"PUT HIM DOWN!" The champion of Asmodeous stands to his feet. His hands encased in a black fire that seem to suck the light from the area around him.
"He is a tool of the Dark Prince! Your petty fighting will stop now! Remember you are a tool of Lord Asmodeous also and WILL follow his plan, not your own!"
Wow... Well, okay. Let's see. A 28 Intimidate check actually gets close-ish to success, which is amazing... go you. I'll say you actually manage to briefly distract Tiadora, if not to stop her.
Tiadora turns to look at you. "What? Another?" She turns back to the Judge. "I'll be with you in just a moment, 'Champion', as soon as I finish here..."
As Edmin is about to step forward, a gloved hand descends on his shoulder. "Enough," says the Cardinal softly. "Sir Edmin has a point. We are all servants of the Dark Lord, and discipline has been restored. Tiadora, be done."
Judge, Edmin's intervention distracts Tiadora and shortens your torment. As a result, you gains you back 4 points of nonlethal damage and 2 points of Cha. (So, only down 14 and 4.)
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
diplo 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Perhaps we should all calm down. I am sure that Judge mispoke and meant no disrespect. I am also sure that he will not make that mistake again.
Unfortunately Xen spills his wine down his front as he rises and his charm loses it's effect. note he is still deferential and subserviant to tiara, he just sounds frightened I think
The Judge falls to the ground writhing in pain. After a few moments he realizes that he is still alive, if barely. Unfortunately the pain that continues to wrack his frail body causes him to grimace whenever he even tries to speak.
Clearly, that one shall require some correction of her own. Once I have fully attained my vampiric right, then I shall enjoy making her into a minion. Enjoy it greatly, my future marionette.
Standard healing on the ability damage? 1 per day, 2 if resting, 4 if resting and cared for?
Sir Edmin nods his head at the Cardinal and the flames surrounding his closed fist seem to burn out. The knight turns and takes his seat, his eyes remaining on Tiadora.
Ragnar the dog had leapt up, snarling, when Edmin stood up. Clearly he was ready to throw himself into an attack on Tiadora, should it come to that.
Okay, I'm about to go incommunicado for the next 24 hours -- I'm heading for bed, and then up early to catch the flight home. May get in a short post or two before the flight, but no promises.
Am I actually injured? We should all have at least 11 temporary hp from the hero's feast. I know that this does not prevent the Cha loss.
Once the Judge manages to regain his seat and, which some further cringing of his face from the internal pain, straighten his robe somewhat, he looks to Edmin and simply nods.
Looking to the others, the Judge speaks.
The Cardinal is correct. We have a journey to begin on the morrow. We should get good rest as we all know that this journey will not be without incident, whether from the northern natives, the do-gooder Talingarde navy, or anything else unexpected. We have our orders and we know what we must do. This marvelous feast shall remind us all that we shall be lords of such feasts soon and the snobs who now call themselves the lords of this land shall be those that serve us. The Judge pauses and a wicked smile crosses his face. Or perhaps shall be the meal itself.
The Judge then looks back to the Cardinal. You training has been superb, because of this and the Dark Lord's will, we shall succeed and soon the Wall will spring holes from which the might of the north shall tear through the unprepared who call the southern land home.
The Cardinal says, "You are bold indeed, Champion of Asmodeus, to challenge my handmaiden. May your bravery carry you to greatness in our Master's service." He turns to the rest of the party. "Now kneel, my Ninth Knot. Receive the blessing of Asmodeus."
You all kneel. The Cardinal raises his hands. The blessing is largely ceremonial, but you actually do get a Bless cast on you. It'll wear off too soon to have any effect, but it feels nice while it lasts.
"Now, before you depart, a few small items for your journey..."
If you watched the Departure of the Eighth Knot, back when, you may recall that the Cardinal gave each member of the Knot a small gift. He's now going to do so for all of you.
Unfortunately this is where I really do have to crash. See you all in 24 to 36 hours.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:
"Now, before you depart, a few small items for your journey..."
If you watched the Departure of the Eighth Knot, back when, you may recall that the Cardinal gave each member of the Knot a small gift. He's now going to do so for all of you.
Like Lord of the Rings! Who will be the lucky one and get three strands of the cardinal's hair!
"First, for our studious witch..." The Cardinal holds out two items: a small white pearl on a silver chain, and a large, leather-bound book.
Zimu immediately opens the book... and cannot quite suppress a gasp of delight and surprise. It is something she had not known existed: an abridged version of the Book of the Great Houses.
The complete Book is twelve volumes long. This condensed version weighs 10 pounds, is worth 100 gp, and will give you +2 on Knowledge (Nobility) checks related to Talingarde as long as you have access to it as a reference. It should also provide hours of pleasant diversion.
The pearl is magical. Not powerful magic, but still. Zimu can feel it at once.
"Next, for the Ninth's newest member... Xenfal's gift is simple: a light leather backpack, neatly folded. It appears perfectly ordinary.
Except that it is, of course, a Handy Haversack. It has one additional enchantment on it: it cannot be opened without the command word. ('Heward'). Certain spells, such as Knock or Dispel Magic, will also open it, but otherwise it can't be opened without destroying it. Being an Asmodean is all about security. The additional enchantment adds anothe 2,000 gp to its value.
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
You honor me Father. Thank you.
He removes his hat and bows his head to the Cardinal.
Jax gets a flask. It's a lovely thing -- silver inlaid with green semiprecious stones of an unknown nature, chased and worked in some elaborate, abstract design. The style is exotic and utterly unfamiliar. The flask is accompanied by an envelope. The envelope contains a note, lightly perfumed with a pleasant, familiar scent.
For Jax's eyes only:
My dear Mr. Naismith,
The attached flask is a loan. Keep it for as long as you need it, but do bring it back.
The flask can be used to hold liquids, in the normal and ordinary manner. (It contains a potion right now.) It can also be used to hold alcohol. But not just to hold it. If you put any alcoholic beverage in it, the flask will copy it. Once drunk, the flask will refill with the same beverage within the hour. (Using it to hold a potion, or any other liquid, will not interfere with this power. It will just wait until it is empty before it refills.)
It currently holds a certain brandy that you may recall. Enjoy. Here is a small challenge for you: before you return, find me a truly novel and interesting vintage and bring it back.
with affectionate regards,
Irin
The flask contains a potion of Extended Bears Endurance.
Across the room, Irin is expressionless... but her left eyelid slowly droops downward, and then just as slowly rises again.
And then, a moment later, they fill. The Cardinal is holding Sir Edmin's axe.
But it has been changed from its previous appearance. The arms of Branderscar are still repeated up and down the handle, but the royal seal of Talingarde now has a bar of effacement through it, and the holy symbol of Mitra has been replaced by the holy symbol of Asmodeus. Something has been done to the metal, too; it is darker now. The edge still glitters with a silvery keenness but the rest of the axeblade looks almost black.
"Use it wisely, Champion of Asmodeus. The Dark Father gives very few second chances." The Cardinal hands you the axe. As you take it, you feel a sudden rush of power. The axe seems light as a feather, almost alive in your hands. It has been enchanted and is now a +1 magical weapon.
The Cardinal turns to Dren. "It was difficult finding an appropriate gift for you, young Dren. But I was sending Tiadora to negotiate with the Sisters Market anyway, so I added a brief description and a price range. This is what came back." The Cardinal hands you a large knife.
The knife looks like an ordinary masterwork dagger, but the blade is of a metal you've never seen before -- it has an odd silvery greenish color. It has curious scratches on the handle that may or may not be an inscription in an unknown language.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:
"First, for our studious witch..." The Cardinal holds out two items: a small white pearl on a silver chain, and a large, leather-bound book.
Zimu immediately opens the book... and cannot quite suppress a gasp of delight and surprise. It is something she had not known existed: an abridged version of the Book of the Great Houses.
The pearl is magical. Not powerful magic, but still. Zimu can feel it at once.
-
Cуровую holds the tokens of the cardinal's esteem, bows her head slightly, and focuses as she thinks the following
Cуровую's thoughts to the cardinal
Spoiler:
You are generous my lord cardinal, and grant me great boons.
May I soon return with favors and gifts of my own to you.
This tome which represents knowledge of the great houses of the land I will use to undermine and take advantage of those who think themselves mighty, and one day soon we shall write our own history of this land and the nobles of those house will swear fealty to us.
This simple bauble represents the command of power, and as I hold it in my hand, may we one day hold this very world entire in our thrall.
May I use them wisely in our travels and the days ahead lord cardinal.
She will see if cardinal's expression shows he has read her thoughts.
I don't think even a low level Pearl of Power's aura of magic is 'not powerful'.
As soon as Dren takes the knife, his voices suddenly go mad. They are yammering and roaring inside his head as they have never done before. The unseen forces that normally surround him suddenly go into a brief whirlwind of activity.
Dren, you can play this out as you wish. Nobody else in the party will be hurt or seriously affected, but otherwise the effects will be as severe or mild as you wish. The knife is definitely interacting with you in some powerful unknown way.
Jax only:
Jax glances across the room at Irin. Her eyes have gone wide with alarm. An expression of horror flashes across her face. She locks gazes with you for a moment. You don't actually get a telepathic message or anything like that, but you know exactly what she is thinking: This is bad. Maybe very bad. Now more than ever, he has to die.
Male Human Oracle (FC) 15 Init: +8 Perc: +0 AC:24/14/20 F:+13 R:+14 W:+15 HP:124/124 Freedom of movement, Resist Cold/30, Air Walk 30'
Doug:
Would you say the voices come alive due to concern or is this a new voice or just something about the knife makes them become more...active?
Dren stares at the dagger in a distracted manner for a moment before looking at the cardinal, his response seems to be...difficult to get out, Thank you Cardinal, Asmodeus' plan will come to fruition or I will die trying. he says in a rare moment of solidarity.
Just at that moment...it's almost as if a breeze comes through the room...a few strands of Zimu's hair drifts into her face...Jax's tail moves to the side a bit...the Judge feels a brush against his shoulder...Edmin feels a touch on his arm...Xenfal feels a little tug on his spear...and you each hear a whipser...you can almost make out the voice.
You have all heard the voices before....the whispers...what you thought may be his madness...but this is the first time that whatever it is that surrounds Dren has ever reached out...and touched any of you.
At this point it appears that the forces...the voices...stay clear of the other creatures in the room.
"And finally, for the leader of the Ninth, two gifts. One that looks forward to his hoped-for future, and the rewards of success.. And one reminder of the past, and the consequences of failure."
The Cardinal holds out two items. One is a holy symbol of Asmodeus on a silver chain. "I've had this for some time. It has a certain sentimental value, but I look forward to the day when you'll find it useful."It's a masterwork holy symbol worth 300 gp... and it's also a Necrotic Talisman, giving you +1 Channel Resistance.
The Cardinal then holds out a small leather satchel. Taking it, you can feel that it holds a round object about the size of a large grapefruit, weighing five pounds.
You open it. Inside is a shrunken head. A very familiar shrunken head. Bref grins toothily back at you.
Bref has been converted into a variant of the Goblin Skull Bomb wondrous item.
Goblin Skull Bomb:
Quote:
An ember glow lights the beady eyes of this blackened, burned out goblin's skull. It is very brittle and shatters if dropped on solid ground. When a goblin skull bomb breaks, the very last creature to touch it bursts into a raging magical flame, automatically suffering 5d6 points of fire damage and also catching fire should it fail a Reflex save (DC 13). If this kills the creature, its body burns away in one round, leaving behind only a pile of ash and the creature's blackened, burned-out skull, which is a new goblin skull bomb. If the target survives the fire, doesn't have a skull, or if its skull is destroyed before another creature touches it, it does not create a new goblin skull bomb.
A skull bomb can be used as a thrown weapon with a range increment of 10 feet. If the attacker hits, the skull shatters, immolating the target as described above. If the attacker misses, the skull breaks upon the floor or another nearby hard surface and the attacker bursts into flame. Touching the skull using gloves, gauntlets, or handheld items such as tools or weapons counts as touching the skull. It can be safely moved using spells (such as mage hand or telekinesis) or attacked with ranged weapons (hardness 0, 1 hp).
The Bref version is slightly more powerful. It explodes for 6d6, and also sprays a nauseous liquid like flaming vomit 5' in all directions, doing 1d6 of splash damage. The Reflex save to avoid catching fire is DC 14, and everyone who is hit or splashed by the liquid must also make a DC 14 Fort save or be sickened for one round. If it doesn't kill its target, it backfires in the same manner as a standard Goblin Skull Bomb. It would have a market value of 2600 gp, though finding a buyer in Talingarde might be tricky.
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Jax glances from Irin to Dren and his eyes narrow slightly before he flashes a broad, toothy smile at the Cardinal. "Thank you for the gift, Cardinal."
The Judge smiles as he receives the bag and the unholy symbol. When he feels the cold necromantic energy seething forth from the symbol, his eyes twinkle with a cold joy. After donning the holy symbol and tucking it into his robe, the Judge opens the bag. When he sees his former companion staring back at him, the Judge lets out a short unnatural chuckle.
Most fitting your honor. I am sure that Toothpick would have enjoyed knowing that even in death, he shall bring fiery chaos and death to those around him.
After receiving his gift and watching his companions receive theirs, the Judge looks around the group.
We have a long trip before us. We all know that the journey shall not be easy and without travail. The Dark Lord has provided us with tool to assist in our endeavor, now it is time that we set forth to show the weak that infest this land what true rulership is about.
Turning back to the Cardinal:
The tools that you have provided to us shall be used to assure that the will of the First is done. Soon, the armed hordes of the north shall be streaming through the holes rent in the Wall and laying waste to the soft innards of Talingarde. Then, the people of this land shall learn that their pitiful fire god is weak and incapable of defending them from even unorganized humanoids. They shall learn that they have chosen the wrong deity, that unlike Mitra, the Prince of Darkness rewards those who are strong. Rewards them very very well.
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
M DEAD!! KILLED BY EVIL EVIL DMDM!! Rogue1/Barb (Feral)1 temp hp 14/17 and 9 con (HP 24/25+4 when Raging; AC21/17/15(-2 Raging) ; CMD 16 (18 Rage) Fort +4(6); Ref +8; Will +1( 3); Init +6; Perception +5/6 for Traps; Darkvision
As the skull bomb is pulled out of the bag you can all almost here Bref singing
Goblin try, but Goblin die!
Now when Goblin fly, Goblin fry!
The coaches let you off at dockside half an hour before dawn. Your ship awaits: the Frosthamar. In the grey chill, you file up the gangplank. A thin layer of fog lies across the harbor.
The ship's captain turns to you. He is a tall man, with hair that was once blonde mostly grizzled to grey. His face and arms are covered with countless scars. He stares coldly at the party as you come aboard.
"And so. An elf-man and an orc-man. In the Homeland such mongrels are ever strangled at birth. Wise are the ways of the Homeland, and strange are the customs of foreigners." His gaze roams across your group, apparently finding little to approve of. "And a woman. Women on board are never good luck, and this one has an ill-favored squint on her. A witch, I'll wager, or worse. If she makes trouble I'll cut her throat and send her to the bottom with a ballast-stone in her gut to keep her from rising again."
Captain Odenkirk (for it is he) turns to the Judge. "Elf-man, your 'Mister Horn' says that you are the leader. Keep your folk out of trouble. This is no pleasure cruise for children and simpletons. Anyone who tampers with the work of my ship will be flogged." The Captain's grim expression makes it clear that he's perfectly serious. In fact, you have the distinct impression that he's taken an instant dislike to all of you, and would be delighted to see you flogged, or better yet, flog you himself.
He turns away. "And so. We begin our ill-starred journey to the cursed North, beyond life and hope. Cast off!"
The Captain raises his voice and snarls an order. "Lyckan konsumerar sig som en eldslåga. Det kan inte brinna för alltid, måste det gå ut, och föraning om dess slut förstör det på sitt allra topp."
"Världen, livet och människan är bara en illusion, en fantom, en drömbild," the first mate replies. The ship moves away from the dock and slowly begins to make headway, out through the foggy grey harbor and out towards the open sea.
Norspik:
Are you kidding? Not one of you can understand a word of Norspik.
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
i assume I do not have the disguise and aligbment shielding items?
"My ship, elf-man. My rules." The Captain stares down at you with cold dislike. "Can any of your crew of mongrels and women reef a sail or splice a shroud? I think not. So be silent. 'Mister Horn' has hired me to deliver you and your shipment, not to attend to your airs and complaints.
"And so. Now take yourself below and get out of my sight."
Once again, the Judge's silver tongue has improved an unpleasant situation -- you improved the Captain's attitude by one step. Well done.
The Frosthamar is not a large ship, but it does seem to be (as far as your non-nautical eye can tell) a well ordered one. The crew move about their business quickly, and the ship catches the dawn breeze and tacks nimbly out of harbor.
That said, the Frosthamar does not give the impression of being a happy ship. The crew are subdued; there is no singing and little conversation.
Oh, and everyone should make a Fortitude save now against seasickness.
Just to remind everyone: here is the mission as the Cardinal described it.
The Mission:
"You have two objectives. First, you will see a shipment of weapons delivered to the leader of the Fourth Knot: a bugbear chieftain named Sakkarot Fire-Axe. He makes his camp on the northern coast of Lake Tarik beyond the Watch Wall. With this shipment, the Fire-Axe will be able to arm the barbarous humanoid tribes of the north and light the fire of war.
"To reach his camp, you will travel by sea. Half a day's travel to the south, the ship Frosthamar is gliding into port as we speak. It is captained by Kargeld Odenkirk. Tomorrow, when the ship is resupplied, it will be your transport.
"Captain Odenkirk is a not one of us. He is a mercenary. He is ruthless, murderous and cruel. Unfortunately, he is also greedy and treacherous. He has run a number of missions for me, and has begun to gain some notion of what we may be about. He imagines that he can use this information, either to blackmail me or to sell to the Talirean authorities." The Cardinal sighs, shakes his head slightly, and steeples his gloved fingers. "Well: once the cargo is safely delivered, he will take you just south across the lake under cover of darkness and land you near the town of Aldencross. There our contract with Captain Odenkirk will be concluded.
"It is shame how greedy he has proven. The captain has his virtues, and I had hoped to let him serve me again. But he is too much of a liability. Kill him. Kill his crew. Burn his ship and leave no survivors. It is crucial that no one suspects our involvement and that loose ends are taken care of. You may reclaim the coin I gave him. Best not to be wasteful."
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
sweet didn't even have to pipe up to hekp w the diplomacy! Though in general you can assume xen pipes up to help. He is +9
fort 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
One does get used to the rocking...i have taken many a boat for an old business of mine. He says to no one in particular
