Aubrey's Eberron campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

"Forgive our silent companion, Ezreal." Haladon gestures at the Karrnathi. "He has a lot on his mind at the moment."

"How may we be of assistance?" Haladon asks the kalashtar. "Or are you here to provide us assistance?"

"Well, if you're offering help there's this Redrian structure being built outside of town that I would very much like to take down. That is if the business with these mysterious shards can wait. What is so important about these particular shards anyway?"

"Whatever it is, it was important enough for Inspired to scramble from central Xen'Drik to Stormreach to Sharn and beyond. Important enough for them to abandon decades-old projects at the drop of a hat. Important enough to risk exposing themselves to the royalty of Khorvaire, to have the Horned Guard operating in the open far from home. "

Ezreal observes, dark-browed, looking distracted and uncomfortable. He stands stock still in his dark navy blue pants and jacket, cut in Karrnathi military style and adorned with bits and pieces of necromantic foci. At Haladon's comment he looks irritated and breaks in, "They contain the fractured essence of your lost philosopher and strategist, Goshasanan, ally of Taratai who was thought to be lost in their original journey to Eberron. Havakhad has suggested that the elder kalashtar in Adar may have the mastery to reunite his spirit and the rulers of the five kingdoms have tasked us with doing so as soon as possible."

"However, your proposal to take on the Riedran monolith does appeal to me. I am loathe to leave it functional right on the outskirts of Sharn where its effects are being felt even now. There exists a certain scenario where we return from Adar to find it fully operational and having turned the population here into vessels, or tools to be used against us and others. Ideally the leaders of the five nations would deal with them, and they plan to... through bureaucracy. I would prefer something more direct, but at the same time we are supposed to be in the wind even now."

"Perhaps it may be worth at least scouting the capabilities that the Inspired have brought to bear in protecting this Monolith.

First though we may wish to inquire with the Captain, Marrius correct? to ascertain whether he is available to bring us to Adar. The longer we wait the more likely he will be to be hired out for another charter".

“We’ll have to trust the royals can deal with the monolith, Ezreal. However, do you, Kazadar, or…Ganishana, have any magic that can scry on them to check on their progress?”

Turning to the kalashtar, Haladon asks, “Do you?”

“In the meantime, we still need to sell the loot from our last fight and check to see if Captain Marrius is available.” Haladon echoes Pierce’s question.

Two teams – the kalashtar, Kazadar, and Ezreal remain to scry on the monolith and provide protection (psionical and magical). Gil to sell the loot and gather information for Captain Marrius whereabouts with Pierce and Haladon providing escort.

Also, I’ll leave it to our magic- or psionic-users to provide suggestions in regards to magical counter-surveillance and communication (detect scrying, detect remote viewing, veil, telepathic bond, etc.)

no time to look through what spells i have access to, but it'd have to be a generic cleric spell, my domains have nothing to do with scrying. if anyone knows one, i will see about preparing it.

"I can certainly pray on it. That said, what about seeing if we can simply score a large volume of acid and dropping it from the sky on the structure? Even if we don't destroy it, the repairs ought to keep them busy for a few months."

This things as big as a skyscraper - how much acid are we talking about here?

Do you agree to Hal's suggestion?

Pierce nods to Hal in agreement.

"I will see what can be done. As for security while we travel, I am able to ward the sleeping minds of those that dream, though it does take some measure of power."

Mintash's jaw drops slightly at the mention of why the shards are so special. "If the inspired attacked the royals, they should have enough motivation to deal with the structure. If we do anything to the tower it needs to be a quick strike then disappear into the wind to get these shards to where they are needed. Conclude your business in the city. I will stay to guard our scryers. If you can find an airship captain crazy enough to bring us to Adar make sure you offer to pay them well. There is a reason airship traffic to the area isn't common."

"No. As much as I would like to strike the monolith, doing so will alert them that we are still in Sharn and allow the chance for another attack. What little we do know about the monoliths leads me to believe they are well defended particularly against divination which they will certainly counter and must have psychic defenses prepared. I expect scrying may alert them to our presence as surely as an assault."

"Sensible. We should alert the rulers here as to the dangers that the hanbalan presents. Perhaps the subtle ways of the bureaucrat can slow them where the sudden thunder of the adventurer is inadvisable."

"I understand that contruction on the hanbalan has stopped, and the workers rounded up," says Havakhad.

OK, as an aside, the monolith isn't your main target and it won't have much bearing on the adventure either way. As Vaisy says, given the recent attack, it has probably been shut down already. And while it might be fun to plot how to transport a cubic mile of acid above the thing, it's probably a distraction. It was mainly intended as a backdrop to demonstrate the inroads the Inspired were making, not as something that needs taking out. So do you want to sell the loot and try and find a ride to Adar, with some counter-surveillance measures put in place? Might be time to put some plans into action.

Pierce turns to Hal, "I am ready and alert for action when you are Flamebrother".

Gil pouts a moment. "It's going to be hard enough to be incognito with you two, but to draw attention and look like a kalashtar in the present situation is probably not my best choice."

She taps her finger on her lips as she's thinking. "Pierce is new, even if he draws attention, so Rodergo's Reavers junkies won't pick us out of a crowd because of him. Haladon, though. We need to change your appearance for the sake of any that might recall your former self. Perhaps not a lot, but the scars must go. Anyone feeling creative? Should I be a scion of Cannith with two warforged escorts?"

"That's great news Havakhad! In that case we should procure that air transport that was mentioned before. A Captain Marrius I believe it was? If he isn't available we can book passage to the coast and get to Sarlona the way I came to this continent."

"First, with your permission, I'd like to establish a telepathic link with each of you. As long as we are on the same plane, I will be able to hold a conversation with each of you at any distance."

Let me know if someone objects. This is a mindlink, so I'm not going to be rooting around in your heads, which Vaisyrharath will explain if anyone is hesitant. If everyone is in, VH will burn 5 pp to set that up. (Mintash got the free 1/day mindlink)His telepath level lets him make it permanent.

"With a moment's preparation, I will have a good chance of detecting whether we are being observed remotely through magic or psioncs" He bows his head, and a moment later, these is a silent hum, heard only in the minds of the party, and a momentary violet glow that burst silently outward from his head.

Manifest Detect remote viewing, good for 24 hours.

I have further, brief-lived defenses, should events warrant slong the way sounds the kalashtar's mental 'voice' inside the heads of each of the party in turn.

"Proceed Val".

Pierce will cast Heightened Awareness before his team leaves - lasts 120 minutes grants him a +2 to Perception and a +2 to all trained Knowledge skills for the duration, if we enter combat while under the effect of this spell, it's effect ends and Pierce gains a +4 bonus on the Initiative check - that would be a +16 for that combat :-).

"An excellent suggestion, Ganishana," Haladon agrees to the ruse. Anything to keep the Inspired away from us.

Gil nods at the kalashtar's suggestion, "My friends are familiar with the idea. I can only provide such communication for a short time. Would we be able to communicate directly with one another or do all conversations have to go through you as a relay?"

"Is there anyone you trust completely in the cafe? I need someone with an eye for current fashion. A young lady, preferably."

In a nutshell, the plan is to get some idea of high fashion for a young woman that would be from a family with the wherewithal to hire a pair of warforged bodyguards, modify her appearance to play the part of said young woman, then cast veil on Pierce and Haladon to have the appearance of two warforged in livery.

"Unfortunately, I am connected to each of you, but you are not to each other. All the conversation would relay through me. Telepathy is pretty quick, though..."

"No, I suspected as much. It's good to know how it works if I need to get a message to one of my 'escorts' as we move through the city."

"It is fine with me to have a mental connection. Can other people with your sorts of mind abilities capture the conversation in their heads?"

"I am not aware of any means to eavesdrop on such a link, but one that may infiltrate minds could still gain the information passed in such a conversation. It would be much harder for such invasion to be unnoticed, however.

Haladon, if we are not focusing on the monolith at the moment, would it make sense for us all to venture out together? Or at least near each other? I have a hat of disguise, if concealment is in order.

”My magic will accommodate the group, if need be. Would the larger group draw more attention? Or perhaps we can travel in two groups, for sake of mutual protection while not obviously traveling together...”

"That would be wise. I believe some of you are quite well known. You should use your magics to conceal yourselves. The rest of us shouldn't cause much of a stir while moving through the city. I can move quickly if needed in case we get separated. With Vaisyrharath's mental connection we can stay in touch too."

"Two groups might be better, but we should either stay close, or occasionally pass within a few yards of each other so that we can determine if we are being remotely observed. So, as suggested before, Haladon, Ganishana, and Pierce in the fist group; myself, Mintash, Ezreal, and Kazadar in the second? Where are we bound?"

Might be easier just to head out as a single group. Easier for me. If you want to engage in some sort of stealth you can make appropriate checks. Also, if you are going to use magic to reduce surveillance, please cast those spells/powers.

If you are going to look for Marrius, you will need Diplomacy checks to gather the information. If you are just looking for any ride, you could do worse than heading to the Lyrandar docking tower, although given that (some of) you guys trashed it a while back it might make for a tricky negotiation to go that route.

We’ll head to the adventurer’s quarter in Upper Dura (Clifftop). It’ll have places to sell the loot then we can start looking for Captain Marrius. We’ll be split into two groups as suggested; Vaisy and his group shadowing Gil’s group. Gil’s veil should cover everybody, Vaisy’s mindlink should keep us in constant communication and his detect remote viewing should provide us with some warning.

How’s that?

Gil’s veil will disguise group one (with her) as described earlier. The second group will be disguised as a half-elven troupe of varying ages, but all bearing a familial resemblance. May I present to you the Family Zamboni, of the Flying Zambonis. (Not everyone gets to be a flyer, even in a family of flyers.)

Just kidding - she will provide whatever appearance you can describe to her.

Kazadar's all good to go. I am going to change his spells but i cant think of any at this juncture that will reduce his chances of being detected more than what others have already done.

The group decides to split up and head for the area of Clifftop, partly to offload the treasure they wrested from the minmions of the Lord of Blades and partly because there might be word of Captain Marrius. One team more obviously hawks the loot and looked for Marrius and his crew, the other stays back and keeping tabs on the first.

OK, you can flog your loot and purchase stuff as you see fit (I believe GG has the numbers in the discussion thread). Diplomacy checks to look for Marrius (first group) and Perception checks toy look for trouble (second group).

Pierce, being a better observer than talker, keeps an eye on any dangers that may lurk behind, or in front of, the "face" group.

He keeps his eyes trained on his surroundings. Certainly as they walk through the streets of Sharn the Warforged has memories, though not a nostalgic feeling for, the City of Towers.

That was not the same Pierce as the one that strides with purpose through the city today. That Pierce was full of hatred and rage and the Flame's Arrow is glad that he is gone and the pupil of Lightbringer stands in his place.

Perception 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Despite his keen observation skills, Pierce does have a momentary lapse in concentration as he heads to the stalls to purchase a few potions for his own use later on. One never knows when emergency Repairs may be necessary. Plus in Sharn being able to float down safely was simply too important much less on an airship.

Purchase 5 potions of Repair Moderate Wounds & 2 Potions of Feather Fall= 1,600 GP.

Vaisyrharath does his best to keep an eye out for danger, and to not let himself be distracted by the sights of Sharn.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36

The towers of Sharn still inspire awe no matter how long he's been in the city. Even with looking at the sights, Mintash keeps a sharp eye on the people around the groups looking for suspicious activity. He does his best to not stick out himself.

stealth: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26

Gil or 'Ganishana' will be doing most of the talking to gather information so Haladon will use Aid Another on her Diplomacy checks.

Aid Another (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

Gil is in full flirt-and-pout mode as the scion of a minor family trying to ignore the two rather obvious bodyguards following her closely.

Wow, Haladon - you should be playing the lead role here!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

I'm not the team diplomat anymore, obviously.

Interlude. A small hut in Skysedge Park.

"G&@%$%n, that hurts. Did the graft take properly?" Trembling, Janosz only keeps from touching his left eye with great effort. He sits up and squints into the darkness.

"The ritual was successful. The pain should recede in a few days", rumbles a distinctly unsympathetic Orcish voice.

"Your Flamish buddy couldn't take it, though", snickers another unseen Orc. "There's another ritual that exchanges your skin for tree bark. That one would really freak him out."

"Quiet, you two. Concentrate, Janosz", whispers a third voice. "The seed grants powers besides sight. As we speak, its roots grow through your brain, your nose, your ears, heightening your awareness of the world around you. Use these powers. What do you see?"

Janosz fights off waves of nausea and vertigo as his vision clears up. "Graka. Jolz." He nods respectfully at the Gatekeeper hierophant and her massive bodyguard. "Balgat's outside the door. I can...smell him. And there's another orc standing behind me by the wall. Where's Rodergo?"

"He left", sneers the orc by the door. "Said he had to catch a train. Also said to say that you couldn't go to Flamekeep. Said he wuz doing you a favour. You've been out for a bit, so I guess you missed that train."

"Moron." Shaking his head, Janosz staggers out of the hut and into the bright sunlight. Ezreal will know what to do. After a brief goodbye, he hails a skycab and heads for the Upper Dura district.

Perception: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (5) + 29 = 34 to find the party members.

Perception: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (10) + 29 = 39 to spot anyone else taking too much interest in the party members.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

If you missed the train, we have probably completed some or all of our sales transaction and are looking for Captain Marrius.

Since the plan wasn't completely formed when Janosz left, all he knows is that three of us will be disguised and transporting gear (via the portable hole) for sale. The plan for the rest of the group wasn't set yet. If/when we arrive in the same location, since he's not hiding himself, she will likely spot him using the roll above. When she does, she will report via telepathy to the central hub of our little mental communication network.

Someone looking like Janosz is ahead, left side, but if it's him, he missed his train and he's had some work done. Vaisyrharath, can you add him to the mental conversation or apprise him of the plan? He can shadow us very effectively, but we don't want him to visibly join the group without a disguise. If you can't add him, I will need a moment to bring him up to speed.

I assume he can, so I won't go into the necessary steps for her to change form to one he recognizes and catch him, bring him up to speed, cast a spell of disguise on him, and change back to my spoiled-little-rich girl guise alongside my new beau.

Sounds good. All I know is that you would head to the market to flog loot, so that's where I went first.

to Gil
Easily done, m'lady.

Vaisyrharath contacts Janosz, adds him to the link, informs him of everyone's appearance and the plan, and asks him if he can add a permanent telepathic link.

Janosz tenses up as the telepath establishes contact. Nice try, mind-witch. Come talk to me in person if you dare. Bring some of your ogre bodyguards, too, to make it interesting.

Now that’s in character if any post I’ve seen has been.

I can return to my normal form without affecting the other disguises if I need to meet him face-to-face. Don’t make that offer, just tell me if it’s necessary. He will rightly suspect a trick otherwise.

To Janosz

My apologies. I should have realized your encounters with the Inspired would leave you wary of such contact. Your companion Ganishana is currently disguised as the well-dressed gentlewoman in the white dress and golden accessories, ahead and to your left. She will verify herself to you in a moment. I am currently disguised as a half elf acrobat rather clumisly juggling, about five yards past Gasishana. The other half elves in my "troupe" are Mintash, Ezreal, and Kazadar."

The Kalashtar makes a vain and clumsy attempt to juggle, smiling ruefully at his ineptitude.

to Gil

Ganishana, I am afraid you may need to reveal yourself to Janosz - he has taken my attempt to contact him as a deceit by the Inspired. I've pointed you out to him.

Tell the second group that we will be pausing at this shop, then.

Turning to her escorts, she says, "I want to see the wares in this store," and heads into a boutique that caters to both men and women.

She selects a dress and poses before a mirror before asking if she can try it on. With her escorts standing before the door in a watchful pose, she changes form and attire to that of a certain elf and casts invisibility on herself before slipping out of the dressing room and heading back out onto the street. Moving up to where a suspicious Janosz awaits, but before she's in reach for a potentially violent reaction from him, she says using Runzyl's voice, "Do you ever stop and consider the many allies that have passed through our lives, Shadow Marcher? May I approach?"

Assuming he grants the request, in the voice she usually uses with her Cassandra persona, she whispers once she is close enough, "We have new friends traveling with us, but we are all disguised in hopes of avoiding detection from some old friends you might recall. Those old friends might recall you, as well, so I would like to alter your appearance, too. Do you see the boutique down the street? They don't carry a lot of clothes you'd choose, but if you can pick something out and get a dressing room in which to try it on, I can disguise you out of anyone's sight. We will introduce you to Vaisyrharath later. He will ask about creating a permanent mental link. Seems a tactically solid choice, so the rest of us have let him do so."

"Come as close as you want or think you need," Janosz replies in a low voice. Gil finds him in a philosophical mood. "Y'know, Gil, Cassandra, whoever you are right now... That glamour doesn't fool me anymore - it might make you invisible, but I felt you approach, even before you spoke. I could demand that you reveal yourself, but appearances count for nothing, as Gelb, the ogre magi and even the demon-goblin that originally owned the tent all proved. However, you smell the same, and I will trust that. Though the senses might be deceived, you have to eventually trust something. The other way lies madness. Let's get outfitted and meet the rest of the crew."

"Do we have actual kalashtar help now?", he mutters as he makes his way to the store. "It is about damned time Havakhad threw a bone our way, considering how much we've done for them."

With that, I'm in and disguised, but without a telepathic link for now.

Vaisyrharath warns his colleagues about the unplanned stop, then waits patiently for Ganishana's next move.