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Phase Matters.

Posted by DM HeathFor group archive 5
DM Heath
GM, 6293 posts
Fri 3 Sep 2021
at 11:37
  • msg #1

Phase Matters

Sariel, Rathyl, and Renakaris met the young, quirky wizard in the town of Landgard. This is a town built upon a rock and impervious to the Keshnar (what some call the "Angry Earth") that changes the land from day to day and makes it dangerous. Those who venture out for supplies or adventure are considered very brave or stupid.

The wizard introduced himself as Zaron, a follower of Ashe. He is young, in his mid-twenties, if that, and has long black hair. He is a human in flowing robes but he says his magic is still apprentice level, with one exception: he has a gift for reading magic and making it come out perfect regardless of level or difficulty. And reading is what he loves to do.

He sought you out individually, which was odd enough, and then he showed you a rubbing. The parchment it was on is faded and old, and the language is in Ancient Allevian, a dead language using symbols and pictographs that only a few can read. He seems to be one of these few.

"This is a rubbing from the Xren Codex, given to me by my master, Ashe. He gave it to me because it specifically talks of me, and of you. I came here to see, and here you are. We are about to embark on a mighty adventure together." He seems excited and pleasant, but speaks as though you have already agreed with him. He catches himself, "At least, that's what the Codex predicts. We have one other to collect, and we can be on our way."

He pulls out another, much newer, parchment. "We need to travel to the Caves of Chaos and meet others who will be exiting soon. We have very little time if my reading of the runes is correct."

[Private to Renakaris: Renakaris has heard of Ashe. He is a renowned wizard, considered good and decent but also mystical and aloof. As odd as he is, nothing about Zaron seems deceptive or out of place.]

[Private to Sariel Sylvaranth: Sariel has heard of the Caves of Chaos. They are east and are several weeks' journey if you could even survive the Angry Earth. Zaron seems to be the real deal.]
Renakaris
player, 3 posts
Fri 3 Sep 2021
at 12:29
  • msg #2

Phase Matters

"I came here to see where my destiny may lead me. It seems, this day, My Destiny is named Zaron," answers Renakaris obliquely. She bows a man's bow. "When ready, lead on, My Lord!"

[Private to GM: ======
Knockout opening! Simply wonderful. I'm sooo looking forwards to this. TY!
]
Rathyl Dragonbone
NPC, 1 post
Fri 3 Sep 2021
at 22:51
  • msg #3

Phase Matters

Rathyl introduces himself. He is a half-elf with certain innate powers that he has developed over the years. Despite some prejudism for being both half-blood and his natural abilities, which include shapeshifting. They call him a "Shifter."

To Zaron, he says, "I know of these Caves of Chaos. They are quite far from here to the east and it is a dangerous road. How do you propose we travel it, and are there any special provisions? And why are you taking us instead of your master? Where is your master?" Zaron appears somewhat suspicious though not nearly as hostile as it comes out, but that is also his nature due to being so often maligned growing up for his special talents.
DM Heath
GM, 6297 posts
Sun 5 Sep 2021
at 07:18
  • msg #4

Phase Matters

Zaron listens closely, nodding with a smile. "Yes, yes, good questions. They call me 'The Chef' because I am good with magical constructs, using magical components, and all that. They call my Master Ashe 'The Maestro,' but he recently disappeared and is not in the picture. Someday I may be worthy to add the 'A' to my name and become 'Azaron of Ashe,' but for now I am still building my powers."

He lifts a finger. "The most important question you asked was how we will get to the Caves of Chaos. That is one thing I need your help with. You see, traveling over the land would be simply difficult and dangerous, maybe impossible. But I have something--"

He pulls out some sort of schematic in a wizarding language.

"This allows me to construct a type of portal to take us to the Caves. But I am missing a few key ingredients. First, let me show you something."

He takes you outside to a covered wagon. It is a disorganized mess in the back, but he draws your attention to a waxy looking barrel. "This is called a 'wardstone barrel.' It will block any kind of non-mundane powers and magics from working from within. What I need to do is collect phase spider hatchlings--at least six of them, to be precise. They must be alive and the only way we can trap them is by putting them in this barrel. Otherwise, they can phase to the ethereal plane. That's how their species has survived so well even despite the Keshnar."

He points to the northeast. "There is a cave about 6 hours' travel from here by horse. We can go to the cave, get the hatchlings, and be back within a day--in other words, before getting caught by the Keshnar's next day turning. Of course, we know little about the contents of the cave. No one has returned from it alive, and there will be fully grown phase spiders there as well that we will likely have to defeat, but that's the price of success, right?"

Zaron adds, "Eggsacs hatch once every year after a full moon. That means that there should be fresh hatchlings within the last two weeks. They should be about the size of your fist. Grown are...well...huge."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:42, Sun 05 Sept 2021.
Renakaris
player, 4 posts
Sun 5 Sep 2021
at 10:34
  • msg #5

Phase Matters

Unphased by the plan Renakaris asks, "So if they're unconscious they don't go etherial. Got it. Do we need sacks or boxes or something for moving them? And can any body parts be harvested from the huge ones (that can be used for potions or other enchantments)?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Thu 09 Sept 2021.
Rathyl Dragonbone
NPC, 2 posts
Tue 7 Sep 2021
at 03:08
  • msg #6

Phase Matters

Rathyl nods at Renakaris' statements and then adds his own question. "You mention that there are other key ingredients. What else are we going to have to collect? Are you going to be any help with spells or anything?"
Sariel Sylvaranth
player, 1 post
Thu 9 Sep 2021
at 18:48
  • msg #7

Phase Matters

Sariel was a confident and somewhat refined young Elven maiden. She was the perfect balance between elegance and worldliness. She wouldn't look out of place in the wilds, but she managed to pull off a certain look that still stood out in a nice way.

"I had noticed there were omens. Are you sure this is the answer? Even if we can teleport there, the Caves are too far away and very isolated. We won't have any help if things go wrong." She mentioned her worries. "I suppose we will need to carry the barrel. Am I right? Do you have a cart we can use?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:55, Fri 10 Sept 2021.
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