Day 43: The Demon, Ardu
Mar 17, 2011 23:42:34 GMT
Post by Vaylon Kenadell on Mar 17, 2011 23:42:34 GMT
Day 43: The Demon, Ardu
Synopsis: Ardu is a demon in another realm of existence who cannot yet enter this world; he influences this world through his servants and mysterious runes that allow his power to spread.
Full Story:
This is what your characters know about Ardu from your own observations and research, and from what Faritheal has told you so far:
Ardu, a demon chieftain, has been seeking a way into this world for some time. His human followers are centered around Tukrael, the burned-out city of the dead. Faritheal believes that the nature of the apocalypse has given Ardu the opportunity to worm his way into this world; although he cannot yet enter it physically, there are cracks through which he has begun to seep.
Ardu expresses his will in the form of mysterious runes. These runes have been seen tattooed onto the necks of bandits and inscribed in the walls and floors of various buildings in Oakmore. Faritheal likened the runes to vessels or conduits that allow Ardu's power to flow to this world.
Ardu's power can be broken and has been broken in a few instances:
Alder recklessly carved out runes in the Oakmore apothecary, destroying them and causing a magical explosion that nearly killed the party.
Noughkel and Alder successfully dispelled runes in the Oakmore smithy.
Alder, armed with a powerful wand from Faritheal, successfully broke the power of an evil shrine in the Oakmore temple; however, in doing so, he activated a magical trap that released demon guardians. Fortunately, these guardians were subsequently defeated.
The heroes also met Ardu -- that is, a manifestation of Ardu -- in Oakmore's forum, where he took the shape of an enormous, winged beast. This the conversation that took place:
Alder: ""Demon! Release her!"
Ardu: "Yes. For something. I know your names. I know you have been causing trouble for me. I have seen much. And, thanks to this one, I have seen where he is. The old wizard. Faritheal. Bring him to me, and I will release her."
Alder: "So, that's why you told Mara about Roland? So you could get the wizard alive?"
Ardu: "You are clever for such a little mage. Too clever for your own good. I am very disappointed with your recent antics in my city."
Alder: "Why do you want Faritheal?"
Ardu: "I will not debase myself with an explanation wasted on the likes of you. Suffice it to say that I desire to consume him. You can die now or later. Give me Faritheal. Tell me where he is, and it will be later."
Alder: "So. That's your plan? To kill every man, woman, and child?"
Ardu: "'So that's my plan?' You adventurers are all alike -- you think you can alter fate. You cannot. I am losing my patience. I will ask you one more time. Where is Faritheal and his tower?"
The heroes attacked the beast, but it no longer spoke with Ardu's voice, and eventually it flew away.
Ardu has a variety of servants under his command: well-armed bandits, skeletal warriors, and several mages. The size of the demon's force, while unknown, was great enough to not only drive out a large group of cultists from their den but also destroy a manifestation of the cultists' god.
Ardu was able to watch the tower through a powerful artifact held by Mara; this artifact later allowed Ardu to place a horrible curse on her, turning her into a winged, eyeless beast. He is also known to keep an eye on the heroes as they wander through the remains of Oakmore: it seems likely that none of their activities on the surface go unwatched.
Ardu's greatest weakness is his reliance on others to carry out his tasks; however, as long as the connection exists between his world and this one, he can always bend others to his will.
Synopsis: Ardu is a demon in another realm of existence who cannot yet enter this world; he influences this world through his servants and mysterious runes that allow his power to spread.
Full Story:
This is what your characters know about Ardu from your own observations and research, and from what Faritheal has told you so far:
Ardu, a demon chieftain, has been seeking a way into this world for some time. His human followers are centered around Tukrael, the burned-out city of the dead. Faritheal believes that the nature of the apocalypse has given Ardu the opportunity to worm his way into this world; although he cannot yet enter it physically, there are cracks through which he has begun to seep.
Ardu expresses his will in the form of mysterious runes. These runes have been seen tattooed onto the necks of bandits and inscribed in the walls and floors of various buildings in Oakmore. Faritheal likened the runes to vessels or conduits that allow Ardu's power to flow to this world.
Ardu's power can be broken and has been broken in a few instances:
Alder recklessly carved out runes in the Oakmore apothecary, destroying them and causing a magical explosion that nearly killed the party.Noughkel and Alder successfully dispelled runes in the Oakmore smithy.Alder, armed with a powerful wand from Faritheal, successfully broke the power of an evil shrine in the Oakmore temple; however, in doing so, he activated a magical trap that released demon guardians. Fortunately, these guardians were subsequently defeated.The heroes also met Ardu -- that is, a manifestation of Ardu -- in Oakmore's forum, where he took the shape of an enormous, winged beast. This the conversation that took place:
Alder: ""Demon! Release her!"
Ardu: "Yes. For something. I know your names. I know you have been causing trouble for me. I have seen much. And, thanks to this one, I have seen where he is. The old wizard. Faritheal. Bring him to me, and I will release her."
Alder: "So, that's why you told Mara about Roland? So you could get the wizard alive?"
Ardu: "You are clever for such a little mage. Too clever for your own good. I am very disappointed with your recent antics in my city."
Alder: "Why do you want Faritheal?"
Ardu: "I will not debase myself with an explanation wasted on the likes of you. Suffice it to say that I desire to consume him. You can die now or later. Give me Faritheal. Tell me where he is, and it will be later."
Alder: "So. That's your plan? To kill every man, woman, and child?"
Ardu: "'So that's my plan?' You adventurers are all alike -- you think you can alter fate. You cannot. I am losing my patience. I will ask you one more time. Where is Faritheal and his tower?"
The heroes attacked the beast, but it no longer spoke with Ardu's voice, and eventually it flew away.
Ardu has a variety of servants under his command: well-armed bandits, skeletal warriors, and several mages. The size of the demon's force, while unknown, was great enough to not only drive out a large group of cultists from their den but also destroy a manifestation of the cultists' god.
Ardu was able to watch the tower through a powerful artifact held by Mara; this artifact later allowed Ardu to place a horrible curse on her, turning her into a winged, eyeless beast. He is also known to keep an eye on the heroes as they wander through the remains of Oakmore: it seems likely that none of their activities on the surface go unwatched.
Ardu's greatest weakness is his reliance on others to carry out his tasks; however, as long as the connection exists between his world and this one, he can always bend others to his will.