Realizing the increasingly arcane nature of the threat they face after their encounter with the dead knight, Pitr gets more interested in learning exactly what is going on. He assists Johenric in searching through the tomes and asks questions about the various titles they find.
While Johenric is studying the books and looking for interesting stuff togehter with Pitr...
Knowledge Religion to identify the undead type.
I first have to thank you. I was a not time in a position to defeat such skeleton champion, who is by the way quite common, if I remember the words of my old tutor correctly....Yes and Grease would have been a solid choice. Unfortunately, I already exhausted this sensible magic web in my head....But thanks to all of you fighting brave and victorious to this undead champion.
Solaric casts Cure Moderate Wounds on himself to restore his wounds.
Cure Moderate Wounds
With the healing mostly in hand, Victoria returns to perusing the tomes for the clues they seek.
"That things presence at least tells us that we are in the right place."
Pulling his healing potion from his pack, Harl gulps it down while resting on his axe. "These cultist seem to be in command of e'er stronger minions. What do ya know of just how strong they may get, Solaric?"
You sense a lingering aura of evil, but it is getting ever weaker...still this is a proof for the ultaime villainous of the monster you just defeated.
Together Johenric and Pitr can't find out more than that this creature must have been a very advanced skeleton. There are no recordings of specific types of skeletons that would fit the monster you just encountered to be found here.
Several hours of searching later Kirk has spotted the "Grand Grimoire of Venoms and Poisons" an about 2000 pages volume...lots to read...
And the rest of the party is also successful and under a pile of chronicles about the most powerful dragons, you finally find it: A grotty spotty book, bound in some strange purple leather with moonstones set on its back. It's titled: "Chronicles of the Heptagon"
With that dwarven gleam in his eye, Harl says,"Tis' a shame ya had ta go an' give yer word that lizard on the safety of treasure he no doubt gained in a ill manner." With that he prepares himself for the return trip to the surface.
You find several speellbooks, yet you have to keep in mind that these are dear treasures of the dragon.
Johenric prepares himself to follow the group and for some rest.
"These cultist seem to be in command of e'er stronger minions. What do ya know of just how strong they may get, Solaric?"
"Well, my friend. that was indeed to strongest resistance we have met up to this point. However, I suspect it is going to get worse as we climb up this ladder of wretched villainy. Do not lose heart, but by their appearances, I would not be surprised to find Norgorber himself waiting for us at the end of this adventure. Now, my friend, save your healing potions for when I am not available. You have fought bravely and contributed greatly for our cause. In the future, please allow me to heal you so that you may save those potions for battle. Come, let us rejoice in what we have accomplished thus far!"
"Your Grace, do you recommend we spend the evening down here or should we perhaps return to the surface? Either way, I recommend that we rest soon."
"Your Grace, do you recommend we spend the evening down here or should we perhaps return to the surface? Either way, I recommend that we rest soon."
Pitr looks around at the mounds of treasure. "It might be interesting to sleep in all this, but I can't help thinking we're still in a tomb and there could be more cultists down here. I think I'd rather sleep up top."
"Indeed Solaric, sleeping above ground is preferrable to being down here. We just need to remember to be cautious on our exit, and doubly so on our return."
"Very well, then. If we have everything we have come for, then let us return from whence we came. However, I encourage you to make sure the Chronicles of the Heptagon is secure. Johenric do you have the tome or do you need me to carry it?"
"Well, I will confess, my friends, "I am anxious to return to the surface and see how my horse, Dart, is faring. Do you think the journey back to Karcau could easily be done this evening, or shall we camp out?"
If we are to camp then lets us hide our bivouac well, for no doubt there will come other seekers"
"While I would like to make it back to the city tonight, it may be best if we camp for the night and complete the journey in the morning. We've all had a rough evening."
"Sleepin' underground is no concern of mine and I'd be willin' to the same of the elf, but stayin' in a crypt ain't the best of ideas. Leave the restin' place to those who be needin' it longer 'hen we do."
Johenric skims through the Chronicles of the Heptagon.
A very interesting book. Look at the visual nature of the letters...this is a very special book. The content somehow needs to be studied.
A moment lager.
Solaric, I have one question: would it make sense to explore the rest of this underground? I mean we have found other side paths and remember the collapsed tunnel you have digged into. Did we not say, we first explore the not-collapsed ways? I have a proposal to make: we explore the rest of the unexplored paths and then you could remove the stones from the collapsed tunnel whereas I will study the ancient history motives all around this place. Do not get me wrong, but Desna has brought us to this place and as the journey will go on we should take the opportunity when it is provided. This is now. What do you think?
You exit the crypt on exactly the same way, that you entered it. You can't spot any signs of cultists or dangers and the traps that are surely hidden within the catacombs don't trigger.
As you leave the ruin, you expect to be greeted by a chorus of gnats and cicadas, but the temperatures at this time of the year are still so low that there are no insects. You set up camp on the stony ground of the ruin with the intact walls in your back.
After it is determind who will take which watch, you are at last able to get some sleep.
Still trying to orient, you notice a mountain range to the south, whose silhouette reminds you of the Kronstein Rridge...yes, this lands must lie north of Karcau, on Ustalav's northern border.
Taking your current situation as reality, your dream ego decides to wander south to get back to Karcau, not questioning what caused this strange teleport. You stumble down the rocky cliff and as you have made it halfway down, you suddenly notice a cloud of dust on the northern horizon. After focusing a moment, you understand that this is no mere herd of reindeer or something, it's something much larger.
A feeling of terror starts to grasp your heart and you crouch behind a large rock. It feels like an aeon before you can make out details of what caused the dust, but as soon as you can make out details you wish you hadn't stayed here. Your blood rushes through your veins and your heart hammers in your ears as you recognize that an army of hooded skeletons, just like the one you fought in the dragon's cave is marching south.
An army so large, the world hasn't seen ever before. Divided into blocks of thousands the gigantic host moves south like an unstoppable drum of death. The battalions of skeletal soldiers are led by strange abominations that resemble angels with blood-red wings and scythes large as two men.
Abruptly your attention is drawn to a light reflection in the Kronstein Ridge. You can't make out details, since the mountains must be many miles away, but you think there is some kind of fortification on whose roofs the sun is reflected, yet you cannot tell it unerringly.
As you turn your gaze back to the host of undead, you realize that your position didn't remain unnoticed and one of the dark angelic creatures has risen to attack you. Only now you notice that you are naked and unarmed. Your last thoughts are that this monstrous grim reaper is going to slice his wicked scythe into your your flesh at a every moment! You scream in fear and then...you awake.
Still trying to orient, you notice a mountain range to the south, whose silhouette reminds you of the Kronstein Rridge...yes, this lands must lie north of Karcau, on Ustalav's northern border.
Taking your current situation as reality, your dream ego decides to wander south to get back to Karcau, not questioning what caused this strange teleport. You stumble down the rocky cliff and as you have made it halfway down, you suddenly notice a cloud of dust on the northern horizon. After focusing a moment, you understand that this is no mere herd of reindeer or something, it's something much larger.
A feeling of terror starts to grasp your heart and you crouch behind a large rock. It feels like an aeon before you can make out details of what caused the dust, but as soon as you can make out details you wish you hadn't stayed here. Your blood rushes through your veins and your heart hammers in your ears as you recognize that an army of hooded skeletons, just like the one you fought in the dragon's cave is marching south.
An army so large, the world hasn't seen ever before. Divided into blocks of thousands the gigantic host moves south like an unstoppable drum of death. The battalions of skeletal soldiers are led by strange abominations that resemble angels with blood-red wings and scythes large as two men.
Abruptly your attention is drawn to a light reflection in the Kronstein Ridge. You can't make out details, since the mountains must be many miles away, but you think there is some kind of fortification on whose roofs the sun is reflected, yet you cannot tell it unerringly.
As you turn your gaze back to the host of undead, you realize that your position didn't remain unnoticed and one of the dark angelic creatures has risen to attack you. Only now you notice that you are naked and unarmed. Your last thoughts are that this monstrous grim reaper is going to slice his wicked scythe into your your flesh at a every moment! You scream in fear and then abruptly and coming from nowhere, a horned shield transforms in your hand and you are able to fend the blow off the demonic angel off...you awake and for a jiffy you smell sulfur around you.
Still trying to orient, you notice a mountain range to the south, whose silhouette reminds you of the Kronstein Rridge...yes, this lands must lie north of Karcau, on Ustalav's northern border.
Taking your current situation as reality, your dream ego decides to wander south to get back to Karcau, not questioning what caused this strange teleport. You stumble down the rocky cliff and as you have made it halfway down, you suddenly notice a cloud of dust on the northern horizon. After focusing a moment, you understand that this is no mere herd of reindeer or something, it's something much larger.
A feeling of terror starts to grasp your heart and you crouch behind a large rock. It feels like an aeon before you can make out details of what caused the dust, but as soon as you can make out details you wish you hadn't stayed here. Your blood rushes through your veins and your heart hammers in your ears as you recognize that an army of hooded skeletons, just like the one you fought in the dragon's cave is marching south.
An army so large, the world hasn't seen ever before. Divided into blocks of thousands the gigantic host moves south like an unstoppable drum of death. The battalions of skeletal soldiers are led by strange abominations that resemble angels with blood-red wings and scythes large as two men.
Abruptly your attention is drawn to a light reflection in the Kronstein Ridge. You can't make out details, since the mountains must be many miles away, but you think there is some kind of fortification on whose roofs the sun is reflected, yet you cannot tell it unerringly.
As you turn your gaze back to the host of undead, you realize that your position didn't remain unnoticed and one of the dark angelic creatures has risen to attack you. Only now you notice that you are naked and unarmed. Your last thoughts are that this monstrous grim reaper is going to slice his wicked scythe into your your flesh at a every moment! You scream in fear and then...you awake.
Still trying to orient, you notice a mountain range to the south, whose silhouette reminds you of the Kronstein Rridge...yes, this lands must lie north of Karcau, on Ustalav's northern border.
Taking your current situation as reality, your dream ego decides to wander south to get back to Karcau, not questioning what caused this strange teleport. You stumble down the rocky cliff and as you have made it halfway down, you suddenly notice a cloud of dust on the northern horizon. After focusing a moment, you understand that this is no mere herd of reindeer or something, it's something much larger.
A feeling of terror starts to grasp your heart and you crouch behind a large rock. It feels like an aeon before you can make out details of what caused the dust, but as soon as you can make out details you wish you hadn't stayed here. Your blood rushes through your veins and your heart hammers in your ears as you recognize that an army of hooded skeletons, just like the one you fought in the dragon's cave is marching south.
An army so large, the world hasn't seen ever before. Divided into blocks of thousands the gigantic host moves south like an unstoppable drum of death. The battalions of skeletal soldiers are led by strange abominations that resemble angels with blood-red wings and scythes large as two men.
Abruptly your attention is drawn to a light reflection in the Kronstein Ridge. You can't make out details, since the mountains must be many miles away, but you think there is some kind of fortification on whose roofs the sun is reflected, yet you cannot tell it unerringly.
As you turn your gaze back to the host of undead, you realize that your position didn't remain unnoticed and one of the dark angelic creatures has risen to attack you. Only now you notice that you are naked and unarmed. Your last thoughts are that this monstrous grim reaper is going to slice his wicked scythe into your your flesh at a every moment! You scream in fear and then...you awake.
Still trying to orient, you notice a mountain range to the south, whose silhouette reminds you of the Kronstein Rridge...yes, this lands must lie north of Karcau, on Ustalav's northern border.
Taking your current situation as reality, your dream ego decides to wander south to get back to Karcau, not questioning what caused this strange teleport. You stumble down the rocky cliff and as you have made it halfway down, you suddenly notice a cloud of dust on the northern horizon. After focusing a moment, you understand that this is no mere herd of reindeer or something, it's something much larger.
A feeling of terror starts to grasp your heart and you crouch behind a large rock. It feels like an aeon before you can make out details of what caused the dust, but as soon as you can make out details you wish you hadn't stayed here. Your blood rushes through your veins and your heart hammers in your ears as you recognize that an army of hooded skeletons, just like the one you fought in the dragon's cave is marching south.
An army so large, the world hasn't seen ever before. Divided into blocks of thousands the gigantic host moves south like an unstoppable drum of death. The battalions of skeletal soldiers are led by strange abominations that resemble angels with blood-red wings and scythes large as two men.
Abruptly your attention is drawn to a light reflection in the Kronstein Ridge. You can't make out details, since the mountains must be many miles away, but you think there is some kind of fortification on whose roofs the sun is reflected, yet you cannot tell it unerringly.
As you turn your gaze back to the host of undead, you realize that your position didn't remain unnoticed and one of the dark angelic creatures has risen to attack you. Only now you notice that you are naked and unarmed. Your last thoughts are that this monstrous grim reaper is going to slice his wicked scythe into your your flesh at a every moment! You scream in fear and then...you awake.
Victoria awakes with a start "By the gods they invade my dreams now! The Kronstein...who has been using sulphur?"
She sits up confused, drawing in the scent.
Your spellcraft knowledge is not sufficient for the axe, but the armour is a hellknight armor +2 [while it does not look like a hellknight armour it has the same statistics.]
"Bad dreams brought on no doubt through such proximity with this damnable armour. I have not deduced the nature of the magic on the axe"
Shaken out of his nightmare, Zahur quickly pats himself to ensure that there are no wounds, picks up his father's sword and does a quick surroundings check.
What sulphur are you talking about your grace? I might not be well versed in the ways of magic, but I know that was no natural dream!
"Do you not smell that taint in the air? Or am I the only one sensing the scent of the pits below?"
"Did you folks have dreams as well? They seem so real. I wonder if there is someone behind them? There was light reflected on a fortification in the Kronstein Ridge and I soon found myself battling an army of thousands of those undead skeleton warriors without even a weapon to use. In the end I was slain by an angelic creature with red wings who ended everything with a slice of his scythe. I hate to think that this is a sign of things to come. I wonder if the fortification has any significance? Strangely enough, I would be tempted to go and seek out this place. So, how well did all of you sleep?"
"Horribly, and being afraid is not something I have really felt before, it stirs in me a feeling...anger"
When Johenric wakes up because the discussion, he first turns around to sleep again. But after he recognizes the topic, he joins the talk.
Oh man, what is going on? Dreams? I was not blessed by Desna having a beautiful dream. In fact my mind is criticism me for leaving out the nonrecurring opportunity of this ancient knowledge down in the tunnels which have been lost for.....Oh, I understand...Your dreams have been nightmare's right? Luckily I was not hit by such nightmares....
A few moments later you can see his mind is very active.
According to the foresight theory, dreams have a meaning. As I was excluded and all of you had shared similar nightmares, as far as I understood, it must be something you have in common! What have your dreams about? You all have to seek to identify the similarities between all of your dreams!
Johenric stands up and expects the other to reveal more interesting details.
"Johenric, that is an insightful idea. So, my friends. What did you all experience last night. Did you see the Kronstein Mountains and the army of undead. How about the fortification?"
Solaric helps facilitate a discussion to determine what was in common between everyone's dreams.
"That sounds much like what I witnessed, though I seem to be the only one smelling sulphur, normally thats a scent connected with the Abyss and the Hells, not undead. Or perhaps in that lies my answer"
Having volunteered to take the watch, Harl is confused when his friends begin to jump up from their resting places. On his end nothing of note had taken place as he paid his daily respects to Torag by maintaining his fine dwarven implements and praying thanks for them carrying him through yet another difficult encounter.
"What is it which plagues your dreams, young ones? I have seen nothing enter our camp in the usual manner, though I may have had my sense of evil hampered by the tools of the damned.",, he says pointing at the armor and axe.
"No, your Grace. I am not smelling the sulphur. Is there anything missing from your dreams that I experienced in mine?"
"Well, my friends, please do not let these nightmares weaken your hearts. It appears that we are doing something right, for our enemy is obviously getting anxious. Let us pack up and return to Karcau. Your Grace, Do you think we need to return to the Chief Bullywug before we return?"
Knowledge Planes
Solaric, I strongly suggest to go to Chief Bullywug before we return. Mainly because of Samara....but before I need to concentrate on arcane studies. I excuse myself for half an hour.
Johenric sits down on a spot 10 meter away from the rest of the group, takes his spell book and studies arcane spells. By doing so a scorpion is climbing around his shoulder and finally sits down on his spell book, while Johenric reads the arcane pattern.
"Yes, to the Bullywug to return their amulet against the dragons wards, to prove we honour our words. I am curious as to its health as well"
"Very well, Johenric. This sounds like a good course of action. Besides, it should not take long to get back to Karcau from here. We may as well wrap up our business out here while we can."
After hearing everyone's tales, Solaric removes himself and takes time to pray and prepare his spells before departing. Once everyone is ready, he leads the party back to the swamp and the village with the Bullywug and his ailing Dragon master.
The forces of abyss (demons) and hell (devils) are archenemies. That much you know.
You sense that Ivy is content with the idea of accompanying the others. She has no specific feelings about any other party members than the witch which she does not trust because of her demonic heritage.
Gathering his gear and adjusting his armor, Harl preps for the trip back to the boggard village. "It may be wise to send the scouts ahead. They are most suited to keeping things at our advantage should that old wyrm of changed its mind or is feeling in better health upon our return. I'll never trust 'is breed an' I suggest the same to you. Pitr, you an' the boy up to scouting ahead?"
When it seems that Johenric is done with studying his spellbooks, Zahur approaches him looking over his shoulder.
Johenric, it seems that magic is a force that can accomplish much. When you have the chance would you be able to teach me rudemantary knowledge of its workings. The countess seems to be very preoccupied at the moment, so I thought to come and see you. We have a few spellbooks that we have collected up until now, maybe you could teach me from these?
That's a very cool idea! I'D absolutely support this.
Pitr awakes with a shout holding his arms protectively in front of him. He is unusually quiet and somberly listens to the other's descriptions of their dreams.
"There wasn't anything natural about that. My dream sounds very similar to Solaric's- an endless army of undead knights marched from the Kronsteins led by fallen angels. I'm done with this crypt let's get back to town."
The way back to the boggart village is even more slow and cumbersome then your way to the ruins. The twilight of the misty moor isn't enlivening your worried souls and so you're happy as the palisade suddenly emerges from the fog.
"Well, here we are, my friends. I am glad to be able to enter this place without all of that sneaking about!"
Solaric enters through the front gate and looks for the Bullywug and the failing dragon.
Kirk awakens in the morning with the rest of the group, reaching immediately for his weapons by instinct. In the following discussion, he says, "Yes. This would be a very bad sign if it were of things to come. But it must mean something, if we each had dreams so similar on the same night."
"Let's get the girl and get out of here," he says as they approach the boggart village, thinking of the book he took from the dragon's hoard and not wanting to confront the ancient wyrm so soon afterwards, in case it suspected anything.
Zahur, I did not know that you share the interest in magic, too. Just let me know, what you are interested in and I will tell you what I know. But be aware of the might of the magic. It should not be used untrained or careless.... I am sure we will have enough time during our travel.
After a while...
And thank you for the spell books. As you might know, there are several ways of magic: sorcery, witch craft or wizardry. And as you have asked me, I think you want to know more about wizardry. A Wizard gain his ability to manipulate the magic by studying the arcane web or pattern. The web is different from spell to spell. And no Wizard knows all of them! To learn a spell respective an arcane web a wizard needs to internalize the specific pattern with its components....
and so Johenric continues talking. It seems that he can talk and talk about a topic he is interested in. After a while....
....ah....and that is why all wizards are very keen on spells being wrote down on scrolls or books, because they learn those from research. Apropos Research: Do you mind to show me your spell books?
"I look forward to getting back to the Academy, I wish to divine the nature of this axe, and to see if I can find a home for this curio armour. Failing that I shall sell it to the Nightscarves to use as a prop in their interrogation rooms. I wish also to see my Sisters and ask what they know of undead... oh and theres still crimes yet to investigate, missing children and an apparition of a dead puppeteer reaching beyond the grave to kill the bloodline of her murderers... that might not be what actually happened, though I like the deliciousness of that rumour"
"Your Grace, I too look forward to returning to the city. However, I must warn you against visiting with those sisters. I still have great reservations about their intentions. I still do not like that trap they laid for us up north. I always wonder what grim fate those hunters met in the end. Were you ever able to find out what really happened to them?"
"I trust them the same as I trust just about anybody, at least they have the courtesy to advertise who and what they are. Similarly, they didn't lay a trap for us as much as simply laid out an offer that looked too good to be true because it was, one should always agree to terms before helping themselves, lest the true costs be found as not to their liking, it is very Cheliaxian, always the fine print"
"Those hunters were likely released once the Sisters had recieved their payments, a harsh bargain, but a bargain struck nonetheless. A deal is a deal you agree?"
Upon entering the village you notice at once that the boggarts don't look that bad and starving anymore. Actually they do look as good as a boggart can for a human eye. The realization that the dragon might also have returned to his former power comes a little bit too late to your minds and as you have reached the central square the mighty, jet-black serpent has already crawled out of its deadwod nest.
The difference between the fragile, wounded and feeble monster you met at noon and this impressive, powerfully muscled and fearsome creature is breathtaking. The fighters amongst you notice at once that the dragon moves like a trained soldier, no movement too much, don't show too much of your possibilities, yet still enough to make your enemy shudder. The wyrm measures about 30m and his wing-span must come pretty close to that. Two large curved horns protrude from its forehead and wicked yellow eyes follow your every move.
The dragon's voice reminds you of water, it's very low and yet you understand every word without difficulties
So you've ended the curse and killed the hooded one, slayed his minions and gave me back what rightfully is mine?!
"Yes, yes we have. Your life, your vitae, this has been returned to you and so to your followers here" she points around at the village.
"We have come to return the warding pendant, as that too is yours, to offer once again freely to the frogmen here."
"Now, I believe we are mostly done here, the woman is ours and we have found the knowledge we sought to continue defeating the hooded ones allies"
"So you require further services, Great Wyrm, or are we done here...for now?"
Also you're not used to the play of features of dragons, you think the creature grins
You have done more than I ever expected humans could achieve. I will keep the pact, once agreed on with the lords of Karcau. Yet all of you who didn't steal something from my hoard... and with that he eyes Kirk Will be further rewared.
As the dragon has said that, two of the frogmen carry an ornated chest over to you.