Tower of Magic #1 - Kharyna

[GM Mad]

Tower of Magic #1 - Kharyna


The group arrives at the Sallavarian estate thanks to Sherwood's teleport. The Ranger/Mage will say his goodbyes and then teleport away again.

Edwina will flutter by after a time. "Did you bring me a treat?", the little dragon will ask as she settles in on Kharyna's shoulder. "Or even a present?" Edwina will flash a toothy grin at Kharyna.

Jallarzi can be located in her training room instructing a new student. Her newest apprentice is a soft-spoken young lady by the name of Tinuel.

The mirror portal is still active where it was left in one of the guest rooms of the estate. You can travel back through it at any time.


Now what?

[Aswansea]

Swanny:

"Well, back on our own again," Swanny will say after Sherwood departs. "That was an interesting diversion." A smile will come to Swanny's face as she thinks back to a certain paladin.

Turning to Kharyna, Swanny will continue. "So what's the plan? Going to stay here at Jallarzi's awhile or go back to your Mom's place? Personally, I could stand to be warm for awhile!"

"You going to mirror in from where we left off or start at the top again? No doubt things have occurred since the last time we visited those areas. What's the plan of attack?"

[Lara Spellsword]

Lara:

Lara will chuckle softly as she spies Edwina approach and settle on Kharyna's shoulder. "That is why I will never summon a familiar."

After listen to Swanny speak, Lara will add, "I have to agree. A method to our explorations seems to be in order. Should we continue on where we left off in the Tower of War, or attempt to explore one of the other towers? Its hard to say which is more prudent since we are dealing with the unknown here."

[Talia]

Talia:

The dark-haired thief feels a bit more relaxed. She'll regard the shortbow she was given. "Guess I should learn how to use this."

When the talk of what our next move should be, Talia will add, "Thanks to the magic cloak I received, I'll be even more effective in scouting ahead. Being able to stick to walls and ceilings, I'll be able to circumvent obstacles and traps. Coupled with the magical boots, I'll be able to scout faster and larger areas in less time. Personally, I can't wait to get back there."

[Kharyna]

Kharyna -

Kharyna will say her goodbyes to Sherwood and then they are quickly accosted by Edwina. Prepared for this already, Kharyna pulls out some snacks she had hidden away from Lord Validar's spread of food and offers them to the little 'pest'.

"Here you go, Edwina, but you have to do a trick for me first!"

Lara will chuckle softly as she spies Edwina approach and settle on Kharyna's shoulder. "That is why I will never summon a familiar."

"No, I don't think I will do so either. Just not my style," Kharyna will answer.


"Well, back on our own again," Swanny will say after Sherwood departs. "That was an interesting diversion." A smile will come to Swanny's face as she thinks back to a certain paladin.

Turning to Kharyna, Swanny will continue. "So what's the plan? Going to stay here at Jallarzi's awhile or go back to your Mom's place? Personally, I could stand to be warm for awhile!"

"That is true, Swanny. It was interesting, but we have our own tasks to complete. It was nice to get out of that tower for awhile, but now we need to get back to the matter at hand. At least fairly soon," Kharyna will answer.

"I think we'll stay here with Jallarzi, just to visit for the afternoon and get back to the estate. Then we can recover for a few days before we head back to the Tower. How does that sound? And as for the snow, I found it rather refreshing, but I will be happy to be back in the warm weather again!"


Kharyna will later meet with Jallarzi and introduce herself to the newest pupil, Tinuel. The group will stay for several hours catching up on old times and sharing a meal and then will depart through the mirror portal back to her mother's estate.

Swanny - "You going to mirror in from where we left off or start at the top again? No doubt things have occurred since the last time we visited those areas. What's the plan of attack?"

After listen to Swanny speak, Lara will add, "I have to agree. A method to our explorations seems to be in order. Should we continue on where we left off in the Tower of War, or attempt to explore one of the other towers? Its hard to say which is more prudent since we are dealing with the unknown here."

"I am open to suggestions. My thought would be perhaps to start from the beginning again, just so that we weren't surprised by any changes that may have happened while we were gone. I would prefer to continue with the Tower of War, just because we have already accomplished so much there. I would like to finish one before moving on if possible. What do the rest of you think?"

When the talk of what our next move should be, Talia will add, "Thanks to the magic cloak I received, I'll be even more effective in scouting ahead. Being able to stick to walls and ceilings, I'll be able to circumvent obstacles and traps. Coupled with the magical boots, I'll be able to scout faster and larger areas in less time. Personally, I can't wait to get back there."

"Then we could go back in from the top and quickly cover ground again. That may prove to be the best way to go."

"I think we'll wait a few days and relax and then be on our way back to the Towers. That way we can get any new gear we might need and then continue on."

Any info that can be supplied about the towers and where we were would be appreciated. Will look at what files I already have as well.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:


Shortly after enjoying Lord Validar's feast up in Rennydale, Sherwood teleports Kharyna and Co. back to Jallarzi's estate.

Kharyna will say her goodbyes to Sherwood and then they are quickly accosted by Edwina. Prepared for this already, Kharyna pulls out some snacks she had hidden away from Lord Validar's spread of food and offers them to the little 'pest'.

"Here you go, Edwina, but you have to do a trick for me first!"

Edwina looks at Kharyna with a toothy grin. "Okay. I'll make the treats disappear!" The ravenous little beast will then attempt to eat the treat in Kharyna's hand.


The group relaxes, waiting for Jallarzi to come out of a training session with her newest apprentice, a quiet girl by the name of Tinuel. As they wait, they discuss their options about how to proceed with their explorations of the towers…


Here's some background:

According to the tales, Gaz began construction of the Towers over 1100 years ago. Gaz was a famous mage who was a member of the Fellowship of Mages. They were the force would defeated the Lich Lords and founded the original Enlightened City of Elcadan. It is generally believed that each of the Fellowship was driven to madness by the Crowns of Eternal Darkness worn by the Lich Lords.

Jallarzi earlier told you that Gaz had been charged by Mystra herself to create the "Tower of Magic" here on Arret. The Tower of Magic would have been the premier Temple to Mystra and School of Magic in the world.

To accomplish this goal, Gaz constructed a trio of towers. The Tower of War to house his troops, the Tower of Power that held his apprentices, and the his own personal tower, the Tower of Gaz. Its unknown how long work continued before Gaz fell into madness, but is believed that the construction of the towers took a dire turn as did his sanity.

In time, the upper levels of the Towers collapsed and were plundered by innumerable adventures. The below levels of the towers still remain.

There are some rumors heard about the towers:

A grand temple to Mystra is said to exist in the Tower of Power.

Gaz's apprentices still inhabit the Towers and they are known as the Ring of Five.

Gaz's troops still haunt the Tower of War as undead.

The Tower of Gaz is said to house that Archmage's greatest treasures, protected by his deadliest of traps.

Another rumor says that the Gaz built his towers in this location because he discovered a great artifact deep within the Earth.


Shortly after completing her mage training, Kharyna and her band went to explore the Towers of Gaz. They began with the Tower of War and had to fight a band of dwarves to gain access. Inside the tower they found numerous goblinoids, among other monsters, and a great deal of gold.

While visiting Kharyna's grandparents in Alphatia, Mystra's Avatar Midnight approached Kharyna and asked her to carry out a mission. Midnight explained that the Towers were once a place of worship to Mystra, but have since been invaded by outside deities. These deities, Nerull and Vaprak, fight for control of the Tower of War using the goblinoids as pawns. Midnight gave Kharyna a special mace that she was to use to destroy the altar on the lowest level of the Tower of War. With the altar destroyed, the power of these other gods would be broken in the towers.

Since that time, Kharyna has continued to explore the Tower of War, delving deeper with her mission to destroy the altar on the lowest level.

Now what?

[Kharyna]

Kharyna -

Edwina looks at Kharyna with a toothy grin. "Okay. I'll make the treats disappear!" The ravenous little beast will then attempt to eat the treat in Kharyna's hand.

"That's not first! And you know it." Kharyna will not give the treats until Edwina first does something for them.


The group relaxes, waiting for Jallarzi to come out of a training session with her newest apprentice, a quiet girl by the name of Tinuel. As they wait, they discuss their options about how to proceed with their explorations of the towers…

After all the talk is completed, Kharyna makes a decision. "There is always so much to do and we need to complete the task I have been charged with by Mystra herself. Therefore, we need to get down to the lowest level of the Tower of War. We can always go back and explore the tops of the Tower levels again, but we should come in from at least the place we ended safely last time."

After visiting with Jallarzi for the afternoon, sharing a meal and meeting the new apprentice, the group goes through the Mirror Portal and back to her mother's Estate.

They will recover a few days before assembling whatever they need for the adventure and return to the Tower of War.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:

Edwina:

The little dragon will pout for a moment and then ask, "What kind of trick?"


Onward:

After spending the afternoon at Jallarzi's estate, the group returns to Chasreena's home via her Mirror of Mental Prowess. The invisible portal was kept in a closet in one of Jallarzi's guest rooms for safe keeping. You each step through the portal. Once on the other side, Kharyna closes it.

Chasreena is happy to see everyone again and will listen to their latest exploits. A fine dinner is prepared by the ethereal staff of Chasreena's home.

The next few days pass quickly as you enjoy some free time on your mother's tropical island. Swanny relaxes on the beach and works on her tan. Lara curls up with some books from Chasreena's library when not instructing Talia in the use of the shortbow.

Plans are made for your return trip to the Towers of Gaz and supplies gathered up.

Finally, you're ready to go. Once more, Kharyna uses the Mirror of Mental Prowess to conjure up the image of a location within the Tower of War. She chooses a spot in the evil temple on the balcony overhead. The image forms in the mirror. Just step through and you are there!


Tower of War:

The adventurers return to the evil temple located on the 6th level of the Tower of War. (Room #607)

Much of the temple lies in ruins. Four of the six support columns supporting the balconies have collapsed. Only one balcony remains standing and that's your arrival point. Two large ceiling slabs lie on the floor amongst the piles of rubble. The evil altar at the far end of the room is still intact.

The last time you were here, an Invisible Stalker attacked the group. It was shortly after this that you left the tower and assisted Jallarzi with her mission in Rennydale. The chamber is currently empty and much as you last remember it.

There is an opening in the wall that was not explored before on the SE wall of the temple.


Now what?

(The map for this level has been updated to show the location of the mirror portal.)

[Aswansea]

Swanny:

Swanny is glad to be warm again! She'll give Chas a hug and then go to her guest room to change into something more suitable for the climate. The first time she comes across one of Chas's ghostly servants, its startles Swanny and she goes for her blade. But she remembers and then re-sheathes her blade. Fortunately no one was around to witness that!

Once at her room, Swanny changes and will go for a walk on the beach. She'll enjoy the sun and the sand and the warmth and just lay there for a while.

But the mini-vacation comes to an end all too soon and we're back into the thick of things at the Tower of War. Swanny will lead the way through the mirror to make sure the area beyond is secure. The evil temple looks the way it did before. No one seems around and Swanny will gesture for the others to follow her. She climbs down the stairs and looks around.

"All seems quiet and deserted. So where to now?"

[Lara Spellsword]

Lara:

Although she won't admit it, Lara is happy to be in a warmer place. Having grown up with the oppressive chill of Everwinter, being warm is most welcomed!

Upon seeing the magically generated servants of Chasreena, Lara will say to Kharyna, "I seem to recall you having a few items to feed the Spell Engine with? You should probably do that before we leave again."

Lara has grown accustomed to the magical staff. The Spell Engine that Chasreena possesses shields her dwelling from outside detection and creates the household servants. It even keeps the mansion at a comfortable temperature regardless of the conditions outside.

For the first few days of the break, Lara happily reads and tutors Talia in the use of the shortbow. When it comes time to talk about our options, Lara will produce the maps she's drawn of their exploration of the Tower of War.

"We were in this evil temple last," the studious elf will say. "That's where that Invisible Stalker took Swanny for a free flight. This balcony here is still intact and seems like a good place to mirror in at. We've got multiple directions to explore from that point. There's an exit from the temple and then several openings in the outside hallway."

Once we are ready, Lara will step through the mirror with an arrow ready to be fired from her bow. She'll follow Swanny and Kharyna down the stairs and remain on guard.

[Talia]

Talia:

The dark haired thief finally feels relaxed once on the island of Kharyna's mother. It's nicely warm and there are no men about. Not having much to do, Talia will relax on the beach with Swanny when not learning how to use the shortbow with Lara.

Once back inside the tower, Talia will be ready to put her new magic items to work. She'll wait until Kharyna is done with the vast chamber we appeared in. When the time comes to explore new areas, Talia will scamper off to check it out for immediate danger.

[Kharyna]

KHARYNA -

Edwina -
The little dragon will pout for a moment and then ask, "What kind of trick?"

"Surely you can think of something for a treat as wonderful as this. I remember you being quite the 'show-off' before," Kharyna will tease with a chuckle.


Chasreena's Mansion -
Upon seeing the magically generated servants of Chasreena, Lara will say to Kharyna, "I seem to recall you having a few items to feed the Spell Engine with? You should probably do that before we leave again."

"Yes, we should be done with that as soon as possible and it won't hurt to have more power into the Engine sooner rather than later." Kharyna will dispose of the items they captured that they want to destroy and let her mother know what they are doing, just to keep her in the loop.

When it comes time to talk about our options, Lara will produce the maps she's drawn of their exploration of the Tower of War.

"We were in this evil temple last," the studious elf will say. "That's where that Invisible Stalker took Swanny for a free flight. This balcony here is still intact and seems like a good place to mirror in at. We've got multiple directions to explore from that point. There's an exit from the temple and then several openings in the outside hallway."

"That seems like a reasonable place to pick up again. It should be relatively safe and slightly obscured place to come in at, there on the balcony. I guess we never had a chance to even look down that passage last time," Kharyna says pointing at the one heading away from the room.


Tower of War -
No one seems around and Swanny will gesture for the others to follow her. She climbs down the stairs and looks around.

"All seems quiet and deserted. So where to now?"

"Let's take a closer look at this altar, while Talia can check out where that new passage goes."

Kharyna will move closer and see if she can tell who the altar is dedicated to, stepping gingerly over the fallen ceiling slabs as needed. She will have her Mace and Spell Shield readied.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:

Edwina

"Surely you can think of something for a treat as wonderful as this. I remember you being quite the 'show-off' before," Kharyna will tease with a chuckle.

"Very well," Edwina will chirp. The pseudodragon will take flight and begin to rapidly circle the chamber. After gaining speed, the little dragonet will fly across the room doing a elegant cork-screw. Edwina pulls out at the far side of the room and then flies back to Kharyna. "Will that due, oh cruel one?"


Chasreena's Mansion:

Chas will thank Kharyna for the new power sources for her spell engine with a hug. "That'll save me powering it by spells for a few weeks."

The trip to the lowest level of the mansion is then taken. Chas' spell engine rests in a chamber in the basement of the mansion. The spell engine itself is nothing special to look at. In fact, it resembles an iron potbelly stove on four legs. There is a hinged iron grill that can be opened to add more fuel to the fire. The top also comes off to insert long items that won't fit through the hatch.

The fire that burns inside the engine grows stronger in intensity as the new power sources are added to it. The fire in the engine isn't real fire, nor does it put out heat or smoke. The magic items put into it begin to burn, being slowly destroyed by the engine. The magic in them is removed through the burning process and used to further empower the spell engine allowing this energy to be used to provide a safe environment here in the mansion.


Tower of War:

Arriving in the evil temple, the adventurers go about their tasks. Kharyna leads the way towards the altar. The Priestess of Mystra holds a bullseye lantern in her shield hand to provide illumination. A Continual Light spell has been cast inside the lantern and its focusing mechanism allows it to project a single beam of light. Swanny has her sword burst into flames to provide further illumination.

Lara stands guard near the entrance to the side passage to cover Talia while she goes off to explore. Using her Cloak of the Arachnida, Talia clings to the wall as she goes forth to scout out the next chamber.

As she approaches the altar, Kharyna notices two things. First her enchanted mace begins to glow with silvery blue energy. Second, two robed forms are draped over the altar. (They were here before.)

The robed forms do not move as the adventurers advance. As you get closer and move around the altar you can see that it is a pair of half-orcs bearing the holy symbols of Nerull. As you watch, something seems to move inside the altar itself and then it stops once more.


Talia returns after a few minutes with her report.

"There's like a mini-side temple off that way," she reports pointing to the opening. "There's a couch, tables with chairs, and this really, really ugly statue. Any exits for that area end in collapses. Didn't look like anything important is in there."


Now what?

The map has been updated to reflect Talia's scouting.

[Kharyna]

Kharyna -

Edwina -

Seeing Edwina finally do her trick, Kharyna will clap her hands and offer the little beast her treats. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"


Chasreena's Mansion -
"That'll save me powering it by spells for a few weeks."

"And it takes care of some nasty evil items as well. So it works out in two ways, which is even better!"

Kharyna has been to the Spell Engine before, but it is always an awesome sight, despite the mundane appearance of the artifact. You can feel the release of the magic which is almost palpable, as the Engine feeds off the magical energies released. The creation of Spell Engines is a goal of Kharyna's, most certainly.


Tower of War -

Focusing the magical light from her bullseye lantern, Kharyna sees that the fallen half-orcs are wearing unholy symbols of Nerull. Then she sees the altar seem to move, or rather something within it?

Kharyna will cast a Detect Magic spell without getting too close to the altar. Also noting that her mace has energized itself as she closed on the altar, Kharyna will then use her mace to smash the altar and then step back quickly to see the results.


Talia returns after a few minutes with her report.

"There's like a mini-side temple off that way," she reports pointing to the opening. "There's a couch, tables with chairs, and this really, really ugly statue. Any exits for that area end in collapses. Didn't look like anything important is in there."

"We can deal with that later then I suppose." Kharyna will take a moment after dealings with the altar here are completed to take a quick look into the room, if her Detect Magic spell is still active by then.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:


Edwina:

Seeing Edwina finally do her trick, Kharyna will clap her hands and offer the little beast her treats. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

The little beast will grab the treat and fly off to her favorite resting perch and begin to devour her treat.


Tower of War:

As she nears the altar, Kharyna casts Detect Magic. The altar radiates intense magic. Taking her glowing mace in hand, Kharyna slams it down on the evil altar!

Upon contact an explosion of magical energy is unleashed that sends Kharyna and Swanny backwards and to the floor. A funnel of bluish white energy comes into being over the altar. A pair of black spirits are sucked out of the altar and sent upwards where they fade into nothing. The two spirits scream hideously as this is being done.

Once that is done, the funnel dissipates. The two half-orcs that were laying on the altar are now gone. The altar itself has been reduced to non-magical rubble.

"That is one handy mace", Swanny notes as she uncovers her ears. "How is it at cleaning up rubble?"


Talia and Lara will come up a moment later. "I heard a noise back in that side-temple I scouted out and investigated", Talia will say. "When I went back in there that ugly statue was gone and there was more rubble around. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that something blew it up!"

Now what?

[GM Mad]

Post Closed