"If there is ancient and powerful technology... my superiors will want to recover it by any means necessary," Zana says, though she looks like she would have rather reduced the entire base to a smoking crater. "The next shelling will be the acidic bombs... hopefully that will take care of anything that the poison can't harm."
The fact that some truly brutal chemical warfare has been authorized in this situation tells you that the authorities are taking this threat seriously. But it's hard to say whether it will be enough.
Several more shells hit the courtyard, releasing the acidic gasses into the air and into the tunnels. Hopefully it will be enough... Zana sighs heavily as the last of the shells is fired.
"Let's get the hell out of this accursed place," she says. "We're going to need a thorough report on what's down there. I think my superiors are going to try to deal with the Dark Lord and his allies in secrecy to avoid panicking the public, but I doubt it will be possible to keep this under wraps for long."
A few hours later, you arrive at a bunker, where you are greeted by an older human general and several more soldiers who take the Hunter into custody for you.
"I heard about what happened at the ruins," the general says gruffly, though you can tell there's an edge of genuine sadness in his voice. "It's a damn shame... lots of good men and women were on that team. But it looks like there was at least one survivor... Pleasure to meet you, the name's General Kennard."
He extends a hand towards Erik.
General Kennard:
In case I didn't post one earlier, here's one of Zana as well:
And finally, the Hunter:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
A few hours later, you arrive at a bunker, where you are greeted by an older human general and several more soldiers who take the Hunter into custody for you.
"I heard about what happened at the ruins," the general says gruffly, though you can tell there's an edge of genuine sadness in his voice. "It's a damn shame... lots of good men and women were on that team. But it looks like there was at least one survivor... Pleasure to meet you, the name's General Kennard."
He extends a hand towards Erik.
Erik's face shield and helmet have retracted. He removes a gauntlet and shakes the general's hand, saying, "Good to meet you, General Kennard. Erik Sigurdsson. I was the lead researcher on historical sites and ancient structures for the first expedition. I was also there for my work on cutting edge personal armament. But I should thank you for sending this rescue party. They did amazing work! Top notch people!" When the general mentioned the loss of the first expedition, a pained, haunted expression passed over his face. He fights back against the survivor's guilt by focusing on the immediate emergencies. "I'm happy to debrief even before dinner, but first, did you receive Zana's message about Waerham Castle? Were you able to contact the museum to have them evacuate the castle? Did you alert the security forces in that district? Were there any reports of an attack or any disturbance there?"
When there's time, Erik is happy to provide some suggestions about where the other four Chosen may have gone. (Even happier if he gets to work with the pretty tiefling, Zana.) "From my study of ancient history and haunted sites dating from the time of the wars against the Dark Lord, I can guess where the Dark Lord and the other four of his Chosen may have gone. Other than Wearham Castle..." Erik names about a dozen fortresses or strongholds, some of them in complete ruins, that are associated with the Dark Lord's rise to power and conquest the first time around. He's not sure what criteria the Dark Lord used to select the destination for his Chosen, so he's not sure how to rank the possibilities. "But I'd wager that each one who went through the Transporter ended up at one of these locations." If they can bring him maps of Letera, Erik points out the location of any sites that aren't well-known landmarks like Waerham Castle is.
You're able to think of twelve possible locations scattered across the continent. As expected, given the time that has passed, the actual fortresses are mostly destroyed, and if the Dark Lord intends to make use of them then they will need to be rebuilt. However, one notable exception is Waerham Castle, which has been turned into a museum and is now an active tourist destination. If one of the Dark Lord's minions... or the Dark Lord himself... has appeared there, you can be fairly certain that you will find out about it very soon...
"Aye lad, we got the message," he says. "We can't be sure yet... but the preliminary reports are not sounding good. The castle has been closed off to the public for the past couple days and none of those who work there have been able to tell why they closed their doors. Naturally the local authorities assumed that there was a gas leak or something... but it seems that those poor souls may be under duress from this Dark Lord. We have our communications officer trying to reach the local authorities as we speak... if we don't hear back soon we're going to need to look into military action."
The general sends Zana to fetch a couple of maps, and she returns in a few moments.
To pick out which fortresses would be most valuable to the Dark Lord's plan to rebuild his empire, give me some kind of History or Investigation check to pick out what locations would be the most strategically valuable to the Dark Lord in the modern day. If you roll well enough you might even be able to figure out which of the Chosen would have (probably) been assigned to which fortress and why.
To pick out which fortresses would be most valuable to the Dark Lord's plan to rebuild his empire, give me some kind of History or Investigation check to pick out what locations would be the most strategically valuable to the Dark Lord in the modern day. If you roll well enough you might even be able to figure out which of the Chosen would have (probably) been assigned to witch fortress and why.
Erik lists off the dozen or so locations for the other fortresses and helps pinpoint their locations on the maps. The military officers complain, of course, that they don't have the people to check each location. At least not quickly. After the massacre at the frozen mountain facility, it's clear that the Dark Lord and the Chosen are too dangerous to send a small squadron to each to each location.
Erik tries to remember everything he can about each site and how it relates to the Chosen, but he's used to working in a collaborative, academic environment. He invites his companions to help talk through the possibilities with him.
((OOC: Can I assume help from one of the other characters with proficiency in History?))
Eppie climbs up on the back of a chair next to Erik as he surveys the maps, tapping her chin and muttering a string of useless trivia about the flora, fauna, and weather patterns in each location.
(Eppie's History roll: 6 lol and no proficiency. Nature roll of 18 if that helps ;) )
Toa would help if he could, but realistically, he knows nothing of these fortresses or historic locations, and the less said about his proficiency at Investigation or his knowledge of History (other than that of his own ancestors), the better.
Instead he leans back, nods sagely at Pyx, and begins cleaning his maul, keeping an eye on the Hunter and his restraints.
"Did you say that one of the lieutenant guys used mind control, Mr. Metal-Shell, ah... Erik?" Toa thinks back to how Erik had described the defeat of the original expedition. "Pretty good reason not to send ah... what did you call them, General Kenny? Small squadrons. Though I guess for all I know, it's just as easy for them to mind control a lot of people as it is to mind control just a couple..." Toa trails off, looking a little uneasy for the first time.
((OOC: Can I assume help from one of the other characters with proficiency in History?))
((OOC: @Mister_Whisker - I'll go ahead and post two rolls so that you can move things forward no matter what the answer is. Depending on the roll, Erik may also use Flash of Genius here.))
Erik History: 19 (and if he has advantage, the second roll 15 would make it Unable to parse dice roll.)
((OOC: Can I assume help from one of the other characters with proficiency in History?))
((OOC: @Mister_Whisker - I'll go ahead and post two rolls so that you can move things forward no matter what the answer is. Depending on the roll, Erik may also use Flash of Genius here.))
Erik History: 19 (and if he has advantage, the second roll 20 would make it 20)
Using Flash of Genius, in case that helps yield additional info...
I'll go ahead and say sure, you could get advantage.
Going over the map, a few things stand out...
1) The Countess may be the most problematic to deal with. Being a diplomat, she has almost certainly been sent to an affluent location where she could mingle with the elites and persuade them to join the Dark Lord's crusade. Her subtle manipulations will likely be difficult to root out, especially considering the fact that she is a potent mage potentially on par with the Vizier.
2) The General and the Brute are both relatively straightforward warriors. The best way to utilize both of them would probably be to send them to some of the remaining primitive tribes of orcs, gnolls, or goblins to inspire 'loyalty' through pure displays of physical might. (Note: even though some 'primitive' tribes still exist, most orcs and goblins have been integrated into modern society. Gnolls... not so much).
3) The Vizier may be the most difficult of the Chosen to predict... like the Countess, he may have been sent to an affluent region to use his own brand of 'persuasion' on individuals of wealth and power. But it is equally possible that his assignment could be to spread the influence of the Dark Lord through the criminal underworld. Or maybe he's been tasked with turning military leaders into unwilling pawns.
After a lot of searching, Erik is able to pick out three locations that almost certainly were selected as destinations for the Chosen. One is a ruined fortress in the Badlands, a land twisted and scarred by the Spellplague and various other wars that is currently roamed by feral creatures with little civilization. A second is in the Hollow Wood, a region that is mostly a diseased woodland and is largely inhabited by feral goblins and gnolls. You could bet good money that the Brute and the General have each taken one of these ruined castles as their assignment. You can also narrow down the most likely location of the Countess to a fortress which is now known as the Grey Palace. It isn't a tourist attraction like Waerheim, but is instead the private property of a relatively minor noble family who are probably in for a rather nasty surprise...
The location of the Vizier, unfortunately, you simply cannot narrow down based on how versatile his skill set is...
Just to reiterate Erik's status. He was a member of the first expedition. After the massacre and a few days of captivity, he was finally rescued by the current group. Now that they're back and have finished debriefing, Erik would like some dinner, a shower, and a good night's sleep. In the morning, he'll be interested to know who's coordinating the response against the Dark Lord and the Chosen.
In case no one has explicitly invited them to do so, Erik will offer his services to help with any efforts to capture or kill the Dark Lord and his Chosen before these mythic villains can reestablish themselves. Since Erik was part of the expedition that freed the Dark Lord and the 5 Chosen, he feels obligated to help in any way he can. Besides, he had friends and colleagues on that first expedition, and he'd like a chance to bring their killers to justice.
The location of the Vizier, unfortunately, you simply cannot narrow down based on how versatile his skill set is...
After having a colleague and friend torture himself to death right in front of Erik while under the Vizier's domination, Erik would have avoided confronting the Vizier as long as possible anyway. He respects the lethal threat that each of the Chosen poses. He knows that they each possess powers and abilities that not have been seen in centuries, but he's more afraid of the mind-warping powers of the Vizier than he is of the other Chosen. Perhaps his discomfort in thinking about the Vizier is part of the reason that he has such trouble in narrowing down the possibilities there.
If the military is able to find some of the other Chosen first, maybe they'll find some clues or information that will lead them to the Vizier.
Simon will look over the information and say, "I believe we go for the Countess first. Cutting off political resources can be crucial. Plus I am done fighting something with big muscles."
"I think that's probably a good idea," Zana agrees. "Dealing with political as well as physical attacks could cripple our society..."
General Kennard nods in agreement.
"I apologize for asking this of you, Mister Sigurdsson... but you are the only one who has actually met this entity in person. It would be extremely helpful to have someone on the team who can recognize her if we wish to root her out."
Simon will look over the information and say, "I believe we go for the Countess first. Cutting off political resources can be crucial. Plus I am done fighting something with big muscles."
Erik doesn't object. He was thinking of starting with the General, the Brute, or the Countess first. Erik says, "Well, the Countess may not be 'strong,' like the Hunter or the Brute, but she isn't just involved in political intrigue. The histories tell us that the Countess possessed terrible magical powers that were legendary even in her own time. Her magic reportedly allowed her to contact powerful entities -- 'devils,' if you believe the stories."
Erik smirks ruefully at that. He says, "A few months ago, I would have told you that the writers who penned the oldest tales about the Dark Lord and his Chosen were more interested in creating scary stories to entertain their audiences than in recording an accurate history. But now that we've met some of the Chosen...? I don't know. I think we'd do well to heed the warnings of those old stories."
"Now, I'm not a religious man," Erik says, as though refuting an objection, even though no one offered one. "And I don't believe that the Countess's 'devils' are the same wicked tempters that feature in the sermons of your local pastor. But what if 'devil' is just the word they used in ancient times for powerful, strange creatures from other dimensions? After what we've seen, I'd say that it's possible that the Countess is the prototypical 'witch' of all the old fairy tales. She may be able to summon horrible creatures that are not of this world or to invoke strange curses that seem to bend reality itself. Just because the Countess isn't 'strong,' I don't think that she'll be an easy foe. She has her own, terrible power."
General Kennard nods in agreement. "I apologize for asking this of you, Mister Sigurdsson... but you are the only one who has actually met this entity in person. It would be extremely helpful to have someone on the team who can recognize her if we wish to root her out."
Erik agrees to help with the mission: "As I said, even though I did not awaken the Dark Lord myself, I feel somewhat responsible as one of the few survivors of the last expedition." He'll have to notify his college to let them know that his sabbatical for the original expedition is going to be extended, but he doesn't expect any objection there, especially if General Kennard talks to the dean. You get the impression that Erik values having his colleagues know that important generals value his advice.
In case the general hasn't already offered, Erik asks General Kennard, "Can you extend the service of the team that rescued me? They've already proven themselves against one of the Chosen, and I think that they'd be a valuable addition to the next mission. Assuming that they're willing to come, of course..."
Erik defers to the general in forming their team to go after the Countess. He does reiterate that they believe that Handril Kraggranite is still alive and was likely taken to a stronghold by the Brute. It seems safer to Erik to confront the Chosen as soon as possible. They should try to catch each of the Chosen when they're on their own, before they can build a base of power and start collaborating. Until they learn more, Erik suggests prioritizing the Chosen in this order:
If Toa is honest with himself, going up against the Countess (or the Vizier) as described makes him far more apprehensive than confronting, say, the Brute, at least based on his preconceived notions. Toa understands fighting toe-to-toe (or echo-to-toe) with his ancestral spirits aiding him. If he dies, he dies. It is these magical, psychological or political enemies who give him pause. His eyebrows furrow, but he acquiesces to flow of Tangaroa's tide.
He rolls his broad shoulders and nods to the others. "Let's do it."
Eppie frowns, tapping her chin with one finger. "Never trusted anything haunted. I'm sure all the stories are true, we've just lost the technology that would familiarize their operations. And if it isn't technology, if it's powerful beings from another world that really drive those operations, all the better we find a way to close the gap, eh? Level the playing field. Even the score. Eliminate foundational advantages. That said, I'm happy to investigate the Countess, but I'm most curious about Handril's fate, and how he got those teleporters working. The man is a genius."
Pyx snuffles around on the map, waving her feather-plumed tail.
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker - since the party is back at base and has plenty of time, Erik or one of the military folks, can finally Identify the other magical items that we took from the Hunter. Could you let us know what those were so that we can figure out how to divide them? There was a Periapt of Wound Closure, another pendant that sounded like it was going to be a lucky charm, and 3 potions.)
(Hello everyone, and I hope you all had a merry Christmas!)
Unfortunately, two of your companions have other obligations. The forest man and the automaton both need to return to their own duties. However, the rest of you are able to remain as an elite task force to try to deal with the Dark Lord's minions.
You have been given the backing of the military to hunt down these Chosen, but it is up to you exactly how you want to do it... if I understand correctly, you're planning to go after the Countess first... and you know that she most likely went to the Gray Palace, though there is admittedly no guarantee that she is still there.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"If there is ancient and powerful technology... my superiors will want to recover it by any means necessary," Zana says, though she looks like she would have rather reduced the entire base to a smoking crater. "The next shelling will be the acidic bombs... hopefully that will take care of anything that the poison can't harm."
The fact that some truly brutal chemical warfare has been authorized in this situation tells you that the authorities are taking this threat seriously. But it's hard to say whether it will be enough.
Several more shells hit the courtyard, releasing the acidic gasses into the air and into the tunnels. Hopefully it will be enough... Zana sighs heavily as the last of the shells is fired.
"Let's get the hell out of this accursed place," she says. "We're going to need a thorough report on what's down there. I think my superiors are going to try to deal with the Dark Lord and his allies in secrecy to avoid panicking the public, but I doubt it will be possible to keep this under wraps for long."
A few hours later, you arrive at a bunker, where you are greeted by an older human general and several more soldiers who take the Hunter into custody for you.
"I heard about what happened at the ruins," the general says gruffly, though you can tell there's an edge of genuine sadness in his voice. "It's a damn shame... lots of good men and women were on that team. But it looks like there was at least one survivor... Pleasure to meet you, the name's General Kennard."
He extends a hand towards Erik.
General Kennard:
In case I didn't post one earlier, here's one of Zana as well:
And finally, the Hunter:
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Erik's face shield and helmet have retracted. He removes a gauntlet and shakes the general's hand, saying, "Good to meet you, General Kennard. Erik Sigurdsson. I was the lead researcher on historical sites and ancient structures for the first expedition. I was also there for my work on cutting edge personal armament. But I should thank you for sending this rescue party. They did amazing work! Top notch people!" When the general mentioned the loss of the first expedition, a pained, haunted expression passed over his face. He fights back against the survivor's guilt by focusing on the immediate emergencies. "I'm happy to debrief even before dinner, but first, did you receive Zana's message about Waerham Castle? Were you able to contact the museum to have them evacuate the castle? Did you alert the security forces in that district? Were there any reports of an attack or any disturbance there?"
When there's time, Erik is happy to provide some suggestions about where the other four Chosen may have gone. (Even happier if he gets to work with the pretty tiefling, Zana.) "From my study of ancient history and haunted sites dating from the time of the wars against the Dark Lord, I can guess where the Dark Lord and the other four of his Chosen may have gone. Other than Wearham Castle..." Erik names about a dozen fortresses or strongholds, some of them in complete ruins, that are associated with the Dark Lord's rise to power and conquest the first time around. He's not sure what criteria the Dark Lord used to select the destination for his Chosen, so he's not sure how to rank the possibilities. "But I'd wager that each one who went through the Transporter ended up at one of these locations." If they can bring him maps of Letera, Erik points out the location of any sites that aren't well-known landmarks like Waerham Castle is.
((OOC: From Erik's previous history check:
))
The General nods his head.
"Aye lad, we got the message," he says. "We can't be sure yet... but the preliminary reports are not sounding good. The castle has been closed off to the public for the past couple days and none of those who work there have been able to tell why they closed their doors. Naturally the local authorities assumed that there was a gas leak or something... but it seems that those poor souls may be under duress from this Dark Lord. We have our communications officer trying to reach the local authorities as we speak... if we don't hear back soon we're going to need to look into military action."
The general sends Zana to fetch a couple of maps, and she returns in a few moments.
To pick out which fortresses would be most valuable to the Dark Lord's plan to rebuild his empire, give me some kind of History or Investigation check to pick out what locations would be the most strategically valuable to the Dark Lord in the modern day. If you roll well enough you might even be able to figure out which of the Chosen would have (probably) been assigned to which fortress and why.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Erik lists off the dozen or so locations for the other fortresses and helps pinpoint their locations on the maps. The military officers complain, of course, that they don't have the people to check each location. At least not quickly. After the massacre at the frozen mountain facility, it's clear that the Dark Lord and the Chosen are too dangerous to send a small squadron to each to each location.
Erik tries to remember everything he can about each site and how it relates to the Chosen, but he's used to working in a collaborative, academic environment. He invites his companions to help talk through the possibilities with him.
((OOC: Can I assume help from one of the other characters with proficiency in History?))
Eppie climbs up on the back of a chair next to Erik as he surveys the maps, tapping her chin and muttering a string of useless trivia about the flora, fauna, and weather patterns in each location.
(Eppie's History roll: 6 lol and no proficiency. Nature roll of 18 if that helps ;) )
Toa would help if he could, but realistically, he knows nothing of these fortresses or historic locations, and the less said about his proficiency at Investigation or his knowledge of History (other than that of his own ancestors), the better.
Instead he leans back, nods sagely at Pyx, and begins cleaning his maul, keeping an eye on the Hunter and his restraints.
"Did you say that one of the lieutenant guys used mind control, Mr. Metal-Shell, ah... Erik?" Toa thinks back to how Erik had described the defeat of the original expedition. "Pretty good reason not to send ah... what did you call them, General Kenny? Small squadrons. Though I guess for all I know, it's just as easy for them to mind control a lot of people as it is to mind control just a couple..." Toa trails off, looking a little uneasy for the first time.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
((OOC: @Mister_Whisker - I'll go ahead and post two rolls so that you can move things forward no matter what the answer is. Depending on the roll, Erik may also use Flash of Genius here.))
Erik History: 19 (and if he has advantage, the second roll 15 would make it Unable to parse dice roll.)
Using Flash of Genius, in case that helps yield additional info...
History: 24, or 25 with advantage
I'll go ahead and say sure, you could get advantage.
Going over the map, a few things stand out...
1) The Countess may be the most problematic to deal with. Being a diplomat, she has almost certainly been sent to an affluent location where she could mingle with the elites and persuade them to join the Dark Lord's crusade. Her subtle manipulations will likely be difficult to root out, especially considering the fact that she is a potent mage potentially on par with the Vizier.
2) The General and the Brute are both relatively straightforward warriors. The best way to utilize both of them would probably be to send them to some of the remaining primitive tribes of orcs, gnolls, or goblins to inspire 'loyalty' through pure displays of physical might. (Note: even though some 'primitive' tribes still exist, most orcs and goblins have been integrated into modern society. Gnolls... not so much).
3) The Vizier may be the most difficult of the Chosen to predict... like the Countess, he may have been sent to an affluent region to use his own brand of 'persuasion' on individuals of wealth and power. But it is equally possible that his assignment could be to spread the influence of the Dark Lord through the criminal underworld. Or maybe he's been tasked with turning military leaders into unwilling pawns.
After a lot of searching, Erik is able to pick out three locations that almost certainly were selected as destinations for the Chosen. One is a ruined fortress in the Badlands, a land twisted and scarred by the Spellplague and various other wars that is currently roamed by feral creatures with little civilization. A second is in the Hollow Wood, a region that is mostly a diseased woodland and is largely inhabited by feral goblins and gnolls. You could bet good money that the Brute and the General have each taken one of these ruined castles as their assignment. You can also narrow down the most likely location of the Countess to a fortress which is now known as the Grey Palace. It isn't a tourist attraction like Waerheim, but is instead the private property of a relatively minor noble family who are probably in for a rather nasty surprise...
The location of the Vizier, unfortunately, you simply cannot narrow down based on how versatile his skill set is...
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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After having a colleague and friend torture himself to death right in front of Erik while under the Vizier's domination, Erik would have avoided confronting the Vizier as long as possible anyway. He respects the lethal threat that each of the Chosen poses. He knows that they each possess powers and abilities that not have been seen in centuries, but he's more afraid of the mind-warping powers of the Vizier than he is of the other Chosen. Perhaps his discomfort in thinking about the Vizier is part of the reason that he has such trouble in narrowing down the possibilities there.
If the military is able to find some of the other Chosen first, maybe they'll find some clues or information that will lead them to the Vizier.
(Bump... any input from the rest of the crew?)
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Simon will look over the information and say, "I believe we go for the Countess first. Cutting off political resources can be crucial. Plus I am done fighting something with big muscles."
"I think that's probably a good idea," Zana agrees. "Dealing with political as well as physical attacks could cripple our society..."
General Kennard nods in agreement.
"I apologize for asking this of you, Mister Sigurdsson... but you are the only one who has actually met this entity in person. It would be extremely helpful to have someone on the team who can recognize her if we wish to root her out."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Erik doesn't object. He was thinking of starting with the General, the Brute, or the Countess first. Erik says, "Well, the Countess may not be 'strong,' like the Hunter or the Brute, but she isn't just involved in political intrigue. The histories tell us that the Countess possessed terrible magical powers that were legendary even in her own time. Her magic reportedly allowed her to contact powerful entities -- 'devils,' if you believe the stories."
Erik smirks ruefully at that. He says, "A few months ago, I would have told you that the writers who penned the oldest tales about the Dark Lord and his Chosen were more interested in creating scary stories to entertain their audiences than in recording an accurate history. But now that we've met some of the Chosen...? I don't know. I think we'd do well to heed the warnings of those old stories."
"Now, I'm not a religious man," Erik says, as though refuting an objection, even though no one offered one. "And I don't believe that the Countess's 'devils' are the same wicked tempters that feature in the sermons of your local pastor. But what if 'devil' is just the word they used in ancient times for powerful, strange creatures from other dimensions? After what we've seen, I'd say that it's possible that the Countess is the prototypical 'witch' of all the old fairy tales. She may be able to summon horrible creatures that are not of this world or to invoke strange curses that seem to bend reality itself. Just because the Countess isn't 'strong,' I don't think that she'll be an easy foe. She has her own, terrible power."
Erik agrees to help with the mission: "As I said, even though I did not awaken the Dark Lord myself, I feel somewhat responsible as one of the few survivors of the last expedition." He'll have to notify his college to let them know that his sabbatical for the original expedition is going to be extended, but he doesn't expect any objection there, especially if General Kennard talks to the dean. You get the impression that Erik values having his colleagues know that important generals value his advice.
In case the general hasn't already offered, Erik asks General Kennard, "Can you extend the service of the team that rescued me? They've already proven themselves against one of the Chosen, and I think that they'd be a valuable addition to the next mission. Assuming that they're willing to come, of course..."
Erik defers to the general in forming their team to go after the Countess. He does reiterate that they believe that Handril Kraggranite is still alive and was likely taken to a stronghold by the Brute. It seems safer to Erik to confront the Chosen as soon as possible. They should try to catch each of the Chosen when they're on their own, before they can build a base of power and start collaborating. Until they learn more, Erik suggests prioritizing the Chosen in this order:
If Toa is honest with himself, going up against the Countess (or the Vizier) as described makes him far more apprehensive than confronting, say, the Brute, at least based on his preconceived notions. Toa understands fighting toe-to-toe (or echo-to-toe) with his ancestral spirits aiding him. If he dies, he dies. It is these magical, psychological or political enemies who give him pause. His eyebrows furrow, but he acquiesces to flow of Tangaroa's tide.
He rolls his broad shoulders and nods to the others. "Let's do it."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Eppie frowns, tapping her chin with one finger. "Never trusted anything haunted. I'm sure all the stories are true, we've just lost the technology that would familiarize their operations. And if it isn't technology, if it's powerful beings from another world that really drive those operations, all the better we find a way to close the gap, eh? Level the playing field. Even the score. Eliminate foundational advantages. That said, I'm happy to investigate the Countess, but I'm most curious about Handril's fate, and how he got those teleporters working. The man is a genius."
Pyx snuffles around on the map, waving her feather-plumed tail.
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker - since the party is back at base and has plenty of time, Erik or one of the military folks, can finally Identify the other magical items that we took from the Hunter. Could you let us know what those were so that we can figure out how to divide them? There was a Periapt of Wound Closure, another pendant that sounded like it was going to be a lucky charm, and 3 potions.)
Yes. As it turns out, what you have are two greater potions of healing, and a potion of speed. The latter is obviously an incredibly rare find... use it wisely.
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(Hello everyone, and I hope you all had a merry Christmas!)
Unfortunately, two of your companions have other obligations. The forest man and the automaton both need to return to their own duties. However, the rest of you are able to remain as an elite task force to try to deal with the Dark Lord's minions.
You have been given the backing of the military to hunt down these Chosen, but it is up to you exactly how you want to do it... if I understand correctly, you're planning to go after the Countess first... and you know that she most likely went to the Gray Palace, though there is admittedly no guarantee that she is still there.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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