Shadow smiles back at her. "It seems you and I are the only ones who can see the keep. I have some theories about what may be going on here. If you're interested in joining me, how about we go to the tavern and recruit others to accompany us." Noting her holy symbol.... "If you're able, it might be a good idea to scan the area for hexes or curses."
After my 3rd ale still tastes more like tea than ale I decide the Drow wants to keep to himself, "If trouble finds ye 'friend' seek me out and I'll lend my aid, Gauldring Goldenbraid is the name" I then go looking for the Tiefling, don't see many of them where i'm from and he might have found something that could help my search.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Silently responding to the dwarf, I listen to the gnome, listening for any hints on the maze (perception 18). If not, he joins the somewhat diverse group of people outside.
Suspecting the group of people who are asking all the questions to the locals are searching for the same thing I am, I go out and join them hopefully helping them in their Investigation.
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."
Noting the group from earlier converge on him, plus one or two others, Shadow introduces himself to the newcomers and presents the map.
"First off, do any of you see the spire above the trees over there? I have here an old map which depicts the town in good detail and seems to be current but which lacks important details elsewhere, specifically excluding that spire.
"Further I have learned from the shopkeeper that a plague recently purged the town of young and old people. I read somewhere that a plague occurred here about 50 years ago.
"I think the inhabitants of this town are somehow stuck in time, neither aging nor acknowledging events outside. I don't know if there is anything more that can be learned here, but I intend to investigate that spire. Will you join me?"
"hmmm, interesting theory. Would explain why no one's seen another dwarf when I know one passed through here. now about this spire..." I use my divine sense to see if there is evil nearby, or in the direction of the spire.
"Ack! Well whatever that spire is it's evil, and my friend is daft fool enough to go in there. As a Paladin I can't let something this evil go unchecked, you have my ax and shield!"
The illusionary magic is strong, it seems to weaken however the further away from the center of town you get. it's almost as if the spell is focus directly on the village itself but has limits at the boundaries of town!
Shadow
{Seems you have been made leader of the group! How shall you proceed?}
{I'm assuming all of us in the party can clearly see the spire...}
"Elly, does it seem the magic you are sensing is affecting anyone else in the party or just the towsfolk?"
To the rest of the group "Does anyone else have any leads to explore or other business about the town? The keep seems to be about an hour through the forest, we could assemble and leave in the morning unless there is a reason to leave quickly...."
"If that's the case good dwarf I'll go get my things and settle my account with the innkeeper. Does anyone else have business here? Otherwise I'll be ready to leave in 10 minutes."
{Professor doesn't post in the forum by 11:59 pm EST I'll consider the character no longer in the campaign}
Shadow
Only the townspeople are affected by this illusion.
Everyone
As you recall in coming on the road, from the north or south, the day before or that day you did not even notice the black spire from the road approaching the village in the clearing. Though the dense forest did block most of the sunlight as the road was carved out from the forest itself only now that you are all assembled in the village did you notice the black spire at all!!
Shadow returns to the inn to retrieve his equipment and settle his account with the innkeeper. As he walks he's trying to recall if he should have been able to see the spire from the road last night or if he just missed it in the early evening twilight. Thinking to himself "If the spire is part of the magic of this place why are the locals unable to see it? Or are they just ignoring it? They seem to be impatient with outsiders but they don't seem to be in shock." Shadow quickly gathers his things, pays the innkeeper then returns to the group ready to leave when they are.
Shadow smiles back at her. "It seems you and I are the only ones who can see the keep. I have some theories about what may be going on here. If you're interested in joining me, how about we go to the tavern and recruit others to accompany us." Noting her holy symbol.... "If you're able, it might be a good idea to scan the area for hexes or curses."
After my 3rd ale still tastes more like tea than ale I decide the Drow wants to keep to himself, "If trouble finds ye 'friend' seek me out and I'll lend my aid, Gauldring Goldenbraid is the name" I then go looking for the Tiefling, don't see many of them where i'm from and he might have found something that could help my search.
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
I jump to smack Shadow on the shoulder. "Fantastic idea!"
I cast Detect Magic to try and sense if there is any magic around me.
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
Silently responding to the dwarf, I listen to the gnome, listening for any hints on the maze (perception 18). If not, he joins the somewhat diverse group of people outside.
Suspecting the group of people who are asking all the questions to the locals are searching for the same thing I am, I go out and join them hopefully helping them in their Investigation.
"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
Xenruth, Kohl, and Gauldring
Having heard no one at the tavern discussing the maze you join the gnome & tiefling
Elly & Shadow
You see a dwarf, human, and drow approaching you, how do you greet them?
Elly
The entire village has an distinctly arcane aura, there is indeed heavy magic here!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Noting the group from earlier converge on him, plus one or two others, Shadow introduces himself to the newcomers and presents the map.
"First off, do any of you see the spire above the trees over there? I have here an old map which depicts the town in good detail and seems to be current but which lacks important details elsewhere, specifically excluding that spire.
"Further I have learned from the shopkeeper that a plague recently purged the town of young and old people. I read somewhere that a plague occurred here about 50 years ago.
"I think the inhabitants of this town are somehow stuck in time, neither aging nor acknowledging events outside. I don't know if there is anything more that can be learned here, but I intend to investigate that spire. Will you join me?"
Xunreth jumps into the conversation saying only: "I will" then is after that is silent
"hmmm, interesting theory. Would explain why no one's seen another dwarf when I know one passed through here. now about this spire..." I use my divine sense to see if there is evil nearby, or in the direction of the spire.
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
"This is... unnatural." I pause for a moment, "You have my blade." I say, hefting my greatsword.
"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
Gauldring
From within the village no, but the black spire emanates with evil! You can almost see a faint black aura around it.
{Oh professor?}
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Ack! Well whatever that spire is it's evil, and my friend is daft fool enough to go in there. As a Paladin I can't let something this evil go unchecked, you have my ax and shield!"
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
"There's a lot of magic going on in this town. Could be why nobody knows about this maze. Count me in!"
I'll keep Detect Magic for the full 10 minutes (or if I lose Concentration) in case something around me changes.
Elly- Gnome Cleric The Black Maze
Elly
The illusionary magic is strong, it seems to weaken however the further away from the center of town you get. it's almost as if the spell is focus directly on the village itself but has limits at the boundaries of town!
Shadow
{Seems you have been made leader of the group! How shall you proceed?}
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
{I'm assuming all of us in the party can clearly see the spire...}
"Elly, does it seem the magic you are sensing is affecting anyone else in the party or just the towsfolk?"
To the rest of the group "Does anyone else have any leads to explore or other business about the town? The keep seems to be about an hour through the forest, we could assemble and leave in the morning unless there is a reason to leave quickly...."
"My friend could be in grave danger, I haven't a moment to lose"
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
"If that's the case good dwarf I'll go get my things and settle my account with the innkeeper. Does anyone else have business here? Otherwise I'll be ready to leave in 10 minutes."
I heft my sword and rest it on my shoulder, "I'm ready whenever you are."
"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
{Professor doesn't post in the forum by 11:59 pm EST I'll consider the character no longer in the campaign}
Shadow
Only the townspeople are affected by this illusion.
Everyone
As you recall in coming on the road, from the north or south, the day before or that day you did not even notice the black spire from the road approaching the village in the clearing. Though the dense forest did block most of the sunlight as the road was carved out from the forest itself only now that you are all assembled in the village did you notice the black spire at all!!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Shadow returns to the inn to retrieve his equipment and settle his account with the innkeeper. As he walks he's trying to recall if he should have been able to see the spire from the road last night or if he just missed it in the early evening twilight. Thinking to himself "If the spire is part of the magic of this place why are the locals unable to see it? Or are they just ignoring it? They seem to be impatient with outsiders but they don't seem to be in shock." Shadow quickly gathers his things, pays the innkeeper then returns to the group ready to leave when they are.