Jask shakes her head. "I was out of the loop for too long," she says. "I was already noticing a bunch of new faces during my brief time back there. Besides which, they could also have just been free agents hired by the government for some task. There can't be too many things that would bring them out here though, other than the same thing that's brought us. Which would mean they got ahead of us."
"We'd better find the others before they get too far," Jask says, looking to the south. "They've probably left a fairly obvious trail. Makoa, can you find them?"
"I don't think young people use the word 'spryer,'" Douena muses. "But I guess you're probably older now than you were when you were older. Because of elves being older. If you were your age now, you'd be like a child!"
Jask pauses for a moment, then nods. "I hadn't thought of it like that. Still, I feel younger. Do young people really not use 'spryer'? I suppose they don't."
Urza Sha'rahad wrote:
"Well, I hope you get the feel real quick. And I'm sure you'll regain your spiritual connection with time. Um, do you think you'll look into your new history and culture or anything?"
"Another thing I hadn't thought of," Jask responds. S/he sighs. "I'm really not sure. Physically, I'm an elf, but I never really grew up with them, and I'm not really sure I'd feel part of their culture even if I did study up on it. But I might. Apparently, I have a long life ahead of me now. I'll certainly have lots of time for it."
"So, Jask, how is your... how are you holding up? We've been through a lot of scrapes, but this was like your first time again."
Jask shrugs. "It's hard to say," s/he says. "It hasn't even been a full day since I woke up in this new body. Strangely, I think I am adjusting to it more easily than I am the fact that my magic is weakened. I know this is a normal effect that comes with rising from the dead, but I am having a much harder time adjusting to it than the fact that, physically, I am so changed."
Jask smiles slightly. "Perhaps it is because this new body is, in many ways, better than my previous one. I am younger, stronger, spryer. I have better vision and hearing. I suppose that's easy to get used to. It still feels weird, and I'm sure it'll feel weird for a while yet. And I'm sure there are other things about this body that I haven't experienced yet that will take some getting used to. But overall, I'd call it a good sort of weird."
She leans closer to Jask and pats his/her hand. "Are you all right for traveling?" she asks earnestly.
Jask takes a deep breath and nods. "The physical weakness is not going to go away without magical intervention, so I'm simply going to have to make do. As for how I feel mentally... Well, I don't want to hold us up. And perhaps being active and getting back into the thick of things will help me adjust. So yes, I think I'm all right for travelling. Thank you." S/he smiles at Douena.
Mahjik can reply retroactively if he wishes. I'll just move things on for now.
Jask remains up on the hill for quite some time--well over an hour. Eventually, however, s/he comes back down and sits with the rest of you. "My friends, thank you for everything you've done. I am simply overwhelmed that you have gone to such lengths to bring me back, and I will never forget this. It will take me some time to get used to this new body. There is much that is different. Even the way it sees is new to me. My vision is much clearer, but at the same time, disorienting. I have spent some time praying, and it has helped me clear my mind. Nonetheless, it will still take me a bit of time to adjust fully to this. Please bear with me during this time."
Jask pauses for a moment, then continues, "However, although much has changed physically, mentally, I am still me. I still have all my memories--well, I think I do--and I still have my faith and my spells."
Jask thanks Urza for the clothing adjustments and then allows himself to be ushered up the hill by Douena. "Thank you. I just need a little bit of time," s/he says, sitting down by the tree. "Don't worry. I'll adjust."
Douena retrieves Jask's pack and then sits beside her companionably. "We thought about trying to raise you with the scroll from the Shiv, but I was afraid I'd mess it all up trying to cast it; and anyway, you were kind of old so it seemed counterproductive. But now look! you're an elf! They live for a really long time! You've got a whole new life, and none of those meanies from the Sargavan government will never know you're you if they want to make trouble for you. You're not all new," she says comfortingly. "One of your teeth is the same."
Jask runs a finger over his/her teeth, then frowns and sighs. "I suppose I'll get used to it." S/he grabs the pack, rummages through it, and pulls out some clothes. S/he begins hastily pulling them on, stumbling about a bit on wobbly legs. "Ow!" s/he cries at one point, almost falling over. "These limbs don't move quite the way I expect them to."
The clothes are rather poor-fitting now, but they suffice in covering her up. Jask stands unsteadily on her feet. "I think I need to pray a bit. I feel weak. Maybe it's hunger. No, it's more than hunger. It must be that weakening effect of coming back from the dead. I've read about it. But I think I am hungry, too."
Jask tries to walk, making it only a few steps before nearly falling over. S/he laughs a little and gives Douena a smile. "Everything's new, it seems." S/he tries a few more steps, which work a little better. Soon, s/he's able to walk back to the camp.
"Funeral? Druid? Cats?" Jask rasps in confusion and runs a hand across his/her face, then stops and stares at the hand. "What happened to my skin?"
Jask sits up and looks at the rest of herself. "What happened to me?" He grabs a clump of his now longer hair. "Even my hair is pale. You'd better get me those clothes now. I think I'll just sit here a moment. This is a lot to take in."
Jask looks up at Douena and any of the rest of you standing nearby, then seems to notice the sky up above and the rain falling. "Wha--" Jask's voice cracks on first trying to speak, but finally comes out raspily, "What happened? Where are we? What happened to the intruders?"
"I think we should continue to the city as planned," Jask says. "As Shokambe said before, they are unlikely to be watching everyone who goes in or out. The tree is meant to scare. We shouldn't let it."
It looks like everyone is paralyzed by fear of giant insectoids!
Yeah, I've been starting to wonder about the lack of responses this week. I guess everyone is just busy.
"It probably wouldn't harm our progress to go around," Jask suggests. "In fact, if the ground collapses under us, it could cost us more time getting back out then it would just going around."
"Perhaps they previously only came one at a time," Jask suggests. "Or maybe there was only one to begin with, but he was gradually gathering friends together with news of a great food source."
Jask gathers Mahjik, Sasha, and any other injured party members together in one spot. He waits a moment while Ishirou makes certain all the chemosits are completely dead. He then asks for Nethys's aid in healing everyone. Nethys, however, is apparently in a fickle mood, so Jask has to repeat it a couple of times.
Jask nods sadly. "It is far beyond my power to restore her vision if she loses it. Hopefully, she has not contracted the disease. She only had a brief exposure. I am also concerned about Mahjik. He was drained by the undead, and it is not a drain I can reverse. With luck, he'll be able to fight it off himself. If not, he'll be stuck with it permanently unless we can acquire more powerful magic for him."
I would say that both greater restoration and regenerate could cure the Perception penalty; however, lesser and normal restoration would not. Diagnose disease is available to learn and since Douena regains spells in the even, she could learn it and diagnose Sasha before she needs to make any more saving throws (if she needs to make any at all).
"The main expedition will have too much equipment with them to use the shortcut, anyway," Jask says. "Our objective is to get to Tazion as quickly as possible. We don't need to leave messages about every shortcut we find. We should only warn them of major dangers or delays."
Jask looks carefully at the blue orb and frowns. "It's hard to say, but I think it should be safe to smash it from up close, just so long as we stay on the outside." He takes a tentative step closer to it, then another, and finally moves within 5 ft of it (to W 64). "Its power seems to be concentrated inside it."
Jask goes over to examine Pezock, who tries to shoo him away at first, but then lets him examine him. "Yours is a little more serious than Douena or Makoa," Jask says. "It will heal on its own, but it will take several days. However, I can help a bit."
He lays his hands on the tengu and says a quiet prayer to Nethys. His hands glow lightly and Pezock's dried skin begins to look more normal. The lost feathers don't grow back, but otherwise Pezock now looks fine.
I'm assuming this is ability damage that will come back with rest? Makoa and I both only took 1 point of Con damage, so there's no mechanical penalty yet.
It's just damage, not drain, yes, so it will heal at the regular rate.
Jask comes over to Douena and examines her face. "It doesn't look serious," he says. "It should clear up in a day or so. Just drink lots of water."
Jask finishes looking over Sasha's hands and arms. "I can't see anything remaining on your skin," he says. "That's not a guarantee of anything, but it's a good sign. We'll keep an eye on you."
Jask asks Athyra as Douena suggests. Athyra's shrugging response needs little translation, but Jask translates anyway. "She doesn't know. She says she just listens to the wind and the clouds."
Jask turns back to Athyra and asks her something more. He then translates her reply. "She says we should simply return any bodies we find to the earth where they belong."
Current Diplomacy total: 22 This is enough to shift her attitude to indifferent.
Jask begins speaking to her, and after a moment, she hesitantly responds. They then begin a short conversation, calling back and forth to one another. She strokes the neck of her dinosaur, which relaxes. At one point, Jask points to Douena. He then indicates Sasha and looks about for Alton. Noticing the flappybite flying off to the south, he points just as Alton dives down (probably at prey). The woman glares, and yells something angrily at Jask. He quickly responds in an apologetic manner and her anger seems to subside a bit.
"I think we're getting through," he says to the rest of you.
There is still the opportunity to help adjust her attitude more if anyone wishes to.
Polyglot translation for Douena:
"We mean you no harm!" Jask says. "My name is Jask and these are my friends. We are only passing through and we do not wish to take your territory from you. I promise we will not attack you or anything else in your territory."
"Then why are you here in such large numbers and with weapons?" the woman replies.
"The weapons are for self-defence only," Jask says. "We are merely travellers on our way eventually to Kalabuto. We need to get to the other side of the hills and cross the plains."
The woman considers for a moment. "Very well," she says, stroking the neck of the dinosaur, relaxing it. "But I will watch you until you leave."
"We understand," Jask says. He points to Douena. "My friend, Douena here is interested in your dinosaur and where you got it. Don't worry; it is simple curiosity. No one has any desire to take the dinosaur from you. My friend Sasha has a dinosaur, too." He pauses to look for Alton, noticing the flappybite. He points. "Over there."
At that moment, Alton dives down, presumably attacking prey. "You said you would not attack anything in this territory!" the woman yells angrily.
"My apologies," Jask says, "but he is a young dinosaur and not well trained yet. I will see to it that Sasha keeps him under control."
"Oh, I suppose it's all right," the woman says. "Animals must eat, after all."
Jask nods at Lorenz's words. "Yes, that's what scares me too. I'm sure it must be linked in some way to the darkness in Douena's dream. The Pathfinders and the Aspis Consortium and the other groups are looking for fame and riches in this city. I think we need to seek out and stop the darkness. If it weren't for that, I'd be inclined to agree with Douena that things would be better off if the city weren't found."
"There could be many reasons," Jask says. "Perhaps there's something in the city they want. Or maybe they've been hired to assassinate someone in one of the other groups, maybe even us. Whatever the case, I'm more concerned by the revelation there's another darkness that's going on unobserved."
Jask gives Douena a sympathetic smile. "My apologies, Douena," he says. "But if I understand things correctly, we're supposed to meet our guide at dawn, which means we need to be up before dawn. However, if you ask nice enough, maybe Makoa would be willing to carry you to the gates while you sleep some more."
"I suppose it's possible the baron was worried the Pathfinders wouldn't accept a letter delivered by a runner," Jask says to Lorenz. "Still, it is odd, as Amivor said. We should get back to the inn and prepare for our departure in the morning. We have ignored Douena's warnings for too long."
Urza stomps off. He first looks for Douena and Pezock then, if the others follow him, he goes to tell Shokambe. If Shokambe can't leave immediately, Urza will try to get the other guide that was mentioned (he stays out of town right?)
According to Amivor, Nkechi lives on the bluffs to the north of town. You weren't given any more precise directions than that, although Amivor also claimed his home is difficult to reach.
"Lorenz is right," Jask says. "We need to regroup before we rush off anywhere."
Jask stretches his arms and hands, and licks his lips several times to get the taste of the gag out of his mouth. "Thank you, my friends," he says. "I owe you yet again for freeing me from bonds."
"I wouldn't go talk to the government," Douena warns. "Once they have us inside their building all surrounded by soldiers and guards, what if they won't let us out again? Jask, if you go back to them and then sneak out of town, won't they just have another reason to track you down and put you back in a cage? After all that trouble to clear your name in the first place! I knew this was a bad city," she grumbles.
Jask nods. "They'll try to track me down, but they'll likely do that if I do anything other than work for them to help them find Saventh Yhi. I think the best thing I can do is delay them for a day or two while we prepare for departure. I'll go talk to them in the morning as they requested. I don't know yet exactly what I'll say, but I have all night to figure that out." He smiles at Douena. "Don't worry about me. They won't arrest me right away."
"Kidnap us, no," Jask says, "but arrest us, yes. If I don't show up tomorrow, they will start looking for me, and if they don't find me, they'll look for the rest of you, since they know you're associated with me. It would probably be best if I show up tomorrow and try something similar to what Mahjik suggested. The bureaucracy in this city can be quite convoluted. I may be able to keep them tied up in paperwork for a few days, giving us enough time to find out where we're going and then make a break for it."
He takes a deep breath and sighs. "It figures. I finally clear my name, and then I end up actually conspiring against the government. A little of the good. A little of the bad. Such are the ways of Nethys."
"Perhaps we should wait until we know where we're going," Jask suggests. "Once we know that, we can determine if we can find the location on our own or if we'll need some help."
"Yes, all right, Pezock," Jask says. "Mahjik wasn't trying to impugn your character." He turns to Mahjik. "You make a good point. I brought it up mainly because our agreement with the Pathfinders means they'll foot the bill. However, it definitely would be a potential security risk."
He looks to Douena. "However, Douena, I truly hope we don't encounter any more cannibals." Before she can become upset at this, he quickly continues, "That said, I'm sure there will other dangers in the jungle. New ones to keep you from getting bored."
"What about hiring a local guide?" Jask suggests. "Obviously, there won't be any guides who know the way to the city, but there must be people who know the jungle well enough to keep us going in the right general direction."
A few minutes after the negotiations are complete, he leans toward Jask.
"Do you think we might be able to pick up a tiara for Douena with some of the coin they give us? How much do those things cost, anyway? If it settles her down for a few days, then I'd be willing to contribute a fair portion of the cost."
Jask shrugs. "I suppose we could do that. I'm not sure it will really solve the problem though. At best, it just puts it off for a while."
After Urza mentions knowing where the tiara Douena wants is, Jask glances at Gelik, who doesn't seem to have heard. "Okay," Jask says. "Let's go there. Do you remember how much it cost?"
"You don't need to stay if you don't wish, Douena," Jask says. "Indeed, it might be best if most of you leave, as that way, there'll be fewer distractions."
He opens the door and calls out. "It's all right. You can come back in now."
"That's all right, Douena," Jask says. "I know what a tiara looks like. I'll do my best to get you one, but you may have to accept something else instead. Requiring a tiara for payment is, well, a little unusual. But I promise you I'll try." He moves over to the door. "Shall I call them back in?"
"I would be happy to do the negotiating," Jask says. "I only hope I can do an adequate job and live up to the trust you'll be placing in me. Before I do so though, I want to be clear on what our goals are. We want an alternative for people who don't wish to join the Pathfinders when this is all over. This alternative could be in coin or treasure. How big should that be? What value do we place on Pathfinder membership?"
Jask sighs. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask for an alternative reward for those not interested in joining the Pathfinders. Douena can get her tiara and Pezock can have his...useful stuff."
"There's no reason you can't buy a tiara with your share of the money, Douena," Jask says. "However, I suppose we could try to negotiate for more money so that you can afford a more expensive one if it's that important to you."
"Looks like we we're going to work with the Pathfinders then," Jask says. "The next question is, do we like what they've offered us, or do we want to negotiate for more?"
Jask shakes his head. "If we make an agreement with the Pathfinders, we should honour it," he says. "If we don't wish to honour it, then we shouldn't make the agreement."
"There's no competing with a lizard, I'm afraid, Gelik," Jask says. "It also overshadowed my own announcement of my freedom. Don't worry, I'm sure we will all be at the meeting tomorrow. I'm certain we all want to know what the Pathfinders have to say and offer."
He looks up and blinks as he sees Jask and Makoa looking at them and remembers Makoa's announcement. "Congratulations, Jask! Glad to see they didn't arrest either one of you!"
"Well, technically, they did arrest me," Jask says. "They just let me go again once the Baron had reviewed the evidence you recovered for me. But thank you for your congratulations, my friend. It is a nice feeling to know that I am no longer a wanted criminal. And it seems I'm not the only happy one. I'm glad to see that Douena has cheered up since this morning."
He turns to Makoa. "A round of drinks sounds like a good plan!"
"It's time for a bit of celebration!" Makoa calls out as he sees the group, waiting until he's closer to explain. He pats Jask on the back. "Now we travel with a man whose name is cleared!"
Jask looks a touch embarrassed by Makoa's introduction. "It's true," he says with a smile. "The baron has granted me my freedom, and I owe this to all of you. I think a celebration is definitely called for."
After arresting Jask, the guards take Makoa to a small chamber just inside the wall where he can relax and wait. The room is essentially an off-duty lounge for the guards. There's a table and several chairs in the room, a deck of cards and some dice on the table. A short while later, they bring him a small plate of fruit and some water.
Over the next couple of hours, several guards come in and out of the room as there shifts change. Most of them just look at Makoa and then try to avoid looking any more at him, but a couple invite him to join in a dice or card game.
Finally, a guard comes in with Jask, who smiles broadly at the sight of Makoa. "It's all over, my friend," he says. "The baron has granted me my freedom, and even my old job back if I want it. I need to think about that a bit, but I will probably turn it down. I hope the wait didn't bore you too much."
