She nods, though his description takes some of the bounce out of her. "Y-yes. I would... shift him... into a ja...gem. Then shift into his body. Cast the spell. Then put him back and put me back into my own body. That is doable, isn't it? I think it should be."
Briar nods, looking at Dandi and Barael. He moves to explain to Barael, trying to use the most common words he can.
"Barael, she seeks to join her soul to your body in ways that most mortals can only dream of. She seeks to share a passion with you that few will ever know. You need only say 'yes' and trust her...and she will give you a gift that few will ever understand," Briar explains.
"Her soul and your body. Should you choose to do this, you two mortals will have a connection that few mortals will ever know. It is potentially dangerous...but not if you have an amazing amount of trust."
"So... I become a stone for a second, she becomes a boy, then she becomes a girl, then I become a boy again? Do I have that right?"
Dandi blushes, and her pigtails unfurl to give her a curtain to hide in. She doesn't rebut Briar's take on the subject, though she does clarify a little more when Barael asks, "I...I don't think what makes me... a girl... will change, even if I am in your body for a moment. Do you?"Will you like me less? Is it my body or my soul that you dance with?
"So... I become a stone for a second, she becomes a boy, then she becomes a girl, then I become a boy again? Do I have that right?"
Briar's eyes glaze over, trying to reduce the magically complex to the absolute minimum.
"Uhm...yes!"
Barael listens to Dandi's clarification. "So it'll be more like trying on someone else's coat." Barael smiles awkwardly. "I hope I'm warm enough for you."
Barael nods at Briar, as he receives confirmation. "I trust her, Briar." Barael looks to Dandi. "I do trust you. You understand this better than I. You've trusted me through this Rat thing from the beginning. Let's do this. What's the worst that can happen?" Barael smiles widely, looking back and forth between those fated to live much longer than he.
Dandi brushes her hair back, smiling. "Oh Barrie. There's no worry about that, I promise."
A flash of guilt sears through her as he mentions how much she's trusted him 'from the beginning'. He is so good.
"I'll make sure nothing happens. We'll be fine."
Turning to Briar, her smile is still bright, "To Saul's? Were you able to sell the brooch? I... still need to take care of some things."
Briar hands Dandi all the money she can handle, steps back and absolves himself of anything wrong that could happen.
"Thank you for doing the selling of stuff, Briar. I really hate futzing over things like that, and you're so good at it!"
Finally realizing her hair is acting on its own accord again, she blushes and manually pulls it back into a ponytail. "I should go see Saul. But you guys were doing something, weren't you? and I interrupted. I'm sorry. I'll get right on this and then, if all goes right, we can try it out soon. Plus, I have this other little thing to take care of, but I should be back later tonight." Her eyes fairly sparkle as she says her good byes and goes off in search of Saul.
Saul sees Dandilion enter his shop, and he turns from the customer he was working with and devotes his full attention to the Harrowed.
"What can I get for you today my dear? Seems like a lot of orders coming through from you lot today - and a lot of rush orders as well!"
He looks openly at Dandilion, ready for her wishes. In the background, his assistant takes over the client he had been serving.
"Good morning, Saul! It is good to see you!" Dandi dampens down her enthusiasm just a little and tries to look normal. "I was wondering, that is, I thought of something or heard something in passing and well, I'm looking for a spell. I think. I mean, I know it must exist." She leans over the counter to keep her voice low and confidential. "It allows you to... borrow... someone's body for a time. You know, just for a bit. You give it back at the end, I'm sure."
Saul looks levelly at Dandilion and thinks a moment. "Well yes, such spells do exist - but you're not really 'borrowing', you're definitely taking. Make no mistake, it's an aggressive act. But sure, I can get that for you."
He hunts around his spell-stacks a while. "In fact, I think I have what you need right here! I picked it up from an ex-priest of Asmodeus in Korvosa. Eventually joined the Acadamae and did very well there for many years. A real asset. Always willing to cast a few spells for me, for the right price of course. Nice guy too but, as you may imagine, he was a little serious." Saul smiles broadly.
"I can let you have it for 1,125gp" He holds a well worn scroll - clearly in his possession for some time, outstretched to Dandilion. It hangs in the air between them, so delicate a thing.
"But I..." The word 'aggressive' reverberates through her and for a moment, she can see the hag again, but she wears her own face! She shudders and pastes a smile to her face as Saul turns back, though she can't help be hesitate before taking the scroll. "I...yes, I can see. That sounds very uh, serious." She pictures again the image she'd had, of dancing through the sky of Kaer Maga with Barael, the music box playing from somewhere nearby.
She reaches out, and takes the scroll, handing over some of the money she'd just retrieved from Briar. "I'll be very careful."
She reaches out, and takes the scroll, handing over some of the money she'd just retrieved from Briar. "I'll be very careful."
Saul continues to smile as he gently lets go of the scroll, "Of course you will."
She nearly leaves then, but something prompts her and she realizes what she forgot. "Oh! Will I need, that is. I seem. Yes.. " she says as she looks at the scroll for a moment. "Gems. Won't I? Lots of gems, that will work with this. Well, perhaps only several for right now. Say 5?"
Saul digs around a bit before finding a rather large box - almost a small chest. Within are a variety of gems and powders all laid out carefully and organized. He selects five from a 'shelf' deep in the chest and hands them to Dandilion (500gp).
Briar whistles on his way to 'work': crafting at the mages moot, assured that nothing bad can possibly go wrong, after all, it's magic.
Gathering up the gems, she pockets them,then her face brightens once more. "Oh! and I was wondering. Is it possible to get a wand of minor tricks? That will let you do nifty things like clean up or dry off, or even dye things a different color? Nothing hefty, I just, well we travel a lot, and it would be nice to be able to clean up quickly, and maybe even wear something in a different color now and then." She smiles hopefully, think of something in blue.
Saul laughs heartily as he produces a wand of Prestidigitation. "From the mighty to the mundane!" He hands over the 375gp wand.
Dandi blushes at her vanity, but gratefully accepts the thin mirrored wand of glass. "Thank you, Saul. Have a good afternoon!" and with that, she turns to go. Her ponytail lifts behind her, waving to the good merchant on her way out the door.
Fondo shakes his head at news of the time required to gather the Sklar for battle. "It seems our friends the Sklar shall too long take to gather force. But let us not forget their friendship when the time arrives to mete out praise." He puts his hand on Charlie's shoulder. "Will you let him know as much? We shall his friendship long hold dear. I shall, at least."
Fondo spends most of the day in Deyanira's chambers, conferring with her and Charlie. "Shall we a suite with greater space procure? It seems we'll need to stay inside whilst Deyanira fashions certain wares."
Eventually, he gives a goodly portion of his gold to Deyanira. "Our Saul shall have supplies to see our tasks fulfilled. Of most importance is Serithtiel."
(*=already recorded in spreadsheet)
29,080 gp remaining
-5 Toffitt's spite (i.e., weapon cord)
-10000 Glove of storing
Deyanira crafting
-6000 / 12 days Deyanira upgrades belt to +4 Dex, +2 Con
Other purchases
-5000 Upgrade armor to +3
-700 Scroll of dimension door
-700 Scroll of detect scrying
-500 Material components for programmed image (10)
-500 Material components for false vision (2)
-500 Material components for nondetection (10)
2501 Sell Mithral gauntlet
2.5 Sell spring-loaded wrist sheath
77.5 Sell masterwork buckler
160 Sell masterwork rapier
Total = 21,164 gp
Balance = 7,916 gp to spend on other items, to be determined later
The following morning, Fondo secures the desired suite before braving the streets of Kaer Maga. He carries Serethtiel concealed within his new glove's extradimensional space, and his old rapier at his waist. Deyanira's magics knit a comely visage upon his usual handsome face. He uses a scroll to set up his own capacity to detect scrying, and carefully watches for such efforts as he seeks out Nikolay.
"Friend Nik, tis me. Would you care to share some mead?"
He doesn't have much to say. A weight seems to rest on his vainly handsome, disguised brow. He nurses a tankard, eyeing the tavern's more attractive patrons and almost visibly restraining himself from seeking out their attentions. TIs not Serethtiel that binds me. Tis this quest. What joy can I seek out while we in secrecy do wait? He scratches his wrist, Serethtiel's ill humor reaching beyond the magics of the glove to spur him on, as if to say, Vanquish her, Hand. Now.
"She's anxious, Nik. I know we must prepare, but she burns to fight. I yearn for this to end."
The Sun Shaman understands, "Yes we have broken camp, so it takes a few days to re-gather the council and travel to Kaer Maga. I guess you cannot help me now, but I shall look forward to future missives! Peace - and may your trail be always be filled with moist and cool breezes."
- - -
Saul looks crestfallen at Fondo. "I do not have the gloves you seek in stock. Kaer Maga is not large enough to have things of such value on every street corner - though with me in town we're getting closer! I can of course have it made - rushed for 11,000gp and here in 5 or 6 days (I need to check) or of course the regular price of 10,000gp and I"ll be ready in 10 days."
He helps you remove your armor so he may take it to the smith, and almost gleefully provides the scrolls and spell components for you without trouble. I'll note the details on Deyanira's sheet.
- - -
For the record, I finally determined Serithtial's value. She's worth 226,300gp on the open market - if you were to do such a thing. I still don't have a value on the other artifact that Fondo carries. How do you put a price on the Harrow Points? They're a little like Hero Points, but in the end I gave up trying. :)
Fondo realized at the end of Charlie's conversation that the Sun Shaman may be ill. "Kako, have you means to make him well? Mayhap we ought seek him out, or invite him to join us...?"
"The normal speed shall do, my friend." Having failed to obtain the gloves quickly, Fondo decides reluctantly to keep Serethtiel in his haversack. He still scratches at his hand while drinking and muttering about his ill lot in life.
"Aye, I could remove disease if that be his problem." Charlie squints into his looking glass and whispers something to the Shaman. He turns back to Fondo "He says it's just an annoying summer cold. Says he gets it every time the tribe meets like this - must be all the closeness. They're not used to that."
"He's hundreds of miles from here. I bet he'll be over it by the time he reaches us - and we'd have a fine time finding him I think. Do you want me to make the offer anyway? Maybe Deyanira can teleport us to him."
Fondo shakes his head. "Methinks she'll have her hands full with hiding me and Serithtiel these next two weeks."
No pings. While a lot has seemingly happened, the reality is it's still the day you met and planned, and still in the morning to boot.
I want to make sure everyone has planned their... looks like 2 weeks, before getting too far ahead in the day as hours count for what some folks are trying to squeeze in.
That said, once the plans are in place, I hope to move fairly quickly. I know Dandilion and Barael still have a scene left I think - but maybe that's tomorrow. Anyone else planning anything else now - or shall I skip forward a few days? Speak now or forever hold your peace as the preacher says...
Dandi scurries back to her room, carrying both of the scrolls from Briar, plus the one she purchased herself. She forces herself to learn the first one from Briar,then the second. though the last one, the one she purchased herself, calls to her.
Barael watches the magic wielders take to their tasks. Best not to interfere. You've got a new weapon. Perhaps a little time with it and Briar's instructions would do you well.
Barael takes the afternoon to find a place locally that can facilitate practice with his new bow. It doesn't take nearly the kind of time he expects it will, as his upper body strength only allows him so much before fatigue.
Only having departed so recently, Barael finds himself in a familiar place- the haunting grounds of the Troll Augurs. Depending on their availability, Barael formulates a couple of questions.
"Will the Queen in Green manage to reduce the number of the HarrowCast?"
"Will one of the HarrowCast ascend to the Throne?"
"Once the excitement dies down, will Dandi still find me interesting enough to stay with me?"
Dandilion - late evening.
The first few days pass uneventfully. The party, restless still from Scarwall, jumps at every shadow they're not already hiding in. They move to a larger suite of rooms and Deyanira clamps it down as best she can with magics deep.
A few of the lesser items ordered come in and Saul distributes them. He does occasionally join you for your magic breakfasts, as invited by Charlie. He has warmed to the party and considers you friends as well as business associates. He speaks of his love of Janderhoff, the wondrous architecture, the excellent food, the great camaraderie.
With Charlie's new found skills, conversations with Eries are quicker and more in depth. Nothing has particularly changed since the last reports, but you get a more nuanced view of Korvosa and the Old City.
The feast of St. Alika (Fireday Arodus 31, 4707) comes, and goes. With the old city cut off and fishing not permitted in the straights the celebration is quite muted. That said, the Arkonas sent a small army of carts throughout Old Korvosa distributing food and sundries to the people. There were a few skirmishes with the Gray Maidens - but they largely avoid the old city save for enforcing the blockade.
Eries, and her little troop, are doing well, but they could use some supplies, gold, etc. Remember they are running a sort of underground railroad bringing supplies into Old Korvosa and taking some refugees out. There are still plague flare-ups here and there, but they are particularly bad in Old Korvosa which isn't getting much help from the outside.
Even better would be a supply of the plague cure potion the party developed. Eries would really like that.
- - -
It is now Sunday Rova 2, 4707 and Barael may lose his second negative level with a Restoration and diamond dust expenditure from Charlie. Feel free to backfill some role play as needed/desired. Tomorrow I'll push us ahead again.
Oh, and just so you know, the Korvosan Crab Festival is coming up on Wealday Rova 5, 4707 (three days from now). It celebrates the beginning of crab season with, normally, enormous feasts throughout the city. Crab is one of Korvosa's big exports throughout the region and the fisherman gauge their whole season based on the catch this first day.
Briar continues his daily craftings. In his down time, we will either be praying in the Nethysian altar or asking questions at the Mage's Moot. There things he would know.
OH! I almost forgot.
Over the first three days, Glorio Arkona scries on the party a half dozen times or more. Deyanira is able to identify the source of scrying as the ring Barael carries on his hand. The ring of evasion is apparently first and foremost a scrying sensor allowing something like clairvoyance/clairaudience through it.
The Queen also scries the party, or rather her new seneschal does. A fat ugly man named Togomor - a wizard from the Acadame. He scried in the morning whilst the party was at breakfast.
Those are the only successful attempts in the first few days that the party notices. I presume you are not all together at all times. I presume Deyanira is the only one with Detect Scry going. I presume Briar is spending most of his time in his rooms manufacturing, as does Deyanira. Obviously things that are different make things different.
Dandi casts detect scrying every morning.
After finding and Daene and assuring herself that he is not likely to sprout a tail, she settles 100gp upon the innkeeper, using damnation stride(thought she is very careful not to catch anything on fire) to pop in and vermin shape 2 to fly out.
Fulfilling her promises to Briar, she follows him around to see if anyone is scrying on him separately, though her mind is often on the new spell she still needs to learn, and Saul's use of the word "aggressive".
****
"You don't think it will hurt, do you Briar? I don't want to cause him pain." Her hands move smoothly over the potion in process, another thing more necessary to the group than her flying whims.
"Kako, what supplies does Eries need? Mayhap we can help."
Yeah, that's why I ignored possible scrying in your rooms. :)
Togomor seems to be scrying Fondo, assuming he's unprotected. If he is protected in some way, let me know and I'll adjudicate.
Charlie has a list of things from Eries totaling a few hundred gold. It's a few simple weapons, and foodstuffs mostly - not counting the need for plague cures.
In the ensuing days, Fondo spends much of his time within the suite, practicing with Serethtiel and crafting prose for the masses. He invites Nikolay and Barael to practice dueling in the suite's courtyard, and begs Serethtiel to heal any wounds incurred during the skirmishes.
He does not restrain himself from giving his friends tips on their swordsmanship, though he does so with a grin and wink. Though their tricks and magic more than make up for what they lack in pure skill.
After a couple of days, an idea occurs to him. "Poor'enedra, I've a task for your phantasmal magicks. Friends, which of you will join Poor'enedra and me for a jaunt through space this afternoon? We might not have time to lure the Shoanti to Korvosa, but Ileosa's mage need not know this. We're going to stage a little trick for those who scry upon us."
He describes the scene to Deyanira and whomever wishes to join him: Deyanira will craft an illusion to surround herself and Fondo, which anyone who scries upon him will see. The illusion will feature elders and warriors of the Shoanti quahs, with Fondo leading a conversation with them. Maps of Korvosa, chess pieces to mark the placement of Shoanti bravos on the frontiers of Korvosa.
"We'll need one of you to secure a meeting hall nearby, and set the stage with props. Deyanira will continue her work there until such time as she detects scrying. Then the show shall begin. I suggest you let me take the lead in directing us in our parts."
He grins mischievously, and begins dreaming up additional subterfuges to misdirect the Queen.
Charlie will spend all his time brewing the cure potions.
Charlie works with Eries to extrapolate needs for a larger Vault, I don't want to say army, army. He'll prepare for more refugees and whatnot and maybe an ersatz hospital for the ensuing battles and carnage.
"You don't think it will hurt, do you Briar? I don't want to cause him pain."
Briar considers.
"Oh, I don't think there is any physical pain. I don't think there is any worry there, Dandi," Briar answers cheerfully before going back to work.
Physical pain? No. Total mental and spiritual anguish as his soul is ripped from his body and stuffed inside a cold fractal gem with no control? Probably.
Briar considers speaking more.......
....he finally expands.
"But...he might have some disorientation and discomfort. Truthfully, no one knows of the any pain outside of the trauma of change. It is, honestly, unknown until it is tried."
* * *
After the fifth day of crafting, Briar puts on his newer, better headband.
Relieved, Dandi gives a a little bounce, her smile turning to a hum, she turns her attention back to the potion at hand, only to still as he continues.
"but... I don't want to cause him discomfort." She gnaws on her lower lip, considering her options, but none come to her. jumping into the bistro owner without him knowing would be evil... EVIL. Stop it! Even if it were only for a second. EVIL! Next thing you know, you'll be using your new wand to turn your hair green!
"I...I'm sure I'll figure something out."
Fondo smiles upon Charlie's plans to create a field hospital. "Mayhap we could our friend Ishani Dahtri find and set to help within the Vaults. Would you a sending make, to see if he yet lives, and where?" He looks hopefully at the older man, wishing it were already time to return. How many will suffer while we craft?
Barael abstains from any swordwork, when he's invited by Fondo to practice. "Way to spit in my eye while I'm Toothless. But I would like to see Shadow's Death and Seri cross paths. That would be a sight to see, that would." Barael follows along as the two currently armed swordsmen make their way to the courtyard.
"Have you talked with Seri yet, Fondo? You haven't mentioned anything. Is she still waking up, like Nik said?"
...
When Deyanira pinpoints the Ring, Barael takes it off for the present, and tucks it away in his Haversack.
...
Barael embraces Charlie, as the healing brings him fully up to strength. "You've been a true companion, Charlie. Bringing us back from the brink, and restoring us from our more hollow moments." Barael gives Charlie a good looking-over. "What do you think our chances are, Wise One? Returning to Korvosa," Barael thinks on questions asked and answers given. "How would you counsel us, after all you've heard regarding the state of affairs?"
...
Barael knocks on Dandi's door, having heard her return from her day of crafting with Briar.
"Would you join me?" Barael reaches into his Haversack, drawing forth a dark bottle, and somethings made of glass. In the light of the candles, they almost look like cups.
"This one here, if I remember it, was one of your favorites." Barael holds up an alchemical beaker. "Easier for you to access the contents, but really messy when you forgot about your hair." Barael smiles nostalgically.
He moves the second glassware alongside the first. "Had to pick up mine as well. Narrow neck, easy to mix its contents, but harder to smell the fumes." Barael picks up the flask, and uncorks the bottle, pouring a purplish syrupy liquer. He manages to miss the mouth, and has to quickly lick the side. "Harder to pour into, yeah, yeah."
He finishes pouring the beaker halfway to full, and hands it to Dandi. "The merchant called it his most popular Sweetsip. Derives its flavors from mangosteen and lychee, and its color from plumblossom." Clinking the glassware, Barael takes a sip, and nods contentedly.
Barael inquires with Dandi as to her progress, then brings up his visit to the Troll Augurs. "You know, I asked the big guy if he thought any of us might be the next to sit on the throne. You know, Nik cuts a regal profile, don't you think? Well, anyways, he flat out said 'no'. I found that kinda disappointing."
"OH! Come in! It's so late already. I meant to come find you earlier!" She laughs as she pulls him in, and smiles at the "cups". "You still have them? I was certain they would be so much sand by now."
She spins around, trying to clean up, then stops to take the beaker from him, savoring the warmth as it slides down her throat.
"Nik would make a great King." She agrees soberly, then laughs and strikes him lightly on the shoulder. "But you went to the Troll Augurs without me?! I suppose it's just as well, I had this spell to learn, but there are... questions I would have asked it. him? her? Questions I would have asked."
She dips her head then, chewing on her bottom lip. "I...I think I'm ready. I mean,I've studied all day, and think I should be able to do it. But only if you're willing." She smiles then and pulls him down to sit next to her. "We can wait if you want to."
With his shopping done in a few short hours, Nikolay fills his days with training with his sword and new spells. He wonders about the life of the common folk: training with their children, watching their games, taking them to sporting events, going to church with them, attending plays, helping them with their studies. He considers the simple, pleasant life, before shaking his head.
Ugh. Give me a demon any day.
--Agreed. Even better yet, make it a shade.
Barael mockingly flinches at her blow. "Well, yeah, it didn't occur to me earlier that you might have enjoyed their spectacle again, aye." That, and I couldn't have asked my question with you there, even though he had nothing but wisdom to tell me. "I'm sure there will be time enough, what with Briar thoroughly at work with all that crafting."
Barael's eyes widen a little, as the two sit down, almost spilling the Sweetsip, even with his longnecked flask. Barael takes the glassware from Dandi, and sets both on the nightstand.
"We're talking about your spells, right?" Barael looks for confirmation that he's on the same wavelength with Dandi. "Yes, of course, the spells and the studying, yes, yes." Barael chuckles, then nods.
"You see how Fondo seethes? Telling him to wait any longer would send him up the wall. If you think you're ready, then I'm in your hands." Barael smiles, and waits.
Fondo takes out Serithtiel in the well-lit chamber, and tips her up in the gesture of en garde. "She keeps her own council, Brov, though she makes her feelings known well enough. Nik, shall we? Do your best."
She tips her head to one side, her hair slipping back of its own accord to let her look at him. "Yes, of course. What did you..." Her hair suddenly falls back to cover her eyes, but not before a full fledged blush suffuses her face. "I...well...Yes, the spell. I mean, not that the uh, but..." grateful for something else to focus on, she agrees, "I'm sure Fondo is more than ready; when is he not? I can only imagine that he and Serithiel, being in sync, are even more so. But there are things that must be done; crafted. We'll go soon. But in the meantime..." She takes his hands and squeezes them both gently. "Thank you for trusting me. Stay here."
Taking his flask, she moves them to safe keeping then moves back to his side. Her words flow around her, once, twice, then suddenly she *DROPS* to the floor. The gem in her hand glows with an eerie light that flickers against her blouse.
Nikolay practically leaps at the chance to match Shadow's Death against a sword almost its equal--at least in his head. Before Nikolay can even channel any arcane energy, Shadow's Death ignites in cold fire.
--"Just so the onlookers can tell who's who."
--And because it will look so awesome!
Nikolay adds 'speed' and stands ready to spar with Fondo. He smiles and focuses on Fondo. The rest of the world disappears. It is as if Fondo were standing with a white-washed wall behind him. Nothing else exists except for the man and the sword.
Barael's jaw drops. Stay here!! Do as you're told. You stay. Stay. He fixes on the glow, and waits.
...
Barael watches Nik and Fondo size each other up. His vision starts to bleed away, as he squints at the two. The light from each blade becomes the only thing he sees, until he renews his sight by blinking rapidly.
The swords. They're their own thing. Like riders. And Nik and Fondo, their horses.