On The Origin of Deities I

Thanks to Zee Bashew for the fantastic idea behind this adventure and his community for the great rules to support it.

The Three Odd Adventurers were awakened from their rest at the Docktown Inn by the voice of Eth-El telling them that “Wake up! Reality as you know it is under attack”. Stumbling outside they were utterly stunned to see an enormous wall just southwest of them - a wall that had definitely not been there last evening! Even more unsettling, out of a small portal in this wall was streaming panicked and screaming people. These didn’t look like Docktown inhabitants - they were better dressed and better nourished. The Adventurers ran towards the portal to discover what was causing the exodus, and dodging through the crowd they received their third shock of the morning - just inside the gate rampaged a seven foot pair of whitish-gold glowing legs - just legs, no body. And these legs were kicking, stomping and squishing every person they could get close to.

Without discussion the Three immediately moved to attack the Legs. Galadan entangled them in vines allowing easier access for his Companions’ attacks, and then called his Bear form to continue the fight. As the Legs were weakening the Companions were joined by three armored men from the city and together they at last vanquished the Legs, which fell over and deflated.

Galadan returned to his accustomed form, and no sooner had the combatants caught their breath than they were accosted by the leader of the armed men who asked them who they were and what they were doing in Kuto Shadows. Galadan, holding his temper at this less-than-grateful return for their heroic defense of the citizens of Kuto Shadows, explained that they were Adventurers who had recently arrived in Docktown and had awakened to the sight of panicked people running through the gate, saw the Problem and had immediately closed with the Malevolent Legs.

The Leader seemed uncomfortable with this explanation, but nevertheless introduced himself as Bruce Longpike, Captain of the Kuto Shadows City Guard, and a bit belatedly thanked them for their efforts. Captain Longpike told the Companions that it was against the rules to allow strangers into the town, but in light of their undoubted assistance that if they still wanted to help the citizens of Kuto Shadows, that they needed to speak with the “Mayor”.

The Companions were conducted too the Mayor, who after hearing about their exploits at the Gate accepted their offer of help. He told them that the attack of the Legs was just the latest Issue with which he was dealing. After years of peaceful existence within the City, in the last few weeks there had been a series of disappearances of people! His investigations so far had revealed that the disappearances always occurred at night, and that there was no reason to believe these people had just decided to escape the City. After all, no one ever wanted to leave the City because everything outside the wall was dangerous and there was nothing out there that would entice people to go. Beyond this, his only helpful information was that all of the Disappearances had occurred from the Old District and the Harbour District, the area they were currently in and where he had several warehouses, and that dozens of people had disappeared. After this explanation of the Issue, the Mayor seemed glad enough to hire the

Companions (at the rate of Common Laborers) to join the investigation of Recent Happenings.

The Companions felt that there was something rather “off” about the Mayor, and were put off further when he assigned two of his Laborers to “guide” them around. He did explain that Strangers were not allowed in Kuto Shladows, and that they must start their investigatigations at Lyra’s Spire in the Old District where they must first introduce themselves to the Religious authorities. Ordinarily he would first direct them to one of the Noble Houses in Fairy

Garden, but they were Strangers, and clearly not if the “Touched” and no one “Untouched” could enter that part of town. The irrepressible Nyx asked “what is Touched?” Looking rather surprised at the question the Mayor explained the the “Touched” were “god-touched” which meant they were longer lived than untouched men and were closer to The Three. “How do you know we aren’t Touched?” asked Nyx. “Well” said the Mayor, clearly affronted by the question, “You don’t have the Ears, have you!”

As the Mayor was walking them outside he told them he had had his people patrolling at night to see if they could discover the cause for the disappearances, but so far they had been unsuccessful. Unfortunately one of last nights patrols had failed to return this morning.

The Three Companions deciding how to proceed asked their “guides”| to take them to a Alchemy Shop, and on the way there had a bit of time to discuss their impressions of the meeting with the Mayor, and decided that this business about being “Touched” sounded very much like such folks were half-elven.

At the Alchemy Shop they were most surprised to find Angie the Alchemist, their potion-making, half-elf friend from Docktown. She explained her presence in the shop by saying she had been most fascinated by the appearance of the Wall, which she had never seen before, and had entered the gate after they had conquered the Legs. She had wandered around a bit and found this shop, which was owned by a rather curmudgeonly old gent, who on seeing her had seemed more than happy to hire her. They asked her if she had any health potions, and she rummaged through the stock until she found some. They bought three, and asked her if she had any of her water breathing potions. Delighted that they asked for her very own invention, she gladly added two of those - at a much discounted price (since they were friends.) Galadan, a bit suspicious about her appearance in Kuto Shadows, tried to question her about whether she had known about Kuto Shadows before it had appeared that morning, but in her ineffably Angie style she blew off his questions.

Feeling a bit more secure with the health potions in their bags, the Companions directed their guides to take them to Lyra’s Spire via the waterfront. They found the area a bit more dingy than the warehouse area up the hill, but otherwise unremarkable. There was a large fish market, the place smelled fishy, and Galadan smelled magic, but couldn’t locate the source. Folks didn’t seem on edge, though they were not friendly,’ either to the Companions, nor to each other. The Companions did receive some odd looks.

As they entered the Old District there was an abrupt change in character. The buildings were taller and larger. There were no more warehouses, and the people seemed wealthier. There were more guards on patrol. The area rose steadily up a hill, and as they reached the top they found a tall tower placed on the apex of the hill, clearly so that it could be viewed from anywhere in Kuto Shadows. The tower was at least 100 feet tall, and at its top were three statues of women, arranged around the tower, each in a different pose. They were told bu their guides that the statue facing the harbor was Lyra “who was everyones’ favorite” while her sisters faced the other directions. At he base of the tower was a very large building which the guides informed them was the residence of the Religious, including Vicar Harcourt.

The Companions approached the front door to this building and asked to see Vicar Harcourt. They were made to understand that such a request was unthinkable, but when they explained that they were there in regards to the Malevolent Legs which they had fought and bested, they were told that a Curate would be fetched to speak with them. They were brought inside and after a short wait were introduced to Curate George who only wanted to know if we had reported the “incident” to “the Churchmen from the area.” Galadan explained that they had spoken to the Mayor who had told them to report to Lyra’s Spire. “Ah”, said the Curate, “you must speak with Keeper Vance.” and then he left. In due course they were approached by a smiling man dressed in a long white cassock and surplice embroidered with a half-circle motif. Keeper Vance introduced himself and explains that his job is to ensure that his area of expertise is religion and his job is to keep the People happy.

Galadan tells Vance that they are seeking insight into the events of the morning and tells Vance about the Malevolent Legs. Vance seemed reluctant to discuss the Legs, but said they were clearly and evil manifestation coming from some Outside Power, but was unclear which. He was clear that the Devout needed to resist that influence. Barbar, in his unvarnished style, asked, “Who are your gods?” Clearly affronted, Vance replied, “There are ONLY Three Gods!

Lyra, Kerwynn and Annwynn, the Three Sisters. Lyra is of the morning, and is responsible for life, healing, food and anything having to do with nurturing. Kerwynn is of the mid-day and is the goddess of war, protection and work. Annwynn is of the night and is the goddess of death and peace. Beyond that there is a whole panoply of beings who claim to be gods or demigods. Among those there is one source of Evil - Big H. The Legs you fought are likely the work of Big H, or some third party of which we are unaware.” Vance went on to explain that all “supernatural effects” were granted by one of the Three, or else were from Big H and therefore corrupt.

Nyx, in a whispered aside to her Companions noted that Vance was speaking as though the only magic is Deific. Galadan asked which of the Three was responsible for cloaking the town?

Vance immediately denied that there was any magic that prevented people from entering or exiting the town. However, he did state that the Three did protect their children. Vance then went on to say that if they had any more questions concerning the history of the Church that a Curate would be a much better source of information, as their interests were more intellectual. Vicars, on the other hand, were tasked with planning.

Galadan, not wanting to get distracted, asked Vance who they should talk to regarding all the people who had disappeared in the last few weeks. Vance told him that he had best speak with Captain Longpike or the Citizen Badil, the “Mayor.”

Keeper Vance then sent for Curate George and in leaving invited the Companions to visit his religious establishment should they need spiritual enlightenment.

Curate George reappeared, professed that he was extremely busy, ;but would grant them 5 to 10 minutes. The Companions asked him about Docktown and its separation from Kuto Shadows. According to Curate George, Docktown “disappeared” decades ago and everyone thought it had been swallowed by Big H. And Everyone was very surprised to see it again. Barbar asked about the God Touched, and George explained. “Long ago there were 4 demigods, called the Tetrarch, who lived in Kuto Shadows and provided protection to the people. They also gave the Vicar direct access to The Three. The offspring of the Tetrarch were the god-touched, along with all of their lineage. In Kuto Shadows these individuals enjoy a special status. Some work for the Church and can bring Gods’ power to bear.”

Galadan asked about the Legs, and George denied that such a manifestation could not be attributed to the Goddesses. But George was also unclear about how Big H could act to make such a thing happen. Curate George then told them about the scriptural prophesy regarding the End of Days, which tell of a strange Shirt, and the appearance of Strangers. He was unsure whether their presence indicated the approach of the End. He explained that the Tetrarchs left Kuto Shadows to protect the City, and their Return would be a definite sign the End was coming. However a manifestation of Big H within Kuto Shadows would also be a Sign of the End. Nay asked a few more quick questions and discovered that the Tetrarchs had left Kuto Shadows 500-800 years ago, and that the Three did not have pointed ears (and she all noted privately that neither George nor Vance were half-elven.)

Their questions answered, the Three decided to find an Inn near the waterfront and rest until nightfall, when they would begin a patrol of the area. Having rested throughout the day, and eaten their fill of grilled fish, the Companions emerged from the Inn to find 2 new “guides” sent bye the Mayor, and an evening filled with thick fog and the muffling of sounds that such fog brings. They headed down to the waterfront with Tom and Dick. Other than themselves, no one was about, and Tom explained that folks were uneasy about the disappearances and so stayed in their homes.

As the night deepened the fog thickened, though from time to time they glimpsed an ethereal, silvery moon, whose intermittent light seemed to emphasize the overall gloom.

Nyx remarked that the Weave seemed very weak in the area, though she could not determine

where it could be draining. They heard occasional noises, a short sound of an altercation had them hurrying in one direction when they heard a sort of wet slapping noise, and they changed direction to investigate. More furtive noises made them slow and then move forward stealthily until, rounding a corner they see a procession of ghoulish figures - slimy anthropoid bodies with large, bulbous fish heads and finny feet and hands. Nyx recognized them as Kuo-Toa, which some call “god-makers.” She whispered to her companions that thousands of years ago they were enslaved by Evil and were sent out to attack people. They were driven underground and have a reputation for being not only creepy but totally insane. There were about 20 individuals in this group, and they were wearing white shimmery tiaras, the light of which strongly suggested that of the Malevolent Legs!

The Companions followed this group stealthily, moving up town, stopping occasionally, until they finally came to one of the Mayor’s warehouses which they enter. Nyx quickly casts a spell so that she can understand any language and then casts invisibility on herself and slips inside after them.

Inside Nyx carefully hid herself, and found that there were at least 30-40 creatures, all talking. She moved around a bit trying to hear what they were saying. She heard something about a “sacrifice” that would happen the following day. They were also saying something about their Young and something about their Gods, and the Lake and the Big House. She also noted a strong fishy reek coming from many barrels full of glistening fish eggs. Then she was hearing about a rare birthing ceremony which required sacrifices and a gathering in the tunnel. Nyx decided she needed to get out and tell her Companions what she had discovered. She turned about suddenly and inadvertently knocked over a small barrel. The noise alerted the Kuo-To. Nyx ran for the open door and sprinted towards her Companions. The Kuo-Too yelled about a spy and came boiling out of the door.

Seeing the large group of Kuo-Toa Galadan and Barbar know they would be overwhelmed! But Nyx needed help! Galadan used his Magic Bag of Tricks and conjured a Dire Wolf and sent that into the surging mass of Kuo-Toa. As a distraction the Dire Wolf worked well, and even managed to rend a few of the fishy folk. Nyx and her Companions melted into the night and got to safety, and Nyx reported all she saw and heard.

The Companions discussed what they should do next. Galadan felt that they needed reinforcements and should find the City Guard and report to Captain Longpike. Just as they were about to start a search for the Guard they heard a terrified scream! They started towards the noise and then heard another scream from another direction, and then another and another.

One of the screams they could locate at a nearby house. The house was dark, the doors locked, but the screaming continued from the second story. Barbar broke down the door, and setting the pieces carefully aside, raced up the stairs followed by the invisible Nyx and Galadan. Upstairs they found two terrified children staring at their mother who was screaming incessantly, but obviously still sleeping. The appearance of the Barbar and Galadan also alarmed the children, as did the sight of a full bucket of water which travelled across the room and then emptied itself on their mother. The woman awoke, clearly still terrified, and babbled something about “too many eyes!” Galadan assures her that she was dreaming and the Three leave the house.

Once outside the Companions disagree on what to do next. Barbar wanted to go after the other screamers. Galadan wanted to find the Guard. Nyx felt she should return to the Warehouse to make sure the Kuo-Toa were still there. Galadan and Nyx move toward the warehouse and see a lone Kuo-Toa dancing in the street. Believing that this creature was somehow casting a spell that caused the screaming, Galadan calls hips bear form and kills the creature, and then returns to his human form. The screaming continues unabated. They arrived at the warehouse where they see some Kuo-Toa entering. So Nyx hid herself and Galadan continued to search for the Guard. Meanwhile, Barbar was looking for the source of the screaming when he saw 4 Kuo-Toa dragging a screaming person down the street towards the warehouse. Barbar, enraged, kills the Kuo-Toa one by one. As the third one dies a small ghost-like creature that looked like Barbar emerged from its body, jumped over Barbar, screamed at the remaining Kuo-Toa and then killed it. It then turned, screamed one at Barbar and ran off. Barbar escorted the almost-kidnapped person to his house and told him to hide in his closet until morning. Then he went outside and started trotting towards the warehouse. Galadan heard people calling for the Watch and ran toward them. Thus he met up with Barbar and four City Guards.

Galadan quickly explained what they had found at the Warehouse and one of the Guards left to report to Captain Longpike. The other guards followed Galadan and Barbar back to the warehouse.

In the meantime, Nyx had reentered the warehouse and witnessed groups of Kuo-Toa bringing in more screaming humans. She moved to get closer to hear more when suddenly one of the Kuo-Toa starts glowing green and swivels around until it was staring right at Nyx. Nyx was assaulted with the vision of an Enormous Eye. Then the Kuo-Toa called an alarm and Nyx was under attack! At that point Galadan and Barbar enter the warehouse from the other side and immediately saw that Nyx was in trouble. But there was a warehouse full of Kuo-Toa between them and Nyx. A battle ensued. Nyx, though wounded, bravely fought all who approached her, using her magic missiles and other spells. Barbar and Galadan, assisted briefly by the City Guards fought desperately to get to Nyx. When the last City Guard was down Galadan called his Bear form and continued to fight with tooth and claw. As they felt they were making headway, suddenly a glowing manhole cover, shimmering with the same light as the Legs, joined the fight. Things were looking desperate for the Companions! Nyx exhausted her spells, and was bleeding. One Guard was dead and the other two sore wounded, but at last the battle was over. Dead Kuo-Toa littered the floor. The two “sacrifices” were unconscious but alive. And the Companions were exhausted and hurt, but victorious. Turning back to his human form Galadan thought, “Where are the City Guards? Why isn’t Captain Longpike here?”