Rannik's Carrion Crown

Game Master Patrick Levasseur

Sonny listens to Anna and is silent for a while. He then says "A.A. plays the long game. It's been hundreds of years. What is waiting a few more tens of years until we can't protect it. Also, what if they find another way, maybe one more difficult than using the mace, but one that works. What if the mace is just another trade like the effigy? Too many unknowns here I think. We have to go and put an end to this, not just wait it out. We may be able to put the mace to use as well. Pound a few skulls with it."

Sonny approaches Tolvan and says "I am no expert in magical items but if you need any assistance I will give you what I can. My knowledge isn't great but there is a small chance I might know something you don't especially if it is of a religious nature and I can cast a spell that will help you some."

Offering to aid another and cast guidance.

Your help would be most welcome Sonny. And I can think of no safer place to study these items than here in this church with Kimberly watching over us. Let use begin Tolvan sets each item out on separate tables and casts Detect Magic and studies each.

Spellcraft Mace: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 22 + 2 = 31

Spellcraft Effegy: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 22 + 2 = 37

Onwards to Book 5! Awesome! Congratulations, everyone! Special shout-out to Rannik for keeping up the GM duties!

Feeling much better after a meal and hot bath, Anna puts her feet up on the table while sipping a glass of wine. Her mind starts spinning about what their next move is, and what to do about the mace in their possession.

"All right. We've got something valuable that A.A. wants. Way I see it, we treat this like a successful heist, but we got something that's too hot to just fence. We usually have two options: We hide the thing, or we keep the thing and hide ourselves.

"The advantage of hiding it is, that even if A.A. figures out where we are, he's not going to be able to slip in and steal it from us. (I'm going to leave out the part where it also prevents one of our crew from taking it and bailing.) The problem is, it's not with us anymore. If A.A.'s got some serious magic that lets him figure out where it is or if he's smart enough to guess where we hid it, he can go get it and we can't stop him."

She empties her glass and pours herself another. "A variant of that is giving it to someone else for safekeeping. We don't have it, and it's better protected than if it's just hidden somewhere. Same problem, though, is that if he finds out where it is, our friends are in danger.

"The other option is to hang on to it and lay low. We go someplace far away -- probably outside Ustilav, and... pretty much that's it. Wait until the heat's off." She frowns as she thinks about that more. "No idea how long that'll take, though."

Anna, I have made some contacts with the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye. Perhaps they might offer guidance. I believe they would appreciate us checking in with them and giving them an update too. Is never bad to have such rar reaching and powerful organizations owe you a favor either.

Rannik, do we level up between books?

Sonny assists Tolvan the best he can.

Spellcraft Aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Spellcraft Aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Ok, Sonny has given you a +2 for aid and +1 for guidance for each roll.

Having complete faith in you I dad already figured in both. :)

Anna pitches her head back and groans. "Judge Daramid's people? We're not that desperate, are we?"

She considers Sonny's assessment about the long game. She gives Tolvan an odd look, then stares at her wine glass. "Yeah. You're probably right. Sometimes, you can't just hide from what's after you."

She looks up and offers a weak smile. "Guess that means we're going to Caliphas, right? I wonder if Annabelle Guiseppe should make her grand appearance?" She smirks and a flute appears in her hand with a flourish.

Rannik, do we level up between books?

Not yet, but you are close.

While Tolvan and Sonny study the two magical items, Ananias moves toward the mace. He grabs the handle and lifts it. "I know this weapon." He swings the mace and hits the wall with the head, and all the grime and muck falls off. It reveals a simple wooden handle. The top of the mace is made of four golden ravens' heads. "This was the symbol of office for the Bishop of Caliphas. Sadly, Prince Adamondais Virholt lost the mace in battle against the Whispering Tyrant. I never though I would lay my eyes on this prize weapon ever again."

Danica sees Ananias wield the mace. "Looks like you have been reunited with a long lost friend. The weapon become you. You should keep it. Too bad the weapon was not a temple sword."

Danica pauses for a moment and questions, "Why is the Way looking for such a weapon?"

"Um," Anna says, frowning. "I thought Ananias wasn't coming with us. Right? You're staying with Kimberly, and rebuilding the temple?"

She looks at everyone. "Yeah, it sounds awesome and it would be great in your hands, but you just turn yourself into a target if you stay in one place and let the Whisperers come to you." She shrugs her shoulders. "Amiright?"

Anna is right. The Way need this to free the Tyrant. Whoever holds this will be their next target. They found it before and we have to assume they can find it again. We must keep it with us in an extra-dimensional space I think. It is a powerful weapon though. Perhaps even an artifact.

Sonny whistles at the power of the mace. "That is something I could use. I usually hang back and try to use my divine powers, that weapon would deal a lot of damage to undead."

It's an awesome weapon for Sonny and is equivalent to a +5 weapon. It is even better in the hands of someone who worships Pharisma where it picks up Disruption, the 4 level bump for smiting and the extra smites per day. All that makes it an artifact. But still, a +5 weapon? Heck yea Sunny should carry it. Just keep it in a haversack or bag of holding when not fighting with it. Thoughts?

It's a shame we don't have Kimberly with us as a PC anymore, since it'd be fantastic in her hands since she's a cleric of Pharasma. As it stands, really any of us melee types could use it. Depends on how often Sonny wants to get into melee.

Anna takes the mace from Ananias and gives it a few test swings. "Doesn't seem hard to use. You don't have to worship Pharasma to use it, right?"

But if you used it you do not gain Channel Smite. Sonny would. Still pretty nice weapon for you - against undead it's bane property kicks in making it +5 to hit and damage with a +2d6 kicker.

True. But if Sonny's swinging the mace, he's not casting spells. Not sure if he wants to switch out of the role of combat caster and into melee. Up to him, really. My problem is, it's a heavy mace, so I can't use Finesse with it.

Anna flips around the mace and hands it to Sonny. "Little heavy for me. I'll stick with my knives."

Sonny bows his head to Anna as he takes the mace "Thank you. I will put it to good use." he says to her.

It will make Sonny ok in melee. Without this he is useless and not much better in a ranged roll. He can still cast spells and channel, and channeling is what he is built for. In the middle of a group of undead Sonny shines. I will be mostly engaging undead in melee but +6 vs anything is good as well. I may start providing flanks as well. I will have to check my gear though to get my AC up.

Agreed. Any cleric could use it and Sonny is a cleric... ;-P as long as Sonny doesn't start screaming "SONNY SMASH!!!" in combat.

After some deserve rest and good food, the group gets ready to leave the next morning. Kimberly hugs each and everyone of you. "I wish that I could continu with you, but I sense that my calling is here. Helping these people get over decades of abuse by the cult that was here. Travel safely and win this. Then, once everything is over, comeback here and tell me all about it!"

Teleport or Riding?

Some of the villagers are there to see you off. Of those, a few looks like they are sad to see you leave. The Mayor and the Sherriff stand there, a bit appart from the villagers. The Mayor steps forward. "You've help this village, and we can't really repay you. But know that I will make sure that you are remembered. Some might not be happy, but they will turn around with time and guidance." You are a bit surprise of not seeing Horace there, but them you remember how the distracted inventor is and that he probably forgot about the time again.

The road to Lepidstadt is long and difficult, but with the advantage you now have with the possession of the mace Raven's head, you know that at least for now, time isn't your ennemy.

I am going to teleport to Lepidstadt. Do all of you wish to come with me or do some of you wish to take care of personal business before we meet up to continue the mission? I could take Anna on the first trip and she could procure us lodging.

Tolvan can carry three "passengers" with him. But it's easy enough to teleport to where we are going with three, teleport back, and teleport again. Just more chances to being off target...

Anna brightens at the prospect of going back to Lepidstadt. "Sure! I need to check on Greta and Elsa, and my carriage." She smiles at the thought of living like princess again.

Back to the beginning. A simpler time and place. Let's go.

Sonny says "That sounds good. I can wait for the second trip."

Very Well. But Sunny, can I trust that you will keep the mace in an extra-dimensional space when you are not active using it? Since the Way must have it for their plans I know they will search for it. With spells like Commune and the like they may find it easily enough even with precautions but I must insist that we try to safeguard it.

His speech made Tolvan takes Anna by one hand and instructs her to take Danica's hand with her other. Unless there is a problem I'll be back within an hour. I want us to get a room to 'port into the second time. this time I'll bring us in behind an Inn we recently stayed at by the stables.

Teleport to Lepidstadt, Studied Carefully: 1d100 ⇒ 77

Secure room somewhere - queue Anna.

Teleport back, Studied Carefully: 1d100 ⇒ 55

Teleport to Lepidstadt with Sonny and Andjela, Studied Carefully: 1d100 ⇒ 89

A few casting from Tolvan and the group find itself in Lepidstadt. While not the prettiest city, it is definitely an upgrade from Illmarsh. Since the travel was pretty much instantaneous, it is still early morning. Few people are moving about the streets, but the smell of bread being cook for the day welcomes you. Some of might have people to see, while others are free to explore the city.

Tolvan's first stop is to visit Judge Embreth Daramid. He finds her house relatively easy since he has been there before. Knocking on the door, he is welcome by the judge's butler and guided to a sitting room. Moment later, the Embreth Daramid appears. She joins Tolvan (and whoever joined him) and takes a seat across from the elf. "Glad to see you in good health. I am hoping you have some good news for me, or are you here for a humor an old woman?"

If there is anything else you want to do while in the city, just let me know.

Anna rushes off to check on her three hirelings, Greta, Elsa, and Giovanni. Once she's made sure that they're safe, she starts checking on places that she could sell the treasures they'd collected while in Illmarsh, and looking for the types of items that they'd prefer to purchase with the funds.

She doesn't have any desire to see Judge Daramid, and declines to go visit her.

Speaking in Sphynx, Tolvan replies.

ብዙ ተከናውኗል ፡፡ በመንገዱ እቅዶች ላይ ድብደባ ተመቶበታል እናም ይህንን በማድረጋችን ለእራሳችን ትኩረት እራሳችንን የበለጠ ምልክት እንዳደረግን አምናለሁ ፡፡ በአነስተኛ ረግረጋማ በሆነችው በኢርማማርሽ ታላላቅ ክፋቶች ተገለጡና ተሸነፉ ፡፡ የታገልናቸው ክፋቶች ሁሉ ምንም እንኳን ተሸንፈው እንደሚቀጥሉ እርግጠኛ አይደለሁም ፡፡ የዚህ ዓለም ፍጥረታት ለብዙ ዓመታት የአካባቢያቸውን ሴት ልጆች እየሰረቀ ወደነበረው የስኩም ሐይቅ አልጋ መሠረት ዘልቀው ገቡ ፡፡ በእነዚህ ተጨማሪ ልኬት ያላቸው ፍጥረታት ተሸንፈው ስክሙ በመጨረሻ እነዚያን ሰዎች ለማጥቃት ይመለሳል ፡፡

የፓላቲን ዐይን የኢሶተራል ትዕዛዝ አባል ለመሆን ያቀረብኩትን ሀሳብ ለመቀበል አሁኑኑ ዝግጁ ነኝ ብዬ አምናለሁ ፣ ወይም ቢያንስ ተከራዮችን እና የአባላቱን መስፈርቶች በተሻለ ለመረዳት። ከሌሎች ነገሮች በተጨማሪ የባህር ላይ ኤፊጊን መልሰን አግኝተናል እናም እንዳይመክሩት ካልሆነ በስተቀር ለዩኒቨርሲቲው ለማቅረብ እቅድ አለኝ ፡፡ በመንገድ ላይ የሚደረገውን ውጊያ ለመቀጠል ከካሊፋዎች አጠገብ ተጠርተናል ብዬ አምናለሁ ነገር ግን እኛ ለማረፍ እና እንደገና ለማቋቋም እና ለሚመጣው ውጊያ ሀብቶችን ለመሰብሰብ ለጥቂት ቀናት እዚህ እንቆያለን ፡፡

Switching back to common Tolvan adds I would value your council as what we do next could have great implications. I have more to share once we resolve my membership in the Order.

I know little about this order and Tolvan knows no more. Note I have not mentioned the mace yet. Assuming the order checks out Tolvan will eventually share a lot more details, including the fate of the rider and the mace.

Sonny accompanies Tolvan if wanted/allowed.

Danica stays with Anna....if allowed the company. Danica has a desire to do some shopping as well, getting some new adventures outfits. She will burn the outfit that had monster guts all over it.

Anna welcomes Danica's company, though she does take the Sarenraen into some of the seedier parts of Lepidstadt. Anna had already built up something of a reputation in the city's underbelly back when she was trying to drum up a lead on the Whispering Way before being sent on the mission to the Ascanor Lodge in the Shudderwood. She's not overly welcome in several circles since Anna hadn't been interested in making friends then.

Still, her coin was good and her wits savvy enough that she was able to find buyers for their gear they didn't need.

I'm envisioning a few antics that don't need to take up actual game time, with Anna getting into situations that she and Danica barely make it out, but otherwise it's all in good fun.

Also, I'm not sure what our current "sell" pile of loot is worth. I know the shadow mail is on the selling block. Has anyone worked up a loot list recently, or does the GM want us to just bring ourselves up to our current wealth by level?

Danica and Anna head out to find Anna's hireling. They find them living the grand life just on the edge of the city. The ornate carriage and the horse are visibly well taken care for. It is Elsa that notice the two adventurers first. She was just about to step outside from the front door of the house. When she sees the two, she quickly steps back inside. "Come out you two we have visitors." She then steps outside and walks toward Anna with a big smile. "Welcome back, we were worry after all this time with no news."

The judge smiles at Tolvan. "Good, good. Glad to hear that not only the way was dealt a blow, but that you even took the time to help the locals with other problem troubling them." She gets a more serious look to her, but you get the impression that she is still happy with your report. "Now, let's address some of the smaller issues moving forward. First, the effigy. Unless you think that there is a danger of leaving in a museum, I would return to them. From the sound of it, there might be a nice reward for you in it."

"For the ressources you are looking for, while we are a good size town, the market here are nothing compare to Caliphas. Keep that in mind before you spend all of your gold. A few days of rest are all and well deserved, but you can't loose the what time advantage you might have. The way isn't known for sitting on their hands."

She leans back in her seats and smile again. "Now for your membership. The way we train new members is simple but long. We send them to train under different elders for a period of three years. Training involve mystical arts, social interactions with the higher spheres of society and what we know of the way." She pauses for a second to see your reaction. If you seem to be about to say something, she lifts a finger to stop you. "In your case however, we are dealing with a complicated case. If we make you go through the proper channel, the way will have probably succeed in their plans before you get to be an acolyte. Also, with all that you have done, you probably know more about them than any acolyte that we have. The only thing is the training on how to navigate the higher sphere of society, but that can wait until after you have stopped the way." She stand and walk over to you, extending a hand. "So, congratulation acolyte, you are now part of the order." She shake your hand and give you a good slap on the shoulder for someone her age. Walking back to her seat, she continue talking. "I will get you different names of contacts that we have in Caliphas. Some will be in high places, others will be closer to the streets. I will also look here in my supplies of scrolls to see what you could use. Any question?"

That was a long one!

I posted just ahead of you, Rannik. Just in case you didn't notice.

Anna rushes up and returns Elsa's smile. "Yeah, sorry; we were kind of on the other side of the country. And underneath a lake. So, anyway, everything good? We won't be staying long, I'm afraid. Headed to Caliphas. You got any new dresses for me to show off to the elite in the big city?"

I was expecting more reactions than just Anna. Everyone ok?

Also, didn't you guys had someone tracking loot?

Hmm. I did not see these updates til you posted this most recent post last night. Sorry I somehow missed them.

Three years is not so long for an elf, but Tolvan thinks of being away from Anna and is ready to proposed he simply be an ally to the order when the judge answers his concerns. Yes, I think we can return the effigy to the museum, with a stern warning about the dangers of using its powers. Every use risks loosing one's mind and calls upon powers that no sane person should willingly call upon.

When inducted into the order Tolvan returns the handshake and thanks the judge for her trust in him. I agree that I am somewhat lost when it comes to moving in the higher spheres of society. Such pursuits were never my strong suite and despite understanding their value, held little interest for me until now. I think Anna might be a good teacher there for me as well. Charisma 8 and no points in social skills. :)

I have one more question for your consideration for now. What do you council on the raven headed mace? I think we might need its power but fear it will be a beacon to draw our enemies. While you gather the contact information and perhaps some scrolls I will get back with my team and we will prepare for a trip to Caliphas. [b]We have accumulated a considerable stockpile of valuables and had had little time even to appraise them, much less divvy them out or sell them. So we will be about doing that, keeping in mind the larger market that Caliphas provides.

I was not tracking loot. I would not know how far to go back to begin to assemble a loot list. Was anyone else?

I have not been tracking any loot.
I'm ok to proceed.

Danica continues to travel with Anna. Danica does not have many friends outside the monastery where she was raised and trained in. Over the past couple of months she has gravitated towards her new friends.

Going with Tolvan would be a moot exercise as she would feel like an outsider amongst those 'mage circles'. Kimberly and Anna is much more to her liking. Anna has a 'life' about her that Danica wishes she has. If you don't have 'it' then have 'it' around you.

"I must admit, I'm a bit at a lost about that mace. The points you raise are valid and I'm afraid that no matter what you decide to do with the object, it will attract unwanted attention. There are spell that could hide the object, but they have a finite duration." She seems to ponder for a moment. "You thinking of it, they have no idea so far that they didn't secure the weapon. Maybe you can find a way to use that to infiltrate some of their rank." She smiles at the idea for a second. "Yes, keep the weapon. Use it to bring justice to the way. Yes, you are bringing it closer to the enemy, but at the same time, if you fall in your mission because you didn't have it, we wouldn't be better off."

For the scrolls, you can choose 3 spells. 1 level 4 and 2 level 3 and down.

Side note, if Ananias was still with the group as an active player, the weapon would have been a scimitar with a different power. Oh well.

I posted just ahead of you, Rannik. Just in case you didn't notice.

Anna rushes up and returns Elsa's smile. "Yeah, sorry; we were kind of on the other side of the country. And underneath a lake. So, anyway, everything good? We won't be staying long, I'm afraid. Headed to Caliphas. You got any new dresses for me to show off to the elite in the big city?"

"Is everything good? Well of course, we are having a blast. Nice weather, comfortable bed, no awful creatures, things are really looking up." She pauses for a second. "Please tell me you are not bringing us to a seclude lodge in the middle of the woods surrounded by evil things?" Before you can answer, she continues on. "Dresses, oh my yes, I do. Not that many though. Only two, to be honest. We kinda... Well, we kinda didn't know if you were coming back. But please, come inside, I'll show you what I have."

Anna's smile becomes rather sheepish. "Yeah, sorry about that. If I'd have known the lodge was going to be like that, I wouldn't have brought you. Heck, I might not have gone myself." She forces a chuckle, but then looks away as she scratches a spot on her shoulder.

Anna shakes that off and excitedly heads inside to check out the dresses that Elsa has for her.

"Well, it all turned out well in the end." She pauses for a moment, obliviously not totally over what she saw over there. "Well, come in and I'll show you the dresses. I think you will be happy." Once inside, she present the two dresses to Anna. The first one is a sober yet elegant dress, something that noble would wear during their everyday time. The other is more of a evening thing, for official party and soirée.

---------------------

The judge scribes but a single name on a piece of parchment : Edjureus Modd. "He is the leader of our organisation in Caliphas. The best way to reach him would be to attend the meeting at the Haraday Theater on Constance Street. They usually meet on Oathday if memory served." She gives you the parchment along with the scrolls. "Now if you excuse me, there is other tasks that require my attention. Minor things compare to what you have on your plate, but they need to be attend to anyway. May the gods protect you." She bows in respect and leaves the room.

Anna gives a little clap in delight over the dresses, happy to put the Ascanor unpleasantness aside for now. She gushes over both of them, and quickly shrugs out of her adventuring gear in order to try them both on. Of course, she then immediately tests her range of movement and ability to hide her various weapons -- daggers, mostly -- without giving their presence away in the lines and folds of the dress.

"These are great! Thank you so much," she says in delight. "I think I'll wear this one this evening. Find a fine restaurant, just Tolvan and me." She can't hide her blush.

She finds a couple lads nearby to run the message to Tolvan and to make reservations at one of Lepidstadt's finest restaurants. Then she gets ready for the evening, making sure all the last adventure's grime is scrubbed away and she is properly made up and perfumed before getting back into the evening dress.

[ooc]Sorry guys I couldn't roleplay along. Having some login issues and work has been kicking my ass. I'm ready to start.[ooc]

Your travel from Lepidstadt to Caliphas is somewhat uneventful. You did cross path with a small group of bandit that was too dumb to realise that you were way out of their league but aside from that, it would seem that the evil creatures decided to move out of your way. It is almost night fall when you reach the outskirt of the town. You can see the massive wall surrounding the inner city is just an hour away when your group is intercepted by a group of city guards.

"Halt! By decree of the Prince Aduard Ordranti III, all citizens and visitors most be cleared of the street before the sun set. If you wish to enter the inner city, it must be done at Castle Balatz in the morning." He pauses to count the members of your group. "The Dancing Harlequin should have enough room for you all. It is just down the street here, two blocks from here."

Sonny nods to the guard that speaks and says "Of course we will head there. Thank you for letting us know. Is this a newer decree or is this longstanding? Is there something happening that we need to be aware of?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

Earlier

Hmm. A meeting in the theater in Caliphas. Yes, I think Anna will like that. Tolvan takes the scrolls and parchment, his mind on Anna for the moment. Standing he takes his leave, wanting to get back to his room and give those new scrolls the attention they will require to transcribe into his grimoire.

He was only halfway back to the Inn when a young lad catches up to him. Tugging at his overly long sleeve the lad asks if he is Mr. Tolvan and when assured that Tolvan was the wizard he sough the message was delivered.

Taking a moment to drop both the note and scrolls in this haversack Tolvan changes course. Time for a bath and some professional grooming. he says to himself with a smile as he anticipates the evening. And perhaps a new suit of cloths and even a hat I think. He has worked too hard and been too focused on the mission for too long. It is difficult for Tolvan to relax and take pleasure in life, but like many things, when he applies himself, he is quite good at it. As he sets off on his new mission he ponders, with the time Anna has had, what she might look like for this dinner.

Earlier
It felt nice being back in the carriage. Certainly better than the last conveyance she had taken a ride in -- Horace Croon's submersible. Her smile fades as the horrors she'd recently witnessed flash unbidden in her mind. She tries to take a deep breath, but the tight corset of her evening gown restricts her just enough that she has to fight off panic.

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay... she repeats to herself as she forces herself to settle down. Tolvan. I'm having a date with Tolvan. Don't-- don't mess this up. I'm okay. I'm okay...

The carriage comes to a halt while Anna was reciting her brief mantra. The door opens by the restaurant's attendant and hands reach in to assist her down. They suddenly flinch away. She glances down at her hand. When did I draw my dagger?

"Um, excuse me for a moment." She takes several more breaths while she secrets away her dagger once more. She allows herself to be assisted out of the carriage and escorted into the restaurant where her reserved table had been prepared. The extremely fancy setting settles Anna some more. Before she sits down, she tugs the sleeve of the maître d'.

"Um, please tell the chef. No squid, snails, or octopus please. As a matter of fact, I don't want any fish at all."

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Caliphas

Anna's mouth twists at being told to stay outside the city, and the nighttime curfew decree. She did some of her best work after the sun had set.

She listens intently to the response to Sonny's eloquent question. She didn't mind staying at the inn, though. She figured she could learn a lot there.

Earlier

Tolvan allows himself to be fully present for the evening and enjoys every moment of it. His considerable metal focus is required to keep thoughts of past events or plans for future ones from intervening. Yes, there was much to contemplate and plan, but he needed a night off, perhaps as much as Anna. The dinner was perfect though later he could not recall what he had eater. Perhaps it was the rest of the evening that filled his mind so completely.

Tolvan was up a little earlier than usual. Had has to scribe some scrolls in addition to his normal ritual of arcane preparation. And then he had a what he hoped was a nice surprise for the group. And he suspected that perhaps Anna would appreciate it more that the others. He smiled as he thought about it.

As the group gathered for final preparations in the courtyard of the Inn Tolvan explains that since he had never traveled to Caliphas he cannot teleport the group there. But instead of horseback he has arranged for a more comfortable and faster means of conveyance. Opening the double doors of the stable wide he reveals his most recent conjuration. Leading the team of 4 phantom horses forward the party can see they are harnessed to a beautiful carriage.

Phantom Chariot: Spell lasts 10 hours and the chariot can be customized as the caster wishes. It can carry 6 passengers and makes no sound of its own. It moves with a speed of 100, which is more than twice as fast as a fast horse and can move over sandy, muddy and even swampy ground without reducing speed. It can even travel over water. Two more levels and it can air walk. :)

Caliphas

Tolvan considers simply riding past the bandits as there is no way they could keep up with his carriage but bandits on the road should not be allowed to prey on weaker traveler so they are dispatched.

While traveling Tolvan fills the group in on the contact in Caliphas. We are to meet with one Edjureus Modd. I have heard the best way to reach him would be to attend a meeting at the Haraday Theater on Constance Street. They usually meet on Oathday. Just realized this is likely a meeting of the Eye and if so the entire party may not be be welcome? Also what is today?

At the gates Tolvan only nods. He suspects this might have something to do with undead activity of late but is not sure.

Earlier

Anna rises from her seat and gives a little twirl to show off her new evening gown when Tolvan arrives at the restaurant. She then raises a glass of very expensive wine for a toast, though her smile falters when she can't think of anything to toast to. She looks away, pensive, then finally says, "To enjoying each other's company," with a firm smile.

She couldn't quite remember everything they talked about, but she hardly ever stopped looking at Tolvan, studying his face, getting lost in his eyes.

=========================
Caliphas

Anna was grateful for the magic carriage. It enabled her to bring a larger assortment of dresses and gowns than she'd ordinarily have been able to pack on horseback. She wanted to be able to blend in to the high society of Caliphas, and needed to look the part.

She laughs with surprise when Tolvan tells them who they're going to meet. "Look at you! With your contacts and meeting locations. You sure you want us along with you? We might cramp your style!"

The guard looks at Sonny. "While I wasn't made aware of the entire situation, the town is currently plague with one or multiple mass-murderers. To keep people safe and to make it easier for the city watch to catch the guilty, we ask that everyone stay inside during the night. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to make sure the street are safe."

The patrol moves on and leave you by yourself in the street. With nothing better to do and no other stores open, you walks toward The Dancing Harlequin. While the outside doesn't look like anything much out of the ordinary, the building in itself looks well taken care of. From the street, you can hear music being played inside.

Danica makes her move to enter The Dancing Harlequin. "Let's get off the streets and gather some intel. Looks like the folks here have a problem with unsolved murders."

Danica looks for the host/barkeep/inn keeper, asks for a table for the group and sleeping accommodations.

Danica walks into the inn just as the music stop. The musician is about to start another piece when this large mountain of a man gesture at him. He large bald man walks over to Danica with a grim expression. "We don't like your kind here. Go somewhere else or I'll see just how far I can throw you." A few other patrons stand as the man speaks. Before you can formulate and answer some of the patrons start laughing. The big man just release an impressive deep laugh as he slaps his thigh. "Oh you should have seen your face, it was priceless!" He gesture to the rest of the room. "Welcome to The Dancing Harlequin. We have food, drinks, music, and a place to sleep if you need. Find yourselves a table and we will get you something that will make you forget all the unpleasantness of the outside."