We're on the road again! Eorin decides to read the book that Zelara got from the Whispering Tyrant via comprehend languages and teaches himself Aklo while he's at it. Good news! I'm not bleeding from the eyes! It speaks of the stars, those really brightly colored stars that might be other worlds. It explains that these worlds exist and the furthest one is where gods fear to go. It then explains about the old cults, which is like, worship of the old ones with more tentacles than teeth (and they have thousands and thousands of teeth). It also speaks of how there are no doorways to this world, but there are vessels who can come back and forth. It's unclear precisely what "vessel" means, and we're hoping it doesn't mean hurling consciousnesses through the dark. After this whole chapter about where the old ones came from, it talks about how they spread out over this watery world - which is where the aboleths came from. There's a picture of the aboleths and what they say is an old one. It looks humanoid, but there are no features to it. They're very crude pictures. It then goes on about how great the world was before the gods. It then goes on about gods coming and creation of the lesser races. And then it brings up the great experiment: can we make these land dwelling creatures better? And of all the creatures they chose, they chose a word that roughly translates to human or cattle, it's unclear. And decided to use this as their test race because it most looked like the old one.
We reach the town of Haugin's Ear in Isgur. It's a small fishing town with a giant outcropping of rock that makes it look like a head is sticking out of the ground. The protruding portion stands 30ft tall and it's ear is visible from the river and used as a landmark for traders. There's a rumor that you can go inside the head, but no one has ever tried it. Their other main export is a particular breed of fennec fox which are considered good luck charms and make fantastic coats which sell well in Molthune and Absalom. The guys who are running the boat we're on seem a little nervous, pale, and sickly. It seems a bit more than the usual fear of being turned into slaves or killed by goblins. There are rumors of something worse than the goblinoids returning, and by rumors we mean it's actually happened. There's been rumor of not just undead, but of a specific cult of Urgathoa, the pallid princess, goddess of disease, gluttony, and undeath.
Anyway, the town is not that impressive. There's a tourist district for the ear, and by district we mean a single stall with information on statue. We go find an inn called "The Queen's Ear." Most of the rooms are taken, but they do let us park our caravan outside. Zelara challenges someone to a friendly game of high card. She wins 5 gold. They ask us if we want a room for the night or if we're going to stay in our caravan because they're getting ready to bolt their doors for the night, because all sorts of crap comes from the woods. We decide to stay in the caravan. They let us know breakfast will be an hour after first light. It's the 31st of Kuthona, also known as the Night of the Pale. It's the night of morbid revelry as they wait for the past year's dead to go by their doors. The Firebrids send us sweaters with the Firebird logo on it to help us get through the night. Eorin's is too big so he can grow into it. Zelara checks and reassures herself that Eorin is still shorter than her, though he's slowly closing the gap. Illythan jokingly suggests they make coca, but Eorin takes him seriously and actually does so. Orias orders cookies from the Academy. What he gets is a chef from the Firebirds popping out of the Imp. He has an assortment tray. Orias pays for the cookies, and the chef goes back into the Imp. We're sitting warm by the fire, and a giant blue lady goes past the window. Eorin recognizes her as a daughter of Urgathoa. Daughters of Urgathoa remain social beings who surround themselves with fanatical cults. They are chosen by Urgathoa from among her priestesses at the moment of their death. Eorin also knows that it's about as powerful as we are. It's floating around knocking on people's doors. There are also little goblins dressed as butlers holding a single large bag. One of the doors she knocks on opens and a child is being forced out. The goblins are trying bag the child, who is in a trance like state. Eorin recalls that there's a local story about a child going missing every year (not necessarily on this night), but no one knows why or where they go. The goblins are sining the child kidnapping song.
We realize that we are the Scooby Gang. Eorin is Velma, Orias is Daphne, Zelara is Freddy, and Illythan is Shaggy. Chubby Baby is Scooby, and Kyle is Scrappy-do. So we decide to go and stop the kidnapping.
The fight was very short as Zelara took the Daughter's head off and completely disintegrated her within 8 seconds (121 damage!). The goblins leave the child and are booking it in traditional comedic goblin fashion. They all accidentally kill themselves but one which gets stuck in a pipe. We also find a bottle on the ground. The girl comes out of her trance and starts screaming. Lights turn back on and people start looking out the window. Kyle tries to calm her, but she doesn't quiet until her parents come out. Illythan looks at the bottle to find that it's full of broken glass - but it's weird because the shards are larger than the bottleneck opening. There's a special cork in the bottle with a lock. We cut the bit of the drain off that the goblin is stuck in, and compensate the person whose house that is for the damage to their pipe. Eorin casts Tongues on Kyle, and she interrogates the goblin. It does not go well. Zelara realizes it's been subject to mind control, so it probably doesn't remember anything useful. The villagers kill it with a stick. We go back inside and make more coca.
As midnight approaches, Zelara's eyes begin to glow. There's a procession of ghosts going through the town. They've been stopping at everyone's door, and are approaching our caravan. One comes in through the walls and goes through Kyle, heading for Eorin. It kneels, prays, and leaves. This happens with all the ghosts. Eorin realizes they're all people that have died naturally, and are coming up to Eorin to show that they are going back (since he's a priest of Pharasma). Eorin goes outside so they don't have to keep coming into the caravan. They then all pray to him en-masse. A jewelry box is left on the steps of the caravan. It looks like the sort of box an engagement ring would be in. Eorin goes back inside, and Kyle opens the good wine and begins to pour it for everyone. There are ten glasses on the table, and Kyle doesn't know how they got there. As Kyle pours the 6th glass, we start to see a man appear. Eorin and Kyle recognize him as Cayden Cailen. He says that he was the one who set the table. Cayden Cailen says that we each have to pour an extra glass. Eorin pours the next glass and Pharasma appears, she keeps a funeral shroud over her face. Illythan pours the next one, and half of Nethys appears. The other half decides to show up as well. The good half is holding the beverage. Each time a glass is poured, the glass changes to reflect the god the wine is being poured for and the drinks change as well. (Cayden Cailen's turns into beer in a stein, Pharasma's turns into water in a simple cup, etc.) Orias pours the next glass, though for some reason he puts his thumb over the opening and shakes it before pouring it into a martini glass for Calistria. Zelara is about to pour when Cayden stops her, telling her that she should wait for a bit.
Cayden Cailen asks us if we've been having fun. Orias offers them cookies. There's a knock at the door. There's a man at the door with a widows peak and streak of grey in his hair. He looks middle aged, but is handsome. Eorin recognizes that he is of Azlanti decent: moreso than anyone currently alive. Kyle asks for his name, but he says he prefers not to give it anymore. He sits in the last spot, and Cayden gestures for Zelara to pour the last glass. Cayden says that they're here so we can each ask them a single question. He also tells Kyle that the drinking thing is that a lot of people join the church thinking it's a big drinking party, and wants to make sure that's not the only thing Kyle does. But it's New Years! So drink it up! And hands Kyle a stein.
Kyle turns to Eorin and is like "Why are five gods in our house?"
Illythan: "Four"
Kyle: "Four, and that guy?"
Anyway, we each get one question per guest. So five questions each, basically.
Kyle asks Pharasma: Why did you let what happen to Eorin here, happen.
Pharasma: Her domain is the dead, and can't control the actions of mortals, because that would go against life.
Kyle asks Cayden Cailen: Why are you guys here?
Cayden Cailen: There's some stuff happening, really big amazing stuff. And all sorts of things are tying into this from 20 years ago, and you need a little bit of advice, and that's the only way we can do it. (Illythan remembers that something awoke 20 years ago, and it was bad)
Nethys mentions that the sanctuary where the Old One was imprisoned: his guardian escaped. And because of that, the Old One found a way out. His prison, was connected to Rovagug's prison. And the only way to seal that is with materials that cannot even be gathered here.
Kyle asks Nethys: where can we gather the materials?
Nethys: There are five ingredients. You will need to find the Old One's vessels to gather the 5th ingredient. Tar Baphon hides the 4th ingredient deep inside his prison. The 3rd is hidden in Numeria. The 2nd is within the possession of the River King. The 1st is in the World Wound.
Illythan remembers that the World Wound connects to the Abyss. The Abyss also connects to Galerion's moon.
Zelara asks Cayen Cailen: How is the Army of Exploration involved?
Cayden Cailen: It's the absolute worst! The problem with the Old One is that he's everywhere! He's at every point in time, and he's a little bit different at every point. And the Army is connected with him in a bad way.
Orias asks Cayden Cailen: How are they connected?
Cayden Cailen: one of them saw him long ago, and they had this horrible revalation about him and went crazy, and now he's trying to rebuild the world.
Eorin says it seems more like they're trying to destroy the world not rebuild it. And Cayden Cailen points out that they're trying to make new creatures.
Eorin asks Cayden Cailen how we would recognize the ingredients.
Cayden Cailen: I'll draw you a picture. Hand me a napkin.
(1. A big old book with a thing in the middle, 2. a horrible creepy statue, 3. it's an odd shape but we can't figure out what it depicts, 4. it's amber with a bee in it, 5. he couldn't draw it because he doesn't want us to go insane)
Illythan asks Cayden Cailen how we find the vessel.
Cayden Cailen: We can ask the Old One since he's used the vessel in the past, or we can use the one in Numeria, there are several vessels. The Elves have many hidden doorways in their lands. We can try and look in Absalom if you find the right ship. Or you can try to find the Thassilonians or the Azlanti. Remember that little blue bug? You sold it to the lady in Korvosa? That could have been a vessel.
Eorin remembers reading about a giant bug ship that died. It laid eggs everywhere.
Zelara asks Nethys: if it is within his power, could he grant her the ability to read the books and not go insane.
Nethys: Not all the books drive you insane, and we have the power to learn the language ourselves. You can ask us questions, not favors.
Orias asks Nethys if there aren't any other people the gods could appear to about this.
Nethys: You are all connected to the five ingredients. Zalara and her connection to Tar Baphon, Orias and his connection to the River King, *looks at Kyle* your vow, Illythan and how he will help you in Numeria, *looks at Eorin* you are just an unfortunate casualty in all of this. The real reason you're here is the rest of them aren't as educated as you.
Kyle asks Calistria: WHAT VOW?
Calistria: Oh I don't deal with that dear, you should have asked the Lady of Graves.
Nethys: 22 years ago, when the Old One escaped and his guardian burst out of his bonds, it killed quite a few people. And Pharasma chose that since this person had made a very important vow, they would be given a second chase. So you were born again. You vowed to see the world, but I will warn you, it will get much worse from here. There are many words.
Illythan asks Nethys why he will be useful in Numeria.
Nethys: Numeria, unlike what many think, is not a land bereft of magic. Most of it is powered by science. And to even be able to enter Numeria you will need the one thing that pumps through your veins. Not just any magic, the magic of the air elementals. Lightning, the sky fire, electricity.
Cayden Cailen realizes that he's been asked a question by everyone and goes to pass out (in Eorin's bed).
Eorin asks Nethys if the spell to purge his blood of undeath will work.
Nethys: Work? or work in your favor? Due to how the actual spell works, there are one of three outcomes. It purges you of all the necrotic energies in your body and your human side, all necrotic energies and your elven side, or the necrotic energies take back what they gave you. You had a twin, both of you were dying, but the remaining life was given to the stronger. It was not an act of evil magic, it was one giving its life so the other could live before both of you were born.
Nethys pushes on the table to stand, and then disappears. There's a burnt handprint on the table from his crackling energy half.
Orias asks Calistria: what has happened to my mother, and is she involved in all this?
Calistria: Well the River King's minion has her. And to explain why, well, long ago a certain god disappeared and divination magic stopped working except for a few individuals *poignant look* like your mother. And look at the bright side, at least she doesn't do it like the trolls of Kaer Maga! They cut themselves open and read their own innards!
Zelara asks Calistria: What's she's heard over the years about the Whispering Way?
Calistria: Oh no! Even we don't hear about that. There's a reason we specialize dear. It's called the Whispering Way for a reason. One of its members is highly interested in you. I choose not to say his name due to certain guests here. Cheers!
Kyle asks Calistria: Where is the Army of Exploration?
Calistria: Why would you want to know that? They're everywhere! They're using the Darklands as their own personal transit routes. They've made vessels that are very fast, so they don't even have a base.
Illythan asks Calistria: How far along has my brother gotten in his venture?
Calistria: *laughs and opens her purse and pulls out some paperwork, there's a graph of everyone's progress. Illythan is in last place* I will tell you this bit for free, don't feel bad if you loose. He misses you.
Illythan: My brother?
Calistria: In a sense. Your father told him about you.
Eorin asks Calistira: is there any other deception pointed my way from the Church of Pharasma.
Calistria: Depends on what you do. If you stay hidden as you are, no. If you try to change things in your church, yes. But there is none right now in your Church.
Cayden Cailen gets out of the bed. "I just remembered I promised to have a drink with Gorum!" He opens the door and we see a iron suit of armor with spikes. Caiden Cailen leaves with Gorum.
Illythan asks the Azlanti: Can you lead us to one of the vessels?
Azlanti dude: No, you have to find them on your own.
Illythan: No, like a general area or location. Not lead us there directly.
Azlanti dude: Ah. *He pulls out a map of Varisia and marks Riddleport, marks the docks in Absalom though says that one's iffy, then pulls out the big map and points to what used to be Azlanti*
Orias asks the Azlanti: Where is this minion of the River King that we're looking for.
Azlanti dude: He is currently in the River King's lair *marks it on the map for us*
Orias asks Pharasma: Will Eorin turn undead when he dies?
A: Maybe. It depends on actions he has yet to choose. It depends on the cause and time of the death. If he dies of natural causes he will pass on. But if he dies in the heat of battle with his friends in peril, he will come back.
Kyle: But not evilly?
Pharasma: no.
Illythan asks Pharasma: If he stays in your favor, will he still turn undead when he dies?
Pharasma: *looks confused* If he became undead, and then passed, he would still be welcome.
Eorin asks Pharasma: Will you still answer my prayers and consider me one of your clerics regardless of my choice in the matter of my blood?
Pharasma: Look at all the prayers that you have asked before and know that I have been there, even when you didn't know of your heritage. You have done far more than most priests that are still alive.
Orias: yea, because they're douche bags.
Kyle: Fuck those priests.
Kyle asks the Azlanti: How are you involved?
Azlanti dude: Long ago he fought Tar Baphon.
Zelara asks the Azlanti: The best way to deal with Tar Baphon.
Azlanti dude: The best way to deal with him is knowing that he is interested in two of you. You *points to Zelara* and you *points to Eorin*. Though if you alter your blood before then, he won't have any interest in you any longer. The real issue will be trying to get past all the Paladins and Clerics.
Eorin asks the Azlanti if Tar Baphon will help us get the ingredient.
Azlanti dude: He will in exchange for one thing and one thing only. He will in exchange for freedom. And he's the only one who knows how to work one of the vessels.
Zelara asks Pharasma: Is Aroden really dead?
Pharasma: *looks at the Azlanti, and looks back at Zelara*