Leaving Mirthful to his reading, the others move off to explore the buried library. The Skald, Fifteen, and Chisaiko wander through the rows, searching for any interesting or useful tomes. Most of the books and scrolls that once populated these shelves are now little more than piles of dust, still lying undisturbed by even the faintest breeze. Nonetheless, a few items still remain here and there, likely preserved by magical means. Most are writt in some long-dead language or else in an archaic, though decipherable, dialect of the modern tongue. Even these are of no particular worth - most are plans for buildings that doubtlessly fell centuries ago, or genealogies filled with foreign and unfamiliar names.
The Skald, however, comes upon something else of interest. A small wooden chest tucked away under a low shelf, invisible until his toe finds it with a painful
thump. He pulls the heavy oak chest out from beneath the shelf and inspeects its iron lock and hinges. An almost imperceptible magical field emanates from it - Likely preservation spells, but he's heard of traps found in places like this. In any case, the chest is locked - he will need either a key, a Cant, or a good deal of force to get it open.
---
Dustan and Aegis, meanwhile, head for the southern stairs. As they leave Mirthful behind, the old man begins his mutterings again. "Three warlocks...the key...the chains...the name...and fire? What in the high heavens is 'fire'?"
The stairs are well-made, flat and even, but dark. The stone walls are bare, devoid of the hooks that in modern buildings would hold bundles of moss by which to see. Evidently, patrons of this library were meant to bring their own light.
Dustan, acting in stark contrast to this concept, stuffs his moss into his mouth. The plant itself tastes rather like eating grass, but when chewed it releases a sweet-tasting fluid that leaves his tongue tingling and his mouth glowing.
Now guided only by Aegis' moss, they tread on. Two dozen steps or so later they arrive into a wide, dust-covered landing. The magical fields they had felt earlier are stronger now, sourced from something in this area. Dustan and Aegis pause for a moment to survey the landing.
It is unusually wide, about fifteen paces to a side. To the right of the stairway from which they entered, another flight leads deeper into the earth. The left and far walls are occupied by more dusty bookshelves, and the occasional bone or human skull adorns the floor. What's more unusual is the spectres - transparent outlines of books and tomes that fill the shelves and rest in stacks on the floor. They glow ever so faintly, just enough that the room outside Aegis's circle of moss-light can be seen.
(1d10 + agility)
Dustan: 6 + 3
Aegis: 3 + 1
A twitch of movement in the corner catches Dustan's eye. Flanking the stairway, lurking in the shadows, are the transparent forms of two large dogs. Nearly invisible and almost perfectly still, their eyes are focused on the two warlocks. Had he taken three steps forward Dustan would be standing directly between them. Perhaps that is what they're waiting for.
"Name":
"The Skald"
Description:
A tall, blonde-haired man, clad in a motley colored cloak.
Stats:
HP: 20/20
Defence(Resilience + 1/2 of agility): 6
Strength: 1
Agility: 2
Will: 2
Resilience: 5
Inventory
1x Bundle of Moss: Provides dim radial light
Cants:
Steam
"Name": Dustan. no, that is not his true name.
Description: A young man, barely of age with light brown hair and a loose fitting wool tunic. he seems adventurous, but more than a little headstrong.
Stats:
HP: 20/20
Defence: 4
Strength: 3
Agility: 3
Will: 1
Resilience: 3
Inventory
Cants:
Mend
"Name": Fifteen
Description: Average build and height with charcoal-coloured hair and eyes. Wears a leather vest over a linen tunic, along with a cloth cloak to shield himself from the elements.
Stats:
HP: 20/20
Defence: 5
Strength: 1
Agility: 4
Will: 2
Resilience: 3
Inventory:
1x Bundle of Moss: Provides dim radial light
Cants:
Crack
"Name": Aegis
Description: A sturdy looking female with short black hair and brown eyes. Wears light leather armour.
Stats:
HP: 20/20
Defence: 6
Strength: 3
Agility: 1
Will: 0
Resilience: 6
Inventory:
1x Bundle of Moss: Provides dim radial light
Leather armour: -1 damage taken from attacks. Negated by piercing strikes.
Cants:
Pull
"Name": Chīsaiko
Description: Small girl with short green hair and sapphire eyes. Wears woven clothes she made herself from nature.
Stats:
HP: 20/20
Defence: 5
Strength: 0
Agility: 5
Will: 2
Resilience: 3
Inventory:
1x Bundle of Moss: Provides dim radial light
Cants:
Mend
Author
Topic: Fireless: 5/5 (Read 10057 times)