RQG B2 Keystone's Key Stone

## Content Warnings

Temporary paralysis inc. manhandling, Mentions: spiders, sexual comments, animal attack, physical violence/combat

## Summary

Bertie, Tjelvar, and Eddie set out to find Hannibal's tomb.

## Synopsis

The episode begins with Tjelvar desperately trying to salvage his papers while the stranger argues with his companion about having the fight under control without the magical interference. The cleric ignores him and requests they move the barbarian and Bertie away from each other as the spell is about to wear off. The bartender moves the barbarian outside and the shiny stranger starts to drag Bertie out as well. Tjelvar tries to call him off, but he only stops when the barman returns and bars the door, locking the barbarian out and everyone else in. The man gives in and leaves Bertie on the floor, disarming him and calling the job done.

Both Bertie and Tjelvar feel that this stranger seems familiar, but neither can place him even though Tjelvar noticed that he wears a familiar necklace.

The stranger clumsily tries to help Tjelvar with his papers, but is immediately warned off and ends up sitting too close and watching instead. Bertie regains control of his body and goes for his weapons, getting a beer and a warning from the bartender in the process. The stranger returns to the argument with the cleric, Friedrich, claiming he had it under control.

Bertie decides he's done with the strangers and wants to go back to chatting about his quest, but the stranger butts in and Bertie realizes he's too pretty to chase off, even if he is annoying. Flirts his way to an introduction and explains that he and Tjelvar are working on an "epic quest"; the stranger is oblivious to the flirting, but does recognize Bertie and is instantly latched on to the idea of an epic quest, turns to Friedrich and begs to be allowed to join. Friedrich tries to insist that they are on a sacred pilgrimage, but with Bertie's goading, he won't be swayed. They all properly introduce themselves: Friedrich is a priest of the Cult of Apollo, and the he and the stranger, a paladin of Apollo named Edward Keystone, are on their way to Italy on a sacred pilgrimage. Bertie and Tjelvar learn that Ed is one of the younger sons of the current Duke of York through inspecting the amulet around his neck. He seems to have a fractious relationship with his family based on how he asks Tjelvar not to mention 'York' and seems irritated when Friedrich brings them up. However, the amulet itself also has a clue on it - Tjelvar recognises the symbol on the amulet, which corresponds with a symbol in his notes, and he realises that they should be able to find Hannibal's tomb now.

Friedrich tries to pull Ed away; he's no longer interested in going to Italy, however, and after a moment of debate, Friedrich decides to allow Ed to continue on with Bertie and Tjelvar to the Tomb of Hannibal, saying that they can continue upon their pilgrimage once he has returned. The party created, they decide to wait until the following morning to set out on their quest to discover Hannibal's tomb. They share a few drinks and retire to their rooms for the night.

The next morning, they stock up on essentials for the journey: Ed has cold weather gear, a backpack, a bedroll, belt pouch, mess kit, soap, trail rations, a waterskin, a tent, flint and steel, iron pots, rope and torches. Tjelvar has a masterwork survival kit, a barbarian kit, reinforced scarf, a cold weather outfit, an iron torch, and rope. Bertie has an adventuring kit and cold weather gear. They also purchase an alpine survival kit. They spend a few moments discussing the journey ahead; Tjelvar says that while they shouldn't have too much trouble looking for the tomb, they may face some issues when trying to get into the tomb. It may be protected by magic that they don't know anything about, so they'll need to be cautious when trying to enter. He doesn't think that the magic will be evil; unlike the Romans, Hannibal took a step back and didn't become corrupted with magic.

They start off, moving deeper into the Alps on the hunt for Hannibal's tomb on horseback. They ride high into the mountains, along a nice little river valley. The higher they get, the more cold it becomes; the horses are a bit of a shield for the cold, but not for long. It takes them about half a day before they get to a turning point that Tjelvar recognises; the snow has gotten deeper, and it's even colder up there. They hit a point where they will no longer be able to continue with the horses due to the snow and the cold, and Edward turns to send his horse back down the mountain. Bertie stops the horse, and reminds Edward that they don't want to lose the horses, and that they need to return them safely to a nearby farmstead. They take a quick detour to leave the horses in the stable, and then return, slightly more tired than before.

The snow here is incredibly deep, and they are still having to maneuver their way through a forest; they're making their way steadily upward, and continue marching for a few more hours. Tjelvar consults his map again to ensure that they're still on the correct path, and figures out where they will need to go next. They'll have a bit of a hike before needing to climb down a ravine, so he suggests they walk until the evening and then tackle the ravine once they've had a good night's sleep. They all agree, and head off once more, heading toward the east through another foresty area. As they travel, Tjelvar picks up some kindling and other items that will help with starting a fire, and straps it to his backpack. Bertie, seeing this, does the same, and even Ed follows suit.

This sorted, they continue walking, when Tjelvar notices something stirring in the trees above them, and its been following them. He points this out to the other two, who immediately become more serious, and Tjelvar points out where he saw it last. Ed tries to detect evil on it, but doesn't detect anything, and relaxes, assuming it's fine. Still, he draws a weapon after Bertie does, and they all prepare for a fight. Suddenly, from the trees, a large snow leopard attacks, landing right on Bertie, and the party enters combat.

## Quotes

"You are a source of irritation…with lovely eyes. Eyes a man could drown in if he were foolish enough to think he could swim in eyes. Cheekbones a man could juice a lemon on, little shell-like ears, if one wanted to stick one’s tongue in a shell for some reason. Skin like honey, in in the sense that I would put it all in a jar."
―**Bertie, to Ed**

**Bertie**: "There will be scenes of peril and adversity. I imagine that there will be a lot of occasions when we’re out on a blasted, exposed hillside and forced to cuddle together for warmth."
**Edward**: "Against evil!"
**Bertie**: "Yes, yes, cold is naughty."
―Bertie flirts with Ed, who is oblivious.

"What are you the paladin of, being irritating?"
―**Tjelvar, to Ed**
## Dice Rolls and Mechanics

Ed makes a strength check: 20

Bertie and Tjelvar make a knowledge nobility check on Eddie: Bertie gets 11, Tjelvar gets 13

Bertie makes a will save on himself to not be attracted to Ed: 5

Eddie makes a knowledge nobility check on Bertie: 18

Bertie makes a knowledge nobility check on Eddie: 16

Tjelvar makes an appraise check on Eddie's amulet: 24

Bertie and Tjelvar make a knowledge history check: Bertie gets 13, Tjelvar gets 23

Edward makes a strength check to tear open the bird cage: 19

Everyone makes a fort save against the cold: Bertie gets 26, Tjelvar gets nat 20, Ed gets 19

Bertie makes a handle animal check to stop the horse from leaving: 23

Ed makes a sense motive check: roll is not said, but he failed

Everyone makes a fort save against the cold: Bertie gets nat 20, the other two rolls aren't said

Tjelvar makes a survival check: 9

Everyone makes a fort save against the cold: Bertie gets 16, Tjelvar gets 19, Ed gets 23

Everyone makes another fort save against the cold: Bertie gets 27, Tjelvar gets 16, Ed gets 17

Everyone makes a perception check: Bertie gets 4, Tjelvar gets 26, Ed gets 1

Ed casts Detect Evil

## Combat Breakdown

Initiative order: Bertie gets 12, Tjelvar gets 13, Ed gets 10

A snow leopard leaps down from the trees, landing on Bertie, but misses on all its attacks. It knocks Bertie to the ground.