Raffe looks for a fire still burning to thaw the box by.
"Keep an eye on Issac please... I apparently froze this a bit too well with that last beam, so I will go get a heat source to open it... I would rather not have to use something like burning hands on it if I can avoid it, given all the fire this place has seen tonight."
Raffe smiles wearily to Crucible as he asks him.
After finding a suitable heat source, Raffe places the chest by it.
"So strange that Issac passed out defending the temple. Was he not a follower of Alseta?"
"Well, Xin, what do you think? Shall we see what was so important to that creature of fire?"
Xin squaks and shifts on Raffe's shoulder.
Raffe chuckles. "We shall see."
With that he cautiously opens the now thawed chest.
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Inside the metal container, you find a shiny silver rod about 1ft in length held tightly against a red velvet cushion fitted inside. Beside the rods is a silver compass with three circular slots forming a delta at the center.
On the side of the lid, a small metal plate is attached with the following words etched upon its surface.
Neutral lands shall be wandered by five seekers called,
by Order and Chaos shall they be assembled.
The Pantheon stands upon the floating isle unseen,
pulls the thrice powered needle held within.
Below the text is a rough drawing of the compass with 3 circles above it.
Now this is interesting. Five seekers... Myself, Crucible, Issac... Haikyu, and Wyrm....and Farisa, who disappeard when Crucible arrived. Perhaps we can only have five at a time per team. Lissala and Alseta are gods of order.... we must be the Ordered seekers then. Which means that there are other sekers for the gods of Chaos. Not sure what to make of the rest though.
Raffe examines the rod and the compass.
Taking the rod, compass, and plate, he shows them to Crucible.
"These were in the chest. What do you make of the plate? And what of Issac, is he getting better?"
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Just by looking at it, you see faint runes and other inscriptions upon the rods surface. After a few moments of study, you are very certain that it is a Metamagic Rod of Empowerment. There are some blackened runes at one end that look like it's burned out, but you're certain you can use it at least once per day.
As soon as Raffe touches the rod however, he suddenly hears something inside his mind as if someone was talking to him telepathically...
*yawn*
Wow! That was some sleep!
I've been waiting for a decade you know! Sarenrae was ever so delicate in packing me away but it looked like you almost lost me to the flaming thing!
So... which group do you belong too eh? The frenzies of freedom or the stiffs?
()
... it was then that you realize that this is an intelligent item!
Base Form: Metamagic Rod of Empowerment (Usage improves by 1/day if the wielder is at level 5 and 15, for a maximum of 3/day.)
Name: ???
Alignment: ???
Purpose: ???
Senses: Telepathy, Read Languages
Item Power: Dispel Magic 3/day
Dedicated Power: When faced against the group of Chaos, the wielder gets +2 luck bonus on all saves.
Isaac continues to remain unconscious. Curious. I am not fond of riddles. I will examine the compass.
Crucible picks up the compass and attempts to determine if it points north or if it has some other more arcane purpose.
When finished with his examination, he gestures the Ratkin closer.
There are orcs amok in the forests and hills. If you have weapons you should bear them. I will tend to them if they are in need of repair. While I do so, can you speak to me of this box? It appears to have been located in your temple for some time.
Raffe is startled almost enough to drop the rod when it speaks to him.
Um... well I did not expect you to talk. I am Raffe, devouted servant to Lissala... so, 'stiffs' if you wish to call us that. And if I am reading the plate right, we were probably expected to have more of our number here seeking you... so be thankful the fire plane did not acquire you as new oddity. What is your name?
"Well Crucible, I think I will hold onto the rod... it... speaks to me. Telepathically. And it has the ability to enhance my spells to make them more potent."
Very well. My prayers are rarely intended to involve others.
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He nods and scampers away. Moments later, an elder approaches you and hands you a small chest. Here, please take it. For saving our yo- uhm, children.
He continues to talk and says We do not know of the box you speak of, but don't worry about the orcs. Old Greevy keeps them occupied... although somewhat indifferent, we trust him to warn us if they pose any danger.
Heh, then Chaos' plots have gotten in your way quite well. Although interfering is officially not allow, the gods have ways to do things undetected...
I have no name, though I was made to support whomever found me first. Feel free to call me what you wish. I can only recall Sarenrae saying 'the compass shall lead the way.'
Raffe pauses and considers the item's mental words carefully.
I suppose they have... and chaos has never been one for following rules, truthfully. I am glad that I found you then... I have not always seen eye to eye with the followers of Sarenrae, but they are a good bunch in general. I think I will call you Thalachos, after your packer's herald. Would that name be to your liking?
Very well. As soon as our companion recovers, we will move on. May your people be fertile and your works enduring.
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You feel something pass through your mind from Thalachos something that you can only describe as a mental shrug.
So, what do you plan to do? The other group should be racing towards the Pantheon as we speak.
The elder waves at the temple You can stay as long as you need in the temple. If you are in need of provisions, please just ask.
Sadly we cannot afford to race off yet. We were down to three of us when we found you, and one of us fell to some unknown ailment during the battle with the big fire elemental that wanted to use your resting crate as a new internal organ. If he is not better by morning we might have to leave him in the care of these people here. They worship his god, perhaps they can bring him out of this... comatose state he is in. Or at least give him a burial in accordance with his faith.
Raffe sends his own mental shrug to Thalachos. Besides, that last fight was exhausting and I need to prepare new spells for the day. With any luck the forces of Chaos are having as many problems in their quest. Speaking of, what exactly can you tell me about this "Pantheon" you keep mentioning? It is the second time I have heard about it, but I still would not be able to identify it if we walked right over it.
Thank you for your generosity. I will attempt to repair what i can while we stay. As for provisions, I do not need such, but my companions would be most grateful.
Returning to the temple.
Raffe Crymoff, we have been granted leave to stay in the temple as long as we need for you and Issac to recover. They have also granted us a monetary boon for saving their children.
With that, Crucible walks to the damaged parts of the church and begins cleaning so that he can determine the level of repairs needed.
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THIS IS A QUEST! To prevent the destruction of the worlds by warring gods, it has been decided that mortals will battle in their stead! You must journey to the Pantheon of Ages to prove yourself worthy of godly boons before the final battle with the champions of Chaos, lest you wish to simply lose to them like a moth to a flame!
Crucible comes back into the temple and does a quick inspection of the place.
So that is what she has planned for me. Lissala doesn't exactly speak much anymore... most of her followers died several thousand years prior to my being born... all she told me was that she had a special plan for me and to find this orb. Raffe sends a mental image of the orb he still keeps in his spell component pouch to Thalachos. Which, when I found it, put me to sleep until I woke up in a forest with the others... and orcs.
Seeing Crucible come back inside he nods at what the powerful not-dwarf dwarf says. "Very well. If Issac is not well in the morning we may have to leave him in the rat folks' care and hope that he gets well enough to catch up later. Thalachos, as I am calling him, says that we are in a race with the forces of Chaos to find this Pantheon. And we may well be outnumbered at this point. Still, we cannot fail lest the world be plunged into chaos for all time, or so it is telling me. Give me a night's rest and time to prepare spells for tomorrow and I will be ready to travel. What about you? You took that elemental on head on, are you burned or damaged?"
My lord repaired my damage. I am prepared to leave when you are.
"Very well Crucible, we shall set out with the morning then. I will study my spell book first, then rest. Wake me in eight hours if I am not awake by then."
So saying, Raffe takes a cot down and begins studying his spellbook while sitting crosslegged before it.
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As Raffe sits and studies, the strings of his pouch loosen as if pulled by an unseen hand. Its contents spill out and two white orbs spill out, one of his and the other from Fariza. The first one to roll out falls into a niche between the hard stone floor. The second one follows gently and as they click against one another, a flash of light explodes from within them! A portal suddenly expands above just below the ceiling, like twisting tendrils of energy around a view of what looks like the starry sky above.
From the portal emerged the form of a saddled horse which collapsed onto the floor followed by a man in full plate. The horse is still unconscious but the man shakes his head as if dazed...
Looking around is a young man with short black hair that spill out of the front of his Helm as he lifts his visor.
By the heavens, where am I?
He makes no motion to lift his weapon, and shakes his head, clearing his mind from the trip he just made.
Crucible whirls toward the new figure, his eyes blazing blue and his hammer in hand.
Announce yourself manling! Are you in league with that foul burning beast? Spit it out or by the lord of the nine i will flatten you!
Nickolas turns his head, and meets the gaze of the creature in front of him, moving into a defensive stance, bracing with his shield for what looks like could be an assault.
His free hand is raised, with the palm open and towards the acuser.
I assure you, I am just in the dark of how I came here as you are as to whom is this "foul burning spirit" you refer to. My name is Nickolas Thorne.
Looking around his eyes find his horse on the ground Artaban!
He moves to look over his steed, trying to wake him up or see what is wrong.
Raffe is aware of the new person and horse in their midst, but too focused on his memorizing his spells to be able to respond directly. Xin, ask him if he understands you. If he does, tell him I will be able to ask him questions in a minute.
The raven shifts on his master's arm, then does a decent facsimile of nodding before turning to the man introducing himself as Nickolas.
The raven cocks its head the the side, waiting to see if the newcomer responds.
Nickols looks at the bird, and move his head in order to try to discern the bird. I am sorry,but although I know of familiars, tell whomever you serve they will need some other way to communicate. If you can help, please help Artaban. He continues to look after his horse, looking for ways to awaken it
Raffe mentally nods to the raven as he finishes preparing his final spell. That done he closes his spell book.
"Apologies about that. I was having Xin here try to tell you that I was finishing preparing spells for the next day and would be with you shortly... now, in point of fact. My name is Raffe Crymoff, servant of Lissala. I am afraid you will have to ask Crucible there for aid with healing as I am not skilled in those arts. Tell me, whom do you serve? Given you came through a portal created by orbs meant to lead us to our allies I would wager a copper piece that you are meant to be our reinforcements on this quest."
Raffe smiles and stands, delivering a small bow when he introduces himself.
"I will be happy to answer what questions I can in the morning, but for now I need to rest and recommit my magical energies. Crucible, please make sure that his horse is alive at least and help him find a bunk. Also, check on Issac again if you would... you have more knowledge of healing than I do."
With that, Raffe rolls up into the cot and attempts to sleep.
Eyeing the new arrival warily still, Crucible moves to check on the still horse and his still unconscious companion.
Nickolas waits to rest until the large one has finished looking over his horse, upon which he will thank the other awake guest, and fall asleep.
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In the morning, after some quick prayers and donning his armor, he will approach Raffe
Forgive me for not answering your questions last, noble Crymoff. I am Nickolas Thorne, or the Stalwart Knight to some, and I am a servant of the Shining Lord Ragatheil He pauses for a moment and unveils a silver symbol
You mentioned wanting allies for a quest, what is your task?
"Raffe, or Mister Crymoff if you prefer, Ser Thorne. Our ... calling, let us call it that... is to find some place called the Pantheon on behalf of the alliance of Ordered Gods before the champions choosen by the amalgamation of chaos find it. Our guides were initially small orbs that lead us to each other... the remaining two we had exploded into the portal that brought you here. Now we have a compass and the hint that three of them will lead us to this place. Speaking of which," Raffe turns to Crucible, "Have you learned anything more from the compass? If not I'd wager our next objective is whereever it is pointing toward."
So saying, Raffe rises and goes to Issac to check on him.
I have not determined anything else about the compass. As for the horse, it is not dead and should recovered shortly.
Examining the compass, Raffe is as baffled by it as when he first removed it from the chest last night. Shrugging, he shakes his head and passes it to Nickolas. "Maybe you can get a better idea of what it is for than I have. I will ensure that our ratmen friends will care for Issac and send him in our direction should he finally wake again."
Collecting his things and giving a few bites of food to Xin, he heads to the leader of the Ratfolk.
I hope that they can discern more about the compass than I could... otherwise we will have to just pick a direction and hope it is the right one.
Looking over the device, Nickolas shakes his head Master Crymoff, While I am eager to assist with the quest and win the race, I cannot make heads or tails of this compass He turns the compass upside down while looking for some non existent instructions. After shaking it a few times, he moves to allow Crucible to examine.
My thanks for your healing arts upon Artaban. Would you have any insights into this, noble Crucible?
Grr this thing is poorly made and is not properly built to determine north.
Raffe shrugs. "Well given it is supposed to be a guide, the worst we can do is head the direction it is pointing. Let us ask the townfolk what they know about the area in general and the path that way in particular."
Nickolas nods in agreement An excellent idea. He then gathers up his equipment, and starts to walk Artaban with the rest of the group
Nickolas starts up a few conversations with the locals, looking for general information about the area and the path the direction the compass leads
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The ratfolk does not know what compass you are talking about. One of them however did tell you about a lone wanderer who said he came from further east, down the river, who visited the village before going back a week before.
You are informed that the area near the village has rich forests and bountiful river waters. Aside from the orc tribes in the west up on the cliffs and harpies' nests further north, there are no enemies to look out for that they know of. This is why they do not know where the fire elementals came from
Hmmm, it seems that a wanderer came from the east, down the river, alone. He visited the village and left a week ago. As to the area, there is forest and Orc tribes in the West up Cliffs and Harpy nest further noth. There seems to be no reason for some....elementals?? Nickolas says the last part quizzically
We lack the numbers to deal with the Orcs properly, too many still live after the rockfall. The elementals were clearly agents of the gallery of chaos. They attacked this peaceful church and sought to burn it to the ground.
Raffe listens intently to Nickolas. Odd that a wanderer would pass through here so close to our awakening...
"Did they describe this stranger? Did he ask for anything or do anything that they can remember while in town? I only ask because it seems too much of a coincidence that a strange man passes through town mere days before our awakening and the following events. My gut says we should either follow the direction on the non-north pointing compass or follow this stranger."
No, they only mentioned what I told you, My recommendation would be to follow the compass, at least for now, as the stranger could be doing many things, but may not be able to assist us. Also, perhaps he went the way the compass is heading.