You step through… immediately, you see a massive tree some distance off. There’s a man in full plate, standing in front of it, facing it, a loop of rope in his hand. Next to him is an old, wizened dwarf with a parchment and quill, looking at him attentively. To his other side is a scrawny man in rags, with a loop of rope around his neck.
Jhaelyn: ”. . . “
Jhaelyn: Take out the skin map
Jhaelyn: and look at it
GM: The man in plate lobs the loop of rope up around a treebranch and begins to haul the man upwards, to join the other twenty people hanging from the tree, and ties the rope off to the trunk.
The man in plate lobs the loop of rope up around a treebranch and begins to haul the man upwards, to join the other twenty people hanging from the tree, and ties the rope off to the trunk.
The skin map seems to show an enlarged version of where you are, complete with the portal. The camp is further off to the east.
Shenvallei D’ansille: What color is the armored man’s armor?
Jhaelyn: I’ll take “I don’t want to know” for 500
It’s mostly the color of steel, but bits of it are blackened, with some bloodspatter. You notice a greataxe buried in the side of the tree.
Jhaelyn: Head east.
Jhaelyn: No time for this.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “They may have information.”
Jhaelyn: “FINE.”
Jhaelyn stomps off towards the man with the nooses
Shenvallei D’ansille bounds ahead a few paces.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Hallo there.”
Jhaelyn lets him.

Armored Man: “Hello, citizen. How may I aid you today?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What is all this going on?”
Armored Man: “These people have been convicted of murder. They ran from justice. Their sentence was summary execution.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I see. Sentenced by who?”
Jhaelyn: “I would imagine that would be the nice dwarf over there. Fraternity of Order, right?”
Jhaelyn: “Yeah. Hi. Pleasure to meet you.”
Jhaelyn waves.
Armored Man: “The high court of Sigil. They were tried by Malla, here. He oversaw the trials in Sigil. The lawbreakers escaped during transit to their new cells.”
Malla: “It is true. These executions have been sanctified by the Fraternity of Order, and have been carried out to the full letter of the Law.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “Law. Yes of course. The gods know how important the law is within the city of Sigil.”
Jhaelyn: “May I say something?”
Jhaelyn: “He’s a Prime. So, if he says anything particularly offensive, can I just agree to go in quietly now and not get knocked senseless later?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I mean if there were no law, there would be murder, strife, thievery, corruption, and all the like. Thank the gods for the law!”
Shenvallei D’ansille turns to Jhaelyn.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Offensive? Oh dear did I break the law with my words? Perhaps I should be incarcerated for what I say?
Jhaelyn: “Shen? That’s not a Hardhead.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Let alone what I think? Oh spare me! For I do know know my own thoughts.”
Armored Man: “The law is everything, Prime. Any person or persons found to have broken the law will be arrested, tried, and issued a sentence befitting their crimes.”
Malla tsks.

Malla: “No, no, hardhead he is not… The Harmonium are a fine peacekeeping force, but they hardly enforce the law like it should be enforced…”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I find the word ‘found’ to load your statement with much burden sir.”
Jhaelyn: “Shen? Ever met a Mercykiller before?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “No but no doubt they are as delightful a faction as any of the others within Sigil.”
Jhaelyn: “Ah..”
Jhaelyn walks over to the armored man, lays a hand on his shoulder, “Pleased to introduce you, Shen!”
Jhaelyn looks up at the armored man and whimpers a little, “Sorry. Don’t hurt me?”
Jhaelyn polishes his armor quickly where she touched him.
Armored Man looks at Jhaelyn sidelong, then smiles. “No worries, citizen.” He looks somewhat disparaged at the removal of some of his blood and tarnish.
Jhaelyn: “Sorry.. I didn’t want to leave my hand print.”
Jhaelyn: “It clashed with the blood stain.”
Shenvallei D’ansille laughs quietly to himself and then begins walking east.
Jhaelyn: “Anyway, ta.”
Jhaelyn wanders off after Shen.
Shenvallei D’ansille takes several deep breaths as he walks.

Jhaelyn: “That gent back there, if you didn’t catch it, is what we in the Cage call the Red Death. Mercykillers.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I like you Lady Jhaelyn. That is why I should warn you that I attract trouble.”
Jhaelyn: “You don’t attract it, you lasso it and drag it in, kicking and screaming!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Mercykillers?”
Jhaelyn: “Mercykillers.”
Jhaelyn: “The third in the triangle of justice in Sigil.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “So do they kill mercy or kill mercifully?”
Jhaelyn: “The Guvners run the courts, and the Harmonium police the streets and enforce order, where they can.”
Jhaelyn: “And the Mercykillers are the executioners.”
Jhaelyn: “They oversee the prison, they carry out sentences.”
Jhaelyn: “And, if someone escapes, they hunt that person down.”
Jhaelyn: “If a mercykiller finds out someone is guilty of something, he is code-bound to exact punishment in accordance to the law.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Another type of hardhead to me.”
Jhaelyn shakes head
Jhaelyn: “No. Mercykiller. Not hardhead.”
Jhaelyn: “The Hardhead doesn’t care about justice. The hardhead cares about the “right” way.”
Jhaelyn: “Those two do not agree very often.”
Jhaelyn: “Thats why you’ll frequently see the Harmonium dragging people off to the courts, only to have the Guvners setting them lose.”
Jhaelyn: “Gods help us all if the Harmonium ever starts making the laws.”

Shenvallei D’ansille nods, trying to understand and keeps walking.
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): damn your wisdom. :P
GM: You walk onward…the sun arcs in the sky.
GM: It’s followed closely by another sun.
Jhaelyn: and another after that?
GM: ...and possibly a moon, or a very near planet.
GM: Dusk begins growing, and your journeys have almost not brought you closer to the mountain in the distance.
Jhaelyn looks at the map and sighs, “This is ridiculous.”
The map nods.
GM: Spot check!
Jhaelyn: Skill [Spot] [1d20+7 = 17]
GM: Shen?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Spot] [1d20+2 = 9]
GM: Jhaelyn, up ahead, you see a small campsite up ahead.
Jhaelyn: Fire?
GM: There’s a firepit, tent, some sleeping bags, but it looks empty.
GM: There’s even the beginnings of a small hut, but it’s missing a roof.
GM: Shen, you see the hut, up ahead.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Is the sky still lit or is it dark now?
GM: It’s getting dark.

Shenvallei D’ansille: I look around with low light vision for any sign of movement and approach the campsite.
Jhaelyn: Follow him.
GM: You approach the campsite… it seems deserted. At best, it was used yesterday.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill search the entire campsite.
Jhaelyn: “Shen, can I have those glasses?”
Jhaelyn: “For a minute?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I hand the glasses to Jhaelyn.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Search] [1d20+7 = 8]
Jhaelyn: Study the map
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Nothing here.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Just more piles of uselessness.”
GM: You study the map… what do you study it for?
Jhaelyn: Lookin’ for that cage we saw on it
GM: It seems to be another half day’s walk, based on how far you’ve travelled.
Jhaelyn: “Right… we’re not too far behind them.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “How are you feeling? We could rest here and continue at daybreak.”

Jhaelyn: “I’m fine.”
Shenvallei D’ansille nods.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Onward then.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What is your little brother’s name Lady Jhaelyn?”
Jhaelyn: ”<scratches> Its.. its funny.. you know.. I.. don’t actually remember.”
Jhaelyn looks at Shen, cocking her head to the side, “Now that I think about it.. it’s like.. I don’t even know..”
Shenvallei D’ansille stops.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What do you mean you do not know. That is unnatural.”
Jhaelyn: “Thanks. You figured that out on your own, huh?”
Jhaelyn: “I’m reasonably aware that its unnatural.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Do you know what might be causing it?”
Jhaelyn shakes her head, “No.. its just.. like a blank place in my mind..”
Jhaelyn: “It should be there, and I should know.. but… theres nothing there.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Let me try to see if you are under some sort of enchantment.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Detect Magic] -> Detects spells and magic items within 60 ft.

The only thing magical about Jhaelyn, aside from her physical beauty, and personality, is her headband, a circlet.
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): moderate transmutation on the circlet, by the way.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): k
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Nothing.”
Jhaelyn: “Huh.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Perhaps you do not have a brother.”
Jhaelyn: “I.. maybe not..”
Jhaelyn: “He’d be.. pretty old..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Perhaps it was the memory of having and losing a brother that was put into your mind.”
Jhaelyn: “Maybe.. just to sweeten the trap we seem to have fallen into..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “To get you to go on this hells-bent quest with me.”
Jhaelyn: “Been sort’ve fun, actually.”
Jhaelyn: “And I never leave Sigil, anymore..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Or perhaps… no nevermind.”
Jhaelyn: “Huh?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “A bit of paranoia is all. Mind me not.”

Shenvallei D’ansille smiles softly at Jhaelyn. Let us go.
Shenvallei D’ansille: ””
Jhaelyn stops, looking at Shen and folding her arms across her chest.
Jhaelyn: “You think I’m involved, don’t you!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Im not sure of anything anymore! Were I to wager I would put all my coin on ‘no’ but the idea did cross my mind I will admit.”
Jhaelyn: “I’ll admit, its a bit wierd, and I can see that. But I’ve done nothing but help you people ever since I met you.”
Jhaelyn: “I’m not some bloody anarchist, and I sure ain’t a sodding athar.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Oddly you are the sanest person Ive met since arriving here.”
Jhaelyn: “Although I’ll grant, I’ve spent enough time in Hardhead cells to be either one.”

Shenvallei D’ansille laughs aloud.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “We have much in common then.”
Jhaelyn: “Hey! Don’t laugh! As far as the Hardheads are concerned, I’m the worst kind’ve criminal in Sigil.”
Shenvallei D’ansille smiles weakly.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Perhaps, but are you on death row as I am?”
Jhaelyn: “If the Hardheads wrote the laws, they wouldn’t’a brought me in for trial. They’d just snuff me on the streets.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I only hope there is salvation for both of us then. Somehow.”
Jhaelyn: “Salvation? I don’t need salvation. I need the Hardheads ta drop off the bloody map!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Now youre talking like a leaguer.”
Shenvallei D’ansille winks.
Jhaelyn says the word “hardhead” with a conviction and hatred normally reserved for zealots.
Jhaelyn: “Exactly. I ain’t in a faction. I’m an Indep. I got no rights.”
Jhaelyn: “And because I’m an Indep, those berks in the Harmonium think I’m worse than all the fiends in Baator put together.”
Jhaelyn: “After all, you won’t see the Hardheads scragging Abishai on the streets just ‘cos they’re Abishai.”

Jhaelyn: “They you can sodding bet if they know someone’s an Indep, they’ll lock him away until the Guvners slap them on the nose, tell ‘em I ain’t done nothin’ wrong, and make ‘em let me go.”
Jhaelyn: “And then you know what they’ll do!?”
Jhaelyn: “They’ll lock me the sod back up in two piking weeks!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Fighting back doesnt seem to do much good either. Everyone respects their ‘order’ out of fear.”
Jhaelyn: But you can
Jhaelyn: “Bah. Nobody respects ‘em. Plenty of fear, though.”
Jhaelyn: “We don’t fear ‘em, we just hate ‘em. The stupid pikes can’t stand free thought, and thats what we’re about.”
Jhaelyn: “The idea of anythin’ but nice, regimented barracks-life and goose stepping around on parade scares the piss outta ‘em.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Good. Im glad they have enemies. Ones that oppose their corrupt tyranny.”
Jhaelyn: “No such luck, cutter. We croak a couple that come into the Bazaar now and then, but if we started offing Hardheads, there’d be war in Sigil.”
Jhaelyn: “And that they’d win.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Sad. They are like a fanatic cult.”
Jhaelyn: “Besides. We ain’t a faction, we got no leaders, and *no one tells us what to do.”

Jhaelyn: “Hells, we ain’t even got any representation!”
Jhaelyn: “And we don’t bloody want it any more than we need it. So don’t get any ideas.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Me? Ideas of ruling?”
Shenvallei D’ansille laughs.
Jhaelyn: “Nah, makin’ things right.”
Jhaelyn: “You have a way of wanting to, it seems.”
Jhaelyn: “It gets you into trouble, too, since the Hardhead idea of ‘right’ and yours don’t seem to match.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Everyones sense of right and wrong is different in their hearts. It is what makes us all different. Ive chosen to embrace that fully and not compromise that for the sake of an organization. And that is the exact opposite of what my perception of the harmonium is. A group that has sacrificed its entiere self awareness for an ideal of regimented thought forced upon others.”
Jhaelyn shrugs, “Thats the dark of it, as far as I’m concerned, yeah.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Let us pick up the pace. Perhaps we can reach whatever it is we will find by daybreak.”

GM: You speed along, growing a bit weary.
Jhaelyn nods, continuing on.
GM: At last, you approach a large hill. There seems to be a small clearing at the base of it.
GM: The mountain seems to be just beyond.
Jhaelyn: Check the map
The camp seems to be just on the other side of the hill.
Jhaelyn: “Right.. lets wait here, get some rest.”
Jhaelyn: “A couple hours at least.. I don’t need more than that.”
Shenvallei D’ansille nods.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Can your Dragonling keep watch or shall I stay awake?”
Jhaelyn: “Sure can.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I sleep.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): or meditate whatever elves do
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): med.

Jhaelyn sits there, motionless, as the little dragon perches on her head, pivoting now and then.
GM: You rest…four hours go by…
GM: Do you rest for longer?
Jhaelyn: not planning on it
Shenvallei D’ansille: Not I.
GM: Alright.
GM: You awake.
GM: Dawn is peeking at you.
Jhaelyn: Flash dawn
GM: A fawn is standing near your camp, staring at you in utter fear.
GM: Dawn giggles and titters away.
GM: Do you mount the hill?
Alex: (POLL) Do you mount the hill?
SLASH COMMANDS:
/die NdN+N
/vote [message]
/ooc [message]
/emote [message]
/mood mood
/mood ([multiword mood]) [message]
Gamemaster only:
/story [message]
/identity [name]
/whisper character
/export module_filename
/save
/clear
/night
/day
Jhaelyn: was that yes?
Shenvallei D’ansille: lol
GM: da.
As you crest the hill, the sight below you takes your breath away. A sprawling camp, full of cages, tents, fires, and piles of stone lies before a massive, excavated chunk of mountain, the size of a small town. Within the camp, there are slaves hauling massive blocks of obsidian to some sort of repository off to the side. At another site, there are blazing infernos, with what appear to be bodies, burning within the flames. There seem to be several forges set up there, and slaves are working the iron being brought in from a mine near the quarry. The quarry seems to have been surgically excavated, despite being cut out by slaves, and seems to be taking the figure of a giant altar. Beyond the camps and the altar is a giant pit, and upon looking on it, you almost can taste the death from here. Closest to you are several caravans, splayed open, with several tools leaning up against them, as well as shackles, laying carelessly about.
A closer look at the altar reveals that several ceremonies have already taken place… the obsidian altar is slick with dark blood, and it appears to run down a rivulet in the stairs to an unknown location. Currently behind the altar stands a medium sized, black garbed humanoid. At this distance, not much else can be made out from him except for that he is holding a dagger high above his head. There appears to be a dark doorway behind him, against which he stands out, starkly.

Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): whoa wall o’ text
Alex: I had to do SOMETHING while you two were chatting :)
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): Anything on the altar?
Alex: Yes.
Alex: You can’t make out what it is, but it’s small.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Well.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Bit of information gathering is what we need first I think.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Can you alter your appearance?”
Jhaelyn: “Why would I want to do that? I like how I look.”
Jhaelyn: “Besides, none of these people have seen me, I’m sure.”

Shenvallei D’ansille nods very well.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Disguise Self] -> Changes your appearance.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Chubby cheeked 14 year old boy again.
Alex: ...kay!
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Lets go.”
Jhaelyn: “Sure.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Head down into the camp.
GM: You arrive in the camp…what section do you go to?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Slave quarry.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I start looking about for Jesebel.
GM: You make your way towards the slave quarry
GM: You are stopped at the first campfire you come across.
Man: “What you doin here, kid?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Nothin’ just out for a walk.”
Man: ”...out for a walk, eh? Where from?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I point behind me
Shenvallei D’ansille: And then look at him with a dull look.
Man: “Ain’ nothin’ out there, kid. We did a thorough sweep of this whole plane, and there aint no settlements out that way.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “Okay.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill walk sidelong from where he is and keep searching.
Man: “Where the hell do you think you’re going, little shit?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Wut?”
Man: “Ain’t no twerps in this camp. We got no use for chubby faced, dull eyed kids here.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Im just walkin. Ill go back.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I back away from him.
Man: ”...there aint nothin’ to see… unless you’d like to see what it’s like to be a slave… oh, we can make you a man, little one…”
GM: He stands up, grabbing some nearby manacles, his buddies cheering him on.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill run away about 100 feet.
GM: 100 feet in what direction?

Shenvallei D’ansille: Away from the slave camp.
GM: The man does not follow.
GM: He and his buddies just stay there, laughing at you.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Well that didnt work.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Lets head to the altar.
GM: Spot check
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Spot] [1d20+2 = 3]
GM: You get the feeling Jhaelyn isnt nearby.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill look around for her.
GM: You see some faint tracks that head off to the far side of the camp
Shenvallei D’ansille: follow them
GM: You do so…
GM: You end up by the cages… most of them are full of battered, bruised, or dead slaves.
GM: The women are all naked, and the men have been scarred horribly.

Shenvallei D’ansille: Any guards?
GM: None that you can see… well, that’s not true..
GM: You can see some guards… but they’re in the cages with the naked women.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I look around for a key to the cells.
Shenvallei D’ansille: cages
Jhaelyn: (whispered) “Shen? Shen! Get over here and keep your bloody head down.”
There are no visible keys… but in your search, you run into Jhaelyn, who had been talking to a man who actually kept his tongue.
Jhaelyn: “We may know where your friend is, Shen. He says someone that matches the description is being kept near the camp captain.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Which one is the captain?”
Jhaelyn looks at the man.
GM: “He’s about two minutes that way…can you let me out of here? Please? I have a wife I want to get back home to, assuming they ddint get to her too..”
Jhaelyn: How’s the cage closed?
GM: Lock.
Jhaelyn: Exposed?
GM: Da.
Jhaelyn: I assume theres alot of background noise?
Jhaelyn: “If I let you out, there is a camp site (distance and direction) from here. If you go there, we’ll be there after we’re done here, and we’ll take you back to Sigil.”

GM: Da…
GM: “I’d appreciate it…”
Jhaelyn: Righto.
Jhaelyn: Ranged touch attack, target – lock
Jhaelyn: [1d20+6 = 15]
Jhaelyn: Hit?
GM: You hit.
Jhaelyn: Energy Ray.
Jhaelyn: [3d6-1 = 7]
Jhaelyn: Ugh
Jhaelyn: Sonic damage.
Jhaelyn: Ignores object hardness.
GM: The lock breaks…
GM: The man drags himself, and his broken leg, out of the cage.
Jhaelyn: ”. . . I’m going to hell, I’m sure.”
Jhaelyn: Go 2 minutes, that way.
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: You head to the cage…
GM: You see the captain’s tent…
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill move silently up to the back of the tent. Hiding as well.
Outside, you see a cage, with a naked, bald woman in it, seemingly enjoying herself with an equally naked man. Within the cage, there is a keyring, and some sort of captain’s insignia.

Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Move Silently] [1d20+7 = 24]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Hide] [1d20+6 = 8]
GM: You sneak up to the tent, very quietly.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill listen at the tent to hear if anyone is inside
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Listen] [1d20 = 6]
GM: Nobody appears to be inside the tent.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill draw my dagger and cut a slit and climb thru.
GM: You enter the tent.
GM: It’s fairly lavish…
GM: A four poster bed
GM: Weapon rack
GM: Cabinets
GM: Small stove
Jhaelyn: Skill [Autohypnosis] [1d20+10 = 21]
Shenvallei D’ansille: I gather all the weapons as quietly as possible and hide them under the bed.
you hide A Repeating Crossbow, a Heavy Crossbow, a long, hollow, handle’d stick, a halberd, a pike, three longswords, two rapiers, and ten daggers.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Then I will peek out of the tent at the cage. Is it indeed jesebel?
GM: Spot check
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Spot] [1d20+2 = 6]
Jhaelyn: Skill [Spot] [1d20+7 = 10]

Jhaelyn watches. Doesn’t seem to care who it is.
Jhaelyn seems positively enthralled anyway.
GM: Shen, you see it IS indeed her.
GM: And you’ve never seen her happier.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Any other guards nearby?
GM: Nope.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill hide and wait.
GM: You wait…
GM: Do you watch?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Nope.
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): *raises hand Yes!
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): :P
Alex: lol
You find yourself waiting for…quite some time… probably two hours.
GM: Are you hiding in the tent?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill search the tent to pass the time.
Jhaelyn is .. even more enthralled.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Search] [1d20+7 = 10]
Shenvallei D’ansille: screw that if its 2 hours
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill take 20 on the search
GM: You find a map of the tent…
GM: ..as well as of the camp..
GM: You find one of a large scale map, detailing a caravan route to a giant, black pyramid that was drawn the wrong way

GM: You find a book!
GM: it’s hidden under the mattress
GM: “Volothamp’s Guide to Magical Lovemaking”
Jhaelyn: ooooo
Shenvallei D’ansille: Pocket that for later.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: No slave roster?
GM: No… it’d have to be a giant tome.
GM: and the captain would most likely deal with the guards, rather than the slaves.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ok and do any of the weapons I hid look to be of fine quality?
GM: They’re all very fine quality.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Detect Magic] -> Detects spells and magic items within 60 ft.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Any of them magical?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Anything in the whole tent actually.
GM: No.
GM: Also, no.
Shenvallei D’ansille: ok.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Keep them hidden and then continue hiding/waiting.
GM: Roll hiding!
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Hide] [1d20+6 = 17]
Shenvallei D’ansille: I put everything in the tent save the weapons back the way I found it.
GM: [1d20 = 15]
GM: You do so…

From under the bed, you see a pair of booted feet walk into the room.
They dissapear, and the bed creaks.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Keep waiting.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Wait till I hopefully hear snoring.
GM: You hear the flipping of pages
GM: then a heavy sigh
GM: the boots hit the floor
Shenvallei D’ansille: Male or female sigh?
GM: Male
GM: A hand darts under the mattress
Shenvallei D’ansille: I put the book in its hand.
GM: ”...what the fuck? Where did I put that fucking thing… Oh! There it is.”
GM: The boots hit the bed again.
GM: More flipping.
GM: A sigh.
GM: The boots hit the floor, some papers are shuffled, and the book is returned.
GM: The boots begin to exit the tent.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Wait 2 minutes till after the boots have left then squeeze out and check the cage.
GM: You squeeze out…
GM: Jesebel is sleeping… and quite sweaty, apparently.
GM: Jhaelyn is lurking by the cage.

Jhaelyn looks up at Shen, fastening her tunic, “What took you so long?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I was waiting to talk to Jesebel without the captian here.”
Jhaelyn: “Go for it, chief.”
Jhaelyn: “Why didn’t we just croak him when they were done?”
Jhaelyn: “You know, when he was naked and defenseless?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Because… she may want to stay, she is a sensate.”
Jhaelyn: “Oh you’ve got ta be kidding me.”
Jhaelyn: “We came all this way, and now you want to leave her here?“
Jhaelyn: “She’s a bloody slave! I don’t care what they’ve brainwashed her into!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Shes been gone only 4 days, if she is not ensorcelled then her wanting to stay would be by free will.”
Jhaelyn: “Gods! Then wake her up and sodding find out!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I do so.
GM: “Back for mor—-Shen?! What are you doing here! I’m naked!”
Jhaelyn: “I’d offer ya clothes, but then I’d be in your boat.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “I know. We came to rescue you.”
Jesebel: “Oh…that’s very nice of you… I was wondering if I’d ever be able to get out of here.”
Jhaelyn: “Yeah. This is all really touching.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Riley was captured as well. She is back at the temple of Hanseath. Alusair is still missing. And a quick introduction, this is Jhaelyn a good friend, Jhaelyn this is Jesebel.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Point taken.”
Jesebel: “Oh… nice to finally meet you.”
Jhaelyn: “Yeah. Nice ta meet y—finally?”
Jhaelyn: “As long as you don’t mean before today.”
Jesebel: “Your name. You know. Oh nevermind.”
Jesebel: “Any friend of Shennys is a friend of mine.”
Jhaelyn: “Uh.. yeah.. about th—-yeah. Can we, say, go?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Break the lock.
Jhaelyn: lock?
Jhaelyn: aren’t you in the cage?
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: Yeah… you are.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ok open the cage and leave.
GM: The cage was unlocked.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Oh was it?
Jhaelyn: Yep
GM: yes.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I give Jesebel a tight hug and then jump out.
GM: mmkay…
GM: Shenvallei
GM: -1 to all social interactions with females until you wash your clothes.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I run into the tent looking for some clothes.

GM: +1 with males.
Jhaelyn: LOL.
GM: You find clothes, all male.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Take them
Shenvallei D’ansille: And take 2 daggers.
GM: Sure.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Give them to Jesebel.
Shenvallei D’ansille: And then we get the hell out of here.
GM: She takes the clothing, somewhat sadly, and refuses the daggers.
GM: Which way do you GTFO?
Jhaelyn: “Hmm… I kind’ve want to take a look around..”
Jhaelyn: “Something about that altar..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I do as well. Jesebel will you stay with us or retreat back to the camp, we will meet you there if you choose.”
Jesebel: “I don’t like the idea of hurting any of the people here… they’re really nice.”
Jhaelyn: ”... barmy sensates.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “They are slavers.”
Jhaelyn: “Live free or die ain’t just a maxim to apply to yourself.”
Jesebel: “They treated me very nicely… and they’re not all that cruel… the wounded all get to see doctors, and they’re visited by beautiful women every day.”
Jhaelyn: “Yeah? Explain the ones with broken limbs, cut out tongues..”
Jhaelyn spits on the ground, “I’ve had enough of this already. I’m investigating that altar. Come or not, I don’t give a pike.”

Jesebel: “Oh… those with their tongues missing came here that way… and have you ever had a slab of obsidian land on your leg?”
Jhaelyn turns on one boot and heads in a loop around in the direction of the altar.
Jesebel heads to the camp.
Shenvallei D’ansille stands there torn for a moment.
Shenvallei D’ansille takes out a coin preparing to flip it then puts it back in his pouch and trails after Jhaelyn.
GM: You arrive at the foot of the Altar…
GM: the blood seems to pour down the stairs into a deep, narrow hole.
GM: You get an odd feeling from the hole…
Jhaelyn: Avoid hole.
GM: It’s not entirely comfortable to be near it…or any of the blood.
Jhaelyn: Head around the altar, as best I can.. wind my way up slowly, keep low
Shenvallei D’ansille: What is the object on the altar?
GM: You’re not there yet.
GM: You’re about 200 yards from the altar.
Jhaelyn: ees big hill?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Keep moving there
GM: Imagine, if you will, an Incan/Mayan stepped pyramid
Jhaelyn: got it
GM: With the altar atop it.
GM: Built into a mountain.
GM: :)
Jhaelyn: right
GM: YOU PROCEDE TO SCALE THE MOUNTAIN
GM: Er

GM: Altar Steps
GM: Same thing.
GM: The living stone seems to resist your progress…
GM: But you eventually attain the top.
The man at the top of the altar does not seem to notice you, but rather is finishing entoning an ancient, eldritch phrase, after which he stabs a still beating heart that is resting on the altar. It releases a tormented, scream, piercing your hearts, minds, and ears, as well as a gush of blood.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What sort of sick ritual is this?”
Man: “Blood… for the blood god… the celestial must bleed, so that Magneo may ascend…. OENGAM’S WILL BE DONE!”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “Its over. Surrender and perhaps the gods will grant you forgiveness.”
Jhaelyn: “Celestial? What?”
Man: “What is over? The celestial’s life? No… for she will give much more so that Oengam may rise further in the spheres… if I do not stop, my god WILL NOT forgive… do you truly think any other power can forgive you? Oengam’s will is all.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Prove to me Oengam’s power. I dont see it. Its all a lie! And if you are speaking of Alusair, I will never let you take her life not for any God!”
Man: “You wish proof of Oengam’s power? Set your gaze over there!”
The man points off in the distance behind you.

Shenvallei D’ansille: I keep my eyes on the man in case its a trick and position myself so that I can keep one eye on him and one on what he is pointing at.
Man: That would require…uh… negotiating yourself to be behind him.
Jhaelyn keeps looking at the man.
Jhaelyn: “Uh. Shen? We’re on a schedule here.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I look at what he is pointing at.
GM: you see beyond, six floating pyramids, each similar in size and shape to the one you yourself clambered aboard.
Shenvallei D’ansille: ”... Lost.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Initiative [1d20+5 = 18]
Jhaelyn: Initiative [1d20+3 = 5]
Jhaelyn: WOOO
Jhaelyn: the spirit of Alusair is with me!
GM: [1d20 = 3]
Jhaelyn: WORKING THROUGH MY DICE
Shenvallei D’ansille
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Lightning Bolt] -> Electricity deals 1d6/level damage.
Shenvallei D’ansille: [1d6 = 1]
Shenvallei D’ansille: level 5
Shenvallei D’ansille: [5d6 = 20]
Jhaelyn
Jhaelyn: kay
Jhaelyn: Will Save, DC 18!
Jhaelyn: Self inflicted! [1d8 = 3]

Jhaelyn: And tell me if he saves, because its all or nothing
Jhaelyn: Mind Thrust
GM: [1d20 = 3]
GM: No save.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): eww I remember that from 1st ed
Jhaelyn: [5d10 = 32]
Jhaelyn: 32 points
GM: The man screams in agony
He begins to spin his hands in anger, calling forth a swarm of flaming meteors that strike Shenvallei.
GM: [7d6 = 25]
Alex: It…hurts…quite a bit.
Shenvallei D’ansille
Shenvallei D’ansille: How badly hurt is he?
Jhaelyn: nothing visible
Jhaelyn: from me, anyway
GM: He barely seems fased.
Shenvallei D’ansille: hrmmm

Shenvallei D’ansille: well
Shenvallei D’ansille: maximized scorching ray
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Scorching Ray] -> Ranged touch attack deals 4d6 fire damage, +1 ray/four levels (max 3).
Shenvallei D’ansille: [1d6 = 5]
Shenvallei D’ansille: level 9
Shenvallei D’ansille: 3 rays
Jhaelyn: 3?
Jhaelyn: 1 / four levels
Jhaelyn: L9
Jhaelyn: 1 = l4
Jhaelyn: 2 = l8
Jhaelyn: ya?
Shenvallei D’ansille: oh ya
GM: Math seems sound.
Shenvallei D’ansille: 2
Jhaelyn: err
Jhaelyn: 5, 9, 13
Jhaelyn: I think
Jhaelyn: technically
GM: pry
Shenvallei D’ansille: sorry Im thinking magic missile
Jhaelyn: s’all cool
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ranged touch attack (Attack 1) [1d20+7 = 24]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ranged touch attack (Attack 1) [1d20+7 = 12]
GM: You can cast that instead if you want.
GM: They both hit!
Shenvallei D’ansille: really? good times
Jhaelyn: 24 and 24, ya?
Shenvallei D’ansille: ya
His robes are set afire, but he doesn’t seemed to be bothered by it…it seems to fuel his madness, depsite it charring away much of his skin.
Jhaelyn
Jhaelyn: k..
Jhaelyn: self inflicted [1d8 = 2]
Jhaelyn: ranged touch..
Jhaelyn: [1d20+6 = 9]
Jhaelyn: piss off
Jhaelyn sends a ray of frost screaming into oblivion.
GM: Jhaelyn…
GM: Be a dear and roll a fortitude save, will you?

Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): noooo
Jhaelyn: . . .
GM: [5d12+9 = 31]
Jhaelyn: Free actions can be taken whenever, yeah?
GM: yes.
Jhaelyn: neat
Jhaelyn: Resistance.
GM: Including dieing.
GM: :P
Jhaelyn: Fortitude save [1d20+2 = 22]
Jhaelyn: Fortitude save [AUTOMATIC SUCCESS]
Jhaelyn: add 4
Jhaelyn: ...
Jhaelyn: LOL
GM: Nice!
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): woot
Jhaelyn: wasted that point
Jhaelyn: :P
A massive ball of lightning streaks from the sky above the altar and strikes you in the chest, sending jolts of pain through your body.
Shenvallei D’ansille
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Magic Missile] -> 1d4+1 damage; +1 missile per two levels above 1st (max 5).
Shenvallei D’ansille: [1d6 = 2]
Shenvallei D’ansille: level 6
Shenvallei D’ansille: [3d4+3 = 10]
GM: He doesn’t seem fased, as much of the flames consuming his robe are delighting him.
Jhaelyn
Jhaelyn: self inflicted [1d8 = 6]
Jhaelyn: ow
Jhaelyn: Fort save, DC 19
GM: [1d20 = 19]
GM: ...saved,.
Jhaelyn: [5d6+5 = 20]
Jhaelyn: 10 points, cold damage
Jhaelyn: energy missile.
GM: He seems dissapointed that he is denied some of his flames.
Jhaelyn: that was the point.
Jhaelyn: :P

He begins channeling energy into himself, and the flames begin to die out slightly, then burst forth from him, seeking to wrap you both in flames!
GM: Reflex checks!
Jhaelyn: Reflex save [1d20+4 = 11]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Reflex save [1d20+6 = 12]
GM: [1d6+9 = 10]
GM: Shenvallei, you feel your strength sapped.
GM: Will save.
GM: Jhaelyn, you as well.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Will save [1d20+2 = 4]
Jhaelyn: Will save [1d20+7 = 19]
GM: [2d4 = 5]
Jhaelyn: by the way
Jhaelyn: give me back 6 hitpoints
GM: Shenvallei, you are fleeing for 5 rounds.
Shenvallei D’ansille
Shenvallei D’ansille: Run
Flee!
Jhaelyn
Jhaelyn: Will save.. DC 18..
GM: [1d20 = 19]
Jhaelyn: self inflicted.. [1d8 = 3]
The man unleashes a barb of Acid at Jhaelyn!
GM: Fortitude save!
GM: [2d4 = 5]
Jhaelyn: Fortitude save [1d20+2 = 22]
Jhaelyn: Fortitude save [AUTOMATIC SUCCESS]
Jhaelyn: get piked
GM: I will
GM: Next round.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): this is no man we are fighting, its probably that cornagon
GM: :p
Jhaelyn: Friendl—-

Jhaelyn: Fortitude, DC 17
GM: [1d20 = 15]
Jhaelyn: [3d6+3 = 17]
Jhaelyn: 17, cold damage
Jhaelyn: energy missile
The man’s flame is extinguished… and as a last gasp, he utters, “I go to you, Oengam… so that I might give you my strength…”, before he collapses backwards on the altar, ceremonial dagger plunged through his chest.
Shenvallei, upon seeing his death, you overcome your panic.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I slow down, try to catch my breath, and make my way back up to the altar.
GM: You do so!
GM: You arrive to see Jhaelyn, covered in smouldering acid.
Jhaelyn: ”. . .”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I told you I attract trouble.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: I open my waterskin and pour it on the acid trying to wash it off.
The acid washes off, but it seems the damage is done.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “It will heal.”
Jhaelyn: “Lovely. Can we check the body, look around, and get outta here?”
Jhaelyn: Start investigating the pyramid.
Jhaelyn: Look for a way in
Shenvallei D’ansille: We do that.
Jhaelyn: Skill [Search] [1d20+7 = 18]
Dragonling: Skill [Search] [1d20+2 = 11]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Search] [1d20+7 = 22]
Jhaelyn: show off
GM: You check the body..
Jhaelyn: I don’t
Jhaelyn: :P
There is a ceremonial dagger… and a backup
GM: THERE IS A CAVE, BEHIND THE ALTAR.
In the room above the altar lies a simple crystal, surrounded by silver coins. In the corner, is a simple, journeyman’s staff with a dull obsidian gem embedded in the face of it facing the door.
Jhaelyn: “Hmm…”
Jhaelyn investigates the crystal.
Jhaelyn yoinks the crystal.
It seems dull, and lifeless.
Shenvallei D’ansille inspects the staff.
Jhaelyn: Look around in the cave…
The staff seems very ordinary…utilitarian, but the crystal within, seems to be teeming with life, vibrant and shifting as you draw near.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill grab the staff.
GM: You do so.
GM: It feels alive in your hands.

GM: You see, also, in the cave.
GM: Two bodies.
GM: One breathing, barely, one not.
GM: The breather is female
GM: Shenvallei, you barely recognize Alusair for all the blood.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The next sacrifices?”
Jhaelyn: Investigate the dead one.
GM: Jhaelyn, you look him in the face…
GM: It’s your brother.
Jhaelyn: ”...”
Jhaelyn: “What…?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill try to use the remaining healing bandages on myself, Alusair, and Jhaelyn.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Heal] [1d20-2 = 6]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Heal] [1d20-2 = 6]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill [Heal] [1d20-2 = 4]
Shenvallei D’ansille: I throw the bandages to the ground in disgust.
Jhaelyn: way to heal.
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: lol
Jhaelyn: “No time for this, Shen.. we need to get out.”
“Yer a bloody idjit, prime. It’s not hard to bind a wound!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I know, but we have to help… what?”
Jhaelyn: “So we’ll carry her.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “We going to carry her all the way to the camp?”
Jhaelyn: “Gods damned, do you have a better idea? Because I don’t!”
Jhaelyn: “Somebody will have seen that light show we put on!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “If we can stay here I can prepare a spell for transport. But Ill need to rest 8 hours.”
Jhaelyn: “No. Time.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Strip her then.”
Jhaelyn: “All she’s got on are clothes!”
GM: ...and barely at that
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Good. Thats all we can muster barely.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: I lift Alusair with all my 9 strength.
Jhaelyn: Whatever
Jhaelyn: I’ve got a 12
Jhaelyn: she’s not that heavy
Jhaelyn: lets go
Shenvallei D’ansille: Not now… in her armor no way.
Shenvallei D’ansille: We go.
Jhaelyn: her “armor” was a breastplate
Jhaelyn: its not that heavy
Jhaelyn: We go!
GM: You drag the body, carefully, down the Altar
GM: Do you exit via the cages?
GM: or which way?
Jhaelyn: we exit via the most practical fashion
Jhaelyn: so.. sure?
GM: OKAY
GM: YOU LEAVE
GM: You just have escaped
GM: and the alarm sounds!
You make it to the first campsite without incident.
You find Jesebel occupying herself with the man with the broken leg.
Jhaelyn: ”...”

Jhaelyn: “I’d sigh in disgust, but I’m too tired from, you know, doing important things.”
Jesebel: ”...Is fixing this man’s leg not noble?”
Jesebel: “I spent a year travelling the Prime Material as a doctor.”
Jhaelyn: DM, sometimes you suck
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: Assumptions. Don’t make them. :P
Jhaelyn: “Then maybe you can do something with this stiff we just carried in.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: We set down Alusair gently.
Jesebel: ”...there’s not much I can do with a corpse.”
Jhaelyn: “She ain’t quite bloody dead.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Jesebel, its Alusair. We found her near death.”
Jesebel: ”...she’s quite bloody, that’s for sure…and her chest’s open!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Drugged, beaten, I dont know what they did to her.”
Jesebel: ”...Alusair?”
Jhaelyn: “Thats what he bloody said.”
begins administering CPR.
Jesebel begins administering CPR.
Jhaelyn: ”...”
GM: ...shows how much you know about CPR
Jhaelyn throws up her hands and wanders away.
GM: Dirty, dirty man.
GM: :P
Jhaelyn: :P
Jesebel: “She’ll be stable until we get her to a priest.”
Jhaelyn: To be honest, at this point, it doesn’t really matter
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): Jhael simply assumes the worst from Jess as a matter of course, before she actually does it.
Kiergath (Jhaelyn): :P
Jhaelyn: “Then we’d better get going, that whole camp’s come alive since we left.”

GM: YOU TREK A WHOLE DAY
GM: CARTING ALUSAIR ALONG!
GM: The man bears the brunt of the carrying.
Shenvallei D’ansille: With a broken leg?
Jhaelyn: I think its been set.
Jhaelyn: and.. ahem.. cared for..
GM: Yeah…and he’s in better condition to carry her than you both combined.
Jhaelyn: he has hitpoints.
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: Da.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): gimp squad 2000
Jhaelyn: essentially
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): all we need is a pack of kobolds to finish us off and level up
Jhaelyn: dude
Jhaelyn: do you realize how many times
Jhaelyn: a pack of kobolds would DING
Jhaelyn: from killing us?
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: ...a lot.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): I know ! lol
Jhaelyn: they’d go on to become the first kobold planewalkers
Jhaelyn: :P
You arrive at the gallows… the two are still there, and the number of corpses on the tree have tripled.
Jhaelyn: “Impressive.. work.. gents..”
Malla: “Oh, the Prime has returned!”
Jhaelyn: “Whats.. left of.. him.”
Armored Man: ”...and he’s been up to some mischief, it seems… anything that you should tell Malla here about?”
Jhaelyn: “Unless rescuing someone who’s been kidnapped by slavers is a crime.”
Jhaelyn: “And last I knew, it ain’t.”
Armored Man: ”...you are correct, it is not.”
Jhaelyn: “Excellent.”

Malla: ”...that’s an interesting proposition… Property Protection Laws…”
Jhaelyn: “Is it property if you took it against its will?”
Armored Man slaps Malla across the mouth.
Armored Man: “Think before you speak about idiocy. If you continue, I will make being an idiot a crime, and you will be the first to hang.”
Jhaelyn: “Glad to make your acquaintances, once again, but we need to get to Sigil.”
Jhaelyn: “I suspect we’ve got.. friends.. coming behind us.”
Jhaelyn: “If you get my.. meaning.”
Armored Man: ”...are they lawbreakers?”
Jhaelyn: “Uh.. slavers.. kidnapping..”
Jhaelyn: “Breaking and entering, in some cases.”
Malla: “Slavery is not a crime, as dictated by the Fraternity.”
Jhaelyn: “I’m reasonably sure some of them may be anarchists, but I can’t prove it.”
Jhaelyn: “So ignore that one.”
Jhaelyn: “How’s assault?”
Malla: “Kidnapping, though… that’s pretty serious.”
Malla: ”...Assaults better.”
Malla begins scribbling.
Jhaelyn: “Or holding a Celestial prisoner and using her as a sacrifice?”
Armored Man: ”...not a crime, citizen.”
Jhaelyn: ”. . . Huh.”
Jhaelyn: “Really?”
Jhaelyn: “Learn somethin’ new every day.”
Armored Man: “Breaking, entering, aiding and abetting those who do, will suffice to put them to death, though.”
Jhaelyn: “Attempted murder?”
Jhaelyn: “Fair enough.”
Jhaelyn: “Best of luck with that, we need to get to the Cage and find a cleric.”
Armored Man: “We will make sure that you return to the Cage safely, citizen.”
Armored Man: “May I have your names?”
Shenvallei D’ansille stumbles away from the dry legal discussion.
Jhaelyn: “err.. Jhaelyn.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Avil Butterworth.”
Malla stops writing.
Jhaelyn: “Can’t lie to a guvner, Chief.”

Shenvallei D’ansille laughs
Jhaelyn: “You’re on record anyway.”
Malla: ”...Avil Butterworth is a known criminal, sentenced to execution by fire ants.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I know, what no sense of humor?”
Malla: “You might rethink your answer.”
Armored Man: “No.”
Jhaelyn: “Guvner, chief. No.”
Jhaelyn: :P
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Fine. Shenvallei D’ansille. And Im on bail.”
Malla: “Ah. I have been following your case. Hopefully I’ll make Steward filing some of the paperwork!”
Jhaelyn: “Yes. Can we get going?”
Jhaelyn: “Nothing major, I just don’t like standing around when people want to kill me.”
Armored Man: “Move along citizens.”
Shenvallei D’ansille nods.
Jhaelyn: “You understand.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: We go.
Jhaelyn: Go
Armored Man draws his axe.
YOU PORTAL BACK TO SIGIL!
GM: CONGRATULATIONS!
A DING!
Jhaelyn: wonderful
Jhaelyn: limp to a temple
GM: You do so…
GM: A priest takes pity on you.
Jhaelyn: define pity
Jhaelyn: “Aww.. thats a shame” or “Oh, here, be healed”
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: both

Jhaelyn: neat
Jhaelyn: “Shen, we should go find your other friend – the one we left at the temple of Hanseath.. at least let her know everyone’s safe.”
Jhaelyn: Is Al conscious?
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Yes lets go, hopefully she is still there.”
GM: Yes.
GM: By the time you get to Riley
Jhaelyn: in that case
Jhaelyn: Dropping the dragonling, since I can deal with him in Jhael’s emotes
Jhaelyn: and otherwise, things are gonna confuse me horribly
Alusair: oh, thank god, purple dice of smexyness
You arrive at the temple
GM: Riley is sitting outside, chatting with several dwarf priests, drinking some alchohol.
Jhaelyn: So, did we just sort’ve carry her along?
Jhaelyn: until she woke up?
Jhaelyn: :P
GM: Yes.
Jhaelyn: thats.. mildly disturbing. Must’ve been funny as hell to see, too
Vhailor: ...probably

Shenvallei D’ansille: I walk up to the temple and thank the preists. “Thank you for all the healing you have provided to us of late. Accept this as a token of thanks.” I hand him 20 gold
Alusair groans.
Jhaelyn jumps in surprise, “Uh, chief? I think she’s coming to.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Lets get her inside.”
Riley De Beul: “Oh, it’s a bit stuffy in there…”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I look for an open table/slab and put Alusair on it.
Alusair: I ain’t used these to hit bonuses for ages!
Riley De Beul: There aren’t any open tables.
GM: In fact
GM: there seems to be some sort of calamity
Alusair: “Pummedown you worthless piking butchers!”
Alusair: DM! Who’s got a hold of me!
GM: Shenvallei, for one.
Alusair: Anyone else?!
Alusair: I have two attacks, by god
GM: Jhaelyn
Alusair: Win
Alusair: I’ve wanted to clock that bint since I rolled her
Alusair: [1d20+11 = 25]
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Wait!”
Alusair: [1d20+6 = 14]
Alusair: Query
Alusair: Will that get a hand around Shen’s neck?
GM: Er…
Alusair: I know I got Jhael
Alusair: :P
GM: Grapple?
GM: :P
GM: oh
GM: idk
Alusair: 14’ll do for Jhael
Alusair: will 25 do for Shen?
Alusair: :P
GM: yeah
GM: it will.
Alusair: “Put. Me. Down!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I set her down.
Riley De Beul: “Do as the lady says. She knows what she wants.”
Alusair: ”. . . What? That’s never worked before..”
Alusair lets go of both of them, looking at her hands in bemused confusion..
Alusair: “New trick..? Wouldn’t be surprised..”
Alusair: “Pikers’ve tried everything else..”

Alusair: (muttering, under breath, mostly to herself)
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Where in the hells have you been Al?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Last time I saw you, you were sleeping off a romp at the ‘candle.”
Alusair: “Its a good trick, impersonating Shenvallei.. Novel.. I wouldn’t have thought of it.. using Shen to get to me.. good luck with that.”
Alusair: “No.. you don’t mean that, luv.. or do I..”
Alusair: “Shut up! Just piking shut up!”
Riley De Beul: “Judging from the screams, you’re probably right.”
Alusair blinks, looking up suddenly towards Riley’s voice, “You..?”
Shenvallei D’ansille looks around.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Why is she talking to herself?”
Alusair: “You’re dead. They told me. They.. showed.. me. They did it infront of me. I saw it. Felt the blood.”
Riley De Beul: ”...I barely recognized you, through all that blood…”
Riley De Beul: ”...Do I look dead to you?”
Alusair: “I don’t know..”
Riley De Beul: ”...”
Riley De Beul: “If I were dead…”
Riley De Beul approaches Alusair slowly.
Riley De Beul: “Would I do this…?”
Alusair watches, wide eyed, looking either like she’s about to pass out or run in terror.
Riley De Beul: slaps Alusair across the face. “SNAP OUT OF IT.”
Kiergath (Alusair): Hmm….
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Riley!”
Alusair: [2d100 = 33]
Riley De Beul: ”...don’t you fucking start with me. YOU LEFT ME HERE.”
Alusair: “Shut up. Both of you.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What in the hells is wrong with you?”
Alusair: “All either piking one of you ever does when—-”
Alusair looks at Shen, eyes blazing.
Shenvallei D’ansille zips it.
Alusair: “What is wrong with me..?”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “No, her, slapping you and yelling at me.”
Alusair: “You would be amazed, Prime, at what you can do to someone with a little care and magic.”
Alusair: “Or did you, perhaps, think the gaping. Sodding. HOLE.. in my chest.. was a decoration.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I know you are not well. And Ill do whatever it is you need of me.”
Alusair looks at Shen, “You can start.. by getting her away from me.” She points one trembling finger in Jess’s direction.
Alusair: “And you can continue, at that point, to earn my good graces by telling me you found my sodding sword.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What? Why? Nevermind… And yes Ive kept your sword.”
Alusair: “Why?!”
Alusair: “Because she sodding DID THIS. All of it!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What?!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I draw Alusair’s sword and scabbard and lay it on the ground next to her.

Riley De Beul: ”...”
Alusair grabs the swordbelt with one hand and pulls herself up with the other, becoming visibly more comfortable as she buckles it on.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I then walk over to Jesebel and walk away from her, “What is she talking about Jesebel?”
Jesebel: “Look… I don’t know what she’s talking about… I was with Riley the whole time.”
Jhaelyn: “Really? We found Riley in Sigil..”
Jesebel: “You mean that wasn’t Riley that was with me in the caravan?”
Jesebel: “She kept talking about how she resented Shenvallei for having her, a trained Harmonium officer, stay back and clean the house while he went shopping.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I dont understand any of this, to hell what what Riley thinks.”
Alusair kicks off from whatever she’s leaning against and spits on the floor, “I don’t have the stomach to listen to this.” She walks out of the temple, stopping a short distance outside, or on the steps outside if there are.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Look, you are back, safe. Alusair is back, and we will do all we can to make her get well. We need to move forward despite all that we have lost.”
GM: Steps.
Shenvallei D’ansille turns to Jhaelyn.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I am truly sorry for your brother.”

Alusair: “I AM well, you little pike! But what the sod, believe her. I know what I have seen and felt. I’ll not stand and listen to this.”
Jhaelyn: “I should.. uhm.. maybe go.. I’ll be around, though. This just.. really.. I’m not good in situations like this.. and.. I’m just in the way..”
Riley De Beul: “I’m not wanted here anyway. I’m coming with you.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Dont go far Jhaelyn. We should talk when days are brighter.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Until then be well.”
Jhaelyn smiles at Shen, “You too! Sigil’s not that big. I’ll be around, like I said.”
Jhaelyn wanders off. Quickly.
Riley De Beul follows Jhaelyn, making conversation.
Shenvallei D’ansille turns back to Alusair a bit calmer.

Shenvallei D’ansille: “Ok. Lets get down to it, I want to hear everything. Alone. Me and you, bar of belief.”
Alusair: “An empty bar? Pass.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Scratch that, the celestial bar.”
Jesebel: “Why not me? Why can’t I come! I was seperated from Alusair for too long!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I have information for you as well.”
Alusair: “Seperated, is it?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Jesebel…”
Alusair: “No.. no.. by all means.. let her come.”
Shenvallei D’ansille looks at Jesebel his eyes becomming sad with guilt.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Just a few hours Jesebel. Please understand.”
Alusair: “I’ve kept my blade sheathed so far. I could no sooner kill her than I could myself.”
Jesebel: ”...a few hours? Hah. See if you can find me.”
Jesebel sulks off.
Alusair: “I.. said.. let her come.”
Alusair turns to walk in the direction of the Celestial Peaks.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Jesebel wait! We need you after all.”
Jesebel: “No, you don’t need me! You never have!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Besides you will likely wander off and get kidnapped again!”
Jesebel runs off, sobbing.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I sprint after her.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Not this time.
GM: Right…
Alusair: “Jess. If anything I have ever said or done meant a thing, you will come with us.”
GM: Roll Three reflex checks
Shenvallei D’ansille: Reflex save [1d20+6 = 15]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Reflex save [1d20+6 = 13]
Shenvallei D’ansille: Reflex save [1d20+6 = 22]

Since Shen would have fallen behind, she stays, at Alusair’s comment.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): dont make me go rabbit mode.
Kiergath (Alusair): Don’t. You’d fall behind when the Harmonium nabbed you.
Kiergath (Alusair): They know you more as a rabbit than as Shen.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): Harmonium one thing, those Abishai another.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Anyway we head for the bar of belief.
Alusair: celestial peaks
GM: You head to the bar of belief, but Alusair isn’t there when you get there.
Alusair: bar of belief is closed
Alusair: :P
Shenvallei D’ansille: goddamn beer
Shenvallei D’ansille: celestial peaks
GM: YOU ARRIVE
GM: It’s packed, as usual.
Alusair: Find a table, and a drink, put it on Shen’s bill.
Alusair: (since I have, at the moment, no coinage)
GM: You do so

Shenvallei D’ansille: Sit with Alusair and Jesebel.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I order a bottle of port.
Shenvallei D’ansille: And while waiting for it to arrive I give Al and Jesebel the quick summary since receiving the letter at the Harem.
Shenvallei D’ansille: ”... and so now we are here.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Ill be re-incarcerated in 3 days and not have much save your testimony if you choose to give it Alusair.”
Alex: FYI…not 3 days
Alex: 1 day
Alex: Tomorrow
Alusair: “My.. my testimony?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Haha, tommorrow that is, I lost track of time.”
Alusair: “About.. bloody.. what?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “That Shenvallei is dead, the one who used my name to become leader of the Athar.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “That I was falsely accused and acted out of self defense.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “Honestly, anything to keep me away from that tree.”
Alusair: ”. . . done. You’ve got it, for whatever its worth.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I figure youve already saved my soul, my life shouldnt be so hard.”
Alusair: “Given I’ve saved your soul, letting you go to the gallows now would seem a mite foolish.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Sounds like youve got a genuine investment in me! I feel blessed.”
Alusair: ”. . . Huh.”
Shenvallei D’ansille folds his arms behind his head and stretches back languidly.
Alusair sighs, leaning forward onto the table, heading looking into her glass.
Alusair: head
Alusair: “Right. You want a story. Thats why we’re here.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Drinks arrived yet?
GM: More or less, for you and Alusair
Alusair: “Our two stories are the same, until the part where you wander out of the Harem screaming at me.”
Alusair: “I don’t know how long I was there – not very – when more of those immitation Harmonium showed up.. they were in the outer room by the time I noticed them.”
Alusair: “Not much of a fight, that. Survivor led me to a safehouse near the harem.”

Alusair: “I’d like to say there was a fight, or that I offed half of them, but I never even drew my sword.”
Alusair: “They knew I was coming, and they were waiting when I did. Their leader – priest, from the look of him, even if he did just spout on about Oengam – cordially invited me to lay down my weapon.”
Alusair: “Why’d I do a piking barmy thing like that, I asks him. Simple, he says. Lay down the steel right nice, Celestial, says he, and we don’t off the woman.”
Alusair: “What the sod would I care for, says I? In that case, I’ll just do it anyway, shall I, says he. I had my sword half out when *she gets brought in from a side room. What am I to do? I stop, slam it back in, and toss my sword belt at his feet.”
Alusair: “To my credit, I’ll grant, it landed on the pike’s foot.”

Alusair: “They chain me – cold iron, horrid stuff, aye? – and drag my piking arse out of Sigil. Never thought I’d miss the Cage, but I managed awful fast when I saw my new kip.”
Alusair: “You know the place, I’ll wager – probably found me there. Big sodding altar upon a pyramid. Aye? Aye.”
Alusair pauses to drink.
Alusair peers over her glass at Shen and Jess, almost daring for something to be said.
Alusair: “I may be an angel, but I ain’t no deva – I don’t like talkin’ ta hear myself talk.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Well Im listening and dont have any questions, yet.”
Alusair: “Be careful how you say that, mate. I’m not fond of interrogations.”
Jesebel: ”...I have one…”
Jesebel: “Was it me?”

Alusair looks at Jess, a mix of sadness, hurt, and exhausted confusion in her eyes. “I don’t know. It looked like you. It sounded like you. It smelled like you.”
Alusair: “When I arrived.. at the camp.. they brought me to that temple.. altar.. I’d call it an altar, but I think it was more meant to be a temple.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “So again why are you blaming Jesebel for this?”
Alusair: “Because.. she.. did it..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “So far all youve said is she was captured and used as a tool to make you surrender.”
Alusair: “It started slowly.. a cut here and there.. they didn’t want to kill me, not then, not later.. blood, though.. that they wanted.. vials of it.. bottles..”

Alusair: “Bled virtually dry.. over and over again.. only to be healed again just before you slip into oblivion. It almost started to get routine..”
Alusair: “They added variety by torturing others infront of me.. Riley the most.. they killed her before me.”
Alusair: “Or, so it seemed.. clearly they didn’t.. quite.”
Alusair: “But, I suspect you saw what they really wanted from me..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “We were too late to do anything Al, I swear it.”
Alusair: “Over.. and over again..”
Alusair: “Not just once..”
Alusair: “Time.. and time.. again.. ripping my very heart from my chest.. to sacrifice in the name of a false power.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “You have more than one heart?”
Alusair: “Do you have any.. idea... what that can do? The pain? Not just physical, but spiritual? Emotional?”
Alusair: “More than one heart? You don’t need it. The body lives on, even if only for a few seconds.. and, as I’ve learned, its time enough for magic to intervene.”
Alusair: “You wish to know what I blame Jess for, Shen?”
Alusair: “I blame her for doing each and every act. Because I saw her do it. Felt her do it.”
Shenvallei D’ansille nods slowly.

Alusair: “And after the first day, I couldn’t even bring myself to fight it anymore.”
Alusair: “Even when I cast aside my goddess, I have never felt so defeated, so hollow, as I did, when I realized that not only would I be damned to that potentially forever, but that she was the one to do it to me.”
Alusair looks down at her glass in silence, head propped up on one hand.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “In your mind you must have considered it was a magical trick, a mental torture to add to your suffering.”
Alusair: “You are not the only one who can detect enchantments, Prime.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I look at Jesebel.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “But.. why? Why would she do this?”
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): 5 minute countdown didnt realize the time.

Alusair looks up at Jess, eyes slightly moist, looking more frustrated than angry at this point. “Jess. If you can look at me.. and swear to me that this – all of this – was some sort’ve trick.. that you weren’t involved.. I have just enough trust left that I will believe it.”
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): and stay tuned tommorrow for Jesebels answer!
Kiergath (Alusair): seconded.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): hokay Id stay and hang out but I gotta sleep. Tommorrow Ill be good to stay up late.
Jesebel: Alright.
Alusair: this isn’t late?
Kiergath (Alusair): :P
Alex: Will see you then
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): only 2ish here
Kiergath (Alusair): Later, bro.
Kiergath (Alusair): yaeh, well.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): ciao guys
‘Nick’ disconnected

---

Shenvallei and Jhaelyn chase after the next caravan, only to arrive through a strange portal, and encounter a Mercykiller and a member of the Fraternity of Order(Malla). They approach, and finally reach the camp where Jesebel and Alusair are both being held, with Shenvallei learning a lot about Sigilian factions. They free a man with a broken leg, and Jesebel. The defeat a priest of Oengam, and barely escape the camp with their lives. They meet Vhailor, who defends their escape, and return to a big reunion near where it all started. Shenvallei run’s Riley off with harsh words, and Jhaelyn leaves as well. Alusair, Shenvallei and Jesebel go to the Celestial Peaks to talk. The adventures are recapped, and Alusair tells the story of her captivity.

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