A Little Learning - Rune Stones/Savage Blight part 3 (Inactive)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Part 3 of the Rune Stones saga.
Urban and taking the characters from level 5 to level 8/9


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Riggarth seems like a haven after the horrors of the Maw and the grim purpose of the tombs of the Savage Kings. Small and homely as it is, its very familiarity is a welcoming blanket and you relish the respite while you share the story of your adventures with Hroaldr.

The townsfolk do not know what you saved them from, but your triumphant reappearance tells its own tale. Heroes walk their streets and they know it. A certain air of proprietorial approval is the norm. Shopkeepers are noticeably eager to attact your custom, wanting to claim that their goods are used by the mighty. Other offers are made as well. Vel, Arianwyn and Kia need never lack company and Vel for one seems to be enjoying the experience. Gobi also receives suggestions which make the young dwarf blush hotly.

Reason and Whiteclaw find that their appearance now brings more admiration than fear and start to find a place in the little community. Even the startling appearance of a deva in place of the ruined Rogue Knight is met with cautious acceptance. "Well, they're heroes. It's not the same is it?" is the general feeling.

And yet, among you all there is still a feeling of work unfinished. The destruction of the Maw was conclusive and final, but left unanswered questions. Drawn by some mutual instinct, you gather one evening to discuss what you have learned since you came home.


And you are off again. Please feel free to exchange any titbits of information you've picked up since you parted ways briefly at the bridge. A few reminders and hooks follow.

Whiteclaw

Spoiler:

You're a warden from this point onwards. Let me know what you plan to do with Skyroth junior.

TRK/Seraphiel

Spoiler:

You're a deva from this point onwards. If you want to hand over any of TRK's equipment to the rest of the party, feel free. Vel or Gobi can help to re-size or re-enchant items.

Gobi

Spoiler:

Hroaldr asked you to go to Namarth for him. You also have the shards to explore.

Reason

Spoiler:

You've got a pile of exotic things to research. Feel free to extemporise around what you'd like to do with them.

Vel

Spoiler:

Your raven arrived 24 hours after you first met Jesack. Make of that what you will.

Kia

Spoiler:

The Blight has been stopped, but not fully cured.

Arianwyn

Spoiler:

Riggarth's a small trading town. You're starting to get itchy feet again and all that money is burning a hole in your pocket. That and the weight is making all your clothes hang wrong. One question. How long have you been in banishment for?


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Rev

Spoiler:
Let's say 5 years. Much of it spent in solo escapades such as the Underdark fiasco against the duergar, or enjoying the arts and entertainment of the mortal world.


Female Gnoll Warden 12 (Icewrought Sentinel)

It doesn't take too long once we are all back for Whiteclaw to reveal that her hidden bundle is a dragon egg. "It was given to me once we destroyed the maw by the dragon spirit. He - it - tasked me with caring for it, and intimated it could be Skyroth's offspring. Any advice any of you can offer on how to care for the egg, or the dragon once it hatches, would be appreciated."


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Rev:

Spoiler:
Did the raven tell me its/his/her name?

Whiteclaw, dragon knowledge is a nature check.

Nature re dragon egg (1d20+9=18)


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Nature check, or Arcana check perhaps?

Arianwyn jokes, "I don't suggest sitting on it,"


Vel dredges around in her memory and thinks that the dragon egg is not due to hatch for another six months. White dragons are highly adaptable and although their preference is for colder climes, they can live anywhere.

A dragon's breath weapon starts at birth and in the case of white dragons takes the form of mind-numbing frost. Notoriously the least intelligent of dragons, they can be tamed using their innate greed for fresh meat and gems. A wyrmling is far from defenseless, but will seek a family to support it in its early years. Like all dragons, they have long memories but tradition suggests they are among the more likely of the chromatic dragons to repay trust placed in them.

Such trust of course has to take into account the basic nature of chromatic dragons, which is selfish in the extreme.

Vel

Spoiler:

The raven is called Adelram, or so he tells you. He was sent as a gift.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

"So, you weren't turned into undead after all?" Vel asks Arianwyn sweetly. "It can be hard to tell."

Vel relays the white dragon information to Whiteclaw in her best didactic manner.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Rev:

Spoiler:
Vel picks up as much in the way of reagents as she can find and afford. Depending on how much that is, she has some mundane shopping to do.


I'll post a little later; I'm exhausted from fixing up my new office. Thanks for your patience. Using TRK until I fix the Seraphiel alias.


Male Tiefling Cleric 11

Rev

Spoiler:

What language are the history volumes in?

I made a mistake in Reason's original creation and took Supernal as a language, not realizing that you had to learn it. I will correct this issue at a later level. Is it ok if I leave it as is for now?


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

"You pain me, Milady Vel, is not my warmth enough to convince you? I would you had broached this with me yestereve. My fire could have melted your ice. Or, mayhap you found another source of heat? For it is said that you greatly enjoyed the festivities." Arianwyn says with an air of innocence.


TRK (Seraphiel)

Spoiler:

Congratulations and take your time. There's plenty to discuss.

Vel

Spoiler:

You can buy about 200gp of ordinary reagents in Riggarth. Hroaldr is happy to open his storerooms to you and is intrigued by the advent of Adalram.

"A recent acquaintance?" he asks as he rummages through piles of seemingly random herbs, chips of stone and piles of chemicals.

Reason

Spoiler:

Ack. My bad. I should have spotted the Supernal. Pick something else and let me know what so I can change it in the character sheet.

The history books are written in common. Pirot Samagal is a living author. A former adventurer, he retired suddenly in his early 20s and has lived as a recluse ever since. His books are world-renowned and extremely difficult to get hold of as he withdrew them shortly after publication and has a reputation for seeking out and destroying any existing copies.


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

As soon as she is able to, Kia turns sweetly to Reason and asks if she can be shown the tomes that he has been given.

"I have a fascination for history and the arcane. To help me, I procured these glasses some while ago. I find them useful in deciphering all the books that I come across (at least when they bear on history and such - I don't much care for poetry). But if you would let me, I may be able to help you...?"

Kia has a pair of Reading Spectacles (Level 2 - AV p144). They may not be powerful enough for the most obscure of the documents but they should at least help.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame
Arianwyn wrote:
"You pain me, Milady Vel, is not my warmth enough to convince you? I would you had broached this with me yestereve. My fire could have melted your ice. Or, mayhap you found another source of heat? For it is said that you greatly enjoyed the festivities." Arianwyn says with an air of innocence.

"I bring my own fire, as you know well. As for my time here, I spent it productively, thank you for asking, getting to know a new companion." At that, Vel taps the table with a finger, and a large white raven with amber eyes materializes on her left shoulder. "Adalram," she purrs, "greet the nice eladrin."

Rev:

Spoiler:
She'll take the reagents. Still not enough to make anything with. Can she buy light barding for her unnamed horse? She plans to enchant it later.


Vel

Spoiler:

Light barding is fine. There's a good saddler who will sell it to you at a 10% discount if you mention you brought it from Bartemy's.


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

Kia looks a trifle surprised, but impressed in her own Kia-like way when she sees the raven appearing.

"Well you have come a long way Vel! I would never have thought you capable of attracting a companion when we first met. I hope you know how to look after it. But I'm pleased for you."


Female Gnoll Warden 12 (Icewrought Sentinel)

Whiteclaw, as is normal for her, stays quiet during the little quips and teasing the others do. She seems, however, to draw comfort from it, as if it's just a sign that everything is back to normal, and that Kyleth's plan failed.


Gobi stands smiling at all of his friends, looking around he notices the townsfolk that look at them on occasion. By foot he has come a long way to be here, but in his mind he has even farther a journey in front of him. He wonders how he is perceived by the world around him when he isn't quite sure of who he is yet. He snaps out of his deep thoughts and begins fiddling with a pouch on his belt that holds the two shards.

"a Dragon, eh? hmm.. and you got a raven?" Gobi looks over at where the egg is tucked,

"I think I might try to get a cat, I'm more of a cat person than a dragon person." he chuckles

"No that's great, that is. What I did end up getting was a quest. Hroaldr has asked me to travel to Namarth, He believes we might be able to get some information about these two shards from the arcane scholars there."

Is there any chance that Gobi has acquired some cider? /beam.
Also, gobi is updated in my profile and I've sent you the ddi file.


You're in the Fruitful Bloom. You certainly have cider :D


Rev DM wrote:
You're in the Fruitful Bloom. You certainly have cider :D

WAHHHHOOOOOO! How much can I carry?


It's your money and your backpack. Far be it from me to dictate how much of the stuff you can carry.

Prices:-
Fruitful bloom cider is good stuff.
For enough to fill a flask, you're looking at 5sp.
A barrel containing 6 flasks worth will cost you 3gp.
A barrel of cider weighs quite a bit though. Let's say 20lb.


Male Tiefling Cleric 11

"Hmmm... so far I have only read one of the volumes. I suppose that it's alright if you want to read it, and the others when I have finished them, but you shouldn't require your spectacles. You do keep your hands clean and use a bookmark, don't you? Oh, and I believe Gobi was also interested. We must just make sure that they are still in this shape, or better, when I donate them to The Archives."

"Perhaps you could wear gloves?"

Liberty's Edge

Kia Rubarka wrote:

Kia looks a trifle surprised, but impressed in her own Kia-like way when she sees the raven appearing.

"Well you have come a long way Vel! I would never have thought you capable of attracting a companion when we first met. I hope you know how to look after it. But I'm pleased for you."

"'It' is a 'he,'" croaks the white raven in quite understandable Common, "and can take care of himself well enough, thank you."

Adalram then tilts his head toward Arianwyn, "Good morning, Idiot."

Vel remains quiet and collected through this exchange, if a trifle smug.


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn is quiet for a beat, and then laughs uproariously, "Ha! Birds of a feather flock together, so 'tis said. We are all of us fools and madmen. I am sure we shall get along famously." he adds with a predatory grin.

Be grateful Arianwyn doesn't have a familiar. :D


Female Eladrin Warlord/10
Reason wrote:

"Hmmm... so far I have only read one of the volumes. I suppose that it's alright if you want to read it, and the others when I have finished them, but you shouldn't require your spectacles. You do keep your hands clean and use a bookmark, don't you? Oh, and I believe Gobi was also interested. We must just make sure that they are still in this shape, or better, when I donate them to The Archives."

"Perhaps you could wear gloves?"

"And just what are you insinuating Reason? That I don't bathe enough? Of course I'll take good care of your books. Strange as it may seem, I respect the written word just as much as you do."

"When you finish with them will be good enough and I'll even let you inspect my hands, or gloves, or whatever, for marks if you are so worried."

"And thank you for letting me read them."


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame
Gobi Thovir wrote:

"No that's great, that is. What I did end up getting was a quest. Hroaldr has asked me to travel to Namarth, He believes we might be able to get some information about these two shards from the arcane scholars there."

EDIT when I realized Vel doesn't know about any shards

"Namarth, Gobi? I could do with a trip there to pick up certain supplies. But what shards?

"Anything Hroaldr will pay us for this time?"


As if in response to Vel's question, Hroaldr himself joins you at the table.

"Payment can be made if you want, Vel, but it's hardly a demanding task. I wanted Gobi to take copies of the Rune Stones to an old colleague of mine. I think he'll be interested. Show him those shards while you're about it. Very learned chap, even if he did get banned from the University."

He pours himself another drink. "Those things are most curious. Obviously part of something larger, obviously arcane. Made of stone - which is odd really. I have no idea myself."


Vel wrote:

"Namarth, Gobi? I could do with a trip there to pick up certain supplies. But what shards?

"Anything Hroaldr will pay us for this time?"

Gobi digs into the pockets on his belt and retrieves two shards, showing them to Vel. "These might do something really cool." he smiles, "When should we get to leaving? I'm very much interested in seeing this arcane school. Can you imagine the wonders they must have there?"


For Rev

Spoiler:
Seraphiel meets with Hroaldr. He tells him that the journey to the mountains have revealed much of who and what he is. Seraphiel hands the +1 vicious greataxe to Hroaldr. "Give it to someone worthy. Those blood-soaked days are behind me now. All I want to do now is to enjoy the symphony that is creation."

Rev, if I change Seraphiel's strength to 12 can he use the chainmail without being heavily burdened?


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Vel examines Gobi's shards without touching them. Meanwhile, Adalram fades out of sight.

Arcana (1d20+12=13)

"I can make nothing of them. But wait a day or two; if I can borrow some of Hroaldr's equipment, I can put together a couple of things that might help us."


Female Gnoll Warden 12 (Icewrought Sentinel)

"Is there a rush? We hit the island, got back here and almost immediately had to set back out for Kyleth. That was an emergency, but is this? I know I wouldn't mind just relaxing for a few days if there isn't one." Of course, if there is, it's clear Whiteclaw - and perhaps Pumpkin - will come along. In fact, it might even seem strange to hear her, of all people, asking about relaxation.


Whiteclaw wrote:
"Is there a rush? We hit the island, got back here and almost immediately had to set back out for Kyleth. That was an emergency, but is this? I know I wouldn't mind just relaxing for a few days if there isn't one." Of course, if there is, it's clear Whiteclaw - and perhaps Pumpkin - will come along. In fact, it might even seem strange to hear her, of all people, asking about relaxation.

"I'm not in a hurry, I have some alchemy I could practice."


Male Tiefling Cleric 11

Reason asks Vel, "Are you sure that you bought all of the reagents? I'm sure that I could use a few more for rituals."


Various questions answered in discussion thread.

Hroaldr looks with affection at Whiteclaw. "There's no urgency as far as I know, except that Pirot is likely to wander off somewhere again. He does that from time to time. No family you see, nothing to really hold him.

Madame Vel has purchased all my supplies," he adds for Reason's benefit. "I have what I and the town will need until Bifrost makes his next delivery. I really can't spare anything more."

Seraphiel

Spoiler:

At their meeting, Hroaldr listens intently to the deva's tale.

"You claim to long only for the symphony of creation, but I see a warrior of the light. Your nature was always there Seraphiel. If you'll take the advice of an old man speaking to one recently returned to his own head, you won't fight your own being."

He takes the axe. "I'd be honoured to keep this. It's not often an angel walks among us."


"Ya know, If we go to Namarth now It could be like a vacation for us. just picture us relaxing on the beaches of Namarth.. if it has beaches.. err.. what's it like again?" Gobi scratches his head and shrugs


For Rev

Spoiler:
"I shall take to heart your advice, Hroaldr. I go now to meet with the others."

Wishlist: a cool set of chainmail that is considered light armor.

His face obscured by his hood, Seraphiel walks to the others, using his staff for support.

"Greeting, friends. I pray you are all well."

Seraphiel sees the rune stones. He searches his memory for any lore concerning them.

Religion 1d20+13=28, Arcana 1d20+11=17

Music inside Seraphiel's head


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame
Reason wrote:
Reason asks Vel, "Are you sure that you bought all of the reagents? I'm sure that I could use a few more for rituals."

"As could several of us. I had planned to brew certain elixirs that would benefit all of us, but if you have better ideas for them . . ."

It was only 200gp worth, and a level-5 potion costs 50. See Discussion thread -- Vel was planning to make at least a gravespawn potion and a potion of spirit for party benefit, if others are willing to chip in. She's reserving another 50 for a potion of clarity for herself. That doesn't leave much for her own day-to-day rituals, but she could be talked out of some of it. Or, if the party doesn't want the first two potions, more would be available.


Male Tiefling Cleric 11

"Ah well, there may be more available where we are going."


Seraphiel wrote:

For Rev** spoiler omitted **

His face obscured by his hood, Seraphiel walks to the others, using his staff for support.

"Greeting, friends. I pray you are all well."

Seraphiel sees the rune stones. He searches his memory for any lore concerning them.

Religion 1d20+13=28, Arcana 1d20+11=17

Music inside Seraphiel's head

Just to clarify. Seraphiel can't see the Rune Stones at all since they no longer exist on this plane. Jarovit the northern creator god wiped them clean at the end of the group's first adventure. The only evidence of their existence is Vel's careful copies which are currently in Hroaldr's possession

I'm prepared to accept that Hroaldr will have told Seraphiel about them however. Therefore:-

All there is to know at the moment about the Rune Stones - a refresher course for everyone, but especially Reason and Seraphiel who weren't there

Spoiler:

The stones contained arcane and mystic secrets on the making of the world passed on to man and dwarf at the dawn of times by Jarovit, the northern creator god. This knowledge was supposed to be kept secret and never intended to be written down. Naturally enough, someone got clever and did so, but as knowledge of the northern gods faded and men and dwarves pursued their separate paths, they passed into fragmentary legend.

On their first adventure, the group were charged with finding and copying them, which turned out to be an extremely good thing to do as at the end of the adventure, Jarovit wiped them clean to prevent their future mis-use.

There are five of them. The Rune Stone of Creation, the Rune Stone of Fury, the Rune Stone of Hope, the Rune Stone of Sorrow and the Rune Stone of Wisdom. Each gave a different benefit to the reader - or, in the case of the Rune Stone of Sorrow, a curse. They are extremely ancient and may well have further implications, but you have no way of knowing what those might be at the moment.


Gobi Thovir wrote:
"Ya know, If we go to Namarth now It could be like a vacation for us. just picture us relaxing on the beaches of Namarth.. if it has beaches.. err.. what's it like again?" Gobi scratches his head and shrugs

Hroaldr snorts at the idea of beaches and Narmarth in the same sentence.

"The University is the reason for the town Gobi. Mages founded it centuries ago, but it offers all kinds of knowledge. Bardic, alchemical, divine - there's even a small primal department. There a several different specialist colleges - and although they are all part of the same body, there is considerable rivalry between them. The town - well, it serves the University. Namarth is a unique place and it offers almost anything the heart could desire, but I'm afraid there are no beaches."

Namarth


Male Tiefling Cleric 11

"Could we leave tonight?"


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

"Not if anyone wants these potions made," Vel answers, then mutters, "just a suggestion."


"Apologies, I didn't literally mean beaches. The idea was that it might be a nice change from home to relax in."


Male Tiefling Cleric 11

"Right. The potions. Once they are ready then."

"I think that this Narmarth place sounds perfectly enchanting."


Reason wrote:

"Right. The potions. Once they are ready then."

"I think that this Narmarth place sounds perfectly enchanting."

"I'll get to work on some alchemy as well."

Gobi will get to work on making two Herbal Poultice, and two Tanglefoot Bags. Should take a total of 3 hours to make it all and leave me with only 10 arcane components. I would like to learn disenchant and other rituals, but I'm afraid it may have to wait until I can pick up that feat since I only have the alchemy one at the moment.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

The next morning, Vel sets to brewing her three potions -- a Gravespawn Potion, a Potion of Spirit, and a Potion of Clarity.

By midday she is ready to rejoin the others.

All:

Spoiler:
Knowing Vel as you do, you realize she will look much more kindly on donating the use of them to a poisoned (gravespawn) or dying (spirit) individual who has chipped in to the cost of supplies. She'll probably use them on others anyway, but with more griping ;-).


Unless anyone has anything else they want to do or anyone they want to see in Riggarth, I am taking silence for assent that you're going to Namarth.

I know Vel will be planning to ride, but what about the rest of you? Hroaldr is perfectly happy to lend you horses again and in any case regards Pumpkin as more than half Whiteclaw's property.

Before you depart, Hroaldr explains how to find his old friend. "Pirot lives alone, but you can find him easily enough. After the unpleasantness with the University, he simply refused to move from his old lodgings in the Arcane tower. He's a stubborn chap. Give him my very best wishes. And these of course." He hands a carefully wrapped, waterproofed package to Gobi.

"I hope you all find answers to some of your questions. Send word of Pirot to me, if you would. I worry for him."

"These" are the copy of Vel's own work from Pharoe Island.

You have a five day journey ahead of you, but with money in your pockets, you can easily afford the luxury of sleeping at good inns along the way. Namarth is on the main thoroughfare to almost everywhere and this is the safest journey you have yet undertaken.


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

"Ah, Namarth," Arianwyn reminisces as they ride along, "Where the courtesan is as learned as the wise-man of any other paltry town. I recollect an especial acquaintance of mine, Narissa Sul-malla, 'twas said her grandmother was of the fey people, and this it was that gave her wit and erudition. I would not be half the cunning linguist I am, I should reckon, had it not been for her tuition."


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Vel rides out, this time with her mount lightly barded. She seems to be taking no chances.

"Kia, you should likely hold this," she says, holding out a vial of clear liquid. "You're most likely to be near the person who needs it -- it helps keep the spirit alive within the dying."

Potion of Spirit - Drink this potion and spend a healing surge. You do not regain hit points as normal. Instead, you gain a +1 power bonus to death saving throws until the end of the encounter.

"And Whiteclaw, thank you for contributing."

Whiteclaw:

Spoiler:
How much? The potion of spirit and gravespawn potion totaled 100gp, which would be cheap enough 7 ways, but you're the only one who spoke up.

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