9.
TLDR: When summoned by 8 people of sufficient “power” a Praetor appears (Vorinclex), and will “help” the group if they will serve him. The “help” always serves as a test; after 100 days Vorinclex returns, those who survive the “help” are worthy of serving him. In this scenario each player rolls d% (d100) and the for that # of days the dead of their race will rise from the ground everywhere they look and destroy all living things (the PC, their friends, their enemies, trees, beast, bird, flower, etc.)
. . .
Looking down from the balcony, the king and his host watch the hordes surround the outer wall. They all know the war is coming to a close.
“the army is scattered. All that remains is the militia and 200 bowmen; And your personal guard my lord. The gates have been sealed, but it will not stop the horde.”
Even the militia out matches the enemy on equal terms, but against these numbers it simply won’t matter.
“Hold them off as long as you can. Support the archers as well as we can, all others to defend the gate and walls. Fritz, go and find the palace gardener and bring him to see Ahinar; He is a druid and may be able to help the peasants get out. My guard, thank you for the time we have spent together but i fear from this there are no survivors. I want you to go down and support the militia; Adran, Adrie, and Aelar, support the others as well as you can with your magic. Ahinar, you are in charge. Caelynn, Korfel, Chaedi, and you four PC’s, come with me. The whole of Ashbourne has but one hope; I must break an old vow and plead for help from a higher power.”
They follow the king of Ashbourne to the astronomy tower, he says a short phrase. “Mae'n bryd inni weithredu.” And the carpet rises. Everyone climbs on and off you flay to the south, south to Balthren’s Demise.
There is but a single barren mountain at the center of the gray ruined land of Balthren’s Demise. On that mountain lays the ruins of a castle. In those ruins a temple is buried. Only the king knows the story and he doesn’t share it. He is silent and resolute as he leads the others through this maze, until everyone stands before a large mirror. “Mae'n bryd dirwyn i ben.” Runes on the wooden frame smolder and begin to glow, like coals in an untended fire.
“Vorinclex. I seek Praetor’s Counsel.” He says it only once, and then stands before the mirror in silence. The PC’s murmur behind him, then they question him, eventually they too are waiting silently. Sometime after, perhaps an hour, perhaps more; eventually a foreign being steps through the mirror. It towers over you all. “What do you seek, Karn of Ashbourne?”
“My soldiers are powerful, unmatched in this land. But alas, we are soon to be overrun by a horde that thrives by throwing their frail bodies at us until we drown in their numbers. Please, I have heard that you value such as us. Give us a chance. Lend us power to combat their numbers and we will serve you.”
It stands there. Looking them over clinically and it seems like it may be smiling.
“I will help you … (the king and each of the PC’s rolls a d100 (%)) … I will return in 100 days to collect my compensation.”
It turns and begins to return to the mirror.
“Wait. You haven’t given us anything.”
“I have given you a chance.” It doesn’t turn as it speaks. “If you are worthy of serving me, you already have the power.” And it is gone, back from whence it came.
They fly back quickly, in silent dread. Everywhere they look the dead pull themselves from the earth and begin their assault on the horde and every other living thing; and above they will remain for d100 days.
