RIR - Mystic Force The Gamers

Power Rangers In Retrograde - Mystic Force – Special Trick 10.5 The Gamers

"Mom," LeeLee approached Necrolai, both of them in the Underworld at the moment, "Have you arranged for our new home."

"If you don't like this place you should go live with your father," Necrolai says testily, "Oh that's right I had him turned into a worm."

LeeLee huffed, "Well if you want me to keep playing nice with the Rangers we can't exactly bring them down here now can we...I mean without blowing my cover and all."

Necrolai sighed, "Right. Yes I'll be right there, I was just getting us a new car."

A monster looking similar to the Taxi monster but with different paneling emerged from a side chamber, before transforming into a black sedan. Necrolai taking a moment before she morphed herself into a attractive older woman with black hair, opening the passenger door for LeeLee, "Come on on LeeLee." she says as she get's in the driver's side, "Now where did you say you were meeting the Rangers."

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Crunan, Vicamros, Xanril, Caren, Norian, and Loraella make their way through halls and tunnels passing several skeletons chained to the wall, until they come to a door, the words "Long Live Gygax" written on the plaque on the door. Loraella reaches for the door only for Caren to stay her hand. Pausing a moment Caren examines the plaque before casting a spell that removes the text for the plaque, then cautiously opens the door. And through another series of halls until you finally come to the main chamber where a lone figure in a dark robe sits waiting on a throne wrapped in thorns.

"Mort Kemnon I presume," Crunan asks.

The figure lowers his hood revealing a tattooed and bald head, "You are not welcome here."

"Your rein of terror ends here!" Xanril exclaims.

"By Therin's light your reign ends here," Caren states confidently.

"What good is the light of your Goddess," Mort Kemnon gloats, casting a spell, "She can not help you here." The soft glow of Caren's armor dimming to nothing.


"Wait, wait, did you just cut Caren off from Therin?" Blecker interrupts, "That's not possible!"

"Not in the core rules at least," Chip adds.

"It's part of the DM notes for the campaign," Maddie explains.

"Fine," Blecker grumbles, "But there better be a pretty bad-ass reward for this kind of stunt at the end."

"You hear the footsteps of many feet, the back exit of the room is suddenly flooded as a dozen or so undead soldiers swarm into the room. Also Caren roll will to avoid a Wild Temperament."

Blecker swears.

Drawing their weapons the party slice they way through the horde as Caren growls and lunges at Mort Kemnon, he keeps her at arms length with magical defection of her attacks but he is also unable to hit her, the few lucky hits he does get through are defected by her AC, sensing his defeat as his undead forces grow think he retreats to his throne, pulls up his hood and teleports, Caren tears his throne to shreds and roars in rage.

"He can't have gotten far, look for a secret door!" Crunan advises.

"Spot check everyone."

"Has my Wild Temperament abated?"

Maddie rolls a dice, "Yes it has."

Looking around Caren's shark elven senses draw her to a tapestry, "There's a door here."

Following the passage the group soon find themselves outside in a walled off yard, Mort Kemnon gathered around a book on a dais. A dragon's skull is sitting next to it.

"Welcome to the temple of a true god," Mort Kemnon keeps his back to them as he reaches for something on the dais, "I promise you, this will be our final confrontation." He slips the mask on and he turns around, a dark aura enveloping him.

The group attack but Mort Kemnon easily deflects and evades all their attacks, not a single attack landing on him, "Surely you can do better then that."

"This is bad," Nick muses, "How do we beat a guy with the power of a god?"

Blecker looks over at Xander a moment, "You have any enchanted or specialty arrows?"

Xander pauses a moment to look at at his notes, "A few why?"

"Maddie how long would it take to bless one of his arrows?"

"You're powers are still shut down," she comments.

"Oh, forgot," Blecker looks thoughtful a moment, "What is Xanril's odds or take out the book on the alter with a specialty arrow?"

Maddie consults her resources, looks surprised, "Can I see your character sheet Xander."

Nodding he hands it over as she cross checks, "You would need a 18 or better."

"Here use my lucky dice," Vida says handing over some black dice to Xander.

"Thanks, V," then blows lightly on them as he shakes them ready to throw, "Wish me luck."

"Surely you can do better then that."

"Challenge accepted," Xanril smiles cockily, drawing his bow and letting loose a flame arrow.

Mort Kemnon laughs as it flies past him, "Your aim is worse then a blind badgers!"

"Who said I was aiming at you?"

Turning Mort Kemnon howls as he sees the arrow pierce the book, it's pages going up in flames, the fire then appears on Mort Kemnon's robs and the mask explodes sending his flying back lying prone on ground, but still alive.

"You think you have beaten me?" Mort Kemnon gloats, "You have only made Him, more powerful."

"I pounce on him," Blecker adds.

"Roll for it."

All the players, and Maddie look away as the dice come up, wincing.

"Well he's very dead," Maddie explains, "Caren pounces, tearing Mort Kemnon to pieces with her bear claws, the area looking like a pot of veil has exploded. Collecting the mask you head back to town and set camp for the night to finish your journey home the next day."

"Can we just skip to the next day," Caren wonders, "Maybe by then I'll be over killing Vicamros and can start to recover my moral.

"I wonder," Loraella muses, "What did he mean by 'only made him stronger?"

"Death, obviously, his god, the source of his power," Norian comments.

"Why would Death get stronger after we killed his greatest servent?" Loraella muses, "We're missing a connection."

Suddenly the fire crackles to life, the image of the Hierophant appearing in it, "We congratulate you on you victory," he begins, "the Mask of Death, you have obtained it?"

"Yes your grace," Caren says with a bow.

"Caren, what are you wearing?"

Flustered she hides behind Norian, "It was a gift from the others. It's actually quite good armor..."

The Hierophant interrupts, "That is unimportant, the mask, hand it over."

"We can't your grace."

Growing irritable the Hierophant asks, "And why is that."

"We have promised to return it to the King."

"And he will have it, we come with his blessing."

"Also your kinda just a projection in a fire, I'd feel more conformable giving it to someone in person," Caren muses.

The Hierophant sighs, "This is not the time for personal glory Caren, you will hand over the mask."

"Your grace has our answer."

"This is treason," the Hierophant glowers at Caren, "You have been corrupted by your impure companions! How you shame Therin by allying with Darkness, the light of Therin is withdrawn from you."

Energy lances from the Hirophant's hands, and Caren drops to one knee, weakened, before anyone can react the Hierophant strikes the party with magic bolts knocking them all back and down. Taking the Mask the Hierophant vanishes as you are recovering.

"It is apparent in the aftermath of the battle the Hierophant is your enemy, and the road home will take you days of journeying."

"Well we don't have much choice do we?" Crunan comments, then pat's Caren's back "The Hierophant is the one who is a disgrace to Therin we will get you back your powers."

Caren looks down at her attire, "M-Maybe the Hierophant was right, I don't look like any real paladin, and the things I have done."

"Nonsense," Loraella comments, "Your better then most, you gave someone like me a second chance, and that is the true spirit of Therin, not the pompous church fathers and their dogma."

Caren smiles.

"You venture home as quickly as you can, as you go you notice signs of decay that were not there when your journey began. As you reach home to find the cathedral guarded by paladins."

"You're up," Xanril says patting Vicamros back.

"I play a lullaby, advising my party to plug their ears first."

Maddie chuckles, and rolls some dice for the Paladins save, "The Paladins fall fast asleep and your party slip into the cathedral where the Hirophant's waits in the main chamber.

"Grand Hierophant we beg a audience," Crunan announces firmly as they enter.

"Ah uninvited guests."

"Give us the mask," Caren demands.

"And why would we do this?"

"It must be destroyed," Vicamros answers.

"Dear boy why would I wish the mask destroyed?"

"It is evil," Crunan explains, "It must be destroyed for the glory of your goddess."

"Ah! It is for the glory of our goddess that we shall wear the mask." the Hierophant explains manically, "How can you not understand. Before the threat of Mort Kemnon the people turned their back on Therin, they became complacent, unholy. By depriving them of their goddess I have rekindled their faith! Their fear of death drives them into the saving light of Therin!"

"When the king finds out what you have done," Crunan threatens, raising his sword.

"The king? The king would not understand. Now I rule, as king, as Hierophant, and as Avatar of OUR GODDESS!" the Hierophant slips on the mask.

"With his new found power the Hierophant forces you to your knees as as his clerics advances on your team to stab them. Roll save to get to your feet, Caren roll to save vs Wild Temperament."

Getting to her feet Caren growls, lunging for the Cleric, tearing him to pieces as Crunan forces himself to advance on the Hierophant, "You disgrace your own goddess."

Vicamros finds his eyes draw to the glow staff, the Heart of Therin in the Hirophant's hands, a old story of a boy and the god of the sea rushing back, "The Heart, Therin is trapped in the heart! Destroy it."

"Crunan you're dead, Loraella you can act now."

"Fireball to the Heart of Therin."

"Can I act?" Xander asks, "If I can I aim for the same with a arrow."

"I'll pounce the Hierophant to distract him." Blecker explains.

Caren lunges at the Hierophant, his attention occupied he snuffs out her life with ease but as he looks back the Heart of Therin explodes. Loraella finds herself in a white room, and standing before her is Therin herself.

"Your grace," Loraella kneels.

"Rise Loraella, you have freed me from my prison and have my eternal thanks," Therin smiles warmly, "While you may have started as a servant of my enemy you have proved that even those far along the path of darkness can be redeemed. As a reward I grant you any one wish that you desire as my thanks to you for not just saving me but showing me...the true light."

"Wait?" Nick says confused.

"Limited or unlimited," Xander wonders.

"She's a goddess, unlimited," Chip smiles, "She can wish for anything."

"Anything," LeeLee whispers.

"Go for levels," Vida suggests, "You could be max level everything."

"No, no, no. Gear, Gear," Xander's voice dropping to a whisper, "You could wish for EVERYTHING in these books."

"No, no, no, no, no," Chip injects, "Don't think small. Wish yourself immortal, have her make yourself a goddess as well."

The others are stunned silent, LeeLee pondering her options as she looks off into the distance to where her mother is resting in her hidden coffin, 'Immortality isn't all they think it is.'

Loraella sighs, "I wish I could be forgiven for all the things I've done, the friends I've betrayed."

The group is stunned silent, Chip the first to speak, "Atonement? Your asking for atonement?"

"What a waste of a unlimited wish," Vida grouses.

"Before things get to out of hand," Nick injects, "I resurrect, with the staff, our fallen party members."

Maddie smiles, leans back and beams with pride at LeeLee, "Nice wish."

Loraella once more appears among her party, Therin appearing a moment later, everyone kneels.

"Loraella, " Maddie begins, "Therin welcomes you into her fold by replacing your levels of Vampire Mark with equal levels of cleric."

"So I'm....good now?"

Maddie nods, and looks to Vida, "Vicamros is granted a level of the Canter prestige class for his help in freeing Therin."

"Cool!"

"Crunan for your sacrifice in fighting the Hierophant, after you are resurrected while not immortal you are granted the long life and racial bonus of a full elf."

"Stacking with my halfling bonuses?"

Maddie smiles, "Yes."

"Very cool!"

"Caren Therin looks at you a moment, and noticing your squeamishness she smiles, not only does she reinstate your powers bur also gives you 3 levels of the base class Rogue, with a exception to the Paladin level lock for multi classing."

"So I can gain levels as a Paladin or a Rogue?"

"Yes, exactly."

"That's going to really make the armor shine!"

Looking to Nick Maddie continues, "Norian Therin upgrades your dragon so he can fly and even carry the party."

"Niiiice!"

"Lastly Xanril because you helped shatter the prison with Loraella Therin presents you with a Bow of Force, A line of shimmering force replacing the string of the bow. Its arrows glowing softly silver."

"Cool, cool, I like this goddess." jokingly he elbows Vida, "You should try to seduce her."

Chip laughs, as does Blecker, "I'd love to see that happen!"

Vida flusters, "Seriously?"

"Go for it!"

Maddie pales as Vida takes out her dice to roll, "You realize the only possible way to win is with a natural Twenty and considering this is Therin, a goddess your going to need several rolls, all of them to succeed."

"A extended action, Ouch."

In appreciation for Therin's kindness Vicamros begins to play, Therin listens for a moment as growing smile on her face after a few moments Therin vanishes Vicamros with her.

"Roll con," Maddie chuckles.

"I feel strangely dirty," Caren muses.

"Great game everyone," Maddie says standing up, "Everyone take fifteen then we'll set up the into for LeeLee's campaign idea.

"The one with the Shadow?" Blecker wonders.

"The Shadow." Nick mentions.

"The Shadow?" Xander questions.

"The Shadow!" Chip exclaims.

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After a few days rest your party is brought before King Erasmus the Randomly Biased, "Great warriors, I know you want rest but a new threat has risen, taking my daughter from me. I hate to ask it but will you recover her for me?"

"What fiend has taken the princess?" Caren wonders.

"His name is only heard of in hushed whispers, he is called, The Shadow."

"The Shadow."

"The Shadow?"

"The Shadow!"

"Fear not King, we will set out at once!" Norian announcing looking to the others, "Right everyone."

"Right!"

"We should ask around town, see if anyone knows where to start," Loraella comments.

"To the inn!" Crunan exclaims.

The party make their way to the inn, finding a seat.

"Crunan orders their strongest ale."

"The barmaid warns you," Maddie starts, "Dwarfish Ale is not for the weak of stomach."

"With my con bonus I only have a 10% chance fail."

"Roll for it."

The group gasp.

"Well Crunan is out."

"Is there anyone at the bar?" Blecker wonders.

"There is one patron."

Caren sneaks up to the man.

"I'm going to pick pocket him."

"Isn't that a morally against your Paladin Code?"

"I don't want to keep anything, just testing my new skills."

"Roll for it."

Caren finches the patron's money pouch.

"He have anything else?"

"A knife."

"I try to take that too."

"Roll for it."

Caren finches the patron's knife and turns back to her team silently cheering, "I take his pants!" Blecker laughs.

"Why do you want his pants?"

"I don't want them, I just want to see if I can steal them."

"Roll for it."

Caren finches the patron's pants, "Alright I'm done playing, I try to pickpocket him again to return his items!" Blecker laughs.

"Have we picked up any clues," Nick wonders.

"The Barmaid mentions that rumor is The Shadow has set up came in Mort Kemnon's old lair."

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"Once Chip wakes up and Blecker is done stealing we should head out then."

The group nod.

"We will pick up the story next time with everyone on the road." Maddie says packing up, "Thanks for the nice place to play LeeLee.

"My pleasure, should I get mom up to give you all rides home."

"I think we're good LeeLee."

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Blecker opened the door to the apartment, the illusion long since expiring, as she entered her brother was waiting, "Long day of saving the world?" C. Blecker mused.

N. Blecker sighed looking down at her body, "something like that."

"Hungry? I just finish some burgers."

"Thanks," N. Blecker said with a sigh, "Gotta hit the rest room first though."

Her brother nodded as N. Blecker slipped into the bathroom, closing the door. Throwing off her shirt she started at her reflection in the mirror forlornly, 'It's been half a day, when am I going to change back?' she wondered as she plopped down on the toilet seat and sighed, 'I can't keep this up if I have to give up my gender permanently...If I'm not back to normal by morning...'

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"Vida," Chip called, "V where are you."

As Chip moved through the Mystic Woods calling out for Vida he rounded a bend, and stood still, shocked, Vida was hunced over, fangs extended anf burried into the body of a squirrel.

"V-V," Chip stammered, "Y-your still a vampire?"

Vida stood up immediately, quickly discarding the corpse as she looked to Chip, "It's not what you think...I'm not evil now...I can control myself."

"But your still a vampire."

Vida looked down and away, "Yes."

"How? We destroyed Necrolai with the Dawn Crystal."

"I-I don't know. Clearly she survived. But when you defeated her I did feel some of my power return to me. But thanks to you and Blecker she can't control me any more."

"Still," Chip said cautiously, "You're still a vampire."

"Please you can't tell anyone, they will just worry or freak out."

"Vida I-"

"Promise me Chip," Vida said with unusual fierceness, "Promise me!"

Chip sighed, looking away, "I promise V...I promise." mentally adding, '...and I promise to find a cure...somehow.'