The crates are now rotted. Bits and scraps of earthenware, sacks and small wooden containers can be found among the debris. None of the mold here is dangerous.
A search of the cells in the jail turns up nothing of interest. There are skeletal remains of three humans and two half-elves as well as a very large bear in the cells.
The group returns to the laboratory and clears out the rotting zombie parts to somewhere else. ( You can detail that. ) The tables can be moved about and they are cleared from around that side of the room. The magic circle remains in place on the floor. Erbert describes the majority of the runes are Divination in nature. This is inscribed upon the floor a few feet away from the vault door allowing space to walk up to the vault door without disturbing the magic circle.
The vault door is constructed of a polished, silvery metal. The dwarves are unsure of its makeup. Neither has seen a metal quite like this. It appears to have some qualities of fine steel as well as admantium and mithril. Very unusual. There is a central spoked wheel handle. In each quadrant at what would be NE, SE, SW and NW locations are 6-inch diameter combination dials. These are similar to what you would expect to find on a combination lock. Each of the dials has the letters of the Elven alphabet inscribed around its perimeter where you would expect numbers.
This was in the Spider’s book. It was likely written to the Spider or by the Spider about someone else. Perhaps a vampiric relationship. That might suggest that keeping Old Oak’s sword sealed is keeping a sword of good locked up.
Also, was it the Tree Father that guided our way here? Does Tree Father equate to Old Oak?
Erbert Respondeth:
Erbert speaks up, "I don't think this coded book is the Black Spider's book. It looks OLD. This other book looks like his spell book. It is written in Undercommon. This is likely his. This book (the Diary) is written with Elvish characters and in a different 'hand.'"
Erbert looks around to the group, "It seems there are two things happening here at once. The Black Spider was here and found this book (the diary)"
Erbert gives Kragen a funny look. "This book is written with elvish letters," he explains. "But, it is gibberish. Nothing is spelled into words. It is just a stream of letters written out in a continuous sequence." He shows Kragen the book. "Only this last written upon page forms any words."
Alas my sweet blooded friend.
The key at your feet,
True North most discreet.
Keep sealed and fast Old Oak’s sword.
Without a compass, you cannot discern which way is north.
(( My notations about where the dials are located are only descriptive, not actual. You could also describe the locations to be 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 on a clock face. ))
Do we have a written description of the pentagram? If not, can we get one? I think that we might have found the pentagram during the live session because I didn’t find a description in recent posts.
It is a Magic Circle. Erbert and Trolkarl recognize it to be this. It has remained in place since your discovery of it. This makes Erbert and Trolkarl wonder about its origin since the spell Magic Circle has a typical duration much less than that. Also, the runes creating the circle are predominantly Divination.
Erbert casts Mage Hand and starts fiddling with the dials. Each of the four quadrant dials spin easily with quiet clicking noises at each letter location on the dial. The central wheel will not turn.
Hoid will take the book, look at some pages to confirm it is in a language he cannot read and then stand in the Magic Circle. He will again look at the book while inside the circle to see if the book remains unreadable.
Trolkarl and Kragen's idea about facing north within the Magic Circle leads you all to figure out which way is north. You head up to the surface. The bright sun blinds you for a moment as you have become used to the underground. The dead maple tree has moss growing on one side, the north side. Though this does not give you a precise north. Using that information you determine which way is north in the lower laboratory.
Erbert stands within the Magic Circle and faces north, "Tree Father, show us the way!" He stands up straight and uses his most serious voice he can.
After waiting a few minutes, there seems to be no effect.
Erbert takes the time to cast Detect Magic as a ritual. He then focuses on the metal door. His faces contorts and his eyes squint, "There is nothing!" He ceases his efforts after a long magical exertion. "The door does not register with my spell," he says exasperated. "It does not radiate magic, it does not NOT radiate magic. According to my detection, it doesn't interact with magic."
“Erbert, set each of the dials to one of the first letter for the Elvish words ‘True North most discreet’ in that order” Hoid will then try the latch. If that doesn’t work, shift clockwise which dials have which letter. Try the door up to four times.
Erbert nods, "Would be frustrating to miss that." Hoid and he then work in unison setting the dials and trying the central wheel. After four attempts they remain unsuccessful.
The group grudgingly comes to a consensus that all that can be learned here at this time has been. Craddock's Book of Shadows is set afire on the surface. There it ignites and burns with multi-colored flames changing from green, blue, yellow, red, violet and back again. It hisses and pops and emits a noxious orange smoke. At the end it is a small pile of ashes. You prepare yourselves and depart the tower to head back to Barder Ranch. The trail is easily found back. The canyon junction where you were witness to who Olar named Herne the Hunter has a different quality in the day time. The light here feels softer. There is a floral scent in the air and your spirits are calmed in some way. It is as if you are transported to your "happy place" while in this glade. After a short rest here you continue on. You find that the carnage at the bonfire remains. Scavengers have started work on the corpses. Thankfully, there is not residual feeling of evil remaining there. The walk out of the mountains takes you two days. It seems you really covered some ground in your pursuit of Craddock the Mighty. You are spotted at the Bright Ranch and riders come to greet you. They offer food and fresh water for your journey and many thanks for rescuing their brethren. An invitation for your return any time is given.
On the evening of the second night you arrive to the lands of Barder Ranch. They are welcoming upon your return. Riders come to escort you in to the manor. Many questions are asked about what you found? How did you free the captives? What was facing the demon like? Will the demon come back? What is your favorite color? Is the one who did this dead? How are the boys at Bright Ranch?
Trolkarl will do his best to recount the heroics of the rest of the group. Attempting to highlight everyone and, Olar in particular for this audience.
Performance: 19
Kragen's bravery and healing skills were critical to the boys being alive. He continually put himself in danger to save them. By Tyr's grace
Hoid beheading bugbears and always facing our most dangerous threats. Always standing strong when the rest of us would have fell
Chadwick kept all of us safe in battle with his skills at defense and at times, charging forward when no one else would
Erbert's sleep spell and others made the battle easier when faced with overwhelming forces trying to save the boys
Gneuman, looks like a gnome but I am sure he has quickling blood. Was able to out pace opponents with ease. His speed and martial skills finished the mastermind of the demon servants
And, Olar, son of your lord, was most heroic. When the coward ran away we thought all was lost. Olar, fresh from our battle continued on to lead the boys back to safety so we could pursue the demon servant and eventually slay him and his allies. All would still be in danger if Olar had not fought well and taken on the duty of protecting the boys.
Of course we rushed back here and were hoping that you might have news for us of the condition of your neighbors.
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The crates are now rotted. Bits and scraps of earthenware, sacks and small wooden containers can be found among the debris. None of the mold here is dangerous.
A search of the cells in the jail turns up nothing of interest. There are skeletal remains of three humans and two half-elves as well as a very large bear in the cells.
Do either of the keys from the spider work with the cell doors?
No
The group returns to the laboratory and clears out the rotting zombie parts to somewhere else. ( You can detail that. ) The tables can be moved about and they are cleared from around that side of the room. The magic circle remains in place on the floor. Erbert describes the majority of the runes are Divination in nature. This is inscribed upon the floor a few feet away from the vault door allowing space to walk up to the vault door without disturbing the magic circle.
The vault door is constructed of a polished, silvery metal. The dwarves are unsure of its makeup. Neither has seen a metal quite like this. It appears to have some qualities of fine steel as well as admantium and mithril. Very unusual. There is a central spoked wheel handle. In each quadrant at what would be NE, SE, SW and NW locations are 6-inch diameter combination dials. These are similar to what you would expect to find on a combination lock. Each of the dials has the letters of the Elven alphabet inscribed around its perimeter where you would expect numbers.
Kragen and Chadwick sense no evil in the room.
Hoid sayeth:
“Alas my sweet blooded friend”
This was in the Spider’s book. It was likely written to the Spider or by the Spider about someone else. Perhaps a vampiric relationship. That might suggest that keeping Old Oak’s sword sealed is keeping a sword of good locked up.
Also, was it the Tree Father that guided our way here? Does Tree Father equate to Old Oak?
Erbert Respondeth:
Erbert speaks up, "I don't think this coded book is the Black Spider's book. It looks OLD. This other book looks like his spell book. It is written in Undercommon. This is likely his. This book (the Diary) is written with Elvish characters and in a different 'hand.'"
Erbert looks around to the group, "It seems there are two things happening here at once. The Black Spider was here and found this book (the diary)"
/plans?
Kragen ask Hoid to bring the tree fathers book to the vault door, signaling Erbert to interpret the elvish script.
Without stepping into the magical circle, can I determine where true north or geographic north would be on the pentagram?
Erbert gives Kragen a funny look. "This book is written with elvish letters," he explains. "But, it is gibberish. Nothing is spelled into words. It is just a stream of letters written out in a continuous sequence." He shows Kragen the book. "Only this last written upon page forms any words."
Alas my sweet blooded friend.
The key at your feet,
True North most discreet.
Keep sealed and fast Old Oak’s sword.
Without a compass, you cannot discern which way is north.
(( My notations about where the dials are located are only descriptive, not actual. You could also describe the locations to be 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 on a clock face. ))
Do we have a written description of the pentagram? If not, can we get one? I think that we might have found the pentagram during the live session because I didn’t find a description in recent posts.
It is a Magic Circle. Erbert and Trolkarl recognize it to be this. It has remained in place since your discovery of it. This makes Erbert and Trolkarl wonder about its origin since the spell Magic Circle has a typical duration much less than that. Also, the runes creating the circle are predominantly Divination.
Erbert casts Mage Hand and starts fiddling with the dials. Each of the four quadrant dials spin easily with quiet clicking noises at each letter location on the dial. The central wheel will not turn.
Hoid will take the book, look at some pages to confirm it is in a language he cannot read and then stand in the Magic Circle. He will again look at the book while inside the circle to see if the book remains unreadable.
No change occurs reading the book from within the Magic Circle.
Trolkarl and Kragen's idea about facing north within the Magic Circle leads you all to figure out which way is north. You head up to the surface. The bright sun blinds you for a moment as you have become used to the underground. The dead maple tree has moss growing on one side, the north side. Though this does not give you a precise north. Using that information you determine which way is north in the lower laboratory.
Erbert stands within the Magic Circle and faces north, "Tree Father, show us the way!" He stands up straight and uses his most serious voice he can.
After waiting a few minutes, there seems to be no effect.
Erbert takes the time to cast Detect Magic as a ritual. He then focuses on the metal door. His faces contorts and his eyes squint, "There is nothing!" He ceases his efforts after a long magical exertion. "The door does not register with my spell," he says exasperated. "It does not radiate magic, it does not NOT radiate magic. According to my detection, it doesn't interact with magic."
“Erbert, set each of the dials to one of the first letter for the Elvish words ‘True North most discreet’ in that order” Hoid will then try the latch. If that doesn’t work, shift clockwise which dials have which letter. Try the door up to four times.
Erbert nods, "Would be frustrating to miss that." Hoid and he then work in unison setting the dials and trying the central wheel. After four attempts they remain unsuccessful.
The group grudgingly comes to a consensus that all that can be learned here at this time has been. Craddock's Book of Shadows is set afire on the surface. There it ignites and burns with multi-colored flames changing from green, blue, yellow, red, violet and back again. It hisses and pops and emits a noxious orange smoke. At the end it is a small pile of ashes. You prepare yourselves and depart the tower to head back to Barder Ranch. The trail is easily found back. The canyon junction where you were witness to who Olar named Herne the Hunter has a different quality in the day time. The light here feels softer. There is a floral scent in the air and your spirits are calmed in some way. It is as if you are transported to your "happy place" while in this glade. After a short rest here you continue on. You find that the carnage at the bonfire remains. Scavengers have started work on the corpses. Thankfully, there is not residual feeling of evil remaining there. The walk out of the mountains takes you two days. It seems you really covered some ground in your pursuit of Craddock the Mighty. You are spotted at the Bright Ranch and riders come to greet you. They offer food and fresh water for your journey and many thanks for rescuing their brethren. An invitation for your return any time is given.
On the evening of the second night you arrive to the lands of Barder Ranch. They are welcoming upon your return. Riders come to escort you in to the manor. Many questions are asked about what you found? How did you free the captives? What was facing the demon like? Will the demon come back? What is your favorite color? Is the one who did this dead? How are the boys at Bright Ranch?
Trolkarl will do his best to recount the heroics of the rest of the group. Attempting to highlight everyone and, Olar in particular for this audience.
Performance: 19
And, Olar, son of your lord, was most heroic. When the coward ran away we thought all was lost. Olar, fresh from our battle continued on to lead the boys back to safety so we could pursue the demon servant and eventually slay him and his allies. All would still be in danger if Olar had not fought well and taken on the duty of protecting the boys.
Of course we rushed back here and were hoping that you might have news for us of the condition of your neighbors.