(I'm back! Sorry, was out of town on vacation before I left. Meant to post in all my games before I left, but apparently I missed a couple)
(OOC: I had you covered in post 2897. Helps to have overlapping campaigns.
If you can respond to post 2932, you will have some time to look over the older posts while we wait for Reverie and Trimyrai to also respond.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Isk greets them with a short bow and says, "Greetings, Frederick and Willimina. I am Iskandar Khayon, a scout in the holy army of Heegoss. Thank you for your welcome." He then goes to the book to sign in. He will submit to the spell.
Froskan awkwardly tries to imitate Isk's bow. It's clear he's far less practiced at the maneuver. "I am Froskan, of the village of (I don't remember atm)," he says, submitting tot he spell as well since he has nothing to hide. He follows Isk and signs into the book when the other is finished.
(OOC: This isn't a big decision, so I will have Reverie also sign in as instructed, and submit to the spell. She is wary, but her noble upbringing has her being polite to the host's requests.)
Jack (and everyone else) is under the influence of the Zone of Truth. (The DC was obscenely high.) No one is forced to say anything, and responses can be carefully worded to avoid lying. But anything said should be the truth, as far as you know.
(OOC: The DM has withheld some knowledge from your backgrounds, to add some mystery. If something you say contradicts what I have planned, I'll straighten it out. But feel free to improv if you think it will help the story-telling.)
------
The sphinxes nod as the party members sign in and state their names. They are more reserved when Jack's turn comes up, and he tries to fight the Zone. "Jack of Black, your group has come here to ask for boons. As a guest, it is uncivil to act as you have in our home. We would hear why you do so. If you mistrust us, you also mistrust any gifts that we could offer."
"The braziers of truth are to make sure the information we gather is accurate, whether by our arcane means or by word of guests like yourselves. This is not to make you feel intimidated, but to ease your doubts. It does not compel the truth to be offered, but whatever is offered has to be the truth. It insures that whatever we tell to visitors is accurate and without deceit, to the limits of our knowledge."
(OOC: Jack will have to give some kind of honest explanation, if the group wants to get nuggets of knowledge from the Sages of Stone. It can be simple, but staying silent or being completely evasive will have them ask/order the group to leave.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Isk throws some side-eye at Jack and is interested in his explanation. As a scout, he has had to hide his motives many times and can understand how being forced to be honest would make one bristle.
Jack sighs. “I’m used to this spell. Makes people tell the truth. I just wanted to see if I didn’t have to. I meant no disrespect, I just don’t want to be forced to tell the truth.”
The two sphinx-es lean towards each other to confer without being overheard. (OOC: I was tempted to have them meow-ing, due to their feline make-up, but I think that would be too much.) They then lean back. "We will forgive this action. As we are concealed in the Shadowfell, we can understand not wanting to be exposed. And the bravado to make the attempt offsets the impudence. But be mindful of your manners from now on."
Settling back and relaxing a bit. "There is a price for any knowledge. In our case, you are required to provide or possess 3 things: gift, valor, and knowledge... For the first, the book of Oghma that you are returning will count. Unless you had a different gift in mind, please place the book in the open crystal case to the right of the sign-in ledger." (OOC: I'm assuming you are doing that, unless I hear an objection.)
"For the second, your battle against The Lost and its Skulk minions was of note, but not enough. We are going to be selfish. There is an allip nearby. A wraith-like undead driven mad by the dreadful secret it has uncovered. The annoyance has tried to find our lair, to unburden its secret, or to gain the power to exist with the knowledge... We would have you take an oath to destroy this being, after you leave our lair to return to your home plane. It is nearby, and will seek you out, now that you have met us. You will fight it instead of running from it."
"The evil thing is like a cockroach in one of your kitchens, skittering away before we can squash it. The battle for you would be worthy of your current skills, and we will sleep better not hearing it scratching on the walls at all hours... Will you all take the oath of valor to deal with this?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
(I am sorry for being inactive recently! I've been so busy with all the works. And Meow-ing sphinx-es sound very awesome xD)
Reverie frowns ever so slightly as she listens to Fredrick and Lady Willimina. "I will take an oath of valor to deal with this, Allip."
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Reverie Forestgleam—Human Paladin Level 5 in Frontier City of Nunkreet Extremely busy and busy as ever recently, but I will trying to catch up as much as I can
Trimyrai: (to Fredrick and Lady Willimina) "An oath? and what consequences would there be for breaking this oath?"
"This is not a magical Geas. It is an oath on your honor. If you make the oath, and can fulfill the requirements for knowledge, we will be providing our boons, before you leave this lair. Payment in full, from our side."
"If you break your part of the deal, our gifts will need to be returned. It could be at the Oghma church in your mortal city. Or if you show reluctance, collection agents will be sent... We don't foresee this happening, but there have been other servants of the gods who mortals have tried to cheat."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
(OOC: Reverie is on-board for the oath. If someone does not wish to wipe out this evil undead, we can ret-con the events to reflect that. In the meanwhile, I'm going to post the third requirement.)
After the party vows to destroy this pesky undead on your way back to the Material Plane (unless someone decides not to), the sphinxes consider the last requirement.
Frederick: "To demonstrate knowledge, you must... answer a riddle!" Willimina: "Really? That is so cliche. Can't we do something else?" "Pleeeeeeaaaaase? It is my favorite thing to do." "Urgh... fine. A riddle it is."
Willimina pauses to think, then looks at Jack and gets a mischievous grin: "Jack has offended one of your mortal kings, and is sentenced by this ruler to enter one of three rooms. The first room is completely full of raging fires, both magical and mundane. The second room has many assassins, highly skilled, wielding weapons coated with the deadliest of poisons. The third room has an anti-magic field, and is fully occupied by a pride of lions, that haven't eaten in 3 years... Which room is safest for Jack, and why?"
(OOC: Anyone can answer. "Jack" was inserted as a personal touch for the riddle.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Trimyrai: (to Frederick and Lady Willimina) "How many guesses to this riddle do we get?"
"Each of you gets a guess, but you may give up your guess to allow another to try again. Three guesses for your group. The reason for your choice is the vital part of the answer, to prevent picking a room at random."
(OOC: Changed my mind, and it is now 3 guesses instead of 5. But, I will give an OOC clue after 2 guesses.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Jack looks at the sphinxes. “I hope I don’t actually have to go into a deadly room. I say option 3. If the lions haven’t eaten in 3 years, they should be dead, right? Anything dies after not eating for 3 years. Most things. Maybe.”
Jack looks at the sphinxes. “I hope I don’t actually have to go into a deadly room. I say option 3. If the lions haven’t eaten in 3 years, they should be dead, right? Anything dies after not eating for 3 years. Most things. Maybe.”
Froskan nods to Jack. "That was my first thought as well."
Willimina: "You have 3 guesses. Will that be your first guess, that room, and that reason for picking the room?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Reverie looks at Jack and Froskan for a moment and then nods once. "I think the same as well."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Reverie Forestgleam—Human Paladin Level 5 in Frontier City of Nunkreet Extremely busy and busy as ever recently, but I will trying to catch up as much as I can
(OOC: Since 3 members of the party agree, this will be a guess.)
After the party huddles to discuss the riddle, Jack steps forward to give an answer. Froskan and Reverie give him a pat on the back for reassurance. Jack yells out, "The third room is the safest, since lions that don't eat for 3 years will be dead... I'm not actually doing that, right?"
Willimina is still for a moment, then pronounces: "That is the correct answer to the riddle... Getting it right on the first try, I must be losing my touch."
Frederick: "Nah, I told you they aren't as dumb as they look." Willimina smacks him on the back of the head. "You meant that as an insult, not as praise." (Even a playful hit by a sphinx could break stone pillars. Frederick rubs the back of his head, which is still smarting.)
"You have passed the requirements. We will give each of you an Answer and a Gift. We will do our best to chose things that you will find beneficial in your adventures. Step forward, one at a time. Put your hand on the crystal ball below and ask a question... We may chose an Answer that is unrelated to your question, but you must ask the question, in order for us to gain insight into your soul."
Willimina adds: "Don't ask for nonsense, like how to make world peace, or how to cast a Wish spell... The question should be personal, and of importance to you specifically."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
(I'm back! Sorry, was out of town on vacation before I left. Meant to post in all my games before I left, but apparently I missed a couple)
(OOC: I had you covered in post 2897. Helps to have overlapping campaigns.
If you can respond to post 2932, you will have some time to look over the older posts while we wait for Reverie and Trimyrai to also respond.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Froskan awkwardly tries to imitate Isk's bow. It's clear he's far less practiced at the maneuver. "I am Froskan, of the village of (I don't remember atm)," he says, submitting tot he spell as well since he has nothing to hide. He follows Isk and signs into the book when the other is finished.
Trimyrai: (to Fredrick and Lady Willimina) "Trimyrai Peucis archer extraordinaire and amateur adventurer, at your service."
Trimyrai signs in as instructed.
list of my games/characters in the spoiler
Looking for a new game, if you need a player private message me.
(OOC: This isn't a big decision, so I will have Reverie also sign in as instructed, and submit to the spell. She is wary, but her noble upbringing has her being polite to the host's requests.)
Jack (and everyone else) is under the influence of the Zone of Truth. (The DC was obscenely high.) No one is forced to say anything, and responses can be carefully worded to avoid lying. But anything said should be the truth, as far as you know.
(OOC: The DM has withheld some knowledge from your backgrounds, to add some mystery. If something you say contradicts what I have planned, I'll straighten it out. But feel free to improv if you think it will help the story-telling.)
------
The sphinxes nod as the party members sign in and state their names. They are more reserved when Jack's turn comes up, and he tries to fight the Zone. "Jack of Black, your group has come here to ask for boons. As a guest, it is uncivil to act as you have in our home. We would hear why you do so. If you mistrust us, you also mistrust any gifts that we could offer."
"The braziers of truth are to make sure the information we gather is accurate, whether by our arcane means or by word of guests like yourselves. This is not to make you feel intimidated, but to ease your doubts. It does not compel the truth to be offered, but whatever is offered has to be the truth. It insures that whatever we tell to visitors is accurate and without deceit, to the limits of our knowledge."
(OOC: Jack will have to give some kind of honest explanation, if the group wants to get nuggets of knowledge from the Sages of Stone. It can be simple, but staying silent or being completely evasive will have them ask/order the group to leave.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Isk throws some side-eye at Jack and is interested in his explanation. As a scout, he has had to hide his motives many times and can understand how being forced to be honest would make one bristle.
Jack sighs. “I’m used to this spell. Makes people tell the truth. I just wanted to see if I didn’t have to. I meant no disrespect, I just don’t want to be forced to tell the truth.”
Extended Signature! Yay! https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/off-topic/adohands-kitchen/3153-extended-signature-thread?page=2#c21
Haven’t used this account in forever. Still a big fan of crawling claws.
The two sphinx-es lean towards each other to confer without being overheard. (OOC: I was tempted to have them meow-ing, due to their feline make-up, but I think that would be too much.) They then lean back. "We will forgive this action. As we are concealed in the Shadowfell, we can understand not wanting to be exposed. And the bravado to make the attempt offsets the impudence. But be mindful of your manners from now on."
Settling back and relaxing a bit. "There is a price for any knowledge. In our case, you are required to provide or possess 3 things: gift, valor, and knowledge... For the first, the book of Oghma that you are returning will count. Unless you had a different gift in mind, please place the book in the open crystal case to the right of the sign-in ledger." (OOC: I'm assuming you are doing that, unless I hear an objection.)
"For the second, your battle against The Lost and its Skulk minions was of note, but not enough. We are going to be selfish. There is an allip nearby. A wraith-like undead driven mad by the dreadful secret it has uncovered. The annoyance has tried to find our lair, to unburden its secret, or to gain the power to exist with the knowledge... We would have you take an oath to destroy this being, after you leave our lair to return to your home plane. It is nearby, and will seek you out, now that you have met us. You will fight it instead of running from it."
"The evil thing is like a cockroach in one of your kitchens, skittering away before we can squash it. The battle for you would be worthy of your current skills, and we will sleep better not hearing it scratching on the walls at all hours... Will you all take the oath of valor to deal with this?"
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Trimyrai: (to Fredrick and Lady Willimina) "An oath? and what consequences would there be for breaking this oath?"
list of my games/characters in the spoiler
Looking for a new game, if you need a player private message me.
(I am sorry for being inactive recently! I've been so busy with all the works. And Meow-ing sphinx-es sound very awesome xD)
Reverie frowns ever so slightly as she listens to Fredrick and Lady Willimina. "I will take an oath of valor to deal with this, Allip."
Reverie Forestgleam—Human Paladin Level 5 in Frontier City of Nunkreet
Extremely busy and busy as ever recently, but I will trying to catch up as much as I can
"This is not a magical Geas. It is an oath on your honor. If you make the oath, and can fulfill the requirements for knowledge, we will be providing our boons, before you leave this lair. Payment in full, from our side."
"If you break your part of the deal, our gifts will need to be returned. It could be at the Oghma church in your mortal city. Or if you show reluctance, collection agents will be sent... We don't foresee this happening, but there have been other servants of the gods who mortals have tried to cheat."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
(OOC: Reverie is on-board for the oath. If someone does not wish to wipe out this evil undead, we can ret-con the events to reflect that. In the meanwhile, I'm going to post the third requirement.)
After the party vows to destroy this pesky undead on your way back to the Material Plane (unless someone decides not to), the sphinxes consider the last requirement.
Frederick: "To demonstrate knowledge, you must... answer a riddle!" Willimina: "Really? That is so cliche. Can't we do something else?" "Pleeeeeeaaaaase? It is my favorite thing to do." "Urgh... fine. A riddle it is."
Willimina pauses to think, then looks at Jack and gets a mischievous grin: "Jack has offended one of your mortal kings, and is sentenced by this ruler to enter one of three rooms. The first room is completely full of raging fires, both magical and mundane. The second room has many assassins, highly skilled, wielding weapons coated with the deadliest of poisons. The third room has an anti-magic field, and is fully occupied by a pride of lions, that haven't eaten in 3 years... Which room is safest for Jack, and why?"
(OOC: Anyone can answer. "Jack" was inserted as a personal touch for the riddle.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Trimyrai would only vow to try, not to succeed, when he does the oath.
Trimyrai: (to Frederick and Lady Willimina) "How many guesses to this riddle do we get?"
list of my games/characters in the spoiler
Looking for a new game, if you need a player private message me.
"
Each of you gets a guess, but you may give up your guess to allow another to try again.Three guesses for your group. The reason for your choice is the vital part of the answer, to prevent picking a room at random."(OOC: Changed my mind, and it is now 3 guesses instead of 5. But, I will give an OOC clue after 2 guesses.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Jack looks at the sphinxes. “I hope I don’t actually have to go into a deadly room. I say option 3. If the lions haven’t eaten in 3 years, they should be dead, right? Anything dies after not eating for 3 years. Most things. Maybe.”
Extended Signature! Yay! https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/off-topic/adohands-kitchen/3153-extended-signature-thread?page=2#c21
Haven’t used this account in forever. Still a big fan of crawling claws.
Froskan nods to Jack. "That was my first thought as well."
Willimina: "You have 3 guesses. Will that be your first guess, that room, and that reason for picking the room?"
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Reverie looks at Jack and Froskan for a moment and then nods once. "I think the same as well."
Reverie Forestgleam—Human Paladin Level 5 in Frontier City of Nunkreet
Extremely busy and busy as ever recently, but I will trying to catch up as much as I can
(OOC: Since 3 members of the party agree, this will be a guess.)
After the party huddles to discuss the riddle, Jack steps forward to give an answer. Froskan and Reverie give him a pat on the back for reassurance. Jack yells out, "The third room is the safest, since lions that don't eat for 3 years will be dead... I'm not actually doing that, right?"
Willimina is still for a moment, then pronounces: "That is the correct answer to the riddle... Getting it right on the first try, I must be losing my touch."
Frederick: "Nah, I told you they aren't as dumb as they look." Willimina smacks him on the back of the head. "You meant that as an insult, not as praise." (Even a playful hit by a sphinx could break stone pillars. Frederick rubs the back of his head, which is still smarting.)
"You have passed the requirements. We will give each of you an Answer and a Gift. We will do our best to chose things that you will find beneficial in your adventures. Step forward, one at a time. Put your hand on the crystal ball below and ask a question... We may chose an Answer that is unrelated to your question, but you must ask the question, in order for us to gain insight into your soul."
Willimina adds: "Don't ask for nonsense, like how to make world peace, or how to cast a Wish spell... The question should be personal, and of importance to you specifically."
(OOC: Please check your private message in-box.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Isk smiles and claps Jack on the back, "Well done, Jack!"