Gorak finds the doors are locked...
Gorak finds the doors are locked...
"Oh right. Didn't someone have a key given to them by Master Gond?" Gorak says addressing the group.
"Aye lad got it right here!" Torgus moves towards the doors Gorak is at and unlocks them with the key if he's able.
Javi, who'd been letting others take the lead, can't overcome his inborn cautiousness, "Uh.. Torgus... mind if I take a look at that door first. I mean, the Order took the time to hide the door. They might have also taken the precaution to trap it in some way."
He steps forward, running a practiced hand over the hinges as well as any other spots likely to hide any surprises on the door.
Javi finds no traps, so after unlocking the doors and swinging them wide you find a set of four covered wagons inside. The cave is bereft of any other exits or decoration.
There are harnesses at the front of the wagons, though there are no beasts of burden in sight.
Grumbling - Great, now I am a beast of burden as well.
I grab one of the wagons and start to pull it.
Javi watches skeptically as the stout dwarf begins to pull on one of the wagons, knowing his own strength won't amount to much, "Surely there's a better way of doing this. Gorak, did you see any animals that could pull these for us when you were... in the air?"
Javi watches skeptically as the stout dwarf begins to pull on one of the wagons, knowing his own strength won't amount to much, "Surely there's a better way of doing this. Gorak, did you see any animals that could pull these for us when you were... in the air?"
Gorak helps pull the cart (in humanoid form)
As Frakdar and Gorak attempt to get the wagons moving they strain to almost bursting, but the stubborn wooden constructions don't budge. Looking closer you notice that each covered wagon has a small lock-box attached to it's front. The box is not locked.
Seeing that the others couldn't budge the wagons Torgus takes on the challenge and roars as he tries to move the cart.
Torgus strains almost to point of herniation, but is unable to make the cart move.
Hrrumph, wheels must be jammed, let me take a look at them.
Perception:
Hmmm, there is a lock box here with little toys and something written on the lock box. The toy looks like a little bronze ox and the word is bèf.
I assume at this point a large ox suddenly appears un front of me. If not ignore this.
I jump back surprised as the giant ox suddenly appears before me.
Grumbling - A little warning from the master would have been nice.
Hrrumph, wheels must be jammed, let me take a look at them.
Perception: 1d20+8
Hmmm, there is a lock box here with little toys and something written on the lock box. The toy looks like a little bronze ox and the word is bèf.
I assume at this point a large ox suddenly appears un front of me. If not ignore this.
I jump back surprised as the giant ox suddenly appears before me.
Grumbling - A little warning from the master would have been nice.
After Gorak sees the box and it's contents, Gorak puts no resistance as Frakdar pushes past to attempt to show up two large men. Gorak takes a step back and watches smugly as the man struggles. Gorak does jump a bit when the oxen appear (presumably).
An ox does indeed appear at Frakdar's utterance, though it is constructed of bronze and sits heavy upon the floor of the cave. Looking up at Frakdar it snorts and awaits instruction.
Er, anyone here speak ox?
Turning to the ox - Please stand so that we may fasten the wagon to you.
Looking at the others. Well don't stand there, see if the others have similar magic beasts so that we can get these wagons moving.
The bronze oxen reacts to Frakdar's words as though they are understood, and Cassadar finds that the other wagons are similarly outfitted with metallic beasts of burden.
Yep - I climb into one of the wagons and begin to direct the ox back to the compound.
Come on all, times a wastin'.
The bronze oxen reacts to Frakdar's words as though they are understood, and Cassadar finds that the other wagons are similarly outfitted with metallic beasts of burden.
Yes. Off we go.
The oxen are stoic companions on your trip back to the rendezvous, but not the most talkative.
Arriving back at the appointed spot you wait for the rest of the monastic school to join you...
The oxen are stoic companions on your trip back to the rendezvous, but not the most talkative.
Arriving back at the appointed spot you wait for the rest of the monastic school to join you...
** spoiler omitted **
perception
"You think they'll keep us waiting here long?"
"You think they'll keep us waiting here long?"
"I hope not. I'm not complacent by nature." Gorak fidgets
Perception:
The old man decided to go for a hike while we dragged his beasts up here.
I point up the side of the mountain.
After only a few short minutes waiting, you all see the procession coming down from the mountain. Heading the procession is Master Gond and the other master's that you have come to know so far - Mtumbo, Fangul, the Half-Elf Harrower; as well as a couple more that seem respected - a willowy female halfling and a half-orc missing an eye and ear on one side of his face.
The procession is about 50 people entire and they stop momentarily when they join the wagon train. Master Gond steps forward and nods approvingly that the covered wagons are all present and accounted for. He then climbs up into the back of the lead wagon and waves for the party to follow.
At any hesitation, Fangul verbally prods you to move after him "Best follow, master not like to wait..."
After only a few short minutes waiting, you all see the procession coming down from the mountain. Heading the procession is Master Gond and the other master's that you have come to know so far - Mtumbo, Fangul, the Half-Elf Harrower; as well as a couple more that seem respected - a willowy female halfling and a half-orc missing an eye and ear on one side of his face.
The procession is about 50 people entire and they stop momentarily when they join the wagon train. Master Gond steps forward and nods approvingly that the covered wagons are all present and accounted for. He then climbs up into the back of the lead wagon and waves for the party to follow.
At any hesitation, Fangul verbally prods you to move after him "Best follow, master not like to wait..."
"I can keep an eye from above if that would be helpful." Gorak offers
I step down from my wagon and walk over to the wagon indicated by Master Gond.
I bow my head to him. It will be an honor to ride with you Master.
Smiling as though he knows more than you do Fangul responds "No need beast-man, better ride in wagon with Master."
Smiling as though he knows more than you do Fangul responds "No need beast-man, better ride in wagon with Master."
Gorak nods and complies. Jumping into the wagon.
Javi jumps to obey, trying to watch all the masters at once as he vaults into the wagon.
Climbing into the back of the covered wagon you are momentarily taken aback when you find that it is more spacious within than seemed possible from without. Master Gond is seated on a cushioned bench before a wooden table. He is currently preparing a pot of tea.
There is room for you to sit on similar benches to his side. Once you are all aboard and seated, the wagon begins to move and sway gently from side to side.
Master Gond completes his tea preparations and looks up towards you "Tea? It will be a long journey towards our destination and I find words always flow more easily with a wetted throat and warmed palm."
Climbing into the back of the covered wagon you are momentarily taken aback when you find that it is more spacious within than seemed possible from without. Master Gond is seated on a cushioned bench before a wooden table. He is currently preparing a pot of tea.
There is room for you to sit on similar benches to his side. Once you are all aboard and seated, the wagon begins to move and sway gently from side to side.
Master Gond completes his tea preparations and looks up towards you "Tea? It will be a long journey towards our destination and I find words always flow more easily with a wetted throat and warmed palm."
"Tea is always welcome." Gorak says as he takes his seat.
Javi nods his agreement with the half-orc as he also takes a seat, waiting until the tea is ready to be poured. While he keeps his face mostly passive, it's difficult for Javi to contain his excitement to hear more about their destination and purpose.
Before the master can begin, he sweeps his eyes over the group, wondering how this strange and diverse team will work together.
Thank you. The tea is appreciated. I do not wish to be greedy, but if there is any food, that would be appreciated. I seemed to have missed breakfast between the Mwangi bear hugging me to sleep and the attack this morning.
Frakdar once again scans his companions trying to figure in what area each ones talents lie.
The Brawling Bear had stayed quiet after embarrising himself with the wagons but he has finally gotten back his words. "Food would be good, hehe." He takes the offering of tea as well, "Ah more of this drink is it the same one as before?" He asks while eyeing the beverage.
Master Gond pours five cups of tea for the applicants, then one for himself. It is indeed the same tisane that awakened you from Mtumbo induced slumber. He then points at a hamper behind Torgus "There is some waybread within if you need sustenance. It has been stored here only several short months so should remain palatable yet."
Giving you a few moments to either savor the tisane or stuff your face with waybread, Master Gond continues "You must be wondering both why and where, so allow me to attempt to explain. I have received an invitation that was both unexpected and at the same time unable to be ignored. This has forced me to curtail your usually long and arduous application process and take flight from the monastery."
"We are bound for a place known as the Kingdom of the Impossible. Do you have knowledge of it?" Gond pauses for a response, so that he may colour his further commentary on the matter.
I politely take one piece of waybread.
Hearing the Master's inquiry, I shake my head.
Javi's expression becomes distant and a bit awed as he sips his tisane, "Does the Kingdom of the Impossible have anything to do with the Impossible Kingdoms?" He looks around the table, "My mom used to tell me stories about powerful genies serving mysterious princes in huge palaces when I was little." When that doesn't seem to explain everything, he shrugs, "She was Vudrani."
Gorak says nothing, but his hawklike eyes watch the group intently and occationally his ears perk (actually moving slightly) as someone say's something interesting.
As Torgus eats the bread up and drinks down the tea, though wishing it was ale, he ponders this place that the Master speaks of. "I once killed a man that claimed to be from there, though I don't know his real name but his title was the Desert Dervish or something like that. Not much of a fighter but thats about all I know of this Kingdom of the Impossible." Torgus stares off thinking about that fight for a minute then shakes his head back to reality.
Continuing "The kingdom is upon an island, far to the South and across the sands of Qadira. It was gifted to the Vudrani Maharajahs an age ago by Nex himself, and it was then added to their kingdoms. As the wasp has said, there are genies of all the cardinal elemental forces both bound to servitude and walking as free citizens."
"But it is also home to the Houses of Perfection, or so they call themselves" there is a hint of derision and scorn in Gond's words "There are three Monasteries - the Untwisting Iron, Unfolding Wind and Unblinking Flame. Once a decade they meet in a competition known as The Challenges of Sky and Heaven. There the three compete amongst themselves for the prestige begat of success... however this year - there will be four competitors." a wry grin alights on his face and his eyes sparkle hungrily.
Continuing "The kingdom is upon an island, far to the South and across the sands of Qadira. It was gifted to the Vudrani Maharajahs an age ago by Nex himself, and it was then added to their kingdoms. As the wasp has said, there are genies of all the cardinal elemental forces both bound to servitude and walking as free citizens."
"But it is also home to the Houses of Perfection, or so they call themselves" there is a hint of derision and scorn in Gond's words "There are three Monasteries - the Untwisting Iron, Unfolding Wind and Unblinking Flame. Once a decade they meet in a competition known as The Challenges of Sky and Heaven. There the three compete amongst themselves for the prestige begat of success... however this year - there will be four competitors." a wry grin alights on his face and his eyes sparkle hungrily.
"The elemental aspect appeals to me." Gorak says as he sips tea "This should be interesting."
Javi can't help but mirror the old man's grin, "So what are these competitions? And how does a school compete? Does a single champion get chosen to compete in everything? Does a single person get crowned the champion? Or does an entire school compete as a team for total victory?"
Knowledge(religion):
--> do I know anything about these schools? I am from southern Ossiria which is a lot closer to this Kingdom of the Impossible than everyone else I believe.
Hmm, Kingdom of the Impossible. I think that I may have heard mention of it. Let me think.
And I always enjoy a good competition. Anyone want to try to bull rush me?
You see Frakdar give a slight grin at this comment, the first emotion you have seen from the sourpuss so far.
"The challenges are many and varied involving both Masters and Disciples... I do not doubt that we will all find enough to slake our thirsts. We will compete as a school, and while some will bear more burden than others - we must all succeed if we are to be victorious."
"The challenges are many and varied involving both Masters and Disciples... I do not doubt that we will all find enough to slake our thirsts. We will compete as a school, and while some will bear more burden than others - we must all succeed if we are to be victorious."
"Should be interesting." Gorak sips tea
Javi nods, but there's been something nagging at the back of his mind since Master Gond had begun explaining things. "You said earlier that these events have 'forced you to take flight from the monastery'... is something happening here that we need to run from? Or do we simply not have much time to get to Jalmerey?"
Smiling slightly at Javi's statement "My words have been given more meaning than intended. They only imply that we needed make haste to reach Jalmeray in time. At any rate... we have a vessel coming to meet us in Sedeq...we should be there shortly"