Astra Picard |
"...also, the caves have the most fascinating fungal ecosystem, I have samples of no less than eighteen species that I did not recognize; a veritable treasure trove for anyone with a mycological interest..."
GM Demonmoose |
Dolga listens to as much of the story as she can. You see her frown deeper and deeper as it becomes more and more complex and unbelievable. Then she waves her hand and grunts.
"Ah, okay. I'm sure it was all very interesting. Here. I forgot this." She places a scroll on the table. "Scroll of Resurrection. Part of the reward when you brought back Khonnir alive. If he were found dead, the town would have used this to revive him."
Now what do you do?
GM Demonmoose |
"Sadly, I've been too busy with paperwork to make a visit. You'll have to check on that man yourself."
She stops signing and reading paperwork when you mention the League. "So Sanvil was an agent. That's mildly distressing. He came and went several times to Torch, but didn't really do anything harmful to Torch. Luckily, the League is centered in Starfall and doesn't really go out to the fringe of Numeria without a good reason. Why go to some small Numerian ruin, when Silver Mount is so close."
"I doubt we have much to fear. But we will keep watch."
She grabs at her warhammer hilt, almost about to pick it up, then lets go. "Take some rest for now, get yourself prepared for whatever is to come, and I will convene with the Council. We will come up with a plan. I hope that you'll help us with it."
Chakos Hyluan |
GM Demonmoose |
You head to the town market and purchase whatever you want with your gold. The market has all manner of weapons, armor, potions and low magical items (+1, and anything costing 1000 gp or less). There are also food vendors selling ingredients and cooked food. The succulent smell of some kind of braised meat assails your nostrils. Another stall owner shouts about his cherry and plum pies.
Chakos Hyluan |
"Stick to the technology stuff Liz, you're good at it. You see its a very common misconception that healing magic is the lone purview of divine casters. And it is similarly thought, incorrectly I might add, that when a spell is encased within a wand, that only those who follow the same path as the creator can use the wand. This is NOT how magic works at all. I havent the time, or the patience, to fully explain it though, just accept that some things are not as rigidly understandable as your keycards and invisible power beams that blow up and destroy cities."
Astra Picard |
Astra walks along with the rest of the group through the market. "I do not think we need to make any purchases regarding healing. Our sojourns underground were always limited by running out of offensive magic -- I had always plenty of healing left, and still do, especially once I study this hypogun some more."
Sneek the Silent |
Sitting at Val’s place, eating a sandwich, Sneek looks back at the last couple of weeks. Having just done remarkable things, saving Khonnir, defeating Meyanda and saving the town of Torch. Feeling proud but sad at the same time. Having to trust his new comrades and not being betrayed made him feel more like his old self. Coming to Torch, Sneek never could have imagined he would find a group of people he could trust again.
@Demonmoose I want to have 4 small silver flames made by a craftsman in Torch to give away to Astra, Chakos and Liz and one he keeps for himself. Please tell me how much money I have to pay.
When the group is all together Sneek presents his gifts to the others. Handing them out with a complementary hug from the little rat. A gift for me to my newfound friends, a reminder of our rescue of Torch.
Don’t know what the future holds but I like to adventure with you guys. I like to learn more from Astra/Liz, share a sandwich with Chakos. Not wanting to get 2 emotional Sneek changes the subject. Is Torch safe now? Don’t we need to destroy all the robots in the caves so they can’t hurt anyone anymore?
Chakos Hyluan |
Chakos, clearly touched by the gift, wipes away a tear, "Why thank you my friend! He gleams and looks to the ladies. I've no idea if it's saved, but I'm sure they have an idea."
ElizabethArdoc |
Why thank you Sneek. Liz gives Sneek a hug. I will cherish this. As for Torches' troubles, I believe all the serious threats of the sves have been disposed of. The android who tried to blow up the caves is gone as well as Savil, the vegepygmies, the undead and the thugs. Liz does look more serious.However, the Technic League seems to still be a concern from what Savil had said, so I don't know what can be done about them.
GM Demonmoose |
Book 2: Lords of Rust
A month passes after you've saved the town and relit the torch. Astra gets most of the praise, given from the rich councilor Otterbie. There is a ceremony and she is awarded an adamantine longsword, everyone else gets less praise. Elizabeth spends the time at the Temple of Brigh, looking at the inventions and strengthening her faith in the Whisper in Bronze. She gains a better insight in engineering and her magic.
Sneek disappears, scoping the town and checks out Silverdisk Hall. It was reverted to a regular gambling hall and without a new thief leader, the Ropefist gang does significantly less criminal activity. They still occasionally steal from rich travelers that try to gamble there.
Chakos spends his time at one tavern or another drinking and celebrating with other heroes that have come into town before or after the torch's disappearance. Sometimes Sneek, Astra and Liz come along to share in the drink, but Chakos makes "friends" with two of the usual patrons, an elf named Syvlara and a human named Will.
One day the six of them are summoned to the Town Hall for another job. Instead of Dolga, the dwarven councilor to greet them, Khonnir Baine, the wizard and most useful person in town sits at one of the desks. Joram Kyte, the priest of Brigh, sits to his side.
"I'm sorry it took so much time, friends, but there was a lot of things to do to help Torch on its recovery. Defense against possible attacks seemed to be the last thing we needed to worry about. The Council would like to ask you to check on the town of Scrapwall, north of here, and make sure that no more of Meyanda's gang comes to Torch. Hopefully with the loss of their priestess they do not seek retribution, but have rather lost interest in stealing the energy from our reactor. Torch offers 8000 gold pieces if you can make sure that no further attacks come from them."
Joram Kyte clears his throat, he removes his holy symbol of Brigh and hands it to Liz. "I have an acquaintance that has gone to Scrapwall. Dinvaya, an elven believer in Brigh, hid in that place after being attacked by Technic League members. She is an accomplished contruct-maker. Please tell her that she is no longer in danger and can come to Torch to restart her life. Scrapwall is a very dangerous place. If you can do this for me, I will personally offer you a magic rod."
Chakos Hyluan |
Chakos looks at the two newcomers, and let's out a stream of vile sounds and spittle:
Syvlara of the MoonWillow |
The blue eyes of Syvlara narrow and her constant scowl deepens.
"Whatever it is you're saying, you will hold your foul tongue. Address me only in the common language. If my mother could see me stand next to a fiend, all my years of respect would be lost."
She paces across the floor, eyeing each race present. As she walks, her white cloak glides gracefully.
Sneek the Silent |
I don't like the way you address my friend Chakos. I know him but I don’t know you! Actions speak louder than words, even if spoken in your mentioned foul language. After he had said it he looked at Astra. Is she mad at me, don’t understand why she wouldn't even says thanks after I gave her my gift. All that attention from Otterbie must have gone to her head.
Holding out his hand Sneek walkes towards Syvlara. Not wanting to start our relationship on the wrong foot, I’m Sneek. He also shakes Will his hand but now with a toothy smile in an effort to be more polite. I’m Sneek, what can you do.
Chakos Hyluan |
Chakos looks at Syvlara apologetically, "one can never overestimate the value of good friends. I am sorry, I did not intend offense, I simply wished to test your ear for that language."
Astra Picard |
Perception at Sneek: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Sense Motive at Sneek: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Astra indeed has ignored Sneek's gift of the silver flame symbol for a while now, as she has been busy with the attentions lavished upon her by the town of Torch. Noticing the ratfolk's gaze, however, she looks puzzled for a few seconds, but then realization comes to her, especially at Chakos' last spoken words. "By the way, Sneek, I don't think I ever thanked you for this", she says, putting her fingers to that silver flame at her neck. "I've been terribly busy and I just forgot... It was a very thoughtful gesture -- thank you."
Will Gestros |
The tall human had regarded the strange language with a quiet stare, clearly not understanding a word. His fingers idly clenched and unclenched in a smooth motion as he surveyed his new acquaintances.
Having arrived in Torch just under a week ago, he had been eager to begin the task set out for him, though had some trouble finding a group to ally himself with, since everyone didn't seem willing to go out and adventure some fairly recent events. But, when Chakos had approached himself and Slyvara, he eagerly accepted his offer to join his group. The same group, apparently, that had brought back fire to the town's titular symbol.
Syvlara of the MoonWillow |
Syvlara paused for a moment, clearly taken aback.
"Oh, um ... my apologies. I have never heard of a drow that would embrace the Dawnflower. Perhaps your human blood does you a favor."
She watched Sneek offer a handshake, and awkwardly shook it with the wrong hand.
"Greetings, Sneek. I train to become a master in ranged combat, and to destroy those who threaten my people. I can't say I've seen your kind before. Tell me, what are you?"
Chakos Hyluan |
"Syvlara, I must clear the air here. While I certainly respect Sarenrae and have nothing against her faith, I do not actually follow her. I believe Liz was simply making a comparison, not ascribing a particular faith to me. Additionally, while there certainly appears to be every indication that there is a dark elf in my heritage at some point, I do not think of myself as being one. With that said, I could not, and would not fault you, if you were wary of me because of my bloodline. The acts of countless Drow over the centuries certainly bring concerning thoughts to the wise watcher, but I do assure you I feel no such dark compulsions as they experience."
Syvlara of the MoonWillow |
Syvlara let Chakos speak, and paused briefly. She let each word sink in, and analysed them as best she could.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
"Hmm. Your words are smooth silver, Chakos, but they seem to ring true. I will accompany you and your group, but know this: If you betray me, you will fall to my arrows before you can even draw your weapon. Do not test me."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Syvlara walked back to her original position, but turned around to say "Oh and one last thing. I recommend you call me Lara. That will be all."
Astra Picard |
Astra nods to Chakos, and either waits for Elizabeth to draft up a quick contract in writing, if that's something she wants to do, or otherwise takes care of that herself. Either way, either Elizabeth or Astra presents a contract to Baine and Kyte, with precisely metered clauses to ensure the eight thousand gold pieces and the magic rod in exchange for securing Meyanda's gang and Dinvaya, the elven construct-maker.
GM Demonmoose |
Khonnir rolls his eyes, takes the paper and signs it. He passes it to Kyte as well.
"We did allow your party to stay at the Foundry Tavern, free of charge, I might add. I thought we had developed some level of trust. But, its not like signing takes much effort."
"Ah yes, I forgot to mention. Scrapwall is about 100 miles to the north of Torch. Along the way is a crusader outpost called Aldronard's Grave. Though their purpose is to give divine workers and holy fighters a place to rest before they head to the Worldwound, they do assist any weary travelers moving through Numeria's wasteland."
"Honestly, a contract..." Khonnir mutters.
What do you do now?
Astra Picard |
"Thank you for your indulgence, and we'll get on this matter immediately", Astra bows to the councilors, and starts to head out of the town hall. If any others follow her out, then once outside, she asks, "What preparations would everyone like to make? And shall we purchase mounts, or hike instead? They did not give us a time limit, so I think the level of urgency is low."
Syvlara of the MoonWillow |
Syvlara thinks of what kind of environment and people live along the way.
Geography 100miles north of Torch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
As Astra and a few people leave the councilors, Syvlara turns around one last time. "So how come you don't have a beard, Dwarf?"
Sneek the Silent |
Beaming from ear to ear Sneek turns around and takes a bow in acknowledgement of the kind words of Astra, his mentor in all things technologic. Returning his attention to Lara. I’m Sneek, a ratfolk, a silent threat and a tinkerer of sorts. Not a big fan of robots. Shifting his attention to Will. Will, still don’t know what you do! He rubs his scar before continuing. Don’t like to repeat myself to much human, makes my throat hurt!
Sneek is ready to go!