Strangely, you come across an old tome that you vaguely remember. This book is 18 inches tall, a foot wide, and it is about an inch and a half thick. The book’s cover is made out of thin copper plates covered with wyvern hide. The book has four translucent opals embedded in the corners of the front cover. There is a silver lock on the front of the book set with 3 small pearls, but no key hole.
The young aasimar rubs his chin for a moment trying to remember where he has seen the book.
That's most peculiar indeed, that book seems somehow familiar.
He picks the book up and examines in closely.
I wonder what Master Lestarian's logic was in keeping this book here. Perhaps he is testing me. I am certain this book is misplaced and should be returned to it's proper place. Obviously, the writing needed to identify it is magical...
The boy casts Read Magic and watches for the result.
The aasimar reads the magical inscription and examines the opals with interest.
Kamkara, The Arcane Transmigration of Souls. Well, I have the title now. However, exactly what is the transmigration of souls? Where would Master Lestarian want this placed? I am fairly sure I should find out what this is about before sorting it...ah, yes...the lock is obvious...
The young man sighs and touches the opals in the order of the letters K,A,M,K,A,R,A.
By pressing the opals in a specific order, the lock opens and you are able to open the book to the first page. It reads as follows.
The arcane transmigration of the soul is believed to occur when the mystic soul, after the death of the arcane existence, comes back to life in a newborn arcane body. However, once born in a new body, memories from a person's previous life are near forgotten. This doctrine is a central tenet of the followers of Boccob, Mystra, and Nethys.
When you finish reading this page, you suddenly remember parts of a previous life you once lived. You think about a life you once knew as Cebrë Ha'thwe, a sorceress in a land called the Elsir Vale. You vaguely remember a halfling, a dwarf, and some competition back there. You remember a kindly Lord. What was his name? Jarmth or something?
You are compelled to keep reading, despite the fact that you know you will have troubling completing your task on time. Finally you come to a page that says the following:
"There is no word corresponding exactly to the common terms "rebirth", "mystic metempsychosis", or "arcane transmigration" in the traditional languages of Greyhawk, The Realms, or Golarion. The entire universal process that gives rise to the cycle of death and rebirth, governed by starma, is referred to as Kamkara while the state one is born into, the individual process of being born or coming into the world in any way, is referred to simply as "Kamka. Kamkara, may be entered in by the reading aloud the following arcane words that will commence the Kamka.
You cannot help but wonder if this will indeed bring you back to that previous life.
The young aasimar sit for several minutes in contemplation of the last words he's read, his last command from the Master and his confused thoughts.
Out of the chaos, he suddenly makes a decision;
It's no use, something compels me to proceed.I must understand the mystery....
Láta breyta hefjast.
Picking up the book in front of you, you notice that it is about 18 inches tall, and a foot wide, it is about an inch and a half thick. The book’s cover is made out of thin copper plates covered with wyvern hide. The book has four translucent opals embedded in the corners of the front cover. There is a silver lock on the front of the book set with 3 small pearls, but no key hole. The use of a read magic spell reveals the Arcane writing on the front cover reveals a single word. Zamzara. You also discover the lettered runestones floating in the opals. By pressing the opals in the order Z,A,M,Z,A,R,A, the lock opens and you are able to open the book to the first page. You notice that it is your old spell book with a variety of spells written in your old handwriting as a young Aasimar. You even find the directions to summon a familiar. They are the spells that Master Lestarian taught you!
Thordak is sits around, pretending to be a beggar and keeping on the lookout. Since it has been so long, he decides to creep around to try to look in one of the back windows without being noticed.
Stealth:
Perception:
Upon seeing Rotskill enter the tavern, Thordak becomes a little uneasy. He hides against the wall next to the window, listening but keeping out of sight.
Mantooth, seeing nothing that he desires, follows Matthias out of the shop. "Are you sure that is going to be the right size, Matthias?" Mantooth asks genuinely. "Where to now?"
Florence bats her eyes in play and purrs
Aww, I bet you can help me with a lot of things...for now, satisfying me is an easy task for you. I'm here to speak about the winner of the Gauntlet: I heard you were interested in "meeting" him? I could arrange such a thing, but you have to decide fast how much such a "meeting" is worth for you.
@Florence
Rotskill visibly gets angry at the mention of the winner of the Gauntlet. "That damn halfling! He cost me my prize! I was going to win it, but he stole my key. I was going to have the Dragon's Eye right in my hand. Do you have any idea the favor that would bring me with Baron Trask! I admit, you are a little late bringing in that wretched theif, but do you know if he carries the Dragon's Eye on him? If I got a hold of the halfling, I would certinly enjoy smashing his face in, but the most important thing now is getting my hands on that gem. Is this anything you can help me with?"
I have seen that gem and I know that he likes to carry it around...maybe he knows how much that annoys you, he's such a pesky little freak. But as soon as you can get the halfling into your grip, I bet you are able to get any information from him that you want, mhh? So, even if he doesn't have it with him, you can surely extract the information of the whereabouts of the Dragon's Eye.
@Florence
"You really think you can bring him in? He is very slippery. We've tried for a long time, but that is no easy task. So what's your price anyway?'
That's the most prominent feature of slips, isn't it? I like you, so let's say 250 gold pieces...I know the Eye is worth much more, but that will be enough for now.
Cebrë examines her strange surroundings.
She becomes suddenly aware she is in her undergarments and looks around for clothing.
Seeing some garments neatly folder in the corner of the room along with adventuring gear she begins to dress in the available garment.
She then stops and remembers the wizard's first rule - to prepare the spells you may need for the day.
Well, I know nothing of where I'm at so I'll prepare the basics
So, for an hour she studies her spells - a mix of useful spells seems best.She also reads the requirements for summoning her familiar.
She then casts Predigitation and forms a small crude mirror from magic.
She sees a distorted reflection of herself, but it is enough to remember.
Yes, I remember what I look like...but I don't recall the red hair
She utters a few arcane words and removes the dye from her hair. She then examines her clothing and frowns,
What a messy person! and with a few more arcane words cleans and removes every wrinkle from her clothes before staining them black with the magic the spell allows her.
Cebrë leaves her room and walks into the main room of the inn. She is reading a letter. After stowing away in a pouch she asks the nearest patron,
Excuse me, where may I find the proprietor of this establishment?
Her hair is bright blonde and pulled back in a neat arrangement. Her manner, although far from rude may be considered austere to some.
Every bit of her clothing is black.
That's the most prominent feature of slips, isn't it? I like you, so let's say 250 gold pieces...I know the Eye is worth much more, but that will be enough for now.
Rotkill replies, "Well, your price sounds a little steep, but you say if you can really do what you say you can, then ok. 250 it is. When can you bring him in?"
Excuse me, where may I find the proprietor of this establishment?
A strong looking warrior at a table in the common room replies. "The i . . .i . . . i . . .innkeeper is in the b. .. . . b . . .b . . . b. . .back with . . . "
"Don't strain yourself Master Fortkeep. I'm right here. Good morning Mam, I trust you slept well last night! How can I help you?"
When do you want him?
@Florence
"Alright, let's plan a rendezvous for tonight at dusk. There is a warehouse located at a dead end called Black Rock Way." "I want you to bring him bound up. If he doesn't give me what I'm looking for, I think I have a buyer for him that would be interested in bringing him into the Cheliaxian Slave Market. So are we agreement?"
Bound up, are you kidding me? Didn't you just say he was a dangerous and cunning fellow? I will bring him to the warehouse, making him believe, he could...me there, kay? You and your men should be able to deal with a halfling halfway out of his trousers, shouldn't you?
@Florence
Ok, ok. We should be able to make this work. Just make sure you bring him inside the warehouse. We will handle the rest! So are we all set for tonight?"
Oh yes, we are. Florence spits in her hand and puts it forth.
After that, she will return to the Stone Wyvern...but she will be on the lookout to check if anyone followes her.
Mantooth, seeing nothing that he desires, follows Matthias out of the shop. "Are you sure that is going to be the right size, Matthias?" Mantooth asks genuinely. "Where to now?"
Matthias reinspects the cloak and replies
In fact I think its a perfect fit. We should probably be heading back to the wyvern and see if florence has returned. Unless you have anything else you need to do?If Mantooth has nothing else to accomplish Matthias will return to the wyvern and see who is there.
"Don't strain yourself Master Fortkeep. I'm right here. Good morning Mam, I trust you slept well last night! How can I help you?"
Good morning Sir. Do you perhaps know the whereabouts of Florence or any of her associates?
Good morning Sir. Do you perhaps know the whereabouts of Florence or any of her associates?
Please my dear. There is no need to be so formal. You may call me Trabalard. You are as a close family now! I cannot thank you enough for saving my cousin Stumblemoss."
"You friends left early this morning. I believe they had some shopping to do here on Market Street. They should be back anytime. While you wait for their return, you could sing a song for me. I hear you are quite the musician!"
Florence can already hear her name being said by Cebre as she enters the inn. She binds her hair back to a single thick braid and whistles through her teeth as she notices Cebre's new outfit
Ha! you should have asked me earlier, I knew black was exactly your colour Cebre...oh dear I sound like a governess, pah!
Florence bursts out laughing, but soon regains her posture
Ahem, where is our most beloved slip...I mean slip in the halfling sense...not like underwear, I mean...argh.
Thordak hears Florence leaving and follows suit, leaving plenty of room between them to give the impression that they are not together. He proceeds to the marketplace, where he washes the dirt from his hands and cloak in the fountain.
Wash:
He then makes his way back to the Stone Wyvern.
Oh, hello everybody! Cebrë! Wot happened to you!? You been readin' that book? You know you've got to be careful with that sort of thing! Oi've heard of some mighty strange magicians put some mighty twisted magic in some o' them books... Oi wouldn't go readin' just any ol' book!
Yeah Thordak, but that wouldn't count anyway, since you cannot read...at least not books like that.
Hey, what happened to your cloak? This looks like you totally ruined your wash check?!
Matthias looks up as Thordak enters the wyvern and is surprised by his appearance. It looks as though he was wallowing in the mud throughout the morning. He then approaches Florecne and asks in a whispered tone to assure no unwanted ears overhear:
What transpired at the Craven Raven? Were you able to convince them of your motives?
Momentarily becoming serious again, Florence whispers back
Yes, I'm expected to lure Bofus into an ambush at a warehouse. Rotskill and some of his minions will await us there...
Yeah Thordak, but that wouldn't count anyway, since you cannot read...at least not books like that.
Hey, what happened to your cloak? This looks like you totally ruined your wash check?!
Well that just isn't fair! Oi can read just fine! Thordak says indignantly. An' Oi'm sorry if Oi'm not as well versed as you and Matthias in the womanly trades! Hrah! So tell me more about this rendezvous in the warehouse...
Returning to the Stone Wyvern with Matthias and having bought nothing, Mantooth is visibly pleased to return from cloak shopping. Raising an eyebrow at Cebrë's sudden change of appearance and wrinkling his nose at Thordak's odor, Mantooth also expresses interest in what the rest of the group has been up to.
@Thordak "By the name of Iomedae, why have you soiled yourself like that? That is not the proper look of the champion of the Bolt trial."
@ Bofus "That's quite the crossbow you have there. The mechanisms are quite.. dainty!"
@Cebrë "You've changed your hair color again? If it really is that easy, maybe you could show Matthias how to do it and Humphrey could have a newly colored mane."
@Florence "Yes, please tell us more about the warehouse. Do they have any specific demands?"
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@ Bofus "That's quite the crossbow you have there. The mechanisms are quite.. dainty!"
She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts!
Ah, that's excellent news, Florence. Now, here's the question. Do we spring this trap and turn the tables on the thugs, or do we play along and try to infiltrate the Blackscarzi?
Well, if we let them take Bofus, we should be able to infiltrate and turn the tables! Wot do you all think? Thordak asks, removing his dirty cloak and tossing it away from him.
Please my dear. There is no need to be so formal. You may call me Trabalard. You are as a close family now! I cannot thank you enough for saving my cousin Stumblemoss."
"You friends left early this morning. I believe they had some shopping to do here on Market Street. They should be back anytime. While you wait for their return, you could sing a song for me. I hear you are quite the musician!"
Indeed? Well thank you Trabalard I believe I shall wait here then for their appearing. As for singing, I am afraid you may find the performance quite dull, I have no such talent for the art.
Ha! you should have asked me earlier, I knew black was exactly your colour Cebre...oh dear I sound like a governess, pah!
Ah, hello miss, may I assume you are Florence? I am pleased you approve of the change for the garments. I found the previous chromaticity of the fabrics entirely appalling.
"You've changed your hair color again? If it really is that easy, maybe you could show Matthias how to do it and Humphrey could have a newly colored mane."
I assure you it is the easiest of tasks sir....
Cebrë pauses here as if expecting Mantooth to interject his name......but what possible purpose would doing such a thing serve?
Oh, hello everybody! Cebrë! Wot happened to you!? You been readin' that book? You know you've got to be careful with that sort of thing! Oi've heard of some mighty strange magicians put some mighty twisted magic in some o' them books... Oi wouldn't go readin' just any ol' book!
What happened to me? That is a very good question. It seems I may be suffering from temporary amnesia due the the juxtaposition of the intra-planar memories of the arcane transmigration.
My hypothesis is that I will suffer from some partial hypomnesia permanently, although some of my strongest memories may be regained.|
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What happened to me? That is a very good question. It seems I may be suffering from temporary amnesia due the the juxtaposition of the intra-planar memories of the arcane transmigration.
My hypothesis is that I will suffer from some partial hypomnesia permanently, although some of my strongest memories may be regained.
*blink* *blink* Well, THERE'S something you don't see every day . . . so, you're saying you dont' remember us?? Weird. Note to self--watch out for reading strange books. Where'd you get this book, anyway? Something I musta missed . . .
Well, THERE'S something you don't see every day . . . so, you're saying you dont' remember us?? Weird. Note to self--watch out for reading strange books. Where'd you get this book, anyway? Something I musta missed . . .
Actually, I have a vague memory of you; I believe you once stole something from me - is that correct?
Strangely enough, the book in question is my spellbook. Perhaps we should discuss matters in private; I have some questions for all of you.... whoever all of you is.
After hearing that Cebre seems to have lost her memory, Florence ignores the questions about the ambush
Maybe your memory is stuck somewhere in that book? Florence points to the large volume
Perhaps reading again could help?!
Then she looks at Bofus and returns to the plans that have to be made
They wanted me to bring Bofus bound, but I persuaded Rotskill, the halfling wasn't so much of a threat. I'd suggest we surprise and kill them...make a clear cut like my father used to say.
They wanted me to bring Bofus bound, but I persuaded Rotskill, the halfling wasn't so much of a threat. I'd suggest we surprise and kill them...make a clear cut like my father used to say.
Now Florence, Oi dunno 'bout that! Our... friend...didn't want us to get Rotskill. The whole point of givin' Bofus up was to get them to lead us to the doors of the Blazkrazazy or whatever, wasn't it? O' course, we could always kill 'em an' see if they've got some keys or maps or sumthin, but if they're as clever as they should be, they won't have silly things like that... Thordak says, thinking with his brow furrowed.
Now, here's another option: wot if we ambush the ambushers? Either way, Oi'd like to check out this warehouse before we go fightin' in it... We could catch those thieves an' make 'em show us to the Blazka-razka! Yeah, if we take 'em prisoner, then we could hand 'em over to the the guards an' get rid of the infiltrators...We just have to make sure we don't kill 'em. Maybe... Oi dunno how easy it'd be to get 'em to talk, but we could give 'em a little...persuasion. Thordak says with a grin as he readjusts his crossbow.
Yeah, sorry Thordak...I was just so furious about all their doings. The warehouse is at the end of Black Rock Way. Maybe you should check the place out. I think I should stay here, out of sight, because it would be quiet conspicious if they spot me there.
Trabalrad Yab comes into the common room to greet you all. "Good afternoon, folks. I hope you are enjoying your well earned day off. I know a number of the other competitors are leaving today. I was just wondering how much longer you were planning on staying?"
Trabalrad Yab comes into the common room to greet you all. "Good afternoon, folks. I hope you are enjoying your well earned day off. I know a number of the other competitors are leaving today. I was just wondering how much longer you were planning on staying?"
Thordak shrugs and looks at the party, then turns back to Yab. Well actually, Master Yab, Oi think Oi might be stayin' another night or two if that's in order. Oi just wanted to see the town a bit more an' such.
Yeah, sorry Thordak...I was just so furious about all their doings. The warehouse is at the end of Black Rock Way. Maybe you should check the place out. I think I should stay here, out of sight, because it would be quiet conspicious if they spot me there.
Alright, sounds good, Oi'll do that. Thordak says, stooping to pick up his dirty cloak.
Anybody want to come with me? Oi dunno if it would be better to go alone or with a couple o' people. he says, looking around to the group. He then frowns at his cloak and spits on his thumb, trying to clean some of the dirt off of the cloak with it.Wash:
After they respond, Thordak dons his slightly less dirty cloak and pulls the hood low over his eyes to hide his identity. He then leaves the Stone Wyvern with whoever accompanies him and heads for the warehouse on Black Rock Way, taking care to hide his identity and to go as unnoticed as possible.
Stealth:
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@ Cebrë Madame, I *never* steal from someone who does not deserve it! I give you my word I have never stolen anything from you--but you did help me steal something from somone else . . . but that's a story for a later time.
@ Thordak I'll go with you. It's still early enough that those thugs are not likely to be set up at the warehouse yet. We'll cover more ground faster--but let's go now.
Cebrë, I think these fine folks can fill you in on what you're missing; Thordak adn I have an urgent errand to take care of.
With a wink at Florence, I scurry out with Thordak. We walk separately. I am currently fully armed.
Stealth:
Matthias listens to the plans carefully and replies
I think we need to ambush them at the warehouse. If they get Bofus behind closed doors alone or somewhere and we cant follow it could be more trouble than we bargained for and we would have to blow our cover anyways. I do agree we should keep at least Rotskil alive and any other "leader" figures...but handing them over to the guards could be dangerous when they are still infiltrated.
Matthias wants to ensure Humphrey's safety in this whole affair and feels it would be best to hire a couple of well trained men to guard him, where would he find such men....
Local Knowledge Check:
Cebrë watches Bofus leave and turns to the others.
Alright, well, it appears whatever the objective is some scouting is in order. If you please, I would request someone would recount the past events here on parchment so that I may understand what in the nine hells I have gotten myself into. I have something that may give us a tactical advantage but it looks like haste is in order.
She sets some parchment down on the nearest table, along with a quill and some ink.
She then retreats quickly from the inn.
@Thordak and Bofus
You arrive at the site of the warehouse located at the dead end street called Black Rock Way. The warehouse is a large building with a set of double doors right in the front. There are windows located up high on the second floor. Parked outside in the yard is a large carriage beautifully decorated with curtains covering the windows. There are no horses present, but it looks like this cart would be pulled by four large beasts of burden.
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You arrive at the site of the warehouse located at the dead end street called Black Rock Way. The warehouse is a large building with a set of double doors right in the front. There are windows located up high on the second floor. Parked outside in the yard is a large carriage beautifully decorated with curtains covering the windows. There are no horses present, but it looks like this cart would be pulled by four large beasts of burden.
What the . . . why such a fancy carriage at a warehouse?!
I scuttle over to Thordak at a safe, hidden distance. In a quiet voice . . .
I'll go check out the carriage. You go around for a wide perimmeter of the building, see if htere's any good hiding places, stuff like that. Meet me back here in 10 minutes.
I'll then head toward the carriage as quietly as I can, keeping an eye open for distinguishing marks/insignia on the carraige itself; for any other people around; or for where the horses to pull this thing might be.
Stealth:
Perception: