Nimly's Adventures
Chapter 18 - Caverns and Crystals
15th of Mirtul, 1492 DR
With the bandits captured and dwarves freed, Nimly decides his next course of action. Turning to Captain Anara, he begins, “I keep thinking about those strange crystals and how they work. I would like to remain behind and try to figure them out. I talked to Thrain, and the dwarves would like to return with you to Everlund, as they are in need of an escort. Hopefully, this will not be an imposition.”
The Captain nods. "We'll make sure the miners reach Everlund safely, and you can catch up with us once you've made your discoveries. Take care, and may the Moonmaiden be on your side." She makes preparations to leave, with the tall soldier leading the way followed by the dwarfs in a tight group. Captain Anara and the other soldier follow after, each with a firm hand guiding a bound bandit.
As the group departs, Nimly and Thorn return to the hidden cavern. Inside, Nimly focuses his mind and channels his magical energy, following the intricate steps of the summoning ritual he knows well. With practiced precision, he utters the gnomish and Terran incantations. Weaves of arcane energy form the outline of the altar yet to be and the gems in his hands glow faintly in response. Using Mold Earth, Nimly creates a pedestal and a vessel at the center of the circle.
The air shimmers with translucent energies as the sphere of rock on the pedestal glows with a gentle light, casting shadows that dance around the chamber. Grahl’s essence takes control of the shape, his gaze shining through the embedded gems. The eyes move as the elemental adjusts the vessel, until the gems lock onto Nimly and blink slowly.
Nimly makes a sweeping bow, “Grahl, thank you for answering my call. I have found something distressing and wish to direct your attention to it. The crystals before you contain some kind of dark magic that can be used to control people."
Grahl’s form shimmers and the pieces they are made of constantly shift and re-arrange. After the earth elemental looks around, they turn their focus on Nimly, "Hello, my loyal gnome.” They pause a moment and then continue in a steady, dusty rumble, “Such artifacts are not to be trifled with lightly. Their power can corrupt the hearts of even the most steadfast souls. They hold within them the essence of manipulation.”
Nimly looks closer at one of the crystals. “Do you know of a way to purify them?”
There is a silence for a long moment before Grahl replies, “To purify these crystals, one must delve into the depths of their darkness and confront the shadow within. Only by facing the darkness head on can one hope to banish it."
Nimly ponders the daunting task, "Is purifying them a worthwhile goal, or should I attempt to destroy these so they will not hurt anyone else?"
Grahl's words are measured, emphasizing the weight of the decision. "Both options have their risks, and the choice is yours, young one. It should not be made lightly."
With a long look at the crystals, Nimly asks, "How can I safely remove them from the cavern wall?"
Grahl's voice resonates through the small chamber as they offer guidance. "First, ensure that you are adequately protected against any potential backlash from the crystals' magic. Next, approach the crystals with reverence and respect, acknowledging their power while remaining steadfast in your resolve to remove them."
Nimly looks from Grahl to the wall. He uses Mold Earth to write “Reverence & Respect” in flowing script on the ground in front of the crystals. He then picks up the pickaxe and attempts to pry a crystal out of the wall (athletics:natural 20).
Nimly's unorthodox approach pays off as he methodically works to pry the crystal from the wall. With each swing of the pickaxe, the rock gradually loosens its hold on the crystal, until finally it comes free with a soft, echoing resonance.
The gnome turns to Grahl, voice hitched from the strained effort of wielding the pickaxe, "I will attempt to purify some of these crystals. Thank you for your assistance."
The rock patterns of Grahl’s shape shift and churn as he answers, "May your efforts be guided by wisdom and determination, young one. Remember, the path of purification is fraught with peril, but the rewards of success are great."
Nimly nods in agreement, taking a moment to catch his breath. "On another topic, I did receive your sending about delivering the silver stag to you. I have seen it twice in the past few days, though I have not gotten close to it."
Grahl's voice carries an air of intrigue, his answer slow and methodical. "Ah, the silver stag. It is a mysterious creature, often appearing as a harbinger of change or a sign of impending events. Its presence may hold significance beyond what is immediately apparent. Keep a watchful eye on the stag, young one. Its appearances may hold clues to the mysteries that surround you, and its guidance could prove invaluable in the trials that lie ahead."
Nimly offers a low respectful bow to Grahl, “I will take notice of it, and see what I can learn. I have nothing further.”
Grahl's form begins to fade, the air fills with the sound of echoing vibrations, reverberating throughout the chamber. "May your journey be guided by insight and intuition, young one. Until we meet again." With each fading echo, Grahl's presence dissipates, leaving behind only a lingering sense of ancient wisdom and power.
Nimly watches in silence as the last remnants of Grahl's essence vanish, leaving the chamber once again shrouded in stillness. With a deep breath, he gathers his resolve and stares at the stone walls around him heavily burdened with the strange translucent purple crystals. They ebb and pulse with an inner light that hints at their arcane qualities.
Grasping the handle of pickaxe, Nimly hefts it once again, swinging with renewed vigor (athletics:18). He loosens and collects two more crystals. Journal in hand, he takes a moment to investigate the crystals, noting any differences and peculiarities in their appearance. Research finished, Nimly pockets the three crystals.
He sends a mental note to Thorn. I’m almost done, just the chest left to look over. I’ll be deep in concentration for a few minutes. Stay stealthed and watch our backs at least 40 feet away towards the entrance.
Nimly’s eyes scan over the chest, peering at it through the layers of dust (investigation:23). There are no pressure plates or trip wires indicating any traps. There is an aura of magic emanating from the chest. Nimly does not sense any magical traps, and the aura from the chest suggests magical items are contained within.
With a confident smile, Nimly channels his arcane energies, casting Guidance upon himself to enhance his abilities. Feeling the reassuring touch of magic, he takes a deep breath and blows ancient layers of dust from the chest. The hasty cleaning effort reveals a slightly cleaner sturdy chest with intricate carvings etched into its surface.
The deep gnome gently lifts the lid of the chest, which opens with a soft creak, releasing a gentle gust of stale, jasmine-scented air. As he peers inside, a collection of items nestled within the velvet-lined interior catches his eye, each one faintly glinting with magical energy. Nimly closes the lid and carefully lifts the chest from the cavern floor; it is sturdy and weighs about 50 pounds.
Satisfied, Nimly waggles his fingers and casts Earth Glide. He slides through the small opening into the passage. He joins Thorn and smiles. “All done! Our efforts paid off tonight, though I’m not sure what we have yet. Let’s go back above the main entrance and make camp for the night.”
The pair cautiously exit the cave via the back entrance and find a sheltered spot on the forested hill. Nimly and Thorn settle in for the night, their spirits buoyed by the success of their endeavors and the promise of the adventures that lie ahead.
16th of Mirtul, 1492 DR
Light droplets of rain begin to fall as Thorn, last on watch, chitters and snuffles Nimly awake. Blinking sleep from his eyes, Nimly pats his friend and looks up at the sky just as a great arc of purple lightning tears through the clouds. The gnome grimaces, “Oh, lovely.” He gathers his things and makes ready to depart. His Wand of Web glows a little brighter than the evening before, refreshed by the dawn.
The damp duo set off on their journey back to Everlund. Lightning lights up the eastern sky and booms of thunder echo around them. Deciding to stick to the traveled path back to the main road, they follow the hard-packed dirt path, doing their best to stay out of the increasingly common patches of mud.
Through the sheets of rain, Nimly and Thorn are startled as a majestic silver stag appears on the forest path before them. Nimly’s heart skips a beat as he recognizes the creature from Grahl’s instruction. With a surge of excitement and determination, Nimly realizes that this encounter is more than just a chance sighting.
For a moment, Nimly stands transfixed, captivated by the sight of the magnificent creature. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the stag vanishes from view, leaving Nimly and Thorn standing in stunned silence.
Nimly quickly jots down a brief entry next to the last two, noting the location and time of day of the sighting. He makes a mental note to revisit this stretch of road later, when they have more time to explore the significance of the encounter. The notepad is slightly damp, and he folds a layer of cloth over the written page before he puts the journal away.
Nimly and Thorn resume their journey back to Everlund, their steps steady and purposeful as they continue along the path. Though the sighting of the silver stag lingers in Nimly's thoughts, he remains focused on the task at hand, determined to fulfill their mission and return safely to the city.
As they near the long wooden bridge that crosses the River Rauvin, Nimly and Thorn come across signs of a recent skirmish. Nimly’s heart sinks as he surveys the ground around him, seeing discarded pieces of armor and broken weapons scattered about. This could very well be the aftermath of a confrontation between Captain Anara’s party and the bandits they hadn’t yet apprehended. His thoughts shift toward the rescued hill dwarves. He turns to Thorn and gives him a reassuring pat, “Let's hope everyone made it back to Everlund safe. We’ll see soon enough.”
Nimly and Thorn press on, their senses alert for any further signs of danger. They tread carefully through the area, mindful of the potential presence of lingering threats, but also determined to reach Everlund and ensure the safety of their comrades. As Nimly and Thorn finally reach the outskirts of Everlund, a sense of relief washes over them. The bustling city stands before them, its towering walls and busy streets a welcome sight after their journey along the muddy road.
With weary and determined steps, Nimly and Thorn make their way into the city, nodding at the guards on duty as they pass. Though the guards on shift stay inside the guardhouse in an attempt to stay dry, they both nod at the duo, and keep their eyes firmly on the road out of Everlund. This deepens Nimly’s suspicion that the battle before the bridge involved Captain Anara’s group.
The chest in hand, Nimly’s first stop is Silver Marches Bank. The familiar sight of the sturdy building brings a sense of security and routine after their arduous journey. Nimly enters the bank, and hangs his sodden cloak on a peg inside the door. Searching for a familiar face, he walks over and sits in the unoccupied chair across from Truefly. “Hello again, I have an item to deposit.”
Truefly nods, “Nimly! Oh, very well, how can I be of service today?”
He sets the large chest on the desk in front of him and opens it; he takes out a wand, a ring and an orb. Storing these items in his pack, he pushes the empty chest across the table. “Just this today, Truefly. Thank you!”
She takes the chest and smiles warmly, “Of course, Mr. Sparkleshine. Your item and receipt will be here, as usual.”
Nimly rises. “Thank you!” He moves back and picks up his sodden cloak. Once again stepping into the afternoon gloom, he seeks out Captain Anara to catch up on previous events.
Intrepid adventurers and DMs, I hope you enjoyed this continuation of Nimly’s story.
May your rolls be critically high or dramatically low, adding flavor and excitement to your campaigns!