"Hrmph, if you wish to return to the surface you certainly can."
Aali nods in agreement with Harva.
Am I to assume y'all have chosen to go back to the surface to rest? I think the path taken down here by Revion and Helac is blocked, but the route taken by Nik'o, Tierney, and Kiana is not.
I think the idea is, retreat, regroup, and figure out what to do next. Too many things in too short a time, too many new faces nobody really trusts, and too much unknown. Without a chance to get to know each other, nobody can really trust each other, and with the Yuan'ti talking about ambushes and other things, we're just better off regrouping and figuring out what is going on and proceeding forward again.
The group trecks back along the path taken by Kiana and Nik'o. Back up the winding bath, back to the surface. Well, it's not really the surface, you are still inside a mountain, and these stench-filled tunnels (that Kiana, Nik'o, and Tierney arrived through when they met the other PCs) aren't exactly comfortable, but at least you are away from danger. It's at least plausible to set up camp here.
When you have made it, Minitash addresses the group.
"I think it is time that my companions and I shall go our separate way. We shall likely return to our homeland. You rescued is from the power of that shapeshifter."
He holds out a small crystal, with a few strands of silver wire attached. "I request that you take this as a parting gift. It shall increase your mental capacity."
spellcraft, 16:
It's a cognizance crystal, which stores 1 pp.
"These, as well." Halkelk holds out a small bag.
"In this bag is a mask, which shall enhance your stealth."
spellcraft, 24 (bag):
The bag is a bag of holding.
Looking inside the bag, there is indeed a mask which appears to be made of wood.
The three kalashtar prepare to leave.
If you want to have some dialogue with the kalashtar before they leave, you may do so.
Charivia says to the remainder of the group:
"I wouldst be on my way, but methinks I hath nowhere to go, as all those I knew are gone. Since thou all art tired, you may make use of this. It is a healing wand."
She holds out a wand of Cure Light Wounds.
"Hence I shall stay with thee."
Kiana nods at the halfling. "Until you have found a place, I have no objection. If you have questions about the world you find yourself in, I will answer them if I am able." It's likely the nicest Nik'O and Tierney have seen Kiana act the entire time they've known her.
Nik'o is exhausted when they reach the slightly wider tunnel where they elect to camp and rest. He finds a dry spot and drops on his butt, only taking his pack off his back after, and clumsily.
Slowly, he spreads on the floor and closes his eyes. He stays there for five minutes, then sits up, seemingly refreshed by the short rest. He takes a gulp of water, then gets up and helps the others to set camp.
He watches Minitash intrigued: "Thanks for these gifts Minitash, but what will happen to you all? You've somehow traveled across the ages. How does someone live with that!?"
He shrugs: "I wish you could tell us more about that village before you leave. Were there Yuan-ti back then? Do you think the people down there are from your time as well?"
Minitash, Halkelk, and Kashaana are not the ones who are from a different time period: it is Charivia who was just revived after having been dead for 100 years.
Assuming you meant to ask Charivia...
"When I arrived here,"
the halfling answers,
"The city looked much as it did now. But there were more yuan-ti there, and some kalashtar and humans. Methinks few of them lived here, but they were sight-seers of sorts, from elsewhere in Adar and Sykarn. There was a couple, a kalashtar and a yuan-ti, who ran an inn wherein many visitors stayed."
"Some who came were scholars, looking for remnants of an ancient world. Others searched for the beginnings of the Sovereign Host. But others who did come..."
she shudders
"my death was far from peaceful."
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Aid Another:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 2 = 13 Helac, isn't that a psionic crystal?
Spellcraft:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 Nonsense. Odds are better it's magical, even in this area.
Leave it to a psionic character to not recognize a psionic tool. :D
Aid Another:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 2 = 16 An extra dimensional space?
Spellcraft:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23 Indeed. A bag of holding.
Aid Another:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 2 = 10 Oh. We've seen one like that before!
Spellcraft:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 Yes, Eroh. A hunter's mask. One of the Kalashtar smugglers we traveled with had a similar device.
Turning to each of the Kalashtar in in turn, Helac sketches a small bow. These are handsome gifts, Minitash, Halkelk, and Kashaana. Thank you. I wish you a safe journey back to southern Adar.
Thinking back to the initial introduction to the group which included drawn weapons and threats, Helac adds, And I again apologize for any and all initial rudeness when we met. Mayhap... one day I will be in Adar and I can take all of you and the real Deeyna for a drink.
If no one else engages the Kalashtar, Helac will wait a bit, helping to set up camp and listening as the other talk, then responding to Charivia's comments.
Charivia... if your memory yet feels too keen... simply wait. I am sure everything can come in it's own time. He smiles for a moment as he adds apologetically, I would bore you with what little detail of my self that I can dredge up. However... there's not much of that left in my mind, so I think it would be disjointed and overly brief.
Then he looks as if an idea occurs to him, But good Charivia, if you would, where did you learn your psychic skills? I find... my odd magics require a certain amount of allowance on the part of the persons involved. You seem a little more adept than myself. He smiles at the archaic halfling encouragingly.
M Tiefling Magus Kensai 3 | Init +5 | HP 24/26 | AC 18 FF 12 T 17 | Saves +4/+3/+2 | Perception +5 | BAB +2 CMB +5 CMD +15
Tierney watches in silence for the most part. In truth, he is a bit embarrassed that he knows so little of Sarlona and the stakes that recent events present.
Before the kalashtar leave:
Minitash smiles at Helac's words
"Apology accepted. Without you there, we would almost surely have been slain. Perhaps we shall meet again, perhaps not. If we do, I hope it is in a more comfortable situation."
After the kalashtar leave:
Charivia ceases her explanation at Helac's request.
"Yes, of course, if thou doth not which to here my memories at the present time I shall refrain from telling thee."
As Helac asks his next question, a somewhat puzzled expression crosses her face.
sense motives, 15:
She is wondering why you asked her about her past right after asking her not to share her memories:)
She is also unsure if she wants to share how she gained psionic powers.
She assists in setting up camp.
If y'all are are going to rest here, you can apply the benefits of a full night's rest.
M Tiefling Magus Kensai 3 | Init +5 | HP 24/26 | AC 18 FF 12 T 17 | Saves +4/+3/+2 | Perception +5 | BAB +2 CMB +5 CMD +15
Sense Motive
1d20 ⇒ 6
Tierney focuses on the halfling to try to read her but her archaic speech pattern distracts him and he gleans nothing more to her than what is on the surface.
Sleep comes so easily after a long day of adventuring. Just a couple days ago you were on the ocean, sailing away from Khorvaire. Now you are underground in Sarlona, on a quest with people you scarcely know, searching for something you don't understand.
Fortunately, the night passes without interruption. These tunnels do not see very much traffic. Time to get back to adventure....
Nik'o wakes up once more thinking his features are gone. His hands move apprehensively across his face, until he reassures himself that he still wears the personae of Nikolai.
He stretches like a cat on the cavern's floor, then gets up and looks if anyone has started on the breakfast.
I'm starving!
Once settled, he asks: "Anyone knows anything about Yuan-tis'?"
The non-humans resemble Yuan-Ti, humanoids with snake-like features and the ability to polymorph into snakes. Yuan-ti are native to Sarlona, but when the Inspired arrived they were mostly wiped out. Most who remain in Sarlona stay hidden in Syrkarn, hiding in the ruins of ancient yuan-ti civilization.
For a long time, there have been rumors in Riedra and elsewhere that a large population of yuan-ti still exists in Sarlona, hidden out of sight. There's been no evidence of such a population, so most dismiss these rumors as paranoia.
There is also a society of yuan-ti living in Xen'Drik. Unlike there Sarlonan counterparts, Xen'drik yuan-ti are usually evil (Sarlonan yuan-ti are usually true neutral). For that matter, any time you make a knowledge check and I don't mention alignment, assume the species is usually neutral. I am careful to make sure that I always indicate if a species is usually nonneutral, but I might not mention if they are usually or always neutral because I think of true neutral as the default.
K: nature 18:
There exist other, more powerful yuan-ti with fewer human-like features and more snake-like features. Legends about of even more powerful yuan-ti "abominations" with almost no human-like features. These are thought to be extinct, as no one as seen a yuan-ti 'abomination' in centuries.
Ancient yuan-ti have been described as feathered. There are some scholars who believe yuan-ti are descended from couatl.
Knowledge (the planes) 13:
There are some visual similarities between yuan-ti and couatl, leading some scholars to speculate that the former may have descended from the latter.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Aid Another:1d20 ⇒ 1 Charivia looks a little angry, Helac.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 No, Eroh. She's... well, I am not sure.
Quickly trying to cover for any possible offense, words tumble rather quickly from Helac's mouth. What I meant was, good Charivia, was that if speaking about friends that are no long present or events that were traumatic, simply refrain from doing so until a little more time takes the edge off the emotion.
I was asking about your psychic training as a distraction from said possibly emotional memories.
I myself learned about psychic powers when I was drafted into the Riedran army. I was trained to be a medic. After a particularly nasty encounter, where most were dead, I deserted.
I was not a matter of fear. Helac eyes unfocus and shoulders slump a little. I found myself... unhappy with the measures our superiors found necessary.
Helac looks around for a moment, face taking on a sad cast. I apologize. I feel as if I ramble... I think I will turn in. Good rest all.
***
The next day, Helac wakes up, meditates for a moment 1 pp for repletion, and then begins to remove food from packs to feed Adharc.
When Nik'o awakes and asks his question about Yuan-ti, he ponders what he has read, heard, and recently encountered.
Aid Another:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 1 - 2 = 11 The ones we ran into had one that looked human but then changed into something a lot more aberrant.
Knowledge (Planes):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24 Goodman Kik'o, there are some visual similarities between yuan-ti and couatl, leading some scholars to speculate that the former may have descended from the latter.
Of the Yuan-ti I have encountered, there are some that look human with a few snake-like features, and some that can appear fully human, though can change into a more... snake infused... that's not entirely accurate... well... they change into a giant, more snake than human, form. It was... disturbing. They also have poison... which I think would be apparent to some.
Before everyone went to sleep:
"Oh, no, I did not mean..."
the halfling stutters a bit before answering
"I aquired my mental powers a long time ago, in Talenta. I was approached by a hooded man who informed me he would soon die, and that he would transfer his psionic powers unto me. He spoke in a voice unknown to me, not unlike a Syrk accent. I know not who he was or from whence he came, but since that time, I hath had wild emotional surges I cannot fully control. "
After everyone wakes up the next day:
As Helac finishes speaking to Nik'o, another voice starts to speak. The voice of Qara projects a message to you mentally (all five of you hear it):
"Thou art finally awake. Last night, the Riedrans lay siege against Adar. I know not how much longer we shall be able to hold them of. I beg of thee, find the Tremble Tooth with haste."
Kiana goes along quietly, as she usually does, only saying something if she has something to input. Having never met or studied Yuan'Ti before, she has nothing to add to any discussion about them.
M Tiefling Magus Kensai 3 | Init +5 | HP 24/26 | AC 18 FF 12 T 17 | Saves +4/+3/+2 | Perception +5 | BAB +2 CMB +5 CMD +15
Tierney spends part of the morning engaged in studying his grimoire and uttering the odd syllable on occasion. When he completes his mental exercises he stores his spellbook and takes up one of his swords. For the next half hour he limbers up and then throws himself into elaborate swordplay without pause. Oddly, no matter his exertions, not a single bead of sweat appears on his skin.
At last finished with his practice, Tierney turns to the others and asks "Shall we move on toward finding this Tremble Tooth?"
The tunnels and path seem as they were yesterday. As you near the city, Aali is there to greet you.
"I see you have survived the night, though I take it those caves could not have been a comfortable place to rest."
She smiles, sounding calmer than she did the previous day.
"I have tried to ascertain where the Yuan-ti and their human companions went during the night. From what I can tell, many of them left, and some are inside the temple. I do not think any are in the other building,"
she gestures to the old 'headquarters' building from before.
"The rest are probably hiding around somewhere."
Harva approaches
"Your group was gone for awhile."
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Kiana Sunbane wrote:
Am I the only one having trouble keeping track of all the NPCs?
Right now, there are only three. The female halfling (Charivia) and the two female (I think) human/kalashtar (?) Harva and Aali. The other set left. I think of them as the psychic (possibly) Oscar and Felix.
Edit: Well... that's what I get for not reading the discussion tabs first. :\
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
I hope we... were gone only as long as necessary to recoup. Helac nods to the duo. I hope things were pleasantly... boring in our absence.
Turning to the matter at hand... do you have any other information on the two structures? If I had to vote based on impression... I'd rather attack the older building at the moment. A smaller nest of snakes seems easier to take than a larger nest... but the larger nest seems more likely to possess the tooth. The last part seems to be said as personal musings to no one in particular.
Kiana snorts. "Better to come on enemies unawares, than through the front door, when out numbered. I suggest we find another way down, without the eye looking over us. I could lower everyone, one at a time, from a portion of the cliff that is not monitored nor normally climbable. That would give us access without being noticed by the eyes."
"More about the buildings?" Harva responds to Helac.
"Well, that one is a temple, probably from before the time the Inspired and Kalashtar came to this world."
It does bear a strong resemblance to Sovereign Host temples in Khorvaire.
"The other buildings...my Master claimed it was the headquarters of a criminal organization, disguised as a furniture store, or a furniture traders' headquarters."
Aali cuts in:
"A strange place to plan crime, so close a palace. You would think it would be an easy place to be caught." <--She is referring to the giant palace in the center of the city that I described a ways back, and said these two buildings were near, and that some people probably forgot about out of character:) Maybe I should chart out locations, too.
Harva resumes speaking:
"[b]I believe that both buildings share a basement, and that that is the Starlight Tomb.
Perception, 20:
There is a pair of yuan-ti hiding outside the entrance to the 'headquarters' building, apparently in ambush.
Perception, 25:
You can hear people moving around inside the temple (but not the other building). Also, on the side of the temple, there is a camouflaged trap door leading (further) underground, underneath the temple.
Also, Aali is actually a changeling, not a human.
Perception, 30:
There is another, similar passage leading underneath the 'headquarters' building. This passage appears to be trapped, and is guarded by a human.
M Tiefling Magus Kensai 3 | Init +5 | HP 24/26 | AC 18 FF 12 T 17 | Saves +4/+3/+2 | Perception +5 | BAB +2 CMB +5 CMD +15
Perception
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Tierney squints and stares at the "Headquarters" building for a long moment then says "I can see two of those Yuan-ti lurking outside the large building, as if to spring on us. Probably they are assassins or guards."
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Aid Another:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Hey, Boss... anything strike you as suspicious?
Perception:1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32
Helac takes a moment, taking in the environment. Indeed, my bauble. Indeed.
Addressing the group, Helac begins In addition to the pair laying in wait at the headquarters entrance, there is another, similar passage leading underneath the headquarters. It might be trapped, and also appears to be guarded by that man. He nods his head to indicate the human.
Helac stares intently at the temple. I can also hear people moving around inside the temple but not the headquarters. On the side of the temple, there is a door... with some attempt at camouflaging it... which also looks like it angles downward and further into temple.
Helac glances at Aali, then does a double take. Then after a slow stare, shifts his vision elsewhere. Harva... Aali... how familiar are you with the Riedran spy network?
Bauble... Aali is a changeling.
Aid Another:1d20 ⇒ 8 And you thought what... suggesting the Thousand Eyes would make him flinch or something? Subtle, Boss, Subtle. Eroh mentally snarks back to his master.
Sense Motive:1d20 ⇒ 9 Well... Lessons of Patience. You're right. Being a changeling doesn't automatically make him Thousand Eyes, though it suggests a statistical increase in that possibility... at least in this land. It also means... if he is... that I have suggested I know... also puts me in his sights in a different way... which is exactly what I didn't want to do... I could just Not help Aali if fighting starts.
"The Thousand Eyes of Riedra?" Harva responds,
"They are a dangerous enemy to be sure. My master has spent much of his life fighting them."
Aali continues
"Just a few weeks ago, we were nearly captured by Riedran agents while traveling in Syrkarn. Here in Adar, we are mostly secure from them, but it would be unwise to be incautious."
Nik'o frowns as he hears the reports: "Sounds like we should try ti get in the temple. How easy would you say it is to reach that hidden door you spotted?" he asks, not sure about what the rest of the conversation is about.
There are no visible obstacles getting near the front of either building. Reaching either side passage requires passing by obscured allies, with potential hiding places, though.
Helac, and anyone else who makes the above perception checks, can see this information, but I'm posting it outside of a spoiler to speed things up.
Kiana get's a birds eye view from near the ceiling of the huge cavern, and returns. She reveals what she saw, confirming Helac's assessment. See spoilers for 20 and 25 perception above, but doesn't mention Aali's race
"I suggest we go for one of the two trap doors. The one guarded by the human, we could use by distracting him and taking him down. Alternately, the other one appears to be unguarded."
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
As I've indicated... Revion and I have.
One was tall and slim... very much like a human at first glance. However, his eyes and fingernails were sharper, and when he spoke, you could see his forked tongue. The other... looked far less human. His body was shaped like that of a human, but his skin was covered in scales. Each of his arms was a snake with its own head.
Getting a little lost in the memory, Helac could hear the dreadful echo of the inhuman one shouting "When the Tyranny of Secrets returns to the world, you shall not be around to witness it!"
Helac shakes his head to clear the thought from his mind. I suppose the important thing to take away from our previous encounter with these Yuan-ti is that they are a bit fanatical.
Nik'o grumbles and looks at the town while Helac describes Yuan-tis, completing the Elan's words with his own perceptions. Finally he nods, and proceeds to shift and change his appearance. For a split second, his features become shapeless, but immediately snap back, though now they are green, scaled, and quite menacing...
He then moves a taloned hand shaped like a snake over his sleeve of many garment, and his clothes change to appear like the ones worn by the Yuan-ti's he's spied in the distance.
"How's that?!" he says, narrowing his yellow eyes and letting his forked tongue linger on his lower lip.
Did you include the -2 for disguising as a different race? It isn't entirely clear from your character sheet.
Charivia smiles at Nik'o's transformation.
"Methinks it doth seem convincing, she compliments,
"but that thou couldst improve it by adjusting thy shoulders upwards."
Charivia's aid another:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
-2 for race, +2 for aid another, so 29. Sorry about the confusion.
Nik'o gives Tierney a disturbing smile: "I know..."
"I still think we're best with the hidden passage that is guarded. I can help with the distraction, but we'll probably need to take out the guard... Can someone take care of my bag? And my swords..? Do Yuan-ti carry swords?"
Nik'o and the others approach the hidden tunnel. While you do have to pass by a couple ally ways, there are no (as far as Kiana can see) others there watching you. Hence there is plenty of room for one or more of you to approach the guard whilst the others remain out of sight.
The guard himself is a dark-haired somewhat short human. He carries a shield and a hammer, and wears an expression of boredom on his face. He stands about 6 feet from the trap-door, leaning against the wall of the building.
Nik'o spends a minute to adjust his swords to his back, instead of his hips. Once this is done, he gets moving, approaching quietly the building.
Seeing the man, he turns to the others and asks them to wait a moment hidden from view. He adjussts his posture, changing the angle of his shoulders and bending his knees to look more reptilian, then walks briskly to the guard, snapping at him in Riedran: "You! Quickly, open the door and get inssside with me. I am not pleassed!!"
