0506 The Stone of Repentance

Lonely pine woods punctuated with granite outcroppings. A moaning wind pervades.

• Terrain: Craggy forest (4), Dwelmfurgh
• Lost/encounters: 3-in-6
• Within the Ring of Chell (p20): True fairies are afflicted with a spiritual malaise; teleportation and summoning are ineffectual; magic of illusion or charm has a 2-in-6 chance of failure.

The Moaning Sphere

An area of flat, windswept marsh 100 yards wide separates Lake Longmere from the woods. At the centre of this sedge-dotted strand is a 10′ sphere of granite.

Moaning wind: The sphere is the source of the moaning wind that pervades this hex. It reaches near-maddening intensity as one approaches the stone.

Runes: The sphere is carved with a runic inscription identical to that found on the Summerstones (see The Ring of Chell, p20.)

False Summerstone: The Drune placed this stone here as a distraction for those who might seek out Drodh.

Destroying the sphere: Can be accomplished by powerful magic (e.g. Disintegrate). Should this occur, the moaning wind reaches a shattering crescendo and an illusory procession of frost elf knights appears at the lake shore. The knights march solemnly into the woods, brandishing banners and unearthly weapons while falsely proclaiming the return of the Cold Prince in icy, malevolent voices. The following day, the sphere returns to its place, unscathed.

The Summerstone Drodh (Hidden)

A ring of trilithons stands in a clearing atop a 40′ high crag. At the centre of the ring is the 15′ high stone of black basalt called Drodh, the Stone of Repentance. (See The Ring of Chell, p20 for full information on the Summerstones.)

The Audrune Rigmirth

Rigmirth exists in an occult symbiosis with the stones of this glade, his skin and organs stretched across the megaliths around Drodh. If intruders enter the circle, Rigmirth can rip the stones out of the ground, becoming a gargantuan construct, 15′ tall, of stretched skin and rune-bound stone.

Large Mortal / Construct—Genius—Neutral

Level 10 AC 19 HP 46 Saves D6 R7 H8 B9 S10 Att 2 fists (+8, 3d6) or spell Speed 30 Morale 10 XP 3,550

Immunities: Only harmed by magic or magic weapons. Suffers half damage from slashing or piercing weapons.

Spells: Has the following arcane spells memorised: Rank 3 Dispel Magic, Paralysation, Rank 4 Dominate, Rank 6 Disintegrate, Invisible Stalker, Word of Doom.

Possessions: Embedded in the Audrune’s flesh are an opal Ring of Protection (p410), a platinum torc (350gp), and a silver-plated finger bone (grants the ability to detect witches while held tightly in the palm, 1,000gp).

Balmy stillness: The stone is surrounded by a 120-yard radius of hazy warmth and balmy stillness of the air, reminiscent of the intoxicating days of high summer.

Fleshy covering: The stones encircling the Summerstone are covered with a thin layer of pustules and gore. This is the physical form of the Audrune Rigmirth, the guardian of Drodh.

Entering the ring of stones: Awakens Rigmirth.

Inscribed spell: Drunic runes upon Drodh describe the arcane spell Hex Weaving. See Ley Lines and Standing Stones, p18 for details on learning this spell.

Viewing Drodh: Anyone who sets eyes upon the Summerstone must Save Versus Spell. If the save fails, upon leaving the area the character has no memory of what occurred there or of having ever seen the place.