"They contain what could be the very treasure that Igan was looking for, an amount of gold and some trinkets."
"The only other object we saw down there found near they were that may have been a candidate was a large, green statue of an unsightly figure. But since it seemed as if it conscripted the dead to protect its chamber, I couldn't imagine anyone sane would try and take it as it is. We have plans to go back down to try and remove its magic in order to prevent further tragedies."
"The treasureis real? An undead statue? Right underneath our home?" Darvag is terrified "When are you going back there? Are we safe? Oh Tyr, protect us." He drops from his chair and runs away from the kitchen, calling his wife's name out loud and telling her to get the prayer beads.
Rorin is a bit more composed, but you can all see fear in his face too. Rupert has had enough brandy that he has failed to understand the gravity of the situation. He is now singing some sea shanty or another...
Luckily, most of the meal has already been eaten by the time this happens.
“Do not fear. We are going back as soon as we have rested to finish the job. Tyr has sent one of his champions of light specifically to take care of the evil here. The battle was quite taxing.”
Graxx smiles at Utar. “I only hope I can one day fulfill such a duty for Tempus.”
Graxx then looks to his companions.
”There are matters that will need to be discussed privately soon.”
With both Shandra and Darvag now away from the table, the party finishes the somewhat awkward meal with limited conversation. Rorin insists that you do not need to clean up, and that he will take care of it. Thankful for his and his parents' generosity, the five of you simply wish the others a good night and move upstairs for a well deserved night of sleep. Utar carries a passed out Rupert upstairs with him and decides to keep an eye on the fisherman for the night. Graxx and Praxx go to their room, while Drazzim and Neya enter a third chamber.
(OOC: Because there is no reason not to, I'll assume a couple of you spend some time studying the clearly magical but still unidentified items you have on hand.)
Utar: You already know that this beautiful four-sided mace you found enhances each strike you make with it. However, carefully studying each of the faces donning the symbols of the gods (the balanced scales and warhammer of Tyr, the right gauntlet of Torm, the sunburst associated with Lathander, and the blooming rose over grain, the symbol of Chauntea), you find out that there is more to this weapon. You learn its name, Lightbringer, and its purpose, to eradicate the undead (@MB: I added it to your inventory but note that the description of the weapon, for flavor purposes, is a bit different from the vanilla version in there. The mechanics are the same).
Graxx: Before going to bed, your curiosity gets the best of you and you ask Utar for a chance to look at the blade that Grim used to wield. Examining it for a while and taking a few test swings, you begin to get accustomed to its weight. It works as a greatsword, +1. Soon enough, you begin feeling as if the blade is calling you. There is something else within this sword, some sort of hidden power, but you feel you need to reach out for it before you can fully understand it (i.e. you have to attune to this blade).
(OOC: If there is anything else you'd like to do during this long rest, let me know. Otherwise, we can just pick up from the next morning, when I assume you'll be heading back into the underground jade temple.)
Reflecting on Graxx's words as he studies the facets of the mace before him, Utar reflects that hopefully Torm, Tempus, the Elder Shade or whatever other god his friends ascribe to is watchful of their actions and knows that they are only trying their best to follow the path at out for them.
The snoring from Rupert eventually subsides and Utar feels the pull of sleep himself, not glad to be heading back into that cave tomorrow, but pleased that the light has returned to the lighthouse.
(OOC Yeah, Praxx's lesser restoration theory might be worth looking into.)
Graxx takes the blade and holds it close to him. He lays it out in front of him and closes his eyes as he runs his fingers across the blade trying to unlock the powers within.
Graxx looks over at Praxx trying to decide what the future may hold for the gnome in the group.
(OOC: Technically you can't use the same rest to study and attune to the same magic item, but what the heck... If you can use two separate short rests to do it, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it over the same 8-hour period. Let me know if there are any objections.)
Graxx slowly feels the pull of the sword closer and closer. As he becomes one with the blade (i.e. attuned) he feels it claiming part of his will. Graxx understands that this extra power is his now, but just as long as he uses this new blade. This must be the will of Tempus!
(@Grx: This greatsword, +1 is actually a Greatsword of Vengeance. You, the player, understand the curse, of course, but the character Graxx does not. As far as he is concerned, this is a blessing. Over time, feel free to come up with a reason for Graxx to understand the curse.)
(@Grx: To understand Praxx, please roll an insight check).
Utar wakes up in the morning ready to try out Praxx's suggestion.
OOC: Yes! I believe that is a blessing! It goes well with how in an earlier episode Graxx stopped fighting for fun and only wanted to fight to the death. Very good. Oh snap and it's already in my inventory. What a great day. Time to kill Praxx with it. JKJK.
Graxx: Looking at Praxx, you do not pick up anything about his demeanor that you hadn't already understood. The gnome's jester-like persona has been muted, and you know the group's decision to kill the prisoners has had a hand in causing this change. Again, nothing that you didn't already know/suspect.
(OOC: Let us see if Neya wants to do anything else before heading back to the underground jade temple.)
Neya is the first one to wake up. She silently leaves the room where Drazzim still snores like the drunken dwarf he is. Making her way back to the East Tower, the monk find Harae's breeze swirling around the hidden shrine dedicated to Tyr. Her breeze is much calmer, but whether this is because she is weaker or appeased is hard to say. As Neya begins asking questions, Harae obliges by forcing one of the plates of the small bronze scale in the shrine downward, hitting the stone and producing a familiar sound.
1st question: Ting.
2nd question: Ting.
Satisfied, Neya thanks the lingering spirit and returns to the Manor. There, she finds the rest of the party enjoying a simple breakfast of salted sausage and soft cheese. Rorin is serving each of you a tankard of sweet morning mead. He offers a "good luck down there" before returning to his family's abode where they are "afraid and praying to all possible gods."
Graxx wakes up. His sword is in the bed with him as he cuddles it. He looks at his prior Greatsword in disgust. He doesn't know why but he knows he is not to use his prior Moonlit sword in battle. It would be insulting to such a fine blade. He feels a thought come to him. A name for his new partner. His new devastation. "Grim's Blight". It seems fitting.
He turns to Praxx laying in his bed.
"Rise gnome. You may not agree with what has occurred and neither do I. The past is just that. The past. You cannot change it. All you can do is get stronger, better, faster, more... Musical in your case to make sure you that you powerful enough to stop it from happening again. Now let's finish this statue and put some evil to rest."
Graxx takes the bread from Rorin and he grabs his arm and pulls him close only for Rorin to hear him.
"Thank you Rorin. We will remember you in our travels. If I ever learn of a cure for your situation I will return."
Before leaving the room, and while waking up, Praxx chooses to stay silent and not respond to Graxx.
Once breakfast is wrapping up, but before the teenager leaves the room, Rorin nods in appreciation for Neya's reinforcing words. He then looks at Graxx with a face of disbelief: "Wait a minute... you said you were going to take me along with you to the mainland... The Torm cleric, Sir Utar here, said he was going to take me to see some priests. Were... were you all lying to me?"
Then when breakfast is really over and the group is getting ready to leave, Drazzim clears his throat and brings out fabric pouches from his backpack. Each is the size of a large grapefruit, but less round. "I spent some time last night diving up the treasure we found down there. I though we should take our equal parts before heading down. You never know what is going to happen. There was enough in those burlap sacks for each on of us to claim 50gp now. We still have one sack full of trinkets and baubles. We'll need to sell them in town, but I reckon we'd gather another 50gp per head once we do. The gnome was right, we'd each be about 100gp richer by the end of this."
You can all tell Drazzim is not as drunk as usual this morning.
(OOC: Please go ahead and add 50gp to each of your inventories if you hadn't already done so when you first found the treasure.)
Once fed and with their pockets a bit heavier, the group begins to walk back to the West Tower. You all notice that the weather is quite awful. There is a low fog surrounding the isle, and the skies are grey with stormy clouds brewing. If it weren't for the sun shining brightly from behind the clouds, you could not be blamed for thinking the day was closer to dusk than dawn.
The group goes through the plan laid out by Neya the previous day. The magical stone slab is removed, some ropes are lowered, the ladder is verified to be in the same place you left it. You move through what is quickly becoming a familiar underground temple and arrive by the sinkhole.
-> Athletics and/or Acrobatics checks all around, both {DC 15}, unless you'd like to try something different this time. If doing the same thing you did last time, I'll give each of you advantage on the check(s). Learning by repetition and all.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
PRIOR TO LEAVING TO RORIN
"Sorry kid. When we were down there I took a bit of a beatin' that made me forget some things. If the Cleric gave you his word it's as good as gold. It was not a pleasant experience."
Graxx caresses Grim's Blight absent minded.
"But it's all OK now. That's not going to happen again."
Back Underground
"Ya'll know the drill. I'm not looking forward to trying to get that statue across this thing. If only we had a little magic."
Athletics: 19
Graxx makes it across and reaches his hand back to try to latch onto anyone he can.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the group leaves the manor, Utar sidles up to Rorin, "I hope you have not forgotten about our trip to the mainland. Just make sure you keep Rupert away from the Brandy, I don't fancy taking dip on the way."
On the walk to the tower, Utar is keen to fall in line with Praxx. Conscious of the height difference between them, he nevertheless strikes up conversation with the bard. "You aren't the only one here who sees a problem with what happened down there last time. The majority of those guards were following orders and they died because that dwarf felt he could be judge, jury and executioner."
His voice dropping lower, he promises Praxx, as much as himself, "I will not be making that mistake again."
Utar will heartily take Graxx's aid getting out of the mire. Brushing some of the more dubious pieces of... Whatever was in the water with him from his clothes.
"My thanks, although I wouldn't mind if this was omitted from this great song our bard weaves together."
Deciding discretion is the better part of valour, Utar elects not to give himself the old sniff test.
Getting more than annoyed at the slipperiness of the sinkhole, Neya attempts one more time to go around the perimeter, placing her feet in deliberate, measured steps as she goes around.
"They contain what could be the very treasure that Igan was looking for, an amount of gold and some trinkets."
"The only other object we saw down there found near they were that may have been a candidate was a large, green statue of an unsightly figure. But since it seemed as if it conscripted the dead to protect its chamber, I couldn't imagine anyone sane would try and take it as it is. We have plans to go back down to try and remove its magic in order to prevent further tragedies."
Extended Signature
"The treasureis real? An undead statue? Right underneath our home?" Darvag is terrified "When are you going back there? Are we safe? Oh Tyr, protect us." He drops from his chair and runs away from the kitchen, calling his wife's name out loud and telling her to get the prayer beads.
Rorin is a bit more composed, but you can all see fear in his face too. Rupert has had enough brandy that he has failed to understand the gravity of the situation. He is now singing some sea shanty or another...
Luckily, most of the meal has already been eaten by the time this happens.
“Do not fear. We are going back as soon as we have rested to finish the job. Tyr has sent one of his champions of light specifically to take care of the evil here. The battle was quite taxing.”
Graxx smiles at Utar. “I only hope I can one day fulfill such a duty for Tempus.”
Graxx then looks to his companions.
”There are matters that will need to be discussed privately soon.”
(OOC: Alright, moving onward...)
With both Shandra and Darvag now away from the table, the party finishes the somewhat awkward meal with limited conversation. Rorin insists that you do not need to clean up, and that he will take care of it. Thankful for his and his parents' generosity, the five of you simply wish the others a good night and move upstairs for a well deserved night of sleep. Utar carries a passed out Rupert upstairs with him and decides to keep an eye on the fisherman for the night. Graxx and Praxx go to their room, while Drazzim and Neya enter a third chamber.
(OOC: Because there is no reason not to, I'll assume a couple of you spend some time studying the clearly magical but still unidentified items you have on hand.)
Utar: You already know that this beautiful four-sided mace you found enhances each strike you make with it. However, carefully studying each of the faces donning the symbols of the gods (the balanced scales and warhammer of Tyr, the right gauntlet of Torm, the sunburst associated with Lathander, and the blooming rose over grain, the symbol of Chauntea), you find out that there is more to this weapon. You learn its name, Lightbringer, and its purpose, to eradicate the undead (@MB: I added it to your inventory but note that the description of the weapon, for flavor purposes, is a bit different from the vanilla version in there. The mechanics are the same).
Graxx: Before going to bed, your curiosity gets the best of you and you ask Utar for a chance to look at the blade that Grim used to wield. Examining it for a while and taking a few test swings, you begin to get accustomed to its weight. It works as a greatsword, +1. Soon enough, you begin feeling as if the blade is calling you. There is something else within this sword, some sort of hidden power, but you feel you need to reach out for it before you can fully understand it (i.e. you have to attune to this blade).
(OOC: If there is anything else you'd like to do during this long rest, let me know. Otherwise, we can just pick up from the next morning, when I assume you'll be heading back into the underground jade temple.)
Reflecting on Graxx's words as he studies the facets of the mace before him, Utar reflects that hopefully Torm, Tempus, the Elder Shade or whatever other god his friends ascribe to is watchful of their actions and knows that they are only trying their best to follow the path at out for them.
The snoring from Rupert eventually subsides and Utar feels the pull of sleep himself, not glad to be heading back into that cave tomorrow, but pleased that the light has returned to the lighthouse.
(OOC Yeah, Praxx's lesser restoration theory might be worth looking into.)
Graxx takes the blade and holds it close to him. He lays it out in front of him and closes his eyes as he runs his fingers across the blade trying to unlock the powers within.
Graxx looks over at Praxx trying to decide what the future may hold for the gnome in the group.
(OOC: Technically you can't use the same rest to study and attune to the same magic item, but what the heck... If you can use two separate short rests to do it, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it over the same 8-hour period. Let me know if there are any objections.)
Graxx slowly feels the pull of the sword closer and closer. As he becomes one with the blade (i.e. attuned) he feels it claiming part of his will. Graxx understands that this extra power is his now, but just as long as he uses this new blade. This must be the will of Tempus!
(@Grx: This greatsword, +1 is actually a Greatsword of Vengeance. You, the player, understand the curse, of course, but the character Graxx does not. As far as he is concerned, this is a blessing. Over time, feel free to come up with a reason for Graxx to understand the curse.)
(@Grx: To understand Praxx, please roll an insight check).
Utar wakes up in the morning ready to try out Praxx's suggestion.
OOC: Yes! I believe that is a blessing! It goes well with how in an earlier episode Graxx stopped fighting for fun and only wanted to fight to the death. Very good. Oh snap and it's already in my inventory. What a great day. Time to kill Praxx with it. JKJK.
Insight Check: 16
(@Grx: Haha! Sounds good!)
Graxx: Looking at Praxx, you do not pick up anything about his demeanor that you hadn't already understood. The gnome's jester-like persona has been muted, and you know the group's decision to kill the prisoners has had a hand in causing this change. Again, nothing that you didn't already know/suspect.
(OOC: Let us see if Neya wants to do anything else before heading back to the underground jade temple.)
Neya will go to Harae's shrine in the east tower and speak.
"Thank you for helping us Harae"
"I have a couple of questions. Nothing big, just some curiosities. You don't need to answer."
"On our way down to the main chamber, we discovered a body of someone from my clan. Did someone on this island invite her?"
(If yes) "Was she invited by Igan?"
(If no) "Curious, then what was her purpose here? I will have to look into that."
(If no response) "I understand. I will leave you be."
"Again, thank you for your aid."
Extended Signature
Neya is the first one to wake up. She silently leaves the room where Drazzim still snores like the drunken dwarf he is. Making her way back to the East Tower, the monk find Harae's breeze swirling around the hidden shrine dedicated to Tyr. Her breeze is much calmer, but whether this is because she is weaker or appeased is hard to say. As Neya begins asking questions, Harae obliges by forcing one of the plates of the small bronze scale in the shrine downward, hitting the stone and producing a familiar sound.
1st question: Ting.
2nd question: Ting.
Satisfied, Neya thanks the lingering spirit and returns to the Manor. There, she finds the rest of the party enjoying a simple breakfast of salted sausage and soft cheese. Rorin is serving each of you a tankard of sweet morning mead. He offers a "good luck down there" before returning to his family's abode where they are "afraid and praying to all possible gods."
**PRIOR TO GOING TO BREAKFAST**
Graxx wakes up. His sword is in the bed with him as he cuddles it. He looks at his prior Greatsword in disgust. He doesn't know why but he knows he is not to use his prior Moonlit sword in battle. It would be insulting to such a fine blade. He feels a thought come to him. A name for his new partner. His new devastation. "Grim's Blight". It seems fitting.
He turns to Praxx laying in his bed.
"Rise gnome. You may not agree with what has occurred and neither do I. The past is just that. The past. You cannot change it. All you can do is get stronger, better, faster, more... Musical in your case to make sure you that you powerful enough to stop it from happening again. Now let's finish this statue and put some evil to rest."
Graxx takes the bread from Rorin and he grabs his arm and pulls him close only for Rorin to hear him.
"Thank you Rorin. We will remember you in our travels. If I ever learn of a cure for your situation I will return."
"Thank you for your consideration. We are certain we have eliminated all threats down there, but one can't be too careful."
Extended Signature
Before leaving the room, and while waking up, Praxx chooses to stay silent and not respond to Graxx.
Once breakfast is wrapping up, but before the teenager leaves the room, Rorin nods in appreciation for Neya's reinforcing words. He then looks at Graxx with a face of disbelief: "Wait a minute... you said you were going to take me along with you to the mainland... The Torm cleric, Sir Utar here, said he was going to take me to see some priests. Were... were you all lying to me?"
Then when breakfast is really over and the group is getting ready to leave, Drazzim clears his throat and brings out fabric pouches from his backpack. Each is the size of a large grapefruit, but less round. "I spent some time last night diving up the treasure we found down there. I though we should take our equal parts before heading down. You never know what is going to happen. There was enough in those burlap sacks for each on of us to claim 50gp now. We still have one sack full of trinkets and baubles. We'll need to sell them in town, but I reckon we'd gather another 50gp per head once we do. The gnome was right, we'd each be about 100gp richer by the end of this."
You can all tell Drazzim is not as drunk as usual this morning.
(OOC: Please go ahead and add 50gp to each of your inventories if you hadn't already done so when you first found the treasure.)
Once fed and with their pockets a bit heavier, the group begins to walk back to the West Tower. You all notice that the weather is quite awful. There is a low fog surrounding the isle, and the skies are grey with stormy clouds brewing. If it weren't for the sun shining brightly from behind the clouds, you could not be blamed for thinking the day was closer to dusk than dawn.
The group goes through the plan laid out by Neya the previous day. The magical stone slab is removed, some ropes are lowered, the ladder is verified to be in the same place you left it. You move through what is quickly becoming a familiar underground temple and arrive by the sinkhole.
-> Athletics and/or Acrobatics checks all around, both {DC 15}, unless you'd like to try something different this time. If doing the same thing you did last time, I'll give each of you advantage on the check(s). Learning by repetition and all.
PRIOR TO LEAVING TO RORIN
"Sorry kid. When we were down there I took a bit of a beatin' that made me forget some things. If the Cleric gave you his word it's as good as gold. It was not a pleasant experience."
Graxx caresses Grim's Blight absent minded.
"But it's all OK now. That's not going to happen again."
Back Underground
"Ya'll know the drill. I'm not looking forward to trying to get that statue across this thing. If only we had a little magic."
Athletics: 19
Graxx makes it across and reaches his hand back to try to latch onto anyone he can.
"Come on now. There's evil to kill."
As the group leaves the manor, Utar sidles up to Rorin, "I hope you have not forgotten about our trip to the mainland. Just make sure you keep Rupert away from the Brandy, I don't fancy taking dip on the way."
On the walk to the tower, Utar is keen to fall in line with Praxx. Conscious of the height difference between them, he nevertheless strikes up conversation with the bard. "You aren't the only one here who sees a problem with what happened down there last time. The majority of those guards were following orders and they died because that dwarf felt he could be judge, jury and executioner."
His voice dropping lower, he promises Praxx, as much as himself, "I will not be making that mistake again."
Athletics 12 to cross the water.
(OOC Oh crap, what's the damage?)
Graxx sees Utar go into the water and pulls the wincing Cleric out.
"Watch your step there, Utar! Torm has been pretty kind to you lately. Seems like someone's gained the attention of his God!"
Graxx nudges Utar and smiles genuinely.
"You must be proud to be blessed by Torm that he would give you such a weapon to wield. I can only imagine the feats you will complete."
Graxx points at Praxx.
"Praxx, write this down for your song. The time Utar, Cleric of Torm found his mighty weapon Lightbringer! Ah... How exciting."
Utar will heartily take Graxx's aid getting out of the mire. Brushing some of the more dubious pieces of... Whatever was in the water with him from his clothes.
"My thanks, although I wouldn't mind if this was omitted from this great song our bard weaves together."
Deciding discretion is the better part of valour, Utar elects not to give himself the old sniff test.
"Giving this one more try..."
Getting more than annoyed at the slipperiness of the sinkhole, Neya attempts one more time to go around the perimeter, placing her feet in deliberate, measured steps as she goes around.
Acrobatics:11
Extended Signature