Witchful Thinking - 2019-06-29 - Once More Unto the Bleak (log)
Lumnea 29-30, 5119
by Leafiara Autumnwind of the [[::The_TownCrier|TownCrier]]
Summary
- Thadston arrives for the journey to the Bleaklands and says that some militia will be staying behind and Khylon's town guard is working overtime, so the streets will be safe while they're away. He emphasizes that we can't end Raznel yet, as she's returned from the grave before, and tonight is about observing the Bleaklands. Recent reports have brought up a new stone in the area and that the area itself is expanding like a disease.
- Puptilian asks to only disable goblins they encounter in case "a town friend" is with Raznel, but Thadston only shrugs. (Later that night, the group encounters goblins and kills them all quickly.)
- Thadston leads adventurers to the [[::Kingdom of Hendor|Hendoran]] outpost and through the portal to the Bleaklands, previously created by Magister [[::Raelee_Svala|Raelee]] at the request of Praxopius.
- Inside, Leafiara notes an additional ripple in the air--with a peek into the shadow realm--compared to the [[::The_Rone_Resurgence_-_5118-09-28_-_Developments_in_the_Bleaklands|previous visit]].
- As the group explores and finds a couple of stray bleakstones, they're assaulted by rocks, bleakworms, primordials, skeletal arms, mist that takes over their minds, bleak knights, and incarnadine vipers, dispatching them with relative ease. But then things go south as first foul-smelling mist that makes people go mad strikes several people in the face, then oculoths arrive, and among it all people begin to get moulis infections!
- During the triage efforts, the group notes more oily black trees than the one growing in the previous trip.
- Then, suddenly, everyone finds themselves in one of the Tears of Koar--a sort of oasis amidst the Bleaklands--along with ragged [[::Turamzzyrian_Empire|Imperial]] soldiers and scholars.
- Raelee asks how long they've been there, but the scholar doesn't recall and says they'd been expecting to meet with Cayde, but couldn't escape where they are. Leafi asks if they're from the outpost, but the scholar doesn't seem to know what she means. [OOC sidenote: In a merchant event that I didn't log, Larsya came to the summit at the Valley of Gold and mentioned a man named Cayde working for Breshon and treasure hunting in the Bleaklands.]
- The scholar says they were looking for stones Cayde wanted and [[::Ysharra_Nagorn|Ysharra]] confirms with them that it's the bleakstones. The scholar asks how long they've been in the Bleaklands and everyone says briefly, but when Shinann asks how long they've been there, the answer is the 10th of Ivastaen--a month and twenty days ago.
- Pup asks if the Tears are shrinking, but the scholar doesn't know since they're trapped in the current one--if they wander to the edge, they find themselves returned.
- Before the group can inquire further, they seemingly find themselves transported or returned to the trees. As they try to suss out what's happening and continue triage efforts, scarabs, shadow bats, voidwalkers, and oblivion shades attack. As trouble clears up, they find themselves returned to the same Tear of Koar as before, but the scholar and soldiers don't remember them and are surprised anew to see them. Xorus confirms it's the same ones who have been there since Ivastaen the 10th. The scholar gives warning to beware the behemoths of a thousand teeth and eyes.
- The group finds itself back with the trees again and Thadston asks Raelee if there's any hope of getting the soldiers. She says it might be possible.
- More beetles, scarabs, bleakworms, goblins, and Blameless zombies attack and then the earth goes wild, releasing more mist and many bleakstones.
- Just as the group gets to its last two bodies to [[::Raise Dead (318)|raise]] and Thadston is ready to head back, the group finds itself seeing the Temple of Koar, where Chaston Griffin commands Blameless crusaders--but is unable to make a move on him, as it seems to be a vision of the past. Raznel is seen watching the crusaders from the shadows, but then senses the group watching and seems to tell Thadston not to come back, saying that she'll kill his boy--which would be his son Disean--because she doesn't need him as badly as he wants him.
- Thadston leads the group back to the outpost, then says he'll go back "a thousand times if need be" and marches off, swearing.
Log
Departure Preparations
[Town Square, East]
Here in the center of a broad plaza near the commercial area of the bazaar stands the impressive facade of the slate-roofed Moot Hall, where the citizens of Wehnimer's Landing hold various official, religious and social functions. Facing the square are some of the town's more prosperous shops, still doing business with the many customers who still frequent the streets at night. You also see a bone-framed bulletin board and a large purple wooden barrel.
Also here: Gylmour, Meggiemae, Kamiel, Lord Nightwolfz, Commander Roblar, Cruxophim, Darcena, Ambassador Ardwen, Land Pirate Maylan, Gannorlac, Tsarok, Mistress Berkana, Leifa, Syphaer, Ariandae, Maags, Mayor Lylia, Lyrna, Magister Raelee, Ambassador Neopuron, High Lord Evician, Bernadette, Xred who is kneeling, Pietra, Laralana, Tolida, Claede, Melikor, Sir Geijon, Goldtree, Hapenlok, Osloe, Blades, Elbromo, Marijka, Sofal, Lord Chamorr, Goldstr, Dame Evia, Timothe, Avalera, Razanetika, Zosopage, Pukk, Lord Crime, Wolfloner, Chaoswynd, Lady Mistyfall, Great Lady Katami, Lady Tarine, Sir Ruffelin, High Lady Saranja, Lady in Waiting Lynaera, Envoy Leafiara, Sir Cryheart, Berost, Grand Lord Dalabrac, Puptilian, Grand Lord Gnaeusprimus, Alisette, Lord Thrassus, Ysharra, Lord Zolis
Thunder rumbles in the distance, heralding the coming of a great storm.
Thadston: "Eve."
Thadston: "I'll be along to outside Moot Hall shortly."
Lord Thadston just arrived.
Speaking to Thadston, Lylia says, "Ah, excellent. I have called a few people here to assist."
Thadston bashes his kroderine gauntlets together and cracks his neck.
Thadston says, "So it seems."
Thadston says, "Join me, if you all will."
Speaking to Thadston, Geijon asks, "We have a staging area?"
Thadston says, "I've commanded some of the militia to remain behind. They'll be patrolling our streets. In addition, Khylon has ensured me that the town guard is working overtime."
Thadston says, "So our streets will be safe, so if any wish to join us, you needn't be torn."
Claede says, "Chin up, Landing. Let us put a witch in the dirt."
Thadston says, "Now, listen up."
Thadston points at Claede.
Thadston says, "Right there."
Thadston says, "We absolutely have no misconception of what we're to accomplish here tonight."
Thadston says, "As it stands, we have no means to end the witch. She's returned from the grave countless times."
Thadston says, "Tonight is about observing the Bleaklands and what may or may not have changed."
Thadston says, "There has been some recent reports of new developments."
Thadston says, "One, a new stone discovered in the area. Secondly, it's said that the Bleaklands are growing."
Cryheart asks, "Growing?"
Thadston says, "Yes. Expanding. Spreading."
Thadston says, "Like a disease."
Thadston says, "But the witch will know we are coming. It is anyone's guess if she brings conflict. But it doesn't matter. The Bleaklands is dangerous enough."
Thadston asks, "Any questions?"
Speaking to Thadston, Puptilian says, "If we run into goblins, can we please disable only and not kill them. A town friend may be with her."
Thadston shrugs at Puptilian.
Thadston asks, "Shall we?"
Thadston says, "The Mad Mage has prepared a portal."
Raelee rolls her eyes at Thadston.
Thadston says, "It'll be from within the Outpost. So those of you can come and go as needed."
Thadston says, "I am moving in a few moments."
Thadston twists his head slightly, cracking his neck. He looks relieved.
[travel time]
Thadston says, "Good Kai you're a rowdy lot."
[Hendoran Outpost, Alchemist]
A thick wooden table sits beneath a wide wood-framed blackboard and dominates the center of the room, where it is surrounded by a number of locked chests and trunks, many of them labeled with the crest of the Hall of Mages. Large curtains flank an arched rune-etched window, allowing for the quick extinguishing of light, while numerous candles in various states of melted usage perch from precarious places throughout the room. The faint aroma of sulphur and herbs lingers in the air of the area. You also see a rune-carved wooden door, a sturdy wooden chair, a gold talon-shaped lantern mounted on a nearby wall, a wash basin, a basket of sticks and a tall invar brazier.
Also here: Pukk, Lord Crime, Chaoswynd, Lady Mistyfall, Great Lady Katami, Lady Tarine, Sir Ruffelin, High Lady Saranja, Lady in Waiting Lynaera, Sir Cryheart, Berost, Grand Lord Dalabrac, Puptilian, Grand Lord Gnaeusprimus, Alisette, Lord Thrassus, Ysharra, Lord Zolis, Razanetika, Avalera, Timothe, Dame Evia, Goldstr, Lord Chamorr, Sofal, Elbromo, Osloe, Hapenlok, Goldtree, Sir Geijon, Claede, Laralana, Pietra, Xred, Bernadette, Ambassador Neopuron, Magister Raelee, Lyrna, Maags, Ariandae, Leifa, Mistress Berkana, Land Pirate Maylan, Ambassador Ardwen, Miss Goblyn, Meggiemae, Cruxophim, Zosopage, Mayor Lylia, Blades, Yakushi, Gavrien, Ondreian, Xorus, Shinann, Great Lord Nazarr, Stormyrain, Envoy Leafiara, Darcena, Gannorlac, Claudaro, Lord Darconas, Lord Zephyrn, Falvicar, Zaneon, Jokic, Nodyre, Melikor, Tsarok, Illuminaty, Gylmour, Telmeran, Lord Thadston
Thadston ruffles up some parchments on a table and winks at Raelee.
Raelee squints at Thadston.
[more travel]
[Hendoran Outpost, Gateway]
The stone walls are smooth and covered with faint, yet meticulously-detailed wards that periodically shimmer with pale silver light. The glow from the rune-etched walls bathes the entire circular chamber in a soft luminosity. The very air crackles with a powerful energy, as the occasional spark of lightning dances harmlessly across the high-domed ceiling. You also see a glowing purple portal and a rune-carved steel door.
Thadston slowly empties his lungs.
Thadston bashes his gauntlets together.
Thadston asks, "Ready?"
Grand Entrances
Lord Thadston's group just went through a glowing purple portal.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate. You also see a glowing purple portal.
Clusters of jagged grey rocks float through the air, some loudly crashing into each other as they drift about haphazardly.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went east.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate. You also see a small ripple in the air.
>peer rip
You gaze through the small ripple and see...
[Shadow Realm]
Traveling to the peak of this bit of land, the climb is made more steep simply by the volume of bones scattered across the ground. Layer upon layer, the remains are heaped until it is near impossible to even see what lies beneath them. Tendrils of shadow writhe and curl in the air where the rise drops off in a sheer cliff, leaving nothing but crimson clouds of mist to haunt the darkness beyond the field of bones.
Leafiara exclaims, "More ripples than before!"
Thadston asks, "How many existed before?"
Leafiara uncertainly says, "One or two before, I think."
Leafiara adds, "But not one here, at least."
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went east.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate.
A frigid mist gathers around you and quickly spreads to cover much of the surrounding area. When the mist dissipates, you notice the ground has become an uninterrupted slick surface stretching in all directions.
The ice patch melts away.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went northeast.
Roundtime changed to 1 second.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate.
An old church bell rings hauntingly all around you, its distorted sound resonating throughout the broken lands.
The air crackles with potent energy!
[1014 spells on everybody are dispelled]
A jumble of rocks suddenly rain down upon the area!
Neopuron is knocked into view!
The fragmented ground suddenly breaks apart and large chunks of jagged rocks lift up, floating into the air! Suddenly the rocks come crashing down on Neopuron!
... 1 point of damage!
Blow raises a welt on Neopuron's right arm.
... 3 points of damage!
Neck vertebrae snap.
He is stunned!
[Also hit, to varying degrees, are Nightwolfz, Gylmour, Illuminaty, Tsarok, Melikor (killed), Nodyre, Jokic, Zaneon, Falvicar, Zephyrn, Darconas, Claudaro, Gannorlac, Darcena, Stormyrain, Nazarr, Shinann, Xorus, Ondreian, Gavrien, Yakushi, Blades, Lylia, Zosopage, Cruxophim, Meggiemae, Ardwen, Maylan, Berkana, Leifa, Ariandae, Maags, Lyrna, Raelee, Bernadette, Xred, Pietra, Laralana, Claede, Geijon, Goldtree, Hapenlok, Osloe, Elbromo, Sofal, Chamorr, Goldstr, Evia, Timothe, Avalera, Razanetika, Leafiara, Pukk, Crime, Chaoswynd, Mistyfall (killed), Katami, Tarine, Ruffelin, Saranja, Lynaera, Cryheart, Berost, Dalabrac, Puptilian, Gnaeusprimus, Alisette, Thrassus, Ysharra, and Zolis (killed)]
Dirt and rock explode from the ground beneath Neopuron as a huge ashen bleakworm erupts from underground and crashes onto the surface!
Rocks and dirt pelt Neopuron as he is thrown into the air!
Neopuron makes a stunning maneuver in the air avoiding the majority of the debris and landing upright!
Dirt and rock explode from the ground beneath Leifa as a huge ashen bleakworm erupts from underground and crashes onto the surface!
Rocks and dirt pelt Leifa as she is thrown into the air!
Leifa makes a stunning maneuver in the air avoiding the majority of the debris and landing upright!
[Combat ensues with huge ashen bleakworms--in an antimagic area.]
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went east.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate. You also see a small ripple in the air.
Leifa says, "We left several folks."
Cryheart says, "We lost some folks."
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went west.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Everyone takes time to regroup and heal]
A small fissure opens up and a polished bleakstone is revealed in the narrow earthen crack.
Thadston asks, "Are we ready?"
Thadston squints.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went east.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went northeast.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate.
Dirt and rock explode from the ground beneath Cryheart as a huge ashen bleakworm erupts from underground and crashes onto the surface!
Rocks and dirt pelt Cryheart as he is thrown into the air!
Cryheart makes a stunning maneuver in the air avoiding the majority of the debris and landing upright!
[Combat with more bleakworms, this time in an area where magic works]
Suddenly, small writhing tendrils of shadow reach out towards Saranja!
... 42 points of damage!
The shadows seem to envelop Saranja, drawing out life!
Leafiara sways her hips side to side in time with a hummed melody, attempting to entice the local spirits to offer aid...
Leafiara gestures.
The shadows melt away to reveal a huge shadowy primordial!
The shadows melt away to reveal a huge shadowy primordial!
[Combat with huge shadowy primordials]
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went east.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The great northern mountains rise up like a wall of jagged, icy fingers in the distance. Their peaks are obscured by heavy black clouds, and the once fresh mountain air has been replaced by the stagnant, putrid odor of burnt flesh and scorched earth. You also see a jagged eight-pointed cruciform drawn in shadowy viscous effluvium, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree and a towering oily black tree.
Thadston squints.
Suddenly a skeletal arm bursts out of the ground and claws at Darcena's leg! The skeletal arm then returns underground.
... 25 points of damage!
Darcena's kneecap shatters sending bone fragments flying.
She is knocked to the ground!
She is stunned!
Suddenly a skeletal arm bursts out of the ground and claws at Claede's leg! The skeletal arm then returns underground.
... 19 points of damage!
Strike to foot! Claede hops around dizzily on other foot and falls.
He is knocked to the ground!
He is stunned!
Dirt and rock explode from the ground beneath Lylia as a huge ashen bleakworm erupts from underground and crashes onto the surface!
Rocks and dirt pelt Lylia as she is thrown into the air!
Lylia makes a stunning maneuver in the air avoiding the majority of the debris and landing upright!
[Combat with more bleakworms]
The sound of clanking armor echoes nearby.
Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank.
Two small red lights appear in the distance.
Another pair of red lights appear in the distance.
A cold, dank wind blows in, followed by a decomposing red-eyed bleak knight!
[Combat with bleak knights]
Dirt and rock explode from the ground beneath Darcena as a huge ashen bleakworm erupts from underground and crashes onto the surface!
Rocks and dirt pelt Darcena as she is thrown into the air!
Darcena makes a stunning maneuver in the air avoiding the majority of the debris and landing upright!
[Combat with more bleakworms]
Pukk falls to the ground and rolls around in pain. As you watch, his body rips open and several moulis scrapings burrow out and drop to the ground!
Pukk drops dead at your feet!
[Combat with moulis scrapings]
Maylan falls to the ground and rolls around in pain. As you watch, her body rips open and several moulis scrapings burrow out and drop to the ground!
Maylan drops dead at your feet!
[Combat with moulis scrapings]
For a brief moment, you see your own reflection standing perfectly still before you like a mirror. A moment passes and it fades.
Dirt and rock explode from the ground beneath Leafiara as a huge ashen bleakworm erupts from underground and crashes onto the surface!
Rocks and dirt pelt Gnaeusprimus as she is thrown into the air!
The evanescent shield shrouding Leafiara flares to life and thickens to create a substantial buffer around her. Before fading, it flickers with a pale incandescence.
Leafiara makes a stunning maneuver in the air avoiding the majority of the debris and landing upright!
[Combat with more bleakworms]
Ondreian twitches briefly, then runs north.
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Geijon's face and seeps into him!
Ondreian runs in, his eyes vacant as his face ripples with veins of blackness.
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Chaoswynd's face and seeps into him!
Ondreian suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Ondreian thrusts with a wing-bladed sea glaes harpoon at Cruxophim!
AS: +528 vs DS: +599 with AvD: +21 + d100 roll: +13 = -37
A clean miss.
Ondreian suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Ondreian thrusts with a wing-bladed sea glaes harpoon at Cruxophim!
By amazing chance, Cruxophim evades the attack!
Ondreian suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Pearly light flares up suddenly from within Ondreian!
Ondreian thrusts with a wing-bladed sea glaes harpoon at Tsarok!
AS: +558 vs DS: +515 with AvD: +25 + d100 roll: +19 = +87
A clean miss.
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Cryheart's face and seeps into him!
Ondreian's eyes regain their clarity, and the writhing veins of blackness upon his face slowly dissolve into nothing.
Ondreian says, "I am not me..."
[Initial confusion about why he's attacking, but soon enough Roblar explains that the mist is affecting him]
Geijon suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Geijon swings a gleaming rune-scribed maul at Tsarok!
AS: +645 vs DS: +884 with AvD: +57 + d100 roll: +6 = -176
A clean miss.
The ground begins to rumble slightly with a disconcerting humming sound, as if something were digging beneath you. Suddenly, several tiny mounds push upward, each revealing a set of pincers emerging from within!
A long-horned dark sanguine beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A stubby-legged glossy red beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A spotted lustrous sable beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A long-horned blue-black scarab bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A stubby-legged glossy red beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A spotted dark sanguine beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A skittery glossy red beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A stubby-legged dark-spiked scarab bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A skittery lustrous sable beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A tiny lustrous sable beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A stubby-legged glossy red scarab bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A spotted blue-black scarab bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A spotted light vermilion beetle bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A tiny glossy red scarab bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
A spotted dark sanguine scarab bursts forth from its mound, chittering and testing the air with its antennae!
[Combat with scarabs and beetles]
The ground begins to rumble slightly with a disconcerting humming sound, as if something were digging beneath you. Suddenly, several tiny mounds push upward, each revealing a set of pincers emerging from within!
[Combat with more scarabs and beetles]
Geijon jerkily stands upright like a puppet on strings.
Geijon twitches briefly, then runs north.
Geijon runs in, his eyes vacant as his face ripples with veins of blackness.
Geijon suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Geijon swings a gleaming rune-scribed maul at Ysharra!
At the last moment, Ysharra blocks the attack with her aegis!
Cryheart suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Cryheart swings a perfect vultite greataxe at Tsarok!
Tsarok barely dodges the attack!
Geijon twitches briefly, then runs west.
Cryheart twitches briefly, then runs west.
Sir Geijon just arrived.
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Blades's face and seeps into him!
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Geijon's face and seeps into him!
Suddenly a skeletal arm bursts out of the ground and claws at Stormyrain's leg! The skeletal arm then returns underground.
... 8 points of damage!
Sprained ankle! Stormyrain won't be running soon.
She is stunned!
A cold, dank wind blows in, followed by a decomposing red-eyed bleak knight!
[Combat with bleak knights]
You notice Chaoswynd moving stealthily into the area.
A chunk of flesh peels off of Thrassus, fluttering to the ground before transforming into a glistening incarnadine viper! The snake burrows into the ground!
... 1 point of damage!
Quick slash to Thrassus's upper left arm!
Just a nick.
Geijon suddenly screams in a mix of pain and rage as his eyes bleed with rippling hues!
Geijon swings a gleaming rune-scribed maul at Tsarok!
Tsarok evades the attack by inches!
A gravelly hiss announces the slithering arrival of a splotchy incarnadine viper!
[Combat with vipers]
An amorphous dark oculoth floats in, its toothy maw glistening with black ichor.
An amorphous dark oculoth hovers in, its central eye rolling back and forth.
[Combat with oculoths; soon bleak knights, scarabs, beetles, and vipers also enter the fray; this one doesn't turn out as well as the past few encounters]
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The great northern mountains rise up like a wall of jagged, icy fingers in the distance. Their peaks are obscured by heavy black clouds, and the once fresh mountain air has been replaced by the stagnant, putrid odor of burnt flesh and scorched earth. You also see a rusty doorknob, the Geijon disk, a bottle of goats milk, a jagged eight-pointed cruciform drawn in shadowy viscous effluvium, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree and a towering oily black tree.
Also here: Lord Chamorr who is lying down, Sir Geijon, Bernadette, the body of Pukk who is lying down, the body of Sir Ruffelin who is lying down, the body of Falvicar who is lying down, the body of Sir Cryheart who is lying down, the body of Chaoswynd who is lying down, Miss Goblyn who is sitting, the body of Lord Zolis who is lying down, Cruxophim, Ondreian, the body of Razanetika who is lying down, the body of Telmeran who is lying down, the body of Nodyre who is lying down, Zosopage, Lyrna, Avalera, the body of Darcena who is lying down, Dame Evia who is lying down, Claudaro, Grand Lord Dalabrac who is lying down, the body of Ambassador Neopuron who is lying down, the body of Gylmour who is lying down, the body of Jokic who is lying down, the body of Zaneon who is lying down, the body of Gannorlac who is lying down, Stormyrain, the body of Great Lord Nazarr who is lying down, Shinann, Xorus, Yakushi, Mayor Lylia who is lying down, the body of Meggiemae who is lying down, the body of Ambassador Ardwen who is lying down, the body of Land Pirate Maylan who is lying down, Mistress Berkana who is lying down, Maags who is lying down, Magister Raelee who is lying down, Xred, Pietra, Laralana who is lying down, the body of Claede who is lying down, the body of Goldtree who is lying down, the body of Sofal who is lying down, Goldstr who is lying down, the body of Timothe who is lying down, Lord Crime, the body of Great Lady Katami who is lying down, the body of Lady Tarine who is lying down, Envoy Leafiara, the body of High Lady Saranja who is lying down, the body of Lady in Waiting Lynaera who is lying down, the body of Berost who is lying down, Puptilian, a stunned Grand Lord Gnaeusprimus who is lying down, the body of Lord Thrassus who is lying down, the body of Lord Nightwolfz who is lying down, Osloe who is lying down, Leifa who is kneeling, Ysharra, Lord Thadston
Speaking to Thadston, Geijon says, "Let's finish this grizzly mission."
Thadston growls ferociously!
Speaking to Thadston, Geijon says, "We aren't going to last."
Leafiara falls to the ground and rolls around in pain. As you watch, her body rips open and several moulis scrapings burrow out and drop to the ground!
Leafiara drops dead at your feet!
[Combat with moulis scrapings]
Tears of Koar
Zosopage's form blurs until suddenly he is no longer there.
[along with everyone else]
The air shimmers around you and suddenly the black and grey of the world beyond brightens as you find your bleak surroundings change...
[Talador, Tears of Koar]
Standing as a stark contrast to the dark world of broken earth and blackened skies, the area appears like a blooming rose amidst a field of thorns. Blades of lush grass stretch across a patch of territory that permeates with a sweet, floral scent. But all around the patch of life spreads an endless expanse of fragmented rocks and ruined lands. You also see a ragged imperial soldier, a malnourished imperial scholar, a disheveled imperial scout, a disheveled imperial scout, a disheveled imperial scout and a ragged imperial soldier.
Crime fades into view, appearing very disoriented.
[along with everyone else]
Thadston says, "What the..."
[raising the dead all throughout the conversation]
The imperial soldiers look around.
One imperial scholar says, "You...you found us!"
Speaking to a malnourished imperial scholar, Raelee asks, "How long have you been here?"
An imperial scholar says, "I...I don't recall. Days? Weeks? We were dispatched by Cayde, but were expecting to meet up. But then when we came here, we...we couldn't escape."
Speaking curiously to a malnourished imperial scholar, Leafiara asks, "Cayde... you're from the outpost?" [Sidenote: during the summit at the Valley of Gold, Larsya had mentioned a man named Cayde working for Breshon.]
An imperial scholar says, "Outpost?"
An imperial scholar says, "How did you find us?"
Thadston says, "We've no damn idea. We just appeared...."
An imperial scholar says, "There's...more of us. I think. I hope."
An imperial scholar says, "We have found none of the stone he wanted."
Speaking to a malnourished imperial scholar, Ysharra asks, "The bleakstones, like these?"
An imperial scholar says, "Yes, those. The bleakstone."
Thadston asks, "You came here over a damn rock?"
Thadston asks, "Maybe to add to the ones in yer brains?"
An imperial scholar says, "How...how long have you been in the Bleaklands?"
Speaking to a malnourished imperial scholar, Leafiara says, "A few minutes."
The ghostly voice of Nazarr asks, "About a half hour?"
Lylia says, "Briefly."
Cryheart says, "Nae too long."
Leifa says, "Long enough to lose many."
Evia says, "An short while."
Shinann asks, "How long have you been here?"
Speaking to a malnourished imperial scholar, the ghostly voice of Gylmour says, "Not long enough or too long, I can't tell."
Speaking to a malnourished imperial scholar, Ysharra says, "About twenty minutes. I hope."
Goblyn marginally tilts her head to one side, clearly lost in thought as she stares at Cruxophim with a curious expression. Oddly, Cruxophim suddenly looks dazed, and his eyes begin to leak streams of blood.
... 34 points of damage!
Eye erupts, followed by a spurt of blood from the nose!
Brain no longer intact.
Cruxophim drops dead at your feet!
An imperial scholar says, "We arrived on the 10th of Ivastaen. Give or take."
Xorus says, "It is now the 30th of Lumnea."
Thadston glances at Goblyn.
Thadston says, "Let's get the rest of these bodies up."
Speaking to a malnourished imperial scholar, Puptilian says, "Have you noticed if the tears are shrinking or not? The bleakland is growing but wanted to see how it affects here."
An imperial scholar says, "We do not know. We found this one, and then, seemed to get trapped here."
Thadston fidgets, glancing at Shinann.
An imperial scholar says, "We would wander to the edge, then find ourselves returned."
Thadston grumbles.
Thadston touches something along his kroderine runes.
Thadston touches something along his kroderine gauntlets.
Thadston says, "We've still got a lot of bodies."
Thadston frowns.
Dergoatean's form blurs until suddenly he is no longer there.
[and others]
The air shimmers around you and suddenly the lush land bleeds away to be replaced by earth of grey and skies of black...
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The great northern mountains rise up like a wall of jagged, icy fingers in the distance. Their peaks are obscured by heavy black clouds, and the once fresh mountain air has been replaced by the stagnant, putrid odor of burnt flesh and scorched earth. You also see a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree and a towering oily black tree.
Timothe fades into view, appearing very disoriented.
[and others]
Thadston glances at a towering oily black tree.
Thadston asks, "Where did they go?"
A loud thunderclap echoes across the heavens, as the slate-hued sky begins to become permeated with golden-yellow ribbons of light. On the horizon, acid rain begins to fall from the gold and black sky.
A deformed wasteland goblin tries to sneak in past you.
A deformed wasteland goblin tramps in looking for trouble.
[Combat with goblins]
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Roblar's face and seeps into him!
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Goldstr's face and seeps into him!
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Falvicar's face and seeps into him!
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Darcena's face and seeps into her!
Thadston says, "We need to get bodies up quicker."
[continued raising and calming those affected by the mist]
The ground begins to rumble slightly with a disconcerting humming sound, as if something were digging beneath you. Suddenly, several tiny mounds push upward, each revealing a set of pincers emerging from within!
[Combat with beetles and scarabs]
A leathery black shadow bat descends from the ebony sky high above!
[Combat with bats]
The air grows cold and still as a slender shadowy voidwalker glides in!
The air grows cold and still as a slender shadowy voidwalker glides in!
[Combat with voidwalkers]
Dark shadows swirl around as a murky grey oblivion shade coalesces in front of you!
Dark shadows swirl around as a murky grey oblivion shade coalesces in front of you!
[Combat with shades]
The ground begins to rumble slightly with a disconcerting humming sound, as if something were digging beneath you. Suddenly, several tiny mounds push upward, each revealing a set of pincers emerging from within!
[Combat with scarabs, more voidwalkers, more scarabs, more scarabs]
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Roblar's face and seeps into him!
A blast of foul-smelling mist erupts from a small fissure in the ground and strikes Hapenlok's face and seeps into him!
Thadston says, "I think perhaps..."
A small fissure opens up and a polished bleakstone is revealed in the narrow earthen crack.
A small fissure opens up and a polished bleakstone is revealed in the narrow earthen crack.
A small fissure opens up and a polished bleakstone is revealed in the narrow earthen crack.
Loop De Loop
Razanetika's form blurs until suddenly she is no longer there.
[and others]
The air shimmers around you and suddenly the black and grey of the world beyond brightens as you find your bleak surroundings change...
[Talador, Tears of Koar]
Standing as a stark contrast to the dark world of broken earth and blackened skies, the area appears like a blooming rose amidst a field of thorns. Blades of lush grass stretch across a patch of territory that permeates with a sweet, floral scent. But all around the patch of life spreads an endless expanse of fragmented rocks and ruined lands. You also see a ragged imperial soldier, a malnourished imperial scholar, a disheveled imperial scout, a disheveled imperial scout, a disheveled imperial scout and a ragged imperial soldier.
Katami fades into view, appearing very disoriented.
[and others]
An imperial soldier blinks and looks around.
An imperial scholar says, "You...you found us!"
Thadston squints.
An imperial scholar says, "We were expecting Cayde. He mentioned we'd meet up."
An imperial scholar says, "How long have you been here?"
Thadston squints.
Thadston says, "It's the same damn idiots as before."
Thadston asks, "Let me guess. You came for some dumb rocks?"
An imperial scholar says, "Bleakstone, yes. We found none though."
Xorus asks, "It is now Lumnea the 30th. You have been here since.. ah, let me guess. Ivastaen the 10th?"
An imperial scholar says, "Yes, the 10th. Did you find the others?"
An imperial scholar says, "Beware the behemoths. It is hard to see them at times in the black skies. But they bring death."
An imperial scholar says, "A thousand teeth and eyes."
Return to Form
Goldstr's form blurs until suddenly he is no longer there.
[and others]
The air shimmers around you and suddenly the lush land bleeds away to be replaced by earth of grey and skies of black...
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The great northern mountains rise up like a wall of jagged, icy fingers in the distance. Their peaks are obscured by heavy black clouds, and the once fresh mountain air has been replaced by the stagnant, putrid odor of burnt flesh and scorched earth. You also see a jagged eight-pointed cruciform drawn in shadowy viscous effluvium, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree and a towering oily black tree.
Timothe fades into view, appearing very disoriented.
[and others]
Thadston sighs.
Thadston glances at Raelee.
Thadston asks, "There's no getting them. Is there?"
Thadston peers quizzically at Raelee.
Saranja's corpse begins to jerk spasmotically. As you watch, her body rips open and several moulis scrapings burrow out and drop to the ground!
[combat with moulis scrapings]
Speaking to Thadston, Raelee says, "I would not say that."
A bald white-armored zombie struggles up out of the ground!
[Combat with Blameless zombies]
An oily black bleakwasp buzzes in.
[Combat with bleakwasps]
Lyrna falls to the ground and rolls around in pain. As you watch, her body rips open and several moulis scrapings burrow out and drop to the ground!
Lyrna drops dead at your feet!
[Combat with moulis scrapings]
The ground begins to rumble slightly with a disconcerting humming sound, as if something were digging beneath you. Suddenly, several tiny mounds push upward, each revealing a set of pincers emerging from within!
[Combat with beetles, more bleakwasps]
Speaking to Thadston, Raelee says, "As I was saying, I think we may need to reorient them temporally. Make them match us and not this place. If we could manage... we may be able to return and retrieve them."
The ground begins to rumble slightly with a disconcerting humming sound, as if something were digging beneath you. Suddenly, several tiny mounds push upward, each revealing a set of pincers emerging from within!
[Combat with beetles, scarabs, bleakworms, goblins, more beetles, more scarabs, Blameless zombies, more beetles]
Thadston sighs.
[more mist affecting Ruffelin, Blades, Cryheart, Pietra, Thrassus, Geijon, Roblar, Cruxophim, Leifa, Evia, Evia, Leifa, Roblar, Geijon, Zosopage, Bernadette, Pukk, Ruffelin, Maylan, Tsarok, Chaoswynd, and Hapenlok]
A small fissure opens up and a polished bleakstone is revealed in the narrow earthen crack.
[and 17 more]
An amorphous dark oculoth floats in, its toothy maw glistening with black ichor.
[Combat with the oculoth, scarabs, beetles]
Thadston says, "We'll depart soon."
[continued raising]
Thadston says, "2 more bodies."
Thadston says, "Then we'll return."
Thadston says, "No need to continue to die here."
Chast from the Past
Hapenlok's form blurs until suddenly he is no longer there.
[and others]
The air shimmers around you and suddenly the black and grey of the world beyond brightens as you find your bleak surroundings change...
[Temple of Koar, Light Chamber]
The large spherical chamber exudes a soft silver glow as streams of bright moonlight seep in through the domed crystalline ceiling above. The pristine white marble floor holds a deep luster, its surface gleaming as tiny specks of gold capture the light overhead. Faint, archaic hymns can be heard from nearby corridors, their soft refrain lingering with an eerie echo. You also see a white armored crusader, a white armored crusader, a white armored crusader, a white armored crusader and Chaston.
Saranja fades into view, appearing very disoriented.
[and others]
Chaston smiles, his eyes glowing bright and golden. He nods to the crusaders before him.
Chaston says, "May the light of Koar guide you."
In unison, the crusaders repeat, "May the light of Koar guide us. May the light of Koar guide us. May the light of Koar guide us."
Thadston's entire body tenses as he clenches his fist.
Thadston glances at Chaston.
Thadston trembles.
Thadston reaches for his sword.
Near a dark shadow of one of the corridors, a bent figure appears, her gnarled frame swathed in a tattered black robe. Her viridian eyes sparkle as she watches Chaston and the crusaders.
The crone begins to turn to leave then stops suddenly, as if sensing something.
The witch's face almost brightens, the edges of her lips spreading up into a wicked, wicked grin. She looks directly in your direction, but then almost past you, to someone else. "I'll kill your boy. I don't need him as badly as you want him. Don't come back." The witch cackles and slinks off into the darkness.
Thadston's face turns slightly pale.
Chaston says, "May the light of Koar guide you."
In unison, the crusaders repeat, "May the light of Koar guide us. May the light of Koar guide us. May the light of Koar guide us."
Goblyn's form blurs until suddenly she is no longer there.
[and others]
The air shimmers around you and suddenly the lush land bleeds away to be replaced by earth of grey and skies of black...
Unending Quest
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The great northern mountains rise up like a wall of jagged, icy fingers in the distance. Their peaks are obscured by heavy black clouds, and the once fresh mountain air has been replaced by the stagnant, putrid odor of burnt flesh and scorched earth. You also see a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree, a towering oily black tree and a towering oily black tree.
Timothe fades into view, appearing very disoriented.
[and others]
Thadston darkly says, "Get the last body up."
Thadston darkly says, "We're leaving."
Thadston darkly exclaims, "GET THAT BODY UP!"
Thadston darkly says, "Or leave it."
[last raise is complete]
A small fissure opens up and a polished bleakstone is revealed in the narrow earthen crack.
[and four more]
Thadston darkly says, "Join me."
Thadston darkly says, "Leaving now."
Lord Thadston's group just went west.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went southwest.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate. You also see a small ripple in the air.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went west.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went southwest.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went west.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate. You also see a jagged eight-pointed cruciform drawn in shadowy viscous effluvium and a small ripple in the air.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went west.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Talador, The Bleaklands]
The land is desolate and broken, with an endless terrain of fragmented, grey earth that is caked in layers of ash. The air is suffocating, with a thick, rancid odor and a faint heat still lingers in the area. The sky is bleak, resembling an expanse of ink-whorled slate. You also see a glowing purple portal.
Thadston moves along the area and the fragmented grey earth beneath shifts uneasily, slowing his movements.
Lord Thadston's group just went through a glowing purple portal.
Roundtime: 3 sec.
[Hendoran Outpost, Gateway]
The stone walls are smooth and covered with faint, yet meticulously-detailed wards that periodically shimmer with pale silver light. The glow from the rune-etched walls bathes the entire circular chamber in a soft luminosity. The very air crackles with a powerful energy, as the occasional spark of lightning dances harmlessly across the high-domed ceiling. You also see a glowing purple portal and a rune-carved steel door.
Thadston pushes his kroderine gauntlet into the portal and it seems to sizzle and then snaps closed, vanishing.
Your surroundings blur into a white fog . . .
[Courtyard]
A well maintained and healthy garden occupies the entirety of the courtyard. The air here is cool and crisp, but the bulk of the monastery shelters you from wind and makes the air bracing instead of chilling. In the center of the garden is a natural spring bubbling up several inches above the surface of the encircling pool of crystal clear water. A large stone and iron gate blocks the entrance to the monastery flanked by a statue of a woman carrying a crystal staff and a set of crystalline keys facing a second statue of a kneeling young man bedecked in battle-worn black chain armor. You also see a large fel tree and a scorched black marble bench.
Thadston darkly says, "I will go back. You bloody damn witch. I will go back a thousand times if need be."
Thadston disbands his group.
Thadston mutters something better left unheard.
Thadston marches off into the distance, swearing and scowling.