Elen begins writing out a list of all the supplies and their costs and weight. She previously held all these facts and figures in her head, relying on her nearly perfect recall, but decides it would be tedious to have to rattle off in its entirety every time someone needed to know it.
"Remind me, Ruul, at what time is the barge leaving today?"
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As they go over the supplies, Lavinia asks: "Did we get enough light weight stuff, like exotic spices and fine embroidery threads and trinkets to take with us? Those type of things won't add much to our encumbrance, but may be well appreciated by the folk we'll be meeting. The exchange rate for those things might even better than plain gold."
"Your thanks are appreciated, but not necessary. We are all just pitching in where we can and soon we will be out in your element and I will be of very little help there. I just want to feel useful while I still can."
[dice=Knowledge Planes]1d20+17
Not a strong threat, except their shriek can paralyze. It would be bad for a pack of them to come upon one of us alone, as each can shriek and if you only succumb to one, they will mob you while you are helpless. This is a good reason not to split the party into too small of groups.
Lavinia will help Ruul double check some of the provisions and later on chats with Elen on the topic of medicinal herbs and teas.
Date: March 17, 4707
On the morning, all of you wake up as you normally would. Trudging downstairs after 36 hours of preparation for a long journey, all of you find Artemis waiting in the dining room with a couple of servants preparing a large breakfast. With a big grin on his face, it looks as if he is holding something behind his back.
"We were able to get these at the last second, mainly through luck. But I can assure you that they can hold quite a lot. They are called efficient quivers. Artemis goes on to explain how they work and how the ranged specialists can use the quivers to carry some of the extra arrows and accessories that had been acquired for the trip. Before long, Artemis moves onto another subject. "We also have been able to get the teleportation device up and running. Gather round, if you would please."
"Once you have found that spot, you will all stand on the spot, physically touching each other, and one person will hit the yellow button. That will lock in the land coordinates, or so the people with the high foreheads tell me." Artemis looks around, hoping that everyone gets the joke, before continuing. "When you've done that, you'll need just one person standing on the spot again at any time to push the green button, and all of you, regardless of location (again, so I am told), will instantly travel to this house. Neat and simple."
Artemis hands over the device to Ruul. "As you seem to be the one handling all of the logistics, then you should hang on to this as well. I will tell you one thing, however. There is a limitation on this box. It takes time to charge the thing. It will be charged by the time that you reach the Camp, but once the green button is pushed. the energies of the box will be discharged, and it takes a full five days to recharge the box, which it does on its own. So beware and think about it before you use it. popping up here means it will be five days before you can go back to the other location. Finally," Artemis says, with a grim expression on his dour face, "is this red button. Pushing it erases the last location from the spell's setup in this box. So for example, if you teleported here and then pushed the red button, it would 'forget' where you came from. You would have to go back to that spot and re-lock its location before you could use the box again. I have also been told that, if you push the red button too many times, it could cause some sort of malfunction. Something about 'confusing the parameters of the spell, causing a massive amount of randomness to occur.'" Artemis says this last part in a high falsetto, with his natural voice, it sounds like either a very sick old woman who has inhaled too much smoke over a long period of time, or a frog trying to speak Infernal. You are not really sure which.
As they go over the supplies, Lavinia asks: "Did we get enough light weight stuff, like exotic spices and fine embroidery threads and trinkets to take with us? Those type of things won't add much to our encumbrance, but may be well appreciated by the folk we'll be meeting. The exchange rate for those things might even better than plain gold."
"I have a few more things to get today, we should stock up on those when we go to the market. I need to stop by the silversmith and the blacksmith, and get a silver and a cold iron punching dagger, for situations in which I need to deal a final blow to a slumbering foe."
Ruul thinks for a moment.
"The barge leaves at high tide today", he replies.
"High tide on a river? I'm not sure what the sailor meant by that. We need to clarify."
200 lbs Wandermeal 104gp
25 lbs containers - 2 gp
180 lbs preserved meat 216 gp
25 lbs containers - 2gp
10 lbs cinnamon - 10gp
10 lbs pepper - 20gp
10 lbs ginger - 20gp
10 lbs garlic - 20gp
10 lbs saffron - 150 gp
10 lbs cloves - 150 gp
20 lbs salt - 100 gp
20 lbs cooking herbs - 100 gp
25 lbs container - 2gp
100 lbs flour - 2 gp
100 lbs wheat - 1 gp
100 lbs oatmeal - 1 gp
100 lbs rice - 1 gp
(assuming sacks are included in cost and weight)
400 lbs Animal feed - 5gp including sacks
50 sq. yd. Canvas - 50 lbs, 5 gp
160 sq. yd. silk - 20 lbs, 1600 gp
160 sq. yd. linen - 60 lbs, 640 gp
40 lbs cheese - 4g
2 gallons ale, - 4 sp - 16 lbs
2 gallons Dwarven stout - 4 sp - 16 lbs
2 gallon Luglurch ale - 2 gp - 16 lbs
2 gallons Linnorm Mead - 2 gp - 16 lbs
2 gallon Caydenbrew - 2 gp - 16 lbs
10 bottles fine wine - 100 gp - 15 lbs
20 containers cold iron weapon blanch - 10 lbs, 400 gp
20 containers silver weapon blanch - 10 lbs, 100 gp
4 containers adamantine weapon blanch - 2 lbs, 400 gp
2 Containers ghost salt weapon blanch - 1 lb, 400 gp
Total cost: 4562 gp (rounded up)
Barge passage: 2000 gp (Paid for by selling a diamond and using 100 pp)
From the gifts:
3 Field Scrivener's Desks - 6 lbs
3 climbing kits - 15 lbs
2 Cooking kits - 4 lbs
4 healer's kits - 4 lbs
2 Surgeon's tools - 10 lbs
1 measuring cord (10 ft)
4 collapsable planks (40 lbs)
2 folding ladders (32 lbs)
3 collapsable grappling hooks (12 lbs)
Remaining wealth:
100 pp (2 lbs)
655 gp (13 lbs)
7000 gp in gems (negligible weight)
347 'iron bits' -- how much are these worth? (assuming 7 lbs)
Total Weight: 1672 lbs
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That morning Azaraunt approaches Elen privately. I've made something for you. I had the time and resources and thought you and your familiar would like to have this. He presents her a scroll, penned in his own hand.
Fly
[ooc]He also crafted two scrolls for himself.
See Invisibility and Fly
As they go over the supplies, Lavinia asks: "Did we get enough light weight stuff, like exotic spices and fine embroidery threads and trinkets to take with us? Those type of things won't add much to our encumbrance, but may be well appreciated by the folk we'll be meeting. The exchange rate for those things might even better than plain gold."
"I have a few more things to get today, we should stock up on those when we go to the market. I need to stop by the silversmith and the blacksmith, and get a silver and a cold iron punching dagger, for situations in which I need to deal a final blow to a slumbering foe."
Ruul thinks for a moment.
"The barge leaves at high tide today", he replies.
"High tide on a river? I'm not sure what the sailor meant by that. We need to clarify."
After heading to the docks, you run into Niles first. He is dressed more appropriately today, but you notice he is walking with a slight limp. Asking him about the captain, Niles replies "Oh, he is stuck with the quartermaster until just before high tide this afternoon. Is there anything I can help you with?"
** spoiler omitted **...
The list looks good, except that the party has 347 iron bits. I also see that you removed a diamond instead of 2 opals, wanna flip a coin to see which gem got used? As for starting, I'm ready when you are.
Your party heads towards the dock, rather excited to be finally on your way towards your next adventure. The words ringing in your ears from Artemis before leaving the Lodge; "Our scribes have already noted that your expedition is beginning and that we will be keeping a log of your progress, starting with the next volume of the Chronicler!"
The docks are straight ahead. It is cloudy and windy, adding a bit of a chill to the late winter (almost spring?) air. The boat is appreciably higher than it was this morning, when Elen came to inquire about certain departure times. Niles comes up to you, along with two sailors of the 'all-brawn, little-brain' type.
"Good afternoon everyone. We have the bulk of your supplies, plus the horses, already on board. We'll just get the rest of this stuff to your cabins. The captain did want me to let you know that we will be taking one additional stop at Castle Urion tomorrow sometime to transfer passengers and cargo. We won't be delayed by more than a couple of hours. Any questions before we disembark?"
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Calendir sits absent mindedly on the edge of the barge with Lagash at his side - Here we go brother - he murmurs in a soft tone - Thank you for coming along - he adds smiling to the big cat.
With this he stands up, finds a quiet corner and lays down all his gear on the floor of the barge, double checking it and then putting it away carefully - each in its appointed place. After being done with that... ritual... He stands up and joins the others.
An iron bit for your thoughts people. He puts in playfully.
Macavity dodges behind those addressing Niles and steadily walks and climbs over the topside of boat looking for the best vantages for sight and places for cover. He politely stays out of the way of any sailors. He finally settles at a location accessible only with climbing and with the best vantage and cover if prone.
That morning Azaraunt approaches Elen privately. I've made something for you. I had the time and resources and thought you and your familiar would like to have this. He presents her a scroll, penned in his own hand.
** spoiler omitted **
[ooc]He also crafted two scrolls for himself.
** spoiler omitted **
Seeing the unasked-for scroll, Elen bites her lip nervously. Stammering a bit, she begins whispering in low tones to the younger elf.
Taking the scroll, she bows in thanks. She then takes a secluded place, Ally returning to her shoulder, reading over ghe scroll to familiarize herself with it.
"How big are the cabins? Are they all private or will we be sharing? How rough is the river likely to be? Will the boat be bouncing around a lot or will it be a smooth ride? Any idea how the weather will be for the trip? Are we expecting any storms within the next couple of day?"
He just sort of blinks at you for a second, and then says, "Small, two to a cabin, I am afraid; smooth sailing, but a bit cool; No storms just clouds." Then he grins at you, almost as if he were a trained monkey.
You then see him, almost uncontrollably, start to scratch himself while apologizing profusely.
None but a minor one, Niles. Your leg, is it wounded? What with your heavy duties, I'm sure its quite a bother. If you'd like, I'll have a word with the Dawnflower and see what I might do for you.
[Dice=Lay on Hands]3d6
[Dice=Cures shaken and removes disease, OR heals an extra]1d6
As you lay hands on the poor sap, he stops itching himself almost immediately. "Oh by the gods, thank you, kind healer. I don't know what happened, it just came on so suddenly this morning. Oh, thank you. I won't forget this, not ever." Niles gives you a sketchy salute and starts to help the sailors with the remaining bags.
Ruul follows along and watches carefully as the sailors load the party's things onto the barge. He double and then triple checks the status of the 'Box'.
Ruuls snorts at the mention of a delay.
"Who occupies Castle Urion? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the name."
***
"Actually," Niles replies as he lifts up two bags, "it's not that far upriver from here. Only a couple hundred miles. It has a similar function to Gundrun, as a matter of fact. Both are port towns. Urion, however, has some actual guards from the Technic League to make sure there's no tomfoolery going on. It's a bit safer there, so long as you don't mind some of those strange items they use. We should be there tomorrow morning and we'll be pulling out again by lunch at the latest."
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That morning Azaraunt approaches Elen privately. I've made something for you. I had the time and resources and thought you and your familiar would like to have this. He presents her a scroll, penned in his own hand.
** spoiler omitted **
[ooc]He also crafted two scrolls for himself.
** spoiler omitted **
Seeing the unasked-for scroll, Elen bites her lip nervously. Stammering a bit, she begins whispering in low tones to the younger elf.
** spoiler omitted **...
Nodding in understanding the wizard responds to Elen.
I understand. Few outside of Cheliax really comprehend what it means to live within the Thrice Damned Court. Life there is duty and order, service and honor. Because we traffic with devils most forget that we are a lawful society and not an evil one. I was not born into the fey wilds where I might follow my impulses. I was born into rigid structure where emotion was, well it was certainly not rewarded. As to your Lyrakien. Your's is the first I have ever actually seen. It is your friend and you have bonded with it by mutual choice. We have a different way in Cheliax. I summoned my imp, bound it, threatened it, broke it, and forced it to serve me. You have a familiar. I have a tool. I do not love it and while I would never hurt it needlessly, I would sacrifice it to save any of the party. It is a useful tool. If I loose it I can summon another. I have commanded him not to include the Lyrakien in mental communication in the future. He will obey.
Breaking into common, with a look of at least slight discomfort he proposes. Elen, we should be friends. We are this groups arcane resource and we will be more effective if we know and trust each other. We should not go forward as competitors. It accomplishes nothing and might cost even lives. I propose we prepare spells together in the morning each day and consult with each other on all matters arcane, for the benefit of the group. He adds this last part awkwardly.
Lavinia smiles as she accepts the spell focus from Ruul. "Thank you Ruul. It is very sweet of you to be so concerned for my safety."
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Before leaving for the boat, and while still at the Pathfinder lodge Azaraunt, with raven on his shoulder, hands out ear plugs to the party. These will help resist the shriek of the vargouille. While a lone creature poses little threat to the party, the resistance gained from these simple plugs might be welcome indeed if we have to face a flock of the retched things.
He then asks the group a question. After offending one of our group where no offense was intended I want to ask each of you if you are comfortable accepting help, in combat from Imbukar here. Indicating the raven. He has the ability of deathwatch and can come to you and render aid in a number of ways during a fight, including healing of wounds, casting of protection from evil, and even elemental resistance. But I know that some of you have issues with my use of, well, this kind of creature as a tool.
Macavity dodges behind those addressing Niles and steadily walks and climbs over the topside of boat looking for the best vantages for sight and places for cover. He politely stays out of the way of any sailors. He finally settles at a location accessible only with climbing and with the best vantage and cover if prone.
As all of you are shown to your cabins, some of you may not like the close comforts of marine life. Each cabin is approximately 10'x10', with two bunk beds, a lumpy down mattress for each, and one chest of drawers with two drawers. Ladies are expected to be together (in fact, Kallistiel gets her own cabin due to the uneven number of women) and the men also bunk together, although sleeping on the top deck is allowed if you would prefer (men only). There are several unoccupied cabins on this level. Down on the bottom deck are your horses, cargo (including yours), and a sliding ramp that allows for cargo to be moved from the docks directly to this level. You note that this level is below river depth, which might be a problem if the boat capsizes.
Before long, with everything on board, and yourself beginning to wonder if you'll spend another night lounging in one of the military bars that ring the inner city, you hear an unfamiliar voice sounding
Before leaving for the boat, Macavity accepts the earplugs from Azeraunt, which disappear in his hands. "Thanks.
Macavity shrugs at Azeraunt in reply, "Smart bird. I'll accept any help that I can get."
==================================================================
Back on the boat, Macavity returns to Kallistiel's side. He offers to examine her cabin prior to her entrance. "Personal security," he offers with a shrug. If accepted, he takes eight minutes to search the cabin.
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He then asks the group a question. After offending one of our group where no offense was intended I want to ask each of you if you are comfortable accepting help, in combat from Imbukar here. Indicating the raven. He has the ability of deathwatch and can come to you and render aid in a number of ways during a fight, including healing of wounds, casting of protection from evil, and even elemental resistance. But I know that some of you have issues with my use of, well, this kind of creature as a tool.
Numair accepts the plugs easily. They also make goggles of smoked glass that make crossing the blinding desert bearable. They also, coincidentally, offer some protection against Medusas and the like. Alas, a horse stepped on my last pair.
He gives the raven a long, searching look. Finally he speaks, having reached a decision. This creature is like a caged viper. Allowed to run free, it would cause misery and suffering. Bent to the will of a handler, like a viper, it can be beneficial, as long as the handler's intent is good. If Sarenrae and Asmodeous can work together against a greater evil, so can I. My prior reaction was like grabbing a pan hot from the stove. Now that I have taken the time to consider carefully, I will accept the assistance of your familiar spirit. Additionally, should I feel the need to revisit this issue, it will be with words and not a drawn blade.