We should make sure we're fully prepared (DM MikeK) Monday July 22nd, 2024 8:32:17 PM
Pip shakes his head at Bart’s questions and in no time the pair are at Shield HQ imparting the halfling’s findings. Namely, the location of the Heart of the Wood, supposedly the prison of Karkasian, is located under the ruins near Elvengard.
Armalad, returned from The Catacombs with a boatful of scrolls, notes with some extra coin, she may be able to find out more on the Scepter.
Stohp and Delia agree they should be fully prepared.
And its about then that the comforting familiarity of Shield HQ’s sitting area transforms into an unfurnished room with gray pavers and gray stone walls and a gray stone ceiling. At one end of the room is a large gray stone throne occupied by … a small, colorfully dressed imp.
He is a funny-looking thing, with a body shaped kind of like a strawberry, but with long spindly arms and short spindly legs. He has mud on his feet -- red glowing mud, though the redness fades away after just a moment. Something about him seems a little bit infernal ... the tiny horns? The scaly skin? Something. But surely no evil demon could sport such an honestly happy grin!
“Hey folks!” Gimp (for that is surely who it is) waves. “Long time no see! You look good! Especially you (pointing at Stohp). Much better than last time.”
There is a low rumble coming from everywhere. The sound ends nearly as soon as it begins. The imp ducks his head, slightly abashed. “Right, getting on with it.”
Gimp draws himself up to his full 2’ height. “Boss is calling in his chit. He’d like to see you, well, now.” The imp points to a side door that was not there before.
The Shields do note that Pip it is just them. Neither Pip nor the houese staff are present.
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Monday July 22nd, 2024 9:56:24 PM
Bartomus was excited about the news that Pip shared and when Armalad came in with all of what was bought from the catacombs, Bartomus realized that was on his list of things to do. Then the room changed.
He didn't feel it spin, but rather it became rather bland except for the grinning imp. Bartomus rolled his eyes when Gimp greeted them.
"Always a bit of surprise when you come to visit, Gimp."[b/] Bartomus added with a genuine smile. He held that smile when the rumbling passed and Gimp made it clear that he was not at Shield HQ for a social call. The sudden appearance of the door reaffirmed the business aspect of the otherworld visitor.
[b]"Ok, let's do this." Bartomus said and walked over to the door. He took a bit of a gulp and looked at the other Shields before opening it. [/b]"You coming along Gimp, or just staying here to keep things a float?"[/b]
Bartomus winked at the imp and when the others were ready, turned and walked through the doorway.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday July 23rd, 2024 2:22:52 AM
Armalad says, "I guess we shouldn't keep Gargul waiting." as she stands up.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 0/46 used Friday July 26th, 2024 5:15:53 PM
“Gimp. Good to see you I guess. Any idea what this is about?”
Delia (Hannah) HP: 133/133; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Saturday July 27th, 2024 11:32:47 PM
Delia mentally shrugs at the sudden scenery shift. They knew that the lives of the Lads had a cost and they all chose to pay it. She moves to the door with Bartomus.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Saturday July 27th, 2024 11:49:58 PM
(header update)
We meet again (DM MikeK) Sunday July 28th, 2024 8:13:56 PM
The Shields move to the door. Stock tries to engage Gimp, but the imp merely shrugs and gestures again.
The Shields walk through.
The Shields again find themselves on a wide but shallow deck jutting out into a small pond. Glades and woods border the forest. A small dirt trail leads back from the deck to a small wooden cabin, where a tendril of smoke lazily rises from the lone chimney. It feels like early morning, just after dawn. A mist rises above the pond. Crickets chirp and birds call.
Reclining in a wooden Adirondack chair is a handsome older gentleman. He has a fishing pole in left hand, which flicks the pole occasionally. In his right is a champagne glass filled with an orange bubbly liquid.
”Thank you for coming,” Gargul intones. ”I was reminded by your most recent visit that I was owed a favor. I have found a task suitable. One you may find beneficial as well.
Long ago, a rival god, jealous of my rulership over the souls of the dead, created his own version of the Lands of Rest. This is Koshe Marr, a blight on the Wold, luring and trapping souls in a land I am unable to reach.
On occasion, I become aware of the identity and location of one of these unfortunates.
His name is Grantham Drall. Once an elf, but reincarnated by the Powers of Koshe Marr into a troll. He has lost all sense of his former self. I have not. I would have you travel to Koshe Marr, brave the torments there, then subdue and return with Grantham Drall.
You likely have questions. You may ask them."
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Sunday July 28th, 2024 10:51:19 PM "Good evening Gargul," Bartomus replied with a bow. "In Koshe Marr, will our spells still work? You want him living when we return with him?"
Bartomus gave a simple nod and then he thought about one more thing. Oh, and troll, like a mountain troll, or an annoying thing that says bad things about us type of troll?"
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday July 29th, 2024 2:05:28 AM
Armalad says, "Does he have the same weakness to acid and fire that most trolls have? I'm trying to formulate a way to subdue without killing and I need to know if he was reincarnated as a normal troll or was he turned into some kind of special variant?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday July 29th, 2024 7:06:50 AM
Well this mission is simple in theory but will no doubt be much harder in practice. Stohp will have to do a lot of research on this place as soon as they get back, but for the moment she'll just ask. "What dangers will Kosh Mar present we should prepare for?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Monday July 29th, 2024 2:19:08 PM
Delia bows to Gargul as they come into his presence, the ghostly sensation of the blow that killed her aching dully in her chest. She speaks very quietly, "We passed through Koshe Marr before when Pepper was kidnapped. We weathered it and can again."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Monday July 29th, 2024 3:14:54 PM
Zanderallen crosses through the portal without hesitation. This was the price they had to pay for having the Lakeview Lads restored, no turning back now.
As they approach Gargul he ponders on how truly restful the Lands of Rest appear to be, and how close he came to being able to enjoy it. But then where would his companions be?
Even as Gargul appears in a casual setting he is still a god and Zander bows respectfully as they get up on the patio. He listens intently, grimacing at little at the thought of a return to Koshe Marr. He has but one question to ask, "We have made enemies in Koshe Marr. Are any of them connected to Grantham Drall?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 0/46 used Monday July 29th, 2024 5:23:19 PM
Stock bows respectfully to Gargul. He rubs his chin and says, "If I may ask, what makes this elf-troll so important to get your attention? Is there something special about him?
How would we go about getting to Koshe Marr and then how will we come back here?"
Questions and some answers (DM MikeK) Monday July 29th, 2024 8:46:36 PM
The Shields, naturally, have quite a few questions.
”I do not know what type of troll or what magics he may employ. Pay heed that there are many realms within Koshe Marr, all are evil. Some more than others. You last entered a realm by invitation. Through the back door so to speak. You were likely shielded from the worst of its effects.
This time, the “horror” magic of the realm WILL affect you, even veteran adventurers such as yourself who have seen everything. You will react to situations, encounters, battle, and the aftermath of battle differently. This is not cowardice. It is what happens to mortals in such places. It IS an evil aligned place. Some good exists there in some people and is possible, but you may find yourselves being tempted beyond your ability to withstand. Yes, it is THAT evil. When you succumb, and you will, feel the guilt, and you will, get up, find courage again and somehow continue on. I’ve done a walkabout there and to an extent, it affects me too, despite being a god. It is not part of the Woldverse.
Each realm is different. Thus the dangers are different. The horror is the same.
To enter Koshe Marr, you must travel through the Gate located in the Shadow Lands. When you are ready, I shall send you there. To open the Gate requires a Key. Sometimes the key is obvious. Sometimes not. Usually there will be a clue to the Key on or about the Gate. The key changes arbitrarily, so I cannot tell you more.
Once inside, you must find Grantham Drall. I do not know where he is. But I do know what he is doing. He is guarding an artifact known as the Scepter of the Dead."
Gargul pauses for a moment. Just long enough to let the Shields know he knows they seek that very item. He hands Zanderallen a plain looking wooden rod.
Do not kill Grantham. If you do, his spirit will remain in Koshe Marr until the Powers of that place decide to do something else with him. Once you have escaped Koshe Marr and are back in the Wold or the Shadow Lands, break the rod. Everyone within 20' of the user will be transported back here."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday July 29th, 2024 11:24:38 PM
Armalad says, "I have the ability to cast plane shift now. If I tune forks to here or the Shadowlands could I shift to here or Plane of Shadows should we need to escape Koshe Marr or is the gate and your rod the only way to deal with the evil."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday July 30th, 2024 7:54:59 AM
Stohp has no more questions and won't waste anymore of the gods no doubt valuable time.
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Tuesday July 30th, 2024 3:02:20 PM
Bartomus head snapped to when Gargul mentioned the Sceptor. That was something they needed to keep out of other folks' hands. He understood the mission and any other details they would have to figure out. Though he was grateful for Armalad's proposal and question as having a plane to leave that hellscape resonated with the Taur.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Tuesday July 30th, 2024 3:50:13 PM
Zander listens intently to the answers, Shadow Land gate, find the key, find Drall, guarding the scepter, get... wait a minute. Zander smiles slyly at Gargul as the words sink in. "Lord Gargul, either you are extremely fortuitous in picking favors or Karkasan is a bigger problem than we give him credit for. Either way, thank you." He takes the offered rod and safely stows it in his pack.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 0/46 used Tuesday July 30th, 2024 3:52:21 PM
“Alright…sounds fun. Also sounds like it might be way worse than last time.
Must Grantham be subdued before returning or can we bring him back while still a hostile troll?”
Outside the box (DM MikeK) Tuesday July 30th, 2024 8:16:00 PM
Gargul's mention of the Scepter captures the attention of Zanderallen and Bartomus. The god merely nods at Zanderallen's words, though perhaps there is a hint of a smile? The paladin could be imagining it.
To Stock, he replies, "He does not have to be subdued. As long as he's alive, you have met your obligation."
To Armalad, he shakes his head. "The Powers of Koshe Marr react ... poorly ... to beings attempting planar or ethereal means to enter their realm. I would be hesitant to make that attempt."
Gargul casts out his line, waiting patiently.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday July 30th, 2024 9:14:00 PM
Armalad says, "So Koshe Marr doesn't like it when you try to magically transport yourself to or from outside of its gate or some sort of God created rod, got it. I guess we have to get a move on though if we stop to buy some items first I could get some information about Grantham perhaps. I also have a spell that is like legend lore but works a lot faster though would strain me."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Wednesday July 31st, 2024 1:43:57 AM
Delia stays very quiet in the presence of Gargul. Meeting the god of Life and Death twice in such a short time is concerning, and though she knows it's only nerves, some part of her worries that he will reclaim her life for his domain.
Once her catacomb order is delivered, she stands ready to venture into the horrors of Koshe Marr. Or lend Armalad money to buy supplies for her researching spells.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday July 31st, 2024 6:06:05 AM
That is clearly not a coincidence. Perhaps their enemy also will be there and if they're lucky already fallen to the dangers of the place. They probably won't be that lucky, bus Stohp can hope.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 0/46 used Wednesday July 31st, 2024 8:26:36 AM
“Well once again it was nice to have some time of adventuring but I guess we are off to save the Wold again…”
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Wednesday July 31st, 2024 2:30:34 PM "May the waters be fine and the hook find a keeper, Lord Gargul." Bartomus said and gave a deep bow. He glanced at Zander and gave a knowing knowing nod to him.
Bartomus then stepped back and let the others who had a few remaining words or questions be able to see and here the diety's response. His mind was already racing as to what they may need on this next journey to find a troll and the Scepter of Desth.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Wednesday July 31st, 2024 3:21:38 PM
Zanderallen looks around at the others, "I doubt there will be much to find ahead of time. We'll have enough to trouble our brains once we get to the Gate and have to figure out the key. I am ready to begin."
The Gate (DM MikeK) Wednesday July 31st, 2024 5:27:42 PM
Armalad floats buying materials to cast a spell to learn more about Grantham, but the rest of the Shields are ready to press ahead.
Accordingly, Gargul nods.
The scene changes...
The Shields find themselves appears in the middle of a triangle of land composed of black rock, under a reddish sky. Each arm of the triangle is composed of a wide river of a reddish liquid the group immediately recognizes as Woldsblood. They face the base of this triangle, standing 20' in front of an upright circle composed of a dark metal. There appears to be no seams or markings on the metal.
The party’s position places them 100’ from each of the rivers.
Delia finds she has arrived with her Catacombs purchase.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Wednesday July 31st, 2024 8:15:03 PM "Ok. Find cursed troll-elf, recover a powerful artifact that is also exactly the thing we need to stop Karkasan, survive a land that saps our will to live, recover cursed troll-elf all at the behest of one of the gods. Just a normal day for us I guess."
She adjusts the upgraded belt on her waist, then nestles a shiny, new amulet around Hawky's neck.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday July 31st, 2024 9:46:14 PM
Armalad says, "So I guess I'm not getting what I need to cast vision then."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday August 1st, 2024 8:18:18 AM
Stohps a little confused, are they already in the area? She mentally reviews their instructions on which direction to take from here.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 d20+10=15 ; Thursday August 1st, 2024 12:46:44 PM
Zanderallen blinks at how smooth the transition is. He takes a moment to look around, eyeing the woldsblood rivers. But the circle in front of them should be the gate. "Gargul said the clue for the key would be on the gate. Let's take a look." He moves up to inspect the metal circle.
Perception 15
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+17=22 ; Thursday August 1st, 2024 3:14:20 PM "Agreed," Bartomus said with a nod at Zander. He tried giving the metal circle a good once over, but got distracted by the flowing red Woldsblood.
Perception 22
A little confused (DM MikeK) Thursday August 1st, 2024 8:07:58 PM
Delia sums up the task at hand. Armalad and Stock wait. Stohp wraps her mind around her environment.
She, along with the rest of the Shields, recall Gargul said
“To enter Koshe Marr, you must travel through the Gate located in the Shadow Lands. When you are ready, I shall send you there. To open the Gate requires a Key. Sometimes the key is obvious. Sometimes not. Usually there will be a clue to the Key on or about the Gate. The key changes arbitrarily, so I cannot tell you more.”
The taur concludes this must be the Shadow Lands and that must be the Gate.
Zanderallen and Bartomus move to inspect the metal circle. The opening within the upright ring is 15’ in diameter. The ring itself is composed of a black metal about a foot across and several inches thick. Neither the paladin nor the taur can see any markings on the ring.
OOC - Anyone with ongoing magical effects please note them in next post. DM isn’t sure who has permanent spells or spell like effects ongoing.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+32=46 ; Thursday August 1st, 2024 9:40:45 PM
Delia steps up to the circle as well, examining it as thoroughly as mundane means allow.
Perception: 46
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Thursday August 1st, 2024 9:43:45 PM ongoing spells: Longstrider cast at the beginning of the day
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Friday August 2nd, 2024 12:33:37 AM
Armalad feels disorientated by all the sudden changes and a little put out considering she was in the process of upgrading her spellbook when everything changed.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+24=31 ; Friday August 2nd, 2024 8:25:19 AM
Well if something in the area is the key then the first step is a thorough search to find out what they might be working with. Stohp will go over the area making note of anything small enough to be moved to the gate and thus might be the key. 31 perception.
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 d20+13=19 ; d20+17=19 ; Friday August 2nd, 2024 3:06:50 PM
Bartomus reached into the sling pouch of non magical bullets and pulled one out. He looked at it and then at the hole in the metal ring. He po dered a momwmt longer and tossed the bullet through the ring while watching what occurred.
Melee for 19: perception 19
Perhaps a clue (DM MikeK) Sunday August 4th, 2024 10:34:50 PM
Armalad mourns her inability to upgrade her spellbook. Pulling it out to contemplate those empty pages, she is possibly surprised to find them filled out. OOC - Let's assume time was available to copy down the scrolls into the spellbook.
Stohp looks around for something that can be moved to the gate. Nothing is apparent.
Bart tosses a stone through the opening. It passes through and falls harmlessly onto the ground on the other side.
Delia examines the ring. She can't see anything, but her senses tell her something is there, on the metal of the ring. But whatever it is, it is not visible to the mundane eye.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday August 5th, 2024 8:54:12 AM
Stohp is slightly surprised that there aren't even pebbles here. She expected to have at least a catalog of small rocks of different types to gather. "Well there's nothing here that could be the key except maybe Woldsblood. So it's either that, or something we have to bring from outside. In the latter case hopefully we happen to have it, or it's something non-physical like a thought or emotion we can work out, otherwise we might have to head back to bring something to open up the gate. Can't really do much else until we get the clue though."
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 1/46 used Monday August 5th, 2024 9:21:51 AM
Stock first briefly enters a rage and sniffs the ring and the area.
Scent rage power
He then instinctively activates his helm of telepathy trying to determine if the ring is somehow "thinking".
Detect Thoughts ability
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Monday August 5th, 2024 2:32:28 PM "Nothing." She looks at Armalad, "Something feels... something about it, but nothing I can see. Can magic inclined folks examine it?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Monday August 5th, 2024 5:03:04 PM "Maybe it's an evil gate." Zanderallen focuses his divine sight and scans the gate for evil. He doesn't expect to find anything but it's something to check while he waits for someone with magical sight to look at it.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+28=44 ; d20+28=42 ; d20+23=26 ; Monday August 5th, 2024 7:21:47 PM
Armalad casts detect magic and takes a look around
Know - arcana 44 spellcraft - 42 perception - 26
Investigations (DM MikeK) Monday August 5th, 2024 8:25:49 PM
Stock is unable to discern anything either by scent or detect thoughts.
Delia shares her discovery.
Armalad casts Detect Magic. Unsurprisingly, the Gate itself is an extremely powerful artifact. But, underneath that, she is pretty sure there is something invisible on the ring itself.
The gate does not register as evil to Zanderallen.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday August 6th, 2024 8:50:43 AM
Stohp will use her staff to cast True Seeing and help examine the gate.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 1/46 used Tuesday August 6th, 2024 8:57:57 AM
Hearing that the ring may have something written on it, Stock takes out his rope of climbing and loops it around the pinnacle of the ring gate. He then pulls himself up to the top to inspect the top surface.
======== Take 10 for a 25 to climb to the top
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Tuesday August 6th, 2024 2:15:12 PM
Zanderallen deliberately takes a couple steps back, giving Stohp room to check the gate. Reigning in his excitement of discovery.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 d20+32=44 ; Tuesday August 6th, 2024 6:28:08 PM
Delia steps back from the ring, keeping watch around them just in case.
Perception 44
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+23=42 ; d20+21=31 ; Tuesday August 6th, 2024 9:05:50 PM
Armalad tries to zero in on the invisible presence on the ring.
Perception Armalad - 42 Perception Joker - 31
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Tuesday August 6th, 2024 11:20:03 PM "Something invisible on the ring," Bartomus heard and lost himself in thought. He pulled himself back into the present and saw Stock scrambling up to the high point on the ring. While the others stepped back, Bartomus moved closer just in case the dwarf fell and someone needed to break his fall in some manner.
Something invisible on the ring (DM MikeK) Wednesday August 7th, 2024 9:22:18 AM
Stock hauls himself to the top of the ring gate, while Bartomus moves in to assist should the dwarf fall. Inspecting the top surface, the dwarf makes out nothing of interest.
Delia and Zanderallen give Stohp some room, as well as keeping watch.
Armalad inspects closer. Like Delia, she also is certain something invisible is on the gate.
Stohp casts a spell frpm her staff, allowing the taur to see there is an inscription on the gate. “Only those who have buried their past may enter.”
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Wednesday August 7th, 2024 5:12:20 PM " A riddle. I was hoping for go find the third yellow frog on the red lily pads."
Zander scratches his head. "Only those who have buried their past may enter. What could that mean? How do you bury your past? Having no regrets? Or is it actually a riddle to some key. Is there a time capsule buried somewhere?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Wednesday August 7th, 2024 8:11:15 PM "Struggling here as well." Bartomus said on agreement wth Zander. "I don't know if we are to do something in a ritual sense like a symbolic burial of something to represent past burdens or shrug and say what past?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 1/46 used Wednesday August 7th, 2024 8:51:39 PM
“Perhaps I will take the literal route.” Stock fishes around in a pouch and pulls out a small, rough white stone. He says, “I took this from outside the Hands of Love Temple on the Float after my first adventure with the Shields.” He kneels and buries the stone beneath a shallow layer of dirt. He then walks through the gate.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday August 7th, 2024 11:37:23 PM
Armalad says, " I once heard of an exotic incantation called "Hakuna Matata" and one of its guiding principles was putting one's past behind them. Perhaps instead of looking behind us we need to look down?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Thursday August 8th, 2024 12:45:50 AM
Delia glances to Stock from her watching to see if he goes through the gate or runs into it. A strange, catchy tune gets stuck in her head from Armalad's comment, but she can't quite place it.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday August 8th, 2024 7:01:30 AM
Stohp shares the message and waits to see if Stock's effort will work.
Perhaps I will take the literal route(DM MikeK) Thursday August 8th, 2024 8:44:54 AM
Sometimes the literal route is best.
While there is some discussion on the riddle, as well as the introduction of an earworm now infecting the DM, Stock's answer proves to be correct.
No sooner does the dwarf bury the small, white stone than the ring begins to hum. The interior turns opaque, and then fills with a thick mist.
Clearly, the gate is now active.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 238/238 AC: 36 T: 15 FF: 33 CMD: 36 LoH 6/15 SE 6/6 Thursday August 8th, 2024 4:07:31 PM
Zanderallen claps Stock on the back. "Who knew your rock collecting would come in such use. And that memory goes way back... Those were different times. But back to the present, stay near me. I cannot promise Domi's power will provide the same level of protection it may in the material realm, but I hope it may provide some relief from the horrors we will encounter." Assuming no one steps him Zander steps through the portal right behind the dwarf. ------------------------------- (OOC: Clarifying, Zander has a lot of auras that grant him immunity to many conditions. I am fully open to the fact they may not work the same in Koshe Marr but will be asking.)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 187/187; AC 29/21/23; CMD 44 Thursday August 8th, 2024 7:17:19 PM
Delia, her mind having been protected by a nasty fungus by Zander's oozing of holy energy, steps up to his shoulder and follows him through the gate. A hand placed protectively on Hawky as he rides on her shoulder.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 98/154 AC 25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday August 8th, 2024 9:38:45 PM
Joker says, "In for a pebble, in for a ... boulder?"
Armalad says, "I thought the phrase was in for a copper, in for a gold piece but I get your sentiment. Let's go through the mystic portal before everyone else gets too far ahead."
The elf arcane archer and her mephit familiar follow on the heels of Delia and hawky.
Bartomus(Rod) HP:153/153 AC 21; Glv +18 2d8+2 Slng +15 CMD 14 Melee 13/8/3;Perc+17;Heal+11 Friday August 9th, 2024 3:16:23 AM
Bartomus watched what Stock did and thought about it for a moment. Then he rummaged about and pulled out a blue silk Scarf from a pocket in his doublet.
"Got this at a celebration for the Iron Dragons at the Ghost. Used it to call forth a fog a long time ago. So really just a Scarf from easy back when. May it be put to rest now. "
With his glave he did a small hole and buries the Scarf in that.
Then Bartomus stepped through the portal.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 147/147AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday August 9th, 2024 8:30:46 AM
Stohp is unclear if they all have to burry something. Assuming they don't, she heads on through.
Stock (JonM) HP: 277/277; AC: 34/31/17; DR 4/-; CMD: 42; Rage: 1/46 used Friday August 9th, 2024 8:54:49 AM
Stock has one more sentimental glance for his buried past, and then goes side by side with Big Z thru the gate.
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