NOTE: By now you probably figured out that the two groups are the two PC groups meeting, so I suppose we can quit the charade. But your PCs themselves have neve met, so let's roleplay through that part.

The priest introduces himself as Kahan and says, "I do not know much about the Black Curse, I admit. We are not from this planet. It is a long story, but if you come out of the fog we can talk, although I do not fault you for your caution, as I do not how how the disease is transmitted. We know of a cure, that is why we must return to the village, to find an elder gnome who knows how to make it with the ingredients we found," he explains. "We really must hurry, though, I do not know how much longer we, or the gnomes who are afflicted, will survive the disease."

The groups step closer, put at ease but still strangers to each other.

There are 12 total:

A male human priest
A half-elf female druid
A halfling male thief
A grey elf male wizard.
An old male gnome.
A young male gnome.
A human male monk.
A human male warrior.
A female elf priest
A female drow bladesinger
A half-elf male ranger
A young male wizard pulling a handcart.

NOTE: You may want to take a brief moment to introduce yourselves--appearance as well as anything else of note. If these are not done in the next couple of days, I will step in and do it for absent players--you know who you are (but probably aren't reading this) :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:27, Sun 24 Apr 2022.

Kahan, the priest who was speaking for the group, introduces himself once the others emerge from the mists. "I am Kahan Singh, a humble priest of Tyr. We came from this planet's sister, through a long, complicated series of events that we went through to try to prevent the destruction of our world. An evil mage named Tarimar is responsible, and we followed him here, where we met (drow guy) who told us of the Curse and how to cure it. The ingredients are already at the village, or they should be, and we need to hurry there to save our lives," he explained. The younger man stood around 5'10", wearing plate mail armor under white and red robes, with a large backpack and shield on his back. A mace hangs on his belt, as well as a simple sling. He looks to be about 25, and to have been through a very rough time, covered in dirt and grime, like the others.

The female half-elf steps forward. "I am Shae Shadowglen, a mountain elf shapechanger and druid. I seek to protect my ancestors and preserve the natural way of things." The half-elf clings to her magical ancestral spear. "We have been through much and seek to quickly return to the hearth and heal our friends. She also introduces Sark and Geebo to the group. "Sark is a gnome translator we rescued, and Geebo has been our young guide from the gnome village.

The young wizard pulling the cart steps forward. He has long black hair and appears in his early 20s. "My name is Zaron. I am a follower of Ashe. My magic is still apprentice level, but with one exception: I have a gift for reading magic and making it come out perfect regardless of level or difficulty. So spells from scrolls, no matter the level, are easy for me. And reading and languages are what I love to do. I think I shall have much in common with Sark here."

He indicates the Drow, human warrior, elf priest, and half elf male ranger. "I sought these adventurers out individually. I have a parchment rubbing in Ancient Allevian, a dead language using symbols and pictographs that only a few can read. It 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 them."

He pauses, looking over Kahan, Shae, Tahldar and Leo. "And perhaps of you as well. Do you know a warrior named Borimer?"

"My name is Tahldar. I am a magician." A man of Grey elven lineage says simply to the new group. A thin wisp of a man, he is dressed in once fine clothes. Now battered and worn from ceaseless adventuring.

"I can read and write both Allevian and ancient Allevian if you want me to look at your parchment." he adds to Zaron. "But not now. We need to return to the village as quickly as possible."

The human warrior who approached with the whipsword steps forward. He is very tall (6'5") and in exquisite physical shape, marred by many ugly stars over his head and face so that he is actually quite repulsive and even scary looking. "I am Vegren Stoneroot, a human warrior. I apologize for coming on so strong earlier. I was raised among harsh mercenaries where we give no quarter to enemies. It appears we shall be friends, not enemies."

"Yes, Borimer was one of our companions, but a telepathic enemy of ours recently teleported him to an unknown location. I hope we may find him, and that he still lives," Kahan responds regretfully.

The half-elf ranger decides to introduce himself next. He wields dual bone swords and leather armor, covered by a black cloak. "I am Rathyl Dragonbone. I also can transform into several types of animals, and befriend the animals of the forest. I suffered much persecution at being only 'half' elf and found refuge in the forest."

"My name is Renakaris," says the ebony-skinned elf, not considering for a second any need to comment on the fact. "I am versed in blade and spell." Renakaris gestures at her longsowrd and waves a flourish with her fingers. She wears extremely fine meshed chanin mail.

The female elven priest says, "My name is Sariel Sylvaranth." She seems hesitant to share too much with these strangers yet.

"Do you know where Borimer is?  Have you seen him recently?" Tahldar asks the others.

The drow asks, "Is the Curse contagious? Tell us about it if you wish to be joining with us. You can understand this caution I'm sure."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

Leo steps forward. The small halfling is clearly a thief with fighting skills and wields two fine daggers at his side. "My name is Leo Silvershaper. I was an assassin previously. Now, I'm just hoping to survive all this."

Zaron sets down the poles to his handcart. As it is small, the cart holds only a few supplies and a large barrel.

He steps forward to answer Renakaris. "The Black Curse, as they call it, is a sickness that can be contracted in certain tunnels or mines. It is said that this ancient disease was revived with the rift between worlds nearly 75 years ago, but that it will spread like a plague. Much about it is clouded in mystery. Many consider it an evil curse of the gods."

He thinks, digging in his memory. "The disease itself takes several days to manifest. First, blood congeals in the fingers and toes, making them appear black. That is where the name 'Black Curse' comes from. Then it affects the mind, making the sufferer lose his sanity and become subject to extreme anger and rage, attacking even his closest friends. If he does not die or kill himself in this rage that lacks any more thought than a wild beast, then the malady will kill him."

He shakes his head. "I have not seen it myself and do not know how it spreads. Some say it spreads just by looking at someone who has it."

He pauses, and looks around. Then he looks at the human monk. "Everyone has introduced themselves except you. Who are you?" He looks to the silent monk and to Kahan's group for an introduction.

Geebo, the young adolescent gnome guiding Kahan's group, says, "He is not with us. I thought he was with your group."

All eyes look to the human monk standing in your midst. As you peer closer, you notice his robes do not touch the ground, and he appears to be floating slightly above the ground, having no feet.

The monk raises one hand and points to the tomb where Renakaris had examining the door.

Kahan was about to respond to the question about the Curse, although he wasn't sure what to say, before someone mentioned the monk. Turning, he absently handled his holy symbol in case it decided to turn violent, but didn't brandish it outright, as he looked at the tomb the suspected ghost was pointing at. "Are you buried here?" he asked the spirit.

The drow says, "I detected a secret way there. Let us try that." She bows, "Greetings, monk. We mean you and your place of rest no ill."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

"It would seem he wants us to go investigate that way." the Elven mage says in reference to the door.

"Anyone any good at spotting traps?" asks Renakaris.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

"Leo, care to have a look at doors?"

Leo will inspect the doors of the tomb for traps.

Leo checks. There do not appear to be any traps, but the front doors to the tomb are locked with an ancient iron chain and two padlocks. The padlocks also do not appear to be mechanically trapped.

The hidden passage Renakaris detected is inside the tomb leading down, but that's all he can tell.

The monk shimmers and disappears.

NOTE: I thought it would be funny that you are all introducing yourselves unaware that one of the group is not a member of either group. Was wondering if anyone would pick up on that before NPC Zaron asked about it.

OOC: Not gonna lie, I got this game and another I'm in confused, there's also a monk who doesn't talk much in one of my games so I just assumed for some strange reason that's who that was. Lol

Kahan puts his hand on his mace. "If we cannot pick these locks, perhaps they can be broken off," he suggests, although he lets Leo try his hand before doing any smashing.

"I can open it." Tahldar says as he begins to cast a spell on the door's locks.

OOC:  Tahldar will cast knock on the two locks (one spell covers both).  A single knock will undo up to two locks.  From the spell description ->  Each spell can undo up to two means of preventing egress through a portal. Thus if a door is locked, barred, and held, or triple locked, opening it requires two knock spells.

"Let's break as little as possible and steal not at all, yes?" asks Renakaris, only too aware how much grief a ghost can deliver.

======
OOC:
Nope. Just a wall of names
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Thu 05 May 2022.

Tahldar's spell successfully unlocks the two padlocks. The doors they were holding shut are solid rock, about 6 feet high, and 2 feet wide (each). The tomb itself, also made of brick and stone, is about 8 feet high, 8 feet wide and 12 feet deep.

The doors are closed.

Those in Kahan's group think the monk may have been the figure they saw in the mist who led them in this direction.

Unless others insist otherwise, Renakaris, with sword readied, is comfortable with sliding past the group, between the doors and into the darkness. Few can match her sight in the dark. She looks round and listens.

If nothing untoward she says quietl to the trap-seeker, "Leo, if I have the right of it, if you please, would you join me? Your eyes may catch things I will likely not note?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:45, Fri 06 May 2022.

You move forward to pull open the heavy doors.

Zaron suddenly says, "Wait!" He steps forward and brushes off the front of the door covered with dust and green mildew. You see small carvings in the tomb. They are very hard to make out and appear messily etched in, as if with a dagger, not a professional engraver.

"I think this is in the Draconian tongue, said to be a language of great power. Anyone speak draconian?"

The dark elf shakes her head, many languages, but not that one. She has a look at the runic structure as she waits some moments for any speakers to announce themselfves before casting 'Comprehend Languages'.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Fri 06 May 2022.

Kahan leans forward to look at the scratchings, but shakes his head.  he comments in a harsh tongue that probably sounds worse than it really is.

"I understand Draconic." Tahldar says as he tries to read the engravings.

OOC: Tahldar knows the Draconic language.

Tahldar reads:
"A curse upon all who disturb this tomb;
By the gods and dragons,
My traitor shall become your destroyer.
I, Tarimar, so speak it,
And so shall it be."

Tahldar feels a certain power in the words.

"Anyone know of 'Tarimar'?" queries the drow.

"We need to get inside quickly and close the doors behind us.  I suspect by reading this I've called upon some power." Tahldar says as he looks up to the sky.

Rathyl says, "I also speak Draconian, and the words themselves have power. I feel the power in the words. They can call dragons that may be in the vicinity. If we go in, though, are we not begging a curse upon ourselves?"

Rathyl agrees to enter with the group, but he is on guard.

"We have already disturbed the crypt, in the literal sense, even without stepping foot into it. I do not know if it is better to go inside or not, but we need to decide quickly," the priest nods. "Tarimar is a very powerful, old wizard, who uses advanced magics to make clones of himself to do his bidding. We fled our planet after its destruction, and we believe Tarimar was responsible for what happened, or, I suppose, will happen, since we also went back in time when we came here..." Kahan explained, scratching his head at the confusing situation.

"Do we need to try a Remove Curse on these writings then?" asks Rnakaris. "Or, perhaps, a Detect Magic may clarify?" She seraches her memory for what she's learned about this kind of thing.

Vegren helps open up the heavy slab doors. "No use waiting around. I think Kahan is right."

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.

"The secret way lays beneath the sarcophagus," says Renakaris.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:42, Wed 11 May 2022.

"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 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.

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:


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, holy symbol still in hand, attempts to turn the creature, although he suspects it might be too powerful for something like that to work.

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

"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.

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.

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.

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 would be delighted with such a bow. Is that ok?

I can't use the bow, so if Renarkis wants it, that's fine with me.

You can choose whatever command word you want. Make sure to add it to your character sheet.

"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.

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...

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.

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.

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

We need to divvy up the items in msg 53.  Tahldar will want one of the mage scrolls.

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!

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.

Feel free to add to the treasure thread and discuss/divide from there.

Renarkis,

Can you handle the divvy of the Gnome treasure?  I'll leave it to you to make the final determination.

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.