Quest #34 "The Search For The Ruined Tower”

[OGRE MAGE]

One of the biggest reasons I dislike it when my requests for rolls are ignored is that eventually..... I need to make them. That didn't turn out to good this time.

The Ruined Tower
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Breezy

Keyon and Elnaerel move to the very center of the round room, investigating the darker colored dust on the floor there. They find a tiny hole, about the width of a pinky finger, in the stone floor that appears to have a small glass tube stuck into it. A slight sensation of cold air escapes through the hole and around the obstruction, causing a bit of condensation to form when it hits the hot air of the room, thereby moistening the sand and causing its discoloration. Elnaerel starts kicking away the dust, finding another faded carving in the very center of the room.

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Leaving the carving of, the fool Keg sees the blocked stairway leading to the upper floor, so he lights another torch and walks upstairs, finding that it is indeed blocked with a broken chunk of fallen rubble from the second story walls.

Max continues looking at the roughly 4' x 4' carvings of the sun, fool, and wheel while Darklin helps Gnodric and Feanol clear off the lines they found on the floor, exposing yet another strange image.

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About 20 seconds after they have most of the dust cleared, Gnodric and Darklin, who were both positioned directly over the carving, suddenly vanish from sight. Feanol, who was kneeling off to the side of the carvings borders, lets out a loud gasp when her comrades disappear. She notices that all of the remining sand on the carving that was under her friends has also vanished, leaving the floor completely clean where her friends just were.

Actions?

positions:

E44181A3-F36F-47A2-83F9-8F0714776BFE.jpeg (19.29 KiB) Viewed 355 times

Keg Woodwright AC1 11/13 (Torch)
Gnodric AC5 8/10 (Torch)
Darklin Sylvanas AC4 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Elnaerel AC3 7/10 3/3
Max AC2 8/8 CL 2/2 MU 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Feanol AC10 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
The Knife AC4* 5/5
Keyon AC4 6/6
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Bluehorse]

Elnaerel
"A sun and a fool. I wonder if there's more to be find here, and what that might mean. I can't think of many religions that worship the sun, so I can't link this to any specifically. Any ideas of this... conection? Maybe the fool tries to enter during the day?" She chuckles. "Who knows?!"

Keg grunts. It's simple enough. Don't stare at the sun you fool. You'll go blind.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Well leave it to Gnodric to stumble into the teleport spell. Hey folks we may have a gate here, its taken Gnodric and Darklin. If we get on this square the Chariot may take us the same place or elsewhere. I'd think we try to join them as those two will get into all sorts of trouble on their own."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"That this place has some kind of... a magician's tower?... makes sense that they would have teleporters. That is, if our companions didn't step on the wrong one and got their bones grinded. I'll trust you, Feanol. You know your craft, I guess. I only hope there's a way back and that we all land on the same spot if we step on the same carving.

Shall we go?" She nods at the carving of the chariot.

[Paladin]

Keyon

"Well." Keyon glances at his companions. "Do we follow and assume they weren't transported into the center of a boulder or lava pit?" If the others go ahead, he'll follow along. Otherwise, he'll await a consensus.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

Hearing agreement from the other two elves she'll step forward onto the Chariot.

[OGRE MAGE]

Darklin hasn't posted here in over 5 days, so I guess I will continue to NPC both of his characters as best I can to prevent the rest of you from having to wait any longer. Not the best situation timing wise, but we will have to make due.

Why Are We Here Again?
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Breezy

Keg doesn't appear to be bothered at all after seeing two of his friends suddenly vanish. Ignoring the excitement, Max moves over to the rusty iron door he was eyeing up earlier, wondering how heavy it would be to carry all the way back to Beachtown. He finds something strange on the inside of the badly damaged door.

Quickly surmising that Gnodric and Darklin have just been teleported, though she has no idea to where, Feanol suggests that they all blindly follow.

Keyon and Elnaerel totally ignore the strange plugged hole they just found in the floor, Agreeing with Feanol that they should all step on the square in turn as well, though they both seem slightly more reluctant to do so.

Once all the elves agree, Feanol steps into the center of the square Chariot symbol carving on the floor and starts her countdown.

Information for Gnodric and Darklin ONLY please!!!

The pair of elves suddenly figure out that they are no longer clearing dust off the stone floor inside the ground level of the tower. They now find themselves inside a cold, dark room with no visible doors or windows. They cant see anything with their heat sensing vision, thanks to Gnodric's torch, but there is clearly something shimmering softly in front of them. It looks to be an old man dressed in robes sitting in a plain wooden chair with a long, decorative box resting across his lap. The unmoving figure has his eyes closed tightly and he appears to be encased in an aura of softly glowing orangish yellow light that extends all the way to the ceiling. A disturbing throaty voice slowly sounds out from the darkness beyond your light source.

"Hhhmmm. Finally. Someone to keep me company. Hhhmmmm. And a pair of sombodies no less. Elven sombodies. Tell me foolish ones, Have you come for my treasure? Hhhhmmmm. Can you not read the common tongue? Hhhmmmph!" The horrible voice sends shivers down both spines at once.

Please put the actions that happen here in spoilers until everyone decides if they follow or not. Thanks!

Gnodric AC5 8/10 (Torch)
Darklin Sylvanas AC4 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

Actions?

positions:

0958BE83-4D87-4AE2-AD3E-C8F90F711262.jpeg (18.3 KiB) Viewed 312 times

Keg Woodwright AC1 11/13 (Torch)
Elnaerel AC3 7/10 3/3
Max AC2 8/8 CL 2/2 MU 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Feanol AC10 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Keyon AC4 6/6

The Knife AC4* 5/5
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Ahlmzhad]

DM’s eyes only!

Gnodric

Looks at the strange man trying to tell if he's speaking or the voice is coming from a magical source. He glances at Darklin to see his impression. "Well to tell you the truth sir we hadn't found anything written in common, just a lot of sand on the floor with some carvings under it. We were trying to uncover them when we found ourselves here. So no we didn't particularly come for your treasure. Who are you and why are you hidden away in this strange place?"

Feanol

Ignoring the comments, and hoping for the best she waits to see if anything happens.

[Paladin]

Keyon

"I'll go last." The elf watches Feanol intently.

[Ahlmzhad]

Hey, I did step on that square before I knew where Gnodric was. I don't blame you, but sometimes you have to jump through the doorway.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Turns from the blocked stairs and then looks at the floor before looking around. Hey... Are we missing a couple people? Where did Gnodric and Darklin run off to? he decends the stairs and looks around confused. They couldn't have just poofed away............... could they?

[OGRE MAGE]

Hey, I did step on that square before I knew where Gnodric was. I don't blame you, but sometimes you have to jump through the doorway.

I guess I should have mentioned this beforehand, but please put your actions in spoiler tags from now on so the others have to cheat to see them.

I edited your last post for you already, but it was probably a little late at this point.

Thanks!

[Ahlmzhad]

Hey, I did step on that square before I knew where Gnodric was. I don't blame you, but sometimes you have to jump through the doorway.

I guess I should have mentioned this beforehand, but please put your actions in spoiler tags from now on so the others have to cheat to see them.

I edited your last post for you already, but it was probably a little late at this point.

Thanks!

Sorry didn't even think about that.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

Elnaerel starts hesitating. "Oh, my. I should've prevented Feanol from stepping onto the seal. I was just asking for your opinions." She turns to Keg. "Darklin and Gnodric, and now Feanol too, have disappeared by stepping on this." The cleric points at the chariot seal. "Feanol thinks it's some kind of teleportation device. But, to be honest, we don't know. She's a wizard and all that but... But... Well, we still have another wizard here, right?" She turns to Max, hands on her hips. "I should've asked this before, but what do you know about this tower, Max? These carvings? This little whole on the centre? What does all this suggest to you? What do you really know about this place that you haven't told us yet?"

[OGRE MAGE]

I see that Darklin is posting in his other games, so I know he is still around. I will continue to use this NPC opportunity to relay some information that he might have mentioned before any of you agreed to come here.

Why Are We Here Again?
Starday, 27th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Breezy

Keg climbs back down the stairs in time to watch Feanol vanish from atop the Chariot carving next, making it three party members he is in charge of now mysteriously gone missing.

Keyon watches his possible future wife disappear as well, suddenly making him think twice about jumping on next. Elnaerel experiences second thoughts as well, now wishing that she would have prevented Feanol from willingly standing on the square. She confronts Max to tell them everything he knows about the place, to which he answers. "There is some kind of writing here on the back of this door. It's rusted over but........wait. What? Oh, ya. I will tell you everything I know."

"It all started when I heard this strange music in the jungle. When I walked toward it, I was blinded by a bright light that made me feel strange. At first I thought it might be some kind of divine intervention from Ehlonna, but the voice sounded more like an old man, and he never showed himself to me the whole time we talked."

"He asked me how I liked the island, and if it was challenging enough for me. I thought that was a little weird. Then he told me of a great and powerful artifact that would help everyone in town. Well, now that I think about it, that isn't exactly what he said. Maybe that is just what I wanted him to tell me? I'm not even sure myself anymore, to be honest. He said it could be used by several people, but that it wouldn't always be beneficial to them, whatever that means."

"He told me about this place, and where to find it, so there must be some truth to his words. He said the magical item was guarded by an old friend of his named Assamuk, an old ghost of a man......or did he say spectre? I think he described him as an old spectre. You don't think he meant an actual........oh dear."

"I think he said that it might not even be dangerous anymore." Max points to the back of the rent door again, trying to change the subject as quickly as possible. "Anyone know a way to remove this rust so we can see what this says?"



Information for Gnodric, Feanol, and Darklin ONLY please!!!

Darklin remains silent as the unseen voice from the darkness replies to Gnodric's questioning. The figure of the old man shrouded in light with the box on his lap does not move its mouth, or anything else.

"Hhhmmm. You arrived here by accident? Eeeehhhhmmmm. The warnings are gone then? How long have I...."

Suddenly, Feanol joins the initial pair in the dark room.

"Hhhhhmmmmmphh! More elves to join me? And all so fresh and young? Hhhmmm. How many of you came to take my plaques away? For this trio is certainly no challenge for me yet. Hhhhmmmm. You will all know my name soon enough! Hhhmmm."

There is a slight movement in the darkness beyond the sitting figure, as if something ghostly was moving around beyond your torchlight. The coldness and sense of dread in the room seems to become a bit more palpable.

Darklin mumbles something under his breath to the effect of, "where is that damn Max when you need him?"

Please put the actions that happen here in spoilers until everyone decides if they follow or not. Thanks!

Gnodric AC5 8/10 (Torch)
Darklin Sylvanas AC4 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Feanol AC10 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM

Actions?

positions:

Keg Woodwright AC1 11/13 (Torch)
Elnaerel AC3 7/10 3/3
Max AC2 8/8 CL 2/2 MU 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Keyon AC4 6/6

The Knife AC4* 5/5
overall map:
viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

[Ahlmzhad]

Gnodric is a bit shocked by the sudden appearance of his cousin then continues "ah my cousin sir I know she doesn't seek your treasure, she was near me when I was transported here, and surely she came to my aid." Feanol takes a minute to survey where she is, seeing Gnodric dithering on with the old man in the chair she jumps in. "I am Feanol, daughter of Feanor and Felol of Celene. My quiet partner is Darklin also of Celene, and we are the initial team sent from the Grand Wizards of Celene to determine the source of this Island's sudden appearance here in the southern seas. Sir are you the source of this disruption, that has caused so much trouble in the world?"

Feanol will use every bit of persuasive power she has to browbeat this spectral guardian into a cooperative mood

[Paladin]

Keyon

The elf blinks as Feanol vanishes. "Why are the pretty ones always crazy?" He muses aloud. The rogue shrugs and turns his attention back to the mysterious hole. He carefully circumnavigates the immediate area while studiously avoiding treading upon any carvings or obvious markings.

"I have to know. Spinners be merciful. Watch yourselves." Before he can have second thoughts, Keyon reaches out to gently pluck the glass tube from the hole.

If anything besides air spills from the aperture, his first move will be to try and plug the hole again.

[Darklin2]

Max

Moves to the Chariot card and tries to find the spot the others disappeared on. Searching the floor.

Darklin

I am Darklin Silvanas, from the Dyver Silvanas's. Our friend where ever he is, Max. Was told about it and this tower. We have come to find a magical item that is supposed to make the life of Beachtown easier. We are besieged on all sides by the Relentless Jungle and now Evil Dwarves that are obsessed with rocks. Our people are near starving and we need your help.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Blinks. Wait! For all we know they are being... I don't know... denigrated! Or... Teleported into shark infested waters! Let's be reasonable here and try to figure this out first!

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Fine, fine. Let's take a cautious look at everything first, yes." To Max: "I assume you didn't know anything about the tower itself." She takes a deep breath contemplating the carvings, specially the one of the chariot. "I hope they're doing well...

What an awe-inspiring story, Max... You have to feel fortunate having received such a message from a superior being... Anyway, it's good we're fighting for a just cause... I just hope the spectre isn't a spectre. For what I've learnt in my years of study, those are powerful entities. Way beyond the powers Ehlonna deems I'm worthy to wield." She looks at all her remaining companions before turning her attention back to the little whole in the centre and to Keyon.