DM Zyren's Heart of Riddles (Inactive)

Game Master Zyrenity

Eviana's eyes widen as she inspects the precious items

What a wonderful recovery! We thank you so much and yes...you're absolutely right, what once was here will be again in the future...for now, please enjoy the breakfast we brought you and...there is someone I would like you to meet - her name's Kaerishiel, she's the leader of the Shin Rakorath of the Mierani Forest and she knows quite alot about the drow that were stationed here and about the gate, too.

Forgetting herself for a moment, Bree steps forward enough to be noticed and in elven asks, "Does she know where they keep their slaves?"

I wasn't sure if Kaerishiel was actually present and being introduced or if we were just being forewarned. If she is present, and has been pointed out, Bree would have addressed her directly as opposed to asking Eviana.

"Any more information on the flight of our ebon-kin would be appreciated. My friends and I grow weary, our wings are tired, and we wish to draw this chase through the gale to a close so we may all rest easier."

Caterine frowns at Sebastian before interjecting into Eviana's mirth "Best ye see purpose to making that appreciation felt in more than just feckin honeycakes and wine... you and your elves have been next to useless thus far while we do the heavy lifting freeing the place you purport to care about so much. Least you can do is part with some shiny in the bargain."

Taken aback by Cats small outbreak, Eviana steps next to Winter and reminds you of someone seeking shelter under an oak in a storm...

I...we...oh...I'm sorry, we weren't prepared when the drow arrived and we lost all bravery until you saved us...I can see why you are upset, but let's forget the past and turn to face the future...ahem...I will tell Kaerishiel that you are interested in meeting her, I guess she can be here this afternoon.

The presents still lie close by...it's gift-giving time.

With a scowl and a heavy tread Kabal stalks over to the gifts to see the nature of these 'trinkets' and if anything would be of use to himself.

Sebastian's eyebrows shoot up and he mutters, "That's one way to jump the intermission and keep everyone in their seats." He rubs his hand across his mouth to hide the growing smile.

"We all grow tired, and with tiredness comes directness coupled with impatience. Perhaps let us speak with Kaerishiel and learn of the road ahead whilst we take a pause, the elves can maintain watch while we take rest and hear the tales, it has been a long night"

Miffed that there is no immediate answer to her questions, Bree finds a wall to lean against and uses a knife to pick at her nails.

Scoffing derisively "Ye'll forgive me if I hold all applause until you actually deliver on that. So far ye've been good only for dancing around with your teats hanging out and showing Winter a good time." but she leaves the jibes at that, walking away and looking for something a mite stronger than mulled honey wine to wet her throat.

Oh Well! The meeting with Kaerishiel is the beginning of module no. 4! Good job and level up!

Kabal, towering above the "trinkets" is quite surprised to notice that the items indeed look useful:

Silver shortsword +2
Decoy Ring
Ring of Curing
Banded Mail of Luck
Huntsman Longbow +3

Yay, will have to do a loot sale and distribution, Winter is level 7 and still rocking a non-magic masterwork main weapon :p
HP for level 1d10 ⇒ 10

Disregard above, Winter went Cleric... forgot his progeression was Cleric all the way now. 1d8 ⇒ 7 - Think I liked the 10 better :p

Kabal frowned and waved a dismissive hand at the pile of trinkets... this might be usefull to the others but it looks lke typical frail, elven treasure...

You all take what you need.

Bracers of armor +4 (16000gp) 8000
Cloak of resistance +2 (4000gp) 2000
Headband of intellect +2 (2000gp) 1000
Ring of protection +1 (1000gp) 500
Sack - handy haversack (2000gp) 1000
Staff - Staff of dark flame (47000gp) - Retain
(Made from bleached bones that have been fused together, the head of this staff burns with an unholy fire. This staff can be used as a +1 flaming quarterstaff, but it also has the following spells (ray of enfeeblement for 1 charge, scorching ray for 1 charge, false life for 1 charge, fireball for 2 charges, animate dead for 3 charges).

Silver shortsword +2 (8310) 4155

OK so hopefully this places us well for the next part of the adventure, before anyone goes wandering off on further questing we’d need to allocate and sell up. I have assumed we notionally kept anything we wanted and liquidated the rest so we could shop up a storm. I have assumed everything got sold at 50%, I also assume we didn't get credit/cash for the instruments, and maybe thats why the Elves gave us lots of bits.

Each party member gets 8850GP, if you wanted one of the above items, deduct its sale price from your share (the NON bracketed number).

The only other idea I had was the option of cashing in the Staff of Dark Flame for a Staff of Healing, but that would require us leaning on someone as its worth a smudge more than half in value - so we'd need to complain a lot or something...

Winters planned shopping

Scroll - CLW x2 -50
Scroll - Hide from Undead x2 -50
Scroll - Magic Weapon x2 -50
Scroll - Protection from Evil x2 -50

Anti-Toxin -50
Healers Kit -50
Antidote -50
Alch Fire x2 -40
Alkali Flask x2 -30
Acid x2 -20
Holy Water x2 -50
Tanglefoot Bag -50
Block & tackle -5
Crowbar -2
Grappling Hook -1
Mining Pick -5
Pole 10’
Portable Ram -10
Rope 50’ x 2 -2
Shovel -2
Sacks x2 -1
Sledgehammer -1
Sunrod x2 -4
Ssheen Gtswrd+1 -2800
Gird GntStr 2 -4000

Sold Gtswd 200

Total -7173

Cat's got the cloak of resist.
Will get level up in as soon as I can.

I think the Decoy Ring fits well with Bree's personality. Leaving her with 2850 from loot. I'll work on equipment purchases here in a bit.

Actually, I think that a set of Masterwork Thieves' Tools is the only purchase I'm going to make at this time. 100 gp

Bree looks over the items that Kabal has shrugged off. She pics through the rings, inquiring of the intended purpose of each. When she hears of the Decoy Ring, she slides it on her finger, mumbles a "Thank you." and walks away twirling it around and around on her finger, adjusting to the feel of the cool metal. She finds a quite spot and practices a few slashes and stabs with one of her daggers to be certain that the ring won't hinder her ability to fight.

Just tell me, when the loot split is done and we begin the next module :)

"I indeed look forward to meeting Kaerishiel and learning all that I can. Let us take respite, for soon we fly again."

Sable would like to learn Drow from Cat if she can teach him, or any of the elves nearby that speak it.

What is our spending limit amongst the elves? Sable has a lot of money and he'd like to improve some equipment and get a few things enchanted.

If you need to we can always shoot to riddleport and back real fast, I'd prefer everyone was geared up really well as we are looking at Book 4 of an AP and we are L7 - probably down 1-2 levels on the norm, so I suspect we are walking into some really tough challenges.

Winter will purchase the Haversack as well - and am now ready!

Will finish leveling up tonight, but wanted to post Sebastian will take some of the unclaimed items if they are just to be sold. He will take the +1 ring, and the Handy Haversack. He will also take the +2 intellect headband if Sable isn't taking it, or he can have it later if he wishes. That's 2500 out of his share.

Also I was going to take Dispel Magic but seeing that is covered I will see about what else looks good. The other 3rd level spell is Haste, but I get two...maybe Gaseous Form or Cure Moderate Wounds. HP = 1d8 ⇒ 7

OK you grab the haversack, just realised it was a good utility item and better one of us stuck on to it.

Well it looks like you are buying a ton of stuff and if you want it quickly retrievable, go for it with the Haversack. I just didn't want to see it get left behind. As you say, it is a great utility item.

Just making sure we have the tools for the job :p As I say, I suspect we are under level going forwards, so am trying to crank out every bit of horsepower I can out of what we have. When they start throwing Banshees, Willowisps, and that toothyclaw thing in the courtyard at us, along with Green dragons, I can't but help feel we are fighting above our weight - I'd kinda actually like to win once in a while :p

HP: 1d10 ⇒ 8 = 8+1 = 58 HP total
Skills: +1 Intimidate, Know History, Know Local, Linguistics
Maneuver Master to +4, get Know thy Enemy
Feat: Power Attack

Sable - Cat would happily instruct you in Undercommon. Probably better coming from her rather than the xenophobic 'other' elves.
Purchases: 8850GP start
2000 - Cloak of Resistance +2
2000 - Upgrade Whip to +1
4000 - Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver (Trip)
8,000 spend, 850gp left

No, Eviana thought the instruments were gifts :)

There is no real spending limit since Crying Leaf is often visited by wandering merchants of all kinds.

After a few days of dealing with the haughty elven merchants and waiting on his purchases; Kabal was ready to beat feet and get on with the killing of drow.

He knelt on his haunches and looked through his kit wondering if he'd need anything else. The big man had all the basics but there was no telling what the group would have to deal with in the coming weeks... Bah! Winter's the planner and Sebastian seems to have a grip on what's what...i get my blade back and i'm good to go...

Winter looks optimistic and upbeat now he's better equipped, ready to face what comes.

Everyone finished level up and ready to go on then, I assume?

You meet Kaerishiel in Eviana's home, a colourfully-painted lodge in the centre of Crying Leaf. Servants bring tea, swet wine and pastries to a large oaken table around which everyone finds a seat.

Kaerishiel is the absolute opposite of Eviana, while the latter one is a soft beauty, the leader of the Shin Rakorith is every inch a warrior with aquiline features and cold grey eyes.

You're bit surprise when she suddenly smiles and hugs everyone of you - that was about the last thing you would have expected from her

I cannot word how I feel - at last someone has come to help us! Kwava was absolutely right, you're men and women destined to do great deeds!

Bree tenses in the woman's sudden grasp, her hands are already drawing daggers before she can get a grip on herself enough to pull away. She looks shaken, says nothing but with frantic eyes she turns from the woman and places herself behind Kabal. She might be trembling but would never admit to such a thing.

Sable, accepts the woman's embrace with good nature and returns it with warmth. Korax, pecks at the elven woman's hair and clothing. "Has Kwava made the flight to Crying Leaf, then?"

Watching the warrior woman, Sebastian was definitely reminded of his mother. When she goes to give him a big hug, other...conflicting thoughts spring to mind...He sits quietly and wonders why exactly his mind bounced between those two thoughts.

Winter is a little stiff with the informal hug, but does his best to go with it.

"We are eager to get moving upon the Drow as soon as possible, obviously time is of the essence, and we have a person to find. We would know what lies ahead of us, perhaps you can enlighten us."

Kabal waved off the hug in lieu of a warriors hand shake...damn woman is built for war...like Cat...which is good for fighting...but softer women are better for squeezing... The Brevian felt surrounded when Bree slid behind him...whats with that girl?.. and nodded at Winter's push for speed and the priest's thoughtfulness of getting a scouting report.

What? Kabal makes a good wall to hide behind when strangers she's not suppose to stab get overly familiar, lmao. Guess she trusts you or something, imagine that.

Well the way she carried on after the drow kissed her he figured she'd be a little more friendly to this elf ;)

That was different, it was OK for her to stab the Drow, and the Drow's behavior overwrote anything she could have come to expect. She's dealt with handsy strangers before, just usually with knives. And yeah, Bree is bisexual all of my characters are, she just doesn't realize she's anything-sexual yet.

Brown chicken, brown cow

Kaerishiel seats herself next to Eviana and takes a goblet with sweet wine

Kwava couldn't accompany me, a very important mission kept him in Riddleport but he asked me to deliver his warmest greetings.

then she turns to Winter and her expression darkens considerably

The place you're going to travel to is called Zirnakaynin, sadly we don't know anything about the city, so gathering information about it will be your primary goal there, I assume.|

"Oh, I see, we are the scouts..." Winter looks at the goblet of wine as though the news isn't the most favourable he's heard in a while. "So other than helping us with passage to the place, what else have yo that might aid us by way of knowledge or information? We have swords and armour, and are ready to tackle the challenges ahead, I just never imagined it would be us pioneering the fight. Never mind, we are ready and we will win, but what now then?"

Caterine holds off the proffered hug, instead keeping aloof of the physicality of the attention. After Winter's words she adds "Aye... what have you got to tell us to make us believe you're not sending us in on a suicide mission. You want us to walk into a city of the dark bastards?"

"Do you think that's where they keep the slaves?" Bree manages to calm herself enough to stand beside Kabal instead of using him as a human shield, convinced that the new woman is not going to make further attempts at physical contact.

Kabal's skin crawled at the idea of a whole city of drow and doubly so at the thought they were headed to one. He shrugged his broad shoulders at Bree's question. All he had ever heard about drow was that they kissed...and considerable more... if that old man back in Winterwatch wasn't lying through what remained of his teeth... and they let women rule of all things...no wonder theyre so gods damned evil...

Yes...that is exactly what we want...but we will disguise you, you will look like them...and it won't be done by mundane magic...we have stronger means at hand...sadly we can only disguise a group as small as yours and before we send any troops through that portal we have to know the lay of the land...

Sable seems to perk at the idea, and expecting that Sebastian might feel the same he glances at him, "Truly a once in a lifetime chance to learn about my ebon feathered kin, wouldn't you say?"

Sable barely takes his eyes off of Kaerishiel long enough to ask the question. Likewise, Korax's eyes appear to follow the woman's every movement.

Bree seems to fidget for a moment before asking, "So how long would this disguise last?"

She crosses her arms beneath her breasts and starts twirling her braid, watching the woman closely, unsure as to whether she should actually be trusted.

Not one to shy away from showing his true feelings; Kabal spit to the ground at the proclamation of being disguised as a drow.

Bah! No way! You have to be kidding right? Even with dark skin and pointy ears we'd stick out like priests in cossacks in den of whores.

The Brevian crossed his arms defiantly.