Hel's early rays fall on a small camp high on a mountainside. Smoke from the camp fire already flickers into the dawn sky and a griffin's cry echoes off the bare rocks. Severel small tents are being folded away as Priest Nikandros Phadra outlines the day's plans. "We'll enter here and head north. The throne room should be on the far side, if this temple follows the same patterns as later models." He already has a crude map of the temple's exterior, crumbled as it may be, having spent the afternoon yesterday scouring the ruins for entryways to determine the safest route in.
"Prydwen better hold up her end of the deal," Vilfredo Faust mutters as the fire is put out, chorussed by his two companions.
"The High Priestess is a woman of honour," Nikandros declares, his hawkish nose in the air. "You may be sure that whatever treasures we find that are not of religious value will be yours to share as you like." A significant look passes between two of the shadier-looking treasure hunters, but the priest is already stepping into the pitch-dark hole that was once the temple's main entrance.
The ruins of Dionica were lost to history until the Priesthood put together enough clues to relocate it. They believe it to be the very first of the temples built in Xanth's honour and wish to reclaim it as part of their plan to regain some of the Priesthood's former glory. To aid in that endeavour, they have hired several adventurers to travel to Dionica and explore the ruins, salvaging what they can of the treasures and lore found within. Tagging along is Priest Nikandros Phadra, a man who has dedicated his life to researching the lore of Xanth, who plans to ultimately fortify the temple against scavengers and rivals.
This plot is open, which means you can join at any time once it's begun. However, you must register here (using the form below) before posting in the in-character threads.
The Dionica Crucible will last 6 weeks, starting on the 21st of January and ending on the 3rd of March. Threads in this forum are not out of time, so your character will be unable to participate in storylines elsewhere (though you can back/forward-date your other threads if you like).
Participants are expected to post at least once a week, with all their participating characters, to keep the plot moving. If a character misses a week, we will assume they have gone back to camp. If this happens during combat scenarios, we will assume that they've fled the melee hidden somewhere to avoid the danger. However, this could negatively impact their relations with the other characters from then on.
You may post in this forum outside the official threads (starting on the 21st) as long as such threads do not interfere with the main plot.
There are several ways to join this plot:
- Be hired by Fay Prydwen or a representative of the Priesthood of Xanth directly;
- Be hired on as part of Vilfredo Faust's gang (who are perhaps not the most trust-worthy of employees);
- Tag along as support (such as a merchant offering the use of his landstriders and carts);
- Encounter the group on the road and tag along for whatever reason;
- Be dragged into the plot in some other fashion.
To sign up, use the form at the bottom of this post. You can participate with as many characters as you like.
It is winter in the north and the mountains are cold. This is not the best time of year to be exploring an ancient ruin, but Fay is in a hurry to reclaim it. The group has made camp in a leeward, sheltered groove in the mountainside, but expect snow and freezing winds.
Part of the form is for you to register an inventory of the items your character has with them throughout the plot (including mundane things such as their current outfit and any other luggage they brought with them, as well as their weapons, armour, and other equipment.) However, please limit their inventory to whatever they can carry themselves (unless they have a mount to carry it for them).
Pets, mounts and personal NPCs are allowed, but you are responsible for them and any supplies necessary for them.
[b]Name of participating character:[/b] [b]How did they come to be at Dionica?[/b] [b]What is their role?[/b] [b]What are they carrying?[/b] [list][*][b]Combat Gear[/b] [list][*][/list] [*][b]Health Kit[/b] [list][*][/list] [*][b]Mundane[/b] [list][*][/list][/list]