Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="DiFier" data-source="post: 891817" data-attributes="member: 2345">The building was a beautiful white stone.  It had mulitipule levels each slightly smaller than the one below with deep grey hipped roofs that extended far out from the wall below.  "What do you supose it is?" ask Ciramar." I don't know.  Do we head towards it or away from it. "  Wonder Arsindis."Well, If the stairs are any indication the building is very large but the inhabitants are small enough to climb the stairs."" True."". . .or the inhabitant can fly and the stairs are for the delivery of its food. ""well if my guesses are correct the base of the mountain where the stairs go down is the 10 that appeared on the road sign the 22 is the village beyond." ". . . There are no windows in the building either.  that is not a . . . Hey look there is another set of buildings.  follow the stairs about three quarters of the way between the base of the mountain and the temple.   They look much more hospitabe.  There are openings and I can see a door.  perhaps we should make our way to the vilage.  and find out what this building is before we check it out.""I think that is a good idea but we had better hurry you no longer have a horse.  it may be well past dark untill we arrive at the village."They started down the switch back that took them down the face of the plateau.  At the bottom the trail aimed straignt at the base of the mountain where the stairs came down.  ___________________________________ As they walked the sun reached its peak in the sky and began it's slow daily decent toward the horizion.  They walked for hours occaisonly catching glimpses of the temple above them through openings in the trees.  When Arsindis guessed that they were about a mile from the base of the stairs they came to their first signs of use.  A tall gateway, made of peirs of the tall trees lashed together.with a cross piece inserceting the path. The piers each supported a large flag pole with a black 8 foot tall 4 foot wide flage with 4 white and black circles on it, in a diamond shape."they appear to have a picture of fire, a wave, a gust of wind, and a mountian.""The four elements""I believe so"  beyond the gate evey at 50 foot intervals are shorter flag poles topped with smaller red flags.  Each flag has the black and white symbol of fire.  Staggered evenly between the flags are five foor tall brazers.  Many have spent coals but a few coals still glow and produce heat.  They continue along the trail which has widened slightly or at least is maintained to keep the surrounding forest back.  After traveling about a quarter of a mile they see 2 lashed bamboo towers flanking the trail.  standing atop the left one is a man in bright red armor with the symbol for fire on the chest plate. below the armor he wears a short black robe, a pair of black knee length trousers and his legs are wrapped in black cloth.   He is wearing a  wide, black, flat conical hat. He is armed with a bow but while it is obvious that he has seen them the bow is not aimed and an arrow not knocked.  He says something and a man sits up on the second tower he streaches slightly and stands replacing the conical hat on his head.  "well they seem friendly enough, tho I wonder what language they speak"As they approach the towers they notice two more similarly atired guards at the base of the towers.  Each has an large spear but with the blade of a sword at the tip.  The towers are situated on a stone platform.   On the platform are 4 stone statues of what look like a cross between a lion and a dog.  Between the statues are 2 lit braziers.   The guards watch the travelers with some curosity but do not make any moves to stop them.Ciramar looks to one with the large spear.  "Good day""Good day."  comes the responce in perfect common.  "Have any other travelers come this way, they would have been dressed similar to us, a human, three elves and a dwarf.""there have been no travelers from Hosan Village or beyond for days.""What is this place""Ah" he smiles,  "you have arrived at the Temple of the elements.""is there a place we can stay the night?"  "Yes, there is a place to stay below the temple."" Are there stables for my horse?"There is a stable in the gate house.""Thank you." Arsindis and Cirmar both respond and then they continue toward the base of the stairs.  beyond the guard post are pale grey flags with the symbol for air.  The pattern repeats.  Flags and braziers for about a quarter mile followed by a guard post.  After air is Water with the theme color blue.  And then earth,  dark grey.  The guards at each station are similar except that they wear the color of their elements and with the element symbol on the chest.As they travel between the air and water gates 2 bald men were working their way along the trail.  They each wear a short red robe and red knee length trousers.  around their wasits they wear a black belt.  On the back of the robe in black and on the belt in red are embroidered the symbol for fire.  They are pulling a large cart full of black stones. They place a few in each brazier and then pour a strong smelling liguid on the rocks.  They light them with torches.After the Earth gate the flags are black and have all 4 elements on them, like the big flags at the begining. After traveling about a quarter of a mile Arsindis and Ciramar arrive at what must be the gatehouse.  The flags continue past the gatehouse and a second earth gate can be seen beyond.  As they approach both notice that they are glowing a soft white light.  "we are glowing" noticed Arsindis"it appears to be a alignment detection spell eminating from the braziers in fornt of the building.  I wouldn't be worried, the guards and those two men are glowing white as well."  The gate house is a 2 story stone building with a beautiful green tiled hipped roof.  there are large wooden doors that are open into a chamber with arrow slots in the walls and a second set of doors, beyond, which are also open, that lead to the base of the stairs which you can see.  There are two towers and four braziers  arcoss the trail from the gate house.   Flanking the entrance are two more of the statues.  These are larger and definitly lions though they are puffy, frilly lions that look very mean.  There are 4 guards outside each has black armor with all four symbols. There are two bald men just outside the doors.  One is dressed like the men lighting the braziers on the trail.   The other man is similarly dress similarly but he wears a black outfit with no symbols.  The man in all black step up "welcome to the Temple of the elements""May we beg loging for the night?"  Ask Ciramar."You need not beg, the loging is freely given for any who travel along this highway.""Thank you."  "I will show you there myself.  Akira wait here for the lighters.  There are stables in the gatehouse."  He turns and walks into the gate house.   Ciramar and Arsindis follow him.</blockquote>

Verification