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The wording on the line "I fell with Singular Blow" has me lost. I feel like I understand the riddle besides that line. Does it mean the person fell? They make others fall? I feel like it is missing a word like "a singular blow"... and I feel like this is the key to this riddle but I can't put it together. Any thoughts on that line?
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Zendel shares his insights with Ron.
"I've been thinking over the 'Mirror,' and what I know of Charon. Remember when I said that Mirrors can be self-reflection but also could represent water? What if this mirror represents both? What do we know of Charon?"
It's clear this is a rhetorical question, because Zendel pauses only briefly, while gesticulating. "We know that Charon is the Horseman of Death. We know he rebelled with the other three horsemen over their master in Abaddon, and only he survived -- though he soon recruited three other horsemen to replace his fallen colleagues." Here Zendel raises his brows. "But Charon has another identity, and that is as The Boatman. He rules the Styx in Abbadon, and his home is the Sunken Palace in the Drowned Court beneath Styx's waves. What happens to mortals when they face the Styx? Some of those not able to pay Charon's fee are drowned for all eternity. Others lose their memories and their selves the moment they touch the water. But there have also been reports of the river's beauty and reflective qualities... It's been known to fascinate the unwary, who stare forever at it. Perhaps it may be stretching things, but I think it's our mirror."
He takes a deep breath, reciting again:
"Upon a Dead Throne I leer..." Zendel raises a finger. "Charon has a throne, and is the undisputed master of the Styx."
"Fatal to mortals below," Zendel raises another finger. "I think this could be referring both to Charon's role as the Horseman of Death and as the Boatman over a river of perpetually drowning souls."
"My enemies aghast at a Mirror," Zendel raises another finger. "Mortals both fear the Styx and have been fascinated by its reflective surface, losing themselves in contemplating its power and mystery."
"I fell with Singular Blow..." Zendel looks less certain, but continues. "Doesn't the Horseman of Death run roughshod over his enemies?"
He turns to the Zandyk. "I guess Charon."
Zandyk hear's Zendel reasoning out loud, and visibly grows nervous. He takes a slightly defensive stance - even flits his eye back to make sure the still-locked puzzle box is still lying where he left it - then struts over with feline grace and says:
He looks to Ignatius now
He avoids looking at Vanvathar altogether, then finally says:
Now towards Ron and Matei now and smiles at them knowingly.
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"Upon a Dead Throne I leer" Matei looks like is squeezing his brain out I think Pharasma sits on a throne made of bones...
"Fatal to mortals below" Ugh, this is giving me a headache Below what? Below the throne?
"My enemies aghast at a Mirror" The young man is visibly trying his best to come up with something useful Aren't vampires afraid of mirrors?
"I fell with Singular Blow" Oh holy Prince of the Moon, how I loathe riddles! What does it mean with "Singular Blow"? As in "a single hit", or "a peculiar wallop"?
Matei is sweating copiously, and not because of the desert heat. Having only two chances left to solve the hated riddle is making him feel like a very big load has been put on his shoulders. Why don't they teach this kind of things at the University? he says to himself, and for a moment his mind goes back to the time of his youth, when he used to attend lectures in the classrooms of the University of Lepidstadt. Aside from the subjects of his medical pursuit he followed also classes about literature from all around the world, but never paid much attention to this kind of compositions. He most probably skipped the lecture about riddles (if there ever was one), deeming it a waste of time. Maybe I should try some lateral thinking? He thinks to himself Gosh, I'm not good at that either. He is quickly turning from worried to nervous, and his brain starts to get numbed by that, thinking clearly becomes ever more difficult. What if we fail? Will it eat us? It sure seems physically capable of that...
My friends, I don't think we have much time, and surely we haven't got much chances left to guess the correct answer. I'm trying my best, I really do, but I need all the help you can give me to come up with something he says to the other members of the party, looking almost desperate.
Suddenly a spark lights up in the young man mind Could it be... a Scythe?
Upon a Dead Throne I leer, The blade of a Scythe stares at you from above a wooden staff.
Fatal to mortals below, It is indeed fatal to anyone who comes under its blade.
My enemies aghast at a Mirror, The blade reflects the faces of its horrified victims.
I fell with Singular Blow Usually one blow is enough to kill with such weapon.
This is the best I can come up with, he thinks to himself, but before telling the sphinx that this is my answer I want to hear the opinions of my esteemed colleagues. He then shares his thoughts with the party, waiting for them to express opinions and suggestions.
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At first I was dismissive of the idea of it being the river because the words of the riddle make it seem as if the answer is above people but that would make sense that it is fatal to the people the river is above, wouldn't it. But the river is on top of a throne? And the river doesn't fell people with blows.... that I can think of at least.
You know, I think you are on to something Matel. And if you are right, that would mean that Vanvathar wasn't far off either... hmmm... I am really drawing a blank on any other answers at this point.
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Vanvathar gulps. "Hmm, I can see both Styx, or water in general, and a scythe being good answers. With the Styx, I don't really see the 'dead throne' making sense.... Unless, the souls in the river count, right? And yeah, a scythe is more in line with my original line of thinking, but the dead throne feels a little off... I'm honestly split between the two."
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Unless anyone can come up with a different answer we might as well use our last two guess on the two options we believe it to be... Ron subconsciously places his hand on his sword and thinks to himself when he realizes that he did that If don't get this right, will we need to fight them for the box? I hope it doesn't come to that...
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"...Mirror..."
This play of words seems to signify that the source comes from the self - as if to say the "enemies" are somehow culpable for their own "fell"ing!
"...Singular Blow..."
This play of words seems to signify that "fell" means by contrast "to fell many" plurally - as if to say whoever sits on the "throne" needn't do much.
"...Dead Throne..."
This is a reference to one of the Horsemen of Apocalypse - perhaps a direct reference!
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Given what we know and that we were told we were close with Charon, I think the answer must be one of the other horsemen... but I cannot figure out which of the other horsemen makes more sense than Charon... Ron looks visibility worried. That means there are 3 options left and two guess. If you have a better idea than me, I would say go for it but I am going to take a guess at one of the 3 options.
Turning to the Sphinx Ron crosses his fingers and says My answer is Szuriel.
Zandyk looks pleasantly surprised - as if he wasn't expecting much out of the young fighter until this very moment!
the sphinx praises before saying:
He whirls now to face Matei he walks over and grabs the still-locked puzzle box and sits back down in front of the bard on the sand, holding it up in his two claws, teasing it's diminishing potential of release with joy!
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Ron smacks his head. I think I get it now. I was looking at the mirror as seeing something inside themselves that horrified them, but I think it is literally something inside of them! Pestilence... illness... Apollyon. I think that has to be the answer. Ron looks at the Sphinx hoping to catch a reaction since he knows he already used his guess.
He then looks to his Matei you have the last guess. I like that is the answer but I also already got it wrong so I would not hold it against you if you go a different direction.
Zandyk shoots a nervous glare towards Ron...
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Well, then the time has come for me to try my luck says Matei, visibly nervous.
Zandyk he says, forcing himself to look the beast right in the eyes, My guess at your riddle is... he stops briefly, glancing quickly at Ron, then he utters his answer with a rather powerful tone....
He then waits, almost shaking, as if the sphinx would devour him in one bite any moment.
Zandyk whirls, his tail flailing, almost slamming into Ignatius, a look of pure shock upon his face, and within 360 degrees, he stares temporarily dumfounded at Matei.
he searches the bard's eyes for an unconscious admission of trolling.
Seeing none, as promised, he hands Matei the still-locked box
he muses out loud, then addresses the PCs one more time
With that, he spreads his mighty wings, and takes off into the mid-noon sky!
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Zendel nods to Matei, and says, "Well done!"
Then he turns to the Sphinx. "I am glad you have not given up on your dreams of going to the Magaambya. I am a gnome who was adopted by hobgoblins, and learned of all the wonders of Oprak and the Stone Roads. What wonders will you discover when you follow your dreams again and went to the Magaambya? Not all humanoids are brutes who attack. Many of us are scholars, dreamers and searchers of wisdom. However this plays out, I am glad to have met you."
With Zandyk gone, and the still-locked puzzle box in Matei's hand, the party collects from the vacated hideout the remains of the goods likely stolen from the caravan (and maybe others?)...
With the sun high in the midday sky, the party is forced to "rest" a few hours before it once again becomes reasonable to travel... and temptation arises to pry!
You unlock the box!
Inside is a main compartment stuffed with letters written to a "My Little Tidbittie" and signed "Gramma Boom" dating back years.
And what's this!? A second, secret compartment with a map tucked inside!?... perhaps a treasure map!?!?
...
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You did it Matei! Ron cheers. I was getting a bit nervous that we weren't going to pull the riddle off. Ahh what an adventure. Let's get this troublesome box back to our gnome friend and see if the bandits left us anything fun. What are you all up to after we finish this job up?
Ron turns to Zandyk Nice riddle you had there. I think you almost had us, unless Matei was holding back on us to make us sweat a little. Ron gently pushed on the doctor's shoulder. Do you live in the area or roam the dessert? If the Society ever sends me back this way, I will keep an eye out for you!
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Ron plays with the box a bit on the rest but doesn't expect much. Puzzles have never been much of his thing.
Ron impresses himself when he makes progress on the box but when he thinks he has it he hits a road block and passed the box off to someone else.
I can easily carry some of it and if I push myself I can carry most of the supplies, but I won't be able to grab it all.
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Thanks my friends. I have to admit, that was quite an interesting challenge, the doctor says, still sweating, but I still can't stand riddles, ahahahah he laughs nervously.
May I get a look at the puzzle box? He asks, and when the metallic cube passes in his hands he tries to unlock it...
... but he fails at the task, the mechanism is simply too complex for his skills.
Matei also offers to carry some of the stuff found in the bandit's cache in his backpack.
Amid the spoils was Sack, which helped Ignatius, Ron, and Matei to carry the gear back across the desert a couple hours after their heat-enforced rest.
As the sun slowly makes it's descent back into the horizon, the party finally arrive back at the Bent Coin, looking to see the establishment well-populated, as indeed it seems to be filling up by the minute, as the coolest part of the day emerges from the intense heat.
Looking everywhere, Tidbit Wizelboom is nowhere to be found... but asking the barkeep, he responds "If this is for business, I'll send someone to Wizelboom’s Wonders to go get her!" and he does just that as the PCs show him the puzzle box. Relaxing here, the PCs slake their thirst on cool water (and maybe other treats), as well as order a light meal, and the scrappy messenger - who can't be more than all of seven - returns with her by his side, and points at the party.
Tidbit walks up "All in one piece!" it takes a moment to realize that she is referring to your collective physical state "I do hope the news is good!"
...
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The trip was overall very unexpected. We got ambushed by dust monsters and the badits were already gone by the time we got there. But there was a strange creature who gave us a hard riddle. I thought there was a chance we were going to need to fight it to get your box back! By the way, what is the trick to that box, if you don't mind me asking. I played around for a little bit and the puzzle certainly has me stumped.
Tidbit jumps for joy "Oh you it!?!" and slapping 20 golds on the counter and eye-tipping the barkeep "Put their's on the Wizelboom tab!" she looks at Ron and says "Ok I'll show you"
"See a main compartment here" then she turns her wrist again "and a Secret Compartment here - and you know what?" the look on her face, already excited, grows exponentially more so in a matter of milliseconds "You can Have it!"
She hands to Ron an antique Treasure Map, which appears to lead to [redacted]...
And with that, the gnomish inventor curtzies and makes her way back to her shop, waving to the barkeep on the way out...
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Vanvathar sighs deeply as Matei gives the right answer. "Phew, that was close. Good job, Matei! And thank you too, Zandyk, for honoring your promise. I hope good fortune follows you wherever you go, and I hope you understand now that not all humanoids want to outright kill everything on sight. May our paths cross again in the future!"
As the puzzle box gets passed around, Vanvathar looks uncertain. "I'm not sure, I think I've had enough mental stimulation for today. And besides, maybe what's inside is personal, I don't want to pry in other people's affairs."
After a second of hesitation, he reaches out for the box anyway. "Gimme that thing, let's see what's in here..."
After half 10 minutes of fiddling with the device, Vanvathar throws it into the sand in frustration, and refuses to look at it further. "Bah, simple tricks for simple minds. I prefer more academical puzzles."
Back in the bar, Vanvathar glances over Tidbit's shoulder as she unlocks the device, but otherwise keeps his distance.
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How did I miss that! Ron seems disappointed that he didn't solve the puzzle without help but also impressed with the workings of the box.
When she produces the paper inside Ron looks curiously at it. You sure I can have it? You seemed to hide it pretty well. Ron says as he looks over it and realizes that it is a msp with a marked location. have you been to the spot on the map before?
You take your leave of Tidbit and travel together for a bit. Eventually, you find yourself in the forested Meritocracy of Nirmathas, a nation in the Eye of Dread region. Here, Zendel takes his leave of you for a bit. "We're close to Oprak, and it's about time I visited my father. One of the Stone Roads por--" he breaks off with a cough, "--er, entrances, is nearby. I'll see you in a few days?" he asks hopefully.
He waves goodbye, then he walks a short distance up the road, does a half turn and disappears. There is absolutely no sign of where he went.
Still, Nirmathas is quite lovely at this time of the year. Waiting here for a couple days for Zendel to return to you doesn't seem quite that bad, does it?
You soon find yourself outside of Scallion's Wrap, a small hamlet of little repute between the Hollow Hills and the Fangwood. It appears to be mostly farm country, though you catch sight of tons of fey creatures flitting here and there amongst the trees.
As you walk down the road, you might meet a new comrade...
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Tons of fey creatures flitting among the trees indeed - And what a great annoyance!
Nary a foot tall, with a back covered in mothen wings, looms a creature of a humanoid, if small, male body shape, with cloven feet and inverted horns, all the spectrum of grey with white and black eyes, scowling and poking his two hands with single-pinky-finger pointed inside his ears as if to block the sound, stumbling from outside the brush, and incidentally right into the path of the party.
Contrasting his stature is an unnaturally baritone voice, scratchy and hoarse "Aaaarrrgh! Make it Stop!" the creature notices the new company after they notice him, and spitting upon the ground - which causes the dirt to sizzle! - looks up and feigns authority "There is a Toll in these parts. Tallfolk count double!"
If anyone pays the "toll", they find themselves with a new companion "For protection, obviously" if asked why, puffing his chest to add nearly half an inch to his height "There is a human village this way" pointing a long-nailed fore-finger yonder.
Shedding a gentle trail of ashes in his wake!
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Hoo boy, Vanvathar thinks. If I had to pay toll for every weird creature that came my way, joining the Society was the wrong move.
Still, he considers it. A fey on our side means it isn't out for blood. Yet.
"Er, how much is that toll, and how long will your protection last? Our glorious leader seems to be missing, and I must admit, we're a little aimless at the moment."
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Tallfolk always asking such silly questions!
"No less than acorns apiece!"
Seriously, was this their first time in Fangwood!?
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Ron get's his definitive answer: "Yes!"
"You are clearly confused. Maruta can help. That is his name" you wonder how such a small larynx produces such a deep and acidic sound "And this world is only tread by him, such as yourselves, and he does not carry it aloft, for it cares not" it points to itself as it enunciates "his" and "him" and "he" as it speaks.
"Up ahead is called Scallion's Wrap by those with permanent dwelling. They make noise too. And probably have your ideas" Such strange ideas these tallfolk have about the world! It's amazing they can put their own twofeet in front of them...
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Vanvathar shrugs and starts looking for acorns as well.
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you need those acorns for? Do you hibernate, like squirrels? Or do you-" He cuts himself off, after having heard the answer to Ron's question. Right. No or-or questions. That'll just confuse things even further.
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Although a bit confused, Matei starts looking for acorns on the ground.
I never imagined having to pay a toll with acorns, says the doctor, I guess there's a first time for everything. I would also be curious to know the reason for this "price", he says, turning to the sprite, Mr. ...?
Oh, but where I left my manners, let me introduce myself, Matei produces himself in a short bow, then holds out his hand to the creature. My name is Matei Nakayama, trainee occupational therapist in force at the Vodavani lodge in Caliphas, and aspiring Pathfinder. These are my travel companions, who I imagine want to introduce themselves.
While you are all searching for acorns, an older halfling woman in bright clothes quickly approaches, a large golden wolfhound at her side. She places herself before you with a glint in her eye and grins. "Maruta! Really? The acorn toll again?" She wags a finger at the fey. "Just for that, you should help these tall folk out!" To soften her words, she tosses three acorns one at a time to Maruta. "Here, I'll hire you to do it."
Turning to the taller section of the party, she says. “I don't suppose you young folk are looking for any work, by chance?!” she asks. “If you are, I have just the task. Doesn't pay much, but you'll get full bellies and a place to stay, along with the joy of helping an old woman on Winter Week!” She holds up a small cobble stone with great reverence and a slightly crooked facial expression. “My name is Kupyn Baro,” says the halfling. “Me and my pup Darb need your help to make this rock into a stew that will feed our village.”
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Maruta addresses the large golden wolfhound "Darb" he says, cracking off the nut of one of the acorns from it's cupule and stem, and placing the latter on his head "Winter Week it says" he points up to Kupyn "Would not want to appear falsely" he holds the nut of the acorn out and spits on it, which causes the pericarp to shrivel a little "Tell her now" speaking to the dog in Common still "He'll need to think about it" the resultant substance of spittle and fruit wall is soft, and like a fly, the sprite laps it back up scooping it into his mouth with his tongue.
He spins to his confused companion "Matei Nakayama" tossing the remains of the nut - with a perfectly undamaged seed coat! - back onto the road where it tumbles right into an open patch of soft soil, and walking right up to him, responds "You can call him Maruta" leaving virtually no physical space between himself and the bard "And today, Maker of Rocks" leaning back nearly 60 degrees at the waist to obtain the angle by which to look him in the eye.
He walks back over to Darb with the confidence of one that has made up his mind "Ok he'll do it" pointing at himself. That settles that.
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Small payment, full bellies, and a place to sleep more comfortable than my bedroll, and some joy? Sounds like I might be willing to help! What is this winter week? Also, I share the confusion of my friend, a rock seems a strange ingredient for stew... not that I would judge local traditions. Ron turns red as if is concerned he might of accidentally offended.
Kupyn Baro grins and tells the story.
After the town of Scallion's Wrap lost all their crops and sheep to a roving band of wolves, the townsfolk met in the village green to figure out where they should move now that they had no food. Their witch, Tulyn Baro, questioned why moving was necessary.
'What would you have us do,' the mayor asked, 'eat rocks from the Hollow Hills?'
Some laughed at that, but Tulyn picked up a gray rock and said, 'Do you not know this little rock is magic? Why, with it I can make a stew that would feed the whole of Scallion's Wrap through Winter Week!'
The villagers allowed Tulyn the chance to prove her boast. Thus began Tulyn's plan. As she poured water into her cauldron, she began to wheedle small things from various folks in the area, 'just to help the magic of the rock along.' From the farmers, she finagled carrots and celery. From the dwarf miners in the Hollow Hills, she received bags of deep-root potatoes. From the brownies in the surrounding glade, she procured five bundles of scallions.
After this, Tulyn grimly left the town to see about meat for the stew, bouncing the “magic rock” in her hand. Where she found the meat, none dared ask, but wolves never troubled Scallion's Wrap again. Upon returning, Tulyn placed the rock into her cauldron.
And that is why we have rock stew every year for Winter Week!
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
"That was my Great Grandmother." Kupyn smiles, reminiscing. "Do you know there's even a village song about rock stew?"
"Woof!" Darb barks to remind Kupyn that she still has not told the party how exactly they are supposed to be helping her.
The old woman titters and pats Darb on the head. "Oh right you are, Darb! This isn't about the past. It's about the present!"
"But first... we need to teach all of them the SONG!"
Darb wags his tail in excitement the moment the SONG is mentioned.
"WOOF! Woof-woof!"
The old halfling woman belts out the Rock Stew Song, dancing and shaking as she moves around singing it.
If you want to make it, you need a few things,
Potatoes, carrots, celery, and
FIVE SCALLION RINGS
Some salt, some pepper,
a cauldron of bounty,
a few cuts of mutton
and a magic rock or three!
She encourages the whole party to join in to the song.
♫ Arroo-oo-ooo ♫
Darb joins in with the song, wagging his tail.