After her little bit of shopping, she spends a little time spreading rumors through the town that the visitors who just came through were very devout and were seen entering the church several times during their visit, and left town heading south on the road. (see rumormonger rogue talent - it's on Luna's profile).
After chatting up the locals a bit and spreading her rumors, she leaves town to the south in case she was recognized by anyone, then sneaks back to the boat.
The ship leaves out two days later, with the group playing cards as best they can with a deck that has four suits from 1 to 10 and twenty face cards. Quite a few rules changes over time to accommodate, especially since the face cards are more like tarot cards than playing cards.
Finally, toward evening on the day it left the village, the ship approaches the city of Verdant Shoals. The city is the largest city the group has seen on this world, probably with a population in the low six digits, if you include the farmland around it.
The ship puts in on the port side of the harbor, near the magical light house. Military ships can be seen on the opposite side of the harbor, heavy ballista mounted on the iron clad behemoths.
The docks are fairly busy, even this late in the day. Magical lights brighten the dock near day light levels. Burly men and women begin unloading the bales of sugar cane almost as soon as the ramps are down.
"Ok, time to find an Inn, preferably nowhere near a church and then find the passage we're looking for. "
Sterling smirks as Luna returns with playing cards. He shakes her head and smiles at her. Over the next few days, Sterling would become very grateful for the cards as a way to ward off the insanity of boredom. Thanks to magic, he and the others in the group were able to stay clean and fresh. If they'd had been in the old world, so long away from a bath or shower, they'd smell like hot garbage in a sewer.
It was odd, Sterling was beginning to get used to this new way of life, with magic breaking all the rules. Sterling heads topside as they sail into the harbor. A smile crosses his face. He had never thought he would see a city again. The sights, smells and sounds of the city wash over him.
"Ok, time to find an Inn, preferably nowhere near a church and then find the passage we're looking for. "
Sterling looks at Harry. Do you know what large cities provide?...Opportunity and anonymity. This city could provide a unique opportunity to gather significant intelligence on the church, maps of cities, distribution of armies and sizes. Hierarchy. …and if an underground resistance exists. It would exist here.
An average suite includes a fireplace, a superior lock on the door, and either two bedrooms or one larger bedroom.
It's fairly easy to find a good sized inn with available rooms, including suites. The rates are about as expected.
As they disembark and head from the docks into the city, a Mazzy Star tune occupies his thoughts. The loss of music from the old world left a constant hole in his soul. As they reach the tightly packed buildings and cobblestone streets, Sterling starts to engage the night time populace about areas of lodgings. He locates something suitable.
Sterling opens a window overlooking the harbor from their third story suite. He stretches a bit and heads back into the common room of the suite.
Well, We are farther than I really thought we'd get. No matter what we decide to do tomorrow, buy a boat, or investigate the city... I need to convert some of our raw resources into local currency.
Sterling sits on a comfortable couch.
We are still pretty much ignorant about this world. Hell, Rantherius is just a name on an ancient map. Most of the info we have, came from Apostate, who shouldn't be expected to be up on current events. We really need to talk about our next steps. Any ideas?Thoughts?Musings?
"I think gathering intel here would be a good idea. Might be best to not ask too many questions but to listen to what is being talked about here so we can figure out the safest place to ask questions and get the info we need."
Sterling pours some water into a clay cup. He takes a drink. He expected a livelier conversation, but most were acting jet lagged.
After I can secure liquid assets, Finding a cartographer and maps would be low risk. Maybe you can do that Paul?
I have an idea for Luna. Sterling smiles at her. His smile fades quickly.
After learning the priest in Demonreach was using his position to rape a teenage girl, I figured out one thing, human nature doesn't change, no matter where or when.
Human nature also tells me that in a city this size, we will find prostitution. You've got streetwalkers, and whorehouses, and what we would be looking for...High end whores. The kind that run in high society circles...The kind that corrupt clergy would use. We would just need to find one with useful information. High value information for low risk.
Sterling spends a few moments summoning Salazar. The Serpent now has some webbed claws and gills. Sterling casts mage armor on the eidolon. He uses his demon power to cast invisibility on Salazar.
Go to the harbor. See what defenses under the water protect it. Look for any other things of interest, like caves or vessels that travel underwater. Stay hidden.
Salazar
Take 10 Climb and swim = 25 DC
Init +4; Senses Darkvision (Ex) Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+5 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 30 (4d10+8)
Fort +2, Ref +9, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft
Melee 2 claws +10 (1d6+2), bite +9 (1d6+2) and +4 Tail Slap (1d6+2)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft (10 ft for bite).
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Base Atk +4; CMB +4 ; CMD 18
Feats Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus(Claws)
Skills Acrobatics +10, Escape Artist +10, Perception +8, Stealth +20, Climb +15, Swim +15, +8 racial bonus to Stealth, Swim, Climb
Serpentine
Free Evolutions
bite, climb, reach (bite), tail, tail slap.
Special: This includes a number of abilities gained by all eidolons as they increase in power. Each of these bonuses is described below.
Darkvision (Ex): The eidolon has darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.
Link (Ex): A summoner and his eidolon share a mental link allows for communication across any distance (as long as they are on the same plane). This communication is a free action, allowing the summoner to give orders to his eidolon at any time. In addition, magic items interfere with the summoner's connection to his eidolon. As a result, the summoner and his eidolon share magic item slots. For example, if the summoner is wearing a ring, his eidolon can wear no more than one ring. In case of a conflict, the items worn by the summoner remain active, and those used by the eidolon become dormant. The eidolon must possess the appropriate appendages to utilize a magic item.
Share Spells (Ex): The summoner may cast a spell with a target of “you” on his eidolon (as a spell with a range of touch) instead of on himself. A summoner may cast spells on his eidolon even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the eidolon's type (outsider). Spells cast in this way must come from the summoner spell list. This ability does not allow the eidolon to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.
Evasion (Ex): If an eidolon is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex save for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw.
Claws (Ex) 1
Source: Advanced Player's Guide
An eidolon has a pair of vicious claws at the end of its limbs, giving it two claw attacks. These attacks are primary attacks. The claws deal 1d4 points of damage (1d6 if Large, 1d8 if Huge). The eidolon must have the limbs evolution to take this evolution. This evolution can only be applied to the limbs (legs) evolution once This evolution can be selected more than once, but the eidolon must possess an equal number of the limbs evolution.
Ability Increase (Ex)2
An eidolon grows larger muscles, gains faster ref lexes, achieves greater intelligence, or acquires another increase to one of its abilities. Increase one of the eidolon’s ability scores by +2. This evolution can be selected more than once. It can only be applied once to an individual ability score, plus 1 additional time for every 6 levels the summoner possesses
Swim (Ex) 1
An eidolon gains webbed hands, feet, or powerful flippers, giving it a swim speed equal to its base speed. This evolution does not give the eidolon the ability to breathe underwater. This evolution can be selected more than once. Each additional time it is selected, increase the eidolon’s swim speed by 20 feet.
Skilled (Ex)(Stealth) 1
An eidolon becomes especially adept at a specific skill, gaining a +8 racial bonus on that skill. This evolution can be selected more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time an eidolon selects this evolution, it applies to a different skill.
Limbs (Ex) 2
An eidolon grows an additional pair of limbs. These limbs can take one of two forms. They can be made into legs, complete with feet. Each pair of legs increases the eidolon's base speed by 10 feet. Alternatively, they can be made into arms, complete with hands. The eidolon does not gain any additional natural attacks for an additional pair of arms, but it can take other evolutions that add additional attacks (such as claws or a slam). Arms that have hands can be used to wield weapons, if the eidolon is proficient. This evolution can be selected more than once.
Gills (Ex) 1
An eidolon has gills and can breathe underwater indefinitely.
"Hmmm... finding streetwalkers and whorehouses might be fairly easy if there are any to be found... finding high class courtesans might be a bit harder, but I think I can probably do that... Anything specific you are wanting to learn from them? or just whatever I can glean?"
Should you find one, tell her you have a rich merchant who is interested in only the best, and has a purse to make it happen.
Sterling looks out the open window, all the time hoping Salazar stays safe.
Luna does not find any obvious streetwalkers or whore houses, after walking around the city, she begins to get a vibe for the area. While there are taverns, they don't sell harder liquour just ale.
Salazar moves beyond the radius of Sterling's control and returns from whence he came.
Salazar materializes inside the suite of rooms, and shakes himself. "There are creatures in the water, I do not know if they intentionally guard the coast, or if they just live in the water because they get food easily, but they are deformed humanoids who see by making sounds, so the invibility was useless once I got into the water. There's no other things I could see guarding the water, nor underwater boats. Nor was the harbor a good harbor for boats under the water, as the floor is filled with garbage and sharp bits of choral. I was able to flee from the creatures, but only just. Out at sea, they don't seem to go unless chasing food. In deeper water, I found larger fish that ate small creatures smaller than a gnat, as big as a ship in some cases. That is all I found."
Luna returns after walking around a bit... oddly confused at the lack of streetwalkers and brothels... even in a theocracy, people have vices... and need outlets for them... Once back in the safety of their suite, she lets down her guard a bit, and reports in to Sterling, Paul and Harry...
"I found no streetwalkers, no signs of any kind of streetcrime, no brothels, plenty of public houses, but none serving anything stronger than ale. It seems the church has a pretty strong hold on this place and its morality. Let's get us a boat and get OUT of here... but it should be a simple one to operate, as I'm not sure if we can trust a hired crew."
"I found no streetwalkers, no signs of any kind of street crime, no brothels, plenty of public houses, but none serving anything stronger than ale. It seems the church has a pretty strong hold on this place and its morality. Let's get us a boat and get OUT of here... but it should be a simple one to operate, as I'm not sure if we can trust a hired crew."
Odd, do you think they are able to punish citizens similar to how they punished the apostate for disobedience? Doesn't really matter. We need to secure a few things before heading out.
Salazar materializes inside the suite of rooms, and shakes himself. "There are creatures in the water, I do not know if they intentionally guard the coast, or if they just live in the water because they get food easily, but they are deformed humanoids who see by making sounds, so the invibility was useless once I got into the water. There's no other things I could see guarding the water, nor underwater boats. Nor was the harbor a good harbor for boats under the water, as the floor is filled with garbage and sharp bits of choral. I was able to flee from the creatures, but only just. Out at sea, they don't seem to go unless chasing food. In deeper water, I found larger fish that ate small creatures smaller than a gnat, as big as a ship in some cases. That is all I found."
Interesting, Sonar enabled Seal teams. A strong argument for an air assault.
After listening to the entire report. Baleen Whales, Who'd have thought. I'm surprised not to see Whaling ships, given their economic values. Thank you Salazar. You are dismissed
In the morning, Sterling will try and sell 1000 gp each of Jade, Quartz, and amethyst. He is trying to avoid flooding the market and losing market share, Hopefully he can sell enough to get 3000 gp in coin.
Sterling will by 200 gp in iron rations to be stored in the portable hole.
Sterling will get 200 GP in raw materials to make Water purification sponges
Sterling will try and purchase maps, both land, and sea. (maybe role play this)
Sterling will Look for something similar to Compass, and sextant, (navigators kit)
Lastly head to port to purchase a vessel.
Selling the gems takes about two days total, as he wants to minimize market spikes.
The city merchants seem friendly enough, but they barter close to the bone. Fortunately, the gems are mostly trade goods, so he's able to get the amount he wants, it just takes longer than expected.
The city seems friendly enough as well, people are polite, mostly. There are some obvious thugs, but the tend to stay in the rougher parts of town (docks mostly). The city guards are all carry scythes or cudgels as they walk around, with holy symbols on their chests. They seem friendly enough as well, much like the guard in the village.
Buying the rations is fairly easy, walking into a couple of shops and buying up the stock.
The compass and sextant come in a navigator's kit. Being a port, it's easy enough to find.
In the same store Sterling finds the kit, he asks about maps. The store owner, an older man with a florid red face, an eyepatch, and a peg leg laughs. "Boy, you're greener than a new leaf. No captain sells his maps. I got some land maps, land lubbers always want maps. Ocean maps, that's not something you'll get cheap. I might be able to find you some apprentice maps that are a decade or so old, if you're just lookin for generalities. But anything up to date is gonna cost you. Cheaper to just hire yerself a navigator."
You're a good judge. We're green alright. But we have an aspiring navigator right here. Sterling points to Luna. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for life.
If you can provide the name of a good tutor, We'll buy both comprehensive sea and land maps, my friend. Sterling smiles at him.
"Hah, not sure I know of a good tutor, boy. If they were good, they'd be on a ship. I might know of some washed up hasbeens that can't beg, borrow, or steal a berth on a ship to save their own mothers though who'd be willin' to teach a lubber." He strokes his beard. "You'll have to be careful, obviously, if they were good, they'd have a berth. You want cheap or quality? I know a few morons that can teach the basics if you beat them enough to keep them sober. I also know an old salt that got albatrossed who might be willing to teach, but he'll charge ye his weight in gold." The man laughs. "And he's no skinny lubber either..."
Are we talking a few hundred for the expert, or a few thousand?
"Few hundred for the cheap ones. Few thousand and a few months for Vigor, but you may be willing to pay him to go away after a few days." The man laughs.
Give me a chance to talk to our student. Sterling takes Luna to a more private part of the shop. He whispers, If we get Vigor, My ability to provide a forgery, and your ability to steal, could mean an up to date chart for us. You tell me if you think its worth the extra coin and effort.
"Do we have that much coin? Could we maybe negotiate for a lower rate? But it certainly sounds worth the effort, if what he can offer is worth the pay. I mean when it comes down to it, how much could he teach me in a very limited amount of time before we have to leave? That is something to consider as well..."
"That seems like an insane amount of gold for such a thing. Granted I don't know the local economy, but I don't recall paying 10 gold pieces for a beer. "
True, the pricing seems high, but d!cking around an ocean unprepared could prove lethal. Ultimately, It's Luna's call. We have the resources and have time not to flood the market..
We would have Vigor for a couple of months, maybe even another one of us could train as backup. It would give us additional time to commission a boat be built to our specifications. It would also give me time to do some research, I'm hoping they have a library here.
Let's at least meet with Vigor.
Sterling returns to the shop keeper. Yes, set up a meeting with Vigor. And wrap up the maps and navigation kit to go.
The shop keeper nods. "I'll talk to him, if he's interested, he'll meet you at the Red Sea Foam Tavern, down by the docks. Let's say, two days from now, about sunset. He'll need a day or two to sober up." He gives some directions, putting it in, what the group knows of the city so far, the slums. "Make sure you go armed into that part of the city."
-----------------------------------------
The tavern has a very run down interior, with obviously cheap hand made tables and a large fireplace for cooking.
It's filled with people that look like something out of a movie, scars, missing body parts, dirty clothes, and generally unsafe.
As the group enters, every eye in the place (or eyes, for those without patches) moves to focus on them. It's rather like four poodles walking into a pit-bull convention.
A tavern worker, a woman who looks in her 40's, but could be anything from 20 to 60, shakes her head. "Yoi! You lot, this ain't yore place. Go fine an aleshack up by de Havers. We dun sell to ye're like." She says, and spits on the floor next to Sterling's boot.
A round of laughter echoes through the room.
Sterling smiles and laughs. He looks back at his companions. The rumors are true. The serving wenches here, have sharp wit only matched by their beauty.
He turn back to the woman. It's my birthday celebration. Assuming you won't give me a birthday roll in the hay, How about I buy all my new friends rounds of ale for the rest of the night? Sterling tosses a small purse of 50 gp on her tray. De Havers can kiss me d!ck. It'd take all night to pull de sticks out deir collective asses
The woman checks the pouch, bites one of the gold coins, and then shrugs. "Your funeral." She says, then calls out to the guy behind the bar. "Round of drinks on the walking corpse." She says, causing another round of laughter and some cat calls.
Sterling points to roughly made wooden table and chairs. He sits. It's sad that I feel safer here than drinking with church folks. he shakes his head. At least, Vigor won't have a hard time picking us out, should he show up.
Once the ale arrives he picks it up and take a swig. The warm ale burns with tones of formaldehyde as it goes down. Sterling grimaces.
Luna sips her ale with a bit of caution and struggles to keep the look of distaste off her face.... She smiles at Sterling and lifts her mug to toast the drink buyer and takes another unwanted sip. "Huzzah to the buyer... I hope you tipped her well... " She keeps her eyes on the crowd as she speaks looking around for possible trouble, and anyone who seems to be looking for them... or at them too long or too hard.
Harry will mostly just keep an eye out for trouble, while appearing to nurse a beer.
Paul drinks his beer and looks for any church plants in this place.
As the free drinks make the rounds, and then another round, and a third, the group sits at a table, listening to the growing roar of conversation as people take advantage of free booze and over indulge.
There's sufficient talk about 'church men' and 'damn priests' to alert the group that not everyone is happy with the church. But then, this sort of place is the type to have people who don't particularly like authority anyway. A lot of it seems mostly to be 'hot air' though. This place isn't an obvious hot bed of sedition, just a bunch of rough customers b+!%#ing and moaning about the situation as it is.
About the third round, as the group is beginning to think Vigor isn't going to show up, Luna notices an old man with a beard and a pipe on the stairs leading up to the second floor. He has odd scars around his eyes on both sides, and when he makes eye contact with Luna, he takes his pipe out, motions to the second floor with it, and then heads up the stairs.
Luna whispers to the others as she stands up. "Showtime, boys..." She heads over to the stairs without waiting, starts going up to the second floor.
Harry will follow her upstairs.
Paul follows the others looking to see if anyone is watching.
Sterling listens intently to griping. He was curious as to how the rabble could be roused into action. This Vigor might be a greater resource than just navigation.
Luna whispers to the others as she stands up. "Showtime, boys..." She heads over to the stairs without waiting, starts going up to the second floor.
Sterling nods at Luna. He whispers back, Make no mention of our final destination. We're just well funded, up and coming merchants.
Sterling follows.
Up stairs is another smaller area with tables in it. The tables are better quality, not looking like they were hand made last week from split logs. By the same token, the people up here seem to be a cut above the rabble below as far as dress and manners go.
In fact, the people up here seem to be people dressed in decent armor or clothing, and who speak in quiet tones. The tables are spread out enough that there's privacy for discussions, especially with the noise below covering it.
The man with the pipe takes a seat at a table, and motions for the rest to sit down. "So, ye lubbers wanna hire 'ol Veegore to teecha ya huh? Well, who's it of ye thinks they've got the will to master the Maelstrom and be a Navigator?" He asks, eyeing the group speculatively.
The old man's eyes are pitch black, no iris's visible, just white with black centers.
The old man's eyes are pitch black, no iris's visible, just white with black centers. You manage to accidentally catch his eye as he appraises the group, and something in those black pits makes your stomach roll.
"Not that I'm the only one capable of learning such, I intend to learn whatever it is you've got to teach." She says, without any expression to her face or voice... just matter-of-factly.
Sterling looks around the room, and suddenly realizes this a place where deals get done. He had been in enough rooms like it to recognize deal brokers when he sees them. His lips almost imperceptibly curl upwards with the thought.
The man looks Luna up and down, and seems to find her wanting. "Hah! Ye? Slip of a girl? Better chance of ye bein a seamstress or a negotioning girl." He huffs, and takes a deep draw on his pipe before leaning over toward Luna, and opening his eyes as he stares her in the eyes. "See if ye can stare me down without throwin' up girl..."
The old man's eyes are pitch black, no iris's visible, just white with black centers. You stare him in the eyes, and as you do, your vision swims as his eyes seem to swallow you whole. Shadows move around your field of vision, noises seem to crackle around you, your skin itches as if things were crawling on it.
Luna stares him down with a bit of a glare... a smile finally curling her lip as she does so.
"... and?"