Editing The Secret in the Flames (section)

== Scenario ==
=== Timed events ===
{{TEheader}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 1|I was a little concerned about coming to the [[Plane of Fire]].  Air, Water, and Earth I can understand, but an entire world made of fire?  Before we came here, I insisted that I go alone.  No use sending everyone through the portal only to find out that our robes and hair catch fire on the other side.<p>What I found instead was a realm lit by a brilliant orange glow and flames licking at my legs like tall grass.  With each breath I sucked in the blistering air, too dry to make me sweat but hot enough to make me want to strip off my robes.  As I looked around, I saw nothing but pools of bubbling lava, charred mountains, and flames.<p>In a way, it was beautiful.}}
{{TErow| 4 |Day 4|My [[Wizard]] assistants have warned me about some dangerous artifacts called [[Pandora's Box]]es.  Apparently, they are strewn all over this realm.  Some hold priceless treasures, but these powerful boxes can literally hold anything - including an army of [[Fire Elemental]]s.}}
{{TErow| 5 |Day 7|[[Barsolar]] has found two [[Inferno]] towns to the south.  Not only do the [[Elemental]]s guard this realm, but Demons do as well.  In the past, I have faced few opponents as dangerous as a Demon.  As cruel as they are crafty, they will tirelessly pursue their goal.  In this case, I know they will fight me until every last one of them has been killed, but that doesn't really matter.  The [[Elemental]]s are the ones I want to control, and to do that I must control all the Fire [[Elemental Conflux]]es.  No small task.}}
{{TErow| 11 |Day 11|There are many [[Imp Cache]]s in this area.  I am told that [[Imp]]s like to hoard the treasures they steal - usually Gold and Mercury.  Although [[Imp]]s are weaklings on the battlefield, they do travel in large numbers.  There's probably several hundred of the creatures inside those Caches, but I wonder how much wealth they guard.}}
{{TErow| 25 |Day 25|Since we are so close to our goal of conquering all four [[Elemental Planes]], I had a conference with my assistants this morning to discuss strategies for defeating the [[Elemental Lord]]s.<p>"Unfortunately, [[Lord Tarnum]]," said [[Reamus]], "there are four of them and only one of you."<p>Recently, I appointed [[Reamus]] as my second-in-command, since he had years of experience fighting the [[Elemental]]s.  I found him capable, and not as annoying as my other assistants.  I can't put my finger on the reason I get along with him any better than the others, especially since his name has so many easy and vulgar ways to mess it up.<p>"The [[Elemental Lord]]s have an unprecedented command over their respective elements.  Alone, one of them has power beyond imagination.  Together, I do not think we can beat them," [[Reamus]] said.<p>"There has to be a way," I said.  The [[Ancestors]] wouldn't have sent me to face them if it was impossible.<p>"What we need," I said, "is something they don't have.  I can stand toe-to-toe with them once I get control of all these [[Elemental]]s, but what I need is a weapon they have no defense against."<p>"We'll work on it, Lord," said [[Reamus]].}}
{{TErow| 32 |Day 32|Today, [[Barsolar]] returned from his exploration of this plane.  He had done some experiments while he was away, and mentioned that he had to go over his notes with some of the other [[Wizard]]s.<p>To my surprise, I said, "What did you learn?"<p>[[Barsolar]] stammered for a moment.  He looked at me as if trying to determine if I was joking.<p>"What?" I said.  "I can't show any interest in your work?"<p>"You never have before," [[Barsolar]] said.<p>"Your work hasn't been interesting until now," I replied with a grin to let him know I was kidding.<p>Unfortunately, [[Barsolar]] still didn't have a sense of humor.  Or does he?  I still suspect that [[Barsolar]], not [[Hemoross]], was behind the potion in my tea that kept me seasick the entire time I was on the [[Plane of Water]].<p>"Well, " [[Barsolar]] began to explain, "I have been wondering why the fire here does not burn us.  Even paper doesn't burn, unless..."<p>[[Barsolar]] pulled a sheet of parchment from his robes, curled it into a tube, and held it above the flames licking at his feet.  At first, nothing happened.  Then it caught fire so quickly [[Barsolar]] had to toss the paper away before it burned his fingers.<p>"How did you do that?" I asked.<p>"The fire reacts to your thoughts.  If you want it to burn something, it will.  It's almost a living entity, similarly to the [[Elemental]]s but not sentient," [[Barsolar]] said.<p>I was impressed.  I slapped [[Barsolar]] on the shoulder and said, "Good work!"}}
{{TErow| 38 |Day 38|[[Barsolar]] and [[Reamus]] approached me last night, serious expressions on their faces.<p>"We have just come up with some theories that might point to the existence of a new type of [[Elemental]] - one that could help us battle the [[Elemental Lord]]s," [[Reamus]] said.<p>"That is, if it exists," [[Barsolar]] added.<p>"Explain."<p>[[Barsolar]] gestured for [[Reamus]] to begin.<p>"My years here on the [[Elemental Planes]] have given me plenty of opportunities to experiment with the unique nature of these realms.  I have long wondered that if water, air, fire, and earth can be segregated such as this, then what keeps them together.  What binds them, for instance, in our world?"<p>"What?" I asked.<p>"Magic," Barsolar said.  I let them know I was skeptical.  According to a [[Wizard]], magic is the answer to every question.<p>"Yes," [[Reamus]] continued, "I haven't been able to prove it until I spoke with [[Barsolar]] about his experiments with the fire.  We know the fire isn't alive, yet it hears our thoughts and reacts to them.  Perhaps that is how the [[Elemental Lord]]s manipulate their world so easily - they are linked with the element itself.  We think that magic, and perhaps even thought, are elements just like fire and water.  If this is true, then there might be a [[Plane of Magic]]."<p>"And [[Magic Elemental]]s!" [[Barsolar]] added.<p>[[Magic Elemental]]s.  It all seemed far-fetched, but I gave the two [[Wizard]]s permission to do whatever it takes to find out the truth.}}
{{TErow| 42 |Day 42|Whatever [[Barsolar]] and [[Reamus]] are up to, they're using all of my assistants as well as much of my resources.  They're building something similar to the magic portals we use to travel between the [[Elemental Planes]].  I just hope it doesn't explode in their faces.  Or worse.|effect=-4 {{m}} [[Mercury]], -12 {{o}} [[Ore]], -4 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], -4 {{gem}} [[Gems]], -3450 {{g}} [[Gold]]}}
{{TErow| 44 |Day 44|The experiment to find the [[Elemental Plane of Magic]] culminated last night as [[Barsolar]] and [[Reamus]] prepared to active the device they had been building.  Instead of ending in a bang, as I had feared, it was more like a whimper.  No lightning, no fire, no nothing.<p>"Maybe we're missing something," [[Reamus]] said, stroking his beard.<p>"Maybe the [[Plane of Magic]] doesn't exist," I said.<p>But I was wrong.  A moment later, where there had been nothing before, a tall figure in a black robe and red turban stood before us.  As I approached, I immediately noticed the creature had no face - just a swirling mass of sparkling lights.  It remained still.  If it had legs, it made no effort to step down from the portal [[Barsolar]] and [[Reamus]] had created.<p>"Greetings," I said, "we're…"<p>I KNOW.  AND I KNOW WHY YOU HAVE CALLED ME HERE.<p>I heard these words not with my ears, but inside my head.  Somehow, I knew they came from this strange being.  Before I could form my next question, I heard them again.<p>I AM A [[Psychic Elemental|PSYCHIC ELEMENTAL]].  YES, I COME FROM THE [[Plane of Magic|PLANE OF MAGIC]].  VERY WELL, I WILL STOP ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU ASK THEM AND LET YOU SPEAK.<p>My knees grew weak, as if I had been running all day.  I leaned on my staff to avoid falling.<p>"It's from the [[Plane of Magic]]," [[Reamus]] said.<p>"It's talking to me as well," [[Barsolar]] said.  "This one is a [[Psychic Elemental]], and there are [[Magic Elemental]]s as well!"<p>I AM TALKING TO YOU ALL, JUST AS YOU ALL ARE TALKING TO ME.<p>I held up my hands and shouted, "Hold on!  Everyone stop thinking!"<p>To the [[Psychic Elemental]], I said, "We need to talk."<p>IN PRIVATE.  YES, I KNOW.}}
{{TErow| 45 |Day 45|After a day of conferences with my assistant, we met with the [[Psychic Elemental]] again.  We've determined that there isn't any way we can keep it from reading our minds.  The [[Psychic Elemental]] is pure thought.  Our thoughts are like air to it.  So, if we were going to gain the assistance of this creature we needed to earn its trust.<p>TRUST?  I AM NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT TRUST MEANS.<p>These were the [[Psychic Elemental]]'s first words as it floated into the tent.  If it had legs, I couldn't see them beneath those robes.  Besides, it moved too smoothly to be walking.<p>"What?" I said.<p>But then it dawned on me, a creature that reads the thoughts of everyone around it would already know if someone were lying to them.  Of course it didn't understand trust.  It didn't need it.<p>YES, NOW I KNOW SOME OF WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.  HOW DO YOU CREATURES DO IT?<p>"You said you already know why we contacted you.  Can you help us battle the [[Elemental Lord]]s?" I asked.<p>WE CANNOT, NOT WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM [[The First|THE FIRST]].<p>"[[The First]]?"<p>YOU WOULD CALL THEM OUR LEADERS.  THEY ARE THE FIRST OF OUR KIND, AND THE WISEST - THREE [[Magic Elemental|MAGIC ELEMENTALS]] WHO LEAD US ALL.  SEEK THEM, BUT KNOW THAT OTHERS SEEK THEM AS WELL.  I BELIEVE THEY ARE THE AGENTS OF YOUR ENEMY, THE [[Elemental Lord|ELEMENTAL LORDS]].}}
{{TErow| 47 |Day 47| Nothing is ever easy.  Just when I thought we could go home, now we have to travel to the [[Plane of Magic]] to find the [[Magic Elemental]]s known as [[the First]].  The [[Mage]]s didn't take much convincing to travel to the [[Plane of Magic]].  I think I've seen a couple of them drooling at the idea.  But the [[Gremlin]]s and [[Naga]]s and others are upset.  I convinced them that it would be pointless to return now only to be defeated by the [[Elemental Lord]]s, but I understand their depression.  I want to go home too.  I'm tired of these strange realms, and I'm especially tired of all this magic.}}
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=== Objects ===
==== Towns ====
{{Town header}}
{{Town row|3, 5, 0|blue|Tower}}
{{Town row|13, 31, 0|red|Inferno}}
{{Town row|28, 13, 0|red|Inferno}}
|}

==== Heroes ====
{{hero header}}
{{hero row|3, 6, 0|blue|Tarnum|image=Tarnum (Wizard)|Wizard}}
{{hero row|6, 10, 0|blue|mph={{mph|1|Hard Place}}}}
{{hero row|8, 16, 0|blue|mph={{mph|3|Hard Place}}}}
{{hero row|13, 32, 0|red|Xyron|Heretic}}
{{hero row|17, 9, 0|blue|mph={{mph|2|Hard Place}}}}
{{hero row|28, 14, 0|red|Octavia|Demoniac}}
|}

==== Monsters ====
{| class="sortable wikitable" cellpadding=5px
! Location
! Type
! Message
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 8, 9, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px; white-space: nowrap;" | {{Cram2|Fire Elemental}}
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | The flames dance higher than usual here, curling around each other almost like an odd ceremony.  Then the fire takes shape - arms, legs, a head.  Suddenly, a pack of [[Fire Elemental]]s stand before you.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 22, 1, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px; white-space: nowrap;" | {{Cram2|Energy Elemental}}
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | At first, you think the brilliant blue streaks are lightning, but they stop in mid-stream, change direction, and flash toward you.  They block your path and take shape.<p>"[[Energy Elemental]]s," says one of your young assistants.<p>"Attack!" you shout.</p>
|}

==== Artifacts ====
{| class="sortable wikitable" cellpadding=5px
! Location
! Type
! Message
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 1, 19, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px; white-space: nowrap;" | {{An|Shield of the Damned}}
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Lots of [[Efreet]] stand about dipping the [[Shield of the Damned]] into a shallow pool of lava.  They don't seem to be attempting to destroy the artifact, so this must be part of the forging process for this powerful artifact.  Do you want to attack the [[Efreet]] once they are done and claim the Shield for yourself?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 10 {{Cn|Efreeti|name=Efreet}}, 10 {{Cn|Efreeti|name=Efreet}}, 10 {{Cn|Efreeti|name=Efreet}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 15, 17, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px; white-space: nowrap;" | {{An|Sword of Hellfire}}
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | A pack of [[Pit Lord]]s and lots of [[Demon]]s are gathered here attempting to remove a sword stuck in a cooled pool of lava.  If you want to chip the sword from the blackened rock, you must fight the evil creatures.  Do you?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 15 {{Cn|Pit Lord|name=Pit Lords}}, 15 {{Cn|Demon|name=Demons}}, 15 {{Cn|Demon|name=Demons}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 16, 24, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px; white-space: nowrap;" | {{An|Breastplate of Brimstone}}
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | The [[Efreet]] would dwell here among the flames forged the [[Breastplate of Brimstone]].  They are not likely to sell it to you.  So, do you want to fight them for it instead?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 10 {{Cn|Efreeti|name=Efreet}}, 10 {{Cn|Efreeti|name=Efreet}}, 10 {{Cn|Efreeti|name=Efreet}}</center></p>
|}

==== Pandora's Boxes ====
{| class="sortable wikitable" cellpadding=5px
! Location
! Message
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 1, 24, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | From out of the flames rise lots of [[Fire Elemental]]s attempting to frighten you off.  They must be protecting this [[Pandora's Box]] for some reason.  Do you want to fight them for it?<p><center> '''Guardians:''' 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}<p>'''Contents:''' 20 {{Cn|Arch Mage|name=Arch Magi}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 5, 13, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | You prepare for the worst as you open this [[Pandora's Box]], but nothing pops out to attack, so you poke your head cautiously inside to see what treasure lies within.<p><center>'''Contents:''' +10 {{w}} [[Wood]], +10 {{o}} [[Ore]], +4 {{c}} [[Crystal]]s</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 6, 9, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | "Be careful when you open a [[Pandora's Box]]," one of your advisors warns you.<p>Just about anything can be stored within these magical containers, including creatures.  Do you want to open it anyway?<p><center>'''Contents:''' +5 {{w}} [[Wood]], +2 {{m}} [[Mercury]], +5 {{o}} [[Ore]], +3 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], +2 {{c}} [[Crystal]]s, +2 {{gem}} [[Gems]], +1000 {{g}} [[Gold]]</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 14, 1, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | This [[Pandora's Box]] rocks violently back and forth and smoke billows between the cracks.  Several of your assistants warn you not to open it, but you don't want to seem like a coward, do you?  Do you open the Box?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 20 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 18, 11, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | No telling what's inside, but as you approach your hair starts to stand on end.  Are you sure you want to open it?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 20 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}, 30 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}, 30 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}, 20 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}<p>'''Contents:''' {{An2|Orb of Tempestuous Fire}}<p>{{Sn|Summon Fire Elemental}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 19, 7, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | When you first touch this Box, it nearly burns your fingers.  The fiery ground doesn't give off enough heat to cause that, so the heat must be coming from within.  Do you want to fight whatever is inside the Box?<p><center> '''Guardians:''' 5 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 5 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}<p>'''Contents:''' +4 {{m}} [[Mercury]], +3 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], +5 {{c}} [[Crystal]]s, +2 {{gem}} [[Gems]], +1000 {{g}} [[Gold]]</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 30, 4, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | You're beginning to get the idea that all these [[Pandora's Box]]es were left on this plane as traps for the greedy.  [[Fire Elemental]]s seem to enjoy hiding within them and attack those unfortunates who open them.  So, do you want to take your chances and open this box?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 5 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 5 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 5 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}<p>'''Contents:''' {{An2|Recanter's Cloak}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 34, 23, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | No telling what's inside, but as you approach your hair starts to stand on end.  Are you sure you want to open it?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 20 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}, 20 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}, 20 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}, 20 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}<p>'''Contents:''' {{An2|Tome of Fire}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 34, 33, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Are you going to take your chances and open this box?<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 20 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 20 {{Cn|Fire Elemental|name=Fire Elementals}}, 10 {{Cn|Energy Elemental|name=Energy Elementals}}<p>'''Contents:''' +10 {{w}} [[Wood]], +5 {{m}} [[Mercury]], +10 {{o}} [[Ore]], +5 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], +5 {{c}} [[Crystal]]s, +5 {{gem}} [[Gems]], +10000 {{g}} [[Gold]]</center></p>
|}

[[Category:Campaign scenarios]]