GM Dak - Thornkeep Adventure! (Inactive)

Game Master Dakcenturi

I think Olik meant in A12, which should be before the stirge room, if we're approaching from the opposite direction this time.

There was nothing of interest there if that was the case

Where to next?

"Well if these can be used then I believe that brings us to seven gems. Let's make our way to the portal and see if they work." With that he leads the party back the way they came, excitement evident in his step.

"I agree. Let's see where this takes us, and if we have to find more of those."

She quickly follows Olik, whispering in his ear.

Heading back to the door, you pass through the misty room but it seems to have no effect. The door stands their, just as it has for ages; unmoving.

When they once again reach the misty room Olik again allows the party to pass through but this time keeps Tamarie with him. Once the others are safely by he places a reassuring hand on the half elfs shoulder and walks through with her speaking as they go, "My people have always been tied to the sea and through it to the mists. We have a saying, "The brave find their fortune in Gozreh's breath". The mists are like the unknown future, full of weal and woe but in the end they are as likely to aid as hinder. Some days it may hide an attack and others treasure but we'll never know if we don't set out into it."

By the time he's done speaking they've cleared the room. He gives her a reassuring nod and then hurries to catch up with the others.

Standing before the gate again he collects all the gems they've found so far. Before him on the ground lay a green emerald, an orange gem, a blue lapis, a red gem, a yellow gem, a purple gem and a green peridot.

"Well Jharun thought the top might be red so let's start there." Taking the ruby and tries to put it in the top slot of the gate.

The gem slides into place.

Just list the order you plan to place the gems, starting at the top and going clockwise.

"Hummm...perhaps as a rainbow?"

Olik then inserts the orange, yellow, green, peridot, blue and purple gems in order around the gate and takes a step back.

Olik inserts the gems one by one. Once the last one goes in there is a loud pop.

Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 What a sorry crit :P

Olik draws his hand back after a severe shock. All the gems tumble out and onto the floor.

"Ouch" Olik says shaking his hand. "Guess that wasn't right."

Olik approves of that crit :)

"You okay brother?" Tamarie says, and then watches for anything out of the ordinary happening.

"Well enough, just a bit singed. Does anyone have any thoughts on where these should go? I wonder if the two green gems might be part of the problem?"

"Yes, I wondered as well why there would be two green stones. Are they the same shade?"

Jirani holds up the two green stones, trying to determine if there's a difference between the shades of green.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Did the stones feel like they fit the sockets? Perhaps they need to be specially shaped, or the shape of the socket gives us a clue to the layout?"

I forget. Did our characters know that this was built by a runelord or one of their followers? Or that the 7-pointed star is a runelord symbol?

K:History on the significance of 7 pointed stars: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
K:Arcana on the significance of 7 pointed stars: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"They all seemed to fit well enough. I think it's a matter of getting the correct gem in the proper slot."

And while we're at it...K:Engineering to identify any clues from the architecture that history doesn't cover: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

"Such stars have often been used but this one doesn't seem to be directly related to any other uses I know of. Humm perhaps the same order but in the opposite direction."

Olik tries the stones in the same order but this time going counterclockwise. As he places the last gem he is especially careful.

Total Defense if it's possible

Not that it matters here but I don't know if Total Defense applies to Touch or not? It simply says +2 AC

Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Olik picks up the various gems and tries them in reverse order but meets similar result as the gems pop out and he draws his hand back even more singed from the electric jolt.

Yes, it helps all AC.

"Be careful, I said." Tamarie says as Olik once again feels the tingling in his hands.

"Gah, that's almost as bad as the first. I've one more thought on the matter."

This time he arranges them with the red at the top, then the orange, then yellow, green, blue and finally purple.

Total Defense is a +4 Dodge bonus so it would apply. Also Olik will use it again to avoid zapping any more fingers :)

"I hate to say this, but maybe we need to do some research on this, rather than try random combinations? Or at least we try setting the stones with some sort of wooden stick, so that we won't be hit by the shock."

Maybe some gather info to see if anyone in town could tell us anything about the door? Or are there any NPCs that stick out as a possible authority?

Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Olik inserts the gems once again but as the gems pop out he manages to draw back his hand before getting another zap.

Just a reminder, you all did some research at the beginning and got the idea of the rainbow. Though maybe you could Knowledge some more on how a rainbow might effect it

If someone wants to give me a K:Nature check you might be able to get some better information

His hands still aching from the last round of shocks Olik considers the rainbow concept a bit more.

K:Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Perhaps it's the recent jolts but nothing seems to come to mind.

Sorry no knowledge nature here...but I can heal Olik if he needs it...

"You know they refer to the points as stars but perhaps it's really planets? Little Sister what do you think? Colors of the rainbow...planets of our heavens?"

Tam-K:Nature-T10: 10 + 5 = 15

Assuming Tam shares her information...

"So we are missing a gem."

"Or something... There was those blue tiles where we fought the first skeletons on the balcony. Were those indigo? I'd pried up a couple, but I left them back at the inn - we'd have to pry up another if we have to check their color."

Jirani tries to remember if they were more blue or more indigo.

Perception?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"It's worth a look." the bard says still shaking his hand a bit.

Jirani hold up one of the lapis lazuli gems. "I think those tiles were darker than this. Let's go chip off a piece and give it a try."

We should probably try whichever path avoids the shade to get there.

Following a path to return to the pools with indigo tiles, you make it there with no issue retrieving another one of the tiles.

Yes, of course Tam shares the information. Sorry, busy IRL with work and personal stuff.

You know, in rainbows, there aren't any colours worth repeating, except for blue. There is a second type of blue, called indigo color, that is somewhere between green and blue. But we don't have any stones of that colour?"

Tamarie says all this, even as Jirani's eyes light up just before thinking about this himself.

"Makes sense no, master at arms?"

"Having joined you late in your first foray into this dreaded place, I am unfamiliar with these stones. Very sorry for that.."

Batah recasts his light spell, keeping everyone in a bright circle of warm, yellow illumination. If nothing else, he can make sure the others can see what they are doing!

Heading back to the stone door it waits for your next move.

"Hopefully the door will forgive us that this one's not a gemstone."

Jirani kneels over the freshly removed tile and lifts his crowbar high over his head. He brings it down with a forceful strike on the corner of the tile, and hits it twice more for good measure. The sound rings off the walls and echoes throught the hallways. "Guess we'll find out now if we cleared these tunnels as thoroughly as we believe."

"Well shall we try this again?"

Olik again tries the stones placing them starting with red and continuing with orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and purple.

On full defense again

"I'll let you try it again. I'm sure you've built up a resistance by now," Jirani jokes as Olik places the stones.

Olik places the stones in the door and as he waits for another jolt nothing happens. Instead the room fills with bright light mimicing a rainbow. You hear a hiss and click as the door pops open.

Olik looks on with a mix of amazement and awe. "Now this is something. In just a few steps we'll be walking where no one has passed for ages. He falls silent again for a moment and then smiles, "So shall we see what adventures await?" And steps across the threshold.

Jirani instinctively reaches for his pack to make sure the crowbar is there, and then follows Olik's pioneering footstep. "Ready here. Can I get a light?"

After having the light spell cast on his ranseur, he leads the way deeper into the hall.

Batah also calls forth light to brighten their way.

"Remarkable! How are you feeling Olik? I know that door stung you a few times, do you need healing?"

Olik shakes his head to refocus on the situation at hand. Looking down he notes the injuries, forgotten in the enthusiasm of discovery, that he incurred in their attempts on the door.

"Indeed Master Abbala, the Goddess's blessing would be most appreciated."

Stepping into the hallway beyond the air is stale and musty. A long hallway slopes down to a room housing a pool of glowing blue water. Shining gold leaf in exotic designs decorates the walls, ceiling, and pillars. A stone archway to the south leads downstairs.

This is the end of part 1 of Thistletop. Check the discussion for further details.

Batah begins his prayer of healing, and places his hands upon the wounded Olik. A warmth, like lying in the summer sun, begins to spread over the various wounds Olik has suffered; soothing and healing them.

Swap Endure Elements for CLW

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4