Spellbound, Session 19
{{DM}}
Session Start
Weeks have passed since the ill-fated trial of Alice, and the departure of Zial from the city. Alice has been working with the administration, while Rylaun, in the guise of the Prophet Zoram, has been guiding the flocks of the Lower City. Together, the two have kept the two sides from all-out war, but have made little progress toward reconciliation...let alone finding new information that could help against the Ethergaunts.
Meanwhile, both cities have seen increasing attacks from the Ethereal Reavers, who prove more resilient every day. The Guardians and the Ordinals are having difficulty containing the creatures, and their casualties and collateral losses are mounting. It takes years to grow new clones, and thus the Ordinals' numbers are dwindling, even as the spectre of revolution grows ever more vivid. There are those among the Administration who are suggesting that all forces be withdrawn to the Upper City to conserve their power, leaving the Lower City defenseless.
While all this goes on, Zial mocks the whole of Deep Imaskar, siphoning the power of the Great Seal to lock away her fortress from all interference, as she pursues who knows what evil scheme. It is known that she was researching genetic weapons that could be used against the Reavers, and yet she remains out of contact and out of reach.
During this period, Nuwan, Zai, and Shara have been hunting the Reavers, and trying to learn what more they can. Tasha has been flitting from city to city in an effort to guide diplomatic efforts, while The Tharchioness has remained somewhat distant from the action, joining the fight only occasionally.
Into this stalemate, a new factor is introduced; two visitors, unknown to the party, arrive in the city, bearing a gift from beyond. Guided in by Arturo, who vouches for them, they have stories to tell of gods of fire and the seeming demise of Ardyn and Devora. More importantly, they have brought something--a strange vial, filled with some radiant energy, that is said to be a powerful boon for the enemies of the Ethereal Reavers.
They could not have come at a better time, since the party is about to encounter the worst Reaver yet.
Introductory ActionNuwan and Zai, from their mobile command center, detect a disturbance in the Seal. As they fly to investigate, they see a massive and terrifying new form of Ethereal Reaver, locked in combat with two strange people. They fight it.
dm:DracoreaverAdventure Hook
- What is this vial of light anyway?
Finally, Alice lets them in. Her office is white, in a way that white wishes it were. The whole thing look like an iPod. She is wearing a smart, white suit, and her usual acrylic disc glasses flicker with tiny displays of information, which she seems to be processing while she speaks.
First, she asks for a status update on the Ethereal Reavers. She seems to be recording what they say, or perhaps something else entirely, on one of those hovering keypad thingies. She doesn't seem to notice the outsiders until someone mentions them.
"Yes, I see you've brought more aliens into the city. Hi, I'm Alice, and my job is to keep this city from collapsing into ruin and chaos. If you don't know what you signed on for, I'm sure these gentlemen can explain it to you."
When someone shows her the gift, she'll ponder it too briefly. "So she couldn't be bothered to come here and deliver it herself?" She appears to analyze the device, but draws no conclusions. "I have no idea what this is, or how to use it. Maybe you should ask the Prophet."
She brushes them off with "Sorry to be so brusque. I'm interminably busy, and nothing I do seems to make a bit of difference lately. I'll let you know if I think of anything."
- Consulting with the Prophet
Ever in character, he betrays little of his true identity, and the party seems to be used to this. If they mention Alice, he inquires about her health and well-being. He is saddened that she seems unable to make progress in her diplomatic efforts, and he is dismayed that she hasn't had more time to meet with him to discuss progress toward a compromise.
He is interested to learn of these newcomers, especially Acacia, though he does not mention Ardyn. He locks eyes with Acacia frequently, and she senses something very powerful in him, something that links them, yet is not altogether benign.
As for the gift, he will attempt some divinations on it, and find the same thing any other party member might; that it vexes even powerful spells. Those who attempt to divine its nature are met with random visions of lives long gone, fragments of memory and thought, and, more than anything, a suffusing white light which blots out most all that might be seen or learned.
He will commune with his god, and learn that yes, the item is important, yes, it is powerful, and yes, the party should attempt to unlock its power. He suspects that the most valuable of Imaskari commodities, their ancient technology, is required to unlock it. He jokingly suggests that it would probably be easier to break into Zial's fortress than convince the council to give them access to the underlying technology of the Upper City.
Shara runs with the suggestion, offering knowledge of several likely locations within the fortress that might contain such devices. Her "brother", Novus, was always in charge of the use and maintenance of ancient technology; perhaps he could be convinced to help, peaceably or otherwise.
Someone may suggest that there is no way in, but Rylaun/Zoram balks at that. "If there is a way under the Sun, then you shall know it." With that, he casts find the path on whoever mentioned it. They will detect such a path, and he assures them that the spell will guide them true.
Before they depart, he gives them several items:
- For each, a potion of heal and three of cure critical wounds (4d8+76).
- Three elixirs of greater restoration.
- One gem of resurrection.
- A golden figurine of a cloaked warrior, which can become an animated guardian.
The Adventure
((Revenge of the Sith - Padme's Ruminations)
The party flies toward Zial's fortress as the "sun" sets over the Lower City. The Prophet watches wistfully as its light fades, and turns his eyes toward the early stars of the Upper City.
In her office, Alice watches as streams of pods convey the people of the Upper City to their evening rest, and the city goes quietly to sleep. Her eyes linger over the false light of the city below, generated by some unknown ancient technology. From there, her gaze wanders skyward.
The party's skiff drifts smoothly toward the wall, a shimmering field of energy preventing all access to the space around Zial's fortress. The magic guides them to what is apparently a weak point, roughly at the center of the wall, beneath the main tower of the fortress.
The spell directs the party to disintegrate the wall. A simple spell does not help; the portion of the wall destroyed immediately regenerates. Shara offers her blade, plunging it into the wall, causing a ripple disturbance in the seal. The skiff glides upward, shaken as if by turbulence, but it passes through.
1: The Platform
They fly toward a vaguely dome-like structure, and hover above and just out of sight of an entry platform. There are several guards stationed there. They are Hands of Zial.
This should not be too difficult. Getting past them without alerting anyone is the key. Beyond them is a tunnel leading into the building.
====Encounter 1:Platform Guards====
Two Hands of Zial. They are at a normal level of alertness.
2: Mezzanine
The tunnel leads to a hexagonal mezzanine which overlooks the facility. There are various ramps down to the factory floor. There are offices accessed via the mezzanine walkway.
There are a few overseers out and about, but mostly, the workers have gone home. More importantly, there are two Ordinals loyal to Zial having a conversation with an overseer. Even if the party is obscured, it is likely the Ordinals will perceive a hidden threat.
====Encounter 2:Ordinals====
Two dm:Ordinals.
3: The Work Floor
The factory floor is divided into seven segments: six trapezoids, and one hexagonal segment in the center. Outside the border of the hexagon, and between each trapezoid, there is a wide, clear path, with markings and grooves. In each trapezoidal segment, certain parts are created; they are transferred to the central segment for assembly.
By day, hundreds of workers and automata work in all segments, while track-mounted and walking lifters ferry parts and tools around.