Visions of the False Sage

Last session most of the characters were granted a vision by the False Sage: a strange creature posing as the Sage of Lune while the real one is imprisoned on the moon. 

[Take notes or bookmark this one, as you'll probably be referring back to it later on. Some questions got a bigger or more complicated answer than others. If a character got an answer that pointed to a place you already know about, or were maybe planning to go anyway, I tried to give you some bonus information.

Some of you get 'instant gratification' answers that you could go investigate right now with your current knowledge, exploration and power level. Others are more long-term things, or lead to areas of extreme danger. As always, it is up to you to decide which are which and what to do about it!]

Finrod

"I wish to see the Temple of Esma, built by my people of old and since lost."

A cracked and crumbling dome of velvety white stone surmounted by towers is perched among the high mountain crags. Through a great crack in the white dome only darkness is visible, and then a brief blur of green, perhaps... the flap of a massive wing?

"Lost Esma can be found on the edge of the Elphand Lands, in the Pinnacle Mountains, on the highest peak overlooking Lake Pernicus."

After returning to the Night Wolf Inn, Finrod asked about the message he had seen on the notice board during the midsummer party. James Everbleed and the others he spoke to had no idea who put it up, or any information on the adventurer who was named in the flyer (Phanouel the Great).

Uriah

"Show me relics sacred to Seker or Solaris that I could use to make a blessed weapon."

"Beneath Wakelinus' Folly, the demon Varthatov keeps a weapon of light stolen from his enemies, a gemstone of scintillating colours. Seize it for yourself."

"In the undercity deep below Viridistan, underneath the Temple of Sürü Miklári and the Theatre of Sutrali Khibari, in the Court of the Triumphant Wedding lies a lost relic of Seker, the Head of the Hawk. It is in the possession of Uromén the Chortling Death, seneschal of evil. He knows not what he has, but is unlikely to give up his prize willingly."

Getorix

"Where can I learn the secret of the Philosopher's Stone?"

"In the City of Brass lies the Library of Xinraedaal. Contained within is all the knowledge accumulated by the city's builders over millennia. If what you seek is not there, then the library can point the way."

You already know the way to the City of Brass. It can be reached through the magical book your group owns: Evocations of the Doomed City.

Xénos

"Show me how I may obtain a weapon suitable for my skills."

In a field of utter blackness, only a distant archway of purplish-red fire can be seen.

"Venture beneath Wakelinus' Folly where the demon Varthatov stalks and the followers of Uthummaos hold their cruel rites. Pass through the Amaranthine Arch and walk the paths of utter darkness, where no light is permitted. Any sane man would fear to tread these halls, but there is the object of your search."

Owen

"Show me how to enhance my psionic talents."

A great cavern where a bitter cold wind howls, held up by an immense column of natural stone. The entire cave is punctuated with strange formations, both mineral deposits and sheets of ice. On the south wall, a rectangular dais of dun-coloured rock is drizzled with mineral deposits resembling melted wax. At the back of the platform, a 10'x10' mirror reflects a distorted image of the entire cavern.

"Venture into the cellars beneath the Night Wolf Inn to find this enigma built by the ancients and touch your reflection to receive its wisdom."

Salzige

"Where can I obtain the means to use the fireball spell?"

Watched over by five towering columns of white alabaster whose tops have been sculpted into flying seraphim, is an open theatre of incredible beauty. Each tier of seating is broad enough to spread a blanket and cut from a different color of pastel quartz. This rainbow of rose, green and lavender forms a stepped quarry with the stage at the bottom.

The backdrop of the stage is equally spectacular, being constructed of enormous boulders - each one an opened geode of sparkling white calcite.

Your heart pounds and you feel light-headed, for the stage is mired in a great trove of gold, jewels and other delights.

"This is the hoard of Al'lahab the red dragon, ancient and powerful. He dwells in the City of Brass near the Library of Xinraedaal, hoarding his treasure and flying on the currents of elemental fire. Here you will find the magic item you seek."

Joe Spruce

"Show me the location of any natural materials as strong as forged materials, or a way to make natural materials stronger."

"In the Groves of the Moon grow mighty and ancient trees that can only be harvested by blessed axes, for their boughs are stronger than any steel."

"In a high mountain fortress built by warriors of legend lives a craftsman with the skill to work this wood and many other materials besides. Only those whose hearts are pure shall ever get close enough to ask for his help. This fortress lies in a land of snowy mountains and volcanoes known to you as the Cerebral Cliffs."

[If & when you guys go to these areas, I will mark these spots on your map.]

Cassia

"Show me what you really look like."

A spindly and hideous beast, giant-sized, with an eyeless face and a forest of whiplike tentacles emerging from its head.

"If you must know..."

[If you guys fight the False Sage again and she "reveals her true form somehow" I will show you her stats thanks to the insight delivered by this vision.]

It was at this point that hostilities commenced with the False Sage. It is unlikely that further visions will be forthcoming, so make good use of this information!

Session 1 Clues

The party found a few curious texts during their adventure in Drydale. Here are the relevant details:

Blake's Diary

A few brown dog-eared pages remain from his days in the Legion. During the Deepwater Rebellion, Blake was drafted into a special unit sent to bring VIPs out of enemy-controlled zones all over Trident Gulf. Many were loyal Viridians fleeing persecution from the rebels, or at least that's what Blake was told; he seemed skeptical. Each had an identifying mark in common. A circling snake tattoo on the left forearm. It was never explained, but he assumed they were part of a gang of thieves.

He describes a rebel attack on their safehouse that went terribly wrong - they barely escaped and the man Blake was guarding died of his injuries soon after. He carried a copy of The Great Devourer which Blake kept and read. After these events he left the Legion and vowed to stay away from the oceans. He implies much in the diary but seems afraid to state things openly.

Several pages in the middle have been carefully cut out. After this gap there is only dull reportage about Blake's retirement, his farm, raising his daughter, etc.


The Great Devourer

A well-worn leather book with its title in flaking gilt scrollwork. Most of the text is flowery and morbid poetry describing the great worm Ouroboros sleeping in the ocean, waiting to swallow the whole world at the end of time. Cryptic metaphors and references abound and the poem's final resolution is unclear. Is Ouroboros supposed to be a monster, demon, god or something else entirely?

The second half seems to be a magical or occult treatise written in an ancient language or perhaps code. Any spellcasting character can attempt to decipher its contents, but it will take time and there is no predicting what mind-bending revelations or occult dangers might be concealed in the text.

[Any M-U, elementalist, cleric or elf who wishes to study the book closely: roll a d20 modified by your INT score (use the same progression as for STR or CON: 9-12 = no bonus, 13-15 = +1, 16-17 = +2, 18 = +3) and tell me the result. Alternatively it could be brought to someone's mentor, a sage or some other scholar if you want help.]

Satchel of Messenger's Papers

Found on Sir Karavon's corpse. A few crumpled papers, spotted with unknown brown stains. They mention two individuals of interest:

Lan Gaspar was relocated to the hamlet of Yakin Ley in the Brotbuckle Briars and has lived there ever since. He appears to be the local priest! What do we need him for anyway? Please advise.

I found Alekto. It would seem unbelievable, but he lives right under our noses! He is a leech and alchymist right here in Viridistan and owns a small country home near Midwall. His business is administered by his assistant Zhrana, and he rarely appears in public. He has taken pains to conceal his old identity and goes by the name Hooktong Ash now. I'll bet he would pay any sum so the Black Adders don't learn that an old rebel lives in their city!

Mysterious Blackened Tome

It seems to have awakened somehow, when Eric got blood on it. Words have appeared on the pages in bright crimson script:

Greetings. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?

[Should you wish to answer the book, well... let me know what you'd like to do.]
[Lothos answered the book. It goes by the name of Pheldrazash and seems to know many secrets, including some magic spells it is willing to teach.]

Some rumours are circulating about shady goings-on that might be profitable in the port of Targnol, a small city about a week's march from Viridistan. It might be worth detouring to investigate one or both on the way back to the capital, at your option:

- A minor thieving crew called the Tenebrous Hand have stolen an ancient artifact of no small value. Well-placed bribes have kept the authorities out of it, but the original owners - a rich merchant consortium from Midwall - want their piece back and would probably pay generously. Hand members are often seen drinking in a dive bar called The Dog & Bastard.

- The rich merchant Philotheos Sten hasn't been around lately. His large estate lies on the edge of town, and nobody has been seen coming or going for several days. Some fear the worst while others remark on the man's riches, accumulated through a lifetime of trading. A few thugs are going to case his place soon. You might be able to beat them to it and see what kind of loot is lying around!
[The group visited Philotheos' home in Session 2.]