Some more information about the quest items. Keep in mind the characters will NOT know this until they meet up with a certain NPC of mine used for the purposes of this story only. This NPC is a scholar of both magical and mundane artifacts worldwide and would know something about these objects the characters are looking for. I am posting this here for easy reference and also because the scholar himself may not necessarily know every detail but can be revealed as the story goes on. They would meet with him in a tavern somewhere in the Western Highlands conveniently, where he would tell them some of his findings pertaining to their mission.
Here is the information:
Locations of the Runestones of Energy
Western Highlands:
One of the runestones of energy is located here, in a hard to get by mountain pass in the Terrin Mountains. Somewhere at the bottom of a chasm filled with relatively deep water, buried somewhere amidst the waterbed lies one of these runestones. It is almost impossible to get to, considering the difficulty of crossing the pass, getting into the chasm safely and diving into the cold murky waters to go dig around in the mud at the bottom. These waters also harbor some vicious biting fish and fresh water eels. Unless one has appropriate gear or magic in order to overcome all these obstacles, it is NOT recommended to go searching here for it. Best to look elsewhere.
Fell:
Amongst the ruins of this nation lie many objects of power, wealth and artifacts alike. One of the runestones of energy is also said to lie here undisturbed, buried amid the rubble and debris. However it is strongly cautioned for magic-users of any ilk not to go there for the chaos magic that permeates the place is strong and it will likely affect any mages who travel here with its afflicted energy. What effect this energy has had on the runestone in question is debatable. Some scholars say it is affected and cannot be undone, while others say once taken out of the area it will resume its normal state. While even others wonder and speculate it is immune to such chaos. Who is right, we don't know. (It may be best for Olwen and Sacora to not travel here b/c of the above chaos energy that is evident. Even though it is most likely not guarded, it is still a dangerous place to venture for these two characters.)
Kilanthro Mountains:
One of the runestones is rumored to be in the possession of an ancient crystal dragon named Zy'raxas (one of my characters by the way) who lives in a cave in the Kilanthro Mountains near the Sionad Tundra and Hyoite. However, unless one has a sufficient magical item to trade with the dragon herself, it is best not to bother with this area. Zy'raxas is known for her love of riddles, puzzles and word games and also loves to test these out on any visitors to her home cave. If one does not want to bother with puzzles and riddles, and does not have anything in return the dragon would want, look somewhere else for another runestone. Fighting her would be utterly foolish.
Seraj Isa:
Seraj Isa or commonly known as The Glass Desert, is a sacred place to the Essyrni peoples that is located someways away from the country of Essyrn itself. However in this area, dwell some nomadic tribal peoples who are known to guard whatever treasures and wealth are to be found here along with some strange and as yet unknown beasts that roam the glass-frozen dunes. Some suspect there to be a myriad of lesser drakes and dust elementals that take up residence here, as well as various large bears and wolves. Other creatures most definitely exist here as well, but nothing else is known about them. The tribes of the Glass Desert are said to be unreasonable and vicious and do not take kindly to intruders upon their land unless they have a good reason to be there. If one does not provide a sufficient reason to be present, expect a lot of tough fights and skirmishes as a result. A runestone of energy is said to be buried within a crevice in one of the many glass dunes here. Caution is strongly advised if adventurers pursue this route.
Temple of Ash:
Located in the Kishahn Jungle is an old temple, the remains of which harbor fallen statues of long ago worshipped figures lost to time. Who knows what one might find within the rubble or underneath it in the catacombs of the site? However, the Blood of Ash cult makes their home here and they are definitely not to be trifled with. The only other thing of note is that the runestone of energy located here is said to be guarded by three powerful shadow wraiths, and a bunch of lesser shadows that are purported to appear when something is taken from the ruins. A fight with these undead is not to be underestimated. Along with the threat of the nearby cult, any travelers to these parts must be on their guard and extremely wary of any and all dangers present. If not, prepare to meet your doom. Creatures and beasts of the surrounding jungle itself must also be taken into account.
The Last of the Runestones:
The whereabouts of the final runestone are to this day, unknown. No one has been able to acquire any information about it, or if they do have some news of it, they keep such to themselves. But there is one more runestone out there, somewhere in the far reaches of the world, and it would be most accurate to assume it is also either guarded or hard to get to or both even. The drunken mutterings of a supposed madman has uttered the possible whereabouts of it before he succumbed to a nasty illness and shortly died thereafter. The ramblings that were heard before he died were "At the edges of the known world, amid a place of torment and death!" Not much to go on, unfortunately.
Location of the Pendant of Power
Western Highlands:
Somewhere in the Terrin Mountains is an object of great power for mages and magic-users alike. It is called the 'Pendant of Power.' Able to increase a wizard's mana reserve by three-fold it is a highly sought after item by many of the magical variety. But oh so very hard to acquire. For it is guarded by a gigantic and most fearsome rock beast of huge proportions, rumored to wield the strength of the mountains itself with its bare hands. A direct confrontation with it is not advised at all. Stealth/invisibility may be required if one wishes to find this artifact. There is also said to be huge piles of gold and silver here. Best of luck to ye bold adventurers who traverse this region and brave its perils.
