Realizing the red-haired girl is stubborn as a mule, Thurodim simply turns and follows Ember, standing by her side, laying his big comforting hand on her small shoulder as she braves the the grisly scene.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
[Sound of Cork Popping] takes the journal and begins flipping through to the last pages, looking for some clue as to what had been happening at this farm towards the final days of its occupancy. He pays scant attention to the conversations of the other two.
Investigation? 10
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The contents of the tomes are complex and written in an academic tone, making for a really dry read. They cover a wide variety of subjects, going from the most basic principles of magic to some convoluted theses about things such as the fundamental laws of extraplanar conjuration, the magical properties of gems and gem-like stones or even philosophical treaties about the very nature of the Weave. As a scholar yourself, Ozyre, you are able to get a basic grasp of some of these subjects, even if they are not your domain of expertise. Ember, this is a very tough read. Your grandpa used to teach you how to exerte your will on the Weave to manifest your spells effects, and when he wanted to teach you certain principles, he’d use to slightly vulgarize the subject to help you better understand concepts that are normally way beyond a normal child’s understanding.
As you both study one of the tomes, you come across a missing page. It clearly has been torn from the book in a haste, leaving only a title at the top of the page: An empiric study of the Fraxinus’ Fracture phenomenon.
(Ozyre and Ember can attempt an Arcana check to learn more. Or one of you can give adv. to the other)
Thurodim, as you enter the bedroom where your companions are voraciously going through the entire library, you begin to study the room to see if someone’s been there recently. Through careful inspection, you find the same layer of dust and cobwebs as in the rest of the house. The bed seems to have been hastily made, but no one seems to have slept in it for several weeks, even maybe months.
When Ember goes into the room that Thurodim investigated, there is stillness in the air. The rain continues to fall heavily upon the window and the wind howls strong. With the help of her candlestick, she can make her way near the bed, where the corpse is supposedly hidden under the sheets. Ember doesn’t get any indication of the presence of magic upon the corpse. She only picks up the strong stench of decay.
[Sound of Cork Popping]
These are the entries going back to a year and a half ago.
Entry 1 (a year and a half ago)
It’s finally done. It may have cost me all of my inheritance from grand-uncle Trefort and a loan with that crook Brugg, but we finally have the house. Getting away from the Empire was tough, but a necessary change. The others look glad that we’re here. I know I am. I think we’ll be able to do a bit of good for the colony. It’ll be cheaper to buy produce from us than to wait for the boat to cross the ocean everytime. I have a good feeling about this.
Entry 2 (10 months ago)
There was another attack last night. It’s the fifth time we’ve dealt with these rabid beasts. They’re not particularly threatening but their bite packs a punch. Thankfully, we can barricade ourselves in the house when they attack. They don’t seem to be able to get past the door, just scratch the hell out of it. That’s not the real issue though. The others are getting antsy. They don’t like that we can get attacked at any time. This place is not as safe as I originally thought.
Entry 3 (5 months ago)
Another one. I think that’s the 12th? I stopped counting. Worse yet, Lewin and Hein left. They said they didn’t care for being eaten by these monsters, especially after Lewin got bit by one. Or was it Hein? I could never really them apart. Anyway, I can’t really fault them for leaving. Reed’s been thinking about it too. He and Ingrid don’t think this is turning out to be the right place to found a family. Plus Brugg is getting a bit impatient about receiving his payments. I need to find a solution quickly. Otherwise, I could lose everything. Perhaps, grand-uncle Trefort’s tomes have a spell that I could use to protect the farmstead.
Entry 4 (4 months ago)
I hope I’m not jinxing it, but I think the spell worked. We’ve had two whole weeks without attacks. I’m no mage, but it didn’t seem too hard to get a warding spell going. Maybe I’ll try some other spells. How hard is magic really if someone like me can do it?
Entry 5 (3 and a half months ago)
I went by the riverbank last night for some night time fishing. To my surprise, I found an old cavern entrance there. I decided to check it out. It was like an old ruin. I walked deep within and I found this weird glowing circle. When I approached, something came out of it. What I found there terrified me. Those piercing red eyes, they moved like shadows. They were never fast enough to catch up to me, but they were relentless. I managed to trap those that followed me into the cellar. They’re not strong enough to open the doors, but to be sure, I locked the door with chains. I’m the only one that ever goes down there anyway so it shouldn’t be too hard to hide from Olly, Reed and Ingrid. Maybe they’ll starve down there.
Entry 6 (3 months ago)
Another bad night. I don’t think I’m the only one though. I saw Olly sleeping while standing up in the field. We’ve all been a little bit more sluggish lately. Ever since that night…It has to be connected. That glowing circle, those shadowy creatures, it can’t be a coincidence. I’ve decided to go back down in the ruins and solve the problem myself. I’m not worried. I’m sure that with my grand-uncle’s tomes I’ll be able to handle whatever comes my way. Until then, I’ll take a nap. I’m so tired.
Ember, her small hand grabbing hold of Big Man's index finger from her shoulder to keep grounded, observes quietly, "It's like they just... went to sleep forever. I hope their last dreams were good ones."
Seeing no traces of magic and not wishing to remain with the weight of death that hangs heavy in the air, she turns abruptly and heads back down the corridor, taking Thurodim's finger with her. As she reaches the end of the length his arm can extend, her little body is hardly capable of exerting influence over the barbarian's weight and she's yanked backwards with a "HRK!" She smiles sheepishly up at Big Man, releases his finger, then hurries into the other room to sprawl out with the bona fiddle tomes once more.
When Ozyre points out a missing page, she squints at the title. Though it may be advanced beyond her age, much of her prowess is thanks to both an eidetic and photographic memory, and she peruses the annals of knowledge she's absorbed over the years.
Ozyre wonders where he's seen the name "Fraxinus" before. It's definitely a wizardly name, but in his Mind Library (which is admittedly much less reliable than Ember's, but still fairly well-kept) he can't find any tomes, or even books, written by a Fraxinus. Then he remembers the name appearing in an encyclopedia from the part of the library where a lot of forest gnomes liked to hang out.
"Those meliae are always up to something... Ember, do you know what ash trees could have to do with arcana?"
Help action, to provide reason as to why Ember has advantage
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
"I'm sure they were little one, I think this couple cared for each other very much, and being close like that in the end must have been a great comfort for them both." The massive blonde bearded warrior says with an unusual sensetive and compassionate tone. Thurodim can't help but smile a little as the red-haired girl then tries to leave while still holding on to his finger. He found he felt more an more protective of the brave little adventurer, lumbering after her after returning the bedsheets and closing the door behind him.
"We should not stay in this house, it is cursed with witchery, do what you must but then we should look for shelter elsewhere, the rain is nothing compared to the fates of the ones still in this house." Thurodim says grimly, seeming slightly impatient to leave the cursed home.
Ember, with the help of Ozyre, you remember a lesson that grandpa taught one day. You remember that lesson because you thought Fraxinus was a funny name. He presented it as a form of warning against using spells that you’re not ready or experienced enough to handle.
The Fraxinus Fracture phenomenon is an academic term that refers to a phenomenon observed by a gnomish wizard of the same name. It’s sort of an arcane study hedge theory. In layman’s term, it’s a planar tear. Every so often, there is a tear in the fabric of the Material plane to one of the other planes of the multiverse. Sometimes it seems to happen at random (which the reason in itself is a mystery), and other times, it’s the result of a wizard either voluntarily opening it, or involuntarily open one by accident because they were toying with spells that they didn’t have the experience and knowledge to handle.
When a tear opens, it generally starts affecting the surrounding area in various ways. Notably, the weather can go out of whack. It’s also been observed that certain creatures seem to have a sixth sense regarding these tears as they seem to instinctively avoid the area. Although, it’s also been noted that it has the opposite effect on other monsters. But probably the most dangerous part of this phenomenon is that creatures of the other plane the tear is connected to can enter the Material plane. Even worse still is the fact that if left unchecked, the tear can grow in size and allow even bigger extraplanar threats from emerging.
"Oh! Oh, I remember this! Grandpa really reeaaaally warned me about it since wizards have a knack for 'asking if you can and not if you should,'" Ember says, deepening her voice in an impression of, presumably, her grandfather. "There was this gnome named, uuumm... Fraxinus! And he observed that a tear can sometimes open in the fabric of our universe. Like when I rip my dress!" She points out numerous rips in her threadbare clothes.
"But that tear becomes kind of like..."with a click of her tongue, Ember looks around the room then points at the doorway,"a door! And when the door opens, it really affects the things around it--like, uuummm... the weather aaannddd sometimes animals will stay away 'cause they know it isn't natural. But it also can attract certain things too. Not to mention all the things that can visit through the door. And the door can get bigger and bigger sometimes, which means even biggerand bigger things can use it."
Her shoulders shimmy as she's wracked by a sudden shiver. "It's, um... it's not good."
"just because it has effects in common with the effects that we've observed in the area and its page is missing from the book and it seems like it would result from the things that the people here seem to be doing or rather had been doing before all mysteriously passing in their sleep except for the one who slept in the room with the book with the missing page of the effect that you've just described..." Another big breath. "...doesn't necessarily mean that we've got a Fraxinus’s Fracture phenomenon on our hands. [Sound of Cork Popping], does the journal have anything about this stuff?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
(In an effort to keep the momentum going, I’ll bot [Sound of Cork Popping] for now)
[Sound of Cork Popping], being unable to explicitly reveal the content of the journal, hands it over to Ozyre for him to read. He looks perturbed by the content of it.
[Thanks! I had thought I replied already about the journal.]
Cork raps an index finger loudly on the spine of the book and hurriedly points out sections of the text. His voice clucks in a repetitive, worrisome tone.
[See the sections hidden by the spoiler in post #264]
He raps his finger again on the page that mentions a cellar door, locked with chain. He looks at the other three and shrugs his shoulders.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ozyre reads the sections of the text that Cork points out aloud for Ember and Thurodim to hear.
"So it sounds like we've got an inexperienced mage casting big spells to prevent the dragon chicken attacks. But then our friend Fraxinus decides to intervene and makes a little planar tear nearby, and that planar tear makes everybody on the farm super duper sleepy. So sleepy that they... don't wake up. But before that, our mage goes out to where the tear was and tries to close it, with unknown result. Considering the animals in the area wouldn't touch this place with a 10 foot pole, even if they had the motor skills to hold such a pole, I'm guessing it wasn't too successful. Which means the tear has probably been growing in size. For three months.
"Oh, and there are demons or something in the cellar. Do you guys wanna go check that out? I think we should go check that out."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Trying to keep his focus with the many words from the diminished giant, Thurodim at least gathers that witchcraft has been used, that Bart has gone to some ruins to end that witchcraft, and that Bart has something sinister locked up in his basement. "If the demons are still trapped in the basement they will be there tomorrow too." The massive blonde bearded warrior says in his deep firm voice. "We should find Bart, and put and end to the curse!"
“But Big Man! If we fight the baddie in the cellar, then we know it can’t sneak up on us if it gets out. And then maybe we *alsooo* know some things about what could be at the door and how to fight them? Instead of being surprised?”
She again puts on her best Grandpa voice, “‘The first rule of war and business is to know your enemy. Now come, let’s have ourselves some snickerdoodles.’” The wizard thinks for a moment. “Oh… maybe that last one wasn’t part of it.”
As the red-haired girl pipes up, Thurodim at first huffs...but the he scratches his blonde unkempt beard for a while, pondering what she had said. "It is true it is good to know your enemy. Let us hope it will be so little one."He says, turning to head down into the cellar, ready to fight those snickerdoodles. A part of him feared though this was an enemy Skullcrusher would not even harm. "But if we can't kill it we must lock it in there again." He adds with a firm voice.
Ember hurries alongside him to take his pinky, her other hand held aloft with her candlestick. “It’s okay if you’re scared too. I’m afraid of the dark, you know,” she whispers up at him. “But we all have each other, so it will be okay.”
Ozyre follows the party to the cellar. "Ember and[Sound of Cork Popping], make sure to stay behind a warrior. We're going in! For snickerdoodles!" He takes out an axe with one hand and tries to open up the cellar door with the other. The chain rattles. "Oh, right. The lock. Hey Big Man, wanna Skullcrush this thing off?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Not scared..."The massive blonde bearded warrior grunts, somewhat gruffly, but as he feels the child's hand holding his little finger he glances down at her with a weak smile, something vulnerable in those eyes for the first time perhaps. Was this was fear was, not feeling convinced he could protect the others from what was down in that cellar, protect her from what was down in that cellar. The child's presence made him feel both strong and weak at the same time.
As he reaches the door to the cellar, Thurodim looks around for how to open it. He was no stranger to break things open with Skullcrusher when needed, but in this case he preferred if the door could be closed and locked again, should their confrontation with what was down there go badly.
The party makes its way down the stairs, to the back of the house and into the shed. With the light coming from the candlestick held by the smoky hand, you're all able to see the cellar door. The chain is wrapped around the handles and tied together with a padlock. Thurodim, looking around the shed, it is so messy with crates and sacks and farming tools that it's a bit difficult to find what you're looking for.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Realizing the red-haired girl is stubborn as a mule, Thurodim simply turns and follows Ember, standing by her side, laying his big comforting hand on her small shoulder as she braves the the grisly scene.
[Sound of Cork Popping] takes the journal and begins flipping through to the last pages, looking for some clue as to what had been happening at this farm towards the final days of its occupancy. He pays scant attention to the conversations of the other two.
Investigation? 10
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The contents of the tomes are complex and written in an academic tone, making for a really dry read. They cover a wide variety of subjects, going from the most basic principles of magic to some convoluted theses about things such as the fundamental laws of extraplanar conjuration, the magical properties of gems and gem-like stones or even philosophical treaties about the very nature of the Weave. As a scholar yourself, Ozyre, you are able to get a basic grasp of some of these subjects, even if they are not your domain of expertise. Ember, this is a very tough read. Your grandpa used to teach you how to exerte your will on the Weave to manifest your spells effects, and when he wanted to teach you certain principles, he’d use to slightly vulgarize the subject to help you better understand concepts that are normally way beyond a normal child’s understanding.
As you both study one of the tomes, you come across a missing page. It clearly has been torn from the book in a haste, leaving only a title at the top of the page: An empiric study of the Fraxinus’ Fracture phenomenon.
(Ozyre and Ember can attempt an Arcana check to learn more. Or one of you can give adv. to the other)
Thurodim, as you enter the bedroom where your companions are voraciously going through the entire library, you begin to study the room to see if someone’s been there recently. Through careful inspection, you find the same layer of dust and cobwebs as in the rest of the house. The bed seems to have been hastily made, but no one seems to have slept in it for several weeks, even maybe months.
When Ember goes into the room that Thurodim investigated, there is stillness in the air. The rain continues to fall heavily upon the window and the wind howls strong. With the help of her candlestick, she can make her way near the bed, where the corpse is supposedly hidden under the sheets. Ember doesn’t get any indication of the presence of magic upon the corpse. She only picks up the strong stench of decay.
[Sound of Cork Popping]
These are the entries going back to a year and a half ago.
Entry 1 (a year and a half ago)
It’s finally done. It may have cost me all of my inheritance from grand-uncle Trefort and a loan with that crook Brugg, but we finally have the house. Getting away from the Empire was tough, but a necessary change. The others look glad that we’re here. I know I am. I think we’ll be able to do a bit of good for the colony. It’ll be cheaper to buy produce from us than to wait for the boat to cross the ocean everytime. I have a good feeling about this.
Entry 2 (10 months ago)
There was another attack last night. It’s the fifth time we’ve dealt with these rabid beasts. They’re not particularly threatening but their bite packs a punch. Thankfully, we can barricade ourselves in the house when they attack. They don’t seem to be able to get past the door, just scratch the hell out of it. That’s not the real issue though. The others are getting antsy. They don’t like that we can get attacked at any time. This place is not as safe as I originally thought.
Entry 3 (5 months ago)
Another one. I think that’s the 12th? I stopped counting. Worse yet, Lewin and Hein left. They said they didn’t care for being eaten by these monsters, especially after Lewin got bit by one. Or was it Hein? I could never really them apart. Anyway, I can’t really fault them for leaving. Reed’s been thinking about it too. He and Ingrid don’t think this is turning out to be the right place to found a family. Plus Brugg is getting a bit impatient about receiving his payments. I need to find a solution quickly. Otherwise, I could lose everything. Perhaps, grand-uncle Trefort’s tomes have a spell that I could use to protect the farmstead.
Entry 4 (4 months ago)
I hope I’m not jinxing it, but I think the spell worked. We’ve had two whole weeks without attacks. I’m no mage, but it didn’t seem too hard to get a warding spell going. Maybe I’ll try some other spells. How hard is magic really if someone like me can do it?
Entry 5 (3 and a half months ago)
I went by the riverbank last night for some night time fishing. To my surprise, I found an old cavern entrance there. I decided to check it out. It was like an old ruin. I walked deep within and I found this weird glowing circle. When I approached, something came out of it. What I found there terrified me. Those piercing red eyes, they moved like shadows. They were never fast enough to catch up to me, but they were relentless. I managed to trap those that followed me into the cellar. They’re not strong enough to open the doors, but to be sure, I locked the door with chains. I’m the only one that ever goes down there anyway so it shouldn’t be too hard to hide from Olly, Reed and Ingrid. Maybe they’ll starve down there.
Entry 6 (3 months ago)
Another bad night. I don’t think I’m the only one though. I saw Olly sleeping while standing up in the field. We’ve all been a little bit more sluggish lately. Ever since that night…It has to be connected. That glowing circle, those shadowy creatures, it can’t be a coincidence. I’ve decided to go back down in the ruins and solve the problem myself. I’m not worried. I’m sure that with my grand-uncle’s tomes I’ll be able to handle whatever comes my way. Until then, I’ll take a nap. I’m so tired.
Ember, her small hand grabbing hold of Big Man's index finger from her shoulder to keep grounded, observes quietly, "It's like they just... went to sleep forever. I hope their last dreams were good ones."
Seeing no traces of magic and not wishing to remain with the weight of death that hangs heavy in the air, she turns abruptly and heads back down the corridor, taking Thurodim's finger with her. As she reaches the end of the length his arm can extend, her little body is hardly capable of exerting influence over the barbarian's weight and she's yanked backwards with a "HRK!" She smiles sheepishly up at Big Man, releases his finger, then hurries into the other room to sprawl out with the bona fiddle tomes once more.
When Ozyre points out a missing page, she squints at the title. Though it may be advanced beyond her age, much of her prowess is thanks to both an eidetic and photographic memory, and she peruses the annals of knowledge she's absorbed over the years.
((Arcana check with advantage from Ozyre: 21))
Ozyre wonders where he's seen the name "Fraxinus" before. It's definitely a wizardly name, but in his Mind Library (which is admittedly much less reliable than Ember's, but still fairly well-kept) he can't find any tomes, or even books, written by a Fraxinus. Then he remembers the name appearing in an encyclopedia from the part of the library where a lot of forest gnomes liked to hang out.
"Those meliae are always up to something... Ember, do you know what ash trees could have to do with arcana?"
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
"I'm sure they were little one, I think this couple cared for each other very much, and being close like that in the end must have been a great comfort for them both." The massive blonde bearded warrior says with an unusual sensetive and compassionate tone. Thurodim can't help but smile a little as the red-haired girl then tries to leave while still holding on to his finger. He found he felt more an more protective of the brave little adventurer, lumbering after her after returning the bedsheets and closing the door behind him.
"We should not stay in this house, it is cursed with witchery, do what you must but then we should look for shelter elsewhere, the rain is nothing compared to the fates of the ones still in this house." Thurodim says grimly, seeming slightly impatient to leave the cursed home.
Ozyre and Ember
Ember, with the help of Ozyre, you remember a lesson that grandpa taught one day. You remember that lesson because you thought Fraxinus was a funny name. He presented it as a form of warning against using spells that you’re not ready or experienced enough to handle.
The Fraxinus Fracture phenomenon is an academic term that refers to a phenomenon observed by a gnomish wizard of the same name. It’s sort of an arcane study hedge theory. In layman’s term, it’s a planar tear. Every so often, there is a tear in the fabric of the Material plane to one of the other planes of the multiverse. Sometimes it seems to happen at random (which the reason in itself is a mystery), and other times, it’s the result of a wizard either voluntarily opening it, or involuntarily open one by accident because they were toying with spells that they didn’t have the experience and knowledge to handle.
When a tear opens, it generally starts affecting the surrounding area in various ways. Notably, the weather can go out of whack. It’s also been observed that certain creatures seem to have a sixth sense regarding these tears as they seem to instinctively avoid the area. Although, it’s also been noted that it has the opposite effect on other monsters. But probably the most dangerous part of this phenomenon is that creatures of the other plane the tear is connected to can enter the Material plane. Even worse still is the fact that if left unchecked, the tear can grow in size and allow even bigger extraplanar threats from emerging.
"Oh! Oh, I remember this! Grandpa really reeaaaally warned me about it since wizards have a knack for 'asking if you can and not if you should,'" Ember says, deepening her voice in an impression of, presumably, her grandfather. "There was this gnome named, uuumm... Fraxinus! And he observed that a tear can sometimes open in the fabric of our universe. Like when I rip my dress!" She points out numerous rips in her threadbare clothes.
"But that tear becomes kind of like..." with a click of her tongue, Ember looks around the room then points at the doorway, "a door! And when the door opens, it really affects the things around it--like, uuummm... the weather aaannddd sometimes animals will stay away 'cause they know it isn't natural. But it also can attract certain things too. Not to mention all the things that can visit through the door. And the door can get bigger and bigger sometimes, which means even bigger and bigger things can use it."
Her shoulders shimmy as she's wracked by a sudden shiver. "It's, um... it's not good."
Ozyre takes a deep breath. "Well...
"just because it has effects in common with the effects that we've observed in the area and its page is missing from the book and it seems like it would result from the things that the people here seem to be doing or rather had been doing before all mysteriously passing in their sleep except for the one who slept in the room with the book with the missing page of the effect that you've just described..." Another big breath. "...doesn't necessarily mean that we've got a Fraxinus’s Fracture phenomenon on our hands. [Sound of Cork Popping], does the journal have anything about this stuff?"
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
(In an effort to keep the momentum going, I’ll bot [Sound of Cork Popping] for now)
[Sound of Cork Popping], being unable to explicitly reveal the content of the journal, hands it over to Ozyre for him to read. He looks perturbed by the content of it.
[Thanks! I had thought I replied already about the journal.]
Cork raps an index finger loudly on the spine of the book and hurriedly points out sections of the text. His voice clucks in a repetitive, worrisome tone.
[See the sections hidden by the spoiler in post #264]
He raps his finger again on the page that mentions a cellar door, locked with chain. He looks at the other three and shrugs his shoulders.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ozyre reads the sections of the text that Cork points out aloud for Ember and Thurodim to hear.
"So it sounds like we've got an inexperienced mage casting big spells to prevent the dragon chicken attacks. But then our friend Fraxinus decides to intervene and makes a little planar tear nearby, and that planar tear makes everybody on the farm super duper sleepy. So sleepy that they... don't wake up. But before that, our mage goes out to where the tear was and tries to close it, with unknown result. Considering the animals in the area wouldn't touch this place with a 10 foot pole, even if they had the motor skills to hold such a pole, I'm guessing it wasn't too successful. Which means the tear has probably been growing in size. For three months.
"Oh, and there are demons or something in the cellar. Do you guys wanna go check that out? I think we should go check that out."
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Trying to keep his focus with the many words from the diminished giant, Thurodim at least gathers that witchcraft has been used, that Bart has gone to some ruins to end that witchcraft, and that Bart has something sinister locked up in his basement. "If the demons are still trapped in the basement they will be there tomorrow too." The massive blonde bearded warrior says in his deep firm voice. "We should find Bart, and put and end to the curse!"
“But Big Man! If we fight the baddie in the cellar, then we know it can’t sneak up on us if it gets out. And then maybe we *alsooo* know some things about what could be at the door and how to fight them? Instead of being surprised?”
She again puts on her best Grandpa voice, “‘The first rule of war and business is to know your enemy. Now come, let’s have ourselves some snickerdoodles.’” The wizard thinks for a moment. “Oh… maybe that last one wasn’t part of it.”
As the red-haired girl pipes up, Thurodim at first huffs...but the he scratches his blonde unkempt beard for a while, pondering what she had said. "It is true it is good to know your enemy. Let us hope it will be so little one." He says, turning to head down into the cellar, ready to fight those snickerdoodles. A part of him feared though this was an enemy Skullcrusher would not even harm. "But if we can't kill it we must lock it in there again." He adds with a firm voice.
Ember hurries alongside him to take his pinky, her other hand held aloft with her candlestick. “It’s okay if you’re scared too. I’m afraid of the dark, you know,” she whispers up at him. “But we all have each other, so it will be okay.”
Ozyre follows the party to the cellar. "Ember and [Sound of Cork Popping], make sure to stay behind a warrior. We're going in! For snickerdoodles!" He takes out an axe with one hand and tries to open up the cellar door with the other. The chain rattles. "Oh, right. The lock. Hey Big Man, wanna Skullcrush this thing off?"
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
"Aye-aye, sir!" Ember says, though she silently asks Aggie how come she's not a warrior too.
She summons an incorporeal hand made of smoke to hold the candlestick. It floats above their heads, casting their shadows across the floorboards.
"Not scared..." The massive blonde bearded warrior grunts, somewhat gruffly, but as he feels the child's hand holding his little finger he glances down at her with a weak smile, something vulnerable in those eyes for the first time perhaps. Was this was fear was, not feeling convinced he could protect the others from what was down in that cellar, protect her from what was down in that cellar. The child's presence made him feel both strong and weak at the same time.
As he reaches the door to the cellar, Thurodim looks around for how to open it. He was no stranger to break things open with Skullcrusher when needed, but in this case he preferred if the door could be closed and locked again, should their confrontation with what was down there go badly.
Perception to find key: 9
The party makes its way down the stairs, to the back of the house and into the shed. With the light coming from the candlestick held by the smoky hand, you're all able to see the cellar door. The chain is wrapped around the handles and tied together with a padlock. Thurodim, looking around the shed, it is so messy with crates and sacks and farming tools that it's a bit difficult to find what you're looking for.