We all hold hands and Flag leads us to the temple...
I didnt really mean that. I just had a mental image of pre-schoolers all holding hands in a big line on a field trip or something.
We all hold hands and Flag leads us to the temple...I didnt really mean that. I just had a mental image of pre-schoolers all holding hands in a big line on a field trip or something.
Odric summons his cleric Oliviana and Derrick the Ubiquitous.
Odric directs Derrick to summon Cressida, Sabine, Vencarlo, Grau, Harold the Herald, and enough Abadaran horsepower to unblind the group.
Once that is taken care of, he orders dinner and directs that the best rooms be prepared for all.
Oliviana take one look and, well no one can see her reaction. When she speaks up, it's not good, "Curing blindness of deafness is beyond my power, and I'm not sure HOW to cure being mute."
Derrick's reponse isn't great either, "I'm sorry my Lord, but you're the only ones who know where they are..."
Dinner, however, is executed EXACTLY to Odric's wishes.
Abadarians first
I think it's worth starting to spread word now...
What a bunch of mewling children. I've been blindfolded longer than this before.
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The ranger fumbles to sit in a chair with his back to the wall. He feels reasonably safe at the Keg&Eagle, especially with Bucho at his feet. The big dog is nearly so hamstrung without his eyes, his sense of smell is more than acute enough for him to get around.
Grym meditates on his hearing and sense of smell...
He tries to pick out everyone in the room. He hears the heavy footsteps of Sandor and the voices of both Morkeleb and Ferox. His smell picks out the rough scent of sweat/leather/steel that is Odric and the oddly pleasant perfume the Calistrian tends to wear. There was at least one barmaid moving about, though reassured by the Stout, he could still hear or maybe just feel her fright from the sudden appearence of the adventurers, including the huge insectoid monstrousity that is Criktik.
Still holding SharkSlayer in hand he ponders fighting blind. He immediatly flips the blade to a reverse grip laying along his forearm. Thinks about moving close and finding a grip on his enemy with one hand and driving SharkSlayer home again and again with the other.
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I'm ruling that Grym gets the Blind-Fight feat for a single attack in the future in recognition for his Daredevil-esque reflection!
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Odric's footman returns a couple hours later. He raps on the door with the Secret Knock of all Odric's people.
"Lord Odric, I got who I could, but the Abadarans are straight out. This cleric says he can cast the spell himself once, and brought scrolls for more. Unfortunately the righteous bastard is going to charge us!"
A young male voice with a native Varisian lilt in his voice speaks, "You have High Inquisitor Ferox among you! Surely you must understand that commerce is what drives civilization, and the Lord of the First Vault is not one to simply give his grace free of charge!"
Of course we would never expect anything but to pay fairly for Vault's services...
Of course we wouldn't think about not paying. But cast it on the Inquisitor with his discount. Then he can cast or do it cheaper. The dwarf thinks out loud.
Now just how much will a permanent True Seeing cost me? Or heck how much to get my voice back?
Are we really dithering over 150 GP each? Unless we want to buy the scrolls, I can't cast the spell necessary to remove this blindness. Gaius can, I'm sure, in the morning if you're going to quibble about it.
Brother, thank you for coming. I look forward to seeing again.
Ferox will pay for himself and Cricktik.
With exceeding deference, the lowly cleric casts the spells on both Cricktik and Ferox.
Their sight is restored. No doubt about it, you're in the Keg and Eagle.
Are we really dithering over 150 GP each? Unless we want to buy the scrolls, I can't cast the spell necessary to remove this blindness. Gaius can, I'm sure, in the morning if you're going to quibble about it.
Brother, thank you for coming. I look forward to seeing again.
Ferox will pay for himself and Cricktik.
Grym agrees and is happy to pony up 150 gp for his sight back.
Once Harold arrives, Odric fills him in on the party's adventures so far since they parted last at the Arkonas house. Harold asks where DeGrog is, and no one seems to have any kind of a good answer.
Odric proposes using Harold and the other members of Odrics household and K&E staff to spread the word about the Queen and her treachery. Harold suggests using Cerulean Guild manpower to improve the effort to spread the word.
"once we clear out the castle completely, I propose using a combination of my household guards and my troops to hold it. Sabine will be here soon and we can augment the force with her Grey Maidens if we decide we can trust them."
Odric also asks Gaius if we can get word to Cressida along the same lines. It seems foolhardy to cede the castle once we have it.
Once Harold arrives, Odric fills him in on the party's adventures so far since they parted last at the Arkonas house. Harold asks where DeGrog is, and no one seems to have any kind of a good answer.
Odric proposes using Harold and the other members of Odrics household and K&E staff to spread the word about the Queen and her treachery. Harold suggests using Cerulean Guild manpower to improve the effort to spread the word.
"once we clear out the castle completely, I propose using a combination of my household guards and my troops to hold it. Sabine will be here soon and we can augment the force with her Grey Maidens if we decide we can trust them."
Odric also asks Gaius if we can get word to Cressida along the same lines. It seems foolhardy to cede the castle once we have it.
Can we also perhaps buy another CLWs wand or two? Grym burned through one and his second (last) is about half way finished.
Odric summons CPT Oso.
And asks Derrick if we can get a rep from the Ceruleans here. He wants to figure out how to disentangle the K&E from them.
Odric jots down a shopping list and hands it to Derrick, along with a sack of gold and platinum valued at 3,800 Sail.
"See if you can find these my good man."
Looks like success... High is always good in PF, no?
Odric's man returns later that day with the items. It's the first time he's been out and about that far in a while. He talks about how austere everything is under martial law. The rebellion against the queen still hides in the shadows, afraid of all the terrors of the castle and what Queen Ileosa might bring to bear.
Untangling your business from the Society is easy to find out, since they supply your bartenders. They make you but a single offer, and they are clear that you can take it or leave it, but don't try to negotiate it... They give you the demands, and it involves a lot of permits, job openings etc. [ooc]It'll cost the Stout 4 Goods, 15 Influence, and 12 Labor. Furthermore since yours is an ancient and noble family, there is an additional cost of 5 influence to cleanly restore your name.
Odric calls Harold over and asks him to humor him for an odd question... "Tell me what you know about my family's history."
Odric pens a note and signals to one of his men to come closer. He whispers to the man and watches as he nods and hustles out of the room. Shortly afterwards, a slight Halfling with a distinctly shifty look enters. Odric waves him over and bids him to take a seat close at hand.
"We haven't yet been introduced, but I understand you have been quite useful of late as a go-between with the Cerulean. You must be Jinksy?"
Odric leans forward and extends a hand to Jinksy Scramblefoot. Odric's informant is pleased to have the opportunity to meet his employer, and grasps Odric's meaty, iron hard hand on his own.
Odric hands Jinksy the folded note and asks him to deliver it to the Ceruleans this very evening. The note simply says.
Odric bids the Halfling read it, then he seals the note and hands it to the small-statured informant.
"Learn what you can about what my friends ask you as well." Odric raises an eyebrow to his mates and bids Jinksy take note of their queries.
Odric orders the fire banked, and bids Derrick to signal last call.
A grizzled Dwarf looking oddly at home in a formal outfit approaches the table and executes a respectful half-bow, half-nod to Odric. He turns to the Upturned Cup, and the members of Odric's retinue holding court, and addresses the group, "Enjoy the evening here in the Keg & Eagle. In a short time, the common room will be yours, please take as long as ye like."
A bit of Dwarven brogue still clings to the venerable veteran turned seneschal of Stout Manor, and with a twinge, the group is subtly reminded of Sandor's lost voice.
"I'm Grough Rumblestone, and on behalf of your host, welcome. Rooms are prepared for ye, and baths as well. When the night's business is through and tis time to retire, simply ring. You'll be shown to Stout Manor to take your rest."
The Seneschal makes a few discrete hand movements, and eyes the footmen sternly as they recharge drinks and clear the remains of dinner.
"Between Derrick and meself, if you should find anything lacking, or desire anything for your comfort, just ask."
The two, Derrick the Ubiquitous and Grough Rumblestone look to Odric expectantly and seeing the Warrior's wink and nod, leave the group in privacy.
The Society agrees, and takes payment (just mark it down wherever you track it.)
The jovial herald takes a moment and looks at Odric a bit cock-eyed. "Sir?"
Odric insists, so he answers, "You're the scion of the first cousin to House Endrin. Did you get whacked on your head? Your dad is the 1st cousin 10 times removed from Ponchus, Your branch moved to Korvosa during your great-grandfather's time. Sure, we're not high on the rolls, but your name is an old one sir. Did you forget all this in the castle? Did something happen to your memory?"
Odric turns to Morkeleb and asks how this comports with his understanding of the noble houses of Korvosa, and asks for a plain language description of the implications.
The jovial herald takes a moment and looks at Odric a bit cock-eyed. "Sir?"
Odric insists, so he answers, "You're the scion of the first cousin to House Endrin. Did you get whacked on your head? Your dad is the 1st cousin 10 times removed from Ponchus, Your branch moved to Korvosa during your great-grandfather's time. Sure, we're not high on the rolls, but your name is an old one sir. Did you forget all this in the castle? Did something happen to your memory?"
Grym's eyes raise just a tiny bit, which is practically screaming for the ranger. He always knew Odric had some sort of noble born background, but maybe it was just the way they had met. Odric (not quite the Stout yet) was a bit of a fat drunk. He was very approachable to Grym, (from poor farmers, and spent several years as a city street urchin).
So the Stout was actual royal blood...
"Sir, the last of the customers have left. I've released all of the employees but one trusted serving wench. You should have complete privacy."
"My Lord, I have arrayed your most elite troops in a cordon surrounding both the Keg & Eagle and Stout Manor a block away, to ensure we are not disturbed. Aggro Squad and Butchery squad to the north, with Cutthroat Squad to the south. Lieutenant Erickson is with Cutthroat here."
Captain Oso points out a crust of bread in the makeshift map she's constructed on the table.
She continues in her brightly feminine but entirely professional voice, "I've directed Lieutenant Odysseus to infiltrate the zone outside the cordon with his Longhammers from Rogue Squad. Lieutenant Baird has the Vanguard working some Maneuvers outside the city this week, but I managed to cross-attach Altorius the Gifted to the Longhammers for the duration. I believe he is acting as a beggar here." She drafts a salt shaker to the cause on the south side of Stout Manor.
"I believe the premises are secure from Mundane infiltration. Her eyes flicker to Morkeleb here, then back to Odric, clearly complete. She sits back awaiting either questions or instructions.
"Sir, I have placed all of the household compliment, 15 Elite Guards and 5 Ceremonial Guards, under Captain Oso's command for the night. And while the curtain walls are not yet completed, we are secure within as the original wooden walls remain intact."
The scarred veteran seems a bit wistful that he isn't part of the defense, but his time stomping about in Plate mail ended decades ago.
"If'n anyone makes a run at us, methinks they'd do well to keep runnin' right on by."
Donkeyhorse munches his hay contentedly, warm and safe in the Stout Manor stable.
Sandor with his sight returned watches all the pomp and circumstance that Odric's people are giving him. The lad has come far in restoring his house's former glory, and wonders slightly why he had Harold recite his patents of nobility.
Cricktik, could you ask Harold if he knows any non-verbal forms of communication?
Harold tenses up for a moment as we all did when we heard the voice in our head for the first time. Why yes Master Sandor. I'm fluent in over 6 million forms of communication.
Sandor gives him a thumbs up, and gestures that they should "talk" sometime.
The dwarf then spends sometime with the dwarven seneschal, who shows him around stout manor and the forge that Odric built to go into business with the Dwarf. Sandor smiles as he runs his hand over the equipment here. Grough realizing Sandor has checked out of any more conversation begs his leave. Sandor didn't hear him go as he lit the flames of the forge.
Removing his armor for the first time in what seems like months Sandor cleans and polishes as the forge heats up. Laying out his tools the dwarf feels the slight dampness and sheen of sweat that comes out of his pores. The fires of creation feel much different than those that scarred him and boiled his blood so recently.
After pondering for a few minutes Sandor starts crafting, a few hours later he shuts the forge down and heads to the bath and bed.
The next morning each of you are presented with a coin made of simple metals. On one side it has a raised symbol of and upturned cup. The other is personalized for each individual.
"Sir, as a reminder, both the East and West Defensive walls will be complete in the morning. Also, ye may double check with the good Captain, but I'm fairly certain that the Vanguard will return from the field tomorrow, with a new compliment of Cavalry Archers, freshly trained and qualified. They ought to number 25, if'n all of 'em passed LT Baird's muster."
Grough thought for a moment, and after a few calculations, "I believe I have it all worked out to ensure the Ceruleans are paid off properly. It'll involve shifting things about a bit, but it can be done. And I believe there will be no real impact on operations. It may tighten things up a bit for a bit, but we'll manage."
Grough's confidence is reassuring, especially since Odric hasn't got much of a head for figures.
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With Criktik's help along w/ a pen and paper the ranger lays out some thoughts for the group.
First: We need to get our prufe thus far out to the Rebellian.
Seconde: Are we going back to finish clearing everything at the Kastle? Perhaps we can leave some of the Stout troops there to hold it.
Thurd: We have the map. Do we go straight on to the Sunken Queen?
How does the UpTurned Cup vote?
Sandor nods in agreement to Grym's first and second point. The third he wants to do the first two before choosing a path.
Odric agrees with Sandor.
"Anyone have any 'bright' ideas about dealing with those shining devil-children?"
Odric thinks the geopolitical Powers in the city ought to be considered:
Morkeleb, what about the Academy?
Ferox, the Bank?
Anyone, the Ceruleans?
Noble houses in the city? (Besides apparently Odric's)
Odric suggests Mork contact Vencarlo, Croft, and Sabine via magical meams. Gaius via sneaky-sneaky if the magic won't work.
Grym & Odric ought to take lead in getting Grau looped in. The guard has been disbanded, but we should lay the groundwork for reestablishing it. Perhaps under Sabine's leadership? Maybe use the Grey Maidens as a framework to rebuild, assuming they can be trusted.
There is a game mechanic for spreading rumors- let's use it aggressively to foment rebellion.
Odric thinks the geopolitical Powers in the city ought to be considered:
Morkeleb, what about the Academy?
An excellent question. I have not been in the Academae since...well, since just after we disposed of Lamm! Does that not seem like a lifetime and a half ago, my friends??
But more to your point, I'm afraid my contacts there may have gone stale. Perhaps I can try to re-establish them.
Grym, I believe we should complete our search of the castle. Before we head to the Sunken Queen, though, there is one thing we must do. You'll have to trust me that I cannot speak of it until the time comes, but I"m certain it will be worth our while.
As far as those Shining Children...i'm not sure how to counteract their blinding ability, or their Hold spell, with any surety. Let me ponder this. Or...perhaps a trip to the Academae is due for both re-establishing contacts, and researching these beasts?
It is currently about 8 in the evening on the third day of Calistril. The Fishery is close by, practically a stone's throw from Keftan's.
Ooc- some quick research here: We started on 3 Calistril, which is equivalent to February. It is 6 Neth (November). Only 9 months and 3 days have elapsed. Sheesh! Talk about a meteoric rise!
Date and time reference for your back pocket.
My point is that as an Academy alum, I assume Mork spent many years there, and 9 months away isn't all that much time. Granted times are turbulent, so maybe the people he knew have also gone on adventures and are now 14th level somewhere else...
But then again I recall reading somewhere that the academy is largely untouched by politics outside it's walls.
Oh yeah, and isn't there a couple test to break in or something?
Too bad none of had a wish that they could banish the shining children to somewhere unutterably awful - like North Dakota.
The Academae is largely apolitical. They've survived usurpers before, they'll do so again. The city is currently a powderkeg in a drought. Once word hits of your activities in the castle, all hell will break lose. Until then, there are still grey maiden patrols who know you all on sight.
The Acadamae definitely has a library on all things extra planar (it would allow a new check at +6.)
For my part, I'm eager to return to the castle and learn the fate of my Brother. Plus, I think it best not to leave any stones unturned with regards to our return. The city seems on the verge of revolt. Once we reveal what we've found, all hell is going to break loose. I'd rather not have some poor fools rush into the castle and lose their lives unnecessarily. Also, when we've vanquished Ileosa, it would be nice to return to a clean castle and not have to do any tedious cleanup.
As for the Bank, Abadar is mainly interested in commerce and order. Though we know of her duplicity, she has roughly maintained both. The Bank isn't necessarily interested in who rules the city. With the evidence we have against her, it may be possible to convince the Bank to act to help manage the potential chaos of a revolt, but we'll be on our own to actually confront Ileosa.
As far as those Shining Children...i'm not sure how to counteract their blinding ability, or their Hold spell, with any surety. Let me ponder this. Or...perhaps a trip to the Academae is due for both re-establishing contacts, and researching these beasts?
I believe that they were a trap. How do we not set it off?
Odric looks at Sandor quizzically and asks, "What makes you think they are a trap rather than simply bad guys? And if they are somehow triggered to appear, do you think if we killed them once, that they would appear again unharmed in similar circumstances? Like every time you walk up the stairs and the third step creaks? Every time we go down that hallway four Demon children appear and kill us..."
Odric turns to Morkeleb and asks how this comports with his understanding of the noble houses of Korvosa, and asks for a plain language description of the implications.
(Pending DM response for what is the deal with being the scion of the first cousin of house endrin...)
The walls of this elongated chamber are decorated with bas reliefs depicting a great market in a bustling city. The floor is littered with debris and fragments of ceramic, glass, and bronze, as if hundred of containers were smashed to pieces a long time ago. Four alcoves in the southwest wall each contain a statue of a kneeling servant with an over-sized head, but the statues are too crumbled to be otherwise recognizable.
Before continuing, who has the light source and how powerful?
The party walks into the room, and as the light falls on the worked stone, you each feel what can only be described as a much more powerful and overwhelming mind brush against your own—a brief contact that could potentially leave everyone in the room held in place, paralyzed, in a combination of awe and humility....
Emphasis mine
This is on top of the trap spotter talk just before it happened.
Ahhh.... maybe if we approached the statues in complete darkness we could put them into a bag or something? Or destroy the statues in the dark?