GM Rednal's War of the Burning Sky (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Umbriak considered. "Honestly speaking, I suspect she already knows. We were nae subtle about our arrival." Whoops. "If you nae of a decent inn to grab some grub of an eve, we can speak to here there."

"Aye, 'a few weeks back' really does make this a lot more interesting - plus she seems to have quite some advantage in information."
Turning to Umbriak and Tchakar, Farod continues:"I'm fine with a decent inn - with decent beverages - but I've half a mind to circle back and take the scenic route to our destination, see if anybody else has been on the lookout for us, or our unknown friend assumed, courtesy of her visionary powers, that we would take this street."
A small part of Farod wanted to inquire where the Baker was supposed to leave the note, but then, they would probably have a chance to meet her soon enough, and they had things to do right now without extra diversions that would likely lead to dead-ends.

Tchakar looked back and forth at his companions before offering a short nod. "What they said sounds fine."

After they had moved away, Tchakar spoke more freely, "I don't like this. It feels like we're insects in a spider's web. I didn't even know you that long ago and had no intention of leaving Gate Pass. What if she has been pulling the strings to draw us here. It's not like there were that many options on where to go after I crashed into you. The only safe haven nearby seems like an excellent place to set a trap, but why us? Perhaps..." The tengu continued to ramble on with increasingly exotic speculations.

"A trap would have been easier set along the way, in the swamps, among the refugees, not here...it's true that we did not have many options on where to go after we left the Fire Forest, but even if someone were able to predict our movement, they would first need to know about us. There are a few options, and I'm not sure I like all of them. Remember there was a Devil trying to get us to slaughter the Fey in the Forest? Such a creature could instantly report back to its Mistress, even keep an eye on us from afar and tell her we are coming. Maybe a Ragesian turncoat? Very risky contacting us, otherwise.", Farod mused when they were able to speak among themselves safely again.

*Watches cheerfully from behind the GM screen - likes it when characters talk things over with each other*

"I cannae see it being a trap, true, but it doesnae have to be something good for us. On the other paw, she will nae we are in town sooner rather than later. We made nae secret that we were here, after all, and so if it be a trap or something without our best interest in mind then it might be best to walk in, prepared."

Umbriak shrugged.

"Oh, I concur. We meet the Lady and take it from there. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Half the reasons she could have known about us are fishy, and the fact she doesn't have her lookout direct us towards her, but rather wants to arrange a meeting somewhere, allowing her to know exactly where and when to expect us...lets just say that while I do believe it's not a trap, I don't think she's ready to play with open cards yet, either. So, yeah. We should definitely prepare for that meeting.", Farod replied, still watching their vicinity to make sure they were not being eavesdropped on.

"I don't like it... but I'm not about to run off into the city on my own where I can be plucked out like the last of my feathers. I just hope I don't get a reason to say I told you so, or if I do, I hope I get a chance to say it."

So, do you three feel like you've decided on a plan? o wo And if so, what?

Arrange a meeting with the strange woman at a local bar, with theory that she's less likely to murder shank us in public. Until then, Umbriak has some scrolls to buy and a fancy cheese basked to acquire.

Tchakar is good to go along with that, though a bit paranoid about the whole thing.

Aye, a local bar for the meeting with Jess. But assuming that takes some time to set up, aquire cheese basket and meet Torrents Mentor as plan-for-the-day. Not sure we have time to go scroll shopping. *cough*

You do have plenty of time to go shopping, but you're pretty sure most scrolls will be hard to come by on account of war preparations. Scroll-making materials, for those with the talent, are more available. You are, of course, quite free to look around (<- Make a Diplomacy check to Investigate) if you want to. ^^ Who knows what sort of shopkeepers have been hiding goods away, hoping to turn a higher profit when they're more in demand?

Umbriak was fairly determined to find at least two scrolls, and preferably more. He didn't have the power to make the spell himself, and so needed to buy it.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

*cough* What I meant was that we shouldn't waste time on such pursuits like aquiring scrolls. War is coming, why worry about the slightly creepy relationship between a daughter and her father who raised her isolated from the world. I'll definitely not encourage Umbriak in being so wasteful. *cough*
That said, Umbriak is Neutral Good...if Haddim is not 'good' or true neutral, any one of the 'protection from alignment spells' Haddim can get would allow a second save against any mind-messing effects - not dispel them for good, but maybe sufficient to find out wether something is really going on before wasting resources...
Farod tagged along, more concerned with wine and cheese baskets, wondering if they should bring another along for Jess.
Diplomacy(to find a suitable Gift for Torrents Mentor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Diplomacy(to find a suitable Gift for Jess): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

While the others shopped for various trinkets, Tchakar spent his time in the market restocking his supply of basic medicinal herbs to treat minor injuries and illnesses, as well as making subtle inquiries about the mysterious 'Jess' that was searching for them.

Profession Herbalist: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Finding herbs was easy enough, though Tchakar wasn't able to pick up any leads on Jess. That... probably wasn't much of a surprise. There were so many people flooding into the area that most of the newcomers simply weren't known yet. Meanwhile, Farod had no particular problem procuring a suitable gift for Torrent's mentor... and a couple of flowers for Jess.

What spells are you looking for, Umbriak? Some are definitely more common than others. XD

"So, Torrent, what kind of person can we expect to meet? Anything we should know? Topics to avoid? We'd want to get off on a good start, after all, so while Umbriak takes EVEN MORE TIME browsing the goods, why not brief me and Tchakar a bit-"
Filler post

Umbriak kept hunting for Dispel Magic. He didn't mind.

"When was the last time you two spoke?" Tchakar asked, curious if they were about to walk into a meeting uninvited and unwanted.

"Lee's taught me a lot of things over the years. He's a druid, and a pretty good one at that - I think he spent a bit of time in a monastery as a child, too. At least, he's serious enough for it. Lives on an island just off the north coast. He's probably a bit busy, but I'm sure he'll be able to introduce us to the Headmaster. We haven't spoken for a bit, but that's not rare when there's a burning forest between you."

----

Meanwhile, Umbriak had no luck looking for scrolls to dispel magic. "It's the bloody Ragesians, innit?" the first shopkeeper he asked said. "They hate magic, but you can bet your arse they're willing to make use of scrolls like that. Council said they were worried spies might try to get as many scrolls like it as possible to try and improve their army's strength at key points, so they confiscated every copy and made it illegal to sell any more until the danger's past."

Umbriak clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Then unless ye know another way to remove the effects of mind controling magic, I shall have to consider other plans..."

Well, the wizard needed to sleep sometime. There were...options...then.

"That.... makes sense. I spent a bit of time in a monastery myself not that long ago. It's an interesting life, secluded from so much, and while I was content while I was there, I couldn't see myself making my life there permanently. Too much wrong in the world to stay holed up there forever."

"Aye, a burning forest and 2 or 3 other countries. This place is under blockade, right? If he lives on an island, isn't there a chance he might get raided by the Ragesians? They may not dare make landfalls on the main land mass, but they could easily land small teams on islands at night. It might not be save for him there."

The shopkeeper rubbed his chin as Umbriak spoke. "Remove mind-control, eh... well, the spell Break Enchantment is pretty good about that. Still tightly controlled, but I'd bet almost anything one of the priests in town can cast it. They aren't regulated quite as tightly as the shops - no one thinks the Everlight's followers are going to go for a total shutdown of their magic like the Ragesians want - so if you take your victim there, I reckon they can help."

----

Meanwhile, Torrent just grinned at Tchakar. "Yeah, I hear that's a problem at most of the places. Monkhood ain't a bad life, but let's be honest, it isn't for everyone. As for the island, nah. It's not the Ragesians out there in the harbor anyway, and it's well inside the blockade to begin with. Not much point landing on a rickety little island, either. Can't exactly charge an army over a rope bridge. If they're gonna land, they'll do it in the harbor or on the shore somewhere."

"Good then - I'll take your word for it, Torrent. Umbriak, are you done yet?"

"For now," Umbriak replied, nodding his thanks to the priest. Well, he wasn't sure how workable the plan was, but perhaps he could do something along those lines himself at some point. Until then he'd have to see if a Priest would be willing to come to the house, and how he could distract the damned wizard.

"Ok then, Torrent, let's go see your friend."

Torrent nodded and gestured you in the right direction. It was still early enough in the day, and not even noon by the time you finally got there. Lee Sidoneth’s home is built directly into the rock of an island just off the north coast. A boardwalk crosses 100 feet of choppy sea to reach the island, at which point the path descends down soggy wooden stairs to a dock, or ascends rock-hewn steps to the cavernous entrance to Lee’s home, on the top of the dome-shaped land mass. Torrent didn't hesitate to walk right up and knock loudly on the front door. "Lee! It's Torrent!" she called loudly.

After twenty seconds or so, the door opens. Bald, tanned, muscular, and dressed like a fisherman, the man beyond it stands with the calm of a sea seen in the distance, but up close you can tell he possesses great power, and is ready to unleash it, like a dam ready to burst. "Well!" he said, smiling. "The pupil returns - and with guests! Come in." he said, beckoning you into his foyer. A few moments later, drinks were on the table before Lee headed further inside, returning with three men - two half-orcs and a strange person whose body is adorned with unnatural protrusions and alterations, ranging from teeth on his cheeks and tentacles on his arms to what appears to be a half-formed eye on the back of his hand. The three of them headed out the front door a moment later. "Two of my guests and their friend." Lee said as explanation once they'd done. "I don't usually have too many visitors, but in times like this everyone needs to pitch in, and Paradim there isn't welcome too many places. He studies biomancy - a kind of transmutation magic - and he's a bit odd even by the standards of wizards. So, what brings you here?"

"Biomancy? It looks like he tried to transform himself into several animals at once! I've heard of people able to shapeshift into animals, and even powerful wizards that can transform into dragons and such, but never blending things together like that. Though, to be fair, I haven't really studied anything about magic until very recently, so that could just be my own ignorance."

"Anyways, I'm sorry about rambling, I just tend to get carried away when something catches my attention. I'm Tchakar, by the way, and I sort of fell in with my new friends here during a mostly successful escape from the encroaching Ragesians. They said that we should head here as it would be the best place to go to avoid the Ragesians on account of the academy, and Torrent suggested we come talk to you."

Farod nods to the other half-orcs as the two groups pass each other, letting Tchakar open up the dialogue with Lee, before speaking up himself:
"To elaborate on that: we only just arrived, and would rather pitch in than hope the Ragesians are held off by the Academy alone. That was our intent all along, but considering the Blockade, it's not like there are many alternatives left anyway, it would seem. As Tchakar mentioned, it was your pupil, Torrent, who directed us to you. Considering what you said about your visitors, it would seem she was right to suggest coming here."

Diplomacy(to make a good first impression): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Looking at the strange figure in mild confusion for a moment as he tried to place all the pieces, Umbriak nodded. "'Tis an impressive variance of things, aye. I can, myself, only alter my size to one more suited for the current situation, and a few basic tricks similar."

"Aye, the Lyceum's powerful, but you need more than a few wizards to win a war." Lee said agreeably. "Especially when your foes are so adept at countering magic. The Burning Sky hasn't been good to teleporters who might otherwise harry the Ragesians, and the blockade hasn't been helping any, either. The school is good to work with if you're looking to make a difference, though... hmm... I think I can arrange for a meeting with the Headmaster tomorrow morning if you're inclined to head down that way. You look like you know how to take care of yourselves, and they'll certainly be able to find meaningful work for you."

"That sounds good. But it also seems you coordinate your own efforts - we would certainly work with the school if that is what you advise. But...how to put that...", Farod searches for words, pausing a few moments before continuing: "Let us say bluntly that our travel experiences have shown us that those wielding powerful magicks often tend to dismiss a more hands-on approach - so as said before, I trust Torrent, and she trusts you, so I defer to your judgement on that...but if we help, we want to help to the full extent of our abilities, and not just be considered as...well, 'not wizards' - ...if you know what I mean."

"I'm a wizard," Umbriak said. Aware that he did not exactly have a robe and hat, he added, "Tehechnically speaking."

"I believe I know at least one travel companion of ours that would disagree...", Farod smirks: "That said, all of us wield magic of one sort or another. Really it's just...aloofness I worry about. A one-sighted view does not allow for effective use of resources at hand. All I'm saying."

At that, Lee snorted with laughter. "I assure you, whatever your talents, Headmaster Simeon will want to put them to good use. He is not a foolish man - he knows the horseshoe is as important as the horse, and the sword as the man that wields it. You don't win a war by throwing people at busy work instead of tasks where they can make a real difference. It's true, Wizards are justly famed for their arrogance, but they face a foe that would like to shut down their magic forever. Ensuring that doesn't happen is a tad more important to them than their pride."

"I find it worrysome that once again, I am not certain our travel companion would agree with that final statement of yours - but I'll gladly take your word for it if you say Headmaster Simeon is a man with no need for pettyness. If you can arrange for a meeting, we'd gladly participate."
Suddenly remembering, Farod retrieves his guest gift (yeah, still not past the mental image :) ) for Lee:"I almost forgot, apologies!"

"In that case, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we'd appreciate the introduction. It will be nice to get some use out of my skills again, especially when that use isn't just a frantic escape attempt. My history with rushed getaways isn't exactly spotless." Tchakar said dryly with a wave of his colorless claw.

"I suspect a certain wizard will nae travel further than this," Umbriak noted as he considered. He would have to make sure he did the things before they left. "But an introduction would be much appreciated."

"Ah, so good to meet people who understand hospitality." Lee said, smiling as he took the guest gift - though he set it to the side instead of examining it right away. "Head on over to Lyceum tomorrow morning, and they should be expecting you. Though, not to sound like I'm rushing you out, but I'll have to start arranging that soon if it's going to happen at all - such is the number of things the school has to handle right now."

"No offense taken. Thank you for your aid," Tchakar replied with a short bow of appreciation before heading towards the door.

"Much appreciated.", Farod replies politely, then looks over at Torrent. If she had hoped to spend some time catching up with her old mentor, the meeting might have been...unsatisfactory. Maybe they should spend a leisurely evening for once, in some Tavern...!!!
"One more thing, Mister Lee. You seem well-connected and well-informed. A woman named Jess, short, blond, talking with an accent, seemed to have been looking for us - before we arrived. Does the name or description ring a bell?"

Umbriak perked up. It was a smart question. It made him wonder if perhaps these gentleman might be able to help him with other matters, too - something he hadn't considered before.

Lee considered that for a moment, then shook his head. "Doesn't ring a bell, I'm afraid. Torrent's never been the type to let her plans slip too easily, so if none of you know the name she's using - might not be her real one - I'd guess she heard about you some other way. One-shot divination, maybe, or just secretive messages. Can't imagine anyone wants to make trouble in town - whole school full of wizards primed to investigate anything even vaguely threatening makes it stupid to try - but be careful all the same. Even strong men can fall to poison."

Umbriak, as a Dwarf, was fairly resistant to poison. But it was a valid point.

"That's what I was thinking, but if this Jess does mean us harm, it wouldn't do to ignore it. At least if we meet her we can try to gauge what sort of threat she is."

"Oh, we'll be careful, definitely. Thank you for your time and efforts!", Farod was ready to leave.

Leaving was easy - the question of destinations was rather more pertinent. Aside from anything you might want to do with Jess, your schedule seemed fairly free until tomorrow morning. It was possible to look around, try to squeeze out a bit of coin, or pursue any other activities that interested you.

Umbriak waved the others off. "I have a wee question for the gentleman - my own buisness, ye ken, about magics. Nae need to waste your time while I ask. I shall see ye back at the house."