Jolis sighs, "Isn't Viska being away from you gonna throw your mojo off?"
Viska shakes his head then lies back in Jolis' arms, wagging his tail.
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Richard examines the Lab with admiration. It was more than he'd hope for. He waits for the mayor's young assistant to leave him with the rest of the group. He winds up a hand cranked centrifuge, only to see it move with more force than he put in. He gives it an approving glance. We have an in with the Dryads. It should be our next destination. I just need to finish my dealings with the fey for ergot. Richard braced himself for a discussion on the merits of his suggestion. He knew, however, that it was vitally important that he convince them.
Holding the dozing vulpes, Jolis seeks clairification. "You mean tomorrow or later on in the week, right? I still have to complete Durga's chores then bartend tonight."
What I mean to say is; We should prepare for a journey that expose us to some of the most dangerous animals on this island, If the map titles are to be believed. That means magic or alchemy that will block our scent. Fighting tactics or weapons that will help us survive. Maybe purchase of trained animals for early warning and tracking. Anything that you can think of to help with the journey. I personally will be locating and reading books about the region in my spare time.
When everyone feels ready, we should leave.
Miya nods.
"Richard is right, books are the Key, who ever built this had great power and skill, then they brought books. Somewhere in then must be information about how they did it. If we know how we can know how to undo"
She says, setting about cleaning and getting the lab ready.
Once they were further away from the odd doe-eating creature, Vitranna will wisper at her guide.
"What WAS that? A dragon is disguise? I've heard of doppelgangers and mimics...but an animal disguise? That's a new one on me, and my people encounter odd creatures all the time!"
"You don't have to worry about trained tracking animals, Richard. Viska here is smarter than most people. Unfortunately I don't see an opportunity for me to learn any new spells though. Maybe those books csn help you with your alchemy."
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Maybe so, Which reminds me. If either of you lend me the Dryad ring, I can figure out it's properties. Don't worry, I won't hurt it. Says Richard. If given, he uses the various equipment to run tests.
Inspire 4/7
As he props the fox on his left shoulder, Jolis carefully removes his dryad ring.
"No harm must be done to the ring", the big warrior said sternly as he handed to the investigator.
An annoyed look crosses the Investigators face as he takes the ring. What did I 'just say'? He thinks, as he fights the urge to passively aggressively rub the ring on his 'junk'.
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"Give me your pissy attitude all you like, that ring is the coolest thing I own", Jolis shoots Richard back his sass.
Miya had nothing to add, she had the information she wanted and the others seem to be happy to talk. She just looked over the books seeing if any where about the Ninja arts…Checks the room for danger, then waits by Richard.
There are far too many books here to find anything on a specific subject at a cursory glance. It would likely take hours or even days to search for any single book without assistance. Upstairs, you don’t see anything dangerous about the lab. In fact, barring an alchemical accident of some kind, it is very likely the safest room in the entire village.
I'm hoping that the lab might provide a way to identify magic Items. The following is based on that hope. BTW does the library lab provide a bonus to my alchemy skill?
Maybe so, Which reminds me. If either of you lend me the Dryad ring, I can figure out it's properties. Don't worry, I won't hurt it. Says Richard. If given, he uses the various equipment to run tests.
The mayor’s assistant will remove the key from the ring and hand it to Richard. ”The door locks automatically when it closes, so be sure not to lose that. Please return it before you leave for the night.” With that, he’ll excuse himself to return downstairs.
It does take you a while to get acquainted with the specific equipment in the lab, but once you do, you do believe it will help you determine just what enchantments are on the ring. You can identify one effect of the ring quite easily –a very powerful Calm Emotions effect, attuned specifically to plants. However, there is another, more complex enchantment underneath that one that will take more work to figure out.
Back at the rendezvous point, several other hunters have already returned. Some with squirrels or rabbits strung up, most empty handed. The last few arrive minutes after you. Once everyone is gathered, they begin to compare notes on what they saw.
”Back this way is no good. Looks like something big rampaged through a day or two back, likely spooked everything away.”
”And we found a mimic back here. No one’s going that way for a while,” Liz adds.
”I caught sight of one of those tree eatin’ things. Looked like it was sleepin’ too. We take that down, we can each cut off a good ten pounds of meat easy. Practically a free meal-“
“Unless it wakes up and steps on you.”
“Besides, the leftovers would attract scavengers for weeks. We’d have to change the whole hunting rotation.”
“Changing the rotation might not be that bad. Things have been scarce around lately.”
Liz sits down and takes another drink of water as the hunters debate the best course of action. Even the way they argue is disciplined out here- they keep their statements quick, quiet and simple. When the matter still hasn’t been settled either way after a few minutes, Liz will speak up. ”I guess it’s votes then. Right hands in favor of going home to our warm comfy chairs, makin a nice rabbit stew and going to bed early. Left hands in favor of risking life and limb to slay a big stompy beast that’ll just make a bunch more work for us later.”
Anything Vitranna suggests could be taken as interference, or worse: ignorance. Worried that she might be forced to voice an opinion, when she's the least qualified, Vitranna tries to keep silent and pay attention.
Besides, I have no right to suggest anything. These hunters must protect and provide what's best for their village. And I do not intend to stay long enough to become 'part of the village!'
Richard returns the ring to Jolis. The magic seems to make the wearer sterile. Apparently, the dryad must have thought that you procreating would upset the balance of nature. He starts to walk away then turns back and says as an after thought And you can calm upset plants
"Wait! What?! Really?!"
"So we could have tons of sex without worrying about babies? Sounds good to me, Richard."
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Well, the first part is a wild guess, I'm not completely sure about one of it's functions. The second part is spot on. He shrugs
Jolis looks sideways at Richard as he walks out of the temple. The big warrior gives small bows to the shrines as he leaves.
One of these days Richard's gonna make me lose my temper!
Setting the familiar back in the cart, Jolis takes out Durga's directions and helps reorient himself with his new surroundings.
Despite his focus to do a good job for Durga, Jolis's mind continues to focus back on the rings and their possible significance. Both magical rings were given to both me and Valeriya. We definitely have a connection, other than the fun one between our legs. In the eyes of the fey, are Valeriya and I married? Is it all just a coincidence? What does it mean? Does it mean anything?
Sighing to himself, Jolis grumbles, Boy, this apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it Dad?
Richard glances at Miya and gives a mischievous smile. Bet he also wonders why his food tastes funny when he annoys the waitress.
She chuckles Richard had a funny side after all. That was not going to be a hard as she had thought.
"Richard try not to push the bone-head to much. He's a simple man with a simple ego, keep pointing that out and he will thump you."
She watched as Richard worked, she had a contract to look after his skin not clean for him. Board she started to read one of the books she had picked up. It was on Ropes of the world.
Look, with the automatic lock, I'm pretty safe here. If you want to head out and stock supplies...Head out. I'm not sure how the bodyguard thing works. Otherwise, when I go shopping I'll add what you need to my list, so your not distracted. He says in problem solving mode.
There are a couple of frowns and grumbles, but everyone takes a few minutes to clean up after themselves and head back to the village. On the trip back, they're much more mindful about hiding their tracks wherever they can. It's near evening by the time you get back.
@Jolis: You have no trouble running Durga's errands, and you make it back to the bar well before dinner time. He'll ask for your help unloading the cart, and then have you straighten up a bit before things get too busy. "So, you get what you wanted out of your meeting?"
@Valeriya: Getting herbs from the twins is surprisingly easy. There isn't a high demand for mint or ginger, so there's plenty left over in the garden. Finding a place to set up shop won't be too challenging either - you can find at least four or five stalls in the market that are currently unused.
@Richard: True to their words, the twins will provide you with the seeds you asked for - a couple of ounces in a small pouch. Erik stays with the Mayor for most of the day, but he waits behind in the library until you leave the lab. If you haven't returned the key by midnight, he'll come looking for you.
Jolis scratches his chin. "Well, I think we have a better understanding on what needs to be done, it's just doing it where things get 'iffy. It was nice to see all those shrines at the Mayor's..um, building. Think I might go back there after work."
"I've been meaning to ask you", the big warrior continues, "to whom do you pray to? If you do at all."
Vitranna will stick with the hunters and keep learning about the surrounding area as much as possible. She will still coordinate with the others. As soon as Richard comes up with his first exploration coordinate or research mission, we can hit it as a group.
As before, Grelda spends the time talking to various people in the village, learning about them and their way of life. While not the most outwardly gregarious of the group, the half-orc has a straightforward approach to conversation and is a good listener, allowing the villagers to do most of the talking as she takes in their tales.
After repairing the hitching post she had destroyed, she decided to take over an abandoned stall. She trades remedies until she can grab what passes for paint and a cauldron.
Upon her new sign is a bubbling golden cauldron whose mist forms a stylized fox. Viska helps as best he can by placing a paw in the paint and pressing it at random places on the bottom of the stall.
Once finished, she stands in the square, her dress changed to a more fashionable one.
"Come one and all, to the grand opening of the Golden Cauldron! Marvel at magics from the mystical heart of Irrissen! Find the finest curatives from Variasia," Lera shouts in her most booming voice. Her projection of confidence shows her experience in advertising her wares.
"You, sir!" She shouts pointing to a passing man. "How would you like to literally spice up your sex life? Get back some of the lost virility of youth? Try this fey-grown ginseng now! Half price for the first purchase!"
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Viska decides to help out by bouncing around, chasing his own tail, balancing a coin on his nose, and generally being cute to any passerby who shows interest him, especially kids.
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When Richard receives the Morning Glory seeds, He smiles and nods. He goes to work immediately. Miya notices that the scientist is completely absorbed into his work. Oddly, the purpose of the endeavor appears to fully engulf Richard with peace, Maybe even joy. As the hours flew by unnoticed by the Investigator, night began to fall outside the lab. A knocking at the lab door is only half acknowledged by the investigator. A few minutes later, the knocking becomes more insistent.
Go Away! He shouts
Even more insistent knocking.
No one's home!
A banging on the door. The scientist grumbles a few expletives as he strides to the door and flings it open. He can see out of the corner of his eye, Miya spring to an attack posture. Beyond the door is Erik. He is about to say something, but Richard's words jumble over his intake of breath.
I'm at a critical juncture, and You are a human piece of cholesterol clogging the heart of my work. I'm making the most psychoactive drug known to man. A marvel that could very well change the course of this island and every living soul that yearns to be free of tyranny. Get with the winning team or make way. The most vital thing you can do to help us break free of this prison is to bring us a couple of sandwiches. The scientis turns and goes back to work.
Miya sits back down and picks up her book again.
What ever Richard was doing he was putting a lot of work into it.
Richard and Miya: Erik scowls and crosses his arms, clearly annoyed with Richard's tone. "I can't leave until you do. And I don't know about you, but I'd like to sleep in my own bed tonight. So if there's any way you can hurry things along - Did you say drugs? I thought you were an alchemist!"
Valeriya: Though business gets off to a slow start, you certainly draw plenty of attention. Things pick up quickly over the next few days as some of the other merchants get to know you better and send more customers in your direction. Sleep aids and pain relievers are both in high demand.
Jolis: "The doing is usually the hard part," Durga says, nodding in agreement. He pauses thoughtfully before answering the question though. "It's a foolish barman who doesn't pay respect to the god of drunks. A foolish traveler who doesn't look to Desna. But I've not been big on prayer for a very long time."
Vitranna: Over the next few days, you only grow more surefooted in the jungle. You manage to take down a fair amount of small game on your own, and a few larger beasts with help, but nothing like the massive creature from the first hunt. You're lucky enough to avoid anything too dangerous - a benefit of the hunters' advanced scouting.
While none of the hunters pressure you to be social, most of them are friendly. If you do try to get to know them, they'll be receptive and respond in kind.
Grelda: As you get to know more of the villagers, you'll learn that most of them are former adventurers of some type or another. Former sellswords, bodyguards, pirates, Pathfinders, archaeologists - very few lived quiet lives. Even many of the merchants used to live dangerous lives before age or injury forced them to settle down. There's a general sense of restlessness in the air. The truce with Jabral's mercenaries doesn't apply outside of the village, forcing most to stay within its limits to avoid conflict.
You also quickly notice that there are no children here. Unlike Junk Village, almost no one here has family on the island. The few that do live separately from them. Most families on the island typically move to the outskirt villages where it's slightly safer. Drogheda is a rare exception, as she only recently moved back inland to be closer to her father.
How are drugs and alchemy mutually exclusive? Richard asks. Fine. Come over here and learn something. Richard hands him a flask of liquid. Here hold this. Richard spends the rest of the evening teaching chemistry to the young man while they work
Jolis nods to Durga in acceptance. "It looks like my group and I will be staying in Ruin Village for perhaps a few weeks. If it's alright by you, I'd like to stay on as bartender here at Durga's for that time."
Miya comes have a and looks on as well. A free class in alchemy was not to be missed.
Lera gets to know the people of the village through gossip. She wants to know every secret she can and every taboo relationship. She will share with anyone in the party who wants to know.
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Richard: Erik is just inquisitive enough to come and watch you work for a while, but after about half an hour, he's already yawning every couple of minutes. By the end of first hour, he's ready to tap out. "I can see you know what you're doing. If you really plan on spending the entire night up here, I'm not waiting around. I'll come check on you in the morning." On his way back out he pauses to add, "You'll get your own damn sandwich though."
Jolis: Durga smiles and gives you a friendly clap on the back. "You're a good worker, and all the customers seem to like you. Far as I'm concerned, you can work here as long as you like. It'll be nice to have a couple of lazy weeks."
Jolis smiles big. "Well, I better get started". With that, Jolis starts his shift.
The big warrior develops a route after work. Before he leaves Durga's for the night, Jolis pours himself a mug of Jeremy's Brew, drinks half of it, pouring a tiny out for his father. Then the absalomian walks over to The Shrines in The Mayor's Building, and pours the rest of Jeremy's Brew in the cup on Cayden Cailean's shrine. There Jolis prays to his father, telling him about his day, how he's feeling, any good jokes he hears, etc. Jolis also talks up his employer, Durga, to his father, in hopes when Durga passes on, Cayden Cailean can beseech Pharasma on Durga's behalf to have his soul travel to Cayden Cailean's Domain in Elysium.
"Richard, do you know how to make smoke bombs, and pepper bombs?"
She asks him.
After the door closes on Erik, Richard says Lazy-ass millennial.
Later he replies to Miya. Sure. Why?
Taking 20 is fine, it just means it will take you a little while longer to ingratiate yourself with the local rumor mill
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"Always handy in a fight Richard that's why"
Then with one move her hand shoots out an a 6 pointed start embedded itself in the door. A moment before her hand was empty.
"Hard to counter things coming out of smoke as well"
she walks over to it pulls it out the door and slips it into her clothing.
"I may look like I'm not doing much Richard but I take my work very seriously, if that young man had sort to harm you I would have stopped him. Some Smoke bombs would help me keep you saver."
She smiles back it him.
The scientist would need to isolate capsaicin. Richard thought it a challenge worthy of his intellect. He thought Mustard gas would be far more effective against the army, but there was no way that he would unleash such a horror on this world. He looked at Miya's smile and wondered what she would say if she really knew the width and breadth of the death he could wrought. One Batman utility belt coming up.
looked at him puzzled
"Dose the belt make you hear like a bat, I have heard of some magic belts that do things like that"
Think of it as a toolbelt for a ninja. Richard says with a nod
She stops dead at the word he just used her eyes narrowing.
"Ninja, yes if I was one it would be of great use."
She says.
Then she smiles again tilting her head,
"You really are a lot smarter then you look, and we understand each other. What ever you make for me will be used to keep you say. You know that."
She then takes out a small pouch.
"This is magic, it holds more than it should"
She pulls and out from a new second slit. She pulls out a long, black blade.
"If you need to to carry anything for you in here I can"