1. GM Edwin's Zeitgeist Campaign

Game Master Insnare

You can disable the winch, or take the air bubble lanterns, we can retcon it if you like.

You swim up to the surface using your the scrolls of water walk to get up to the top and walk over to the three ships as they were left this morning. You climb your way on board the largest ship the Il Dracon de Mare and once aboard, Captain Smith heartily gives you a handshake and glass of Shalean rum and says, "I am glad your mission was a success. We are in control of two ships, a whole lot of prisoners."

He then looks at Asher and says, "Sailor, can I get a private word in a little bit."

Falko will insist on disabling the winch before leaving.

Falko is about to say how great it is, when the captain asks to speak with Asher.

So instead, he tries recuperate by turning to Finona: "Have you met professor Xambria before? I would like to know if you feel she is very different from the last time you've met with her. Also, I was curious, how was your excavation so different than the one at the ziggurat? You did not seem to think highly of the work done there..."

Finona says, "She supposedly came back traumatized from the death unleashed by the Apetian creatures that killed her team."

"But have you met her before, or when she returned, or never? And why do you say 'supposedly'? You suspected something?" asks Falko, intrigued.

Finona says, "I have only met her in passing and that was after she had gotten back. The traumatized part was told to me by Bergeron who was also her Patron. She went to Risur near Bole and I did my dig in Drakr at the time."

To put is simply the reason you are going to follow is is regarding the Murder of Beregon for wich you are a prime suspect

Who are you speaking to Angus? I have a feeling you are confused.

Profession (Sailor) DC 17

Angus are you speaking to Dr. Xambria Meredith, if so it makes sense however if you are speaking to Finona it doesn't make any sense because all of the information you have collected to this point would not lead you to believe she is a suspect in Bergeron's murder, she was after all here in Ber.

So long as I can use my profession: soldier, or if that would be better as Sailor for my background I'll change it to that...
Profession: Saildor: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 = 16 Dang negative level... I don't suppose I can get any of the Risur sailors to assist me? One successful assist will pass the DC.

untrained sailor assist: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Johnathan follows along passively after the winch is destroyed and they return to the ships, not contributing anything more than a lost hollow gaze.

ha yes my bad i was of course speaking to the good Dr Meridith :)

Finona says, "I have only met her in passing and that was after she had gotten back. The traumatized part was told to me by Bergeron who was also her Patron. She went to Risur near Bole and I did my dig in Drakr at the time."

AA Profession: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Falko grins at Finona: "Well, that's a start. I would like to be there when the two of you meet and discuss what happened in each project. Keep an eye for a very different behaviour. If you think she's... too different, just talk to me about problems with seagulls, ok?"

If Finona agrees, he will bring her to meet with Xambria, bringing at least Angus and Johnathan, and opening his sight to planar energies.

Finona shrugs and says, "Ok, I guess she may have gotten worse."

Cretien moves to speak with Asher, the de facto leader of sorts on their squad.

"We will need to hire sailors to bring multiple ships back. Shouldn't be too expensive, especially if someone more genial than I wants to negotiate."

Cretien and Asher

John,Angus,Falko

Johnathan wanders the deck, eventually finding his way to Asher as if blindly, and whispers to him for a good while.

He then nods meaningfully and pats Asher's shoulder reassuringly, then goes to the ship's rail and stares into the deep.

Falko looks at the two, having doubts about the wisdom of bringing them together. Finally, he shrugs and says: "I wanted you two to meet, in order to discuss what happened in both those digs, and perhaps figure out what to do next... It's a long way to Flint."

After searching the ship, Asher hears from Cretien and nods. "I agree. See if Constable Escheus is busy. I'll just scare the civilians away, but that man has a more neutral tongue. Constable Holbrook might be useful as well, if he sets his mind to it."

Then Johnathan speaks with him. Asher nods again, exactly as he had with Cretien's wisdom. He waits for Johnathan to leave before resuming his speaking with Cretien.

"Right. This one stays on the ship and away from the recruits. McCormick can help guard our inconvenient archeologists, if Escheus is done speaking with them, but he's our best bet on getting sailors without force. Why don't you take our young constable away from people he can unnerve and speak with those downstairs about arranging an away party and the guard detail. I'll keep the captains happy."

After relaying Asher's words to Falko (who will be gone for a few days so maybe he can be off recruiting sailors), Cretien moves over to Johnathan's area and speaks to the boy as he stares down into the water.

"So, uh, how are the dreams going for you? Any clearer?"

"Like branches of a tree. Nevard was the trunk. I keep...trying to follow the right path, but one split turns into two, and two more. Sleeping under the stars hasn't made anything clearer for a great while now," he sighs.

"well, we will make sense of them the best we can. Best to just tell us the dreams when no one is around, regular folk can be somewhat ... unmerved by your visions."

Johnathan smiles nervously, "So am I."

As you are speaking, Captain Doloroso who helped you in the battle, sails his ship and connects with you and his goblin Patron also climbs aboard the Dracon di Mare and decides to speak with Asher and says, "We are glad you were successful. Is there anything further we can do to assist you?"

Falko, Angus ?Jon?

Give me the rolls for Spellcraft and Knowledge Arcana if you are casting the Detect Planar Energy

Cretien, Asher can I get a Diplomacy roll to get the sailors

Johnathan will partake in the planar energy detection.

Kn.Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

i thought i was left behind from the gathering of sailors. i merely suggested the idea, i am not one for diplomacy. if i must, here is a roll, but i'd normally not be involved in such matters.

diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Johnathan

Johnathan nods to Cretien and says softly, "Thanks, Professor. For, you know, checking in on me..." Then goes to find Falko, whispering to him.

Agreed with Cretien. I scare people into help, and am bad with diplomacy. My suggestion was for Falko and Someone else to take care of it. Consider it directly suggested to Falko by Asher if not Cretien. He'd even willingly go along with Johnathan helping out, as he sometimes can be endearing (though he'd never use that language!) He may need to be botted.

Honestly, it isn't that big of a deal. I think I will handwave the recruitment process because of your lower relative diplo score it just would take a couple more hours ( taking 20)

Falko nods at Johnathan then turns to Meredith and Finona: "I need to check this timeline with my own notes. It shouldn't take too long. Dr. Meredith, you will remain in confinement. The RHC will want to have more words with you I'm afraid. We need to make sure we understand fully what went on at the ziggurat, and we're not the best people for that. Dr. Finona, you will come with us."

Once he's locked Meredith back in, he leads the others back to the surface, away from the sailors, for an impromptu meeting.

He turns to Johnathan: "Ok, Johnathan, would you tell the others what you found?"

Johnathan looks suddenly horrified, glancing wide-eyed at the others. He stammers a moment, "I um, I told..t-told, I told Falko..." He turns and hurries out of the room, vomiting off the edge of the ship for the second time this journey.

Finona follows Johnathan to the side of the ship and gently pats the young man on the back and says, "It'll be ok."

Meanwhile, Asher and Cretien are able to round up enough sailors to pilot the ships back to Flint and they start come aboard as Captain Smith starts dolling out job assignments to the different sailors.

The captain of the Beran vessel who helped in your attack last night, says "The Beran navy should be here the day after tomorrow. We would like to hold the captain and these mercenary sailors for you when you go."

Asher approves of the Beran Captain's plan and starts working with the captains on allocating the new recruits around the ship.

Johnathan wipes watery eyes before responding to Finona. "I don't...I don't like blood."

He'll support Asher however he can to get home safe.

Falko looks at Johnathan, blinks, then turns to the others: "Ok, John thinks that Xambria is host to an entity... Might be what we're looking for. Problem is, how do we engage it? Isolate it? Destroy it??? I have no idea..." and he turns to Finona for help.

Finona says, "I know the Apet creatures can be manipulated with your mind because eating brains is what they live on. The only ones we faced were mindless monsters which weren't cunning or clever at all. You can try."

Falko looks at Finona, wondering if she's srious, then wondering what kind of scholar she is. Unable to find a nice way to put what's on his mind, he just shrugs and turns to his companions: "Ok, we need to figure what to do with her. Bring her to RHC? To the ziggurat, which is on the other side of the world, so to speak!?"

"Well, the ... mind parasite, for lack of a clearer definition, is dangerous. Bringing it to RHC would be foolish, at least without adequate preparations made. We need to know or safely and conservatively estimate the range at which it can hop hosts and set up a jailing situation appropriately. Also we need to manage quarantine of the ship just prior to, as well as during, landfall in Risur. Don't want it slipping our grasp."

Finona says, "These beings become incorporeal-esque but if this one is sentient, you could never be sure what could happen. Even if you kill Dr. Meredith, doesn't mean you have killed the parasite."

OK, you are going to keep Dr. Meredith locked up and leave in the morning.

"But can it only jump if the host dies? If we keep her alive, is it trapped within her?"

Finona says, "This is the first I have heard of any such thing. I wouldn't rule it out. But, I would consider it unlikely that killing the host would trap the being within. It's best to err on the safe side."

"Well, now i am beginning to worry that the spirit may try to cause her to harm herself in an attempt to escape."

Finona shrugs and says, "I guess you can make it seem like she isn't under arrest."

Ok, you can keep her locked up or allow her to meander the ships. I can advance it forward to the next day. How do you want to proceed with Xambria?

Asher would like her secure, but maybe deceptively so. Give her an officers quarters to make her comfortable, while keeping her from wandering the ship. Thoughts?

i was thinking more like removing all knives, securing her so she cant suffocate herself, etc. but your call

What about knocking her unconscious/drugging her?