Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus aknowledges the, somewhat backhanded, compliment. He gestures for Stilgar to lead the way back to the entrance. When he is sure Stilgar is out of sight...
Magnus catches up a moment later and addresses the group outside. "A bit of an intrigue, but not for today. I think we have everything we're looking for here. Let's return home and claim our reward."
with that Magnus mounts up and begins the trek back.
Shadowborn |
The group makes its way back topside and begins the trek home. While still windy, the rain does not rise above a steady drizzle for the return trip. The party arrives back in Dunshale without incident. Corbin is quite pleased with the rubbings that Magnus has returned with. For his part, Magnus is allowed to copy what spells he can use for his own purposes. The rest of the group is rewarded with a hot meal and mulled wine at the Flask and Flail on the Seer's tab. After the meal he presents each of you with a potion of ant haul. He gives Stilgar a small wooden box filled with a grayish paste that sports a rather heady herbal aroma. When smeared across the eyelids, it allows the anointed to see invisibility as if cast by a 3rd level caster. There are two doses in the box.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus thanks Corbin greatly and he immediately goes to work with inks to fill up his spellbook some more. As he writes, Magnus' mind blazes with the different possibilities and uses for these magics. When he has finally finished adding these new spells, Magnus will retire to a fireside, drying his clothes from the many-days journey. He turns to his allies. "I thank you much, my friends. This has been a well worthwhile endeavour for me, and I am in your debt." He surveys the room. "Now, Brother Stilgar, I understand that you had a journey you would like to take us along with? "
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus thanks Corbin greatly and he immediately goes to work with inks to fill up his spellbook some more, forgetting about the strange chamber the group had discovered behind the wall, and even forgetting the skull in his backpack for a time. As he writes, Magnus' mind blazes with the different possibilities and uses for these magics. When he has finally finished adding these new spells, Magnus will retire to a fireside, drying his clothes from the many-days journey. He turns to his allies. "I thank you much, my friends. This has been a well worthwhile endeavour for me, and I am in your debt." He surveys the room, wringing out his clothes and using a bit of mundance magic to help tidy himself up. "Now, Brother Stilgar, I understand that you had a journey you would like to take us along to? "
Stilgar Fulgrum |
"A journey?" Stilgar repeats, having helped himself to a mug of cider, "Surely you do not want to go back to that tower just yet. Unless... are you speaking of the trek to the south?" Thinking back, the cleric recalls that he had indeed considered the trip; only the threat of winter had held him at bay.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus nods. "I feel it's only fair that you get to decide the next direction for our group; as I have led the last expedition and gained my reward, so now should you." Magnus pulls a chair up near Stilgar and melts into the seat with a sigh of relief. "We're stretched thin, whatever it is we're doing. We've lost members, and we've some fairly lofty goals. I wonder, do you know of any who would be sympathetic to our causes? "
Stilgar Fulgrum |
"With the Inquisition divided against itself, I am hesitant to trust them again... And I am afraid I have no other allies among the clergy. There are doubtlessly many who would wish to avert war, but very likely few who are aware that it is over the horizon. We might be on our own."
The dwarf falls silent for a moment, as he contemplates a course of action to take. "There was something that ah, Wayland had asked of me," he remembers, the beads around his waist a stark reminder. "A favor to ask of a queen. He said we might encounter one in our travels, so perhaps we should take the initiative and find her."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"I thought you would never ask." Magnus says, grinning with delight at the prospect of visiting his new favourite place. "I can be ready to head off in the morning, and we'll check on our other investment. I assume the order should be arrived at the archive by now and should be starting their reclamation of the library. "
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Unless something else happens, We'll set off in the morning. Magnus will prepare spells for the day favouring his newly acquired formulae.
Shadowborn |
Morning comes and Magnus meets Stilgar at the chapel when he is ready to go. Brodgar has informed Stilgar that he will not be accompanying you on your trip. Apparently he's made plans to journey back to the monestary. As for Gaius and Tarrana, they're nowhere to be found, so it looks as if just the two of you will be making the journey.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Just before heading out, Magnus will purchase a lock for his spellbook, and some of the appropriate magical components for the arcane lock spell. over the course of the journey, he will afix the lock and cast the spell, favouring to turn the keyed lock into a four letter combination lock.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
As Magnus shops for spell components, Stilgar acquires some of his own, purchasing a pair of platinum rings. Just before setting out, he offers the gnome one of the two. ("Don't get the wrong idea.")
"It's just the two of us now. Keep that on - if we run into trouble like we did last time, it will allow me to lend you Baal's aid." He decides to leave out the details regarding the grislier aspect of the spell he had in mind.
Shadowborn |
The two of you set out for the Archive, the spring day overcast and chill, with gusty winds from the north promising rain or perhaps even sleet later in the day. You pass farmers toiling in their field, plowing in preparation for the first planting of the season.
You figure it is near noon when you make your final approach to the cave, scaling the slope of the hillside. As you reach the ledge, you note that the entrance to the cave has been screened with freshly cut brush. Beyond, a finely laced net hangs over the entrance just inside.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"It seems our contacts have arrived and moved in." Magnus says, gesturing to the fixtures here. "I suggest we not startle them with an unannounced entry or with weapons drawn. Let's start with this." Magnus pulls out a scroll from his pack (comprehend languages) and writes a few words on the back of the sheet in ink. "Friends of Mimir" He then gives the scroll to Tuboo and tells him to scurry along in front, heralding the group's entry.
Shadowborn |
Magnus gives the scroll to his familiar, raising the netting so the little weasel can slide under and scamper off into the cave. A short while later, a flickering light appears in the depths of the cave, approaching the entrance. As it approaches, the torchlight outlines two young humans, unarmed and wearing homespun clothing. They're not openly hostile, though seeing Stilgar standing at the entrance appears to give them pause.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Surprise comes over Stilgar's face at the sight of the net, even more so when the two humans emerge. Seeing their hesitation, Stilgar raises his hands, showing that they are away from the weapons on his belt.
"We come in peace," he starts slowly, making no sudden movements. "Are you... students of Mimir?" He gestures to Magnus and continues, "My friend here was responsible for sending word of this place to them."
Shadowborn |
With a chittering sound, Tuboo comes bounding between the legs of one of the two young men, nosing his way under the net and back to Magnus.
"We are acolytes from the Well House, and followers of the Three-Fold Path. Our master sent us here to prepare the place."
There's a long pause as the two men stand there, looking from the two of you to one another and back again.
"You are welcome to come in. Mind the net. We've been using it to keep out the bats. The brother in charge will wish to speak with you."
Shadowborn |
You find the caves much as you left them, though once you've rounded the bend in the tunnel, you note light. The main cave is lit with torches and is...well, clean, for lack of a better word. The remains have been cleared away, and you'd swear the monks have scrubbed the floor. The tunnel leading to the larger cavern is also covered in netting. Your two guides lead you past the other monks that gaze curiously at you as you pass. There are apparently six of them here, judging by the bedrolls stowed neatly against the cave wall.
In the room of the Archive you are lead before a young man in unassuming garb. His face bears slightly exotic features beneath short-cropped dark hair. He is idly toying with the scroll Magnus sent in with Tuboo. At your entrance, he turns from the great stone head and looks the two of you over, then bows.
"Welcome, I am Gendo."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus bows in turn. "We thank you, I am Magnus, and my associate here is Stilgar. It is apparent that you are establishing yourselves well here. I am glad. We have come seeking the knowledge of Mimir to aid us in our journey." Magnus eyes the scroll, curious, though not concerned, if he will have it returned.
Shadowborn |
Noting Magnus' attention to the scroll, the young monk hands it back to him.
"Master Heyward has not yet arrived to take charge of the site. He...suffered...a devastating injury recently, and traveling is difficult." The young man's face colors as he relates this information, and then he abruptly changes the subject.
"We've been able to breach one of the doors leading from the chamber containing the Archive, and have explored a few rooms beyond it. However, there have been some complications. Perhaps you can help with them."
Shadowborn |
"Two things. First, there is a door down below that we cannot open. We have consulted the Archive and it says the door can only be opened by the power of faith. However, it also warned that there may be dangers beyond the door, as it was where prisoners were held and harmful items of power were kept to be destroyed."
"Also, I sent a messenger to Three Oaks to deliver a letter to some friends of mine that would be able to help. However, I've received no reply and they have not arrived. It should have taken no more than a week, barring any problems. They are capable folk and I'm concerned that perhaps the message did not arrive."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus ponders these issues for a moment. "Stilgar and I are happy to help you in any way we can. We'll have a look at the closed door and then we'll go in search of your comrades. " Magnus then heads toward the locked door. He speaks briefly with the other members of the group to see if they have tried any of these solutions.
1) Casting of an open, or knock spell.
2) Looking for a small entry/exit like an air vent and sending in a sensor or small creature to relay back information.
3) Casting of other detection spells, and their results.
If any of these have not been attempted, Magnus will try them out. He would prefer to send senses over sending Tuboo through any cracks. I have open/close, detect magic, and locate object prepared today. I will prepare dispel magic tomorrow.
"Stilgar, any suggestions?"
Shadowborn |
"As the new guardians of this site, we have an obligation to thoroughly inspect and reclaim anything that is here,", says Gendo. "Besides, this place has been abandoned for a couple lifetimes. Anything that was imprisoned beyond that door is surely dead by now."
After Magnus discusses the subject with the monks, he's fairly certain that the door is too well secured to be affected by the open spell. They've noted no vents or other openings that might lead beyond the door. None of them are versed in magic, so no means of detection beyond normal senses have been used in their explorations.
The monks offer you what little they can offer in the way of hospitality, which amounts to hot bowls of barley stew, watery wine, and your choice of floor space to bed down in.
Shadowborn |
You note that the monks have bypassed a door in the Archive room and cleared out a few rooms along a hallway. At the end of the hall is a broad, shallow set of steps that lead down to another door. This one is perfectly round, about eight feet in diameter, and crafted of stone. It bears a bas-relief of a bald male head in its center, maybe three feet tall and two feet wide. There is no visible handle or locking mechanism on the door.
Magnus casts his spell and examines the area, noting that there is a faint aura of magic upon the door itself.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Well, there's some magic at work on the door here. It's not very powerful, so I doubt that it would take much to bypass it Not likely to explode on us either, I think. Maybe you should try your divine magic, Stilgar, since the Archive suggested the power of faith could open it."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Oh right, I keep forgetting that you need to roll to know schools of magic with detect magic
Magnus casts his spell again and throws some ideas back and forth with Stilgar.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
"It's not very powerful whatever it is. Old, obviously. Do you feel what's happening to the aura there? That's pretty unique. "
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Yup, thats' abjuration. Protection magic, which means that we're not looking at an illusion or anything like that. Go ahead and hit it with some of your faithfulness, friend."
Shadowborn |
At first, the door stays where it is, However, as Stilgar calls up Baal's power the eyes of the head glow. The round door sinks into the wall about half a foot before rolling aside, disappearing entirely from view, to reveal an arched hallway beyond. There are two doors of a more conventional type to either side about twenty feet away, then a set of stairs that descends at the end of the hall, another twenty feet later.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Nicely done, good sir."
Magnus calls the other monks over and suggests that they travel together to explore further.
"Stilgar and I will use our detection magics to help discern if there are any magical objects here." Magnus remembers his spells prepared for the day. "I also have detect undead prepared, so if anyone has the hibee-jibees about this place, I can help reassure you about that."
Once everyone is assembled, Magnus will cast detect undead and scan down the hallway, both doors, and down the staircase before coming back, suggesting Stilgar stays in toe with detect magic.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus absent-mindedly waves at Gendo. His gesture is dismissive. "Yes, sure. whatever you like. Stilgar, let's keep going!"
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus heads down the stairs, his spell scanning ahead. If the lighting falters, he will ask one of the others to provide a light. "Only one casting of this detect undead spell today, so I don't want to break concentration."