Gwin kneels and reaches into the cloth sack, taking hold of a piece of the armor. A minute later she stands and withdraws her hand; her face and demeanor reflect the gravity of what she has learned.
Gwin
Its properties and how to use them...
The armor magically reduces the odds that an attack will harm the one who dons the armor
The armor can magically induce terror in those who look upon the one who dons the armor
The armor grants its wearer immunity to any sort of fire damage
The armor grants its wearer the ability to polymorph three times per day
The armor has an alignment of chaotic evil
The armor is sentient and can communicate ideas and powerful feelings/desires to individuals within close proximity to it (very akin to what a geas might do). Any who fall under the influence of the armor will experience psychic damage if they fail to obey it.
Whether it requires attunement to use...
Yes, attunement is required to use the armor
How many charges it has, if any...
As stated above, the polymorph ability is limited to three charges/day
You learn whether any spells are affecting the item and what they are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which spell created it...
You determine the armor is a strange hybrid of two conflicting forces: (1) the magical nature of the gold dragon (Gruemar) from which the scales came, and (2) the powerful, malicious magic of the one who corrupted it (Tiamat)
Gwin carefully places the feather and pearl back into the mysterious pockets hidden in her cloak. Addressing the entire party she says solemnly Lads, there is great power and evil in this armor. The Blind God gave me eyes to see and I will share it all with you now. The cleric then continues to detail all the properties and components of the armor.
Addressing Fargoth directly she says My friend, I have detected a change in your demeanor, as have the rest of us. I do believe the evil permeating the armor is adversely affecting you.
I think we need to decide the best course of action for the remainder of our journey and if perhaps there is someone else within the party who might have more resistance to its power.
What say you all? As always I covet your wisdom my trusted companions. The sooner we are rid of this sack and its fell contents the better.
For the rest of the party, here's what Gwin gleaned via the identify spell...
Its properties and how to use them...
The armor magically reduces the odds that an attack will harm the one who dons the armor
The armor can magically induce terror in those who look upon the one who dons the armor
The armor grants its wearer immunity to any sort of fire damage
The armor grants its wearer the ability to polymorph three times per day
The armor has an alignment of chaotic evil
The armor is sentient and can communicate ideas and powerful feelings/desires to individuals within close proximity to it (very akin to what a geas might do). Any who fall under the influence of the armor will experience psychic damage if they fail to obey it.
Whether it requires attunement to use...
Yes, attunement is required to use the armor
How many charges it has, if any...
As stated above, the polymorph ability is limited to three charges/day
You learn whether any spells are affecting the item and what they are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which spell created it...
You determine the armor is a strange hybrid of two conflicting forces: (1) the magical nature of the gold dragon (Gruemar) from which the scales came, and (2) the powerful, malicious magic of the one who corrupted it (Tiamat)
Fargoth raises an eyebrow at the accusation. “You have proof? I am as well as can be, given we have just traversed a land of oppressive shadow. Am I not allowed a moment of reflection?”
Brevig,who had been carrying the armor, throws it into the bag of holding. Then, his recent weeks of acquaintance with Fargoth telling him in no uncertain terms that the archer is immune to any need for reflection, the aasimar immediately calls upon the watchful eye of Amaunator to aid his comrade in throwing off whatever is afflicting him.
"Fargoth! Your soul is overwhelmed! Open your eyes and fight it!"
Interact with object - place sack holding the armor into the bag of holding.
Action: Channel Divinity (Watcher's Will) - on Fargoth, Gwyn, and self.
Watcher’s Will. You can use your Channel Divinity to invest your presence with the warding power of your faith. As an action, you can choose a number of creatures you can see within 30 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). For 1 minute, you and the chosen creatures have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Brevig halts, gesturing to Gwin and Patrin. "Not just my nature, friend."His penetrating gaze then drills into the archer.
"I know you to be an intelligent comrade-at-arms. THINK. Have the three of us ever been so focused upon you up until now? Do you not recall the whispering voice in the cursed blade we recovered? Are you so certain you have been spared from a similar curse? You are adept at calculating odds in a fight. Use your head, and fight this affliction!"
Not sure if this is possible, but Brevig is convinced Fargoth has been overwhelmed by a curse. He is attempting to pierce through it to enable a new saving throw (with advantage due to Watcher's Will). I would not usually attempt Persuasion vs a PC, but in this case, since it's an attempt to help, if this is possible, here is a persuasion check:
For the first time since you’ve met him, Fargoth laughs, a musical sound befitting an elf, and shakes his head. “I hear no voices my head other than my own, of that I am certain. And what of you, guardian of the armor, are you heeding its siren call? So quick to ignore a lack of evidence and proclaim me cursed? Your religious fervour may serve you well in battle, but in this instance, I see you for a blustering fool. The armor may have its talons in any one of us; it may have planted the thought in Gwin’s head to sow discord, which appears to have worked splendidly.”
“Listen to yourself, elf. Would one under the influence suggest to put the armor away, stifling its influence? Of course not! We know what happened with the sword when we put it in the bag, so logic dictates that the same should happen with the armor. It is away, now, and we are safe from it. Only one enthralled would suggest that the very one who put it in the bag is in its grasp. Either way, as long as it remains in the bag, and we get to where we are going and dispose of it, I see no reason to quarrel. If it stays disconnected from us, it’s influence will surely fade.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
“Only one enthralled…? Only one unexpectedly set upon by his colleagues for sitting quietly, perhaps?” Fargoth frowns in disgust and looks over to Gwin. “Perhaps you are able to shed some light on this? Everyone else appears to know far more about the workings of this armor than the details you were able to derive.”
“Well said, Donir. Alas,” replies Brevig to the laughing elf, “I like this version of you better. For the dry, skulking assassin we have come to know, the draconian tyrant who believes the world owes him a debt for his not murdering them, has not in many weeks brought the smallest note of levity to our company such as your melodious laughter might have done. If only one could be one’s best and one’s worst simultaneously.”
The paladin continues, to all, his voice filled with concern. “But a madman cannot see his own madness. His curse is invisible to him.
“I have witnesswd parties destroyed by such banes, and recall the story of Pluck the Gnome — a skulker, like yourself, Fargoth, who was overcome by a cursed amulet, fled the safe company of his sleeping friends to the Spine of the World, and caused the death of his comrade, the strange elfin wizard Ch’teaua Ki-Deuk, who pursued him out of concern. A tragic tale.
“Curses must be faced head on, for they do not pass of their own accord.”
“I know only that which is obvious. The items have a cursed influence over any who stand in their presence, which is blocked by placing them inside of a bag of holding. Most likely because of the planar magics involved in creating the larger interior space. When in the bag, the armor is effectively not actually near us.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
I know nothing more than what I shared with the group, dearest elf. But I am your friend, truly. Look me in the eye and tell me without reservation that you aren't feeling any differently than you typically do. I only want to help you. WE only want to help you, even Brevig, despite his long-winded platitudes. (She says these last words with a wink to the paladin)
Please, Fargoth. Listen to reason. You are the most level-headed member of our party which is why I am genuinely concerned for you right now, brother. I will ask you again. Can you tell me, in all honesty, that you feel nothing out of the ordinary?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Fargoth shakes the hand off (though not unkindly). "I am feeling many emotions that I do no usually let run too close to the surface. But then it is not every day that I am branded a 'draconian tyrant' by a relative stranger, someone who only seems to deal in absolutes."
He stands, and takes a few steps towards Brevig, his face showing him to clearly be unhappy with the situation. "You tell me to think, to use my head, and I am. You can spout all the wise sayings about madmen and curses that you wish, but... You. Have. No. Proof. You have jumped on some misplaced perception you have of me, and taken a large leap of faith, assuming that some curse has befallen me. Without proof, only conjecture. You believe you understand how the armor works its magic. Again, conjecture, no proof. None of you decided that simply asking me for my opinions, or enquiring as to my wellbeing, was a path that could, nay should, be taken. You feel that I will return to some perceived normal, now that the armor is placed within the bag? Will you cling blindly to your beliefs when I do not change?"
Patrin looks askance at his friends and colleagues fracturing in front of him…
’Brevig, enough!’ he barks out ‘This is not some enemy for you to lash with your tongue.’
He turns to Fargoth. ‘Please forgive Brevig. I fear he has lost his compassion in the fires of his faith, for a little while at least. I hold out hope, always, that we recall why we fight, and not just who we fight…’ he looks at Brevig searchingly ‘I’ve seen too many who look deep into the darkness, and end up letting it consume them - please don’t travel that path.’
Without waiting for an answer, he turns back to Fargoth. ‘Will you allow me to call on my divine link to prove to the others that you are unaffected, and are yourself? They can then apologise for their harsh words…’
Patrin steps up to Fargoth smiling, ‘I just need to lay my hands on you, while filled with divine energy. It will prove your words.’
He mutters a few arcane words, sprinkling some diamond dust over his hands, which start to glow with a gentle, soothing light, and he reaches out to place them on Fargoth.
Gwin kneels and reaches into the cloth sack, taking hold of a piece of the armor. A minute later she stands and withdraws her hand; her face and demeanor reflect the gravity of what she has learned.
Gwin
Its properties and how to use them...
Whether it requires attunement to use...
How many charges it has, if any...
You learn whether any spells are affecting the item and what they are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which spell created it...
Gwin carefully places the feather and pearl back into the mysterious pockets hidden in her cloak. Addressing the entire party she says solemnly Lads, there is great power and evil in this armor. The Blind God gave me eyes to see and I will share it all with you now. The cleric then continues to detail all the properties and components of the armor.
Addressing Fargoth directly she says My friend, I have detected a change in your demeanor, as have the rest of us. I do believe the evil permeating the armor is adversely affecting you.
I think we need to decide the best course of action for the remainder of our journey and if perhaps there is someone else within the party who might have more resistance to its power.
What say you all? As always I covet your wisdom my trusted companions. The sooner we are rid of this sack and its fell contents the better.
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
“Can we place it in the bag of holding, Donir?,” asks Brevig, and then to all, “I believe that would help?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
For the rest of the party, here's what Gwin gleaned via the identify spell...
Its properties and how to use them...
Whether it requires attunement to use...
How many charges it has, if any...
You learn whether any spells are affecting the item and what they are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which spell created it...
"Putting it in the bag would be best, aye. As long as it can fit, of course."
Donir proceeds to take the armor, if it is freely given, and attempt to place it within the bag.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Fargoth raises an eyebrow at the accusation. “You have proof? I am as well as can be, given we have just traversed a land of oppressive shadow. Am I not allowed a moment of reflection?”
Patrin wonders if Fargoth is dissembling…24
Insight: 18
OOC: Damn - it added a roll in and out of the spoiler box - use whichever you want!
Brevig, who had been carrying the armor, throws it into the bag of holding. Then, his recent weeks of acquaintance with Fargoth telling him in no uncertain terms that the archer is immune to any need for reflection, the aasimar immediately calls upon the watchful eye of Amaunator to aid his comrade in throwing off whatever is afflicting him.
"Fargoth! Your soul is overwhelmed! Open your eyes and fight it!"
Interact with object - place sack holding the armor into the bag of holding.
Action: Channel Divinity (Watcher's Will) - on Fargoth, Gwyn, and self.
Watcher’s Will. You can use your Channel Divinity to invest your presence with the warding power of your faith. As an action, you can choose a number of creatures you can see within 30 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). For 1 minute, you and the chosen creatures have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Fargoth stares incredulously at Brevig’s dramatics, allowing himself a rare smile. “Ah, I see that now I am the focus of your insistent nature?”
Brevig halts, gesturing to Gwin and Patrin. "Not just my nature, friend." His penetrating gaze then drills into the archer.
"I know you to be an intelligent comrade-at-arms. THINK. Have the three of us ever been so focused upon you up until now? Do you not recall the whispering voice in the cursed blade we recovered? Are you so certain you have been spared from a similar curse? You are adept at calculating odds in a fight. Use your head, and fight this affliction!"
Not sure if this is possible, but Brevig is convinced Fargoth has been overwhelmed by a curse. He is attempting to pierce through it to enable a new saving throw (with advantage due to Watcher's Will). I would not usually attempt Persuasion vs a PC, but in this case, since it's an attempt to help, if this is possible, here is a persuasion check:
Persuasion 15
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
For the first time since you’ve met him, Fargoth laughs, a musical sound befitting an elf, and shakes his head. “I hear no voices my head other than my own, of that I am certain. And what of you, guardian of the armor, are you heeding its siren call? So quick to ignore a lack of evidence and proclaim me cursed? Your religious fervour may serve you well in battle, but in this instance, I see you for a blustering fool. The armor may have its talons in any one of us; it may have planted the thought in Gwin’s head to sow discord, which appears to have worked splendidly.”
“Listen to yourself, elf. Would one under the influence suggest to put the armor away, stifling its influence? Of course not! We know what happened with the sword when we put it in the bag, so logic dictates that the same should happen with the armor. It is away, now, and we are safe from it. Only one enthralled would suggest that the very one who put it in the bag is in its grasp. Either way, as long as it remains in the bag, and we get to where we are going and dispose of it, I see no reason to quarrel. If it stays disconnected from us, it’s influence will surely fade.”
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
“Only one enthralled…? Only one unexpectedly set upon by his colleagues for sitting quietly, perhaps?” Fargoth frowns in disgust and looks over to Gwin. “Perhaps you are able to shed some light on this? Everyone else appears to know far more about the workings of this armor than the details you were able to derive.”
“Well said, Donir. Alas,” replies Brevig to the laughing elf, “I like this version of you better. For the dry, skulking assassin we have come to know, the draconian tyrant who believes the world owes him a debt for his not murdering them, has not in many weeks brought the smallest note of levity to our company such as your melodious laughter might have done. If only one could be one’s best and one’s worst simultaneously.”
The paladin continues, to all, his voice filled with concern. “But a madman cannot see his own madness. His curse is invisible to him.
“I have witnesswd parties destroyed by such banes, and recall the story of Pluck the Gnome — a skulker, like yourself, Fargoth, who was overcome by a cursed amulet, fled the safe company of his sleeping friends to the Spine of the World, and caused the death of his comrade, the strange elfin wizard Ch’teaua Ki-Deuk, who pursued him out of concern. A tragic tale.
“Curses must be faced head on, for they do not pass of their own accord.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“I know only that which is obvious. The items have a cursed influence over any who stand in their presence, which is blocked by placing them inside of a bag of holding. Most likely because of the planar magics involved in creating the larger interior space. When in the bag, the armor is effectively not actually near us.”
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Gwin rests her hand on Fargoth's arm.
I know nothing more than what I shared with the group, dearest elf. But I am your friend, truly. Look me in the eye and tell me without reservation that you aren't feeling any differently than you typically do. I only want to help you. WE only want to help you, even Brevig, despite his long-winded platitudes. (She says these last words with a wink to the paladin)
Please, Fargoth. Listen to reason. You are the most level-headed member of our party which is why I am genuinely concerned for you right now, brother. I will ask you again. Can you tell me, in all honesty, that you feel nothing out of the ordinary?
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Fargoth shakes the hand off (though not unkindly). "I am feeling many emotions that I do no usually let run too close to the surface. But then it is not every day that I am branded a 'draconian tyrant' by a relative stranger, someone who only seems to deal in absolutes."
He stands, and takes a few steps towards Brevig, his face showing him to clearly be unhappy with the situation. "You tell me to think, to use my head, and I am. You can spout all the wise sayings about madmen and curses that you wish, but... You. Have. No. Proof. You have jumped on some misplaced perception you have of me, and taken a large leap of faith, assuming that some curse has befallen me. Without proof, only conjecture. You believe you understand how the armor works its magic. Again, conjecture, no proof. None of you decided that simply asking me for my opinions, or enquiring as to my wellbeing, was a path that could, nay should, be taken. You feel that I will return to some perceived normal, now that the armor is placed within the bag? Will you cling blindly to your beliefs when I do not change?"
Patrin looks askance at his friends and colleagues fracturing in front of him…
’Brevig, enough!’ he barks out ‘This is not some enemy for you to lash with your tongue.’
He turns to Fargoth. ‘Please forgive Brevig. I fear he has lost his compassion in the fires of his faith, for a little while at least. I hold out hope, always, that we recall why we fight, and not just who we fight…’ he looks at Brevig searchingly ‘I’ve seen too many who look deep into the darkness, and end up letting it consume them - please don’t travel that path.’
Without waiting for an answer, he turns back to Fargoth. ‘Will you allow me to call on my divine link to prove to the others that you are unaffected, and are yourself? They can then apologise for their harsh words…’
Fargoth sighs wearily. “If it will end this interrogation, then so be it. What do you require of me?”
Patrin steps up to Fargoth smiling, ‘I just need to lay my hands on you, while filled with divine energy. It will prove your words.’
He mutters a few arcane words, sprinkling some diamond dust over his hands, which start to glow with a gentle, soothing light, and he reaches out to place them on Fargoth.
Patrin has cast Greater Restoration…