Dragon's Egg - Act II

[SeverinR]

Someone else is nervous, good.
"What if the flash was a failed attack magic?
by now the shock would have wore off, and they could again be preparing to blast us."

Pressed, the newcomer might signal the attack, attention is now more on the newcomer, with glances at the doorways.

"We have alot of humans, how about we sacrifice an arrow and put light magic on it, then I could send it to light the doorways, and it might illuminate lurkers and stun them with sudden light? And keep using it until it breaks or quits. I am no spell caster, but I hear there is that type of magic."

 

[Sparkie]

"I could cast the spell, Aliron. If everyone wills it, and if someone will procure me an arrow, I'll brighten the arrow and we'll shed some light on the matter."

I'm not sure if it's a great idea, but at least we'll be working together.

 

[Ireth]

I immediately take an arrow from my quiver and hand it over. "Use this, and may your spell aid us."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Before you cast any magic, I have a torch."

((If any party member agrees to Baldy lighting it, she does. I assume that's what the flint/steel is for.))

 

[Phietadix]

I dismount, tie my horse,((Assuming there's a safe place to tie it)) then take my whole quiver of Javalins.
"If we need more torchs I have five in my saddlebags."

 

[SeverinR]

"The lighted arrow could lite upon yonder field and light up the darkened area, how far can you throw a torch? Then if we have a long hall, or large room, we might send it inside to light those areas. I like stealth, but if we must have light, use light to suprise the nasty little vermin that might be living here, rather then just alert them that we are coming. Short halls, we could toss it. I know there is danger in magic, but it would be useful. It was but a suggestion, I don't want any harm to come to our caster."
looking from person to person,then add,
"If you cast it, be away from everyone, and cast it on the middle shaft or fletching, if cast on the tip it could sink into something and be obscured, or shatter possibly ruining the magic. As I said, I don't pretend to be the leader, but we should consider the risks versus the benefits."
"Your magic is of religious nature, maybe if you meditated, prayed and blessed the arrow before casting, maybe your God will proect you? I know nothing about your religion, and I mean no offense to you or thy god."


[computer at home is currently working, never know if it will continue will try to check back daily, if it fails, I won't be back o work until tuesday]

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Well, could we use the torch to light the arrow? If not... do as you see fit Rydh. Pray well as Aliron said."

 

[Ankari]

Little girls training to be warriors is still ittle girls. I give Burnbright an awkward one-armed hug, hoping I didn't squeeze too hard. "Don't worry, Warrior Princess. We'll end up frozen to dead as our companions bicker on the best course of action to take to light into a room.. Here is your first lesson: Think, then act. Indecisiveness will kill you as surely as an enemy's blade." I say it loud enough that everyone can hear. Sometimes little girls aren't the only ones that need lessons.

As the company weighs and measure the endless possible methods to shed light in the abandoned temple, I turn to the newcomer. "Welcome, druid. It's well to have a kin of spirit join us. What do you say we walk inside while they debate the merits of natural flame versus supernatural light? We have come here to investigate. I fear that the temple will crumble to the ground and the snow will bury us in an icy grave before they come to a conclusion."

 

[Steerpike]

Mauve

The floor is stone, though it is cracked and wet. There is a thin layer of a spongy substance covering parts of it, and when your hand disturbs it you smell the odor of mildew and stagnation. You attempt your light spell again, but once again the magic is beyond you. This time, the energies are not so easy to control. There is a flash, enough to see that you are in some kind of storeroom, empty shelves and a couple of casks along one wall, then an electrical energy travels through your body, starting at your hands and moving along your arms until it radiates across your chest.

((Mauve takes 1 hp of damage from the failed spell. Also, I need an additional save against Corruption)).

The Party

It is getting colder standing the courtyard, and as the afternoon wears on it is likely to get colder still. Burnbright smirks at Ankari's comments, though her amusement is dampened by cold feet.

((The party didn't see the light from Mauve's second spell attempt. Once the PCs decide what to do, we'll move ahead with what is happening to the main group)).

 

[Ravana]

"We are seven.

"The young one here is Burnbright, and next to her is Ankari. On horsebacks are Sir Cadell and Sir Matthew. The one you missed must be Aliron. And of course, Rydh and I have already introduced ourselves.

"And yes, feel free to join us and bring your... pets?"

"I think Hirvi will be happier remaining in the courtyard. Täplä will come with me." She makes appropriate greetings to the others nearby.

"And Aliron is the one sneaking up on the… door. I will speak to him when his attention is not elsewhere."

"Please tell us, Hiljikki, what brings you to this place? Oh! Do you dwell in the forest among the animals? I had to do that as part of my 'Deerstalker' training. I excelled at every part of that training except for the actual stalking of deer. They'd scurry off before I could get within a hundred feet! I only made it within a hundred yards once, maybe twice."

"I have dwelt in forests, yes. I prefer them to the tundra, overall. Or swamps. But I adapt as need dictates.

"Which, I suppose, you could say is what brought me here. To this region, that is. Adapting to circumstance. To this… place of stone, I already told you: a desire to see the miasma removed."

"The lighted arrow could lite upon yonder field and light up the darkened area, how far can you throw a torch? Then if we have a long hall, or large room, we might send it inside to light those areas. I like stealth, but if we must have light, use light to suprise the nasty little vermin that might be living here, rather then just alert them that we are coming.

"That much, you need not fear: I can promise you any 'nasty little vermin' are already aware of our presence. And while my experience with larger vermin such as bandits is less, if this were their lair they would not have camped in the courtyard… nor, I think, left unmolested anyone who had. They have also left no mark on the land, at least none I saw.

"Which leaves whoever did camp here last. You examined the site: could you determine their number? It must have been few, if they preferred the outdoors to facing whatever lies within as soon as they arrived. Whatever that may be: not bandits or their like, or you would have heard them fighting each other… and vermin they have already either scattered or are being consumed by as we speak. I suspect they would have made some noise before being overcome in that case as well. Screaming seems customary."

Yes, she said that with a straight face.

"Welcome, druid. It's well to have a kin of spirit join us. What do you say we walk inside while they debate the merits of natural flame versus supernatural light? We have come here to investigate."

"Thank you.

"As for the arrow, I can only say that I prefer not to have the only source of light be in my eyes when I have the option. I'm glad to hear you have torches, for I have none at the moment.

"I am ready to proceed when you are."

 

[Sparkie]

As aggravating as he can be, Ankari is right on about this matter. We've done far too much talking. It's time to act. I take the arrow offered by Cadell, nodding in thanks, and walk well away from the rest of the group. I don't want anyone to feel pain if the spell fails like last time. I gather myself and recite the incantation...

((Rydh casts Light on the arrow))

Here's the roll.

((Spell DC is 12. Success! Rydh now has 7 Mana))

The arrow shines, and I bring it back over to the group. "Alright then," I say. "Whoever so wishes may launch this into the grounds if you like, or not. Regardless, we must not waste what daylight we have left. Let us continue."

 

[Ankari]

I grab the proffered arrow and rest it along my bow. With a quick draw, I release it into the temple. I offer a smile, hoping Rydh takes it for what it's meant and not it's worth.

"Let's go see what's inside."

 

[Sparkie]

"Remember that what makes someone your enemy may, indeed, change. I've drawn swords alongside women I've despised, raised a hand against men I've loved. It is not hate that makes an enemy. Hate is the enemy."

2nd of Battles - Codex 5:13

*****​

A smile is given, and I give one back. So why do I suddenly feel sickened? Because I know this moment of agreement will not last? Or is it something deeper? I must pray about this, but now is not the time.

"Let's go," I say, and I begin walking toward the ruin hoping that others get the message. They will, won't they?

 

[Steerpike]

The arrow clatters into the room, filling it with light. As you step through the doorway you get a good look at the statue of Gefjon that takes up the center of the room. It is old, and though it must once have been exquisite the stone suffers from numerous small pits and hairline fractures that spread out like webs. The two side doors lead back outside, to an area between the sides of the temple building and the outer wall that forms the courtyard. From what you could see as you approached, there was nothing out there. On either side of the room, both to your left and your right, a stone staircase is set against the wall, each disappearing from view as the stairs pass beyond the ceiling and to the upper level. Whatever decoration might once have been in this room is gone. There are hooks that must once have held tapestries, or perhaps paintings. A stone mantle is set along the far wall, on the other side of the statute of Gefjon. It is empty except for an rough-edged paving stone with the symbol of Gefjon carved on it.

To your left, and also at the far end of the room, is a wooden door. The wood is old and cracked, and though the door is shut it tilts slightly to one side due to a missing hinge.

 

[Ankari]

When Soma told me of this old temple, I thought it curious that the flagstone remained perched on the mantle. Seeing it, and its alignment with the statue, tugs at my curiosity.

I move towards the statue to see if I can detect any signs of a secret compartment.

[url=http://www.unseenservant.com/Default.asp?do=showone&id=9078]Spot Hidden Doors: [1d20+3] = 15+3 = 18[/URL]

"Strong Baldhart, what do you think about trying topple the statue for me?"

 

[Ravana]

"Let us bring our mounts within before proceeding. Though they are no doubt smart enough to get out of the wind on their own, in the absence of doors."

She calls hers anyway.

"There is still daylight left. Unless anyone knows a reason to do otherwise, we should go up first, to take advantage of it while it lingers."

As she says this, she looks about for such reasons. Say, tracks the party hasn't contributed to. Which, unless whoever preceded us cleaned the snow off his boots, there ought to be.

 

[Nihal]

((Oh! I missed the detail it's a different saving throw and was already thinking I've earned my first corruption point! Hah, not today.))


[1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17 #Corruption

The light flashes again and here comes the pain, a shock that irradiates from my hands to the rest of my body, my chest in particular aching. Then, everything ends and it's not as painful as I have first expected. I gasp, hoping I didn't make any noise, my heart racing so fast I swear I can hear it.

I'm a little dazed by the experience. He... he was corrupted. Of course it wouldn't be the same... I am not, yet... I close my eyes, feeling blessed, what strikes me funny. No more light spells today, I decide. I don't know if I'm just shaken or the place itself is affecting my magic, I don't want to take my chances again.

There is still a problem to be dealt with. I'm glad this place has an end, however, it means I'm trapped here. I cover my shoulders with my cloak, adjusting the clasp, pick up my spear and crawl over the caskets, feeling hopeless. The thought that there may still have some rotten food remains inside them don't make me any happier.




((P.s.: Ooops. I've failed to consider that she could leave a track of snow, I've never seen snow. Do as you will.))

 

[Sparkie]

((P.s.: Ooops. I've failed to consider that she could leave a track of snow, I've never seen snow. Do as you will.))

((Consider yourself both lucky and unfourtunate. Snow can be beautiful, but its charm wears off after awhile.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Destroy something? Ha! With pleasure!"

Ung...

((9 - that's the lowest possible STR roll for Baldhart! I used the wrong link, so take my word for it that it's a 9.))

Well. Give me another minute.


((Celebrating CNY. Won't be able to post for a very long time! My next attempt is a 25. Linked correctly.))

 

[Steerpike]

Mauve

You crawl behind a couple of casks and wait in the darkness. The wood of the casks is damp, and your fingernails dig out pieces of them as you climb over. You are struck with a sudden fear that the wood will crumble beneath you, but even though there is some give to the structure, it holds. Once you are huddled behind the casks, the voices grow louder. Whoever it is, they have clearly moved into the main temple room above. You hear low male voices, and at least one female voice. The latter sounds as though someone is straining against something. A second later, a voice that sounds like a young girl cries out "Yeah!"

The Party

The group is able to take a position in the room that allows at least one person to have a good view of all entrances, as well as the rear door. It would be a tight fit for the horses, however, so when Cadell enters, the horse is presumably left outside.

((If you prefer that Cadell stay outside on his horse, let me know, Matthew dismounted previously)).

Ankari examines the statue, moving his hand across its surface and along it base. On the statue itself, he finds nothing. The base of it, however, appears one with the rock surface of the floor and a very faint line runs in a square around the statute. Wiping the surface clean with his hand, Ankari sees that the line is regular, indicating an almost non-existent gap between the statue's base and the stone floor, as though one heavy stone were set atop another. He calls Baldhart over to topple the statue.

As Baldhart sizes up the statue, Hiljikki moves around the room, eyes scanning the floor carefully. She spots what appear to be fresh tracks of snow coming from the side entrance to the right of the main entrance, the tracks difficult to see against the gray-white stone of the floor. They move into the room, lessening as they reach the statue. Growing fainter still, they move away from the statue toward the wooden door at the rear of the room, but the tracks disappear before they reach the door.

Baldhart tries the statue head on, straining her muscles as she forces her strength against it. The statue won't budge. Burnbright is standing a few feet away, eyes shining with excitement. "Come on Baldhart, if anyone can knock that thing down, I know you can."

Baldhart readies herself for another attempt, this time moving to the rear of the statue. She puts a shoulder against it and pushes. The statue starts to move upward, a bit of the stone base separating from the floor along the lines that Ankari saw. The thing is heavy, and Baldhart grunts with effort.

"Come on, Baldhart...it's moving..." Burnbright says, with scarcely contained excitement.

Baldhart repositions herself lower along the statue and gives a tremendous surge, using the force of her legs to push the statue. The base is freed from the ground and the statue starts to fall forward.

Burnbright, who had managed to keep in check her growing enthusiasm, let's out a yell of "Yeah!" as soon as the statue starts to fall.

The statue does not hit the ground. It falls until the front of the figure of Gefjon is almost touching the floor, then stops. There is a compartment beneath the statue, and from the center of that compartment a steel rod that extends into the statue. The rod is attached to a hinged plate that is now raised up at an angle, and it is this hinged mechanism that has prevented the statue from falling.

In the compartment beneath the statute are a leather pouch, a leather journal, and a gold necklace. The necklace is wrapped around the journal and from it hangs a pendant in the shape of a scythe, a symbol often associated with Gefjon.