A Ceremony of Commitment

A few more items we learned over the past few months:

Stellara learned Elacrimalicros sometimes takes the shape of a Stone Giant, among other creatures. And this next item is true no matter what form he takes: he can breath and move underwater. In one story she read, he was in a battle with a mage. The mage threw a spell, Elacrimalicros apparently was able to backfire the spell and kill the mage with psychic damage. All of us in our party who throw spells must remember this!

Trella learned that Alice is not just a Hag, she is a Night Hag. These are classified as Fiends. We already knew she could enter the Ethereal Plane. Now we know she can do this at will as long as she has her heart stone with her. Trella learned there is a part of the Plane that is nearer to the Material Plane and a deeper area that can be travelled to. She learned if someone is in the Ethereal Plane, they can pass through solid objects, but not people or any living thing. Also, especially dense metal is equally impenetrable.

Benu learned and passed on to us (I think???) that demons and devils are two different classifications and don't get along particularly well. Chernovog is a demon. She ran across some references where a few scholars thought he might be more neutral than evil.

Winter tried to find information on Calaban and Litches. Turns out Litches have a phylactery where their soul ends up after they die. Then within a week, the soul exits the phylactery and the Litch is returned to life, new body and all.

Skylar learned of Devil's bargains. According to what she learned: The bargain's purpose is to corrupt a mortal so the devil can reap the soul. There are 2 types of contracts. One is the Pact Certain. This is a straight trade: "I do something for you, I get your soul when you die."

The other type of contract is much more of a long term corruption, called the Pact Insidious. This is more of a 'lets be buddies' kind of a relationship. "I do something for you . . . hey I need you to do something for me . . . then I do something for you . . . hey, could you do this for me? . . ." This goes on until the mortal can't recognize that they have been corrupted. But you might not go to hell with this pact . . . I suppose you just have to determine how to stop the corruption . . .

A few days ago, we had the recommitment ceremony for Embric and Avi at our manor. The first party we have held! I'm not sure if we will do that again, let me explain . . .

Everything was going as planned. Everyone was having fun. Stevie cooked great 'snackies' - we couldn't get him to call them appetizers. Even the three kids showed up. Montgomery chipped in and served the trays of . . . . snackies. Winter and Stellara performed. The guests danced to the music.

Then came the ceremony. Everything went off without a hitch (including my beautiful illusion as backdrop) until Embric and Avi exchanged rings.

Behind the happy couple a devil appeared.

Monster Note: Zammasir - the Legion Horned Devil. (Alyssa filled us in when all was over) It came complete with a forked staff weapon, a long tail it used to attack and two horns upon its head. The staff weapon threw fire.

It exclaimed we had raised hands against the masters. (We think this might be the Casselanter's, though we are not certain)

Well, it was terrifying. I had to run and hide before I could fire any spell off. In the confusion, many were wounded. Jenks, Avi, Stevie and Flune were killed. Alyssa Montrose recognized the thing. She called him Zammasir then held up an amulet she was wearing. A bright light flashed out. A crack opened beneath the devil, fire and smoke flared out and Zammasir was consumed in flames.

We helped the wounded. Stellara and Istrid revivified the dead. Stellara had a vision. Her god told her to bring Calaban to him. At least we think he was speaking of Calaban, he said "the one who wears the crown." He sent a warning: "There is unrest among the gods and it is already making its way into your world." And he also said that these people had died because of us.

Trella tried to bring the party back to the room, but was interrupted when within my illusion another illusion appeared. As asked, I had put up a picture of a ship sailing across an ocean into the sunset. Now within my picture, two tentacles reach up and grab the ship and pull it under.

Avi called it a sign from Augma. She said it was "The Hidden - Slar Krethel"

Winter then remembered that Slar Krethel is the name of a being from beyond. A Kraken. And guess what one of its pass times is? Turning mortals into fish-like creatures - Kroatoa! Nihilor must be one of its minions.

We tried to keep the party going, but it didn't last long. Tyaa spoke with Alyssa and found out she is an Aasimar.

After everyone had left and we were cleaning up, we heard a knock on the door. Glom had come to pay us a visit.

He said he has had a dream of 3 creatures: one with claws, one that is cold to the grave, one with tentacles.

He also mentioned that of his first 7 prophesies, one has been forestalled. He offered another to replace it: "The skull throne will be usurped by blood."

And then he left - strange one that Glom . . .

After he left, Stellara had some news: This is when she tells us of everything she learned. I have noted it earlier. But she told us one more item: Elacrimalicros is her grandfather!!!!!!

She and Tyaa had a moment.

Days have passed now, and we have gotten a summons from Blackstaff Tower. Vajra is looking better. She informs us there has been an increase of giant attacks on the settlements along the coast. She wants us to head north to Bryn Shandar and meet up with a Frost Giant named Harsh Nag.

We agree to go.

Do you remember the silver raven we gave Ilandra to send to us if they ever needed help? Guess what . . . .it began knocking on the window of the Vajra's office. The message was grim. We're heading there now. I hope we make it in time to at least save some of our village.