Adir touches the Provost lightly on the shoulder. "You are well then, sir?" After his affirmation, he will kneel and touch the bouncer. "May the Lady guide his soul to a better life and better choices next time."
He stands and again addresses the Provost, "We can continue off the main road if you prefer, but it will take longer. If we stay on the road, we will still reach Starilaskar in plenty of time." He sniffs at the air for a moment. "I do not anticipate more trouble for the moment."
Bonal smiles at the shifter. "The road shall work. Fine job Adir." He pats his shoulder. " That is a lovely staff. Family heirloom?"
Servitor, not wanting to take any chances slams the unconscious bandit on the ground again.
The swing is a lot sloppier this time, but still enough to hit an unconscious man on the floor. Bustling up with blood and gore dripping from the hammer and the warforged itself, Servitor exclaims, "Provost Bonal! Are you still well? Do you need to see a... a... doctor?" Then realizing that he was in charge of defending more than just the scholar asks, "And the journal, is it safe?"
Servitor lifts his sledge and brings it down on the unconscious bandit's skull. Once again, he causes the head to explode into an unrecognizable pile of shattered bone and flesh (cue the watermelon video from earlier).
The Provost responds to Servitor, "Ah yes Servitor. It is stored safely away." Bonal gives a puzzled look. How does he know about the journal? He returns his attention to the warforged bodyguard. You are rather handy with that Sledge. Thank you for performing you duty with excellence!
Sometimes the unexpected is best. With his father's words in his mind, Tierney turns his attention to the Captain and swings his sword at that of Captain in hope of entwining it and taking from the man.
Disarm maneuver (provokes AoO, I know)
Attack
"Control yourself! he yells to the Captain as he attempts to take his sword from the cuckolded man.
Was she really worth this? he idly wonders
Servitor nods quickly and obviously begins taking measures to calm itself. "Good! ...Good. When they were making the modifications to my chest and my arm for the warbow, they were speaking about a journal. I do not remember the details, but clearly I was supposed to be protecting this as well as yourself." Servitor offers an explanation, given that the Provost seems confused.
Adir clenches the staff tightly. Addressing the Provost, he says in a quiet voice, "Yes, it was my father's."
Looking up, he says to the group, "Is anyone hurt, or not ready to continue?"
Disarm maneuver (provokes AoO, I know)
Attack 1d20+4
Tierney's risk pays off. The ship members who surround the tielfling heed the first mate's voice and skip their chances to attack him as he deftly disarms the captain. The captain has a look of sheer terror as the longsword he is wielding falls harmlessly to the ground. Before he is able to lean over and pick it up, the first mate moves in to the tackle the Captain. He misses.
The other two ship mates flank Uriah. The one to the North West yells, Drop your weapon Uriah before you do something you will regret!
The Captain raises his hands as if to surrender.
The First Mate is breathing heavily from his sprint across the deck. He addresses the captain. Your attack be an act of treason Cap. Article Five of the International Law governing behavior on airships demands I place you under protection. As of this moment, you no longer be acting Captain on this ship.
He turns to Uriah. You were clearly defending yourself. You are dismissed from your duties until we arrive in Sharn. I would watch my actions until then if I were you.
Lastly, he addresses Morrgana. "You are no longer welcome on this vessel. You will be escorted off at the next port. You have continuosly caused trouble for us.
Initiative:
Captain<<<
Tierney<<
Uriah<<
Ship Members<<
All right, All right. Uriah says as he holds his hands up. As the Captain passes by he mutters This isn't over
1)2)
1)
2)
"Ah...I see." The professor says responding to his bodyguard. He pulls a journal out from the inside of his coat. See..it is safe.
He replaces the journal and then looks over Adir's staff. May I look it over? He reaches for the staff.
Bonal is hiding something, but he doesn't seem to be acting against the group.
Adir reflexively jerks the staff out of reach. He looks a little extra feral. He snaps, "No. Mine." He gathers himself for a moment and more calmly says, "It was entrusted to me recently and I am not ready to part with it, even momentarily."
With his attention so focused on the Provost, he just picks up on something that makes the hairs on his neck stand up. Why did I react so strongly to his request? Instinct tells me to be wary.
With closer inspection, you find a note hidden in an inside pocket of the bartender. It reads:
Hit the group before they leave New Cyre. Keep the scholar alive if at all possible. If you find a journal, bring it to me in Starilaskar.I will be arriving on The Beginner's Luck.
For the Queen!
~Tels
Adir reflexively jerks the staff out of reach. He looks a little extra feral. He snaps, "No. Mine." He gathers himself for a moment and more calmly says, "It was entrusted to me recently and I am not ready to part with it, even momentarily."
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+1
With his attention so focused on the Provost, he just picks up on something that makes the hairs on his neck stand up. Why did I react so strongly to his request? Instinct tells me to be wary.
Bonal takes his hands away. Pardon my actions. I understand your apprehension. I too know what it is like to own a heirloom. My thirst for arcane knowledge clouded my mind.
Servitor visibly calms at the sight of the journal. "Forgive me if I have been overly reckless, I have not fought you fleshbound before. It startled me how easily you break. I will maintain my composure better in the future." At Adir's snip, the warforged moves quickly, and bodily puts himself partially between Adir and the Provost, but calms with the others as well. "I am ready to continue at your earliest convenience, Adir Bloodmoon."
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"It is of no moment. I appreciate your respect."
Apparently, Adir's outburst heightened his senses to the point that he catches the faintest detail of the corner of a note sticking out of the pocket of the bartender. Kneeling down, he takes it out and unfolds it. After reading it, he whistles in that "Oh, damn" kind of way.
He stands and hands the note to the Provost. "Are you certain that you wish to stick to the roads? This was not a random encounter. We will make better time which may be beneficial, but we will be more vulnerable. Client's choice."
He stands and hands the note to the Provost. "Are you certain that you wish to stick to the roads? This was not a random encounter. We will make better time which may be beneficial, but we will be more vulnerable. Client's choice."
Bonal takes the note and reads it. "Hmm...It looks like there are higher forces involved. You may be right Adir...let's find another way." He hands the note to Servitor.
Adir and Ghost do a fine job of leading the group the round about way through the forrest. You arrive in Starilaskar well before the airship docks. You have a few hours to buy and sell before boarding the vessel.
In town, Bonal pulls Servitor over to the side.
Tierney sheaths his sword and removes his left glove which he then places in his pocket. This dispels the darkness that had existed a moment ago. He steps back to clear a path for the ship's officers to escort the Captain away from deck and he avoids meeting his gaze or that of Morganna.
Anyone who looks closely at Tierney's bare hand will notice that his fingers lack nails.
"Are you all right?" he asks Uriah.
Servitor nods slowly, "Understood, do I need to bring anything to her?"
Servitor nods slowly, "Understood, do I need to bring anything to her?"
After a long pause, Tierney turns toward Uriah and asks "Does this mean you will possibly face some sort of charges, like a courts-martial? I will gladly bear witness on your behalf if that is the case. You were only defending yourself."
Could that invitation that Tels gave me be any worse than this situation?
The miner stares at the Provost silently for several moments before awkwardly (and gently to a ridiculous extent) pats the scholar on the back in turn. "Thank you, Provost Bonal. I will meet Lady Elaydren d'Cannith with certainty."
Responding to the languagally challenged tiefling Uriah says Yeah, he just nicked me a little. Nothing a few days rest in a Pleasure Palace of Sharn won't cure heh.
As Morrgana is escorted off the ship Uriah says That's a shame, she was fun.
The Beginner's Luck arrives in Starilaskar. Morrgana is led off of the ship by the two shipmates from earlier. She gives Uriah a sad look as she heads across the bridge to the DOCKING PLATFORM. After a moment, she is gone. The new Captain announces your arrival and gives everyone, except the former Captain, clearance to take a short trip to town. We will be departing at sixteen hundred hours! Don't be late! Tierney sees Tels exit the ship with the other passengers.
Staring down at "his share" Servitor seems baffled at what to do with it. "Provost Bonal," it starts again like a broken record, "I am not certain what I should do with the funds given to me, may I ask you to help me?"
Staring down at "his share" Servitor seems baffled at what to do with it. "Provost Bonal," it starts again like a broken record, "I am not certain what I should do with the funds given to me, may I ask you to help me?"
"Hmm...I guess you don't have much need for sustenance like the rest of us do you?" He rubs his chin while he thinks. "If you continue with me on my mission in Sharn, some form of alchemist fire would be good." He pauses then continues with a chuckle. "Though you may want to be careful with that on the Airship. Besides that, I'm not sure. You may want to ask you companions."
Gentlemen, it seems we make a worthwhile team. I would suggest that we each take one of the potions. Even if we have other means to heal ourselves, there may be times when we must heal an unconscious companion and we certainly won't be in a position to search them to locate their healing items.
As for other purchases, your employer is wise to suggest alchemical alternatives to your rather effective primary weaponry. With the right components and assuming that we have some periods of peace and stability as we travel, I can brew both mundane alchemical items as well as magical potions for far less than they could be bought for normally. Though I believe I will preserve my funds for the future. The tools I am working with now are adequate but not exemplary. At this rate,I should be able to rectify that situation quite soon.
A few hours are spent in town mingling with the locals, tasting local brews, and shopping in the trade district. The airship's horn sounds at 3:30 alerting the passengers and crew it is time to board. You each leave your afternoon activities and board The Beginner's Luck.
The first few hours are spent settling into your new accomodations. Being the last leg of the tour for the sailors of the Luck, a social is held on the deck of the ship after sundown. For many of you, it is your first trip on such an AMAZING VESSEL.
The evening is lovely. With the full moon and the magical laterns arranged strategically, the deck is well lit. A bard plays a lively tune on his flute and the sailors sing along on the front steps. You all gather around to enjoy the tunes. Kegs of brew are flowing and fine Karrnathian wine corks litter the deck's surface.
As you mingle with the crowd, multiple passengers and sailors dance to the fancy tunes. A lively Provost Bonal takes a break from his usual stoic nature and partakes of spirits. He begins dancing and singing along. Passengers walk around introducing themselves and sharing stories. The first mate asks the charasmatic Uriah Lewis to help with the introductions. Adir bumps into Tierney and is intrigued with his appearance (Tiefling). Uriah speaks to Servitor and Jarot.
1- Swan Boat Token
2- Potion of Feather Step
3- Kit that contains one of each weapon blanch (adamantine, cold iron, ghost salt, and silver)
4- One set of Masterwork Artisan's Tools (your choice)
5- Potion of Spider Climb (20 minutes)
6- 100 gold
7- Wand of CLW (8 charges)
8- One Free Reroll (Saving Throw)
9- One Free Reroll (Attack)
10- Roll Two More Times and Pick the Better of the Two
Before the others board the Beginner's Luck
Uriah
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In the small bunk, Adir sets down his pack and stretches out some of his muscle kinks as Ghost hops up on the bed and watches him with her head between her paws. He takes off the hide shirt that he has been wearing and sniffs it, recoiling at the pungent smell. Ghost lifts up her head, tongue hanging out as if laughing at him. He pulls out a sleeveless tunic and his toiletries from his bag. He heads out the door towards the public washroom that the porter indicated, armed with soap in one hand, and a pungent shirt in the other.
After settling in, and hiding his staff between the mattress and the wall, Adir and Ghost begin to explore the ship, learning the layout and how to get around. Neither has been on or even near anything like this. Even from a distance, one can see that Adir is speaking animatedly to the wolf as if engaged in conversation. For those who pass nearby, he is excitedly speaking of wonders that he has seen and one might hear words like airship and metal man.
As the sun goes down, the pair arrive on the deck to see the final preparations being made for the homecoming party. They meander their way to the railing at the bow of the ship to watch the moon rise. "We're so close to Her, it's as if we could reach out and touch Her. Not that we would, of course, but we could...," his voice trailing off.
About an hour into the festivities, a peculiar sound can be heard in the background. For perhaps the first time on an airship, the baying of wolves is barely audible. For those who stop to listen, it is primal and stirring, and most surprisingly of all, joyful.
Shortly thereafter, Adir joins the party. While he politely declines any alcoholic beverages, muttering something about "mischievous spirits", he does engage in the dancing. While he is not experienced, his enthusiasm seems to make up for his lack of technical prowess.
After one particularly zealous spin, he stumbles slightly and bumps into a man of average height, and chalky, white skin. "Apologies, friend, please forgive me," he says jovially, holding out his large hand. Clearly, he is not put off in the slightest by your unusual appearance. In front of you stands a large man with shaggy white hair, tall, but lean, pale blue eyes, and a friendly grin on his face.
"Oh, ah, no worries." Tierney replies. The magus is quiet for an awkward moment before he realizes that he should shake hands with the stranger and does just that. "Are you going to Sharn?" he asks.
Before Adir can reply, he notices that Tierney's eyes caught sight of Ghost and he visibly stiffens, although he clumsily attempts to conceal that fact.
"Oh, ah, no worries." Tierney replies. The magus is quiet for an awkward moment before he realizes that he should shake hands with the stranger and does just that. "Are you going to Sharn?" he asks.
Before Adir can reply, he notices that Tierney's eyes caught sight of Ghost and he visibly stiffens, although he clumsily attempts to conceal that fact.
Adir's handshake is firm, but not aggressive. His eyes dart to the side to see what has caught the man's attention. He is not certain what to make of the reaction to the sight of the she-wolf. Trying to keep the mood light, he responds in a friendly banter kind of tone, "I think we're all going to Sharn. Not much choice about it now." He leans in a bit and in an attempt to be reassuring, he says quietly, "She won't hurt anyone. We're getting accustomed to being around people. Oh, I am Adir, Adir Bloodmoon, by the way."
Responding to the tiefling Uriah says No, can't say that I have. But then again, I spent more time looking at Morrgana's rump than at passenger's faces. Uriah grins.
Always ebullient, Uriah agrees to introduce himself to the warforged and his charges.
The name is Lewis, Uriah Lewis. Uriah doffs his cap and bows.
"I'm Tierney."
"Does the Silver Flame try to kill wolves if they find them near their churches? It seems like something they would do."
Tierney's speech is clear and coherent, even if his delivery and ability to follow a subject of conversation are not. At times, he strikes listeners as somewhat disjointed.
"I'm Tierney."
"Does the Silver Flame try to kill wolves if they find them near their churches? It seems like something they would do."
Adir jerks his hand back as if scalded. His tone, in contrast, is icy. "I can not speak to their policies, only to their atrocities."
It takes Tierney a moment to catch on Adir's reaction. "Sorry. I just thought it might be dangerous to get to close to where they are in large numbers. I don't know much about them, personally."
"What are you going to do in Sharn?"
It takes Tierney a moment to catch on Adir's reaction. "Sorry. I just thought it might be dangerous to get to close to where they are in large numbers. I don't know much about them, personally."
"What are you going to do in Sharn?"
Tierney's response assures Adir that the question was not meant as a dig. "Are there many in Sharn? I'm just working as a guide. I would not want to put her in undue danger."
"They are present, but mostly in established areas. Sometimes they take over new buildings, but that is mostly in the parts of the city that are still damaged. When prior owners are no longer around, or want to sell, then they often buy the properties. That is where you can run into them unexpectedly" Tierney seems much more focused and normal now that he is discussing a serious matter.
"There was a Silver Flame priest in New Cyre years ago who should have been in shackles for some of the things he did. I heard that the only shifters who lived there did so because they had enough gold to buy his inattention. His underlings were very keen on dogs but seemed to hate anything else with fur." This last bit is spoken with a sneer and Tierney's gaze is unfocused in a way that suggests he is remembering something unpleasant.
In an instant, his demeanor changes and he continues on another subject. "Did you know that the captain of this ship was relieved of his command? I saw it happen.
In an instant, his demeanor changes and he continues on another subject. "Did you know that the captain of this ship was relieved of his command? I saw it happen.
"Uh, no, I haven't really spoken with the crew. Something happened, I take it? Oh, and why are you traveling to Sharn, if we may ask?"
"The Captain drew his sword at a crewman without provocation and the others...'arrested' him I think would be the term. It was justified that they did so."
"I need to find steady work and Sharn has more jobs than most places. I want to write about the Day of Mourning. The university probably has lots of information about it and maybe even some who are well-versed in it. I need to learn how to research things first, though" he adds with a note of doubt in his voice.
"I need to find steady work and Sharn has more jobs than most places. I want to write about the Day of Mourning. The university probably has lots of information about it and maybe even some who are well-versed in it. I need to learn how to research things first, though" he adds with a note of doubt in his voice.
"What is the Day of Mourning? And why do you need to research it?"
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Adir's question takes Tierney aback, his jaw drops for a moment and the shifter spots what looks like a second set of teeth in Tierney's mouth. After a few false starts, Tierney manages to reply.
"The destruction of Cyre, four years ago" he says clearly but somewhat slowly, as if in disbelief that someone would not know of it. "It is now a land of the dead, nothing survives there. No one knows what caused it or is certain of the form that the destruction took."
"The Mournland?" he asks as a prompt. "It is what ultimately brought the War to and end."
How could he not know?
While Adir recognizes Tierney's surprise at his ignorance, his curiosity and wish to learn new things causes him to forge ahead. His eagerness is obvious, and he fires off questions quickly. "When you say land of the dead... do you mean undead like in stories? How can no one know what happened? Can people not go there now? How did it end the war? What war was it?" It is clear that the young man is not worldly.
As Adir asks these questions of you, Ghost walks up and sits next to him. He absent-mindedly begins rubbing her head.