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Post by Andric on Jun 2, 2005 11:18:27 GMT -5
"I agree Bertram. Let's return to Homlet. We can discuss many things along the way."
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DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
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Post by DrSpice on Jun 2, 2005 12:32:48 GMT -5
Bertram addresses the Canon: "Sir, I don't know much about dragons, but perhaps there may some use in preserving some of his remains to be used in the fight against evil. Would you consider casting "Gentle Repose" on the dragons corpse?" I welcome your wisdom in this matter.
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Post by TerraDave on Jun 3, 2005 10:07:20 GMT -5
Terjon, having saddled his horse, replies
"Father, if I know of what you speak, no, I am not prepared for such an eventuallity"
"I urge you all to return here tomorow to get to the bottom of all this"
"That great corpse will still be here. And this seems as good a place to keep it as any. Now I must be getting back"
And with that, he starts riding back to the village.
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Post by TerraDave on Jun 3, 2005 16:57:49 GMT -5
With the day coming to a close, the three heirs eventually follow after Terjon.
After walking for three hours, the edge of the Village of Hommlet is reached. North of the castle (on the right side of the road), the three notice a shop with an interesting sign: A vial and scroll painted on a background of stars.
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Post by TerraDave on Jun 6, 2005 11:19:45 GMT -5
The heirs finally manage to drag the body of the dragon into the village, for all to see. They also find the stairs leading to the dungeon of the moat house, where it clear that the cultists are up to no good.
They also find Spugnoir, owner of the local magic shop, hidding in an old storeroom. He was so scared of the dragon and the cultist that he seemed to loose his Gaulian accent!. They were able to bring him back to Hommlet as well, and they didn't even have to tie him to a horse.
(Experience: almost, but not quite, each heir receives 1400XP)
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DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
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Post by DrSpice on Jun 8, 2005 12:52:22 GMT -5
Bertram wishes to take care of a few small matters upon return to Hommlet. First of all, he wishes to use remaining spells to heal the group, including Spoonnoir if needed. He has one second level spell, two 1st level spells, and 4 ORisons available, and if necessary can attempt to use his memorized sanctuary spell or use the consecrated ground of the church to recall six more spells.
Speaking of the Church, as a prayer offering, Bertram donates one Pound to the Church and one Pound to the helpful Friar.
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DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
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Post by DrSpice on Jun 11, 2005 13:23:11 GMT -5
If Bertram is able to heal the party members as he hopes, then the next thing he recommends that the group do is gather more information. The first place he would like to go is to the Canon and the Friar, if possible. He will be going there to give the the above-mentioned donation, anyway. If it is not too late then we may try today, else tomorrow. Bertram would like the party to show one or both of them the Iron Torch, Black Cones, Black Sphere, the Black Scepter, and the black metal tube to see if it has any meaning or significance to either of them. He describes where and with whom the party found the items, and caution about the auras of evil on the torch and cones.
Next, if the party agrees, Bertram would like to go to Spugnoir to pay and identify some items. Does the group agree? They can split the cost 3 ways. Bertram thinks that the Iron Torch and Black Sphere should be identified if possible, and also the black cones.
Finally Bertram recommends selling some items. We can sell the mail and plate armor, bow and shield, as well as Bertram's old morning star and sell them, dividing the cash three ways. What does the rest of the group think about selling the Scepter? It looks valuable, and seems neither evil nor magical.
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Post by Andric on Jun 12, 2005 2:37:11 GMT -5
Andric agrees 100% with each and every one of Bertram's recommendations listed above.
In addition to selling the items that Bertram lists, Andric would like to sell the evil items to the Church. Andric opens a line of discussion among the team: Andric considers the mortal danger that his team has endured during this quest to rid the moathouse of evil and feels some remuneration is in order. Andric sees that the Church is not a poverty-stricken human institution and is actively interested in curtailing evil of all sorts. Andric feels that some remuneration in exchange for the evil items is an equitable method to keep evil from spreading over the land and into the hearts of mortals. In addition, there is now a proper incentive to non-religious, non-humans to assist the human Church in its great cause.
What does the rest of the team think about this proposal?
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Post by TerraDave on Jun 14, 2005 11:16:58 GMT -5
(how pecuniary have the highborn become…I assume that Andric suggestion remains with the other heirs for now)
On the evening of July 25, 716 AI, Spugnoir thanks Bertram for the additional healing. He has no problem identifying for “but the cost of a pearl”. He can do it the next day, but notes “it is quite the involved process”.
The next morning Bertram heads to the church…
Calmer welcomes the 1 L, but he always seems eager for more.
Terjon congratulates you on your find, but is nonetheless disturbed by the strange items, and is not surprised that some are evil. “Laid out on a white blanket…what are those cultists up to.” Meeting with the friar—who is also happy for the 1 L (listen: but he seems to mumble something about dragon slayers). He confirms the items are strange and alien. He knows not what culture or cult produced them, but feels their origins are probably ancient. Ancient and evil. He notes that sometimes strange artifacts such as these are associated with the Eldar from many centuries ago. Hearing that, Terjon nods his head, “yes, elves”.
On his way back, Bertram stops at the large Wooden Building With Shutters And Many Windows Outside the door a shield and lantern are suspended from chains; the shield is painted to show a sword and a cheese: the Traders' establishment.
It is run by Rannos Davl who is best described as slow, fat, clumsy, and placid. His partner is Gremag a tall and thin individual, with sharp features and protruding eyes. Gremag tends to dither and fuss at Rannos Davl and customers alike. The whole front building is filled with various goods, and the barn has animals, saddles, and the like
They take the items in due time and pay enough for each heir to get 45s
(D’nar never confirmed if he would like to sell the strange black scepter with violet gems. Bertram is also not sure if the Traders’ is the place to sell it, maybe at the building across the street with three gold balls.)
Bertram returns to the Inn,
Finding D’nar, who has been sleeping in!
The three head to Spugnoir’s shop. Three hours of Identifying begins…
“There is cold, dark evil behind this torch and this black substance. This is what I learned of them”
“This is ‘incense of dreaming’, and this a ‘torch of revealing’”. “When this incense is placed in the torch, it will create a violet light around it, and chill the air. Its purpose is unique: to find certain items with an origin such as itself. Other then that, it has no use.”
“All the rest I can tell you about the two is that the incense may have another use in another ‘burner’”
He turns to the small black sphere that appears to be a lusterless pearl
“This is a Bead of Force. An item of some value, but it can only be used once. When thrown it explodes and creates a strange sphere”…he continues :
[You can throw it up to 60 feet with no range penalties. Upon sharp impact, the bead explodes, sending forth a burst that deals 5d6 points of force damage to all creatures within a 10-foot radius.
It functions like a resilient sphere spell (Reflex DC 16 negates) with a radius of 10 feet and a duration of 10 minutes. A globe of shimmering force encloses a creature, provided the latter is small enough to fit within the diameter of the sphere. The sphere contains its subject for the spell’s duration. The sphere is not subject to damage of any sort except from a rod of cancellation, a rod of negation, disintegrate, or a targeted dispel magic spell. These effects destroy the sphere without harm to the subject. Nothing can pass through the sphere, inside or out, though the subject can breathe normally. The subject may struggle, but the globe cannot be physically moved either by people outside it or by the struggles of those within
The explosion completely consumes the bead, making this a one-use item]
It is about noon. The moathouse is but a few hours away down the road from the shop.
[And that is all, until next week]
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DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
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Post by DrSpice on Jun 14, 2005 11:33:51 GMT -5
Friend Andric, these Eldar items of sinister purpose should be further investigated before planning their disposal. I think we should hold onto them for safekeeping for now. What do you think D'nar?
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DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
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Post by DrSpice on Jun 19, 2005 6:19:27 GMT -5
Bertram speaks:
"Merciful God in Heaven my friends; we were truly blessed to escape alive and unmaimed. Andric, your prowess with a blade is truly exceptional, and I am grateful to both you and D'nar for rescuing me from becoming a feast for the undead. I vow to always be there for you should future needs arise, for as long as you shall need me.
And, one more thing, D'nar here are 11 shillings and 1 gold pound for you. They are your share from some previously undivided coinage. They come from the room with the Ebon hangings; the one through the door in the northeast off the main hall.
A blessing on you both, and praise to Lord Almighty."
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Post by TerraDave on Jun 20, 2005 11:46:36 GMT -5
As the Heirs returned to the moathouse, a man named Chatrilon who they had breifly met at the Inn ran into them on the road. Bertram sensed no evil from him, and he joined the party on the basis of an even split.
His intentions became clear as the party was surprised by 4 gnolls in the Great Hall. He was clearly an assasin, with some means to become invisible! Andric barely escaped with his life, but strong work by the Heirs (and D'nar's bat familiar) helped slay the gnolls and drive him off.
That great victory was followed by Andric being constricted by an ooze that alsmost disintigrated his equipment with its acidic slime, and another victory over a trio of gnolls that included an experienced gnoll ranger.
Then the heirs luck turned for the worse. An encounter with ghouls on unhallowed ground left Bertram unconcious and bleeding to death. Andric dragged him back, but as D'nar covered the retreat, he too was paralyzed! Thanks to a potion Andric was carrying, Betram was revived, who was able to use a scroll to restore D'nar, and the three made a hasty exit.
But they remained in the dungeon, because of a porticulis trap that had been triggered earlier, closing off the only exit they new of! They found a safe spot to spend the night. The next day, Betram used all the holy might that he could muster, and the gate would not budge. But then divine favor returned, as he found the winch behind a secret door adjacent to the gate.
And so they escaped, chasing off a giant frog that was menacing Betram's mount before finally leaving.
The also found two others things: a journal written by what was clearly a foul cultist who might still be at large in the dungeon, and tunnell blocked off by a mysterious wall of stone...
(XP: thanks to the vanishing assasin--and inspite of the ooze and the ghouls--it is the biggest reward yet: 1933)
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Post by Andric on Jun 24, 2005 18:49:17 GMT -5
Andric
Bertram and D'nar, are we still alive? Have we survived yet another encounter against the fell beasts and the unliving corpses together? My sword is becoming caked with carcass matter. And the odor! Perhaps we should introduce immolation to the poor corpses. Bertram, would such burning help alleviate this undead infestation? Or at the very least, we light some incense to combat the smell, yes?
All this slaying has certainly offered me confidence with my blade...and along with my natural tumbling...hmm, perhaps a sword in my second hand? It must be possible. And these shadows...so alluring...
Yet perhaps Chatrilon is the most terrifying foe we have ever faced. His murderous intelligence and fearsome invisibility are even more frightening than the worst challenges from blue dragon. We must figure out a way to combat Chatrilon whilst mitigating his invisibility. I was thinking that I might purchase a few sacks of flour, in the hopes that Chatrilon might be blinded and also might provide footsteps to give us a fighting chance at finding his location. Or perhaps Spugnoir has something that can help.
D'nar, your little Nicodemus is earning his chops. One day, you will let me pet him, yes?
Now, on to this parchment...
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Dnar
Master of the West Wind
Posts: 177
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Post by Dnar on Jul 1, 2005 10:42:50 GMT -5
Andric,
Yes, we have survived, but barely. It seems that Fortune smiles upon us. It is no surpise, for I travel with you and it has been clear since my birth that Fortune has great plans for me. Stick with me, my friends, and She shall lead us to greatness and riches greater than you can imagine.
But for now, I suggest we rest and gather our strength, clean off the gnoll goo from our weapons, and examine this parchment.
While I cannot read, I have taken note of what you have told me and have some thoughts. It is clear that this obelisk that is submerged in a hidden cave is an item of great power and may yet be guarded by this cultist Festrath... An item of power such as this must be quite valuable. We must claim it as our own! Don't worry, Bertram, we shall not keep or use it... merely "liberate" it for your, uh, Church, yes? Or another wealthy, but good, patron that will recognize the objects value... and the value of those intrepid adventurers who risked life and limb to secure the dangerous object from the clutches of those who would use it for dark purposes. I bet the cavern holds other riches as well!
It seems to me there may be two ways to enter the cave. The first through the tunnel blocked by stone. Second, by finding where the water from the moat has been diverted underground to submerge the obelisk. Perhaps the "wall of stone" is an illusion or another magical device that could be dispelled with dispel magic? It may be worth investigating. Another thought is to examine the water around the moat to see if we can find a likely spot where we could swim down into the cave. I suggest we consider our options and perhaps talk with Spugnoir to see if he has any potions or scrolls that could aid us. Perhaps a Dispel Magic or a potion that will allow us to breath underwater? Regardless of our approach, it is clear we must find this cave and find this artifact.
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Post by Andric on Jul 5, 2005 17:30:18 GMT -5
Andric
D'nar, your ideas are merit-worthy. I have been considering the parchment, and perhaps we can canvas the surrounding lands, to identify two locations: first, an external entryway into the cavern underneath the pool room, if one exists. Second, the diversion point of the river upstream, which had been diverted to fill up the pool. Perhaps we can enlist the help of someone from the town who knows the surrounding lands? This would entail returning to Hommlet, with full knowledge that Chatrilon may try to intercept us en route.
In general terms, I surmise that we need to drain the water from the pool room, so as to access the statue of the alleged 'Dark Lord' as well as Festrath. To this end, we will need to drain the water down into a cavern underneath the pool room. This cavern would then be deluged by the water and lost forever, and I suggest that we search this cavern prior to draining the water, to obtain any additional clues regarding the Dark Lord, regarding Festrath and the other cultists, before the deluge. This may take more time, however it may prove valuable.
As a second step, I suggest we locate the diversion point upstream on the river, then simply follow it downstream, until we reach the pool room.
This suggestion will require at least the help of a local who knows the surrounding lands, rivers, caverns, etc. Also we would benefit from the friar, who can perhaps educate us as to the real fate that awaits us. Shall we share our parchment and seek counsel from him? Also a visit to Spugnoir may help in combating Chatrilon and anything in the Dark Lord room. Your advice is sound regarding water-breathing; perhaps we can pool our funds and purchase some vials of water-breathing? This may be useful if we predict taking a dip.
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