying to get revenge on the East Tellenheim Company for killing her family. The ETC and a specific officer were responsible for decimating her island and extracting the valuable shardrock mined from the dormant volcano. During their operation a massive lode of rock exploded killing several hundred and destroying the ecology of the island.
The rest of the Tortles and lizardfolk on the island either died from starvation and disease or fled. Truffle's family were killed in the explosion though her half brother and first cousin escaped right before the explosion. Or were they taken prisoner? The ETC officer responsible was one Captain Banastre Triskelion. A human man in his fifties.
Nuth and Demaia Storylines -
Nuth is once more being courted by the Assembly of the Weave. They want him to look into the Vault heist in Warshaw and see if they can't find the culprit. The Weave wants to take credit for the collar of course.
A former convict has either escaped prison or was set free. This prisoner holds a grudge against the two investigators who captured him… Nuth and Demaia. He also happens to be one King Arric Lee, who is still hoping to find the exact location of the Shatterfall. He is close and that stint in prison almost cost him his chance to become incredibly powerful. If he ever sees them again he has sworn vengeance.
Current Date:
The Year SF3, 3029 the month of Frostun (Jan)
Campaign one ended in the year SF3 2998
The Will of Hellenox - +2 Sword Turn Undead Once per day. Action to cast Cure Wounds. 6 charges. Radiant Blast - 1 Charge for 1d8 radiant damage
The Faith of Hellenox - Shield +1 Use a charge to change spell damage to Radiant Turn Undead Once Per Day
To attune Hellenox will come to the wielder in a dream, pulling the PC into the Dreaming Realm. There her avatar will ask them several questions and peer into their heart judging if they are worthy or not.
The Faith of Hellenox - Shield +1 Use a charge to change spell damage to Radiant Turn Undead Once Per Day
To attune Hellenox will come to the wielder in a dream, pulling the PC into the Dreaming Realm. There her avatar will ask them several questions and peer into their heart judging if they are worthy or not.
Completion Date
01/25/24
01/25/24
Plot type
Main Story
Related Characters
Related Locations
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