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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mahiro Satsu" data-source="post: 304750" data-attributes="member: 4970">Episode VIII The Trials of Enthandas part 3An Excerpt from Bronn’s Spellbook of WarEleint 24Today we made for the Lunar Speculum. First, we battled hideous beasts with human bodies and snakes attached to their heads. Shatterfloor was effective against them, but the ranger’s ghost helped us greatly. Roman’s nimble battle tactic of springing, attacking, and springing back angered Velm, who was left alone to face the enemies’ attacks. Heh. Velm’s love for battle won’t let him stay angry for long. We passed Iolar’s huge statue, and found a way in through the foot. We must investigate that later. One day, there may be a statue of me in its place. Mystra knows what the war will bring?The Lunar Speculum. I admire the powerful magics used here to attempt to destroy the moon goddess’ power. A gigantic crater scars the land, leaving only the ruined temple at its center–hanging in midair, a strong yet invisible foundation of godly Power holding it aloft. (note: good design for my own stronghold!) It was lit by a strange light standing at its center. We climbed a rope and grapnel into the temple nave. Inside, a shaft of moonlight shone down from the Speculum itself onto this section of the temple floor. Trusting in his goddess, Van Dyksun stepped through. The rest of us followed.We were transported to a large chamber stewn with the bodies of goblins, serpent-like creatures, and even an illithid! (Note: I took a small sample from the illithid corpse for later study. I don’t think the others noticed.) As expected in Aerunedar, there was another ghost there. (I’m beginning to hate this place). He is the Seneschal–the ghost of the High Priest of the Speculum. It was he who destroyed these creatures who tried to enter thechambers beyond (which made me look twice at the ghostly visage of our ranger!). He invited us to try to get Enthandas (the ring that Daziel spoke of) within, but there would be seven tests to pass. He also told us some history of this place, and of Shelmroun–the other ring that was taken by servants of the Coil. (Note: these rings appear to be powerful artifacts to Selune. Avoid the temptation to put them on). Our first challenge was a triple path leading to three doors (Earth, Stars, and Moon) inscribed with the following:Choose ye a path, all lead to the goal, but heed ye three warnings that ye are now told: Follow the foot’s path and be saved by sky’s breath. Take the shining path with night’s arsenal at hand.Walk the way of the Goddess and face the storm’s tongue.We decided that the earth’s path would involve us flying or require a whirlwind, the moon’s path would involve lightning, and the star’s path would involve light. Light seemed the best choice, which lead us into a room of seven celestial balls of light which were easily dispatched with our magic weapons. (Note: A darkness spell would have been useful here. Consider learning Blacklight spell at next opportunity). Sadly, the door locked behind us, and after passing the next room, a huge stone slab blocked our way. Forward was our only path. The next room led into a large stone table with two ornate chairs. On the far wall were three paintings. Carved into the top of the table was the following: I often have leaves, though I’m not a tree, Sharp knives all around, I never do flee, For though I’m often surrounded, I never feel fear, And a good turn in time, makes treasure appear.We decided that turning the table would bring us one item from one painting. We voted and chose to get the scroll–which was maddeningly blank! (Only later did I discover it was a moonscroll with the power to be scribed with spells and reused over and over again.) The next room was huge with a large statue of a griffin upon a stone pedestal. Inlaid upon the pedestal in silver letters is the verse: Relaxed I sit upon my perch Till suddenly I give a lurch And off I speed on wing-tips three Before my prey can think to flee. I make its flesh and tendons part And claw my way into its heart.Now only kin can set me free So strike the cube with one of me.We deduced that an arrow needed to be shot at the "cube," but where was it? Only the ghostly ranger could find the keystone in the ceiling, which solved this riddle. We were granted some magic arrows inside the griffin’s mouth. Good, we will need them.</blockquote>

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