Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

'Shattered Star' - Part 2, 'Curse of the Lady's Light'

...in which our adventurers explore the Thassilonian Chambers beneath the Lady's Light.

Party Health
Ziomarra Callinovo 46/46HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Desna
Josephina Annabella Whitehall 31/59HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Iomedae
Halli, 54/54HP
Teldon Moore 52/52HP, 3 Hero Points, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Briana Kaddren 60/60HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Arsith D'Arabiane, 65/65HP, 3 Hero Points
Shadlah Broken-Earth, 63/63HP, 30NL, 2 Hero Points

Maps / Images
The Lady's Cape
Varisia


5,301 to 5,350 of 7,586 << first < prev | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | next > last >>

Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

==Breakfast @ Heidmarch Manor==
After reading the letter, she looks up with a joyful smile on her face and asks Lady Heidmarch, "is Shel around? I think she'd want to read this too."

After the young girl is brought in, Joanna shows her the letter and tells the others what it says.

Meanwhile, Halli looks at Rowenna with big, puppy eyes and softly whines an apology.

==Unselm's News==
After hearing the name, Joanna is almost afraid to ask where it came from, though she is happy to hear that the Golden Key had left port.

"Thank you Unselm," she says sincerely, "for finding us passage and for asking about the Key. It's nice to know Birt is going to be gone for a while considering what happened last night."

==Meeting the D(r)ead Cap'n==
Halli whines at the lyrics and Joanna gives her a sympathetic look.

"I know, Halli. I know. Hopefully we can talk him into singing something else," Joanna says before walking into ancient cistern where they had first meet the captain.

"Captain Brast? Are you here? It's Joanna," she calls out, "I have some news about your wife."


Inactive

At Breakfast

"That's wonderful news," Briana smiles happily. "I...there were times when I wondered if we'd done any good at Ravenmoor but that letter proves that we really did!"

As Unselm shares the details of their passage, she nods. "The Wanton Ways? Descriptive name," she muses. "We'll have to be sure to get to bed early tonight if we're actually leaving at dawn."

"Oh, and who's Birt? If you don't mind my asking, I mean."

At the Crow

Briana sighs softly as the familiar singing begins to echo through the empty chambers and hallways once more. She wished that there had been some way to reverse the Captain's fate, but perhaps the news that they had for him would finally bring a measure of comfort.


Inactive

At Breakfast

Though still on edge, Rowenna seems to calm down somewhat as Halli whines and ceases trying to stick her head under the table. Her tail swishes as she eyes the young wolf.

Hmph. At least you're already better-behaved than most of your small cousins.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

in the morning
Teldon sleeps later then usual. He finally awakes when Briana gets up to begin her morning rituals. Though largely lost in thought, he keeps an adoring eye on the shaman as she prepares for the day. He finally gets out of bed when she reaches for her armor and assists her getting it on. After she heads down for breakfast he hastily prepares himself and does the same.

at breakfast
Teldon quietly enjoys a hearty breakfast and a mug of hot coffee. He seems to hardly notice the animals' antics, though once they've calmed down a bit he attempts to lure Halli away from Rowenna with a hunk of meat. While the girls talk about the note from the Kurzhas he absentmindedly doodles a seven-pointed star with some manner of arcane annotation.

in the Crow
Teldon frowns slightly when Briana mentions being done in the Crow.

There are so many treasurers here that could fetch a good price in the right auction... perhaps Mr. Crispin could make some kind of arrangements in the future to secure a permit and bring a proper crew out to recover them... I'd need to somehow secure the bottom of the ruins though to protect Captain Brast and prevent anyone from discovering the altar...

"I'm afraid we'll have to return at least once more," he informs her, "the altar that the shriezyx were protecting seemed to have something to do with reuniting the pieces of the sihedron... so we'll have to come back when we have all seven parts to rebuild it."


2 people marked this as a favorite.
CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Morning...
Zee wakes up an hour before before dawn and dresses quietly. She then walks outside the manor house and lies down on the grass of the garden, looking up at the stars. He gaze focuses on the North Star, Cynosure, and she marvels that Desna, patron of travelers, lives on the star that guides travel by night.

As the pre-dawn light begins to brighten the eastern sky, she gets up, closes her eyes, and dances silently in celebration of the new day. Just as the sun's rays break over the waters of the Varisian Gulf, she heads back in to her room. She then studies the patterns of the Harrow for a while, and then does her morning reading.

Today's reading:
Suit: 1d6 ⇒ 1 ...Hammers
Ethic: 1d3 ⇒ 3 ...Chaotic
Moral: 1d3 ⇒ 2 ...neutral

The Uprising

Zee puzzles over the meaning of today's reading... The card of being caught up in external forces beyond one's control... Does this mean that the shards themselves are actually in control? She then decides to keep this disturbing thought to herself.

At breakfast...
Over tea and Varisian pastries, Zee watches the antics between Rowena and Hali with great amusement. "One never can tell whether a given cat and dog will become best friends or forever be at each others' throats! Let's hope for the former with these two!"

At the Crow...
Zee provides light for the (hopefully) final foray into this particular Thassilonian ruin. She stops to marvel once again at the many lost artworks that they pass. "I do hope that these treasures are recovered and are eventually put on display in a museum somewhere. They are too beautiful to remain locked in private collectors' hands. No offense to your friends in the Consortium, Teldon."

After much ascending and descending of stairs, the party approaches the chambers of Captain Brast. She shudders at the half-croaked song from an undead voice. Defensively, she palms one of her Harrow cards, readt to throw it if Brast decides to drop pretense and show his true ghoulish colors.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Business associates," Teldon corrects Zee when she mentions the consortium.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

==Breakfast==
Halli nabs the bacon before heading back to Joanna.

"Birt was the man I helped when you, Teldon, and Zee were at that auction. I got him a berth on the Golden Key to get him out from under the Gallowed," Joanna answers.

==The Crow==
"Whatever they are, they aren't as much of a concern at the moment as making sure we get what we came for. I'm sure that Lady Heidmarch would like to have some of the pieces," Joanna interjects into Teldon's and Zee's conversation.


At the Crow

Brast is pulling himself from the frigid waters below the narrow bridge in his chamber when Joanna and her friends call out to him. His face changes as if to display some kind of emotion but, with the years of decay to his flesh, it is impossible to tell whether it is a smile or a grimace, "You returned? I thought that maybe I would not see you again... and, you have news? Of my Liza Jane?"


Inactive

"We do," Briana smiles gently. "Though I think maybe Joanna would be the best one to share it since she was the one who spoke with her directly."

Not sure if Arsith and Shadlah tagged along to the Crow as well but if they did, just assume that Briana named them along with Jo :)


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

Yes, Mister Brast, we found your loved one, and accomplished our holy mission. I'll let Joanna talk.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"I am sorry it took so long to get back to you, Captain Brast. This is the first chance we've had to return since the last time we left. We did find LIza Jane, and she'd remarried to Francesco Hufftack after a couple of years. She's no longer having to work on Washer's Row, but she does send plenty of work their way," Joanna tells the undead captain. "She loved you very much, and wanted to bury you in Sandpoint, and then hoped you'd one day forever be with the sea after we said we couldn't lead her back to recover your remains."

Joanna's awkwardly rubs one of her arms just below the shoulder with her other hand for a moment and looks to the mural of Magnimar that sits just above the waterline.

"I'll pray for you," she says after a moment of awkward silence. "I'll pray that you have the chance to live again, and that you'll be safe in your travels. I just wish we could have done more for you. You seem like a good man, and you certainly didn't deserve the fate you have been given."

Halli, now lying on the floor at Joanna's side with her front paws over her nose gives a whine as she looks up to Joanna with wide, blue eyes.

"It seems that Halli is not to fond of something in the air here. We'll try not to disturb you while we go about our business here," the paladin tells the captain, "and if I don't have a chance later, I hope you fare well, and may Iomedae guide you with her light."

After saying her goodbyes and following the others into the chambers they hadn't made notes on, Joanna and Halli seem subdued. As the day grows long and changes into night, the young paladin wonders if she did the right thing, and if she ever could find a way to help Brast become the man he once was.

"Well Halli," she whispers as they head for the boat as twilight falls into night, "I hope you're ready for what comes next."

After rowing back to the shore and heading up to the Alabaster District, Joanna wonders what tomorrow will hold. After a quick supper, she retires to the room she'd been staying in and writes another letter to the Korzhas, telling them she'd be gone from Magnimar for a little while, but she'd make time to visit them with a new friend on her return, intentionally keeping Halli's nature vague so that she could surprise the children when she arrived. The hour growing late, Joanna wrapped herself in the covers of the bed and slept soundly with Halli curled at her feet.


It barely seems that the friends, since returning from Ravenmoor and meeting with Shadlah, have had any time at all to acclimatise themselves to life in Magnimar yet once more there fate lies beyond the city walls... this time, after settling their affairs in the 'City of Monuments', the friends have berths secured aboard Captain Fessender's 'Wanton Ways'. As dawn breaks and the tide reaches its highest point, the boat - not the grandest vessel on the waters but serviceable enough - slips its moorings and moves out into the harbour... the unmistakable shape of the Irespan - scene of the friends' most recent explorations, impressively lit by the rays of the rising sun, marks the western boundary of the harbour as the boat heads southwards... towards adventure.

...and, sat on a crate behind the friends as they stand at the stern of the boat, Kandamerus is wrapped within a high-collared coat - and mutters endlessly beneath his breath, "All know that the Dark Child sings on the salted wind. Be wary of the chorus that presages Oblivion’s watery denouement!"


Inactive

Which Wandering Spirit?:

1=Ancestors
2=Battle
3=Bones
4=Dark Tapestry
5=Flames
6=Heavens
7=Life
8=Lore
9=Mammoth
10=Slums
11=Stone
12=Waves
13=Wind
14=Wood

1d14 ⇒ 2 --> Battle!

Daily Spells & Powers:

3rd - Dispel Magic, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize

Wandering Spirit - Battle
Spirit Ability - Battle Spirit (Su): A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level and 16th level, these bonuses increase by 1. The shaman can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.

Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Enlarge Person (Ba)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Fog Cloud (Ba)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Magic Vestment (Ba)

Briana glances over her shoulder at the strange man and then back towards the city that grows more distant by the second. "Well, I could do without the doom-saying but at least the view is nice!" she says softly to the others. "How long did they estimated it would take us again?"


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna and Halli, neither of which had ever been on a ship before, are almost unable to contain their excitement. As the ship turns, Joanna is too busy admiring the scene playing out before her to notice that Halli had slipped away and was busy sniffing Kandamerus before trying to extort some scratching from the newly met human.

"Halli," Joanna calls out once she realizes what's happening and moves to save the guide from the wolf's machinations. "I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Kandamerus. She's still just a puppy and wanted to get to know you," she apologizes to him while Halli gives Joanna a mischievous glance before going to Shadlah and begging her for some petting.

Heh, poor Jo, she has no idea what kind of wolfy she's dealing with.


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

Arsith enjoyed the view of the harbour, being on a boat, letting her white hair floating in the wild winds, being sploshed by the waves.

Her smile is wide, and she pats Halli when the wolf passes near her.

This is a wonderful day, don't you think, Jo?


Kandamerus, lost in his mutterings, barely notices Halli as she assesses the friends' wild-haired companion - over and over, he whispers doomladen passages - clearly memorised from some ancient Groetan texts - telling of the moon hanging low above an ever-rising sea, of pestilence, of plague and of the sun's eternal slumber...

...his mood doesn't seem to have affected the friends though, the sun rises high into the sky as the wind fills the Wanton Ways' sails and pushes them on to their destination. Captain Fessender, a broad smile across her face as the boat pulls away from the larger galleons that left Magnimar upon the high tide, cries out to the group watching the city slip across the horizon, "Gozreh smiles upon us! At this rate, we'll make the Cape by nightfall!!!"


Inactive

Although still feeling a bit put out by Halli's presence, Rowenna quickly forgets her irritation as the sights and sounds of the ship offer new smells and sensations to the small feline. She blinks and sniffs at the salty air.

Hmm. If all ship trips are like this, I could see the life of a ship's cat having a certain appeal!


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

Teldon remains lost in thought throughout the day, in a way he hasn't seemed to since his blossoming relationship with Briana moored him to the here and now. He does, however, listen with interest to Kandamerus' ramblings, and commits the repeated verses to his own memory.

When he notices that Rowenna is somewhat agitated he quickly slips a salted fish from a barrel of provisions that haven't made it below deck yet. He hands it to her with a quick scratch behind the ear as he leans against the crate the prophet is seated on. When there is a pause in the ramblings he interjects, "I've heard that you were formerly a servant of Pharasma, would you tell me, please, about your conversion?"


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

As Zee boards the ship, she observes, "I have traveled many a road over the years, but this is the first time I've been aboard any boat larger than a river ferry!"


It takes a while, and the story is meandering in its delivery, but eventually Teldon deduces that Jasper lived on the streets of Kaer Maga for a time before he discovered a new home under a ruined building in the district of Oriat. Once the home and library of a reclusive scholar of Thassilonian history, the building’s upper floors were destroyed decades ago... Kandamerus, looking for a roof over his head, moved into the ruined chambers below - and, fatefully, came upon an ancient gold coin wedged in the spine of a volume entitled 'The Void’s Desire and Oblivion’s Black Trumpet'.

Believing it to be a 'Whispering Coin'... Jasper decided to test its power by asking “Is my death near?” The coin, spun for a minute, then landed heads up. Jasper interpreted this answer as a yes — just as death is near for all mortals. His second immediate question was “Should I now proclaim the coming of the End Times?” Again, the coin spun and landed heads up... From that moment on, Jasper Kandamerus was no longer Pharasmin...


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"What became of this coin?"


"This? I still have it although it talks to me very little anymore", Kandamerus reaches into the depths of his cloak and produces an ancient gold coin measuring an inch in diameter and a quarter of an inch thick. One face bears the Thassilonian runes for lust, while the opposite side bears the image of a broken column.

Spellcraft DC24:
When carried, a whispering coin periodically haunts its carrier with whispers that seem to be in Thassilonian, but which are never loud enough to understand. These whispers are only slightly distracting, and in fact offer a boon to the carrier of the coin— they grant a +1 resistance bonus on saving throws against spells of the school of magic associated with the coin’s rune (this coin found bears the rune of lust, and thus grants a +1 resistance bonus against enchantment spells).

Once per day, when the bearer flips the whispering coin and asks a question in Thassilonian while the coin is in the air, the coin provides an answer to the question as it lands, either “yes” (the Thassilonian rune) or “no” (the broken column); the word “yes” or “no” is also whispered into the user’s ear as the answer is determined. A whispering coin’s knowledge is limited to events that have a significant chance to affect the coin’s carrier in the immediate future (no further out than a few minutes), and is further limited to facts, not conjecture.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

I really need to remember to get a wand of detect magic at some point (investigators don't get any cantrips).


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2
Arsith D' Abariane wrote:
This is a wonderful day, don't you think, Jo?

"Any day you get to set on an adventure with friends is a wonderful one," the paladin replies as she pulls Halli away from the ever stoic Shadlah. "Though Halli seems to be intent on getting her ear scritches from anyone she can pester them for," she adds as she gives the wolf a visual command to stay at her heel.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The wolf licks Joanna's hand and goes scampering off, seeming to give her a mischievous grin before spotting Rowenna and seeing what the cat was up to.

"Ever get the feeling that fate has played a joke on you," the paladin asks Arsith as she shakes her head at Halli's antics.

Just out of curiosity, does Arsith ever wear that outfit we got for her after her conversion?


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4
Quote:
"Ever get the feeling that fate has played a joke on you," the paladin asks Arsith as she shakes her head at Halli's antics.

There is a brief, bittersweet smile on Arsith's lips as she immediatly thinks of her deceased beloved, Lenore, and the brief amount of time they were allowed together

Yes...even if I still can't see what was supposed to be fun in that particular joke.

She sighs, and plays nervously with her signet ring before kissing it.

I'm glad you are my friend, Jo. I can't help but feeling happy when you're around. Life seems .. fuller and brighter, with my Sweetie Pie, if you allow me to call you like that just this time..


Inactive

Heh...at least some things are still as they should be, Rowenna purrs happily as Teldon offers her a scratch and a snack. But her happiness is short-lived as she spots Halli heading her way yet again.

Wha...can't I have ONE little snack in peace now!?


Inactive

"Play nice Rowenna," Briana says with a small chuckle as the inquisitive wolf beelines towards her companion yet again. She wasn't too concerned; she knew that Halli was simply curious and that Rowenna herself was much more likely to scamper away out of reach than take a swipe at the wolf.

"Zee, you said you've never sailed on a ship before?" she asks, turning back to her friend. "I'm a little surprised, to be honest - I thought maybe you'd been to Riddleport or somewhere like that."


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"Only if you cheer up," Joanna says with a soft smile as she gives Arsith a sisterly embrace, "you're prettier when you smile."

Then, her eyes widening as if she'd remembered something, Joanna pulls off her pack and fishes out a bundle of clothes from it. She gives a sheepish grin as she hands them to the priestess.

"I'd forgotten that we'd gotten these for you after you converted to being a Shelynite. I meant to give them to you before we went back into the Crow, but I'd forgotten."

The bundle contains a cream tunic trimmed in blue, a pair of leather pants, a navy vest, and a set of scarves in all seven of the colors in Shelyn's holy symbol all wrapped in a cloak dyed to match the vest and around a pair of boots with silver-plated fittings. On top of the bundle is a rather nice looking cap with a miraculously pristine white and blue feather in it.

"I hope you like the outfit. I had help from the others picking it out, and Briana paid for part of it."

Because I never remembered to give it to Arsith from way back here, almost a year ago.

Halli, meanwhile, waits for Rowenna to finish her treat before springing forward and licking the cat on the nose. The wolf pup then darts off and goes to see what Briana and Zee are doing.


Inactive

Rowenna gives a startled shake of her head as she's subjected to a surprise slurp attack!

Bleh! Did that really just happen?

Then she glances down, realizing that Halli hadn't tried to steal her treat at all. In fact, she'd not bothered her at all until she'd finished eating.

Well...at least she's not completely lacking in manners.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

To Brianna, Zee replies, "Oh, I have been to Riddleport... by caravan. We went by road from Galduria, to south of Ravenmoor—we never actually entered that accursed town, and then west to Roderick's Cove and then on to Riddleport. Riddleport has a vibrant Varisian community, actually... although much is controlled by Sczarni families."

Zee looks off into the distance, reminiscing... "There is also a more dangerous road through Churlwood Forest. It's scarcely more than a trail, really. It leads from Galduria directly to Roderick's Cove. Churlwood is legendary for banditry and goblins... and for trails that lead to dead ends...or worse."


Inactive

"Wow...and to think I'd never even left Magnimar until we went to Ravenmoor," Briana sighs. "I really have lived a very small, sheltered life until very recently, haven't I? I think Jo is the only other one among us that hadn't done any traveling either."

As she too gazes at the open horizon, her brow furrows slightly in thought. "But lately I've felt...something. I'm not sure if it's wanderlust or something else, but it's been in the back of my mind ever since our trip to and from Ravenmoor. A need to be out and away from the city and all the noise and bustle but not to go anywhere else in particular."

She glances at Zee. "Does that make sense?"


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zee smiles and puts one arm around her friend's shoulder. "That makes perfect sense, my friend. You know, maybe you have a little Varisian in your heritage somewhere. We all feel that way." With her other arm, she gestures toward the sea. "To us, the journey itself is more important than the destination!"


The 'Wanton Ways' hugs the coast as it heads southwards towards the Lady's Cape... the wind fills the sails as the old ship creaks and rattles across the gentle waves of the coastline. The gentle splashing of the sea is accompanied by the calling of seabirds as they follow the boat's wake.... occasionally swooping in to see whether the ship is dredging the depths for fish. Every now and again, the vessel passes other boats... traders, trawlers and, twice, large galleons all headed northwards toward Magnimar.

As dusk approaches the boat draws close to the friends' destination. The Lady’s Light stands atop a rocky bluff overlooking the mushfens to the north and east and the ocean to the west and south. The statue towers nearly two hundred feet in height, its upraised scepter reaching much farther into the sky than that, while the sea cliffs that drop a further 40 feet give the monument an even greater impression of looming over the sea. Carved of basalt, the towering monument has weathered the passage of the years quite well, and still depicts a beautiful woman dressed in a long, revealing gown... and, in the gathering gloom, a cold blue light emanates from the scepter.

The Lady's Light.

The captain, ordering her crew to lower anchor, suggests the group wait until the morrow before rowing to shore...


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Well, this time the destination is pretty important too," Teldon quips with a slight smirk. He watches Briana standing side-by-side with Zee for a moment before sinking back into quiet contemplation.

have I ever heard anything about how to enter the Lady's Light?


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna, after giving the gift to Arsith and managing to get Halli to behave, spends much of the trip gazing out over the blue waters or back towards the coast. She imagined what it would have been like if her father had been able to take her along on her first voyage, however short it would be. She could still hear his voice clearly in her mind as she imagined all the stories and bits of knowledge he would tell her.

A whine at her side brings the paladin back to the present as evening sets in and the Lady's Light comes into view.

"Don't worry, Halli. We'll be back on solid ground soon enough," she tells her companion quietly before hearing what Teldon is saying about the destination.

With a smirk of her own, she walks up and directs his gaze to Briana.

"Just make sure that you are admiring the right woman," she teases, "and try not to make any jokes about skirts."


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

Arsith looks at the clothes Joanna and Briana bought her

Thats lovely, Jo! Thank you!

Arsith rushes into Joanna's arms and hugs her

I should put it on before we get to the Lady's light. But first I want to thank Briana first.. It's been so long since someone bought me a gift...

With teary eyes, Arsith kisses Joanna on both cheeks. Then hugs her again, silently, closely.

Without another word, she dashes to Briana's search, and once again hugs and kisses the other young woman, with a joyous energy.

Thank you too, Briana. That's a wonderful, and totally unexpected, gift!I'm so glad! I hope it will look good on me!

She then retreats inside the boat, to find a quiet place to change clothes


Inactive

"Oh! You're welcome Arsith," Briana laughs, a little startled by the sudden hug but happy enough to return it. "I'm just sorry that we forgot to give it to you a lot sooner!"

"And the journey is the destination, you say?" she replies to Zee as she shoos Arsith off to try on her new clothes. "That's not the first time I've heard that, but now I think I understand it a little better. I'll have to do some thinking on this - maybe there's some more travel in my future once all of this business with the shards is taken care of!"

**************************

Later, as the Lady's Light comes into view, Briana gazes at the monument with a mixture of respect and awe. "It's strange, the light from the scepter surely helps to keep ships from losing their way but the Lady herself looks...well, she looks a little intimidating, actually. I wonder if that was done on purpose?"


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zee also marvels at the feat of Thassilonian engineering. "She was a Runelord. Of course it was intentional: 'Look upon my works and despair!' Some say she was the mightiest of them."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

When Briana mentions traveling Teldon looks up and smiles. "Perhaps we could go to Absalom. I'm sure my mother would love to meet you."

************************

Teldon cock's an eyebrow at Zee's words, "Most scholars agree Xanderghul was the most powerful runelord. And, though I assume from your comment that you are already aware, its worth mentioning to the others that this is not Alaznist, the runelord whose statues we've seen previously. Its generally thought that this is Soshen, the runelord of lust, largely because of her attire. If my speculation about the order in which the shards are revealing themselves is correct, we'll be looking for the lust shard here but I'm not sure if that supports the case or not since we found the greed shard in the realm of the runelord of wrath..."


Inactive

"So perhaps we're one off or one behind then?" Briana asks. "We have pride and greed now...perhaps wrath is here and lust is somewhere else. Maybe that was done intentionally too."


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna blushes furiously at the affection Arsith lays on her, but the smile she wears belies how happy she is that her friend loved the new outfit.

"We thought that something not gray would be to your liking," Joanna quips before the priestess goes to thank Briana and then change.

===

"So, what you're saying is don't expect the ancient Thassilonian Cult of Bunnies, Cubs, Kittens, and Pups to be squirreled away here," Joanna says when Zee comments on the mindset of the Runelords. Oddly, she sounds a little disappointed. Halli, however looks downright grumpy.

No bunnies! How am I supposed to eat, the wolf thinks before Joanna's petting drives all thoughts of food from her mind.

The paladin gets a thoughtful expression on her face when she considers what the others were saying about the shards.

"Pride led to Greed," she mutters, "and I think Teldon said that each sin was tied to a school of magic." She ponders the question a moment longer before looking up and asking, "Teldon, do schools of magic have opposites?"


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Well, sadly, much has been lost to history," Teldon answers, "but we do know, or at the least theorize, that each of the seven virtues or seven sins in Thassilon were associated with what we would now call a school of magic: pride to illusions, greed to transmutations, lust to enchantments, and so on. Divination wasn't associated with any sin and I suspect was seen as universal magic. With seven, an odd number, of disciplines each cannot have an 'opposite' but each sin was thought to be opposed to two others. That was actually the basis for my theory that we were after the lust shard... I originally guessed that the pride shard had led us to the wrath shard for two reasons: first, we were in the realm of Alaznist, the runelord of wrath; and second, if you arrange the sins like a star, as we seem to be gathering, where opposing sins reside across from one another, wrath would be located next to pride and the two pieces would naturally fit together. Instead we discovered the greed shard which is opposed to pride. So, I've revised my theory to be that each shard leads to an opposed one; we already have pride so the only option for opposing greed is lust. If this theory is correct the next one after that would be gluttony."

"Of course, it's also possible that they each direct us to the nearest remaining shard and it has nothing to do with sin magic," he adds with a shrug.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"Well, either way, I guess we'll find out one way or the other when we get them," Joanna replies, wondering why it seemed that arcane magic was so fickle.


Inactive

"So...we probably won't know for sure until we find the next one then," Briana responds, looking thoughtful. "I suppose we'll just have to try and be as prepared as we can either way and see what we turn up."


As night falls, the friends have one last sleep in the relative comfort of the below deck bunks... the gentle rocking and creaking of the boat a gentle soundtrack to slumber. With a watch established on the deck, the noises of the swamp at night ring out over the shoals... wild animals calling to each other, hunting, stalking, killing... and, above it all - the statue of Sorshens looms imperiously.

Morning comes soon enough, the sun cutting through the morning mist and setting the monumental runelord in stark monochromatic relief. Sipping a coffee as she watches from the stern, the captain muses, "Whoever she was in life, she is a sailor's friend now... her light warns us away from the shoals of the cape. Anyway... our destination lies east of here - Korvosa and then onwards... and the winds look fair. There's a boat there for you", she points downwards at the wooden rowing boat... just about large enough to take the group ashore, "Get yourself aboard... and I wish you Desna's blessings".

Kandamerus, who has been awake for most of the night, mutters towards Teldon, "Maroux... got to go see Maroux... she knows everything that's going on around the Cape - she'll know the lay of the land with the tribes there. Course, we gotta be careful dealing with her".

Teldon - whilst there are multiple records suggesting that it is possible to gain entry to the Lady's Light, there is nothing stating how that access can be achieved...

All - there is now a map of the Cape in your campaign header - it shows the position of Maroux's Isle and the Lady's Light.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"May you have a safe voyage. I wish you the best of luck," Joanna says before she and halli clamber into the boat. Once everyone is in, she begins to row the boat ashore.

I assume Maroux's is first.


Inactive

Wandering Spirit?:

1=Ancestors
2=Battle
3=Bones
4=Dark Tapestry
5=Flames
6=Heavens
7=Life
8=Lore
9=Mammoth
10=Slums
11=Stone
12=Waves
13=Wind
14=Wood

1d14 ⇒ 12 Waves!

Daily Spells & Powers:

3rd - Dispel Magic, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize

Wandering Spirit - Waves
Spirit Ability - Wave Strike (Su): As a standard action, the shaman can perform a melee touch attack that drenches a creature and pushes it away. The opponent takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage + 1 point for every 2 shaman levels they possess and is pushed 5 feet directly away from the shaman. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. A shaman can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. At 11th level, any melee weapon she wields is treated as if it had the quenchingUE weapon special ability.

Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Hydraulic Push (Wa)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Slipstream (Wa)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Water Breathing (Wa)

"Yes, safe journeys!" Briana waves as she and Rowenna settle into the small craft. Although she knew she should feel some degree of trepidation at being left to fend for themselves, she just couldn't muster it. This was much too thrilling!


The boat, with the six pathfinders aboard alongside Halli and Kandamerus - huddled at the back, is small and lies low in the water. The morning sea, nearest its highest tide, is mercifully calm though and the row towards the Lady's Light is safely made... although, as they pick their way through the rocks around the shoreline, the friends soon realise why sailors are so grateful for the warning provided by the Lady's Light. The mist on the water quickly swallows up the Wanton Ways as the rowing boat draws away, the last sight the friends see is the anchor being dragged from the depths as the captain shouts muffled instructions to her crew...

...following one word instructions from Kandamerus, who seems unnerved as he draws ever closer towards the Lady's Light, the friends guide the boat towards an inlet. Soon coming upon an island that sits in the middle of the river, Kandamerus points at a mossy wooden shack with a sagging roof sitting in the shade of a few moss-draped willows, "Maroux". A plume of smoke wafts from a chimney, and cooking smells pervade the area, though the odor is not altogether pleasant. There is no sign of life outside of the hut itself...


1 person marked this as a favorite.
CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zee awakens in her quarters and prepares for the day. She studies the patterns of her Harrow deck and performs her daily reading:

Harrow Reading:
Suit: 1d6 ⇒ 1 ...Hammers
Ethic: 1d3 ⇒ 3 ...Chaotic
Moral: 1d3 ⇒ 1 ...Good

The Big Sky

The card of freedom from bondage. Perhaps we shall set someone... or something... free today.

Harrowed ability today: Strength

* * *

As their jolly-boat approaches Maroux' hut, Zee shudders. "Mr. Kandamerus, what sort of person is this Maroux again? And what should we expect?"


Inactive

"We should probably expect to do her some sort of favor for her help," Briana whispers, a wry smile on her face. "Since we didn't think to bring extra supplies to offer as barter...or at least I didn't think to, anyway."

5,301 to 5,350 of 7,586 << first < prev | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / Shattered Star Gameplay All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.