Session 01: Home to the Past, Present & Future

The only fortunate thing that has happened in these past few days thus far was my good fortune in finding this ragged journal and quill during my travel to the Onyx Spider. Being able to jot down my thoughts and sort out the mess that I find myself in is somewhat comforting in this very dark moment.

This entire ordeal happened whilst I was unconscious no thanks to Pellegri and her associates. While in this comatose state did the world that I once knew fall apart and in mere moments to be utterly destroyed. Luckily for me I was saved by a mysterious being known as Malfurion. He instructed my ruthless captors that in order to save the world they held so dear I was required as I held a pivotal role in the events to come. My captors graciously entered a portal constructed by this being that allowed transportation to the only known sanctuary whilst my limp body was tossed into the same vortex without care. Geared and awake my captors most likely laughed at my misfortune as they journeyed to the other side knowing full well that without any of my personal possessions I could not fight them back and thus be slaved to whatever they commanded. From what I've gathered Malfurion too was to travel through the portal but apparently an old enemy, Lashona intervened and began combating Malfurion. I can only assume that she wanted to survive as well and wanted revenge on those who previously thwarted her past plans and entered the portal as well. In the end she might be more of an ally than an enemy.

I had finally awoken. I was cold and found myself in a dark damp place. I didn't help that I was wearing just rags, though it was better than being stark naked. I was thankful that I did accept the clothing from Pellegri. I soon realized that I had been buried alive. I was inside a grave though the dirt was not yet thrown inside my final resting place. I knew my former comrades had probably orchestrated this whole ordeal and were just out of sight waiting for me to beg for my life. I yelled out that wenches name as loud as I could refusing to give in, however it wasn't her soft beautiful voice that answered but those of unknown assailants. Three beings peered over and I could do nothing but ask for assistance. Thanking them and responding to their questions, did I find myself once again in trouble. The mere fact that I was a professor in the dark arts intrigued the leader of the three, a Gnome who also happened to dabble in some form of dark arts. He proposed a dual of the dark arts where he would summon forth some form of minion who would combat a minion that I would create. My survival depended upon me winning this battle that was to be unfair from the get go as he summoned forth three minions with a magical incantation that I had never seen or heard of before. I certainly was impressed and couldn't let the opportunity to learn more of this incantation elude me, that and my life was in peril. Though I did not recognize the night sky or the city I was within I was quite certain that I was able to bring forth Minion from his slumber within my teaching room. In seconds did his skeletal form materialize and I noticed that the Gnome too for whatever reason was also intrigued with my special incantation. Worse case scenario should I loose I might have found myself some form of bargaining chip. The battle began minions v.s Minion. Unfortunately Minion hadn't been in any battles recently and his combat skills seemed quite lacking. Within seconds I was already looking for a possible escape route while commanding my undead servant to strike its targets rather than the bugs flying around him. Eventually Minion destroys one of the mobs but not before taking some serious injuries of his own. I tried to get in the way somewhat of the combat but the Gnome obviously did not take kindly to my move and instructed one of his remaining minions to strike at me. Luckily it missed but I soon realized that I had to intervene with magic or else Minion would fail. I had several Inflict Wounds spells still memorized from when last I held my arcane book and decided to cast that upon my servant. What happened next took me by surprise as much as did it the Gnome. Rather than focusing the dark energies into Minions, the dark energies came from the two attacking minions destroying them and revitalized Minion. I stood there flabbergasted for a few seconds before regaining my composure and confronting the Gnome. We both clearly had interest in each others powers and we began discussing the possibility of sharing some incantations. He handed me a card and instructed me to visit the "Onyx Spider" where he and some friends usually hung out. Within those walls would we further discuss our magics. Before departing I asked for his name so that I could call him by it; he responded with Garl Glittergold. At the time I was still confused and began laughing somewhat at his response. I don't know why I apologized but I questioned why his parents would name him after a God. Only now do I regret saying such a thing as it turns out that he wasn't a 'God' just yet. Further parley revealed that known associates of Glittergold in my world were in fact the same associates in this world. With the brief talk of the Gods of my world, Garl soon believed me to be a prophet telling him the future to come. He knew then that certain plans he and his comrades were plotting would in fact become a reality... one of these known associates of course was Vecna. If it is true and there is no way to change causality, then perhaps it was always meant for me to travel to this plane and speak to Garl. Perhaps the words I told him removed any doubt from him and his friends to rid the future world of their parent’s presence?! After all I was no longer on the Material plane but in the Realm of the Gods.

Pellegri had apparently found herself alone in a dark ally way. She was alone and scared just like the first day I met her at that rat hole temple of St. Cuthbert. How I miss the young girl I once knew before she was corrupted by the ways of Pelor. It was only fitting I suppose that she should be confronted by three assailants in the ally one of whom was named Cuthbert. Retribution can be a funny thing. I'm certain the Cuthbert of this Time and Realm also saw what I had seen in Pellegri and he attempted to comfort and help her find her way. He introduced his friends Hextor and Heironeous and assured her of their good intentions. They had agreed to escort her to a local inn where she would be safe. Cuthbert clearly had other evil intentions in his mind and Pellegri felt this dark desire from the man. This made Pellegri very uncomfortable and she attempted to flee the scene for her own safety. Cuthbert again stood before her blocking her path and tried very hard to calm Pellegri down. Grasping her firmly by the wrist had probably heightened the fear in her and she lashed out causing him to loose his balance for a second. This gave her the second she needed to run away as he attempted to strike her down but missed. Not knowing where she was she ran as fast as she could and began heading towards the only light source around. Hearing heavy footsteps not far behind her heart must have been racing. Stumbling into a stranger’s arms this man clearly saw how scared Pellegri was and offered his assistance. Looking back could make out her three assailants standing at a distance cursing and swearing at their misfortune. Looking up at her savior she knew the man to be Pelor, the lying bastard who caused us both so much pain. She accepted his offer of help but refused the healing he offered. Pelor then began leading her to his mother temple where the 'sisterhood' would protect her and keep her safe for the night.

I do not yet know the circumstances of Elena's arrival; however another of Malcanthet's servants Crimson had also appeared in this vast city via the portal. She had been unconscious only to be awakened by someone tripping over her. She too found herself in a dark alleyway and stood up just as the stranger began to speak. She begged Crimson to hide as someone was after her to kill her. Sylvana was looking around frantically for a place to hide and being the noble person that she was, Crimson offered her protection from whomever was in search of her. Had this stranger had known the lies that Crimson spewed forth from her mouth, she would have continued running down the ally keeping her distance and find somewhere else to hide. Instead the gullible little wench took some form of comfort in her words, trusted Crimson and hide behind some nearby barrels with the hopes of living another day. Soon another stranger entered the ally way cautiously smelling the air, tracking the scent of Sylvana's perfume. Finding Crimson in the middle of the ally all alone he questioned her on the whereabouts of the one he sought. A reward would be given should any leads lead to be capture. Always getting both sides of a story before making her final choice he found out that 'Fharlangn' worked for the city and it was the city that was in search for this criminal. Though Fharlangn himself didn't seem so on the up and up, but power of bribery swayed Crimson to reveal the wenches hiding spot. Pleased, Fharlangn took justice into his own hands before continuing his conversation with Crimson. Besides the reward she would receive she did ask if he could help located her missing companions and if he knew the location of Malcanthet. Fharlangn quested why she sought Malcanthet whom was leader of the Sisterhood and of course weaving another lie Crimson replied that she wanted to 'join' them. Obviously he saw some sort of potential in Crimson as a possible spy within the Sisterhood and he too instructed her to visit the Onyx Spider where she would wait for answers and her reward.

It was on the way to the Onyx Spider that I bumped into Crimson who helped me piece together the missing moments of time during my unconscious state and reaffirm my suspicions of where I found myself. I know not to trust Crimson and to keep a close eye on her but we did find ourselves at the same inn and as predicted she attempted to share a bed with me. I do not care what she may think of me but I share no bed with anyone and were separated for the night. As daybreak fell we gathered a map which would lead us towards the temple of Malcanthet were we hoped to gain further answers to questions we both had and to possibly locate the Pelorian and Elena. Though I insisted we did not need to find my old comrades as I utterly despise them, at the moment they were they only two I could... trust. On the way to the temple I toyed with the idea of causality. What would happen if either Parlor and / or Vecna should die her and now? Would it change the future I knew or would I forever be outside the time bubble and only I would know the change? Could Vecna be replaced? Or perhaps could Vecna be informed of Kaaz' future betrayal causing him to loose his Eye and Hand? Clearly such information was great power and would allow Vecna to be so much more? Would I want Vecna to be so much more? That bastard after all helped in my death! So many questions, so much potential and so much uncertainty. Even I don't have the answers.

We found ourselves before the gates to the temple only to find out that only women and eunuchs could enter the establishment. Before I could speak Crimson had already assured the guards that I was a eunuch. She spits out lies before I can even calculate the simplest of formulas. Dissecting and studying her brain would be make for an interesting project. Inside we are met by a kind little girl who would escort us. My attempt at being kind to the lil one I believe made Crimson think I was interested in very young girls. Perhaps that is to my advantage as it might keep that lying tongue away from parts of my body. Eventually we reunited with Pellegri who was already on her way to see her Priestess as well. I did try to be as cold as possible to the wench but I am uncertain whether or not my attempt failed. As we stood before the High Priestess we gave forth a lot of information of who were and where we had once came from, without giving away any crucial events that might jeopardize future events. Little do my companions know, I have already done so. This vast town is run by three individuals, Grazt, Demogorgan and Malcanthet herself though it is Demogorgan who holds the most power and influence. We ask access to the library so that we may study and research our purpose in the realm as Malfurion had yet to make any appearance. With all the information we gave Malcanthet she granted us access and I stayed behind to begin the large task ahead of us. Meanwhile Pellegri went off towards the Order of the Fist after gathering information that a newcomer with green hair was spotted near that location. Adimarchus the Lord of the Order had not seen the green haired girl Pellegri sough and instructed her to speak to his children. Pointing towards three familiar faces, she approached Cuthbert and his companions. Crimson too went off in search of answers and revisited the Onyx Spider where she was introduced to more 'associates'. Wee-Jas, Garl, Obad-Hai, Boccob, Vecna, Kord and Olidammara were all sitting at a table whispering and plotting and having a good time.

In the end whilst I studied and read both Pellegri and Crimson returned with news on where Elena might be. However the journey might be somewhat dangerous and they felt safer if I journeyed with them. I reluctantly agreed though I do not recall why. We headed out and stood before what we believed to be the entrance to the ratmen's lair where we believed Elena was held, soon to be sacrificed. We knew the ratmen could disguise themselves as humanoid and we identified one. Crimson once more with her skill in wording managed to speak and persuade the ratman into giving us quite a lot of information, where we used it to gain entrance to the lair. It was damp and dark as we made our way inwards. Soon we appeared before another ratman would was I would assume in charge of sacrificial seating. Crimson managed to swindle the stupid creature into giving us 2nd row seats. Worse case scenario... I had a good seat to watch Elena die.