@kaoz42 Interested, Selene will memorize their scents as she would walk away from them to through the crowd to ensure losing that guard's focus. She can follow the scent, footmarks, etc. She may get on roof, if needed. She also will adject her clothes, so she cannot be recognized right away. (This card represents Selene's action)
Kailan paused at the fork in the road where two ancient paths diverged, each leading to one of the temples. She considered their choices carefully.
The Temple of the Sun was known for its clarity, revelation, and uncovering hidden truths. The Sun Oracle was said to wield visions that could illuminate even the most well-guarded mysteries, burning away deception and falsehood. If Kailan sought to understand what had caused the strange storms and undead invasion, the Sun Temple might provide a direct path to knowledge.
The Temple of the Moon, by contrast, offered wisdom of subtler, deeper mysteries. The Moon Oracle could guide seekers through dreams, intuition, and the secrets that lay shrouded in shadows. If the malevolent mind Kailan had encountered was hiding in the veils between worlds or within the realm of the dead, the Moon Oracle's insights might prove invaluable.
Turning to her companions, Kailan spoke thoughtfully. "The storm has lifted, and the silhouette has vanished. This feels like a mystery wrapped in shadows and hidden intentions. I believe we should seek the wisdom of the Moon Oracle first. The forces at play here seem to thrive in secrecy, and the light of the moon often reveals what the sun cannot."
The young woman, clutching her moon-etched amulet, nodded in agreement. "The Moon Temple lies just beyond those hills. If shadows hide our answers, the Oracle will help us see through them."
With their course decided, Kailan and the villagers made their way toward the Temple of the Moon, the path ahead bathed in the silver glow of a waning moon. The air was cool and still, as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for secrets to be unveiled.
Story Section
The path wound upward through dense, whispering woods. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting silvery patterns on the forest floor. Kailan felt the weight of unseen eyes on her—a sensation she had grown used to in these uncertain times.
As they crested a ridge, the Temple of the Moon emerged from the mist. Hewn from dark stone, its elegant spires rose like shadowy fingers grasping for the heavens. Soft blue luminescence pulsed from runes etched into the walls, the light ebbing and flowing like a heartbeat.
The group stepped forward cautiously. The massive double doors opened silently of their own accord, and an atmosphere of profound stillness settled over them. A figure stood within—a woman with silver hair cascading like liquid moonlight, her eyes like twin pools of starlight.
The Moon Oracle smiled faintly, her gaze piercing yet kind. "You walk paths veiled in shadow, Kailan. The night holds many secrets, and tonight, it whispers of a darkness that wishes to remain hidden."
Kailan bowed her head respectfully. "We seek the truth behind the disturbances ravaging Arastra. Undead minds, living storms, and unseen forces test our world. Can you guide us?"
The Oracle’s eyes shimmered with unfathomable depth. "I shall look beyond the veil for you, but be warned—the answers you seek may change the course of your path forever."
Kailan nodded. "I am ready."
The Moon Oracle extended her hands, and the temple's runes flared with brilliance. Shadows coalesced, visions forming from mist and light. The truth, hidden and terrible, was about to be revealed.
As Z talked to the lizardfolk, K snuck into a small outcropping in the cave where they had stored not only their charging stations, but just a few pieces of junk...just a few...Maybe a lot...And as K looked at the junk, they had a great idea! Their spindly arms came out of their sides and began to piece together a few scraps to form a functioning Molotov Cocktail. Not the best considering the situation, but without taking much time to process, K threw the Molotov cocktail at the lizardfolk shaman that was trying to poke Z. This couldn't go wrong! Right?
As the Frogs and Otters approach and speak to the Ancient Sentinel about their concerns, he tries to convince them not to worry. As a spirit he is not interested in the crops that grow here, but all he wants is to travel the land, meet its people and gain new or lost memories. He also tries to convince them, that, unless someone attacks him, he is quite peaceful.
Considering "even the slightest use of magic that could possibly cause trouble or offend someone, even as a joke" encompasses any and all uses of magic regardless of reason, Enbu will keep his ears open for rumors or other information as he passes through town and keeps traveling.
The worldbuilding is coming slow and I'm planning a combat system overhaul, but since I haven't posted an update in a while, here it is.
@FireOfGolden It seems to work well enough, no pursuers of yours detected. What would you like to do now?
@jpastor The Moon Oracle's eyes seem to shift for a moment, changing from eyes to moons, then shift back to eyes widened. Then she says "This time it is more difficult to peer through the veil. A powerful force is resisting it, and deities cannot intervene directly to our aid. I apologize for my inability to unearth these secrets. Farewell." Then several acolytes in fine robes the color of moonlight escort you back out into the night. What would you like to do now? A story section is not required and should not be used for your actions out of combat. (Though that might change, since I am still in the process of perfecting the RPG.)
@Mellow_MC The Molotov cocktail strikes the shaman square in the chest, burning into a fireball that leaves the shaman fatally burned but not dead due to lizardfolk's thick skin and just pure luck. A few other lizardfolk who rush in to take the shaman away have their hands burned by the flames, but if they feel pain, they do not show it in their urgency. The remaining lizardfolk rush for reinforcements. What would you like to do now?
@LvB The frogfolk and otterfolk let you in with sighs of relief. As you walk on the rough dirt path, you see groups of rabbitfolk farmers working on small carrot and wheat farms, and otterfolk fishing in the river. You reach a crossroads with a wooden sign labeling the left path as Autumnfield and the right path as Daywood. Autumnfield is somewhat farther than Daywood. (Not giving precise distance measurements since I haven't decided what distance units Arastra or Sonkad use.) Which way would you like to go? Or would you rather do something else?
@cadstar369 You catch a few rumors of the past of some of the vigilantes, some speculating visits to Wisalia inspiring their actions, while others speculating an antimagic mastermind determined on forcing his ideas upon others and other farfetched theories. As for other information, you get none, only noticing citizens attempting to use magic and not get caught by the vigilantes, with varying outcomes. In what direction would you like to travel? Meaning, towards the coast, further inland, or where else? Or would you like to do something else?
@kaoz42 ; Selene will attempt to follow the scent of noble woman while stay distance away from her to avoid being noticed by her guardsmen. She would like to know where the noble woman lives, so she can sneak into her house in the night.
Kailan frowns thoughtfully as the Moon Oracle's words weigh heavily on her mind. If even a force as powerful as the Oracle struggled to pierce the veil, then the mystery was deeper than she had anticipated. She turns to her companions, their expressions mirroring her own concern.
“We still have the Temple of the Sun,” Kailan says. “Perhaps its Oracle can shed light where the Moon’s power cannot. It’s our best chance for clarity.”
Unless any of the group objects, Kailan begins leading them toward the Temple of the Sun, her determination steeling with every step.
As the lizardfolk attempt to put out the flames upon there leader, Z quickly acted, picking the triumphant K up and throwing him up onto the top of the cave, into a small nook they had found that could serve as an escape tunnel. Z rushed forward, attempting to grab and throw the lizardfolk shaman as far as possible, in order to distract the lizardfolk in order for K to make an escape. But K quickly assembled a small projectile and attempted to blind the lizardfolk shaman with a quick throw to the eye. K prayed- well, as much as a robot can.
As the Ancient Sentinel stood at the crossroad, he thought for a while what to do next. But instead of following a road he decided to wander off into the wilds, hoping to find some old ruins or other long forgotten places. For some reason he felt drawn to such old remains of civilization.
Sorry for the radio silence; the new semester just started and it was kinda chaotic over break. 😅
Enbu would like to travel further inland toward Qamon. He doesn't often wander this far north, and the whole anti-magic vigilante commotion is more than enough reason to travel abroad and see new people and new stages.
@FireOfGolden It goes well enough. After a few hours of following the noblewoman covertly and without attracting attention from her guards, she eventually walks toward a large manor in the north of the city, with tall hedges of rose with thorns almost as large as the thorns on brambles. Servants open the doors for her and then close them after her guardsmen. What would you like to do now? Wait for night and attempt to sneak in? If so, how and where? Or do something else?
@jpastor You head back into the woods then turn towards the path leading toward the Temple of the Sun. After some travel, it appears before you, a tall structure with many ramps, stairs, and tall spires, shining with light. After you proceed to its grand entrance, several acolytes in sunlight-colored robes greet you and then take you to the oracle after you request a visit. The Sun Oracle says "Well, if the Moon Oracle could not pierce the veil for something like this, it is likely I will not be able to either, as it is not my specialty. But I will try for your sake." Then shines with light, and after a few moments, stops shining, then addresses you "It appears my worries were right. I was not able to find information, as a powerful force resisted." Then more acolytes escort you back out. What would you like to do now?
@Mellow_MC Bad luck strikes and the projectile sails right past the shaman and shatters harmlessly on the rock. The lizardfolk then continue carrying their shaman away and rushing for reinforcements, grunting a few phrases in their language too low for Z to make out. What would you like to do now?
@LvB You wander for a while through farmland, wooded areas, riverbanks, and even villages and towns, but find no abandoned places. After more wandering, you finally find an abandoned windmill with some ruins of other structures near it. What would you like to do now? Explore it? Or do something else?
@cadstar369 While you travel toward the border with Qamon, you are able to earn some coin from performances, as well as out-entertain a spellcasting bard whose songs attract far less of an audience then your raucous performance. When you reach the border with Qamon, several armed snakefolk guards stop you and ask for assent to not disturbing the balance intentionally or unintentionally, especially not by using too much magic. What would you like to do now?
Z does the classic move that they've had to do a thousand times before - pick K up and run for the hills. As they run, they attempt to lose any pursuers in the surrounding terrain, while K occasionally drops down from Z's grasp to set up traps or mess the terrain up in directions where they aren't going. But K was steadily running out of scrap. They would have to escape soon, and they were to busy running to check if they were being pursued. They check now, from behind a shallow outcropping in the ground, and pray that they haven't been followed.
@kaoz42 Selene will wait until nighttime, after all, she has a better night vision than the humans. As it is nighttime, she will look around the manor at reasonable distance to find a way to climb over the manor. So, she could break into the manor quietly on most top floor through the window.
A windmill with ruins? This could be interesting! Maybe this was a small village once? The Ancient Sentinel decided to explore this place. Maybe he would find out if this place had a name once, or something about its inhabitants.
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They are all humans.
Interested, Selene will memorize their scents as she would walk away from them to through the crowd to ensure losing that guard's focus. She can follow the scent, footmarks, etc. She may get on roof, if needed. She also will adject her clothes, so she cannot be recognized right away.
(This card represents Selene's action)
Kailan paused at the fork in the road where two ancient paths diverged, each leading to one of the temples. She considered their choices carefully.
The Temple of the Sun was known for its clarity, revelation, and uncovering hidden truths. The Sun Oracle was said to wield visions that could illuminate even the most well-guarded mysteries, burning away deception and falsehood. If Kailan sought to understand what had caused the strange storms and undead invasion, the Sun Temple might provide a direct path to knowledge.
The Temple of the Moon, by contrast, offered wisdom of subtler, deeper mysteries. The Moon Oracle could guide seekers through dreams, intuition, and the secrets that lay shrouded in shadows. If the malevolent mind Kailan had encountered was hiding in the veils between worlds or within the realm of the dead, the Moon Oracle's insights might prove invaluable.
Turning to her companions, Kailan spoke thoughtfully. "The storm has lifted, and the silhouette has vanished. This feels like a mystery wrapped in shadows and hidden intentions. I believe we should seek the wisdom of the Moon Oracle first. The forces at play here seem to thrive in secrecy, and the light of the moon often reveals what the sun cannot."
The young woman, clutching her moon-etched amulet, nodded in agreement. "The Moon Temple lies just beyond those hills. If shadows hide our answers, the Oracle will help us see through them."
With their course decided, Kailan and the villagers made their way toward the Temple of the Moon, the path ahead bathed in the silver glow of a waning moon. The air was cool and still, as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for secrets to be unveiled.
Story Section
The path wound upward through dense, whispering woods. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting silvery patterns on the forest floor. Kailan felt the weight of unseen eyes on her—a sensation she had grown used to in these uncertain times.
As they crested a ridge, the Temple of the Moon emerged from the mist. Hewn from dark stone, its elegant spires rose like shadowy fingers grasping for the heavens. Soft blue luminescence pulsed from runes etched into the walls, the light ebbing and flowing like a heartbeat.
The group stepped forward cautiously. The massive double doors opened silently of their own accord, and an atmosphere of profound stillness settled over them. A figure stood within—a woman with silver hair cascading like liquid moonlight, her eyes like twin pools of starlight.
The Moon Oracle smiled faintly, her gaze piercing yet kind. "You walk paths veiled in shadow, Kailan. The night holds many secrets, and tonight, it whispers of a darkness that wishes to remain hidden."
Kailan bowed her head respectfully. "We seek the truth behind the disturbances ravaging Arastra. Undead minds, living storms, and unseen forces test our world. Can you guide us?"
The Oracle’s eyes shimmered with unfathomable depth. "I shall look beyond the veil for you, but be warned—the answers you seek may change the course of your path forever."
Kailan nodded. "I am ready."
The Moon Oracle extended her hands, and the temple's runes flared with brilliance. Shadows coalesced, visions forming from mist and light. The truth, hidden and terrible, was about to be revealed.
Announcement
I will be taking another hiatus, but this also does not mean the campaign has ended, and gives more time for @cadstar369 and @LvB to respond.@FireOfGolden
It seems to work well enough, no pursuers of yours detected. What would you like to do now?
@jpastor
The Moon Oracle's eyes seem to shift for a moment, changing from eyes to moons, then shift back to eyes widened. Then she says "This time it is more difficult to peer through the veil. A powerful force is resisting it, and deities cannot intervene directly to our aid. I apologize for my inability to unearth these secrets. Farewell." Then several acolytes in fine robes the color of moonlight escort you back out into the night. What would you like to do now? A story section is not required and should not be used for your actions out of combat. (Though that might change, since I am still in the process of perfecting the RPG.)
@Mellow_MC
The Molotov cocktail strikes the shaman square in the chest, burning into a fireball that leaves the shaman fatally burned but not dead due to lizardfolk's thick skin and just pure luck. A few other lizardfolk who rush in to take the shaman away have their hands burned by the flames, but if they feel pain, they do not show it in their urgency. The remaining lizardfolk rush for reinforcements. What would you like to do now?
@LvB
The frogfolk and otterfolk let you in with sighs of relief. As you walk on the rough dirt path, you see groups of rabbitfolk farmers working on small carrot and wheat farms, and otterfolk fishing in the river. You reach a crossroads with a wooden sign labeling the left path as Autumnfield and the right path as Daywood. Autumnfield is somewhat farther than Daywood. (Not giving precise distance measurements since I haven't decided what distance units Arastra or Sonkad use.) Which way would you like to go? Or would you rather do something else?
@cadstar369
You catch a few rumors of the past of some of the vigilantes, some speculating visits to Wisalia inspiring their actions, while others speculating an antimagic mastermind determined on forcing his ideas upon others and other farfetched theories. As for other information, you get none, only noticing citizens attempting to use magic and not get caught by the vigilantes, with varying outcomes. In what direction would you like to travel? Meaning, towards the coast, further inland, or where else? Or would you like to do something else?
Selene will attempt to follow the scent of noble woman while stay distance away from her to avoid being noticed by her guardsmen. She would like to know where the noble woman lives, so she can sneak into her house in the night.
Kailan frowns thoughtfully as the Moon Oracle's words weigh heavily on her mind. If even a force as powerful as the Oracle struggled to pierce the veil, then the mystery was deeper than she had anticipated. She turns to her companions, their expressions mirroring her own concern.
“We still have the Temple of the Sun,” Kailan says. “Perhaps its Oracle can shed light where the Moon’s power cannot. It’s our best chance for clarity.”
Unless any of the group objects, Kailan begins leading them toward the Temple of the Sun, her determination steeling with every step.
It seems Cadstar369 isn't here at moment, perhaps he has a life he must take care of first.
It is likely that LvB lost interest in this RPG. Thereby, I say we continue without then until they comes back. (I hope Cadstar369 is okay, through)
Enbu would like to travel further inland toward Qamon. He doesn't often wander this far north, and the whole anti-magic vigilante commotion is more than enough reason to travel abroad and see new people and new stages.
Welcome back!
It goes well enough. After a few hours of following the noblewoman covertly and without attracting attention from her guards, she eventually walks toward a large manor in the north of the city, with tall hedges of rose with thorns almost as large as the thorns on brambles. Servants open the doors for her and then close them after her guardsmen. What would you like to do now? Wait for night and attempt to sneak in? If so, how and where? Or do something else?
@jpastor
You head back into the woods then turn towards the path leading toward the Temple of the Sun. After some travel, it appears before you, a tall structure with many ramps, stairs, and tall spires, shining with light. After you proceed to its grand entrance, several acolytes in sunlight-colored robes greet you and then take you to the oracle after you request a visit. The Sun Oracle says "Well, if the Moon Oracle could not pierce the veil for something like this, it is likely I will not be able to either, as it is not my specialty. But I will try for your sake." Then shines with light, and after a few moments, stops shining, then addresses you "It appears my worries were right. I was not able to find information, as a powerful force resisted." Then more acolytes escort you back out. What would you like to do now?
@Mellow_MC
Bad luck strikes and the projectile sails right past the shaman and shatters harmlessly on the rock. The lizardfolk then continue carrying their shaman away and rushing for reinforcements, grunting a few phrases in their language too low for Z to make out. What would you like to do now?
@LvB
You wander for a while through farmland, wooded areas, riverbanks, and even villages and towns, but find no abandoned places. After more wandering, you finally find an abandoned windmill with some ruins of other structures near it. What would you like to do now? Explore it? Or do something else?
@cadstar369
While you travel toward the border with Qamon, you are able to earn some coin from performances, as well as out-entertain a spellcasting bard whose songs attract far less of an audience then your raucous performance. When you reach the border with Qamon, several armed snakefolk guards stop you and ask for assent to not disturbing the balance intentionally or unintentionally, especially not by using too much magic. What would you like to do now?
Selene will wait until nighttime, after all, she has a better night vision than the humans. As it is nighttime, she will look around the manor at reasonable distance to find a way to climb over the manor. So, she could break into the manor quietly on most top floor through the window.