White Plume Mountain: Group 2 (IC)

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan nods, "I'll not step forward then, til I'm ready to play your game and say your word. Excuse me a moment while I consult wisdom far greater than mine." He gets out a small scroll and a stick of incense and holds them up, chanting a long chant that takes at least ten minutes. Halfway through, the scroll bursts into flames on one end and he lights the incense, making arcane gestures through with it and the burning scroll as he continues chanting. Under his breath he whispers, "Which direction should I choose, oh great Boccob? What answer will give us the greatest chance of weal and success, but most of all, and superseding our own desires, the greatest service to your name?"

Spoiler

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Cast Divination (I won't roll, because you might not want to let me know how successful the roll is... I believe it should be a 77%).

[drum-n-bass]

Kalimac Brandybuckle

Remembering the note left behind

Search ye far or search ye near,
You’ll find no trace of the three
Unless you follow instructions clear,
For the weapons abide with me.

North past forest, farm, and furrow
You must go to reach the feathered mound.
Then down away from the sun you’ll burrow—
Forget life, forget light, forget sound.

To rescue Wave, you must do battle
With the Beast in the Boiling Bubble.
Crost cavern vast, where chain-links rattle
Lies Whelm, past waterspouts double.

Blackrazor yet remains to be won
Underneath inverted ziggurat.
That garnered, think not that you’re done,
For now you’ll find you are caught.

I care not, former owners brave,
What heroes you seek to hire.
Though mighty, each shall be my slave
Or vanish into the fire.

-K

Figuring they had already accomplished the second stanza except for the last line, he whispers to Magnus The note that the guy left behind said
North past forest, farm, and furrow
You must go to reach the feathered mound.
Then down away from the sun you’ll burrow—
Forget life, forget light, forget sound.
We have done this except to forget life light and sound.
How would we accomplish that?

[Ditto]

Dracassan:

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A deep bass whisper returns, "The answer is of little use when one does not know to which question it belongs. Ask for that question which leads you to the north."

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracasson ponders the reply, but unable to cast the spell a second time for now he decides to go with the clue twice given. Stepping forward, Dracassan says, "North."

[Thrall_Of_Ao]

Magnus Bane

Leaning forward slightly as Kal whispered to him, he raised an eyebrow slightly before replying, "My good gnome, despite riddles and similar puzzle solving not being within my main spheres of expertice, I would venture a guess that we have not yet encountered the last "sound" aspect of that stanza.
I would further conclude that the absence of sound could very well be based on a spell of a synonymous title: Silence. Of course, this is all conjecture, and currently seems irrelivent to our current conundrum," he concludes, his smooth and powerful voice calmly relaying his thoughts as he hovered above the muck, keeping to tones low enough as to not interrupt Dracassan, nor be heard by the mangey beast over his casting efforts.

***

Before his effort were complete, Magnus sensed his spell wearing thin, so took the time to lift himself effortlessly out of the trap door, fully expecting an ambush, and scouting the cave entrance for possible tails before returning once more to the base of the stairs, listening as the Diviner gave his answer.

"I, trusting in your judgment and in the spirit of solidarity, shall answer likewise," he said, turning towards the beast "My answer is North as well." he said in a clear and confident voice.

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He'll scout outside with about 1 min. remaining on his spell (5 min. into Dracassan's casting).

He'll only Hide and MS for about 5 rounds max, outside the cave, unless there's someone or something inside it when he get's up there.

If, on the off chance there is in fact an ambush waiting above, here's my checks.

Spot: (1d20+6)[14]

Listen: (1d20+5)[20]

Initiative: (1d20+7)[26] -1 actually (25), was guessing without double checking.

As I move about the cave and outside the cave entrance-

Hide: (1d20+5)[15]

Move Lilently: (1d20+5)[13]

If I spot anyone and they don't notice me, I'll return inside quietly. Otherwise my actions will be as the situation deems necessary.

[Ditto]

Magnus:

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How terrifically paranoid of you! Don't worry, you'll know if you're being ambushed. I'll roll initiative for everyone when we find a combat. There's nothing of interest to see in your travels - still mucky, still humid, still dim.

The sphinx nods gravely and recites verse in a measured (and obviously oft-recited) tones:
"Round she is, yet flat as a board,
Altar of the Lupine Lords,
Jewel on black velvet, pearl in the sea,
Unchanged but e’erchanging, eternally."

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan blinks, "Are we riddle gaming? There are usually more preliminaries for such. Nevertheless, if what you seek is an answer to your conundrum I suppose I might venture one. The world is a sphere, yet seems flat to those who stand upon it. Any who might worship the natural world be they feline, canine, or lupine might look upon it as their altar and goddess in one. In the firmament of the sky which is black as night where the sun is not, it would indeed hang like a jewel. In the sea of equal darkness, a shining pearl would be a sphere you might equate it with. Also of course, the world could be looked as both unchanging and eternally changing depending on your perspective and the aspects of interest... so my answer would be the world... by whatever name, feminine or otherwise that it might be addressed by in a particular language."

[Space-Is-Curved]

Korim Naes

After standing around in the muck for ten minutes waiting for Dracassan to divine an answer to the last riddle, Korim grows slightly impatient. After learning that there are more riddles to answer his impatience only increases.

He listens as the wizard gives his long winded response, and replies, "No. Wrong world. Wolves worship the moon."
He pauses for a moment before adding, "I'll go north too. We're stronger if we stay together."

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan nods to the other, "Well, now we have two answers that fit your riddle." He smiles, "What happens now, do we proceed?"

[drum-n-bass]

Kalimac Brandybuckle

Figuring he would go along with the group, he just stays by Magnus fidgeting with his thumbs until something happens.

[Ditto]

The sphinx issues as small snort at the taller human when he replies. "There are many answers which are not wrong, but only one which is right. The bearer of the pointy stick may pass." She dips her head in deference to Korim, and shuffles to the side on her pile of bones to allow him passage.

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan nods thoughtfully, "Very well... but are you saying that only one may go each direction. There are four of us... and it was our intention to go together. What exactly are the rules of this game of yours?"

[Ditto]

"You may go in any direction you choose, but all must answer me in order to pass. It is not a difficult arrangement, human." She raises an eyebrow to Korim, with a look that says You hang out with this guy?

[Space-Is-Curved]

Korim Naes

Korim frowns slightly. "I will go forward, but I will wait for the rest on the other side." With that, he trudges through the muck to the pile of bones and crosses over to the north.

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan nods, "In that case, I still go north. Is moon a sufficient answer, or is there a new riddle now that that one has been answered?"

[Thrall_Of_Ao]

Magnus Bane

In his efforts to be prepared for every eventuality, he fails to be prepared for the seemingly most obvious one; another riddle from the Sphinx.

Suddenly, the situation changes rather rapidly, as Dracassan gives an answer to a riddle Magnus never saw coming.

Listening in astounded silence as he gives the incorrect answer he shakes his head ever so slightly, then nodding once slowly as Korim makes the correct answer and the realization of their mistep fully dawns on him, completely hidden upon his perfectly poised features.

Wily creature indeed, I had believed that her mention of 'games beggining' was simply a thinly veiled threat and that the question of direction was the true riddle. Hopefully the next riddle I suspect is coming contains an equally obvious answer...but it seems that no matter what, Dracassan is barred from proceeding...another puzzle it would seem, but one that I have and for which I believe there is only one, solution to.

Looking down at the nervous Gnome, and his thoroughly soiled breeches, he leans slightly over, standing as he was on the slightly less muckridden second to last step, and whispered "Kal, do you happen to have anything upon which to write?" he asks in a curious warm voice "I may need your specialized assistance in our efforts to overcome this current challenge".

Adressing all his companions, he spoke in a loud clear and commanding voice "My friends, I would advise that from this point on, we confer on any such answers before giving response...up to and including, spell casting used to determine said answers." looking at Dracassan he added "I have no doubt that your assisance in this regard will be invaluable indeed. Please, draw nearer so that we might speak on these things."

Giving a decisive open handed beconing gesture while inclining his head, he then looked directly at the filthy creature barring their path.

Raising his voice slightly and directing his statement at it, he said "I would gladly and happily pass with an answer of 'The Moon', as I also determined the answer to that riddle, but regretably did so too slowly for our quick witted companion," he nodds graciously in Korim's direction "So, as I suspect there shall be one question for each of us, please proceed with your riddling most beautiful and wise of all creatures."

He smiles politely and inclines his head ever so slightly to the side, crossing his arms and resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully.

[drum-n-bass]

Kalimac Brandybuckle


I do have a piece of canvas right here for you he says reaching in his pack and pulling out a sheet of canvas and giving it to Magnus.

[Ditto]

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Ahem! That's *bedraggled*, not filthy!

At Dracassan's inquiry, she nods. "I have given my price, and you have paid. You may go through.

She was clearly about to interrupt Magnus when he stopped; at the break, she draws herself up and says, "Do not presume to patronize me. Again I say, you may continue to the north so long as you answer me this riddle. There is but one price - would you rather I change this? If you insist on nattering away like blighted crows, then I would bid you begone."

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You miiiight be overthinking things, ToA.

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan nods and bows to the sphinx, "I thank you then, and follow my colleague who has proven to have more common sense than I." True to his word, he steps into the corridor, following Korim.

[rpgramen]

Harper "Bear" Redcoal

Nodding in agreement with the smarty-mage-type-guy, Bear silently concurs on the aforementioned plan of action, content to let the inte-- intellectu-- brainy guys do the thinking, whilst he does the smashing.

"Right. The moon it is then, Shorty," Bear exclaims to the sphynx, pouring on the charm as he strides one large foot after the other behind Korim... which, ironically, is about the equivallent of rolling around in dung for three days, then rinsing off in tavern ale, a greasy face with a fairly rigid smile stretched from the one ear of the massive cleric to the other.

[Ditto]

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That’s really funny (to me)… when I played through this mod years ago, a similarly daffy cleric and able caster met the sphinx.

”It looks like we might want to try co-operating here. She says if we can answer her riddles, she'll help us.” Gilbert directs his attention back to the Sphinx directly, Can my companions and I collaborate before answering?”

Tong asked, Yeah, or if not, can we at least talk amongst ourselves before any of us answer?

Gilbert: ::facepalm::

[Thrall_Of_Ao]

Magnus Bane

Magnus' only response to the unexpected statement made by the beast was to raise a single eyebrow very slowly.

After pausing a beat to digest her response, he inclines his head in a single deferential nod simultaneously raising a hand palm out, demonstrating his full understanding of her waning patience and without another word and only a gentle pat of appreciation on the shoulder of the helpful Gnome, walks to the other side to join the battlecaster there, all the while staying alert for any kind of deception on the bedraggled beasts part.

So, as much as I doubed it, we are able to pass with the answer of only a single riddle and one correct answer each to the same riddle, as overly simple as such would seem to be.

The greatest challenge is that the riddle is too simple to believe! Although, she did not make any mention of the price of our returning this way...but one thing at a time I suppose.

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Heh! Not quite that bad in this case, but yea, overthinking tends to occur in situations like this, it a side effect of playing with GM's that tend to make every challenge ones that push the party's resources and abilities to the limit, which, by the way, I, as a GM, frown on and try to avoid in my own games.

Last time I encountered a Gynosphinx in a game, she nearly killed my PC (and, if I remember correctly, he was higher level, a barbarian, and better equipped).
So, it's no real suprise that the "better safe than dead, I mean, sorry" philosphy has been appropriated by so many.

In anycase, it's nice to see another writer (whoever wrote this adventure, unless this is your specific doing) that agrees with such a philosophy.

But, as I consider it, I believe that all parties were expected to answer correctly before the Sphinx responded, producing at least a small amount of suspense, additionally requiring the player that answered incorrectly to out-think themselves (so to speak) before discovering that they could just use the right answer and get through (or fight the Sphinx).

I suspect though, that you were hoping to avoid a rather deadly confrontation so early on by running it the way you did...or you were just getting bored!

[Ditto]

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No worries, I don't plan on attacking you with Invisible Christopher Walkens at every turn. It will be perfectly apparent when you've found a trap. Or a Balor. Or a riddler. The mixed kind might not be as obvious, though...

And bedraggled, good! Now her opinion might stay at Unfriendly.

Having (approximately) completed your business, you press on to the north. The silty water immediately returns to its previous depth as the tunnel continues. Beyond the path leading to the sphinx, there are no more lanterns, however pathetically guttering those might have been. Dracassan's staff is the light for the sighted now.

At the edge of its light, you can see the passage turn, another left. It's as far ahead as it is behind to the sphinx's grisly pedestal is behind. At the halfway point, a large, circular alcove about 10 feet in diameter extends out from the right side of the hallway. It is covered in the same brackish, calf-deep water as the corridor.

[Space-Is-Curved]

Korim Naes

Korim wades through the water. With no action to take his mind off of his wet feet, he decided to stay in the front of the rest of the group and check out the alcove. He walks up to it without stepping in and sees if he can see anything obvious. If he sees nothing of interest, he will continue to walk down the hallway until he reaches the corner, which he will look around.

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Spot Checks
Alcove (1d20-1)[10]
Corner, if he sees nothing at the alcove (1d20-1)[11]

[Thrall_Of_Ao]

Magnus Bane

Focusing his gaze on Kal and making an "after you" open handed gesture, he said casually, as he waded slowly forward, "I do believe this is your fort'e. I would rather not be the one to discover there was more than just a hidden door...but I am not a man that would ask another to do something he would not".

He'll pause approximately ten feet from the alcove while Kal searched it, or assist any other who attempts to do so if he does not, but will proceed with Kor if there is nothing there of interest.

Search(assist): (1d20+1)[17](18)

[Wiz]

Dracassan

Dracassan holds up his light, illuminating the alcove.

[Ditto]

The alcove appears quite round. Also, alcove-y. You don't see anything of interest there through the slurry as you wade along on the path.

Unless there's another light source (other than Dracassan's staff), Korim can't see much ahead. The hall only kinks to the left for a few feet before turning right back again, into some area that's more open than the tunnel you're currently in.

((I suppose we should specify that marching order too, now that I think of it... does Korim - Kal - Magnus - Dracassan - Bear sound like it matches what's going on?))

[drum-n-bass]

(yeah that sounds right)

[Wiz]

(sounds good)

[Space-Is-Curved]

Korim Naes

Korim waits at the corner for Dracassan to get closer with his light. When he does, Korim rounds the corner and steps into the open space.
"I can't see much. Too dark over here."
Korim wasn't used to this. He learned to fight on the battlefield, protecting his village. He'd escorted caravans and searched for treasure in forests, but he preferred to stay aboveground. The water and lack of light were starting to bother him.