Page 16 of 21

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2025 8:37 am
by Lord Torath
After he recovers, Stephen will make a careful circuit of the room, paying attention to the temperature of his talisman of Zagy. Assuming it doesn't warm up, he'll then turn his attention to the (presumably bronze) dragon corpse. “I wonder how they got it in here. It must have acquired one of the 'tattoos' at some point. Unless they dragged it in after it was dead. None of my gear has the 'tattoo' that I've noticed. So maybe 'tattooed' living beings can bring non-living matter with them.” Stephen pauses and withdraws his dagger, giving it a careful once-over.

Master Binky, can you tell us if anything is magical in here?

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 1:12 am
by BishGada
Ke'Sha instructs Mourkol to pass through the wall to the room with the dragon, then the three trolls to pass through the portal. He lets Drommacus pass too, then he passes, Alrius and Nidrith by his sides and Thallena and the last surviving skeleton several steps behind. He also shares Gur's sight to detect magic in the room, lingering on the Dragon Corse. 'Yes... Having a dracolich pet would be better. Such a pity the bronzes are serving the light.'
He then considers Stephen's comment. "Interesting observation. So suppose you accidently die, and we get the next tatoo, carrying your body, you would arrive with us, right? Then in the next dimension, suppose I resurruct you... err... successfuly. What will happen then? Will your body be pushed back to the alternate dimension? Will you stay with us? Care to try? By the way, I don't mind reviving this pet dragon, but it will require more than one day."

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(OOC: Ke'Sha can resurrect any creature that didn't die from old age and was dead up to 170 years, but he will have to rest one day per HD of the resurrected creature, so I guess 16-30 days??)

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 6:24 am
by Lord Torath
That would indeed be an interesting experiment to conduct. However, I'd prefer to use something else for our test subject. It would be pretty awful to be resurrected inside solid stone.

And while a bronze dragon could be a powerful ally in our quest, I'm not sure it's worth having you unable to contribute for two to three weeks. Would you be willing to cast Speak with dead to determine who it was, how it was brought here, and who its next of kin are?
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How long is the dragon corpse? Looking at the way it's suspended in the art (bottom of page 14 - which Tristan has already pointed out has accuracy issues), it looks to be arranged in a relatively straight line, putting its maximum length at 50 feet according to the room dimensions. That means we're looking at a young bronze (age category three - 42 to 60 feet long). That's what, the equivalent of an 6-10 year-old human?

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 1:08 pm
by BishGada
"Were you not interrupting my rest and meditation I'd gladly speak with the dragon's spirit, however, it will have to be postponed to another day."

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 1:55 pm
by Lord Torath
Had you not spent the last day-and-a-half making 'surprise' undead and summoning demons instead of praying for useful spells, I would not have interrupted you, would I? But that is in the past. It is a country populated frequently by regret, and it is ruled by tyrants. They cannot be moved. We shall just have to add speaking with the dead dragon's spirit to our list of things to do tomorrow.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 2:12 pm
by Nocturno
"Yes well let's see what the living can find." Jag will assist Jack while checking over areas on the wall.

"I got this. Move on to your own side... "
Jack scowls.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:07 pm
by TristenC
The group files in through the portal into the room. The stale scent of corruption is thick here, and with the addition of the undead it begins to get quite crowded around the corpse. Jack an Jag begin to examine the back of the stone block and find it smoothly worked like the walls of the room itself; presumably to blend in from this side as well.

Stephen queries 'Binky' about magic and a disembodied baritone voice of the Quasit answers. I only take orders from my boss. Allikhain smirks, Tell him, Binky dear. A loud sigh of exasperation comes. But Mooooooom! the tiny invisible creature whines. Don't be silly, Binky. You know you're adopted. The dark haired woman retorts. Gasp! You mean you and papa...! She shakes her head in rueful amusement Your father and I have a complicated relationship. Now stop stalling. Another loud sigh and a few moments of silence. Nothin, toots. no magic in here but us. Did you really look? The disembodied voice takes on a whiny tone again, Yes, I really, really really did this time! Honest!

Stephen examines the corpse from a distance and sees that pieces of the dragon arm do bear signs of the tattoos, pieces of at least 7 can be found.

Jack and Jag begin to search the walls but find no additional secrets

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This Bronze dragon was at least Juvenile (Category 4) or just into Young Adult (Cat 5), body length (including neck and head) around 45 feet, tail around 35+. It hangs and sags in places, and is oriented diagonally across the room. If laid out straight on the floor, even diagonally it would touch both corners of the room easily. The height and sagging are really the only reason it fits in here.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 9:27 am
by Lord Torath
Stephen will listen at the two doors, starting with the eastern one.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 3:45 pm
by BishGada
Ke'Sha smiles to himself hearing Allakhain's conversation with Binky. He knows it too well.
"Seven symbols. Well, speaking with the dragon can sure speed up our search..."

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(OOC: BTW, did Axid do his trick of looking behind the wall at the wall with the strange markings we saw in the other room? If not, maybe we should, or Ke'Sha can ask Mourkul to pay a visit there.)

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 11:38 am
by Styrius
(OOC: Axid didn’t perform clairvoyance on the other room.) with everyone through, Axid ceases the portal. He will walk over to the bronze dragon corpse and pick up a couple of loose scales. He will stuff them in his haversack for later use.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 12:06 pm
by Nocturno
Unless requested, Jack will continue going around the room, checking for hidden things or triggers.

Jag will bring out the scroll and see which runes the Dragon has.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 1:49 pm
by BishGada
Ke'Sha moves dead silent close to Axid and whispers. "Good work with the clairvoyance and portal. Could you use the clairvoyance on the other two walls in the room we just left. In fact I believe it can be done from here as well."
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(OOC: If I get it right this room is much larger than the previous one, so its walls will be adjuncted to unoccupied space behind the walls in the previous room.
BTW tristen, very cool usage of the stone shape.)

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:50 am
by TristenC
Stephen listens at first the East and then the west door, but doesn't hear anything.

Jack continues to circle the room, looking for hidden triggers and such but finds nothing.

Jag examines the corpse more closely. One arm alone bears the marks, but much of the scales are stained by putrified flesh or missing. Two of the symbols do seem to match the ones they have discovered so far...

Axid peels off a few loose scales and tucks them away

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Time is 1:40 PM, Waterday the 5th of Reaping [Day 3]

Ke Sha tried to send Mourkol through the wall with runes, but it didn't work.

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2025 10:03 am
by Nocturno
Jag will muse. "I think maybe we need to find this one first, before we go about getting this one." He will point to the 2nd Sigil, and then the third. "Since this fellow seems to have it. Also, I wonder if he is here as a warning, to others trying to get in."

Re: Return [To Madness]: Act 1, Scene 2

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 2:10 pm
by BishGada
"It might be here so we can ressurect it. Or it might be here because it tried to free Sorril."
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(OOC: Does the walls in this room seem adjuct to the area behind the runes wall? If so Ke'Sha will send Mourkol there.)