(Character) was hastening to take cover from a sudden and unseasonal storm when he came across an overgrown (or perhaps hidden!) path. Daring the unexpected opportunity as a welcome respite from the foul weather, he followed the path, finding it to be both narrow and broken. After a brief but difficult trek, he was relieved to enter the small, hidden cave found at the path's end. To his surprise, the cave provided not only shelter from the weather but also an interesting discovery. In the center of the cave was an oblong block of dark stone, engulfed in a faint transparent blue light that covered the entire surface. Upon the stone lay something that did not shine, but attracted his attention nonetheless. The cave seemed almost to be calling him. He couldn't tell what it was, and certainly the item there was a powerful artifact, he thought, but how might one breach the possible protections?
Character Encounter
?
| Options | Free People | Neutral | Dark Servants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack PHYSICALLY to drive off any guardians | Combat | Combat | Combat |
| Attack MAGICALLY to dispel any wards | Combat | Combat | Combat |
| Creep forward silently and REMOVE the item from the stone block | Combat | ? | ? |
| Leap forward and STEAL the item from the stone block | ? | ? | ? |
| WAIT and see if the shimmering light goes out | Combat | ? | Injured/Killed |
| Declare your ALLEGIANCE | Gain Artifact | Nothing | ? |
| Say (only one word) | Combat | ? | ? |
| FLEE | ? | ? | ? |
Combat: Non-human Mage, M54Ch54, character died (Dave Holt)
Combat: Human Mage, M54(99)E83 Ch124 - Character won with no health loss, gained artifact and +4 mage rank. (Rich Thomas)
Allegiance: "I follow no path! I remain neutral in the battle between Good and Evil!" The cry rang out in the confines of the cave as he waited anxiously for some response. Nothing further seemed to happen. The cave somehow seemed as if it were still calling..." Note that I had no idea what the allegiance of the artifact was, so if wasn't neutral, maybe that's why I didn't get to pick it up.
Allegience: We are FP, but as I stated my allegiance, I didn't get anything. (No reaction). Perhaps it depends on the allegiance of the artifacts and if I remember right, it was a Neutral one. (Mathias Bergolte)
Say: Good, "Colbrain" - Combat. (Bobbins)
The outcome was combat, (i.e. wrong answer). In the presence of the intimidating magical power, Character stood forth and proclaimed, "Colbran." Suddenly the chamber trembled, and the light went out, and he felt that he was ill- equipped to carry out his original plan of action. He stumbled, indecisively, and then slowly he became aware that the light was returning and he found himself a mere handswidth from the stone block. As he was just about to reach the valuable artifact and hail the lack of any apparent guardian, Character suddenly realised that where the stone block used to be, standing between himself and the artifact, was a towering Pukel-creature, originally the creation of the Druedain and the Daen Coentis. Only his lightning-like reflexes, reflected in a backward leap, saved him from the first swift and deadly attack - a ball of lightning aimed at his head! If that had landed, the fight would already be over. He reviewed his tactics quickly, circling the enchanted creature and casting spell after spell that seemed to have no effect. But it seemed that the creature was likewise unable to injure him. Finally, he realised that the glow of the creature was beginning to dim. Suddenly, he cast an inspired spell which surrounded the weakened manlike being. He watched in awe as the dim glow finally extinguished - the sign of its final death.
I got a whopping ONE point to mage rank, no artifact!!!
I have unconfirmed reports that a FP emmie announced his/her ALLEGIANCE and got the artifact, and that a DS emmie WAITED and was attacked and reduced to 1 health by Druidain (??!!).
Update from Mathias Bergolte: We are FP, but as I stated my allegiance, I didn't get anything. (No reaction). Perhaps it depends on the allegiance of the artifacts and if I remember right, it was a Neutral one.