RPG Campaigns

Giraine Summaries

Meanwhile…

[you do not know this first bit; the Captain only does] The Captain had a vision: a grey-bearded man in dirty Zzaburi robes with a ragged towering wizard's hat. It was Bishop Umrovide, calling to him “I was there to heal your wounds. You were there to kill hated Uzelu. Now you shall bear witness with me to Makan's glory. Find the staircase into the spire and endure its challenges. Your geas will then be released and so will mine.” And so, feeling himself cross into the Hero Plane as a golden glow encompassed him, he entered the Inner Sanctum and then the spiral stairs to the tower.

The stairs challenged him with freezing darkness bolts, water conjured to fill his lungs, and a sucking pressure that tried to pull him down the stairs. Yet he persisted.

He entered a chamber whence the golden glow issued from a floating humanoid figure that was caught in the coils of a sinister black two-headed serpent that dripped ebony ichor. It hissed in low and high tones, “A hero ascends at a dire price; descent into Hell will be your only prize! For I am Ichthyophis the Inimical, crushing coils and visuous venom of the abyssal depths and defiler of light! This former Pinnacle of the High Witness is mine alone, granted by Magasta, keeper of drowned secrets!” And it attacked. First it spat venom in his face but he wiped that off, although he ached there where the cold, boiling blood-ichor touched him. Trading dodges and parries, the two faced off until Ahappi dealt it a mortal blow in mid-body and Ichthyophis died, releasing its captive as the snake dissolved into the stonework.

The glowing figure hovered, spreading robe-like wings and gesturing with Malkioni symbols, then softly speaking in poetic Old Seshnegi: “Hero indeed shall get their prize. For freedom's gift is soon repaid. Shadow-shackled mind is now allayed. And sunken church again can rise. As humble Witness long has prayed.” It drew golden Harmony runes in the air and the Captain's mundane Passions all vanished– he was “free”(?).

The whole Cathedral began shaking and the Captain found himself in the bare Pinnacle atop the spire, back on the mortal plane. He knew he must flee the danger now coming as the church rose, and he nimbly descended the stairs, finding his comrades pondering a glowing book on a pedestal. “We must flee! A demon controls this place!” he shouted at them. But he did not flee; a crazed look had come over him…

[now everyone knows most of what follows]

Maugis was inspecting the book, whose golden magics not only visibly extended into the ceiling (and whole Cathedral) but also (invisibly except to him) into the pedestal and floor. It was powerful Malkioni sorcery and he could see old formulae inscribed in the pages. Touching them, he instantly knew this:

According to the church, Magasta the demon whorl at the centre of the world who is attempting to drain the world of its energy by sucking Neleom into his massive vortex-like eye. Neleom is one of the friendly water essences that aided the Middle Sea Empire/Godlearners. This book is the Grimoire of the Neleomi Guardians (twin statues whose shrine was on the perimeter of the Cathedral; one of those still active). It is Vonesthec's Log; the ship's log of the original captain (high priest) of the Neleomi Guardians, whose ships were mobile temples. Bringing the book into the Cathedral made it like a ship that could survive the Shattering. This required warping its magics (and hiding these magics from the Gift Carriers of the Sending Gods; destroyers of the Godlearners. To do this, someone used Light and Sky powers to command the wind/water powers of Neleom and save the Cathedral. (hence the golden glow here; and then the winds and waters are of Neleom– but the darkness is of neither of these– perhaps Karkovoch's bringing?)

Maugis was intrigued but could not move the book. Miguel touched it, too, and knew these things but was perplexed. Then the Captain rushed in, his harpoon aimed at the book. Maugis stepped between them and parried the first blow, then the group argued over the book's fate. Boamund soon joined in, bringing Maugis, Ahappi and the book into his ring of fire. The book seemed not only immobile but inflammable. Fraud and Miguel soon began fleeing, followed by Boamund, as the Cathedal continued to shudder and rise.

The lich of Karkovoch spoke, telling you to leave, and then it walked around the back of the Sanctum to engage Maugis and Ahappi who did not leave. It brought its two Shades. Ahappi disarmed it after blocking a blow from its mace, then it took a few blows from him and Maugis before it called in its Shades to envelop them. Maugis was trapped inside a shade and soon went unconscious after a brief struggle. Ahappi turned to fight his Shade, suffering a freezing lash from it, and then the troll picked up its mace and clobbered him in the head; he sunk down unconscious at last.

Hearing silence fall in the distant Sanctum, Boamund and the others turned back (joined by the two Thaumanauts, who were very ready to leave!) and arrrived to see the troll standing over the two bodies, incanting an ancient rite as shadows hung around him. Invoking the shield's power, Boamund forced Karkovoch into the rear of the Sanctum and you found your friends(?) insensate but alive. The Thaumanauts quickly threw Regenerate blessings to save their lives and begin healing them, and you fled. The great doors of the Cathedral were now open but no waters rushed in– winds still kept them away. But you could see the sea rushing past as the Cathedral rose on a perfect pillar of stone, leaving the remainder of the ruins behind. And oh no, here came that bizarre “nautiloid” thing that had haunted you for years! You contemplated your move…

Then time shifted and you were on the sea floor, past the nautiloid and Cathedral. The Nivla was not far away now, being able to cross whatever magical barrier had kept it back before. But a giant dark shape loomed out of the distant seas- something else was coming. Desperately running for your vessel, as trolls swam in panic around the ruins, you saw the huge shape bolt across the waters and grab the nautiloid, which had turned to pursue you. Snatching the vessel in its jaws, the giant sea monster sent pieces of machine and flesh scattering, and bubbles issued forth from the rent hull. You caught a brief glimpse of the immense elongate bulk of the scaly monster, with fins and tendrils and whatnot, and then it vanished into the depths with its “prize.” Whoa!

You boarded the Nivla, looking back to see the softly glowing Cathedral rising out of the waters on its pillar, leaving the ruins behind. And you left, too, hastily ascending to the assembled group of ships waiting for you. You caught up with the Thaumanauts as you rose, and they noticed your Shield but did not comment. They seemed exhilarated by the apparently successful mission.

Back on the Nolosian trireme, Jett greeted you and soon Omen and the Ouori did too. They explained that you'd been gone four hours (time had slipped past, but not years this time) and so they'd called for help: Magasta sent a great sea monster (and not “just” a kraken as they'd called for). Later, once conscious, Ahappi exclaimed that this was his ancient family foe, Pellinoresbane; but why did it seem to help you (and him)? Indeed it had never killed him but had inconvenienced and threatened you at times before. Thinking back, indeed it had appeared at some times when there were these odd time-slips… was it following you when the “nautiloid” thing was, in pursuit of that?

You discussed your mission while Ahappi and Maugis healed. Jett knew that the mad Bishop Umrovide would be pleased by his prophesized rise of the Cathedral, and indeed as you neared St Thosos (now sailing on the Baron's galley), you saw the Bishop's dinghy rowing out toward the Cathedral with the Bishop loudly praying “From Giraine we have seen it happen, and cast our eyes to the southeast to witness the grand spire of Arvonesse pierce the waves, ascending with a blessed light as a beacon of hope and symbol of Makan's favour. These things I knew, and the faithful believed. And we knew that these things would save us and save Giraine. Praise Makan.” That did not sound good.

[Game note: in the very 1st session of our campaign, you met this Bishop and he pronounced the prophecy of the Cathedral's rise– as he often did since then. He plays the “long game” and now is a Big Player; he did not become the head Bishop in the region by just being a weak, insane, incompetent magician. He's one of the greatest wizards in the land! Healing Ahappi's major wound years ago, he cast a geas upon him that made Ahappi his servant in this mission to bring the Cathedral above the waters again…] [Ahappi knows that the essence he saw in the Pinnacle was the Ascended Master, the High Witness Cardinal Wotring'ishbar [note: Thaumanaut Cataldo had mentioned him as the Godlearner head of the Cathedral], who saw the coming of the Shattering and saved himself and his Cathedral for the glory of Makan, but at a cost of terrible suffering. A Rokari could see him as inspiring. You don't know this bit, but Ahappi isn't happy about it!]

You rushed to visit Big Ron. Discussion ensued, in which a few points were made: 1) Big Ron wanted the Cathedral left alone and would secure it as much as he could, but the Bishop/Rokari could not easily be stopped there (although you knew the troll-lich would try to!). 2) Cataldo was very happy working with you and you would part as good allies, strengthening your ties with Nolos and thus its Doge, and the Thaumanauts themselves. He lavished praise upon you all; and it was sincere (if embarrassing?). 3) Jett negotiated with you that the magic items you'd recovered would stay with their holders, except that the Tap Water scroll would go to the Thaumauts for keeping/study for now, and you'd trade that with the Flesh-Bronze scroll later; with both going back to Nolos at the end. The Thaumanauts had gained some items that they did not show/discuss and your shield was not openly discussed here, either. Fair enough! 4) Evakranem, Ron's old Zzaburi, said “The ravages of Time that you have faced are irreversible, I am now certain. It seems that they were, however, isolated to the School of Penetrating Radiance- you do not seem ravaged by this journey. Oddly enough, I was poring through old documents that we have recovered from Giraine and found this image: [shows a scroll with formulae and a sketch of the nautiloid thing] It is from an obscure order of the Godlearners, the Outer Atomic Explorers. It is said that their mecha-magics helped them to venture into the Chaos void itself and thence through Time. Shocking as it is to find that they reappeared here and now, from your description it seems that they have been vanquished again by the power of the Sea, which serves Time and thus Makan.” 5) Still upset, and more healed and capable, Ahappi stormed out (cursing this island and his fate) and was last seen hiring a drunken fisherman's boat to take him to sea… Ron was concerned about Ahappi's wellbeing. He (and Jett) wanted your group to settle its differences and work together more, but left you to resolve that. 6) Ron: “There remains the matter of the Sea Trolls, the Gloomshark and the ruined school above it, and then the mysterious military building. However, given the changes afoot after this mission I will express to the Doge of Nolos that we must bide our time and see what transpires. The trolls will likely be distracted by the Cathedral's rise… as may we.” Here, the Nolosians interjected that they knew Nolos/their Doge (and they) were against widening conflict with the Rokari. Already, they were at war on the mainland with Seshnela and they warned that the devastation they'd seen could easily come here. 7) Ron ushered the Thaumauts to their quarters and to bid you farewell, then you convened privately with him, Jett and Evakranem. You explained the “Saint” Karkovoch and the 3 saints/questers and Granno. Evakranem wasn't buying the words of an undead troll; he rationalized that instead, the Godlearner foes were now destroyed and the Vadeli were inconsequential, and past documents/information of the Saints seemed reliable. You argued over this and Ron held a neutral ground, wanting more information. Jett said he'd look into what the Vadeli were doing on Giraine, as something was up. 8) Ron then invited Ciddar to come in. There was a strange, joyous stirring in the hearts of those holding the weapons… Ciddar: “I have more great news! As you've once again been victorious, I bear the Dark Duke's order that I am to return to your company in his service. Now that we have the four weapons together, surely great wealth and fame will come our way, and Pithdaros will prosper in its wake!” Ron was uncomfortable but supports this out of loyalty, and so Ciddar rejoined you, pledging to use his connections to get Ahappi the ship he was asking for, but uneasy about the suggestion that he'd be first mate again! Anyway, you needed to find Ahappi sooner or later; at last, after so many years, the four weapons could be united! 9) Discussions finished up and you returned home to Aria's Well after 4 days away. The trolls told you that Syrr Kogag wanted a word, and in his aeropod you learned this news: Syrr Kogag had asked the Sage Scarabs, “Where can we find those we call the Poets Against Twilight or the Purple Prophets?” And he got this reply: “Those who despise the dim light of dusk; who hate all Time; lie in neither but are whispered of in the shadow of Gothalos harbour while wolves drown those words with howls of bloody murder. The pillage of pirates masks a deeper evil there.”

He offered to take you there, and you asked when- he said when you were ready. You decided to rest and wait for Ahappi to return. You did not know of Gothalos, except that it was over a week to the south in Jrustela, the old archipelago that was the heart of the former Middle Sea Empire/Godlearners.

You had time to think over what had happened. You'd brought huge change to the region: the glowing spire of Arvonesse could be seen from high ground on Giraine, and will bring attention from more than just the Bishop. You had the Shield but knew it carried with it a curse of some kind, along with massive power like the other weapons.

The Cathedral began to make sense: what was a fine Jrusteli church (with some older powers lingering) had been led by its High Witness at the Shattering to preserve it with Light and Sky powers, harnessing the Neleomi Guardians' water/air magic against Magasta's wrath (e.g. the serpent that Ahappi fought; which you still don't know of). So this explained how Arvonesse remained, especially the Cathedral; Godlearner magics were turned against themselves to save themselves. But then the troll was not part of this; he was no ally of the Godlearners (or so he said)! He seemed to be the likely link that brought Darkness into the Cathedral, and haunted it for some reason-- but his relationship with the Grimoire or the High Witness or others was obscure. Whatever; Karkovoch seemed indestructible, and maybe the Grimoire too; as with the Cathedral???

Well that was epic; I hope you enjoyed it (despite the gruelling bits). It was fun to create and you surprised me a lot, which made it more fun.

A few final notes: +1 party Luck pts = back to 3 now! Ahappi's head wound from the troll's mace froze shut; it will only heal naturally (not magically). Ouch!

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