Swim checks:
To hit:
Day 2:
I'd be happy to accompany you as well, as long it's late enough that I can finish my crafting for the day
After the bombardment of questions, Nowzai knows he was very close... too close... to not passing the exam. Still, he raises his head and faces his examiners. "Thank you. It is an honor."
"Karis will see to your needs, show you the Academy and it's resources and give you the syllabus for the upcoming semester. We think you will enjoy your time here, and we believe we have much to learn from you as well." They bow and fade out like the first one.
The rest of the Academy contains lecture halls, storage vaults for magic items with a sign-out locale, a couple restricted areas (for those of higher status) where rare magics are kept, a couple research areas for item crafting and spell testing, and finally student boarding. The syllabus gives you many of the independent things you're expected to study over the course of the semester and potential lectures and professors to work with depending on specific fields of study you're interested in. There's no hard schedule, just an expectation to test out of this semester within 6 months. You can choose when to take the exam. Other than that, you have free reign of the Academy and can come and go as you please.
Nowzai's smile steadily grows wider as he sees the facilities that are now at his disposal. He immediately delves into the research areas to begin work on some spell ideas.
Swim
To Hit
The second round of the hunt is much more congenial than the first. The elves come by and introduce themselves, chatting and joking a bit, discussing swim techniques and then waving goodbye before the starter sets you off. However, within mere minutes of starting, Epik is floundering in the water ... struggling to swim, interfering with the others' ability to find the right boat out of concern for their friend. Malcolm, however, unattached to the Paladin, or unaware of his plight, hits the jackpot on his second boat, and stands there awash in glee as the fireworks reign down upon him. The referees fish Epik out of the water, sputtering.
Round 3 is on Day 6, and entering the competition you find the entire area absolutely packed wall to wall with cheering Cauldron citizens. Pushing through the throng, you finally enter the staging area and a collective groan escapes your lips as you see your opponents are none other than ... the Stormblades. The redhead, Cora, stalks up to you and brazenly appraises you, clicks her tongue in disgust and walks back, "Easy pickings Annah, they can't just walk away from this one, they actually have to do something."
The party canvases the town, asking around dives, bars, merchant stalls, and back alleys looking for anything that might possible resemble a rumor of a flame-haired priest of Hextor.
Without any aid, Dalamus has a 17. I read that spoiler, but I will wait to see if there is any aid.
Without any aid, Dalamus has a 17. I read that spoiler, but I will wait to see if there is any aid.
Diplomacy roll:
Epik will aid Dalamus.
Day 7
Epik will go to the address and asks for Revis. He lets the group know where he's going.
Magma will aid Dalamus on the
Knowledge
Rolls for Day 6
Sense Motive Check on the Stormblades
Swim Checks
to hit checks
Action Point used on the first hit check
Day 7
Epik, what is our plan with Sacrem? Are we going to check the Inn or look else where. Does anyone have any other Suggestions?
Epik, do you want us to go with you?
Diplomacy Roll
Intimidate Roll
Day 6
Swim
To Hit
I'll also use an action point on my first to hit
Thank you all for your assistance today. I had forgotten how large Cauldron is, without your help I doubt I would have been able to continue my search for my sister.
As it is though, we have been able to sort fact from rumor.
We now know that the 'Flame Haired Priestess' is a former guard named Triel Eldurast, who around a decade ago murdered several of her fellow guards but escaped punishment. No details on how, but she walked away without a scratch. She has been hanging around the Lucky Monkey looking to hire some muscle for an escort job to Sasserine with her partners, a halfling wizard and a half-elf monk. They are escorting a priest and there was bonus pay for keeping your mouth shut. Our contact didn't take the job though, something felt wrong to him about it.
Maybe we can earn some good will with the town guards and get those of you who are on probation released if we find some way find any information on this Triel that could lead to her finally being judged for her crimes?
Epik will go to the address and asks for Revis. He lets the group know where he's going.
The championship round of the town's favorite contest starts off with a local wizard shooting a fireball up into the air. Upon the tremendous bang and whoosh the 2 adventuring parties dive into the water and race to the boats. Todd and Cora take an early lead, swimming with near inhuman speed catching two boats apiece before anyone else hits their first one. Annah and Zachary take a bit of a blocking tactic and intervene in both Magma and Epik's swimming, causing both of the larger individuals to flounder a bit. However, Nemoris' new found love of the water is only outdone by his extreme luck. Again, the second boat he hits sets off the fireworks causing cheers from everyone in the party and a good portion of folks on the coast. His victory is short-lived, however as the boat splinters beneath him in a sudden explosion of splinters and the widening of a massive toothed maw. It looks like the Crater Lake Monster has taken this inopportune moment to show itself! A serpentine form follows the mouth as it clamps over Nemoris, swallowing him completely whole. The gigantic snake creature dives back into the water as nearly 200 feet of body follow along afterwards. The cheering crowd's collective gasp of shock falls into silence as the pieces of the boat float about in the still sloshing lake water.
Try as he may, Malcolm cannot get any more information out of his contact. He seems surprised that he gave up that much to begin with and quickly takes his leave. No one else knows of a halfling wizard or half-elf monk in conjunction with Triel.
Malcolm spends hours waiting to speak to a magistrate at the Cauldron Prison (run by the Town Guard), but it seems his recent association with known criminals has made it difficult to get an audience. As he's leaving, one of the guardsmen runs out to catch his attention. "No one's going to talk to you right now, but if you bring Triel in, that'll guarantee you an audience. Us old veterans are still a bit piqued about her crime."
I will ask the guard
Can you tell me anything about her crime against your fellow guardsmen? I have not been able to track down any details. The more information you assist me with now, the easier it will be for me to track her down and bring her to justice.
It is my understanding that she suffered no punishment for murdering several of your men. How did that happen? Did she have friends in high places that protected her? Did she have information that protected her? I need to know what, if any, obstacles I will run into while I track her down to face justice.
I am willing to work on this in good faith that I will indeed be granted an audience, but I need you to give me what information you can.
Also it is my understanding that my new friends have recently run afoul of the local authority, they will be assisting me in this endeavor of their own volition, can I trust that you will also put in a good word for them if we bring Triel to you in irons? Something for something, value for value.
"The Lucky Monkey?" Nowzai's eyes alight as Malcom mentions the name. "That's the same place the cleric Jenya mentioned. Looks like we may have more than one reason to check this place out."
[ooc] If I am near one of the wizards I will use my court voice (Do you know who I am!) and demand a spell to allow me to assist my friend. (Water-breathing, swimming, really anything they can cast on me quickly.)
... A serpentine form follows the mouth as it clamps over Nemoris, swallowing him completely whole. The gigantic snake creature dives back into the water as nearly 200 feet of body follow along afterwards.
"By Akbar..." Nowzai mutters, his face turning white. He looks around to see if anyone official is doing anything to rescue Nemoris.
Day 6
Are here any of the Clerics from St Cutberth there at the lake? I will swim to shore and ask for help is there anyone who can cast water breathing and locate person spell on me.
Day 3
I check in with the Guards. i do not bring up or discuss our recent victory in the first round of the crater bowl.
Day 6
I check in with the Guards. i do not bring up or discuss our recent in victory the first round of the crater bowl.
Magma
sense motive check
As if in a slow-motion sequence, Nowzai looks left and right, disbelief on his face, but only sees the same things reflected back at him. Nemoris, in shock as the gaping maws shut down on him, dissappears before he is able to act. Malcolm angrily leaps on Todd Vanderboren, throttling him in the water and placing a dagger against his throat demanding the potion. The weasely man squirms in his grasp, but doesn't quite get away.
It's here that Malcolm notices the gills on the side of his throat and the webbed fingers, but before he can linger, a shot of lightning hits the water nearby . Annah Taskerhill, dripping wet in all her near naked glory stands on a boat with electricity crackling from her hands. "Let ... him ... go." she says through gritted teeth, murder in her eyes.
Adding another shock, a cheer breaks out on the shore. Looking about the party sees Nemoris stepping off the boat on to the shore as the crowd swells forward to congratulate him. The wizards are hollering something, and it seems the whole thing was an elaborate illusion to punctuate the victor's moment. Seeing Malcolm's reaction, one of the referees has the decency to look embarrassed.
Malcolm thinks the guard is telling the truth.
"She murdered her team while out on patrol. No one knows why, and when we sent folks to bring her in, she killed them as well. It's not that nothing happened to her because we didn't want to. She just got away and over the years, people stopped to care." he shrugs, "Such is Cauldron. For your friends, I'll insert myself as their next parole officer and annotate them as attending their last checkin, but that's the best I can do. Should give you three extra days. Just bring her in." He sticks out his hand, "I'm Tom, by the way."
The games come to an end with an extravagant closing ceremony on the banks of the crater lake. The winners for the various events are crowned and purses are handed out. The 4 party swimmers are awarded their 500gp prize and have their names etched on the Crater Lake Monster Hunt trophy which they get to keep until next year. It's 2-feet tall, weighs 10lbs and is made in the image of the serpentine illusion you saw earlier ... only smaller.
I will hold onto Todd for another brief moment, glare at Annah and say 'I despise cheaters, you are lucky that my friend was not in danger. You made an enemy today woman, if we cross paths again, I will do everything in my power to end your miserable life'
Thank you Tom, my name is Malcolm. I will shake his hand, Do you have any contacts we can reach out to near The Lucky Monkey who might be able to provide any information? Does she need to be brought in alive? It sounds like with her track record that could be difficult.
Crater Lake Monster Hunt.
Ah, the thrill of victory... especially over such as these Stormblades! We've really started to work together well as a team, and I'm pleasantly surprised to be part of such a group.
"Friends! We are victorious! The drinks are on me this fine evening, if everyone feels up to it, eh Dalamus... <hearty laugh>"
I'll also look around to see if I can spot any of the Stormblades. I doubt they'll try anything tonight, but it never hurts to be on our guard.
Later in the night when a good opportunity presents itself I'll explain the short and ugly history with the Stormguards to Malcolm, "I don't know much about those four, but they certainly seem to have a grudge against us. I'm Nemoris by the way, Nice to meet you." I'll hold out my hand for a shake. Anyway, good to have you aboard. We're all a pretty good lot, if a bit rough around the edges. Dalamus mentioned you were looking for your sister?"
"Nice work with the Lake Monster Hunt, it's great to publicly rub our prowess into those idoits' faces. Last time we met up with the Stormblades we'd just returned from rescuing local orphaned children from a slaver, killed off some villains, and they accused us of faking the entire thing for notoriety or some nonsense. It was absurd, they'd bribed the crowd, ignored all logic or facts, and it seemed like they came off ahead of us despite what we had done. Maybe now the locals will see who the real heroes are, eh?
As the illusion reveals itself, Nowzai lets out a sigh of relief, but shakes his head in disappointment at not recognizing the illusion for what it was.
Silly tricks...
*
At the tavern later that night, he adds, "The Stormblades are little more than spoiled children, but they have enought talent to be dangerous... to us, and to the people they claim to be heroes to. We should best avoid them, but I'm afriad their petty feud will follow us as long as we're in this wretched city."
Day 5 Archery
Day 5 Archery
** spoiler omitted **
Looks like the games got the best of Nemoris. That's a loss of 10 gold.
Day 7
Well met Revis. It is good to be among fellow disciples of Iomedae. What may I do to assist you in establishing the Church here in Cauldron?
Once Dalamus brings me to the table I will introduce myself and recap my story.
I thank you all for your hospitality. I am Malcolm Reigns; gambler, pistolero, gunsmith and hunter. If you all will assist me in my quest to find my sister, I will be a boon companion for life.
This round is on me!
Looks like the games got the best of Nemoris. That's a loss of 10 gold.Day 5 Archery
** spoiler omitted **
Grr, I can't walk away down gold, let's try this one more time
Well friends it looks like our friends on probation have been grated a reprieve for a few days. A member of the local guard is willing to vouch for you for your next check in to give us a few extra days to try and track Triel down and bring her to justice. No one is sure why she killed off her patrol team, she also killed off the guards sent to arrest her. So we will need to handle this one with care. But if we are able to bring her to justice, Tom thinks he can work on getting your parole reversed. She was last seen at the Lucky Monkey, when would you all like to go see if we can find her?
"Personally don't care if she's alive or not, but it can't hurt either way. 'bout all I can help you with ... don't rightly want to get talking to you for too long. Good luck out there."
Day 6 is a net gain of 1 gold. Woot.
Anything more here from the others to ask Jenya? Only have Magma and Epik's inputs which is fine if no one has anything to add.
He turns to you, "We need more warrior trained in battle, and unafraid of what the demon's might do. We need you blooded Epik. We'll assist you as any church might, but until you've lain eyes on and destroyed a demon or demonkind, we won't know your true mettle. Until then you are free to stay here, and ask of us basic services in return for your assistance to us here, Iomedae's Crusaders."
He escorts you around, introducing you to the 3 on-site paladins, Crullio, Gath and Farak as well as the arcane Jespa, the church's resident demonologist and alternate priestess. He alludes to more members that are out combing the streets for "folk of low-character bringing ruin upon our good name" and in the surrounding areas "hunting for demon signs." Once he finishes the quick tour of the small sanctum, he says, "There are a few people you can trust in this town: the priests of St Cuthbert are good and holy, if not strong enough. Their paladin, Alex Tercival is a notable exception. He could be one of us if his devotion were different. The Church of Pelor caretaker, Kristoff, is benign yet weak. The others are not to be trusted and the government of this town is wrought with corruption. Be careful."
She was last seen at the Lucky Monkey, when would you all like to go see if we can find her?
"I don't know for sure how committed we are to your hunt, Malcom, but we also have Jenya's request to check out the Lucky Monkey. No harm in doing both at the same time." Nowzai gives the nearby area a disdainful glance. "Besides, any time out of this 'city' would be good."
"I think now that the games have wrapped up, we should head their at first light, we can address both causes while there" Dalamus take a hearty swig of ale and smiles at the party "Let's do this one more time boys!"
What's with all the orcs?
Knowledge Local
What's with all the orcs?
d20+6 Knowledge Local
Lord Epik,
Danyell has return this periapt of Wisdom, will you take it? This artifact will aid your fight against evil.