Author Archives: SteveM

Sasha and Shura, twin changelings: Inquisitor of Sarenrae and Cleric of Sarenrae

Orienas, the half-elf priest of Serenrae, is barely worth mentioning; but brings three important things to the story of the twins:

  • He is extremely virile and lasted longer than the Hag expected
  • His mental fortitude did not match his confidence
  • He was the son of a twin.

Wiedzma, an Annis Hag, likewise enters and leaves the story of the twins rather quickly but is worth mentioning because

  • she chose not to make the twins into a tasty stew when they were born
  • was a member of a coven that liked to gloat over their conquests of pious men by sending their belongings as trophies with the abandoned children
  • decided to leave the twins, and the scimitar and holy symbol of Orienas, beside the burning embers of a Varisian caravan near the small city of Wortle.

The twins might have had been very happy living a nomadic life in a Varisan caravan but the caravan witch, being extremely superstitious, felt the pale fey twins were an evil omen. Too afraid to tempt the Fates and simply abandon them, the witch instead had them delivered to the first church they found in Turtleback Ferry; a church dedicated to Desna, run by a well respected hero, Kane.

Again as the Fates would have it, were the twins delivered to Kane without their father’s belongings, they may have found themselves raised under  the teachings of Desna. But Kane took the belongings as a sign and soon as they were old enough to travel, delivered them to Olexandr, a friend and follower of Serenrae.

The twins were raised within the confines of the church and for the early part of their lives only left under direct supervision. Their childhood was without merit or mention, until they hit their teenage years.

The church, aware of the calling that would eventually draw the twins to their Hag progenitor, decided to force-ably separate them in case one turned, they would not lose both. Shura immersed herself in her martial training to resist the Call. Sasha, did not as easily shake free of the Call which awoke in her some of her innate magical nature which she hid from the clergy. To mask the ability, she committed herself to her studies and clerical pursuits. Apart for the first time since they were born, the twins were devastated by the isolation and many months later when they were returned, swore to never be apart again.

At 18 the twins left the church to being their mission work. As an inquisitor and cleric, they were the judge and enforcer for the church of Serenrae. Sasha applied her talents for the Glory of Serenrae and excelled in representing the Church.  Shura committed her sword to Serenrae’s Truth, to purge the world of deception and misdirection.

Free to roam, the twins sought out Roderic’s Cove because it was the last known residence of their father.  They were uncertain if they wanted family or just understanding of where they came from. Either way their travels took them to Roderics Cove where they met Audrahni who eventually helped them find their search lead to the graves of their grandparents.

Since then they have remained in Roderic’s Cove to help defuse the conflict between the rival gangs working with the local law enforcement as mediators and additional trained “police”.

Cheerful Reunion

With Kali settled after their quick journey,  Zosimus looks around the the wagon, a smile fixed on his bluish face.  The comforts of home, even for a short while, can rejuvenate the soul.

A quick inventory reveals the caravan could be trusted, all his provisions in place, his boxes and bags unmolested, but most importantly, Mercury in good health.

Settling with the cat, Zosimus’ fingers find the magic place that fills the wagon with the sounds of purring. “It’s good to see you as well, your silly little beast.”

“It has been an unsettling time away from you my little companion.   These are true adventurers and it is both exciting and infuriating at times.”

As the cat settles, a hidden stash of gnome whiskey is retrieved. “Mercury, I am uncertain of the future plans.  I am as much a stranger here as the outsiders, but my grandparents kept our household in the ways of their homelands.  And my blood and flesh fit in here more than any city before. I can see the complex gaze of the locals, my kind seen as near spirit ourselves.” he laughs softly, “I must remember that if I let my guard down I could end up in a cage trapped like a cherished rare bird.”

Looking around the nearly organized shelves decorated in the tools of his trade, his eyes pass over the hidden tools secreted around the lab from a former life. “My grandmother spoke of ninja, and these outsiders have fought him in distant lands. They are a dark and dangerous group but with their own sense of honor. I… am uncertain if this group will engage them correctly. They’ve already broken ranks once, thankfully in front of a forgiving Geisha.  But the ninja.. guards speaking out of turn will be seen as a deception that could undo the negotiations.” he shakes his head,  “If grandmother could see me now Mercury…”

Life Outside the Lab

Looking back upon the last few weeks I am both surprised and delighted that this group of adventurers seems to be able to function at levels that are closer to my expectations than the last group I was with. They are adequate, bordering on proficient. They have ample resources that I can entrust my laboratory to remain unmolested while we conduct field research.  They were both glorious and confounding at the same time.  The raw power of the brute to dispatch enemies is only offset by the flurry of lethal projectiles of their boy archer. If I could only bond my alchemical admixtures to his arrows if would be a sight to behold. For all their intellectual shortcomings these warriors and a few others provide a sufficient buffer the mania and hubris of some so that the entire mission is not at risk. I don’t think they understand how valuable they are when they act as a grounding source for the chaos introduced but the others. It is a shame that such paths to power have such a heavy toll on their humors. In the case of the one who speaks for Groetus their path to madness is ordained  and surprisingly tolerated by the others, I do not know enough about the teachings but what little I know foreshadows of difficult times. Their imbalance will need to be watched; such temperaments coupled with power often lead to dark magic and darker dealings. 

The great Oni proved.. disappointing.  She planned poorly, perhaps reflecting her own hubris in the underworld she built. Her own fixation of gluttony and sadism perhaps left her less than focused on the war coming through her front door. How many waves of servants did she dispatch that did not return and yet she turned her back on us. Such a foolish mistake to underestimate this party of adventurers. I was delighted to see her great magical spear fail thanks to my magic dampening elixir. To date it is the best field test of that effect and did not result in any collateral damage to my lab or my pets. She was foolishly influenced by romantic emotions for one who left and never looked back; such a callous leader,  I fear the conflicts ahead will pose more challenging as we move deeper into the homeland of my grandparents.  Anamurumon… she mumbled that name in a manner that leads me to believe it will be a fierce adversary; given they abandoned her here I suspect her demise will be of no consequence to them. 

As a gnome I have grown accustomed to the spoils of war going to others. Built by the bulky races for their bloated space consuming bodies I have come to rely upon my own crafting of my needs and with this group it was no exception.  I did take note of the more… grabby members of this group and their immediate claims of possession without discussion or consideration of what others may want.  It is something to keep in mind in the future should a bauble catch my eye that I truly wish to possess. Old urges die hard and I thought I left that life behind me; I need to remind myself of that. The ability for the Crazy One to store vast amounts of wealth is astounding; I am almost jealous of such capability and will someday need to design a way to replicate it. But before then I have plans and designs I hope to now have the wealth to implement. Secret doors will not again escape my view. I have nearly completed the design for a corpse sculpting fettling knife.  Now I need the skill to use it and a solution to such is also within reach. It will be glorious when done. I am very glad that the spirit tree landed in the hands of she who I call the Quiet Death; she seems somehow disconnected from the rest and her sacrifice to keep it alive should demonstrate to all she is the right one to carry it forward.

As we move deeper Into the land of my ancestors I fear their status as outsiders will bloom as a greater liability to the mission they are on. I had put that all behind me until the ronin posed the paradox of honor for the party.  As expected these outsiders were quick to dismiss the importance of service to a liege lord and family honor in their response. I fear if we let them speak for us in the wrong setting this will be our undoing.  The bard, he must be influenced to step forward and be the voice of this party the further we move away from their world. I confess, only to myself, I fear Minkai and the culture my family fled. I remember the scars on my grandfather where the chains held his hands and feet. I am preparing for the worst and keeping a readily available escape prepared at all times.  My grandparents fled this land as dishonored slaves; I will not end up back in servitude to another. 

Enough scribblings… I have a magnificent Gorgon that needs to be reawaken in my service…

Magnum Opus: Volume 8, Chapter 2

Welcome student to the next lesson in your journey to Alchemical Mastery.  In prior lessons you have been introduced to a variety of amazing experiments and formulae that I have generously shared with you. In this lesson we revisit the philosophical foundation for your pursuit of the mystical power that alchemy shall afford you.  Alchemy, at its core, is the power for transformation!  This is no easy feat, if it was then every wizard with a flask and fire would be able to do what we can… but they cannot.  We harness what is to make our surroundings better.  Sometimes that is delivered through augmentation, sometimes through subtraction. And yes yes, sometimes it is the turn everything to gold trick, which I will not share with you until you are far more advanced; perhaps more advanced than you can truly attain. That, remains to be seen.

An adequate alchemist will spend their life replicating what has been done for generations and take no risks. Their transformations merely mimic the work of others. If such mundane pursuits tickle your fancy then please throw this and any other volumes of my works you may have on the nearest fire because you are as oblivious to the potential of your studies as adventurers are to arrow slits in a kill box when distracted by lustful murals.  The difference being those adventurers have something more to live for, where you when you abandon your studies, hold no more value than a rock to a confused hill giant behind a wall of force. But I digress….

Augmentation is often sought because in some way it motivates others to do your bidding. Make them stronger, prettier, or some such and they will pay good coin.  Again you can chase such paltry sums and insult the work of alchemists before you; or instead you can pursue elixirs that can sustain the talents of those you come to rely on.  When they grow weary, you can revitalize them. When they cause unnecessary damage to their fleshy frames, you can mend their ills and restore a brute to brutish working order. Restoring to prior states of being merely undoes entropy and are the accomplishments of lesser persons; as an Alchemist you can instead look to extends those around you past their own endurance. You can empower them to heights they could not accomplish through their own training and natural limitations. By understanding the essential components of their being that serve as the fundament of their abilities, one can increase their efficacy by enhancing those primal reserves.

Consider for a moment that not all  transformations need be ephemeral. Matter can be reused regardless of its nature, organic or inorganic. That which was once animated by the soul can be re-mobilized by alchemy.  Large or small, such reanimation can server a variety of uses limited only by your imagination and, unfortunately, the moral code of those who do not grasp the complicated process you enacted to reuse the organic material that would otherwise be next destined for worm food. Be mindful that such transformation can easily be mistaken by the feeble minded for necromancy but stand fast in your knowledge that what you accomplish is no simply dark magic cantrip.  You introduce no negative energy nor dark divine providence into your constructs.  When their witless perception of the world screams Zombie in their lizard brain, you need to train them to think Golem.  It is a slow, tedious process, but worthy of reducing anxiety in those around you.

With this lesson delivered, I shall not impart to you the procedure for transforming intact organic materials into semi-organic golem constructs…

Magnum Opus: Volume 8, Chapter 1

Welcome Student to the next installment of your learning.  Having demonstrated adequate proficiency with our past lessons, we shall first speak to a matter of utmost importance – resource management!

Do not roll your eyes at my text! This is a very important part of every experiment.  Assuming you have all your limbs and faculties still intact and you are reading this means you have survived the tests I have hidden in these texts so far and could distinguish poison from extract and not set yourself on fire.  It is time for you to use your time to advance your magical research and delegate the more mundane tasks to others, namely, assistants!

Assistants can come from a variety of sources both magical and mundane.  They will provide support before, during, and after you spend countless hours seeking to achieve the same level of mastery of this material as I.

The age of such assistants can be of critical import. Finding one young enough to recognize their place is important. Caution however must be applied as youth may subject you to degrees of impetuousness. There is a trade off to be considered as such chaos may disrupt your efforts or may springboard them to heights you did not consider.  Tread with caution but do not dismiss those who may seem too young for their wisdom may exceed their years.  Within them may lie great potential if they survive puberty and do not impulsively burn the valuable rewards of your efforts beyond recognition.

While I deliver this recitation on the the appropriate qualities of those who will serve you, a past event reminds me it is necessary to caution you about the proximity of madness to genius. Be wary of those with too much creativity or diversity in speech or mannerism as it may be madness in disguise.  While history has shown some of the greatest Alchemists were eventually afflicted with a deficiency of the mind, having such in support of your efforts will require you to monitor their behavior. If you are forced to work with such, it is important to quickly identify their calming triggers and keep them ready at a moment’s notice. This can often be achieved through senseless praise or if you simply feign agreement with their menial goals or acquiesce to their assumed importance in your work. Keep in mind when the research is complete, you can simply write them out of the written record of your accomplishments. 

Sometimes you will seek out assistants through traditional means and channels. I counsel you to not overlook those who may come from unconventional means. Only recently I discovered one such student when I came upon them harvesting essential materials from a fallen magical beast. They thought they were collecting such for their use before recognizing my alchemical acumen as superior to theirs, and thus immediately deferred to my control of the operations. Praise their initiative and recognize the value such an asset aligned in interest can serve in your efforts.

Others may simply come to due your bidding through the allocation of a simple bauble or two. This is where your prior instruction in the fabrication of basic alchemical potions and compounds will prove useful. A simple bagful of alchemical fire, for example, can delight the simple-minded and result in their application of such in accordance with your objectives. Anytime you can convince them to exert themselves for such simple things, you have made significant progress without expending great resources. 

It is equally important to recognize the value of those who can support your endeavors. If you are moved by such things as the performing arts, finding one who is skilled in the bardic arts to perform can be inspiring and help in moments where your skills may be challenged by the task before them.  The right application of music has been shown to hone focus when it is critical and can make the difference between success and having to find someone to regenerate a limb.

As one considers the tasks essential to the success of your research, you will eventually come to realize there are some very simple tasks requiring nothing more than strength. If an Ox could fit in your lab and had thumbs, it would suffice for most of these tasks; instead one must rely on the 2 legged version. This student, is a challenging task for one with limited abilities as you most likely have at this time; nevertheless you must continue to rely on such brutes to perform such tasks with as little interaction as possible least you find yourself spending too much time at their level of intellect.

Despair not student because as you are reading this tome, know that such engagements are coming to an end. There lies within your grasp the power to construct automatons to perform such tasks.  Through the right application of the formulas I am about to share with you, you can render such brutes obsolete…

Zosimus, early 40’s gnome Alchemist

Zosimus is a rather typical stature Gnome, body and weight on the lower end of the gnome spectrum suggesting he may not be the most physical individual.  Purple hair is ill kept and seems to have a mind of it’s own.  His skin is a lighter blue complexion.  His features are as expected, exaggerated like most gnome due to their fey lineage.  For those who know of such things, his features reveal his family most likely came from Tien; but neither his accent nor mannerism reveal any affiliation with the culture. His language/dialect would suggest he was raised in Kalsgard.

His personality is a bit of a pendulum.  If the topic focuses on him, alchemy, his alchemy skills (which are many), interesting experiences of a magical nature, him (and his powers to create magical items), strange potions or poisons encountered, his research, where the caravan is going, his cat Mercury and its exotic past huntings in cities, Ameiko, his future as Ameiko’s Court Alchemist, magical beasts encountered, or him, he is engaged.  Anything of a more mundane nature about manual labor, combat skills, strength, height jokes, etc, will be met with a tone of irritation and condescension.  One on one, he is a bit more focused and civil, especially if there is a small dram of something from a flask being passed around, usually his own distilled spirits based on Gnome Whiskey (ThroatBurn) found in Kalsgard.  He gets a bit jumpy around groups of more than 4 people of human size if there is not enough distance.  Questions about him in groups will get vague, misdirected answers which will often  shift between common and Gnomish words.

Day to day he appears most comfortable in work clothes for his lab. Leathers and lab coats. Under the basics a mithril shirt can be seen.  After the first day it will become obvious he wears a ring of sustenance – “there is too much to be done to waste time with eating and crapping out what your body doesn’t process efficiently!”  When readying for something more serious, he wears a cloak that he explains helps with addressing mistakes in the lab or in the strategies of others in combat. You will notice he does keep up with your rather long legged pace of walking without much effort as well.  His assortment of potions are all held in a haversack.  He has a crossbow as well (now seen in combat) that crackles with an electrical pulse when armed. He has also brandished a rapier that he seems less inclined to turn to. Whenever possible, he is also often wearing black gloves, they are non-magical but seem to be essential to his general wardrobe.

Those who seek a more private audience to learn more about him will discover:

  • He is in his early 40’s which is adult avg age for a gnome; as close to heterosexual  as an asexual alchemist can be but not something he pursues often.. (there was this one glorious time with a human prostitute and an assortment of enlarge person potions…)
  • He was born and raised in Kalsgard. His parents are merchants and brewers of spirits (his appreciation for Gnome Whiskey comes from them since they have been feeding it to him since he was a baby with no adverse effects to his development… 
  • His grandparents taught him about Tien, the languages, and a few things about the spirits one never pisses off; they escaped from Goka where they were sold into slavery in the Deepmarket.
  • His Mentor was a great alchemist in Kalsgard who took him on as a personal favor to his parents and because he knew Zosimus had a natural talent with chemicals
  • His mentor is no longer around, the topic seems to be a sore one and involves comments about a ‘catastrophic accident involving an immortality experiment’
  • He grew tired of never gaining equal reward with other adventurers so he learned how to craft his own items; his most recent efforts were in a shared space with 3 very sloppy human magicial researchers who would pass each other business (hence the contract to go into the woods)
  • Mercury is an ordinary cat, he just finds talking to it entertaining and is his only loyal friend (as long as their contract is honored). The cat likes picking mice out of a well placed tanglefoot trap and eating them at his leisure.
  • he is an avid collector of potions – especially of types that extend past his formulae. If the party has any, he will gladly negotiate a trade
  • he has a dark sense of humor, and has been known to mix potions intentionally for those who “need a lesson” – he recounts a time when he blended an Elixir of Love into some invisibility potions to teach a rather brutish rogue a lesson
  • he is extremely interested in flying, has a potion to do so, but wants to learn more about it; people with strong sense motive can hear that he is envious of those who can fly without limit

Questions he would ask in return:

  • What is your profession and why did you choose to do that?
  • Have you ever drank anything interesting? If so, what did it do to you?
  • Do you have a spellbook? Can he see it?
  • What is your most cherished magical item and where did you get it?
  • Have you ever died? What is it like?
  • How many Gnomes have you known?
  • How can you be sure Ameiko is really an Empress and not just fooling you all?
  • Where is your family now? Do they know you are doing this?

Magnum Opus: Volume 7, Chapter 4

Welcome back student!

Now that you have broken the seal on the 4th chapter of the 7th volume of the Magnum Opus Alchemicae, you may continue your journey in learning of the great arts.

If you are on track, this should be your 11th month of study; any longer and you should revisit your commitment to the study of Alchemy.  The arts are no place for those who do no strive to achieve greatness.  Those with such levels of motivations are better suited to be wizards or other such slow minded careers.

Today’s lesson will focus upon preparation of a suitable environment for your experiments and the consequences of poor planning and inferior materials.

First and foremost, all experiments should have clearly defined goals. NEVER seek to explore without purpose nor allow others to influence the course and actions taken. Be wary of who you qualify as your peers when you consider which research to invest in; their mental inadequacies will be reflected in the advice they provide or recommendations they make. It may result in aimless wandering and catastrophic results causing harm to you or your equipment. Or maybe to others, if you deem such important.

Never allow others to influence the course of your inquiries if they do not merit your attention, or have a clear procedure in place.  Some may seek to tempt you with promises of fortune and fame; promises are ephemeral. You would not be the first alchemist to fall prey to promises of compensation upon successful completion of a task left with empty coffers when all is said and done.

Next, it is important to understand that all components have their place. It is essential to identify the purpose for involvement in the experiment.  You will need to test their mettle. Know how they will interact; where they will break; and what can corrupt their contribution to the activity. Some may be identified as volatile and must be handled with caution. Some may be singular in purpose, like a hammer, a giant hammer, – ideal for releasing flesh from a walnut shell but otherwise useless when dealing with more refined processes.  Some may involve a great deal of complexity beyond your control and thus be too unstable to work closely with. Some may hide greater secrets to be unlocked. Some may be still evolving and thus hold great potential. Some may simply be a pleasant luxury to expedite the long periods of waiting; others may be essential to the foundations to the success of the endeavor. Differentiating between these will take you years to master, or in my case, weeks. But in all cases, a hammer, is still just a hammer.

Testing the mettle of your ingredients may require you to expose yourself to situations of discomfort. This may include horrible smells, irritating rashes, periods of intestinal discomfort, or even mental distress or instability.  The importance of identifying components beneath your standards and finding ways to divest them from the experiment cannot be overstated.  At times it is best to allow a counter agent to be added to the mix and allow that reagent to remove the faulty components for you.

In the next chapter, we will discuss the importance of identifying the appropriate assistants to facilitate your experiments.

Last Will & Testimony of Zosimus, Magnum Opus

“Varghas you are a genius!” proclaims Barron as their mugs of ale clink in unison. “I don’t know how you convinced that little shit to leave… but I am forever in your debt!”

Julian tears down the last the paper signs littered around the shared labspace. The fire takes hold of the sign proclaiming, “Property of Zosimus” as he rejoins the other two men.

Leaning back in his chair, Varghas assume a visage of self-gratification. “All it took was a bit of ego stroking. Letting him think he was the only one who could help out that pathetic noble on his expedition into the forest.”

The three men continue to laugh and lift several ales throughout the night….


The slamming on the armored walls of the caravan abate. Outside the remaining hobgoblins continue to curse and holler as they circle the armored vardo. “Come out and we’ll kill ya quick like”

Inside the gnome sits in the lower portion of the two level structure. Crossbow bolts expended, useful elixirs consumed, he sits out of options. Nearby a cat weighs its odds as well as only cats can in such tight quarters and under such dire circumstances.

The gnome begins to write in the last page of his formulae book…

“To whom it may concern. If you are reading this then I am most likely dead, or worse. It also means you can through some means magical or mundane read Gnomish. Good on your for that!

This is the last written testimony of Zosimus, Magnum Opus. Outside the armored walls of my mobile lab my patron and his followers lie dead, ambushed by a roaving band of hobgoblins.

At this point my future looks bleak, as they continue to try to gain entry. I was able to fool one into consuming a toxin that I concealed in a healing potion that “accidentally” slipped out a window. Unfortunately it was too fast acting on their brutish metabolism so the rest avoid all bait I drop no matter how tempting I make it.

As I prepare to leave this world, I am thankful for many things.

First and foremost, I am thankful to Master Elias, the alchemist who set me on the path after giving me a chance to redeem myself for past transgressions. I remain forever in his debt and each day seek his forgiveness for blowing him to pieces in our lab.

I am thankful for Mercury, my ever loyal and faithful cat. If he makes it out of this I hope he finds a new owner with a warm hearth and a gentle handle.

I am thankful my patron did not trust my research to anything less than an armored caravan. His fear that one of my experiments would blow up in his face has preserved me longer than the rest.

I am thankful for that dreadful mercenary and his taunts about my size. If he would have made me feel welcome I might have been out drunk by the campfire with the rest of them when they were ambushed. Instead I was in my safe bunker with my smelly liquids and disgusting cat, as he so crudely say so many times.

Should you find this book and this last note, I would ask that you carry it far, far, away from this forest and the stupid men who brought me here. Bury it in a grave near an ocean or a sea, I hear they are lovely to listen to.

All other belongs, are yours free of guilt, if you do this for me.

Respectfully,
Zosimus, Magnum Opus”

The gnome looks up at the door as he hear them working on it.

A hand slips the cat into a hidey hole. He speaks to it, “if they get in, the trapdoor will open, and you can flee. run to a new home.”

His hands clench the crossbow. “Okay…. here goes nothing…”