"It's just a normal sized sword. So, we're going to teleport then? Got any guest rooms in this place? I'd rather go get the sword and then stay here tonight if that's okay."
”It would appear we have our plan. And yes, there is plenty of room, you are welcome to stay.”
"Alright then, I'm off to retrieve the blade and inform the Ten of our plans. I'll be back later." Osprey nods to everyone before departing.
A few hours later he comes back to the manor, this time carrying a sword-sized wooden box under one arm. Osprey is open to socializing, and spends the rest of the day and evening hanging out in the manor's common spaces.
Cladissa exchanges a look with Argor. "I think it would be rather wasteful if we have the means and do not employ it. Go ahead and collect the sword. In the meantime, Argor, would you like to scry upon me as I go visit my childhood home?"
She looks at the other Pathfinders collected with her. Grommesson would be the most likely candidate to travel with Argor, meaning Gianluca could go with her. Her heart ached at the departure of Sabrina, and the absence of Hrimnagel's earthy, limestone scent. She even missed the acrid, chemical odor of Nyugusk. She recalled others, the heady odor of Grommuk, the metallic tang of Meterra, and the spicy, exotic musk of Thrassk.
That sparked a thought. "Should we-- should we try to get in touch with some of our former allies? Could we contact Grommuk, Hrimnagel, or Thrassk for assistance? Things have changed -- we're in a dire situation and it will be a risk to extend our trust to someone we don't know. But there are those who might come if we called."
Argor tents his fingers as he relaxes into his chair. ”Hrimnagel is most likely occupied in his new responsibilities, and Grommuk,” he gives an apologetic look to Grommesson, ”isn’t the wisest warlock in the circle. However, Thrassk might be a reasonable option. Has anyone had contact with him recently?”
Osprey chimes in, "Last I heard he was back in Tian-Xia taking care of some family business. The Society has been keeping loose tabs on him because of the serum. Me not hearing anything bad probably means he's fine and just leading a private life at the moment."
"I have no means of sending him a message. But perhaps someone else in the Society could do so. Argor, you're not capable of that spell, are you?"
”Contacting him would be of minimal difficulty. Getting him here, may expend most of our teleportation magics for the day, assuming he is willing. Would you like me to try reaching out to him?”
"By all means. I think we'd all feel better if he were willing to lend his assistance to this matter. There is much at stake."
Argor nods, and rises before flying off to his study. He opens his spellbiok and retrieves a strand of copper wire before closing his eyes. They flare white a moment, and then he begins the chanting and practiced motions for the spell...
::Thrassk. There has been a breach in the Society. We are tasked with trying to save it. Willing to help us? We can retrieve you.::
::Did not expect to hear from you. I am honor bound to help my former battle mates. I am in Goka at the Jade Peony::
Argor looks to those gathered around his manor. ”He will join us,” he says as he stands. He begins working some magic, tracing his finger in rune-like patterns in the air, leaving red marks of arcane energy as he does so. Power coalesces between the floating runes, surrounding him.
”I will return as quickly as I can.”
He then makes a forceful gesture and vanishes in a flash.
"Argor, wait! We need to--" She stomps her foot in frustration as he teleports out in haste. She folds her arms and fumes a moment.
Finally, she turns to Osprey. She plucks a hair from her head and hands it to him. "Give this to Argor upon his return. He should be able to scry upon me easily enough, but this will make it a near certainty. I will go ahead with Grommesson and Gianluca. Argor can take you and Thrassk to join us in Galt."
Cladissa then gathers her adventuring pack and hangs it off one shoulder while looking to Grom and Gianluca. "Everyone have what they need? I figure we can get a head start, since they'll catch up to wherever we are. But since there's a chance I could teleport us off-target since it's been eighteen years, we might as well go now. I'm not going to teleport us to my old room or anything. There's no telling what it's being used for. Instead, there's a little babbling brook a half-mile down the lane that I used to play in all the time. It should give our arrival some privacy."
After giving the others enough time to gather their gear for the trip, she holds their hands and casts her spell.
Argor first appears outside of a window of a regal palace in the Riverlands. There are some gasps and startled shrieks as he appears. He turns and addresses the crowned figure standing by the throne, ”King Irovetti, my apologies for the nature of my arrival, but I am merely passing through. Good day to you, My Lord,” but before anyone can react, he flies off to find a suitable place to perform the magic for the next leg of his journey.
He then appears at a fortress on the edge of the Worldwound near Kenabres, above the training yard of Iomedaen Knights training to combat the demons within. The same fortress at which he dropped off Sir Preston. He placates their fears, before seeking the more well traveled of their number and asking them some questions.
He eventually learns from an Ulfen man of a guide who lead people across the Path of Aganhei. He thanks the man for the information, then seeks out the senior officer of the city, Hulrun Shappock, and gives the man the funds to obtain ten cold iron longswords, a small token of appreciation for the cities hospitality. He then acquires some cold weather gear and performs his scrying, then vanishes once more.
Argor then a-pears within a bitter storm, amidst a camp of huddled together wagons around a fire. He pulls his fur cloak tight around him before seeking out the leader of the caravan and asking for their hospitality.
After speaking with the leader and the tracker for some time, he learns of the owner of a geisha house on the edge of Tian Xia. He thanks the group for their graciousness, and agrees to take a man, his child, and his wife and newborn infant with him. Otherwise, the babe might not survive the crossing. After divining his location, Argor takes the families hands and begins the spell to teleport once more.
They then arrive at the much more tolerable climes of Tian Xia proper. The family thanks him profusely for likely saving their lives, to which Argor stoically bows his head. He then uses his magic of tongues to allow himself the ability to commune here, and arranges for a fine place to stay for the night.
The next morn, he scry’s upon Thrassk, and then teleports to him.
"Argor, wait! We need to--" She stomps her foot in frustration as he teleports out in haste. She folds her arms and fumes a moment.
Finally, she turns to Osprey. She plucks a hair from her head and hands it to him. "Give this to Argor upon his return. He should be able to scry upon me easily enough, but this will make it a near certainty. I will go ahead with Grommesson and Gianluca. Argor can take you and Thrassk to join us in Galt."
Cladissa then gathers her adventuring pack and hangs it off one shoulder while looking to Grom and Gianluca. "Everyone have what they need? I figure we can get a head start, since they'll catch up to wherever we are. But since there's a chance I could teleport us off-target since it's been eighteen years, we might as well go now. I'm not going to teleport us to my old room or anything. There's no telling what it's being used for. Instead, there's a little babbling brook a half-mile down the lane that I used to play in all the time. It should give our arrival some privacy."
After giving the others enough time to gather their gear for the trip, she holds their hands and casts her spell.
1d100
"Whoa, now. I told you, I need to be in place before you guys arrive at the Lodge. If anyone should be going ahead with you, it's me 'Dissa. Can't you leave the hair with the staff here or something?" Osprey replies.
[dice=Jump 1, Pitax]1d100
Argor first appears outside of a window of a regal palace in the Riverlands. There are some gasps and startled shrieks as he appears. He turns and addresses the crowned figure standing by the throne, ”King Irovetti, my apologies for the nature of my arrival, but I am merely passing through. Good day to you, My Lord,” but before anyone can react, he flies off to find a suitable place to perform the magic for the next leg of his journey.
[dice=Jump 2, Mendev]1d100
He then appears at a fortress on the edge of the Worldwound near Kenabres, above the training yard of Iomedaen Knights training to combat the demons within. The same fortress at which he dropped off Sir Preston. He placates their fears, before seeking the more well traveled of their number and asking them some questions.
[dice=Gather information]1d20 + 19
He eventually learns from an Ulfen man of a guide who lead people across the Path of Aganhei. He thanks the man for the information, then seeks out the senior officer of the city, Hulrun Shappock, and gives the man the funds to obtain ten cold iron longswords, a small token of appreciation for the cities hospitality. He then acquires some cold weather gear and performs his scrying, then vanishes once more.
[dice=Scry Tracker]1d20 + 5
[dice=Jump 3, Path of Aganhei]1d100Argor then a-pears within a bitter storm, amidst a camp of huddled together wagons around a fire. He pulls his fur cloak tight around him before seeking out the leader of the caravan and asking for their hospitality.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 19
After speaking with the leader and the tracker for some time, he learns of the owner of a geisha house on the edge of Tian Xia. He thanks the group for their graciousness, and agrees to take a man, his...
Grommesson obeys Cladissa when his master departs. He changes out of his special attire and dresses in his traveling clothes.
Then, he kisses his mother goodbye and readies to leave with the troop.
The next morn, he scrys upon Thrassk, and then teleports to him.
Thrassk looks much different than Argor remembers him. He resembles nothing more than a gold dragon the size of a big man. Rather than the heavy armor Argor last saw him wearing, he is naked save for a headband, collar, and his old belt.
Thrassk is currently lounging in a pile of silken cushions, next to a low table of oriental style. He appears to be playing a game of strategy with a Tian man. Both of them sip delicately from porcelain cups full of steaming light green liquid.
When Argor suddenly appears in the room, both men react with surprised shock. The Tian man accidentally upends their board game while Thrassk rolls immediately to all fours, a smoky hiss escaping his throat.
"快在我后面站着!" Thrassk says to his companion. The man fairly leaps to cower behind his draconic defender.
Thrassk's fiery golden eyes never leave Argor. "I hope for your sssake that you are my QinXiongDi, Argor. If not it would be bessst for you to explain yourssself, and quickly," he growls out in his accented Taldan.
Grommesson obeys Cladissa when his master departs. He changes out of his special attire and dresses in his traveling clothes.
Then, he kisses his mother goodbye and readies to leave with the troop.
Anya clings tight to her son. "You've grown so fast. We've barely even had time to get to know one another. I don't know what to say. I am so worried for you, son. Please...don't leave me alone. Be careful and come back to your mother. I can't end up like Hamaria....promise me..." The tears flow freely down Anya's face as she begs her boy.
"Whoa, now. I told you, I need to be in place before you guys arrive at the Lodge. If anyone should be going ahead with you, it's me 'Dissa. Can't you leave the hair with the staff here or something?" Osprey replies.
Cladissa ticks off her fingers. "First, Champs du Lange is still a couple days travel to Woodsedge. Second, you need to go get the sword and whatever else you need. Third, I have no idea if my teleport will get us there without issue. Four, I can only take three people along with me; two if one of them's big like Gianluca. If you want to come along, that means someone else is staying behind."
If Osprey insists on coming with her, she passes the hair to Grommesson and gives him the same instructions she gave Osprey. Then she waits as the druid collects the sword and Gianluca gathers his things, and teleports Osprey and the Honeyed Hand of Arshea.
::Remember,:: she tells everyone telepathically, ::the name Velorryan might still raise unwanted scrutiny. Don't use my name at all. If you need to call me anything, call me... Classy, I guess::
He already got the sword and came back
"Even flying, I'm going to need those couple days. Even if your teleport goes wrong I'll still be closer than I am now. I guess the Lodge in Woodsedge isn't expecting us for weeks, since they are waiting for a ship. That gives us extra wiggle room, but the faster I get there the better. Sorry, bub," he says to Grommesson.
Cladissa nods, acquiescing. She walks up to Grommesson and holds his hands. "Okay, you're going to be teleporting with Argor and Thrassk, then. That should be perfectly fine, and will give you a little more time with your mother. But I can't take you and leave Gianluca, risking that Thrassk has grown like your larger form. If he did, then Argor won't be able to take the both of them. Understand?" she tells the youth.
Once everyone is ready, she brings them in the small copse of trees surrounding the brook behind the old Velorryan estate. Once there, she waves goodbye to Osprey. "See you in a few days," she tells him.
"Now. Shall we go and see who's taken up residence in my old home? Or head into town?" she asks Gianluca.
“Toodles! Thanks for the lift. Remember, when we meet again, you don’t know me.” The odd little druid nods to them, before shifting into his namesake and flying off. He gives a keening farewell shriek just before he flies out of sight. The case containing the longsword is left with Cladissa and Gianluca.
"I promise, maman." The large half-orc replies to his mother. After another minute, they finish their long embrace. The two steel themselves for his departure... which gets delayed when Cladissa teleports without him.
"Looks like you have me around for a bit more time. I wonder when Argor will return." He shrugs and goes to change out of his traveling gear into his house clothes and bunny slippers.
"I promise, maman." The large half-orc replies to his mother. After another minute, they finish their long embrace. The two steel themselves for his departure... which gets delayed when Cladissa teleports without him.
"Looks like you have me around for a bit more time. I wonder when Argor will return." He shrugs and goes to change out of his traveling gear into his house clothes and bunny slippers.
"Well, I can't complain about that then!" She smiles.
"Where did master Argor go? Nobody tells me anything until after it is over with," Anya says. "I guess that's sensible. I am no soldier."
In Galt, a short walk from the old Velorryan estate, Cladissa pauses and allows an illusion to flow over her of a youthful half-elf. ::There. No sense in drawing additional scrutiny by having spider limbs:: she sends to Gianluca.
She leads the way, wending up the small trail to the estate grounds.
Gianluca nods and thinks back, ::Got it.::
He taps his hat and takes on the illusory appearance of a half-elven swashbuckler of ambiguous gender.
Cladissa smiles. "That's stylish of you. Come on. Let's see what it's like these days."
The trail ends at a high stone wall that borders the back of the estate grounds. Cladissa frowns as she sees the small crack she used to use to slip out has been sealed up with bricks and mortar. She shrugs, ultimately realizing that she and Gianluca would likely have been too big for it anyway.
Her spider legs carry her effortlessly up and over the stone wall, putting her in the back of the well-tended garden. The manor house similarly seems in good repair and coated with a bright layer of paint different from what she remembered.
A sharp gasp from a small sitting area draws Cladissa's attention. A woman who had been gathering a selection of tomatoes and peppers from some vines stands wide-eyed at her sudden appearance in the garden.
"Oh, hello! Please, don't--" Cladissa starts, then preemptively charms her to keep her from raising an alarm.
"How are you?" Cladissa smiles when she sees that her spell has taken hold. "My name's Classie Evermond. Who's estate is this?"
Smiling like she was a long-lost friend, the woman answers, "Zis is the home of Lord Citizen Robair Lambreth. I am 'is daughter, Elise Lambreth. Nice to meet you."
"Lovely to meet you, too," Cladissa agrees, then turns to see if Gianluca is with her. "And this is Gianluca, um, Honeyhand. We're passing through. That's all. Don't mind us." She surreptitiously puts her hand in her pocket and uses her pearl of power to recharge her charm person spell just in case.
"Oh, but mademoiselle, I wouldn't dream of just letting you go so soon, you just got here!" Elise says, beckoning them toward the house.
Cladissa follows politely. "We really need to be going, though thank you for your offer of hospitality. So, 'Lord Citizen,' huh? What's that title mean?"
Elise looks shocked. "You don't know? Truly? Zhat means he is on ze Revolutionary Council."
Cladissa blinks. "Oh. Where is he now?"
"He should be back any time. He left for his monthly trip to Isarn a week ago. Would you like to meet him?"
"Definitely. But later, like I said. We're on a tight schedule. But thank you for the information! Do me a favor and don't mention we were here, okay? I know our manner of arriving was a little unorthodox," Cladissa says after they've worked their way around to the front of the estate.
Before leaving, she pauses and stares at the house for a moment, memories of her carefree youth bubbling to the surface. Then she turns and heads to the road taking them to Champs du Lange and beyond.
Once they're a short ways down the road, Cole appears trotting along beside her. He mews pointedly. "Well, I didn't have a much better option. It got me some good information, and I didn't do any harm. Who knows, she might not even realize she was charmed once it wears off," she explains. She glances over to Gianluca. "What do you think?"
"快在我后面站着!" Thrassk says to his companion. The man fairly leaps to cower behind his draconic defender.
Thrassk's fiery golden eyes never leave Argor. "I hope for your sssake that you are my QinXiongDi, Argor. If not it would be bessst for you to explain yourssself, and quickly," he growls out in his accented Taldan.
Argor tightens his grip on his staff, his eyes studying Thrassk’s draconic form. ”I assure you, Thrassk, that indeed it is I, Argor. Though, I must confess, my Tien is somewhat lacking. But, a moment and I can remedy that,” before working his Tongues incantation.
”There, that should alleviate any further communication difficulties. As I had mentioned in my message to you, things have been precarious back in Absalom. We have suffered significant losses Society wide, and our group in particular could use your assistance once more.”
Thrassk relaxes as Argor identifies himself. He turns to the man, speaking Tien again. "I believe our game is finished for today, my friend. Please allow my friend and I some privacy."
The tian man nods, offering a shallow bow of the head to Thrassk before departing the chamber.
"Of course, Argor. I have been ssserving the Sssociety here in Goka asss needed. After receiving your messssage I informed the local Lodge I would be returning to Absssalom. What isss our misssion?"
”It would be best to discuss when we are certain we are well away from prying eyes and ears,” Argor says as he glances about. ”Our opposition is capable of potent arcanum as well. Shall we at the very least depart here before I explain? If you need to gather any equipment, I shall wait. Part of our journey is going to become quite frigid.”
He will then return, along with Thrassk, to the city at the northern edge of Tien Xia. Once there, he procures a private chamber and uses his magic to secure the room and fill Thrassk in on the developments in Absalom.
”And that is where we stand. We now need to meet the others in Galt to travel to the Galtan Lodge with them.”
Thrassk takes the time to retrieve some gold before they leave Goka, but it seems that is all he requires.
When they arrive in the north he casts endure elements on himself. “It ssseems much hasss transsspired sssince I left. I am sssorry to hear of your troublesss. Thessse honorlesss traitorsss will pay for teir betrayal, I ssswear it. Ssshall we go to fetch your other companionsss?”
”Not yet,” he replies. ”I am limited to one more spell of the potency required to make another teleportation, and that would only leave us on the Crown of the World for a full night. A dangerous prospect that can be avoided with patience. Let us wait until dawn, then return to Absalom.”
He then arranges for the two to have a suite of rooms in a nice inn, before sending a message to Cladissa.
::Thrassk with me. Filled in on the developments. Will return at dawn. No complications thus far.::
The next morning, when Thrassk is ready, Argor returns the duo to Verde Heights through a series of teleportations. He arrives on the entrance path leading up to his manor’s front door and leads the way inside.
Thrassk takes a moment to admire Verde Heights.
“It sssems you have done well for yourssself. What hasss become of Jabberwocky Lane?”
”To be honest, with my most recent transformation, there is a good bit I do not recall. I feel there was an issue with security, perhaps?” Argor says uncertainly. Once inside, he begins seeking out Grommesson.
Grommesson is in the solar breaking his fast. He wears a stiff and proper noble's outfit. Alone at the table, he reads a journal.
When Argor finds him, Grommesson politely acknowledges him and offers to ring the servant's bell for more breakfast. "Lady Cladissa left yesterday for Galt with everyone but me. Did you find Thrassk?"
Argor features to the golden dragon in his company. ”Indeed,” he replies as he sits with Grommesson. ”Grommesson, this is Thrassk. Thrassk may I present Lord Grommesson Blakros. He is one of the newer members of our motley band of heroes. Please, join us. We left Tien Xia in such a rush we did not get a chance to eat. And I will need some time to recover my own arcane potential.”
Champs du Lange had become something out of a nightmare. The Red Revolution had swept through the small town and what had been a beautiful center of art and learning was now a gutted wasteland. The renowned statuary had been toppled or defaced, the little storefronts full of pastries, flowers, or art were gutted and empty, and the beautiful courthouse Cladissa remembers sneaking into to see her father was despoiled. Worse, a massive guillotine was now set out before the steps ominously.
Cladissa grows sullen and silent as she and Gianluca walk through the streets. "Let's go," is all she says, and solemnly puts her childhood home behind her.
Argor gets a sad-sounding response from Cladissa. ::Good to hear. Galt is... distressing. But we are safe for the moment. Osprey flew ahead as planned. See you soon::
The bipedal dragon bows deeply to Grommesson. “It isss an honor to meet you Lord Blakrosss. I look forward to working with the Freaksss once again.”
Thrassk crouches on his haunches next to the table, his tail and wings not permitting him to use a chair, and begins to eat delicately using his claws.
“I have followed sssome of your recent exploitsss in the Chroniclesss, but I am curiousss asss to the mutationsss the rest of the team have undergone.” He gestures to himself. “Asss you can sssee, my draconic blood has expresssed itssself more fully.”
Grommesson rings the bell to summon the servants to feed Argor.
He stands when he sees Thrassk and returns the bow in polite introduction, "The honor is all mine. Your exploits in the Pathfinder Chronicles are glorious."
"I believe Lady Cladissa may have transformed a couple of times, since you have last seen her. My mutation expresses itself when I am endangered. Hopefully, we can perform the mission without that happening. My control of the transformation is tenuous and needs more practice."
"I sssee. I admit, when I went back to Goka to care for my mother, I wasssn't sssure I'd ever sssee action again. Ssshe passssed sssome time ago...I haven't been on a ssseriousss misssssion sssince. I wasss getting very bored!" Thrassk laughs. "Ssso forgive me, but I hope you are wrong. A misssion without danger would be a disssapointment."
The next dawn, Argor gathers up the rest of the team, sends a message to Cladissa to ensure she is in a safe location, and to expect their imminent arrival, and a moment later, works the magic to teleport to their side.
After the group teleports to Cladissa and Gianluca, Thrassk takes a moment to orient himself.
"Greetingsss," he says to the disguised duo. "Which one of you isss Cladissssa?"