Aberrant RPG - Ancient Aberrant

[metaphysician]

Session 26 – "Weeks pass as the party recovers, and Minos yet sleeps. Aral resigns his generalship before the Champion of Ra. Quetzlcoatl, attempting to contact Minos’ mind, accidentally encounters the mysterious stranger of the void again, as well as scenes of distant places of uncertain significance."

[attachmentid=120]

[metaphysician]

Session 27 – "Hermes researches Minos’ condition, which leads to an interview of the Champion of Ra, and a tale of the past age of the world. Quetzlcoatl researches his own mysterious encounter, which leads to the Champion of Ra sending him to ask Hermes his questions."

( Note: some portion of the end lost )

[attachmentid=121]

[metaphysician]

Session 28 – "Having determined a plan for possibly discerning the cause of Minos’ unconsciousness, Hermes assembles the others, including the Seer Clio."

( Note: this one aptly demonstrates how certain odd plot elements can happen. . . because a PC wasn't available due to AIM failure ;-) )

[attachmentid=122]

[metaphysician]

Session 29 – "The group travels to Megiddo, and engages in a telepathic gestalt, so that Aral and Clio’s senses can be used to scan the Champion of Ra’s past self for a sample of Apophis’ influence. While making the attempt, the group is drawn, not unexpectedly, into the White Void, before finding itself on the same plain, in the distant past. . ."

[attachmentid=123]

[metaphysician]

Session 30 – "Finding themselves present in the past bodily, not spiritually, the group is captured by the young Champion of Ra. After a brief tour of the forces arrayed, they are brought to Narmer of Khem, leader of the forces arrayed against Apophis, where they explain their origin and mission."

[attachmentid=124]

[metaphysician]

Session 32 – "Having finished talking with Narmer, the party splits. Hermes and Quetzlcoatl go to the Westerness camp, and speak with the Summer King. Meanwhile, Aral waits in the Qin camp for a chance to speak with White Crane, and spots an unexpected someone. . ."

[attachmentid=129]

[metaphysician]

Session 33 – "Hermes and Quetzlcoatl track down the mysterious stranger, and confirm he is, in fact, a time traveler. The stranger explains about their situation, and offers a way home, in exchange for a favor. . ."

Session 33b – "Aral meets with White Crane, and bares his soul, leading to plans for the distant future."

[attachmentid=130]

[attachmentid=131]

[metaphysician]

Session 34 – "Finished talking with White Crane, Aral catches up with the others in time to talk with the mysterious stranger and reject his offer. The stranger, now named finally as Darius, predicts ill tidings for the party. Then, the day of the battle arrives. Quetzlcoatl’s power of perception is enhanced, and the Red Branch collides with the forces of Apophis."

[attachmentid=132]

[metaphysician]

Session 35 – "As Cuchulain battles with Apophis personally, the party perceives Apophis’ signature, much to their detriment. Cuchulain and Dark Heliopolis both fall, though not before Hermes retrieves the Gae Bolga. As Apophis and the forces of the Compact clash, Aral begins a desperate plan to somehow avert Narmer’s death. . ."

[attachmentid=133]

[metaphysician]

Session 36 – "Apophis and Narmer battle. Aral attempts to affect the course of the fight, to little avail. Everyone ends up incapacitated save Aral. Narmer and Apophis finally strike mutual mortal blows, of different kinds, and Aral finally falls after ensuring the Summer King healed Narmer. The party wakes up, barely healed, in the aftermath, to be gloated over a bit by Darius. A creepy little girl shows up, and Darius runs. A terrifying individual named Kincaid shows up, and everyone else follows Darius. Once back in the White Void, Aral tries his best to kill Darius, and fails."

[attachmentid=134]

[metaphysician]

Session 37 – "Aral having settled down, Darius provides explanation of their situation. The party thus learns much about the nature of time, during which Aral punches out Quetzlcoatl. In light of the new information about Darius, the party accepts his offer to get them home by roundabout way, in exchange for help with his own task. Then they all travel to Darius’ home for rest. Aral and Quetzlcoatl argue, Clio gets drunk, and Quetzlcoatl encounters another mysterious individual, named David. . ."

[attachmentid=135]

[metaphysician]

Session 38 – "When trying to ask Darius about his strange encounter, Quetzlcoatl discovers he is under a geas not to discuss it, much to his dismay. Hermes has a brief conversation with Darius about time and the gods. Meanwhile: back in the present, Artemis goes to visit Telemachus at his base camp, who takes her to visit his associates. . . the disciples of Bellaraphon."

[attachmentid=136]

[metaphysician]

Session 39 – "In the present, Artemis sits in on a meeting of Bellaraphon’s disciples, and debates with Bellaraphon himself. At the end, he offers to give Telemachus a taste of what he might eventually become. Meanwhile, Darius transports the others to the site and time of his own tragedy, and they view a grand battle over the fate of the universe."

[attachmentid=137]

[metaphysician]

Session 40 – "The battle concludes, and the party sees Darius discovering the death of his friends. Telemachus and Artemis show up, giving Darius a headache. Everybody then follows the younger Darius to his home, where despite drunkenness, he accedes to taking the party back to their home time. All the while, Clio glares at Artemis a lot."

[attachmentid=138]

And, thats the end of the third major arc. An entirely unexpected one, too. Questions, comments?

[metaphysician]

Session 41 – "Telemachus escorts the party back to the Theran borders, where each makes their way in their own manner to the capital. Xenos debriefs everyone once returned, and assigns a new mission to the group: to go to Westernesse and seek out the Summer King."

[attachmentid=139]

[metaphysician]

Session 42 – "The party, sans Hermes, inserts via merchant ship and dragon form to Albion, finding the place twisted and sickly. While investigating, the party discovers a force of Fianna battling mutated horrors. While quietly opening distance, however, an unknown force stripped all the party of their senses. . ."

[attachmentid=140]

[metaphysician]

Session 43 – "Aral and Quetzlcoatl fall before their attackers, though not before Aral throws Artemis a great distance. They wake up to find themselves unintentional prisoners of the Fianna. Alaric makes a deal with them to work together, and Artemis makes her way back to the camp. While Aral helps with strategizing, Artemis speaks with Brigantia about healing, and Quetzlcoatl looks into the past to see the betrayal of the Summer King."

[attachmentid=145]

[metaphysician]

Session 44 – "Alaric tells Aral of everything they know about the Summer King. A plan is made, the group ( including Hermes ) is gathered, and a silver horn is blown. The party sets out after the barely visible trail it generates. . ."

[attachmentid=146]

[metaphysician]

And on that point. . . as per suggestion, I shall post the character sheets for the PCs.

Name: Hermes Concept: Herald of Thera/Bringer of Infrastructure

Nature: Caregiver Allegiance: Theran Compact

Attributes:

Strength *** Perception **** Appearance ***

Dexterity ***** Intelligence ***** Manipulation **

Stamina *** Wits **** Charisma ****

Abilities:

Might * Intrusion *

Athletics *** Linguistics **** ( Minoan, Egyptian, Proto-

Semitic, proto-Slav, Proto-Celt, 12 additional languages )

Ride * Medicine ***

Martial Arts ***** Science *****

Stealth *** Survival *

Endurance *** Arts ***

Resistance *** Rapport **

Awareness **** Etiquette ***

Engineering ***** Investigate ***

Academics ** Sail *

Unassigned

Backgrounds:

Allies * Attunement *

Backing ** ( Venerated Seers ) Node *

Contacts ***** Resources **

Influence *

Willpower: 10 Taint: 0 Quantum: 5

Powers/Mega-Attributes:

Mega-Strength * ( Precision )

Mega-Dexterity ***** ( Cat-Footed, Enhanced Movement, Rapid Tasks, Rapid Strike )

Mega-Stamina ** ( Adaptation, Regeneration, Resiliency )

Mega-Perception ** ( Fast Sense, Quantum Attunement )

Mega-Intelligence **** ( Eidetic Memory, Engineering Prodigy, Linguistic Prodigy, Scientific Prodigy, Speed Reading )

Mega-Wits **** ( Enhanced Initiative, Human Nature, Multitasking, Quickness x2, Redirection )

Mega-Charisma * ( Soothe )

Hypermovement ( Running ) *****

Intuition *

Armor **

Telekinesis * ( Area; “Speed Tricks Only” )

Stun Attack * ( Reduced Quantum Cost; Melee Only )

Elemental Anima ( Air ) *** ( Blast, Elemental Shield, Enhance/Diminish )

Sensory Shield *

Force Field **

Temporal Manipulation * ( Accelerate Time )

Boost ( Strength ) ** ( Limit: Only for Single Hyperspeed Attacks )

Claws ** ( Reduced Quantum Cost; Limit: Only for usage with Boost )

Hermes Background:

Hermes, son of Thermosphanes the diplomat, was born in the great city of Thera. From a young age, Hermes demonstrated a keen mind, a good eye. . . and a powerful arrogance. Living a life of comfort, born to an influential family, and possessed of considerable personal talent, why would one not be proud? Combining his intellectual and artistic talents, Hermes sought to become an architect. Even the study of the philosophy only convinced him that his Ma'at was to build wonders, such that all could behold his greatness.

This all changed, when his father offered to take him along on one of his travels, "So that you can see more of the world than merely this city." Having never travelled all that far from Thera, Hermes jumped at the opportunity. He thought that this would be a great chance to view the architecture of other regions, and add whatever he found worthwhile to his own repertoire. This is indeed what he did. . . until the caravan reached its objective: a border city-state that had been recently subjected to famine and plague.

Hermes knew intellectually that not all the world was as comfortable as the Theran Compact, but he never imagined it could be this bad. The stench of death filled the air. Charnel fires burned at the edges of the city. The streets were thronged with the starved and the sickly, yet they still thronged, moving towards the caravan as his father's men, who began distributing food. It was only then that he realized why his father was here: the Compact was bringing aid to this city-state, and offering to bring it into the Compact.

Hermes vomitted. His father worked to bring civilization to these people, and he spent his life taking that civilization for granted. His father exalted the Compact; he had only exalted himself. His self-assigned role in Ma'at was a delusion that inverted the proper way of things. Disgusted with himself, he vomitted again.

And then, he rose from his knees, and walked over to the wagons bearing food. He grabbed one bundle, and carried it to the crowds of people. Unseen by him at the moment, his father looked upon him, and smiled. This smile turned to astonishment, for when Hermes finished distributing the one bundle, he returned to grab another, and another, and another, with gathering speed, until he was but a blur. Soon, the wagons were emptied, and Hermes appeared again, now hunched down before his father, crying. As a crowd gathered around the new Chosen, Hermes rose, looked at his father, and said "Thank you."

When Hermes returned to Thera, he was now one of the Chosen, and yet, he was more humble than when he was a mortal. He realized that proper use for his now-greater talents was not to glorify himself, but to better the lives of all. Taking his architectural talents, he sought to build functional structures such as aqueducts and public baths, things that would improve the lives of those living in newly incorporated areas. Invited to speak with members of the Venerated Seers, he came to believe that aesthetics, too, should serve to make life better, rather than to glorify the artist. And thus, Hermes became a herald of Thera, working to bring civilization to those on the borders of it.

General Aral von Darien, Chosen of the Rhadamantine Order

Allegiance: Theran

Nature: [TBD]

ATTRIBUTES:

Strength 5

Dexterity 5

Stamina 5

Manipulation 5

Charisma 5

Appearance 5

Perception 5

Wits 5

Intelligence 5

ABILITIES:

Archery 5

Athletics 5

Martial Arts 5

Melee 5

Ride 5

Endurance 4

Resistance 4

Awareness 5

Investigation 1

Bureaucracy 3

Academics 3

Engineering 1

Linguistics 3 (all known langauges)

Medicine 1

Science 1

Survival 3

Rapport 5

Seneschal 5

Tactics 5

Intimidation 5

Subterfuge 5

Command 5

Etiquette 3

Perform 3

Arts 3

Style 3

BACKGROUNDS:

Backing (Thera) 4

Influence (Fianna) 2

Influence (Thera) 4

Mentor 4

Resources 5

STATS:

Willpower 10

Quantum 5

Quantum Pool 28

Taint 0

Initiative 19

Bashing 23

Lethal 19

TEMP WP -- 10

MEGA-ATTRIBUTES:

Mega-Strength 3 (Precision)

Mega-Dexterity 4 (Athletic Prodigy)

Mega-Stamina 3 (Healthy, Regeneration, Resiliency, Tireless)

Mega-Intelligence 5 (Administrative Prodigy, Analyze Weakness, Eidetic Memory,

Investigative Prodigy, Linguistic Genius, Self-Analysis, Strategic Prodigy,

Tactical Prodigy)

Mega-Perception 2 (Blindfight, Holographic Awareness, Quantum Attunement)

Mega-Wits 3 (Quickness x3, Synergy)

Mega-Charisma 3 (Commanding Presence)

Mega-Manipulation 1 (Persuader)

POWERS:

Armor ****

Disrupt ***

MERITS:

Iron Will (+6)

FLAWS:

Dependent (-4)

HEALTH LEVELS: -1

Bruised

Hurt

Injured

Wounded

Maimed (-1)

Maimed (-1)

Maimed (-1)

Maimed (-1)

Maimed (-1)

Maimed (-1)

Maimed (-1)

Crippled (-2)

Incapacitated

Dead

XP -- 38

BIO NOTES:

Age -- mid-40's

Wife -- Princess Alexandra of Ilium, fifth daughter of the King of Ilium

Children: Adrian, son, age 16. Nyssa, daughter, age 11. (The second son, Elian,

was born 1 year after Adrian, and died at age 4 of the measles.)

STORY:

The principality of Mallorea, located on a strategic river junction north of the Theran

border in the Balkans, has existed as an independent state for 200 years. However, as the

cold war between the Theran Compact and the Heraclidae heated up, the time soon approached

when it would have to make an alliance.

King Karl von Darien originally favored Thera, to the point of marrying his son, Crown Prince

Aral von Darien, to Princess Alexandra, fifth daughter of the King of Ilium. However, this

initial diplomatic endeavor did not result in assimilation, as King Karl always held back

from the final step of alliance.

As the years passed, King Karl came to favor the Fianna and their philosophy of "cultural

self-determination", for reasons he did not -- or could not -- share with his son and heir.

This was a major point of difference between father and son, as Aral von Darien, always

studious and intelligent, had learned much of Ma'at and Theran philosophy both from tutors

and books, and his wife Alexandra, and had come to admire much of what he had learned.

And the day soon came when King Karl finally made his choice. Mallorea would declare

for the Heraclidae, the Fianna in particular. A great tribal champion -- rumor had

it, perhaps Finn himself! -- was coming to sign the final treaty and help deter the

Theran presence.

Prince Aral did not know why his father had made this choice. Because it would allow

the von Dariens to hopefully remain truly sovereign kings and rule as they willed, rather

than be assimilated into Theran law and Theran vassalage? Because of fears of losing

'Mallorean culture'? Because the Fianna were offering more 'diplomatic gifts'? No, Prince

Aral does not know this.

Nor does he know why he and his family, along with a small but suitable retinue, were sent

to Alexandra's native Ilium as a diplomatic mission. To allow his daughter-in-law a

family visit? To get his Theran-sympathizing son where he could not disturb the upcoming

ceremony of alliance with the Heraclidae? To preserve the family line in case things

ended badly? Or could it be that his father did not trust Prince Aral to remain obedient

in the face of this, the final denouement of a course of action that he opposed? Prince

Aral does not know this, either.

But he does know what happened when the truth was revealed. For King Karl had been deceived.

It was not the Fianna's envoy he had been negotiating with, and it was not Finn who arrived

to mark the 'ceremony of alliance'.

It was Baal. The Dark God himself, the Lord of Gehinnom. And Baal arrived, and Baal slew

the King in the name of Baal, and claimed Mallorea and all its lands and subjects as more

fodder for the glory of Baal. And thus, due to the folly of its king, did a kingdom fall.

The only remaining loose end in this elegant dance of betrayal and brutality was, of course,

the survival of the heir. One of his Enherejar, swift-flying, terribly-armed, was sent

to deal with that loose end. As the royal party travelled south, unknowing of the horrors

being perpetrated behind them, they were found and confronted by Baal's servant, who took

great pleasure in narrating to Aral von Darien how his father died, and how his home city

was being sacked, his kingdom burned. For what small party of men, what mere mortal

princeling, could hope to even wound, much less slay, one of Baal's Chosen?

With nothing left before him or behind him but death, Aral von Darien placed his body

and his sword between the laughing demon and his wife and children, prepared to buy them

as many more breaths of life as he could, even if it were but one more breath, even at

the cost of his own.

And then the power of the gods descended upon him, to make the mortal Aral von Darien into

a true Chosen, an exemplar of all that a warrior and king should be. As strong as fifty

warriors, as swift and precise as any swordsman that had ever lived, with skin as hard as

steel and a mind capable of weaving strategies that could make gods weep and kingdoms fall,

Aral von Darien was reborn. And with his newfold might, he broke Baal's demon and cast

it down.

And then he faced the bitterest choice of all. For he was more than mortal now... and thus,

by the standards of the Heraclidae, a fit ruler for their vassal kingdom. All his lands,

and his crown, he could reclaim. He had but merely to walk north and kneel before Baal. He

had but to make the same choice his father made, and he could be viceroy of Mallorea in

Baal's name, commander of the troops of its occupation, able to shield his people from

needless depravity and wanton abuse, even if they would still be subjects of Baal.

All he had to do was choose to believe that Baal's evil was how the world should be, and

he could yet again be all that a king should be to the people he was born with a duty to

rule. All he had to was choose.

And he chose to continue walking south, to Ilium, to Thera, and to kneel before the god

Minos instead. Leaving behind his people, and his kingdom, to suffer under the rule of

Baal, in the hope that he could reclaim them for civilization later... rather than reclaim

them as a god, now.

Some nights, he still wonders if he chose rightly.

But how could it ever be 'right' to choose such monstrous brutality in preference to order

and prosperity? What sort of world would it be, where such a question even need be asked?

Now, ten years later, Aral von Darien is a Chosen of the Rhadamantine Order of Thera.

Prosperous, revered -- even worshipped, should he but desire to be, although he does not.

All that a man could desire in life either lies before him for the taking, or is already

waiting for him in Ilium, with his wife and his son and daughter.

All things except one.

Artemis

Nature: Explorer

Str 2 Perception 5 Apperance 4

Brawl 2 Awareness 5 Intimidation 2

Investigation 2

Dexterity 4 Intelligence 3 Manipulation 1

Athletics 1 Linguistics 3

Stealth 4 Survival 5

(Wilderness)

Stamina 5 Wits 4 Charisma 2

Endurance 5 Rapport 2

Resistance 5

Mega Perception 5

(Bloodhound, UV vision)

Mega App 1

(Copycat)

Mega Dex 2

(Catfooted)

Mega Sta 5

(Adaptability, Durability, Regeneration, Resiliency x2)

Mega Wits 2

(Detect Lies, Synergy)

Armor 3

Biomodification +4 Health levels

Healing 3

Nature's Mastery 2

Shapeshifting 4

Linguistic Genius

Soak 29/19

Health levels 14

Backgrounds

Node 3

Attunment 2

Contact 1

Willpower 6

Permenent Taint 1

Temporary Taint 1

Quantum 5

Quantum Pool 30

xp 7

Birthname: Kukulcan

Nova Name: Quetzalcoatl

Series: Ancient World Aberrant

Nature: Paragon

Allegiance: Theran Compact

PHYSICAL

Strength **

Brawl *

Dexterity ****

Athletics *

Melee *

Stealth *

Stamina ***

Endurance ***

Resistance ***

MENTAL

Perception ****

Awareness *

Investigation **

Intelligence *****

Academics ***

Bureaucracy *

Engineering ***

Linguistics *

Medicine *

Science **

Wits ****

Arts **

Biz *

Rapport *

Meditation *

SOCIAL

Appearance ***

Intimidation **

Style *

Manipulation **

Charisma ***

Command **

Etiquette **

BACKGROUNDS

Influence ***

Resources ****

Allies **

Contacts **

WILLPOWER

**********

TAINT *

QUANTUM

*****

MEGA-ATTRIBUTES

Mega-Intelligence ***

Eidetic Memory

Enhanced Memory

Linguistic Genius

Speed Reading

Mega-Stamina ***

Adaptability

Durability

Resiliency

Health

Regeneration

Mega-Charisma **

Commanding Presence

Mega-Dexterity *

Accuracy

Mega-Perception ***

That Creepy Feeling

Quantum Attunement

Mega-Wits *

Human Nature

QUANTUM POWERS

Weather Manipulation ***

Lightning Bolt

Weather Alteration

Wind Riding

ESP (Extra: Distant Scan) **

Pretercognition **

Pretercognition (Extra: Viewpoint) *

Telepathy (Extra: Surreptitious) **

Psychic Shield ***

Force Field (Extra: Reflexive) *

Intuition *

Armor ***

Warp*

Invulnerability (Extra: All Physical Attacks) **

Temporal Manipulation **

Dilate Time

Stop Time

Quantum Bolt (Wind Blast) *

Mental Blast *

Information Manipulation *

Coherence

QUANTUM POOL

****************************

INITIATIVE 10

MOVEMENT

Walk 7

Run 16

Sprint 32

SOAK

Bashing 18 (30)

Lethal 14 (26)

HEALTH

Bruised -0

Bruised -0

Hurt -1

Injured -1

Wounded -2

Maimed -3

Crippled -4

Incapacitated

Dead

Experience: 221/508

Note: Artemis and Quetzlcoatl don't have background stories, because I don't have them in a convenient place. Artemis' at start background was pretty much fully given in the first transcript, though, and Quetzlcoatl's I described in the early summaries.

Also, I *hate* this forum's "combine rapid posts" function.

[metaphysician]

Session 45 – "Following the trail produced by the horn, the party finds its way to Taliesin, the Summer King’s bard. When queried, the bard claims the Winter King knows how to free his brother. The party follows the directions to his keep, wherein Aral is tormented with a vision of his guilt as proof of the man’s identity. After Aral walks out in agony, the Winter King explains why he thinks his brother should not be saved."

[attachmentid=147]

[metaphysician]

Session 46 – "The council of war. It is planned that the Summer King will be freed while Bran is distracted, with Quetzlcoatl summoning a storm to fake the Winter King’s arrival, and an army waiting in ambush. The location of the Summer King is acquired, reluctantly, from Taliesin. Also: Artemis and Hermes talk about her romantic complications."

[attachmentid=148]

[metaphysician]

Session 47 – "The plan is initiated. The storm is summoned, the rumors spread. Bran the Damned is coming. Fast."

Session 47b – "Bran arrives, and meets Tchernabog’s army in a charge. Meanwhile, the party waits for the right moment to transport to the Summer King’s prison. . ."

[attachmentid=149]

[attachmentid=150]

[metaphysician]

Session 48 – "As Bran personally takes to the field, and is confronted by Tchernabog, the party gates to the site of the Summer King’s prison. After some momentary examination and planning, the party splits in action. Quetzlcoatl, Hermes, and Aral join minds and reach out to the Summer King’s mind, to rouse him from his torment. Brigantia and Artemis attempt to reach him physically, by healing the hill and digging through it with roots. Meanwhile, Alaric protects the rest from writhing tentacles."

Session 48b – "The actions of Brigantia and Artemis lessoning the mental agony, the others attempt to reach the Summer King with memories of his brother’s words, and their rejection of them."

[attachmentid=324]

[attachmentid=155]

[metaphysician]

Session 49 – "Through the combined efforts of the party, the Summer King is freed. Unfortunately, Alaric is mortally wounded in the process. The healers, tired, manage to keep him alive, and he is evacuated by Quetzlcoatl just as the Winter King comes to claim his soul. After a brief stop in Thera for healing by the Champion of Ra, Quetzlcoatl takes Alaric and Brigantia to her lands, for further recovery."

[attachmentid=157]

[metaphysician]

Session 50 – "After delivering the others for healing, Quetzlcoatl returns, finding the Winter King gone. Aral gets warped to the main battle to help shore up the fight with Bran. The Summer King uses the silver horn to summon Taliesin, who in guilt over his despair, sacrifices his life to reinvigorate the Summer King. The Summer King, with Hermes as his herald, rides out to restore the people of Westernesse. Aral has an epiphany in battle, while Darius dumps Bran in a gate, at cost to himself. After this, more or less everyone gathers at the Fianna camp, including the people of Westernesse themselves."

[attachmentid=158]

[metaphysician]

Session 51 – "Everyone prepares for battle. Plans are made, fortifications built, allies called in. Darius gives the party a glimpse of the future. When Bran arrives, his armies are torn up by the planned ambush and Artemis. He himself is swarmed by the Summer King and others. After much fighting and a distraction executed by Artemis, Bran falls, and is ash."

[attachmentid=159]

[metaphysician]

Session 52 – "Following the victory, celebration. Artemis and Hermes talk about her worries, and Quetzlcoatl speaks with the Summer King about his own betrayal."

[attachmentid=160]

[metaphysician]

Session 53 – "On the night of the victory celebration, Aral talks with the eastern Fianna who saved his life in the battle, Azdaja. On the next day, the party goes before the Summer King to speak with him about politics and diplomacy. After a tangent about Anahuac and Quetzlcoatl’s intentions, the Summer King states his intent to heal both Finn and Minos."

[attachmentid=161]

[metaphysician]

Session 54 – "The party mounts horses of earth and stone, to go with the Summer King."

Session 54b – "The party arrives at the Brigantii encampment, and the Summer King heals Alaric, much to everyone’s joy. Following that, everyone mounts up again to ride to Tara, capital of Eire, where Finn lays comatose."

[attachmentid=162]

[attachmentid=163]

[metaphysician]

Session 55 – "After introductions with the King of Eire, the group is directed to Finn’s chamber, where he is accompanied by his sons Osirin and Diarmait, as well as Blaise and Maeve."

Session 55b – "While requiring greater effort, the Summer King heals Finn. Almost as soon as waking, however, Finn declares he must leave. During his coma, his thoughts wandered, and found a terrifying path, which he seeks to confirm or deny. The party leaves for Thera, and on the way, they discuss possible theories of what he detected. . ."

[attachmentid=164]

[attachmentid=165]

[metaphysician]

Session 56 – "The Summer King and party arrive at Thera. However, his best efforts cannot heal Minos. Grudgingly, the Summer King reveals the existence of the Sangreal, a possible means to heal Minos at great cost. There is much debate over the proper course of action. Hermes calls in Toth to spot for temporal interlopers. Eventually, the party decides to go visit the Winter King again, while the Champion of Ra heads to White Crane’s abode. Before leaving, Hermes tries to convince Aral to forgo pursuing the Grail, as an attempt to sidestep destiny."

[attachmentid=166]

[metaphysician]

Session 57 – "In the brief time before the Summer King sets out again, the party parts ways for other matters. Hermes and Quetzlcoatl dive into research. Artemis, wandering through a park, has a confrontation with Elektra. After relating her doubts and fears to Hermes and Aral, the lot go visit the Champion of Ra, who speaks of his past. . ."

Session 57b – "The Champion of Ra continues speaking to Artemis, warning of likely pain in the future of the relationship, but to not overly fear the attitude of Thera. He also suggests avoiding Elektra and Orestes."

Session 57c – "The talk with the Champion of Ra concludes. Hermes checks up with Quetzlcoatl, who relates his research into healing."

( Note: Sometimes, I hate AIM )

[attachmentid=167]

[attachmentid=168]

[attachmentid=169]

[metaphysician]

Session 58 – "The party, mysteriously (?) sans Quetzlcoatl, heads out to the Winter King’s abode. There, they learn more about the Sangreal, and why the idea of how to safely pursue it would not work. The Winter King does give a blank card to Artemis, however."

Session 58b – "In a moment out of time, while the party is still reacting to the Winter King’s words, Artemis reads the card, and is taken to a visit with David. He talks about the cycle of the world, and makes Artemis an offer: protection against the Sangreal’s negative effects and information on its location, in exchange for retrieving a statue for him. Artemis agrees."

[attachmentid=170]

[attachmentid=171]

[metaphysician]

Session 59 – "After returning to Thera, the party visits Anubis in Heliopolis, in order to ask his help with regard to the Sangreal and time travel. Everyone involved realizes that Anubis is time displaced himself, and he reveals his theories about his origin. Also: Quetzlcoatl’s second visit with David."

[attachmentid=172]

[metaphysician]

Session 60 – "After returning, a return to research. Quetzlcoatl looks up information on Mithras and his city. Hermes continues his research into time travel, and visits Toth."

Session 60b – "Hermes finds Toth at the same time Aral does. Hermes asks for, and gets, help with his time travel work, and Aral inquires about the current state of political affairs. Later, Artemis tries to find information about Mithras, and having little luck, goes to talk with Hermes."

[attachmentid=173]

[attachmentid=174]

[metaphysician]

Session 62 – "Artemis meets with Telemachus, setting up arrangements for a separate mission to steal the Sangreal ( with the help of Alaric and Zhang Fei ). Quetzlcoatl meets with Clio, and tries to convince her to access the classified libraries on Mithras and his city."

Session 62b – "Clio agrees to try and get information for Quetzlcoatl. Meanwhile, Aral and Hermes meet with Xenos, and discuss time machines, conspiracy theories, and the mythic king of Eire."

[attachmentid=175]

[attachmentid=176]

[metaphysician]

Session 63 – In order to investigate the disappearance of oracles, Hermes, Artemis, and Quetzlcoatl visit the Oracle of Samothrace. After some cryptic but useful answers, Darius shows up, to ask his own questions. Following a near murder, Darius informs the party that he has a way to call in their favor owed. Aral is brought along, and they learn the mission: to help him steal a powerful sword.

[attachmentid=177]

[metaphysician]

Session 64 – "Aral finds the Champion of Ra arguing with Si Ma Yi over the presence of White Crane, and joins in. Afterwards, he reports the plan to help Darius, and learns about the plans for him to help White Crane later on. Then, he is joined by Hermes and Artemis in the training arena for combat practice."

[attachmentid=178]

[metaphysician]

Session 65 – "The party spends a night on the town before going off with Darius, giving a chance to socialize Artemis a little more. There is theater, music, and dinner, during which they see a Chosen who looks a lot like a relative of the Summer King. . ."

[attachmentid=179]

[metaphysician]

Session 66 – "After sharing a few thoughts about the stranger seen in the restaurant, Aral goes over to greet him. . ."

Session 66b – "Aral introduces himself to the stranger, Jon Riothamus, who thanks him for the information on his likely parentage. Shortly thereafter, the meal ends. The next day, the group gathers again at Samothrace to meet with Darius."

Session 66c – "Darius briefs the party some on what to expect once arriving at the site."

Session 66d – "The briefing concludes, Darius warns about his fellow time travelers, and everyone passes through the portal."

( PS: Sometimes, I *hate* AIM )

[attachmentid=180]

[attachmentid=181]

[attachmentid=182]

[attachmentid=183]