Discord
Changelog
This first section is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for all players to read. I will also include it in a new in-game journal entry. PCs have until 5th level or December 15 to decide if they are going to align themselves with Ythazz Buvaar and openly serve the Vengeful. Any PCs greater than 5th level who do not align themselves with the Vengeful face the threat of permadeath after that time because the mysterious allies (the Vengeful) will no longer provide free respawns.
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Finally! The unknowing agents of the Vengeful, the Red Wizards, and the people of Thay have many answers to the problems that plagued them, at long last. But not all answers. However, those that were found reveal Thay is on the brink of destruction by an ancient, powerful, and vengeful undead threat: the great Ythazz Buvaar, first zulkir of Necromancy and leader of the rebellion against Mulhorand centuries ago that resulted in the creation of the realm of Thay, and leader of the Vengeful!
His agents had served him well. Now all that remained was to take his vengeance against the ungrateful realm that had failed to remember its founder. But he had time. More than four centuries he had watched, waited, and plotted. He would give two more months ((up until December 15)), and until his new agents to reach their 5th season ((new PCs have until 5th level)) to willingly continue serving him, or forsake the Vengeful and join the rest of Thay in its Deserved Damnation.
To all agents Ythazz Buvaar sends a mental summons to pledge their allegiance to him and the Vengeful at his massive sarcophagus now placed just within the entrance of the Bezantur City Tombs. The pledge is to serve him as long as necessary and into eternity if needed. In return, those who do so receive his protection from death. Faithful agents will continue being whisked to the entrance of his tombs when facing death, just as he had always done, and improved protection will be given against slavers and assassins.
Furthermore, Velsharoon has sent his powerful and feared Seneschal of the Vaunted into the Fugue Plane where she defeated the Spectral Wizard there. She will be offering no return from the afterlife unless the spirit swears an oath to Ythazz Buvarr and Velsharoon. But she is either unable, or unwilling, to restore spirits completely like the Spectral Wizard, and only returns them as a randomly selected undead creature selected by her to serve Buvarr and her god...
Regardless of the method allegiance is given, spirits returning as undead, or mortals swearing allegiance to Buvaar voluntarily undergo a type of magical geas. They are utterly unable to resist the commands of Buvaar or any Priest of Velsharoon ((this will need to be roleplayed)).
The question now remains of each individual: will you seek to prevent, or strive to hasten, Thay's Deserved Damnation?
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Yaphyll had summoned the few Red Wizards willing to help her to the Palace of Crystals in Eltabbar, along with their Knights and other trustworthy individuals who would need to protect their mortal forms while the divination took place. These individuals included Zulkir Maurin Greyhand of Evocation, Red Wizards Ihsahn, Kessa Sepret, Sabel Aerlian, Heirarch Maegor Umrathos, and the Thayan Knight Nikos Galambos. The divination was extremely dangerous and opened up the caster and her circle of Red Wizards to premonitions and powers of those they were scrying on. As a result, protectors were needed to defend the helpless circle. This important duty was fulfilled by Tribune Azura, the Thayan Knight Anastashia Shadoe, Taraska Traynor, Malark Greycastle, Kalis Kurm, Alice Blackstone, Pedron Niall II, and Calhoun Mahr.
Yaphyll began the divination and the circle was drawn into the spell. Within the spell, the casters were assaulted on many occasions by Shadows of the Past, Echoes of the Present, and Visions of the Future. As with their attackers, in some cases what they saw was unknown as to whether it was a shadow of the past, an echo of the present, or a vision of the future... Regardless though, they were able to gather much information about the greater evil plaguing Thay.
First, those within the spell worked to find a vision of the Eternal Flame Klanak Flamouth speaking to Brianna Fraser, Seneschal of the Vaunted. The casters discovered he had converted to the worship of Velsharoon and was subtly converting a large number of his priests to Velsharoon’s worship as well. Very soon he would announce the conversion of the Burning House in Tyraturos to the worship of Velsharoon, and it was he who had orchestrated the death of Mythalanir to blame on Mari Agneh and it had been his disastrous plan to use the demons of Bezantur to assault the temple in force.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Klanak and Brianna occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like Priests of Velsharoon.
Next, those within the spell worked to find the vampire lord Victor speaking a man who appeared to be a spymaster himself. It was noticeable the man had a small wine-red birthmark on his chin. The man’s distain for Victor and for all undead was quite apparent, yet it seemed he willingly served Victor since he actions were bringing about ‘the Great Death’. The man spoke about how Shaballa had facilitated the ‘rescue’ of Mari Agneh. And then Shaballa, together with his aid, had facilitated the attack and destruction on temples with priests who had been close associates of Mari’s tormenter; the late zulkir Aznar Thrul. All was done in an attempt to drive dissention among the leaders of Thay. The vision ended with Victor stating he had to visit Serene in the Temple of Mask and inform her it was time to replace Shaballa.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Victor and the man with the birthmark occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like vampire Shadow Agents of the Vengeful.
After this, those within the spell worked to find an Old Man speaking to a number of others - all indistinct visions none could make out as the power of Yaphyll’s spell was fading. He expressed remorse that his actions and manipulations of those he had helped bring to Thay had resulted in the freedom of the great archdemon Eltab from the powerful ritual Szass Tam had almost completed which would have bound the demon to his control. While the demon was now no longer a threat, he knew it was time to pay for the decades he had aligned himself with the evil of the Vengeful. He begged the visions to listen to him, for though he knew it would mean his death, he knew of how to defeat his master.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with the Old Man occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like Harper Agents.
Following this, those within the spell worked to find the former zulkir of Transmutation Maligor - alive! He too was speaking to two indistinct visions, large and menacing, the other more human-sized but larger as well. Maligor spoke to the bigger vision telling him that the pawn Mari Agneh had served her purpose and awaited him in the Thasselen Central Citadel. He was to give her the power necessary to end her madness and the anger necessary to lead the demons Eltab had taken control of in the assault on the Flaming Brazier. The images shimmered and almost went out, but then Maligor was speaking to the human-sized vision chuckling about how ‘he had been imprisoned in his own damn chair’ with a simple kick by ‘the spymaster’ and Maligor casting the first Rune of Chaos. If they can’t destroy ‘him’ because his phylactery could not be found, Maligor stated succinctly that ‘he’ would sit by helplessly watching the destruction of the land he wanted to rule. The vision ended with Maligor smugly thanked both the indistinct visions for the job they did to trap and kill what must have been Aznar Thrul and getting his tower back under his control.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Maligor occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like Arcane Circle Wizards, and nearly wiped out. Fortunately though, they were able to rally and defeat the wizards.
Finally, those within the spell worked to find the source and came across a vision of Szass Tam sitting in an elaborate throne while the spell began to disintegrate around them. Strangely, unlike the other visions Tam seemed to recognize there were others watching him. While they were unable to interact with him directly, he nevertheless explained out loud that he had lost control of the undead horde in Bezantur and been deftly tricked and was imprisoned in Thaksoril’s Throne, but it had been moved from the bowels of the Citadel to a location he was not aware. He calmly stated he was not their enemy, and urged the destruction of any in the visions they may have seen. Finally, he explained it was the ancient zulkir Ythazz Buvaar who was behind all the trouble that was befalling Thay! But just as he uttered the demi-lich’s name, the vision exploded in flames and the casters of the spell found themselves back in the Palace of Crystals with the defenders.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Szass Tam occur, the defenders of the circle were attacked by Vengeful spirit-like versions of themselves!
Now with the circle casters and their defenders reunited, they turned to Yaphyll who was wreathed in blue flame and with flames from her eyes stated in a monotone voice “The white queen is troubled but can't say why. The black queen hates the white and gives the assassin a black coat. The assassin steals upon the white queen. She can't see him gliding through the shadows. The sword screams. The white queen falls. Her city falls. Stones fall in the cavern to crush the soothsayer. The tree burns and thrashes in agony. Branches break. Branches twist and grow together...”
The she stiffened and screamed “The master comes! But he has not seen the blue flame and does not know the future it holds. He does not know you and it may defeat him. THE MASTER IS HERE!”
With those final words, the blaze around Yaphyll went out and her skull exploded from her head revealing the demi-lich Ythazz Buvaar, one-time zulkir of Necromancy, founder of Thay, and leader of the Vengeful! Floating like a nightmare in front of those gathered, he graciously thanked those gathered for freeing him, laid his terrible ultimatum before them, and simply left them to decide their doom.
---------------------------
Finally! The unknowing agents of the Vengeful, the Red Wizards, and the people of Thay have many answers to the problems that plagued them, at long last. But not all answers. However, those that were found reveal Thay is on the brink of destruction by an ancient, powerful, and vengeful undead threat: the great Ythazz Buvaar, first zulkir of Necromancy and leader of the rebellion against Mulhorand centuries ago that resulted in the creation of the realm of Thay, and leader of the Vengeful!
His agents had served him well. Now all that remained was to take his vengeance against the ungrateful realm that had failed to remember its founder. But he had time. More than four centuries he had watched, waited, and plotted. He would give two more months ((up until December 15)), and until his new agents to reach their 5th season ((new PCs have until 5th level)) to willingly continue serving him, or forsake the Vengeful and join the rest of Thay in its Deserved Damnation.
To all agents Ythazz Buvaar sends a mental summons to pledge their allegiance to him and the Vengeful at his massive sarcophagus now placed just within the entrance of the Bezantur City Tombs. The pledge is to serve him as long as necessary and into eternity if needed. In return, those who do so receive his protection from death. Faithful agents will continue being whisked to the entrance of his tombs when facing death, just as he had always done, and improved protection will be given against slavers and assassins.
Furthermore, Velsharoon has sent his powerful and feared Seneschal of the Vaunted into the Fugue Plane where she defeated the Spectral Wizard there. She will be offering no return from the afterlife unless the spirit swears an oath to Ythazz Buvarr and Velsharoon. But she is either unable, or unwilling, to restore spirits completely like the Spectral Wizard, and only returns them as a randomly selected undead creature selected by her to serve Buvarr and her god...
Regardless of the method allegiance is given, spirits returning as undead, or mortals swearing allegiance to Buvaar voluntarily undergo a type of magical geas. They are utterly unable to resist the commands of Buvaar or any Priest of Velsharoon ((this will need to be roleplayed)).
The question now remains of each individual: will you seek to prevent, or strive to hasten, Thay's Deserved Damnation?
---------------------------
Yaphyll had summoned the few Red Wizards willing to help her to the Palace of Crystals in Eltabbar, along with their Knights and other trustworthy individuals who would need to protect their mortal forms while the divination took place. These individuals included Zulkir Maurin Greyhand of Evocation, Red Wizards Ihsahn, Kessa Sepret, Sabel Aerlian, Heirarch Maegor Umrathos, and the Thayan Knight Nikos Galambos. The divination was extremely dangerous and opened up the caster and her circle of Red Wizards to premonitions and powers of those they were scrying on. As a result, protectors were needed to defend the helpless circle. This important duty was fulfilled by Tribune Azura, the Thayan Knight Anastashia Shadoe, Taraska Traynor, Malark Greycastle, Kalis Kurm, Alice Blackstone, Pedron Niall II, and Calhoun Mahr.
Yaphyll began the divination and the circle was drawn into the spell. Within the spell, the casters were assaulted on many occasions by Shadows of the Past, Echoes of the Present, and Visions of the Future. As with their attackers, in some cases what they saw was unknown as to whether it was a shadow of the past, an echo of the present, or a vision of the future... Regardless though, they were able to gather much information about the greater evil plaguing Thay.
First, those within the spell worked to find a vision of the Eternal Flame Klanak Flamouth speaking to Brianna Fraser, Seneschal of the Vaunted. The casters discovered he had converted to the worship of Velsharoon and was subtly converting a large number of his priests to Velsharoon’s worship as well. Very soon he would announce the conversion of the Burning House in Tyraturos to the worship of Velsharoon, and it was he who had orchestrated the death of Mythalanir to blame on Mari Agneh and it had been his disastrous plan to use the demons of Bezantur to assault the temple in force.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Klanak and Brianna occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like Priests of Velsharoon.
Next, those within the spell worked to find the vampire lord Victor speaking a man who appeared to be a spymaster himself. It was noticeable the man had a small wine-red birthmark on his chin. The man’s distain for Victor and for all undead was quite apparent, yet it seemed he willingly served Victor since he actions were bringing about ‘the Great Death’. The man spoke about how Shaballa had facilitated the ‘rescue’ of Mari Agneh. And then Shaballa, together with his aid, had facilitated the attack and destruction on temples with priests who had been close associates of Mari’s tormenter; the late zulkir Aznar Thrul. All was done in an attempt to drive dissention among the leaders of Thay. The vision ended with Victor stating he had to visit Serene in the Temple of Mask and inform her it was time to replace Shaballa.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Victor and the man with the birthmark occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like vampire Shadow Agents of the Vengeful.
After this, those within the spell worked to find an Old Man speaking to a number of others - all indistinct visions none could make out as the power of Yaphyll’s spell was fading. He expressed remorse that his actions and manipulations of those he had helped bring to Thay had resulted in the freedom of the great archdemon Eltab from the powerful ritual Szass Tam had almost completed which would have bound the demon to his control. While the demon was now no longer a threat, he knew it was time to pay for the decades he had aligned himself with the evil of the Vengeful. He begged the visions to listen to him, for though he knew it would mean his death, he knew of how to defeat his master.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with the Old Man occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like Harper Agents.
Following this, those within the spell worked to find the former zulkir of Transmutation Maligor - alive! He too was speaking to two indistinct visions, large and menacing, the other more human-sized but larger as well. Maligor spoke to the bigger vision telling him that the pawn Mari Agneh had served her purpose and awaited him in the Thasselen Central Citadel. He was to give her the power necessary to end her madness and the anger necessary to lead the demons Eltab had taken control of in the assault on the Flaming Brazier. The images shimmered and almost went out, but then Maligor was speaking to the human-sized vision chuckling about how ‘he had been imprisoned in his own damn chair’ with a simple kick by ‘the spymaster’ and Maligor casting the first Rune of Chaos. If they can’t destroy ‘him’ because his phylactery could not be found, Maligor stated succinctly that ‘he’ would sit by helplessly watching the destruction of the land he wanted to rule. The vision ended with Maligor smugly thanked both the indistinct visions for the job they did to trap and kill what must have been Aznar Thrul and getting his tower back under his control.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Maligor occur, the circle and its defenders were attacked by spirit-like Arcane Circle Wizards, and nearly wiped out. Fortunately though, they were able to rally and defeat the wizards.
Finally, those within the spell worked to find the source and came across a vision of Szass Tam sitting in an elaborate throne while the spell began to disintegrate around them. Strangely, unlike the other visions Tam seemed to recognize there were others watching him. While they were unable to interact with him directly, he nevertheless explained out loud that he had lost control of the undead horde in Bezantur and been deftly tricked and was imprisoned in Thaksoril’s Throne, but it had been moved from the bowels of the Citadel to a location he was not aware. He calmly stated he was not their enemy, and urged the destruction of any in the visions they may have seen. Finally, he explained it was the ancient zulkir Ythazz Buvaar who was behind all the trouble that was befalling Thay! But just as he uttered the demi-lich’s name, the vision exploded in flames and the casters of the spell found themselves back in the Palace of Crystals with the defenders.
As those within the divination spell saw the encounter with Szass Tam occur, the defenders of the circle were attacked by Vengeful spirit-like versions of themselves!
Now with the circle casters and their defenders reunited, they turned to Yaphyll who was wreathed in blue flame and with flames from her eyes stated in a monotone voice “The white queen is troubled but can't say why. The black queen hates the white and gives the assassin a black coat. The assassin steals upon the white queen. She can't see him gliding through the shadows. The sword screams. The white queen falls. Her city falls. Stones fall in the cavern to crush the soothsayer. The tree burns and thrashes in agony. Branches break. Branches twist and grow together...”
The she stiffened and screamed “The master comes! But he has not seen the blue flame and does not know the future it holds. He does not know you and it may defeat him. THE MASTER IS HERE!”
With those final words, the blaze around Yaphyll went out and her skull exploded from her head revealing the demi-lich Ythazz Buvaar, one-time zulkir of Necromancy, founder of Thay, and leader of the Vengeful! Floating like a nightmare in front of those gathered, he graciously thanked those gathered for freeing him, laid his terrible ultimatum before them, and simply left them to decide their doom.