Elanthia 5e/SimuCon2023-Cholen's Play

Cholen's Play (a.k.a. Jastev's Vision)

Synopsis: The deity Cholen has created a divine play based on a vision that his brother, Jastev, has recently experienced.

Designed for 5-7, this one-shot is designed to last anywhere from 2-6 hours based on the experience level of the players.

Settings: ruined temple, a field with a cottage

Characters: 13 characters, one for each class

Disclaimer: The character sheets have been heavily modified for new players. Each character sheet utilizes cards that describe abilities, spells, actions, bonus actions, and reactions.

Legend of Elemdael

Legend has it that the lute Elemdael will be needed to prevent the world from ending. Players are charged with solving a riddle in order to free the lute from its ancient resting place within a temple.

Modifying Opening Verse: Line 3 can be any series of numbers that make up your adventuring party. The stock line is for 5 party members, but it can be changed to the number of the party. The only thing to remember is that the number needs to remain a single syllable in order for the rhyme to maintain its structure. If you have a full thirteen then you’d do five and eight, for example, instead of seven and six. Though, three and ten does sound better.

Riddle in its Entirety

Within the stone, Elemdael slumbered,
Waiting for the World to end.
When two and three, Elemdael will wake,
The Shattered Moon to fend.
To set me free, Elemdael answered,
This riddle you must contend.

No sound but sight, no matter day or night,
A wound of force it leaves.
It cuts the flesh, the motion smooth not thresh,
Bound to the hands of thieves.

Though sunder in twain, links broken from the chain,
His hands receive the token.
Two pieces now intact, making whole what was cracked,
He repairs what was broken.

Release the binding chains that bind rage to your veins,
Let loose the vengeful cry.
Dispose the order of law, embrace the blinding maw,
Let heedless attacks fly.

From Spring’s frigid start, your song touched my heart,
And elevated my soul.
And though heatedly kissed, wind-tossed was our tryst,
By winter your touch left its toll.

In wisdom truth is borne, nothing fickle or torn.
Light hands upon my brow,
Offering a chance or more, for potential left in store.
A gift to those avowed.

All hope comes from a seed, be it in word, body, or deed,
Bending on every wheat shaft.
Growing from ground or vine, no need for a walled shrine,
Just a solid will and a bit of craft.

Brute force, twin-pronged, a fight prolonged.
Violence fills your head.
Rune-carved, born not of fist nor taught.
Instinct, Ivory, and Dread.

As imperceptible as breath, not alive nor bound in death,
Not kith nor kin, not woman nor man.
Wedded in grave-born peace, they are mobile or surcease,
Only present for a short span.

When doubt but a start, a poison laid in the heart,
Seek ye with veracity.
When vipers slink and waltz, whispering that’s false,
Seek ye with tenacity.

Tempered in fire, lacking desire,
It is borne of air.
Immunity on lips, foes fall in the eclipse,
Sighing like a prayer.

Otherworldly, wyrrd, ghostly and feared.
In Darkness conceived,
In violence exploding and the flesh corroding,
Nothing left to be grieved.

A whisper or a sound, or light left unbound,
Playful whims of imagination.
Is it only a scent? Something that came or went?
Or just your laughter’s flirtation.

Bright and divine, without a shrine,
It’s hallowed and consecrated.
Explosive in power, in radiance it sours.
And in success, celebrated.

Riddle by Class

Each character should be given their class's piece of the riddle to solve. They must use either a spell, ability, cantrip, or action that is specific to their class.

Artificer

Though sunder in twain, links broken from the chain,
His hands receive the token.
Two pieces now intact, making whole what was cracked,
He repairs what was broken.

Barbarian

Release the binding chains that bind rage to your veins,
Let loose the vengeful cry.
Dispose the order of law, embrace the blinding maw,
Let heedless attacks fly.

Bard

From Spring’s frigid start, your song touched my heart,
And elevated my soul.
And though heatedly kissed, wind-tossed was our tryst,
By winter your touch left its toll.

Cleric

In wisdom truth is borne, nothing fickle or torn.
Light hands upon my brow,
Offering a chance or more, for potential left in store.
A gift to those avowed.

Druid

All hope comes from a seed, be it in word, body, or deed,
Bending on every wheat shaft.
Growing from ground or vine, no need for a walled shrine,
Just a solid will and a bit of craft.

Fighter

Brute force, twin-pronged, a fight prolonged.
Violence fills your head.
Rune-carved, born not of fist nor taught.
Instinct, Ivory, and Dread.

Monk

As imperceptible as breath, not alive nor bound in death,
Not kith nor kin, not woman nor man.
Wedded in grave-born peace, they are mobile or surcease,
Only present for a short span.

Paladin

When doubt but a start, a poison laid in the heart,
Seek ye with veracity.
When vipers slink and waltz, whispering that’s false,
Seek ye with tenacity.

Ranger

Tempered in fire, lacking desire,
It is borne of air.
Immunity on lips, foes fall in the eclipse,
Sighing like a prayer.

Rogue

No sound but sight, no matter day or night,
A wound of force it leaves.
It cuts the flesh, the motion smooth not thresh,
Bound to the hands of thieves.

Sorcerer

A whisper or a sound, or light left unbound,
Playful whims of imagination.
Is it only a scent? Something that came or went?
Or just your laughter’s flirtation.

Warlock

Otherworldly, wyrrd, ghostly and feared.
In Darkness conceived,
In violence exploding and the flesh corroding,
Nothing left to be grieved.

Wizard

Bright and divine, without a shrine,
It’s hallowed and consecrated.
Explosive in power, in radiance it sours.
And in success, celebrated.