airwalkrr's Rise of the Runelords (IC)

[airwalkrr]

Rupert the cat hops along the lower ruins, climbing to position himself to walk high on the ruined walls, constantly eyeing Lax suspiciously. As Talashia sketches the rune in Brodert's journal, the old man comments to Duko, "My uh, feline companion seems to have taken on a natural distrust of yours. I must confess that creature is an unknown oddity to me. I should like to know where and uh, by what means you acquired it. Oh, pardon if my asking is rude. I am merely fascinated by the creature as I have never seen its like."

The completed rune Talashia draws seems to satisfy Brodert a great deal. He smiles as she finishes the sketch. "Well, that is one question that has plagued me for years. I always knew it was either one or the other. My thanks, young one. You have helped me answer one riddle now and for that I am indebted to you. Call on me should you ever require assistance on matters of history, engineering, or ancient Thassilon. And yet uh..." the old man's voice trails off as he stares at the drawing with his spectacles. He sits down upon a nearby rock and rests the journal on his lap. "It seems answering one question sprouts up two more like cutting off the head of a hydra. There are so many things about Thassilon we simply uh, do not know."


[sblock=Knowledge (history) or Linguistics DC 20 (automatic if character speaks Thassilonian)]When drawn this way, the rune is an ancient Thassilonian cuneiform representation of "pride." If drawn as its mirror image, it represents "humility."[/sblock]

The Old Light is surely an impressive sight for the barbarian. His inner eye can almost picture the place as a massive spiraling tower and beacon, or a fortress from which ships were launched. He grunts and shakes his head before wandering off out of sight to pass his water on the old stones. When he returns he says "The land is..uh there are many things left.. left over. From old times. Ruins, that's the word."

Brodert nods at the barbarian, "You know there are many who say that this land of Varisia was once the heartland of the Empire of Thassilon. Of course it was thousands of years ago, so few are certain of details, but they left many ruins such as this in their wake. I have heard of and occasioned to see others with a very similar structure elsewhere in Varisia... not all of them upon the coast. I do so often wonder whether our modern notion of this structure as a lighthouse is uh... misplaced."

 

[Scotley]

[sblock=roll]Knowledge History with bonus for speaking Thassilonian (1d20+8=17)[/sblock]

Vandalin does his best not to stare at Lax, "um well met Lax," he responds. As they approach and explore the ruins he becomes increasingly withdrawn as he tries to imagine what the place might have looked like in the distant past. The serenity of the place leaves him reverently silent as he looks about moving from tumbled stone to faded rune lost in thought.

He finally snaps out of it as Brodert Quink and Talashia are talking. He wanders over and smiles wryly. "I must disagree with you noble scholar. I think there remains much hidden treasure here. Unfortunately, we modern folk have not the keys of understanding to unlock the secrets that still lay hidden in the rubble. For I see knowledge as a treasure greater than any coin or gem." He extends a hand in greeting. "Vandalin at your service, but a humble hobbyist in the study of old Thassilon. I have much curiosity about the ruins here and in the nearby countryside I would love to chat with you about your discoveries here at some point."

 

[kinem]

Rupert the cat hops along the lower ruins, climbing to position himself to walk high on the ruined walls, constantly eyeing Lax suspiciously. As Talashia sketches the rune in Brodert's journal, the old man comments to Duko, "My uh, feline companion seems to have taken on a natural distrust of yours. I must confess that creature is an unknown oddity to me. I should like to know where and uh, by what means you acquired it. Oh, pardon if my asking is rude. I am merely fascinated by the creature as I have never seen its like."

Duko strokes the red creature. "I have a little bit of a natural talent for magic" he admits. "Not like a sorcerer, exactly, but it's more that I'm able to summon things. Usually only for a short time. Lax ... I think I summoned him from another plane. But he's not like the rest. He's become quite a companion. Don't worry, Rupert - Lax won't hurt you.

So ... would this place still work as a lighthouse?"

 

[airwalkrr]

[sblock=roll]Knowledge History with bonus for speaking Thassilonian (1d20+8=17)[/sblock]

Vandalin does his best not to stare at Lax, "um well met Lax," he responds. As they approach and explore the ruins he becomes increasingly withdrawn as he tries to imagine what the place might have looked like in the distant past. The serenity of the place leaves him reverently silent as he looks about moving from tumbled stone to faded rune lost in thought.

He finally snaps out of it as Brodert Quink and Talashia are talking. He wanders over and smiles wryly. "I must disagree with you noble scholar. I think there remains much hidden treasure here. Unfortunately, we modern folk have not the keys of understanding to unlock the secrets that still lay hidden in the rubble. For I see knowledge as a treasure greater than any coin or gem." He extends a hand in greeting. "Vandalin at your service, but a humble hobbyist in the study of old Thassilon. I have much curiosity about the ruins here and in the nearby countryside I would love to chat with you about your discoveries here at some point."

OOC: Since Vandalin speaks Thassionian he automatically succeeds on the most recent update regarding this check as Talashia has now drawn the complete rune seen here.

"Ah, too true my young friend," the scholar winks, shaking Vandalin's hand. "Knowledge is a treasure unto itself. But uh, what I meant to say is that most folk coming here do not seek knowledge, merely plunder. And that has all been taken from this place long ago. But you are welcome to chat with me any time about uh, old Thassilon or whatever might tickle your fancy."

Duko strokes the red creature. "I have a little bit of a natural talent for magic" he admits. "Not like a sorcerer, exactly, but it's more that I'm able to summon things. Usually only for a short time. Lax ... I think I summoned him from another plane. But he's not like the rest. He's become quite a companion. Don't worry, Rupert - Lax won't hurt you.

So ... would this place still work as a lighthouse?"

"Rupert is merely being a uh, sourpuss. But Lax is quite incredible. The new magics in the world today are a wonder to behold! I wish I knew more of them, but I fear I am too old to become a student of such things now. As the for the ruin, I somewhat doubt it ever served as a lighthouse at all. But small-minded folk see no other purpose to the place and hence have taken to calling it the Old Light, a practice I myself have given in to, despite my misgivings about its uh, likelihood of being a misnomer. So the question is not uh, would it still work as a lighthouse, but rather, did it ever?"

 

[rangerjohn]

"Are we even sure to coast was here, when this was built? We know tides ebb and flow, and we are talking many seasons." Deivon wonders.

 

[kinem]

"As the for the ruin, I somewhat doubt it ever served as a lighthouse at all. But small-minded folk see no other purpose to the place and hence have taken to calling it the Old Light, a practice I myself have given in to, despite my misgivings about its uh, likelihood of being a misnomer. So the question is not uh, would it still work as a lighthouse, but rather, did it ever?"

"Yes, I heard you the first time" Duko explains. "This is the first time I've been to the coast" he looks out at the ocean as he speaks "and I don't know if a lighthouse here would be of any use to ships. Lighthouses are to steer ships into port, right? But it seems to me that if this is not a good spot for a lighthouse, then we can say for sure that it was never one. And if it is a good spot, then it probably was placed here in part for that as well as whatever else. Also, if it is a good spot, maybe people today should start using it to help ships."

 

[Shayuri]

"It's not a terrible spot," Talashia says with a shrug. "We're not a big port here, but there are some rocky seas around the coast in the area. And as Deivon points out, the seas might have been shallower back then. More dangerous."

"Besides, why would anyone build a giant tower with a magic light on top if it wasn't a lighthouse? Anyway, it's just a ruin now. We'll never really know."

 

[airwalkrr]

"Are we even sure to coast was here, when this was built? We know tides ebb and flow, and we are talking many seasons." Deivon wonders.

"A very good point. We uh, actually do not know if there was a coast here. For all we know the entire place might have been underwater, or the coast might have extended leagues to the west. But it was so many thousands of years ago, and so few Thassilonian maps remain that it is virtually impossible to know for certain. You are indeed to wise to suggest such a thing. You uh, have the makings of a scholar yourself, young one."

"Yes, I heard you the first time" Duko explains. "This is the first time I've been to the coast" he looks out at the ocean as he speaks "and I don't know if a lighthouse here would be of any use to ships. Lighthouses are to steer ships into port, right? But it seems to me that if this is not a good spot for a lighthouse, then we can say for sure that it was never one. And if it is a good spot, then it probably was placed here in part for that as well as whatever else. Also, if it is a good spot, maybe people today should start using it to help ships."

"Oh bother. Do forgive me if I do go on. I'm an old man and I tend to do ramble sometimes. Anyway, I am no mariner, but it is my understanding that lighthouses serve as markings for dangerous coastlines not easily spotted in the dark, but I do believe you are uh, correct that they sometimes aid guiding ships into harbor. Sandpoint only hosts small fishing ships and trade vessels though, not large galleys and warships such as those found in Magnimar or Riddleport. At any rate, rebuilding this place might be hazardous. While the Thassilonians were excellent engineers, time was worn this place down. The mortar is uh, unstable. If they were to build a lighthouse, it would probably be best to simply start anew. And Chopper's Isle, with it's high cliffs, would be a better place for it. And aside from that, this place is an historic ruin! There might be a great deal of weathering, but it still holds a few interesting bits of lore... like that rune."

"It's not a terrible spot," Talashia says with a shrug. "We're not a big port here, but there are some rocky seas around the coast in the area. And as Deivon points out, the seas might have been shallower back then. More dangerous."

"Besides, why would anyone build a giant tower with a magic light on top if it wasn't a lighthouse? Anyway, it's just a ruin now. We'll never really know."

"Actually, I've never seen any evidence that there was a magic light atop this structure. I believe it is merely common belief that gave it it's name. However, even though you are correct that it is merely a ruin, sometimes the oldest stones tell the most interesting tales. That rune isn't the only thing I've discovered here. There are other signs... But I grow weary. I must go and rest now. The upcoming festival is certain to be draining. Come and speak with me any time you like." The old man gets up, tucks the journal into his robe, and stands upon his cane.

"Rupert, let us be off. Well met, all of you. I hope you enjoy your time in this town and the festival."

With that, Brodert Quink departs down Tower Street back to his home. It is getting late and you can see the sun beginning to set. Lantern lighters are beginning to walk about the streets lighting the city for the evening.

OOC: Are there any other locations your characters wish to visit this evening, or shall I advance to the next day? I'll give you 24-48 hours to think about it.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

"Well, this was very interesting! Who knew a little town like Sandpoint would have so much going on?" Marcas has been paying close attention to the conversation, attentive in that way that is peculiar to the monastically trained . . . just quietly listening.

"I think I'm for bed myself. Between the ale and the long day of travel, I'm about done for. Tomorrow I think I'll visit that bookstore. Maybe I can buy that copy of Karzoug the Destroyer for Abbot Marshal."​

[/section]
_______________
[sblock=Mini Stats]
Marcas Vanator
Initiative: +03
AC: 14 (14 Touch, 11 Flat-Footed)
HP: 09/09
Senses: Perception +7
CMB: +02 CMD: 16
Fort: +03 Reflex: +05 Will: +04
[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

"Farewell Rupert, Mr. Quint. Blessings of the festival upon you," says Vandalin in parting. He follows this with a yawn. "I think perhaps Marcas has the right of it. Too much food and drink on top of the travel has left me spent. Rouse me when you are ready for the bookstore if you could stand some companay." He looks back toward the town taking his eyes reluctantly from the ruin. "Well maybe just a night cap if Felsi is still serving...and flirting." Suddenly he doesn't feel quite so tired.