Towers And Tieflings: ONC 2021 Longlist

11: New Discovery

The adventurers slowly float to the bottom of the ravine, courtesy of Orianna's casting of the spell 'Feather Fall', and land just about a hundred feet or so from the base of the wizard's tower. They quickly start to make headway towards it.

"Holy crap, that was the coolest experience of my pirate life so far," Kohl says, exhilarated from her descent.

"Oh you're a pirate? How was life on the three seas?" Turtle asks, intrigued. "I don't think I've ever played a pirate before, maybe I'll try it out on my next character."

"It's just backstory, I haven't been to the ocean yet as a player. My sidequest is to one day captain a new ship, seeing as the one from my past got shot down by rivals. I was the only one from my crew to survive." Kohl feigns wiping away a tear for her old shipmates.

Turtle's interest grows. "Wow, that's an intense sidequest. Mine is just to make a bunch of NPCs happy through my music, and make my bard college proud."

"There's a bard college?" Orianna asks.

"More than one, actually," Adam says. "But I'm not too knowledgeable on the difference between them."

"I'd be happy to explain it to you guys!" Turtle looks thrilled at the prospect. "So there's--"

Seamus interrupts, pointing at the looming cobblestone tower straight "Hey, look guys, we're finally here! Let's focus, story time can wait."

Turtle's brow furrows. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a story, more like an explan--"

"So, what does everyone think? Should we knock, or break the door down, or-oh, maybe I should try picking the lock?" Seamus starts scrolling through his inventory, trying to locate his 'Thieves tools'. "It's about time I got to use these things."

Adam gestures towards Seamus's lockpick and the stately oak front door. "Sure man, give it a shot. Definitely never hurts to sneak your way in."

Once the rogue successfully picks the lock, the group enters the large, circular ground floor with minimal furniture and spiral staircases running both up and down.

"How many floors do you think this thing has?" Kohl asks.

"Five, if memory serves," Turtle says, scratching his bread. "Not counting the basement."

Seamus slides over near the descending stairs, trying to get a glimpse of what lies below. "The dude has a dungeon? I wonder why kinda creepy, messed up stuff he has down there. Should we go check it out?"

Adam looks hesitant. "I don't know if we should go rifling through the wizard's stuff without any proof that he's evil. Let's go fight him then explore after. I'm betting he's on the top floor, let's start there."

"But he could also be in the dungeon! If I were an evil wizard, that's where I'd be doing all my evil experimenting." Seamus crosses his arms in defiance.

"Dude, it's like, lunchtime. He's probably taking a break from the evil stuff right now." Adam sighs when Seamus appears unconvinced. "Alright, let's put it to a vote. Top floor or basement, guys?"

Turtle raises his hands up. "I'll refrain from the vote to avoid a tie. Plus, I remember this quest, so it doesn't seem fair."

The others nod, and state their opinion. Kohl sides with Seamus, the other two girls with Adam.

Up to the top floor the party goes.

As they ascend, the adventurers catch glimpses of the other floors. The second floor consists of cooking equipment, food storage, and a dining area. There's a pot of stew bubbling over a fire, and the game code sends a whiff of meat and spices to each of the players.