Seven Kingdoms Session 6

Session 6:
After action report - 6th session of 7k
Players: Alaric (Iago), Bill (Kiri), Dave (Perceval)

June 1 (Mon)
Perceval and Kiri are inclined to go see Rod, filled with the hope of finding the dark altar.  Iago is uninclined to go.  He says that his talents don’t lend themselves to direct confrontation.  So he elects to stay home and work on the “pixie sticks.”  The day proves to be quite fruitful for him, as he is able to discover something of the nature of these items.  They are an alchemical binding that holds some sort of spirit bound within.  Though he doesn’t know the alchemical potion, he thinks he has enough of them of analyze it and potentially figure out the formula; the spirits bound in these items is another intriguing mystery, but he thinks that he might be able to bind any (very) minor spirit in them.
    As he works, Stan awakens.  Iago banters with him, asking him to tell him what he knows.  But Stan is uncooperative.  Iago says he’ll let him go.  He sets up a flask to boil over in few seconds, then pulls the sheets back on Stan to reveal his amputated right hand and his left hand with no bones in it.  The flask boils over.  Stan sees his hands and screams in terror.
    Iago tells Stan that he should not have attacked him, and this was his punishment.  If he talks, then he can simply leave.  If not, then more bones can be removed.  Iago wants to know about demons.  Stan promises to tell him everything he knows, then begins babbling about inane personal recollections.  Iago shrugs and allows him to ramble while he returns to work.  Stan provides background noise for about an hour before Iago returns.
    Iago gives him one more chance, having brought his surgical implements over.  Stan tells the tale.  They contacted spirits, found the books, read them, found them fascinating, and eventually realized that the gods they had worshipped all their lives were false, that this world is a prison, that they could be truly free.  They serve their master out of love, not fear or obligation...  Iago wants to know where the altar is.  Stan says he can show him, but can’t really tell him how to get there.  Iago insists that he try.  Stan rambles out directions that are -- at best -- confusing.  Iago writes them down.  There are several iterations of this, but the directions don’t get much better.  Finally Iago is convinced that Stan can’t help him any more, so he lets him go.
    In the meantime, Iago has received a messenger from Valerian requesting his presence.  At this point, Iago decides to go see Valerian.  He hopes to dine there, as Valerian’s servant is an excellent cook.
    While Iago pursues his research, Kiri, Perceval, and Sokar (and Kiri’s wolf Nero) head into the market to search for Rod the mage.  It isn’t hard to find Rod -- a handful of questions lead them right to his shop.  It’s in a semi-permanent wood structure.  Sokar tells them he’s going to put the ring on.  Perceval and Kiri object, but he says it’ll help in any upcoming battle.  Sokar’s eyes become white marbles.

At the door to Rod’s shop they are met by a young man about Perceval’s age.  He tells them that his master cannot see them, as he’s with a client, but they can be worked in within a quarter hour.  Perceval isn’t willing to wait and tells Sokar to go in and take care of the client.  Obligingly, Sokar kicks in the door and buried a hatchet in the back of the client’s head.  The young doorman flees.

Perceval rushes in.  Sokar hurles a hatchet and strikes Rod’s arm.  Rod uses a pixie stick on Sokar, who goes down like a ton of bricks.  Perceval subdues Rod.  Kiri comes in with Nero and finds that the sanctity is low within the shop.  Perceval binds Rod’s wounds and they try to interrogate him.  Rod pleads innocence for a bit.  Then they look into the back room.

In the back of the room they find a lockbox, a black carpet with some arcane circle drawn in powder, and a larger altar.  Upon the altar is a chalice filled with what appears to be blood.  Perceval looks at the lockbox and feels himself falling into it.  He’s barely able to tear his eyes away.  He gives it to Kiri to have another try.  Kiri goes outside (where the sanctity returns to normal).  She, too, feels the pull but does not succumb to it.  Perceval, on the street with her, spots the doorman/apprentice down the street, who upon being seen takes off running.  Perceval dashes after him but almost immediately loses him in the market.

They go back inside and confront Rod.  He tells Perceval that he can tell he has already on his way, that he should free him (Rod) and thereby free himself from the prison of this world.  Perceval and Kiri aren’t amused.  When asked, Rod tells them he knows where the dark altar is, but he can’t tell them how to get there, he can only show them.  They decide to take him back to Valerian.

There’s one small problem -- they can’t take Rod and Sokar, and there is already a crowd gathering outside to see just what the commotion might be.  Perceval decides to invoke the spirit he’s been contracting with and request a new spell -- Awaken -- so that he can rouse Sokar.  The spirit grants him the spell and Perceval casts it.  Sokar rises, groggy, but eager to look.  He smashes the chalice for its silver, finding little else of value left behind.  Perceval and Kiri are anxious to leave.

Perceval is concerned about the circle and decides to break it with a symbol of Arsalon the Just.  They’re ready to go -- Sokar has picked up Rod, Kiri and Nero are on the street.  As Perceval goes out into the main room to leave the shop, he is confronted by the dead client, now risen.  It thanks him for providing a “meat puppet” and freeing it, finding it “deliciously ironic that the power of Arsalon the Just was invoked in order to free himself.”  There is a brief duel wherein the possessed corpse throws some sort of powerful bolt at Perceval (who dodges with amazing dexterity) and Perceval who fires flame jets into it repeatedly.  With each miss, the shop is damaged.  The roof threatens to fall in.  Finally, Perceval is hit and flies through the wall.  The building tumbles.  

Kiri comes to Perceval’s aid.  He’s all right -- moderately wounded.  The building’s a shambles.  But the corpse appears to be just a corpse again.  The crowd has scattered.  They decide it is time to leave -- and fast.  When they return to Valerian’s, they dispatch a messenger to Iago.  The messenger returns and informs them that Iago is busy and will come for dinner in the evening.

Valerian, seeing Perceval, expresses concern over the level of corruption he’s been suffering from using the spirit assisted magic.  He sends Perceval to the temple for healing and a consultation.  The priests of the temple warn him that he’s close to a tipping point.  They also warn him that Mythreal will soon be unwilling to heal him.  Perceval, too, is concerned.  But he also feels less inclined to lead a lawful, honorable life -- he’s starting to consider that there might be some truth to what the demon-worshippers are telling him.

Because Valerian is still without a good method of magically interrogating Rod, Percival decides to go and see an alchemist to see if there might be a potion that could help them get information.  Perceval first goes to see Getchel to buy a potion, who suggests that Perceval talk to his cousin -- The Gnome.  Perceval agrees and goes to meet him.  The Gnome tells him to bring Rod.  He says he’ll use his own unique skills and techniques in combination with potions where appropriate to prepare Rod.  He’ll get back to him in a day or two once Rod is “ready to talk.”  Perceval, who would ordinarily be opposed to such actions, takes it entirely in stride.

At dinner, they meet and compare the day’s events.  Valerian is still without a good method of magically interrogating Rod.  They decide to go and see an alchemist the next day to see if there might be a potion that could help them get information.

    After dinner, Perceval goes out to have a couple of pints, then purchases the company of a young lady.  He finds it to be a particularly exceptional experience, which is surprising since she is a low class whore.  As he is dressing, she talks to him, telling him that he he’s nearly ready to embrace “true freedom.”  He’s spooked, talks a couple of minutes and discovers that “she” is the demon whom he fought in Rod’s shop.  Apparently Rod had intended to give his client to it.  The possessed girl claims that she’s happy to be possessed, that her station in life is about to improve.  Perceval has had enough and leaves.

June 2 (Tue)
Early in the morning, The Gnome sends a messenger to Valerian’s house -- Rod has been broken.  Perceval lets Iago know as well, hoping that the two of them together might be able to find the dark altar.  They’re taken into a dank room beneath the Brotherhood Tavern (really the Golden Leaf).   Inside, Rod, naked, is strapped into an ingeniously designed torture apparatus.  Iago, given his knowledge of human anatomy, is impressed.
    They question him.  His mind seems somewhat broken, but he is cooperative -- in between sobs.  He gives roughly the same answers that Stan gave.  In particular, he claims that he can only lead them, not tell them how to get to dark altar.  Perceval asks him the name of the demon he had summoned.  It takes more prodding, but Rod gives up the name: Zöphon.  Perceval finds himself unable to recall her name, but indicates to The Gnome that she might serve him well (if she’s willing) with her newfound skills.  
    Iago and Perceval both think that there may be some powerful warding magic preventing Rod and Stan both from revealing the location.  Iago thinks he might know a ritual to fix the problem.  If not, he’ll be fresh out of ideas, but the Grey Circle mages who are also working on this might be able to prove his mind as Valerian has done.  Iago takes him back to his lab and tries the ritual, but it doesn’t work -- the problem isn’t a “physical” scrambling of memory -- it’s an ongoing magical effect and he can’t dispell it.  He returns Rod to Valerian’s custody.

Iago resumes his work on the disease.  Getchel has been extremely helpful as his assistant.  Even so, there have been no breakthroughs.  Iago is visited by his previous patient.  The zombified tissue in his leg hasn’t spread, but maggots are eating the flesh.  It doesn’t hurt, though.  Iago is concerned and elects to amputate.  His patient eventually assents and gets a new wooden leg.

    Back with Valerian, one of the other two mages reading through the demonology work Iago sold them, Keleos, is willing to try to read Rod’s mind in order to find the dark altar.  He looks through, struggling, but even as he finds the way, he screams in agony -- his eyes are burned from his skull.  Keleos is blind, but he knows the way.  Like Stan and Rod, he cannot reveal it simply to them, but he can guide them.  Of course, being blind, he’ll need help from the temple in order to regain his sight temporarily.  In time, they can restore it, but for now it will only come back temporarily.
    That evening, “Sarah” -- or Zöphon -- runs into Perceval.  At this meeting she reveals her name to him, tells him she’s moving up in the world and no longer wants her former occupation.  Perceval is a bit freaked out, but he reports it to Valerian.

June 3 (Wed)
The day opens with Iago baffled by why the town square (a block from his shop) is thronged with townsfolk.  He goes to investigate and is met by Perceval.  Kiri is in the temple about to participate in festivities.  Several zombie heads, still animated to some degree, stand on pikes about the square.  The captain of the guard gives a rousing speech about how the plague is being “defeated” by their (his?) strength of arms.  Phineas, the High Priest, gives another speech about how the “righteousness of Mythreal is come upon them.”  The speech is a prelude to a psychopomp march with Sarah/Zöphon in chains heading to the temple to be exorcised.
    There is a ceremony in the main temple.  Kiri is taken out of participation by the demon’s taunts, as are several other priests.  But the chief exorcist succeeds in casting Zöphon from Sarah.  She comes out after than hour long ritual and apologizes to the town, begging for their mercy.  The town cheers and a celebration ensues.  Iago and Perceval are cynical, somewhat disgusted, knowing that the real danger still lies within a mile of the town square, and they have yet to deal with it.
    Perceval feels somehow responsible for Sarah.  He seeks her out and encourages her to join the temple, at least as a servant.  She’s not interested.  She actually laments that her old life is bitter to her, and that the glories promised her by Zöphon cannot be.  Perceval, once again tilting at windmills, decides to set her up in an apartment and help her.  She is... appropriately grateful.

June 4 (Thu)
Iago fears confronting demons.  Knowing that Kiri can provide up to several gallons of holy water (consecrated to Kregin, but it should work for demons according to Valerian), he has an idea.  He commissions a 4 gallon bladder connected to tubes and hoses with the idea of being able to spray holy water at others.  It’s not difficult for a craftsman to build -- it will be ready the following day.
    Iago returns to his lab to work on a cure for the plague.  Given Getchel’s research and his own, he thinks he might have made a breakthrough.  By the end of the day, Iago thinks he has a ritual that might serve to destroy the zombie tissue.  He tries that ritual on “patient zero” -- his pet zombie.  It destroys the zombie, leaving an “explosion” of necrotic tissue in his lab.  It might not be pretty, but it will serve as a cure for the plague in its early stages.  Iago cleans his lab.   
    Perceval returns to see Sarah.  She has purchased chalk and written all over the walls, attempting to recreate mystic symbols from memory.  It hasn’t worked, but Perceval knows that there’s a risk that she’ll eventually get it right.  Perceval is concerned.  She says that she wants to think him “properly”.  After the expert thank you, his focus is a bit...  Off.
    Before the day ends, Kiri muses that Sokar is using the ring and may be influenced.  They decide to keep him in the dark as to their plans, but bring him along nonetheless.  When it comes up in passing, Sokar says that he “needs” the power the ring provides, but when this is over, he’ll take it off again.

June 5 (Fri)
Before heading into the maelstrom of the caravansary, Perceval hires someone to look after Sarah.  He’s concerned enough to write a letter to his mother, who he hopes will find service for the girl.  Meanwhile, Sarah complains that she wishes she could be possessed by the demon again...
    Shortly after that the group gathers to follow the blind mage Keleos (his eyesight temporarily restored by the temple) into the caravansary.  Kiri has been given three doses of a potion that will enable her to see spiritual entities by Phineas, the High Priest, who has expressed high hopes for her success.  The temple exorcist is to accompany them (he’s better in the temple than out, but he seems quite excited for the opportunity) together with two temple guards and Valerian.  Of course, Iago, Kir, and Perceval are there, and Sokar as well.  Nero is still summoned, and two of the town guard will come.  
    They’re worried that the 10 of them together might warn the cultists that they are coming, but there is strength in numbers.  After following a round-about path, they come to a sliding double door.  From visual inspection alone, it appears to be unlocked.  Kiri, potion taken, says that there are eyes peering from the door.  As they approach, the eyes disappear.
    They decide to enter.  Perceval has the guards draw back the door and Sokar charges in.  There are horses and 5 men who look to be caravan guards.  Though there’s a split second hesitation (could the be wrong, could these men simply be part of a caravan?), Sokar ignores it and charges in.  He lays about with mace and shield (and, wearing armor, he’s tougher than he’s been in a long while).  As the door comes open, the guards come in.  Perceval’s flame jet works to good effect.  In short order, all five are down and no one is seriously injured.
    Another pair of double doors await them.  The fling them open to find a dimly lit room covered in arcane symbols and piled about with bags -- possibly treasure.  But there’s no time to loot -- something is going on upstairs.  Sokar continues to charge with Perceval and a guard close on his heels.  Then Sokar comes back, tumbling down the stairs and lies still at the bottom.  Something horrible stands at the top of the stairs.  It has vestigial horns, cat-like eyes, and cloven hooves.  It’s clad in leather armor, bears a shield and a flail.  And it is advancing on Perceval.
    “I’ve been told that you should join us, Perceval,” it says.  Perceval retreats as it swings.  The guard foolishly stands his ground and pays for it, being struck hard by the flail.  Iago tries is new water jet.  Holy water strikes the creature and it simply laughs.  Iago is greatly worried.  Then an arc of darkness falls over half the room.  Iago flees.  Perceval dances back and struggles with the creature briefly.
    In the other room, the unconscious form of one of the caravan guards rises.  It gestures and the blind mage flies back from the room.  Nero bites it, but it ignores this.  Valerian uses a wand and hurles a fireball into it, but it shrugs it off.  Kiri tries to do something, but the low sanctity interferes and she retreats.  Iago, retreating, sees this thing.  Pondering for a moment, he recognizes it for what it is -- a possessed man.  He fires his jet of holy water yet again.  Though the possessed man has ignored prior attacks, there is a sizzling noise, steam rises, a shriek comes from the mouth, and the body slumps to the ground lifeless.  Kiri sees the snake demon fly from the corpse.
    Perceval, struck by the creature, retreats, helping the wounded guard.  The creature says something odd: “Hey, no hard feelings, I only work here.”  Then it laughs.  The party retreats to regroup, no knowing how to penetrate the darkness and overcome the creature that lurks therein.  Sokar still lies at the bottom of the stairs in unknown condition in the darkness...

**Session Ends**

Seven Kingdoms Session 5

Session 5:
After action report - 5th session of 7k
Players: Alaric (Iago), Bill (Kiri), Dave (Perceval).


May 27 cont’d
Kiri has been left alone with Iago and Fredigar in Fredigar’s house.  Perceval & Sokar are pillaging. Sokar’s enthusiasm for looting and wanton destruction is infectious, at least for Perceval, who seems to be quite enjoying himself.  Iago is carefully examining some alchemical items.  

Kiri has been feeling remorseful ever since she re-entered Fredigar’s house.  She violated hospitality, and she owes him...  Something...  Iago, otherwise occupied, doesn’t notice as Kiri quietly cuts Fredigar’s bonds. Fredigar gets up and leaves.  

It’s broad daylight.  Sokar and Fredigar, in spite of their thoroughgoing enjoyment of their looting, notice Fredigar walking away.  They tell him to stop.  He does, but is casting a spell.  Sokar and Perceval rush forward, but they’re too late -- Fredigar has turned into a Raven.  Sokar throws a hatchet and misses.  Perceval invokes the spirit to cast a fireball spell.  The ball of fire conjured, he tries to throw it and fails to strike home.  Fredigar has escaped.  Kiri explains what has happened; Iago takes the “refreshments” she imbibed for future study.

They head back to the town, disappointed that their quarry has eluded them.  (Save Sokar, who considers the outing entirely successful.)  Kiri heads to the baths -- it’s been a rough day.  Perceval and Sokar head to the market to sell off the treasure.  Iago heads home.  

At home, Iago is met by a young acolyte who delivers a message: the Lord Mayor wishes to see him at once.  Iago quickly puts his things away and heads out to see the Lord Mayor.  Kiri, on returning home, receives a similar message.  So, too, Perceval when he returns home.  One at a time, they appear at the Lord Mayor’s for an audience.  
    
He’s displeased to hear that one of his hamlets was burned to the ground.  The town’s high priest, Phinneas, has painted their exploits in a somewhat negative light.  But their stories, told independently and from their own perspectives, convince the Lord Mayor that they’ve been doing their best both to keep the authorities involved and eliminate the threats to the town.
    
The Lord Mayor sends them out, charging them with following up on finding the main altar.  He also charges Iago with finding a cure to the “zombie plague”, whatever it is.  With that, they are sent to their homes as the hour is late.


May 28
Iago recruits Getchel, the gnome alchemist, to assist in finding a cure.  Getchel is to be paid by the Lord Mayor for the time being.  Iago is also considering putting down roots.  He begins looking into purchasing land on which to build a tower for himself.  This is to be a long term project.  Sokar commissions a suit of armor for himself, and Perceval finds some new equipment as well.


May 29
Nero is summoned by Kiri.  She heads to the caravansary to see if she can discover any indications of a dark altar.  Although she finds nothing, a cutpurse tries his luck on her.  After a merry little chase, she manages to put the fear of Kregin in the young lad.  
    
Iago’s research gives him an idea for a possible ritual.  He finds that one of the young fencing students is in fact a bit sick from the bite.  After the ritual, he’s not cured, but the disease has stopped spreading.  Part of his leg is undead...


May 30
Perceval goes in search another hedge wizard.  He finds “Stan the Mage”.  Visiting Stan, he talks a bit about what he has discovered.  He’s curious about other hedge wizards, perhaps one in the caravansary.  He’s told about “Rod the Mage,” the “friend of wisdom” who has carved out a niche for himself amongst the merchants and transient laborers of the caravansary.  

Stan then tips his hand, tells Perceval that he’s already experienced some of the true power that could be his, asks him why he doesn’t simply come along and join them.  Perceval isn’t too amused and is considering either fighting or fleeing.  Stan pulls one of the “pixie sticks”, breaks it, and a black cloud flies toward Perceval.  He flares up a flame jet at Stan, but misses.  The cloud strikes him and he slips into a deep, dark sleep...
    
That evening, Iago and Kiri wonder what might have happened to Perceval.  They go to Valerian, who uses his magic to track him down.  Valerian, Sokar, Iago and Kiri find Stan and two cultists carrying Perceval through the street.  There is a brief fight during which another black cloud is used to good effect against Iago.  In the aftermath, Stan is wounded severely and the cultists are killed.  
    
Iago recovers shortly thereafter, as does Perceval.  Iago is not amused.  Valerian tries his magic to probe Stans mind, but something goes awry and the magic simply slips away from him.  Iago asks to use his magic to interrogate Stan.  They assent.
    
Iago takes Stan home, uses magic to stabilize Stan, then surgically removes all of the bones from one of his hands.  The second hand is botched and he has to amputate.  He leaves Stan to recover.


May 31
The party went to loot first Stan’s and then Madge’s shops.  Stan’s shop was protected by a bucket full of a day’s chamber pot waste, which Perceval managed to receive.  They found an altar, then looted thoroughly.  Madge’s place had a dead cat trap, whereby a loud screech accompanied a dead, spread-eagled cat swinging down at face level -- harmless, but somewhat startling.  They found another altar there, and looted thoroughly.  Perceval headed to take a bath while the rest regrouped.

They plan to go to the Caravansary the following day in order to find Rod the Mage and hopefully the dark altar...

**Session ends here**