Odric continues to stare at the horizon in stunned silence. His jaw is slightly agape. With a shudder, then a shake, then a convulsion, the giant man begins laughing. Slowly at first, then building to a full belly laugh edged with maniacal hysteria. He accepts the bath and the good-natured jibes with good humor. The stunned warrior eventually takes another swig of his wine and puts the skin away. He reverts to a stock-still pose for a few more moments, then with a sharp shake of his head he seems to snap out of it.
Gaius moves to Grym and massages the stung area, whispering an incantation as he does so:
Lesser Restoration: points of strength restored.
Gaius moves to Grym and massages the stung area, whispering an incantation as he does so:
Lesser Restoration: 1d4 points of strength restored.
The ranger thanks his comrade as he flexes his muscles feeling his STR returning.
"There are those among our people who, after living lives without lie and never speaking falsehood, have earned the title of Truthspeaker. It is a rare honor, one that requires many years of chastity, of self-control, of introspection. There are Truthspeakers among the Sklar-Quah, yet that does not help you. Were that the Skoan-Quah had one. Yet The Skoan-Quah and the Sklar-Quah are not the only Shoanti in the Cinderlands. I have heard tell that the Lyrune-Quah, who dwell in the shadow of the Wyvern Mountains far to the northwest, have Truthspeakers among them. If you could perform the ritual of rebirth at the Feeding Grounds of the Quah- Kael in the presence of a Truthspeaker, his words would be all the proof you need to secure an audience with the Sklar-Quah.
“The Lyrune-Quah are nomads. This time of year, they gather at a place sacred to them, a place called the House of the Moon at the northeasternmost edge of the Wyvern Mountains. Yet I fear that they will distrust you as tshamek as well, unless you bring to them proof of your honesty and need. The Lyrune-Quah, however, are unusual among the Shoanti. They do not seek enlightenment through our ancestors, but from the Song of the Spheres. They are devotees of Desna, and they trust those who worship her. Yet that trust is, alone, not enough to earn the aid of a Truthspeaker to be witness to your heroics against Cindermaw. The faithful of Desna have a tradition of exploring distant and dangerous places as a way to honor their deity, who watches over all who travel. When they reach the goal of their pilgrimage, a priest leaves a found-mark to honor his journey. One of the Lyrune-Quah’s greatest ancestors was a priest of Desna named Tanjah—their legends speak of her pilgrimage into an ancient ruin and her discovery of a potent relic sacred to Desna, a stone globe held deep within a place called the Acropolis of the Thrallkeepers. Those who follow Tanjah’s footsteps and seek her found-mark upon this globe are said to be given the Spherewalker’s Mark, and with this mark, the Lyrune-Quah would welcome into their camp even their most bitter rivals. “It is a ruin left over from an ancient time, a time when great powers ruled over this land. We speak of these ancient lords only in whispers today, but you may know their mark by the Sihedron, the seven-pointed star. I know not what perils await you within the Acropolis, but its location is not unknown to the Skoan-Quah. When you are ready to leave, I shall send with you four boneslayers to lead you there.”
This "info dump" is a bit much for all at once. The questions and answers are hastened to keep the posts moving at a reasonable pace. So, my apologies for the railroad of quests presented. To sum up: Go to the Acropolis to retrieve an item that will serve as a gift for the Lyrune-Quah. Give them the gift so that they will bear witness to your attempt to execute the ritual of Rebirth. This proof will gain you entrance to the Skoan-Quah. Their shamen, assuming success, can tell you what you need to know about how to counter the Queen's artifact of Power.
and
I did skip a piece in the summary:
1. Retrieve an item in the Acropolis as an entrance gift to the Lyrune-Quah
2. Convince them to bear witness to your attempt at the Ritual of Rebirth.
3. Find the Cindermaw, and pray for success.
4. If you are successful, use the Truthspeaker to convince the Skoan-Quah to open up to you.
5. Gain the knowledge necessary to fight the Queen and her Crown.
Truthspeaker Akram murmurs a prayer that takes a considerable time to complete. When he is done, "You have birthed not one but TWO. This is a powerful omen, and in the eyes of all I decclare you to no longer be tshemek. Our road is not done. We must find the Sklar-quah. There are many encampments of the Sun Tribe, and I recommend we head for the oldest, Flameford. The journey is not overly long, merely 4 days travel from here. I warn you though, my word counts as absolute truth, but change comes hard. I have recommended Flameford because they are likely to be the most open to the Truth.
Indeed the journey is quiet. The travel is not at all enjoyable. Here the sun beats down relentlessly. Each person must pass a trio of Fortitude saves. The DCs are 15, 17, and 19 respectively.
Once everyone has made their saves, we will pick up again...
The ranger stoically endures the severe heat. He even manages to keep scouting for danger while the others rest from heat exhaustion.
Fortitude saves.
The ranger even works tirelessly to assist his comrades by showing them ways to survive the heat.
Survival
As they journey, Ferox, with Abadar's Guidance, takes the time and care to help whoever he can as they travel through this inhospitable land.
I think each check allows Ferox to help everyone in the party, himself and seven others. So, +2 to your Fortitude checks from Ferox's help.
Fortitude saves
Trotting out in front of the party with his tounge lolling out the side of his mouth. The dog seems to have little trouble with the heat. Though whenever the group does stop to rest, the dog digs down past the sun heated soil. Then flops down in the cool dirt to rest.
Thousand-Bones stops you before you retire for the night. "I will not
send you into the Cinderlands on this quest alone or unarmed."He calls forth four brave young Skoan-Quah boneslayers, introducing them, "These are Ahalak, Hargev, Nalmid, and Shadfrar. These four are the your guides through the Cinderlands, and will lead you to where you need to go."
Further, he presents some gifts to you: five potions of cure serious wounds, a wand of create water (44 charges), a wand of endure elements (23 charges), and five pots of Shoanti war paint (three red and two silver).
I would like to avail myself of the gift from Thousand Bones...if Gaius or Ferox would use the wand of Endure Elements on me until we're out of the desert, that would be appreciated!
Yes, multiple survival checks are fine.
Sandor also helps with the tracking and survival in the land. Since Ferox is helping everyone live, Sandor will do his best to predict the weather aka hopefully not another sand storm or anything like that..
Odric's Fortitude Saves
Though hot and sweating profusely, the big man seems to weather the heat with out too much trouble. However, he often claims he would decapitate someone for a cool tankard of stout.
Well, at least there ain't saltwater to want to drink,
Fort:
(included +2 from both Grym and Ferox?)
It's a circumstance bonus. They don't stack. So, you get just the single +2
do we need to make Fort saves if we're under influence of Endure Elements? If "no" then Morkeleb won't bother (and whomever is holding the wand of EE Bones,000 gave us, knock off 3 charges yo!)
are we just waiting for Gaius? (And donkeyhorse?)
Fort Saves:
Two successes and a failure. What happens now?
Pull out the wand of endure elements?
If that works, I'll need two hits off the wand, too.
As you delve deeply into Sklar-Quah territory, it was just a matter of time before you are intercepted by a patrolling war party of six burn riders, Sklar-Quah horsemen who (according to Akram) have trained their mounts to no longer fear fire. The burn riders are headstrong and quick to anger he adds.
They great you from afar. Akram greets the burn riders and explains quickly how you seek to divest themselves of their tshamek status, a comment that elicits a round of laughter from the burn riders. Yet as soon as Akram mentions that TWO of you have recreated the Legend of Skurak and Cindermaw, they grow serious. The patrol swiftly agrees to escort you to Flameford at the very heart of Sklar-Quah lands. The camp of Flameford is in a very defensible spot, nestled in the middle of a field of razor-sharp slash rock at the edge of an 80-foot-high cliff. The campsite consists of 17 yurts, two larger tents, and a stable for the tribe’s horses.
Like all Sklar-Quah encampments fortunate enough to be accompanied by a full-fledged Sun Shaman, the outer rim of the encampment is blanketed by layers of permanent stone spikes known as slash rock. The spells are set to leave unmarked zigzag paths between the slash rock to permit safe passage to those who know the way. In this way, the Sklar-Quah control the entrance and egress from the camp and the Sun Clan need to post few guards. Were it not for your "guides" the maze would be near impossible to navigate.
You are led to an unused yurt as place for you to stay during your visit. Apart from a few furs and a single small fire pit, the yurt contains no furnishings at all. Akram takes his leave of you in order to go make arrangements. The understanding is clear, you are not to leave.
Morkeleb discusses the nature of the spell with Akram.
He keeps quiet during any interactions with the Slkar-Quah (unless he's addressed specifically), and stays to his books overnight.
Both Odric and Grym are in need of healing to be up to their fullest potential. They implore the Calistrian for the CLWs wand.
Both Odric and Grym are in need of healing to be up to their fullest potential. They implore the Calistrian for the CLWs wand.
Sandor gets in the same line. He avoided the fire damage, but the sharp teeth did give the scarred dwarf a few more to talk about.
If we are at liberty inside the camp, Odric will wander the area making conversation and "kissing babies" (not literally). .
If he is restricted to the yurt, he naps vigorously.
You are essentially under house arrest.
After a night in the yurt, the dawn comes with activity. You are led into the heart of Flameford, the entire camp, Chieftan and Sun Shaman included, come to see. Your burn rider escort leads you to the War Council Fire and bids them be seated. You all quickly notice that Krojun is in attendance as well. Akram then entreats the Sun Shaman on the your behalf. He formally requests that the Sklar-Quah accept you as Shoanti with full entitlement to walk the Cinderlands. To do so, he first recites the Ritual of Cycles —a long, convoluted story of the never-ending relationship between the sun and the moon. Once tradition has been appeased, Akram boldly announces that he is a Truthspeaker and demands that any who challenge his standing speak now. A lengthy period of uncomfortable silence hangs in the air. (Sense Motive checks) The silence is eventually followed by a patient nod of approval from the Sun Shaman. Akram then breaks into a tale of the recent deeds, tying them to the legend of Skurak. When Akram tells the details of the cutting and vomiting his way, Krojun and a few others make guffawing noises in disbelief, but they are silenced by a glare from the Sun Shaman.
After Akram’s tale is complete, the Sun Shaman retreats to his tent with Chief Ready-Klar. An uncomfortable silence looms while the crowd waits. Krojun crosses his arms and stares at Sandor and Odric. Akram quietly explains to you that if the Sun Shaman rejects his petition and decides you are still tshamek, they (Akram included) will be disemboweled for trespassing on Sklar-Quah land.
The ranger keeps silent through out the council. Though Thorgrym does pay attention to the reactions of others during Akram's words.
Sense Motive
During the "Speak now or forever hold your peace" portion, Krojun REALLY wants to speak up, but he looks at you for a bit, and decides against it.
Odric remains stoic, though he straightens up a bit when the gaze of the respected Sun Shaman falls on him. He is proud of his accomplishment, but then again he realizes it wasn't so much of a personal accomplishment as it was a demonstration of teamwork and dumb luck.
Odric's stoicism is so difficult for the normally irreverent warrior to maintain, that holding in his flatulence takes the majority of his concentration, and he only understands the gravity of the situation, missing the nuance entirely. On the bright side, he doesn't fart.
Is there any indication in the wizard's mind of which is the better course of action: letting Akram's words lie, or speaking on our own behalf?
<--for what it's worth, Morkeleb does speak Shoanti now, so there is at least an academic knowledge of...stuff
Sandor not understanding all the Shoanti lets Akram stand on his own. He also knows that he is under scrutiny and acts stoic, meeting Krogrun's stares with his own. Not challenging, just respecting the prowress displayed against Grym.
You knowledge only nets you that this is the opening. It's a sense motive check to know whether or not you should take it.
You look like a wizard, talking might ruin it all.
Morkeleb stands *stock still*, his hood hiding his eyes. He grips his staff in both hands, and makes no motion or sound whatsoever--even slowing his breathing as much as he can.
If their purpose is best served by his silence, then he will be silent with extreme prejudice.
Ferox remains silent. He understands and can speak Shoanti, but also understands that the clan still considers him an outsider. They won't believe anything he says. Only the words of the Truthspeaker will sway them.
The Sun Shamen and Chief retire to discuss.
An hour later, the shaman and chieftain return to the fire. He asks each of you to stand before him and speak your names. The Sun Shaman repeats the names in sequence, and then tersely announces that henceforth your are to be considered tshamek no more. You are free to come and go among the lands of the Sklar-Quah, as long as you maintain peace and honor and respect Sklar-Quah tradition. Many of the Shoanti, Krojun included, struggle to contain their fury but none openly reject the Sun Shaman’s proclamation.
The gathering begins to break-up, and the Sun Shaman grants you indefinite use of your Yurt while in Flameford.
In Shoanti, then translated for the non-Shoanti speakers...before the Sun Shaman actually leaves, Morkeleb tries to speak to him.
Honored Shaman, we thank you for your consideration. Now that we are no longer tshamek, we seek your wisdom and knowledge. May we meet with you in private, at your convenience?
The Sun Shaman is intrigued, but still a bit on edge about the Newly Washed seeking council. He decides to grant your request by visiting your yurt. He stays silent and waits for you to speak.
Morkeleb pausess, seeing if the more sociable of the group wish to speak first...
Honored Shaman, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. As you know, we hail from the city, Korvosa. Our King was recently murderent. We believe Queen Ileosa perpetrated the King's death, and implicated an innocent woman for the deed. She then engineered the plague that ravaged Korvosa in order to weaken the populace and the other noble houses. Thus, she and her Grey Maidens could tighten her grip on the city.
We recently learned that Ileosa also had the king's brother killed so that she could gain access to the royal treasury. There she came into possession of an ancient crown, forged from the teeth of a great blue dragon, Kazavon. The crown has given her incredible power and invulnerability. We know we cannot defeat her and bring peace back to Korvosa while she has the crown.
We know that the Shoanti once called the lands around Korvosa their own; that they once dwelt in the shadow of the ancient pyramid that now forms the foundation of Castle Korvosa and believed that a great evil resided within those stones. We have come to you in the hope of learning all we can about this great evil, the blue dragon, Kazavon, and if there is any way for us to defeat it.
Please know, Shaman, that Ileosa is now a monster, a creature of power. Those who come to power as she has come to her recent power, will not be satisfied with current gains. We are confident she will seek to expand her foul influence, even to the lands the Shoanti now call home. If we do not stop her, Shoanti blood will flow.
<--success
"You speak good words, and you speak of worthy foes. You references the Teeth. This is information sacred to the Sklar-quah. You are no longer Tshemek, so you are free to ask me of this, however you are not actually Sklar-quah, which means I cannot help you in this matter. You are still of another tribe, even if you are officially SHOANTI."