Ashe C2 Episode 61 - Darkness in Westinox
Previously on Liters of Tomorrow....
Finn and Mausim finished their preparations to sail to Westinox down the Swordfall River. They chartered a two masted rowable river boat and a crew to get them there by the end of the day. While they finished their negotiations Nuth and Demaia caught up with them explaining that they had just missed the giant attack the night before. Oddly enough Archos the Tiefling Astromancer had traveled to Ashe with his new companion Horatio. Offering to travel to Westinox with them Horatio fled to a bathroom and was nowhere to be found. A woman named Sybill took his place instead.
As the boat set sail down the river finn took notice of Archos' left arm. Remembering a strange black webbing that had appeared after your first visit to Allesandre Manor he looked down to see that the strange substance had engulfed the arm up to the elbow. Almost a chitinous, black and purple, shiny fungal growth. Now alarmed both Finn and Nuth began to research ways to remove the substance. After several attempts ended in necrotic damage and exhaustion the group decided to seek help when they got to Westinox. Archos, oddly, seemed rather fond of the infection and resisted Crashe's repeated offers to amputate the limb.
Upon arrival on the docks of Westinox the team split into groups. Finn, Mausim, and Nuth headed to the Muspelheim Smithy and the rest of you headed to the Fiend's Delight, a tavern and brother. With business and drinking for the night concluded the team headed to their rooms and laid down for the night.
Mausim was the first to be accosted by Dark Friends and the strange creature known as a Tannelmimic. Dopplegangers with strange abilities to steal not only faces and forms but your very thoughts as well. He fought back and found himself mentally intact but now surrounded by Dark Friends. Archos and Demaia also found themselves with room invaders but awoke in time to steel themselves for combat. Nuth ran into the hallway to help after almost sleeping through the encounter. The newcomer, Sybill, who was sleeping in the tavern ran up the stairs to lend a hand.
Unsure of the level of danger you were facing, Demaia leapt out the window to gain the help of Finn who was sleeping at the blacksmith's house. She met with more darkfriends and another changeling....
Finn and Mausim finished their preparations to sail to Westinox down the Swordfall River. They chartered a two masted rowable river boat and a crew to get them there by the end of the day. While they finished their negotiations Nuth and Demaia caught up with them explaining that they had just missed the giant attack the night before. Oddly enough Archos the Tiefling Astromancer had traveled to Ashe with his new companion Horatio. Offering to travel to Westinox with them Horatio fled to a bathroom and was nowhere to be found. A woman named Sybill took his place instead.
As the boat set sail down the river finn took notice of Archos' left arm. Remembering a strange black webbing that had appeared after your first visit to Allesandre Manor he looked down to see that the strange substance had engulfed the arm up to the elbow. Almost a chitinous, black and purple, shiny fungal growth. Now alarmed both Finn and Nuth began to research ways to remove the substance. After several attempts ended in necrotic damage and exhaustion the group decided to seek help when they got to Westinox. Archos, oddly, seemed rather fond of the infection and resisted Crashe's repeated offers to amputate the limb.
Upon arrival on the docks of Westinox the team split into groups. Finn, Mausim, and Nuth headed to the Muspelheim Smithy and the rest of you headed to the Fiend's Delight, a tavern and brother. With business and drinking for the night concluded the team headed to their rooms and laid down for the night.
Mausim was the first to be accosted by Dark Friends and the strange creature known as a Tannelmimic. Dopplegangers with strange abilities to steal not only faces and forms but your very thoughts as well. He fought back and found himself mentally intact but now surrounded by Dark Friends. Archos and Demaia also found themselves with room invaders but awoke in time to steel themselves for combat. Nuth ran into the hallway to help after almost sleeping through the encounter. The newcomer, Sybill, who was sleeping in the tavern ran up the stairs to lend a hand.
Unsure of the level of danger you were facing, Demaia leapt out the window to gain the help of Finn who was sleeping at the blacksmith's house. She met with more darkfriends and another changeling....
Plot points/Scenes
The night air is bitter cold and the clear night sky glitters overhead. The two moons shine down on the streets of Westinox as all of you continue your battle against the Dark One's minions. The broken windows of the Fiend's Delight allows heat to escape and chill winds to blow across your necks. The sweat of your movements draws heat off of your bodies as you continue to battle.
Most of you wear only what you had on in bed moments ago. Nuth, Mausim, Crashe and Archos you face off against the remaining dark friends on the second floor of the inn, the creature in front of Mausim has completed his transformation and now looks like an exact copy. Two more dark friends wield short swords and continue to try to kill you.
Demaia and Sybill you stand on the street behind the Fiend's Delight facing another Tannelmimic and two more soldiers of the Dark One. Demaia you had alerted Finn to the danger and he followed you out into the streets to do battle. As you look back to see where he went you only see a dark shadow that blots out the moon and several cords that wrap around Finn's body and drag him upward into the sky.
[DM Note: At this point Ryan as either Wes or Remy will teleport into the area and be placed into the battle field. None of them however will be able to save Finn as he is dragged skyward.]
The team is looking for the Eyes of the Basilisk, the secretive organization that was created to fight the Dark One. It is led by a demon who is trapped in a mansion in the center of the city. They will be pleased to hear of the team's victory over Vernabogge and may reward them in some way. Their leader, Anak Kovara, may decide to meet with them. He is close to his goal of freeing himself from his velvet cage and may need the Arcane Focus that they left in the carriage in Warshaw. The team will get a chance to see through his illusion and may sense that he is a demon with a singular agenda.
The Dark Friends in the city will also be tasked with stealing the rest of the team's identities and memories with more Tannelmimics. They were informed by Lord Vedemire Darkhorse that the team may return and that their goal remains. Steal their faces and memories and then kill the originals. Genesee Red will be able to help Finn with his armor project. She should have access to rare metals for a price, she will also be amenable to renewing a romance with Finn.
Thurlis Stem is still in the city recuperating, one of his legs was amputated and he lost his left eye. He is Currently staying at the Lodestone Inn in Central Westinox
The Daughters of Light -
A religious order dedicated to Vellenox, they only accept females. They are a backlash to the Adherents of Iron, the religious zealots who said they were clerics of Eigeralon. The truth is they were devoted to the evil creature known as Anaxis. When the deception was revealed the order fell apart. After the battle of Penthos many of the higher officers were arrested.
With Vellenox being the last god targeted by the Adherents of Iron, the Clerics devoted to her rallied and recruited thousands of new acolytes. One of their main temples is in the city of Westinox.
This organization has been radicalized especially against males. There are rumors that they have been castrating any men that they deem criminals or heretics. They have also set up an adversarial relationship with the Clerics of Eigeralon and the EMP.
Notable Members:
The headquarters gifted to the team after their defeat of the Gingerbread Dragon and Ionn Castaliogne. When they arrive they will find their butler still stationed there and a white mask on the couch in the center of the room. The rest of the castle above seems deserted, all valuables have been removed and it looks like no one has been in residence in months. It has taken on a winter chill and the fireplaces have only ash residue in them.
[DM Note: The mask has been given to them so that they can identify other members of the Eyes of the Basilisk. By placing the mask on your head and attuning with it, it quickly turns invisible and disappears. The wearer can still feel it however. It allows the wearer to see others wearing the masks in the city. These are the secret members of the Eyes who are always in positions of power. Let the mask transmit the Code phrase to the wearer "I see that it grows dark at twilight...". Other mask wearers will have a sigil glowing on their foreheads, a purple blue basilisk that hovers an inch off of the skin. The imprint on the front of the mask.]
When the other mask wearer is identified the team can try to get information out of them. The member will set up a meeting and at the meeting Anak Kovara will allow a meeting. He wants the Arcane Focus in return for his help.
At the Fiend's Delight Crashe met one Robar Foxhelm a captain of the guild. He was present when Crashe was inducted into the guild.
Most of you wear only what you had on in bed moments ago. Nuth, Mausim, Crashe and Archos you face off against the remaining dark friends on the second floor of the inn, the creature in front of Mausim has completed his transformation and now looks like an exact copy. Two more dark friends wield short swords and continue to try to kill you.
Demaia and Sybill you stand on the street behind the Fiend's Delight facing another Tannelmimic and two more soldiers of the Dark One. Demaia you had alerted Finn to the danger and he followed you out into the streets to do battle. As you look back to see where he went you only see a dark shadow that blots out the moon and several cords that wrap around Finn's body and drag him upward into the sky.
[DM Note: At this point Ryan as either Wes or Remy will teleport into the area and be placed into the battle field. None of them however will be able to save Finn as he is dragged skyward.]
Westinox
The team is looking for the Eyes of the Basilisk, the secretive organization that was created to fight the Dark One. It is led by a demon who is trapped in a mansion in the center of the city. They will be pleased to hear of the team's victory over Vernabogge and may reward them in some way. Their leader, Anak Kovara, may decide to meet with them. He is close to his goal of freeing himself from his velvet cage and may need the Arcane Focus that they left in the carriage in Warshaw. The team will get a chance to see through his illusion and may sense that he is a demon with a singular agenda.
The Dark Friends in the city will also be tasked with stealing the rest of the team's identities and memories with more Tannelmimics. They were informed by Lord Vedemire Darkhorse that the team may return and that their goal remains. Steal their faces and memories and then kill the originals. Genesee Red will be able to help Finn with his armor project. She should have access to rare metals for a price, she will also be amenable to renewing a romance with Finn.
Thurlis Stem is still in the city recuperating, one of his legs was amputated and he lost his left eye. He is Currently staying at the Lodestone Inn in Central Westinox
The Daughters of Light -
A religious order dedicated to Vellenox, they only accept females. They are a backlash to the Adherents of Iron, the religious zealots who said they were clerics of Eigeralon. The truth is they were devoted to the evil creature known as Anaxis. When the deception was revealed the order fell apart. After the battle of Penthos many of the higher officers were arrested.
With Vellenox being the last god targeted by the Adherents of Iron, the Clerics devoted to her rallied and recruited thousands of new acolytes. One of their main temples is in the city of Westinox.
This organization has been radicalized especially against males. There are rumors that they have been castrating any men that they deem criminals or heretics. They have also set up an adversarial relationship with the Clerics of Eigeralon and the EMP.
Notable Members:
- Acolyte - Kellin Cross, A human woman in her 20s with tight cropped blonde hair.
- Priest - Mariah Tellenborne, A tiefling woman in her 40's with light purple skin and long black hair.
- Acolyte - Rithia Force, A half elven woman with short black hair and one ear clipped.
- Cleric - Opela Barn
- Cleric - Qesa Huss
The headquarters gifted to the team after their defeat of the Gingerbread Dragon and Ionn Castaliogne. When they arrive they will find their butler still stationed there and a white mask on the couch in the center of the room. The rest of the castle above seems deserted, all valuables have been removed and it looks like no one has been in residence in months. It has taken on a winter chill and the fireplaces have only ash residue in them.
[DM Note: The mask has been given to them so that they can identify other members of the Eyes of the Basilisk. By placing the mask on your head and attuning with it, it quickly turns invisible and disappears. The wearer can still feel it however. It allows the wearer to see others wearing the masks in the city. These are the secret members of the Eyes who are always in positions of power. Let the mask transmit the Code phrase to the wearer "I see that it grows dark at twilight...". Other mask wearers will have a sigil glowing on their foreheads, a purple blue basilisk that hovers an inch off of the skin. The imprint on the front of the mask.]
When the other mask wearer is identified the team can try to get information out of them. The member will set up a meeting and at the meeting Anak Kovara will allow a meeting. He wants the Arcane Focus in return for his help.
- DM Note: Prominent members -
- Geddelin Retera - An officer with the East Tellenheim Company, Human Man
- Bella Marvolo Durrilan - The count's eldest daughter, human woman
- Verus Chreleton - owner of Mattock Prison, Half Elven, half orc man
- Mistress Surrilan Piccolo - Headmaster of Trevalyan Bard College, Water Genasi woman.
- Zendaran Pendagon - Half elven man who owns several shops and real estate in Westinox
- Herod Dicen - Dwarven man who owns several mining operations nearby.
- Fredeil Montoya - An elven woman who has inherited wealth.
- Argona Rasperdann - A dwarven woman from Clan Raspgrinder
At the Fiend's Delight Crashe met one Robar Foxhelm a captain of the guild. He was present when Crashe was inducted into the guild.
Themes
Archos and the Black Web Gauge -
If Archos seeks aid to remove the Gauge he must go to the Daughters of Light. After careful examination the clerics will ascertain that they need a combination of Druidic and Cleric magic to remove the Gauge. A mere restoration spell would not be powerful enough to cleanse the taint of the Dark One from the Guage.
[DM Note: the 6th Level Druid Spell Heal combined with the 8th Level Cleric spell AntiMagic Field will break the Gauge and destroy it. The Druid and Cleric would have to work together on the ritual taking approximately one hour. During that time Archos would face excruciating pain and would have to fight the Gauge itself. The black webbing would slough off of him and form a duplicate archos. It would then attack him to gain full control of the tiefling body.]
Demaia and the Verdant Sigil -
Demaia was recently contacted by Rani Sunfish, who was impressed by Demaia's use of her wild shapes and abilities. If demaia wishes to contact her she was given a shell which she could speak into to ask for Rani to find her. They recently lost a Druid who was attuned to the Purpleheart Talon. A powerful wild shape talisman that is worn by the Paragon of the Indomitable Beast. The wearer of this Talisman becomes the champion of the wildlife of Ventenheim. It is an honor but also a sacred duty. During her fight against the forces of the Dark One her duty would be all over the continents, when that fight is won however she will be expected to go to Ventenheim and be the protector of the forests and deserts and all wildlife there.
[DM Note: The Talisman was previously worn by a member of the Verdant Sigil named Dani Cathradu, the daughter of Zagh. Her mother was one of the founders of the Verdant Sigil along with the Druid Karnac and was charged with being the protector of Ventenheim. It is said that whoever attunes to this Talisman has the mantle of Protector of animals and trees, of all the natural life of Ventenheim. Dani was recently murdered by Chaelith Kazarra the Blood claw for defiance against the Dark One.]
If Archos seeks aid to remove the Gauge he must go to the Daughters of Light. After careful examination the clerics will ascertain that they need a combination of Druidic and Cleric magic to remove the Gauge. A mere restoration spell would not be powerful enough to cleanse the taint of the Dark One from the Guage.
[DM Note: the 6th Level Druid Spell Heal combined with the 8th Level Cleric spell AntiMagic Field will break the Gauge and destroy it. The Druid and Cleric would have to work together on the ritual taking approximately one hour. During that time Archos would face excruciating pain and would have to fight the Gauge itself. The black webbing would slough off of him and form a duplicate archos. It would then attack him to gain full control of the tiefling body.]
Demaia and the Verdant Sigil -
Demaia was recently contacted by Rani Sunfish, who was impressed by Demaia's use of her wild shapes and abilities. If demaia wishes to contact her she was given a shell which she could speak into to ask for Rani to find her. They recently lost a Druid who was attuned to the Purpleheart Talon. A powerful wild shape talisman that is worn by the Paragon of the Indomitable Beast. The wearer of this Talisman becomes the champion of the wildlife of Ventenheim. It is an honor but also a sacred duty. During her fight against the forces of the Dark One her duty would be all over the continents, when that fight is won however she will be expected to go to Ventenheim and be the protector of the forests and deserts and all wildlife there.
[DM Note: The Talisman was previously worn by a member of the Verdant Sigil named Dani Cathradu, the daughter of Zagh. Her mother was one of the founders of the Verdant Sigil along with the Druid Karnac and was charged with being the protector of Ventenheim. It is said that whoever attunes to this Talisman has the mantle of Protector of animals and trees, of all the natural life of Ventenheim. Dani was recently murdered by Chaelith Kazarra the Blood claw for defiance against the Dark One.]
The Year SF3, 3029 the month of Echoloron (Feb)
Campaign one ended in the year SF3 2998
Archos and Black Web Gauge -
The Gauge has grown over the last month and now encompasses most of his left arm up to the elbow.
Benefits:
Archos can use HP to transfer into more damage on spells only.
Archos can summon the power of the Guage to absorb HP and transfer it into himself.
2d8 HP / Archos gains the HP and the subject suffers necrotic damage in the same amount. The gauge grabs from any creature within 15 feet randomly. It sees neither friend nor foe.
OR archos can absorb the HP and turn it into spell damage!
Downsides:
The Gauge is growing slowly in size and in power. The DM will randomly roll every round to see if the Gauge absorbs life from a nearby creature (15 ft. diameter) 2d8 Necrotic damage and a Constitution saving throw DC 15.
The Gauge has grown over the last month and now encompasses most of his left arm up to the elbow.
Benefits:
Archos can use HP to transfer into more damage on spells only.
Archos can summon the power of the Guage to absorb HP and transfer it into himself.
2d8 HP / Archos gains the HP and the subject suffers necrotic damage in the same amount. The gauge grabs from any creature within 15 feet randomly. It sees neither friend nor foe.
OR archos can absorb the HP and turn it into spell damage!
Downsides:
The Gauge is growing slowly in size and in power. The DM will randomly roll every round to see if the Gauge absorbs life from a nearby creature (15 ft. diameter) 2d8 Necrotic damage and a Constitution saving throw DC 15.
Completion Date
2/15/24
2/15/24
Plot type
Main Story
Related Characters
Related Organizations
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