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Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Posted by GMFor group archive 2
GM
GM, 71 posts
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Sat 4 Feb 2017
at 01:24
  • msg #63

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

As you all soon discover, the tickets are in fact emitting the sounds of a crowd. It seems curious until a hesitant voice comes over the ticket. It sounds like a woman and unsure if she is doing the right thing. "If you are hearing this, meet me by the blue flag in the market district. We have the same lot ticket and I think we only have a few hours until the first test. We have to all be together for us to get to the next stage to meet the Rose. Hurry!" There is a sense of urgency as the voice complete her message.

[Private to Griswold Ortmann: You are unable to deduce the magic or method behind the tickets.]
Brother Sul
Player, 15 posts
Human
Holy man
Sat 4 Feb 2017
at 05:40
  • msg #64

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Sul was about to intervene between the showman and Kharash to try and calm things down peacefully when his ticket started producing the noise.

Taking it out he gazed at it in shock, unsure about what to do and wondering if it was cursed. Before he could say or do much else a woman's voice spoke, instructing them through the ticket.

"What sorcery is this?" he finally said out loud, gazing at Kharash and Fariel in confusion. Holding the ticket up he added, after a few moments of introspection, "This doesn't seem to be meant for us, maybe we got these tickets by mistake. Do we go to the meeting place and get some answers?"

Obviously they would be getting involved in business not meant for them, but Brother Sul couldn't help but feel curious, and strangely thrilled at the prospect of adventure.
Eli Reiner
Player, 25 posts
Half-Elf
Ne'er-do-well
Sat 4 Feb 2017
at 05:41
  • msg #65

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Eli gave an exaggerated shocked expression. "What did I do? Why do you immediately assu..." As the ticket also began speaking to them, Eli looked back up to Griswold with a bit of a grin. "Well, it seems one of our teammates has some sort of talent with magic. I doubt the tickets for the other groups do this." Looking back up to Roderick. "It seems we have to go meet someone, but don't count young Sir Griswold out of the competition just yet." He gave a polite bow with a wink. "I'm sure he'll be up to the challenge a bit later." Once Griswold said his goodbyes and they were dismissed, Eli quick-stepped his way out of the tent to find his way to the blue flag.
Kharash
Player, 34 posts
Dragonborn
Watcher
Sat 4 Feb 2017
at 17:48
  • msg #66

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Turning around, Kharash realized the sound didn't come from a large crowd in the tent. As he faced the tent entrance, the sound once again came from behind him. He took of his pack and started searching for the source of the sound. He held the ticket between two claws as if it was something dirty. Confused he looked at Brother Sul and Fariel Kriegborn as they too were in possession of a sound-producing ticket. Then he smiled, exposing several sharp teeth. "The Norns are playing with our fate."

Before they set off to the market district he turned to the showman one last time, with a serious and threatening look. "Remember. One incident.. we will find you."
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 32 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Sat 4 Feb 2017
at 22:33
  • msg #67

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

"Indeed! With luck, I'll see you at the lists, Sir Roderick.  Thank you for the ale.  It has been a pleasure and an honour to meet last year's melee champion." Griswold stood up, bowed and left the tent.  Outside, he turned to Eli and grinned. "Okay, I admit it - I was worried.  You got me good.  I'd almost forgotten how much fun your crazy schemes can be." He winked at his companion, "even when they work.  Now let's get Jacoby and win ourselves a competition!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Sat 04 Feb 2017.
Kharash
Player, 35 posts
Dragonborn
Watcher
Wed 8 Feb 2017
at 22:35
  • msg #68

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Kharash's stern look lingered for a moment on the showman, before he turned around and the other two with a ticket similar to his. "Shall we head to the market district, then?" And gestured towards the tent entrance.

As they walked, he struck up conversation with the two. "So, what's brought you to this festival? And Sul, tell me about the Silver Flame of Bahamut."
Fariel Kriegborn
Player, 17 posts
Silver Elf
Wed 8 Feb 2017
at 22:53
  • msg #69

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Fariel spoke up. He was feeling uncharacteristically social.

"I was sent by The Capital, there were some rumblings that this particular carnival was housing something unsavory."
GM
GM, 74 posts
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Wed 8 Feb 2017
at 22:57
  • msg #70

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

The flag pole with the blue flag is easy enough to find. There are several people standing below it, looking expectantly around. Slowly, they seem to compare lot tickets and move off as they find their group. One person sticks out, however. A half-Dwarf woman stands with a raised ticket. Upon closer observation, it matches the number you all have. She nods to each of you as you approach, acknowledging the group as a whole once everyone is assembled. She holds up her ticket. "I'm glad that we were able to figure out the first task. Did anyone else here the riddle about the competition?"
Kharash
Player, 36 posts
Dragonborn
Watcher
Wed 8 Feb 2017
at 23:10
  • msg #71

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

"They meant that slime-thing?" Kharash asked Fariel as he pointed with his thumb backwards to the carnival. "What does your employer want done with it?"

"Riddle?" Kharash asked the half-dwarven woman. "I'm afraid I've missed the announcements of the competition. Was it you.. who talked to us through these tickets?" he held his ticket up and turned it around as if he was looking for something hidden. "Nice trick. I am Kharash," he offered his hand. "So what's this riddle they want us to solve? Seems like a lot of people are figuring out the first task as well," he notes as he looks around at the crowd, "we better get moving if we want to win this thing."
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 33 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Thu 9 Feb 2017
at 00:42
  • msg #72

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Griswold meandered up to the flag pole, stretching his arms as he did so.  "What an eclectic group of outstanding individuals!" He chimed.  "Might I intercede to introduce myself and my friend?  I am Griswold Ortmann, squire and soon to be" he brandished his medallion, "knight.  And this," he gestured to Eli, "most extraordinary individual is my childhood friend Eli Reiner.  There is no truer wit nor defter hand outside of Olympus herself.  Whilst Jacoby here is my stalwart steed."

Looking over the group, he addressed each in turn, complimenting all and favouring none.

Kharash was first, his size and nature standing out, "Zeus strike me down: a dragonborn!  I don't believe I have had the privilege to meet one such as you before.  Your scales are magnificent - they glitter like gemstones. Are all of your kind so resplendent?"  Noticing the man's own medallion, Griswold gasped and quickly dropped to one knee. "It seems even here I am to be outclassed.  Show your respect, Eli.  This man is a Watcher of Yggdrasil."  After a moment he stood up and with a last smile at Kharash turned to Brother Sul.

"Might I venture to say that you've the bearing of a veteran, sir.  Battle forged, I'd say.  Your arms and armour, unified by identical sigils, are truly inspiring.  Forgive my ignorance, but are they knightly?  I imagine you could crush two or even three skulls with a single blow from that warhammer.  It will be my honour to complete this task and ensure you meet the Rose.  Though, perhaps, it should be he questing for your attention?" Griswold bowed and turned to Fariel next, where upon his apparently endless stream of words stopped momentarily.  For a beat there was silence then, as though nothing had happened, he was speaking again.

"Well met, sir elf.  Rarely has it been my pleasure to encounter a Silver.  Rarer still to have the opportunity to speak to one.  And yet all I can say is that you shame me.  I pride myself on my elegance and poise but even now, relaxed as you are, it is obvious that I am the shadow to your light.  If it would not inconvenience overly much, perhaps we can talk later?  I have many questions of the Silver Forest and its mysterious people."  Finally with a cock of his head Griswold spots the last of the group.

"What's this fiery brilliance I see before me?  Does someone carry a torch?  No.  A lantern then? No, but it cannot be...hair?"  He pushed past the others to get a better view of Sigi.  "Ah!" He gasped, "Such beauty!  Feminine as Aphrodite herself, but with strength underlying. My Lady! Griswold dropped to one knee and reached out to take the half-dwarf's hand.  "Please grant me your favour and I promise that, in me, you'll have the most fervently loyal companion ever known."   There Griswold remained, awaiting Sigi's response or some other interruption.  His eyes burning with anticipation.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:53, Thu 09 Feb 2017.
Eli Reiner
Player, 26 posts
Half-Elf
Ne'er-do-well
Thu 9 Feb 2017
at 08:11
  • msg #73

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Eli remained silent as Griswold took the lead in their introduction. He offered a gracious bow as his name was given. As Griswold continued, Eli stood and watched each of the others as they were addressed and showered with compliment, observing how each of them reacted to the treatment. Their reactions, or even lack thereof, would go a long way in shaping how Eli treated them from here on out.

Once Griswold was finished, Eli leaned over and quietly whispered to him "You know that, after that there, you don't get to call me 'long-winded' in the future. Right?" He nudged his friend and then turned back to adress Sigi as the Half-Dwarf inquired about the riddle. "No, I'm afraid this is the first I've heard of it."
Brother Sul
Player, 16 posts
Human
Holy man
Thu 9 Feb 2017
at 19:58
  • msg #74

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

As he walked with the others to the place directed by the disemobied voice from the ticket, Sul couldn't help but smile a little at Kharash's question. "The Order of the Silver Flame, that is the Order to which I belong; we live by the tenets of Bahamut, the Dragon King of old, who reigned when the world was young and man, elf,  dwarf and even dragonborn were but twinkles in misty dreams. Terrible things sought to remake the world then, but the Dragon-King and his kin maintained order under their vast wings."

Sul turned to look at Kharash and went on, "That time is long gone but the Order remains, carrying the torch with Flame brightly lit and trying to live as best as we can by those lofty ideals of old, holding the darkness of evil at bay with the Silver light of truth. There seems to be much need of it now more than ever, for it seems darkness is growing in strength, and creatures of old returning to this world."

He would have embellished on his cryptic remark but they reached their destination by then, and met the dwarven woman and two others, a Half Elf called Griswold and another by the name of Eli. Replying to their greetings in kind (albeit more briefly than Griswold's magnanimous introductions) Sul turned his gaze to the dwarven woman.

"This is the first I, or my companions hear about this riddle. Please speak more, but first tell me how these tickets work? Is this all part of the carnival, some form of entertainment or game perhaps?"

GM
GM, 76 posts
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Fri 10 Feb 2017
at 01:56
  • msg #75

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Sigi looks down at the ticket and takes a deep breath. "I was at the announcement near one of the stages. The riddle went like this.

"Three days of festival, three days of fun;
The prize all seek to still be won.
But careless not the path before is tread,
Lest witless seekers join the dead.
If you are wishing to meet the Rose,
These are how your instruction go.

Four tasks to meet and four to beat,
The first of which is to find your feet.
In three hours time the tale will tell
The groups moving where the trials dwell.
Once complete, the tasks only start
To test your mind, not your heart.
Two tests remain to exercise skill
And both are surely to be a thrill.
But steel your soul for the final task,
And after, in glory, you will surely bask."

I figured out that the groups are determined by the ticket numbers. That mean the tickets are connected. A little bit of fiddling and I was able to activate them.


She looks around for a second before continuing. "I have a good idea on what the other tests might be."

Brother Sul
Player, 18 posts
Human
Holy man
Sat 11 Feb 2017
at 16:08
  • msg #76

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Listening carefully to the riddle Sul stroked his chin, pondering for a moment then remarked, "So, I take it we completed the first task, 'finding our feet' by meeting here? And three hours from now these trials will begin?"

Looking at the others Sul spread his hands and said apologetically, "I am horrible at riddles, sorry."
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 36 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Sat 11 Feb 2017
at 17:23
  • msg #77

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Griswold stood up from his kneeling position still smiling.  Obviously unfazed by Sigi completely ignoring him.  With a stretch he turned to Brother Sul and shrugged.  "Never fear, Brother Sul.  It will be no match for our efforts combined!  Besides, I think it more a poem than a true riddle.  There doesn't seem to be any secret I can discern directing us to our next goal (other than the three hours reference), just a wordy introduction to the game.  And even that is mostly just bluster.  Showmanship, if you will. I cannot envision a world where the Spring Order would be comfortable with placing common folk, drunk ones at that, at risk.  If such a dangerous task existed, I think we'd be hearing them cause all manner of ruckus about now.

"The only concern I have at the moment is the first task.  Finding our feet?  Can we really assume that means simply gathering together?  I'd expect some sort of indication that the task was done.  Otherwise, how do we know that we were successful?"


OOC
Investigation: Is it logical to assume that we have completed the first task?
17:22, Today: Griswold Ortmann rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Investigation - Is Brother Sul's conclusion about the 1st task logical?

CRIT!

Btw - the result will be the same if this should have been a flat Intelligence check, instead.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Sat 11 Feb 2017.
GM
GM, 79 posts
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Sun 12 Feb 2017
at 03:43
  • msg #78

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

You are able to determine that the riddle is referring not only to meeting the group, but being at the correct location as well.[Private to Griswold Ortmann: Your insight into the riddle reveals that each test is likely harder than the last. The three hour reference is a countdown. Only those with a group, at the right time and location will be successful. You are also able to deduce that the other tasks likely involve tests of mind, body and an unknown third.]
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 37 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Sun 12 Feb 2017
at 21:22
  • msg #79

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Griswold flamboyantly snapped the fingers on his right hand and strode back.  "In fact I am certain of it." He pointed upward assertively. "There is more to the first task." Continuing the exaggerated display, akin to some stage actor, the half elf spun around and looked first to his right, then left, then right again. "I do believe that we also need to be at a specific place.  And that we have three hours to get there!"   He held gripped his chin between thumb and forefinger, thoughtfully.

"The first of which is to find your feet.  In three hours time the tale will tell the groups moving where the trials dwell."  He repeated the lines over and over first aloud, then to himself.  "Hmm...It has to be somewhere local, of course.  I would hazard a guess at it being a landmark, so even foreigners might stand a chance at solving it.  Four immediately come to mind: The Maypole itself, the Tourney proper, The Green Wood or...I remember hearing some odd rumours about a halfling carnival nearby?  What do you all think?  Eli, you're always good for a suggestion or three."

Whilst waiting for an answer, Griswold wracked his mind for any more information he might have about the small village of Maypole.

OOC
21:19, Today: Griswold Ortmann rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  History - Famous sites of Maypole: visit today!

This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Sun 12 Feb 2017.
Kharash
Player, 38 posts
Dragonborn
Watcher
Mon 13 Feb 2017
at 18:13
  • msg #80

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Kharash turned around to look at the approaching duo. As the flamboyant half-elf made his introduction, he wasn't entirely sure yet whether he was joking or serious. There hadn't been many so happy with seeing a dragonborn. Though as the man continued, he slightly lowered his guard and by the time his title was recognized, the serious look had been replaced by a friendly smile. "Ha! Well met, squire," he stepped forward to offer a scaly hand to the both of them. "I take it our group is complete now?"

Kharash listened to Griswold's deductions of the riddle. He himself has, like Sul, never been the greatest at these things. But it didn't hurt to try. "It depends on what the trials mean in this riddle. If it's referring to the tasks of the riddle, it could be anywhere. But if it's referring to the trials of this festival, it may be at the tourney. We just came from the carnival, and it seemed pretty empty. Also, I don't think the carnival was organized by those who organized the festival," He thought back to the strange creature the halflings had dragged with them to Maypole, "making it less likely it's there."

He looked around the market district to see if other groups were formed and moving in a certain direction, though the crowds made it hard for him.
Don't know what sort of roll this would be, though I doubt it'd be high enough for anything.
19:11, Today: Kharash rolled 4 using 1d20.

Eli Reiner
Player, 29 posts
Half-Elf
Ne'er-do-well
Tue 14 Feb 2017
at 05:31
  • msg #81

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Griswold Ortmann:
Griswold flamboyantly snapped the fingers on his right hand and strode back.  "In fact I am certain of it."


Eli couldn't help but wonder where this version of Griswold was during their interaction with the knights earlier in the day. Recognizing that Griswold was about to launch into a bit of an overdramatic monologue, Eli was never one to miss having a bit of fun with it. He took a subtle step back to remove himself from his friend's field of vision.

Griswold Ortmann:
He pointed upward assertively. "There is more to the first task."


Eli silently raised his finger to the sky to mirror Griswold's action.

Griswold Ortmann:
Continuing the exaggerated display, akin to some stage actor, the half elf spun around and looked first to his right, then left, then right again. "I do believe that we also need to be at a specific place.  And that we have three hours to get there!"   He held gripped his chin between thumb and forefinger, thoughtfully.


Eli nimbly shifted his positioning to stay behind Griswold before pausing to hold his own chin in his hand as well.

Griswold Ortmann:
"The first of which is to find your feet.  In three hours time the tale will tell the groups moving where the trials dwell."  He repeated the lines over and over first aloud, then to himself.  "Hmm...It has to be somewhere local, of course.  I would hazard a guess at it being a landmark, so even foreigners might stand a chance at solving it.  Four immediately come to mind: The Maypole itself, the Tourney proper, The Green Wood or...I remember hearing some odd rumours about a halfling carnival nearby?  What do you all think?  Eli, you're always good for a suggestion or three."


Eli stepped back around Griswold's side and into view with a thoughtful expression as though he had been pacing and considering the clues given to them. "I doubt that the tournament is the first task since it is supposed to challenge the mind.
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 39 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Tue 14 Feb 2017
at 12:11
  • msg #82

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

"Well done, Watcher Kharash and Friend Eli!  We have eliminated the Tourney and the Carnival.  But don't limit yourselves only to the locales that I put forward.  There may be other possibilities too."  Griswold continued to punctuate his words with exaggerated emphasis and, to those good at reading such things, seemed a little too smug.  He knew something, or at least thought he did.  Like a teacher coaxing their students.  "Remember it is somewhere that a foreigner is likely to go, or at least know of.  Assuming they know nothing of Maypole, where could that be?  It would have to be somewhere common to all settlements.  Where would you go in a strange town or city?"

After his poor attempt at being subtle, the knight started quietly singing a tune to himself:

"In three hours time the tale will tell
The groups mov-ing
Where the tri-als dwell.

"The tale will tell
The groups mov-ing
Where the tri-als dwell.

"The tale will tell the grou-hou-houps
Where the tri-als dwell.
Where the tri-als dwell

"Who tells tales and where do they dwell?"
"Who tells tales and where do they dweeeeell?"

"In three hours time...


This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Tue 14 Feb 2017.
Kharash
Player, 41 posts
Dragonborn
Watcher
Tue 14 Feb 2017
at 12:38
  • msg #83

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Kharash pulled his gaze from the crowds and turned around to look at Griswold. "What're you hinting at, the tavern?"
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 40 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Tue 14 Feb 2017
at 13:00
  • msg #84

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Griswold feigned surprise.  "The tavern?  What a splendid idea, Watcher Kharash!  I am feeling a little parched.  To the The Dragon and Unicorn, where adventures begin!"
Brother Sul
Player, 19 posts
Human
Holy man
Tue 14 Feb 2017
at 21:08
  • msg #85

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

Tearing his gaze from the amusing diplay put on by Eli as he mimicked Griswold, Sul turned to glance in the direction of the tavern.

"Hum, not a bad idea. But is the tavern part of the riddle or do you imply we can get more answers there?"
he asked Griswold curiously, albeit ready to move to the tavern with the others.

Though he was not too fond of riddles, it did excite him to play this little game, wondering what might await at it's end.
Griswold Ortmann
Player, 41 posts
Half-Elf
Knight Errant
Wed 15 Feb 2017
at 02:28
  • msg #86

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

The energetic half-elf grinned widely.  "Tell me Brother Sul, have you ever heard of an old children's tale called, The First Adventurers?  I am sure Eli has.

"As the story goes, it was a bright summer day of the sort that, should you take the chance, it would have you believing you could run forever."
Whilst recalling the book from his youth, Griswold's tone became wishful.  "The First, unremarkable at that time, huddled around a small corner table in a tavern.  Spending what pennies they had on the cheapest ale and stalest bread.  Their meagre livelihoods sold off to purchase fourth or fifth-hand arms and equipment.  What follows is a truly bittersweet tale of their rise and fall and rise again.  An epic journey of glory claimed and tragedy suffered.  Of camaraderie and betrayal.  If you have not read it, I would suggest you do.  Children's story or not, it is quite thrilling and unapologetic in portrayal of man, both good and bad.  It does not shy away from such things as death or darkness, even from the main characters.  Unlike more contemporary literature.

"Anyway, it is said that their humble beginnings led to the tradition of adventurers gathering in taverns, for luck, before embarking on their own courageous endeavours.  And, as I am sure you have realised by now,"
Griswold winked at Brother Sul, "the tavern they first met in was, of course, the Dragon and Unicorn."
Kharash
Player, 42 posts
Dragonborn
Watcher
Wed 15 Feb 2017
at 19:06
  • msg #87

Re: Where the Darkness Lies (Chapter 1)

"The Dragon and Unicorn?" Kharash asked while he slightly tilted his head. The irony wasn't lost on him, as he compared himself to the extravagant half-elf in front of him. He chuckled. "Ok. Let's head that way then, we'll find out soon enough if that's the place." He adjusts his pack and equipment, and gestures for them to start walking.

During their walk, Kharash walked next to Griswold. He nodded at the medallion Griswold had so proudly shown. "Soon-to-be knight, huh? Which order is it going to be?"
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