Neb's Quest for the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Nebten

...........oh fershluggen it, I had Bracers of Armor from Godsmouth and must not have put them on my Hero Lab page. Been playing with a wimpier AC than I should have. Should have had. Whatever. Someone else take these Bracers.

Not really. Bracers of Armor does not stack with regular types of armor.

Perhaps Aldous would like the bracers.

"Sure, that would be nice. I was hesitant to request so much, seeing as how I claimed the wand and spellbook already. They will be of use to me, though."

ah....well, then, I suppose we sold them. In Kaer Maga. :p

Well if there is nothing else here, we should head back up and collect our scared fellow and head back to town.

Let's have one last look around and then go Bria agrees.

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"There are still mysteries to unlock here. Once we have the villagers safe, let us secure more provisions...and healing potions...and holy water...and clean this place up. And did Roldare have any other friends?"

and another club, thinks Garuneh.

"I think Roldare mentioned something about being separated. But I agree we should go upstairs and get him. I'm sure he will be happy that we found two survivors from the other group. Liz, do you think our two undead friends here can accompany us and deal with those bloddy skeletons at the stairs?"

That is possible. Liz has Asar walk in front of the group after the gather their things. Then she has him beat down the bloody skeletons.

Looking around, the last area of interest is the main sarcophagus. It is open with its stone lid lying next to it. Interned is a preserved corpse outfitted in plate mail with a large shield covering the chest. The only area that looks disturbed are the broken links of chain that lie around its neck.

After an hour passes, Kyra finishes her prayers. As the group is preparing to depart, Asina pipes up.

Does anybody have a lantern? We have come all this way, we could at least return with the Everflame. One of you should have the honor.

A pale golden fire continuously flickers above the tomb. Also, Dragon does chirp in the direction of the tomb & flame.

I have some sunrods and that is about it for lightsources or anything that can carry the Everflame.

"Yes, I have a bullseye lantern. Does the flame simply go in, or does it need oil as usual?"

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 spellcraft after casting detect magic on himself.

Kyra replies, "I think it needs something to burn, but it is never consumed. Go ahead and light it."

We should not loot this tomb. These items belong to the village if anyone.

"If we find a shovel or pick, though, I'm digging steps up that blasted ravine," says Garuneh.

What about our undead friends here? We need to find them rest, permanently. Just how long does the spell or whatever last? Bria motioned towards Azar.

Assuming this takes place after Asar and us beat down the bloody skeletons..

Asar, stand in the corner and think about all the things you did.

When that happens, Liz makes a slashing motion across her throat.

So all of us smacking the backside of Asar with clubs and warhammer should make it a real quick fight

That sounds like an excellent plan

None of that has happened. You are still in the final crypt.

Let's go deal with our bloody friends, then finish this adventure.

Bria heads towards where the four bloody skeletons are, stopping well short of the entry to their chamber.

"There are three additional auras of magic, emanating from under the body there. In addition, the armor and shield are quite potent. Of course, Asar over here is also wearing enchanted equipment. It would likely be easier to deal with him were that gear off him. Surely there would be no harm in looking at whatever is under there."

"Tell him to give us his sword first."

Asar,Sheathe your weapon and lay it down.

Liz turns to the others. Very well, look under the body to see what is there.

Asar lays his weapon on the ground.

Kyra and Asina cringe at the suggestion of manipulating the body.

Hmm..Do you two have objections on us retriving the objects?

"If this is such taboo, let us be satisfied with the chainmail and longsword, eh. There's no sense inviting more unliving threats into our world. By the way, everyone, I am tapped out for all magic save cantrips. I'll just hold the lantern, I guess. "

Aldous fills the lantern with his last oil flask before applying the pointed out "Everflame" to the wick.

As the lantern takes the fire of the Everflame, a ghostly blue smokes rises from lantern. The smoke hovers over the tomb, then forms into a broad shouldered man with tightly cropped hair and beard dressed in scale male with a cape over one shoulder. (think dead Jedi ghost)

The two girls look on astonished as the myth has come to life. Together they say, "Kassen!"

"Ho-ho-ho! What do we have here? This is a strange meeting place for friends and visitors to gather. And who is that over there, is that you Asar? Why my old friend, you do not seem yourself. On your best behavior for the ladies, I see. I had never known you to have such a soft heart. Years can do that to an old soul. Maybe you can finally let go of that temper.

Asar snarls a reply, "You cheated me Ekat Kassen! You cheated me and made me look the fool. No man can start up a town in the woods with the coin we had. You held out on me. I just came to take what was rightfully mine!"

"Yours? One does not lay siege upon a town for months for a bigger piece of the pie. You just wanted it all, Asar. You were corrupt then and you soul has been corrupted now. Bah, I did not come back from the dead to fight with you. I have already done so and we both paid for it with our lives."

Kassen smiles and gazes upon the party.

"I know you are not of these lands, but it warms my soul to know that there are still adventures out there that will answer the call for help. These people are of my blood, my kin. You have save the lives of these two women and brought justice to those that have fallen. For that, I thank you. To aid you in your future quests, take these items. They have served me well, and I hope they will do the same for you.

Kassen's ghostly hand reaches into his tomb and pulls out a common cloth sack about 2 feet by 4 feet in size, a large steel shield with a bull painted on the front against a blue field and finally a blue-green gem the size of a walnut.

Kassen then plucks five silver scales from his mail and holds his hand out for each hero to take.

"These scales will grant you my boon in your hour of need."

Bag of Holding I, +1 Bashing large steel shield, elemental gem (water)

Liz is startled as the figure emerges and listens at the exchange. As Kassen holds the scales out, Liz takes one and nods her head. Thank you, we will make sure they get hom safely.

"Thank you, Spirit of Kassen. Your gifts will aid us greatly in our future travels. Can you tell us of the amulets? Perhaps where the vault lies and how to access it?"

Aldous takes a scale and bows deeply.

"Ho-ho-ho. Well that was the point of the amulets. When brought together, it formed a key and compass. The compass directed you to the vault and was the key to open it. I am unable to recall how many dungeons, crypts and hidden, ruined fortresses of Tar-Baphon we raided to get those amulets. But it was worth it, I tell you. We gathered as much gold as we could carry, with much more left behind. Or maybe it wasn't . . . the joy of wealth was fleeting followed by the seduction of greed. Isn't that right Asar. You wanted more, but only for yourself. At least Iramine kept her promise."

Asar lays silent at the accusation.

"So what can you tell us about them? How do we track them down? We would very much like to avoid the ruined fortresses and crypts as much as possible, but if that's what it takes, well, that's what it takes I guess."

Hanging on a chain around the neck of ghostly image of Kassen is a diamond shaped piece of metal imbedded on an oval. It is similar to the amulet seen on the mural in the Room of Reflection. On Kassen's corpse however there are only broken chain links instead of an amulet.

"All I know is that Asar's and my amulet were stolen by some bandits. That is why Asar's slumber was disturbed and he rose from the grave."

Asar chuckles, "I was able to choke the one that awoke me. The others fled before I could do the same to them."

Bria leaves her post when she realizes no one is with her. She arrives back with the others just in time to hear Kassen explain all.

"What were these bandits wearing? Could you tell anything about their origins or tribal markings? I would greatly like to find these amulets, if only to prevent them from being used by evil."

Yeah, right...Aldous wants the power for himself...

"What were these bandits wearing? Could you tell anything about their origins or tribal markings? I would greatly like to find these amulets, if only to prevent them from being used by evil."

Yeah, right...Aldous wants the power for himself...

MUAHAHAHAHAH!

"The body of the one I killed first still lies by my grave," Asar says while pointing to the west tomb.

"That is remarkably helpful. How long ago was that, Ser Asar?"

Aldous heads over to the indicated dead guy, intent on looking for some clues.

"Perhaps a little help? I am not horrible at this stuff, but a more experienced eye would be appreciated."

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Perception from Aldous
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Perception from Dragon

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Knowledge (arcana) if appropriate
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Knowledge (local) - with Diviner's Blessing & Guidance from Gunder - if appropriate 6/7 remaining

This crypt contains the resting place for some of the raiders that attacked Kassen so many years ago. The central sarcophagus has been disturbed, its lid lying broken on the ground in front of it. A corpse wearing gray robes and an iron mask that covers his face lies beside the open sarcophagus.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"More coins from Nirmathas. Freshly minted from the capital Tamran. At least it's a start, something to work with."

OK, hit with the brick time. This is the same guy you found already.

No worries. Didn't realize his connection before. Time to pack up & vamoose I think

So I think we need a rest after this. Perhaps a few days of no adventure, some nice books and hot meals where we can be happilt bored.

"Indeed. These spell books shall occupy me quite nicely. Plus, I'd like to learn more about these guys."

Aldous tries to pry he mask off the dead bandit guy, fixing his clothing and appearance in his memory as he does.

"Lets get out of here."

Out then Bria agreed.

"Yes, lets bring the survivors back home."

Aldous is able to retrieve the the mask off the dead bandit.

"It is time for all of us to go home," Kassen says.

A blue mist streams forth from Kassen's amulet and swirls around the piles of bones the skeletons each made. After a few breaths the bones rise up within the mist. They form feet, legs, torso ending with the skull on top. The newly formed skeletons then start to mechanically jerk and move in the direction of the catacombs and crypts. The blue mist then leaves the room in a floating stream. In other rooms, the bones of felled skeletons rise back up and make their way back to their graves.

"The way should be clear. Come now Asar, it is time to rest."

Asar nods and begins to trod off into the crypt to the west. He climbs back into his sarcophagus and pulls the stone slab over him.

The stone slab near the center crypt rises up into the air. The ghostly form of Kassen reseeds with a Ho, Ho, Ho!. As the blue mist rains down upon Kassen's corpse, the lid slams down on the stone coffin, sealing it.

The party is able to retrieve Roldare. He is like a love-struck puppy when he sees Asina. He stammers and sobs tears of relief upon knowing his love has been found. It is obvious that Asina does not feel the same way toward him, but they console each other during these dire times. The party camps in the chamber of rest until morning comes.

Liz: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Dragon: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Aldous: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Bria: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Drinking the water this morning, the party feels refreshed and ready to head back to town.(all hps are healed up).

Is there anything anybody else would like to do in the crypt or on the journey back to Kassen?

Hmm.. I feel we are done here. We should go back to sell what we have found or divvy it up.

Treasure list in my profile

"Sorry there buddy...you'll kick whatever is ailing you soon enough."

Aldous tries to sooth his poor bird friend, before packing up his gear and getting ready to return to the village.