Clash of Empires #3

[GM Mad]

Clash of Empires #3

"That is what I imagined, but I had to ask," Jylsera says simply. "And if I may ask, I assume your tomb is here in this pyramid. Is that correct?"

“That is correct,” Rasara answers. “It is what Nephthys guards.”

Jylsera's eyes narrow as Mystra explains the situation. She watches the display played out on the mirror. Finally, Jylsera speaks. "At first I thought perhaps Cytulliar might be worth saving, but it seems she is just an enemy to be defeated. We need to banish her form from this plane and then perhaps destroy her soul, should we get that opportunity."

“No, her place in the afterlife was secured long ago,” Mystra explains. “She chose to following the teachings of Hextor and would go to his realm if Leeta would allow it. However, you will not find her as easy to banish as you suspect. Creatures from the outer planes, regardless of their plane of origin, are all only guests on the Prime. They can be banished, removed from the Prime and forced to return to their home plane. Cytulliar’s home plane IS the prime. She cannot be banished in way a true demoness could be.”

“Do not take the idea of destroying someone's soul lightly. It is, perhaps, the most vile and abhorrent thing that can be done to another being. The soul is immortal, while the flesh is only temporary. There are some who choose to be born again and when they do so, they become a new being with an equal chance of being good or evil. And there are those who continue on the path they started while mortal in the afterlife. Such is the choice of all living beings.”

"I expect her to be a powerful enemy in her own right, this Marallith. We will have to do battle with her right away if they have attacked our base."

“A Marallith is fearsome foe on their own, between their innate spell-like abilities and their near immunity to spells cast upon them. Coupled with the talents of a truly skilled warrior and you have a terrifying force to contend with. Be cautious as you may loose many good people attempting to defeat this enemy.”

"I would love to stick around and continue to talk with all of you. For now, circumstances have forced this time to come to an end. I will see all of you again soon. Thanks to each of you for everything. I am ready to return."

“Return any time,” Mystra offers. “I will always make time for you, my child.”


Once outside of Rasara’s tomb, Jyl tells her companions about what they face. Some preparatory spells are cast and then Jyl transports the entire group with a Teleport Without Error.

Everyone reappears almost instantaneously on the beach outside the Supply Depot. A long, narrow passage between cliff walls leads back out to the open sea. A small port is here and there is dock space for three ships. Dead bodies litter the beach. All appear to be various crewmen assigned to this post. (No ‘named’ individuals seem to be present.)

The sight is gruesome, made worse by the numerous sea birds and rats picking at the corpses' bodies. The stench is nauseating. Looking around, you can see a faint whiff of green vapor trailing out of the cavern that leads to the supply storage areas. No enemies are in sight.


Now what?

[Jylsera]

Jylsera, Rebel Commander

"That is what I imagined, but I had to ask," Jylsera says simply. "And if I may ask, I assume your tomb is here in this pyramid. Is that correct?"

“That is correct,” Rasara answers. “It is what Nephthys guards.”

"Very well. We shall reclaim your goods and put them to proper use."


Mystara explains about Cytulliar's special situation as a creature of the Prime Material Plane and a demoness at the same time.

Jylsera considers for a moment. If she is a follower of Hextor, then she is an enemy and will be destroyed. As you said her place in the afterlife was secured long ago and as such, she is evil and my enemy. But how do we kill her if we cannot banish her in the normal sense? Are you saying the only way to defeat such an enemy is to destroy the soul? What happens if she is 'killed'?"

"I do not take the idea of destroying a soul lightly. However, if it is the only way to remove an enemy, I shall not balk at it. Yet, if the soul is the immortal core of one's being, if it is truly the self, then how is it that the soul can be deigned to be evil on one hand and somehow not be simply because some parts of it make choices that are good."

"I do no believe in moral relativism. Something is good or evil or in between. I do not believe that rehabilitation is impossible, but you seem to imply that the soul is not the force behind the being's choices? How can the mortal flesh be more powerful than one's soul?"

“A Marallith is fearsome foe on their own, between their innate spell-like abilities and their near immunity to spells cast upon them. Coupled with the talents of a truly skilled warrior and you have a terrifying force to contend with. Be cautious as you may loose many good people attempting to defeat this enemy.”

"I do not take my enemies lightly. However, it seems it may be very prudent to use as many magickal abilities as possible to protect and defend our gains. I have been thinking in terms of war between soldiers and ships only, and the enemy has been hitting us with demons and Elementals and such. I will rethink my plans and improve upon them. We cannot afford to lose our gains simply because they have powerful individuals in their group."

"I would love to stick around and continue to talk with all of you. For now, circumstances have forced this time to come to an end. I will see all of you again soon. Thanks to each of you for everything. I am ready to return."

“Return any time,” Mystra offers. “I will always make time for you, my child.”

"I may need that offer more than I previously expected, mother. Goodbye." With a wave, Jylsera is returned to the temple.

[Jylsera]

Jylsera, Rebel Admiral -

The group materializes on the shore of the beach at the Supply Depot. Jylsera looks about at the carnage that has taken place and is speechless for a moment. Her lips are pursed as she looks about at all the death.

She steps quickly across the sand and toward the cavern that leads to the Supply storage areas. She does not see any of the commanders of the depot among the dead.

Jylsera will cast a quick Detect Magic to see if there is anything left lingering. Also if the Cloud Kill's effects have dissipated enough, she will examine the situation in the storage area.

If the commanders of the place cannot be found, Jylsera will ask Argent if she can locate them with her Crystal Ball and see if they are alive and what their immediate situation is currently.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:

Jylsera considers for a moment. “If she is a follower of Hextor, then she is an enemy and will be destroyed. As you said her place in the afterlife was secured long ago and as such, she is evil and my enemy. But how do we kill her if we cannot banish her in the normal sense? Are you saying the only way to defeat such an enemy is to destroy the soul? What happens if she is 'killed'?"

“She can be killed, like any other creature you encounter. But instead of being banished back to a Lower Plane, her essence would be drawn to where her soul is imprisoned. From there, Leeta could draw her forth again and give her another form. In some ways the situation is much like that with a lich. They cannot be truly defeated until their phylactery is found and smashed. If you find where Leeta has hidden Cytulliar’s soul and break its prison, then she can be killed like any other mortal in spite of whatever form she is in.”

"I do not take the idea of destroying a soul lightly. However, if it is the only way to remove an enemy, I shall not balk at it. Yet, if the soul is the immortal core of one's being, if it is truly the self, then how is it that the soul can be deigned to be evil on one hand and somehow not be simply because some parts of it make choices that are good."

"I do not believe in moral relativism. Something is good or evil or in between. I do not believe that rehabilitation is impossible, but you seem to imply that the soul is not the force behind the being's choices? How can the mortal flesh be more powerful than one's soul?"

“Philosophers have pondered these questions forever without ever finding a satisfactory answer," Mystra states. "One’s soul is the most precious possession one can have. In essence that is all we gods are; guardians of our followers' souls. When a follower gives themselves willingly to me, I see that their soul finds its proper place in the afterlife. It is their faith and belief in me that grants me my powers, so we are intertwined.”

“But there are some unique things that occur when a soul migrates from the Prime to the afterlife and back. When a being dies, their soul is freed and it travels to the City of the Dead. From there the soul meets with representatives of the faith they have chosen and then taken to their proper place. The process takes time, but with good reason. Since the soul can be called back and returned its body, the delay is to see if this happens or not. But when a soul is sent back into the Prime that way, something unique happens. They return with no memories of their stay in the City of the Dead.”

“The process is similar when a soul is returned to the Prime to be reborn. Not only does it not possess the memories of their stay in the afterlife, all knowledge of their former identity is forgotten. In essence, that soul becomes a clean slate. As such, its past life has no bearing on whether it will do good or evil in their new life. Each sentient being forges their own destiny. They choose which god to guide their soul all over again.”

“To continue on with Cytulliar as an example, she would most likely not be reborn in such a manner. She’s too powerful and too skilled to be ignored by Hextor. Most likely she’d be transformed into a devil in his service, starting at the lower levels and work her way upwards in rank. So in a sense, yes it would be a benefit to all that she be neutralized for all eternity. It might be for the good of all, but it is an ethical and moral quandary. For we gods, destruction of the souls of another god’s followers is just not done. Such a thing would only lead to our mutual destruction.”


Supply Depot:

The group has arrived at the supply depot safely enough, but the beach is littered with dead bodies. The sight is nauseating and only Jylsera and Calyra manage to keep their stomach contents down. Jyl casts Detect Magic and the area seems to be clean.

Argent pulls out her crystal ball and gets it ready for use. “I’ll try to find them, but there are no guarantees of success. I’m not that familiar with them. Who do you want me to try for first?”

Before Jyl can answer, a bloodcurdling scream echoes out of the supply caverns! It sounds like something is being killed in a horrifying manner!


Now what?

[Jylsera]

Jylsera, Rebel Admiral -

“She can be killed, like any other creature you encounter. But instead of being banished back to a Lower Plane, her essence would be drawn to where her soul is imprisoned. From there, Leeta could draw her forth again and give her another form. In some ways the situation is much like that with a lich. They cannot be truly defeated until their phylactery is found and smashed. If you find where Leeta has hidden Cytulliar’s soul and break its prison, then she can be killed like any other mortal in spite of whatever form she is in.”

"So we have to free her before we can kill her," Jylsera says. "Quite ironic in that case. And she's still a threat, maybe an even bigger one, at that point. It seems we have quite a terrible enemy on our hands," Jylsera states.

Mystra then explains some of the complexities of the afterlife and the connection between the soul and its life on the Prime Material Plane. Then some thoughts in particular on Cytulliar. Jylsera listens quietly.

"A quandry perhaps, but not to me," Jylsera states emphatically. "If there was a reasonable chance to help her rehabilitate, then there may be a quandry. It sounds to me that she is linked to Hextor inexhorably. If such is the case, then the only answer is permanent destruction. He certainly would attempt the same to someone like Nylsara." Jylsera considers for another moment. "If we have the chance, we will destroy her. We must in order to save the world from repeated strife at the hands of an ever-increasingly powerful enemy."

[Jylsera]

Jylsera, Rebel Commander -

Arriving at the Supply Depot is a horrible scene. The stench of death is nearly overwhelming and many of her group are overcome by the nausiating sight.

With the site clean of magick, Jylsera steps through the carnage, looking over the devastation and lamenting her choices. "Clearly I have been thinking in terms of a regular war and that this place could defend itself against a normal enemy. The Cloud Castle was not a normal foe, nor is that witch, Cytulliar." Jylsera has a sour look upon her face.

Argent pulls out her crystal ball and gets it ready for use. “I’ll try to find them, but there are no guarantees of success. I’m not that familiar with them. Who do you want me to try for first?”

"I understand. We can start at the top with..."

Before Jyl can answer, a bloodcurdling scream echoes out of the supply caverns! It sounds like something is being killed in a horrifying manner!

"Let's go see what's going on!" Jylsera takes off running toward the sound of the scream.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:

Mystra:

"So we have to free her before we can kill her," Jylsera says. "Quite ironic in that case. And she's still a threat, maybe an even bigger one, at that point. It seems we have quite a terrible enemy on our hands," Jylsera states.

“Perhaps,” Mystra hints mysteriously. “Cytulliar does not enjoy being on Leeta’s leash in the slightest and would most likely take bloody vengeance upon her soul be restored. Make no mistake, she is a menace, but one that would turn on her master if able. Such a thing is foreseeable.”


Supply Depot:

With the site clean of magick, Jylsera steps through the carnage, looking over the devastation and lamenting her choices. "Clearly I have been thinking in terms of a regular war and that this place could defend itself against a normal enemy. The Cloud Castle was not a normal foe, nor is that witch, Cytulliar." Jylsera has a sour look upon her face.

“Perhaps, but not necessarily,” Calyra states. “I suspect that the war will be fought with regular units. Think of this Flying Fortress and this Cytulliar as special rapid response unit created with the purpose of taking out smaller, troublesome targets. What better way to break your enemies resolve than to take out their command structure? It simply means that you, and those close to you, will become targets.”

“The smell of death…” Zabrina notes in almost a stunned voice, her superior senses taking in the massacre. “It’s over powering. Sickening…”

Deedra is just as stunned but silent from the carnage she is witnessing.


Argent is directed to use her Crystal Ball to try and locate any notable survivors at this base, but this task is interrupted by a bloodcurdling scream from the caves.

"Let's go see what's going on!" Jylsera takes off running toward the sound of the scream

Calyra follows immediately, as does Argent who only pauses to restore her Crystal Ball. Deedra and Zabrina have yet to budge and are both in shock.


More bodies are strewn everywhere as the group enters the cave system. The floor is now blood red in color. The stench is even worse given the confining space. Another scream helps you decide which path to take and in short order you arrive at the source of the trouble.

The passage way widens and you see a woman in black leather complete with a hood tormenting a smaller woman. The tormented women is quickly recognized as Oleander. She is currently undisguised and all can see that she is a drow elf. Oleander is pinned up against the cave wall off the cavern floor by some unseen force projected by Cytulliar. The warrior holds two swords in her hands. One is a longsword blade of near impossible blackness that seems to have a malevolence of its own. The other is a normal looking shortsword.

“Cut her again, mistress!” The Black Blade pleads. “I want to feel her flesh part before me and savor her life’s energies!”

“In good time,” Cytulliar answers in a husky voice. “The drow shall be cut and cut again and her death will take hours. But it seems that there are now others who wish to play.”

With that Cytulliar turns towards the new arrivals, a malevolent grin on her face.

“It seems we have new victims to torment.”


Now what?