Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Zarbyn reflects on the previous encounter just last night and how he waited patiently in his hiding spot, perhaps too patiently and that may of given the other ship time to escape.
He half remembers some old quote that linked strength and patience... and maybe something else but right now, in the moment, he believes that a proper sacrifice would be to give those things up, whether symbolically or... some other way.
Zarbyn takes off the Toa-Suo Gauntlets of Meekness and offers them as part of the sacrifice, "These Gauntlets are blessed to offer strength to the weak but also cursed to bring meekness to the very strong. Even with them I almost failed to act in time so I now offer them as sacrifice."
After placing them on the ground at the feet of the nearest guardian he says, "Give us your patience... and action will come swiftly to you."
The fey listen to each of you as you choose.
For Ruel, one says, "We have no use for such a whip. You should keep it in her honor."
For Jherak: One says, "Hum.....I shall rephrase this for you,
“Give us your guarded heart…and silence will no longer stand between you and those you cherish.”
For Zarbyn, Another of the strange fey shrug: "The lotus asks for pieces of you, not your gloves. Please keep them."
(OOC: Each of you can decide how to role play this. I will consider if anything mechanically will change due to your commitment, but my intent is adding role playing flavor.)
Vydar stays silent through most of this exchange, though the Fay’s excitement around his and Zarbyn’s attack on the ships amuses him. However, their bargain for the petal causes his frown to deepen. No matter how powerful this petal is, is it really worth giving part of himself? His jaw tightens when one of the small folk absentmindedly points towards him stating he should give up stubbornness. He knows the creature is partially joking, but he can feel his anger rise at the comment. Though that spark fades quickly when the options are presented. Anger, stubbornness, ambition, even pride or distrust, all of these things are major parts of him. Even if they are flaws, they are part of him. His anger and ambition have been what has kept him going since Nera’s death. He cannot let that go. Yes, he’s stubborn but stubbornness is not always bad… and he truly feels he’s become less stubborn since traveling with this group? Would it be too bad to give that up? He ponders his options, no he can’t give these things up… not even his anger. He sighs and tries to think of what Nera or Natalie would tell him. Where does his anger come from? His bitterness towards the world and those who wronged him and those he loves, his anger rises again and fades. He has his answer. Even still the words sound like he had to slowly tear them from his lungs. This was not an easy decision for the young dark elf… but he knows Nera would have approved.
I give you my Hatred, and my actions towards those who wrong me are no longer born of malice.
As each of the party genuinely give up a part of themselves for a year and a day, the green-gold veins beneath the lotus's petals seem to almost beat, like a great heart. One by one, the tiny fey fall silent.
Inside of your mind, you hear, "The bargain is made. A part of the Lotus shall walk with you into winters cold embrace."
The water beneath the flower being to ripple, as several petals unfurl. The Third Warden lowers himself to one knee, "It is choosing."
A single black petal slowly loosens from the Lotus and drifts toward the group. Then, it lands on Brindle's head. Brindles head turns black, as if she is wearing a black leaf hat, yet, it seems a part of her.
Stunned silence follows.
"One calls out, "Wait, no....not her. She once lost one of her shoes for three days."
Steward Bracken then declares: "The Lotus has Spoken!"
The tiny fey Brindle, only six inches tall, looks as stunned as the rest. Her eyes get wide as she jumps off of the bear Ning after one more scratch behind the ears. Taking a deep breath, her legs seem unsteady.
"The lotus chose me?" She swallows hard. "Right. Well....I suppose I'd better be brave then."
Amdaen smiled wanly as she rose, collecting again any offerings not wanted.
" You are welcome amongst our family, strange though is."
When Amdaeng collects the gloves Zarbyn says, "Thanks, I know the glove's curse isn't the same as what claimed... Lira... but it's all just too much for me right now."
Trying to regain his composure Zarbyn turns away, looking for a distraction and seeing Brindle wearing the Black Lotus petal as a hat and trying to be brave says, "It's all any of us can do in these trying times... try to be brave."
The little creature walks over to Amdaeng and says, "Your family has very large folk. I shall be brave."
One of the hecklers says, "Do not let her eat strange mushrooms."
Brindle looks offended, "That only happened once."
"Three times."
Now, having the lotus "petal" the group can head back to Niccodemus who promised to transport you to the Icefinger mountains, a peak called Stormy Peak. You recall that Natalie Storms Journal mentioned the peak as the Fifth cache.
(Reminder and for the new players: A Journal recovered after they found Natalie Storm murdered by the cult of the dragon king, worshipers of the Snake Demon Myurr) Zarbyn has some knowledge of Shareellas underground ice kingdom. It is north of Silverton and he may be able to retrace his steps.) see STORMY PEAK AND SILVERTON ON MAP
Journal entry (6 years ago)
It is my suspicion that the Cult of the Dragon King had additional artifacts for further summoning. Although those in the desert were acquired by Malbordus and eventually destroyed by Gillibran’s, the Seconds Warhammer, I believe the almost-extinct cult hid a second set of artifacts.
Through time the secret location of the artifacts was lost as the cult was scattered and destroyed after Malbordus’s death. There have been sightings of the Dragon King Cultists. At first, just rumors, then more stories. I have now confirmed they have reassembled. Who is guiding them? Who is their new leader? I’ve decided to investigate further.
Journal entry (5 years ago)
Through careful infiltration, I was able to join the cult, as an imposter. After much time I learned what I feared. The cult is growing. Something or someone is empowering them to act. Drawing them together in secret.
Journal Entry: 1 year ago
I believe these artifacts were placed in hidden caches in the Icefinger mountains. My theory is that each cache holds a different artifact. But….I need to find them before the cultists. The mountain range is huge, and covered in snow. If the cultists re-acquire the artifacts, a dragon of great power could be summoned. This of course could endanger all of Allansia and beyond. The cultists have been searching for their old hiding places. They are getting closer as am I.
When I spoke of this to King Gillibran the Third, he was quite dismissive. Something about “the ramblings of a myth chaser, a treasure hunter trying to create panic.” Rubbish!
(You see various entries of her research, maps, hints, histories, and stories, and even speaking with the dead. This has led Natalie to 15 possible hidden locations.)
Entry: 6 months ago
I've been informed of disputes within the leadership of the Cult regarding their next steps upon obtaining the artifacts. I strongly suspect that the ancient Cult of the Dragon King has split into two distinct factions. These two schools may have different agendas, and…different leaders. One group seems intent on dominating all of Allansia, the other…destroying an entire race of people, exploiting their weakness. Hum…will need to explore this more, or the evidence will help me solve this very concerning development.
Entry: 5 months ago:
I fear that I was wrong. There is another group seeking the artifacts entirely. This is quite unexpected. I believe Shareella, the Snow Witch might be trying to obtain them. She is powerful enough to cast the spell, but would not be creating a dragon. I believe if she had the artifacts and enough time, she could potentially manipulate the spell and summon an Ice Demon from the Pit. Her goal would be to cause an age of ice in the land. If this is true, it's not a positive development.
Entry: 2 months ago
For the past 5 years, I have had local experts, and scouts watching the cultists. Through my network, I have seen a pattern in the cult's movements and have concluded that there are
15 11 8 5 locations.
I’ve been studying maps, routes, and cultures and I think I have it. I can make an educated guess where the cultists of old hid the artifacts in the mountains. Once the weather warms up and the mountain pass clears, I must go.
Entry: 1 month ago (Spring): It is time. I will put out a missive and see if I can get some good people to help me uncover these caches, bringing the artifacts to Stonebridge where they too can be destroyed. We can start in the Port Rentarn area, but I won’t go there, too many scoundrels and spies. We can meet at the bridge. Good camping and the salmon run is starting. Yum.
Entry: (The ink is dry, but it is perhaps three days old)
They are after me, I know it.
Charlie has been irritated lately. He keeps putting back his ears. What does he sense? Some sort of goblin presence perhaps. That farmer mentioned huge footprints in his field and his livestock missing. I thought it was just my paranoid imagination, but is the cult here? I kept my missives discreet. Did they find out? It is better to have an enemy who slaps you in the face than a friend who stabs you in the back. Who was it?
Entry: (Last night, fresh ink)
I didn’t want to scare my new young friend, Vydar. He is kind and looking for honest work. I wonder if he knows his heritage. He has a few distinctive traits. This could make him a target of racism in certain circles. I hope not. I’ll send him to the Port of Rentarn. I hope he finds the work he is looking for. The fishing industry is tough but can be lucrative, especially for boat owners. But the port has those unions. Yuck! I didn’t want to get him mixed up in this mess. So young and with so much life ahead of him.
Well, hopefully, a good group of folks shows up, capable and brave enough to help. The journey will be long and cold as we climb. We will need to hurry before they find us.
I think I’ll go hook my dinner.
Mountain Pass: SEE MAP Port Rentarn to Silverton: —---------
Only open in the summer when snow clears
I suspect a Goat Trail or other tracks will lead me in the right direction off the path.
**********************************************************************************
The First Cache. The first treasure cache was hidden by the Cult of the Dragon King in an abandoned cave at the base of the southernmost mountain in the Icefinger range. While it was thought to be the smallest of the caches, it likely has limited protection in the form of traps or magic. Still, caution is why I am still alive. The caves and tunnels of the complex, according to my sources, are not very structurally sound.
The Second Cache. My sources confirmed that one cache was buried beneath a unique structure: A pyramid of stone resting on a flat field of stone in the middle section of the Icefinger range, directly between the two highest mountains of that section of the range. The area was once filled with volcanic activity, making the flat stone field difficult to navigate. My sources could not tell me who or what built the pyramid, but I have my suspicions, likely Rockmen.
The Third Cache. The source I questioned about this cache, the Toa-Suo people, said that it was carefully hidden behind a secret entrance, behind a large frozen waterfall. The falls are usually a solid sheet of ice but due to the warm weather, I might be able to get behind them and access the door. The Toa-Suo can help me find it. I should probably get more information from them first. Tombs and crypts are dangerous. If it's the right place, it will have a large doorway behind it. The cultists like to protect their crypts with magical curses, and clever traps. This one may be the most dangerous, other than the climb up the mountain.
Note, when you run into the Toa-Suo people, they really liked my smoked Salmon. They had never had it and thought it was delicious. I was able to trade them for other materials to aid in climbing.
The Fourth Cache. This cache was secured in an abandoned dwarven outpost used for treating ore that was being prepared for use in weapon and armor smithing. During their mining, veins of gold and silver may have been found here. My sources implied that the place had been overrun by something terrible and immortal, causing the dwarves to leave it centuries ago.
The Fifth Cache. At the top of the tallest summit of the Icefinger mountains, Stormy Peak is over 14,000 feet above the sea! One contact told me that there was an abandoned shrine once revered by giants. It is said you can see all of Allansia from this height, and that Dragons used to perch here. I’m certain a cache is hidden there. This will be quite a climb. I think the crampons, harnesses, and rope should help. Will need pitons and my hammer as well so we don’t fall to our death.
After summiting Stormy Peak, I think the quickest and safest way would be to go to Silverton and secure a boat downriver. Then a ship to Port Blacksand and finally the Red Road to Stonebridge.
Amdaeng sighed, " I guess we better all get dressed for being frozen again......."
" Off to see the wizard then?"