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The Test of the Faithful - 5.

Posted by DM HeathFor group 0
DM Heath
GM, 5487 posts
Thu 7 May 2015
at 17:31
  • msg #1

The Test of the Faithful - 5

Experience Points:

As usual, please update your character sheets, and add any XP bonuses, if applicable.  If you level up, please let me know and make the adjustments accordingly.


With the new pink gem in hand from the "FEAR" test, you retreat to the semicircular room (marked as "7" on the map):



The door on the eastern wall in the niche is still closed, and you tightly close the two stone doors on the northwest and southwest walls.

Between the healing spells, herbalism, and healing proficiencies of the group, as well as a good night's sleep ahead of you, you all manage to return to your full hit point status and strength.

You can also cast any other available spells before resting.

Everything is the same about the room except that now the word "FEAR" inscripted on the wall has a glowing luster as though lit up, in addition to the previously lustrous CONFUSION and DARKNESS.

PLEASE SEE BOLDED SECTION BELOW FOR UPDATE ON THE SHELVES.  REMEMBER THAT YOU DECIDED TO HOLD OFF PUTTING THE GEMS IN THEIR SLOTS UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL THE GEMS.

OOC: I need list of final spells to put into Rod Of Absorption.

(My next post will be the overnight resting, so I am considering it still within an hour or so of coming back to the semicircular room--before resting.)


Here is a description of the room again for you again:

This semicircular room has three entry/exit points:  the door you entered, a door on the south side of the west wall leading west (which is slightly ajar), and a door inset into a small niche in the eastern wall (see map).

On the wall behind you (the west wall), there are intricate carvings, which read:

 "THE TEST OF THE FAITHFUL. Only those who prove true may transcend and descend.  Only those who prove true are worthy.  The seventh test revealed below."

 A tapestry is hung on either side of these engravings.  Though they must be old and are filled with dust, they are in impeccable shape, obviously preserved through magic.

 The left tapestry portrays the back of a black-cloaked man standing atop a mountain, his hands held high.  At the bottom of the mountain, hordes of followers bow in obeisance.

 The right tapestry portrays a silvery dragon with piercing blue eyes, its tail winding around a black-cloaked figure.  In each of its foreclaws, it also holds a black-cloaked figure, and yet another is crushed between its teeth.  The dragon peers out from a cave in a mountain, and at the top of the mountain, you see the small figure of the cloaked man, hands still raised.

 Below the wording and in between the two tapestries, there is another "shelf" that is closed to viewing.  You imagine it will open if the right conditions are met.

On the curved section of wall in front of you, words are elaborately carved into the wall with gold insets.  There are three words on the left, and three words on the right.  Each word is repeated multiple times in several languages.  In order from left to right, the words are:

 1) DARKNESS
 2) CONFUSION
 3) MADNESS
 4) MIGHT
 5) FEAR
 6) EVIL


 The words DARKNESS and CONFUSION and FEAR have a glowing luster to them that the others do not, as if they are magically lit up.

 Under each of the multi-lingual words, you see a square area where there is obviously some sort of shelf or casing built into the stone wall.  Indeed, under the first two glowing words, the "shelf" has rotated down 90 degrees, revealing two things:  each has a small indentation the same size as the gems you have recovered; each also has an item just above that indentation.
Under the first two words, the small indentation for the gems has receded into the wall and the shelves that appeared and gave you the weapons are visible.  Under the word FEAR, the shelf has rotated down 90 degrees revealing a small indentation the size of the pink gem, and an item.

This item is a black and brown composite bow with the word "Oathbow" inscribed in Elven along its edge.  (Meant for Shapfren.)



Oathbow

Of elven make, this white +2 composite longbow (+2 Str bonus) whispers "Swift defeat to my enemies" in Elven when nocked and pulled. Once per day, if the firer swears aloud to slay her target (a free action), the bow’s whisper becomes the low shout "Swift death to those who have wronged me." Against such a sworn enemy, the bow has a +5 enhancement bonus, and arrows launched from it deal an additional 2d6 points of damage (and ×4 on a critical hit instead of the normal ×3). However, the bow is treated as only a masterwork weapon against all foes other than the sworn enemy, and the wielder takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls with any weapon other than the oathbow. These bonuses and penalties last for seven days or until the sworn enemy is slain or destroyed by the wielder of the oathbow, whichever comes first.

The oathbow may only have one sworn enemy at a time. Once the wielder swears to slay a target, he cannot make a new oath until he has slain that target or seven days have passed. Even if the wielder slays the sworn enemy on the same day that he makes the oath, he cannot activate the oathbow’s special power again until 24 hours have passed from the time he made the oath.


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:34, Thu 07 May 2015.
Shae Shadowglen
player, 154 posts
Thu 7 May 2015
at 22:51
  • msg #2

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Shae casts the spells and prepares to rest, letting Shapfren get the interesting bow while she clings to her ancestral spear.  She gets her bedroll ready and makes sure the doors are tightly closed and cannot be opened, and that no beetles can fit through.  "What a memorable day," she comments as she lays down to pray for spells and rest.

Ooc: Shae is not sure what spells she can give for the rod of absorption since she has cleric related spells and has access to them all.  She also just leveled up!
Leogold Silvershaper
player, 126 posts
Fri 8 May 2015
at 15:33
  • msg #3

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Leo moves about the party applying herbs where he is able.  "Unfortunately I don't have anything that I think will help with this Black Curse beyond what has already been done, except possibly ease some pain."  Moving about he continues, "We would have to move outside and allow for time to look around and find something...and that's no guarantee.
Lukas Rimshank
player, 84 posts
Gnomish Locksmith
Fri 8 May 2015
at 16:33
  • msg #4

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

"We could chop off the afflicted area, not a great option but it would stop it from spreading any further.  With some luck we could find a healer that could restore the missing parts."

Lukas was feeling under powered in the group, wondering if he still had much use to the party.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:33, Fri 08 May 2015.
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 351 posts
Fri 8 May 2015
at 18:16
  • msg #5

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Tahldar settles down to rest once he has given Kahan spells for his rod from the available amount he has left.  Which isn't much.

The mage then casts a dancing light spell to give them a soft light to see by.  One which he knows will dissipate in about twenty minutes.  Enough time to settle in and then blink out, allowing them to sleep.
Kahan Singh
player, 1775 posts
61/81 HP AC 1
Thac0 16 Level 9 Cleric
Fri 8 May 2015
at 20:48
  • msg #6

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Kahan casts a couple of his own spells into the rod before looking over at Shae and asking, "I have a few blocks of Incense of Meditation left. Would you benefit from their effects as well or not? If so I will likely burn them as we will need all the power we can get."
Shapfren Diditlew
player, 211 posts
Fri 8 May 2015
at 21:26
  • msg #7

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Didit just goes straight to the bow, she holds it in her hands and feels it. She looks around in case someone wants it, but she has made up her mind about keeping it. When seeing Shae and thaldar contribute with spells for the rod, she goes closer and speaks "When I said I didn't have any spells left I wasn't truly accurate, but I doubt an invisibility spell or an illusion will fool the tests"
Kahan Singh
player, 1776 posts
61/81 HP AC 1
Thac0 16 Level 9 Cleric
Fri 8 May 2015
at 21:48
  • msg #8

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

"If Tahldar had not already given me an Invisibility spell I would gladly take yours. What illusion are you talking about? I might not end up needing these spells for the tests but I will likely use them at some point. The more spells I can have access to, the less I will need to rely on you spellcasters for less than useful spells so you can focus your efforts on more meaningful spells," Kahan replies as he looks over the book that came with the rod. "I am really glad that cleric 'gave' me this rod. It is rather useful and I dare say I put it to better use than the last cleric that had it, eh Borimer?" he laughs.
Shapfren Diditlew
player, 212 posts
Sat 9 May 2015
at 03:30
  • msg #9

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

"An improved Phantasmal force, it cam make mobile illusions. Would a knock also be good for you?"
Kahan Singh
player, 1777 posts
61/81 HP AC 1
Thac0 16 Level 9 Cleric
Sat 9 May 2015
at 04:48
  • msg #10

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

"Knock is the one that opens locked doors, correct? No, I think that may be a bit too much of a utility spell, something I probably won't ever use. The Phantasmal Force, however, could be helpful," Kahan responds, going over how to cast the spell into the rod so it absorbs it correctly.
Borimer
player, 2607 posts
Ac 0 Hp 48/90
Thac0 12 Mvt18"
Sat 9 May 2015
at 21:11
  • msg #11

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Kahan Singh:
"It is rather useful and I dare say I put it to better use than the last cleric that had it, eh Borimer?" he laughs.

The warrior chuckles, "You do, and he doesn't need it now anyway, not after where we sent him..."
DM Heath
GM, 5489 posts
Tue 12 May 2015
at 16:09
  • msg #12

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

You settle down for the night--assuming it is night.  It is hard to tell in this dark and ancient ruin inside the mountain.

In the middle of the night, a sound awakens you.  As you rise, you realize it is the clickety-clacking of the multitude of beetles outside the door.  What strikes you as odd is that the sounds are coming from the northwest door, not the southwest one that leads to the area you encountered them previously.  At some point during the last test, they must have moved to the northern half of the testing area.

After a minute or two, the sound of the beetles diminishes as they leave the area.  You are glad you kept the stone doors closed overnight, or you may have a rude awakening.

Nothing else occurs overnight, and you wake up feeling refreshed and good as new.

OOC: As mentioned earlier, between spells, skills and rest, everyone gets back to their normal hit points by the time your rest is over.

Also, I am not exactly clear what is being used as a light source.  Torches won't last forever, and we use a modified version of the "light" spell in this game.  There is literally no outside light at all where you are, so light sources are critical.  Even infravision/nightvision does not work well (if at all) in absolute darkness.
Borimer
player, 2608 posts
Ac 0 Hp 48/90
Thac0 12 Mvt18"
Tue 12 May 2015
at 20:31
  • msg #13

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

unless it's been lost borimer has always had a lantern.  he has no reserve oil, only whatever currently remains inside
Tahldar of Tyrannia
player, 352 posts
Tue 12 May 2015
at 23:05
  • msg #14

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

OOC:  Tahldar has a couple of vials of oil left that Borimer can have.  Unless someone has a continual light they can cast.
Lukas Rimshank
player, 85 posts
Gnomish Locksmith
Wed 13 May 2015
at 21:14
  • msg #15

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Lukas has no light source to offer
DM Heath
GM, 5490 posts
Thu 14 May 2015
at 22:07
  • msg #16

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Borimer:
unless it's been lost borimer has always had a lantern.  he has no reserve oil, only whatever currently remains inside

How does he use a lantern and a sword if he has only one hand?  :)
Borimer
player, 2609 posts
Ac 0 Hp 90/90
Thac0 12 Mvt18"
Fri 15 May 2015
at 01:18
  • msg #17

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

hadn't actually thought about it since the hand went missing, maybe the suggestion of a gnome can be our answer? :)

speaking of the missing hand, wasn't there an adventure where borimer had to give back an npc's severed hand to another npc?  that would have been foreshadowing of him losing his own hand.  not that this is to keep you from worrying about how borimer is carrying the lantern, its entirely for nostalgia and/or literary reference.
Shapfren Diditlew
player, 213 posts
Fri 15 May 2015
at 02:28
  • msg #18

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Didn't Magic weapons glow in he dark?
Kahan Singh
player, 1778 posts
61/81 HP AC 1
Thac0 16 Level 9 Cleric
Fri 15 May 2015
at 12:41
  • msg #19

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Wasn't there something from the caves we had been using for light? Like a glowing rock or some such?
DM Heath
GM, 5492 posts
Mon 18 May 2015
at 16:08
  • msg #20

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Kahan: I think you are thinking of the light from after your battle with Esylia (the medusa) who is the sister of Syrissa (the good medusa). That was in the Harkhanon Ruins and can be found here:
link to a message in this game

--see messages 30-32.


Kahan opens the small jewelry box, which is covered in a black leather.  It snaps open as if on springs.  Its insides have mirrors on the bottom and underside of the lid.

 Nested inside in a clasp is a white jewel that is growing brightly.  It is glowing so bright that it appears Esylia was using this as her light source.  (OOC: Think of it as a flashlight.)  The light-jewel acts the same as a bullseye lantern, directing a beam of light in one direction for up to 60 feet in a conical shape.  If taken out of the case, it acts the same as a regular lantern but is more difficult to hold onto without blocking light, as it is perfectly smooth and very small.


I had forgotten about this as well.  But we also had an issue with the anti-magic ray from the golden dragon statuette knocking out the magic of many items. I honestly don't recall what was and wasn't affected.  We should get a master inventory prepared because you guys have been adventuring for so long...

Borimer: I believe you are thinking of the time you guys accidentally gave the Hand and Eye of Vecna to help the injured translator who had been maimed so he couldn't see or write for translation.  The stories actually get mixed up in my head because I've run several groups through similar adventures.
DM Heath
GM, 5493 posts
Mon 18 May 2015
at 16:10
  • msg #21

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

Shapfren Diditlew:
Didn't Magic weapons glow in he dark?

Some do, some don't, depending on the description.  If magic items all glowed, there would be no need for the "Detect Magic" spell.
DM Heath
GM, 5494 posts
Mon 18 May 2015
at 17:37
  • msg #22

Re: The Test of the Faithful - 5

So assuming you have the light gem (which is not flammable but can be opened and closed), just decide who uses it.  You can also have a gnome hold a lantern if you want a quick source of fire.

Then...I still need to know what you are doing next.
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