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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Enwynn finishes looking about the library for trouble and sighs as she mutters "No hidden threats that I can find." then picks up the book she put down before her icy caution outweighed her burning curiosity.
At Banzo's question, the elf considers the phrase for a moment then suggests "I have not heard of it, so I can only guess at the name. Perhaps it is some form of stone-based security device?" then looks back to the book concerning the Forest Of Doom, trying to shake off the apprehension that no matter how far she travels, the forest will always find her.
OOC: Perception Roll on book contents: 7
Each of the books has a number on the spine but he cannot work out their meaning though the two missing books are determined to be Number 1 and 50.
Opening Gates of Death it tells of a mission to quench a plague of demonic possession that boiled up out of the The Plain of Bronze to the East some 20 years ago. Banzo does vaguely recall this event...mostly affecting the City of Salamonis to the south of Chalice....whilst most of the book is concerned with a monks mission to The Invisible City to confront Ulrakaah...a demonic queen of some sort.....it does contain useful information on the use of Asura Lilies to make Smoke-Oil a strong counteragent to Demonic Possession.
Following the traces of sorcery, tucked in the back of one of the shelves you find a small Gazeteer titled The Seeds of Galana.
It contains the spells- Sunbeam, Transport Via Plants, Investiture of Ice and Move Earth.
Picking up Deathmoor and reading through it Garet finds that it regards a native of the seaport Chalannabrad, in the Old World", who is currently living on the Isles of the Dawn and finds themselves embroiled in politics and kidnapping in Arion on the southern continent of Khul, where Tannin is from.
The protagonist searches for the missing Princess Royal Telessa of Arion in the titular Deathmoor on Khul. The princess has become the victim of Arachnos the "Life-Stealer", an unaging servant of Chaos, and the player must find the way to his hideout and fight his way past various traps, including Arachnos' Half-Giant henchmen Otus, Oman and Ophis.
He is unsure whether it is a historical account or fiction but the book would act as a somewhat handy travel guide to The Deathmoor and the city of Arion if he were ever to travel to Khul.
Another thing of note is regarding a precious stone called a Scarlet Pearl. They are only found in waters off the Isles of the Dawn. Sacred to the amphibious humanoid Pelagines. If they are aware of their having been taken, will deem the act as theft and pass a sentence of death upon the thief, sending out an assassination party to locate the thief wherever they may be on Titan.
Assassins of Allansia follows the exploits of a grizzled veteran recently narrowly escaping with her life in Darkwood Forest. She is abandoned on Snake Island after a run in with a pirate captain and finds that Lord Azzur has placed a very large bounty on her head believing that she is responsible for slaying Zanbar Bone after fending off the Assassins and winning through she enters the Contest of Champions in Fang.
As Leigh reads through he stops suddenly at a name and familiar description of a young thief in Port Blacksand named Garet Jade.
Tzedaka, still confused by this assortment of books will try to discover more secrets.
"Two books are missing."
"Moter, we might need your chalp width dis puzzle.
She will examine the bookshelf further for clues, including for a secret compartment. She will also try to move the book case.
(Investigation with Guidance: 15+2
(Perception with guidance: 11+1
Ian will try to investigate (with his -2 Int Mod) for some idea on where the missing books could be. He looks about the room in thought.
7
D&D since 1984
(To Leigh while Tzedaka continues to investigate)
"Yes, Gayroot was a ...problematic yute but see how nicely he has matured?"
She winks at Leigh knowingly as she looks for any secrets yet to be found.
"Perchaps the books that are missing are a puzzle. Are dey de book end?"
She will start to place the books in order from 2-49 on shelf, hoping something interesting happens.
"First and last in the sequence." Enwynn offers "So a book beginning and a book end, perhaps?"
The elf ponders aloud "Where would they be? A desk? A lectern? Someone who came here before's pockets?" then suggests to Tsedaka "Look at the edges of the pages when the book is closed too. Sometimes those are decorated with things you can only see when the book isn't open."
The brief look she gives Garet is an appraising one, not a judgemental one, as possessing a certain skill set does not concern her, but the purpose that those skills are used to that matters in her eyes.
The bookcase seems to be a simple bookcase....though extremly old.
All he can tell is that they have been gone for some time, theres quite a bit of dust where they once sat.
Tzedaka starts placing the books in order, The Citadel of Chaos>The Forest of Doom>Starship Traveller>City of Thieves>Deathtrap Dungeon>Island of the Lizard KIng>Scorpian Swamp>Caverns of the Snow Witch>House of Hell>Talisman of Death>Space Assassin>Freeway Fighter>Temple of Terror etc.
She, Ennwyn and Ian have trouble finding any pattern at all....while some of the books detail familiar locations and people within Allansia others feature worlds and concepts that make no sense to the trio. When Tzedaka picks up the volume Forest of Doom and flicks through it to a random page she stops in confusion.
Tzedaka-
Just as Ennwyn reached the last steps before the next alcove, a jet of flame shot out to bar her way. A huge dark shape stepped out from the alcove with flame shooting from its nostrils- Black smoke curled up into the air. The beast was shaped like a man, but with leathery wings and carried a flaming sword in one hand and a whip in the other, A golden crown sat on its head between broad horns. lt faced her motionless on the steps above. Suddenly it cracked its whip and raises its fiery sword.
Her heart sank as she knew the only way out of this cavern lies above at the top of the steps...
Banzo will take and hold up what he has found, "Look here! This contains several powerful spells but unfortunately they are currently beyond my ability to learn."
Banzo looks around at all the shelves of books as he rejoins everyone.
"Other than the books I haven't found anything else of interest."
Tzedaka gasps loudly, then says, "Thank you Motter."
She holds the book to Ennwyn
"Eenwyn, Motter showed me dis page. How vould de writer know of your past, unless...."
(From Forest of Doom book)
Just as Ennwyn reached the last steps before the next alcove, a jet of flame shot out to bar her way. A huge dark shape stepped out from the alcove with flame shooting from its nostrils- Black smoke curled up into the air. The beast was shaped like a man, but with leathery wings and carried a flaming sword in one hand and a whip in the other, A golden crown sat on its head between broad horns. lt faced her motionless on the steps above. Suddenly it cracked its whip and raised its fiery sword.
Her heart sank as she knew the only way out of this cavern lies above at the top of the steps...
To the group,
"Dis library has books about past events but also I tink, de future. Vhy are de Cheroes in des books. Dey are being written, like an accounting of your deeds."
(OOC: Weird question: Who is the author of these books? Are the books written in handwriting, and if so, is it the same handwriting/ print in the books, in other words, did one person write each of these books. Also, is the ink faded in the older books, vs fresh ink in the newer ones.)
(OOC: Sorry for the long post, been doing a bit of research, not sure how relevant but certainly helpful as we move forward)
Tzedaka sits on the floor and closes her eyes. "I do not know if dese tings are part of dis puzzle"
(Tzedaka speaks out loud, but her thoughts seem jumbled and out of order, as if she is confused and trying to piece together a puzzle with too many relevant and irrelevant pieces)
"You ver told by Yaztromo", (In a different voice with no accent) "A decade ago I provided some small assistance to a band of young women who entered Firetop and slew Zagor."
"De dead guard at de entrance to Firetop said."
(Very similar voice to the goblin) "I am Yannik Quick-Eye. Warder of the 1st gate and 2nd in command of the orc guards. We protect this entrance of the mountains from intruders. That little woman stabbed me.", "So I assume the band that defeated Zagor killed Yannik."
"But also ven you spoke to Stoneshaper Caldwyn and asked what purposes eelemental essences could be used for otter dan to remove your tatooes,", (voice of Caldwyn)"They can be used to power any powerful ritual. And he has recently returned from the dead......perhaps he still needs to make his return permanent? Or he is binding another dragon? Or building a new body for himself? You never know with warlocks..."
"Chere is a book of dragons." (Pointing to the book Night Dragon)
"You seek eelemental essences to remove the mark of de Night Demon, Shakor (She spits). Zagor seeks eelemental essences to return from de dead. Eenwyn is in dis book about a Fire Demon. Zagor is often mentioned with de word, Demon (Demonic Three, Demonic mother, dark magic, Demon-sent dreams)
"Den Banzo reads a book about de Gates of Death, Demonic possession, and finds dese spells in De Seeds of Galana: Sunbeam, Transport Via Plants, Investiture of Ice and Move Earth.
"Is each of des Eelement spells, Fire, Air (transport via plants), Water, and Earth.?"
She puts her hands on her face in confusion. "Perchaps dis place is designed to delay us from going to Zagor, so dee Inquisitor can warm him."
( There are no authors noted. All are in the same precise squared handwriting.......some of the books are quite faded, others start faded but the final few pages are quite fresh...others are fresh throughout.)
Tzedaka points out the precise handwriting and the ink fresher toward the end. She shows Banzo.
"Some of des books are being 'written' now. The writer uses a magic hand or scribe."
The poor barbarian is totally dazed and confused, he really does not know what to do since he stepped into the library (he feels also a little dumb for not being able to contribute to the group in any way).
The thing that somebody is currently writing something about them should surprise him but he is currently looking blankly at Tzedaka, turning his gaze to the wise Banzo
"Banzo, tell me you have the slightest clue of what the ... is going on here"
"Well, because the guardian promised dire consequences for us if we failed the puzzles or riddles that would suggest there is something of value to be found here."
Banzo scratches at his chin momentarily even though he has no whiskers (tortles being hairless).
"If the books go in sequence and the first and last ones are missing. Perhaps checking the volumes right after and before the missing ones will hint at some clue as to what was in the missing ones?"
Banzo's Investigation for book 2: 10
Banzo's Investigation for book 49: 15
Tzedaka still has an image in her head of Enwynn fighting the fire demon.
"Yes Banzo, der may be a clue chere dat was missed, or.....they are just tormenting us and we should go on."
She looks at the group and almost in a scolding voice
"Cheroes, you must understand and know who you are speaking width ven you make deals, as some contracts can not be broken."
"Dee game you so quickly played width dee Inquisitor was....if you answered correctly, life. If wrong, your soul vould be forever lost in one of dee Demonic Planes, likely dee Plane of Bile."
The second book tells of the quest to slay Balthus Dire of Craggen Rock, one of the Demonic Three and compatriot of Zagor. You have heard of this Dire before in your travels and readings and know that they are dead from conversations in Chalice.
The forty ninth regards a siege of the lake city of Sardath to the north east near the Forest of Night. The conflict appears to involve Dark Elves and various forces they unleash.
Banzo thinks it is likely this library is in a way a repository of heroes, if so perhaps their own exploits lie in the missing books....and taking them was a way of denying knowledge.
It is his conclusion there is little else here that would help in the current situation......but could be of great help once they venture further afield.
Banzo: "Look here! This contains several powerful spells but unfortunately they are currently beyond my ability to learn."
Enwynn looks at the pages Banzo holds out in hope, then sighs and says "Likewise." then more cheerfully adds "Galana is another name for Erillia, the elven name for the goddess of plants in all their forms. I do not know who put it here, but it seems unlikely to have been written by the same author as the numbered set."
Tzedaka: "Eenwyn, Motter showed me dis page. How vould de writer know of your past, unless...."
The elf looks shocked, then puzzled as she says "Only two people that I know of besides myself know this tale in detail, and only one of those two witnessed it with me..." but adds in a nervous whisper "And they are not known for any skill in calligraphy beyond a ready supply of quills, that leaves only one person I know of who could have written this. But I doubt that they would have allowed it out of their sight, if it is their work..."
OOC: Does Enwynn recognize the handwriting from any examples she has seen before now?
She explains "I have fought but one demon in my life, a creature of malevolent flame, under the Darkwood Forest and barely escaped with my life." then points at the shield she loaned to the newcomers and adds "Where it not for that shield, I would have stood no chance at all against it's fiery whip and blade. Where it not for Corwyn the Darkwood Crow's quick wits after the fight, I would have become the demon in the golden crown myself, a thrall of evil too foolish to know a shiny trap for what it was..."
"Not a moment I am proud of." Enwynn admits when she finds her voice again and offers "It is why I sent Corwyn away from here to safety. I already owe both him a debt for saving my life and my soul. I could not put his at risk again."
"I don't think there is much more here that can aid us in our present circumstances."
Banzo stands and checks himself preparing to get going.
"But as we explore further keep an eye out for the missing two books. Someone took them from here to deny us of the knowledge they possess, which could prove useful on our adventures further afield."
( Ennwyn does not recognise the handwriting.)