"Well, I'm sure these boots are helping," Lokilia says to Dev, glancing down at the magical items she wears. "But I did grow up in the mountains. I'm kind of used to snow." She does try to keep moving, but it willing to lend a hand here or there to the others if they need help.
As the tower comes better into view she yells the others, "This must be it. The tower I suppose is the library. We're getting closer now. Right over there!" She points the way as she continues on towards it.
"I think maybe the city is under the snow? Or maybe just in ruins," Lokilia says. "All I see is the tower. And I'm fairly sure this is the right spot."
Indeed as the companions approach the tower they not segments of ruins protruding from the snow around it though there is no sign of the towers and such described in the journal...
The somewhat fractured onyx tower points like a finger into the snow-filled sky. The large double doors of the tower stand open but the snow doesn't seem to penetrate it, indeed the companions can feel a somewhat warm wind issuing from the doors....
"I'm not arguing", Normont replies. "And it sure looks inviting in the tower".
He speaks to Amber in gnomish, and she heads towards the double doors to look inside and see if it is safe, not entering herself yet just looking and returning to Normont.
“So this is the place… but it’s not everything the journal said it would be. Except for eyes watching us.
“But this tower… has been here since before the fall? Since the ancient ones? Is it them, somehow, who are watching us?
“And it’s a library with ancient knowledge? Where someone called Ubo… a member of the Cerberus Assembly… is still here and alive. Or at least, was here… but was driven mad?”
As he looks at the tower, Dev tries to imagine the years rolling back, one by one, decade by decade, centuries, millennia. Before the calamity that changed the world. It’s too much for the teenager to grasp, the ideas too big, the ramifications extending far beyond his lived experience of a mere seventeen years.
‘I wonder if there are stories and songs from the old ones in the library somewhere. What did they sound like? What did they even sing about?,’ he wonders idly before looking up at Magnus’ body slung over Quinn’s shoulders. Maybe the ancient ones had a resting place where Magnus, too, could rest.
Lokilia nods to Normont, waiting to see what the gnome's companion might find. "I suppose at some point we're going to have to go inside. But yea, I imagine Ubo must be about somewhere." She looks around, recalling the feeling of being watched that they've all had. "Or you suppose others beat us here?"
"I'm not arguing", Normont replies. "And it sure looks inviting in the tower".
He speaks to Amber in gnomish, and she heads towards the double doors to look inside and see if it is safe, not entering herself yet just looking and returning to Normont.
Amber reports that the upper portion of the tower is filled with a series of vertical metal tubes inscribed with a language Amber does not understand.
ground level of the tower is filled with crystal screens lining the walls above a metal walkway that traces the inside edge of the tower, the floor of the tower is a deep pit that Amber could not see into but it seemed very dark and a singular set of stairs led from the metal walkway to below. The base of the outside of the tower was set into a metal ring which seemed to repel the snow.
Normont fills the others in on what Amber saw, before scratching his chin, feeling his well groomed beard was now unkempt and surrounded by stubble.
"We came pretty quickly, and I don't know that anyone else knew where the tower is. It is more likely we are being followed than anyone beat us here. But Uno is a concern it is true".
"Perhaps we should rest just through the threshold, out of the snow? It has been a long day, exhausting in more ways than one. I can perhaps spend a while altering one of my tools to detect any magic around us, just to be sure we are safe", he suggests.
The thought of being inside, away from the penetrating chill of the mountain snow is more than appealing to Dev.
”it’s not like we came all this way just to look at it then go home. I mean, we’re going inside. We may as well go in sooner rather than later and get out of the cold.”
Dev follows, feeling exhaustion hit him like a high ocean wave when he passes over the threshold. The teenager still has dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheeks, as if his strength had been sucked out of him by the shadow in the ruins. Provided nothing attacks the group right away, he simply sprawls out on the floor…
”I just… just a minute…,” and sleep takes him…
(OOC: any return of strength following that encounter?)
Lokilia also agree that it's best to get inside the tower. She quickly follows Normont when he goes inside. She worries a moment as she sees Dev just sprawl onto the floor, though she soon realizes he's just tired from everything that's happened today. She takes a quick look about though to see what might be inside. (Perception: 23)
Dev follows, feeling exhaustion hit him like a high ocean wave when he passes over the threshold. The teenager still has dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheeks, as if his strength had been sucked out of him by the shadow in the ruins. Provided nothing attacks the group right away, he simply sprawls out on the floor…
”I just… just a minute…,” and sleep takes him…
(OOC: any return of strength following that encounter?)
( Dev will need a Long Rest to recover his Strength.)
Lokilia also agree that it's best to get inside the tower. She quickly follows Normont when he goes inside. She worries a moment as she sees Dev just sprawl onto the floor, though she soon realizes he's just tired from everything that's happened today. She takes a quick look about though to see what might be inside. (Perception: 23)
Coming up next to Normont Lokilia peers down the shaft seeing thousands of individual softly glowing lights in the darkness below, the stairs go down to a second walkway around the edge, and then another set of stairs and another walkway and so on. Some of the levels seem to recess more into the walls perhaps leading to entire chambers, corridors or levels. There is a faint hum and soft warm, dry breeze issuing up from below....and....on the edge of her senses...something sickly, sweet and reminiscent of aged meat..
"There are definitely more levels below - perhaps with chambers or even levels of rooms. Can't quite tell," Lokilia relays. "But with Dev here, perhaps we should just rest where we're at." After a quick glance up at the tubes overheard, she looks about this level at the crystal screens. "What do you suppose these are?" she asks as she walks closer to one of them, looking at it closely. (Investigation: 15) "Not that any snow or cold's coming in, but you suppose there's a way to close the door where we came in?" she continues even as she is still looking at the screen thing.
"Hm, let me see", Normont replies to Lokilia as he also looks up to the screens and has a good look about for a door mechanism. He will also think back to if he has heard or read anything about such technology.
Investigation (with Guidance): 6+5+1=12 History (Hopefully with expertise due to Gnome Artificer's Lore feature): 5+6=11
(OOC: Mistakenly thought it was advantage, took first roll when realised it was double proficiency. My rolls today across my games have been 3, 4, 5, 6. Ouch!!!)
Dev rolls over once, then comes to rest slightly nearer the magically warming doorway (or floor ring ?). (OOC: Dev needs to long-rest here if others are willing. Low on STR and low on spell slots. Dev can take the last watch.)
"There are definitely more levels below - perhaps with chambers or even levels of rooms. Can't quite tell," Lokilia relays. "But with Dev here, perhaps we should just rest where we're at." After a quick glance up at the tubes overheard, she looks about this level at the crystal screens. "What do you suppose these are?" she asks as she walks closer to one of them, looking at it closely. (Investigation: 15) "Not that any snow or cold's coming in, but you suppose there's a way to close the door where we came in?" she continues even as she is still looking at the screen thing.
As Lokilia approached the screen it lit up with a soft blue glow and a stream of text filled the screen....she thought it was perhaps Draconic....but wasn't sure.....
"Hm, let me see", Normont replies to Lokilia as he also looks up to the screens and has a good look about for a door mechanism. He will also think back to if he has heard or read anything about such technology.
Investigation (with Guidance): 6+5+1=12 History (Hopefully with expertise due to Gnome Artificer's Lore feature): 5+6=11
(OOC: Mistakenly thought it was advantage, took first roll when realised it was double proficiency. My rolls today across my games have been 3, 4, 5, 6. Ouch!!!)
Normont finds a small metal disc on the inner wall near the open doors...
Dev rolls over once, then comes to rest slightly nearer the magically warming doorway (or floor ring ?). (OOC: Dev needs to long-rest here if others are willing. Low on STR and low on spell slots. Dev can take the last watch.)
( The warm air is coming up the shaft from below along with the slightly disconcerting smell...)
"Well, I'm sure these boots are helping," Lokilia says to Dev, glancing down at the magical items she wears. "But I did grow up in the mountains. I'm kind of used to snow." She does try to keep moving, but it willing to lend a hand here or there to the others if they need help.
As the tower comes better into view she yells the others, "This must be it. The tower I suppose is the library. We're getting closer now. Right over there!" She points the way as she continues on towards it.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Oh", Normont says in surprise. "Do you know, I really thought we were looking for ruins of a city. I must have got muddled up".
His forehead creases into a frown, "Then we should be careful, there will be danger in the tower".
"I think maybe the city is under the snow? Or maybe just in ruins," Lokilia says. "All I see is the tower. And I'm fairly sure this is the right spot."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Indeed as the companions approach the tower they not segments of ruins protruding from the snow around it though there is no sign of the towers and such described in the journal...
The somewhat fractured onyx tower points like a finger into the snow-filled sky. The large double doors of the tower stand open but the snow doesn't seem to penetrate it, indeed the companions can feel a somewhat warm wind issuing from the doors....
"I'm not arguing", Normont replies. "And it sure looks inviting in the tower".
He speaks to Amber in gnomish, and she heads towards the double doors to look inside and see if it is safe, not entering herself yet just looking and returning to Normont.
“So this is the place… but it’s not everything the journal said it would be. Except for eyes watching us.
“But this tower… has been here since before the fall? Since the ancient ones? Is it them, somehow, who are watching us?
“And it’s a library with ancient knowledge? Where someone called Ubo… a member of the Cerberus Assembly… is still here and alive. Or at least, was here… but was driven mad?”
As he looks at the tower, Dev tries to imagine the years rolling back, one by one, decade by decade, centuries, millennia. Before the calamity that changed the world. It’s too much for the teenager to grasp, the ideas too big, the ramifications extending far beyond his lived experience of a mere seventeen years.
‘I wonder if there are stories and songs from the old ones in the library somewhere. What did they sound like? What did they even sing about?,’ he wonders idly before looking up at Magnus’ body slung over Quinn’s shoulders. Maybe the ancient ones had a resting place where Magnus, too, could rest.
(I found the spot where our quest is laid out, in case anyone else needs a refresher: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/178926-curious-critters-a-taldorei-tale?page=39)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lokilia nods to Normont, waiting to see what the gnome's companion might find. "I suppose at some point we're going to have to go inside. But yea, I imagine Ubo must be about somewhere." She looks around, recalling the feeling of being watched that they've all had. "Or you suppose others beat us here?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Amber reports that the upper portion of the tower is filled with a series of vertical metal tubes inscribed with a language Amber does not understand.
ground level of the tower is filled with crystal screens lining the walls above a metal walkway that traces the inside edge of the tower, the floor of the tower is a deep pit that Amber could not see into but it seemed very dark and a singular set of stairs led from the metal walkway to below. The base of the outside of the tower was set into a metal ring which seemed to repel the snow.
Normont fills the others in on what Amber saw, before scratching his chin, feeling his well groomed beard was now unkempt and surrounded by stubble.
"We came pretty quickly, and I don't know that anyone else knew where the tower is. It is more likely we are being followed than anyone beat us here. But Uno is a concern it is true".
"Perhaps we should rest just through the threshold, out of the snow? It has been a long day, exhausting in more ways than one. I can perhaps spend a while altering one of my tools to detect any magic around us, just to be sure we are safe", he suggests.
(OOC: Ritual casting detect magic)
The thought of being inside, away from the penetrating chill of the mountain snow is more than appealing to Dev.
”it’s not like we came all this way just to look at it then go home. I mean, we’re going inside. We may as well go in sooner rather than later and get out of the cold.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Normonts spell detects that everything about the tower....except the walkway and stairs are magical. Mostly Divination, some Abjuration and Evocation.
"There is magic all around the tower. With the exception of the walkway and stairs. I think we should be ok resting there", Normont reports back.
With that he steps inside the tower...
Dev follows, feeling exhaustion hit him like a high ocean wave when he passes over the threshold. The teenager still has dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheeks, as if his strength had been sucked out of him by the shadow in the ruins. Provided nothing attacks the group right away, he simply sprawls out on the floor…
”I just… just a minute…,” and sleep takes him…
(OOC: any return of strength following that encounter?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lokilia also agree that it's best to get inside the tower. She quickly follows Normont when he goes inside. She worries a moment as she sees Dev just sprawl onto the floor, though she soon realizes he's just tired from everything that's happened today. She takes a quick look about though to see what might be inside. (Perception: 23)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Warm dry air issues up from the shaft in the centre of the floor...
( Dev will need a Long Rest to recover his Strength.)
Coming up next to Normont Lokilia peers down the shaft seeing thousands of individual softly glowing lights in the darkness below, the stairs go down to a second walkway around the edge, and then another set of stairs and another walkway and so on. Some of the levels seem to recess more into the walls perhaps leading to entire chambers, corridors or levels. There is a faint hum and soft warm, dry breeze issuing up from below....and....on the edge of her senses...something sickly, sweet and reminiscent of aged meat..
"There are definitely more levels below - perhaps with chambers or even levels of rooms. Can't quite tell," Lokilia relays. "But with Dev here, perhaps we should just rest where we're at." After a quick glance up at the tubes overheard, she looks about this level at the crystal screens. "What do you suppose these are?" she asks as she walks closer to one of them, looking at it closely. (Investigation: 15) "Not that any snow or cold's coming in, but you suppose there's a way to close the door where we came in?" she continues even as she is still looking at the screen thing.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Hm, let me see", Normont replies to Lokilia as he also looks up to the screens and has a good look about for a door mechanism. He will also think back to if he has heard or read anything about such technology.
Investigation (with Guidance): 6+5+1=12
History (Hopefully with expertise due to Gnome Artificer's Lore feature): 5+6=11
(OOC: Mistakenly thought it was advantage, took first roll when realised it was double proficiency. My rolls today across my games have been 3, 4, 5, 6. Ouch!!!)
Dev rolls over once, then comes to rest slightly nearer the magically warming doorway (or floor ring ?).
(OOC: Dev needs to long-rest here if others are willing. Low on STR and low on spell slots. Dev can take the last watch.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
As Lokilia approached the screen it lit up with a soft blue glow and a stream of text filled the screen....she thought it was perhaps Draconic....but wasn't sure.....
Normont finds a small metal disc on the inner wall near the open doors...
( The warm air is coming up the shaft from below along with the slightly disconcerting smell...)
Lokilia looks at the others. "Do any of you know Draconic? Can you read this?" She points towards the crystal screen that is now showing text.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer