Top of the Tower; End of the World

[DM Bob]

The crimson sun is low to the west.

Ral & Guthay both sit fat in the sky, not full, but close enough.

Pallia soaks in what rays she can, slightly disappointed that there may only be another hour or so of light.

Kleys scans a complete 360*, taking in the details of the surrounding ruins. The wind whips skittishly, kicking up sand and dust, but not more than you're used to (especially after your recent jaunt across the white desert sands). What look to be a trio of gigantic bats (or extremely Goth birds) fly away towards the east and slightly south, perhaps to hunt somewhere in the ancient, dark mounts.

"What effects does this necklace produce and how can it be activated?" Mak asks the spirits.

"Once worn, it further ties one to the inner planes. Every cycle of the sun above will allow those who respect the spirits to bless, heal or command more power of the elements. Simply grab the item in your fist when worn about the neck and call out for blessings, health or karma."

Object Reading:

Race: Human
Sex: F
Age: 26
Alignment: LN(E)
How gained/lost: Stolen from a temple far to the south / Death
Previous owners: Shurpanakha, Oathkeeper of the Sacred Flame

Tell me if after this you want a know history cast after that.

[ascieszl]

(OoC: nope, i'm good for now.  Maybe i'l cast it on the next rest, maybe.)

[Attilius]

[Previous owners: Shurpanakha, Oathkeeper of the Sacred Flame]
"WHAT THE... small world!" HurK looks nervously to Mak & Laakh

--------------------

IF NEEDED Proposed night watch order:

1)
Mak
Kem
Laakh
Kri-kcht

2)
Abez
Yiska
Pallia
Kri-kcht

3)
Kleys
HurK
Kri-kcht

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

[OOC: I'm easy in any watch, also I'm half-elf, so I can see in the dark, in case any other in the 2nd watch can't. I don't mind]

[Deleted]

Mak just laughs at the coincidence of the necklace. "I don't think she could wear it now even if she wanted to now that she is a Zhen."

Seconded the watch schedule. Mak will cast "Wyvern Watch" before going to sleep to keep the camp protected. (Lv. 2 spell, 8 hour duration)

[DM Bob]

Tell me if anyone wears the necklace proper.

Meanwhile, the sun sets and you rest.

Partway through the first watch, as it gets dark, the light of a distant campfire is seen almost due east.

Around this time, Hurk gets a mental knock from Shardivan waking the goliath up.

<"How do you fare? I was having trouble reaching you earlier.">

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

"What do you mean?" says Pallia to Mak, since she hasn't heard this story.

[Attilius]

Jun 30, 2021 8:10:10 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Meanwhile, the sun sets and you rest.
Partway through the first watch, as it gets dark, the light of a distant campfire is seen almost due east.

"Laakh please you use the way to look at those around the camp fire..."

[necklace Object Reading 15, roll 15 (power score! The psion automatically learns all information on the table)
-16 PsPs

Clairvoyance 14, rolled 9
Power Manipulation 14, rolled 11: The psion automatically gains clairaudience, too, for the duration of the clairvoyant vision.
-12 PsP's (-4/round)

Jun 30, 2021 8:10:10 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Around this time, Hurk gets a mental knock from Shardivan waking the goliath up.
<"How do you fare? I was having trouble reaching you earlier.">

<Good to hear your consciousness Elder!!! Earlier, when exactly? If you only now could contact us, perhaps the tower is shielded from the way?

We were able to evade Templar Deminue’s hunting party for now. She has a contingent of half giants with odd back riders, Halflings maybe? and what looks to be two psions or maybe defilers hunting us. Thanks to your and your kreen friend’s generous donation of the webbing we’ve made it to the buried city but witnessed a few settlements be destroyed by them on our tail, no doubt looking for us: War continues to follow us.

As to the Kalak, Wayan and Dote Mal Payne hunt, we’ve begun exploring the largest tower from the top down. The walls are impenetrable to phasing so we have to search the mundane way. Only the first floor is cleared thus far and are currently resting on the roof for our sun cleric. We fought strange acidic spitting spiders but found no food source for them. We suspect they may be Pets and/or guard creatures. Their acidic spittle ruined a few of our groups webbing so we'll need to collect more once we get back to Bodach. We also believe the tower’s owner: Aman the Fallen, may still be roaming it’s halls…

What news of Tyr and the three armies Elder?>

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- What or who might be? Are we still been chased?.. - Kem whispers to Mak whilst pointing to the further light far in the distance

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2021 8:27:34 GMT -12 Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) said:

"What do you mean?" says Pallia to Mak, since she hasn't heard this story.

Mak will relate the story of the Zhen in the urns to Pallia, not leaving out any of the morally distressing portions. "Having interacted with them first hand, I can tell you that they exist partially outside of this plane and partly in the Grey, as does their equipment, armor and weapons. In this state of existence I don't think the former owner could make use of the necklace."

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

Pallia listens along and nods, occasionally pushing her white hair away from her face when it drifts aimlessly in the breeze.

"But... it might be unsafe for others, as well," says Pallia cautiously. "This seems like the sort of thing that someone might take pains to make sure can only be used by the owner?"

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2021 13:33:58 GMT -12 Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) said:

Pallia listens along and nods, occasionally pushing her white hair away from her face when it drifts aimlessly in the breeze.

"But... it might be unsafe for others, as well," says Pallia cautiously. "This seems like the sort of thing that someone might take pains to make sure can only be used by the owner?"

"If you are that concerned, I can cast another divination over it to see if there is a danger to you using it."

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

"Hmm, let me try something first..."

Pallia holds the necklace up to the sun.

(Cast detect curse, level 3. Note that it only detects divine curses.)

[Niachi]

Laakh becomes a conduit for the audio and visual input centered 10 above the fire looking down....

[DM Bob]

Perfect timing! We have Laahk back as well.

No curses are detected. There is bound to be a story to how this piece has traveled so far, though such a great span of time...

It does bring memory of the dwarven massacre though. No matter how blessed, looking at this will always be a reminder of the slaughter of so many innocent souls.

(I will update the item tomorrow.)

***

Laahk gets an odd view. Two dark, portly hooded figures squat cross-legged before a small strange fire. They share a long, thin clay pipe. Rings of multi-colored smoke wafts in rings, waves and other interesting, surreal shapes as they murmur and laugh.

"...the Game is afoot, is it not?"

"Our first pawns were cleared too quickly, except for the mantoid. If he only knew we sent the dreaming spiders to steal him to his current allies?"

"You always were the best cheater."

"Well, it isn't cheating if you don't get caught? And..."

"You resemble the remark?"

Scoffs. A raspberry with no visible tongue.

***

Pardon if this is a tad muddied. I'll get to Hurk after this.