GoCorral

This session was attended by Ben, Trajan, Will, and Avery. Yes, Ben was one of those people! He’s not back from Israel, but we changed our session time to start in the morning so that he could attend for part of it. Ben’s microphone doesn’t work well with Google Hangouts, so instead of using that like we usually do we switched to Skype for voice and video with the actual website of Roll20 for tabletop interaction.

Sentinel Slapstick

Tagenadi and Danar spent some time working on their martial skills. Danar was a bit out of practice, being dead for several centuries, so he needed some work.

The rest of the group consisting of Torin, Hektor, Amalius, and Eathirilu headed to Nomingburg as various sources directed them there. The note in Amalius’ room left by Amalgami directed the group to Nomingburg. Hektor’s dream from Prometheus directed the group to Nomingburg. The leader of Nomingburg, Duke Jingo, also had ties to Stanton who Amalius and Tagenadi have some personal enmity towards. Finally, the Dahak monster offered his Pitchfork of Doom in trade for the party to “divide Nomingburg.” The party needed this pitchfork to bring Zeus back to life.

The party popped off to Nomingburg with the goal of speaking to Duke Jingo and finding clues for how Amalgami was involved in whatever they were meant to investigate. Upon arrival the group got a suite at Hotel Nomingburg. After settling in to their rooms they went to Duke Jingo’s Palace to ask for an audience. They approached the Palace doors where two guards stood. Torin said, “We’d like to meet with Duke Jingo.”
The guard on the right said, “And I’d like to sit down while I’m on guard duty, but we don’t always get what we want do we?”
“It’s rather important.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure. Soooo important that I’ll just let you in without learning your names, your business, and taking your weapons. Is that right?”
Amalius piped up, “It’s a private matter that we want to discuss with Duke Jingo alone.”
“Well, well. A private matter! I shoud’ve know it was one of those. One of his honeys got pregnant? Go right ahead then!” The guard gave a mock bow and gestured towards the door.
The other guard began to snigger before saying, “We can’t let you in without knowing why you’re here and who you are.”
Hektor said, “Of course. My apologies. I am Lord Hektor Rackgard. These are my associates, Lord Torin Stoneblade, Eathirilu Treeheart, and Amalius Halkias the Psion.”
“And my name is Romar,” said the guard on the right, “Pleased to meet ya! Now your business.”
Amalius said, “It’s a matter from his childhood. I really think we should discuss it with him in private.”
“Ooo! A matter from his childhood! One of his old honeys from childhood got pregnant and never got around to telling him until a hundred years later when he’s ready to kick the bucket. Is that it?”
“No! His brother! It’s about his brother!”
“His brother’s pregnant? Now I’ve heard everything!” Both the guards kneeled over laughing and slapping their thighs.
Torin said to the rest of the group, “We probably need to bribe these people. Do you think ten gold would be enough?”
Romar said, “Enough to buy me a pie, but not enough for you to get inside!”
“How about fifty gold then.”
“Now you’re talking. I’ll take a message inside for fifty gold.”
Amalius said, “Give him the gold Torin. And you,” he pointed at Romar, “Tell Duke Jingo that we know where his brother Stanton is. The albino brother. We’ll be staying at Hotel Nomingburg if he sends a reply.”
“You got it chief. Pregnant albino brother named Stanton. Send a message to Lord Rackgard at Hotel Nomingburg,” said Romar. Torin gave him the gold and the two guards split up their proceeds as the party walked away.
Torin said, “Do you think they’ll actually tell Duke Jingo?”
Hektor said, “If not we can probably arrange a meeting through Toto, the hotel owner. He knows a lot of people in town. It’s just a matter of paying off the right people.”

The party spoke to Toto about arranging a meeting with Duke Jingo. He said it would take 500 gold pieces and several days, but he could manage it. The group coughed up the money and enjoyed the comforts of Hotel Nomingburg.

A Visit from Your Dear Grandfather

When the group bedded down for the night Hektor headed into a magnificent mansion spell in his room. Torin went to sleep in his room. Amalius feared some sort of night attack and meditated instead of sleeping with the plan of receiving a restoration spell from Torin in the morning to recover. Eathirilu slept out on the balcony in his natural panda form despite their being a room and bed available for him in the suite.

In the night Eathirilu felt the sharp sting of negative energy coursing through his body. He awoke and found he could not move. He opened his eyes and saw a skeletal face holding a bony finger to its teeth. “Shhh…” said the skeleton floating in front of the balcony. Unable to move, but still able to take purely mental actions, Eathirilu transformed into a T-Rex and collapsed the balcony.

With a giant crash he fell into the interior courtyard of Hotel Nomingburg and awoke most of the guests. Amalius, still awake, prepared himself by casting iron body. Merlot the psicrystal mentally checked in on Eathirilu to figure out what happened. Eathirilu telepathically informed Merlot that he’d been attacked by a flying skeleton in robes and mithral armor. Torin awoke and scrambled for his spear and his holy symbol. Hektor remained unaware in his mansion.

The skeleton flew up and shouted at Eathirilu, “Tell the little puppy that I want to speak to him privately!” The skeleton blasted Eathirilu with an energy drain that sucked off five levels before it flew off to the north.

Merlot, Amalius, and Torin came out, but the skeleton had already gone. Eathirilu transformed into a sparrow and Amalius flew down to pick up his paralyzed form. The group retired into the magnificent mansion while the guests and the hotel authorities dealt with the broken balcony.

Torin restored two of Eathirilu’s levels with previously prepared restoration spells. The paralysis was removed with a heal spell. The group quickly guessed that the skeleton was Amalgami the lich. Wanting to deal with him immediately they flew off to the north to find him.

As they went north Merlot spoke, “Wait! He’s behind us! He’s speaking to me telepathically. He says he wants to meet with Amalius alone. I don’t think its a good idea, master.”
After thinking for a few seconds Amalius said, “I’ll go meet him. Merlot, you tell everyone else exactly what’s going on. The rest of you be ready to come in if things go south.”
Amalius flew down into an alleyway where his grandfather awaited him.
“Hello little puppy. It’s good to see you again. Haven’t you missed me?”
Amalius shuddered.
“Come now. Is that anyway to treat your grandfather?”
“What do you want?”
“You’ve been a bad little puppy. Breaking things and letting prisoners free. And now the prisoners are being approached by the Xorians. And you know how that’ll turn out.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do I need to spell it out for you? You broke the Red Orb of Dragonkind, puppy. And the Xorians are sending Devanane, you know him? The one who put you into a little orb of your own? Well, he’s a dragon priest of some sorts and he’s going to Invernix and Sartoria to see if they want a piece of the dragon pantheon pie. And if they join you know the rest of the dragons will join, and then where will you be?”
“Why do you care?”
“Because I want this war to keep going. The Trojan War didn’t destroy Greece because one side crushed the other. It destroyed Greece because both sides were even and it took ten years for one side to defeat the other, and then another ten years of chaos after that! And Eris doesn’t want this war to end yet either. No no no! She wants it to keep going and going for a long while yet. And the dragons will disrupt that. If they join the Xorians… I just don’t see how your pitiful efforts will matter. The Xorians will win. I can’t have that. You can’t have that. We both benefit.” If skeletons could grin more than they usually do, Amalgami would be doing it.
“So what do you want me to do? Kill Devanane?”
“That won’t do anything. The Xorians will just send another messenger. I want you to kill the dragons! Oh, and I also want you to take my little dagger out of his prison. If he’s not out then I can’t talk to you. And you know how much I like talking with my grandson…”
Amalius took Korm out of his glove of storing. Korm yawned, “Ahhh! So good to be free! Oh hey boss! Good to see you again.”
Amalius said, “So you want me to kill the red dragons? What are you offering in return?”
“Please, this isn’t a bargain. We both benefit from the dragons’ death. I can offer my own considerable magical power in defeating the dragons. Whatever you need little puppy. I’m yours to command.”
“Hmmm…”
“Need some time to think it over? That’s fine! Whatever you decide, just tell little Korm there. Now I’ll be taking my leave. Do you have a hug for your grandpa?” Amalgami stretched out his skeletal arms. Amalius kept his arms firmly at his sides, holding Korm. “No hugs? Ah well. Be seeing you.” With that, Amalgami flew away to the south.

The group decided to do nothing about Amalgami’s offer for now. They went back to the hotel and spoke with the attendants. They explained that Eathirilu had a night terror and he sleep transformed into a dinosaur. The group assured the hotel staff that future transformations would be avoided and gave them a large sum of money to cover the damages. The group went to sleep.

Ducal Audience

In the morning they received word that Duke Jingo would see them tomorrow. The messenger indicated that he had some extra information to offer for a price. Amalius gave him a small bribe and the messenger said, “When Duke Jingo heard the name of Amalius, his face was surprised for a second before he covered with his usual stone-cold poker face.” Amalius thanked the messenger for this information and sent him on his way.

After waiting around for another day they went to the Duke’s Palace once more. Romar met them out front, “Hey, Hey! If it isn’t Lord Rackgard and his entourage! Duke Jingo decided he did want to hear about his brother. Come on in.”

The group went in. Romar took their weapons and directed them through a room to the left to a study where Duke Jingo sat behind an ornate wooden desk. The Duke was quite tall for a halfling and also quite old. His wrinkled skin and slow movements showed that he was clearly getting on in the years. Behind Jingo stood an old human wearing all black with his hands resting on two dagger sheaths in his belt. Romar took his leave.

Duke Jingo said, “My servants have told me about you. Hektor Rackgard, Amalius Halkias, Torin Stoneblade, and Eathirilu Treeheart. I know about you. I understand you have something to tell me about my brother.”
Amalius said, “My lord, do you trust your servant there?” Amalius pointed at the old man in black.
“Elijas? Yes, completely. He is my bodyguard.”
“Then I’ll continue. We have news of your brother. He gained some scales you might say.”
“If you’re saying that Stanton became a dragovinian, I’m not particularly surprised by that fact.”
“But he’s since lost those scales. He’s now a mortal halfling once again.”
“And? What is he like?”
Torin said, “He’s young and healthy. Working for the Xorian rebellion.” Amalius gave Torin a glare. He’d hoped they wouldn’t reveal that information. If Jingo was looking for ways to lengthen his life then the idea of becoming a dragovinian and then undoing it to become young again might attract him to the Xorian cause. Torin continued, “But he’s lost his memory. Doesn’t remember a thing about his life before he was changed back to a mortal.” Amalius gritted his teeth. This presented an even worse picture where going dragovinian didn’t leave a realistic option of changing back.
Jingo said, “Now that’s at least partially interesting. I’ll have to file that away. Is that all you came to tell me? That my brother is mortal once again? He might be bearable to be around if he’s lost his memory, but I doubt it. We haven’t spoken for decades and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Amalius said, “I suppose if your grace prefers to switch topics there is something else we’d like to discuss.”
“Please.”
“The other night we were attacked at the Hotel Nomingburg by a lich named, Amalgami. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?”
Jingo visibly perked up from his previously dour self, “Ohoho! I was looking forward to this! One of the more interesting contracts I’ve encountered. The lich paid for a hit on the King of Aractrash! But he wanted to make it interesting so he told me to tell you if you showed up. So it could be a ‘contest of wits’ or something like that. Ridiculous isn’t it? But fascinating too.”
Hektor said, “Excuse me? Did you say that someone is going to try and assassinate King Ballard?”
“Yes. Left two days ago actually.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us about who you sent? Which guild, how many, that sort of thing?”
“I’d rather not say. It’s not in my usual habits to give away any information about an assassination attempt, but when a client pays good money for me to give that information away… It’s actually quite satisfying.”
Hektor said to the rest of the group, “We have to go immediately. If the killer is walking, then he won’t be there for months. But if he teleported… He’s got two days on us. The King could already be dead.”
The party left Jingo’s Palace with swift goodbyes, settled their bill at Hotel Nomingburg, and teleported to Yuettencal, the capital of Aractrash the Jungle Kingdom.

Hektor’s Liege Lord

Hektor rushed through the city followed by the others to the castle at the center. Guards stopped him at the entrance. Hektor brushed past them, “I am Lord Hektor Rackgard of Lakatia. I will speak with the King immediately on a matter of the utmost importance.”
The group entered King Ballard’s court where supplicants brought their disputes to be arbitrated by his highness. Amalius, remembering that King Ballard’s father was humiliated, partially due to Amalgami’s betrayal, telepathed to the rest of the party, “Call me Alan while we’re here. The King probably hates anybody related to my grandfather.”

King Ballard sat on his throne wearing his royal robes and crown. The crier stepped forward and announced, “Presenting Lord Hektor Rackgard of Lakatia, Lord Torin Stoneblade, and their companions, Eathirilu Treeheart and Alan the psion.”
Hektor stepped forward and bowed before his liege. “My king, I wish to speak to you on a matter of grave importance.”
Ballard spoke, “I admit I have wished to speak with you, Lord Rackgard. Don’t think your visits to Bradel Fields have gone unnoticed. I’m not pleased that you’ve gone over my head in this manner. Not pleased at all.” The King looked down awaiting a response.
“Your highness, I have just learned that the Xorians have hired an assassin to kill your majesty. I ask that you adjourn court so that we may discuss this matter in private.”
Ballard stared at Hektor, “You’re serious?” Hektor nodded. The king sighed. “Well then. Court is adjourned for today. I ask that my advisors meet with me and Hektor in the war room.”
The guards began clearing the room of the supplicants. King Ballard signaled his attendants and Hektor to follow him. The party went along as well.

The two groups met in the war room around a large oval table. Various maps were kept in bookcases along with books on military strategies and logistic tactics. A glass cabinet next to the bookcases held figures to be used for troop movements in battle planning. King Ballard sat down with Lord Valen, General Kokinspiel, High Priest Alkmedemos, General Dalen, Admiral Lucas, and the new Archmage Preta joining him. After escaping the Bradel Fields jail Preta fled to Aractrash and took a position in King Ballard’s court. The King’s hobgoblin bodyguard, Clank, stood by the door. Hektor sat opposite the king on the oval table with Torin, Eathirilu, and Amalius next to him.

King Ballard started the meeting by asking, “So tell me Hektor, what is this assassination attempt?”
“Your majesty, I learned only an hour ago that the Xorians have hired an assassin from Nomingburg to kill you. The assassin left Nomingburg two days ago. I don’t know if the assassin has magically come here already or if they are coming via mundane means. Frankly, I don’t even know if the assassin is one person or a group. I came here to help as soon as I could.”

They discussed the possibility that the assassination attempt was a ruse. Perhaps the Xorians had sent an inept assassin, hoping that the forewarning the King received would result in the assassin’s death. It fit the Xorians MO for executions, but seemed too unlikely to not take the necessary precautions. The party chose to continue with Hektor’s lie that the assassin was sent by Xoria, not Amalgami. They hoped that this deception would force Ballard into joining the war on the Alliance side in response.

Lord Valen noted that an annoying halfling merchant from Nomingburg had arrived in court two days ago hoping to establish a trade contract for redwire. They had dismissed him as ridiculous as redwire is something of a military secret to Aractrash. Redwire’s lightweight and strength make it doubly effective as leather for defending one’s self. Perhaps this merchant, named Morin, was the assassin? Nearly everyone suspected this as a red herring, but not wanting to take chances, Lord Valen sent out to capture Morin.

Amalius/Alan went to a different room led by a random servant to perform a divination to learn more about the assassin. He received this message,
“Someone soon will kill the King,
With quarrel or blade, they will stab him,
But the mask this person wears will be,
Someone very close to thee.“

This brought some good information. The “thee” in the prophecy was unclear. Did it refer to Amalius or King Ballard? Either way, that meant that the assassin would likely disguise themselves as one of the people in the war room or someone in the royal family. The assassin would use a crossbow or a blade to kill the king. The attempt would come within a week (divination is only accurate for events within a week). Perhaps the most shocking part of this message was that someone will kill the king, not attempt to kill, but will kill. Was opposition to the assassination attempt hopeless? If all else failed the party hoped they could still resurrect King Ballard, but the king preferred to avoid that fail safe.

After suggesting various defenses the party landed on several good ideas.
1. Increase security around the castle. Doubled watches, new passwords, etc.
2. Check anyone entering the castle for concealed weapons.
3. Torin had a pair of true seeing goggles that could be active constantly to detect for magically disguised people. While Torin can’t keep watch constantly, he could swap shifts with Clank to ensure the king’s safety.
4. Eathirilu could cast foresight on the king to warn him against any incoming sneak attacks.
5. The King’s advisors and the party could create a system of rotating passwords to ensure that if one of them was replaced, they’d know.
6. Prior to implementing the password system Alkmedemos and Torin could verify the identity of the people in Ballard’s group and Hektor’s group.
7. Closing the circle, Torin and Alkmedemos could use truth magic to ensure that the other one of that pair was not working with the assassin. Thus the only way the assassin could infiltrate those “close to thee” would be if the assassins had already replaced Torin and Alkmedemos in which case they would vouch for each other.