It is midnight. From the graveyard next door arises an ungodly howling.
"This womanly trick will not work, evil one. Your true nature cannot be disguised. Tell me who you are or you will suffer the consequences quickly!" Salaam threatens the woman.
Rage looks to Occa, as he was the wounded party.
Jesse bends down to the woman.
"Can you tell me your name?" she asks softly, while motioning the menfolk backwards. "It seems there has been a misunderstanding and we need to sort it out."
The menfolk, however, are not about to be motioned anywhere at this time.
Gonzo snorts.
"Misunastanding... yea right... me dinks we let Salami smash da elf and speak ta her wid his magics... den der be no misunastanding. Da dead speak true, right Salami?"
Then, directed at the elf... "Soooo youse wanna start ta talkin' or does me lets Salami atcha?"
"She looks pretty harmless," says Maigry stepping partially between Salaam and the immobilized elf resting her hand on the girls head, "Hardly an Evil One."
"Are you certain, Maigry?" asks Kadlian. "Salaam is using a clerical spell granted to him by his god and he seems to believe that she is evil."
"Please don't hurt me...I can't control what I do...there's this creature in me...it makes me do bad things..."
The female elf begins to whimper and cry again.
Occa says, "It must be Ryshara. Remember she may have psionics. Might want to knock her out."
"What is this creature? does it have a name?" Salaam asks her. "Who are you?"
"It's likely this Ryshara that Gar knows about. We suspect that she has psionics in addition to being a mage. While her soul has taken over Zanax's body, I do not know if I believe that there is an additional personality inside of her. We should be careful here. She may be just trying to lull us so that she can escape."
The female elf shrieks in pain and begins to convulse on the floor.
Maigry is a whirl of golden hair and swirling kilts as she does a somersault backwards away from the convulsing elf. She comes to a squatting position five feet away with a dagger in both hands.
Gonzo watches intently. The minute anything not an elf shows up or appears, he's gonna latch on and pound it for all he's worth.
Rage walks over towards Maigry.
"Hey, let's go back to the kitchen," she says, "And see if there's something to eat."
"Isn't there something we can do? It's horrible just watching," the diminutive elf replies, not taking her eyes off the elf.
"There are things that can be done, but not by you or I," Rage says, "And we need to let those who know do."
"Wait up," Orlon calls to the other two, listening to his stomach growl. "I'm getting hungry too."
Maigry does not seem to be inclined to leave, so Orlon and Rage head out to the kitchen alone.
Hlarn turns to the others present. "Perhaps an exorcism is in order. She may be possessed."
"Yes, she is. Hlarn, if this is Ryshara, then we know most of her history. Gar told us that Vrith removed Zanax's soul from his body, polymorphed the body to a female drow and then put Ryshara's soul into that body."
"Of course, if you remove the soul inhabiting this body, what will take its place? We do not have Zanax's soul in our possession."
Hlarn frowns. "From what she says, it sounds as if something else may be in there with her too."
"Could be or it could be a ruse. Remember, she killed a few clerics breaking out of her confinement the last time. We have to be very careful here."
"I am truly getting tired of all of these games." Salaam says to no one in particular. "Gonzo, tie her up tight and then everyone back away, I will dispel the magics that surround her form and then we can see what is the reality!"
"She is tied. I just did it myself. Gonzo, checking my knots is probably a pretty good idea, but casting the dispel magic is not. Salaam, you just finished telling me that a dispel magic would likely affect our magical items. Why is it different this moment?"
"As long as you are all out of the room, the dispel magic spell has a small sphere of effect, so leave," Salaam says with a shake of his head.
"Salaam, maybe we should move her out of Occa's room, then. Occa has magical things in this room, no doubt, and his room is across from Darian and Jesse's. Occa, do you have any larger rooms more suitable to an interrogation?"
"Fine, but let's make this quick," Salaam replies, irritated that this is taking so long.
Finally, you move her over to the outside corner of the room, farthest from any other rooms in the house.
Once everyone gives him room, he intones, "Great Thoth, please aid your servant and dispel the evil magics on this woman." He casts Dispel Magic centered on the invisible woman.
As the party leaves the room, the young elf shrinks away from Salaam with a look of fright on her face "Don't hurt me!"
"I will not, unless you give me reason to," Salaam says, and then he casts the dispel magic on her.
As he does so she seems to struggle against her bonds, but to no avail.
Completing his spell, the woman becomes visible, but does not change otherwise.
Looking at her closely, you do indeed recognise her to be Ryshara.
Her true identity now revealed, you decide to retire for the night.
You take her down to the dining room, where the man you captured on the lower planes remains trussed up, guarded only by Kailar's cat.
Assigning watches, you make sure that both are well guarded while you rest for the remainder of the night.
In the morning, after breakfast, Salaam prays and Occa memorises.
Early that afternoon, you all gather again in the dining room.
Niko is present, along with his hangover.
Orlon heals Sian, who is glad to be rid of his mustard poultice.
Salaam heals Darian, who jumps up and runs around.
Occa makes a wish, and returns Kailar, Carburator and Malvis to the realm of the living.
Kailar, Carburator and Malvis suddenly find themselves alive and back in the dining room of Occa's mansion in Sandas.
Occa stands over them.
The man who commanded the daemons during the battle in the lower planes is tied up, gagged and sits on the floor in a corner of the room. Sir sits on his lap.
The drow Ryshara, similarly bound, sits in another corner, guarded by Gonzo.
Robert stands up.
"Let's figure out where we're coming from and where we're going," he says, and then presents a synopsis of events over the past few years:
"Back in February of 1370 the elf lord Valdar asked a bunch of us to help him deal with a pack of dragons and pirates who were harassing elven trade along the west coast. He led Orlon, Op Code, myself and some others north from his castle in Dorian. Along the way, we met up with Occa, Salaam, Jesse, Gonzo, Gilstrock and others.
"We went after the dragons first. It took us over a year to do, but we cleared out their lair. At the end we discovered that an arch mage named Razamataz - who used to be a member of this party long ago - was behind the dragons. He escaped, so we then went north and invaded the lair of the pirates. Along the way we picked up Niko. We cleared out the pirates from their sea cave lair, and there we found maps which led to the way to their main base far to the south.
"Valdar left us on the way south, so we continued by way of Niko's ship and a techological artifact, a flying vessel. Reaching the island, we invaded the old temple of the Wizards that the pirates were using as a base. In there, we discovered that a man named Billian was actually leading the dragons and pirates. We got through the temple, but in retrieving the key that led to the exit we summoned an arcanadaemon named Vrith who captured Salaam and took him away to Hell. The rest of us continued on.
"The exit was actually a portal that took us to the city of Casablanca in Mestom. There, we learned that Billian was a respected citizen, and furthermore, that he wanted to parley and meet us. We met him, and his cohort Razamataz. In return for us promising to help him to retrieve a long lost family heirloom that would aid him in freeing Casablanca from the oppressive yolk of Mestom's rulership and bring him to power, Razamataz sent us to Hell to rescue Salaam.
"It was in Hell that things began to fall apart. We got into Vrith's stronghold, but Occa was captured."
Robert pauses.
"Now, a sidebar. Kadlian's party, in the meantime, had found an artifact called the Sceptre of the Gods. The high priestess Verona wanted it, thinking it would help the armies of Nlad in their war with Mestom. However, Kadlian's people apparently did not trust Verona's motives, and argued about whether they should give it to her or not. In the confusion the paladin Zanax - "
He glances at Ryshara.
" - made off with the Sceptre, apparently having his own plans for it."
"Back to Occa. Vrith had learned that the Sceptre had been found, and decided that it would be a good item to use to buy his freedom from Razamataz. He took Occa's body, ripped the soul out of it, put the soul of an evil arch mage, Gargaragoth into the body and placed him in a location where he would be easily rescued. This the party did, also finding Salaam's imprisoned soul in the process, and Gargy returned them to Earth.
"Coincidentally enough, we appeared close by Zanax. The paladin knew Occa and trusted him, not realising that it was not Occa he was dealing with. He asked Occa to teleport him to Hork, but instead Gargy took him to Vrith. Vrith got the Sceptre and imprisoned Zanax's soul. In the body he put Ryshara's soul, some magics were apparently done to rework the body, and back to Earth and the party they came.
"The jig was soon up, though. Equinox the druid smelled trouble. The rescue of 'Occa' had been too easy. He started asking questions, got a lot of people in this room mad at him, but in the end he was right. Gargy and Ryshara were unmasked and imprisoned, but Ryshara escaped. Gargy had a change of heart, and offered to help us get the Sceptre, Occa's and Zanax's souls if he could have vengeance on Vrith, who had imprisoned him for 600 years.
"Also at this point the clone of Occa appeared."
Robert nods to Occa.
"So, a bunch of us - along with Kadlian's party - wanted to go to the planes. However, some others, led by Al, Vardui and Equinox, wanted to go after another artifact that was associated with the Sceptre, hidden in the north. They set off, and I think Kadlian sent some people from his party as an advance group to seek out the third artifact, which lies in the eastern lands somewhere.
"So, the rest of us went back to Hell. On the way we met Maigry and her pooch, then got in the big fight with the man, daemons and dragon.
"While most of you hung back after killing the first dragon, Emm wandered off and found a second dragon with a pile of treasure. Some of us went and rescued him, and while we were slobbering over the treasure, who should appear but Vrith.
"He explained a lot of stuff to us. He offered us a deal: kill Razamataz for him and we can have Zanax's soul back. Occa's soul has already been sold to a modron lord or something, and he had already sold the Sceptre to Razamataz in exchange for his freedom.
"Some of us - "
Robert throws a glance at the silent Gilstrock.
" - Agreed to do this. When asked where Razamataz was, Vrith suggested we ask Billian.
"Now we come back here, and who should we find rummaging through our rooms but Ryshara."
Robert concludes, "What now? There's lots of loose ends lying about. We can go after Razamataz and hopefully get Zanax's soul back that way. Or, we could go after Vrith again and take it by force. How about the soul of the original Occa? And our errand for Billian? Geez, for that matter we discovered the entrance to a large underground realm under the dragon's mountain that could stand looking into. Argh! Decisions, decisions."
He sits down at the table and tells Jeeves to get him a beer.
Salaam turns to Ryshara at this point.
"Why did you come back?" he asks, clearly not pleased at the situation. "Or better yet, why should we let you live?" he asks the woman.
Ryshara struggles against her bonds. "Stop the voices! Stop the voices!"
She then stops struggling and a moment later in a calm voice says, "Just end it...I can't stand living this way..."
"And who are you?" he asks, intrigued, but ready to kill her if need be.
"You already know my name...it's Ryshara."
"Why have you come back ?" he asks her, his left hand resting on his mace.
Ryshara shrugs. "I was compelled. I had no choice."
"Ryshara, tell me the whole story, I do not want to drag it out of you. Who has compelled you and why?"
"You've heard the story before...Vrith put my soul in some human paladin's body and sent me back to the Prime Material Plane to wreak havoc. Unfortunately, he didn't give me free will...every so often I'm under a certain compulsion to cause you and your party members problems...otherwise I would have left this god-forsaken city by now..."
Jesse listens intently, watching Ryshara and Salaam's little exchange.
"Why should we help you? It seems that you are getting your just deserts."
"Do you know who forces you to act in this fashion?" Salaam asks. "Even so, your soul radiates a foulness that is a blight upon this plane. You are not innocent by any means."
Suddenly you hear a loud BANG from outside, and with the sound of breaking glass a man sails though the dining room window, to land in the middle of the remains of breakfast.
A new character is launched into the game...
"Who the hell are you?" Salaam asks of the new arrival, clearly irritated.
The new arrival, a man, seems to be too dazed to answer.
Rubbing his palms on his temples, Salaam shakes his head.
"You people give me a headache. If you need me, I will be in my room. As of tomorrow, or once you all decide to do, I will be in seclusion, researching some spells that I feel I will need to know when I return to Hell. I have a score to settle there and I want to be as prepared as possible," he informs the party.
He waits for any replies and then sighing, leaves for his room, leaving Ryshara to be dealt with by he rest of the party.
On her are eight potions, a scroll, and two longswords. Darian recognises one of them as being his.
She also has a pile of gems and jewelry that Orlon recognises as his.
"Thank you very much," Orlon says with an irritated voice as he reclaims his gems and jewels.
"Not so roud, round eye!" the yellow skinned man replies as he shakes the glass from his hair and outfit. Garbed in a thin white sleeveless shirt, black pants, and black leather boots, Lo is a decent looking and normal sized human male with yellowed skin. He has a lean body, a shaved head, bright blue eyes, and sports a well kept black goatee. A well made leather backpack is worn on his back matching the leather bandolier draped across his fitted white shirt, it holds 10 silvered shurikens.
"My name is Lo Wang, I am new to these parts. I am tord that a mage named Occa might agree to a dear to return me to my home. I seek him, do you know of him ?" he asks, as he watches the other bald headed man in the room leave. Lo frowns then addresses the rest of the room, "not a presant man I can see, hee hee," he chuckles and then resumes a serious face. "Is the mage named Occa here ?" he asks.
A discussion erupts.
Occa says, "We should get our fallen comrades. Occa or Zanax is a good beginning. If we go after Raz, we can get Zanax back, but that would be after we face Raz. Do we need him first? It wouldn't hurt, but he is a Paladin, so we would have to put up with that. Really, I only see three good possibilities. One, go after this Modron Lord and free the original Occa. Two, go after Raz and get the scepter back. Three, go after Vrith to take Zanax back."
Kadlian clears his throat. "The sceptre is very important, Occa. Do we understand what this Raz's angle is obtaining the sceptre? Could he be working for Mestom? If so, then that would be our most important goal, if we all want to keep Nlad and the other nearby lands free from Mestom's tyranny. Once we do that, then we go after Occa and Zanax."
Robert clears his throat next, then belches. "Seems we could kill two birds with one stone. If we go after Raz to get the Sceptre back and kill him, then we free Zanax."
Jesse speaks. "Raz is up to it in spades. I wonder if this connects more with the Dragons and what little we learned in Casablanca? Let's go pay him a visit."
Rage looks up, "I agree with Robert, we get our scepter back, and I know where I can keep it safe, and then we get Zanax back, and we owe him that much."
Kadlian looks up. "You have thought of a place, then? Care to share it?"
Rage smiles. "I know roughly where one of the Wizards enclaves is, those of neutrality, and know who I can find the exact location from. To them, I would entrust the scepter."
Upon seeing Rage well and involved in the discussion, Malvis awakens from his reverie, induced by the act of dying in hell and returning to the living by unknown means, and his face begins beaming in joy. Whatever magics brought him back did not lessen his near-worship of the great mage, Rage. Although, he reflects, her presence did not prevent his death. But, as he vaguely remembers, it didn't prevent the death of many another, either. Still somewhat at a loss as to the next step the group should take, Malvis decides to hold his tongue, and just listen for the moment. He takes the opportunity to look over his clothing to see if anything he owned previously survived his resurrection.
All of his goods and chattels are there.
Hlarn nods. "It is a Wizard artifact, and they already hold the powers it possesses so that would be a safe place. However there is always the question of if they would be willing to see us, or even take the artifact back. But I would agree with making the attempt."
"And are they strong enough to keep it?" asks Kadlian.
Hlarn nods. "They are Wizards, undying and ancient beyond memory. If they can't safely hold it, then no one is able."
Kadlian nods. "Then that sounds like a good plan. What of the other two artifacts? Should we find them, do we also give them to the Wizards?"
Hlarn shrugs. "Perhaps. Remember that there are 3 different groups. Perhaps we should see about having each one get a different piece."
The dwarf pauses. "However I think our own groups priority is clear. We are after the scepter, and Razamataz holds it. That means we go after him. If that gets Zanax back in the process then all the better, but I would not count on it... Never trust the word of a demon."
Hlarn turns to the others. "However how do we go about finding this arch-mage Razamataz? I do not believe anyone in our party has met the man, so scrying is out of the question."
"We've met him, too many times. Kailar, if I can borrow your crystal ball, I can try scrying for him. Of course, he may detect it or be protected against scrying."
Kailar hands over the crystal ball.
"Thank you, Kailar. Occa, any objections to me trying to scry for Raz?"
Hlarn shakes his head. "We'd best wait until we are fully ready to depart. If he detects our scrying attempt, he might take actions to prevent it in the near future when we can actually go after him."
Darian hands the crystal ball back to Kailar. "Thank you, anyway. Maybe later, then."
Robert looks up, wondering what everyone is looking at. "Vrith suggested we start our search for Razamataz by going back to Billian and asking him. They seemed to be close...maybe he would know. That would mean going back to Casablanca. How would we get there? Through the Wizard temple again?"
Occa says, "Fine. Raz it is. Let's figure out a way. What about the Wizard temple? Is there a gate there?"
Robert looks at Occa strangely for a moment, then nods.
"Of course, you weren't there with us before; it was the original Occa. Yes, there is a portal there."
Gonzo says, "Gimme one whack at ol' Ratzass and he'll be dead... Jez one!"
Hlarn shrugs. "Give me about an hour to put my spells in order and I'm ready." The dwarf looks over at the others. "What do you need before we can head out?"
Looking back at Darian, he continues. "And assuming you view him in the ball, how will we be transported? One of you archmages going to teleport the lot of us?"
Darian shakes his head. "I don't know. He was in Casablanca in Mestom which is protected from teleportation and scrying and all sorts of other magical restrictions. The way we got there last time was going through a portal on some island far to the south of Casablanca. Complicated story, even though Robert hit some of the highlights."
"But, Occa should be able to get us to the island. This incarnation hasn't been there, but I should be able to show him a picture of it in the crystal ball. I remember the island quite clearly."
"However, there are some things we should do if we are going after Raz. Augment my psionics for one..."
"You are bressed with the open powers of the mind?" the newcomer asks in a reverent tone. "I was once, but it seems on this worrd, I know ronger do so, if the mage Occa can not return me to my home, may I study under you and perhaps my powers wirr return!" the newcomer says with a glint in his eye to Darian.
"Open powers of the mind? I guess so, if that's how you wish to refer to psionics. My own people believed I was demonspawn."
"Ah, psionics is what you Westerners call it. I was taught that it is the chi that we contror, rike a force that surrounds us all the time. Many have the innate abirity to tap into it and better themserves, others use it for evir. I was a defender of K'un R'un, protege to the Iron Fist, and aras, I find myself here, weak and arone. I hope that the mage Occa accepts my offer, that perhaps I can rearn from you," Lo says with a smile.
"I can't speak for Occa, but I suspect that an arrangement can be made."
"Occa is here, amongst us, but he is being quiet right now."
"Ah, I am bressed this night indeed, where is the mage Occa?" he asks, looking at each person in the room.
"What made you come through a window, instead of just knocking on the door like most people?"
"When you Westerners see a person of my coror, it seems that you enjoy mocking and making fun. I was surrounded by a few rude men, I defended myserf, aras, not well enough when a behemoth of a man picked me up and hurred me through mage Occa's window. Like the cowards that the are, they must have run away, as I am tord that Mage Occa is the most powerfur wizard in the rand," Lo says with a hopeful smile and glint in his eyes.
Darian looks surprised. "How far were you thrown?"
"And Occa is not the most powerful. That would be Ray Jay."
"Who is this Ray Jay?" he asks.
"An arch-mage that we all report to in one way or another," says an elf with an authoritative voice.
"As far as studying under me, I have a wife for that. And I understand little about my psionics. Just that they constantly seem inadequate for the tasks that I put them to."
"Then teacher you need as werr, friend, heh, heh, I know none in this land, perhaps together we seek?" he asks Darian. "Curtivating one's interrigence and inner being will arrow you to focus on your chi!"
"I desperately need a teacher, but I've been unable to locate one."
"Perhaps seek together we can, hmmm?" he asks with a smile.
"Perhaps. Although, I don't know where to look. It's not like they advertise or anything. Just about all the folks I've met with psionics have attacked me. Those that haven't, either won't share what they know or know less than I do."
Emm equips himself for non-hell based travel, including a new longbow and a full quiver of arrows, some rope, dark clothes, and other necessities.
"Of course, Bubba, I need you first and foremost. Whaddya say?"
"Sounds great to me!" the sword replies, "Lots of hot babes in Casablanca!"
Occa says, "Right. Show me and then let's go!" He looks over at Lo. "I am Occa. I almost blasted you to a million bits when you jumped through my window and ruined my food!"
"My profuse aporogies, Mage Occa," Lo says with a bow to the mage. "It was not my choice of entry," the man smiles slightly. "I come from a world far from here, and was tord that you possess great magic that courd possibry return me home. Aras, I have no money and no rear possessions with which I can trade with you for your service. On my world, one works for the service of another, so I wourd be wirring to work for you for one year's time if you wourd be abre to return me."
Emm prefers to train with Gonzo, but given Gonzo's desire to smash Raz, he will defer to his teacher's whim.
"Mage Occa, is my price acceptabre to you?" Lo asks. "One year of service and then you will return me to my home," he says. If Occa agrees, he will gladly go where Occa goes.
Occa says, "It is acceptable."
He gives a slight smile.
"My thanks, Mage Occa," Lo says with a wide smile. "I have not been here rong, and have no desire to stay any ronger. No toilets, no sushi, and I miss my HK."
A half-elven female, next to Darien, dressed in blue speaks, "It seems we should split up again. I think Kadlian's group should head back with rest of their party and continue on their journey while the rest of us head after our dear friend Raz."
"Probably a good idea," Emm agrees. "Although I'd be surprised if they haven't gotten themselves killed by now."
"Yeah," says Robert sagely.
"They are alive, although I have this nagging suspicion that Logan and a few of the others led everyone else astray and they are not as far to Atlantia as we would wish."
"Now, onto a more important matter. Do we have a list of the treasure we brought back? I would like to divide the spoils before we go our separate ways."
Kadlian pulls out a sword from his back. "Darian, thank you for the loan, but this is yours."
Darian takes the sword back and slips it into an empty sheath.
"You're welcome, Kadlian."
Whilst all the great thoughts are being discussed and epic journeys planned Maigry yawns slightly in boredom or exhaustion and slips from the room quietly.
"I have no objection to that. Is there any sort of magical means of keeping track of each other? That way, if you decide you need our assistance, you can find us quickly."
Jesse watches Kadlian and Darian talk. She scratches her head, trying to determine why they sound so alike.
"So we're off to Casablanca," the bard says, "What about the woodsman and Al? Should we at least stop to say hello to them first?"
Kailar takes out his crystal ball and scrys for Equinox and Al.
An image forms.
You see Equinox and Al, along with Vardui, Op Code, Tully, Tracey, Drinor and Aron, standing in what must be a large temple, talking to a young woman in clerical robes. She wears a holy symbol depicting a watching blue eye, which many of you know stands for Odin.
The conversation seems to be long and involved.
Jesse speaks, "Very odd. Should we pop in to say hello? I wonder if that woman knows where the piece is that Al and Equinox were looking for."
"Kailar, can you check for Logan, and Sian and my followers?"
Kailar concentrates on Logan.
He sees Logan naked. He is screwing Edelle's brains out.
She is naked, too, and seems to be enjoying herself.
They are in bed in a small, low-ceilinged room.
"So this is how voyeurism got its start," Orlon chuckles.
Kadlian chokes in surprise. "I thought she had better taste than that."
"Did anyone keep track of what we brought in? My group could use the money and any magical items that are our share."
Rage nods, "anything would help." the mage says. "How do we deal with communication between our groups? I am not sure we can count on teleportation back to Occa's mansion as a clearing house. We can scry, but we do not know how easy it will be to do so while you are after this Raz. And having us as a backup/emergency cavalry might be useful."
Occa yawns and says, "I am ready to go! Maybe we should put Rhyshara on ice?"
"Occa, if we are really going to split the groups, then we need to deal with the treasure division. We also need to figure out a way to stay in contact."
Occa says, "Who has the list? I lost mine."
Robert yawns as well.
"Let them have it. They need all the help they can get. As for staying in contact...don't call us, we'll call you."
"That is awfully generous of you, Robert. Is that okay with everyone else in your party? I do not want to take money and magical items that might aid the rest of you."
"As far as the contact goes, I was referring to you needing us. Perhaps with dealing with Raz or this Modron."
"Don't lose any sleep about it," the warrior replies.
When everything is resolved, you make ready to separate.
Darian borrows Kailar's valuable crystal ball and forms an image of the pirate camp in it. Occa examines it, and makes a mental note.
Then, Kadlian, Carburator, Rage, Kailar, Hlarn, Malvis, Sian and Niko depart.