Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Mordallend Story Hour
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Galfridus" data-source="post: 1138" data-attributes="member: 119"><p><strong>Journey to Magehaven</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Hullashfjord, October 23, LE 653</strong></p><p></p><p>The celebration continues, but suddenly several people notice a group of warriors leaving the hall. Following toward the edge of the village nearest the hobgoblin camp, they come across a bewildered looking sentry with a shattered greatsword in one hand and a bundle in the other. “Some old fellow…broke my sword with one swing of his staff!” He looks into the crowd. “Lord Lowthar? He left these for you…for you and your group, he said. Said you left them behind.” He hands a small gold figurine (of a vicious looking rat) and a thick book to Lowthar. Several of the group’s spellcasters identify the figurine as the focus for a <em>Conjure Monster</em> spell [a longer-lasting campaign variant on <em>Summon Monster</em>], and guess the book to be a spellbook. Leilen opens to a random page, and seeing magical writing, casts <em>Read Magic</em>. The book contains a number of cantrips, several first level spells including <em>Conjure Monster I</em>, <em>Mage Armor</em>, and…more explosive runes! Leilen survives the blast, but the book does not, and he is left with a charred and smoldering binding in his hands. The group settles on a new policy: “Don’t read anything!” and calls it a night.</p><p></p><p>The next day (the 24th) is spent resting, composing songs, repairing gear, and readying for departure and the trip to Magehaven, concealed in the mountains just a few day’s trip away—shorter if they travel a ways down the fjord. Magnimiliar speaks to Carl Alding about transportation. Carl is happy to offer the “Lord” and his retinue passage along the fjord, though he is not sure why they want to depart at the foot of an uninhabited mountain. Magnimiliar assures him they have heard word there are more chimeras on the slopes, and Carl seems satisfied with that answer. </p><p></p><p>The boat trip is uneventful, and the Vellanders wish the group a hearty farewell and much battle before rowing away down the fjord. Following Thorald’s best recollection, they find a steep valley and begin the climb upward. </p><p></p><p>That afternoon, their journey is abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a huge spider (easily ten feet across), pale with dark blue markings, that bites Thorald twice and then disappears before more than a couple people can dismount. Before the group can react, it appears again to bite Mystarion, who clutches at his shoulder, collapses – and promptly disappears, as does the spider. Before it vanishes, however, it is struck by several <em>Magic Missiles</em> and a well-aimed arrow. Finally given some time, the group is ready when the spider next appears. A series of charges from Jonetello, Zook, Kanavin, spells from Magnimiliar, and a pair of arrows from Leilen finish the creature. </p><p></p><p>Mystarion, drawn by the Medallion of Twilight to the strange shadowed realm he has seen before, walks to the analog of where he recalls Kalenthas standing. Speaking the word “Obilon” before the darkness can deepen, he reappears beside the halfling, who <em>Cures</em> him before he can fall to the ground. </p><p></p><p>Kalenthas wants to camp nearby, but several people feel it would be foolish to stay near the fallen monster. Jonetello and Elbryn look for tracks but find none – then decide that it might be foolish to continue. If this creature had a territory, remaining here might be the safest place to spend the night. Magnimiliar congratulates Kalenthas for having a good idea. Sure enough, the night passes without incident.</p><p></p><p>The group continues the climb the next day, following traces of a road, until they are led to a sheer rock wall with a high mountain above. Thorald thinks this is the way to Magehaven, but does not recognize the peak. They pause for a moment. Leilen casts <em>Detect Magic</em>, and is so sure that there is no magic here he ends the spell immediately.</p><p></p><p>As the group decides what to do next, a man appears, clad in light armor and carrying, though not aiming, a bow. He greets the group, and Thorald recognizes him as Alden Massen, chief Hunter of Magehaven. Alden welcomes the group and leads them to the wall. He speaks a word, and the wall grinds open, revealing a tunnel. After a few dozen feet, the tunnel opens onto a cavern occupied by another dozen or so lightly-armed warriors, many of whom Thorald recognizes. The group is escorted to a side chamber, where Alden takes their names and bids them wait. </p><p></p><p>After a few minutes, a beautiful young woman with raven black hair enters. She is clad in robes of deep blue. She introduces herself as Maia Azure, Diviner of Magehaven, and smiles to Thorald. She casts a spell (identified by Mystarion as <em>Detect Thoughts</em>) and concentrates as Alden begins asking the group about their purposes and backgrounds. Most members choose to fail their saving throw in order to prove themselves to the diviner, who focuses on them one at a time as Alden asks about their purpose in coming. Magnimiliar has trouble keeping his thoughts straight: “Think good thoughts…think good thoughts…wow, she has a nice pair of…” Maia sighs and rolls her eyes, then moves on to the next person. Jonetello requests that Prince Loxham be allowed to remain in safety in the village, but Alden insists that only the Council of Magehaven can grant such a request. “For now, he says, you are welcome to remain in the village, as long as you abide by our rules. Firstly, you may not leave the village without leave; we are a hidden place, and we must remain so. Secondly, don’t touch anything!” He rises and, with Maia, leads them through another tunnel and into the village of Magehaven.</p><p></p><p>Magehaven sits on a plateau just above the cliff that halted the party; apparently, the mountain peak above is but an illusion. The group follows a narrow path past newly-harvested fields, until they come to a large swamp, dark and overgrown with moss and ancient trees. The path winds through the swamp, and Maia and Alden encourage the group to proceed. They do, slowly, until they spot a large crocodile resting in the middle of the path. “An illusion,” says Mystarion, and attempts to see through it. He manages to perceive the dweomer sustaining the swamp itself, but the crocodile remains solid. Then Thorald remembers himself. “Hi, Smiley,” he says. “Hey there, Thorald,” says the crocodile, flashing a toothy grin. “Good to see you again!” He introduces himself to Thorald’s friends, offering a paw to each of them. “See you around,” he declares, then crawls off into the swamp. The group continues; after a few minutes, the path emerges in the village of Magehaven itself. Maia and Alden lead the group to a large hall, bid them wait, and then depart.</p><p></p><p>During the walk, Magnimiliar was doing his best to make light conversation with Maia. Maia, however, seemed interested only in discussing the astrological implications of various divinatory wards and auguries that had been shifting in recent months toward a configuration similar to that mentioned in Master Simon Overe’s journal of 513…Magnimiliar’s eyes began to glaze over, but he managed to understand that there was some sort of meeting taking place that evening.</p><p></p><p>The group waits in the hall for a short while before Leilen, standing at the door, spots a stunningly beautiful half-elven girl running toward the hall. Thinking quickly, he immediately casts <em>Hold Person</em> to restrain Magnimiliar, but he makes his save and is able to drop his jaw as the girl bounds inside, cries “Thorald!!!!” and gives the psion a tremendous hug. Thorald seems a bit abashed, but introduces his friend Selphyra to the group. “Hi everyone!” exclaims Selphyra. “It’s so great to meet you all…and to see you again Thorald! I didn’t think you’d ever come back! Your parents are just sooo happy you are there – they’ll be by soon. Anyway, I have to go, I’m in the middle of a lesson with Master Enam, and you know how he can get. Bye!” She flits out the door to a chorus of sighs. No one seems to object to staying in Magehaven for a while. </p><p></p><p>Shortly thereafter, the group is visited by the Council of Magehaven. Thorald sees his mother, Elaina Skye, in the group. The head of the council, Carl Whitebeard, says that the group’s request is impossible to grant. Magehaven is a place for study, not politics, and if the prince were allowed to stay, the village would inevitably be dragged into his affairs. On the other hand, the group is welcome to stay for at least a few days while they determine their future path. Carl was expecting to deny Thorald even this boon, but the head Diviner, Reddick the Seer, insisted there was no danger from the Calkyrix, so he will be allowed to stay. Carl declares the meeting over; as he does so, someone mutters in his ear. Jonetello and Leilen catch a few words: “conjured…out of the village…”, but choose to say nothing. As the council departs, Magnimiliar spots Maia and asks if he could attend the, uh, divination thing that evening. Maia smiles. “That would be up to Reddick, of course.” Magnimiliar puts the question to The Seer, who replies in a deep voice, “Of course you may attend,” before turning away. Magnimiliar is busy congratulating himself when an addendum rises from Reddick’s lips: “…at your peril.” This warning does not seem to faze Magnimiliar. Meanwhile, an apprentice left behind announces that he is to give the group a tour of the village.</p><p></p><p>Magehaven is a walled village divided into quarters, once for each school of magic (as well as one for generalist, or hedge, wizards). The apprentice glumly heads them past the Tower of Divination, the Hall of the Dead, the Three Towers of Defense, the Hall of Change, the twin Halls of Evocation, the ruined Tower of Enchantment, the Dome of Conjuration, and the Artificer’s Laboratory. Several sets of ears perk up at this last one (“Magic items?!?” ), and the group requests a tour of the lab. </p><p></p><p>The apprentice leads them to a thirty foot wall in the middle of a wide courtyard. On one side of the wall is a thick oak door. The apprentice knocks on the door, and a mouth appears: “Come in!” He opens the door, revealing a vast room filled with tables, shelves, books, engines of alchemy, and at least a dozen scurrying wizards. The Chief Artificer, Quewellen, hurries up to meet them. “Oh, the outsiders! So glad to meet you all. We were just about to—say, could one of you volunteer?” </p><p></p><p>Zook volunteers instantly, and is soon holding a gold flute while Quewellen casts a spell on him. “Alright, now just play this simple tune…” and he whistles. Zook tries, but his knowledge of the flute is limited. “That’s alright, try again—oh, and perhaps you should move away from your friends there.” After a couple attempts, Zook gets the tune right, and is instantly engulfed in a huge gout of fire that erupts from the flute. When the smoke clears, he is standing bewildered – but apparently unharmed. “Oh, blast,” says Quewellen, “still coming out the wrong end. Ah well!” </p><p></p><p>He hurries over to a table with a crystal ball and a small ring. Leilen steps forward, anticipating the need for a volunteer. He dons the ring and speaks a word at Quewellen’s request. The top of the ring cracks open, revealing a small eye. At the same time, vague shapes and colors appear in the crystal ball, moving as Leilen moves his hand, but failing to come into focus. “Wonderful – a near-sighted <em>Ring of Clairvoyance</em>” groans Jonetello, earning him a pleased smile from Quewellen. “Just so – very perceptive of you!” </p><p></p><p>Quewellen strides to another table and picks up a brown potion. “Now then, just one more volunteer…hm, no, not the gnome, yes, you will do, a half-elf should be just fine.” He places the potion in Elbryn’s outstretched hand. Elbryn uncorks the flask and takes a small sip. “No, no – drink it all down!” urges Quewellen, and Elbryn slowly complies. At first, nothing happens – and then the group has to restrain themselves as Elbryn slowly transmorphs into a six foot tall brown rabbit. “Now, as you may know, magic of this order cannot normally be encapsulated in potion form, but we have made some progress at doing so. Of course, there are still a few problems…” Elbryn looks bewildered, then jumps in alarm as he discovers his changed state. “Oh, don’t worry,” says Quewellen, “it wears off in a few hours. Oh, but don’t eat any carrots or lettuce before then! Anyway, so nice to meet you, but I’m afraid you’ll have to go now. Important experiment coming up!” Before leaving, several group members ask about the possibility of Quewellen’s people forging a magic item or two. Quewellen seems to think this is a grand idea.</p><p></p><p>Most of the group returns to the hall. Elbryn seeks his quarters to meditate for a bit. Jonetello plays several songs for a rapidly increasing audience, who seem eager to hear anything new regardless of subject matter. Zook, Mystarion, and Thorald pay a brief visit to Azimuth, master of the school of Illusion, in the swamp. (An unseen door in one of the large trees opens onto a stone staircase leading up to an arched chamber invisible from the path below.) Azimuth asks how they enjoy the swamp, and wonders if they have any requests for the future. After taking a couple suggestions (crystal city, Pelor’s palace) he says he will have something new before they can depart. Zook asks if he can learn illusion spells from the school. “Of course!” says Azimuth. “It would be a pleasure to have a gnome’s perspective…if you are here long enough, come back!”</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Magnimiliar sits high in the Tower of Divniation, doing his best to look like he understands the conversation whirling between four diviners. As best he can tell, they are concerned about a shift in the stars that began a few years back. Reddick seems to think it portends woe for the village and the lands around it, while two of the others are far less concerned. Maia says little – giving Magnimiliar exasperated glances instead. Finally, she declares that to her, the matter bears watching, but without a more clear understanding there is little they can do. Shortly thereafter, with no preamble, the meeting ends abruptly. Magnimiliar scrambles to his feet and follows Maia as she crosses one of the crystal bridges leading out of the tower and descends to the ground below. “Hey, Maia…would you like to come have a drink with me?” he asks? Maia thinks a moment, then smiles. “It sounds like a pleasant offer…but I don’t think so.” She turns and walks away. </p><p></p><p>Thorald and Mystarion spend a pleasant hour with Thorald’s parents, Donovan Stone and Elaina Skye. Elaina had foreseen Thorald’s recent death, and was overjoyed that it did not take. “That’s the only reason you’re allowed back in here,” she says, “they think your death threw off that thing, the Calkyrix.” She shakes a finger at him. “Don’t you go dying on me again, young man!” They share a few stories before Thorald and Mystarion return to the rest of the group.</p><p></p><p>Magnimiliar, upon meeting up with Thorald again, has a question for him. “So, what is this Calkyrix thing all about?” Thorald explains as best he can: tentacles of starry darkness, reaching hundreds of feet into the sky. Jonetello confirms this, recalling that they could see it from at least a quarter mile off when it appeared in the city of Merelin.</p><p></p><p>Mags, a shade paler than a few minutes before, looks around nervously. “And how did you stop this thing?” “I didn’t,” says Thorald. The first time, he explains, it was driven off by the combined force of Magehaven. The second time, he doesn’t really know what happened; when he came to, he had been transported to another plane of existence. “Something must have driven it off, I guess.”</p><p></p><p>“Well that’s great!” proclaims Magnimiliar. “Does anyone else have any deep, big secrets to reveal! Anything else hunting anyone?” Kalenthas looks a little sheepish. “Well, once when I was an acolyte I stole food from the kitchen…” Magnimiliar does not seem as concerned about this incident.</p><p></p><p>Some of the group turns in at this point. Magnimiliar, Jonetello, and a couple others return to the Artificer’s Lab. A bright light can be seen glowing behind the door, and muffled thumps or explosions sound from within. Someone knocks on the door, and the mouth appears.</p><p></p><p>“Welcome to the Artificer’s Lab! I am sorry to say that the lab is cl-- … --or rep--… --ood day!” A loud bang shakes the door, and a cloud of smoke puffs out beneath the door. “Perhaps we should come back later.” “Yeah, good idea.” They decide to call it a night.</p><p></p><p>[ November 05, 2001: Message edited by: Galfridus ]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Galfridus, post: 1138, member: 119"] [b]Journey to Magehaven[/b] [b]Hullashfjord, October 23, LE 653[/b] The celebration continues, but suddenly several people notice a group of warriors leaving the hall. Following toward the edge of the village nearest the hobgoblin camp, they come across a bewildered looking sentry with a shattered greatsword in one hand and a bundle in the other. “Some old fellow…broke my sword with one swing of his staff!” He looks into the crowd. “Lord Lowthar? He left these for you…for you and your group, he said. Said you left them behind.” He hands a small gold figurine (of a vicious looking rat) and a thick book to Lowthar. Several of the group’s spellcasters identify the figurine as the focus for a [i]Conjure Monster[/i] spell [a longer-lasting campaign variant on [i]Summon Monster[/i]], and guess the book to be a spellbook. Leilen opens to a random page, and seeing magical writing, casts [i]Read Magic[/i]. The book contains a number of cantrips, several first level spells including [i]Conjure Monster I[/i], [i]Mage Armor[/i], and…more explosive runes! Leilen survives the blast, but the book does not, and he is left with a charred and smoldering binding in his hands. The group settles on a new policy: “Don’t read anything!” and calls it a night. The next day (the 24th) is spent resting, composing songs, repairing gear, and readying for departure and the trip to Magehaven, concealed in the mountains just a few day’s trip away—shorter if they travel a ways down the fjord. Magnimiliar speaks to Carl Alding about transportation. Carl is happy to offer the “Lord” and his retinue passage along the fjord, though he is not sure why they want to depart at the foot of an uninhabited mountain. Magnimiliar assures him they have heard word there are more chimeras on the slopes, and Carl seems satisfied with that answer. The boat trip is uneventful, and the Vellanders wish the group a hearty farewell and much battle before rowing away down the fjord. Following Thorald’s best recollection, they find a steep valley and begin the climb upward. That afternoon, their journey is abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a huge spider (easily ten feet across), pale with dark blue markings, that bites Thorald twice and then disappears before more than a couple people can dismount. Before the group can react, it appears again to bite Mystarion, who clutches at his shoulder, collapses – and promptly disappears, as does the spider. Before it vanishes, however, it is struck by several [i]Magic Missiles[/i] and a well-aimed arrow. Finally given some time, the group is ready when the spider next appears. A series of charges from Jonetello, Zook, Kanavin, spells from Magnimiliar, and a pair of arrows from Leilen finish the creature. Mystarion, drawn by the Medallion of Twilight to the strange shadowed realm he has seen before, walks to the analog of where he recalls Kalenthas standing. Speaking the word “Obilon” before the darkness can deepen, he reappears beside the halfling, who [i]Cures[/i] him before he can fall to the ground. Kalenthas wants to camp nearby, but several people feel it would be foolish to stay near the fallen monster. Jonetello and Elbryn look for tracks but find none – then decide that it might be foolish to continue. If this creature had a territory, remaining here might be the safest place to spend the night. Magnimiliar congratulates Kalenthas for having a good idea. Sure enough, the night passes without incident. The group continues the climb the next day, following traces of a road, until they are led to a sheer rock wall with a high mountain above. Thorald thinks this is the way to Magehaven, but does not recognize the peak. They pause for a moment. Leilen casts [i]Detect Magic[/i], and is so sure that there is no magic here he ends the spell immediately. As the group decides what to do next, a man appears, clad in light armor and carrying, though not aiming, a bow. He greets the group, and Thorald recognizes him as Alden Massen, chief Hunter of Magehaven. Alden welcomes the group and leads them to the wall. He speaks a word, and the wall grinds open, revealing a tunnel. After a few dozen feet, the tunnel opens onto a cavern occupied by another dozen or so lightly-armed warriors, many of whom Thorald recognizes. The group is escorted to a side chamber, where Alden takes their names and bids them wait. After a few minutes, a beautiful young woman with raven black hair enters. She is clad in robes of deep blue. She introduces herself as Maia Azure, Diviner of Magehaven, and smiles to Thorald. She casts a spell (identified by Mystarion as [i]Detect Thoughts[/i]) and concentrates as Alden begins asking the group about their purposes and backgrounds. Most members choose to fail their saving throw in order to prove themselves to the diviner, who focuses on them one at a time as Alden asks about their purpose in coming. Magnimiliar has trouble keeping his thoughts straight: “Think good thoughts…think good thoughts…wow, she has a nice pair of…” Maia sighs and rolls her eyes, then moves on to the next person. Jonetello requests that Prince Loxham be allowed to remain in safety in the village, but Alden insists that only the Council of Magehaven can grant such a request. “For now, he says, you are welcome to remain in the village, as long as you abide by our rules. Firstly, you may not leave the village without leave; we are a hidden place, and we must remain so. Secondly, don’t touch anything!” He rises and, with Maia, leads them through another tunnel and into the village of Magehaven. Magehaven sits on a plateau just above the cliff that halted the party; apparently, the mountain peak above is but an illusion. The group follows a narrow path past newly-harvested fields, until they come to a large swamp, dark and overgrown with moss and ancient trees. The path winds through the swamp, and Maia and Alden encourage the group to proceed. They do, slowly, until they spot a large crocodile resting in the middle of the path. “An illusion,” says Mystarion, and attempts to see through it. He manages to perceive the dweomer sustaining the swamp itself, but the crocodile remains solid. Then Thorald remembers himself. “Hi, Smiley,” he says. “Hey there, Thorald,” says the crocodile, flashing a toothy grin. “Good to see you again!” He introduces himself to Thorald’s friends, offering a paw to each of them. “See you around,” he declares, then crawls off into the swamp. The group continues; after a few minutes, the path emerges in the village of Magehaven itself. Maia and Alden lead the group to a large hall, bid them wait, and then depart. During the walk, Magnimiliar was doing his best to make light conversation with Maia. Maia, however, seemed interested only in discussing the astrological implications of various divinatory wards and auguries that had been shifting in recent months toward a configuration similar to that mentioned in Master Simon Overe’s journal of 513…Magnimiliar’s eyes began to glaze over, but he managed to understand that there was some sort of meeting taking place that evening. The group waits in the hall for a short while before Leilen, standing at the door, spots a stunningly beautiful half-elven girl running toward the hall. Thinking quickly, he immediately casts [i]Hold Person[/i] to restrain Magnimiliar, but he makes his save and is able to drop his jaw as the girl bounds inside, cries “Thorald!!!!” and gives the psion a tremendous hug. Thorald seems a bit abashed, but introduces his friend Selphyra to the group. “Hi everyone!” exclaims Selphyra. “It’s so great to meet you all…and to see you again Thorald! I didn’t think you’d ever come back! Your parents are just sooo happy you are there – they’ll be by soon. Anyway, I have to go, I’m in the middle of a lesson with Master Enam, and you know how he can get. Bye!” She flits out the door to a chorus of sighs. No one seems to object to staying in Magehaven for a while. Shortly thereafter, the group is visited by the Council of Magehaven. Thorald sees his mother, Elaina Skye, in the group. The head of the council, Carl Whitebeard, says that the group’s request is impossible to grant. Magehaven is a place for study, not politics, and if the prince were allowed to stay, the village would inevitably be dragged into his affairs. On the other hand, the group is welcome to stay for at least a few days while they determine their future path. Carl was expecting to deny Thorald even this boon, but the head Diviner, Reddick the Seer, insisted there was no danger from the Calkyrix, so he will be allowed to stay. Carl declares the meeting over; as he does so, someone mutters in his ear. Jonetello and Leilen catch a few words: “conjured…out of the village…”, but choose to say nothing. As the council departs, Magnimiliar spots Maia and asks if he could attend the, uh, divination thing that evening. Maia smiles. “That would be up to Reddick, of course.” Magnimiliar puts the question to The Seer, who replies in a deep voice, “Of course you may attend,” before turning away. Magnimiliar is busy congratulating himself when an addendum rises from Reddick’s lips: “…at your peril.” This warning does not seem to faze Magnimiliar. Meanwhile, an apprentice left behind announces that he is to give the group a tour of the village. Magehaven is a walled village divided into quarters, once for each school of magic (as well as one for generalist, or hedge, wizards). The apprentice glumly heads them past the Tower of Divination, the Hall of the Dead, the Three Towers of Defense, the Hall of Change, the twin Halls of Evocation, the ruined Tower of Enchantment, the Dome of Conjuration, and the Artificer’s Laboratory. Several sets of ears perk up at this last one (“Magic items?!?” ), and the group requests a tour of the lab. The apprentice leads them to a thirty foot wall in the middle of a wide courtyard. On one side of the wall is a thick oak door. The apprentice knocks on the door, and a mouth appears: “Come in!” He opens the door, revealing a vast room filled with tables, shelves, books, engines of alchemy, and at least a dozen scurrying wizards. The Chief Artificer, Quewellen, hurries up to meet them. “Oh, the outsiders! So glad to meet you all. We were just about to—say, could one of you volunteer?” Zook volunteers instantly, and is soon holding a gold flute while Quewellen casts a spell on him. “Alright, now just play this simple tune…” and he whistles. Zook tries, but his knowledge of the flute is limited. “That’s alright, try again—oh, and perhaps you should move away from your friends there.” After a couple attempts, Zook gets the tune right, and is instantly engulfed in a huge gout of fire that erupts from the flute. When the smoke clears, he is standing bewildered – but apparently unharmed. “Oh, blast,” says Quewellen, “still coming out the wrong end. Ah well!” He hurries over to a table with a crystal ball and a small ring. Leilen steps forward, anticipating the need for a volunteer. He dons the ring and speaks a word at Quewellen’s request. The top of the ring cracks open, revealing a small eye. At the same time, vague shapes and colors appear in the crystal ball, moving as Leilen moves his hand, but failing to come into focus. “Wonderful – a near-sighted [i]Ring of Clairvoyance[/i]” groans Jonetello, earning him a pleased smile from Quewellen. “Just so – very perceptive of you!” Quewellen strides to another table and picks up a brown potion. “Now then, just one more volunteer…hm, no, not the gnome, yes, you will do, a half-elf should be just fine.” He places the potion in Elbryn’s outstretched hand. Elbryn uncorks the flask and takes a small sip. “No, no – drink it all down!” urges Quewellen, and Elbryn slowly complies. At first, nothing happens – and then the group has to restrain themselves as Elbryn slowly transmorphs into a six foot tall brown rabbit. “Now, as you may know, magic of this order cannot normally be encapsulated in potion form, but we have made some progress at doing so. Of course, there are still a few problems…” Elbryn looks bewildered, then jumps in alarm as he discovers his changed state. “Oh, don’t worry,” says Quewellen, “it wears off in a few hours. Oh, but don’t eat any carrots or lettuce before then! Anyway, so nice to meet you, but I’m afraid you’ll have to go now. Important experiment coming up!” Before leaving, several group members ask about the possibility of Quewellen’s people forging a magic item or two. Quewellen seems to think this is a grand idea. Most of the group returns to the hall. Elbryn seeks his quarters to meditate for a bit. Jonetello plays several songs for a rapidly increasing audience, who seem eager to hear anything new regardless of subject matter. Zook, Mystarion, and Thorald pay a brief visit to Azimuth, master of the school of Illusion, in the swamp. (An unseen door in one of the large trees opens onto a stone staircase leading up to an arched chamber invisible from the path below.) Azimuth asks how they enjoy the swamp, and wonders if they have any requests for the future. After taking a couple suggestions (crystal city, Pelor’s palace) he says he will have something new before they can depart. Zook asks if he can learn illusion spells from the school. “Of course!” says Azimuth. “It would be a pleasure to have a gnome’s perspective…if you are here long enough, come back!” Meanwhile, Magnimiliar sits high in the Tower of Divniation, doing his best to look like he understands the conversation whirling between four diviners. As best he can tell, they are concerned about a shift in the stars that began a few years back. Reddick seems to think it portends woe for the village and the lands around it, while two of the others are far less concerned. Maia says little – giving Magnimiliar exasperated glances instead. Finally, she declares that to her, the matter bears watching, but without a more clear understanding there is little they can do. Shortly thereafter, with no preamble, the meeting ends abruptly. Magnimiliar scrambles to his feet and follows Maia as she crosses one of the crystal bridges leading out of the tower and descends to the ground below. “Hey, Maia…would you like to come have a drink with me?” he asks? Maia thinks a moment, then smiles. “It sounds like a pleasant offer…but I don’t think so.” She turns and walks away. Thorald and Mystarion spend a pleasant hour with Thorald’s parents, Donovan Stone and Elaina Skye. Elaina had foreseen Thorald’s recent death, and was overjoyed that it did not take. “That’s the only reason you’re allowed back in here,” she says, “they think your death threw off that thing, the Calkyrix.” She shakes a finger at him. “Don’t you go dying on me again, young man!” They share a few stories before Thorald and Mystarion return to the rest of the group. Magnimiliar, upon meeting up with Thorald again, has a question for him. “So, what is this Calkyrix thing all about?” Thorald explains as best he can: tentacles of starry darkness, reaching hundreds of feet into the sky. Jonetello confirms this, recalling that they could see it from at least a quarter mile off when it appeared in the city of Merelin. Mags, a shade paler than a few minutes before, looks around nervously. “And how did you stop this thing?” “I didn’t,” says Thorald. The first time, he explains, it was driven off by the combined force of Magehaven. The second time, he doesn’t really know what happened; when he came to, he had been transported to another plane of existence. “Something must have driven it off, I guess.” “Well that’s great!” proclaims Magnimiliar. “Does anyone else have any deep, big secrets to reveal! Anything else hunting anyone?” Kalenthas looks a little sheepish. “Well, once when I was an acolyte I stole food from the kitchen…” Magnimiliar does not seem as concerned about this incident. Some of the group turns in at this point. Magnimiliar, Jonetello, and a couple others return to the Artificer’s Lab. A bright light can be seen glowing behind the door, and muffled thumps or explosions sound from within. Someone knocks on the door, and the mouth appears. “Welcome to the Artificer’s Lab! I am sorry to say that the lab is cl-- … --or rep--… --ood day!” A loud bang shakes the door, and a cloud of smoke puffs out beneath the door. “Perhaps we should come back later.” “Yeah, good idea.” They decide to call it a night. [ November 05, 2001: Message edited by: Galfridus ] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Mordallend Story Hour
Top