GM Kate's Ruins of Azlant (closed) (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

"Do we have any reason to think this aboleth is an immediate threat? Maybe we should go explore some of the other places around the island. We might find some things to help us."

"There are the two settlers who were likely dominated by an aboleth. And a host of other missing colonists. That seems immediate to me." Joli turns to the naga with a grave look.

"My own people are also lovers of peace, with many foes who mistake us for weak. At times we have been too slow to defend our lands, only to have other forces drive us out. Between you, our people, the locathah, and other goodly neighbors, I believe we can keep that from happening to you. To all of us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Vriskirsa perks up at Purpose's mention of knowledge, but shrinks back down at Joli's admonitions.

"It is too powerful. It is better to hide. Lay low. Escape its notice. But..." she looks around. "You may have one more of my treasures, if you insist on fighting it."

Silt grins at Cedar. I learn from Joli, and talk pretty as potato. Locathahs help.

He looks at Vriskirsa. In…sist? No, but we will not stop until we crush aboleth skull. No more worms.

Where would you like to go from here?

The locathahs next? Also, could we get another description of her treasures? I’m having a hard time finding it.

Purpose examines the collection. She has quite an assortment of curiosities. These include a statuette of what appears to be an Azlanti noble marked with the words “High Governor of Thespera,” a silver holy symbol of Amaznen, and several pieces of carved masonry and bas-reliefs depicting cavalry soldiers in a charge against serpent folk. There are also a clear spindle ioun stone, a pearl dolphin figurine of wondrous power, a +1 ring of protection, and a sea foam shawl fashioned from a fine Mithral chain mesh.

That was the full list; I'll have to check which items you took last time. You could also take back the proto-Wayfinder.

I think the proto-Wayfinder may be of interest as we adventure onward... I think we took the dolphin, and perhaps we could use that to get a message to the locathah rather than go there just now? Let's explore more...?

Yep, we took a ring of protection +1 and the dolphin figurine. The protofinder has what amounts to extreme sentimental value to Purpose Creche, so that's my vote!

I say let's go talk to the locathah, maybe spend the night there to strengthen diplomatic ties/eat potatoes, then head off to another exploration point: the crystal monument and sunken laboratory are closest, and Purpose Creche is most interested in the lab.

That sounds good to me.

Cedar is down with getting to know more of Silt’s kind!

You make your way back to the western edge of the island. The locathah hunting camp is still there, and Koloshkora greets you.

"Hail, there. How did you fare?"

Joli leaps happily into the locathah camp, ready to tell all. He remembers himself first, turning to Silt in deference.

Really busy yesterday!

Koloshkora, we killed most of the skark-folk and the rest left; Vriskirsa has her reef. It is nice again.

He pauses. For a while. The sea hag works for an old evil thing, called an abb-leth.

Koloshkora grins at the news that the sahuagin are defeated. "Wonderful! We can start up trade with your colony right away. How many potato farms have you set up?"

She exchanges a look with the other locathahs at the mention of the aboleth. "Yes, we know of Onthooth. It controls much of the nearby ocean. Helekhterie has this island, and the sahuagin say that the aboleth fears her power and so leaves the island alone. It seems to me that the aboleth is more powerful, but perhaps it doesn't like to start fights without knowing it will win. It is true that Onthooth leaves this island alone."

”If they keep each other in check then let’s not mess with them. At least not until we have to. Besides, there’s so much left to explore!”

Karl and I have a potato patch, free of rass-berries and goblins. I am sure Karl would like more friends to frolic in the tubers with.

"Helekhterie 'has' this island. All of Ancorato is her territory, is that correct? She may represent imminent danger if so."
Purpose Creche freezes in place for a moment. "Ah. In case of danger." One thin hand darts into his pack and returns with a small, vaguely triangular carving—a miniature bust of the wyrwood. "With focus I can see through this carving. My range is limited. But if you are in trouble, and I am nearby, it will help us aid more swiftly. Do you have a signal in case such an occasion arises?

Koloshkora accepts the carving. She turns her head thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. I have some magic, but nothing to signal with."

"We have a friend who might help. Alba Divenvaar. I'm sure she can make flares."

"We also have this nice little figurine!"[b/] Joli rummages through whosever bag contains the dolphin figurine. [b]"We don't really need it, but perhaps you could keep an eye out and use it if you see something."

He hops up onto Toby's back in his overly familiar, huggy fashion. "I agree with Toby — let's not remove one monster without being ready to handle the next. Koloshkora, who else do you think may be an ally in defending the island against Onthooth should we depose Helekhterie?"

"Well, there are some strix who live on that island just to the west of here, but they're a bunch of jerks. I don't think they'll help you." Koloshkora's eyes narrow.

”How long has the island been Helkhterie’s? Could she have known about the tower and the prisoner?”

"She's been here a long time. Decades." Koloshkora holds up the carving of Purpose and visually compares it to the wyrwood. "This is an okay likeness, but we could probably make it better. Does that help?"

Thank you, Koloshkora. Please visit us soon!

Purpose Creche inclines his head. "Certainly."

Ready to check in with Talmandor's Bounty before checking out the lab! (or monument, if we want to confront jerks)

I think the lab sounds more intriguing.

You head back to Talmandor's Bounty, and many folks are eager to talk with you: especially Ramona, Carver, and the priests.

I think Ramona's a good place to start. We should tell her about what we've found so far, and especially about the threats we've discovered.

Agreed!

Ramona happily ushers you into her office. "How has your exploration been so far? What have you discovered?"

"These islands are just jam-packed with interesting creatures! We met a watery snake lady with a neat collection of stuff, and we helped her get her home back from some mean fish people. Then we went and talked to some different, nice fish people (kinda like Silt) and talked to them for a while. And we heard about this other hag lady, and she's connected to the mean fish people, except for the one that had the giant shark, but she's also fighting with this even weirder, meaner thing that might be even worse."

Joli tries to keep up with Toby's stream of consciousness and smiles. "You should be a bard, Toby! You've such a talent for tales!"

"The weirder thing's an aboleth. Maybe the one that possessed Eliza and Raymond. We're told it controls much of the surrounding waters, but fear of the hag has kept it at bay. Maybe we can find other friends on the island who'll stand against them!"

BTW laboratory is very close on the map. The crystal monument'll be a bit of a swim to a small neighboring island.

"And we will need to increase our potato yield. The others love them as much as Silt."

Cedar leans across Ramona’s desk and looks her in the eyes.

”The island isn’t safe. This hag, Helekhterie is her name, she’s not keeping this aboleth at bay for our protection. She’s doing it for her own. This island is her territory. She lives here, somewhere. It won’t be long before she sees our friendly little village here as a threat too. Maybe she already has. She’s most likely plotting against us already.”

Cedar begins pacing in front of Ramona’s desk, his fingers tugging on his beard.

”And to top it all off, like Joli said, we’ve got an aboleth in the waters somewhere. And no doubt the aboleth is plotting against us, ‘cause that’s what they do. It’s probably been plotting against us before we were born.”

”Now, I’m not saying we should pack up and turn tail. But we need to be prepared and everyone who needs to know needs to know so they can be on their guard. Have there been anymore strange encounters while we were gone? How’s Rayland?”

How long were we gone? I really don’t mind where we go next, but the lab makes the most sense and sounds the most interesting to me.

I didn't keep exact track, but three or four days.

Ramona looks amused as Toby begins his stream-of-consciousness, but then concerned. "This is indeed concerning. We haven't seen any signs of danger here; it's actually been pretty quiet. The only incident of note, well..." She lowers her voice. "A satchel was stolen from here the other night. It had the ship's manifest and resupply schedule as well as a leather purse with 50 gp. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't lock the door. I think I know the likely culprit: Medrinnah Harleau, you know, the daughter of the soldier Sighra Harleeau? Apprenticing with the tailor? She had a history of petty theft in Andoran, but we still admitted her for her mother's sake. Sighra is a damn fine soldier. Anyway, I haven't wanted to make official inquiries because that's bound to put a lot of strain on the colony."

I think you can assume Joli is constantly trying to sense motive to see if folks are acting dominated.

"I understand your caution. Morale is important. I worry though. With an enemy that may control our actions, even seemingly minor wrong doings may be signs of worse. How can we remain vigilant without becoming suspicious of one another? Have the priests remained vigilant for enchanting magic?"

"Well, I think so, but you'd have to talk to them."

How would you like me to handle that? I can either roll every time you talk with someone, or you can always take 10.

Whatever works for you! Take ten would mean he always senses if someone is dominated if he interacts with them a minute or two, I think.

"Let's pay a friendly visit to Medrinnah and Sighra. Hopefully it's nothing!"

"Maybe just Cedar and Joli. All of us going could cause a scene. Silt, Toby, we could pay Karl a visit instead."

Just thinking that if official investigations would be A Thing, then all 5 of the problem solving team would attract lots of attention too.

”Sounds good to me,” Cedar says, rubbing a burn scar on the back of his hand. ”Just don’t let Silt talk you into anything!”

Start with Sighrah first Joli?

I will meet you there.

Silt's scales melt in the afternoon sunlight, the rainbow colors scintillaring into a smaller blob that becomes a small-sized turkey-looking thing with ferocious teeth and a beautiful feathered tail that's as long as his body is again.

WHHHUUAAAARRRRKKKKPHHHH

He sprints off across the farmland, his bright tail cutting through the waves of golden wheat like a mango sharkfin.

I'm so happy the scientific consensus these days is that dinosaurs were feathered; it's so much more fun imagining them.

Cedar and Joli can easily find out the specific cottage where Sighra and Medrinnah live.

Sighra answers. "Oh, hello, I didn't know you were back from exploring the island! What can I do for you?"

"Yeah, me to!" Toby suddenly grows shorter, all four limbs on the ground. His own teeth grow, as does a tail, which likewise cuts a swath through the wheat as he bounds after Silt howling and barking in pursuit!

AAAAWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I keep forgetting I have a 1/day ability to change into a wolf!

At Sighra and Medrinnah’s cottage:

”Singhra, can we speak to you for a moment, privately?” Cedar lowers his voice as he continues. “Some things have gone missing from Ramon’s office and she suspects Medrinnah. Has your daughter suddenly come into extra money or anything like that?”

Purpose Creche strides sedately after his enthusiastic companions.

Sighra's eyes narrow, and she turns to yell at her daughter. "Medrinnah! What did you do? I thought you'd left this nonsense in Andoran; you're not seeing the outside of this cottage until...oh, for Erastil's sake." The angry mother trails off as she hears a thump; Medrinnah has hopped out the window, and is now running off toward the woods! For fun, she is heading in the general direction of Karl.

A cracked sign hangs off a crooked pole, only a portion of the crude lettering visible through the scorched wood:

WELLCO
KARL'

RASS
KEE
OU

Beyond the sign is a sunny glade; in the sunny glade is a well-aerated tuber patch; next to the well-aerated tuber patch is an evil-looking hole.

Silt, in velociraptor form, scratches his sickle-shaped claw three times through the dirt. He feels a tremor belowground.

The raptor runs in a circle, as if ready to play. In the distance, people move in the forest — they seem to be coming to the glade. The little dinosaur cocks his head, listening as the newcomers move closer.

At that moment two things happen concurrently: slavering insectoid jaws lurch out from below the earth, and Silt thinks, That sounds like more than just Toby and Purpose coming this way…

Joli waves at Sighra as Cedar takes a direct approach with Sighra. As he hears the crash, he gives a wide, nervous smile as he launches himself into motion, giving Medrinnah chase with a leap through the window and a rapid progression of hops. "GoodtoseeyouSidrah. MedrinnahWAITwejustwannatalk!"

Joli can keep pace with Medrinnah but not gain on her until she approaches Karl's pen. The sight of the ankheg makes her suddenly stop, and she spins around. "Leave me alone! What are you talking to my mom for? Now I'm in trouble!"