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Loose Ends.

Posted by DM HeathFor group 0
DM Heath
GM, 6410 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 07:23
  • msg #38

Loose Ends

You do not find a specific curse per se. It's not a curse on an object or a person, but more of a curse of something that will happen if the warning is not heeded.

Vegren pulls open the heavy stone doors.

Inside, in the center, is a sarcophagus-like coffin made of stone. A stone lid is on top of the sarcophagus. Next to it in a pile on the ground are bones. They appear to be human and belong to one individual. Some burial clothes, ancient and now tattered, lay next to the bones.

The entire floor is made of stone, obviously impervious to the Cursed Earth anomaly.

On the walls of the inside of the tomb are scribbled many strange pictographs, heiroglyphs, and symbols. You can only guess that they are what contain and define the curse. They are not in any language.

You hear a bang as if someone pounding from the inside of the stone coffin.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:25, Mon 09 May 2022.
Renakaris
player, 72 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 10:05
  • msg #39

Loose Ends

"The secret way lays beneath the sarcophagus," says Renakaris.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:42, Wed 11 May 2022.
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 912 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Mon 9 May 2022
at 12:01
  • msg #40

Loose Ends

"Shall we release whomever is trapped inside?" Tahldar says as he eyes the sarcophagus.  "I can help, but I lack the strength to do it myself."
Renakaris
player, 73 posts
Mon 9 May 2022
at 18:27
  • msg #41

Loose Ends

Renakaris looks for the ghostly monk, then seeing he isn't around any longer.

"Well, there's a way down underneath this coffin. It unclear what's scrabbling inside, nor whether the 'down' is through the coffin, such that it has no bottom, just steps. Either way, I think it's best we lift the lid, provided it's not sealed with wax or lead. Don't really want a vampire gassing around. So, examine the lid? Any traps, wax or lead?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:41, Wed 11 May 2022.
DM Heath
GM, 6414 posts
Wed 15 Jun 2022
at 01:48
  • msg #42

Re: Loose Ends

Quick summary due to my regrettable absences of late:

Last adventure: You released a dragon from the mountain that now roams the mountainside. You discovered that the planet (Allevia) is under a strange magical curse/effect that changes the ground each morning with the mist.

Current Adventure: Your companions caught a disease in the caves of the mountains, a disease both physical and magical. Certain ingredients were needed, as well as the formula for putting together the cure. You got all of that in the ancient cave system you just exited, along the way meeting two doppleganger-like creatures that are creations of your ultimate adversary villain--Tarimar. One of the dopplegangers teleported out Borimer somewhere, and he is lost.

Recent: Tarimar apparently worked a laboratory out of the caves to take advantage of magical properties. He had to abandon it when the poison gas escaped (probably his own doing). This stranded the two dopplegangers and Sark (the gnome translator who was a slave of Tarimar) on the far side of the gas, unable to escape.

Tarimar: Tarimar is a powerful wizard whose goal is to create the perfect "human" (immunity, strength, etc., like a superhuman). He has already figured out how to clone himself. You killed one such clone previously and just found another clone (that appears to have been killed by someone, probably the third and strongest of the dopplegangers) at the edge of the cave system.

More Recent: You are escaping the forest to get back to the gnome village with the antidote. You teleported Geebo (the young gnome from the village who was your guide) and Fingas Hatt (the annoying and arrogant, and somewhat worthless self-aggrandizing human fighter--assuming he really can fight--who has been a kind of annoying third wheel, but is mostly harmless).

Most Recent: You came across a cemetery near the cave system. A strange phantom pointed you to this tomb. You met a second group and opened the tomb. This required speaking Draconian, which will alert any dragons nearby. (Remember the one loosed from the mountain?) There is a curse placed on the tomb.

Second Group: You successfully collected the phase spider items you needed to teleport. You are being led by Zaron, a young wizard and follower of Ashe. He says he is bringing you to fulfill a prophecy in the Xren Codex, which requires you to meet others. You teleported to slightly the wrong place but have now caught up with the "others."

Last post by me:
DM Heath:
You do not find a specific curse per se. It's not a curse on an object or a person, but more of a curse of something that will happen if the warning is not heeded.

Vegren pulls open the heavy stone doors.

Inside, in the center, is a sarcophagus-like coffin made of stone. A stone lid is on top of the sarcophagus. Next to it in a pile on the ground are bones. They appear to be human and belong to one individual. Some burial clothes, ancient and now tattered, lay next to the bones.

The entire floor is made of stone, obviously impervious to the Cursed Earth anomaly.

On the walls of the inside of the tomb are scribbled many strange pictographs, heiroglyphs, and symbols. You can only guess that they are what contain and define the curse. They are not in any language.

You hear a bang as if someone pounding from the inside of the stone coffin.


You examine the lid. It does not appear to be trapped or have anything unusual on it. It is simply heavy.

Removing the lid carefully, you see...

...it is the same man who was the phantom, but this is his rotting body. The body has been reanimated, and it snarls. The eyes glow. This is some undead monstrosity. It easily pushes aside the lid of the sarcophagus. Its knocking was apparently a ploy to bring you close.

It reaches out toward Renakaris...
Kahan Singh
player, 2247 posts
39/90 HP AC 1
Thac0 14 Level 10 Cleric
Wed 15 Jun 2022
at 05:12
  • msg #43

Re: Loose Ends

Kahan, holy symbol still in hand, attempts to turn the creature, although he suspects it might be too powerful for something like that to work.
Renakaris
player, 79 posts
Wed 15 Jun 2022
at 08:09
  • msg #44

Loose Ends

Over ten decades of training take over as the ebony elf sways, taking deceptive microsteps, dancing to a soundless tune, her blade stabbing out once, twice..

======
OOC: 09:06, Today: Renakaris rolled 11,7 using 1d20,1d8+5.  Longsword THAC0 8.

Hits AC-3 for 7 slashing damage
09:07, Today: Renakaris rolled 10,7 using 1d20,1d8+5.  Longsword THAC0 8.
Hits AC-2 for 7 slashing damage

Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 915 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Wed 15 Jun 2022
at 13:15
  • msg #45

Loose Ends

"Gaahh!" Tahldar mutters incomprehensibly at the sight of the undead creature.  He immediately starts to cast.

OOC:  Will cast grease on the coffin in hopes the undead creature will struggle to find purchase to climb out.

DM Heath
GM, 6416 posts
Mon 1 Aug 2022
at 01:24
  • msg #46

Loose Ends

OOC: Sorry if this is too much narrative, but getting us to a new spot for a fresh start.

Kahan begins turning undead. The effect seems to disorient and confuse the creature.

Tahldar casts grease. The confused creature falls, sliding within the slippery interior of the stone casket.

Renakaris jumps forward and begins stabbing frantically at the creature. Before it can recover its undead senses, it is (dead?) immobilized and its glowing eyes show it as a dead man once more.

Looking down, you see it is the dead ghostly monk you saw before. He was apparently a victim of some evil spell here.

You are able to topple over the stone coffin to peer into the recess beneath. You find numerous parchment and scrolls. They appear to be written by Tarimar. Given the lack of time until the Cursed Earth returns in the morning, you quickly pack it away for later examination and head out.

A river leads around in a big loop around the mountains. Geebo seems to know the way by following the river around.

"Water," he explains, "is partially immune to the Cursed Earth. Those who stand in it are safe 19 out of 20 times. But most do not take that small chance."

As you begin to make your way back, you see the dragon Ozymantius overhead. It does not seem to see you, and is instead flying to the graveyard you left. It lands, but you are distant enough to avoid it.

When the morning comes, you luckily find a large rock to stand on to avoid its effects. you then follow the river into the Gnome village and arrive by midafternoon.


You are welcomed back as conquering heroes by the gnomes. Sark and Fingas (teleported by Tahldar) had delivered the recipe and ingredients for the cure, and it was prepared and given to those suffering--including the white-haired man, the gnomes, and Batthias (Fingas' companion).

You take seats to receive the cure yourselves.

In the large dining hall, you hear Fingas saying to a group of rapt gnomes, "That rat was so huge. Its teeth were like daggers. I swiped once with my sword. Then twice. It lunged. It was so huge, probably suffered from diseases. But I took it down with one powerful stab into its neck."

The gnomes thank him again for bringing the cure. "Oh, it was nothing," Fingas says. "That's what heroes are for--helping the less fortunate. I couldn't have done it without my friends."

You roll your eyes.

Meanwhile, the gnome chief and his counselors are reviewing the documents you found at the tomb. Zaron, the young mage who was assisting Renakaris, goes to help them.

They also send healers to you.

Their healers also are able to remove the antimagic and the other ring from Geebo's fingers. He is no longer radiating antimagic, but they did have to take two fingers off his hand. The fingers withered as soon as detached.

You spend a day resting and evaluating what happened.

During this rest period, you have a chance to look at the potential antimagic effects on your own equipment:

1-Most shockingly, the portable hole no longer works, and you cannot access anything inside it.
2-Shae lost her teabag of healing
3-Leo did not lose anything
4-Kahan lost Rod of Absorption

The others (Vegren and Renakaris) were not part of the adventure and are unaffected, and Shapfren died in the adventure.

Fully healed, spells fully restored, and so forth, you meet around the dining hall for revelations of the information found.

OOC: This ends the adventure. Will post XP when I can take time to calculate it. The next part will begin a new chapter in the campaign, so hopefully it is very newbie friendly, provides new information, and doesn't require background info.
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 917 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Tue 9 Aug 2022
at 16:58
  • msg #47

Loose Ends

OOC: During this downtime I want to try to learn spells from Shapfren's spellbook.  If anyone else would like to learn some of her spells PM me and I will give you her list.
DM Heath
GM, 6426 posts
Wed 10 Aug 2022
at 02:26
  • msg #48

Loose Ends

On this point, I PM'd Tahldar on both the spellbook and the equipment of both Sariel (priest) and Shapfren (bard). All are free for the taking.

The one item Sariel had was a +3 bow that will turn into a hair brooch and back with a command word. (Not very masculine, but great on encumbrance and easy to draw.) Also requires no arrows, as its +3 includes energy bolts (unlimited ammo). (That one is up for grabs.)

Renakaris
player, 84 posts
Wed 10 Aug 2022
at 09:42
  • msg #49

Loose Ends

Renakaris would be delighted with such a bow. Is that ok?
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 920 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Wed 10 Aug 2022
at 12:38
  • msg #50

Loose Ends

I can't use the bow, so if Renarkis wants it, that's fine with me.
DM Heath
GM, 6429 posts
Thu 11 Aug 2022
at 01:33
  • msg #51

Loose Ends

You can choose whatever command word you want. Make sure to add it to your character sheet.
Renakaris
player, 85 posts
Mon 22 Aug 2022
at 08:33
  • msg #52

Loose Ends

"Thank you, Tahldar," says Rneakaris, snapping out of her trance. She put the booch in her hair. "I think this is quite becoming. It's quite charming." She thinks a little longer then adds, "Thank you also for letting me learn some spells from Shapfren's spellbook. Would you be interested in learning any of these from mine?" The dark elf opens her spell book to show Tahldar its first section.

A little later she asks, "So, where next? Perhaps not the city? Other than to buy essentials anyway. I heard there was an interesting-sounding boat ride not so far away. How would that suit you?"

======
OOC: Brooch activation word is "Longbite".
Spells covered in PM to Tahldar.

This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Mon 22 Aug 2022.
DM Heath
GM, 6435 posts
Sat 3 Sep 2022
at 00:35
  • msg #53

Loose Ends

After resting, healing, copying spellbooks, and generally enjoying the downtime, you decide it is time to follow Zaron through his portal.

Zaron carefully inscribes runes at a proper location in the gnome village. This is to help him portal back here with you if needed.

NOTE: Zaron may have difficulty portaling if he is going from an unknown location but can easily do it from his workshop back at the city.

You leave the "Old Borimer" with the gnomes. He still needs much mental recuperation, but you are convinced that somewhere there is the younger Borimer.

NOTE: Optional side quest is to find Borimer and look for clues as to his whereabouts. Remember that he was teleported out by one of the strange doppleganger upgrades created by Tarimar.

The gnomes also want to express their thanks for saving their kind.

NOTE: You may remember from the "Here There Be Giants" adventure that you rescued the gnomes from the top of the mountain, brought them through the mountain in "Test of the Faithful," then found they had contracted the Black Curse, and now you have cured them.

The gnomes do not have much, but they give you the following:

1 Earthsilver Waterskin (This is a specially coated waterskin that holds 3 doses of Earthsilver without the Earthsilver deteriorating--i.e., you can use and refill it with Earthsilver and keep the healing water indefinitely.

3 Earthsilver doses (in the waterskin)

1 Right of Passage and Goodwill Certificate (this scroll on lambskin and sealed by the gnome leader carries great weight among the gnome communities--showing you are a true friend to the gnomes, providing discounted services and products, etc.

Geebo - To be your slave--yes, you heard that right. They give you a bill of sale. (They obviously have loose ideas about human bondage, but you can free him, keep him with you, etc. His master is now confirmed dead, and he would like to be apprentice to Zaron, who shrugs at the suggestion.)

130 Capitol Gold: This is an Allevian coin (worth 1 gold piece each) which is traded freely in the major cities. Given that you are from Tienna, you have little coin to trade, and this is all they could round up.

1 Large Magic Bento Basket: This basket is enchanted so that any food in it will not spoil. They have filled it with their favorite foods for your enjoyment. It is a rectangular cuboid that can fit in a standard large backpack but leave little room for much else. Its interior is also larger than its exterior, allowing it to hold up to 10 meals for one person.

1 Cleric scroll (choose any 3 spells)
1 Druid scroll (choose any 2 spells from Druid's Handbook)
2 Mage Scrolls (choose any 3 spells each)

1 dagger of True Direction (This dagger can always point to true north by holding it in the palm of the hand. It also is expert at finding a target (+5 to hit, +2 to damage).

Fingas and Battrus also intend to follow you through the portal, though they will go their separate way at the far end.

The gnomes give you a practically royal treatment feast before your departure. Several of the available ones ask for your hands in marriage (male and female), and you thank them but reject them.

You depart as heroes, ready for the next stage...
Renakaris
player, 91 posts
Sat 3 Sep 2022
at 22:02
  • msg #54

Loose Ends

Happy to take the side quest to find Borimer.

Scroll: 4. Remove Curse, Stoneskin; 5. Telekinesis;
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Sat 03 Sept 2022.
DM Heath
GM, 6440 posts
Sun 4 Sep 2022
at 00:23
  • msg #55

Loose Ends

Hehe...I reached out to Borimer's player again to see if he wants to rejoin us or if his life is still crazy busy.
Renakaris
player, 92 posts
Sun 4 Sep 2022
at 09:30
  • msg #56

Loose Ends

Should I transfer items in msg #53 to the loot/treasure thread?
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 925 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Tue 6 Sep 2022
at 14:43
  • msg #57

Loose Ends

We need to divvy up the items in msg 53.  Tahldar will want one of the mage scrolls.
Renakaris
player, 93 posts
Thu 15 Sep 2022
at 08:11
  • msg #58

Loose Ends

And one for Renakaris. After she's transcribed the spells to her spellbook, Rena is happy to let Tahldar copy the spells.
Is there time to do this before we head out?

Is anyone else still here? Please shout out what you're taking from loot!
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 926 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Thu 15 Sep 2022
at 14:29
  • msg #59

Loose Ends

I'm still here.  I sent you a PM about the spell scrolls.

Feel free to divvy the loot up as you think it should.  We can discuss from there.
DM Heath
GM, 6445 posts
Mon 3 Oct 2022
at 23:48
  • msg #60

Re: Loose Ends

Renakaris:
Should I transfer items in msg #53 to the loot/treasure thread?

Feel free to add to the treasure thread and discuss/divide from there.
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 928 posts
Ac 3 Hp 54/54
Thac0 18
Tue 4 Oct 2022
at 14:42
  • msg #61

Re: Loose Ends

Renarkis,

Can you handle the divvy of the Gnome treasure?  I'll leave it to you to make the final determination.
Renakaris
player, 94 posts
Wed 5 Oct 2022
at 15:10
  • msg #62

Re: Loose Ends

I'm travelling just now but back at the weekend. I will do this at the weekend and then ask where I should go for further (adventure) posting.
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