Baja Event 9of 12
Julius Dryden has been missing for weeks! Archimedes the Old storms the Blackthrone castle and goes to his cave down below to find out where he could be. The Players find several Meer Bosses inside demanding to know where Dryden is, and nobody seems to know. There is some bickering between Archimedes and the Meer and then Partisan Guards show up to attack them both.
Afterwards, Archimedes finds the three diary books of Dryden. He says its a Mystery! He will take these books to the Castle for now for everyone to be able to read and hopefully solve.
3683 1371 0 Trammel : An NPC with a fishing pole on his hands, named Dusty Vole Humes. He is a Historian or Judge. Oracle Script Him.
1616 1584 0 Trammel : Create an NPC Chef named Sue Flay for an Oracle Script
2729 2184 0 Trammel - Buc's bank : NPC Banker named Owen Munny with an Oracle Script
5260 1765 0 Trammel : Line all the walls with the Braziers from Deceit that spawn monsters! (5175 614 0 Trammel)
Also add the script from the dungeon with sand to make players walk instead of the ability to run (2196 1172 -38 Ilsehnar)
5253 1764 0 Trammel : A Teleporter Exit that leads to 4577 1217
4578 1213 2 : big lever on top of a 'trap door' that makes them fall straight down to 5261 1764 0 Trammel
3683 1371 o Trammel : Rusty's Lines
Dryden : Julius Dryden was a respectable Judge before that stink with Archimedes the Old.
stink : I suspect he framed him because he wanted to be in charge of the Royal Guard.
Framed : Framed him for murder he did, but the Royal Guard solved that Mystery.
Mystery : Oh, you are trying to solve a Mystery again? Someone missing?
Missing : Dryden is missing?! Why, I .. I know nothing about it.
Amanda : Amanda Lin is a legendary bard, she's on vacation.
Rusty : Rusty Springs is a great tinker and outfitter, best in Minoc!
Sarah : Sarah Bellum is a most intelligent Mage, it would be best not to cross her.
3690 1314 0 Trammel - put down a paper with "4" written on it.
517 985 0 Trammel - put down a paper with "7" written on it.
177 1948 0 Tokuno Islands - put down a paper with "9" written on it.
1609 1589 -20 Trammel : put a paper down with a "1" written on it.
823 1659 0 Trammel : paper with 4 on it.
6261 25 -10 X (Sanctuary?) put IN A BOX a paper with "0"
2729 2184 0 the Banker
bank : If you here to access a safety deposit box, talk to me!
box : Would you like to open a safety deposit box or withdraw from one?
Deposit : I'm sorry, but we are all out of spaces.
Withdraw : oh that's grand news! What is the account number?
479140 : Ah, here we are. Odd, there's only this piece of paper with some scribblings.
Scribblings : Veramencow
Veramencow : I have no clue what that means. Oh well, back in the box it goes!
2753 2167 -2 Trammel : Drop fake password
6293 867 -22 X: Under some hides or whatnot drop a fake password.
1710 2977 0 Trammel : Fake Password!
1537 1414 55 Trammel : Fake Password!
3793 1148 20 Trammel : Fake Password!
Ferret Cave : Fake Password (Onto way Ferret Cave, Real Password?)
534 1594 0 Trammel : Fake Password I think.
1820 1093 Malas : REAL PASSWORD (Heatharist)
88 1626 0 Malas : Fake Password
1496 1304 -11 Ilshearn : Fake password
2170 1270 -60 Ilsehnar : Fake Password
Somewherebetween moonglow and tower : fake password
5621 3048 -1 Trammel : fake password
In his Lair : two fake passwords
5260 1765 0 : A Book with a PIE of sorts here . It reads that basically Dryden just fixed the lever here and left as he heard footsteps above. He ask the person that found this place first to eat the Pie, and he shall receive his reward if he post on the BNN Board what type of pie it was.
The Book of Dryden
The Meer liaison has assured me the city of Yew will be cleansed soon, which I find peculiar as the Royal Guard and Partisans of Chaos have done very little so far - However, I am assured we are doing more than we realize. I honestly suspect that the Meer have ulterior motives for this kind gesture, and will be planning a trip to an old colleague of mine, Dusty. We have not talked since my untimely dismissal from being Judge of Yew, but I am sure he will not let something like an injustice, such as framing Archimedes the Old for murder, cloud our friendship.
I would not believe it if it was not for my own eyes, but Yew is cleansed! It's an amazing feat, seemingly done overnight! The gateway is not very stable and the Meer have warned me that it could collapse at any time. They explain the people responsible for the cleansing were on the other side, and for the first time in many years - we could meet once again.
Amanda , Rusty, and Sarah have been loyal supporters of my cause since my days at Yew University, and I trust them quite well. On advice from Dusty, I have picked them to be my search party into the gate in Yew. They sail late tonight after meeting with Dusty, as the Moongates are not safe with Archimedes' spies watching for our movement to Heartwood.
I have received word that my exploration party arrived safely, gathered some supplies, and stepped through the gate. I can only assume that their arrival was not met with the best of intentions, as a few unscrupulous hooded individuals came through the gate to our side! The timing could not have been better, as Archimedes the Old and his Royal Guard traveled to investigate the large Ancient Seeds placed at the gate! The guards had some trouble getting organized and taking out the hostile attackers from the other side of the gate. In the chaos, I decided to take my leave before being spotted.
I arrived back in Britain very late tonight, and bumped into Sarakki, who claims to be a Notary of some sort. The crazy old coot was going on about Minax, but promised me some treasure if I did some favor for her... to which I have agreed. She was absolutely no use in pointing me in the right direction, however I had this odd notion to go directly northeast of the Isamu-Jima moongate to a small fishing town and seek out a shimmering box. Odd notion I agree, sometimes you just can not explain gifted intuition.
After a nice little walk through Tokuno Islands, I found the mysterious box outside the houses on the shore that magically granted me entrance to the Citadel! It was thick with Assassins; nice bunch of people really, who realized I was against the Royal Guard and all they stood for, so they allowed me safe passage for the night. They explained this area was full of hidden passages, and that there were many trick walls that would grant me access to hidden passage ways.
The next passageway was very quiet, and I came to two stairs. My guide, who remained nameless, suggested I go up where I can meet many of his finely trained men and women, but to stay with him as they attack anyone on sight. We reached a hallway with another stairway down; I was told there was nothing of interest there, so we continued on. Around the corners, I met over a dozen more members of the Tiger's Claw Sect, and elite Ninjas! We reached a room that seemed heavily guarded, but with nothing of interest. My guide directed me to the south wall, where there was yet another fake wall piece that turned out to be a door, and we went into another room.
Down below, I met members of the Serpent's Fang Sect and Dragon's Flame Sect who felt I could not be trusted so deep below. I was introduced to a Master Thief, who explained he was holding one of the three keys required to reach the hidden antechamber of the dungeon, and that a Grand Mage and High Executioner held the other two keys. I had no interest in finishing the task for the Notary (which I'm afraid will involve getting those three keys from my newfound colleagues) so I thanked them for the tour and took my leave.
I have been back for a full night now, and decided to sneak into a local pub here in town for a bite to eat. I was talking to Sue, and she recognized me from some wanted posters that seem to be around somewhere, but escorted me downstairs to talk to me in private. She had not seen one of her most boisterous customers in weeks, and asked me to travel to one of the new dungeons that have appeared since the cleansing of Yew, and in return she would never charge me for a meal! Apparently, this man that is missing eats enough for a couple people! As the Partisan treasury is dwindling and my members would hate to discover I steal from the fund box to eat, I decided it would be wise to find this man.
From what I gathered, the entrance to this place was just behind the Brigand fort between Skara Brae and Yew. I decided to spend the afternoon with the brigands to get some intelligence reports on this "Sanctuary", but they were exhausted by the heat from the past few weeks and haven't been out to explore lately. Disgusted with their lack of help, I set off for the dungeon.
I don't understand why they call this atrocious place Sanctuaryt. I found myself running swiftly from orcs, ogres, gargoyles, and other things I didn't stop to identify! I was accustomed by one known as Kikechokii, who riffled through my pockets before I was able to break free, and continued to run into a small village of people that were completely oblivious to their utterly foolish displacement of their home. I cursed them for their foolishness, then recalled out back to my castle.
That is when I made a very unnerving discovery - I was missing several things from my pockets! I was keeping something important with Owen and I kept the account information on several pieces of paper, all of which were now missing! I can easily assume that Kikechokii got his grubby hands on it, and I rather not go back at this time to find it. Besides, I can easily go to Owen in person and get this fixed. I doubt anyone will go there with my account number and claim what I have secured with him.
I just had a short dinner with one of the Brigands from the camp I visited before, he claims to have some information that could be of use (or not). He says they followed some adventurers to what they thought would be the Sanctuary dungeon I was asking about; however the adventurers led them to the Painted Caves, near Trinsic, instead. I must admit, it was quite odd that these Brigands followed someone this far, I would almost think they are Drunkards instead of Brigands.
I traveled to these caves, and found something of great interest inside this extremely small dungeon - a burial of several bodies that I feel are connected to the people that the Meer claim helped cleanse Yew. I remember seeing bones this old only once before - in Felucca, Shame dungeon when we first discovered the house that the Meer led us to!
I thought long and hard this morning about the bodies. Surely, some answers we seek about these mysterious people may rest in the bones. We are told that they were removed from our world when Mondain's Gem was shattered, but the word "removed" doesn't really tell us if they were magically removed by force... and if so, by which force!
Surely I am unable to raise anyone from the dead, and perhaps I would regret it... so I need to think on this. On this note, I shall rest tonight.
I woke this morning hearing banging around my castle, a clumsy oaf named Tiblis came to inquire about a job. I sensed this man was of minimal intelligence, and was ready to summon the solen on him until I noticed he was wearing armor far beyond the value I would think himself capable of. I bought him a drink and we sat to talk about his qualifications. He claimed he made his wealth as of late visiting the mines of NuJel'm. I was sure there was no such thing there, but he would not stop talking about the agitation of sand in his toes and the heat of the sun reflecting off the sand. I told him I had a meeting, and to return later to see if he was hired.
I found Nujel'm has changed a bit since last I visited. A man was selling admission tickets to a mine that was discovered on the island! I had to threaten the man a bit to get beyond the admission fee, and soon found myself thrown down below!
I found a sign at the entrance stating that the mine was closed for emergency repairs, but then I saw the doors behind the curtains, and waltzed right on in. Once again, like back in Sanctuary, I found myself running blindly throughout the dungeon; this time trying to avoid the wisps which were not attacking me but they still give me the frights. By total luck I ran into some people hidden within the dungeon! They could not help me much with any insight on this place, so I filled my pockets with a few things to hopefully make me rich (seeing how I failed to secure meals for life) and left this desolate place.
I returned to my castle to find Tiblis wandering around, a bit more adorned with fancy garb than before, no doubt cleaning up once again on the items he found. Seeing this fool, gave me a simple idea. I could not stop thinking about the bones we found in Felucca Shame and now the Painted Caves, and here was a fool that could possibly be played like a lute.
I told him I would pay him well (even though it seems he doesn't need my money) if he could convince Archimedes the Old to take the bones he found to Umbra. Then to have him convince the Necromancers there to try and animate the corpse to divulge some secrets. The topic of the Royal Guard opened up Tiblis's mouth more than I really appreciated as he began to boast that they have planted the Ancient Seeds, and the gate was beginning to become stable. I was becoming quite concerned, seeing how the gate was almost stable yet my search party has not sent back any word.
Even so, I have sent Tiblis out to Archimedes, and decided on a whim to investigate another one of the new areas available since the opening of this Gate in Yew. I talked to a seeker of adventure on the edge of town, and he rambled on about the Blighted Forest located near Shame. I gave him an escort to Shame for enough gold to pay for a few nights' meals, and headed down the mountain range till I found a fisherman named Jamal. He said he would give me what I needed to enter the Blighted Forest, if only I would do him a short favor.
That's when once again I had to coerce him in my own special way to forgo his little favor, and he granted me entrance right away under muttered insults.
I found nothing much of interest inside this blighted forest, and took my leave.
Good news spreads fast! That fool Archimedes the Old has retrieved the bones from Shame Felucca, and taken them to Umbra! I didn't expect it to actually work (to which it did), but I am pleased to hear that the bones were that of an Elf who was extremely upset to hear that his world has been reconnected! This builds my suspicions now, that Mondain's Gem shattered and may have caused this separation on purpose...
I decided to pay a visit to Umbra, and found the city being invaded by all manors of Undead! I also became introduced to Aernya who offered me - by mistake - a large gold refund! I took her up on it, but alas, it was too good to be true. However, I gained access to yet another underground dungeon, Bedlam! The undead seemed to be spilling out of this place into Umbra, all thanks to the Undead Elf that Archimedes foolishly raised.
I have grown highly impatient waiting for my men to return to me from the city of the Elves, so I shall take a trip to Yew late tonight after packing a few things, and hope to visit a Tailor to fix a hole in my pants I have neglected for too long.
The city of Heartwood is one of many questions to me. Most importantly, is this the size of their refuge since their split many years ago? I talk to many and tell them it's been many years since they were torn from our world, but they oddly insist that we were torn from their world... and only a very short time ago - thus why their world hasn't grown large in size. I can only assume that the shattering of the Gem has effects on time as well.
I met with a man named Calendor who claims he met my friends weeks ago, and for a small reward they decided to do the man a favor and slay a dread horn for him in the Twisted Weald. Unable to see them returning anytime soon, I left to Ilshenar.
As I write this, I am camped up just outside the Mushroom Caves near the Spirituality shrine of Ilshenar. I am very upset with myself that I have not seen my partisans as of late, however I am more concerned as to what price we have paid with the cleansing of Yew. Certainly this Undead Elf was quite displeased with being rejoined to our land... and the ones I spoke to believe we were separated from them, not from us - and only for a very short period of time.
Now that I think about it, I find the construction of the Meer Tower in Moonglow very suspicious - the meer claim they needed it, but I see no proof of it. Furthermore, they were simply handing it over to us in the end. Their hospitality is most suspicious, and I do not like it whatsoever.
I woke early this morning to disturbances from some Royal Guard! Fortunately, I don't think they recognized me, but were too busy chopping the trees looking for some wood. Of all the trees, they had to come to the ones next to me?! I gathered my belongings, and ventured into the cave.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This forest was nowhere near as bad as a few of the last places, however it was thick with humans and elves trying to get a bit richer than they needed to be. I ducked behind a tree, hoping that the couple dozen warriors ahead would not notice me. They were too busy fighting over the hoard they had collected from their hunting, so it was quite simple to go along the cave walls to the south.
This peculiar area had an Alter for a Champion, which could have contributed to the treasures that the others were fighting over; and perhaps the reason my colleagues have not returned could be that of simple greed. I would expect better though, for they know if they crossed me I would most certainly bury them alive in some tomb.
To the north the vegetation turned to a desert maze, and I found myself unable to run well in the terrain. Most peculiar I admit, but after searching for an hour I found no sign of adventurers - seekers of wealth or my colleagues. I stumbled into a cave on the west end of this desert, and found an encampment with some bloody bandages; it seems three people were held up here for several days. I dug through the area and found Amanda's pendant - it's clear someone was hurt here and they stayed for some time.
I found a small note written by Rusty, explaining that the people of Heartwood seemed to be a bit confused about the length of time that has passed and that they insist we were ripped from their world. He went on to say he had met some adventurers that were very helpful in explaining the habit of the Dread horn and that they found something twice as peculiar in a dungeon called the Labyrinth; they planned to travel there after Sarah was healed from her injuries. I must admit I am quite upset that they did not check back in with me right away, so I decided to venture out to this Labyrinth.
My trip to the Labyrinth started in Umbra, where the Undead Lich has continued to send his undead forces into the city to disrupt all normal activity. I have yet to meet the Lich, but I would shake his hand if he allowed it. Several people complain that the lich has ruined their daily activities of meeting the blacksmith and tailors, and that's the type of Royal Guard attitude I despise so much. They have grown weak and pathetic with the comforts at their disposal, and would never be able to become something better unless a chaotic life is shoved down their throats. They are becoming better, or dying out - which is the way I believe our people must evolve.
I left Umbra from the west gate and went directly north to the Abyss. Then I traveled west to a crystal on a pedestal I had heard would send me to the entrance, and that it did.
The Labyrinth is the most impressive place I have seen yet. I can not believe this place has been hidden from our view for so long, and can understand now why my colleagues wanted to travel here before returning to me. It was quite odd though, how empty this place was - until I ventured further and found some nasty creatures I have never seen before licking their lips while spotting me! I found the normal inhabitants within time, creatures called Minotaur. Formidable looking warriors, I avoided them and continued further into the area.
Things got worse as I went in, and I am afraid I found a shallow grave for three bodies on the north end. I didn't have time to investigate, as I was confronted by a Minotaur Captain to explain my presence. I offered him some trinkets I recovered from the Twisted Weald, and he agreed to talk for a short while but told me that I must leave soon. I was lucky to quickly learn that the Minotaur distrust the elves, and have distrusted them for many years. It is clear they have been affected by the shattering of Mondain's Gem so long ago as well, but I don't think I can rely on them to help build my case against the Elves. It wasn't long till I felt my welcome was worn thin, and I took my leave in haste.
As I emerged from the moongate near Moonglow, I spied a few trusting members of the Partisans of Chaos talking about something new going on at the Meer Tower. I decided against coming out as I was still stewing over the loss of my search party, so I snuck over and discovered what they were talking about - a large structure that was clearly worn from many years under the water has emerged behind the Tower!
I found the Meer wandering the island of Moonglow, and asked him what information he could provide. It seems that they were aware of this structure all along, but did not want to tell us in advance! I am sure this contributes to my theory that they have had an ulterior motive all along, and insisted to know more, but was answered with his back turned.
I am positive now that there is something of great interest in the house; however I am not sure how to get inside. Worse, the Meer may have already taken something out! I have decided to try and contract someone to build a bridge from the Meer tower to the house. While in the Tower, the Partisans arrived again so I ducked behind the plants to eavesdrop. They were bragging about their adventure to the Palace of Paroxysmus. Apparently, it seems this is a new dungeon, like the others, that has appeared with the cleansing of Yew. I shall prepare to visit it in the morning in the hope of meeting others that can offer insight on the Meer, the Elves, and this house that has been raised from the sea.
It was tough finding this Palace of Paroxysmus at first; I wandered aimlessly in the Lost Lands, and finally found an adventurer named Lucius. He was northwest of the Papua Bank and just west of the Lost Lands Desert. Lucius was selling magical ropes for 5,000 gold, which would grant me access to the Palace. A fair price to pay and I was sick and tired of having to rough up everyone to get what I wanted - so I happily gave him the coin and descended.
The putrid air of this dungeon made me choke at first, it was clear that poisonous rivers had made the air in here severely stagnated, and I can't see who would be alive down here. I found many poisonous monsters, then ran past demons, balrons, and succubi, till I found the familiar river of poison and followed it southeast deeper into the dungeon.
I followed the poison to a lake, and found no signs of anyone to assist me. I however did find my boots and pants nearly melted away, and my shirt corroded from all the poison. I could have done without this trip, and recalled out happily.
I am happy to hear that someone has agreed to build the bridge to the house, and met them there late tonight to observe the work. I have placed a barrel in the path to keep anyone from following me into the house. I have asked a security guard to come to work in an hour to make sure nobody follows me; anyone who tries must have a password to enter. The good news is I have spent the past few days working on that password, however I have lost it! Sure, I have it memorized, what kind of fool would I be without it, however I wrote it down and seem to have lost it somewhere in my travels. I am sure someone will find it, however I was smart to shove tons of fake passwords into my pockets in case I made the same blunder as before!
In the event I do not return, I hope someone comes looking for me.
Players Read the books.
Players visit houses in Yew around gate to find gold box with clue 1
Players visit Citadel to find Clue 2
Players find a clue in basement of Britain Salty Dog
Players find another clue in Brigand Camp.
Players find a clue somewhere in Sanctuary
Players visit Painted Caves but find nothing.
Players are directed to Prism of Light.
Tiblis sent to Royal Guard.
Players visit Blighted Forest
Hopefully they find something on the path between Shame and the Blighted Forest!
The Undead Elf invades Umbra.
Players visit Bedlam
Players visit the twisted Weald