Aubrey's Eberron campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Whoa!

It seems to go dark in the room. The dwarven banker gulps. "Um, no, Sir Rolund. Our procedures forbid transfers of monies in the event of impersonation, but this matter is not, um, explicitly addressed." He beckons urgently to Nobe, who produces a small ledger. He opens it, revealing pre-printed Kundarak Bank letters of credit. He places it in the table and takes out a pen, the nib of which is a crystal similar to that in Nobe's pendant. He quickly writes an amount of four hundred thousand crowns and then signs his name before carefully dabbing the ink dry. He then tears out the letter of credit along the perforated edge of the page near the binding.

"Sir Rolund, er, regarding your situation. Another branch of the House may be able to address..." He coughs discreetly and raises his eyebrows hopefully.

I seem to get good rolls with the Intimidate skill check, don't I?

Rolund takes the letter of credit and proceeds to leave without word.

Ezreal regards Rolund's glowering at the bank personnel with a frown, but hold his tongue until out on the street. As they walk he keeps pace side by side with Rolund so that he can speak low for some level of privacy, "What was that about then? You seem pretty unconcerned for someone who was just told that they are under a compulsion. This is old news to you?"

Gil waits a moment after Mr. StormCloud leaves. "I'm very sorry about that. Sir Rolund can be ... tense when under stress. This amount of money can, to one such as us unused to it, can be cause for concern, you know." She smiles, "I am sure that once he has calmed down, he will appreciate your concern though he may never admit it. So I will thank you on his behalf. As one of his friends, we're glad you have brought this to our attention. Good day!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

"Yes; sorry about our friend. He......doesn't play well with others.
Deep down, he really is a good berk......I'm Rodergo Xativa, humble servant of the flame. If I can ever be of assistance to you, you have but to ask.
I can cure hardships with a touch and a prayer, my good fellows......"

diplo aid another
1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

"Leave it alone, Farlowe," Rolund answers with a growl.

"We need to get word to Marrius and have us meet us at your place to give him his cut of the auction." He says to Farlowe while he waits for the others to catch up. Once they've caught up, he continues, "Before we do that, let's go see our Kalashtar friends. The news you bring, Purified, has me concerned."

Abruptly, Rolund sets off on a maddening pace to the Kalashtar enclave leaving the others to keep up.

"Sounds good. Just random chatterings on the street versus actual intel.....the Kalashtar might give us a better picture of what's going down."

Gil follows, appearing to pay little heed to the others except for keeping her pace quick enough to keep up. As they proceed, she keeps an eye out for any that might follow or pay too much attention to the party.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

Rod, Ezreal:

Just waiting for the new PC intro. :)

Jan/Ez:

Seeing Rolund move with such conviction leaves Runzyl confused for a moment before following after him and the others. He easily matches the bone knight's pace, however, and follows his lead.

Janosz, Rodergo:

Reminder- we may each want to stop in somewhere and buy a featherfall token. They are only 50 gp to have a featherfall kick in while in Sharn if you need it. And if you need it in Sharn, you REALLY need it.

Ez/Rod:

Ez/Janosz

Since nobody is doing much more than plotting against Rolund, we'll move on. And introduce Tenro's character, which he seems to want for some reason. By the way, you have the cash now - you might want to think constructively (in the other thread) what you actually want to do with it.

The rest of the group trail in Rolund's wake as he stalks out of the bank. There is a skycoach rank outside the bank and they all crowd inside one. The silence is awkward, no one willing to mention what the dwarven bankers discovered.

The coach joins the thronging lanes of aerial traffic and heads west, across the chasm between Central and Dura. It touches down in Overkook, a short distance from the kalashtar meeting hall. They are nodded in by the kalashtar outside and head inside. In the mail hall they find Havakhad, Selkatari and another kalashtar they haven't met before. Havakhad smiles in greeting while Selketiel is her normal cold self. After initial greetings he asks, "What have you discovered?"

OK, Tenro, you are now on.

"The Cannith facility is no more - it self-destructed after we defeated its final guardians. The hobgoblin Ikar is dead, too" (at this point Janosz' face involuntarily splits into a rather unpleasant smile) "but the quori spirit that possessed him escaped, as spirits are wont to do. We were briefly captured by followers of the Lord of Blades; they let us go in return for Lightbringer staying with them. Basher's dead, and Bor has left for Xendrik. It has been an eventful week."

"It turns out that the Project Prosper 'forged are the result of some Cannith psychopath named Ranticar experimenting with their personalities. Apparently he's hiding somewhere here in Sharn. Next step is to find him; we'll look for a bounty hunter who's also tracking him named Grannt."

"More directly to your point of interest, it seems that Ranticar had made some unauthorized modifications to the creation forge. He had obtained three khyber shards each containing a bound outsider from the Church of the Keeper and implanted them in the logic distillation matrix. I believe that answers the question as to how the warforged known as 773 came to identify as your lost philosopher Goshasanan. It also means that Goshasanan is likely alive, a prisoner, was last seen in the hands of a potentially mad artificer more than five years ago and we can safely assume Fourgri learned all of this before its escape."

"Falen Grant was also dispatched to retrieve Ranticar more than five years ago, but it is uncertain if he continued with the contract once his clients were obliterated on the Day of Mourning."

"Odd, sorry to be tangential, but.....I've heard the Sarlonans have built something across the river.....
AND,......people have been talking about.....bad dreams.
Have you heard anything untoward? Sorry; we've been.....out in the country for a bit."

"I have heard of an Inspired monolith being built across the river from Sharn. I would say building such a thing so close to such a large city is a very forward move, but of course most people wouldn't recognize one..." Nevharath trails off, lost in thought. A moment later, he snaps back, "Oh, terribly sorry, my name is Nevharath. I work with my fellow Kalashtar souls to combat the Inspired and their machinations."

Nevharath is a tall Kalashtar male wearing mithril breastplate and a fine platinum circlet with a shard of emerald in the center of his forehead. He has black hair that flows down the back of his head and into his flowing cloak. It is open, and as such you can see that he has complex geometric tattoos around his neck and up to his jawline. He carries no visible weapons.

"Inspired monolith......what is the purpose of such a thing?"

Know:Psionics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31gonna assume I know something about them, feel free to correct me if I am wrong in this instance, GM. I will be vague so that an NPC can perhaps be more specific or provide additional information.

In the manner of one reciting an encyclopedia entry, Nevharath says, "Monoliths are large, egg-like structures of metal and crystal. They can have many different purposes. Some are simply links to Dal Quor, some are conduits that can widen the area of effect of certain psionic powers." He pauses to think, then continues matter-of-factly, "To build one so close to the city, I would infer that they are trying to expand the use of a power or powers across the city. After all, if it were simply to provide a link to Dal Quor, it wouldn't necessarily need to be so close to the city. This could explain any instances of sudden psychotic episodes, nightmares, or any number of strange behaviors or occurrences amongst locals."

"That's mildly disturbing.

Though just being back from the flameforsaken Mournlands,......meh.

I'm Rodergo Xativa, by the way; humble servant of the flame. Nice to make your acquaintance."

"Ah, of Rodergo's Reavers fame." Nevharath smirks a bit.

HAD to bring it up again hahaha

Nevharath - founder member of the Rodergo's Reavers Fan Club - Adar Branch.

Nevharath - founder member of the Rodergo's Reavers Fan Club - Adar Branch.

gotta have some kind of fun in such a dour monastery

"Fortunately," adds Havakhad, "This one does not seem to be completed yet, although its malign presence can already be felt. But it should not distract us from the current matter to hand.

"So you believe Goshasanan's spirit may reside in a khyber shard, held by this Cannith artificer?" Havakhad, Nevharath and Selkatari turn and commune briefly in silence. Havakhad then turns back to the adventurers, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Forgive us, mental communion makes it quicker for us to address problems and engage with them more fruitfully." He blinks, and continues animatedly. "But this is nevertheless remarkable news. One of the original leaders of our race's exodus from Dal Quor, still alive... This is more than remarkable, it is stupendous. And clearly very concerning that the agents of the Dreaming Dark are also aware. They will be hunting down this inquisitive as we speak.

"Friends, you have rendered us a great service. Can we call upon your generosity once more?"

It would be nice if you had shown some actual generosity yourselves. "Uh, sure. What did you have in mind?"

Aubrey the Demented/Malformed wrote:

Nevharath - founder member of the Rodergo's Reavers Fan Club - Adar Branch.

gotta have some kind of fun in such a dour monastery

heh heh......dour.......

"Yeah. We gotta buy some more stuff's but, I think we could all use the work.

Beats the Mournlands anyway."

"You're getting ahead of yourself, Purified," Rolund cautions. "The trail may lead us back into the Mournlands."

"Furthermore, we will have to return to that blasted land for a day of reckoning with the Lord of Blades and rescue the warforged."

Rolund turns to the Kalashtar. "I have no qualms in continuing rendering assistance. However, I do not speak for the others."

Rolund then turns to address the group. "Those who join me, I pledge to share the wealth from the auction of the Seren totem to find the khyber shards."

"You could at least allow me the luxury of denial for an afternoon, fatalist.
Let's go get these shards."

Gil-Cassandra, having found a spot along the wall to lean in a bored slouch, says, "Always so formal, Rolund. You should know you don't need to buy my participation. I'm in if you will have me. And I'll spend your money if you let me."

This last is accompanied with a faint grin.

"I expect to be well compensated for pain and suffering done to my ears by your voice."

It would be nice if you had shown some actual generosity yourselves. "Uh, sure. What did you have in mind?"

Virtue is its own reward.

"Then please, you must recover the shard containing Goshasanan's spirit. Do you have any leads as to where this Grannt can be found?"

Rolund then turns to address the group. "Those who join me, I pledge to share the wealth from the auction of the Seren totem to find the khyber shards."

"If there is a battle to be fought, no matter the foe, then I shall follow," the elf chimes in. "I have battled warforged, ancient spirits, machines beyond my comprehension, and more. To face a new threat only broadens my experience and makes me stronger."

"Er, yes," say Havakhad uncertainly, while Selkatiri scowls.

After a brief pause, Nevharath says, "It would honor me greatly to join you in the quest to recover Goshasanan's spirit. It would be a great blow to my people to come so close to the spirit only to have it slip through our grasp. Likewise, it could prove a powerful morale boost to see it recovered from the Dreaming Dark."

Janosz shoots Rolund a sour look. "I'm in."

"As for Ranticar and the bounty hunter Grannt, we have no real leads beyond their physical descriptions. But we'll get on it right away. Oh, and welcome aboard." He offers his hand to the armoured kalashtar. "Name's Janosz. So what do you bring to the team? Want to show us some tricks?"

After a brief pause, Nevharath says, "It would honor me greatly to join you in the quest to recover Goshasanan's spirit. It would be a great blow to my people to come so close to the spirit only to have it slip through our grasp. Likewise, it could prove a powerful morale boost to see it recovered from the Dreaming Dark."

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're not getting a share of the money. :D

"Dreaming Dark,.....Mournlands,.....why can't we go some place cheery?"

Nevharath wrote:

After a brief pause, Nevharath says, "It would honor me greatly to join you in the quest to recover Goshasanan's spirit. It would be a great blow to my people to come so close to the spirit only to have it slip through our grasp. Likewise, it could prove a powerful morale boost to see it recovered from the Dreaming Dark."

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're not getting a share of the money. :D

of course! I wouldn't want to upset the balance and provoke DM wrath. any sweet rides on any sweet party airships would be a bonus though!

Gil looks at the newcomer with interest. "Yes, welcome aboard. I'm sure your insight will be valuable." Inspiration strikes. "Can you have your people among the city look for someone who looks roughly like this? Or this?". As she asks, she shifts into the visage, it was described to them, of each of the men.

Not sure what the rolls should be to see if she's relatively successful, but I will throw some out for each impersonation. Mostly just trying because it sounds fun.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Disguise: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Disguise: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

Nevharath looks uneasy, then says, "Well, I don't exactly have "people" among the city. I am more of an independent operator. Perhaps Havakhad or Selkatiri will be more capable in that department. I am primarily a warrior by trade."

By the way, as a hint for finding Grannt, you are now getting to the level where you can get access to some quite powerful divinations. It's not the only way, but worth bearing in mind.

Hmmm. If we were going to access Discern Location for example, any reason we shouldn't bypass Grannt and search for Ranticar directly?

Not really.

"Farlowe, do you have any spells that can locate either of the targets? Or perhaps, do you know of anyone who can?"

Rod has access to commune, divination, and augury if we want to try those first.

OK, so what's the plan. Want to do the buying and the spending first, or the seeking and the sleuthing? Or is that a silly question?