EBERRON
11/06/04
SEGMENT 017
SHADOWS OF THE LAST WAR
Next game session but again several players are out- darn children and their B-days!
Deciding to explore the church they look around.
“The structure before you appears to be a church, and you can see symbols of the Sovereign Host carved into the stone walls. The roof has fallen in, but the walls appear solid and strong.”
Looking around inside they see little but Cedious spots something within the glass. He has Temper break the glass and there is a golden chalice inside. Uncertain if it is magical but certain it has value, Cedious holds onto it. Later he will show Boddynoc it and know it is magical but not how.
Bored and unsuccessful at finding much, the adventurers cross the street to another sturdy building.
“This large building, constructed of walls of red marble, has the engraved symbol of an anvil and gorgon carved into the keystone above the arched doorway- the symbol of House Cannith. While the outer walls are intact, little else is left of the building. The roof, doors and upper floors have been reduced to cinders and rubble. Light can be seen glowing from deep inside the building.”
As they go inside, their attention is drawn to three zombies covered in glass still clearing debris. Not taking any chances with them, the warforged and Large Axe wielding human fighter destroy them quickly. They then move in and see-
“The large 50 foot wide chamber has been cleared of most of the rubble and glass you’ve seen throughout the rest of the village. The floor emerges from the shattered glass, formed from red marble and decorated with an embossed design.”
“What is it?” asks Cedious.
“Map …I think.” Answers Boddynoc.
“The large chamber contains a few enormous blocks of rough red stone. This place was probably where the marble was shaped, polished, and prepared for shipping. Large fireplaces occupy the center of the north, south and west walls, each made of a different type of stone: red stone for the north, white stone for the south, and black stone for the west fireplace. Six statues stand around the room, two to each side of one fireplace. The floor of the chamber features a detailed map of central Khorvaire showing the nations of Aundair, Cyre, Karrnath, Thrane, and Breland. While cities, topographical features, and even major mines are shown in bas relief on the map, to text identifies the locations.”
Boddynoc looks around and then stares at the two warforged. “Don’t break anything …yet.”
They don’t but not because the gnome said not to. Bonds looks around the fireplaces. Temper stares at the map looking for clues. Bane looks at the blocks of stone and tools then at the room’s walls. Cedious and Boddynoc both look around the statues and the fireplaces.
Bane and Bonds take a moment to look at the colors and type of statues. In red stone there is a Dragon and a lion. In White Stone a Wolf and Falcon. In black stone there is carved a Knight and a Griffon. The red statues are next to red fireplace to the north. The white statues are next to white fireplaces to the south. The black statues are next to the black fireplace to the west.
Bonds is determined to figure this out before Boddynoc or before Cedious stumbles onto a clue. Bane is also taking time to study this instead of destroying goods.
“Red Dragon and Lion …creatures of power and royality.” Reasons out Bonds. The Wolf and Falcon …are …. Sigh.”
“Independent spirits …?” adds Bane.
Distracted by this amusing sight, Cedious then asks what the black knight and griffon are.
“A distraction.” Answers Boddynoc as he looks at the seams of the fireplace to the North.
“What does Tallis, Black Seal, E 4 mean?” asks Temper.
“What did you just say?” asks Boddynoc.
“It says here Tallis Black Seal E 4 on the head of this Lion.” He comments looking at the back of the statue.
Boddynoc moves over to see this while Cedious and the others take the unspoken cues and check different statues. Indeed- each has a different possible clue. The Red Dragon has Boddynoc’s interest- “Whitehearth, White Seal NE 9” he reads out loud to everyone. “Whitehealth is what we are looking for.”
Together they piece together these inscriptions-
Red Dragon: Whitehealth White Seal NE 9
Red Lion: Tallis Black Seal E 4
White Wolf: Cabblen Hall Red Seal SW 15
White Falcon: Blackhealth Black Seal SE 12
Black Knight: Kronu Hall White Seal N 6
Black Griffon: Redhealth Red Seal SE 7
“What does it mean?” asks Cedious.
“Clues. I think they are clues to several House Cannith locations.” Answers Boddynoc.
20 minutes go by as the try to figure it out. Finally, bored, Cedious checks out the map itself. Bored, he checks out Cyre and its location. He is trying to figure out where he is on the world. It is then he notices a small and nearly invisible dimple in the stone. It is clearly created- it is not a defect or damage. It is polished and smooth. “Boddynoc …”
While the two smaller members of the group look into the new discovery, the three warriors come up with a plan. They begin to heft statues around to make them all Red, Black and White. Nothing happens. “Maybe if …”
“I’m not so sure the statues do anything guys.” Answers Boddynoc as he is checking out the dimple. “Can you find any more?” he asks Cedious quietly.
“Could the fireplaces be a seal?” asks Temper. “Maybe if we burn something …..”
The warriors are desperate but trying.
Bane takes note of Cedious’ activities and asks what he is doing. He begins to help to look around now. The two warforged are thinking maybe breaking a statue will clear their minds. Boddynoc gives a clear look of no with any room for argument. The living constructs almost act respectful. Almost.
It still doesn’t stop Temper from lifting and feeling out a pick and hammer. He looks at the statues wondering how many hits it will take.
“I found one.” Says Bane
“I found two.” Comments Boddynoc.
“I found two also.” Adds Cedious.
“There goes that theory- that makes only five. There are six suggested locations.” Adds Bonds looking at the first divit found.
Temper looks down and sees one at his feet. “Here.” He says with little excitement.
Never figuring out the clues, they draw up a crude map and where the marks are along with the statue inscriptions. Boddynoc and Cedious spend the next two hours searching the place. With nothing found they prepare to leave.
“What is keeping others from finding these secret places?” asks Bonds hefting a spare hammer and pick.
Catching onto what Bonds is getting at, Temper adds, “Yeah- with the statues and maps intact, anyone can figure it out.”
Sighing with a bowed head, Boddynoc okays the destruction of the statues and map room. It takes another two hours for the three warriors to destroy the statues and the map.
Going outside finally, they notice the gray wall has moved. It is closer to them than before.
“It’s not stationary.” Worries Boddynoc.
The group head deeper into the Mournlands to where the divit suggested the Cannith facility is. On the way they see another battle area. This one catches their attention since there are several halflings and elves that don’t seem to belong with the rest of the dead soldiers. It is hard to say since nothing ever rots here but they look to be somehow newer. In the background are several siege machines. Temper sees something moving within the deep shadows of the ruined wagon.
Giving the group a warning, the source of the movement presents itself. Three creatures come out. They look to be something like skeletal wolves with humanoid skeletal parts mixed in. Arms, ribs and even a head are attached in some manner to the bones of the wolves or war dogs. Bonds can’t help himself. He looks at his shoulder pad, the goblin skull, and grins.
The battle is over before it really begins. The biggest problem the heroes faced was moving through the downed bodies of the soldiers. The undead creatures have the same problems however.
They move on to the possible location while Cedious looks for goodies to salvage and the warforged look for creatures to take down. Boddynoc just hopes none of these bodies becomes animated and grabs him.