Many Modules Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master inxpitter

We'll sort out Owl's leave from the game after the fight, but for now to not complicate things I'm going with my usual "fade with no explanation" for player absence."

Lia shoots a cold cantrip of permafrost pain, but the cold didn't has as much power in it as she could gather and all it does is merely chill the leather armor of the thug.

"Magic user eh? I'm gonna enjoy pulling you apart."

Median keeps swinging her blade, her arms not able to muster enough momentum to definitely drive the blade through the dense muscle of the alchemist.

Laetitia focuses on one of the thugs, her bolt striking the man and piercing through his shoulder. He cries out in pain, and turns to her.

And with that one swing, Irian rips his blade from the alchemist's shoulder, down her chest to her waist. A gurgle of blood bubbles up from the alchemist's mouth, and she drops the ground, unmoving.

Seeing there boss defeated, the remaing thugs see that much of the party is in fighting shape.

"Run!" one of them yells.

The last of the thugs are attempting to flee, but should you not fell them, they will be caught by the perimeter.

Later outside.

You all leave the warehouse, sweaty, breathing heavy, a bit sore. You see a small group of thugs tied up together, unharmed, but restrained. They all stare at Lia and angrily start to move towards her before one of the town's guards swiftly strikes them to force them down.

"The deed is done then?" Sheriff Feldane asks, meeting you halfway. "Also, apparently someone makes delicious noodles here?"

Any loot?

Lía just did not have the motivation to react too much, especially since they were outnumbered and restrained. She did muster enough energy to speak to the guard, advertising, "Indeed, the noodles are delicious! Try 'The Good Noodle', we're with the carnival until they're gone!" a pose and a wink completed the role, and she went back to the post-fight jitters.

A moment's thought, and she had the semblance of a grin. "So good, you'll turn yourself in for them!"
____________________________
Selling it(Bluff): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Feldane explains that she and the guard will be going over the possessions, supplies, and such as the thieves operating in this town had a claim over "legitimate" cargo. But she does mention...

"If you're after anything in particular, other than gold, just let me know and I'll drop by the Good Noodle with your compensation."

nudge, nudge, wink. aka if there is a specific magic item you're after or perhaps mundane equipment, mention it it. Though it might be better if you say something vague like "Something that will cure wounds, or put some oomph in my sword attacks."

Honestly, I want bow proficiency so I can shoot things instead of throwing darts, but I am guessing bracers of archery are way out of the question at our current level.

Well, Sheriff, if you find an enchanted morningstar or heavy mace around, that would be awesome. But a nice wand that helps with healing or, whatever you find... really anything magical or interesting, or both, could be fun.

After the fighting was done, Jix found her way back to the rest of her equipment and quickly slipped back into her armor before rejoining the rest of the group by the sheriff.

"Well, I suppose I could be doin' with somethin' to make me a little more quiet that wouldn't go astray I assure ya." The rogue suggested with a signature, smug grin as the thought of payment lifted her spirits. A little kidnapping and beating was well worth it if she got paid after all.

Her golden eyes soon found themselves settling over the two new companions her team seemed to have picked up alon the way and she approached them with a scrutinizin expression. "Now who in Calistria's name are you lot anyways? Ya sure seemed to know 'ow to 'andle yourselves in that madness least it seems fair to say."

Jix reached out a hand to the warrior perking one ear slightly in acknowledgement, "Name's Jix by the by."

Irian couldn't help but grin as the lovely (yet socially awkward) sorceress belted out a couple of one-liners as they were approached by the Sheriff. The warrior was still breathing hard, but considering how many bolts had been flying his way and how many bites and nails he had managed to evade, he considered that things here had turned out pretty well.

Irian thought about Feldane's offer, then shrugged. He could always use an enchanted blade, who couldn't? But the cost of such an item was surely prohibitive. As the small ratwoman approached and offered her hand, he took it and gave it a firm shake. "Us lot are Irian Davies and Median Zeroux. And exactly who might you be?" He cocked his head to the side, looking to the other ladies of the group for explanation and/or corroboration.

"Oh, she's with us," Tish casually answers from where she stands next to the Sheriff, looking remarkably composed for having just come out of such a long and arduous battle. "She was one of the two that rather friendly wizarding fellow sent you here to replace. We thought she had scurried off when things started to get troublesome, only to find her trussed up in one of the backrooms." She gives an amused, probably inappropriate little huff afterwards as she shakes her head. "It's funny how things work out sometimes, isn't it?"

Turning back to the Sheriff, Tish pastes on her winningest smile as she tries to inveigle the lawwoman into letting her back in the warehouse for a few minutes. "I would just hate to be a bother, and you and your deputies look like you have your hands full here," she waves her hand at the bound thieves, "If it makes things easier, I could just take a quick peek inside to see if anything catches my eye. Of course I would check with you first to see if anyone had a claim on it and..." Seeing she's getting nowhere with the stone-faced Sheriff, Tish drops the act. "Fine. Just whatever loose jewels you can find, then." After all, she knows from experience trying to get a decent price from a fencer on a piece of inscribed jewelry is a nightmare.

"Or, failing that, at least a decent pair of boots. And nothing cheap, for Gods' sake."

As everyone was making their requests, Lía really could not think of anything. She did look to Irian and Tish, and then nod, giving her approval of Jix, before she remembered that the Sheriff was looking at her. "I would like any books you might find", she said with a bit of fatigue, not knowing how much might be stored in a place like that. "I don't see them as having anything that might catch my eye. I'm just glad that I'm not dead."

With the thieves guild either dead or in chains, the party is given an escort back to the Good Noodle. Indeed, when you all begin to file back into the cart one by one in a space that couldn't possibly fit you all, the guards are as perplexes and amazed as when they first saw the sphinx.

Still, the day is done, your job have been completed, and rest awaits you.

Gonna be completely honest, not used to giving loot out outside the book, so I'm learning. However, you may all level up to level 4 (you're gonna need it) and do some rp as I get this stuff figured out.

Figured it out!

In the morning, you all find several large cargo boxes being delivered by the town guard. As they drop them off, they also pass off a letter.

"I heard the circus is packing up as well, the ringleader would like to speak with you before they leave."

In the cargo boxes you find:
A Lens of Detection
A Vicious Longsword
Scroll of Silent Image
Scroll of Enlarge Person
Scroll of See Invisibility
Ring of Climbing
Ring of Protection +1
Shadow Hide Armor
Boots of the Cat
Wand of Cure Light wounds (lvl 1)
Grey Flame Mace
And 3,000 gp

Lía is awed at the arrival of the cargo boxes, and looks almost like a gift-giving holiday has arrived. A squeal that was most certainly not decorous in the slightest preceded her diving in to find out what is contained in the boxes. As a side-effect, the contents of the boxes are quickly organized and catalogued.

"Weapon- Nope, weapon- nope, ooh, armor! Some boots- nice boots! Jewelry boxes! A... baton?? I guess it's a nice baton, maybe." It was only after a second when she noticed the etchings on the baton. "I don't know that language— oh, it's a wand." Making a silly face, she bonked herself on the head with it at missing the clues before. "-some papers, too!" A few seconds were spent looking at the papers trying to make sense of them, before she sighed at her antics and covered her eyes with one hand, saying a sibilant sort of word, and uncovering them. Blinking a couple of times, she looked at everything again. "Yup, that makes more sense", she said to no one in particular.

Shaking her head at herself, she turned around to see if anyone was nearby. "It's all magical", she explained, like it should have been obvious to her at the beginning.

Irian stared in awe at the contents of the boxes as Lia imparted that the whole lot was magical. He had never seen such a concentrated amount of wealth in one area. And it belonged to him and his companions. Perhaps his judgment of Feldane had been too harsh. As he read through the letter, he suspected that he himself could learn a lesson or two from this debacle, as well.

"Seems like a job well done, in the end. What exactly is it that you lot do, again? Just go around at the behest of that wizard fellow?"

Nearby, Kari was calmly eating a piece of fruit with a small knife in neat, efficient motions. She had come when she heard Lía squeal, knowing that to be the enthusiastic tone for "new things", and was leaning against the cart as she ate and watched the cataloguing. "There are worse things to do, perhaps", she said philosophically, a bit of a shrug drawing her attention to her cleavage. As she turned her eyes back to the things that had been brought while she carefully cut off another piece of fruit, she also looked around the packing up of the carnival. A small bite was taken and finished before she shook her head. "I'm not sure if this would be enough for nearly dying twice if it were me, though."

Still, there was an air of fond relief from her as she watched Lía's antics, rolling her eyes as her charge remembered that she knew magic. "What about you, soldier?", she said with a bit of a flirtatious tone, turning more of her attention to Irian as something in her motions drew attention to her mouth, cleavage, the fruit... and the sharp knife. "Is this enough for you to keep traveling around at the behest of Desoran— or 'that wizard fellow', as you called him?"

From the crates, the both of them could hear Lía talking to herself, "The armor and wand make sense, but I have NO idea about the rest!"

What are you guys doing next, or ... do we have to find a way home now?

Laetitia quits fawning over the beautiful, expensive pair of boots for a moment to cut her eyes at Irian. "Is that somehow different than what you've been doing these past couple of days?" she asks archly, never one to waste an opportunity to leave someone flustered. Plus there was the fact that his questions also felt like a subtle dig to the guarded woman, the suggestion that he might have something more important to do while they "just went around at the behest of some wizard".

It isn't until Median asks something similar that the reason behind their sudden questions dawns on Laetitia. The two of them were uncertain about what their immediate future held. As if they hadn't earned a place on their team—such as it is—thrice over. As if she and Lia and Jix would pack up their enchanted wagon and just leave the two of them stranded on the side of the road. Of course, Tish realizes she could gently reassure Median and Irian that they are welcome to stay. But the prickly woman didn't get to where she is by showing softness when others were being vulnerable and she sees no reason to change that now.

"Don't play coy, dear. If the two of you are expecting an official, calligraphed invitation to the party, talk to her," Tish snarkily replies, pointing her thumb at Lia before lacing up her boots. Then, in a more neutral tone, Tish lays out the plan according to her. "First, we're going to go see what Almara has to say to us—or better yet, give us—after we kept her head off the chopping block. Then I suppose the five of us will be on to the next town." Tish takes a few strides to test her balance and comfort in the high-heeled boots. "I figure that, unless we receive some other task from Desoran, there's likely to be some problem or other out there that we can help solve. I do seem make a habit of finding trouble wherever I go," she muses as she struts around, clearly pleased with her new boots. "And I think we can all agree this whole "hero" business does come with its share of perks."

Spinning on her heel, Tish cocks her hip and gives the gathered women and man an impatient, though expectant look. "Well? Are we all in this together or what?"

Median smiles.

I suppose we are. ... At least until someone teleports me home. I like surprises.

She sits indian-style in the passenger seat at the front of the wagon and leans back with her eyes closed, seemingly content to wait and see what happens.

Irian's attention was drawn from the gleefully cataloging sorceress to her companion as she asked the warrior about his plans. His dark eyes drifted to all the moving parts of her, though he did at least try to hide his wandering gaze, if rather poorly. He wrenched his eyes back into his head and thought about the question for a moment before answering Kari. "Why not? As a soldier, I did the bidding of another...this is much the same, only with a lot more flair and adventure and possibility to do good, from what I've seen so far."

In a good mood, Irian listened to Tish's rebuke with a grin on his face, shrugging at the initial question. Though the mesmerist's attitude might be lacking, he couldn't really fault her logic in talking to Almara about their successful (and timely) defense of the carnival and its employees. After that...well, he had already answered the sorceress's lovely cohort, but why not again? "Sounds like a plan to me...until the teleport Median mentioned, of course."

Jix can hardly restrain herself when she first lays eyes on the hoard of loot bestowed upon the party. It isn't long after Lia begins digging through the items that the rat follows her and begins happily unearthing anything that looked interesting. For a moment her eyes lingered upon a pair of rather dashing boots but just as she was about to reach out for them, Tish swiped the stunning pair, swift and practiced as a magpie.

The ratfolk's face soured for a moment as she scowled up at the mesmerist before returning to her search through the pile of goods. She set her sights next on a small leather cord, just big enough to wrap delicately around her finger. The rogue spent a minute admiring the texture of the ring of climbing before she slipped it on. Jix had always been a fan of leather anyways so it just felt natural to go along with her current equipment.

After taking her share of the gold she turned back around just in time to catch the warrior Irian mid leer at their comely companion and her vision narrowed as her lips slipped into a knowing grin. "I suppose the the little lech 'as proven 'isself to be a right corker. Got no problems letting' 'im an' 'is missus tag 'long provided 'e kin keep 'is eyes on the road 'n' off yer 'indquarters, that is." Jix sneered all too pleased to draw attention to the warrior's rather shameless glances.

Returning her focus to Tish the young rat shrugged. "As fer meself, personally. I don't mind accompanying you lot for a time longer, but I do feel I should get back to me caravan at some point should we find 'em 'long the way. I been away plenty long enough already, poor knobs will prolly get themselves killed without me 'round to save their sorry hides." She chuckles to herself. "We should go talk to whoever it is we need to 'ave words with. Cause then I'd like to take some o' this coin to the market to pick me up some odds 'n sods afore we 'ead on out."

She spares a casual glance down at Tish's feet as she struts around and scowls, "Bit gaudy don't ya think?"

The party chatters and jabs at each other, but a job well done has a tendency to bring folks together. Each of you carries a bit less wariness when approaching another, though the snide comments and sharp remarks.

Kari who was relieved to be safe in the Good Noodle while the rest of you were cavorting about, sighs to herself as she watches you all gawk at times at the magical trove of wonders before you.

Lia, how does half the rate of you guys leveling sound? So if you're level 4, she can now go up to level 2.

Later, the carnival master Almara greets you all warmly in her cabin, with Ika at her side.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me, for us."

Ika's eyes are red, it seems the stress of the situation has relieved itself and she remains near Almara as a doting daughter would to one who had been so kind to her.

She hands you all a bag of 600 sp.

"I know it's nowhere near what you deserve for all your trouble, but I feel we have something that might be more useful."

Almara pulls a small case from off her desk and hands it to the group. She smiles as you open it and reveal six pristine potions of cure light wounds.

"As the prominent potion seller is now dead, my carnival took the liberty to get our due and....liberate her of her ill-gotten stock. I thought you might prefer this over the small heap of drugs."

Almara smiles, one hand absentmindedly weaving her fingers into Ika's hair who knelt beside her, her head resting on Almara's lap.

All right, do whatever you'd like to before we get the next module going.

She spares a casual glance down at Tish's feet as she struts around and scowls, "Bit gaudy don't ya think?"

"Perhaps a bit tacky, if I'm being honest," Tish freely admits without breaking stride, sounding almost apologetic. Such an admission might be surprising if not for the saccharine smile that's clearly just a touch too smug for her comment to have been in reference herself. "But I'm glad you'll be staying on with us all the same." And that, at least, is the Gods' honest truth. But far be it from Tish to say something nice about another without some sort of sting in the tail.

Later with Almara, Tish is careful to keep her features composed into a gentle smile regardless of how uncomfortable the display between the ringleader and "the sphinx" makes her. Any sort of affection that wasn't carried out privately or as part of a transaction had a way making her feel slightly ill. It is, perhaps, a quirk she ought to examine more closely one day, but who has time for self-improvement?

Tish quickly glances into the proffered coin purse and isn't surprised to see nothing but silver shields glinting back at her. The carnival mistress had warned her early on that they had little in the way of coin to offer in exchange for the group's services, so Tish was hardly disappointed in that regard. She had been more interested in the magical keepsakes Almara had hinted at. When said keepsakes turn out to be six garden variety healing potions, it requires Tish to make a monumental effort to keep the placid smile on her face. Still, the temperature in the room does seem to noticeably dip.

Just as she's musing about how funny it would be to have gone through so much effort to save Almara only to shoot her now, Tish realizes it might be more profitable in the long run to play nice with the Umbra Carnival. Snapping shut the case containing the potions, Tish hands it off to one of her teammates before rising gracefully from her chair. She waits for Almara to disentangle herself from Ika and do the same before extending her hand to the woman. "From one ringleader to another, it was a pleasure doing business with you, Almara. I hope you never run into similar troubles in your travels, but if you should, our services are always available."

On the way back to The Good Noodle, a safe distance from the carnival grounds, Tish huffs and, with a roll of her eyes, disdainfully mutters a single word. "Varisians."

Jix's face contorted with indigence for a moment then found its way into a subtle smile as she let the insult/compliment sink in she folded her arms behind her head and leaned back casually stretching herself out after all her time in captivity. "Well I suppose not everyone kin appreciate true beauty when they see it." She breathily responded, displaying her own cocky nature once more before her golden eyes drifted awkwardly away from the mesmerist. "'n' I suppose you aren't the worst company I coulda asked fer on this 'ere jaunt . . ." She mouthed uncharacteristically quietly to the side before returning her gaze to the woman and smirking. "Though you are obviously still a complete and utter wanker."

Jix followed Tish and the group as they met up with the carnival woman. When the woman mentioned a small heap of drugs Jix found her ears perking briefly. Drugs? What kind of drugs? 'arlot sweets? 'Cause 'onestly I could go fer a few 'arlot sweets about now. But she just shrugged and remained a background feature for this conversation until the group left after which she set about to find the nearest general store to see if she could get her hands on a better set of thieves' tools or something else of interest with her new fat sack of gold.

Irian glanced at the small ratfolk woman as she spoke to Kari, his head cocking to the side as he tried to weed through the dialect Jix used. He was pretty sure she was talking about him, though Median was most assuredly not his missus. Though it might not be a bad thought, actually, they just hadn't actually had time to discuss anything like that, being busy trying to keep a sphinx from being executed in a small town and all. Still, it seemed as though they had the woman's blessing, which Irian supposed was a good thing even though he had only known her for about five minutes.

When the group met with Almara later, the warrior stood in the background, hands at his side. He had been told crossed arms were a sign of standoffishness, so he tried to refrain from doing so, even though it was a nervous habit. When it seemed the conversation had ended, the fighter offered the carnival leader and Ika a smile and nod, though his brow furrowed at Tish's parting words. When had she become the leader? He'd have to keep a better eye on the group dynamics...he had totally missed that one.

He shrugged internally, though, just satisfied to have a happy resolution and a bit of loot to boot. Already the decision to leave the life of a soldier and embark upon this strange journey seemed to be paying off. Irian procured one of the potions Almara had given them, also pocketing his share of the silver before he got ready to go...well, where were they going? He supposed he'd be told when they had a destination in mind.

The carnival treats the party to dinner and a private show, celebrating you as much as their own lives as they've been cleared. A bad taste still lingers though in the heart of hte carnival, and it may be many years before they return to this little town. Still, nothing tonight will stop their joyous celebration and though your rewards may be paltry in comparison to the illegal bounty from the thieves den, the carnival promises that with them you will always have safe passage and warm food.

Thomias catches you on the way back, the worried lad you once new has definitely filled out a bit more to be not so thin and bony.

"Thank you." he says earnestly, giving a deep bow to who he considers his saviors of not only his life, but his new home.

Back at the Good Noodle, you all file into the main room where all the doors are. The pillow room calls to you. Yet on the main room table is an odd sight that definitely was not there before.

A scroll of parchment and a key made of what seemed to be Silver with a blue gem at its base.

Median, curious, picks up the scroll and reads it.

A chance to run unfettered about the carnival grounds was something that was not going to be passed up by Lía. At the dinner and show, she had her book with her, and was busy talking to— and writing the stories of– anyone that was willing to talk. Tales of the Carnival were too interesting to pass up, and unless dragged, she was going to be doing a lot of writing before the night was out. Undoubtedly, she was going to be one of the last back at the Noodle. At the point that they got back, she was hoping that her shorthand was going to be legible in the morning.

The sight of the scroll would have elicited more of a response, but she was busy checking over her writing, and was more excited for that than the next place that Desoran was sending them. Already, she was asking idle questions to the others if they would answer. Tomorrow was going to be spent recording her thoughts of what happened here, and if she could get the others to contribute their thoughts, that would be great! Who would she ask first, though...?

She was going to have to get some different color inks.

Thoughts of the pillow room had the warrior yearning to leave the main room behind, but his curiosity got the better of him and he sidled up behind and to the side of Median, attempting to read it as she unfurled the scroll. He eyed the key for a moment before he let his eyes flit over the paper, not a fast reader but decent enough. Definitely better than most of his fellow guardsmen over the years.

"Thomias... sweetling." With one foot in the carriage, Tish laments the easygoing pace that led her to this predicament. Had she been walking a bit more briskly, she could have been in the carriage with the rest of the group long before she heard the boy's soft voice. But now that she's acknowledged him, she can hardly just walk inside like she hadn't heard him. While it's true that Tish is rude to practically everyone she comes across, she at least tries to limit that to other adults whenever possible. But what should she say to him? Tish is, after all, nearly as bad with saying goodbyes as she is dealing with children. If only she could give him something to make him go away, like her parents would do to her when she was younger. Alas, it seems the boy is after something more immaterial. "You look... healthy! If you keep this up, the next time you see that podgy father of yours, you'll be strong enough to smack him around, hmm?" Tish remarks, smiling, completely unaware of how her well-meaning comment might be terribly insensitive. "Well, take care of yourself, kid," she says, giving Thomias a brief wave before heading inside the carriage to spare herself any further awkwardness.

Once inside, Tish sags against the door with a sigh, as if being nice for a minute had taken that much out of her. She perks up, however, on seeing the group congregating around something on the table. While Median and Irian peruse the scroll, Tish takes it upon herself to carefully inspect the key that's been left there. Considering the scrutiny with which she studies the key, one could be forgiven for thinking that she is trying to puzzle out what the key unlocks. But she had witnessed Owl use similar keys to the doors in their enchanted wagon before. In reality, she's merely trying to determine whether or not the gem inset is worth anything. Probably not worth more than whatever resources the room it unlocked held, but there was no harm in appraising it. Just in case.

After she's determined the value of the key, Tish walks over to one of the presently locked doors and slides it through the keyhole, assured that if she weren't meant to unlock it that Irian or Median would warn her away. "Let's see what's behind door #2."

After reading the scroll, Median sees that Tish has already taken the key, and although she is curious, after the emotional parting with the carnival and Thomias and a very tiring few days, she doesn't have the energy to play the game, so she hands the scroll to Irian so he can finish reading it, and retires to the pillow room rather than playing audience to the dramatic opening-the-door ritual.

As Median handed the slower-reading warrior the scroll and retired to the pillow room, Irian powered through the remainder of the text, then shrugged. It seemed as good a path to take as any, to the young man. Four lovely young women and one lovely rat...thing would make fine company indeed for the journey ahead. His eyes flitted over to Tish as she sauntered over to the locked doors and tried out their new key. He decided that prudence demanded he stay where he was, in case something exploded out of the room. He couldn't exactly help the dark-haired woman if he also was blasted, now could he?

Laetitia plops the key into the lock, turns it revealing a soft glow of magic emanating from the gem. Then she opens the door.

A small wave of warm air hits you as the wooden floors of the Good Noodle meet the tiled floors of the new room. There is a large bath in the stone floor, brass sculpted dragon heads feed the pool with more hot water. To one side is a smaller, single person tub that sits on the stone tiles rather than embedded in it. A soft mist seems to hover over the larger pool's surface, and instead of a ceiling, it seems there is just an expanse to an open night sky.

Tish can't help the soft gasp that spills from her lips when she sees what the new room holds. As a former sacred servant in Absalom's Pleasure Salon, she had seen more than her share of exquisite baths in her time. But that time was some months ago, and since then she had been forced to endure inadequate facilities at the inns she had stayed in. The thought of luxuriating in the large, steamy bath and enjoying an hour or so of blissful, private comfort has Tish nearly disrobing in the common room without explanation.

"Nothing worthwhile in here," she lies unconvincingly, not even bothering to look away from the pool. "You all should head on to bed and get some rest. Don't wait up for me," Tish says, hastily bidding the others a good night before heading on into their new bathhouse.

Kari was glad to see that her Lía had survived, though not without some lessons. All the others looked as if they had managed well enough, though the little tiefling had yet to return. If no one had mentioned her name, then she was either gone or had parted ways. That could not be helped, then.

She had resolved to read before their sharp-tongued debutante had delivered one of the most unconvincing statements that Kari had ever heard her say. That in itself warranted some curiosity, and she walked over to look around the door at what would cause such a thing. The sigh of anticipated bliss at just the sight would have been something almost considered lewd in proper company, but that would have been if it was noticed by the speaker, to say nothing about the company they all kept.

All those stars... Just how big was this room?

A smirk crept onto her face— after she recovered from the awe– and she murmured to Laetitia, "...You've earned some peace to yourself, seems like. I'll keep her away for a bit." With a slight nudge to get her moving into the room, she closed the door behind her and tucked the key into her cleavage, giving a challenging eye to Irian as she pulled a chair back from the table and sat back to return to her book. "Pay it no mind", she calmly supplied. "You'll see soon enough."

Irian's brow scrunched up at Kari's words, though his eyes followed her motions like a moth drawn to the flame, perhaps lingering where the key disappeared a moment or so longer than was strictly necessary. See what soon enough? Even the thought had the warrior's dusky face darkening, and he nodded and murmured a hasty 'good night' before he himself headed into the pillow room for a well-deserved rest.

Finish out whatever scenes in the night you'd like.

The next morning, a new scroll awaits the party as you emerge from your rest.

Over breakfast, Median asks What kind of partnership is he proposing? Free rooms (public, mind you, no privacy) in a magical coach in return for being his personal adventuring team? It does sound more interesting than staying in one place all the time, mind you, and I am not against it, but I don't know exactly what he wants a signature for. Is there a specific contract where we know what we get in return for an actual definition of what he expects?

One of the things that some (at various stages, depending) might have noticed since they had been keeping each others' company was that a lot of their personal hygiene had become more of a "habit", and less of a mandatory thing. The reasons why were perhaps a mystery, if indeed it was ever realized. Of course, oddities in this situation were becoming more of a norm than a rare occurrence, and staff of "The Good Noodle" were not exactly common by any means. So it pretty much went without saying that a lot of things were simply taken in stride.

Lía was neatly and properly eating breakfast whilst reflecting on the past few days, as composed as she had ever been, while Kari sat next to her, a slim book open and in her hand as she split her attention between eating casually and reading. They both were wearing new clothes, purchased from the carnival sellers last night, and had their hair done differently. The scroll had been read prior to breakfast, Median was just the first one to voice the question that the rest of them had been likely thinking.

Surprised, Lía blinked several times, ruining the "noblewoman" facade she was practicing, and grinned. "I actually know this one!", she exclaimed, garnering a sidelong look of skepticism from Kari that was replied to with a stuck-out tongue and crossed eyes before she tried to recover her facade.

The corners of her mouth were dabbed at with her napkin before she folded her hands in her lap and started explaining. "Probably one of the sheets—" a pass of her hand over her eyes and a second of examination of the scroll made her look around, pointing out the semi-elaborate scroll case on one of the shelves, and amending her words "–or all of them are imbued with communication magic. If we sign our true names, a lot can be done with them, maybe even more in this space?" She scrunched her nose up a little, and looked around, squinting as if looking at something bright before blinking as if a bit dazed. "If he's a good guy, then that could be anything from sending us things personalized to us, to keeping a bit more of an eye on us. I mean, we didn't sign in blood at any point, did we?"

She chewed her lip for a moment, still as proper as you please, and shrugged slightly, not quite reaching the level of "graciousness" needed. "If he wanted to hurt us, he could have just sent something unpleasant here by the same way Median and Irian arrived." A bit of a cocky smirk grew on her face. "I think I can make sense of this place, but I'm not going to poke around with the magic that makes it work."
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K.(Arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 BOOM! Lía using that noodle!

Kari

Whatever air that Lía had been cultivating was shattered by the snort that she could not help, listening to the tone of her employer growing more and more smug as she kept talking. "It's for a bathhouse.", she said, gesturing to the key hanging on the wall with the book as she speared another piece of potato pancake, ignoring the annoyed look that was shot at her by Lía for stealing some of her thunder.

Chewing the food, Kari gestured towards Tish with the book, her expression taking on a bit of restrained amusement. "Her royal sogginess c'n tell you all about it, she's probably part fish at this point."

Median thinks about what Lia said, frowns, looks like she is going to ask a question, then subtly shakes her head and smiles.

Okay. Sounds like a fun adventure in any case.

She goes over to the document and signs it, then returns to her breakfast.

Irian woke early and dressed in the relative privacy the darkness provided, making his way out to the living area only to find it already occupied by most of his female co-habitants. He settled in to eat, listening intently to the priestess as she spoke about the proposed arrangement.

His face turned thoughtful, his eyes drifting upward as he mulled over her words as he munched on the delicious victuals arrayed before him. She made a good point...they didn't really have any idea what they would be signing up for. Though Irian didn't think too much of that...he had heard of too many treaties and agreements that had been signed and broken before the ink was dry to hold much stock in this one, should he decide to part ways.

Then the excitable sorceress spoke, and Irian went from contemplative to downright confused as she started her discourse. True names? He only had the one set of names...was he supposed to have more? And what was the deal with blood? He didn't remember signing anything with blood, though his memories directly before coming through the gate with Median were sketchy at best. He understood her point about the summoning of bad guys to take them out, though, and nodded along sagely.

The warrior stared at Kari flatly as she pointed out the purpose of the bathhouse key, though it shouldn't have surprised him that the hedonistic mesmerist had wanted to keep that little treasure to herself. Once the conversation was over, Irian followed Median over to the documents, shrugged, then signed his name clumsily at the bottom near the priestess's signature, calmly sitting back down and finishing up breakfast.

When Jix saw the baths laid out before her a rush went straight though her body. It had been soooo long since she had a bath and it would be nice to finally wash off all the caked on dirt and mud. She made certain to keep her enthusiasm hidden however, she couldn't risk letting the others find out she had a slightly more effeminate side after all. Thus she crept off to the side whilst the others quarreled among themselves and slipped away into the steam of the bath room.

Slipping off into a private corner where she could be sure no one could see her the young woman glanced around furtively to ensure all was safe and then with a sigh began tugging away at the straps of her garb. With a click, her heavy leather armor slid off the woman's slender frame and fell to the floor her she quickly piled her leather leggings atop them and took in a deep breath of the steam-filled air and exhaled allowing herself to unwind as her slender chest heaved. It had been a long and stressful day, and despite the reward at the end of it all, the quest had really taken a toll on the young woman.

Dipping one paw gingerly into he placid surface of the pool sent ripples cascading along the water. Finding the temperature to her liking, if a bit warm, the ratfolk gingerly lowered herself into the welcoming waters of the spa, leaning her back against the walls off the bath as she held her arms open wide on the land behind her, finding her way into a very relaxed position. She could feel the tension in her muscles being teased out by the sapping heat of the water and her mind began to fog and wander as a sense of ease overcame her. Leaning her head back Jix looked up at the ceiling above and began to wonder about those she had left behind. Something in her yearned to get back to her old caravan, not that she didn't enjoy this whimsical romp but, there was a feeling of unresolved business that came to mind whenever she thought of those she used to travel with. Jix wondered if the others were like this too. Did they also think of home? Of family and friends they had left behind? A slight smirk crept up on her features as she tried to imagine the idea of haughty Tish actually missing anyone.

After a few hours of reclining and thinking Jix stepped out of the bath, fur completely sodden and shaggy, and went to grab a towel to wrap around her body as she dried off. Neatly tucking herself into the towel she grabbed the rest of her armor, bundled it up under her arm, as strode, fresh and confident out back to the main room of the Good Noodle before finding her way to the pillow room and finding a nice private corner she could tuck herself away in for the night.

Morning arrived with the sight of a new letter from their mysterious benefactor as Jix strode out of the pillow room, once again full dressed and ready for combat should the need arise. The rogue stared at the letter for a time and, if one were to pay attention, the would likely come to the conclusion that through her squinted golden eyes and her lips moving silently along with the text, she is having some difficulty with the reading, though the meaning of the words does eventually come to her.

Thinking of all the luxurious rewards they have had so far, and the fact that she has no idea where her old caravan is at this exact moment Jix shrugs and slowly scrolls the word "JINX" in big bold, childish letters in the signature section.

As for any information or supplies that were needed Jix rapped her claws against the surface of the wood for a time and thought of their adventure yesterday. Her mind seemed to settle on the moment where Snowflake was in danger right beside her and she could do nothing but hurriedly reload her crossbow, completely useless in that moment. Snatching up the scrap of paper and the quill, Jix scrawled in awkward, poorly worded handwriting, "Could give me something wont have to reload so often?" She then hurriedly adds, hoping no one can see. "And is old caravan okay?"

Tish pauses mid-chew at Kari's jibe, her fingers tightening on the handle of her fork. Well, that answered the 'who' question she had been asking herself since late last night, finishing her extended soak only to find the door to the common room locked shut. Now all that was left to answer was the 'how'; how would she put the overweening servant back in her place? As gratifying as it might be to send a white-hot bolt of psychic pain lancing through her brain—and easy, too; she could stare just a little harder and Kari might well be reduced to waving around colouring books for the rest of her days—it would be a shame if the rest of the group asked her to leave before she finished her breakfast.

Swallowing the morsel in her mouth, Tish sets her fork down and smiles across the table at Kari. "There's no shame in enjoying a nice, long bath after a hard day's work," she answers, seeming not to let the taunt rile her. Grabbing the scroll, she gives Desoran's message a quick once-over before writing 'Tish' in her elegant, loopy script toward the bottom of it. She was of the same mind as Irian, unbeknownst​ to her. She had never kept a promise that had become too inconvenient to keep. Or more profitable to break.

Taking one of the scraps of paper for herself, Tish smirks at Kari. "You should try it some time. You know, if you ever get around to doing any actual work here."

The trip to Karpad is a long one, but with the supplies stored in the Good Noodle and the now luxurious blue gem key, travel nerves are much easier to handle.

I'm terrible at Golarian geography, so we'll say the trip is around two weeks by cart. What do you do with your free time?

As you near the land, you all do notice a few odd details. For one thing the land is....darker than most, and the smaller villages you pass seem to be suspicious and whisper while staring at you with large, sleepless eyes.

Karpad itself is an isolated rural town far from the dark streets of the great cities of Nidal, with cobbled streets and roughly 60 wood and stone buildings, all featuring thatch roofs. The largest structure in the vale is the towering stone manor house at the top of the hill, where Baron Stepan and his family live. In a superstitious effort to ward off shadows, the villagers have set a number of bonfires on the edges of town, and every intersection features a handful of lit torches, all kept burning day and night. The manor house is surrounded by no fewer than six bonfires, and the parapets of its roof are ablaze with lit lanterns.

As you make your way into town, where is everyone in relation to the Good Noodle, who' outside, leading the horses, etc?

I'm thinking Irian would just be lollygagging, enjoying the company of nice-looking female companions. He's not exactly a scholarly sort.

As the wagon rolled near to the group's destination, Irian exited the Good Noodle and strode outside, ostensibly to lead the horses (though of course they needed no such direction). Still, this place seemed a bit more superstitious than most, so having someone handling a mundane task might make the people seem more at ease. He eyed the numerous bonfires and torches with curiosity, wondering where all the fuel for such things might come from. It had to take an enormous amount of lumber to keep the things burning at all times.

It isn't too long into their fortnight-long journey that Tish understands just how different her current companions are compared to the usual company the courtesan kept back in the capital. Not in a bad way, necessarily; they are certainly more useful to have around than her old acquaintances considering the sorts of hazardous situations she routinely finds herself in. But during the group's quiet downtime is when the mesmerist realizes that, with the possible exception of Jix and Kari, her new partners are quite ill-suited to catering to her other needs. In time perhaps that may change, she hopes. But so it is that Tish spends much of the trip in seclusion, working, teasing and titillating the now most neglected part of herself...

Her mind, you pervs! Tish misses the witty repartee of her fellow Calistrians. She'll spend most of the trip retraining her archery feats to Skill Focus: Sense Motive and Eldritch Heritage (Psychic Bloodline).

Tish climbs out of the carriage wearing the same sneer that's been on her face ever since crossing the border into the sun-forsaken country. "How dreary... Right, let's find out what needs to be done here and do it, before we all start looking as pale as a bunch of Ulfen."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Any juicy rumors a former Lady might have heard about Baron Stepan or his family?

Median plays games or cards or dice with the others as they travel, using the games as an excuse to get people to talk and get to know them better. When no one wants to play, she'll read in the evenings, and ride up on the cart during the day, watching the road if there is anything interesting, and her book if there isn't.

When they arrive, Median is sitting up front next to the driver's seat, watching where they are going.

As your moving through the countryside and towns, there isn't much opportunity to pick up gossip Laetitia. However, you do catch snippets of conversation here and there. Something about cursed land, maybe even a cursed family. Some mentions of a sickness, but anytime you're caught listening in, everyone immediately clams up.

As you enter the town, you pass by a series of bonfires built at the edge of town, and even on the streets you find burnt torches almost everywhere. When one goes out, you see men and women hastily replace them and light the new ones immediately. You even catch a few stars, probably not for the food, but the wood your carriage is made of...

You all arrive at the Boroi Manor, built on a slope overlooking the town. Its an old structure made octagonally, and there are blazing bonfires raging around the manor, controlled, but built high. There are six total, not counting the ones on top of the manor.

A stern looking man with a graying beard in professional garb hails you as your carriage pulls into the front.

"Laurentiu, at your service madams and sir." he greets, bowing respectively.

"Are you the help that has been sent our way?"

Irian's brow furrowed deeply as they made their way through the town and towards the manor, looking at the terrified expressions of the townsfolk, the hungry gazes for the fuel the wagon would provide the flames. Something had happened, and recently. There's no way the fires raging could be maintained for a long period without a massive effort. Then again, it made sense...they had been sent to help, after all. He wondered what might be troubling the town when the nicely-dressed graybeard approached the group. The warrior did his best to just look pleasant and not intimidating, keeping his hand away from his sword hilt as he waited for one of the more personable ladies to start talking.

Yes indeed. We are here to help. Can you explain the specific trouble? We were sent, but not informed as to the exact nature of the problem.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13