Amethyst Guard - Revision history

Dark T Zeratul: 31 revisions imported

2026-02-19T10:53:49Z

31 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 03:53, 19 February 2026
(No difference)

Dark T Zeratul: /* Midnight in the City of Brass */

2025-01-28T12:18:02Z

Midnight in the City of Brass

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:18, 28 January 2025
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	Between questioning Nabila and inspecting the tablet in the devil's possession, they were quickly able to discern what had occurred: the devil had trapped Umar within a quill pen, and used the fez--a magical hat of disguise--to assume Umar's identity. He had arranged for the salamander to assassinate Ghunayya, using the recently-summoned adventurers as cover. Breaking the quill freed the real Umar, who immediately set to work curing Ghunayya. Though he labored in his laboratory all day, he succeeded in saving her life. Ghunayya apologized to the Amethyst Guard for what had occurred, explaining that for untold ages mortals had summoned her kind as servants, and she intended to create a spell to inflict the same indignity back upon them as revenge. Naming them as friends and allies of House al-Sultha, she cast a spell that returned them to their home.		Between questioning Nabila and inspecting the tablet in the devil's possession, they were quickly able to discern what had occurred: the devil had trapped Umar within a quill pen, and used the fez--a magical hat of disguise--to assume Umar's identity. He had arranged for the salamander to assassinate Ghunayya, using the recently-summoned adventurers as cover. Breaking the quill freed the real Umar, who immediately set to work curing Ghunayya. Though he labored in his laboratory all day, he succeeded in saving her life. Ghunayya apologized to the Amethyst Guard for what had occurred, explaining that for untold ages mortals had summoned her kind as servants, and she intended to create a spell to inflict the same indignity back upon them as revenge. Naming them as friends and allies of House al-Sultha, she cast a spell that returned them to their home.

	*The Shadow Fey		===Myrkara's Hoard===
	*Myrkara's ~~Hoard~~		Some time later, the Amethyst Guard was hired by a half-elf named Modoc Rune who intended to explore the nearby woods, which he believed could be found the secret lair of the long-dead dragon Myrkara. He offered them a share of the treasure in exchange, though he reserved the right to be the first to lay claim to a specific magic item as part of his own share. As the Guard accompanied him through the forest, they came upon a centaur that had been slain by some manner of large beast, and decided to take a brief detour to investigate. They found two more centaurs, who explained that they had been attacked by a pair of shadow drakes who killed two of their companions. Recognizing the danger these creatures posed, the Amethyst Guard went deeper into the woods, where they found an area of forest corrupted by the energies of the [[Shadowfell]]. They found the two shadow drakes accompanied by shadowy fey, who fled after the drakes were killed. Though the heroes gave chase, the fey ultimately escaped through a portal.
	*Heart of Nightfang Spire
			Returning to Modoc's path, they found the cave entrance to the lair blocked by a nest of ettercaps. Though they sought to find a way to go around them, or move them out of the way, the creatures became hostile and they were forced to slay them. Just inside the threshold, a pair of stone dragon statues spoke a riddle, which Richter readily solved to gain access. Within a lake poisoned by exposure to toxic gas they found the skeleton of a previous adventurer, and though Modoc invoked his right to first choice of magical items, it became clear that whatever he sought was not on the body. Beyond the lake they found a room filled with heaps of gold and silver coins, decorated with elaborate stone statues of green dragons, with a large heavy chain dangling from the ceiling. After slaying the animated swords that rose from the treasure, they discovered that a magical barrier had closed behind them, trapping them inside. Additionally, an examination of the treasure quickly determined the majority of it to be illusory, with only a small handful of coins and mundane items actually resting on the floor. When Callisto pulled the chain, it caused poisonous water to rain down from the ceiling. Eventually, they discovered a series of runes etched in the floor beneath the illusory treasure hoard, and after a time spent studying it, during which time the others destroyed the magical barrier, Modoc was able to dispel them, causing the floor to open up into a long shaft lined in glowing green runes.

			Careful testing revealed that touching the sides of the shaft caused spectral dragon claws to lash out at them, and that the runes formed an anti-magic field. The group carefully suspended a long rope down that would allow them to descend safely without touching the sides, allowing them access to the true hoard of Myrkara, covered in gold coins, relics, bones, and broken egg shells. While seemingly long-abandoned, an undead dragon wyrmling still remained within, which used its power to animate the bones into skeletons. After destroying the wyrmling, Modoc immediately laid claim to the ring upon its claw. The Amethyst Guard accepted his choice of treasure, and divided up the remainder. Modoc then took his leave, climbing back up the rope to leave on his own while the others inventoried the treasure and tried to figure out how to get it all back home, including a very large iron dragon statue that Richter wanted to place outside their home.

			===Heart of Nightfang Spire===
			Over the next year, the Amethys Guard continued to build their reputation. Eventually, they began to hear rumors of people going missing, last seen heading north into a canyon in the Ashen Plain. When they asked around about the area, they heard rumors of a black dragon that had made its lair atop an old haunted tower called Nightfang Spire. Deciding that this warranted further investigation, they set off for the tower. When they arrived, they found it to be a nearly 300-foot tall spire of solid stone carved with gargoyles, demonic faces, skeletal visages, and other frightening imagery. However, there were no doors, windows, or other obvious ways in. As they wandered around outside the tower, an unnatural storm suddenly began gathering in the sky above. As there was no way in from the ground, they decided to fly up to the top. There they found the tower's crown to be open to the sky, with a flying aberration guarding the entrance. It lashed out with its tentacles and called lightning down from the sky, but did not survive their onslaught. As it died, the skies cleared.

			Descending into the tower, they found a small mound of gold coins underneath the half-eaten corpse of a black dragon, whose acid had dissolved a hole leading into the tower below. Climbing down into the tower proper, they made their way through the hallways, climbing across walls that had been knocked down by the dragon. Though they found few valuables, they did encounter several vampire spawn outside of a molten vault door. Within the now-empty vault, they found a crude mosaic depicting a red dragon. Elsewhere, they encountered a number of shadows, and a chamber with a thin layer of necrotic liquid seeping across the floor.

			Taking a spiral staircase down to a more intact level, they found a chamber containing several ornate sarcophagi. They began systematically searching the sarcophagi, most of which proved to either be empty or conceal deadly traps, but one contained a powerful mummy that nearly killed Callisto before it was destroyed. After passing through a chamber containing a vampiric gibbering mouther, they found a large broken room in which several girallon were busy cleaning up. Though Lizard tried talking to them, the creatures simply attacked, eager for fresh meat. The noise of the battle soon drew a pair of mohrgs, skeletal undead with vicious worms writhing in their ribcages that sucked the vitality from those they caught. Though it was a hard fight, the heroes ultimately prevailed and found another stairway going further below. There they found more girallons, as well as several wights, but as they passed by a doorway they heard a voice calling loudly for help. On the door was a Draconic inscription reading, "Rhunad is interred here. Leave him in peace." The voice assured them that this warning was placed by his captors to deter would-be rescuers, and eventually they decided to open the door.

			Inside they found a large magical circle inlaid with silver, in the center of which sat a demonic vrock. It introduced itself as Rhunad, and begged for its freedom, explaining that it had been bound for centuries and promising to tell them everything about the master of the undead within the tower. When they demurred, it further promised to help them fight whatever foes they encountered on their quest. They ultimately agreed, on the condition that he tell his story before they freed him. Rhunad accepted the bargain and told them that centuries ago, a man named Gulthias was the leader of a cult that revered the red dragon Ashardalon, and Nightfang Spire their base of operations. Rhunad was summoned around this time, and kept bound for whatever Gulthias might need of him. When Ashardalon was slain by a powerful circle of druids, his cultists recovered the dragon's heart and interred it deep within the tower. Determined to follow the object of their worship into death, the cultists converted the entire tower into a tomb before committing mass suicide in a single moment. This concentration of death supercharged Ashardalon's heart with negative energy, raising Gulthias into unlife as a vampire lord. Inextricably linked to the heart, Gulthias was able to draw huge quantities of necrotic power, which he used to raise the rest of the cultists into undeath. Rhunad is unsure what Gulthias's ultimate goal was; the vampire lord seemed to have mostly forgotten about him by then. Rhunad also heard, years later, that Gulthias ended up staked to death before he could enact his plan, and without him Nightfang Spire languished in obscurity, an eternal tomb for the undead cultists. Of course, someone must have removed the stake, because Gulthias recently returned after centuries away, and surely now seeks to restart whatever foul plans he had. The Amethyst Guard, recalling their first adventure in which they found, and subsequently burned, something called the Gulthias Tree, realized that they were the ones who had inadvertently allowed the vampire lord to rise once more, and determined to stop him for good.

			Vorelyth asked Rhunad how to reach Gulthias and the heart, and the vrock explained that it was sealed against entry except by incorporeal beings. However, there is a magical dragon key that can unlock a door beneath the tower, split into four pieces and hidden throughout the catacombs. The pieces must be found, melded back together, and used to open the way into the tower's core. Satisfied with this explanation, she broke the circle and freed Rhunad. Together the group continued through the hallways, where they found a trio of half-dragon flesh golems that had been assembled by the cultists and were still quite active. Unfortunately, soon after battle was joined, Rhunad betrayed and attacked them, seeming to simply revel in the carnage, teleporting away before they could kill him. Once the golems were dead, they found another staircase that, after a brief ambush by more mohrgs, led into the catacombs. The catacombs were filled with a large number of mohrg, as well as even more girallons, though their alpha offered to talk rather than attempting to kill them. She told the Amethyst Guard that they lived in the catacombs long before Gulthias returned, at which point he pressed many of them into slavery. When they told her they intended to kill Gulthias, she willingly parted with a piece of the dragon key her people had found. The party continued through the catacombs, braving traps and killing yet more mohrgs and even a tombstone golem, eventually finding the other three pieces of the dragon key. Once assembled, they located the keyhole and inserted the key, causing the entire core of the tower to rotate until a doorway was exposed. Stepping through, they found a tall circular chamber, at the top of which a massive blackened heart hung suspended in midair, burning with black fire and occasionally pulsing as though with an unnatural heartbeat. They had little time to examine it, though, as Gulthias descended from above and unleashed powerful magic on them. Though powerful, he proved no match for the Amethyst Guard and dissolved into a cloud of mist that seemed to be drawn into the heart of Ashardalon. Richter and Vorelyth simply blasted it with their own magic into the black fire went out and the enormous organ crashed to the floor, now little more than a dessicated lump of dead tissue. Of Gulthias, nothing at all remained. Within the heart they found a chamber filled with grave dirt; they scattered it so that any lingering trace of the vampire would have nowhere to rest, and then departed for good.

			As they returned home from their final adventure, however, they couldn't help but wonder... If Ashardalon's heart had survived, such as it was, what became of the rest of the dragon all those centuries ago?

	[[Category:Adventuring Companies]]		[[Category:Adventuring Companies]]
	[[Category:Amethyst Guard\| ]]		[[Category:Amethyst Guard\| ]]
	[[Category:Organizations]]		[[Category:Organizations]]

Dark T Zeratul: /* Midnight in the City of Brass */

2024-04-09T08:37:33Z

Midnight in the City of Brass

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:37, 9 April 2024
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	They were awoken in the morning by the sound of drums, songs, and explosions, as the city celebrated its annual Carnival of Flames. Though they considered partaking, they did not want to risk Ghunayya perishing as they did and so hurried to her compound. When they arrived, they found the gate firmly locked and the windows dark. Growing suspicious, they picked the lock on the gates only to find themselves attacked by gargoyles and imps guarding the gatehouse. Searching through the manor they first found Nabila's quarters (and the dreadful poetry she had written for Badiat), and then Umar's, which curiously did not appear to have been used in many days. It was when they entered the antechamber before Ghunayya's quarters that they found Umar's fez sitting on the floor. Before they could investigate further, they heard a scream coming from the next room. Rushing into Ghunayya's chambers, they saw a horrific devil standing over her prone form, while a swarm of insects buzzed around Nabila, biting her. The creature demanded to know why they even cared about the fate of Ghunayya or her house and questioned whether they would even honor the deal made to send them home. When they attacked him anyway he gloated about how the power he would gain from them would allow him to grow even stronger than the Archdevils themselves. As he did not yet have that power, however, they quickly made short work of him and the swarm.		They were awoken in the morning by the sound of drums, songs, and explosions, as the city celebrated its annual Carnival of Flames. Though they considered partaking, they did not want to risk Ghunayya perishing as they did and so hurried to her compound. When they arrived, they found the gate firmly locked and the windows dark. Growing suspicious, they picked the lock on the gates only to find themselves attacked by gargoyles and imps guarding the gatehouse. Searching through the manor they first found Nabila's quarters (and the dreadful poetry she had written for Badiat), and then Umar's, which curiously did not appear to have been used in many days. It was when they entered the antechamber before Ghunayya's quarters that they found Umar's fez sitting on the floor. Before they could investigate further, they heard a scream coming from the next room. Rushing into Ghunayya's chambers, they saw a horrific devil standing over her prone form, while a swarm of insects buzzed around Nabila, biting her. The creature demanded to know why they even cared about the fate of Ghunayya or her house and questioned whether they would even honor the deal made to send them home. When they attacked him anyway he gloated about how the power he would gain from them would allow him to grow even stronger than the Archdevils themselves. As he did not yet have that power, however, they quickly made short work of him and the swarm.

	Between questioning Nabila and inspecting the tablet in the devil's possession, they were quickly able to discern what had occurred: the devil had trapped Umar within a quill pen, and used the fez to ~~alter his form and~~ assume Umar's identity. He had arranged for the salamander to assassinate Ghunayya, using the recently-summoned adventurers as cover. Breaking the quill freed the real Umar, who immediately set to work curing Ghunayya. Though he labored in his laboratory all day, he succeeded in saving her life. Ghunayya apologized to the Amethyst Guard for what had occurred, explaining that for untold ages mortals had summoned her kind as servants, and she intended to create a spell to inflict the same indignity back upon them as revenge. Naming them as friends and allies of House al-Sultha, she cast a spell that returned them to their home.		Between questioning Nabila and inspecting the tablet in the devil's possession, they were quickly able to discern what had occurred: the devil had trapped Umar within a quill pen, and used the fez--a magical hat of disguise--to assume Umar's identity. He had arranged for the salamander to assassinate Ghunayya, using the recently-summoned adventurers as cover. Breaking the quill freed the real Umar, who immediately set to work curing Ghunayya. Though he labored in his laboratory all day, he succeeded in saving her life. Ghunayya apologized to the Amethyst Guard for what had occurred, explaining that for untold ages mortals had summoned her kind as servants, and she intended to create a spell to inflict the same indignity back upon them as revenge. Naming them as friends and allies of House al-Sultha, she cast a spell that returned them to their home.

	*The Shadow Fey		*The Shadow Fey

Dark T Zeratul: /* Midnight in the City of Brass */

2024-04-09T08:35:25Z

Midnight in the City of Brass

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:35, 9 April 2024
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	Following Nabila's directions, they sought out a blind human fortune teller named Ali ben Ali. After pressing a coin into his hand and speaking the passphrase given by Nabila, he took them to a secret door leading down below the city, to an old thoroughfare called the Street of Roses. There they would find a tower called the Burj al-Anwar, within which the egg could be found. As he departed, he offered a final warning about the vengeful azer that dwelled below. The warning proved prescient, as several azer attacked them as they made their way through along the broken underground street to the Burj al-Anwar. The first defense within the tower was a magic circle warded against celestials, fiends, and elementals... Though the sorcerers who laid it did not consider mortals worthy of protecting against, and they crossed without issue. Beyond was a bejeweled chamber covered in fine rugs, at the center of which was a rotating platform upon which an enormous egg sat upon a pillar of blue crystal. Lizard jumped onto the platform and managed to keep his footing as he picked up the egg, which was surprisingly light. However, as he did so, the jewels adorning the wall came alive, revealing themselves as hostile constructs, and attacked the heroes. As Lizard ran across the room with the egg, he also had to contend with the rugs coming alive and trying to rap him. However, the animated rugs and jeweled constructs were no match for them, and soon they were crossing the Street of Roses once more.		Following Nabila's directions, they sought out a blind human fortune teller named Ali ben Ali. After pressing a coin into his hand and speaking the passphrase given by Nabila, he took them to a secret door leading down below the city, to an old thoroughfare called the Street of Roses. There they would find a tower called the Burj al-Anwar, within which the egg could be found. As he departed, he offered a final warning about the vengeful azer that dwelled below. The warning proved prescient, as several azer attacked them as they made their way through along the broken underground street to the Burj al-Anwar. The first defense within the tower was a magic circle warded against celestials, fiends, and elementals... Though the sorcerers who laid it did not consider mortals worthy of protecting against, and they crossed without issue. Beyond was a bejeweled chamber covered in fine rugs, at the center of which was a rotating platform upon which an enormous egg sat upon a pillar of blue crystal. Lizard jumped onto the platform and managed to keep his footing as he picked up the egg, which was surprisingly light. However, as he did so, the jewels adorning the wall came alive, revealing themselves as hostile constructs, and attacked the heroes. As Lizard ran across the room with the egg, he also had to contend with the rugs coming alive and trying to rap him. However, the animated rugs and jeweled constructs were no match for them, and soon they were crossing the Street of Roses once more.

	As they neared the passage that would return them to the surface, a salamander appeared from behind a ruined building and attacked them. Though a powerful warrior, he soon fell before them. As he died he muttered, "the plan was perfect... the fez..." before his body melted into molten rock. Though disturbed by this, they still returned to Nabila at the designated rendezvous with the egg.		As they neared the passage that would return them to the surface, a salamander appeared from behind a ruined building and attacked them. Though a powerful warrior, he soon fell before them. As he died he muttered, "the plan was perfect... the fez..." before his body melted into molten rock. Though disturbed by this, they still returned to Nabila at the designated rendezvous with the egg. Ecstatic at having a treasure to finally woo her beloved, she readily traded them a lead-lined box containing the Rose of Nightengale. As it was nearing sunset, she told them to take it to Umar in the morning, and mentioned off-handedly that he hadn't been himself lately; he used to be patient and jolly, but had recently become short-tempered and demanding. When they mentioned the fez, she confirmed that the change occurred right around the time he started wearing it. As Nabila left with her prize, the Amethyst Guard found a very expensive inn willing to cater to mortals to pass the night.

			They were awoken in the morning by the sound of drums, songs, and explosions, as the city celebrated its annual Carnival of Flames. Though they considered partaking, they did not want to risk Ghunayya perishing as they did and so hurried to her compound. When they arrived, they found the gate firmly locked and the windows dark. Growing suspicious, they picked the lock on the gates only to find themselves attacked by gargoyles and imps guarding the gatehouse. Searching through the manor they first found Nabila's quarters (and the dreadful poetry she had written for Badiat), and then Umar's, which curiously did not appear to have been used in many days. It was when they entered the antechamber before Ghunayya's quarters that they found Umar's fez sitting on the floor. Before they could investigate further, they heard a scream coming from the next room. Rushing into Ghunayya's chambers, they saw a horrific devil standing over her prone form, while a swarm of insects buzzed around Nabila, biting her. The creature demanded to know why they even cared about the fate of Ghunayya or her house and questioned whether they would even honor the deal made to send them home. When they attacked him anyway he gloated about how the power he would gain from them would allow him to grow even stronger than the Archdevils themselves. As he did not yet have that power, however, they quickly made short work of him and the swarm.

			Between questioning Nabila and inspecting the tablet in the devil's possession, they were quickly able to discern what had occurred: the devil had trapped Umar within a quill pen, and used the fez to alter his form and assume Umar's identity. He had arranged for the salamander to assassinate Ghunayya, using the recently-summoned adventurers as cover. Breaking the quill freed the real Umar, who immediately set to work curing Ghunayya. Though he labored in his laboratory all day, he succeeded in saving her life. Ghunayya apologized to the Amethyst Guard for what had occurred, explaining that for untold ages mortals had summoned her kind as servants, and she intended to create a spell to inflict the same indignity back upon them as revenge. Naming them as friends and allies of House al-Sultha, she cast a spell that returned them to their home.

	*The Shadow Fey		*The Shadow Fey

Dark T Zeratul: /* Midnight in the City of Brass */

2024-03-27T08:31:15Z

Midnight in the City of Brass

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:31, 27 March 2024
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	===Midnight in the City of Brass===		===Midnight in the City of Brass===
	Over the next several months, the Amethyst Guard continued to take various jobs while repairing and furnishing their new home in Oakhurst. During this time, Gilia decided to depart for Eastport to further her magic studies, and Sigurd decided to go along with her as her bodyguard. Soon after, two new adventurers approached with an interest in joining the Amethyst Guard: a monk named Sai, and a wizard named Richter. Little else happened until, one day, without warning they found themselves teleported into a large courtyard in a palace of basalt and metal, beneath an orange sky. A trio of tall figures dressed with flowing silk garments stood above them on a balcony; one bowed deeply and declared that his "Conjure Minor Mortals" spell had succeeded. Before they could try to take stock of where they were, they found themselves facing a trio of hell hounds. After slaying the beasts, the three figures began to walk away, when suddenly a salamander erupted from a nearby brazier and threw something at one of the trio. It struck her in the mouth, causing her to collapse. As the salamander vanished in a puff of smoke, the other two figures began pointing at the Amethyst Guard and accused them of attempting to murder Ghunayya bint al-Sultha, scion of a line of efreeti sorcerers.		Over the next several months, the Amethyst Guard continued to take various jobs while repairing and furnishing their new home in Oakhurst. During this time, Gilia decided to depart for Eastport to further her magic studies, and Sigurd decided to go along with her as her bodyguard. Soon after, two new adventurers approached with an interest in joining the Amethyst Guard: a monk named Sai, and a wizard named Richter. Little else happened until, one day, without warning they found themselves teleported into a large courtyard in a palace of basalt and metal, beneath an orange sky. A trio of tall figures dressed with flowing silk garments stood above them on a balcony; the one dressed in white robes and a fez bowed deeply and declared that his "Conjure Minor Mortals" spell had succeeded. Before they could try to take stock of where they were, they found themselves facing a trio of hell hounds. After slaying the beasts, the three figures began to walk away, when suddenly a salamander erupted from a nearby brazier and threw something at one of the trio. It struck her in the mouth, causing her to collapse. As the salamander vanished in a puff of smoke, the other two figures began pointing at the Amethyst Guard and accused them of attempting to murder Ghunayya bint al-Sultha, scion of a line of efreeti sorcerers.

	Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.		Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.

Dark T Zeratul: /* Midnight in the City of Brass */

2024-03-27T07:40:20Z

Midnight in the City of Brass

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:40, 27 March 2024
Line 73:		Line 73:

	Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.		Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.

			After Umar shooed them out of the manor, they wandered about the City of Brass searching for information on the Rose of Nightengale, only to find themselves largely ignored by the myriad elementals populating the city. Eventually, however, they noticed an efreet trying to get their attention. She told she was Nabila, Ghunayya's physician, and she wanted to help them. Though her loyalty was to Umar, and thus she stood only to gain by his gaining leadership of the house upon Ghunayya's death, she was moved by something far more important: love. She wished to be with Badiat al-Sugûr, daughter of the ice devil Moshir, but did not have the status to be worthy of her. She wished them to bring back a rare treasure that would win Badiat's heart: the egg of a two-headed roc. In exchange, she would tell them where to find Rose of Nightengale. Seeing little alternative, the Amethyst Guard agreed.

			Following Nabila's directions, they sought out a blind human fortune teller named Ali ben Ali. After pressing a coin into his hand and speaking the passphrase given by Nabila, he took them to a secret door leading down below the city, to an old thoroughfare called the Street of Roses. There they would find a tower called the Burj al-Anwar, within which the egg could be found. As he departed, he offered a final warning about the vengeful azer that dwelled below. The warning proved prescient, as several azer attacked them as they made their way through along the broken underground street to the Burj al-Anwar. The first defense within the tower was a magic circle warded against celestials, fiends, and elementals... Though the sorcerers who laid it did not consider mortals worthy of protecting against, and they crossed without issue. Beyond was a bejeweled chamber covered in fine rugs, at the center of which was a rotating platform upon which an enormous egg sat upon a pillar of blue crystal. Lizard jumped onto the platform and managed to keep his footing as he picked up the egg, which was surprisingly light. However, as he did so, the jewels adorning the wall came alive, revealing themselves as hostile constructs, and attacked the heroes. As Lizard ran across the room with the egg, he also had to contend with the rugs coming alive and trying to rap him. However, the animated rugs and jeweled constructs were no match for them, and soon they were crossing the Street of Roses once more.

			As they neared the passage that would return them to the surface, a salamander appeared from behind a ruined building and attacked them. Though a powerful warrior, he soon fell before them. As he died he muttered, "the plan was perfect... the fez..." before his body melted into molten rock. Though disturbed by this, they still returned to Nabila at the designated rendezvous with the egg.

	*The Shadow Fey		*The Shadow Fey

Dark T Zeratul at 06:28, 19 March 2024

2024-03-19T06:28:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:28, 18 March 2024
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	Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.		Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.

			*The Shadow Fey
	*Myrkara's Hoard		*Myrkara's Hoard
	*Heart of Nightfang Spire		*Heart of Nightfang Spire

Dark T Zeratul at 01:48, 18 March 2024

2024-03-18T01:48:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 17 March 2024
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	When they returned to Ossington, the village seemed oddly empty at first. Then, an enormous mob of them swarmed out of their homes, trying to kill them. Undeterred, they fought through them until they reached Dyson's tower. The door was locked tight, so Gilia transformed Lizard into a giant ape, and he simply climbed up the side with Callisto as the spellcasters attacked from below. At the top of the top they found themselves facing not just the wizard Dyson, but Henwen and the Cuckoo as well. The Cuckoo hung back and mostly cast magic from his lute, but when the battle began to turn against him, he suddenly transformed into a vrock, spraying them with demonic spores before flying off, taunting them as he fled. Soon after, Dyson and Henwen were slain. Though Dyson had tried to burn his papers, they managed to save enough to determine his scheme: having reconstructed Dyfydd's spell, he had slowly been replacing Ossington's citizens with his own newly-created faux people. One of Dyson's agents had slain the horseman when he got nosy, causing his ghost to seek vengeance against the villagers he believed to have slain him. He had also orchestrated the elven massacre to keep them from interfering. Though his true goals were unclear, the Amethyst Guard returned to Oakhurst, satisfied that they had, at least, stopped them.		When they returned to Ossington, the village seemed oddly empty at first. Then, an enormous mob of them swarmed out of their homes, trying to kill them. Undeterred, they fought through them until they reached Dyson's tower. The door was locked tight, so Gilia transformed Lizard into a giant ape, and he simply climbed up the side with Callisto as the spellcasters attacked from below. At the top of the top they found themselves facing not just the wizard Dyson, but Henwen and the Cuckoo as well. The Cuckoo hung back and mostly cast magic from his lute, but when the battle began to turn against him, he suddenly transformed into a vrock, spraying them with demonic spores before flying off, taunting them as he fled. Soon after, Dyson and Henwen were slain. Though Dyson had tried to burn his papers, they managed to save enough to determine his scheme: having reconstructed Dyfydd's spell, he had slowly been replacing Ossington's citizens with his own newly-created faux people. One of Dyson's agents had slain the horseman when he got nosy, causing his ghost to seek vengeance against the villagers he believed to have slain him. He had also orchestrated the elven massacre to keep them from interfering. Though his true goals were unclear, the Amethyst Guard returned to Oakhurst, satisfied that they had, at least, stopped them.

	*Midnight in the City of Brass		===Midnight in the City of Brass===
			Over the next several months, the Amethyst Guard continued to take various jobs while repairing and furnishing their new home in Oakhurst. During this time, Gilia decided to depart for Eastport to further her magic studies, and Sigurd decided to go along with her as her bodyguard. Soon after, two new adventurers approached with an interest in joining the Amethyst Guard: a monk named Sai, and a wizard named Richter. Little else happened until, one day, without warning they found themselves teleported into a large courtyard in a palace of basalt and metal, beneath an orange sky. A trio of tall figures dressed with flowing silk garments stood above them on a balcony; one bowed deeply and declared that his "Conjure Minor Mortals" spell had succeeded. Before they could try to take stock of where they were, they found themselves facing a trio of hell hounds. After slaying the beasts, the three figures began to walk away, when suddenly a salamander erupted from a nearby brazier and threw something at one of the trio. It struck her in the mouth, causing her to collapse. As the salamander vanished in a puff of smoke, the other two figures began pointing at the Amethyst Guard and accused them of attempting to murder Ghunayya bint al-Sultha, scion of a line of efreeti sorcerers.

			Under a ritual that confirmed the truth of their words they professed their innocence, and in the ensuing questioning they learned they had been summoned to the City of Brass in the plane of fire by Umar, a servant of Ghunayya, though he would be unable to reverse the spell. Neither he nor his companion, Manira, had seen the salamander appear from the brazier, though what it had thrown into Ghunayya's mouth was a seed of the sweet shiverrod plant and would kill her within three days. Only one thing could cure her: an antidote made from the rare Rose of Nightengale. Umar told them that Ghunayya had the power to send them home, but only if they saved her life. Should they fail, he would see them enslaved in the mines for a thousand years.


	*Myrkara's Hoard		*Myrkara's Hoard
	*Heart of Nightfang Spire		*Heart of Nightfang Spire

Dark T Zeratul: /* The Standing Stone */

2024-03-16T10:06:47Z

The Standing Stone

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:06, 16 March 2024
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	The next morning, the band set off for [[Eastport]] in search of assistance in closing the portal within the ruined temple. Asking around, they were directed to a wizard known as [[Oronnis]] the Magnificent. He agreed to help them, though demanded a hefty fee for his services. Being the only powerful spellcaster around, however, they were forced to accept his aid. He traveled back to Brindinford with them and began the ritual to close the portal. As it neared completion, however, a massive [[pit fiend]] emerged and devoured him. Before it could turn against the Amethyst Guard, however, a mysterious human wearing the holy symbol of [[Hieroneous]] emerged and struck it down with a blade glowing with radiant light. As the party completed Oronnis's ritual and finished sealing the portal, however, he collapsed into unconcsciousness. They brought him to the shrine of Bahamut, where the paladins agreed to keep watch over him until he awoke.		The next morning, the band set off for [[Eastport]] in search of assistance in closing the portal within the ruined temple. Asking around, they were directed to a wizard known as [[Oronnis]] the Magnificent. He agreed to help them, though demanded a hefty fee for his services. Being the only powerful spellcaster around, however, they were forced to accept his aid. He traveled back to Brindinford with them and began the ritual to close the portal. As it neared completion, however, a massive [[pit fiend]] emerged and devoured him. Before it could turn against the Amethyst Guard, however, a mysterious human wearing the holy symbol of [[Hieroneous]] emerged and struck it down with a blade glowing with radiant light. As the party completed Oronnis's ritual and finished sealing the portal, however, he collapsed into unconcsciousness. They brought him to the shrine of Bahamut, where the paladins agreed to keep watch over him until he awoke.

	===The Standing ~~Stone~~===		===The Standing Stones===
	A few days later, the group began to hear chatter from the townsfolk about how unusual it was that no one from Ossington had come south for the festival. In fact, no one from Ossington had come through Oakhurst at all for the past few months. Worried that there could be trouble, the Amethyst Guard headed north into the [[Brindenwood]] to see what had befallen the village. As they drew near, they began to notice that the sounds of the forest had gone completely silent, until a loud scream pierced the air. Hurrying to the source of the sound, they arrived just in time to see an armored figure on horseback cut down a fleeing man, trample him with his horse, and then vanish into thin air. Just beyond, they found two more dead bodies slain in the same manner, with the cart they had been riding. The adventurers continued on, and as night fell they came upon the farm of an old man named Tarbee, and his daughter, Tanasha. Tarbee told them that the ones killed by the horsemen had been trying to leave the forest to get food, and warned them to turn back and return the way they came. Tanasha was more forthcoming, explaining that the people were starving because the horseman cut down anyone who ventured from the village to buy supplies or plant crops, and the elves killed any villagers who entered the forest to hunt. She told them to speak with the village elder to learn more, and the next morning the group set out once more. They came upon a small chapel filled with shrines to various gods, tended to by an old woman with an unusual monkey-like pet. She told them her name was Henwen, and her pet a creature called a hobyah, and asked if they had made their peace with the gods and prepared for their eventual deaths.		A few days later, the group began to hear chatter from the townsfolk about how unusual it was that no one from Ossington had come south for the festival. In fact, no one from Ossington had come through Oakhurst at all for the past few months. Worried that there could be trouble, the Amethyst Guard headed north into the [[Brindenwood]] to see what had befallen the village. As they drew near, they began to notice that the sounds of the forest had gone completely silent, until a loud scream pierced the air. Hurrying to the source of the sound, they arrived just in time to see an armored figure on horseback cut down a fleeing man, trample him with his horse, and then vanish into thin air. Just beyond, they found two more dead bodies slain in the same manner, with the cart they had been riding. The adventurers continued on, and as night fell they came upon the farm of an old man named Tarbee, and his daughter, Tanasha. Tarbee told them that the ones killed by the horsemen had been trying to leave the forest to get food, and warned them to turn back and return the way they came. Tanasha was more forthcoming, explaining that the people were starving because the horseman cut down anyone who ventured from the village to buy supplies or plant crops, and the elves killed any villagers who entered the forest to hunt. She told them to speak with the village elder to learn more, and the next morning the group set out once more. They came upon a small chapel filled with shrines to various gods, tended to by an old woman with an unusual monkey-like pet. She told them her name was Henwen, and her pet a creature called a hobyah, and asked if they had made their peace with the gods and prepared for their eventual deaths.

Dark T Zeratul: /* The Standing Stone */

2024-03-16T10:06:29Z

The Standing Stone

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:06, 16 March 2024
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	Just past the chapel the forest thinned as the road passed between two standing stones, part of an enormous circle of them. A smaller circle of stones stood deeper in, with the village of Ossington nestled within it. By the time they arrived at the village, a crowd of starving villagers had formed, begging for food, help, and rescue. The mob suddenly calmed at the sound of a beautiful melody on a lute, played by a tall gangly man in multicolored clothes. He introduced himself as the Cuckoo, and when they asked of the village's troubles he offered to introduce them to Elder Murdows. Murdows explained that their town had never been friendly with the wild elves in the northern forest, who hated anyone not of their tribe, but that they rarely had problems as long as they didn't venture into the elves' territory. A few months ago, the horseman arrived. He visited each of the local monuments - the chapel, the double stone circles, a set of standing stones deep in the forest called the Silence Keepers, and an enormous painting on a hillside called the Red Horse - before riding out to the Great Barrow in the middle of the woods. Soon after, a group of men who went out to gather wood were found dead, their bodies shot full of elven arrows. More people started turning up missing, and what bodies were found were clearly killed by the elves. Eventually, the elves started shooting villagers in broad daylight, even when they weren't in the forest. When Meril, the previous village elder, led a group out under a white flag of parley, they were massacred. Meril's body was pinned to a tree with so many arrows they couldn't remove him. When they tried to leave to get help, they found themselves under attack by the Horseman, lurking in the woods to kill anyone who tried to leave the village. Before he could ask for help, however, an arrow flew through the window and struck him in the chest, killing him. The Amethyst Guard gave chase, but found only footprints leading into the forest.		Just past the chapel the forest thinned as the road passed between two standing stones, part of an enormous circle of them. A smaller circle of stones stood deeper in, with the village of Ossington nestled within it. By the time they arrived at the village, a crowd of starving villagers had formed, begging for food, help, and rescue. The mob suddenly calmed at the sound of a beautiful melody on a lute, played by a tall gangly man in multicolored clothes. He introduced himself as the Cuckoo, and when they asked of the village's troubles he offered to introduce them to Elder Murdows. Murdows explained that their town had never been friendly with the wild elves in the northern forest, who hated anyone not of their tribe, but that they rarely had problems as long as they didn't venture into the elves' territory. A few months ago, the horseman arrived. He visited each of the local monuments - the chapel, the double stone circles, a set of standing stones deep in the forest called the Silence Keepers, and an enormous painting on a hillside called the Red Horse - before riding out to the Great Barrow in the middle of the woods. Soon after, a group of men who went out to gather wood were found dead, their bodies shot full of elven arrows. More people started turning up missing, and what bodies were found were clearly killed by the elves. Eventually, the elves started shooting villagers in broad daylight, even when they weren't in the forest. When Meril, the previous village elder, led a group out under a white flag of parley, they were massacred. Meril's body was pinned to a tree with so many arrows they couldn't remove him. When they tried to leave to get help, they found themselves under attack by the Horseman, lurking in the woods to kill anyone who tried to leave the village. Before he could ask for help, however, an arrow flew through the window and struck him in the chest, killing him. The Amethyst Guard gave chase, but found only footprints leading into the forest.

	The next day, they decided that first step to solving the mystery would be to visit the places the horseman had been when he first came to town. Having already been to the chapel, they investigated the double circle of stones around the village and found them inscribed with druidic script, but couldn't make sense of it.		The next day, they decided that first step to solving the mystery would be to visit the places the horseman had been when he first came to town. Having already been to the chapel, they investigated the double circle of stones around the village and found them inscribed with druidic script, but couldn't make sense of it. As they headed deeper into the woods, they once again noticed that it was eerily quiet, lacking even the buzz of insects or the rustle of small creatures. They came across numerous skeletons, mostly humans but a few elves, before they were suddenly accosted by the horseman. They quickly realized he was a ghost, and when they defeated him he and his horse merely faded away. The first site they reached was Red Horse Hill, a tall hillside with a massive carving of an animal carved into it. Though the locals believed it to be a horse, Vorelyth thought back to her knowledge of the region's history and concluded it was actually a depiction of the red dragon [[Ashardalon]], who had terrorized the region until he was slain by the druid [[Dyfydd]] some three hundred years prior. Inspecting the site closer, they found what appeared to be a flooded quarry, now a stagnant swamp. As they approached, the horseman appeared again. This time, however, he rode slowly out over the water, then turned to them and saluted before sinking below the surface. Lizard dove into the water after him, and discovered the headless body of the horseman, as well as his horse. A chain around what was left of his neck held a holy symbol of [[Pelor]], leaving them unsure of why a knight in the sun god's service would be terrorizing the village. Surmising that a proper burial might cause his ghost to depart, they respectfully laid him to rest.

			As they continued, they found themselves occasionally the targets of the elves' arrows, though their attackers never revealed themselves. Arriving at the Great Barrow, they found an opening above which was inscribed the name, "Saithnar the Warlord." Though the interior was a maze of narrow passages, secret doors, and earth elementals, they eventually arrived at the central chamber and found the warlord's sarcophagus. As they moved to inspect it, a booming voice asked their business, and they saw the warlord himself, now an undead wight. When they explained that they were merely seeking answers as to the trouble that had befallen Ossington, he agreed to aid them, on the condition that one of them best him in a duel. Sigurd elected to be the Guards' champion, and after exchanging blows the warlord yielded. He told them he was not responsible for recent occurrences, and that though he wouldn't put it past the elves to cleanse the humans from their forest he had never heard of them doing so and suspected they must have a reason, as they ordinarily didn't bother those who left them alone. His only contact with the villagers came in the form of the offerings they would leave in his barrow, but those had stopped suddenly a few months ago. He did elaborate on Vorelyth's history of Ashardalon: the double circle of stones was the holy site for a circle of druids, until they were slaughtered by Ashardalon. Dyfydd, the sole survivor, repopulated the area by using druidic magic to transform some of the forest animals into a humanoid form and inscribed the spell upon the circle of stones in case it ever needed to be used again. Though they had more questions now than answers, they bid the warlord farewell and continued on towards the Silence Keepers.

			As they approached the stones, a tree suddenly attacked them, revealing itself as a massive treant. At the same time, several elves and a pixie emerged from cover and attacked the heroes in earnest. Despite a bloody battle, they proved victorious, and while the elves refused to surrender, they succeeded in taking one alive. Under questioning, she eventually revealed that her name was Yellis. She told them of how several months ago, a wizard named Dyson arrived in Ossington. Soon after, he began to use Dyfydd's spell to turn animals into people. The elves objected to so many creatures being removed from the woods, but when they send a delegation to protest against his actions, they were ambushed and massacred. Soon after, their village was set ablaze; she and her hunting party were the only survivors, and now she is all that remains. The Amethyst Guard, at last understanding what was truly going on, asked her to join them when they confronted Dyson, an offer to which she gleefully agreed.

			When they returned to Ossington, the village seemed oddly empty at first. Then, an enormous mob of them swarmed out of their homes, trying to kill them. Undeterred, they fought through them until they reached Dyson's tower. The door was locked tight, so Gilia transformed Lizard into a giant ape, and he simply climbed up the side with Callisto as the spellcasters attacked from below. At the top of the top they found themselves facing not just the wizard Dyson, but Henwen and the Cuckoo as well. The Cuckoo hung back and mostly cast magic from his lute, but when the battle began to turn against him, he suddenly transformed into a vrock, spraying them with demonic spores before flying off, taunting them as he fled. Soon after, Dyson and Henwen were slain. Though Dyson had tried to burn his papers, they managed to save enough to determine his scheme: having reconstructed Dyfydd's spell, he had slowly been replacing Ossington's citizens with his own newly-created faux people. One of Dyson's agents had slain the horseman when he got nosy, causing his ghost to seek vengeance against the villagers he believed to have slain him. He had also orchestrated the elven massacre to keep them from interfering. Though his true goals were unclear, the Amethyst Guard returned to Oakhurst, satisfied that they had, at least, stopped them.

	*Midnight in the City of Brass		*Midnight in the City of Brass