Tulsino draws his last card and strangely seems to draw yet another card bearing the Sun as power flows through his veins again. The card transforms into a mummified human hand hanging by a leather cord.
Having seen items appear from cards in a deck that doesn't shrink, Taka is completely enthused. He waits until Tulsino will give the deck up, at which point, he will draw his cards, thinking five, draw a poker hand...five and I win.
Well, I think that went over pretty well! Here you go Toritaka, let's see if you can do better.
After pulling the last two cards, Tulsino seems to look a bit more sickly. His skin tint is starting to go pale and he has become a little more Gaunt.
I feel better than ever! That thing is amazing!
|
Watching his compatriots draw from the deck, Thaleles can't help but feel even more wary. It is still a deck of cards, and luck tends to run out. Taka, be careful with what tou draw. He will watch carefully at what happens when Taka draws the cards. He pulls out the coin from his pocket and wispers to Abador. Lord of the First Vault, watch over my companions drawing from this deck.
|
I will begin relating a tale concerning games of chance using Inspire Competence (+2 Skill checks) while my companions draw from the deck. I will then use Spellcraft and Detect Magic, along with a Knowledge History check to see if I can gain any more information on the deck.
Inspire Competence for as many rounds as the deck is being used and examined by me (max 11 rounds).
Addressing the group and the deck, in a low voice Let me tell of a tale about a game of chance. A young man, devilishly smart rogue named Neander, had all the luck in the world. He had never played a game which he didn't beat. Harrow, dice, playing cards all, he beat the house and the public at will. One day, the rogue met his match. He came upon a kobold playing a shell game. He has a almond hidden in one of three shells on a table. The rogue watched as the public was lured in and taken by the savvy kobold. The kobold, named Dolos, would let the players win the first couple of games in order to show he was not a hustler. However, he kept bidding low until the player became overconfident. At that point, Dolos would up the ante and the player would buy in. Dolos would then add a few more shells and increase his skill and the player would inevitably lose. The rogue watched this performance and saw that Dolos was using magic in his game, casting spells on the shells and the almond while the player watched the shell and not the kobold. The rogue figured he would cast spells as well and challenged Dolos to a game.
Dolos welcomed another sucker. As the rogue played, the scam continued. Dolos let him win a few times before upping the ante. Neander casts his spells and so did the kobold. So when the rogue thought sure he had taken all that Dolos had and chose his shell, Dolos lifted it to reveal nothing. The rogue, taken aback, watched as Dolos smiled, lifted another shell where the almond was, and smiled as he raked in all the rogue's money, leaving him broke.
You see, Dolos' racket was aimed at the rogue, not the public. Dolos knew he could afford to lose a bit to the regulars and trap the so-called veterans, and he did so. This is a lesson in gambling. Don't be too overconfident, only bet that which you can afford to lose, and remember- there is always a better player. Also- the best piece of advice- the house ALWAYS wins.
I will say a quick prayer to Desna for luck and
Knowledge History
Spellcraft with Detect Magic
As Taka draws a card bearing a roguish figure preparing to stab a victim in the back, he feels a sense of impending dread.
Thaleles feels a rush of warmth down his arm and a sense that should he draw a card fate has already chosen which it shall be. I cannot protect those who throw themselves into danger, but I can turn my hand to your benefit my child.
Cato hears the sound of feminine laughter as a cloud of butterflies fly past him. The house always wins, but sometimes you don't know what the house is playing for.
Jeremiah watches as Tulsino, Toritaka and Cato all go the take draws at the deck and shrugs. "Looks to be a pretty good for the most part. In for a pence, right?" Once Toritaka and Cato have finished drawing, he will take three draws.
Taka continues to draw......
As Taka Draws his next card it reveals a face bearing a gleaming gem. The card immediately bursts into a small pile of 50 fantastic Gems. As Toritaka pulls another card with a set of scales on it identical to Tulsino's he feels a grim determination to see his friends cared for, and goals met at any cost.
Taka pulls another card bearing the two masks of Drama, Comedy and Tragedy. A twitching confused energy shoots up his arm.
As Taka pulls his last card it is identical to his second. A card face bearing a brilliant gem, which immediately bursts into another pile of 50 Gems.
As Cato takes his turn he draws two cards, the first bearing a star surrounded by butterflies in the night sky. The second is blank bearing only three words; Desna, Abadar, Erastil. Cato's mind empties of all memory save those directly related to those names.
Garr'ak would watch in confusion as his fellow adventurers took their turns drawing cards and the effects that followed. Unsure of what to say, he feels lucky that nothing worse happened to him, but unknowing of what was to come he felt slightly jealous as well.
As Toritaka card burst into gems, he would move to start gathering them. He had no intent to take them, but thought he might help gather them for his comrade. Then, when his last card burst into another pile of gems, he would continue to try and consolidate them all into a pile for him.
Jeremiah draws his cards next first drawing a set of scales, feeling odd and energetic. The second bearing a tankard and a key spinning around. The last bearing a stripped wolf-like creature turning into a monstrous beastman and then into a man under a full moon.
Lastly Thaleles pulls a card bearing a throne with a crown sitting on it. Which transforms into a small toy castle fitting in his palm.[Thaleles Gains a permanent +6 to Diplomacy and a PM]
At this point, Taka has some amount of trust for Garr'uk, having seen him to be trustworthy, he pulls off his haversack and lets the half-orc help him load it up. "Thank you, Lord Garr'uk," he says with a nod, then he tosses the pack back onto his back and nods to the the half-orc. "An interesting item...this deck of cards."
Brennyn looks around at the party and shrugs.
"What now then? Shall we continue onwards toward the bandits?" She looks at Toritaka and nods.
"Yes, a most interesting item indeed but I fear one that could cause as much ill as good," Brennyn replies to Toritaka.
Taka seems much more focused on the job at hand, "Shall we continue on our task, I believe we have commitments."
That was interesting. I agree, we should follow the trail and head for the camp. Hopefully we will catch them unaware.
T&T, what is the guard schedule like?
|
|
I do hope that you plan on sharing a snall portion of that swag as well, lol. As for what we do next, if we are close to the camp, we might as well clear it out so we nay begin our expliration of this area. Thaleles places his figuring carefully into his pack and climbs abord his wagon. He must think hard on what to do from here.
|
|
I sit for a minute to consider something, but can't quite remember what it was I was considering. i then look to my companions and while recognizing them somehow, can't remember who they are.
What am I doing? I speak up. Ahem, excuse me, but what is going here? I seem to have...misplaced...er...what is happening? Were we gambling? Did I win? I look at the cards and around in search of a bundle of winnings.
Actually, you lost. Time to pay up bud. I believe the wager was 20gp.
Brennyn looks at Tulsino and rolls her eyes.
"No, Cato, you haven't lost anything. We were pulling cards from a magical deck and whatever you drew... it appears that you've perhaps lost your memory in the process," she says, with a worried tone.
"And what are you playing at, Tulsino? You can't go around lying to people like that!" Brennyn says with an exasperated tone, turning on Tulsino with a frown.
Lying? I was simply asking for an advancement on funds for which I would most likely repay in due course through services rendered under the guise of a gambling debt. Just trying to poke a bit of fun at him is all.
Tulsino smiles.
Thagis and Thigis look at each other like they regret surviving the first battle. "We dunno Kressle usually just yells at people to keep watch randomly."
Garr'ak would help Toritaka put the man's gems into the handy haversack before standing and joining in on the conversation.
"Yes, we should be swift about dealing out justice to these bandits. The longer we wait, the more likely they are to be gone or more fortified in their position."
|
|
Something about a campfire...and a flower. You know, it's strange really, I don't know. Apparently my name is Cato, as you fine folk keep calling me. You appear to be a spellcaster of some sort. Do you have a remedy for my condition?
By the way, what are we doing here? Out in the middle of the wilderness?
Jeremiah smiles broadly, his posture significantly more relaxed than before. "I believe we're suppose to be hunting down some bandits, something of that like. Seems to be money and other such sundries are coming a plenty." He gestures to the others, Tulsino and Gar'rak in particular. "So, consider me in, either way."
Glad to have you on board. Cato you are one of my heralds, and I have been training you in the use of a sword. I met you at a tavern in braclanisville, and you asked to join me so that I could teach you how to fight. You seem to have a knack for telling stories, or at least you did... So I would say just stick with me, and you'll pick it all up in no time.
Tulsino turns to Jeremiah.
Well looks like it is time to head out.
He ensures all his gear is secure, and gets back on his horse following the trail.
Taka looks to Tulsino and gives him a sharp glare, as if telling him to be good.
"Perhaps soon, we can find a way to restore your memories, Cato," he says with a nod, "But for now, we do have a mission or two..."
Names Tulsino, Herald!
He breaks out into laughter.
I'm just messing with you again, sorry. We'll do what we can to get that memory back, no worries mate.
he gets a more serious look on his face.
We are under the employ of the sword lords. We are on the way to eliminate the threat, and we stopped for the night and met a couple fey. They bartered these cards and we all for the most part drew from the deck. Looks like you lost your memory partner, not sure how to get that back.
|
|
Perhaps some sort of remove curse would work, unfortunatly I'm not sure what kind of power this deck has, I did warn everyone prior to drawing about the dangers of such things. Now, if we could please hurry and dispatch with the bandits so we may get on with our true mission of exploring this area. he looks to Cato is slight sympathy, but is still amused by it as well. Climb aboard Cato, unless you can't remember how to use your arms and legs as well.
Her name is Brennyn. Kind of a boys name if you ask me, but she seems to be fond of it. You know me, Tulsino. This is Thaleles, Toritaka, Jeremiah, Garrrrrrrrrak; And last, but certainly not least, Esmeralda.
Tulsino graciously gestures at each of them as their name is spoken.
There are a couple others we have met on our travels, but I too seem to have a bit of amnesia as I can't seem to remember their names. Then there is the new woman who appeared out of nowhere. Who are you?