Transcendence (Blog 6)

Much has happened since the last post, there are old and new victims, and the Cult of the Purple Glove is about to strike.

Argon, who once carried the Mask of Cypres, awoke in the bus as it was filling with water. The bus, with him sleeping within, had been hijacked and steered into the Gorge. The hijacker also carried a bomb, which exploded shortly after Argon's escape. Argon was still within the blast radius and was shredded by shrapnel.

As the bus was entering the Gorge, Zechs and Mikah were under fire in a parking lot. Through the inventive use of grenades and sniping the ambushers either fled or died. With this lead useless, the pair was sent to the Tower of the Stars. The two stolen masks were in that area, according to Damien, stealth was advised.

Hours later, Zyreal and Craxx arrived at the scene, shortly followed by Rock. Rock and Zyreal attempted to collect the pieces of Argon from the syrupy water. With most of his body in a dufflebag in the trunk, the trio drove to the Tower of the Stars to investigate the disappearance of a couple of associates.

Rock and Zyreal found their way inside and located the last known place of the masks through scrying and questioning the lobby staff. It appeared that the masks were cargobound for Docking Bay 19. On the 33rd floor, they were directed to a portal which led to Docking Bay 19. Unknown to them, Docking Bay 19 was located on the Lunar Ring.

Cypress had awoken in yet another strange place, and looking outside through a small window he could see Earth. He questioned a flex screen to find out he was upon the Lunar Ring in orbit around the Moon. Seeking out a cafeteria to find food and make sense things, a man approached him with a job offer, it seemed that he was in the business of transporting cargo, to which Cypress agreed.

Upon his way to the Nova Invisce, a docked starship, Cypress was spotted by Rock and Zyreal. The two of them followed, attempting to catch up, finding themselves also upon the ship. Gravity lessened slightly and they were free of the docking bay.

All this time, Kacy was progressing upon the task of research in UVic. With her task nearly done she is alerted by a van which is missing most of its side. A figure drops out and staggers towards her. Shooting him with a tempest pistol she immobilizes him and calls in for a pick-up.

The 0ld 0rder - Where it is now

They spotted the legbone being carried into Assyria, a priest of their mage-god was escorting it. By the time they reached the city the priest's group had split up to visit several merchants and possible alchemists. Down at the mage-god's temple, the priest was found upon a stretcher, dead. Through the ability to scry, they became aware of the legbone being at a certain tavern.

Nothing within the tavern seemed amiss, but outside a strange bonfire was lit. The swirling vortex of flame was clearly visible as they approached. It burned within a triangle made of large wagons and many intoxicated slaves dance feverishly around it. As it reached a crescendo, the flames died and the slaves were consumed. Within the pyre a man was transformed into a daemonspawn.

They fought with the Amon-Kaa which was greater than any one of them and a servant of Aten's fury. The daemonspawn eviscerated Grognak after the orc had skewered it with a javelin. Poison darts eventually brought the thing down. As the daemon left its host it released a blast of death energy as a final act of spite.

The party, bleeding and bruised, collected themselves. The wounded were stabilized, Mosa and Nicoli in particular, but there was little anyone could do for Grognak. Tweaks, in an attempt to rebuild the orc, had fused what remained of him to the vessel's corpse. Ta sent the others back to the ship to rest, while he took Grognak's body to the Temple of the Sun.

Wyndspring's Log - 01

Our train arrived in Sicily this morning, which heralds the true beginning of my first official contract. These trains are a fascinating way to travel, sometimes hazardous, but much easier than the trail. My contract consists of escorting a package from here to the College Magica, a week's travel on train plus a couple days on the trail. As the representative of the Merchant's Guild, it is my duty to ensure everything goes smoothly.

For this endeavor a party, of sorts, has been gathered of varied kind. Miraculously, or possibly by an unseen hand, this auspicious group was found at a single tavern. Seth, a human/lupine shapechanger, has quite the taste for tinkering as well as combat. With us is a very well groomed minotaur by the name of Bim, and a self aware geological construct (also lupine) called Marmite. Scotch Rustbeard is our dwarven cook augmented by clockwork.

We intend to spend the day in town, and the night in a tavern. By morning we should be trainbound again.