A Requiem For Those Who Game Too Much

This is what a year of playing a character can get you. :) Pity me.......

Name: Valanna Zuluuth Player: Claire Houck Class: Cleric 11, Chosen 5, Divine Emissary 1, Hierarch 2
Alignment: Lawful Neutral Deity: Vandria Gilmadreth Level: 19th Size: Medium
Age: 145 Gender: Female Height: 5'6" Weight: 130 lbs. Eyes: Red
Hair: Silver Skin: Charcoal
Str 11 0
Dex 14 +2
Con 14 +2
Int 22 +6
Wis 27 +8 31 +10
Cha 22 +6
Com 22

HP: 142
Armor Class: 22 = 10 + 2 (Dex) + 3 (Vestments of Power) + 14 (armor) + 3 (Ring of Protection)
Initiative: +2 (Dex) Spell Resistance: 30 AC Penalty: -4 Speed: 30
Fortitude: 22 = +16 + 2 + 4 (Vestments)
Reflex: 10 = +4 + 2 + 4 (Vestments)
Will: 32 = +16 + 10 + 6 (Vestments +4, Iron Will +2)
Base Attack Bonus: +12/+7/+2

Skills: (total: 194) (cc = Cross Class, at least at this exact level)
Bluff (Cha) 33 = +6 + 22 + 5 (+3 Circlet of Persuasion, +2 Persuasive)
Concentration (Con) 24 = +2 + 22
Diplomacy (Cha) 37 = +6 + 22 + 9 (+3 Circlet of Persuasion, +2 Sense Motive Synergy, +2 Negotiator, +2 Bluff Synergy)
Gather Info (Cha) 16 = +6 + 7 + 3 (+3 Circlet of Persuasion)
(cc)Heal (Wis) 16 = +10 + 6
(cc)Intimidate (Cha) 17 = +6 + 4 + 7 (+3 Circlet of Persuasion, +2 Persuasive, +2 Bluff Synergy)
Knowledge (Int):
(cc)(Arcana) 12 = +6 + 6
(cc)(Geography) 9 = +6 + 3
(cc)(History) 13 = +6 + 7
(cc)(Local) 8 = +6 + 2
(cc)(Nobility) 7 = +6 + 1
(Planes) 11 = +6 + 5
(Religion) 28 = +6 + 22
(Tactics) 19 = +6 + 13
(cc)(Underdark) 12 = +6 + 6
(cc)Ride (Dex) 3 = +2 + 1
Sense Motive (Wis) 34 = +10 + 22 + 2 (+2 Negotiator)
Spell Craft (Int) 30 = +6 + 22 + 2 (+2 Knowledge (arcana) Synergy)

Feats and Special Abilities:
1/day: Dancing Lights, Darkness, Fairie Fire
Infravision 120 ft.
+2 Will vs. Spells and Spell-like abilities
High Born Drow (1/day: Detect Good, Detect Magic, Levitate)
Iron Will (+2 Will Saves)
Negotiator (+2 Diplomacy and Sense Motive checks)
Martial Weapon Proficiencies: Rapier, Shortsword
Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Hand Crossbow
Leadership
Persuasive (+2 Bluff, +2 Intimidate)
Chosen Immunities (Aging, Disease, Disintegration, Poison)
Doesn't need to sleep, but needs to rest to regain spells
Smite Chaos 2/day
Greater Nondetection (30' radius, DC 15 + lvl)
Stat Boost (+4 Int, +4 Wis, +2 Cha)
Daylight Adaptation
Aura of Certainty (immune to fear, enchantment (compulsion), and allies in 30' gain +4 on checks vs. fear, compulsion)
Word of Law (Geas Contracts)
Touchstone (+2 skill points per level, +10 once per day on a roll)
Divine Speech (Everyone understands me)
Lay to Rest (Protect Soldiers from undeath)
Divine Spell Power (sacrifice turn attempts to add caster levels) (from Complete Divine)
Craft Wondrous Item
Sanctify Relice (from Complete Divine)
Divine Comprehension (constant functioning tongues and comprehend languages)
DR 10/Chaos

Weapon: Holy Axiomatic Longbow (Cannot be dispelled) AB: +18/+13/+8 Damage: 1d8+2 Crit: x3
Range: 100 ft. Weight: 3 lb. Size: Large Type: Piercing

Weapon: MW Dagger AB: +12/+7/+2 Damage: 1d4+1 Crit: 19-20/x2
Range: 10 ft. Weight: 1 lb. Size: Small Type: Piercing/Slashing

Armor: Chain +9 of: 10/Epic, Negating, Everbright, Lightning Ward, Acid Ward, Freedom of Movement, Regeneration, Greater Spell Resistance
Bonus: +14 Max Dex: +3 Penalty: -4 Spell Fail: 30%

Other Equipment:
Staff of Daylight (25 charges)
Bracers of Greater Archery (+2 Atk, +1 Dmg)
Ring of Antivenom
Circlet of Persuasion (+3 Cha based checks)
Greater Vestments of Power (+3 to AC, +4 to Saves, Protection from Arrows 10/magic, Fire Resistance 15, Feather Fall & Dim Door & True Seeing at will)
Rod of Fury (+2 to AC when held)
Wand of Chaining
Brooch of Shielding
Ring of Protection +3 (Cannot be dispelled)
Periapt of Wisdom +4
Bag of Holding Type 2
General Collection of Normal, Boring, Useful Things like Blankets

SPELLS:
Level: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Known: 14 10 10 8 8 7 6 6 6 3
Per Day: 6 8+1 8+1 7+1 7+1 7+1 6+1 5+1 4+1 4+1
Domains: Law, Protection, War

0 Level: Create Water, Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Inflict Minor Wounds,
Light, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic, Resistance, Guidance, Virtue, Shelve,
Summerize

1st Level: Wieldskill (Magic of Faerun), Command, Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Chaos,
Omen of Peril (Complete Divine), Resurgence (Complete Divine), Shield of Faith, Detect Evil

2nd Level: Deific Vengeance (Complete Divine), Divine Insight (Complete Arcane), Bull Strength,
Aid, Eagle's Spelndor, Fox's Cunning, Owl's Wisdom, Guidence of the Avatar, Mark of the Outcast (Underdark),
Zone of Truth

3rd Level: Blessed Aim (Complete Divine), Insignia of Healing, Prayer, Remove Disease,
Insignia of Warding (Races of Destiny), Mass Lesser Vigor (Complete Divine), Create Food and Water,
Daylight

4th Level: Weather Eye (Complete Divine), Cure Critical Wounds, Divination, Tongues, Restoration,
Death Ward, Neutralize Poison, Sending

5th Level: Greater Command, Atonement, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Commune, Hallow, Raise Dead,
Break Enchantment

6th Level: Heal, Hero's Feast, Mass Bull's Strength, Banishment, Undeath to Death,
Mass Bears Endurance

7th Level: Resurrection, Regenerate, Ethereal Jaunt, Control Weather, Fortunate fate (Magic of Faerun),
Regenerate

8th Level: Greater Planar Ally, Dimensional Lock, Fire Storm, Mass Cure Critical Wounds
(I am entitled to two more 8th level spells)

9th Level: Miracle, True Resurrection
(I am entitled to one more 9th level spell)

Law (Cast law spells at +1 level)
1 Protection from Chaos
2 Calm Emotions
3 Magic Circle Against Chaos
4 Order's Wrath
5 Dispel Chaos
6 Hold Monster
7 Dictum
8 Shield of Law
9 Summon Monster IX

Protection (Grant resistance bonus equal to cleric level for one hour)
1 Sanctuary
2 Shield Other
3 Protection from Energy
4 Spell Immunity
5 Spell Resistance
6 Antimagic Field
7 Repulsion
8 Mind Blank
9 Prismatic Sphere

War (Proficiency and weapon focus with deities weapon)
1 Magic Weapon
2 Spiritual Weapon
3 Magic Vestment
4 Divine Power
5 Flame Strike
6 Blade Barrier
7 Power Word: Blind
8 Power Word: Stun
9 Power Word: Kill

Languages: Drow, Undercommon, Common, Abyssal, Drow Hand Sign, Duergar,
Svirfneblin, Chondathon, Ancient Elven, Mulholrandi

XP: 203,680 (210,000 for next level)

Gold: 357,000 gp

Page 8 - Unbeknownst to our heroes....

"Butler, is this strictly necessary?" Reynolds asked, carefully holding his head still so as not to disturb the many wires, diodes, bio-pads, doodads, widgets, and thing-a-ma-bob's that Butler had spent the last hour carefully afixing.

With a sigh, Butler continued to apply some sort of jelly to some sort of frightening looking metal thing. "As I've already explained to you, I believe the answer to our conundrum lies in your head somewhere. Just as the keyword 'frisson' provided us with that message from my master, I believe that he is somewhere in you. Mastermind insisted in frequent medical inspections, conducted by me, for every one under his employ. First and foremost, this was for their own protection, for in this line of work one gets exposed to many bizarre environs, unusual chemicals, and dangerous sitations. Of course, it was also for the greater protection of the machinations of the Mastermind, for study has shown that many things that are less than desirable, such as alien brain suckers or psionic intrusion, have a noticable effect on the brain wave patterns of most people. Thus, we screen for such things. It's better for everyone that way."

"And you, uh, are a trained medical professional, then, are you?" Reynolds eyed the metal gizmo warily. It's shape indicated possible uses for it that he found less than savory.

"As a matter of fact, I am," said Butler flatly. "The Mastermind encouraged me to switch my studies from history to biology. I had always loved biology, but my family was less than wealthy, and it was not within their ability to fund four years of college followed by many more years of professional training. However, Mastermind felt such things were very important, and our association was still relatively young when he began to meet with success, success that rendered money basically meaningless. In the years since, he has spent a great deal more money to keep my knowledge up to date and my lab well stocked. I am fully qualified for these procedures." He ahemed slightly. "What you are about to under go is a regular check up. Every single person in this facility - myself included - has undergone such procedures, many times over. Every two weeks, myself or one of the others here with medical knowledge conduct tests on everyone." Pausing, he turned briefly to a computer, then, looking back, added, "please try to be patient."

Grumbling slightly, Alex tried to look on the bright side. Maybe this would come up with an answer to this whole mess. Maybe he would get his memory back and be the person everyone expected him to be again. Maybe everything would turn out for the best, if "for the best" meant returning a genius evil mastermind to his reign of power. Then again, his brief experience seemed to suggest otherwise, indicating that there was an amount of poetic justice in him staying just like this. Somehow, though, that didn't bother him that much. Granted, he did not wish to bring destruction to continental Europe, but the Mastermind's return would mean his departure, probably forever, and he couldn't decide if he was comfortable with that. Existing was kind of fun, in a if-only-I-had-a-clue-what's-going-on way.

"Could you hold this, please?" Butler interrupted his thoughts, passing him the upsetting metal thing. "Straight up, just like that, phallically if you will, yes, perfect." Blinking, utterly confused, Reynolds held the metal rod perfectly upright at about his crotch. Smiling slightly, Butler said, "it's a transmitter for all of those devices. Using it enables us to produce much more accurate brain scans than any other equipment we've ever tried. No, it doesn't make much sense, but yes, it does work, so we try not to worry about it too much."

"Oh, right," replied Reynolds, overwhelmingly relieved that the metal rod would not be used for anything unpleasant. "Um, but, then, why the jelly?"

"Because I found it amusing to watch your facial expressions," said Butler, slightly quixotically, before turning to his equipment and proceeding with the operation of various pieces of advanced equipment without another word.

An hour later, though, and Butler was disconnecting the doohickeys with a slightly disconsolate expression. None of the scans he had tried had shown everything. Alexander's brain wave scans were apparently exactly as they should be, his physical condition was peak, and, over all, every single thing about him was virtually the same as it had been when last he was checked over. Butler, quite certain the virtually the same couldn't possible mean actually the same, had made a note of every little difference that he could find, hoping that one of them would be the key, but all attempts to correct these variances did nothing but leave Butler frustrated. The .1 difference in body temperature was not to blame, nor was a slight change in the perscription of Reynold's contact lenses. Some minor differences in brain waves were entirely explainable by the fact that Reynolds had not eaten or slept in over 12 hours, and feeding him had done little to aid in the investigation, but did make him feel slightly better about his situation. Still, Butler kept meticulous records, and, vowing to continue his investigation, he and Reynolds retreated to left the laboratory knowing nothing more than they had known when they first entered.

They were heading towards the Masterminds quarters, deep within the heart of his secret mountain base, when Butler paused for a moment. "Can't it wait?" he said into thin air.

"Huh?" replied Reynolds, fairly certain that he hadn't said anything, or indicated anything, though it was true that he rather had to use the rest room.

"I see," said Butler. "In that case, show them to the observatory, and tell them we will be along shortly. Butler out."

"Huh?" Reynolds repeated, dumbly.

"Sir, there are some...well, there are some heroes here to see you, sir. Are you up to such a meeting, or should I go to the observatory and tell them to kindly leave us alone?" asked Butler formally.

Pausing in thought, Alexander decided to ask the most obvious of his many questions. "Heroes, Butler?"

"Um, yes," Butler looked slightly embaressed, "they are your nemeses. Riddle, who was mentioned in the message that you...er...the Mastermind left, is one of them. She is a psionic of considerable talent with a wide range of abilities. The other two are Strong, who is very strong, resilient, and generally tough, and Willow, who can control and speak with plants. They are a truly formidable trio, and have thwarted you on many occasions. There are other heroes, of course, but none have foiled you on as many occasions as they have."

"I see," Reynolds nodded slightly, smiling thoughtfully. "That means that they would presumably be very pleased to learn of my current condition, but also most likely interested in protecting the residents of Portugal, Spain and France, correct?" He hadn't even heard the answer, though, when realizing something. "Wait, is it normal for them to stop by my ultra secret base?"

"Not exactly, sir," Butler shifted slightly, uncomfortable. "However, such things are not unheard of. You generally try to maintain a polite rapport with them. Indeed, among villains you are known to have a relatively noble set of ethics, you go out of your way not to kill the innocent, lie, hurt children, you open the door for women, that sort of thing."

"I'm glad to learn I'm not a complete cad," Reynolds laughed.

"Indeed, no sir, if I do say so. As for your previous question, you are correct, they would be curious about your ailment, and would most definately have a vested interest in saving millions of lives. If I'm understanding the gist of your inquiries correctly, you are about to suggest that we go up and speak with them, correct?"

"Yes," said Reynolds. "From your tone, though, it sounds like you've seen a problem with this idea?"

"Well, sir," said Butler, who was making an obvious effort not to sound condescending. "They ARE your nemeses. They are likely to attempt to take you into custody the moment they see you. I don't think there will be a trial for someone who has committed the many, numerous and varied crimes that you have."

"Nonsense," said Alexander, dismissively. "If they have fought me as long as you say, they will know in a moment that I am not me, which is to say that, in the same way it was almost instantly apparent to you that I am not mastermind, it will be apparent to them. As such, all we need is enough to have me act like me, which will hopefully tell them enough to give us at least the chance to explain. Of course, they will expect it to be a trap, but that decision will ultimately lie with them. If we can tell them our problem, and enlist their aid, does it really matter if they think it's a trap? For, if it is a trap, and they withhold their aid, hundreds of millions of people, right? Surely heroes would not risk the lives of millions just because it might be a trick. Think how they would feel if they were wrong," the thought actually brought a slight smirk to his face.

Butler was smiling too. So something of the Mastermind did remain in the strange Alexander Reynolds.

"This aught to be quite a pleasant little chitchat," said Reynolds, still smirking.