08-08-2015, 10:45 PM
I am Rollo of the Cloud Court. My aunt is the Archfey Rime, Queen of the Cloud Court.
As is tradition in the family, now that I have come of age, I must earn my title by making a name for myself on the material plane. I am disowned and banished from the Feywild until I find my own way back. It's harsh, but my Auntie says it'll be a fun little adventure. She tosses me a periwinkle crystal shard saying it'll help with my magic.
We're in the courtroom of Auntie's castle. The rest of my family is here, as are other members of the Court, to watch, wish me well, or pray for my demise. Auntie opens a Gate. Massive double-doors appear in the middle of the courtroom and swing outwards into nothing. I gather my things, take a breath, and step through.
Two things I notice immediately. First: the music in the air stops. It's one of those sounds that you don't notice until its gone, and now it's gone. Second: what happened to all of the colors? Everything is dull and washed-out. The doors behind me slam shut, and now I'm all alone. Where did Auntie drop me off?
Allied obelisk.
Ominous settlement.
Alone, metaphorically speaking, that is. There's a large black stone pillar in front of me with spiraling etchings of some kind going around it. There's a bunch of people - humans, I think - in dark robes and hoods standing around. How do they take my dramatic appearance?
Waste / Danger.
Someone shouts, "The demons send one of their own to destroy us!" and the panicked screaming starts.
I use Thaumaturgy to shout "Calm down! I come in peace!" Does anyone listen?
No, but...
My shouting catches their attention, but causes even more panic. Brilliant. At a loss for what to do, I try to catch someone, anyone, and try to get them to listen. Can I get a hold of anyone?
Yes.
I manage to grab one cloaked fellow by the arm and hold him fast. "Listen, friend, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'd be more than happy to explain myself if you could get the others to stop and listen for a minute." [persuasion DC 20]
24 = 20[d20]+4
The man looks at me nervously, but seems to understand. I let go of him. He cautiously backs away and then sprints behind a building.
The plaza with the obelisk is empty now. Etchings from the structure continue onto the ground and spiral outward into a circle about 10 paces across. Several yards beyond that, the buildings start. They look rather simple, somewhere between a straw hut and a tent. Even further on, I can see a ring of sharpened logs encircling the settlement. Everything looks to be centered around the obelisk. Can I read the etchings?
No.
They use some script I don't recognize. A group of three, including the one I spoke to, come up to me hesitantly. "So...you are /not/ here to destroy us?" Nope! They sigh in relief. One of them calls out, "False alarm!" and the others start coming out of hiding. I ask them what they're doing here and why they're so jumpy.
Lie / The innocent.
They say they're being terrorized by demons. They thought I was the latest monster sent to ruin their plans. [passive insight vs deception]
12 = 12[d20]
I'm pretty sure they're lying to me. Now I'm curious. I ask what the obelisk is for.
Separate / Nature.
They say they use it to help keep the demons away. Is that so? I tell them outright that the obelisk is worthless. The runes don't match the [Sylvan word for bad liar]'s continuum and would fail at the slightest bit of external stress. It couldn't even stop me from Gating into it's [Sylvan word for circle] space. [deception vs insight]
22 = 16[d20]+6
9 = 9[d20]
They give each other worried glances. They admit they just assumed it would work, and are surprised that I'm able to recognize the runes. They ask what I think the obelisk actually does. [arcana DC 20]
9 = 6[d20]+3
I've got no bloody idea. Hazarding a guess, I tell them "It's probably used for a demon /summoning/ ritual instead of a banishing one." Did I hit the nail on the head?
Yes, but...
[insight DC 15]
15 = 13[d20]+2
They're stunned, and say as much. They go on about being tricked, etc, etc. I'm not really paying attention anymore. I'm pretty sure these folks knew what this structure was for. One of them asks if I'd be willing to come and speak with their shaman. "He needs to know about this." Betting there's no actual shaman, I go along willingly.
They take me to some random building in the middle of their shanty town. The interior...has character. It's littered with books. Torn pages are pinned to the walls. The man inside is less shaman and more librarian, complete with fancy clothing and crooked glasses. Can I read anything on the pages before the conversation starts? [investigation DC 20]
20 = 15[d20]+5
I pick up the words 'separation' and 'nature'. The Librarian closes his book in haste and cleans some papers off of his desk before turning to us. "What's the meaning of this interruption!? Who is this...elf?" One of my escorts whispers into his ear. Can I hear anything? [perception DC 15]
14 = 14[d20]
No. But I get worried looks from the Librarian. Does he take my presence well?
Yes.
He ushers my escorts out and closes the door behind them. He then asks me who I am. "I am Rollo of the Cloud Court, nephew of the Queen of Storms." I show him my signet ring which bears Auntie's seal. I tell him I'm looking for a way into the Feywild and would greatly appreciate any assistance or advice. Does he react to my nobility? Does he know anything about the Feywild? Is his response positive?
Yes, and...
No, and... +Twist: PC / Alters the location
Yes.
The Librarian apologizes profusely for his lack of etiquette and knowledge of the Feywild. "I am but a humble shaman of this tribe." I point to the books and papers he has around. Are any of them in an obscure language?
Yes, and...
"You're quite well read," I say, "for a mere shaman. Better than me, I'm afraid. I can see some Dwarvish script and that passage over there is in Sylvan, but I can't even recognize the writing on that page or that one." Does this rattle the man?
No.
"Part of my role is precisely to decipher these foreign tongues." I ask for what purpose, and he claims it is to understand the monument the town is built around. Like the others, he claims that demons occasionally harass them and that - "just between you an me, my lord" - they're drawn here by the obelisk. He says that most of the townspeople believe the obelisk shields them from the fiends, and that my arrival may have poked another hole in that flimsy white lie.
I think he's BS-ing. [insight vs deception]
6 = 4[d20]+2
14 = 14[d20]
But the Librarian is much more in-control of himself than the other townsfolk, and I really can't tell for sure.
The man mentions that his research involves "passageways between the worlds", specifically how the demons are making their way here. He suggests that maybe something he uncovers in his research would help me get wherever I'm going. I am clearly an elf of great magical talent. "If it wouldn't be too great a favor to ask of you, my lord..."
Well, I /am/ clearly a fey of great magical talent. I've got nothing better to do. What does he want?
Steal treasure from the magical school.
He ushers me over to a map of the town. He points to one building which he claims was supposed to be a schoolhouse. In the aftermath of one of the first demon attacks, a passageway was revealed leading to some underground structure. He believes there may be an artifact connected to the obelisk down there, but the way is too dangerous for any of them. He apologizes for not offering me anything more than a hunch.
The town would be more than happy to provide for me while I prepare. The community is too small for any proper inn or store, but the carpenter has an empty bedroom and I should be able to find everything that I need just by asking around.
Yeah, that's not going to cut it. I tell him I am willing to help, but I will require my own lodgings and a personal attendant while I remain here. "I expect them to be ready for me when I return from the schoolhouse."
"What, now? You're going in /now/?" Yes, why not? I'm already packed and geared up for an adventure. I head off to the schoolhouse. The Librarian follows me all the way, pleading to at least wait till after lunch. Psh, I'm fresh and prepared already. Let's get this over with.
There's a crowd watching with mixed expressions as I tear down the boards nailing the stick-shack's door closed. "Wish me luck," I say before popping inside the building.
As is tradition in the family, now that I have come of age, I must earn my title by making a name for myself on the material plane. I am disowned and banished from the Feywild until I find my own way back. It's harsh, but my Auntie says it'll be a fun little adventure. She tosses me a periwinkle crystal shard saying it'll help with my magic.
We're in the courtroom of Auntie's castle. The rest of my family is here, as are other members of the Court, to watch, wish me well, or pray for my demise. Auntie opens a Gate. Massive double-doors appear in the middle of the courtroom and swing outwards into nothing. I gather my things, take a breath, and step through.
Two things I notice immediately. First: the music in the air stops. It's one of those sounds that you don't notice until its gone, and now it's gone. Second: what happened to all of the colors? Everything is dull and washed-out. The doors behind me slam shut, and now I'm all alone. Where did Auntie drop me off?
Allied obelisk.
Ominous settlement.
Alone, metaphorically speaking, that is. There's a large black stone pillar in front of me with spiraling etchings of some kind going around it. There's a bunch of people - humans, I think - in dark robes and hoods standing around. How do they take my dramatic appearance?
Waste / Danger.
Someone shouts, "The demons send one of their own to destroy us!" and the panicked screaming starts.
I use Thaumaturgy to shout "Calm down! I come in peace!" Does anyone listen?
No, but...
My shouting catches their attention, but causes even more panic. Brilliant. At a loss for what to do, I try to catch someone, anyone, and try to get them to listen. Can I get a hold of anyone?
Yes.
I manage to grab one cloaked fellow by the arm and hold him fast. "Listen, friend, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'd be more than happy to explain myself if you could get the others to stop and listen for a minute." [persuasion DC 20]
24 = 20[d20]+4
The man looks at me nervously, but seems to understand. I let go of him. He cautiously backs away and then sprints behind a building.
The plaza with the obelisk is empty now. Etchings from the structure continue onto the ground and spiral outward into a circle about 10 paces across. Several yards beyond that, the buildings start. They look rather simple, somewhere between a straw hut and a tent. Even further on, I can see a ring of sharpened logs encircling the settlement. Everything looks to be centered around the obelisk. Can I read the etchings?
No.
They use some script I don't recognize. A group of three, including the one I spoke to, come up to me hesitantly. "So...you are /not/ here to destroy us?" Nope! They sigh in relief. One of them calls out, "False alarm!" and the others start coming out of hiding. I ask them what they're doing here and why they're so jumpy.
Lie / The innocent.
They say they're being terrorized by demons. They thought I was the latest monster sent to ruin their plans. [passive insight vs deception]
12 = 12[d20]
I'm pretty sure they're lying to me. Now I'm curious. I ask what the obelisk is for.
Separate / Nature.
They say they use it to help keep the demons away. Is that so? I tell them outright that the obelisk is worthless. The runes don't match the [Sylvan word for bad liar]'s continuum and would fail at the slightest bit of external stress. It couldn't even stop me from Gating into it's [Sylvan word for circle] space. [deception vs insight]
22 = 16[d20]+6
9 = 9[d20]
They give each other worried glances. They admit they just assumed it would work, and are surprised that I'm able to recognize the runes. They ask what I think the obelisk actually does. [arcana DC 20]
9 = 6[d20]+3
I've got no bloody idea. Hazarding a guess, I tell them "It's probably used for a demon /summoning/ ritual instead of a banishing one." Did I hit the nail on the head?
Yes, but...
[insight DC 15]
15 = 13[d20]+2
They're stunned, and say as much. They go on about being tricked, etc, etc. I'm not really paying attention anymore. I'm pretty sure these folks knew what this structure was for. One of them asks if I'd be willing to come and speak with their shaman. "He needs to know about this." Betting there's no actual shaman, I go along willingly.
They take me to some random building in the middle of their shanty town. The interior...has character. It's littered with books. Torn pages are pinned to the walls. The man inside is less shaman and more librarian, complete with fancy clothing and crooked glasses. Can I read anything on the pages before the conversation starts? [investigation DC 20]
20 = 15[d20]+5
I pick up the words 'separation' and 'nature'. The Librarian closes his book in haste and cleans some papers off of his desk before turning to us. "What's the meaning of this interruption!? Who is this...elf?" One of my escorts whispers into his ear. Can I hear anything? [perception DC 15]
14 = 14[d20]
No. But I get worried looks from the Librarian. Does he take my presence well?
Yes.
He ushers my escorts out and closes the door behind them. He then asks me who I am. "I am Rollo of the Cloud Court, nephew of the Queen of Storms." I show him my signet ring which bears Auntie's seal. I tell him I'm looking for a way into the Feywild and would greatly appreciate any assistance or advice. Does he react to my nobility? Does he know anything about the Feywild? Is his response positive?
Yes, and...
No, and... +Twist: PC / Alters the location
Yes.
The Librarian apologizes profusely for his lack of etiquette and knowledge of the Feywild. "I am but a humble shaman of this tribe." I point to the books and papers he has around. Are any of them in an obscure language?
Yes, and...
"You're quite well read," I say, "for a mere shaman. Better than me, I'm afraid. I can see some Dwarvish script and that passage over there is in Sylvan, but I can't even recognize the writing on that page or that one." Does this rattle the man?
No.
"Part of my role is precisely to decipher these foreign tongues." I ask for what purpose, and he claims it is to understand the monument the town is built around. Like the others, he claims that demons occasionally harass them and that - "just between you an me, my lord" - they're drawn here by the obelisk. He says that most of the townspeople believe the obelisk shields them from the fiends, and that my arrival may have poked another hole in that flimsy white lie.
I think he's BS-ing. [insight vs deception]
6 = 4[d20]+2
14 = 14[d20]
But the Librarian is much more in-control of himself than the other townsfolk, and I really can't tell for sure.
The man mentions that his research involves "passageways between the worlds", specifically how the demons are making their way here. He suggests that maybe something he uncovers in his research would help me get wherever I'm going. I am clearly an elf of great magical talent. "If it wouldn't be too great a favor to ask of you, my lord..."
Well, I /am/ clearly a fey of great magical talent. I've got nothing better to do. What does he want?
Steal treasure from the magical school.
He ushers me over to a map of the town. He points to one building which he claims was supposed to be a schoolhouse. In the aftermath of one of the first demon attacks, a passageway was revealed leading to some underground structure. He believes there may be an artifact connected to the obelisk down there, but the way is too dangerous for any of them. He apologizes for not offering me anything more than a hunch.
The town would be more than happy to provide for me while I prepare. The community is too small for any proper inn or store, but the carpenter has an empty bedroom and I should be able to find everything that I need just by asking around.
Yeah, that's not going to cut it. I tell him I am willing to help, but I will require my own lodgings and a personal attendant while I remain here. "I expect them to be ready for me when I return from the schoolhouse."
"What, now? You're going in /now/?" Yes, why not? I'm already packed and geared up for an adventure. I head off to the schoolhouse. The Librarian follows me all the way, pleading to at least wait till after lunch. Psh, I'm fresh and prepared already. Let's get this over with.
There's a crowd watching with mixed expressions as I tear down the boards nailing the stick-shack's door closed. "Wish me luck," I say before popping inside the building.