Omah-
It has been another cold night in the gutter. There has been no sight or sound of pig-dog, thought you have searched incessantly the day before. You are suddenly awoken as Alhazred the mad begins to warn all of inevitable death by clams, when shadows flick unexpectantly across the rising sun.
“Ohma! I don’t’ believe it! Not the great Ohma!” A young adults voice exasperates in strained adulation, “Lima ! I’ve finally found him, it’s Ohma!”
“Ohma?” A young female replies, “not the gutter!” She states, “we heard what happened. Everyone in the lower echelons of the druidic circle are talking about it, though all the elders are hush hush. It’s a total conspiracy !”
They pull you to your feet, a young pair of half elves, barely neophytes in the druidic circle.
“I’m Meas,” the young man says, “And this is my sister Lima. We’ve been searching all over for you!”
“Yes!” Says Lima excitedly, “We’re leaving the druidic circle. We heard about the rubbish they put you though, and that you’d rebelled against their ancient and stuffy ways to create your own form of druidism, and we want in!”
“Absolutely!” Meas exclaims, “here, look at this. I rescued your most recent paper, 'Cross-bio-illogicality in a non-Tolkien-derivative’, from the recycle heap and have taped it all tighter, look, I even stayed up all night and wrote out a copy by hand. Master Ohma, it is a work of unparalled intellectual criticism! A timeless masterpiece! Those dinosaurs don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“It’s not like that and you know it!” Lima says emphatically
“Oh, not this…” Meas protests, but his sister cuts him off.
“It’s a conspiracy man!” She tells you, “Someone high up in the government of the city wants to discredit you and all your work, they’ve bought out all the high druids and are suppressing all your research! They even banned discussions of your treatise “Extra-Metropolitan Flora & Fauna”. In druid school, and it is a work of pure genious!”
“Well, at least It’s better than “Extra-Lauresian Canine du corps and their resistance to the Ancient Druidic technique for Universal Animal Calm” Meas says, and they both have to agree to that.
“But notice how it all started once you released the 'deleterious effects of mind-expanding substances on academic processes'. Maybe you ticked someone off?” Meas suggests.
“No, this goes right to the top, man!” Lima emphatically insists. “No master druid could seriously reject that level of scholarship.”
Meas brushes his sister aside. “Anyway, we’re here to help. Wendelmane from the junior limb of Experimental Druidism and Micro-fungus tipped us off that you’d finally had it with the system and were breaking free, and you can count us in!”
“Yeah dude!” Lima encourages, “Down with the system! Viva la revolution! I know this really great corner for getting the message to the people, what a rush!” And at this, Lima pulls a harp from her robes, “And I know these songs, and can play along to help get peoples attention! Look, I’ve made on up already;
How many times must we ask to know
While the druids keep knowledge from our hands?
Yes and how many times must we wait in ignorance,
While imprisoned in this stone walled land?
The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind,
The answer –
She is suddenly interrupted by yet another man, screaming you name. It is Anton, his hair wild and his clothes torn.
“Ohma, Ohma! That the Mother I found you! I’m sorry, I’m just so sorry! Pig dog, she was just… you just rewrote the book on what’s possible I had to try it for myself… now she’s dead… and… and…”
“What did you do!” Lima shouts.
“Daisy was his greatest work!” Meas shouts, “he even measured the vector of her tail-curve, the floppiness factor of her ears, and the concentration and bizarre variety of the so-called 'gross spots' under her chin. If you’ve harmed her, I’ll, I’ll – “
Suddenly, from far down the streets there is a mighty crash. People run terrified from the approaching commotion, and their screams are suddenly overpowered by a mighty, bestial roar.
rrrRRRRROOOOOOAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!
“I’m so sorry.” Marcus begs, falling to the pavement. “It seemed like such a good idea at the time… Fufi… you remember Fufi? My childhood animal companion, the one I’ve had since before I could talk… well… it turns out that she might have been a little angrier at me than I anticipated for pulling on her ears and sticking things were I shouldn’t have… and when I combined her brain with the body of another beast, her repressed anger resurfaced and she’d gone on a blood thirsty rampage that can only be sated with my destruction!!!”
From much nearer now, a large cart full of apples is thrown high into the air and right through the front of some houses. With encroaching dread something huge rounds the corner, a hideous beast stairs right at the quartet of druids standing around in the street, and it lets out a final roar of terror and hate.
Fufi will have her revenge!
Lukat -
With the final, fatal blow, miraculously Zakaria does not die. You raise you weapon to deliver another finishing blow when suddenly a loud and noble voice rings out with such authority it immediately forces all in the room to comply;
“STOP!”
It is her husband, Maszalan.
He is not dressed as a cultist, nor even as a drow, but as a fighter in a simple yellow robe, armed with a mace.
“My husband!” Zakaria croons vengefully, struggling on the edge of death, “You will avenge my death, no? You will slay those who stood against our goddesses wishes?”
He walks up to her, looking at you all in sympathy. There is no hint of violence, jealously or even revenge written on his face.
“No Zakaria. This is the end. I will not.”
“What?” She states incredulously, cradling her wounds. “You swore undying love and servitude to me! You… you are my husband! You owe it to me as a drow…”
“I’m sorry Zakaria,” and here his voice does take on a hint of great sadness, “I really did try! I really did want you to be happy! When you were young, when I first heard your voice crying out to be free of the spider goddesses tyranny, to study magic and not her dark faith … I wanted so much to help you. We all wanted to help you – “
“What are you talking about madman!” Zakaria screams, vainly clutching at her wounds to stave off death a minute more, “I ORDER you to kill my grandchild and her friends immediately!”
But Maszalan does not move.
“She is my grandchild too.” He reminds her. “And you promised to protect your children, and your family, a long time ago. Do you remember that? Do you remember our wedding when we fled the Spider Queens tyranny long ago to elope? I remember Zakaria. I remember it all.” He says, tears pouring down his face. “We took you out of the spider queen’s web. I risked it all to help you. I risked heaven to help the Drow become free of the spider queen, and still when you heart fills with fear and you mind with pride you turn to her tyranny again – like a dog to she that whips her!”
“Maszalan,” She says, cunning to the last, “I’m sorry, yes, I will return to my people. I will deny my vows to the spider queen – “
“No, you will not.” He says. “I know you better than that Zakaria.”
She looks in his eyes then, but knows his words to be true, and then she can no longer hide the truth from herself. Suddenly, she collapses, and Maszalan runs to her side.
“Then this is how it will end?” She says weakly.
“This is how it ends.” He replies sadly.
“But why,” She pleads, “… why did you marry me? Why did you stay with me, even now, at the very end?”
For a moment, he pauses, then allows a hundred years of illusions to fade away. His skin turns from black to purest white, and hair from white to purest gold. The years fade instantly from his aged skin. A pair of feathery wings unfolds gently from his back and his body begins to glow with an inner power that makes it difficult to look at him.
“You…” Zakaria says, her voice failing her in wonder and understanding.
“Zakaria.” He states in a voice rich with love and devotion.
It is the last sound she ever hears…
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Player handout: Creatures and culture: The Savage Warlords of the Shattered lands.
For the first time in 17 years, the hated assassins of the knife are once again rulers of the brutal warlords of the shattered lands. Gribkalla bloodshirt, kobold clad head, makes all the PC’s honoured of the knifes, which has the following benefits.
- you may bask in the light of the fallen star, Kucha haka, for a day, which grants you a temporary +2 inherent bonus to strength for the next week each time you bask.
- A special weapon or magical item (as determined in game)
- bards may take ‘intimidating song’ (similar to the Haka)
- you are given a tiny mote of Orizon crystal from the Kucha Haka, which can be used to;
o power up a new crystal (purple amethyst, like Scooby)
o overpower the Greased lightening (get it ready to be a bigger boat)
o bolster Lauresia’s defences (with Metho’s recent research, this will be used to greater effect than was previously possible)
o make another floating island for the inhabitants of the city
Overview
The shattered land is a broken and dusty wasteland that juts unexpectedly from the edge of the grasslands, cutting a huge crevice along what one might have been rolling hills of the skylings. Now it is filled with battle lusting orcs, grimlocks, and countless other savages everyone would much rather ignore, but are so dug into their dark abode that none yet have managed to tame their savage lands – though they have tried.
Government
Power is the first law of government – the strong rule.
Family age the second law – the older has right to rule (unless the younger can overpower or slay them)
Officially the Sultancy ignored the shattered lands, considering them cursed, and ignores the potential for a drawn out battle with a skilled and experienced force. The constant infighting is the only thing preventing the shattered lands from attacking the rest of the Sultancy. They would not do well, however, outside their cursed abode.
Visitors to the Shattered lands are persecuted till death until the subscribe to one of the thirteen clans, at which point they are allowed a little security when travelling for fear of starting a war, which happens several times a year anyway. Each clan has brutal initiation rituals, ridged hierarchy, and strict laws. Each clan wars for dominance and resources, and the ‘king’ (called the “Hak-cha”) is the clan leader of the dominant tribe.
Clan dominance is decided by how close the clan lands come to Kucha haka, the sacred site, where a meteorite crashed down millennia ago and still lies, imbuing locals with exceptional strength and revelatory visions. The clan head of the dominant tribe is Hak-cha, which is decided by the victor of three contests – physical strength, victory in battle and strategy in war.
The clans are (listed in order of power);
1. Bloodbrood. Chaotic evil. orcs
2. Veil. Ogre mages and slaves
3. Path. Beholders.
4. Scale. Chromatic Dragonspawn.
5. Sword. Humans
6. Shadow. drow
7. Axe. dwarves
8. Slime. hobgoblins and allies
9. Claw. lycanthropes
10. Shoal. The undead
11. Knifes. Assasins. Kobolds
12. Dread. Evil fey (pixies, satyrs, dryads etc)
13. Lost. Abberations. Gnarks, gricks and occasional umberhulk.
Geography
Cavernous. Lots of dragons.
Military
Everyone.
Daily life
Wake up, eat, fight, eat, fight, eat, argue, fight, sleep.
Religion
The people of the War lords worship battle, violence and war. There is no option for death but to die in war, as disease or old age are terrible dishonours. Various cults (they’re not like churches) grow up around weapons and the Gods who exemplify that weapon. Their training is legendary.
Their version of heaven is external war.
Crime and punishment
Whatever the person in charge decides is a crime, basically. It’s chaotic neutral at best.
Cultural oddities
• Politeness is considered very rude. All requests must be phrased in the future tense with a steady voice (not shouting) and without a please or thankyou.
• You are only considered to own what you can keep a hold of. If someone steal or takes something from you, they are considered to deserve it more than you.
• The local language (Shattered lands) has no word for ‘hello’, but instead use ‘success’. The word for ‘please’ is ‘I beg for my life and surrender unconditionally’. The word for ‘thankyou’ is ‘try that again and you will die.’
- you may bask in the light of the fallen star, Kucha haka, for a day, which grants you a temporary +2 inherent bonus to strength for the next week each time you bask.
- A special weapon or magical item (as determined in game)
- bards may take ‘intimidating song’ (similar to the Haka)
- you are given a tiny mote of Orizon crystal from the Kucha Haka, which can be used to;
o power up a new crystal (purple amethyst, like Scooby)
o overpower the Greased lightening (get it ready to be a bigger boat)
o bolster Lauresia’s defences (with Metho’s recent research, this will be used to greater effect than was previously possible)
o make another floating island for the inhabitants of the city
Overview
The shattered land is a broken and dusty wasteland that juts unexpectedly from the edge of the grasslands, cutting a huge crevice along what one might have been rolling hills of the skylings. Now it is filled with battle lusting orcs, grimlocks, and countless other savages everyone would much rather ignore, but are so dug into their dark abode that none yet have managed to tame their savage lands – though they have tried.
Government
Power is the first law of government – the strong rule.
Family age the second law – the older has right to rule (unless the younger can overpower or slay them)
Officially the Sultancy ignored the shattered lands, considering them cursed, and ignores the potential for a drawn out battle with a skilled and experienced force. The constant infighting is the only thing preventing the shattered lands from attacking the rest of the Sultancy. They would not do well, however, outside their cursed abode.
Visitors to the Shattered lands are persecuted till death until the subscribe to one of the thirteen clans, at which point they are allowed a little security when travelling for fear of starting a war, which happens several times a year anyway. Each clan has brutal initiation rituals, ridged hierarchy, and strict laws. Each clan wars for dominance and resources, and the ‘king’ (called the “Hak-cha”) is the clan leader of the dominant tribe.
Clan dominance is decided by how close the clan lands come to Kucha haka, the sacred site, where a meteorite crashed down millennia ago and still lies, imbuing locals with exceptional strength and revelatory visions. The clan head of the dominant tribe is Hak-cha, which is decided by the victor of three contests – physical strength, victory in battle and strategy in war.
The clans are (listed in order of power);
1. Bloodbrood. Chaotic evil. orcs
2. Veil. Ogre mages and slaves
3. Path. Beholders.
4. Scale. Chromatic Dragonspawn.
5. Sword. Humans
6. Shadow. drow
7. Axe. dwarves
8. Slime. hobgoblins and allies
9. Claw. lycanthropes
10. Shoal. The undead
11. Knifes. Assasins. Kobolds
12. Dread. Evil fey (pixies, satyrs, dryads etc)
13. Lost. Abberations. Gnarks, gricks and occasional umberhulk.
Geography
Cavernous. Lots of dragons.
Military
Everyone.
Daily life
Wake up, eat, fight, eat, fight, eat, argue, fight, sleep.
Religion
The people of the War lords worship battle, violence and war. There is no option for death but to die in war, as disease or old age are terrible dishonours. Various cults (they’re not like churches) grow up around weapons and the Gods who exemplify that weapon. Their training is legendary.
Their version of heaven is external war.
Crime and punishment
Whatever the person in charge decides is a crime, basically. It’s chaotic neutral at best.
Cultural oddities
• Politeness is considered very rude. All requests must be phrased in the future tense with a steady voice (not shouting) and without a please or thankyou.
• You are only considered to own what you can keep a hold of. If someone steal or takes something from you, they are considered to deserve it more than you.
• The local language (Shattered lands) has no word for ‘hello’, but instead use ‘success’. The word for ‘please’ is ‘I beg for my life and surrender unconditionally’. The word for ‘thankyou’ is ‘try that again and you will die.’
Friday, May 21, 2010
The nobel beastmen of the far wilderness
The Beastmen are livid. All brandish weapons, calling for your immediate death.
“STOP!” A commanding voice demands. Suddenly there is complete silence. There, descending the stairs into the area, is an old Elk Beastman with enormous antlers, still muscle-bound even after his many years. “You bring great dishonour to our people, my son. Why do you persecute these foreigners!”
“They are Tris, father! The ancient debt cannot be forgiven!”
The father looks at you in silence for a moment.
“I find no fault in them.” He firmly states.
“What? Don’t be a fool old man! They are Tris! We saw their city of wings! I have tested them on the totem of the Tris! You cannot turn you back on the old ways…”
“And you,” the father interrupts, “Cannot turn aside from what our people must become. The old debt grows wearisome and can no longer serve our people in their best interests. The Tris tyrants have been fallen a thousand years, how can their children be held responsible for their parents’ crimes any longer?”
The boy does not answer.
“You have dishonoured me by declaring these worthy of death without my or your mothers agreement. You have shamed us son. And you have shamed the earth mother, who does not support you in this murder, and has allowed Gorka Mornga to be wounded for your foolishness!”
Raining Day says no more, but suddenly flees his fathers’ chastisement in tear filled rage.
“Come,” Says Night Song calmly, King of the Beastmen, “We have much to apologise for.”
“STOP!” A commanding voice demands. Suddenly there is complete silence. There, descending the stairs into the area, is an old Elk Beastman with enormous antlers, still muscle-bound even after his many years. “You bring great dishonour to our people, my son. Why do you persecute these foreigners!”
“They are Tris, father! The ancient debt cannot be forgiven!”
The father looks at you in silence for a moment.
“I find no fault in them.” He firmly states.
“What? Don’t be a fool old man! They are Tris! We saw their city of wings! I have tested them on the totem of the Tris! You cannot turn you back on the old ways…”
“And you,” the father interrupts, “Cannot turn aside from what our people must become. The old debt grows wearisome and can no longer serve our people in their best interests. The Tris tyrants have been fallen a thousand years, how can their children be held responsible for their parents’ crimes any longer?”
The boy does not answer.
“You have dishonoured me by declaring these worthy of death without my or your mothers agreement. You have shamed us son. And you have shamed the earth mother, who does not support you in this murder, and has allowed Gorka Mornga to be wounded for your foolishness!”
Raining Day says no more, but suddenly flees his fathers’ chastisement in tear filled rage.
“Come,” Says Night Song calmly, King of the Beastmen, “We have much to apologise for.”
Friday, May 7, 2010
Tour caverns of the Tris, part 2: The inner sanctum
The sanctum
Foyer
The room you are teleported to is perfectly octagonal and perfectly exact in every measurement. It is not large, only about 30 feet across, with the large stone table you currently have your hands on in the centre.
Surrounding the room are eight walls, each with a strange symbol in the centre.
Near the north wall a trail of black dust leads into the wall, where a small glass key lies, seeming undisturbed in centuries… Finally, there is here an Umberhulk skeleton, 2 or 3 hundred years old...
Abjuration
This room is octagonal, inscribed with three concentric circles of protection. Cleverly cut into the walls are shelves, books, and a desk, but no sign of sleeping quarters. The upholstery is mostly silver and black. An open book sits on the desk with a silver goblet beside it.
Conjuration
This octagonal room is brown, with a light blue summoning circle permanently inscribed in the floor in turquoise stone. A bed, study desk, and a broken book shelf are all that remain.
Divination
This room is light blue, and smells delightfully like a fresh winter morning. Delicate white lace patterns line the top of the room. There is little here but an ornate bed, a well preserved rug, a magical painting depicting a forest scene, and a humainoid skeleton blasted against a heavily cracked and chared desk.
Enchantment
As soon as you enter, you hear the words “I cannot leave the room, I cannot leave… hello, what is this?” There, lying luxuriously on the bed, is the most otherworldly handsome man you’ve ever laid eyes on. With seductious glee he offers “Hello, wont you come sit by me?”
Evocation
This room is unnaturally cold. It might have been glorious once, but the red drapes and finery are all but discarded with age and disuse. All furniture has been destroyed by time. A desiccated skeleton lies on the floor, a key clutched in its hands, pawing at the door.
Illusion
This room is beautiful, built for a male human to enjoy a rich degree of luxury, the magical plate still forming delicious sweetmeats even after all these years. An illusionary harp and viol play soothing music to an empty room.
Necromancy
This room looks well attended to, and none of the dust and mould of a thousand years clutters the air. It is well arrayed with black drapes, and everburning candles light the desk where a skeleton sits as if writing.
Suddenly, the skeleton turns to face you, and in a cruel, hollow voice whispers.
“1000 years, and suddenly a visitor? I have long since surrendered to despair. Perhaps you have come to amuse me?”
“At first, it seemed like such fun. We were going to master the time portal ourselves, the Evoker and I, and slay the rest as soon as it began to function. Well, function it did, and as was my part of the bargain I set about slaying all the other wizards, beginning with the conjurer… I still remember his screams…. Then I raised him as an undead to continue my work. Well, the others had turned on each other already by then, so it was a simple matter of preventing their escapes, much simpler than we first envisioned. How the Transmuter bled!
“Even so, I always knew the Evoker would betray me. He wanted me to be his axe of execution… it was too tempting an offer to refuse… but then he planned to throw me aside. But I was too clever for him, and had a special spell designed just when he did, a little heart worm it was! Ha ha! … oh… oh I wish I could have seen that!
“But I see you have entered in now. So I must assume you have my key, or his. Well, I’ll be taking my key back now, or I will have the pleasure of watching you die…
Transmutation
This room is full of devices of wonder and merriment – all broken. Seemingly once magical toys for children fill a room, but no wizard has dwelt here for a long time. Even as you look about, the change in the air causes a rotten shelf to go crashing to the floor. There is what appears to be a form of bed, but it might have folded up to make a riding pony, a desk that might have also been a dress, and a mirror that looks like it was once used as a drink dispenser…
Riddle;
The one thing that is always constant.
After me, all things are different
Before me, they are not what they have become
Without me, no boy would become a man
No seed a flower, no
And whatever else you can say of me
I am the opposite of ‘constant’.
The inner sanctum.
You are standing on a circular platform in a strange, perfectly spherical room. In the centre of the room an enormous clear quartz looms, floating in mid air. A scintillating purple light glows from it’s heart, projecting through the cracks and pits in its surface, to cover the walls completely in strange lines, symbols, and starfields. It looks as though it might have been used in some kind of calculation, but whatever it was used for must have been immense. The patterns appear to shine right through people somehow to cover the walls of this strange, small room. The air is fresh, but filled with a tangible sense of arcane power and mystery.
Epilogue
It is a fortnight in the making; the great circle of honesty that will finally compel all who promise honesty to deliver it. Within that circle, even the lies one might tell themselves are revealed. And at the centre of the circle a great stone will be healed.
Mingla, the Turquoise, in the hallowed hall overlooking the sky market. Mingla is a massive crystal, covering most of the floor, rising up in irregular lumps that easily form comfortable seating, covering herself with all kinds of mosses and flowers. Patrons come here daily to gain insight into their own lives, and discuss how to make their desires a reality in this world.
At first silent, within a day the many projections of Mingla are chatting again, but no more are they confused and ill, but rather they are clear minded, honest and perceptive. One of those images now approach you, with long brown hair and dark turquoise eyes she bounces up to you, eagre to talk.
“Thankyou.” She says, “Thankyou. This will make such a difference… thankyou.” She says, and bounces off again on her endless quest to love well and always speak the truth.
Foyer
The room you are teleported to is perfectly octagonal and perfectly exact in every measurement. It is not large, only about 30 feet across, with the large stone table you currently have your hands on in the centre.
Surrounding the room are eight walls, each with a strange symbol in the centre.
Near the north wall a trail of black dust leads into the wall, where a small glass key lies, seeming undisturbed in centuries… Finally, there is here an Umberhulk skeleton, 2 or 3 hundred years old...
Abjuration
This room is octagonal, inscribed with three concentric circles of protection. Cleverly cut into the walls are shelves, books, and a desk, but no sign of sleeping quarters. The upholstery is mostly silver and black. An open book sits on the desk with a silver goblet beside it.
Conjuration
This octagonal room is brown, with a light blue summoning circle permanently inscribed in the floor in turquoise stone. A bed, study desk, and a broken book shelf are all that remain.
Divination
This room is light blue, and smells delightfully like a fresh winter morning. Delicate white lace patterns line the top of the room. There is little here but an ornate bed, a well preserved rug, a magical painting depicting a forest scene, and a humainoid skeleton blasted against a heavily cracked and chared desk.
Enchantment
As soon as you enter, you hear the words “I cannot leave the room, I cannot leave… hello, what is this?” There, lying luxuriously on the bed, is the most otherworldly handsome man you’ve ever laid eyes on. With seductious glee he offers “Hello, wont you come sit by me?”
Evocation
This room is unnaturally cold. It might have been glorious once, but the red drapes and finery are all but discarded with age and disuse. All furniture has been destroyed by time. A desiccated skeleton lies on the floor, a key clutched in its hands, pawing at the door.
Illusion
This room is beautiful, built for a male human to enjoy a rich degree of luxury, the magical plate still forming delicious sweetmeats even after all these years. An illusionary harp and viol play soothing music to an empty room.
Necromancy
This room looks well attended to, and none of the dust and mould of a thousand years clutters the air. It is well arrayed with black drapes, and everburning candles light the desk where a skeleton sits as if writing.
Suddenly, the skeleton turns to face you, and in a cruel, hollow voice whispers.
“1000 years, and suddenly a visitor? I have long since surrendered to despair. Perhaps you have come to amuse me?”
“At first, it seemed like such fun. We were going to master the time portal ourselves, the Evoker and I, and slay the rest as soon as it began to function. Well, function it did, and as was my part of the bargain I set about slaying all the other wizards, beginning with the conjurer… I still remember his screams…. Then I raised him as an undead to continue my work. Well, the others had turned on each other already by then, so it was a simple matter of preventing their escapes, much simpler than we first envisioned. How the Transmuter bled!
“Even so, I always knew the Evoker would betray me. He wanted me to be his axe of execution… it was too tempting an offer to refuse… but then he planned to throw me aside. But I was too clever for him, and had a special spell designed just when he did, a little heart worm it was! Ha ha! … oh… oh I wish I could have seen that!
“But I see you have entered in now. So I must assume you have my key, or his. Well, I’ll be taking my key back now, or I will have the pleasure of watching you die…
Transmutation
This room is full of devices of wonder and merriment – all broken. Seemingly once magical toys for children fill a room, but no wizard has dwelt here for a long time. Even as you look about, the change in the air causes a rotten shelf to go crashing to the floor. There is what appears to be a form of bed, but it might have folded up to make a riding pony, a desk that might have also been a dress, and a mirror that looks like it was once used as a drink dispenser…
Riddle;
The one thing that is always constant.
After me, all things are different
Before me, they are not what they have become
Without me, no boy would become a man
No seed a flower, no
And whatever else you can say of me
I am the opposite of ‘constant’.
The inner sanctum.
You are standing on a circular platform in a strange, perfectly spherical room. In the centre of the room an enormous clear quartz looms, floating in mid air. A scintillating purple light glows from it’s heart, projecting through the cracks and pits in its surface, to cover the walls completely in strange lines, symbols, and starfields. It looks as though it might have been used in some kind of calculation, but whatever it was used for must have been immense. The patterns appear to shine right through people somehow to cover the walls of this strange, small room. The air is fresh, but filled with a tangible sense of arcane power and mystery.
Epilogue
It is a fortnight in the making; the great circle of honesty that will finally compel all who promise honesty to deliver it. Within that circle, even the lies one might tell themselves are revealed. And at the centre of the circle a great stone will be healed.
Mingla, the Turquoise, in the hallowed hall overlooking the sky market. Mingla is a massive crystal, covering most of the floor, rising up in irregular lumps that easily form comfortable seating, covering herself with all kinds of mosses and flowers. Patrons come here daily to gain insight into their own lives, and discuss how to make their desires a reality in this world.
At first silent, within a day the many projections of Mingla are chatting again, but no more are they confused and ill, but rather they are clear minded, honest and perceptive. One of those images now approach you, with long brown hair and dark turquoise eyes she bounces up to you, eagre to talk.
“Thankyou.” She says, “Thankyou. This will make such a difference… thankyou.” She says, and bounces off again on her endless quest to love well and always speak the truth.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tour caverns of the Tris, part 1
Come hear my story,
A tale so true.
About eight mighty wizards,
The proud, and the few.
Who desired a kingdom,
To rule for all time.
But whose story is tragic,
And I’ve set it to rhyme.
The archmage, Evoker,
He ruled the lot.
And mastering time,
He hatched a plot.
To control all the future,
Was to capture the past.
To build up an empire,
Eternal to last.
So taking the seven,
Masters of each school.
The set forth a plot,
Both ambitious and cruel.
A cavern was needed,
Hid from emperors’ sight.
To forge a great portal,
To rule, as power makes right.
A key was then given,
Unto each mage.
And order assigned,
Depending on age.
They worked their great magics,
All day and all night.
But when the moment, at last,
Came, all was not right.
For a traitor there was,
In the heart of each mage.
And when they’d succeeded,
They turned on each other in rage.
Now I am alone,
For 1000 years now.
With nothing to do,
But make up this small rhyme.
Founding
This octagonal room depicts the founding of the Tris, though it is difficult to make out the story covered with a thousand years of neglect. In the beginning, it appears the Gods create themselves and claim a barren and empty land as their own. They use powerful magic to bring fourth food, flowers, and humans.
Early Progress
After a thousand years of peace and progress the first great noble and scholar wizard known as Tris leads a group of about a hundred wizards to ignite the sun pillar. This room depicts the early expansion of the empire under the strong and kind leadership of the wizard Tris. The building of roads and aqueducts are shown, as well as overcoming early plagues and famine.
Civil war.
This room depicts the noble wizard Tris in his late years ending the people’s first and only civil war though the enshrinement of the wizard’s only ones worthy to rule in knowledge and power.
First great war
After 200 years of further expansion, the Tris almost loose their first great war against the decadent and primitive beastment hoards. Led by a giant half dog man, the beastmen manage to capture and raise at least half the empires cities before the powerful magics of the Tris eventually prevail through inflicting them with a terrible disease. Only a few beastmen are permitted to survive as house servants and menial labourers. They are depicted as witless and brutal, and only the intelligence of the growing Tris empire prevents them from descending into complete anarchy and violence.
Second great war
After centuries of peace with the dragons in their realm, the ancient red wyrm Larax finally enacts a century old plot to betray and enslave the empire. At first concurred by his treachery, the Empire of the Tris manage to gather their forces for an attack on their own capital and eventually win. Enslavement of dragons is heavily depicted in the final victory.
Third great war
Known as “The great sorcerer uprising”. Evil sorcerers who made dark and evil covenants with elemental powers achieve sudden success, and declare war on the emperor. The war eventually ends as the Tris Wizards celebrated achieving elemental balance and eternal subjugation of the elements.
Battle of Gods
This room, incredibly, appears to depict the Tris’ recent defeat or expulsion of all their own Gods. Using magic and treachery, those that were deemed ‘more trouble than they were worth’ are slain in numerous battles in which so many are slain ‘they are not numbered’.
Current day
This room depicts the current prosperous state of the empire, unrivalled in power across the stars. Elemental, dragonic and magical powers are all harnessed to the whim of the mighty, and even scullery maids know a prestidigitations to make their work easier. The motifs clearly depict the belief that no previous empire in history has had as much magical mastery as they do, nor ever will…
(One of the cabinets is of particular interest, it is an Intricate cabinet with translucent lock of solid magic worth 2000gp, weighing 1600 lbs.)
* and in knowing the eight passwords, the heros have been teleported into 'the sanctum'
A tale so true.
About eight mighty wizards,
The proud, and the few.
Who desired a kingdom,
To rule for all time.
But whose story is tragic,
And I’ve set it to rhyme.
The archmage, Evoker,
He ruled the lot.
And mastering time,
He hatched a plot.
To control all the future,
Was to capture the past.
To build up an empire,
Eternal to last.
So taking the seven,
Masters of each school.
The set forth a plot,
Both ambitious and cruel.
A cavern was needed,
Hid from emperors’ sight.
To forge a great portal,
To rule, as power makes right.
A key was then given,
Unto each mage.
And order assigned,
Depending on age.
They worked their great magics,
All day and all night.
But when the moment, at last,
Came, all was not right.
For a traitor there was,
In the heart of each mage.
And when they’d succeeded,
They turned on each other in rage.
Now I am alone,
For 1000 years now.
With nothing to do,
But make up this small rhyme.
Founding
This octagonal room depicts the founding of the Tris, though it is difficult to make out the story covered with a thousand years of neglect. In the beginning, it appears the Gods create themselves and claim a barren and empty land as their own. They use powerful magic to bring fourth food, flowers, and humans.
Early Progress
After a thousand years of peace and progress the first great noble and scholar wizard known as Tris leads a group of about a hundred wizards to ignite the sun pillar. This room depicts the early expansion of the empire under the strong and kind leadership of the wizard Tris. The building of roads and aqueducts are shown, as well as overcoming early plagues and famine.
Civil war.
This room depicts the noble wizard Tris in his late years ending the people’s first and only civil war though the enshrinement of the wizard’s only ones worthy to rule in knowledge and power.
First great war
After 200 years of further expansion, the Tris almost loose their first great war against the decadent and primitive beastment hoards. Led by a giant half dog man, the beastmen manage to capture and raise at least half the empires cities before the powerful magics of the Tris eventually prevail through inflicting them with a terrible disease. Only a few beastmen are permitted to survive as house servants and menial labourers. They are depicted as witless and brutal, and only the intelligence of the growing Tris empire prevents them from descending into complete anarchy and violence.
Second great war
After centuries of peace with the dragons in their realm, the ancient red wyrm Larax finally enacts a century old plot to betray and enslave the empire. At first concurred by his treachery, the Empire of the Tris manage to gather their forces for an attack on their own capital and eventually win. Enslavement of dragons is heavily depicted in the final victory.
Third great war
Known as “The great sorcerer uprising”. Evil sorcerers who made dark and evil covenants with elemental powers achieve sudden success, and declare war on the emperor. The war eventually ends as the Tris Wizards celebrated achieving elemental balance and eternal subjugation of the elements.
Battle of Gods
This room, incredibly, appears to depict the Tris’ recent defeat or expulsion of all their own Gods. Using magic and treachery, those that were deemed ‘more trouble than they were worth’ are slain in numerous battles in which so many are slain ‘they are not numbered’.
Current day
This room depicts the current prosperous state of the empire, unrivalled in power across the stars. Elemental, dragonic and magical powers are all harnessed to the whim of the mighty, and even scullery maids know a prestidigitations to make their work easier. The motifs clearly depict the belief that no previous empire in history has had as much magical mastery as they do, nor ever will…
(One of the cabinets is of particular interest, it is an Intricate cabinet with translucent lock of solid magic worth 2000gp, weighing 1600 lbs.)
* and in knowing the eight passwords, the heros have been teleported into 'the sanctum'
Friday, April 2, 2010
Ch 4 - the Sky Queens Malaise
DM blog:
It seems to have been a successful trade mission. The sky people are in your gratitude, the queen having knighted you Lords and Ladies of her realm, rewarding you generously for saving her people from their self induced malaise. Two of your group have chosen the sky peoples greatest blessing – to join them with wings.
Great success follows at your heels; you have imbued a sentient orange dodecahedron with the ability to fire sunbeams at enemies it chooses. You have chosen a successful crew for your floating skyship. You have increased the amount of land available to an overcrowded city – though people are confused whether it’s a blessing or a curse that the land has been claimed for (or perhaps by) the Drow family Hune lead by the scheming sorceress Zakaria. Finally, the gift of Prince Sunali Naphti has granted the ill citrine crystal the clarity of mind to govern the people of her suburb appropriately once more. There will be no more riots there hopefully (though the criminal responsible still remains at large…)
But perhaps the greatest success has been individual. Lukat is dating a prince, Gaston is staying true to his (almost) unattainable love, Gerald is back from the dead after ‘wresting’ a crocodile and gaining a shell fire dagger for her troubles, Oma is gaining valuable insights into avian species, and Methos is reading a greater diversity of books than any scholar of the city in a hundred years.
What more could you want…?
It seems to have been a successful trade mission. The sky people are in your gratitude, the queen having knighted you Lords and Ladies of her realm, rewarding you generously for saving her people from their self induced malaise. Two of your group have chosen the sky peoples greatest blessing – to join them with wings.
Great success follows at your heels; you have imbued a sentient orange dodecahedron with the ability to fire sunbeams at enemies it chooses. You have chosen a successful crew for your floating skyship. You have increased the amount of land available to an overcrowded city – though people are confused whether it’s a blessing or a curse that the land has been claimed for (or perhaps by) the Drow family Hune lead by the scheming sorceress Zakaria. Finally, the gift of Prince Sunali Naphti has granted the ill citrine crystal the clarity of mind to govern the people of her suburb appropriately once more. There will be no more riots there hopefully (though the criminal responsible still remains at large…)
But perhaps the greatest success has been individual. Lukat is dating a prince, Gaston is staying true to his (almost) unattainable love, Gerald is back from the dead after ‘wresting’ a crocodile and gaining a shell fire dagger for her troubles, Oma is gaining valuable insights into avian species, and Methos is reading a greater diversity of books than any scholar of the city in a hundred years.
What more could you want…?
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Grand Sultancy Of Alan Ackman - part 2
After a day of dry and hot wind, the evening breeze is cool and welcome, and the quiet warbling of the night birds a stark contrast against a day of shouting and trading. You are resting your arms against the high balcony where you are permitted to cool yourselves, eating the sweet but strange gifts of fruit they have provided, no longer prisoners but guests of the Great Sultancy of Alan Akhman. A thousand million stars twinkle pleasantly in the early night sky, where a single streak of light crosses towards the north where you people wait eagerly to hear your news. It is a good omen.
Shakhonrazae sees to your comfort, permitted now to be your host and guide instead of guard and jailor. Yet as the evening draws on she politely excused herself and goes alone into the gardens below, sitting by a lilly pond, her hands toying lazily in the dark water as a blue moon timidly lights the sky where the sun once stood, as though waiting for someone.
…
She does not wait for long. For sure enough, within a moment a dark skinned human riding a magic carpet makes his way across the castle wall and joins her. He bows formally, and she curtsies, and he presents her with a flower, placing it gently behind her hair. The sit then, not touching, but talk a good, long time in whispered tones of whatever plans they have, perhaps of you, perhaps of their people, perhaps of their impending marriage. Perhaps this means little to you and you retire, perhaps you long to hear the whispered words of destined lovers. It matters not, not to the stars, not the wind, not to the two betrothed who speak long and softly into the night.
…
Not to the half dozen black clad figures that move suspiciously towards them, the glint of the moon reflecting in their long, drawn daggers…
[As soon as you return to the city there is great rejoycing:
- you have established a trade route that will be very profitable for the city and help stem the boredom and fatigue of so many years in isolation. There are new raw materials, gems of great value, and interesting foods to sait a population bursting at the seams.
- You have earnt 1000 gp each, and locals sure hope you'll be spending it locally!!
- You bring in a curious Tris elixar: a magic potion to stem the excess of intellect. How will you put it to use?
- You bring seeds from another country, perhaps they can prove useful here too?
- You bring a book on crystalomancy written by the Aincient Tris. This book alone will make a big difference in the technology of the city that it has lost for so many years. Perhaps they will be able to get the towers fully functioning again? Not that they've stopped working, but no one has seen them work for over three generations... so there are rumours...
- You bring in a high quality diamond of over 10,000 gp value. once the citizens overcome their initial dissapointment over you not using it to feed Lauresia's children, thus giving them more space to live on, the news spreads that you intend to create a Skyship, for exploration and defence. Immediately citizens all over the city spring into action, and in a few short weeks they have costructed a beautiful ship with a single white sale. Now, if only it worked properly...
Shakhonrazae sees to your comfort, permitted now to be your host and guide instead of guard and jailor. Yet as the evening draws on she politely excused herself and goes alone into the gardens below, sitting by a lilly pond, her hands toying lazily in the dark water as a blue moon timidly lights the sky where the sun once stood, as though waiting for someone.
…
She does not wait for long. For sure enough, within a moment a dark skinned human riding a magic carpet makes his way across the castle wall and joins her. He bows formally, and she curtsies, and he presents her with a flower, placing it gently behind her hair. The sit then, not touching, but talk a good, long time in whispered tones of whatever plans they have, perhaps of you, perhaps of their people, perhaps of their impending marriage. Perhaps this means little to you and you retire, perhaps you long to hear the whispered words of destined lovers. It matters not, not to the stars, not the wind, not to the two betrothed who speak long and softly into the night.
…
Not to the half dozen black clad figures that move suspiciously towards them, the glint of the moon reflecting in their long, drawn daggers…
[As soon as you return to the city there is great rejoycing:
- you have established a trade route that will be very profitable for the city and help stem the boredom and fatigue of so many years in isolation. There are new raw materials, gems of great value, and interesting foods to sait a population bursting at the seams.
- You have earnt 1000 gp each, and locals sure hope you'll be spending it locally!!
- You bring in a curious Tris elixar: a magic potion to stem the excess of intellect. How will you put it to use?
- You bring seeds from another country, perhaps they can prove useful here too?
- You bring a book on crystalomancy written by the Aincient Tris. This book alone will make a big difference in the technology of the city that it has lost for so many years. Perhaps they will be able to get the towers fully functioning again? Not that they've stopped working, but no one has seen them work for over three generations... so there are rumours...
- You bring in a high quality diamond of over 10,000 gp value. once the citizens overcome their initial dissapointment over you not using it to feed Lauresia's children, thus giving them more space to live on, the news spreads that you intend to create a Skyship, for exploration and defence. Immediately citizens all over the city spring into action, and in a few short weeks they have costructed a beautiful ship with a single white sale. Now, if only it worked properly...
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