GM Bold Strider |
Trotter surveys the Flaxseed Lodge from above as he holds a parchment in one hand. Perceptive Pathfinders notice that the paper has a red wax seal set with an eye in a triangle. He splits into five versions of himself with a wave of his hand and the four copies move to a few of the elder Pathfinders in the crowds.
The four Pathfinders are told to report to Trotter's study in an hour where they are given instructions to head to a town called Dustspawn on the trade route between Isgar and Druma. "Watch out for... dangers." Trotter remarks. "Your contact will find you."
Vladek Odradek |
Vladek has been playing with his dinner more than usual. It does take a sculptor of no small talent to shape a bowl of curried congee into a topographically-faithful scale-model of a distant hill range - and to shape it into that when one has never been there, but has only just learned they are about to go there...that takes VISION.
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
The most famous Qadiran magician leaps out of his chair dramatically at receipt of the note. "A quest! Extraordinary! Exciting! Amazing! Just the thing to shore up my reputation after that abysmal performance last week. Away I go!" He waves his hands and a meager puff of smoke erupts around the suli, not quite enough to cover his less-than-covert exit, which is further disrupted when he breaks into a coughing fit just outside the door.
Joesef Deadwillow |
Wow, a magician! Maybe I could learn a few tricks from him! A boy, no... maybe yes? A very young man jumps up from his chair, gathers a variety of different tools of various trades, and scampers through the remnants of the smoke and out the door.
Brother Grimdoc |
A very portly dwarf enters huffing and puffing and nods to everybody or nobody in particular as he removes his travel cloak. He half chuckles as he seems pleased to have reached this destination. He smells the air of the lodge and smiles a broad, warm smile.
"Ahh. Now that is the sound of some tankards and friends. Just what these old bones need. Hah!"
He recognizes his friend Ali from a year ago.
"Ali? Is that you? Well if I ain't as surprised as a cat in a rocking chair...with a long tail...or well hello how have you been friend? ."
He hooks his thumbs into his belt as he strides up to greet the others.
"Brother Grimdoc Clanhammer at your service.."
Steelmask of the Isles |
A strawberry blonde elf with a large tortoise next to her stands upright behind a polished iron mask. She addresses the leader of your party.
The elf speaks to Vladek before finishing with a bow. Pointing with her branched spear, she motions for the lot of your to climb onto the tortoise's shell.
She pulls out a small orb and tosses it at the wagon. With a bang and a flash of light, the small glass orbs rolls back to her feet and you can see the wagon and the livestock encased in the small sphere.
---
The ride to the ship is painless as A'tuin moves effortlessly through the harbor waters. A rope ladder is cast down by several elves, which bear the racial markings of the Mordant Spire: pale skinned with masks obscuring more than half of their face.
Once you have climbed, Steelmask tosses the orb with your provisions to a brunette elf with a nasty scar on her cheek. The woman deftly catches it and heads below deck.
Steelmask turns to you and motions towards a set of hammocks on the deck, set under a tarpaulin.
With a bow, she moves to the captain's wheel and begins to pilot the ship as three elves drop the sails and secure them into place, catching the afternoon winds. Joesef notices that the elves speak amongst themselves in Azlanti, not in Elvish.
Joesef Deadwillow |
Know Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Joesef thinks he recalls something but can't quite put his finger on what it might be. As they speak elvish, the boy just smiles pleasantly.
Can Joesef hear what the Azlanti speakers are actually saying, if its anything of note?
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
Ok, finished with my exam and ready to move whenever!
"Ali? Is that you? Well if I ain't as surprised as a cat in a rocking chair...with a long tail...or well hello how have you been friend? ."
He hooks his thumbs into his belt as he strides up to greet the others.
"Brother Grimdoc Clanhammer at your service.."
Ali stops and catches himself as he turns back to the gnome. With an over-exaggerated bow the suli shouts, "Well, Grimdoc, very well! The show has been a huge hit abroad. Well, huge is perhaps the wrong word. I've sold tickets at every show this time and haven't been cancelled! So things are certainly looking up and folks beyond Qadira are finally starting to recognize THE AMAZING ALI as the GREATEST MAGICIAN IN THE WORLD." Ali flashes his winning smile as he holds his arms wide, as if to embrace his adoring fans who are conspicuously absent.
Joesef Deadwillow |
I suddenly remember Ali now. Man, I wonder who it was that adventured with him. I may have to do some research, my memory stinks.
Joesef looks at the Magician with an awe-inspired look. You're famous? I didn't know that! Can you teach me something? You must be a great magic user, right? Joesef goes into "wizard mode" as he looks at Ali, fumbling for his small traveling spell book.
Brother Grimdoc |
"All this hustle and bustle on horses and boats. What is all this about? We ain't seen naught of our mission."
Grimdoc starts digging through his pack to pull out some rations and starts to gnaw on a bar while waiting.
"I got to feed my high metabolism you know."
GM Bold Strider |
4d20 ⇒ (16, 3, 14, 17) = 50
As you bed down for the night, you find the swaying of the hammocks on the deck to be quite calming. A single torch illuminates the crow's nest above you as an elf in a silver mask with gold filigree keeps watch over the sea, while Admiral Steelmask mans the helm.
Eventually, the group falls to sleep with the sound of the wave lapping at the hull.
4d20 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 13) = 23
As you look over at where the spyglass is pointed, you spy slithering tentacles rippling through the ocean for a second before they submerge. You look around to your bunkmates and see Joesef and Ali sleeping with large smiles on their faces as the blonde one clutches a small teddy bear. "Aye, don't worry, dwarf. My man spotted an octopus or squid in the water. We must be careful, but there is no worry." Steelmask tells you once she notices that you are awake.
You look over to Vladek and find that he, on the other hand, is sleeping fitfully. His face is contorted into a frown as he thrashes a bit in the ropey cocoon. With a start, the elf suddenly shoots up his eyes wide.
With a jolt, your body sits upright and you realize that you were dreaming. Having a nightmare, in fact. You look over and see Grimdoc staring at you, but the other two are still asleep.
Vladek Odradek |
There is a barely-audible sound as Vladek's large eyes blink. He looks first at Grimdoc, then at Qadathra, then back to Grimdoc, then back to Qadathra again, then out to the sea. He descends from his hammock with clearly unnatural grace, Qadathra on his arm. He almost literally drifts toward a porthole and looks out at the stars.
"Where did we come from? Where are we going? How long have we got?"
Vladek pauses to consider what he just said, turning momentarily back to Grimdoc.
"I mean...where are we are right now?"
He then turns back to the porthole, Qadathra squeezing his head next to Vladek's as they try to look at the exact same point in the sky.
Knowledge (Geography) to locate where Aucturn should be in the sky: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
"We know you're out there...fancy a breakfast with us, perhaps?"
Vladek Odradek |
"Cephalopods are good. I would have liked to see that. Might have made a friend."
Vladek pulls out a preserved, disembodied beak from - well, an owl or an octopus, you actually can't tell - and puts it to his ear, as if waiting for it to talk to him. A moment later, his expression changes, and he puts it back away. He then whirls sharply and precisely about as he borderline-sings an incantation, and apropos of nothing, snowflakes begins to start drifting around him.
Now seems as good a time as any to cast whispering lore (duration 90 minutes) and ward of the seasons (Winter) (maximum duration 9 hours) for the day.
Joesef Deadwillow |
Joesef sleeps soundly and peacefully and continues to do so as nothing seems to have disturbed him.
I can't wait to learn how to be a magician from Ali! Its gonna be great!
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
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Ali sleeps in far later than is decent. He stretches with an exaggerated yawn and spends the next hour walking about in a haze. When Joesef approaches him about learning magic, Ali simply takes a cursory glance at a few pages of the amateur wizard's spellbook, commenting, "You see, my boy, the first thing you need to do is throw this thing away!", making a gesture like he is going to throw it overboard. Clearly he meant to pull some impressive sleight-of-hand to hide the book but in the midst of the maneuver he drops the book on the deck with a loud fwack!
Ali looks down at the book with a frown, as if the book has insulted him somehow. "Well, that's what I did anyways. It's all about weaving a good story, setting a good environment, and letting the audience's imagination take over from there. If you're studying from a book, you're doing it wrong!" With a dramatic flourish, Ali turns away and walks over to the others.
"Did I hear mention of an octopus? Where exactly are we? And where are we heading? I'm afraid I had quite the long night last night and have gone and forgotten the mission."
Vladek Odradek |
"All I know is that we're bound for Elidir."
Knowledge (Geography) regarding Elidir: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 +2 Secrets of the Sphinx trait = 21; additional +2 in the unlikely event this is "in Osirion" in any sense of the term
I forgot I had Secrets of the Sphinx, otherwise I would have used it from the start, I promise.
Steelmask of the Isles |
Vlad knows that Elidir is a river port town along the trade route that houses their final destination. Aucturn, however, doesn't appear in the sky at this time of year.
When asked, Steelmask will tell you that you have several days before the ship reaches Elixir. "Feel free to fish, drink, sleep or whatever it is you do for fun. We have a while. " she tells you.
Feel free to roleplay activities on a ship. I am traveling today and only have access via Wayfinder. Typing out substantive posts is difficult on a phone.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Brother Grimdoc |
Grimdoc is glad the evening bumps are uneventful.
Ha Ali, that looks to be a good trick you are working.
I am all for the trick of making ale an fish disappear. HAhahhahHAAAARRR!
After eating his fill, Grimdoc twists and turns a few times, pretending to touch his toes. Then looks up.
I always try to get some exercize while traveling on ship. You know to keep from losing my edge. Vladek, you seem to know a bunch about geographicologics. I wasn't never much of the bookish sort myself.
Joesef Deadwillow |
Joesef gasps has his meager spellbook is nearly thrown into the water and gasps again when it flops onto the deck of the ship. Despite it all, the boy still listens intently to the Great Ali. Imagination? But, what about the spells? As Ali turns away, he picks his book up and makes sure it remains unharmed.
What if there is no audience... Joesef asks no one in particular as the magician has long since left the conversation.
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
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What if there is no audience... Joesef asks no one in particular as the magician has long since left the conversation.
"No audience?" Ali asks, legitimately confused. "But my dear boy, there is always an audience! Haha!" He pats Joesef on the head as if he were an unknowing toddler asking a silly question. "Why, even you yourself are an audience to your own magic. And an audience of one is the easiest to impress! Trust me on that, dear boy!"
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
Ali smirks and starts playing to his audience of the one loud dwarf. He past Joesef on the back again after making a small gesture. DC 17 Will save against prestidigitation or your skin turns green for a while. "Joesef, just don't let your jealousy show. Or is that the seasickness? Hohoho!"
Joesef Deadwillow |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Will vs embarrassment: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Jealous? Why would I be jealous? I can learn so much from you. From ALL of you! Anyways, I've been praticing some tricks of my own.
Not sure how this works, but Joesef will try to "pick the pocket" of Ali. Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
GM Bold Strider |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Oblivious, Joesef surreptitiously snakes a hand into Ali's pocket and draws forth a colorful rag. He tries to quickly pull it free, but ends up pulling out five more rags tied in a chain and there still seem to be more in the pocket.
The elves on the deck lightly applaud at the feat of showmanship before returning to work.
--One day later--
As you enter the river system, the group hears Steelmask bellow in Azlanti to the crew as loud, clangorous gears begin to move under the deck and the ship's appearance begins to slowly change. The elves quickly set themselves to work moving various barrels and items to make the change smooth and efficient, occasionally helping 'guide' the guests to the appropriate spot.
The now-river barge has oars erupt from the side which begin to pull you upstream with ease. When Joesef moves to explore below deck, he finds that the oars move of their own accord and are not pulled by burly elves, much to his dismay.
--Two days later--
Tiring of fish and vegetables for nearly every meal, the group is excited as Steelmask has informed them that they will be landing in Elidir tonight. Vladek knows that Elidir (pronounced EL-eh-deer) is both the capital of Isger and the nation's largest city. Far from the Chitterwood, Elidir escaped the worst of the Goblinblood Wars, a fact that still engenders bitterness from those whose homes were overrun. It is a commonly held belief throughout the rest of the country that if the capital had been in greater danger during the war, the fighting would have been over much faster. Either way, this is the start of the trade route to Druma and the path that leads to Dustpawn.
The group sets down just after twilight on the banks, well away from the busy port. "Aye. This is your leave. Head one mile towards town and look for a smallish gnome with a wagon. Flaxseed says he will find you if you don't find him." she mentions before handing Ali the small orb with the wagon and horses on the banks of the river.
Joesef Deadwillow |
Thanks for the ride! Safe travels! Joesef waves off the barge as the party heads toward this gnome with a wagon.
Brother Grimdoc |
Aye - safe travels.
Grimdoc waves with a broad smile, before he stops and scratches his beard.
Hey, I was stranded last time I was dropped off by ship. How do we get back? Are you staying here?
If he receives an answer, he will hoist his gear and begin in the direction of the expected wagon and gnome.
Vladek Odradek |
Flashback...
The next day, Vladek spends some time contemplating his nightmare - he doesn't usually get those.
One of the following Knowledge checks in the hopes of interpreting my dream (add +2 to whichever one is the correct one for interpreting dreams; +1 is also added from guidance, and I am benefitting from investigative mind - note that not all of the following checks are actually being made, since I don't know which one(s) is/are the right one for interpreting dreams/this particular dream):
Knowledge (Arcana) #1: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26
Knowledge (Arcana) #2: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31
+4 if the dream somehow was or was related to a Conjuration effect
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) #1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) #2: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30
Knowledge (Planes) #1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Knowledge (Planes) #2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
+2 if it happens to be about devils, daemons, or demons
Knowledge (Nature) #1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 +4 to from whispering lore = 40
Knowledge (Nature) #2: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
Knowledge (Religion) #1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Knowledge (Religion) #2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
+2 if it happens to be about devils, daemons, or demons; +4 if it happens to be relevant to the Old Cults
He also spends some time that day showing Joesef what REAL magic can do: Tricking him into pushing him overboard only to see him walk on the surface of the sea as if it were a dry plain, bamboozling him with the open and shut spell on the door to the galley, treating him to the gift of flight for a while, conjuring an astonishing (albeit ephemeral) cache of gems, briefly making a fool of the heavily armored Grimdoc, briefly taking all the words right out of Ali Khalid's mouth (since making a fool of him is no challenge at all, but shutting him up, now THERE'S a trick!), and as piece de resistance, turning Joesef into a chameleon (he turns him back after about an hour).
I realize much of the above would normally count as PVP, but this is all happening while we've got nothing else to do, and it's all meant to be in fun.
"Never forget, Joesef," He takes a kindly teacher's tone. "Whatever power you achieve, there will always be others who can do things you cannot. The most valuable thing of all, in the end, is not what you can do, but who you are. POWER is YOU."
/flashback
Joesef Deadwillow |
After a full day of being shown all of these new tricks Joesef wonders if he should also train as a witch.
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
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Ali is oblivious to Joesef pulling out his endless kerchief and assumes the sailors are applauding him and his wisdom. He takes a deep bow and comes up grinning, using a small cantrip to spell THE AMAZING ALI - TELL YOUR FRIENDS! in the air above his head.
The next day, Ali pulls the captain aside. "I seem to have misplaced my handkerchief. Well, handkerchiefs, really. If you find them aboard, please forward them to my home in Qadira, if it's not too much trouble. Thank you for the comfortable journey!"
Off the ship, Ali is tired before the short mile walk is even halfway done. "Where is this contact we're supposed to meet? I am famished! What say we stop for a bite? No? Fine, let's just get there then."
Joesef Deadwillow |
During the walk, Joesef will try to replace the stage prop he lifted earlier. He doesn't like to steal from friends.
SoH: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 That's perfect.
Ali, I found it! Look! It was here all the time! You must be hungry and tired to have missed it! Maybe we should stop and rest, Ali doesn't look so good.
Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 I love dice.
Joesef turns beet red with embarrassed shame.
Ali Khalid Mustafa Ansari |
Joesef turns beet red with embarrassed shame.
"Ah, so it did work! Well, sometimes you're a bit off on the intended color... and the timing... it's an inaccurate trick at best."
Brother Grimdoc |
Grimdoc was never much into slapstick and slight of hand tricks, so is probably oblivious to the fact people were laughing at him....rather than his own jokes.
"That is right Joesef. Trust yourself. People told me I couldn't never be one of them ninjas or a scholar. But I done proved them wrong ."
Once Ali mentions the thought of food, Grimdoc looses any train of thought .
"I am sure our contact won't mind none if we are a bit late. We need to keep our strength up You know "
Vladek Odradek |
Vladek looks around. If there is an inn, restaurant, or roadside café to be found, he isn't spotting it.
"Do you...know a place around here?"
GM Bold Strider |
The group heads in the direction indicated by Steelmask as the captain bows to you before the ship mutates once more, encasing itself entirely in wood. It plunges under the water and only leaves a few ripples in its wake.
--
After twenty minutes, the group finds a major road and a wagon waits with a large banner. Platonius' Useful and Necessary Precautions!
A gnome stands near a wheel, trying to sell a small satchel to a halfling shepard. "I promise you that this bag will keep any and all possible goods from being discovered for tariff in Elidir!" the gnome says to the flaxen-haired halfling who looks a bit uncomfortable as her small flock gnaws on grass across the road.
Vladek Odradek |
Vladek inspects the satchel (coming closer to the salesman and shepherd if necessary to do so, but only if necessary) with his refined eye - if that's the case, perhaps the party should get one or more of their own.
detect magic/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Platonius Lightfoot, Esquire |
Additionally, Vladek believes the man is a very astute salesman and entirely on the up-and-up.
"I will be with you in one second, chap!" remarks the gnome, presumably Platonius.
"Now, see you merely say "Wiffle" and the bag turns into a secret holding section." he says with a snap as he pulls the pouch over his small head, nearly getting half his body in the pouch before removing it.
Brother Grimdoc |
Hey, that is good for a small chap like you. What about a full grown dwarf like me? While I have smuggled food into the theater, well and temple and um...ok, lots of places. I ain't never smuggled myself in a bag before...but I can go unseen using my innate stealth capabilities you know.
Platonius Lightfoot, Esquire |
Platonius scowls as the shepard takes this opportunity to walk away from the salesman as he mutters something about needing to get his flock back to the barn. "*sigh* I guess I can deal with you now." Platonius says. "You lot are the Pathfinders that I have been hired to escort, yes?" he asks of you as he puts away the pouch.
"I've met too many dwarves who've caused me no end of trouble." Platonius says, massaging the side of his head.
"Either way, let's get going. You are supposed to be in Elidir in a few days and I don't need no more dwarves in my life." he says as he begins to pack up his wares and leash two yaks to his wagon.
Vladek Odradek |
Brother Grimdoc suddenly feels a small weight on his head after saying this, followed by a cat-sized, midnight-black dragon's face craning down from above and staring him in the eye upside-down.
I count five, echoes a sudden voice in his head. You may have it your way, of course: Four stars, and one *brown dwarf.*
GM Bold Strider |
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Platonius rolls his eyes as he snaps his fingers and the sealed containers of wares levitate and load themselves into the wagon. "Your lodgings in Dustpawn are... surely four stars." the halfling says drolly.
In response, Platonis starts a tirade to Joesef's question. "The last time I associated with a dwarf, the damn thing lured me to a boat and I was pressganged into travelling to some unheard of island in the middle of the Maelstrom! Had to claw my way back to the mainland after the group disbanded halfway through their exploration!" he says, clearly agitated.
"Either way, let's get going. I want to bypass Elidir's nighttime exodus." Platonius comments more composed as he straightens his tunic and leaps onto the back of one of the yaks to set the wagon into motion.
---
Into their second night, the group makes their camp as they reach the plains on the other side of the mountain ridge separating Druma and Isger.
Platonius tips his hat to you as he climbs into the back of his wagon and firmly shuts the leather flaps, similar to his performance last night. "Don't be loud." he says grumpily. Clearly, travelling without selling things does not make a happy halfling.
As you bed down for the night, everything seems calm, including the sky. Not a cloud can be seen and the crickets maintain their even chirping throughout the evening.
You drift closer to the sound, passing planets and stars faster and faster. You even pass a pack of space whales whose calls drown out the voice temporarily, but you find yourself inexorably drawn to the sound.
As you venture closer, the sound grows louder until it is ringing in your ears, but then you begin to doubt this choice. You try to reverse course, but find yourself unable to do so. You are propelled faster and faster towards the thing in the dark and a deep terror sets in as you suddenly wake in a cold sweat.
The other three seem to be sleeping peacefully, but you lay awake for the scant few hours before the sun rises, unable to sleep.
The sun breaks the horizon and the group slowly gets up at their own pace. As you prepare for the day, Platonius comes out of his wagon and asks. "Ready to take off?"
Brother Grimdoc |
Well, I ain't gonna lure you to no boat. Not fond of them myself. But I will be ready to go...right after brunch.
Grimdoc starts pulling out pans from his overstuffed pack, followed by a slab of bacon the size of a darkwood buckler and appears to be setting up to cook a large meal unless stopped.
Dang - did anyone bring any stout...or at least coffee?
Vladek Odradek |
As they travel, Vladek addresses his comrades concerning the possible merits of purchasing their very own Pathfinder Pouch (or more).
Does anyone have Appraise ranks so we get a fair price? I can provide untrained aid/guidance/the Fortune Hex.
He also looks around Platonius's wagon for anything else interesting.