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Sun 10th Mar 2024 04:11

Castle Capers Part IV: Visions of the Past & Hints of the Future

by Tristan el'Mer

It is truly wonderous what a solid block of time spent meditating will do for someone. Most of the fog has cleared from my mind… though the memory of Her pressing into me as I fell in battle still lingers. Somewhat less after giving her some of what she wanted. As distasteful as I found his needless end, perhaps She will remain satisfied with the death of Borngray and I can slip into the shadows again and remain unnoticed.
 
Following our group’s time of recuperation we managed to best Borngray and his remaining minions. He talked readily enough, if not fully enough. The strangest things happened after that fight, in a room above where a strange arcane powered spyglass device was located.
 
Firstly, Nuri found while looking through it that the black dragon that resides in this swamp is actually two black dragons. Because, you know, one is not bad enough. We must be sure to pass this intel to the Harpers, assuming we live long enough to do so. Inspecting the device awoke a number of stone gargoyles. This fight was brief, but hard won as we were already tired from the battle with Borngray and his minions.
 
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, some unbelievable arcane power has been imprinted in this room. As we approached we were, all of us, transported back in time to watch a dreadful scene play out. Apparently the final tale of what transpired in the castle regarding Virgil’s friend. Though, this still leaves more questions than answers. It seems clear that Virgil’s friend, Whistler, was betrayed by a friend within her stargazer community. This friend turned out to be a vampire who was aiding the cultists for her own nefarious reasons. The end of this strange vision was when Whistler threw an orb that transported both women….somewhere. I suppose this is good news, there is a chance yet that his friend lives, though where she is located is now less certain than ever.
 
Lastly, having watched Virgil very closely in the fighting over the last several days I believe I can now emulate his stamina recovery technique, and have even managed to further improve my defensive posture. I must continue to watch him so I can learn the secret to pushing myself to limits for that extra surge of energy he seems to get from time to time. He is a superb fighter, and I hope to learn as much as possible from him.
 
We leave the castle in the swamp heavily burdened with treasures, though much of that is in copper pieces. Conrad sought out the direct guidance of his… his what? His god? His avatar? Some secret primordial being of fire? Whomever, or whatever, it is told him we must press on with haste, and so we have done so. Straight to this hunting lodge in the mountains. This course of action agrees with me fully as I am anxious to find this Sky Castle that belongs to a Cloud Giant. How fortuitous it is that these paths intersect. At least, I hope it is fortuitous. If the Cloud Giants have aligned themselves with the Cult, I may be hard pressed to get them to provide any insight or answers I seek. Conversely… giants and dragons have a long history of hating each other. Mayhaps I could use this to my advantage, which would be advantageous to all of us really. What would the Harpers think if I could convince the Cloud giants to join our cause against the Cult? And perhaps with that happy news the unraveling of the mystery of my rune rubbings. What powers do they present, what knowledge bestowed upon those who unlock their secrets?
 
Yes, I will push Her out of my mind and focus on what is to come. I mustn’t let my concentration slip as I seek the path to knowing more about these runes.

Continue reading...

  1. Goblins and Wargs and Minotaurs, oh my!
    16th of Flamerule, 1486
  2. To Greenest
    17th of Flamerule, 1486
  3. Greenest is the Blackest
    18th of Flamerule, 1486
  4. On dragons, monks, and shite
    19th of Flamerule
  5. Ethereal Me
    20th of Flamerule
  6. Revelations
    21st of Flamerule
  7. The Cave of Triumph and Terror
    22nd of Flamerule
  8. Liches Give Stitches, and other Horrors of the Dark
    22 of Flamerule
  9. The Long Road Ahead: Part I
  10. The Long Road Ahead: Part II
  11. The Long Road Ahead: Part III
    Midsummer
  12. Sleeping on Splinters
    Mid Uktar
  13. The Convergence of the Bizarre and Unlikely
  14. Castle Capers: Part I
  15. Castle Capers Part II
  16. Castle Capers Part III: Shadows of Darkest Light
  17. Castle Capers Part IV: Visions of the Past & Hints of the Future
  18. Mountain Dream Houses and How to clear out the vermin you find when you arrive:
  19. Through the Woods, and into the Air, to Blathokus’ House We Go!
  20. Castle in the Sky, I Can Fly Twice as High
  21. The Ice is on Fire
  22. The City of Splendors
  23. The Journal Entry’s title
  24. City of Splinters
  25. Faces, Masks, and Catnip
  26. Doppler DupliCity
  27. Amorphisms
  28. High in the Skies and Deep in the Ground
  29. Aberrations and Apparitions?
  30. Of Temples, Tombs, and Secrets
  31. The Journal Entry’s title
  32. Whispered Revelations
  33. Varam the Whipped
  34. The End of Many Ages
  35. Fridgid Waters, Fidgety Gnome
  36. Into the Lion’s Den, ehrm.. Dragon’s Den
  37. Severin’ the Snake’s Head
  38. Ghosts, Ghouls, & things that go bump in the night
  39. Black & White; Green & Grey
  40. Ancient Future
  41. Pig’s Pearls
  42. Jade Herrings, Elven boots, Hidden Ruins, Concealed Silver
  43. Scale Broken

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.045 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 00:35, Jun 3 2025