Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

I think the proper phrase is "I'm not dead yet"

"In Kaer Maga, I purchased a ring which will allow me to recover full rest and spells with only two hours' sleep; however, it takes a full week of wearing before it becomes attuned to me and provide those benefits. After that time, I insist on taking a shift of watch."

After a moment, he adds more softly in mock irritation, "I'm not in my grave yet."

Ashe chuckles lightly~ commenting clearly in jest, "I beg forgiveness from my presumptuousness... honored elder, this is something we youth cannot win in.. if we show deference to your advanced years~ we set ourselves up for seeming to treat you as an infirm... and yet if we assume you can keep up with us and do not accommodate for your less than youthful stamina.. we are not showing due respect for our elders! How ought we to avoid your stern repproval?"

"By doing something you're quiet quite unfamiliar with...ask." Akina remarks with a quick smirk in the direction of Ashe and Edmund. She quickly moves on not letting her joke linger. "For times like this, when we will be on the road for many days, my last group did something a little different. We would have one person stay up for the whole of the night to watch over everyone. Then that person would tie into the saddle and sleep for the day. It keeps everyone able to get a full night sleep uninterrupted. It also keeps everyone well rested during their watch, not fighting off sleep."

"I think that Akinas suggestion, combined with my Keep Watch spell, is an excellent idea. 3 of us can keep watch. That means at least 1 if not 2 people with excellent hearing will be awake at all times"

Akina pauses, as though she is trying to find her words. "The spell is powerful, but the gods designed us with a natural order. A body needs rest. That spell, all magic, has a cost. I would prefer us not to become reliant on such a thing in the long term. Like with Ashe, it may wash the fatigue, but your mind needs rest."

"On this I must disagree with you. As you know, Desna is my patron. She has no difficulty with using magics to make journeying easier. In fact, it is almost the reverse, it is nearly obligatory to do so when one can.

This spell also allows the mind to rest, but it does NOT allow dreaming. Hence the reason that, except in extreme circumstances, I never use it twice in a row on the same person."

Ashe continues leading on into the Cinderlands letting the discussion go.

Eventually he chimes in, "..I don't mind either option.. whatever you are all comfortable with is fine with me.. but we have a long way to go before we are ready to make camp.. so perhaps we can table the question of watches until it needs to be decided? What we now is our forward scouting.. shall we discuss it latter then?"

Talin nods. The two of them will continue their aerial patrol when ever they can.

sorry bout the absence. But im back again

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There isn't much traffic on the road, and what there is minds its own business. Then you come across an old man in a floppy hat rooting around in the vegetation at the side of the road, muttering to himself.

Akina will give a gentle wave to each person they pass. She will also cordially greet anyone who passes within earshot. When the pass the old man, she gives him a warm smile before greeting him. "Afternoon, good sir."

As they pass down the road Ashe will give a warm smile to those as they pass... to those not clearly in a hurry Ashe will engage them in brief small talk of any news they may have of happenings in the countryside that might be of note to travelers. He will be sure to ask if any Shaonti Tribal gatherings and their location have been noted by the travelers, giving his thanks.

Not that Ashe is specifically looking for such, but if he notices someone in need of medical attention he will render aid to any traveler that his mundane healing skills could address. Anyone specifically clearly sick... Ashe will simply remove disease but, he will try very hard to not make it obvious he has done so if he sees someone in obvious need. If noticed anyways he will merely say that, 'IOMEDAE has seen their need and bestowed her blessing... HE had little to do with it.' Ashe will refuse any payment or reward, and on insistence ask they give any payment to the next beggar or individual in need they meet next...

At the sight of the old man, alone on the road, rooting around in the vegetation, Ashe will greet him, "Good Day, honored elder! Have you misplaced something ... or are you in any need of assistance Sir?"

Garridan will nod and smile at the old man but pass him by and halt a little beyond him. While this doesn't seem dangerous, it never hurts to be on alert so he'll be scanning the area.

Note, once we got into dangerous territory he has his bow strung and in hand at all times.

@Megan What kind of terrain are we in? Plains he asked hopefully?

Talin keeps his eyes open. Just because everything seems calm, does not mean they are. Storms can come from a clear sky in seconds

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Rather scrubby rolling landscape.

The man in the floppy hat straightens up, rubbing his back.

"Jest collecting plants, good sir. Some fer remedies, some fer me dinner and some fer me pipe. What brings you out thisaway?"

Ashe regards the man his reaction and stance... and leaning over his saddle horn offers the man his canteen of fresh water to drink, "...you must be parched, fresh water?"

Scrutinizing his hands even if he declines... Ashe is looking for the tale-tell line of callouses on the palm of the hand that any swordsman gains with any amount of sword practice. Ashe also looks to see if the man is bearing any weapons at all...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Ashe still finds it 'odd' anyone would travel the Cinderlands alone... with the traditionally unfriendly response Shoanti have to non-shoanti and clearly there is no apparent community anywhere near in line of sight that an elderly man might just be out looking for herbs in the morning.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
- Ashe hates being the suspicious sort, but several things do not add up here and he's trying to dicern the truthfulness of the mans words and stance is he being truthful or concealing something?

Ashe does not believe the man to be Shoanti as .. they do not wear hats but are renown for shaving their heads bald. Curious... the man did not even ask his name nor show the slightest bit of apprehensiveness with an entire party of heavily armed and heavily Armored travelers...clearly not natives or merchants approaching him. 'Odd' .. indeed. It is, telling, that Ashe does not volunteer his name to a stranger... something that is 'traditionally' seen as rude to a cultural Varisian... but since the man did not offer his name Ashe is testing to see his reaction. After all, Red Mantis Assassins ARE seeking him among others.

Ashe smiles pondering, 'Truth... has always been my shield', "...We are seeking to find a way to save the life of our Queen Ileosa in Korvosa. We believe an evil artifact has possessed her... and that the Shoanti of these lands may know something of this relic. So we are seeking the tribe of the Shoan-Qua.. and their spiritual leader Thousand-Bones.
Are you Shaonti.. honored sir?"

Across Majenko's telepathic link Ashe has the tiny dragon relay a message to Talin and Garridan...

{This is Majenko! Ashe says its odd the man is out here alone with no nearby lair in sight in these dangerous lands. Ashe wants you two to look for any tracks that might indicate where the man came from or if he has a camp nearby! Oh yeah.. please?}

I am assuming that a take 10 would be enough to pick up on that conversation

@Megan - I really need to know the terrain we're in. Pretty please?

To Majenko : "Sure, we'll look. Could you please tell Ashe to maybe volunteer less information next time. Looking for Shoanti Quah : Good. Any explanation at all as to why: Bad"

Garridan then takes 10 on survival to find tracks, getting at least a 24 (+4 in plains, +4 if he is the human he appears to be, +5 for tracking, all those stack so likely a 33 or 37)

Talin, knowing what they are up against. And anyone could be an agent of the enemy. He keeps an eye out for any form of trickery.

Perception : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

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Sense Motives: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Terrain: low rolling hills covered in scrub bushes. There's a cinder cone off to your right. It's hot and dry and dusty.

The old fellow has a staff, but it looks like it is more for walking with than fighting.

Garridan can see that he came from the direction in which you are heading, he'd not been making any effort to hide his tracks. He also seems to be talking straight...

"I am not Shoanti myself, but I travel these lands often. There are three tribes of Shoanti dwelling in the Cinderlands, each of which have distinct traditions and lifestyles. The Skoan-Quah whom you seek dwell in the easternmost regions of the Cinderlands. They are none too popular with the rest because they talk to outsiders more. People talk to me, though, they all know me. I'm harmless. I just study the plants and will help anyone who asks."

Now you've got him talking he seems to have quite a lot to say!

Ashe will smile, "Well thank you kind sir for the information... we were somewhat at a loss for direction to find the Skoan-Quah. To the east... you say~ any idea how many days travel and do you know what their tribal territorial markers look like so we will have some foreknowledge when we are close?"

Ashe pulls from under his tabard.. his Decemverate-Stamped, Wayfinder and openly consults it for directional east.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
- Avoiding getting lost and know direction
Kno: Geography 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
- To consult the maps of the Cinderlands to get some idea of what travel difficulties that direction may present.

Ashe looks in the proper direction.. looking for some landmarks to not to maintain a proper course. Pulling out his Area maps of the Cinderlands to consult as well...

Across the telepathic link Majenko says to Talin Moonscar, {"It's me Majenko.. Ashe asks if you would begin a forward scout to the east from the air on your four-leg bird to get some idea of the terrain and possible difficulties for the four-legs!"}

With a deep bow that gives the old fellow quite an eyeful, Akina thanks the man. "You're aid is greatly appreciated friend. Good tiding to you and may the lady guide your path."

Returning to the path, Akina keeps her eyes open for anything else that may mark their path.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28 +5 vs traps.

The old man takes his floppy hat off and scratches his head.

"Tribal markers, hey? The Skoan-Quah are known as the Tribe of the Skull. They have quite a fixation with the dead in general. Warriors of the Skoan-Quah cake their bodies with a mixture of mud and ash, making their skin smoky white. This ritual is said to give them protection against the walking dead, whom they are sworn to destroy. Indeed they are zealous in the protection and honouring of the dead, provided that they stay dead, of course. They look after the sacred burial grounds for all the Shoanti, you know, the Kallow Mounds to the east and the Life Falls to the west."

He watches Ashe's Pathfinder with interest.

"Yes, you have the right of it. That's the way you need to go if you want to meet the Skoan-Quah. You'll know them when you see them. Not only do they have that white stuff on them, like all Shoanti they like tattoos. The Skoan-Quah adorn their bodies with symbols of bones and skulls, their favoured patterns creating the symbols Sosmo (Forever Dead), Eiril (Duty), and Graxt (Eternity). Kind of sums them up, I suppose."

"It's a pretty straight run from here. Due east until you're half way to the mountains. Think I have a map somewhere if you want to see it... cost me a few gold but it's come in handy more'n once."

He produces the map for you to see.

Ashe leans in to look at the elderly man's maps and he casts prestidigitation.. to make small magical note on his own map detailing landmarks from the old mans...

Arcane Failure check 1#: 1d100 ⇒ 14

Arcane Failure check 2#: 1d100 ⇒ 70

... finally succeeding on the second attempt to cast the spell.

Ashe makes notes of the specifically described Shoanti Symbols to look for.. and their meaning.

To the Old Man, Ashe says, "Why thank you good elder... this is a wealth of information and timely needed indeed! I shall make notes on our map to include these detail! It is Very kind of you to share and much appreciated! These Shoanti symbols have similar importance to the Varisian Tattoos I bear as well... even the colors and pattern of my Kapenia... woven by my mother have meaning and symbology and not just garish fancy as non-varisians would view. It would be fascinating if there is some similarity between the two cultures~ Varisian & Shoanti, perhaps some common origin?"

After Ashe has made appropriate notations to his map he smiles at the old man, "You have done so much for us... is there anything we may do for you ere we continue on our journey?"

Akina smiles happily to hear their proposed allies purpose. "A worth cause indeed." Turning to Ashe, "When we meet them, it may do well for me to lead our band, since our purposes are so closely aligned. They would likely be more accepting of me than other outsiders."

Ashe nods emphatically in agreement, "That is a keen idea Akina! And it may mitigate ...'somewhat' my Chelaxian heritage's unwanted presence in their lands."

"I will remind you that I am of part Shoanti blood and very eager to meet my distant cousins. I will not be hiding behind anybody at our meeting"

Talin nods as a silent acknowledgement to the request as he mounts up and he and Zypher takes flight. Scouting the area ahead

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Survival: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

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"I will remind you that I am of part Shoanti blood and very eager to meet my distant cousins. I will not be hiding behind anybody at our meeting"

Ashe shakes his head in the negative, "Worry not friend Garridan... no one will be 'hiding behind' anyone.. its just we may get better results in the initial contact if Akina and you, of course~ with your common heritage with the Shoanti, did the initial speaking to the Skoan-Quah.. rather than I!"

The old man replaces his floppy hat.

"Doan worry. Just be sure that the Shoati sees you a-coming and that ya doan make any threatening gestures. Iffen yer lucky they'll talk to ya afore eatin' ya."

He grins a gap-tooth grin.

"Jest kiddin'. They probably won't eat ya unless food's real short. But they don't like strangers. Have fun, now."

He settles his stave in his hand and begins to move off southwards.

Ashe bows to the old man and regards him as he leaves. Then gestures to Garridan, showing him the now updated map identifying the Shoanti, Skoan-Quah clan lands.

"Your on point then Garridan.. lead us to the Skoan-Quah!"

Ashe remounts 'Red Hoof' and falls in beside Trinia as they travel... making small talk.

Akina pushes her steed with a silent nudge taking up a position next to Garridan, her head always on a swivel for danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 +5 vs traps

As the journey progresses, Edmund starts to come out of his funk, and although he lets the others take the lead on speaking with the old man, he has once again become jovial and easy-going. He spends the days chatting amiably with the newcomers, and the evenings using his minor magic to tend and mend the group's equipment, as his unseen servants serve everybody's needs as best they can.

As we settle into the journey Garridan will try and get to know his companions, discussing histories, philosophies, etc. He is especially interested in hearing about any interesting places that they may have visited.

Inelukii, though not generally a 'chatty' person, will gladly talk of her homeland in the far north and her travels south to Korvosa, though such memories make her think of her mother and so are bittersweet. She reveals tales of her travels in little bits at a time, using what she does reveal to draw out others about their lives and travels.

Garridan gets almost poetic as he talks about some of the magnificent places that he has seen. From natural marvels to man made wonders he clearly has a fine sense of appreciation for the many of the beautiful vistas he has been to.

He can also tell fairly amusing (while still respectful) stories of different cultures that he has encountered and of how their ways can differ. He is often the butt of his own humour, describing his missteps and the foolish mistakes he made.

He is fairly reticent about his own adventures and those of his allies. Not so much modesty, basically you get the impression that he just doesn't care all that much about the adventuring that he has done, it was far more a means than an end. He is proud of some of the good that his group has accomplished (saving the holy relic) but matter of fact about what they had to do to accomplish it (slaying the dragon).

Ashe does not engage in telling much of any of his tales as a Pathfinder or his deeds in Korvosa's current crisis and discovery of the Queen's involvement... seeing as the past reactions to his tales of adventure have never been accepted well.. he keeps to talking with Trinia and Majenko {who apparently has taken a real liking to the blonde-haired female bard}; though he is polite enough to answer any specific questions posed to him, but he does not volunteer any new stories.

I would love specifics of what you guys tell during our journey.

Akina will join the conversation, telling the rest how she was given at birth into the service of the temple. She speaks kindly of the good Bishop who has acted as a father figure to her for most of her life. She speaks fondly of her studies in the temple and training to be a cleric, but it was not Pharasma's plan, as the Lady of Bones never granted her the divine magic needed to serve as a proper cleric. Akina was instead given to an undead elimination team. She speaks of their teams leader, a monk named Neyd, with admiration. Speaking mostly of what an incredible leader he was, and the incredibly daunting odds his leadership lead them through. Their ranger Risem, who sadly lost the love of his life to a foul necromancer and joined the church to eliminate the taint from his wife. Akina only speaks of respect and pity at what a heavy burden undeath places on the living. When she talks of the Wizard Yerdran, it is like a father figure. A wise old man, who they could all trust with their burdens, but rarely spoke of his own. They knew he carried a hard life behind his eyes, but never gave it words, never even speaking what brought him into the church's service. Akina glances more than once towards Edmond while talking of the old man, his demeanor reminding her of her old friend.

Akina is quick to move past her own purpose, to disable traps laid in tombs to protect the dead that have been defiled despite their protections. Though the whole conversation, her words are light and filled with the joy of happier times. As she tells her tales, you get the impression she is well traveled and has a good working knowledge of the cultures and religions of many faiths and lands. Her hatred for the undead is visceral.

I'm off to two different conventions this weekend (I really wish they'd not been scheduled on the same day). This will very likely be my last post until Monday (I expect I'll be going to bed as soon as I make it home Sunday)

As you travel towards the Kallow Mounds, you notice the occasional large rock cairn topped with animal skulls, and these increase in frequency as you get closer. Once you are about one half-mile out, a group of four young men, painted white and liberally tatooed with skulls, ride out towards you. One steps forwards.

"Greetings," he says in heavily-accented Common. "What do you tshamek do here approaching our camp?"

Garridan steps forward and replies in Shoanti

"Greetings. We are travellers that have come in peace seeking to speak with Thousand Bones. Could you perhaps direct us to him?"

He'll take 10 on Diplomacy for a 20

Do I know anything about the tattoos or paint on these men? Also what do I know of the word tshamek? Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Akina opens her arms out wide in a non-threatening manner and makes a point to draw attention to her own tattoo that shows the holy symbol of Pharasma. "We only walk your lands for a holy purpose. Please speak with us, that we may limit our intrusion as much as the gods will allow." Take 10 diplomacy to assist.

"Ahh..." says the leader, "Best is you come along-uf us. We take you camp see Thousand Bones."

(Garridan at least, seeing as he speaks Shoanti, recognises the word 'tshamek' - it means stranger, or outsider, with a hint of the barbaric thrown in for good measure. Not Shoanti.)

"Thank you"

Garridan sheathes all his weapons. On the way, he tries to engage the Shoanti in small talk.

"My grandfather was a Shoanti but he died before I was born. I've tried to learn something of the Shoanti but I am sure that my knowledge of your ways is both incomplete and partly inaccurate. Perhaps you could tell me something of your Quah?"

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

As they walk, Edmund dredges up everything he can remember reading about the Shoanti, and listens and chats with the man, filing away any corrections and additions to his prior knowledge.

Akina bows slightly deeper than necessary at their hosts. "You have my thanks, may the Lady's blessing be upon you for the good works you do."

Akina gets a rather funny look.

"We do what we do as our duty."

Garridan does not fare much better.

"Your accent is think and your skin unadorned."

These fellows do not seem very talkative.

"My skin bears no tattoos since I do not claim to be a Shoanti. But I do have a great deal of respect for your people and would like to learn more of my heritige. But I understand your caution"

Ashe merely listens to the interchange, both he and Trinia speak Shoanti but neither speaks up, letting others make the initial contact.

Ashe does his best to stay out of sight... as best as a man clad in golden hued Full plate in red, Grey & white apparel with a garishly colored Kapenia scarf and mounted on a vibrantly reddishly hued heavy warhorse mare can... which is not at all! But he a least tries to avoid gaining the Shoanti's attention.

The conversation between he and Trinia goes silent as they both begin studying the Shoanti Warrior's and their tattoos.

Ashe trying to determine the different styles that might identify different tribes of Shoanti...

Trinia knowing Ashe has Varisian Tattoos is curious if there is any similarity in imagery...

Majenko stirs from his slumber in Trinia's lap and takes flight to perch on Ashe's Armored shoulder... his tongue fluttering ceaselessly as he regards the smells of the Shoanti Warriors with curiosity. His contrasting amethyst scales only adding more eye grabbing color to the paladin...

A fact not lost on Ashe from his somewhat sour expression... but he does not seem ask Majenko to perch elsewhere.

The Kallow Mounds themselves are a collection of hundreds of cairns, the burial sites for all three Cinderlands Shoanti tribes for the past 300 years. The Skoan-Quah, as your guides explain, are the caretakers of these cairns, and typically camp at a small dale on the westernmost edge of the mounds, to which they are taking you now.

They say that at any one time, approximately 75 Skoan-Quah barbarians dwell in this camp, with a constant influx of new nomads maintaining this level as smaller tribes move on. The chieftain of the Kallow Mounds, and of all the Skoan-Quah, is named One-Life. He has lived in the Kallow Mounds for his entire adult life — unlike his tribe, who remain nomadic, Chief One-Life dwells permanently in this small camp with his direct family. Another permanent resident of the camp is an elderly woman known as Ash Dancer, the tribe's eldest and most experienced shaman and the leader of the boneslayers.

The Kallow Mounds are further protected by a crippled dragonne named Wicked-Claws who lost his wings to a bulette some years ago, and Chief One-Life saved the proud creature from certain death. No longer able to soar the skies above, Wicked-Claws has adopted the Skoan-Quah and is sunning atop a cairn not far from Chief One-Life's tent as you approach.

"Thinking you talk with Chief One-Life and Ash Dancer in the first," says your guide. "Then see what do with you they shall."

One-Life - at least, you guess that's him, comes out of the tent. He's a tall and gaunt fellow.

"Visitors? Tshamek visitors, no less?"

He stands and waits as you ride up.

Akina regards the new man just as she did the first, she opens her arms out wide in a non-threatening manner and makes a point to draw attention to her own tattoo that shows the holy symbol of Pharasma. "We only walk your lands for a holy purpose. Please speak with us, that we may limit our intrusion as much as the gods will allow."