Phaeselis: the City of Psionics campaign

Game Master Elton


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Silver Crusade

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male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

CHAPTER ONE: 3 DAYS TO KILL!
(Adventure by John Tynes)

It's like a day like any other in the City of Phaselis. The water of the waterfall spills over the enscarpment with Zeus and Buddha carved on either side of the main waterfall. The day is wonderful and it's the start of the Festival of Plenty. Planned by the Cult of Demeter every year, the Festival of Plenty is quite the festival to celebrate the Queen of Heaven. Worshippers of the Creator despise this and are thankful that it takes place in the area known as Deeptown, the area around the Docks, from the Massalian Enclave to the Olivaen Enclave.

The week leading up to it is a celebration unto itself. People set up booths to show off their livestock and to sell wine, mead, and ale. They also sell bakery goods, like savory mincemeat pies, baklava, ham -- both baked and baked candied. While the worshippers of the Creator look forward to a passover with lamb's meat and unleavened bread; the worshippers of Demeter have the Harvest Festival in the Festival of Plenty.

It is in this atmosphere that you find yourselves in. Everything is building up to three days of merriment and song, a festival that celebrates the Harvest.


Ducar wanders the streets, looking at the assortment of baked goods with lustful eyes.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

Solinas is enjoying those few hours during the beginning of the festival, she figured now would be a good time as soon work would be bound to call upon her.


Inactive

LifeGiver skulked through the streets, sticking to the shadows where he could, and glaring at the sky with a hiss during the moments when he had to walk through sunlight. 'Too bright here.' He thought.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13-1 for light sensitivity

The booths were distracting and confusing to him. So much yelling, so much excitement. Everyone was exchanging little pieces of metal for what looked like foods. LifeGiver's stomach growled and he wondered how long it had been since he had a meal. He'd caught a stray dog some days before, but had felt guilty eating it and threw most of it up.

LifeGiver sniffed over at a booth containing various baked goods. Though he had never smelled anything like these items before, they made his mouth water. Through his tattered rags, he reached up a hand towards one of the loaves of bread.


knowing GM Elton is looking for a not-insignificant amount of RP before he will chime in, i will take some creative license here and place myself near the same bread stall as LifeGiver

Ducar steps in between the loaves of bread and the hand of the sickly-looking man, handed the merchant insert appropriate amount here coins as payment and turned around. The duergar was an odd sight, so few of them would be up in the daytime. Ducar knew that reach, the reach of one who hadn't eaten. Brushing aside memories of youth just a few years prior, Ducar broke the crust in two, giving the bigger half to the grey man. "Nothing to eat down below?" Ducar inquired of the creature.

At the moment, Ducar looks like a young, boyish woman with short sandy-blonde hair wearing a plain himation with sandals.


Inactive

LifeGiver looked suspiciously at the taller human, noticing that while he could not identify their gender, they were quite beautiful. You'd never see a Dwarf and not immediately know if they were a man or woman. His eyes narrowed, thinking it must be a trick, some kind of deception.

His eyes were locked on the young human's, filled with a combination of fear and distrust, as though locked in a spell that only broke when his stomach rumbled loudly.

Heal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

The little Duergar knew that not getting food within the next two days would likely mean death. He was already beginning to feel incredibly weak. Reaching up with some hesitance, he took the offered loaf and sniffed it quickly, before immediately began shoving it into his face. Between enormous bites he looked up with appreciation and choked out a "Thank.. you." in a quiet, gravelly voice. His speech was slow, staggered, as though he hadn't said anything at all in months. "Nothing... Nothing left... for me down... below."

Deciding after a moment that this was a suitable explanation, he resumed stuffing bread into his mouth. Stopping for a second, he stared at the bread, then back at the human, remembering that they took a smaller piece, and look to be somewhat thin themselves. He held up what remained of the piece of bread. "Why?" he asked.

In this setting I believe the Duergar are pretty uncommon - I basically treated them as a particular clan of Dwarves in the background, though I suppose they're different enough for others to have heard of them. Regardless, the Duergar are very accustomed to being told what to do, and having a purpose to follow, even if they don't necessarily understand it.

Given that Ducar has fed him, LifeGiver will most likely act as though he has been purchased, or at the very least has found an 'employer'. When Ducar begins to walk away after what I assume will not be a very long exchange, LifeGiver will follow, not unlike a lost puppy.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

Wandering trough more stall Solinas will eventually hear one of the music performer that came both to practice their arts and to make a few coins in the process. But what intrigued her was the sound she herd, rushing to the location where the music came from she wiggled trough the amassed people gathered to hear the performer.

As see as son was able to it she sighted with relief and joy. It was exactly was she oped it was. Someone was playing the qanun. She hadn't heard one in many months during her travel that took her to the City. The woman who was playing it was clearly a decent musician in her own right. But by judging at her cloth she wore she had seen better days.

Solinas listen to one song, then an other then a few more.

During one particular joyous one before she realized it her feet were starting to dance and people was starting to give her room to move about.

In the manner of eastern belly dancer she took her head light blue scarf and started doing her acrobatic performance while moving to the sound of the music. She completely lost herself in it.

Acrobatic Scarf Dance: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

As the blond hair flew freely anyone could see the truly beautiful very young elven woman.

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

Especially since I feel overworked for the past six months and I have to play on my own. A vacation, if you will. Although I'm only 6 classes away from graduation. YEAH!!! I've been playing skyrim for the past week in order to feel some recreation. :) Although, I need a real vacation.

There are several more stalls that are up and about. Some people are offering food, and some are offering drinks. Others are offering baked and fried sweets. What is even more interesting is the stall where people are offering beer, and you see two people in a drinking match.

There is even the preparation of a pit for one of the celebrations.


I hear Markarth is nice this time of year!

@LifeGiver- i see. i figured my character had at least heard of them enough to not be freaked out by seeing one, although odd enough that one would be topside that it would bear investigation.

"You look more hungry than I," Ducar said, trying to brush aside the act of charity. "If you took that piece without paying with this," the woman begins, holding up a copper obol, "You might get arrested. Do you all have coins down below?" After a brief moment of thought, Ducar adds, "And why is there nothing left down below?"

Ducar then begins munching on the bread, giving the grey man time to answer.


Inactive

Oh no yeah what you did was totally fine, I just wanted to fill you in on what I had in mind, lest you feel obligated to find ways to drag things out. I figure if the scene ends organically, it's fine, because LifeGiver will follow you anyway.

LifeGiver stares across the square where he sees an elvish woman dancing. He blinks rapidly, trying to understand what she is doing or why. 'Some kind of ritual to summon evil?' he thinks, tensing up.

When the human girl speaks to him again, he tears his eyes away to look at the shiny object she's holding. He shakes his head, though whether it's to symbolise that he doesn't have any money or doesn't understand the concept is uncertain. "Lots left." he mutters, with a sad and faraway look in his eyes. "Just not for me. Was exiled."

As if having woken up, he looks closely at the human and seems more attentive, and actually smiles, displaying a few missing teeth. "All in the past." He says. "Thank you for the food, child."


"Ah, unfortunate in some respects. But I'm sure you'll come to enjoy being topside eventually." Ducar follows the line of the duergar's attention to the woman dancing. "Looks like you've already begun to enjoy the little things..."

-Posted with Wayfinder


Female Maenad Wilder/Bard

Circe stepped off the boat with trepidation. The strange smells and sounds of the city were overwhelming. She made quick checks that her pouch with a sad few coins was secure under her clothes, her powder was adequate to hide the crystals in her skin for a time, her hundreds of auburn braids were orderly, and her face was free from expression.

With that the tall woman took a deep breath to steady herself and follow the others who were more eagerly disembarking the ship.

One sound at least was familiar, a qunan. It reminds me of the rites to Bastet. All they need now is for me to play the sistrum. Not my best instrument, but still...

Circe followed the sound until she found the market, just in time to catch the end of the blonde woman's spinning dance. A smile cracked her implacable expression for a fleeting moment. Beautiful! she whispered in a thick, velvety accent.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

Solinas finish her dance.

She will pause for a good minute, as the crowd dissipate. She will drop a gold piece for the.musician.

Looking around her she notice the weird looking dwarf and the woman standing next to him

She approches and with a warm smile well hello there, what and odd paire you too make. looking closer at the dwarf i have never seen someone like you before, but you do look like you haven't eating well for a long time. I am rather thirsty and in a good mood. she was a decent qunan player, so i'll buy you lunch. Follow me to this stall over there and you can tell me all about both of you.


Inactive

LifeGiver freezes up at the other girl approaches, speaking to him. 'By Folgrit, you've been careless. None should have seen you, and now you draw a crowd. Foolish.'

He wonders what she wants, and his eyes dart back and forth, considering how quickly he could escape. After seeing how quickly and gracefully the woman could move, he knew he had no chance of that. It wasn't like this was the Mine where he could lose them. This was their world. Not his. Never his.

Conflict spread through his mind. He liked the idea of eating, but he was tied already to other girl. Needed to pay back debt. Duty above all. He wouldn't forget that again.

LifeGiver looked up at Girl-Who-Dances, wondering what she wants, wondering if she can be trusted.

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

What this group of unlikely individuals didn't know was that they were being watched. A weird man in black was watching all of them. After the girl had made their dance, he'd make his move. He'd drop a playing card in the elf's vicinity so that she would obviously see it.

The "playing card" was really a note inscribed upon papyrus.

All it had was an address.

In the original adventure, the player characters were approached differently. But a roleplaying game adventure may be written, but it's an act of collaboration among the writer, the game master, the artist, the publisher, and the players. True, no?


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

since this is a "home" game the dm is free to change what ever he wants with the story


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

Solinas will recover the papyrus


indeed

Ducar sees the grey one get jumpy when another person comes over. "Don't worry, you'll look more out of place if you're not in a crowd."

To the newcomer, Ducar will reply, "Well, I never turn down a meal, especially wen the price is but a story." When they get to the stall, Ducar sits on a stool. "Actually, I just met this guy a few minutes ago. Looked pretty hungry, so I figured I'd give him some bread. All this music and these bright colors have me in a charitable mood, I guess. As for me, I work over on Ishtar Street. Just came over here to pass the time during the day, since I work nights" Ducar said, wondering if the elf took the meaning.

"And you? Are you a career dancer? My name is Ducar, by the way."


Female Maenad Wilder/Bard

As the music and the dance ends, and the crowd dissipates back towards its previous destinations, Circe looks about uncertainly.

What am I to do now? "Go to Phaesalis," they said. "Learn to interact with others," they said. "Get control of yourself," they said. But no mention of how I am to eat, or where I am to sleep. She pats her thin coin purse beneath her cloths. Well, unless I am taken as a house slave, I am going to have to find paid work. And its hard to make a good impression on a rumbling stomach. The dancer is eating at that stall over there. Perhaps it has good food.

With another deep breath to prepare herself, Circe catches up to the others. Her prepared questions come out in a jumble. Pardon me, I wanted to say that your dancing is beautiful. Um, is the food here good? And I heard you mentioning work, by any chance would your employer be hiring?


"Me? My employer is probably hiring, although I couldn't say for sure. Also, you don't look like you're from around here. I am not sure you would be amenable to my line of work."


Female Maenad Wilder/Bard

You are correct. I have just arrived here. I heard you say you work at night. Are you some kind of guard? I think I might be a good guard.

Although he looks kind of weak for a guard, but I probably should not mention that if I want a job.

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

Suddenly a man bumps into Ducar. He looked like a beggar, unwashed, unshaven. Wearing only homespun and not much of that. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't know you were there!" he says, slipping a papyrus card into Ducar's pack sleight of hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18. "Excuse my protusion, milady, I didn't know you were there."


perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"A guard? Oh, no. I'm not much of a warrior. I am an entertainer of sorts. The kind most men, and some women, I suppose, pay good coin for."


HAHAHAHAHAHA with that perception check!

"Aye, no harm no foul," Ducar says to the man. Reaching into her pack, Ducar takes a peek at the card.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

facing circe the newcomer It is rather good indeed.

addressing ducar Ahh Ishtar Street, i see. As for myself a very recent professional dancer while i am still toying with the idea of what to do.

back at the newcomer.

Well if you are looking for work, then this city has plenty to offer, what skill set would you be offering you prospective employer?


Inactive

Forget the campaign, I'm just going to become a pimp for all of you.

LifeGiver looks up at the growing number of women around him with increasing discomfort. Their bodies are quite lovely, far more shapely than that of the women he knew Beneath. He strikes himself across the face as his thoughts travel to places that he'd rather they not. Hoping the others did not notice that, he pulls his ragged cloak tighter against himself.

They were talking a lot. So much. Things he didn't know or care about. To him dancing wasn't a job, it was something children did when they should have been working. The other would be a guard, she looked strong enough. Much better thing to do. He looks from Girl-Who-Dances to the one he now knows to be called Ducar. He isn't sure what that name symbolises. If it is a word, it is not one he is familiar with. To him, names are a designation to separate you from others, often bringing shame. He remembers how she approached him, and decides that the name must be similar to his own. 'Ducar means reckless compassion.'[/b] He decides, and feeling much closer, smiles at her, showing a few missing teeth. [i]'She is young. With luck, she will grow out of it.'

His eyes narrowed at the latest arrival until he looked into her own eyes, noticing an expression that he's seen in many other faces over the years. Not simply loneliness, but a brewing resentment for it. He knew it was a dangerous combination, but it still softened his heart. She seemed older than Reckless-Compassion and Girl-Who-Dances, even if she wasn't. Suffering not unlike his own. He smiled at her, too.

"I have been branded LifeGiver." he introduced himself.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

just remember that Ducar is a "Human" Male :)


Inactive

Is Ducar male? The profile doesn't specify beyond a couple of uses of the pronoun "he", but Ducar's posts have all used the "her" pronoun.


Ducar is currently a boyish human woman.


Female Maenad Wilder/Bard

What skill set do I have...? I am such an idiot! I had that endless boat ride, you would think I would have spent a little time considering what I would do once I got here. Gah!

I do not really know. My parents were stonecrafters. They could cut marble and alabaster so finely... Wielding the power of their voices like the sharpest knife. And tuning crystals too. Their voices in harmony, making the power-crystals resonate and glow. Unlike me. Clumsy. Breaking everything I stand near. My parents wouldn't trust me with the granite a child could cut, nevermind a crystal. But I've heard the humans cut rock with their hands, not their voices. Maybe...

I am not expert, like my parents. But still, maybe I could be a good assistant to a stonecutter.Sure. Travel all this way, just to end up with rock dust in every pore again.

Why is the dwarf staring at me like that? And why is he grey? I've seen dwarves before, but he looks odd somehow. Oh maybe I've insulted him.Perhaps my parents do not compare at stonecrafting by your people's standards. But in my city they were considered the very best. Perhaps I do not understand the local dialect very well yet. You say "branded with the name Lifegiver" as if you do not like the name. It sounds like a good name to me. Much better than "Makes Ears Bleed" anyway.I have been branded with the name Circe.

To Ducar she says, Entertainer? Oh, no I do not think I would be good at that. I do not mean offense. But if someone were to touch me that I do not like, I would kill them. I would probably be better as a guard. I am strong and have practiced a bit with this weapon (flail) She mentions killing a person with the same easy and lack of emotion, as swatting a mosquito.

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8
Ducar wrote:

HAHAHAHAHAHA with that perception check!

"Aye, no harm no foul," Ducar says to the man. Reaching into her pack, Ducar takes a peek at the card.

As a regular guy, I would cry "foul!" But as a game master, yes, you know he slipped something in your pack.


Ducar looks at the card.

"Yes, sounds like you are more suited as a guard."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

Ducar:
The card invites you to a house near the gated noble neighborhoods.


did i also see the card given to the elf?

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8
Ducar wrote:
did i also see the card given to the elf?

No, you didn't. But if you ask for it, it will say the same identical thing.


well i have no knowledge that the card was given to the other character. however, i did just look at my card in full view of the other character who got one, so the ball's in her court.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

taking and interest in what just happened oh did you get a coupon for a discount at one of the stalls?

turning toward the dwarf: Branded that is rather and odd way of giving someone a name. then to Circe Well that might be how it could translate in our language from his native tongues. For example my name doesn't translate well from Elven. So i go by the name Helen. If you are good with that weapon then yes there are plenty of opportunities then for hired guards, or mercenary. There are even bands of adventurers recruiting here.


Inactive

LifeGiver looks ashamed as he explains the name. "Designations are given only to my people to reflect their greatest triumphs of most terrible mistakes. They relate to our value, our worth. I once saved a wounded Drow, probably around the same age as you children. In turn, he lead his people right to us, and many of my brethren were killed. I gave life freely and the consequences were dire. Now... I will never forget."


"no, it appears to be an address. Maybe some kind of shy noble inviting me to a house party."


Female Maenad Wilder/Bard

So you showed kindness towards an enemy, and he betrayed you? No, that is not something to forget. Circe gives LifeGiver a look of understanding, and then her expression becomes implacable again.

Well then, I shall eat some of this food. And then if you would be kind enough to point me toward an honorable place to work, I will go ask if they will hire me.


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

interesting fact about your people. Well you know some people aren't to be trusted, but you will never know before you do.

Replying to Ducar

Ha work is calling later one i take it? what district is the adress?


what is the address?


"Could be. Sometimes the shy nobles fear for their reputation and offer business in odd ways. They forget that no one really cares unless they decide to slum it in the less reputable establishments, where I do not work."

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

It's in the noble's district (I do not like myself being unable to draw maps.)


"But it does appear to be in the noble's district."


Female Maenad Wilder/Bard

Ah! A noble's home. May I accompany you, in case there is chance of employment? Er, um, not your kind of employment. I just don't think I'd be um, good at that. I do not mean offense. But in case there is other employment, may I come?


"I suppose that wouldn't be an issue. It isn't unknown to have a bodyguard on deliveries. Just don't attack if he gets too forward."


Hp 16/16 AC 19 (+2 Perc, +4 Init, Fort +3 Ref +4, Will +2) Elven Vision

assuming my address is the same

Well that is lovely i shall walk with you part of the way also. My appointment is taking me in that part of the city she replied smiling.

Silver Crusade

male Human Atlanteologist 10/G.eneral O.perations D.irector 8

PART II -- The Job

So, you make it into the noble district. The address leads you to a house. The house is fairly damaged and run down. There is no furniture, nothing around.


Is the run-down nature of the house matched by those adjacent, or is this one particular in that it is the only dilapidated house?

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