The talk of the streets and taverns have all been about the so-called death curse: a wasting disease afflicting everyone who’s ever been raised from the dead. Victims grow thinner and weaker each day, slowly but steadily sliding toward the death they once denied.
When they finally succumb, they can’t be raised—and neither can anyone else, regardless of whether they’ve ever received that miracle in the past. Temples and scholars of divine magic are at a loss to explain a curse that has affected the entire region, and possibly the entire world.
Welcome... to the:Tomb of Annihilation
Within this adventure, you shall find terrors beyond your imagination, beacons of hope in an endless darkness, moments of laughter, moments of sadness, and (hopefully) moments of triumph. I would like for you to post your background here and also find a way to link your background with someone else's. Whether you once worked together on a project, fought each other, or are related somehow, either way, let's just work on trying to create a bit of cooperative roleplaying.
Also, if you need to comment something OOC or discuss something that you want a more instant reply to, and do not want to take up posting space PLEASE use the discord. To place your character somewhere, please copy and paste this link: ddb.ac/campaigns/join/346522628218762 for my campaign.
Current Characters 1. Drox (just finish equipment), Half-Orc Archeologist Fighter. Connected to Reanor when they worked together at a dig site. 2. Ander, Human (Standard) Folk Hero Wild Mage Sorcerer. Connected to his sailing compatriot Mesi. 3. Reanor, Mountain Dwarf Anthropologist Rogue of the Harpers. Connected to Drox when they worked together at a dig site. 4. Mesi (incomplete), Water Genasi Sailor Trickery Cleric. Connected to his sailing compatriot Ander
Replace my PC with Reanor - Mountain Dwarf Anthropologist Rogue
Will provide the background story when I'm home. For the shared background he once worked on a project with Drox the Archaeologist by studying records of an old battle site between dwarven and orc communities
Replace my PC with Reanor - Mountain Dwarf Anthropologist Rogue
Will provide the background story when I'm home. For the shared background he once worked on a project with Drox the Archaeologist by studying records of an old battle site between dwarven and orc communities
So... I think that means we are ready to start! I'm going to go off with the first post then; however, things are going to be a bit different. I want to bring your characters together through a common NPC, someone all of you knows and loves. We’ll create this person together. Everyone gets a say in who this person is and why they are important to your characters. Each of you gets to decide a certain aspect of this character. This character is someone who was an adventurer of some kind but perished in a blaze of glory (or not, totally up to you guys). Nevertheless, they were resurrected and thus merrily continued their life of adventure. At any rate... DECIDE!
Drox: You get to decide race and/or subrace, how old they are, an ideal (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they were resurrected, how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them. Ander: You get to decide their gender, and who they worship (if at all), a bond (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them. Reanor: You get to decide what they do for a living, a personality trait, a flaw (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them. Mesi: You get to decide what their name is, a personality trait (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they died, how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them.
Ideal:Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it.
Resurrection: In his adventures, they found a magical artifact that resembled a beautiful gem. Not knowing it's true potential, they had a necklace made from, as a trophy of sorts. After their untimely demise, the gem activated, restoring their soul to their body and healing them of their wounds. Afterwards the gem crumbled to dust.
Contact: I've been in contact with this character through the local market. They are very active in buying and selling rare goods, and as an archaeologist, I find myself needing information about artifacts quite a bit.
What he does for a living: One information not very public about <our NPC>, and frowned upon... Is that he is a grave robber. That's how he could amass such a number of rare goods.
A personality trait: I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
A flaw: When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money.
How we met he: He contact us to get information in regarding an ancient cemetery he was planning to rob; we pointed him at the right direction.
How we stayed in touch: We have been in touch exchanging research data about old cultures and artifacts.
Bond: Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. (Perhaps it was buried with someone unknown?)
How we met: When Ander first left his village, he met this half-orc in the first city he came to. He was low on money and needed help and they gave it.
How we stay in contact: We talked long into the night about our lives and really connected. Coming from a small human village, Ander was pretty racist and freaked out by a half-orc. This flipped Ander's worldview pretty drastically, so on any occasion he is in the city, he finds his way to the generous half-orc.
Digger always had time for a bottle of Madjack, a game of faro, or a large dark-skinned beauty. He loved a good carouse and was the life of any party
Digger was found dead in a Neverwinter whorehouse, with a stiletto embedded in his left eye socket. He apparently tried to stiff a Turami whore. The whore was found in the sewers a day later with her throat cut.
Mesi met Digger in a sailor's bar in Waterdeep. The 1/2 orc was selling "good luck" charms and "relics of the gods" acquired during the "Time of Troubles."
Mesi had run across Digger from time to time and heard stories of his adventures over the years through the "Sailor's network" that stretches in every port from the Moonshaes to Shou Lung.
Digger Renclaw, a young gruff half-orc archeologist, has gone on many adventures. These "adventures" consist of nights of passion, days of research, and graves to be robbed. He has recovered artifacts, strange and powerful, and delved helped those who need it. Along the way he met several brave adventurers who joined him on his quests to recover treasures for the common folk. It might have been Ander, the young man he caught up with when he was investigating a small town over an ancient dracolich death site (huh, I wonder where that small town was), Mesi, the sailor with whom he often times shared both a drink and the day's most important stories of treasure beyond the coast, Reanor, his contact and fellow scholar for the investigation into the Lost Crown of Belsimer, an ancient dwarven relic thought to be lost to time many hundred years ago, or Drox, to whom he exchanged both information and good deals! All of these people stayed in contact with him, and they were overjoyed when it was learned that he had discovered the Lost Crown of Belsimer, an ancient artifact of the ancient dwarven kingdoms. However, he had to have one last bender, and so he threw it all to the wind, but in the end, he was brought down by a shoe... Luckily, the ancient gem he had worn around his neck restored him, and he finished off the woman... Nevertheless, Digger decided that he would work more as a researcher, discovering the ancient locations and then aiding other more youthful heroes with seeking out the treasure, while ensuring that the common people got a cut.
You hadn't heard from him for around two tendays when you received a mysterious letter. It seemed to be from Digger, but the writing was strange and the drops of some substance covered the surface of the letter.
Myfriends, Ishould'a told you this sooner. I realize that now, but I'm afraid I've ill news to report.I am dying. Idin'know from what, but I don' have much time left. Imade peace with Waukeenso don'worry. Anyway, my funeral shall be here:
He then details exactly when and where the funeral is going to take place and you are all invited. You arrive at the location and see the body of your friend... or what seemed to have once been your friend. The body looks strange, flecks of skin have peeled off and patches with no hair sport his head. This surely cannot be Digger Renclaw, why just last month some of you went on a jog with him. And yet, the resemblances are striking... it must be him, and yet... how can it? You look around and feel the breeze. It is a warm day in Baldur’s Gate as you lay Digger Renclaw to rest. You ask around and it seems one day your friend simply began to waste away. No cleric or paladin could stop whatever afflication he had from taking your cohort, just as the healers of Faerun couldn’t stop the dreaded affliction from taking any who died in the past. You recall that over the last tendays it seems many others have fallen, but you assumed it was because they could not pay to be ressurected, and yet Digger was a well known and prestigious (and a bit infamous) explorer. Nevertheless, after all of the death that you've seen recently, this one hurts the most. You then stand before a small crowd, gathered at a shrine of Waukeen in Baldur’s Gate. The cleric has asked each of you give a eulogy by sharing a memory of your friendship. The time for you to address the crowd is now... what do you say?
Mesi Stands before the shrine and looks out to the gathering. He is dressed in his formal robes of an initiate of The Lady. He takes just a moment and speaks.
“Digger was a good friend and a boon companion. He lived life large and still had time to help those who’s luck was on a downslope. His good works will undoubtably find him favor in the golden halls of Lady Waukeen. He is an inspiration to us all to take a moment from our busy lives and lend a helping hand to those who need it most.”
Mesi continues “Digger, I will miss you old friend, but you will live in our memories and tonight the Madjack will flow freely in your memory.”
Mesi looks to those gathered. “The blessing of The Lady be upon you all. Trust in luck”.
"Poor lad, he hardly looks like him lying there, rotten corpse and all... I've read about mummies that were found in better state.. A couple years back he came to me asking if I've ever read about the dangers of having private relations with a demon.. As if any book taught you that stuff.. If the priest knew about that..." Reanor was brought from his thoughts back to reality
He stood uncomfortably in his family ceremonial armour, he never learned how to move inside that thing... Reanor smiled and said "He was a good lad, may the Gods enjoy his company as we certainly enjoyed ours"
Ander sits in the crowd as words are spoken of a man that he can't even recognize anymore. Was this actually even Digger? "I can't start thinking like that. He's gone. My friend is gone." Ander steels himself as his time to give a eulogy approaches. He isn't used to addressing crowds, so he planned to just speak to Digger. As he walks up to the shrine, he looks around at a crowd of faces that he mostly doesn't recognize. Could they know the pain of this loss? Is it possible that Digger could have impacted the lives of these people as he had impacted Ander's.
"Digger, when I first met you, I was a young, dumb boy from the country. I suppose that's still the case, but you taught me so much. You taught me that a person isn't made up of their gruff exteriors or their circumstances, but a person is made by their reactions to circumstance."Tears begin streaming from Ander's eyes as he reminisces. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't see the beauty in people. I wouldn't know that a half-orc could become a friend, or a dwarf could be a brother. You've given me the best thing you could have given in our short time together: Perspective. Waukeen owes us quite a lot for this trade. She is taking a gem of a man from Toril. We won't forget you, brother."
Ander smiles briefly to the crowd as he wipes his nose on his sleeve and makes his way back to his seat. "I won't forget."
Drox is sitting in the funeral, but is not hearing a thing. His head as spinning, Digger was like the brother, he's never had. His one true friend suddenly gone. "I didn't even get to say goodbye. How could he do this?"
Drox snaps out of his trance, as he hears people giving a eulogy. He makes his way to the front so that he could speak when he gets a chance. There is a moment of silence so Drox speaks up. "Digger was quite a character. He gotten in to trouble at times, but he always had good intentions. He cared more about people that anyone I've met."Tears begin to fall from his eyes. "He was more than friend to me, he was a brother, and I will never forget him." Drox takes out a small piece of paper, it is a fragment of a map that he and Digger were going to explore. Now that he is gone, there is no way that Drox can continue this adventure. He kneels down, and lays the paper across Digger's chest. "May you continue to find adventure in the next life." Drox wipes away the tears, and walks away. He takes a seat near the back as he tries to compose himself.
Part 1: The Death of a Friend... Day 16, 1200 hours
Many tears are wept by both people you recognize and people who you do not. Stories are told about the exploits of the famous (or infamous depending on who you talk to) "archaeologist" as people dressed in black hang their heads in grief. Nevertheless, time passes and the mourners begin to head home after saying their final goodbyes to their friend. One priest even lowers himself before the body, grasps diamond dust, and begins mystically chanting... but it is to no avail (anyone who is proficient in arcana or religion please make me a said check [but only one]). At any rate, you find yourselves to be some of the last people left amongst the once large crowd of people, all alone... except for two people who stood at the back of the crowd. As the loved ones depart these people approach you. One is a female sun elf, older but still spry, dressed in the noble finery of a northerner. The other is far more mysterious, they are draped in a heavy black cloak and wear a silver mask covering all of their face. Nevertheless, your attention is suddenly stolen by the spry elf who speaks to you: "Beautiful ceremony indeed... It is quite clear that your friend meant quite a bit to each of you. Now we have an-" Suddenly the masked figure cuts in, she speaks with a dry, raspy voice, one that reminds you of several other people who you recall have died like your friend... "There is no time for pleasentries, you see... 'heroes'. There is a chance... though slim, that your friend can be saved. The deceased's soul, along with several others might be able to be rescued. If you act quickly, you can save those still living with the affliction as well." She then stands back, seeming to let all of you take in what was just said. The elf then continues where the masked person (who based on the raspy voice does seem to be a woman) left off: "Well... indeed. There is a way for you save him. You see I am Remallia Haventree, a High Harper, and member of the Council of Waterdeep during the Rise of Tiamat. Currently I am leading a cell of those who harp to investigate this strange affliction. We believe there are some similarities between this 'curse' as it is being dubbed, and how a lich feeds souls into their phylacteries. Therefore, a lich might be able to trace the origin of this 'curse'. We have organized a strike team to raid the lair of a lich dubbed the 'Duchess of Rot', stealing her phylactery and thus forcing her to reveal the origin of the affliction. Zaldara Cordress or the 'Duchess' has a tower in the nearby forest called Cloakwood. I assume that most of you are familiar with it, as the journey should be relatively close enough, but also far enough to not put innocents at risk." The masked woman has been tapping her foot up to this point and cuts Remallia off and begins speaking rapidly: "You are taking up too much time! We need you, yes all of you, to join us in this attack. For her phylactery is a spellbook bound in human skin locked inside of her basement. You should not be in too much danger as we shall be providing a distraction on the upper floors of her tower. This is of grave importance. Will you accept this quest?"
Harpers:
The Harpers is a scattered network of spellcasters and spies who advocate equality and covertly oppose the abuse of power, magical or otherwise. The organization has risen , been shattered, and risen again several times. Its longevity and resilience are largely due to its decentralized, grassroots, secretive nature, and the autonomy of its various members. The Harpers have small cells and lone operatives throughout the Forgotten Realms, although they interact and share information with one another from time to time as needs warrant. The Harpers' ideology is noble, and its members pride themselves on their ingenuity and incorruptibility. Harpers don't seek power or glory, only fair and equal treatment for all .
Motto. "Down with tyranny. Fairness and equality for all."
Beliefs. The Harpers' beliefs can be summarized as follows:
--One can never have too much information or arcane knowledge.
--Too much power leads to corruption, and the abuse of magic in particular must be closely monitored.
Ander listens closely to the women as they speak. When they finish, he blinks quickly at them in confusion. "What in the nine hells are you talking about?"
Drox perks up when he realizes there is a chance to save his dear friend. "I'll do it! I'll do anything if it means there is a chance to save Digger. I can leave right away if need be!" A smile creeps onto Drox's face as the thought of seeing his friend enters his mind.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Reanor payed closed attention to the ritual Religion18
He turns to the masked figure, "Excuse me my bluntness my dear, but I couldn't not notice... your voice.. are you affected with the.. condition?"
In case of a positive reply: "I understand your hurry, and you sound like you have a rough plan, but we need to know more about such tower and Duchess, would you have any more information regarding the location, and peril of such... endeavour?"
Mesi looks from the speakers to the others who attended the funeral with him. "If there is a chance to rid this blight, then with Tymora's blessing I will lend what skill I can."
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The talk of the streets and taverns have all been about the so-called death curse: a wasting disease afflicting everyone who’s ever been raised from the dead. Victims grow thinner and weaker each day, slowly but steadily sliding toward the death they once denied.
When they finally succumb, they can’t be raised—and neither can anyone else, regardless of whether they’ve ever received that miracle in the past. Temples and scholars of divine magic are at a loss to explain a curse that has affected the entire region, and possibly the entire world.
Welcome... to the: Tomb of Annihilation
Within this adventure, you shall find terrors beyond your imagination, beacons of hope in an endless darkness, moments of laughter, moments of sadness, and (hopefully) moments of triumph. I would like for you to post your background here and also find a way to link your background with someone else's. Whether you once worked together on a project, fought each other, or are related somehow, either way, let's just work on trying to create a bit of cooperative roleplaying.
Also, if you need to comment something OOC or discuss something that you want a more instant reply to, and do not want to take up posting space PLEASE use the discord. To place your character somewhere, please copy and paste this link: ddb.ac/campaigns/join/346522628218762 for my campaign.
Current Characters
1. Drox (just finish equipment), Half-Orc Archeologist Fighter. Connected to Reanor when they worked together at a dig site.
2. Ander, Human (Standard) Folk Hero Wild Mage Sorcerer. Connected to his sailing compatriot Mesi.
3. Reanor, Mountain Dwarf Anthropologist Rogue of the Harpers. Connected to Drox when they worked together at a dig site.
4. Mesi (incomplete), Water Genasi Sailor Trickery Cleric. Connected to his sailing compatriot Ander
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Replace my PC with Reanor - Mountain Dwarf Anthropologist Rogue
Will provide the background story when I'm home. For the shared background he once worked on a project with Drox the Archaeologist by studying records of an old battle site between dwarven and orc communities
The campaign join link is not working for me
ddb.ac/campaigns/join/346522628218762
try copy and paste
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
So... I think that means we are ready to start! I'm going to go off with the first post then; however, things are going to be a bit different. I want to bring your characters together through a common NPC, someone all of you knows and loves. We’ll create this person together. Everyone gets a say in who this person is and why they are important to your characters. Each of you gets to decide a certain aspect of this character. This character is someone who was an adventurer of some kind but perished in a blaze of glory (or not, totally up to you guys). Nevertheless, they were resurrected and thus merrily continued their life of adventure. At any rate... DECIDE!
Drox: You get to decide race and/or subrace, how old they are, an ideal (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they were resurrected, how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them.
Ander: You get to decide their gender, and who they worship (if at all), a bond (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them.
Reanor: You get to decide what they do for a living, a personality trait, a flaw (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them.
Mesi: You get to decide what their name is, a personality trait (look at examples in the PHB for inspiration), how they died, how they met them, and how they stayed in contact with them.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Race: Half-orc (obviously)
Age: 27
Ideal:Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it.
Resurrection: In his adventures, they found a magical artifact that resembled a beautiful gem. Not knowing it's true potential, they had a necklace made from, as a trophy of sorts. After their untimely demise, the gem activated, restoring their soul to their body and healing them of their wounds. Afterwards the gem crumbled to dust.
Contact: I've been in contact with this character through the local market. They are very active in buying and selling rare goods, and as an archaeologist, I find myself needing information about artifacts quite a bit.
Oh man, this is going to be great...
What he does for a living: One information not very public about <our NPC>, and frowned upon... Is that he is a grave robber. That's how he could amass such a number of rare goods.
A personality trait: I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
A flaw: When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money.
How we met he: He contact us to get information in regarding an ancient cemetery he was planning to rob; we pointed him at the right direction.
How we stayed in touch: We have been in touch exchanging research data about old cultures and artifacts.
Gender: Male
Worships: Waukeen, Goddess of Trade (N)
Bond: Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. (Perhaps it was buried with someone unknown?)
How we met: When Ander first left his village, he met this half-orc in the first city he came to. He was low on money and needed help and they gave it.
How we stay in contact: We talked long into the night about our lives and really connected. Coming from a small human village, Ander was pretty racist and freaked out by a half-orc. This flipped Ander's worldview pretty drastically, so on any occasion he is in the city, he finds his way to the generous half-orc.
His name was Digger Renclaw
Digger Renclaw, a young gruff half-orc archeologist, has gone on many adventures. These "adventures" consist of nights of passion, days of research, and graves to be robbed. He has recovered artifacts, strange and powerful, and delved helped those who need it. Along the way he met several brave adventurers who joined him on his quests to recover treasures for the common folk. It might have been Ander, the young man he caught up with when he was investigating a small town over an ancient dracolich death site (huh, I wonder where that small town was), Mesi, the sailor with whom he often times shared both a drink and the day's most important stories of treasure beyond the coast, Reanor, his contact and fellow scholar for the investigation into the Lost Crown of Belsimer, an ancient dwarven relic thought to be lost to time many hundred years ago, or Drox, to whom he exchanged both information and good deals! All of these people stayed in contact with him, and they were overjoyed when it was learned that he had discovered the Lost Crown of Belsimer, an ancient artifact of the ancient dwarven kingdoms. However, he had to have one last bender, and so he threw it all to the wind, but in the end, he was brought down by a shoe... Luckily, the ancient gem he had worn around his neck restored him, and he finished off the woman... Nevertheless, Digger decided that he would work more as a researcher, discovering the ancient locations and then aiding other more youthful heroes with seeking out the treasure, while ensuring that the common people got a cut.
You hadn't heard from him for around two tendays when you received a mysterious letter. It seemed to be from Digger, but the writing was strange and the drops of some substance covered the surface of the letter.
My friends, I should'a told you this sooner. I realize that now, but I'm afraid I've ill news to report.I am dying. I din'know from what, but I don' have much time left. I made peace with Waukeen so don' worry. Anyway, my funeral shall be here:
He then details exactly when and where the funeral is going to take place and you are all invited. You arrive at the location and see the body of your friend... or what seemed to have once been your friend. The body looks strange, flecks of skin have peeled off and patches with no hair sport his head. This surely cannot be Digger Renclaw, why just last month some of you went on a jog with him. And yet, the resemblances are striking... it must be him, and yet... how can it? You look around and feel the breeze. It is a warm day in Baldur’s Gate as you lay Digger Renclaw to rest. You ask around and it seems one day your friend simply began to waste away. No cleric or paladin could stop whatever afflication he had from taking your cohort, just as the healers of Faerun couldn’t stop the dreaded affliction from taking any who died in the past. You recall that over the last tendays it seems many others have fallen, but you assumed it was because they could not pay to be ressurected, and yet Digger was a well known and prestigious (and a bit infamous) explorer. Nevertheless, after all of the death that you've seen recently, this one hurts the most. You then stand before a small crowd, gathered at a shrine of Waukeen in Baldur’s Gate. The cleric has asked each of you give a eulogy by sharing a memory of your friendship. The time for you to address the crowd is now... what do you say?
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Mesi Stands before the shrine and looks out to the gathering. He is dressed in his formal robes of an initiate of The Lady. He takes just a moment and speaks.
“Digger was a good friend and a boon companion. He lived life large and still had time to help those who’s luck was on a downslope. His good works will undoubtably find him favor in the golden halls of Lady Waukeen. He is an inspiration to us all to take a moment from our busy lives and lend a helping hand to those who need it most.”
Mesi continues “Digger, I will miss you old friend, but you will live in our memories and tonight the Madjack will flow freely in your memory.”
Mesi looks to those gathered. “The blessing of The Lady be upon you all. Trust in luck”.
"Poor lad, he hardly looks like him lying there, rotten corpse and all... I've read about mummies that were found in better state.. A couple years back he came to me asking if I've ever read about the dangers of having private relations with a demon.. As if any book taught you that stuff.. If the priest knew about that..." Reanor was brought from his thoughts back to reality
He stood uncomfortably in his family ceremonial armour, he never learned how to move inside that thing... Reanor smiled and said "He was a good lad, may the Gods enjoy his company as we certainly enjoyed ours"
Ander sits in the crowd as words are spoken of a man that he can't even recognize anymore. Was this actually even Digger? "I can't start thinking like that. He's gone. My friend is gone." Ander steels himself as his time to give a eulogy approaches. He isn't used to addressing crowds, so he planned to just speak to Digger. As he walks up to the shrine, he looks around at a crowd of faces that he mostly doesn't recognize. Could they know the pain of this loss? Is it possible that Digger could have impacted the lives of these people as he had impacted Ander's.
"Digger, when I first met you, I was a young, dumb boy from the country. I suppose that's still the case, but you taught me so much. You taught me that a person isn't made up of their gruff exteriors or their circumstances, but a person is made by their reactions to circumstance." Tears begin streaming from Ander's eyes as he reminisces. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't see the beauty in people. I wouldn't know that a half-orc could become a friend, or a dwarf could be a brother. You've given me the best thing you could have given in our short time together: Perspective. Waukeen owes us quite a lot for this trade. She is taking a gem of a man from Toril. We won't forget you, brother."
Ander smiles briefly to the crowd as he wipes his nose on his sleeve and makes his way back to his seat. "I won't forget."
Drox is sitting in the funeral, but is not hearing a thing. His head as spinning, Digger was like the brother, he's never had. His one true friend suddenly gone. "I didn't even get to say goodbye. How could he do this?"
Drox snaps out of his trance, as he hears people giving a eulogy. He makes his way to the front so that he could speak when he gets a chance. There is a moment of silence so Drox speaks up. "Digger was quite a character. He gotten in to trouble at times, but he always had good intentions. He cared more about people that anyone I've met." Tears begin to fall from his eyes. "He was more than friend to me, he was a brother, and I will never forget him." Drox takes out a small piece of paper, it is a fragment of a map that he and Digger were going to explore. Now that he is gone, there is no way that Drox can continue this adventure. He kneels down, and lays the paper across Digger's chest. "May you continue to find adventure in the next life." Drox wipes away the tears, and walks away. He takes a seat near the back as he tries to compose himself.
And just like that... an adventure begins.
Part 1: The Death of a Friend...
Day 16, 1200 hours
Many tears are wept by both people you recognize and people who you do not. Stories are told about the exploits of the famous (or infamous depending on who you talk to) "archaeologist" as people dressed in black hang their heads in grief. Nevertheless, time passes and the mourners begin to head home after saying their final goodbyes to their friend. One priest even lowers himself before the body, grasps diamond dust, and begins mystically chanting... but it is to no avail (anyone who is proficient in arcana or religion please make me a said check [but only one]). At any rate, you find yourselves to be some of the last people left amongst the once large crowd of people, all alone... except for two people who stood at the back of the crowd. As the loved ones depart these people approach you. One is a female sun elf, older but still spry, dressed in the noble finery of a northerner. The other is far more mysterious, they are draped in a heavy black cloak and wear a silver mask covering all of their face. Nevertheless, your attention is suddenly stolen by the spry elf who speaks to you: "Beautiful ceremony indeed... It is quite clear that your friend meant quite a bit to each of you. Now we have an-" Suddenly the masked figure cuts in, she speaks with a dry, raspy voice, one that reminds you of several other people who you recall have died like your friend... "There is no time for pleasentries, you see... 'heroes'. There is a chance... though slim, that your friend can be saved. The deceased's soul, along with several others might be able to be rescued. If you act quickly, you can save those still living with the affliction as well." She then stands back, seeming to let all of you take in what was just said. The elf then continues where the masked person (who based on the raspy voice does seem to be a woman) left off: "Well... indeed. There is a way for you save him. You see I am Remallia Haventree, a High Harper, and member of the Council of Waterdeep during the Rise of Tiamat. Currently I am leading a cell of those who harp to investigate this strange affliction. We believe there are some similarities between this 'curse' as it is being dubbed, and how a lich feeds souls into their phylacteries. Therefore, a lich might be able to trace the origin of this 'curse'. We have organized a strike team to raid the lair of a lich dubbed the 'Duchess of Rot', stealing her phylactery and thus forcing her to reveal the origin of the affliction. Zaldara Cordress or the 'Duchess' has a tower in the nearby forest called Cloakwood. I assume that most of you are familiar with it, as the journey should be relatively close enough, but also far enough to not put innocents at risk." The masked woman has been tapping her foot up to this point and cuts Remallia off and begins speaking rapidly: "You are taking up too much time! We need you, yes all of you, to join us in this attack. For her phylactery is a spellbook bound in human skin locked inside of her basement. You should not be in too much danger as we shall be providing a distraction on the upper floors of her tower. This is of grave importance. Will you accept this quest?"
Harpers:
The Harpers is a scattered network of spellcasters and spies who advocate equality and covertly oppose the abuse of power, magical or otherwise. The organization has risen , been shattered, and risen again several times. Its longevity and resilience are largely due to its decentralized, grassroots, secretive nature, and the autonomy of its various members. The Harpers have small cells and lone operatives throughout the Forgotten Realms, although they interact and share information with one another from time to time as needs warrant. The Harpers' ideology is noble, and its members pride themselves on their ingenuity and incorruptibility. Harpers don't seek power or glory, only fair and equal treatment for all .
Motto. "Down with tyranny. Fairness and equality for all."
Beliefs. The Harpers' beliefs can be summarized as follows:
--One can never have too much information or arcane knowledge.
--Too much power leads to corruption, and the abuse of magic in particular must be closely monitored.
--No one should be powerless.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Ander listens closely to the women as they speak. When they finish, he blinks quickly at them in confusion. "What in the nine hells are you talking about?"
Drox perks up when he realizes there is a chance to save his dear friend. "I'll do it! I'll do anything if it means there is a chance to save Digger. I can leave right away if need be!" A smile creeps onto Drox's face as the thought of seeing his friend enters his mind.
Reanor payed closed attention to the ritual Religion 18
He turns to the masked figure, "Excuse me my bluntness my dear, but I couldn't not notice... your voice.. are you affected with the.. condition?"
In case of a positive reply: "I understand your hurry, and you sound like you have a rough plan, but we need to know more about such tower and Duchess, would you have any more information regarding the location, and peril of such... endeavour?"
Mesi looks from the speakers to the others who attended the funeral with him. "If there is a chance to rid this blight, then with Tymora's blessing I will lend what skill I can."