Shards Of History

[*Nimiane]

*At the end of each day, for three nights in a row, Odette sits by the hearth of a home in the Hive Ward with parchment after parchment of scrawled notes. In the light of the dancing flames, the former-sailor pours over her sources of information and carefully begins to compile the knowledge and it's various connections.*



/// A collection of [confidential] notes offered by a number of contributors, compiled by Odette & Quinn.
Only characters who have access to these can read them.///

An organization involved in the construction of a "Sanctuary" in undersigil has taken up residence in the Temple of Tharzidan and appears to be connected to a series of black-powder based explosions through out sigil recently. temple recently Barricaded and being guarded by pair of "Dragons".


[Principle Figures]

Sammaster the Lich
Species: Lich, formerly human.
Abilities: Necromancy.
Role: Ringleader
Threat Level: High

- Sammaster is a known tale in the plane of Toril, a former chosen of Mystra.
- Was known within Faerun for discovering the process which turns a dragon into a dracolich.
- Made himself known to us after the smaller of the Twins, Ignition, set blaze to the city of Undersigil in restless boredom.
- Hunts for "The King Killer" also known as "The King's Comet".
- Spoke of a serum, claiming that Inferno had already received his 'reward'. It is a possibility the serum is crafted from pieces of The King Killer.
Addendums and additions:
- Sammaster was, in fact, attempting to locate the King Killer in the hope of trading it along with the phylacteries of two dragons turned dracoliches, to Tiamat, the Queen of Dragons, in exchange for a vial of her blood.

[b]The King Killer[/b] [color=red][DESTROYED][/color]
• Large comet from the plane of Faerun.
• When it passes by, it "causes dragons to go mad with rage."
• It is believed pieces of it have fallen on various primes and that Ulnik has been tasked with tracking them down.
• One such piece may reside in the former temple of Tharizdun.
• The serum Sammaster has been preparing is possibly crafted from such.
  
  
  
  

"The Twins" Inferno and Ignition
Species: Dragons. Dracholiches.
Abilities - Shapeshifting, Invulnerability. 
Role: Observed acting primarily as guardians of the Undersigil temple, but in other forms - enforcers, raiders, and distributing rigged explosive barrels in locations including the Bazaar and Gymnasium.

- Often masquerading as dragons, subjects described as possessing the appearance of children when viewed via true seeing, though behavior is notably adult-like.
- Known forms include Dragons, Fire Giants, and Trolls.
- Ignition is the smaller of the two, a sensitive subject for proud dragons.
- The pair seem to be magically linked by threads of Negative, Positive, Abjurative and Evocative Magic which are speculated to be tied to their apparent immunities.
- Claim business association with Ulnik and have been observed acquiring sulfur for the "Sanctuary" effort by violent means.
- Believe to come from the plane of "Illia" where General Scar and his mercenaries now fight.


"Master" Ulnik
Species: Unknown.
Abilities: Unknown, Potentially a magic user.
Role: Leader in charge of the "Sanctuary" Project.

- Figure has not be sighted.
- Believed to be holed away in the temple of Tharzidun.
- Subject has been called "Master" and a "Business Partner" by the Twins.


General Edmand Scar
Species: Human Male.
Abilities: Accomplished Fighter.
Role: Leader of an advanced mercenary force.

- Three dozen mercenaries, led by a Captain Scar, were rescued from the prime where the twins and their giant army was attacking. They were given food, shelter and a sum of money.
- Supposedly, the Captain and his men were supposed to perish in the attack by the twins - an event that actually occurred over one year in the past.
- By saving their lives, they were recruited by a wealthy merchant and sent to a realm known Orculus.
- There the mercenary captain recruit thousands of weak minded men to his banner and went on a crusade across the planet.
- The mercenary company swelled into the tens of thousands, men and women forced to fight for Captain-turned General Scar.
- There are currently over 200,000 legionaries under his command.
- His army currently marches around the planet taking over nation after nation, and so far over ninety thousand souls have been killed.
- Claims that all lives taken were of those working under Ulnik. (Unconfirmed).
- Believes we are responsible for several assassination attempts on his life.
- Scar and his men are currently based in Illia, with a main camp high in the Gryk mountains.

[b]Prime: Illia[/b] - Illia was ruled by a draconic based government. - Many of its residents have some smattering of draconic lineage some more then others. - It believed to be the world that birthed the twins Ignition and Inferno. [/li]

[Other Notable Personalities]

"High Speaker" Ugno [DECEASED]
Species - Ogre with blue coloration
Abilities - Mage.
Role - Spreading propaganda, encouraging those on the surface to join the sanctuary.
Addition: Ugno was slain at the behest of Kelth's blade of fury, head severed. He is no more.

Samuel Stevens
- Mentioned as a contact by Kirmira during discussion of initial attack on Bazaar
- Mentioned during investigation of Undersigil following suicide bomber in Khazeet's Bar
- Role: Unknown, Possibly connected to Harmonium?



[Timeline of Incidents]

Circumstances that are believed to be be linked to the current threat. All of the following incidents appear to involve Black-powder Explosives in some variety unless otherwise noted.

Attack on the Bazaar
- Two Ogres (Trolls in some accounts) seen depositing explosive barrels in Bazaar. Khazeet's Bar in particular.
- Most barrels moved by Harmonium to the Grey Wastes.
- The initial powder kegs in the bazaar had a mark of two hammers pounding on a series of interlocking gears and cogs.
- During examination by Kimira and Mercykiller Namer Brynn barrels discovered to have been magically enhanced to be more destructive.
- Remaining barrel(s) go off during disarming attempts by Kimira.
- Many reportedly injured.
- Follow up with Kimira revealed one hundred barrels apparently unaccounted for. Only one found.


Fires In Ladies Ward
- Masked, Robed individuals reported attacking Ladies ward.
- Possible mention of sanctuary. Find confirmation if possible.
- Remains mentioned by Kimira as possessing traits of enchantment magic
- Believed to have been be kidnapped, indoctrinated or otherwise coerced.


Preacher in the Streets
- Ogre High-Speaker 'Ugno' gave speech about the failures of the city and it's protection.
- Reported leading surfacers to "salvation" in Undersigil.
- Anti-Faction Propaganda mentioned.


Explosion at Gymnasium Bathhouse
- Structural damage reported to have occurred at Gymnasium as a result of sudden explosion.
- Traces of black powder found at scene.
- Phantom believes to have been a possible target.
- Inferno and Ignition reportedly seen at site as fire giants.
- Bomb used believed to be one of those missing after initial attack.


Explosion mentioned in Bazaar Plaza
- Benches reportedly destroyed in explosion.
- Mention of rebellious furniture.
- More information required to determine if actually relevant.


Suicide Bomber at Khazeet's Bar
- Typical looking humaniod approached Khazeets and called for everyone's attention.
- Hollered "Down with the Factions, For the Sanctuary!" Or something of similar nature before blowing himself up.
- Many present badly injured.
- Possibly working with, or trying to frame an anarchist cell.
- Pieces of glass and ceramic lid found at site.
- Signs of Black-powder present.
- A group went to investigate the goings on in Undersigil immediately afterward.


Musical Modrone
- Was intent on having jink inserted to play music.
- When denied the droid exploded.
- The Musical Modron had an insignia of clockwork gear, and CM printed on it's remains.
- According to Khazeet, CM stands for Clock Masters, a group of chronomancers from one of the primes about 50 years ago.


Raid on Sulfur Mines
- Followed an addled man from the streets to his house.
- Doorway was a portal to a prime that was currently under siege.
- Inferno and Ignition discovered raiding a prime world for materials for Sanctuary project in dragon form.
- Believed that the portal had chronomatic abilities, as events occuring were over one hundred years in the past. Supposedly.
- Army of Fire Giants said to be assisting the Twins.
- Three dozen mercenaries, led by a Captain Scar, were rescued from the prime.


Warrants Issued by T.I.M.E
- The events on the prime material in which we assisted a group of mercenaries working under one Captain Scar, resulted in drawing the attention of the Guardians of T.I.M.E.
- A warrant for the arrest of Phantom and Odette was issued to the public, by an Inspector Chronus with division six of Temporal Instability Accuracy Management Equalisers.
- Both mentioned are held responsible for the re-recording of time which went on to cause deaths in the tens of thousands.
- They are ordered to turn themselves in, or face even harsher punishment.
- Three options were mentioned as solution, once the wanted parties are secured. The first will be to go back to that moment and make sure the mercenaries do not survive. The second option stated is that they would be given the chance to hunt down and eliminate Scar and his group into utter extinction. If both options are turned down then the last option is the re-recording of circumstances that led to their births. It is unclear whether this is in relation to the births of the mercenaries, or the accused.


Khazeet's Booked Out
- Khazeet's Bar was hired out to Scar's Mercenaries whom were waiting for someone to show up.
- This goal seemed met when Odette was invited into the bar.
- Khazeet was previously bribed to give up names.
- Scar believed several assassination attempts on his life were made by Odette and 'her people'.
- Is of the mentality that one has to "crack a few eggs to make an omelette", having little remorse for the ninety thousand (plus) lives taken.
- Claims that all war waged on Orculus was against Ulnik and his army who controlled the prime.
- Wished to offer his side of the story, giving currently location and naming the portal key to get there.
- Additionally believes to have found a vulnerability against the twins that can be exploited but wont trust the matter to soldiers, instead wanting "seasoned heroes".


Undersigil Ablaze
- There were reports of Inferno and Ulnak leaving Undersigil with only Ignition being left behind.
- Undersigil Sanctuary lit by Ignition's dragonfire after becoming restless and "bored".
- Ingition claims they are not in league with Tharizdun.
- Their interest is in a portal located within the temple.
- Ulnik searches for "The King Killer".
- The group has already gathered some pieces of the comet which had fallen on primes.
- A lich approached Brindas during his conversation with Ignition, stating the dragon's serum was ready. He introduced himself as Sammaster.

/// Formally titled: Of Dragons, Comets And Mercenaries. ///

[*Nimiane]

*Odette makes a few additional notes on a scrap of parchment, more a reminder than anything else. This is slipped into her book, alongside previous notes.*

Current directives:
Quinn & Argent: Researching The King Killer, it's effects and current location if possible.
Arlana: Delve deeper into knowledge of the path to Dracolichdom and Sammaster's serum.
Brindas: To treat those injured in Undersigil, speak with civilians.

Must speak with Rond about looking into these strands of energy shared between the Twins.
If not he, than other.

*Several splotches of ink, as if a quill was tapped numerous times.*

Thought: Encourage the Cult and the Mercenaries to destroy one another? Two birds, one stone.

[*Lucadia]

~Argents and Quinns first innital delve into research was to check the rather small but neat library that is kept upon his home spelljammer. Particular subjects that any spacefarer and captain of the Crystal Spheres relates information on celestial Objects. He goes to procure some dates where this particular coment was last seen and cross reference to other prime sightings. Eventually starting to build a chart for its trajectory across many skies and speculations to where it is, now.

(As a note, Argents particular books are displaced in time, history copies taken from time frames to avoid being changed, if said events also change the present. To that degree they may be more accurate or further from the truth compared to the "now". )

[*DigitalDragoon]

Additionally Quinn spends a great deal of time scouring libraries around Sigil for further information about the comet. He checks under the names "King Killer Star" and "King's Comet" as well, bringing what he uncovers, if anything, back to Argent. Understanding less of star positions and moon-magic then his partner, he focuses more on information about the comet's magical and physical properties, history, and origins.

[*Brindas]

The following is given to the report:

- Very few wounded in Undersigil, as anticipated. Most hit by a great wyrm's breath do not live, but those few who remained alive have been tended to.

- All reports agree on Ignition causing the damage

-Neither Ignition or Sammaster appear to still be in the Undercity, nor the temple.

[*Mausman]

*Kelth flips through all available notes and nods, absorbing what he did not know.


With current events, along the massacre in the Hive, Kelth is extremely on edge*

[*WhenWizardsWar]

//These events are ooc knowledge unless stated other wise, i place them here for relevance and to enhance the wonderful story everyone is coming together to enjoy.

In The Past.

"Twinkle, twinkle little star". The old rotted lich watched the great comet soar through the night sky as he stood high atop a mountain peak, the frozen air of little concern to he who had died along time ago.

He growled with irritation as a cough broke the nights quiet behind him. He spun suddenly, prepared to cast a really unpleasant spell at the one who broke his peace and quiet, disintigration perhaps? immolation? maybe just sudden death?.

When he finished his spin, dark energy crackling at the end of his staff he found a cowering gnat of a man face down in the dirt, wimpering for forgiveness. The lich released his magic, sparing his servants life and he was about to speak to the cowardly man when the night air was filled with the sounds of dozens, nay several dozens of mighty roars, angry roars rage filled roars. He turned around and watched with euphoric glee for in the distance dozens of clouds of smoke and fire began to flash into existance along the horizon. He shivered, but not form the cold oh no not him, he shivered from the majestic sight of chromatic ink blots lifting off from the surface of the prime.

He gazed up at the comet, the king killer star, the source of all dragons rage as it crawled across the sky, a source of power streaking across the heavens.

He loved it.

He wanted it.

He must harness its power.

It is precious to him.

His gaze widened in mixed curiosity and horror as the comets trajectory suddenly began to change, the heavenly body slithering left and right across the sky slowly. The night sky lit up in a dozen different hues and a tiny distant explosion at the rear of the comet sent a half dozen prismatic motes down to the surface. He watched in amazement as the comet suddenly accelerated and winked out of sight, gone from existance.

He turned around to the servant who was now standing and was as slack jawed as the lich. He looked around as more and more of his servents gathered around him, curious horrified eyes gazing to the sky.

"WELL? DO NOT JUST STAND THERE! I WANT THOSE COMET FRAGMENTS, NOW! AND FIND OUT WHERE THE KING KILLER WENT!" his voice loud and filled with power and horror, the very ground upon which the assembly stood quaking in fear as they scattered into the night.

He looked back to the sky, where the king killer star had apparently been plucked from the prime.

"Twinkle, twinkle little star....." the lich repeated softly..

[*WhenWizardsWar]

-Now and then-.

"Now"

The cool night air swirled around General Scar as he stood upon the ramparts of his fortress, high on the Gryk mountains on the prime of Illia. He stared out over the landscape, once a serene lush realm of peace and tranqulity, now torn asunder between two armies of tremendous size intent on tearing each other to peices. He looked down the side of the stone wall to the thousands of troops assembled in the court yard far below. He shivered suddenly and looked far to the north, where his enemy held a great swath of the northern country in their grasp, most of their army nestled around a great smoking mountain.

"Its only a matter of time before they arrive" he said to his advisor, a frail man who stood at Scars side.

"When they do show up do you think they will come as friend or foe?" the advisor questioned as he sipped at a cup of hot tea.

"Its hard to say, they certainly are not our friends but i dont know if i could call them enemies...yet" the general replied as he adjusted his shoulder plates.

"What are you afraid of? At most there will be five, maybe ten of them and we still have over two hundred thousand soldiers spread across seventy five percent of the continent, if they are foolish enough to bring hostility they will -never- make it out alive" the old man said, his voice full of confidence as he descended the ramparts.

"These arnt normal people, these are seasoned adventurors birthed from Sigils loins..." the general said to no one in particular as he returned his gaze out over his domain.


"Then"

"I WILL CRUSH YOU LICH AND PICK MY TEETH WITH YOUR BONES!" the mighty female dragon roared, her hot breath disturbing the lichs robes, swirling them around him.

"Grand mother, please forgive me but I did warn you that it was not a precise science and that some side effects were to be expected" the lich replied calmly, leaning on his black staff carved from the bones of a black dragon.

"I was cursed with infertility and I asked you to help me bear young!" the matriarch red wyrm growled as she padded across the mighty cave, built around the lava chamber of an active volcano, there she settled down on her horde of treasure, carefully placing the scattering coins back to their proper place, counting each peice to make sure none had escaped her gaze.

"And did you not just birth a clutch of two dozen? the lich replied calmly as he leaned his head against one such egg, listening to the infant stirring inside, ready to crack its way to freedom.

"Two dozen yes, but half of them are mutilated and deformed! They are not -dragons-, they did not come from me clearly!" she snarled as she looked over to a section of the cave which held the horrid scene where a dozen dragons had hatched, and regretably been pulverized once the mother discovered the horror of their gnarled mangled forms.

The lich made his way towards were the matron dragon ws curled up and pulled out a vial of swirling black liquid, the bottles glow instantly catching her attention.

"Is that it?" she cooed, suddenly excited, sitting up on all fours, her head coming down to level with the lich.

"It is, the answer to all your woes" the lich assured her calmly shaking the bottle lightly.

"And what will this miracle cost me?" she asked skeptically.

"For you m'lady I give it freely but if you are offering..." he thought for a moment looking around.

"Two of your clutch have already hatched and survived your anger yes?" he inquired, looking around for the offspring.

"Yes, one of them will grow to be a mighty wyrm bigger then I for sure, the other...is not deformed but he has been cursed with stunted growth but I found both acceptable" she snarled slightly at this.

"Let me take them away from here then, my cult will worship them and shower them with the respect they are due and when they reach great age I will reward them the same gift I give to you now" the lich watched as the matrons eyes followed every gesture that the hand with the potion made.

"Done, I have named them Ignition and Inferno, Ignition is the runt of the two they are yours they should be returning from their hunt soon" the matron replied as she shimmied forward and licked the bottle of magic liquid, opening her maw eagerly.

"Thank you mother of dragons, enjoy your reward" the lich replied as he pulled off the stopper and poured the substance into her gaping maw.

The matrons mouth closed and her eyes closed for but a moment, suddenly she reared up and roared, her wings snapping taut smashing the sides of the cavern, her tail swung back and forth splashing lava from the pool in the middle everywhere, she bucked this way and that and her agony throws managed to smash and pulp the remaining unhatched eggs much to the lichs dismay.

When she collapsed to the ground, her body convulsed once more, most of her horde being pushed into the boiling magma pool to be lost for ever, again to the lichs dismay.

The lich produced a black gem which he had to hold with both hands due to its immense size, he held it infront of the matrons eyes and the gem began to glow. He watched as he had a dozen times before, as the life seemed to leak out of the female dragon, being drawn into the depths of the black gemstone and when all was said and done the cavern was quiet and empty except for the remains of a mighty red wym and a lich, staring intently at the gem in his hands and the red life energy swirling within.

[*WhenWizardsWar]

"Now"

The spell jammer glided along the astral winds quietly, the crew dashing to and fro to keep the ship operational with expert hands.

Four hero's stood upon its deck talking quietly, thinking over the words and encouragement they had been given by a old wise man, a figure of legend and renown, a figure none of them had ever expected to cross paths with.

His words filled them with hope and courage while advising them and warning them of the dire consequences should their journey fail.

Reality peeled away, the astral plane suddenly gone from their sight as the ship slid from one dimension to another, this one the prime of Illia.

Illia had clearly once been a bountiful forested land but now its endless miles of forest had been ripped from the ground to fuel the machines and industry of war. The group beheld a land visibly divided into east and western halves, with two mighty armies camped along a battle line running from the southern tip of the continent all the way north where a magnificent mountain bellows endless smoke and ash into the sky.

The group of heros had little time to take in much as the immedate danger below them presented itself...

The spell jammer had entered the prime of Illia over a massive battle raging beneath them. The captain had no time to react to the sudden scene below and the ship was struck several times by various siege projectiles, be it heated rocks or hurled giant boulders that had already been air born when the magical ship appeared in their trajectory. The ship groaned and cried as the projectiles bit deeply into its side and several of its crew were instantly tossed overboard by the impacts. The hero's grabbed what they could to hold on, those who could not find purchase reached over and locked arms around what ever companion was nearest.

The captain tried his best to right the ship but despite his best efforts the vessel began to list and spin rapidly out of control, the momentum of its erratic movements ripping the hull in two and scattering the rest of the crew to the winds. A final thundering boom and shake dislodged the hero's over board as the ship began its final inevitable descent. The hero's grabbed for wands and protective devices but many of them failed to activate the safety measures before falling unconcious, except for two heros who clung to each other desperatly, hoping their magically added slow falling would save them.

The bow of the ship, broken into a few peices struck that pair and speared them out of the sky.

The last image anyone had during the fall was the broken ship crashing down upon an already razed village and the surface of Illia racing toward them...

//Please, those pcs who have already departed for illia post your ic interactions, thoughts, feelings etc etc, they had a very busy day and there is so much more in store for our wayward heros, and to boot they met someone they did not expect! Thoughts? feelings? interactions? please post!

[*Mausman]

* Kelth gazed upon the old man in sheer awe...this was -Elminster-! THE Elminster. Kelth never anticipated to meet him ever in his entire life. Ofcourse he had heard and read the stories. He knew the man was very much alive, but to meet him in relation to this mission? He had never anticipated that.

Kelth dropped to one knee in sheer awe and respect, until the man had told them all to stand.


Kelth was both honored and concerned Elminster was involved in this. Usually it was said that he only concerned himself with utterly grave matters, so this easily would mean that the four of them are facing very, very likely mortal danger.

It all happened so fast then, Astral travel by ship, puking his guts out after, since Kelth disliked this sort of travel, the sudden attack and ship crashing down. The only course of action his instinct told him to do was to use his own body to shield the blonde woman next to him in a tight embrace. If they were going to survive at all, she would be key, knowing the most about the portal back home.

Luckily, the four had survived but now were stuck in the middle of a warzone. Escaping the crash site was imperative, since the engine and magical containers surely were about to explode, and explode they did...

Kelth took command and started giving orders, trying his best to calm Quinn down. The older man showed signs of stress all over. Kelth felt sympathy for the man, but in order to survive, Quinn had to keep his calm. Luckily, Argent was there as well to soothe the man.

From the look of things, they were going to spend quite some time on Illia...