The Bible Belt (Episode 1)

**The Bible Belt (Episode 1)** is the first episode from Group Two of The Spectral Index side series.

## The Bible Belt (Episode 1)

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Darrin introduces himself, mention Group One and that they're ready to have some fun and mess around!
* Darrin introduces the second group of his three special guests from the TTRPG Twitter community taking part in this side story who can all be found on twitter
	+ **@D8Dungeon** **(Declan)** the dm from "Romancing The Dungeon", playing as **Sister Agnes Hellwig** - Dwarf, Life Domain Cleric
	+ **@DndTravellog** **(Steven)** one of the dms from "The Travel Log", playing as **Cookie Conrad** - Yuan-ti, Battle Smith Artificer
	+ **@DnDingbats** **(Grace)** the dm from "Dungeons & Dingbats", playing as **Billie "Bones" Barraquette** - Emerald Dragonborn, Swashbuckler Rogue

### **Show**

The setting began in the city of Turmish as the sun started to set, with the heat getting to the people walking the streets. The view panned towards a large ship in the dock, *Boaty McBoatface*, almost a staple and mainstay at this point, where a line had gathered to drop off novels for Sister Agnes Hellwig's erotic bookstore. Inside the store, Agnes was bartering with a customer trying to get two gold pieces for the erotic novella he had written. Cookie piped up on the unfinished nature of it, and the customer admitted it wasn't his best work, how he was having troubles in their household and tried for one gold piece. Agnes who bluntly told him how she had responsibilities due to being part of the clergy, told him to leave her store and bring something good, and finished by chucking the manuscript across the counter, resting her boots on the counter and went nose deep back in her book, the latest in the series "Thrust in the Light". The customer left as Bones walked down the stairs asking if anything good had been brought in. Agnes replied nothing at all before reaching into her *Bag of Holding* for some bonbons and horsed them down. Bones commented they needed something good as it had been pretty unsuccessful the past couple of weeks. Agnes shifted in her stool a little antsy as Cookie replied his desire to get out in the world and do some good as it had been some time, and how they'd been coasting on the last one a bit too long.

A tall, well dressed, white haired man soon came in enquiring if they were the Bible Belts, and cookie replied he assumed correctly. Bones enquired who was asking, and the man introduced himself as Klo and had a job for them if they wanted. He looked to Agnes mentioning it involved a very good book getting her attention. Klo further stated that he needed them to retrieve something if interested, and that they would be paid and could even keep the item, but he needed it to be done promptly. He continued on offering he could even pay up front, but needed to know if they were interested before giving any more details. Bones approached and mentioned their interest to know what he would offer in return as she patted him down checking for any weapons or gold he carried with him unaware, and found he was unarmed, but did have a very large coin pouch. Klo stated he could offer 300 gold pieces up front and a further 2000 gold pieces and the book when they returned. Bones replied the offer would depend on the danger of the task. Klo replied back that it might not be, but also could be. He continued to mention it wasn't entirely risky, but a bit of a hassle. With a good insight check Agnes could tell that he wasn't lying, but that he wasn't being 100% honest either, and was probably being honest about the lack of risk and had dumbed down the term hassle. Agnes closed her book. removed her boots from the counter, hopped off her stool while eyeing his coin pouch and approached him making direct eye contact, promptly asking what was in the book.

Klo told them the book was called *The Spectral Index* and is every book ever written. Cookie seemed confused as to how big the book would be and how they would even transport it before Klo informed him it was magical in nature. He continued his description that the index granted access to any written piece of literature, in any plane of existence. Agnes told Klo she needed to discuss the offer with the others, and Klo offered to give them privacy to do os promptly going outside and shutting the door. They discussed and were pretty happy with not only the money, but the possibility of the book giving access to literary masterpieces and the possibility of using it to earn more coin by taking the index on a tour and letting others read from it. Agnes also did bring up the confusion in why he'd offer them money and the book and that there might be more to it. They did admit they were pretty much in at this point, but also wanted to make sure that the book wasn't in the nature of harming others. They called Klo back inside and asked why he offered this to them, and also why he wanted the book and was willing to give it away. Klo replied that when he sees the book he can use it for the purpose he needs, and would be theirs if they wished. Bones asked what he needed it for, and he replied that he wished to how he would die. Cookie stated that it might be presumptuous to believe his death had been written, but Klo replied everything was written somewhere, implying the gods at work and that the conversation they were having might also be written.

Bones used her *Psionic Mind* ability to telepathically ask Cookie to see if they were in, and that they seemed to have nothing evil planned, and Cookie replied they were in. Bones then checked with Agnes in the same manner, who replied they were in likewise, and that all he wanted was to see how he died, but also slipped by mentioning out loud *"Anything would kill this guy"* to Klo's confusion. They tried to cover the mistake by claiming it to be a common word play of Cookie from their ranching ways, and Klo seemingly accepted this before checking to see if they were in. Bones replied they were and would just need a few days to get a crew to set sail. Klo responded quickly back there was no need as they wouldn't be need their boat, just his. He finished by telling them to come when they were ready, mentioning that his boat was three docks down, put the 300 gold pieces on the counter, told them his ship was called the *Misty*, that he would give them about a day before he left and left their store. They discussed the idea of taking his ship if things went bad, and that they already had the 300 gold pieces anyway, but decided they could probably do the task and discussed any preparations they needed to do. Bones suggested passing by the boat and then decide what they need, and on agreement, they locked up the bookstore and made their way down the dock.

They found the *Misty* in the spot they were told, and noted it to be unlike any regular ship they had seen, with it's lack of sails, a very angular and metallic hull and quite small. They commented on the unusual nature of the boat, with Cookie bringing up his mechanical snake Sarsaparilla but still never saw anything like it. Bones noted they were probably not sailing any sea. They decided that they probably already had everything they needed, and instead hit up their regular drinking haunt *The Drunken Lantern* for any information they could get on Klo. The halfling barkeep Oswald greeted them happily asking if they wanted their usual drinks. After receiving a positive response he started to pour their drinks, and asked what they were up to or found anything good. Agnes reminded him that he was not to talk to her as he was married, before answering they were on a job. Oswald enquired what the job was about and if it was better then their last one. Agnes replied reminding him that it wasn't them and that he was paid to spread the word that it was those 'bean fellows' and had nothing to do with them. Cookie mentioned about the fellow with the metal boat, and Oswald acknowledged him referring to him as the weird guy and mentioned that Klo had been in a couple hours ago asking about good people who could be asked for a job, and that Oswald recommended them. Bones commented he seemed weird to them, which Oswald agreed with, but also seemed honest and paid up front, which Oswald demonstrated pulling a bag of 75 gold pieces he had been paid. He also commented on his weird boat, and that it didn't even seem like it should be able float. Bones sidled up to another patron, a sailor named Grave that they had interacted with, and after a discussion on harpoon injuries asked if he knew anything about Klo. Grave replied that it was a crazy ship, and that he saw it came in, not from the water, but instead from the sky. Bones quickly informed Grave about their job and asked if he could watch over their ship and the shop. Grave agreed and told them he hoped they don't die. Bones replied back if they don't die, they would pay his bar tab for the time he's gone to the other's agreement.

They proceeded to have a shot, with Agnes having a soda instead, before they left and headed to the *Misty*. On arriving at the ship they were greeted by Klo who was happy that they didn't take too much time and let them aboard. Klo recommended they hold on to something, giving them a few seconds to do so, before the *Misty* started to take off into the sky. Looking out they saw a purple sphere that opened up in the sky, and afterwards all they could see was purple and green trails of colours and sparkles of lights of the endless expanse around them. Klo informed them they were now in the Astral Sea, and wasn't in the material plane, before giving more details of the task. Klo wanted them to go to retrieve the *Astral Index* from within the Astral Spire which was on the skull of a dead God floating around in space. The *Misty* continued making it's way through the Astral Sea as a small dot came into sight, slowly becoming bigger and bigger till it was larger then ship itself as the large, jagged spire, a couple hundred feet tall, atop the skull came into distance. Klo announced that he needed them to go in there, pointing to the spire. Cookie asked why he didn't go in himself if he knew where it was, and Klo replied as before that he wasn't a fan of the hassle. They all made their preparation as the ship descended, checking they had everything on them, and Cookie placing his *Cloak Of Protection* on an and called on Sarsaparilla, until the ship came to a stop on a portion of the skull where the spire isn't. The dome of the ship removed itself from the ship and the plank came out as Klo informed them he would wait there till they returned. Klo pulled out a lawn chair and started to relax as Bones asked if there was any way to contact him if they needed any information as he seemed to know about the place. He replied that if he needed to he had ways to, but he had no doubt that the Bible Belts could handle the job and no contact would be necessary. Bones used her *Psionic Mind* ability to telepathically tell him that she could contact him while down there, and asked if he could answer. He replied back if he must then he would, but asked to not be bored with questions.

Cookie jumped onto the skull noting that he seemed to be slowed a little and that the bone under his feet having a little spring to it. Agnes and Bones soon made their way down, joined Cookie and made their way to the spire. They were soon greeted by 30 feet stone doors cracked open enough for them to make go inside, and peering in see a roughly 30 feet long round hallway with an archway at the end. They noted that it was definitely made by someone, possibly by a wizard as they do like their towers, but also noted there wasn't a lot of people around either. Bones attempted to find any symbols and didn't appear to find anything, but also noticed that the inside was very symmetrical to a near disturbing degree. Cookie sent Sarsaparilla to have a look, and about halfway in the section of the hallway she was in did a full 360 rotation, but she passed through unfazed. Another 10 feet or so and the same happened with her making it through again, before returning to the entrance and back to Cookie. They discussed the idea of jumping over the portions and evading the rotation effect. Bones attempting to test the idea, and successfully found jumping over the area prevented the rotating from occurring. Cookie attempted the same, but fell short landing on the spot triggering the trap and was spun the full 360 rotation ending on his back. Bones helped him to his feet so he was on the safe side just before Agnes cast *Guidance* on herself and successfully made it through with no issue. For the second one Bones and Cookie managed to lift and throw Agnes to the other side in front of the archway. As they checked to see if she was ok Agnes stood, dusted herself off and made it clear to the others that this was to not be spoken of again, and the two agreed before the made their way to the other side.

Safely on the other side they looked through the archway and saw it lead to a 10 feet x 10 feet room with a door that had three handles, one on top, one in the middle and one near the bottom. Cookie took a step in, and with nothing happening, turned the bottom handle, and the door opened just a little, instantly revealing the sound of concussive noises on the other side of multiple things breaking the sound barrier at once. Cookie shut the door immediately after. Bones then suggested they open all three doors at once, so she as the tallest took the one on top, Cookie took the middle and Agnes took the bottom one. After a few attempts, they managed to do it simultaneously turn the handles revealing the other end of the room. Cookie once again placed Sarsaparilla on the ground and let her go first, but she returned straight away. Thinking that they opened it wrong, they closed the door once again. Agnes this time opened the middle one, revealing another room about 20 feet across, 20 feet wide with an archway in the corner, with tiles on the ground flaming fist etched on to them. Deciding to check the last handle, they closed the door again, and with Bones opening the top handle, find a hallway with four x four metal panels bolted down the walls of the hallway, and the ceiling, going 30 feet down leading to another archway with candlelight.

Cookie sent Sarsaparilla in, only for her to be lifted up to the ceiling. Realizing magnetism was involved, Bones put on her *Hat of Vermin*, summoned a and sent it through the hallway with no difficulty. Cookie being half snake licked his lips and Bones admonished him. Figuring that they needed to remove any metal on them, they attempted to do so. Cookie quickly threw a lasso up around Sarsaparilla and with help from Bones, pulled her down safely and she immediately left to the previous room. Cookie tried suggesting everyone put their metal items in his *Bag of Holding*, but couldn't be done as Bones has metal within her. Bones attempted to do like a trust fall with her backpack on in case she was pulled up so she would be on her hands and knees, but instead felt the pulling from the sides and ceiling and was pulled five feet from the ground only. Still in reach of her Cookie pushed against Bones slightly causing her to move slowly across the room. Cookie then placed all his metal items in his *Bag of Holding* and attempted the same as Bones, but fell with his face on the floor. Noticing he felt no pull at all, Cookie stood up and walked across the hallway instead. Agnes attempted to crawl on the floor and prayed to whatever God the skull formally was, but like Bones felt that pull and was lifted 10 feet upwards with her body completely taut and rotating. Cookie lassoed her and tugged her along slowly. As Bones and Agnes slowly in turn reached the other side, the magnetism wore off as Bones were released.

As they looked into the new archway, a massive chandelier hanging about slowly swings from the ceiling above the 40 feet radius round cylinder with stairs that circled round the outside of it at least 120 feet up. Bones sent her rat up the stairs, and at the quarter point the sound of the stairs smoothed out as the rat slid back down to them. Noting that it was a specific step that triggered it, Cookie went up the stairs and jumped over the step. Finding nothing happened Cookie called the others to join them. Continuing up the stairs Cookie heard a click sound as a nozzle came out of the wall bursting flame barely avoiding Cookie for leaving. Under Bones suggestion Cookie looked at the step he stood on and noted it was etched differently compared to the others. When the others reached up to Cookie they continued up the stairs, actively kept an eye out for these different etched steps, till they reached the point of the swinging chandelier, noting it was strange that it swung with no wind. They continue going higher up the stairs, still keeping an eye out for traps, till they reached the top, with a 15 feet top landing with the doorway that sat over the big cylindrical room. The chain of the chandelier in range, but on seeing it, notice the chain was not made of metal, but of a very soft tissue like skin. On closer look Agnes could tell it was a very gooey and moist substance. Bones pulled out her rapier attempting to cut a piece, and the moment she stabbed a weird noise cried out. The chain from the bottom started to climb up as the chandelier came over the top with it's giant set of teeth bared.

Roll for Initiative **as that is where we leave Episode 1!**

1. ↑ See "The Bad Bean Boys (Episode 1)" at 1:06:59 - 1:14:42. The results left from The Bad Bean Boys attempts to get through.