Chapter One: Stranger Things Have Happened

[phaedrusxy]

Urglmek says "He... tasted it?" incredulously, then mutters "The crazy must be contagious around here..." He puts on his monocle and leans over to examine the rock... or whatever it is.

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Detect Magic

[Bozwevial]

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Depending on how long you study it:
Definitely magical, moderate aura, and a Spellcraft check (DC 20) to determine that it's enchantment magic if you're only waiting a few rounds.

Studying the item for a full minute indicates that it projects memories of some sort into the mind of whoever comes into contact with it, such as poor Urist.

Amechra:

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Sarai and Marie find a secluded spot in the shade where the noise of the camp is blocked out by some of the nearby tents. After only a few minutes of reading, though, the two can hear footsteps approaching, and another hooded, goggled drow steps into the small enclosure. He removes his hood and goggles, smiling. "I was told we had visitors, though not that we were host to nobility. Carabas Da Ilizuss, at your service, my lady." He bows deeply.

[Amechra]

"How do you do; I am Marquess Sarai Eire d'Alhazrad, a consultant called in to inspect the legal documentation on this land dispute."

Sarai flashes a toothy grin at him, showing off the fact that shark teeth and flashing eyes really do go with her complexion and her alien background track. There are light giggles coming from around them.

And I hope Drow look good in brown hair and eyes...

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If you want me to roll a bluff check to ensure that he believes that I am what I say I am, I will, though technically every word is sorta kinda true.

And I forgot that Sarai emits a 100' radius of general happy thoughts. We kinda need to take that into account, the fact that everyone is also seemingly skipping when they walk near her.

And she still manages to be intimidating. Whoda thunk?

[phaedrusxy]

Urlgmek, after studying the "rock" for about a minute with his monocle, says "Hmm... it's not just a rock. It's got a fairly strong enchantment on it. It seems to imprint some kind of memories onto the minds of those who touch it."

[Nanshork]

Rodric quirks an eyebrow.  "Oh really now?"  He then proceeds to touch the magical rock.

[phaedrusxy]

Urglmek makes a wincing face, closing both eyes, then opens one to peek out and see what happens.

[Bozwevial]

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Will save from Nanshork, please.

And nah, Amechra, I think we're good. After all, a technical truth is the best sort of lie.

As Rodric touches the rock, everything seems to switch off. The bustle of the camp, the morning sun, the feel of dirt and smooth metal against his fingers, all his senses wink out. In their place, there is cold, harsh starlight. Raw emotion floods his mind - weariness, protectiveness, and above all, smoldering anger. The cascade of half-formed thoughts that are not his own threatens to sweep his own ego away.


"Ah, the land dispute. I'm afraid my comrades are much more insecure about that sort of thing than I." Carabas pulls a face. "I mean, really, how much more rock does the damned city need? Still, our house went topside, and I jumped like a shot at that chance, if only so they'd have to stop feeding me mushrooms." He pauses, looking thoughtful. "I've always wondered where they keep coming from. Eighty-three years and they haven't run out yet." His eyes widen, and he claps a hand to his forehead with exaggerated dramatics. "Oh, but I've been dreadfully rude! I have yet to make your acquaintance, miss...?" He trails off, glancing at Marie.

[Nanshork]

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Will save 1d20+7 : 9 + 7, total 16

[Bozwevial]

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Congratulations, you are not comatose. The sensation is disorienting, but you're able to pull away from it.

[Nanshork]

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Hmm, Rodric attempts to send out feelings of peace and friendship to the stone.

[Bozwevial]

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The consciousness - or whatever it is inside the stone - seems benign, even friendly toward you. You get the feeling that Urist simply couldn't keep his thoughts together in the wake of the presence.

[Nanshork]

Upon touching the stone Rodric staggers slightly but quickly regains control over himself.  "Well now, this is interesting..."

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Rodric proceeds to attempt communication with the stone, trying to determine what/ who it is.

[Bozwevial]

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While the exact nature of the entity - or more accurately, the imprint that's projecting memories into your mind - isn't at all clear, the impressions you're getting are of something vast and old. What's in the stone only seems to be a fraction of the whole.

[phaedrusxy]

Urglmek peeks through his spread fingers, then removes his hand from his face and says "What? What's interesting?"

[Nanshork]

"There seems to be the imprint of a vast, old intelligence within this stone.  More specifically, part of one.  It isn't hostile, just somewhat overwhelming.  I wonder if there are more stones like this around here..."

[Bozwevial]

Rodric's proclamation is met with a mildly puzzled silence from the group of dwarves. Eventually one of them asks, "So we shouldn't melt it down then?" and is rewarded with another slap to the back of the head.

[sirpercival]

Ariston looks aghast.  "Wh- no!  No, of course not!"  After a brief hesitation and nervous introspection, he moves over and places his hand on the stone as well.

[Bozwevial]

sirpercival:

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The stone wipes out all of Ariston's sensory input, replacing it with a vast and frigid void as the empathic contact comes sweeping through Ariston's mind with the force of a charging troll. Its reaction to Ariston's thoughts seems to be much, much different than Rodric described - he senses shock and, much more oddly, fear among the torrential stream of consciousness.

Do make a Will save, if you would.

[sirpercival]

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Well, yeah, who wouldn't be scared at touching Ari's mind?  He's a borderline megalomaniac...

Will:

Rolled 1d20+13 : 5 + 13, total 18

[Amechra]

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Sarai wouldn't! It would be like the biggest hug...