quest/src/epistolary/00013.md

3.8 KiB

title created updated public syndicated
00013 Wed, 14 Sep 2022 10:22:21 -0600 Wed, 14 Sep 2022 10:22:21 -0600 yes yes

00013

Psst, Inky, can you poke your head into the vault, see if you can spot any crystals. Also, can you tell what kind of gold's in there? Maybe it's worth something to nab a piece of two for ourselves, you know, since we're so good at vault cracking.

While you do that I'm going to take a closer look at this sword, it's giving me heeby jeebies.

I cast a spell on the sword to identify its physical, magical, and metaphysical properties

"Strange sword, I command thee to divulge your secrets! All that you are of, exist in, and imbue from shall be wrought in words of sorcercy so that the world my see clear what you are!" I chant as I invoke ancient runes with my wand.

Corraidhín commands the sword commandingly. But the sword just rolls its eye and looks at him exasperatedly.

Hmm. Yes, no mouth. Well then.

Corraidhín draws on his mastery of Arcane Lore, and sifts through all the knowledge he has filed away on magical swords. There are so many books on magic swords!

While at first you guessed that it may merely be a common Look Sword, you have since revised your initial assessment. Look Swords are minor magical items, and are not quite as sentient as this particular blade appears to be.

No this must be something a little more special.

It's hard to tell from here--the water is not perfectly clear--but the pattern on the hilt is kind swirly and whirly. Probably a Sword of Omens.

Unless...

No, it's so unlikely.

And yet.

If the pattern on the hilt turns out to be more whirly than swirly, then it probably is indeed a Sword of Omens.

But on the other hand, if it is more swirly than whirly, it's possible that this may be then legendary Sword of J'Son.

If only you could get a closer look...

Inky nods and peeks inside the vault, while keeping an ear open for any sounds coming from the tunnel where the guard kobit is currently sleeping soundly. Small mountains of ancient gold, some as coins and some in nuggets of various shapes and sizes, filled most of the cavern floor. In one corner were a few chests overflowing with rubies and emeralds, with the occasional amethyst and tiny pink diamonds. Whoever had this vault set up has amassed a nice hoard!

Inky whispered back, "Some good old gold! There are also little crystals in one of the chests, but I can't tell if any of them is a Ginnarak."

Inky hears the drunken cowboy Kobit guard snoring gently. It whistles adorably a little bit at the top of each exhale.

You peek inside the vault just in time to see the lone Kobit guard that went inside to check on the vault. It yelps and trips over its own feet.

Its shoes were untied.

There are indeed piles of gold, gems, and crystals. Chests full of precious stones. A few suits of armor. For some reason, a giant clam, mouth open to reveal a giant pearl.

And in the center of it all, atop a stone pedestal, beneath a dome of glass, is the blue and gold Ginnarak Crystal. It is the size of a melon, and kind of shaped like one. A lumpy, multi-faceted blue and gold melon.

Flitting around the pedestal are a couple of Aurs. Giant ears with bat wings. Very keen hearing obviously. Usually more of an annoyance than a true deterrent. Unless there's a Centaur around. Nasty things those. A hundred ears with a hundred wings. The size of a small horse. They can really ruin your day. Luckily you don't see one around.

Finally, curled up on the ground at the base of the pedestal, hugging a mound of gold coins like a body pillow, is a nude Kobit, sound asleep. It stretches briefly in its sleep and when it does, you are astonished to see that it has large leathery wings.

WHAT DO YOU DO

www