Session Start: Sat Apr 14 16:58:18 2007 Session Ident: #castlevania [Shortly after sunrise, the intrepid party meets in the village of Kronenburg to weigh their options.] [Theodore finds Liverwurst in the barn memorizing cantrips from the basic spellbook Theodore gave him as a gift.] * Nyyx joins Theodore at the barn. "How's our kobold friend doing?" * Nyyx looks at the kobold and nods in greeting. "Hello, Liverwurst." So, Liverwurst, how have you been? Did somebody mention Liverwurst? Liverwurst: "Very good. I help out in the village some a practice. It's fun, but you've been gone a long time." * Nyyx turns to face the cat. "Oh, hello, Biff. Yes, Liverwurst is, ah, our kobold. We found him in the castle, and Theodore adopted him." Practice? What have you been practicing? Oh. So, not real liverwurst. Kobolds are NOT good eats. Er, no offense, Liverwurst. Liverwurst: "Spells. Like how you taught me. I use prestidigitate to help clean up around town." * Nyyx laughs. "No, not real liverwurst." That's thoughtful of you, Liverwurst - thanks. Ah. Good. I am glad you are helping. But you should make sure to only cast spells while supervised. The Mayor can supervise your casting when I am not here, okay? Liverwurst: "Why? It's safe." Well it is just best to be supervised to make sure you are doing it right until you are a little more experienced. Liverwurst: "The spells work, right. I must be doing it right. How about if I only learn new spells with you or Mr. Kleppen?" Wait, have you been trying to learn spells without me? Liverwurst: "Well, a few. Watch." * Nyyx watches with great curiosity. * Theodore prepares to counter spell just in case [As Theodore and Nyyx look on, Liverwurst casts Enlarge Person on himself and grows to 7' tall.] * Nyyx raises her eyebrows. I'm impressed. "Very well done!" Liverwurst: "Thank you!" [He is beaming. This is a strange expression on a 7' tall dragon-kin.] "How did you learn that?" Liverwurst: "I just read the books you left and listened to you and Mr. Kleppen." "I see. Very impressive. What else have you learned?" Liverwurst: "Just a few spells. Nothing destructive. True strike, Enlarge person, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, and a few more." * Biff sneezes. Good selection. I am proud of you choosing the spells that can help people. * Nyyx says to Biff, "Bless you." Liverwurst: "It seemed like what you would want." Yes. Very mature of you. Do you remember Perdo? [He gets quiet. Again strange at 7'.] "Yes." * Nyyx watches Liverwurst's expression intently. We met him again. He remembers you too. Liverwurst: "Okay." What do you remember about him? Liverwurst: "He was loud and angry. He liked to burn things. I remember thinking he was fun." When did you last see him? Liverwurst: "In the tower, when you brought me here to the village." Okay then. Is everything else going well here? Liverwurst: "It's okay. It's been quiet for a while. No monsters or fighting." Townspeople treating you well? Liverwurst: "Well, I behave. So, they treat me okay. I help out and they feed me and we are all nice to each other, but I'll stay in the barn for now if it's okay." Of course. This is your home. I am going to get going if you don't need anythign else for now. Liverwurst: "Okay, I have studying to do. See you later." Stay safe, Liverwurst. I'm glad you're doing well. * Nyyx smiles at the kobold, then turns and leaves the barn. Take care and keep up the good work! [The intrepid party heads off to the church.] * Lucas , who has been reclusive of late, approaches the party as they head toward the church. Father Lucas. Good to see you. I spend a few days discovering the wonders of soap, and to no avail. Your skin, you mean? Think we can convince them it's just a rash. Aye, the skin condition. Though I think it's time I accept the fact that my service to Pelor will be heretoforth without commission. * Nyyx pulls off her right glove and shows Lucas her red hand and forearm. "I think it might be permanent." * Lucas nods. "I can't help but agree. Still, I feel stronger than ever, and putting Gregor in his place takes a bit of priority at the moment. * Nyyx pulls the glove back on and nods. "We have bigger worries, anyway. The Church considers that siphon trick to be heretical, naturally." Well, let's just try to not get you burned as heretics for now. * Nyyx nods. Without which, we might still be in that damned stone... and I'd still be a lich. Wait, you were a lich, and you gave it up? Let me tell you, elastic skin is something you don't appreciate until you lose it and get it back. He's a man of the cloth, Biff. So? What's that got to do with anything? Last I checked, being a lich was a pretty posh gig. Aside from the occasional crazed Pelorite trying to explode you. Oh, and, Lucas, this is Biff Mouser, familiar for hire. Biff, this is Father Lucas. * Lucas nods. "Is it polite to pet you?" * Nyyx smirks very slightly. Only when I ask for it. I am more receptive to scratching, because I frequently itch. Especially under the edges of this armor. Fair enough. Nice to meet you. Pleasure. We've placed the stone in the church for safekeeping. I hope this doesn't put the church in too much danger. Have you met Siobhan yet? Red-headed, carries a hammer, personality to fit both? I think so. She may not be terribly friendly with Nyyx and I for the foreseeable future. Don't pay it any mind, it's just her style. She...attacked me the first time we met. Nyyx, be fair. Most people do. * Nyyx smiles wryly. "Heh, I guess that's not too far from the truth." Oh. * Biff jabs his left front claw into Nyyx's calf. Ow! * Lucas swats at Biff. "Stop that!" There. No sense breaking a perfectly good tradition. * Biff dodges! * Nyyx glances at Biff, then bursts out laughing. Well, it appears we are all well-adjusted to our rolls in life." Lucas looks around. "Is it just me, or is the walk to the church longer than normal? * Nyyx shrugs her cloaked shoulders. "We should be almost there." [The party reaches the front doors of the church after their lively exchange.] * Nyyx opens the door and goes inside. * Siobhan turns towards the door as it opens, lowering her hammer as she recognizes the party. Morning. [The lead priest is busy praying for spells at the altar.] * Lucas turns to Biff "Make sure to wipe your paws, this is a holy place, which means they scrub the floors daily. It can get slippery if you've got mud stuck between your toes." Good morning. Any news? Siobhan, how's our pocket dimension doing? Well, I hope. I was just about to ask you that. The stone is fine. I'm a cat, cloth-man. I am -always- clean. * Biff looks horribly offended * Nyyx replies to Siobhan, "Apparently Liverwurst is casting spells now. He seems to be doing a good job of it, too." That'll change the moment you walk through Gregor's gates. I hope a little dirt won't keep you from joining in on the inevitable slaughter. And you all were worried about me teaching him to use weapons... Well, he doesn't seem dangerous so far. He says he's been helping people around town. Just don't say I didn't warn you when he learns to throw fireballs and other things. Sio, you don't trust half the party either. We'll keep an eye on him. Well, at least one of you is evil from time to time. I should trust you? All cats are evil, but that doesn't keep people from trusting us. He's got a point. Why, Sio, I'd blush, but I don't think you'd notice. Cats aren't evil, they're just snobby. This one might be. He clawed me on our way here. * Nyyx doesn't seem particularly upset, though. * Lucas listens to the chief priest's chantings. "If I remember my training, the morning ceremony ought to be complete in a moment. We can banter on the walk to the castle." He didn't break a nail on your armor? Impressive. Please. I'm a little smarter than your average cat. And a LOT smarter than your average adventurer. * Nyyx waits for the chief priest to finish. [The party waits and after several more minutes pass, the priest rises and approaches the party.] "Alright, I am ready to perform the sending now. Anything you want to add Lucas?" "As to some of the... skills.. that you have acquired, I realize that the needs of the moment are pressing. If you have transgressed, then you will recieve what you deserve, but not from my hand." Sending? * Lucas looks to the priest? "Me? Oh, no, but thank you for asking." Head Priest: "We discussed this last night. I am preparing a sending to church authorities in the west to request assistance." I don't expect I have anything meaningful to add. In any case, you know the bureaucracy better than I. Ah, that's right...thank you for reminding me. Head Priest: "Alright. Well, Pelor be with you." Whatever power they can lend will assist our efforts; it's getting them here that counts. Though I'll remind you that we have a small cache ourselves. * Nyyx lets the priests do the talking. Cache? * Lucas smiles at Siobhan. "You've not had time to explore the Church and its grounds fully, then?" "No, it's been pretty much scouring the castle since I've gotten here." What's this under the church? Sounds like there might be treasure. High Priest: "Under the Church?" Forgive creative imaginations. There is a part of the church you've forbidden entry, and mayhaps it ways always my own youthful imagination, but I've always sensed power beyond the sealed doorway. * Nyyx nods. "I remember a locked door, that's all." High Priest: "No power, no. It is restricted storage of things better left forgotten." "We may be disappointed by the greater Church's response, Father, but that does not mean we have exhausted our resources. At least, if I am correct." Forgotten? Why should they be forgotten? High Priest: "If I told you, then they wouldn't be forgotten." Not necessarily. Should they be forgotten because they are evil in nature, or because they are from a horrific time in history? Also, not to be trite, but if you were intending that they be forgotten then why do you remember them? Head Priest: "That is just one of my burdens. They cannot help you." * Nyyx frowns, but she says nothing and stands aside with her arms crossed. I fear that you are mistaken, but this is your house. Times will worsen before they improve, but you have yet time to change your mind if your wisdom so leads you. If you have no further need of us, we lot have a world to save. Friends, we ready? Go ahead, I need to gather my things before I'm ready to go. I will meet you all at the Mayor's. I need my equipment looked into, but I don't think I have any business at the church for now. Meet at the Inn then. We'll breakfast there and march on into the castle, give us a few hours at least before nightfall. Very well, though I think my equipment will need some looking to as well. * Nyyx nods. "I'll go with you, then, Siobhan. Biff?" * Lucas bows slightly to the head priest. "Good day, Father." He turns and enters the egress. Uh, sure. * Nyyx heads for the door. * Siobhan collects her things from near the stone. When everyone has left she approaches the head priest once more. Head Priest (Who is female.): "Yes?" I do not mean to question your wisdom, however these are dire times. I understand that there are things that are better left buried, but is it not possible that some things are kept buried until they are needed? Head Priest: "Of course, where are you going?" I am simply exploring every avenue available to me to help protect these people, and hopefully the greater world. I am not a member of the clergy, so some secrets of the faith may be beyond my understanding, but I cannot believe that Pelor has left things within our reach if he did not intend for us to use them. Head Priest: "What do you expect to find?" I hope to find something that will aid us. I expect to find enough wisdom within myself to tell if there is something there or if it should best be avoided. Head Priest: "And what if you find things that you don't like?" My faith is stong not because it is belief in the way the world should be, but because it consists of the courage to face the world as it is. At least that is what I was taught. I simply hope I am stong enough to face up to that should the time come. Head Priest: "Fair enough. I'll open the door." Thank you, Mother. * Siobhan follows the Head Priest towards the locked door of the church. [The Priest removes a specially-crafted holy symbol from her robes and opens a lock on the bas relief on the door.] Will you accompany me, Mother, or is this something that I must do alone? [The door swings open, revealing a hallway behind.] Priest: "I will go with you." [The Priest and the Paladin walk down the dark hallway.] What is kept here, Mother? [After some 20', the hall ends in a stairwell. Taking the stairs down, the pair see a series of doors arrayed down another hall.] * Lucas , meanwhile, sits at a table in the inn, drawing from within any tidbit of knowledge about what might be found behind the door. * Lucas frowns to himself, as if he recalled an unpleasant memory. [The pair approach the first door, lit with torchlight.] Head Priest: "This chamber contains the remains of Gabriel Zaitzev who died shortly before your arrival." Why are his remians being kept here? Head Priest: "He was corrupted by an artifact connected to the Damacine Golem. His remains will be held here untill they can be shipped west and studied or destroyed." Then it was more than a story? High Priest: "Quite. And still very dangerous. But that is not important now." Why would it be unimportant now? Wait, I can ask you questions later. Show me what is here first. High Priest: "The next door barrs the chamber containing the "final" resting place of Piotyr." Then Gregor wasn't lying? Would it be possible to enter the chamber? High Priest: "Apparently not. Piotyr rose after death and took this hallway to the catacombs under the castle, collapsing the way behind him." High Priest: "Yes." [The Priest pushes the heavy stone door slowly aside.] High Priest: "Careful. It only opens from this side." That is good to know. * Siobhan moves past the Head Priest and enters the chamber. * Nyyx is, meanwhile, waiting outside the church for Siobhan to finish with her business. [Inside the chamber, Siobhan sees a shattered stone coffin of fine craftsmanship in the weak torchlight.] * Siobhan studies the shattered coffin before looking around the rest of the chamber. [There are scratches on the stone and torn clothes in the coffin.] Are these the clothes he was buried in? High Priest: "Yes." * Siobhan suddenly moves to the right wall and studies it intently. [There is a figure on the other side of the wall. It is inert, but unmistakenly evil.] What was kept here? High Priest: "Piotyr's first victim." What? High Priest: "When Piotyr first rose, he attacked a priest, Lucas's predecessor. We managed to seal him in the chamber, but did not want to risk destroying him." I take it that the priest was killed and then raised? High Priest: "Yes." We may need to put this priest to rest finally, but before that, is there anything else down here? High Priest: "That is everything." * Siobhan searches the room once more just to be sure. [Siobhan finds nothing more.] I am going to inform my companions about this, is that permissable Mother? High Priest: "....Yes." Very well. I may have more questions later, but thank you for showing me these things. High Priest: "Of course." * Siobhan leaves the crypt of Piotyr and waits for the High Priest to leave the catacomb. [The High Priest exits and locks the door behind her.] * Siobhan leaves to join Nyyx outside. "Thank you again Mother." * Nyyx turns to face Siobhan once she returns. "All set?" * Siobhan looks distracted, but nods. Something bothering you? Nothing... well, nothing that cannot wait until we meet with the others. * Nyyx nods. "All right. Do you want to stop by the blacksmith's?" Lead on. * Nyyx continues on to Jordan's to inquire about weapons and armor. [Within Jordan's, the blacksmith greets the party jovially.] "Good to have you back. Now, what kind of gear do you need?" * Siobhan brings herself back to the present. "I was hoping to get some better armor than what I have currently, and perhaps an improvement to my hammer. A secondary weapon would also be welcome." * Nyyx takes out her silver bastard sword and lays it down on the counter. "Well, this is what I have, the silver sword and the chain mail I'm currently wearing. Do you have anything better, or is there anything you can do for me to improve their quality?" * Nyyx unslings her composite longbow and lays that on the counter as well, as a second thought. "This too." Jordan: "Well, I can make you a sword from something other than silver. Other than that, if you have some specific armor or weapon that you want, please ask. My work is of the highest quality." * Nyyx thinks this over. "What materials can you make weapons out of?" Jordan: "I have steel and some old mithril I've been saving." * Siobhan describes the items she is looking for to Jordan. Would I be able to persuade you to craft me a suit of armor with some of your mithril, Jordan? Jordan: "Of course! Kleppen impressed upon me the severity of the situation as it were, so whatever you want." * Nyyx bows her head in gratitude. "Thank you. I'd very much appreciate that." * Siobhan offers to help Jordan in the forge if he would like the help. Jordan: "Certainly, it might just speed things along." * Nyyx reshoulders her weapons. "I'll meet you at Mayor Kleppen's. Thanks again, Jordan." * Siobhan sets her hammer down and begins to remove her armor to work in the forge. [As Siobhan and Jordan prepare to work, Skip yells for attention from a nearby roof.] SESSION END Session Close: Sat Apr 14 21:36:59 2007