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Post by venger on Oct 27, 2014 15:44:57 GMT -5
Dariel magically facilitates travel to Istantar, where Haddiq obtains an audience with Shemsi Neteru-f, the Arch-Cleric of Aegypt, to present evidence collected from the Temple of Set and redeem the royal boon granted by the Dragon-Pharaoh to resurrect Colby.
Khonsu Khaibet is likewise resurrected, and it is revealed that "he is absolutely a secret agent of the Utchatu¹, working in cooperation with the Temple of Thoth."
¹Utachatu- It is the guard, investigatory department, and secret police in one; that reports to the Dragon-Pharaoh
himself, with informational reporting to the High Council, seeking out crimes and conspiracies in Aegypt and its protectorates. It is, more or less, a regal bureau of investigation. Its force is all in plain clothes, of course, and its mission covert.
More to follow...
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Post by Ginger on Oct 27, 2014 16:28:01 GMT -5
I think that being a "plain clothes" investigator doesn't mean that your armor needs to be weak and non-magical.
This group is just Colby, Haddiq and Khonsu, correct? Colby will send to Paavo to tell him we're ok.
What is Khonsu's plan? After we hear about how our ship was ransacked, is he interested in teleporting back to go after the evil demon-summoning wizard who did it?
What supplies do we need before teleporting back, aside from pearls and healing potions?
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Post by venger on Oct 27, 2014 18:52:32 GMT -5
I think that being a "plain clothes" investigator doesn't mean that your armor needs to be weak and non-magical. He claims he was "undercover" and has a bunch of +3 stuff you haven't seen... This group is just Colby, Haddiq and Khonsu, correct? Colby will send to Paavo to tell him we're ok. Correct. But I'm not really too concerned with metagaming aspects at this time. Though see below, re: spellbooks. What is Khonsu's plan? After we hear about how our ship was ransacked, is he interested in teleporting back to go after the evil demon-summoning wizard who did it? Khonsu's immediate plans are to go with the Arch-Cleric Shemsi Neteru-f to present the evidence before the Dragon-Pharaoh and the High Council. He encourages Colby and Haddiq to go with him as eye-witnesses. With the Dragon-Pharaoh's blessing he will then return to Aartuat bringing with him a couple of those Pharaonic guards, his mentor Tehi-neken, superior priest of Thoth (whom the party has met); some kheri-heb (mage-clerics), a high priest of Osiris, his entourage, and 500 or so cavalry to purge the area of evil-doers. So, yes. Colby has only these spells/spellbooks available to him. Whichever he chooses are unavailable to Mary, Youssef, Finnious. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 28, 2014 8:09:47 GMT -5
With heartfelt farewells, Friedrich and Mary will depart for Fenhold by Teleport after collecting their share of the treasure, making some purchases and copying a bunch of spells. Did Mary bring her spellbooks with her? I assume that means we have some duplicates of spells - like Teleport. Can we get a list of her spellbooks? |
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Post by venger on Oct 28, 2014 11:16:39 GMT -5
Did Mary bring her spellbooks with her? I assume that means we have some duplicates of spells - like Teleport. Can we get a list of her spellbooks? That would make sense. She has an 18 intelligence... Mary’s Travelling Book #1 (12/12 spell levels) (30 encumbrance) 4th Level: Wall of Fire, Ice Storm, Dimension Door Mary's Travelling Spellbook #2 (12/12 spell levels) (30 encumbrance) 1st Level: Mending 2nd Level: Mage Shield 4th Level: Polymorph Self 5th Level: Teleport Mary's Travelling Spellbook #3 (12/12 spell levels) (30 encumbrance) 3rd Level: Fireball, Protection from Normal Missiles, Dispel Magic, Clairvoyance Mary's Travelling Spellbook #4 (12/12 spell levels) (30 encumbrance) 1st Level: Protection from Evil, Read Magic 2nd Level: Strength, Mirror Image 3rd Level: Haste, Slow Mary's Travelling Spellbook #5 (12/12 spell levels) (30 encumbrance) 2nd Level: Stinking Cloud 5th Level: Hold Monster, Sending |
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Post by Ginger on Oct 28, 2014 12:21:10 GMT -5
Khonsu's immediate plans are to go with the Arch-Cleric Shemsi Neteru-f to present the evidence before the Dragon-Pharaoh and the High Council. He encourages Colby and Haddiq to go with him as eye-witnesses. With the Dragon-Pharaoh's blessing he will then return to Aartuat bringing with him a couple of those Pharaonic guards, his mentor Tehi-neken, superior priest of Thoth (whom the party has met); some kheri-heb (mage-clerics), a high priest of Osiris, his entourage, and 500 or so cavalry to purge the area of evil-doers. So, yes. Colby and Haddiq are of course happy to assist Khonsu in this. Haddiq will fill in the gaps of what the other two missed while they were dead. Haddiq and Colby will visit the Order of the Phoenix and explain the clues they learned about the Egg of the Phoenix from the evil font. Will gathering these forces take a lot of time? Are any of the kheri-heb interested in teleporting ahead to Aartuat to prepare the way for the larger force? |
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Post by Ginger on Oct 30, 2014 11:04:15 GMT -5
Haddiq would have grabbed for Colby "Clay Ostracon #2 and #3, and Colby's Traveling Book #2, which I think Colby normally carries anyway. That means Sending will be available for both groups.
Haddiq is the one who grabbed Friedrich's stuff, and he will give Friedrich's Crystal Ball to Colby. Colby, after communicating with the main party, will scry Haidar, Nordel and Ahmed.
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Post by venger on Oct 30, 2014 12:26:32 GMT -5
Colby, after communicating with the main party, will scry Haidar, Nordel and Ahmed. There is a lot of static interference. Divination magic is spotty in that area. As you might recall from the prologue: The Archpriest of Aegypt, Shemsi Neteru-f, a devotee of Thoth, is concerned. He has magically ascertained that something is afoot, for such dweomers as cloak the facts must rouse the suspicion of the one unable to penetrate the dark mists.But they're in the other thread. At the mill pond. |
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Post by Ginger on Oct 31, 2014 8:46:26 GMT -5
Does Khonsu have a means of communicating with the guards in town? Maybe his kheri-heb can do a sending to Merha-aptut, the mage-priest of Aartuat. Colby is also still angling to get a teleport without error to Aartuat. There must be a 14th level magic user in the posse he's gathering up.
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Post by venger on Oct 31, 2014 13:44:09 GMT -5
Colby and Haddiq are of course happy to assist Khonsu in this. Haddiq will fill in the gaps of what the other two missed while they were dead. Formal audience with the Dragon-Pharaoh takes time. Convening the Councils¹ takes longer. The shocking evidence gathered by the party absolutely confirms that Settites are not only active in politics, but have subverted and converted several Sepat Governors, nobles, bureaucrats, and military officers. Specifically the Sepat Governor of Inny, who is secretly in league with the powerful agents of Set, and with their help plans to revolt, eventually assuming the office of Vizier of Middle Khemit. Scribes are soon busy at work penning execution orders and charges of high treason. The brilliant, but chaotic Marshal Ahau-ahtibek will gather his armies to battle the Accursed forces of Evil before their guerilla bands can organize into a rebel army. Shemsi Neteru-f is further able to establish a connection between the governor, the cult of Set, and the proximity of the Tomb of the Evil Pneusset. If they are willing, the party is given royal permission to explore the whole area. Everyone will receive a royal writ that allows free passage in Aegypt for services to the House of the Dragon-Pharaoh. The Dragon-Pharaoh orders the expedition be additionally reinforced with soldiers and two of his Pharaonic guard. Khonsu, his mentor Tehi-neken and some kheri-hebu of Thoth and Osiris will accompany the party to the tomb. As further enticement, the party may claim any spoils found within the tomb and each will be granted Noble status. With these hereditary titles will go fiefs, villages or a village, herds of livestock, and such revenues as these estates produce, less the government’s share, naturally. Dan will return the Bloody Scimitar and Youssef will give them the Serpent Ankh. They will send these items with Dariel and Haddiq. With or without the party, Khonsu will lead an assault on the tomb. The Archpriest Shemsi Neteru-f reminds Colby and Haddiq: "If the minions of Set succeed, Pneusset will revive and will become more powerful. He will walk the world again without being fettered to one spot, commanded by no harsh overlords of Evil, living but not alive, an eternal un-mortal, able to enjoy the stuff of life but not subject to death! The Unmortal Pneusset: a demigod bent on ruling all the world, spreading evil everywhere, and protected by the aegis of Set. The possession of the Nine Evil Objects will make him more potent still, a minor deity at least, and certainly then the unquestioned Right Hand of Set, one able to climb higher still. Then again, those same objects could be his undoing..." ¹Councils- The High Council: The Dragon-Pharaoh has six High Councilors (the Prince, three Viziers, the Archpriest, and the Marshal of Aegypt) whom he must consult for advice before taking any action that will affect the whole land, although their dissent will not prevent the action if the king is determined to follow through, for Dragon-Pharaoh is absolute in rule, but the scandal of going against unanimous opinion is nearly unthinkable. The High Council meets once per month for one day, or at such greater frequency as the king requires. The Great Council: All Nobles and Ministers together form the Great Council. This council convenes for 10 days twice per year, or more frequently if called for by Pharaoh. It deals with all matters ministerial and national not within the purview of any single Viceroy. The Great Council is conducted with the Prince of the Ngoto Oversight in the chair. The Grand Council: The High Council and Great Council convened together are the Grand Council. This combined assembly is by law called into being once per year for a period of not less than three days' time to hear Pharaoh and to bring to the assemblage any and all matters appropriate and accordingly placed on the agenda by the Prince of the Ngoto Oversight or the Archpriest, Marshall, or a Vizier. It is held as much to make all feel a part of the rulership of Aegypt as it is to give these powerful individuals a chance to hear their king and address matters of concern. The Dragon-Pharaoh himself sits in the chair of state as head of this assemblage, of course. Will gathering these forces take a lot of time? It will be at least a day before the soldiers are ready embark and then 8 days hard ride to Aartuat. Are any of the kheri-heb interested in teleporting ahead to Aartuat to prepare the way for the larger force? Not really. Though there are several fast-flying copper & brass dragons available to transport the team. It would be 2.5 days to Aartuat. |
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Post by venger on Oct 31, 2014 14:02:53 GMT -5
Haddiq and Colby will visit the Order of the Phoenix and explain the clues they learned about the Egg of the Phoenix from the evil font. Their mystics and seers are intimately familiar with those visions of death and darkness. They invite Haddiq, Colby and anyone else willing to join them on a high-level jaunt to the Astral Plane as they search the multiverse for the cemetery-world of Sephulcre. Does Khonsu have a means of communicating with the guards in town? Maybe his kheri-heb can do a sending to Merha-aptut, the mage-priest of Aartuat. Khonsu has no means to communicate over long distances. A Sending to Merha-aptut is not out of the question though. 12 words or less. Colby is also still angling to get a teleport without error to Aartuat. There must be a 14th level magic user in the posse he's gathering up. No one is able to perform this feat for him. Remember, clerical magic is more highly regarded than arcane magic in this land and the kheri-heb are more priest than mage. The head of the Order of the Phoenix or a ranking magician in the Eye of Horus would be able to handle it but they aren't actually involved in the party's mission. Colby recalls conversations with Sherlane about the scarcity of powerful good-aligned magic-users. Few are those who manage to avoid the temptations of power, most end up taking the easy path, selling their souls to evil. |
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Post by Ginger on Nov 2, 2014 15:49:10 GMT -5
What's for sale in Istantar? Colby would like to buy new invisibility potions, which he will now remember can be taken in small doses. If he can get a ring of protection better than his +1 ring, he's very interested.
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Post by Wolfgar on Nov 3, 2014 12:53:04 GMT -5
So what is the plan? Are we joining them in the attack on the Gorge?
It might be fun if can still get the blessing of Horus (19's in all stats while we partake in righteous revenge). According to the DDG, that would mean
+3/+7 on to hit and damage
immunity to 1st level illusions
one additional 1st and 4th level spells (plus more if INT/WIS is not already 18)
immunity to fear, charm person, command, friends and hypnotism
+4 on mental saves
-4 AC
+3 reaction adjustment
+5 hp/hit die for fighters (+2 for others) (applied retroactively?)
+1 poison save
+40% reaction adjustment
But if we want to do something else I am fine with that as well.
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Post by Ginger on Nov 3, 2014 14:40:11 GMT -5
Remember that we have claims to righteous revenge on a lot of people. Maybe we want righteous revenge against Arwan for kidnapping Trommer.
Here's the start of a list of outstanding adventure hooks:
Continue pursuing Pneussett.
Go into the volcano to stop the Demonspore.
Return to Devonshire to fight the Shadow Lord.
Rescue Trommer from the land of the dead.
As a one-off, Colby is very interested in finding magical wood so he can fashion a staff suitable for enchantment. This would aid any of the magic users willing to become a White Wizard.
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Post by venger on Nov 3, 2014 21:15:28 GMT -5
What's for sale in Istantar? Colby would like to buy new invisibility potions, which he will now remember can be taken in small doses. All potions in the DMG. are available, except treasure finding and dragon control. DMG. GP prices. 500GP for invisibility. Colby has the equivalent of 30000GP from the Temple of Thoth. If he can get a ring of protection better than his +1 ring, he's very interested. He is referred to the legendary bazaar in far off Barb-el-Shay. Are we joining them in the attack on the Gorge? And the Tomb.... +5 hp/hit die for fighters (+2 for others) (applied retroactively?) Probably not this one as we decided CON loss wasn't retroactive against hit points. But if we want to do something else I am fine with that as well. I'm OK with it too. Here's the start of a list of outstanding adventure hooks: I'll update the Adventure Hook thread.Continue pursuing Pneussett. With the aid of powerful Aegyptian allies. |
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Post by Ginger on Nov 5, 2014 20:52:41 GMT -5
Colby will purchase 2 potions of Super-Heroism and 2 potions of polymorph for Paavo or whomever else wants them. These can come out of Colby's funds for now, to be charged to whomever takes them.
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