Ecko takes a look at the cold air gushing through the chimney. Is that normal, or is something causing it?
"Ah! Letters - let's see what these people were up to before they all disappeared." Ecko struts forward and speedreads over all the letters within, jotting down more nonsensical notes in the margins of his spellbook.
The letters beseech other nearby settlements for aid. It chronicles the disaster at the mine and the village’s anguish at so many victims. The mayor recounts the rescue efforts in the following days, and how they had to stop the search due to fears of more cave-ins if they attempted to remove any more of the rubble, even with miners still missing. She writes of villagers going missing in the night, of her helplessness, and of stubbornly staying on, determined to find the missing villagers while Tifra and their two children, Tavin and Nia, evacuated.
The last few pages speak of the mayor’s nightmares, of her creeping fear and waking in the night, soaked in sweat, with lingering screams echoing in her ears.
"It seems that we're not the only ones who felt they were being watched..." Ysabell commented after skimming the notes. "Whatever caused the town's fall, it must have a very malicious nature. Nothing else would slowly stalk the town as it or they had apparently done. Let us hope they underestimates us. If they don't, this might be our last adventure."
Finished with her musings, Ysa - in a swirl of her dark clothing - left the bedroom and headed towards H9
Shelves filled with books line the walls of this library, and four wingback chairs sit around a low table in the center of the room. The wide bank of windows in the south wall affords a panoramic view of the dilapidated houses beyond the twisting branches of the tree in the front yard. Several open books lie on the table, with notes scribbled on bits of paper stuck between their pages.
Ecko moves forward with a muted sense of excitement. The stressful - and scary - surroundings were getting to the Kenku's enthusiastic demeanor. At least they knew what they were fighting in the Shadowfell - and the scariest thing is something you don't know.
After taking a peek at the notes and ensuring he sees everything there is to see, Ecko pokes his head into Area H10.
The topics of the notes include the effects of physical and emotional trauma, nightmares, and mysterious disappearances. Seemingly out of place in comparison to the other topics, a book about the Feywild and its sundry creatures holds a single note, written in a shaky hand. It reads: Could this be the answer? The note marks a page with an entry on "meenlocks", which includes the following information: Meenlocks are corrupted fey creatures that spontaneously manifest in response to fear in places where the border with the Feywild is thin. Meenlocks create more of their kind by transforming humanoids through a process of psychic torment that takes hours or days. Meenlocks live in subterranean nests. Meenlocks are sensitive to bright light and can sense shadows and darkness.
H10 - BEDROOM
Empty except for a bed and a fireplace, this room is cold and has an air of loneliness about it.
H11 - BEDROOM
This bedroom has a tall chest of drawers made of dark wood in the corner across from the door. Farther into the room, a small desk sits between two windows, with a large bed to the left of it. The sheets and blankets on the bed are rumpled. One moth-eaten pillow lies on the floor beside it, the other on the mattress where it belongs.
Ecko's eyes widen as he reads the description of Meenlocks. He eagerly runs to the rest and echoes the information he received. "Looks like the haunted tone of this place is the result of Meenlocks - mean creatures," Ecko chuckles, entirely enthused by some pun which only makes sense to him. "They create each other through fear, which is how I assume they spread through this town." Ecko places a cheery grin on his features - well, as much of a grin a Kenku can manage. "That means we have nothing to fear! Right?"
Undeterred, Ecko investigates the room and attempts to discover what caused the pillow and sheets to fall in the way they lay.
Either way, Ecko removes the modified Driftglobe. Patterns and sparklers are woven between the crystal and metal of the structure. It is now a Discoglobe. "They hate light and live underground. Looks like this invention still has its uses." Ecko casts a fond look to his invention before moving on to any rooms that haven't been searched above. "I suggest we go downstairs and see if they're hiding there."
"Well, that gives us a place ta start at least. Meenlocks ya say? Never hearda them. Anyone know anything about them?" Garmus asks running his beard through his hand.
Through fear? Crap, Eralynn thought. Good thing we're not back in the Shadowfel. So that's what's been causing the chaos here in the town. At Garmus's question, she shook her head. After a moment of thought, she wrote:
So what now?she wondered.
As you journey through the manner, other than the feeling you're being watched, it is deserted.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
History check on Meanlocks: 9
"It's nice to know what we're potentially facing." Ysabell began after pondering on what she might've known about the creatures. "And if they can sense shadows and darkness, I doubt we'll be able to sneak up on them (if they don't already know we're here). As long no one is afraid then, we only have to deal with routine forms of death instead of becoming one of these twisted creatures ourselves!" she added cheerily before pulling out her Scythe, currently at a size appropriate for her to carry. Casting Light on it to give it a bright sliverish glow, she turning to the others and asking with a slight grin, "Shall we go find them then? Let the hunted become the hunters?"
Garmus moves toward the doors, ready to be out of this place. "Aye, let's be about it. Scout the rest of the village and then head to the mines?" He asks.
"Sounds like a good place to start and perhaps we'll ferret them out at the same time." Ysa added as she began to head towards the stairs and back outside.
Ysa, as you all turn around to go downstairs, you see Garmus's shadow, but it does not act consistently as it scientifically should, and if Eralynn could scream, this is the moment she would have.
When you reach downstairs, it is barren, and strangely quiet.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Pausing when she reached the bottom of the stairs, Ysabell turned around and said, "Garmus. Are you feeling alright? Your shadow seems to have a mind of it's own." Though she was not remotely threatening him, there was an edge in her voice, as if she were preparing for something bad to occur. She continued to hold her lit up Scythe in her hands as she spoke, it's sharp edge shining in the light.
"Nothing." Ysa lied. "Must've been a trick of the light. We should keep moving though. Do you want to lead the way?" She knew what she saw, and strongly suspected that one of the creatures, these Meenlocks, must be trying to mess with her and warp her mind. Let them try... she thought to herself, as she waited for a response. And as soon as you give me an opening, it'll be the last thing you ever do. Though her Scythe could not speak, its look made it seem like it was somehow in agreement.
Eralynn stares at the letters curiously.
Ecko takes a look at the cold air gushing through the chimney. Is that normal, or is something causing it?
"Ah! Letters - let's see what these people were up to before they all disappeared." Ecko struts forward and speedreads over all the letters within, jotting down more nonsensical notes in the margins of his spellbook.
Seems normal. As far as you can tell.
The letters beseech other nearby settlements for aid. It chronicles the disaster at the mine and the village’s anguish at so many victims. The mayor recounts the rescue efforts in the following days, and how they had to stop the search due to fears of more cave-ins if they attempted to remove any more of the rubble, even with miners still missing. She writes of villagers going missing in the night, of her helplessness, and of stubbornly staying on, determined to find the missing villagers while Tifra and their two children, Tavin and Nia, evacuated.
The last few pages speak of the mayor’s nightmares, of her creeping fear and waking in the night, soaked in sweat, with lingering screams echoing in her ears.
"It seems that we're not the only ones who felt they were being watched..." Ysabell commented after skimming the notes. "Whatever caused the town's fall, it must have a very malicious nature. Nothing else would slowly stalk the town as it or they had apparently done. Let us hope they underestimates us. If they don't, this might be our last adventure."
Finished with her musings, Ysa - in a swirl of her dark clothing - left the bedroom and headed towards H9
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Garmus grumbles, following Ysabell, a scowl on his face and hand on his axe.
H9 - THE LIBRARY
Shelves filled with books line the walls of this library, and four wingback chairs sit around a low table in the center of the room. The wide bank of windows in the south wall affords a panoramic view of the dilapidated houses beyond the twisting branches of the tree in the front yard. Several open books lie on the table, with notes scribbled on bits of paper stuck between their pages.
Raastin moves forward, looking down at the notes to see if he can make any sense of them.
Arcana: 7
Investigation: 21
(Wasn't sure which one to use)
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Ecko moves forward with a muted sense of excitement. The stressful - and scary - surroundings were getting to the Kenku's enthusiastic demeanor. At least they knew what they were fighting in the Shadowfell - and the scariest thing is something you don't know.
After taking a peek at the notes and ensuring he sees everything there is to see, Ecko pokes his head into Area H10.
The topics of the notes include the effects of physical and emotional trauma, nightmares, and mysterious disappearances. Seemingly out of place in comparison to the other topics, a book about the Feywild and its sundry creatures holds a single note, written in a shaky hand. It reads: Could this be the answer? The note marks a page with an entry on "meenlocks", which includes the following information: Meenlocks are corrupted fey creatures that spontaneously manifest in response to fear in places where the border with the Feywild is thin. Meenlocks create more of their kind by transforming humanoids through a process of psychic torment that takes hours or days. Meenlocks live in subterranean nests. Meenlocks are sensitive to bright light and can sense shadows and darkness.
H10 - BEDROOM
Empty except for a bed and a fireplace, this room is cold and has an air of loneliness about it.
H11 - BEDROOM
This bedroom has a tall chest of drawers made of dark wood in the corner across from the door. Farther into the room, a small desk sits between two windows, with a large bed to the left of it. The sheets and blankets on the bed are rumpled. One moth-eaten pillow lies on the floor beside it, the other on the mattress where it belongs.
Ecko's eyes widen as he reads the description of Meenlocks. He eagerly runs to the rest and echoes the information he received. "Looks like the haunted tone of this place is the result of Meenlocks - mean creatures," Ecko chuckles, entirely enthused by some pun which only makes sense to him. "They create each other through fear, which is how I assume they spread through this town." Ecko places a cheery grin on his features - well, as much of a grin a Kenku can manage. "That means we have nothing to fear! Right?"
Undeterred, Ecko investigates the room and attempts to discover what caused the pillow and sheets to fall in the way they lay.
Either way, Ecko removes the modified Driftglobe. Patterns and sparklers are woven between the crystal and metal of the structure. It is now a Discoglobe. "They hate light and live underground. Looks like this invention still has its uses." Ecko casts a fond look to his invention before moving on to any rooms that haven't been searched above. "I suggest we go downstairs and see if they're hiding there."
"Well, that gives us a place ta start at least. Meenlocks ya say? Never hearda them. Anyone know anything about them?" Garmus asks running his beard through his hand.
Through fear? Crap, Eralynn thought. Good thing we're not back in the Shadowfel. So that's what's been causing the chaos here in the town. At Garmus's question, she shook her head. After a moment of thought, she wrote:
So what now? she wondered.
As you journey through the manner, other than the feeling you're being watched, it is deserted.
"It's nice to know what we're potentially facing." Ysabell began after pondering on what she might've known about the creatures. "And if they can sense shadows and darkness, I doubt we'll be able to sneak up on them (if they don't already know we're here). As long no one is afraid then, we only have to deal with routine forms of death instead of becoming one of these twisted creatures ourselves!" she added cheerily before pulling out her Scythe, currently at a size appropriate for her to carry. Casting Light on it to give it a bright sliverish glow, she turning to the others and asking with a slight grin, "Shall we go find them then? Let the hunted become the hunters?"
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
Garmus moves toward the doors, ready to be out of this place. "Aye, let's be about it. Scout the rest of the village and then head to the mines?" He asks.
"Sounds like a good place to start and perhaps we'll ferret them out at the same time." Ysa added as she began to head towards the stairs and back outside.
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
Ysa, as you all turn around to go downstairs, you see Garmus's shadow, but it does not act consistently as it scientifically should, and if Eralynn could scream, this is the moment she would have.
When you reach downstairs, it is barren, and strangely quiet.
Pausing when she reached the bottom of the stairs, Ysabell turned around and said, "Garmus. Are you feeling alright? Your shadow seems to have a mind of it's own." Though she was not remotely threatening him, there was an edge in her voice, as if she were preparing for something bad to occur. She continued to hold her lit up Scythe in her hands as she spoke, it's sharp edge shining in the light.
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
Must of been a trick of the light, or something. Shadows don't move on their own. Do they?
"I'm feelin' just fine Ysabell. What do ya mean? What's wrong with me shadow?" He says, trying to look at it over his shoulder.
"Nothing." Ysa lied. "Must've been a trick of the light. We should keep moving though. Do you want to lead the way?" She knew what she saw, and strongly suspected that one of the creatures, these Meenlocks, must be trying to mess with her and warp her mind. Let them try... she thought to herself, as she waited for a response. And as soon as you give me an opening, it'll be the last thing you ever do. Though her Scythe could not speak, its look made it seem like it was somehow in agreement.
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM