Starker announces “The tuning fork is not, itself, magical.”
”Friend Arnak, do you have any suggestions as to a path forward? Friend Hanny? As doughty and puissant as we are I doubt we are ready to tackle a lich or The Thing in the Tower.”
"This does seem above our pay grade. I can send word to the Knights of Holy judgement (the knighthood Chadwick trained with and swore his oath to). They specialize in the hunting in fiends."
Chadwick will use his Divine Sense to see if he picks up anything from the book or tuning fork.
Chadwick concentrates upon the book and tuning fork. The book shows nothing. The tuning fork does not itself radiate evil, but has been exposed to evil or is linked to it somehow.
Arnak and Hanny look at each other in response to Starker's query. "You seem to have many loose threads in your tapestry, Starker," Hanny responds. "The tower is a riddle that has persisted for 500 years, so, likely it will be here when you have more information available about it. You have acquired this diary of Iarno Albrek and learned of several avenues he was pursuing. This map fragment and tuning fork are among them. But, again, incomplete information. The rest of you found this book with a seemingly unbreakable code. Erbert was quite frustrated I understand," he says looking to Arnak who nods in return while puffing upon his pipe. "So, another situation of incomplete information. The dragon's hostages have recovered according to Bessia's description. Henilen has already headed west with a trade caravan to return to his home in Waterdeep. Belgger is waiting for a caravan from the north to hopefully return to his clan. He is loathe to travel alone, understandably." He looks around the room. "Is there anything left out? Hoid? Kragen? Gneuman?"
Arnak and Hanny look at each other in response to Starker's query. "You seem to have many loose threads in your tapestry, Starker," Hanny responds. "The tower is a riddle that has persisted for 500 years, so, likely it will be here when you have more information available about it. You have acquired this diary of Iarno Albrek and learned of several avenues he was pursuing. This map fragment and tuning fork are among them. But, again, incomplete information. The rest of you found this book with a seemingly unbreakable code. Erbert was quite frustrated I understand," he says looking to Arnak who nods in return while puffing upon his pipe. "So, another situation of incomplete information. The dragon's hostages have recovered according to Bessia's description. Henilen has already headed west with a trade caravan to return to his home in Waterdeep. Belgger is waiting for a caravan from the north to hopefully return to his clan. He is loathe to travel alone, understandably." He looks around the room. "Is there anything left out? Hoid? Kragen? Gneuman?"
Gneuman shrugs and looks about the room. "Things of this nature are not my area of expertise." "I will defer to my more qualified comrades."
To Arnak The Ravenshield lands lie between the cities of Daerlun and Saerloong along the shores of the Sea of Fallen stars.
I do agree that it is fair to rule out Plane Shifting to the abyss for our immediate plans. SmilesBut dont sell us too short Chadwick, we do have some experience with demons and their servants.
We need to learn more, be that for our efforts or sharing informatin with the Knights of Holy Judement. Thinking aloud here- do we know how far Belgger's clan is away from here? And how far are we from the Spine of the World mountains? Just considering options
To Arnak The Ravenshield lands lie between the cities of Daerlun and Saerloong along the shores of the Sea of Fallen stars.
I do agree that it is fair to rule out Plane Shifting to the abyss for our immediate plans. Smiles But dont see us too short Chadwick, we do have some experience with demons and their servants.
We need to learn more, be that for our efforts or sharing informatin with the Knights of Holy Judement. Thinking aloud here- do we know how far Belgger's clan is away from here? And how far are we from the Spine of the World mountains? Just considering options
Sounds like a worthwhile endeavor to escort this dwarf back to his clan. Gneuman nods at Trolkarl.
“What about the encoded book left here by Erbert? Any ideas on how to decipher that?,” Arnak asks. “Erbert asked my opinion on it. He and I agree it is some kind of cypher. But, the key is not apparent.”
When the conversation allows Chadwick asks "Being so experienced in the ways of magic, how would one go about crafting a magic weapon? Nothing exceptionally powerful, but enough to help us fight fiends that aren't damaged by normal weapons."
He also mentions what he found with his Paly Sense.
Hanny responds to Trolkarl and Gneuman, "That would be most kind of you to do so. And, you may make a friend in the process. I believe that he is staying at the Hallowed Tree. Bessia is tending to him to help him heal from his ordeal." Arnak adds with a laugh, "I think Jotrun is bring him some special 'tonics' as well to assist his dwarven cousin along."
Arnak replies to Trolkarl's questions, "The Spine of the World are just to the north of us. I am not sure about how far a trek it is to the dwarf's clan, though." Then adding, "Between Daerlun and Saerloong? That is lovely country in Cormyr, I understand. Fertile land and lazy rivers?"
The time passes and it seems the polite time for departure has arrived. Hennah arrives to show you to the front door.
Kragen to the group “it seems we have several threads we can pull which may unravel additional clues to some of our encounters since we partnered on our first contract. If all find it amenable, now that Master Belgger seems to have recovered from his captivity, I would like to have a mug with him and gain more information about his needs, background and activities which put him in the conditions we found him in. I’ll report back what additional information about his destination and purpose. I may have interest in going North to engage with my cousins in that region.”
i confess to not seeing how, but could ‘feet, True North, or Old Oak’s sword’ be clues as to the key to this cipher?
Posting this in this thread as it’s hear.
i know we have spent time on this however some additional thoughts.
there was a magical circle on the floor before the vaulted door in the spiders layer (formerly the Eleven stronghold).
-does sweet blooded indicate a specific race? In this case an elf or maybe woodelf? If that Sweetblood stood on the circle, would a condition be triggered/unlocked?
-the key at your feet. If someone of sweet blood enters the circle, would the key code be revealed?
-we believe true north most discreet to be Cardinal direction.
You are able to find Belgger enjoying a bowl of stew and mug of ale at Jotrun’s.
He looks up from his focused attention on the bowl of pork stew in front of him, "Well met, again! I am so grateful to you for freeing me from that dragon. I was sure I was going to die there. Please sit and join me."
Kragen, sharing other items of my recollection about this riddle.
A particular race being sweet blooded is possible. Although, I am not sure what that would be. Earlier we also considered the writer being a vampire writing to a thrall.
I am still curious if this is the relic Wayfinder sword the ranchers mentioned. If so,why is it locked away. And why was the Spider so eager for it. We know the level directly above this vault was full of animated furniture that Erbert thought could have come from some great magical surge.
The folks at the ranch were convinced that Earlier we were told by the bandits that the Spider 'is searching for something. It is something that he wants very much as far as I can tell from talking with him. He does not dissemble well. He seems to think it is a furnace or some kind of thing to make items of power with. I do not understand Undercommon well enough to be clear.'
I am still considering all of these things but it seems uncertain. Again, I welcome helping Belgger and perhaps learning more in our travels.
Starker announces “The tuning fork is not, itself, magical.”
”Friend Arnak, do you have any suggestions as to a path forward? Friend Hanny? As doughty and puissant as we are I doubt we are ready to tackle a lich or The Thing in the Tower.”
"This does seem above our pay grade. I can send word to the Knights of Holy judgement (the knighthood Chadwick trained with and swore his oath to). They specialize in the hunting in fiends."
Chadwick will use his Divine Sense to see if he picks up anything from the book or tuning fork.
Chadwick concentrates upon the book and tuning fork. The book shows nothing. The tuning fork does not itself radiate evil, but has been exposed to evil or is linked to it somehow.
Arnak and Hanny look at each other in response to Starker's query. "You seem to have many loose threads in your tapestry, Starker," Hanny responds. "The tower is a riddle that has persisted for 500 years, so, likely it will be here when you have more information available about it. You have acquired this diary of Iarno Albrek and learned of several avenues he was pursuing. This map fragment and tuning fork are among them. But, again, incomplete information. The rest of you found this book with a seemingly unbreakable code. Erbert was quite frustrated I understand," he says looking to Arnak who nods in return while puffing upon his pipe. "So, another situation of incomplete information. The dragon's hostages have recovered according to Bessia's description. Henilen has already headed west with a trade caravan to return to his home in Waterdeep. Belgger is waiting for a caravan from the north to hopefully return to his clan. He is loathe to travel alone, understandably." He looks around the room. "Is there anything left out? Hoid? Kragen? Gneuman?"
Gneuman shrugs and looks about the room. "Things of this nature are not my area of expertise." "I will defer to my more qualified comrades."
To Arnak The Ravenshield lands lie between the cities of Daerlun and Saerloong along the shores of the Sea of Fallen stars.
I do agree that it is fair to rule out Plane Shifting to the abyss for our immediate plans. Smiles But dont sell us too short Chadwick, we do have some experience with demons and their servants.
We need to learn more, be that for our efforts or sharing informatin with the Knights of Holy Judement. Thinking aloud here- do we know how far Belgger's clan is away from here? And how far are we from the Spine of the World mountains? Just considering options
Sounds like a worthwhile endeavor to escort this dwarf back to his clan. Gneuman nods at Trolkarl.
“What about the encoded book left here by Erbert? Any ideas on how to decipher that?,” Arnak asks. “Erbert asked my opinion on it. He and I agree it is some kind of cypher. But, the key is not apparent.”
Well …
“ Alas my sweet blooded friend.
The key at your feet,
True North most discreet.
Keep sealed and fast Old Oak’s sword.”
i confess to not seeing how, but could ‘feet, True North, or Old Oak’s sword’ be clues as to the key to this cipher?
When the conversation allows Chadwick asks "Being so experienced in the ways of magic, how would one go about crafting a magic weapon? Nothing exceptionally powerful, but enough to help us fight fiends that aren't damaged by normal weapons."
He also mentions what he found with his Paly Sense.
(( See Xanather’s Guide to Everything chapter on Downtime Activities for crafting a magic item. ))
Hanny responds to Trolkarl and Gneuman, "That would be most kind of you to do so. And, you may make a friend in the process. I believe that he is staying at the Hallowed Tree. Bessia is tending to him to help him heal from his ordeal." Arnak adds with a laugh, "I think Jotrun is bring him some special 'tonics' as well to assist his dwarven cousin along."
Chadwick grins and laughs along with Arnak. "Maybe we should bring some of those tonics with us on our next adventure."
Arnak replies to Trolkarl's questions, "The Spine of the World are just to the north of us. I am not sure about how far a trek it is to the dwarf's clan, though." Then adding, "Between Daerlun and Saerloong? That is lovely country in Cormyr, I understand. Fertile land and lazy rivers?"
The time passes and it seems the polite time for departure has arrived. Hennah arrives to show you to the front door.
/plans?
Let’s find Belgger (at the Priestess’ location?) and offer our companionship as he heads north.
Kragen to the group “it seems we have several threads we can pull which may unravel additional clues to some of our encounters since we partnered on our first contract. If all find it amenable, now that Master Belgger seems to have recovered from his captivity, I would like to have a mug with him and gain more information about his needs, background and activities which put him in the conditions we found him in. I’ll report back what additional information about his destination and purpose. I may have interest in going North to engage with my cousins in that region.”
”Hoid, care to join me?”
Posting this in this thread as it’s hear.
i know we have spent time on this however some additional thoughts.
there was a magical circle on the floor before the vaulted door in the spiders layer (formerly the Eleven stronghold).
-does sweet blooded indicate a specific race? In this case an elf or maybe woodelf? If that Sweetblood stood on the circle, would a condition be triggered/unlocked?
-the key at your feet. If someone of sweet blood enters the circle, would the key code be revealed?
-we believe true north most discreet to be Cardinal direction.
You are able to find Belgger enjoying a bowl of stew and mug of ale at Jotrun’s.
He looks up from his focused attention on the bowl of pork stew in front of him, "Well met, again! I am so grateful to you for freeing me from that dragon. I was sure I was going to die there. Please sit and join me."
Kragen, sharing other items of my recollection about this riddle.
A particular race being sweet blooded is possible. Although, I am not sure what that would be. Earlier we also considered the writer being a vampire writing to a thrall.
I am still curious if this is the relic Wayfinder sword the ranchers mentioned. If so,why is it locked away. And why was the Spider so eager for it. We know the level directly above this vault was full of animated furniture that Erbert thought could have come from some great magical surge.
The folks at the ranch were convinced that Earlier we were told by the bandits that the Spider 'is searching for something. It is something that he wants very much as far as I can tell from talking with him. He does not dissemble well. He seems to think it is a furnace or some kind of thing to make items of power with. I do not understand Undercommon well enough to be clear.'
I am still considering all of these things but it seems uncertain. Again, I welcome helping Belgger and perhaps learning more in our travels.
Starker is happy to let the others take the lead, here. He is not great with people, and knows he can be somewhat offputting with his direct approach.
He’ll sit and order wine for himself and some stew tubers, raw, for Cyrus Magnus, and listen.