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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 450760" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chinese Take-outChapter 29, “The God of Reckless Fools”, September 17, 1018, 4:30 P.M.   The group is taken aback by the revelation that the man before them is the demigod Finder Wyvernspur.  “What are you doing hanging out with a bunch of mortals?” asks Serita incredulously.   He answers, “They are among my first and most dedicated followers.  I’ve assisted them recently with some very dangerous quests.  These have included defeating the evil Dark Stalkers, fighting Walinda, the cruel priestess of Bane, going up against the Legions of the Blood Wars, and taking on the Black Network of the Zhentarim.”[DM’s note: The above exploits of Finder and Finder’s Band can be found in the Forgotten Realms novels Finder’s Bane and Tymora’s Luck, by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb.]  He continues: “Without my direct assistance my fledgling church could have come to an abrupt end.”  “So you’re not just ‘slumming’ on this world?” comments Mojo.  “This was my world too,” the demigod answers, “And I haven’t found another plane yet to call my home.  I certainly had no desire to stay in the Abyss where Moander had lived.   I first thought that I would make a home for myself in Asgard on the plane of Gladshiem, home to many ascended heroes of the Norse legends, but soon discovered that Odin had imposed restrictions to keep all non-Asgardian deities from that plane.  I then went to Olympus, but Zeus also turned me away.  He was put off by my having first gone to Asgard, stating that if I had wanted to live in Olympus I should have approached him to begin with.   I never fully realized how petty some of the gods could be.   It then occurred to me that I have an eternity during which to find a new home, so why rush.  I came back to this world to help establish my churches and to attract followers.   I now have three small but thriving churches in cities on my home continent.  Last spring, the group of Finder’s Band sought my assistance in opposing the lich-god Vecna, which brought us to the dimension known as Tovag Baragu.  It was there that we met Le-Sun Chang, a cleric of Zakani, the Spirit Lord.  Le-Sun had been pulled into the conflict by the demigod Iuz, who Zakani was allied to.  Following this altercation, Le-Sun sought our group’s assistance to return to this world.  He had originally come from the continent we are now on.  He has certain abilities that are linked to the land itself, so has to return periodically to revitalize.   We chose to accompany him here, thinking that the Zhentarim’s former stomping ground might be as good a place as any to establish a foothold on this continent.   So far there has been little interest, and we are now planning to move on.  But first, please tell me more about what Morgarth is up to.”[DM’s Note: The Oriental Adventures character sheet and history for the Le-Sun Chang character  was obtained online from the World of Grayhawk Fan Club Internet site.]The party gives a detailed description of the attack on their island the previous month, and of the clues that have led them to believe that Morgarth now resides at Darkhold Castle.  When hearing the description of the elephant-footed giants Finder says, “Those are the Trow.  They are a race that was magically created by the Zhentarim, and to my knowledge none but the Zhentarim have ever commanded them.  The Black Network must have left several squadrons of them behind at Darkhold in Temporal Stasis, and Morgarth has awakened them.   That means that when the Zhentarim left Darkhold they had planned to return some day, so there could also be other dangerous things that they left behind.  Morgarth would now have these at his disposal.  This is indeed troubling.”“Maybe you’d like to help us get him,” Serita interjects.   Finder answers “And deny you your quest for vengeance?  I think not!   However, now that you have brought this to my attention I can promise you that I will look further into it, and see what else I can find out about this Morgarth.  There might be other ways that I can assist your group with your quest.  Are there any musicians in your party?”  “Well,” states Mojo “I once shot a piano player, and he sang out as he fell.  Does that count?”  Duegar says “I can make noises with my armpits.”   Narg comments “Well, we used to have a bard with our group, but he had a thing for teenage girls, and, well, it’s a long story.”   Kim-Sung interjects “I play a musical instrument.”  “You do!  What instrument?” Finder asks.   “The harp,” she answers.  “Perfect, please excuse me for one moment” is his reply, and he walks through the rear wall and into a back room of the building.   He soon returns, carrying what looks to be a wooden toy harp with an attached stool, about four inches in length.    He walks up to Kim-Sung, and holds it before her.   He asks, “Could you please sing out my name.”  She sings “Fin-der-wy-vern-spur.”  He then has her sing his name again, but at one octave lower.   She does so.  He then explains, “Your voice is now imprinted on this item, and its magic will only function for you.   When you sing my name it will enlarge to a full sized harp, of a perfect size for you.   It will reduce to this miniature size with the singing of my name in the lower voice.   Please try it, and I will now teach you the harp’s other properties.”   She sings the name, and the harp grows into its full-sized version.  The instrument is elaborately carved, with gold edging, one of the finest harps she has ever seen.   It rests on the floor, the stool having grown as well. Finder motions for Kim-Sung to sit on the stool.  She does so and moves her arms out to play the harp.  Finder kneels down immediately behind her and reaches his arms around her, holding his hands above hers.   “Hey, he’s making a move on our girl,” Duegar says.   “Maybe I should try that,” Mojo comments.  “What, become a Demigod?” Serita answers.  “Sure” Mojo responds.   Narg interjects “Oh yeah, I can just see your application for divine ascension ‘Reason for seeking godhood: To pick up girls.’”  “Hey, it worked for Zeus,” is Mojo’s response.  Finder teaches her to play a song, then watches as she plays it back for him.   He tells her “That is a Marking Song.  When you play it an invisible mark is placed on all doors within the range of the harp’s music.   Playing the song again makes the marks temporarily visible.  This can be used to keep you from ever becoming lost.”   Lannon whispers to Chin-Tang “Yeah, but the music will also attract every monster in the dungeon.”He then teaches her another song, which everyone finds pleasant and relaxing.  He tells her “That song is a Calming Song.  Playing it will calm all those who hear, bringing them to a peaceful state.”  He has her repeat the song.  As she does so he says, “Once calmed, as you continue to play the song, your audience will also become susceptible to whatever suggestions you choose to sing.”  He then says, “Lastly, I play for you the third and final magical song imbedded in this instrument.”  He has her stand, and sits on the stool.  He then plays a short, distinct melody with sharp cord changes.  He plays it a second time, explaining to her the cord changes.  He then has her sit and try, repeating the difficult tune until she has it right.  Finder says, “You should exercise great discretion as to the playing of that song.  It is a Summoning Song.  Playing it will call me to appear wherever you are.   Use it with great care, and be mindful that if a time comes when you are in need of my support I may at that time also ask some sacrifice of you in return.”    Kim-Sung sings the song to reduce the harp in size, carefully wraps it in an embroidered cloth given to her by the Paladin, and gently places in into her satchel.  The party thanks Finder and Finder’s Band for their help.  As they leave Finder says “Good luck, Adventurers of the Silver Moon.  I am certain that our paths will one day cross again.”</blockquote>

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