Finnegan

[vinnytheelf]

Finnegan's Tale.

[vinnytheelf]

As with the others, Finnegan too had lost a lot of his rememberances of his past, some things came naturally to him though, he could recall how a reef knot was tied and understood how best to climb a nigh sheer slippery tunnel... Droz, the one whom he knew as the Wizard who hire dhim for this venture.. he recalled the waves and the crashing of surf upon rocks and , and... a city an outpost of his kind, where all the great nations would ply their trades, it was nearby he was sure, he could smell the rot of garbage in the dank alleyways, the beer stained boardwalks of the docks, the slime infested sewers below...

[earthwizard]

Then he focused on getting out of the derelict place in which he found himself. Somehow, with the help of the others, he climbed the walls and tubes up into the chamber. He was disgusted by the thousands of jars filled with humanoid bodies. Finally when the group found a safe spot to rest for a short while, he felt a glimmer of his old strength return to him. He recalled that he was quick with a blade, and knew the just right place to stick it on most opponents. If only he could find a nice light sword . . .

And he did, as the unfortunate group began to explore the strange complex filled with unnatural warforged-like beings. Stumbling across those crates of discarded equipment was a godsend. Finnegan didn't want to even catch glimpses of that naked half-orc any longer. Soon after, the group came across the only creature with flesh and not in a jar for as long as Finnegan could remember. But she spoke a strange language that he could not understand. With a menacing look, battle was joined.

Finnegan was surprised and impressed by the dark-elf's dexterous ability. She seemed to avoid his every attack. Ah the elven body, isn't it the pinnacle of creation? But after the conjured badger finished off the dark-elf and disappeared, Finnegan finally snapped out of his daze and finally landed a blow on the warforged-like creature to his right.

The battle ended and Finnegan was left with much to think about. The jars, the dreams, the pit, the escape, the dark-elf . . . what did it all mean? Still, he trusted those he was with. Droz, an elf who commanded respect even in his wretched state. Malcor, who had the divine presence coursing through him. And Graaktor, while he was an unsavory half-orc, Finnegan could not deny his strength and combat expertise. Yes, Finnegan trusted these men, and felt comfortable with them. Now, to find a way out . . .

Finnegan is fun

[vinnytheelf]

+100exp

[earthwizard]

Hey Vince, thanks for clarifying that bit about the difference between "neutralized" and "nullified". I really did think they meant thing, both meaning to render something ineffectual, powerless or impotent, and I didn't hear you say that there was a distinction in game. I didn't realize you and/or D&D made a distinction between the two.

So let me get this straight. Neutralized applies to potions and things, where they become completely impotent. Nullified is a temporary effect applied to items that have permanent magical properties. These items become ineffectual under predefined conditions. When the conditions expire, the items regain their properties. This is correct?

[vinnytheelf]

Yeah it's two words, they mean slightly different things.

I already explained the effect the chamber had on magic items. If I say any more and you find another of these chambers (ie this was a big give away to you guys) then you will know how to combat or outright avoid them.

[earthwizard]

After the battle with the warforged and the drow, Finnegan snatched up the rapier, belt and pouch, and the boots from the drow. She was a perverted sub-race of elf, but Finnegan needed all the equipment he could find. While the party was anxious to get moving, the entire complex they were in began to rumble and shake. This spurred them to action and they quickly made their way back to the circular chamber with six doors. Opening the door to another room, the party was slightly disoriented, as they suspected the door lead somewhere it apparently did not.

In this small room there was another warforged attacking a feral humanoid, known on Eberron as shifters. Finnegan attempted to knock the machine off its feat, but managed to slip in the attempt and was unsuccessful. Cursed drow boots he thought.

The party was too lat e to save the shifter, and decided to move on to the next room.

Finnegan took a moment to think, Hmm, the drow we saw was working on the warforged, but this shifter was being attacked by one. Was the warforged malfunctioning? Were the drow and shifter working together? Against each other? What is going on here? Sovereign Host, just let us get out of here.

Another quake happened as the party entered the room with the jars on the conveyor. Finnegan came back from his thoughts as he saw Droz opening a jar container and releasing the humanoid within. Yes, wasn't this why they were here to begin with? Droz seemed to think so. Finnegan began assisting with the release of the prisoners.

. . .

Battle was joined. The large hall with thousands of humanoid captives. The party in their weakened state. Inspired.

Finnegan did not know them at first, but they were attacking a man who seemed intent on freeing more captives. Eager to act, Finnegan charged the nearest attacker. His attack was unsuccessful, and he cursed. This sort of thing used to be easier for me.

The battle proved difficult. These opponents were hard to hit, but Finnegan managed to land a couple blows. Afterward, Malcom the Bruce, another of the escaped prisoners like Finnegan, explained who the inspired were, and the dreaming dark.

The Dreaming Dark . . . Inspired. You did this to us. You tore our souls apart. Hells take you!

Finnegan extinguished the life of one of the attackers. Mistake. From the humanoid sprang an abomination. A long slug like body with barbed tail, multiple arms and two enormous claws that sprang from its head . . . and the eyes, those horrid eyes. Finnegan attempted to fight it with the others, but after taking one blow from it his nerve failed him. He began to run. His legs moved without him; he was not of his right mind. He just ran.

. . .

Winter? When was it last winter? Are we still in Barovia? Gods, what has happened?

. . .

Finnegan attempted to trade some poisons he took from the drow for some warm clothing from a tribe of orcs. Upon testing, the potions proved useless. Still, Finnegan was too proud to trade his magical gear to the lowly orcs. He suffered for it later on the long march back to the town. But the party made it in tact. As they passed the hundreds of frozen bodies, others they had freed from captivity, Finnegan was filled with sorrow. These people did not deserve this end. He felt he failed them. Droz had hired us to rescue these people, and we failed them. We were alive, but still we failed them.

[vinnytheelf]

+150 exp.

Finnegan, in his depression and fitful resting remembered more, that he was working for a strange Elf who had sent he and Rinoa and some others to a Temple to retrieve a Draconic relic.

That upon handing the item over, he had asked them to lay low for a while and head back to Barovia or Stormreach, as long as they were far from the distant gaze of Dragonkind and the land of Argonessen.

So it was that Finnegan and the others were transported again via the 'Wizards' magic stone circle immediately thousands of league's away to the distant untamed continent of Xen'drik.

It was there, in Barovia once again that Finnegan spent a few weeks resting and recuperating until one day another Elven Wizard wandered into town seeking him out personally.

It was Droz, calling himself one of the Enclave a not so well known group of Adventurers who sought out anicent powers and artifacts.

Finnegan and Graaktor had met in passing during the autumn days in the village, though for the most part they had kept their distance, Graaktor had apparently duties in the Church with Father Danovich.

Finnegan asked around if any had heard news of his other acquaintance, Sir Urik, the Half-Orc Knight of the Raven who last he saw was heading to the castle, Castle Ravenloft and to meet with its Lord to gain entry to the chapel there so that he may spend a night in a prayer vigil.

One thing Finnegan soon learned though, was none would speak much, if at all, of the Lord of these lands, he was either greatly respected or greatly feared.
All Finnegan could gather was he was a reclusive Count, he was supposedly as Old as the Land, whatever that meant, perhaps a title of some sort and anyone who went to the castle uninvited, never came back. Only one villager ever went up there and he was a grumpy old Merchant who Finnegan had suspicions about, none of them good, regardless the man was not forthcoming and only warned Finnegan to stay away from the castle if he knew what was good for him.

And so Droz entered the town, Finnegan suggested they speak to Madame Eva, a Vistani seer, well known in these parts. She would give the Elf a reading of her divining cards, which lead Droz to recruit Graaktor and Keth, the 2 Orc bloods in the town, information which came to light during the 'reading'. Ultimately she warned Droz to abandon his quest though, forseeing only tradegy on a grand scale where he would be blamed for perhaps more than he could claim.

Regardless, Droz pressed on with with Finnegan and the Orc'bloods...

[earthwizard]

Before doing anything in town, Finnegan attempts to find some decent clothing. He's currently wearing only a chain shirt, a belt with pouches and a pair of boots. He'll sell/trade/barter with the magic cloak that he brought from the strange facility he awoke in (so far it's unidentified). With the proceeds, he'll buy a proper set of clothing and a backpack, trail rations and the like. Finally if he can afford it and someone can perform the task, he'll get the chain shirt, rapier and shortsword identified (in that order). Finnegan is very gracious for any help. In order to attempt this, he'll call in a favor from the Burgomeister - recall, Finnegan and the others dispatched an evil ranger taxidermist in the area some time ago (Diplomacy modifier +5).

Speaking of some time ago, how long has it been? This is one of the questions he seeks to answer as he goes about his business in town.

Also while recuperating, Finnegan asks around town as to the whereabouts of his previous acquaintances in Barovia. Does anyone know what became of Urik, the half-orc knight, or the local Vistani from the area (Gather Information = CHA = +1, take 20)?

[vinnytheelf]

Finnegan recuperates well under the care of the Barovian hospitality.
He along with everyone else is given old clothes and spare linens to cover up their modesty.

Now everyone has at least one set of peasant garb to wear & a wooly blanket(bedroll).

After looking about town he manages to find the Merchant, Bildrath, who will trade the weapons and cloak for gold but to identify the clearly magical cloaks will cost Finnegan some coin, coin he does not have and so it is left until such a time as he can find someone more willing to negotiate a better deal.
However the Longswords taken from the Inspired and the Double Bladed sword staves and the cloaks are all magical at least of minor enchantment.

Turning his attention to his past deeds in Barovia, Finnegan remembers Helene Maurgan a distressed woman he met on the streets of Stormreach. The Dwarven Trapper had killed her husband, who had gone off adventuring, he told her for one last time, and the party had found the fellows wedding ring yet on his finger, Jeref Maurgan.
However, Finnegan had not returned to Stormreach, indeed his travels took him far beyond that privateer city to other lands. Perhaps he should return soon to pay Helene a visit and give her the sad news.

The Burgomaster is entirely another tale. Upon hearing of the death of the Dwarven Trapper and tales of this evil fellow's grisly artistry, Ivan the Burgomaster warns Finnegan never to mention his name again, some people relied on Varikov for trade in town and the Vistani, should they ever hear of the Dwarf's demise, well some of the Vistani may also be upset about that. It is clear though he is sure nobody suspected the Trapper of such heinous misdeeds, any talk of such may not be accepted well.
However, Ivan is a good judge of character and believes most of what Finnegan tells him, at least it would appear to Finnegan that the Burgomaster believes his tale.

Finnegan is informed that it has been six months since they were last seen in town. Adding things up, it would appear Finnegan was held captive possibly for at least five months...
It is now one week away from Midwinter. Finnegan recalls meeting Droz in town and then leaving with the party to enter the mountain passage to Khyber, the place they exited from a few days ago, just after Summer Solstice.

Then he recalls....

The Wizard Sur'kil...

He had sent them back from Khorvaire through, possibly one of the few if only, means of getting out and into Barovia... the stone circles...

[vinnytheelf]

Sur'kil had told Finnegan to lay low and avoid talking about Dragons, Shards and especially about the Prophecy...
The strange and clearly powerful Wizard seemed a little on edge the last time Finnegan spoke to him, when he spoke the word Prophecy, Sur'kils eyes seemed to darken and he looked furtively over his shoulder as if seeing something move in the shadows and then..

Then he sent Finnegan, Rinoa and the others through a teleporting stone ring, to another such ring in the hidden realm of Barovia, for safe keeping it would have seemed. Somehow though... something went wrong.

Why did Droz turn up in town seeking out Finnegan... maybe Helene Maurgan or someone else in Stormreach had followed them or knew something... the gnome merchant... his shop was burned down... yes Stormreach Finnegan had certainly made a name for himself there.

[vinnytheelf]

It was the strange rod that exploded that sent them to a pre-designated location a meeting with Sur'kil. That strange rod of light found among the bones of the Wizard's former servant, it had lain there in the wolves den near Varikov, the Trapper's cave...for a decade perhaps. Was it good fortune, fate or something else guiding these errant adventurers.

Had not the Vistani Seer, the giantish old woman, Madame Eva warned them to beware the Hunter?...

She had given them all a reading of the cards...

[vinnytheelf]

+500 Finnegan gains insight.

[earthwizard]

Name: Captain Finnegan Glaslann
Race: Valenar Elf
Class: Swashbuckler 2 / Rogue 2
Alignment: Neutral Good
Deity: Sovereign Host

Description:
A young elf from Valenar, Finnegan forsook the rigid structure of upper class life for sweeping adventures. He first set foot on The Kraken, a trading vessel, several years ago now, where he made friends with the first mate. Finnegan loved the open sea, and the Sun. He helped defend the ship in several encounters with some unsavory lots. Old One-Eye gave him a kukri as a parting gift when Finnegan decided to step ashore in Sharn. Eager for adventure, treasure and fame, and supported by his background in sailing and upper class taste for the finer things in life, Finnegan quickly sought work . . .

. . . oh did you mean physical description? Sure, here are his stats: 5'3" tall, male, 124 years old, whopping 115 lbs. (though with str 16 he should probably be heavier), long dark hair (usually pulled into a tail), no facial hair (he's an elf!), currently pale from being kept in an incubation chamber for six months. He likes to view sunsets from the deck or crow's nest. Circumcised (is that a practice in Valenar?).

HP: 29
AC: 19 [10 + 5 (+1 Chain Shirt) + 4 (Dex)]

Main Weapon He Uses: Dual Weild -
Right hand: Rapier; Left hand: light slashing (e.g. shortsword or kukri).

Dragonmark: None that he knows of, but he is favored in house Phiarlan.

[earthwizard]

Huh, a golden dragon. Amazing. And to think, it was living beneath our very feet. I wonder if anyone in the town of Barovia knew she was here. Perhaps she'd walked the surface in her human form, for I very much suspect this dragon to be the mysterious assassin woman we encountered in the temple. I wasn't really aware dragons could turn into humans. Come to think of it, I don't know much at all about dragons. I'll have to look into that. Maybe someday I can journey out across the open sea again . . . out to Argonessen. I bet I'd meet lots of dragons there. Well, that is if I ever get out of this Barovia place. I don't like it here, too surrounded. I wonder if I can go ask the Lord of Barovia to let us out of here. I wonder if he knew there was a dragon living in his lands. The people of the town sure seem to respect him. . . . wait a second. I remember a large hole in that dream facility! And shaky earthness! Could the other hole have been made by a dragon? This dragon? But I did not see the woman there . . . but there was a mysterious stranger who fought with great skill. Perhaps he . . . ? Are the dragons at war again? Someone has to have some answers around here. Maybe the Vistani know something of these dragons. Maybe they know of the dream facility. How come no one in Barovia knows anything about all this epic shit happening right under their noses? Hey, the Vistani are rumored to come and go from Barovia as they please . . . an arrangement with the lord. Hmm, maybe if the lord will not let us leave, we can travel with the Vistani. But where to go? Droz is a member of this Enclave, a group of powerful men. Perhaps they know something of the dragons, and the . . .

"Dream fuckers."

Oh did I say that out loud?