GM Wolf |
Krazok is in the kitchen helping himself to some food.
Selena and Fizzy are swimming or enjoying themselves in the hot springs.
As Blienka, Arvangail, and Calathes are in the great hall with three large chests in the North Western corner.
There is a link at the top of the page, of the Rune Fortress. This is the same link.
Blienka |
After stashing the scepter into her backpack, Blienka looks to the others. Shall we explore a little more of this place before we all begin relaxing?
If the others will follow her, she will head to the north to see what the passage holds.
Blienka |
Blienka begins to carefully listen at each door and then open them if nothing unusual is heard.
Perception(West Door 1): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Perception(East Door 1): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Perception(West Door 2): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Perception(East Door 2): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Perception(West Door 3): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Perception(North Door): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Just posting as a group to speed things up. If something is found, we can use the rolls later.
GM Wolf |
As you go down the passageway the green runes follow spreading from your steps. Surprisingly you hear nothing at each of the doors and upon inspection inside you find a large room with a large bed, dresser, shelves, a table, a tub, drawers and such. Each room seems rather spartan, but each has a large roaring fire that keeps the rooms at a nice warm temperature.
The North Door leads to a library of sorts with shelves all around the room and tables in the center covered in books. A foray is set on one side with paper, ink, and quills about with what appears to be arcane research. Arvangail can see that many of the books have magic on them which he thinks is a low level of universal. Likely a preservation spell. One book at the foray appears to have several magical auras on it. It is a bit more extravagant with a stout leather binding and cover which overlaps locked with a metal lock and runes are inscribed over much of it tastefully.
West Door 3: Reveals a well used room, likely where the previous master lived. Dirty laundry all over the room, dirty dishes piled up in a corner next to the bed, empty vessels, cups half empty, and all sorts of empty vials are scattered around the room. Several portraits of a family and of a simple woman are on the walls. Next to the bed appears to be a slightly magical book, once again the universal aura.
Blienka |
Blienka is waiting on the response to Arv reading the book. She does not have Read Magic or Detect Magic memorized, so she is waiting for Arv to tell her what was found.
Once the searching of the books is finished, she will begin to search the passage to the east.
GM Wolf |
Arvangail spends a few hours enveloped in the book and others around him. Selena finds herself moving to one of the bedrooms and falling asleep on the comfy bed with many pillows. Krazok does in similar fashion.
The three effectively using the night to rest and recover, Arvangial in the middle of his research starts his trance.
GM Wolf |
Searching the East passage taking a 20... Getting you a 30, allows you to find a doorway at the end. Though the frame of the door seems to be set with wards so it is hard to see until you see it. There is a lock on the door which seems to be rather long and vaguely circular in shape. You think about it a while and think that the scepter might fight into the stone door's lock.
GM Wolf |
The next day seems to find most of you rested and refreshed. Calathes, Selena, Fizzy, and Krazok all had found a bed to sleep in, or at least something close to suitable as a bed. Arvangail meditated well enough in the library and likely goes right back to reading.
Each of you wake up to the smell of sizzling bacon and other meats. If you follow your noses you find Krazok in the kitchen cooking all sorts of meats and buns.
Krazok Vell Firesource |
He smiles at anyone who enters the kitchen his big toothy grin. Then offers breakfast, "Come have a seat, I can whip up some eggs for you. It's always best to make them last, eggs are never good cold."
He offers a variety of food including bacon, ham, eggs any way you like them, boar, snout, tongue of boar, liver, fresh buns, milk, water, wine, and cheese.
Calathes the Crimson |
Calathes appears from his room, his greatsword is hung over his shoulder but otherwise he wears a set of clothing (white shirt and black breeches).
He quickly takes a portion of eggs, bacon, cheese, buns and a glass of wine and begins to consume them, his movements as he eats are unfailing precise and he does not speak.
Blienka |
Blienka moves into the kitchen. Although she enjoys the smell of cooked meat, she instead takes several pieces of cheese and then searches until she finds some fruit for breakfast.
So, what is the plan for today? Have this foolish scepter rearrange the rooms a few times? Or are we planning on heading out to see what else these untamed lands hold?
Krazok Vell Firesource |
"No not yet fair one, do you wish to spar or at least do our drills together? I do miss Torq he was good to have to do drills with, hopefully you can be a suitable replacement." The dragonkin says with a mix of emotions, almost as if they are on his sleeve.
"I am willing to do as the group wants, though it would be nice to take a day off of traveling." He says in response to Blienka's question. "It would be nice to have the scepter make a way for our mounts to come down and join us as well. Or at least make some sort of stable to house them."
Selena the Elfen Feline |
Selena walks lazily into the kitchen after Blienka. "Yes a day here to investigate and rest, then tomorrow morning we shall travel to Oleg's to acquire what is due us and drop off some more loot." She smiles at the thought of all the treasure they have acquired even in the last stay.
Blienka |
Blienka looks at the scepter sticking out of her backpack.
Personally, I trust this thing about one quarter as far as I can throw it. It has its own agenda. Look at its last "Master", who now sits in the outer room, a skeleton covered in spiders.
If one of you wishes to place your soul at risk, feel free to use it. However, my advice would be to find some method to destroy the item so that it does not fall into the wrong hands, or otherwise cause problems.
Blienka agrees to spar with Kraz, but prefers to do it with blunted weapons, since she is just using her fists.
Krazok Vell Firesource |
Krazok smiles at the Cheliaxian. And simply says, Of course...
He would spar with Calathes but with the lack of practice weapons it is not to be then. He goes through his drills and exercises with the half elf, enjoying the time with someone else that much more.
Krazok welcomes Blieka to spar with him, he would tell her, "to shadow box can become such a bore, perhaps you can teach me a thing or two." Blieka has the skill but he has the brute force and is rather proficient with his hands in unarmed combat.
He lets others deal with the scepter.
Selena the Elfen Feline |
If no one else picks up the scepter, Selena will but she waits for the others to have a chance first.
She takes her pick of the breakfast and stretches once done. She takes a few naps through the day and soaks in the warmth of the hot springs.
Calathes the Crimson |
@Blienka, The scepter is dangerous but I would prefer to have it examined by someone skilled in these matters... If nothing else throw it into a deep vault to contain it.
Calathes moves through the motions of combat, his goal is to try to teach his companions a few useful stances...
Blienka |
Blienka will spar with Kraz, but rather than shadow boxing, she demonstrates the art form that is her style of unarmed fighting. Each movement measured and perfect, yet flowing with grace and ease.
There are many types of combat. Those of brute force. Those who study every move and use intellect to counter them. For me, it is striving for perfection in movement so that the enemy is disconcerted allowing me to break through their defenses.
Calathes the Crimson |
In between practice strikes Calathes speaks on the philosophy of war...
The Crimson Throne is a demanding style, it came forth when Cheliaxian nobles desired a style of combat that was both noble and elegantly simple in it's design.
The Crimson Throne accomplishes this admirably, to achieve honor and victory upon the battlefield brute force is not enough. You must possess the skill to end life with but one clean, swift stroke so that your foe may fall honorably in battle and you pay pursue yet greater glories upon the field of war.
To not do this, to simply smash a hammer upon a man until he dies is not just incompetent...it is dishonorable. To make war for the sake of it as the Gorumites do is the act of the barbarian, without a cause war itself is nothing but an undignified brawl where honor does not exist and victory is meaningless.
This is what distinguishes the truly great warlords of the past, when Aspex the Even-Tongued set out to free cheliax from the grip of Taldor he did not do this on a whim. Taldor by then had long since become corrupt, levying taxes and tyranny in equal measure upon it's colonies. As witnessed by his conquests he did not wage war for the sake of it, as many countries joined him as he had conquered... Hence the title "Even-Tongued".
Arvangail Wintry |
Arvangail will look at all those assemble and after a bit will walk over and pick up the Scepter and goes back to his room for some more studying
Krazok Vell Firesource |
He seems to be a bit off kinter at both of their explainations of their style of fighting. Thinking to himself, I never knew such different yet alike they can be in compared to me. He then remarks after Calathes is done speaking, "It is interesting that each of our own styles is alike to another yet, different entirely. I never put much thought into how I fight, I am just good at it and sever my enemies. Perhaps I should think on it and watch each of you more as you fight. Thank you for opening my eyes to the unknown, I hope we all can grow as we travel down the path of life."
He continues to spar with Blienka and nods at both of their statements.
GM Wolf |
A few hours pass and the exercises finish of Blienka, Krazok, and Calathes.
Arvangail Wintry |
when diner time comes around and all are gathered arvangail will say the following :I have claimed the Scepter for myself. It will add its powers to mine and further my desires and goal. For the moment i wish to pacify a part of the region as you know i am hunting for a great beast. I will be the scepter's new master and it will serve me during my very long life and for now its powers will also help everyone as I wish it so. Since no one else claimed it as all had the opportunity So I did. Do you all knowledge this ? he says naturaly
Blienka |
Blienka looks at Arv and shakes her head:
Be very careful with that scepter. We still do not know whether it is good, evil, or indifferent. If you can control it and use it for good, then it will be a boon to all of is. If it uses you for other than good, then recognize that I shall have to use my powers to stop you as I would any who seek to bring harm to the land we are taming.
Krazok Vell Firesource |
Krazok smiles as he brings out a large tray covered in steaming and sizzling meat. He seems awfully happy even though he has only known some of you for a day. He stays quiet and serves the meat during Arvangail's speech, as there was already fruit, bread, cheese, and drinks on the table. Once the elf is done, he looks at the elf and says, "I offer my blade in your service Arvangail and those around, may you find yourselves kind and just. Lest it become bitter between us."
Selena the Elfen Feline |
Selena shakes her head and just shrugs.
Blienka |
Blienka nods in agreement:
Yes, while it is important to assure that these lands are properly cared for to maintain their beauty and promote that we attract artists and other creative settlers, for us to continue on unprepared would be foolhardy at best.
Calathes the Crimson |
Yes but first we need to rest... The venom of the spider Queen courses through my veins still, the healing process takes time.
As for the Sceptor keep an eye on it and control it tightly, you must be the one to dominate the artifact...not the other way around.
Blienka |
Blienka nods in agreement.
If you need time to heal, then lets head back to Oleg's. You should be good in a few days if we cannot find a healer capable of helping you. Unfortunately, I am not blessed with such healing magic yet.
Krazok Vell Firesource |
"So shall we head out now? Take our new found loot and see what else we can request. Or spend another day here?" he asks the group simply.