The key and messages are here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1n5rsJGgKAKeRGUQGaKH6ZgfVAmKFvthQ
Certain characters perceive that they are drawn to certain pieces of writing:
Storr: Fire 2
Balthazar: Fire 1
Mannix, Krambler: Water 1 and 2
Cricket: 2 & 5 (the ones we haven’t found yet)
- The Key
Image:
Rune Key.jpg
This runic key was found inside a chest at the humongous, ancient looking derwen tree that the party found after jumping into a bottomless looking puddle of water, which was the remains of one of the water knights:> Not all messages may pass
Through elements intact, they each
Have their nature - a strength
And a weakness. And a friend
Can send hints with an enemy,
While a company must know
It’s own secrets.
Stay on the black road! There
Are those who await
Their chance to aid another’s
Quest. A new Sun rises but
Cannot eclipse the Eldest. Remember
That some happily lie
To keep their hands from loosening
Their grip.
- Messages found near Elementals (and assumed to be associated with each character)
The kingfisher wanders between the elements:
flying in air and water, nesting within the earth,
with heart and chest of fire.
A spiritual son.
What is the stone you hold?
Who is the woman to whom you gave your heart?
You are searching for the skills found in your dreams.
What can you find in your waking world?
1. [[Cricket]]
There are some who live as both a flying thing and its prey.
The story of daughter and mother: one and the same.
Are all things circles?
We move the pieces on the board, but who moves us?
The sun and moon turn in circles in the sky; bees and pawns and mothers.
1. [[Silas]]
A bear knows where honey lives for both mind and body.
Secretive lest others find his stores.
He crawls into his cave and dreams until his time.
He hardly knows his strength.
But the stars see all he does.
1. [[Balthazar]]
Dragons are, newborn or ancient,
Made of the oldest of things.
Stories are drawn with the colors of fear:
We call them monsters, and yet we ache and search.
A new dragon is born as the elder is forgotten by those who wish not to remember, and claim an inheritance.
Beware the boatman, he both gives and takes what you desire.
1. [[Storr]]
The phoenix is mother and daughter to flame,
which destroys and kindles.
How can flame be Frozen?
Can it be wielded by those that would heal
And wound together and who was the woman in the forest?
Beyond the reach of the light?
What secrets are held in the hidden burning heart?
1. [[Mannix]]
The ibex is loyal, though he must find his cause.
Who of the storm he holds in his hand?
Has one woman left him behind or was she await? /* does she await */
A woman watching from shadow, is she queen or merely a pawn?
- Found after the party battled a monster tree while travelling into the mountains away from the Black Stream, and Toward Silas’ homeland.
Image:
Burned Wood.jpg
Traitor, my aid weakens.
His long eyes glimpse you.
More and more.
Listen to the words.
As the dead loose (lose?) their grip
The cracks widen.
I watch the best I can
Drinking from
The well.
1. In-game party analysis
-
“Traitor”* - referring to B?
-
“His long eyes glimpse you”* - The Sun King?
-
“Listen to the words,”* - read the stories? Follow the directive of following the water?
-
“As the dead loose their grip”* - direct reference to the dead we encountered in the circle and how they were waning
- The message Cricket sees in the trees reflected in the fountain at Celliwig
Tell the Traitor:
My festival approaches, like you*
A puzzles of many pieces*
A hearty friend awaits*
At the gateway, heart*
Deep within the earth*Initally we though “hearty friend” might refer to the slumbering bear since that has been said to be “deep within the earth”, but later on after we found this message we came to the gateway to The Waterfall City, where a badger awaited us to guide us there. He was probably this “hearty friend.”