Tom Cashel
First Post
(I think I neglected to mention it, but once you were in the cell the Dweomerkeepers let you put your arms in front of you, then put the manacles back on.
And you have all your stuff.)
And you have all your stuff.)
-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Time Well Spent
- Thread starter Tom Cashel
- Start date
Lucius Foxhound
First Post
Sigh.
"I didn't know Shades were such touchy folk.
"Cell, would it be alright if I studied my spells in front of you? You've been quite kind, and I'd hate to be rude... "
Lucius takes out his spellbook, some ink and quills and begins to study and scribe ...
"I didn't know Shades were such touchy folk.
"Cell, would it be alright if I studied my spells in front of you? You've been quite kind, and I'd hate to be rude... "
Lucius takes out his spellbook, some ink and quills and begins to study and scribe ...
Tom Cashel
First Post
***
Last edited:
Tom Cashel
First Post
Act V: The Tower
And the curtain rises on the final act...
And the curtain rises on the final act...
Lucius Foxhound
First Post
From the journal of Lucius Foxhound
1373 DR, The Year of Rogue Dragons
Tarsakh 13
As cells go, this one isn’t so bad. They’ve left me my books and bring my food each day (although I haven’t touched it). Luckily, the duel has helped me gain mastery over a number of new spells, which I’ll take the time to scribe. Not much else to do, eh? Ah, poor Gustav. You always were a good teacher.
Tarsakh 15
It’s been two days. I thought I was ready to escape. I was wrong. Cell beat me bloody, and then threatened to kill Wisp. Tomorrow, I try again.
Tarsakh 16
I got the locks off these manacles, which I believe to be dimensional anchors. But Cell caught me and threatened to kill Wisp if I didn't put them back on. Curse him!
Tarsakh 19
It’s been three days since I tried to escape. Cell won’t let me sleep. I keep seeing Gustav and Mela in my dreams. Why Mela, why? You were so beautiful. Gustav… Mela.
Tarsakh 20
Another day has passed. Another day. Day’s going by. Sleep eludes me. Eludes…Illusion. It’s all an illusion, you know…but who is Illusion’s master?
Tarsakh 21
Finally, I was able to sleep! I remember being awakened by Dashell Kandler, an Arcane Investigator from the Order of Watchful Magists and Protectors in Waterdeep. This diviner was here to prove my innocence…or guilt, I suppose. I told him to come back in a few hours after I rested.
When he returned, I found Dash to be a likable fellow. Young and a bit cocky, his mind seemed to work in interesting ways. His personality was compelling, and I found myself wanting to help him…but also wanting to escape to find Calumn’s timepiece.
Dash took me with him (manacled) to interview witnesses and investigate my crime. We found a witness who saw a dwarf reading from a golden scroll at the mageduel … the same dwarf who came to see me the night before. Dash rented a scrying mirror and scried for this dwarf, but he saw nothing.
It was then I realized who the dwarf was. It had to be him, after all these years. Iago, my old mentor. Master of illusion, man of a hundred faces, trickster, scoundrel, and overall vicious bastard. He set me up and stole the timepiece. And I wanted to get it back. But how to find him?
Dash the diviner knew a way. He went back to where the lovely Vel’larien Mistmantle met her death (turned to stone, actually). Dash spotted something that no man or elf that I know would have seen. He found a single eyelash that may have belonged to the killer. Using that, he scried upon its owner, but I knew what he’d find. Iago…in a tower somewhere.
Dash was convinced of my innocence, and wanted to track down the guilty party. He gave me my bracers, which I’d earned in the duel, and we traded them for a number of scrolls, and a bag of holding for myself. Yes, Teleport without Error will come in handy, and True Seeing is essential when fighting the master of illusion.
Tarsakh 22
We rested, then put some spells upon ourselves and went to find Iago. As we teleported to Iago’s sanctum, I knew immediately that the Iago we faced was a mere simulacrum! Before the simulacrum could cast a spell, I melted him to dust. With True Seeing, I was able to spot all the traps, secret doors, and the illusory walls Iago had raised against us. We defeated a summoned salamander with its coursing fire and then found Iago sitting in his room.
“Sorry, old friend,” I said. “But I have no choice.” I threw a Polymorph Other his way, only to have it thrown back in my face! Dash’s spells were reflected as well. Iago then Webbed us and pulled out his ace in the hole…Calumn’s timepiece. In the blink of an eye, he had numerous protective spells around him and more spells were tossed at Dash and me! Dash was almost fried with a shadow lightning bolt, but managed to pull a whopper on old Iago – he Suggested that Iago destroy all his spell components…and when that was done, he threw a nauseous cloud around him. Iago staggered as he tried to escape the vapors.
“Take the manacles,” Dash yelled, “get him!” But I knew, Iago would never come quietly. And no manacles could ever hold the greatest trickster I ever knew. I hit the sickened Iago with a hold person…then I cut through the Webs and made my way towards him.
“The timepiece!” Dash screamed. Yes, first let me grab the timepiece and then…but I held back. Once I touched it, I’d be with Calumn and Dash would be at the mercy of a very angry Iago. But in a few seconds, Iago would be free. I had so few spells left…
Iago. My mentor and teacher. A man who loved a good laugh, but only at the expense of someone else. A man who would love you like a son, unless your goals and his didn’t match. Then, he’d destroy you without a second thought.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. I brought my quaterstaff back and dashed out his brains with a single stroke.
It was over. Curse you, Iago. Damn you, master. May Tymora have mercy on your soul.
1373 DR, The Year of Rogue Dragons
Tarsakh 13
As cells go, this one isn’t so bad. They’ve left me my books and bring my food each day (although I haven’t touched it). Luckily, the duel has helped me gain mastery over a number of new spells, which I’ll take the time to scribe. Not much else to do, eh? Ah, poor Gustav. You always were a good teacher.
Tarsakh 15
It’s been two days. I thought I was ready to escape. I was wrong. Cell beat me bloody, and then threatened to kill Wisp. Tomorrow, I try again.
Tarsakh 16
I got the locks off these manacles, which I believe to be dimensional anchors. But Cell caught me and threatened to kill Wisp if I didn't put them back on. Curse him!
Tarsakh 19
It’s been three days since I tried to escape. Cell won’t let me sleep. I keep seeing Gustav and Mela in my dreams. Why Mela, why? You were so beautiful. Gustav… Mela.
Tarsakh 20
Another day has passed. Another day. Day’s going by. Sleep eludes me. Eludes…Illusion. It’s all an illusion, you know…but who is Illusion’s master?
Tarsakh 21
Finally, I was able to sleep! I remember being awakened by Dashell Kandler, an Arcane Investigator from the Order of Watchful Magists and Protectors in Waterdeep. This diviner was here to prove my innocence…or guilt, I suppose. I told him to come back in a few hours after I rested.
When he returned, I found Dash to be a likable fellow. Young and a bit cocky, his mind seemed to work in interesting ways. His personality was compelling, and I found myself wanting to help him…but also wanting to escape to find Calumn’s timepiece.
Dash took me with him (manacled) to interview witnesses and investigate my crime. We found a witness who saw a dwarf reading from a golden scroll at the mageduel … the same dwarf who came to see me the night before. Dash rented a scrying mirror and scried for this dwarf, but he saw nothing.
It was then I realized who the dwarf was. It had to be him, after all these years. Iago, my old mentor. Master of illusion, man of a hundred faces, trickster, scoundrel, and overall vicious bastard. He set me up and stole the timepiece. And I wanted to get it back. But how to find him?
Dash the diviner knew a way. He went back to where the lovely Vel’larien Mistmantle met her death (turned to stone, actually). Dash spotted something that no man or elf that I know would have seen. He found a single eyelash that may have belonged to the killer. Using that, he scried upon its owner, but I knew what he’d find. Iago…in a tower somewhere.
Dash was convinced of my innocence, and wanted to track down the guilty party. He gave me my bracers, which I’d earned in the duel, and we traded them for a number of scrolls, and a bag of holding for myself. Yes, Teleport without Error will come in handy, and True Seeing is essential when fighting the master of illusion.
Tarsakh 22
We rested, then put some spells upon ourselves and went to find Iago. As we teleported to Iago’s sanctum, I knew immediately that the Iago we faced was a mere simulacrum! Before the simulacrum could cast a spell, I melted him to dust. With True Seeing, I was able to spot all the traps, secret doors, and the illusory walls Iago had raised against us. We defeated a summoned salamander with its coursing fire and then found Iago sitting in his room.
“Sorry, old friend,” I said. “But I have no choice.” I threw a Polymorph Other his way, only to have it thrown back in my face! Dash’s spells were reflected as well. Iago then Webbed us and pulled out his ace in the hole…Calumn’s timepiece. In the blink of an eye, he had numerous protective spells around him and more spells were tossed at Dash and me! Dash was almost fried with a shadow lightning bolt, but managed to pull a whopper on old Iago – he Suggested that Iago destroy all his spell components…and when that was done, he threw a nauseous cloud around him. Iago staggered as he tried to escape the vapors.
“Take the manacles,” Dash yelled, “get him!” But I knew, Iago would never come quietly. And no manacles could ever hold the greatest trickster I ever knew. I hit the sickened Iago with a hold person…then I cut through the Webs and made my way towards him.
“The timepiece!” Dash screamed. Yes, first let me grab the timepiece and then…but I held back. Once I touched it, I’d be with Calumn and Dash would be at the mercy of a very angry Iago. But in a few seconds, Iago would be free. I had so few spells left…
Iago. My mentor and teacher. A man who loved a good laugh, but only at the expense of someone else. A man who would love you like a son, unless your goals and his didn’t match. Then, he’d destroy you without a second thought.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. I brought my quaterstaff back and dashed out his brains with a single stroke.
It was over. Curse you, Iago. Damn you, master. May Tymora have mercy on your soul.
Last edited:
Tom Cashel
First Post
Epilogue
Exhausted from the struggle, Lucius Foxhound and Dashell Kandler stand over the cooling corpse of Iago, taking from him the trinkets of magic he collected over his long and notorious career. You also think, Lucius, Now that I can teleport, this might make a suitable hideout...
Lucius, you think back to the bugbears who almost took Iago's ear...how the two of you killed them all, how Iago insisted on hunting down the entire tribe and slaughtering them all, elderly, females, children. You remember watching him slip toward evil before you made the break and left him to his fate...
From the look of peace on Iago's face, you think that maybe...just maybe...Calumn's Timepiece told him who would come here bearing his doom, bringing the dangerous remedy for the disease of misdirection he spread wherever he went.
Exhausted from the struggle, Lucius Foxhound and Dashell Kandler stand over the cooling corpse of Iago, taking from him the trinkets of magic he collected over his long and notorious career. You also think, Lucius, Now that I can teleport, this might make a suitable hideout...
Lucius, you think back to the bugbears who almost took Iago's ear...how the two of you killed them all, how Iago insisted on hunting down the entire tribe and slaughtering them all, elderly, females, children. You remember watching him slip toward evil before you made the break and left him to his fate...
From the look of peace on Iago's face, you think that maybe...just maybe...Calumn's Timepiece told him who would come here bearing his doom, bringing the dangerous remedy for the disease of misdirection he spread wherever he went.
Tom Cashel
First Post
The tower has four levels, and a vicious trap just inside the front door (an illusory floor covering a 60' drop onto a bed of spikes, all of which are smeared with dark fluid...). You also find a room (on the first floor) containing a permanent image of a drifting beholder with its central eye put out. Also, you set off a few magic mouths set upon the staircases...they seemed designed to warn people upstairs of intruders ("Ha-ha-HA! WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!"). Once set off they are gone.
In the same cubbyhole as Iago's spellbook, you find a small bag containing 100 pp and a pair of rubies, which Dash tells you are worth about 500 gp each.
The large bookshelf in the upper study is glamered to appear to be holding about a hundred rare tomes with provocative titles (e.g. A History of the Netherese, 1001 Tips for a Successful Career in Wizardry, Elminster's Workbook, How to Kill Friends and Influence Enemies).
In actuality, the "books" are book-sized blocks of wood, with openable covers, laced with nearly 50 fire traps (at 13th level).
The tower has a foyer on the first floor, bedrooms on the second and third, and a study on the fourth. Each floor has illusory windows that look out on a different sort of landscape (all permanent images): the 4th floor looks out onto a fiery volcanic hellscape, the 3rd onto idyllic green pastures, the 2nd into ocean depths with schools of silvery fish swimming past, and the 1st floor windows look out onto a drifting cloudscape and the earth far below. In reality, the tower is located on a snowy, rock escarpment with no signs of civilization nearby.
In the same cubbyhole as Iago's spellbook, you find a small bag containing 100 pp and a pair of rubies, which Dash tells you are worth about 500 gp each.
The large bookshelf in the upper study is glamered to appear to be holding about a hundred rare tomes with provocative titles (e.g. A History of the Netherese, 1001 Tips for a Successful Career in Wizardry, Elminster's Workbook, How to Kill Friends and Influence Enemies).
In actuality, the "books" are book-sized blocks of wood, with openable covers, laced with nearly 50 fire traps (at 13th level).
The tower has a foyer on the first floor, bedrooms on the second and third, and a study on the fourth. Each floor has illusory windows that look out on a different sort of landscape (all permanent images): the 4th floor looks out onto a fiery volcanic hellscape, the 3rd onto idyllic green pastures, the 2nd into ocean depths with schools of silvery fish swimming past, and the 1st floor windows look out onto a drifting cloudscape and the earth far below. In reality, the tower is located on a snowy, rock escarpment with no signs of civilization nearby.
Van Dyksun
First Post
Dashell Kandler says, "These magic items are yours, Foxhound. Not only for defeating him, but also in the tradition of our type, where the apprentice takes over the Master's position and belongings upon the Master's death. I trust that you will use the items left to you by Iago for good...or, in your case, at least not evil.
But the timepiece...the timepiece needs to be returned to its rightful owners, as do these dimensional anchor manacles. Although, I have to admit I'm curious as to how that merchant arrived by such a powerful artifact in the first place, and what gave him the right to conduct such a secretive auction. Perhaps we could investigate that before we return the timepiece? Something about that merchant isn't quite right."
But the timepiece...the timepiece needs to be returned to its rightful owners, as do these dimensional anchor manacles. Although, I have to admit I'm curious as to how that merchant arrived by such a powerful artifact in the first place, and what gave him the right to conduct such a secretive auction. Perhaps we could investigate that before we return the timepiece? Something about that merchant isn't quite right."
Lucius Foxhound
First Post
"Thank you, Dash. Although I insist that you take half of the treasure... as we've learned, having a bit of cash can come in handy. Besides, my friend, without your help, I'd have never defeated my old master.
"But as for the timepiece, I agree, let's investigate. Also, I must tell you, the Shadovar should not have this powerful artifact. In fact, if you'll give me a couple of days, I'd like to prove to you that they mean to use this artifact for evil, not good. If I can't, we'll I'll bear you no ill will if you want to take it. Agreed?
"For now, leave the timepiece and the shackes on poor old Iago. Not only is that artifact powerful... I believe it's dangerous. Iago was never this evil ... I think the artifact might have made him so, which is why I'm worried about touching it right now.
"I have teleport memorized. Let's rest here the night, and I'll study this room [Iago's study] well enough to be able to teleport back here tomorrow. We'll see what we can find out at the mage fair on the morrow.
"In the meantime, I'd also be happy to share some of the spells I already know from Iago's book... you deserve that much as well."
Wisp! It's finally over. But we still have Calumn to face. Perhaps you might fly out tonight and see where this castle lies? See if there is a town nearby?
"But as for the timepiece, I agree, let's investigate. Also, I must tell you, the Shadovar should not have this powerful artifact. In fact, if you'll give me a couple of days, I'd like to prove to you that they mean to use this artifact for evil, not good. If I can't, we'll I'll bear you no ill will if you want to take it. Agreed?
"For now, leave the timepiece and the shackes on poor old Iago. Not only is that artifact powerful... I believe it's dangerous. Iago was never this evil ... I think the artifact might have made him so, which is why I'm worried about touching it right now.
"I have teleport memorized. Let's rest here the night, and I'll study this room [Iago's study] well enough to be able to teleport back here tomorrow. We'll see what we can find out at the mage fair on the morrow.
"In the meantime, I'd also be happy to share some of the spells I already know from Iago's book... you deserve that much as well."
Wisp! It's finally over. But we still have Calumn to face. Perhaps you might fly out tonight and see where this castle lies? See if there is a town nearby?
Tom Cashel
First Post
When night falls I'd be happy to, Tall magic-one.
Similar Threads
