Author Topic: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother  (Read 12266 times)

Offline NeoNoctisEndisNigh

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The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« on: September 12, 2012, 04:24:30 PM »
In the Beginning There Was Nothing
Then There Was Everything                                                           
Then There Was Him
-Ancient dragon hymn


TOMB OF HORRORS

You find yourselves on the road to Scorn, the symbol of peace through out the Eastern continent, a symbol that the free races stand strong against oppression and tyrannical rule, and although ancient aliances are now dead, the sparks of hope linger on in the descendants. You all recieved a letter from an Master Arcanist, Al Kazim, Evoker. He is a renown wizard on the arcane scene, with several theorys on evocation being published to date, and one of the oldest masters, despite his youthful look.
 
Al Kazim writes that a great discovery has been made, and that huge surges of arcane energy have been reported coming from an island in the north-east of the continent, approximately three weeks by sea, travelling south from scorn by ship. He urged that you come with haste to the Civic building in the dead centre of scorn, to meet with him and be filled in on the remainder of the details, as well as ask any questions in regards to the expedition. He also promised salary, A generous sum of ten thousand gold pieces, paid straight from the Hem-Ahrin chapters vault on return to scorn in two months; six weeks travel, two weeks study, with all travel accomodations paid for, and the ship being prepared for launch on your arrival.

You are roughly five minutes from the main gate (s) of Scorn, with the walls in sight. From this distance, the walls are roughly ten feet tall, with structures pilling up in the background, a plethora of houses and spires. Trees flank your sides, and the well travelled road is hosting small amounts of travellers, being late in the morning. The spring air is warm, with eastern winds blowing through the trees softly, carrying the scent of the forest. Clear skies, and a bright sun hang in the skies.

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Offline sirpercival

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2012, 04:52:40 PM »
Striding cheerily along the North road is a short, slim gnome dressed in well-made traveling clothes.  He bears the symbol of Garl Glittergold hung around his walking stick, and his dark hair flares up like a candleflame in the morning sun.  He bellows into the soft morning air with a surprisingly deep and resonant voice, cheeks puffing up comically, entertaining his fellow travelers with a song.

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Offline geniussavant

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2012, 10:45:43 PM »
Briskly walking along the northern path, a human man carries a long pole-arm loosely in his right hand, using it as a walking stick. His left hand is encased in a heavily spike gauntlet that leaves his fingertips bare. He runs his hands through his midnight colored hair, pulling it from his eyes. Ahead of him, he can hear a gnome brake out into song. Speeding his walk up, he catches up to the singing gnome. "Salutations good gnome. Most call me Ethan, may I acquire the proper epithet for yourself?" inquires the man. As he speaks, he extends his bare hand to the gnome, having switched the pole-arm into his gauntleted grasp.
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2012, 10:48:40 PM »
As the song finishes, the little man takes a deep and florid bow (whether or not people are applauding), then turns to Ethan. "Trinket's my name, since you've cared to ask."  He eyes the human up and down, though (due to perspective) mostly up.   "What brings you to the fine city of Scorn?"
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Offline geniussavant

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2012, 11:01:12 PM »
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Trinket. I received an epistle from the foremost evoker, Al Kazim. In the letter, he offered myself a position with a group of explorers to reconnoiter an island emitting large amounts of arcane power.  Yourself? responded Ethan, allowing Trinket to look him over as he replied.
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2012, 11:07:07 PM »
Trinket's eyes twinkle. "Ah yes, the inestimable Al Kazim.  Never met him myself, but my bretheren received a letter asking for a gnomish representative on this expedition, seeing as how we'll be heading to the desert homeland of my kind."  His chest puffs up importantly, though his self-deprecating smile adds a twist of irony and humor. "I, of course, was chosen to be that representative."
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Offline NeoNoctisEndisNigh

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2012, 12:27:07 PM »
On the way to the gate, Humans are clapping and cheering on trinket, some questioning the lyrics to others, only to get a louder cheer in response.

Up ahead, you see a queue of humans waiting in front of a table, of which is manned by an old scribe of sorts, with a stack of parchment, and a quill in his hand. The gate of scorn itself is no less than fifteen feet high, with guards manning the walls and top of the gate itself, armed with heavy crossbows. Two guards man the gate itself, doors wide open, as if being beckoned on. As you greet each other, you notice you are feet away from the table, and the last of the humans at the queue walking through the gates. The guard looks up and beckons you closer.

"Excuse me good sir's, the city of scorn has had a huge population boost, what with the ten year peace celebrations in only a weeks time, and population control has been put into affect. Please state your name, and reason for visiting the city."

As he pulls a piece of parchment closer, with a firm grasp on the quill in his hand.
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2012, 10:10:52 AM »
Trinket steps forward with a smile and a grandiose bow. "Trinket's the name.  I am here to greet my brethren in the Prankster's church, possibly with a practical jape or three, and then to speak with a wizard."
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Offline linklord231

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2012, 11:50:50 AM »
That should just about do it.  Remember, you are to stay here for 5 days and 5 nights.  During that time, you are to take no actions, unless you are attacked, in which case you may defend yourselves.  At midnight of the 5th night, un-bury yourselves and head (for the nearest visible landmark, not sure what that would be) .  I will find you there.

With that, Erik began shoveling dirt over what appears to be the corpses of several monsters.
When he was finished, he turned his gaze eastward, towards the town of Scorn.  Clutching the locket at his throat, he said Come, daughter.  Let us discover what this Al Kazim has in store for us.
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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2012, 02:47:02 PM »
Linklord:

After heading onto the road, minutes away, you notice a lack of people on a well travelled road, there is no one walking ahead.
Roughly five minutes away there appears to be a wall, with several structures beyond that, over the wall. You can roughly make out a gatehouse like structure with heads bobbing up and down, helmets reflecting light like beacons in the morning sun.

SirP:

The scribe starts to write as you speak, writing every word. "Trinket.. Prankster... Church. Hmm". He turns to another stack, flips through it and then pulls a piece of parchment out. "Ah I see, not many of your sect travel to the city, interesting. And you sir?" as he turns to the next, quill at the ready.
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Offline linklord231

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2012, 01:56:27 AM »
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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2012, 09:36:34 AM »
Linklord:

You continue down the road, until you finally reach the gate, a huge structure, with towering structures of all sorts peeking up from behind it. on the top of the gate you see several guards patrolling, all with large crossbows at hand. in front of the gate, you see a young man, no less than seventeen, sitting behind a wooden desk, with several piles of parchment which he seems to be attempting to organise, with two more guards flanking him, and three more at the gate entrance, which is closed.

The scribe looks up "Excuse me sir, sir. If you may, can you tell me your, business in the city of scorn today, and also your name?"
whilst glancing back to the two guards behind him.

There is a chain protruding from under the table, to the left guards hand. The right guard is a gnome, as well as the three at the gate, wearing signature white turbans of Hem-ahrin Gnomish guards, but with the garb of Scorn, a greenish blue, with a four pointed, white star on the front left chest.
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Offline linklord231

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2012, 02:35:28 PM »
My name is Erik DuBoise, student of the Mysteries of Life and Death.  I have come to your city at the invitation of Master Arcanist Al Kazim, to collaborate with him on his research.  Could you direct me to the Civic Building?
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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2012, 10:16:21 PM »
The young man writes as you speak, the very words seeming to flow from hand to parchment. Finally he signs and passes it onto a heap pile on his left. "Thank, thank you sir" whilst taking a glance back. "Al Kazim.. Hmm".
He looks around the table and pulls a rather ornate looking parchment, opens it and then scans it for a few seconds.

"Ah, oh I am so sorry to, keep you held up". He turns to his right, giving the guard a nod, from which another nod is signalled towards the gate, after which the three gnomish guards walk over as the gate is opened.

"If you would please follow these Gno.. Entlemen, they will escort you to the civic building, and avoid being swept by the crowd in the square opposite"

The three guards then gesture towards the gate and start ushering onwards.

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Offline sirpercival

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2012, 10:23:35 PM »
Trinket heads past the clerk and into the city, looking for a temple to Garl Glittergold so he can pay his respects.
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Offline InnaBinder

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2012, 11:19:12 PM »
A hunched figure, heavily covered in an overly large brown traveler's cloak, approaches the scribe after obviously putting up with the guards with difficulty for a time and, ultimately, snapping at them.

"Where's the so-called 'Master' Al-Kazim?  He sent for me.  I'm called Kerr."

His voice is rough, sounding as if it's been unused in some time.
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Offline geniussavant

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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #16 on: September 17, 2012, 11:45:22 PM »
Ethan stepped forward and stated flatly, "Ethan Gravewood. My business is with the wizard-mage, Al Kazim. I'm sure he wouldn't be pleased to hear that his guest was delayed."
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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #17 on: September 19, 2012, 12:08:45 AM »
SirP: The guards at the gate sidestep, allowing you a view of the city itself, at first a pair of guard barracks either side of the inner gate, and then abbout eighty feet up, you see a plethora of architecture; human, gnomish and dwarvern buildings,  even a few elven buildings, all sitting side by side. As you move on, you also notice blending, where some newer buildings are taking on attributes of more than one style, with wooden elven buildings with gnomish domed roofs. You also notice rather quickly a temple to Garl, Nicely tucked away in the side of the Church of Ignan, one of the six overgods.
A gnome is standing out front flipping a coin in one hand.

Innabinder: The startled scribe, and the even more startled guards stare for a second, and then the scribe speaks. "Due to population control, May I ask your name and business in the city of scorn on this day?" As he begins ruffling notes, seeming to be looking for something.

genius: Thank you very much mister Gravewood, Im sure he wouldnt. I have been informed of your arrival, (As he pulls out a piece of parchment) and have been made aware of what to do in this event." The scribe nods to a guard, who then walks over. "If you would like to come with me sir, the civic building will take much quicker through the city guard routes, which are all underground", as the guard gestures a hand forward, you notice Trinket walking around a corner, roughly one hundred feet away.
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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #18 on: September 20, 2012, 08:14:10 AM »
SirP: The gnome flips his coin far into the air, and catches it on its side with his index finger, then looks up directly at you.
"Ah my brother, greetings" as he reaches down to his belt buckle, bearing the symbol of Garl Glittergold, and then bows grandly.

Innabinder:The scribe looks over to the guard and beckons him over. "This Gentleman was asking for Al Kazim, would you kindly escort him" as he glances behind you, sighing "Looks like the eleven o'clock traffic is early"

The guard then turns to you. "If you would folow me sir"
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Re: The Tomb Of Horrors IC Thread Act 1: Scorn Of The Mother
« Reply #19 on: September 20, 2012, 09:18:59 AM »
With a nod in Trinket's direction, Ethan motioned for the guard to lead the path. "After you," he said as he motioned.
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