The Subliminal Court

Scribe Notes

Summary

Adventure: Subliminal Cuurt
GM: Jim Arona
Season:
Night: various weekends
Level: Medium

Party

1. Slaydar - Humble Orc
2. Artephius - Noble Lord
3. Ishamael - Booze supplier
4. Sin - Humble Orc

Employer

Callas

Mission

following on from The Liminal Court, locate people to staff the Cathedral; a Choir, Sexton, Concert master (pre New Edison) and a Glazier.

Pay

10,000sp each. Any loot we find. Anything we sell must be offered to Callus first.

Scribe Notes

Chapter 1: Recruiters R Us

In Service of Lady Callas: A Commission Most Peculiar

Lady Callas presented us with an unusual contract today. The task: locate and recruit personnel for her Abbey on Cataclysm Earth. Specifically, we require a choir of twenty-four members affiliated with the House of Fire, a sexton for groundskeeping and crypt maintenance, and ideally a concert master—though a choirmaster would suffice if the former proves unobtainable. The compensation stands at ten thousand silver per adventurer, plus full rights to any loot we acquire. Additionally, Lady Callas retains first refusal on items we choose not to keep. A generous arrangement, particularly given she also provided substantial upfront funding for preparation.

The party composition settled quickly. I shall be accompanied by Slaydar—an orc who adopts a peculiarly obsequious demeanor toward me despite being a fellow party member rather than actual servant—and the Dark Celestial Ishamael. The latter's shadow wings spell proves invaluable for traversing the considerable distances involved, and his various buffs significantly enhance our survivability—a necessity given my rather unimpressive physical constitution.

Preparations and the Bounty of Seagate

With half our payment advanced (five thousand silver each), we turned to preparations. I provided powerful enchantments to all three of us to bolster our magical defenses and overall resilience. From the Guild stores, I acquired a healing potion—five hundred silver well spent—and the necessary myrrh for spellcasting.

Slaydar, ever mindful of my deficiencies, suggested acquiring trollskin scrolls. I accepted his gift of a scroll with appropriate gratitude. The orc purchased two such scrolls at seven hundred fifty silver each—quite reasonable for multiple charges apiece. With our enchantments and the trollskin's substantial armor, I calculated our group defense at acceptable levels, though hardly reassuring for someone of my limited endurance.

Lady Callas also bestowed waybread upon us—three portions each, well-imbued for duration. The food alone eliminates one significant logistical concern.

The weather at Seagate proved abysmal. A fierce gale forced us to delay departure by a day. When conditions improved to a mere fresh breeze, Ishamael deemed it safe enough for flight.

The Journey to Novodom

The flight to Novodom proved uneventful, if somewhat tedious. Four hours aloft with Ishamael's shadow wings carrying us across one hundred eighty miles. I managed my landing adequately—my natural agility serving me well. Slaydar, however, provided the assembled peasantry with considerable entertainment. The orc came streaking in at excessive speed, distracted by some heat source his infravision detected, and found himself skimming above the ground at tremendous velocity. His eventual landing on the riverbank qualified as controlled only in the most generous interpretation.

The peasants, having been denied the spectacle of our messy demise, tucked away their tomatoes with evident disappointment.

The Ravine and the Crack in Reality

Northwest of Novodom City lies a peculiar geological feature—a ravine formed by some ancient cataclysm that split a range of steep hills. We traveled along this inverted peak until we reached the crack itself. Lightning played along the walls, though my lack of metal armor rendered me relatively safe from its attentions.

During our approach, both Callas and Slaydar identified peculiar stones scattered near the entrance. Callas, with her lapidary expertise, recognized them as fulminite—sand or soil fused into glass by lightning strikes. Each piece measured roughly twenty centimeters across, circular in shape, and distinctly charged. Though not transparent enough for lens-grinding in their current state, they possessed a certain translucence when washed. We each collected a specimen.

The crack itself defies conventional description. It appears initially as another branch of the ravine system, but passage through reveals its true nature—a portal directly into the Astral Plane, or perhaps more accurately, into the Abyss itself.

Traversing the Abyss

Ishamael's shadow wings proved their worth immediately. While flight does not function conventionally in the Abyss, it reduces encounter probability substantially. Flying demons exist here, but they tend toward the feeble end of the spectrum. One does not encounter entities like Rampage or Carnage soaring about—apparently the former's devastating abilities require ground contact to function properly. A useful limitation to remember.

I cast walking unseen upon all three of us, successfully cloaking our presence. Combined with our shadow wings and the natural darkness of the Abyss, we remained effectively undetectable to all but the most accomplished observers. The week of travel passed without incident.

We crossed the sole water barrier I know of in this region without difficulty, though Slaydar nearly provided us with another demonstration of his landing prowess. His infravision again betrayed him, pulling his attention toward heat sources at an inopportune moment. This time he managed a recovery, though he admitted to experiencing what he termed a "brown alert." He then offered, as is apparently his custom, to be beaten for his failure. I declined, citing the impracticality of approaching him in his current state.

Tanuel and the Ascent to House Kerberoth

We arrived at Tanuel through the great arched gates at the base of the butte. The Kerberites stationed here represent the largest and most formidable of their kind—shapeshifters averaging eight feet in height, many manifesting armor directly from their bodies and wielding wicked polearms called horbids. A half-dozen of these warriors patrolled the gates alongside smaller administrative Kerberites, humans, and the occasional hill giant. Orcs, Slaydar noted with some interest, appear uncommon in this region.

The entire settlement at the base qualifies more as a military encampment than a proper town. Behind it, carved into the butte itself, a steep road switches back and forth for approximately one mile vertical to reach House Kerberoth proper. The engineering required to bring wheeled vehicles up such a grade must involve extensive use of bastions and securing points.

The Pool of the Hounds

On the fourth switchback, we encountered a most remarkable feature—a pool of the deepest green I have ever witnessed. A fire giant attended here, bringing the fearsome Hounds of Kerberoth down to drink. These creatures stand as tall as horses and possess three heads each, manifestations of House Kerberoth's power.

Slaydar, observing the hounds drink from the pool, began speculating about its properties. He surmised that the creatures derived their powers from the water itself—a not unreasonable hypothesis given the unusual coloration and the hounds' evident supernatural nature. With characteristic impulsivity, he decided to test his theory by drinking from the pool.

The consequences proved immediate and dire. Slaydar cried out in pain as a wound opened along his primary arm, from elbow to mid-forearm, along the inside. The injury does not bleed. It simply remains open, exposing muscle, vein, and artery in grotesque detail—a sight that would turn most stomachs.

The wound has diminished Slaydar's vitality noticeably. More concerningly, Lady Callas examined it and pronounced it beyond conventional healing. Curse removal might not suffice either, she suggested, though this would be the logical place to attempt such a remedy. She mentioned the Mal'ebonirans as a possible solution, though extracting him from their care might prove the greater challenge.

Slaydar resolved to manage with the injury for the present. The arm remains functional, merely unpleasant to observe. I refrained from commenting on the wisdom of drinking from mysterious supernatural pools.

Henry the Toymaker and Acquisitions

House Kerberoth proper boasts a marketplace of considerable interest. We sought out Henry the Toymaker, a merchant of unusual wares whose reputation precedes him. He stocks spell racks of exotic design.

The first item he displayed was a bracelet—essentially a charm bracelet with empty plates designed to hold engraved semi-precious stones. This rack enhances one's spellcasting reliability through subtle magical augmentation. Potentially useful, though of limited value to someone like Ishamael who rarely fails to cast.

The second item captured my attention immediately: a dreamcatcher-style spell rack, constructed from dried and plaited rawhide, approximately fifteen centimeters in length. It pins to one's breast, either on cloak or chest. The enchantment enhances the first healing spell received each day substantially. A healing spell that would restore modest vitality instead provides considerably more restoration.

I negotiated for the dreamcatcher. Henry's asking price proved unconventional—he requested payment in blood. I agreed, trading a measure of my own vitality. He extracted the payment with professional efficiency. The temporary reduction in endurance seemed trivial given our eighteen-day wait for the next caravan to the Heights of Chaos.

Ishamael examined a cloak with air aspect that moderates wind effects, allowing tactical movement control while airborne rather than being forced to travel at maximum speed. The asking price proved... unusual. Henry wanted something specific from Ishamael, though the details of their negotiation remained private. Ultimately, no exchange occurred.

Strategic Planning and Logistics

Lady Callas suggested we present ourselves to Lord Tirwh and Lady Suneth, the rulers of House Kerberoth. We agreed that paying respects would be appropriate, if only to make our presence known rather than request specific boons.

The caravan schedule allows us eighteen days before departure. Time enough for training and preparation, though the logistics of our actual mission present considerable challenges.

The fundamental problem: we seek to recruit twenty-four choir members, a sexton, and a concert master. Moving such a large group through the Abyss invites disaster. Groups exceeding half a dozen living souls attract attention at rates that render protection nearly impossible. Even moving them in smaller groups, a few at a time, presents significant risks.

We discussed several potential solutions:

Ley Lines: Lady Callas can access ley line travel, but this still requires moving our recruits through the Astral Plane and up to the butte at Tanuel—hardly ideal for a choir unaccustomed to such environs.

Nexus Points: If we could identify nexus connections between our recruitment location and Cataclysm Earth, we might bypass the Abyss entirely. The Himalayan Complex in the Land of Nod connects to New Alusia through a portal, but this merely relocates the problem rather than solving it.

The Underworld: Nekros theoretically provides passages, though entering the realm of the dead with two dozen living choir members strikes me as profoundly unwise. Additionally, I lack the necessary bone circle knowledge for such transport, and I strongly doubt Nekros would share such information even if he possessed it.

Ship Transport: Moving a ship across the Abyss proves beyond our current capabilities. Lady Callas might negotiate such transport, but the dangers inherent in the attempt seem excessive.

We concluded that solving the transportation problem could wait until we actually located suitable recruits. First, we must find them.

Astrological Consultation and the Land of Nod

Ishamael, with his modest astrological abilities, offered to conduct a specific reading. His natural perceptive talents, enhanced by our enchantments, gave him excellent chances of divining useful information.

He posed the question: "Where is the best place to find a choir of the House of Fire?"

The stars indicated the Land of Nod, specifically the eastern region before the Court of Jade. This aligns with our initial assumptions—the Land of Nod hosts numerous religious orders and choirs. The House of Fire, being a religious organization that particularly offended Rome during its time, would likely maintain a presence there.

Training and Preparation

With eighteen days at our disposal, we turned to self-improvement. I contemplated my priorities. Magic stands paramount—I have the opportunity to advance my skills considerably with dedicated training, leaving several days for other pursuits. My walking unseen spell, while functional, could use refinement. The wound to my arm serves as ample reminder that defense remains my greatest vulnerability.

Slaydar, having survived his dramatic landings, expressed interest in improving his flying skill. A sensible choice given the technique he learned through practical application—what he terms "not hitting the ground fast." He also explored necromantic options, though his limited magical aptitude constrains his utility with most spells. His considerable strength, however, makes him an adequate pack carrier, which—alongside his inexplicable sycophancy—largely defines our rather unusual party dynamic.

---

Items Acquired

Artephius:

• Trollskin scroll (multiple charges) - gift from Slaydar
• Healing potion (500 silver) - purchased at Seagate Guild
• Bracelet of Luck - purchased from Henry the Toymaker for a pint of blood

Slaydar:

• 2x Trollskin scrolls (750 silver each, multiple charges) - purchased at Seagate
• Fulminite specimen - collected at ravine entrance
• Cursed wound (non-bleeding arm wound from Hounds' pool)
• Spirit Net of the Necromanteion

Ishamael:

• The Windswept Cloak

Party (shared resources):

• Waybread (3 portions each, well-imbued) - provided by Lady Callas
• Powerful enchantments - cast by Artephius on all party members
• Strength of Stone enhancement - provided by Lady Callas

Session Summary

The party accepted a recruitment contract from Lady Callas to find staff for her Abbey on Cataclysm Earth: a 24-member choir (House of Fire preferred), a sexton, and a concert master. Payment: 10,000 silver per adventurer plus first dibs on loot. After preparations at Seagate, the party traveled via Ishamael's Shadow Wings to Novodom, then through a crack in reality into the Abyss. Journey continued to Tanuel and House Kerberoth, where Slaydar was cursed while drinking from the Hounds' pool. The party acquired magical items from Henry the Toymaker and learned through astrology that their targets are in the eastern Land of Nod. Currently waiting 18 days at House Kerberoth for the next caravan to Heights of Chaos, with plans to train and prepare before continuing the mission.

Chronological Timeline

Date	Event
Day 1	Contract negotiation with Lady Callas at Seagate; received 5,000 silver advance payment each
Day 1	Preparations: Artephius cast enchantments on party; purchased equipment and supplies
Day 1	Weather delay - fierce gale prevents departure
Day 2	Flight from Seagate to Novodom (4 hours, 180 miles); Slaydar's spectacular landing
Day 2	Discovered fulminite at ravine entrance; passed through crack into Abyss
Day 2 ? Day 9	Travel through Abyss via Shadow Wings; crossed water barrier (Slaydar's "brown alert" incident)
Day 9	Arrived at Tanuel gateway; began ascent to House Kerberoth
Day 9	Slaydar drank from Hounds' pool on fourth switchback; cursed with non-bleeding wound
Day 9	Reached House Kerberoth marketplace; visited Henry the Toymaker
Day 9	Artephius purchased dreamcatcher spell rack for blood payment
Day 9	Ishamael performed astrology reading: choir located in eastern Land of Nod before Court of Jade
Day 9	Discussed presentation to Lord Tirwh and Lady Suneth
Day 10 ? Day 27	Waiting at House Kerberoth for next caravan; training and preparation period
Day 27	(Planned) Caravan departure to Heights of Chaos

Mil Sci

Watch Order

(Proposed) An elf with witch-vision on each watch, attempt at partnering more and less experienced party members, with cooks on first and last watch (and Fizz and Ron not on the same watch).

Hour:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
	xx			xx			xx			xx
	xx				xx				xx

Calendar

Autumn
	Moonday		Duesday		W'ansday		Th'rsday		Frysday		Reapsday		Sunday
	Lugnasad
Fruit (4)
			1	Guild Meeting	2		3		4		5		6
	7		8		9		10		11		12		13
	14		15		16		17		18		19		20
	21		22		23		24	Meet Callas and commence adventure.	25	Rained in!	26	Flight to Novodom	27	Into the astral and across the abyss
	28	Flying in the Abyss	29	Flying in the Abyss	30	Flying in the Abyss
Harvest (5)
							1	Flying in the Abyss	2	Flying in the Abyss	3	Flying in the Abyss	4	Flying in the Abyss
	5	Flying in the Abyss	6	Flying in the Abyss	7	Flying in the Abyss	8	Flying in the Abyss	9	Flying in the Abyss	10	Flying in the Abyss	11	House Kerberoth
	12	Training etc	13	Training etc	14	Training etc	15	Equinox Training etc	16	Training etc	17	Seagate Autumn Fair Training etc	18	Seagate Autumn Fair Training etc
	19	Harvest Moon Training etc	20	Training etc	21	Training etc	22	Training etc	23	Training etc	24	Training etc	25	Training etc
	26	Training etc	27	Training etc	28	Training etc	29	Michaelmas Training etc	30	Training etc
Vintage(6)
											1	Caravan	2
	3		4		5		6		7		8		9
	10		11		12		13		14		15		16
	17	Blood Moon	18		19		20		21		22		23
	24		25		26		27		28		29		30	Beerfest