Here begins the Chronicle of the current Protos, chronicled at Phaela upon their first day of introduction and study. Throughout the day, these young shining beings were escorted to their stations of learning. Noted trainers and teaches include the illustrious Nicodema, who noted to the group that she shall be their guide and mentor until they become more powerful than she. And the fight training commenced. Aklima was present to unleash her magical voice, her eagle-like wings fluttering as she bestowed her beauty to all present.
This Chronicler notes many mouths dropped open when taking in such sights and sounds. Polytemus, he, so solid as a rock and did lift his one foot to allow the procession into the space, with his one ancient wise eye watching, no doubt recalling a thousand years' worth of similar moments,and some which indeed would be the beginning of the stories of the next gods. He both guarded the entrance and delivered his training, his oneness with nature, to those touched and drawn there. Eberard, with the skill of rope, and so dexterous and quick that the ties and knots and loops can barely be seen forming, is presented for those needing to hone those skills. Among those dressed in white, with all the adornments and armor similarly fashioned, were each noted below, who bear the mark of the god. Amalia Fortuneado - who appeared to have deep interest in the rope skills, and was heard inquiring of a lost crew, the meaning of which is unknown to this Chronicler. dafni sunbeam - a satyr who was noted as exuberant , high felicity. She appears to carry some objects of small size, to be further noted when revealed. Pearla - a feline creature, this Chronicler believes to be Tabaxi, who appears to have an affinity to the music. Thraxos - who appeared to carry the air of a Triton of the seas, and yet carries himself somewhat differently, the quality of which must be further investigated.
Each of these was noted to travel to Alini's Reef, run by Alini and her husband, Braxton. There was much merriment and celebration amongst them as they marked completing their first day, including hoofs upon the table in dance. It is noted that four young, drunken fishermen came into the establishment and approached the group, soon beginning to confront these new students. dafni sunbeam was on the table, her joy in dance not initially abated; she showed initial confusion at the purpose of the young men, in that surely they were to join them? It soon became clear that these particular young men did not celebrate with the same love of nature. Thraxos began with a voice of reason and calming,but was indeed attacked as one of the men produced a dagger. The Triton was hit and wounded, and the cat turned, complaining about the interruption of the music and dance. She uttered a string of insults to the man which was said too quick, too crossly and flippantly for this Chronicler to capture. They also fell upon deaf ears to the drunken fisherman.
Amalia Foruneado attempted first to distract the men with talk, asking them of her missing crew, but the men were not interested and pushed in further until she also struck at them. dafni the Satyr pushed and struck with some sort of sack (noting this appears to be the same small objects, it must be learned what they are), but the fishermen continued to harrass the party. Pearla, the feline girl, fluffed her tail and turned, muttering with a tone of impatience and it seems called upon her god in some way, as suddenly all four of the drunken fishermen fell to the floor in slumber. An eldery fisherman soon after came into the establishment and apologized profusely, stating they were his sons, young and stupid. He gave 10 silver coins to each as thanks and hurriedly drug the young men awake and ushered them out. Thraxos was heard to offer the coins to Alini, but she was so grateful that her bar was not destroyed that she only thanked them, refusing to take the coins. --- Kaleef, Chronicler
It was noted that soon after the studies ended for the day, the Protos of the College of Cerulean went to town in search of supplies and there gathered the Windland's Emporium. The group consisted of the satyr, Dafni Sunbeam; the minotaur, Elementum Imortalis; the Triton, Thraxos; the tabaxi, Pearla; pirate Amalia Fortuneado. The exchanges at the store seem to be only of minor note. There's much discussion over Broken Bow which seems to have been resolved by the end of the exchange. There were several items of note which the shopkeeper produced. It was overheard as the object was too small for this chronicler to see, there was set a tiny silver icon of a raven which was said to be an object of the god Kruphix. Alas, within the quick exchanges this chronicler's eyes did not capture which hands the raven icon fell to nor the sense of its value. A pyramid of Black Incense was gathered by the satyr and was overheard this phrase, " when Lit will help you achieve your vision."
A golden colored wooden whistle was soon picked up into the paws of the cat, who also discussed a knife and a hairbrush. Soon the shop was closing and the group dispersed with intent to return to the college. It was noted along the way back approaching a hill that a strange odor appeared seeming to contain a hint of sulfur and a glow appeared in the sky. Dafni nearly bounded up the hill believing Hot Springs to be waiting, but as the group approached closer there was a man with dark skin struggling with the creature with large Hooves on fire, which landed squarely on the back of the man's head, and in his back could be seen two stuck black arrows. The creature let loose a horrific whinny and galloped up into the air. This chronicler knows it to be known as a Nightmare. It circled around for a moment and then dashed into the sky. Elementum and Thraxos both shot at it with their arrows, but missed and the creature escaped Into the Night.
The group rushed to check on the man, and none recognized him. The Triton pulled the two arrows from his back and the blood which seeped from him was a black sluggish thick liquid. His skull was quite crushed and he was quite dead. When his body was turned it was seen that he was wearing a gold mask which when it came off, revealed no face but only plain black grey flesh. Amalia and others in the group express identifying him as one of the Returned from the underworld following the God Phenax's way. Before this could be discussed in Greater detail the Minotaur caught sight of a quickly moving object and called to the group to follow on alert as suddenly two more gray masked creatures appeared and began to attack. A battle ensued, both Amalia and Elementum shot and rushed, striking but strangely doing little damage to the creatures. Dafni pounced with a mirthful leap attacking these dark sentries, and one of them speared Pearla quite badly.
The battle was chaotic. Thraxos pulled the black arrow he had taken from the corpse and shot, which seemed more effective to damage the creature. The cat lay unconscious as bows and swords flew in the melee without satisfying contact. The satyr brightly called upon her god and it was seen that the cat began to move again, just as the satyr rammed her own horns into a dark sentry, finally hitting its mark and weakening it. The minotaur went down as the triton's black arrows struck into the enemy again, defeating one. A glow was seen above the minotaur as he was healed, and another sentry fell at the end of the tabaxi's rapier. Elementum roared back to life and rammed the remaining sentry with his mighty horns, and finally quiet descended on the battle scene, with two more dark corpses upon the ground. In the end, the Protos collected spears, slings with black rocks, and masks from the fallen Returned.
Amalia Fortunaedo's voice rang in the night, "Did you see that?" A murmur of question rose through the group, and Amalia described having seen a figure with a golden Mask and purple robe, stretching out towards her. As this discussion went on, a mask was pulled off and a piece of broken clay fell at the feet of the minotaur, Elementum. He picked it up and read off "Phereus must be stopped."
One of the masks contained cramped tiny writing lining the mask, in symbols and language unknown except clearly the word "Khea". The Protos decided they would return to the college and tell their story to the teachers. They faced one more obstacle in the evening in the form of the snoring Polythemus and his foot blocking their entrance. Playful tickles from the satyr awoke him, fortunately without ire, and they did retire for the night. This chronicler as well, burning the midnight oil much later to capture the words, but yet ready again in the morning, when noted they began with a decision to find and speak with the Oracle to learn more about the mask.
When they found the oracle he welcomed them all by name, and he held and read the mask, telling them that the word "Khea" was his own name before he became the Oracle of Pheala. The line is a prayer, a song. Bits and pieces of his low murmurings overheard, "The god... hidden from the eyes of mortals.. lies hither in Orestes' Rot." The oracle spoke of Phereus, who he said died, likely twenty years ago, taking his own life. A pious, unhappy man, always serious, who followed Phenax, who wanted nobody close to him and tried to be inscrutable. He explained the funerary masks, and that if a soul returns from the underworld successfully, the mask will turn to gold. Yet his memories stay hidden; the gold is a new payment he owes the world. The clay shard reading "Phereus must be stopped" is an ostraca from the funerary mask. The oracle spoke of Orestes, as one of the original followers of the Phenax, who offended many of the gods by stealing from them. The Oracle said the shrine of Orestes has been uncovered by a lessening of water, where a river has slowed to a trickle.
As the Oracle offered no more the group returned to the College, where their trainer, Nicodemia instructed them to hand the mask over to her. She stated the gold was not good for them to flash around, people may think that they are robbing the dead . Klima will do a rubbing of the Mask for them and then the college will arrange for the mask to be returned to the proper people. She warned them that if she met if they met any Returned not to mention that they had killed them. Nicodemia provided a map and explained the river was called Khystonos River. Amalia was assisted by Azaki , a human female in maintenance and her Bow restrung. The group was told it would be a 3-day travel across the peninsula down to the river looking for the shrine of Orestes, and they set off.
Elementum was ahead and off the path, as the others chatted together, the bard playing her new whistle, the satyr frolicking with the deer the others exchanging quiet comments until they found a spot to rest for the night. In the very early morning a net dropped on the Minotaur, who shrugged it off, but yet suddenly the group was surrounded by a group emitting enraged, squealing caw sounds. A battle ensued, with truly vicious vulture like harpies who attacked them with high rage. The Protos needed to awaken quickly and find their weapons, noting that the satyr made excellent use of her entangle spell and managed to incapacitate one of them. As finally each fell, one tried to escape in the end but was shot down by Amalia’s arrow. The damage of the battle is not fully assessed, some of the Protos were wounded, but the party did prevail and all the creatures fell. --- Kaleef, Chronicler
It was noted that the Protos from the college of Cerulean continued on their quest to find the shrine of Orestes. The group consisted of the satyr, Dafni Sunbeam; the minotaur, Elementum Imortalis; the Triton, Thraxos; the tabaxi, Pearla; pirate Amalia Fortuneado. Time passed without notable action, until the party stopped for a lunch break, and while eating, suddenly were found with apple tarts in their hands or laps or somehow before them. Yet when the triton bit into the tart, he declared that it tasted like mud. Soon a giggles was heard and the satyr, Dafni, rushed off to find it, and soon enough did return, having found first a pair of floating golden eyes which eventually revealed an invisible lemon fairy dragon. The creature, when visible, appeared to be about two feet tall. When introduced to the party, the dragon stated that he had buried Orestes 174 years before. The dragon did not seem to be very steady about time, however. He delivered a quick explanation of fairy dragon age, stating they will be bright red until 100 years old, and then orange until 200, and then yellow… and until 500 when they become green… then more hazily time frames but eventually they will turn blue or indigo and violet at the oldest age. The dragon became known then as Percival, possibly having been yellow for three days, and more assertively surviving on a diet of rainbows and pie.
The Protos traveled on, dafni having invited Percival to join them, and so now occasionally a pair of golden eyes will appear and some random giggling sounds seem to follow. Elementum asked the dragon his value in combat, and there was a demonstration of a rainbow cloud which might send a euphoric feeling to the victim. This chronicler maintained his distance. The dragon also made an illusion of a double of the minotaur, which charged and then ran directly through rather than crashing. Noted words about a “tiny dragon claw” that could be used to lift or tug at things, but no demonstration of this was witnessed. The party moved on, and sometime later, the sound of a lone voice in minotaur battle song came from the valley. Elementum and Amalia went ahead and found an old minotaur, looking worn and dented, battle-scarred. He greeted his fellow minotaur as “Friend” and stated he was waiting for him, that he was King Antigonos, searching for his heir. There he carried a large jar which was set down, and it was stated that whoever may fit in the jar was the heir to the kingdom. Elementum climbed in to see if he may be the heir, however the King then began to pile rocks in, seemingly to make the fit perfect.
Seeing the rock piling, the tabaxi Pearla became irritated, and twitched her tail and began to work up a frenzy of insulting words, which did seem to disturb the King. A battled ensued. Stones were thrown and swords were flying, more heated feline words would sear the ears the dragon also joined the mix and began to throw out his rainbow breath, and as this chronicler hid behind a rock to survive, can only say that the King did disappear, and Thraxos came up with the dented crown in hand. In the King’s wake the party found a pouch with coins (16 copper, 27 gold), gem of red, and interestingly, a drawing of a young bookish looking minotaur. Amalia took a coin with the intention to use it for finding more information. A great Axe was found as well. The party moved on, eventually coming to the river, down to half its normal flow. They continued on and made camp. Sometime in the night the sound of pan pipes filled the air, and dafni awoke, excitedly dashing into the woods and running to a clearing, where a large lion man played. This chronicler recognizes the man as a Leonin.
The satyr was quite fascinated and hurried in quiet close, listening intently to the music. Amalia stepped in and gave a coin to the Leonin, who continued to play, he gave her the coin back and Amalia did join the satyr in dancing, although by her expression, to the distant eyes of this chronicler, the pirate did not seem to do so of her own free will. And yet soon the rest of the party joined them. The Leonin introduced himself as Pelops. He was heard to say that the place, which was a circle of tall pillars, was his home “and has been for many years, I’m afraid.” His comment was questioned but the conversation turned without an answer finding itself, instead the talk turned to a drinking contest between Thraxos and Pelops, who opened a doorway into a pillar and invited the party in. They did go in, Pearla lingering behind and Elementum waiting outside for some time. The Leonin had built the place, somehow, and there were fabulous divans and a fine pool, with a horizon off in the distance, a classic temple style. The Triton and Leonin both made a fine play for winning the drinking contest, and by the end, both groggy, the triton ended in the pool and the leonin retired for a nap. A great feast seemed perpetually available.
Pelops made note that his homeland was many miles south, he had not been there for many years, but built a place to remind him of it.
The pan pipes were a gift to him from a satyr he met at his homeland. They are quite dear to him. He believes she has likely … met the boatman. He is interested in the river, had thought of investigating it himself, and would like to know what happens. He collects scrolls and any new piece of information. He asks the party to bring him any information, he will buy them, and he wants to learn more about anything. After some recovery from the drinking, and a breakfast, some discussion turned to the King of Antigonos, he knew some of the story, that Antigonia was a kingdom 200-300 years ago, the King’s song was sickly and died young. Without an heir, the kingdom disappeared. The story was that he doted on his son and was cursed by Mogis, the story of Antigonos and the Battle. As they left the Leonin, he told them if they had new information for him, they could return, to knock three times on the stone pillar. The party moved on, some hours later found the shrine they sought.
The river in this section was pitiful, 4 to 5 feet wide only, shallow and muddy, and a stone door already stood 6” open to the shrine entrance. They stepped up, intent to enter, when rising up from the water was a large snake, this chronicler noted it to be a foot in diameter and at least eight feet in height. As it lifted, it was noted that its tail, when presented, was yet another head. --- Kaleef, Chronicler
It was noted that some members of the Protos, College of Cerulean, were standing at the mouth of the River Khystonos, in close proximity to the Shrine of Orestes, when they were confronted with a large snake, with a head at both ends. Present were the satyr, Dafni, who appeared in the form of a bronze sable, the pirate, Amalia, and the tabaxi, Pearla. As the great snake began to attack, this chronicler noted that the newest Proto, one Ghostwise Halfling known as Paxton Smotherberry, suddenly appeared with arrows flying, proving himself to be a good marksmen and assisting valiantly with the effort to take down the monstrosity. The big snake did fall, and yet smaller ones appeared, and the battle continued until finally the snakes ceased to rise. Introductions were made. The Ghostwise Halfling Paxton presented himself as a fisherman, who colored the conversation with his own way of speaking, quick, sharp and unique. It was learned that he started the Academia late, but the teachers sent him to join the mission. The mission was discussed in some detail. Recalling the group had been attacked by Returned, and when presenting the funerary masks found after that battle to the Oracle, who long ago went by the name Khea, they had been sent here to find information concerning Phereus that was expected to be at Orestes Tomb.
As they entered the shrine, Amalia was heard to tell the group she had a vision of great mosaics, portraying many of Orestes’ acts, some which may anger the gods. Stealing the sun god’s chariot, tricking the three headed dog Cerberus to devour itself, attacking the cracken beneath the water, sailboat racing ahead of the River god Astraeus. Amalia was struck by this sight for a moment, but the shrine itself lay in ruins, crumbled and broken tiles the only remnants of those stories. They moved forward to explore the crypt, finding two floating bodies in a 4’ water section. Here the small group of new Protos found themselves in grave danger, as while exploring in water so deep most of them had trouble moving and could barely stand with their heads above water, some of the bodies in the crypt became animated, undead horrific zombies attacking them. Two of them fell and for a moment appeared to be lost. The battle continued, and the undead creatures were defeated eventually, but a heavy price was paid as the pirate Amalia and the newest member, Paxton Smotherberry, both lay motionless for a time. The bard Pearla and the druid dafni…who appeared when the bronze sable sunk to the floor of the crypt, both worked and struggled with their fledgling healing powers to keep the others alive. They managed to move out to a relatively drier area, and rested, working healing spells and magic berries until the group revived. They continued their search, filthy and weary, but still yet among the living. Descending into the area they found a funerary urn, with the symbol of Phenax, Amalia’s god. The urns in the room had names that were noted as: nam, nibara, ilfalur, nym, ithrana, balantz, gallanodel
. Important note. This chronicler was at this moment half covered in sludge, with writing instruments that barely worked and still on the trail of the party. The gods know that this chronicler makes no excuses and yet, begs mercy, if some letters smudged and the names could need still a correction.
And so they found themselves then descending into a room where two statues stood, wearing golden funerary masks, and when a gold coin was placed upon them , a door opened. The room also was filled with water, though not as deep as before, at about two feet. Essentially a pool of sludge, around a sarcophagus, and a large statue of the god this chronicler recognizes as Phenax. It appears to be the actual tomb of Orestes. Before the Protos could investigate further, from the area to the North a creature appeared, gliding into the room, appearing to be made of human flesh, strong marble, and of the Nyx.
Pearla, the catlike bard, offered in her singsong voice to the group that she knew of this creature. (perhaps some may describe the song as shrill) She identified it nevertheless, as a Lampad. . who guards the shadow path of the world, in charge of trading the souls moving from the underworld and trying to stop them from returning to the mortal world. A deep gravely human voice rang out, “what … are… you… doing…here…?”
As the party was face to face with the Nyx Dafni was aww struck by the celestial appearance of the Nyx. Amalia responds "I am here to pay my respects to Phanaxx my god." The Nyx was annoyed and points at the coffin under the statue of Phenax she then announces "I came to collect the soul that has escaped me he is in there". Amalia not wishing to annoy the Nyx or upset her deity knock at the coffin and asks who was in there and what they can offer. The voice claims to have once been a power wizard and claims that Phanaxx has helped him escape the underworld. Amalia bows her head she looks back at the group to see what decision they would make and most agree to help the spirit and fight off the Nyx. The reason was not only because of the connections to Phenax but the attitude of the Nyx.
A short combat begins and the group was victorious the spirit was freed from the coffin and floats to the doorway. He introduces himself and claims that he has vital information to give to Phenax . It was information about his former life about the name of his lover. The group agrees to help the spirit was also impressed on how the group managed to take down two Nyx's. Sadly the 2nd one had befell the spirit when the next combat begins. After the loss of the spirit named Varys. The group has decided to explore the rest of the tomb there was one location left and that was of a boarded up room. With a some tugs from Thraxos and the minotaur have managed to at first leave a small opening enough to peek inside.
Perla peeks in and sees undead creatures inside clawing at the doors direction. She steps back and tells the group so they opened up the door and sees the undead within cells one a minotaur skeleton begins to try to break down the door. The group has made their decision and attack the creatures while they are still behind bars. Perla was in the back facing off against two undead Amalia aiming her arrow at another caged undead, Thraxos and the minotaur were facing off against the giant skeleton minotaur. After the enemies were taken down the group has found quite a bit of loot and magic items. The group then decided to head out of the temple deciding to either head back to the college or continue to travel upstream.
Something strange happened with both the Triton and the Tabaxi, although this chronicler was able only to piece together small parts. This much was known. The Triton, Thraxos, in the morning after the Lampad battles, went to the shallow creek and submerged himself as well as he could, seeming deep in introspection or perhaps communing with his goddess. The Tabaxi, Pearla, separately but also similarly, crouched at the edge of the creek and put her paw-like hands just above the water's surface, letting it run beneath her. She was observed to be whispering, and staring ahead at an unknown focal point. Later, this chronicler believes to have heard reference to a vision, with mentions of a mighty crab, swirling water and gurgling sounds of pain.
Whatever may have happened, the Protos moved on, and soon came to a tributary creek, where it became clear that this small offshoot of the river now was nearly the only feeding force of water, as the sludge upward of it was almost entirely without any clear water at all. The pirate, Amalia, proved to be proficient with the spear and those who held interest had opportunity to feast upon trout. Dafni, the Satyr, was also in supply of berries. Pearla spoke to the group, sharing a sense that another god interfered with the water, presumably angering her goddess Thassa. As the river turned in to the foothills, tapering, the headwaters dried in to a wooded area, where it is noted the underbrush and trees became increasingly unhealthy in appearance.
Still, they moved forward to the forest. The Satyr, Dafni, slowed in her prancing, looking around alertly, seeming to have sensed something. And here the ghostwise halfling, Paxton, caught up to the group, calling to them but keeping to the high ground, alerting them of movement in the shrubbery. And suddenly appeared vine blights, slithering and seeking to wrap the group with their strong holds. A giant spider appeared, it took this chronicler a moment to grasp that it was but the satyr, fiercely attacking the wrapping vines with its venomous teeth. The battle continued, and Thraxos was injured but the group was successful and Dafni was able to heal the wounded Triton. After a rest they came upon a cavern, appearing to be the beginning of what was once the River. Every few minutes a huge billow of steam raced out from within the cavern, carrying with it a rolling, churning sound, and then would dissipate. Water in pain. The sentiment echoed, seeming reminiscent of the earlier dreams or visions of the followers of Thassa. They headed forward, and were confronted with a metallic creature, which attacked and disappeared, its bronze scales winding and grinding, dangerously sharp in its lunges. They battled, and the Triton did succeed in cutting the whizzing creature in half.
With some discussion, the group was able to salvage some metal from it, appearing to be enough to eventually make a short sword and dagger, perhaps. It is noted their skills are improving in this way, from the vine blights there was also a salvage of 70' of silken rope plus 6 buds of acid. They moved forward to an inner room, and were confronted with two sets of animated armor. The tired group still persevered in the battle, with the Satyr delivering the final blow. Here they were rewarded again with salvageable material from their former foes; now collecting 2 sets of plate mail armor in some need of repair, and some pouches of arcane dust... believed by this chronicler to be some sort of animation magic the uses of which are yet to be seen. Dafni searched for iron and was able to save 5 pouches, which did put some spring into her step once again. Noted as the party settled from these battles and prepared for the further adventure, from the side cavern, still a deep rumbling watery sound rose through the air, sometimes rising with a shrieking that may be like that of an eagle, and not more than ten minutes would go by before another burst of steam would come rushing through from some internal source. -Kahleef, Chronicler.
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FundPirate
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FundPirate
The Die As Cast podcast
FundPirate
The Die As Cast podcast
FundPirate
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