Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

Asherick says nothing as the Shoanti warriors lead them to the Cairns of the Kallow Mounds, but its is clear both he and Trinia listen closely to all the warriors says about the Shoan-Quah Tribe encampment.

Ashe regards the tall and gaunt Chief One-Life, but his attention is ever drawn to the crippled dragonne, Wicked-Claws sunning himself upon the nearby Cairn.

As does Majenko perched upon his shoulder... his tongue flicking rapidly as he takes in the scent of the dragon-kin in the air...

Garridan bows respectfully to both One-Life and Wicked Claws

"As my friend says, we come in peace and friendship. We seek council from Thousand Bones, a great spiritual leader of your people that we hope may be found nearby. We are hoping that his advise might help us to rid this land of a great evil"

"An evil that violates the natural spiral of life and death." Akina chimes in, adding to Garridan's words.

"Then offer I salt and water and bread," says the gaunt man. "I am One-Life, that leads and lives here. Will you come in and tell your tale?"

The tent is somewhat nicer inside that its battered exterior might suggest, with woven floor-coverings and low stools. One of your escort speaks quietly to One-Life who looks interested and replies. The man promptly sets off, leaving the settlement.

"Grey-Beak tells me that you are knowing Thousand-Bones. He has gone hunting with Rattleshirt, I send for his return."

A Shoanti woman comes forward bearing a large round wooden dish on which there is a loaf of bread, a cup of water and a small dish containing salt. She kneels before you.

Trying to see if there is a significance or ritual to the salt, bread, and water?

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Garridan would hopefully know the appropriate ritual way to take the bread, water and salt (take 10 on Knowledge local for 22). Or, at least, think he knows :-).

"We thank you for your hospitality. I'll let my friends tell the story, they were present for more of it than was I"

Anyone who knows Shoanti custom will realise that you are supposed to eat a little bread, sip the water and take a pinch of salt. The items are offered as signifying the offering of hospitality, by accepting you agree to behave yourselves in a civilised manner whilst guesting with your host and he in turn guarantees your safety while you are there.

Outside, Wicked-Claws raises his head and trumpets loudly.

Just to be explicit, Garridan eats a little bread, sips the water, and takes a pinch of salt :-) :-). He does this sufficiently overtly that it should be obvious to his companions that they should do likewise (on the off chance some of them didn't figure it out :-)

Ineluki follows Garridan's lead, eating a little bread, some water and a pinch of salt... It's been a long time since she traveled through these lands and she was much younger then, so she is glad for the guidance. She gives her hosts a friendly smile...

Edmund happily complies with the custom, remembering now that he had read something about this in a book many years ago.

Ashe takes the bread and water eats drinks and takes the salt on his tongue, nodding in accepting the chief's offered hospitality. He steps forward finally nodding to Garridan in accepting the request to tell the tale.. thus far...

Lingusitics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Trying to speak - Shoanti, without accent!

Then Asherick speaking in Shoanti trying very hard to hide his Cheliax accent... identifies himself, "..I am Asherick Stolyarev-Whiteplume, Paladin of the Inheritor - IOMEDAE, The Grey Knight of Korvosa, Exemplar of Falcon’s Hollow, Hero of the Fey. It was I... and my then companions that Thousand-Bones came to ask for us to return the body of his Nephew - the Shoanti Warrior Gaeken, who had been unfortunately and tragically slain in the riots during the death of the then Monarch of Korvosa~ King Eodred. We braved the dead warrens where the clergy of PHARASMA fight and unending battle against the undead that plague Korvosa... and returned Warrior Gaeken's body to be interred with honor by his people among the Shoanti. Of those companions that retrieved the warrior's remains.. I alone remain dedicated to the quest..."

"Later, as unrest continued in Korvosa.. not to mention the Blood Veil plague that eventually killed hundreds of innocents, we learned that King Eodred's death was no accident but intentional! In seeking the source of the Blood Veil plague... we learned an even darker secret. That the spirit of an ancient vile enemy~ the evil Dragon 'Warlord' Kazavon, an unholy Chosen of ZON-KUTHON had taken possession of our Queen and inspired her to many vile acts, not the least of which the murder of her husband King Eodred and the spreading and creation of the Blood Veil plague! I discovered and crafted a cure to the Blood Veil plague saving perhaps thousands from horrible death but the possession of our Queen Ileosa is beyond any mortal mundane means to counter! We believe Queen Ileosa is in possession of an artifact.. that the Shoanti peoples hid and kept safe beneath the Grand Mastaba of Korvosa... the Fangs of Kazavon, which our Queen now wears as a Crown of Tryanny! This Vile Relic has possessed her will and has bolstered her body with unholy and unnatural resilience.. no mundane weapon can slay her~ As my dear Uncle Marcus Endrin learned to his regret when his attempt to assassinate the evil possessed Queen, by shooting her in the head with his crossbow, spectacularly failed when she pulled the quarrel from her brow and slew him with the same bolt!"

"Clearly... mortal weapons are no use to us... we seek the knowledge of the Shoanti... in hopes some weapon or knowledge of how to defeat the power of the Evil dragon Kazavon is known to your peoples~ as you were the original guardians of the Fangs of Kazavon? I acknowledge it is the fault of my ancestors that drove your people from their rightful home as stewards of this great evil .. that we have unleashed in our ignorance, but if the evil of Kazavon is allowed to continue to fester and grow within our duped Queen... ALL peoples will be at threat... including the Shaonti! Kazavon MUST be Stopped... before he grows too powerful and any soul that was once our young Queen is lost forever!"

"Grave news you bring indeed, fair warrior," says One-Life.

"Shown yourself friend of the Shoanti before, so we help. When Thousand-Bones returns, we pray at grave of Gaeken, kindly restored to us. Then consult in conclave as to what can be done."

Akina watches the men with her normal skepticism.

Sense Motives: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Assuming she senses nothing amiss. She will follow suit as she eats the bread, water, and salt and remain silent as Ashe tells his tale.

Nothing seems amiss, Akina.

With the acceptance of the story Ashe bows respectfully and turns to regard the Dragonne again... unless 'propriety' seems he should stay and wait or someone stops him ... Ashe will make his way toward the wingless dragon-lion...

Ashe will approach the majestic crippled beast directly and slowly clearly wanting to be noticed and stop a respectful 15 feet away and bows again.

Majenko tail flutters excitedly as the miniature dragon restlessly moves about the Paladin's armored shoulder he is perched upon... trying to get a better look at the large predatory dragon-lion...

Speaking in Draconic again trying hard to get the pronunciation perfect so as not to offend...

Linguistics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
- Trying to hide accent

"I bid you greeting honored dragon-kin, Wicked-Claws. It grieves my heart badly to see so majestic a being as yourself denied the sky by your injury! My father once, long ago, was a Sable Company Marine of Korvosa, his dearest friend was his companion steed a Hippogriff named Kyrie. But his friend was taken from him by a Shoanti arrow. He was never the same again.. and no other Hippogriff would do his bonded friend had been taken from him. I saw as a youth how having the sky denied my father hurt his heart daily in the longing in his eyes. I aspired to one day follow his steps and take my place among the Sable Company Marines with my own winged companion. Alas.. the gods have willed another fate for me. But I would help you in honor of my father if you would let me? I have not the means this very moment.. but if I can procure a means to restore your wings would you accept it as a humble gift of my heart?"

Diplomacy: {Take 10!} 10 + 9 = 19

Wicked-Claws gets up and sniffs at Ashe curiously.

"I thank you, courteous one. I would love to fly again, although One-Life and his people have been kind to me," he replies in Draconic. His breath is not very pleasant to smell...

"You speak my tongue well. Have you had dealings with my kind before?"

Trinia follows Ashe~ at first, a safe distance. Then when Ashe engages the large beast in its own gravelly language she approaches to stand behind Ashe marveling at Ashe's fluency when the beast answers back.

Linguistic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Trinia has just enough familiarity to recognize the language as Draconic but it is not a language she speaks. She reaches up to scratch Majenko between the wings... eliciting a series of chirps of pleasure from the tiny dragon... and gaining his attention...

Thinking at Majenko, {Friend Majenko... what is Ashe saying to the dragon-lion beast?}

A few moments later... Majenko telepathically replies for any close to hear, {Ashe has offered to restore Wicked-Claws wings so he can fly again!}

Trinia smiles and leans against Ashe's back, "oh Ashe~ that's very sweet of you to offer... I'm glad your not holding a grudge..."

Ashe does not flinch from the dragon-lion calmly letting him gain his scent.

Replying again in draconic, "...I think your heart will lead you where you need to be. If your heart is with the Shoanti peoples of this tribe... I think it will matter not if your wings are restored and the sky is returned to you ... your heart will not let you stray far from the ones you love."

Ashe seems to take no note of 'Wicked-Claws' breath.

Ashe smiles at the complement, "I am not just a warrior, I am a physician & scholar by profession~ A Paladin and Bard by training. I have never met a dragon-kin of your stature before... save my companion and adventuring teammate... the excitable Majenko on my shoulder here. I guess the time I have spent speaking draconic with him has paid off... even though his usual from of communication is telepathic."

At Trinia's gentle touch and words Ashe seems to brighten,

Replying to her, "A grudge? No. Hate is rarely the answer to anything non-self-destructive. My father did not hate the Shoanti. He was grieved that his companion was taken from him in the ongoing conflict with the Shoanti but he told me that the people of Korvosa owe a great debt of reparation to the Shoanti peoples that our ancestors drove out of the lands. He told me that someday someone might be bold enough to redress this injustice... but until then Shoanti raid Korvosa and it falls to its defenders to protect the innocent citizens who had no more choice now than the Shoanti did then."

"I know if someday it is in my power to redress the crimes committed against the Shoanti.. I will not hesitate to do so."

Wicked-Claws nods his great head, tongue flicking as he captures Asherick's scent.

"You may well be right, courteous one. Your small friend is pretty but small. I must take care lest I inhale him by accident!"

A small crowd of Shoanti have gathered. They don't get many outsiders visiting (at least, not of their own volition), and none have ever held a civilised conversation with Wicked-Claws, they usually cower away from him!

One-Life comes to stand beside Asherick.

"Your home is here, Wicked-Claws, you know that, my friend. Thank you for speaking with him. Few do apart from ourselves. Come, a drink will be prepared."

Behind in the tent a rhythmic thumping is heard. The sound travels in the desert air.

Ashe bows one final time to 'Wicked-Claws' and taking Trinia's hand affectionately, follows One-Life back to the tents...

"Fascinating!" Edmund whispers to Ashe. "I had read several treatises on the Draconic language, learned its grammar and syntax, and memorized its vocabulary, but had never been able to hear it before. Some of the pronunciations are a bit different from what their spellings would suggest."

Ashe nods as Edmund engages him in quiet conversation, "...I have only had the opportunity to read one small treatise on the draconic language myself.. it was not particularly helpful. But when I would practice my draconic speech on Majenko... I was sometimes perplexed how he would ask me to repeat something I said because I got it wrong again and again... and only a very slight and as far as I could tell change of throaty tonal quality would earn me a somewhat curt 'Close enough' from him. So.. I took from this that dragons have very keen senses... and as they age and grow larger their sensory organs also grow larger and increase in acuity. My human vocal chords are not capable of reproducing the tonal quality of a full dragon.. but I can get, 'close enough'."

This comment elicits Majenko shift his weight on Ashe shoulder to look around and stick his tongue out at Ashe while telepathically sending, {I, Majenko am good dragon-speak teacher! Ashe just has lisp... like hatchling!!}

To which Ashe pets him fondly continuing, "...EXACTLY! What I mean... a dragon hatchling has not developed their vocal control or the large tonal quality of an older dragon. So likely to any true dragon they can easily discern when a non-dragon is speaking draconic to them as they can hear the subtle tonal qualities that only a true dragon could produce or even hear."

Ashe goes briefly wistful, "...I have heard tales.. that there are true-dragons that sing in draconic... I'm sure that must be marvelous to hear..."

To which Majenko telepathically sends {I Majenko~ do Not sing!}

As Ashe leaves the tent to go talk with the dragon, Akina will turn her attention to Ash Dancer. "Thank you for welcoming us. I have heard tale of your tribe and your role in these lands. That you prepare your dead for their journey to the Pale Lady's court. I have also heard tale of you, that you lead the "boneslayers." Vanquishes of those that would defile the natural spiral of life. I am something of a boneslayer myself in service of the Cathedral of Pharasma. I would love to hear story and song of the techniques you employ on your holy mission."

"I your stories would here also," says Ash Dancer.

Back in the tent, one Shoanti is crouched holding a large brass bowl while another is standing, pounding the contents with a carved stone mortar (as in pestle and mortar). This is the source of the rhythmic thumping.

"We prepare rowerd berry," explains One-Life. "Honoured visitors give. Send signal noise far and wide tell all we have guests, call to come greet."

Ashe returns with Trinia... hand in hand, and he finds a place near the firepit to sit in the firelight. Ashe removes his helm letting his shock white hair fall loose. Removing his right-hand gauntlet he sets both aside and pulls out of his Handy Haversack Belt Pouch... the ornate carved wooden box of Zellara's Haunted Harrow Deck.

The box he holds in his left INHERITOR'S Gauntlet-ed fist... while his bare right hand draws cards from the deck~ three by three... consulting the Harrow.

He whispers softly heard mostly by Trinia~ who watches pretty emerald eyes wide in expectation, "...hello Zellara. Sorry to have been away so long. We are on the path to saving Korvosa... what do the Harrow portent for us?"

Majenko shifts his position on Ashe's shoulder nearest to the fire {getting the heat rock effect from the warming plate armor} as the excitable tiny dragon goes into another of his cat-naps...

One-Life shows you some of the rowerd berries. They are small dark-red berries which are pounded into a paste. Boiling water is then poured onto them to make a tea. It somehow manages to be sweet and bitter at the same time, and is very refreshing in the desert heat.

Ashe hears Zellara's chuckle.

{Far you have come, yet further you will go... let me see... The Forge tells me that you face great adversity and will need to draw on diverse sources of strength to overcome and prove victorious. The Avalance inverted, shows disaster looms but may be averted, although at a cost. And finally the Winged Serpent tells me that now is the time to take action. Have courage, brave one.}

Ashe ponders Zellara's words nodding in grim acceptance, "I see, it is as I expected, we are not strong enough yet to defeat Kazavon. We must be 'refined' in the crucible of Tribulation, 'Tempered' in the fires of adversity before we will be FORGED anew able to strike at the proper time to avert the a great DISASTER~ the rise of a renewed Kazavon! Now is the time to ACT to seek the knowledge to defeat him."

Ashe reverently puts Zellara's cards away.

Leaning back sips his bittersweet tea... and considers what trails and costs this quest will ultimately require.

Ineluki approaches Ashe and bows to him slightly, nodding as well to Trinia.

"Good Sir Ashe, I was just considering options about Wicked Claws... The spell needed to regrow limbs is beyond my abilities, but perhaps we might acquire a scroll that would work... it is not totally beyond my abilities to cast though there would be a chance of failure... I lack two orders of power of casting ability to safely use such a scroll at present. Perhaps we could return, if not soon without the scroll, then later if and when Sarenrae grants me the power to cast the spell myself. Just thought I'd share that with you. Excuse me for intruding on your time with the fair Trinia."

She turns to leave...

sorry for my long absence, I was on a retreat and lost track of several forums while there.

Ashe smiles, "Thank you~ Inëlûkii, such was my intention... to use a purchased scroll. In fact the only thing preventing me from doing so is the fact that Master Edmund Gwenn there does not have teleport as part of his magics right now. I believe the party treasury has sufficient trade goods to purchase said scroll were we still in Kaer Maga."

"Rest assured the moment Master Edmund Gwen is capable of such magics... it will be my first request!"

One-Life's people serve the hot berry drink, a deep red in colour, in tiny brass cups.

"This honour share we rarely with outsiders. For welcome guests, more than custom hospitality but honoured ones privilege to have here," One-Life explains.

Despite its heat, he drains the cup in one gulp.

The drink has a deep almost woody smell.

"We are greatly honoured by your sharing this drink with us."

Garridan first smells the drink carefully like a wine connoisseur, appreciating the aroma. He then downs it in a single gulp.

Akina stares at the drink hesitantly, but finally commits herself, peeling her facial wrap off and drinking the hot berry drink down. She clinches her fist trying to keep from showing any reaction to the burning liquid pouring down her throat.

Ashe will drink the offered beverage with thanks. He sips the drink savoring the odd new taste.

Ineluki tries the new drink... She steels herself against any negative reaction to it, just in case it tastes hideous or something, and then downs it quickly as their host did. Whether good or bad, she smiles and nods in thanks.

Edmund too politely drinks the berry drink.

It actually has quite a pleasant taste, although on the bitter side.

As you finish up, the curtain across the door of the tent is pushed back and Thousand Bones turns up, followed by another Shoanti who wears a leather jerkin covered with bones.

Thousand Bones shouts something in Shoanti. Those of you who speak said language get the gist of 'Wnat is going on?' but it's too full of colloquialisms and obscenties to be directly translateable.

One-Life gestures towards the party.

"Honoured friends come, have tale to tell, would see you."

Ashe stands shifting to Shoanti language.. again being extra polite and conscious to show no accent in his spoken words...

Linguistics: {Take 10!} 10 + 10 = 20

"Greetings Thousand-Bones, May your spirits guide you. Forgive please our presence... we would not sully the lands the Thunder of your people roll across were not the need truly desparate. By Blood I have sworn to end the evil that has awoken in Korvosa~ Kazavon has awoken and all but rules in Korvosa ...through possession of our Queen's body and will! The Fangs of Kazavon have been discovered and their evil spreads. We seek Shoanti advice on how this evil may be defeated~ not just for our sake.. but All of Golarian. The shadow of Kazavon's domination MUST not take hold to spread as it did in days long past!"

"I would add one thing. We are not certain if the Queen is a willing participant, an innocent victim, or perhaps something in between. While we are willing to kill her if that is the only way of stopping Kazavon we are also willing to consider means of freeing her from this domination should that be a possibility"

"Do we know that? Ashe, did you not tell us that she killed the King before gaining the Fangs. While it is not my duty to interfere in local politics, most would consider that an evil act."

Ashe replies to Akina, "We believe it was her finding the fangs in the first place that inspired her to kill the king.. she only recently began wearing them constantly... its hard to say. From a political point of view.. she had no need to kill the king.. Eodred was elderly.. perhaps in a as few as five or so years he likely would have died anyways. It makes little political sense for Illeosa to be impatient and cast a shadow over her ascendancy to the throne, as unpopular as she is with the Nobles of Korvosa, by rushing to murder the king when eventually she will have the throne anyways! She is young and the king did not begrudge her her occasional younger lovers, all she had to do was wait! I know the Queen was evil before the king's death, I met her many times at court.. but she was not murderous in my opinion... spoiled and petty yes, but evil does not automatically mean guilty. But in the end all we REALLY know is she is currently being possessed by the Crown of Fangs and I will do everything I can to save Illeosa from it if it is possible!"

Akina nods at Ashe's reply. "By Pharasma I think he's finally learning. He was able to tell a whole tale without showing even one of his peacock feathers." She simply says instead, "Thank you, your knowledge and insight are appreciated."

Ineluki nods at Ashe's words. "You speak wisely, good Sir Ashe. The queen does need to be freed of the Crown's influence before her own guilt or innocence is established."

Thousand-Bones looks troubled and pull at an ear.

"These are sad tidings..." he begins, but before he gets any further there's a commotion outside. A brash young Shoanti with a shaved head bursts into the tent followed by half-a-dozen others.

"I, Krojun Eats-What-He-Kills, am here!" he announces, "Bearing the remains of Berak of the Sklar-Quah hero renowned for his many successful attacks against orc aggressors from Urglin, yet at last brought low by them. But why, One-Life, do the Skoan-Quah harbour tshamek trespassers?"

He glowers aggressively at the party, clearly displeased at the presence of outsiders.

Asherick stands~ his golden-hued plate armor, scarlet cloak and white cassock of IOMEDAE catching the eye in the fire-light and faces Krogun meeting his gaze with his own frosty blue piercing eyes framed by his, somewhat disheveled shock-white long hair; again Ashe begins speaking in Shoanti careful with his pronunciation,"I hear you Krogun Eats-What-He-Kills, I am Asherick Stolyarev-Whiteplume; you are correct we are outsiders, but we come hopefully in deep respect of your wronged people.. knowing that Every Stone, A Totem.. understanding we are untested to the right to disturb your people's Lands. But we are here Until Our Skulls are Gathered, against a great common foe, a great enemy of your forefathers~ a foe WE have taken responsibility in our ignorance for stirring awake again to defeat or die trying! A foe we are not knowledgeable enough to fight without the Wisdom of your peoples to guide our strikes!"

Linguistics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

At his shoulder Majenko stirs restlessly in his cat-nap from the sudden motion, his tail-stinger twitching irritably.

Trinia is clearly frightened by the powerful, disturbingly named Shaonti warrior, Krogan Eats-What-He-Kills and slowly stands behind Ashe, though not obvious she is prepared to unleash subduing magic if the warrior turns violent. She locks her pretty emerald green eyes upon his eyes ready to act if needed.

Krojun, not Krogan :-)

In Shoanti

"We have come in peace seeking council. We have no quarrel with warriors of the Sklar-Quah as long as its warriors have no quarrel with us. But surely, here in the lands of the Skoan-Quah, we are both guests and should behave as such. Guests do not quarrel amongst themselves in anothers home"

Take 10 on diplomacy for a 20.

Edit: A reminder (I'm not sure if this would make things better or worse) that I have an earthbreaker sheathed on my back and a Klar on my arm. Ie, I'm armed with the traditional Shoanti Fang and Claw weapons

One-Life seems rather taken aback, but Thousand-Bones just nods as he rises and moves towards Krojun, who towers over him (and Thousand-Bones is not exactly a small man).

"Tell me, Krojun, when did the Sklar-Quah become judges of who trespasses on the Kallow Mounds where the ashes of our fathers lie?" he asks.

"Your words change the question, Thousand Bones," answers the Shoanti hero with a snort. "These ones bring trouble to the Cinderlands, and you know it. The coming days shall reveal to us all who is right about them."

"Perhaps," answers Thousand Bones. "But not today, and not here. Would you have word of Berak's burial tainted by bloodshed get back to your Sun Shaman?"

Krojun pauses, the cords in his neck straining, but then he exhales and grins. "You misunderstand me, Thousand-Bones. My grief has wounded my words. But see to it that no tshamek defiles our memories here."

His smile broadens as he pulls a thin leather loop from one of his packs. "Certainly, though, guests of the Skoan-Quah must be brave to come this far. You wouldn't mind if I tested the courage and strength of your guests, would you?"

Thousand Bones looks to you with a shrug, indicating that this choice is yours.

Ashe ponders the angry.. and perhaps treacherous Shoanti warrior.. but discerns that showing weakness would only encourage more overt trouble.

Continuing on in Shoanti, "I am up to any challenge of courage and strength you might want to test me with.. proceed!"

Stepping forward to consider the measure of this Krojun...

Akina will pull Ashe back a step whispering harshly, "Why are you doing this? It is an internal dispute. His protests are irrelevant. If Thousand-Bones or One-life demands we take the challenge then so be it. We do not need anything from from this Krojun. Let your pride suffer the insult and move on to the task we are here for!"

Edmund snags Akina and pulls her to the side. "It might be best to let this one slide, my dear," he whispers to her. "From what I remember reading, backing down from a challenge like that would make us appear weak, and when we left these sacred grounds, we would almost certainly be attacked, by that man with his entire tribe. Better to settle these things ceremonially now than with actual warfare down the road."