GoCorral

Untenable Cooperation

The last obstacle that stood in the way of resurrecting Zeus was Amalius. Gorwinua could sing almost well enough to be “better than the gods” as the Druid’s Prophecy required. Unfortunately, she wasn’t quite good enough. Zelus had affirmed that she would need to be mentally linked with Amalius to properly channel Orpheus’s musical talent. A deal had been struck to trade Zelus’s divinity for Amalius’s cooperation, but with Zelus captured by Barakah, such a deal was no longer possible. How else could the party treat with Amalius to ensure his assistance?

It was decided that divine advice was necessary. Torin used his magic to commune with Athena. The party asked the following questions.
1. Does Amalius know that we know that he is planning to betray us?
– Yes.
2. Will Amalius insist on attending the ritual?
– Yes, he has to be there for the ritual to work.
3. Will Amalius accept Aldarian as a bargain chip?
– Yes, he likes Aldarian.
4. Does Amalius have a way of tracking our movements?
– Yes. He can track your movements.
5. Does Amalius know that we know about “Amalgami’s plan”?
– No. He does not know.
6. Since Amalius is a powerful telepath, is it possible to dominate him or programmed amnesia him?
– Difficult, but possible.
7. Does the aspect of Ammutseba known as Barakah pose a threat to any of us, the gods, or the universe itself within 1 week?
– No.
8. Within 1 month?
– No.
9. If we kill the aspect of Ammutseba, can we rescue Zelus?
– Yes, he would be free.
10. Would the lich Amalgami release King Ballard now that Tagenadi tried to attack the Xorians?
– Nope.
11. Would the Amazon queen be willing to turn on the Xorians or at least leave their cause?
– Yes.
12. If she made a deal with us, would she keep it?
– It depends.
13. If we kill her, will Blendegad or his agents be able to resurrect her? Or will Hades keep her soul?
– Yes, they could resurrect her.
14. Where is Amalganus?
– Jipangu.
15. Would he be sympathetic to bringing back Zeus?
– Yes and no.
16. Is Amalius likely to move against us in the next week if we do not provoke him?
– No.
17. Has Amalius mind-controlled any member of the Alliance?
– Yes.
18. What does Amalius want?
– Power to initiate anarchy.
19. Is Aldarian under Amalius’ magical control?
– Yes.
20. If removed, would he turn away from Amalius?
– No.
21. How can we free King Ballard?
– Break the gem.
22. Where is Amalius?
– Jipangu.
23. Who in the alliance is dominated?
– Kig, Arendil, Endi, Aldarian, and others.
24. Can commune be tricked?
– Yes, it can be tricked.
25. How is Amalius keeping track of our movements?
– Hypercognition.
26. How is Amalius keeping track of our plans?
– Hypercognition and informants.
27. Has he mind-controlled or reprogrammed any members of the party?
– No.
28. Do Gorwinua, Eathirilu, Hektor, Torin, Danar, Tagenadi, Amalius, and Alkmene all intend to see the ritual of the Druid’s Prophecy through as written?
– No.
29. Has Amalius mind-controlled or reprogrammed Alkmene?
– No.
30. Does Alkmene intend to see the ritual through as written?
– Yes.
31. How long for Gorwinua to come up with a unique song?
– 3 Months.
32. Would it work to link her to Dillon the castrato?
– Reduces time to compose to 1 month.
33. What is Amalius’s plan?
– Siphon a portion of the divine essence.
34. What would he accept as a trade instead of Zelus’s divinity to aid in the ritual?
– Amalgami or something of great value.
35. Will Amalius attempt a ritual on Zeus’ body within three months without Gorwinua?
– No.
36. When will Amalgami’s plan happen?
– When it will cause the most chaos.
37. What is Amalius’s plan to defeat Blendegad?
– Use Zeus’s power or ally with enemies.

Could the group cooperate with Amalius to bring Zeus back? Probably, but Amalius had some scheme to steal a bit of Zeus’s power for himself. Could that be prevented? The group might be able to overpower Amalius and force him to go through with the ritual. That’s assuming they could catch him unguarded. His predictive powers would allow him to evade any such attempt before it started. Negotiation seemed like the only way to move forward. The group went to the Halkias estate in Jipangu to speak to Amalius.

The group went into Amalius’s study and put forth their arguments for why he should help them without disrupting the ritual. Zeus was needed to end the war and kill Blendegad. Siphoning off Zeus’s power had the potential to ruin that. Amalius reiterated that the war could be finished regardless and that it was more important to free the people of Cimmeria from all who would oppress them (Xorian Wars 79/Alliance 63). The rule of Blendegad was bad, but the Olympians were really so different. The debate went in circles. Amalius wouldn’t help them and the party had little reason to trust him if he did.

Hektor said, “What would it take for you to help us? What can we offer or do for you?”
Amalius brought his index finger up and tapped it against his lips, “Bring my grandfather to justice. Destroy him and his phylactery. If you do that, I’ll help you execute the Druid’s Prophecy.”
“We can do that, but where is Amalgami?”
“Korm knows. I’ll have the dagger delivered to you soon.” Amalius took a seat behind his desk. “Now is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
“No. That is all.”
The group left with uneasy feelings.

The Family He Spurned

The bodies of Bart and Danaranena had been collected from Nox and it was time to resurrect them as Hektor had suggested (Xorian Wars 83/Alliance 67).

Bart had been Hektor’s seneschal. He kept watch over Hektor’s estate while Hektor was away on business. Bart was also a trained priest, ready at all times to administer the healing magic of the Olympians. Hektor always kept a contingent teleport spell active on himself. If he ever became truly injured, he would be teleported to the safety of Lakatia. While Bart was alive, Hektor trusted his servant to see to his wounds. Unfortunately, Bart had been kidnapped and killed by the dragovinians. With his corpse recovered, Hektor’s most loyal attendant might soon return to life and servitude.

Danaranena was Tagenadi’s younger sister. He had grown up with her while idolizing his older brother’s military career in the Xorian Army. Tagenadi joined the army to follow in his brother’s footsteps. During his service with the army Tagenadi witnessed the horrors that his nation had committed. He mutinied, but was captured. Due to his brother’s growing importance in the Xorian royal court, Tagenadi was given a special punishment. He was magically dominated and forced to kill his parents in front of Danaranena. Tagenadi never learned the fate of his sister. Hades claimed that she was drowned, but apparently she was held captive by the Xorians and executed during the raid on the Museum of Power.

The necessary offerings were acquired and the Exiles gathered in Hektor’s magnificent mansion to resurrect the pair. Bart and Danaranena were laid on the ground in funeral garb. Torin began saying the necessary chants to bring Bart back to life. When he was done Bart coughed and breathed once more.

Bart thanked Torin and the others profusely; however, he refrained from showing too much emotion. Bart kept to himself. He quickly excused himself to go see his family and show them that he returned to life.

Torin turned to repeat the same ritual of resurrection for Danaranena. As Torin cast his spell, Tagenadi used one of his magical items to change his appearance to that of his living self. Soon air flowed into Danaranena’s body once more. She opened her eyes slowly and sat up. She looked around. Dana was surrounded by a group of people she didn’t recognize. All except for one face, Tagenadi, her brother! After the terrors of Xorian captivity she was relieved to find herself amongst her family once more.

“Tagu!” Danaranena rose to her feet and moved to embrace her brother. He turned away from her. “Tagu? Why?”
“You cannot touch me. I… I’ve changed.”
“You’ll always be my brother. Please!” She moved to hug him again and he stepped away from her.
“No.”
“Tagenadi, no matter what you’ve done. No matter who you are. You are still my brother. I love you,” Dana’s face cracked and she began to cry, “and I still need you!”
“No. I am a monster now. I don’t deserve your love.”
“What could be so bad that you won’t even hug me?”
Tagenadi let the illusion drop. Dana recoiled in horror.
Tagenadi explained, “There was an incident while we fighting. I was transported to the Underworld. The only way to return was…” he swept his arms downward, “like this.”
“I… I want to be alone.”
“We should talk about this. I’m still the same person. I have other things to tell you.”
“No. I want to be alone. Is there a bath in here? I want to take a bath.” Danaranena shivered as if she were covered in cold mud despite just being washed for the resurrection ritual.
“Won’t you talk to me?”
“NO! You’re hardly even my brother anymore! Leave me alone!”
Hektor, Eathirilu, and Danar stepped in. They led her to the baths in the mansion. Hektor informed her that unseen servants would obey her and assist with anything she needed before shutting the door. The trio returned to the chapel room the resurrections had taken place in.
Tagenadi asked, “Do you think… Do you think she’ll ever understand what I did?”
No one answered.
Tagenadi stared at the ground.
“Maybe its best if she isn’t around me. I’ll make arrangements for her to stay with Amalius.”

Date with Death

A few days passed and a special date arrived. In exchange for Vecna returning Amalius to life Danar had promised to go on a date with the lich of Crux (Xorian Wars 69/Alliance 53).

Danar prepared himself, putting on dress clothes and oiling his hair. He also accepted a load of protection spells from the rest of the party. Once he was ready Danar teleported to Vecna’s hut and knocked on her door. The others gathered around a scrying mirror to watch the events, partially to watch what would likely be a train-wreck of a date and partially to ensure Danar’s safety.

A cloud passed over the full moon. The crone’s voice could be heard through the door, “Come in! I’m just getting dressed!”

Danar pushed the door in and found himself in the familiar, cluttered hut. He heard Vecna moving around behind the back curtain. Danar was a courageous warrior, but the prospect of romancing a lich was giving him pause.

Danar slapped his hands against his legs. “I thought we might go for a walk! In the park.”
Vecna emerged from the back curtain. “That sounds lovely.” She was wearing a flowing, silver gown that swept down to her ankles. On her feet were silver shoes and tight stockings that covered her desiccated skin. The garments did little to hide her withered shape. She wore silver and sapphire jewelry around her wrists and neck. The wisps of hair that adorned her head were held back by a silver tiara. Vecna’s face was covered with paints making it appear as if blood still pulsed in her veins, but the sad facsimile was revealed up close.
Danar stifled his urge to cringe. He smiled, held out his arm, and said, “You look lovely.”
“Oh thank you! A lady always enjoys a bit of flattery.”
“Would you like to pop us to our destination or shall I?”
“You do it dearie. I want it to be a surprise.”

Danar waved his hands and they teleported to the Park of Delights in Bradel Fields. The park was rumored to be haunted. Since the Xorian destruction of the city using death magic, the rumors were no longer needed. Ghosts and wailing souls wandered through the grass and woods, shrieking of the things undone in their miserably short lives.

Danar led Vecna through the Park of Delights underneath the full moon. She frowned. “It reminds me of my home. Full of dead people.”
“Do you…” Danar trailed off.
Vecna grasped Danar’s hand with her one good hand. Danar flinched. The pair walked by the groaning specters that floated through the haunted park.
“Could we go somewhere else?” Vecna asked.
“Of course.” Danar wiggled his fingers and the two of them left the park instantly.

They appeared in Satronwook, the party city of Cimmeria. The smell of beer, vomit, and peanuts assaulted Danar’s nose. Alcohol and cheap entertainment were always plentiful in Satronwook. Danar was not being cheap tonight though. He led Vecna to an expensive riverfish restaurant that Eathirilu had told him about. The sky was overcast, but the light of the moon shown through the dark clouds.

They ate their meal in silence on the patio beside one of the many plazas of Satronwook. A troupe of fire dancers twirled about in the plaza. Danar tossed them a small pouch of coins when they approached. The dancers spun around his and Vecna’s table for a few minutes before proceeding onwards. Vecna picked at her meal. Tasting all the portions, but eating little of it.

When he was finished Danar looked at Vecna, “Would you like to go dancing?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Not here though.” Danar held his hand out. Vecna took it and they stood together. Danar teleported them away again.

The couple reappeared in the sky above the Caspian Sea. They were west of Lordodo. The clouds in the sky still covered the moon, but they drifted eastward. Danar took Vecna’s right hand in his left and rested his other on her waist. Her left wrist stump rested on Danar’s shoulder. They spun around in the sky. Danar avoided looking in Vecna’s eyes.

The moon began to peek out from behind the clouds. Vecna leaned in and whispered, “I’ve had a wonderful time. I’d like a perfect end to this date. Kiss me.”
“I… Do I…have to?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Danar leaned in to kiss her dead flesh. The full moon came out into the open. Danar shivered and felt a dark presence in the sky with them. He turned from the kiss and looked towards the evil power he felt.

A gray monster stood in the clouds. The Antenator of Crux had left his Silver Tower. His three heads were grotesquely long and featureless. All three mouths opened and the Antenator screamed, “ANOREXIIIAAAAAA!” As it screamed Danar seemed to see two different figures where the Antenator stood. The three-headed bodak that most associated with the Antenator and a one-winged black angel.

Vecna screamed back at the Antenator, “This is what you get Thanatos! I hate you! Let me go!”
“Never! You are my wife and will do as I wish!”
Danar shied away from Vecna. The Antenator was the same as Thanatos, the god of death? It made sense.
Vecna shouted, “I wanted to live a normal life, but you killed me and took me to your foul home for your own selfish pleasures! I’m done with it!”
“I raised you up to the status of a god, Anorexia! You would continue to turn your back on I’ve given you for this… this… commoner!?”
Danar realized the god of death was talking about him. Danar’s allies that had been scrying him realized this as well. Eathirilu and Tagenadi immediately teleported into the situation.
Eathirilu said, “Date’s over, Danar. Time for your curfew.”
“I’m getting the hell out of here.” Danar teleported away. Eathirilu and Tagenadi stayed to watch the argument unfold. The gods fought and Tagenadi recalled the story he had seen on the walls of the Silver Tower (Xorian Wars 31/Alliance 22).

Anorexia and Thanatos flung insults at each other and the air practically boiled with negative energy. Eathirilu’s death ward provided him some protection, but he had to leave before too long. Soon Tagenadi began to feel the negative energy overloading his skeletal frame. He teleported away as well. They met up at Lakatia.

“Well,” said Hektor, “that was interesting to watch.”