Background --- 100 years ago, the sorcerer Zenopus built a tower in the low hills overlooking Portown. The tower was close to the sea cliff west of the town and, appropriately, next door to the graveyard.
Rumor has it that the magician made extensive cellars and tunnels underneath the tower. The town is located on the ruins of a much older city of doubtful history, and Zenopus was said to excavate in his cellars in search of ancient treasures.
Fifty years ago, on a cold wintry night, the wizard's tower was suddenly engulfed in green flame. Several of his human servants escaped the holocaust, saying their master had been destroyed by some powerful force he had unleashed in the depths of the tower. Needless to say, the tower stood vacant for a while after this, but then the neighbors and the night watchmen complained that ghostly blue lights appeared in the windows at night, that ghastly screams could be heard emanating from the tower at all hours, and goblin figures could be seen dancing on the tower roof in the moonlight. Finally, the authorities had a catapult rolled through the streets of the town, and the tower was battered to rubble. This stopped the hauntings, but the townsfolk continue to shun the ruins. The entrance to the old dungeons can be easily located as a flight of broad stone steps leading down into darkness, but the few adventurous souls who have descended into crypts below the ruin have either reported only empty stone corridors or have failed to return at all.
Other magic-users have moved into the town, but the site of the old tower remains abandoned. Whispered tales are told of fabulous treasure and unspeakable monsters in the underground passages below the hilltop, and the story tellers are always careful to point out that the reputed dungeons lie in close proximity to the foundations of the older, prehuman city, to the graveyard, and to the sea.
Portown is a small but busy city, linking the caravan routes from the south to the merchant ships that dare the pirate-infested waters of the Northern Sea. Humans and non-humans from all over the globe meet here. At the Green Dragon Inn, you gather for an assault on the fabulous passages beneath the ruined Wizard's tower...
The inn seems to a place mostly frequented by foreigners, mercenaries, tough adventurers, and others of less savoury aspect. Stumping heavily to the taproom, now empty of the previous night's boisterous patrons, he espies his new companions seated at the long mahogany table in the raised platform of the inn's private dining area. His eyes take in the two humans, one seeming like they could do with a few more days of the kitchen's speciality undercooked sausages and soggy potatoes served in "ogre-sized" portions, the other a bookish-looking type that is curiously heavily armed. The same eyes then come to rest upon the other; now, he rationalises to himself, horns and a tail doesn't necessarily make one an instrument of Iuz, but it seems to the dwarf that this expedition is best concluded swiftly and ways duly parted.
"Have ye ordered some porridge yet? Best we get some food in our bellies. What say we cleanse this dead mage's cellar and be back here for supper". He nods at the waif-like human, "Yon lad needs feeding up".
"So", he grunts, settling himself at the table with a minor cacophony of squeaks and clanks, "What do we know of this ex-wizard and his accursed tower?
The inn is as described. Discuss how you wish to proceed, and when you are ready, we can jump to the entrance to the ruins.
Moving from town to town, earning coin however he can, Razil does what is necessary to survive. Making enemies is low on his list, making friends even lower. Doing his last job, he heard tell of a new expedition into Zenopus' tower. With his faint knowledge of the place, he realizes that there may be something there to help him escape his burden. He makes his way to Portown, ignoring the looks he gets from others. As he makes his way through the streets of the town, he looks around with pity at those around him, scavenging for their desires, be they food, coin, or more base desires. He enters the bar where he is to meet others he is to be undergoing this excursion with, and is taken aback by the filth and the stench. He finds a spot at the table in the reserved area that is both somewhat clean and somewhat distant from the others and sits, surveying the room. Razil rolls his eyes as the dwarf clambers into the inn. Shifting slightly away as he approaches the table, Razil looks at him.
"Not enough, I'm sure. I am as happy as anyone to be done with this as quickly as possible and on my way."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
Previously... Every inch of the dwarf's squat frame fair bristles with righteous fury. His inner indignation stems from his current predicament; sworn to complete a quest of atonement, a penance for breaking the temple code. He must endure not only the privations of a common adventurer but, it would seem, suffer their company too. In his current lodgings in the inauspiciously named Green Dragon Inn, he makes his preparations - donning the weighty and slightly too-tight scale armour over his vestments, strapping his shield with its holy emblem upon his back and hanging his warhammer at his side. With an audible creak, he stoops to pick up his pack...and promptly falls over. "Probably won't need that stuff anyway", he consoles himself, leaving the pack behind.
The Green Dragon Inn, Portown - Morning
The inn seems to a place mostly frequented by foreigners, mercenaries, tough adventurers, and others of less savoury aspect. Stumping heavily to the taproom, now empty of the previous night's boisterous patrons, he espies his new companions seated at the long mahogany table in the raised platform of the inn's private dining area. His eyes take in the two humans, one seeming like they could do with a few more days of the kitchen's speciality undercooked sausages and soggy potatoes served in "ogre-sized" portions, the other a bookish-looking type that is curiously heavily armed. The same eyes then come to rest upon the other; now, he rationalises to himself, horns and a tail doesn't necessarily make one an instrument of Iuz, but it seems to the dwarf that this expedition is best concluded swiftly and ways duly parted.
"Have ye ordered some porridge yet? Best we get some food in our bellies. What say we cleanse this dead mage's cellar and be back here for supper". He nods at the waif-like human, "Yon lad needs feeding up".
"So", he grunts, settling himself at the table with a minor cacophony of squeaks and clanks, "What do we know of this ex-wizard and his accursed tower?"
Razil and Muirgurn are here. What about Aldrich and Peter? Please describe your character and let us know you've arrived.
You can all come up with your own reasons for joining this expedition to explore the ruins and share them with the group if you wish. The background information above is generally known to all. It seems that Razil has personal reasons for being here, related to his ideal. Muirgurn, as he has stated, has sworn to take on this quest to atone for a heresy of some sort that he has committed.
The entrance to the ruins is on a hill just under a quarter mile to the west, on the western edge of the city, so just a three to six minute walk from the Green Dragon depending on travel pace. Nearby the entrance is the city's cemetery and old graveyard on another hill to the north, and to the south is the west-end of the western part of Portown, where many of the city's foreign residents dwell and where a newer tower has been built on another hill to the southwest of the ruins of the tower of Zenopus. It's another roughly three minutes walking to the sea cliff in the west.
As you all meet in the Green Dragon, you can discuss how you wish to approach the entrance and any last minute preparations you may wish to make for your expedition.
A smaller framed, cloaked figure enters the door of the Inn. All who can see the door see a young, rather plain looking human man, with ear length black hair, and Emerald green eyes that seem to move with incredible speed as he scans every nook and cranny of the room. He walks up to the table, gives everyone a quick look, he gives a small wave, "I'm Peter. and yeah I don't know much about this tower, but I've heard there is treasure untold in those ruins, that's what we're here for right??" He looks to the dwarf and gives a slight nod "besides you"
Aldrich is not quite the sight. He does not stick out of crowds as a tiefling would. The only thing that could be considered interesting is his hair: ash white, despite his young age. He enters, moves to the bar, slides over a silver piece. The stronges that this will get me please
Peter gives a shrug in response, and then asks "So where does everyone's skills lie?? I can be quite hard to find, am excellent and finding and disarming traps and locks, and I'm not a half bad shot with a bow" as he says this he lightly taps the bow slung over his shoulder
The innkeeper eyes you sympathetically, nods, and takes your silver piece, Aldrich. Retrieving a bottle marked Water of Life from the shelf, she pours you a tiny glass of clear, foul tasting liquid. "That ought to cure what ails you, dearie," she says smilingly.
It's a clear, chilly day in Crimsoncall, the twelfth month of the year, and a gentle wind blows from across the Northern Sea.
Does anyone have anything they'd like to do or say before heading out to the ruins?
Razil utters a few words, causing the candles on the table before them to flicker green. (Thaumaturgy)
"I dabble in the arcane. I believe it best we be on our way, if everyone is here and ready?"
Razil head for the door, and pauses before heading out, turning to the innkeeper. "Milady - have you heard any tales of what may be in the basement of Zenopus' tower from others that have ventured in?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
"Those that have come back alive, you mean," she says, looking visibly upset by the question. "They haven't seen nothing, and the dead tell no tales, but the townsfolk know. There be goblins in them tunnels, and worse. You mark my words. Don't go tampering about with Things Better Left Alone, if you know what's good for you!"
"I appreciate the warning, but it would have been more useful many moons ago." Razil slides his only silver piece across the bar to her. "If I come back, I should have more of these to spend. If I don't, well then at least it didn't go to waste on my decaying body in the tower."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
Peter gets up and walks to the door, speaking to the barmaid as he passes "don't worry dearest, we'll have that tower cleared soon enough". He gives a slight bow and steps out onto the street.
“You might be fools,” says the innkeeper with a wry smile, “but I’ll take your silver, for which I’ll give you this word of advice: Go not to Zenopus’ tower. An evil slumbers there which you awaken at the peril of us all.”
Does everyone follow Peter out to the street, and do you all make your way towards the ruins?
”Let’s be getting on with it. I don’t doubt we’ll be back in time for supper”, Muirgurn throws over his shoulder as he stumps after the others. “Anyone know the way?”
Peter pipes up "I did a little exploring, I know it's near the graveyard, and I know where that's at" after he says that he starts strolling to the west, seeming to stick near the walls, intentionally avoiding ever being open on all sides.
Though the pace is not particularly brisk, Muirgurn wheezes as he struggles along in his weighty armour, unaccustomed to such efforts. He grumbles inaudibly under his breath as he labours to keep up.
Assuming Aldrich follows along from the inn, your way west from the Green Dragon takes you down the one narrow street that winds through the tenement district, a maze of claustrophobic alleyways and crowded, filthy tenements. It leads you past the town square and around the western part of the harbor towards the fishermen's quarter, lying near the harbor mouth. Leaving the old city in the east and passing on your left the part of the city where most foreigners reside, you find yourselves approaching a collection of low hills that house the city's graveyard and cemetery to your right, some newer buildings on the outskirts of town to your left, and, in the center, the entrance to the old, ruined tower.
Atop this central hill is the foundation of the wizard's tower. Climbing to the hilltop, you find a flight of broad stone steps, leading west and down into a dark ten foot wide opening. Razil and Muirgurn can see that the flight of stairs is about forty feet long and ends at the bare stone floor of a dark corridor.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The DM describes the environment.
The players describe what they want to do.
The DM narrates the results of their actions.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
The inn is as described. Discuss how you wish to proceed, and when you are ready, we can jump to the entrance to the ruins.
Moving from town to town, earning coin however he can, Razil does what is necessary to survive. Making enemies is low on his list, making friends even lower. Doing his last job, he heard tell of a new expedition into Zenopus' tower. With his faint knowledge of the place, he realizes that there may be something there to help him escape his burden. He makes his way to Portown, ignoring the looks he gets from others. As he makes his way through the streets of the town, he looks around with pity at those around him, scavenging for their desires, be they food, coin, or more base desires. He enters the bar where he is to meet others he is to be undergoing this excursion with, and is taken aback by the filth and the stench. He finds a spot at the table in the reserved area that is both somewhat clean and somewhat distant from the others and sits, surveying the room. Razil rolls his eyes as the dwarf clambers into the inn. Shifting slightly away as he approaches the table, Razil looks at him.
"Not enough, I'm sure. I am as happy as anyone to be done with this as quickly as possible and on my way."
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
Previously...
Every inch of the dwarf's squat frame fair bristles with righteous fury. His inner indignation stems from his current predicament; sworn to complete a quest of atonement, a penance for breaking the temple code. He must endure not only the privations of a common adventurer but, it would seem, suffer their company too. In his current lodgings in the inauspiciously named Green Dragon Inn, he makes his preparations - donning the weighty and slightly too-tight scale armour over his vestments, strapping his shield with its holy emblem upon his back and hanging his warhammer at his side. With an audible creak, he stoops to pick up his pack...and promptly falls over. "Probably won't need that stuff anyway", he consoles himself, leaving the pack behind.
The Green Dragon Inn, Portown - Morning
The inn seems to a place mostly frequented by foreigners, mercenaries, tough adventurers, and others of less savoury aspect. Stumping heavily to the taproom, now empty of the previous night's boisterous patrons, he espies his new companions seated at the long mahogany table in the raised platform of the inn's private dining area. His eyes take in the two humans, one seeming like they could do with a few more days of the kitchen's speciality undercooked sausages and soggy potatoes served in "ogre-sized" portions, the other a bookish-looking type that is curiously heavily armed. The same eyes then come to rest upon the other; now, he rationalises to himself, horns and a tail doesn't necessarily make one an instrument of Iuz, but it seems to the dwarf that this expedition is best concluded swiftly and ways duly parted.
"Have ye ordered some porridge yet? Best we get some food in our bellies. What say we cleanse this dead mage's cellar and be back here for supper". He nods at the waif-like human, "Yon lad needs feeding up".
"So", he grunts, settling himself at the table with a minor cacophony of squeaks and clanks, "What do we know of this ex-wizard and his accursed tower?"
Sorry about the confusing/bumpy start here.
Razil and Muirgurn are here. What about Aldrich and Peter? Please describe your character and let us know you've arrived.
You can all come up with your own reasons for joining this expedition to explore the ruins and share them with the group if you wish. The background information above is generally known to all. It seems that Razil has personal reasons for being here, related to his ideal. Muirgurn, as he has stated, has sworn to take on this quest to atone for a heresy of some sort that he has committed.
The entrance to the ruins is on a hill just under a quarter mile to the west, on the western edge of the city, so just a three to six minute walk from the Green Dragon depending on travel pace. Nearby the entrance is the city's cemetery and old graveyard on another hill to the north, and to the south is the west-end of the western part of Portown, where many of the city's foreign residents dwell and where a newer tower has been built on another hill to the southwest of the ruins of the tower of Zenopus. It's another roughly three minutes walking to the sea cliff in the west.
As you all meet in the Green Dragon, you can discuss how you wish to approach the entrance and any last minute preparations you may wish to make for your expedition.
(heresy of some sort that he has allegedly committed!)
A smaller framed, cloaked figure enters the door of the Inn. All who can see the door see a young, rather plain looking human man, with ear length black hair, and Emerald green eyes that seem to move with incredible speed as he scans every nook and cranny of the room. He walks up to the table, gives everyone a quick look, he gives a small wave, "I'm Peter. and yeah I don't know much about this tower, but I've heard there is treasure untold in those ruins, that's what we're here for right??" He looks to the dwarf and gives a slight nod "besides you"
Torrin Delmirev - Into the Abyss
Krusk - Rime of the Frost Maiden
Aldrich is not quite the sight. He does not stick out of crowds as a tiefling would. The only thing that could be considered interesting is his hair: ash white, despite his young age. He enters, moves to the bar, slides over a silver piece. The stronges that this will get me please
Razil turns to look at the cloaked human, his eyes flashing. Clenching his hand and his jaw, he just stares for a moment longer than comfortable.
"Speak for yerself. I've no desire to be spoken for."
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
Peter gives a shrug in response, and then asks "So where does everyone's skills lie?? I can be quite hard to find, am excellent and finding and disarming traps and locks, and I'm not a half bad shot with a bow" as he says this he lightly taps the bow slung over his shoulder
Torrin Delmirev - Into the Abyss
Krusk - Rime of the Frost Maiden
The innkeeper eyes you sympathetically, nods, and takes your silver piece, Aldrich. Retrieving a bottle marked Water of Life from the shelf, she pours you a tiny glass of clear, foul tasting liquid. "That ought to cure what ails you, dearie," she says smilingly.
It's a clear, chilly day in Crimsoncall, the twelfth month of the year, and a gentle wind blows from across the Northern Sea.
Does anyone have anything they'd like to do or say before heading out to the ruins?
Razil utters a few words, causing the candles on the table before them to flicker green. (Thaumaturgy)
"I dabble in the arcane. I believe it best we be on our way, if everyone is here and ready?"
Razil head for the door, and pauses before heading out, turning to the innkeeper. "Milady - have you heard any tales of what may be in the basement of Zenopus' tower from others that have ventured in?"
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
"Those that have come back alive, you mean," she says, looking visibly upset by the question. "They haven't seen nothing, and the dead tell no tales, but the townsfolk know. There be goblins in them tunnels, and worse. You mark my words. Don't go tampering about with Things Better Left Alone, if you know what's good for you!"
"I appreciate the warning, but it would have been more useful many moons ago." Razil slides his only silver piece across the bar to her. "If I come back, I should have more of these to spend. If I don't, well then at least it didn't go to waste on my decaying body in the tower."
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
Peter gets up and walks to the door, speaking to the barmaid as he passes "don't worry dearest, we'll have that tower cleared soon enough". He gives a slight bow and steps out onto the street.
Torrin Delmirev - Into the Abyss
Krusk - Rime of the Frost Maiden
“You might be fools,” says the innkeeper with a wry smile, “but I’ll take your silver, for which I’ll give you this word of advice: Go not to Zenopus’ tower. An evil slumbers there which you awaken at the peril of us all.”
Does everyone follow Peter out to the street, and do you all make your way towards the ruins?
Razil shrugs at these words, and then makes his way out of the inn and towards the ruins.
"Mark": Goliath Paladin - Shipwrecked on Fugue: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Razil Trympan: Tiefling Warlock - The Tower of Zenopus
(Sorry notifications still playing up)
”Let’s be getting on with it. I don’t doubt we’ll be back in time for supper”, Muirgurn throws over his shoulder as he stumps after the others. “Anyone know the way?”
Peter pipes up "I did a little exploring, I know it's near the graveyard, and I know where that's at" after he says that he starts strolling to the west, seeming to stick near the walls, intentionally avoiding ever being open on all sides.
Torrin Delmirev - Into the Abyss
Krusk - Rime of the Frost Maiden
Though the pace is not particularly brisk, Muirgurn wheezes as he struggles along in his weighty armour, unaccustomed to such efforts. He grumbles inaudibly under his breath as he labours to keep up.
Assuming Aldrich follows along from the inn, your way west from the Green Dragon takes you down the one narrow street that winds through the tenement district, a maze of claustrophobic alleyways and crowded, filthy tenements. It leads you past the town square and around the western part of the harbor towards the fishermen's quarter, lying near the harbor mouth. Leaving the old city in the east and passing on your left the part of the city where most foreigners reside, you find yourselves approaching a collection of low hills that house the city's graveyard and cemetery to your right, some newer buildings on the outskirts of town to your left, and, in the center, the entrance to the old, ruined tower.
Atop this central hill is the foundation of the wizard's tower. Climbing to the hilltop, you find a flight of broad stone steps, leading west and down into a dark ten foot wide opening. Razil and Muirgurn can see that the flight of stairs is about forty feet long and ends at the bare stone floor of a dark corridor.