Adventure: Lord Byron's Lost Silver (DM: Tenchuu, Judge: H.M.Gimlord)

[Tenchuu]

The adventurers emerged from the dank den of death below the temple and took a rest; the foul smell leaving a lasting illness in even the cast-iron-stomached dwarf. It did not take long for word to spread around the town quickly of the fallen priest and his evil plans. While they townspeople were grateful to be rid of a villain, they still felt uncertain to have no priest--no one to perform the daily rites; no one to heal the sick, though, they had been unknowingly without that for some time.

After a half day's rest, they took up a hard march, trying to press ahead before the day's light was lost. As they traveled through the forest path which leads to the mine, they spotted a glowing light off in the woods: Hellview. As they drew closer, they saw three rune-covered stone monoliths, which formed a triangle around the cave entrance. The pillars glowed with a very faint, greenish light. A thin, translucent wall of energy extended from each of the stones, connecting each, creating a pyramid shape with the cave centered inside.

A gruff, etherial voice echoed in the forest. "Hmmm, yes. I believe that finally fate has sent some worthy ones." The ghost of an old knight appeared, wearing full armor and sporting long grey hair and a leathery, but friendly, face. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Alistair Glasston; at least, what remains. I was once a loyal member of King Gillian’s court. But, alas, that was so long ago."

His eyes fell on Carolina, and the old knight stepped forward, bowing on one knee before her. "Well met young lady. Never again did I think I would have the pleasure of beholding a beauty so grand as yours."
His ghostly hand moved to take hers, motioning to kiss her hand, but his ethereal fingers passed right through her, sending a cold chill to her bone.

"You must excuse a lonely old man," Sir Glasston said. "If you be true and honorable, I have a task of great import to place upon you."

[sblock=ooc]Don't forget, one of the leads had to due with something similar...
[/sblock][sblock=History DC 10 (rolled)]
King Gillian sounds familiar. Some now dead king...
[sblock=History DC 17 (same roll)]
King Gillian is an ancient king of Allaria.
[sblock=History DC 22 (same roll)]
King Gillian was the last king of the Allarian Empire. Sir Alistair Glasston was a knight/ranger of his court.
[/sblock]
[/sblock]
[/sblock][sblock=Insight DC 15]He seems geniune.
[/sblock][sblock=Adventure Summary]
Motives
Kruk: Find his friend Greggor
Charina: Use the group to collect more bounties (ears)
Everyone Else: Locating the missing Silver shipment for Lord Byron

Summary of Events
1. Bested Pirates en route to Allaria. Traveled on the ship Wind's Will captained by Captain Levenbrech, and mated by Porse and Trig.
2. Arrived in the port, to find it besieged by Lizards from the unending mire. Defeated lizards and met/teamed up with Charina.
3. Journeyed to Geardagas and asked the locals for information with mixed results (link to the leads gathered).
4. Went to the temple of Netari, where the new priest, Father Niris, has been tending to the ill (apparently quite poorly). He led the players into the catacombs, where his zombie minions ambushed. The priest, over confident, rambled on about Hellview (background reference for players).
5. Dealing a mortal blow to the Priest, he says Master De Luccia (First time they have heard the name) cannot be stopped, and he stated that Greggor "will be... among the first... at Hellview." The priest laid dying on the floor with his fallen minions.
[/sblock]

 

[johnmeier1]

Wil recovers his wind and hums a pleasant tune as they walk to Hellview. The sight of the three stones and magic aura silence him for a bit, but as the ghost speaks he smiles. Ah, Sir Glasston. It seems your service to the ancient king of Allaria continues after death, but I hope your soul is a peace?

[sblock=OOC] Passive Insight is 18 and History rolled 1d20+4=23
[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Carolina tries to disguise the shock of having someone pass through her, and even manages a smile as the ghost turns on his charm. She takes Kruk by the arm and turns back to the knight. "We've already got a task of great importance, as I've vowed to help my friend. But I should like to hear what you've got; it seems our paths were destined to cross, and so to may our responsibilities."

 

[Tenchuu]

"Alas, while my soul has found some peace, it has not found rest," the ghostly knight said to Wil. Turning his attention back to Carolina, he continued, "I have no doubt of your task, but that is exactly why I need your help."

"Uhh...," he said, his ghostly hand scratching his ghostly head as he thought, "You see, centuries ago, at the sunset of the great Allarian empire, dark forces opened a portal to the nine hells, just beyond this barrier in the cave below. There, myself and two brave heroes, Wellington Carenvale and Marcus D'Rawth, fought off a great evil: the half-demon general Amendfohl. There, we three defeated the demon; I struck the killing blow myself, but the explosion caused by the demon’s death shot its body back through the portal inside, with my Battleaxe still stuck in it. Carenvale, arcane master he was, created the pillars and the barrier you see behind me; he did this to protect Allaria from the demon’s return."

"However, my battleaxe is still bound to me, and I to it. I lived a long life after the fall of the Allarian Empire, in service to the royal family, but when I passed away in my sleep long ago, my soul was drawn here, calling me to my weapon. But the barrier constructed by Carenvale blocks me as well, for I am no longer of this place. I am trapped, you see."

"Please, I beg of you, enter the cave beyond. Your human forms will pass harmlessly through the barrier. If you retrieve my battleaxe and bring it to me, I will be able to give it to one of you, assuming the magic weapon accepts you as the new owner. I cannot be free of this place while the bond still exists."

 

[dimsdale]

Kruk instantly positions his shield in such a way to protect Carolina and himself. After hearing the plea of the ghost he relaxes, torn between helping his friend Greggor and helping ghost. Random thoughts now plow through his head. Hang on Greggor! We're com'n... No one should have to endure such a fate as the ghost!... Battleaxe? Did he just say battleaxe?...hmmmmm... Kruk! Stop it ya greedy blog! Stay on task!

Kruk grumbles at his last thought. His does not comment, but shifts his eyes towards the others, waiting for their responses to the ghost.

 

[Tenchuu]

[sblock=OOC]I don't want to rush past the Role-Play opp here. So don't, just because I...[/sblock][sblock=Skill Challenge]
Skill Challenge

Setup: Investigate Hellview Cave
Level: 4
EXP: 200
Complexity: 1 (requires 4 successes before 2 failures)
DC: 17 (Secondary 21)
Primary Skills: Insight, Perception, Stealth
Secondary Skills: Endurance, Dungeoneering
[/sblock]

 

[Tenchuu]

[sblock=all]Is it something I said? There's been a lack of activity; perhaps everyone is still recovering from labor day.

But, just in case you missed it, there is a skill challenge.[/sblock]

 

[ryryguy]

[sblock=ooc]Yeah, I had in-laws in town over the weekend, couldn't find any time to post. And then couldn't get through to ENWorld yesterday. It still seems kind of slow.

Busy at work now but I'll post more later tonight.[/sblock]

 

[renau1g]

"Waits? You ist like nice ghost? That not what bards say. Hey Musicman, you knows songs about nice ghosties? Ok so if ghost is nice ghost and friend of Stinkbeard, maybe we helps. New Axe? Hmmm... no, Kane's axes is fine, but thank for asking...oh wait...maybe ...wait....hmmm.....oh! I gots it, ok if we helps maybe you gives to Stinkbeard, he need new axe, last time it explode in loud sounds, maybe it breaks soon. That be no good. Ok, so is this where silver is from Mr. Lord Byron? Kane want help his new friends and all, but Mr. Lord Byron is pay us to help him and he promise to help Kane too..." the bugbear rambles on, scratching his thick skull as he tries to take in the situation so far.

****

After someone takes the time to explain the situation in small words to Kane, he smiles, nods, clasps them on the shoulder with his massive paw, and then happily bounds into the cave intent on making sure there's no hidden enemies that may want to harm his friends.

[sblock=ooc]
I've been off this last week and pretty busy taking care of teh boys, but I'm back at work now and dug out of the e-mail pile so I should be back to normal The site was down most of yesterday and it's running like molasses today.

Kane will attempt Stealth to recon the caves - stealth for skill challenge (1d20+13=22) [/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Carolina follows behind Kane and then to the other side of the cave, tip-toeing along the way.

[sblock=Skillcheck]
Stealth: 1d20+13=31

If for some reason I can't use Stealth since Kane already did, I'll apply the roll to perception for a total of 27.[/sblock]