Steamworks & Arcana
Campaign Introduction
Setting
Set in The World of Vallia similar to our own during the late 1800's or early 1900's in a European/American environment. This world has evolved in tandem with a high level of magic, so most technology is built around such magics.
- Gunpowder (or its likeness) has not been discovered or utilized, so weapons are still stuck in mid evil levels (swords, axes, bows...).
- Transportation for short distances is handled by horses or other living creatures, automobiles do not exist yet. Long-distance maybe covered by a limited number of trains. Few tracks do cross the continent, but they do cross.
- Humans are the dominant species of the world, but all the high fantasy races do exist (elves, dwarfs, gnomes, demons...). The level of interaction they maintain with the humans will be decided by the players.
- The rest of the make up of the campaign and story will be dictated by the backgrounds of the characters. Example: if someone wants to make a mariner, there will me more ocean mapped out.
- I personally like the idea of a large scale war in recent history (10-50 years ago) but it is not required.
The feel for this campaign will be similar to a steam-punk style with high magic; examples of this would be Fullmetal Alchemist, Final Fantasy VI or Eberon
Story
This intends to be an epic quest with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
The story will be a contemporary character driven piece, i.e. character's motivations and goals will drive the plot forward, no plot for plots sake. Therefore, the plot will be generated from the backgrounds of the characters that are provided to me.
It should also be noted that since I have not run many campaigns (4) and only a handful from this mentality (2), the greater lead time I can have with character backgrounds, the better.
Characters
What Happened
Chapter 1: A Gathering of Heroes
The Dream
All the characters started the campaign with the same dream:
Standing alone on a ship, you lookout across a large body of water. Off in the distance, you see a beautiful city glowing with a white light. You've never seen sucha a city. As you are looking, you notice a ripple in the water. You look closer in the water and you see a gigantic sea serpent encircling the ship. Suddenly the open maw of the serpent springs from the water directly towards you, but you awake before it strikes.
A Fallen Hero
Martigan Swift arrives in Renas to request his commission be reinstated. He speaks with Colonel Alexander, the young new commander of the Anti-Piracy Strike Force (APSF). Alexander dismisses Swift's request, saying that "Pirate hunting is a young-man's game", but he does advise that Swift's former commander, Colonel Marsh (ret.) is in Renas. Swift tracks down the retired colonel, who informs Swift that his daughter Mary Anne, who is heavy with child, has been kidnapped. Marsh says the only clue, was a hankie found at the scene with the initials "VR", and he assumes it must be some pirate from their pasts doing this. Swift jumps into action (after a quick drink) and boards the first train to Salet.
An Elven Wanderer
Vectra has been wandering from Welling, finding her way to the main continent. After awhile, she purchased a train ticket to Salet. While on the train she encountered Martigan Swift carousing and enjoying himself, but given her nature, she chose to keep her own company. After disembarking the train, Vectra noticed four men following her, Martigan noticed this as well. Vectra lead the men into a dark alley in hopes of eluding or ambushing them and Martigan followed the men to see if the lady needed assistance.
The four men cornered Vectra in the alley so she unsheathed her sword and prepared for attack. Hank and Chet (two of the attackers) prepared to defend themselves, but after two quick blows from Vectra's elven blade sent them to the ground. Martigan quickly disarmed the other two (one literally) and sent them on their way. Martigan interrogated Hank and Chet and discovered that they planned to kidnap Vectra and meet with the ship "The Sea Star" to sell her off, but they knew nothing else as to why.
After the conflict Martigan and Vectra found a tavern (one of Martigan's old favorite haunts) and discussed their next move when the burly Kardik Brunst arrived. Kardik had heard that The Sea Star had recently been sighted nearby, after following up with Brunst's contact, Brunst offered his services and ship "The Clementine" to the party and they set out the following morning to hunt the Sea Star.
A Sagacious Grey Man
Meanwhile, Groth awoke due to a bucket of water being tossed on him. The first-mate of the Sea Star stood on the other side of some bars from him. Groth realized that in his sleep, he'd been moved into the brig during his sleep. The first-mate informed Groth that Captian Vincent Rufello had some words for him. The Captain Arrived, and told Groth that even though, he was an able crewman and an excellent fighter, he "knew what Groth was" and could not allow him on the vessel any longer and Groth was set to be sold and the first opportunity. Groth did not know what fate had in store for him, but he chose to go along for the time being.
Fight on the High Seas
After throwing together a plan, the crew of the Clementine prepared to get information from the crew of the Sea Star. Martigan swam to the rear of the Sea Star, and climbed up the back, while Vectra stayed on the Clementine and readied her bow. Five of the crew of the Clementine rowed over with various supplies in a boat and meet with crewmen from the Sea Star and pretend to be making a trade. Martigan then began quickly dispatching opponents on the ship, and when the crew of the Sea Star realized something was up they started attacking the crew of the Clementine. Captain Brunst saw his men get struck down and ordered the Clementine's main cannon fired. The blast was a lucky one and caused great damage to the vessel, making the locked cell door on the brig move enough that Groth could break it open with a powerful blow. Once free, the former pirate joined the fray, taking on his former first mate.
Upon realizing that his ship maybe lost Captain Rufello began climbing to the crows nest. Having freshly pacified the majority of the crew, Martigan saw Rufello, and gave chase. He grabbed the nearest rope, cut where it was tied and flew up to the top of the mast. After getting to his feet, Martigan began to approach Rufello all the while asking why he was interested in Vectra and what he did with Marry Anne. Rufello was evasive in his responses and when Martigan lunged at Rufello they both fell off the mast. After falling into the sea, Martigan attempted to save Rufello, but he was no where to be seen....
- Martigan's experience 1
Chapter 2: Trouble in Vorschland
Hot on the Trail
After rescuing the survivors of the Sea Serpent, Groth joined with Martigan and Vectra. He knew that a pregnant woman, matching Marry Anne's description, was aboard the Sea Serpent a few weeks ago and had been dropped off in Randgriz a couple weeks ago. The party made haste to the northern city and have begun running down leads.
After speaking with the dock-master, the party learned that a shipment from the Sea Star had been unloaded to the North Vorschland Trading Company. Running down this lead yielded little results when speaking to the warehouse manager at the NVTC so the party spoke with the warehouse manager across the street, who was concerend about the possiblity of an abduction of a young pregnant woman. He assisted the party by introducing them to his son who was friendly with the workers at the NVTC and in turn helped the party sneak into the warehouse after hours to retrieve the manager's secret ledger that detailed a shipment that was received the same day the Sea Star was in port and then delivered to a Dr. Klein in Wilkshire, a small town a half-day's ride from Randgirz. Impulsive and with a new lead to run down, Martigan urged the party to hire a stagecoach that night and head to Wilkshire. During the ride, Vectra slept, Martigan made conversation with the driver and Groth meditated.
Dr. Klein's Scientific Pursuits
Upon arriving in Wilkshire, the party wasted no time in finding a tavern and learning the whereabouts of Dr. Klein's residence. Given the late hour, the Klein estate was dark when the party got there, but that didn't stop Martigan from pounding on the door until the good doctor answered. While waiting for the door to be answered, Vectra climbed a tree near Dr. Klein's bedroom and sneaked inside through a window to search the upper levels.
Martigan's incessant knocking eventually awoke the scientist and he came down and opened the door. Obviously irritated to be visited at such an hour the Dr. asked "Are you from the society?" Martigan and Groth answered "No" and proceeded to interrogate Klein about Mary Anne. Once realizing that these two men meant him harm, Dr. Klein bolted down the hallway and down some steps to his lab with Martigan and Groth giving chase.
Bounding down the stairs in pursuit of Dr. Klein Martigan and Groth came face to face with a horned monster. Martigan became unnerved at the sight of the creature, but Groth, used to fighting such things, moved in for the attack. Groth traded great blows with the beast until he sucumded to his wounds and fell unconscious, but not before Dr. Klein, wielding a odd gun and a scepter, shot Groth with the gun (this blast had little effect on Groth, this fact was unnoticed by Martigan). With the beast soften up, Martigan was reinvigorated and charged in, finishing the mighty beast and then subduing the doctor.
During all of this, Vectra had found the doctor's study and, more importantly, his journal.
In the aftermath of the combat Martigan called for Vectra to help Groth in his recovery. Martigan and Vectra attempted to question Dr. Klein, but he the beast arose and in a final effort decapitated Dr. Klein. But not all was lost. In the lab the party found Mary Anne and one other pregnant woman alive and well. The party made sure the women were comfortable and helped them into a cart to take them back to town.
On the road back to town. The party encountered the new members of the APSF. Lieutenant Gideon Blake greeted the party and said that Colonel Alexander had told them Martigan Swift may need their help in recovering Mary Anne. The party said they safely had Mary Anne and that Dr. Klein was dead. The APSF said they would go and try to recover as much of Klein's research as possible.
The party returned to Wilkshire, took the women to a mid-wife to get checked out and then to the inn for some rest. After waking, the party found that one of the women (not Marry Anne) had her child, a baby girl. And Vectra and Martigan returned to Klein's to speak with the APSF and see what they could find from Klein's mansion, but the house was belching with flames and the strike force was no where to be found.
With the mid-wife's assurance that Mary Anne had seven days before the baby would arrive the party left for Randgriz to return to the main continent and return her to her family. The other rescued woman joined along, saying she was from Salet. The party also began to consult Dr. Klein's journal for their next move.
- Groth's Experience 1
Chapter 3: A Job Well Done & Demon Hunting
Returning a daughter to her family
The party returned to Randgriz and after a night of rest, departed on the Clementine back to Salet, where they returned the other woman to her family. Not wasting any time, the party boarded a train and then took a carriage to Marsh's estate. The party was greeted as heroes for bringing the maiden home.
Martigan had spoke with Marsh about their travels and Dr. Kleins Journal, specifically that the timing of when Maximillian Rufello commissioned the totem lined up with when Martigan's wife passed. Marsh said he had no idea of where Rufello was currently operating, but knew of where some of the merchants that delt with him still reside. Leonid Lessig resides in Kestel, Boron Axebreath in North Cape and Garl Knockwurst in Goodwin.
The party meet in the morning to discuss their options of where to go. Martigan was anxious to pursue Rufello to confront him about his wife. Groth had his interest piqued to find the ruins detailed in Dr. Klein's Journal. And Vectra was curious to see where the party would go. Ultimately, it was determined to head to the ruins before Kestel to seek out Lessig. And they set out.
The Dark Ruins
After four days of travel (and a couple midnight encounters for Martigan). The party found themselves in Westbe, a small town on the river south of Steinmann Lake, where Groth was instructed to go to find more information on the temple. The villagers knew of the ruins and said periodically travelers seeking wealth and adventure would come through town looking for the ancient ruins. And the party found out that just such a group and been through a couple days ago.
The party left Westbe in the morning and arrived at the ruins in the mid afternoon. It appeared to be the ruins of a temple, and they were holding together surprisingly well, but even in the mid-day sun a dark shadow was cast around the temple. Groth attempted to walk into the shadows, but was consumed by them. Fortunately, he was thrown back out.
But then, a voice from behind said "Hello Sister". The party turned around and saw a man calling himself Harragin with 9 other archers and swordsmen. Harragin asked the party to turn Vectra over to him, they resisted and he sent his swordsmen after them, while the archers fired upon Martigan and Groth and Harrigan shot lightning at them from his hand.
As the party defended themselves the the outline of a phoenix began to glide across the shadow, illuminating an area safe to walk on. After taking quite a bit of damage from the archers (but not much from the swordsmen) the party leaped across the gap and landed safely in the lit area and walked easily to the temple, with Harragin standing at the edge of the shadow cursing their escape.
Chapter 4: A Quest Revealed
Inside the Temple
After finding safety in the ruins, Groth tended his wounds and meditated on a course of action. Impatient as ever, Martigan began venturing forth into the temple proper to see where they were. In the main room Martigan found the remains of a Library. All the books and shelves had long since rotted, but the structure itself seemed to still hold together quite well. He also saw pictures carved into the walls along side words written in a language he did not recognize. The pictures seemed to show an ancient culture who would talk to plants, mountains and other parts of nature, and seemed to hold the sun in high honor. When Vectra caught up to Martigan, she found she could read the inscription. It said:
"We the Oshilian people have traveled long and far to build this outpost. We shall bring our knowledge and enlightenment to the darkness of this savage area. May the blessing of Illurai be upon us."
It was then Groth arose from his mediation and the party decided to press on and see what the higher levels of the temple had to offer. The second floor appeared to be living quarters, the third had a kitchen, the fourth held a study and the top held an open room that lead to a balcony that encircled the tower and large polished bronze disc 20 feet in diameter. Groth was the first to the top, and saw no one there. But when he returned with Martigan and Vectra an old man came out from behind a column. The man introduced himself as the Librarian, and implied that he had been waiting for the party to arrive at the behest of "The Queen". He said that Vectra was "The Prophet" and it was her responsibly to find "The Treasure". He said that she had completed the first step of assembling the guardians, saying that Marigan was the Guardian of Might, Groth was the Guardian of Spirit and Vectra would fill the role of Guardian of Mind. He then said he would grant the Guardians their birthright. Having each party member stand in a specific location on the disc, The Librarian granted the party great abilities. He then said the next steps were to find the second half of the amulet, retrieve the pieces of the treasure and to find the door. Saying that the tattoo and would guide the way and that goals of the Guardians may be inline with the goals of the goals of the Prophet.
The Librarian said he was from Oshilia, an ancient mythical race of great knowledge, that was once located far to the south where it is now covered in ice and snow. And that with the help of the temple, he could transport them anywhere they desired.
Taking the time to rest, the party sat down for dinner, where Groth revealed his dark secret: that he lived by eating the flesh of humans and human-kin. Having seen Groth's resourcefulness and righteousness, Martigan and Vectra would help him find the cure, but only if he "watched what he ate". The party then slept.
Upon awaking they decided to head to Kestel next to track down Leonid Lessig in hopes of finding information on the whereabouts of Maximillian Rufello. As promised, the Librarian instantly transported them to the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
A Hero Succumbs to Weakness
Shortly after getting to town, Martigan felt a strong urge for a drink. And spent the next several hours carousing and imbibing spirits. Through out the day, he shared many of the party's secrets (including Groth's), got in a fight and almost added a woman to his list. But the day was not lost. Both Groth and Martigan discovered that Lessig was now the Secretary of Commerce to the Emperor. The word around town was that Lessig was paranoid and keeps a large staff of guards on retainer. But that evening, a coronation for the new Emperor is scheduled and he is expected to be there.
After Martigan finished his binge, the party headed found Lessig's estate and tried to get him there. But when they knocked on the front door, the dwaven butler who answered said Lessig had already left for the evening. Martigan told the dwarf that he needed to get a message to Lessig that "Martigan Swift had information regarding the Hathaway Diamond". Martigan was still a little drunk. The butler told the party to wait there while he delivered the message.
Impulsive as ever, Martigan nudged the door open and had a brief encounter with a guard. He asked Martigan to leave, Martigan chose to disarm the guard (amazingly). Martigan then asked the guard to take them upstairs, and he did... right into an ambush (the second one in two days). Right away, Groth was hit with a crossbow bolt, and fell unconscious from the wound. Martigan and Vectra cleaned up the rest of the guards, but then the Dwarf returned and cast sleep spells on Martigan and Vectra. Now with all of the party unconscious in the house of a murderer and torturer, what does fate have in store for them?
Chapter 5: The Emperor's Coronation
Consciousness Stirs
Groth began to awake first. He heard the dwarven butler issuing orders to a messenger to send word to Lessig about the attack at the mansion. Groth jumped to action and subdued the dwarf and woke his compatriots. While Martigan and Vectra searched the house for any information regarding Maximilian Rufello, Groth rendered the messenger unconscious and took his pass and three horses. The party decided that the best way to speak with Lessig was to get into the Emperor's coronation. Vectra used her amazing fashion sense to find wardrobe for the party.
The Grand Ball
Upon arriving at the event the party was informed that the pass only allowed for the admittance of the invitee (the party decided Martigan) and his guest (Vectra) so Groth waited outside to see if another entrance was available to him. While waiting, Groth saw a man from his past, Bartholomew Gray, enter. Inside Lessig was no where to be seen, but Martigan did spot Colonel Alexander and met a mysterious man named Thomas. A while later Groth saw a matronly woman ascend the steps toward the entry way alone, he approached her and asked if she could accompany him. Lady Hennepin, being the adventures type acquiesced to the proposal. Inside, Groth also met Thomas and notice something peculiar about the man, but couldn’t put his finger on it.
Groth spoke with Gray trying to find information about Tso Lao and his own past. Gray was very rude and cagy with his answers giving up little except that he knew that Groth was sold into slavery by his own parents from Tehat. Martigan Spoke with Alexander, a conversation that produced nothing but insult to Martigan. But being the better man, Martigan overlooked the officer’s barbs… for now.
As the evening continued the Emperor and his entourage, including Lessig, arrived on a balcony overlooking the ball. The Emperor made an announcement and the party continued. Martigan yelled at Lessig and said he had some information regarding the Hathaway diamond. Lessig came down from the balcony to continue their conversation more covertly. Martigan promised (lied) to exchange the whereabouts of the Hathaway diamond for information on Maximilian Rufello. During this time Groth saw Thomas lurking around where Martigan and Lessig were having their talk. Groth distracted Thomas from what he was intending to do. After finding out that Rufello was running a gaming ship off the coast of Tehat Martigan began walking away. Furious, Lessig began yelling at Martigan. So Martigan and Vectra walked faster. Before Lessig could call the gaurds, Thomas excused himself from Groth, and walked up to Lessig saying “I think you need to calm down” and then whispered something. Vectra observed a magical blast come from Thomas’s hand and Lessig fell to the floor and started to decay. Thomas turned to Groth and said “We should probably get going” and began to leave. No one seemed to notice the body lying on the floor. Groth and Thomas left the ballroom well before anyone sounded the alarm. Martigan and Vectra were just a little slower and made it out with the throngs of people. Thomas walked down to a carriage and asked Groth if he wanted to come along. Groth said he needed to wait for his friends, and Thomas responded that he could be found on pier 14 as he sped off.
When Vectra and Martigan arrived, they procured their horses and started to leave, when a man shouted out “There he is, there is the man that was with Lessig before he died!” referring to Martigan. It was then that a large war wagon began to charge after them. Chasing the party into town, the party split up and the wagon pursued Martigan. During the pursuit, Martigan charged his horse into a tavern but the wagon had gained on him so he called on some of his new found power and magical light danced around him in the form of armor and then disappeared. The soldiers’ pole arms glanced off his skin and he escaped. The party then joined up and journeyed to pier 14 to meet Thomas. Thomas offered to take the party where ever they wanted to go. And they requested Tehat. So they set sail on the three day journey.
Chapter 6: The Desert City of Tehat
Arrival in a Strange Place
The party enjoyed a quiet passage to Tehat and shared knowledge of skills with one another as well as had unique dreams or experiences. After arriving, Thomas took the party to a tavern he knew about. Where they asked about goings on in the area. They heard about a giant floating vessel called "The Kraken" that hosted all varieties of gambling and it was evidently run by Maximilian Rufello. Martigan found another conquest while Groth and Vectra went to the library, where Vectra searched for information about her newly acquired tattoos and Groth meditated. Leaving the library (Vectra's search fruitless) Groth heard the ravings of a priest, Harod Gray, the brother of Bartholomew Gray.
Groth's Origin
Groth went to listen to Harod speak, who eventually abruptly stopped, aghast at seeing Groth wearing a tuxedo and monocle. After some brief discourse, Harod had Groth, Vectra and Thomas follow him into a nearby temple where Hard sat in a pew looking defeated, eventually saying Groth was his son. Harod told Groth that he'd been born a gray-skinned cannibal and he scared his mother. They attempted to raise him, but at a young age, he attacked a village boy and began to eat him. At that time, they sold Groth to a circus, along with the help of Bartholomew. As far as Harod can guess, Bartholomew kept an eye on Groth and bought him to fight in the arenas when he became old enough, stating that Bartholomew was always intrigued by Groth. After listening to the story, Groth asked to meet his mother, who was still scared of the strange man, even after he gracefully saved her prized heirloom plate from shattering into so many countless shards after falling from her trembling hands. Groth still let her know that he harbored no ill will and would like to connect with his family, and that he'd return soon after giving them some time to come to terms with his existence.
Encounter at the Kraken
Once the party was able to wrest Martigan Swift from his encounter atop the cabana, the party cleaned up at a nearby inn and departed for the Kraken. When they got close enough, the party saw a giant tower floating in the middle of the ocean with 8 legs floating out from its center. When they tried to enter the casino proper, the doormen requested that weapons be checked at the door. All but Vectra obliged this request, having hidden her sword under her dress. Groth and Martigan also smuggled in small inconsequential knives. Thomas helped escort the party to the main elevator and they were quickly admitted to the upper floors of the building.
Getting to Maximilian Rufello's office was quite easy with the assistance of the mysterious Thomas, leaving would be another matter. Martigan began to talk to Rufello, but then something spurred him to act, charging headlong into Ruefelo who pressed a button to summon his guards. The party fought valiantly, turning back the opposition. Part way through the combat, Vincent Ruefelo arrived. Groth with the aid of Vectra's fireball and keen blade, subdued his former captain. And Martigan eventually cowed his Nemesis.
With Maximilian apparently beaten, Martigan began to ask questions. About the totem that Dr. Klein had crafted for Maximilian and how the timing of that corresponded with the death of his wife and daughter. Maximilian admitted to his involvement with Miriam's death and that he needed the totem in order to capture a pure soul. Martigan asked why he took Miriam's soul, to which Maximilian responded "I never said I took your wife's soul". The knowledge that Maximilian had stolen his unborn daughter's soul, sent Martigan into a blind rage and he beat Maximilian's face to a pulp with a half-drained bottle of rum, while Maximilian laughed the entire time screaming "I have won Martigan, I have beaten you!" Groth pulled Martigan off of Maximilian, Maximilian stood up and the party watched as Maximilian's face began to heal before their very eyes. And he said that through the sacrifice of of Martigan's daughter's soul to the spirit of the seas, whenever he is in her embrace, he shall have eternal life. Martigan grabbed a rapier and ran Maximilian through (exceptionally well one might say). During this time, Vectra was shown a secret back door by Thomas. As Groth filleted Maximillian, Thomas, Vectra and Martigan took the bound Vincent Rufelo through the secret door and returned to Thomas' ship. Packing some tasty Max-meat with a side of gutted wizard, Groth exited through the casino, retrieved their checked weapons at the door and approached the ship through the terminal-dock.
Chapter 7: A Journey of Self Discovery
A contemplative voyage
After escaping the Kraken, the party returned to Tehat to get cleaned up and rested. Groth continued wearing the tuxedo. During the short boat ride back, Martigan saw the ghost of his wife who told him that "That Monster" (Maximillian Rufello) must be killed to free their daughter's soul.
To determine their next step, the party interrogated Vincent Rufello. At first he fought, but once limbs began to snap he came around. He mentioned that he had a meeting scheduled with Harrigan shortly in Penance. Rising the interest of Vectra. Harrigan also enlightened the party to Maximilian's immortality and the mysterious totem. Evidently, Maximilian uses the totem to trap a innocent soul and then transport it to the Sea Spirit to make the sacrifice to maintain his gift. Vincent mentioned that Martigan's daughter was now firmly in possession of the Sea Spirit.
While stopping for supplies, Groth escorted Thomas into town where he learned about Baron Wilhelm Faust and something about himself... Groth's self discovery left Thomas distant and cold. Meanwhile, Martigan caroused with the locals.
The land of few laws
Despite Thomas' behavior, the party still journeyed with him to their next destination of Goodwin. They left his boat with Vincent but are unsure about their future relationship to Thomas and most expect to need to find another way to continue their quest. The party went to the Colosseum to watch the Great Duel. When they arrived the event is getting underway. They find the box in which Vincent was to meet Harrigan and set up an ambush using Vectra as bait.
When Harrigan arrived they sprung the trap and subdued the lightning throwing man. And as they were starting to clean up the situation Groth saw his former master, Tso Lao enter the arena fighting a giant beast. Initially Tso Lao appeared to be doing well, but after a couple blows to the head, he began to falter. Groth and Martigan jumped into the ring with Vectra sniping from above. The crowd roared with seeing the old gladiator return to the ring and the three quickly routed the beast. After the battle Groth and Martigan were escorted to the pits to be caged. Martigan's great blade was taken from him by a snide guard. And now Groth and Martigan are locked away as prisoners and Vectra is taking care of the bodies her and the party created.
Chapter 8: A party divided
Finding lost friends
Seperated from the party, Vectra gathered the unconcious bodies of Harragin, Vincent and Herrigan's two thugs, hid them in a laundry cart and talked her way out of the grand arena. She then return to Thomas' boat, Thomas no were to be found, and placed the men in a makeshift brig. Meanwhile, Groth and Martigan were visited by Bartholomew Gray, who as a courtesy offered to release Martigan, but since Groth never rightfully gained his freedom he had to remain in the pits. Groth proposed to Gray to have a the ultimate showdown in a 2 on 2 event Groth and Tso Lao versus two other gladiators, the winner getting their freedom. Gray liked the idea but ran a little further with it...
While being escorted out of the arena, Martigan ran into Hank and Chet. In the months since they first encountered the party Hank & Chet had gotten jobs at the Collesium. Martigan made arrangements to see them later then went to Thomas' ship just as Vectra finished dealing with the prisoners. The two then went to meet with Hank and Chet to discuss their plan to free Groth and Tso Lao. After a couple of drinks they had something ready to go. Then they returned to the the ship to speak with Harragin.
They interrogated Harragin and found that Vectra's friend Lea was being held on Harragin's ship, along with 4 of the seven Oshilians, just a few peirs over. When they got to the boat Vectra and Martigan were able to clear it of it's crew after a breif show of force. On the vessal, Martigan found Lea chained to the wall of one of the rooms. She had tattoos similar to Vectra's covering her body but they continued off of her body and covered the walls of the room. Martigan could see them slowly continue to write on the wall. He grabbed her and took her to the deck of the ship. Lea appeared to have lost her connection to the rational world and rambling in Oshilian. Vectra could catch snipets of what she was saying, but none of it made sense. After finishing searching the vessal, Martigan found two more prisoners and two glass cylinders holding incorperal visages of two more people, one Vectra recognized as Dardin. These making the four Oshilians that Harragin said he had. Martigan also found charts and information leading to the other three Oshilians (including Tso Lao) and to The Door.
During this time, Groth was escorted to a solitary cell, across from Tso Lao. They discussed teachings and forms, but little about current events, as Tso Lao was concerned about people listening in. They waited though the evening and heard about Gray's acceptance of Groth's offer. Also a healer arrived and healed Groth's damaged hands, while Groth attempted to use his new abilities. Patient like monks the two men waited until the following morning and when the battle royale would start.
Martigan and Vectra rented a room at the inn to keep the Oshilians safe. Martigan went back to Thomas's boat finding 3 chared corpses in the brig, with scorched walls. He returned to the inn to inform Vectra and they waited through the evening.
Another ambush at the Coloseium
Groth and Tso Lao were prepared for combat and escorted to the staging area while Martigan, Vectra, Hank and Chet made their way to the gaurd room. Martigan got things started with a strong punch to the lead gaurd's jaw and it was on. With a good plan on thier side and an overwhelming show of force, the party was able to quickly and efficently deal with all the gaurds and escape with their friends. After the fight they made haste to Thomas' boat (Thomas still missing) and hit the high seas.
Martigan Swift buys a case of whiskey and begins a binge (for 9(?) hours, he's into hour 2 having failed no checks at this point) as the boat sails away.
Chapter 9: A Jouney South
The Mystery of the Oshilians Revealed
After finding respit on Thomas' boat, the party got some answers from Tso Lao regarding the Oshilians.
The Oshilians were the dominate society over 3000 years ago. Occupying a small continent to the south of present day Vallia they lived in a peaceful utopia. They engineered technological marvels that would not be seen for two more millennia and advances in art, music and philosophy that are still unrivaled to this day. Even in matters of war and violence the Oshilians focused more on defense and developed martial arts built to strengthen the health of body, soul and mind, not to destroy one’s enemies.
As with all things, after a thousand years of peace this era of prosperity came to an end. The ambitious Queen Leandra rose to power taking the Oshilian throne. Before long, her eyes were drawn to the rest of the world. The malicious and devious nature of her reign had begun to corrupt the people of Oshilia, a small group formed a resistance. They began working to stop the Queen before she could do more damage. The Oshilians had long known about the inherent energy of spirits and souls in the world. The resistance began researching possible applications of such knowledge but in their hubris they lost control of the magic. In a single night of terror fire and ice rained down from the heavens and in the morning the once great culture was wiped from the face of the planet, the only thing still remaining is a small continent locked in eternal winter.
However, this was not the end. Queen Leandra, who possessed the ability of foresight saw the pending fate. With her own mages and meisters she pulled from the deepest of spirit magic, appealing to the spirit of Oshilia and in a final desperate attempt, she stopped the destruction of the fair city, shunting it off to a place between the physical world and the spirit realm. Tso Lao theorized that this aberration, if left uncheck could cause both world to rip apart, but if Leandra found away to bring Oshilia back into the prime world, she would have the power to crush the world under her boot. But as for now the people of Oshilia exist outside of time confined to the unearthly city and Leandra still rules this small domain with and iron hand, the resistance knew they must do something to stop it and so, about 100 years ago, Lao Tso and company found an exit, making the arduous journey to the physical world and have spent the last century looking for a solution to this problem.
Tso Lao also said that Leandra was able to send a small trinket away from Oshilia prior to the incident and that this object would allow Leandra some ability to manipulate events in the physical world.
Vectra spoke to Lea who was becoming more cogent, Lea related how she came across the medallion and shortly after that, her appearance began to change with tattoos being drawn on her body. Before long, she lost her sense of self. The tattoos seemed to tell her the future and what path to take. She kept the pendant on and intact until the tattoos told her to lock Vectra in the cellar and leave half of the pendant for her. Vectra also asked where the people from her village were. Lea said she didn't know, but that they were taken by the pirates who worked with Harragin (Vincent's men).
Another battle on the high seas
A few hours out to sea, and Martigan saw a ship approaching flying the colors of the APSF. They announced that the party was to be arrested as enemies of the confederation. The party refuted the claim but it eventually came to blows. During the fight, one of the APSF yelled out Groth's name, this turned out to be Shaltok, Groth's old friend. After repelling the strike force the party tied up the other men and began looking over their vessel. But as Groth was asking them questions (and he noticed them wearing Society of Perdition rings) their bodies seemed to melt and merge together. Thomas' face appeared in the mass bellowing to "GET OFF MY SHIP". Groth saved Shaltok from being consumed by the flesh, but it still became a hulking beast. The party tried to kill it. But every blow they struck would heal before their eyes. They were able to evacuate the Oshilians and charts from Thomas' boat and escape in the APSF's ship leaving the angry monster.
Later, Shaltok told Groth that Thomas had saved him after Groth and Bartholomew had left. And he became a servant of Thomas and was granted powerful abilities. Groth used his new abilities to consume the sin from Shaltok. In this he saw greater evil deeds than anyone he'd done this with before. The shock sent his mind far away. Again, he saw the huge man made of stone. He identified himself as the Earth Spirit. He said that in a previous life Groth was an evil man, Baron Wilhelm Faust who was dying with no innocence left in his soul. In a desperate bid to get to heaven, Faust hired a man to consume his sin, but with no innocence to be reborn, Faust's soul simply lingered in the Earth Spirit. Eventually, the Earth Spirit made a deal with Faust. He would allow him to be reborn as a Sin-Eater, if he would help alleviate the Earth Spirit's burden of cleansing men's souls. Faust Accepted this deal and was born as Groth. Groth spoke to the Earth Spirit for a little before being sent back to the mortal world.
The party headed to Renas and sent Shaltok to find Col. Alexander. And they departed for Welling to find the final two Oshilians.
The Storm Draws Neigh