Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Tracking the Horses

Noon, August 30 670 by Kingdom Reckoning

Tom leads the party southwest in the direction that the horses bolted but after two hours he loses their tracks in the sparse grass and loose sand that makes up the dunes in this barren area of land. He casts about for a time, moving east and west several hundred yards to try to pick up the trail again, but to no avail. 

He does, however, stumble upon something interesting: a humanoid skull, as high as a man's thighs, covered in a pattern of runes. In a single eye socket in the middle of the head, is a yellow gem.




40 comments:

  1. Draymun cautiously examines the runes, attempting to decipher them before reaching out and probing for obvious signs of magic.

    (( Detect Magic, for up to maximum information. ))

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    1. The skull is covered in a tribal script that seems to start at the eye socket and radiate around the crown. It's pretty obviously a spell of some kind but it's illegible.

      The gem does not radiate magic but the skull radiates strong necromancy.

      The surrounding area seems completely normal, no magical signatures, no recent movement or inhabitation.

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  2. "I haven't the magic to uncover more of this mystery but if we set camp I'm sure I can unravel its secrets by morning. I suggest we set double watches all night long though and maybe even dig some ditches for fortifications, I'm not sure that whatever this is related to will be something we will want to face unprepared. Oh and my dear barbarian... If the urge should strike you to touch the idol, do not, lest you wish to be turned into a newt."

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  3. Tom glances at Draymun. "Did you say it radiates necromancy? Doesn't that mean this could become one of the undead?"

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  4. "I'm not sure what magic you use to dig ditches," Thor started hiding a sarcastic smile, "but those of us without enchanted tools need shovels!" Thor laughed heartily at his own joke, slapping Shade on his back in good humour. Turning to everyone else, Thor took on a more serious tone.

    "Shade is correct, however. This skull could be a source of evil, we cannot simply leave it for someone worse to find. If it cannot be controlled for our own purposes, it must be destroyed. We should do as Shade suggested and make camp for the night. Tomorrow we can begin the search for the horses fresh and anew."

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  5. The afternoon is sunny and quiet and you find time to grab naps after the rude awakening of the previous night.

    You make camp and the wind picks up again at the same time.

    Several of you have to camp out under the stars, and in the summer it isn't too much of a hardship but you realize on the first cold or rainy night, you'll be in trouble without the tents.

    However, the night passes pleasantly enough and the skull remains in it's previous position when you awake in the morning.

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  6. Closing his spell book, the unmasked Mage walks to the skull and attempts to use his spells to unravel the secrets of the skull. (Read Magic centered on the skull)

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    1. It says in an ancient tongue unknown to you but made legible by the magic:

      "In the silent stillness lay,
      among the hills and grasses they,
      our strongest warriors to the man,
      ones we know shall rise again.

      A sacrifice none dared to make,
      to raise a blade, one's life to take,
      and then be laid by shaman old,
      with gems and stones and silver and gold.

      Let the words now read aloud,
      call them back, beneath the shroud,
      raise this long enlightened one,
      whose life had ended, now begun."

      It is the spell Animate Dead, and as your eyes pass over the final line, the runes flash with purple light and begin to swirl inward toward the gem.

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  7. Shade realizes his error and grabs forth his dagger aiming the pommel at the shining purple gem and smashing with all his strength in an attempt to undo the magic. "To arms now! We will have company, smash anything as it tries to claw forth out of the soil!"

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    1. (Can you go ahead and make an attack and damage roll?)

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  8. The other members of the party, camped a short distance away are preparing breakfast or loading equipment for another slog across the dunes. You hear him shout.

    Shades blade strikes true but the hard surface of the gem turns it away. He stumbles back a step as the skull raises in the air and begins to draw other bones to it. It coalesces into a giant, easily 10 feet tall, wearing a rough spun tunic and holding an enormous trident. It has a bag slung across it's shoulders and has long, dark hair and olive skin.

    It spreads its arms and addresses you: "O ottoios qtavei va a quttvioei to qulaka?"

    I'd like to have everyone roll initiative before we take any more actions.

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    1. (Correction, Shade will roll initiative for the group.)

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  9. Shade pulls forth a scroll and begins hastily reading, careful not to misspeak the arcane words. Feeling the power settling upon him he turns back to the giant and motions with his hands to compel the giant to speak once more.

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  10. ((Shade casts scroll of comprehend languages))

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  11. It takes a step back and raises it's trident when you begin to cast your spell, narrowing it's eyes and watching you closely.

    When you motion to it, it looks confused and takes up it's previous posture, repeating "O ottoios qtavei va a quttvioei to qulaka?" but with a more questioning tone.

    (I've sent Shade the translation. The rest of the party may act.)

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  12. Thor advances slowly and cautiously, without drawing his weapon, taking up a position on Shade's left flank, Thor waits to see what the creature will do.

    ((Hold action))

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  13. Rayla quickly takes up a position about 10 feet behind Thor and Shade. (hold action until we see what the giant does)

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  14. Draymun motions to Kumo to stay close and silent as the two observe the situation from the camp. Slowly, they advance from the side, maintaining a 15' distance so as not to be perceived as a threat.

    (( No weapons drawn, Draymun has a hand on Kumo to keep him still. ))

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  15. Tom eyes the skeleton giant carefully, knowing the power of the undead, but not wanting to lose more horses, he steps to the horses and begins calming them, checking their pickets and hobbles.

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  16. (Initiative roll Shade vs. Cyclops: 18+1 = 19 vs. 20-1 = 19)

    First, the cyclops looks up at the sky like a man waiting for a train would look at his watch. He surveys the area and then his eyes sweep the party.

    Then he will take a long step back when he sees that he's being slowly flanked. His eyes begin to harden and he says "Ottou eivai oyo alloi?" He begins to wave his trident back and forth very slowly.

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  17. Shade turns to the group and motions for you all to ease back slightly and winks at you before whispering, "He asks who is it that awakens the guardian, and then he asked where the rest are the rest of you." Bringing his ring to his lips he kisses it, muttering something about the damned memories before staggering slightly. Turning back to the giant he speaks in giant, translating after to the party, "I have awoken you, these are friends, we have come as you were told we would. We need not be many when we are so strong. Take us to your ward oh great guardian."

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  18. (Shade's reaction roll was a 9.)

    Upon hearing his language, the cyclops visibly relaxes. He still maintains his grip on his weapon but he raises the point back up and his stance becomes more open.

    His nose scrunches up at Shade's words, however, and he again repeats the phrase you've come to understand means "Who is it that awakens the guardian?" The more perceptive among you, or those with a military background, realize that this isn't just a cyclops asking who awakened him, but is meant to be a rehearsed interaction: a call and response.

    What do you do?

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    1. In giant I will state, "The shaman old."

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  19. At those words he seems to become very conflicted. He shakes his head like he's trying to get a song out of his head and he shouts "oxi oxi auto dev eivai...auto dev evai to ttuc leitoupyei!" loud enough to make your ears hurt.

    His face twists in confusion and rage and he points at Shade and spits, "yiati ue euttvnoe? ttou evai oi alloi, oi ttpoukuvntec?" he begins to stalk back and forth and puts one hand over his face in frustration.

    He whispers to himself as he paces and you can barely make out, "I ouvnoiuevoc va avoieic tu ttopta wpic autouc."

    He raises his trident again and points it at the party, "ttec ou ti ekavec oe autouc nao oe okotvow!"

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    1. "He is very agitated." Shade stands his ground even when his very core of his being tells him to flee now, and that this game has taken a serious edge to it. His scholarly interest may yet get him killed after all. "He wants to know why we have awoken him, where the other pilgrims are and he refuses to take us to the gate without reason. He then threatens to kill us."

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    2. "Much has changed since you last walked the lands, things have not gone as planned, we have lost many pilgrims and we need to get to the gate in order to save what is left. If you turn your back on your duty now then all will be for naught and lost. We come to ensure that the plan is carried through even with these setbacks. You have a most sacred duty to discharge, please do not fail it, we have already lost so much." He says all this with the abilities he has spent a lifetime honing through his many acts and plays, drawing out sincere expressions of pain and sadness. Shade looks back at the others and quickly repeats his words in common in whispered tones and uses his facial expressions to try and convince them to play along.

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  20. The cyclops, still agitated, begins to pace again and continues to whisper to himself, "I ouvnoiuevoc va avoieic tu ttopta wpic autouc."

    He stops again and points his trident at Shade, "dev avnkeic eow, auto dev eivai owoto!" He shakes his head, unruly hair falling about his face, and he looks at you imploringly.

    He looks to the heavens and says, "oonyos hou hpaiotoc...oonyos hou."

    It appears he's made some kind of decision.

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  21. Something about the skull's poem reminded Twiggy of the arcane puzzles he used to play with back at the Loft. He studies the poem to see if he can discern the password to the cyclops's loyalty.

    (( d20 + intellect modifier + your level ))

    (( 20 + 2 + 2 = 24))

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  22. Twiggy, who has been standing in the back, muttering to himself, suddenly looks up and shouts "ecco trea aredio!"

    The cyclops looks up from his prayer and his eyes widen, he clutches his trident and a faint smile crosses his face as he looks skyward again. He kneels and says "avoiyei o opouson."

    (I'll save Shade the trouble, it means "the way is open.")

    He plants his trident in the ground and where the shaft hits the ground, a tear forms, revealing a marble staircase easily 15 feet across and 15 feet high, lined with ancient columns that lead off into the darkness as far as you can see.

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  23. (1600 total xp for the encounter.)

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    1. ((For those away from a calculator that works out to 266 experience apiece))

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  24. "Well, I'll be." Draymun's mouth hangs visibly open as Twiggy suddenly joins the conversation and solves the Ancient's riddle. "You're a right scary one, lad. Glad you're on our side!"

    Approaching the newly opened staircase, he peers down into the darkness before turning back to his compatriots. "Seems reminiscent of Euri's ruins from way back when.... or from the future from now? Ah, hell, now I'm confused." He scrunches up his face in thought for a moment before shaking his head, the moment lost. "Nevermind that. I say this is a grand opportunity, and maybe even a shortcut! Let's check it out... gotta be better than staying on this beach in the open, eh?"

    Taking the lead, he begins a slow descent into the unknown.

    (( Marching order: Draymun, Kumo, Thorvald, Rayla, Tom, Twiggy ))

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    1. Shade turns as Twiggy says the words in perfect Giant and smiles, contented by that quick thinking Elven charmer saving him yet again. Looking at the giant Cycloptic guardian he can't help but wonder as to the arcane forces that went into this creatures construction.

      "Hephaestus would be proud of you. Tell me dear Guardian, have you anything to offer us stalwart pilgrims for this journey? It has been long and we have farther yet to travel." The ancient giant language rolls easily off Shades tongue even though he has never spoken it before today. Awaiting the Guardians response Shade will then hurry to catch up with the party on their descent.

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    2. The prayerful look on his face is replaced by one of confusion. He looks towards the group that is just now on the stairs and he frowns slightly.

      "You should know, as a guardian, I've never been beyond the gate. I have nothing to offer that you don't already have, pilgrim."

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    3. Calling to the others to wait a minute, Rayla and Tom quickly load important supplies on her mule. Stacking the saddles together, they throw some brush over the top so that they aren't laying out in plain sight to a casual glance. Not that there seems to be a lot of traffic in this forsaken country. Giving each horse in turn a rub and a quick pat, they turn them loose and descend the steps.

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    4. Chitin is stored under the brush with the saddles and other gear being left behind.

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  25. Checking that his scroll tubes are securely stored within the deep pockets of his faded and tattered black robe, Shade hefts his backpack and sets the straps so as not to chaff on a long journey. He quickly remembers something and jots a note on the ashmont map as to the local surroundings and where they have left their gear hidden. Passing out a days worth of rations from his saddlebag to each person he encourages them to eat quickly before heading down and to save their own stores. He takes his rope and grappeling hook and loops it around himself from waist to shoulder, ready for use at a moments notice. The nervousness evident in his action is not echoed in his words as turns to the others as they eat.
    "Pilgrims! Let us set out, that the fine guardian can look after our gear while we are away and bar the entry of any other that may attempt to come this way." Turning back to the Cyclops he says in giant, "Friend, may you ever walk with the favor of Hephaestus. May I know your family name? Time has worn it from memory, and I shall like to speak your praises to all I meet."

    Retrieving his fallen dagger and setting it in place he quickly checks the crossbow hanging from his belt, the staff set across his back and the rapier on his other hip. All is well. He takes forth his lantern and lights the flame hanging it from a clip on his pack so that it sways as he walks, casting shadows about. Then he sets out, following the lead of his stalwart companions on yet another journey.

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