Besetting Rune
| Besetting Rune | |
|---|---|
| Date | 09/21/2023 |
| Storyteller | Doug |
| Tier | Trainee - Hard |
| Player Characters | Kasumi, Jemerov, Bees, Amani Hashmi, Lunaris Nightbloom, V |
| Rewards | 250xp, 100gp, Scroll of Mountain Resilience, Aeon Stone (Dusk Rose Prism), Rune of Invidia |
| Result | Success |
| Author | Kasumi |
| Downtime | 7 |
The roundtable has requested further investigation into the lands of Thassilon
Log
This venture began in the same spot as the previous campaigns through the portal in Krune's grave. Unsure what to expect on the otherside of the portal, Bees elected to take the plunge first followed by the corgi Cees. As we would all find out, a feeling of falling for a long period of time before landing inside the entrance of enclosed premise resembling a dungeon. Next to the entrance was a skeleton, a peculiarity in Thassilon due to most remains being desiccated, someone in green and silver robes who was trying to flee before they met their demise at this spot ages ago. The dungeon was dimly lit by braziers which illuminated bloodstained paths going in and out of chambers clearly once used for torture and flagellation. The first point of interest on our path through the complex was a minor shrine to the deity of their land associated with a staff. Adorned on the carved, stone staff was a gem that filled onlookers with deep regret that I, the author, still find myself ruminating on even now days after the encounter.
The next room over was where we encountered our fifth runelord. The man, Lord Belimarius, was frozen it what appeared to stone looking upon a grand statue of the Emperor of Thassilon. Furnishing the room additionally, were five stone caskets, four of which covered to leave the fifth open and empty. Examination of the remains in the closed caskets revealed skeletons similarly garbed to the one at the entrance, clearly plundered at some point for a ring. The stone runelord turned silently towards us as we moved the lids off the coffins, still unmoving otherwise. Retrieving the skeletal remains of the corpse by the entrance and correctly fitting it within the open casket caused the runelord to awaken. It struck out aggressively but revealed a neckalce bearing the five stolen rings on it. It was swiftly decided on to snatch each ring from the rampaging, draining stone man and return the rings to the owners in the tombs. Upon executing the plan, after plentiful healing to keep everybody able bodied, we put the runelord to rest. Our vision began to fade as normal, and we were granted a glimpse into the past.
The Vision
Lord Belimarius discusses his realm with his five aides, Grelius, Axiora, Maegar, Tivilus, and Oronth. Each of the aides in garbed in green and silver, each of them very supportive of their lord in his ambition for creating the perfect kingdom. The location is lavishly furnished, with the centerpiece being a large crystal ball with which the lord may watch over his perfect land. He oversees each small detail of his lordship, taxes, employment, each detail to a decimal. As time passes, more of the furnishing is replaced with religious iconography and depictions of the emperor while Balimarius continues to scrutinize his own efforts of rulership. When he hears the news of deaths in a accidental fire that broke out, he flies into a flurry of action, desperately trying to stop such a thing from ever happening again within his kingdom. His aides come up with a solution and he seems content for a time.
More time passes, the aides meet in concerned hushed voices constantly interrupted by cries of pain inside the dungeon. These would be revealed to be from the runelord himself, having flagellated himself into a bloody mess in atonement for his self-perceived shortcomings as a ruler. He sees every issue in his kingdom as his fault, that he is simply not good enough. His space becomes as decrepit as himself, furnishing replaced by torture implements, the crystal ball replaced by a giant statue to his father, the Emperor. Balimarius learns of the plight of drought encroaching, he pleads helplessly in front of the statue rather than take any action himself. Grelius, an aide, suggests a course of action that he will take himself. The lord looks at him with a green stare, but allows the aide to enact his plan.
The vision fades and refocuses upon one of the stone tombs with four aides and the lord weeping over it. Grelius was slain. The lands still have an incoming disaster and the lord is unwilling to act in his inconsolable state. Maegar suggests a course of action, and with a green glare he is given leave to enact it.
Maegar lies dead in a another tomb. A similar scene to before, and one that would be repeated twice more as Tivilus and Oronth meet similar ends. At last only Axiora and Lord Belimarius remain. Seeking comfort, the lord reveals he keeps the rings of his fallen aides on his person to Axoria. This outrages the aide, as they imply that taking such artifacts prevent the deceased from moving into the afterlife. Axoria comes to realize that in a fit of green envy the lord caused the deaths of their coworkers, and fearing for their life they try to escape. Their cry is the last thing heard near the entrance as they are struck down by the now alone lord. - Kasumi