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15:18, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

1.1 Realization Dawns.

Posted by ylvaFor group 0
ylva
GM, 1 post
The wind stirs the sand
Sun 31 Jan 2021
at 01:58
  • msg #1

1.1 Realization Dawns

Debts of old all coming due
A forest of bones to pick
Overlook the wastes, and see the view
Debts of old all coming due
Closer to false, no further from true
We'll die standing, however sick
Debts of old all coming due
A forest of bones to pick


Awareness returns in a rush. There's no gap, no perception of missing time. One moment you were in a ruined temple, and a pool of churning energy had just exploded out in a rush of strange, unearthly colors. The next, you're on your back, in the sand, being dragged. Your head is pounding, you reek of sweat and vomit, and the afternoon sun is lancing into your eyes like daggers.

The person dragging you is only dimly recognizable as such. They're short, muscular, and have thick leathery skin. More notably, a third arm, stunted and twisted, hangs useless from their left shoulder. They are, clearly, a mutant, their body twisted by the strange energies of the Wastes.
Cornelius Shaw
player, 1 post
Fri 12 Feb 2021
at 20:28
  • msg #2

1.1 Realization Dawns

Cornelius squinted as the strong desert sun beamed into his eyes. He tried to get a grip on the throbbing in his head, but it was difficult while being pulled through sand. By a mutant, it seemed. He wasn't sure if the mutant realized he was conscious yet, and so did his best to take stock of the options available to him at the moment.

Did he still have his gear? Weapons? Armor?
Where was Flit? His trusty familiar didn't seem to be nearby, but probably not dead.
Did he have any broken bones? Bruises?


As he considered the condition of his body, Cornelius realized that he actually felt much better than he had in a long long while. Physically, he felt like he had the inherent strength and vitality of a young man again. Even his already sharp mind felt significantly sharper. Had the mutant drugged him with some kind of physical enhancer? It seemed unlikely. Had that strange magical blast affected him in some way?

As he took stock of his condition and possessions, Cornelius decided to risk speaking to his captor. "I don't suppose you speak the common tongue, do you?"



Does Cornelius still have all his gear he would normally be wearing/carrying? Is he injured in any way (aside from the vomit and throbbing head)?

I figured Flit (his familiar) could currently be inside the sanctum as a result of the blast, and that is how he discovers that particular mythic ability.

Cornelius Shaw
player, 4 posts
Wed 17 Feb 2021
at 14:17
  • msg #3

1.1 Realization Dawns

I suppose I should include a Knowledge roll to see what I know about the mutant dragging Cornelius through the sand. Thankfully all of my Knowledge skill bonuses are the same, so that should make it easy to roll the appropriate skill at any given time. Also, my minimum roll for any Knowledge skill will be 34, so feel free to take that into account whenever describing the basics about something that would require a roll.

08:12, Today: Cornelius Shaw rolled 35 using 1d20+33.  Knowledge: mutant

ylva
GM, 3 posts
The wind stirs the sand
Thu 18 Feb 2021
at 00:30
  • msg #4

1.1 Realization Dawns

There are no injuries, and he has all his gear.

The mutant glances back and smiles. At least, it's pretty likely to be a smile. It's a little hard to tell on a face with growths covering half the mouth. When they speak, their voice is similarly distorted, coming out warbled and strange. "I do. I wasn't expecting you to wake up so soon."
Cornelius Shaw
player, 5 posts
Thu 18 Feb 2021
at 03:17
  • msg #5

1.1 Realization Dawns

The mutant's growth-covered mouth disturbed Cornelius as they spoke, but the wizard tried not to let it show. After all, the mutant likely had no control over how they looked, and Cornelius had no intention of holding their appearance against them. He also felt he should not assume the mutant had ill-intent, no matter how likely that seemed.

"Good. We can communicate. I don't suppose you have any intention of letting me go, do you? Or at least allow me to walk on my own two legs? My bones may be old, but they actually feel quite strong at the moment. I assure you, I mean you no harm. Perhaps we could chat while we walk to wherever you intend to take me? Do you have a name?"

Considering he had been left alive and with an un-looted body, he figured it would be the smart move to assume this mutant was not an enemy until proven otherwise. Still, his grey eyes scanned the mutant for any weapons or other items that might be used against him if a fight became necessary.
ylva
GM, 4 posts
The wind stirs the sand
Fri 26 Mar 2021
at 05:10
  • msg #6

1.1 Realization Dawns

"If you'd rather walk, certainly," the mutant says, letting him go. "I'm Anahn. Is good name. I was, hm, helping you back to the roads. Not good to be unconscious in the deep sands, no, and less for one with smooth skin. No matter how sweet the singing." They smile, the expression a little unsettling, and help him to stand.
Cornelius Shaw
player, 6 posts
Fri 26 Mar 2021
at 19:48
  • msg #7

1.1 Realization Dawns

Cornelius groaned to his feet and took a few deep breaths as he steadied himself. "Thank you, Anahn. I appreciate the help. I am Cornelius Shaw." He took a moment to bestow Prestidigitation upon himself and began using the cantrip to clean himself as they walked. He did not enjoy being covered in sick, and sand in the joints of your armor was never a good idea. Not that sand would be able to damage his adamantine...

"So, how long was I unconscious? I don't seem to have any recollection of time having passed since... well, since the incident that rendered me unconscious. I am curious what insights you may have about my condition. How did you come to discover me in the first place? Was I... singing? You mentioned singing." He hoped he was not asking too much all at once, but he couldn't help his inquisitive nature. Especially when it concerned a mystery about himself.

He took a closer look at the surroundings as they walked, hoping to spot some form of distinguishing landmark to help discern exactly where he was. Or When. He looked to the sun to see if it had moved significantly since the last time he had noted the time.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Fri 26 Mar 2021.
ylva
GM, 5 posts
The wind stirs the sand
Fri 2 Apr 2021
at 21:02
  • msg #8

1.1 Realization Dawns

"Not you, not you, the ruin. Sings so sweet. Can you not hear it still? Two days. Such sweet songs. Heard them from far away. Came to hear the singing clearly, yes, and louder." The mutant shrugs. "Found a ruin and a person. Wanted to go inside...but no, no, need to help you away from the deep sands."

Appears you aren't far from the ruin - the dragging must have woken you up pretty quickly. It's midmorning.
Cornelius Shaw
player, 7 posts
Sat 3 Apr 2021
at 03:11
  • msg #9

1.1 Realization Dawns

"The ruin was singing? I did not hear anything when I arrived, nor do I hear anything now..." He listened for a moment, just in case he had somehow missed it. He then resumed walking and checking his equipment while still following Anahn. His buckler was still in good order. A quick check on his weapons let him know they were all accounted for as well. He imbued one of his chakrams with arcane energy like he often did in battle. It worked as expected. Or, he thought it had. When he went to put it back away, Cornelius realized that the arcane energies were lasting much longer than they usually did. Curious. Was this another effect of the Mana Wastes? He would need to experiment more in the future. Right now he had more questions he wanted to ask.

"You didn't happen to see a small metal dragonfly crawling or flying around, did you? It is a friend of mine, Flit, and they are missing." He looked back the way they had come, wondering momentarily if he should head back to search. But judging by the lack of empathic distress he was sensing, he figured it would not be a fruitful search. He sighed with reluctant disappointment, then asked another question. "Also, where was it that you said we are going? I may not be able to hear the music you mentioned, but I am usually fairly perceptive. If I knew what to look for, perhaps I could assist in keeping our journey safer until we get out of the 'deep sands.'"
ylva
GM, 6 posts
The wind stirs the sand
Sat 3 Apr 2021
at 19:53
  • msg #10

1.1 Realization Dawns

"The dragonfly? I have seen it some few times. I think it is nervous about me. And I was merely escorting you out to keep you from becoming something's meal - if you are awake, hm, then there is no need to worry, and I will go back and listen more to the singing." Anahn is clearly pleased at this idea.
Cornelius Shaw
player, 8 posts
Mon 5 Apr 2021
at 20:31
  • msg #11

1.1 Realization Dawns

"If that is what you desire to do, please, do not let me stop you. However, I would ask that you allow me to repay you for your kindness. I can offer you..." Cornelius scanned his supplies for anything he could spare. Although he would need to retain his basic equipment for emergencies. "...some gold pieces? I have 12 on me at the moment. Or perhaps some trail rations or a cold-iron chakram?" He offered one of the five bladed rings from his belt hook where they rested. "Or I could fix any broken item you may have with a spell I know. And I can offer you as much twine or rope as your heart desires." With his robe on infinite twine, Cornelius had a literally endless supply.

Even as he made his offers to Anahn, the old warrior was already planning out his next move. Since he would no longer need to travel next to Anahn through the sands, he was planning on taking flight and getting a bird's eye-view of the area. Perhaps he would notice some visual clues about his current predicament if he looked at things from a different perspective. At the very least it would allow him a better sense of the surrounding area.



If Anahn accepts or refuses Cornelius's offers, Cornelius will wait a polite amount of time, then cast Overland Flight on himself and fly straight up (I'll mark it off now). He will take a good look at the surrounding terrain and see what he can see.

Anahn can have any of the following in any amount:
Up to 12 gp.
Up to 5 trail rations.
Up to 1 cold-iron chakram.
Up to one casting of Greater Make Whole.
Unlimited rope and/or twine.

ylva
GM, 7 posts
The wind stirs the sand
Wed 19 May 2021
at 02:10
  • msg #12

1.1 Realization Dawns

Anahn takes some of the rope and a bit of food, but declines any further payment, insisting that they were simply doing their duty as a fellow traveler of the Wastes.

Above the ground, Cornelius sees few landmarks in the near distance, just more rolling desert hills. To the east, there's a canyon not too far away, perfectly smooth-sided as though cut into the land with an impossibly enormous knife. And then, further north into the desert, he can just make out the temple he was in the middle of exploring when everything went pear-shaped.

So sorry it took so long, been pretty severely out of it.
Cornelius Shaw
player, 9 posts
Sun 23 May 2021
at 19:20
  • msg #13

1.1 Realization Dawns

Cornelius hovered for a long while, taking in the landscape. The area was beautiful, but also broken and dangerous. As he contemplated his next course of action, he cast another protective spell upon himself. Life Bubble. He figured it would be good protection against the desert heat and against any sand blowing into his eyes. It wasn't until after his spell was cast that he realized he had cast it without somatic components. Curious.

Then he sighed and muttered to himself, "I suppose I should try to scry on Flit. Where did that little familiar get off to?"

"Oh, you're finally awake." Cornelius turned in the air to see his familiar hovering behind him, making a low humming noise with his wings. "You are never going to believe what I've found!"

"Where did you come from? I didn't hear you approach."

"Well, that's because I was in the pocket dimension that's tied to you." the clockwork dragonfly flitted around excitedly.

Cornelius furrowed his brow in confusion. "But I don't own so much as a simple handy haversack. What are you talking about?"

"Remember that magical blast that knocked you out? Well, it blasted me into a wrinkle in reality or something. A wrinkle that seems to be centered on you. I can only enter it when I am near you, and every time I exit, I am near you too. I stayed in there for safety while the mutant dragged you through the sand, popping out every so often to check on you. And now you are awake!"

With Cornelius doing nothing but blinking skeptically, Flit the familiar continued. "The place is big too. And seems to be designed specifically for you and me. There are rooms galore! And items. There is a wall with weapons on display that seem to be replicas of ones you have created in the past. Hold on. I'll go grab one." The little dragonfly vanished before Cornelius's eyes, then returned a few moments later holding a javelin in his tiny arms. The javelin had blue flames painted on its haft, identical to a javelin he had created and painted several years back. "Yeah, I know. Weird." The dragonfly disappeared again, then returned without the javelin.

"This is... quite the discovery..." he had to admit. What did it signify? How was there a place that contained items connected to his past? Had that magical blast created some sort of mind-space? "It is clear this will require some additional research and experimentation. But for now you should probably stick with me. Let's fly closer to where the magical blast hit us and see if we can find any additional clues there. Anahn, the mutant you saw, said he could hear music coming from the area. Music I cannot hear. Let's go see what we can see from our new elevated perspective." The armored wizard led his familiar through the air toward the ruins where the accident had occurred. He approached cautiously, keeping an eye out for any threats. Magical or otherwise.



Cornelius cast the Life Bubble spell on himself. 26 hour duration.

Perception:
14:16, Today: Cornelius Shaw rolled 31 using 1d20+18.  Perception roll.

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