|
+7 days.
The shock of the loss of magic was felt even at the Temple of the mind, high in the north at the end of the world.
Grand Mind-Mage Gillwathal, call all to the great assembly hall.
He had told all the students not to worry, it could be a local, event something or a large counter magic spell some mages liked to used, there was nothing to worry about. But as the days moved on so magic was still dead. Some how had skill in mind and magic found no matter what they tried magic was dead. The Divinely linked found no voices or power after meditations. From simple items to works of great magic craft nothing now held any magic. Even the harrow decks seems lifeless and empty of meaning.
It was only after a week that Mind-Mage Gillwathal called you to his rooms, there to meet him and discuss a task he wished you to undertake.
Mind-Mage Gillwathal, sat cross legged on his low seat, on each side a large crystal, Long bland he looked at you not with his closed eyes but his minds eye. behind him stand to monks, one old the other young, before you on the floor is a map of the world. Small stones have been placed on it at some key locations.
The Temple room is large, eaten and dark, painted great wood beams of the mind temple its night about 10pm
you are shown and and asked to sit, an the small platforms around the map.
Among the assembled individuals in the great assembly hall, there sits a relativly cheerful looking elf-like fellow, wearing some borrowed temple wear.
Taking a deep breath as he glances about the temple hall and briefly at any and all who are also currently assembled within its' serene austerity, Jamaardi pauses to reflect on the relatively sparse furnishings as he considers what this meeting with the Grand Mind-Mage shall entail.
Making a perception check for anything unusual or out of the ordinary; have not yet activated Elfsight
Having left his Hide Shirt armor, cold-weather gear, and shield, along with most of his weapons and his backpack back in his quarters, Jamaardi appears as non-chalant as he can manage, given that he still has his sheathed Xephyr Knife with him, although it has been peace-bonded to it's false bottom scabbard. Stilll wearing his chain-like glove (not bulky enough to be considered a weapon) and bandoleer as well, it contains mostly innocous items- papers, inkpen, an inkvial hanging off one of the bandoleer's many straps. Close to his skin, however, there seems to be a dark solid purple covering of sorts; almost latexy in texture and stretched thin like spandex. Definitely not part of the usual temple wear.
She is short and broad, like the rest of her kind, but nimbler than most. Despite her short legs she isn't slow. Perhaps her inner fear is what drives her legs in quick forceful strides. During the bright days she wears a veil to protect her eyes, but it comes off when the sun comes down.
The duergar comes without her pack, but in armor. Then again, she is rarely seen without it. No weapons are obvious, though she walks with an aggressive stance that says she doesn't need tools to deal with people.
Since she had arrived, she had been talking about shifts in the nature of the world. Occasionally this led to rants that the worm at the center of the world was causing this in order to rise and destroy everything.
Since the death of magic, there's been a certain smugness about her. She's been challenging the masters' tales and arguing that they needed to take action. As she comes in, she's muttering under her breath, "It's about time they started taking this seriously."
Aldondrick arrives in the chambers of Grand Mind-Mage Gillwathal in good spirits. His heart's desire it seems awaits him. A world which was once structured had come unbalanced a strong hand will be needed to guide this world, it is the time for Aldon to be that hand.
First he will need experience to grow into that force. Thus, following the orders of the Grand Mind-Mage...
Aldon has light brown skin as if very tanned, his head is bald with not a wisp of hair on it. His perceptive dark brown eyes take in the room as he enters. His robes are brown and free flowing. They hide the short sword at his waist and their bulk also conceals the backpack that he slings around with his most important possessions, dorje's and his crown.
He sees the maps laid out on the table and asks, "Do you wish us to travel somewhere Master?"
|
|
As the four of you are now here, a man comes into the room and walking over to the master, looks at him a moment, then nods and walks out again.
The master thinks for a while letting you all see the map then says.
"Me no, no this is a map for you, we the counsel of the wise, have been sending out our most gifted to see what is amiss with the world. Other wise minds have been coming all week and aiding us. We each of the wise have hand picked groups to head out, and you four are mine. I feel you have a nice grouping of skills an gifts. So let us begin, You all know what has befallen our world here, Magic has stopped, The gods are missing, the outer planes blacked to Magi and Holly Alike, We want to know how bad it is. We want to know more of what has befallen our world. The red dots on this map in front of you show where others have gone this day. Now we need to talk about where you will go. I have three places I would like to investigate"
Three yellow crystals comes into being above a spots on the map.
"We are here at the World's Edge Mountains, its all south for us.
1st Osirion and a land so old places untouched can now be got to.
2ed Cheliax and the metropolis of Westcrown, what do the rouge lords know?
3ed The The Worldwound, could this all come from there?"
He waits to see what you say.
"I've already told you that it's the elder things rising." she says with frustration that such a wise one has no vision. "But if you are insistent upon this runaround, I vote Osirion. With how long they lasted, they must have dealt with a rising at some point."
. Anything that Jamaardi knows about the Temple of the mind?
Briefly looking at the man who had entered and then left without another word to Grand Mind-Mage Gillwathal, was there anything remarkble that Jamaardi could notice about him at first glance?
Also, on the already red marked dots, what are some of the other locations marked on the map? Any place or area that Jamaardi might recognize?
"I've already told you that it's the elder things rising." she says with frustration that such a wise one has no vision. "But if you are insistent upon this runaround, I vote Osirion. With how long they lasted, they must have dealt with a rising at some point."
Giving as much of a mollifying tone as he could muster to the cantankerous tempered Taker-of-Life, Jamaardi replies, "Yes, the... ah, worms, was it? I'm certain that there might be others, much like our handpicked group, that could already be looking into all that."
Jamaardi will give an apologetic nod and shrug towards any response from Taker-of-Life before trying to change the subject back to the matter at hand.
"Still, a change of scenery would do us all well, not that there hasn't been any appreciation for your Temple's hospitality, given the present circumstances". Jamaardi makes certain to give a slight apprecative bow of gesture over towards Grand Mind-Mage Gillwathal, Aldondrick, and any other monk still present, in turn.
Glancing back over the yellow dotted parts of the map, Jamaardi notes, "Given where we are at, it looks as if the Worldwound is the closest to our location, followed by Westcrown in Cheliax, and then Osirion itself being the furthest away."
For Worldwound:
"In terms of how safe it will be to visit any of them, that's an entirely different matter. While it is still not certain if any Demons remain in the Worldwound, given the loss of magic, perhaps the Crusaders will have an easier time of it now."
For Cheliax:
"As far as Westcrown goes, I would imagine that the local Hellknights have stayed very, very busy as of late... They may even have to find a different method for their initiation", Jamaardi muses to no one in particular.
For Osirion:
"The Ruby Prince is both Osirion's defacto spiritual and political leader over there- a fairly solid one, if the rumors hold true; they might be the most stable and least troublesome to travel over there, out of all three places."
Survival by travel:
"We'll definitely have need for supplies, food, & water; maybe even some mounts... or a good pair of traveling boots at the very least", Jamaardi adds with a grin..
Aldon turns to Taker "We will have to hear more of your theory before we go certainly. But Osirion being farthest sounds fine to travel to first". Also nods to the the Xeph's statement.
|
|
Grand Mind-Mage Gillwathal smiles.
"Well it looks like Osirion good, go get yourselves ready, if you need anything we have basic non pisonic stores with master Lu, there are some traders around, in the old court yard, they may have other things. I am sorry but we can only Psico-port you and you belongings there, once there I use will use a communication crystal I will give you, when you set out tomorrow morning. I will see you then, I am sorry I can't spent more time with you but I have many meeting like this today. Good bye for now"
He smiles and the door open to the room showing you the way out.
As they step out, she looks over the others. "So we should all know what each other can do. I move life force around to heal people, so I'm keeping you alive. And yes, I can steal the life away from people trying to kill us and use it so we don't get killed. If you have a problem with that, keep it to yourself or deal with your own wounds." She looks around to see if anybody is concerned with that.
"I'll also need to touch your minds a bit to do this. That way I can help you out from fifty yards. Stray farther and you're on your own. We can use mindspeech through the link, but I'm not going to crawl through your brains. Like I'd even want to."
"So, what do you do?"
" I bend the will of others to my own whims. I have no qualms with what you do. We are the chosen few it seems who have retained might where the rest have faltered. It is only proper that others sacrifice so that we may make a better world. Tell me Taker of the threats you believe to be looming before us".
Her voice goes cold as she tells of deep truths. "There are beings from the spaces between and beyond the planes. While the gods are powerful, we can comprehend them. They have wants and needs like ours writ large. These entities have minds completely unlike ours. Their power dwarfs the gods' and their ability to destroy immense. We cannot defeat them, at most we can hope to contain them, placate them. My kind has kept one asleep for millennia. We must find what is causing this and find what will keep it from destroying us."
"While I'm certain that there are some fanatical pacifists who would object to your ability to steal away life and some ferverent advocates of freedom who would certainly decry your ability to bend the will of others", Jamaardi states as he glances at both Taker and Aldondrick before breaking into a wide grin, "but thankfully, I've no personal objections to either methods".
"As for myself, you could say that I'm never unnarmed or unprotected."
|
|
A monk comes to you group.
"The hall market will be open tonight, I have been told to show you the way to it and to give you each this"
He hands over 2000 gold to each of you.
"The grand mind mage said you where to get things you may need for your trip"
He then leads you to a large 5 story be-go-da inside is floor after floor of local farmers stalls and the odd stranger seller of things. A few stalls are closed, all seem to be magic ones.
"There is also a mount Stables around the back, they have all manner of riding best. Please if you wish one they may have it"
Her voice goes cold as she tells of deep truths. "There are beings from the spaces between and beyond the planes. While the gods are powerful, we can comprehend them. They have wants and needs like ours writ large. These entities have minds completely unlike ours. Their power dwarfs the gods' and their ability to destroy immense. We cannot defeat them, at most we can hope to contain them, placate them. My kind has kept one asleep for millennia. We must find what is causing this and find what will keep it from destroying us."
Jamaardi listens intently at what Taker-of-Life ominously mentions, but doesn't immediately reply with anything vocal- only gives a slight nod of acknowledgement to Taker after some moment of obvious internal deliberation as the Duergar finishes speaking.
==Correction==:"As for myself, you could say that I'm never un-armed or un-protected."
"I suppose I could hold my own in the event of things ever turning towards outright violence, though I'm certainly no equal to any storied Aldori Swordmaster. Other than that, I try to be good company... Oh yes, almost forgot to mention, I've a slight knack for either fixing or breaking things.", Jamaardi adds in after mentioning about what he can do, smiling at both Aldondrick and Taker.
A monk comes to you group.
"The hall market will be open tonight, I have been told to show you the way to it and to give you each this"He hands over 2000 gold to each of you.
"The grand mind mage said you where to get things you may need for your trip"
He then leads you to a large 5 story be-go-da inside is floor after floor of local farmers stalls and the odd stranger seller of things. A few stalls are closed, all seem to be magic ones.
"There is also a mount Stables around the back, they have all manner of riding best. Please if you wish one they may have it"
2000 gp added. Just for the fun of it, will see what else is there for other mounts. Also, was this monk an Elan too?
Giving a slight bow to the monk, Jaamaardi says to that monk, "Please relay to Grand Mind-Mage Gillwathal, our utmost sincere thanks for his generousity; it shall be most helpful for what we must do tomorrow."
Aldon nods to Jamaardi, "Yes let's".
Turing back to Taker, "Then we shall keep our eyes and ears out for signs of these beings. At this point, we can rule nothing out".
Seeking unusual mounts - Charisma Check
"Osirion will be very much different compared to over here.", Jamaardi prattles on to Taker and Aldondrick amidst the everyday goings-on at the market, "Dressing for the heat and sun will be useful, not that I ever spent much time in a desert personally."
"Chill cream, Fuel and Purification pellets, Salt tablets, perhaps even some Sun cream, those can come in handy, or so I've heard."
Nodding over towards Taker-of-Life's direction, Jamaardi adds, "A parasol should work well with your veil; perhaps even an umbrella but the likelihood of sudden rainstorms does seem somewhat remote out in the desert heat."
"It shouldn't be all that bad though in the main cities and villages; and if we do run into any Ouat monks, I'm sure you'll find them to be of interest," Jamaardi adds while grinning over in Aldondrick's direction, "Possibly a wonderful opportunity to exchange grooming methods, right? They tend to shave their heads too."
Pausing to recall some other half rembered bits, the Xeph mentions "Even some of the dwarven members of their monastery will also be clean-shaven, strange as it may seem", with a shrug.
|
|
The next day you head down to the deep chambers of the monastery.
There in a ring stands a number of Mind mages of all races, even some off ones. A Merfolk even.
Your lead into the ring with all your kit and mounts, then you can feel their minds link as they port you in a moment to a hot dry plan of sand.
A light wind blows, its about mid day.
A way off you can see a city, there are streams of smoke coming up from it.
Having made certain to be doubly-focused before embarking upon the psychoportation journey, Jamaardi peers over towards the smoke-streaming city and says dryly to his companions, "Now what are the chances that this wouldn't be a massive barbecue celebratory feast thats merely gone terribly awry?"
Anything that he can possibly make out over at the city?
HP: 69, PP: 18, AC & TAC: 14, FFAC: 10
Astral Suit Mode: Skin {+10' Move, +2 Dex}, CP: 2 remaining {Harness Shard, Extra Arms: lesser}
Mindarmor: None
Psionic Powers: None activated yet
Focus: Both Focus 1 and 2 maintained; DR 2/- from Survivor Path active
Despite the veil and parasol, she hisses in pain at the bright light. "I've heard it makes more sens to rest during the day and travel at night." she says hopefully.
Aldon turns to Taker, "We should at least get near the city first my dear there is little cover out here".
He shrugs at Jamaardi's comment, "Likely chaos. Fallout for those who lorded their might over others. Fortunes have no doubt changed for many who wielded might through magic. We should have a care, these are no doubt dangerous times ahead of us. Still, there is opportunity in chaos is there not?"
Aldon pauses for a moment to gain Psionic Focus before moving forward with his mount towards the city.
|
|
As you sit on your mounts looking at the city you look to see if you know the place.
Its the Osirian city of Eto
Its the Osirian city of Eto
Eto sits at a central point on the trade routes between Thuvia, Shiman-Sekh, and Sothis and has seen its fortunes wax with the increase of foreign trade since Osirian independence.
Its the Osirian city of Eto
Eto sits at a central point on the trade routes between Thuvia, Shiman-Sekh, and Sothis and has seen its fortunes wax with the increase of foreign trade since Osirian independence. The town has become a launching pad for adventurers seeking the nation's ancient treasures.
Its the Osirian city of Eto
Eto sits at a central point on the trade routes between Thuvia, Shiman-Sekh, and Sothis and has seen its fortunes wax with the increase of foreign trade since Osirian independence. The town has become a launching pad for adventurers seeking the nation's ancient treasures.
Gnoll raiders launch attacks on the caravans of Eto from the desert depression and ancient temple Lamashtu's Flower some 80 miles from the town
Aldon looks at the city through the spyglass as he contemplates what he knows about this City and this Country.
Knowledge Local
"We should take care for Gnoll bandits on the road as well as adventurers who have come here seeking fortune. Though perhaps if we find some, we may be able to use them to our own purposes".
Despite the veil and parasol, she hisses in pain at the bright light. "I've heard it makes more sens to rest during the day and travel at night." she says hopefully.
Aldon turns to Taker, "We should at least get near the city first my dear there is little cover out here".
Idly fiddling about with the saddlebags on his own mount, Jamaardi adds in his own aside to Taker, "At any rate, things should be far more pleasant inside civilization than finding shelter outside at the very least.", before getting that mount to move along.
Having made certain to be doubly-focused before embarking upon the psychoportation journey, Jamaardi peers over towards the smoke-streaming city and says dryly to his companions, "Now what are the chances that this wouldn't be a massive barbecue celebratory feast thats merely gone terribly awry?"
He shrugs at Jamaardi's comment, "Likely chaos. Fallout for those who lorded their might over others. Fortunes have no doubt changed for many who wielded might through magic. We should have a care, these are no doubt dangerous times ahead of us. Still, there is opportunity in chaos is there not?"
"True enough, and one can never discount such an opportune moment to prepare for said chaos beforehand- fortunately for us", Jamaardi concedes as he activates both his Elfsight power at the minimum power level to manifest (one PP) and summons forth his Mindarmor as normal; his Astral Skin already being channeled through his already donned Crystal Spaulder +1. Something to the effect of a half-translucent, copper-colored Pangolin-like scales shaped into a form of a chain shirt materializes instantly around the Xeph.
As you sit on your mounts looking at the city you look to see if you know the place.
Aldon looks at the city through the spyglass as he contemplates what he knows about this City and this Country. "We should take care for Gnoll bandits on the road as well as adventurers who have come here seeking fortune. Though perhaps if we find some, we may be able to use them to our own purposes".
"Gnollish banditry and errant fortune-seekers, eh? It would seem that those better days at the city of Eto have stirred up some unwanted interest.", Jamaardi remarks after hearing the Elan mention about the possible dangers nearby.
"Whatever. Let's get moving." and she will spur her lizard forward to the city.
"Ah, well, it seems that the civilizations on the surface are broken by the slightest difficulty." She looks at the others through her smoked glasses, "Do we enter, or avoid?"
"We should speak with these people and see what it is they are fleeing from. Agreed?"
Deciding that now would be a good time as any to utilize his Conceal Thoughts power (at a princely sum of one more PP, plus a standard action), Jamaardi glances back at the others as the armed group of riders approach, "Seems like we've found just the fellows to be asking, provided they're willing to talk first...".
They are palace guards but they don't seem to have a commanding officer.
As the group of riders edges even closer, Jamaardi recognizes their uniforms to be that of the rank and file Eto palace guards with nary a commanding officer in sight. "Ah, no need to worry overmuch- it seems like our new arrivals are the Eto Palace Guards themselves; just the rank and file though... their superior officer doesn't seem to be anywhere among them though- perhaps one of them got an unexpected field promotion?"
Looking over at his non-combat trained Gecko mount, Jamaardi moves to dismount it from his saddle (at a move action) but still makes certain to give a friendly wave to the approaching riders. "So who should we have to do our introductions with?", Jamaardi inquires to his compatriots.
, seeing if anything is amiss.
, why they've come to us.
HP: 69, PP: 16 of 18, AC: 18, TAC: 14, FFAC: 14
Astral Suit Mode: Skin {+10' Move, +2 Dex}, CP: 2 remaining {Harness Shard, Extra Arms: Lesser}
Mindarmor: Light Mindarmor {not channeled through Spaulders}
Shield: Not drawn yet
Psionic Powers: Elfsight, Conceal Thoughts; both 5 hour durations
Focus: Both Focus 1 and 2 maintained; DR 2/- from Survivor Path active
Taker will try to appear inconspicuous. She's dealt with the irrational prejudice of those foolish enough to live on the skin of the world. She will observe for now.
Initiative
With a raised eyebrow, Jamaardi starts to get that sinking feeling in his chest when it becomes manifestly obvious that the approaching riders have done little to nothing in the way of slowing down nor are they keeping their lances pointed anywhere other than in the party's direction.
"Nevermind, it seems that talking has just become irrelevant now", he says with a slight sigh.
,
|
|
The Lancer move fast, only 6 can get a ride by attack at a time, the 1st six some in fast paring off 2 at each of you.
The 13th at the back calls to his fellows
"Don't harm the mounts"
DMG P
DMG P
Crit confimation
[Nope]
Lance attack
DMG P
DMG P
DMG P
DMG P
Aldon grits his teeth is aggravation.
He levels a blast of Psionic energy at the foe giving orders.
Mind Thrust
|
|
Ok Aldondrick your mind hits out at one of the riders as they pass you.
There is a high pitched sound as the psionic power hits the rider, he shakes his head but rides on unaffected. Your attack had was shrugged off my the mind of the rider. But the other rides recoil at the sound and ride past.
The one at the back calls out
"HOLD!"
The other wave of riders peals off left and right.
"Hah! Willing to assault random travellers, but a show of power and they back off. What shikal!"
Aldon smiles and speaks as if no fight had been started by these riders, "We were Chosen to lead it was Destiny that those who squandered and abused their powers lost them. Their own greed was their undoing. We have come here to make order out of Chaos. Tell us, why has the city degenerated so quickly? It has been mere days since the former mighty had fallen. I am surprised te situation has gotten so bad so... quickly".
|
|
The 13th rider gets off his mount and bows on one nee.
The others follow suit.
"All magic stopped, then a great harm came, the sick and hurt could not be treated, the holly undead fell to dust. Magics that have held for millennia just ended. The gods themselves will not talk to us. The priests blame each other, and fight with mobs on the streets, other mobs rant in to once magicly guarded temples and wizard home. The great houses have started to attack each other. Our ruler is missing, our officers run away. The price told us to get mounts, mounts so that he and his family could flee the fighting. But you, you have power where no others have. I beg you come with us to our prince, come and aid him."
His head is bowed low, so are the others
"Our city needs saving"