Damien and the Lord of Patterns

30/06/2000

Alias writes...

Summary

Player Characters

Oberon, Lord of Wands
Damien, Prince of Demons
Alias, Warder of Secrets
Morphia, Weaver of Dreams
Odin, Caster of Runes
Hyperion, Sun King

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Major NPC’s Visited

Lord of Metals
Lord of Patterns
Lord of Similarities
Lord of Artificing

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Places Visited

Citadel of Wands, Feralie
Timely Hill, Feralie

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Mission

Find out what the Lord of Patterns has against Damien to resolve the issue, one way or another.

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Motivation and/or Employer

Since I can remember, Damien has been running from the Lord of Patterns, for reasons, not completely understood by us. There is a bounty on his head and it is becoming hard for the party to deal with some immortals.

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Scouring the Lands for Resources

Players: Jason, Max … preparing for troubles ahead.

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Preparation

Given a little downtime and the chance to initiate, Damien and I headed into the Abyss to look for one of the chess pieces. Making good use of a hunting demon, we located the piece near New Terra. No resistance was encountered and we had in our possession a black rook. The piece allowed Damien to castle with a valid target.

Using the rook, we traveled the planes in search of the other black rook and the black king, both of which we could trace or send the hunting demon after using the first rook as a link. This lead us to Hell’s Gate. The red dragons there obviously held a rook in their hoard, so we headed in, hoping to sneak in and out, without too much trouble.

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Hell’s Gate

After I got in trouble trying to pass a ward, Damien castled with me. Making full use of his persuasive social skills, we made a hasty retreat, taking only a few moments to gather a couple of red dragon scales lying around. Damien was fortunate enough to gather a dragon’s claw that his trident up and devoured. Fortunately the claw was not attached to an owner at the time. Deciding not to press a physical battle with the dragons, we left them to their hoard, especially given the usefulness of their proximity to Hell’s Gate.

Departing the company of the dragons turned out to be an interesting event. We stumbled, through luck rather than design, upon an earth elemental acting as a carriage for some foul creature. Being a friend of the earth, I spoke at length with the elemental. My under developed social abilities, and Damiens’ desire to rain death upon the devil riding in the elemental lead us to a meet the fiend.

To our surprise, we face the Lord of Murderer’s. He was unexpectedly friendly, asking why we delayed his travels. Whispering to each other, we decided that not dying was a good thing and encouraged him to move along. We definitely were not the immortals he was looking for. We quickly travelled to the other end of the cave. It is a long underground tunnel that leads from Hell’s Gate to Purity’s Folly. We only visited the door at Purity’s Folly, where we found a siege venom trap waiting to snuffle the unwary. Damien valiantly attempted to use a binding gem he had acquired to store the stuff. We left with great haste as the venom was activated and spread through the cave caused havoc. Damiens’ armour was left in a degraded state, taking several years to fully recover.

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Rabat

After licking his wounds for a while, Damien was ready to continue questing for the chess pieces. A few years were lost looking around for the other rook. After speculation on the location of the board itself, we ended up in Rabat, figuring there were one or more pieces there. We were not wrong. The rook can castle with the king, and we sensed its presence. This lead us to the infamous warehouse of Rabat. Known home to Devils. Unphased we continued.

Sneaking up to the warehouse, we castled the rook for the king, then proceeded to trace to our first rook. This, obviously, lead inside. This short lived “capture” of the rook took a turn for the worst when we ran into the Lord of Domination. A named devil, we were in trouble. In Damien fashion, we attacked.

After witnessing him cast several spells and summon other devils, I decided it was time to leave. Especially with a wall of force blocking our path to attack. Damien didn’t want to go, but I convinced him otherwise. We did not return. A large party of immortals will be needed to clear that den of evil and corruption.

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Across the Planes

Loosing the rook was a blow, but with the black king, we had a trace to the other pieces. Travelling across the 7 main planes and the Abyss we recovered with relative ease several other pieces. The only point of interest being a witch hunter on West Over, Bob. It seems the place is riddled with hags and witches. Someone really ought to do something about it.

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Into the Abyss, Beyond, and Back Again

Players: Paul, Jason, Max … heading into the outer darkness.

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Preparation

Damien had already visited the Lady of the Lake several times. Her divinations had turned up a poem that lead us to investigate the outer darkness. It seemed the Lord of Patterns was afraid of something Damien could summon from that place.

Having some intelligence on the Lord of Similarities, a member of the Lord of Patterns faction, we chose to head into the Abyss to see what he had been up to. With Damien in toe, there was little we could do to prepare.

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Into the Abyss

Travelling to the base of New Terra, we found a massive rift against the astral. The Lord of Similarities had been seen here. The rift was massive. Other than the pit, it is the only terrain feature known in the Abyss.

Travelling down, instead of the air pressure rising, we noticed a strange effect where the darkness pressure rose, limiting vision more than normal. Over a hundred miles long, and forty miles wide, we traveled down and estimated five miles.

Near the bottom and ward was found, hiding a gate into New Terra. Being workings of the Lord of the Dark Earth and Lady of the Deeps, we figured the rift to be a massive storage device for Astral water. Almost certainly the construction site for huge salt golems. After it was noted that I could not work my magics upon the wards laid in the deeps, we decided against entering the gate.

Not long later, on a hunch, Damien sent an Abysmal probe down through the floor of the rift to look for the other side. It returned and we were in luck. After resting we found ourselves travelling in a bubble through to the other side.

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The Other Abyss

The other Abyss was quite different. Having some kind of non vegetation based flora and swampy fell to it, we were cautious. Not far away, Oberon found a large pipe. After resting we investigated.

Meeting the pipe and travelling to the left, we eventually came to a large castle. Black marble. Huge. In a valley. Definitely Lord of the Dark Earth. His ire was not with our attention, so we traveled back to follow the pipe to the other end.

We came to a large depression (several miles) filled with an industrial complex. Investigating the first group of buildings we found abandoned complexes for producing black marble golems and constructing seamless stone works.

While very interesting, it was not what we were here for, so we headed back to the Rose City for some recuperation.

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Lord of Metals

Being on Sparlainth, we headed to the Forge of Souls to visit the Lord of Metals. Figuring he could put a good word forward to the Lord of Patterns, Damien felt him worth speaking to.

Unfortunately the Lord of Metals, remembering that Damien had appeared without a soul in the past, and knowing about the Lord of Patterns interest, grabbed him. I cowered in the presence of the Lord of Metals, especially in his house. Speaking somewhat slowly, I attempted to convey the story of Damiens’ redemption. Unfortunately the Lord of Metals was not particularly interested although given that Carafour had been a part of it, and Damien had helped out with the Apocalypse, he did give Damien a chance to defend himself.

Not fairing much better than I had, Damien was in a world of trouble. Making various excuses we gathered a fortnights grace, to present Oberon in Damiens’ defense. Oberon speculated on someones hand twisting the events to make it seem that Damien was in fact a creature of corruption, when in fact he was not.

Given the situation, the Lord of Metals, decided the The Lord of Patterns could best settle the problem. Especially since his is such an honourable creature.

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Damien, Saviour of Mankind

Thinking slowly, we eventually realised that if Damien could provide a service that other immortals couldn’t he may be of use to the Lord of Metals, and he would refrain from handing him over to the Lord of Patterns. Especially since the Lord of Patterns has been known to be a little harsh, from time to time.

I eventually figured Damien could ferry souls across the Abyss, saving them from predation of the Lady of the Abyss. Offering this to the Lord of Metals, he agreed it was worth keeping Damien away from the Lord of Patterns.

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Lord of Patterns

Next I made and unfortunate blunder. The Lord of Metals asked if my leige, the Lord of Intrigues had anything to do with this plotting against Damien. I didn’t know. I said I didn’t know. Next thing I knew I was in front of the Lord of Patterns. He has interesting furniture.

Being polite, I kept him entertained, while the Lord of Intrigues turned up and helped resolve the situation. It turned out someone in the Lord of Patterns own faction was intriguing against him. Not too long later, and after impressing the locals of London with some acrobatics, I returned home.

With a bit more investigation, we all agreed, it was likely the Lord of Similarities that was Damiens’ problem. We resolved to pay him a visit and see what he had to say about that matter.

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Same Old Same Old

Players: Everyone … climax of the series.

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Preparation

After quickly deciding to visit the Lord of Similarities, some supplies for the long journey ahead were needed. Everyone spent a lot of time, going over the likely difficulties ahead and laying down contingency plans. Much time passed. Keen to meet the Lord of Similarities face to face, I just wanted to move on.

Knowing how favourably the Lord of Artificing looks upon the Lord of Similarities, we paid him a visit. He had come up with some new breast implant ideas for the Lady Morphia. Politely declining, I thought I sensed her feeling a little bemused by the whole affair, although, as always, she appreciated the attention.

David had a great new attachment that needed testing. A small knob that allows the owner to swing by a thin thread. The test was to swing from one side of Gotham to the other. It was declined by all, although considered by Oberon and myself.

Moving onto the journey ahead, David did provide us with what information he could. Next we visited the Lord of Metals. He was more to the point, leading us the Planetary Pistol, incase we ran into trouble along the way.

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Timely Hill

Since we had lost contact with the Lord of Similarities, we figured starting at the Citadel of the Wands might be good. While there, the Lord of Beasts was invited for a meal. Oberon seemed keen to introduce him to Odin. Upon his arrival, the Lord of Beasts took an instant interest in Odin. Odin played coy, and Typerion surrounded himself with nubile young women.

Barbarian that he is, Odin insulted the Lord of Beasts, who left on bad terms. Fortunately I had made a quick exit, using Morphia as cover. Damien was also nowhere to be seen.

Without further ado, the hunting demon was released. The Lord of Similarities was around somewhere, so we headed off in his direction. Thinking it would be more fun to pay him a surprise visit, we travelled in secret.

Our travels took us to to Odins’ home and we visited there for a short while. Hoping to sooth the Lord of Beasts, I invited him to join the warm hospitality of Odins’ people. We left before he arrived, if he did at all.

Moving into the mountains, we passed Hell’s Gate and moved on. Eventually we arrived at the Timely Hill. Patterns exit here leading to the West Over and Alusia. Avoiding the patterns, especially with the hunting demon, we search for the Lord of Similarities. He was definitely nearby, although the demon could not pin down his exact position.

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Kings Foil

The Timely Hill proved to be a real treasure trove for a herbalist. In a golden find, Morphia discovered Athelas. Without wasting too much time, we had brewed a concoction that Typerion administered to me. This had the effect of curing me of the corrupting affliction that turned me into an Orc.

I became a Noldor Elf, an Elf of the Deeps. A race known for crafting items, including the Rings of Power.

After a few days we made our way closer to the center of the hill. A lake and stream dominate the terrain features. We wandered around in the waters for a bit. After finding no trace of the Lord of Similarities, we wandered around aimlessly for a while.

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Surprise Party

None of our magics could locate him, and not wanted to give up so easily, we cast about without direction. Eventually I headed up to the top of the hill and started searching for secret things. The account of what happened next is a little vague.

Not long after getting to the top of the hill, my connection to the dream link went down. Apparently the party reacted by charging straight up the hill to discover what had happened to me. Upon arrival, I was no where to be seen, my smoking boots could even be found.

The top of the hill wreaked of a trap. Damien headed in anyway, as he does. Everyone was on alert, although it could have just been the Lord of Similarities playing some king of prank. Right on cue, he appeared, the Lord of Similarities. A human of average height, carrying a mace and wearing a large black marble robe. He walked quite calmly to address the party.

Damien pounced while Odin through his spear, while the party let loose with an array of bolt spells, lightning and force bolts mostly. Damien came down with a tidal blow of his military pick. Reacting quickly the Lord of Similarities detonated a shaped charge in his mace, anti pouncing Damien. Oberons’ force bolt and Morphias’ lightning bolt did some damage. Odins’ spear was turned. Typerians’ lightning bolt just faded.

The first volley of attacks seemed to have little effect on the Lord of Similarities and the party followed through again with pretty much the same kind of attacks, feeling him out. I was still no where to be seen, not even my corpse.

Damien was back in melee range by now. Oberon was maneuvering for a better attack. Typerian was repositioning for a sun flash. Morphia switched to a confusion spell and Odin was getting his own shaped charges ready. Damien leapt into the fray managing to do some damage this time while Morphias’ confusion bounced off. Typerian was through down the hill and I don’t know where I was. Somehow Morphias’ confusion returned me from it and suddenly the party were in front of me, battling the Lord of Similarities.

Oberon was switching to working with Damien, who was ready to put his pick to good use. Morphia was back on confusion detail, while Odin had his shaped charges ready to go. Typerian was charging back up the hill. I was closing to melee. Oberon stayed the hand of the Lord of Similarities and he could not bring his mace to bear on Damien. Thinking quickly he harmonised with Damien.

By now I had appeared behind the Lord of Similarities. He spun around, spinning Damien and charged (forcing Damien to charge the party). I attempted a side step and disappeared again. Meanwhile Odin was having problems with his shaped charges. It appears he managed to arm them all, just as the bag they were in fell into pieces. This was not good, and much running began. Fortunately Morphias’ next confusion returned me from where ever I had gone.

Oberon, Typerion, Odin and Morphia were doing much running. Meanwhile Damien began to turn two dimensional to break the harmonise. I was close enough to the Lord of Similarities to engage in melee. Behind me there was much confusion and unknown to all I had a secret plan.

Releasing a shaped charge upon me had no affect, as I was ready to ward it off. The Lord of Similarities attempted to harmonise, but I would not be controlled so easily. My plan went beyond simple defenses. Unleashing a penetrating strike, I pass walled through his mighty black marble armour with the nine lives stealer. Using a few thief points to add to the affect, he could not affect a resist and succumbed.

I received much cheering and applause. I think that under Damiens’ armour there may have been a tear forming.

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Time to Go

Without wasting too much time, the Lord of Similarities was resurrected, turned to wood, and taken to the Citadel of Wands. Reviving him, we began an interrogation. He revealed many secrets. Morphia used a dream effect to fool him into thinking he was lying to us.

Eventually the spell was broken by Damien. Not long later a knock was heard at the door and one of the other Lord of Similarities was here. We traded for the one we had. We gained power and a truce of sorts.