Thall looks to you then speaks, "50 years it's been like this! My Gwen left, fled with our young ones when the sickness came after the spire appeared. But while I prepared the shop to close it in my own vanity trying to save my potions I was trapped, cursed to remain here with the other villagers who think the sickness was merely months ago and none of them able to see the spire. Each day begins anew for them and they forget what has happened before. They avoid me now like I am the mad one," he almost shouts! "Yes, yes in deed travelers do come seeking the maze from time to time but I long since have given up trying to stop or dissuade them. I try my best to aid them if they do find me. They however never stay more than a night and they never return after leaving for the maze," he explains.
"I see. What aid did you give the dwarf who came through? Do you have information which may help us? Is the maze in the same location as the spire? Do you have potions to sell us? What will happen to you if we succeed?
"I sold the dwarf a potion of greater healing of my very own design that has three uses but for the price of a single dose. All I know about the maze is once you enter you do not return. I have only been brave enough once to venture beyond the village into the dark forest myself. There is a arcane boundary that held me back. I can not say if the maze is beyond it the spire I was never able to reach it! I only know the tales I have been told by the travelers over the years seeking great wealth. My warnings falling on deaf ears of most and honestly heeded by so few I was able to sell a potion or two," he explains gesturing now at a shelf where only six potion bottles sit. "That's all that is left, I can not make more," he says bitterly. "I can not collect the things I need to make more," he explains. "But if you succeed I hope to be free of this prison so that I might find my family again or at least know what happened to them! As for the other villagers I would assume they would be freed as well to see the truth I have been speaking for years," he exclaims gesturing out the window at the village.
The half-fling is telling the truth. He's a little worse for wear but seems excited almost desperate to talk to people, anyone who seems just as sane as he is! He's especially excited that your party seems capable enough to challenge the maze!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
I thank the shopkeeper for the information then will offer to buy one of his potions, I'll take the cure light wounds potion unless someone else wants it otherwise I'll take the sanctuary potion. I won't haggle the price.
"When everyone is done here I suggest we be on our way."
I follow everyone around, mostly eager to get started, not saying anything about it so I don't seem too eager. "Don't worry," I say to the halfling, "You'll see your family again."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
Moving out of the magic shop it it now late afternoon. The village seems to be at a lull in activity as the sun, you know, will start to set soon. From the alley however moving towards the tree line you get an eerie sense the party is being watched by many sets of eyes from within the tree line itself.
Elly, Shadow, & Professor
Roll an arcana check
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Shadow
Thall looks to you then speaks, "50 years it's been like this! My Gwen left, fled with our young ones when the sickness came after the spire appeared. But while I prepared the shop to close it in my own vanity trying to save my potions I was trapped, cursed to remain here with the other villagers who think the sickness was merely months ago and none of them able to see the spire. Each day begins anew for them and they forget what has happened before. They avoid me now like I am the mad one," he almost shouts! "Yes, yes in deed travelers do come seeking the maze from time to time but I long since have given up trying to stop or dissuade them. I try my best to aid them if they do find me. They however never stay more than a night and they never return after leaving for the maze," he explains.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"I see. What aid did you give the dwarf who came through? Do you have information which may help us? Is the maze in the same location as the spire? Do you have potions to sell us? What will happen to you if we succeed?
I just watch the halfling as he answers everyone's questions, trying to discern if he's telling us the truth and if he is keeping anything from us.
Insight: 19
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
Shadow
"I sold the dwarf a potion of greater healing of my very own design that has three uses but for the price of a single dose. All I know about the maze is once you enter you do not return. I have only been brave enough once to venture beyond the village into the dark forest myself. There is a arcane boundary that held me back. I can not say if the maze is beyond it the spire I was never able to reach it! I only know the tales I have been told by the travelers over the years seeking great wealth. My warnings falling on deaf ears of most and honestly heeded by so few I was able to sell a potion or two," he explains gesturing now at a shelf where only six potion bottles sit. "That's all that is left, I can not make more," he says bitterly. "I can not collect the things I need to make more," he explains. "But if you succeed I hope to be free of this prison so that I might find my family again or at least know what happened to them! As for the other villagers I would assume they would be freed as well to see the truth I have been speaking for years," he exclaims gesturing out the window at the village.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Elly
The half-fling is telling the truth. He's a little worse for wear but seems excited almost desperate to talk to people, anyone who seems just as sane as he is! He's especially excited that your party seems capable enough to challenge the maze!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
I go and look at the potions he has left.
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
Elly
Potion of Cure Light Wounds marked 50 gp It's an emerald liquid contained in a battered phial with a glass stopper.
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds marked 300 gp It's a viscous potion, contained in a spherical crystal bottle.
Potion of Enlarge Person marked 250 gp It's a cloudy tincture, contained in a crystal jar with a glass stopper
Potion of Sanctuary much like the Cleric spell marked 50 gp Its a smoky ichor causes an electric sensation when used.
Potion of Frost Giant Strength marked 1000 gp this black serum causes flames to turn yellow when used.
Potion of Resistance (fire) marked 250 gp which is a gold liquid shimmering in the light.
ALL potions have messy instructions written in common 'one use only'
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
I thank the shopkeeper for the information then will offer to buy one of his potions, I'll take the cure light wounds potion unless someone else wants it otherwise I'll take the sanctuary potion. I won't haggle the price.
"When everyone is done here I suggest we be on our way."
I follow everyone around, mostly eager to get started, not saying anything about it so I don't seem too eager. "Don't worry," I say to the halfling, "You'll see your family again."
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
~ Guild Wars 2
"Lets get to it then!"
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
"All right, let's be off."
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
~ Guild Wars 2
Shadow
{You buy either, no one's apparently is claiming them but note you have only 58 gp}
Everyone
After making the sale to Shadow the half-fling wishes all of you good luck and protection on your journey.
{Who is heading to the alley into the forest?}
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
i'll head down the alley, halfway through i draw my weapon
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
Elly puts her hand on the halfling's shoulder.
"I hope you find your family."
Then she turns and walks out the door.
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
I follow into the alley, it appears to be the easiest way to go.
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
~ Guild Wars 2
Everyone leaving the shop
Moving out of the magic shop it it now late afternoon. The village seems to be at a lull in activity as the sun, you know, will start to set soon. From the alley however moving towards the tree line you get an eerie sense the party is being watched by many sets of eyes from within the tree line itself.
Elly, Shadow, & Professor
Roll an arcana check
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Arcana: 4
So I know EVERYTHING.....right? lol
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
Elly
Looks like a regular tree-line but it still gives you a chill up your spine!
Everyone
If moving towards the tree line roll a perception check!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Perception: 17
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
Perception: 4
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
~ Guild Wars 2