The
EARTH story - December 11, 1372
After
a few good days' rest, recuperation, intense study and meditation to
be able to heal the party, Equinox feels much better.
"I think that the next time we travel back to our own plane, I am going
to be able to train again," Equinox says, "But does anyone know how we
will safely travel between here and the Prime Material plane?"
Devlin says, "Did we not acquire a scroll of teleport without error?"
"And another housekeeping item," says Equinox, "We have a number of
magic items in the portable hole, including that magic sword we found
right before we crossed the Bifrost Bridge. Is it too late to identify
them?"
"I think it's time for a big rest for the party as I have advanced to
the next level as well. 12th level in my case," Op Code tells the
others.
"Everyone who needs to train should train," intones Devlin. "Things are
not going to get any easier as we continue. We should all be in top
form."
Op Code shows you the map of the giant stronghold.
"I will watch over you all as you train as I have some time to go," Al nods.
"Unfortunately," says Mikodin, "I, too, am ready once again to
advance. A certain middle-aged monk needs a lesson taught him, I
think."
"I had forgotten about that scroll," Equinox admits.
Jon asks, "If we use the scroll how do we get back to here?"
"I would like to get that sword identified before we return to the
Prime Material Plane," Equinox says to the party, "And as soon as that
is done, or at least attempted, let us all return to Sandas."
"I agree with Equinox - if it's evil, I wouldn't want to bring it into our home plane."
Equinox replies to Aron: "We know it isn't evil since we got it off the
Slaad. I want to identify it, if we still can, because it might be a
powerful tool for us to use going forward."
"Is that the Holy Avenger that you're talking about?" asks Devlin.
"No. When I was revived after the battle the rest of you were standing
around a table looking at two swords. One was Drinor's Holy Avenger and
the other was a strangely shaped blade that one of the slaad wielded.
That's the sword I am talking about," Equinox answers Devlin, "I
remember recalling that the sword never missed on any of its attacks
against us."
"Isn't a slaad evil?" asks Aron.
"Yes, but his weapon may not be," Al says as he leans over and picks up the dead slaad's blade.
"No," says Equinox, "I believe the Slaad were neutral and not evil."
"I sort of remember it too, I think it was black and always struck
last... What's the decision on the training? Does someone have a list
of the magical items for distribution?"
You examine the blade. It is a broadsword with a strangely curved
blade, with many arcane runes engraved down its length. You recall that
it was found on the Prime Material plane, not Gladsheim.
You also take a look into the community chest.
You should also be aware that a lot of you can train here. Beth is of
sufficiently high level to train Aldarin and Brennon; while Mikodin can
train Aron. Op Code can train himself. Mikodin does not have to train
again...he just has to fight another monk. Ayazin and Equinox have to
return to the Prime to train.
"Although I would like to return to the Prime Material to train, I am
willing to put it off for a while and save the scroll for when we
actually find the sword. As far as the magic is concerned, I find the
staff of interest but Ayazin can have it if he wants," Equinox says.
Ayazin says, "Thank you, I would indeed like this staff. I currently have no magical weapon."
Ayazin takes the staff.
"As to the rest, I suggest Ayazin and I evenly split all Druid scrolls
and I take a left-over potion or two after the rest of the party has
made their first claims."
Ayazin nods. "Agreed. Since you were so gracious about the staff, you
take what you like of the scrolls and I will carry the rest."
Drinor says, "I agree about the sword, that it should be identified. A
slaad wielded this Holy Avenger, after all; perhaps the other sword is
nearly as powerful. I also agree that those of us who can train here
should train here, but those who cannot should wait until we have the
Sword in hand. A trip to Sandas now might be a one-way trip."
Jon asks, "What's in the community chest? I would also like to try and
get my henchman Violet back somehow. Does anyone have any ideas? I do
have a limited wish scroll/spell? Perhaps I could ask for some remains
to be found and try a resurrection?"
"Jon - I'm not well versed in the use of magic, but it would seem that
attempting to get a part of her back so that a priest could bring her
back to life would be okay.
Could one of our priests cast an augury to see if your wish would not deter our mission?"
Stepping away from everyone, Al practices swinging with the sword, to test the balance of the blade.
It is of the best quality.
He then tries to put it down and then picks it back up, to see if it is cursed.
This he does.
"Mikodin, I would be honored if you would show me the way to a purer
way of fighting and allow me to attend your test to become a master of
dragons."
Mikodin smiles slightly, bows toward Aron, and replies, "As I would be
honored to be your master for this training. We should find a
place a little apart from the rest, so as to preclude distractions, and
I will gladly impart what knowledge and wisdom I possess in the martial
arts."
To the party's mages, Aron asks, "Would a limited wish grant us knowledge of all the party's magical items?"
"I like it, I would like to use it in the next battle to see if it is
better than Claw," Al says, "If it is a better weapon, I could do more
damage in battle and that is always good for the party, no?"
Al claims the blade for the time being, if the party requires him to
relinquish Claw, he will do so for now as he can tell it is a better
blade than Claw.
Al takes the sword.
"You don't have to relinquish anything," replies Equinox, "But if this
new sword is better than Claw, I would like to borrow Claw from you for
a while. We will probably know whether it is, indeed, better
after the mages identify it, if we still can. And while on that
subject, who is going to identify all the rest of those potions and
other unidentified stuff we have in the pile of community (for now)
magic?"
"Is Claw a magical blade that would be jealous of another?" asks Aron.
The cavalier smiles.
"No, Claw is an amazing blade, as it allows me to strike first in every
battle, but it has no spark of intelligence to my knowledge!" he
replies.
Beth is willing to teleport people to the Prime Material plane and then go to Ray Jay/Ming for a scroll to get back here.
You have over eight tons of coins, and Tully's portable hole is almost full.
"Well, since we can safely move between here and Sandas, I would
like to return to train," says Equinox, "But I would like to
identify and divide the magic and gold, first."
"Why don't we take the coin to Sandas and trade it in for something like gems, which are easier to carry?" Op Code suggests.
"Would it be possible to use Jon's limited wish to make the coins
lighter so that those returning to our plane could take them with them
to Ray Jays? And then get another scroll for Jon from the mages?" asks
Aron.
Looking at the community chest, you note that you know everything in it but for a scroll, a shield and some potions.
Feeling suicidal like only a character can after his player has abandoned him, Kithus volunteers to taste the potions.
Beth is ready to blast you all back to Earth.
"If you can't take it all, I suggest you leave what you must, a few of
us who can't train can stay and you can purchase another scroll of
teleport to get us and the rest of the stuff back. You can also
contact the High Priest Salaam, as I know he can identify and can
travel through the planes as well, he doesn't come cheap though," Al
replies, fine with either or any solution. He is just happy with his
new blade.
Ayazin nods vigorously at Al's words. "Yes, let's return to Sandas.
Once we have paid for our training, our load of coins should be much
smaller, and we can change what remains into gems. We will only be gone
two weeks, and we will find a way back somehow."
Drinor frowns and says, "I have already said what I think, and I will
not argue with any who wish to go train. I shall stay here with Alhamet
and guard our position and await your return. If you are indeed taking
the treasure with you... Aron, would you be so kind as to do me a favor
when you are in Sandas? Pay a visit to the temple of Tyr, and make a
donation there from my share of the treasure equal to one-tenth of the
sum. It is my duty to tithe whenever possible, and I would do it myself
if I were going, but if you would be so kind as to deliver the donation
for me, I could stay behind with a clear conscience."
"OK," says Equinox, "I'm ready to go. But aren't you curious about your new blade, Al? Don't you want it identified?"
"Of course I do, Brother E, but we can not physically transport all of
our gains back home in one trip. I do not need to train yet, so next
time around, I can have it identified, or perhaps one of the mages can
purchase an identify scroll and cast it when they come back," he suggests.
Mikodin nods to Aron, and says, "Well, we both shall be headed back
there, I assume. I have someone i must meet, and defeat in
battle. Wish me luck."
Aldarin says, "I would like to return to Sandas also to check on a few business items."
"I will do whatever the party decides," says Brennon, "I need to train, but am flexible in how we decide to do that."
In the end, then, it looks like everyone but Al, Drinor and Devlin teleport back to Sandas.
Before you leave, Devlin asks Sharone to take his share of the money and deposit it in a bank for safekeeping.
With that, Beth teleports...
It
is early afternoon on a chilly, gloomy December day when you suddenly
appear in the main square in the city of Sandas. The Inn of the Drunken
Dwarf lies close by...tempting you with its wares.
Aldarin says, "Well, I'm off to train and take care of some business
items. When and where do we want to meet next for the return trip?"
"Let's go in there, get a beer and give everyone their share of the
gold," says Equinox, pointing to the Inn. "Then I am going to take my
share and see if Hammer can train me again. It will take me a few days
to travel to the grove and then about two weeks to train, so I expect
to return in 20 days. Is that enough time for everyone?"
"I agree with you," Op Code nods towards Equinox. "It has been awhile
since I have sat down and had a good drink and meal, in warmth and
comfort. Then I will commence my training."
"I will have to pass of the drink this time. I believe my training will
consist of many long hours of study," Brennan says sadly. "I must make
sure that I have a clear head for it."
Mikodin smiles a secret smile, and says, "Well, I'll accompany Aron to our temple, then it's off to a match for me."
"Let's all go into the Inn where we can take each of our shares and
leave what's left - for the party members still in Jotenheim - in the
portable hole."
You head into the inn and Luthus the half elven innkeeper greets you,
recognising many of you. Asking for a private dining room, he takes you
into a small one dominated by a fire blazing in a large stone
fireplace. You seat yourselves and make yourselves comfortable, as
drinks are brought in for those who want them.
While you are waiting for your meal to arrive, Equinox consults the
parchment he has used to keep track of the gold the party has found.
"According to my notes and calculations," he says, "Not counting the
treasure and money we recovered from the fight with the Remhoraz -
which we already distributed - we recovered 356,885 gp of coins, gems
and jewelry. Dividing that 15 ways..." Equinox frowns as he does the
math in his head, "Comes to 23,792 gp each party member."
Dinner arrives: a large joint of beef, served with baked potatoes,
Yorkshire pudding, roast carrots and onions and baked squash. You tuck
in.
Kithus announces that he is homesick for the woodlands around Black
Gate and is tired of traveling the planes. He takes his share of the
treasure, bids you farewell, bows and leaves.
When you are ready, you pay Luthus (1gp apiece) and go your separate ways, agreeing to meet here again in twenty days.
Next day