Lars St. Morning Glory

Lars St.Morningglory, 14th level human – Wizard – S:12, D:12, C:12, I:15, W:15, Ch:12

= Early Life

Written in the hand of Lars St. Morning Glory

"As I awoke, I wondered if I had ever wanted to remain within the heat of my bed as much as I did that morning. It was too early, and cold enough inside of my room that my nose was at the point before going numb. I retreated under my covers and at least for the moment, denied myself to wonder what outside felt like.

As I pretended to sleep, I could hear sounds coming from outside of my slim windows into my bedroom. I discerned that they were from workers clearing out rubble from the pit and couldn't focus on them any longer once I heard my father calling to me.

My father[inosus] had earned his place in the city through his military service and was well known for his skills and exploits during the wars. The City had awarded him one of the four towers above the main complex, the room where its base and the castle met, and a post in the Department of Strategy and Defense.

He didn’t have much help, so he had every man in his service work twice as hard for him as they would for any other lord in the castle and he expected nothing less from me.

I could hear the morning preparations going in a rush, even though the staff was in a slightly better spirit than usual. They were loud and my room was not fit to ignore the sounds of labor as its door opened into the main room. The castle stones would have been more than enough to drown out my father’s peons, but my room was fashioned at the base of the tower and had wooden interior walls that held no sound in or out.

My father paid for my studies and asked to see progress, but had little else to do with me that I thought being a father should entail. He had volunteered me for the mission setting out that morning at a meeting the week before but waited to tell me until the night before I was to depart.

I wouldn’t have cared that he volunteered me for service, except he forgot that I was scheduled to graduate the following day. I figured out later that he didn’t forget, he was too young to be senile and most likely had me miss my final exams on purpose. He often spoke against the tests calling them a waste of energy, but I saw little difference from what I would do for my teacher and what he asked me to demonstrate for him.

Father hated laziness more than he despised showoffs and he would do all that he could to keep me from forgetting it. Although my teacher was lenient, I could see that my father had cautioned him against letting me rely on my skills, as limited as they were. For example, instead of creating light, I was ordered to light candles. I was forbidden practical use of my knowledge, which made no sense to me since I would need much practice if I were to be of any help to the city after finishing my studies.

I found solace in thinking that I had studied under the only teacher in Ka’apasart worth learning anything from, therefore had more to show than most students. He was the most knowledgeable teacher, but above that, Simondaeal was the most willing to teach. He taught in short, clear lessons that always held more than one key idea, allowing me to learn much faster. His many obligations in our city prevented Simondaeal from taking on more apprentices, so I felt almost guilty for the privilege.

I came under his instruction because he and my father had been friends for longer than I had lived. My classmate Kiolus, a high spirited youth with a fiery mane counted on strong sponsorship to keep him in our master’s care. Kiolus was a good classmate and an even better friend, we had only minimal disagreements and he was the only other person I knew could hold a meaningful conversation about meaningless things.

I roused myself after sleeping the extra five minutes my father normally allowed. That morning I figured he could allow ten, but I hadn’t made a pack the night before so I would do so then. As the student of a duel champion, I learned quickly to be ready for anything, so my backpack was always at hand with my book and supplies. I was not sure what to take so I gathered only socks and a change of clothes a bit warmer than I would normally wear, we wouldn’t be gone long so I didn’t worry about much else. My packs made, I took a look around my room. It was Spartan. But I did nothing other than sleep there, so I walked out without regretting anything left behind save my warm bed, yet that was most likely cold by now.

I was nineteen and had none of the ambitions that others my age did, even Kiolus showed more drive in his studies than I, and he spent half of his days chasing girls. In contrast, I was glad to be done with the endless memory exercises and research. I would not miss the painstaking preparations Simondaeal had us do for him in his study. I felt as if I would lash out against anyone who asked me to grind powder or collect pollen after this week. I had thought about what I would do after my studies ended, but came up with few ideas. Perhaps I’d take a post preparing others to help keep our homeland safe from the foreign threats that the elders spent days warning about. Though I was thankful for my education, and for the fact that my father hadn’t enlisted me in the military itself, it was hard not to be cynical of the elders and their fears that I never saw reasons for. Ka’apasart had known battle, but had never been attacked itself.

Ka'apasart is on the side of a cold mountain looking out to the steppe of kaanastad from where we can see all threats before they reach our walls. The buildings were constructed close together so the citizens themselves can fend off any foreign military that finds a way to penetrate our gates. But besides our city’s strange visitor, no one had gotten past our guards, and even this sad whelp had died after reaching the inner walls.

I walked out to the main room and found myself alone. The workers I had heard earlier must have finished and moved on with their tasks as the corridors were now quiet. I started to head up the stair case toward my father’s chambers at the height of the tower only to hear his voice call me back down and toward the main hallway. I reached the staircase where I could see my master looking out, but no doubt, my father was waiting for us to meet him. When he turned, I gave Sammondael a happy salute to which he smiled. I hadn’t noticed that my posture was lacking, but it only took my teacher a second to correct my stance and straighten my back with one word and a slight motion. His smile grew even more.

-fair morn, Lars- he said.

-fair morn, Master, Father- I replied.

Sammondael commented -your pack looks light-

-I won’t be gone long- I said questioningly as I smiled

-In that case you won’t need what I have for you-

My eyes opened in question and widened further when I noticed the elongated case in his right hand. Scrolls!

-you will most likely fare well without these, but as you’ll miss the ceremony tomorrow, I thought I’d give them to you now.-

he said, - I won’t have my student go unprepared.-

He held the leather case out to me and I reached for it, always conscious of my father’s gaze on me, thankful that if I were ever to take a shortcut in his presence, this would be the time. Sammondael smiled and put a hand on my shoulder as if to say…I didn’t know what he wanted to say, but it felt good. Father cleared his throat and waited a second to begin speaking.

-I also have something for you Lars.-

My mind ran wild with ideas of what my father had for me. I knew a few stories of him and Sammondael in the wars, but they fought so long ago that I could only wonder if my father’s gift was of that origin. He held out a small rectangular leather pouch with a belt looped through it. It was heavy and well made, more durable than ornate. I looked in with great expectations, and held back a cringe when I saw that he had given me a set of daggers. Four plain blades made of steel with short hilts wrapped in thin leather. The gift was useless to me, I didn’t know how to wield daggers, much less throw them, which I figured was their intended purpose by their streamline make. I was thankful, however, that father had shown affection to me, or at least worry for me and smiled at him as a soldier might smile at his commanding officer.

-Thank you, father.-

I wanted to comment on their make, or compliment the case the daggers were fastened inside, but neither happened. Instead I did the best I could to seem eager to wrap the belt around my waist. Once I had buckled the belt, I stood straight and looked at my father standing next to my teacher. I hadn’t noticed how similar in height we all were, and I got the slightest feeling that I was standing among peers. But it faded when father said

-It’s time, Lars-

We made our way down the spiraling steps until we reached the bottom floor, bypassing the floors where some of the best and some of the dirtiest work was done. When we reached the front exit, the doors were open and guards were watching our approach. They nodded to my father and teacher and looked at me questioningly for a half-second that felt like eternal judgment. We walked past the guards to feel the spring air tax our faces and bring tears to our eyes.

The city council was gathered there and some of the citizens that stood around seemed eager to learn about recent events. I followed my teacher toward the main group of officials and listened to the Chairman begin his speech.

-Ah! Here comes our newest graduate now,- my insecurity exploded, muffling my ears.- to join his team on this urgent mission to the caves of the under dark.-

He explained - Our subsurface 'friends' have been careless and have allowed one of their convicts to escape and bring worry to our women. -

This guy was a maniac, no doubt, but he was winning the crowd over. He kicked at a lump of charred and crusted material at his feet that until then, I had discounted as being completely earthen"

- the last known entry in the collegiate journal of Lars St. Morning Glory.

Description

A handsome young man, showing only 14 years of age, with dark brown, ear length hair. Often his unkempt and often burnt or bloody mop of hair spills over his brooding dark brown eyes and sharp features giving him an air of unruly confidence.

His three robes were nicely made and look not to burden him despite all logic.

He wears a plain steel helm and an ornate amulet around his neck.

He wears one large ring of blue, and one silver.

He wears leather bracers, a floppy sack at hhis side, and three wands neatly fitted at his side.

Personality

Lars is a suspicious man, always suspecting some treachery. This grim sensibility he inherited from his father. Though Lars is a pleasant man he remains aloof and mysterious, rarely conversing with lower born people. His actions usually serve his interests in some fashion. His obsessions on magic and the multi-verse have shaped his attitude with a hint of greed. His magic lust is unparalleled.

Adventures

Notes from the traveling journal of Lars St. Morning Glory Date: Unknown

Other Materials If Marnaus Escapes: Lord Marnaus was tortured for the names of the two who destroyed the Tree, Attis and Lars St. Morninglory. Marnaus will be at half hit points and will be very weak and thin. The Baron: Boros is extremely handsome and persuasive. -Baron Boros is in considerable trouble. The security of his top-secret dungeon has never been breached before, and he has used his considerable resources to find the one who broke in. Rarkol, who long ago had Boros installed as his personal jailor in Zand, has heard Boros’ pleas for aid, but has decided Boros is liability, especially after failing him. Rarkol long ago chose Boros partly because he was a tanar’ri traitor in need, and willing to work efficiently for Rarkol. Now, thanks in no small part to Rarkol’s machinations, Boros has nowhere and no one to flee to.

   -Field Plate of the Abyss:

-Fighting Style: Primary hand uses the Korgund, a long sword flame tongue and nine lives stealer. Secondary hand uses a well-crafted silver long sword or a well-crafted iron short sword. -weapons of all sorts are frequently coated in heavy poison. He uses Sirodil, a fermented abyssal poison of incredible lethality. It functions as a Type D poison, with 1 to 2 minute onset time and doing 30/2-12 damage. So powerful is the poison that there is a -2 penalty to the saving throw. -The Baron’s Personal Quarters: Boros keeps a heavily trapped adamantine chest here underneath the floor. Inside are choice items. 80,000 gp in polished gems resides in this chest, in addition to 15,000 gp in platinum and 5,000 gp in gold, all polished and in various rolled currencies throughout the multiverse. He keeps his master log book here of his prison inmates. Boros’ elite notes on his bodily experiments are similar to a Manual of Bodily health, as the work’s readings will result in the addition of a constitution point. There is also a secured a locked tin gold and mythril book of true names (lock -40%). This book of true names is seal signed with very powerful magic that cannot be dispelled, and only a legends lore spell will provide the command word to open the notebook. Boros’ prized spell-scroll is within the chest.

       -the chest is locked with an adamant external lock -60% (a masterful lock).  It is spell sealed against common knocking

The City of Zand, Hell’s Gate Rulership

   Prince Zhardule, a powerful yagnoloth lord, has ruled Zand for over 500 years.  He carries a gold scepter with a skull upon it (the scepter is not magical).  He does not usually carry a weapon, but when he does it is a great ceremonial scimitar +2.  He wears a crown of nettled gold spikes, and wears a giant cloak of protection +5, his only clothing, and which is colored emerald green around the edges and black in the interior.
   Prince Zhardule’s brother Hatane is Zand’s second-in-command.  Hatane is a very powerful yagnoloth.  He carries a powerful two-handed sword +4 and wears a great steel arm shield for his larger arm, the steel cast being warded with gold runes (this arm shield increases Hatane’s AC by a total of 4 points).
   Prince Zhardule supposedly answers to the Caliph of the Sanasteros, the great low-lying plains and surrounding areas, but this yugoloth lord, Caliph Khaban, is weak, and Zhardule far overpowers his as far as influence goes.  

In reality, all of the Sanasteros, and other areas too, fall sway to the ultraloth Mane. Mane is a very old ultraloth who came to power over the Sanasteros after the fall of Sir Mirrhus, when Mane destroy Zakand the Wind Lord, an elder ultraloth from primordial times. Mane’s power is uncontested.

The Vizier

Beseedol is the Vizier of Zand.

       Beseedol (male arcanoloth):  HD 12+24 (hp 67) for remaining stats see entry for “Rarkol” (intelligence 19)

           Psionics:  Disciplines 5, Sciences 7, Devotions 24, Attacks (all), Defenses (all), PSPs 200

           Disciplines:  telepathy, psychoportation, metapsionics, clairsentience,   
           Sciences:  mindlink, probe, probability travel, wormhole, summon planar energies, precognition, appraise

Devotions: ESP, dimensional door, spirit sense, sensitivity to obseravation, identity penetration, inflict pain, false sensory input, post-hypnotic suggestion, empathy, incarnation awareness, conceal thoughts, mind bar, sound link, synaptic static, amnesia, passive contact, convergence, enhancement, magnify, psionic inflation, psychic drain, dimension walk, dream travel, time/space anchor, stasis field

   Guards:  Xikalak the piscoloth commands 3 dergholoths and 8 mezzoloths at all times.  8 rainbow least guardian yugoloths will also be guarding Beseedol as extra-protection.

   Agents:
       -Ikskith- piscoloth company commander bribed by Beseedol to be his eyes and ears in the yagnoloth court.  Ikskith agents meant to watch the heroes have been killed and suffered other setbacks recently, as Mlshplod and his circle war against them.

Beseedol and the Meeting:

   One of Garmal’s piscoloth sergeants will betray him and go to General Hatane.  Hatane will appear at the Tower of Horns with the sergeant at arms, the nycaloth Bereemer (the one Demetrius ran into), four piscoloths and 6 mezzoloths.

The Tower of Horns

Officers

Commander-in-Chief of the Guard: Samalsayn – nycoloth officer wielding a vorpal glaive-guisarme Garmal – Senior Officer of the Guard (nycoloth) Barrim: nycoloth Officer of the Guard; General Hatane’s more trusted servant in personal affairs (general thug and information gatherer, once befriended by Rarkol, but now befriended by Beseedol) Sangron – nycoloth Officer of the Guard, axe +2, steel armor heavy, steel helmet with dull spikes over forehead Armast (nycoloth) – not a terribly intelligent prison guard with authority to help guard the Arena Prison; he is subject to a piscoloth commander

Sergeants

Zhulsh- Zand’s Sergeant-at-Arms (piscoloth; extra armor plates increasing his AC by 2 points, 81 hp)

Royal District Security

Commander of the Watch: Kymola, greater yugoloth

Watch: rainbow frogs

Elite Watch: yellow frogs

Royal Guard: lesser yugoloths with nycoloth officers

The Meeting with Garmal

   Garmal (male nycoloth):  Garmal is terrifying to behold.  At nine feet tall, he wears a burnished bronze chest plate engraved with screaming skull creatures on each breast, their fists pointed down, all wrapped in arabesque.  Wondrous black opals of immense size rest on his steel knee plates, his shining steel greaves carved with marrilith designs.  A fire opal bronze wristguard with hacked and broken magical runes rests on his right wrist.  Both shoulders are staked with the skulls of babau on dark iron plates.  His head is protected by a powerful iron helmet topped with a crest of brown plumes.  Scars line his face and body, but his eye sockets are simple caverns of darkness, holding a spark of lightning.  Garmal’s wicked axe +3 is carved with a scene of a Lower Planar army on the march.
   Garmal has been spying on Zhardule for many years now, and has been selling worthwhile information to a baatezu agent.  Rarkol is aware of this through one of his spy networks, and has forced Garmal to help him.
   
   Ankmar’s Foundry:  

   Rarkol intends to use the party and Garmal as a distraction to Beseedol.  Mlshplod and his circle of agents have maintained a close eye on the heroes and have actually killed several other bounty hunters that were zeroing in on the heroes.  Rarkol has in the meantime travelled to the City of Doors to hire a powerful arch-assassin, a powerful githyanki rogue-knight named Eker’kon.  For Eker’kon’s aid, Rarkol has promised the githyanki rebel the return of his dark powers and the power to enact revenge against his former lord.

       Eker’kon, 12th level githyanki exiled knight, S17 D14 C14 I16 W15 C17, hp 58, AC (Gehenna:  -1),   

       Special Abilities:  plane shift

       Psionics:  sensitivity to psychic impressions, telekinesis, inertial barrier
           Attacks:  mind thrust, ego whip, ID insinuation    

       Weapons:  githyanki two-handed silver sword +3, rust dagger +3, dagger +2, cold-wrought iron hand axe, cold-wrought iron knife
       Armor:  full plate of damnation +3, medallion of protection +2

       Items:  potion of magic resistance II, potion of speed, protection from magic scroll, protection from fire scroll, protection from possession scroll

Rarkol’s Assassination of Beseedol

Rarkol has been digging, via his disintegration power, a hole underneath the

   Rarkol’s Crew:    3 mezzoloths
           1 dergholoth
           1 piscoloth (the one who captured Marnaus)
           1 hydroloth scout (Mlshplod)

Uthananian Empire

Lord Uthanan now resides at the Azhadid city of Ujed, which was of old an ancient Imperial Encyclonian capital and citadel. He is the guest of Mirza Saum, a warrior brother of Awa Beg.

Events in the Winter of 873, during the Heroes’ Absence in Gehenna

The Lake of the Sky

In Kanosian legend, the Lake of the Sky, where the Entalian and Arnulian Rivers finally meet and end, is at the top of the world, and at the very bounds of civilization, beyond which is nothing. It was here, at Sky Lake, that the very early but great Kanosian High-King, Hirrel. Hirrel defeated the gnolls and goblins and found the sacred lake, long prophecied. Hirrel kept his kingdom here, on the northern shores of the lake, for some time, never building his settlement with much more than huts and lodges. He was killed by plains goblins however when drinking alone on the shore.

   The Hirrel people still live in this area, but not by the shores, which is considered sacred.  A full druid of the Torrelian Circle, Torohn, guards the lake.

Svador and the Killithane

Chief Gashor, his son Kellet and his son the previous lord of Kessonos are all dead, killed during the battle with Kanosian League outside of Andland. After a debriefing with Agruralsh, Yret of the Sbasator clan is confirmed as Chief of the Geiwidai, and made king of Andland and all the southern Kanosos.

   Yret of Sbasator, Chief of all the Geiwidai, S18:48 D9 C18 I9 W8 C12, born 853 spec. two-handed sword, armor:  plate mail 
   Equipment:  possesses Gashor’s splint mail +2 and hide shield +2 as well as his wc long sword

The Gonravians, Vriolue and Riemsdow are outside of Yret’s power. Svador has appointed governors for the following areas:

   Kessonos:        Erv of the Serm (clan lord)
   Kleindow:        Misoru of the Skylar
   Sevat:        - (not yet installed)
   Zolgimer Hills:    Iktrovane of the Gekar
   

Svador himself has travelled south with a cadre of loyal followers, and has arrived at the south-eastern side of the Kolcham, a range of rocky mountains that is home to the gnoll cults. Svador is meeting with Kaskis’tipost, known as the Prophet.

Flute of Kanos

Description: The flute is long, about a foot and a half. It is made of a white wood with a gold painted mouthpiece. The wood itself bears depictions of a gigantomachy. The flute changes in size to suit the user.

Powers: Kanos played a particular tune quite often, which, if played now, will bring the aid of the storm giants and Stronmaus himself. Any magic of Kostchtchie or his servants will be deflected by strong winds. If other tunes are played, nearly anything can be brought to happen. Only certain tunes and notes have full effects, although every note played does something, even if it simply summons one lightning bolt or thunder strike.

Every 93 years on the first day of spring, on Mount Kreiton, the flute may be played in a specific way, which calls up a bridge to the High King of the storm giants, Upsistos. The next time is the Spring Equinox of 872.

Flute of Kanos Description: The flute is long, about a foot and a half. It is made of a white wood with a gold painted mouthpiece. The wood itself bears depictions of a gigantomachy. The flute changes in size to suit the user. Powers: Kanos played a particular tune quite often, which, if played now, will bring the aid of the storm giants and Stronmaus himself. Any magic of Kostchtchie or his servants will be deflected by strong winds. If other tunes are played, nearly anything can be brought to happen. Only certain tunes and notes have full effects, although every note played does something, even if it simply summons one lightning bolt or thunder strike. Every 93 years on the first day of spring, on Mount Kreiton, the flute may be played in a specific way, which calls up a bridge to the High King of the storm giants, Upsistos. The next time is the Spring Equinox of 872.

Items/Possessions

Adornments

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Weapons

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Armor

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Spells/Abilities

Languages

Kanosian

Encish

Politics===

July 26, 872

To the Care of: the Officers of Hathbell to be Delivered to: the Wizard Lars St. Morninglory

Dear Lars St. Morninglory,

We write to you in invitation, in recognition of your renown and accomplishments, to the hospitality of the wizards of the Shoshowin families of Twelve Towers, so that we may meet and honor you. It would delight us to make your acquaintance as soon as convenience allows.

This letter will give you safe passage to our city

Best regards, Orthion, Son of Trensvixtus President of the Council The Wizard Council of Kadglatta Tower