Mysteries of Mystara 013

After getting settled into their lodgings at the Keep, the group explores a bit then heads off to the Archivists' Sanctum the following day. On the way they are ambushed and once they get there, they discover the Archivists are in trouble. The on-going GURPS saga of five unlikely companions attempting to unravel the mysteries of Mystara.

Mysteries of Mystara
Session 013

Settling In and Visiting the Sanctum

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Most of the group gets settled in their rooms at the Green Man Inn while Malachai sets up a campsite outside the Keep, down near a small stream that flows past. The Keep seems to be a nice and friendly place and the group hopes to remain here for a while, at least until they find their friend, Fergus.

The Keep

Ol' Tarlach

Curate Sulos

Though he does not desire to sleep in the Keep, the Fae-touched still has business inside the keep and Malachai seeks out the local house of worship, hoping that the Traladaran curate can help him with the cursed panpipes he has acquired. Malachai finds Iajo Sulos and the two discuss the pan pipes. The priest believes he can help but says he needs to keep the pipes overnight to know for sure. Malachai agrees and heads back to his camp just outside of the Keep. As he gets settled back in his comfy little camp, he is interrupted by an older Human male leading a passel of Human children, clearly come back from fishing. They have a brief, strained conversation, but after a moment, the Human, known as Ol’ Tarlach, takes his leave.

Lucky wastes no time looking for employment and quickly impresses the tavern and inn owner, Wilf Orlov, with his bardic skills. He finds himself hired for the time being as the entertainer of the One-Eyed Cat Tavern. He quickly gets to work singing, dancing, and telling enthralling stories. The many patrons of the tavern appreciate Lucky’s brand of entertainment and the bard is quickly ingrained in their good graces. 

The Tavern

Haseneft Trigh

While Lucky carries on, Talyn decides to start talking to some folk about some of the loot they had recovered. Having learned from the Innkeeper, Calista Orlov, that there was a traveling mage staying in the Inn, Talyn identifies him and approaches. The mage, Haseneft Trigh, seems happy to help identify both the scroll and the Dragon Tome. He says the scroll is written in Dragonic and contains the spells Acid Bolt and Fire Charm. He says he will need a bit more time to look over the Tome though and Talyn agrees to leave it with him. 

Third

Panya settles in for some food once the sun finally goes down. She eats quietly, watching Lucky perform in the common room of the Tavern. She notices a strange warrior in the corner of the room, seeming to stand guard, staring at her. This warrior, she comes to find out, is an outsider to the keep, one who wandered in some time ago and did not speak the local language. She is known as “Third” to the locals, as this is the only information they could get from her. “Third” works as the bouncer of the tavern for free room and board. Later that evening, Panay finds herself face to face with Third in the hallway of the Inn and it is revealed that Third speaks Panya’s native Nithian language. Moreso, Third claims that Panya looks like her patron Immortal, Madura, though this name is not one Panya is familiar with. 

The next morning, Talyn finds that the dark mage Haeneft Trigh has disappeared from the keep and apparently absconded with the Dragon Tome. Disheartened, the group wants to find him and decides to go looking at a nearby library, the Archivists’ Sanctum, located several hours up in the mountains. Meanwhile, Malachai revisits the Church of Traladara and finds that Curate Sulos can, in fact, remove the curse of the panpipes, unfortunately, in doing so, it will destroy the enchantment as well. Wanting to be done with his aversion to sunlight, Malachai agrees to let the priest destroy the cursed pipes. 

Soon after, the party heads out in search of the Archivists’ Sanctum with directions from several of the locals. The trip is not long but just before reaching the mountainous library, the group is ambushed by a Manticore and some Gnoll lackeys. The malevolent skulks attack from hiding and use their ranged weapons to try to take out the group, fortunately, bravery wins the day and the bandits are run off. Sadly, Erky the Gnome is once again wounded, but he is magically healed and the journey is resumed.

The Manticore

Eventually, the Sanctum is reached, but a disturbing discovery is made. On the front steps of the stately edifice, one of the librarian scholars is found. He is alive, but struggling and unable to communicate. He seems to be afflicted by some sort of mental condition that prevents him from thinking clearly. He is examined by both Panya and Malacahi but nothing seems to help. Lucky uses a spell to Detect Magic and some strange things appear to be crawling about on his head. Panya quickly retrieves her shaving kit and shaves the man’s head, hoping that will relieve him, but it does not. 

The Sanctum

Further exploration of the Sanctum reveals several other Archivists in similar condition but no other clues. There are some chained and warded books in a special vault, and an un-openable box in an office. Soon it is realized that there is no way to ascend to the uppermost floor of the Sanctum from the inside. Panya climbs the outside of the building and drops a rope allowing everyone else to climb up. The third floor looks to be the private office and bedchamber of the head Archivist, though no one is present. Searching the room reveals that a magical circle on the floor may be the key to what is going on. With a bit of research, the command words are revealed and the group decides to activate the circle to see what happens. They are immediately transported into another realm that looks similar, but clearly is not. A friendly looking older Human woman that appears to be a librarian sees them then rushes through the door to the bedchamber beyond.

Session Notes

Great session, the group finally gets settled into their new locale, hopefully for a while. I hate that I always forget to write these up until right before the new session happens! Looking forward to playing this Saturday night!

Cast of Characters:

Malachai, Feytouched, Wilderness Defender - played by JeCorey H
Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, teenage Celestial warrior on the run - played by Don K
Panya Masika, a Nithian monk stranded out of time - played by Carol C
Vlajic Savago, the Lucky Savage, a Traladaran bard - played by Dan E

and GMJasonGURPS as the DM