Having apparently left just behind Mady, Elaric gently closes the front door behind him, rejoining the party in time to hear Guan Hao's comments. "Actually, Guan Hao, I may be able to help you with that. I have been debating what to do with our imprisoned Ettercap. As the mercenaries are leaving, the idea of leaving the beast unattended for days at a time - not to mention sending someone in to feed it and reactivate the magical barrier on a regulsr basis - seems unnecessarily risky. Such creatures are not simple, wild animals, but distinctly evil despoilers of wilderness and enemies of the Fey. I had planned to take responsibility for killing it after the next silk harvest. However, if you would rather do the honors, I shall not stop you. Though, I would go with you just in case the creature managed to overpower you... uh, of course that would only happen if it were to use some foul, dishonorable spider magic, that is."
[OOC: Should anyone wish to rush off and kill the Ettercap, Elaric will ask that no one try to kill it until after the next silk harvest, which requires input from Skoth.]
"W-what?" Wendell sputters, "We almost died getting the damn thing in the circle, and you want to kill a valuable source of magical components just like that?"
Turning to his fellow wizard, Elaric offers a look simultaneously pained and sympathetic, "I am open to other suggestions, but feel responsible for any outcomes. With the mercenaries departing, I worry what monsters may choose to take up residence within the ruins. I fear the trek down to the ritual chamber will become increasingly perilous over time. If you can think of a way to ensure that the creature cannot escape to make mischief which does not involve killing it or risking the lives those who traverse the ruins to feed it and re-engage the magic of the circle, I would be very happy to consider anything else. The though of killing an imprisoned creature does not thrill me, but neither does the thought of the creature escaping to terrorize the people of Pyrringham."
Having apparently left just behind Mady, Elaric gently closes the front door behind him, rejoining the party in time to hear Guan Hao's comments. "Actually, Guan Hao, I may be able to help you with that. I have been debating what to do with our imprisoned Ettercap. As the mercenaries are leaving, the idea of leaving the beast unattended for days at a time - not to mention sending someone in to feed it and reactivate the magical barrier on a regulsr basis - seems unnecessarily risky. Such creatures are not simple, wild animals, but distinctly evil despoilers of wilderness and enemies of the Fey. I had planned to take responsibility for killing it after the next silk harvest. However, if you would rather do the honors, I shall not stop you. Though, I would go with you just in case the creature managed to overpower you... uh, of course that would only happen if it were to use some foul, dishonorable spider magic, that is."
[OOC: Should anyone wish to rush off and kill the Ettercap, Elaric will ask that no one try to kill it until after the next silk harvest, which requires input from Skoth.]
"W-what?" Wendell sputters, "We almost died getting the damn thing in the circle, and you want to kill a valuable source of magical components just like that?"
Turning to his fellow wizard, Elaric offers a look simultaneously pained and sympathetic, "I am open to other suggestions, but feel responsible for any outcomes. With the mercenaries departing, I worry what monsters may choose to take up residence within the ruins. I fear the trek down to the ritual chamber will become increasingly perilous over time. If you can think of a way to ensure that the creature cannot escape to make mischief which does not involve killing it or risking the lives those who traverse the ruins to feed it and re-engage the magic of the circle, I would be very happy to consider anything else. The though of killing an imprisoned creature does not thrill me, but neither does the thought of the creature escaping to terrorize the people of Pyrringham."
Wendell deflates a bit at that, "You're right... and what's more the circle could probably be tampered with by the Hags in our absence. It's too big of a risk. We still need supplies and preparation regardless of what path we take. I'll monitor the circle for a week, feed the beast, and prepare it for a harvest. We'll get what we get and that will be the end of it."
His lips pursed in a thoughful frown, Elaric nods. "Agreed, then. It will likely take me that long - with the mercenaries' help - to catalogue and pack up most of the viable books and other artifacts for transport to the High Hills branch of the Arcane University."
Seeming to jerk his attention back from this distracting thought, the scholar adds, " I can certainly assist with the care and keeping of the Ettercap in the meantime."
With a look of excitement briefly lighting his features, Elaric continues, "And, speaking of Ettercap silk, I need to see about finding a weaver for the enchanted garments."
Looking about his assembled companions, Elaric's gaze lights on Bruna. "If I might trouble you for advice, Bruna, do you know of any local weavers who would accept a custom commission?"
With a look of excitement briefly lighting his features, Elaric continues, "And, speaking of Ettercap silk, I need to see about finding a weaver for the enchanted garments."
Looking about his assembled companions, Elaric's gaze lights on Bruna. "If I might trouble you for advice, Bruna, do you know of any local weavers who would accept a custom commission?"
"Uh," Bruna mutter distractedly looking in the direction Mady ran off, "Beg pardon Master Carsalon? Ah, yes, the silk. One of Wendell's new hands, Cynthia, has a mother who's our local expert on textiles. I imagine Wendell would be more than happy to let her have some time off of tilling to work on the garments."
Wendell is thumbing through his spell book, equally distracted, "Yes, yes of course," he mutters. Elaric notes the page he keeps coming back to is the experimental Withering Ray.
After a bow and thanks to the siblings for the information, Elaric notes the draw on Wendell's attention. With a wry smile, he adds, "Thinking of revisiting old experiments, my friend?"
Balasar has been following the conversation with great interest, though without interjecting. He finally speaks up:
When I first encountered the hag, she said that their price still stood, and that all I desired would be mine if I would but stand aside. Otherwise, she threatened to trample me. She also said that we...or I... it wasn't clear... had no idea what we'd done, and that the coven would be merciful, if it wasn't too late. At the time I was too focused on the fight to pay much attention to threats, but as I've thought about it, it seems that what the hag said lines up rather well with what Elaric has been telling us.
After a bow and thanks to the siblings for the information, Elaric notes the draw on Wendell's attention. With a wry smile, he adds, "Thinking of revisiting old experiments, my friend?"
Wendell looks up from the spell with a pained expression, "I wondered what insane, desperate circumstances would even remotely justify using this abomination. I honestly thought I wouldn't ever consider it. Yet, here we are."
He looks to the bag of holding, "While we're waiting for everyone else's input, let's see what the hags left behind for us. I doubt anything will be a silver bolt, but they might have left something interesting and I need to feel like I'm doing something." With that, Wendell moves to the side of the room, draws out his wand and spell books, and initiates his rituals of Identification.
Balasar has been following the conversation with great interest, though without interjecting. He finally speaks up:
When I first encountered the hag, she said that their price still stood, and that all I desired would be mine if I would but stand aside. Otherwise, she threatened to trample me. She also said that we...or I... it wasn't clear... had no idea what we'd done, and that the coven would be merciful, if it wasn't too late. At the time I was too focused on the fight to pay much attention to threats, but as I've thought about it, it seems that what the hag said lines up rather well with what Elaric has been telling us.
Bruna nods, "Easy enough to let Boyd and his men go on their way, if that's what's needed. But... I don't believe them on it being that easy. I don't know much about hags, but all the stories say there's always an angle and you'll always lose in the end."
She looks quizzically at Balasar, "What did they offer you, anyway?"
While the rest of the party discusses their next course of action, Wendell's voice occasionally rises to expressions of revulsion as the new items are identified. In the end, he presents the following to the group from the hoard:
Aganazzar's Scorcher - Purple Parchment Scroll
Melf's Minute Meteors - Ink Scroll with Paper Letters
Leomund's Tiny Hut - Ink Scroll with Paper Letters
Levitate - Copper Knot "Scroll" orbited by Letters
Immovable Dagger (Does not require Attunement): The pommel of this weapon has a small button. When pressed - the dagger is magically suspended in the air. The Dagger can hold up to 4,000 kg before the magic fails. Pressing the button again releases the dagger from the magical hold. A creature can make a perception check DC 14 in bright light to see the weapon when they are unaware of its presence. DC 16 in dim light, and DC 22 in darkness. Any creature that is impaled on this weapon weapon when it is floating in the air takes damage based on how far they moved before being impaled during their turn. The damage is 1d6 piercing damage per 10 feet moved. If the damage exceeds 6d6, the DM rules what happens to a character that has been fully run through by the dagger.
This ring has 3 Charges, and it regains 1d3 expended Charges daily at dawn. While wearing the ring, you can use an action to expend 1 to 3 of its Charges to Attack one creature you can see within 60 feet of you. The ring produces a spectral ram's head and makes its Attack roll with a +7 bonus. On a hit, for each charge you spend, the target takes 2d10 force damage and is pushed 5 feet away from you.
Alternatively, you can expend 1 to 3 of the ring's Charges as an action to try to break an object you can see within 60 feet of you that isn't being worn or carried. The ring makes a Strength check with a +5 bonus for each charge you spend.
Wendell has determined that instead of a single word of power, this ring is tuned to activate whenever the attuned wearer says their true name aloud.
Gibbering Jam:
When painted on a doorway in the shape of a mouth, this jar of spiced preserves (flecked with powdered baby's teeth), allows the user to imitate the Magic Mouth spell. If this substance is fed to a sentient creature, the teeth reassemble and come alive, dealing 1d4 necrotic damage per round for 1d10 rounds.
Styx Tisane:
This black, powdery moss mixed with the paste of Hades-born Larvae may be brewed into a cup of tea. Once steeped, the beverage must be consumed in under a minute or it will become instantly lethal to the drinker. Consumed in less than a minute, the drinker must make a DC 15 Constitution check or die instantly. The tea leaves in the cup will arrange themselves into 25 words in the drinker's native tongue once it has been drunk, regardless of if the imbiber survived. These 25 words will form an almost immutable prediction. Once the future has been thus foretold, only a wish spell or the direct intervention of a deity may prevent the prediction from coming true.
Balasar has been following the conversation with great interest, though without interjecting. He finally speaks up:
When I first encountered the hag, she said that their price still stood, and that all I desired would be mine if I would but stand aside. Otherwise, she threatened to trample me. She also said that we...or I... it wasn't clear... had no idea what we'd done, and that the coven would be merciful, if it wasn't too late. At the time I was too focused on the fight to pay much attention to threats, but as I've thought about it, it seems that what the hag said lines up rather well with what Elaric has been telling us.
Bruna nods, "Easy enough to let Boyd and his men go on their way, if that's what's needed. But... I don't believe them on it being that easy. I don't know much about hags, but all the stories say there's always an angle and you'll always lose in the end."
She looks quizzically at Balasar, "What did they offer you, anyway?"
'All I desire' is roughly how it was phrased, I believe. If the voices we encountered earlier were any indication, I take it to mean they were offering my welcome home. Powerful as hags might be, I question whether they can overcome Dragonborn stubbornness, at least such as runs in my family.
Balasar has been following the conversation with great interest, though without interjecting. He finally speaks up:
When I first encountered the hag, she said that their price still stood, and that all I desired would be mine if I would but stand aside. Otherwise, she threatened to trample me. She also said that we...or I... it wasn't clear... had no idea what we'd done, and that the coven would be merciful, if it wasn't too late. At the time I was too focused on the fight to pay much attention to threats, but as I've thought about it, it seems that what the hag said lines up rather well with what Elaric has been telling us.
Bruna nods, "Easy enough to let Boyd and his men go on their way, if that's what's needed. But... I don't believe them on it being that easy. I don't know much about hags, but all the stories say there's always an angle and you'll always lose in the end."
She looks quizzically at Balasar, "What did they offer you, anyway?"
'All I desire' is roughly how it was phrased, I believe. If the voices we encountered earlier were any indication, I take it to mean they were offering my welcome home. Powerful as hags might be, I question whether they can overcome Dragonborn stubbornness, at least such as runs in my family.
At that, Bruna laughs, "Well said, master Delmirev. This... this isn't a good situation, but I trust all of you to do right by us. Whatever you decide, you'll have Pyrringham's support."
Per PM discussion, Elaric and Wendell worked together on transcribing Aganazzar's Scorcher into Elaric's spellbook, Leomund's Tiny Hut into Wendell's, and figured out how the Levitate spell was scribed as a metallic knot with glowing letters (and now know how to replicate the effect).
Elaric is currently seeing to the weaver and the creation of the enchanted garments before he returns to the ruins this evening, at which point he plans to burn an offering for the stolen souls (possibly with Gong's help, if the monk/cleric is willing).
Over the next three days, the party prepares to make another dive into the Inverted Tower. Anyone who wants to do anything specific during this time, let me know.
Wendell and Elaric work on copying and refining spells, Boyd and his troops depart, and after a brief exchange with her siblings, Mady departs to the East.
During the preparations, Karash sidles up to Balasar.
"Cousin, I... apologize for my failure to accompany you on your initial delve. Would you permit me to correct that error now?"
Over the next three days, the party prepares to make another dive into the Inverted Tower. Anyone who wants to do anything specific during this time, let me know.
Wendell and Elaric work on copying and refining spells, Boyd and his troops depart, and after a brief exchange with her siblings, Mady departs to the East.
During the preparations, Karash sidles up to Balasar.
"Cousin, I... apologize for my failure to accompany you on your initial delve. Would you permit me to correct that error now?"
A grin of amusement crosses Balasar's face. Worry no more about it, cousin; I understand completely. I would be delighted to have your company on this next excursion!
Over the next three days, the party prepares to make another dive into the Inverted Tower. Anyone who wants to do anything specific during this time, let me know.
Wendell and Elaric work on copying and refining spells, Boyd and his troops depart, and after a brief exchange with her siblings, Mady departs to the East.
During the preparations, Karash sidles up to Balasar.
"Cousin, I... apologize for my failure to accompany you on your initial delve. Would you permit me to correct that error now?"
A grin of amusement crosses Balasar's face. Worry no more about it, cousin; I understand completely. I would be delighted to have your company on this next excursion!
Karash claps a hand gratefully on Balasar's shoulder before bounding off in Gisi's direction. In due time, the party is ready to depart and travel once more into the Tower. Elaric and Skoth may make an additional attempt to harvest silk from the Ettercap prior to its immolation, with Wendell's employee Cynthia standing by to collect the silk and begin work on another outfit if enough is collected.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Diring the three days prior to the delve, Elaric would like (in order) to: 1. Hire the weaver to create garments which will be enchanted (Day 1) 2. Hold a small service for the stolen souls of the two mercs - possibly with Gong's help; anyone who wishes to join is welcome (Night 1) 3. Work on spells with Wendell (Day 2) 4. Be appeoached by and have a conversation with Myrnyss - a mercenary who wishes to stay and help the party/study the ruins/protect Pyrringham (Night 2) 5. Speak with the merchant caravan/browse their wares looking for any spells which catch his eye (Day 3) - (per DM) Investigation check: 17 6. Prepare his spells for the delve (Night 3)
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Turning to his fellow wizard, Elaric offers a look simultaneously pained and sympathetic, "I am open to other suggestions, but feel responsible for any outcomes. With the mercenaries departing, I worry what monsters may choose to take up residence within the ruins. I fear the trek down to the ritual chamber will become increasingly perilous over time. If you can think of a way to ensure that the creature cannot escape to make mischief which does not involve killing it or risking the lives those who traverse the ruins to feed it and re-engage the magic of the circle, I would be very happy to consider anything else. The though of killing an imprisoned creature does not thrill me, but neither does the thought of the creature escaping to terrorize the people of Pyrringham."
Wendell deflates a bit at that, "You're right... and what's more the circle could probably be tampered with by the Hags in our absence. It's too big of a risk. We still need supplies and preparation regardless of what path we take. I'll monitor the circle for a week, feed the beast, and prepare it for a harvest. We'll get what we get and that will be the end of it."
His lips pursed in a thoughful frown, Elaric nods. "Agreed, then. It will likely take me that long - with the mercenaries' help - to catalogue and pack up most of the viable books and other artifacts for transport to the High Hills branch of the Arcane University."
Seeming to jerk his attention back from this distracting thought, the scholar adds, " I can certainly assist with the care and keeping of the Ettercap in the meantime."
With a look of excitement briefly lighting his features, Elaric continues, "And, speaking of Ettercap silk, I need to see about finding a weaver for the enchanted garments."
Looking about his assembled companions, Elaric's gaze lights on Bruna. "If I might trouble you for advice, Bruna, do you know of any local weavers who would accept a custom commission?"
"Uh," Bruna mutter distractedly looking in the direction Mady ran off, "Beg pardon Master Carsalon? Ah, yes, the silk. One of Wendell's new hands, Cynthia, has a mother who's our local expert on textiles. I imagine Wendell would be more than happy to let her have some time off of tilling to work on the garments."
Wendell is thumbing through his spell book, equally distracted, "Yes, yes of course," he mutters. Elaric notes the page he keeps coming back to is the experimental Withering Ray.
After a bow and thanks to the siblings for the information, Elaric notes the draw on Wendell's attention. With a wry smile, he adds, "Thinking of revisiting old experiments, my friend?"
Balasar has been following the conversation with great interest, though without interjecting. He finally speaks up:
When I first encountered the hag, she said that their price still stood, and that all I desired would be mine if I would but stand aside. Otherwise, she threatened to trample me. She also said that we...or I... it wasn't clear... had no idea what we'd done, and that the coven would be merciful, if it wasn't too late. At the time I was too focused on the fight to pay much attention to threats, but as I've thought about it, it seems that what the hag said lines up rather well with what Elaric has been telling us.
Wendell looks up from the spell with a pained expression, "I wondered what insane, desperate circumstances would even remotely justify using this abomination. I honestly thought I wouldn't ever consider it. Yet, here we are."
He looks to the bag of holding, "While we're waiting for everyone else's input, let's see what the hags left behind for us. I doubt anything will be a silver bolt, but they might have left something interesting and I need to feel like I'm doing something." With that, Wendell moves to the side of the room, draws out his wand and spell books, and initiates his rituals of Identification.
Bruna nods, "Easy enough to let Boyd and his men go on their way, if that's what's needed. But... I don't believe them on it being that easy. I don't know much about hags, but all the stories say there's always an angle and you'll always lose in the end."
She looks quizzically at Balasar, "What did they offer you, anyway?"
While the rest of the party discusses their next course of action, Wendell's voice occasionally rises to expressions of revulsion as the new items are identified. In the end, he presents the following to the group from the hoard:
Aganazzar's Scorcher - Purple Parchment Scroll
Melf's Minute Meteors - Ink Scroll with Paper Letters
Leomund's Tiny Hut - Ink Scroll with Paper Letters
Levitate - Copper Knot "Scroll" orbited by Letters
Immovable Dagger (Does not require Attunement): The pommel of this weapon has a small button. When pressed - the dagger is magically suspended in the air. The Dagger can hold up to 4,000 kg before the magic fails. Pressing the button again releases the dagger from the magical hold. A creature can make a perception check DC 14 in bright light to see the weapon when they are unaware of its presence. DC 16 in dim light, and DC 22 in darkness. Any creature that is impaled on this weapon weapon when it is floating in the air takes damage based on how far they moved before being impaled during their turn. The damage is 1d6 piercing damage per 10 feet moved. If the damage exceeds 6d6, the DM rules what happens to a character that has been fully run through by the dagger.
Ring of the Ram (Requires Attunement):
This ring has 3 Charges, and it regains 1d3 expended Charges daily at dawn. While wearing the ring, you can use an action to expend 1 to 3 of its Charges to Attack one creature you can see within 60 feet of you. The ring produces a spectral ram's head and makes its Attack roll with a +7 bonus. On a hit, for each charge you spend, the target takes 2d10 force damage and is pushed 5 feet away from you.
Alternatively, you can expend 1 to 3 of the ring's Charges as an action to try to break an object you can see within 60 feet of you that isn't being worn or carried. The ring makes a Strength check with a +5 bonus for each charge you spend.
Wendell has determined that instead of a single word of power, this ring is tuned to activate whenever the attuned wearer says their true name aloud.
Gibbering Jam:
When painted on a doorway in the shape of a mouth, this jar of spiced preserves (flecked with powdered baby's teeth), allows the user to imitate the Magic Mouth spell. If this substance is fed to a sentient creature, the teeth reassemble and come alive, dealing 1d4 necrotic damage per round for 1d10 rounds.
Styx Tisane:
This black, powdery moss mixed with the paste of Hades-born Larvae may be brewed into a cup of tea. Once steeped, the beverage must be consumed in under a minute or it will become instantly lethal to the drinker. Consumed in less than a minute, the drinker must make a DC 15 Constitution check or die instantly. The tea leaves in the cup will arrange themselves into 25 words in the drinker's native tongue once it has been drunk, regardless of if the imbiber survived. These 25 words will form an almost immutable prediction. Once the future has been thus foretold, only a wish spell or the direct intervention of a deity may prevent the prediction from coming true.
'All I desire' is roughly how it was phrased, I believe. If the voices we encountered earlier were any indication, I take it to mean they were offering my welcome home. Powerful as hags might be, I question whether they can overcome Dragonborn stubbornness, at least such as runs in my family.
At that, Bruna laughs, "Well said, master Delmirev. This... this isn't a good situation, but I trust all of you to do right by us. Whatever you decide, you'll have Pyrringham's support."
Guan Hao will claim the Ring of the Ram.
Per PM discussion, Elaric and Wendell worked together on transcribing Aganazzar's Scorcher into Elaric's spellbook, Leomund's Tiny Hut into Wendell's, and figured out how the Levitate spell was scribed as a metallic knot with glowing letters (and now know how to replicate the effect).
Elaric is currently seeing to the weaver and the creation of the enchanted garments before he returns to the ruins this evening, at which point he plans to burn an offering for the stolen souls (possibly with Gong's help, if the monk/cleric is willing).
Balasar is intrigued by the immovable dagger, and would like to claim it.
There being no objections, Balasar has claimed the immovable dagger and added it to his inventory.
Over the next three days, the party prepares to make another dive into the Inverted Tower. Anyone who wants to do anything specific during this time, let me know.
Wendell and Elaric work on copying and refining spells, Boyd and his troops depart, and after a brief exchange with her siblings, Mady departs to the East.
During the preparations, Karash sidles up to Balasar.
"Cousin, I... apologize for my failure to accompany you on your initial delve. Would you permit me to correct that error now?"
A grin of amusement crosses Balasar's face. Worry no more about it, cousin; I understand completely. I would be delighted to have your company on this next excursion!
Karash claps a hand gratefully on Balasar's shoulder before bounding off in Gisi's direction.
In due time, the party is ready to depart and travel once more into the Tower. Elaric and Skoth may make an additional attempt to harvest silk from the Ettercap prior to its immolation, with Wendell's employee Cynthia standing by to collect the silk and begin work on another outfit if enough is collected.
Diring the three days prior to the delve, Elaric would like (in order) to:
1. Hire the weaver to create garments which will be enchanted (Day 1)
2. Hold a small service for the stolen souls of the two mercs - possibly with Gong's help; anyone who wishes to join is welcome (Night 1)
3. Work on spells with Wendell (Day 2)
4. Be appeoached by and have a conversation with Myrnyss - a mercenary who wishes to stay and help the party/study the ruins/protect Pyrringham (Night 2)
5. Speak with the merchant caravan/browse their wares looking for any spells which catch his eye (Day 3) - (per DM) Investigation check: 17
6. Prepare his spells for the delve (Night 3)