Seeking the Undead

The Expedition to Deceit
And a brief stop at the Tower of Souls

Aryslan, Felucca, Chesapeake (PaxLair Times) - July 23, 2010 -- Earlier in the week, the Lord of Aryslan, Jamlyn Hakkendyn sent out a call to arms to all those brave men and women who would dare defy the undead that have raided several townships across Sosaria that include Guardian's Gate, Dragon's Watch, PaxLair, Zedland and Aryslan itself. And yesterday evening, the call was finally answered by a band of brave warriors ready turn the evil blade of Mazrim.

After everyone had rallied amongst the ruins of old Aryslan, Lord Jamlyn briefed the expeditionary force on what lay ahead. An aggressive patrol into the vile Tower of Souls to see what clues could be uncovered as to the origin of the attacks, followed by a raid against the undead forces at Deceit.

What follows is a brief summary of events brought to you firsthand.

The expedition to the Tower of Souls met with little resistance, the dark stone tower Silent amongst the twisted trees of North Felucca. At the top of the tower, a few undead servitors manned a ramshackle bar in an eerie twisted mockery of the living. Unfortunately, these risen were surrounded by a protective shield that prevented all harm, but seemed to deter them from any aggression as well.

Finding nothing of note in the tower, the group moved on to Deceit. Moving quickly through the dark walls, the group moved quickly, striking at the heart of the dungeon in an attempt to summon its dark master. Though the attack was effective, it was not without casualties with several members of the party falling, but spell and skill prevented them from joining the ranks of the enemy.

Eventually, the vile Necromancer Neira entered the fray herself but was overwhelmed by the group's relentless assault. Assailed from all sides, she was unable to mount an effective defence, and in the dark corridors of Deceit, the mobility of her undead steed was of little use. Soon even she had fallen and our expeditionary force stood victorious.

Unfortunately, her corpse provided little in the way of clues and nothing to suggest she was in league with Mazrim or that she had anything to do with the attacks. Her scroll satchel contained papers on the topics of spellweaving, fighting with a blunt object and the like. Her spellbook detailed vicious necromancy magics, but nothing out of the ordinary. And the only other objects of note were a few coins, a strange red skull and a small bottle of ale which the Monk Benito quickly siezed.

And so, the party returned to the ruins of Old Aryslan, victorious in battle, but having made no progress in unravelling the mystery of the attacks on our townships.

The ghost in the Fountain

PAXLAIR - August 6, 1998 - by Winfield
(copied from http://www.paxlair.com on July 30, 2010)

A moongate opened near the fountain and a young woman stumbled out, deadly wounded. She reached the fountain and collapsed. After she died, a second moongate opend at the exact same spot, releasing The Lady M.. She looked around, then noticed the body of the young woman and starts to scream for help: "Oh no! My sweetheart, my daugther...wake up. Please help me, oh mighty wizards...help my child...although i am merely her step-mother, i love her from the bottom of my heart!" Nobody is able to resurrect the spirit, and with time, it vanishes near the fountain. Some time later, the ghost of the poor maiden appeared inside the fountain! It seems that her soul was trapped by the vile powers of the corrupted well. And thus she spoke:"...i am lost... the Evil that is has doomed my soul... i cannot resist the power... you must hear me... hear my warnings... the Evil that is has spawned the Evil that will be... the earth shakes... only the new way can save you... wait for the shrines to call... i am but one of many... doomed souls... the new Temple will restore us... it will restore all..." *fades*

The gathered people wanted to try to resurrect her anyways, so they were asked to seek out Lady Winmere. After some research, the party found her waiting in Shame. After the party reached him, she went with them to PaxLair and inspected the Shade in the fountain: "Hmmmm....this soul is lost beyond our reach. A powerful, evil spell has ripped her from her body, keeping her from rejoining it. The fountain is just a substitute, drawing her back into our world." "Can you res her?"-" I am not sure, the bond is too powerful...who or what could weave such spells? Well, we will need very strong reagents, and i doubt we can do anything without divine intervention. Hmmmm. Ah, yes, maybe the waters from the fountain can be purified. Take these pitchers to each shrine in Despise and enchant it with the words:"In Uus Vas Ort!" three times. And bring me what i listed in this book. Then return it here. *shakes head* I still doubt it will work.."

The party traveled into the depth of the dungeon Despise, fighting it's way through the poisonous vermin there. Upon reaching each shrine, they invoked its powers upon the waters. The shrines were guarded by hordes of monsters: Lich Lords and demons! But the party was victorious, performing the last rite against all odds.

With the enhanced power of the water, the wise woman started a ceremony to invoke the Shade. As she started to resurrect her, she was struck by a bolt of lightning, and the Shade spoke:"Ahhhh, the pain! Stop it! The time is not right... the second column has too much power yet. You need to break the spell... wait for the shrines to call... wait for the next conjunction... only the Temple will free me... and he may free you too..."

So, after all the trouble the party went through, it was all in vain, as the powers of evil were to strong to overcome. But, alas, there seems to be hope, as the shade too spoke of the Temple, that might resolve all problems, and the shrines calling again.

Atlan Receives Visions

PAXLAIR - August 4, 1998 - by Winfield

Since the defeat of Mondain, the borders between our world and the etheral Void has been profoundly weakend. Most magical researchers agree on the fact, that our world is a mere picture imprisoned in the shards of the shattered Gem of Immortality, thus explaining our worlds affinity to the Ether. Sensitive persons, and i might humbly count myself amongst them, have always had the tendency to recieve visions at locations where the Void penetrates the mundane time and space of mortal men. I can only asume that the spoiled Fountain of Knowledge in our fair city of PaxLair is such a spot.

For some days ago, i felt the strong urge to gather the present citizens of PaxLair, including some visitors (such as Obsidian, dedicated to revive the town of Slateholm or Rage, eager to explore new lands and planning to found an outpost in the expected new world) around the Fountain and hold a kind of seance. Until now, i am unsure why i might have choosen this expression, as it indicates to get contact to a being from the Void; but i had the intention to resolve the mysteries surrounding the Fountain. Alas, my intuition in the naming of the coming was quite right, for as i closed my eyes and focused on the Fountain i immediatly felt the power of another being probing my mind. It was no intrusion, but a delicate touch, asking me to let it in. I surrendered myself to the feeling and soon the beeing used my body and voice to speak to the gathered people. As it was quite an exhausting experience, i am not able to recall every single word i have spoken in this state. But from what people have told me afterwards, i was host to three beings, after i voiced my own impressions.

This is what i pieced together from the storys my audience told me.

Atlan:*focuses on Fountain*
Atlan:...i see...
Atlan:I see!
Atlan:...i see three columns of Evil...
Atlan:...one is fallen but will be restored...
Atlan:...i see...withering forms...
Atlan:...they want to warn us...
Atlan:...i see...
Atlan:Citys, a temple!
Atlan:Snakes! I see snakes!
Atlan:*convulses*
Atlan:*Hail...my children...* Note: a tranquil, deep voice
Atlan:*You will have to choose.*
Atlan:*I will guide you through this Age of Darkness*
Atlan:*You need to learn new ways.*
Atlan:*changes voice* Note: voice pitches over to a cold controlled speech
Atlan:*You need to obey rules!*
Atlan:*You must follow orders!*
Atlan:*You will only survive if you follow my lead!*
Atlan:*changes voice again* Note: new voice is powerful and emotional
Atlan:*Strike them down!*
Atlan:*Shatter you enemys!*
Atlan:*I will unleash your powers!*
Atlan:*Follow me and we will smithe thine enemys!*
Atlan:*voice trailes back to the beginning* Note: First voice again.
Atlan:*Choose wisely, my children...*
Atlan:*Unity is your only chance...*
Atlan:*Farewell for now...learn th new ways.*
Atlan:*stumbles*
Atlan:I see no more...
Atlan:*collapses*

NOTE: This is part of a continuing PaxLair Player Quest, not a Seer Quest.

Winfield is elected Mayor of PaxLair

PAXLAIR - June 20, 1998 - by Winfield, Mayor of PaxLair
(copied from http://www.paxlair.com on July 30, 2010)

Winfield was elected Mayor of PaxLair by an emergency PaxLair council session. Winfield would represent PaxLair to the Game Masters and set up a working government.

Ridley the Skeleton in PaxLair

PAXLAIR - June 2, 1998 - Submitted by Nero
(copied from http://www.paxlair.com on July 30, 2010)

Ridley the skeleton, victim of Zephram's failed alchemic experiments, appeared in the fair city of PaxLair last night (June 2, 10:45pm EDT). He was escorted by a cohort of zombies. An important meeting on necromancy was interrupted just as it began by the news. Citizens and visitors alike rushed to the bloody well at the foot of the mage's tower, first with a mind to attack the zombies then, upon discovering the nature of their visit, to listen and observe. The vigilant civilians kept their wepons at the ready.

Ridley, turned undead by Zephram's failed experiments into necromantic arts, has vowed revenge upon the ambitious alchemist. The skeleton conversed easily with the citizens of PaxLair. He answered all questions posed by the crowd and even spoke briefly on the mixed blessings of being among the undead. Most importantly, he insisted several times that he and his zombies meant no harm to the people of PaxLair. He would not make any such promises to Zephram.

The visitors remained in PaxLair for nearly fifteen minutes. Zombies roamed the streets, frightening citizens and travelers and searching for the alchemist. Zephram was not found, but a piece of laboratory glass bearing his name was uncovered by one of Ridley's minions. Ridley gathered his forces, convinced that he had found all that would be found, and departed.

PaxLair, still reeling from the horrific "adjustment" to its spring by Mazrim, has been subject to necromantic occurrences and attacks by orcs and undead. With the addition of Ridley's interest in the small town, PaxLair is quickly becoming an unwilling hub of events. Perhaps, the citizens wonder, these events are all linked together.

IGM Goatboy Locks Down Items in PaxLair

PAXLAIR - May 20, 1998 - by Winfield
(copied from http://www.paxlair.com on July 30, 2010)

Interest Game Master Goatboy helped PaxLair with locking down furniture in the Mage Tower. For weeks, PaxLair citizens created furniture for the Tower, only to have it stolen within a day's time.

With interest from IGM Goatboy, the regular furniture created by PaxLair crafts people were permanently mounted to the floor. Only later, in future weeks and months, would other things appear in PaxLair inside and outside the Mage Tower for all to enjoy.

Zephram Experiment Ends in Disaster

BRITAIN - May 19, 1998 - by unknown
(copied from http://www.paxlair.com on July 30, 2010)

Greetings, I bring news of an unfortunate mishap that occured only a few moments ago in our great land. On the shard known as Chesapeake a scientist known as Zephram tested his prototype for a ressurection potion. The result was unexpected as Ridley the ghost was transfromed to a skeleton. Ridley was very upset with Zephram's faliure and swore vengence as he ran out of Chambers of Virtue in Britain. As either a side effect of his potion or as an act of revenge by Ridley Zephram took ill almost immediatly, turning green and appearing very fatigued. Here is a full log of the occurance:

Zephram the Scientist: Some of thee have been following mine work and others have not. For many months I have worked to create a potion that will resurrect the dead. Mine primary focus is to restore life, but also to understand the nature of life and death. I have sent many a brave adventurer to gather materials for these experiments and many have succeeded in bringing me what I have needed as such.Well, it has taken a long time, but I have finally created the potion.I'm not sure how possible it is to make them for practical use,but that sort of detail is what will need further research should this prototype succeed in the test I am about to perform.

Ridley is an experienced and well respected mage who has recently died.

Ridley: oOooooOO!
Ridley: oOo!
Zephram the Scientist: I will now apply the potion
Morgoth: OH no!
Ridley: Wha...
Ridley: Aaaa!
Zephram the Scientist: Oh my
Ridley: A skeleton!!
Morgoth: 'Tis only partial complete!
Ridley: You turned me into a..
Ridley: Skel...
Zephram the Scientist: Oh dear, this is not good.
Ridley: Aa
Ridley: you fool
Ridley: You idiot
Zephram the Scientist: I.. I..
Ridley: *rattles and shakes*
Ridley: How
Zephram the Scientist: I am so sorry Ridley!
Ridley: How
Ridley: could you do
Morgoth: Zephram, thou lookst ill
Ridley: I can never be brought back to life now
Ridley: Arrgh!!
Morgoth: Zephram, art thou alright?
Ridley: You complete and utter fool!
Ridley: You shall pay for this Zephram!
Ridley: PAy
Ridley: dearly!
Morgoth: Yes, thou lookst ill Zephram
Zephram the Scientist: Oh dear, Methinks I have been afflicted by a side effect
Morgoth: Well Zephram...
Morgoth: What shall we do to aid thee?
Zephram the Scientist: Well, for now I'm not sure what can be done. I fear that Ridley meant what he said about seeking revenge. And Ridley is not mine only concern, I must know if my skin color is the only side effect I have suffered. And then I must find a cure.
Zephram the Scientist: *sigh*
Zephram the Scientist: Perhaps thou wert correct, perhaps this was a foolish endeavor. A man has been rendered permanently dead because of my failure. And he blames me for it! Perhaps Ridley can be convinced, in time, to allow me to help him. Aye, I shall seek to find cures!
Morgoth: Zephram, thou hast a long night's work ahead of thee.
Zephram the Scientist: A long night's work? It will take far longer than a night, milord.
Morgoth: Aye, but for now thou shouldst sleep...
Zephram the Scientist: I thank thee milord.
Zephram the Scientist: Keep thine eyes open for Ridley in the coming days. That is the trouble with angry beings who seek revenge, they tend to come at thee when thou doth least expect.
Johan: You say he was a powerful mage?
Zephram the Scientist: Aye, he was. What effect being a skeleton will have on his magery I know not. All I can ask of thee at this time is to keep a watchful eye. I shall ask for thy aid again if I need something specific. And I hope Ridley's anger can be quenched without bloodshed, I thank thee everyone! I will speak to all of thee again soon. But for now I must return to mine work, so that I may begin to seek a cure for me and for Ridley. Fare thee well everyone!
Zephram the Scientist: oh I feel fatigued perhaps a stay in the inn is in order

AND with that he proceded to the Wayferers Inn and rested. T'was almost a glorious day for all but proof that life and death should be left to the gods.