Arasmes chuckles and responds lightly "Actually, I have two women at the moment, but the lady is quite correct that she is not one of them. In fact, I never claimed otherwise, you all just leapt to that conclusion when I simply mentioned I knew a woman. Frankly, I think you should all be ashamed of yourselves."
His voice grows a bit more serious as he continues "And, for the record, I value women at least as much for their minds as their bodies. I just see no reason why admiration for the one would forestall admiration of the other."
And finally, completely serious as he returns to the subject at hand "And back to important matters, it occurs to me that, were we brazen enough to be willing to claim the authority of a Horseman, this little token might be quite useful in securing us safe passage through the Plane in search of our target, so I'd suggest we bring it with us, and head onward. After all, time is at least something of a factor."
Drovya shakes his head and grins as the witty repartee flashes razor sharp between the three, almost to fast to follow.
The lady is obviously full of surprises, or at least as full of them as the Arasmes and Talon are of themselves... Nevertheless, what you suggest is a bold ploy, Silvertongue. I think I'll let you do the talking. Now, shall we be off?
"Yea, sounds like a good plan to me. "
"It's not brazen when it's true--of course we claim it and rightfully so," says Kanthuun to Arasmes, mouthing "the plane!" and pointing to his ear. He then mouths "Apollyon who?"
Kanthuun produces a scrap of paper and a quill.
Arasmes rolls his eyes and writes, quickly, on the piece of paper, then hands it back to Kanthuun
"We are here as soul traders, lying about who we serve is hardly unusual. And I doubt this paper keeps anything important from overhearing, but I don't get the impression it cares about its' residents lying to each other.
Apollyon is one of the Four Horsemen, the rulers of the Daemons. He is Lord of Pestilence."
Hanethes reads over Kanthuun's shoulder.
"Lord Apollyon. Let us hope he is eager to receive the tender morsels we've brought with us."
Yes, and let us be on our way. Forward?
Drovya looks expectantly in the direction they were previously headed.
Oh, and Hanethes. You will have to tell me sometime how you managed to detonate that creature. At the very least, let's try to keep flanking our enemies in the future. The results were nothing short of spectacular.
Petrova keeps her scimitar in her hand, ready and wary for any more of those creatures.
As the adventurers moved by the guidance of the wayfinder through the foggy forest, the bell in the distance continued to toll rhythmically.
A chill wind picked up and blasted their faces with the smell of rotting vegetation, bringing with it a few biting flies that took a liking to Drovya, for whatever reason.
What should have been close, judging by sounds, ending up being a bit further away. The scenery didn't change much, but every now and again a misshapen rodent crossed the adventurers' paths.
When the group drew closer to the sound of running water, the terrain itself was considerably swampier; the trees became sparse and even further gnarled. Puddles with stringy plants emerging from them that tried to grasp and choke the partys' feet (rather unsuccessfully, I might add) often held the bloated corpses of the types of animals that lived in the nearby forest.
Azher tendrils reside in standing swampwater, and are an invasive species of carniverous plant native to the Abyss. The ones in this region are small and relatively harmless, but staying away from deeper, nonmoving bodies of water in this area would be a good idea.
After twenty minutes of travel, the mist began to clear to reveal a monstrously wide black river, reflecting the sky and its sole source of red illumination, an eternally eclipsed sun. The waters were murky, but still obviously moving very fast. However, if one looked closely at it, they would swear they saw anguished faces hurtled through the channel.
There is an island in the middle of the river where one can just make out the outline of a bell on a frame.
Knowledge, Planes:
Perception:
"Look at that. Faces in the water? Faces of the damned? And a bell on that island over there. I wonder for whom it tolls?"
"Indeed, the rivers of abbadon contain many lost souls, as well as more dangerous things."
There's no way this body of water isn't the Styx itself. If it weren't for the directional flow and lack of a tide, one would think it was a sea.
Well, we've reached Styx. Now all we need is a boatman...
Drovya itches at the fly bites. Rrgh, filthy place. Silvertongue, Rogar, would either of you mind having a look at these insect bites? I wouldn't doubt that even the flies here carry nasty surprises.
Arasmes nods "Certainly. One can never be too careful..." and takes a close look at the bites in question.
The bite on Drovya's forearm looks suspiciously swollen, though the other bite marks are normal.
You know to keep an eye on the area.
Kanthuun finally glances up from the Wayfinder, after scrutinizing it for a while, barely noticing where they are at first. "And we'll have to pay for passage, I reckon." He grips the rod with one hand, other hand rippling slightly as if searching for a spell.
"We can use that coin we found. Will it work for all of us?"
(+2 to spot traps)
"Oh, yes, the belltower. I see it now. Why is that there? Anyone know?"
The one coin should work for everyone, provided they don't back themselves into a corner and obviously share the same purpose.
Arasmes looks at Drovya "This one here might be infected, and will need care and treatment. Luckily enough, both I, and I believe Rogar, are qualified to provide such."
He turns to Talon then "I suspect so. When and if we find a boatman." and then Hanethes "And frankly, I have no idea."
Knowledge planes:
"So how do we get one? Do we just wait here for one to show up?"
There are waypoints along the river where one can often find docked ferrymen.
"This plane must be getting to my eyes, ears, and brain," grumbles Kanthuun, "but if we are to summon a ferry for the river of the dead...maybe we should ring the funeral bell?"
Rogar helps Arasmas tend to the nasty looking insect bites, muttering something about being able to fix it if he had a properly stocked apothecary...
After tending to Drovya he moves to the edge of the river, 'It's not natural this place' he states, 'To...' he begins to invoke his god's name before realising where he is, '... cross this river would be a good idea' he finishes lamely before shuffling away from the edge.
Hanethes looks down the river, wondering if a ferryman will present itself without anything done on their part.
Oops, right. Petrova, using the others as a sounding board for her ideas, remembers enough to tell people that the one coin should work for all of them, provided they make it clear somehow that they all share a common purpose.
Well, that would be quite helpful. Now, all we need to find is a boatman, or boatdaemon as the case may be.
Drovya scans up and down the banks of the dark river. Hmmm, he muses to himself, which way shall we go?
Kanthuun reflexively brings out the Wayfinder. "We can follow this, providing it doesn't just point straight across the river, or at that island, and look for a landing upon the shore as we go. Though, I doubt there's a regular ferry schedule..."
No ferryman appears when Hanethes looks, unfortunately.
Arasmes sighs and murmurs "Well, I suppose we shall have to become acquainted with the locals eventually..." he takes the coin and holds it upin one hand then calls calmly and loudly in Infernal "Halloo the boatman! We require passage in the name of Our Lord!"
Talon shakes his head."Really? This is our plan? Suppose it's better than nothing." He will ready himself in case something does show up.
Perhaps we should try to ring that bell, Drovya muses. I am not the best shot with a bow, but I could try to hit the mark.
The dark-haired half-elf sheaths his blade and unlimbers his bow in preparation to take a shot at the distant bell.
"Better than wading into that water," says Kanthuun.
Petrova looks at the water, and the faces flowing by, and shudders. "Is that even safe?" she asks.
Arasmes looks at her and shakes his head "Wading? No, that would be the height of folly."
"And the depth of drowning, or worse, I wager," a sardonic grin upon Kanthuun's features. "Perhaps those faces slid right off those foolish enough to have a drink. When wading is folly, waiting is jolly...ah, I should have become a bard." Kanthuun appears delighted with his truly awful doggerel of a rhyme, but his hand still shifts on the magic rod, and his free hand gestures again as if searching for a spell.
Drovya shakes his head at Kanthuun and suggests Perhaps avant garde poetry? And now, let's see if my archery is any better than your verse.
He draws the fletching of his arrow to his ear and sights dead at the bell before loosing the shaft.
'What're ya shooting at ladie? I canna see anything out thah. Make sure ya don't hit tha boatman ifen he comes around. Rogar says to Drovya. The plane seems to be getting to the dwarf somewhat, and he is becoming increasingly moody.
Before Drovya loosed his arrow, it seemed as if something was forming out of the water, a snakelike head rising to glare at the party with orange embers. It had heard the ruckus the adventurers were making on the banks, and the aforementioned events happened like lightning before the magus made his shot.
The bell tolled, and the serpent immediately made a cawing sound and fled, and a skeletal form on a skiff made an approach from the island.
Hunched over and covered by a wide-brimmed hat, the approaching boatmen didn't have the overt power of intimidation that some of its fellow daemons enjoyed, but what it lacked in obvious power, it made up for with its aura of sinister affect.
The skiff was surprisingly fast, reaching the banks in less than a minute.
"Oh, look... mortals. What... a... surprise." came the boatman's voice, raspy and aged.
Talon looks at whoever has the coin as if to hint that it should be produced. "We need a ride. He says to the boatman.
"Well met and hailed, boatman," says Kanthuun. "We hold the sigil of one of the Lords of the land--" gesturing to Arasmes to produce it "--and trust you will honor us by it by granting us swift and safe passage." He bows with a slight smile.
Arasmes nods agreement with his companions' statements, and holds out the coin to show the boatman "Indeed, just as they say. So, do you grant us safe passage?"