-
Taking in the details I am all but certain the birds are an illusion. Where does it begin and end though? Is the whole room an illusion? The whole mansion? pretend to disregard the birds but I keep note of their behavior as I walk over to the desk and look through the notes studiously but in a hurry until I hear someone trying the door I just came through and finding it somehow locked. Strange. "Hello." I say in a normal voice but not too loud to project into the room where I just left the others talking not to them but as if someone else was in the room. I sit and look through the desk drawers as I talk."I see my presence hasn't gone unnoticed. My intrusion is not hostile, I assure you! I had hoped to take a little rest and maybe meet the Lord of the Manor. Perhaps some you have some spare staples. Or perhaps care to barter." Are my words actually reaching someone or have I grown paranoid I wonder?
While talking I drew out a long thin blow dart gun and shot a wad of paper that flies silently toward one of the birds whose eyes were not on me. I keep a close eye on what happens and what reactions the birds make of my sudden action. I wonder if their eyes even see or whom they may see for.
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@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, you ask Malichor if he could possibly pick the lock with his magic, but he doesn't seem to hear you. In fact, he is positively enraptured by the door on the right. He wanders to it, hypnotized, turns the knob, and enters. You hear the door LOCK behind him.
You might be able to pick either of the locks if you had the PROPER TOOLS. Otherwise, the BIPEDAL RAT has disappeared through the last remaining unlocked door.
You hear muffled chat through the locked door.
What do you do?
@mrz84
Zataka, you ignite your blade once more. The warmth of the flames is somewhat uncomfortable in the stale air of the lobby. The rat has departed through the door it was approaching. As for the cloaked man, he's behind the locked door. But doors are flammable, and walls next to doorframes are structurally questionable.
What do you do?
@SUCCESSOR
Reven, as you read the notes on the desk you pick up on the general mindset of who you presume is the owner of the mansion. They're biology notes, specifically studying the magical capacity of each of the birds. Much to the writer's disdain, it seems the more colorful birds have less magical 'capacity' (as he writes it) compared to the more plainly plumed birds. The writer gripes about this, complaining that vermin have the highest magical capacity and also hypothesizing that the more bizarre or extravagant a creature's outward appearance, the more it strains on the plausible and so the less it can manipulate with magic.
As you talk, there is no response. You begin to feel paranoid. Using your blowgun, you shoot a wad of paper at the closest bird. To your surprise, it reacts as you would expect, distressing and crying out as it flies for safety. But when it perches, it does something unexpected. It gags at the sight of the slightly moist paper and tries to brush it off.
What is it perched on? Strange, you didn't notice that before. There are three STATUES in the room with you, each roughly fourteen feet high. One is of a WOMAN, one of a RAVEN, and one of a LIZARD. Each is clutching a CRIMSON ORB; the woman holds it in her hand with pride, the raven in its beak, and the lizard with it bursting from its chest.
What do you do?
@Xyvol
Malichor, drawn to the SONG which grows louder by the minute, you enter the door on the right. It locks behind you.
You are in the LIBRARY. A TUNING FORK sits on the desk before you, vibrating ever so slightly. Is it the source of the melody? Tomes cover the walls, spanning four floors total. There are ladders for the bookshelves, as well as stairs up and down. Such a wealth of knowledge is quite enticing.
What do you do?
-
While I go over the situation in my head and several possible outcomes, I ultimately decide to use my flame enchanted greatsword to attempt to break through the right hand door and its suspiciously flimsy looking walls in order to free my comrade trapped within. The rat can wait for now. Once I am able to secure my comrade, I will attempt a similar strategy on the left hand door and attempt to find the cloaked man from earlier.
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As I have neither the tools nor the knowledge to pick locks, I assist Zataka in his efforts to break through the door Malichor went through. Using the spiked wraithwood roots from my pack, I attempt to pry the door open with them while Zataka works on the walls surrounding the door.
-
Perplexed as I am and probably very paranoid. The lack of a reply is good news. That gives me freedom to roam as I please. I still have a feel of being watch which is something I particularly dislike. Anyway something of more interest leads me, food! I make my way up the stairs.
-
D'oh! I blame bunnies. What will I do? Uh, probably never leave? This could hold the knowledge to greater power that I've been seeking! First though, I need to investigate that tuning fork and determine if it poses a threat. I focus my magic senses on it to discover what magic properties it has. If it doesn't require my immediate attention, I'll then search the room for any other exits.
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@mrz84
Zataka, the walls are not suspiciously flimsy, it is just an architectural fact that while doorframes and doors themselves can be reinforced, people usually forget to reinforce the walls. You hack at the drywall of the lobby and sure enough, you are able to cut an opening between two studs you will be able to climb through. You see a LIBRARY, with MALICHOR examining a strange object on a table. Do you enter?
@SUCCESSOR
Reven, you climb the staircase and stop at the second floor, though the stairwell does go higher. This floor has only a catwalk around the room, going to doors on the EAST and NORTH wall. Wait, how do you know which way you're facing? Ah, there's a compass carved into one of the statues! You must have noted it subconsciously as you were looking at them. The EAST DOOR goes back to the Lobby, but since you're on this floor that would be another risky drop. You have no idea where the NORTH DOOR leads.
You hear FOOTSTEPS above you. What do you do?
@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, Zataka sends you to the other door so that he won't accidentally hit you as he is hacking at the wall. Using the Wraithwood roots as a pry-bar, you stab the frame of the door and push until it pops off its hinges. Before you lies an AVIARY with various exotic birds perched in the places you can see through the doorway. Do you enter?
@Xyvol
Malichor, as you stare at the tuning fork you hear whispers of PSIONIC MAGIC. It appears to be some kind of lure. There's no hint of hedge magic this time, so you take a scrap of paper from the desk, write "HUSH" in runes, and place it upon the fork. The singing stops. As you do this, you hear a CRASH from behind you. The SOLDIER has cut a hole through the wall. What do you do?
-
I place the wraithwood roots back into my pack and enter the aviary with my hands near my swords, ready to draw them at a moment's notice. Remembering this to be the room the cloaked man disappeared into, I scan the room for him as I enter.
-
I call to Malichor, inquiring if he has any injuries. Once I am able to confirm his well-being, as well as anything he has found in the room, I'll suggest we find out the progress of our other comrade and the location of the hooded man. I keep my blade drawn and make ready to cast a fire enchantment on it if needed as we continue our efforts.
-
Had I lost my bearing? I try to recall the direction I entered the house from to make sure the compass I saw was correct. It seems this place is meant to mess with the mind. To be sure I sketch out a quick layout of the rooms I have been in to keep track. I want to keep my pleasant solitude for as long as possible so I don't want to head up the stairs and find out who's tramping around. I head through the North door keeping my eye on the surrounds. Maybe if this place is designed to be disorienting then there may be some secret to it if I keep my eyes open.
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Seeing the soldier and his flaming sword poking through the wall, I quickly run to the nearby walls and scribe a protection rune on them to keep the books and scrolls from bursting into flames. After assuring him that I'm not in any danger, I tell him to go ahead and follow the others. I think the library may contain some useful information about this mysterious wizard, and I wish to stay behind and search for it. I will then begin to look through the books, taking note of any magic related works and what schools they pertain to.
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@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, as you step into the Aviary a bolt whizzes down from above you. You deflect it with your blades. Looking up, you see a WOMAN two floors above you, loading another shot into her crossbow. She's a brunette, wearing mostly black clothing (you assume for sneaking around), with her hair braided and rolled into a bun on the side of her head. From the tangled mess, you assume she is left-handed. She's human, and you don't sense any elvish heritage or Aasimar blood.
She calls down to you.
"If you want to keep breathing, you'll go back the way you came. I don't have time to deal with hapless burglars, there's already too much at stake here."
What do you do?
@mrz84
Zataka, you call to MALICHOR, but he insists that he has not been harmed and he needs to investigate the library. He tells you to go check on the other guy, so you go to SANCIREPH. As you approach, you see him deflect a crossbow bolt from the room he's entered. Stepping into the room, you look around to identify the source of the danger.
The room is an AVIARY, filled with exotic yet well behaved breeds of flying birds. There are three statues in the room, one of a WOMAN, one of a RAVEN, and one of a LIZARD. Each holds a single red orb: the woman with her hand, the raven in its beak, and the lizard in its chest. Looking up, you see a set of railed walkways one, two, and three floors above you. On the second walk, a dark-clothed woman with a crossbow LOADS ANOTHER SHOT.
What do you do?
@SUCCESSOR
Reven, you sketch a quick map of where you've been. Indeed, you are directly west of the lobby, on the floor you entered the mansion on (with that damn room that's got no floor). Looking up, you see a woman leaning over the rail on the walk above you, aiming a crossbow at the first floor. You quietly make your way to the north door and depart the AVIARY. As you open the door, you are face with a HALL OF MIRRORS. Closing the door to avoid the combat that's about to ignite behind you, you find yourself in the dark. You reach into your cloak and retrieve a MATCH. Lighting it, you are again confronted by the mirrors.
You are in the hall of mirrors. The reflections go on and on. You can't see where there are exits, or even turns. In fact, you can't even see the door you came through anymore, though you know it is there.
What do you do?
@Xyvol
Malichor, you quickly fireproof the walls to keep the precious tomes from being damaged by the soldier's burning blade. Sending him away, you set out to quench your thirst for knowledge. The desk with the tuning fork has various scattered notes spread out upon it. Hmm, it seems to be some manner of MAGISTER'S THESIS. The name TOMA BARTRAND is scribbled on the corner of each page, which is numbered. Collecting the stack and straightening it, you place it neatly on the desk.
The title reads "Philosophy of Determination, the Illusion of Magical Schools and its propagation by the Wizard Community at large". Why do magister theses always have such long and dramatic titles? Whew, and this topic is pretty blasphemous. The date is recent. Given the power of the hedge wizard, this can't be his thesis. An APPRENTICE, perhaps?
Near the desk is the CARD CATALOG. Browsing through it briefly, you find the books are categorized by magical purview. Also placed upon the papers is a hard-bound tome with the title THIRTEEN RESURRECTIONS.
What knowledge do you seek?
-
I call out to the woman , "I am no burglar. I seek the wizard that lives in this mansion. In fact, I have come inside with my companions by his invitation. He awaits in his study, but we also saw another man come this way and we wish to speak with him." I keep my blades in my hands but at my side, ready to deflect another bolt if it comes my way.
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The book titled "Thirteen Resurrections" really interests me. It seems like it may have something to do with the 13 schools of magic. Considering it was on the desk with a thesis debunking the modern magical system, the two may be linked. I hope to determine if that is the case. Having seen other magic at use in and around the mansion, I already had a theory that another mage may be present, although I had assumed a prior owner. An apprentice seems more fitting given the evidence just found. I look around for other indications that the person using the library is a student.
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As I approach Sancireph, I spot a woman with a crossbow above us. I attempt to persuade her we are not vandals, merely seeking answers from the mansion's owner about the things we have found in the manor so far, as well as the locaiton of both the hedge wizard (who has invited us to seek him in his study) and a man in a cloak who we seek to know what knowledge he may have found (and to ask if he wishes to join us, as this mansion has proven to be dangerous for even a single skilled adventurer). I plant the end of my greatsword in the floor in front of me to show I have no hostilities towards her, and to use as cover if she fires a bolt in my direction (my greatsword is almost as tall as I am and almost as wide, making such a scenario possible, not to mention it requires intense, almost inhuman strength for me to wield such a weapon) I also inquire what business she has in the mansion, and if she wishes to join us if we have a common goal.
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Need a proper light, I fish out a wax candle from a small supply of useful things I collect along the way. I use the match to light the candle, no candlestick but a little hot wax never killed anyone. I place a silver coin on the floor before moving. Quite an expensive breadcrumb, I think to myself. I make my way around the walls of the room keeping an eye on how the coin looks in the reflections as I move. If there is a secret then no matter how well placed these mirrors are they will betray it eventually. I use my free hand to feel along the wall for hidden turns and openings. Making my way through the entire room to collect my coin and to decide where I can go.
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@TheDarkOne
@mrz84
Sancireph and Zataka, the woman lowers her crossbow slightly.
"I don't care what you do to this wizard's gaudy crap, but I can't have you getting in my way. If the racket you're making wakes our host... What, you were invited? Dammit, that means he knows I'm here too!"
She fires the crossbow, but Zataka deflects the bolt. She drops a smoke bomb, blinding the both of you, and when your eyes clear she is gone. Was she a burglar? Or an assassin? Either way, she seems to have been very enraged by your interruption; if you encounter her again things may not end well.
Well, it doesn't seem like you've learned much from the woman, but you might be able to learn something in this room. There's a spiral STAIRCASE going up and down, the three STATUES that were described earlier, and of course the BIRDS, each of which watches you with unwavering intent. Also of note is a DESK with ancient notes scattered across it.
What do you do?
@Xyvol
Malichor, you open the book THIRTEEN RESURRECTIONS and page to the table of contents. As you suspected, each chapter is about reviving a subject using a particular discipline of magic. Topics that catch your interest include HEDGE BUDDING, 1000 CRANE CUTS, DARKSPACE BYPASS, SIN EATING, and DRAGON DIVING. There are pencil marks near these on the page; perhaps the student made notes in the margins. If you pick a section, you'll be able to read them.
Also sitting on the desk is a bibliography of books cited in the thesis. Other than that, the library is rather tidy. Is the student just organized, or has he moved on to another master?
You've got a lot you can learn from reading the material in THIRTEEN RESURRECTIONS or in the MAGISTER'S THESIS (You recall your own thesis... what was the topic?). Or, you can go looking for other books in the expansive library. Or, if you prefer, you can set aside your curiosity and explore other parts of the mansion.
What will you do?
@SUCCESSOR
Reven, you manage to locate at least three exits to the hall of mirrors, not counting the one you used to enter. Each is placed at a corner of the hall, which you are now certain goes in a loop. They were easy to locate with your hand as you made your way around. You mark each exit mirror with a smear of wax before collecting your coin.
Hearing arguing from the room you came from, you decide to exit the hall of mirrors as far away from the AVIARY as possible. You find yourself in a fully stocked TAVERN, complete with BILLIARDS and a wall of LIQUORS, WINES, and STOUTS. Finally! No one else is in the room.
What do you do?
-
I comment to Zataka that we should be on our guard if we encounter this woman again; our next meeting will almost certainly be violent. I express some interest in the orbs held by the statues, but I ask if he thinks we should take the time to examine them or continue looking for the cloaked man. I also wonder if we should wait for Malichor.
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I make my way through the stock briskly. I pour myself glass of a deep caramel colored spirit. I rustle up handfuls of dried meats, cheeses, stale bread pieces, nuts, and dried fruit pieces kept around for loungers to snack on. It's not much in the way of a proper meal but certainly will do. I find a comfy sofa and slide into it and chow down while I sip on the crystal of aged spirits. I stow about half the collection of finger food in my satchel and set the empty glass on the bar. I fill my canteen with the a dark leathery looking stout, flask a bit of a blood red spirit, fill a glass with some woody looking beer, and set up a game of billiard. Cautious not to overdo either the comfort or the drink. The respite gets a little tiresome and the game pretty uneventful considering the competition I find myself going over the details of the table more than playing. I head over to the bar and look through the shelves at the particulars of the bottles and their contents. What little secrets and surprises may be stashed here? All the while I keep an ear out just incase the trouble down the way may head toward me still a little paranoid that I am a rat in someone's maze.
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I agree with Sancireph that we should be wary of the woman and express concerns about our other companion. However, I find the bird and the statues unnerving, as if there is some sort of magic at work that I am unaware of. While I would like to solve whatever is causing this feeling, I have little experience with magical traps and such. I turn my attention to the papers on the desk in an attempt to find any information that could be of use to us.
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The Thesis reminds me of my own work, "Leaving Your Mark: Expanding Beyond the Limitations of Paper," in which I explain that runes can function on a variety of materials other than processed paper. I turn my attention from my own nostalgia back to the book topics. Hedge Budding, Darkspace Bypass, and 1000 Crane Cuts are the topics that seem to be most relevant. The first two are magic I've seen around the mansion, and the last is my own school.
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Name:Jerias
Class: Dragoon
Race: Lizardfolk (Dragon Corrupted Human)
Weapons: Enchanted Lance.
Armor: Tattered cloth garments covering lightweight battle worn armor.
Motivations: Protecting and transporting a small egg of unknown origins, which is always kept somewhere on his person or nearby.
Further Character Description: Past shrouded in mystery and amnesia, a lizard man whose only intention is the safe keeping of a small egg in his possession. He has wandered from place to place, in search of the proper magical fortifications to create a den and protect this egg until it matures and hatches. He remembers little of his life prior to corruption by dragon radiation. He was once a fiercely trained warrior, and his training and instincts remain intact. He remains capable of communication, but speaks with a snake-like affliction. Not trusting of those who would potentially seek to interfere with his motivations, he maintains an apprehensive approach to strangers.
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===========================
Setting Elaboration
Dragons: Dragon Corruption
The theory about dragon magic being a corruption of other magics is not as far-fetched as it seems. Dragons have a tendency to twist everything they touch. Plants, animals, and even humanoids mutate from prolonged proximity to dragons. The most blatant example of this is seen in the Dragoons--dragon hunting knights who dedicate their lives to the eradication of dragons and their ilk. To haphazardly quote Nietzsche: "He who fights dragons will become one himself." In this setting as opposed to our world the phrase is more literal.
It's not unreasonable that such poisoning would also translate to the very fabric of magic in the world. Perhaps a wizard has done research into the matter... Hint Hint.
Humanoids: Dominant Physical Characteristics
In this setting, terms such as "Elf" and "Dwarf" refer to the presence of particularly prevalent dominant physical characteristics.
Having possession of any of these traits does not in any way impact a character's humanity (and if you play it otherwise YOU WILL BE PUNISHED!).
Dwarves
The Dwarven co-dominant gene (not to be confused with Achondroplasia) triggers a shorter, stockier build coupled with thicker, darker hair and a more prominent chin relative to the average 'litmus human'. Two copies of the gene intensify these traits.
Elves
The Elven co-dominant gene triggers a taller, wiry build with thinner and lighter hair relative to the average 'litmus human'. Facial features are sharpened, particularly in the ears and brows. Two copies of the gene intensify these traits.
Gnomes
The Gnomish co-dominant gene results in a proportionally smaller build, intensely bright hair, and a more prominent nose relative to the average 'litmus human'. Because their hair is consistently bright it takes to dyes well. Two copies of the gene intensify these traits.
========================================
(There's a lot that's going to happen in this update, and I need some extra time and space to prepare. The prompt will be in my next post, which I will try to have up by the end of the night)
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@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, ZATAKA tells you that Malichor is reading in the library and it could be a while; it would be best to proceed without him and meet up later. You approach the three statues, each of tremendous stature and presence, to take a closer look at the RED ORBS that are so prominently displayed upon them. As you investigate you feel an incredible surge of heat in the back of your mind, as if a beast is whispering into your subconscious.
The sensation is like the pulse of energy you might feel from another Aasimar, yet it feels... sinister. You are eager to attribute this feeling to the Hedge Wizard whose mansion you now occupy, but alas it is altogether distinct from his own aura.
As you draw closer, you hear a poem in your head.
"A Dwarven soul is made of stone.
It is strong and rigid. Stone is easily shaped by chisel, but such is always a process of subtraction.
An Elven soul is made of wood.
It grows without bound, reaching for the light. There is always ample raw material, but too rigorous a touch risks its demise.
A Gnomish soul is made of metal.
Strong and durable, but easily shaped with the addition of heat. It is always in a state of flux.
A Human soul, however, is that of the man's own shadow.
It cannot be shaped directly, but can be grown or diminished in the right light.
Ah, but the soul of a dragon is the raging fury of flame.
Fires swallow stone, reduce wood to ash, warp metal into slag, and force shadows to flee.
Flames cannot help but consume everything; it is their nature."
You feel a shiver creep down your spine, and then it is silent once more.
What do you do?
==================================================
@SUCCESSOR
Reven, the sweet numbing warmth of the alcohol washes over you as you sample the stock. The finger food decelerates the impact slightly, but you remember what you came for and why. Playing with the billiards table you find it has a slight tilt towards the bar; you suspect the table may have been damaged by heavyset barflies in nights long gone.
"Happier days" you hear from behind you as you lean in to look. Flinching, you turn around to see a rat, leaning against a bottle of wine, on the counter of the bar.
"So, what brings you to my not so humble abode on this miserable autumn night?" the rat says, smiling (as if such were possible from a rodent).
You are left speechless. Is this a hallucination? Or some manner of magic? You WERE just thinking about rats and mazes.
"Come, join me in a drink. This is one of my favorites. I've got my own vineyard on the grounds. This one has a nice oak finish."
You take a seat next to the rat.
"You might want to be on the look-out for side effects. The boy likes to test GOURMAND magic on my stuff, and I don't know which bottles he's been fiddling around with."
The rat pours you a glass and you take a sip.
"Well then, share a bit about yourself and I'll return the favor."
He takes a swig from the bottle.
"But don't expect me to keep up with you. This tiny body isn't really equipped to hold the liquor."
What do you do?
==================================================
@mrz84
Zataka, you can't shake this uneasy feeling that is creeping down your spine, so you set out to distract yourself by reading the notes on the desk in the aviary. They appear to be some sort of scientific and wizardly hybrid of biological study. The author is trying to quantify the magical capacity of the various species of birds in the aviary; assessing how much magic each is capable of 'housing' (as he puts it) as well as analyzing flight speeds, dietary restrictions, and lifespans. He writes, with much disappointment, that the gutter-birds seem to have the highest magical capacity, and he goes on to theorize that it is their very mundane nature that makes room for more of the 'fantastic'.
The wizard spoke to you in the pumpkin patch through the body of a CROW. Is it possible these notes were his assessment of a potential spy network? The birds... all the birds. They're his eyes. There isn't a single place in the mansion that they HAVEN'T been present.
A pigeon lands on the desk next to you and begins to speak.
"Things are not always as they appear. Try to remember that a book is more than its cover. Oh, and do try to refrain from breaking my walls!"
With that, the pigeon flies back up into the rafters.
What do you do?
==================================================
@Xyvol
Malichor, you begin by skimming the chapter on HEDGE BUDDING. The discussion is a little hard to follow because you really only had one Hedge Magic class while apprenticing as a mage, but it sounds like the goal of the ritual is to grow a plant that contains a perfect CLONE of the individual, and then transfer consciousness into the resulting BUD. There are notes in the margins with two different sets of handwriting. The first states simply "Promising. Reliable but requires time and real estate. Dare I put down roots?" The second says "This is hedge magic, yet the transfer requires an act of PSIONIC magic. Cite in the thesis?".
Wait a minute. That SOLDIER said something about finding a body inside one of the pumpkins in the patch. Until now you were working under the assumption that the Hedge Wizard was somehow kidnapping people and sapping their life force. What if it was a clone? What if every pumpkin in the patch is a clone of the wizard?
Clearly he has taken quite the stab at immortality, successfully. There's no way to tell how old he actually is, then, or how POWERFUL he might have become over the years. You thought the mansion was the work of multiple wizards... previous owners and commission works. If this is all at the hands of a single man...
Best not to engage such a man in combat.
You hear pacing and muttering above you. Perhaps TOMA BARTRAND is still in the library. Or could it be TELIVAR?
What do you do?
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@bigjoe
Jerias, you awaken atop a pile of rubble. Cold. There is pale light from above; from the MOON, but it comes from an opening no longer large enough to accommodate you. Your memory is blurred. You fell, that must be how you got here. But fell from where? And where is here?
Your stomach growls. You look to the egg at your back. Warmth, warmth and nutrition. But no, you need the EGG for warmth of a different nature. A rat scurries across the floor. You pounce, clenching it in your claws. Exhaling flames you sear it BLUE RARE and it is in your mouth. For a moment you feel the warmth as its faint heartbeat goes silent inside of you. The rodent helps with the HUNGER. Some, but not enough.
You see a flash in your mind, of tableware and seasoned stakes, of little pink sausages at the ends of your hands where your talons should be, of flagons of mead and ale feeding warmth into you. Warmth that wasn't as hungry as the little fire inside of you. The thought makes you cringe; you shake it from your mind.
There is a RUSTY JAIL DOOR before you; old dilapidated bars held in place by weathering mortar. Beyond it is a torch, illuminating a cellar filled with great casks of wines, as large as a man.
SILENCE.
What do you do?
-
I recite the poem to myself in my head, committing it to memory. I do not yet know what it means, but my guess is that the red orbs have something to do with fire. Glancing at each statue, I try to draw some connection relating to the placement of the orbs on each. Is there some pattern to it that I can discern (remember my heightened aasimar senses)?
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I commit to memory what I can of the notes on the desk. As for the pigeon's remark, I turn it over in my head for a bit before committing it to memory as well. Still knowing now that the birds are a possible spy network, I will have to be wary of them fro the remainder of our time in the mansion. This, however complicates things more than they needed to be.
I turn to my companion and inquire on what progress he has made with the statues and if there is anything I can do to assist. If not, I will relay what we have found to Malichor before continuing the search for the cloaked man. If I encounter the woman again, I will attempt to persuade her we mean her no harm if possible. If diplomacy fails me, I will try to disarm her without causing permanent damage to her (or the mansion's walls).
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I notice the wear on the mortar and attempt to smash through the cell door forcefully. This hunger is driving me to near madness, and the taste of rat has attuned my senses to that there may be a larger one nearby. Once on the other side, I plan to survey my surroundings and look for an exit. The wine casks are of no interest.
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I thought I was alone in the library. With the revelation I just had, hearing the sound of someone else above me creeps me out. I put aside my research and sneak up the stairs to get a look at who it may be. I take great care to do so quietly, I do not want to startle what may possibly be an immortal wizard.
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@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, you look to the light sources in the aviary and compare them against the shadows. You figure there is some insight related to the statue of the WOMAN and her shadow based on the poem, and the LIZARD is dragon enough to be the reference to the fire. Still, you cannot figure out how the RAVEN fits into the puzzle. You light a torch. The RED PEARLS seem almost hungry at the introduction of fire to the room, flaring up and almost beckoning to be embraced by the flame. Standing behind the LIZARD statue, you note that the shadows grow long away from the WOMAN. You find a sconce on that wall and place your torch, stepping into the shadows and following them to their end.
Hmm, as the flames flicker, the shadow of the woman appears to swallow the pearl and then be enveloped by the shadow of the lizard. It is almost as if the RAVEN statue exists to facilitate the transition between these two states. You decide to investigate more closely.
There is a BUTTON located at the base of each statue.
Do you press one?
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@mrz84
Zataka, you find Sancireph absolutely distracted by the mystery of the statues. He is staring at the red orbs grasped by each statue, almost as if he is being drawn into another world. You try to talk to him, but he does not seem to respond to your presence. With worry, you go back into the LOBBY to speak with Malichor. There are rats running about with masonry tools repairing the damaged lock and wall and grumbling quietly to themselves. No doubt they are under some manner of enchantment. You go to the Library door. It is still locked, so you knock politely. No response. You consider once again hacking a hole through the wall, but decide that Malichor was rightly worried about the valuable books beyond. Considering your host's might, you instead try the last remaining unexplored door in the lobby. It opens out into an ORCHARD COURTYARD, with various fruiting trees and a glass ceiling to let the sun in and keep the weather out. Each tree is surrounded by a THORNY BRAMBLE; clearly the wizard of the mansion prizes these plants more than anything else you have encountered.
You see the THIEF you encountered earlier exit the orchard from the other side. You call for her to wait, but she is already gone. As you consider following her, you hear a rather loud rumbling from the Lobby.
What do you do?
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@bigjoe
Jerias, with the force of your shoulder you slam the prison gate and it crashes to the ground. You rise, dusting yourself off, and taste the air in search of a larger heart to heat your hungry flame. Turning to the RIGHT, you travel down a narrow hallway that runs past several other OUBLIETTES like the one in which you fell; each appears to be long abandoned. Pressing onward, you find yourself in front of a SWIFT RIVER, running through the cavernous limestone that makes up your surroundings. There is a water wheel downstream from you, it seems to be powering a machine that is grinding barley. A pair of RATS swim by, you snatch one and consume it as you have done before. The cold that was enveloping you seems to retreat. There is something comfortable about this place.
There is a path travelling along the river both UPSTREAM and DOWNSTREAM (with the water wheel being downstream).
Which way do you go?
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@Xyvol
Malichor, you very carefully set down the book and sneak up the stairs. On the second floor, standing next to a ladder and paging through one of the books, is a SPECTACLE-SPORTING YOUNG MAN. You catch the title of the book: Phantom Whispers. It is familiar to you, you recall from your own apprenticeship that certain objects can RECORD sensations and, sometimes, even words. The book explains that spirits of the dead cling to things that are familiar.
The young man turns to go to the stairway and, spotting you, gasps.
"Oh my, you certainly startled me. I didn't know we were expecting guests; when I heard the door lock I just assumed the master had come to the library for research materials."
You decide this must be TOMA the apprentice. You ask about the door locks.
"Master is accustomed to entertaining guests but he is aware that they can be particularly reckless around his priceless collections. So he has a standing spell that prohibits access to a room when there are more than two occupants. It keeps people from dragging the party into the wrong places."
You ask how he can host parties when the lobby has a story drop at the front door.
"What? Oh dear, he must have forgotten to open the front door. I'm dreadfully sorry, that is a security measure against burglars."
The young man walks over to a suspicious book and pulls on it. You hear a rather loud rumbling from the LOBBY.
"There, that should do it. The stairs should be out now."
What a curious fellow. He doesn't appear to be antagonistic towards you. He could no doubt answer many of your questions about TELIVAR, the MANSION, and even his THESIS.
Will you carry on the conversation?
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@SUCCESSOR
Reven. as you stare at the RAT trying to decide if he is the equivalent of a PINK ELEPHANT or if he is legitimately talking to you, you notice that the bottle of wine which you and he are sharing begins to levitate under its own accord.
"Ugh, I thought TOMA might have tampered with this one. Telekinesis always seems like a laugh until you fall asleep and break every piece of glass in a twenty foot radius. Don't worry, though, it'll wear off in a few hours."
The rat leaps into the air, grabbing the bottle and trying to anchor it with his body. He floats there rather comically.
"Could you give me a hand?"
You grab the bottle and force down on the counter. The rat pushes it away.
"Well there'll be no more drinking from that vintage. Let me fetch something from my secret stash; the boy doesn't know about it so he can't have tampered with them."
What do you do?
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Before pressing the buttons, I consider--there are buttons on each of the statues, but just pressing them immediately might not be a good idea. This wizard is clever, and it seems to me that whatever functions these statues serve, the buttons on them must be pressed in a certain order. Judging by the shadow patterns, I will start with the button on the woman statue, but will not press any others until I see what the result is from this one.
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I head in the direction of the water wheel, scanning the surroundings for anything that may be of use. I give the water wheel a bit of special attention, and take further examination of its function, before continuing to head in the direction I am on.
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After taking a careful note of what types of trees are in the orchard, I consider following the woman. However, I put that thought away as a solo confrontation might prove unwise, even with my armor and greatsword, without any sort of backup. I instead decide to return to the lobby and investigate the noise, being on my guard for any surprises.
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Yes, wish to carry on the conversation, particularly about the master of the mansion.
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Hearing the rat speak as I was examining the billiard table set me at edge. I had been listening out for human s approaching but not on the listen for rodent footsteps, would I have heard them. I sit with the rat and take a drink. I carefully retake in the room. It is not in my nature to be surprised by anything magical or mundane, but I on the alert for a trap. I look for threats and an escape as well as assess the talking rodent. My silence has been notice. I play it off as drunkenness. When the rat floats I laugh too loud. Before he can swap the bottles I finish the glass he poured. "Never too early for Psionics... Or late! What's the hour again?" I chortle the words. "If you are pouring from your reserves I'll tell you anything you care to know!". If I truly am welcome might as well have some fun!
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@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, as you press the button at the base of the statue of the WOMAN, you feel a tremendous sense of peril. You leap back just before a trapdoor opens up beneath you. Looking down, you see it leads to some kind of JAIL CELL. It looks like that button was not the right one to press.
What do you do?
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@bigjoe
Jerias, you travel DOWNSTREAM towards the WATER WHEEL. There is a door near it; you gently open it to find a fully functioning BREWERY, several stories tall. A small utility stairwell goes up four floors. Flocks of birds fly around the devices, apparently performing the necessary maintenance operations. What IS this place?
What do you do?
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@mrz84
Zataka, upon returning to the LOBBY you find a grand staircase leading up to the front door. It appears to have emerged from the wall you scaled down earlier. There is also a fully furnished walkway on the floor above you, leading to the various second-floor doors of the AVIARY and LIBRARY. You wonder if these stairs were always present, and if something simply made them SOLID.
What do you do?
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@Xyvol
Malichor, you ask the apprentice about the master of the mansion.
"He's afraid. He spends so much time in his study now, using rats and crows as ephemeral appendages to bring him what he needs. Ever since we had that brush with that DRAGON he's been terrified of corruption. Honestly it's driving him a little mad; I hope he will feel safe again soon.
I keep telling him all that gold is a nuisance, even UNDER THE MANSION like that. Dragons love that stuff."
Toma sighs,
"I just don't know what to do for him anymore."
You ask the apprentice specifically about the master's relationship with the bartender.
"Who? Oh, that guy that buys the herbs. Ugh, don't get me started on that, they're a placebo."
You ask why the herbs aren't real.
"Well, they are real enough if you subscribe to the traditional views of magic. But really all they are is a physical object on which someone may place their disbelief, thereby protecting them from magical effects. I could grind up some mint and sell it to you and it would have the same effect if I told you it did."
He mentioned some place beneath the mansion as if that is where the study is located.
What do you do?
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@SUCCESSOR
Reven, the rat lets out a deep laugh, full of heart and merriment.
"Seventh of the post meridian. Ah, it's been so long since I've had a legitimate visitor. It seems nowadays the only people who come around are stuffy apprentices and adventurers looking to snatch my gold! Tell me, what's your story?"
You tell him your name is Reven and you were out looking for something to fill your flask on this cold autumn night.
"Ah, a man of the brew I see. Perhaps you'd like to see my brewery, it's down the hall over there. I do rather like to take in the spirits. Merriment, food, parties... oh how I miss them so. My name is TELIVAR, Hedge Wizard, Mayor, Brewmaster, Chocolateer, Magister, Horticulturalist, and Freelance Novelist. I am a collector of titles."
You ask why he doesn't host parties anymore.
"People don't take well to my... peculiarities. It has been quite a while since I made an appearance in person; too high a risk of contamination."
Contamination?
"Haven't you noticed? No, perhaps it isn't apparent to someone who isn't looking for it. Tell you what, the next time you go for a hike in the woods, count the number of dragons you spot in the sky."
He pours another drink.
"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we'll all be dragged into another dimension."
You have no idea what this... rat... is talking about. Perhaps he was right about the liquor having a big effect on such a small body.
What do you do?
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I consider my options. I could make a quick snack of several of these birds, but as they appear to be operating machinery, they may be functioning on some higher level and it might be best to leave them alone. I decide to climb the utility stairwell and see if there is anything I can make use of.
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Weighing my options, I decide to return to the aviary and check on my companion's progress and to report what I've found so far. Once I've checked on him, I'll proceed to the second floor of the aviary and see what I find up there.
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The other button could lead to more danger, but my elven curiosity gets the better of me. I cross over to the lizard statue and press the button, keeping my senses alert for anything that might happen as a result.
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"Wait, what? A Dragon?!" I ask to know more about the dragon and the circumstances involved with that encounter. Then, I relate the encounter in the pumpkin patch, the invitation to meet in the study, and the mention of employment. "Do you think Telivar intends to ask us to fight a dragon?" I ask if the study is located under the mansion. I also tell him that there are other adventures searching the mansion currently, and ask if there is an easy way to reach the study. A shortcut perhaps?
(Merry Christmas guys! And a special thanks to CJC for running this game for us!)
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"This brewery you speak of. I imagine it as anomalous as the rest of this place. I am no stranger of the art myself. The rare ale, spirit, tincture, or such often fetches me good deal or a night off the roads. Before the night is done I shall see it! Maybe I may learn a thing or two or walk away with a prize rarity someone along my way may pay enviously for a sip. It is a shame I may not drink with the man but his proxy.
"I saw a few disgruntled type that fit the adventurer bill. More marauders? They seemed to have had a quarrel with a equally disgruntled woman. A friend of yours? I am not unfamiliar with partaking in merriment in hostile waters but it sounds as if your castle is being hit from all sides. Though, I am certain you are aware as it seems to me your peculiarities do not end with rodents but fowls as well. You don't strike me as the type to just go down with the ship. Tell me, Telivar. What misadventure have I been drawn into?"
The talk of dragons set me at unease, though I by no means fear them(besides the obvious reasonable reasons to fear them, of course). I pull in my cloak trying not to look unsettled.