==== V2 Session Twenty-Three - 4 January 2008 - "Fortress of the Yuan-Ti" (part 4) ====

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{{ v2-22-portal.jpg|The portals -- as found throughout "The Fortress of the Yuan-ti"}}

^ Player ^ Character ^ Race ^ Class ^
| Dave | [[Freyrik]] | Human(Feytouched) | Warlock/7 |
| Ken | [[Ash]] | Aasimar | Paladin/6 |
| VW | [[Heilli]] | Human | Illumine Soul/1, Soulknife/5, Psion/1 |
| Kurt | [[Ketamine]] | [[Crag Gnome]] | Barbarian/1, [[Witch]]/6 |
| Chris | [[Yosi]] | Wood Elf | Barbarian/7 |
| Val | [[Allie]] | [[Lesser Aasimar]] | Favored Soul/6, Ranger/1 |

//Note: This adventure comes from
"[[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/9780786943609|Fortress
of the Yuan-ti]]", by Ari Marmell, as published by
[[http://www.wizards.com|Wizards of the Coast]].//

=== 13 October 1111 ===

//Area P4)// Reliquary

The party interrupts what appears to be a woman performing a ritual sacrifice.
Six additional potential sacrifices are manacled to the far wall.  Once the
sacrificer is defeated, the party's hopes to interrogate her are dashed when the
woman who was to be sacrificed lunges forward and delivers a killing blow with
the ceremonial dagger.

At this point, [[Ash]] notices two things: the "victim" radiates a strong aura
of evil and the ceremonial dagger was made in the same style as [[Allie]]'s
sword, [[Merthúvial]]. He asks for her to hand the dagger over -- even going so
far as to offer her a replacement weapon.  Before she can act, though,
[[Líkami]] tackles her and a brief, one-sided fight ensues.

In the end, she is dead and the party recovers six ragged prisoners (who did not
know the woman to be sacrificed, though they learned her name was "Arzanezra")
and a suit of magical
**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicArmor.htm#rhinoHide|rhino hide]]//**
armor from Shiuahn, the sacrificer.

Note: While the "king's dagger" radiates a faint magic aura, its condition has
deteriorated over the centuries and it offers no noticeable benefit over a
regular dagger.

The party escorts the six surviving prisoners outside (//and earns **two action
points** in the process//).

//Area P5)// Portal Chamber

{{ v2-23-baboonwight.jpg|Evil, Magical, Noisy Monkeys}}

At the lowest level of this tower, the party fights four Baboon Wights (which
inflict terrible level loss on [[Yosi]]) and discover an active (though not
open) portal.

The party decides this room is defensible enough to rest for the night. However,
after no more than an hour, a Yuan-ti Abomination and two Yuan-ti Halfbloods
descend the stairs.  After a prolonged battle that brings them all the way back
up the tower and into the Gate Room in the main fortress, the party decides that
they need to move to a better position.

They choose the locked (and unused) guest quarters on the third level and are
rewarded with an uneventful night.

=== 14 October 1111 ===

They return to the Gate Room to explore the only remaining active portal. Like
before, they ask Thoburk, the Orc, to go through and report his findings. He
gladly agrees, but sadly never returns.

//Area D1)// Entry Chamber

The rest of the party prepares for battle and steps through the portal, where
they find (and eventually) kill a Scale Golem.  They find themselves at the top
level of what they assume is the third (and final) tower.

At the bottom of a 20' pit, [[Ketamine]] discovers an illusory floor and manages
to remain hidden while she scouts the next level down. In this room, she sees a
Mind Flayer and his bodyguard, a Yuan-ti barbarian.

//Area D2)// Arcane Supplies

While the party prepares for the coming fight, they quickly explore the doors on
the top level.  While [[Yosi]] inadvertently triggers a magical //chain
lightning// trap, the party as a whole finds a number of interesting
items:

  * The components of an alchemist's lab (500 gp)
  * Three full sets of standard spell components (5 gp each)
  * Five pearls (100 gp each)
  * A pouch of diamond dust (250 gp)
  * Enough special inks for a wizard to scribe five pages of a spellbook (500 gp).
  * A large pouch of foul-smelling purple powder (which [[Ketamine]] determines will ignite and create noxious fumes if mixed with blood).

Because of this importance of the powder to the Vanguard, the party //earns
**one action point** by taking it.//

//Area D3)// Arcanists' Living Quarters

In one of these rooms, the party finds a
**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#helmofComprehendLan
guagesandReadMagic |helm of comprehend languages and read magic]]//** (which
[[Freyrik]] opts to wear)

//Area D4)// Tolvul's Living Quarters

This room holds a variety of skulls -- apparently cleaned out by the Mind
Flayer.  One of the skulls wears a
**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#circletofPersuasion|
circlet of persuasion]]//** (which [[Ketamine]] puts on).

//Area D5)// The Laboratory

{{ v2-23-lump.jpg|totally confusing all the passing piranhas}}

Using a combination of jumping, levitate potions, and climbing, the party
descends into the laboratory to confront the Mind Flayer, whose name they later
learn is Tolvul.  While they manage to get in with a modicum of surprise, the
Mind Flayer is able to blast the party with his mental powers, leaving [[Yosi]]
and [[Ash]] incapacitated.

As the battle progresses, [[Heilli]] manages to use his soul blade to disrupt
several of the Flayer's mental powers while the rest of the party deals with
"Lump", the Yuan-ti Barbarian. In the course of the fight, Lump pushes the
stunned [[Yosi]] into the pit shaft -- where he falls to the next level down.
[[Ketamine]] (in bird form) drops down to make sure he's OK.

Just before Lump falls, Tolvul directs a telepathic threat at [[Heilli]] and
//plane shifts// away.

On a nearby table, [[Allie]] finds **//the king's crown//** (which she
recognizes from [[v2session06|the statue she saw in the "Barrow of the Forgotten
King"]].  They also find the makings of a full alchemist's lab (500 gp) and a
large pearl (250 gp).

Note: The **//the king's crown//** is magic and functions as
**//[[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#headbandofIntellect|
headband of intellect +2]]//**.

//Area D7)// The Library

After a short time keeping watch over [[Yosi]], [[Ketamine]] notices a massive
Yuan-ti Abomination on a balcony overlooking this library.  To her surprise,
though, he merely says, //"I have wondered if you would show up here. Once your
friends arrive, I believe we should talk.//

She quickly flies up, switches back to Gnome form, and reports on her encounter.

While the Levitate potions are still active, the party quickly assembles and
drops down through the pit.

//Area D8)// Library Balcony

In the lowest level, the party find the Yuan-ti Abomination that [[Ketamine]]
described.  Though his eyes gleam with a fiendish light, he makes no offensive
movements.

**Zoldathra**: //I am Zoldathra, Master of the Word. I have been a member of
the Vanguard of Sertrous for decades.//

//As we have what amounts to a //religious// difference, I understand if you
are unwilling to accept this proposal.  However, I offer it in complete
sincerity.//

//Until recently, I thought that I was privy to the greatest secrets of my
organization.  I was wrong.//

//One day, Sertrous will rise and the Vanguard will rule in his name. You
cannot stop that. But perhaps we can work together in the interim, to prevent
the travesty envisioned by the Vanguard's current leaders.//

//Only recently have I learned that the creature they intend to bring forth
with the Sacrament of the Risen Abyss is intended not to rule the world, but to
help destroy it. I dare not move against my leaders directly, but perhaps with
my assistance, you can accomplish what I cannot.//

**[[Heilli]]**: Please, continue

**[[Ash]]**: (nods agreement)

**[[Yosi]]**: You lying piece of filth.  Nobody can destroy the world.  You just
want us to do your dirty work for you.  Sure, we will go and kill them. The only
question is whether we kill you now or later.  I vote now.

**[[Heilli]]**: Yosi, please... if only for a moment -- listen.

**[[Ash]]**: Yosi, the King sent us for his bones.  If this serpent does not
have them, then we can just as well go around him.  We must save our strength
for Zoltana((Who?)).

**[[Yosi]]**: That's right, get the bones back.  Not finding mushrooms,
assassinating leaders, rescuing villagers, or killing snake-people (but I liked
doing that last part a lot).  Not even saving the world.  If it even needs
saving. Besides, didn't the dead king say that the followers of Sertrous were
bad?

**Zoldathra**: //Yes, Elf!  Use your rage.  Your hatred.  It will make you
powerful!//

//But be wary that it is targeted at the proper enemy.//

//The one you must stop is Sulvaugren.  His madness devised the Sacrament of
the Risen Abyss.  He lied to our people and squandered our considerable
resources to gather the pieces to his dangerous puzzle.  He, even now, has
reduced the might of Castle Serastis to that of a human village.//

//As for the reality of his danger, have you forgotten your history, Elf?
[[end_of_the_world|The end of Immenri]] was brought about by ONE being.  And
when Sertrous rises, his power will be even greater than the orc-father.//

//I offer the following deal.  I will provide information to assist you in
stopping the Sacrament.  I will delay and divert the returning patrols so that
they will not continue to bother you.  I will instruct you on the use of the
portals in the Tower of the Way.//

//With my information, you will intercept the Vanguard patrols that are, as we
speak, retrieving the remaining items that Sulvaugren needs for his ritual. You
will then proceed to the Tower of the Worlds and stop Sulvaugren.  If you
survive, you may take the king's bones and his items and will be granted free
passage out of Serastis.//

**[[Ketamine]]**: You offer a deal? Extend the nefarious word of the serpent?
Mistrust of your type merits regard, fell wyrm. Seek what you will; we will not
be trifles of your whim. We shall not bed your petty crusade. We care not for
your concerns, nor trust your appeal they match our own. Deliver us to the
Bones. We will achieve them. Thus accomplished, we shall retire whence we came,
suffering no parlay. Mark our regard! You are a blight to this world, and will
be given grace befitting your value. Your harrowed carrion shall grimly attest
to our disposition!

**[[Heilli]]**: Waitwaitwait...it doesn't hurt any of us to just listen, now
does it? The proposal has merit.  Our goal is not the eradication of all Yuan-Ti
life, just to protect our existence, and the existence of those we care about.
To stop the Vanguard at this point is certainly sufficient to keep them at bay
for our lifetimes.  We know we stand eye-to-eye with an enemy, but this is not
The Enemy...distrust and hatred will only make us weaker.  And...should this
creature offer treachery...we know how that has always, and will always, end.

**[[Ash]]**: So you have figured out how to operate the portals, then? Excellent
work, [[Ketamine]].  As we are, apparently, at the final rooms of the castle,
once we finish up here we can waste no time activating the portals and advancing
toward our goal. You **HAVE** decoded the portals, haven't you?  Because without
the code, we are at a dead end.

**[[Ketamine]]**: I speak my mind for my own will, paladin. If your wisdom
dictates you show this creature your back, I wish you the most fortuitous
outcome, compelled by the providence you bear, if not the sagacity of your
resolution. We have enjoyed a beneficent fellowship, but I will not abide the
blandishments of a foe over the disquiet of a friend. What foul employment would
turn you from such righteous virtue? Look to your will, noble warrior, lest it
falters to vile seduction.

**[[Heilli]]**: Pick your path; I choose to listen.

**[[Yosi]]**: I'm just trying to figure things out.  I've got all these
questions.  Which are the bad guys we are supposed to kill and which are the bad
guys we are supposed to be nice to because they will help us kill the bad guys
we are supposed to kill?  And if we are nice to them, does that mean we don't
come back later and kill them, after we kill the bad guys that we are supposed
to kill?

And what about the bad guys that are supposed to be bad guys, but are really
good guys?  In that tavern in the giant underground cave there was an undead
guy, but he was a good guy.  And his friend the cleric healed us, but she was a
drow.  And our friendly orc friend who died (and I really feel bad about that)
was nice.  But orcs, drow, and undead are supposed to be bad guys.

And that gal we saved yesterday, who should have been nice to us because we
saved her life, but instead she gets all stabby on us and I had to hurt her.
Until she was dead.  What was up with her?

And I'm not angry.  Just confused.  Besides, I can't be angry again until
tomorrow.

**[[Ash]]**: Yosi, Ketamine, Evil is a very palpable thing to me. I can smell
its stench, and like you I feel compelled to destroy it.  But the trip to the
Drow city taught me that blindly fighting all evil does not make the world more
good, it only creates chaos.  Every combat we have endured and, through the
grace of the gods, prevailed in, has in some way brought us closer to the King's
bones.  We must show the discipline to focus our energies - my divine might,
your righteous rage - toward our goal. Heilli has led us well in this regard. I
trust him to guide us here.

**[[Yosi]]**: So you don't know what to do either.  That's fair. I don't mind
relying on Heilli as my Moral Compress.

**[[Líkami]]**: For the moment, we both have the same goal: stop Sulvaugren. We
know  from there our paths diverge, and we will likely oppose each other  later.
Understand this: we may not be able to stop Sulvaugren without  your help, but
we can certainly turn you into snake chow all on our  own. If we agree to
collaborate, but find at any moment you've  deceived us, you will not survive.

We need not relax our guard to take this creature to our counsel,  nor trust it
to be slave to its word. We need its knowledge, and if it leads us to an ill
end, the dirge will be Zoldathra's.

**[[Freyrik]]**: So Zoldathra, How do we activate the portals? For what purpose
do they need the Kings bones? Can they succeed without the Kings items and/or
his bones?

**Zoldathra**: //Does this mean you accept my terms?//

**[[Heilli]]**: I agree to your terms.  Anyone who does not may leave, now.

**[[Ketamine]]**: What an unfortunate turn! Heilli, Ash, I wish you well.
Perhaps, if you return to Stillsquall, we can renew our previous comradery. For
know, however, I have had my fill of the presumption of our companionship. As
for the rest, it has been a pleasure. You company will always be welcome and
appreciated, in the future as it has been in the past //(Gives a minor nod/bow
to Yosi, turns, and leaves the room.)//

**[[Ash]]**: Ketamine, we have had our differences, but never to this degree.  I
fear that the circlet you wear bears a curse like the one I suffered from the
armor.  I beg you, remove the circlet so that we may all know that you speak of
your own mind.

**[[Ketamine]]**: //(pauses, removes circlet without turning, and drops it to
the ground)//  My mind is as clear is my words.  //(exits down an unexplored
stairway)//

**[[Allie]]**: We should make a deal with Zoldathra because retrieving the 
king's bones is the greater quest.  Now I am going to see what Ketamine 
is up to.  //(she heads downstairs after [[Ketamine]])//

**[[Freyrik]]**: Heilli, your presumption that you have more authority than you
command is astounding.  I will decide if I agree or not agree to his terms!  I
will decide whether I leave or not leave!  I will decide as to whether I destroy
evil or not!

//(Freyrik turns to face Zoldathra with his back to Heilli. Takes a deep breath.
The glow from his hands disappears and the glow from his eyes fade but lingers
ever so slightly.)//

Zoldathra, Master of the Word, //(Nods in respect for his title)//  **//I//**
agree to your terms.

//(Turns to face Ash.  Takes off the Helm.)//  Do you have any questions of me?
//(Puts the Helm back on.)//

**[[Yosi]]**: Wait, Ketamine!  //(Turns toward the group)//  Did you have to
piss her off?  I'll try to talk to her.

//(Yosi runs off after Ketamine)// Wait up Ketamine, let's talk about this!

**[[Heilli]]**: Freyrik, there was never an assumption.  We had reached an
impasse, and I was solving it in the most expedient way possible.  I would be
happy for you to be by my side, or Ash's side, or Allie's side.  Please don't
think that I have ever spoken for you;  I respect whatever decision you make, or
Ketamine makes...or anyone makes.  Even if it only I and Likami (who appears to
agree with me) I will listen, and accept these terms.  I apologize if you ever
though I tried to speak for you.  Free will is the foremost of my Beliefs.  Stay
or go...it is, and has always, been up to you.

This is not "Leadership"...this is Momentum.  I welcome you at my side.  I
always have, despite our occasional differences.

**[[Freyrik]]**: Apology accepted.  Ash what is your will.  Do you accept or not
accept?

**[[Heilli]]**: Hardly an apolgy, but an acceptance of your Free Will, which I
have always accepted and appreciated.  Never an assumption to speak for you.
Hell, barely an assumption to speak for Likami, who is, fundamentally, my other
Half.

We welcome you in our quest, and hope that all of our friends return unharmed.

But I wish to hear out this creature, should it be to our advantage.

Thank you for both your rationality, and your concern for our friends.  I wholly
and deeply appreciate both, for we need both to succeed.

And thank you for not raising this to the level of conflict, although I see that
you could have.

Again, I ask for your help, not your obedience.

**Zoldathra**: //Nice team you have, child.  You think you can keep them
together long enough to face Sulvaugren?//

**[[Heilli]]**: Don't make our discussion look like weakness;  marching lockstep
makes you predictable, which makes you unable to change and learn, which makes
you defeatable.  I have no doubts of the abilities or the creativity of my team.

When faced by a creature such as you, with an offer given this way...well, I
imagine were the roles reversed, you would hesitate to take my word as well.

We fragment, discuss, unify and defeat.  That is what we do, and what we will
always do.  Against Sulvaugren or any other threat.

**[[Líkami]]**: Dude, if you ever try to mess with the minds of anyone in our
little  family here again, I will turn you into a pair of boots.

//(downstairs)// **[[Ketamine]]**: ...stupid snake... sniff... can't trust
'em....everybody knows that... stupid meanies... probably get swallowed...
sniff... stupid lock...

=== Zoldathra's Deal ===

**Zoldathra**: //While it amazes me that you have made it as far into Serastis
as you have, you humans seem to be my only chance to stop Sulvaugren's
insanity.//

//But first, an explanation...  The Sacrament of the Risen Abyss is the central
element to Sulvaugren's plan. Through a combination of blood sacrifice and dark
rites, the sacrament forges a bond between the Abyss and the mortal world.
Creating that bond requires the remains of a mortal creature with great mystical
power. Steeped in prophecy, the bones of the forgotten king best served the
Vanguard's plan. When complete, the sacrament will allow the Vanguard to channel
a fragment of Sertrous's dream-self into a creature risen from the remains: a
corrupt amalgamation of fiendish and undead essence.//

//This plan was championed by Sulvaugren, with help from Gazaron and others.  It
was sold to us as a way to stir Sertrous from his deep slumber and place a spark
of his essence into the body of the risen king.  With Sertrous able to grant our
priests divine power once again and with the risen king's unholy power at our
disposal, we would have first converted our own people to the worship of
Sertrous, and then marched at the head of an army of the living and the undead,
converting other nations by the sword.  In the end, an empire of Sertrous would
stretch across the continents and the Slumbering Serpent would be elevated to a
true god.//

//However, the sacrament is a lie.  It hides a darker truth.  The "spark"
implanted in the risen king will not be just an avatar of the slumbering
serpent.  It will be Sertrous himself!  And once our lord is able to directly
experience and influence the world again, his sole purpose will be to seek
additional hosts so that he can repeat the Sacrament of the Risen Abyss.
Eventually, enough of Sertrous's dream self will become active for the demon
lord to truly awaken from his millennial slumber.//

//And here's the key point.  I worship Sertrous.  I have devoted myself to him
and believe he will guide my life and afterlife to great heights of power.//

//**But He must NOT be allowed to awaken!**//

//Since Sertrous fell to the material realm before the gods created The
Concordant, he would not be bound by its limits.  With his strength returned, he
would rise **in this world** as an unstoppable being of pure nihilistic hate and
godlike power.//

//The ritual began a week ago, but the Vanguard continues to gather components
for its use.  Even now, patrols have been sent through the portals to distant
lands to collect four remaining items://

  * //The phylactery of a lich who was one of the forgotten king's greatest enemies//
  * //The king's scepter//
  * //The blood of a fey whose family once blessed the king's line//
  * //An object touched by Sertrous himself//

//To weaken the sacrament, you must either find these components before the
Vanguard operatives or take them by force.  There are five active portals in the
Tower of the Way.  Four of them will take you to these four items.  But be
warned.  The portals have permanent "alarm" spells on them.  The Vanguard will
be alerted to your movements so you must make your trips as quickly and
efficiently as possible.//

//I will use my influence to keep the Vanguard away from you as best as I can,
but I can make no promises.//

//The fifth portal in the Tower of the Way (the one at the highest point on the
stairs) will take you to the Tower of the Worlds.  While the three main towers
(Worship, Way, and Word) are visible from the outside, the Tower of the Worlds
is built atop the cliff -- but is out of phase with the rest of our world.  The
sacrament takes place there even as we speak.  Be warned, though -- enough of
the sacrament's components are already assembled that it can no longer be
stopped. Your only hope lies in thwarting the collection of the last relics
necessary for the rites, and in harrying the so-called leaders of the Vanguard
as they seek to complete their plans.//

//Finally, there are two other portals that will take you to the Tower of the
Worlds.  They are the lowest ones in this tower and in the Tower of the Worship.
I have written the combinations for all of these portals on this scroll.//

(he drops down a scroll tube)

//Now that I have given you the information you need, you must uphold your end
of the bargain -- if you are capable.//

**//to be continued...//**

^ # ^ Challenge ^  CR  ^
| 1 | Shiuahn, Sacrificer  |  7  |
| 1 | Arzanezra, Sacrificee  |  5((At full capacity, she is CR 7.  However, without armor and weapons, she presented a //much// lower challenge.))  |
| 4 | Baboon Wights  |  3  |
| 2 | Halfbloods  |  5  |
| 1 | Abomination  |  7  |
| 1 | Scale Golem  |  7  |
| 1 | Lump, Halfblood Barbarian  |  6  |
| 1 | Tolvul, Mind Flayer  |  8  |
^ ^ Total XP (each) ^  2,300<sup>7</sup>\\ 2,790<sup>6</sup>  ^

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