Tombs of Scoria: Episode 04

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== Synopsis ==
The McGary Brothers enter the castle to discuss their recent exploits and future quests with Queen Wikk, Clertus, and Janice. They recount cleansing a town of kobolds and acquiring some items before Clertus shares leads on obtaining more valuable items. These leads include confronting a vampire named Cassandra in Draken Ridge, negotiating with the Prince of Kronwikk, and retrieving items from the tomb of the cleric Hekaa. The brothers decide to investigate the tomb of Babylon again, encountering various traps and magical obstacles. They retrieve numerous magical items and return to their city, where Imrik seeks to learn new spells from his mentor. They later visit another crypt and undergo trials to access the relics of cleric Hekaa, preparing for their ultimate goal of defeating the dragon Scoria.
==Recap==
=== July 13th 1511 ===
As per usual, the McGary Brothers go through the secret sally port through the dungeons and into the secret room. They talk with the Queen Wikk, Clertus, and Janice (Cleric of Martha). Anton waves the wine away in though of Imrik. They talk about how they cleansed the town of kobolds and got some of the items. Clertus explains that he has a few leads:
One of these leads is about the vampire Cassandra who had been freed from a prison, she has made her home in the Draken Ridge, and she has been harassing the halflings of the Riverlands. Cassandra should have the following items she has taken from the halflings, a bag of holding, potion of sweet water, a short sword ogre slaying, five healing potions, moderately magic chain mail, magic rope, and the greatest treasure, a ring of regeneration.
Tyrael asks for something that perhaps is more run of the mill. Clertus says that he has two leads for that.
First one is the Prince of Kronwikk, he should have a ring of protection from fire, a ring of protection from petrification, a cloak of protection, a magic dagger +2. He should be holding a ball in three weeks' time, the royal has been invited, the Queen isn't going, but she would be happy to send representatives on her behalf, they aren't the expected but they wouldn't be denied. Traveling to Kronwikk should be eight days of travel. Tyrael isn't comfortable with stealing from a living person, they could either barter or pull a favor. The Prince of Kronwikk is an adult man, he has a few mistresses openly and privately.
The second one, in the capital, lies a tomb of a cleric of Martha, Hekaa. When Janice and the other clerics built the tomb, they built it in mind with the fact the items might be needed again. They were instructed to make trials if those who would come after them would be worthy. Physical, mental, and spiritual challenges. The items here should be, a holy mace (not a blessed mace), potions of healing, scrolls of various protection and dispels, a few potions, and a medallion of ESP.
There is also the tomb in the mountains, the tomb of Babylon. Opens in two days on the full moon. The family talks about bringing food inside the tomb in case they get locked inside for a month.
After leaving the Royal Castle, the McGary siblings tell their servants that they are going to hunt at the mountain like last time.
Later that day while Imrik is finding the right wine, Anton befriends a mouse. This mouse is called Tennes, Anton per the spell Animal Friendship become friends.
Tyrael and Imrik talk a bit about Anton's new friend and the tomb of Babylon.
=== July 14th 1511 ===
On their way to the mountain Wikk Lamdo, the party comes across a traveling dwarven jewel merchant selling his wares out of his wagon on the side of the road. The merchant's name is Faust and is selling, jewels. Faust says the pearls are from Ethos and are half price due to oversupply. Imrik says pearls are the material component for the spell . Imrik buys a pearl, with Tyreal spending 25 platinum coins on it (1 platinum coin = 2 gold coin).
The brothers keep traveling in their carriage to the mountain. They find the same spot as last time and wait for the next day. While waiting they chat. Sitting and chatting, a hunter comes asking if they saw a wounded goat, saying no the hunter stalks away.
The brothers set up camp, and light the pink candle. Before sleeping, Imrik burns 2 s spells to free up spell slots.
=== July 15th 1511 ===
Early dawn before the sun rises, Imrik casts . A thin crack of light appears around the door. The day passes uneventfully.
When the moonlight touches the stone the door appears like last time.
Anton puts away the wraith from the pink candle and gives it back to Imrik. They walk down the stairs like last time, they close the door behind them. And leave the pink candle with the wraith behind them as precautionary measures. They proceed through the rooms, left like last time, dead undead bugbears, dead intruders. They go around looking for hidden doors, Imrik casts , but finds nothing. He tries again and finds a hidden door, however, it's closed, they talk and it might open by moonlight, the problem is that moonlight might never touch it. Anton casts and sleeps for an hour and readies his spells after Tyrael and Imrik have piled all the odd ends of items. After Anton wakes up he casts and finds none of the items are magical. The family then try using different magic items to open the door to result. They blow out the candles and with the two lights next to the door and the other two blow out the opposite, the previously outlined door per , appears. Tyrael opens the door, the passage continues for 15 ft, into a hard right, a grey magical fog stops, making it so the can't see further than 5 ft. Tyrael enters the cloud, tapping the area in front of him with his sword. Anton follows five feet behind him, and Imrik stays at the edge cloud. Going through the fog, a bolt hits Imrik in the back. After this trap, it splits into two, the one too the right is trapped with spike, dead-end, and so Tyrael proceeded forwards, staying low to the ground crawling. Another crossbow trap and they find themselves outside of the fog cloud. They find themselves in a chamber with two exists into two rooms, top with bookshelves with candles, bottom room with bookshelves with scrolls, there's also statues with women dressed in armor and weapons, also stone. Anton casts and besides these already magical items, the statues also appear magical, a stone appears magical, Anton pivots the stone, nothing happens. Tyrael moves into the top room and takes a candle. 48 and a half candle. They flip the stone for the bottom room and take 18 scrolls. They leave the statues alone, Imrik takes the four ever-burning candles used two open the hidden door. and leave Babylons tomb. The brothers rest outside the tomb with no issue.
=== July 16th 1511 ===
After talking with the servants about their "failed hunting trip", the brothers take their carriage back to Wikkthronrarenta. During the travel back, Imrik casts . The scrolls are; three protection from paralyzation, four dispel magic, two wizard eyes, two protection from gas, one wall of stone, one flesh to stone, five other undecipherable scrolls.
=== July 17th 1511 ===
When back in the capital, Imrik goes to speak with his old magical instructor, Divan, about learning some spells. Divan tells Imrik to send a servant in a week's time with 200 gold for the spell .
=== July 18th 1511 ===
The McGary Brothers leave to speak with the grave keeper, Ladia, Cleric of Felumbra. They chat about the details of the crypt. They bid her farewell. She opens the door for them, a simple room 10x10, two exits on the left and right side. In the very center of the room, there's a circular corinthian styled pedestal, with the words "speak the reason for your visit". Tyrael says "We are here to protect the lands from the evil dragon known as Scoria." nothing happens, he continues "For us to defeat this dragon, we require the items this cleric was buried with" nothing happens, Anton says "defend.". Tyrael tries again "We require the items Hekaa was buried with to protect the lands." And with that, the door on the left opens.
Beyond the door is a room 10 ft wide 20 ft deep. On the wall directly opposite of them a heavy wooden door banded with metal, the room is magically lit. On their left, there are symbols of the big six gods. Under each symbol, there are two cubbies under. And a lady in the middle of the room tells them they passed the trail of honor, now they must pass the trial of faith, and then she fades away. There are 12 scrolls on the ground.
Astair
* Scoria has ruled for generations. Like it or not, her word is law and she is to be obeyed.
* The mighty beast has subverted the natural rule of people and must be brought down. It is for you to kill her.
Malkis
* My darling has created a forge in which people are tested. The weak die out, the strong are tempered into greatness.
* Scoria has long past her served her purpose. Her rule stifles creation and dulls the world.
Martha
* Scoria is among the oldest and greatest alive. There is much to learn from her if only you can find a way.
* My beloved child has murdered countless lives. Though it grieves me to say, she must be stopped.
Nadinis
* Your place in this world is that of the human. It is not for you to meddle in the affairs of dragons.
* The devastation Scoria leaves in her wake is unbearable. No greater crime exists today.
Tempos
* For hundreds of years people like you have desired an end to Scoria, and for hundreds of years, they have been disappointed. How are you different?
* All things serve many purposes. One of her many is to die at your hands.
Voraci
* Let the great wyrm guide you. Do not fight her, join her. Learn from her. Follow in her footsteps.
* Your empire will be founded upon your actions. For your greatness to germinate. Scoria must be destroyed.
And after slotting all the scrolls into the correct slots, the door opens.
Recap done by Odysseus
== In Retrospect ==
A two in one episode of puzzling provides the brothers a great boon of magical consumables in the first part, wich would be essencial to their advantures. The second part is likely the best puzzle Neal created due to its dual nature of specificly challanging both characters and players equaly. Additionally this works greatly to give viewers old and new insight into Neals panteon. One wonders on whether or not the statements were subtle hints to the players on potencial pathways the brothers could take and on how to gain the different mayor gods favours. 5/5 certified banger
== Experience ==
No experience handed out this episode.
Category:Tombs of Scoria Episodes