The Lost City, the Golden Goddess, and the Waiting Egg

Posts : 900 Join date : 2008-08-22

Under the watchful eyes of a certain golden-skinned goddess and the villainous deva known as Professor Philomath Prezzenzo, three ancient Dragonborn warforged mechanical warriors battled three interlopers from the Port: Yatagan, Lizzy, and Lizzy's plucky goblin sidekick Poglsey.

When the battle was won though, the heroes were surprised when their nemesis humbly surrendered to them and suggested a partnership.

Philomath Prezzenzo explained that countless centuries ago he'd been the Deva ambassador to the Dragonborn empire. He loved the Dragonborn people and took boundless delight in their engineering wonders, particularly their ultimate invention, a high-tech aquatic city called Suda Kasaba. Unfortunately Suda Kasaba was destroyed by a collaboration between a sinister Tiefling cabal called the The Cult of Beautiful Pain and a growing Primitivist movement within the Dragonborn that shunned technology and worshipped the Dragon Within. The Cult of Beautiful Pain teleported the city into the bedrock upon which the Port would eventually rest. Prezzenzo died that day.

What the perpetrators did not suspect though was that the rock was full of caverns, leaving parts of the teleported city unearthed.

When the goblins dug down to one of the upper towers of the Suda Kasaba and found the rusted Warforged there, Prezzenzo, now using his ancient memories to teach Dragonborn engineering, knew that it must be the lost city.

After obtaining the Dragonborn alchemical assistant from the Eladrin church, they began excavating the vital machinery of the city that was once used to raise and submerge the city through the ocean's depths, hoping to return it to the surface of the Earth.

Having been defeated, the pragmatic Prezzenzo offered to surrender the golden goddess to our heroes and help them if they will allow him to continue his excavation in a way that will not harm the Port. Lizzy suggests getting Suda Kasaba out of the ground the same way it was put in, by tracking down the Cult of Beautiful Pain and stealing the ritual. Prezzenzo fully supports the idea and promises to make certain that the Port will not sink into the earth after Suda Kasaba is teleported out

The goddess herself is interested in Yatagan and finds that his DNA matches one of the ancient Dragonborn in her database. When Yatgan asks what she wants, she says that all she truly desires is for the Egg, currently being worshipped by the Eladrin, to be hatched.

And that's where we left things....

Posts : 799 Join date : 2008-08-21

gridley wrote:: And that's where we left things....

Pætros pushes his miter back upon his head, and rubs his brow. "Was not expecting pantheon," he muses, "But is growing clear," the porcophant glances at Yatigan's crotch, entirely involuntarily, "That such is being born. Holy city, even, which is having much potentials."

Assumptions, clearly, are being made.

"So. Is heathen cult still being existing? Or having been wiped out, as good and proper? Death is being no barrier to interrogation, is happy truth, but living peoples is being easier."

OOC: (This is assuming everyone's back at the Maison de Pork for a debriefing, where Pætros has doubtless been all of this time. If not, well...never mind.)

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

Yatagan suggests a few minutes of prayer and meditation on our "newly found found fortune and fortuitous alliance" --ie, take a short rest and use some surges-- then hightailing it back to Swine Manor, once we disguise the golden goddess with a cloak, that is. Perhaps we can locate our departed comrades along the way.

OOC: How long until the gnome attack?

Posts : 900 Join date : 2008-08-22

Rolzup wrote:: "So. Is heathen cult still being existing? Or having been wiped out, as good and proper? Death is being no barrier to interrogation, is happy truth, but living peoples is being easier."

Prezzenzo had kept tabs on them over the centuries, craving revenge against them, and is convinced that they still exist.

Rolzup wrote:: OOC: (This is assuming everyone's back at the Maison de Pork for a debriefing, where Pætros has doubtless been all of this time. If not, well...never mind.)

Actually, when Fagin snuck out, Paetros followed him to make sure he wasn't betraying them. So he wasn't far away.

Mallus wrote:: Yatagan suggests a few minutes of prayer and meditation on our "newly found found fortune and fortuitous alliance" --ie, take a short rest and use some surges-- then hightailing it back to Swine Manor, once we disguise the golden goddess with a cloak, that is. Perhaps we can locate our departed comrades along the way.

OOC: How long until the gnome attack?

Well, the gnome attack is only about an 90 minutes away and the trip across town will take most of that. Still, you can use as many surges as you like before arriving there.

Prezzenzo offers a cloak. "Although I don't really see the need. She's just a machine!"

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

gridley wrote:: Well, the gnome attack is only about an 90 minutes away and the trip across town will take most of that.

OOC: Do we have time to stop at Swine Manner for more troops, err, contract negotiators, on the way?

Quote :: Prezzenzo offers a cloak. "Although I don't really see the need. She's just a machine!"

Yatagan smiles pedantically at the immortal pedant, "What you are forgetting is she's an object of worship to many of the mass of goblins above. A mob of the faithful would create a fatal delay. Well, fatal for the goblins. We must sneak the goddess out of Globlintown.

My artists soul tells me there's a cautionary allegory here somewhere, but I've no time to tease it out now. Come, we must be off!"

Posts : 799 Join date : 2008-08-21

"There is," Pætros says in a smug tone, "Being other options. Give ten minutes, can get us to where we is needing being very quickly. Is not comfortable way of travel, but is being very fast. And fancy"

OOC: Casting, if it is agreed, the ritual of Eagle's Flight. Ten minutes, summons eight eagle-spirits (in this instance, rather, enormous winged pigs) to carry passengers to wherever they like. Lasts for twelve hours, and with the roll that I just made they have an Overland Speed of 20.

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The member 'Rolzup' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'd20' : 17

Posts : 900 Join date : 2008-08-22

Rolzup wrote:: "There is," Pætros says in a smug tone, "Being other options. Give ten minutes, can get us to where we is needing being very quickly. Is not comfortable way of travel, but is being very fast. And fancy"

OOC: Casting, if it is agreed, the ritual of Eagle's Flight. Ten minutes, summons eight eagle-spirits (in this instance, rather, enormous winged pigs) to carry passengers to wherever they like. Lasts for twelve hours, and with the roll that I just made they have an Overland Speed of 20.

OOC: Very nifty!

Mallus wrote:: OOC: Do we have time to stop at Swine Manner for more troops, err, contract negotiators, on the way?

OOC: You do now.

Mallus wrote:: Yatagan smiles pedantically at the immortal pedant, "What you are forgetting is she's an object of worship to many of the mass of goblins above. A mob of the faithful would create a fatal delay. Well, fatal for the goblins. We must sneak the goddess out of Globlintown.

"Yes, I forget what fools the citizens of this sad era can be when deciding what to worship."

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

gridley wrote:: OOC: Very nifty!

OOC: so in the Port, the expression "when pigs fly" means "really soon" or "you betcha".

gridley wrote:: "Yes, I forget what fools the citizens of this sad era can be when deciding what to worship."

"Well, to be fair, not everyone in the Port has a god in their heart. Or other places".

Posts : 1078 Join date : 2008-08-21

Mallus wrote:: OOC: Do we have time to stop at Swine Manner for more troops, err, contract negotiators, on the way?

gridley wrote:: OOC: You do now.

OOC: Which of the (N)PCs are you planning to pick up? With Artichoke absconding, having Christabel along would probably be a good idea for the extra healing. I could run her via the forums if you guys want.

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

shilsen wrote:: OOC: Which of the (N)PCs are you planning to pick up? With Artichoke absconding, having Christabel along would probably be a good idea for the extra healing. I could run her via the forums if you guys want.

OOC: healing would be nice... as would anyone with wisdom, intelligence and common sense (ie, not Yatagan).

Posts : 1078 Join date : 2008-08-21

Mallus wrote:: OOC: healing would be nice... as would anyone with wisdom, intelligence and common sense (ie, not Yatagan).

Then Christabel would certainly fit. I'll bump her up to 11th level, in case that becomes relevant.

Posts : 242 Join date : 2009-02-04

"True proletariat don't generally ride into battle on the backs of imaginary winged pigs. But, time being short, me and Pogsely will accept this transport."

Posts : 799 Join date : 2008-08-21

Pætros finishes his spellcasting with a flourish, banging his staff upon the ground as he grunts out the final syllables of his invocation.

"Sooooo-eeeeeee!" he shrieks, as the airs rips open and a flock of pigs manifest, mud-spattered pinions beating mightily as they hang in the air.

Pætros takes a step back. "Forgot to mention smell," he admits. "Now, is going to Holy Temple first, yes?"

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

Rolzup wrote:: "Now, is going to Holy Temple first, yes?"

"Indeed, your Holiness. We could use both angelic virtue and a silver-tongued devil. That should cover all the bases. I do hope Ms. Christabel and Mr. Fagin are home."

OOC: I'm imagining us flying through the Port's sky on pig-back as our mounts oink out Ride of the Valkyrie.

Posts : 900 Join date : 2008-08-22

Rolzup wrote:: "Now, is going to Holy Temple first, yes?"

Mallus wrote:: "Indeed, your Holiness. We could use both angelic virtue and a silver-tongued devil. That should cover all the bases. I do hope Ms. Christabel and Mr. Fagin are home."

As the team flies on pigback through the tunnels and finally out into the streets of Goblintown, they catch sight of Fagin running after the orange and white cat. When questioned, Fagin explains that he heard the giggling sound again (last heard outside of a goblin bar just prior to obtaining the cat) and that the cat immediately went chasing after it. Alas, to no avail, as the cat is now walking around in a circle, sniffing at the ground.

Posts : 799 Join date : 2008-08-21

Pætros frowns as regally as possible while seated atop a winged pig. "Cat is not being god, yes? Cat gods, not to be ever trusted, please to be remembering that. But come," he snaps at Fagin, "Time is not for being infinite! Little killing-people abound!"

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

Okay, so I assume we pick up Fagin and his cat, pick up Christabel at the mansion, drop off Prezzenzo, offering him all the hospitality of the See of Swine (ie, a rasher of bacon, some booze, and a spare room), then fly to the Eladrin cathedral.

Posts : 900 Join date : 2008-08-22

Mallus wrote:: Okay, so I assume we pick up Fagin and his cat, pick up Christabel at the mansion, drop off Prezzenzo, offering him all the hospitality of the See of Swine (ie, a rasher of bacon, some booze, and a spare room), then fly to the Eladrin cathedral.

When you first mounted your pigs, Prezzenzo would have suggested that if you are going to need any anti-prayer dolls in the near future, he should probably stay behind and get working on them now. Although, he's willing to go with you if you prefer.

Either way, he will hand Yatagan an oversized pocketwatch with the image of a grinning monkey on the front. He says to bring it to the Eladrin church and it will detect what prayers and wards are currently in use.

------------------------------

Upon your return Christabel gleans enough of your scheme to be horrified and quickly recalls some business she has to attend to out of town. The other members of your little outfit, while not as outraged, seem pretty reluctant to stick their necks out by participating in this particular bit of risky business. Sorry, but it looks like Yatagan, Lizzy, Paetros, and Fagin are on their own for the time being. Pogsley and the orange-and-white cat will join you though.

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

gridley wrote:: When you first mounted your pigs, Prezzenzo would have suggested that if you are going to need any anti-prayer dolls in the near future, he should probably stay behind and get working on them now. Although, he's willing to go with you if you prefer.

"By all means then stay, Professor. The hatching of my god-egg depends on the most efficacious magic mastication of your wonderful dolls. You shall feast with Treasure another time."

Quote :: He says to bring it to the Eladrin church and it will detect what prayers and wards are currently in use.

"Excellent! I've always wanted to star in a caper!"

Quote :: Sorry, but it looks like Yatagan, Lizzy, Paetros, and Fagin are on their own for the time being. Pogsley and the orange-and-white cat will join you though.

"I see the chaff has done us a favor and separated itself from the wheat" says Yatagan pointedly. "Splendid. This a job for those of strong belief; in Treasure, the G-LD, the Dragon Within, the Codpiece God, and, err, Universal Healthcare!"

"Let us hie to the Eladrin Cathedral!"

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"Dragon Pervert! Please to be composing hymn commemorating ride of Pigs, that we might be to singing it as we fly! Am to be wanting peoples to notice us as we go!"

Posts : 242 Join date : 2009-02-04

"Make sure it is in line with Party principles and includes reference to Universal Healthcare."

Posts : 1428 Join date : 2008-08-22

Yatagan spends a few scant moments in thought, then begins bellowing out the Church of Treasure's newest hymn, which threatens the life of any Port citizen who doesn't embrace universal access to health care.

OOC: this should be Wagnerian, right? So I'll use Intimidate: 25 .

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The member 'Mallus' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'd20' : 7

Posts : 900 Join date : 2008-08-22

Yatagan's Ride of the Winged Pigs might sound sloppy and amateurish in a concert hall, but coming as it does from the mouth of a very fat Dragonborn riding upon a very small flying pig over the streets of the Port, it can't help but sound stirring, epic even. Pogsley, for one, hums along loudly, if not a little off-key.

As your pigs soar downward over the tall and beautiful Eladrin Cathedral, you notice an abundance of gargoyles lining the edge of the rooftop. Surely, there weren't so many the last time you were here?

The grisly rubble which blocked the front door three days ago is now gone.