Mark's Campaign

Background of the Device:

Recently, the Technic League of Numeria hired renowned pathfinder Polivar Barmantle to find and recover an artifact that researchers had recently discovered amongst the ancient maps of the area. His target was the well-guarded mountain of metal ruin known as Silver Mount. Word began to spread of the expedition, in part because of the importance of the artifact they were seeking; an alien device that has the ability to grant immortality. The Technic league carefully left out the important detail that the artifact was actually a failed experiment. So when Polivar succeeded in his quest, and subsequently fell victim to a clever trap on his way out, the scrying eye of Po and Abel were able to complete the retrieval for their own purposes. In addition to the device, they were able to retrieve some documents of Numerian origin as well. Now they must find a way to decipher the writing and unlock the artifact’s secrets.

The device is an interconnected set of 12 concentric conical rings attached to a central hub. Each ring has numerous icons and glyphs upon it but the outside most ring has 6 fist-sized clear crystals. In the center off the 1 ½ foot diameter device is a central red crystal, which does not spin with the outer rings. Unlike what most observers may guess, the rings and symbols are not part of a puzzle or a key to unlock it. Instead the secret lies in the central crystal which acts as a powerful scrying device. Someone who can cast divination-type spells can attempt to make a scrying check as per the spell except that it can be used to scry a person or a location. Once a location has been determined, the rings will begin to align themselves and lock in place. Originally, the conception for this device was to create a sort of phylactery for a group of people to use to safely transport themselves into a hostile location, then if something happened to them, their soul would be safe behind and could be used to recreate the deceased body. Unfortunately, the magic used acted a little too much like a phylactery and created undead hosts on the other end, which would usually cause great concern (as well as undeath and ultimately loss of self-control and ethos – they would turn evil).

When 1 to 6 people touch the outer crystals while the device is activated, their souls will be instantly encased within the gems and copies of them will be transported to the scryed location. But the copies will take on the Lich template. The device can be activated by one of the crystal recipients, or an outside party. When the lich copy is killed, the crystal will begin rebuilding his body over the next 24 hours.

In Abel Hands

While the group has been adventuring in the Verduran, making alliances and spreading the good word about themselves, Abel has obtained a device (with the assistance of Po) of ancient Numerian origin. The writing on the device is a mixture of some strange alien symbology (comp langs does not work) and accompanied by Hallit notations. Abel has asked Po to recall Roga since he may have the ability to make sense of the translations. He wants this to be done in secret so as not to disrupt the current Verduran mission.

Harwyn will hold Roga back at his home until the group has left and Po will appear. He will explain that he has need of Roga’s expertise and wishes to bring him back to the Rising Sun. If agreed, Po will teleport the two of them back to the Rising Sun so Roga can begin the lengthy translation.

Once the translation has been made, Abel and Po report their findings to Khemet who wants to use the device to recon a Chelaxian stronghold called Citadel Rivad, just northwest of the city of Westcrown and home of the Hellknight Order of the Rack. As far as Abel and Po can tell, the device creates an effect similar to an ethereal jaunt that the group can use to infiltrate the Citadel and discover its defenses, map its corridors and find the leaders of the structure. They also know that there will be defenses that may be able to perceive or even prevent the group’s progress, but even if they are discovered, the resulting chaos and paranoia can be used for future benefit.

The group will appear in the local underground crypt of Citadel Rivad and are given instructions to head to Duskmoor Tower, an imposing structure near the center of the keep. Once inside the tower, they are to explore its levels and report their findings. If they run into any Hellknight leadership, they should try to take note of their names and ranks if possible.