The tomb of the fallen soldier 16/5 - Nowhere's account
May 19, 2017 18:01:28 GMT
Rhy and Sef Tyarrna like this
Post by Nowhere on May 19, 2017 18:01:28 GMT
The writings of Nowhere in exploring the tomb South West West of Daring
Day 1:
A new day, a new quest, a new group of people.
Some, such as Rhy, I have come to recognise and befriend, as we have travelled together on a number of adventures. I am beginning to notice that the level of my wealth does not seem to climb much when I am around Rhy.....hmmmmm.
This time the group also consists of Morrigan, the Bard. I am used to hearing bards before I entered this realm, and found comfort in their tunes and words, but this is the first I have encountered whilst on this new path. I am fascinated to see how this man will protect his lute whilst in battle! With us travels Sef, a monk with the features of both human and elf. Sef brings me comfort too, as I remember the times I comforted myself in the alcoves of the temples back home..... but there is a look in his eyes that he has seen more than prayer in his lifetime. Finally there is Gara, a stout and hearty dwarf, whose name I have heard passed around the Inn a few times. Dressed as a warrior he carries the air of a magician. Truly an interesting bunch.
We have all joined together in response to rumours of a tomb south west of the town. We approach Jerrom in the Inn and after negotiation we purchase directions to the location, some warm clothes for the journey, and a potion to help us enter the tomb. However after purchasing the potion I begin to wonder whether the man has seen us for fools and is just selling us his unneeded wares and old tatt.
We head out and follow the directions, travel that will take us more than a day. On our journey we come across a fascinating construction of around 200 pillars stretching around. Some in the party recognise these from their previous travails, and tell us that these have been named The Peoples. To me that sounds ominous, why call inanimate things by a term used for animate things. If all these pillars start coming alive, I am having nothing to do with it!
As we continue we come a across some large carcasses, and the remnants of fires. It seems that someone has camped here and enjoyed some hunting.
With nothing more of note to see we continue in the direction of two rocks, that members of the party also recognise as The Hugging Rocks. We notice signs of fire damage around the rocks, and I suspect a massive battle has occurred in a way to protect this very important shrine to nature. The sheepish look on Gara's face suggests that may not quite be the truth.
We change direction and head South West, and decide to camp a couple of miles from our destination. For the first time I am able to sleep through the night without being dragged into adventure, and it is nice to enjoy the feel of the warm air and see the stars above me. Back home the smoke and the city lights stopped me really being able to enjoy the sights above me. As a tiefling I always looked down, and avoided people's stare, it is nice to look up once in a while.
Day 2
Sometimes a day arrives that can change you. This was that day.
We had been warned by Jerrom that we would know our destination when it began to feel unnaturally cold. Whilst heading into the foothills the temperature dropped within a handful of steps, and all around us was covered by snow and ice.
We see the outcrop that marked the entrance to the tomb. We had been told to use the potion to open the entrance, but I was beginning to suspect that this unmarked vial may do anything, so I resorted to what I knew best, and threw magic at the entrance. It did little. Gara, someone who I have learnt in my day of travel, has a flair for the dramatic, threw firebolts instead. This was both successful and unwanted. A hole appeared, but then so did some unnamed assailants. Within moment shards of ice were flying in our direction, and immediately fell the bard. Maybe someone should teach him to use that lute like a club rather than like an instrument!
A battle ensued, and I must admit I was found wanting. For the first time in my travels here, my magic was of no use. I felt embarrassed, and ashamed. I will need to rectify this later if I am to earn the respect of those I have just met.
We succeed despite my efforts, and with rest to help the bard, Gara contents himself fluorishing firebolts until a way through the entrance is found. Maybe we should have just used the potion.
We enter a corridor and at the end we are met by a door, and a spirit. The hooded figure, holding axe and wearing chainmail, tells us that this is the tomb of Dromar, and that we are to complete trials. By completing these trials we will receive a relic for the worthy. I will be honest, this isn't quite what I expected in a tomb, but as a man of words, this sounds enticing. We accept his challenge.
We pass through the door into a room. Columns housing lights illuminate a scene of death on the floor but little more. The spirit tells us that first is a trial of wit, and poses three riddles to us. The first:
'If you break me I won't stop working. If you can touch me, my work is done. what am I?' The monk deliberates before delivering the correct answer of Heart.
Second:
'I am two-faced but bear only one, I have no legs but travel
widely. Men spill much blood over me, kings leave their
imprint upon me. I have greatest power when given away,
yet lust for me keeps me locked away. What am I?' Much quicker this time the monk delivers the correct answer of Coin.
Third:
'We are five entities, similar, but each unique in our own way. The first of us in glass set; the second of us is trapped inside nets. The third you shall find in both light and in birds, while the fourth of us is the only that can be found within words. The final member of our group should you seek it, is within us. what are we?' After much deliberation it is Rhy who speaks forth the correct answer..... Common vowels.
I am devastated. My life has been one of a scribe. For years I have dedicated my life to the study of words, of sentences, of riddles. Yet I fail to meet any of these challenges. Am I really worthy of calling myself a scribe. What purpose am I to serve in this group, when all here can outwit me?
Nevermind, our next tasks faces us immediately, and it is a trial of strength, for the fallen foe around us arise, ready to fight. We dispatch them in good order, and I am pleased for the company of the Bard this time, who helps many of the group through the encounter. For me it is ironic that now my strength in battle is more useful than my knowledge. What is this world doing to me.
We are faced with a final trial. In the centre of the room opens a large pit, below which I can see acid bubbling away. We are asked whether one of us will sacrifice ourselves for the others.
I have failed to show my worth here, and to prove who I am. Daring is new to me, and I don't know how I feel about being here, and being on a quest for someone I do not know, for a reason I am unaware. Maybe it would be easier to take myself out of this strange game. So before any of the others can risk themselves, I jump forward.
I wait to feel the searing pain of death, only to be met by invisible wings, as the spirit prevents me falling. Apparently I have passed his trial, and I receive from him a heroes blessing. The non corporeal touch of this spirit warms me for a moment. To what end, I will have to see.
A door opens ahead of us and we see a dark corridor with a light at the end. The spirit urges us to step forward towards our fate. I will be forthright, this spirit is really beginning to annoy me now. I suspect he is just a lonely soul who has no one to play with!
As we step down this corridor we are all faced with pain. The first step I now get to feel the agony of acid that I was denied before, another step we face more pain. What they were I can no longer remember, cold... heat.... all hit us as we stepped further down the corridor. Each step being taunted by the spirit, to step forward to our destiny, and closer to what we can see is a large glowing spinning crystal. Concentrating on moving forward it is a while before I realise that all around me other than Rhy have fallen. We both take the last step to the crystal, and I see Rhy fall. What fate is it that leads the unworthy tiefling to stand whilst the others fall. I want to smash the crystal, to scream at the spirit, to scream at whoever put me here to begin with. But I am a man of words and calm, not anger and outburst. I reach out and touch the crystal...... and all goes black.......
When I come to, I am back in the main trial room. Have I failed? Do I have to go through this all again, but this time on my own. It is with joy I notice that my fallen compatriots are still here, and they are now healthy - unharmed from the events of the corridor. Standing in front of us is the spirit, who tells us that we have passed his trials, for he is Dromar. We earn our reward, the spinning crystal, and an exit out has now appeared, with treasures littering the floor. Dromar tells us that we now hold the Dragon Glass, a crystal that will glow when dragons are within our distant view. Now that just sounds foreboding to me! Now regardless of treasures, I wish to rename this the tomb of Dromar the Dick.
We gather our riches, and we are cautious of the route ahead. Having had my fill of Dromars tricks I summon Bob, my unseen servant, who carries the crystal in front of us as we leave the tomb.
Immediately the crystal started glowing (who would have thought such a thing could happen so quickly) and in cautious observation we see a small white dragon...a baby maybe.
Bearing in mind what I have already written about for today, this is where things got very strange!
Most normal adventuring folk would be wary of such a creature. Gara, on the other hand, wishes to have it as his pet. It didnt go well. He ended up as a block of ice.
More worrying was the crystal that was glowing stronger and stronger. If this really was a baby, then is the mother close at hand? We have all been through enough threat of death today to risk the wrath of an angry mother, so we feel it best to leave, and escape via the sloping frozen plains before us. But how to bring Gara and not be slowed down.
Who spoke next I will never know, whether it was the bard or the monk I do not know, but what happened saved our lives......
I remember as a child watching the children play in the snow. The shaped and manicured gardens that were always out of reach of me often had cultivated hillocks to look over the city and the landscaped lawns. I used to watch as those children slid down the snowy hillocks on pieces of metal or polished wooden planks.
Today I got to snow slide for the first time.... and it was exhilarating....... and it was on the back of a frozen dwarf!
I couldnt tell you how long we did this for, I remember us coming to a stop, climbing another hill, and then doing it all again.
Finally we escaped danger, and headed back towards Daring. Friction, the suns warmth, and the normal temperature thawed poor Gara. He seemed confused, and had the look of a man who had been taken for a ride.
On our journey back it is worth noting two things. An archway to what seems to be a long gone temple or holy place, with the words The Southern Light of Kandar inscribed in draconic on it. Secondly we came across a river flowing west to east, and within it were glittering fish.
It has been a strange day all told.
With colleagues like this around me, I think I may enjoy further strange days. Now, who wants to buy an unused potion?
My name is Nowhere. I am somewhere..... but where, and why?
Locations:
South West (a days travel) from the hugging rocks, at the foot of the mountains is the tomb
East of the tomb and South West of Heights is the Archway
Close to the archway heading back towards Dating, is the river
Day 1:
A new day, a new quest, a new group of people.
Some, such as Rhy, I have come to recognise and befriend, as we have travelled together on a number of adventures. I am beginning to notice that the level of my wealth does not seem to climb much when I am around Rhy.....hmmmmm.
This time the group also consists of Morrigan, the Bard. I am used to hearing bards before I entered this realm, and found comfort in their tunes and words, but this is the first I have encountered whilst on this new path. I am fascinated to see how this man will protect his lute whilst in battle! With us travels Sef, a monk with the features of both human and elf. Sef brings me comfort too, as I remember the times I comforted myself in the alcoves of the temples back home..... but there is a look in his eyes that he has seen more than prayer in his lifetime. Finally there is Gara, a stout and hearty dwarf, whose name I have heard passed around the Inn a few times. Dressed as a warrior he carries the air of a magician. Truly an interesting bunch.
We have all joined together in response to rumours of a tomb south west of the town. We approach Jerrom in the Inn and after negotiation we purchase directions to the location, some warm clothes for the journey, and a potion to help us enter the tomb. However after purchasing the potion I begin to wonder whether the man has seen us for fools and is just selling us his unneeded wares and old tatt.
We head out and follow the directions, travel that will take us more than a day. On our journey we come across a fascinating construction of around 200 pillars stretching around. Some in the party recognise these from their previous travails, and tell us that these have been named The Peoples. To me that sounds ominous, why call inanimate things by a term used for animate things. If all these pillars start coming alive, I am having nothing to do with it!
As we continue we come a across some large carcasses, and the remnants of fires. It seems that someone has camped here and enjoyed some hunting.
With nothing more of note to see we continue in the direction of two rocks, that members of the party also recognise as The Hugging Rocks. We notice signs of fire damage around the rocks, and I suspect a massive battle has occurred in a way to protect this very important shrine to nature. The sheepish look on Gara's face suggests that may not quite be the truth.
We change direction and head South West, and decide to camp a couple of miles from our destination. For the first time I am able to sleep through the night without being dragged into adventure, and it is nice to enjoy the feel of the warm air and see the stars above me. Back home the smoke and the city lights stopped me really being able to enjoy the sights above me. As a tiefling I always looked down, and avoided people's stare, it is nice to look up once in a while.
Day 2
Sometimes a day arrives that can change you. This was that day.
We had been warned by Jerrom that we would know our destination when it began to feel unnaturally cold. Whilst heading into the foothills the temperature dropped within a handful of steps, and all around us was covered by snow and ice.
We see the outcrop that marked the entrance to the tomb. We had been told to use the potion to open the entrance, but I was beginning to suspect that this unmarked vial may do anything, so I resorted to what I knew best, and threw magic at the entrance. It did little. Gara, someone who I have learnt in my day of travel, has a flair for the dramatic, threw firebolts instead. This was both successful and unwanted. A hole appeared, but then so did some unnamed assailants. Within moment shards of ice were flying in our direction, and immediately fell the bard. Maybe someone should teach him to use that lute like a club rather than like an instrument!
A battle ensued, and I must admit I was found wanting. For the first time in my travels here, my magic was of no use. I felt embarrassed, and ashamed. I will need to rectify this later if I am to earn the respect of those I have just met.
We succeed despite my efforts, and with rest to help the bard, Gara contents himself fluorishing firebolts until a way through the entrance is found. Maybe we should have just used the potion.
We enter a corridor and at the end we are met by a door, and a spirit. The hooded figure, holding axe and wearing chainmail, tells us that this is the tomb of Dromar, and that we are to complete trials. By completing these trials we will receive a relic for the worthy. I will be honest, this isn't quite what I expected in a tomb, but as a man of words, this sounds enticing. We accept his challenge.
We pass through the door into a room. Columns housing lights illuminate a scene of death on the floor but little more. The spirit tells us that first is a trial of wit, and poses three riddles to us. The first:
'If you break me I won't stop working. If you can touch me, my work is done. what am I?' The monk deliberates before delivering the correct answer of Heart.
Second:
'I am two-faced but bear only one, I have no legs but travel
widely. Men spill much blood over me, kings leave their
imprint upon me. I have greatest power when given away,
yet lust for me keeps me locked away. What am I?' Much quicker this time the monk delivers the correct answer of Coin.
Third:
'We are five entities, similar, but each unique in our own way. The first of us in glass set; the second of us is trapped inside nets. The third you shall find in both light and in birds, while the fourth of us is the only that can be found within words. The final member of our group should you seek it, is within us. what are we?' After much deliberation it is Rhy who speaks forth the correct answer..... Common vowels.
I am devastated. My life has been one of a scribe. For years I have dedicated my life to the study of words, of sentences, of riddles. Yet I fail to meet any of these challenges. Am I really worthy of calling myself a scribe. What purpose am I to serve in this group, when all here can outwit me?
Nevermind, our next tasks faces us immediately, and it is a trial of strength, for the fallen foe around us arise, ready to fight. We dispatch them in good order, and I am pleased for the company of the Bard this time, who helps many of the group through the encounter. For me it is ironic that now my strength in battle is more useful than my knowledge. What is this world doing to me.
We are faced with a final trial. In the centre of the room opens a large pit, below which I can see acid bubbling away. We are asked whether one of us will sacrifice ourselves for the others.
I have failed to show my worth here, and to prove who I am. Daring is new to me, and I don't know how I feel about being here, and being on a quest for someone I do not know, for a reason I am unaware. Maybe it would be easier to take myself out of this strange game. So before any of the others can risk themselves, I jump forward.
I wait to feel the searing pain of death, only to be met by invisible wings, as the spirit prevents me falling. Apparently I have passed his trial, and I receive from him a heroes blessing. The non corporeal touch of this spirit warms me for a moment. To what end, I will have to see.
A door opens ahead of us and we see a dark corridor with a light at the end. The spirit urges us to step forward towards our fate. I will be forthright, this spirit is really beginning to annoy me now. I suspect he is just a lonely soul who has no one to play with!
As we step down this corridor we are all faced with pain. The first step I now get to feel the agony of acid that I was denied before, another step we face more pain. What they were I can no longer remember, cold... heat.... all hit us as we stepped further down the corridor. Each step being taunted by the spirit, to step forward to our destiny, and closer to what we can see is a large glowing spinning crystal. Concentrating on moving forward it is a while before I realise that all around me other than Rhy have fallen. We both take the last step to the crystal, and I see Rhy fall. What fate is it that leads the unworthy tiefling to stand whilst the others fall. I want to smash the crystal, to scream at the spirit, to scream at whoever put me here to begin with. But I am a man of words and calm, not anger and outburst. I reach out and touch the crystal...... and all goes black.......
When I come to, I am back in the main trial room. Have I failed? Do I have to go through this all again, but this time on my own. It is with joy I notice that my fallen compatriots are still here, and they are now healthy - unharmed from the events of the corridor. Standing in front of us is the spirit, who tells us that we have passed his trials, for he is Dromar. We earn our reward, the spinning crystal, and an exit out has now appeared, with treasures littering the floor. Dromar tells us that we now hold the Dragon Glass, a crystal that will glow when dragons are within our distant view. Now that just sounds foreboding to me! Now regardless of treasures, I wish to rename this the tomb of Dromar the Dick.
We gather our riches, and we are cautious of the route ahead. Having had my fill of Dromars tricks I summon Bob, my unseen servant, who carries the crystal in front of us as we leave the tomb.
Immediately the crystal started glowing (who would have thought such a thing could happen so quickly) and in cautious observation we see a small white dragon...a baby maybe.
Bearing in mind what I have already written about for today, this is where things got very strange!
Most normal adventuring folk would be wary of such a creature. Gara, on the other hand, wishes to have it as his pet. It didnt go well. He ended up as a block of ice.
More worrying was the crystal that was glowing stronger and stronger. If this really was a baby, then is the mother close at hand? We have all been through enough threat of death today to risk the wrath of an angry mother, so we feel it best to leave, and escape via the sloping frozen plains before us. But how to bring Gara and not be slowed down.
Who spoke next I will never know, whether it was the bard or the monk I do not know, but what happened saved our lives......
I remember as a child watching the children play in the snow. The shaped and manicured gardens that were always out of reach of me often had cultivated hillocks to look over the city and the landscaped lawns. I used to watch as those children slid down the snowy hillocks on pieces of metal or polished wooden planks.
Today I got to snow slide for the first time.... and it was exhilarating....... and it was on the back of a frozen dwarf!
I couldnt tell you how long we did this for, I remember us coming to a stop, climbing another hill, and then doing it all again.
Finally we escaped danger, and headed back towards Daring. Friction, the suns warmth, and the normal temperature thawed poor Gara. He seemed confused, and had the look of a man who had been taken for a ride.
On our journey back it is worth noting two things. An archway to what seems to be a long gone temple or holy place, with the words The Southern Light of Kandar inscribed in draconic on it. Secondly we came across a river flowing west to east, and within it were glittering fish.
It has been a strange day all told.
With colleagues like this around me, I think I may enjoy further strange days. Now, who wants to buy an unused potion?
My name is Nowhere. I am somewhere..... but where, and why?
Locations:
South West (a days travel) from the hugging rocks, at the foot of the mountains is the tomb
East of the tomb and South West of Heights is the Archway
Close to the archway heading back towards Dating, is the river
