Setting
You have come at a most dire time. The land is steadily falling into much strife with each passing turn of the sun. Plague spreads across the Kingdom of Skyfall, sending many men to an early grave. It is close to claiming the King and along with it, the Crystal Crown. The Noble Houses of Markett, Traeger, and Edenhelm are all laying claim to the throne with political savagery and causing much dissent in the land due to chaos. Civil war is drawing more near as tensions rise between the Houses as Skyfall may soon be left leaderless from the death of their Beloved King Lesym Tharcey Edenhelm. The denizens of Skyfall are left to ponder who will rise up while the elderly, the young, and the frail are stricken with the plague. Clerics scramble in order to find a cure but none has been found, only a road to an untroubled death through medicine.
In the isolated Kingdom of Mahark, inside The Exalted Mountains, the Dwarves still dig as deep as the earth will allow. It has come to light that they may have dug too far. An artifact of great proportions had been unearthed and revealed in the depths of the mountains. Not even the lore of the Dwarven Lords recite such an article in the Tales of Mahark. Details of the artifact cannot be uncovered as any who travel too close disappear and are never seen again. Dwarves ride as fast as their steeds will allow in order to reach the Neluthien Kingdom. They seek to speak with the elves and collect their intellect on the matter, even if they must begrudgingly pay a hefty fee of precious mithril arms and armament.
Meanwhile, Kingdom of Neluthien remains as silent as it always has been, hiding many secrets inside the Elwendil Woods. But if one were a Child of the Woods, they would speak of the Elven War raging within the depth of the forest. All stake claim for ultimate rule as the Vallade House and the Ithlond House attempt to grasp absolute power. While most denizens follow the Old Ways and the Vallade, their are some who whisper of how Ithlond's ideals are more agreeable. And as the treachery between the divided Houses, the Diviners begin to speak of ill omens and a shadow which is extending its arm out for the Kingdom of Skyfall, intent on swallowing all life on Gaia.
So tell me, Adventurer, are you adamant in your decision to step foot upon the soils of Gaia's Realms, or have you now grown enough conscious to believe that it is best to turn your back on this world?
Gaia
A planet within the Sirius System that orbits the dead star; Eras. However, Gaia is not lacking light. Two other stars orbit the planet itself; Atargatis and Sagittae. Three moons provide temporary night when eclipses take event, otherwise Gaia is always bathed in sunlight. It is only due to the magical nature of Mother Gaia which provides the necessities for fantastical life to grow, the planet always ever watching over her beloved children who roam her earth.
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
Gaia is a part of 
Sirius.
8 Places in Gaia:
25 Characters Here
Pakhavu Golemtamer [53] "Who ever said the small couldn't do much was wrong."
Aurora Urthador [42] Fiery monk of the southern sands.
Symir Urthador [42]
Ra'Zahr [42] Rakasta Priest and Wizard of his people.
Inikhethadaternock [41] Sand Dragon of the southern sands and master cook.
The GM [27] Game Master Profile for Gaia Stones Adventure Plot.
Atargatis [25] Star of Gaia, brother of Sagittae.
The Story Teller [23] The Story Teller is not one man or woman, but many from different lands who all share the same voice as they tell the same tales told all across Gaian lands.
Berthas Hoarercrux [22] An Illuminatede Member of Ordo Sanctae Scientia
Brickel [21] "Eyes on the Prize"
Start Character Here »
Vehicles
Freyja
Not bothering to order his men, Pater started walking, soon to be followed by the silent metal figures. He continued north, trying to put the meeting from his mind.
Gary Mandolera looked around in sheer amazement and stared at the stone that the woman had given him earlier. Not directly, though...that might blind him to his surroundings. He hadn't survived this long without being canny about keeping his guard up. Still, the part about calling him he was familiar with. He made sure to listen.
The stone in Gary Mandolera’s possession would begin to glow brilliantly as if it wished to be revealed and looked upon. It was time for the man to face his challenge in order to claim his sword to prove his worth of being a Champion of Gaia.
But Mother Gaia was growing desperate for souls to save her from the looming darkness. Not only would Gary Mandolera be taken from the world and taken to his trial but two others as well. For those three individuals, the world froze in place. Birds stopped mid-flight. Rivers stopped flowing. A woman’s tear paused just before it could land on the ground. The only three that were able to move were the Chosen three.
Each would have the feeling of their feet lifting off the ground. They would witness—together—a completely dark world where not even hope could shine its light. It was the world that would come to pass if Eras was to rise to power. Everlasting Night. It would strike into each person a different perspective and different emotions.
And then the darkness faded away to reveal another kind of darkness. The room was damp and cold. Water was dripping from a leak in the underground tomb. A torch hung on the wall lit up in an eerie blue fire and bathed the three people in its light. Gary’s stone dulled as if it were weary with exhaustion.
But Mother Gaia was growing desperate for souls to save her from the looming darkness. Not only would Gary Mandolera be taken from the world and taken to his trial but two others as well. For those three individuals, the world froze in place. Birds stopped mid-flight. Rivers stopped flowing. A woman’s tear paused just before it could land on the ground. The only three that were able to move were the Chosen three.
Each would have the feeling of their feet lifting off the ground. They would witness—together—a completely dark world where not even hope could shine its light. It was the world that would come to pass if Eras was to rise to power. Everlasting Night. It would strike into each person a different perspective and different emotions.
And then the darkness faded away to reveal another kind of darkness. The room was damp and cold. Water was dripping from a leak in the underground tomb. A torch hung on the wall lit up in an eerie blue fire and bathed the three people in its light. Gary’s stone dulled as if it were weary with exhaustion.
Alistair Nahan had no idea what was happening. First, he had been in his room, then suddenly, he had felt extremely light and then everything went dark. However, in this darkness, he caught a glimpse of something..a world that could be? Alistair didn't care. However, he woke up with a throbbing headache in an unfamiliar place, lit by a strangely blue torch. Alistair brushed off his dark cloak, getting up slowly, while checking to make sure his daggers were all in their respective positions. All were accounted for - waist, wrists, legs, arms...however, the one on his thigh seemed to have been lost in transit. Aside from that, he noticed two more people inside of the strange room. He quickly slipped into a corner while waiting for a reaction from them. Generally, outsiders didn't take well to knowing his half-daemon heritage.
Gnomes were funny like that; some say that they are so small that even Fate sometimes overlook them and so they are capable of dynamic change to any given situation even if that change may go unnoticed by those around them.
At three feet tall Brickel is as short as his kind come but he lives up, or out to his name as he is exceptionally... jolly. Okay, he's fat but he doesn't like to call it that. He fancies himself a bit of an enchanter but has always been an alchemist first. He has even concocted his own unique potions known to no other alchemist despite them not being so effective as to become famous or anything. Still, at least they are his.
Yet Fate has not seemed to have forgotten this particular gnome on this particular day as Brickel finds himself being surrounded by a sort of darkness he wishes he had more time to study. He does however smell something along the lines of magical movement and so he frantically begins gathering up everything he thinks he could possibly need which includes a few pre-enchanted gems along with some of his more useful potions held in vials of multiple size. He even manages to grab his custom crossbow and bandoleer but does not catch his small mace before careening down darkened corridors.
And then he is not alone. He would normally hide himself in the shadows but ends up right under the burning torch for all to see. Then again he is very short. Maybe any monsters that might be around would look right over him.
At three feet tall Brickel is as short as his kind come but he lives up, or out to his name as he is exceptionally... jolly. Okay, he's fat but he doesn't like to call it that. He fancies himself a bit of an enchanter but has always been an alchemist first. He has even concocted his own unique potions known to no other alchemist despite them not being so effective as to become famous or anything. Still, at least they are his.
Yet Fate has not seemed to have forgotten this particular gnome on this particular day as Brickel finds himself being surrounded by a sort of darkness he wishes he had more time to study. He does however smell something along the lines of magical movement and so he frantically begins gathering up everything he thinks he could possibly need which includes a few pre-enchanted gems along with some of his more useful potions held in vials of multiple size. He even manages to grab his custom crossbow and bandoleer but does not catch his small mace before careening down darkened corridors.
And then he is not alone. He would normally hide himself in the shadows but ends up right under the burning torch for all to see. Then again he is very short. Maybe any monsters that might be around would look right over him.
Gary Mandolera would make it his job to keep the monsters at bay while the more skillful members of the party brought their talents to bear. Seeing as dungeons weren't really his thing...but he could still provide light in the instance that torches could fail. That much was within his modest spellcasting ability. He drew not his sword, but his bow, knowing the importance of drawing first blood should trouble start.
He looked to his gem. The light was out. Here we go again.
He looked to his gem. The light was out. Here we go again.
As Alistair Nahan moved around in the room without proper lighting, his foot triggered a trap switch in the floor. The stone sunk down and thus began a strange sound further in the room. Five enormous guillotine axes were swinging back and forth across the only path there was in order to continue forward and out of the underground cave.
But that was not the only thing that occurred. The torch was not needed for that particular room due to the other trap springing as well. There were several small, round pitfalls in the room. Fire columns began to spew upwards from them and char the roof of the cavernous room. It made the air hot and humid.
A guillotine swung by Brickel’s body and head by mere inches.
But that was not the only thing that occurred. The torch was not needed for that particular room due to the other trap springing as well. There were several small, round pitfalls in the room. Fire columns began to spew upwards from them and char the roof of the cavernous room. It made the air hot and humid.
A guillotine swung by Brickel’s body and head by mere inches.
Alistair recognized the sound of a trap being sprung. Unfortunately, he could not avoid triggering it; however, he did manage to jump out of the way of a fire column, only singeing his cloak. Alistair kept to his nature, that is, screw everyone else. He carefully wove his way in between the axes as they swung, trying to get to the other side. As he made it to the next room, Alistair carefully checked a small area around the exit of the passageway, ensuring he would not make a stupid mistake again. After all, he had already noticed that two of his inherited demonic traits - charm and flight - would not work. However, his minor healing would, and he quickly cured a small cut on his left leg that he must have gotten through the axes.
Brickel's amber eyes seem to sparkle like gold under the flickering torch but their sparkle is stolen by swinging steel as well as a few strands of strawberry blond that are now floating heavily in the humid air. The gnome however does not even so much as suck in his gut even as the columns in the floor begin to spew flame.
"Might I suggest," Brickel speaks up from below, "that nobody move?" It is too late by then though as Alistair Nahan is already making his move but the gnome only smiles. He is used to being ignored. So far though standing still has done him justice so for now he remains still.
It might be best to let the other two move ahead and to avoid any area where one of their heads might suddenly roll.
"Might I suggest," Brickel speaks up from below, "that nobody move?" It is too late by then though as Alistair Nahan is already making his move but the gnome only smiles. He is used to being ignored. So far though standing still has done him justice so for now he remains still.
It might be best to let the other two move ahead and to avoid any area where one of their heads might suddenly roll.
Gary Mandolera laughed, having made sure to stand well behind the two who obviously had more expertise in dealing with traps than him. Wedging himself between two of the bladed pendulums, he put away his bow and drew his sword. Focusing his mind for a moment, he then blocked the path of the swinging blades with his own, holding the mechanism at bay with sheer strength. "GO!" If the pendulums were all part of the same mechanism, this would be several times more taxing but would allow a clear path through the entire hallway for the other two.
As Alistair Nihon successfully made it into the next open area of the underground cave, he seemed to be free and clear of the immediate danger. When Gary Mandolera held the swinging blade at bay, the entire trap came to a halt under the paladin’s skill in strength. But they resisted against him due to gravity and the sheer weight of the blade itself. The guillotine pushed against the paladin’s strength, testing it.
Something stirred to Alistair Nihon’s right. There came the sounds of bones clattering together. Upon further inspection would reveal a pile of bones that were beginning to form into five bodies. Rusted swords, shields, and helms lay askew on the stone floor.
Something stirred to Alistair Nihon’s right. There came the sounds of bones clattering together. Upon further inspection would reveal a pile of bones that were beginning to form into five bodies. Rusted swords, shields, and helms lay askew on the stone floor.
Alistair chuckled a bit as he realized the brave - or possibly stupid - paladin was holding back the guillotines with brute force. Thankfully, he had already made his way through the dangerous corridor. However, he noticed skeletons that seemed to be forming near him. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!" Alistair quickly drew the two daggers at his waist, aiming to smash at least on of the undead before it formed. He made a quick decision. Getting along with people took priority over dying alone. He aimed a shout towards the two in the other room. "Uh, sorry about ditching you guys just now, but please hurry?"
Brickel smiles when Gary Mandolera stops the blades and happily takes the easier course even if that does mean hopping between raging pillars of fire. Still he hops between them like a lazy toad who is nonetheless nimble enough to keep himself from getting burnt.
He even offers a salute to Gary as he passes, saying, "The name is Brickel, by the by."
As he nears the end of the hallway the gnome reaches behind him and brings out his modified crossbow. It would be but a hand crossbow in the grip of one of his fine companions this evening but their fingers would likely be too big for the small trigger and they'd likely find themselves less than nimble in loading it.
"Oh, now you're sorry?" Brickel says with a cheery voice and a smile as he follows Alistair's gaze to the half-demon's right and purposely moves more to the right but still not quite against the wall. Peeking through Alistair's legs he notices the tangle of bones and smiles again as he believes he has the perfect concoction for such an enemy.
He even offers a salute to Gary as he passes, saying, "The name is Brickel, by the by."
As he nears the end of the hallway the gnome reaches behind him and brings out his modified crossbow. It would be but a hand crossbow in the grip of one of his fine companions this evening but their fingers would likely be too big for the small trigger and they'd likely find themselves less than nimble in loading it.
"Oh, now you're sorry?" Brickel says with a cheery voice and a smile as he follows Alistair's gaze to the half-demon's right and purposely moves more to the right but still not quite against the wall. Peeking through Alistair's legs he notices the tangle of bones and smiles again as he believes he has the perfect concoction for such an enemy.
Gary Mandolera grit his teeth as the mechanism pushed him back against the wall. His boosted strength wouldn't be able to hold out...he needed to get with the other two! "See if you can't smash this thing from where you're going, Brickel!" He slowly stepped towards the exit, holding the one pendulum...to his shock, the others were being held as well! Now he had to avoid the--ow. Fire. That would singe his cloak, but he had to keep moving and rejoin the others! With renewed energy, he slipped between the pendulums, barely making it to the room with the undead just as his strength expired.
Well, at least he was in one piece, as exhausted as he was from that ordeal.
Well, at least he was in one piece, as exhausted as he was from that ordeal.
The first of the five skeletons collapsed as a dagger severed its spine. The skull rolled off the top of its head down the slopped floor and into a fire pit. The other four were able to fully form and picked up the rusty armament nearby. A strange red light filled the holes in their eyes and each skeleton clattered their teeth together as if laughing at the motley crew.
Two of the skeletons rushed at the half-daemon rogue and another made way for the gnome. The last of the bunch seemed to hesitate and walked backwards due to its head being turned the wrong direction. It reached up, turned its skull the proper direction, and then took off sprinting for the paladin.
Two of the skeletons rushed at the half-daemon rogue and another made way for the gnome. The last of the bunch seemed to hesitate and walked backwards due to its head being turned the wrong direction. It reached up, turned its skull the proper direction, and then took off sprinting for the paladin.
Alistair quickly addressed Brickel as the skeletons rushed him. "Yeah, I just don't get along with people well, but I figure we're gonna need each other's help to get through this, right?" He tried to keep a calm and diplomatic voice, but it was a bit hard to when he had to focus all his attention on the nearby skeletons. Alistair dodged to one side, stabbing at the nearest enemy's skull, hoping to catch in the middle of its rush. He glanced towards the tired looking paladin. "Hey there, you gonna be okay?"
While it is not strange how out of place this gnome seems among these two fighters, it is strange how calm he seems as he runs his finger down his bandoleer to find the correct bolt. It is not bravado though but personality. Despite his race Brickel has never been an excitable fellow.
He slips the bolt in to his crossbow just in time it would seem as one of the bag of bones is rambling his way. With a lopsided grin he levels the crossbow and aims for the skeleton's knees, hoping to at least hit the ankles. Then he fires.
When the bolt hits a target then it will explode in a mess of sticky webs that Brickel hopes will entangle his foe's ankles and send it sprawling to the floor. From there it would be easy for him to hop forward and just smash its skull in with his crossbow.
"Don't get along with people, huh," Brickel laughs. "How about those that use to be people?"
He slips the bolt in to his crossbow just in time it would seem as one of the bag of bones is rambling his way. With a lopsided grin he levels the crossbow and aims for the skeleton's knees, hoping to at least hit the ankles. Then he fires.
When the bolt hits a target then it will explode in a mess of sticky webs that Brickel hopes will entangle his foe's ankles and send it sprawling to the floor. From there it would be easy for him to hop forward and just smash its skull in with his crossbow.
"Don't get along with people, huh," Brickel laughs. "How about those that use to be people?"
Gary Mandolera expertly set his sword like one might normally expect out of a spear...sure, you got a lot of power from a normal swing, but you were totally vulnerable during the windup and recovery. The blade found the skeleton's ribcage to halt its sprint, then a power swing was called for to destroy it with one clean swing. He then turned his attention to the two on the rogue. "Hang on, buddy, I'll be there in a few!" The armor wasn't helping him get there any faster, though...
While the adventurers attempted to dispatch their foes whether successfully or not, there came a disturbing sound. It was a woman’s laughter, low and cruel. It echoed off the walls around them and was as smooth as silk pouring over marble.
“Come to find me, Stone Bearer,” it asked in a mocking voice as it challenging the ‘Stone Bearer’ to come and find her at the end of the caverns, through the maze of traps and undead creatures.
“Allow me to help you on your journey …”
The remaining skeletons burst into flame and shrieked like nails against a chalkboard. The woman’s voice was heard no more and the next room was free to wander into without challenge, trap, or enemy. It was a good room to rest within before venturing further.
“Come to find me, Stone Bearer,” it asked in a mocking voice as it challenging the ‘Stone Bearer’ to come and find her at the end of the caverns, through the maze of traps and undead creatures.
“Allow me to help you on your journey …”
The remaining skeletons burst into flame and shrieked like nails against a chalkboard. The woman’s voice was heard no more and the next room was free to wander into without challenge, trap, or enemy. It was a good room to rest within before venturing further.
Alistair let out a small sigh of relief as he wiped his daggers on his cloak and sheathed them. He turned to the dwarf and the paladin. "Well, dwarf, people in general, but it seems we're all in this together..." For some reason, he cringed. That line sounded...corny? "I'm Alistair. Half daemon, son of Seele. Former thief and rogue." So he was lying about the former part, but the other things were true. Alistair lifted his black cloak, revealing the faint glow of a mark on his back. As he walked backwards towards the safe-looking room, inclining his head for the others to follow, he kept a wary gaze on the paladin. "And look, buddy, if you're gonna kill me, remember that we're gonna need each other's help, so save it, please."
"Hmm, Stone Bearer" he asks aloud as he looks around as if searching for the mysterious voice. He thinks about his own stones that he carries but cannot remember angering any lady necromancers recently so he is sure that the voice is not calling him out. He glances between the other two and quickly surmises that it must be the armored warrior this disembodied voice challenges. He certainly looks the knightly type.
"Dwarf? How short are dwarves where you're from?" Brickel asks with a chuckle as he follows the half-demon in to the next room. A paladin? Now he is sure that he is this 'Stone Bearer'.
"Well this place looks homey. At least it will give me some time to better organize and take inventory," and with that said he immediately begins laying out those few items he was able to grab before being whisked away to this dank place.
"Dwarf? How short are dwarves where you're from?" Brickel asks with a chuckle as he follows the half-demon in to the next room. A paladin? Now he is sure that he is this 'Stone Bearer'.
"Well this place looks homey. At least it will give me some time to better organize and take inventory," and with that said he immediately begins laying out those few items he was able to grab before being whisked away to this dank place.
Gary Mandolera sighed. "I wasn't going to kill you...not right away, anyway. People are good or evil based on their deeds, not their heritage. However, you are right to be wary of my holy blade. The name is Gary Mandolera, paladin of the sun god Pelor." Apparently they called one of the stars by a different name where he was from, a place where there was only one star in the daytime sky. "But I do appreciate the opportunity to rest. If this voice wishes us to reach her, so be it." We will be at that much more of an advantage when we do." He practically limped his way to the prepared chamber...that fire pit had apparently gotten him pretty good.
Once again, it was time to venture forth for the adventures who unwillingly found themselves in the cave. Many rooms still lay ahead of them and several trials; traps and enemies that sought the kill any living thing.
There was strange writing on the eastward wall of the room the adventurers found themselves in. It was written in the Goblin language and proclaimed: You Shall Not Live Beyond This Day. Only those whom knew the language would be able to decipher the ominous message. And yet, for the sheer fact it was written in dried blood would be omen enough for them all.
Upon inspection, the next room was wide and as square as a room could get when carved naturally by nature Herself. All seemed quiet and there was an odd lack of bones or decaying bodies. There was nothing in the room and the far side of it was bathed in complete darkness …
There was strange writing on the eastward wall of the room the adventurers found themselves in. It was written in the Goblin language and proclaimed: You Shall Not Live Beyond This Day. Only those whom knew the language would be able to decipher the ominous message. And yet, for the sheer fact it was written in dried blood would be omen enough for them all.
Upon inspection, the next room was wide and as square as a room could get when carved naturally by nature Herself. All seemed quiet and there was an odd lack of bones or decaying bodies. There was nothing in the room and the far side of it was bathed in complete darkness …
Alistair Nahan stretched a bit as he got up. It had been a nice rest after all that work to get through just two rooms. He turned to his now-companions, and tried a joke. "Hey, if you all have to use the corner, do it now, cause we're probably not stopping again for a few rooms." As he spoke, Alistair also peeked into the next room. He didn't like what he saw - or rather, didn't see. Everything was dark, and he couldn't hear any sounds, which worried him. He also didn't particularly enjoy the writing on the wall in their current room. He couldn't read it, but the message in blood was pretty damn clear. "Anyone got a light? I'm not going to trust our chances in the dark. Also, this room is most likely trapped..."
Gary Mandolera nodded assent. "Agreed. However, I can't exactly whip it out and take a whiz through all these plates, and this stuff is a pain to don properly without help. Plus, I don't know if either of you want to see that. How about you, demon?"
As for light, the whole party was good thanks to the paladin's array of gear. A simple display of his sun-disk medallion should easily dispel most forms of magical darkness.
As for light, the whole party was good thanks to the paladin's array of gear. A simple display of his sun-disk medallion should easily dispel most forms of magical darkness.