Vance hated libraries. Too full of stuffy self-absorbed people and pretentiousness. While Ormiz puttered about amid the books and scrolls, Vance went outside and sat down on the steps, leaning back against a pillar and enjoying the sunshine.
Staryth is torn, he always prefered to get his learning from song or story told, but he can't deny that a library can be a valued resource. He can't help but admire the many books. He's tempted to wander towards the tales of romance and adventure, but...
While the others focus on the tribes themselves, he seeks to supplement by studying the religions of the tribes...after all, this does involve a priest.
The tribe is controlled on a more daily level by a sect of Erastil worshipers who are strongly patriarchal and perform ritual scarifications for various rites of passage. They oversee the wardship of women in a system where the strongest men end up with veritable harems. Their current leader is Ancient Hadeer, who is close to two hundred years old if tribal legends are to be believed. A young priest called Randebe who negotiated the deal to drink a number of dinosaurs over and oversaw their transport has recently gained great prestiege.
The Karoun diet is largely carniverous, they eat flat breads, and enjoy a dish of horse hair soaked in blood, which they consider a delicacy.
Are governed by a loose council of elders, in a rough sort of democracy and leadership is gained by popularity amongst these elders. The current tribe member with the most sway is the story teller Uran Manyfingers, due to his wit and wisdom.
The Hidari live in yurt encampments which travel the red desert and surrounding lands occasionally merging and reforming, etc. Each group splits off into dozens of hunting parties each day reforming at night.
Religion amongst the Hidari is personal, though most favor Erastil.
Grimward threw down the umpteenth tome back on the table in disgust. He had lost count of the number of books he'd poured through and had next to nothing to show for it. Inwardly cursing himself for his lack in literacy skills he abandoned his research in frustration.
Finally finding Staryth, studying several scrolls, the half-orc taps the bard on the shoulder. "Hope you're having more luck, found anything?"
"I'm learning more about Erastil worship among the tribes myself, I think the juicy stuff has already been found by our colleague."
The librarians leave the group to their own devices and they must decide where they plan to head before contacting Xavan.
"Er, given we've been two hours I'd like another hour to prep. Can I suggest someone who has practical knowledge get the gear we're going to need to survive in the Wastes?" he tries not sound reluctant as he adds "I can contribute to it."
"Er, given we've been two hours I'd like another hour to prep. Can I suggest someone who has practical knowledge get the gear we're going to need to survive in the Wastes?" he tries not sound reluctant as he adds "I can contribute to it."
Grimward gives Ormiz a wide grin, "I think Criss and I can handle buying most of that, in fact I'll bet we've already got it on us! So you put ya gold away for now Ormiz." He pauses in thought. "Perhaps we should leave tomorrow morning. With Nethys blessing, I should be able to provide the water supply."
Grimward departs to look for Criss.
You find Criss one isle down reading a book about the waste. He was helping with research for the most part but seemed to disappear not too long ago. He found passages dealing with the mutations occuring to those living in the blighted areas and wanted to find out more. He intends to try and find a way to reverse the effects of mutation, even if that takes years.
Can this be a sort of personal side quest that he undertakes as the story goes. Im not meaning to cure every mutant everywhere, but Criss is trying to help the tribes and mutations cause big problems.
for known causes of mutations.
Seeing Grimward come towards his and realising how lost in this pile of books he had become he stood up. "I've never seen so many books. Im not very good at reading, taught myself mostly. Not many books in the wastelands to come across that I've seen." He looks around at the mess of books at his feet. "How are we going with the research on the tribes? I got a bit side tracked I'm afraid. Mutations..."
"I've never seen so many books. Im not very good at reading, taught myself mostly. Not many books in the wastelands to come across that I've seen."
Grimward nodded in agreement as he looked over the mountain of books. True, he has been fortunate enough to have received some education during his short youth but this kind of study was far too intensive for him.
"How are we going with the research on the tribes? I got a bit side tracked I'm afraid. Mutations..."
Grimward considered Criss's words for a moment. "Huh. That's a good idea, turns out the Hidari tribe is full of folks with mutations. Ormiz and Staryth are doing some more book work, maybe we should think about what we need to bring along when we get magicked... I mean, teleported into the wastes. Supplies and such." Grimward looked around with a sigh. "Afraid I'm not much use in this place, but I'll fill you in on what they told me."
Criss is able to find several books which discuss mutation in detail, from what he can make of the highly scholarly tombs they seem to be saying that the high levels of magic permeating much of Nex's wastes interfere with growth in the womb causing mutations. The books all make it clear that such things are being studied in great detail in Ecanus, by the Fleshwarpers, though with rather different goals to Criss.
The group recall passing several shops which seemed to be purveying various supplies for wasteland travel, procurring any such items should be simple.
Staryth wonders aloud, "It seems to me that if magic caused the mutations in the womb, maybe it could find a way to undo it out of it. Or perhaps there's some spell that could be placed over expecting mothers to keep wilder magics from having too much influence?"
Grimward and Criss head off to the local shops to buy supplies.
The conversation soon changes to the more immediate issue of supplies.
Grimward approaches the vendors with trepidation, he disliked having to deal with merchants.
"Hmm, that's the stuff I need... But what about the rest of the team?" He pondered. Grimward didn't have much trouble sleeping under the stars and he was confident Criss could handle the elements. Still, maybe he should consider buying some 'creature comforts' for the others.
Listening to Staryth's ideas, which were similar in several ways to Criss' own thoughts, gave him more to think about. And study, when he had some more time. [i]so many books, not enough time...[/b]
"Ecanus holds much more information, though I think different outcomes are desired by the lords there. The Fleshwarpers are creating abominations, and are likely the cause for many beasts in the wildernesses of Nex. Not a pleasant thought if we are meant to be allies." He is clearly troubled by this knowledge as much as he wishes to know their methods and reverse them.
Criss went with Grimward to procure some supplies. "I'm used to living off the land so I don't need much. " He isn't sure if there is anything else they will need. "We will be able to trade with the tribes as well."
Criss looks at Grimward several times, then finally speaks. "You weren't born with those scars were you. How did you get them so badly?"
Criss went with Grimward to procure some supplies. "I'm used to living off the land so I don't need much. " He isn't sure if there is anything else they will need. "We will be able to trade with the tribes as well."
"Good point. No need to throw around too much gold here." the half-orc gave a visible sigh of relief. He wagered he'd feel far more comfortable with tribesfolk than these 'civilized' merchants.
Criss looks at Grimward several times, then finally speaks. "You weren't born with those scars were you. How did you get them so badly?"
Grimward looks at Criss with some surprise, it was rare for anyone to question him about his scarring. "Well... no, I was granted the burns in the Spellscar Desert, umm... four years ago now I think. For some reason when the storm came through I was spared. He smiles sadly for a moment.
"Not sure why it doesn't heal, but ever since then I've had this... connection to the Spellscar."He stares at his hands for a moment before clearing his throat nervously. He looks up at Criss sheepishly.
"Heh, we can always gossip later. I'm more interesting with a bottle of mead sitting at a campfire anyway. Wouldn't mind seeing that flighty critter Atix and get him to hand over that fungus he was chattering about. Might be worth taking a closer look at while we got the time."
"Ecanus holds much more information, though I think different outcomes are desired by the lords there. The Fleshwarpers are creating abominations, and are likely the cause for many beasts in the wildernesses of Nex. Not a pleasant thought if we are meant to be allies." He is clearly troubled by this knowledge as much as he wishes to know their methods and reverse them.
Seeing how troubled the man is, Staryth tries to cheer him up, "One never knows... perhaps we may yet stumble upon with the lore and magic we need who would share your desires. Or perhaps we can indebt them enough to us to have them owe us a favor of that magnitude? The future is a book with blank pages after all."
The supplies are procured with relative ease, and the merchants here appear to adhere to fixed price structures rather than requiring the haggling common throughout the rest of Nex.
Atix had informed the group as they set off that the slime would be left with Xavan ready for them when the secured their transportation.
Ormiz skulks around to the Librarians
"Uh, hey. Let's say I'm an apprentice Wizard. Is there, like, a fee I can pay to get access to some simple spells I could, uh, copy into my workb... spellbook?"
As he speaks he idly plays with a few gold pieces
"We have spellbooks of a number of deceased lesser practitioners available for study, we charge a fee per spell copied, or attempted to be copied. Fees are 2 gold and five silver for cantrips, 5 gold for 1st tier spells, 20 gold for second tier, and forty five gold for third tier. We also have spellbooks available for purchase, I can present you with a catalogue of those currently in our possession and removed from storage if you are interested?" A librarian with a face that could serve as an illustration for weariness intones.
Ormiz near openly drools at the books available.
Gwen and libraries are not a natural fit. While the others go to research the tribes of patriarchy-loving desert misfits and their war about which is more barbaric, she sets out to the market to try to find what she needs to make better ammunition. Having spent her time and effort - and the gold given to her by Atix's master - on repairing her weapon, the loaded pistol shines in the holster on her hip. Its familiar weight taps against her leg when she walks, while the heavy tower shield strapped to her back weighs her down. She makes the purchase of what she needs from the town's amply-supplied market. Since it is so close to Alkenstar, the supply of guns and ammunition remains excellent. She purchases 10 shots worth of the paper alchemical cartridges that will drastically speed up her reloading rate. She also buys the raw materials, tasting the gunpowder on the tip of her tongue to make sure it's not simply ash being passed off as the real thing. With a little study, she may be able to replicate it on her own for considerably cheaper.
After their preparations are completed the group head over to find Xavan at the gate. He proves to be the robed figure with the raven upon his shoulder studying and making notations in a large leather bound book.
As you head over the raven leans to speak into the wizard's ear and he closes his book, carefully marking the page and rises to greet you,
"Ah, so you are to be my lucky Garundi Pigs! Please follow me, we'll get out of sight, probably a needless precaution, but then they always are until they are not," he says, heading over to a pile of timber on the edge of the construction and heading around behind it into a dip that hides them from sight of Dehnet.
"Now let me show you my newest spell! Phantom Chariot, freshly copied yesterday. It should travel at nearly twice the speed of a mundane horse and no sand or mud will slow its passage. You should all fit in, and you can take turns steering. Let's just ensure you are familiar with what the spell can do..."
CL 8th Phantom Chariot So speed 80ft. HP 26.
Relevant text from Phantom Steed is, "The mount can ride over sandy, muddy, or even swampy ground without difficulty or decrease in speed."
"The slime is buried just here, with just a light sand covering. If you could dig it up while I begin the casting, it will take me ten minutes, so if you have any questions?"
"The slime is buried just here, with just a light sand covering. If you could dig it up while I begin the casting, it will take me ten minutes, so if you have any questions?"
Grimward shrugs and leans down to retrieve the fungus.
"Say, just wondering... What would happen to anyone deciding to... eat the fungus?" He asked.
Staryth listens to the explanation of the chariot, "It sounds amazing, a fine spell."
"Say, just wondering... What would happen to anyone deciding to... eat the fungus?" He asked.
Staryth sniffs indelicately, "I don't suggest you sacrifice yourself in the name of research."
Xsan glances as the jars being revealed by Grimward's efforts,
"You know I'm not really sure, but I can't imagine it would be too harmful. I do not think the intent was to coat Nex in poison."
The half-orc continues his work. "I just figured If this stuff eats magic, maybe it'll munch on any nasty magical curses, or diseases, or whatever, someone else might have and want to be rid of."
Staryth sniffs indelicately, "I don't suggest you sacrifice yourself in the name of research."
Grimward gives a shrug as he collected the jars together, turning to Staryth."Not something I was planning to do. Mine's a blessing, not something I'm willing to risk."
Vance didn't have much to add, so he followed quietly.
Staryth smils at Grimward's phrasing, "Life is a blessing. Simple, could easily fit in a song. Mind if I borrow that sometime?" He aids Grimward as he asks, following his lead.
Ormiz freezes as Xavan starts to cast, his mind frantic as he attempts to remember everything he sees.
Xavan begins, reverently pulling a small rod, that looks like it is made of dark green glass from his robes, his casting taking ten minutes of intricate hand gestures and chanting while he paces around in a rough oval. As he chants a thick mist begins to flow up from the ground slowly taking the shape of a chariot with a team of smokey grey horses tethered to it.
Once his work in completed Xavan takes a huge gulp of air and slumps to the earth,
"Woowf! That is exhausting. Now I've got some maps for you, they're probably only approximate in all honesty. But you are looking at a long and tiring journey, the chariot will last about sixteen hours. You are going to need to travel for almost the entire time. You will reach the Bleak Hills first, if you want to head for the ziggaraut you will need to head for where they meet the Red Desert and then follow the the edge of the hills south east. Any other questions? Though you should really try to hurry, it about one hundred and fifty miles..."
Staryth smils at Grimward's phrasing, "Life is a blessing. Simple, could easily fit in a song. Mind if I borrow that sometime?" He aids Grimward as he asks, following his lead.
"Yeah sure. I look forward to hearing it." Grimward grins as he wipes the dust of his hands.
"Any other questions? Though you should really try to hurry, it about one hundred and fifty miles..."
Grimward eyes widen with amazement as the chariot materializes before his very eyes. Snapping back to attention, he glances at the map curiously.
I feel like I need to talk things through with someone - but I’m not sure who to trust. I can see why so many wizards get a familiar now. If I could work out how they do it I could try to bond P, I guess. Not sure how good her conversation is going to be though.
Anyway, so looks like we’re leaving Dehnet. I finally met Akil Akanarton, Atix’s master. Thirty seconds into the conversation he made us all fight a pair of giant angel-ants!
He knows he’s got us over a barrel, and he’s making use of us. I’d do a lot for that money but the things he wants us to do - wow. Either he’s real confident in us or we’re expendable. Guessing expendable.
Gwen - Don’t know what she wants. Seems uptight. Lectured a Wizard about ethics of all things - like wizards have ethics! She says someone is killing the descendents of Nex. Guess she’s looking for clues for that, but don’t know how I can help there.
Staryth - I like Staryth, but I guess everyone does. He’s self-deprecating, funny, charismatic and a healer. I don’t reckon anyone gets that many ‘like me’ traits unless he’s pretty desperate to be liked. More desperate than I was, and that says something. I wonder how bad Geb is, and what the real Staryth is like.
Grimward - So, Nethys, huh. Some sort of link to the Spellscar desert. Quiet. I should like this guy - he healed me up... but I saw him ripped to pieces on the floor by a Giant Ant and just get up. Freaky. Not sure he’s really alive.
Criss - so, lives in the desert, moves like a barbarian, posher than I’d expect. Not sure what it is, but he’s intelligent, and deadly. I like Criss.
New Guy - He’s got a gun and throws magic. An enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a guy who doesn’t talk much. Who the hell is New Guy, anyway? Some sort of Wizard? Sorceror?
Any other questions? Though you should really try to hurry, it about one hundred and fifty miles..."
"How about 'How in the Abyss do we get back?'"
Xavan blinks and rubs a finger along the bridge of his nose thoughtfully,
"Well I guess you make your way back. You should be able to catch a caravan in Ecanus, and I don't suppose it will be too hard to buy mounts. From what I understand your mission is quite encompassing. Though of course its possible Arclord Akanarton has other plans, he's a rather tight lipped fellow to be sure."
"Well I guess you make your way back. You should be able to catch a caravan in Ecanus, and I don't suppose it will be too hard to buy mounts. From what I understand your mission is quite encompassing. Though of course its possible Arclord Akanarton has other plans, he's a rather tight lipped fellow to be sure."
Grimward rubbed his chin in thought, his knowledge of geography was hazy at the best of time. "Hang on, going over swamp and mud is all well and good, but what about the Ustradi River? That is one stream we won't want to wade through."
"Should not be a problem you can cross any of the Moon Spans near Ecanus. Its only fitting that Nex's descendents should make use of his great works afterall."
Gwen steps onto the chariot with some apprehension. With little trust of magic, it seems like madness to willingly ride a summoned horse when a regular one would do fine. She speaks aloud to the others or possibly herself. "What happens if it disappears when we are riding it? What's wrong with flesh and blood? Why's it always got to be magic? If the Moon Spans are magic as well, I'd prefer to keep my feet firmly on the ground instead of trusting a moon beam to keep me aloft."
Xavan smiles and his voice takes on a note of condescension,
"Oh, dear are you from Alkenstar? Why anyone would want to live in that dreadful place I'll never know. But the Moon Spans have literally stood for thousands of years, they are safer and solider than any "real" bridge anywhere in the world. And the journey would take something like three times as long using a normal horse, they can muster neither the speed nor the ability to cross terrain of phantom steeds," he gestures at her gun, magic is far less likely to blow up in your face than that contraption of yours, and rest assured you will see the chariot becoming whispier long before you are in any danger."
Staryth steps onto the Chariot as well but with more wonder than trepidation.
Ormiz walks around the Chariot, then boards.
Criss scratched the back of his neck, an itch that had annoyed him since the ants. Perhaps it was being in a city so long, though it had only been a week or so. He would be very glad to be back in his natural element. He could relax slightly, if sleeping with one eye open instead of two was relaxed. At least he knew the sounds and smells of this land.
He hhelped dig up the magic eating substance and briefly wondered if it could be used as a weapon against spell casters, eating the magic they were preparing against you. He even voiced the question to Xavan while he summoned the phantoms. "Just an idle thought..."
When it was done Criss waited to be the last on. He went towards and tried to touch the steads. "surreal..."
Xavan laughs,
"No thank goodness, it would have no effect on a spell its a very slow process, it would not even survive in a "normal" area. I tell you what I'll throw you a sending after, what a week? See how you are getting on and pass it on to Atix. I can't make any promises, beyond that of course."
Climbing aboard the phantom chariot the group select a driver and set off the chariot moving like velvet lightening, turning easily at a tug of the reins as the shadowy steeds pull it along at near twice the speed of any normal mount. Their hooves barely seem to touch the ground and a cloak of sand and debris follows in the chariot's wake.
The next eight hours pass in a blur of ravaged landscape, sand, dark scrublands, and bleak blasted hills whip by. And everywhere there are ruins, cities melted into slag, where a few last buildings stand like half melted candles. You see the remains of a stone collossus, engraved with eroded runes, locked in the skeleton of some indecipherable horror. In the far distance you see a crude town sized camp, with crude hide yurts and longhouses that look like they take advantage of old ruins with new roofs of poorly tanned hide.
Finally you can see the great silvery forms of the Moon Spans arcing over the vastness of the Ustradi River, and must elect whether to cross the northern, middle, or southern span.
Vance smiled at the magic chariot, nodding his appreciation. As soon as they were inside, he folded his arms over his chest, tugged his hood down, and closed his eyes.
Criss opts for the drivers seat if no one else objects. As they zoom across the sand he leads the horses in the direction Xavan had said. He didn't need one of those so-called 'compasses' for direction, he knew exactly where he was going. Perhaps he already instructed these steads on where to go also. Criss does not say much on the journey, sometimes pointing out various things in the distance. Some places he had seen before, eventually it all blended together and he just focused on keeping this chariot on the safest path.
As the Moon Spans begin to grow larger in their vision he calls to everyone, "Any preferences?" They seemed no different to him which route they took.
"I for one wouldn't mind seeing the bridge of old Nex, the Southern Span!" Grimward cries over the sound of rushing wind.
As things whip past, Staryth takes in the sights "This is quite the whirlwind tour, is it not?"
"As for me, much of Nex I've only heard of, so almost all of it is new to me."
Veering off to the south the group eventually get a clear view of the Moon Span in all its glory, a narrow strip of moonlight traversing the great torrents hundreds of feet below. But before the bridge are a number of crude hide tents and as you draw closer you can make out four burly men dressed primarily in hides and well armed. And a crude yet solid wooden gate set out before the bridge. You could avoid it, but moving to one of the other spans would take up some forty five minutes of precious time...
"So - New Guy. You got a name?"