Plan?
The Deceiver checks all the possible exits before entering.
3 main doors are marked by white arrows on the map: North main, East kitchen, South pier.
The two windows look like they might help someone slip away, although it is quite a drop.
INT DC 15
Aref's summary, also emailed:
You are outside the Toiling Midget in Katheer Below, a massive underground vault carved out eons ago – resting beneath the cliffside city. In the Below you will find the Katheeran naval keep, a small damp city district chock full of vile gathering places, the center of the slave trade in Qadira, numerous entrances to the tunnels that riddle the city above, and a troglodyte city separated from Katheer by a gated opening known as “The Seal”. Further back in the Trog half of Katheer Below is the infamous temple of Rovagug, which enjoys a popularity in Katheer second only to Sarenrae. Also, the notorious pit of Rovagug. Every good city needs a bottomless pit, am I right?
Although the Trogs deal peacefully with humans, the fact that they refer to you pinkskins as “the food” in their native language is somewhat concerning. The constant disappearance of urchins and prisoners who vanish from their cells are the source of predictable local rumors and conspiracy theories.
How did Aref get here?
You all fled to the temple of Iomedae and sought the assistance of Bhodan. You were briefed on the function of the Eye of Aroden, which is a minor artifact and can’t be identified, and learned that you must seek out an insane old elven paladin of Aroden, by the name of Ka (Osirian word for soul) to learn how to use it. He lives, of course, across the desert to the south and in the mountains.
At the temple you were introduced to a desert guide named Rohit, who is a sort of Bedouinesque paladin of Iomedae, and as a contact with the crazy old elf you have Thelonius Thistlecrit, aka the Herald of Death, who happens to know the old madman personally - and (as a side note) also believes himself to be a friend of Pharasma.
Everyone rested and rose early, before sunrise, and you travelled to the temple of Pharasma to meet Thelonius (a tonsured bleachling gnome) and so Cordoba could attend an appointment at the temple.
From the temple of Pharasma you followed a lead down into Katheer Below to find Book and put an end to his villainy, although you’ve never met him, and when you finish off with Book you’ll head off south to find the old elf, who will hopefully help you rid yourselves of Vass.
Some stuff I mentioned that you missed:
-Aref has apartments at the edge of the cliff overlooking the dock districts of Katheer. You were unable to bring the party there because you don’t want to attract Vass to your dwelling.
-Either you or Rohit is carrying the Eye of Aroden. Whoever reads the spoiler first.
HERE
-Right now they’re trying to decide how to enter the Toiling Midget. Map as follows:
HERE
-The map of Katheer’s city core in pdf form is here. It has layers so you can see Katheer Below.
HERE
Hmmm. Rohit must be hiding under Drasheer.
Thelonius draws his Khopesh and readies the large weapon in a two-handed grip.
"So what's this Book look like anyway? I got nuthin' against downin' anyone who frequents this kinda place, but I would like to try and kill the one you're here for first if at all possible."
He makes to move towards the doors of the Midget and stops when he approaches the door, looking back at the others and raising one eyebrow as if to say, "well, are we gonna do this or what?"
Pulsifer, Cordoba, Jon:
Captain Gravid Book: about 6 feet tall, a little heavy, about 40 years old with reddish brown hair and last seen wearing the coat of a Chelaxian naval commander. Carries two Adamantine rapiers.
Righty: 5 and a half feet, skinny, about 30 years old, and shabbily dressed. Dark haired. Missing his left eye. Said to be weak with attacks from his left side.
Zahn: A little taller than Righty and a little thicker. A dark haired, pale skinned Chelaxian. The ship's wizard. Dresses in dark clothes.
Hagnoose: A short, stout, jolly looking man. Wears a turban and a baggy white shirt.
Kamada: Black. Shaved head. Rings in his ears. Really big.
Mannick: A small wiry, dark haired northerner.
Mister Yin: A white haired Tian. The elderly ship's doctor.
"I say ve head in de front door. Face our fate head on and all..."*checks in his bag* "Be wary, de Eye is aglow. Vass is near to us."
Hoktsumisso incants Longstrider on himself
[ooc] Sorry, getting ready to move cross county this week and posting is getting sporadic... May be off the grid next weekend. I'll try to post as I can. Feel free to NPC Domo as needed. [ooc]
"Allow me to describe our foes:
Captain Gravid Book: about 6 feet tall, a little heavy, about 40 years old with reddish brown hair and last seen wearing the coat of a Chelaxian naval commander. Carries two Adamantine rapiers.
Righty: 5 and a half feet, skinny, about 30 years old, and shabbily dressed. Dark haired. Righty is missing his left hand. Weak against attacks from his left side.
Zahn: A little taller than Righty and a little thicker. A dark haired, pale skinned Chelaxian. The ship's wizard. Dresses in dark clothes.
Hagnoose: A short, stout, jolly looking man. Wears a turban and a baggy white shirt.
Kamada: Black. Shaved head. Rings in his ears. Really big.
Mannick: A small wiry, dark haired northerner.
Mister Yin: A white haired Tian. The elderly ship's doctor.
Any questions?"
*checks in his bag* "Be wary, de Eye is aglow. Vass is near to us."
Righty: 5 and a half feet, skinny, about 30 years old, and shabbily dressed. Dark haired. Missing his left eye. Weak against attacks from his left side.
"I say ve head in de front door. Face our fate head on and all..."*checks in his bag* "Be wary, de Eye is aglow. Vass is near to us."
"And some...thing else is near also.....I can't tell who or vhat..."
"We begin our attack soon, I take it?"
Rackham makes the sign of the sword, tracing his finger from forehead to abdomen and from shoulder to shoulder. The air around him begins to crackle with thaumaturgic energy.
The band quickly moves into the Midget throught the front door into the main hall. A few pirates hunch over their tables some grumbling at each other, some gambling, some half conscious, but all, by and large, at the end of an all night drinking binge. Behind the bar an old ogre with an apron spits in glasses and wipes them off.
All eyes turn toward you except one: a large cloaked man sitting at the bar with a cowl pulled over his head.
In a voice familiar but in the wrong accent he begins: "They needed some rest. But me, I just can't f$%*ing sleep after being locked in that bottle for more than a century."
Then he pulls back the cowl, turns and smiles at you. It's Syd.
"I see you guys have found even more friends."
Syd/Vass eyes Rohit. His eyes flash red.
"Don't trust them."
Jon, Pulsifer, Cordoba:
"Friend Syd? Are you not well?"
Perception: 1d20+8=22
Thelonius walks in and wonders what in the Hells is going on and who that guy is.
1d20+6=15 perception.
Hmmm, dis is gonna be ugly.
"Friend Syd? Are you not well?"
"Syd is out. May I take a message?"
<Turns to Cordoba.>
"You're a little quiet today Cordoba. Is something worrying you?"
<He flips an olive into his mouth and chews on it for a moment.>
"You know I've been meaning to chat with you after you guys thumped me out of octopus head, I just don't think our friendship has any trust left and I'm feeling a little hurt. I hope you guys are here to patch things up because we've had some great times together, you know?"
"What a surprise?! You're such a wit all of a sudden!"
"But seriously, you have overstayed your welcome on this plane of existence. May I recommend a new vacation destination? Hell or Gehenna, perhaps?"
"Huh, you know this guy? Is he someone I'm meant to kill or is he OK?"
"Oh, sorry. I haven't formally introduced you guys yet."
<Waves at Possessed Syd>
"This is the demon Vass, presently vacationing inside Syd's body -- That's the half-orc."
<Point at the Herald of Death>
"This robust fellow is known as the Herald of Death. You impressed already, Vass? Ready to come peaceably? No, I don't think so."
Thelonius looks confused... "Umm, so if that's your friend's body, he still in there? Y'know 'cause I'm all for guttin' that thing and bein' done with it, but you might want your friend back."
"Umm, so if that's your friend's body, he still in there? Y'know 'cause I'm all for guttin' that thing and bein' done with it, but you might want your friend back."
"Very brave, I'm sure the half breed won't mind holding his guts in after I depart. Consider something that Cordoba can't seem to accept, my little fellow. I can't die. So your heralding is worth less than a sack of goblin s~&& to me."
<Eats another olive. Looks Thel over.>
"So I'm wondering how you got all bleached out, was it the boredom of listening to Cordoba's endless banter that did it? Wouldn't surprise me a bit."
"There are fates worse than death as you very well know, Vass. Would you like me to show you one of them?"
"Come now. Are you going to sodomize me Cordoba?"
"Keep on dreaming, Vass. I'm not into sword fights in the carnal arts."
"No I meant being trapped inside a prison with no way of scratching that itch for chaos you have."
"Is that why you brought the Paladin? Where's the bottle, or are you going to put me in the beer keg, because that actually sounds more fun than chatting with fools."
<Turns to Rohit.>
"What's with this Iomedae b*!#+, anyway. She went from Aroden's whore to divinity in a few moons and now you people bow down to her. Write to me when she's lasted a few millennium and then I'll show you some respect."
"I hate to tell you this, Vass. But you don't have a mailing address."
"Besides, you probably eat the postman."
<Still measuring up Rohit.>
"Anyway, he's looks illiterate."
[<Eats another olive. Looks Thel over.>
"So I'm wondering how you got all bleached out, was it the boredom of listening to Cordoba's endless banter that did it? Wouldn't surprise me a bit."
Thelonius' eyes squint up as he focuses on Syd/Vass. His hands are fidgetting on the hilt of his Khopesh. He calmly reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a small vial of purplish liquid. Popping the stopper, he downs the potion in one fluid motion and throws the vial to the floor where it smashes. He readjusts his grip on the Khopesh and puts himself into a fighting stance, preparing himself for what is to come.
<Looks back at Thel, fingers the two handed sword laying on the bar.>
"Maybe you should have popped the juice before you fell in that sack of flour."
<Turns to Hoktsu.>
"Hey we met at the cantina, right?"
A glass chatters as the bartending ogre sets it down on a tray. His hands are shaking.
Strange coming from a creature who looks like it's never been scared a day in its life.
Yes it was great there but after you would not talk at all ...
So how come you don't have a Real body ? Hoktsumisso always heard demons were big and scary . Do you feel restricted having to use human bodies ? Because you can't go home with a human body , all other demons would laugh at you ...
Maybe Hoktsumisso can help ! You tell me how to reunite you with your body and then you'll stop using stupid humans .
Or are you an undead demon like a spectre and just a spirit . That would be cool too !
<Watching Hoktsu, mouth open.>
*blink, blink*
<Looks at Cordoba.>
"Is he for real?"
"Is he for real?"
Thelonius whispers to himself, "I'm askin' myself the same question..."
"You thinkin' you're all big and mean standin' there dishin' out insults. Insults is a girl's way of fightin'. Come over here and let me show you how a real fighter does battle"
"What's with this Iomedae b!!&#, anyway. She went from Aroden's whore to divinity in a few moons and now you people bow down to her. Write to me when she's lasted a few millennium and then I'll show you some respect."
"Who are you to speak of respect, parasite."
Rackham's skin begins to crawl with crimson sparks. He speaks to the tavern's patrons as he raises his hands in front of him.
"I suggest that any of those who do not wish to become involved leave now. Any who do not do so may suffer grievous bodily harm. Jon, Rohit, I would suggest that you step aside for a moment."
He pauses, his hands glowing with arcane energy.
"This ends now, demon."
Beams of crimson light arc upwards from Rackham's palms, curving downwards and solidifying before slamming into Vass/Syd's body with devastating force/
"Are we going to stand here and chat like the women at the well or shall we dance like scorpians?
"Ahhhh, if only your lady Iomedae could hear..." just as Pulsifer's bolt strikes him square in the chest.
"I suggest that any of those who do not wish to become involved leave now. Any who do not do so may suffer grievous bodily harm. Jon, Rohit, I would suggest that you step aside for a moment."
Nobody leaves. In fact, it wakes up the bleary all night drinkers just enough for some money and odds to start hitting the tables.