Info Log / Putting the Pieces Together

[Zyraen]

Edit: added notes for using the Items given by Kistarra in Italics

Negotiations with High Templar Kistarra, post-17.0
(Adapted Whatsapp Log)

K - Kistarra (GM)
H - Hadarai (Rubern)
Q - Quinn (Yijeng)

The Templars communicate with their High Templar, before she contacts you as follows:

K: "This is something new. I cannot remember the last time intruders wanted to speak to me of their own accord, and your ignorance implies you're not even native to Athas. What do you want, and why have you come? Maybe I'll have a reason not to simply wipe you from the face of the world."

Her tone and manner seems more serious and different from what you previously expected with Kistarra. An image of the speaker also comes to mind, and she does not appear like the Kistarra you previously saw before (when drawn into Soulgem in 5.2)

H: "Milady, I think we have a mutual aquaintance ... A certain ... Friend named Kradgar? He calls himself Kadrigar in some other planes."

Q: "We believe we may have matters of mutual interest. Afterall there is the old truism that the enemy of my enemy is my friend... ir at least worth parlaying with. Will you hear what we have to say?"

K: "I'm listening. Why do you say that our great King is your friend? Have you met him elsewhere, and where? And do not tire me with word games - why are you here, what do you seek?"

Q: "I also like to skip all the preambles and word plays to get down to the brass tacks. In short our only interest is to be gone from your lands, and your interest is to prevent the former landlord of these parts from reviving. In my view, based on our survey of your lands, the last sorcerer king was pretty unfavorable and that your Lord's reign is considered an improvement.
Since that aligns with my thinking that trade and profit is much preferred to the chaos of war, we've decided to take the chance to warn you of a threat from your long vanquished foe the former sk Kalidma, who is planning to be revived to be even more powerful than before"

K: "I am not personally acquainted with the former landlord who you refer to, unless you refer to Tectuktitlay. Have you come to warn me of some plot against my King? If so, beating up my daughters is a poor way of introducing yourself, albeit effective at getting my attention. "

Q: "Are you still interested in talking to us? As for beating up your sisters note as strangers to your land, any form of attempt to contact you will end up through your interrogation chambers... In effect that confrontation was inevitable. We do however try to keep the damage to a minimum."

K: "Your warning is noted and well received, but that is hardly sufficient information. Is there something I can do to prevent his revival? In the absence of concrete information the most straightforward approach might prove... unpleasant for you."

Q: "Let's do us each a favor and dispense with the dire threats. No doubt you are well within your powers to do all you say to us. We are also no slouches and came to you in good faith. Don't casually toss aside that faith. We are currently projections from the shadow realm, and ironically we aren't even from there. We want to return to our rightful realm and was complelled to do someone a favor od the type we don't wish to conclude."
(Briefly tell her about our deal to revive the sk kalidma without a saying the shadow dragon part. Later clarified, this does not mention the body-hostage situation.)
"Now by my reckoning having Kalid-Ma revive and attempt to rule your lands is at best a disaster for your people. My interest is only to return home and to conduct trade in peace according to the laws of your realm."

K: "I see. So on my part I can stop him by destroying you. On your part you would rather not revive him but seem compelled. I'd be tempted to ask how and by who, since Kalid-Ma is dead, if only because your courteous civility certainly warrants some merit before choosing the obvious route. "
There is a pause, then a slightly different tone adds "Where did you say Kradgar was again? I am most interested..." the different tone seems a more lighthearted yet shrewd personality speaking

Q: "Being a humble merchant the only wares we have at our disposal is our civility as you put it, and our specific information which would stop this threat for all time instead of delaying it for a few years. You realize of course that the next group of goons to intrude into your realm may not be so... civil.
Also any attempts for forcibly remove this information from us would probably cause the powers who hired us to pull our plugs before we would unwillingly divulge any information you seek.
So you see we're at a bit of a stalemate. I read you to be the kind who would uproot a threat to your lord root and branch instead of simply trimming the leaves. If that's so you would probably see the value of our information. If not well I'm sure you can eliminate us at your leisure."

Q: "Templar, we'll be willing to share information in good faith if we can have your word you'll be negotiating in good faith. In other words don't threaten us, we know you can probably carry it out. Lets see what we can do to benefit the both of us."
"Here's what I propose. A general truce where we uphold our end of the bargain by keeping you informed, and you allow Kalid-Ma's plans to proceed at least enough to ensure our return to the shadow realm.
Once safely on the other side we will of course tell you all we know about kradgar and our recent dealings with him.
I take it youre having difficulty getting a hold of him recently? If you like we can probably set up an audience. Once we are safe on the other side."

K: "Every moment I spend talking with you is good faith, considering the resources I have at my disposal. But you are right, I do not wish my daughters needlessly imperiled either. Say what you will, and we shall do what we can. If you carry on your foolish mission for KalidMa I will protect the safety of Tyr and the world. "
Then a pause before "Tsk, Kalid-Ma is old news. Where is Kradgar pray tell? Might they both be happily inhabiting the same Shadowfell? That dragon is getting tiresome to entertain, you know. Heh. "

Q: "Again, we do not seek to complete our task for Kalid-Ma. Only to return home. It should be to your interest to aid us to get rid of your pesky dragon and perhaps get in contact with your lord. You'll be able to find out more... if you retain us as contractors on the other side."
"I propose a truce and temporary alliance, which will last until Kalid-Ma is no threat anymore, until we are back in shadowfell safely and have given you the information on kradgar as we know. Then based on the mutual usefulness of the exchane you can extend the alliance further.
I think it might be useful for you to have agents of our unique blend of abilities, and of course you can always rely on our drive for self interest to understand our loyalties.
And do you often speak of matters with two minds? I'm of the impression I may be negotiating with two of you."

K: "Well, I have little use for agents in the Shadowfell unless they can do away with him... Anyway, my charming friends from Shian, what do you want, what is it you have to do for Kalid-Ma? You seem unwilling, I suppose he has got you under a Geas of some sort? Alternatively, if you're trapped in those bodies of your I could always free you from those restraints... then maybe your souls can find their way back to the Shadowfell. But that'd be such a pitiful waste of such delightfully potent souls, heh."
it seems the second persona has taken over completely now.

Q: "Well i won't prematurely agree to kill someone unless I can be certain of following through, else it won't be negotiation in good faith. It be a simple boast with the possibility of a broken promise. As for our immediate goals, let's just say the disciple of kalidma has some leverage with us, strong enough to compel us to help her but weak enough not to prevent us from coming to you.
The only question I have for you is... do you want to be rid of your unwelcome house guest?"

K: "Hmm... it might free up some resources, yes. But then again if Kalid Ma were to return to Athas, things might get a little troublesome... well. How about I provide you with some little trinkets - one to ensure the Dragon joins all of you back in Shadowfell. Then another so that if he should prove troublesome, you all can remove him while he's still weak from being newly restored. Reasonable terms I should think, just leave my Minions alive if they should trouble you. Then I can point you to go on your merry way..."

Q: "That's more than generous. We'll uphold our end of the bargain. Once we reach shadowfell we'll tell you all we know of kradgar and if you still decide to go after him, we'll again negotiate in good faith to see if our interests can be aligned.
In the meantime should there be misunderstandings between your employees and us. We'll be sure to ensure there are no permanent casualties. They should not be penalized for doing their jobs.

K: "How charming. It looks like we have an agreement then."

If no more things, she will provide some information where the Dragon is incarcerated and also the senior Templar will eventually arrive with 2 golems and 4 templars to pass the following items she mentioned, descriptions and uses as described:

One item is an large Onyx Gem, or it looks more like a Black Diamond. This device should help you ensure that the Night Dragon passes on into the Shadowfell to be joined to Kalid-Ma, instead of the other way around.
She believes that the ruins of Kalidnay is a place where the link between the worlds is weak, similar to a Fey Crossing in Shian. The Night Dragon will likely try to draw Kalid-Ma through it into Athas, and when that happens the Characters should smash the Onyx Gem and so release the souls within. They will be drawn to the Shadowfell, creating an imbalance in the delicate setting, that should dislodge the Night Dragon as well.

The other item is a plain Circlet damascened with a strange light blue metal. This is a psionic link that will survive the transition to the Shadowfell, and which you can use there to weaken Kalid-Ma.
Before activating the Gem above, the Circlet should be worn by a willing Hero. This establishes a temporary Psionic Link between the bearer and Kistarra that should allow Kistarra to look through his/her eyes to witness what Kalid-Ma does on the other side within the Shadowfell. At an opportune moment, she will unleash her powers to weaken Kalid-Ma appropriately, and hopefully that will be sufficient to give the Heroes some fighting chance against the Sorcerer-King-Turned-Dragon.

Edit: added notes for using the Items given by Kistarra in Italics

[Zyraen]

16.2 The Spire of Kalidnay
The Heroes learn that the Nightwalker was previously known on Athas as Kalid-Ma, the former Sorcerer-King of Kalidnay, and Thakok-An his High Templar confirms that the Kradgar of Nightshadow is the same Lightbringer who brought about the downfall of Kalid-Ma and Kalidnay. Although Kradgar is in the Shadowfell, he somehow maintains rulership of the region from a capital city called Tyr, and his High Templar is none other than Kistarra (see 5.2 and numerous other appearances).

17.0 The Dark Sun
The Heroes learn that there are 7 major City-States in Athas - Tyr, Draj, Raam, Balic, Urik, Gulg, Nibenay - and that Tyr has conquered Draj recently while successfully fending off an attack from Raam.
They communicate with Kistarra who indirectly confirms that Kradgar is Kadrigar, and apparently still wishes to do away with the Kradgar in Shadowfell. She agrees to let the Heroes restore Kalid-Ma, to free up her resources and ensure he is trapped in the Shadowfell, possibly even slain by the hands of the Heroes.

[Zyraen]

The Night Dragon in 17.2 (Kalid-Ma's Body)
Arcana Check 23 + 17 = 40

You can feel an overwhelming concentration of necrotic energy not just from the Night Dragon, but from all around the area. It is almost as if the necrotic energy does not just emanate from it, but the creature serves as a focal point for necrotic energy in this area, possibly in this plane as well. The necrotic energies are so intense that even if it does not intend to kill you, those in proximity will likely start taking damage from it (Aura 5), and that might expand under certain conditions. This necrotic aura is not only damage, it is unconsciously defiling everything around it and drawing strength from its surroundings, with the necrotic energy acting like a catalyst to break down and atrophy living things around for it to better absorb their energy. The bone and hide insides of the ship are already starting to decay and age rapidly.

You deduce that the ritual that transforms a person into a Dragon in Athas is a ritual unique to this plane of existence itself. This is because the transformation actually allows the user to link with and draw energy from the plane itself, and the plane itself strengthens the Dragon.

The creature barely seems governed by even a mind, more black instincts of bringing about destruction and annihilation. That is because the Night Dragon before you is not alive, effectively a undead spectre/shadow, yet it appears more solid than even a living Shadow Dragon, it may as well be a Black Dragon from your home plane. You get the impression that its true size once it recovers is larger than its current huge, and light seems to bend around it so it has a larger reach than apparent. Focused strikes from its claws and bite are capable of "poisoning" flesh to the extent that the target would be fully susceptible to the necrotic damage all around, while its breath brings about blindness. Vague instincts from its life might still inhabit its mind, so apart from its bite, claws and breath, it is capable of using extremely long ranged psychic, necrotic attacks (as some have seen earlier)

Most of its own energies seem to originate from a multitude, possibly over ten thousand souls that sustain it, and those brought to the brink of death near it are less likely to recover while lending strength to the Dragon, while souls of the dead nearby are likely added to its reserve pool of energy. That would explain its propensity for destruction - to carry on its existence it has to feed on death and destruction, else over a millennium it might simply discorporate.

Nonetheless, it is still weak - relatively speaking - from its true power. You think at its full size on this plane it might be slightly larger than even the most ancient dragons of your home plane, and with an appropriate reach.

You think if it were joined to its own true mind of Kalid-Ma, it would probably gain capabilities and an intelligence that lets it effectively analyze the strengths of its enemy and the ability to use Psychic Psionic abilities, but unless the enemies are far away, the Dragon's innate abilities are probably still its most effective damaging weapons. With a strong will holding it together, it would also greatly reduce the need to expend the souls that formed it to keep in existence, and can use this energy reserve for other purposes.

Edit : Forgot to include the below obvious
You do not think that you have a reasonable chance of defeating the Night Dragon even if you were in your normal forms.
Now that you are in Undead Bodies that you inhabit in Athas, the odds are much, much worse.

[Zyraen]

Invasion of Nightshadow in 18.2

The walls of Nightshadow have already fallen, and fighting is spreading out through the city. The remnants of the Guard have banded together reinforced by some Citizenry to resist the undead invaders, who are fewer in number but stronger than any individual. Civilians are also under attack, although not always killed by undead.

1. Waterfront / Trade Area. This area has relatively little terrain advantage but there are more larger bands of humans protecting the civilians, and some winged constructs still functional. Eventually though they'll get worn down as more undead arrive.

2. Residential Area. This area has a lot of houses and relatively narrow streets. Many civilians and scattered bands of Guards have some advantage against numbers of undead, but the large area means there's always pockets of stranded people either waiting to be overwhelmed or set upon by undead.

3. Central Area with Mausoleum / Museum. Fighting here seems the most intense, with City Guards backed by a sizeable number of constructs. There are few civilians here to be rescued, but the Undead forces seem to be aiming for the resting place of Kradgar.

4. Flying Ziggurat. This structure floats about 150' above the City Walls. Bands of undead encased in psionic bubbles leap off and land below. Large flying skeletal winged creatures and burning spirits fly about it, as if daring those who might approach it, but none do. There is no apparent way to reach the Ziggurat except by flying. From time-to-time, a pair of winged creatures return carrying something, but it is not clear from the Scrying.

Kalid-Ma is not visible in any of the areas.

The Heroes will emerge from a Linked Portal outside the breached walls of Nightshadow. They can decide where they wish to go from there to engage the enemy. If they wish to directly head for the Ziggurat, they also have to plan how to get to it.

[Zyraen]

18.0 The Return of the King
After the Heroes successfully restore Kalid-Ma to his Dragon Body that they freed from Kistarra's servants, they realized Kistarra's intention was to use Kalid-Ma to destroy Kradgar in Nightshadow. Unable to face Kalid-Ma, they flee to Nightwyrm Fortress to fight the Darklord so they can leave Elshezan.

18.2 Tormented Darklord
The Heroes managed to persuade the Darklord Urishtar to hand over the final Orb of Kradgar to them, so they can face Kalid-Ma. They collude to make Kalid-Ma the Darklord of Elshezan, so they can free Urishtar from being trapped in Elshezan, and to instead kill Kalid-Ma and win their passage from Elshezan.

19.1 Travails of the Sorcerer-King
The Heroes seize the Flying Ziggurat of Kalid-Ma and send it towards Nightwyrm Fortress, before locating the Sorcerer-King in the mausoleum of Nightshadow. They watch Kalid-Ma destroy the body of Kradgar that powers the city, and they use the Orb of Kradgar to weaken Kalid-Ma, eventually causing him to retreat to the Ziggurat within range of Urishtar's ritual. The Heroes seize the advantage, opening a portal to the Ziggurat and defeating him before he can recover.

20.0 The Beleaguered Raven
The Heroes are received as Heroes in Nightshadow and use a portion of the Orb's power to channel the power of Kradgar to power the city. They also revive the dead Urishtar, and together they take the Flying Fortress to Letherna. There, a robed figure greets them in the name of the Raven Queen, and identifies himself as Kradgar. Though the arcane energies coming from him are not very strong, one of the Heroes manages to perceive that he is covered in an illusion, and his actual form is glimpsed as a skeletal winged Dragonborn form.
The Raven Queen refers to Kradgar as her servant, but they notice that the Sorrowsworn seem to be watching him as much as protecting him. They learn from the two Sorrowsworn that Kradgar was in Letherna for some time seeking to serve the Raven Queen, but she did not trust him until the demonic invasion by Orcus. Even then, she generally keeps him away from the Raven Citadel to keep a watchful eye on the movements of Orcus' forces within Letherna.

[Zyraen]

Death's Reach Related Information (20.1 to 20.2)

Enemy Related Info by Urishtar
- Urishtar mentioned the Rakshasa Assassins have the ability to impede and then completely prevent healing. Rakshasa Nobles have an Aura that inflict Saving Throw penalties against any Will-related effects like Dazed, Stunned, Dominated, etc. Lorishto is a Noble and acts in concert with two other Nobles so that he is generally indistinguishable from the other 2 so it is difficult to identify him. Enemies below 0 HP within Lorishto's aura are automatically Dominated when they are healed while within his Aura. All Rakshasas have the ability to rebound attacks against Will and to shroud themselves with protective illusions.

Info provided by Urishtar while in Death's Reach
- Prior to entering the mausoleum, the Heroes came across an empty area as if there was once a building there, but no longer. Urishtar mentioned that the energy from the area seems very similar to the soul energies emanating from the vortex in Nightwyrm Fortress.
- Urishtar mentioned that Nightwyrm Fortress was not part of Elshezan in the past. The previous Darklord Nyxramas took residence in a Spire in Nightshadow, and she was asked to take up abode in Nightwyrm Fortress when the Kradgar arrived and she was told to retreat there with her eggs so that she would be out of the way when he would have to fight Nyxramas in order to be able to escape from Elshezan. After she had left, she managed to absorb enough power from the Vortex to try and save her mate, in the process causing Kradgar to fall to death from the Spire of Nightshadow, but was not able to save Nyxramas.
- Urishtar mentioned the Rakshasas joined her after she became Darklord of Elshezan. They seemed to be the most capable and intensely driven researchers, especially regards the Darklord and the Soul Vortex. Apart from helping her break her curse, they seemed to be focused on finding the direction of the Vortex, which leads to Death's Reach.

Info provided by the Raven Queen
- Death's Reach is where souls/life move out of existence. As Goddess of Death, the Raven Queen is in charge of the place, but no Gods are allowed in the area. Only when the last of her Guardians in Death's Reach has been destroyed, the Raven Queen herself will be summoned to the place to be its final true Guardian. The location of Death's Reach is implied to be a secret, and it is also implied that the Rakshasa provided Vecna the information to enter Death's Reach.
- Similar to Death's Reach, the Bastion of Unborn Souls is where souls/life enter into existence. Pelor serves in a similar capacity as the Raven Queen for the Bastion. It is also strongly implied that the location of the Bastion of Unborn Souls is a secret, such that not even Vecna is aware of it hence the pursuit of the Book of Life & Death.

Info from the Mindflayers
- They imply that by obtaining the information from the Book - whatever it is, but presumably the location of the Bastion of Unborn Souls - the battle below in Letherna can be rendered unnecessary, implying that Orcus would be able to easily reach the Raven Queen.

Info from Orcus
- Orcus does not seem to mind that the Mindflayers join Vecna, so long the information is obtained and he is able to destroy the Raven Queen.

Info from the Mausoleum
- The Mausoleum appears to be older, older than even the Dawn War. It seems to predate Raven Queen and Pelor, since the depicted God of Life and the depicted God of Death in the murals at the entrance (20.1) do not seem at all like either of the two Gods. Below each of the hooded Gods appears to be the body of a serpent stretching from end to end of the walls, but there is no head and no tail visible.
- The Mausoleum layout and the way the Book of Life & Death is split seems to imply that Life and Death are either related or in harmony and balance with each other. The two Gods might have been related or even the same God. However, no one can remember a time when any God held the portfolio of both Life and Death. There is not known to be any such deity even during the Dawn War.

[Zyraen]

Information on Vecna in 20.5

Jit Babo's Arcana Check : 29 + roll 13 = 42

You have little doubt that before you is none other than Vecna, God of Secrets and Undeath himself. How he managed to bring himself here so secretly is anyone's guess, but from your high Arcana you realize that there was a spark of Vecna vested within the red shard that Vecna now holds. The other spark that completed it though, you realize, might even have been part of Orcus himself, though again how this came to be is likely a secret.

Vecna is more powerful than he appears, probably several levels higher than Orcus. In any normal situation, it is unlikely you would wish to face such an opponent, but with Kradgar restored he seems to have been prepared for this eventuality, though he is still tense and pensive. With the Raven Queen on the verge of falling unconscious, the only barrier between Vecna and his ambition - probably on the Domain of Death - is likely yourselves.

BASICS

Vecna emanates an intense Aura of necrotic energies that fills the room, that deals 50 necrotic damage. Like Orcus, Vecna has true sight, and has immunities to poison and necrotic, and resistance to psychic, acid, fire, cold, lightning, thunder. He has slightly less resistance against radiant attacks, and does not have any especial resistances against being Teleported. Vecna has two iniatives and any effects that affect him only apply until the End of his next Turn. Like many other foes of this status that you have faced, he can pre-empt attacks against him as an interrupt between his turns, dazing those that he hits.

ARCANA 33

With your mastery of Arcana and its lore, you can recall and get a feel Vecna's magical powers are not as damaging as his aura but still generally debilitating and laced with Psychic energies. His powers are twin Rays of Enfeeblement (inflicts weakened), and a Darkfire Web (Area Zone that inflicts a few status including taking full damage from Vecna). His more special powers are Finger of Death (lose bloodied HP, lose 2 Surges), Banishment (removed from play SE and ongoing damage), and Anti-Magic Field (Area Dispel that damages casters of various effects being Dispelled. May also destroy / weaken magical equipment of characters within the Area.). You also realize he has a Protective Resilience around him and if he wishes, he makes a save whenever any effect is imposed upon him to instantly negate it.

You recall that many Gods have a Discorporation that they can use to leave a place when the going gets bad for him or her. If Vecna feels overpowered or otherwise out of his depth, he would likely leave instead of letting himself get destroyed like Orcus did.

ARCANA 42

In addition to above, he has an special uncanny prescience - or may be contingency - that lets him act pre-emptively when enemies take additional actions. He also gains a similar surge of speed when an enemy is reduced to 0 HP or below by him.

You get the impression that the real Vecna is in the room but is not the one you see, which is something akin to a Project Image / Mislead / Simulacrum of the true Vecna.

You also sense that the spark from the shard was one of the keys to bringing him here, and you think if anyone is able to target the Shard held by the real Vecna (not his Projection), it could weaken Vecna's hold in this place further, but only to an extent, and destroying it would not be sufficient to drive him away.