Game-Summaries:8/24/2018 Recollections

Recollections by Ci

Friend Ember has provided a comprehensive recollection of our attempt to capture Imphraezl. There are no details that I could add to this account, as it is both accurate and complete. I would add only my thoughts on this task, and its outcome. Firstly, I learned to pay more attention to our newfound abilities gifted us by the House of Time. We faced an invisible enemy, and allowed it to escape, because both Ember and myself forgot we could use faerie fire to make visible, things that are hidden.

I also had another close brush with the next world. We encountered bug-like creatures which had the ability to sap our very essence. I found myself weakened, and in very real danger of falling permanently to the next few enemies we faced. That danger had the effect of forcing my mind into sharp focus. Each moment seemed a lifetime, and each decision was monumental. Danegr can also set you free, however. When end of a dark road is before us, all other concerns seem to fall away. Once I had chosen to continue the fight despite the danger, the prospect of death no longer held any fear for me. This is a truth spoken of often by my Masters, but I don't think I understood the true nature of acceptance until that moment. When faced with death, rather than fear and anxiety, I found contentment and peace.

Finally, I left this task feeling humble more than anything. Despite our combined competence, we still face an enemy who's power greatly eclipses our own. The ease with which Imphraezl evaded us, makes it clear that we are still quite small players in this grand game after all. Attention, humility and acceptance, then... tenets of The Study of which I still have much to learn. I am more sure than ever, however, that I am walking my true path

Recollections by Ember

I head to the library at the call of Amon. He wants to hunt down the Drow wizard Imphraezl who wants to release the chaos curse on Solace. I don't know for certain if I am ready for this mission. I feel much dread at facing such a powerful wizard like Imphraezl, but I decide to head to my doom anyway. I meet Amon in the library along with Ci, Sakura, and--oh, great--Cassio. Why is it that I am always stuck with this pompous fool on every quest I go on? I can't wait to be delighted with vapid stories with his skewed versions of his glory.

Amon begins by telling us Imphraezl is the leader of the Black Ice Gang and, as we know, trying to release the chaos curse. It is believed he still has outstanding items yet to collect in order to complete the curse therefore we must find him and stop him before he is able to reign chaos on Solace.

Amon has heard reports of Imphraezl being sighted in Windy Bluff and an old fortress. After a short discussion we decide to take the portal to the Magistery outpost in Windy Bluff. We head down to the fourth level where the portal gateways are kept. As we travel the hallway we can see many doorways all lined with many portals. Then, we reach ours. Ci says he will pay our fee of fifty gold to the House Blue attendant, which was very nice of him. From what I've heard he has come into quiiiiiite a bit of money since he sold the Staff of the Magi. The Blue attendant then activated the gate with runes, cast a circle, and the gate started to glow bright. We stepped through.

After we passed through the portal we stepped out into a non-distinct room. We went down a small hallway and up a set of stairs at the end. We are now in an offshoot of the Magestry Edifice. The population is very sparse, minuscule in comparison to our Magistery tower. It is however a familiar library, just much smaller. They were thinking of having Sakura create our own gate here and head to the fortress, but I suggested we ask about Imphraezl while we were here. Everyone agreed.

We decide we will try to find a Blue, since they are usually the best with information. Since the population here is sparse, we are lucky enough to see a man wearing wolf pelts with bright blue robes peaking through. Sakura introduces us and the man in blue introduces himself as Winnie. He is extremely rude and sounds very exhausted he has to talk to us. Sakura shirks his bad manners and tells him about the looming danger of the foreboding Imphraezl. Winnie concedes only a rumor and tells us to find one known as "Fortia" who is making a dead drop at a "tavern with a horn." Although his information was imprecise we take the clue we needed from Winnie and press on, so it wasn't a waste.

We head outside. Since we don't know the name of the tavern, we begin looking for a local, someone who frequents taverns; a drunk. We give Sakura the lead, since he has the silver tongue, and he asks a rather soused fellow if he knows of "the tavern with the horn." He jovially tells us "You must mean the Horny Toad! Follow ME!".

As we walk Ci turns to us and says "friends this is not the best part of town, we should be on guard." Cassio jovially retorts "they should be on guard from me!" If my eyes could roll out of my head they would. Seriously, why am I always on a quest with him? As we reach the entrance, the man bows to us and puts his hand out. Amon gives him a few gold pieces! The man bows profusely and says he will wait for us! We all glare at Amon waiting to hear why he parted with such gold to a stranger. He shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't have change. I shake my head, put my face in my hand

We enter the Horny Toad and find out it's a brothel. The madame approached us flaunting everything she had, but when she saw our Magistery rings she became very disappointed and pointed us to a back room. When we get to the room we see another Magister at the wall with her back to us. The wall is covered with papers, it appears she is hunting something. Without turning around she caustically says that she doesn't want tea. Seconds later she turns around, her face is crooked and very very annoyed as she says, "You've blown my cover!" Oops. Nothing we can do now, so we ask about Imphraezl.

Amon tells her all about Imphraezl and she is exhausted and annoyed over our lack of knowledge. She even calls Amon an amateur. She says she will ask her contacts for information if it will get us out of her hair. She then casts a spell, speaks in another tongue and, goes into a trance for several minutes. When she comes out of her trance she yells at us for not getting a description of him, his aliases, and his disguises. She tells us he was seen at the docks or perhaps one the of cave-ins near the docks. Only the massive ships go there and the smaller ships go to the cave-ins, but you can also get to the cave-ins by foot. Sakura asks how recent he was seen and she tells us within a couple of weeks. She snaps her fingers everything goes up in flames, she shakes her head and mumbles something about Winnie. We thank her and she says she will now have to change locations because of us. She gets in one last insult, expresses just how exhausted she is at how amateur we are, not to mention, our "sheer stupidity." On that note we get out of her hair. I feel very defeated and gloomy, but push on. We have a job to do.

We head to the docks and the cave-in. We find a standing barge and move from one to the next and find a cave-in with runes. This must be the one that Imphraezl used. Cassio can detect that there is a ward surrounding the runes, but I quickly break it with one of my spells. Since Ci is the most stealthy person I know he goes ahead and scouts. He comes back and tells us the cavern is safe up to a point so we enter. We all have to swim into the cavern, but Cassio's armor will make it very difficult for him to swim. Is it bad if I hope he sinks a little? However, he uses his newly found scepter, which is the Scepter of Lordly Might and turns it into a ladder. He then climbs his way across the water with ease. I guess its for the best, he is useful in a fight. I just wish I could sew up his mouth.

Ci tells us while he was scouting he heard the sound of arching electricity, he said it was like thunder. We are all unsure what to make of this, but know we need to be cautious. Ci takes the lead and we decide to follow. We find ourselves in an opening wherein lies a boat with a cannon. Cassio detects a lot of magic on both the boat and cannon. He tells us its like confetti, all different kinds of magic strung together. We go to explore the boat while Ci and Sakura find an astrolabe. The cannon doesn't seem to function as a normal type cannon; it doesn't have a place for an actual cannon ball. We can't tell what the cannon is used for and decide to leave it, but take the astrolabe.

We send Ci to scout north as Cassio, Amon, and I head southwest. We find crates of food. They seem to be mushrooms and such. I can tell this is for an underdark dweller, but not a Drow. I'm familiar with Drow cuisine from being in House Black. We reconvene at the boat and Ci tells us he has seen scorched earth. We relay our information about the food. Sakura thinks it is possibly a deep gnome or dwarf since they are known for their magic and craftiness. Ci also tells us he did hear foot steps in the cavern so someone was in here. He asks Sakura if he knows of any teleportation spells that scorch earth. Sakura tells us that only otherwordly spells have that type of power.

We decide we have done as much as we can do and take the astrolabe back to the edifice. On our way we see the shadow of a gnome that cackles and in a flash disappears. Maybe Fortia was right, we are stupid.

We return to the edifice and see Winnie in a chair being scolded very hard and loud by Fortia. We approach and are stopped by a Green who is nosily watching. She shakes her head at us not to interrupt. So we go over to the Green and she says this is the most entertainment she's seen all year. I roll my eyes and we ignore her. We approach the two and show Fortia the astrolabe. She exhaustively and rudely asks "What am I supposed to do with this?" We tell her about the cannon and we think it has something to do with Imphraezl. She replies incredulously and doesn't seem to really care about the astrolabe, the cannon, or Imphraezl for that matter, so we decide to just take it back to the Magistery. We go back down to the portal and head back.

We find out Galstaff is available and we take the astrolabe to him. He is shocked and asked us where we found it. We tell him our story. He is delighted and tells us he will send someone for the cannon. He explains this is not a astrolabe but a ley-line infuser. He tells us to come back in a few hours and he will show us how it works. Then we can talk about whatever else we want to talk about. He is beyond giddy.

Sakura and I stay and watch Galstaff work his magic. I find it fascinating! I hope one day I have this kind of power. The ley-line infuser turns from rings to squares into a shining sphere of light. Galstaff is so happy by this he is now ready to hear the rest of what we need to talk about. Sakura tells him about the gnome and Galstaff says no deep dwarves. He says they aren't our type of dwarves. They look like gnomes but they are actually elves. They come from a different universe and are called: Svartalves. We have a connection to that realm, the island of Surtur, Muspelheim which is a volcanic crater island. We are a world connected to many other worlds and one of those worlds is called Asgard. We thank him, but he very excitedly thanks us. Sakura asks him if he knows anything about Imphraezl, and Galstaff says only what he has read. He also says he is "probably insane, extremely powerful, and deadly with very valuable trinkets. So if you can get him, take what he has."

Cassio secures us horses--as usual, one of his nicer qualities--and we make our way to the fortress. We tied the horses far from the fortress and walk. It is in very decrepit condition, you would never know it's in use. There are eight entrances. One looks like it is used much more, we decide to avoid that and use one that is less traveled. We find these are warded too. This time Amon casts his spell and dispels the ward. We send Ci to scout ahead again. We enter the room into a basement. The room is filled with skeletons in crates, on the floor, and a skeleton on a cross. The next room has an operating table with an empty sarcophagus. The body on the table is mummified. Amon determined it is two to three thousand years old but the incisions are one to four weeks old. It also looks like they removed something from the cavity of the chest. It looks like they removed whatever they use to replace the heart with when they bury the mummy. We do know that whatever it is, it's powerful, that was standard. We can also tell the 6 sarcophagus was transported here. This is not a good thing and the doom of the mission looms over my head. The next room There is a eerie green pool with a huge raven statue above it. Amon knocks a helmet into the pool and it hisses, dissolving the helmet. Ok, no one go near the pool. Cassio tells Amon to stop touching things. Did I just agree with Cassio on something? Nah, can't be. I must be going crazy.

We hear a chittering sound in the distance, which unnerves me a great deal. Ci scouts ahead, then we see a flutter of wings around the hall where Ci returned. In another flurry of wings a giant bug attached itself to Amon. We fight these massive bugs as hard as we can. They are worthy and difficult foes. They have done significant damage to Ci, sucking out half of his life force. However, Ci is vindicated at the end and he is able to deliver the final blows, ending both the wrenched beasts lives. They packed quite a vicious punch and needed to be dealt with as quickly as possible. If this is what we face now, I shutter to think of what's next. We need to regroup after the battle. Cassio gives much needed healing to himself and Ci.

Next we enter a library and there are books thrown everywhere. There is also a large smooth metal disc in the floor, with a socket in the middle. We think the ley-line infuser might have fit in the socket. The books look like they are a healthy mix of just about everything. Amon finds a curious book and there is a parchment inside. On the parchment there looks like a similar device as the ley-line infuser, but not quite the same. It is written in a language none of us understand.

We make our way down south and hear faint sounds of other things in the area, we aren't alone. No more chittering, thank the gods. I couldn't handle the punch that those bugs threw again. We then walk into the main chamber and see a Imphraezl standing there. Oh no! This is it! I hope I survive! Upon seeing us Imphraezl, he immediately slams his fist on the ground and runs out of the chamber. Amon and I slam into the ceiling, but Cassio and Ci avoid the gravitational change luckily. Thankfully I can levitate down and walk out of the circle on my hands. The others are able to get out fine as well.

We immediately hear a ticking of talons and see a white wyrmling coming our way. With no second thought I put my flaming sphere in a choke point and scorch the baby. I feel very bad doing this because of Garnet, but this wyrmling is definitely trying to kill us. Next a blue wyrmling comes up and around the corner bypassing the sphere. Amon sends his magic at the blue and it screeches in pain. Then a red wyrmling appears, red dragons are very powerful, I'm extremely worried. The red rushes in and gobbles up my flaming sphere, uh oh, I'm in trouble. He then blasts the full blow of the sphere back at me and I take significant damage. All I can think to myself is Garnet is going to be a force to be reckoned with, but I have to stay alive first. The green wyrmling comes in and goes after Ci and me. I am almost dying at this point, so I reach deep inside myself and am able to turn into a polar bear. This recovers all my life force and now I can bite and claw my enemy. Cassio then hits the red wyrmling with his divine smite, hurting it greatly. We need to kill him and get him out of the fight, he packs the most powerful breath. Man, garnet is going to be even more powerful then him, since he's a Ruby Gem dragon. I delight at this idea. Get your head in the game Ember! The blue now comes after me. He bites and shoots his lightning breath on me, but its barely a scratch as a polar bear. Amon is at deaths door while we have been fighting, but suddenly awakens and awakens. The red baby then attacks Amon with his fire breath and back down he goes. Ci then lets loose an arrow and finally welcomes the red wyrmling to its death. The blue and white wyrmlings go after Cassio and both miss. Sometimes this daft man has all the luck. I bite and claw at the blue and take a sizable chunk out of him. Cassio then crushes the white hissing dragons spine with his scepter and paralyzes the green. The green fires his breath weapon at Cassio but it misses, he's getting all the luck today. Ci then attacks the green and kills it with his sword after a flurry of blows. I bite and claw and growl at the blue dragon as I pin it to the wall and eat its chest cavity, tasty!

The fight with the wyrmlings was not an easy one but we managed to win in the end. Cassio wakes and heals Amon. I turn human again and heal myself with quick aids. We head into the next room. The next room looks has a fire tornado in the center. We see a humanoid figure inside it. Amon talks to him and the creature talks long and slow. He says he doesn't know how he got here and he thinks you have to ask him something to get back to where he's from. Amon asks for insight into his staff. The creatures smokey tendrils wrap around Amons staff and then he vanishes. Amon now has vast knowledge about his staff. He knows everything that there is to know about the, like who is inside. Its very exciting news. Amon stares dreamily into the staff, I think he's talking to it. Cassio does too, I just shake my head at his nonsense.

We continue on and find another library and see an Elk head on the wall. The Elk head looks strange to me and upon examination I find there is a false wall behind it. We open the door and enter a strange garden where there is a glowing coffin and two statues. One statue is of a mindflayer, the other is a mindflayer with wings. We back away slowly and choose let the Magistery deal with it. We have realized that Imphraezl has fled. It's all for the best, we are depleted on energy and life force. So we go back to the summoning chamber and explore more. Ci goes to the library and finds a book that was actually put back on the shelf. Which is unusual, since the rest are strewn haphazardly everywhere else. It was the guide to the importance of summoning. Inside the inscription said "I hope you'll reconsider, Dyrr". We then check the first desk and there is a Chaos curse ingredients list with all the ingredients scratched off. This is bad, very very bad. Imphraezl now has everything to complete the curse. This means doom for Solace, the end of the world. I we don't stop him soon all the world will fall into chaos and evil. My stomach sinks and I can't breathe for a minute.

Ci also find a potion for fire breath, which he kindly gives to me. Since he knows how much I enjoy fire. The next desk he finds an gold ornate looking heart, which is probably from the mummy we found earlier. What ever was inside the gold heart was extracted, this can't be good. He also finds a red shimmering potion, which is the potion of invulnerability. He also finds a potion that looks like liquefied Iron, which is for superior healing. He gives the healing to Amon and the invulnerability to Cassio, Ci is so kind.

We make our way back to the Magistery on the horses. We find Cord, Captain of the Green, to tell our report to. Cassio takes the lead as usual and tells him about the completed list of ingredients for the chaos curse and Imphraezl fleeing. Kord is not happy and said he thought the beholders eyes and lich's phylactery would slow him down. He says he thinks other cities are in grave danger and Imphraezl will be testing it on them before he brings the curse to Solace. We explain how we believe he is operating in Windy Bluff also. He explains how they have created gates everywhere downstairs with the ley-line infuser and we should see what they have done. We conclude our report and thank him. I'm very happy I did not die. I'm also excited Garnet will be six months soon. Then he will be able to be an active participant in our quests. I think he will enjoy that instead of hiding away in my clothes.

Recollections by Sakura

Once again I take to the road with my regular companions, Ci, Ember, Amon and of course Cassi-OOOOH. Sorry, I got carried away by his enthusiasm.

In order to track down Imphraezl, we decide to investigate two areas, starting with Windy Bluff. First order of business is for me to get familiar with the area so that I may teleport us at a later point. We use the Magistry resources (and some of our gold) to have the gate activated on our behalf. I make sure to note the runes that identify the destination, though unfortunately I can't actually read them.

We search this outpost and find Winny in the library. Our group learns that Fortia is out making a "dead drop" at a bar with the name that has Horn in it. Eventually a drunk shows us to the Horny Toad, which is very clearly a brothel and not just a bar. We're led to to Fortia, who is fairly annoyed by us blowing her cover and whatever this "dead drop" is. She does tell us that Imphraezl has been seen in disguise on the docks or in one of the caveins.

We found one specific cavein that had some Eldritch Runes on the outside.

The cave seems abandoned, but we find a boat with a cannon that is heavily scribed on by magical runes. We also find what looks to be an Astrolabe that we decide to take with us (the cannon is a bit too big). On the way out we briefly saw a deep gnome laugh and jump through a portal. I deduce by the magical noises and arcane items in this cave the "deep gnome" is probably a Svirfneblin and a Duregar at the same time (which shouldn't really be possible).

Upon returning to The Magistry I seek out the House of Brown and find the Paragon Galstaff, Master of Light. He immediately becomes giddy because of what we're holding, which he tells us a Ley Line Infuser. I decide that it would be best for me to stay with Galstaff and assist him or at the very least learn from what he's doing. He puts a bunch of magic into the Infuser and turns it into a Node.

Galstaff, upon hearing of the "deep gnome" and the other items there deduces that what we saw was a Svartalf who all come from Svartalfheim. They are not gnomes, elves or dwarves. In fact they are from a completely different reality and universe. On the continent of Muspelheim we have a connection to the realm of Svartalfheim of Asgard. On the Isle of Surtur is where Muspelheim exists on the Material Plane.

I await the return of the rest of the group to hear how the rest of the hunt goes.