Episode 1 Scene 2b : Life On the Fringe

Philip will look at each symbol and trace it directly onto some of his papers writing the definition of the symbols directly below the symbol then He will sit down and wrote s report of everything that he discovered about the circle trying to only write in facts.

Jun 13, 2021 1:20 am

The various symbols on the pillars do not seem to have a literal translation which could only mean that there meaning is not singular in nature, nor are the any of those symbols make up a singular concept upon each individual pillar. Still the central symbol does translate to portal although as he is fully aware that literal translations are not always the correct translation still it is related to conjuration magic so portal does seem fitting. Still what kind of portal was it a portal directly to or from one of the eight realms of chaos and was it a one way portal or would it open a way for things to pass freely between in both directions? Then again what if it opened to some place even more dire than a realm of chaos. Chaos was known for liking to create chaos and flooding this realm with something from a much more dangerous realm could be possible. Although while demons could be extremely nasty, there were things out that far worse than even the worst of demons.

While kneeling down and copying the sigils from the western most pillar a strange glint seems to catch his eye. Looking just over the top of the pillar and focusing upon the glint he sees it lines up with the right side of pillar he is in front of the left side of the one opposite it but is much further away to the east through the underbrush and yet strangely there is clear view of it from where he is currently at.

Jun 13, 2021 11:09 pm

Philip Looks at the Glint before he realizes he'll never be able to see enough from here, so as he walks chanting strange magical words until he begins to Levitate off the ground from up above he looks down trying both to accurately measure the distance and to determine what it is he is seeing.

OOC:

Casting Levitate as my Extra Ritual

[ +- ] Levitate

Extra Ritual: used

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+4)

(12) + 4 = 16

Jun 14, 2021 3:06 am

Levitating does not seem to help at all as apparently the glint is not visible above the intervening underbrush and over course definitely not visible through the tree canopy with is not all that far above the height of the underbrush as this is not a copse of ancient trees which is probably why it was allowed to remain, that and its distance from the entrance from the village and fort's exterior wall.

Jun 14, 2021 11:46 am

"I'm not done with you" he says looking down trying to find the Glint as he falls he's going to begin the casting or detect magic again however this time he's to Impatient to wait ten minutes the Glint could disappear soon and then He'll never be able to find out what it is he rushes forward towards the Glint hoping it doesn't once again disappear from sight.

OOC:

as soon as he comes within 30 feet of this Glint he's going to use his action to determine as much as possible about this magic, if theirs any

[ +- ] Detect Magic

Extra Ritual: Used

Jun 14, 2021 2:18 pm

Philip actually has to go back to where he first spotted the glint and then move forward slowly keeping it in his field of vision the whole way as he carefully moves through the underbrush. Eventually he arrives at the glint which is not actually magical at all just finely engineered within a seemingly normal bit of rock. The glint created by light coming through a funnel like hole above, reflecting off of a piece of silverish rock embedded within that hole at just the right angle to create the glint through another hole in the stone that keeps the glint from being seen from any other angle.

Of course there is the question of how the path is kept clear but perhaps that is due to some magic associated with the stone octagon.

Regardless upon arriving at the glint, which is a good distance from the stone octagon, Philip notices a narrow crevasse that is only noticeable from up close. The crevasse which appears natural on the outside has a very narrow set of stone stairs leading down into the dark.

Jun 14, 2021 2:56 pm

"well, Those are certainly interesting, though it might be wise to wait for a larger group assuming I can find these again, I need a compass," he walks down a few steps as far as he can still see then returns "I'm completely unprepared for this, funny being as I was down there for days" he turns around and walks back to the stone octagon, "Must mean something is going to happen though" he decides to sit down and wait for the Glint to disappear marking the approximate time it appears and disappears, then (assuming nothing else happens) he begins the return journey, shortly after he turns back around realizing that he can do more casting Unseen Servant as he walks he returns and sends his Unseen Servant down the stairs.

Last edited June 14, 2021 4:41 pm

Jun 14, 2021 7:07 pm

The glint is powered by the sun and it does not take Philip long to surmise that it starts when the sun reaches a little past 45 degrees high in the sky and then stops when the sun drops below that same angle on the opposite side. As he is about to cast the Unseen Servant he realizes that sending it down those stairs might only tell him how far down they go but only if it exceeds the spells range as it cannot communicate anything to him. Further if he goes back and reports that he found some stairs, the question is going to be why he did not investigate them. And he really does not have the funds to hire someone else like he has done before to do the work he would rather not do.

OOC:

I have looked over this character's Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws and I see nothing in them that would promote a character to be an adventurer in fact I see every excuse to not be one or at least that is how it seems to me? I mean it seems like he would much rather just sit in his room and read a book, if given the opportunity. Is that the intended design?

Jun 14, 2021 10:22 pm

"ANYONE DOWN THERE?" he yells hoping he won't need to Investigate a stairway down which he will be blind,

Receiving no response?, He continues down the stairs slowly behind the servant.

OOC:

Yes, and No. So Philip doesn't like discomfort, but without money what choice does he have the only way to avoid discomfort is work, which likely means Discomfort he's almost resigned himself to that life.
Also don't forget about his following of The Dwarven deity, the best way to share his beliefs is to meet as many people as possible staying in a tower reading books wouldn't much premote sharing his beliefs.

Jun 14, 2021 10:39 pm

OOC:

Okay sorry if my previous posts conveyed the wrong information so please do not think I am trying to push you quickly into this -- all I was trying to say is I have made this side-adventure for your character to enjoy but I cannot say that it will be easy nor perhaps hard but it will be what the dice dictate. -- Now you do have options such as you can go back to town and requisition a lantern and have lunch and then return or even return the next day. You could perhaps choose to try and find a hireling or go to the garrison and try to state your case to get them to assign you a guard or two. Just always keep in mind its a dynamic world and you have many many paths to which you can explore an encounter as such you get to choose how you want to handle each thing you encounter. Further, if you have questions about what your character might be aware of that you the player may not be you can always make a knowledge roll for them and we can see what the dice have to say.

Nothing responds to Philip's call and he actually has to turn sideways to descend the narrow steps which begins to curve as they go down. Eventually he has to choose, either get some light so he can see what is what or continue into darkness.

Jun 14, 2021 11:06 pm

Philip will return to town just long enough to request torches. The continue down deeper Still sending his Unseen Servant ahead

OOC:

No, I actually made that post quickly and then thought about changing it, also I thought that was What you Intended.

Jun 14, 2021 11:23 pm

OOC:

Okay generally I do not gloss over things -- and since you do not have these torches in your room I have to ask where did Philip magically acquire them? Note below I say light source because it is still your choice as to the kind of light source you actually want to try for, not saying torches are not viable and they have their pros but they have their cons as well.

Philip returns to the village and the guards at the gate perform the traditional "For the Village" salute which always requires one in return. Then Philip is faced with a choice does he just buy some light source from one of the merchants in the open market, does he go back to the Bookend an see if he can requisition a light source for free from them, or does he go to the garrison and see if he can requisition a light source for free from them.

Jun 15, 2021 12:40 am

Heading Straight to the Garrison, Philip Strides in still expecting respect despite the fact that his name holds very little if any sway out here, "Sir Their's a stairway Hidden in the Woods, I request torches and possibly help to Investigate, If you have the guts to refuse me I request to speak to your leader

Jun 15, 2021 2:27 am

Having walked into the garrison fort and then around to the back where the stable and warehouse is located Philip walks up to the Quartermaster and makes his demands. The man does not even blink and simply gives the "For the Village" salute and once Philip returns it just replies, "How many torches are you requisitioning?"

Jun 15, 2021 11:10 am

"I'll Take 5, also if there was some way I could attach it to this that would be great." he's speaking less as one on a mission now but still with his hurried pace "And Don't Forget, Help to Investigate would be nice too a portal this near the city surely can't be a good thing, Though whoever you send be sure they won't leak don't need the whole place in a panic."

Jun 15, 2021 4:06 pm

The requisition officer has Philip sign for the torches and asks not having seen what Philip had indicated, "Attach them to what?"

"Sorry if you need help, you will need to talk to the Garrison commanders, I only handle supplies not personnel."

Jun 15, 2021 5:30 pm

"My Quarterstaff, as for Help it's probably not worth the trouble, I've done my job and reported to you, If you Ignore it that's not my problem." it's obvious that Philip Isn't going to make them send help but quite clear that he doesn't think much of him if he's not to report this yo his higher ups.

Jun 15, 2021 5:41 pm

"Your call mate, as I said I handle supplies not personnel." after recording things and getting Philip's signature, the man sets out 5 bundled up torches, "will there be any... other supplies you might require?"

Rolls

Secret Roll

Jun 15, 2021 5:54 pm

"That's all Sir, What's your name?"

Jun 16, 2021 8:09 am