Fate of Or

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Fate of OR

Adventure for Autumn 819
GM: Michael Parkinson
Night & Location: Thursdays 7-10, chez Smith, Mangere. 21st Mar. Session CANCELLED
        [If people can't make a 7pm start, the only alternative is Fri 7.30-10.30]
Level: Highish. somewhere between (demi)god assisting and mostly irrelevant.
Requires: moderate competency; sufficient, but not excessive, diplomacy; and possibly the potential to think outside the known universe.

Warning: Will be playing simplified opposed combat.

Overview

Party is commissioned by "Isme" of Thebes & Cowland.

She would prefer at least ONE from that party (Seven For Thebes 19 years ago) that superbly assisted her father, Prince Ed, formerly Ed Swellfoot since he was raised by Hobbits who “found” him abandoned as a newborn baby. Aqualina & Caprice are from that turn-of-the-century party.

Nominally the party is searching for someone/thing last seen in the Ellenic States: allegedly known as EPIGRAM, a superficially friendly giant (almost certainly the Greater Titan Epimetheus, aka Afterthought, in disguise).

If you *do* have the right "Epi", you will be asked to:

  1. Deliver an Important Message
  2. And persuade Epimetheus to return with you to your employer (if you have any hopes for a performance bonus)
  3. ... which might mean having to do something for him first, since he is a demigod-like "fixer" (and, allegedly, an amateur literary/theatre/art/Reality critic).

You will be going off-plane and may NOT take an items with you, but your magic should function approximately as expected.
Your employers will be providing some short & long-term magic effects immediately before you depart.

Party

Payment & Consequences

  1. You will each be paid the equivalent of 9000 sp for taking the mission, even if you fail.
  2. Payments, depending on the level your successes, may include: money, trade concessions, property, free training.
  3. Assuming you're reasonably (or excessively!) successful you may expect a choice or two from selected items in the Theban treasury — since you are advised that you're unlikely to retain any loot from where you will be headed.

If nothing has been heard from you by the fortnight before the next Guild Meeting, the Employer will attempt, within reason, to have you all "recalled" back to Alusia ... with good expectations of reasonably complete success, but you may wish to take a Namer, Planar Mage, or other magical means of returning somewhere/somehow to Alusia.

OTHER IMPACT: Presumably there *are* Elvish interests involved, given their trade routes to Thebes and probably some impact to the Plane of Purple.

Scribe Notes

Chapter One - To Thebes ... And Beyond

Our party employer is Isme, the daughter of Prince Ed of Thebes and Cowland in the Ellenic States. Our mission is to check out a portal that goes to an unknown destination, and is configured in a way that it is only transports intelligent, organic beings, and not their possessions. Which means, we’re going to arrive at the other end naked. Still, could be worse. Isme also requested those who assisted in a previous mission, nearly 19 years ago, which is how I got involved. Also, for some reason, Guild Security had come to the conclusion I wasn’t allowed out with a ‘minder’, which is why I was accompanied by Starflower. Well, as I said, it could be worse.

Also, in the meeting room were:

  • Caprice – She was also on that previous mission as a gypsy. She’s still an illusionist but during those nineteen years she’s gained bits off all the thaumaturge colleges as well as master ranks in all five social skills. I was impressed. By a unanimous decision, she was appointed Party Leader.
  • Veor. A female ice and rune mage from somewhere way up north. Had been male until a curse had been made real – all Sir Christopher’s fault of course. She’s also a dragon troll.
  • Sir Wojer – Air mage and the only male in the party. I bet he thinks he’s lucky. More fool him.
  • Starflower – full time mind mage and part time silver dragon. She’s the Military Scientist.
  • And I’m Aqualina. I’m a water mage, preferring to be in the water and usually residing in Pasifika

The portal in question was a dark slab that transported anyone who touched it to an unknown plane on a one way trip. We also had to find a giant, in disguise, called Epigram or maybe just ‘Epi’.

Elfanburg

To get to the Ellenic States, we took the Slow Portal to Elfenburgh, where we were conducted to the library there. We met up with Duke Aurelius as well as a very radiant elf. Turned out she was a Greater Titan called Tethys. From them, we discovered that Epi was most likely a Greater Titan called Epimethius. The locals are very wary of the mystery portal (understandable) and it was thought that it could lead to the Titan’s home plane. An astrology reading was also provided which read

Dream on, dream on, our unbuilt magic towers, Of scenes to come, with glimpses warm and bright Hung in the light of never-ending day.

When this strange life shall vary, Treasure teems; Th’ Imagination is a witching fairy For Spirits rising out of Clay.

Until, with fuller Sight, in happy Exaltation lightly Climb to Elysium for Ever Rest, Respite, Know where truth and peace Return or ever stay

We were also offered permanent Rank 9 Greaters, which were eagerly accepted and credentials which allowed us unlimited travel on the airship network.

The Ellenic States

Three days later, via Elven Airship, we arrived at Thebes and were greeted and feted by Prince Ed. Caprice spent time talking with Prince Ed about eligible princes for his daughters.

Next day we took a cloud to Thought to consult with philosophers about the astrology reading. Turned out there was a whole street of them. Also there are a lot of people wearing Mind Cloaks.

Caprice and Veor then went to consult with the Oracle of Delphi, who does prophecy readings by breathing strange vapours and describing the visions she gets. She told them that Epimethius (brilliant idea after the fact) and Prometheus (careful forethought) were responsible for us humans. Personally I think that’s a bunch of hooey – everyone knows it was the dragons. She also said that the Hobbits of Purple were in the hidden city of Prometheus, which could mean that there may well be a Purple tie-in to this adventure.

Back to Thebes late afternoon. At the middle of the night, around oh my ghod what time is it o’clock, we were woken up and travelled by runestick to a ‘secret location’ - about 25 miles from Thebes – where we were shown the portal. This proved to be a very large black, utterly unbearably so black, that you felt like you were about to be dragged into it black, slab, that if you didn’t know it was solid looked more like a nothingness void in the ground. It was lying flat on the ground, and was 21 by 35 foot in width and length. It had been buried in the ground until recently.

We were told NOT to touch it, as it would suck us in, while Veor did her divination ritual. Turned out it went to the Plane of Or, was one way, and would outlast Alusia, so virtually indestructable to anything except a very major Power.

Since we had been told we couldn’t take anything through with us, Caprice put on illusions of us wearing clothes while we all stripped off all our gear and clothes (which would be kept for us in safekeeping — I even had to use a curse removal to get my Belt of Merform off, something I had done during the Divination) then, on a prearranged signal we all touched the portal simultaneously.

Next thing I remembered, I woke up in a bright place, surrounded by bracken and ferns and being attacked by a bunch of goblins. The rest of the party were only beginning to stir as the goblins (roughly forty) charged in. There wasn’t any time to do anything else so I fought like the vicious little Pasifikan warrior ‘princess’ I can be and managed to kill one outright with a well placed unarmed attack, causing the others around me to have second thoughts and back off.

I snarled at them and prepared to do GBH to the rest when the goblins turned and fled towards a crack in the nearby crater wall. It wasn’t me they were scared off though, but the people who were rushing in to help. Elves I thought but they looked a bit odd, as well as a rather large dwarf. Twenty yards from us were ancient Greater Titan sized ruins that looked like they had been smote from on high surrounded by stumps of what had been very large trees. A large crater with a forest in it was nearby and it was into that, the goblins were fleeing into.

That was about all I had a chance to perceive as Veor dropped a blinding Rank 20 Light on all of us. After we all got our Resistances to Light (warn a girl next time you’re going to do that – I’m STILL seeing spots) ...


Black whirlwind & Fey Strider

Fortunately the sounds of the party being woken from unconsciousness by the tender nips and scratches of goblins and bobgoblins had drawn the attention of some passing heroes:
“Ah-Kuí” (the Black whirlwind: 5’2”, 220 pounds, GTN Dwarf) and
Zong (the Fey Strider: 6’4”, 105 pounds, GTN Erelhaine),
both somewhat dressed in black, look like a comedy team. However any band of ruffians rudely making that assumption would be sorely mistaken, if not profoundly dead.

BW & FS arrived “walking” at about 25 or 30 mph. BlacK Whirlwind wields 2 battle-axes ... and immediately charged into the fray; although when the goblins briefly tried to mob him, BW then shifted his grip up the shaft and use each Axe as if chopping parsley with one-handed demi-lunes. The next pulse the goblins fled towards, persuade by the berserker.
Fey Strider, in contrast flicked his thin, fast sword and the goblins near him fled immediately. As a healer, while attended to the party-members still on the ground and washing their wounds FS introducing himself and his absent colleague ... They were members group, lead by Heroes including ‘River Song’, in rebellion against The very evil Grand Marshal High; their group would be keen to meet us heroes. Zong invited us to visit them when we were done

Shortly the Dwarf returned, Wet, wiping his beard &amp unruly hair with clumps of moss.
Black Whirlwind: “Friggin Gobbo vomit … Luckily I found a pool of magic water to wash in.”
Fey Strider: “You didn’t drink any of it?!!” {slowly, under his breath} “...Again”
Black Whirlwind “Course not; I told you it was WATER.”

Black Whirlwind then peered at the party, almost as if noticing them for the first time. “I bet you lot are Spirits aren't you. Come and join our Righteous Rebellion before you all (whats the phrase?) ascended Seven-League Mountain.”


Chapter-2

While the elf, Fey Strider, who had an ability of moving really really fast, ran off to a nearby village, several leagues away, to arrange for sandals, clothes, water-bottles, food, bows & knives. Many of the weapons we asked for, they had no idea what they were, such as my trident and Starflower’s tulwar, but they had access to daggers, straight swords and longbows so I guess I’ll stick to my dagger/maingauche combo – assuming they had something that can be used as a maingauche.

While we waited we headed for the runes. Starflower tried to DA the Name of the Plane and got ‘Here’. I had to stifle a giggle at that. The architecture of the ruins reminded me of Tethys’ place on Purple. These ruins looked like they had been hit by falling rocks so I went looking for pieces of the rock. What we found were strange rocks that were magical, with the nature being Density and their Plane of Origin being ‘Beyond here’, I picked up a piece and discovered that it was much heavier than I expected. The pea sized piece was about as heavy as a normal fist sized piece. These could make interesting sling shot bullets – if I knew how to use one. That’s very dense rock. Meanwhile Caprice climbed the stairs and discovered we were on a plateau.

The next place we checked out, with Black Whirlwind, was the magic pool. We were told not to drink from it, as it was magic, but we could use it to wash the goblin residue off us. Caprice told us it was Lethe water and would cause forgetfulness. I came to the conclusion that breathing it may not be a good idea either so I asked about other, non-magical waters I could use. Unfortunately, not around here. I also noticed that Caprice and Black Whirlwind were getting along very well as they spoke about battles and killing. Looks like he’s found another ‘homicidal maniac’ to talk to. They then sparred for a while.

Fey Strider, who Daed as Erelaine with no college, returned a bit later on with an assortment of weapons and clothing. I quite liked the filmy stuff which I told the others that reminded me of the current fashions in the aquatic elven court. For some reason, Fey Strider looked rather alarmed when I mentioned the ocean. I later discovered that the sea was considered to be ‘dangerous’, especially underwater, and no one went near it. That was just making me even more curious.

It would take us four hours to walk to the village of Succa and Fey Strider had brought a guide back with him as well, a lady who introduced herself as Miss Plum. We were to see the head woman Noomu. On the way, a lot of questions were asked, in both directions, and Miss Plum wanted to hear stories of our heroic exploits. Unfortunately, my story of redeeming a Sea Witch caused me to be completely ostracised so I had to be content with listening and being ignored. At one point, I could see the sea and indeed it was acting very strange – nothing like I had seen before. There seemed to be some really strange interactions between the winds and the currents which seemed completely random. Plus the ever present cloud cover over the sea was dappled with a greenish tinge.

What we did discover that the inhabitants of the village were all related in one way or another, a really large extended family. Plus, most mountains had bandits on them.

Upon arrival, we met Noomu, Namer and herbalist. She could tell we had been blessed by the Titans, From what I was hearing the local heroes were interfering with an evil marshal and his cronies. It was also mentioned that they had a healing spring nearby – a volcanic hot spring I suspected. Their riding animals looked more like centaurs except apes instead of humans. Plus the local squire’s ‘horse’ had tentacles instead of arms. I spent most of my time just listening to the others, as it seemed to me (which Caprice agreed with) that mentioning my aquatic heritage would not go down well so I avoided what interactions with the locals as I could. Maybe someone else should add their own notes.

Chapter-3

Apparently my name is lucky although they’re calling me ‘Aquilina’ I can live with that – I’ve been called worse. It’s also the same as the GTN of the non-edible version of bracken commonly known as ‘Lucky Heather’.

We stayed a week at this village, learning the customs etc. We were told that this village is ‘blessed’. Magic works a bit differently here too. Here, there is no Mind College as such, but it it said that the evil Grand Marshall High is a mind mage – probably demonic in origin. Hmmm ... something to tease Starflower about.

After the week, we travelled to the next village, with Miss Plum aka Jane, posing as her attendants, sharing tall stories on the way. There’s no north bump either. We’ve also got grey/green cloaks that match the perpetual cloud cover above. Starflower’s mind powers were feeling fuzzy. It took us four or five days of travel to get there – it’s hard to tell with no discernible day or night. Upon arrival we stayed in an inn. Sir Wojer acquired a musical instrument, a balalica.

Next day, on our way to the Meeting of Heroes at a marsh near Seven League Mountain (according to Caprice) some brigands tried to accost us so Caprice replied with a very pointed argument – an arrow. After a very short battle, we ended up with a pack of minions, including a tied up hobbit. They were surprised there were so many lady heroes in one place and told us that they were dispossessed from their village by some power, and were supposed to be part of an army beating up the rebels.

A couple of days later, found us at the next town, Chealmenge. Most of the wine and grain here left to the front, twenty days ago. Here, we were able to ‘trade’ our minions into trade goods.

Our journey continued. At one point we passed near a river and I was able to take the opportunity of getting a quick swim which made me feel a lot better. We then crossed the river with a combination of ice floe and mage current. Jane advised us that the next town was best avoided. Apparently there’s someone there that we shouldn’t meet. The Marshal’s folk have taken it over and are fortifying it. So I used a Waters of Vision we saw 5000 troops and a unit of calvary. There also appeared to be something odd with the breezes around the town so we decided to go around it.

On the way around, we heard sounds of a battle so we used another Waters of Vision to see what was going on. We saw a hero, with a rather ornate staff, taking on twenty or so people so, like the curious adventurers we are, we rode closer. As we approached we heard him lecturing them on their villainous ways while attacking them with a jingling staff. He was 6’4, muscular, and heavily tattooed. Jane got rather enthusiastic and exclaimed “He’s a monk”

It was rather obvious that this guy was rather angry at these bandits and was basically bent on a path of exterminating them all, giving them no quarter or mercy. After the battle, he introduced himself as the monk Segatious Lu, the Flowery Monk, – and has a magical certificate to prove it. These bandits had raided and killed all the monks in a peaceful monastery nearby. When we investigated, the place had been has been ransacked and vandalised. The bodies showed signs of brutally so, as we laid them to rest, I sang a waiata tangi for them. All the valuable stuff, especially the wine, (according to Sir Wojer) was loaded on board the wagon.

I had a strange dream that night and I am still not sure what it means. I remembered speaking to Noomu and she told me that the best place to camp is in the bracken off the road — not the edible bracken, the other kind. Just be careful not to crush any skylarks or peewits (or something similar) then she went on to mention that to reach the Mash (sic!) and when I realised I had misheard her (did she call it the Twin Peak Marsh?) she was explaining that the reason we couldn’t locate it or anyone there (which I couldn’t remember). But I knew that the river we crossed by ice-flow earlier today must be the "Clean river" she mentioned and that the Marsh is beyond the more utilitarian "Muddy river" and yet also a branch of it. And then I sort of drifted off, no listening to her ... but she mentioned my special protection and that she would "miss me most of all" and when I opened my mouth to ask her something important, I woke up. This seemed rather important so I wrote down as much I could remember.

Chapter-4

Seems like the others had odd dreams too – Sir Wojer said he saw Starflower and I falling out of the sky, Starflower said that was Sir Wojer’s fault as she was flying up in the air, mapping the area until Sir Wojer flew too close. Veor said she was under a tree with some unusual flowers and got stung by a bee and Caprice asked me if I knew any unusual titans. Sir Wojer then speculated that we were on some sort of ‘mirror plane’ - something like the Alternate Alusias? The monk then admitted it may have been his fault. Apparently he had been meditating in a ‘special place’ recently and some of that might have leaked to us.

Veor had spoken to the bandit spirits and they said that they had been hired by someone to obtain some ‘Golden Treasure’ or something like that. They had tried to get the location of such things from the monks but they weren’t saying. Some sort of vow of protection?

We then found honey wine, but no honey, apart from a drop on the ground and some residual in a bucket that the ants were attacking. No bees either, but there seems to be some about a league and a half away. Over there, it looked like the a field full of special flowers, maybe the ones Veor had seen. Could the ‘Golden Treasure’ be honey? Seemed likely so we walked over there to have a look. The hives were here too so Sir Wojer spoke to the bees. They were sad because the men, that say nice things to them, were missing. Two men then rushed in, one flew off to the marsh, and the other to the source of the river. They both had a little box with them. Veor blessed the meadow while I sprinkled water on the flowers and herbs. Some plants got potted for transport. Apparently the monks fly from here to the marsh too.

Sir Wojer spontaneously decided to fly off – alone – again – and saw a cloud that he believed that should not be there. Meanwhile I was speculating on how this honey would taste on bread so Starflower lashed a sample with Das. Quasi-magical honey – GTN Slightly magical honey. Effect of sentient entity: Nutrition. Seemed safe enough so I tried some. It was delicious – nature of magic: preservation. The honey mead that was made from it was surprisingly potent, much more alcohol in it than in usual honey mead. The honey can also take magic and preserve it as a potion. The yellow flower that provides the honey is a species of marigold so I called them the ‘Golden Honey Marigold’.

Up in the air, Sir Wojer had ascended to a height of fifteen miles and the air was still breathable, so he kept going. We couldn’t see him at all from the ground but, even up this high, there were high flying birds and it looked like to him that the green parts in the clouds above parts might be plant life – freefloating algae perhaps. Some bits of the cloud were brighter than the others which may mean that they were thinner and less dense. However, from this altitude, he could see the seven league mountain with the marsh next to it, about 250 miles away.

The Flowery Monk told us he is going back to the marsh. He had been sent here by ‘Timely Rain’ to stop the attack on this monastery. According to Starflower’s DA, Flowery Monk is a long lived sentient, with a GTN of Erelaine plus a touch of Titan. Highest rank magical ability ‘Righteous Indignation’.

Once Sir Wojer returned, he summoned a cloud to take the non-fliers while the rest of us flew escort. I was making sure I was flying above the cloud so I couldn’t see the ground so far, far, below. We ended up about thirty miles short of our destination after roughly twenty hours of flight. Fortunately there was a town near by so we were able to stay at an inn.

In the morning I purified (don’t know about the others) but the boost I could feel in my magic told me that we were on the edge of the marsh. A boat was provided for us to cross the marsh, captained by ‘White Stripe in the Water’. He’s an aquatic hero, and spends much of his time underwater, just like me. So we talked ‘shop’ for a bit comparing adventures. He told me that the ocean is really chaotic, uncontrollable, and may contain life but the liquid itself is poisonous, which means that it is probably not water. His advice was that it was best to be avoided.

Finally we arrived at the base of the mountain. There looked to be a lot of new looking castles arranged in a row, off from the shore. We were taken in to one of them and gifted our hosts with the honey mead. Quite a few of the gathered folk were interested in the sample of ‘heavy rock’ I was carrying about. Someone also said that Sir Wojer had ‘an air about him’ - air mage humour? Discrete enquiries were made but only one or two people reacted to the name ‘Eppy’. From one of them we were able to find out that he had been here, and may still be here and it might be possible to get a message to him. It seems he’s helping them with a ‘skirmish that isn’t going too well’ as the attackers were pummeled by large, heavy, rocks that ‘pierced’ through the cloud layer. Must be some really powerful mages in that city.

Chapter-5: The Assault/Seige?/Defeat? at Great Name City

Great-Name is the Prefectural Capital (the Main city, and administrative hub, of this province).

The Town currently has about 80,000 inhabitants and 2,500 resident Soldiers of its own. Also 10,000 to 12,000 (estimates vary) “guest” Soldiers. The wall are 40-to-60 ft high (the top is level all around, it’s the ground that varies. There are only 2 Gates at either end. There is no vegetation within 60’ of the walls, but there are a series of maze-like 9’ grid-like walls (with sharp top-stones) that would prevent scaling ladders and enemy troops reaching the walls quickly or easily.

It is UNKNOWN who exactly who the general & officers sent from the Emperor are (and it is impossible to scry anywhere within 1 mile of the city walls)

The river comes within 200 yards of the city walls, but the town survives on “well-water” … although there is also a (formerly) secret underground aquaduct from a point several miles upstream that fills subterranean reservoirs for both civilian & military use.

The Rebel forces (on the party's side)

  • JK :     JADE KIRIN, who is the master strategist (has a fan made of hawk feathers, like all the great Military scientists of epic/Legend/Your/whatever) and the Person in Charge.
  • DC :     Master Gongsun, known as Dragon in the Clouds. He previously negated magical advances the Imperial Army’s cavalry & infantry where they swiftly moved many leagues surrounded by stormy-dark clouds, winds and lightning.
  • QM  :     Qin Ming, more commonly known as “Fiery thunder-bolt” … because of his fiery temperament and his thunderously loud voice. (Wolf-tooth mace)
  • LtW :     Lu the Wanderer, who was brought up in this area. A close friends of Black Whirlwind. Youthful, handsome, tall, charming, a master of many instruments — the rebel’s go-to hero for and spying missions. His only visible weapon is a hunting crossbow … or perhaps (depending one’s opinion of minstrels) that 4-string, 26-fret Pipa.
  • PH  :     Panther Head, “Trainer of 80,000” — Master of all the martial weapons. There is hope that he may be able to sway some of the officers & troops that he previously trained once they realise the perfidy of the generals leading them (i.e., when/if the rebels get the upper hand)
  • WS :     White Stripe in the Waves (water mage), the ferryman previously met
  • BW :     Black Whirlwind (whom you’ve met before)
  • The Xie Brothers "Double-headed Serpent" and "Twin-tailed Scorpion". Neither are minstrels, despite their usual attire (Leopard-skin trouser & tiger-skin jacket). They are excellent hunters & out-door survivalists. Zhen is the elder, DhS (double-blades); Bao (the younger,TtS) has a bronze forked-spear.
  • GWB  :     “Golden Wings Brushing Against the Clouds” Airmage, obviously. Tall, muscular; his party-trick is catching missiles in his bare hands.
  • SK :     Striking Hawk (has a “steel” spear & astounding with Flying-daggers). Excellent fighter, adequate airmage, Phenomenally Ugly, but an outstanding accountant … and skilled at logistics. Described as having “eyes like those of a hawk, a head like a tiger's, arms like an ape's and a waist like a wolf”


You also have 2,000 troops who are highly skilled in Broadsword; long-sword; staff; bow; daggers; paired clubs; paired sticks; dagger; and glaive, They expect to be split up under various of the heroes.


Loot

Dated Credentials from Isme/Elvish Crown

1 each
Each scroll is on silk (which folds or rolls without damaging the indelible script (in Florid Elvish obviously) that names the bearer (with up to two titles, if they have any) as well-beloved righteous supporters of the Crown. The florid elvish essentially says:

  1. You are entitled to (reasonable) support and accommodation from any local Elvish governor and
  2. The Courtesy of the Services. — By tradition, that would in normal circumstance include making room for you and at least one servant and a couple of hundredweight of “necessities” (or other person luggage) on Elvish vessels, including the Airships.
  3. If you are wronged by enemy or unfriendly agents, whilst explicitly (sometimes even implicitly) “attending to wishes of the court” you may expect an Officer to enquire further and conduct remedial action for the wrong on their own initiative.
  4. The right to attend Court (in most, normal circumstances)

ALSO

  1. The right to Petition the Court for Redress (although, given that you must write your petition on the back of you credentials and surrender them, this can be risky in personal matters or feuds with other courtiers).

Feel free to refuse the credentials … if you can give a convincing pretence to be that modest.


+10 Refreshing Greater From TETHYS

[i.e., equiv to Rank 9; MA 33] that will “refresh” 9 times after Death loss or other removal; it will return 24 hours afterwards if that is both “safe &amp possible” (e.g., not in the same place/situation that destroyed the RG, character is alive, etc) ... otherwise shortly AFTER that.

The RG may be temporarily overridden by a Rank 14+ Greater Enchantment; and whenever that GE ceases your RG will be effective.

From Thebes

  • A permanent Lesser Enchantment, should you need one.
  • Feasting, Drinking, Spy-baiting & other diversions.
  • Other spells upon request [please specify ASAP] before you pass through The Dark Door.

Astrology etc

Reading on "The Dark Door"

Dream on, dream on, our unbuilt magic towers,
Of scenes to come, with glimpses warm and bright
Hung in the light of never-ending day.

When this strange life shall vary, Treasure teems;
Th’ Imagination is a witching fairy
For Spirits rising out of Clay.

Until, with fuller Sight, in happy Exaltation lightly
Climb to Elysium for Ever Rest, Respite,
Know where truth and peace Return or ever stay

The other (older?) version of the last verse that Lucidius found was:

Until, with fuller Sight, in happy Exaltation might
Climb to ever Fight, or to forever Rest in Light.
Know truth and peace — to Flee, Return, or ever Stay.

Being a true philosopher, he had no definite reason for the change: Perhaps the prognosticator was trying to change the emphasis? or make a different ending fit? or to hide something or a Name ? — All very unprofessional!
Or perhaps Fate is unravelling? Or changed in the past week or so due to unforeseen or indeterminable events?


Logistics

Watches

A day on OR = 20 hours. (1 year = 1000 days) This potentially gives 8 hours for travel, 2 hours for rituals, 2 hours for meals/teas and 8 hours for sleep as a possible average day?

Travel Magic

Flying is very rare, only done with subtlety. The Sea is regarded with horror & fear and seems very dangerous.

Camping Notes

Camp site can be protected in about 15 minutes by the following.

  • Warding with runes, 60% chance of blocking spell from outside. Protects from some weather.
  • Ground can be warded vs Earth Elemental, they can walk on it but not pass through it.

Enchanted Igloo can be created taking 70-90 minutes. 36' internal diameter.

Buffs

General Buff Notes

Buffs listed in the table don't need to be detailed, other buffs not on the table must be mentioned at the time they are cast.
Y means always on, N/- means never on, 'Sit.' means when the party has time for buffs before a fight.
Weapon Spells which weapon/s it is going on normally should be noted also

  • Herbalist Broth is 5 Ft restored, 3 / day. (Once we have common herbs for it)
  • 1 Spell a day each can be ritually cast on the group to save Ft.
  • Temporary runes on people, Duration 13 days. Body, Healing, Weapon, Mind.
  • Temporary runes on weapons, Duration 13 days. Earth, Water.


Long duration buffs

Magic Rk Effects Dur Aq St Ve SW Ca ? ?
Armour of Ice (V) 20 7 Ft Prot, 2 En Prot, +40% resist vs Fire. 10.5hr (R.) / ** 18hr Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit ? ?
Disguise Illusion (Ca) 20 **37hr Y Y Y Y Y ? ?
Imbue with Spirit (V) 13 +8 to 1/2 stats. Ag for Rabbit, EN/PS? for Totem 17hr (R.) Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit ? ?
Greater Heart Rune (V) 10 Heal 8 En when take En damage. Up to 13 days. Y Y Y Y Y ? ?
Rune of Willow Healing (V) 6 Heal 3ft for 8 Pulses when triggered. Up to 13 days. Y Y Y Y Y ? ?
Water Breathing (Aq) 20(35) Breath Water - See in Fogs 36 Hours Y ? ? ? Y ? ?
Cold Resistance (Aq) 12(27) Seven less cold damage 28 Hours Y ? ? ? ?Y ? ?
Waterproofing (Aq) 8(23) 72 Hours N ? ? ? Y ? ?
Rune Shield 11 +16% def, +2 Ft/En Prot 12hr (R.) / **23hr Y Y Y Y Y ? ?

Short duration buffs

Magic Rk Effects Dur ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Create Fog (Aq) 8 5000 cu ft of fog, 5ft visibility, WB negates 54 Mins ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Enhance Enchantment (Ca) 15 Add 15 ranks to spell attributes Please add duration to daily buffs ** ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Creating Rune Weapon (Ve) 14 SC +15%, DM +3 (Acid or Cold) Hits insubstantial. 19 Mins ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Enchanting Weapons (Ca) 6 SC +7%, DM +2 2 Mins x [D-5] ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Weapon of Flames (Ca) 6 SC +7%, DM +4/+7 vs undead, cold or water creatures 13 Mins ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Name (??) ## ???? ? Mins ? ? ? ? ? ? ?