[5e] Courts of the Shadow Fey (Inactive)

Game Master mishima


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HP: 71 (71) | AC: 18 | Saves: Str: +0; Dex: +8; Con: +2; Int: +3; Wis: +2; Cha: +0 | Initiative: +7 | Passive Perception: 18; Passive Insight: 14; Passive Investigation: 12 | Inspiration: [ ] | Spells/Day: 3 (3)

"Not really; you're still taller than me."

Lexi shrugged and added "Even if you had, what would it matter?"


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:
*Lexi wrote:

"Not really; you're still taller than me."

Lexi shrugged and added "Even if you had, what would it matter?"

"Fey tricks," Raseri says, as if that should explain it all.


character sheet

Kjeta's eyes show transparent concern for her young-old, tough-fragile companion.

Quietly, she asks, "Did this girl witness the same thing you did? If so, it seems more than a vision. Can you tell us more of what you each saw?"

Turning to the girl, Kjeta offers a gold coin and says, "Thank you, by the way, for showing kindness to a stranger. Anything more you can tell us about the odd beings you see here would be most appreciated. Can everyone see what you see?"


(Vanished One) HP 23/23 | AC 13 | Acr +5 Dec +3 Ins +3 Int +5 Perc +3 Pers +5 SoH +3 Ste +3 | Saves: S +1, D +3, C +5, I -1, W +1, Ch +5 Adv charm, disease; Imm Sleep| Init +3 | PPerc 13; PInv 9; Pins 13; DrkVis | Spd 30' | Insp: No | HD 3/3 | Spell DC 13 (1: 4/4; 2:1/2) | Sorcery 3/3 | Spell Att +5 | Status: Normal

Such a sight! But oh, how I miss the Ghetto's smell...

Deimus feels taller when the group crosses into the Ghetto, yet, his assurance is not entirely met by the Kobolds he passes. His nods are sometimes ignored, which give him pause. As he moves through the crowd, he feels like a drop of soap on oily water, the Kobolds spreading around as though Deimus was the center of some eldritch abjuration.

He looks to his companions and think it might be their presence that causes this reaction...

Then it strikes him and he departs with a brusque "Tzk.", his mechanical legs carrying him into the crowds then to the nearby wall.

From there, he starts walking, keeping a low profile, while studying the crowd.

Soap in oil... he thinks to himself as he meanders along the Ghetto's walls, studying the Kobolds' flowing though its streets.

As they seemed to avoid him and his companions, perhaps Ghetto Kobolds had similarly become, albeit unconsciously, attuned to the alien and learned to avoid it. In that case, the way the crowd moved, he conjectures, may be a reflection of deeper forces at work.

He knew not of legends much, but he knew of Kobolds.

Ok, in case my description is not clear, Deimus wants to read how people move to deduce where something so alien to Kobolds as a gate to the Shadow Roads may lie. I think insight may be appropriate for this, but I'm open to suggestions.

Insight: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27


AvernusArt 2Grid

Deimus

You breath in the atmosphere of the kobolds and Zobeckers who call this part of the wall their home for a few hours, standing sentinel a few blocks from the Lych Gate and slowly expanding outwards. You note the maintenance kobolds in their drab gray work clothes take a shadier path, like ants in a line, compared to the others. More importantly however, you note a creepy old house that has been all but burnt down to ruin...a place kobold and man alike refuse to go. A brief look inside shows a few symbols resembling the ones on the Lych Gate scrawled in charcoal on a broken dresser...

All

Overall success. Everyone rolled super high on this one.

The girl is delighted with the gold piece, but quickly bites it...just because its something shes seen done before. She tries to recall anything else but just shrugs "Stinkface just talks...he can't hurt you. Its like hes not really here, like a cloud in the sky. It looks like he's in an old burned up house...maybe thats why hes grumpy. But I've never seen her sisters before, maybe they will come back..." she turns at someone in the distance calling 'Ette?' and runs off. "Its mom."

Kjeta uses the wings of her owl to cover the symbols of the Lych Gate again and nothing happens at first, but soon discovers that if the owl flaps its wings in a way that shadow and light quickly change certain symbols glow a bright blue over others. They depict a somewhat different scene as characters once engaged in travel and trade now morph to tell a story of death and mourning.

The images swirl and come to life on the surface of the Gate, at first a flickering pattern of light and dark to match the owl's wings. Then, the barest sliver of the sun seems to rise and hang a moment longer before setting again into pitch. It shows the image of a man being hung by the neck, with strange shadow creatures at its feet as executioner...nearby a woman weeps the tears of the damned. The woman's face grows larger and more prominent as she wails, and her mouth opens into a swirling dark portal.

Just as suddenly and with as much reality, the images recede and return to their previous story.

Another 1000xp all. New things learned here: ritual related to sunrise/sunset, death/grief in some way. Location of sluagh lair. Fey spirits besides Knucklebones also appear at the Lych Gate.


AvernusArt 2Grid

Carnadine

At the butcher, another customer there seems confused "Pig knuckles? What...? Aren't they hooved creatures?"

The butcher just sighs "Damn all, someone this day and age never been on a farm...of course they have knuckles and hooves alike. Pigs feet are almost like a mans hand, but 4 fingered instead of 5. And good eatin'." he chops away your order shortly.

The veteran seems rather amicable at this point, interjecting intelligent questions while gasping at new insights...to an onlooker, the old man would appear to be falling for your gentlemanly nature and otherworldly grace.


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

After the girl, Ette, is gone, Raseri's knees buckle and she begins to shiver violently as if the air was deathly cold. She mutters "álfar bragðarefur" over and over again, as if it were some litany against evil spirits. After a moment, she looks up at Kjeta and Lexi, her eyes wet with tears and wide with terror.

"I-if I start to lose myself, w-w-will you k-k-kill me? Please," she begs them in small, brittle voice.


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HP: 71 (71) | AC: 18 | Saves: Str: +0; Dex: +8; Con: +2; Int: +3; Wis: +2; Cha: +0 | Initiative: +7 | Passive Perception: 18; Passive Insight: 14; Passive Investigation: 12 | Inspiration: [ ] | Spells/Day: 3 (3)

"Yes." Lexi said without hesitation.


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character sheet

Kjeta gives Lexi a queasy, nervous look.

Trying to place herself between Lexi and Raseri, Kjeta says, "BUT IT WON'T COME TO THAT. Chin up, little one.

"Have a little ale to re-warm your heart, and cleave tight to Thor. The fey won't claim you so easily. Not while the Hero of the Hops still lives."

She reaches out, judging if it's OK to run her fingers through Raseri's hair. If she gets a nod, she smooths it like she would a niece's.


(Vanished One) HP 23/23 | AC 13 | Acr +5 Dec +3 Ins +3 Int +5 Perc +3 Pers +5 SoH +3 Ste +3 | Saves: S +1, D +3, C +5, I -1, W +1, Ch +5 Adv charm, disease; Imm Sleep| Init +3 | PPerc 13; PInv 9; Pins 13; DrkVis | Spd 30' | Insp: No | HD 3/3 | Spell DC 13 (1: 4/4; 2:1/2) | Sorcery 3/3 | Spell Att +5 | Status: Normal

Deimus rejoins the others. His stride seems to have a little more spring than when they entered the Ghetto, though his expression remains a plate of brass.

"I think I've found the plazce!"

He notices the expressions on their faces and says: "Did I missz something?"


Dhampir Knight Captain Incorporeal | HP: 80/80 | HD 9/9 | Thirst 2/2 | Charm 1/1 | Wind 1/1 | Surge 1/1| Indomitable 0/1 | Inspiration
Stats:
AC 20 | Str +7 Dex +0(+2) Con +6 Int +0 Wis +0 Cha +2 | Initiative +0 | Passive Perception 14, Darkvision

Carnadine escorts the veteran to where he sleeps, so he knows where to collect him later, in case he needs an ultimate sacrifice later. He gives him the meat that he wanted and the clay container of blood for his first rituals for immortality. He departs his new disciple with gentlemanly nature and otherworldly grace.

==============================================

He returns to the companions with his package of pigs' knuckles and arrives when the little girl runs away.

"Amazing, Kjeta. That was very clever of you and your owl." Carnadine complements.

"Thorsdottir, you are not well. There must be more help than you need, besides a promise to kill you." The ghost knight could easily sacrifice her if it came for that.

"Excellent, Deimus. Lead on. I brought a gift for the gatekeeper, Knuckletooth." Carnadine complements. His companions are certainly contributing to potential success.


Wounds (0) HP (91) AC (20) Saves (7/-1/7/2/1/0) lvl1 (4/4) lvl2 (0/2) [CAMPAIGN COMPLETE]

Finally giving up on finding someone he felt comfortable talking to, he returned. In time to find the others looking like they were having emotions. Deciding that he had no desire to get involved in any such matters he shrugged at Deimus‘ question. ”Hopefully just everyone here being productive. I fear that I have not been very useful in this search. I pray that you all have had better fortune.”


AvernusArt 2Grid

Feel free to carry on the RP, time is not linear/strict for these challenges, just setting up the next bit whenever ready.

And yeah, hoping Hrungnir/Lexi get some success this time

The Reluctant Sluagh, Skill Challenge

Using details drawn from the mage's lost adventures, the Lych Gate's shrouded story, and the heartbeat of the locals, the counter insurgency discovered the lair of a sluagh native to Zobeck-a fey spirit possessing all the wiles yet none of the beauty of its cousins. If the Master of Star and Shadow was right, this creature may be the only way to learn the most complex details of the ritual...

The burnt out house was wedged deep in shadow, within the crevice of 3 much taller stone buildings, as if ignored and separated by time. The undisturbed coating of ash on the foundation hints few visitors ever come this way...

It is a still place near the ground, the wind howling a strange note high above as it dances on the rooftops. Entering, the fey symbols on the scorched dresser are almost a mirror image of the ones on the Lych Gate. But as interesting as that may be, something stirs from beneath a pile of rubble...from the pitch dark it slowly emerged, the face you instantly recognize like deja vu from your haunted dream. (Then, it emerged from a kobold's mouth, near a green velvet brick wall)

Unarmed, but with a mouth that stretches ear to ear filled with razor teeth...the pale skin like a cave adapted creature, with stringy oily hair...black and forgotten...it slithered out of its hole and sat up, crossing its legs and arms. It wiped the mess of hair from its face and looked you all over, and your blood froze as the thing's gaze was met. It spoke in Elvish first, then chuckled to itself before "What is the difference between a barter and a fight?" its wide smile hinting it was playing some game.

Possible Actions for Success:
-Try to barter for shared knowledge (Cha persuasion, int arcana, wis insight, or wis perception DC 18)
-Intimidate the sluagh for knowledge (int arcana, int history, or wis insight DC 20) OR (cha intimidation or dex stealth DC 18)
-Search the sluagh's lair (cha persuasion, dex stealth, int arcana, int history, int investigation, or wis perception DC 18)
-Player created DC 15


character sheet

To Carnadine

At Carnadine's compliment, Weißbier gives a deep, quiet coo.

Kjeta smiles and raises her tankard to Carnadine. "And you as well! Given what you heard about the history of the gate, I wonder..."

Outside the burnt out house

Just before entering the burnt out house, Kjeta blesses a new batch of brew, quenches her thirst, and offers the same to her peers.

She motions for Weißbier to wait on a nearby rooftop, and to come at her signal.

Now

Kjeta's heart skips a beat as she sees the creature from her nightmares. She fights an impulse to a knee-jerk reaction and instead takes a deep breath, sizing the frightening fey up.

What in Midgard does this thing want? How might we get what we want out of it?

Insight: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 <-- "Try to barter for shared knowledge (Cha persuasion, int arcana, wis insight, or wis perception DC 18)"


Dhampir Knight Captain Incorporeal | HP: 80/80 | HD 9/9 | Thirst 2/2 | Charm 1/1 | Wind 1/1 | Surge 1/1| Indomitable 0/1 | Inspiration
Stats:
AC 20 | Str +7 Dex +0(+2) Con +6 Int +0 Wis +0 Cha +2 | Initiative +0 | Passive Perception 14, Darkvision

As they approach, the sluagh's lair, the knight incorporeal straps his crimson shield to his left arm and cradles his butcher's package of knuckles in his right arm.

He had seen uglier creatures, "Well hello. You must be Knuckletooth. We've heard that you know a way into the Shadow Realm."

"I think the difference between bartering and fighting is in what is exchanged. Bartering exchanges items of value. Fighting exchanges violence."

"And, I've something that you might value. I've heard that you enjoy the fine delicacy of raw knuckles. I happen to have some in this package. We would want to know how to enter and return from the Shadow Realm without endangering ourselves. Would you be interested in bartering?" Carnadine asks with a polite smile hiding that he's ready for both bartering and fighting.
Persuasion with beer advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13


HP: 71 (71) | AC: 18 | Saves: Str: +0; Dex: +8; Con: +2; Int: +3; Wis: +2; Cha: +0 | Initiative: +7 | Passive Perception: 18; Passive Insight: 14; Passive Investigation: 12 | Inspiration: [ ] | Spells/Day: 3 (3)

"At least someone besides me realizes that what we're doing is inherrently very dangerous, and I'm not just talking about physically. As I mentioned before, if I am going to be taken by these creatures, and there is no hope of saving me, I want one of you to kill me."

At the Sluagh's Lair:

Lexi bites back her answer and instead searches the Sluagh's lair for information.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26


(Vanished One) HP 23/23 | AC 13 | Acr +5 Dec +3 Ins +3 Int +5 Perc +3 Pers +5 SoH +3 Ste +3 | Saves: S +1, D +3, C +5, I -1, W +1, Ch +5 Adv charm, disease; Imm Sleep| Init +3 | PPerc 13; PInv 9; Pins 13; DrkVis | Spd 30' | Insp: No | HD 3/3 | Spell DC 13 (1: 4/4; 2:1/2) | Sorcery 3/3 | Spell Att +5 | Status: Normal

Deimus looks at the others, perplexed, as they discuss on their way to the dark and remote place where he thinks the sluagh may be. He wonders why all of them are so interested in dying: "I tried dying. It'sz not all it's made up to be..." he mumbles, mostly to himself.

As they approach, he uses his favorite incantation to give him an edge. As he does so, he seems a bit taller, and his voice echoes warmly inside his chest. Cast Improve Ability.

Once inside the lair, as the creature emerges, he feels his springs and secondary engines seize a bit at the sight of this nightmarish creature. He wonders why it lives here, and what a day in the life of a sluagh may be like. As he does so, his fear turns to compassion. Perhaps this was not truly an evil creature. Perhaps it was just so out of fate, the way Kobolds were stigmatized...

"I bet things get boring down this hole, day in and day out... You have friends? Something to read? I mean, how do you spend your daysz? You know, if it were up to us, we'd just spend our days the way we used to, but things change, and so we need to cross over, to save this city. Do you like this city? What does Zobeck mean to you?" he asks, trying to connect with the sluagh on a different level than bartering.

Persuasion with Advantage to evoke compassion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 221d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30


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CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

Before the Gate before the Sluagh...
Raseri looks on the verge of hysteria as the others ask after her or try to comfort her in their own way. in an uncharacteristically rude action, she snatches the bottle from Kjeta's hands and downs half of it in a long pull before handing it back to the brewmother. It takes another moment before Raseri has enough control of herself to dare speak.

"I... I fear you have it wrong," she says as she looks down at the tarnished holy symbol then over to where the seax lays, the glow it had once gone. She shivers as she sees the charred handle and wonders if she has forever put herself beyond the pale.

"I've been haunted by silver eyes for as long as I can remember," she says slowly. What use were secrets now? She was likely losing her mind if not her entire self. If the others could help, they would need to know everything she did, and probably more. Still, the words came with difficulty, each only wanting to weigh her tongue down like lead so she could not speak. So she tells them, she tells them of waking with little memory in a grove outside of Zobeck, of the nightmares that sometimes came to her. She told them of the vision she had while lying on death's door during the fight in the Archives. She begins to lose her nerve as she tries to tell them of what happened before they found her. It is more difficult than she would have believed. Her words were chokes as if an invisible hand were slowly tightening around her throat. She manages to tell them, though, if only barely.

"...and I remember now. I remember mocking my mother and father under my breath, I remember calling forth beings of ash and fire and laughing while they slaughtered my family and the villagers. I enjoyed it! I wanted more of it. I remember doing it just as we were celebrating Thurik the Bold's fifteenth year as king," she says as she clutches her head as if trying to squeeze out the terrible memories.

"I remember wandering the woods afterwards and being found by a fey woman with silver eyes. She took me in and took my fate before torturing me for six years. Things become a blur after that."

Raseri curls up, looking all the world like a girl in too big clothes and with too many burdens for her age.

"Maybe killing me would be a mercy," she half-whispers after a long moment.

The Ashen House of the Sluagh, Knucklebones
Raseri clutches at the hilt of the long sword she carries as the Sluagh appears. She isn't sure what she could do to help, but she had to try something. It is too much a part of her nature to act to simply stand passively by. With a deep breath, she reaches into the pocket where she'd stashed the ruined handle of her seax and pulls the charred bone out. With narrowed eyes, she watches the Sluagh to see if he notices the runes and knows their significance.

Insight DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Success, but I'm not sure how this will play out. Maybe he can feel the connection to a long line of hags. Powerful hags touched by Chernobog at that.


Dhampir Knight Captain Incorporeal | HP: 80/80 | HD 9/9 | Thirst 2/2 | Charm 1/1 | Wind 1/1 | Surge 1/1| Indomitable 0/1 | Inspiration
Stats:
AC 20 | Str +7 Dex +0(+2) Con +6 Int +0 Wis +0 Cha +2 | Initiative +0 | Passive Perception 14, Darkvision

Before the Gate before the Sluagh... reacting to Raseri

Carnadine weighs whether saying anything would help the Thorsdottir. While he has never experienced amnesia, he has done and seen terrible things. The ghost knight regretted none of his life choices; he's Lawful EVIL.

"Raseri, as I have told you, your divine patron provides certainty in life and death. If Thor cannot assure you, there are other divine patrons who can."

"Now, get up and stop acting like a child. At least, pretend to be the Thorsdottir who we first met, until you get yourself together." Carnadine speaks like a stern father and walks toward the Slaugh's lair.


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HP: 71 (71) | AC: 18 | Saves: Str: +0; Dex: +8; Con: +2; Int: +3; Wis: +2; Cha: +0 | Initiative: +7 | Passive Perception: 18; Passive Insight: 14; Passive Investigation: 12 | Inspiration: [ ] | Spells/Day: 3 (3)

Lexi mumbles something to herself while looking at Carnadine, then turns to Raseri and whispers something to her:

Whisper, Whisper:

"It's going to be ok. I'll tell you what my mentor told me about being in a situation like this: whatever you feel, stuff it inside and do what needs to be done. No matter what happens, keep storing it inside. Finally, when everything is over, find yourself a safe place to scream, cry, and rage until everything is out."

Advice given to me by my first squad leader, who was a Bosnian and OEF combat vet.

Smiling in her best reassuring smile, Lexi offers Raseri her hand.


Wounds (0) HP (91) AC (20) Saves (7/-1/7/2/1/0) lvl1 (4/4) lvl2 (0/2) [CAMPAIGN COMPLETE]

Search the sluagh's lair (lnt Arcana DC 18) : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Your hope worked!

Deimus was proving that his tongue was forged from silver. Which meant that little attention was payed to Hrungnir. The rune smith walked the lair, using his knowledge of all things arcane to search for clues. What might not be obvious to a layman often stuck out to those who practiced the craft.


AvernusArt 2Grid
Quote:
Bartering exchanges items of value. Fighting exchanges violence.

He giggles a sick delightful laugh "I think not. The greatest fights exchange your life for your beliefs...both items of great value. Perhaps you are not familiar with sacrifice..."

But at the mention of knuckles, an uncontrollable green ooze dribbles out the gape hole between his front razors, forcing himself to lick the disgusting slobber all off as his stomach rumbles.

Deimus steps forwards with his questions, the creature cocks its head taking them in one at a time, overwhelmed by the magnificance and focusing on the last, blabbling "What is Zobeck? Many things...Zobeck is what happens when traditions are buried. Zobeck is the bait on the tip of the rich man's lure. Zobeck counters the ancient Margreve as light rides shadow..." the piercing nature of Deimus' phrasing encourages him to go even further "It is my purgatory...my kind are the unclaimed souls, wanted neither by Heaven nor Hell. While you mortals may yet learn and grow, us spirits are eternal and unchanging...I remember only my greatest loves and greatest hatreds, and can but carry them for all time."

At Raseri's blade being drawn the thing recoils and roars, but when no violence ensues it settles and his gaze fixes on the symbols "Ahah...but there are ways around everything, isn't there. Memories and experiences can be exchanged...sometimes in damaging ways, as the Grindylow and Hag. Sometimes sweet ways...perhaps I could show you." it offers. "The shadow fey prize intense emotions of suffering and loss above all...they barter in such, I could show you this currency. Very sweet...sweet as pigs knuckles" the gross mass giggles.

More incoming...


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

Before the Sluagh.
Raseri looks at Carnadine's back and wants to curse him and his line, but holds her tongue long enough for Lexi to whisper in her ear. She accepts the help to her feet and whispers back

whisperwhisper:

"I will try. It is....difficult when you cannot trust yourself, or worse, when you do not even know what or who you are when you thought you knew. I fear we shall be meeting my silver-eyed sister and our mothers."

She picks up the seax and quickly takes apart the pommel to slide the handle from the tang. She pockets the fittings and wraps the blade in some thick oilcloth before placing it in her bag.

"Thank you, Lexi. I wish fate had been kinder to you. I would not wish the madness of the fey realms on anyone, much less a friend."


AvernusArt 2Grid

Lexi pokes through the ash and ruin, finding little besides dismantled trinkets oddly reassembled into artistic poses...for example a little doggy statue made from a thimble and broken brass buckle. Trash. But one thing stands out...most who look might take it for a plumbing line stretching out from the floor, but Lexi noted the shape at the end of the tube was oddly organic, and with a little prying and pulling plucked forth a humongous smoking pipe. Nearly the size of Kjeta feet to nape, it was an exotic ivory engraved with femurs, skulls, and ribcages. Quite an odd and out of place find, perhaps worth mentioning...

Hrungnir examines the patterns of charcoaled symbols on the dresser, and while the symbols are the same as those on the Lych Gate and apparently undecipherable, the pattern or arrangement they are placed in is suddenly very familiar. It is the very same pattern for a scrying spell, but a mirror image.

The pattern itself hints at the location of the scry for those trained as he is, and Hrungnir after some rough figuring deduces it to be indeed the Lych Gate. Yet there is another, should the same pattern be both reflected and inflected...the runemaster can almost feel the crossing of the ley lines as he mentally pinpoints it: the eastern pier. But something is funny, its just below street level...why would the sluagh want to scry there?


AvernusArt 2Grid

Raseri pointed out a missed opportunity available for you guys in the scene prior to the sluagh. The words of note:

Quote:
"...and I remember now. I remember mocking my mother and father under my breath, I remember calling forth beings of ash and fire and laughing while they slaughtered my family and the villagers. I enjoyed it! I wanted more of it. I remember doing it just as we were celebrating Thurik the Bold's fifteenth year as king."

Please roll int history for a chance to understand some more of Raseri's great backstory. Raseri will describe results.


Dhampir Knight Captain Incorporeal | HP: 80/80 | HD 9/9 | Thirst 2/2 | Charm 1/1 | Wind 1/1 | Surge 1/1| Indomitable 0/1 | Inspiration
Stats:
AC 20 | Str +7 Dex +0(+2) Con +6 Int +0 Wis +0 Cha +2 | Initiative +0 | Passive Perception 14, Darkvision

History: 1d20 ⇒ 19


(Vanished One) HP 23/23 | AC 13 | Acr +5 Dec +3 Ins +3 Int +5 Perc +3 Pers +5 SoH +3 Ste +3 | Saves: S +1, D +3, C +5, I -1, W +1, Ch +5 Adv charm, disease; Imm Sleep| Init +3 | PPerc 13; PInv 9; Pins 13; DrkVis | Spd 30' | Insp: No | HD 3/3 | Spell DC 13 (1: 4/4; 2:1/2) | Sorcery 3/3 | Spell Att +5 | Status: Normal

History: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14


Wounds (0) HP (91) AC (20) Saves (7/-1/7/2/1/0) lvl1 (4/4) lvl2 (0/2) [CAMPAIGN COMPLETE]

History, loving these posts: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12


HP: 71 (71) | AC: 18 | Saves: Str: +0; Dex: +8; Con: +2; Int: +3; Wis: +2; Cha: +0 | Initiative: +7 | Passive Perception: 18; Passive Insight: 14; Passive Investigation: 12 | Inspiration: [ ] | Spells/Day: 3 (3)

I'm interested to see what we can learn!

History: 1d20 ⇒ 10


character sheet

History: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Kjeta is pretty sure Raseri is just hallucinating, and didn't give much thought to exactly what she said...and anyway, if it's not the history of brewing, herbs, or masonry (her three tool proficiencies) she figures it can't be all that important.

No rush on a reply to Kjeta's Insight check...but I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it.


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Yep, sorry Kjeta, was in rush mode yesterday. Will work something in after responses.


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

I'm guessing Raseri failed in her attempt? I missed that Insight was an option for intimidation and she rolled a 17. I was planning on trying to see if she could glean some information from his reactions, though not necessarily intimidate him.


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Na I interpreted that as a Player Created option, so DC 15.
Everyone succeeded on this one except Carn, basically dominating it...but I haven't spilled the beans on everything yet, waiting for a response or two. (And wondering about those history rolls. I was in a rush yesterday so thought you could do it, but I can if you'd rather.
I couldn't exactly remember the number of years off the top of my head.)

Sluagh Challenge Summary
Carn - fail
Kjeta - success, yet to be shown
Lexi - found giant smoking pipe
Hrungnir - found second scrying location
Raseri - details of a memory ritual offered as barter
Deimus - basically ensured no nastiness with wtf crazy persuasion roll


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CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

Carnadine, Deimus, Hrungnir, and Lexi:

Thurik is an old dwarven name, but as far as you know, no dwarven kings have been named such in recent memory.

Carnadine:

The name Thurik sparks some memory from your studies, whether as a boy learning of other noble and royal lines and the like or in the course of your own investigations. It is not an uncommon dwarven name, being ancient and given the dwarven tendency to name their children for honored ancestors, but there are few dwarven kings that have born the name Thurik and only one given the honorific the bold. Thurik the Bold ruled over what is now Vargrike hundreds of years ago, before the elves and the wolves pushed the dwarves back and left only Wolfheim as a testament to their rule. If Raseri is telling the truth, then she is far older than she realizes.

Just realized I missed a post. Going back to read it.


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

Raseri stares at the fey for a moment before sighing and relaxing her grip on her sword's hilt.

"And what would your price be? The fey are not known for giving secrets away freely," Raseri says, her voice soft with uncertainty.


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Sluagh Lair

At Raseri's meek question the fey spirit's gaze goes back to Carnadine's sack of knuckles, licking his lips expectantly.

Kjeta feels oddly in tune with the spirit, perhaps guided by some divine grace. She senses it indeed wants a simple trade for now, but is perhaps not showing all its cards just yet.

Just need to know if you guys agree to this first trade or not to swiftly move this scene along.


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

I would.


Dhampir Knight Captain Incorporeal | HP: 80/80 | HD 9/9 | Thirst 2/2 | Charm 1/1 | Wind 1/1 | Surge 1/1| Indomitable 0/1 | Inspiration
Stats:
AC 20 | Str +7 Dex +0(+2) Con +6 Int +0 Wis +0 Cha +2 | Initiative +0 | Passive Perception 14, Darkvision

Carnadine recognizes the desire of the sluagh. He opens the package slowly, dramatically until some of the knuckles are exposed. Then, he grabs one, "Oh, you want these? What are we getting for them? Here's a taste of the potential." He asks before throwing one of the knuckles to the creature as he would a hunting dog into its mouth.


HP: 71 (71) | AC: 18 | Saves: Str: +0; Dex: +8; Con: +2; Int: +3; Wis: +2; Cha: +0 | Initiative: +7 | Passive Perception: 18; Passive Insight: 14; Passive Investigation: 12 | Inspiration: [ ] | Spells/Day: 3 (3)

Lexi is definitely NOT down to trade her memories to anyone, much less a fey.


Wounds (0) HP (91) AC (20) Saves (7/-1/7/2/1/0) lvl1 (4/4) lvl2 (0/2) [CAMPAIGN COMPLETE]

Hrungnir stood back, seeing if anyone was foolish enough to make such a deal. As with Lexi, he was not willing to trade his memories. Though he would, if the price was right. At the moment though, such a price hasn’t been offered.


(Vanished One) HP 23/23 | AC 13 | Acr +5 Dec +3 Ins +3 Int +5 Perc +3 Pers +5 SoH +3 Ste +3 | Saves: S +1, D +3, C +5, I -1, W +1, Ch +5 Adv charm, disease; Imm Sleep| Init +3 | PPerc 13; PInv 9; Pins 13; DrkVis | Spd 30' | Insp: No | HD 3/3 | Spell DC 13 (1: 4/4; 2:1/2) | Sorcery 3/3 | Spell Att +5 | Status: Normal

Deimus waits, wondering how the bargaining will go.


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The creature snatches the knucklebone from the air astonishingly like a master kungfu artist, popping it into his huge maw. It just sucks at first (an irritating sucky sound) "...I told you..." he bites the knuckle once with a *pop* and sucks more "...Ill give you a ritual that lets you trade memories with anyone, should you choose. Old spell, lost here on this side I think...the caster forgets it permanently, the receiver gets it permanently...just as if they lived. Very helpful for dealing with shadow fey. Memories are more valuable than gold, its experiences they love. Me too." he crunches up the knuckle completely, delighting "*mmhm* But knuckles first. Make this barter, and we can discuss others?" he offers.

He is offering knowledge of a spell for knucklebones here. Not an actual memory trade (yet).


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Any caster can learn the spell, so basically everyone except Carnadine. Carnadine is the one holding the sack of knuckles, however.


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

"And what if your memories are clouded," Raseri asks, curious and wondering if she really wanted to know more about herself. She's already been shaken once. What if the next revelation shatters her? She feels like singing, brittle ice as she asks her next question. "Do you know of magic that can show the truth of oneself?"


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The sluagh ponders, never taking his eye off the knuckle sack for long...but almost eyeing Raseri with the same sense of hunger, perhaps sensing a lucrative deal in the works "I do. Very ancient magic...there is magic that can bring secrets of self to light, as well as other magic to recall what's ever been forgotten. Others suggest more mundane paths, that truth of self is only in one's actions."


CG Female Elfmarked Cleric(Tempest Domain) 8/Sorcerer 1 HP: 39/72, HD: d8- 8/8, d6- 1/1 | AC: 20 | Saves: STR +3 DEX +2 CON* +6 INT +1 WIS +3 CHA* +6 (Immune: Petrification, Sleep)| Perception: +10, Investigate: 0, Insight: +6 | Channel Divinity (Short Rest): 2/2 | Wrath of the Storm (Long Rest): 1/2 | Spells: 1st 0/4, 2nd 0/3, 3rd 0/3, 4th 0/2, 5th 1/1, | Arrows: 0, Status:

"And what if one does not know their actions? Then what course is left to them," Raseri asks, trying hard not to shrink away from the Sluagh's hungry gaze, but not quite succeeding.

"I have heard tales that a maiden's hair can be a boon to those fey looking to cast powerful spells. Is this true?"


(Vanished One) HP 23/23 | AC 13 | Acr +5 Dec +3 Ins +3 Int +5 Perc +3 Pers +5 SoH +3 Ste +3 | Saves: S +1, D +3, C +5, I -1, W +1, Ch +5 Adv charm, disease; Imm Sleep| Init +3 | PPerc 13; PInv 9; Pins 13; DrkVis | Spd 30' | Insp: No | HD 3/3 | Spell DC 13 (1: 4/4; 2:1/2) | Sorcery 3/3 | Spell Att +5 | Status: Normal

Deimus looks to the others: "I am happy to barter and trade, and this promise of a spell has me intrigued, but we must focus on why we are here, which is to find passage, yesz?"


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"The soul does not change, the truth does not change. It simply is, whether you know it or not...it shows itself in actions to come. And yes, a maiden's hair has power...though the blood is stronger. But none can match the first seed. Tell me..." he grins wickedly "...hypothetically of course...your daughter and your mother are swimming in the waters. Shortly you hear their delicious screams of terror as they are both caught in a strong current. You are a strong swimmer, but can only save one at a time. Your mother is a poor swimmer who likely can not hold on long. Your daughter is better, but only has perhaps half a chance of 100 to hold on long enough. Who do you save?"


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At Deimus' attempts to bring things back on track "Yes, of course you seek the Nilfheim road. A dangerous road...but the only one available to you. The ritual itself is not without risk..." it pauses for a moment slithering uncomfortably in place, before describing in detail what it takes to open a portal to the Shadow Realm: a lit lantern must be spun and rapidly covered and uncovered in a small sack; it must be performed at the right place with a sacrifice: murder, suicide, significant tragedy, confession of lost love or betrayal; it is easier for those with fey blood; the portal is man-sized and open for 1 minute. "I trade you that information for the peace you have brought. My previous offer also stands."

I misread earlier, these 2 special fey rituals are actually learnable/castable by everyone, regardless of having ritual casting or not.


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Lexi, Hrungnir, any follow up on your odd findings or just waiting for scene to end?

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