"I would hazard a guess your accomplishment against the undead menace was deemed sufficiently meritorious to be recruited for another mission of great importance."
Uran nods to the assembled group. He sees Dr. Lendaro as the possible leader and shows him the scrap of etched metal he took from the undead.
"I found this on one of them thar undead fellas we kilt'd. As you can see, the name of the gang it belonged to is etched right thar on it. Are these the fellars that are causing all the hoopla hear abouts?"
His way of speaking, while still common, definately marks him as someone not from the area...or maybe even Avistan.
Lendaro, Thera, Linpul, Tetsuda, Solaria, Rakdon Sr., Uran and Sarainy are currently in the Town Hall.
"Property of Marrow, Gang Leader of the Smilers. If found return to Scrapwall"
"Mr. Baine, I thought you told me to never go near Scrapwall. Why the sudden change of heart? Unless my particular skills in ripping technology apart might come in handy if you need me to pose as a junker. Tetsuda stop it! You are bigger now, you can't fit under the table anymore! Oh what ever am I going to do with you?"
Looking at all the newcomers a hop skip and a jump to the gnome she lands and puts her hand forward, mask in the other hand.
"Hiya! I'm Linpul, and this is... get over here, this is Tetsuda. Nice to meetcha. Ooh, what kind of firearm is that?"
Uran smiles at the fellow gnome as she hopes into the room.
"Well this here contraption is of my own mak'en. See here this piston acts to reduce the recoil per shot. The barrel assembly is geared to rotate after each shot, allowing me ta make 3 shots before I have to reload...hmm..I wonder if I could fit a forth barrel on here...hmm.."
"Most impressive... though in all fairness, I would assume a weapon of such design must be prone to misfire. The precision required for that to be effective..." He clears his throat realizing he is straying from his intention to behave in a more friendly manner to others.
He smiles with a quick nod. "Most impressive."
Solaria watches the gnome explain his weapon, though she seems unsure as to what to make of the thing, as it might behave as those damn techno-weapons do, but it seems oddly old-fashioned. A velvety voice, warm and welcoming, but with authority issues from her lips, "I am Solaria Jesari, daughter of Drasc Thak a chieftain of the Black-Horses. A traveller with Desna and friend of Torch. A companion of the journey to the hill, with these strong and forthright friends. Companions in adversity and triumph alike. I hope that you too will become such companions if we are to travel in the service of the gods for good and for Torch's continuing existence as a beacon of hope in this land of fallen stars." As she bows, her long dark brown hair falls from her shoulders, and a colourful wooden pendant of a butterfly falls swinging in the air, attached around her neck by a leather thong. As her head rises again, she offers her hand to Sarainy, "Greetings Sarainy Malki and you too Uran Folker."
She sees Sarainy's obvious interest in her holy symbol and smiles, "If you follow Desna's teachings, then I am sure we will have much in common. But I think we must find more about this god Hellion, if you have come across such a deity in your journey. I know little more than Khonnir has spoken and the things we found on the followers in the hill."
Khonnir says to Linpul. "I wouldn't be asking if I did not think it was necessary, child. But you have proven yourself in saving Torch and I believe that you can overcome all the perils of that very dangerous town. Just be careful."
"Khonnir" Solaria's voice showing her concern, "Do you have any contacts in Scrapwall that we can trust? Who might be able to help us and point out those places that are relatively safe and those that we should avoid? So apart from the unfriendly elements of the town, who governs there? To whom do we need to give gifts to gain their support or protection? The more you can tell us of Scrapwell, the more we can prepare ourselves for the rigors to come." she smiles.
Solaria quietly goes to each of the travellers in turn, asking if they want her to write and special prayers for them to take on the journey.
Dr Lendaro squirms a bit with a nervous smile as Solaria continues the battery of questions - as if he feared Khonnir might say "forget it, nevermind."
In response to Solaria's remark about Desna, Sarainy remarks "Why, I am fond of the teachings of Desna - and have prayed to her on many an occasion. My patron god however is Sarenrae."
Perhaps that seemed too insincere? It is hard to gauge the level of religious openness in a cleric...
Giving a smile and a slight bow of her head she adds more formally, "May the Dawnflower cleanse the night, so that it is free of terror and given to Desna's beauty."
When you are ready to depart and prepared, you set off towards Scrapwall as a large group of eight. Walking to Scrapwall will take four to five days.
On the first day you head straight north and find a large road cut deep into the ground. It is about thirty feet below and stretches to the west and east all the way to the horizon. By the time you reach this, it is late afternoon.
A pair of kellid riders on dark horses pass by you in the distance on the other side of the gap. They don’t move to confront you, despite the strange gadgets you have on display.
You set up camp to discuss whether to try to cross the low road somehow, or head straight east, as well as to take a break for the day.
Tetsuda wasn't the fastest mount but he most certainly was the sturdiest. Linpul frowned a bit. Uran hadn't let her see the firearm which was probably better for the guns sake. As they passed the Kellids she waved excitedly.
While setting up camp, she sat on a rock drinking from her waterskin.
"So the low road will probably be a bit more dangerous but faster. If time is of the essence what is a few minutes fending off raiders to the hours it'll take us to walk around?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Best keep your new found toys out of sight if possible, I may tolerate them, but my kinsmen have no such love of the star's refuse." says Solaria, as she watches them pass and nods knowingly.
Rakdon feels that the Kellid riders are likely not going to pick a fight with seven plus one strangers, who have a kellid tribeswoman with them. Also, the road-chasm is an obvious obstacle that prevents this also.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Likely sound advice."
A bit unnerved by the sight of the primitive fellows, Dr Lendaro keeps his pistol covered by his outer layer of protective wear as suggested by Solaria.
Sarainy and Lendaro know that the road is called the "First Blade's Path." Lendaro recalls that the myth about the road was it was created by the God Gorum who sliced a path using his greatsword. It has some religious significance.
Linpul looks at the chasm to Tetsuda, back and forth for a bit. She taps on Tetsuda's shell for him to open up and let her scratch under his wing.
That's the sweet spot. Right under his...
"Guys, guys, I have an idea! So I do know a few spells. One of them lets me add different tricks to Tetsuda's repetoire. It lasts quite a long time, and could be used to have my trusty friend here carry us over. Total time of maybe an hour tops."
The gnome smiles thinking she has a clever solutuon to the current dilemma.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Uran looks at the gnome, and then the giant beetle, then back to the gnome.
"So let me get this straight...you want us to climb onto your friend there and fly over to the other side? That...that...would be wonderful!!! I cannot wait to fly on this magnificent creature!!"
He hands his rifle to Linpul as he walks around Tetsuda examining the beetle.
You spend about an hour riding Tetsuda across the massive gap in the ground. You are now on the other side of the First Blade's Path.
It is approaching night time.
You set up camp to rest for the night.
Solaria offers to take one of the last watches, as she has no special abilities to see in any kind of darkness. Before she goes to sleep, takes her mapmaking kit from her bag, lays it on the ground, consults her compass and draws a map of their journey today, including the First Blade's Path.
Once completed, she offers to take the morning watch, to see the sunrise and feel its warmth on her face, explaining she has no special abilities to see in darkness or twilight. She removes her armour and settles down for the night after taking some food and drink, which she blesses with Desna's prayer.
"Hmm, I can't see in the dark but Tetsuda can. We can take one of the late night watches... just keep any food out of the open. He likes to snack."
Linpul takes her food quickly and feeds Tetsuda before crawling into her bedroll for the night, the massive insect resting near her.
-Posted with Wayfinder
After getting through the night and morning, setting up tents and/or sleeping bags, you awaken and resume your journey eastward along the First Blade's Path.
At around noon, you can see thin tendrils of smoke billowing in the distance. Getting a bit closer you make out a small fort, with smoke coming out of two of its buildings. Surrounding the fort are fifteen foot walls. On its northern end is a closed portcullis. Past the fort is a bridge that crosses the Sellen River.
Awakening at dawn's first light, Sarainy heads out into the sun to say her morning prayers to Sarenrae.
"It is such a fantastic feeling to wake with the rising sun, is it not?" she remarks to Solaria, clearly still unsure of her tolerances.
Making sure not to disturb Solaria's own worship, Sarainy finishes up her prayers and prepares a small breakfast for everyone before the mornings journey.
Dr Lendaro eyes the fort, and the nature of the smoke. He notices Sarainy doing the same - and Rakdon manifesting his arcane sight.
"Something is amiss. Take caution... trouble may still be lurking."
He draws his pistol, and focuses a moment on blending in with his surroundings before creeping toward the portcullis to peer inside.
Uran makes sure his rifle is fully loaded and then moves forward with Dr. Lendaro.
Stealth:
Perception:
Rakdon does not detect any strange magical oddities, or any magic for that matter.
Lendaro and Uran move close to the portcullis and see two guards atop the wall, almost out of view. They are wearing metal helmets that cover most of their faces except for their eyes, leather armor and pistols at their sides. They do not notice the pair.
Linpul follows along waving to the Dr and Ir an as she sneaks behind them. Quickly she heads back.
Once safely back with the group she relays what they learned.
-Posted with Wayfinder
As Linpul heads back and relays the information, you notice that Rakdon Sr. has disappeared. After a few seconds you hear a scream as one of the guards falls from the wall only ten feet away from Uran and Lendaro. They see each other. ”What the hell was that?” he murmurs.
The other guard turns and sees Rakdon on top of the wall. He takes out his pistol and fires at him. ”We got intruders here!” The main group sees the light of the gun as a bullet fires from it at the elf. The bullet pierces through Rakdon's shoulder.
Rakdon glances into the fort’s courtyard and sees three more leather and pistol wearing humans. He also sees a slightly bearded man with a hatchet for a hand. They are standing beside a campfire smoking long strips of meat. One of them turns to Rakdon but he can’t quite see his face as it is obscured in the smoke of the campfire.
1. Rakdon, Uran, Lendaro, Solaria, Sarainy
2. Guards
3. Thera, Tetsuda, Linpul
Err... are we sure these people are evil wrongdoers?
Wanting to make sure of things before going in 'guns blazing' Sarainy shouts out, "Stand down, put down your weapons and we will not harm you! This does not have to end in bloodshed."
If this or any other diplomacy fails and the guards act aggressively, she also calls to Saranrae for her blessing; "में धन्य है सूरज की रोशनी करते हैं।"
Solaria shouts "What in Desna's name are you doing. Get out of there, we are not robbers and aggressors." She hurries forward towards the gates to the fort, and the injured guard. "Stay your gun, what injuries you suffered will be remedied if you let us? Our friend seems to have got a little over excited. Please we don't need to start a fight." the cleric pleads.
The guards don't seem to listen to Sarainy, or they think she's another aggressor.
Solaria moves to the guard and reaches about 10 feet away from him. He turns his head and you can see that his helmet is off, fallen a few feet away when he was thrown from the wall.
There are several pink scars on his exposed skin. His cheeks have been sliced open along with his lips, revealing a permanent smile. He looks at Solaria. "You want to help, huh? Well, my stomach is a grumblin'. How about you give me some of your flesh? Hyehehaha."
Hearing the fallen guards threat, Uran moves towards it and slams the butt of his rifle into the back of it's head.
Attack-melee (using pistol whip ability):
Damage:
When I created this character I did not adjust wealth for level, and as such did not purchase any extra items, like a magical weapon. Would it be possible to do so now, or should I just carry on as is? Either is fine for me...just do not want to be a burden if it was expected of me to have at least 1 magical item lol
While keeping himself up against the wall, Dr Lendaro looks upon the guard, and scowls.
"Vile cannibals...." He calls to mind how bullets can destroy the flesh and vitals of those with similar physiology, and meditates upon doing just that.