Shadowborn |
As the rest of the group steps within the semi-circle, a booming voice issues from the stone head, loudly enough to make you wince and wish to cover your ears.
"IS THIS ALL OF THEM? FOR THE SAKE OF BREVITY THEY SHOULD ALL ATTEND, SO NO QUESTION GOES TO WASTE. WHEN YOU ARE READY, PROCEED AND ASK YOUR QUESTIONS OF THE ARCHIVE."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus looks about his allies then steps forward slightly, gesturing to Stilgar, assuming that he is the one who must ask. "Ask him how long it has been since someone besides you or I spoke to him here."
Shadowborn |
It appears that whoever stands in the circle asks the questions. As loud as the voice is, it doesn't echo off the cave walls as you'd expect. Apparently its speech is magically contained within the area you're standing in.
For sake of flow, I'll assume that any questions which will not require the head's commune ability will be asked through Stilgar. If there is something that it will need that ability for, the group can decide whether they want to spend a question on that query or not.
"TIME IS IRRELEVANT TO ME. HOWEVER, WHEN LAST I WAS CONSULTED, THIS ARCHIVE WAS ATTENDED BY A GROUP OF SCHOLARS DEDICATED TO ITS GROWTH AND PRESERVATION."
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Stilgar nods gingerly, the answer to Magnus' question confirming his suspicions. As the head stops speaking, Stilgar speaks once more.
"With the communion in place, I will ask the question you could not answer before: was the one who sent our assailants truly acting on behalf of the Order of the Flame?"
Magnus Thunderf00t |
How did this place come to exist? Who were the scholars who attended to you here? Where are they now? How can we restore your organization?
Shadowborn |
In answer to Magnus' question, the head intones the long, long...very long, history of the place, in great detail. You manage to garner that it was built prior to the Great Wounding and that this place was chosen for its strength and ability to withstand the cataclysms that were occurring. The order that served here were both layman scholars and clergy of Mimir, meaning to preserve a vast collection of the world's knowledge from being lost. The head surmises that they are all dead now, or else there would still be people in attendance keeping the archive from deteriorating as it has, though if you wish to use another question in communion to make sure, it will do so. By this time, the party's ears are ringing.
As to the gnome's last question, the head simply replies:
"THAT WOULD REQUIRE A NEW INFLUX OF SCHOLARS AND PRIESTS AND A SIZEABLE AMOUNT OF MATERIALS. THEY WOULD, OF COURSE, NEED TO ESTABLISH THEIR ARCHIVE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE AND MOVE ME TO THAT LOCATION. AFTER THAT, I WOULD DICTATE THE KNOWLEDGE I STORE, SO THAT THEY MAY WRITE NEW BOOKS AND SCROLLS. A WONDROUS UNDERTAKING, THOUGH I ESTIMATE IT MIGHT TAKE A LIFETIME TO COMPLETE, ASSUMING THEY WERE HUMAN. A FRACTION IF THEY WERE GNOMES OR DWARVES, OF COURSE."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Of course. Well, If that's everything, friends? " Magnus looks to his allies. "I suggest we put this knowledge to good use. We have been quenched, Friend, Thank you."
As the group is leaving, Magnus turns back and says "I'll just be a minute "
Stilgar Fulgrum |
"He's entitled to his secrets," Stilgar says, bemused by the gnome's brief departure.
"Speaking of which, it would be wise to keep this place a secret as well. I fear the Inquisition would gladly finish what time began."
When Magnus returns, the cleric would turn to him.
"I trust the ring will be safe in your hands?"
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"I will guard it with my life. " Magnus retrieves the ring from the statue assuming no trouble doing that He places the ring back into the puzzlebox and then places that at the bottom of his bag.
What time of day is it? I think it would be wise to make camp here tonight and leave in the morning.
Shadowborn |
It's late afternoon. Camping would mean being able to make your descent back down the hillside in daylight.
A casual perusal of the room reveals archways, possibly halls leading to more rooms. However, they are choked with rubble, possibly a result of whatever caused the damage to this room and started the water leakage.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
In that case, we could go. On the off chance of a storm, we don't want to leave the horses alone outside for too long.
Gaius Gracci |
Gaius smirks "Good idea. Having easy access to the head there would make finding those disloyal childs play. Imagine all those poor torturers out of work. The economy would crash in a fortnight."
He scans the sky from the cave mouth. "Best be gone. Smells like snow tonight."
Shadowborn |
Your group reassembles and begins their descent down the hillside. The sun is beginning to descend below the tops of the western mountains as you're about half way down. Then there is a flash of light, as if for a moment the sun had jumped back above the peaks, then something that sounds like a peal of thunder, though it is the wrong season for such storms, loud enough to feel in your chests. As the sound fades, another begins to grow, a rumble followed by a loud hiss. Looking up, you can see a swath of snow shaken loose from the hillside, descending with rapid speed towards your group!
Reflex saves all around, please.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
How steep is the cliffside? If it would be advantageous, Magnus will instruct everyone he can see to jump off, then cast featherfall.
Shadowborn |
It's a very steep slope, not a straight drop-off. Jumping would result in tumbling down the hillside rather than an actual fall.
Brodgar's Reflex Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
The wave of snow rushes down the hillside. The group scrambles to keep ahead of it, descending the last of the steep slope and hitting a less severe gradient. As you move to descend from there, the avalanche catches you, hitting the bottom of the slope and then spreading out as it cover the lower hillside. Magnus manages to duck behind an outcropping of rock at the last second, avoiding the impact, as does Stilgar. Brodgar, unable to conceive outrunning it, hunkers down and raises his shield, bracing for impact. Tarrana manages a spritely gait that moves her ahead of the impact,so she is merely pushed along, body-surfing on a decelerating wave of snow. Gaius cannot keep pace, and is mowed down from behind as Brodgar is knocked off his feet and disappears beneath the onslaught. The inquisitor and sorcerer are quickly lost under the advancing snow.
Gaius takes 8 hp of damage and is buried.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
St. Bernard? Would that Baalhound thing work? Hold tight Gaius, I'm gonna go level grind. Just keep making your Fortitude saves and you'll be dandy.
As the snow settles, Stilgar emerges from behind the rocks, still catching his breath. He looks to those that managed to get out of the way of the disastrous event with relief, but quickly realizes that everybody wasn't quite as fortunate.
"We need to get them out of there!" Stilgar says with an urgent but calm tone - now was not the time to panic.
With the hope that Gaius and Brodgar happened to be holding onto something magic, Stilgar will scan the area for auras with detect magic.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus reaches quickly to the bottom of his pack and pulls out the finding sphere. He pauses for a moment while deciding which of his buried allies is in greatest need. He then shouts desperately at the sphere "GAIUS GRACCI"
Shadowborn |
With Stilgar and Magnus leading the rescue effort, the group sets about trying to locate and dig out their lost companions.
The locator sphere leads Magnus quickly to a spot in the snow. Stilgar's spell, once he has concentrated enough to pick out all the auras in the area, leads him to the same spot. Still, the group is able to dig Gaius out in a short time, one that seems much longer to Gaius as he lies trapped beneath the snow awaiting rescue. 6hp of nonlethal damage to Gaius.
We'll go with Perception rolls to continue the search for Brodgar.
Shadowborn |
Sure enough, once Gaius gets closer his ears pick up the sounds of shifting snow and a muffled cry for help. The others move up with him and begin scooping snow away to dig out the dwarf. Brodgar suffers 11hp of nonlethal damage. Stilgar pulls him to his feet, snow-covered, a bit blue around the edges, but alive.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
k(nature] How natural was that avalanche? Seems a bit too convenient. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Magnus looks to his battered group. "Let's get out of here. "
Shadowborn |
Tarrana |
Happy to have dug everyone out especially gaius she brings them close to her warmth in a hug and starts leading hem down the slope. "Into a tavern and by a fire then?"
Shadowborn |
Brodgar brushes the snow out of his beard, thanking the others for their timely rescue. You head down the remainder of the slope and finish the trek back to town, where you find a cheery fire awaiting you at the Flask & Flail.
I'll be back on later tonight to jump into the Midwinter Festival, a brief interlude before the next chapter. Feel free to roleplay or post any actions you'd like to take while back in the village.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus will spend the interim finishing his catalogue of spells, and then using any remaining gold to create and sell more scrolls. Taking 10 gets me 20's for craft, if that's savvy
In the meantime, he comtemplates what has been revealed to him by the archive, and whether or not he should share this information with his compatriots. He decides that there is at least something he could share with them. "Friends, I have been quite moved by the events of this recent day. So much so that I have made it my personal duty to see the archive restored to its former glory. I have always strived to seek knowledge and truth of the highest order, and this is a way to do so. I believe that there may still be others, and I would like to ask your help in gathering them. Brodgar, Jinjer, would you two do me the kindness of finding a man named Heyward Ironhead, North of Three Oaks at the Wellhouse, he is the Abbot there. I would very much like to consult with him. I believe you two to be the best for this job because Brodgar will understand the trials of the clergy, and Jinjer will be able to guide the rest of you through the winter weather. "
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Fast forwarding from his consumption of mead and mutton...
During the times of the day when he is not too busy with tending to the chapel, Stilgar mulls over the notes given to him by Scour, not fully satisfied with how the investigation ended. The idea of a possible schism within the Order weighs heavily on his mind.
Aware that his powers have grown since they were last in Dunshale, on one such day he would borrow Baal's power and use it to mend the trusty warhammer he had kept at his side for several of his years. Immolating the rather expensive magical reagents he had bought in the jarl's fastness, the hammer would come out looking even better than when he had first attained it.
Casting Masterwork Transformation; 300 gp down the proverbial toilet.
Shadowborn |
Way to give our departing PCs a reason to exit, Magnus. Well played.
Jinjer and Brodgar take up the mission, and depart two days hence, after recuperating and stocking up on supplies. They say they'll return as soon as they are able with news about the abbot.
Interlude: The Midwinter Festival
The winter has proven as harsh as some predicted. Heavy snows blanket the valley and Dunshale is cloaked under a great layer of white. The productivity of the settlement is at a standstill, as folk make themselves comfortable in their homes and while away the hours and days as best they can.
This changes as midwinter approaches. Folk begin to work at shoveling snow, making paths that lead from house to house, and then cooperate on making larger lanes that lead to the village meeting hall. Here the Midwinter Festival will be held, marking the longest night of the year. Folk come together to celebrate, raise their spirits, and bolster themselves in order to ride out the rest of the season, as the nights grow steadily shorter and the promise of Spring comes ever closer. It is a time of levity despite the darkness, beer and wines that have been fermenting all year are poured, and gifts are exchanged.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
As the festival approaches, Magnus will gather up the children of the village and tell them the story of " The Boy Who Didn't Learn" He will use his magic to enhance the story with interactive visuals and sounds (ghost sound and silent image, and such) Finally, as the story draws to an end, Magnus will disappear and whisper in the children's ear "And that is why it is important to asks questions, and never stop. " vanish and message
Gaius Gracci |
Gaius stays apart from the festival. It is a festival for locals and family. Gaius is neither. He stays at the edge of things. Observing. Joining in only in the large group activities where he can be just another face in the crowd.
Tarrana |
Tarrana goes where the wind blows her such as all fires are. With her friend Brodgar gone she has little real interest in the death of the Thane's son or even the political shenanigans the poor priest Stilgar finds himself entangled in. Gaius is a fleeting distraction that is exciting and terrifying in one tantalizing package.She has no desire to be blown away from the town yet while people have not thrown stones and priests haven't brought the torches.
Shadowborn |
The celebration is rather fluid, as many people flock to the meeting hall, while others move from home to home. A small group spends its time around a great bonfire on the village green. Music wells up from the hall, along with the joyous sounds of dancing feet and cheerful conversation. Barrels of drink are rolled to the hall from the Flask and Flail, and the smells of roasting and baking food hang in the air everywhere. The weather has seen fit to grant respite from foul weather, as the sky is clear.
As Tarrana stands listening to the fire laughing and rebuking the smoky spirits that twist about her, she notes an insistent tugging on her cloak that is most definitely not the wind. Turning, she sees the young girl she encountered outside the tavern. Her dark somber eyes gaze up at the oracle as she waits to be addressed.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
" I imagine so. I do hope that I have not been neglecting my duties here too severely. " Magnus turns to look at the youth at play here. He sips his apple cider. "Anyone specific? I haven't seen my master in a while, perhaps it is him asking? "
Tarrana |
Tarrana slowly turns around and regards the child. Images of burning dwarves and laughing demons playing amongst the flames still dancing in her head.
Shadowborn |
"Other dwarves called after Brother Stilgar," he says with a cool smile. "His fellow clergymen, I believe. I'm afraid I had to tell them I'd no idea where you'd gone or when you would return..."
Gaius Gracci |
Gaius stares intently at the sky carefully shielding his eyes from the firelight.
Gaius mutters under his breath
"Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken"
Is it moving? Growing larger? Taking 10 or 20 if I can on a perception check if I can. Or a random check if I cannot,1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20.
Tarrana |
Daintily. Carefully Tarrana tries to take the package only for the ground underneath the girls feet to jerk ever so slightly and knock it from her grasp and onto the ground. She then quietly picks it up off the ground and daintily unwraps it.