Agent Xeon Xarid, Magical Threat Authority Investigator
Agent Xeon Xarid, Magical Threat Authority Investigator
Physical
Xeon is a Verrik, thus his skin is the color of red wine. He is bald, with green eyes and a small black goatee. He stands about 5’7” or 5’8” and seems light of build. He could weigh as much as 170lbs, but is probably more like 160lbs. Your first impression is that there is something wrong about him, but as you look closer, you can’t seem to pin point it. There is just a feeling that Xeon is somehow different.
Accessories
Xeons clothing and equipment are in pristine condition. There are no stains, rips or tears. His clothing is stylish, but subdued, not standing out as either too drab or overly colorful. He is armed with but a pair of daggers, whose handles seem far too shiny and new to have seen much use.
What you learn over a few drinks:
Attitude
It becomes apparent after but a few moments of conversation that Xeon thinks he is smarter than you. Your only quandary is deciding if he is just arrogant or actually very good at what he does…
Fears
As you talk in more detail, you realize that Xeon doesn’t fear much. He has come up against some of the strangest sights known to man working for the MTA. Such exposure causes one to become jaded to the extraordinary and outlandish. Perhaps the one thing that Xeon does fear is failure.
Conflict
Both from his words and actions, you can quickly tell that Xeon does not engage in fisticuffs. He will use his spells if he must fight, but prefers to use them to avoid combat in the first place.
Philosophy
Outwit. Xeon uses that word several times during your conversation and you’ve come to realize it’s his motto. He thinks that his best weapon is his mind and thus uses it to outwit, outsmart and overpower his opponents.
Case #7945-Eq22-FW
Investigating incidents related to threat #T-89534 (Tavin Zith) has lead me to question justiciar Darryan Olim. He revealed that threat #T-89534 was in fact a bane which had escaped from the Vault of Tehvin Rotansin. He also stated said creature was the “avatar of chaos” – which would explain the random manifestations it caused when unrestrained by the antimagic field. Justiciar Darryan said that he believed threat #T-6231 (Pactlords) was responsible for breaching the vault. His descriptions of his opponents and the presence of the bone rings would seem to collaborate his testimony. Using his descriptions, I was able to Scry his companions and witnessed them entering a dilapidated house near the corner of Cheapside and Corpsedance. Something interfered with my sensor at that point and contact was lost.
Case #I-18759-El2, Threat Rating: 6
Justiciar Darryan Olim’s testimony has initiated a TR 6 investigation of a possible breach in #TS-1-1-C (Vault of Tehvin). I have been assigned to gather additional information and find the breach. I first questioned some of justiciar Darryan’s cohorts, finding out that the Church of Maal is actively trying to assemble a team to fetch a bane called the “Sword of Lies” (which was once called the “Sword of Truth”) from the vault. It seems only logical that they are using the breach caused by threat #T-6231 to gain access to the vault. This would be the second team, as the first has already entered the vault. Justiciar Darryan stated that the first team’s purpose was to reseal the vault, not to retrieve the “Sword of Lies”. If his statements are true, then it seems that different factions within the Church of Maal have different agendas for the vault.
Justiciar Darryan also stated that #T-16002 (Black Pyramid) is also involved, with #T-54861 (Jevvica Knorr) as the point of contact. Apparently #T-16002 has tasked the team with finding a way to reseal #TS-1-1-C.
Case #7970-El3-MW
Magic item shop Sovent’s Sundries was the scene of an attempted murder. Loremaster Sovent and his assistant Tella stated that they were attacked by a huge spider and a dwarf. The assailants entered the shop at approximately 11:30am on Darmonday, Elembious 3rd and attacked said occupants. Sovent and Tella were able to ward them off after sustaining serious injuries. Sovent is a spellcaster and was able to determine the huge spider and dwarf were not native to the astral plane or Iron Crown.
While questioning Sovent, I took the opportunity to gather additional details for Case #I-18759-El2 as justiciar Darryan had informed me Sovent was gathering information about the Vault of Tehvin for them. Sovent was able to provide additional background on the other party members, but nothing which I had not already gathered from other sources.
While I was questioning Sovent, Tella asked if I would take a note to Belue Link, outlining what had occurred at Sovent’s Sundries. Thinking this would be the perfect opportunity to investigate TS #1-1-C (Vault of Tehvin) I agreed. She provided me with what she had learned of the vaults inner layer. Using this knowledge, I was able to find a tunnel in the cellar of the 2nd house SW Cheapside from corner of Corpsedance. This tunnel lead to a breach in the wall of TS #1-1-C, which I entered. After exploring for 15-20 minutes, I heard the sound of combat from up above. As I advanced up the stairs, I could hear voices talking and moving off down a hallway. I followed, but they must have heard my footsteps, as they quickly passed through an opening in a wall and closed it off.
After a quick exchange, I explained who I was and why I was here. After verifying my identity, I was able to give the note to Belue. After he read it he seemed quite agitated and insisted on returning to the surface and Sovent’s Sundries. As he left, I explained that I had been investigating the breach in the vault. I imparted to them the information I had learned about the church of Maal and their desire to retrieve the “Sword of Lies”.
They agreed to let me join them, which will greatly aid my investigation. I have made a mental note to keep their actions off record to avoid any complications later.
We began further exploration of the vault, as they explained that a ‘sealing’ rod was needed to reseal the vault. They believed this rod was somewhere in the Trimoc Korin (ancient elvish for “Heart of Evil”). We encountered and destroyed a Black Pudding and a host of undead creatures. The undead were lead by a strange humanoid undead, almost vampire like. We were able to temporarily destroy it, but if it was indeed a vampire, it will reform in a few hours unless we can find its resting place…
My hypothesis was correct, as we found the resting place of the vampire like creature in the next room. A roiling mist was floating inside a small box decorated with desecrated holy symbols. We later encountered a Lich, acting as a Warden over some (as yet unfound) prison cells. In addition, we encountered two Slaad as they emerged from a zone of magical chaos.
The fact that we have encountered so many active creatures inside the sealed vault worries me. The MTA has already assigned TS #1-1-C (Vault of Tehvin) a TR of 8 but I think perhaps it will be reprised upwards after I report my findings. What is to prevent these creatures from leaving the vault or activating the banes?
The MTA will either have to remove all active, unsealed subjects from TS #1-1-C or assign a special task force to work with the Warlocks to build stronger containment protocols based on the knowledge I am currently gathering. I knew the threat would be high, but I had no idea the extent of the danger. I must gather more information so that I can make a complete report soon.
We continued to explore the vault of Tehvin after defeating the lich Vallecor. Since we had figured out that the creature was acting as a ‘jail keeper’ we knew that there had to be prison cells nearby. Leaving the torture chamber the lich had used as a bedroom, we entered a hallway filled with dust and a few scattered skeletons. As Dobs entered the area, he set off a trap of some sort, as poisoned dust began to float down from the ceiling. Our worshiper of Urain was able to suppress the effects for a few hours and Dobs was able to disarm the trap. At one end of the hallway were two vault doors, while the other end had two normal doors. While Dobs took at the normal doors, I decided to see if perhaps the vault doors here could have been used as ‘prison cells’. It turned out my hypothesis was correct, as the first door was unsealed, but with a crude attempt to disguise it. Looking inside, we found but an empty room. The next vault door was still sealed, but we decided that it might be worthwhile opening it. I used a ‘clairvoyance’ spell to see onto the other side: An iron cross had been hammered into the floor, with a body crucified upside down upon it. The body was wrapped in soiled white cloth, with skeletal wings hanging from its back. A tarnished trumpet lay at the foot of the cross. The black skull symbol of Eslathagos Malkith adorned the walls.
We decided to open the vault door and see if we could find out more about the creature impaled on the cross. Talim is able to discern that the creature is not dead, just in some sort of stasis. At that, we decide to free the creature. Once taken down from the cross, it suddenly regains its health and vigor, returning to shinning radiance, its wings fully clothed in golden feathers. He turns and speaks: “My name is Callin. I thank you for freeing me from this prison.” He goes on to explain that he was captured by Eslathagos Malkith and imprisoned many, many years ago. He then gifts us with his golden trumpet, explaining that it will cast a protection from evil spell once a day if the blower is true of heart. After a few more words extorting us to seal the vault, he travels back to his celestial realm. As if we were not already accomplishing tasks that some of the mightiest adventurers would have troubles with!
We continued onward, opening the southern door, only to find a hallway filled with chaotic magical energy, zapping out bolts of lightning every 5 seconds, with a variance of 2 seconds. We decided to try the other door, exposing an octagonal room with shelves of velvet filled boxes. Each is empty save one, and that contains a large gem. As we look into the room, a Xorn rises from the floor and attacks Askelon. As it attacks, it says in terran “Hungry, eat metal”.
I realize it’s not so much attacking Askelon, as trying to eat his armor. I shout to it to stop and we will feed it. It says that it must have large gems and lots of metal. After speaking with it for a moment, I realize it will not be satisfied with the small gems we have and so suggest that it try to return home as quickly as possible. It wanders off, looking for a way out…
We return to the torture chamber (now bereft of all the torture equipment, which the Xorn ate) and Dobs finds a secret door. This leads us to a room with a massive silver throne floating 30 feet in the air, over a huge smoky glass like cube set in the floor. Within the cube, we can just make out a large snake like shape with wings. Since the throne has the image of a dragon etched upon it, we assume that this is the resting place of Saggarintys the Silver King.
We find a side room with a strange puzzle: 6 rows of 5 plates, one each of gold, silver, bronze, wood and marble. It must be some sort of lock that keeps the dragon contained, but we do not know how to activate it. I surmise that it’s the silver plates, but my companions decided that we should instead explore further. As is often the case, the obvious is sometimes hard to see.
As we open another door, Aer suddenly feels as if we are being watched. Just a moment later, all the doors slam shut. I can tell that this is a powerful magic spell cast by at least a few mages and is originating from outside the vault. We discuss who would wish to seal the vault, narrowing it down to either the Pactlords or the Black Pyramid. But why would they seal it now and how are we to get out?
Deciding that we need time to recuperate and perhaps wait for the spell to dissipate, we decide to camp for the day. We climb up onto the silver throne, as it is large enough to accommodate us all. If only it were solid silver, what a price it would fetch!