Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8284690" data-attributes="member: 7015827">A short while later, Shanni slipped off the ring and gave it back to Darrow, who had been examining the stonework around the tower. As the petite rogue continued to heave and spit, in the most decorous manner possible, the dwarf declared that the stone looked ancient, older than Westgate – and if it wasn’t obvious, not made by dwarven hands. He also observed that the skeleton warriors they had just fought were similar to those encountered by the group in the Shore district.Dermot was eager to continue scouting around the tower base, but first accepted along with Darrow two more stoneskin spells from Aerikoth. Skirting around the structure, the ranger spotted something to the north, so the four adventurers proceeded cautiously. In front of what appeared to be a tower entrance was what appeared to be a ghost of a man, sporting a large sword. He asked first if they were living beings, seeming surprised at their presence. He then remarked that he had not seen such for many years, save for the hag – for those she brought were already dead, truly. (The connection between the hag in the forest cabin and the lord of the ruined tower - whom we shall meet in due time - is made evident by the ghost's words. Yet it seems that the party's attention is not drawn by this fact. --R)Darrow at first joked with the ghost, despite the morbid introduction, then asked his name, which was given as Aronson. The dwarf continued to question the guard, which Aronson admitted he was, as he was bound to prevent anyone who attempted to cross the threshold without knowing the word of passage. The ghost had been commanded so, he said, by the lord of that place, having died there. Aerikoth found this intriguing and asked how long the ghost had been there. When informed it was 1373 DR, the ghost stated that it had been twenty years of damned existence in that place. The wizard continued to query the ghost about his past. Aronson explained that he and a companion had come to try their mettle and souls against the evil of the place, stating simply that they had not triumphed; the measure of immortality that he had achieved, he did not want. (While our Order, with reason, despises all abominations, I cannot help but feel some sympathy for those who do not choose such a path, but have it imposed on them. --C) Shanni, who had been hanging back, in a whisper pointed out a nearby rubble pile that the ghost periodically glanced at, so Darrow asked about it. Aronson, apparently uncomfortable, said he was not allowed to speak of such things. The dwarf then asked if he could take a peek at the rubble, which was just in front of the entrance. Aronson considered for a moment, then declared that he could let Darrow come to the threshold, but no further, without attacking. The dwarf then moved forward, asking the ghost to tell him before he went too far.</blockquote>

Verification