Ashe C2 Episode 63 - The Fierce Stargazer
Previously On Liters of Tomorrow...
In the city of Westinox Finn had met with the attractive and talented blacksmith, Genesee Red. He inquired about some exotic metals and upgrading his armor. The two hammered out some ideas and then spent the night together. He awoke the next day to find himself captured by his rival Exatron Saul.
Placed into a disruption field and unable to activate his armor he studied his surroundings. He found himself in the cargo hold of a ship along with the warforged man Sava Cogson. Genesee red was taken as well and was manacled not too far away.
Meanwhile on the ground, the elven warrior crashe shared a drink with the towering firbolg barbarian Orik and the strange warlock known as Giles. An old friend named Thurlis Stem found the trio and asked them to look into a disturbance at Genesee Red's apartment building. Finding the door blown off and Finn and Genesee missing the team looked for clues. The trail led up to the roof and they saw a strange battle happening in the dark of night a few buildings over.
A strange cloaked man battling with three Aarokocran mercenaries. As the team raced to join the battle it took a few moments to decide which side to fall on. They chose the outnumbered cloaked man and quickly tore two of the winged fighters to shreds. The third they incapacitated with a hold person spell and some rope. The mysterious cloaked figure pointed to an anchor of sorts leading into a strange cloud in the sky. A rope ladder wound around it. Crashe began to climb and Orik and Giles followed.
Finn concentrated in the hold and removed his armor allowing him to remove himself from the disruption field. He quickly moved to free Genesee Red and reclaim his possessions. Though defenseless he moved to reconnoiter and learn where they were. Casting Invisibility on himself and Genesee they crept up to the deck to see a massive metal golem standing watch. They retreated and searched the rest of the hold to find the source of the disruption field.
Crashe and the crew also snuck into the hold and the group ran into each other. Finn used a large wrench to deactivate the magical battery that was powering the disruption field holding his armor and Sava Cogson. From the deck above the team heard a laugh and the booming voice of Exatron Saul. He bellowed out that they had been found out and that their lives were now forfeit! We head back now as the team has only seconds to formulate a battle plan!
In the city of Westinox Finn had met with the attractive and talented blacksmith, Genesee Red. He inquired about some exotic metals and upgrading his armor. The two hammered out some ideas and then spent the night together. He awoke the next day to find himself captured by his rival Exatron Saul.
Placed into a disruption field and unable to activate his armor he studied his surroundings. He found himself in the cargo hold of a ship along with the warforged man Sava Cogson. Genesee red was taken as well and was manacled not too far away.
Meanwhile on the ground, the elven warrior crashe shared a drink with the towering firbolg barbarian Orik and the strange warlock known as Giles. An old friend named Thurlis Stem found the trio and asked them to look into a disturbance at Genesee Red's apartment building. Finding the door blown off and Finn and Genesee missing the team looked for clues. The trail led up to the roof and they saw a strange battle happening in the dark of night a few buildings over.
A strange cloaked man battling with three Aarokocran mercenaries. As the team raced to join the battle it took a few moments to decide which side to fall on. They chose the outnumbered cloaked man and quickly tore two of the winged fighters to shreds. The third they incapacitated with a hold person spell and some rope. The mysterious cloaked figure pointed to an anchor of sorts leading into a strange cloud in the sky. A rope ladder wound around it. Crashe began to climb and Orik and Giles followed.
Finn concentrated in the hold and removed his armor allowing him to remove himself from the disruption field. He quickly moved to free Genesee Red and reclaim his possessions. Though defenseless he moved to reconnoiter and learn where they were. Casting Invisibility on himself and Genesee they crept up to the deck to see a massive metal golem standing watch. They retreated and searched the rest of the hold to find the source of the disruption field.
Crashe and the crew also snuck into the hold and the group ran into each other. Finn used a large wrench to deactivate the magical battery that was powering the disruption field holding his armor and Sava Cogson. From the deck above the team heard a laugh and the booming voice of Exatron Saul. He bellowed out that they had been found out and that their lives were now forfeit! We head back now as the team has only seconds to formulate a battle plan!
Plot points/Scenes
In the Cargo Hold
Inside the belly of the airship you hear the taunts of Exatron Saul as he prepares his men. The sounds of weapons and armor being readied carries down to your position and you hear the strange humming of the metal golem that stands sentry on the deck. In the hold with you are Genesee Red and the legless form of Sava Cogson. His eyes a much brighter cheery green now that he has been released from his bonds. His legs and additional parts have been bundled into a small pack on his back .
Nearby are the ship's cook and squabbie, a half orc man named Pelly Portnut and the halfling, Nock Littlefoot
[DM Note: If they ask either of the crew about a lifeboat they will be told that there is indeed a six man life craft at the back of the airship. Unfortunately it only feather falls down to the ground due to a rune inscribed on the underside that casts the spell. ]
Themes
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:
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:
- deceased /Chaffinch Brightwing - Fairly hawkish female Aarokocra with bright white feathers on her arms and wings.
- deceased /Ouzel Bluefeather - Male Aarokocra with a bluejay shaped head with blue and black feathers.
- Carrion Crowntail - bound and defeated still on the rooftops below. 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
- 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.
Structure
Exposition
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
Conflict
The Eyes of the Basilisk and Anak Kovara
Anak Kovara A powerful and very intelligent demon that was summoned over 6000 years ago. The powerful wizard who summoned him died not long after and Anak was trapped in a circle within the manor's walls. Eventually through meddling by several other wizards, sorcerors and other interlopers he gained movement throughout the manor. Using thousands of years of guile and influence he eventually built an organization to serve him. The Eyes of the Basilisk.
Using his knowledge of history and hundreds of informants he became quite adept at manipulating markets and wealth. Those that serve him find that their monetary dreams are fulfilled and Anak becomes more and more powerful.
Now though he sees a new threat, the Dark One Aer'Chabadzael. If this Lich King is released from it's prison the world will be plunged into darkness and chaos. All that Anak has worked for will be ruined.
He is close now, only years away from being released from the manor that has entrapped him. The spell or curse that holds him weakens and then he will be free to walk this planet or return back to the hell realms. What is 6000 years to an immortal though? This world fascinates him and look at all he has accomplished within the walls of one small building. Imagine the possibilities of his wealth and power when he walks the planet! He needs one final push to release himself from his prison and destroy the spell that binds him.
The Arcane Focus in the shape of horse's head last seen in the possession of Finn and Mausim...
Anak Kovara A powerful and very intelligent demon that was summoned over 6000 years ago. The powerful wizard who summoned him died not long after and Anak was trapped in a circle within the manor's walls. Eventually through meddling by several other wizards, sorcerors and other interlopers he gained movement throughout the manor. Using thousands of years of guile and influence he eventually built an organization to serve him. The Eyes of the Basilisk.
Using his knowledge of history and hundreds of informants he became quite adept at manipulating markets and wealth. Those that serve him find that their monetary dreams are fulfilled and Anak becomes more and more powerful.
Now though he sees a new threat, the Dark One Aer'Chabadzael. If this Lich King is released from it's prison the world will be plunged into darkness and chaos. All that Anak has worked for will be ruined.
He is close now, only years away from being released from the manor that has entrapped him. The spell or curse that holds him weakens and then he will be free to walk this planet or return back to the hell realms. What is 6000 years to an immortal though? This world fascinates him and look at all he has accomplished within the walls of one small building. Imagine the possibilities of his wealth and power when he walks the planet! He needs one final push to release himself from his prison and destroy the spell that binds him.
The Arcane Focus in the shape of horse's head last seen in the possession of Finn and Mausim...
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