“The sleepy, non-descript village of Kalamanda, located near the northern entrance to Mogron Pass, now finds itself wide awake as the leading lady on the world stage. The village's mayor, Anson Ridley, reported this week that a local survey team has uncovered a massive deposit of gold and precious gems within the village's sphere of influence. Furthermore, clues to artifacts of considerable magic potency have been discovered alongside the resource deposits.”
“Before the discovery, Kalamanda was only moderately known as a decent place to fish for trout and not much else. The village now finds itself as the destination point for adventurers and prospectors seeking fame and riches beyond their wildest dreams.”
“Mayor Ridley has acknowledged that Kalamanda itself is not properly equipped to extract and process the raw riches that lay under the village and its environs. Ridley said. "We are looking to work with partners who will respect Kalamanda's wishes to keep our interests first."
The League has also taken an interest in Kalamanda's recent good fortune. Council of Equity spokesman Rovis Samadon downplayed concern about the discovery by an organization other than the League. "The League works tirelessly and diligently to identify and maintain control over the items found all over the continent."
"With such a magically blessed world as Runeterra is, it is only logical to assume that many nexuses remain undiscovered."
Samadon continued: "The citizens of Kalamanda have done the right thing by not only publically announcing their discovery, but also contacting the League directly about it."
The League has since announced plans to send a research team of and other magicians to Kalamanda to inspect the nexuses for potential future management and use by the League.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
You have all heard the news of the discovery in Kalamanda. No sooner do the rumors and news reach your ears, than you find you are summoned by a representative of the League. You each receive the following letter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings Fellow Seeker of Adventure!
I am Reira Kashuld. Venture Captain of the newest League of Legends lodge and the only such lodge in Kalamanda at this time. You have come to my attention as someone who possesses a certain amount of skills and interests. This makes you an excellent addition to a highly specialized team I’m putting together for a matter of grace import, not only to the League but to Valoran as a whole. Please report an hour before noon on the third Tuesday of March, to the League head quarters at Hiedmarch manor. You will be compensated for your visit, but that reward will pale in the light of the riches that await you should we come to an agreement on my proposition to you. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Reira Kashuld
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Via what ever method and means you all make your way to Kalamanda. It is the evening before your meeting and you all secure lodgings in The Griffins Arms. Partly because it is easy to spot as you enter and partly because it is the only Tavern you find that doesn't have a broken window or a drunk outside begging to get in.
From the outside it is a white building with Dark brown wooden slating as decoration. the front door is dark wood and larger than you expect for a tavern/inn. you cant hear any interior noise from the outside. It must be sufficiently sound proofed, you think. The windows are leaded and clean.
As you enter, it is quiet small on the inside, at least at the bar. On the left as you enter are a set of stairs leading upwards. the bar is behind the stairs and is very well lit. There are a few white tables dotted around and many stools at the bar and around the walls. There are lots of tall windows that let in plenty of light.
The bar maid is adorned with wavy black hair and deep brown eyes. Her voice is warm and welcoming, though it does take on a authoritative and sharp tone when she speaks to drunks or other staff members. You quickly get the idea she takes no messing and will treat you like family until you cross that line.
As each of you book rooms with the her she introduces herself as Eliana patience, "Call me Lia" and as you explain your reasons for being there or you ask where the Manor is. She tells you that you are not the only ones here to meet Reira, that others are expected to and/or have booked in. She is friendly and happy to give what help she can.
You have placed what you will in your room and have settled after your journey.
Ezreal inhaled a deep breath as he crested the ridge, finally stopping for the first time in several hours. Below the ridge, the town of Kalamanda stretched itself out before him.
For a while he stood there, enjoying the soft ache in his feet. As much as he traveled and explored, the walk had still taken its toll on his stamina, and for once he longed for a tavern bench to sit upon.
As he stood on the ridge, he looked at the town, mapping its streets in his mind, the vantage point of the ridge making the entire towns streets easy to pick out.
Survival:
Once again taking a deep breath, he advanced down the hillside, the short rest having invigorated him enough to place a light spring in his stride.
This is gonna be great he said out loud as he leapt from a large rock, the freedom of the road is where its at!
He looked back over his shoulder in the general direction of Bandle City, so many miles now behind him. Its felt good to be so far away from the city, with all its boring obligations and his parents, constantly trying to keep him in one place. The thought of distance made him look west, towards Noxus, now so much closer. His mood soured for a moment.
Well, I guess every coin has two sides.
---
Making his way into town, Ezreal easily found The Griffins Arms, the building standing out amongst its neighbours, like a king amongst commoners.
After settling into his room, he made his way back downstairs, moving to have words with Lia again. Spotting her, he waved his arm feverishly at her
Hey, Lia, Hey over here!
When he was sure he had her attention, he motioned for her to lean closer, half whispering as he did.
You wouldnt happen to know if any of these "others" have arrived yet? Im used to working alone, and I kinda wanna see what im dealing with before talking to them. Just point em out to me, and ill have a look. Ill be over by that corner table.
Stealth:
Not long after taking a seat, Ezreal question is partially answered as the door to the Inn swings open and the entire room is almost immediately assaulted by Trundle's unique odor. He walks in and asks "Where is the room I booked?" Once he receives his keys and directions, he takes a quick look around, then heads to the stairs that lead to his room.
Perception:
Ezreal was no stranger to offensive odors, musty tomes and damp caves in particular. All the same, the rancid stench of sweat, grime and a hint of necrotic flesh, made his sit up straight in his seat. He looked at the door, gauntlet raised, half expecting some undead creature to emerge into the room. What came instead surprised him.
Well if this isnt one of them, I dont know what he is he thought to himself, as he watched the thing ask for and recieve its room key.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
The thing was most definetly a troll, but its form was hunched and shriveled, some pestilence apparently having stunted its size. Even so it was large by any human standard, easily 7 feet tall were it to straighten its back and not practically walk on its knuckles.
As it took the key, it gave the entire room a once over. Ezreal hunched back into his hiding place, apparently succesfully avoiding its gaze as it showed no signs of noticing him staring at it.
Well that was definetly interesting He muttered to himself. I guess I can get used to the smell...wether it will be the same for his personality, time will tell.
Leaning back in his seat, he proceeded with his cat nap, waiting to see if the next member of this expedition would be able to top the first.
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOORED," shouts Vi from somewhere in the corner. Several empty mugs sat in front of her, evidence of some truly prodigious drinking.
Why the hell had the League sent her here? There was nobody that needed punching and next to no hextech. This was probably Caitlyn's idea. Vi could just imagine her 'partner' being tickled by the idea of a mission where Vi had to sit and wait and not punch anything.
B!%#~ was gonna pay when Vi got back to Piltover.
Ezreal cracked an eyelid open and casually looked in the direction of the loud proclamation of boredom. At the same time he noticed Lia lightly smack her forehead, shake her head, then look at him and nod in the womans direction.
She was an impressive sight, now that he noticed her. Those huge gauntlets looked imposing. He had seen her when he entered earlier, but viewing her so casually, he had mistaken her for a burly man with large hands. He wasnt sure how he had managed it, although the unhealthy amount of tankards scattered on her table probably hadnt helped any.
You may be bored, but im not he thought to himself, sitting up and continuing to watch her.
the devilish looking half dragon is occupying one of the few seats left at the end of the bar, cleaning talons quite clearly. The seat to her left and right are filled only because the nervous patrons were tired of standing when there were two empty seats. She strikes up some awkward small talk, but her idea of small talk and people who don't like to eat their food raw and alive just a few minutes ago doesn't quite match up
Not long after going to his room, Trundle returns to the common room and orders some food... a lot of food in fact. He then takes a seat at the nearest table, which is quickly vacated by people who were sitting there before and he waits impatiently for his food. "Hurray up with that food already, a trolls gotta eat you know!"
As soon as the troll had food in hand, Ezreal decided this would be a good time to have a talk.
No better time than when its distracted by food. he though, before leaping to his feet and strolling over to the table, leaping onto a vacant chair, and then onto the table. Pointing a finger at the second and third most interesting people present he loudly said.
Scales, Mittens, wont you join me and... he glanced at the troll for several seconds, one eyebrow raised high as if pondering Fuzzy, yeah, me and Fuzzy here.. Putting his hands on his hips, he cracked a smile from ear to ear, hoping his boyish looks would somewhat disarm the ticking bombs he had just planted in the womens minds.
Nothing gets people talking like a few minor insults he thought.
Shallows a large chunk of food and says "The names Trundle and you best not forget it lady! Now, what the hell do you want?" He resumes eating messily while waiting for a reply.
|
Shyvanna looks up from her claws, a devilish grin on her face
What would I do with a boy like you, you are so thin you'd barely feed the troll let alone me! She laughs as she stands up and walks over to Ezreal, her hips swaying one direction, her tail the other once up close she takes a deep inhale in his direction
Hrmm... you look young and tender, but you smell of adventure and power, you have my attention She sits down and starts cleaning her nails as she waits, her eyes keeping a steady gaze on Ezreal and trundle.
Ezreals screwed up his face, eyes wide open, perfectly round, mouth hanging half open in slack disbelief. For several long seconds he froze, arms still pointing but his head tilted down to look at the troll.
Then finally a bit of movement, as the lower lid of his left eye twitched slightly.
IM NOT A GIRL YOU STUPID OAF!!! IM A B...A MAN!!! DO YOU SEE ANY KISSY LIPS ON MY FACE?!?! A PRETTY DRESS ON MY BODY?!?! DO I PRANCE ABOUT SHAKING MY HIPS?!?!?
As the loud outburst spilled from him lips he made exaggerated motions in accordance with his examples, first pointing at his face, then lifting the edges of an imaginary dress, before prancing about in a circle on the table.
NO, YOU DONT!!! IM NO SISSY GIRL!!!
Huffing loudly, Ezreal came to his senses, realizing his tantrum had the attention of everyone in the room, as well as several random people out on the street who had stopped to peer through the door and windows.
Ehh...and uhm, dont...dont you...dont you forget it.
He slowly got down from the table before slumping onto one the chairs around the table. Sitting with his arms crossed. Pouting like a scolded child he gave vicious stares to every tavern patron in turn untill most had returned to their own doings.
Without looking at the troll, he extended one hand towards him.
Hi Trundle...im Ezreal...
....
...
thats a mans name.
Ezreal blinked dumbfounded as the half-dragon saunters over, her half compliments mixed with the veiled threat that she might eat him, making him unsure of how to react. Her sensual movement and her sniffing of him made him blush, although he didnt know why. So he just laughed timidly.
He..hehe, yeah, uhm hi.
Like Trundle before her, he extended his hand across the table towards her, his confidence reasserting itself again as he smirked towards her.
So he Trundle and im Ezreal...and you are?
Shyvanna she says in a throaty, silky, yet brutish voice.I'm here on league business, and I'm hoping pleasure... she eyes Trundle and Ezreal with her slitted eyes squinting I can see why the league would send a Trog, but a boy... you are perhaps a page?
Page?.....PAGE?!?!
About the tavern, heads turned toward Ezreal as his voice rose, some with grins and expectation on their faces, others with worrying glances.
Realizing he didnt need any more of a reputation as a loudmouth, he inhaled sharply and queeled the rising anger.
I will have you know I am the officially appointed "Grandmaster Explorer of Piltover"
At this he stuck out his chin and tried his best to puff up and seem grander
I have just as much reason to be here as either of you. I know my way around an adventure, dont you worry.
Gesturing towards Trundles plates, he made a small peice that had rolled slightly off to the side (and wasnt yet covered in grime and drool) float off the table and into his hand.
He noded his head slightly towards the meat, a smuck "Told ya" look on his face.
Anyway theres not much else to me than that. I was real good at magic so my parents put me in a school. But that was boring, I prefer to go out and find the world instead of reading about it...especially going places im not supposed to.
And im real good at it too.
Then he wolfed down a chunk of the meat, talking with both cheeks bloated with it like a squirrel.
What about you guys then? Got a story to go with the names?
Jarvan IV persuaded me to come, after he let me avenge my fathers death, she flicks one "finger" of her talons out, he subdued the murderer and let me carve his black heart from his chest with these very talons. I was impressed that such mere humans were able to fight with ferocity, and he appreciated my ferocity... I've since grown endeared to him and Demacia... I serve in his elite guard when he doesn't send me off on important tasks such as this...
She grins and looks at the explorer
I'd sooner go wrestle this troll or a bugbear then spend it cooped up and without the savage fight of life... this civilization is too tame and boring, if you're going to be part of the team the league has put together, you're going to need to be prepared for the brutality of a dragon
Vi looks up over her pyramid of empty mugs.
"Did you just call me 'mittens'?"
"A man? You humans are so confusing." He then grabs Ez's hand and shakes(possibly his whole body). "Ha! I think I'm gonna have some fun with you Missy! As for my story, the League sent me a job to do and I was interested so here I am."
Being reminded of their fourth members presence, Ezreal looked past Shyvana.
Oh yeah, our fourth. Come, sit with us so we can get to know one another
After a you all introduce yourselves and have some good conversation it comes time to rest and sleep. The rooms are very comfortable and more so after the traveling you have all undertaken. The time to head to the manor soon arrives.
The Manor is located in the Alabaster District of Kalamanda, not far from the city's easternmost gate. The manor grounds are surrounded by a stone wall, but the front gate hangs open during the day-visitors are always
welcome to the manor, which has recently come to double as the first League Lodge in the area.
AS you approach you are greeted by a butler who asked you to wait in the foyer. "My apologies but Miss Reira Kashuld is just finishing a meeting with an unexpected Visitor. She will be with you shortly."
After a short amount of time two women enter the foyer area. One of the ladies introduces herself. "Thank you for joining me here and answering my summons." She is a tall human female with long brown hair, very well dressed in the type of clothes you expect a well to do traveler to wear. She then introduces the woman she was meeting with. Another tall female with medium length black hair and a red stripe. She has the look od someone used to being in charge.
"This is Fiora. We where just finishing our meeting when I was told you had arrived. we still have much to discuss" she pauses for a few moments in thought and then continues to speak to you all. "please join me in the next room."
This chamber is the lodge library and study. The walls are lined with bookshelves, while several tables in the middle of the room are heaped with scrolls and books. One table in the center, however, supports only a single object, an ornate cubical stone coffer covered with runes.
She offers you all a seat and then continues. “I apologize for the delay, as I must conclude my business with Fiora before we meet. In the meantime, though, I thought you could help us with another minor issue. This stone coffer is an ancient Runeterra puzzle, a cunning feat of magical engineering known as a paradox box. As you’ll see from even a casual investigation, what appear to be seams on the sides are only shallow grooves. There’s no obvious way to open the thing. Each paradox box has its own secret method of being opened. Essentially a paradox box substitutes hidden latches and magic triggers for a lock."
Given time anyone clever enough can figure out how to open it. the same way that given time a locksmith can open any lock. This box was amongst the items found by Fiora. The scrolls next to the box are her preliminary notes on possible triggers or methods of opening it, but she has not yet had a chance to sit down and properly investigate the thing. So why don’t you put your heads together and see if you cant do that for me? Even if the box is empty, as I suspect it probably is, knowing the method of opening it makes it a valuable find anyway. I’ll return shortly and I hope to see that box open! Think of this as an audition, if you will because the actual task I want to speak to you about soon will require as much wit as it will brawn!”.
scroll lists translations of the significant runes on the
box-one of the most oft-repeated symbols was the rune
for "wrath," Fiora notes is associated with evocation magic, and in the earliest days of the world with the word "kindness." Her notes indicate that this rune merely marks the box has having once belonged
to a citizen of the Kalamanda, and that the rune likely has little to do with the method of opening this particular paradox box.
runes appear. These runes spell out the word "CRUEL."
reverting to their original spelling
With that she and Fiora take there leave.
The half dragon looks over it, her claws lightly tapping the runes, much like someone looking at a Rubix cube for the first time I'm afraid I'm not much good with these things, perhaps an Anagram?
That was my first thought as well, but it doesnt look like those letters can spell any useful words...atleast not any that meaningfully interact with Fioras notes. More importantly, with only 5 different runes, theres not that many different configurations. Seems awfully easy. Anyone with pen and paper could sit down and open it with trial and error in as little as an hour. Assuming it opens once the first "code" is used.
Im not sure of the significance of the box being associated with evocation magic. Could mean alot of things really.
Ezreal scratched his head, a look of displeasure on his face. He didnt like it when puzzles twarted his attempts at solving them, especially because the answer, more often than not, was all too simple. Which was probably why he had trouble with them to begin with.
Hmmm, I dont REALLY think this is the answer but its all I got for the moment. Suppose the orientation of the alphabet is significant. Like for eksample, W is the 23rd letter and the highest numbered letter in Wrath. U is number 21 and the number in Cruel that is closest...so they should be in the same spot?
Ezreal grabbed the box, lightly waving away Shyvanas hands. Talking about the different letters and numbers as he went, he rearranged the letters.
When he was done Cruel had become:
URCLE??
Ezreal stared for a while at the notes he had hastily scribbled during his first attempt. Then he suddenly looked surprised, and then excited.
Hold on a second. Everyone look at this
W R A T H
23 18 1 20 8
C R U E L
3 18 21 5 12
23-18 is 5, thats E. He scribbled E on his note. 18 times 1 is 18, thats R. He wrote R. 1+20 is 21, thats U. U was added. 20-8 is 12, thats L, and finally, we add C which is the last one left.
Grabbing the box again, Ezreal arranged the letters untill they spelled:
ERULC
What if the point was to change the word for cruel to spell out on 5 of the 6 panels, excluding the word for kindness.
Could you elaborate? Im not sure im understanding you correctly.
Trundle sits back and says "You guys have fun with that, let me know when time is almost up and you want me to whack it with my club till it opens."
Int:
Int:
Maybe the C needs to be first and not last?
CERUL?
I hate having to use trial and error but im drawing a blank. Luckily, a code like this one only has 120 possible solutions so it shouldnt take me too long.
With that Ezreal started trying different sequences, writing them on his note paper as he went. It would be tedious but eventually one of them would work.
Four linguistic checks!
Trundle continues waiting with his club...
When the flurry of guess's are input into the runes, it moves and nothing occurs until the runes are arranged in a sequence creating the word 'LUCRE'. The box vibrates slightly and drops to the floor. As it opens the sound of the wood creaking almost fills the room. A large flash and you have now been joined by a pair of gremlin looking creatures who immediately begin to run ragged around the room, knocking over items, removing books from shelves and throwing them, generally attacking everything around them.
Initiative
VI (20)
Creatures (18) ROUND 1 ACTION: Generally destroying things.---
Trundle (18)
Shyvana (15)
Ezreal (11)
What the... Ezreal gasped as the critters went about their business. Since they had not attacked him or his companions, his first instict was curiosity instead of fear, and he took a moment to try to identify the things
Looks disgusted by these creatures and procedes to destroy them This won't look good if we wreck this place, we must stop these creatures!
(single strike assuming I have to more than 5 ft step to attack otherwise I would do a second attack with both claws)
"Good point. No one makes me look bad except me!" says Trundle, so proceed to the nearest gremlin and takes a swing at it with his club, hopefully sending the little thing flying.
Attack: