“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.
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You have all heard the news of the discovery in Kalamanda. No sooner do the rumours and news reach your ears, than you find you are summoned by a representative of the League. You each receive the following letter.
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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.
Garen arrives in town, rather tired from the journey. But he persevered as he always did. "Hail Lia. I am Garen of Demacia."
He set his things down and decisively makes his way to the manor. Riches held little interest, but the chance to do some good. He'd been summoned a lot lately, fighting with no real consequences. It didn't matter if he'd slain that fiend Darius dozens of times, he would just respawn and they would fight again. Maybe this mission would have a lasting effect.
A towering, well-built Gnoll wearing an ornate jackal mask and ceremonial outfit enters the Griffins Arms, a heavily laden satchel hanging across his body, and a mighty carved staff gripped tightly in his right hand. He does not show signs of fatigue, but has to duck slightly to enter through the door. He stands to his full height once he is through the portal, looking thoroughly impressive to any who may see him. He then heads to leave most of his belongings in
Once he meets Lia, he introduces himself, choosing not to remove his headgear to save her his frightening natural countenance. "Greetings, milday. I am Tor Sasun of the Shurima Desert." His deep, calm voice seems almost unfitting for such a powerful-looking beastman. He nods deeply at the woman, likely embellishing the movement due to the mask making his expression inscrutable. "I am called the Curator of the Sands," he states, "but 'Sasun' shall suffice. I look forward to speaking with Venture Captain Reira."
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Lux stows her backpack with pathfinder kit in the room. Everything else in pockets on her person. After meeting the inn keeper and leaving Garen to his own devices she takes a walk around town. She couldn't wait to see and study some of the magical devices that had been found. Gold was a side issue, she was a Crownguard. It was magic that fascinated her. She looked around for someone important.
Veigar is a middling height Yordle, and as such is much shorter than the other clientele. He is however wearing a large purple top hat that is far to large for him, and is nearly half his height again with a brim wide enough to cast his entire face into shadow. He is clad in a similarly colored suit and as he approaches the bar he hops from foot to foot, not even attempting to hide his energy and excitement. His yellow glowing eyes are barely visible over the counter as he he quickly organizes a room and deposits his backpack, keeping his staff, spell book and holy symbol on his person.
He returns to the bar and bounds up to Lia and asks, in his loud, high pitched and slightly croaky voice, " Who do you speak of that is also headed for the manor?". He elongates the word manor , pronouncing it man-ah.
Garren makes his way to the Manor. Following Lia's directions with ease.
Heidmarch 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 Legue of Legends Lodge in Runeterra. Garen waks up to teh door and is met by a tall thin gentleman, who apologises. "My apologies Sir, Miss Reira Kashuld, is not at the manor until tomorrow. I can take a message for you and ensure she receives it as soon as she returns. Otherwise please feel free to return at the time arranged and until then explore the town at your leisure."
Tor Susan enjoys pleasant conversation with the bar maid until she politely excuses herself to serve a rather short customer who has just come from upstairs. She and the customer walk over to Tor and the bar maid speaks. "Tor Susan Curator of the sands, This is another who will be meeting with Reira." There is no sarcasm in her voice when she says tors Tittle. She speaks with sincerity. "Can I get you both a drink? Some food?"
It is a bright sunny day , the breeze is blowing from the north and its coolness was a welcome feeling after the heat of travel. As Lux enters back to the town from the Tavern.
She comes upon a few buildings. It looks like the buildings are shops, there are signs and flags outside them. Ahead of the shops is a market.
With not a cloud in the sky the market looks busy, even for it being so late in the afternoon. The market is filled with wooden stalls with varying objects on them. Lux can see a meat vender, the smell of a roasting pig fills the air. There is also a book seller and a few more different objects, bottles with various coloured liquids in, some jewellery. The noise of a hundred conversations and haggling customers drifts through the market. Along with the smell of roast pig, you can smell the ocean.
Veigar makes his way down stairs and approaches the bar maid. She smiles and replys. "I hope your room is satisfactory... The other travellers you say...Well one has just arrived, come with me and i'll introduce you" She walks over to a very tall, muscular Gnoll and introduces him to you. You get the idea he would have to duck through most doors.
"Bah. I was hoping to get my mission sooner rather than later. It is fine." Garen will walk back to the inn rather disappointed. "Where is that sister of mine.." He will explore the town, gathering rumors and making small talk.
Sasun nods, saying, "Yes, I would appreciate a meal." The Gnoll moves to seat himself at a table, offering a seat to the other customer.
"I also desire sustenance" . Veigar turns to Sasun and perfoms a small flourish of his staff,"I am Veigar, I am also destined to meet with Reira".Veigar takes the offered seat, and props his staff against the wall.
"Greetings. I am Tor Sasun," the Gnoll states to Veigar, once he's set his own staff against the wall. "I am most curious to hear what the Venture Captain has to say. Do you, perhaps, have any idea why she wishes to speak with us?" he asks, curiosity shining in his bright green eyes, the only part of his face to show through his mask.
"I hope it has something to do with the deposit of treasure they found, I hear it has objects of great power" he says, making no attempt to hide his own excitement.
The bar maid speaks to Veiger and Sasun. "We have a treat of a stew on today. Just right for the hungry and parched traveler. Ill bring some over, you want any drinks with that?" She will take any drink orders and come over after a short while with the food and drink. well adept at carrying many cups and plates. You get the idea she could glide across the bar easily with twice as many items. She doesn't hang around to much and gets on with work once your food and drinks are delivered.
The bar has a few customers in and it is only when you watch her leave and head to other tables that you realize she is the only member of staff around and yes no one seems to be going without or waiting. Indeed your food and drink arrived promptly and looks delicious.
Lux enjoys the sounds, sights and feels of the market. She hears a few things as she goes, mostly mundane rumors about farmers, or how a certain stall was selling cheap today. Through the din it is difficult to discern voices. You get the feeling it is normally this busy as no one seems frustrated at the level of crowd or noise. You walk past a book vender and some jewellery and nick knack stalls. The smell of roasting pig once again fills the air and along with that the smell of straw and wood and glue in places.
As you continue down the market stalls a voice comes at you like a battering ram. You almost expect people to start ducking when they hear it.
“George, I have your crap in the back, move it or lose it!”
you get the distinct impression this voice belongs to someone who knows people and knows things. Your instincts tell you she would be the one to talk to to find out about the town and possibly the new discovery's.
Her stall has a number of glass bottles on it, filled with liquids of varing colours, shapes and sizes. She spots you looking at her wears.
"Welcome traveler, pleased to meet you lass. My bottles got your eye then?" This time the voice is less booming, but it still travels across the market. She looks very friendly and wears a smile as big as her...assets.
Garren returns back towards the the Griffins Arms and goes the long way round. Getting a feel for this part of town. Most of the people you pass meets you with a smile. Some do not even notice you. This part of town looks nice, clean and well looked after.
Any one you speak to that has time to stop and talk will be polite and answer any town or direction based questions without any issue. Most will even chat about the new find, but do not knwo more than you do. Most of the people you speak to will remember your name and remember you as a pleasant and interesting person.
After you make your way around and through the streets for a while, you come across a bunch of kids playing some form and baddies versus goodies. They run around you and one of them looks up at you. "You're one of those traveling adventure things ain't you?" Before you have time to answer he continues. "This is my weapon, when I grow up I'm going to go looking for treasure and fighting monsters, just like my dad." he shows you a wooden sword. You think it is a toy at first but then as you look closer, you see it is a wooden practice sword, the size is a little big for the child, but he looks like he has been playing with this for awhile as the size doesn't bother him, or hinder him form swinging it around."I bet you you're here to go look for more treasure. If I didn't have to guard my family till my dad is back from treasure hunting I would come with you." He swings the sword at an imaginary creature. "guarding is hard, I have been gaurding for..." HE counts on his fingers and holds up 9 of them to you. "...This many!"
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Lux steps closer to the womans stall and smiles back at her. "What do these ones hold and what is for sale here?" she says in a friendly and enquiring manner. She assumes they are potions of one magical nature or another. Storing her magic in a way accessible to all had ever really come to her as something she should do. Sure it could be helpful but she was too busy with her Magical studies, Demacian duties, and League business to spend the three spare seconds she had each day to create a potion. Far easier to trade others energy for gold when she needed it.
"I've heard news of a great discovery nearby. Do you know much of it? You strike me as a knowledgeable woman." Lux paused to let the compliment take affect, "I am Luxanna Crownguard. I'm investigating the discovery you see. Anything you could tell me would be most helpful."
"Why yes I am an adventurer, son. I'm sure you will grow up to be a fine warrior and make your father proud. Guarding your family is a big responsibility. You should be honored to be given such a task." Garen smiles as the boy reminds him of himself when he was a lad, before the war with Noxus. He will find a vendor selling treats and buy some for all the children. And he will try to teach them to spin after they've had time to digest. :)
Sasun nods at the barmaid, smiling slightly under his mask. "Yes, I will enjoy the stew, and mug of wine would be appreciated," he says to the woman. Once she steps away to fill his and Veigar's orders, the Gnoll turns to the much shorter man. "I am less interested in treasures, and more in what we have to learn from the discovery. But I must admit, I am curious about all the things they have found. I hope our meeting with the Venture Captain is most informative," he says, excitement seeming to glimmer in the Tor's green eyes.
Veigar nods in agreement,"Well knowledge is power". He exaggerates this statement by twirling his hand that is not holding a spoon. " tell me Sasun, why is it that you seek hidden knowledge?". He twirls the end of his rather large mustache and begins to pick delicately at the stew.
The Gnoll pauses for a moment. "It is my nature. A Tor, where I come from, is one who accumulates knowledge, in order to preserve it. The 'Curator' title that has been given to me during my stay in Runeterra has always been an apt one." Sasun nods sharply, his masked face bobbing up and down in a quick motion. "I seek knowledge so that it may be retained into the distant future."
Veigar chews his food thoughtfully for a moment, " But who do you store the knowledge for. If it is not to be used then storing it is pointless" . He pauses to take another bite before continuing, "If you do wish to use the power that knowledge brings, then you must be storing it for some future purpose, Who is it that you store this knowledge for Sasun?" He tries to enforce the word Sasun to make the statement sound slightly menacing, but his energetic nature instead makes him sound more curious than threatening.
Sasun shakes his head between tastes of his stew. "You think too small, Veigar. If no one collects knowledge, then it will never be remembered. Without recalling the past, people are doomed to repeat it's mistakes," the Gnoll says, before taking a sip from his mug. "It is not just my duty, but also my goal to make sure that the mistakes of the past are not made again. The Cycle of Life and Death continues, but I will do all I can, within a Tor's power, to ease it's effects on the people of this world."
Veigar suddenly shifts to a much more defensive posture. "I will let that one slide, tall one.". Venom drips from his every word, his speech slows and he speaks much more softly than he has been. " Know that if you make further jokes about my height, I shall destroy you where you sit". Just as quickly his voice returns to its normal squeaky self, "If you store knowledge for the future and do not use it now, then surely we are doomed to make the same mistakes in the present, even if we do not make those mistakes in the future?".
Sasun chuckles softly. "I do not expect you to understand my centuries-old task, not as wrapped up as you are in this moment. Tomorrow will always come, even if I am not there to see it," he states, punctuating the sentence with a draw from his mug of wine.
"Your ways are strange Sasun. If I find knowledge then I will put it to good use". Veigar pauses thoughtfully before continuing, "Perhaps, if it is your path to seek and store knowledge and my path to use it, then our fates are entwined. I can put the knowledge you find to use to prevent us, as you put it, repeating the mistakes of the past. And you in turn can use your knowledge and wisdom to guide, and to stop mistakes being made with that power". He says the word wisdom with a slight sneer in his voice.
Sasun shrugs lightly and waves a hand dismissively, before taking another sip from his mug. "We shall see how things turn out, indeed," the Gnoll states in his calm voice.
After a you all enjoy your free time in town and 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.
Veigar carefully picks the scrolls up and reads them one by one, he seems fascinated by the box and as soon as he is done reading he begins investigating it without bothering to consult the group. He mutters to himself while investigating the puzzle, "hmm, I think this must be some kind of anagram". He begins prodding other runes to see if any of the others also swap places. His small hands move swiftly and he movements are very specific, as if he has trained to have great control over the positioning of his hands.
Garen walks into the foyer feeling refreshed. He greets the two women cordially and listens to the issue. After the yordle Veigar looks over the scrolls, he picks them up to examine them himself. "Must be one of those anagrams, but for what?"
"Any ideas?"
Nodding genially to the two women as they are introduced to him, the Curator of the Sands watches them with an impassive gaze as they speak. Leaning lightly on his quarterstaff, the Gnoll looks only vaguely interested until the paradox box is mentioned. Though none of the others can see it, his mouth forms into an enthusiastic smile beneath his ornate mask.
Sasun reads over the notes carefully, the puzzle box very clearly piquing his interest. While the others discuss it, he strokes his mask's chin, deep in thought. This is quite intriguing indeed, he thinks to himself, his green eyes flashing in delight.
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She strolls around the room as the others go for the box. She would like to find out what knowledge might be held here. Likely not as extensive as back home but still could be quite useful. She would have to wait till later to ask however as the women had given little time for questions.
She carefully reads the scrolls in the table regarding the box several times, deep in thought. An anagram maybe, but then that would be too easy, there aren't that many combinations that can be made from five runes. One hundred and twenty to be exact. Well it was worth a shot, and she told them her conclusions there.
Lux, as you look around the library you can see an extensive collection of a wide variety of old and new books. Mostly about history and magic items. With some geographical tomes. There are a few in some languages you don't understand but you can easily guess they are on the same lines as the ones you can read.
"By Demacia, I don't understand this contraption. Have any of you figured anything out?"
Sasus nods at Garen. "Veigar's guess of the answer being a sort of anagram is highly likely. This narrows the options significantly," the Gnoll says, before returning to his thinking stance.
"yes, there can only be so many anagrams of cruel", Veigar mutters. He begins to swap letters in the word at random. From the tone of his voice and the speed of his hands, it is easy to see he is quickly becoming frustrated with his inability to open the box.
Sasun ponders the solution as well, going over permutations in his head while leaning against a wall. His large, hunched-over form looks rather strange, so absorbed is he in his thinking.
Garen was at a loss. Puzzles weren't in the lesson plan at Demacia's military academy. Still he tried thinking of words that used those letters. Luxanna was always better at this sort of thing.
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
Creatures (18) ROUND 1 ACTION: Generally destroying things.---
Veigar (13)
Lux (7)
Garen (6)
Tor (4)
Smiling beneath his mask as the puzzle is completed, Sasun's calm enthusiasm is turned to annoyance when two small creatures appear from the inside of the box. The Gnoll grabs his staff once the gremlins begin tearing up the inside of the room. With careful, practiced movements, he strikes out at one of the little hellraisers with his weapon.
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Lux giggled with glee as they finally stumbled upon the solution. "We did it. Well done everyone." But when it stops vibrating the almost blinding flash is not what she expected. She blinks to clear her eyes and sees some little beasts destroying everything. "Stop it! Why are you doing this?" She realizes they won't listen to her and must be stopped. Pointing her quarterstaff at one of them she releases a burst of light at it.
Female Human Elemental Sorcerer 1/Oracle of Heaven 1 [ HP: 8/8 | AC:12 T:12 FF:10 | F: +0 R: +2 W:+3 | Init +4 | CMB +0 CMD +12 | Init +2, Perception +5]
Veigar leaps back in surprise, but quickly gathers his wits "I shall destroy you, creatures" he squeaks as he fires a bluish white bolt of energy which homes in on the nearest gremlin.
"By Demacia, what are those things?" Garen draws his blade and tries to strike one down.
However, their sudden arrival has caused him to become off-balanced and he swings wildly.
Veigar is quick off the mark and reflexively attacks the first gremlin. It is knocks back but continues its route. Garen surprised by the sudden addition of enemy's, swings for the closest gremlin however it is a foot back from where it is expected to be due to Veigars hit. Lux spots gremlin two as she was a bit further back from the group having not taken part in the box puzzle directly and looking around the room. The Gremlin is clearly effected by the Ray but continues its rampage. Tor who goes from deep in thought to reflexively attacking the gremlin that had just been knocked. He masterfully swings his staff and the Creature is swiftly dispatched. It falls obviously dead and the body disappears.
The remaining creature having had fun around this new play room until suddenly feeling crispy from Lux's attacked turns its focus to it's attacker. It lunges and attacks Lux with its Dagger.
(min 1)
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ROUND 2
Creature (18) --- Attacks Lux ---
Veigar (13) ---
Garen (6)---
Lux (5) ---
Tor (4) ---
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After dispatching the first gremlin, Sasun moves to strike the second one down. "This box has proven to be far more trouble than I had expected," the Gnoll grumbles as he moves to catch the remaining creature.