Outline:

II. Distraction in the forest

III. Nightmare & Undead rider deliver message to Sorgul

IV. Party discusses whether the mission is foolish or not

VI. Slaad encounter(s)

VII. What do they learn?

Details:

Pavo returns to the commune on a quest to find Arundel. (See emails to Kurt) Also, Bria returns to the commune to study psionics. Deal with any player desires and remind everyone about what has happened when.

Sorgul is traveling south to see Cale & Strachan. His business is not public knowledge, but it involves the council of wizards. He has been trying to organize a meeting - but the wizards are too scared to meet since the magic has changed.

An urgent call comes in from the elves (via Elsa, the commune's liaison). An aerial patrol has gone missing nearby while investigating a possible trespass. The party will be strongly encouraged by Elsa (and, if need be, Sorgul) to investigate. (Sorgul has no time right now - he must leave to see Cale & Strachan).

In the forest nearby (only about a mile away), the party will encounter two Abyssal Greater Basilisks. (see Monster Manual, page 24). These beasts have been brought here by Sykthrak, the Mummy Lord (see III. below) to act as a distraction while he abducts Lashmere. He will be waiting outside the commune on the ethereal plane - but will keep his distance to avoid detection. If spotted prematurely, he will flee.

Just past sunset, a Mummy Lord (MM,p.190) named Sykthrak will appear in the courtyard of the commune, riding his Nightmare (MM,p.194). He will be flanked by six Greater Shadows (MM,p.221). (Note: Rod's mace will go berserk!)

He brings with him a gloomy twilight (equivalent to a Dark version of the Continual Flame spell). This will suppress all light spells within 60 feet up to (and including) Continual Flame.

After his sudden materialization from the ethereal plane, he will announce that he is here to deliver a message to “Solgar”. If attacked, he will defend himself, but will try to convince the attackers that he is not on an “offensive” mission and that it would be in their best interests to hear him out. Note, however, that he has the following spells already cast: Sanctuary, Magic Circle Against Good, and Protection from Energy (Fire).

The message will be a detailed contract written (tattooed) on a slab of what looks like human skin. Attached will be a tuning fork tuned to “prison plane 121”. Several unholy maggots will squirm around for color.

The contract is as follows:

    In the presence of witnesses, I beseech the Unseen Lord of the Underworld
    and Host of Many to anoint this contract with His assent and seal.

    Upon delivery, a binding contract shall exist between Sl'engeld, the
    Governor Warden of Prison Plane 121 and the mortal-bound soul of the Great
    Lord's servant, known as Solgar, as well as any creatures who witness its
    delivery.

    Whereas the Prison Planes numbered from 366 and below are under the
    jurisdiction of the Great Host of Many, and

    Whereas Solgar is known to be an expert in matters of Chaos and of the
    denizens of the plane of Limbo, and

    Whereas in the year 1093, Solgar swore fealty to the Unseen Lord and
    remains bound by that oath despite his more recent transgression back to
    the mortal existence, and

    Whereas the primary (and only) prisoner of Prison Plane 121 requires an
    extensive level of security and secrecy which could be compromised by
    relying on the normal investigative resources available to the Governor
    Warden,

    We therefore request (and the Unseen Lord demands) that Solgar or his
    competent second(s) travel to Prison Plane 121 in order to investigate the
    recent occupation of said plane by exodus forces, ostensibly from Limbo.

    Due to the nature of our request and the expected unwillingness of the
    subject to assent to the orders of the Unseen Lord, we have been
    authorized to provide suitable payment upon successful completion of the
    required task.

    This payment shall consist of the following: 1) An invitation to travel to
    Prison Plane 121 in the form of a tuned fork to be used in Plane Shifting
    (attached); 2) A bound promise (for up to thirteen souls) of freedom from
    harm by the duly and criminally enforced prison guards while on Prison
    Plane 121 and executing the terms of this contract; and 3) The safe return
    of the soul and mortal body of a marker which has already been chosen and
    secured by the messenger of this contract.

    Payment items 1) and 2) shall be provided immediately upon delivery and
    acceptance of this contract.  Payment item 3) shall be provided upon
    presentation of a detailed verbal report to the Governor Warden.  Said
    report shall include the reasons for the occupation by Limbo of Prison
    Plane 121, as well as reasonable recommendations for the removal of said
    occupying forces.  Validity and Acceptance of this report is left to the
    sole discretion of Governor Warden Sl'engeld or his successor(s).

    To the blessed hoard of the dead and to the endless deep of the
    underworld, we pledge our consent to this contract.

       Signed: <Sl'engeld>
       Witnessed: <I'ildmos> <Malila> <Shyrothack>

* This is as far as we got during the session *

Challenges Overcome: Party Size # Encounter CR 6 2 Abyssal Greater Basilisk 12 6 6 Story Bonus 8

Of *course* it's foolish, but that shouldn't stop them. Lashmere needs rescuing and the terms of the agreement from the rider should be seen as quite specific: Lashmere will be returned unharmed if the party delivers a thorough report on the Slaad activities.

Sorgul will join the group (unless discouraged from doing so), but his spells should be kept low-key. Mostly, he's there for his experience. Perhaps offer him to the first PC killed or otherwise incapacitated. Nobody else from the commune will be coming along, mainly because the plane shift is limited to eight people total. These eight will probably be: Sorgul, Roderick, Aramil, Vincent, Pavo, Bria, Bigby, and one additional creature (Aramil's dog seems like a bad idea).

The entire plane is only about 30 miles across and the terrain is full of deep ravines, sheer cliffs, and craggy rock outcroppings. The watching Eye of Gruumsh is omni-present - emanating from a vast pyramid at the center of the plane. (It's appearance is reminiscent of the pyramid on the back of the dollar bill).

In addition, there is a tangible death aura that infects the party upon arrival. Everyone will have to make a DC15 Fortitude save or gain one negative level for the duration of their visit to the plane. Those who fail must make a second save at DC13 or lose a second level. Those who fail again must continue making saves (at a cumulative +2) until they make. For each failed save, they will gain another negative level.

*Many* low-ranking Slaad and several high ranking ones. How do they advance?

Also, include a Githzerai! He/She will be able to tell the party much about what is happening on Limbo.

The slaad are fleeing Limbo - following the only safe route they could find. In fact, a permanent (one-way?) gate was set up that connects the two planes.

They do not know who set it up - nor do they care. They operate with little regard to the larger picture (though they refer to themselves in both the singular and the plural interchangeably).

They will also learn quite soon that the prisoner on this plane is Gruumsh, the orc god responsible for the destruction of the world at the end of the second age. He was imprisoned by the other gods and has remained here in his cell for over 1,000 years.

Back to Voyager page