Boon of the Witchwyrd

Witchwyrd

 Alien merchants that travel between planets and planes, witchwyrds stand 7 feet tall, weigh 300 pounds, and are covered in hairless blue-gray skin.

The witchwyrd had arrived at Midnight Manor with another Tome that the Lich Ghaust seeks. The arrival of the Scions of Stradivarius interrupted the transaction and lead to a meeting between the wyrd and Aubrey Stradivarius. After some negotiations a deal was met allowing Aubrey to lay claim to a strange black grimoire. Immediately on taking possession of the book Aubrey's mythic nature reveals this item to be mythic in nature, a Mythic Geas being placed upon Aubrey whose alignment immediately changes to Neutral Good. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

THE BOOK OF NIGHT WITHOUT MOON 

Book of Night without Moon  Aura moderate illusion; CL 8th

Slot none; Price 15,000 gp; Weight 4 lbs.

DESCRIPTION

This black grimoire’s pages are mostly blank appearring to be made of a dark vellium only to be revealed as being inscribed upon a chitinous flesh, some pages contain rough watercolor silhouettes. The Book of Night without Moon is a repository for trapped shadows. To sever a shadow from its owner and add it to the book, the user must speak a command word (True Name) and snap the book shut on the shadow. The shadow must be very still when it is severed, so the victim must be either willing or helpless. The book has 40 pages; a shadow takes up a number of pages equal to the Hit Dice of the creature that cast it. A creature whose shadow is stolen must succeed at a DC 18 Will save or be sickened by a nameless melancholy until its shadow is returned (in the meantime, the creature casts no shadow). Losing its shadow has no adverse effect on a creature that cannot be sickened. 

Prior to the books mythic awakening, the items lore was that a remove curse spell cast on the creature ends the effect and retrieves the shadow from the book. As a standard action, the book’s bearer may release a shadow from the book, conjuring an illusory duplicate of the shadow’s owner as if with the spell shadow conjuration (DC 18 Will save to recognize that the conjuration is an illusion). The shadow is intelligent and can follow complex commands, but cannot speak and lacks the memories or personality of the creature that cast it. The shadow serves the character who released it for 1 hour or until destroyed, whichever comes first. The shadow then returns instantly and permanently to its original owner, wherever he or she may be. It cannot be commanded to return to the book and cannot be stolen again. The book’s magic can sustain up to five active shadows at a time. 

Upon possession of the book Aubrey immediately frees three shadows that return to three half elf students of Labiatar's Hope that were rescued in the assult on Midnight Manor. 

Binhat Welker

Whohang Edelman

                       
                   

Rothoma Amendola

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      These half elven students report being drawn into the "secret" Reanimators fraternity by Professor Morlordyn.  At the Professor's urging and guidance they began research on a number of rare and rumored tomes, eventually being invited to Midnight Manor to go over their findings with the rest of the fraternity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Soon after the release of the half elves shadows, several hidden pages in the grimoire are revealed to Audrey, the restoration of ancient lost souls a burden the witch must undertake.  Surely such an acheivement would be worthy of the newly restored nobility of the Stradivarius elven lineage. 

The Souls of the Fallen

Fraz-Urb'luu

He comes in the winter, compassion and trust

He dances in spring with your love and your lust.

He calls in the summer and serve him you must

He withers in autumn, you save him from dust.

Your father, your mother, your lover, your child

His son, his daughter, his minion beguiled.

And now that you've offered your life and your soul

He'll drag you to ruin and swallow you whole.

Fraz-Urb’luu’s typical follower honors him voluntarily. It’s not enough to just be able to change shape or lie; a true follower of Fraz-Urb’luu actively works against the structures of law and good, and any such actions can fall in line with his plans.Fraz-Urb’luu is the patron of illusionists and tricksters. His cultists specialize in deceiving others into worshiping the demon lord and (ultimately) into sacrificing themselves to him.

Any creature could secretly be a follower of Fraz’Urb’luu—that’s the point. His worshippers disguise themselves as something else, pretending to be ordinary paladins or barbarians or shopkeepers so they can work out of the spotlight. Typically “smart” creatures like mind flayers, beholders or Rakshasa are often found to be members of Cults of Deception   

Fraz-Urb’luu prefers minions that play to his strengths of deception, seduction, and treachery. Succubi are one of his favourite tools, as are the sinister lilitu. He also commands a large number of chaotic evil rakshasas known as the Hollow Rajahs. 

Fraz-Urb’luu’s cults are known as the Cults of Deception. A typical cult consists of a dozen of so members, most of which have at least a few levels of cleric. Posing as benign sects of obscure deities, these cultists seduce and trick people into joining their ranks and offering their unknown worship to Fraz-Urb’luu. These poor folk are doomed the moment they join a cult, for eventually they are sacrificed or goaded into sacrificing themselves. These poor deluded souls inevitably find themselves the eternal prisoners of Fraz-Urb’luu in his mighty city of Zoragmelok on Hollow’s Heart. 

    

Ghaust

Two Books found in the library:

Call of the Void': A strange tome written in an unknown language. Attempting to read it causes headaches and dizziness. 

Sojourner in the Sunless Waste, an account of journeys into the Shadow Plane.

Ghaust List of Books: 

Alchemy of the Flesh': A dark green tome describing how to use a plethora of humanoid viscera and organs to enhance your potions.

Rules of Death': Written by Goxor the Soulkeeper, the book instructs readers on the basics of Necromancy. While it was originally used as a textbook for Labiatar’s Hope, it was swifty banned after a student had killed several people using an experiment from the book.

Orders of the Underworld': This book was written by Craushis the Nightmare, a wizard priest of an ancient cult known as Creed of the Night. 

The Tome of Fiends': an ancient tome written by the now dead god Creator of the fiends. It contains the real name of every Demon Lord and Archdevil that exists, allowing its owner to summon them. All of them are bound to obey by the power of the tome. Thus making its owner the Lord of Fiends. Its language can only be understood by archfeys, celestial, demon lords and archdevils, and each faction has been fighting over it for centuries as gaining control of all fiends, even for fiends themselves, is a huge power. Fortunately it has stayed on the Material Plane and has always belonged to a mortal guardian.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Midnight Manor

 

Boztin

Professor Morlordyn

                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Witchwyrd 

                                                                                                                                                                             

Archo Stein

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Mosquund Death Chanter

Dancing in the dark and other things

 Sorcha walked down the street to the park by St. Cecilia's. It was clear and warm. Dawn just over an hour away. Reaching the park she drew her blade. Light from the cresset by the doorway of St. Cecilia's across the street gleamed on the silken steel blade. "She should have a name" Sorcha mused twirling the blade faster, the Music just out of reach at the periphery of her consciousness. 

She stopped suddenly. Dipping into her magik pool she sharpened her blade beyond razor. Then she started to dance. Smooth and fluid, blade keeping time. Inspiration hit and she cast one of the new spells. Gesturing with her left hand and whispering "festinare" as she danced, suddenly she was moving faster than she had ever done before. Swifter than a deer she moved. The movements swifter than a river at flood.

Half a minute later, maybe more it was gone leaving her with a thin sheen of sweat on her face. All the while the Music, that beautiful Music was just out of reach. She could FEEL it, just not touch it like Aubrey. 

"I'm just not in the right family" she said musingly.  Family. That word brought a jumble of thoughts. All wibbly wobbly and interconnected. Her mom in a castle on another plane. Her dad off doing.... things. It was going to be impossible to reunite them. "Maybe I'll start my own" she smiled into the air.

Her smile faded as she looked at St. Cecilia's. Where they had Alizar's funeral. "Alizar" she sobbed. "I'm so sorry". Tears were coming. Alizar was gone because of her. "Poor Percy" she stopped suddenly and smiled. "Percival Von Somenheim. Sorry you're alone now."

The winds, her winds, were whipping up. She slowed her breathing and they calmed. So many things happened. The mine, Alizar dying, Davis captured, people massacred in front of her, plague shadows.... and the Kyton.

Shivers ran down her spine. Tibar freed her from the mental slavery the Kyton had shackled her with, but it still haunted her. It would always be in her head she feared. Like cobwebs in the dark corners of an attic. 

Things are changing rapidly: Tibar. Another member of the Stativarious family. "He's definitely loved by his god. I shall have to look into that more. Lots of anger there, though."

"And I'm back to family" she thought with a wry smile. Looking to the sky she noticed that telltale lightening in the east that heralded daybreak. Sheathing her sword Sorcha turned her steps towards Mama June's Bakery. "I'll surprise everyone with fresh croissants for breakfast" she smiled. 

Something From Nothing

 

Macil Stradivarius

Macil and his spouse had departed from the Zephyr, the shielding spheres protecting them from the harsh environment of crystal that the Oracle had predicted would be found here. For the first time The Zephyr risked travelling into the void in search of a vital element of grounding for the elves new home. Macil would utilize his great magical skills to extract the proper crystal prisms while Lysa guarded them with her great elven curved blade, an ancestral weapon of enormous power. 

Lysa Stradivarius

Macil and Lysa Enter the Crystal Cave

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Crystal Caves

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                      The tentacles moved unseen through the shadows of crystal, Macil, his concentration focused on the magic he was weaving, Lysa's attention on any dangers coming from without. Macil's magic a mental delicacy the creature found irresistable.  With a sudden strike the tentacles latched onto Macils forehead, crystals shattering as the creature burst through. To Lysa's horror she realized she could not save her husband's life and resolved to saving his consciousness for the elven people.  Drawing on the power of her blade, she drove the wicked edge through tentacles and her husband, her love and his consciousness flowing into the blade as his lifeblood spilled upon the foreign land.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Not many realize the power it takes to bring sound to the void, to create something from nothing. The Elves called it The Miracle.  The enemy hated the sound, had no real concept of it.  It was years before the elves realized their enemy’s communications were telepathic.  What the elves heard as beautiful sound, their enemies heard that same beauty as a threat to the void they dominated.  The elves were shocked when their enemy chased them from the void…what had they released?

Ash & Cinder

 

Ash and Cinder Markings

The Pentagram flared, powered by the soul of one of the promised.  The Ashen Clergy assembled in the summoning chamber, beginning their prayers while they waited for the Elven Druid Wo'Kish to arrive and name which of The Promised had failed.  The Ashen were still praying when The Contract Devil appeared , the pentagram’s magic holding the Devil in place.  To The Ashen’s surprise two more devils appeared in the Summoning circle, a barbed creature and a glaive wielding devil with a writhing beard.  The devil’s seethed in anger waiting to punish whom-ever had trapped them in the Pentagram.  

Wo'Kish

I've got the details right here

Wo'Kish entered the chamber in a rush.  It took all of the elf’s discipline to master his adrenaline and carefully speak the word of binding Cothar had taught him.   The Devils calmed upon hearing the word of power and awaited their Caller’s terms.   Wo'Kish invoked The Order’s ancient Pact; the Contract Devil immediately recognizing the ancient terms.  

“Bathanon The Promised  has failed in his contract and the target has survived.” Intoned the Druid

“The Soul of The Promised has paid our price.” The devils replied.

“Then go now and revenge our broken promise, our order must be avenged.” Wo'Kish ordered

“Where does your vengeance lie?” the thirteen clergy inquired.

“The Minions of Virtue of must die!” The last sentence reverberated in the chamber , the voices of the clergy, devils and druid entwined. 

The Passage

 

Despite its underground nature, The Passage is well lit, with permanent magical lanterns and high arched cubbies aglow with magical raidance. There are long areas of shadow and frequently a visitor will encounter areas that light does not seem to enter. 

The Way Station

The Chamber of Deeds

The White Stair

                                 

The Labyrinth

                                   

Whasban's Comforts and Whimseys

The Whasban Family

The Drowning Flagon

Theeneche's Chamber

The Free Zone

Theeneche

The Lost Den of Altather

Altather Giant Blooded Ancient