Aubrey's Other Eberron Campaign - The Unbinding (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Wultram gives nod to Pooma before going to take a seat and rest from the exhausting trip. The necromancer remains quiet deep in his own thoughts.

When Wultram sits, Cole looks up for a moment, his thick metal hands not pausing in their work. That currently being hammering a dent out of a plate of under-armor. A look of curiosity comes over his metal features as he watches the lean Karnathi, “You didn’t back down from the big lizard. Could you have won the fight alone? I’ll admit my training in fighting spell-casters is limited, but from my perspective, he had the advantage of proximity, reach and initiative.”

indeed DM, but could a sharpened pole be used as a workable lance?

No, it'd be a spear, which doesn't do the extra damage on a charge.

oh well... :)

Wultram raises his head turning towards the warforged. "I -could- have, I did not expect that to be the case however. Luckily for me I knew I was not alone. As far as me being a spell caster, I am more specialized than most. I took a calculated risk, I might have been knocked unconcious and nearly did but we have a healer so I was not likely to bleed out. I trusted you others to keep the enemy from finishing me if that was the case and win." He takes a small pause to inhale more smoke.

"Your estimation is correct, but that only looks at two individuals instead of the full situation. Although if I am being perfectly honest there is a tad of pride involved in not backing down that Karns have a reputation for."

Cole nods along as he switches to filing down a few burrs on the inside of the detached armor plate. The exposed semi-organic cords in his chest flex in time to the motion. "I guess there are worse traits... right up until they get you killed. Though you're right, I had your back for the good of the squad."

He looks over at Wultram. "Rehil said you stood defense over me when I fell back in the swamp... against the poison dusk." He looks at Wultram as he begins wiping oil onto the newly-filed edge, then begins fitting it back into his chest. There's a warm, appreciative tone in his deep voice as he finishes, "... so maybe it wasn't all for the good of the squad."

Rehil looks around trying not to appear too stupid. This is something in which he's had a great deal of practice. He settles on drifting over to Cole and Wultram to see if he can lend a hand repairing Cole. The workings of the warforged continue to interest him.

".. The good of the squad.... We haven't had much good lately, but maybe things are looking up. Pooma didn't throw us out. He's taking care of Bokehn and he's promised us a feast. After yesterday's grubs and fungus, almost anything sounds good."

The man gives a nod and a knowing smirk to the warforged. "Slightly worried though, that back there was essentially a declaration of war. I don't know what Pooma wants to talk about, but I would guess it might have something in relation to that. Even if I am mistaken wich very well might be the case, I think our departure will not be easy. I wish I had studied on the natives."

He takes another inhale from his pipe and smirks again as he looks at Rehil. "We are alive are we not, that is good enough in my book." His face takes a bit of a frown. "Sadly not all."

The adventurers get a chance to rest up for the rest of the morning and afternoon. They are billeted in a (more or less) dry hut and largely left alone. One or two adults and a gaggle of young lizardfolk peer curiously at them through the doorway, but otherwise they are left undisturbed. Bokehn, meanwhile, is being cared for elsewhere by Pooma and a couple of acolytes.

Just for clarity, you arrived about nine or ten in the morning and the feast is at dusk, so you have eight hours or so to do whatever stuff you feel like doing in that time.

During the afternoon a pit is dug and a large cooking fire is built on the island in the middle of the village. It is lit and then allowed to burn down to embers. Large fish, river turtles, viands of meat and gnarled, pale roots are wrapped in leaves, placed in the charcoal and buried to cook slowly. By evening the villagers begin to gather and a lizardfolk comes and respectfully asks in broken Common for the visitors to join them.

On the island, the food is now cooked and disinterred, laid out on mats of woven palm fronds together with odd-shaped fruits from the jungle and gourds filled with fermented sap. Pooma stands beside the spread and says, "You are our honoured guests. You may choose first."

William and James will tour the village and out of curiosity will observe the daily lives of the lizardfolk

----

William will get up and choose from the spread enough meat and fruits to make sure to show his appreciation but not so much as there aren't any other prized pieces for others.

He will nod in appreciation toward the Elder and Chief Pooma and he heads back toward his seat.

Portforged approaches Will.
"I am in need of repair."

After that it will keep watch, in the event that the poisendusk return.

"I am in need of repair."

Are there any psionic powers that repair constructs and the like?

Not that Portforged learned. However, normal healing spells/powers have half-normal effect on warforged.

Nalverren makes small talk with any lizardfolk that peer at them. He will grab a few chunks of meat. Anything to mix up the bugs I've been eating.

"sorry portforge, nothing i can do for you today after healing cole, james, wultram after that fight and healing wultram again this morning.

You are going to have to bear with it until tomorrow"

"Very well. I will keep watch, in case the poisondusks return."
Portforged made an attempt to repair itself:
Craft to treat deadly wounds: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
And heals 6 hit-points!

There is no such skill as Craft. Craft (what?)? We are basically playing with 3.0 rules when it comes to warforged as per the ECS and your application of the skill is not in line with that - check out what Cole is doing (it'll probably be more beneficial anyway) assuming you have the right Craft skill. Plus, your bonus is +8, not +10.

Also, the action is focussing on the feast.

Craft (blacksmithing). ECS, page 46: "Repair Warforged: A character with ranks in certain class skills can attempt to repair a warforged character who has taken damage. A check requires 8 hours and restores a number of hit points equal to the craft check result -15.....
Applicable Craft skills include armorsmithing, blacksmithing, gemcutting, and sculpting. A warforged with an applicable craft skill can repair itself."
Yes, I appear to have gotten all the numbers wrong. My bonus is only +8, so I can repair 28-15=13 hit-points.

When you say the action is focusing on the feast, do you mean that Portforged cannot stop and repair itself?

No, Portforged has time in the eight hour gap to repair himself. We just seem to be getting sidetracked with PF repairing himself in the period beforehand. I'm very happy for people to say what they are doing in that gap, but the timeline has moved on a bit and PF, for example, hasn't said what he's doing at the feast (which should be interesting, since he doesn't eat).

Wultram remains seated as they wait should any of the lizardmen brave to aprouch he would gladly make small talk with them in a friendly manner. Most of the time he is satisfied with smoking his pipe and just watching the village live it's life.

---

Wultram settles for some meat and a few fruits, the fermented beverage is tempting but ultimately he abstains. He takes a seat waiting for others. While hungry he is more interested in that mentioned discussion.

Portforged stood near the table, though it was hesitant to sit down. It positioned itself so that it could see and hear the lizardfolk, while also keeping a mechanical eye on the door (in case some poisondusks entered).
Curious about its environment, Portforged inquired of a nearby lizardfolk
"Are these 'feasts' a regular occurrence here?"

At the feast, Nalverren will ask a few of the lizardfolk what they can say about the giant turtle creature that appears to be the subject of reverence.

".. The good of the squad.... We haven't had much good lately, but maybe things are looking up.”

Cole accompanies Rehil and Wultram to the feast, continuing their conversation. “Wultram may be right. Maybe the good luck is that we’re all still walking.” He shrugs his massive shoulders, “Marzien would say that’s looking at the ale half-full.”

“Marzien was my … former master.” He adds after a bit.

When the food is offered, the massive warforged stands at the back of the group. He takes no food, but nods at any lizardfolk who greets or makes eye contact with him.

After a few minutes of the eating, Cole notices Bokehn’s absence. He lumbers over towards Pooma, doing his absolute best (and for the most part succeeding) in refraining from jostling the smaller locals… especially their tiny children. He stops in front of the lizardfolk leader, oblivious to any customs or niceties, and somewhat interrupts whatever discussion the chief has going.

“Is Bokehn well? I don’t see him.”

Rehil knows enough to keep his mouth shut, stick to the middle of the group, smile, and take his social cues from the draconic speakers.

Fearing incidental cannibalism, he sticks to fish, turtle and roots, but tries anything in those categories. He takes a small portion at first , but subsequent rounds are large. He's got some making up to do in the consumption department.

william having tried the food is mostly enjoying the feast, after all the last couple of days have been hard and the days to come as well

The lizardfolk looks at Portforged inscrutably. "No," it eventually replies. "You do not eat the food. Do you fear that we will poison you?"

*********************

The lizardfolk replies to Nalverren. "Kalaktua is the goddess of the lake, a child of the dragon gods. Many seasons ago our forefathers made her sleep. To hear she has risen again is bad, for she devoured many villages and demanded tributes from others. These are bad times. War with the humans, war between the tribes and now Kalaktua. I fear for my children."

*********************

Pooma takes Cole's interruption in his stride. The lizardfolk seem quite direct in their dealings with others, so he seems unfazed by Cole's approach. "Bokehn is unwell, but I do not think he will die. He is resting and I expect him to recover in the next few days."

The rest of the tribe take their portions and other lizardfolk bring out wooden drums. They begin to play, providing a rhythmical backdrop to the conversation. Pooma gets to the point.

"I fear for my tribe. The poisondusks are stirring the tribes for war. They will attack those which do not side with them. And those that do side with them will be destroyed when they try to fight the humans, as always happens. House Tharashk will want to punish those responsible for the loss of their people and camp and may not tell one tribe from another. And now Kalaktua....

"But the poisondusks speak of the holy places being defiled. Even if you are not responsible, tribes other than the poisondusks have confirmed it. And it provides the excuse the poisondusks need to rouse the tribes for war.

"My people are simple. They do not understand what the humans do or why they do it. And humans do not listen to lizardfolk. But you are humans, or live with the humans. You are a part of their people. You can understand why they are breaking the treaties and disturbing the holy places, and perhaps you could put a stop to it.

"My tribe has little of value to offer except our friendship. But I ask you to see what is causing the tribes to rise for war."

Cole nods at the news of Bokehn, then stands rock still—in a way only constructs can—as Pooma makes his case. When he finishes, Cole gives a slow look around at the strange village. Then he looks back at the chief.

“I don’t know if I can help. I don’t understand why the poisondusk would start a war if you all know you can’t win it.” He shrugs, “Then again, I fail to understand much of what even humans do.”

He looks around at Bokehn’s crew, “My priority is getting Bokehn out of here alive. It’s what I told him I’d do, anyway. If he’s not going to awake for days—and if you can guarantee his safety in the mean time,” Cole gives the chief a hard look before continuing, “then I can go have a look. Though I don’t have a clue what good it will do. I’m no tracker or investigator.” He hikes a thick, metal thumb at his team, “Though some of this crew seems to have some of those skills. Maybe you’ll be able to entice them.”

His hard look returns, still directed at Pooma, “But you will promise to take care of Bokehn while I am away. If he is further injured, there will be trouble.”

"well if we have your permission i can try to track down those who went digging, in all logic your people's trackers would have tried to follow the human's trail" william ponders for a few seconds "there aren't much choices either we start as the lasted site that was dug or we go and investigate toward the closes human encampments. If those trespassers were looking for stuff they have to use a base camp and it would be close to the rivers. I doubt that it would be a scientific dig as the tribes would have made a siege. We are looking for a team of grave robbers that is mobile and that know the lands and the location of the different sacred sites."

"I cannot eat," Portforged replied simply. "Nor would poison affect me."
Overhearing Cole's discussion, it shuffled over towards Pooma.
"I do not know if we could convince House Tharashk to distinguish between tribes, but...What do you believe it would take to convince some of the other tribes to ally against the poisondusk?"

"How did your ancestors put Kalaktua to sleep before?"

------------------------------------------------------

Nalverren remains silent on the issue, thinking about what the others are saying and trying to put the pieces together in his head.

After a minute or so of deep thought, Nalverren speaks.

in common "We need to stop Therashk. The houses crave power above all else, and no doubt they seek some source of power beneath the ruins. We need to halt their advance towards this goal, but furthermore, we must make it unattractive to pursue such things on this continent, far away from their established base of power. Only in this way will the lizardfolk find peace, and we find our goals realized."

Running his hand over a reddish-black spot on his shoulder, Nalverren adds, "First thing in the morning, with a little rest, we should see ourselves along the path. However," he looks to Pooma, in draconic "we need some guidance in order to put us in the right direction. Could you provide us a guide to the defiled ruins?"

"Hold on Nalverren, you are going on a little too fast your goal now might be to stop House Therashk and the other and bring peace to and monster the Lizardfolk tribes but you might want to check with the others about it first before using the all inclusive We. So far I have only agreed to see what is causing the tribes to rise for war. Cole's priority is getting Bokehn out of here alive and while he rest and recover he will come along. The others have yet to express their views."

"That's also assuming Tharashk is responsible for the burial disturbances. They could be, or there could be something else at play." He shrugs again, "We really don't know."

He looks at the chief, "But Chief Pooma has been helpful when he didn't have to be. Tharashk blood has been spilled either way, and the immediate threat to his tribe are the other lizardfolk tribes. He could easily have sided with them, in which case i suspect at least Bokehn would be dead right now. Whatever his motivations, I'm inclined to see if we can help him in return... if for no other reason than for our employer's benefit."

Wultram gives a small nod of his head to the halfling. "Not one person here can hope to stop a dragonmarked house, but Bokehn might have a chance. Revenge will most likely be demanded I certainly would. I also belive that they did not manage to get into their position by making foolish decisions. As such I belive it is likely that there could be made a distinction between the ones responsible and those not. Also you should not make the mistake of lumping humans into one group, sit me down with your average Thrane and I bet eventually punches will fly. As to why brake the treaty? Same as always greed, be that for money, power or influence. I would suspect you have your share of criminals too same as us."

He takes a pause to ponder before continuing. "Judging by our encounter earlier I would say you cannot reason with the poisondusk. So the other option is war, choose allies carefully. Someone is going to perish, I would rather it not be your tribe. That would be m educated guess with my limited knowledge. As to your request, you gave us a place to rest and helped our employer. There is debt to be payed there."

"Well," Nalverren turns to the halfling "the others have weighed in. It would appear that they are in favor of helping this tribe of lizardfolk. We cannot reason with their enemies, so it stands to reason we must remove that which provokes them. Through witnessing us taking care of the Therashk treaty-breakers, perhaps they can see not all soft-skins are to be despised. It stands to reason we must investigate the activities in the ruins and put a stop to them. That said, the houses will not stop in their ambition, hence my statement about making it unattractive, fiscally or otherwise, to pursue their goals here. Going too fast still?"

Cole shakes his head uncomprehendingly at the back and forth between Will and Nalverren. He looks to Wultram and the chief, "Regardless, the burial sites may give us some clues, and I can be ready to go take a look immediately. Though I wouldn't mind some more time to do some more repairs."

He looks at Pooma, "Anything helpful you can tell us about the ruined sites or the surrounding areas? Either in terms of information we should keep in mind or dangers we should watch out for?"

"I still believe our top priority should be convincing the other tribes not to form alliances with the Poisondusk. I do think a quarrel with House Tharashk would turn out well for us."
Turning to Pooma, it inquired:
"Are there any other tribes you think could be won over? Your brief description suggests to me that the Poisondusks feel a need for allies among the tribes, and denying them that would be ideal."

"Denying them allies would indeed be helpful to an extent, but it still doesn't stop the defiling."

"yes still going to fast for me Nalverren, right now i have only agreed to check out the holy site in the clse by area and I have only agreed to see what is causing the tribes to rise for war. I will be ready to leave in the morning after the feast and a good night's rest"

"You all seem to be disagreeing, yet all agreeing to help. I do not understand your people, but I thank you," says Pooma. "Let us finsh the feast, and tomorrow we can talk about the details."

"We are disagreeing as to the end goal Chief Pooma, but we do all agree to help your with your request" he says smiling "Right more food and more fun, as this this will probably the last calm day for a while" he says going back for some more food.

Seemingly at a loss, Cole looks to Pooma. "Tomorrow."

He goes back to what he was doing before... being a fixture on the fringes of the feast, nodding to any who approach him, and doing his best to be careful of the tiny lizard-folk children who seem curious about the huge metal man.

The feast is a relatively sedate affair - lizardfolk do not appear to be party-animals. Mostly they quietly eat and talk to one another in their hissing speech, listening attentively to the drummers as they weave a hypnotic, shifting percussive rhythm. Those that require sleep eventually head back to their huts, leaving the warforged and a few night guards keeping watch over the palisade.

Cole can have another crack at repairing himself in the night. The rest of you can heal as if you had good bed rest.

The following morning is murky with mist. The adventurers are brought brought fruits for their breakfast. Pooma arrives shortly after. With typical lizardfolk bluntness he immediately asks, "Tell me what you need to know to perform this task."

"Everything. Forewarned is forearmed."

"where are the sites you want us to examine and the different tribes and village we will meet along the way"

"woof ?"

"Maps would be appriciated no matter how crude they will help. Nalverren also brought up a good point." He notes to Pooma then looks around. "This mist will likely help us pass undetected, but we might get lost, anyone doesn't happen to have a compass?"

Pooma looks at Nalverren with a look that might be quizzical. "As you wish. The poisondusk and his companions came to us the night before you arrived. He told us that humans were despoiling holy places to the north of here. I do not know precisely where they are. But I do know that it was in the lands of the tribe of his Cold Sun companions, and we know where they are. You must travel to their lands and somehow persuade them to tell you.

"The totem of our tribe is the Water Snake. The totem of the other tribe is the Finback. They are a war-like tribe, led by an angry chief called Ssessek. They normally fight strangers they meet, and they bear little love for humans. The poisondusk will have found it easy to convince Ssessek to go to war. You will need to travel upriver for two days to reach Finback lands. They neighbour ours, but we see them rarely because there are many rapids on the river between our territory and their's which makes travel difficult. But we will provide you with guides and canoes. You will not need maps or compasses, our guides know the way.

"One more thing. The poisondusk spoke of the dragon gods. One of the dragon gods dwells deep within this jungle. His lair is many days journey way - for which I am thankful. Few have every spied him, and few who do live to speak of it, but his influence is heavy upon the poisondusk and blackscale. The desire of the poisondusk and blackscales to stir trouble with the Cold Sun tribes may be a plot of this dark lord. If so, you should be wary.

"You need to move swiftly, but you must be fit for the journey. If you wish, you may rest another day with us to regain your strength. Is there anything else you wish to know?

"Also, Bokehn's fever broke last night, if you wish to see him. He asked specifically for the one among you called Nalverren."

Portforged pondered the lizardfolk's words for a moment.
"Do you think it would be plausible to have Ssessek...replaced, by a more amicable leader?"
"And, does anyone know what sort of power this Dragon God possesses?"

"Bokehn might have valuable information as well. Thank you for your assistance, Chief Pooma. I will go see him right away." With that, Nalverren heads to talk to Bokehn.