Keep to the boat until a couple of hours walk outside Magnimar, then get off, and wander into town Slowly.
Possibly split those who aren't going to Magnimar at that point....
Illes has been slouching in a corner half asleep throughout most of the planning with a broad brimmed hat over his eyes. He rouses enough to mumble, "Pointy ears can just reshape her face once we get to Magnimar right? I can make me and Vethran whoever we want to be for a good hour and a half at a time. The polearm is trickier though. I could make it something else, but it will still be a long pole type thing and the first thing to distract me will reveal it."
Keep to the boat until a couple of hours walk outside Magnimar, then get off, and wander into town Slowly.
Possibly split those who aren't going to Magnimar at that point....
“Pointy ears?” Elisile arches a delicate eyebrow and looks sidelong at the Varisian. “You are correct about my spell though … although it will only last a little over five minutes, twice that if I prepare an extended version, which I will go and do now. Enough to see us un-noticed through the gates. I suggest that when we land, we purchase a cart or wagon from an outlying farm or hamlet, and lay the polearm within amongst lengths of firewood. That way it should not attract attention – either from the authorities or the Sczarni, as we pass through the gates.”
"Let's go see some Shoanti...."
The next day, the Otter sets off for the final leg of the trip to Magnimar. The river meanders in a long loop south, then west, and then north-west towards the sea. Unwilling to dawdle long, Captain Murchins hails a fishing boat out of a village ten miles from the city to take the travellers to shore. After a brief negotiation, a deal is struck and the group clamber from the deck of the golem boat and into the single-masted dinghy. With typical sentimentality, Murchins calls for power and the paddle boat churns away before farewells can be made.
So the party find themselves crowded with their gear in a small boat with a grizzled, taciturn old man, his slack-jawed grandson and a catch of silvery fish sloshing in the bottom of the open hull. The men row with practiced ease back towards the shore and the hamlet in which they live.
Back on dry land, the party are directed along the road west. Coming to a rise, the way splits. A lane heads north through farmland to meet the main road to Sandpoint. The other way heads west down to Magnimar, which can be seen in the distance: the walls, towers and harbours, smothered in a haze of woodsmoke, and with the ruins of the Irespan marching out into the ocean beyond.
"I'm guessing.....little stopoff in Sandpoint is warranted before we go hunting after Shoanti."
“Farewell and good luck Alwyn Agnarrson, Hudak of the Shoanti and Camlo Zonovia,” speaks Elisile formally. “May you stand strong against the wind. Keep in touch until we meet again.”
The farewells complete, the elven woman turns to Illes and Vethran. “To Magnimar?”
Hudak's voice cracks a little;
"B.....bye, Ellie,...."
Vethran bids the departing party members a fond farewell, complete with well-spirited hugs. "Keep in touch, Alwyn, and don't hesitate to call for help. By this time tomorrow, I should be in possession of magics that will permit me to come to your aid from hundreds of miles away... provided you can send me a detailed description of your location. Hmmm... perhaps I should look into a scrying device of some kind. Just in case, would you mind leaving me with a lock of your hair? It would enable me to keep tabs on you more accurately if needed."
The Varisian, despite his best attempts, cannot manage to avoid sounding really creepy with this request.
Alwyn shakes the hands of the Varisian cousins and gives Elisile a hug. "Take care, friends. Keep in mind that you are among diabolists and Chelish scum here; trust nobody and stay safe. We'll be in touch daily through our spells." He also gives Vethran a good-sized chunk of hair.
Once their companions are gone, he turns to Camlo. "Say, Camlo, you aren't wanted by the Magnimar authorities, are you? That could make landfall awkward."
Once their companions are gone, he turns to Camlo. "Say, Camlo, you aren't wanted by the Magnimar authorities, are you? That could make landfall awkward."
"Not, the ah, authorities. Just certain, shall we say, Underground Persons, of some Authority." Camlo stresses some words to impart their importance. "It would take them a day or so to catch me up, even in Magnimar, so out here I should be safe enough. Thank you for your concern though. Sandpoint is said to be a pretty little town. An odd haunted house there isn't there?"
"Not anymore. We killed it."
"I couldn't care less if the militiamen wanted you - the laws of this place are corrupt and dishonourable. But it makes things a lot easier that we don't really need to hide you. You might want to dress inconspicuously, though, while we're here. No need to attract the attention of the local thugs."
The companions part on the road to Magnimar.
Beyond the gate, the streets of Magnimar beckon. Night is drawing in, and already the lamp-lighters are at work. With lit wicks on the end of long poles, they are seting the street lanterns in the main streets aglow as the sky darkens.
Magnimar:
And Elisile got to drive a car? Awesome.
Shoantis:
Magnificent Seven Shoanti and a hobbit:
This is gonna be fun."
The companions find an inn in Dockway, in the lower part of Magnimar. As they arrive, the sky has darkened and a light but persistent rain is falling, causing them to reflect upon their friends out in the countryside.
Camlo and Co:
(lol) I sorta know how to do this IRL;....hasty ranger shelter and whatnot. Hudak's a dumbf@#* though, so here goes.....maybe he'll critical.
survival untrained
Camlo's droogies:
"Let's set up tent and camp in that sheep thing over there," Hudak says, pointing at the 'circle. "betwixt that tree and wall, we should have a goodly fortification against the rain I sniff in my nose." Start looking around for hawthorn branches to gather up for a fire if we like to go that route.
"This is going to be fun, guys!" He's all smiling as a big globber of rain spaks loudly on his shiny bald head.
Camlovians:
Magnimarans:
The second market would be those keen to study the polearm for its magical and material properties - it is, after all, a massive piece of enchanted adamantine. Such purchasers might include high-level spell-casters, or organisations that are renowned for their magical or crafting prowess, or potentially less-high-minded governments interested in the item for its insights into weapon-manufacture.
Magnimar is a large international port, with links across the whole of Avistan and beyond. While maybe not as central as Absalom, it should be possible to tap the international market in addition to the locals. There are a number of places in the city which could serve usefully, either as possible purchasers or ways to contact them:
- the Bazaar of Sails - a huge market for international wares
- the Golemworks - a large workshop district where magical materials from the Irespan are worked
- the Pathfinder Society lodge, a group of explorers of mixed reputation
- The Stone of Seers, Magnimar's main school of wizardry
- Underbridge - the main haunt of Magnimar's underworld
This list is not exhaustive and further research may reveal additional ways to make the best sale.
Magnimarans:
“I see little reason for trying to sell the weapon on the black market,” she adds.
** spoiler omitted **
Hudakites:
As evening begins to draw in, a rider approaches from behind, travelling in the same direction as the adventurers. As he comes closer he slows his mount and hails. He is a dark-skinned, dark-haired Varisian man, dressed in travel-stained leathers. He smiles, though he cautiously eyes the accoutrements of war carried by the trio.
"Well met on the road, strangers. Are you headed to Sandpoint?"
Magnimar:
“I am going to visit the Bazaar of Sails,” she says. “Either of you are welcome to come with me. I need to buy some clothes not encrusted with weeks worth of grime … while I am there I shall investigate the possibility of selling the polearm.”
After breakfast, the elven woman heads over to the Bazaar (with or without her companions), and after spending some time browsing the wares of several clothing merchants, starts looking around for signs of weapons and / or ancient relics being sold, as well as keeping her ears open for any relevant talk of such things.
Aubrey:
Hudak and crew:
I'm called Hudak. This is Alwyn, and our friend....Bilbrodo...."
Hudak and crew:
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Over breakfast Illes nods, "I'm heading out too, but the shopping? Not so much. Sorry woman, you are on your own. Vethran- stay out of trouble, right? Keep your head down. I'm going to poke around a little and see what I can learn about the Pathfinders here- whether they are generally trustworthy or dangerous. If you want to meet up in a few hours Elisile, I might finish out the Bazaar with you." He finishes off his biscuits and gravy then adds, "Not good to go out looking like myself I guess though with our friends around any corner." He frowns and thinks about it, "Remember the kid that used to run with us? Larken? I think I'll be him today."