DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Old Mwangi Shaman:
The man's face remains grim "It is bad magic... powerful, but bad. When a sangoma twists his trade to make such a thing, he binds a spirit within. The spirit gives power... but can also corrupt." pausing a moment as he looks at Sentis directly "Have you put it on young one?"
Captain and Holmburg:
Smiling wide Holmburg tells "I think the word for it is a goldmine?... By crossreferencing against other works I have at hand as well as the tomes you brought me before I found an inconsistency. Suffice to say that the Ghol Gan apparently only sacked three of the four wings of the fortress of the one on the throne. The rest might remain."
The Captain interjects "Mr Holmburg has proposed taking an expedition to the site... with equal share in recovery rights. We're bloody hard pressed with the Mzali hornet's nest getting stirred... but I thought your Wolves might be up for it?" waiting for a sign of either assent or rejection from Blaze.
Sentis Spinis |
Frowning Yes sir, I have worn it twice now. The first time there was a pressure while I heard the chanting in Polyglot but it quickly went away the druid thought momentarily the second time the pressure was less and didnt last as long but both times the mask had no effect besides that as far as I could tell.
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Mwangi Shaman:
"De spirit is what gives the totem it's power... to purge the spirit would make the mask safe... but also rob it of it's power." turning to Sentis with a challenging though grave expression "You have fought the spirit twice and won... there is a way that the mask could be cleansed... but it is dangerous. To destroy the totem would be much cleaner." weighing up how much Sentis wants to make the mask his own.
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Holmburg nods excitedly "Very well... you know where I am, so when you're ready come and seek me out. I'll make arrangements as well."
The Captain then nods and dismisses Blaze "That will be all Corporal, get your squad ready to head out after a few days kip. I'll finish up the details with Holmburg."
Memluk "Blaze" Seljuk |
Blaze offers to lend Doc a hand, and as he helps out, brings up something to the dwarven mad scientist that's been on his mind for awhile "So Doc, I've been thinking about making you my second in command. I often defer to you in the right situations anyways, so why not make it official. If nothing else, you'll have some authority to mess with Grusk" He says with a grin.
Drannigan "Doc" Piper |
Doc raises a bushy eyebrow. "Boss, ah drink on th' job, experiment on th' squaddies, curse, swear, an' insult damn near ev'rbody. Ah'm a piss poor medic and an only barely tolerable soldier. Ah'm only really good at makin' things tha' hurt people an blowin' stuff up. Th' only things tha' keep me outta th' brig are tha' th' cap'n likes me, an' tha' Ah got ye in between me an' anyone who might be lookin' t' haul me up short."
Doc offers Blaze his flask.
"Ye sure ye want someone like me as yer first mate?"
Memluk "Blaze" Seljuk |
The Magus laughs good-naturedly "Ya can't be that bad of a medic, as none of us have died. Also, I seem to recall you being the one to turn the tide in battle a few times, so that makes you far more than barely tolerable as a solider. As for the rest, well, your drinkin hasn't caused any problems, experimentin keeps the lads on their toes and there's nothin wrong with cursin and swearin."
He fixes Doc a serious look "You have a solid head on your shoulders and quite the brain sittin in there to boot. I would be daft not to take every advantage of that. Which I might be, but we'll keep that our little secret." He says with a chuckle. "Now then, First Mate Doc whatcha cookin up today, and how many different shades will it turn Grusk?"
Drannigan "Doc" Piper |
Oh, it's always a little dangerous. :)
Doc seems a little unsure of himself for a moment, then nods. "Well, Ah got th' chassis for th' Pack Wagon just about done." he says walking over to the armored hulk.
It was styled after a massive wolf, made out of the bright green ankheg chitin. "It'll seat six comfortably, an' should be able t' carry 'bout two tons. The view ports're all on individual lever drops, an' a multi-drop system tha' let's th' driver drop 'em all a' once. When the viewports drop, they lock in'ta place an' ain't no one short o' a giant gettin' through. There's two trapdoors in the main bay tha' open t' the roof, an one in th' floor t' git underneath. The entire back is a drawbridge style drop hatch. There's arrow an' spear slits every two feet in the bay. Th' wheels 're reinforced an' the axles 're completely encased."
Pointing to a series of makeshift work benches nearby he said "Kaavel an Grusk 're workin' on th' weapon systems. When Ah'm done she'll breath fire, launch grappling hooks, fire tha' giant trident, an' launch mortars. Ah'm hopin' t' take' 'er on 're maiden voyage in a few days."
Drannigan "Doc" Piper |
Wagons and chariots are Ride checks. None of us have the skills right now, so for the time being it passes to the folks with high Dex
"Acually, Ah'll be runnin' th' weapon systems from th' back. Ah figured ye would do th' steerin'. Or ye, boss. Th' driver's bench 's gonna have two built in launch platforms t' git whoever's drivin' out inta th' fight. It was gonna be mah Grusk launcher, but it'd work jus' fine on anyone."
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Mask Discussion:
The Mwangi shaman sighs as he explains "The tokoloshe has made the mask his home... but he is bound within it. That is why it only affected you when you put the mask upon you, and invited the tokoloshe into your mind. You were strong enough to resist... so far... but the tokoloshe is waiting."
"To cleanse the mask we must invite the tokoloshe into our world and defeat it bodily. Only then will it bend to your will and allow you dominance... but if you are defeated, the tokoloshe will take your body as a vessel... and I would need to kill you." the Mwangi's eyes grave as he finishes the statement.
tokoloshe - evil spirit
Essentially you'd need to go sky-clad into a magic circle and draw the spirit out of the mask... and do battle with it.
Barracks:
As Doc is lovingly showing off the new wolf-wagon, you spy a Qadiri swordsman who is on another side of the barracks and looking over the construct with a critical eye... occasionally shaking his head and pointing out some perceived flaw muttered to himself.
You recognise the man as a Sergeant recently arrived with some of his kin and horse from a campaign in the desert of Thuvia that turned bloody.
Sentis Spinis |
Sentis's heart lurched and Baran instinctively whimpered when the shaman mentioned the spirit taking his body as a vessel. He reassures the wolf with some ear scratching.
You speak wisely and give dire portents where failure is concerned but that is typically the case for the important deeds. Very well, if that is what is needed to cleanse the spirit then that is what I shall do. I can not ask any others to join me in this battle but will welcome company. Tonight I shall take council from our pack and prepare. I will return tomorrow to confront the tokoloshe. Your help has been most appreciated grandfather can you offer any more guidance for the battle to come?
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Gnome Visitation:
Kaavel moves through town to the gnome's workshop and finds the alley and shop front where he was last. If anything the clutter within the front area has only increased, with curious and curiouser items piled atop one another. You hear a faint voice out the back "Busy now, come back later" followed by a squeal of terror, a crash, thump and groan.
Qadiri Skepticism:
The Qadiri spits on the ground in between him and the pimp wagon and states loudly into the air before him "Ugly, unwieldy, garish and crude... My heart weeps for any who have to suffer within it." before the man makes his way over to Doc and bows while introducing himself with precise courtesy "I am Abin-Al-Khasar of the Qadir. Blessings upon your house and companions... by your words can I take that you are responsible for this... contraption?"
Drannigan "Doc" Piper |
Doc reaches to his grenade belt and pulls out an earthenware jar fromt he reinforced compartment. Uncorking it, he drops some of it's contents on his work bench. The liquid sizzles and smokes as it eats it's way through the wood. Then, without bothering to look behind him a the wagon, he tosses the entire jar over his shoulder where it crashes into the newly installed plating.
The acid slides down to the ground without a mark on the chitin, dissolving only grass and dirt.
Then he picks up his heavy Earthbreaker and takes a wide, hard swing, hitting the wagon with a low thump. It barely rocks on it's springs, the armor not even a dented.
Doc scratches his beard absently and lights a cigar, saying nothing.
1d6 Acid can't get through the resistance. 2d6+1 damage can't get through the Hardness
Drannigan "Doc" Piper |
Doc watches Grusk leave and shakes his head. Kid's heart's 'bout a hundred times bigger than his brain.
"Sorry 'bout that pal. He gets cranky when he thinks the Wolves are bein' insulted. It's a family thing. We kin insult each other, but we git testy when other folk do it. Ah'm sure ye understand."
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
2d6+1 could have made it through the hardness... but no matter
The brusque interruption of Grusk does not faze the Qadiri at all, as he merely maintains his aloof expression without making any over movement. When Grusk has moved off he waves his hand dismissively "Passion drives us all... from the basest of creatures and to those higher."
Doc's acidic and kinetic demonstration draws a raised eyebrow "So the fact you can maltreat it is significant? That a man wears plated armor does not mean he is one who can fight. But perhaps it is suited to the... peculiarities... of your group." the tone used less than complimentary at the last. Giving once again a polite bow before the Qadirite moves back to the remainder of his group.
Sentis Spinis |
"If it would help, I am willing to provide whatever aid I can, though I must warn you that I am really only effective against physical threats. My blade doesn't reach into the spirit world."
Neither does mine and Im not entirely sure that we'll even be able to take steel with us. The old man said 'skyclad' which I think means nude.
The half elf shakes his head at the thought.
I wonder if I will have access to my spells in this spirit world...and what the others will think of all of this.
Returning to the barracks
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
Rounding at Blaze's parting words "I was bade to approach by your wainwright" gesturing at Doc "Perhaps my command of the Taldan tongue is not as... precise as I had hoped. I had meant to offer you no disrespect." body language and tone clear that he remains as dismissive as before of the pimp-wagon, though his apology for the offence taken was sincere.
Gnome's Workshop:
Kaavel moves into the rear of the shop to find a curious sight. The small gnome is laid out prostrate within a wooden harness that is fitted out with comically oversized feet and hands in stone, though without the torso or limbs to interconnect them outside of the harness.
Grusk II |
Grusk goes across the fields to a practice dummy that he dis-members with alot of snarling and cursing.....
Once the limbs are removed from the dummy Grusk takes it off the hanger and hauls the torso away.....
Which he throws into the nearby stream...
"So long Bob."
DM - Voice of the Voiceless |
The gnome looks up at Kaavel from his recumbent position and shakes his head "No no... no need" unbuckling himself from the harness of wood and standing to look at the strange contraption and scratch his head "Weight's all wrong... too unbalanced I think... pity I can't get it more stable." before he turns and acknowledges Kaavel formally, extending a hand.
"I see you are back... and not dead! This is a good thing... did you have fun squishing bugs?"
Darkbiter |
"Nude or not makes little difference to me as long as the thing is solid."[/b] Darkbiter shrugs as they return to the barracks. When he walks into the courtyard and sees Doc's creation, he stops, examines it, and chuckles as he speaks to his teammate. "I don't suppose you've made arrangements for someone to drive this, have you? I would hate to see such hard work go to waste before it sees action just because it got smashed up in an worthless accident."