Epic - Saving my People - Revision history

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T12:09:42Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:09, 24 January 2022
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	We decided to wait to see whether Garuk would find us for a few minutes... and sure enough he appeared from the opposite side of the room not long afterwards! Fulgar was initially wary of a trick, so he asked him some questions and asked him to produce some items, but was eventually convinced that it was indeed Garuk. Together we agreed how to activate the pagoda, which opened a door in the wall. We saw that it led to the Heart of the Prime, which was perfect... but there were thirteen Githyanki inside conducting a ceremony! After a moment of anguish as to whether we should intervene or not, and deciding that it would probably be suicidal, we ran quickly to the exit we had used last time. I was torn, desperately wanting to challenge them, but I had underestimated them before and I had to think of the lives of the others, so I followed.		We decided to wait to see whether Garuk would find us for a few minutes... and sure enough he appeared from the opposite side of the room not long afterwards! Fulgar was initially wary of a trick, so he asked him some questions and asked him to produce some items, but was eventually convinced that it was indeed Garuk. Together we agreed how to activate the pagoda, which opened a door in the wall. We saw that it led to the Heart of the Prime, which was perfect... but there were thirteen Githyanki inside conducting a ceremony! After a moment of anguish as to whether we should intervene or not, and deciding that it would probably be suicidal, we ran quickly to the exit we had used last time. I was torn, desperately wanting to challenge them, but I had underestimated them before and I had to think of the lives of the others, so I followed.

	~~Appear in Kondii on Shang-Ti's symbol. Troop of about a score Kharash in the valley. Lots of Kharash encamped around the Kondii though!~~

	~~No longer winter, no snow visible. Time has passed.~~

	~~Voice in the cave - thief! Not impressed to see us, wants to know what we've stolen.~~

	~~Garuk turns at the voice's exclamation and sees a Githyanki that has appeared. Launches magic missiles at him, so he knows we're here!~~



	~~The Gith charges at us, and I kill him but take a nasty hit. Another one comes and joins the melee though.~~

	~~I land another couple of hits as Fulgar reaches roof and peers over confused as to why we haven't followed.~~

	~~Garuk finished other Gith and we followed Fulgar out. Discussed next steps, and want to head north to Cron.~~

	~~Walk for the rest of the day but no wildlife and only a few Kharash riders. Rest overnight, although the potion I drank allows me to train instead.~~

	~~Fulgar calls Shang-Ti's blessing upon us in the morning. Second day nearing lunchtime see fortifications ahead that weren't there before, making us wonder if years had passed.~~

	~~We meet Rodin the Bold a friendly dwarf that told us of this time... 24 years later! The Gith had won and the language and the Gods were ancient.~~

	~~Oh fuck. Travel until the end of the day and rest in the mist tent again.~~

	~~As we near road hide due to Fulgar's warning of horses, but then hear sounds of a fight. Approach carefully and find archers engaging the Kharash.~~

	~~They win and half a dozen ride off. The one near us asks us to wait for him to send someone.~~

	~~About an hour later a rider approaches on a white horse. Jumbled homemade armour but nice longbow and also a shortbow.~~

	~~Thought the Gods had gone - Fulgar wanted to talk to their leader about the Gods, but Garuk not likely to be welcome.~~

	~~Travel north of Batuhan (through caves under the road). Up to a mesa in the mountains then back towards river. Blindfolded and holding horse's tail whilst guiding Garuk.~~

	~~Enter a cave and continue for 30 mins underground before emerging. Run across open ground then head up mesa on other side.~~

	~~Eventually takes Garuk away to climb higher asking us to wait and leaving horse with us.~~

	~~We are taken to a canyon settlement very similar to Marun. A lot of people here - surprisingly so. Effigies of the Gods, surprisingly, but not cared for as we would expect.~~

	~~Taken to chief's building and wait in a well appointed room.~~

	Meet Makhansu, the leader of these people. Interested in the way in particular, and the link to Shang-Ti's truth. Also my armour and weapons. Fulgar agrees to an exhibition fight to show his knowledge of the way.

	~~Spend some time learning their ways and joining them on raiding parties, and also teaching of the Gods. Give Runestone to Fulgar as it has healing powers of Shang-Ti.~~

	~~Eventually news of a captured Githzerai on a ship, so set off to find out more. Two guides and have to travel overnight but reach it the next day.~~

	~~Three masted galleon, few sails so moving quite slowly.~~

	~~Come up with a plan...~~

	~~Fulgar blesses us with Shang-Ti's protection. Archers fell pilot, and Garuk summons fog. Archer killed by return fire, sadly. Fulgar tows Garuk across as he levitates carrying me.~~

	~~Warning horn as we reach the ship and start to climb. Fulgar gets on and snarls, smashing one off the back of the boat. Not much space, so struggling to join him.~~

	~~Fulgar kills 2 more before I force my way onto the deck. All taking damage in the process. Garuk fell, into water, and Fulgar dives and drags him behind ship.~~

	~~I kill 2 - alone on deck now! Fulgar uses Runestone to fully heal Garuk. Climbs back to join the fight as I kill 2 more. Garuk reaches the top and conjures a hypnotic pattern.~~

	~~I am killing the fighters, but the arrows were taking a toll and badly hurt. Garuk conjures a cloud onto deck.~~

	~~I kill 2 more and some archers jump into the water terrified. I run up to remaining archers and realise they are not all there.~~

	~~Wait for dweomer to disperse and rest flee. Fulgar eating their captain's arm in their face helped.~~

	~~Free Khat and Grimbol. They fought a war 12 years ago but lost. Cron now in a secret place away from the river. Githyanki rule with the Kharash as law bringers. The old calendar was lost.~~

	~~7 scrolls~~
	~~tiara in silvery metal - not magical~~
	~~chunky golden necklace with gems - not magical~~
	~~2 x bracelets - not magical~~
	~~2 x golden metal jug - refill with wine over a day (3l each)~~
	*5 x brocage tapestries
	*2 x large gold bound mirrors
	~~2 x pouches of gems (about 20 total)~~
	~~Ioun Stone of Wisdom~~
	~~4 x horns with silver ends patterned - not magical~~
	~~4 x earthernware pots - keotomes~~
	~~2 x delicate phials in separate chests (fizzing white liquid - Super Heroism, purple thick liquid - Neutralise Poison)~~
	~~Super Heroism and Speed to me, Neutralise Poison to Garuk~~
	~~Effigies of the old Gods in silvery precious metal - whole pantheon in ivory case - Not magical~~
	~~Golden metal brace with metalwork and plate to fit the hand - pair - Allow to climb as an equivalent level rogue~~
	~~Bag of climbing equipment - silk rope 25', pitons, hammer~~

	~~Take them back to the home of the Minnerwe and ask permission to admit them, which is granted.~~

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T12:08:20Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:08, 24 January 2022
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	That was a relief, but it was short lived as the tree kept growing and the growth started to close off the passage! Fulgar ran and slid through the gap with the lantern, branches slashing at him as he did so, and I grabbed my halberd and followed just in time. Fulgar blessed me with Shang-Ti's healing after the punishment I had taken from the elemental, but once again we had found a way to progress; I just hoped Garuk was making his own way forward. We were in a room that contained a pagoda made of ice; in the center of this was a horizontal grill about halfway up, on top of which was a stone crucible touching each of the four ice pillars of the pagoda and holding wood inside. There were iron-bound wooden chests either side of the corridor we had just entered from. The roof was domed with birds carved in relief within a blue background, like the sky. There were runestones on floor: Evil, Chaos, and Good but a Neutral runestone on the wall.		That was a relief, but it was short lived as the tree kept growing and the growth started to close off the passage! Fulgar ran and slid through the gap with the lantern, branches slashing at him as he did so, and I grabbed my halberd and followed just in time. Fulgar blessed me with Shang-Ti's healing after the punishment I had taken from the elemental, but once again we had found a way to progress; I just hoped Garuk was making his own way forward. We were in a room that contained a pagoda made of ice; in the center of this was a horizontal grill about halfway up, on top of which was a stone crucible touching each of the four ice pillars of the pagoda and holding wood inside. There were iron-bound wooden chests either side of the corridor we had just entered from. The roof was domed with birds carved in relief within a blue background, like the sky. There were runestones on floor: Evil, Chaos, and Good but a Neutral runestone on the wall.

	We decided to wait to see whether Garuk would find us for a few minutes... and sure enough he appeared from the opposite side of the room not long afterwards! Fulgar was initially wary of a trick, so he asked him some questions and asked him to produce some items, but was eventually convinced that it was indeed Garuk.		We decided to wait to see whether Garuk would find us for a few minutes... and sure enough he appeared from the opposite side of the room not long afterwards! Fulgar was initially wary of a trick, so he asked him some questions and asked him to produce some items, but was eventually convinced that it was indeed Garuk. Together we agreed how to activate the pagoda, which opened a door in the wall. We saw that it led to the Heart of the Prime, which was perfect... but there were thirteen Githyanki inside conducting a ceremony! After a moment of anguish as to whether we should intervene or not, and deciding that it would probably be suicidal, we ran quickly to the exit we had used last time. I was torn, desperately wanting to challenge them, but I had underestimated them before and I had to think of the lives of the others, so I followed.



	~~Open~~ door ~~and see~~ the ~~heart~~ of the Prime... ~~with 13~~ Githyanki inside! ~~Run~~ quickly to the exit, ~~having~~ underestimated them before.

	Appear in Kondii on Shang-Ti's symbol. Troop of about a score Kharash in the valley. Lots of Kharash encamped around the Kondii though!		Appear in Kondii on Shang-Ti's symbol. Troop of about a score Kharash in the valley. Lots of Kharash encamped around the Kondii though!
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	Garuk turns at the voice's exclamation and sees a Githyanki that has appeared. Launches magic missiles at him, so he knows we're here!		Garuk turns at the voice's exclamation and sees a Githyanki that has appeared. Launches magic missiles at him, so he knows we're here!



	The Gith charges at us, and I kill him but take a nasty hit. Another one comes and joins the melee though.		The Gith charges at us, and I kill him but take a nasty hit. Another one comes and joins the melee though.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T11:52:17Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:52, 24 January 2022
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	Unfortunately when we started it triggered another guardian and this was an air elemental that attacked at once. Fulgar's blows just passed through, so I went to meet it while he kept working on the steam. It used its mastery of the air to extinguish our lantern, and then ripped my halberd out of my hands! Fulgar was able to create another fire, but I had to let it keep hitting me, unable to respond, as I edged my way around to where the halberd had fallen. Thankfully the steam finally caused a reaction in the tree, causing it to suddenly grow and shoot branches into the air creature to draw it into the tree.		Unfortunately when we started it triggered another guardian and this was an air elemental that attacked at once. Fulgar's blows just passed through, so I went to meet it while he kept working on the steam. It used its mastery of the air to extinguish our lantern, and then ripped my halberd out of my hands! Fulgar was able to create another fire, but I had to let it keep hitting me, unable to respond, as I edged my way around to where the halberd had fallen. Thankfully the steam finally caused a reaction in the tree, causing it to suddenly grow and shoot branches into the air creature to draw it into the tree.

	That was a relief, but it was short lived as the tree kept growing and the growth started to close off the passage! Fulgar ran and slid through the gap with the lantern, branches slashing at him as he did so, and I grabbed my halberd and followed just in time.		That was a relief, but it was short lived as the tree kept growing and the growth started to close off the passage! Fulgar ran and slid through the gap with the lantern, branches slashing at him as he did so, and I grabbed my halberd and followed just in time. Fulgar blessed me with Shang-Ti's healing after the punishment I had taken from the elemental, but once again we had found a way to progress; I just hoped Garuk was making his own way forward. We were in a room that contained a pagoda made of ice; in the center of this was a horizontal grill about halfway up, on top of which was a stone crucible touching each of the four ice pillars of the pagoda and holding wood inside. There were iron-bound wooden chests either side of the corridor we had just entered from. The roof was domed with birds carved in relief within a blue background, like the sky. There were runestones on floor: Evil, Chaos, and Good but a Neutral runestone on the wall.

			We decided to wait to see whether Garuk would find us for a few minutes... and sure enough he appeared from the opposite side of the room not long afterwards! Fulgar was initially wary of a trick, so he asked him some questions and asked him to produce some items, but was eventually convinced that it was indeed Garuk.


	~~Fulgar blessed me with Shang-Ti's healing.~~

	We find a pagoda made of ice in central circle, in the middle was a horizontal grill halfway up, on top of which was a stone crucible touching each of the four ice pillars of the pagoda. Wood inside the crucible.

	~~Iron bound wooden chests either side of the entrance. Domed room, in relief birds and dome is blue like the sky.~~

	~~Runestones on floor - Evil, Chaos, Good but Neutral on wall.~~

	~~Wait for Garuk for a few minutes... and he appears from the opposite side of the room! Fulgar wary so ask him questions and to produce items, but eventually convinced that it is him.~~

	Open door and see the heart of the Prime... with 13 Githyanki inside! Run quickly to the exit, having underestimated them before.		Open door and see the heart of the Prime... with 13 Githyanki inside! Run quickly to the exit, having underestimated them before.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T11:41:38Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 24 January 2022
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	Garuk had created a hole in the door, but he didn't use stone to do so. This was a mistake as when he tried to climb through to join us he disappeared! There was nothing we could do about that for now, so instead we started a small fire to heat the liquid with the metal filings in it. This took a little while, but at least gave me some light to see by. Looking around we could see doors in each wall, but we were looking for the law symbol in particular, finally noticing that it was on the ceiling. Anticipating that we would have to go that way we tied ourselves together with rope and scooped a bit of the liquid up in my helmet. I climbed onto Fulgar's shoulders and splashed the liquid onto the ceiling, which opened a hole that we were sucked upwards into. We only rose so far, and then the stone began to close beneath us, forcing Fulgar to lift his legs up to avoid being trapped. As soon as it closed we were dumped onto the new floor, but we had taken another step forward.		Garuk had created a hole in the door, but he didn't use stone to do so. This was a mistake as when he tried to climb through to join us he disappeared! There was nothing we could do about that for now, so instead we started a small fire to heat the liquid with the metal filings in it. This took a little while, but at least gave me some light to see by. Looking around we could see doors in each wall, but we were looking for the law symbol in particular, finally noticing that it was on the ceiling. Anticipating that we would have to go that way we tied ourselves together with rope and scooped a bit of the liquid up in my helmet. I climbed onto Fulgar's shoulders and splashed the liquid onto the ceiling, which opened a hole that we were sucked upwards into. We only rose so far, and then the stone began to close beneath us, forcing Fulgar to lift his legs up to avoid being trapped. As soon as it closed we were dumped onto the new floor, but we had taken another step forward.

			We decided to light a lantern, despite it being a risk with fire being involved, because we needed to understand the way. We were in a twenty foot square room with corridors leading away, and could feel that the air was swirling gently clockwise around us. There were carvings of vines around each passageway and runestones by them, and a cascading canopy of leaves was above us. All of this was carved in stone but looked almost as if it were real. There was an eye inside a pyramid on the floor beneath us. We worked out what to do, needed to introduce water into air we used my pots to heat some water and let the air carry the steam onto the leaves above the passageway we needed to follow.

	~~Light a lantern because~~ we ~~need~~ to ~~understand~~ the way.~~.. 20' square room with corridors leading away~~, air ~~swirling gently clockwise~~.		Unfortunately when we started it triggered another guardian and this was an air elemental that attacked at once. Fulgar's blows just passed through, so I went to meet it while he kept working on the steam. It used its mastery of the air to extinguish our lantern, and then ripped my halberd out of my hands! Fulgar was able to create another fire, but I had to let it keep hitting me, unable to respond, as I edged my way around to where the halberd had fallen. Thankfully the steam finally caused a reaction in the tree, causing it to suddenly grow and shoot branches into the air creature to draw it into the tree.

	~~Carvings of vines around each passageway~~ and ~~runestones by them. Cascading canopy of leaves above - all carved in stone by~~ as ~~if real. Eye~~ in ~~pyramid on floor~~.		That was a relief, but it was short lived as the tree kept growing and the growth started to close off the passage! Fulgar ran and slid through the gap with the lantern, branches slashing at him as he did so, and I grabbed my halberd and followed just in time.

	~~Get smacked around by air elemental as trying to faff with steam. Lantern out halberd gone, swap to get smacked more. Then eventually steam is enough (pots) to trigger trees.~~

	~~Trees grow and become real and shoot branches into air creature, drawing it into tree and growing... which starts to close the passage!~~

	~~Need to go now! Fulgar goes first with lantern, sliding to get through the tangle of branches.~~

	Fulgar blessed me with Shang-Ti's healing.		Fulgar blessed me with Shang-Ti's healing.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T11:28:07Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 24 January 2022
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	I asked Garuk when I would get my Khopesh back, but he didn't seem to have an answer. He had been badly hurt, though, and Fulgar tended to his wounds. Thankfully the wooden creature had returned to its tube when we left the room, so we had a moment to take stock. We were expecting to have to introduce metal to water next, so we each took one of the tent pegs Garuk carried in case they became useful. Fulgar and I stepped through the archway first, although I couldn't see anything as the room was pitch black. Fulgar went ahead, seeing that there was a bowl in the centre that was cooler that the room around it. Water flowed down on us from above, then suddenly a metal sheet slammed down to seal us in and separate us from Garuk. The flow of water seemed to increase as well.		I asked Garuk when I would get my Khopesh back, but he didn't seem to have an answer. He had been badly hurt, though, and Fulgar tended to his wounds. Thankfully the wooden creature had returned to its tube when we left the room, so we had a moment to take stock. We were expecting to have to introduce metal to water next, so we each took one of the tent pegs Garuk carried in case they became useful. Fulgar and I stepped through the archway first, although I couldn't see anything as the room was pitch black. Fulgar went ahead, seeing that there was a bowl in the centre that was cooler that the room around it. Water flowed down on us from above, then suddenly a metal sheet slammed down to seal us in and separate us from Garuk. The flow of water seemed to increase as well.

	Fulgar thought that we needed to introduce metal into the bowl of water, but a peg didn't do anything. He had the idea that metal shavings might better introduce themselves to the water and I offered my whetstone to help. I couldn't find it myself in the dark, but Fulgar dug around in my pack to find it. He grated away at the peg I gave him, but as he was adding it something started to rise out of the bowl, swirling the liquid as it did so, and a strange hissing sound like rain striking a window filled our ears.		Fulgar thought that we needed to introduce metal into the bowl of water, but a peg didn't do anything. He had the idea that metal shavings might better introduce themselves to the water and I offered my whetstone to help. I couldn't find it myself in the dark, but Fulgar dug around in my pack to find it. He grated away at the peg I gave him, but as he was adding it something started to rise out of the bowl, swirling the liquid as it did so, and a strange hissing sound like rain striking a window filled our ears. The things continued to grow and began to attack Fulgar; in response he invoked the name of Shang-Ti and held aloft the gift from the fish Hengeyokai, and suddenly the liquid calmed and the creature was gone. The water stopped falling on us as well, so whatever he had done we were safe for a moment.

			Garuk had created a hole in the door, but he didn't use stone to do so. This was a mistake as when he tried to climb through to join us he disappeared! There was nothing we could do about that for now, so instead we started a small fire to heat the liquid with the metal filings in it. This took a little while, but at least gave me some light to see by. Looking around we could see doors in each wall, but we were looking for the law symbol in particular, finally noticing that it was on the ceiling. Anticipating that we would have to go that way we tied ourselves together with rope and scooped a bit of the liquid up in my helmet. I climbed onto Fulgar's shoulders and splashed the liquid onto the ceiling, which opened a hole that we were sucked upwards into. We only rose so far, and then the stone began to close beneath us, forcing Fulgar to lift his legs up to avoid being trapped. As soon as it closed we were dumped onto the new floor, but we had taken another step forward.


	~~It continues to grow and attack. Fulgar invokes Shang-Ti and holds aloft gift from the fish Hengeyokai, water calms and creature gone... also stops raining.~~

	~~Garuk had created a hole in the door but since had disappeared!~~

	~~Start a fire to heat a whetstone to then heat the iron filings to introduce to the water... which takes a while! In the light see symbology and doors... but law symbol on ceiling.~~

	~~Rope up and lift the iron water to the ceiling in my helmet, splashing it up. Hole opens up and we are sucked up into the air.~~

	~~Fulgar lifts legs up just before they are trapped and then we fall to the new floor.~~

	Light a lantern because we need to understand the way... 20' square room with corridors leading away, air swirling gently clockwise.		Light a lantern because we need to understand the way... 20' square room with corridors leading away, air swirling gently clockwise.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T11:10:40Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:10, 24 January 2022
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	That wasn't helping much either, so finally he ducked back into the last room and turned my Khopesh into a hard stone instead. Fulgar backed off to protect Garuk, so it was just me now! I cut into one and it instantly disappeared, which was great, but... my Khopesh disappeared as well! I backed off, using my shield to defend myself against the other one, until Garuk handed me a dagger that he had turned into stone. I stabbed into the other iron thing and thankfully that disappeared too. That was too close!		That wasn't helping much either, so finally he ducked back into the last room and turned my Khopesh into a hard stone instead. Fulgar backed off to protect Garuk, so it was just me now! I cut into one and it instantly disappeared, which was great, but... my Khopesh disappeared as well! I backed off, using my shield to defend myself against the other one, until Garuk handed me a dagger that he had turned into stone. I stabbed into the other iron thing and thankfully that disappeared too. That was too close!

			I asked Garuk when I would get my Khopesh back, but he didn't seem to have an answer. He had been badly hurt, though, and Fulgar tended to his wounds. Thankfully the wooden creature had returned to its tube when we left the room, so we had a moment to take stock. We were expecting to have to introduce metal to water next, so we each took one of the tent pegs Garuk carried in case they became useful. Fulgar and I stepped through the archway first, although I couldn't see anything as the room was pitch black. Fulgar went ahead, seeing that there was a bowl in the centre that was cooler that the room around it. Water flowed down on us from above, then suddenly a metal sheet slammed down to seal us in and separate us from Garuk. The flow of water seemed to increase as well.

			Fulgar thought that we needed to introduce metal into the bowl of water, but a peg didn't do anything. He had the idea that metal shavings might better introduce themselves to the water and I offered my whetstone to help. I couldn't find it myself in the dark, but Fulgar dug around in my pack to find it. He grated away at the peg I gave him, but as he was adding it something started to rise out of the bowl, swirling the liquid as it did so, and a strange hissing sound like rain striking a window filled our ears.

	~~When do I get my Khopesh back?!~~

	~~Fulgar healed Garuk as he was so badly hurt.~~

	~~Dish out tent pegs on the expectation that we will need to introduce metal to water next.~~

	~~Continue into the dark, and there is a bowl that is cooler than the room around it. Walk in with Fulgar and water flows down on us, then metal sheet separates us sealing us in. Water increases!~~

	Fulgar started seeking out my whetstone and grated my tent peg to make powdered metal into the water... but something was rising out of it as the liquid swirled around. Strange hissing sound like rain striking a window.

	It continues to grow and attack. Fulgar invokes Shang-Ti and holds aloft gift from the fish Hengeyokai, water calms and creature gone... also stops raining.		It continues to grow and attack. Fulgar invokes Shang-Ti and holds aloft gift from the fish Hengeyokai, water calms and creature gone... also stops raining.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-24T10:31:45Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:31, 24 January 2022
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	Fulgar paused to study the outline, as the wall was still solid. There was a little stone projecting out at the top with a tube that suggested something was meant to flow, but nothing was coming out. Garuk stepped up to join him and sent flames shooting at the device. This seemed to work as what looked like lava started to squirt and flow down, some of it catching Garuk in the initial burst. As it flowed the door physically split into two with a flare of light, and when the flow stopped the two sides swung open away from us. I parried the attack of the wooden creature to give the others a chance to get through the door now that there was a way through.		Fulgar paused to study the outline, as the wall was still solid. There was a little stone projecting out at the top with a tube that suggested something was meant to flow, but nothing was coming out. Garuk stepped up to join him and sent flames shooting at the device. This seemed to work as what looked like lava started to squirt and flow down, some of it catching Garuk in the initial burst. As it flowed the door physically split into two with a flare of light, and when the flow stopped the two sides swung open away from us. I parried the attack of the wooden creature to give the others a chance to get through the door now that there was a way through.

			Fulgar healed Garuk's wounds with a blessing from Shang-Ti and then they stepped through. There was an archway ahead at the end of another corridor, but it was flanked by ironclad golem-like creatures that came alive at their approach and slowly clanked forward, filling the corridor. Garuk tried throwing sand at them, but funnily enough it didn't really penetrate the iron in the way that we needed in this particular elemental challenge. Garuk was punched for his efforts, and an ironclad fist can really do some damage... he was badly hurt after taking a couple of punches, so Fulgar and I stepped up to parry and protect him whilst he worked out what to do. I did manage to block one punch, but another got through and he was injured again. He turned his fist into stone, hoping that it might help.

			That wasn't helping much either, so finally he ducked back into the last room and turned my Khopesh into a hard stone instead. Fulgar backed off to protect Garuk, so it was just me now! I cut into one and it instantly disappeared, which was great, but... my Khopesh disappeared as well! I backed off, using my shield to defend myself against the other one, until Garuk handed me a dagger that he had turned into stone. I stabbed into the other iron thing and thankfully that disappeared too. That was too close!

	~~Fulgar heals Garuk with power of Shang-Ti as I urge them to get through the door. Archway at end of another corridor. Flanked by iron golem creatures.~~

	~~Garuk tried to thow sand at them but didn't quite hit them properly. Gets punched for his effort, badly hurt.~~

	~~Garuk getting punched around. We step up to parry and protect Garuk whilst he works out what to do. Do block one punch, but another injures him again. He turned his fist into stone.~~

	~~Garuk tells us to back off but then turns my weapon into stone. The iron things stop at threshold so just me now! I hit one and it disappeared... but so did my Khopesh!~~

	~~I back off with my shield only, but Garuk handed me a dagger that he had turned into stone and I stabbed into the other iron thing and thankfully that disappeared too.~~

	When do I get my Khopesh back?!		When do I get my Khopesh back?!

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-23T15:18:06Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:18, 23 January 2022
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	We crossed into the central cave in a similar formation and the runestone on the platter glowed golden yellow without any heat. At once we felt a shift and stepped into a different place, a corridor of black basalt with shifting carvings glimpsed within. The corridor ended in a room with a glowing green tube that contained a wooden creature inside, about eight feet tall, which was the source of the light. The stone worked in the device, with Fulgar using Shang-Ti's healing power to activate it, but as he did so his life essence was sucked into it, as was Garuk's, and they were both weakened... at least the gate was now closed, or we thought it was anyway - we had faith! The stone crumbled after this, leaving the device intact but without power.		We crossed into the central cave in a similar formation and the runestone on the platter glowed golden yellow without any heat. At once we felt a shift and stepped into a different place, a corridor of black basalt with shifting carvings glimpsed within. The corridor ended in a room with a glowing green tube that contained a wooden creature inside, about eight feet tall, which was the source of the light. The stone worked in the device, with Fulgar using Shang-Ti's healing power to activate it, but as he did so his life essence was sucked into it, as was Garuk's, and they were both weakened... at least the gate was now closed, or we thought it was anyway - we had faith! The stone crumbled after this, leaving the device intact but without power.

	Both the runestone and the device were warm, having had power channeled through them, but I put it away quickly and readied my weapon. A couple of animated skeletons appeared and rushed at us, holding bucklers with flames seeming to flicker within them, and wielding swords. We tried to get past because we wanted to release the wood creature rather than fight them ourselves. Garuk was first to do so, although he was cut by a sword as he did so. I slammed my head into the other skeleton and that sent it slamming to the floor, its sword skittering away. That freed Fulgar to approach the tube. He saw runestones in walls - aspects of life and death on opposite sides. Garuk tried my approach and headbutted his attacker, but ~~unfortuately~~ that was enough to destroy it!		Both the runestone and the device were warm, having had power channeled through them, but I put it away quickly and readied my weapon. A couple of animated skeletons appeared and rushed at us, holding bucklers with flames seeming to flicker within them, and wielding swords. We tried to get past because we wanted to release the wood creature rather than fight them ourselves. Garuk was first to do so, although he was cut by a sword as he did so. I slammed my head into the other skeleton and that sent it slamming to the floor, its sword skittering away. That freed Fulgar to approach the tube. He saw runestones in walls - aspects of life and death on opposite sides. Garuk tried my approach and headbutted his attacker, but unfortunately that was enough to destroy it!

			Fulgar activated the rune on the wall, again with Shang-Ti's healing energy, and the glass tube dropped. The wooden creature was free and it immediately went for the last skeleton, pushing Garuk out of the way so hard he was physically thrown off his feet and slid back into the room. It rammed its arm into the skeleton, lifting it up, and then bone exploded everywhere leaving the creature's arm aflame. As this happened the outline of a door appeared wreathed in glowing flame, although still appearing like stone in the wall near where Garuk had landed. Fulgar shouted to us that we needed to leave and headed towards it.

			Fulgar paused to study the outline, as the wall was still solid. There was a little stone projecting out at the top with a tube that suggested something was meant to flow, but nothing was coming out. Garuk stepped up to join him and sent flames shooting at the device. This seemed to work as what looked like lava started to squirt and flow down, some of it catching Garuk in the initial burst. As it flowed the door physically split into two with a flare of light, and when the flow stopped the two sides swung open away from us. I parried the attack of the wooden creature to give the others a chance to get through the door now that there was a way through.

	~~Fulgar activates rune by "healing" it, glass tube drops and it goes for last skeleton, pushing Garuk out of the way so hard he was physically thrown off his feet out of the way.~~

	~~Rams arm into skeleton, lifting it up and bones explode everywhere, leaving creature's arm aflame.~~

	~~Outline of door appears wreathed in glowing flame like stone. Fulgar shouts to us that we need to leave.~~

	Fulgar heads towards it and studies outline. Some stone at top with a tube but nothing coming out. Garuk steps up and sends flames shooting at device above the door, squirting lava down (catching Garuk a little).

	~~Door splits in two as it falls, then it stops and doors swing open away from us. I parry the attack of the creature to give the others a chance to get through the door.~~

	Fulgar heals Garuk with power of Shang-Ti as I urge them to get through the door. Archway at end of another corridor. Flanked by iron golem creatures.		Fulgar heals Garuk with power of Shang-Ti as I urge them to get through the door. Archway at end of another corridor. Flanked by iron golem creatures.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-23T15:04:25Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 23 January 2022
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	I continued up to Fulgar with Garuk where they were able to make up despite some initial wariness. We rested for a few moments, tending our wounds, and discussed the gift and how we might close the gate now that we had the device. We quite quickly realised that it would only work if we were inside the gate when we closed it! Despite this unnerving us a little we resolved to do what we must and went back to the cave together. I retrieved a golden platter and we arranged ourselves, me with the Runestone and Garuk with the device as Fulgar entered one of the side caves to retrieve a wooden dog then made an offering of it in the right cave. As he did so he actually seemed to become even more dog-like, although we would not have thought it possible before - he had become the embodiment of Shang-Ti's dog essence and now we were ready to enter the central cave.		I continued up to Fulgar with Garuk where they were able to make up despite some initial wariness. We rested for a few moments, tending our wounds, and discussed the gift and how we might close the gate now that we had the device. We quite quickly realised that it would only work if we were inside the gate when we closed it! Despite this unnerving us a little we resolved to do what we must and went back to the cave together. I retrieved a golden platter and we arranged ourselves, me with the Runestone and Garuk with the device as Fulgar entered one of the side caves to retrieve a wooden dog then made an offering of it in the right cave. As he did so he actually seemed to become even more dog-like, although we would not have thought it possible before - he had become the embodiment of Shang-Ti's dog essence and now we were ready to enter the central cave.

	We crossed into the central cave in a similar formation and the runestone on the platter glowed golden yellow without any heat.		We crossed into the central cave in a similar formation and the runestone on the platter glowed golden yellow without any heat. At once we felt a shift and stepped into a different place, a corridor of black basalt with shifting carvings glimpsed within. The corridor ended in a room with a glowing green tube that contained a wooden creature inside, about eight feet tall, which was the source of the light. The stone worked in the device, with Fulgar using Shang-Ti's healing power to activate it, but as he did so his life essence was sucked into it, as was Garuk's, and they were both weakened... at least the gate was now closed, or we thought it was anyway - we had faith! The stone crumbled after this, leaving the device intact but without power.

			Both the runestone and the device were warm, having had power channeled through them, but I put it away quickly and readied my weapon. A couple of animated skeletons appeared and rushed at us, holding bucklers with flames seeming to flicker within them, and wielding swords. We tried to get past because we wanted to release the wood creature rather than fight them ourselves. Garuk was first to do so, although he was cut by a sword as he did so. I slammed my head into the other skeleton and that sent it slamming to the floor, its sword skittering away. That freed Fulgar to approach the tube. He saw runestones in walls - aspects of life and death on opposite sides. Garuk tried my approach and headbutted his attacker, but unfortuately that was enough to destroy it!


	Shift into a different place, a corridor of black basalt with shifting carvings glimpsed within. Corridor leading to a room with glowing green tube with wooden creature inside about 8' tall - source of the light.

	~~Fulgar's life energy sucked into device, and Garuk's as well! Stone crumbles, but the gate is closed (we think).~~

	~~Runestone and device warm. I put it away and ready my weapon. Skeletons have appeared and rush at me. Bucklers with flames and swords.~~

	~~Try to get past because want to release the wood creature. Garuk gets past but hit doing so. I slam my head into other skeleton sending it slamming to floor, sword skittering away.~~

	~~Frees Fulgar to approach the tube. He sees runestones in walls - aspects of life and death. Garuk head butted his attacker and unfortuately killed it!~~

	Fulgar activates rune by "healing" it, glass tube drops and it goes for last skeleton, pushing Garuk out of the way so hard he was physically thrown off his feet out of the way.		Fulgar activates rune by "healing" it, glass tube drops and it goes for last skeleton, pushing Garuk out of the way so hard he was physically thrown off his feet out of the way.

imported>Batu: /* Closing the Gate to Death */

2022-01-23T14:49:43Z

Closing the Gate to Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:49, 23 January 2022
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	Fulgar snarled at Garuk and ran off, heading around and back up the valley side. I managed to catch up with him just enough to tell him that Garuk had his own mind back and was no longer a threat, which made him pause. Garuk approached gingerly, placing a healing ointment down as a peace offering. I said I would get it for him, making my way back, and found Garuk looking very ashamed at his mental weakness, as he saw it. He followed me towards Fulgar, but as I walked back up an eddy formed in the snow in front of me, and I heard a voice say "well done".		Fulgar snarled at Garuk and ran off, heading around and back up the valley side. I managed to catch up with him just enough to tell him that Garuk had his own mind back and was no longer a threat, which made him pause. Garuk approached gingerly, placing a healing ointment down as a peace offering. I said I would get it for him, making my way back, and found Garuk looking very ashamed at his mental weakness, as he saw it. He followed me towards Fulgar, but as I walked back up an eddy formed in the snow in front of me, and I heard a voice say "well done".

			The world seemed to fade slightly and then there was a flashing image of a demon as if it were right before me, but it exploded in fire and a vacuum appeared that condensed into a blue stone. Then I realised that the stone was real as it fell into the snow and started to melt the stone around it. I picked it up carefully as it was clearly hot, but it was cooling rapidly. I showed it to Garuk... perhaps the Gods had given us a way to close the gate? At any rate a gift from the Gods was valuable and I put it away to keep it safe.

			I continued up to Fulgar with Garuk where they were able to make up despite some initial wariness. We rested for a few moments, tending our wounds, and discussed the gift and how we might close the gate now that we had the device. We quite quickly realised that it would only work if we were inside the gate when we closed it! Despite this unnerving us a little we resolved to do what we must and went back to the cave together. I retrieved a golden platter and we arranged ourselves, me with the Runestone and Garuk with the device as Fulgar entered one of the side caves to retrieve a wooden dog then made an offering of it in the right cave. As he did so he actually seemed to become even more dog-like, although we would not have thought it possible before - he had become the embodiment of Shang-Ti's dog essence and now we were ready to enter the central cave.

	~~There was a flashing image of~~ the ~~demon~~ in ~~my vision exploding in fire~~ and ~~a vacuum appeared that condensed into a blue stone, melting~~ the ~~stone around it~~.		We crossed into the central cave in a similar formation and the runestone on the platter glowed golden yellow without any heat.

	~~I picked it up gingerly, hot but cooling. Show it to Garuk - possibly a way to close the gate? A gift from the Gods and keep it safe.~~

	~~Take Garuk back to Fulgar where they make up, although wary.~~

	~~Rest and heal. Discuss closing the gate. Have to be inside for it to work! Go to cave together, me with Runestone and Garuk with device. Fulgar gets wooden dog and offers it, becoming more dog-like!~~

	~~Cross into central cave, runestone on platter - glows golden yellow but without heat.~~

	Shift into a different place, a corridor of black basalt with shifting carvings glimpsed within. Corridor leading to a room with glowing green tube with wooden creature inside about 8' tall - source of the light.		Shift into a different place, a corridor of black basalt with shifting carvings glimpsed within. Corridor leading to a room with glowing green tube with wooden creature inside about 8' tall - source of the light.