Hunting Mendollin; This is part of the Transformation of Crestwold (Campaign Arc) pt. 2
House Malor and/or an closer source (such as Feather) tells those involved, a quick history of Mendollin…
He was the last member of an ancient hidden order of Occultists. He wielded raw magic power – like a sorcerer, but even more powerful. He used to be part of the Gallantine Order. He was part of the group that almost all died, trying to stop the wizard Anwin – the nemesis of the Gallants – from retiring in peace. It failed. Mendollin killed one of his brethren (it is assumed from the evidence later examined) to get the Eye of Dimov – an organ that could see into the shadow realms and edges of the void and commanded great power. He also stole from a sacred burial the helm of Nicolagous the Seer – a powerful artifact for magi of all sorts. While a member of the Gallants, he was known to be power-hungry – this is seen as being amplified. No one knew his fate after that. He was driven mad over the years, staying away from civilization. He found a new master to serve it is assumed. In the last few years, he has been identified by his distinctive appearance. He has killed many, including entire caravans and portions of a village. Whatever power he commands now, he cannot be scryed by House Malor, the ducal order of wizards of Dunstrand. They have been working with the witch of the swamp, through Feather to record his comings and goings to try and find a home or lair. He has been working on something big, and House Malor, from The Panopticon (their mystical source of power for their order), has sensed a massive disturbance in The Pattern if he continues to live. Evil will seep into the politics of all the areas nearby, there will be no peace or victory of any kind. He travels with a strange and powerful creature known only as “Toadfaced Dog”. This evil familiar is powerful – it has killed several agents sent to take out Mendollin and it.
The Green Lady events can show the group there is an onus on the group. She will recommend going to the Druids of Pranin Moorswood – she senses it is a powerful spirit.
Author: Kelly Berger 2020
Setup
Mendollin, driven insane by his drive for power and the madness brought on by the Helm of Nicalaugos the Seer, has become a threat. In his addled state, he has become a pawn of the Once-King’s escaped familiar of Toad-Faced Dog. He is being used to try and free the minions of the Once-King imprisoned, so that they may free him in return.
Druids of Pranin Moorswood
They will ask the PCs to stay upon the Coldeye Isle on the sacred lake, and need blood from each to divine the source of the power that placed the onus. The blood will be cast into the fire, and the smoke will go into the night sky in a red sparkle.
“None of us have seen such a thing. It hints of something, but we cannot place it exactly. It may even be working against our attempts at discovery. Its vibration is new to us, perhaps new altogether… we will watch it carefully. You must return soon to see if aught has changed.”
Portents
Religion to connexion
cold eye island
“The Circle of Stones has begun to thrum. Evil intentions are causing the stones to vibrate and give warning. We’ve never seen this, we only have had tales passed down on what it could mean. We want to use the circle to open the eye and see what may be glimpsed. You must be present.”
darupet – my eye has opened, i see the creature, i give you this vision
“A fire burns under the arch, touching the underside. Flame leaps from th arch to standing stones. The stones are covered in colors, eyes abound in a mosaic of styles. After an hour of chanting and inhaling the burning fumes, you each feel like all the eyes are looking at you. Just as you begin to lose yourself, the drumming stops and chanting dies. A strange toad faced dog head stares at you out of a misty ring. “What is this creature? Says one druid. “I have never heard of it like – is it even real?” the older druid walks a circle around it. One of the younger druids, stripped bare to his waist and painted in blue and yellow steps forward, his arm outstretched towards the face. He stops before touching it, “A stone dead vision? Normally such visions at least paint a picture of entwined essences.” Suddenly, as he draws near, the creature that was still as a corpse a moment before lunges forward and howls triumphantly as it engulfs the young man’s arm. The young druid grabs the jaws and glares deep into the things eyes, trying to wrest his arm free and glimpse the creature’s soul at the same time. One older druid exclaims in amazement “It has physically manifested across the gulfs!” Savage growls can barely be heard over the screams as the creature bites down and twists, and the arm is torn off above the elbow. Blood is everywhere, and the druids are shouting. One druid smears the blood on their hands and braces the misty ring, taking hold of it as if it were a solid object. The face of the creature, that you swore was laughing, turns into a snarl as the druid closes the ring. The misty ring evaporates. The creature is gone and the stars shine down, revealing the quick action to save the young druid’s life. His screaming abates after a while, and it seems that he will live. During these few moments you are unobserved, and confusion reigns. To only yourselves can you hear the faint voice on the wind. It whispers “Find me”. The senior druid says, “It should not have been able to do that. The eye is one way, it should not have seen it nor be able to act through it… we must have missed something in the ritual.” We must see what the signs say, at least we will have some information for you, the blood is always a good conduit.
Druids do a scrying
The creature has no name, though some have simply called it ‘toad-faced dog’. It has been seen several times in the past by swamp guides, hunters, soldiers, and even some of our predecessors. It is ancient, thousands of sunrises have been seen. It is alone, lost in this world, though it once had a master. Now, it travels with a strange companion. There is a strand of The Pattern here which goes back a way in time, and connects to the Gallantine order. All he could get was a single name: Mendollin.
There is so much obscuring this creature, and the tangled web of this ‘Mendollin’.
The druids wish to do a rite of the ancestors path. They with to send you into the spirit world and follow this thread. Never have they seen it’s ilk. Traveling on such a path is dangerous, but it’s the only way to understand what is happening.
Guide: The White Woman (Geri) – the beckoner- her spirit has come to the druids! A pale, beautiful woman with black hair and black eyes.
The taint of the diabolique is upon this one!
Standing Stones @Start – Galeb Duhr
The Black Shore @ Going North – Water Weird
The Ancient Villa @ The Well – Mummy
There is great peril, a deep, all consuming peril that threatens all life in Dwindor, and near it. There is a lonely moment that they see, a black, gnarled ancient tree from which a salt encrusted hangman’s noose dangles. It threatens to break The Pattern. The druids will attempt to repair The Weave, but it will take many strands and cost them dearly.
They will assure a “convergence” – that the PCs and Mendollin arrive at the hanging tree at the same time – it’s the best they can do in delaying it. The White Woman will guide you.
BEST AMBUSH SPOTS
Three places
Hummaradin barracks lair
Caliban’s Slurry on boat
Black Shore open terrain
Once King
Once King’s lieutenant’s Ba’durgal ruled Blackpool Shoals of a large salt mere west of Lilymarch (in the duchy of Dunstrand) that fed into a lake named Ur’dudwen. The tomb of the Once King was built on an island on this lake. The lake was swallowed up by Dwindor swamp. The sunken tomb
[it was the one whom betrayed him to the Bronzemen]
Toad Faced Dog
Paladin 6th vengenace / Warlock 6th + devil sight, fiend patron
Displacer Beast (a fey familiar; Moorcat Progenitor w/black panther)
AC: 14
Hit Points: 162 (regenerate 10/round at end)
Speed: 50’; climb 40’, swim 40’
Damage Resistance: All except Necrotic and Radiance
Damage Immunities: Cold, Lightning, Poison
Condition Immunities: Poisoned
2 feat. Mobil, sentinel + __
Regenerate 10 round
Ghost buster dog picture
Charge: as Wereboar
Fortitude as Orc
Vicious Temperament:
At Will: Detect Thoughts, Detect Magic; mage hand, silent image
1/Day: Dominate Person, Suggestion
Mendollin
Mendollin occultist. Any spell attacks at melee range count as melee attacks for feats, effects, etc.
Last of his order
Decree of emporer
TAKEN
14 sorc, 8 warlock
Spell sniper, war caster, mobile, resilient, tough, +1
1 resilience per round = concentration, first one
Chain master bond with toad face dog
Fiend patron
Counterspell as reaction if Mr already, me if none.
Reaction counterspell x5
Bonus command
Shatter
Force damage w knock back
Mendollin has had a summoning pit built by slaves.
blood bound elementals… 2
Outomes(2)
Feather in Mendollin fight. Lose her right arm. She should be pregnant at the time.