Open Chronicles A Reflection of Oneself - Dungeon Raid

Sigrith · Tuesday at 3:37 PM

OPEN BOUNTY
Tulsom Gem Mine
Cortosi Coast

To the brave warrior, mage, or traveler seeking treasures from the deep: your assistance is needed!

Our deepest mine shaft has opened up an ancient chamber and awakened something terrible. Many miners have perished by the hands of what we believe to be stone golems formed in the likeness of those found within. Whosoever helps in ridding our mine of whatever untoward being creating these stone mirrors may fill their pockets with as many gems from the mines as they can find!

~~~

"Hmmmm," said the old mage as he stood before the opening of the mine entrance, "there appears to be some kind of magical ward."

Darkstride had been sitting there for nearly an hour, having accompanied the old mage up through the mountain pass to reach the mine. She wasn't here simply as an escort to keep the man safe, but as a Noct Yaegir on an active bounty. The mage, a halfling that looked like he'd spent too much time with the dwarves, had plopped his satchel full of scrolls down in the clearing beyond the entrance and warned the dire wolf to go no further an hour ago.

Pembrik Pellthumb was his name and puzzling out mysterious magics was, allegedly, his game.

As a witch stuck in the body of a direwolf, there wasn't a whole heck of a lot Darkstride could do to offer as help. Having lost her opposable thumbs several years prior, she was limited in her means of crafting and directing the eddies of the ethereal.

"Is it unsafe to pass?" asked the wolf with a bored flick of its tail.

"Undetermined," answered Pembrik, "we musn't assume anything until we have considered everything."

The wolf's ears drooped. She was afraid of that. "Perhaps I should hunt for dinner then..." they might be here a while. Long enough for others that picked up the bounty to arrive before they even got a head start into the mine.

Dario Aragonés · Tuesday at 4:17 PM

Dario was bustling down the trail with a bulky bag hanging heavily on his shoulders. While his cape helped a little with the weight, Baal did not like being used as some sort of pack mule, so Dario was still sweating profusely under the weight.

The young apprentice had been sent to hurry to this location after receiving word that his Master's friend Pembrik would be here searching for the magical phenomenon. His master had determined that to be an excellent chance for experience for the young man.

The jangling and clanking of camping supplies along with several magical tools did little to hide Dario's arrival from those already there.

"Um, excuse me, is there a Master Pellthumb here? Fen'Radel sent me. I'm Dario, his apprentice."

Sigrith

Sigrith · 2025-02-21T12:48:47-0500

Having expected to be joined by others eventually, the wolf made no move to stand guard as she heard the adventuring tune that heralded the arrival of a young mage. Curious fellow, and short in the tooth. This region of the world truly was lacking in the art of packing efficiently and carrying only what one needed. Then again, the weather he was remarkably less life-threatening than that of the frozen tundras of the north.

"Fen'Radel!" said Pembrik, bushy brows shooting upwards in the coil of silver curls, "I've not seen him in years. Last we spoke he said he was done with Apprentices." The halfling chortled as he gave the young man a short look-over, "You must be a special case indeed. Come and make yourself useful."

Pembrik gestured to a general open area where Dario could set down his things.

The direwolf watched Dario intently with its strange mismatched eyes.

"Tell me my boy, what's your familiarity with magical wards. I want you to assess the ward of the mine opening and give me your determination."

Afanas · 2025-02-21T14:08:58-0500

Sigrith Dario Aragonés

A tall, long-limbed man sat on a flat boulder about two dozen paces from the mouth of the cave. He was of the handsome stock, his flesh the hue of a bleached skull. From his tapering, angular countenance stared slanted eyes, twin stygian pools glimmering behind a net of loose bangs.

They narrowed, those two orbs of polished onyx, regarding the people before them with superficial interest.

Afanas' gaze fell upon the gnomish mage. The man was a caricature, an amalgamation of features that no sane mind would've elected to slap together, yet, for all the oddity, Afanas was happy that their little motley crew would have a fully fledged mage following them into the cavern.

Afanas rose from his seated position, his towering frame casting a looming shadow in the low illumination. He glanced at the heavens above, finding them overcast. There was just the right amount of clouds present to blot out the sun. This prevented its nauseating rays from reaching the vampire's sensitive face. Sunlight didn't technically burn him, but it sure as shit left him feeling bothered. He found little enjoyment walking in broad daylight, much less fighting in it.

Anafas got on his tippy toes to stretch. His impressive musculature strained against the stretchy fabric of his tight-fitting bodysuit, leaving little to the imagination. For once, he avoided having to wear a cumbersome cloak and the wide-brimmed traveler's hat, two items that all but became the staples of his wardrobe.

Not knowing how else to kill time, he decided to butt in on the trio's little conversation. Well, less butt-in and more making his presence a pinch more obvious by sauntering over to them, his stride languid and unbothered.

"Pardon my tardiness, honored colleagues. I got lost in reverie."