"Since we have only a day or two to collect before heading back we should head straight for emerald devil territory." He suggests.
The maid returns to her bio-armor. She gives an answer to the group's dilemma and the previous offer, "I can help you get to the Emerald Devil territory safely by the web tunnels and setup another vendor from there."
Sure. Jellena, can we send something other than spindles through the bag? And can she send something back?
Garret looks dumbfounded, "When did that happen? That's almost too convenient."
"And yes, I agree. These are likely the wrong type, seein' how I'm not gettin' cut on these webs."
Ise takes the crystals and looks them over. "It was good practice none the less. We should get moving again so we can find the Emerald Devils and gather as much silk as we can." Ise looks around for more crystals amongst the bodies.
What can go wrong with going into a Spider-y tunnel with someone we just met?Flynn says, though his demeanor is one of trusting the Maid in Black.
Strange. A common place bag with teleport capabilities. Yet the city teleport portals are offline. Is this witch more powerful than first blush? A loophole? I love exploiting loopholes... Or does she hold knowledge of how to restore teleport functions?
Aien groans. All that work for the wrong type of silk? Hurry up, let's go. We need to get to the Emerald Devil's.
|
"She tracked me down to the temple after our training," She says in response to Garrett continuing after a pause, "I told you the night was eventful."
Then she responds to Aien, "We can send the spider silk through, it can get us some coin but it is not the silk we need for the extra dimensional bags."
------
Now to answer the previous check...
Local Lords of the Land: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 quests
You want information for:
1. Shadow Woods or Fey Woods 2. Sanctuary 3. Viper Hills
Did you want to know the Lords of those three lands or quests given by the Lords? Sorry it seems to not be clear.
Orik stands to the side waiting for your group to make a decison and then asks the maid in black a qustion, "Is the tunnel web safe or are there dangers? Should I take the long route with the 'help' or wait here?"
She responds to Orik with a crisp reply, "Stay it can be dangerous with more than seven guests." She then walks into the forest more, the path seems to be bare of webs where she walks. After a while of walking, if you follow her, she waves a hand and a huge spider pulls back a wall of webbing revealing a tunnel made purely of webs, though the walls and floor seem to be solid as if rock or dirt.
Baris simply follows her then asks as he stops, "I can wait around here and protect the help or come with you; your choice."
Let's use the tunnel. Baris should convert the lumberjacks here in safety
We should go through the tunnels.
"Let's get through these tunnels quick. I'm not a big fan of being underground."
There is a lot of bad stuff underground... Aien worriedly puts a hand on his musket.
Flynn makes a mental note to keep an eye on Aien. That musket has proven to have a hair trigger.
The group follows the maid in black, Orik takes the lead as guide following her. Down the tunnel you travel. The maid travels in silence. After a while there is a break off in the tunnel she continues forward but the break off is lit up by some light source in the distance revealing piles of coins, and in the center resides a glowing sword.
If no one diverts you continue following, more break offs are along the path all are dark. You can only see as far as your lights travel or by Orik's glowing orb above his shoulder. It takes many hours and you begin to feel that this forced march has tired you out.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Gosh, this is tiring. Don't... want... to... be fatigued...
Lemme...catch my breath. Flynn takes a moment, stopping to take a quick rest. Forearm coming up to his forehead. The marching finally getting to him.
Are we there, yet? The usual amusement not in his voice.
The maid in black turns as the group is having troubles keeping up, "Come along, only a bit further. You don't want to be staying in here." She turns and continues, in a few moe minutes the group emerges from another large spider door into a dark forest with only a few stray strands of light coming through the canopy.
"Wait here and rest, I will broker a meeting with you." with that said she quickly disappears into the forest.
|
|
She channels hoping that the healing will be enough to keep the group going. A purple wave of energy releases from her and extends out to 30 feet in all directions.
Upon seeing Ise still fatigued she comes over and touches him, a rune on her hand glows purple and more purple energy releases from her hand to soothe him.
She looks around for any others that might need a boost as well.
Thank you, Miss Darkling. That was very timely.
Flynn's eyes watch the Maid in Black, gauging the risk in following her as she goes to broker a deal. Eyes turn towards the dark forest, deciding to rest instead.
She is a Dark Fey. But we've treated her nicely, not likely to matter. Timing isn't right for a betrayal. She would want more information before leading us to our deaths. Better to be alert for threats though
Flynn is careful of where he rests - doesn't want spiders climbing into his clothes if he leans against a tree or something...
Orik offers what he knows, "That did shave off about a days travel but we are farther in the Emerald Devil's territory than I had hoped. We might even see some of the larger ones." He shudders after the last sentence.
So your skill set is music and mending, Miss Darkling? What about Aien, Ise'dranl, and Garret? These Emerald Devils are a nasty kind of ground based spider that lures their enemies / prey into traps to swarm in packs. I bet that pile of coin with the glowing sword back there was an illusion for these Emerald Devils. Or to test our greed and trustworthiness. Obviously, dismissive of the coin and sword.
Sir Orik, what did the Maid in Black mean by brokering a deal - was it to set up the vendor? Who would she be negotiating with?... Who is she? As much as I hate giving up the Maid in Black, as it is a very romantic and elevating title within my culture, is there a more appropriate title we should use? Not that I will, mind you... How much of a rivalry does both factions have with one another?... What is that Black Armor suit? Reminds me of Downey's Iron Man... If these factions are becoming self aware, that would mean a change in their standard operating procedure as they learn and reassess. If we were the first people the Maid in Black spoke with, would that mean I have "imprinted" myself on her, as a kitten does with her new owner? ... Next time, I'll vote towards the city adventure. Cities have beds, bathing, and chamber pots. ... and of course, most of the supplies are with the lumberjacks. Shoulda spent more time with the boy scouts than playing video games.
To no one in particular, I hope the Maid in Black has a healthy respect of Code of Hospitality...
Local Lords of the Land: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 quests
I want information for:
Quests to be become a Lord of the Land.
1. Shadow Woods or Fey Woods 2. Sanctuary 3. Viper Hills
I assume this is easier to do than be acknowledged God.
Ranged attacks, I guess. Though I have bombs, which can help with the swarms..
"Ugh...need a break", Garret says as he plops down where he stops.
"Ah, thank you, Miss Darkling. Very much appreciated.", he says feeling rejuvenated.
In response to Flynn's question, "Uh, I guess you could say primarily single target ranged damage dealing. For now, at least. When it was a game, I planned to pick up dual-wielding, short-range teleporting, and a skill set that complemented said teleporting. So, that I could effectively flank an enemy and deal damage from all angles in a short amount of time."
After thinking a moment, "So in the end, ranged damage dealer. Ah, I can also see everyone's health status."
Ironically, I need to train with someone that has Monk abilities. Baris, being the God of Monkery is an obvious choice. Haven't figured out how to throw a punch to my satisfaction here. I would probably go head to head with someone, but my defense isn't what I would call reliable, yet. I am hoping to get by with luck, good looks, and charm. And making smart plans. Flynn says sardonically, being tired and the camaraderie edging him towards trusting.
If the Maid in Black is going to betray us, I would expect it to place us under house arrest to milk us for the knowledge we know. So act smart so you fall in the keep column.
"I can only assume as much as she has alluded to, likely trying to make a Fae who has power over some or a good portion of the Emerald Devils become a vendor. She appears to be a Fae with some control over spiders, she is of the Winter Court. We tend to keep to ourselves. You could ask her what her name or title is currently, though she hasn't been very forthright with information. I believe the black armor is a type of living creature or plant that protects and has a symbiotic relationship with the wearer. The Winter Court keeps their armor as a secret only they know the truth." Orik responds to Jeffery's questions.
So you are looking for quests to become a Lord of a land.
1. To become a true lord of the woods you would need to rule one of the Fae Courts.
2. In Sanctuary you can start a guild, to be a guild master. Buy land to become a baron. You can claim ownership to all of Sanctuary if you defeat the 100th level of the under dungeon, or so the rumor goes.
3. The Viper Hills are rather vacant, to rule them you would need to tame them or defeat the chieftains of the area.
After a half hour or so a Fae of the Winter Court approaches, it appears to be the Maid in Black. On her right side of her is a more stocky Winter Court Fae with crystal blood red double falcions in his hands, his eyes are a glowing purple hue, and wears a cape of furs made from many kills. On her left side is a canine like pile of rocks with a dark green moss infrequently covering it. A stocky well built halfling of sorts with a blood red cap on its head and a smile full of sharp teeth under a white mustache follows behind, he wields a scythe.
Once they get within 30 feet they stop and the Maid approaches, assuming you don't attack she introduces the three behind her, "Here are three representatives that are interested in your trade: The Elder Redcap Thraktil is willing to hunt down Emerald Devils and collect silk with his kin for some precious metal trinkets and a dozen teeth for each spool; Rodridge Oolag, the elemental spirit can get you a spool a week at the cost of a 5 gallon wine keg made from Huckleberries for each shipment; lastly Mordriac Master of the Hunt of the Winter Court offers his adepts to guard any forays, his personal pack to clear a path to venture into deeper territory, and such for the cost of 75 pounds of precious metal per month. As it goes with Fae traditions you have three choices before you and may only select one."
To our group, speaking softly... We should go with Mordriac, Master of the Hunt of the Winter Court. His adepts would guard the lumberjacks, which is Fae working directly with Sanctuary. Side by side. The Master of the Hunt would be a respected figure within the Winter Court when invaders come a calling for Sanctuary. He would be a good ally to already know when we need it.
After visibly wracking his brain for a few moments, "Hm, agreed. Mordriac seems the best choice. Don't wanna over-hunt the spiders. Where would we get a steady supply of teeth anyways? One spool a week would be too slow for the likely demand. No clue on metal prices here though."
Mordriac, then. Why would anybody need teeth? Trinkets I understand...
I don't want to learn denistry for recently killed creatures. These gorgeous hands of mine do chef like things. We don't want me cooking afterwards... as for the huckleberry wine, if we were to open a restaurant, we would need to get wines anyways... Grapes, wheat, hops, and other brewery things have to be planted. That takes up land. Precious metals we may get in the dungeon within Sanctuary.
knowledge local Mordriac: DC 10, does not reveal anything more than you know about him already.
Each in turn respond in Sylvan, with Jeffery interpreting or Orik you all know what they say:
The Maid in Black responds first in common, "Only Mordriac holds a position in the Winter Court."
The Elder Redcap Thraktil says, "What is there to say we hunt and kill, we could collect for you as well."
Rodridge Oolag, the elemental spirit speaks in a strange rumbling tongue (Terran) but Orik can interpret still, "I am an elemental, I protect my home and squish those who invade. Staying with my children and ensuring they grow."
Mordriac Master steps forward and offers a slight bow before asking, "You say you want to know us more yet you do not give us a specific target. You can likely tell I value strength and cunning, I am a hunter after all. I hunt for the hunt and all that it is."
They seem angry. Are they forced to do this?
So it's agreed. Mordriac. We graciously accept your offer.
Mordriac nods in agreement as the other two begin to trot off. He offers up a horn and says, Should you need help in the deep woods blow this and help will come. Payment is expected at the end of the month, should you not pay it a 10% charge will be applied towards principal. Please don't be more than three months late. Is there any assistance you need now?" He then walks over to the Maid in Black and gives her a bag into her open hand.
She offers, Give me the bag and delivery will be prompt."
Garret looks from Jellena to the Maid in Black, "It's not exactly ours to give. Right, Miss Darkling? It's a borrowed item for the trip."
"If you could lead us to an abandoned webbing of the Emerald Devils or escort us to a prime collecting location likely with less spiders, that would be appreciated." Orik offers to request.
"I will stay with you or I will begin harvesting." She simply states, though it seems as if she should have asked a question.
"What is your name?" His eyes dimming from the glowing purple to normal eyes, he asks Orik. Once Orik responds Mordriac then says more jovially, "Well met Orick, may your ballads be blessed. Start leading them down this path follow the first deer trail on your right, if you come to the pale tree wait for me there."
He nods to the Winter Court Fae in thanks before he sprints off into the forest. Orik waits for someone to respond to the Maid in Black then leads the group into the woods, easily finding the deer trail. The group walks for about a half hour before finding the pale tree that Mordiac had mentioned. The tree is in an opening all by itself, it rises about 200 feet, has no leaves but all the many limbs have many branches. A few pale white fruit hang from the branches. The ground appears to be covered in a frost, as the dirt and grass are all white. There is about 100 feet gap between the surrounding trees to the pale tree.