I think that I will stay and talk with these people and learn what I can about how and what has transpired here. If this is to be our first reclamation, we need more information, as much as I hate to split up, I think we may need to before we are besieged. And I think Belsiard is going to need some help with his building... That wall needs reinforcement!
That said, Cyniq moves over and begins chatting with the survivors laying around the warehouse.
Yeah, I think I can help with a pretty good design for turning this warehouse into a solid base. As for going down... aren't we on a wharf?
The people are grateful for your appearance and try to answer as best they can. Roseras provides the most coherent answers. "As you know, Calimport has been overrun by demons. The invasion was led by twelve powerful demons following Sifkesh. Sifkesh left shortly after the invasion, after creating the Red Sun. Some have fallen since then, just as the people have been devoured, turned, killed..." She looses composure for a few minutes. She has teetered over the edge of madness long ago, but still battles for lucidity. It takes some comforting and assurance that you're save from divination to get more out of her. Still, compared to the others, she is the closest to her sanity.
"There were six powerful demons that held claim to the city this morning. They watch over the humans that remain, seeing that they don't perish overnight so that they might relish it for as long as they remain. Each surely hopes another will bother themselves to be rid of you. You just defeated the Vrock King, so only three remain.
The strongest of them is Yadennsial, a vavakia. He is the only demon who was here when the city was invaded and still claims it. They say he was the first warlord for Sifkesh, and now wages the Blood War with the devils. You can see some of his own work outside. He claims to be a Nascent Demon Lord now, too. Fortunately, only his minions are here right now, but even they are powerful.
Another is a nalfeshnee. He keeps watch over the lesser demons, keeping the city as Sifkesh had bid him to do. They call him The Hope Reaper. I'm afraid I don't know much about him.
The last is a trio of seraptis known as the Dolorious Sisters. They do Sifkesh's work, driving us to suicide. It seems as if we are kept alive for their pleasure.
What is causing the Red Sun? I heard it was being kept by a blood cauldron. Ah! How could I forget!" She exclaims suddenly, with energy that surpasses her madness. "I was to tell you of a cauldron of Resurrection. It is at the Four Bezels, in the Nadana Sabban of the Jewel District. Last I saw, the sign was still on the old shop." She explains what you need to know to find the place. On foot, it is about a mile through the city's streets.
______
After the sun goes down, the night sky is lit by the plumes from continual large fires in the city. Prowling the port streets, you spot two humans moving through the street, carrying candles. One male, one female, both in teenage years and looking in better condition than those in the warehouse, they keep quiet and keep an eye out for demons. You spot what they look out for, hiding atop walls and buildings, but keeping out of the street. They watch the two, and let them pass. You are able to evade detection from demon and human alike if you wish.
Before going out
I recognize the need for a recon mission tonight, but let's be very careful. My resources are, limited. Let's try to avoid too much confrontation.
Just before waling out with the other sneaky types, Belsiard casts Invisibility on himself and extends it with his MetaMagic Rod.
The people are grateful for your appearance and try to answer as best they can. Roseras provides the most coherent answers. "As you know, Calimport has been overrun by demons. The invasion was led by twelve powerful demons following Sifkesh. Sifkesh left shortly after the invasion, after creating the Red Sun. Some have fallen since then, just as the people have been devoured, turned, killed..." She looses composure for a few minutes. She has teetered over the edge of madness long ago, but still battles for lucidity. It takes some comforting and assurance that you're save from divination to get more out of her. Still, compared to the others, she is the closest to her sanity.
"There were six powerful demons that held claim to the city this morning. They watch over the humans that remain, seeing that they don't perish overnight so that they might relish it for as long as they remain. Each surely hopes another will bother themselves to be rid of you. You just defeated the Vrock King, so only three remain.
The strongest of them is Yadennsial, a vavakia. He is the only demon who was here when the city was invaded and still claims it. They say he was the first warlord for Sifkesh, and now wages the Blood War with the devils. You can see some of his own work outside. He claims to be a Nascent Demon Lord now, too. Fortunately, only his minions are here right now, but even they are powerful.
Another is a nalfeshnee. He keeps watch over the lesser demons, keeping the city as Sifkesh had bid him to do. They call him The Hope Reaper. I'm afraid I don't know much about him.
The last is a trio of seraptis known as the Dolorious Sisters. They do Sifkesh's work, driving us to suicide. It seems as if we are kept alive for their pleasure.
What is causing the Red Sun? I heard it was being kept by a blood cauldron. Ah! How could I forget!" She exclaims suddenly, with energy that surpasses her madness. "I was to tell you of a cauldron of...
Before we go, I take the information the woman gave us into consideration. "I am for going to look for that resurrect cauldron first. We will likely need that to fall back on in case of trouble, especially if we go look for this blood cauldron right afterwards."
BEFORE WE LEAVE
Barid we probably want to go get that as a team. Though perhaps while I find places to unload our gear and pick up everyone's shopping list of things, you and Bariel might be able to scout the place out.
Bariel sticks to Barid's plan, and will try to steal things we come across if they seem useful and portable.
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[dice=perception]1d20+25
[dice=stealth]1d20+43Bariel sticks to Barid's plan, and will try to steal things we come across if they seem useful and portable.
BEFORE WE LEAVE
Barid we probably want to go get that as a team. Though perhaps while I find places to unload our gear and pick up everyone's shopping list of things, you and Bariel might be able to scout the place out.
"I have coin and gems that I can contribute to that shopping list. How much do you need?"
Xiakon continued to write in his book. He notes the deeds taken in the defeat of the demons they have faced, as well as the Enemies they soon will face. he looks up and adjusts the glasses on his currently non-beaked from as he adds.
" A little research and reconnaissance, on our enemies is a great idea why you are out, Also any books we find, as well as art can hold clues. Even graffiti can hold potential clues to our enemies, resistance movements and what not" he says looking around as he smiles.
" Oh and could some one be a dear and make us some tea, I would love a bit of tea before we venture forth, Tea is great for the senses, and tend to focus your mind and thoughts" he says as he than goes back to his journal and makes a note. Must devise a pouch or tea kettle of endless tea, I do function better with a days worth of tea
Moving unseen through the streets, you poke your head in likely places for humans to be hiding. Through sheer luck, you find a place close enough called Maridah and enter. The decor is modestly pleasant if old and looking thrown together, and the mess crowds walking space. Like a packrat. A man calls to you, despite your caution and invisibility.
"You can lift your veil now, visitor. I am Bihjan yn Feroz el Tuladim, sultan of what's left to claim in the dock ward. Are you here to contest that?"
It is a middle aged man with long, dark brown hair. He looks in good health, though only in body. His stature slouches, eyes you with undue suspicion, and holds a long jeweled dagger.
___
The jewel district has gems occasionally dotting the street, but upon inspecting them, you notice a malevolent glow dimly surrounding them. Finding the Four Bezels takes almost an hour- you spot more and more demons the further from the docks you go. They are not worth your time (yet). The Four Bezels is guarded by a single large humanoid-like big muscled and stocky demon, with dark grey hard skin and a very noticeable, unpleasant smell. It looks dim-witted, with spread apart eyes that wander and a hanging open, small toothy mouth. At least, it stands near the entrance. You might be able to find another way in, if you look...
___
Roseras spends a few minutes after sunset to meditate- mumbling and groaning while doing so. The facility having been vastly improved, many of the people look to those who remain with some kind of expectation. Whispers of food come from them. Others whisper of your strength and power. Left to their own devices, however, they drag in the corpse of a scorpion demon and a vrock, trying in vain to butcher them for meat. Roseras watches at first, but then joins them on the effort.
Well me Bihjan. Belsiard dismisses his spell.
I have no desire to take what is yours. We have come to free this city, perhaps we can help each other. We have already slain the Vrock king, and now I am seeking a place to sell and make some purchases. Shall we be friends? Or something else?
"Slain the vrock king...?" He comes toward you, laying the dagger aside. He embraces you. "Clearly you are a savior and no device of demons. You wish to sell things? I can offer exchange worthy of Calimport's memory. As sultan, it is all I can do. Please, show me what you wish to trade and what for."
He listens to your requests, standing close to you. He turns then to find some wands. "If anyone could use these, surely it would be your likes. Some think them broken, but I know better. The magic works, it just requires great skill to use in these times. Ten wands of cure light wounds, each unused, and four more with one-hundred forty nine between them. And three lesser restoration wands, unused. What else did you want-?"
Belsiard relates the purchase list. He personally buys one lesser restoration wand and 3 CLW wands. Then everything others want
We have begun to build out a stronghold on the docks. Can you and your people join us? As soon as this city is free it will need leaders again. We could particularly use food for some refugees who are there now. I of course have coin.
while poking around for another entrance. I will provide another stealth roll if necessary, and my stealth applies vs blindsight and tremorsense as well.
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I am sorry, I am not a divine caster, and I have no food myself. I can provide you with water. Hopefully, my companions will be able to bring something back. Reaching into her haversack, she pulls out a bottle, and finding a bin she un-stoppers it, allowing a gusher of water to pour forth, first rinsing out the bin, then filling it with cool, clean water.
The flesh of those creatures may corrupt you just by eating it, please don't be patient, you have survived this far.
Xiakon stays quiet. he comes from a people who tend to eat carrion. he knows what they face in eating the bodies of such fowl creatures but he can't bring him self to stop them. He just sits and looks through his pouch.
___
The jewel district has gems occasionally dotting the street, but upon inspecting them, you notice a malevolent glow dimly surrounding them. Finding the Four Bezels takes almost an hour- you spot more and more demons the further from the docks you go. They are not worth your time (yet). The Four Bezels is guarded by a single large humanoid-like big muscled and stocky demon, with dark grey hard skin and a very noticeable, unpleasant smell. It looks dim-witted, with spread apart eyes that wander and a hanging open, small toothy mouth. At least, it stands near the entrance. You might be able to find another way in, if you look...
___
I'm looking for a way in as well, and will get Bariel's attention if I do so. Something on the roof, perhaps?
Belsiard relates the purchase list. He personally buys one lesser restoration wand and 3 CLW wands. Then everything others want
Bel askes his new compatriot if there is access to breathe of life, things to in part greater invis, perhaps a ring of invisibility, and the celestial armor
The people heed Ynaeve's warning. Drinking what they can, some of them seem to take hope. You overhear them whispering that should they be too optimistic, they might attract the ire of the Hope Reaper or a Dolorous Sister.
____
The sultan is willing to sell up to 4 scrolls of breath of life, a carpet of flying I and II, a staff of stealth, four elixirs of hiding, four potions of invisibility, a scroll of invisibility, and a scroll of greater invisibility. He believes you might be interested in a +3 cooling skyrider mithril chainmail if you get a magic carpet, as it has the added ability to weightlessly contain a magic carpet that will unfurl itself on command as normal. Lastly, he offers a sack of food of dubious origin. He says that there had once been celestial armor at his father's disposal, but the Hope Reaper took it from him, along with many other items.
"It would be best if we hide as we are. The Dolorous Sisters have made arrangements for the people to be fed, though I doubt they'll count you or whoever you have under your cloud. Do not worry for me, my friend! Once you deal with the greater demons, then we can move freely, if mindful of the red sun."
____
You find a well-hidden trapdoor on the rooftop and slip in unnoticed. There is no light inside, but Bariel finds his way around with his goggles. Several bowls of gems lay on tables in this hidden room, though its hard to tell their value without light. A second trapdoor leads down to a wide room in which you spot a prominently displayed golden cauldron, directly beneath the trapdoor. Four magical blue flames in small braziers surround it granting dim illumination, and you see no creatures. There is one double doorway otherwise shut that leads into the room. The structure is made primarily of stone.
as far as i can recall, we were told how to get to the Four Bezels, but were we told what do do with what we found inside?
Also Bariel will put those gems in his bag of holding for later inspection.
After that, he will wait a few moments for his partner to catch up to the dimly lit room.
Thank you for the help. Belsiard purchases 2 BoL scrolls forhimself and whatever the others say they want from that.
Hold onto these items, and if you come across more let us know. We plan to take care of the Sun. Who is this Hope Reaper?
** spoiler omitted **
Just in case...
Also, I wish to use my augury spell to determine if we can get the caludron out of here without a hitch. I cast at 15th level, and I am adding the bracer's bonus to the roll. What do I gather?
Attempting to determine the gem's value without light proves fruitless. Observing the cauldron, you contemplate the action through augury. Getting the cauldron out will yield neither a particularly good nor bad result.
Watching the cauldron, nothing happens. The blue flames continue flickering without a sound.
_____
Bihjan gulps at the continued thought of the Hope Reaper. "He is a pig-like demon, large, powerful, as malevolent as they come. His mission, to see to the Demon Lord's wishes fulfilled. It is her wish that we of Calimport loose all hope. To fall to despair and misery. To kill ourselves. To not have attacked you surely means he does not yet know you are here, or is waiting with an ambush. If he does not know, he soon will... he always finds what he's looking for."
He checks the door, as though expecting to find the demon there. "He learns of everything. If anyone knew of the Red Sun's source, it would be him. I do not know how to find him."
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
Turning to Bariel, his voice just a whisper, Barid says, "Alright, how do you reckon we get this out of here, or even if we can? I have some rope and a couple of grappling hooks. I am worried about the flames though."
Looking for signs of traps, either on the cauldron, or around it...Good lord, what is with the low rolls!
I'll do another trapfind if, or when we reach the ground floor.
In a whispered reply, Bariel states "Do we even want to? I have no way to get it out of here currently, and it could prove more trouble than it's worth. We could go with that door over there, instead."
(assuming that cauldron is the size of a regular cauldron, which i believe would fill most of a 5ft square)
Close. It is big enough to fit into.
And you see no traps or creatures. (secretly rolled earlier)
I suppose we have another target. Are there others like you? Former leaders who might come back to join us in the future?
In a whispered reply, Bariel states "Do we even want to? I have no way to get it out of here currently, and it could prove more trouble than it's worth. We could go with that door over there, instead."
"Good point." Barid mulls it over for a moment, rubbing his chin in the process. "Let's head back then and let the others know that we at least found it."
Bihjan frowns. "There are other sultans, some self-proclaimed. There are seventeen wards, and nine sultans. If they still live. Some side with devils. I am the son of Batras yn Faruk el Tuladim, the last sultan of the dock ward. The others will surely join you when they see the truth of who you are, secretly working with devils or not. Calimport will fix these affairs one way or another, when it can. Your grace will make it possible."
_____
Barid and Bariel return, avoiding others on the way. Once at the warehouse, you're able to determine the value of the gems. They total 31,200 gp worth, all in diamonds. The people watch silently, only a few looking interested in the diamonds at all.
Any food? These people are starving, they were about to start eating the flesh of those creatures.
Taking a look over their shoudler, nice haul, near the cauldron?...
Ynaeve ponders for a couple of minutes, something about diamonds...
Keep strong. We will help you all. I will try to touch base with you whenever I can. Give hope to your followers, let them know this symbol is now one of hope.
He sketches out a symbol that is a combination of the holy symbols of all the Gods represented (we can include Drizzt's as well, and say that Finder showed him the symbol).
Have them place on safe places, as we bring in food and supplies we will hide them for people, but this will be the mark. Thank you.
Belsiard uses his last extend on Invisibility and makes his way back with all the gear, after Bihjan replies.
Upon returning Bel tells all he learned to everyone, as well as he decision about the symbol of hope.
The sultan Bihjan gives you another hug. "I will do as you ask. When next we meet, the people of Calimport will reward you. Please, it is for you, as it has done us no aid in surviving these years." He allows you to go without any further meddling.
The night cools fast, making a steady breeze rushing to the southern ocean. It causes the chained devils to sway, and the undying one watching the warehouse cackles occasionally.
When Bel returns to the warehouse he dismisses his spell and smiles at the Cauldron of Gems.
What is this? There is lots to tell all...
Belsiard tells them all everything that he learned from his new friend. He also makes sure everyone is familiar with the symbol of hope.
Then he passes out the items he purchased.
Then he looks to the others. I must rest. What is our plan? The Sun or the Hope Reaper? Or is that the cauldron?
Bel plucks out a tune on his harp absently as he listens to what everyone else has been up to.
Barid can't help but notice the lack of interest from the refugees, concerning the diamonds. Do they know something I don't know about this stuff? Barid wonders. He picks up one of the diamonds and examines it more closely.
Could be something within the diamond...
Barid we will want to hold onto those. They will be necessary should one of us fall in combat.
Gentlemen I must rest, I have spent far too much of my magic. I will volunteer for the last watch.
Bariel has no problem turning his over. After all, Mr. Nice guy had gone shopping so letting him hold on to these makes sense anyway, in case we need to fence them.
Barid does not have a problem either, Bariel's reasoning is logical and to be honest, where is he going to spend the money? Not around here (for the most part), that's for sure.
"I can take second watch."
Roseras bothers Barid during his watch. She's remarkably level-headed at the moment, speaking in the tone a normal person would. The other people do not get to sleep, but some do get a little nap.
"They're not going to find you tonight. But I had thought you'd make use of the night, to avoid the sun, like the rest of us. What will you do in the coming days? I foresaw your arrival, and that you would defeat the demons- but is that all? Some thought you to be our saviors in all ways."
One of the people interject. "They will deliver us from hell."
Roseras looks apologetically to Barid. "Pay them no further mind. When we are free from the demons, we will rebuild."