DM Notes
Out of all the things Roric came back with that belonged to Styles, a blue stone key is by far the strangest. It seems to have a life of its own and pulls the party toward something in the desert. They trek into the sands to find a ancient ruin worn to near non existance by the sand and wind. The key however pulls them toward two blue obelisks. With key in hand they cross through and find themselves in another world. Lush green trees and flowers, canals, walkways, and pillars of white marble lay before them, and in the distance a small tower. The party is assualted by magical statues that try to bar their way. They manage to destroy the statues and explore the tower finding the remains of a long dead wizard as well as many wonderful works of magic including a magic mirror that seems to allow the tower to move through the material plane.
Player Notes
“Roric was not with us for very long, but perhaps he had the greatest impact on our journey. He gave to us a blue key that he procured from Styles’s home. I hadn’t even known he and Kevon left to loot the criminal’s mansion. I guess he wouldn’t need anything anyway now that he’s dead.
Oh, and I guess Kevon died somehow. I didn’t really catch what happened to him. Roric just sort of said he was dead. Our first fatality…you know, I should probably say something about the man, about the great deeds he did, how helpful he was to the party…
…
So the key had a mind of its own and pulled us out of ArkiNath and into the desert to two blue pillars. Brother Osho tossed the key between the pillars, and the key disappeared into thin air! Unbelievable! And also, what an odd thing to do! I will tell you, had I possessed the key, I surely wouldn’t have done something as silly as throw it. Who throws a key!? If it was danger that Brother Osho feared, he should have shoved Grogmar in first. Anything on the other side would run away in fear, or perhaps kill him, but at least the rest of us would be safe! Fortunately, whatever magic powers that the portal possessed allowed us to follow through after the tossed key.
What was beyond is incredible! Bright, endless light, beautiful flowers and sturdy trees, and smooth, tall marble pillars. There is also a tower in the distance that we walked toward. But danger found us! Magical statues assaulted us. Expressionless, sturdy, and quite solid. They put up a hard fight! The largest statue, quite intimidating, threw a spear of pure lightning! But they were not strong enough for the likes of us! Our very first battle together proved successful, and also scored Brother Osho that magnificent spear.
Inside the tower we discovered a disgusting and dark creature. Black ooze poured out of every wound we inflicted. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’m not sure I will again. Cecil stayed back as we slashed and stabbed at the monstrosity. We managed to best the creature, and we took the tower for our own!
Looking back, this is where our journey together really took shape. Before, we were a cobbled together group of no ones, well, except me and Lovejoy, of course. But now we began to band together. We had a portal to another place, a place no one else could come. Only we had the key. We could make this our place of operations…our tactics and strategies headquarters…perhaps a place to call home someday.
But first, someone needs to clean up the ooze.”
– An oral story from Thorry