Tales from the City of Opal

Game Master Patrick Curtin

This is my homebrew world Arcaia. This particular setting is the free city of Opal, a lush equatorial city set on the edge of an immense jungle rife with undead , ancient civilizations, and dinosaurs.


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Male Elf Paladin/Ranger 4/1

Izkrael moves to the entrance of the room once Vilya's scream shakes him from his contemplation of the bioluminescent squids.
Seeing her rising from the ground, and no enemies present, he returns to keeping watch above deck.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21


Vilya the Taker wrote:
Kessel Cobey wrote:

Kessel steps into the room and casts Cure Light Wounds

1d8+2

"Tempted as I am to loot the body," Kessel says wryly as Vilya's eyes flutter open.

Back up to 2 hp.

"You... wouldn't... dare... Mine."

Kessel gives Vilya a knowing little smile but says nothing more.


Felicia Leadium wrote:
"..........." A red faced Felicia hands over the wand

"I'll return this once we're out of danger," Kessel says with a slight bow, "Most wise of you to have prepared for danger."


Female Human

Vilya peers back into the chest once more, casting sidelong glances at everyone within reaching distance, her eyes narrowed.


Elf Magus 5

Mgnus deliberately makes a gesture involving fastening a button on his lip, and staring everywhere but at Vilya.


Bribes always welcome
Vilya the Taker wrote:
Vilya peers back into the chest once more, casting sidelong glances at everyone within reaching distance, her eyes narrowed.

Vilya leans over the edge and peers into the chest. Several neatly-folded pieces of clothing and a large leather sack greet her gaze


Male Half-elf Ranger / 6 (Falconer)

Egan goes tearing into the room, at the sound of the commotion. "What has happened"? "What has Vilya done"?


Female Human
Dungeon Monkey wrote:
Vilya the Taker wrote:
Vilya peers back into the chest once more, casting sidelong glances at everyone within reaching distance, her eyes narrowed.
Vilya leans over the edge and peers into the chest. Several neatly-folded pieces of clothing and a large leather sack greet her gaze

Vilya checks the clothing and sacks for traps...

Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

...and then immediately opens the sack.


Bribes always welcome

Vilya rifles through the clothing and realizes there are other things underneath. She is so distracted by the leather sack Ohh shiny! =D that she doesn't check to see what they are. The leather sack is filled with a collection of silver and copper coins, from many places all over Arcaia. Fimbulian copper tusks, Senginese lucky pigs, even New Theranan silver eagles are all jumbled together. There are roughly 500 coins in the sack


Egan Coyle wrote:
Egan goes tearing into the room, at the sound of the commotion. "What has happened"? "What has Vilya done"?

"The lady has disarmed a trap for us . . . the hard way," Kessel says to Egan before turning back to Vilya, "I don't suppose there's a journal or anything like that in there Vilya? Coin are all well and good but some clues as to what we're dealing with would be far more useful at the moment."


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

San comes back in as Vilya begins rifling through the material, and hears Kessel's question. "Well, there's the papers on the desk. You know, the ones I suggested you guys take a look at while I was checking out the wardrobe?"

San walks over to the chest, and once again uses detect magic on the contents.


Female Human
Kessel Cobey wrote:
"I don't suppose there's a journal or anything like that in there Vilya? Coin are all well and good but some clues as to what we're dealing with would be far more useful at the moment."

At this, Vilya looks up from the giant bag of money.

"...Did you say something?"


Elf Magus 5

Magnus rolls his eyes, grins at Egan, shrugs, and walks over to the desk to look at the aforementioned papers,...


Bribes always welcome
Magnus Darkenstar wrote:

Magnus rolls his eyes, grins at Egan, shrugs, and walks over to the desk to look at the aforementioned papers,...

Magnus approaches the desk. The polished dark mahogany surface is covered with a variety of well-drawn nautical charts. Magnus recognizes some of the names on the maps: These are of the local waters. Holding them down are two finely-made brass instruments DC 10 Knowledge (anything nautical) or Profession (nautical) to identify .

The desk itself has two small drawers and one large one. The two smaller ones have no locks, but the larger one has a keyhole, and when Magnus gently tugs at the handle it proves to be locked.


Knowledge? Kessel has all the knowledges!
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Those look like nautical charts," Kessel says, "I can probably tell you in a moment where they were headed or where they've been but I doubt we'll discover what they were transporting or what they might have inadvertently picked up along the way . . . unless the charts point to somewhere notorious . . ."


Bribes always welcome

Kessel:

Spoiler:
One instrument is a sextant, the other an astrolabe. Kessel can tell they are masterwork items, the craftsmanship is exquisite


"My my," Kessel says as he carefully lifts the instruments off the desk, "These are navigational tools, an astrolabe and a sextant, they're of an unmatched quality as well! I dare say that these should be worth more then all the contents of that chest. Provided that there's no more then the loose mishmash of coin that is. Seems strange though these laying out in the open but the coin in a trapped chest? There must be more inside. Check for a false bottom."


Elf Magus 5

"I just look for X marks the spot. X ALWAYS marks the spot!" Magnus jests with Kessel.

"Um,... SO DO they point to somewhere notorious?"


"No they're navigational tools not tools used for navigating," Kessel says, "With the astrolabe, for example, the captain would have taken the position of the sun, moon, and stars and predicted the longitude, whereas with the sextant he could have predicted the latitude in much the same fashion. These tools are used to tell you where you are on a map, not to plot a course to where you're going. It's quite hard to plot a course without knowing where you are but these tools don't poaint to anything except where you are. I suppose I could look at the last readings and see where things went off the charts so to speak."


Bribes always welcome
Sanvoros Draben wrote:

San comes back in as Vilya begins rifling through the material, and hears Kessel's question. "Well, there's the papers on the desk. You know, the ones I suggested you guys take a look at while I was checking out the wardrobe?"

San walks over to the chest, and once again uses detect magic on the contents.

San:

Spoiler:
San sees a glow under the rumpled clothing that Vilya neglected to remove from the chest while she grabbed for the sack of coins. At least two magic items hide under the laundry

Bribes always welcome
Kessel Cobey wrote:
"No they're navigational tools not tools used for navigating," Kessel says, "With the astrolabe, for example, the captain would have taken the position of the sun, moon, and stars and predicted the longitude, whereas with the sextant he could have predicted the latitude in much the same fashion. These tools are used to tell you where you are on a map, not to plot a course to where you're going. It's quite hard to plot a course without knowing where you are but these tools don't poaint to anything except where you are. I suppose I could look at the last readings and see where things went off the charts so to speak."

Looking at the charts, it seems the Green Lady was sailing close to the infamous Sargasso Sea before heading northwest towards Mazatil. Most captains won't go anywhere near that stagnant stretch of seaweed-choked water. The last charting happened weeks ago and miles south. The current must have pushed the ship towards the southern waters of Mazatil.


Elf Magus 5

"So this didn't happen recently. They've been drifting for a while." Magnus mulls aloud over Kessel's shoulder as he examines the charts.

"Well, whatever it is doesn't seem to have been too adversely affected by the time. It took out the original boarding party quickly enough! Hey Vilya, think you could convince these desk locks to open sesame? Maybe there's a journal or something,... Never met a wizard who could resist putting his brilliance down on parchment for future generations!"


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

"Wow. Vilya's off her game." San reaches into the chest and removes the items that radiated magic.


Bribes always welcome

San reaches down past the silk shirts and small clothes and brings out a pair of boots and a large wand.

San:

Spoiler:
San feels other items under the laundry. It feels like a bunch of small bags and metal plates


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

OK, San just starts removing everything from the chest and setting them around. We'll just try and identify anything that shows up as magic, including the cabinet and the cloak from a few moments ago. He'll take 10 on Spellcraft, for a 22.


Female Human
Sanvoros Draben wrote:
"Wow. Vilya's off her game." San reaches into the chest and removes the items that radiated magic.

"Why are you casting spells on my treasure."

It's a statement, not a question.


Bribes always welcome

San removes several more items from the bottom of the chest. There are five leather coin purses filled with 100 gold coins each. 16 gold bars bearing the Viridian Mint mark and a 50-weight measurement mark 50 gp ea and an empty cedar box inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl.

San:

Spoiler:
San identifies the boots as Striding and Springing. The cloak is a cloak of Flash and Shadow. He couldn't quite figure out the wand. The wardrobe's runes indicate that the magics involved deal with teleportation somehow.


Bribes always welcome

For a look at the navagational maps, check the link on the campaign info tab.


Elf Magus 5

Nice map! ;)

Magnus eyes flash with interest (almost as much as Vilya's) as San examines the items.

"This was the wizard's cabin maybe? Seems like a lot of exceptional gear and cash for a sea faring man. Even a captain." Magnus observes.

"I don't see a spell book though. Hey Vilya, You want to try to open these desk drawers? I'd hate to shatter anything fragile that might be inside by forcing them."


Bribes always welcome

The top two drawers are unlocked (actually they have no locks)


Male Half-Elf Ranger 1 / Wizard (transmuter) 5

San fills everyone in on what he is able to discern about the items (read the spoiler).


Female Human
Magnus Darkenstar wrote:

Nice map! ;)

Magnus eyes flash with interest (almost as much as Vilya's) as San examines the items.

"This was the wizard's cabin maybe? Seems like a lot of exceptional gear and cash for a sea faring man. Even a captain." Magnus observes.

"I don't see a spell book though. Hey Vilya, You want to try to open these desk drawers? I'd hate to shatter anything fragile that might be inside by forcing them."

"Dungeon Monkey wrote:
The top two drawers are unlocked (actually they have no locks)

Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15

After a brief examination of the desk, Vilya grasps the handles, pauses dramatically, and quickly pulls open the drawers.

"Wow, that was tough. I'm not sure you could have handled that."


Bribes always welcome

The two smaller drawers contain writing impliments: Blank parchement, sealing wax, blotter, goose quills, ink cakes and a large wax sealing signet bearing a crossed telescope and lightning bolt motif.

The larger bottom drawer is the only one remaining


Kessel attempts to identify the signet ring's owner or organization.

take 10 = DC 14

"There must be something more," Kessel says, "Assuming that the half-orc was mind controlled, it would seem that whatever is controlling him didn't want us to have something in this room. Of course this is pure speculation on my part."


Bribes always welcome

Kessel:

Spoiler:
Likely this signet belonged to the wizard Vossian. Considering he was a wizard with an exploratory itch the telescope and lightning bolt would likely be his personal sigil


Female Human

Vilya runs her fingers over the bottom drawer, examining the lock and trying to discern whether or not the drawer is trapped.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13

An unrelated question: After Felicia handed over the wand, did anyone try to heal Vilya?


Bribes always welcome
Vilya the Taker wrote:

Vilya runs her fingers over the bottom drawer, examining the lock and trying to discern whether or not the drawer is trapped.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1

An unrelated question: After Felicia handed over the wand, did anyone try to heal Vilya?

Not that I am aware of...

Vilya:

Spoiler:
Vilya bends over the desk, wincing. Despite her determination to shrug off the damage the malicious spell trap did to her, she is in a lot of pain. Whatever the spell was, it made her bones feel like glassware that was dropped onto the floor. She can't even grit her teeth without lances of pain shooting through her skull.

She runs her hand along the outside of the desk drawer. It doesn't look as if there are any physical traps or ward runes in evidence. It is locked with an interior-style lock, not too complex by Vilya's estimation

Perception DC 8 (for anyone):

Spoiler:
Despite showing no outward damage, whatever affected Vilya on that last trap has made her move very slowly and painfully


Male Elf Paladin/Ranger 4/1

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Izkrael, upon noticing Vilya's agonized movements, says to her

"Vilya, when you finish with that desk, would you come hear for a moment. I need to speak with you of something."


Female Human
Izkrael wrote:

Perception 1d20+8

Izkrael, upon noticing Vilya's agonized movements, says to her

"Vilya, when you finish with that desk, would you come hear for a moment. I need to speak with you of something."

"Why can't you speak to me now?"

Vilya does a less flashy version of her space-bending trick as she begins to pick the lock on the drawer.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24


Male Elf Paladin/Ranger 4/1

"Fine then." he pushes his way into the room as he speaks until he at Vilya's side.
"Your injured still, and I figured you might not want to let on to everyone this fact, since you try so hard to be all iron and nails. Regardless, be still a moment."

And then he places his hand on her shoulder, and alls down the blessing of the Feathered Serpent to heal her.

Lay on Hands (x3)
2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3


Elf Magus 5

Ah, I had thought all the drawers were locked. ;P

Magnus shakes his head as Vilya opens the top drawers. He makes a small mocking bow.

"Truly I am humbled by your talents. I can learn so much from you! Perhaps an encore?" He says with a grin, indicating the large locked drawer.

Per: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Magnus raises a thin, elvish eyebrow at Vilya's exaggerated movements. He starts to ask if she is alright, but at a silent growl from the dark haired woman he decides to keep his questions to himself.

When Izkreal begins his casting, Magnus frowns as he realizes that the elf is casting multiple healing spells.

"Shards and shells woman! What did that trap do to you? You look uninjured?!" He asks in what might be genuine concern.


Bribes always welcome

Vilya opens the drawer easily with her tools. The drawer slides open, revealing a dozen rolled parchments and a book with a beautifully tooled leather cover and a small brass clasp. On the center of the cover is an embossed telescope/lighning bolt sigil like the signet marker found in the desk


Elf Magus 5

Magnus eyes practically gleam in the glow of the magic light as Vilya opens the drawer to reveal the parchments and book.

"Ah. Jackpot!" he says with a feral grin.


Female Halfling Swashbuckler 6

"Really looks like a bunch of old notes to me?"


Female Human
Magnus Darkenstar wrote:

When Izkreal begins his casting, Magnus frowns as he realizes that the elf is casting multiple healing spells.

"Shards and shells woman! What did that trap do to you? You look uninjured?!" He asks in what might be genuine concern.

Vilya grudgingly accepts Izkrael's healing as she turns to Magnus.

"Ever been out in the jungle? Last time I was in the deep forest, a pack of zombies nearly ripped my leg clean off. This is nothing."

Back up to 22 of 35 hp.


"Notes are good," Kessel says, "Perhaps we might find out what this thing is without going down into the hold ourselves. I'm thinking that magical darkness we encountered earlier was placed by our adversary, which tells us that now that the sun has gone down it's truly in it's element. Maybe there's something here that will tell us how to deal with it."


Bribes always welcome

The rolled parchments turn out to be more navigational charts. The book is a journal detailing Vossian's travels through the uninhibited islands along the western Mazatil coast and the Sargasso Sea.


Bribes always welcome

I'm going to assume you leaf through the journal

The journal details about a year of travel. It seems that Vossian was interested in exotic oozes and slimes for Alchemical purposes. He had sailed to Mazatil in hopes that he would find new species among the dense jungles that most of the islands and coastlines hereabout sport.

Towards the end, the tone of the journal changes ...

>>Handout<<


Bribes always welcome

Sorry that previous pic was just too small

Top half

Bottom half


Kessel quickly scans through the journal looking for anything of note. Any strange discoveries or any new acquisitions on the journey, Kessel also quickly looks through the last few pages to see if any mention is made of the impending doom which clearly took the lives of all the passengers and crew.

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