04/15/2024 -- Operation Althara

Operation Althara – Chy-sa 26th, 715 AR (4/14/2024)

STARRING: Abella (AB), ALTHARA (A), Andreas (AN), Ari (AR), Bee (B), Koilos (K), The Maiden (M), Seth (SE), Storm (ST), Thomas (T), Zetian (ZE), Zey (Z)...and more!

• Everyone begins by rolling a D100, this is used to organize us into groups.
  • Thomas (29), Zey (41), Bee (33), Ari (21), Abella (59), Andreas (78), Storm (??), Seth (66), Koilos (96)
• ROLES:
  • Commander: Andreas
    • +2 HERO POINTS
  • Marshall: Thomas
    • +4 HERO POINTS
  • Quartermaster: Zey
    • +4 HERO POINTS
  • Spymaster: Seth
    • +4 HERO POINTS
• Spymaster upgrades Bortis and Mark to level 3. Six emeralds are recovered.
• Quartermaster brings Grey Oil (x2), which is given to Seth and Thomas. Whistlers are also passed out to Seth and Thomas. Bee is given binoculars. Abella takes the jester hat and box of matches. Seth takes one relic.
  • -1 RELIC
  • -2 GREY OIL
• Ki rolls 1d12
  • 2
    • The DM cackles maniacally.
• We begin.
• Now, Althara the Impure, Leader of the Blossomed, progenitor of the Van Rome Virus, walks through Fort Galax. A figure of nightmare and madness. She strides through the camp like a dark omen, her presence sends shivers down our spines from the moment she awakens. As she moves, her wild eyes dart across the camp. Her screams echo out into the stormy night. Civilians huddle in terror, their faces pale with dread as they realize the danger they are in. Althara does not discriminate, her magic knows no mercy. She hurls deadly viruses with abandon, each one a silent death sentence. The camp erupts in panic as people succumb to the onslaught. As she walks she sends out a raking virus that spreads through Lucky Eights. It is now gone. Everyone inside who ran it is consumed by the Van Rome virus. Their bodies fall, wracked with agonizing spasms as they cough up bile before rising as Blossomed Zombies in seconds, Altharas madness infecting them all. The once orderly tents and structures about her are a twisted wreckage.
• The combination of her uncontrollable rage, the viruses, and the relentless storm creates an atmosphere of unrelenting terror. In this moment, all of you realize, truly, that your survival is not guaranteed, for Altharas rampage leaves only devastation in her wake.
• We now find the others.
• Andreas, Seth, and Bee have Grey Oil. As it is quickly applied, the Maiden begins to look around in a panic.
  • “Oh my god, Andreas. It’s Althara. She is out.” – M
  • Andreas asks how she got here. “She” is Bloom. Bloom is she. There is a bell around her neck. It needs to be rung. Definitely easier said than done.
  • Andreas quickly lets The Maiden out after she frantically asks. She takes a few breaths.
  • “We need to get the people out of here. Do you think you can handle Althara alone while I get the people moving? Or do you want my help?” – M
    • “Get the people out of here. Spies just found a new ration of emeralds, we should have enough.” – AN
  • “As soon as we can we are going to get out of here with the Mist Heart.” – M
  • The Maiden assures us that we’ve got this, and Andreas hopes so, but she Knows so. The Maiden rushes out to save civilians.
• Seth insists that he should go help his people, Bee and Andreas try to convince him otherwise but he stubbornly insists. Bee heads out. Andreas heads out. Seth heads out, he acts like he is going to follow us but splits off.
• We pick up with Ari, Storm, and Thomas. All of them are in their tents, close by to each other. You three have Grey Oil, there is some close to you that you can use. This strange, glowing light begins to spin up from the middle of Fort Galax.
  • “God dammit!” – ST
  • Thomas says they need to go figure out what that is. Thomas does not know where his son is, likely on patrol. They head toward the light.
• Cutting back over to Mace Cranes cabin, Ki walks out. Zey and Abella are nearby. They make eye contact.
  • Ki shouts to them that she will be there in a moment. She has to tell Mace Crane.
    • “We have roads that we were thinking about going. We have not properly cleared them, but it looks like now we have no choice. They’re inside.” – CRANE
  • Ki heads to join the others.
  • For the first time in years, probably, Abella will attempt to pray to Zetian for help.
    • SPIRIT CHECK – 3 Successes
    • “Something is going down in camp. We need your help.” “And who might this be?” “Abella.” “Okay! Interesting. Uhhh… anything else beyond a name? Do you know what is happening?” – AB/ZE
  • She tells Zetian about Althara. Zetian frantically says to find the best rat and to protect it. Zetian will prepare an Aether Realm to tango with Althara.
    • Ki suggests they go get Big Cheddar. He is the best rat.
    • “Just– trust Zetian.” – K
  • Zey begins walking toward Althara, absorbing the rain he comes across and leading it with him.
  • Ki heads to find Big Cheddar before heading to Althara. Abella covers the rat in the jester hat.
• Ari rolls 1d12
  • 11
• As the parties are running closer, Zey. You start making your way towards Althara. You watch as One-Eye Bren is sent flying through the air, impacting the ground next to you. He begins to violently shake and spasm. He becomes a Blossomed Zombie.
  • Zey sends a spike of water through his head, putting him out of his misery.
• The rain beats down hard on our backs. This tempest, this storm, rising up to near mythic levels. A head amongst this orange light, Her. Yes. Standing amongst your friends, your compatriots, one Althara the Impure. She is screaming madly, shouting, crying out. She sends blasts of energy in all directions. This is it. This is… who you were after. As you all begin to converge, looking at her strange, eldritch form, it is now time to roll for order.
  • ORDER:
• Thomas begins by dashing inside of a nearby tent. Althara invokes Millenium Zero. Everyone within 100 feet must make a PHYS or SPIRIT save. Thomas succeeds, but Zey, Abella, Bee, and Andreas fail. Failures lose 1 HB/AB AND can choose to lose all of their stamina OR gain three corruption. If a corruption level of 8 or higher is reached, you will turn to stone. Additionally, failures have detriment three against Althara for 24 hours. Zey and Andreas have corruption greater than five, so gain two more corruption each. Althara uses her Blood Web on Ari, he fails having needed four successes. While the Blood Web is active, one corruption is gained taking an action or a background action. You can use an action, or another creature can use an action, to take the blood web off you at any time. Moving toward Andreas and Bee she uses Emancipate Zero, however nobody is within range of this attack. Bee holds up her Angler's Lantern and tries to get her attention, but fails due to her insane mental stat. Andreas uses a BG action to look for the bell. Around the neck, overgrown, are the vaguest details of a bell within. It will likely have to be cut through a bit. Andreas chucks a dagger at Althara to try and cleave through some of the neck. Ki invokes the First Mountain, and notices vague hints of Bloom's features within Althara. Ki aims for Altharas throat with her crossbow.
  • “Althara, please, it’s us. Just stop. We can figure this out!” – K
• There is a hint of recognition in the eyes. A more dedicated effort might yield dividends. Storm calls out to Magion.
  • “Magion, I, uh, we really can’t lose this battle. And I don’t think we are walking out of this one without some help, so, if you could send… some stuff… or just, you know. Throw a lightning bolt down. That would be pretty cool. Hey Ari, can you play dead real quick?” – ST
• Storm feigns stabbing Ari from behind and begins walking forward.
  • “Althara! Zolona sends her regards, ummm… I admit we weren’t looking to find you here. It’s great that you showed up. Um. So yeah.”
• 8 of Altharas' stamina points are spent trying to understand. She grips her head, screaming, as tendrils of energy shoot out in all directions. Abella tries to call out to Althara.
  • “We can work this out! You don’t have to be doing this– I can see that there is some sense in you still.” – AB
• She successfully gives Zey her BG action. Zey tries to think of the damn name of that kid. He gets ready for an attack,
  • “What would Ilia think of this?” – Z
• Crimson tendrils leak out of the fingertips of Althara as she defends herself from the water. Abella hears a voice, Zetian. He asks if they have the rat. They do! Koilos has it, actually.
• Zetian rolls for initiative at 4. Thomas uses his action to rip out of the tent and run forward with his knife.
  • “Althara, Angel, Bloom. Whoever you want to be called. It doesn't matter who you are now. You are our friend. You’ve been with us this whole time.” – T
  • “I must control– I must take it!” – A
  • “You don’t have to do anything.” – T
• Althara heads closer to Thomas, reaching out to forcibly take his corruption (Emancipate Zero). Her body begins to grow more powerful. Any wounds she has begin to close up. Thomas’ corruption is drained by 4, and Blooms permanent K counter increases by 4. She invokes Millennium Zero again with Bee and Zetian succeeding, but Andreas, Abella, Ki, and Zey failing. At 12 corruption, there is a sucking force entering into Zey, like his self is trying to violently break out of his skin. Zetian says, “it is okay little fish! I am very good at dancing.” There is now a golden ring around Zetian, floating. Althara screams out in surprise. While in this state, your max stamina is 5. You lose all of your powers, and torvians/thalagar are unusable. Althara is now focusing on Zetian. Althara rolls a 1. Nihilate Zero. She turns around. Zetian only loses 3 health blocks, and takes 9 corruption. Althara sends a beam of orange light that impacts Zetian, who stumbles backward. Bee throws a dagger at Althara. She shouts at Angel to remember helping Cordell. They did good. Andreas activates his Torvian and moves forward. He throws up a forcefield in front of Zetian. Ki runs up to Zetian and hands off Big Cheddar to Abella.
  • “What are you doing?!” “Something stupid.” – Z/K
• Ki shouts for Althara and plunges her sword into the ground.
  • “If there is anything I have learned from my mistakes, is that trying to protect what you love by trying to take from power beyond yourself will result in a greater pain and loss than you could ever imagine. Put your trust in us. Please. Let us help you.” – K
• Ki tries to let her Nothingness wash over Althara…At this moment as Ki fills Althara with nothing… she doubles over and cries out. This existential nothing fills her. Thomas hears her croak out a name amongst tears. There are bloody tears dripping from her eyes. The name you hear, Thomas, is Gunavar. She stands up in a state of shock. It is like Althara has turned off for a moment. Ki uses her BG action to invoke the Second Mountain. Ari uses his action to remove the Blood Web from himself, gaining one corruption. Storm keeps talking to distract Althara, he insists that Althara probably just wants to be herself. Something about Zolona being disappointed in her.
  • “SHE LOVES ME. SHE WILL ACCEPT ME. I WILL PROVE WORTHY.” – A
• Her magic grows increasingly unstable around her. Abella now has Big Cheddar. She shouts, “You can’t prove anything. It’s– Redemption doesn’t come from proving anything to any higher power. It is just being the best you personally can be.” Zey speaks to Althara.
  • “Zolona offered us positions as generals in her army. And you’re out here.” – Z
• Altharas eyes focus for the very first time. She cries out. The magic is completely unstable now. Her stamina points are now zero. Zey uses his Hex on Althara. Zetian looks to Abella.
  • “Hm. I don’t know if I would have done that, if I were them. That seems like a sore subject.” – ZE
• Abella responds with stunned silence.
  • “You’re not much of a talker…” – ZE
• Zetian continues spinning the golden magic around him.
• Seth arrives after leading his people to safety, and rolls for order (9). Thomas takes 4 points of corruption inside of Althara’s aura. Thomas invokes the First Mountain and declares a task: “I will free the bell.” Thomas’ Torvian begins to glow. As it does, the power shimmers through him. Althara’s power score in this form is 9, so his damage rating increases by 9. With 6 Successes for 138 damage (Sheer I), Thomas grabs her, spins her around, and gives one solid punch to the gut. There is a moment where we all feel this impact, a shockwave goes out. The rain is moved to the side as the energy within Althara’s field flickers. She digs into the ground, the stone beneath her and Thomas begins to crack. It is now Althara’s turn. She looks at Thomas, and begins to move directly at Zey. The power becomes more unstable as she skewers Storm for 110 damage. Blood rips out of his body, turns into spears, and strikes into him again. With his corruption surpassing nine, Zetian takes care of this. It takes some effort, but Zetian is able to pull Storm's energy away. Blood Web is cast on Zey. She uses Emancipate Zero on him and removes his corruption, fully healing herself. Bee holds her action until Thomas goes. Seth finally joins the brawl. He asks the spirit for advice, but its form is fuzzy. It tells him to be the hunter. Seth transforms into his decrepit wolvish form. The new form that appears is much different. The skin is burning now. The wolf looks like it was put into a fire, yet somehow survived. There are pieces missing. Thomas isn’t sure how this monster is alive. Seth demands that Althara give him Angel back. Andreas buffs himself and Thomas with his BG action.
  • “ANGEL! Remember all we’ve been through! The fight with the Choir. The countless times we have helped this Brigade, saved lives! Ever since we met together at the regrouping. We have both been Venerable Hounds. Come back to me Angel.” – AN
• She is having a hard time focusing on any one target. Ki takes 5 corruption for starting within Althara’s aura.  She sheaths her sword. She places a hand on her cheek, and takes Altharas hand in her own.
  • “You. Are. Enough. You are worthy. You are our family.” – K
• Ki uses her ability to turn one of her powers off– Emancipate Zero is removed. For a moment, there is some sort of recollection.
  • “I NEED MY FAMILY BACK.” – A
• Ari is up. He scoots toward the edge of her impure radius. He uses his action to get up. He offhand throws a dagger to try and ring the bell– Althara isn’t trying to dodge. She is operating on instinct, not really aware of her surroundings. Storm cocks his crossbow and fires at Althara. Abella is up. She asks what is to be done with Big Cheddar.
  • “[Keep him safe] until I tell you. And then break his neck! If necessary.” – ZE
• Abella uses the guard action, but fails. Zey receives an additional 5 corruption at the beginning of his turn. Zey takes the web and puts it in his pouch. Zey walks straight up to Althara.  He begins to shake her and tells her to wake up. Zetian keeps everyone safe :)
• Thomas rushes in. It is time to throw hands! He peaks the First Mountain as a free action. He deals 120 damage, 168 damage, and offhands for 30 damage, all at Sheer I. Bee pulls a piton out of the ground from a nearby tent, and tries to throw it at Althara. The bell is hanging on by a few strands of material. Althara begins her turn,  Bee is covered in the Blood Web. She moves toward Zetian and fires her Blood Strike. Abella takes damage, and loses her last health block. Zetian makes an unknown save (1). As the strike goes toward Abella, the blood arcs around. She is knocked unconscious (Althara does not intend to kill) and is considered festering. Finally, Millennium Zero. Andreas, Ki, and Thomas make their saves. Ari, Zey, Seth, Bee and Abella fail. Abella is completely corrupted. Her form takes on a sickly green hue beside Zetian as the corruption spreads. Zey is turned to stone. Ari is turned to stone. Althara laughs maniacally, looks at Zetian and smiles. As the reminiscent hex from Zey takes effect, the bell begins to hang freely. Bee gets into a stance, and rushes forward. She reaches a clawed hand out for the bell. With 21 damage, she does not succeed. Seth also attempts, but faces the same result. Seth’s combat ability is given to Andreas. Andreas gives his BG action to Thomas and himself. Andreas attempts to throw his spear to hit the bell, with 4 successes for 32 damage.
• In this moment. Andreas, you have a shot. An opportunity. Before Andreas throws the spear, he sends a message into the cosmos for his father. He takes the spear, calculated for power, and makes a perfect javelin throw. As the bell rings out, it spreads wide. All of us feel the energy ring out. As this happens, the bell itself begins to glow with an incredible golden light until it is radiating outward in all directions. In this moment, all of those who are within 300ft of the bell have their corruption reduced to zero.
• Bloom's K score reduces back to 1. His corruption drops to 1. There is a blinding flash of light, Ki. You felt the powers of Althara beginning to take you over. As Althara cries out, Zetian raises a hand. There is a shearing sound. What remains after is one familiar tiefling, fast asleep.
• We hear the sound of Impure. The sound of an oncoming battle. The defenses of Fort Galax have been eradicated. People are in complete and utter panic. It is time to move. Bee picks up the unconscious body of Bloom, though Andreas does attempt to do it himself.
• We begin moving.
  • MORALE ROLL – 1d6 (3), most people are not following order as impure spread from amongst the ranks.
    • Seth gains 3 HP. The people of the Hollow would not have been gotten without him due to this roll.
  • Bee rolls 1d12 (11 – Up). Luther Gorst, one of the agents of Mace Crane, is taken by the Impure, overrun in the panic. He tries to hold up the back line. It is absolute chaos. You are leaving many behind. But you have to go. You have to save the people who are here, plain and simple.
  • 17d6 – 64 with only two sixes.
  • We go. Fleeing to the high road, making our way ahead. Now, with so many questions swirling in your minds… friends lost, yes, but opportunity still there. Now it is the final sprint to Widowstone Keep. As you run… far far away. It is here where we will end the session.