You drink the potion, feeling dizzy initially but soon after fall to the ground asleep. You feel yourself slowly falling amidst darkness, pitch black darkness. You’re alone, you hear neither Beatrip nor your friends. The falling ceases as you land on the darkness, it doesn't even feel like your stepping on anything but you certainly are no longer falling. Then suddenly out of nothing you hear the caw of a crow which echoes in the endless void of black. Then you see a light in the distance, a glowing mask hovers. Its made of black metal, the mask does not look to be made by any master smith but was worked in such a way that it is almost cruel in design. Nine black crystal gems make up the face of the mask and let off a slight white glow. It hovers there swaying back and forth as if it had a mind of its own. Then the mask faces you and the light of the mask glows far brighter. The glow of the mask illuminates two other figures. One massive wielding a hammer even larger than you or any regular sized human. The other figure is smaller wielding a spear and with a helmet that resembles a lion. Both mens armor was probably once the color of gold but has since tarnished and turned black. The figures look at you menacingly, then everything goes black again. You awaken and find yourself in what looks like a prison cell. But the floor and the walls are made of a black shadow which you can somewhat see through. In the distance you swear you can almost make out shadows prowling the endless void. Next to you is Beatrip but she looks different and appears to be more of a shadow, she cannot speak. In addition in the cell across from you, you can see your orc friend Turngut who looks completely normal.
You drink the potion, feeling dizzy initially but soon after fall to the ground asleep. You feel yourself slowly falling amidst darkness, pitch black darkness. You feel no strength left in you and see no around, no Hoppo, no Woman, no Wrinklebutt. The falling ceases as you land on the darkness, it doesn't even feel like your stepping on anything but you certainly are no longer falling. Then you hear a haunting violin start to play and the sound of young voices singing quietly but the voices still echo His smile fair as spring as towards him he draws you. His tongue sharp and silvery as he implores you. Wishes he grants as he swears to adore you. Gold, silver, jewels he lays riches before you. Dues need be repaid or he will come for you. All to reclaim, no smile to console you. He’ll snare you in bonds, eyes glowing afire. To gore and torment you till the stars expire… The song fades and then you see a figure from the darkness begin to approach you. The figure tosses what you initially think to be a ball up in down in their hand but you soon realise it is no ball but a skull. The figure whistles the tune and as he grows closer you notice his features more bald head, a plain face, plain clothes. A man you recognize from somewhere Gaunter O’Dimm. O’Dimm fades and suddenly you find everything goes black once more. You awaken and find yourself in what looks like a prison cell. But the floor and the walls are made of a black shadow which you can somewhat see through. In the distance you swear you can almost make out shadows prowling the endless void. In the cell across from you, you see BobE and a shadowlike version of Beatrip.
You drink the potion, feeling dizzy initially but soon after fall to the ground asleep. You feel yourself slowly falling amidst darkness, pitch black darkness. You don’t hear nor see any of your friends. The falling ceases as you land on the darkness, it doesn't even feel like your stepping on anything but you certainly are no longer falling. You hear an eerie laugh clearly from a halfling then you begin to see an outline of a figure before you, about your same height. If you didn't know better you were looking at yourself in a mirror but you notice the slight variations of the hair and physicality. The figure doesn’t do anything, just stares back at you with shadow eyes, then it reaches into its pocket. Retrieving a round object that glitters gold before taking a bite out of the ball like object. Then everything goes black once again. You awaken and find yourself in what looks like a prison cell. The floor and the walls are made of a black shadow which you can somewhat see through in the distance you swear you can almost make out shadows prowling the endless void.
You drink the potion, feeling dizzy initially but soon after fall to the ground asleep. You feel yourself slowly falling amidst darkness, pitch black darkness. You don’t hear nor see any of your friends. The falling ceases as you land on the darkness, it doesn't even feel like your stepping on anything but you certainly are no longer falling. The sword in your hand begins to shutter something that it has never done before and you hear the moan of someone in deep pain before hearing the clanking of heavy armor and a blade being dragged against solid stone. Out of the darkness you see a figure draw closer. Illuminated only by the sword the figure holds, a charred black blade whose hilt at one time may have resembled a lion. You can barely make out the symbol of Malphas on the knights melted and tattered armor. A fallen knight looks downward at the shadow, wielding a blade that at one time was known as Flameroar. The knight suddenly looks up and everything goes black again. You awaken in what looks to be a prison cell. The floor and the walls are made of a black shadow which you can somewhat see through in the distance you swear you can almost make out shadows prowling the endless void. Across from you is an empty cell with the door wide open.
Whilst in the Trial of Shadows your voice is muffled meaning you cannot hear each other unless you are within twenty feet of each other. Mark that you have taken a long rest. While in the Shadow Dungeon you cannot use thing's like potions or wands, you can use items special abilities.
Poppo stands there for a long moment trying to let his eyes adjust to the new surroundings.
He calls out Can anyone hear me?
Next, he fingers his lucky coin in his pocket and eats an orange from his bag.
Feeling a little better, he says Now then let me see what's what.
Then he searches around the cell.
Eventually he makes his way to the cell door, checks it for traps and then tries to open it.
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Nalia listens around her and tries to determine where and what she's doing. Does she think the person she sees is Bartar's son? Or maybe an old vision of Malphas?
She'll approach the cell door and inspect it, trying to see if it's locked. She wishes Poppo could check it out for her! If she doesn't see anyone she'll call out,Poppo, can you hear me? Did anyone else make it through to this dungeon?
With that Turngut attempts to grab the "door" or "bars" or whatever constitutes those things. Are the dark shadowy walls tangible?
While straining to break the bars/door, Turngut yells out loudly for Poppo and Nalia. Haaaaw-PPOOooh! WOOOOooooOOMaaAAAAN!!
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BobE looks around and waves at turngut and tries to read his lips as he screams. He then assess his surroundings and considers what he has read about the planes. He then prays to Elnil for guidance. Elnil, I heard the crow,Carnis is here. Please guide and direct our steps.
beatrip will try to walk through the bars of the cage and the walls.
The only thing you find in your cell is a chair that floats mid air and rotates as it hovers. You don't find any traps on the cell door and are able to crack the cell door open.
Based on the sword the figure carried you don't think the figure was Malphas or Jorek's son. The blade he carried was one of the three swords of Malphas described to you, Flameroar. You get no response as you cry out.
The bars on the door are similar to the walls and are shadowy but look more tangible then the almost translucent walls. You grab the bars and tried to break them but are unsuccessful.
In this place it apears Beatrip cannot go through the bars or the walls. You don't notice anything in particular out of the ordinary. With Knowledge plane you would know that this is a small demi-plane of sorts but you don't know anything apart from that. With knowledge religion it yields much of the same information only that the demi-plane was created by Malphas in order to test to new initiates of the Holy Order.
Despite his immense Strength and taking his time Turngut is still unable to break the bars. The seem almost impossibly strong.
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Poppo finds the chair that floats mid air and rotates as it hovers far to intriguing to ignore, he sits in the chair and swings around for several moments. He then jumps down and takes care of the door, picks the lock, and heads into the hallway.
He makes his way to the right and soon finds himself at another door, looking in he sees what looks like BobE.
That you old man?
Poppo quickly picks the lock to let BobE out.
As he opens the door for BobE, Is that you back there Turngut?
He turns and seeing the burly orc, opens the door for him as well.
Let's go find Nalia
He moves along finding Calia first, and unlocks her door.
Finally, he finds Nalia's cell.
There you are chosen of Malphas! He opens her door.
Did anyone find anything useful in there cells, I found a spinning chair in mine. He asks his friends.
Poppo is easily able to free everyone from their cells. The echo of creaky cell doors opening, fills the shadowy halls. You look through the translucent walls and the strange figures that seem to have bright white eyes that pierce the shadows. Long hair like tendrils adorn the top of the their heads and spread outward wildly. Their legs and arms are slender and long and their toes and fingers are the same only are even more spindly. They roam in the distance but you swear it seems they have been growing closer and closer.
You quickly continue on finding a room that shares the same shadowy walls. On the other side of the room is a dark purple barrier which hums with magical power. Lined on the floor are eight pressure plates on the floor. But before you can enter the room you notice a figure hiding in a corner, the elf Dunwar. He moves back in forth clutching at his knees he pays you no mind uttering to himself in two distinct voices I'm tired, yes I'm tired as well. Hehehe. The world of shadows has brought us here Dunwar. Yes... Wait what was your name? It's unimportant, I believe we have visitors.
Dunwar turns to face you around the corner. His face different the veins in his face are very pronounced, black almost. His eyes are strange too, normal but a distinct white glow around the edge of his eyes. Hehe... But no I... the elf mutters with a matter look in his eye. He looks at you somewhat out of fear and somewhat out of desperation.
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Nalia is sure grateful to get out. I was stuck, thanks for breaking me out!
When she sees the crazy ghost things she is sure to have her sword at the ready.
She approaches Dunwar like she might a wounded animal. The look in his eyes makes her think he's cracked. Dunwar, where have you been and what has happened to you? Can you join us so we can get out of here together?
Poppo slips into the shadows, staying between the shadow wall and staying outside the pressure plates, he squats down and examines one of the pressure plates, Nalia speaks to the elf.
Nalia you can immediately tell that something is definitely wrong with Dunwar. Before he would look at you all with almost a sneer but now he has a look of utter fear on his face. Fear mixed with panic in a way.
Dunwar, it's Calia! Calia says walking closer out of concern for her fellow initiate.
Cal..Calia? Dunwar quietly says You were asleep and I had to move forward then they took me. We took him, hehe. Ple...please help me.
Poppo moves and checks out the pressure plate which looks very standard apart from the arcane runes on each of them. You look around and realize the symbols on the pressure plates correlate with the runes that frame the magical barrier. Further more as you have a better view than Nalia, you notice that Dunwar has a black tendril that comes out of his neck and goes down his back almost like a second shadowy spine.
Arcane ruins on these plates! And up there on the portal. Perhaps we have to step on them in the right order. Poppo exclaims as he emerges from the shadows.
It's then he notices the black tendril, Look there a black tendril coming from Dunwar's neck! He points out to Nalia.
When Poppo comes to Turngut's cell, the orc is sitting on the ground, his back slumped against the door. Although Turngut doesn't hear Poppo approach, as soon as the little rogue speaks, Turngut leaps to his feet and tries to hug his friend through the bars.
In the room with Dunwar, Turngut stands back as Nalia and Poppo talk to the oddly acting elf. As soon as he picks up on the stress in Nalia's voice and the sharp call of warning from Poppo, Turngut moves quickly to Dunwar and poises to grab the elf in case he makes any threatening moves. Subtly, he draws his dan-bong as he moves. These small, blunt sticks will help to facilitate a painless, but effective hold on Dunwar if needed.
Dunwar looks at you all with a panicked look on his face but you aren't even sure if Dunwar is the one giving off the look or if its whatever has dug its way into the elf's neck.
Nalia knows very little about the Trial of the Holy Order but has read a few things about it over the years. The Trial is meant to test the abilities and skills for each person, the dream changes according to whoever is in it. You also know that the things in the shadows are those who never succeeded in the Trial the hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. Those without strong will are infected by the shadows. The origin of the shadows is unknown, some say is it was created as a test by Malphas. Others say that the Trial was not always this way and that it is like this because the First Foothold has gone to ruin. Others blame various different things for why the shadows inhabit the Trial Dream. You do not know anything other than that.
As the group slowly surrounds Dunwar non threatening as it may be the black tendril digs its way painfully deeper inside Dunwar. the elf cries out as black tendrils sprout from Dunwar's back and his body becomes elongated and almost bestial in a way. His limbs and fingers get longer and his skin tone takes on a shadowy black tinge.
Initiative Order Round 1
Poppo
BobE
Shadow Possessed Dunwar
Nalia
Turngut
Calia
Poppo and BobE. If you want you can give me a knowledge planes on this guy.
Retrain him if you can Turngut! I guess. Poppo says not sure what to think exactly, but knowing that Dunwar is becoming aggressive. Arcane energy feeds into his boarding axe as he steps forward to flank with Nalia. He takes a swing meant not to hurt Dunwar if possible.
Poppo steps up an non-lethally clonks Dunwar with the hilt of his boarding axe, however not all of the damage goes through. BobE only learns one bit of information from his knowledge about planes.
Dunwar moves out of the flank No! No! Its not me! The tentacles that protrude uncomfortably from Dunwar's back slam into Poppo and Nalia wrapping around the two fighters as it grabs hold of them Out of Dunwar's skin he begins to secrete an oily chemical with an overpowering smell. I need everyone to make a fortitude save .
You begin to hear whispers in your head after you are grappled. Kill them, kill your friends. Make a will save DC 18, on a success you are fine, on a fail you must attack attack your nearest ally.
You begin to hear whispers in your head after you are grappled. Kill them, kill your friends. Make a will save DC 18, on a success you are fine, on a fail you must attack attack your nearest ally.
At the end of its turn the shadow possessed Dunwar releases his grasp on Nalia and Poppo.
Nalia and Turngut you guys are up!
Turngut gags at the awful smell, but dives past Nalia and gets into a flank with Poppo. Stop squirming ManBoy. He growls as he grabs the elf by the shoulder.
Turngut tries to move past Dunwar but as he does one of the tentacles lashes out at Turngut striking the orc and wrapping the tentacle around him.
You begin to hear whispers in your head after you are grappled. Kill them, kill your friends. Make a will save DC 18, on a success you are fine, on a fail you must attack attack your nearest ally.
Nalia you're up!
As he is grappled up in the shadowy tentacle, Poppo is too annoyed to get scared! Really! Always trying to grab the little guys! And then he is released, Thank you! Guys we have to put this thing down!
Turngut looks puzzled for a moment as though trying to understand what he's being told. Suddenly he shakes his head and then lunges uncontrollably at Nalia. Hurt Woman now!!
Poppo is able to resist the voices he hears in his head however Nalia and Turngut are not able to. Turngut attempts to strike Nalia instead of grappling with Dunwar but she is able to keep her defense up against the orcs onslaught. Nalia with her longsword gives a slice across Turngut's bicep.
Calia charges at Dunwar trying to strike him nonlethally but misses her attack.
Initiative Order Round 2
Poppo (11 Damage)
BobE
Shadow Possessed Dunwar (15 nonlethal)
Nalia (10 Damage)
Turngut (17 Damage)
Calia
Poppo and BobE you guys are up.
Nalia! Turngut! Stop fighting each other! Don't listen to the shadows
Poppo tumbles into a flank with Beatrip and takes another swing at the shadow creature, this time lethally, sensing the gravity of the situation.
Beatrip tries to speak but only gurgles and mumbles come out as shadow Beatrip cannot speak. Both her and BobE make their fortitude saves, BobE misses his nonlethal attack. Beatrip misses both of her attacks on Dunwar. Poppo acrobatically roles into position despite the hostiles AOO already taking place. He then narrowly misses his attack on Dunwar.
The tentacles strike out against the two people who seemed to be weak against it before and both attacks land. The first strikes Turngut but skilled in the ways of grappling as he is, this time he is able to avoid being wrapped up in the tentacle . The other tentacle strikes Nalia and wraps around her .
You begin to hear whispers in your head after you are grappled. Kill them, kill your friends. Make a will save DC 18, on a success you are fine, on a fail you must attack attack your nearest ally.
At the end of its turn he releases Nalia from his grapple.
Turngut and Nalia you guys are up.
Turngut grunts as the tentacle slaps him, but he's able to shrug off the thing before it wraps him up. Out of the corner of his eye he sees movement and turns just as Nalia swings down with her sword. Dodging out of her reach just in time, Turngut glares at her, but this time with a look of confusion. Why you hit Turngut? ..... Why Turngut hit Woman?!?!. Deciding that the best defense is a good offense, he looks at Dunwar intently and begins to pummel the elf about the head.
Nalia once again persuaded by the shadow being tries to slice Turngut but he is able to dodge out of the way. Turngut is then able to strike Dunwar twice, but not all the damage goes through.
Calia tries to strike at Dunwar seeing everyone now using lethal force, she can't bring herself to hurt him. She five foot steps back.
Initiative Order Round 3
Poppo (11 Damage)
BobE
Shadow Possessed Dunwar (15 nonlethal, 17 lethal)
Nalia (21 Damage)
Turngut (26 Damage)
Calia
Poppo and BobE you guys are up!
Poppo sees Turngut return to normal and Calia retreat and remembers it's best to go easy and try to just debilitate the elf.
Poppo misses with his axe trying not to lethally slash at Dunwar. Both BobE and Beatrip are also unable to land a strike on Dunwar.
The tentacles that uncomoftably protrude from Dunwar's back once again lash out against Turngut and Nalia. It is able to hit both of the warriors but only able to grapple Nalia once again.
You begin to hear whispers in your head after you are grappled. Kill them, kill your friends. Make a will save DC 18, on a success you are fine, on a fail you must attack attack your nearest ally.
Everyone can go
Poppo tries again to strike the elusive shadow denizen, swinging his boarding axe!
Turngut grunts again as the tentacle slams him, but despite still being thrown off by the stench, he slaps off the thing, yet again. He glances across and makes eye contact with Poppo behind Dunwar. Coordinating their attacks, the orc and the halfling strike out at the same time.
Turngut sends 2 massive haymakers at Dunwar, both missing spectacularly. Then he feels the searing pain of a sword slash through his shoulder muscles. He looks over at Nalia with a look of confusion and pain, his right eye twitching ever so slightly...