The EARTH story - July 7, 1372
The next morning, July 7th, Laurie casts a commune spell.
A deep bass voice booms through the temple.
"I AM TYR. ASK AND I SHALL ANSWER."
Laurie looks to the rest of you for questions.
"Take this rod with my pleasure!" Op Code smiles to Sharone.
Sharone bows deeply. "Your generosity is much appreciated. Thank you, Op Code."
Tully says, "I have a portable hole and can carry the gold."
Farad will have a claim on a longsword if he finds one more powerful than the one he already has.
Tully frowns. "Very well, if this is the route we are going, I will put my name in for the rings, bracers, the book and rug."
"I reserve my claim on any item until they are all identified," says Equinox.
"I agree with Equinox. Why desire a thing when one does not even know what it does?" asks Aron.
Mikodin looks at Aron, nods in agreement, and says, "I, too, will gladly relinquish any claims I may have made on any items. I only stated that I was 'interested' in these items, as in 'interested to see what they are, and if they could aid me'. I hope we can amicably divide these goods in a way that is beneficial to the group as a whole. As a monk, like Aron here, I truly desire very little. However, after being drained by wights, one does desire at least a modicum of protection and offensive capability against such creatures."
"I think one can desire a thing even if one does not know what it does. People always want what they can't have and want to know the unknown. If information is unknown," says Kithus with a triumphant smile, "According to your theory, you do not want it!"
"And that want, whether it is for material things or knowledge, if not checked by ones morals may lead one down a dark path," comments Aron.
"Yes," agrees Kithus, "But one must have knowledge to know the pro and cons of a decision to make up ones morals."
Then Kithus waves a dismissive hand.
"This matter's all opinion. There is no one right or wrong."
"There is always a right and wrong. The difficult part is doing what is right or wrong."
"But you did not hear me clearly. I said this is not 'one' right or wrong not 'a' right or wrong. There is always right and wrong. But in certain situations, certain actions are right, that does not make all others wrong. And the difficult part is to do what is right. To do wrong, one can do that in ones sleep."
"I will only submit a claim once everything is identified and cleared," Al comments.
"Human control!" Op Code states, concerning the first two potions.
"Flying or maybe Giant strength," he speculates, regarding the next two.
"Gaseous form?" he wonders, holding his nose.
"This should go to someone as their 'get out of serious trouble option'," suggests Sharone. "This quest could see us having to make a tactical retreat if things get awkward, and everyone should have some method of escape. Can we have a show of hands for those who do not have this option?"
She raises her hand and looks around the party.
Jon raises his hand and stands on tippie toes...
"Clairvoyance!" the ranger exclaims, over the last potions.
"We'll probably need these to achieve this next quest. Can I suggest we call these group treasure, to be used as we need over the next months of adventuring?" prompts Sharone from her corner.
"I think it's time for tea. Would anyone like a cup?"
She begins to unpack her backpack.
"Yes, please," says Leslie.
Sharone looks at Jon.
"There were a couple of scrolls I could not read, but with some instruction from Laurie we should be able to augury any cursed magic-user scrolls."
"Curses usually go off when you open the scroll," replies Vardui. "I think you found all of the cursed ones."
Tully separates the piles out into the following:
All potions and scrolls
all rings
all wands, staves and wands
all armor (including shields)
all weapons
all the rest
He labels the piles:
pile 1 - All potions and scrolls
pile 2 - all rings
pile 3 - all wands, staves and wands
pile 4 - all armor (including shields)
pile 5 - all weapons
pile 6 - all the rest
He then says, "Ask the following questions:"
Laurie does so.
1) Is anything in pile 2-3 cursed?
"NO. USE THE VITOR LIST AND DON'T WORRY."
Equinox looks confused: "Does anyone know what a 'Vitor List' is?"
2) Is anything in pile 4-6 cursed?
"YES."
If yes, we can further decompose the groups."
Al has no questions for Laurie, other than: "Do we have time to continue here and train without losing the ability to get to the artifact first ?"
"I think that question was answered the last time we communed," says Leslie.
"True, but that was sometime ago and this is including additional training that we were not expecting," the cavalier replies with a smile.
"Ask away, then..."
"That question might be a bit vague, Al, because we do not know how Tyr will choose to interpret 'continue here'," Equinox says. "How about this one instead:
'If we take Jo-owrn's suggestion and take the time for everyone to train, will we still have time enough to reach the artifact before anyone else?'"
While Laurie communicates with Tyr, Aron is 10' or so away looking for anything that might attack the priestess (and listening to the voice of his god of course).
Jon, unable to control himself, rushes forward and picks up one ring, a staff and a wand. Jon now looks for runes, writings, markings or anything else that may explain what these items are.
There are none on any of them.
Op Code slaps Jon. "Let me at least test these rings out before you go grabbing."
Jon tries to evade the slap if possible but continues to grab at one of the rings and mimics Op Code, saying, "There's four rings and you already have two. I'm trying one."
"Jon, Jon, please try to control yourself! We have worked well together in the past. Let us now work together to decide how best to divvy up these items."
Mikodin's voice is stern now, as he tries to bring the impulsive Jon back to his senses.
With that Op Code removes his present rings, and, putting on one ring at a time, he tries the various acts to see what happens. He will:
Jumps high in the air.
He thumps to the ground (all).
He has someone cast hold on him, then tries to move.
He is immobilised (all).
Builds a fire outside and sticks his hand in it.
Ouch! (all).
Tries to control the flames.
Nothing happens (all).
He tries to turn invisible
He turns invisible with ring #2 on.
He tries to make a suggestion to Sharone
She looks at him strangely (all).
He tries to control a rodent.
Nothing happens (all).
"I wish for better constitution."
Nothing happens (all).
He has someone fire a magic missile at him.
Ouch! (all).
Does Op Code recover his hit points?
No. (all).
After taking off his armor, he tries to walk on a body of water.
Glub glub (all).
He tries to swim.
He swims like a fishy with ring #1 on.
After putting on his armor, he continues.
He attempts to see through things.
No (all).
Does he feel warmer?
He feels quite snuggly and warm with ring #4 on.
Can he move things by thinking about it?
No (all).
Can he get an animal to follow him around?
No (all).
Can he camouflage into the surroundings easily?
No (all).
Can he jump higher than normal?
No (all).
He tries to tell a lie.
He lies emphatically (all).
Someone tries to telepathically read Op Code's mind.
Vardui casts ESP and reads him like a book (all).
"Well, ring #3 is the only unknown ring left." Op Code remarks.
"Now that's a Vitor list!" says Leslie with a giggle.
"I had to think way back for that list," Op Code grins.
Drinor takes Op Code aside.
3) Is anything in pile 4 cursed?
"YES."
4) Is anything in pile 5 cursed?
"YES."
5) Is anything in pile 6 cursed?
"NO."
"We should also find out if any of the items are trapped. I would not want that book, for example, to blow up in my face."
"Have all of the members of this group visited all the magic pools which enhance one's experience and ability?" Equinox asks suddenly, recalling his visits there. "I was teleported there by Occa, before his soul was stolen, and so I do not know exactly where the pools are. Does anyone who has already been there have the ability to bring others to the pools?"
"I have not. Please tell us more about these pools," asks Aron.
"I recall that there were, if memory serves, four of them. Three of them raised your ability in your chosen profession a full step, without the need for any training, and the fourth, if my memory serves me correctly, raises one of your abilities," Equinox replies, "I have been to each of them, but since I was teleported to them, I could not tell you where they are."
Sharone looks at Equinox with a quizzical look on her face. "I've never heard of these pools. Tell me more."
Jon interjects, "Yeah, but I don't like washing too much."
"That is all that I know," replies Equinox. "I have no idea where any of them are, but I recall what they look like."
"These places actually grant one experience? I, too, am most interested," responds Mikodin.
"These pools sound a little too good to be true..." comments Kithus unbelievingly.
"What makes you think that I would lie to you?" responds Equinox indignantly.
"I do not think that you would lie to me," says Kithus with an apologetic smile. "It is just that I have not heard of anything like this. Excuse my ignorance."
Kithus ends with a bow.
Tully chuckles. "Chill out, Equinox. He didn't say you were a liar or anything."
"They are the real deal," Al says. "I have been to them before."
"I hope you got there in a mundane way. That way, you can lead us there," says Kithus hopefully.
"Yes," says Leslie, her eyes aglow. "Many years ago we visited the ability raising pool under Su El, but these others are new to us."
"Unfortunately no, a mage named Rage took me to the pools, what a charmer she is," Al says with a grin. "If I recall correctly, Occa was there as well, but my memory is a tad scattered after my brains were gnawed on by a mind flayer."
He gives a grin and a shrug.
Having made her tea, Sharone turns to Jon.
"Should you require accommodation in Sandas, I do have a spare room. But no rowdy parties, my friend."
Jon says, "Thanks. I need somewhere to hide out...ummm...I mean study my books and stuff."
Al picks up the book and intones, "Great Thor, please allow your servant to see what kind of magic this tome possesses," as he casts detect magic on it.
The book radiates magic, but nothing else is discernable.
Jon says, "I will put my vote for the ring of invisibility. I think for the group I will make the most use of it as scout and when I go behind and get separated. Brennon, I don't have a wand, so one each. Hey, what do you think the 'Walls have ears' wand is?"
The commune continues.
6) In pile 4 is a shield cursed?
"YES."
7) In pile 5 is a sword cursed?
"YES."
8) Is anything besides a shield cursed in pile 4?
"NO."
9) Is anything besides a sword cursed in pile 5?
"NO."
Al examines the outside of the cover for any writings or title. Finding none, he opens the cover and reads the top of the first page, to see if there is any hint as to what kind of book it is.
"Hey, Al," says Equinox, "Remember what happened with the scroll? An augury or commune would be safer than just opening the book."
"The commune with Tyr said that nothing in the book's pile was cursed," he says with a grin.
"Yes, but that does not mean that it is not trapped or is not a book designed for Evil Clerics, or Cavaliers, that will injure you or the party should you try to read any of it," replies Equinox.
"Perhaps so, but I am just reading the title. I doubt any harm will come to me for only that," Al replies.
Jon has a look of sheer terror on his (invisible) face as he dives behind a pew, saying, "That's very stupid, Al..."
Mikodin wordlessly joins Jon, fearing the worst.
Op Code shakes his head, "Looks like we have a bunch of paranoid types here. You're acting as if we are playing the spellbook version of Russian roulette."
"I thought it was determined the book wasn't cursed? Just in case, priestess Laurie, would you mind taking cover?" requests Aron.
Laurie obliges.
Al screams and tosses the book away. A strange look comes into his eyes.
"Oh-oh," says Vardui, "He must be the wrong class."
"That hurt," he says, gripping the sides of his head with his palms. "Mmmm, I kinda liked that," he says with a chuckle as he tries to shake off the effects of the book.
Jon, looking up from his covered invisible position, says, "Could have been a lot worse. What class is he anyway? Would some use a commune to see if someone in the group can gain benefit from the item?"
"Class?" answers the elf, apparently only half listening to Jon, "You know, low class, high class, royalty, all that. Actually I referring to his stock-in-trade. I'll bet that book can only be read by magic users or something."
Aron, near Laurie, asks her, "Priestess, can you tell if Al's faith has changed?"
"Not while I have Tyr on the line," she replies, a tad impatiently, with a look at Al. "Any more questions?"
"My faith hasn't changed, Aron, it just brought back some memories that I had buried for some time. Some things I need to atone for much sooner than later," Al says with a serious face.
PILE 1 (PROBABLY NOTHING CURSED)
potion: Human Control
potion: Human Control
potion: Flying or Strength
potion: Flying or Strength
potion: Gaseous Form
potion: Clairvoyance
potion: Clairvoyance
potion: Clairvoyance
potion: Clairvoyance
scroll: Protection from possession - Jon
scroll: Protection from weretigers
scroll: Protection from magic - Sharone
scroll: Protection from demons - Jon
scroll: Unreadable to Sharone
scroll: Divination, exorcise, divination, detect lie, sticks to
snakes, neutralise poison, cure serious wounds - Sharone
scroll: Spiritual hammer, slow poison, spiritual hammer - Sharone
scroll: Protection from wererats
scroll: Unreadable to Sharone - Jon
PILE 2 (NOTHING CURSED)
ring - Swimming - Jon, Op Code
"I withdraw my name from this ring," Op Code remarks.
ring - Invisibility - Mikodin, Op Code
ring - Mikodin, Op Code
ring - Warmth - Aldarin, Op Code
PILE 3 (NOTHING CURSED)
rod of cancellation - Laurie, Aldarin
staff - Jon
staff with red cross on it - Sharone
wand 'the walls have ears' - Brennon
wand - Jon, Brennon
PILE 4A (SOMETHING CURSED)
4A1 shield - Aldarin
4A2 shield
PILE 4B (NOTHING CURSED)
plate mail H - Devlin
splint mail H
plate mail E - Farad, Kelar
PILE 5A (SOMETHING CURSED)
Sub pile 5A1
longsword - Jon
longsword - Aldarin
two handed sword - Kithus
Sub pile 5A2
longsword - Kelar
longsword - Kelar
longsword
PILE 5B (NOTHING CURSED)
flail
javelin
morning star
axe - Mikodin
trident
PILE 6 (NOTHING CURSED)
bag - Jon
cloak - Jon
bracers - Mikodin
rug
feather token: fan - Sharone
book
Tully further divides out the piles into 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B. He then divides
labels the first shield in 4A as 4A1 and the second as 4A2.
He then sub divides the swords in 5A into 2 piles. Sub pile 1 and sub pile 2.
Next questions:
10) Is shield 4A1 cursed?
"YES."
11) Is shield 4A2 cursed?
"NO."
12) Is anything in sub pile 5A1 cursed?
"YES."
13) Is anything in sub pile 5A2 cursed?
"NO."
He further divides the 5A1 pile into longswords (5A1A) and the 2 handed (5A1B)
14) Is anything in pile 5A1A cursed?
"YES."
15) Is anything in pile 5A1B cursed?
"NO. OVER AND OUT."
Laurie shakes herself out of her semi-trance.
"That is it," she says.
"Maybe we should save a question concerning what has happened to Al," suggests Aron.
"No need," he says as tears well up in his eyes, "before I came to this world, I was a chosen of Torm, a just and good god," he says in a sarcastic voice. "I worshipped him well and spread his good name across the Realms. Then the time of Troubles came to Faerun. The gods were cast down and I met my lord in the flesh. Another god, some bastard excuse of divinity challenged Torm in battle. Despite being flesh and blood, they still possessed power greater than any archmage alive or dead. The resulting damage of their battle leveled half the city and killed my wife and child, while I lived," he says, tears streaming down his face. "I don't understand why or how, and buried that time deep inside of me. Reading this book, somehow, brought those memories to bear. I have no love for Torm, and feel deeply connected to Thor, but I must atone for the loss of my family as I could have done more to save them. Torm, that bastard, HE DID NOT HAVE TO FIGHT. HE LET HIS DAMNED EGO GET IN THE WAY!" he roars suddenly, incredibly upset.
"I need to be alone," he says.
Jon jumps up. "I will read it!"
You can hear the excitement in his voice.
"Easy there, Jon, you will wait 'til Laurie is done and then she will properly examine it!" Al commands, "Do you hear me soldier? You will WAIT!" he barks at the invisible one.
Mikodin, hearing, if not seeing, Jon volunteer to read the book, tries to grab and restrain the voice as he says, "Don't you think it would be wiser to find out what the book does before trying to read it? A few well-chosen questions might save you a lot of grief, Jon."
Jon, on hearing Mikodin's words, stops.
"Yes, I will wait."
It appears that Jon has a great deal of respect for Mikodin.
Drinor growls directly to Laurie. "I have a question for the mighty Tyr."
16. Is Jon is under the control of a being or entity other than himself?
He glances at the rest of the party. "I've seen greed before, but this is absurd. He's obviously not thinking clearly."
"I am sorry," the high priestess replies, "I am only allowed to ask my patron fifteen questions. I can find that out the next time I commune, which will be in a week. Perhaps Al could ask."
"Perhaps tomorrow, as I do not have the spell prayed for," Al says as he bends his head slightly to the left and makes a clicking noise.
Al, still upset, leaves the room.
As soon as Alhamet has left the room, Ayazin whispers a command to his wolf to follow him and protect him from harm.
"Arf! Arf!" says the wolf, who up until this point has been trying to hump Farad's leg, and trots away.
"What does ring #3 do then?" Op Code snarks at Jon.
Jon says, "Ooooh fun at last!".
Jon looks closely at the ring for runes and stuff.
It has a small shield symbol on it.
Jon takes off his gloves and puts the ring on, turns visible and tries some magic:
summon djiinni
summon elemental
does he feel safer
dancing lights
spell storing
does his knowledge of spells increase
Nothing happens.
"By Tyr, are you mad? This is not the place to summon a creature of the elements!" exclaims Aron.
Jon asks Geerzo,"Can you detect what type of magic the ring has, like alteration or such?"
"Nope!"
Jon tries with the ring:
detect magic
detect evil
Jon looks closely at the four items below for runes or clues as to their uses.
staff from pile three
wand from pile three
cloak from pile six
rug from pile six
He sees nothing.
Then, Jon then casts identify on them.
Aron speaks.
"Very well, I'm not a very materialistic person, but if I'm allowed to carry a magical item found, here's what I'm interested in...
"I've no desire to control another, so I'll pass on the potions of human control. The potions providing flying or strength might be useful, so I would be willing to carry one. I think I'll pass on the potion of gaseous form - I like being whole. As for the potions of clairvoyance, they could be useful if used morally.
"The only scroll I'm interested in is the protection from magic one - never know when you might run into an evil spell slinger.
"Seeing where we are heading, the ring of warmth seems like a most valuable item. Rather than giving it to an individual, I suggest this be a party item to be used by one on watch at night - keeping she or he most battle ready. Tyr has taught me how to hide in shadows - I'll pass on the ring of invisibility. If we were near the water, the ring of swimming would be useful - but since we aren't..."
He points to the rods and wands.
"From what I've been taught, these items are for priests and spell slingers."
Then he motions to the weapons.
"As far as I know, none of the weapons or armor are usable by a warrior of Tyr.
"If the cloak or bracers provide protection against harm, than I'm interested. As for the rug, I don't have a home to place it in.
"The other stuff I've no real interest in, if the others in the group feel I should carry something - ok."
"If we are going to be dividing the treasure based on claims, then I would put a claim for the following: 2 (or more) potions of clairvoyance, the scrolls of Protection from Magic and Protection from Demons, the Ring of Invisibility, the Splint Mail no one has claimed, and other miscellaneous magic weapons no one has claimed." Equinox looks a little embarrassed and he explains his claims on the armor and weapons:
"Although I have no use personally for the magic armor or weapons, I have significant expenses I must attend to and I currently have almost no funds."
Sharone looks aghast at Equinox. "You have expenses in excess of 18,000gp??"
"My training fees easily exceed 18,000gp," replies Equinox.
Sharone takes out quill and paper, and lists the items she is interested in, in order of preference:
cloak
?????? ring
rod of cancellation
ivory fan
splint mail armour
trident
Ayazin says, "Since it's not cursed, I will claim the javelin, as it is one of my primary weapons. But as I said before, I wish we would identify items before taking them. For example, even a non-cursed javelin could be dangerous -- if this is a Javelin of Lightning, and I used it in an enclosed space, it might be disastrous for us. Who among us is able to identify these things? Please speak up if you have access to an identifying magic, either now or after resting."
"I do," replies Vardui, "But I have a thing about swallowing live goldfish."
"Have you ever considered washing it down with a beer?" Op Code grins.
"Now that's a thought," says Vardui.
"We are going to identify the items before they are distributed. You have just made a claim on the item, pending identification and resolution of disputes."
"I would first have to scribe the spell into my spell book, then I should be able to memorize it and provide some assistance in that area," Brennon says.
Jon says, "Sharone, can you commune to see who has the cursed weapon?"
Sharone turns to Jon, "It will be many, many years before Idun deems me worthy of casting such a spell."
She returns to her stool in the corner.
"Not if we can get you to those magic pools..." Equinox says with a grin.
"That means more than doubling my current experience, and its taken me 2-3 years to gain that and I doubt even your 'magic pools' will be able to achieve that feat. Having patience in Idun will eventually get me to that level," Sharone replies to Equinox. "And in the meantime we now have your talents to keep the group out of religious problems."
"Do the gods approve of the use of these pools? I am a warrior of Tyr, and once we reach a certain level of mastery, there are only a chosen number that are allowed to exercise their power - and they must prove themself worthy of mastery. To me, this pool dishonestly allows one power - for if I advance, one must fall without a true test."
Mikodin looks over at Aron, bows slightly from the waist, and says, "Master, you are obviously much further along the path to true understanding of self than I am. I could advance three levels before having to prove myself in combat. But as for such experience somehow being false, I thnk not. What about the experience drained from one at the touch of a wight? I know all too well how such a thing feels, I'm afraid. So I, for one, am willing to advance magically by these pools. Such advancement saves not only precious money, best used elsewhere, but until the levels necessary for honorable combat, cheats no one."
Aron bows back, "My wording was poor in my last statement, my apologies. I am not so much further down the path than you are, Mikodin - it will be some time before I am required to combat a brother to prove my skills. You are probably correct in that using this pool at this time would be ok, but I would like to consult someone more enlightened first."
Mikodin has been gauging Aron carefully, aware that someday he may have to enter the ring against him.
Seeing Mikodin sizing him up, Aron adds "Until the time comes for us to prove ourselves, perhaps we can help each other prepare for that day - who knows who we will face and what fighting style they will use."
Ayazin speaks up. "We Druids have a similar arrangement with our higher ranks, and it would not conflict with these pools; I imagine your monastic orders would not conflict either. For example, we have gained much experience in the slaying of monsters and gaining of treasure, experience which serves to educate us and prepare us for the next level of advancement in our fields. But we cannot actually advance until we have trained -- and for advanced Druids, the culmination of that training is trial by combat. Upon victory, we advance. So if you were to visit these enchanted pools, you would not just immediately advance, but rather you would gain the
experience necessary to train. You would still have to train, and compete -- and win!"
Tully, a handsome male human bard, says, "Let's identify this stuff before claiming it. It isn't wise to claim things that you have no idea about. We need to use identify, a sage or something to figure this stuff out. I will also work on these items to try and identify them."
Jon says, "Sharone will you cast remove curse on me? I don't want a weapon (sword) that maybe cursed..."
Jon moves forward and bows to Vardui. "Master...would you consider training a humble servant?"
"I thought I said I would."
"Ah, yes you did but I had only asked from a magical perspective. Thank you."
The party disperses to attempt to identify items.