Bloodsong of the Treeless Lands: Rune Stones Part IV (4e)
Game Master
Rev Rosey
Part 4 of the Rune Stones saga.
Set in the wild land of Kargzant. Players went from level 9 to Paragon in this one. Vel retired and was replaced by Tutavak.
"Oh, let's get this over with. Maybe by the time we finish all these inane tests the enemy won't have already won." Whiteclaw's annoyance shows through as she walks back to the pool, slices open her arm, and lets her blood drip down into the water.
I'll burn 2 surges to heal, assuming that's ok, and spend one for the test. And, for the record, Whiteclaw wasn't mocking the spirits, just test after test for the good guys. While as a player I find it interesting, she finds it annoying and rather foolish.
As your GM, I completely understand that. Zantka Oijampek is less sure, and her job is to make sure that the Moon Mare is properly protected - so she just fired a warning shot in a "you don't want to mess with us" kind of way. She and Whiteclaw have a fair amount in common really.
Kia moves round to Aa22 and waits for the others to arrive. She has a look through the slightly opened doors to see if there is any hint about what to expect in the next chamber.
Mosaics decorate the chamber from floor to ceiling. The theme is equine. At the eastern end of the chamber, stands a glowing green pit, set into the floor and surrounded by runes.
To Reason's discerning and perceptive eye, the chamber appears uninhabited by anything at all. The walls are filled, floor to ceiling with pictures which extend to the floor around the odd glowing pit. Green light from the hole streams upwards.
Reason sees that much study can be made of this pictoral representation of the Sun Stallion's union with the Moon Mare, the birth of their children and the dawn of the Kargzant.
Perception DC20
Spoiler:
You notice that tiny inlaid golden runes form part of the mosaic and have magical properties.
Anyone making the check can make an Arcana check DC23
Reason's extraordinary eyesight, well-honed from hunting through obscure corners of reference books, allows him to notice tiny gold inlaid runes. The tiefling gazes in wonderment at the mosaics.
Since I'm guessing that Reason wouldn't keep that titbit to himself, any of you can now make a DC23 Arcana check to try further identification.
To do that, you'll have to be in the room, which I'll take it you are.
Arianwyn realises not only that the inlaid rune are magical, but that they are trapped.
Spoiler:
Looking at the mosaics long enough triggers a trap. The viewer is gradually petrified. Arianwyn understands that destroying the mosaics will destroy the trap, but so will leaving the room.
For each failed check take 1d10 damage.
Arianwyn 1d10 ⇒ 8
You fall and feel arcane forces pulling you inexorably onwards in a direction you cannot really determine. When you land, you find yourselves in another chamber entirely. To the north stands a dais on which floats a misty globe. Guarding it at each corner are statues of Kargzant shaman.
Perception DC17
Vel/Reason
Whiteclaw, Arianwyn and Kia vanish soundlessly from sight as green light cascades upwards. The pool continues to splash, the turbulence increasing.
Even as he leaps into the unknown, Reason realises that the original purpose of this chamber was to provide mediative focus for those seeking guidance from the Moon Mare. Over time, the function has become distorted. Once a level of acceptance had been achieved, the supplicant would pass without harm through the glowing portal.
Spoiler:
As he lands, he is sadly aware that time has wrought some changes to the device and that the return journey may be rendered more difficult without the mosaic wall in place.
Ath/Acro DC to land without harm is 15. For each failure take 1d10 damage. 2d10 ⇒ (10, 3) = 13 damage to Reason.
You fall and feel arcane forces pulling you inexorably onwards in a direction you cannot really determine. When you land, you find yourselves in another chamber entirely. To the north stands a dais on which floats a misty globe. Guarding it at each corner are statues of Kargzant shaman.
Reason
Spoiler:
The statues are moving, readying themselves for combat.
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