DM Rah's Strange Aeons

Game Master Kobash

~Guide to Strange Aeons~
+Visual Guide+
=Combat Map=
$Loot List$
Bottle Caps: Butterfly 3, Cats 2, Fearless 3, Mariner 2


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”Well I know what it means, it's a terrible thing to call someone. But what does it mean?”, the Mariner pauses for a moment to consider what he was saying.

Voice #1: "That's your name, idiot."
Voice #2: "No that's just what they called you."
Voice #1: "Alright then, what the hell is your name?"
Voice #3: "Meow Meow Meow Meow"

The Mariner blinks a few times at Cats, postponing an embolism, then explains, "I mean I thought all these other names on my left arm were people I wronged in some way...Nevermind. I'll take Brother's word for it."


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Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats will keep a quiet guard as others search the house, tired and wanting a real rest. He will help when asked, but his mind is idle and cranky.

"Hey, is this manor ours now? It might be by squatters rights. All the other owners are now dead and undead, so we might be able to claim this place, huh? Have ourselves a Watchcat Headquarters," Cats muses idly, not having a good sense of the law. "If so, we'll have to go down that hole in the back and take care of whatever is catting down there."


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Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

"Could be a little roomier than holing everyone up in that Chapel that we were nearly slaughtered in." Fearless cleans the blood from his face and rubs his fingers where his eyebrows used to be. "This is all going to take weeks to grow back." He says angrily about his hair. "You ever seen a damned hairless halfling..." He looks at the confused looks. "The answer is no. It is like a dwarf shaving his beard." He stomps off.

Grabbing ahold of the Pnakotic Manuscripts he idly flips through the numerous horrific pages. "This isn't ominous."

Hearing Brother Butterfly ask for his help he holds the book in one hand as he doesn't tear his eyes from it. He slaps a palm onto the monolith without even looking at it.


"The grounds would serve as a better stronghold. But no, I don't want to ever go back down there again and face that thing." the Mariner shivers at the eventuality. "Let's hurry and get this monolith thing figured out then barricade ourselves a nice slumber upstairs." He bags up any loose change while Brother and Fearless checks the Star Stelae.


When he touches the Star Stelae Fearless experiences the same stream of mental impressions.

Fearless: Roll a knowledge arcana or knowledge religion check for the Star Stelae.


Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Knowledge Arcana; Free Inspiration: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (4) = 18


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats is ready to move on, just waiting whatever happens with the Stelae.


Fearless tries to process the impressions but is just too tired to sort out the maddening flow of information.

Forced to leave the mystery of the Star Stelae for later, Brother Butterfly leads the Watchhmen back upstairs. The Mariner starts moving furniture around, barricading the place as Brother Butterfly begins the long process of going through the library and study. The manor contains many written works and personal research from both Lowls and Melisenn into the occult lore of the Star Stelae, alien monsters, dream worlds, and the Elder Gods. A few hours pass as the Watchmen sift through the information, and during this time Brother Butterfly and Cats begin to feel a growing sense of dread. The cold chill where the Yellow-Eyed Man touched them feels like a shard of ice slowly pressing deeper. A weariness weighs upon them, and sleep is denied by terrible dreams.

Going through the contents of the Manor will take a day, but Butterfly and Cats are suffering from a side effect of their level drain. Knowledge religion checks might determine more, and you may get bonuses depending on what research materials you focus on in the Manor.


Concentrate on the Yellow Man, he's the one that drained you guys, maybe his priests?


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats lolls and grouses, not quite feeling right and hoping that rest heals his many aches. His sleep is not good, which is unusual because he likes to sleep and tries to sleep every day of his life.

Blurry eyed, he complains to Brother, wondering what is wrong.

"Brother Catterfly? I don't feel right? Shouldn't I be getting better?"

Scarab Sages

M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception

Brother pulls out the scrolls from the haul that they found with the Evil Cleric of Hastur.
Restoration. That'll do it.

gm:

caster check: 1d20 ⇒ 3 DC 8
This would require a scroll mishap check, but I have a +5 to Wisdom on a DC 5, so I just need to avoid a 1. Then, per Pathfinder:
If the caster level check fails but no mishap occurs, the scroll is not expended.
Because of this, I'll try again.

mishap: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 DC 5, mishap on a nat 1 only.
Caster Check: 1d20 ⇒ 19 First Scroll on Cats. DC 8

caster check: 1d20 ⇒ 8 Second scroll on BB. DC 8


Kast, you should be healed. Now to invoke the same power to fix my ailments.


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Butterfly’s note tells me that I neglected to tell you all something kind of important after Melisenn’s defeat.

Congratulations, you all have reached 7th level!


Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Fearless shrugs, too injured to even give the impressions another though. Fearless shifts through the information for a few hours but ultimately needs rest first. He shuts the book. "Let's rest, let the survivors know they are safe fore now and come back at this first thing in the morning." Though he wasn't sure a day alone would help his burns. His body felt like stretched leather.

Not sure what all subjects to focus on so far. Lets start with Star Staelae, Yellow Man and anything on our memory wipes.

Knowledge Religion; Inspiration: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 7 + (2) = 23


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats stretches out, whether it was the nap or Brother’s healing, he doesn’t care. He feels better than he has uh, in a day or two, but it seems like forever. He rolls out of bed and smiles, working his muscles and arms for any lingering pain.

”Ah, I feel cat. This is good,” Cats beams. ”I guess this is what it’s like when you rid an area of all the evil and have no more worries about everything because all the bad people are dead. Sure, we have some weird things underground to cat, but I’m sure that won’t be a big problem.”

Agreeing with Fearless, Cats will return to town with as much loot, furniture, stuff from Iris Hill that he can carry to sell, and explain to people about the new safety that they have brought to the town. He will sell a bunch of stuff, buy stuff, with intents to return to Iris Hill to explore the under cave that the party bypassed earlier.

”So...Catless, Catiner? Is that a good plan?”


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"Cats" wrote:
”Sure, we have some weird things underground to cat, but I’m sure that won’t be a big problem”

The Mariner looks and smells like a back alley bum. He was on the edge of a watercolored dream, driven by another full bottle nightcap, when he hears Cats. Waking up will still a lingering buzz, he says "Not a big problem - a huge problem."

He rolls onto his feet and begins strapping on the chain shirt, and grimaces at the torn and bloodied links. "We need to get some better gear to deal with that Thing Under the Floor...maybe a siege engine or a catapult. I've got four extra sacks, let's fill it up and get out of here. I think I saw a wheelbarrow."


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Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Gathering the equipment for sale Fearless hangs onto his gold under his bed for safe keeping.He has plans for it. "Sounds as good as any. Let's clear out the cave and study the Star Staelae a bit more before we move too many folks into here to spread out."

While the group goes to sell and make purchases Fearless stays indoor with the books and studies as much as he can. While Brother Butterfly may have his religion, Mariner his list of names and Cats'obsession with felines he had his knowledge and books. Something he has not had for quite some time and he was going to take advantage of it.


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Brother Butterfly restores Cats, then, after a thankful prayer to Desna, manages to do the same for himself. The sense of foreboding vanishes as their life energies are restored.

Fearless and Brother Butterfly then begin sifting through the contents of Iris Hill. Focusing first on the Star Stelae, they find enough references in Melisenn’s personal journals to learn some secrets of the strange artifacts.

The Star Stelae in Thrushmoor are partially operational and provide the following benefits to any creature bearing an unholy symbol of Hastur—the Yellow Sign. Since they are damaged and not fully operational they don’t register a particularly strong magic aura. A creature bearing the unholy symbol of Hastur can touch a Star Stelae, sense its power, and make use of the following effects with the proper commands spoken in Aklo:
City Stride: By touching one of the Star Stelae, a user can create a temporary portal on a wall within 200 feet of the stone. The user can then travel to another wall within 200 feet of one of the other two Star Stelae as if via dimension door. A sooty mural of a gloomy and abandoned city appears on any wall used for this manner of travel. This use expends 2 charges.
Sinister Whispers: By touching one of Thrushmoor’s Star Stelae, a user can transmit a short, whispered message to any point within 300 feet of any of the three artifacts. All creatures wearing an unholy symbol of Hastur within that area hear the whispered message and can give a short reply. This use expends 1 charge. If the user and another creature are touching different stones at the same time, one of them can expend 2 charges to communicate telepathically for 1 minute.
If a stone is depleted of all its charges, it becomes inactive and can’t be used anymore. An inactive Star Stela can be activated again only through the successful completion of a specific occult ritual that requires the sacrifice of a sentient being with a soul. The Star Stelae under Iris Hill seems to have more power than the others, likely since it was the site of the cultist’s human sacrifices.

Another part of Melisenn’s notes describe the powers of the Yellow-Eyed Man. Melisenn intended to create more of these undead creatures, but the ritual only worked on one of her cultists. In willingly sacrificing his soul the man gained many powers, the most terrible being its life draining touch. Most creatures that drain life kill the victim with the attack outright or leave them debilitated. A Keeper of the Yellow Sign infects a victim who survives the initial contact with a corrupting entropy that can lead to delirium and death within a day.

***

Delving deeper into the library and Lowl’s personal study, the Watchmen begin to learn about what came before Briarstone, and what Lowls was planning to do after.

There are many books, but a dozen warrent special notice. Atop the Valley’s Soul, The Codex of Three Prescriptions, Curses of the Black Lake, Dichotomous Translations of Aklo Syntax, Elements Through the Spirals of Time, Emotions of the Past, The Falling Silk, Festival of the Snake, The Forgotten Servants, The Illusion of the Weeping Ones, In Admiration of Keeping Pacts, Manual of Silence, Men and Vultures: Denizens of the Darkened Depths and Dead Skies, Monuments of the Forest, The Shadow’s Ship, Shards of Sight, Spiders of Sin and Sky, Theological Agreements of the Kingdom, Tigers and Flies, The Unified Manual of Understanding, Voyage of the Rainbow Servant, and The Wise Harmony. All contain multiple bookmarks and handwritten notes indicating a shared theme of research into dreams.

Among these is found a notebook holding an account of Lowls’s interviews with Ulver Zandalus, which took place in Briarstone Asylum. Though Zandalus was mute, Lowls would interview him while he drew his charcoal drawings of the mysterious city, and during the process details would emerge which Lowls would interpret. In later interviews, Count Lowls made use of magic to read the man’s thoughts. Through this process, Lowls was able to learn about a distant lost city in some nameless desert that reportedly featured three Star Stelae, identical in shape and arrangement to those in Thrushmoor. Over time Lowls stops relating what he learned from his interviews with Ulver, and begins writing with maniacal fervor about his obsession with the city and his belief that its discovery alone can repair his academic reputation.

The last pages of these notes contains an occult ritual Lowls used to make journeys into the Dreamlands, where he encountered the Mad Poet and eventually sacrificed the minds of his servants.

The story of what Lowls did next can be pieced together by plans he was making to begin a long journey. An annotated map shows Lake Encarthan and the lands to the south. The count has drawn a route from Thrushmoor to Xer, traced a line down the Sellen River to Cassomir, where notes indicate he planned to meet up with an old friend named Miacknian Mun to aid in translation and research of the Necronomicon. A draft of the equipment, supplies, and number of slaves the count plans to purchase for the final leg of the expedition is scribbled on a piece of parchment. These show that Lowls has been planning his journey for a long time, and the notes hint at his destination. From Cassomir he would travel further south to Katheer, then mount an expedition to a place somewhere to the east for some purpose, as yet unknown.

Of interesting note is a contract found crumpled under a desk for a ship called the Sellen Starling was chartered to take Lowls on his journey south, but would not sail without its missing Captain, Dunsel Bloodyarm.

Loot!
Guesthouse: The trunk holding 24 nobles’ outfits (worth 75 gp each), 12 bottles of wine (worth 150 gp total), and a jewelry box made of palm wood (worth 50 gp) containing 1,800 gp worth of rings, bracelets, brooches, and necklaces.
Carriage House: incense of meditation
Bathhouse: 3 bars of soul soap
Greeting Hall: Odd curios, jewelry, and esoteric art 4000gp
Library: bookplate of recall
Rumatri’s bedroom: mnemonic vestment, 2 scrolls of sepia snake sigil, scroll of see invisibility, composite shortbow (+3 str), 350gp
Lowl’s study: a book of the loremaster Ultimate Equipment, two scrolls of psychic surgery Occult Adventures, and a slim spellbook bound in red leather containing the following spells: blindness/deafness, dancing lights, detect thoughts, eagle’s splendor, expeditious retreat, gust of wind, hypnotism, illusory wall, mirror image, owl’s wisdom, protection from good, and shield.
Wine Cellar: wine 450gp

Scarab Sages

M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception

Great work Rah! That's very enlightening. While the above says that Lowls sacrificed our minds, Brother reads and (self interprets) that it was our souls that were sacrificed. He drives that point home that their souls are sold to a demon- The Mad Poet.
P.S. Have we figured out what that contraption was attached to the Royal Accuser? Did we find Tarot cards? There were Tarot cards that helped book passage in the Dreamlands. We need to find those.


DM Rah wrote:
Dunsel Bloodyarm

::GASP!!!::

The Mariner squints at the title of a particular book. He flips open the pages of The Shadow’s Ship and begins reading the contents, "The Night was Sultry..."

Does it actually anything useful?


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10
"The Mariner" wrote:
"The Night was Sultry..."

Cats' ear perk up at the mention of the word 'sultry', but quickly fades as books aren't really Cats' thing, even less is reading.

"It was a dark and stormy night," However, he picks up Festival of the Snake and reads a few lines before getting bored. He instead packs up more loot and helps transport it back to town.

"So...sounds like Lowls is on a trip? I guess that definitely makes this place our home then, huh?" Cats asks about the new headquarters.

He will eventually find Lady Winter and offer a full report.


Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

"Should we chase after the bastard or leave him be. Sounds like we have a ship and a Captain now." Fearless points to Mariner. He tries to think back on what he knows or has heard about a Necromicon.

Any knowledge checks?

"I guess the main question is. Do we stay here? Travel to the Dream realm with this spell we found and find out what Lowls was up to there or take the Captain's ship here and cut him off early?"

Scarab Sages

M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception

I think it would take Desna herself, coming to Golorian in celestial form, to keep Mariner from sailing a ship that is actually his! Chasing Lowls is the best option, in my humble opinion


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats’ face scrunches up.

”Chase him? Why would we do that? We can just wait in our house for him to come back. Why chase him?” Cats asks, wondering which room he wants to claim.


Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

"Cause he still has some explaining to do. Namely what he did to my brain." Fearless taps his head hard with his finger, making dull hollow sounds. "And we actually have a chance of catching him as we know where he will be."


While going over Lowls research, Brother Butterfly finds an envelope containing a letter signed by someone named Miacknian Mun, which apparently accompanied a delivery of alchemical goods. In the letter, evidently answering a question posed by Lowls, Mun confirms that “It seems that the Mad Poet you met in your dream journey was right. The book you seek, the Necronomicon, is located in a special collection called the Mysterium in the Qadiran city of Katheer, though it is written in Necril. If you can find a way to retrieve it and bring it to me, I can certainly help you translate and research it. I look forward to seeing you again, my old friend.”

Fearless tries to think if he knows anything about the Necronomicon. He recalls a story about a scholar and poet named Abdul Alhazred. Abdul traveled widely and explored the ancient ruins of cities once ruled by the Old Ones. He accumulated lore humanity was not meant to know, and hidden cosmic truths gradually drove him insane. At the height of his madness he scribed a dreaded book of occult lore called the Kitab Al-Azif - later renamed the Necronomicon - that became his most infamous legacy.


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats putters and organizes, then sells and talks. He tries to be a cheerful and hopeful face after the ordeals of the past few days, showing strength in the face of all that had happened. He wants the townspeople to know that as long as the Watchcats are there, they will be safe.

Scarab Sages

M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception
a few days ago from Dena Gallegos of The Silver Wagon wrote:
Dena Gallegos marches up the stairs. "Am I going to regret letting you lot back in here?"

*********

In the early morning, after a tremendous amount of sleep from The Watchmen. Sleep that was sorely needed to help recoup from the incredibly long night and a half in uprooting the Cult at the Manor.
This very morning, Jasper is targeting another enemy of his..... dirt.

In the upstairs hallway, in the doorway of his assigned room at The Silver Wagon, Brother Butterfly is giving a stern tongue lashing to the proprietor, Dena Gallegos.
How, on Golorian, can you tell me that your people CLEANED this room. You would have the saviors of Thrushmoor in squalor? Wouldn't you? This is your revenge for perceived past wrongs, isn't it?
Either that, or you have the most incompetent cleaning crew within 200 miles!
I mean, just look at this---

And Brother puts on a white glove and runs his fingers across the tops of the picture frames, the door sill, even going to the tippietoes to grad a couple spider cob webs from the corner of where the roof meets the walls.
THIS amount of dirt and debris is disgusting. It's like they aren't even trying. It's like your maids have blinders on. Of you see something out of place... you pick it up.. if you see dirt clods on the floor, you get a broom!
and he does point to some small tracks of dirty footprints that got tracked in when filling the bathtub.
THIS KIND OF THING JUST CAN NOT BE IGNORED. As a paying guest, I should not have to tell you how to run your staff.
But as a patron of this Silver Wagon establishment, I demand you double the shift with those that are competent! My room needs to be clean, and not in a remedial fashion.

gm:
I don't think a roll is needed. but if you want I can do it. also not certain if this is an intimidate or a diplomacy roll. Because BB is obviously way out of bounds here and making a mountain out of a molehill. finding unacceptable amounts of mess, where there really isn't any to find.

He continues his tirade until he gets over the top satisfaction from Dena, or he's forceably dragged away from the Silver Wagon.


The Mariner reads over the crumpled charter, "Lowls must have either taken another method of travel by the way this reads. Let's head down to the docks and see if the Sellen Starling is still ported."


Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Hearing Brother Butterfly screaming upstairs about his room Fearless quickly notices Mariner taking off out the door in search of his ship. "I'll go with ya." Jogging down the street just to keep up Fearless rubs his arms and even more of his brittle hair breaks free. "Though this should probably be quick before he gives all of our gold to the staff to make sure the building is clean. We could be living on your ship tomorrow if he does."

He waves off all of the nonsense. "All of this is confusing. We are making a home here. This place is safe now. Maybe Cats is right. Why wouldn't we stay here and just start over?" He begins to second guess himself after his head clears froma few days of rest.


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats grabs his bow, quickly fleeing after the captain once he hears Brother Butterfly getting his full wind. I’m catting out of here.

He runs to catch up with Mariner, enjoying the sunshine and the idea that no one might be actively trying to kill them at the moment.

”Catiner? You think you can still sail the Sullen Starcat? You haven’t gotten how, have you?” Cats asks innocently, not sure if he does or doesn’t know how to sail or if he forgot or never knew. Selectively losing your memory can be very confusing.

”Maybe I also was a sailor in another life? Did I also do some catting on the open seas? I have no idea,” Cats hurries along, trying to quickly get out the range of Brother’s voice.


"Cats" wrote:
”Catiner? You think you can still sail the Sullen Starcat? You haven’t gotten how, have you?”

The Mariner sends a gofer up to the dim attic of his functional mind to check if the skills are still there. The gofer returns slightly bloodied and a lot traumatized but delivers the message.

Profession (astronomer): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Profession (fisherman): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

"Like the wind..."

We're headed to the port.


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Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10
"The Mariner" wrote:
We're headed to the port.

”Catiner, you have to make a right to cat to the docks! A right!” Cats tries to direct the leftward listing Mariner to the docks.

#nauticalhumor.


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Rolls:

Allard: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Lucky: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Though the Watchmen return from Iris Hill victorious, a pall hangs over Thrushmoor. While they were resting and recovering in the fine rooms of the manor, or complaining about the fine rooms of the Silver Wagon, word spread about the attack on New Chapel the night before. When Cats eventually returns there to report he finds Lady Winter in the chapel, solemnly preparing the bodies of those lost to the cult, including Allard, who succumbed to the lingering evil touch of the Yellow-Eyed Man. Standing vigil over her lost agent and long time friend, Cesadia nods her head to Cats.

”You and your Watchmen have my thanks. You showed much courage against evil. Whatever help you need, the Sleepless Agency will provide, though it will have to wait until I have had the chance to grieve and bury Allard.”

As for the survivors of Briarstone, many have regressed into whatever mental insanity brought them to such an institution in the first place. The nurses Airwynn, Naysa, and Tolman tend to the fragile and withdrawn, while York and his orderlies work with Winter’s guards to manage the unruly and violent. When he hears that the cult has been defeated and Thrushmoor is safe, Campre quits on the spot. Grabbing his meager belongings, he departs, vowing to avoid “crazy f@#%ers” for the rest of his life.

As he leaves to rejoin the Watchmen, Cats is approached by the storyteller Loic, who holds out the viola given to him back in Briarstone.

”I found some strings and fixed this up, but I’m no good with it. Makes some of the others reach for knives when I try to play. I’d sell it, but she says you should probably take it back.”
Turning around, Loic says to the air behind him, ”Right, I almost forgot.” Reaching into his pocket, he draws out a carefully folded piece of parchment. ”When I was cleaning it I found this inside the body. I know little about music, but it looks impressive. I don’t think most music has quite so many notes. If someone famous wrote it, well I suppose it could be worth something too.”

Masterwork viola returned, along with a page of music.

***

Down at the docks the Watchmen are informed by the harbor master that a ship called the Sellen Starling is scheduled to return from a trip upriver to Rozenport in the next couple days.

You have some time to sell/buy/trade, research, and role play.


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"Come fetch us when the ship returns. And I want to meet the captain who took her up the river" the Mariner leaves instructions for the dockmaster, flipping him a few coins then heads back to the Chapel.

He wanders around the ground, watching the preparations and busy work, think of the future. Thrushmoore is a place he can probably settle, make a home and a living. The thought disappeared as quickly as it came. Thrushmoore was a lot like him - permanently scarred. It would never be home just as his body and mind would never be home again. He would always be chasing what was lost or running from the past, and it would be on the open sea, where it would eventually end.

The Mariner looks at Cats, Fearless and Butterfly, then dwelling on the Desnean, he almost can't resist a chuckle. Abandoning morose thoughts, he gets to his feet, then walks over to nudge Brother on the shoulder, who once again is staring longingly at Cesadia the way a woodplane looks at a door, "Hey Friar Hot for Priesthood. Better hit that fish while the bait is still fresh."

The Mariner then walks by Cesadia, "Miss Cesadia, Allard was a good man. We've found Brother Butterfly can help anyone through the grieving process. If you seek solace, his words have a way of touching you. Give it a try, but hurry, we sail on the next tide."

Sexual Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Seed planted.


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Lol. There is a lot to respond to, but won’t have much time until this afternoon.

Cats checks out the ships.


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Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Hahaha. I bet BB talks through the whole sexual encounter about the different kinds of doors like Bubba explaining shrimp to Forrest Gump. :)

Fearless pales instantly and stands in shock as Mariner begins to hook up Brother Butterfly with Cesadia. The mere though causes him to start laughing and he has to walk away. "We have a few days, I'll be in my room with the books. Come get me for food."

While they wait Fearless pours tirelessly over each of the books taken from Iris Hill.. He wants to learn all that he can and takes only short breaks to eat, clean and when brother Butterfly brings him his payment.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Can’t believe it was a year ago when we kilt the hag in the caves!! What have we been doing for the last 12 months!? Man...cats fly when you’re having crazy...

Cats stands on the dock with his fists on his ships examining the ships. He’s getting more and more certain that he doesn’t have any innate sense of boaters, shipdoollery, or helmspointing. He doesn’t understand the sails, the wind, the anchor (except in the role he plays to the party), or anything.

* * *

Cats looks down at the viola, trying to remember where he had seen it before. he barely remembers. It was stringless before.

He looks down at the viola, then at Loic. ”Thanks, I guess. What...what am I supposed to do with this?” Cats looks over the instrument without any bard’s fingers to guide him in its use. He looks over the music sheet, but it might as well be written in dwarvish for all the sense it makes.

”Yeah...thanks. Thanks. I’ll take good care of it.”

* * *

Given a few days of free time, Cats has no idea what he is going to do at first. He doesn’t remember what he liked to do in the past, let alone what he might want to do now in a town and with lots of money. He supposes he should found a new temple to Sarenrae or something, but he doesn’t feel that’s quite right.

Will have more post later as I ponder how Cats will ruin run his life.

* * *
”Hey, Miss Manager of the Inn...are there any musicians in town? I’d like someone to look over and probably play this music, I think. I don’t know if it’s good or not.”

Scarab Sages

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M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception
mariner wrote:
Sexual Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Brother Butterfly takes this opportunity and rolls with it. Mariner provided good wingman support. While Brother would have loved to have put on some cologne, dressed in one of the fine Noble outfits he just looted from The Count, and buff his voice and appearance... he has to just "sit down and eat dinner when the food is served."

My deepest condolences Lady Cesadia. Allard was noble in all his deeds. He must have loved Thrushmoor and his work at the Sleepless Agency deeply to have braved the terror and combat in the chapel. I have a few amazing ideas for a lasting,tasteful,and solemn way to honor his memory.

I am sure, that if he were here, he would smile brightly in all the people that WERE saved. The magics that you gave us --SURELY saved our lives.
I wish to give you back the remaining unused item and reimburse you for the potion and scroll that we did end up using.

He gives her the potion and 400GP for the used potion and scroll.

This cult ran deep in the underpinnings of Thrushmoor. But all the major players were "Imported". Other than Lowls - who is gone - we don't really have many Thrushmoor citizens involved.
It all started in the Witch Caves -maybe you and I could check that out for more clues. Both of us looking and searching, might find some....spark.

A daydream pops into Brother's mind of him and Cesadia rolling around in the moss covered caves in high levels of lust. but then the thought of moss and dirt and grime combined with sweat and... maybe that isn't the best place to get her alone.
so he continues,
or maybe we can go to your expansive study and dive into the tomes and lore that we uncovered from the Manor. Studying might be a better first option.
seduction: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 plus Mariner's aid.


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"Brother Butterfly" wrote:
-might find some....spark.

Who can resist that mustache - like a privet hedge.

Hope that beats the already Friendly DC for Reveal secret knowledge and Additional requests


Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Did you just give Lady Cesadia a strange 'potion' and pay her to go with you? :)

Scarab Sages

M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception

Fearless wrote:
Did you just give Lady Cesadia a strange 'potion' and pay her to go with you? :)

No, he wasn't pulling a Bill Cosby and slipping her a mickie.

I envisioned it a bit awkward, like This duckie little moment.

*********
The Next Day, Brother pays a few town criers to announce a special sermon he will be giving at the New Chapel. Being that the old priestess of the chapel has been killed by the enemy, a voice of religious soothing is needed. Especially now that the danger has been vanquished.
For this sermon, he prepares. Casting a spell that improves the eloquence of his voice. He dresses in fine clothes and ornamentation to Desna. Even spending a bit of time to add a few paintings of Desna's Butterflies by painting some himself, but commissioning a nice one from Lelwyn Hasok the amazing painter.
Jasper makes certain to not disrespect Pharasma, and does not replace her symbols within the Temple. But he does "push some aside" to make room for Desna.
His sermon is aimed at first smoothing, but then motivating. He talks about how there is a new day, and how the long night is finally over.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 31

His words reach out to strike a cord. To motive people To GO- To DO- To ACT.
Those walking away from the mindspinning sermon remember gems such as,
"“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.”
and
"“They have worries, they're counting the miles, they're thinking about where to sleep tonight, how much money for soup, the weather, how they'll get there - and all the time they'll get there anyway, you see.”
and
"“I wished I was on the same wagoncart as her. A pain stabbed my heart as it did everytime I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big Golarion of ours.”
*
His message was for those to hit the Road. To Travel. To Embrace the wonders of the large world at large.

*:
Quotes taken from the Beatnik writer Jack Kerouac who probably best embodies the spirit of Desna philosophy.


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Gathering the trove of documents from Iris Hill, Fearless is given a room in the Sleepless Agency in which to sift through the material. For a time he is aided by the keen eye and mind of Cesadia, but when Brother Butterfly arrives later in the day, looking freshly bathed and shaved and dressed to kill in an outfit suitable for a royal ball, she soon retires to her office with the handsome cleric for some private research.

By the looks they give him, and the hushed sounds coming from behind the door, Fearless is certain they are secretly plotting against him.

More information will come, but you need to spend days doing research.

****

It is theorized by Pharasman scholars that were one to collect the numbers of children born nine months after a funeral, one might find proof that The Lady of Graves eases the loss of life with new life born into the world. Calistrian scholars attribute such a theory stems from celebrating good riddance to bad rubbish. Those who revere Desna often hold a general belief in sexual healing. Besmarans say “any port in a storm.”

None of these thoughts occur to Brother Butterfly and Cesadia as they get biblical in her office.

At first the encounter goes well. Cesadia is passionate and enthusiastic, and clothes come off quickly. Too quickly as a button pops off Brother Butterfly’s new pants and goes sailing across the room. As he stares at his damaged clothes Cesadia sweeps a stack of papers from the desk, scattering them about the floor. With them goes a feather pen that leaves a trail of ink. In the middle of a kiss he discovers the taste of coffee, the smell of candle tallow and the faint aroma of sweat, and realizes that while he arrived scrubbed clean and ready for action, she had not.

****

”You know, there was a minstrel in here the other afternoon.” Dena tells Cats over the counter at the Silver Wagon. He had talked to the other artists he knew of. The bard Wren was singer with no training in instruments but was quite sure the music was composed by a master. The painter Lelwyn knew nothing of music but claimed it was very old, and with penmanship of strange and unknown origin.

”She asked about the local lore, and seemed quite interested in you Watchmen, but didn’t stay long.” Dena continues. ”She claimed a patron had arranged accommodations for her elsewhere in Thrushmoor. I think her name was Rumatri.”

The name brings that lead to a dead stop - Rumatri was the name of the penanggalan that attacked New Chapel, and whose headless body was found in Iris Hill. Discovering more about the music would need an expert Thrushmoor doesn’t have.

****

The Mariner spends his time loitering around the docks, waiting for the Sellen Starling to return. The sounds and smells are familiar and comforting, and though the birds flocking to the fish Market sets him on edge, avoiding that location is not an issue. By evening, however, as the fleet of Theushmoor’s fishing boats return from the lake, the birds migrate toward the fresh catch, cornering the Mariner out on the piers.

Flapping wings and cawing beaks bear down on him, and for a moment he sees a face among the flock. A bearded man with round spectacles looks on as a bird flies at the Mariner and plucks out one of his eyes!!


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Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Wow. What did I just read? I suggest the title of 50 Shaves of Cray for this erotica.

* * *

Cats is disappointed in the early end to his musical chase and packs both the viola and the music away for later following up.


"AAARHHHHHHH AHHHHHH ARRRRRG!!!"

I think I just read that the Mariner is going shopping for an eye patch.


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Male Halfling | HP 74 | AC 21; TCH 16; FF 17 | Perc +14

Fearless sits at the desk reading, though concentrating on the text is nearly nonexistent as he seems to have read the same paragraph 50 times now. He stars at the door.

Plotting against me in there.

He grabs his dagger and stabs it into the desk. Quickly sheathing it he gets an idea. Grabbing the wand he taps it against himself and quickly goes invisible.

Need to find out what they are plotting.

As quiet as a mouse Fearless sneaks into the office behind them opening the door just enough to slink in and quietly shut it behind him.

Stealth; Inspiration: 1d20 + 11 + 20 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 20 + (3) = 35

Oh no a Nat 1!

Once inside he stands in teh corner and listens to their vile thoughts.

Maybe with this information I can get one step ahead of the bald shapeshiter's schemes.

*********

Several minutes go by and Fearless quickly realizes his error. He was terribly wrong and had no way of getting out now. Not did he know how long his invisibility would last.

His questions were answered within moments as the spell lasted shorter than Brother Butterfly's chastity did. Even with Mariner there to be a wingman it looks like Fearless' anxiety and paranoia was determined to block him yet.

The spell wears off and Fearless suddenly appears in the middle of the room. Looking down he sees his hand first then the rest of him pops out and locks eyes with Brother Butterfly. He can do nothing but shrilly scream at the top of his lungs. "AAAAARRRRRGHHHH!" Turning to run he runs smack face first into the closed door, nearly knocking himself unconscious as he crumbles backwards to the floor.

Clawing his way back up he scampers out the door and flees, leaving the books behind.


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Omg not even gonna bother with ooc, amazing post T. Oh man that made my night.

Scarab Sages

2 people marked this as a favorite.
M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception

The sudden appearance of the peeping Halfling surprises Jasper right off of his new girlfriend. Showing both male and female "bare necessities".
The scream from Fearless seeing him bounce off the door, allows things to dawn upon the Desnian cleric that Fearless was looking for more than just cheap thrills. Fearless certainly wasn't trying to do him harm... well, except maybe cockblocking him.

sense motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

And in a split second Fearless is gone. Out the door, and probably out the house.
Brother turns to his muse, the beautiful and strong willed Cesadia. He smiles.
So, where did we leave off? He says coyly and he shows even more sterling teeth as he advances toward Cesadia again. Spending more quality time with her.
*********
Brother doesn't say anything further to Fearless. He doesn't mention "the Peep-ling", and treats him as if nothing happened. The only thing out of the ordinary is BB spends a day or two painting in private.
The end result makes him laugh out loud.
Yeah, he deserves this.
*******
Sometime soon. GM or Fearless, you can insert this in at anytime in the story- because I am certain it'll be tough getting this picture properly hidden into Fearless's pack or for him to find at a fun time.
In a newly purchased bag of holding is a finely made drawing. The scene is that exact moment where Fearless is coming out of his invisibility. Standing in a study, staring agog. Off panel, with the exception of two pairs of legs lying on top of a large executive desk, one pair obviously shaved but masculine and another pair of legs that are feminine. The legs are intertwined, giving the viewer a clear understanding of the circumstances off frame. The study floor is a mess of papers and a spilled inkpot.
But there's more.
Dedicated to an entire spot in the lower left hand corner of the painting is a blown up view of some of the scattered papers. With Fearless's foot standing right on top of a few of them. The most prominent paper has the title: Our plans for Fearless.
Besides the clear title, there's obviously a bulletpointed list.. but those specifics are so difficult to read. To further hamper the deciphering, it appears that the inkpot leaked out juuuust enough onto this particular paper.......


Acrobatics: +11. Disable: +20. Perception: +14. Sleight+12/Stealth +16. F12/R17/W9. Seeker of Redemption 10

Cats continues to work around town, helping whatever townspeople need it, and pondering what to do next. He will continue to work to clean/change Iris Hill so it’s a good home base for the Watchcats.

Scarab Sages

M
active spells:
Shield of Faith, Magic Circle against evil. Find the Path. Protection from Fire
Cleric of Desna Level 12 AC 23 w/shield. 21 W/O. +21 Perception

Walking to Pinkie's room, he knocks, saying
Hey Pinkie! Have you recovered from the effects now that the Briarstone Witch Cult has been defeated?
Pinkie?


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Fearless runs from the scene of carnal pleasure, fleeing from a horror nearly as great as the Old Ones. Brother Butterfly ignores the interruption and gets back to his affair, getting past his proclivity for cleanliness by focusing on the one thing that has proven over history to conquers all fears.

Though it wouldn’t hurt to take a bath. Or two.

Back at the Silver Wagon Brother Butterfly checks up on Pinkie, but finds his room empty. On his bed, resting in its sheath, is Red Destiny.

****

Howling in terror, another member of the Watchmen flees from an assault on the eyes. Crashing through fishmongers and overturning carts, he barrels out of the docks with a hand pressed to his face. Then, suddenly, the birds are gone and he finds himself alone in a muddy street. A darkness lifts from his sight and he finds his eyes whole and untouched.

Was the vision all in his mind?

****

Cats spends his time doing good deeds and cleaning house. It’s boring, but somehow satisfying.

While dusting off the curios in Iris Hill he finds his attention drawn repeatedly to a portrait of a young Haserton Lowls. Or more specifically, the cat within the portrait. Something is so familiar about the scene, but whatever Lowls did to his mind has made recalling the information impossible.

****

Two days later The Sellen Starling pulls into port. The ship is a wide keelboat with a single large sail and several long poles for navigation.

Word is that since losing its previous captain a gregarious halfling named Skywin Freeling has assumed the role of captain. And as the ship ties up to the dock you see a female halfling overseeing the unloading of a few crates. Though muscular, she stands barely 3 feet tall With large blue eyes that contrast with her tawny skin. She keeps her curly mass of auburn hair in a messy bun at the back of her head, and her clothing is utilitarian, consisting of a brown tunic and leggings under a chain shirt. Strapped to her left arm is a buckler, while a rapier is sheathed at her waist.

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