Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

Joanna finishes her breakfast with a glass of milk to help take the taste of syrup from her mouth. She'd nearly choked when Arsith called her sweetie pie, and had reassured Shadlah that there would be more.

"Would you believe me if I said it was all to save you from the sweet decadence of depravity and help keep you on the path of righteousness," Joanna asks as she wipes the white moustache the milk had left off with her napkin. Her eyes look from Ziomarra, to Briana, to Arsith, then to Shadlah. Seeing none of them was even remotely fooled by her deflection, she slowly lowers the napkin and feels her cheeks flushing.

"Guess not."

Why is it that I always, always, have the biggest appetite around?

"It is good to know I am not the only one with the appetite of a horse," Shadlah grins, nudging Joanna in the ribs and tucking into her own breakfast. "I do not know why, but since I discovered what I am capable of, my hungers have been immense. Perhaps it is needed to fuel my connection to the planes." She shrugs over a plateful of breakfast, taking a bit of everything to start her off, with plenty of grilled mushrooms. "But I know little of such things. Though I harness these powers, I do not understand them."

Between mouthfuls of food, she asks, "What more do we need to do before we leave?"

"Well, I wish I could say that was my reason, but, well, it kinda happened slowly, and one day I realized that I was waking up starving and eating thrice what my half-sisters were eating at meals. I think it's because I do a practice a lot, though Brother Titus always liked to joke it was because I had a hollow leg."

"Well, if Shadlah's theory is correct then it could be the same reason for you Jo... You may not be consciously aware of it but a number of your abilities seem to be derived from a connection to the positive energy plane; perhaps your body requires more nourishment in order to maintain and utilize that connection."

"Some people just have large appetites," Shadlah shrugs, before filling her mouth with more mushrooms. "You seem to work much of it off, judging by your fine figure." Swallowing, she thinks for a moment, before adding, "Mind you, my mother always said I had an enormous appetite, even as a child. It could be you and I simply enjoy eating, and seek to rationalize it." She finishes her pile of mushrooms and moves on to the eggs and pancakes.

Thank you for your kind words, Brianna. It's the only clothes I had that weren't too dark and somber. A change of wardrobe would be most welcome. I still have to meet some priest of Pharasma to explain... my change of heart, and I'm a bit nervous about it. But after that, and after whatever penitence the church wants to give me... I'd like to do some shopping, and whoever wants to join me is most welcome.

Hearing Joanna small bluff
I totally believe you,Jo, and thank you for helping me to remain slim. Another good deed for you!

Arsith smiles widens, but her own little lie is easy to see through

"Arsith, we don't have very much spare time this morning if we're going to catch the favorable tides and fog cover..." Teldon interjects with some concern.

"If you want to do those things today you need to start now! Actually, do you trust Briana and Jo to pick something? I saw a place while I was out that's open already: I could take the two of them to pick something out for you while Zee and our new friend here travel with you to the temple. That would certainly save time and we could all meet down in dockside at Gianya's tent?"

Arsith seems a little taken aback by Teldon words, and answers quite coldly.

My, Teldon. I have no problem with postponing my shopping, or even to let Briana and Jo go for me. That would be fun, in fact. But the matter with my church must be resolved before I go with you. Tides come and go, as is fog.

My soul must face the goddess I prayed to for years, the goddess who bringed me confort in my solitude after I lost Lenore forever, the same goddess that allowed me to save the life of your loved one by curative magics. Now that I am leaving the ranks of her faithful, my heart is full of turmoil. Everything that I believed in these last years don't satisfy me anymore. Will Pharasma forgive me? Will I be accepted in the faith I want to follow now, to let my heart fill with love and hope again? This is important for me, no, ESSENTIAL for me. Dresses and pretty clothes can wait.

There is some anger in her voice as she rises from her seat
You might not believe in gods, Teldon. That is your choice, and I respect that. But please don't think your high intellect and your quick mouth are relevant in the matters of faith. Some things must be done, and done properly, when you believe in something, even more if you were acting as a vessel for your god's power. You are free, of course, to go ahead to explore and conquer. Please go and do enjoy your tide and fog, while I will plead my case to the Lady of the Boneyard. Don't let me detain you with futile details about what I need to accomplish,or with the wrecking pain in my soul. You can't draw souls, so that's not very much interesting for you, is it, Teldon?

She walks in quick strides out of the room, and slams the door behind her, like a fury.

Zee watches the exchange between Arsith and Teldon at first with amusement, then with bewilderment, then concern. Mouth agape, she remains silent as watches as Arsith storms out.

Turning to Teldon with a look of confusion, "Well, I didn't expect that. If any of use was to rush out in burst of anger, I would expect it to be me! Let me talk with her. We'll meet you all at Gianya's in, say an hour and a half?" Zee grabs her satchel and follows Arsith out the door.

Outside...

"Arsith! Wait a moment! Are you okay?"

minor edit for minor ninja'ing

"Of course I believe in the gods, why would you..." Teldon tries to protest but quickly gets drowned out by the angry woman's tongue-lashing...

Stunned and confused he stands in silence for a moment after the door slams. "I was just trying to be helpful by suggesting we could shop for her... and practical about meeting back up..." he says, halfway as an answer to Zee.

He contemplates the exchange for a moment and then asks the remaining girls, "This is one of those situations where someone's strong emotions about one thing are directed towards something or someone else, right? She's distressed about what's going to happen at her temple and she's expressing that distress as anger at me because she has no other way to express it right now?"

Briana looks similarly amazed and concerned as Arsith turns and storms out of the manor. "I...I don't think I've ever seen her get angry like that, not even during our first trip through Sandpoint." As Zee rises to go after her, she shoots her a thankful look. "Sounds like a good idea, Zee! Thank you!"

Turning back to Teldon, she sighs and nods. "Something like that, I think. For a member of the clergy to have a change of heart and a change of faith...it carries a lot more weight than if someone like you or I experienced it. The closest example I can think of would be if you had a life-changing experience and decided that instead of being a Pathfinder or a researcher, your path lay in a different direction - but you still had obligations to your old path or a lot of personal history tied up with it." She smiles sadly. "A big change like that...it's scary for most people. I think she might've felt a little hurt because it seemed like you were making light of it by wanting her to be quick about her errands - even if that wasn't what you meant at all."

"I think Briana's right, though she didn't have to bite your head off like that. I also think you're right. It'd be a good idea to split up if we have to run errands though," Joanna says as she stands up and leaves.

Just a little GM post to make sure we din't get bogged down due to folks having less posting time iver the weekend.

By the time Ziomarra is in the garden of the Heidmarch Manor, it's floral beauty quite alluring in the morning mist, Arsith is gone... The fog, surprisingly thick even up this high, and the morning traffic of the streets beyond the walls swallowing the priestess up...

As Arsith erupts and the others begin rushing out after her, Shadlah freezes, sitting still as a statue, still hunched over her plate. After several long moments, she sinks a little lower into her shoulders and continues eating, unsure of what to do or say in this new group.

While most of the girls are gone Teldon pours a cup of coffee and sits down across from the uncomfortable Shoanti woman. "This actually happens with some regularity. It's not often Arsith though- usually Zee or Jo... and more often than not its because of something I've said... I've learned a great deal about interpersonal communication, and about what they consider 'right' or acceptable courses of action, over the last five weeks, but apparently not enough yet..."

He sips his coffee thoughtfully, and determines to change the subject, "So, do you have much experience with ruins?"

Joanna Finds Zee outside in the garden and walks up to her.

"She'll be okay, Zee. She's a lot tougher than I am, and I don't think she'll break just because of this," the young paladin says as she puts a hand on the harrower's shoulder, "I think she'd cheer up if we got her something a little less drab to wear though. Would you like to help me? I've never been much of a fashion expert."

"I'm sorry," Briana adds as Joanna files out after Zee and Arsith. "You've stumbled across our group during a time of change, so emotions have been running a little high lately. I promise we are capable of working together though."

As Teldon changes the subject, Briana finishes the last few bites of her meal. "Hmm, I guess Jo and Zee must have decided to go with Arsith. We've got a little time to kill but I can't think of any errands that I need to run. Unless one of you still has something you need to do, maybe we should take the scenic route back to Dockway to kill some time? It looks like it'll be nice day today and we can always walk and talk."

"When you change churches do you get to trade in your old holy symbol for a new one?" Teldon wonders aloud, "If Arsith is going to serve Shelyn now she won't be able to use her old Pharasman symbol to cast spells... perhaps we should go buy her a new holy symbol of Shelyn? That might help her to feel more like we support her new lifestyle too?"

Briana looks thoughtful. "We could...she might already have one or she might be planning to go visit Shelyn's temple after she visits with the Pharasmins, but it never hurts to have a backup." She smiles. "I like it!"

"On the Plateau, those who do not stay together are lost," Shadlah says quietly, her voice a low rumble in her chest. "Relationships are important. In them, we find strength." She indicates a complex, knotted rune tattooed on her left shoulder. "This is the rune kavekhah, or 'strength through unity'. I received it after my last adventuring party overcame the undead guardians of the Tomb of Amaz - a task none of us could have accomplished alone. Its message remains strong." She glances up at Teldon, fixing him with her stony gaze. "Why are you only discovering these relationships now? Is this delayed learning normal among the tshamek?"

Helping herself to seconds (and a cup of coffee, after giving it an appraising sniff), she shrugs her broad shoulders. "I have been in and out of ruins for the last several years. I know the earth and stone - it sings to me, and bends to my will. My last adventuring party tried to plunder the tomb of Zrosek Thunder-Breaker." She continues to eat between sentences. "So I have plenty of experience. Underground, you will find no-one as useful as myself." She cracks her knuckles with a sound like grinding stone, swigging her coffee.

After losing Arsith in the mist, Zee relents. "I was going to try to go with her to show some moral support, but perhaps this is something she must do alone. As for shopping... Well, as you can tell from my attire, I'm a bit of a traditionalist, and am not particularly versed in Chelish or Taldan fashion. Let's go back in... Perhaps Brianna would join us?"

Arsth walks at an high pace, quitting the Alabaster district, in which most of her childhood and young years memories took place, to the Keystone District in Magnimar.

Magnimar's Church of Pharasma is located in the northern half of the Keystone District, a few blocks southeast of Seerspring Garden. It is quite small and unassuming when compared to the much larger Grand Cathedral of Pharasma in Korvosa, but its steep, spiky roof, and haunting facade are nonetheless quite impressive.

The white haired woman takes three long breath before daring to climb the few steps leading to the inside of the Church.

She adresses to one of the minor priests.
My name is Arsith D'Abariane, faithful and warpriest of the Lady of the Graves, and I need to talk to our Keeper of the Graveyards, Sir Annamentus Jivorus. It is quite urgent, and I need his advice and forgiveness.

After a few minutes of waiting, praying to the grim goddess, Arsith is shown the way to the upper priest private rooms.

There is no door to his room, and this surprises the Warpriest.

Life is just a passage. We enter and leave it whenever Fate wants.
says a male voice from inside the room.

Arsith nods and traces a spiral over her heart as she enters.
Sir Jivorus...

Sister..D'abariane, I heard? What can I do for you?

I am here to .. how can I say it? Tears starts to fall on Arsith's cheeks. I come here today to renege on my solemn, holy vows, to ask Pharasma's forgiveness.

And why so?
The high priest eyes are focused on the young woman

I have been ... unfaithful.

Now you have piqued my interest. How can you be "unfaithful" to Pharasma, Sister?

I joined the church of Pharasma because I lost the woman I loved, out of grief, despair and pain. Pharasma welcomed me, gave me a purpose, something to live for. And now.. Now I want something else. I don't feel at home here, I even had trouble walking to this place that was my home only a few days ago. I want to live again, to love again. I want to hope again. Pharasma ask us to accept our mortality, to accept our Fate without too much rebellion. I can't, I can't anymore. This burden is too heavy for me. I lost another friend, some days ago. I couldn't grieve to much, cause I've seen too much death, I heard too much wailings, I conforted too much sorrow.

There is a moment of silence as Arsith cries. Then the priest answer.
We won't keep you in the Church if you don't want to. Maybe your Fate isn't here anymore. Maybe you joined us for wrong reasons, maybe the reasons you joined us for don't make sense to you right now. What do you want to do? Do you still intend to keep some faith in you?

Oh yes, I need to have faith, as I need air to breath, water to drink, bread to eat. I respect Pharasma, and I feel ungrateful for leaving her...

And to which god will you send your prayers?

Shelyn, if she wants to hear my soul.

Good to hear. If you said Urgathoa you wouldn't have left this room alive.

There is a small smile on the man's lips, but his eyes are still steel.
Arsith blushes.

I wish you good luck so.

Arsith seems stunned
What? THat's it? No atonement? No punishment?

Punishment? What for? Atonement? Can we still count you, if not among our faithful, at least as an ally if we need it?

Yes, of course, but..

"Yes" is all I need to hear. Where can we contact you, if needed?

I am currently living in Lady Heidmarch's house.

Good to know. Now allow me to bless you one last time, Arsith D'Abariane.

Arsith gets on her knees as the high priest trace a spiral over your head.
Now you can go. We'll meet again, in the Eternal Gardens if not before.

The woman rises, and speechless, slowly walks out of the temple.
With each pace, she feels lighter, and she straightens up.
She looks at everything, everyone, and seems to rediscover what living is all about.
Chatters, laughs, colors,beauty is everywhere.
The humblest beggar can be beautiful.
After the darkest day, a new dawn will begin.

This time, Arsith's tears are tears of joy.

"What's there to know about either of those? Chelish is all blacks, reds, cleavage, and really tight corsets, and Taldane is all pastels, lace, cleavage, and really tight corsets," Joanna says with a snort, "But having Briana along couldn't hurt. Unless she want's to go with Teldon."

Joanna grins at the last and heads back into the manor.

===

A few minutes after leaving, Joanna shows up in the dining room once more and has to visibly control her impulse to grab a piece of bacon and a biscuit.

"Briana, Shadlah, would you like to come with Zee and I to get something for Arsith. Teldon's welcome too," Joanna asks as she bounces a little on the balls of her feet.

As Shadlah speaks, Briana focuses her attention on the Shoanti's tattoo. "'Strength through unity'...that's a powerful message," she observes quietly. "And I can only speak for myself, but sometimes it takes a harsh lesson before a message will sink in," she finishes, thinking of Nalathi again.

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

When Joanna and Zee walk back into the dining room, Briana looks up with surprise. "Oh! I guess you weren't able to catch up to her then. And that's a great idea; we were just talking and Teldon suggested buying Arsith a new holy symbol. What do you think?"

"I have some money to pitch in for that, but not enough to buy it outright," Joanna says, "Anyway, it'd probably be best if we get going. I know that Teldon would like to go while the weather is on our side, and I agree with him."

I have 14 gp and 4 sp to add to the Arsith Wardrobe Makeover Fund.

"Shopping?" Shadlah asks flatly. She notes Joanna's restraint and grins, even as she takes the piece of bacon she was eyeing and chews it thoughtfully. "I must say, I have not spent much time on such things. But if we are to leave soon, it would do well to stay together as much as is possible." She stands, rolls her neck with a series of popping sounds, and finishes her coffee with a grimace. "I will join you."

"I have enough coin for a silver holy symbol..." Teldon offers, "but I've never had occasion to purchase one before... will we be able to find a legitimate one in the market or will we need to venture to the temple as well?"

As she rises from her seat and gathers her things, Teldon's question gives Briana pause. "Ooh, good point. They would probably need to be sanctified in some manner, so I suppose we'd have to visit the temple too. Maybe we can save that for later and pick her out something nice to wear on our way through the market."

"We may be lucky enough to find a jeweler that has some already consecrated on hand," Joanna says as she begins moving to the door, "but the only way to find out is if we go see."

"Yes, of course," Briana agrees as she moves to follow Joanna. At the door, she pauses and looks back to the others. "What are we waiting for? We've got places to go and the fog won't hold forever! We can stop by the Bazaar of Sails on our way through Dockway; it's early but there should be a few stalls open by the time we get there."

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

Once the group makes their way through the city and down into Dockway, Briana looks up at the position of the sun in the morning sky. "Okay good, we've got a little bit of time before we go see about the boat. We can all go together or we can split up if Zee wants to go visit Gianya and start getting the arrangements made. Hopefully she'll still have that other boat that the Tower Girls were using." She pauses and gives Teldon a teasing smile. "And anyone else who would rather not poke around the Bazaar can go on ahead with Zee if she does go."

There, that should let you off the hook. Shadlah too, I'm not sure if this is something she would be interested in or not. It'll take time to learn how to read her.

Turning back to Joanna, she says, "Either way, you're with me it looks like. Even if we can't find a holy symbol, I'm sure we can find a nice dress or a bracelet perhaps." She knew that they had important business to see to, but she was also looking forward to the idea of simply doing a little shopping with some of the others, especially Jo.

We've been through a lot together, but sometimes I feel like we've really not done much just as friends. Teldon is important to me, but I've spent a lot of time with him lately. I have to make sure I don't neglect my other friends.

Okay, that gets us back down to Dockway at least!

"I remember where to find Gianya," Teldon offers still seeming a bit concerned about the time, "I'll swing by the temple and get a holy symbol then head straight there and get the boat ready... You girls have fun with your hasty shopping trip."

Teldon goes about his tasks quickly and with a spartan efficiency. At the temple he asks no questions and offers very little explanation, while paying for the first silver holy symbol available 25g deducted. At Gianya's he practices the custom learned from Zee of arriving with a small bottle of brandy; after quickly sharing a drink with the woman and exchanging the bare minimum of pleasantries he prepares the boat for his companions' arrival.

Hope no one minds the following slight retcon to Teldon's post above...

Zee joins Teldon to meet with Gianya, letting Joanna and Brianna do the shopping. On their way to her dock, she smiles widely when Teldon suggests getting a bottle of brandy. "Excellent suggestion-- you remembered!" After the gift is purchassed, she says to him in a whisper, "No offense, Teldon, but there are some subtle Varisian customs that should be followed in this kind of transaction. Would you allow me to do most of the talking?" Subtracts 10 gp for a bottle of brandy.

After meeting with the Varisian businesswoman, the matter is settled, she and Teldon get the boat ready for the arrival of their friends.

"I think you have too much faith in my abilities, but I'm more than happy to help," Joanna says.

After looking through the stalls, Joanna, with a lot of help from Briana, manages to put together a sturdy outfit that should hold up well in the chambers they would be exploring. A cream tunic trimmed in blue and a pair of leather pants from the basis of the outfit, while a navy vest and a set of scarves in all seven of the colors in Shelyn's holy symbol go over that. A cloak dyed to match the vest and a pair of boots with silver-plated fittings finish of the necessities. On a lark, Joanna also buys a rather nice looking cap with a white and blue feather in it.

Call it 10 gold for an explorer's outfit.

"Well, we both come from a similar place. I'm sure you've got a better idea of what colors and styles would suit someone than you think," Briana smiles. "And thank you Teldon; I promise we'll be quick okay?" she adds, giving him a swift peck on the cheek and a wave to the others as she sets of with Joanna.

Even with the selection being somewhat limited due to the early morning hours, they manage to pull together what looks to be a lovely outfit that would be pleasing to the eye as well as practical for stomping about in the Crow. "That was fun," Briana observes brightly as they finish up their purchases and begin making their way to meet up with the others. "Um, we should do that more often. Maybe not the shopping, we'll run out of money if we're not careful, but just...strolling around the city, I suppose," she continues, suddenly sounding a little shy.

Make that 5gp Jo; Briana would be happy to pay for it herself but I imagine they'll end up going halvsies on it. I figure Shadlah would be more inclined to go with Teldon and Zee but feel free to have her go with Briana and Jo if you like. The more the merrier!

"That was fun, maybe after we deal with the Crow and the Derros we'll have a chance to just walk around some," Joanna agrees.

Alrighty then. 5gp.

Their errands run, the friends meet up shortly before eleven in the morning... their boat, safely stored for the last few weeks (indeed, it appears that a number of repairs have been made to its hull), is already in the water - bobbing up and down gently as the tide reaches its highest point. The fog, that had evaporated to little more than a light mist upon the 'Summit', is dense here at the water's edge - even at this late hour of the morning - and, as Lady Heidmarch had surmised, there is little chance of anyone witnessing a boat travelling out towards the Irespan... conditions are certainly favourable for the trip out.

With everyone aboard, Joanna pushes the boat away from the quay and out into the harbour... within a minute or so of rowing, the sounds of the city have been swallowed up by the fog and the world reduced to banks of cold, grey mist... for, what seems like an age, the only sound is that of the oars cutting into the water and small rolling waves splashing lightly against the wooden hull of the boat... until, at the edge of hearing, there is the sound of a bell... tolling gently and with a melodic frequency, it draws closer...

...as, looming out of the mist, the creaking prow of a galleon bears down upon the friend's boat!!! a boat that, for a moment or two, seems terrifically small and vulnerable... acting quickly - almost instinctively, Joanna uses her oar to push the rowing boat away from the hull of the other boat... and, before any of the mist-shrouded figures upon the deck of the galleon have a chance to see what struck their boat, the small rowing boat has been swallowed up by the fog once more...

The majesty of the Irespan, Magnimar's most omnipresent monument to its Thassilonian past, is almost entirely enshrouded by the fog yet, using the directions relayed by a compass set into the bow of the boat and estimating distance travelled by the periodicity of the rowing strokes, Teldon guides the friends - unerringly - to the 'Crow'. The massive edifice, its tip lost in the fog, towers above the friends as the boat draws closer... until, guiding it around the southern side of the piling, the friends row into the dock inside the Crow...

Above them, the walls of the towering chamber (some hundred feet or so) are decorated with statues and gargoyles... a trick of the light giving the impression that each and every one of them is staring down at the friends...

...more concerning, there are three boats tied off to heavy stones here... two of a similar design to the one that the friends have used to get out to the Crow... and another, angular and painted a jet black...

An archway to the west leads from the docks into a room... sunlight, diffuse through the fog, gently illuminates the room - it seems unoccupied...

The map, showing previous exploration of the Crow, is in your Campaign Header - from here - and from the experience of those who have been here before, it is a long climb up stairs to the very top of the Crow...

Shadlah defies expectations and stays with Briana and Joanna for the shopping trip. Though she has little to contribute in terms of fashion expertise, she is able to offer a few comments about practicality and ease of movement, which helps her feel as though she's contributed. Looking over the final assembled outfit, she becomes suddenly aware of her own scant clothes and wrappings, old and worn. "Perhaps I should buy something new when we return," she mutters to herself.

As the group sets out, she stays well and truly in the boat, limbs folded in on herself like a round stone, trying not to look at the water. When the galleon bears down on the rowboat, she stiffens like a statue, one hand shooting out to grasp Ziomarra's shoulder in fear. "What just happened?" she hisses as the rowboat slips into the mists again.

Upon reaching the Crow, she whistles appreciatively, stepping onto the dock and shouldering her haversack. "It's beautiful," she murmurs, resting a hand against the stone, her fingers sinking into it as if it were nothing more than vapour.

Shadlah has accepted 1 point of burn to activate flesh of stone, gaining DR 2/adamantine until the next time she recovers burn.
Also, if I'm reading the map right, Shadlah could just climb all the way up the outside and enter on the 4th floor. :P

In reaction to the near-miss with the Magnimaran galleon, Zee stage-whispers, "I think Joanna just saved our necks again!

As their boat pulls into the The Crow's secluded dock, Zee looks at the black boat suspiciously. "That was not here before... I think we have company. Perhaps we should examine it a bit to see if this boat's owners left any clues as to who they are..."

Zee fishes out her spell deck and holds a harrow card before her left eye. Both her right eye and the eyes of the image on the card glow with a faint blue radiance. She peers at the black boat.

Casts detect magic.

Teldon scowls at the extra boat and as they row up alongside it he quickly examines it...
perception (take 10): 10 + 11 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 11 + 2 + (2) = 25

"I fear I might have an idea why Agent Sylvain was unavailable at the bronze house," he says rather grumpily.

There is nothing arcane about the boat - it is slightly smaller than the others moored at the dock (with seating for four rather than six) and sits slightly lower in the water... A sack towards the back of the boat obviously contains provisions... bread, flasks of water, a joint of meat... further, there are three heavy rain-proofed cloaks draped over the large stone securing the boat. An examination of the cloaks doesn't give any clue as to who might own them...

The arcane light leaves Zee's eyes and she shuffles the card back into her Harrow deck.

She nods at Teldon's suspicion. "Yes, I was afraid this might be the Consortium. We must be cautious... and not let them know what we truly seek here!"

"I've been working to foster a good relationship with the Consortium," Teldon reflects, "if it is them I may be able to arrange a non-violent solution..."

"I hope so," Briana whispers, her nerves still a bit on edge after the close encounter with the boat. "Whoever it is, let's hope that they've not been out here very long. Though I guess even if they have been, they won't have gotten any further than we did."

Her attention is then drawn by Shadlah's words and her eyes widen as the woman's fingers seem to pass into the stone as though it weren't there. "That's amazing! Is that what you meant when you talk about being connected to the earth?"

"What about those guys that tried to kill Lord Fairfax before the auction," Joanna asks as she ties their boat off, "they seemed like they'd be the types to try gathering the shards before we could."

At Briana's exclamation, Joanna looks up, and nearly falls over in shock.

"Well, that's new," she says in a deadpan voice.

Nice trick, Shadhla. You are a woman full of ressources.

"I was not exaggerating when I mentioned my mastery over stone," Shadlah replies, a grin like a fault-line splitting her face. Striking swiftly, she punches her other fist into the stone half a foot above her first, repeating the process until she hangs like a gargoyle five feet above the ground, one hand sunk into the pylon, the other dangling free, her feet braced against the pillar. She then drops, landing heavily on her feet, before straightening and brushing her hands off against each other.

"It has been some time since I found something so receptive to my touch," she says admiringly, touching the stone again, letting her rough fingers rest against the surface. Glancing at Briana, she nods. "I suspect I could climb this pillar with relative ease - any stone or earthen surface. The strength of stone suffuses my skin, making it resistant to damage." As she speaks, the texture of her skin seems to ripple, the surface matte and faintly veined, like marble. "And I can call on the plane of Earth itself, using its matter to strike my foes or summon walls. Though doing so puts my body under stress. I have not yet tested the limits of such power, but perhaps I will soon."

Finally tearing her eyes away from the stone, she addresses the group as a whole. "You suspect there are others here? Who, and why?"

Zee watches Shad with an expression that's a mix of astonishment, bemusement, an appreciation.

"Well, I've never seen anyone do that before!"

"Whakaaro ahau ka waiho koutou hei wahi tino whai hua o to tatou kapa!"

Addressing Shad's question, "That black boat was not here before. We have had dealings with the Aspis Consortium recently. Specifically, Teldon has posed as a weathly collector of antiquities from Absalom and the rest of us as his retinue of bodyguards and advisers. We've been trying to get close to the Consortium to find out what they knew about the Sihedron, and also to track down an artifact we need to get past a barrier here in the Crow. Tracking down the latter is why we ended up in that accursed village of Ravenmoor. I fear we may have let slip a little too much, and they deduced where we'd been.

"Of course, it might not be the Consortium at all... although I strongly suspect that it is."

"I...I've never seen or heard of anyone that can do that before," Briana responds, suddenly feeling shy again for some reason. "I'd like to learn more about it, when we've got the time. If that's okay, I mean."

With some effect, she pulls her thoughts back to the matter at hand and nods at Zee. "Right. However they might've learned about it, the Consortium seems the most likely for who the boat belongs to. But we can't just sit around here and wait for them to come back. We should start working our way up, once we've taken whatever precautions we want to take."

"I'll lead then. I can take a pretty hard hit, so if things turn violent, it'd be better for me to be the one they go after," Joanna says as she straps on her armor.

"Neither have I," the Shoanti woman shrugs, cracking her knuckles and shifting from foot to foot. "Perhaps today will be the day I fully test myself." She cranes her neck, looking up the pillar. "If you suspect others are inside, perhaps I could climb higher? Are there any other entrances higher-up than this one?"