DM Zyren's Heart of Riddles (Inactive)

Game Master Zyrenity

"It seems we have two quests, finding him and stopping the Drow, and it seems that by doing one we will have done the other. Beyond that I cannot say" "Suppose it is still a journey ahead of us, I only wish I knew the length of the road"

Bree answers with a quiet grunt and then, "The length of the road matters not, it will only lead to more roads, and eventually, to our graves."

"So be it, but all that means to me is that I go home, back to the great gardens of Erastil. What is important though is that I do all the tasks he needs me to do whilst I am here... so the length of road is a bit important as he keeps sending me so much work and I need to know how long I have to get it all done. To have some time aside to grow old and have a family would be nice too, as what is the point of extolling the virtues of such if one doesn't do it themselves? That would be rather strange, to do as I say, not as I do"

"Perhaps Erastil will one day answer that question for you. Or you'll answer it yourself when you choose to settle down and have a family. There will always be work to be done, Winter. No man, no matter his heritage, can get it all done before it's time to leave this world."

Back at the camp Mercus seems to have understood a bit more of the world on this evening. Rather meekly he admits

Oh...uh...ye know I'm not very experienced with girl...uh women...I only know the harlots working in the harbour district and truth be told, I...ummm...yeah, ye know have never been together with a girl...in that certain way...ummm.

For the first time for weeks, Mercus looks like a little boy again...

--------

While Winter and Bree discuss Brandon's fate, the rogue suddenly spots a light in a distant large structure. It's of a cold white and seems to pulse slightly.

Kabal had been leaning against a chunk of wall but sat straight up upon Mercus's admission.

No kidding? Bah! Aint no big thing boy. I was just a bit older than you my first time.

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

You wont, we'll get you a woman next time we're near a town or some such.

Sebastian's words said in confidence, Caterine failed to overhear them. As time continued to pass she endured it in relative silence before settling crouched into a corner for a short rest with eyes closed.

"Winter, look. Over there, what's that light?" Bree points towards the pulsating light, but doesn't wait for an answer before moving in its direction.

Mercus smiles weakly

That's not the thing...I mean "getting" a woman is exactly what was common in Riddleport...but Kabal...there must be more to it than just "getting" one.
One night, I stayed at a shabby inn near the Grand Wharf and there was this half-elf guy...he wore some sort of funny costume and he was speaking a bit like Sebastian. He also had an instrument and he sang about love and knighthood and...yeah well, then someone grabbed his - I think it was called lyre - and smashed it on his head, but until then, I found his words really inspiring.

...gods be damned I hope this boy aint that soft...silly thoughts those...love and knighthood indeed...

Sitting up on his haunches; Kabal looked the lad in the eye.

Yah there's all that story book stuff but truth is most damn people never get to experience it. Some are lucky enough...or just plain dumb enough; to fall in love over and over again...Bah! Look...damn it...that shit is for the books and song singers and it just don't happen to ordinary folks like us Mercus. Well, I guess it can happen every once in a blue moon but it just ends up a big pile of stinking mess that hurts more than having a sword ripped through your guts and is twice as damn bloody...

The big man trailed off as if remembering that exact sort of pain although whether it was the broken heart or the evisceration one couldn't tell.

Maybe its better if you ask Sebastian or Winter about such things son. Definitely don't ask one of the women though. They'll fill your head with all sorts of nonsense that's for damn sure.

The Brevian thought a moment during the brief silence that passed and continued.

But knighthood; well now there's something that you can achieve if you follow the right path. First you need to learn the art of war. Armor, weapons and horses. Then you find a night and request to be his squire. Do good at that, be true to your liege lord and one day you too can become a noble night from the stories. Yes sir, that's a much easier path for a man than love if you're asking me.

Winter surges forward and softly takes Bree by the arm, his touch cool and gentle "Lets us not be drawn like moths to a flame, let us collect the others quickly and then investigate what that might be about, whilst a moonlit walk with just the two of us is enchanting, I'd prefer any trouble was met with a larger gathering"

Unless Bree flatly insists on advancing, Winter will gather the troops.

Bree tenses for but a heartbeat, turning her head to meet the aasimar's eyes she nods in assent. "Of course, you're right, my apologies. "

"No need for apologies between us Bree" he offers warmly, "Lets get our fellows, save them drinking all night and hangovers come the dawn"

If Kabal or Mercus' eyes strayed to Caterine then they might have caught the sly smirk on her face.

Mercus smirks and then yawns

Yeah well, I guess you have your experiences with women, eh? So I can surely learn more from you than just fighting, heh! Oh, Winter and Bree are returning and they don't look like they have good news...

Bree actually looks rather excited when she enters the room and announces, "There's a building or something with a light, come on, get your stuff we're going to go check it out!"

Sable sits up and follows Bree and Winter back inside, "Why certainly. It's been almost a few hours since we've gotten into trouble."

Caterine rouses and stretches after standing, before moving to fall in behind the others and follow.

"Why certainly. It's been almost a few hours since we've gotten into trouble."

"So true, I miss it already!" Winter offers cheerfully.

Hearing Bree's news; Kabal first felt like grumbling...and did so because it was in his nature.

Damn it! I was just getting comfortable too. Looks like talk of flowers and candies will have to wait Mercus. Gear up boy.

The big man took his orders to heart as well and rose from his lounging to with sword in hand.

Hah! Good one Sable. Feels more like half a bell though since we came in here. Oh well, hope we get to kill more drow for the trouble. Lead the way.

Bree hastens to lead the way back to where the light was first spotted, pointing out into the distance.

Mercus also groans but there is a sparkle of excitement in his eyes as he packs his things and gets moving.

Throgh the darkness you return to the place where Bree and Winter spotted the pulsing light and indeed, it is still there, faint and cold, but visible.

Sable recognizes the building as the Coliseum of Mask and Lyre, a conservatory renowned for its graduates who had an unmatched breadth of repertoire and technical acumen.

"This is the Coliseum of Mask and Lyre. Many learned graduates made their mark here... perhaps a wayward student seeks to uncover forgotten lessons? Shall I send Korax to fly ahead and investigate, or shall we all go together and spoil the surprise?"

"Let us advance as a collective and see what comedy or tragedy awaits us within"

"I can imagine a long lost performer, returning to finish their last performance, cut so tragically short, now that an audience has returned.....it is what I would do."

"I can imagine a long lost performer, returning to finish their last performance, cut so tragically short, now that an audience has returned.....it is what I would do."

Smiling, "Well since this flight seems to have taken us a few twists in and out of time, any suggestions in case it is you inside?"

I for one will have steel at the ready and will be expecting a dark hearted, spider kissing drow trap...but will hope that is just some damn dandy reading into the night.

For once, Kabal did hope there wouldnt be battle. The group could use a rest...especailly the lad and probably the women as well... and he wanted to clean his blade of the vile troglodite guts before it became etched.

Alway on the alert you slowly move towards the entrance of the coliseum...stone benches-a few serviceable-surround the sizable domed building's semicircular forecourt. The courtyard's stones are buckled and rent by tenacious plants. Glimpses of intricate stone carvings peer out from the building's vine-covered facade like faces behind green veils. A large, half open stone doorway reveals a gloomy interior, as does a section of collapsed wall to the east.

Mercus peers into the darkness and whispers

I guess this is the place where the students gathered between lectures, eh?

"Looks a little different to my schooling, the rather humble building in the mountains built by the priests" Winter cautiously presses forward through the stone doorway.

Caterine is wary as they approach "I'd feel a mite better if the shadows weren't so deep."

"I'll see what I can do about that." Sable whispers, spreading his fingers as four pale dancing lights blink into view. Sable sends three of the lights into the doorway, keeping one backlit behind the group.

Magic is so cool! Mercus whispers and follows through the doorway into the coliseum.

As you pass the doorframe, you notice that it is damaged as if something very massive has forced its way inside...

Ah well...maybe we better return to the camp?

For the treasure split, I'm good with just selling things that aren't called and receiving coin instead.

Bree moves ahead, wishing the rest of the group would be quiet so our arrival isn't so announced, but she has learned that stealth is rarely an option when she's traveling with a group.

"Come now, Squire Mercus. Do you know how many great adventures start with passing through an opening that is damaged as if something very massive has forced its way inside? The trick is to always be working toward making it have a good ending."

Don't want any of the treasure. Sebastian could put the headband to use for skill DCs, but it would more directly benefit Sable, or Cat if she wanted to pick up Combat Expertise in a level or two. I think Sable should also look into the bracers. Means he gets a lion's share this time around but I could be cool with that, especially if the Elves come through with a few tailored items for the others.

Yeah that's the only reason I haven't spoken up about the treasure. I wasn't going to be like gimme gimme gimme.

The problem with the treasure is that we are in the middle of nowhere with no capacity to buy and sell yet, unless the Elves come back with a Magic-u-mart... which prolly aint gonna happen :) I recommend that if there's any items you can use then use them for the time being as they are just dead weight otherwise. Those Elves are coming back with a reward, but that sounds like a customer at a restaurant who 'forgot to bring cash' and has gone to the ATM to get money to pay for the meal he just ate...

Kabal studied the damage to the door and had to admit to himself at least that it was impressive but he would never voice such things aloud.

Don't look that bad but keep your steel at the ready boy. Maybe Bree should take a look before we make our presence entirely known.

The Brevian took his own advice and undid the cord holding his falcata in its sheath.

Treasure split sounds good to me.

Bree nods her head and slips silently through the wrecked door.

Stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Behind the doorway, the lies the stone door, torn from its hinges it now rests amid the dust and vines nearby.
The scent of swet and thick animal musk dominates this small room. A large mound of leaves, rotting wood and shattered statuary lies heaped in the corner. Most probably this was once a cloakroom from which double doors lead to the Coliseum proper...

"Nothing here to harm us" Winter suggests, practically challenging the darkness.

Inspect the heap in the corner, at first for magic, and then for anything mundane...

Perception 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Bree will peer through any cracks between the door and it's frame, press her ear to the door to listen for any sounds. I gave up trap sense for some of my blade mastery stuff, but if it's possible to use the perception check to spot anything blatant she would also look for that. If found, she would use disable device 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 and if none found she would continue on as follows:
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Unless she is able to see or hear someone or something alive on the other side she will then gently, carefully, and ever so slowly pull (or push if that's the way the doors open) the door to see how easily it moves, and whether it is locked.

EDIT: Winter snuck in a post while I was forming my ideas on mine, so I guess she didn't get to do a whole lot of stealthy scouting ahead, lol. Still, basically the same actions.

Assuming Bree puts it out there, Winter would always defer to her sneaky talents

Cool :) Kabal asked her to scout ahead earlier, so she went in on her own.

Caterine hangs back with eyes scanning the lit area and a hand readily near her whip.

@ Bree - You can certainly still use Perception to spot traps. Trap Sense just would've given you +1/2 your rogue level to those checks.

Kabal waited as patiently as he could while Bree scouted ahead.

When Bree moves over to the door, suddenly the mound of leaves literally explodes and shards of debris and wood fly around obscuring your vision for a moment.

When you are able to orientate again, a hulking beast with slick, gray, hairless skin, numerous yellow eyes and wide toothy maw stands in the centre of the small room - a gray render!

Mercus looks at Kabal and despite the fear in his eyes manages a weak joke

So, your mom isn't happy to see you again?

Winter holds his sword defensively -"Halt!"

He tries to maintain his distance.

For a level 6 party? He can KEEP his tower! :p

Well, after this set-piece adventure you will be lvl 7...I mean, if you survive.

The gray render blinks and waits, but there is no sign of understanding in its small yellow eyes.

Hah!

Kabal barked a laugh at Mercus's jab and stepped up with sword and shield in hand to take on the gray beast.

Hey mom, I'm home! and you aint gonna like it one bit.

Initiative time! or ?